Patent ID: 6617711
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G06F,H02J,Y02B,Y02D,Y04S

Abstract:
A power-saving switch control mechanism for a hand-held electric appliance comprising:a sensor, provided on a holding portion on the hand-held electric appliance, a detection part of the sensor being exposed above a surface of the holding portion to detect an approaching object; a control circuit, provided in the electric appliance and containing circuitry and electronic devices required for normal operation of the electric appliance; a switch, connected to the control circuit and to a cell in order for the cell to supply power to the control circuit when the switch is closed and to stop supplying power to the control circuit when the switch is opened, wherein closing and opening of the switch is controlled solely by the presence or absence of activating signals from said sensor; and an amplifier connected to the switch, the sensor, and the cell for receiving and amplifying said activating signals, which are continuously transmitted from the sensor whenever the object is detected; wherein, when the sensor detects an approaching object, the sensor continuously transmits said activating signals to the switch and holds the switch closed, enabling the cell to supply power required by the control circuit for as long as the object is detected by the sensor; and when the object clears away from the electric appliance, the sensor fails to transmit signals to the switch and opens the switch to stop supplying power to the control circuit, whereby power is only supplied to said control circuit when the object is detected by the sensor.