JP2007014445A - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric kettle which can optimize and effectively consume a back-up power source to avoid making it larger than unnecessary and achieve the back-up power source with a structure at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: The back-up power source, which serves as a power source when a commercial power source 21 is not supplied, is separately composed of a first back-up power source 9 that drives a dispensing means 5 and a second back-up power source 10 that supplies power to a controlling means 6. This structure provides an inexpensive optimal backup power source of an appropreate first back-up power source 9 and a second back-up power source 10 in accordance with the roles of each of them, and improves the consuming efficiency. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric water heater equipped with a backup power source.

Conventionally, this type of electric water heater is configured to supply power from a backup power supply to both the motor constituting the discharge means and the control means when the commercial power supply is not connected (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3596541

  However, the above-described conventional configuration differs in that the purpose is to continue supplying power to the control means even after the commercial power is turned off, and the power to drive the discharge means in a state where the commercial power is turned off. Because one purpose is composed of one backup power source, it is not an optimal power source, it is a configuration that stores more power than necessary, it becomes an expensive configuration, and the backup power source when commercial power is not supplied Consumption was inefficient.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and optimizes and efficiently consumes a backup power supply so that it is not more than necessary, and realizes a backup power supply with a less expensive configuration. An object is to provide an electric water heater.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the electric water heater of the present invention includes a backup power source that is a power source when commercial power is not supplied, a first backup power source that drives the discharge unit, and a power source for the control unit. The second backup power supply is separated and configured.

  As a result, the backup power supply does not become more than necessary, and the first backup power supply and the second backup power supply become optimal backup power supplies according to their roles, improving the consumption efficiency and reducing the cost. Power.

  The electric water heater of the present invention can be optimized and efficiently consumed so that the backup power source does not become more than necessary, and the backup power source can be realized with a cheaper configuration.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for storing a liquid, a discharge means for discharging the liquid in the container to the outside of the container, a control means for controlling the drive of the discharge means, and a power supply when commercial power is not supplied A backup power source, and the backup power source is an electric water heater configured to be separated into a first backup power source for driving the discharge means and a second backup power source for supplying power to the control means, The backup power supply does not become more than necessary, and the first backup power supply and the second backup power supply become the optimal backup power supply according to each role, and the power consumption is improved while the power consumption is improved. Become.

  In particular, the second invention has a display means for displaying the remaining charge amount of the backup power supply in the first invention, and the remaining charge amount of the first backup power supply, the remaining charge amount of the second backup power supply, By displaying the remaining amount of charge of the backup power source on the display means based on both of the above, not only can the backup power source be configured at low cost and the consumption of the backup power source can be made efficient, Displays the exact backup power calculated from both the first backup power supply and the second backup power supply, informs the user of the correct remaining power, and how much can be discharged when no commercial power is supplied Can improve usability.

  In the third invention, in particular, in the first or second invention, the capacity of the second backup power supply is made smaller than the capacity of the first backup power supply, so that the backup power supply is efficiently consumed. The backup power supply can be configured at a low cost.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the second backup power supply voltage is set higher than the first backup power supply voltage. Current can be prevented from leaking from the power source to the second backup power source, and a power source for driving the ejection means can be secured.

  In particular, in the fifth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, the current is not leaked from the second backup power source to the first backup power source. A power supply can be secured.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, when the remaining amount of the second backup power source becomes a predetermined value or less, the second backup power source is charged from the first backup power source. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the second backup power supply from becoming insufficient and being unable to discharge even if the first backup power supply remains.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the charging from the first backup power source to the second backup power source is terminated when the remaining amount of the second backup power source exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, the second backup power source becomes a power source that can reliably operate the control means, and it is possible to prevent the second backup power source from being insufficient and unable to discharge.

  In the eighth invention, in particular, in the sixth invention, the charging is terminated when a predetermined time elapses from the start of charging from the first backup power source to the second backup power source. The power supply is sufficient to operate the control means without fail, and it is possible to prevent the second backup power supply from becoming insufficient and it becomes impossible to discharge, and the value of the second backup power supply is detected unnecessarily during charging. It is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of electric power.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, when the liquid in the container is discharged by the discharge means in a state where the commercial power is not supplied, the first backup power supply The configuration that automatically charges the second backup power supply makes it impossible for the control means to operate because the second backup power supply drops during discharge, even though there is room in the first backup power supply. As a result, it is possible to prevent the ink from being ejected.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the charge to the second backup power supply is given priority. By adopting the configuration, when the supply of commercial power is stopped, the control means is preferentially operated, and it is possible to prevent the first backup power from being stored but being unable to discharge.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the first backup power supply and the second backup power supply By adopting a configuration that prioritizes charging to those with less charge, the second backup power supply is appropriate for the operation of the control means required for discharging with the first backup power supply. It can be stored in the power source and the power consumption efficiency can be further improved.

  In the twelfth invention, in particular, in any one of the sixth to eighth inventions, when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the charge to the first backup power supply is given priority. With this configuration, if commercial power is not supplied, charging from the first backup power supply to the second backup power supply is automatically performed even if the first backup power supply is not sufficiently stored. Therefore, power is supplied to the control means, and the discharge operation can be performed reliably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric water heater in the present embodiment includes a cylindrical container 1 that contains a liquid 1a, heating means 2 that contacts the container 1 and heats or keeps the liquid 1a, and a container 1 A temperature detection means 3 such as a thermistor that contacts the discharger, a discharge control means 4 comprising a hot water switch, etc., and a discharge means 5 that is driven by the operation of the discharge control means 4 to discharge the liquid 1a in the container 1 to the outside of the container. The control unit 6 controls the driving of the discharge unit 5 and the energization of the heating unit 2, and a backup power source that serves as a power source when the commercial power source 21 is not supplied.

  The discharge means 5 is composed of a water conduit 5a that sends liquid from the container 1 to the outside, a pump 5b in the water conduit 5a, and a motor 5c that drives the pump 5b. Further, the backup power source is configured to be separated into a first backup power source 9 for driving the ejection unit 5 and a second backup power source 10 for supplying power to the control unit 6.

  Further, the electric water heater in the present embodiment includes a heating control means 7, a lock release means 8, and first and second charging means 11 and 12.

  The heating control means 7 controls on / off of the heating means 2 by controlling energization to the heating means 2 and is generally constituted by a relay, a triac, or the like. The lock release means 8 locks or unlocks the discharge operation by the discharge means 5, and even if the discharge control means 4 is operated, if the lock release means 8 does not release the lock, the discharge means 5 is not driven and the liquid 1a is not discharged. The first charging means 11 charges the first backup power supply 9 when the commercial power supply 21 is supplied. The second charging unit 12 charges the second backup power source 10 when the commercial power source 21 is supplied.

  Next, a water heater operation and a discharge operation by the electric water heater having the above configuration will be described.

  The temperature of the liquid 1 a in the container 1 is detected by the temperature detection means 3 and transmitted to the control means 6. When the temperature is lower than about 90 ° C., for example, the controller 6 issues a command to the heating controller 7 to control the heater 2 to heat the liquid 1a. When the temperature gradient detected by the temperature detection means 3 becomes almost flat, it is considered that the liquid 1a in the container 1 has boiled, the heating by the heating means 2 is terminated, and the heating control means 7 is instructed by a command from the control means 6. Thermal insulation control by the heating means 2 is started. And heat retention control is performed so that the temperature of the liquid 1a is stabilized at about 98 ° C., for example.

  Next, the discharge means 5 can be driven by turning on the discharge control means 4, and the liquid 1a in the container 1 can be discharged out of the container 1 through the water conduit 5a. Here, the lock release means 8 is for locking or unlocking the discharge operation by the discharge means 5, and even if the discharge control means 4 is turned on, the lock release means 8 is not unlocked. The motor 5c constituting the discharge means 5 is not driven and the liquid 1a is not discharged.

  The first backup power source 9 serves as a power source for driving the discharge means 5 when the commercial power source 21 is not supplied (during backup), and is constituted by an electric double layer capacitor (described later). Similarly, the second backup power source 10 serves as a power source for driving the control means 6 when the commercial power source 21 is not supplied (during backup), and the second backup power source 10 has a smaller capacity than the electric double layer capacitor. It consists of a multilayer capacitor (described later).

  Next, a specific circuit of the electric water heater will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the heating means 2 heats and keeps the first heating element 2a for heating the liquid 1a in the container 1 and the liquid 1a in the container 1 that generates less heat than the first heating element 2a. The heating control means 7 is constituted by the second heating element 2b, and the heating control means 7 is constituted by relay contacts 7a and 7b connected in series with the heating means 2 and relay coils 7c and 7d for controlling the relay contacts 7a and 7b. The relay contacts 7a and 7b are closed by passing a current through the relay coils 7c and 7d.

  The temperature detecting means 3 creates a divided value by a thermistor 3a that converts the temperature into a resistance value and a voltage dividing resistor 3b. Here, in order to absorb fluctuations in the detection of the thermistor 3a caused by convection of the liquid in the container 1 or rupture of bubbles that are likely to occur before the liquid boils, and electrical external noise, the charge / discharge resistor 3d And the electrolytic capacitor 3e, and the output of these ports is changed according to the timing of detecting the temperature by the microcomputer 6a (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) constituting the control means 6, so that the change in the detected temperature is stabilized. It can be detected with high accuracy. In this way, the partial pressure value from which electrical external noise and fluctuation of detection of the thermistor 3a are removed as much as possible is converted into a binary code by the AD converter 3c.

  The AD converter 3c sets a range of about 10 to 130 ° C. in increments of a unit temperature width (about 0.5 ° C. in the present embodiment), and outputs the temperature in binary code. The time required for the binary code to change by 1 bit is detected. For example, if it takes more than a predetermined time, the temperature of the liquid 1a in the container 1 has boiled and the temperature rise is almost flat. When the heating control means 7 switches from heating control to heat retention control, or when it is continuously detected that the time required for the change is within a predetermined time, for example, the liquid in the container 1 Since the amount of 1a is insufficient, it is determined that the temperature is rising rapidly, and the heating control means 7 stops the heating. The discharge means 5 is composed of a motor 5b in the circuit diagram.

  In the circuit diagram, the discharge control means 4 is composed of a hot water switch 4a, a first transistor 4b that is on / off controlled by the microcomputer 6a, and a resistor 4c connected in series to the first transistor 4b. The unlocking means 8 is constituted by a lock release switch for determining an output to the first transistor 4b of the microcomputer 6a and two resistors.

  When the lock release switch of the lock release means 8 is turned on, the microcomputer 6a first determines the state of the hot water switch 4a at that time based on the potential of the port of the microcomputer 6a connected to the hot water switch 4a. If this potential is “H”, the hot water switch 4a is in the on state. Therefore, if the first transistor 4b is turned on, it is dangerous because immediate discharge is performed, and the input of the unlock switch is invalidated. . When this potential is “L”, the hot water discharge switch 4a is in an off state, and even if the first transistor 4b is turned on, the discharge is not immediately performed. Therefore, the output of the microcomputer 6a is changed from “L” to “H”. The first transistor 4b is turned on (this state is hereinafter referred to as an unlocked state). When the hot water switch 4a is turned on in this unlocked state, a voltage divided by the resistance 4c is applied to the motor 5b, and while the hot water switch 4a is turned on, a current flows through the motor 5b, and the liquid in the container 1 is discharged. 1a is discharged. Further, in order to prevent the unlocked state from continuing even after the end of discharge, the potential of the hot water switch 4a in the unlocked state is in the “L” state for a third predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds). If the operation continues, the output of the microcomputer 6a is set to "L", the first transistor 4b is turned off, and the unlocked state is released (locked state).

  Further, it has a display means 15 for displaying the temperature in the container 1 detected by the temperature detection means 3, the heating state by the heating control means 7, and the setting state of the heat insulation, and is constituted by an LCD, an LED or the like. The The display means 15 is configured to display the remaining charge derived from the voltages of the first backup power supply 9 and the second backup power supply 10. In the circuit diagram, the display unit 15 includes an LCD 15a, LEDs 15b to 15d, and resistors 15e to 15g connected in series to the LEDs 15b to 15d. In the LCD 15a, the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 3 is always detected. Is displayed in a digital display in increments of 5 ° C. under the control of the microcomputer 6a.

  For the LEDs 15b to 15d, when the heating means 2 is performing the heating operation, the LED 15b is turned on by heating the port of the microcomputer 6a connected to the resistor 15e to "L", and the heating operation is being performed. Display that there is. Then, when the heating means 2 detects that the temperature rise has almost leveled off during the heating, and the operation of the heating means 2 is switched from heating to heat retention, the output of the microcomputer 6a to the resistor 15e is output. At the same time as switching to “H” (open), the LED 15b is extinguished, the output to the resistor 15f is switched from “H” to “L”, and the LED 15c is lit to indicate that the temperature is kept. In addition, regarding the LED 15d, in the unlocked state described above, the output of the microcomputer 6a connected to the resistor 15g is switched to "L", and the LED 15d is lit to indicate that the hot water can be discharged.

  On the circuit diagram, the first backup power source 9 is composed of an electric double layer capacitor 9a and is charged by the first charging means 11 that charges at a constant current when the commercial power source 21 is supplied. The voltage between the ground and the positive terminal of the electric double layer capacitor 9a is controlled to be about 2V. When the lock release switch is pressed and the lock is released while the commercial power source 21 is not supplied, the power stored in the electric double layer capacitor 9a is boosted to about 5 to 6 V by the boosting means 14. In addition, power is supplied to the motor 5b. Here, with regard to the capacity of the electric double layer capacitor 9a, it is considered that at least 1F is necessary in consideration of operating the motor 5b, and should desirably be around 50F. The larger the capacity, the larger the commercial power The amount of liquid that can be discharged by the discharge means 5 when 21 is not connected increases.

  On the circuit diagram, the second backup power source 10 is composed of an electric double layer capacitor 10a, and is charged by the second charging means 12 that charges when the commercial power source 21 is supplied. The voltage between the plus terminals of the multilayer capacitor 10a is controlled so as to keep around 5V. When the supply of the commercial power source 21 is stopped, power is supplied to the microcomputer 6a that constitutes the control means 6. Here, with respect to the capacitance of the electric double layer capacitor 10a, it is only necessary to consider that the microcomputer 6a is continuously operated for a certain period of time. In view of efficiency, the capacitance should be smaller than that of the electric double layer capacitor 9a. Desirably, 0.01F or more and about 0.2-0.5F are suitable. The microcomputer 6a is continuously operated for a certain period of time because when the supply of the commercial power source 21 is stopped, the heating and warming operation by the heating means 2 is not performed, and the temperature of the liquid 1a in the container 1 decreases. . Then, the operation of the microcomputer 6a may be continued so that the liquid 1a can be discharged by the discharge means 5 only while the high temperature can be maintained, and the role of the electric double layer capacitor 10a is to make a power supply for that purpose.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, when the commercial power source 21 is connected, it is set as the structure which gives priority to charge to the electric double layer capacitor 10a by the 2nd charging means 12. FIG. The reason is that if the microcomputer 6a cannot operate when the connection to the commercial power source 21 is stopped, even if electric charge is stored in the electric double layer capacitor 9a, the discharge by the discharge means 5 cannot be performed. In order to prioritize that the microcomputer 6a can operate, priority is given to charging the electric double layer capacitor 10a of the second backup power supply 10.

  By the above operation, the backup power source is separated into the first backup power source 9 for driving the ejection unit 5 and the second backup power source 10 for driving the control unit 6. Therefore, the backup power supply can be efficiently consumed without being more than necessary, and the backup power supply can be realized with a cheaper configuration.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the capacity of the first backup power supply 9 is preferably about 50 F. However, the capacity is not limited to this, and the capacity of the container 1, the drive voltage of the motor 5 c, and the first backup power supply 9 are not limited. It is desirable to optimize the capacity of the first backup power supply 9 according to the maximum voltage to be charged.

  In the present embodiment, the capacity of the second backup power supply 10 is preferably 1 F or less. However, the capacity is not limited to this, and the current consumption of the control means 6 and the time during which the control means 6 should be maintained during the backup, Needless to say, it is desirable to optimize the second backup power supply 10 according to the maximum voltage charged.

  Further, regarding the display of the remaining charge amount by the display means 15, charging is performed in accordance with the smaller charge remaining amount for each desired charge voltage of the first backup power supply 9 and the second backup power supply 10. It is desirable to display the remaining amount.

  Moreover, although the first backup power supply 9 and the second backup power supply 10 are the electric double layer capacitors 9a and 10a, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a rechargeable battery such as a secondary battery may be used.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the electric water heater in Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 1, FIG. Note that the same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  In the electric water heater according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a diode 13 as reverse blocking means is connected so that the cathode side thereof becomes an electric double layer capacitor 10a. This is to prevent current from flowing from the electric double layer capacitor 10a into the electric double layer capacitor 9a. That is, when the commercial power supply 21 is connected, the electric double layer capacitor 9a as the first backup power supply 9 is charged by the first charging means 11 so that both ends thereof are about 2V. Further, the electric double layer capacitor 10a as the second backup power source 10 is charged by the second charging means 12 so that both ends thereof are about 5V. This potential difference prevents current from flowing from the electric double layer capacitor 10a to the electric double layer capacitor 9a.

  Here, when the connection to the commercial power source 21 is stopped, the power supply to the microcomputer 6a is performed from the electric double layer capacitor 10a. However, when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor 10a decreases, the power supply to the microcomputer 6a becomes insufficient, and even if sufficient electric charge is stored in the electric double layer capacitor 9a, the liquid 1a in the container 1 can be discharged. become unable. In order to prevent this, when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor 10a falls below the first predetermined value when not connected to the commercial power source 21, the voltage boosting means 14 boosts the electric double layer capacitor 9a, and the diode The electric double layer capacitor 10a is charged through the 13 forward directions. This charging is configured to end when the voltage across the electric double layer capacitor 10a becomes equal to or higher than a second predetermined value. Or, conversely, when the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor 9a becomes equal to or lower than the third predetermined value, the charging is terminated.

  When the commercial power supply 21 is not connected, the first backup power supply 9 is charged when the second backup power supply 10 is lowered. Therefore, when the commercial power supply 21 is connected, the first charging means is used. The first backup power supply 9 is charged with priority from 11.

  Further, when discharging is performed by the discharge unit 5 when the commercial power source 21 is not connected, the pressure is boosted by the boosting unit 14, in other words, when discharging is performed by the discharge unit 5 during backup. The first backup power supply 9 automatically charges the second backup power supply 10.

  With the above operation, the backup power source is not only configured to be separated into the first backup power source 9 for driving the ejection unit 5 and the second backup power source 10 for driving the control unit 6, By charging the backup power source 9 from the backup power source 9 to the second backup power source 10, it is possible to more efficiently consume the energy of the backup power source, avoiding the fact that charges cannot be discharged even though charges are stored in the backup power source. It becomes possible.

  In the present embodiment, the charging from the first backup power supply 9 to the second backup power supply 10 is terminated when the voltage across the second backup power supply 10 exceeds a second predetermined value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by adopting a configuration in which charging is continued for a predetermined time after starting charging, there is no need to continuously detect the voltage across the second backup power supply 10, and it is simple. It can also be set as a simple structure.

  As described above, the electric water heater according to the present invention can be optimized and efficiently consumed so that the backup power source is not more than necessary, and the backup power source can be realized with a cheaper configuration. It can also be applied to portable liquid hot water storage devices that are easy to carry.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Circuit diagram of the electric water heater Partial circuit diagram of the electric water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 3 Temperature detection means 4 Discharge control means 5 Discharge means 8 Unlocking means 9 First backup power supply 10 Second backup power supply 11 First charging means 12 Second charging means 13 Diode 21 Commercial power supply

Claims (12)

A container for storing liquid, a discharge means for discharging the liquid in the container to the outside of the container, a control means for controlling the drive of the discharge means, and a backup power supply for making a power supply when commercial power is not supplied And an electric water heater configured to be separated into a first backup power source for driving the discharge means and a second backup power source for supplying power to the control means. Display means for displaying the remaining amount of charge of the backup power supply, and means for displaying the remaining charge amount of the backup power supply based on both the remaining charge amount of the first backup power supply and the remaining charge amount of the second backup power supply The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the electric water heater is configured to be displayed with a symbol. The electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capacity of the second backup power supply is made smaller than the capacity of the first backup power supply. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the voltage of the second backup power supply is set higher than the voltage of the first backup power supply. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a current does not leak from the second backup power source to the first backup power source. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second backup power supply is charged from the first backup power supply when the remaining amount of the second backup power supply becomes a predetermined value or less. The electric water heater according to claim 6, wherein the charging from the first backup power source to the second backup power source is terminated when the remaining amount of the second backup power source exceeds a predetermined value. The electric water heater according to claim 6, wherein charging is terminated when a predetermined time elapses from the start of charging from the first backup power source to the second backup power source. The structure in which charging from the first backup power supply to the second backup power supply is automatically performed when the liquid in the container is discharged by the discharge means in a state where commercial power is not supplied. An electric water heater according to any one of the above. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the second backup power supply is preferentially charged. The configuration in which when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the charge to the one with the smaller charge amount is preferentially performed between the first backup power supply and the second backup power supply. The electric water heater according to any one of 9. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein when the commercial power supply is supplied and the backup power supply is charged, the first backup power supply is preferentially charged.