Patent US4617438A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4617438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus with an infrared ray detecting temperature sensor
Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1984-12-28
•
Granted: 1986-10-14
•
Expires: 2004-12-28
Abstract
Abstract An infrared ray detecting apparatus comprises an infrared ray detecting element (5), bimorph elements (8a and 8b), a transistors (53, 54), a DC-DC converter (55), and a volume (56). A square wave signal is applied to a base of the transistor (53) from a microprocessor (40) included in a microwave oven and a signal having a constant level is applied to a base of the transistor (54). The DC-DC converter (55) is continuously driven in response to an emitter output from the transistor (54) so that a constant voltage -E 0 V which is extremely stable is supplied. A voltage -E s V which is obtained by regulating properly the constant voltage -E 0 V by means of the volume (56), is applied to central electrodes of the bimorphs (8a and 8b), while a square wave signal varying between 0 V and -E 0 V in response to an on/off state of the transistor (53), is applied to a surface electrodes of the bimorphs (8a and 8b). The square wave signal has a round in its leading edge, due to a time constant comprising resistances of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , r 1 , r 2 and electrostatic capacity of the bimorphs (8a and 8b).
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Nakata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/08; G01J5/0803; G01J5/0805
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
In a microwave oven including a microwave oscillator circuit, and microprocessor means responsive to an output signal from an infrared ray detecting apparatus, for controlling the output power of said microwave oscillator circuit, wherein said infrared ray detecting appparatus comprises: an infrared ray detecting element; optical chopper means for making an infrared ray to be measured intermittently incident on said infrared ray detecting element, said optical chopper having at least one bimorph element and a shutter portion mounted to said bimorph element, said shutter portion performing a chopper action in response to displacement of said bimorph element; driving means including generator means for generating a driving signal having a substantially square wave shape, wave shaping means for forming a rounded leading edge in said driving signal generated by said generator means, for substantially preventing the production of mechanical noise by said bimorph, and coupling means for coupling said driving signal with a rounded leading edge to said bimorph element for driving said optical chopper; said generator means of said driving means including a source of direct current voltage, and DC-DC converter means connected to said source of direct current voltage for producing said driving signal; and means responsive to an output signal from said infrared ray detecting element, for producing said output signal of said infrared ray detecting apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a microwave oven including a microwave oscillator circuit, and microprocessor means responsive to an output signal from an infrared ray detecting apparatus, for controlling the output power of said microwave oscillator circuit, wherein said infrared ray detecting appparatus comprises: an infrared ray detecting element; optical chopper means for making an infrared ray to be measured intermittently incident on said infrared ray detecting element, said optical chopper having at least one bimorph element and a shutter portion mounted to said bimorph element, said shutter portion performing a chopper action in response to displacement of said bimorph element; driving means including generator means for generating a driving signal having a substantially square wave shape, wave shaping means for forming a rounded leading edge in said driving signal generated by said generator means, for substantially preventing the production of mechanical noise by said bimorph, and coupling means for coupling said driving signal with a rounded leading edge to said bimorph element for driving said optical chopper; said generator means of said driving means including a source of direct current voltage, and DC-DC converter means connected to said source of direct current voltage for producing said driving signal; and means responsive to an output signal from said infrared ray detecting element, for producing said output signal of said infrared ray detecting apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus comprising: an infrared ray detecting element; optical chopper means for making an infrared ray to be measured intermittently incident on said infrared ray detecting element, said optical chopper having at least one bimorph element and a shutter portion mounted to said bimorph element, said shutter portion performing a chopper action in response to displacement of said bimorph element; and driving means including generator means for generating a driving signal having a substantially square wave shape, wave shaping means for forming a rounded leading edge in said driving signal generated by said generator means, for substantially preventing the production of mechanical noise by siad bimorph, and coupling means for coupling said driving signal with a rounded leading edge to said bimorph element for driving said optical chopper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus comprising: an infrared ray detecting element; optical chopper means for making an infrared ray to be measured intermittently incident on said infrared ray detecting element, said optical chopper having at least one bimorph element and a shutter portion mounted to said bimorph element, said shutter portion performing a chopper action in response to displacement of said bimorph element; and driving means including generator means for generating a driving signal having a substantially square wave shape, wave shaping means for forming a rounded leading edge in said driving signal generated by said generator means, for substantially preventing the production of mechanical noise by siad bimorph, and coupling means for coupling said driving signal with a rounded leading edge to said bimorph element for driving said optical chopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said driving signal having a square waveform is generated at a frequency of approximately 3 Hz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the amplitude of said driving signal in a square waveform is approximately 60 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus is accordance with claim 2, wherein said infrared ray detecting element is of a pyroelectric type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said optical chopper means includs two bimorph elements arranged in parallel with respect to each other and said shutter portion comprises two slit plates each fixed to free ends if each of said two bimorph elements, each of said two slit plates moving in a plane parallel to each other in response to displacement of each of said bimorph elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said wave shaping means includes a time constant circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said time constant circuit comprises an RC time constant circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said CR time constant circuit comprises a resistor and an electrostatic capacitance of said bimorph element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the rise time constant of said time constant circuit is smaller than a thermal time constant of said infrared ray detecting element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the rise time constant of said time constant circuit is 5 through 8 m secs and the thermal time constant of said infrared ray detecting element is 15 through 30 m secs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said bimorph element includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, and said coupling means comprises means for applying said driving signal to the first electrode terminal of said bimorph element, means for generating an adjustable reference voltage, and means for applying the reference voltage to said second electrode terminal of said bimorph element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said generator means of said driving means comprises a constant voltage generating circuit providing an output of constant voltage, and a switching element coupled to the output of said constant voltage generating circuit for switching the output so that said driving signal is produced.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said reference voltage applying means includes a constant voltage generating circuit providing an output of constant voltage, and voltage regulating means coupled to the output of said constant voltage generating circuit for voltage-regulating the output for producing said reference voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said voltage regulating means comprises a variable resistor for adjusting said reference voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said driving means includes a constant voltage generating circuit having a first constant voltage output and a second constant voltage output, said generator means of said driving means comprises switching means coupled to the first constant voltage ouput of said constant voltage generating circuit for switching that output for producing said square wave signal, and said reference voltage applying means comprises voltage regulating means coupled to the second constant voltage output of said constant voltage generating circuit, for voltage-regulating the output for producing said reference voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said first constant voltage and said second constant voltage are the same.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said voltage regulating means comprises a variable resistor for adjusting said reference voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said genetator means of said driving means comprises a direct current voltage generating circuit and a DC-DC converter coupled to said direct current voltage generating circuit, so that said driving signal is produced by utilizing an output of said DC-DC converter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
An infrared ray detecting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said bimorph element comprises a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, and said generator means of said driving means comprises a direct current voltage generating circuit for providing a first direct current voltage, a DC-DC converter coupled to said first direct current voltage, means for generating said square wave driving signal by utilizing said second direct current voltage, means for coupling the driving signal to the first electrode of said bimorph element, means for generating a reference voltage using said second direct current voltage, and means for applying the reference voltage to said second electrode of said bimorph element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3811748A
Cited
US4087690A
Cited
US4347418A
Cited
US4262198A
Cited
JPS5832131A
Cited
US4461941A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |