JP2012061127A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater capable of boiling water in an extremely short time.SOLUTION: The water heater 100 for boiling water for food and drink includes: a water storage tank 20 for storing water; a pipe 1 communicating with the water storage tank on one end side thereof, and wherein the other end is connected to a discharge port 11; a pump 2 for transporting the water from the water storage tank to the discharge port through the pipe; a heater 3 for heating the water transported in the pipe by the pump; and a control device 7 for controlling heating of the water by the heater and transport of the water by the pump.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater for boiling water for eating and drinking.

  As an electric watering pot, the water stored in the water storage tank is conventionally heated by a heater disposed at the bottom or outer periphery of the water storage tank, and after reaching a predetermined temperature, the heater is controlled by heating. What keeps warm is known. These hot water pots have been proposed and implemented to discharge hot water from a water storage tank by pressing down a pusher provided on a lid and compressing air in the water storage tank when hot water is used. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Or the thing which discharges hot water from a water storage tank is proposed and implemented while a user pushes and operates a pump by operating a button, and pushing a button (for example, refer patent document 2).

  In addition, a hot water pot that heats and retains water in a state where the water storage pot is detachable from the heater and the water storage pot is placed on the heater has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). In this type of hot water pot, when the hot water is used, the water storage pot is removed from the heater, and the hot water is tilted like a pitcher to pour hot water, and there is no mechanism for discharging hot water.

  However, each of the conventional hot water pots mentioned above has a problem that it takes time until the hot water is boiled because it heats the water contained in the container. For example, in the case of the hot water pots of the types of Patent Documents 1 and 2, 25 to 45 minutes are required to boil hot water at 95 ° C. or higher with a 2 liter to 4 liter capacity frequently used in general households. On the other hand, although the type of the kettle pot of the type of patent document 3 is implemented for the purpose of boiling a small volume of hot water in a relatively short time, it takes 1 minute to boil one cup (about 150 ml) of hot water. The above was necessary. Therefore, there has been a demand for a water heater that can boil hot water in a shorter time.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide a water heater for boiling water for eating and drinking, and capable of boiling water in a very short time.

  In order to solve the above problems, a water heater according to the present invention is a "water heater for boiling water for eating and drinking, which is connected to a water storage tank for storing water, and one end side of the water storage tank. A pipe connected to the discharge port, a pump for transporting water from the water storage tank to the discharge port via the pipe, a heater for heating the water transported in the pipe by the pump, and water by the heater And a control device for controlling the water transport by the pump.

  The “pipe” is not required to be formed from a single pipe member from the water storage tank to the discharge port, and may be a pipe formed by connecting a plurality of pipe members. For example, the portion heated by the heater can be formed of a pipe made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as metal, and the pipe can be formed of a material having high heat insulation properties downstream from the heater to the discharge port.

  With the above configuration, when the pump is operated, the water stored in the water storage tank is heated by the heater to be hot water while being transported through the pipe, and is discharged from the discharge port. That is, in the present invention, the water contained in the water storage tank is not heated, but the water transported in the pipe is heated. And by the transport by a pump, the heated water is sent in the pipe downstream from the heater, and unheated water is supplied to the heater portion. As a result, the water to be heated has a very small volume and the water to be heated is moved, so that hot water can be boiled in an extremely short time.

  In addition, it is sufficient to boil hot water when it is necessary, and unlike the conventional kettle pot, since it is not necessary to keep hot water that does not always use the whole amount, it is excellent in economic efficiency.

  The water heater according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, further comprising a “water amount input unit to which the amount of water is input, the pump is a metering pump in which the amount of water transported in one operation unit is constant, and the control device includes: The number of operation units of the pump is controlled based on the input of the water amount in the water amount input unit.

  The amount of water transported by a pump in one operation unit refers to the amount of water transported in one reciprocation when the pump transports water by a reciprocating motion, and transports in one rotation when the pump transports water by a rotational motion. Refers to the amount of water that will be used.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to transport water in an amount corresponding to the input by simple control of the number of operation units of the pump without the need to measure the amount of water actually transported in the pipe. Thereby, the amount of hot water required by the user can be boiled and discharged while simplifying the configuration of the water heater.

  The water heater according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, wherein “the temperature input unit to which the temperature is input and the temperature of the water heated by the heater, the temperature of the pipe heated by the heater, or the temperature of the heater are set. And a temperature detector for detecting the output of the heater and / or the pump based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the temperature input at the temperature input unit. To control the rate of water transport by ".

  As the “temperature detector”, for example, a thermistor or a thermocouple can be used.

  In order to boil hot water at a desired temperature, it is possible to theoretically or experimentally determine to what extent the output of the heater and the water transport speed should be set. Includes a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the water heated by the heater, or a temperature detector that can indirectly evaluate the temperature of the water heated by the heater. The temperature detected by the temperature detector is fed back to control the heater output or / and the water transport speed by the pump. Thereby, even if conditions, such as temperature and the temperature of the water accommodated in the water storage tank, differ, hot water of the desired temperature can be boiled more correctly.

  As described above, as an effect of the present invention, a water heater for boiling water for eating and drinking, which can boil hot water in a very short time, can be provided.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the water heater of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a use condition figure of the water heater of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a water heater 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The water heater 100 is a water heater for boiling water for eating and drinking, and is suitable for use on a table. The water tank 20 stores water, and communicates with the water tank 20 on one end side, while the other end discharges. A pipe 1 connected to the outlet 11, a pump 2 for transporting water from the water storage tank 20 to the discharge port 11 via the pipe 1, a heater 3 for heating the water transported in the pipe 1 by the pump 2, and a heater 3 and a control device 7 for controlling the water heating by the pump 3 and the water transport by the pump 2.

  In addition, the water heater 100 further includes a water amount input unit 15a to which the amount of water is input, the pump 2 is a metering pump in which the amount of water transported in one operation unit is constant, and the control device 7 is connected to the water amount input unit 15a. The number of operation units of the pump 2 is controlled based on the water amount input. Further, the water heater 100 further includes a temperature input unit 15b to which the temperature is input, and a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the pipe 1 heated by the heater 3, and the control device 7 detects by the temperature detector. The output of the heater 3 and / or the transport speed of water by the pump 2 is controlled based on the input temperature and the temperature input in the temperature input unit 15b.

  If it demonstrates in detail, the structure of the water heater 100 will be divided roughly into the main body part 10 which stored the pipe 1, the heater 3, and the control apparatus 7, and the water storage tank 20 which can be attached or detached with respect to the main body part 10. FIG. Here, the water storage tank 20 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that opens upward, includes a handle 22 for carrying around the edge of the opening 21, and a separate lid 23 that covers the opening 21. Yes.

  A through-hole (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the water storage tank 20 substantially at the center. The shaft portion 25 is inserted into the through hole, and an end portion of the shaft portion 25 on the inner side of the water storage tank 20 is a valve body that can close the through hole. Further, the end portion of the shaft portion 25 on the side protruding from the bottom portion of the water storage tank 20 is enlarged in diameter to become a flange portion 25f, and between the flange portion 25f and the bottom portion of the water storage tank 20, the shaft portion 25 A compression coil spring 27 is disposed on the outer periphery. Accordingly, when the water storage tank 20 is detached from the main body 10, the through-hole in the bottom of the water storage tank 20 is urged by the bias by the compression coil spring 27, the water pressure in the water storage tank 20, and the gravity acting on the shaft 25. Is blocked by a valve body.

  On the other hand, the main body portion 10 is provided with a base portion 13 on which the water storage tank 20 is placed. On the base portion 13, a convex portion 31 protrudes at a position facing the through hole when the water storage tank 20 is placed. With this configuration, when the water storage tank 20 is placed on the base portion 13, the shaft portion 25 is pushed up against the convex portion 31, and the valve body opens the through hole of the water storage tank 20. Then, water flows down from the water storage tank 20. On the other hand, in the base portion 13, a water receiving portion 32 that receives the water that has flowed down is formed on the periphery of the convex portion 31, and one end of the pipe 1 is formed in the water receiving portion 32. That is, in a state where the water storage tank 20 is placed on the base portion 13, one end of the pipe 1 communicates with the water storage tank 20 via the water receiving portion 32.

  The other end of the pipe 1 is connected to the discharge port 11 that protrudes downward on the upper side of the main body 10. The pipe 1 is connected to the discharge port 11 on the way from the water receiving unit 32 to the discharge port 11. It is bent into a fold shape and has a planar configuration in which a single bent pipe 1 is closely in parallel. In this portion, the flat heater 3 is in contact with the pipe 1. Note that a flexible belt-like or string-like heater 3 can be used as the heater 3 and can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the pipe 1.

  A thermistor (not shown) serving as a temperature detector is disposed on the pipe 1 in contact with the heater 3 so that the temperature of the pipe 1 can be detected.

  Further, on the upstream side of the heater 3, an electromagnetic pump as a pump 2 that transports a fixed amount of water in one reciprocation is connected to the pipe 1 by a reciprocating movement of the plunger.

  The main body unit 10 stores a microcomputer as the control device 7, and the top surface portion 12 of the main body unit 10 is provided with an operation input unit 15 that performs input to the control device 7 by button operation. The operation input unit 15 of the present embodiment is provided with a water amount input unit 15a that inputs a water amount, a temperature input unit 15b that inputs a temperature, and a start command input unit 15c that starts energization of the pump 2 and the heater 3. Each of them constitutes a switch for switching a control circuit in the control device 7 in accordance with an input by a button operation.

  Here, the input of the water amount may be an arbitrary value or may be selected and input from a plurality of set values, but is generally used when drinking tea or coffee. If the mode is selected from preset values within a range of 150 ml to 300 ml, which is a typical single dose, the configuration of the apparatus and the operation of the user are simple. In this embodiment, every time the operation button of the water amount input unit 15a is pressed, the set value is switched between three values of 150 ml, 230 ml, and 300 ml.

  In addition, the temperature may be input as an arbitrary value or selected from a plurality of set values, but a general temperature range for drinking tea, coffee, etc. If the configuration is selected from preset values within the range of 70 ° C. to 98 ° C., the configuration of the apparatus and the operation of the user are simple. In this embodiment, every time the operation button of the temperature input unit 15b is pressed, the set value is switched between three values of 70 ° C, 85 ° C, and 98 ° C.

  Then, according to the button operations of the water amount input unit 15 a and the temperature input unit 15 b, the water amount and temperature values set at that time are output from the control device 7 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 9. The liquid crystal display 9 can be viewed through a window 16 provided in the vicinity of the operation input unit 15 on the top surface 12 of the main body 10.

  The operation and usage method of the water heater 100 having the above configuration will be described below. First, prior to boiling hot water, water is stored in the water storage tank 20 and placed on the base portion 13 of the main body portion 10. As a result, as described above, the through-hole at the bottom of the water storage tank 20 is opened, the water storage tank 20 and the pipe 1 communicate with each other through the water receiving portion 32, and the water flowing down from the water storage tank 20 flows into the pipe 1. To do.

  When boiling water, first, a desired amount of water and temperature are set. At this time, each time the operation buttons of the water amount input unit 15a and the temperature input unit 15b are pressed, the water amount and temperature values displayed on the liquid crystal display 9 are switched, so that the buttons can be operated while viewing this display.

  When the input of the water amount and temperature is completed, the button of the start command input unit 15c is pushed. By this button operation, the control circuit in the control device 7 is switched, and the pump 2 and the heater 3 are energized. Thereby, transport of water by the pump 2 starts and the heater 3 generates heat.

  Here, the pump 2 of this embodiment is an electromagnetic pump as described above, and a fixed amount of water is sent for each reciprocation of the plunger. The reciprocation of the plunger is driven by ON / OFF of the current supplied to the coil by opening / closing the relay contact. The control device 7 controls the ON / OFF of the current supplied to the coil and counts the number of times.

  On the other hand, the heater 3 is a resistance heating type and includes an electric circuit in which a plurality of resistors are connected in parallel. The control device 7 is configured to apply a resistance to energize or a combination of energization resistances based on a temperature set by input. Select.

  The water transported by the pump 2 is heated through the pipe 1 at the portion where the heater 3 is disposed. At this time, the temperature of the portion of the pipe 1 heated by the heater 3 is detected by the temperature detector, and the temperature detection signal is sent to the control device 7. The control device 7 receives this temperature detection signal and compares it with a target temperature predetermined as the temperature of the pipe 1 in the case of the set temperature. If the detected temperature of the pipe is different from the target temperature, the temperature of the pipe 1 is increased or decreased by changing the output of the heater 3. This control can be performed by switching the energized resistance in the electric circuit of the heater or by switching the combination of energized resistance. Alternatively, it can be performed by changing the speed at which the pump 2 transports water by ON / OFF control of energization to the coil that drives the plunger of the pump 2. Alternatively, the temperature of the pipe 1 can be controlled by changing both the output of the heater 3 and the water transport speed by the pump 2.

  In the present embodiment, a thermostat 19 is attached to the downstream side of the pipe 1 where the heater 3 is disposed. When the heater 3 overheats and exceeds a predetermined temperature, The configuration is such that energization is stopped.

  By the control as described above, the water transported in the pipe 1 becomes hot water having a temperature substantially equal to the temperature set by the input, and is discharged from the discharge port 11 to which the end of the pipe 1 is connected. The control device 7 operates the pump 2 based on the ON / OFF count of energization to the coil of the pump 2 until the number of times of reciprocation of the plunger reaches the target number corresponding to the set amount of water. When it reaches, the pump 2 is stopped. As a result, the amount of hot water set by the input can be discharged from the discharge port 11.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 of the water heater 100 of the present embodiment has a shape in which a wide space is formed below the discharge port 11, and a cup or the like is located directly below the discharge port 11. A mounting table 14 for mounting a container for receiving hot water is provided. The mounting table 14 includes a mounting table base 41, a tray 42 that is detachable with respect to the mounting table base 41, and a tray lid 43 that is fitted into the tray 42 while leaving a space at the bottom of the tray 42. A large number of small through holes are formed in the portion 43. With such a configuration, if hot water discharged from the discharge port 11 is received in the container with the cup placed on the tray lid portion 43, the spilled hot water will be spilled even if the hot water is spilled. It accumulates in the tray 42 through the through hole. The tray 42 can be removed from the mounting table base 41 and cleaned.

  As described above, according to the water heater 100 of the present embodiment, the water contained in the water storage tank is not heated, but the water transported in the pipe 1 is heated. As the capacity is increased and the water to be heated is moved, the hot water can be boiled in a very short time. Actually, when 150 ml to 300 ml of water of about 1 cup is heated to 70 ° C. to 98 ° C., the required time is only about 5 seconds to 10 seconds.

  Moreover, since the amount of water and the temperature of hot water can be selected, it can respond | correspond widely to the use of a hot water, and a user's liking.

  In addition, since only a necessary amount of hot water can be boiled in a very short time when necessary, it is not necessary to keep hot water that may not be used, and it is also economical.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, the operation input unit 15 can be provided with an operation button for switching setting / release of the child lock function. In addition, the operation input unit 15 is provided with an operation button for switching between a mode in which water is continuously discharged from the discharge port 11 and a mode in which water is intermittently discharged. The transport can be configured to be switched by the control device 7 between continuous transport and intermittent transport.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pipe 2 Pump 3 Heater 7 Control apparatus 11 Discharge port 15a Water quantity input part 15b Temperature input part 20 Water storage tank 100 Water heater

Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-28611 Japanese Patent No. 4054409 Japanese Patent Publication No. 06-085737

Claims (3)

A water heater for boiling hot water for eating and drinking,
A water storage tank for containing water;
A pipe that communicates with the water storage tank at one end and the other end connected to the discharge port;
A pump for transporting water from the water storage tank to the discharge port via the pipe;
A heater for heating water transported in the pipe by the pump;
A water heater comprising: a controller that controls heating of the water by the heater and transport of water by the pump. A water amount input unit for inputting the amount of water is further provided,
The pump is a metering pump with a constant amount of water transported in one operation unit,
The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the number of operating units of the pump based on an input of a water amount in the water amount input unit. A temperature input section for inputting the temperature;
A temperature detector that detects the temperature of water heated by the heater, the temperature of the pipe heated by the heater, or the temperature of the heater;
The control device controls the output of the heater and / or the water transport speed by the pump based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector and the temperature input at the temperature input unit. The water heater according to claim 1 or 2.

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