Voltage adapter systems for use in an appliance

• US 9,419,533 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2014
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Inventors: Kang, Xingde, Bowley, Brice Alan, Kolegraff, Lauren
• Primary Examiner(s): Wells, Kenneth B
• Application Number:
  US14/466,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20150116026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 327/452, 327/455
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/348 Passive dissipative snubbers
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/2573 with control circuit

Abstract

Voltage adapter systems for use in an appliance are provided. An exemplary voltage adapter system can include a TRIAC. The exemplary voltage adapter system can include a voltage detection circuit configured to detect an input voltage of an alternating current power signal and connect the TRIAC in series with a load of the appliance when the input voltage is greater than a threshold voltage. The exemplary voltage adapter system can include a firing angle control circuit configured to provide a gate signal to a gate of the TRIAC when the alternating current power signal reaches a phase angle. An exemplary firing angle control circuit can include a resistor, a capacitor, and a DIAC. The exemplary firing angle control circuit can be configured to trigger the TRIAC when the voltage across the capacitor exceeds a breakover voltage associated with the DIAC.

Claims

1. A voltage adapter system for use in an appliance, the voltage adapter system comprising:

a TRIAC;

a switching element configured to connect the TRIAC in series with a load of the appliance when a voltage detection circuit detects an input voltage of an alternating current power signal is greater than a threshold voltage; and

a firing angle control circuit configured to provide a gate signal to a gate of the TRIAC when the alternating current power signal reaches a phase angle;

wherein the firing angle control circuit comprises;

a resistor providing a resistance;

a capacitor providing a capacitance, wherein the capacitor is located in series with the resistor and downstream a path of current flow with respect to the resistor; and

a DIAC connected between the first resistor, the first capacitor, and the gate of the TRIAC;

wherein the resistor and the capacitor are connected in parallel with the TRIAC.

2. The voltage adapter system of claim 1, wherein the resistance and capacitance are determined based on the phase angle and a breakover voltage associated with the DIAC.

3. The voltage adapter system of claim 1, wherein the resistor providing the resistance comprises one or more resistors providing a variable resistance.

4. The voltage adapter system of claim 3, wherein the voltage adapter system further comprises a resistance control circuit configured to adjust the variable resistance based on the input voltage of the alternating current power signal.

5. The voltage adapter system of claim 3, wherein the voltage adapter system further comprises a resistance control circuit configured to adjust the variable resistance based on a total inductance associated with the load.

6. The voltage adapter system of claim 5, wherein the resistance control circuit is configured to increase the variable resistance when the total inductance associated with the load increases.

7. The voltage adapter system of claim 3, wherein the voltage adapter system further comprises a resistance control circuit configured to adjust the variable resistance based on an operating mode of the appliance.

8. The voltage adapter system of claim 1, wherein the firing angle control circuit comprises:

a zero-crossing detection circuit configured to detect zero-crossings of the alternating current power signal; and

a microcontroller configured to provide the gate signal to the gate of the TRIAC after a delay period after the zero-crossing detection circuit detects a zero-crossing of the alternating current power signal.

9. The voltage adapter system of claim 8, wherein the delay period is adjustable.

10. The voltage adapter system of claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises an air conditioner.

11. The voltage adapter system of claim 1, wherein the alternating current power source exhibits a maximum magnitude of about 265 volts and the voltage adapter system reduces the root mean square voltage through the load to substantially equal a power signal exhibiting a maximum magnitude of about 230 volts.

12. A voltage adapter circuit comprising:

a TRIAC positioned in series with a load of a device;

a firing angle control circuit, the firing angle control circuit comprising;

one or more resistors providing a variable resistance;

a capacitor in series with the one or more resistors and downstream a path of current flow with respect to the one or more resistors, wherein the one or more resistors and the capacitor are in parallel with the TRIAC; and

a DIAC connected between the one or more resistors, the capacitor, and a gate of the TRIAC; and

a resistance control circuit configured to adjust the variable resistance based on one or more operational characteristics associated with the device;

wherein the firing angle control circuit is configured to provide a gate signal to the gate of the TRIAC when a voltage across the capacitor exceeds a breakover voltage associated with the DIAC;

wherein the one or more operational characteristics associated with the device comprises a load character associated with the load of the device.

13. The voltage adapter circuit of claim 12, further comprising a voltage detection circuit configured to detect an input voltage of an alternating current power signal and connect the TRIAC in series with the load when the input voltage is greater than a threshold voltage.

14. The voltage adapter circuit of claim 13, wherein the one or more operational characteristics associated with the device comprises the input voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit.

15. The voltage adapter circuit of claim 12, wherein the resistance control circuit comprises a microcontroller configured to adjust the variable resistance.

16. The voltage adapter circuit of claim 12, wherein the device is an air conditioner and wherein the voltage adapter circuit steps down the alternating current power signal from about 265 volts to about 230 volts.

17. An appliance capable of operating using alternating current power at a plurality of different input voltages, the appliance comprising:

a load;

a TRIAC selectably connectable in series with the load;

a firing angle control circuit configured to trigger the TRIAC when the alternating current power reaches a predetermined phase angle;

wherein the firing angle control circuit comprises a capacitor and a DIAC; and

wherein the firing angle control circuit is configured to trigger the TRIAC when the voltage across the capacitor exceeds a breakover voltage associated with the DIAC;

wherein the firing angle control circuit further comprises one or more resistors connected in the path of current flow to the capacitor;

the one or more resistors provide an adjustable voltage; and

the appliance is configured to adjust the adjustable voltage based on a phase difference between the voltage and current of the alternating current power.