JP2005118344A - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric kettle in which the temperature of hot water reaches the set temperature in a shortened period of time even when warming temperature is changed, and feeds the hot water free from various bacteria therefore is safe and user-friendly. <P>SOLUTION: The electric kettle is provided with; a boiling container 2 for boiling water and warming it; a heating means 3 for heating the boiling container 2; a water feeding container 14 for housing water; a water feeding means 15 for feeding water in the water feeding container 14 to the boiling container 2; a water quality selection means 7 for setting the water quantity of the water feeding container 14; and a clocking means 18 for measuring a prescribed time. When the water quality selection means 7 is set and the warming temperature is set to be low, the water feeding means 5 is driven to quickly cool hot water in the boiling container 2 to the set temperature, thereby the time for reaching the set temperature is shortened. In addition, the hot water free from the various bacteria is fed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a one-tank electric water heater equipped with a water heater container, and a two-tank electric water heater equipped with a water heater container and a water supply container, and more particularly, to setting of a heat retention temperature in the water heater container.

  Conventionally, as this type of electric water heater, a so-called one-tank electric water heater provided with one container for storing water has been mainly used. And when the heat retention temperature was set low with this electric water heater, it took time to reach the set temperature because the heater was turned off and cooled naturally until the set temperature was reached. For example, it takes 5 to 6 hours to bring 4 liters of hot water from 100 ° C to 60 ° C. Therefore, an electric water heater that forcibly cools the hot water in the water heater container has been proposed. According to this electric water heater, boiling water is rapidly cooled using a refrigerant, a cooling compressor, a Peltier element, or the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called two-tank electric water heater comprising a water heater container and a water supply container for storing water for automatically supplying water to the water heater container is provided in order to prevent hot water from running out even when the amount of hot water consumed is large. Proposed. According to this electric water heater, when the hot water in the water heater container is reduced, water is supplied from the water supply container, and water is supplied to the full water so as not to run out.

And when the heat retention temperature was set low with this electric water heater, the heater was turned off and cooled naturally until it reached the set temperature, similar to the one-tank electric water heater. Further, a hot water discharge port and a purified water discharge port from which water from the water purifier is made the same so that a desired hot water temperature can be discharged has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-252188 A

  However, in the conventional electric water heater, when the heat retention temperature is set low, the heater is turned off until the set temperature is reached, and the cooling is naturally performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to reach the set temperature. Was. In addition, when the hot water in the kettle container is forcibly cooled, there is a problem that the cost of the cooling device increases and the device becomes large. Moreover, when hot water and water from a water purifier are mixed and discharged, there is a problem that the cost of the water purifier for producing safe water increases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and when the heat retention temperature is changed and set, with an inexpensive configuration, the arrival time to the set temperature is shortened, and hot water free from various germs is supplied. The object is to provide a safe and easy-to-use electric water heater.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, an electric water heater of the present invention includes a water heater container that heats and retains water, a heating means that heats the water heater container, and a water quality selection means that sets the water quality of the water heater container. And time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time. With this configuration, hot water free from germs can be supplied with an inexpensive configuration.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the heat retention temperature is changed and set, the arrival time to the set temperature is shortened with an inexpensive configuration, and hot water free from various germs is supplied. It can be made easy to use.

  1st invention has a water heater container which boils water and keeps heat, a heating means which heats the water heater container, a water quality selection means for setting the water quality of the water heater container, and a time measuring means which measures a predetermined time The configuration. With this configuration, hot water free from germs can be supplied with an inexpensive configuration.

  The second aspect of the present invention is a water heater container that heats and retains water by boiling water, a heating means that heats the water heater container, a water supply container that contains water, a water supply means that supplies water from the water supply container to the water heater container, By having a structure having a water quality selection means for setting the water quality of the water supply container and a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time, it is possible to supply hot water and water free of germs with an inexpensive structure. Can do.

  In particular, in the invention according to any one of the first and second aspects, the water quality selecting means provides a course for drinking just by mixing, and the course requires water exchange when the time measuring means passes a predetermined time. By adopting the configuration, the user can know the time for replacing the water and the convenience can be improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the water quality selecting means can be selected only when the time measuring means has not passed the predetermined time, so that the user can select water. There is no need to consider the replacement time, and convenience can be improved.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the water quality selecting means is configured to be canceled when the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time, so that water free from germs is present. Can only be used and safety can be improved.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the water quality selection means is configured to heat the water heater container and boil once when the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time. Thus, the safety can be improved by supplying hot water free of germs.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the second to sixth aspects of the invention, when the water quality selection means is set and the heat insulation temperature is set low, the water supply means is driven to set the hot water in the kettle container. By adopting a configuration that rapidly cools to the temperature, the time to reach the set temperature can be shortened.

  In the eighth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh inventions, when the water quality selection means is set and the heat retention temperature is set, the hot water in the water heater container is not boiled and heated to the set temperature. Since the time for cooling the hot water is not required, the time to reach the set temperature can be shortened.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, the time measuring means is configured to count the time when the power is turned on, so that the user does not consider the replacement time of hot water and water. The convenience may be improved.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to ninth aspects of the invention, the time measuring means is configured to count the time after the water has been put into the kettle, so that the user can change the hot water replacement time. There is no need to think about it, and convenience can be improved.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the second to tenth aspects of the invention, the time measuring means is configured to count the time after putting water in the water supply container, so that the user can change the time for water replacement. There is no need to think about it, and convenience can be improved.

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to eleventh aspects of the invention, there is a hot water prohibiting means, and the time counting means prohibits hot water when a predetermined time has elapsed, so that no hot water is present Only hot water can be discharged, and safety can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The configuration and functions of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a main body constituting the outer shell, 2 is a water heater container provided in the main body 1 for boiling and keeping the water contained therein, 3 is a heating means for contacting the water heater container 2 and heating the water in the water heater container 4, 4 Is a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the water in the water heater container 2 and 5 is a control means comprising a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), and the signal from the temperature detection means 4 is boiling. When a temperature lower than the boundary temperature, for example, less than about 90 ° C. is detected, the heating means 3 is driven to heat and reboil. Further, the control means has a boiling detection means 6 and a timing means 18. The boiling detection means 6 detects the boiling of the water in the kettle container 2 because the temperature increase gradient obtained from the temperature detection means 4 is less than a predetermined temperature increase gradient, for example, 30 seconds / 0.5 ° C. It is configured to detect and stop the heating means 3. The water quality selection means 7 which is a feature of the present embodiment is for setting the quality of the water to be put into the water supply container 14, and a course for drinking just by mixing is provided. select. The time measuring means 18 counts time after water is put into the water supply container 14. Reference numeral 8 denotes reheating means for forcibly reheating water that is being kept warm, and operates by operating a switch provided on the upper part of the vessel. In response to a signal from the reheating unit 8, the control unit 5 drives the heating unit 3 to heat the water. Thereafter, when boiling is detected by the boiling detection means 6, the heating means 3 is stopped. Thereby, when hot water close to the boiling state is required, hot water can be easily obtained and convenience is improved. Reference numeral 9 denotes a hot water switch for operating the user to instruct hot water, and 10 is a hot water outlet means including a pump or the like. Reference numeral 13 denotes a water amount detecting means, which is composed of a water level pipe 11 and an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element attached to face the water level pipe 11. And the water level of the water heater container is detected by detecting the liquid level of the water level pipe 11 in which the liquid level is the same as that of the water heater container 2. 13a is a full water detection installed at the full water position, and 13b is a water supply detection installed at a position where the heating means is stopped in order to prevent emptying of the kettle container 2. 14 is a water supply container for storing water for supplying water to the water heater container 2, and 15 is a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container 14 to the water heater container 2 through the water supply pipe 16. ing. In addition, water supply to the water supply container is made possible by removing only the water supply container and supplying water at the tap. Reference numeral 17 denotes an informing means for displaying and informing an operation such as in the process of boiling water or keeping warm.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 20 is a commercial power source and 21 is a DC power source. The heating means 3 includes a first heating element 3a for heating the water in the kettle, a second heating element 3b having a heating power smaller than that of the first heating element 3a and mainly used as a heating means during heat retention. The relay contacts 3c and 3d connected in series with the commercial power source 20 and the relay coils 3e and 3f for controlling the relay contacts 3c and 3d are configured to pass current through the relay coil and close the relay contacts. I am doing so. The temperature detection means 4 generates a divided voltage value by the temperature sensing element 4a for converting the temperature into a resistance value, and the temperature sensing element 4a and the resistance 4b, and inputs the divided voltage value to an AD converter 4c for converting this into a binary code. To do. The AD converter 4 c sets a range of about 30 to 120 ° C. to a unit temperature width, for example, about 0.5 ° C., and outputs a signal to the control means 5 every time the unit temperature rises. The water quality selection means 7 is composed of a switch 7a and resistors 7b and 7c as an input for setting the water quality. The reheating means 8 is composed of a switch 8a and resistors 8b and 8c, which are inputs for forcibly reheating water that is being kept warm.

  Further, the notification means 17 notifies the end of boiling by the buzzer 17a, the LED 17b displays during boiling, and the 17c displays during heat insulation. The hot water discharge means 10 includes a motor 10a that drives an electric pump that sends water in the kettle 2 to the outside, a transistor 10b, and a lock release switch 10c that outputs a signal for turning on the transistor 10b. The hot water can be discharged when the unlocking switch 9c is on in the unlocked state where the unlock switch 10c is turned on and the transistor 10b is turned on. Accordingly, the hot water discharge prohibiting means is constituted by the lock release switch 10c and the transistor 10b, and in the locked state in which the lock release switch 10c is turned off and the transistor 10b is turned off, the hot water discharge switch 9 cannot be turned on even if the hot water switch 9 is turned on. Furthermore, if the next hot water is not discharged within a certain time, for example, 10 seconds after the end of the hot water, the transistor 10b is turned off again so that the hot water cannot be discharged only by turning on the hot water switch 9.

  The water amount detection means 13 is composed of an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element. When full water is detected, the water level detection 13a is turned on and water supply is stopped. When water supply is detected, the water level detection 13b is turned on and water supply is started. The water supply means 15 includes a water supply motor 15a and a transistor 15b. When the water in the water supply container 14 is heated and supplied to the container 2, the water supply motor 15a is driven by turning on the transistor 15b. Reference numeral 5 denotes a control means comprising a microcomputer.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the hot water heating operation of the electric water heater in the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the hot water heating operation of the program stored in the microcomputer 5. Hereinafter, the water heating operation after automatic water supply will be described.

  First, when the amount of hot water in the kettle container 2 is reduced from the heat retaining state, the control means 5 supplies water by turning on the water supply motor 15a in S101 if the detected water amount of the water amount detecting means 13 is less than the water supply detection 13a in S100.

  After a while, when the amount of water detected by the water amount detection means 13 reaches the water supply detection 13a in S102, the control means 5 turns off the water supply motor 15a and stops water supply in S103. In step S104, the heating unit 3 is turned on to start heating. When boiling is detected in S105, the heating means 3 is turned off in S106. After that, keep warming.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the temperature of the electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is set low. Hereinafter, this operation will be described.

  First, since the time counting means 18 counts the time after putting commercial water or purified water into the water supply container 14, it is confirmed whether or not a predetermined time (10 hours in this embodiment) has elapsed in S200. And when predetermined time has not passed, the course to drink can be selected only by mixing with the water quality selection means 7 (S201).

  Next, a course of drinking is selected simply by mixing in S201, and when the heat retaining temperature is set low (S202), the water supply motor 15a is turned on to supply water in S203. When the temperature of the hot water in the water heater container reaches the set temperature (S204), the water supply motor 15a is turned off in S205.

  As described above, by supplying water, the hot water in the kettle container can be rapidly cooled to the set temperature, and the arrival time can be shortened.

  Here, when the predetermined time has passed in S200, the notification means 17 may request the replacement of water. As a result, the user can know when to replace the water, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed in S200, the water quality selection means 7 may be released. Thereby, only the water which does not have various germs can be used, and safety can be improved.

  In addition, when the predetermined time has passed in S200, the kettle container 2 may be heated and once boiled. Thereby, safety | security can be improved by supplying the hot water in which miscellaneous bacteria do not exist.

  Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed in S200, the hot water may be prohibited. Thereby, only hot water without miscellaneous bacteria can be poured out, and safety can be improved.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the temperature of the electric water heater in the first embodiment of the present invention is set high. Hereinafter, this operation will be described.

  If the predetermined time has not elapsed in S300 and the water quality selection means 7 is set (S301), if the heat retention temperature is set high (S302), the heating means 3 is turned on in S303 for heating. Then, when the temperature of the hot water in the kettle container reaches the set temperature (S304), the heating means 3 is turned off in S305.

  As described above, by heating to the set temperature without boiling the hot water in the kettle container, it is not necessary to cool the hot water, so that the time to reach the set temperature can be shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the time counting means counts the time after putting water into the water supply container 14, but may count the time when the power is turned on. Alternatively, the time may be counted after water is put in the kettle container. Thereby, the user does not need to consider the exchange time of hot water and water, and convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, a two-tank electric water heater provided with a water heater container and a water supply container has been described, but the same applies to a one-tank electric water heater provided with a water heater container.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the heat retention temperature is changed and set, it is safe and easy to use by reducing the time to reach the set temperature with an inexpensive structure and supplying hot water free of germs. Can be good.

  The electric water heater of the present invention is safe and easy to use by reducing the time required to reach the set temperature with a low-cost configuration when the heat retention temperature is changed and set, and by supplying hot water free of miscellaneous bacteria. Therefore, it can be applied to all devices that use water for home use and business use.

Block diagram of electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Circuit diagram of the electric water heater Flow chart showing the operation of the water heater for the electric water heater The flowchart which shows the operation where the heat retention temperature of the electric water heater is set low The flowchart which shows the operation where the heat retention temperature of the electric water heater is set high

Explanation of symbols

2 Water heater 3 Heating means 4 Temperature detection means 5 Microcomputer (control means)
7 Water quality selection means 9 Hot water switch 10b Transistor (hot water prohibition means)
10c Lock release switch
14 Water supply container 15 Water supply means 17 Notification means 18 Timekeeping means

Claims (12)

An electric water heater comprising: a water heater container for boiling water and retaining heat; heating means for heating the water heater container; water quality selecting means for setting the water quality of the water heater container; and a timing means for measuring a predetermined time. A water heater container that heats the water by boiling water, a heating means that heats the water heater container, a water supply container that contains water, a water supply means that supplies water from the water supply container to the water heater container, and a water quality of the water supply container. An electric water heater having water quality selecting means for setting and time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time. The water quality selecting means is provided with a course for drinking just by mixing, and the course requires that the water be changed after the predetermined time has elapsed. Water heater. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water quality selecting means can be selected only when the time measuring means has not passed the predetermined time. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water quality selecting means is canceled when the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the water quality selecting means heats the water heater container and boils it once when the time measuring means has passed a predetermined time. When the water quality selection means is set and the heat retention temperature is set low, the water supply means is driven to rapidly cool the hot water in the kettle container to the set temperature. Electric water heater according to item. The electric power according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the water quality selection means is set and the heat retention temperature is set, the water is heated to the set temperature without boiling the hot water in the water heater container. Water heater. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the time measuring means counts the time when the power is turned on. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the time measuring means counts time after water is put into the water heater container. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the time measuring means counts time after water is put into the water supply container. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a hot water prohibiting means, wherein the hot water is prohibited when a predetermined time has elapsed.

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