JP2006158630A - Electric pot - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric pot which is equipped with an internal container cooling means, and can uniformize the temperature of hot water in an internal container during cooling control. <P>SOLUTION: This electric pot is equipped with the cooling means which cools the internal container, a cooling control means which quickly reduces the temperature of the hot water in the internal container to a set target heat-keeping temperature by operating the cooling means after the sensing of boiling, and a heat-keeping control means which ON/OFF controls the heat-keeping heating means so that the temperature of the hot water in the internal container being detected by a hot water temperature detecting means may become a set heat-keeping temperature. After the sensing of boiling, the cooling control for the internal container by the cooling control means and the heat-keeping control by the heat-keeping control means are applied in parallel in a specified region to the target heat-keeping temperature. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric kettle provided with a cooling means so that the temperature of hot water can be quickly lowered to the target heat retention temperature after detection of boiling.

  For example, a conventional electric kettle finishes boiling by “boiling detection”, informs the user of boiling, turns off the water heater, naturally cools, and reaches the set warming temperature. The heater is feedback controlled to maintain the same set temperature (for example, high temperature 98 ° C for cup noodles, low temperature 90 ° C for coffee, tea, etc., 60 ° C for green tea and milk preparation) It has become.

  However, in the case of the same configuration, there is a problem that it takes time for the hot water temperature in the inner container to reach the set temperature after boiling is completed because of the configuration waiting for a decrease in the hot water temperature due to natural cooling.

  In particular, when the set temperature is low (for example, 60 ° C.), the problem is remarkable (generally requires about 60 to 80 minutes depending on the season).

  Therefore, recently, a cooling fan is provided at the inner bottom of the electric pot main body, the outside air is introduced and circulated around the inner container, and the inner container is forcibly cooled so that the hot water in the inner container is as quickly as possible. There has been provided an electric kettle that reduces the temperature (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-32629 (Specification, page 1, FIG. 1 to FIG. 7)

  However, when an inner container cooling means such as a cooling fan is provided as described above to reduce the temperature of the hot water at an early stage, the temperature detected by the bottom sensor and the vicinity of the center of the inner container at the time of rapid cooling by the cooling fan first. There is a large temperature difference between the hot water temperature and the temperature.

  On the other hand, at the end of cooling, the temperature near the center of the inner container must be the set temperature, but if the temperature near the center of the inner container reaches the set temperature with a temperature difference, the bottom at that time The sensor detection temperature (near the bottom of the inner container = initial discharge temperature) is lower than the heat retention selection temperature.

  Further, if the cooling fan is stopped when the heat retaining heater is turned on to fill the temperature difference, the cooling speed is reduced, and the time until reaching the set temperature is increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. In a predetermined region from the detection of boiling to the target heat retention temperature, the cooling control of the inner container by the cooling control means and the heat retention by the heat retention heating control means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric kettle that causes convection and eliminates the temperature difference between hot water in the inner container by using heating control together.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured with the following problem solving means.

(1) Invention of Claim 1 The electric pot of the present invention sets an inner container for boiling and heat insulation, a cooling means for cooling the inner container, and the hot water temperature in the inner container at a predetermined target heat insulation temperature. Heat insulation temperature setting means, heat insulation heating means for heating the inner container during heat insulation, hot water temperature detection means for detecting the hot water temperature in the inner container via the inner container, and hot water temperature detection means during heat insulation A hot water temperature display means for displaying the hot water temperature in the inner container detected in step (b), and after the detection of boiling, the cooling means is operated to set the hot water temperature in the inner container to the target heat retention temperature set by the heat insulation temperature setting means. Cooling control means for quickly lowering to a temperature, and the heat retaining heating means so that the hot water temperature in the inner container detected by the hot water temperature detecting means becomes the heat retaining temperature set by the heat retaining temperature setting means. Thermal insulation heating control for ON / OFF control An electric pot provided with a stage, and in a predetermined region from the detection of boiling to the target heat retention temperature, the cooling control of the inner container by the cooling control means and the heat retention heating control by the heat retention heating control means are used in combination. It is characterized by doing so.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling control means and the thermal insulation heating control means are simultaneously operated to cause convection in the hot water in the inner container while forcibly lowering the temperature of the hot water in the inner container from the outer periphery. Therefore, the hot water in the inner container is stirred, the temperature of the whole hot water including the lower part and the central part becomes uniform, and the temperature difference can be effectively eliminated.

(2) Invention of Claim 2 In the electric pot of the present invention, the combined use of the cooling control and the thermal insulation heating control in the configuration of the first problem solving means is performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the cooling control is started. The thermal insulation heating control is started.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling control means and the thermal insulation heating control means are simultaneously operated to cause convection in the hot water in the inner container while forcibly lowering the temperature of the hot water in the inner container from the outer periphery. For example, when the temperature of the hot water in the inner container is close to the target temperature, for example, the hot water in the inner container is appropriately stirred by convection when the target temperature is reached. Insulation heating control is combined under a predetermined condition indicating an optimal timing in order to make the temperature uniform.

  Therefore, the heating time is not excessively necessary, the cooling effect of the corner is hindered, and the time required from the detection of boiling to the decrease to the target temperature is not extended.

(3) Invention of Claim 3 In the electric pot of the present invention, the predetermined condition in the configuration of the second problem solving means is that the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means after the start of the cooling control is the predetermined hot water temperature. It is characterized by when it gets warm.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling control means and the thermal insulation heating control means are simultaneously operated to cause convection in the hot water in the inner container while forcibly lowering the temperature of the hot water in the inner container from the outer periphery. For example, when the temperature of the hot water in the inner container is close to the target temperature, for example, the hot water in the inner container is appropriately stirred by convection when the target temperature is reached. After the start of the cooling control, which is the optimal timing for ensuring that the temperature is uniform, the heat insulation and heating control is not performed until the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined hot water temperature. Come to be combined.

  Therefore, the heating time is not excessively necessary, the cooling effect of the corner is hindered, and the time required from the detection of boiling to the decrease to the target temperature is not extended.

(4) Invention of Claim 4 In the electric pot of the present invention, the predetermined condition in the configuration of the second problem solving means is that a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the cooling control.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling control means and the thermal insulation heating control means are simultaneously operated to cause convection in the hot water in the inner container while forcibly lowering the temperature of the hot water in the inner container from the outer periphery. For example, when the temperature of the hot water in the inner container is close to the target temperature, for example, the hot water in the inner container is appropriately stirred by convection when the target temperature is reached. Insulation heating control is combined when a predetermined time has passed after the start of the cooling control, which is the optimal timing for ensuring that the temperature is uniform.

  Therefore, the heating time is not excessively necessary, the cooling effect of the corner is hindered, and the time required from the detection of boiling to the decrease to the target temperature is not extended.

(5) Invention of Claim 5 In the electric pot of the present invention, in the configuration of the first, second, third, or fourth problem solving means, the heat insulation heating control used in combination with the cooling control is a normal heat insulation stability. It is characterized by ON / OFF control for intermittently turning on and off the heat-retaining and heating means as in the case of time.

  According to such a configuration, with respect to the heating control data of the heat retaining heater, it is only necessary to turn the heat retaining heater on and off by using the normal temperature data at the time of stable heat retaining as it is, and control is easy and the system cost is low.

  As a result of the above, according to the electric pot of the present invention, the temperature of the hot water in the inner container that has reached the set heat retention temperature can be quickly reduced to the set heat retention temperature in the shortest time after boiling is completed. It is uniform throughout, so that hot water can be supplied immediately, and the anxiety of the temperature difference given to the user can be surely eliminated.

  At the same time, the temperature display matches the actual hot water temperature, and the reliability of the hot water temperature display is enhanced.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, first, the configuration and operation of the main body portion and the control device portion of the electric pot common to the best embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Configuration of the electric pot body)
FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show the configuration of the main part of the electric pot common to each best embodiment of the present invention to be described later and the main part thereof.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electric pot includes a container body 1 having a bottomed cylindrical inner container 3 having an open top, and a lid body for opening and closing the upper side opening of the container body 1. 2, a water heater 4 A that is a heating means for heating the inner container 3 during boiling, a heat retaining heater 4 B that is a heating means for heating the inner container 3, and hot water in the inner container 3 are externally connected. A hot water supply passage (not shown) for supplying hot water to the water supply and an electric hot water supply pump 6 for sending hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage in a state where an AC power source is connected. Yes.

  The said container main body 1 couple | bonds integrally the cylindrical outer case 7 made from a synthetic resin which comprises an outer side surface part, the said inner container 3 which comprises an inner side part, and the said outer case 7 and the inner container 3 on the upper side. An annular shoulder member 8 made of synthetic resin to be fixed and a bottom member 9 made of synthetic resin having a hat-shaped cross section that is fitted inside the bottom portion of the outer case 7 and constitutes the bottom surface portion of the outer case 7. ing.

  The bottom portion of the inner container 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to protrude slightly upward except for a predetermined width portion on the outer peripheral side, and on the lower surface side thereof, the water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B (for example, mica plate) (Made of mica heaters holding two sets of heating elements having different wattages).

  On the other hand, reference numeral 12 denotes a bottom sensor (hot water temperature sensor) that functions as a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner container 3 (in other words, the temperature of hot water in the inner container 3), and is composed of, for example, a thermistor. ing.

  The lid 2 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 14 and a synthetic resin lower plate 15 having an outer peripheral edge coupled to the upper plate 14, and is provided at the rear portion of the shoulder member 8. The hinge receiver 16 is supported by a hinge pin 17 so that it can be opened and closed in a vertical direction and is detachable.

  Reference numerals 21a to 21f are steam discharge passages of the lid body 2 that communicate with each other in a detoured state from the lower side to the upper side. Reference numeral 22 denotes a steam outlet part 21b, 21c side of the steam discharge passages 21a to 21f from the steam inlet 21a. It is a fall stop water valve arranged in the.

  A metal inner cover member 23 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 15 in the lid 2, and the inner container 3 is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the inner cover member 23 when the lid 2 is closed. A heat-resistant rubber seal packing 24 is provided in pressure contact with the upper surface of the water supply port (upper end opening).

  At the lower position of the inner container 3 on the upstream end side of the hot water supply passage, a direct current type electric hot water pump 6 is disposed via an inner container 3 side hot water introduction cylinder 6a and a hot water supply pump side hot water inlet 6b. In this hot water supply passage, hot water sucked from the hot water inlet 6b through the hot water introduction cylinder 6a is discharged from the discharge port 6c by the pumping action of the electric hot water supply pump 6, and the hot water supply passage is not shown. It passes through the straight pipe part and is led to the hot water pouring outlet 5 from the fall-off water valve side connecting pipe (not shown) to the outside.

  Further, in the case of this embodiment, the first intake port 20A is provided at the upper part on the back side of the outer case 7 (below the hinge part), and the upper part on the front side (the corner part with the main body on the back side of the nose part protruding forward). ) Are provided with second intake ports 20B, respectively.

  On the other hand, the top plate 9b of the bottom member 9 is provided with an exhaust port 9e, and is provided with a cooling fan (propeller fan) 48 that is located above and sucks air from the upper side and blows it downward. The cooling fan 48 houses its impeller and motor 48a in a small fan casing 48b, and is securely fixed to the upper portion of the exhaust port 9e via the fan casing 48b.

  Further, arc-shaped openings (tunnel-shaped notches) 9c, 9c are provided in the side wall portions 9a, 9a located on the left and right sides when viewed from the front side of the bottom member 9, and the exhaust port 9e The air blown downward is blown outward from the left and right sides of the electric pot body 1 (not blown in the direction in which the user is present).

  Therefore, in the case of such a configuration, when the cooling fan 48 is driven in the above-described state, the back side and the front side of the inner container 3 via the first and second intake ports 20A and 20B of the outer case 7 are used. Outside air is introduced to the side, and then reaches the lower exhaust port 9e and openings 9c and 9c while cooling the surroundings, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 9e and openings 9c and 9c. The hot water in the inside is effectively cooled, and the hot water temperature after boiling is rapidly reduced (see FIG. 8).

  Further, FIG. 4 shows the top structure of the electric pot main body part. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 35 denotes an operation panel unit provided with operation surfaces of various switches described later and a display surface of a liquid crystal display unit, and 51a, A microcomputer substrate 51 including a microcomputer control unit 60, various switches 38 to 42, a liquid crystal display device (drive unit), and the like is a support member for the liquid crystal display unit 47.

  The operation panel 35 includes a hot water supply switch 38, a hot water supply lock release switch 39, a heat retention selection switch 40, a reboiling timer switch 41, a kitchen timerd switch 42, a reboiling display LED 44, a heat retention operation display LED 45, and a hot water supply lock. A release display LED 46, a liquid crystal display unit 47, and the like are provided.

  The liquid crystal display unit 47 is provided with, for example, a time / time / hot water temperature / operating state combined display unit 47a, a heat retention set temperature display unit 47b, a set heat retention temperature instruction mark 47c, and the like. Has been made.

(Configuration of control circuit)
Next, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit unit in the electric pot body configured as described above.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 53 includes a smoothing capacitor and a power supply IC, for example, and includes a microcomputer control unit 60, a heating control unit 54, a direct current power supply unit for supplying direct current power to the pump power supply unit 55, and the like. Heating control unit for ON / OFF control of the heat retaining heater 4B, 4A, 4B are heating means comprising the above-described hot water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B, 55 is a pump power supply unit of the electric hot water supply pump 6, and 38 is the above-mentioned hot water supply switch , 6 are the above-described DC-type electric hot water supply pumps, and 48 is a cooling fan for cooling the above-described inner container 3.

  For example, when the heater control signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 60 to the heating control unit 54, the water heater 4A operates a power relay via a transistor (not shown), for example, and a power switch is correspondingly operated. Driven by turning on.

  Further, when the heat retaining heater ON signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 60 to the heating control unit 54, the heat retaining heater 4B is driven by driving a triac by turning on a transistor (not shown). .

  The cooling fan 48 is driven and controlled at a predetermined rotational speed by a driving signal from the microcomputer control unit 60.

  The microcomputer control unit 60 further includes various LED display units such as a liquid crystal display unit 47, a reboil display LED 44, a heat retention operation display LED 45, and a hot water lock release display LED 46, a hot water switch 38, a heat retention selection switch 40, Various operation units such as a hot water supply unlocking switch 39 and a re-boiling timer switch 41 and sensor units such as a hot water temperature detecting means 12 including a bottom sensor (thermistor) are connected via an input / output port (not shown).

  In the above-described electric pot, when the boiling state is detected after heating to the boiling state at high heating output using the above-described heater 4A at the time of boiling, if the boiling state is detected (boiling notification by the buzzer sound) Completion notification) is performed, the water heater is turned off, the heater 4A is turned off, and then the process proceeds to a heat insulation process, and the cooling fan 48 is driven and the hot water temperature is quickly lowered to the target heat insulation temperature set by the user.

  In this case, for example, the fact that the cooling control is being performed is displayed by some means such as blinking of the hot water temperature display segment of the liquid crystal display unit 47, blinking of a predetermined LED, character display during cooling, and the set temperature (60 ° C.). / 80 ° C.) It is preferable to make the user recognize that the temperature has not been reached.

  In the heat retention step, the actual hot water temperature is set to the first set heat retention temperature 95 ° C. or the second and third set heat retention temperatures set by the heat retention selection switch 40 and the microcomputer controller 60 (heat retention temperature setting means). The transition (change) to 80 ° C. and 60 ° C. and the remaining time at the transition are respectively displayed (segment display) on the hot water temperature display section of the liquid crystal display section 47.

(Best Embodiment 1)
First, FIG. 6 shows the target heat retention temperature (80 ° C., 60 ° C.) after the boiling detection of the electric pot according to the first embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot body configured as described above. FIG. 7 is a data table (map) of the amount of water / remaining time used for the cooling control, and FIG. 8 is a time corresponding to the flowchart. Each chart is shown.

  In the case of the electric pot of the present embodiment, the inner container 3 is cooled by the cooling fan 48 as described above, and at the center and bottom (periphery) of the inner container 3 at the maximum when the cooling control is executed. When a temperature difference of about 10 ° C. occurs, for example, when the above-mentioned low-temperature side second and third set heat retention temperatures 80 ° C. and 60 ° C. are selected, the second and third settings from the temperature 100 ° C. when boiling is detected The hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3 and the temperature detected by the bottom sensor 12 until the temperature is lowered to 80 ° C. and 60 ° C. show considerably different changes as shown in FIG.

  That is, since the periphery (bottom 3a) of the inner container 3 is cooled by the outside air, the bottom sensor 12 detects 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. earlier than the hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3, whereas The temperature of the hot water at the center of the inner container 3 reaches 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. with a considerable delay, and when the bottom sensor 12 detects 80 ° C. or 60 ° C., the temperature of the hot water actually discharged is detected by the bottom sensor 12. When the hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3 reaches 80 ° C. or 60 ° C., the temperature of the hot water around the inner container 3 decreases below 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. The temperature of the hot water that is actually discharged is likely to be too much lower than the set temperature.

  Under these circumstances, in any of the above cases, hot water (80 ° C./60° C.) having a constant and desired temperature cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, in order to fill such a temperature difference, for example, it is conceivable to turn on the heat retaining heater 4B while stopping the cooling fan 48. However, if it does in that way, much cooling speed will fall, and time until it reaches the preset heat retention temperature 80 degreeC or 60 degreeC will become long.

  The first embodiment has been made to solve such a problem. As described below, in a predetermined region up to the target heat retention temperature (80 ° C./60° C.) after boiling detection, By using the cooling control of the inner container 3 by the cooling control means and the heat retaining heating control by the heat retaining heating control means (ON / OFF of the heat retaining heater 4B) in combination, the cooling fan 48 cools the inner container 3 in the inner container 3. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric pot that effectively causes convection to effectively eliminate the temperature difference between the hot water temperatures in the inner container 3.

That is, the control is started by the start of boiling by turning on the heater 4A. It is determined after kettle started, first in step S _1, the amount of water of the inner container 3 from the temperature rise gradient in a unit time in the easy predetermined time taken by way of a temperature gradient ranging from the initial water temperature to 100 ° C. (Xml) .

Thereafter, it detects whether boiling or the like is completed in step S _2.

Here, when the completion of the boiling condition is detected, it drives the cooling fan 48 described above in step S _3, to start cooling of the inner container 3 (cooling control start).

In step S ₄ , first, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the bottom sensor 12 has reached the second set warming temperature 85 ° C. until it becomes YES, and if YES (85 ° C.), the time measuring timer is determined in step S _5. Is started and the measurement of the elapsed time ts from 85 ° C. is started.

Then, again enter the detected temperature of the bottom sensor 12 in step S _6, determines whether the detected temperature of the bottom sensor 12 is lowered to 80 ° C. until is YES.

Then, when YES, and terminates the measurement of the elapsed time ts stops the timer counting operation at step S _7. This time ts is determined by the outside air temperature and the amount of water at that time.

Next, in step S ₈ , the lowest temperature is determined from the “Xml-ts” data table (map) of FIG. 7 using the determination water amount Xml and the time ts required to decrease the hot water temperature from 85 ° C. to 80 ° C. as parameters. The “remaining cooling time” until the second set temperature is lowered to 60 ° C. is read and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 47, and a decrement timer is set.

Then, the process proceeds to step S _9, and to start the decrement timer from the same point in time, to start the countdown of the "cooling remaining time".

Thereafter, in step S ₁₀ , the detected temperature of the bottom sensor 12 is further input, and it is determined whether or not the detected temperature has decreased to a third set temperature retention temperature of 60 ° C. or less until YES.

As a result, at the YES (60 ° C.), the process proceeds to step S _11, and ends the countdown of the "cooling remaining time", further proceeds to step S ₁₂ is switched to the display "after 13 minutes". The time of 13 minutes is the time when the bottom sensor 12 once detects the third set heat retention temperature 60 ° C. that is the temperature of the bottom of the inner container 3 at the time of the maximum temperature difference, and then the hot water in the center of the inner container that is higher than that. This is the time required to lower the temperature to a uniform hot water temperature of 60 ° C. by stirring and mixing the temperature by convection.

Then, the process proceeds to step S _13, as shown in FIG. 8, at the same time to start subtraction of the 13-minute timer, ON warmth heater 4B at a predetermined period, to initiate the OFF, the convection in the inner container 3 The temperature difference elimination control for eliminating the hot water temperature difference (between the container wall periphery and the central portion) in the inner container 3 is performed for 13 minutes. The heat insulation heating control used in combination with the cooling control is ON / OFF control for intermittently turning on and off the heat insulation heater 4B as in the case of normal heat insulation stability.

  According to such a configuration, with respect to the heating control data of the heat retaining heater 4B, it is only necessary to turn the heat retaining heater 4B on and off using the normal temperature data at the time of stable heat retaining, and the control is easy and the system cost is low. Mu

  As a result, as is apparent from the time chart of FIG. 8, when 13 minutes have elapsed, the entire hot water in the inner container 3 is mixed and stirred, and the hot water temperature is uniformly 60 ° C. throughout.

  After the same point, the hot water temperature display is also set to 60 ° C. (until then 65 ° C.), and the control is terminated by shifting to normal heat retention control with the same 60 ° C. as the target heat retention temperature.

  As a result, the user can quickly discharge 60 ° C. hot water with peace of mind.

  As a result, according to the control, the following effects can be obtained.

  (1) After cooling, it becomes possible to discharge hot water according to the set heat retention temperature.

  (2) Time required to reach an accurate (uniform) target set heat retention temperature (actual discharge hot water temperature is set to the target heat retention temperature by controlling the heat insulation heater ON / OFF while driving the cooling fan. Time).

  (3) The warming control during cooling and the warming control (ON / OFF control) of the warming heater 4B when the warming is stable are exactly the same, and no special control method is required and programming is easy.

  (4) All the heat retention set temperatures can be controlled in the same way by changing the target heat retention temperature.

  (5) At the same time, the temperature display matches the actual hot water temperature, and the reliability of the hot water temperature display is enhanced.

  In addition, as a starting condition for the above temperature difference elimination control, in addition to the case where the temperature is detected by the bottom sensor 12 as described above, for example, it is necessary for the hot water temperature to drop to 80 ° C./60° C. after the start of the cooling control. It may be when a predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to such a configuration, the cooling control means and the heat insulation heating control means are simultaneously operated to convect the hot water in the inner container 3 while forcibly lowering the temperature of the hot water in the inner container 3 from the outer periphery. For the generation, the hot water in the inner container 3 is appropriately stirred by convection while the temperature of the hot water in the inner container 3 is close to the target temperature of 80 ° C./60° C., for example. Insulation heating control is combined when a predetermined time has passed after the start of the cooling control, which is the optimal timing to ensure that the temperature of the entire hot water including the central portion is uniform. .

(Best Mode 2)
First, FIG. 9 shows the temperature of the electric pot according to the second embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot body configured as shown in FIGS. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the hot water temperature display control when lowering hot water temperature.

  In the electric pot of the present embodiment, the inner container 3 is cooled by the cooling fan 48 as described above. When the cooling control is executed, the maximum is about 10 ° C. at the center and bottom of the inner container 3. When a temperature difference occurs and, for example, the low-temperature side second and third set heat retention temperatures 80 ° C. and 60 ° C. are selected, the second and third set heat retention temperatures 80 ° C. from the temperature 100 ° C. when boiling is detected. The hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3 until the temperature drops to 60 ° C. and the hot water temperature detected by the bottom sensor 12 show different changes as shown in FIG.

  That is, since the periphery (bottom 3a) of the inner container 3 is cooled by the outside air, the bottom sensor 12 detects 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. earlier than the hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3, whereas The temperature of the hot water at the center of the inner container 3 reaches 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. with a considerable delay, and when the bottom sensor 12 detects 80 ° C. or 60 ° C., the temperature of the hot water actually discharged is detected by the bottom sensor 12. When the hot water temperature at the center of the inner container 3 reaches 80 ° C. or 60 ° C., the temperature of the surrounding hot water is lower than 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. There is a high possibility that the temperature of the hot water discharged is too much lower than the set temperature.

  Under these circumstances, in any case, hot water having a constant and desired temperature cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, in order to fill such a temperature difference, for example, it is conceivable to turn on the heat retaining heater 4B while stopping the cooling fan 48. However, if it does in that way, much cooling speed will fall, and time until it reaches the preset heat retention temperature 80 degreeC or 60 degreeC will become long.

  The second embodiment has been made to solve such a problem. As described below, in a predetermined region up to the target heat retention temperature (80 ° C./60° C.) after boiling detection, By using both the cooling control of the inner container 3 by the cooling fan 48 and the heat retaining heating control by the heat retaining heater 4B, convection is generated in the inner container 3 while cooling by the cooling fan 48, and the inner container 3 An object of the present invention is to provide an electric pot capable of effectively eliminating a temperature difference between hot water temperatures and capable of displaying a stable hot water temperature in that case.

That is, the control is started by shifting to the heat retaining process after detecting boiling, and _first , the heat retaining heater 4B is turned off in step S1.

Then, in subsequent step S _2, the current bottom sensor 12, the detected temperature is equal to or a at 80 ° C. in a heat insulation 85 ° C. or higher (or 65 ° C. or higher at 60 ° C. in a heat insulation).

As a result, when the result is YES the process proceeds to step S _3, it determines whether the coolant temperature detected by the bottom sensor 12 is equal to or less than the retained temperature data set (80 ℃ / 60 ℃) until YES , becomes to YES, the process proceeds to step S _4, performs display "after 13 minutes" similar to those of the first embodiment described above, starts subtraction of the 13-minute timer in step S _5.

In step S ₆ , the hot water temperature display is fixed at 85 ° C. during the 80 ° C. heat retention (65 ° C. during the 60 ° C. heat retention), and then the operation proceeds to step S ₇ to keep the temperature difference heater 4B as the temperature difference elimination control. Starts ON / OFF control.

Next, it is determined the time-up of the 13-minute timer in step S _8, becomes to YES, the buzzer in step S ₉ and if once a "beep" (check), the process proceeds to step S _10. In step S _10, to release the (65 ° C. Display at 60 ° C. in a heat insulation) 85 ° C. Display at 80 ° C. in a heat insulation made in step S _6, 80 ℃, switch to display of 60 ° C., the step S ₁₁ Then proceed to normal heat control.

On the other hand, when it is judged NO in step S ₂ (time of 95 ° C. insulation), the process proceeds to step S _12, after having turned OFF the cooling fan 48 described above, the conventional heat keeping control of step S ₁₁ move on.

(Best Mode 3)
Next, FIG. 10 is a cooling fan drive control at the time of detecting an empty cooking of the electric pot according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot main body configured as shown in FIGS. It is a flowchart which shows the content of these.

  In general, the inner peripheral surface of the inner container 3 described above is coated with fluorine. However, this fluorine-coated layer has a heat-resistant dangerous temperature of about 370 ° C., and it is not preferable that cooking is performed empty.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the temperature of the inner container 3 detected by the hot water temperature detection means 12 becomes 100 ° C. or higher, the above cooling fan 48 is driven to cool it, so that the fluorine coating by empty cooking is performed. This is characterized in that damage to the layer is prevented.

That is, the same control, the kettle process, by increasing the degree of the detected temperature of the bottom sensor 12 per example unit time, and the detection identification empty cook, in the case of an empty cooking condition is YES, the liquid crystal display proceeds to step S ₂ the section 47 performs segment display and buzzer notification of "F ₂ (empty cook)", further detects the temperature of the bottom sensor 12 in step S ₃ goes to the determination of whether or not it is more than 100 ° C..

As a result, in the case of YES, the cooling fan 48 described above is driven to start cooling the inner container 3. Then, the process proceeds to step S _5, as a result, the temperature detected by the bottom sensor 12 determines whether or not lower than 100 ° C., when YES (lower than 100 ° C.) is finally step S Proceeding to ₆ , the drive of the cooling fan 48 is stopped. On the other hand, when NO in step S ₃ is directly proceeds to step S _6, the cooling fan 48 is not driven from the beginning.

On the other hand, when it is determined not to be cooked empty NO in step S ₁ while continuing the kettle heating (boiling operation) at step S _7, for sensing the boiling state at step S _7.

As a result, the process proceeds to step S ₉ when NO, the whether the bottom sensor 12 detects the abnormal temperature continuously determined and becomes to YES, "C4 on the liquid crystal display unit 47 in step S ₁₀ ( error) after performing segment display and buzzer notification of "the flow proceeds to step S ₄ the following operation, to cool the inner container 3.

On the other hand, in the case of YES it has been detected boiling like in step S _8, the kettle heater 4A to OFF sequentially willing to step _{S 11, S 12, S 13} , boiling performs notification, the process proceeds to heat keeping control process.

(Fourth Embodiment)
Next, FIG. 11 shows the contents of the empty cooking detection control during the heat retention process after the boiling detection of the electric pot according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot body configured as described above. It is a flowchart which shows.

  When the entire amount of hot water in the inner container 3 is discharged during the heat retention control, the current electric pot controls the heat while keeping the water volume at 0 ml. However, since the amount of water is small, it is easily affected by the outside air temperature, and cannot be stably controlled only by the output of the heat retaining heater 4B, and it is necessary to assist the water heater 4A. At this time, if the amount of water is small, there is a problem that a temperature display higher than the heat retention set temperature appears due to overheating caused by heating the heater 4A. In other words, a 90 ° C display or the like appears during 60 ° C heat retention.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in view of such circumstances, the temperature at which the water heater 4A needs to be assisted is detected during the heat retention control, and when the water heater 4A is turned on, the timer is activated to exceed the predetermined temperature within a predetermined time. If there is a temperature rise, it is determined that the cooking condition is that the amount of water is small, and the cooking of the cooking is performed and the cooking of the cooking is performed.

That is, the control is started by entering the incubating process, first, in step S _1, kept temperature water temperature detected by the bottom sensor 12 is set (95 ℃, 80 ℃, 60 ℃) is higher than and it is judged whether or not the that, the process proceeds to step S ₂ when NO, the further detection temperature by the bottom sensor 12, determines higher than the temperature obtained by subtracting 15 ℃ from the retained temperature.

As a result, when the YES performs heat keeping control in the ON warmth heater 4B proceeds to step S _4. On the other hand, when NO, proceeds to step S _5, the kettle heater 4A is ON, the starts the 30-second timer further in step S _7.

The rise value of the water temperature within the 30 seconds in the step S ₇ is than water temperature at the boiler heater 4AON determines whether or not it is higher than a predetermined value higher temperatures, when NO in step S ₈ on stopping the counting operation of the 30 second timer, turns oN the insulation heater 4B proceeds to step S _4. On the other hand, when the result is YES, empty cook performs notification proceeds to step S _9.

  According to such a structure, even if it is at the time of the heat retention at the time of a small amount of water, an empty cooking detection can be performed and the usability of an electric pot improves. In addition, since it is possible to eliminate idling, safety setting and energy saving are also achieved.

(Best Mode 5)
Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of power saving control of the electric pot according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot body configured as described above.

  When the temperature is kept at 60 ° C. in a conventional electric pot, since it takes time until the temperature reaches 60 ° C. after boiling, the power saving timer cannot be selected.

  However, since the above-described cooling pot can be cooled to 60 ° C. in 60 minutes after boiling, the power saving timer can be selected even when the temperature is kept at 60 ° C.

That is, in the control starts the control by the conventional similar power management timer mode is selected, first, in step S _1, the time remaining until the current status reaches 60 ° C. at 95 ° C. kept at less than 1 hour determines whether, executes the boiling control in step S ₂ when YES, the set time of the power management timer in step S ₃ determines whether the time is up.

As a result, when the YES performs heat keeping control proceeds to heat keeping control mode proceeds to step S _4.

On the other hand, when NO, the time set proceed to the power save mode in step S ₇ performs a power-saving control to OFF insulation heater 4B.

Further, when NO in step S ₁ performs a judgment of whether or not the remaining time is less than 2 hours at 80 ° C. or 60 ° C. incubation, when the NO proceeds to the power saving mode in step S _7, During the set time, power saving control is performed with the heat retaining heater 4B turned off. On the other hand, when YES, the process proceeds to the boiling control.

  As a result, according to the same configuration, a power saving timer can be selected at all heat retention temperatures as a unique function of an electric pot with a cooling function, and there are multiple heat retention timers at high and low temperatures. It is possible to change the start time of boiling water inside.

  For example, heat retention at 95 ° C. is carried out for 1 hour before the end of the power saving timer and the heater 4AON.

        Heat retention at 60 ° C .... Hot water for 2 hours before the end of the power saving timer and heater 4AON.

  When the above heat retention at 60 ° C. is selected, it takes about 15 minutes to boil, and it takes 60 minutes to cool down.

(Sixth Embodiment)
Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows the time when the hot water temperature is lowered to the target temperature after detecting boiling in the electric pot according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention applied to the electric pot body configured as described above. It is a flowchart which shows the content of inner container cooling control.

  In the case of the electric pot of the present embodiment, a considerable sound is generated to turn the cooling fan 48 to cool to 60 ° C. Therefore, if it is not necessary to cool down so rapidly, it is rather quiet and preferable not to drive the cooling fan 48. Therefore, a key that can be selected only when rapid cooling is required is prepared. If rapid cooling is selected, the cooling fan 48 is driven, and if not selected, the cooling fan 48 is naturally cooled without moving. The flow is shown in FIG.

That is, in this control, the quick cooling mode priority setting is set when the power is turned on as a precondition. The first determines whether or not the rapid cooling key in step S ₁ is being ON. In this case, when the YES (ON 1 times) is when the rapid cooling mode is selected in step S _2, when the two ON NO, the is when rapid cooling mode is canceled.

This was the final judgment in the step S _2, when the NO rapid cooling mode is selected, while entering the rapid cooling mode in step S _3, if YES, cancels the rapid cooling mode in step S _4.

Thereafter, at step S _5, performs a determination of whether or not during cooling, YES if the (during cooling), the process proceeds further to step S _6, even once during cooling, rapidly it Re-determine whether or not cooling is in progress.

  As a result, when the answer is YES, the cooling fan 48 is turned on again, while when the answer is NO, the cooling fan 48 is not driven (or stopped).

(Other best embodiments)
In the electric pot with a cooling function of each of the embodiments described above, the room temperature is low and the amount of water is small, and it is easily affected by the outside air temperature. Even in the heat insulation stable state, the heat insulation heater 4B alone cannot be stably controlled. I need it.

  At that time, there is a problem that the cooling fan 48 is re-driven due to the overshoot of the water heater 4A, and the control for waiting for the set temperature (control for filling the temperature difference when full) is activated.

  Therefore, once the water heater 4A is turned ON during the heat retention control, the set temperature waiting control is not entered thereafter. Thereafter, the cooling fan 48 is not driven (the water heater is turned on during the cooling control and the heater 4A is turned on when the temperature difference disappears, so the cooling fan 48 is not required to be driven). Of course, the same applies to the case where the water heater 4A is turned on during the cooling operation. However, the remaining time display of the set temperature wait control is not canceled.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the electric pot main-body part common to each best embodiment of this invention. It is a center sectional view of the electric pot main part. It is a rear view of the electric pot main-body part. It is a top view of the operation panel part of the same electric pot main body. It is a block diagram of a control device portion of the electric pot body. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on the best Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a data table figure which shows the relationship between the amount of water used in the same cooling control, and the arrival time (remaining time) to target heat retention temperature. It is a time chart which shows the execution area | region of the hot water temperature change in the same cooling control, and the temperature difference elimination control of the hot water in an inner container. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on best Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on best Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on best Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on best Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the cooling control which concerns on best Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a container body, 2 is a lid body, 3 is an inner container, 4A is a water heater, 4B is a warming heater, 6 is an electric hot water supply pump, 7 is an outer case, 9 is a bottom member, 9a is an exhaust port, and 12 is a bottom sensor. , 20A is a first intake port, 20B is a second intake port, 47 is a liquid crystal display unit, 47b is a heat retention set temperature display unit, 48 is a cooling fan, and 60 is a microcomputer control unit.

Claims (5)

  An inner container for boiling water and heat retention, a cooling means for cooling the inner container, a heat retention temperature setting means for setting the hot water temperature in the inner container to a predetermined target heat retention temperature, and heating the inner container during the heat retention Hot water temperature detecting means, hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the hot water temperature in the inner container via the inner container, and hot water temperature for displaying the hot water temperature in the inner container detected by the hot water temperature detecting means at the time of warming. Display means, cooling control means for operating the cooling means after detection of boiling to quickly lower the hot water temperature in the inner container to the target heat retention temperature set by the heat retention temperature setting means, and the hot water temperature detection And an insulation heating control means for controlling ON / OFF of the insulation heating means so that the hot water temperature detected by the means becomes the insulation temperature set by the insulation temperature setting means. Pot, boiling inspection After, the target in the predetermined region up to retained temperature, an electric kettle, characterized in that as a combination of a heat insulating heating control by the cooling control and the heat insulating heating control means of the inner container by the cooling control means.   The electric pot according to claim 1, wherein the combined use of the cooling control and the heat retaining heating control is configured to start the heat retaining heating control when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the cooling control is started.   3. The electric pot according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is when the hot water temperature detected by the hot water temperature detecting means reaches a predetermined hot water temperature after the start of the cooling control.   The electric pot according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined condition is when a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the cooling control.   5. The heat insulation heating control used in combination with the cooling control is ON / OFF control for intermittently turning on / off the heat insulation heating means as in normal heat insulation stabilization. Electric kettle.

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