JP2001087133A - Temperature control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature control unit which curtails the man-hours and time required for assembly, simplifies and facilitates the mounting work of the unit and allows the efficient thermal conduction of the heat of an atmosphere and the exact execution of temperature control. SOLUTION: A thermosensitive element 26 constituting the temperature control unit 25 is fixed atop one end side of a thermal conductor 27 and a boiling thermo switch 31 is fixed atop the other end side of the thermal conductor 27. At the assembly, one end side of the thermal conductor 27 is fixed to the peripheral edge on the rear surface side of a projecting hole 24 of a mouth part 4 and the thermosensitive element 26 is inserted from below into the projecting hole 24 and is inserted and fixed in the state of exposing the same into a vapor passage 15. The other end side of the thermal conductor 27 is fixed to the inner wall part on the tapping side of the mouth part 4 and the boiling thermo switch 31 is fixed in the state of facing an operation part 29, by which the mounting work of the unit is simplified and facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a temperature control unit used to control the content of a container, such as an electric pot or a heat retaining container, to a predetermined temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the electric pot of the above-mentioned example has a boiling thermostat attached to a rear edge of a mouth of a pot body, for example.
Provided in a state exposed to the inside of the steam passage formed at the rear edge of the lid, introduces the steam of the content liquid generated at the time of boiling water into the steam passage, and conducts the heat of the steam to the boiling thermoswitch,
When the content liquid reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, about 95 ° C.), the boiling thermo switch is opened, the power supply to the heater is cut off, and the heating is stopped.

[0003]

However, when it is difficult to secure a space for assembling the boiling thermostat at the trailing edge of the mouth, the heat of the steam is transferred to the boiling thermostat via the heat conducting member. Therefore, there is a problem that assembling work between the heat conducting member and the boiling thermostat requires time and effort.

Further, since heat is conducted by bringing steam into contact with the heat-sensitive surface of the boiling thermostat, the contact area between the steam and the boiling thermostat is small, resulting in poor heat transfer efficiency. Even if the content liquid reaches a predetermined temperature, the boiling thermoswitch is opened for a long time, and heating by the heater is continued.

As another method of controlling the temperature, for example, there is a method of controlling the temperature by a control means such as a microcomputer. However, the circuit configuration is more complicated than that of the above-described thermoswitch, and the assembling work requires time and effort. In addition, since it is more expensive than the thermoswitch, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention reduces the man-hour and time required for assembly by connecting a thermosensitive element and a thermoswitch with a heat conductor to form a unit, and the unit mounting operation is simple and easy. Can be done. It is another object of the present invention to provide a temperature control unit in which the heat of the atmosphere is efficiently conducted and the temperature can be controlled accurately.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A temperature control unit for opening a thermo switch and shutting off a circuit by heat of the atmosphere when an atmosphere introduced into the introduction section reaches a predetermined temperature, and is fixed to a state exposed to the inside of the introduction section. It is a temperature control unit in which a thermosensitive body and the thermoswitch are connected by a heat conductor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a heat sensitive body is provided at one end of the heat conductor.
It is a temperature control unit provided with a thermoswitch at the other end of the heat conductor.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, a heat sensitive body is provided on a front surface side of the heat conductor, and a heat sensitive body is provided on a rear surface side of the heat conductor so as to face the heat sensitive body. It is a temperature control unit provided with a thermoswitch.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the first and second inventions.
Alternatively, in combination with the configuration described in 3, the temperature sensor is a temperature control unit formed by pressing the heat conductor.

[0011]

In the temperature control unit according to the first aspect, the man-hour and time required for assembling the entire unit are reduced by integrally connecting the thermosensitive body and the thermoswitch exposed in the introduction section by the heat conductor. Is done. In addition, the heat of the atmosphere is efficiently conducted to the thermostat, and the heat conduction efficiency is improved.

The temperature control unit according to a second aspect of the present invention has a large mounting space by providing a heat sensitive body at one end of the heat conductor and a thermoswitch at the other end in addition to the operation of the first aspect. The layout can be laid out in an optimum state according to the outline.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, the temperature control unit is provided with a thermosensitive body and a thermoswitch opposite to each other on the front and back surfaces of the heat conductive body, so that the heat sensitive body is connected to the thermosensitive body. The generated heat is conducted almost directly to the thermoswitch.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first, second, or third aspect, the temperature control unit presses, for example, a substantially plate-shaped heat conductor to separate the heat-sensitive body and the heat conductor. By being formed integrally, heat loss does not occur between the heat-sensitive body and the heat conductor, and heat is efficiently conducted.

[0015]

According to the present invention, since the thermosensitive element and the thermoswitch are integrally connected by a heat conductor to form a unit, the unit can be easily managed and handled. In addition, the number of steps and time required for assembling the entire unit can be reduced, and the unit can be mounted easily and easily, and the efficiency of the mounting operation can be increased.

In addition, since the heat-sensitive element is fixed in a state of being exposed to the inside of the introduction section, the contact area is large, the heat of the atmosphere is efficiently conducted, and the temperature can be controlled accurately. In addition, since a thermoswitch that is less expensive than the control unit as in the conventional example is used, the circuit configuration is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the heat conductor for connecting the heat sensitive body at one end and the thermoswitch at the other end is extended to a predetermined length or bent into a predetermined shape to reduce the size of the assembling space. The layout can be laid out in an optimum state according to the outline.

Further, since the thermosensitive element and the thermoswitch are provided on the front and back surfaces of the thermal conductor so as to face each other, the heat conducted to the thermosensitive element can be substantially directly conducted to the thermoswitch. Since the heat loss due to the heat conductor is small and the propagation distance is short, it is opened almost at the same time when a predetermined temperature is reached.

Furthermore, since one member is pressed and the heat-sensitive body and the heat conductor are integrally formed of the same material, the work and steps required for fixing each other are reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. In addition, the weight can be reduced.
In addition, heat loss does not occur between the heat-sensitive body and the heat conductor, and the heat transfer efficiency is improved.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows a boiling type electric pot whose temperature is controlled by a temperature control unit. In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, this electric pot 1 has an inner container 3 having an upper surface opened in a pot main body 2. Containing, pot body 2 and inner container 3
The opening 4 is fitted and fixed to the opening side peripheral edge, and the lid 5 is attached to the opening on the upper surface side of the opening 4 so as to be openable and closable.

Heater 6 mounted on the outer surface of the bottom of inner container 3
Is composed of a main heater 6a and a boiling heater 6b, and heats and boiles the content liquid A (for example, tap water) stored in the inner container 3. The content liquid A is supplied to a bellows type air pump 19 described later.
Is discharged from a spout 8 provided on the front surface of the mouth 4 through a communication pipe 7 connected to the bottom of the inner container 3.

The rear end of the lid 5 is pivotally connected to the pivot 4 by a support shaft 10 with respect to a pivot 9 formed at the rear edge of the mouth 4.
A locking lever 12 attached to the front end side of the lid 5 is locked to a locking portion 11 formed on the front side edge, and the lid 5 is attached to the mouth 4.
Is fixed in a state fitted (closed state) with respect to the opening on the upper surface side.

The cover 5 has a seal ring 14 made of synthetic rubber on the outer peripheral edge of the inner cover 13 fixed to the lower surface.
Is fitted, and when the mouth part 4 and the lid part 5 are fitted together, the inner peripheral part of the inner container 3 is pressed in an airtight state.

The steam passage 15 formed between the opposing surfaces of the cover 5 and the inner cover 13 guides the steam S discharged into the inner container 3 toward the rear side (the pivot portion 9). 15a,
The front passage 15b is guided toward the front side (the spout 8).

An opening 15c formed at a substantially central portion of the steam passage 15 has holes 13a formed at a substantially central portion of the inner lid 13.
The spherical body 16 is opposed to and held on the lower surface side of the opening 15c, and a valve body 21 described later is opposed and held on the upper surface side.

The rear passage 15a communicates with an exhaust hole 17 formed on the rear upper surface of the lid 5, and the front passage 15b faces a projection hole 24, which will be described later, and has a front fitting surface of the lid 5. Communicates with the insertion hole 18 formed in the hole.

The above-described air pump 19 has a well-known configuration, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. To pour out the content liquid A, the operating unit 20 held at the center on the upper surface side of the lid 5 is depressed, and the synthetic rubber valve body 21 attached to the center on the lower end side of the pump body 19a is opened. 15c is hermetically pressed against the peripheral edge on the upper surface side of 15c.

The pump body 19a is compressed, and the content liquid A is discharged by the pressure of air. Release the pressing of the operation unit 20 and
The pump body 19a is restored to a state before compression, and an arbitrary amount of the content liquid A is discharged by repeating compression and restoration. When the opening 15c is opened, the steam S and the atmosphere in the inner container 3 are introduced into the passages 15a and 15b.

The substantially spherical valve body 22 held on the pouring side of the pouring port 8 closes the pouring path when, for example, the pot body 2 swings or tilts forward. The substantially conical valve element 23 held at a position deeper than the valve element 22 is, for example, a pot body 2.
Is turned over, the spouting passage is closed by the pressure of the content liquid A.

The above-mentioned projecting hole 24 is formed on the front-side fitting surface of the mouth portion 4 so as to face the above-mentioned insertion hole 18.
A temperature control unit 25 for shutting off the power supply to the heater 6 when the content liquid A reaches a predetermined temperature is mounted on the back side (inside the spouting side of the mouth portion 4).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the temperature control unit 25 includes a heat sensitive element 26, a heat conductor 27, and a boiling thermo switch 31, and is formed as a solid or hollow heat sensitive element 26. And the heat conductor 27 formed in a substantially horizontally long plate shape are formed of a metal having a high heat conductivity (for example, aluminum).

The heat sensitive body 26 is fixed to the upper surface of one end of the heat conductor 27 (for example, by caulking) so as to face the above-mentioned projecting hole 24, and the boiling thermo switch 31 is connected to the operation unit 2 described later.
8 is fixed (for example, screwed) to the upper surface on the other end side of the heat conductor 27.

As a metal replacing aluminum,
For example, copper or other metals may be used. Further, as another fixing means instead of crimping and screwing, for example, it may be fixed by means such as adhesion, welding, fitting, screwing, or the like.

The heat-sensitive body 26 is formed in a size and a shape that can be inserted into the insertion hole 18 and the protruding hole 24, and the protruding end portion is formed in a substantially hemispherical or tapered shape. When the mouth part 4 and the lid part 5 are fitted together, they are inserted substantially vertically into the insertion holes 18 and formed to have a length protruding in a state exposed to the inside of the passage 15b.

A plurality of projections, blades, holes, grooves and the like may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the heat-sensitive body 26 on the protruding side, and the heat of the atmosphere is efficiently conducted because the surface area is increased.

A plurality of holes 27a for inserting fixing members, such as screws, are formed in the peripheral portion of the heat conductor 27, and terminals 31b, 31b of the boiling thermoswitch 31 are formed.
Are connected to a power line 34, which will be described later, through a cord 31c.
35.

A heat-resistant synthetic rubber seal ring 28 fitted between the protruding hole 24 and the heat sensitive body 26 is provided on the lower surface of the insertion hole 18 when the mouth 4 and the cover 5 are fitted. It is pressed against the periphery in an airtight state.

An operation unit 29 formed on the front upper surface of the mouth 4
Is formed so as to be flexible in a direction facing the switch portion 31a of the boiling thermoswitch 31. In addition, the entire upper surface of the operation unit 29 and the lamps L1 and L2 disposed on the side of the operation unit 29 is covered with a transparent or translucent soft resin protection sheet 29a.

FIG. 6 shows a control circuit of the heater 6. The heater 6 comprises a main heater 6 for boiling or boiling the content liquid A.
a, and a heat retention heater 6b for keeping the content liquid A warm. The heaters 6a and 6b are connected in parallel. The main heater 6a includes a boiling thermo switch 31 (manual return type) and a hot water thermo switch 32. The thermoswitches 31 and 32 are connected in parallel to the power supply line 3 via an overheat prevention thermoswitch 33 for preventing the heater 6 from overheating.
4,35.

The heat retaining heater 6b is connected between the thermo switch 32 and the thermo switch 33, and is connected to the power supply lines 34 and 35 via the thermo switch 33.

The boiling lamp L1 and the heat retaining lamp L2 are connected in series to power supply lines 34 and 35, and the middle of the lamps L1 and L2 and the middle of the main heater 6a and the thermoswitches 31 and 32 are connected. are doing. Note that R
1 and R2 are resistors, and 36 is a fuse.

The boiling thermo switch 31 changes the operating temperature at the time of opening to a temperature at which the content liquid A evaporates (for example, about 100
° C). On the other hand, the hot water thermo switch 32
Is mounted on the bottom side lower surface of the inner container 3 and sets the operating temperature at the time of opening to a temperature lower than the boiling temperature (about 100 ° C.) (for example, about 95 ° C.). Note that the operating temperatures of the thermoswitches 31 and 32 may be set to be equal to or lower than the above-described temperature.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and how to assemble the temperature control unit 25 used in the electric pot 1 will be described below. First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of a heat conductor 27 constituting the temperature control unit 25 is screwed and fixed to a peripheral portion on the back surface side of the projecting hole 24 of the mouth portion 4, and the heat sensitive member 26 is fixed. It is inserted into the protruding hole 24 from below, and inserted and fixed in a state of protruding above the protruding hole 24.

On the other hand, the other end of the heat conductor 27 is fixed to the spout-side inner wall of the mouth part 4 by screwing.
1 is fixed so as to face the operation unit 29.

As another fixing means instead of the screwing, for example, an adhesive fixing or a fitting fixing may be adopted. Further, the protrusion formed on the inner wall of the mouth 4 may be formed by the hole 2 of the heat conductor 27.
It may be inserted into 7a and subjected to a retaining process.

After assembling, the mouth 4 and the lid 5 are fitted to each other, and the heat-sensitive body 26 projecting from the projecting hole 24 of the mouth 4 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion hole 18 of the lid 5. Into the steam passage 1
5 and inserted into the passage 15b.

Next, when the content liquid A is boiled, when the power supply lines 34 and 35 are connected to an external power supply, the thermoswitches 32 and 33 are closed. Only the hot water lamp L1 is turned on during the hot water.

When the content liquid A rises to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 95 ° C.), the hot water thermo switch 32 is opened (for example, about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds after the temperature reaches the hot water temperature), and Since the energization of the heater 6a is cut off, the heating is stopped. At the same time, the warming lamp L2 is turned on and the water heater lamp L1 is turned off.

Next, when a chemical (for example, calcium) contained in the content liquid A is subjected to a heat treatment, as shown in FIG.
9 is pressed and the boiling thermo switch 31 is turned on to close the main heater 6a, and the content liquid A is heated and boiled.

The content liquid A is heated and boiled to a predetermined temperature (for example, about 100 ° C.) until the boiling thermoswitch 31 is operated, thereby removing the smell and taste peculiar to the chalky contained in the content liquid A.

The steam S generated at the time of boiling is divided into the passages 15a and 15b through the holes 13a of the inner lid 13 and the opening 15c of the steam passage 15, and the steam S introduced into the passage 15a is The air is exhausted to the atmosphere through the exhaust hole 17.

On the other hand, the steam S introduced into the passage 15b,
The heat of the atmosphere heated by the steam S is transmitted to the boiling thermo switch 31 via the heat sensing element 26 and the heat conductor 27, and the boiling thermo switch 31 is operated after a boiling maintaining time (for example, about 120 seconds). Let it.

When the temperature of the steam S transmitted to the boiling thermo switch 31 reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, about 100 ° C.), the boiling thermo switch 31 is opened, and the main heater 6a is opened.
Is interrupted, so that the heating and boiling are stopped.

As described above, since the heat sensitive body 26 and the boiling thermo switch 31 constituting the temperature control unit 25 are integrally connected by the heat conductor 27 to form a unit, the unit can be easily managed and handled. I can do it. and,
The man-hour and time required for assembling the entire unit can be reduced, the unit can be easily and easily mounted, and the efficiency of the mounting operation can be increased.

In addition, since the heat sensitive body 26 is fixed in a state exposed to the inside of the passage 15b of the steam passage 15, the contact area is large, the heat of the steam S is efficiently conducted, and the temperature can be controlled accurately. . Further, since the boiling thermoswitch 31 which is less expensive than the control means as in the conventional example is used, the circuit configuration is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, the heat conductor 27 connecting the heat sensitive body 26 at one end and the boiling thermo switch 31 at the other end is extended to a predetermined length or bent into a predetermined shape, for example, to form the mouth 4. The layout can be optimally made in accordance with the size of the mounting space such as the leading edge or the trailing edge.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show that the heat sensitive body 26 is fixed on the surface side of the heat conductor 27 formed in a substantially plate shape, and the boiling thermo switch 31 is connected to the heat conductor 27 facing the heat sensitive body 26. Another example of the temperature control unit 25 fixed to the back side is shown,
The heat conductor 27 is fixed to the back side of the projecting hole 24 of the mouth 4, and the heat sensitive body 26 is inserted and fixed in the projecting hole 24.

The mouth 4 and the cover 5 are fitted to each other,
Is inserted into the insertion hole 18 of the lid 5 and inserted and fixed in a state of being exposed in the passage 15b.
7, the heat of the thermosensitive body 26 is substantially directly conducted to the boiling thermoswitch 31.

Further, the heat loss due to the heat conductor 27 is small, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the boiling thermoswitch 3 is almost simultaneously.
1 is opened, and the power supply to the main heater 6a is cut off, so that the temperature control can be performed accurately, and substantially the same or higher effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

When the content liquid A is heat-treated, the operation lever 38 pivotally attached to the spout-side inner wall of the mouth portion 4 is rotated by the cam portion 29b formed on the operation portion 29, and the switch of the boiling thermo switch 31 is turned on. The part 31a is turned on.

In correspondence with the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the temperature control unit of the present invention comprises a temperature control unit 25 and a heat sensitive body 26 and a heat conductor 27 of the embodiment.
And the boiling thermo switch 31. Similarly,
The atmosphere corresponds to the steam S and the outside air heated by the steam S, the introduction portion corresponds to the steam passage 15 and the passage 15b, and the thermoswitch corresponds to the boiling thermoswitch 31. The configuration is not limited only to the configuration of the embodiment.

The above-described heat-sensitive body 26 is fixed to one end of the heat conductor 27. For example, as shown in FIG.
One end of 7 may be pressed to integrally form the convex thermosensitive body 26.

In this case, since one heat conductor 27 is pressed and the heat sensitive body 26 and the heat conductor 27 are integrally formed of the same material, the work and steps required for mutual fixing are reduced. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. In addition, heat loss does not occur between the heat-sensitive body 26 and the heat conductor 27, and the heat transfer efficiency is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view showing an electric pot to which a temperature control unit is assembled.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view showing a pouring structure of an electric pot.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a unit assembled state when the electric pot is viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing an assembly portion of the temperature control unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the temperature control unit.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an electric pot.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal side view showing another example of assembling the temperature control unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the temperature control unit of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view showing another example of assembling the temperature control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A: content liquid S ... steam 1 ... electric pot 2 ... pot body 4 ... mouth 5 ... lid 6 ... heater 15 ... steam passage 18 ... insertion hole 24 ... projecting hole 25 ... temperature control unit 26 ... heat sensitive body 27 ... heat Conductor 29 ... Operation unit 31 ... Boiling thermo switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A temperature control unit for opening a thermo switch and shutting off a circuit by the heat of the atmosphere when an atmosphere introduced into the introduction section reaches a predetermined temperature, the temperature control unit being exposed to the inside of the introduction section. A temperature control unit in which a thermosensitive body fixed in a state and the thermoswitch are connected by a heat conductor. 2. The temperature control unit according to claim 1, wherein a heat sensitive body is provided at one end of said heat conductor, and a thermo switch is provided at the other end of said heat conductor. 3. The temperature control unit according to claim 1, wherein a heat sensitive body is provided on a front side of said heat conductor, and a thermo switch is provided on a back side of said heat conductor so as to face said heat sensitive body. 4. The temperature control unit according to claim 1, wherein said heat-sensitive body is formed by pressing said heat conductor.