JP2004329652A - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem that efficiency of washing cannot be made constant since water in a water heating container is not kept at high temperature due to the fall of temperature in water when the water of a water supply vessel is supplied to the water heating container during a washing mode. <P>SOLUTION: When the water of the water supply vessel is supplied to the heating container during the washing mode of the water heating container, the contents of the process of the washing mode are changed. Thus, efficient washing by maximally utilizing a high temperature keeping effect is constantly performed after boiling the water after supply, so that convenience is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a plurality of containers such as a water heater container and a water supply container, and when scales or the like adhere to the water heater container for a long time of use, after filling the water heater container with water, add a detergent. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electric water heater capable of heating water in a water supply container and supplying water to the container during a water heater cleaning mode which is a dedicated operation mode for cleaning the container to improve the cleaning efficiency.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of electric water heater is provided with a dedicated operation mode for cleaning a water heater container, thereby performing efficient cleaning by making maximum use of a high-temperature holding effect and a convection effect of water (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-206214
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, although washing is performed efficiently, there is no mention of the case where the water in the water supply container is boiled and water is supplied to the container during the cleaning mode, and the usability of the water supply operation by the water supply container is considered. It was not something.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and in the case where the water in the water supply container is boiled and supplied to the container during the container cleaning mode, it is prevented that the water in the water heater container cannot be maintained at a high temperature depending on the timing of water supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric water heater that can constantly perform efficient cleaning utilizing a high-temperature holding effect to the maximum and that is improved in usability.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the electric water heater of the present invention has a configuration in which the process content of the cleaning mode can be changed if water in the water supply container is supplied to the water heater container during execution of the container cleaning mode of the water heater container. It was done.
[0007]
Thus, even when water is supplied in the middle of the cleaning mode, it is possible to constantly perform efficient cleaning by maximizing the high-temperature holding effect after boiling the supplied water, thereby improving usability. Can be.
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a water heater, heating means for heating the liquid in the water heater, a water supply container for storing a liquid to be supplied to the water heater, and a liquid in the water supply container. Water supply means for supplying to the water heater container, wherein the water in the water supply container can be supplied to the water heater container during execution of the container cleaning mode for cleaning the water heater container, and water supply is performed during the container cleaning mode. By using an electric water heater capable of changing the contents of the steps in the container cleaning mode, even when water is supplied, it is possible to perform efficient cleaning by maximizing the high-temperature holding effect after boiling the liquid after water supply. And the usability can be improved.
[0009]
The invention as set forth in claim 2 of the present invention is, in particular, in the invention as set forth in claim 1, by allowing the step contents of the container washing mode to be changed so as to start over from the first step, even when water is supplied. The cleaning can be more complete.
[0010]
The invention described in claim 3 of the present invention, in particular, in the invention described in claim 1, is capable of changing the contents of the steps of the container cleaning mode so as to start over from an intermediate step, thereby maintaining the cleaning effect, Cleaning time can be saved.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is particularly directed to the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the fact that the process content of the container cleaning mode is being changed is displayed, thereby enabling the cleaning mode to be changed. The user can be notified that the process content is being changed.
[0012]
In the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention, in particular, in the invention according to claim 4, by flashing the display, it is emphasized that the process content of the cleaning mode is being changed, and the display convenience is improved. Performance and functionality can be improved.
[0013]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 shows an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0015]
In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a water heater that heats and holds the water contained therein, 2 denotes a heating means including a 925 W main heater for heating the water heater 1 and a 75 W heat retaining heater, and 3 denotes a tapping motor that drives a pump 4. It is. The tapping motor 3 and the pump 4 are magnetically coupled to each other, and constitute tapping means for discharging tap water from the tapping vessel 1 through the tap 6 through the water pipe 5. Numeral 7 is a water amount detecting means which comprises an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element mounted opposite to the water pipe 5, and comprises detecting means 7a, 7b and 7c for detecting three levels of water amount. The detecting means 7a is a full water detection installed at a full water position, the detecting means 7c is a water supply detecting installed at a position where the heating means 2 is stopped to prevent the water heater 1 from being empty, and the detecting means 7b is a detecting means of the detecting means 7a and 7c. Intermediate detection installed at the intermediate position is performed.
[0016]
Numeral 8 denotes a water supply container containing water for supplying water to the water heater container 1, which is integrated with the pump 9 and the water supply pipe 11 so as to be detachable from the equipment body 16. Reference numeral 10 denotes a water supply motor magnetically coupled to the pump 9. By driving the water supply motor 10, the water in the water supply container 8 is supplied to the water heater 1 via the water supply pipe 11. The pump 9 and the water supply motor 10 constitute a water supply means for boiling the water in the water supply container 8 and supplying the water to the container 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes a tapping switch operated by a user to instruct the tapping, a lock release switch 13 to permit acceptance of the tapping switch 12, a temperature detecting means 14 for detecting the temperature of the hot water in the water heater container 1, and 15 Is an attachment / detachment sensor for detecting attachment / detachment of the water supply container 8.
[0017]
17 is a power plug for supplying commercial power, which is easy to attach and detach, 18 is a container cleaning start / stop unit for controlling start / stop of the container cleaning operation, and 19 is a container cleaning mode process by input from water supply means 9 and 10. The washing mode step contents changing means 20 for changing the water amount detecting means 7, the temperature detecting means 14, the container washing start / stop means 18, and the washing mode step contents changing means 19 are input by the heating means 2 and the operation mode display means 21. Is heating control means for controlling the temperature.
[0018]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. The operation starts when the power supply plug 17 is inserted into the outlet and the commercial power supply is turned on to the apparatus. If the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 14 is lower than 85 ° C., the mode shifts to the boiling mode and the water heating operation is performed.
[0019]
First, when the amount of water in the water heater vessel 1 is smaller than the amount of the detecting means 7c, the heating of the heating means 2 by the heating control means 20 is stopped. The water supply means 9 and 10 automatically start water supply when the amount of water in the water heater container 1 is smaller than that of the detection means 7a and the attachment / detachment sensor 15 detects that the water supply container 8 is attached. When it is, stop water supply. The heating control means 20 causes the heating means 2 to start heating when the amount of water exceeds the water supply detecting means 7c, and thereafter the heating by the main heater of the heating means 2 until the heating control means 20 detects the boiling by the input of the temperature detecting means 14. After the detection of boiling, the temperature of 98 ° C. is maintained by the temperature maintaining heater of the heating means 2.
[0020]
Here, when the tapping means 3 and 4 are operated, the hot water flows through the water pipe 5 and the tap hole 6, so that the water quantity detected by the water quantity detecting means 7 always detects that there is a water quantity up to the full water detecting means 7a. For this reason, the configuration is such that the detection of the amount of hot water in the water heater 1 by the water amount detecting means 7 is prohibited during tapping.
[0021]
The operation during the heat retention at 98 ° C. is such that when the hot water is repeatedly supplied from the time of full water, the amount of hot water in the kettle 1 decreases, but when the amount of hot water is equal to or more than the detecting means 7b, or when the water supply container 8 is not mounted by the detachable sensor 15 When the water is detected, the water supply by the water supply means 9 and 10 is not performed. Then, the amount of hot water is detected to be less than the detection means 7b, and the attachment / detachment sensor 15 detects that the water supply container 8 is attached, and the water supply operation by the water supply means 9, 10 is started three minutes after the detection. .
[0022]
Thereafter, when the water supply means 9 and 10 are detected, the water supply means 9 and 10 are stopped. During the water supply or after the water supply is completed, the water temperature drops as a result of the water supply. When this is detected, heating by the heating means 2 is started.
[0023]
The container cleaning start / stop means 18 is a switch input which can be freely set by the user. When a signal is input from the container cleaning start / stop means 18 in any of the boiling mode and the heat retention mode, the mode is shifted to the container cleaning mode. I do. When a signal is input from the container cleaning start / stop means 18 during the container cleaning mode, the mode shifts to the heat retention mode if the temperature from the temperature detecting means 14 is 85 ° C. or higher, and to the boiling mode if the temperature is lower than 85 ° C.
[0024]
Further details will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the electric water heater in the first embodiment.
[0025]
When the apparatus shifts to the container washing mode, the water amount detecting means 7 and the heating control means 20 control the heating means 2 to boil and heat the water in step 1 in the same manner as in the boiling mode. The heating by the main heater of the heating means 2 is performed until the detection means 14 detects the boiling (this step is set to the cleaning mode I in this embodiment). After the boiling is detected in Step 2, if there is no water supply operation by the water supply means 9, 10 in Step 4, the heating means 2 is controlled by the operation of the heating control means 20 in Step 3, and the heating control is performed in Step 5. Boiling heating is performed according to a predetermined time (15 minutes in this embodiment), a predetermined cycle (30 seconds in this embodiment), and a predetermined duty (8 seconds off / 22 seconds on in this embodiment) preset in the means 20. An intermittent operation is performed (this step is set to a cleaning mode II in this embodiment). After the intermittent operation is completed, in step 6, the operation of the heating control means 20 is again performed to control the heating means 2 to keep the water warm and heated (in this embodiment, this step is set to the cleaning mode III), and the container is cleaned. The mode ends.
[0026]
During the washing mode II, which is a process after the boiling is detected in step 2, that is, the water supply operation by the water supply means 9 and 10 is performed in step 4 until a predetermined time preset in the heating control means 20 elapses. If there is, the process returns to the cleaning mode I again, and the main heater of the heating means 2 is heated until the temperature is detected by the temperature detecting means 14 in step 2, and thereafter the cleaning mode II and thereafter are repeated. If there is a water supply operation by the water supply means 9 and 10 in step 7 even during the cleaning mode III, the operation returns to the cleaning mode I and the same operation is performed.
[0027]
With the above-described configuration, even when the water in the water supply container 8 is boiled and supplied to the container 1 during the washing mode and the water temperature is lowered, the efficiency of maximizing the high temperature holding effect after boiling the water after water supply is improved. Good cleaning can be constantly performed, and the same cleaning effect as when there is no water supply operation can be obtained.
[0028]
(Example 2)
Second Embodiment An electric water heater according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the electric water heater in the second embodiment. The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that, during the cleaning mode II which is a process after the detection of boiling, that is, until the predetermined time preset in step 5 in the heating control means 20 elapses. If there is a water supply operation by the water supply means 9 and 10 at 4, the process returns to the initial stage of the cleaning mode II, and the intermittent operation of the boiling heating is performed according to a predetermined time, a predetermined cycle, and a predetermined duty preset in the heating control means 20. Do. Also, if there is a water supply operation by the water supply means 9 and 10 in step 7 even in the middle of the cleaning mode III, the operation returns to the cleaning mode II and the same operation is performed.
[0029]
In this embodiment, if there is a water supply operation, the process returns to the initial stage of the cleaning mode II. However, the process in the cleaning mode in which the water supply operation is performed is extended, or another dedicated process is performed after the water supply or after the water supply is completed. The cleaning step may be performed.
[0030]
With the above configuration, the cleaning time can be saved while maintaining the cleaning effect.
[0031]
(Example 3)
FIG. 4 shows an electric water heater according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, components having the same functions as those in FIG.
[0032]
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a new display means 22 for displaying that the process content of the cleaning mode has been changed is newly provided, and the water supply operation by the water supply means 9, 10 during the cleaning mode II or III. And that the heating control means 20 indicates that the process contents are being changed.
[0033]
With the above-described configuration, even when the water in the water supply container 8 is boiled and supplied to the container 1 during the washing mode and the water temperature is lowered, the efficiency of maximizing the high temperature holding effect after boiling the water after water supply is improved. In addition to being able to perform good cleaning consistently and achieving the same cleaning effect as when there is no water supply operation, it is also possible to inform the user that the process of the cleaning mode has been changed, and it is easy to use. Will be better.
[0034]
(Example 4)
Fourth Embodiment An electric water heater according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
The present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the display displayed on the display means 22 is performed by blinking (in this embodiment, blinking every 0.5 seconds). In this embodiment, the blinking is performed every 0.5 seconds, but may be 0.2 seconds or 1.0 seconds, and the blinking period changes depending on the purpose of specification.
[0036]
With the above configuration, it is possible to emphasize to the user that the process in the cleaning mode has been changed, and the usability is improved.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, even when water is supplied during the cleaning mode of the water heater, even when water is supplied during the water supply container cleaning mode, it is possible to constantly perform efficient cleaning using the high-temperature holding effect to the maximum after boiling the water after water supply. And the usability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an electric water heater in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an electric water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 4 is a block diagram of an electric water heater in embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Kettle container 2 Heating means 8 Water supply container 9 Pump (water supply means)
10 Water supply motor (water supply means)
22 Display means

Claims (5)

A water heater, heating means for heating the liquid in the water heater container, a water supply container for storing liquid to be supplied to the water heater container, and water supply means for supplying the liquid in the water supply container to the water heater container, The liquid in the water supply container can be supplied to the water heater container during execution of the container cleaning mode for cleaning the water heater container, and when the water supply is performed during the container cleaning mode, the process content of the container cleaning mode can be changed. Electric water heater. 2. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the steps in the container washing mode can be changed so as to start over from the first step. 2. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the steps in the container washing mode can be changed so as to start over from an intermediate step. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which indicates that the process content of the container cleaning mode is being changed. The electric water heater according to claim 4, wherein the display is blinked.

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