JP2009268842A - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric kettle that clearly discriminates superiority or inferiority of an energy conservation level and that improves user's convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The electric kettle includes a container capable of boiling water and heat-insulating the pot with vacuum, and heat-retention/heating control means for retaining the heat of the hot water in the container at prescribed temperature by turning on/off a power supply to the heating means. The electric kettle has a plurality of energy-saving heat-retention functions having different energy saving performances, as well as having a selecting switch that selects any one of the plurality of energy-saving heat-retention functions and a priority selecting switch that selects in priority the energy-saving heat-retention function with the highest energy saving performance. When an energy-saving heat-retention function other than the one having the highest energy saving performance is selected, with the priority selecting switch operated under the circumstances, the function is transferred to the energy-saving heat-retention function with the highest energy saving performance from the one other than with the highest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric pot provided with a plurality of energy saving heat retaining functions having different energy saving performances.

  Recently, many electric kettles with improved heat insulation performance and improved heat insulation performance and energy saving performance have been provided by using, for example, a vacuum double wall structure or a heat insulating material interposed structure as an inner container for hot water. (See Patent Document 1).

  In the case of such an electric pot, for example, there are two heat insulation functions such as a “normal heat insulation function” and a “mabo bottle heat insulation function”. The normal heat insulation function does not turn off the heat insulation heater completely, but repeats the ON / OFF control within a range where the hot water does not cool, such as turning it on for 1 minute and then turning it off for 5 minutes. By keeping the OFF time longer, the temperature is kept at a desired set temperature while saving energy. On the other hand, in the magic bottle heat insulation function, the heat insulation heater is basically turned off to obtain the maximum energy saving effect.

In such a case, for example, a dedicated heat insulation selection switch and a heat insulation selection switch are provided separately, and a desired set temperature such as 98 degrees, 90 degrees, 80 degrees, etc. can be selected with the insulation selection switch. On the other hand, there is a switch that can be used to select only the heat insulation of the magic bottle with a dedicated switch for selecting the heat insulation of the magic bottle (see Patent Document 2).
Moreover, in addition to the two types of heat insulation and warming functions such as “normal heat insulation and warming function” and “magic bottle heat insulation and warming function” as described above, the “low temperature heat insulation and warming function” that keeps the temperature lower than the “normal heat insulation and warming function”. ”As the first energy-saving and warming function, and the“ magic bottle heat-and-warming function ”above as the second energy-saving and warming function. When no operation has been performed, the process first shifts to the first energy-saving and warming function, and when no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more in the first energy-saving and warming function, the second energy-saving and warming function is entered. Some have been made to migrate (see Patent Document 3).

  Also, the time zone that requires hot water in each home within 24 hours a day is learned and stored based on the actual hot water supply results, and the electric pot (microcomputer control) Part) automatically switches the hot water heater and heat insulation heater between the ON state and the OFF state, so that the total power consumption during wake-up from 6:00 to 23:00 and during sleep is minimized. There is also a learning type that realizes efficient heat and heat control with low power consumption utilizing the heat insulation function of the bottle (insulation heat insulation function by turning off the heat insulation heater) (see Patent Document 4).

  In addition, there is an energy saving and warming function in which an energy saving and warming function by a power saving timer (the warming heater is turned off within a set time) is added.

JP 2002-153381 A JP 2007-229143 A JP 2003-190017 A JP 2004-305557 A

  However, as described above, when there are multiple energy-saving functions that have different energy-saving performance in one electric pot, which energy-saving function has the highest energy-saving performance, the difference in the energy-saving level between the energy-saving functions Is difficult to understand. In particular, in the case of the learning type (Patent Document 4) that realizes energy saving performance in total for 24 hours according to the daily lifestyle, both the heater ON time and OFF time are both, so the degree of energy saving can be grasped sensuously. Is difficult.

  Of course, a special heat insulation selection switch and a heat insulation selection switch are provided, and the heat insulation selection switch allows the user to select the normal heat retention function of 98 degrees, 90 degrees, and 80 degrees, while the heat insulation selection is selected. With a special switch that allows you to select the magic bottle heat retention function (Patent Document 4), you can actually turn on the magic bottle thermal insulation selection switch to actually turn on the highest energy saving “magic bottle thermal insulation”. You can select the function, but the two heat retention functions in this case do not have a priority relationship based on the difference in energy saving performance between each other. , Just moving to that function.

  The invention of the present application was made based on such circumstances, and provided with a plurality of energy saving heat retaining functions having different energy saving performances, and a selection switch for selecting any one of the plurality of energy saving heat retaining functions, Consists of a priority selection switch that selects the energy-saving and warming function with the highest energy-saving performance among multiple energy-saving and warming functions with different energy-saving performance, and a selection switch that selects other energy-saving and warming functions. Therefore, when the above-mentioned priority selection switch is operated in a state where a predetermined energy saving warming function other than the highest energy saving performance is selected, the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance is always selected with priority. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric pot.

  In order to achieve the above object, each invention of the present application includes the following problem solving means.

(1) Invention of Claim 1 The problem-solving means of the present invention includes an inner container capable of boiling water and maintaining a bottle temperature, a heating means for heating the hot water in the inner container, and turning on the power to the heating means, An electric pot provided with a heat-retention heating control means for keeping the hot water in the inner container at a predetermined temperature by performing OFF control, and a plurality of energy-saving heat retaining functions having different energy-saving performance and the plurality of energy-saving functions While providing a selection switch for selecting any one of the heat retention functions, the selection switch has priority over the other energy-saving warming functions among the above multiple energy-saving warming functions. Energy saving warm function other than the energy saving warm function with the highest energy saving performance is selected. In state, when said priority selection switch is operated, it is characterized in that the outermost from the energy saving insulation functions other than high energy-saving thermal insulation function of energy-saving performance is shifted to the most energy-efficient high energy saving insulation function.

  According to such a configuration, when the priority selection switch is operated in a state where an energy saving warming function other than the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance is selected, the energy saving warming function other than the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance is operated. Since the heat-saving function shifts to the above-described energy-saving heat-insulating function with the highest energy-saving performance, the user can easily and easily select the heat-saving function with the highest energy-saving performance and the economical energy-saving heat-insulating function.

  Therefore, the usability of the electric kettle when performing energy saving and warming is improved.

(2) Invention of Claim 2 The problem-solving means of the present invention is the configuration of the invention of Claim 1, wherein the energy-saving warming function other than the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance is shifted to the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance. In this case, it is characterized in that the storage unit stores the heat retention data of the energy saving and warming function before the transition, and then the transition is performed.

  As described above, when shifting from the energy saving warming function other than the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance to the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance, the warming data of the energy saving warming function before the transition is stored in the storage means. When the magic bottle warming is released, the original energy-saving warming function stored in the storage means is automatically restored and warmed without any new operation. Can do.

(3) Invention of Claim 3 The problem-solving means of this invention is the configuration of the invention of Claim 1 or 2, except that the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance is selected, except for the priority selection switch. The heat retention function is not changed even when the selection switch is turned on.

  In this way, at least in the state where the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance is selected, even if another energy-saving selection switch other than the above-described priority selection switch is turned ON, the warming function is not changed. By doing so, the priority of the priority selection switch that selects the energy-saving heat retaining function with the highest energy-saving performance can be recognized more reliably, and the degree of appeal to the user is also increased.

(4) The invention of claim 4 The problem-solving means of the present invention is that in the configuration of the invention of claim 1, 2, or 3, the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance is such that the supply of power to the warming heater is stopped. It is characterized by the heat retention function of the magic bottle.

  The magic bottle insulation is the most energy-saving function with the highest energy-saving performance because the supply of power to the insulation heater is stopped, and it consumes the least amount of power. As best.

  As a result of the above, according to the electric pot of the present invention, the superiority or inferiority of the energy-saving level among multiple energy-saving warming functions with different energy-saving performances such as the heat-retaining function of the magic bottle is clarified, and the user-friendliness when selecting the energy-saving warming function is possible. Can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an electric pot according to the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Configuration of the electric pot body)
First, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the configuration of the main body and the main part of the electric pot according to the best mode of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric pot includes a container body 1 having an inner container 3 for storing hot water, a lid body 2 that opens and closes an upper opening of the container body 1, and when the inner container 3 is heated. A water heater 4A, which is a heating means for heating in the above, a heat retaining heater 4B, which is a heating means for heating the inner container 3 during the heat retention, a hot water supply passage 5 for supplying the hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside, A flow rate sensor 80 for measuring a hot water flow rate provided in the middle of the hot water supply passage 5 and an electric hot water supply pump for sending hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 in a state where an AC power source is connected. 6 and an air-type manual hot water supply pump 18 for sending hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 in a state where an AC power source is not connected.

  The said container main body 1 couple | bonds integrally the cylindrical outer case 7 made from a synthetic resin which comprises an outer side surface part, the said inner container 3 which comprises an inner side part, and the said outer case 7 and the inner container 3 on the upper side. It consists of an annular shoulder member 8 made of synthetic resin to be fixed and a dish-shaped bottom member 9 made of synthetic resin that constitutes the bottom surface portion.

  The inner container 3 has a vacuum double structure with high heat insulation performance (a vacuum bottle) provided with a vacuum heat insulating space between a stainless steel bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder 10 and a stainless steel cylindrical outer cylinder 11. The single-plate part 3a comprised only by the bottom face part of the said inner cylinder 10 except the outer peripheral part is formed in the bottom part. The single plate portion 3a is formed so as to protrude slightly upward. On the lower surface side thereof, the water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B (for example, two sets of heating elements having different wattages are held on the mica plate). A mica heater is attached.

  A small-diameter water supply port 3b having a heat keeping structure is formed at the upper end portion of the inner container 3 by drawing the upper end portion on the inner cylinder 10 side toward the central axis direction. Reference numeral 12 denotes a bottom sensor (hot water temperature sensor) that functions as a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner container 3 (in other words, the temperature of hot water in the inner container 3), and includes a thermistor. . Further, reference numeral 13 denotes a convex full water level display portion that displays the full water level of the inner container 3.

  The lid 2 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 14 and a synthetic resin lower plate 15 having an outer peripheral edge coupled to the upper plate 14, and is provided at the rear portion of the shoulder member 8. The hinge receiver 16 is supported by a hinge pin 17 so that it can be opened and closed in a vertical direction and is detachable.

  The lid 2 can be kept warm by the “macro bottle function” even when an AC power source is not connected, and the hot water can be supplied to the outside via the hot water supply passage 5 even in this state. An air-type manual hot water supply pump 18 that is compressed by a pressing operation is provided. The manual hot water supply pump 18 is of a bellows type disposed in a cylindrical portion 19 formed at a substantially central portion of the lid 2, and has a bellows structure via a pressing cover 20A and a pressing plate 20B. By pressing the bellows 20C downward, the pressurized air 20D in the bellows 20C is blown into the inner container 3 through the air blowing port, and the hot water in the inner container 3 is supplied with hot water by the pressure of the pressurized air. It is pushed out through the passage 5. Further, 20E is a restoring spring upward of the bellows 20C, and 15A is a bellows support plate on the lower plate 15 side. Reference numerals 21a to 21d are steam discharge passages of the lid body 2 that are in communication with each other from the lower side to the upper side. Reference numeral 22 is a tipping water that is provided in the middle of the steam discharge passages 21a to 21d on the steam outlet 21a side. It is a valve.

  A metal inner cover member 23 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 15 in the lid 2, and the inner container 3 is attached to the outer peripheral edge of the inner cover member 23 when the lid 2 is closed. A heat-resistant rubber seal packing 24 is provided in pressure contact with the upper surface of the water supply port 3b.

  At the lower position of the inner container 3 on the upstream end side of the hot water supply passage 5, a DC type electric hot water pump 6 is disposed through an inner container 3 side hot water introduction cylinder 6a and a hot water supply pump side hot water inlet 6b. In this hot water supply passage 5, hot water sucked from the hot water inlet 6 b through the hot water inlet cylinder 6 a is discharged from the discharge port 6 c by the pumping action of the electric hot water supply pump 6, After passing through the straight pipe portion 5b, it passes through the flow rate detection passage in the flow rate sensor 80 and is led to the hot water pouring outlet 5d from the overturn stop water valve side connecting pipe 5c.

  Further, reference numeral 35 denotes an operation panel unit provided with operation key surfaces of various switches described later and a display unit of a liquid crystal display device, and 51a represents a microcomputer control unit 60 described later and various switches 38 to 41, 43, 44, A microcomputer board provided with a drive unit of the liquid crystal display device 47, a microcomputer control unit 60, and the like, 51 is a support member of the liquid crystal display device 47, 50 is a drive circuit of the electric hot water supply pump 6, a water heater 4A, and a heat retaining heater 4B. A power supply board including a heating control circuit, a stabilized DC power supply circuit, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 35 includes a lever-type hot water switch 38 having a pressing operation surface 38a for hot water supply, a hot water lock release switch 39 for hot water supply, a hot water lock release display LED 39a, The boiling / calk removal switch 40, the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41, the heat retention selection switch 43, and the "magic bottle heat retention" course can be changed to the normal heat retention mode by the heat retention selection switch 43 and the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41. There are provided a “magic bottle heat” priority selection switch 44, a re-boiling display LED 45, a heat retention operation display LED 46, a liquid crystal display device 47 (liquid crystal display surface 47a), and the like, which are set in preference to the energy saving warming course.

  In this embodiment, the heat retention selection switch 43 has two functions of a normal heat retention mode selection setting function by screening operation and a setting heat retention temperature (98 degrees, 90 degrees, 85 degrees, 80 degrees) setting function. Also serves as.

  The liquid crystal display device 47 includes, for example, time / hour / minute / heat retention set temperature instruction (triangle mark) / energy saving mode course instruction (triangle mark), learning course instruction (triangle mark), power saving timer course instruction (triangle mark), A liquid crystal display surface 47a for displaying required information such as a magic bottle heat retention course instruction (triangle mark) is provided, and various necessary information (selection setting state / operation state) is displayed with low power consumption. (Refer to the display in FIGS. 5A to 5D described later).

  The flow rate sensor 80 used for hot water control of the electric hot water supply pump 6 is provided with, for example, a spiral rotary screw blade 82 on the outer periphery of the rotation support shaft 81, and the screw blade 82 is not shown. The screw blade 82 part is fitted and fixed in the middle of the straight pipe part 5 b of the hot water supply passage 5 through a transparent fitting cylinder 83 and supported.

(Configuration of control circuit)
Next, FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit unit in the electric pot body having the above configuration.

  In FIG. 3, first, reference numeral 52 is an AC power source, 4A is a hot water heater, 4B is a heat retaining heater, 60 is a microcomputer control unit, 63 is a power supply voltage zero cross detection circuit, 64 is a smoothing capacitor, 6 is an electric hot water supply pump (and pump drive). ), RS is a power switch (relay switch) for operating the water heater 4A, RL is a power relay for driving the power switch RS (relay drive circuit such as a relay coil), 53 is a triac for operating the heat retaining heater 4B, 57 is A transistor for driving the triac 53, 61 is a hot water prevention circuit of the electric hot water supply pump 6, and 62 is a hot water supply detection circuit for detecting a hot water supply condition on condition that the hot water supply switch 38 is turned on.

  Reference numeral 65 denotes a rechargeable large voltage power source used as a DC constant voltage power source for operating the microcomputer control unit 60, etc., instead of the power source from the constant voltage power source during “magic bottle insulation” when the AC power source 52 is turned off. This is an electric double layer capacitor having a capacity, and is connected in parallel with the power supply relay RL together with the ground side charge switch circuit 66 (one in the example shown, but two can be provided in parallel if necessary) Is).

  Reference numeral 67 denotes a discharge voltage detection circuit which detects that the voltage of the electric double layer capacitor 65 has become equal to or lower than a specified value and inputs the detected voltage to the microcomputer control unit 60.

  For example, when the hot water heater ON signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 60, the hot water heater 4A is driven by first operating the power relay RL and correspondingly turning on the power switch RS.

  Further, when the warming heater ON signal is output from the microcomputer control unit 60, the warming heater 4B is driven by turning on the transistor 57 and triggering the triac 53.

  Further, when the hot water supply switch 38 inserted in the ground side line of the electric hot water supply pump 6 is turned on, an ON signal of the hot water supply switch 38 is sent to the microcomputer control unit 60 via the hot water supply detection circuit 62. In response to this, the microcomputer control unit 60 turns off the heat retaining heater 4B, and a pulse voltage signal having a predetermined duty ratio is output from the microcomputer control unit 60, and is appropriately rotated at a predetermined duty ratio. The

  The microcomputer control unit 60 is supplied with a predetermined constant voltage through a constant voltage power source (original operating power source) (not shown).

  Further, the microcomputer control unit 60 further includes various display units such as a liquid crystal display unit 47, a heat retention operation display LED 45, a hot water supply lock release display LED 46, a hot water switch 38, a re-boiling / calky release switch 40, a hot water supply lock release switch. 39, various operation units (switch circuit) such as energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41, heat retention selection switch 43, magic bottle heat retention priority selection switch 44, various sensor units (sensors such as temperature detection means 12, flow sensor 80, etc. Circuit), a first clock frequency oscillator (4 MHz) 58 for operating the microcomputer when the AC power is ON, and a second clock frequency oscillator (4 MHz) for operating the microcomputer when the bottle is warming (when the AC power is OFF). 32.768 KHz) 59, EEPROM (storage means), etc. are connected via input / output ports. It is connected Te.

  Further, in the above circuit, the electric double layer capacitor 65 is charged using the original chopper power supply circuit when the heat retaining heater 4B is turned on during the boiling operation and the heat retaining operation, etc., while the chopper is turned off when the heat retaining heater 4B is turned off. The power supply circuit is stopped by the microcomputer control, and the microcomputer and the display unit are operated by the discharge charge of the electric double layer capacitor 65, thereby saving as much as possible the standby power during the “magic bottle insulation”. Like to do. As an example, the electric double layer capacitor 65 has a withstand voltage of 5.5V (MAX), and in order to increase the withstand voltage, series connection may be performed. MAX)).

  In this case, the charge control of the electric double layer capacitor 65 requires, for example, about 2 minutes for 2F (Farad), and can be operated as a microcomputer operating power source for about 15 minutes after charging for 2 minutes. If there is, 2 minutes + 15 minutes = total 17 minutes as one cycle, the chopper power supply circuit is turned on only for 2 minutes, charging is performed during that time, and after that, the original operating power supply is turned off and "magic bottle insulation" Can continue.

  Therefore, a considerable power consumption reduction effect can be realized as a total.

  In the above circuit, in the case of the normal heat retention mode (heat retention at a desired set temperature) that is not in the “heat retention”, the first clock frequency oscillator 58 is used to operate at the first clock frequency of 4 MHz. However, when the transition is made to “Hot bottle insulation”, the second clock frequency oscillator 59 is switched from the first clock frequency of 4 MHz to the second clock frequency of 32.768 KHz, which is considerably slower, and as much as possible. The power consumption of the microcomputer is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the electric double layer capacitor 65 is provided as described above, due to its capacitance characteristics, there is a problem that the rise time of the power supply becomes long when the power is turned on and the reaction of the user to the switch operation becomes slow. Therefore, in the above circuit, when such a power supply is started up, the power supply is quickly started up with a small electrostatic capacity of a normal electrolytic capacitor 68 provided in parallel, and then the operation is stabilized, and then the electric double layer capacitor is connected. 65 is charged.

  Further, in the above circuit, a discharge voltage detection circuit 67 is provided so that the electric charge of the electric double layer capacitor 65 is reduced to a predetermined level or less, thereby preventing the microcomputer from being reset. When the double layer capacitor 65 is discharged to a predetermined voltage or lower, the charge switch circuit 66 is automatically operated to start charging up to 5.5V.

  Thus, in the above circuit, when the discharge potential of the electric double layer capacitor 65 is lowered to a predetermined reference value by the discharge voltage detection circuit 67, it is automatically charged. When the double layer capacitor 65 has been discharged by the next charge, the following measures can be taken.

  (1) When the reset works and the hot water temperature is high, normal heat insulation is executed.

  (2) When the hot water temperature is low, normal boiling is performed.

  In this way, even in the event of a discharge before charging, the normal process can be performed.

  Further, conventionally, when the hot water supply switch 38 is operated without operating the hot water supply lock release switch 39 and a drive voltage is applied to the electric hot water supply pump 6, the electric hot water supply pump 6 is forcibly driven by driving the heat retaining heater 4B. In the present embodiment, as described above, the microcomputer clock frequency is from the first clock frequency of 4 MHz (normal mode) at the normal time to the second clock at the time of warming the balance. The frequency can be switched to 32.768 KHz (low power consumption mode). Therefore, when the switching is performed, a time delay occurs from the time when the hot water supply switch 38 is turned on to the time when the heat retaining heater 4B is forcibly driven.

  Therefore, as a countermeasure, the above circuit is provided with the hot water prevention circuit 61 in the hardware as described above, and when the ON signal of the lock release switch 39 is input by the hardware, the hot water prevention circuit 61 is thereafter operated by the microcomputer. The hot water preventing function 61 is canceled.

(Energy-saving warming function in this embodiment)
In the case of this embodiment, an ON timer is set during the “magic bottle warming” course and the “magic bottle warming course” in FIG. The “power saving timer” course of FIG. 5 (d) in which the functions are combined, and the various energy saving courses of FIG. 5 (b) to (c) selected by the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41 (other than the heat retention of the magic bottle) Normal energy saving course) is adopted.

(A) “Harbo Bottle Insulation” course:
The course with the highest energy-saving performance in which the power to the heat insulation heater 4B is turned off and the heat is kept in the "mabin bottle heat insulation" state of the vacuum double wall structure (b) "Learning" course:
This course saves and stores the daily hot water supply results (usage results) of the electric pot, and turns on and off the water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B according to the hot water supply results learned and stored. In the heat insulation function, for example, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 4, based on the actual hot water supply performance in the user's home, the electric pot ( The microcomputer control unit 60) automatically switches the hot water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B between the ON state and the OFF state so that the total power consumption during the wake-up from 6:00 to 23:00 and during the sleep is minimized. In addition, the above-mentioned magic bottle heat retention function (insulation heat retention function by turning off the heat retention heater 4B) realizes efficient heating and heat retention control with low power consumption. The

(C) Time course (temporal low temperature course):
The longer the non-hot water supply time is, the lower the set heat retention temperature is, and the energy saving course is achieved. For example, after boiling, the mode is shifted to the heat retention mode at the set temperature of 85 degrees without performing the steam discharge control, and thereafter When no operation is performed for more than a time, for example, the mode shifts to a heat retention mode at a set temperature of 80 degrees, and when no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more in the heat retention mode at the set temperature of 80 degrees, Further, the mode is shifted to a heat retention mode at a lower set temperature of 70 degrees.

(D) Power saving timer course:
During (Ma) bottle warming of (a) above, a timer is set, and when the scheduled time set by the timer is reached, the water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B are turned on within a predetermined time period to boil hot water. After turning off, the course for turning off the heaters 4A and 4B again. Each of the energy saving courses shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D has the energy saving performance in the order of FIGS. 5A to 5D. It is rated to be small.

(Operations when selecting a hot water bottle)
By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, apart from the heat retention selection switch 43 and the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return selection switch 41, the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41 shown in FIG. During the selection of the energy saving course d), a dedicated magic bottle heat selection switch 44 is provided to preferentially select and set the “magic bottle warming” course with the power off, and the energy saving course selection / setting temperature return switch 41 is provided. When the same bottle heat retention selection switch 44 is pressed during the energy saving course heat retention, the process immediately shifts from the energy saving course shown in FIGS. On the other hand, if the hot water bottle selection switch 44 is pressed during boiling, the process proceeds to the “magic bottle warming” process prior to the normal warming process after the boiling process is completed. This is performed (see FIG. 5A).

  With this configuration, the user can select “Mabo bottle warming” at any time, and “Mabo bottle warming”, which has higher energy saving performance than the regular heat saving course, has priority. Energy saving performance is improved as much as possible.

  In addition, the microcomputer control unit 60 according to the present embodiment performs normal energy-saving courses other than the “magic bottle heat” course having the largest energy-saving performance shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D and selected set temperatures at that time. Is stored in the memory means (EEPROM), and when the energy saving course shown in FIGS. 5 (b) to 5 (d) is transferred to the “magic bottle insulation” course shown in FIG. The means (EEPROM) stores the previous energy-saving course and the set temperature at that time. Then, during “magic bottle warming”, when the magic bottle warming selection switch 44 is pressed and “magic bottle warming” is cancelled, the original energy saving course stored in the memory means (EEPROM) ( It automatically returns to the energy-saving course that was being executed until just before selecting the bottle heat insulation.

(Mabo bottle heat insulation course priority control)
As mentioned above, in an electric pot equipped with multiple energy-saving and warming functions with different energy-saving performances, it is easy to understand each of the multiple energy-saving and warming functions by prioritizing the course selection in descending order of the degree of energy saving. It can be used as an electric pot specializing in energy-saving functions, and can be appealed as an environmentally friendly product.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure such a priority order also in terms of control, for example, it is configured to have a “magic bottle heat” priority control system as shown in the flowchart of FIG. .

  This control is started at the same time as the heat insulation process is started after the completion of boiling, and is repeated many times in a predetermined cycle during the heat insulation period.

That is, when the control is started, first, data of the current operation state of various operation switches (operation key ON operation state) is input into the microcomputer control unit 60 (step S ₁ ).

Next, based on the input data, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned magic bottle insulation selection switch (the operation key) 44 for selecting the above-mentioned “magic bottle insulation” course has been turned ON (this time). step S _2).

As a result, in the case of NO, the ON determination of the selection switch 44 is repeated, but in the case of YES, the current heat insulation state is further selected by the above-described energy saving course selection / set temperature return switch 41 (b in FIG. ) - (it determines whether the energy-saving course selection in any of the provinces Enekosu in energy saving courses shown in d) is selected (step S _3).

When the determination result is YES, the energy saving course selected by the energy saving course selection / set temperature return switch 41 is immediately canceled (step S ₄ ), the course name and set temperature, etc. of the energy saving course released. Necessary data is stored in the storage means (EEPROM) (steps S ₅ and S ₆ ).

After that, the process proceeds to “magic bottle warming” and “magic bottle warming” is executed (step S ₇ ). During the execution of “magic bottle warming”, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), together with the hot water temperature at that time (for example, 90 degrees), the bottle is in a warming condition (triangle mark), and the heater is OFF. Display each thing and appeal that the energy saving performance is the maximum.

After that, during the execution of the “magic bottle warming”, the ON operation state of each operation switch (the operation key) is input again (step S ₈ ), and the magic bottle warming selection switch 44 is operated again, and It is determined whether or not the selection of “heat insulation” has been canceled (step S ₉ ). Then, when “MABOBIN TEMPERATURE” is canceled, it is further determined whether there is stored data of the course name and set temperature of the above energy saving course before “MAROBIN TEMPERATURE” is selected. (Step S ₁₀ ) When the stored data is YES, the stored heat saving control is restored to the stored energy saving course, and the stored heat control is executed (step S ₁₁ , S ₁₂ ).

On the other hand, when the above “magic bottle warming” is not canceled in step S ₉ , “magic bottle warming” is continued as it is, and “magic bottle warming” is canceled, and in step S ₉ when even YES nO in step S ₁₀ is not stored data saving Enekosu, for example back to normal heat keeping control proceeds to determine whether it is selected again "thermos kept" at the same conditions ( Return to steps S ₁ and S ₂ ).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when “magic bottle insulation” having the highest energy saving performance is selected while the normal energy saving course shown in FIGS. 5B to 5D is selected, the energy saving up to that time is selected. Cancel the course ((b) to (d) in FIG. 5) and prioritize the selection of “magic bottle insulation” in FIG. 5 (a). , “I chose to keep the bottle warm while selecting the normal energy saving course!” = “The user wants to save more energy!” And immediately cancels the previous energy saving course. Insulation is set).

  In addition, when “magic bottle warming” is selected in this way, unless the user clearly indicates the intention to cancel the magic bottle warming by re-operating the same magic bottle warming selection switch 44. For example, even if the energy saving course selection / set temperature return switch 41 is pressed, the “time course” and the “learning course” cannot be selected.

  On the other hand, while the normal energy-saving course is selected, “magic bottle warming” is selected, and after the energy saving course is canceled and “magic bottle warming” is set, the above-mentioned magic bottle warming selection switch 44 is pressed again. If this is a clear release intention by the user, the “magic bottle insulation” is released. If “magic bottle insulation” is released in this way, the “magic bottle insulation” is released. It returns to the warming in the energy saving course that was selected before it was set.

  For example, if the “learning course” in FIG. 5B is canceled in the state where the heat retention temperature of 98 degrees is selected, and “magic bottle heat retention” in FIG. 5A is set, then the “ The "98 degree heat retention setting" and the "learning course" are stored in the microcomputer control unit 60 and the storage means (EEPROM). After that, when “magic bottle heat insulation” is canceled as described above, the “98 degree heat insulation setting” and “learning course” stored in the storage means (EEPROM) are restored.

  As described above, the bottle heat retention selection switch 44 has priority over the energy conservation course selection / set temperature return switch 41 in that it is excellent in energy saving performance. Are in an equal relationship. Therefore, the pressed function is selected between them.

  In the above configuration, while selecting “Holding the bottle”, the selection key with the low energy saving degree is not shifted. However, even when the selection key with the low energy saving degree is pressed, the operation of the key itself is performed. Is accepted and displayed, but with regard to control, priority may be given to the control of “magic bottle insulation”.

It is the longitudinal cross-sectional view seen from the side which shows the structure of the electric pot main-body part of the best embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the operation panel part of the same electric pot main body. It is a control circuit diagram of the electric pot main body part. It is a figure which shows the basic heat retention control pattern through the day at the time of the learning course selection of the same electric pot. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of various energy-saving courses (a)-(d) in the liquid crystal display part of the same electric pot. It is a flowchart of a magic heat retention mode shift control and a control release control routine using a magic heat retention selection switch of the same electric pot.

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a container body, 2 is a lid, 3 is an inner container, 4A is a hot water heater, 4B is a warming heater, 5 is a hot water supply passage, 6 is an electric hot water supply pump, 7 is an outer case, 10 is an inner cylinder, 11 is an outer cylinder , 12 is a temperature sensor, 18 is a manual hot water supply pump, 41 is an energy-saving course selection / setting temperature return switch, 43 is a heat retention selection switch, 44 is a heat retention selection switch, and 60 is a microcomputer control unit.

Claims (4)

  An inner container capable of boiling water and holding a bottle, heating means for heating the hot water in the inner container, and ON / OFF control of the power supply to the heating means, thereby controlling the hot water in the inner container at a predetermined temperature. An electric pot provided with a heat-retaining and heating control means for keeping warm, and a selection switch for selecting a plurality of energy-saving heat-retaining functions having different energy-saving performances and one of the plurality of energy-saving heat-retaining functions On the other hand, select the priority selection switch and other energy-saving warming functions that select the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance among the above multiple energy-saving warming functions over other energy-saving warming functions. When the above priority selection switch is operated in a state where an energy saving warming function other than the energy saving warming function with the highest energy saving performance is selected. An electric kettle, characterized in that the outermost from the energy saving insulation functions other than high energy-saving thermal insulation function of energy-saving performance is shifted to the most energy-efficient high energy saving insulation function.   When transitioning from the energy-saving warming function other than the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance to the energy-saving warming function with the highest energy-saving performance, the warming data of the energy-saving warming function before the transition should be stored in the storage means before the transition. The electric pot according to claim 1, wherein   2. In a state where an energy saving heat retaining function having the highest energy saving performance is selected, the heat retaining function is not changed even when a selection switch other than the priority selection switch is turned on. 2. The electric pot according to 2.   The electric kettle according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the energy-saving and warming function having the highest energy-saving performance is a magic bottle warming function in which the supply of power to the warming heater is stopped.

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