Timing control apparatus and circuit

A timing control apparatus and circuit for use in a toaster or other device, such as an oven, includes electronic solid-state circuitry including a thermistor operating in conjunction with a metal oxide semiconducter (CMOS) wherein when the predetermined voltage or heat buildup is attained, a condenser is charged to positive to activate the timing circuit, which, in turn, activates a SCR, shorting a full wave bridge to deactivate the heating elements and close a normally open solenoid, which unlocks a mechanical latch and permits the toast to be ejected. The device employs low operating current, expends no energy except at the moment of triggering the solenoid and is capable of being used as original equipment or to retrofit existing units.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates in general to heat activated timing circuitry and 
associated apparatus and relates in particular to such circuitry for a 
toaster. The preferred embodiment will be described in conjunction with a 
toaster, but it will be apparent that the inventive concept has other 
applications as well. 
PRIOR ART STATEMENT 
Applicant is aware of the fact that the most basic prior art activiating 
devices of this general type consist of a bimetallic type arrangement 
wherein bimetallic thermostatic switches are used. Such devices present 
certain difficulties because the calibration and maintenance thereof 
present serious problems. One of the difficulties is that when the 
bimetallic strip is located close to the surface of the food being 
prepared, it is sensitive to a considerable degree to the ambient 
temperature within the toaster so that inaccuracy of operation may result. 
Also, metal fatigue can affect the accuracy of the timing. Furthermore, 
these strips usually have relatively large mass and area and, therefore, 
present a relatively long thermal lag which further leads to inaccuracy in 
controlling the operation of the device. 
As a result of these problems, attempts have been made at producing 
completely electrical control systems for use in this environment, which 
have proven superior to the earlier mechanical or bimetallic systems. 
For example, Borley U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,978 discloses a toaster using an 
electromagnet which holds the support bars for the toast down until it is 
de-energized. This particular patent discloses the use of an SCR which 
receives a pulse at a predetermined level from a transistor, which will 
then short out the electromagnet, releasing the support bar and ejecting 
the toast. 
Jones U.S. Pat. No. 3,249,692 is also directed to a toaster and to an 
attempt to overcome the difficulties of the bimetallic prior art by the 
utilization of a thermistor. 
Iida U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,400 discloses the utilization of a negative 
coefficient thermistor, a PNPN switching diode and a thyristor as the 
control means. 
Holmes U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,407 is directed to a temperature control device 
which is solid state and is intended to replace the prior art bimetallic 
structure. This particular device operates by the utilization of a 
thermistor to sense the temperature and determine whether or not the 
transistor will conduct in order to control that temperature. 
Welch U.S. Pat. No. 3,428,785 discloses solid state control means for 
controlling oven temperature. 
Fox U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,095 is not directed specifically to the toaster 
art, but does disclose the use of a thermistor and an SCR to provide a 
quickly reponding heat control circuit. 
Juodkikis U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,200 discloses the utilization of a Triac 
semiconductor as part of the control system. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
While this prior art is presumably operative for the purposes for which it 
is designed, it is believed that Applicant's unique circuitry and 
apparatus presents a distinct improvement in that it provides improved 
efficiency and accuracy of control in that the bread condition can be 
precisely controlled from the first piece through infinity, thereby 
avoiding any problems due to ambient heat buildup. Furthermore, the 
circuit design is set up for a "fail safe" operation in that the solenoid 
employed in the circuit will not stay on if a bread charge does not 
release. The solenoid will simply shut off and repeat the timing cycle to 
avoid damage to the solenoid. 
The transistor circuitry employed buffers the output and the base emitter 
cap allows the solenoid to shut down and recycle. 
Furthermore, the timing cycle starts at the power on position, eliminating 
any other switches. 
The device is capable of employment with either 120 or 240 volts with the 
substitution of one resistor only. 
Full regulation allows more stable operation and the timer also will 
compensate automatically for any voltage fluxuation. 
Accordingly, Applicant has found that the above noted advantages can be 
achieved by the employment of the simplified circuitry employing 
activating switches and a full wave bridge connected to a dropping 
resistor and a zener diode. A trigger circuit is provided and includes a 
resistor and capacitor as well as a bias resistor. A series timing 
resistor is then employed and is connected by a thermistor or other solid 
state sensor. 
A variable resistor or potentiometer and a timing capacitor are then 
connected to an integrated circuit which has a wide operating supply 
voltage and a high frequency performance. 
A bias resistor is also employed and a capacitor is connected thereto. 
A transistor is connected thereto and is employed to energize an SCR. 
A current limiting resistor is connected to a silicone controlled rectifier 
(SCR) and a stabilizing capacitor is employed to prevent gliching. 
All of this is connected to a solenoid and to a momentarily normally opened 
switch to allow manual release, if desired. 
Accordingly, production of an improved timing circuit of the type above 
described becomes the principal object of this invention with other 
objects thereof becoming more apparent upon reading of the following brief 
specification considered and interpreted in view of the accompanying 
drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In describing the invention, the circuitry will first be described followed 
by a description of its application to a typical toaster. 
The preferred embodiment of the circuitry, as illustrated in FIG. 5, 
includes a pair of switches L.sub.1 and L.sub.2, generally indicated by 
the numeral 10. These are both closed in the operating mode. 
Connector pins 11,11 (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4) are employed to 
connect the circuit to a full wave bridge comprising diodes D.sub.1, 
D.sub.2, D.sub.3 and D.sub.4. Also, pins 11,11 (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, 
P.sub.4) and P.sub.5 and P.sub.6 enable the entire electronic package to 
be installed and removed as a unit. 
A dropping resistor 13 (R.sub.1) is next connected into the circuit and a 
zener diode 14 (Z.sub.1) leads to the negative output. 
A circuit 15 comprising a resistor (R.sub.2) and a capacitor (C.sub.2) is 
employed as a trigger circuit and connected to a bias resistor 16 
(R.sub.3). 
A series timing resistor 17 (R.sub.4) leads to a thermistor 18. That 
thermistor is effectively a temperature compensator and while FIG. 5 of 
the drawings illustrates it as a thermistor, any comparable solid state 
sensor also could be used. This particular element decreases resistance as 
the temperature goes up and compensates therefor. 
A variable resistor or potentiometer 19 (R.sub.8) is connected by pin 
P.sub.5 to a timing capacitor 20 (C.sub.3). This is, in turn, connected to 
pins on the integrated circuit 21 (CMOS), which is operated with a low 
supply of current and a wide operating supply of voltage. This unit is 
capable of high frequency performance and accurate time delays. One 
resistor and one capacitor control the time and, therefore, no decoupling 
is required to prevent multiple output gliching during transition. 
A bias resistor 22 (R.sub.6) is provided for the transistor 24. A capacitor 
23 (C.sub.1) is also provided so that if for any reason the solenoid 28 
will not energize, the capacitor 23 will start to charge through the bias 
resistor 22 and will cut off all power and cause the unit to recycle. Bias 
resistor 22 and capacitor 23 form an RC circuit which allows the timer to 
reset on any malfunction of the solenoid 28, for example. 
A transistor 24 is then employed to energize an SCR 26. These are 
interconnected by a current limiting resistor 25 (R.sub.7). A stabilizing 
capacitor 27 (C.sub.4) can also be employed to avoid gliching and the 
solenoid 28 is actuated, of course, by the SCR 26, shorting the bridge and 
energizing and closing the solenoid. This releases the rack permitting the 
switches 10 (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) to open the toast to be ejected and the 
switches 10 (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) inactivate the heating elements E (not 
shown). 
Switch 29 is a momentary normally open switch which can be used in case of 
malfunction of energize solenoid 28 to trigger the circuit regardless of 
the timer output. 
Turning then to the working environment in which the circuitry which has 
been described may be used, reference is made to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the 
drawings. 
In FIG. 1, a conventional toaster 30 is illustrated and includes a cover 40 
and a frame 50. The cover 40 has openings 41 in its top surface to receive 
the bread and, of course, the number of openings is not relevant to the 
invention, although four are illustrated. The face of the cover 40 also 
has openings 42, which permit access to the operating handles 51,51. Also 
projecting beyond the front surface of the cover 40 are controls 19,19 or 
potentiometers which permit varying settings to be achieved. 
Finally, an electrical cord 44 is provided as is conventional to furnish 
operating power. 
The frame 50 will not be described in great detail except to refer to the 
fact that support legs 52,52 are employed and the frame is a generally 
rectangular frame and supports not only the mechanical apparatus which 
receives and ejects the toast and the heating elements, but the electronic 
circuitry which controls that operation. 
Turning then to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that each rack or 
carriage 60, which receives the bread, has its own actuating mechanism. 
Again, without going into great detail on the physical structure of the 
toaster itself, it will be noted that the frame 50 includes upright rods 
53,53 and each rack 60 travels thereon and is connected to operating 
handle 51. The racks are spring-actuated and the spring will normally urge 
them to the upward position illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The 
spring structure is not illustrated since it is conventional. 
Each of the racks 60 also has a plate 61 secured thereto and that plate has 
a forwardly projecting pin 62. 
Mounted on the base of the frame 50 is a latching mechanism 70, which 
includes a spring loaded pivoted arm 71 which has a cut-out area 72 for 
engagement with the pin 62 when the rack 60 is in the loaded position as 
illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. 
The solenoid 28 is, as discussed above, normally inert or inactive and its 
projecting arm 28a carries a cam member 28b on its outboard end. A spring 
28c normally urges that cam 28b to the outward position illustrated in 
FIG. 4 of the drawings. 
In that position, the cam engages the end 71a of the arm 71 and holds the 
rack 60 in the down position during which time the heating elements are 
activated and the bread is being toasted. 
The solenoid 28 is held in a U-shaped support 54, which is received on 
plate 55. The electronic components are contained in a box 90 with an 
L-shaped plate 91 on one face thereof. Plate 55 can be secured to plate 91 
by screw 56 to readily secure the control to the frame 50. 
In operating the toaster, assuming the unit to be in the positon of FIG. 3, 
the bread is inserted through openings 41,41 onto rack 60. The control of 
potentiometer 19 is set for the desired degree of doneness and handle 51 
is depressed. This has several consequences. 
First, as plate 61 moves downwardly, cam 63 engages spring 57 which closes 
switches 10 (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) to activate the heating elements. 
Second, pin 62 will be engaged with arm 71 so that rack 60 will be held 
down by the force of spring 73, keeping in mind that the cam 28b of 
solenoid 28 is in the extended position and in engagement with end 71a of 
the arm. 
Third, the timing circuit will be activated. 
Upon achievement of the desired heat level or degree of doneness, the 
circuitry will be activated as described above. At that time, the solenoid 
is actuated and the cam 28b is retracted in the direction of the arrow 80 
overcoming the force of the spring 28c. That moves the cam member 28b out 
of engagement with the end 71a of the arm 71 permitting the arm to be 
moved from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3 under the 
force of spring 73. This releases the rack 60 and permits the mechanical 
features to take over and the rack to move from the position of FIG. 2 to 
the position of FIG. 3 and eject the toast from the toaster. At the same 
time, spring 57 is released so that switches 10 (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) may 
open to deactivate the heating elements. 
While a full and complete description of the invention has been set forth 
in accordance with the dictates of the Patent Statutes, it should be 
understood that modifications can be resorted to without departing from 
the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims. 
It should be noted that the invention may be used to retrofit existing 
toasters or installed as original equipment. 
It should also be noted that while the solenoid 28 and electronic 
components in box 90 are illustrated as separate components, they are 
capable of being encapsulated in one package. 
Also, while an AC solenoid has been illustrated, a DC rotary solenoid could 
be employed. 
Finally, while the invention has been illustrated and described in 
connection with a toaster, it is believed apparent that it could also be 
used with other heat producing devices such as, for example, ovens.