JP2009261784A - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a pattern for boiling from boiling control modes capable of securely controlling various desires of users, such as where there is no need to remove bleaching powder, where the user wants to suppress the electric power necessary for boiling while wanting removal of bleaching powder, or where priority is given to the reduction of the electric power over the removal of bleaching powder. <P>SOLUTION: The electric kettle includes a container for boiling water, heating means for heating the container, and temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the container. The electric kettle is configured to execute the heat retaining control after boiling water by the heating means. The electric kettle has a regular boiling control course for heating water stored in the container to the boiling point, and an energy-saving boiling control course for boiling water in the container with reduced power consumption smaller than in the regular boiling control course. The electric kettle has an operation switch allowing the user to select the energy saving boiling control course, so that the user can select the energy saving boiling control course according to the user's selection by operating the operation switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric hot water storage container, and more particularly to an electric hot water storage container capable of selecting energy-saving boiling control.

  In the case of this conventional electric hot water storage container, there are various boiling patterns (for example, initial boiling performed when water is newly added, boiling using a reboiling key, boiling performed when water is added, etc.).

  By the way, as a general boiling control, there is a normal boiling control in which the boiling control ends when it is determined to be boiling by the boiling determination (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-55205

  In the case of the electric hot water storage container disclosed in Patent Document 1, the boiling determination is performed by the gradient of the temperature rise curve based on the temperature data sampled at regular time intervals in a predetermined temperature range close to the boiling temperature. A lot of steam is generated before the heater is turned off.

  However, users in recent years have increasingly used tap water that has been subjected to highly purified water and commercially available mineral water as water to be used for electric hot water storage containers. It is no longer necessary to fly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points.If the pattern related to boiling is not required to be skipped, if it is desired to suppress the power required for boiling when it is desired to skip the chalk, the power reduction is more than the removal of the chalk. The object is to enable selection from boiling control that can reliably control various users' desires to prioritize.

  In the present invention, as a first means for solving the above-mentioned problems, an inner container for water heater, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner container, In an electric hot water storage container configured to be able to perform heat insulation control after boiling water by a heating means, a normal boiling control course for heating water contained in the inner container to a boiling point and power consumption more than the normal boiling control course. And an energy-saving boiling control course for suppressing boiling of water in the inner container, and an operation switch for selecting the energy-saving boiling control course.

  With the above configuration, the energy-saving boiling control course can be selected by the user's selection by operating the operation switch, and the user can easily select the energy-saving boiling control.

  In the present invention, as a second means for solving the above-described problem, in the electric hot water storage container having the first means, when the energy-saving boiling control course is selected, the normal boiling control is performed. It is also possible to perform boiling control in a steam cut mode that does not have a boiling temperature and determines boiling based on input data of the temperature detection means. In such a configuration, an energy-saving boiling control course is selected. Occasionally, boiling control is performed in the steam cut mode that determines boiling based on the input data of the temperature detection means, so that boiling detection is performed quickly, so significant energy savings can be achieved without producing any steam. Can be achieved.

  In the present invention, as a third means for solving the above-mentioned problem, in the electric hot water storage container provided with the first or second means, the energy-saving boiling control course is not selected. However, if it has a boiling temperature, it is possible to perform boiling control by energy saving mode, such as saving re-boiling control or steam out control only for the amount of water added. Even when energy-saving boiling control is not selected, boiling control can be executed in energy-saving mode using steam-out control control as long as the boiling temperature is maintained. Control becomes possible.

  According to the first means of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an inner container for boiling water, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner container, and the temperature is kept after boiling by the heating means. In the electric hot water storage container configured to be able to perform control, the normal boiling control course for heating the water contained in the inner container to the boiling point and the power consumption in the inner container with less power consumption than the normal boiling control course And an energy-saving boiling control course for water boiling, and an operation switch for selecting the energy-saving boiling control course is provided, and the user selects the energy-saving boiling control course by operating the operation switch. Thus, the effect that the user can easily select the energy-saving boiling control can be obtained.

  As in the second means of the present invention, in the electric hot water storage container having the first means, when the energy-saving boiling control course is selected, the temperature does not have the boiling temperature by the normal boiling control, and the temperature It is also possible to perform boiling control in the steam cut mode for judging boiling based on the input data of the detection means. In such a configuration, when the energy-saving boiling control course is selected, the input data of the temperature detection means Since boiling control is performed in the steam cut mode for determining boiling in step B, the boiling detection is performed quickly, so that significant energy saving can be achieved without producing any steam.

  As in the third means of the present invention, in the electric hot water storage container having the first or second means, even if the energy-saving boiling control course is not selected, the boiling temperature is kept. For example, it is possible to perform boiling control in an energy saving mode such as saving re-boiling control or steam out control only for the amount of water added. Even when the control is not selected, if the boiling temperature is maintained, the boiling control in the energy saving mode by the steam discharge control control can be executed, and the energy saving control corresponding to the case is possible.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this electric hot water storage container heats a container body 1 having an inner container 3 for boiling water, a lid body 2 that opens and closes an upper opening of the container body 1, and a bottom portion of the inner container 3. An electric heater 4 as a heating means, a hot water supply passage 5 for supplying hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside, and an electric pump 6 as a pump device provided in the middle of the hot water supply passage 5. It is configured. The electric heater 4 includes a boiling heater 4A and a heat retaining heater 4B.

  The container body 1 includes an outer case 7 made of a synthetic resin that forms an outer surface, an inner container 3 that forms an inner peripheral surface, and an upper portion of the outer case 7 and an upper portion of the inner container 3. It consists of an annular shoulder member 8 made of plastic and a bottom plate 9 made of synthetic resin that constitutes the bottom surface.

  The inner container 3 is composed of a vacuum double container formed by forming a vacuum space 12 between a stainless steel bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder 10 and a stainless steel substantially cylindrical outer cylinder 11, A non-vacuum part 3a consisting only of the bottom part of the inner cylinder 10 is formed at the bottom part. The electric heater 4 (for example, a mica heater in which a heating element is held on a mica plate) is attached to the lower surface of the non-vacuum portion 3a. Reference numeral 13 denotes a temperature sensor that acts as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner container 3 (in other words, the hot water temperature T).

  The lid body 2 is composed of a synthetic resin upper plate 14 and a synthetic resin lower plate 15 whose outer peripheral edge is coupled to the upper plate 14 by fitting. The hinge receiver 16 is supported by a hinge pin 17 so as to be opened and closed and detachable.

  The lid 2 is provided with an air pump 18 that is driven by a manual operation so that hot water can be supplied through the hot water supply passage 5 even when no power source is connected. The air pump 18 is of a bellows type disposed in a cylindrical recess 19 formed in a substantially central portion of the lid 2 and is pressed by a pressing operation via a pressing plate 20. Pressurized air is blown into the inner container 3, and hot water in the inner container 3 is pushed out through the hot water supply passage 5 by the pressure of the pressurized air. Reference numeral 21 denotes a steam discharge passage, and reference numeral 22 denotes an overturn stop water valve disposed in the middle of the steam discharge passage 21.

  A metal cover member 23 is fixed to the lower plate 15 of the lid 2, and the outer peripheral edge of the cover member 23 is connected to the water supply port 3 b of the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed. A seal packing 24 to be pressed is provided.

  The electric pump 6 is disposed in the middle of the hot water supply passage 5 and below the inner container 3. Further, in the middle of the hot water supply passage 5 and at a position above the full water level display portion 25, a falling stop water valve 26 and a forward tilting stop water valve 27 are provided.

  The electric hot water storage container having the above-described configuration supplies power to the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B in addition to the normal heat retaining mode (in other words, the set heat retaining temperature control mode) for controlling the power distribution to the heat retaining heater 4B. It can be used in a thermos warming mode in which heat is kept in a stopped state (that is, with the power cord removed).

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 28 denotes a lock mechanism for holding the lid 2 in a closed state with respect to the container body 1, 29 denotes an operation panel unit having various switches described later, and 30 denotes a switch board.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 29 includes a hot water supply switch 31, a lock release switch 32, a re-boiling / decoloration switch 33, a heat retention selection switch 34, and an automatic energy saving boiling switch that is turned ON when automatic energy saving boiling is selected. 35, a heat-retaining switch 36 which is turned on when a heat-retaining operation is selected, a liquid crystal display device 37, a water heater indicator 38 which is turned on when the water is heated, and a heat-retaining indicator light 39 which is turned on when the heat is kept. When the temperature, the remaining boiling time, and the amount of hot water are alternately displayed on the liquid crystal display 37, and the energy-saving boiling display to be described later is displayed in characters, and the saving boiling, the weak steam boiling, and the normal boiling are set Further, there are provided a triangular indicator lamp 40 for displaying these boiling settings and a triangular indicator lamp 41 for indicating a set heat retention temperature (magic bottle, 98 ° C., 90 ° C., 85 ° C., 80 ° C.).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state of electrical elements in the electric hot water storage container according to the present embodiment. In addition, about the electrical element already demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the microcomputer unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) 42, signals are exchanged between the various switches 31 to 36 and the operation panel unit 29 including the liquid crystal display device 37. Signals from the input means 43 and other input means 44 are input, various arithmetic processes are performed, and control signals are the electric heater 4 (specifically, the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B), the electric pump 6, and various displays. The output means 45 and other output means 46 (for example, a buzzer) to a lamp (for example, a water heater display lamp 38, a heat retaining display lamp 39, and a liquid crystal display device 37) are to be output.

Next, various boiling controls in the electric hot water storage container having the above configuration will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 and time charts shown in FIGS.
(1) Selection of boiling control (refer to the flowchart in FIG. 4)
When the power is turned on and boiling control is started, it is determined whether or not the energy saving function is selected in step S1 (in other words, whether or not the energized energy saving boiling switch 35 is turned on). When the determination is made, it is determined whether or not the descaling has been selected in step S2 (in other words, whether or not the re-boiling / descaling switch 33 has been turned ON). Here, if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S3, and steam cut boiling control described later is executed. However, if an affirmative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4, and the descaling boiling control described later (that is, , Boiling control to sufficiently generate steam) is executed.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S1, it is determined in step S5 whether or not there has been a boiling record in the past. Here, if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S6, where normal boiling control (in other words, initial boiling control) described later is executed. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S7. A determination is made as to whether or not there has been any additional. If a negative determination is made here, it is determined in step S8 whether or not descaling has been selected (in other words, whether or not the re-boiling / descaling switch 33 has been turned ON). If it has been done, the process proceeds to step S4, where the boiling-out boiling control (that is, the boiling control for generating sufficient steam) is executed. If a negative determination is made in step S8, the process proceeds to step S9, and saving boiling control described later is executed.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S7, the process proceeds to step S10, in which it is determined whether or not descaling has been selected (in other words, whether or not the re-boiling / scaling removal switch 33 has been turned ON). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, where the boiling-out boiling control (that is, the boiling control that sufficiently generates steam) is executed. If a negative determination is made in step S10, the process proceeds to step S11, and a steam discharge time control boiling control described later is executed.

As described above, when the automatic energy-saving boiling control is selected by the ON operation of the automatic energy-saving boiling switch 35, the energy-saving boiling control is performed unless the boiling-free boiling by the ON operation of the re-boiling / decoloring switch 33 is selected. Steam-cut boiling control is executed, and significant energy saving can be achieved. The reason why priority is given to the removal of the chalk is that the removal of the chalk is selected according to the user's will.
(2) Normal boiling control (in other words, initial boiling control) (refer to the flowchart in FIG. 5 and the time chart in FIG. 9)
When normal boiling control (in other words, initial boiling control) is started, boiling determination processing is executed in step S1, and the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned on in step S2. Thereafter, in step S3, the gradient ΔT of the water temperature rise is measured from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13.

  Then, the process in step S3 is repeated until it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 in step S4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (eg, 93 ° C.). Here, the reason why the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 is 93 ° C. or more is based on a judgment criterion that if the temperature is 93 ° C., the temperature is close to the boiling point and does not become the boiling point even if the atmospheric pressure changes. Because there is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S4, the heat retaining heater 4B is turned off in step S5 (that is, only the boiling heater 4A is turned on), and the average value ΔTm of the water temperature rise gradient ΔT measured in step S3 in step S6 A comparison is made with a predetermined gradient β. If it is determined that ΔTm <β, the process proceeds to step S7, where boiling is determined, the boiling flag 1 is set in step S8, and the boiling point data is updated in step S9. In step S10, the boiling heater 4A is turned off, and the normal boiling control ends.

As described above, in this case, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, steam is generated from the time when the temperature curve reaches 100 ° C. until the boiling is determined, which does not save energy.
(3) Steam cut boiling control (refer to the flowchart in FIG. 6 and the time chart in FIG. 10)
When the steam cut boiling control is started, a boiling determination process is executed in step S1, and the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned on in step S2. Thereafter, in step S3, the gradient ΔT of the water temperature rise is measured from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13.

  Then, the process in step S3 is repeated until it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 in step S4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (eg, 93 ° C.). Here, the reason why the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 is 93 ° C. or more is based on a judgment criterion that if the temperature is 93 ° C., the temperature is close to the boiling point and does not become the boiling point even if the atmospheric pressure changes. Because there is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S4, the heat retaining heater 4B is turned off in step S5 (that is, only the boiling heater 4A is turned on), and the average value ΔTm of the water temperature rise gradient ΔT measured in step S3 in step S6 When a comparison with a predetermined gradient β is made and it is determined that ΔTm <β, the process proceeds to step S7, whether the boiling flag 1 is set (that is, whether there has been a boiling record in the past). Is determined. If a negative determination is made in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether or not the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 13 is 96 ° C. or higher. If an affirmative determination is made in step S7, In step S9, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 is equal to or higher than 98 ° C. heat retention calculation data.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S7, step S8, or step S9, the boiling heater 4A is turned off in step S10, the boiling point calculation data is not updated in step S11, and the steam cut boiling control ends in step S12. Is done. If a negative determination is made in step S8 and step S9, the process returns to step S6.

As described above, in this case, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 10, the boiling control is terminated at least when the temperature curve reaches 98 ° C., and from this point to the end of boiling control in the normal boiling control. During this period, no steam is generated (that is, steam is cut). In other words, significant energy saving is achieved. In addition, since boiling control is performed in the steam cut mode in which boiling is determined based on the input data of the temperature sensor 13, boiling detection is performed quickly, so that significant energy savings can be achieved without producing any steam. Can be achieved.
(4) Boiling control when adding water (in other words, steaming time control boiling control) (refer to the flowchart in FIG. 7 and the time chart in FIG. 11)
When boiling control at the time of adding water (in other words, steaming time control boiling control) is started, boiling determination processing is executed in step S1, and the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned on in step S2. Thereafter, in step S3, the gradient ΔT of the water temperature rise is measured from the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13.

  Then, the process in step S3 is repeated until it is determined that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 in step S4 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (eg, 93 ° C.). Here, the reason why the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 is 93 ° C. or more is based on a judgment criterion that if the temperature is 93 ° C., the temperature is close to the boiling point and does not become the boiling point even if the atmospheric pressure changes. Because there is. If an affirmative determination is made in step S4, the heat retaining heater 4B is turned off in step S5 (that is, only the boiling heater 4A is turned on), and whether or not the boiling flag 1 is set in step S6 (that is, the past boiling results). It is determined whether or not there is. If a negative determination is made here, the average value ΔTm of the water temperature rise gradient ΔT measured in step S3 is compared with a predetermined gradient β in step S7, where ΔTm ≧ β is determined. Returning to step S6, if it is determined that ΔTm <β, the boiling point calculation data is updated in step S8, and the boiling flag 1 is set in step S9. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S6, if it is confirmed in step S10 that the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the boiling point calculation data, the average value ΔTm of the water temperature rise gradient ΔT is determined in step S11. Based on the result, a heater ON timer (heating time corresponding to the amount of added water) is obtained, and it is determined in step S12 whether the heater ON timer has elapsed.

  When the boiling flag 1 is set in step S9 and when an affirmative determination is made in step S12, the boiling heater 4A is turned off in step S13, and the boiling process is ended in step S14.

As described above, in this case, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 11, steam is generated only for the count time of the heater ON timer (in other words, for the amount of water added). (In other words, the initial boiling control) is energy saving.
(5) Boiling control by re-boiling / chalk removal switch (refer to the flowchart in FIG. 8 and the time chart in FIG. 12)
When the re-boiling / chalk removal switch 33 is turned on, the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned on in step S1. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the boiling flag 1 is set (in other words, whether or not the boiling has been performed). If the determination is affirmative, the temperature is determined in step S3. If it is confirmed that the detected temperature of the sensor 13 is equal to or higher than the boiling point calculation data, the boiling heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned off in step S4, and the boiling process is ended in step S5. When a negative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to initial boiling control (in other words, normal boiling control) in step S6.

  As described above, in this case, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 12, a small amount of steam is generated at the end of boiling, but energy is saved compared to normal boiling control (in other words, initial boiling control).

  By the way, in each of the above-described boiling controls, the boiling control excluding the normal boiling control (in other words, the initial boiling control) is different in degree, but since it is energy-saving boiling control, the liquid crystal in the operation panel unit 29 is used. The display on the display device 37 can be changed as shown in FIG. That is, three energy saving level indicator lamps 47, 48, 49 for displaying the energy saving level are provided in the liquid crystal display device 37, and the number of energy saving level indicator lights 47, 48, 49 to be lit is changed according to the energy saving level. ing. In this way, the user can confirm the energy saving level at a glance, which is convenient.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the vacuum double container is employ | adopted as an inner container, it cannot be overemphasized that other heat insulation containers (For example, the container which coat | covered the vacuum heat insulating material on the outer peripheral side) etc. are employable. It is.

  The invention of the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that the design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged plan view of the operation panel part in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a connection diagram of the electrical element in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of selection of the boiling control in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the normal boiling control (in other words, initial stage boiling control) in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the steam cut boiling control in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the boiling control at the time of the water addition in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention (in other words, steam discharge time control boiling control). It is a flowchart which shows the content of the boiling control by the reboiling and a descaling switch in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the content of the normal boiling control (in other words, initial boiling control) in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the content of the steam cut boiling control in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the content of the boiling control at the time of the water addition in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention (in other words, steam discharge time control boiling control). It is a time chart which shows the content of the boiling control by the re-boiling and the descaling switch in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged plan view which shows the other example of the operation panel part in the electric hot water storage container concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 is an inner container 4 is a heating means (electric heater)
4A is a heater for boiling 4B is a heater for heat insulation 13 is a temperature detection means (temperature sensor)
29 is an operation panel unit 35 is an energy saving boiling switch 37 is a liquid crystal display device 42 is a microcomputer

Claims (3)

  An electric hot water storage comprising an inner container for boiling water, a heating means for heating the inner container, and a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the inner container, and configured to perform heat retention control after boiling by the heating means. A normal boiling control course for heating the water contained in the inner container to the boiling point, and energy-saving boiling for boiling water in the inner container with less power consumption than the normal boiling control course. An electric hot water storage container comprising an operation switch capable of selecting the energy-saving boiling control course.   When the energy-saving boiling control course is selected, boiling control is performed in a steam cut mode in which boiling temperature is not determined by normal boiling control and boiling is determined by input data of the temperature detection means. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 1.   Even when the energy-saving boiling control course is not selected, if it has a boiling temperature, it can be energy-saving re-boiling control, or steam saving control control for the amount of water added. The electric hot water storage container according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein boiling control is performed according to a mode.

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