JP2012254202A - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric kettle combining safety of preventing leakage of hot water when the electric kettle is turned over and easiness of light weight and low price.SOLUTION: The electric kettle includes: a body portion 1 for storing liquid therein and removably mounted to a power source seat 4; a heater 12 disposed at the bottom of the body portion 1 and heating the liquid in the body portion 1; a lid body 3 for openably closing an opening of the body portion 1; and a handle 2 fixed on an outer shell of the body portion 1. The lid body 3 includes a water stop function against turning over, and a casing 10 constituting the outer shell of the body portion 1 also serves as a water storage container for storing the liquid.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric kettle that can boil hot water in a main body part that is detachably mounted on a power supply stand, and more particularly to an electric kettle that has a configuration that prevents hot water from spilling during a fall.

  In recent years, in order to meet the needs of users who want to quickly boil a small amount of hot water when they want to use it, electric kettles equipped with a main body that is detachably mounted on a power supply stand have been widely used.

  Such an electric kettle has a relatively small capacity of about 0.15 liters to 1.2 liters, and when water is put into a water storage part in the main body part and placed on the power source base, When the heater is energized, boiling water can be boiled in a short time of about 1 to 3 minutes.

  The electric kettle does not have a heat retaining function like an electric kettle. Moreover, when hot water is boiled, only the main body portion is lifted from the power supply stand, and the main body portion is tilted so as to pour hot water with a conventional kettle, and hot water in the main body portion can be poured from the spout portion into a coffee cup or the like.

  There are two main types of electric kettles currently on the market.

  In the first form, the electric kettle that can easily boil hot water is realized as it is, and the main body having a water storage part is formed of a single layer structure made of resin or glass. This is a simple form in which a heater as a heat source is provided below the water storage portion. In the electric kettle of this form, a plate-like member is also used for the lid that covers the water storage part of the main body part, and it has an extremely simple configuration that can be opened and closed by a lever and can be filled with water. In addition, a low-cost electric kettle can be realized.

  On the other hand, the second form of the electric kettle takes safety into consideration with emphasis on handling hot water in which the electric kettle boils. In the electric kettle of the second form, the hot water switch that allows hot water to be poured only when necessary into the lid that covers the opening of the main body, or the electric kettle main body is accidentally overturned. It is equipped with a mechanism that prevents hot water from spilling even if it is not. In addition, to prevent hot water from spilling out from the gap between the main body and the lid, the space between the main body and the main body is sealed when the lid is fixed, and the main body is also made of a metal or resin outer shell. It has a double structure with a water storage container made of metal such as stainless steel.

  As an example of an electric kettle equipped with a lid with such a safety-enhanced structure, there has been proposed one in which there is little unfilled hot water and the volume ratio of the main body is increased (see Patent Document 1). .

JP 2009-172109 A

  After boiling the hot water with the main unit placed on the power base as described above, lift the electric kettle, bring the spout closer to the coffee cup or the like where you want to pour hot water, and tilt the main body. Hot water will be poured. Since it is such a usage method, the bottom surface of the main body of the electric kettle has a structure that can be directly placed on a table such as a table, and the user places the electric kettle near the place of use. In many cases, there is a risk that the main body of the electric kettle may be overturned by hitting the body or sliding your hand, so that even if the main body falls, the hot water inside will not spill It is extremely important to do.

  On the other hand, the basic need for an electric kettle is that water can be boiled quickly and easily, and the lightness of the main unit and the ability to obtain an electric kettle at a low cost make it easy for an electric kettle. There is a strong need to pursue

  However, conventional electric kettles are not compatible with both safety and ease.

  The present invention solves such problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to obtain an electric kettle that has both safety that can prevent a spilled water during a fall, and lightness and low cost. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electric kettle according to the present invention can store a liquid therein, and a main body portion that is detachably mounted on a power supply stand, and an inner portion of the main body portion that is disposed at the bottom of the main body portion. A heater that heats the liquid, a lid that seals the opening of the main body so as to be openable and closable, and a handle that is fixed to the outer shell of the main body, and the lid has a water-stop function when it falls. And the housing | casing which comprises the outer shell of the said main-body part serves as the water storage container which stores the said liquid.

  In the electric kettle of the present invention, the lid that detachably seals the opening of the main body has a water stop function at the time of falling, and the casing constituting the outer shell of the main body stores water inside the main body. It also serves as a water storage container. For this reason, the main body has a simple configuration, while being a safe design that prevents hot water inside the main body from spilling during a fall, and the electric pot can be reduced in weight and cost.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the electric kettle concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the section lineblock diagram seen from the side showing the example of composition inside the main part of the electric kettle concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the section lineblock diagram seen from the back side showing the example of composition inside the main part of the electric kettle concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a section lineblock diagram showing composition of a cover member arranged inside a main part of an electric kettle concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is the cross-sectional block diagram seen from the side surface which shows the structural example inside the main-body part of the electric kettle concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the cross-sectional block diagram seen from the back side which shows the structural example inside the main-body part of the electric kettle concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  The electric kettle of the present invention can store liquid inside, and a main body part that is detachably mounted on a power base, and a heater that heats the liquid in the main body part arranged at the bottom of the main body part, A lid that seals the opening of the main body so that it can be opened and closed, and a handle secured to the outer shell of the main body. A casing constituting the shell also serves as a water storage container for storing the liquid.

  The electric kettle according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, so that even when the user accidentally defeats the electric kettle, the lid body has a water stop function at the time of falling, and thus can prevent water spillage. . In addition, since the casing that forms the outer shell of the main body also serves as a water storage container for storing liquid, the configuration of the main body can be simplified, the weight of the main body is reduced, and the cost of the electric kettle is reduced. Is possible. For this reason, it is possible to realize a lightweight and low-cost electric kettle in consideration of safety.

  In the electric kettle according to the present invention, the casing includes a folded portion that is folded inward at an end portion on the opening side, and the folded portion and an outer shell portion that constitutes an outer shell of the main body portion. It is preferable that the lid is disposed inside the double structure portion to be configured, and a locking portion for fixing the lid body to the double structure portion is formed. By doing in this way, the cover body provided with the water stop function at the time of falling can be fixed to the housing that serves as the outer shell part of the main body part and the water storage container.

  Further, it is preferable that an annular cover member is disposed on the inner surface of the housing, and an upper portion of the cover member is fitted into a gap between the folded portion and the outer shell portion of the double structure portion. By doing in this way, the rigidity of a case can be raised effectively.

  In this case, it is preferable that the inner surface of the intermediate part in the vertical direction of the cover member forms an inclined surface in which the upper diameter is smaller than the lower diameter. By doing in this way, hot water can be effectively eliminated while securing watertight adhesion between the main body and the lid.

  Further, the lower end portion of the folded portion of the housing is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the bottom portion, and the inner surface on the bottom side of the double structure portion constitutes a water storage container for storing the liquid. Preferably it is. By doing in this way, since the double structure part of a housing | casing can be used as a water storage container and the heat insulation of a housing | casing increases, it avoids that the temperature of the liquid in a water storage container is directly transmitted to an outer shell part. In addition, the heat retaining property of the housing can be improved.

  In this case, an inner diameter in the vicinity of the opening of the double structure portion is formed larger than an inner diameter on the bottom side of the double structure portion, and the vicinity of the opening and the bottom side of the double structure portion It is preferable that the peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the lid body is in watertight contact with the upper surface of the annular step portion formed at the boundary. By doing in this way, a cover body can be watertightly fixed to the housing | casing of the double structure which serves as the outer shell part of a main-body part, and a water storage container.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the electric kettle according to the present invention, two configuration examples having different main body configurations will be described as the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, with reference to the drawings. In addition, in this specification, the concept of the up-down direction used when demonstrating each structural member of an electric kettle shall be based on the up-down direction in the state which mounted the electric kettle main-body part on the power supply stand. Moreover, in description of the liquid stored in an electric kettle, the case where hot water is boiled from water based on the most general usage method of an electric kettle is illustrated and demonstrated.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an electric kettle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  The electric kettle according to the present embodiment includes a main body 1, a handle 2 provided on an outer shell of the main body 1, and a lid 3 that closes an upper opening of the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. 1 is detachably mounted on the power base 4.

  The electric kettle of the present embodiment includes a spout portion 5 formed so as to protrude in a direction opposite to the direction in which the handle 2 is formed on the upper side surface of the main body 1 close to the opening, The liquid stored in the main body 1 such as hot water in which the water is boiled can be poured into a coffee cup or the like by tilting the main body 1. In this specification, in consideration of the situation when the electric kettle is used, the side on which the handle is provided is the back side, and the side on which the spout portion 5 on the opposite side is provided is the front side. The side on which the mouth 5 and the handle 2 are viewed simultaneously in the left-right direction will be referred to as the side surface side.

  The electric kettle according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the lid 3 is inserted from above the main body 1 to seal the opening of the main body 1. The detachable lever 6 for releasing the spring mechanism for fixing the lid 3 and the passage from the inside of the main body 1 to the spout 5 are opened when pouring hot water stored in the main body 1. A hot water supply switch 7 and a steam discharge port 8 for discharging steam inside the main body 1 are formed.

  The handle 2 is provided with a power switch 9 for starting energization of the heater, which can heat and boil a liquid such as water stored in the body 1. The power switch 9 has a function of detecting that hot water in the main body 1 has boiled and automatically stopping energization of the heater to prevent emptying.

  2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the internal configuration of the main body of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment whose external configuration is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram when the electric kettle is viewed from the side surface side, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram when the electric kettle is viewed from the back side that is the handle 2 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in the main body 1 of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment, a resin-made integrally molded housing 10 constitutes an outer shell portion 10 a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a spout 5 is formed in the vicinity of the opening on the front side of the electric kettle of the casing 10, and the side opposite to the side on which the spout 5 is formed. An upper end 2a of the handle 2 for holding the electric kettle is fixed in the vicinity of the opening of the housing 10 on the back side.

  In FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional configuration diagram viewed from the back side to which the handle 2 is fixed, the housing 10 has an end portion 10 b on the opening side so that it appears as a side surface in the left-right direction in the drawing. Is folded back to form a folded portion 10c. The portion of the housing 10 where the folded portion 10c is formed is a double structure portion 10d in which the outer shell portion 10a and the folded portion 10c of the housing 10 are located double.

  A flange portion 10e that protrudes toward the center of the housing 10 is formed at the tip of the folded portion 10c corresponding to the lower end portion of the double structure portion 10d. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 10e is formed on the entire inner periphery of the housing 10 including the front side portion where the spout portion 5 is formed and the back side portion where the handle 2 is fixed. It is formed in an annular shape over the circumference. When the lid body 3 is fixed inside the double structure portion 10d of the housing 10, the peripheral portion of the bottom surface 3a of the lid body 3 abuts on the upper surface of the flange portion 10e. In order to prevent hot water from spilling between the casing 10 and the lid 3 constituting the main body 1 even if it is accidentally turned over, the abutting portion is watertight using the packing material 3b. It is configured.

  2 and 3, a bottom unit 11 is fitted inside the cylindrical housing 10 at the bottom of the main body 1 which is the lower side in the drawing. The bottom unit 11 incorporates a heater 12 for warming water stored in the main body 1 and a power plug 23 for supplying current to the heater 12.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the outer shell portion 10 a located between the flange portion 10 e of the housing 10 and the upper surface 11 a of the bottom unit 11 fitted in the housing 10 is the housing 10 of the main body 1. And also serves as a water storage container for storing liquid. That is, a portion surrounded by the outer shell portion 10a between the flange portion 10e and the upper surface 11a of the bottom unit 11 is a water storage space 13, and the liquid is formed so as to directly touch the inner surface 10f of the outer shell portion 10a. Is stored.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 3 has a pouring path that is a passage through which liquid stored in the housing 10 is poured into the spout portion 5 disposed in the vicinity of the opening at the top of the housing 10. 14 is provided, and an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking between the water storage space 13 inside the housing 10 and the extraction passage 14 is provided.

  The opening / closing mechanism is composed of a hot water switch 7 whose upper surface is exposed on the upper surface of the lid 3 and a hot water valve 15 disposed below the hot water switch 7, and the hot water switch 7 is not depressed. Then, the hot water supply valve 15 is pressed against the hot water supply switch 7 to cut off the space between the water storage space 13 and the pouring path 14, and when the hot water supply switch 7 is pushed down, the hot water supply switch 7 is locked and can be kept in that state. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water switch 7 has a substantially “T” -shaped cross section. The hot water switch 7 has an extension portion 7 a below the hot water switch 7 corresponding to the leg portion of the T shape, and also has a substantially “T” shape. The protrusions 15a corresponding to the leg portions of the hot water supply valve 15 that are arranged upside down are arranged so that the tips thereof are in contact with each other. For this reason, when the hot water supply switch 7 is locked in the pushed state, the hot water supply valve 15 is also pushed down, and the disc-like valve portion 15b of the hot water supply valve 15 is pushed down to the water storage space 13 side. The outlet 14 is connected as a space so that hot water can be poured from the spout portion 5.

  The electric kettle of the present embodiment is provided with the hot water switch 7 provided on the lid 3 when the lid 3 is provided with the opening / closing mechanism described above, and the opening of the main body 1 is sealed by the lid 3. Only when pushed down, the hot water stored in the water storage space 13 can be poured out. Therefore, even if the main body 1 falls down when the heater 12 is energized and the hot water is boiled, when the main body 1 falls down when not pouring, the liquid stored in the water storage space 13 such as hot water passes through the pouring passage 14. Can be prevented from flowing out.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 3 is provided with a lid steam passage 16 that allows steam to escape to the outside. The steam in the water storage space 13 inside the main body 1 is discharged from a steam discharge port 8 formed on the upper surface of the lid 3 through a lid steam passage 16 provided in the lid 3. The lid steam passage 16 is always connected to the water storage space 13 when the main body 1 is correctly placed substantially vertically, and after the water switch is turned off, the power switch is turned off and the heating by the heater 12 is finished. In addition, the steam generated in the water storage space 13 is discharged to the outside from the steam discharge port 8 of the lid 3 to prevent the pressure in the main body 1 from increasing.

  In the lid 3 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a water stop valve 17 is provided between the lid steam passage 16 and the water storage space 13 at the time of falling. When the main body portion 1 falls, the water stop valve 17 at the time of falling moves to a position where the lid vapor passage 16 is closed. Therefore, even if the main body portion 1 falls down, the liquid in the water storage space 13 remains in the lid vapor passage 16. Outflow from the vapor discharge port 8 can be prevented.

  As described above, the lid 3 of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment is firmly fixed with the main body 1 while maintaining watertightness, and is connected to the spout 5 as a water-stopping mechanism at the time of falling. An open / close mechanism that spatially connects 14 and the water storage space 13 only when necessary, and shuts off the spatial connection between the lid steam passage 16 and the water storage space 13 when the main body 1 falls over. And a water stop valve 17 at the time of overturning for preventing the outflow of hot water from the steam discharge port 8. For this reason, the main body of the electric kettle that is used by being lifted from the power supply 4 and pouring hot water inside it or being carried to a place where hot water is used, such as on a table, is not accidentally overturned. Even in the event of stagnation, the design is designed with safety in mind to prevent spilling of hot water inside.

  The lid 3 of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment is arranged at the portion between the hot water supply switch 7 and the steam discharge port 8 in conjunction with the detachable lever 6 shown in FIG. A pressing spring 18 that presses the engagement piece 6a for adhering to the vicinity is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, a locking portion 26 that engages with an engagement piece 6 a that interlocks with the detachable lever 6 is formed on the folded portion 10 c that is located inside the double structure portion 10 d of the housing 10. Thus, the engaging piece 6 a and the engaging portion 26 are engaged by the pressing force of the pressing spring 18, and the lid 3 can be fixed so as to seal the opening of the main body 1.

  The side surface 25 of the lid 3 is formed of relatively soft polypropylene (PP) so that it can be easily inserted into the double structure portion 10d formed of the outer shell portion 10a and the folded portion 10c of the housing 10. Yes. Further, in order to more reliably prevent hot water spilling from between the inner surface of the double structure portion 10d of the housing 10 and the side surface of the lid 3, as shown in FIGS. A plurality of annular protrusions 27 may be formed so as to surround the side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, energization of the heater 12 is controlled in conjunction with the power switch 9 below the power switch 9 provided at the upper end 2 a of the handle 2 connected to the housing 10. A contact portion is arranged. Further, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, for example, a temperature is used so that the steam from the water storage space 13 is guided to the space 19 in the handle 2 and the hot water in the water storage space 13 can be detected by the steam temperature. Is provided with a boiling detector 20 composed of a bimetal switch whose shape changes.

  The power supply stand 4 on which the main body 1 is placed has a stationary surface 22 having a shape corresponding to the lower surface 21 of the bottom of the main body 1. When the lower surface 21 of the main body 1 is placed on the stationary surface 22, the power plug 23 of the main body 1 is engaged with the power socket 24 of the power base 4. As described above, the main body 1 is placed on the power supply 4, so that the power supplied to the power supply 4 via a power cable (not shown) that is plugged into the commercial power supply is arranged at the lower part of the main body 1. The heater 12 can be supplied.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a resin cover member 31 is disposed on the upper portion of the water storage space 13 formed inside the housing 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 31 has an annular shape as a whole, and is formed so as to protrude toward the inside of the cover member 31 and an upper portion 32 having a folded portion 37 folded inwardly at the upper end surface 36. The intermediate portion 33 having the projected portion 39 and the lower portion 34 that is the portion having the largest inner diameter in the cover member 31 are mainly formed from three portions. Further, the outer diameter of the cover member 31 is arranged so that the outer surface of the outer shell 35 of the cover member 31 can be in close contact with the inner surface of the casing 10 where the cover member 31 is arranged. The size is the same as the inner diameter of the partial housing 10.

  The upper portion 32 of the cover member 31 has a folded portion 37 that is folded at the upper end portion 36 toward the inside of the cover member 31, and has a double structure of the outer shell 35 and the folded portion 37 of the cover member 31. Yes. As shown in FIG. 3, in this configuration example, the upper portion 32 of the cover member 31 has a gap between the outer shell portion 10 a and the folded portion 10 c in the double structure portion 10 d on the casing 10 of the electric kettle main body 1. Press-fit into At this time, a plurality of annular protrusions 38 are formed on the inner surface of the folded portion 37 above the cover member 31 so that the cover member 31 is firmly fixed to the double structure portion 10d of the housing 10.

  A projecting portion 39 that projects obliquely upward from the inner surface of the outer shell 35 of the cover member 31 toward the inside is formed in the intermediate portion 33 of the cover member 31. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the upper portion 32 of the cover member 31 is press-fitted into the gap of the double structure portion 10 d at the upper portion of the housing 10 and the cover member 31 is fixed in the housing 10, the protruding portion 39. The top surface 40 of the front end portion of the front end portion is in contact with the lower surface of the annular flange 10e protruding inside the housing 10. At this time, the inner end 41 of the top surface 40 at the tip of the protrusion 39 is located at the same position as the inner end of the flange 10e. Thus, by making the tip of the protrusion 39 correspond to the shape of the flange part 10e of the housing 10, the upper surface of the inner surface of the protrusion 39 disposed at the upper end of the water storage space 13 is smaller than the lower diameter. Can be prevented from being blocked by the flange 10e protruding to the inside of the housing 10 when the main body 1 is tilted and hot water is poured from the spout portion 5. Hot water in 1 can be eliminated.

  Since the thickness of the lower portion 34 of the cover member 31 is the same as the thickness of the outer shell 35 of the cover member 31, the lower portion 34 is a portion having the largest inner diameter in the cover member 31. Note that, in the cover member 31 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the lower end portion of the cover member 31 is an inclined surface 42 that spreads outward toward the lower end side, and the thickness of the outer shell 35 of the cover member 31 is the same. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of hot water due to the level difference.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a plate-like support plate 43 is provided between the cover member 31 and the upper surface 11 a of the bottom unit 11 inserted in the main body 1 in the circumferential direction. In total, four sheets are arranged at intervals of 90 degrees. The support plate 43 has its upper end in contact with the inner surface, which is the inclined surface 39 a of the protrusion 39 of the cover member 31, and its lower end in contact with the upper surface 11 a of the bottom unit 11, thereby inserting the bottom unit 11 into the housing 10. When the cover member 31 is fixed, the cover member 31 is pressed against the double structure portion 10d side of the upper portion of the housing 10 to fix the cover member 31 more firmly.

  As described above, in the electric kettle whose configuration is shown as the first embodiment, the cover member 31 is arranged on the upper portion of the water storage space 13 formed by the casing 10 of the main body 1, except for the vicinity of the opening. While increasing the strength of the housing 10 having a single structure, it is possible to effectively avoid the occurrence of hot water on the lower surface of the flange 10e formed on the housing 10. In particular, in the present configuration example, the cover member 31 is supported by the upper surface 10a of the bottom unit 10 fitted in the lower portion of the housing 10 by the support plate 43, and thus is limited to the portion where the cover member 31 is disposed. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire housing 10 can be further increased.

  In addition, in the electric kettle of the present invention, it is not an essential requirement to dispose the annular cover member 31 on the upper part of the water storage space 13 in the housing 10, and when the rigidity of the entire housing 10 can be secured alone, A configuration in which the cover member 31 is not used is conceivable when the influence of the hot water caused by the inner shape of the housing 10 is so small that it can be almost ignored.

  Further, even when the cover member 31 is used to increase the rigidity of the housing 10, the influence of hot water in the housing does not matter due to the shape of the cover member 31 or the shape of the inner surface side of the housing 10. In this case, it is not necessary to form a protrusion 39 such as the cover member 31 described in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4 on the inner surface of the intermediate portion 33 to form an inclined surface for preventing hot water. Cases are also possible.

  2 and 3, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which the cover member 31 is supported by four support plates 43 arranged at intervals of 90 degrees from each other. However, the number of support plates 43 and the position of the support plates 43 are not limited to this, and three support plates or five or more support plates can be used, and the arrangement intervals are not necessarily equal. Furthermore, for example, when the cover member 31 is formed by double molding (additional molding), or when the cover member 31 is welded in the housing 10, the upper portion 32 of the cover member is the double structure portion 10 d of the housing 10. The case where the support plate 43 itself does not have to be used is also conceivable, for example, when it can be securely fixed by press-fitting into the gap between the outer shell portion 10a and the folded portion 10c.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the collar part 10e which protrudes toward the inner side of the housing | casing 10 is provided in the lower end part of the folding | returning part 10c of the housing | casing 10, and the structure which the peripheral part of the bottom face 3a of the cover body 3 contact | abuts was illustrated. . However, in order to ensure that the main body 1 and the lid 3 are fixed in a watertight manner, as a place where the peripheral portion of the bottom surface 3a of the lid 3 provided on the housing 10 side comes into contact, for example, FIG. Various forms are conceivable, such as using the upper surface 40 of the tip of the protruding portion 39 of the cover member 31 shown in FIG. In addition, when forming a place where the peripheral portion of the bottom surface 3a of the lid 3 abuts on the cover member, the inner surface of the housing 10 can be formed in a simpler shape, so that the housing 10 can be designed and manufactured. In this case, it is advantageous, however, that the main body portion has fallen over if the cover member 31 is securely fixed to a predetermined position on the inner surface of the housing 10 by using the support plate 43 described in the above embodiment. This is important as a configuration for preventing spilling of water.

  As described above, in the configuration example of the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the folded portion 10c on the upper portion of the casing 10 of the main body 1 constitutes the outer shell portion 10a and the double structure portion 10d, so The lid body 3 having a water function can be fixed to the housing 10 in a watertight manner, and hot water spillage during a fall can be reliably prevented. At the same time, since the housing 10 itself can also serve as a water storage section, it is possible to realize an electric kettle with a simple structure that is light in weight and low in cost while considering safety.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, another configuration example of the internal configuration of the electric kettle according to the present invention will be described as a second embodiment.

  The configuration example of the electric kettle described as the second embodiment is different from the electric kettle of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the main body, and the electric kettle has a main body, a handle, a lid, and a power source. The overall configuration of the external appearance that is configured from a stand is the same as the external configuration of the electric kettle according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  For this reason, description of an external appearance structure is abbreviate | omitted in description of the structural example of the electric kettle of this embodiment. Further, since the basic configuration contents of the handle, the lid, and the power supply base other than the main body can be the same as the electric kettle of the first embodiment, a known specific configuration can be used. The same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 are used and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of the electric kettle according to the second embodiment when viewed from the side, and corresponds to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional configuration view of the electric kettle according to the second embodiment when viewed from the back side, which is the handle side, and corresponds to FIG. 3 in the description of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the main body portion 51 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment, an integrally molded resin casing 52 constitutes an outer shell portion 52 a. The casing 52 is folded inward at an upper end portion 52b on the opening side where the lid 3 is disposed, and a folded portion 52c is formed. The folded portion 52 c of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment is formed so that the tip thereof is positioned in the vicinity of the bottom unit 53 at the bottom of the housing 52. Accordingly, the outer shell 52a and the folded-back portion 52c are doubled with the gap 52e therebetween, over substantially the entire height of the main body 51 excluding the vicinity of the bottom of the main body 51 where the bottom unit 53 is disposed. The structure part 52d is configured. As described above, the configuration example of the main body 51 shown as the second embodiment is such that the folded portion 52c is formed in the vicinity of the bottom of the main body 51 only in the portion where the lid 3 is inserted. It differs from the structure of the housing | casing 10 of 1st Embodiment which formed the heavy structure part 10d.

  Further, the folded portion 52c of the casing 52 constituting the main body 51 of the present embodiment is formed with an annular stepped portion 52f at the lower end of the portion into which the lid 3 is inserted. The inner diameter of the double structure portion 52d is formed such that the inner diameter closer to the opening than the stepped portion 52f is larger than the inner diameter on the bottom side. When the lid 3 is fixed to the opening 52 side of the step 52 f of the housing 52, the upper surface of the step 52 f formed over the entire circumference of the housing 52 is The opening of the main body 51 can be sealed by the lid 3 by contacting the peripheral portion of the bottom surface 3a via the packing material 3b. For this reason, even in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, even when the main body 51 is accidentally turned over, it is possible to prevent hot water from spilling between the casing 52 and the lid 3 constituting the main body 51. it can.

  The folding portion 52c in the vicinity of the opening of the casing 52 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment is formed with a locking portion 26 that engages with an engagement piece 6a that interlocks with the detachable lever 6 of the lid 3. The engaging piece 6 a and the engaging portion 26 are engaged by the pressing force of the pressing spring 18, and the lid 3 can be fixed so as to seal the opening of the main body 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, also in the main body 51 of the present embodiment, a spout 53 is formed in the vicinity of the opening on the side of the casing 52 located on the front side of the electric kettle. The lid 3 includes an opening / closing mechanism that is linked to the hot water supply switch 7 so that the liquid stored in the housing 52 can be poured out into the spout 53 only when necessary. In addition, the lid 3 is provided with a steam discharge port 8 for escaping steam to the outside. However, by providing the water stop valve 17 at the time of the fall, the main body 51 can be prevented from spilling when it falls. It has become. Thus, also in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the lid 3 is fixed to the main body 51 while maintaining watertightness, and includes a water-stopping mechanism at the time of falling, and the main body 51 of the electric kettle. Even if it falls down accidentally, it has been designed with safety in mind to prevent spilling of hot water inside.

  A bottom unit 53 is disposed further on the bottom side than the end on the bottom side of the folded portion 52c of the casing 52. The bottom unit 53 includes an evaporating dish 56 that is watertightly fixed to the tip of the folded part 52 c of the housing 52 d via an annular packing material 55, and a base part 57 that is fixed to the evaporating dish 56. A heater 58 that warms the liquid in the main body 51 is built in the evaporating dish 56. The base 57 is provided with a power plug 59 that fits into the power socket 24 of the power base 4 when the main body 51 is placed on the power base 4. The electric power supplied to the power supply stand 4 via a power cable (not shown) that is inserted into the commercial power supply can be supplied to the heater 58, and hot water can be boiled in the main body 51.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, thick bosses 52h are provided at four locations in order to improve the strength of the bottom portion of the casing 52 to which the bottom unit 53 is screwed. Needless to say, the boss 52h may be provided as needed.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the folded portion 52c of the housing 52 is located between the stepped portion 52f of the housing 52 and the upper surface 56a of the evaporating dish 56 of the bottom unit 53 disposed at the bottom of the housing 52. The inner surface 52g also serves as a water storage container for storing liquid. That is, a portion surrounded by the folded portion 52 c between the stepped portion 52 f and the upper surface 56 a of the evaporating dish 56 of the bottom unit 53 is the water storage space 60.

  Thus, also in the electric kettle of this embodiment, since a part of the housing 52 constituting the outer shell of the main body 51 also serves as a water storage container, the main body 51 can be configured with a simple configuration, This can be achieved by reducing the weight and cost of the kettle.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the portion of the casing 52 that forms the side surface of the water storage container is a double structure portion 52d, so that the heat insulation is enhanced and the temperature of the liquid in the water storage space 60 is directly It becomes difficult to be transmitted to the outer shell portion 52a of the body 52. For this reason, even if the user touches the outer shell portion 52a which is the surface of the main body 1 when hot water is stored in the water storage space 60, the risk of feeling heat can be reduced. At the same time, since the water storage space 60 is formed in the double structure portion 52d, it is possible to obtain an effect that the heat retaining property is enhanced and the boiled hot water is not easily cooled.

  As described above, as an embodiment of the present invention, a specific configuration of a casing that can fix a lid body having a water-stop function at the time of falling tightly and that constitutes an outer shell of the main body and also serves as a water storage container An example was explained. In the electric kettle of the present invention, the outer shell of the main body is configured with the above-described casing, so that the conventional resin or metal casing is provided with a stainless steel water storage container in comparison with the dual-structure main body. Thus, it is possible to realize an electric kettle in consideration of safety that can prevent hot water spillage with a simple configuration.

  In the description of the present invention, the configuration of the lid is merely an example, and various lids equipped with a water stop mechanism at the time of falling so that the hot water inside does not spill out when the main body portion falls down, It can employ | adopt as a cover body of the electric kettle of this invention.

  Further, in the above two embodiments, the case constituting the outer shell of the main body portion has been described by using an integrally molded resin member. However, the main body portion that can be used for the electric kettle of the present invention has been described. The housing is not limited to an integrally molded resin, and the housing can be composed of a plurality of resin members, and a metal or glass housing can also be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described two embodiments, the portion where the lid is arranged on the inner surface located on the opening side of the housing is described as an example that constitutes a double structure portion that is folded at the tip portion. However, in the electric kettle of the present invention, it is not essential to use what constitutes the double structure portion as the casing constituting the outer shell of the main body portion. For example, a part of the opening side is thick, an engagement part for fixing the lid to the thick part is formed, and a surface that contacts the peripheral part of the bottom of the lid For example, various types of housings that have a structure that allows the lid to be fixed in a watertight and detachable manner between the housing and the like, such as a collar that is annularly arranged on the inner surface of the housing. Can be used as the outer shell of the part.

  The electric kettle of the present invention is useful as a lightweight and low-cost electric kettle having safety capable of preventing spilled water during a fall and a simple configuration of the main body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main-body part 2 Handle 3 Cover body 4 Power supply stand 10 Case 12 Heater

Claims (6)

A main body that can store liquid inside and is detachably mounted on a power supply stand,
A heater that heats the liquid in the main body disposed at the bottom of the main body;
A lid for closing the opening of the main body so as to be opened and closed;
A handle fixed to the outer shell of the main body,
An electric kettle characterized in that the lid body has a water stop function at the time of falling, and a casing constituting an outer shell of the main body portion also serves as a water storage container for storing the liquid.   The housing includes a folded portion that is folded inward at an end portion on the opening side, and an inner side of a double structure portion that includes the folded portion and an outer shell portion that constitutes an outer shell of the main body portion. 2. The electric kettle according to claim 1, wherein the lid is disposed and a locking portion for fixing the lid to the double structure portion is formed.   The ring-shaped cover member is arrange | positioned at the inner surface of the said housing | casing, The upper part of the said cover member is inserted by the clearance gap between the said folding | turning part and the said outer shell part of the said double structure part. Electric kettle.   The electric kettle according to claim 3, wherein an inner surface of an intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the cover member forms an inclined surface in which an upper diameter is smaller than a lower diameter.   The lower end portion of the folded portion of the casing is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the bottom portion, and the inner surface on the bottom side of the double structure portion constitutes a water storage container for storing the liquid. Item 3. The electric kettle according to Item 2.   An inner diameter of the double structure portion near the opening is formed larger than an inner diameter of the double structure portion on the bottom side, and is formed at the boundary between the opening portion of the double structure portion and the bottom side. The electric kettle according to claim 5, wherein a peripheral portion of the bottom surface of the lid body is in watertight contact with an upper surface of the annular stepped portion.

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