JP2006158727A - Electric pot - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable re-boiling to be performed by surely sensing even a water refilling of a small quantity by setting an automatic re-boiling starting temperature for each of a plurality of heat-keeping set temperatures. <P>SOLUTION: This electric pot is constituted in such a manner that heat-keeping control can be performed for a plurality of the heat-keeping set temperatures. In the electric pot, when a sensed temperature by a temperature sensing means has become lower than the automatic re-boiling starting temperature which is set for each of a plurality of heat-keeping set temperatures, an automatic re-boiling is started, and even when the water refilling of a small quantity is performed, the re-boiling can surely be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric pot, and more particularly to reboiling control in an electric pot capable of performing heat retention control with a plurality of heat retention set temperatures.

  Conventionally, a container body provided with an inner container for boiling water and a lid body, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner container, the heat retention control by the heat retention set temperature is performed. An electric kettle configured to be able to perform is well known (see Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the electric pot having the above-described configuration, the automatic reboiling during the heat retention control by the heat retention set temperature is started when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means falls below 80 ° C.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-127516.

  By the way, in order to be able to use the hot water in the electric pot for milk preparation, it is necessary to perform heat retention control with a plurality of heat retention set temperatures (for example, 95 ° C., 80 ° C. and 60 ° C.). In the case of hot water used for milk preparation, it is desirable that the water is always boiled (in other words, boiled). Therefore, even when a little water is added during the heat retention control, it is necessary to detect the addition of the water and switch to the boiling operation.

  However, in the conventional electric pot, the automatic reboiling temperature is constant (for example, 80 ° C.) in any of a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is the automatic reboiling temperature. If the temperature does not fall below the temperature, automatic re-boiling is not started. Therefore, the addition of a small amount of water does not switch from the heat retention control to the automatic re-boiling, resulting in a problem that it becomes unsuitable for use as hot water for milk preparation.

  In addition, since the automatic re-boiling temperature in the conventional electric pot is uniformly set to 80 ° C., for example, when the water temperature display is 80 ° C., the temperature is switched to 80 ° C. or the power is turned on at the water temperature of 80 ° C. If the detected temperature is a little higher than 80 ° C., it starts from heat insulation, and if it is even a little lower, it starts from boiling, resulting in a problem that the control is not constant.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and by setting an automatic re-boiling start temperature for each of a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, it can reliably detect even a small amount of water addition and re-boil It is intended to be able to perform.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, as means for solving the above problems, a container body provided with an inner container and a lid for boiling water, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature of the inner container are detected. An electric pot comprising a temperature detection means and configured to be capable of maintaining the temperature at a plurality of temperature setting temperatures, the automatic re-boiling start temperature for re-boiling the hot water stored in the inner container is set to the plurality of temperatures. It is set for each heat retention set temperature.

  By configuring as described above, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means falls below the automatic re-boiling start temperature set for each of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, automatic re-boiling starts, and a small amount of water is poured. Even if it is added, it is possible to perform re-boiling reliably. Therefore, since the hot water that is kept warm is always boiling (in other words, boiled and disinfected), safety and cleanliness for milk preparation can be ensured.

  In the present invention, as a second means for solving the above problems, in the electric pot provided with the first means, the automatic reboiling start temperature is subtracted by a predetermined temperature from the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. In such a configuration, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means falls below a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, automatic re-boiling is started, and automatic re-boiling is started. The control content of boiling control can be simplified.

  In the present invention, as a third means for solving the above-described problem, in the electric pot including the first or second means, a temperature drop degree within a predetermined time of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is determined. If it exceeds a predetermined value, it can be configured to start re-boil even before the temperature detected by the temperature detection means reaches the automatic re-boil start temperature, and when configured as such, When there is an excess of water and the temperature drop within a predetermined time of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined value, the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means is before the automatic re-boiling start temperature is reached. In this case, re-boiling is started, and in any case, addition of water can be detected (in other words, automatic re-boiling can be started).

  In the present invention, as a fourth means for solving the above-described problem, in the electric pot provided with the second or third means, a minimum heat retention set temperature of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures is 70 ° C. or less. And a subtraction value for obtaining an automatic reboiling start temperature from the minimum heat retention setting temperature may be set smaller than a subtraction value for obtaining an automatic reboiling start temperature from the maximum heat retention setting temperature among the plurality of heat retention setting temperatures. In such a configuration, it is ensured that even when a small amount of water is added, the temperature is controlled at the minimum temperature setting temperature (in other words, at the temperature control at a temperature of 70 ° C. or lower). It will be possible to detect and secure safety and cleanliness for milk preparation.

  In the present invention, as a fifth means for solving the above-described problem, in the electric pot provided with the first, second, third, or fourth means, the temperature control is being performed by the plurality of temperature setting temperatures. When the heat insulation switching is performed, the automatic re-boiling can be prohibited. In such a case, the hot water is once boiled during the heat insulation switching during the heat insulation control by the plurality of heat insulation preset temperatures. Therefore, even if automatic re-boiling is omitted, safety and cleanliness for milk preparation can be sufficiently secured.

  According to the first means of the present invention, a container main body provided with an inner container for boiling water and a lid, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner container are provided. In the electric pot configured to be able to control the heat retention to a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, an automatic re-boiling start temperature for re-boiling the hot water stored in the inner container is set for each of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. Since the automatic reboil starts when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means falls below the automatic reboil start temperature set for each of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, a small amount of water is added. However, since re-boiling can be performed reliably, the hot water that is kept warm must be boiled (in other words, boiled and disinfected), ensuring safety and cleanliness for milk preparation. Has the effect of being able to .

  As in the second means of the present invention, in the electric pot provided with the first means, the automatic reboiling start temperature can be a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, In such a configuration, when the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means falls below a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, automatic re-boiling starts and the control content of automatic re-boiling control is simplified. it can.

  As in the third means of the present invention, in the electric pot equipped with the first or second means, when the temperature drop degree within a predetermined time of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined value In addition, even if the temperature detected by the temperature detection means reaches the automatic re-boiling start temperature, it can be configured to start re-boiling. When the degree of temperature drop within a predetermined time of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means exceeds a predetermined value, re-boiling is started even before the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means reaches the automatic re-boiling start temperature. In any case, the addition of water can be detected (in other words, automatic re-boiling can be started).

  As in the fourth means of the present invention, in the electric pot equipped with the second or third means, the minimum heat retention set temperature is set to 70 ° C. or less among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, and the minimum heat retention is set. When the subtraction value for obtaining the automatic reboiling start temperature from the set temperature can be set to be smaller than the subtraction value for obtaining the automatic reboiling start temperature from the maximum heat retention set temperature among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. At the time of heat retention control at the minimum heat retention set temperature (in other words, at the time of heat retention control at a temperature of 70 ° C. or lower), even if a little water is added, this can be detected reliably, Safety and cleanliness can be ensured.

  As in the fifth means of the present invention, in the electric pot provided with the first, second, third or fourth means, when the heat insulation switching is performed during the heat insulation control by the plurality of heat insulation preset temperatures. In addition, it can be configured to prohibit automatic re-boiling, and in such a configuration, the hot water is assumed to have boiled once at the time of the heat retention switching during the heat retention control by the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. Even if automatic re-boiling is omitted, safety and cleanliness for milk preparation can be sufficiently secured.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this electric pot heats the bottom of the inner container 3 and a container body 1 having a bottomed cylindrical inner container 3 and a lid 2 that are open at the top. An electric heater 4 (consisting of a boiling heater 4A and a heat retaining heater 4B) as heating means, a hot water supply passage 5 (only part of which is shown) for supplying hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside, and the hot water supply An electric hot water supply pump 6 provided in the middle of the passage 5 is provided.

  The said container main body 1 couple | bonds the synthetic resin cylindrical outer case 7 which comprises an outer surface, the said inner container 3 which comprises an inner peripheral surface, the upper part of the said outer case 7, and the upper part of the inner container 3 An annular shoulder member 8 made of synthetic resin, a bottom member 9 made of synthetic resin having a hat-shaped cross section that is fitted inside the bottom of the outer case 7 and forms the bottom surface of the outer case 7, and the shoulder member 8 The lid body 2 is supported by a hinge pin 11 that is engaged with and disengaged from a hinge receiver 10 provided on one side of the lid body 2 so as to be opened and closed and detachable.

  The bottom portion of the inner container 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape protruding slightly upward except for a predetermined width portion on the outer peripheral side, and the water heater 4 (for example, wattage on the mica plate) is formed on the lower surface side thereof. Mica heaters holding two sets of heating elements with different sizes are attached.

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

  The lid body 2 is composed of a synthetic resin upper plate 13 and a synthetic resin lower plate 14 whose outer peripheral edges are coupled to the upper plate 13 by fitting. A hinge receiver 10 provided at the rear part of the member 8 is supported via a hinge pin 11 so as to be openable and detachable.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a steam discharge passage of the lid body 2 that communicates with each other in a detoured state from the lower side to the upper side, and reference numeral 16 denotes an overturn stop water valve disposed in the middle of the steam discharge passage 15.

  A metal inner cover member 17 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 14 in the lid 2, and the outer peripheral edge of the inner cover member 17 is attached to the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed. A heat-resistant rubber seal packing 18 is provided in pressure contact with the upper surface of the water supply port (upper end opening).

  In the middle of the hot water supply passage 5 and at a position below the inner container 3, a direct current type electric hot water pump 6 is provided via a hot water introducing cylinder 5 a on the inner container 3 side and a hot water inlet 6 a of the electric hot water pump 6. In this hot water supply passage 5, hot water sucked from the hot water intake port 6 a through the hot water introduction tube 5 a is discharged from the discharge port 6 b by the pumping action of the electric hot water supply pump 6, and the hot water supply passage Through a straight pipe portion (not shown) of 5, the hot water pouring outlet 5 b is led from an overturn stop water valve arrangement portion (not shown) to the outside.

  Further, in this embodiment, a first intake port 19A is provided at the upper part on the back side of the outer case 7 (ie, below the hinge receiver 10), while the upper part on the front side of the outer case 7 (ie, the lower part). The second intake port 19B is provided in a corner portion on the back side of the nose portion 1a of the container body 1 protruding forward.

  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) 20 which is located at the upper part and sucks air from the upper side and blows it downward. The cooling fan 20 houses its impeller and motor portion in a small fan casing 20a, and is securely fixed to the upper portion of the exhaust port 9e via the fan casing 20a.

  In addition, 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 from the container is blown outward from the left and right sides of the container body 1 (not blown in the direction in which the user is present).

  Therefore, when the cooling fan 20 is driven, outside air is introduced from the back side and the front side of the inner container 3 through the first and second intake ports 19A and 19B of the outer case 7, and then the inner container 3 The exhaust port 9e and the openings 9c, 9c on the lower side are reached while cooling the periphery of the gas, and is discharged to the outside through the exhaust port 9e and the openings 9c, 9c, so that the hot water in the inner container 3 is effectively cooled, The hot water temperature after the completion of boiling is quickly lowered.

  FIG. 4 shows a part of the upper surface structure of the container main body 1 in the electric pot. Reference numeral 21 denotes an operation panel unit provided with an operation surface of various switches described later and a display surface of a liquid crystal display unit. The operation panel 21 includes a hot water switch 22, a hot water lock release switch 23, a heat retention selection switch 24, a reboil / timer switch 25, a kitchen timer switch 26, a reboil display LED 27, a hot water lock release display LED 28, and a liquid crystal display. A portion 29 and the like are provided.

The liquid crystal display unit 29 is provided with, for example, a display unit 29a for displaying time / time / hot water temperature / operating state, a heat retention set temperature display unit 29b, a set heat retention temperature instruction mark 29c, and the like. Convenient information display is made.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit unit in the electric pot according to the present embodiment. In addition, about the electrical element already demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 52 is a commercial AC power supply, and 53 is a smoothing capacitor and a power supply IC, for example, and supplies DC power to the microcomputer control unit 60, a heating control unit 54, a pump power supply unit 55, a fan power supply unit 56, and so A stabilizing DC power supply unit, 54 is a heating control unit for ON / OFF control of the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B, 55 is a pump power supply unit of the electric hot water supply pump 6, and 56 is a fan power supply unit of the cooling fan 20.

  When the boiling heater ON signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 60 to the heating control unit 54, the boiling heater 4A activates a power relay via a transistor (not shown), and the power switch is turned on correspondingly. It is to be driven by.

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

  In the electric pot having the above configuration, when boiling water, the boiling heater 4A is driven to quickly heat up to a boiling state with a high heating output. Then, the boiling heater 4A is turned OFF, and then the hot water temperature is rapidly lowered to the target heat retention temperature set by the user while moving to the heat retention step and driving the cooling fan 20.

  In the heat retaining step, the actual hot water temperature (specifically, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12) is a high temperature heat retaining set temperature (for example, 95 ° C.) set by the heat retaining selection switch 24 and the microcomputer control unit 60 or When a temperature corresponding to a medium temperature keeping set temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) or a low temperature keeping temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) is reached, the corresponding hot water temperature is displayed on the hot water temperature display section of the liquid crystal display section 29. It has become.

  Next, automatic reboiling control in the heat retaining mode in the electric pot according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S1, the detected temperature T from the temperature sensor 12 is input to the microcomputer controller 60. In step S2, the temperature drop degree dT / dt within a predetermined time t (for example, 5 seconds) of the detected temperature T is set to a predetermined value ΔT ( For example, if it is determined that the temperature has exceeded 5 ° C., it is determined that water has been added, and the mode is shifted to the boiling mode (that is, the mode is shifted to the boiling heating operation by the boiling heater 4A).

  When a negative determination is made in step S2 (in other words, it is determined that water has not been added or water has been added slowly), in step S3, the detected temperature T and each heat retention set temperature (for example, 95 ° C., 80 ° C.). Or a value obtained by subtracting only a predetermined temperature α (for example, 10 ° C.) from 60 ° C., and if it is determined that T ≦ (each heat retention set temperature−α), it is determined that water has been added. Then, it shifts to the boiling mode (that is, shifts to the boiling heating operation by the boiling heater 4A).

  Even if a negative determination is made in step S3 (that is, T ≧ (each heat retention set temperature−α)), the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 12 may not reach each heat retention set temperature. In step S4, a comparison is made between the detected temperature T and each heat retention set temperature. If an affirmative determination is made (that is, T ≧ each heat retention set temperature), there is no additional water and each heat retention set temperature. In step S5, energization of the heat retaining heater B and the boiling heater 4A is stopped, and then the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S4 (that is, T <determines that each heat retention set temperature), in step S6, the detected temperature T and each heat retention set temperature are reduced by a predetermined temperature β (for example, 1.5 ° C.). When it is determined that T ≦ (each heat retention set temperature−β), energization of the boiling heater 4A is started in step S7. Energization of the boiling heater 4A is performed until it is determined in step S8 that T> (each heat retention set temperature−β). If an affirmative determination is made in step S8, energization to the boiling heater 4A is stopped in step S9, and energization to the heat retaining heater 4B is started in step S10, and then the process returns to step S1.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the temperature drop degree dT / dt within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) of the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 12 exceeds a predetermined value ΔT (for example, 5 ° C.). The automatic re-boiling start temperature is configured to start re-boiling even before the detected temperature T reaches the automatic re-boiling start temperature and to re-boil the hot water contained in the inner container 3. Is set for each of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures (for example, set to a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature (for example, 10 ° C.) from the plurality of heat retention set temperatures), and the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 12 is set to the plurality of heat retention settings. Automatic re-boiling is started when the temperature falls below the automatic re-boiling start temperature set for each temperature, so even if a small amount of water is added, water is poured slowly. When added It is possible to reliably re-boil, and the hot water that is kept warm must be boiled (in other words, boiled and disinfected), ensuring safety and cleanliness for milk preparation. .

  By the way, it is determined whether or not water is added by comparing the detected temperature T from the temperature sensor 12 with a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature α (for example, 10 ° C.) from each heat retention set temperature. Even if there is no addition, there may occur a case where the detected temperature T does not reach each heat retention set temperature. At this time, a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature β (for example, 1.5 ° C.) from each heat retention set temperature (ie, 1.5 ° C.). And a temperature slightly lower than each heat retention set temperature), and when T ≦ (each heat retention set temperature−β), heating is performed by the boiling heater 4A. As a result, the temperature of the hot water is quickly raised to each heat retention set temperature.

  The predetermined temperature α subtracted from each heat retention set temperature can be made different for each heat retention set temperature. For example, the automatic reboil start temperature at the time of selecting the high temperature heat retention> the automatic reboil start temperature at the time of selecting the medium temperature heat retention> the automatic reboiling start temperature at the time of selecting the low temperature heat retention can be set.

  In addition, it is desirable to set the minimum heat retention set temperature to 70 ° C. or less among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, and the subtraction value for obtaining the automatic reboiling start temperature from the minimum heat retention set temperature is the maximum heat retention temperature among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. It is desirable to set smaller than the subtraction value for obtaining the automatic reboiling start temperature from the set temperature. In such a case, at the time of heat retention control at the minimum heat retention set temperature (in other words, at the time of heat retention control at a temperature of 70 ° C. or lower), this can be reliably detected even if a little water is added. Safety and cleanliness for milk preparation can be ensured.

  Moreover, when the heat insulation switching is performed during the heat insulation control by the plurality of heat insulation preset temperatures, the automatic reboiling can be prohibited. In such a case, the hot water is assumed to have boiled at the time of heat retention switching during the heat retention control by a plurality of heat retention set temperatures, so even if automatic re-boiling is omitted, safety and cleanliness for milk preparation Enough to secure.

  Moreover, you may fix the automatic reboiling start temperature at the time of high temperature heat retention selection, for example to 80 degreeC.

  In addition, when changing from high temperature heat insulation to low temperature heat insulation, heating is not performed, and cooling by the cooling fan 20 is performed. When changing from low temperature heat insulation to high temperature heat insulation, the cooling fan 20 is not driven and the boiling heater is driven. You may make it perform the heating which does not lead to boiling by 4A.

  In addition, when the temperature is kept at a low temperature, boiling may be performed every predetermined time even if the re-boiling start temperature is not reached (that is, even when there is no water addition). Anti-corruption effect can be expected.

  By the way, in the case of the electric pot having the above configuration, when the hot water in the inner container 3 runs out and becomes empty, the inner container 3 becomes overheated, which may cause the electric heater 4 to fail. The air blow detection was performed by the rapid rise in the detection temperature T.

  By the way, in the electric pot, after performing “preliminary heating” in which the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are energized for 10 seconds, the energization to the boiling heater 4A is stopped, and when both the heaters 4A, “Main heating” by 4B is to be performed. The “preheating” is performed in order to warm the inner container 3 to some extent in consideration of the responsiveness of the temperature sensor 12 (see FIG. 9).

Then, the conventional airing detection is to be started simultaneously with the start of the “preheating”. However, when the electric heater 4 (boiling heater 4A, heat retaining heater 4B) and the inner container 3 are kept in a high temperature state as in the case of reuse immediately after the electric pot is used, a large amount of water is contained in the inner container 3. Even if it is housed, 10 seconds of the “preheating” may play the role of “main heating”, causing convection of hot water, and the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 12 may rise rapidly. Then, there was a problem that the rapid temperature rise was erroneously detected as an empty state. When the change in the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 12 at the time when the above-mentioned trouble occurs was examined, as shown in FIG. 9, a rapid temperature increase started before the “preheating” ended, It turns out that it is misdetecting.
(I) Flying detection processing I (refer to the flowchart of FIG. 7)
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the empty detection process is started immediately after the “preheating”. This flying detection process I will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the boiling mode is started, energization of the heat retaining heater 4B and the boiling heater 4A is started in step S1, and it is confirmed that a predetermined time t ₁ (for example, 10 seconds) has passed in step S2 (in other words, When it is confirmed that the “preliminary heating” has been completed), the energization to the boiling heater 4A is stopped in step S3, and the emptying detection process is started in step S4. Next, when it is confirmed in step S5 that a predetermined time t ₂ (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed, energization of the boiling heater 4A is started in step S6 (in other words, “main heating” is started, Control ends.

  As described above, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, the electric heater 4 (boiling heater 4 </ b> A, heat retaining heater 4 </ b> B) and the inner container 3 are in a high temperature state as in the case of reuse immediately after using the electric pot. Even if the power is turned on for 10 seconds, the “preheating” for 10 seconds plays the role of “main heating”, causing hot water convection, and even if the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 12 rapidly increases (FIG. 9). At that time, the air-blow detection process is not started, so that a sudden rise in the detection temperature T is not erroneously detected as air-blow.

In addition, in the electric pot having the above-described configuration, water may be added while keeping a large amount of hot water while aiming at the detection portion of the temperature sensor 12 (that is, the inner bottom portion of the inner container 3) with a kettle or the like. In this case, after the detection temperature T of the temperature sensor 12 decreases, when the hot water that has been kept in the sensor detection unit due to the convection of water comes, the temperature sensor 12 determines that the temperature has rapidly increased. In some cases, it may be detected as “empty” (see FIG. 10). When the change in the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 12 when the above-mentioned trouble occurs was examined, as shown in FIG. 10, about 10 seconds to 13 seconds passed after the addition of water (in other words, after the “preheating”). It was found that a sudden temperature increase started and false detection of air-spreading was completed after the “preheating”.
(II) Airing detection processing II (refer to the flowchart of FIG. 8)
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the emptying detection process is started after a predetermined time t ₃ (for example, 20 seconds) after the addition of water. The predetermined time t ₃ in this case, the electric kettle according to the present embodiment, when there is topped water, always the automatic re-boiling is initiated, convection latency all boiling operation ( For example, 20 seconds) is added, so this convection waiting time is used. This empty detection process II will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the boiling mode is started and it is confirmed in step S1 that water has been added, and in step S2, it is confirmed that a predetermined time t ₃ (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed, the heat retaining heater 4B and the boiling are heated in step S3. Energization of the heater 4A is started, and an emptying detection process is started in step S4. Thereafter, when it is confirmed in step S5 that a predetermined time t ₁ (for example, 10 seconds) has passed (in other words, it is confirmed that “preheating” has been completed), the flow proceeds to the boiling heater 4A in step S6. Then, when it is confirmed in step S7 that a predetermined time t ₂ (for example, 20 seconds) has elapsed, the energization of the boiling heater 4A is started in step S8 (in other words, “ "Heating" is started and the control ends.

If it does as mentioned above, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 11, water is added aiming at the detection part (namely, inner bottom part of the inner container 3) of the temperature sensor 12 with a kettle or the like while keeping a large amount of hot water. In this case, after the detection temperature T of the temperature sensor 12 is lowered, the hot water that has been kept in the sensor detection unit due to the convection of water comes to the temperature sensor 12, and the temperature sensor 12 is judged to have a sudden temperature rise. However, it may be detected as “empty”, but as in this embodiment, a predetermined time t ₃ (for example, 20 seconds) corresponding to the convection waiting time when water is added is elapsed. Since the air blow detection process is started later, the air blow detection process is not started in the time zone in which the detection temperature T of the temperature sensor 12 suddenly rises (see part B in FIG. 11). Rapid detection temperature T Not be dry frying preparative false detects Do rise.

  In addition, when there is a sudden drop in hot water temperature due to the addition of water or the like, and automatic re-boiling is being executed, the emptying detection is not performed.

  In addition, in the hot water detection process II, the hot water temperature after adding water is set to a temperature higher than 50 ° C.

  In the above-described airing detection process, when airing is detected, it is desirable to notify by an appropriate notification means (for example, a buzzer).

  In the above embodiment, the electric pot of the type that cools the inner container using the cooling fan has been described. However, the present invention is of course applicable to an electric pot that does not have a cooling fan.

It is a front view of the electric pot concerning an embodiment of the invention of this application. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged plan view which shows a part (operation panel part) of the upper surface of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of the electrical element in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the automatic reboiling control in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the empty detection process I in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the empty detection process I in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the time course of the emptying detection process I in the electric pot of a prior art example, and the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the time passage of the emptying detection process in the electric pot of a prior art example. It is a time chart which shows the time passage of the emptying detection process II in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 is a container body 2 is a lid 3 is an inner container 4 is a heating means (electric heater)
4A is a boiling heater 4B is a heat retaining heater 6 is an electric hot water supply pump 12 is a temperature detection means (temperature sensor)
60 is a microcomputer control unit

Claims (5)

A container body provided with an inner container for boiling water and a lid, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner container, and can be controlled to maintain a plurality of heat retention set temperatures. An electric pot configured as described above, wherein an automatic re-boiling start temperature for re-boiling hot water stored in the inner container is set for each of the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. The electric pot according to claim 1, wherein the automatic re-boiling start temperature is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined temperature from the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. If the temperature drop within a predetermined time of the temperature detected by the temperature detector exceeds a predetermined value, re-boil starts even before the temperature detected by the temperature detector reaches the automatic re-boiling start temperature. The electric pot according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the electric pot is configured as described above. While setting the minimum heat retention set temperature to 70 ° C. or less among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures, a subtraction value for obtaining the automatic reboiling start temperature from the minimum heat retention set temperature is determined as the maximum heat retention set temperature among the plurality of heat retention set temperatures. The electric pot according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the electric pot is set to be smaller than a subtraction value for obtaining an automatic re-boiling start temperature. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein automatic re-boiling is prohibited when heat-retention switching is performed during heat-retention control using the plurality of heat-retention set temperatures. The electric kettle described.

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