JP2008111573A - Electric stove - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent firing of cloth and the like when the cloth and the like covers over a heater main body. <P>SOLUTION: A distance sensor 30 is disposed at an upper end portion of a front face of a heater main body 12 of an electric stove 1. A distance detected by the distance sensor 30 and a set distance are compared, and when a result that the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 is less than the set distance, cannot be obtained, a duration time of the state is measured. When the duration time reaches a first set time, a state that the cloth and the like covers over the heater main body 12 is judged, and the power supply to a sheath heater 21 is stopped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric heater provided with a heater main body having a heating element.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a floor-standing electric stove equipped with a heating element such as a sheathed heater or a quartz tube heater has been used for heating in a home, store, or office. Patent Document 1 describes an electric heater provided with a heater body having a sheathed heater. In this electric stove, a thermal fuse is arranged near the upper end inside the heater body, and when a cloth or the like covers the heater body and the surrounding temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, By cutting off the power supply, the cloth or the like can be prevented from igniting.
JP 2006-38238 A

  Some electric stoves have an output adjustment function, and the user can adjust the output of the sheathed heater by setting one output level among, for example, 10 output levels. In an electric stove equipped with such an output adjustment function, if the output level set by the user is different, the time until the thermal fuse operates is the same when a cloth or the like covers the heater body. It is thought that it does not become.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an electric stove that can reliably prevent the cloth or the like from igniting when the cloth or the like covers the heater main body.

  An electric stove according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a heater body having a heating element, a reflector that reflects the heat of the heating element forward, and a detection target that is disposed in the heater body and is within a detectable range. And a power control means for controlling power supply to the heating element, wherein the power control means is such that the distance detected by the distance sensor is less than a predetermined distance and the state is The power supply to the heating element is stopped when it continues for the first predetermined time.

  In this electric stove, when there is an object to be detected in a range within a predetermined distance from the heater body for a first predetermined time, it is determined that a cloth or the like has covered the heater body. The power supply to the heating element can be stopped. Therefore, when the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the cloth or the like from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove is improved. In addition, when a person gets too close to the heater body or when an object is near the heater body, the person or object can be detected and the power supply to the heating element can be stopped. Even the safety of electric stoves is improved.

  An electric heater according to a second aspect of the invention is the electric heater according to the first aspect of the invention, and the distance sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater body.

  With this electric stove, it is possible to reliably detect that a cloth or the like has covered the heater body from above. In addition, it is possible to detect that a person is too close to the heater main body without detecting a low height object in the vicinity of the heater main body.

  An electric stove according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electric stove according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the distance sensor is disposed on the front surface of the heater body.

  This electric stove is particularly suitable for detecting that a person has come too close to the heater body.

  An electric stove according to a fourth invention is the electric stove according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the power control means uses the distance sensor after stopping the power supply to the heating element. When the detected distance exceeds a predetermined distance, power supply to the heating element is started.

  In this electric stove, heating can be automatically restarted when a cloth or the like covering the heater main body is removed or when a person is sufficiently separated from the heater main body.

  An electric stove according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the electric stove according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the power control unit stops supplying power to the heating element until a second predetermined time elapses. The power supply to the heating element is not started.

  In this electric stove, the temperature inside the heater main body may be very high when a cloth or the like is placed over the heater main body. Since the power supply to the heating element is not started until the temperature becomes relatively low, the cloth or the like can be more reliably prevented from igniting.

  An electric stove according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a heater body having a heating element, a reflector that reflects the heat of the heating element forward, and an optical sensor that is disposed in the heater body and detects brightness. And a power control means for controlling power supply to the heating element, wherein the power control means has a brightness detected by the optical sensor being less than a predetermined brightness and the state continues for a first predetermined time. In this case, the power supply to the heating element is stopped.

  In this electric stove, when the brightness around the heater main body is less than the predetermined brightness continues for the first predetermined time, it is determined that the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body, and the heating element The power supply to can be stopped. Therefore, when the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the cloth or the like from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove is improved.

  An electric heater according to a seventh aspect is the electric heater according to the sixth aspect, wherein the optical sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the heater body.

  With this electric stove, it is possible to reliably detect that a cloth or the like has covered the heater body from above.

  An electric heater according to an eighth invention is the electric heater according to the sixth or seventh invention, wherein the power control means is detected by the optical sensor after stopping the power supply to the heating element. When the brightness reaches a predetermined brightness or higher, power supply to the heating element is started.

  With this electric stove, heating can be automatically restarted when the cloth or the like covering the heater body is removed.

  An electric stove according to a ninth aspect is the electric stove according to the eighth aspect, wherein the power control means stops supplying power to the heating element until a second predetermined time elapses. The power supply to the heating element is not started.

  In this electric stove, the temperature inside the heater main body may be very high when a cloth or the like is placed over the heater main body. Since the power supply to the heating element is not started until the temperature becomes relatively low, the cloth or the like can be more reliably prevented from igniting.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In the first invention, when a state in which there is an object to be detected in a range within a predetermined distance from the heater main body continues for the first predetermined time, it is determined that a cloth or the like has covered the heater main body. In addition, power supply to the heating element can be stopped. Therefore, when the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the cloth or the like from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove is improved. In addition, when a person gets too close to the heater body or when an object is near the heater body, the person or object can be detected and the power supply to the heating element can be stopped. Even the safety of electric stoves is improved.

  In 2nd invention, it can detect reliably that cloth etc. covered so that the heater main-body part might be covered from upper direction. In addition, it is possible to detect that a person is too close to the heater main body without detecting a low height object in the vicinity of the heater main body.

  The third aspect of the invention is particularly suitable for detecting that a person has come too close to the heater body.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, heating can be automatically resumed when a cloth or the like covering the heater body is removed or when a person is sufficiently separated from the heater body.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, when the cloth or the like covers the heater main body, the temperature inside the heater main body may be very high. Since the power supply to the heating element is not started until the temperature becomes relatively low, the cloth or the like can be more reliably prevented from igniting.

  In the sixth invention, when the brightness around the heater main body is less than the predetermined brightness continues for the first predetermined time, it is determined that the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body. The power supply to the body can be stopped. Therefore, when the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body, it is possible to reliably prevent the cloth or the like from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove is improved.

  In 7th invention, it can detect reliably that cloth etc. covered so that a heater main-body part might be covered from upper direction.

  In the eighth invention, heating can be automatically resumed when the cloth or the like covering the heater body is removed.

  In the ninth invention, when the cloth or the like covers the heater main body, the temperature inside the heater main body may be very high. Until the internal temperature becomes relatively low, power supply to the heating element is not started, so that the cloth or the like can be more reliably prevented from igniting.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an electric heater according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are a perspective view of an electric heater according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side, a perspective view as seen from the rear side, a side view, a front view, and a plan view. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing a detectable range of the distance sensor. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit. 8 and 9 are a side sectional view and a front sectional view showing the internal structure of the heater body. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit.

[Configuration of the entire electric heater]
The electric stove 1 includes a stand base 11, a heater main body 12, a main body column 13, a heater angle changing mechanism 14, a heater swing mechanism 15, and a handle 16.

  The stand base 11 is installed on the floor G. On the upper side of the stand base 11, a quadrangular prism-shaped bulging portion 17 in which the heater swing mechanism 15 is built in the internal space is formed. The main body column 13 is an elongated rectangular tube-shaped member provided so as to protrude upward from the stand base 11 (specifically, the bulging portion 17).

  The heater body 12 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 23 having a substantially rectangular opening on the front surface, a protection bar 24 provided on the front surface of the casing 23, and a sheathed heater 21 as a heating element disposed in the casing 23. The reflector 22 is disposed behind and to the side of the sheathed heater 21 and reflects the heat of the sheathed heater 21 forward. The main body column 13 is disposed behind the heater main body 12.

  A distance sensor 30 is disposed near the upper end of the front surface of the heater body 12. The distance sensor 30 can detect the distance to the detection target within the detectable range. Here, the detectable range of the distance sensor 30 is the range of the angle a in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 6A, and the angle b in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 6B. It is a range. Therefore, the distance sensor 30 can detect the distance to an object to be detected that is within the above detectable range.

  An operation unit 40 is provided on the upper surface of the heater body 12 (specifically, the upper end portion of the casing 23). As shown in FIG. 7, the operation unit 40 includes an output adjustment unit 41 for adjusting the output of the sheathed heater 21. In the present embodiment, the output adjustment unit 41 can set any one of 10 output levels. Therefore, in the electric heater 1, the electric power supplied to the sheathed heater 21 is controlled based on the output level set by the output adjustment unit 41.

  In addition, two temperature fuses 51 and 52 are arranged inside the heater body 12. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the thermal fuse 51 is installed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater body 12 when the heater body 12 is vertically oriented (solid line shown in FIG. 4). The thermal fuse 51 cuts off the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 when the ambient temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, and has an operating temperature (heat resistant temperature) of 119 ° C.

  The thermal fuse 52 is installed near the upper end portion inside the heater body 12 when the heater body 12 is in the horizontal direction (two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 4) and between the back surface side of the reflector 22 and the casing 23. Has been. Similar to the thermal fuse 51, the thermal fuse 52 is used to shut off the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 when the ambient temperature rises to a predetermined temperature, and has an operating temperature of 154 ° C. . The operating temperature of the thermal fuse 52 is different from the operating temperature of the thermal fuse 51 because the mounting position of the thermal fuse 52 is immediately behind the reflector 22, so Is also due to the high temperature.

  In addition, the operating temperature of the thermal fuses 51 and 52 is based on the result of the ignition experiment performed by covering the heater body 12 with the cloth, and the temperature inside the heater body 12 when the cloth ignites in the ignition experiment. The temperature is set to be lower than that. Therefore, even when a cloth or the like covers the heater body 12, the thermal fuses 51 and 52 are activated before the cloth or the like is ignited to cut off the power supply to the sheathed heater 21. Can be prevented. Further, when a cloth or the like covers the heater main body 12, the temperature of the upper end of the heater main body 12 is likely to rise. Therefore, the thermal fuses 51 and 52 are oriented horizontally even when the heater main body 12 is in the vertical orientation. Even in this case, it is arranged near the upper end of the heater body 12.

  The heater angle changing mechanism 14 is disposed between the heater main body 12 and the main body column 13 (more specifically, between the longitudinal center of the heater main body 12 and the upper portion of the main body column 13). An elevation angle changing function for changing the elevation angle (see the heater body 12 shown by the elevation angle α and the one-dot chain line in FIG. 3) and the depression angle (see the heater body 12 shown by the depression angle β and the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3); The heater main body 12 has a vertical / horizontal change function for changing the vertical / horizontal direction of the heater main body 12 (see the heater main body 12 shown by the rotation angle γ and the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4).

  The heater swing mechanism 15 is disposed between the main body column 13 and the stand base 11, and manually rotates the main column 13 within a range of a predetermined swing angle (swing angle ε in FIG. 5). A manual swing function for swinging the heater main body 12 by means of the main swing of the main body support 13 and a predetermined swing angle (the swing angle δ and two of FIG. 5) with reference to the position of the swing angle set by the manual swing function. It has an automatic swing function for swinging the heater main body 12 by automatically and repeatedly rotating within the range of the heater main body 12 illustrated by the dotted line.

[Configuration of control unit of electric heater]
As shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 70 of the electric stove 1 includes a data storage unit 71, a determination unit 72 including a comparison unit 73 and a first timer 74, a second timer 75, and a power control unit 76. is doing. The control unit 70 is connected to the output adjustment unit 41 of the operation unit 40, the sheathed heater 21, and the distance sensor 30.

  The data storage unit 71 stores various data related to the control of the electric heater 1. In the present embodiment, the data storage unit 71 stores the power value supplied to the sheathed heater 21 at each of 10 levels of output levels that can be set by the output adjustment unit 41. Further, the data storage unit 71 has stopped the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 and the set distance (predetermined distance) and the first set time (first predetermined time), which are conditions for stopping the power supply to the sheathed heater 21. A second set time (second predetermined time) that is a time until the power supply can be started later is stored.

  Here, the set distance is a value indicating how far a thing or a person approaches the heater body 12 to stop the power supply to the sheathed heater 21, and is set to 30 cm, for example. The first set time is a value indicating how long power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped when a state where an object or a person approaches the range within the set distance from the heater body 12 continues. For example, 10 seconds is set.

  The determination unit 72 determines whether or not to stop power supply to the sheathed heater 21. Specifically, the comparison unit 73 compares the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 with the set distance stored in the data storage unit 71. The first timer 74 measures the duration of the state when the comparison unit 73 obtains a result that the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 is less than the set distance. That is, the first timer 74 starts measurement when it detects an object or a person within a range less than the set distance from the distance sensor 30, and there is no object or person within a range less than the set distance from the distance sensor 30. Stop measurement when The duration time measured by the first timer 75 is reset when the measurement is stopped and when the first set time is reached (when power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped).

  As described above, the determination unit 72 determines to stop the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 when the duration time measured by the first timer 74 reaches the first set time stored in the data storage unit 71. . That is, the determination unit 72 covers the heater body 12 from above when the duration time measured by the first timer 74 reaches the first set time stored in the data storage unit 71. It is determined that the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped by detecting a state, a state where a person is too close to the heater body 12, or a state where an object is near the heater body 12.

  The second timer 75 measures the elapsed time after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. In the present embodiment, power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is not started until the second set time stored in the data storage unit 71 has elapsed after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. Therefore, the second timer 75 starts measurement when power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped.

  The power control unit 76 controls the power supplied to the sheathed heater 21. That is, the power control unit 76 normally supplies power to the sheathed heater 21 according to the power value obtained based on the data stored in the data storage unit 71 with respect to the predetermined output level set by the output adjustment unit 41. Supply. In addition, when the determination unit 72 determines that the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is to be stopped, the power control unit 76, that is, the first duration stored in the data storage unit 71 is measured by the first timer 74. When the set time is reached, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. Further, the power control unit 76 has a result that the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 in the comparison unit 73 is equal to or larger than the set distance after the second set time has elapsed since the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. Is obtained, power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is started.

[Operation of electric heater]
Next, the operation procedure of the electric heater 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the electric heater.

  First, the main power supply of the electric stove 1 is switched on (step S1). When the output of the sheathed heater 21 is adjusted by the output adjustment unit 41 (step S2), the power control unit 76 stores the predetermined output level set by the output adjustment unit 41 in the data storage unit 71. Power is supplied to the sheathed heater 21 according to the power value obtained based on the data (step S3).

  Thereafter, the comparison unit 73 compares the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 with the set distance stored in the data storage unit 71, and repeatedly determines whether or not an object is within the set distance ( Step S4). If it is determined that an object or the like is within the set distance (S4: YES), it is determined whether the duration time measured by the first timer 74 is equal to or longer than the first set time. (Step S5). Here, when it is determined that the duration time measured by the first timer 74 is equal to or longer than the first set time (S5: YES), the power control unit 76 stops the power supply to the sheathed heater 21. (Step S6). On the other hand, when it is determined that the duration time measured by the first timer 74 is not equal to or longer than the first set time (S5: NO), the process returns to step S4 and the same procedure as described above is repeated.

  When the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the elapsed time measured by the second timer 75 is compared with the second set time, and the second setting is made after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. It is repeatedly determined whether or not time has elapsed (step S7). Here, when it is determined that the second set time has elapsed since the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped (S7: YES), whether or not the object is continuously within the set distance or not. Is repeatedly determined (step S8). If it is determined that an object or the like is not within the set distance (S8: NO), the process returns to step S3 and the same procedure as described above is repeated.

[Characteristics of the electric heater of the present invention]
The electric heater 1 of the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In the electric stove 1 of the present embodiment, when a state where an object is within a set distance from the heater body 12 continues for the first set time, it is determined that a cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater body 12. Then, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 can be stopped. Therefore, when a cloth or the like covers the heater body 12, the cloth or the like can be reliably prevented from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove 1 is improved. Further, even when a person gets too close to the heater body 12 or when an object is near the heater body 12, the person or object can be detected and the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 can be stopped. Therefore, the safety of the electric heater 1 is improved.

  Further, in the electric heater 1 of the present embodiment, the distance sensor 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater body 12, so that it is reliably detected that a cloth or the like has covered the heater body 12 from above. be able to. In addition, it is possible to detect that a person is too close to the heater body 12 without detecting an object having a low height in the vicinity of the heater body 12.

  Further, in the electric heater 1 of the present embodiment, the distance sensor 30 is disposed on the front surface of the heater main body 12, and thus is particularly suitable for detecting that a person is too close to the heater main body.

  Further, in the electric heater 1 of the present embodiment, after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is started when the distance detected by the distance sensor 30 exceeds the set distance. Therefore, heating can be automatically restarted when the cloth covered so as to cover the heater body 12 is removed or when a person is sufficiently separated from the heater body 12.

  In addition, when the cloth or the like covers the heater main body 12, the temperature inside the heater main body 12 may be very high. Even in that case, the electric stove 1 of the present embodiment is also used. Then, after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is not started until the second set time elapses and the temperature inside the heater body 12 becomes relatively low. Can be reliably prevented from igniting.

  Next, an electric heater according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an electric heater according to the second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit.

[Configuration of the entire electric heater]
The electric stove 101 of the present embodiment is greatly different from the electric stove 1 of the first embodiment. In the electric stove 1, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped based on the detection result of the distance sensor 30. However, in the electric stove 101, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped based on the detection result of the optical sensor 130. Since the other structure of the electric stove 101 is the same as that of the electric stove 1, the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  An operation unit 140 is provided on the upper surface of the heater main body 12 of the electric stove 101 (specifically, the upper end portion of the casing 23). As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operation unit 140 includes an output adjustment unit 41 for adjusting the output of the sheathed heater 21, an optical sensor 130, and the like. The optical sensor 130 can detect the brightness above the operation unit 140.

[Configuration of control unit of electric heater]
As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 170 of the electric stove 101 includes a data storage unit 171, a determination unit 172 including a comparison unit 173 and a first timer 174, a second timer 175, and a power control unit 176. is doing. The control unit 170 is connected to the output adjustment unit 41 of the operation unit 140, the sheathed heater 21, and the optical sensor 130.

  The data storage unit 171 stores various data related to the control of the electric heater 101. In the present embodiment, the data storage unit 171 stores the power value supplied to the sheathed heater 21 at each of 10 levels of output levels that can be set by the output adjustment unit 41. In addition, the data storage unit 171 sets the brightness (predetermined brightness) and the first set time (first predetermined time), which are conditions for stopping the power supply to the sheathed heater 21, and supplies power to the sheathed heater 21. The second set time (second predetermined time), which is the time until the power supply can be started after the operation is stopped, is stored.

  Here, the set brightness is a value indicating how much the brightness above the operation unit 140 of the heater main body 12 becomes dark, and the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. Is set. Further, the first set time is a value indicating how long the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped when the state in which the brightness above the operation unit 140 is lower than the set brightness continues. For example, 10 seconds is set.

  The determination unit 172 determines whether or not to stop the power supply to the sheathed heater 21. Specifically, the comparison unit 173 compares the brightness detected by the optical sensor 130 with the set brightness stored in the data storage unit 171. When the result that the brightness detected by the optical sensor 130 in the comparison unit 173 is less than the set brightness is obtained, the first timer 174 continues the duration of the state. That is, the first timer 174 starts measurement when it detects that the brightness above the operation unit 140 is less than the set brightness, and stops measurement when it exceeds the set brightness. The duration measured by the first timer 175 is reset when the measurement is stopped and when the first set time is reached (when power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped).

  As described above, the determination unit 172 determines to stop the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 when the duration time measured by the first timer 174 reaches the first set time stored in the data storage unit 171. . That is, the determination unit 172 covers the heater body 12 from above when the duration time measured by the first timer 174 reaches the first set time stored in the data storage unit 171. It is determined that the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped by detecting the state.

  The second timer 175 measures the elapsed time after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. In the present embodiment, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is not started until the second set time stored in the data storage unit 171 has elapsed after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. Therefore, the second timer 75 starts measurement when power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped.

  The power control unit 176 controls the power supplied to the sheathed heater 21. That is, the power control unit 176 normally supplies power to the sheathed heater 21 according to the power value obtained based on the data stored in the data storage unit 171 with respect to the predetermined output level set by the output adjustment unit 41. Supply. The power control unit 176 stops the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 when the duration time measured by the first timer 174 reaches the first set time stored in the data storage unit 171. Further, the power control unit 176 has the brightness detected by the light sensor 130 in the comparison unit 173 equal to or higher than the set brightness after the second set time has elapsed since the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 was stopped. When the result is obtained, power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is started.

[Operation of electric heater]
Next, the operation procedure of the electric heater 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the electric heater.

  First, the main power supply of the electric heater 101 is switched on (step S11). When the output of the sheathed heater 21 is adjusted by the output adjustment unit 41 (step S12), the power control unit 176 stores the predetermined output level set by the output adjustment unit 41 in the data storage unit 71. In accordance with the power value obtained based on the data, power is supplied to the sheathed heater 21 (step S13).

  Thereafter, the comparison unit 173 compares the brightness detected by the optical sensor 130 with the set brightness stored in the data storage unit 171 to determine whether the brightness above the operation unit 140 is less than the set brightness. The determination is repeated (step S14). When it is determined that the brightness above the operation unit 140 is less than the set brightness (S14: YES), the duration time measured by the first timer 174 is continuously longer than the first set time. Is determined (step S15). Here, when it is determined that the duration time measured by the first timer 174 is equal to or longer than the first set time (S15: YES), the power control unit 176 stops the power supply to the sheathed heater 21. (Step S16). On the other hand, when it is determined that the duration time measured by the first timer 174 is not equal to or longer than the first set time (S15: NO), the process returns to step S14 and the same procedure as described above is repeated.

  Further, when the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the elapsed time measured by the second timer 175 is compared with the second set time, and the second setting is made after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped. It is repeatedly determined whether or not time has passed (step S17). Here, when it is determined that the elapsed time measured by the second timer 175 is equal to or longer than the second set time (S17: YES), the brightness above the operation unit 140 continues to be less than the set brightness. It is repeatedly determined whether or not there is (step S18). If it is determined that the brightness above the operation unit 140 is not less than the set brightness (S18: NO), the process returns to step S13, and the same procedure as described above is repeated.

[Characteristics of the electric heater of the present invention]
The electric stove 101 of the present embodiment has the following characteristics.

  In the electric stove 101 of the present embodiment, when the brightness above the operation unit 140 of the heater body 12 is darker than the set brightness for a first set time, the cloth or the like covers the heater body 12. The power supply to the sheathed heater 21 can be stopped by determining that it has been covered. Therefore, when a cloth or the like covers the heater body 12, the cloth or the like can be reliably prevented from igniting, so that the safety of the electric stove 1 is improved.

  Further, in the electric heater 101 of the present embodiment, since the optical sensor 130 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater main body 12, it is reliably detected that a cloth or the like has covered the heater main body 12 from above. be able to.

  Further, in the electric stove 101 of the present embodiment, after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is performed when the brightness detected by the optical sensor 130 exceeds the set brightness. Thus, when the cloth or the like covering the heater body 12 is removed, the heating can be automatically restarted.

  Further, when the cloth or the like is covered so as to cover the heater main body 12, the temperature inside the heater main body 12 may be very high. Even in that case, the electric stove 101 of the present embodiment is also included. Then, after the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is not started until the second set time elapses and the temperature inside the heater body 12 becomes relatively low. Can be reliably prevented from igniting.

  Further, in the electric stove 101 of the present embodiment, the operation unit 140 of the heater main body 12 is provided even when the power of the place where the electric stove 101 is installed is turned off while the electric power is supplied to the sheathed heater 21. If the state where the brightness above is darker than the set brightness continues for the first set time, the power supply to the sheathed heater 21 is stopped, so that it is safe even if the electric stove 1 is forgotten to be turned off.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described based on drawing, specific structure is not restricted to these embodiment, It can change in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention.

  In the present invention, the distance sensor 30 according to the first embodiment is not limited to the case where the distance sensor 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end portion of the front surface of the heater body 12, and a cloth or the like covers the heater body 12, If it is possible to detect that a person is too close to the heater body 12, the distance sensor 30 may be disposed in a portion other than the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater body 12, or disposed on a surface other than the front surface of the heater body 12. May be. Similarly, the optical sensor of the second embodiment may be disposed in a portion other than the vicinity of the upper end portion of the heater body 12.

  By using the present invention, in an electric stove provided with a heater main body having a heating element, it is possible to reliably prevent the cloth from igniting when the cloth covers the heater main body. So the safety of the electric stove is improved.

It is the perspective view which looked at the electric heater which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the electric heater of FIG. 1 from the rear surface side. It is a side view of the electric heater of FIG. It is a front view of the electric heater of FIG. It is a top view of the electric stove of FIG. FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are diagrams showing a detectable range of the distance sensor. It is a figure which shows the operation part of the electric stove of FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the structure inside the heater main body of the electric stove of FIG. It is front sectional drawing which shows the structure inside the heater main body of the electric stove of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the electric stove of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the electric stove of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the electric heater which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is a figure which shows the operation part of the electric stove of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the electric heater of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the electric heater of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1,101 Electric heater 12 Heater body (heater body)
14 Heater angle change mechanism 21 Seeds heater (heating element)
22 Reflector 23 Casing 30 Distance sensor 70, 170 Control unit 71, 171 Data storage unit 72, 172 Judgment unit 73, 173 Comparison unit 74, 174 First timer 75, 175 Second timer 76, 176 Power control unit (power control means)
130 Optical sensor

Claims (9)

A heater body (12) having a heating element (21) and a reflector (22) for reflecting the heat of the heating element (21) forward;
A distance sensor (30) that is disposed in the heater body (12) and detects a distance to a detection target within a detectable range;
Power control means (76) for controlling power supply to the heating element (21),
The power control means (76) supplies power to the heating element (21) when the distance detected by the distance sensor (30) is less than a predetermined distance and the state continues for a first predetermined time. Electric stove (1) characterized in that it stops.   The electric stove (1) according to claim 1, wherein the distance sensor (30) is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the heater body (12).   The electric stove (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distance sensor (30) is arranged on a front surface of the heater body (12).   The power control means (76) stops the heating element (21) when the distance detected by the distance sensor (30) becomes a predetermined distance or more after stopping the power supply to the heating element (21). The electric stove (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the power supply to (1) is started.   The power control means (76) does not start the power supply to the heating element (21) until the second predetermined time has elapsed after stopping the power supply to the heating element (21). The electric stove (1) according to claim 4. A heater body (12) having a heating element (21) and a reflector (22) for reflecting the heat of the heating element (21) forward;
An optical sensor (130) disposed in the heater body (12) for detecting brightness;
Power control means (176) for controlling power supply to the heating element (21),
The power control means (176) applies power to the heating element (21) when the brightness detected by the photosensor (130) is less than a predetermined brightness and the state continues for a first predetermined time. Electric stove (101) characterized in that power supply is stopped.   The electric heater (101) according to claim 6, wherein the optical sensor (130) is disposed in the vicinity of the upper end of the heater body (12).   The power control means (176) generates the heat when the brightness detected by the optical sensor (130) is equal to or higher than a predetermined brightness after stopping the power supply to the heating element (21). Electric stove (101) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the supply of power to the body (21) is started.   The power control means (176) does not start power supply to the heating element (21) until after a second predetermined time has elapsed after stopping power supply to the heating element (21). An electric heater (101) according to claim 8.

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