JP2013039304A - Electric pot - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric pot which has a function for properly depressuring boiling water, and has an excellent heat retention property.SOLUTION: The electric pot includes: a container body equipped with an inner container for storing liquid, and a heater for heating the container; a lid body for covering the opening of the upper side of the container body; and a steam passage which is arranged between a steam inlet communicated with the inside of the inner container, and the steam exit communicated with the outside of the container body, and has a depressuring function. The steam passage causes a lid side passage communicated with the inside of the inner container and a container body side passage communicated with the outside to communicate each other when the lid is closed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric pot, and more particularly to a structure of an electric pot provided with a pressure releasing passage having high heat retention.

  An electric pot generally comprises an inner container for containing a liquid (water), a container body provided with a heating means for heating the liquid (water) in the inner container, and a lid for covering the opening of the upper part of the container body. In addition, the upper surface (upper plate portion) of the lid is provided with a steam outlet for discharging steam to the outside (indoor space) at the time of heating and boiling.

  The steam discharge port introduces the steam in the inner container from the steam inlet part on the inner surface side (the inner container opening side) of the lid, and is extremely short in the lid thickness direction via the overturn stop valve. The steam is discharged as steam from the steam outlet of the slit structure formed on the upper surface side of the lid body through the paddle steam discharge passage toward the upper part of the indoor space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Therefore, the steam discharge passage functions as a pressure release passage for releasing the pressure in the inner container at the time of heating and boiling, thereby reducing the pressure in the inner container at the time of heating and boiling. ) Boils safely and smoothly.

  In addition, in the case of the conventional example described in Patent Document 1, in addition to the steam discharge passage, a water reservoir for storing water in the inner container is formed according to the falling direction of the container body, and the valve of the tipping stop water valve A bypass ventilation path is formed that bypasses the valve port of the chamber and allows the internal pressure in the container body to escape to the water reservoir of the steam passage.

JP-A-5-95835

  As described above, in an electric pot, a pressure relief passage for escaping pressure due to an increase in internal pressure in the inner container during boiling is indispensable. In general, the same pressure release passage is also used as a steam discharge passage during boiling as described above.

  However, the passage is always open to the outside.

  Therefore, there is a problem that heat in the inner container at the time of heat insulation is radiated to the outside through the same passage, and the heat insulation performance is lowered and the energy saving performance is impaired.

  This problem becomes more prominent in the case of a passage structure in which the distance from the steam inlet side to the steam outlet side of the steam discharge passage (pressure release passage) is short and the degree of bypass is small.

  Further, when the bypass passage is formed radially around the original steam discharge passage as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, since the heat is more easily dissipated, the above-described problem becomes remarkable.

  Here, when the heat dissipation mechanism in the steam discharge passage is analyzed and analyzed, the high temperature air rises from the inlet side to the outlet side through the steam discharge passage and is released to the outside through the steam discharge passage. Ascending convection is caused by the rise of high-temperature air, and the convection is further promoted by the rising convection, so that the high-temperature heat in the inner container is pumped to the outside.

  Therefore, in the case of a vertical passage structure in which a steam port is provided on the upper surface side of the lid and a steam inlet is provided on the lower side as in the conventional example, the convection is likely to occur, the heat dissipation amount is increased, and the heat insulation is increased. The performance is greatly reduced.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. As described above, the vapor passage having a pressure releasing function for communicating between the inner side and the outer side of the inner container is formed by connecting the lid side and the container body side. Electricity with improved heat insulation performance by reducing the amount of heat released to the outside as much as possible by forming a single passage with a long passage distance or by providing a downward portion in the middle of the passage. The purpose is to provide a pot.

(1) First problem-solving means In the present invention, as a first problem-solving means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a container main body including an inner container that stores a liquid and a heating means that heats the inner container; A lid that covers the upper side opening of the container body, and a steam passage having a pressure relief function disposed between a steam inlet communicating with the inside of the inner container and a steam outlet communicating with the outside. In the electric pot, the steam passage is configured to communicate the lid body side passage communicating with the inside of the inner container and the container body side passage communicating with the outside of the container body when the lid is closed. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, the lid side passage does not need to be opened to the outside as it is, and it is sufficient to communicate with one end of the passage on the container main body side from the lower surface side or side surface side. It is possible to easily realize a passage structure that does not open to the upper surface side of the.

  In addition, the passage distance can be made sufficiently long, and heat radiation to the outside can be interrupted in the middle of the passage, so that the heat retaining performance is improved.

  Further, the passage on the lid body is used as a steam cooling passage, the discharged steam is effectively cooled, and condensed condensed water can be easily collected in the inner container.

  On the other hand, the other end of the passage on the container main body side can be easily opened to the outside in terms of the structure on the main body side, and the degree of freedom in layout is also high, which is easy to realize.

  In this case, for example, if a part of each of the passages on the lid body side and the container body side is directed downward, the heat dissipation effect due to convection can be easily suppressed, and the heat retaining performance can be further improved. .

(2) Second Problem Solving Means In the present invention, as a second problem solving means for solving the above problems, a container main body provided with an inner container for storing a liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; A lid that covers the upper side opening of the container body, and a steam passage having a pressure relief function disposed between a steam inlet communicating with the inside of the inner container and a steam outlet communicating with the outside. In the electric pot, the steam passage is characterized in that a downward passage is formed at a desired position between the steam inlet side and the steam outlet.

  According to such a configuration, the high-temperature air flowing from the steam inlet side to the steam outlet side in the steam passage with a convection action is suppressed in the downward passage portion, and below the It becomes difficult to flow.

  As a result, the heat transfer to the steam outlet side is prevented at the same portion, and the heat retaining performance is improved.

  The downward passage may be formed in the middle of the steam passage with the steam outlet itself facing downward or obliquely downward.

(3) Third Problem Solving Means In the present invention, as a third problem solving means for solving the above-mentioned problem, a container main body provided with an inner container for storing a liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; A lid that covers the upper side opening of the container body, and a pressure relief function that is disposed between the steam inlet that communicates with the inside of the inner container and the steam outlet that communicates with the outside of the inner container. The steam passage is characterized in that a downward passage is formed at a desired position between the steam inlet side and the steam outlet.

  According to such a configuration, the high-temperature air flowing from the steam inlet side to the steam outlet side in the steam passage with a convection action is suppressed in the downward passage portion, and below the It becomes difficult to flow.

  As a result, the heat transfer to the steam outlet side is prevented at the same portion, and the heat retaining performance is improved.

  The downward passage may be formed in the middle of the steam passage with the steam outlet itself facing downward or obliquely downward.

(4) Fourth Problem Solving Means In the present invention, as a fourth problem solving means for solving the above problems, in the configuration of the first, second or third problem solving means, the outside of the steam passage. It is characterized in that a dew condensation water storage part is provided in the open part.

  According to such a configuration, even when condensed water is mixed in the discharged air in the final stage of the pressure relief passage, it can be surely captured and prevented from going outside.

  As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-performance electric pot that effectively improves the heat retaining performance while achieving appropriate and effective pressure relief during boiling.

It is a perspective view which shows the external structure in the cover closed state of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside-and-outside structure in the cover open state of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the up-down direction in the cover closed state of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view (FIG. 1A-A cutting | disconnection part, A'-A 'cutting | disconnection part of FIG. 6) of the cover body part of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the lid part in the electric pot concerning an embodiment of the invention of this application. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the upper board of the cover part (FIG. 5) in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the vapor | steam collection | recovery unit attached to the cover body in the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention, and a pressure release passage unit part. FIG. 8 is a top and bottom exploded perspective view of a pressure relief passage unit portion shown in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view of the steam recovery unit portion shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the steam recovery unit shown in FIG. 9. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam in the vapor | steam cooling channel | path in the vapor | steam recovery unit of the electric pot concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam from the inner container side in the vapor | steam path | route of the X section enlarged view shown in FIG. 3, and the return state of dew condensation water. It is sectional drawing of the cover body part center of the electric pot which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the lid body of FIG. 13 when viewed with the lower surface side inner cover member removed. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the empty cooking and boiling detection control comprised on the assumption of the cover body structure of FIG. 13, FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the lid | cover and lower opening member part of the electric pot which concerns on the modification 1 of the said embodiment.

  Hereinafter, with reference to attached FIGS. 1-15, the structure and effect | action of the steam-less electric pot which concerns on embodiment of this invention are demonstrated in detail.

  This electric pot is provided with both functions of boiling water and keeping warm. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a container main body 1 including an inner container 3 for storing a liquid (water), and the container main body 1 A lid 2 that opens and closes the upper side opening, an electric heater 4 that is a heating means for heating the inner container 3 at the time of boiling and keeping warm, and for pouring hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside. A hot water supply passage 5, an electric hot water supply pump 6 for pouring hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 in a state where an AC power supply is connected, and a drive operation of the hot water supply pump 6. A hot water supply operation lever 4 is provided. Reference numeral 5 a denotes an outlet (that is, a discharge port) of the hot water supply passage 5, and 5 b denotes a transparent measuring tube provided in a straight pipe portion located in front of the container body 1 in the hot water supply passage 5.

  The container body 1 includes an outer case 7 made of a synthetic resin that constitutes an outer surface portion (in the case of the present embodiment, a rectangular tube shape), the inner container 3 that constitutes an inner surface portion, and the outer case 7. And the inner container 3 are integrally coupled and fixed on the upper side, and a synthetic resin annular shoulder member 8 to be mounted when the lid 2 is closed, and a synthetic resin dish constituting a bottom surface portion. The bottom member 9 has a shape. Reference numeral 10 denotes a transparent water amount viewing window provided at a position where the water amount pipe 5b can be seen at the front portion of the outer case 7.

  The inner container 3 has a bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder 3A made of stainless steel and a cylindrical outer cylinder 3B which is also made of stainless steel and has no bottom part. It is made of a heat insulating structure with a vacuum double wall structure having a high heat insulation performance in which a vacuum heat insulating space is provided between the cylinder 3A and the outer cylinder 3B, and at the bottom, the inner cylinder 3A and the outer cylinder 3B on the outer peripheral side A single plate portion 3a constituted only by the bottom surface portion of the inner cylinder 3A is formed except for the joint portion.

  The single plate portion 3a is formed to protrude slightly higher upward, and the electric heater 4 (for example, a mica heater in which two sets of heating elements having different wattages are held on a mica plate) is formed on the lower surface side thereof. Is attached.

  The lid 2 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 11 (outer cover) and a synthetic resin lower plate (inner cover) 12 whose outer peripheral edges are coupled to the upper plate 11. The shoulder member 8 is supported by a rear end portion 8a (see FIG. 3) via a hinge pin 13 and a hinge lock member 14 so that the shoulder member 8 can be opened and closed in a vertical direction and is detachable.

  Further, the lid 2 has an opening at a position other than the steam inlet 16 communicating with the inside of the inner container 3 and the upper surface of the lid 2 (for example, the lower surface of the right front end in the present embodiment). A steam cooling passage 15 meandering in a zigzag manner connecting to the steam outlet 17 (see FIG. 4) is formed. The steam cooling passage 15 is formed in a steam recovery unit 18 that is widely disposed in the lid 2 in a plan view as described below. And in order to promote the condensation effect by the cooling of the vapor | steam V which flows in the same vapor | steam cooling channel | path 15, between the said vapor | steam collection | recovery unit 18 and the upper board 11 of the cover body 2, it is a space part for thermal radiation and heat insulation. On the other hand, between the steam recovery unit 18 and the lower plate 12 of the lid 2, heat transfer from the lower inner container 3 is prevented and the steam recovery unit 18 is not heated. In addition, a heat insulating member 28 made of a heat insulating material such as foamed polystyrene that maintains the heat retaining performance of hot water in the inner container 3 is provided.

  If necessary, an aluminum foil or the like having a high heat dissipation effect is attached to the upper surface of the steam recovery unit 18 (that is, the upper surface of an upper constituent member 18b described later), so that it flows in the steam cooling passage 15. The heat radiation effect from the vapor V to the air in the space 32 is further enhanced, and the condensation effect is also improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, for example, the steam recovery unit 18 is configured by integrally connecting a synthetic resin lower component member 18a and a synthetic resin upper component member 18b. A rectangular portion 19 located at the rear end of the semicircular portion (that is, the rear end side of the lid 2), a semicircular enlarged portion 20 located on the front side of the rectangular portion 19, and the other end of the enlarged portion 20 11 (for example, the lower left end in the plan view state of FIG. 11) and an extending portion 21 extending a predetermined length long from the front side of the lid body 2 (the lower side in the drawing).

  The steam inlet 16 portion described above is provided in a cylindrical shape downward from the lower surface side of the center of the rear end portion of the enlarged portion 20, and the steam outlet 17 is a tip portion of the extension portion 21. It is provided in a cylindrical shape facing downward on the lower surface side.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 9, and 10, the steam outlet 17 extends in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined length downward, and has three flat ribs at the center of the tip side. The convex part 17a provided via the shoulder part 8 is fitted into the upper part of the cylindrical water stop valve SV part provided at the shoulder front end side corner part 8b part of the shoulder member 8 described above.

  And in the same insertion state, the said convex part 17a pushes down against the urging | biasing force of the urging | biasing spring S to the upper side valve closing direction of the cross-sectional T type valve body a of the water stop valve SV, and the cylindrical stop The steam passage 40 of the water valve SV is opened to the steam outlet 17 side of the steam cooling passage 15 (sixth cooling passage 15f).

  On the other hand, one end 41a of a flexible pressure release pipe 41 made of rubber, for example, is connected to the outlet portion 40a of the steam passage 40 on the water stop valve SV side. The shoulder member 8 is disposed so as to extend from the front portion of the shoulder member 8 to a lower position near the center portion of the lower opening member 42 that extends flat in front of a predetermined dimension. The extended end portion opens downward and communicates with an air outlet 44 for pressure release provided in the lower port cover member 43 assembled on the lower surface side of the lower port member 42. I'm hurt.

  The air outlet 44 is formed of an elliptical cylindrical body that is long in the left-right direction as shown in the figure, and a rectangular shape that is erected above a predetermined height in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval in the outer periphery. The rib 45 is erected, and a dew condensation water storage pocket 45a for storing dew condensation water is formed around the air outlet 44 made of an elliptical cylindrical body.

  And the extended end part 41b of the said pressure release pipe 41 is formed in the same square fitting part fitted so that the condensed water storage pocket 45a may be covered.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the steam outlet 17 is opened toward the lower surface side of the lid body 2 and the water stop valve SV is associated with the lower portion thereof. As long as it is outside the body 2 and is located at a position other than the top surface, it may be configured to open at any position (for example, a side surface).

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the steam cooling passage 15 allows the steam S introduced from the steam inlet 16 extending from the lower side to the upper side. The left first cooling passage 15a led substantially straight to the rear end side) and a U-turn from the rear end side to the right side of the first cooling passage 15a so that the rectangular portion is substantially extended to the rear end side of the front side enlarged portion 20. After extending straight, the second cooling passage 15b extending forward along the circumferential direction, and the third cooling passage 15c extending to the left and right sides at a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the enlarged portion 20 following the second cooling passage 15b. A fourth cooling passage 15d extending to the left and right sides of the enlarged portion 20 following the third cooling passage 15c, and a right and left at the front end portion (maximum diameter portion) of the enlarged portion 20 following the fourth cooling passage 15d. Between both ends Bill and fifth cooling passage 15e, consists sixth cooling passage 15f that following the fifth cooling passage 15e reaches the upper part of the steam outlet 17 portion extends to the front end portion of the projecting portion 21.

  In other words, the steam cooling passage 15 is likely to condense and condense when the steam V flowing through the portion of the steam cooling passage 15 efficiently exchanges heat (dissipates heat) with the air layer inside and outside (especially the upper surface side). In addition, when viewed from the entirety of the lid body 2, it is not the shortest distance between them from the steam inlet 16 side on the rear end side to the steam outlet 17 side on the front end side, but between the left and right end sides of the lid body 2. The zigzag shape is configured as a steam cooling passage with the longest possible distance that detours (meanders) several times over time.

  If it does in this way, the 1st-6th arrange | positioned widely in the cover body 2 by meandering between the right-and-left both ends side several times from the rear-end part side of the said cover body 2 to the front-end part side. The cooling passages 15a to 15f function as an effective cooling space for the steam V introduced from the steam inlet 16, and the passage of the introduced steam V from the first cooling passage 15a to the sixth cooling passage 15f. Effectively heat exchange (radiation) with the inside and outside air is efficiently condensed, and almost all the vapor is formed into droplets to form the condensed water W.

  Then, the condensed water W formed into droplets is refluxed in the reverse direction through the first to fifth cooling passages 15a to 15e inclined downward in the direction of the communication hole 23 of the lid 2 as described later, The second cooling passage 15b returns to the first cooling passage 15a via the u-turn portion 15U, and continues from the steam inlet 16 side to the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12, and the steam circulation passage 122 between the lower plate 12 and the inner cover member 26. The water is collected in the inner container 3 through the dew condensation water return port 26b of the inner cover member 26.

  Further, in the case of the cooling passages 15a to 15f as described above, even if the electric pot falls to the left or right side, either one of the left and right zigzag cooling passages is on the upper side. Hot water will not leak.

  In this case, the communication portion (the rear end side vertical wall portion of the lower plate 12) between the first cooling passage 15a and the second cooling passage 15b on the rear end side of the lid body 2, that is, the U-turn of the two passages. In the portion 15u portion, a communication hole (an inlet / outlet of the steam V and the dew condensation water W for facing the pin-shaped steam sensor 22 attached to the side inner peripheral surface side of the shoulder member 8 to detect the temperature of the steam V is provided. ) 23 is formed, and the outer peripheral edge of the communication hole 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the steam sensor 22 mounting portion on the shoulder member 8 side when the lid 2 is closed are formed on the opening peripheral edge of the communication hole 23. A seal packing 24 is provided for sealing between the two.

  Then, the first cooling passage 15a and the second cooling passage 15b are communicated with each other in a U shape via the vapor sensor 22 only when the lid body 2 is closed. When the lid 2 is opened, the vapor V from the first cooling passage 15a passes through the communication hole 23 to the second cooling passage 15b, and the sixth, fifth, fourth, third and second cooling. The above-described condensed water W from the passages 15f, 15e, 15d, 15c, and 15b is recirculated into the inner container 3 through the steam inlet 16 and the like as described above.

  The left and right openings 19a (first cooling passages 15a) of the rear end side rectangular portion 19 of the steam recovery unit 18 are formed inside the communication hole 23 formed in the vertical wall portion of the lower plate 12 of the lid 2. (Steam outlet part), 19b (steam inlet of the second cooling passage 15b) are brought into contact with each other, and the outer periphery of the openings 19a, 19b is sealed with the inner lip part of the packing 24, thereby The first and second cooling passages 15a and 15b communicate with each other.

  On the other hand, the first to sixth cooling passages 15a to 15f of the steam recovery unit 18 are provided integrally on the upper surface of the above-described lower component member 18a of the steam recovery unit 18, for example, as shown in FIGS. The formed stepped portion 25a and ribs (partition walls) 25b are partitioned.

  The configuration of the steam cooling passage 15 is not limited to a zigzag meandering shape in the left and right directions in the plane direction as in the present embodiment, but is a substantially circular path that passes through the outer periphery of the lid body 2 or a passage that spirally bypasses in the plane direction. It can be deformed into various shapes such as a shape.

  In the case of this embodiment, the third cooling passage 15c includes a passage enlarged portion 15c1 that is located on the outlet side of the second cooling passage 15b and has a passage sectional area that is widened, and a right end side of the passage enlarged portion 15c1. And a trap portion 15c2 that traps the dew condensation water W when the electric pot is tilted forward or falls forward. The fourth cooling passage 15d is located on the outlet side of the third cooling passage 15c. A passage enlarging portion 15d1 having an enlarged passage cross-sectional area and a trap portion 15d2 which is located on the left end side of the passage enlarging portion 15d1 and traps the dew condensation water W when the electric pot is tilted forward or falls forward are formed. The cooling passage 15e includes a passage expanding portion 15e1 that is located on the outlet side of the fourth cooling passage 15d and has a passage cross-sectional area that is widened, and a right end side of the passage expanding portion 15e1 that is located in front of the electric pot. A trap portion 15e2 for trapping the dew condensation water W at the time of slanting or falling forward is formed, and the sixth cooling passage 15f is located on the outlet side of the fifth cooling passage 15e, and when the electric pot is inclined forward or forward A trap portion 15f2 for trapping the dew condensation water W at the time of falling, and a trap portion 15f3 for trapping the dew condensation water W at the time of forward tilting of the electric pot or at the time of the front fall are formed. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, the passage expanding portions 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1 are configured such that the passage expands on the same plane as the third to fifth cooling passages 15c to 15e. The area may be widened, and the passage cross-sectional area may be widened in the vertical direction (that is, the depth direction).

  The steam recovery unit 18 is configured so that the second to fifth cooling passages 15b to 15e excluding the sixth cooling passage 15f and the first cooling passage 15a are closed when the lid 2 is closed. It is attached to the communication hole 23 (openings 19a, 19b of the rectangular portion 19) so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined inclination angle.

  On the other hand, in the same state, the first cooling passage 15a is formed so as to partially incline downward from the communicating hole 23 toward the steam inlet 16 in the opposite direction.

  If it does in this way, the dew condensation water W which the vapor | steam V which flows through the 1st-6th cooling channel | paths 15a-15f condenses will first cool through the communicating hole 23 part (U-turn part 15U) of the cover body 2 first. It is easy to recirculate into the inner container 3 through the passage 15a and from the first cooling passage 15a through the steam inlet 16, the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12, and the steam return ports 26b, 26b,. .

  Further, when the second to fifth cooling passages 15b to 15e are inclined as described above, the upper plate 11 of the lid 2 and the steam recovery unit 18 can be seen as apparent from FIGS. Between the first to fifth cooling passages 15a to 15e, an effective heat radiation and heat insulation space 32 is formed in which the interval in the vertical direction becomes larger toward the upstream side of the passage (the rear end side of the steam recovery unit 18). It will be.

  The space 32 has a higher heat dissipation capability with respect to the steam V flowing in the first, second, and third cooling passages 15a, 15b, and 15c having a higher temperature and lower degree of condensation toward the upstream side. While functioning as a large effective cooling air layer, it functions as an effective heat insulation space portion that prevents the heat of high-temperature steam from being transmitted to the upper plate 11 portion of the lid 2.

  That is, the steam flowing in the first to sixth cooling passages 15a to 15f has a higher temperature and a lower degree of condensation on the upstream side.

  Therefore, in this part, heat is exchanged with a sufficient amount of air (including outside air that has entered through the gap between the lids 2) with a sufficient temperature difference to condense and form droplets as much as possible. Insulate as effectively as possible so that the temperature of the plate 11 portion does not increase.

  On the other hand, when going downstream, the temperature of the steam flowing in the cooling passage is lowered and the condensation is also progressing. Therefore, it does not necessarily require a large amount of air, and is condensed by effective heat exchange with a certain amount of air. In addition to promoting the action, heat insulation with the upper plate 11 is also made just in case.

  According to these configurations, most of the steam V is condensed and recovered up to the fifth cooling passage 15e, and the temperature of the passage decreases to a substantially safe low temperature.

  For this reason, when reaching the sixth cooling passage 15f in the final stage, the steam is almost lost, and the air pressure from the steam outlet 17 to the stop valve SV side is substantially the air pressure accompanying the increase in internal pressure (in FIG. 10). (See broken line arrow).

  Therefore, a small gap as shown in the figure is sufficient for the gap between the upper plate 11 in the same portion, and it is not necessary to install a space as a heat insulating space.

  The air pressure finally released from the steam outlet 17 into the pressure release pipe 41 through the water stop valve SV is supplied to the above-described air outlet 44 portion at the end of the pressure release pipe 41 to be the lower port cover member. It is discharged below 43.

  In this case, when the condensed water is contained in the discharged air even a little (there is a possibility that condensation may occur in the depressurizing passage), the condensed water is stored in the condensed water storage pocket 45a described above. Stored inside. The condensed water stored here is rapidly evaporated by the air because the outside air is sucked by the pressure drop during hot water supply.

  Reference numerals 50, 50... Are support columns for the upper plate 11 erected on the upper surface side of the steam recovery unit 18.

  Further, as described above, on the lower surface side of the lower plate 12 in the lid body 2, a metal inside provided with steam inlets 26 a, 26 a... And condensed water return ports 26 b, 26 b. A cover member 26 is fixed, and an outer peripheral edge (entire circumference) of the inner cover member 26 is made of a heat-resistant rubber that is pressed against the upper end side opening of the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed. A seal packing 27 is provided.

  The steam inlets 26a, 26a,... Are formed in the top surface portion of the convex portion 260 portion that is convex upward in the shape of a truncated cone and that is close to the bottom portion of the outer periphery, while the dew condensation water return port 26b, 26b,... Are formed in a lower bottom portion.

  Therefore, even when the dew condensation water W is returned, the steam inlets 26a, 26a,... Are always open, and smooth steam can be introduced.

  That is, the lower plate 12 portion of the lid 2 is molded into a cross-sectional hat shape as shown in FIGS. 3, 13, and 14, for example, and the main body portion has a predetermined size corresponding to the opening diameter of the inner container 3. It is formed in the cylindrical body of the depth.

  Then, the steam introduction space A is formed in the lower surface 12b portion of the cylindrical body portion by shifting the central portion O ′ to the rear end side by a predetermined dimension a with respect to the central portion O of the cylindrical body lower surface 12b. A circular groove 121 is formed that is recessed above the predetermined diameter.

  The concave groove 121 has a C-shaped planar shape when viewed from the lower side where a part (123) on the front end side is cut away with a predetermined interval W between the outer peripheral wall 121a. The partition wall 121b is erected concentrically in the downward direction.

  The lower plate-side steam inlet 12a is formed between the outer peripheral wall 121a and the partition wall 121b on the rear end side. The steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12 is formed of a cylindrical body extending a predetermined length in the vertical direction, and its upper end is connected to the lower end of the cylindrical steam inlet 16 of the steam recovery unit 18, while the lower end As for the side, both side surfaces of the peripheral wall portion are opened in the circumferential direction, and communicated with the steam circulation passage 122 in the left and right directions of the width W formed between the outer peripheral wall 121a and the partition wall 121b of the concave groove 121. .

  Further, a steam diverting convex portion 120 protruding toward the steam circulation passage 122 is provided on the inner peripheral surface portion of the front end portion of the outer peripheral wall 121a facing the front end side cutout portion 123b.

  Further, a ring-shaped seal packing 124 is provided between the outer peripheral wall 121 a and the inner cover member 26 to seal the steam introduction space A and the steam circulation passage 122 in the concave groove 121.

  Boss portions 125, 125, 125 having screwing grooves for attaching the inner cover member 26 with the packing 124 interposed therebetween are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion.

  On the other hand, as described above, the inner cover member 26 is attached to the screwing boss portions 125, 125, 125 on the cylindrical body lower surface 12b side of the lower plate 12 via screw screws 126, 126, 126. The above-mentioned convex portion 260 is provided on the side portion so as to stand upward in the shape of a truncated cone corresponding to the inside of the circular partition wall 121b of the concave groove portion 121 of the lower plate 12, and the convex portion 260 is provided. 3, 13 and 14, for example, three relatively large steam inlets 26 a, 26 a and 26 a are provided (one on the front side and 2 on the rear side). One).

  Further, in the bottom portion of the inner cover member 26 corresponding to the front portion of the lower plate 12 side steam circulation passage 122 (in the portion farthest from the steam inlet 12a), as described above, the steam circulation passage 122 is provided. Condensed water return ports 26b, 26b, and 26b for returning the condensed water W on the side to the inner container 3 are provided.

  In an electric pot that realizes effective steam-less boiling by quickly detecting the steam V at the start of boiling by the steam sensor 22 and turning off the electric heater 4 as soon as possible as in this embodiment. In order to detect the generated steam V earlier and suppress the generated steam amount as much as possible, the path through which the steam V in the lid 2 reaches the steam sensor 22 should be as short as possible. good.

  On the other hand, there is a steam introduction space A and a steam circulation passage 122 between the inner cover member 26 constituting the lid body 2 and the lower plate 12, and it is necessary to put the seal packing 124 for preventing steam leakage as described above. There is. If the diameter of the packing 124 and the outer peripheral wall 121a to which the packing 124 is attached is too large, the sealing force becomes weak and the cost is increased.

  On the other hand, in the electric pot that condenses the steam V in the lid 2 and realizes steam-less boiling, it is necessary to efficiently return the condensed water W generated in the lid 2 to the inner container 3. For this reason, the dew condensation water return ports 26b, 26b, and 26b are provided at the bottom of the inner cover member 26 at the bottom surface as described above.

  In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, at least one of the three steam inlets 26a, 26a, 26a through which the steam of the inner cover member 26 passes is the inner cover member 26 itself. It is provided closer to the steam sensor 22 than the center O of the lower surface, that is, on the side of the notch 123 of the partition wall 121b.

  Thereby, the steam detection time can be shortened as much as possible. Further, since the steam inlets 26a, 26a, 26a through which the steam passes need to be provided inside the packing 124 and the inner peripheral space 121b, the diameters of the packing 124 and the outer peripheral wall 121a can be reduced.

  The positions of the dew condensation water return ports 26b, 26b and 26b of the inner cover member 26 are closer to the front end side farther from the steam sensor 22 than the steam introduction ports 26a, 26a and 26a through which the steam passes. Thereby, even when the container body 1 falls, the path through which hot water flows can be lengthened, and a safer structure can be obtained.

  By the way, also in the case of the electric pot of the present embodiment, continuous re-boiling control is possible. When such continuous re-boiling operation is performed, the steam recovery unit 18 is filled with steam and is not necessarily effective. There are cases where the steamless function cannot be satisfied.

  When the lid 2 is opened and closed when the hot water is at a high temperature (for example, when boiling is near boiling or at a high temperature of 98 ° C.), when the lid 2 is closed, the high-temperature steam V is introduced into the steam inlet. 26a, the steam introduction space A, the steam circulation passage 122, the steam introduction port 12a, the steam inlet 16 and the steam cooling passage 15, and the temperature of the steam sensor 22 rises at once. Therefore, the temperature control by the steam sensor 22 is impossible. It may become.

  Therefore, there is a need for a configuration that avoids such a problem and minimizes steam while boiling the hot water surely.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is adopted.

  (1) The steam sensor 22 is a second heater whose boiling temperature is detected (either absolute temperature or relative temperature by gradient), apart from the heater heating stop temperature due to Ta, a predetermined temperature (about 2 to 3 ° C.) lower than that. A heating stop temperature Tb is provided.

  (2) The path from the steam inlets 26a, 26a, 26a on the upper surface of the convex portion 260 of the inner cover member 26 to the steam detection sensor 22 has a passage structure for pressure reduction in which the cross-sectional area becomes small → large at least several times. Form.

  (3) At the start of heating by the electric heater 4 (at the time of boiling water), if the detected temperature T of the steam sensor 22 is higher than the heating stop temperature Tb of the second electric heater 4, the electric power is given priority over the boiling detection. Heating of the heater 4 is stopped.

  (4) When heating of the electric heater is started, heating of the electric heater 4 is started when the detection temperature T of the steam sensor 22 is lower than the heating stop temperature Tb of the second electric heater which is lower than the boiling detection temperature Ta. Then, heating is performed to the original boiling detection temperature Ta higher than the heating stop temperature Tb of the second electric heater.

  First, as described in FIGS. 13 and 14, the passage cross-sectional area from the steam inlets 26 a, 26 a, 26 a to the steam sensor 22 to the inside of the lid body 2 in the above (2) is changed from small to large. The steam that has entered from the small steam inlets 26a, 26a, 26a on the top surface of the convex portion 260 of the inner cover member 26 is introduced into the large-diameter wide steam introducing space A and diffused greatly, and the small notch 123 of the partition wall 121b After being separated from the left and right by the diverting convex portion 120 described above, it is led again to the wide steam circulation passage 122 in the circumferential direction and diffused in the left and right circumferential direction.

  Then, after that, a configuration is adopted in which the small-diameter steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12 passes through the small-diameter steam inlet 16 of the steam recovery unit 18 and is diffused in the first steam cooling passage 15a to reach the steam sensor 22. Yes.

  Thus, by passing through passages having different spatial volumes from small to large, from large to small, and from small to large, the pressure of the steam can be effectively relieved, and the lid body 2 can be opened and closed. Even if it is performed, the temperature of the steam sensor 22 becomes difficult to follow the hot water temperature.

  As a result, the temperature control function of the steam sensor 22 is ensured even when the amount of steam is large, such as during continuous boiling.

  In this case, as shown in (1), when the heater heating stop temperature of the heater detection stop temperature by boiling detection and the second heater heating stop temperature lower than the boiling detection temperature are provided in two stages, the steam Even when the sensor 22 is in a high temperature state, the steamless function can be reliably realized.

  Now, the flowchart of FIG. 15 shows the heater at two temperatures, ie, the heater heating stop at the boiling detection temperature Ta and the heater heating stop at the second heater heating stop temperature Tb lower than the boiling detection temperature Ta by a predetermined temperature. The contents of empty cooking and boiling detection control realizing the heating stop function are shown.

  That is, in this control, the control operation is started when an AC power source is connected to the AC power source circuit of the electric pot.

And first, for safety, after triggering the empty cooking detection control routine of the system in step S1, the above-described electric heater 4 is turned on in step S2, and heating of the hot water in the inner container 3 is started. The temperature detected by the bottom sensor provided at the bottom of the inner container 3 rises, and when water is contained in the inner container 3, the temperature of the water eventually rises and boils to generate steam. For this reason, the detection temperature T of the steam sensor 22 also increases.

  Therefore, subsequently, in step S3, is the detected temperature T of the vapor sensor 22 lower than the above-described second heater heating stop temperature Tb, which is lower than the original boiling detected temperature Ta by a predetermined temperature (for example, about 2 to 3 ° C.)? Determine whether or not.

  As a result, when NO is higher than the second heater heating stop temperature Tb, it is recognized that the above-described steam temperature is high, so the process first proceeds to step S4 and “empty cooking detection process” in the present control sequence. After that, the process finally proceeds to step S8, where the electric heater 4 is turned off and the control is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the detected temperature T of the YES steam sensor 22 is equal to or lower than the second electric heater stop temperature Tb that is lower than the original boiling detected temperature Ta by a predetermined temperature, the steam temperature is not high and still in a boiling state. Therefore, in step S5, the electric heater 4 is continuously turned on to continue boiling.

  And in the middle (step S6), empty cooking is once detected. This empty cooking detection is determined based on whether or not the degree of increase per unit time in the temperature detected by the bottom sensor at the bottom of the inner container 3 exceeds a predetermined reference level.

  As a result, when YES exceeds the reference level, it is determined as “empty cooking”, and after proceeding to the above-described step S4, a predetermined alarm is issued to perform empty cooking notification and other “empty cooking detection processing”. In step S8, the electric heater 4 is turned off.

  On the other hand, when it is not in the NO cooking state, the process proceeds to step S7 and the boiling detection determination is performed as usual.

  In this boiling detection determination, based on the detection temperature of each of the steam sensor 22 and the bottom sensor, when any one of these detection temperatures becomes a value indicating a boiling state, it is configured to determine boiling. When one of the detected values is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination reference value indicating a boiling state, it is immediately determined that boiling starts, and the process proceeds to step S8 where the electric heater 4 is turned off with good responsiveness. When the answer is NO, the water heating is continued.

  As a result, the electric heater 4 can be turned off substantially simultaneously with the start of boiling, and boiling can be suppressed as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of steam generated.

  1, 5, and 6, reference numeral 29 is a lid opening / closing lever for operating the opening / closing state of the lid 2, 29 a and 29 a are locking engagement pieces, and reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 4. Reference numeral 30 denotes an operation panel unit having operation surfaces of various switches and a display surface of liquid crystal display means, and 31 denotes a handle used when carrying the electric pot.

  By configuring as described above, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 14, after the start of boiling, the steam inlets 26 a, 26 a... At the lower part of the lid body 2, the steam introduction space A, the steam circulation passage 122, and the lower plate 12. The steam V from the inner vessel 3 led to the steam inlet 16 of the steam recovery unit 18 through the steam inlet 12a in the course of flowing through the steam cooling passage 15 (15a to 15f) toward the steam outlet 17 ( First, the vapor temperature is detected by the vapor sensor 22 immediately after leaving the first cooling passage 15a. At the same time, it is immediately determined that the water has boiled, and the electric heater 4 is immediately turned off so that no steam is emitted.

  Therefore, according to the same configuration, boiling detection can be performed much earlier than boiling detection by the bottom sensor that detects the temperature of the bottom portion of the conventional inner container 3, and heating by the electric heater 4 immediately after the boiling starts. Is stopped, the steam generated from the hot water in the inner container 3 is extremely reduced and energy is saved.

  Thereafter, the steam V makes a U-turn at the steam sensor 22 portion and enters the third cooling passage 15c from the second cooling passage 15b. The pressure is reduced and the passage is expanded at the passage expanding portion 15c1 portion of the third cooling passage 15c. Condensation is promoted by cooling with the internal air. Thereafter, also in the process of flowing through the fourth cooling passage 15d and the fifth cooling passage 15e, the pressure is similarly reduced in the passage expanding portions 15d1 and 15e1, respectively, and the air is cooled by the air in the passage, thereby condensing. Therefore, in the process of flowing from the first cooling passage 15a through the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cooling passages 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f, almost all the steam V is condensed and the condensed water W Thus, almost no steam is discharged from the steam outlet 17.

  The condensed water W condensed in each of the first to sixth cooling passages is substantially steam-cooled in which the entire body is inclined downward toward the steam inlet 16 side communication hole 23 when the lid body 2 is closed. The steam flows through the passage 15 in the opposite direction to the steam V, passes through the second cooling passage 15b through the u-turn section 15U, and from the u-turn section 15U through the first cooling passage 15a, into the steam inlet 16, the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12, and the inside The condensed water is returned to the inner container 3 through the condensed water return ports 26b, 26b,.

  In the conventional electric pot, the steam discharge passage is provided on the inner surface of the part of the lid 2, so there are many restrictions on the arrangement. However, in the electric pot of the present embodiment, as described above, in the lid 2 part. The steam recovery unit 18 is separately provided and the steam passage can be freely arranged.

  Then, by utilizing this, the steam outlet of the steam passage (steam recovery unit) 15 is connected to the passage inlet 41a portion of the pressure release passage made of the pressure release pipe 41 provided on the container body 1 side portion of the electric pot when the lid is closed. 17 can be arbitrarily connected. And the air outlet which is a release part of the pressure to outside air from the passage downstream side of the pressure relief passage provided in the container main body 1 portion and the connection portion to the passage inlet 41a portion of the pressure relief passage provided in the container main body 1 portion 44, or not only the connection portion and the open portion, but also the connection passage itself (the end 41b portion) to the air outlet 44 is “downward” (direction including the downward component, including diagonally downward). It has become.

  Thus, when each of those parts is facing downward, the high-temperature air to which the heat from the hot water has been transmitted passes through the steam passage 15 and the steam outlet 17 (connection portion with the pressure relief passage) and the air outlet 44. When passing through the (open part), each must move downward, and this is the opposite of the convection phenomenon in which high-temperature air rises. It acts to suppress.

  For this reason, even if the air outlet 44 for depressurization is open, convection can be effectively suppressed and the heat retaining effect can be sufficiently enhanced.

  In the above configuration, the steam passage is 1 when the lid 2 side passage 15 communicating with the inside of the inner container 3 and the container body 1 side pressure releasing passage 41 communicating with the outside of the container body 1 are closed. It is configured to communicate with a book passage.

  According to such a configuration, the lid side passage 15 does not need to be opened to the outside as it is, and it is sufficient to communicate with one end of the pressure release passage 41 on the container body 1 side from the lower surface side or the side surface side. Therefore, a passage structure that is not opened to the upper surface side of the lid 2 can be easily realized.

  In addition, the passage distance can be made sufficiently long, and heat radiation to the outside can be interrupted in the middle of the passage, so that the heat retaining performance is improved.

  Further, the passage on the lid 2 side is used as the steam cooling passage 15 to effectively cool the discharged steam, and the condensed condensed water can be easily collected in the inner container 3.

  On the other hand, the other end of the passage 41 on the container body 1 side can be easily opened to the outside in terms of the structure on the container body 1 side, and the degree of freedom in the layout is increased, which is easy to implement. is there.

  In this case, for example, if a part of each of the passages on the lid body side and the container body side is directed downward, the heat dissipation effect due to convection can be easily suppressed, and the heat retaining performance can be further improved. .

(Modification 1)
Next, FIG. 16 shows a configuration according to Modification 1 of the above embodiment.

  In this example, the portion from the steam outlet 17 to the air outlet 44 through the pressure release pipe 41 in the configuration of FIG. 4 is not provided with a stop valve SV as shown in FIG. The first and second seal packings P1 and P2 that are in contact with each other are provided in the opening in a straight direction toward the front horizontal direction instead of downward, and pressure is applied when the lid 2 is closed. One end (passage inlet portion) 41a of the drawing pipe (pressure releasing passage) 41 is connected to butt.

  In this case, the first seal packing P1 is provided at the opening edge of the steam outlet 17, and the second seal packing P2 is provided at the peripheral edge of the one end side passage entrance of the pressure release pipe 41. The two passages communicate with each other.

  As shown in the drawing, the other end side of the pressure release pipe 41 extends straight forward toward a predetermined length, and then bends at a substantially right angle toward the lower side. Similarly, in the case of this form, it is formed in the same rectangular fitting portion that is fitted so as to cover the rectangular condensed water storage pocket 45a.

  Then, the rectangular opening in the extended end portion 41 b is communicated with the pressure outlet air outlet 44 provided in the lower port cover member 43 assembled on the lower surface side of the lower port member 42. It has been.

  Even in such a configuration, the depressurization passage extends from the steam outlet 17 portion to the depressurization pipe 41 portion with a predetermined length so as to surely prevent the convection at this portion. Thus, even if air having a relatively high temperature reaches the sixth cooling passage 15f and the steam outlet 17 portion, it is difficult to go out from the steam outlet 17 portion first.

  Therefore, the heat radiation effect by convection is suppressed, and the heat retention performance is improved accordingly.

  In this case, the water stop valve (falling stop water valve) SV is omitted as described above. However, in the structure of the steam recovery unit 18 of the present embodiment as described above, the second to fifth cooling passages 15b are provided. -15e is provided with a passage expanding portion and a water trap portion, respectively, so that even if the container body 1 falls in any direction, front, back, left, or right, it is possible to trap a desired amount of water and there is no stop valve SV. However, there is no risk of water reaching the pressure release pipe 41 side.

(Modification 2)
Further, in any of the above examples, the lid 2 side steam outlet 17 portion is connected to the pressure release pipe 41 portion in the container main body 1 side lower opening member 42 so that air can escape to the outside. However, for example, the lid 2 side steam outlet 17 portion may be directly opened to the outside in the container body shoulder member 8 portion or the like. In that case, the steam outlet 17 is connected to the lid body 2. It is good also as a structure opened to the side or the downward, and further diagonally downward.

  Even in that case, it is possible to achieve the heat retaining performance effect by substantially the same convection suppression.

1 is a container body 2 is a lid 3 is an inner container 4 is an electric heater (heating means)
15 is a steam cooling passage 15a is a first cooling passage 15b is a second cooling passage 15c is a third cooling passage 15d is a fourth cooling passage 15e is a fifth cooling passage 15f is a sixth cooling passage 15u is a u-turn section 16 is a steam inlet 17 Is the steam outlet 41 is the pressure relief pipe 44 is the air outlet 45a is the condensed water storage pocket V is the steam W is the condensed water

Claims (4)

  A container main body provided with an inner container for storing liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; a lid for covering the upper side opening of the container main body; a steam inlet communicating with the inside of the inner container; An electric pot comprising a steam passage having a pressure releasing function disposed between the steam outlet and the steam outlet, and the steam passage is provided outside the container body and the lid side passage communicating with the inner container. An electric pot characterized in that it communicates with a communicating container body side passage when the lid is closed.   A container main body provided with an inner container for storing liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; a lid for covering the upper side opening of the container main body; a steam inlet communicating with the inside of the inner container; An electric pot comprising a steam passage having a pressure releasing function disposed between the steam outlet and the steam outlet, and the steam passage is directed downward to a desired position from the steam inlet side to the steam outlet. An electric kettle characterized in that a passage is formed.   A container main body provided with an inner container for storing liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; a lid for covering the upper side opening of the container main body; An electric pot comprising a steam passage having a pressure releasing function disposed between a steam inlet communicating with a steam outlet communicating with the outside, wherein the steam passage extends from the steam inlet side to the steam outlet. An electric pot, wherein a downward passage is formed at a desired position.   The electric pot according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a dew condensation water storage section is provided in an opening portion to the outside of the steam passage.

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