JP3109482B2 - Electric hot water storage container - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric hot water storage container such as an electric kettle for heating a content liquid with a heater to boil or keep the temperature and to store hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electric hot water storage container of this kind, an energization control corresponding to a temperature of a content liquid is performed when heating and boiling water, removing calcium for maintaining a boiling state, and keeping heat.
It is performed based on the detected temperature of the content liquid through the inner container and the temperature of the steam generated in the container (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-1890).
No. 23, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 03-34480), or based on only the detected temperature of a content liquid via an inner container (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 06-22848 and 09-56).
92, and JP-A-10-108788).

[0003]

By the way, recently,
It is possible to immediately discharge a high-temperature content liquid from the heat retention state, and also to discharge a freshly-boiled content liquid by a re-boiling operation with a short waiting time. There is a tendency to keep warm.

On the other hand, since an electric pot can exert a heat-retaining power by a heater, it is not sufficiently considered for heat insulation as in a heat-retention pot without a heat source. Conventionally, a heat insulation structure in which glass wool is wound around the outer surface of the same part of the inner container and fastened with a band has been employed in some cases. However, many are abolished because glass wool is difficult to handle and the number of assembly steps is large.

[0005] For this reason, in an electric pot that keeps heat at a high temperature, the internal heat may reach the outer surface of the outer case, giving the user anxiety and distrust, and power consumption is also increasing. Therefore, there is a demand for an electric hot water storage container having a heat insulating structure that has a small number of parts and a small number of assembling steps and does not increase the product cost.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric hot water storage container capable of obtaining sufficient heat insulation at low cost.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an electric hot water storage container according to the present invention heats a liquid content in an inner container housed in an outer case by a heater to boil or keep the temperature and store the hot water. In an object, an insulating cover is formed integrally with a shoulder member connecting the outer case and the mouth of the inner container or supported by the shoulder member, and an insulating cover is provided at least outside the body of the inner container. A first heat insulating space is formed between the vessels, a second heat insulating space is formed between the heat insulating cover and the outer case, and the outer case has a double wall structure having a third heat insulating space. It is characterized by:

Accordingly, the heat insulating cover is formed integrally with the shoulder member connecting the outer case and the mouth of the inner container, so that the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are small, and the cost can be reduced. Even if the resin wall itself does not have heat insulation or has low heat insulation, such as a resin wall that can be formed integrally with the member, it is located at least outside the body of the inner container, and the heat insulating cover and the inner container are First in between
Is formed, and the air around the inner container is confined to a narrow area to suppress the movement in the first heat insulating space to suppress the heat transfer to the heat insulating cover side due to the movement of the air. The second heat insulation space formed between the first heat insulation space and the second heat insulation space formed between the first heat insulation space and the second heat insulation space is prevented from flowing into and out of the second heat insulation space. Even in the heat insulating space, the air between the inner container and the outer case is confined in a narrow space to suppress the heat transfer to the outer case due to the movement of the air in the second heat insulating space. Only the radiant heat that has passed through the heat insulating space, heat insulating cover, and second heat insulating space reaches the outer case, resulting in a high heat insulating property. In addition, the number of components increases by one, including the structure that supports the heat-insulating cover on the shoulder member, but the structure is not particularly complicated, and the radiant heat reaching the outer case tends to be conducted to the outer surface of the outer case. However, since the heat is suppressed by preventing the heat conduction due to the restriction of the air in the third heat insulating space, the heat insulating property is further improved.

[0009] Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. Each feature of the present invention can be used alone or in combination in various combinations as far as possible.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, typical embodiments of the present invention will be described together with examples thereof with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 for the understanding of the present invention.

This embodiment is an example of an electric pot used at home or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an inner case made of a metal such as stainless steel is placed in an outer case 1 made of a synthetic resin. 2, and the flange 2 a of the inner container 2 is received from below through the seal packing 51 by the shoulder member 3 fitted and applied to the upper end of the outer case 1 from above. In this state, the connecting fitting 10 attached to the bottom of the inner container 2 by welding or the like, the heat shield plate 20 attached to the connecting fitting 10 by welding or screwing, and the heat shield plate 20 and the outer case 1 Screw 3 for connecting to the bottom
0 and the like, the inner container 2 and the outer case 1 are connected. By this connection, the exterior case 1 and the inner container 2 are attracted to the shoulder member 3, and the shoulder member 3 is sandwiched between the two, so that the whole is integrated and the container body 4 is formed.

An opening 5 at the upper end communicating with the inner container 2 of the container 4 is formed by the shoulder member 3, and the opening 5 of the container 4 is connected to a rear portion thereof by a hinge pin 50 so as to be opened and closed. Is provided. When the lid 6 is closed, the lock member 8 operated by the spring 7 elastically engages with a part of the locking portion 39 of the shoulder member 3 and is automatically locked in the closed state. The lock by the lock member 8 can be released by operating the lever 9a of the lock release cam 9, and the lever 9a following the release is released.
The lid 6 can be opened by pulling up. The lever 9a is supported by the lid 6 so that the front position can be rotated by the shaft 9b. The lock can be released or the initial operation can be performed by pressing the front end 9b1 with, for example, a thumb, and the rear end pushed up by this By lifting 9b2 with another appropriate finger such as the index finger or the middle finger, the cover 6 can be opened including the final operation when unlocking is not complete.

A heater 11 is applied to the bottom of the inner container 2 to heat the liquid in the inner container 2 so as to make it hot and keep warm. However, various operation modes such as a descaling mode for maintaining boiling are also provided. A discharge path 12 is connected to the bottom of the inner container 2, and has a discharge port 12 a in a beak-shaped protruding portion 13 that rises between the inner container 2 and the outer case 1 and protrudes forward formed by the shoulder member 3. The distal end is bent downward so that the content liquid is discharged to the outside at a position in front of the front part of the container 4 through an opening 14 at the bottom of the protruding portion 13. The discharge of the content liquid is performed by the operation of a pumping type electric pump 15 provided at a position lower than the bottom of the inner container 2 in the middle of the discharge path 12. Needless to say, the content liquid can be pressurized by a manual pump or an electric pump and discharged through the discharge path 12.

In the lid 6, a steam passage 16 for releasing the steam generated in the inner container 2 to the outside or a water stop valve 60 for preventing the contents liquid from flowing out through the steam passage 16 when the container 4 falls down. Is provided. The innermost surface of the lid 6 is formed by a metal inner lid 17, and the inner lid 17 closes the opening 18 at the upper end of the inner container 2 with a seal packing 19 interposed therebetween with good security.

An operation panel 21 for performing various operation modes and discharge operations is provided on the upper surface of the projecting portion 13 of the shoulder member 3. The discharge path 12 is provided near the upper part of the discharge path 12 when the body 4 falls down. Is closed to prevent the contents liquid from flowing out through the discharge path 12, and the water stop valve 22 at the time of overturning, and the contents liquid when the body 4 is at a predetermined angle, specifically, in a substantially full state, Close the discharge path 12 when tilted forward beyond the angle at which it naturally flows out through the discharge path 12 due to the inclination to the front,
A forward tilt stop valve 22a for preventing the content liquid from flowing out through the discharge path is provided in parallel. A bottom cover 34 is attached to the opening 23 at the bottom of the outer case 1 from below, and a rotary seat 35 is sandwiched between the bottom of the outer case 1 and the bottom cover 34 so that the container 4 can be rotated. Support.

Below the bottom of the inner container 2, there are provided various components such as an electronic circuit board 37 for controlling various operations, a heater 11, an electric pump 15, a buzzer 55, and various display portions 54 on an operation board 53. A space 36 for accommodating a power supply circuit for driving with a required voltage is formed, or a circuit box (not shown) is provided. A temperature sensor 38 is applied to the bottom of the inner container 2 to provide temperature information for operation control by the electronic circuit board 37. Electronic circuit board 37
Is mounted on it, for example, a microcomputer 56
Various operation controls are performed by the internal function of. However, such control means is not limited to software control by the microcomputer 56, and various control circuits for performing hardware control can also be used.

The rising portion of the discharge path 12 is
More specifically, the liquid level becomes the same as the liquid content in the inner container 2, so this is used as a liquid amount detecting pipe 12b, and six photocouplers 41a to 41a around which a predetermined liquid level is detected.
A liquid amount detection unit 41 provided with 1f is provided. The detected liquid level is displayed on a transparent window 42 provided at the front of the container 4 for displaying the liquid amount. As shown in Fig. 2, the liquid level is indicated in six stages, the bottom is the level of the water supply that requires water supply, and the interruption is 3.3L.
And the top is the full liquid level, and is indicated by the lamps 42a to 42f, specifically, the LEDs 42a to 42f. However, it is preferable to electrically detect the liquid amount for such a liquid amount display, and there are other methods such as a capacitance method and an electrode method.

On the operation board 53, the display section 54 is provided.
In addition, keys necessary for setting various modes, such as a discharge key 57, a descaling key 58, and a warming key 59 for selecting a warming temperature, a room temperature sensor 62, and the like are mounted. These and the temperature sensor 38 are connected to the microcomputer 56. Have been. Further, a heat insulating material 101 is provided around the outer periphery of the inner container 2, and the rib 1a of the outer case 1 and the shoulder member 3 are provided.
And hold it vertically.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the state of boiling or 98 ° C.
Even in a high-temperature insulation state such as heat insulation, the outer case 1 does not feel much heat and the outer case 1 and the inner container 2 are connected to each other in order to suppress power consumption in the high-temperature insulation. The shoulder member 3 may be formed integrally as in each embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 or may be supported by the shoulder member 3 as in each embodiment shown in FIGS. A heat insulating cover 71 is provided outside the body. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a first heat insulating space 72 is formed between the heat insulating cover 71 and the inner container 2, and a second heat insulating space 73 is formed between the heat insulating cover 71 and the outer case 1. ing.

As described above, if the heat insulating cover 71 is formed integrally with the shoulder member 3 connecting the outer case 1 and the mouth of the inner container 2 or is provided by being supported by the shoulder member 3, the number of parts and assembly are increased. The heat insulating cover 71 can be provided with a small number of steps and a low cost.

The heat insulating cover 71 can be supported by the resin wall or the shoulder member 3 as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 or a metal such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. Even if the metal wall made of the plate 81 or the resin wall does not have heat insulation itself or has low heat insulation,
A first heat insulating space 72 is formed between the heat insulating cover 71 and the inner container 2 at least outside the body of the inner container 2, and the air around the inner container 2 is restrained in a narrow area to form a first heat insulating space 72. The first heat-insulating space 72 is formed between the heat-insulating cover 71 and the outer case 1 while suppressing the movement of the first heat-insulating space 72 in the heat-insulating space 72 by suppressing the movement in the heat-insulating space 72. It is possible to prevent the air from flowing into and out of the second heat insulating space 73 on the outside, thereby preventing heat conduction to the second heat insulating space 73.

In the second heat insulating space 73, the air between the inner container 2 and the outer case 1 is confined in a narrow space, and the heat transfer to the outer case 1 by the movement of the air in the second heat insulating space 73. Since the heat of the inner container 2 is suppressed, only the radiant heat passing through the first heat-insulating space 72, the heat-insulating cover 71, and the second heat-insulating space 73 reaches the outer case 1 and has high heat insulation. Therefore, with a low-cost structure, it is possible to prevent the heat from reaching the outer surface of the outer case so that the user has anxiety, distrust, or feeling in a boiling state or a high-temperature keeping state. The power consumption can be reduced by the improved amount.

The heat-insulating cover 71 and the outer case 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10 are made of resin, and the heat conductivity from the inner surface to the outer surface of the heat-insulating cover 71 can be kept low. The performance is improved. However, the outer case 1 may be made of metal. In this case, if stainless steel is used, the heat insulating property is improved as compared with a steel plate or an aluminum plate.

5 and 6, the heat-insulating cover 71 satisfies the shape-retaining property that can be supported by the shoulder member 3. As shown in FIGS. Multiple structure 9 in which a number of independent spaces 82 are formed between plates 81
In the case of the flexible sheet 91 such as a shaped sheet made of foamed resin or inorganic fiber as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 0, 7, and 8, the heat insulating cover 71 itself has a large number of independent spaces, countless air bubbles, gaps, etc. As a result, the heat transfer from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the heat insulating cover 71 itself between the first heat insulating space 72 and the second heat insulating space 73 can be suppressed.

Therefore, the radiant heat reaching the inner surface side of the heat insulating cover 71 from the first heat insulating space 72 side is conducted to the outer surface side of the heat insulating cover 71 and is transmitted to the outer case 1 in the second heat insulating space 73.
Radiation to the side can be further reduced, and the heat insulating property is further improved.

Here, the surface of the member such as the heat insulating cover 71 between the inner container 2 and the outer case 1 facing the inner container 2 is formed by the metal surface of the metal plate 81 or the surface of the various heat insulating covers 71. By applying a mirror surface 81a (FIG. 6) such as a metal surface or the like which has been subjected to vapor deposition plating or the like, heat radiated from the inner container 2 side to the outer case 1 side is reflected toward the inner container 2 side, and the heat radiation A decrease in heat insulation can be suppressed.

As in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, when the heat insulating cover 71 is located on the side of the inner container 2 between the inner container 2 and the outer case 1, the heat insulating cover 71 is not provided.
Makes the first heat insulation space 72 on the inner container 2 side narrower than the second heat insulation space 73 on the outer case 1 side, which is formed by partitioning between the inner container 2 and the outer case. The movement of the air around the outside 2 can be more easily restrained, and the heat conduction due to the movement of the air from the inner container 2, which is the heat source, to the heat insulating cover 71 can be further suppressed, and the heat insulation can be improved.

If the first heat insulating space 72 is a closed space between the inner container 2 as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the movement of air around the inner container 2 can be more easily restrained, and And the second heat-insulating space 73 are prevented from flowing in and out, so that the heat conduction due to the movement of the air from the inner container 2 as the heat source to the heat-insulating cover 71 side can be further suppressed, and the heat insulating property can be improved.

At this time, the lower end of the heat insulating cover 71 is closed with an adhesive structure via a sealing member 92 such as heat-resistant rubber between the bottom of the inner container 2 and a closing structure with the shoulder member 3 at the upper end. The first heat insulating space 72 is a closed space. Since the sealing member 92 can also support the lower end of the heat insulating cover 71, the rigidity of the heat insulating cover 71 can be improved, the shape retention required for the heat insulating cover 71 can be reduced, and the range of materials that can be used is expanded. A material having excellent heat insulating properties, which is often used as such, can be used as it is, or can be used after being appropriately knotted, such as binding, molding, and thermal processing, and is advantageous for ensuring heat insulating properties. Also, the sealing member 9
2 is also excellent in heat insulation, and together with the shoulder member 3 made of resin and the like, suppresses heat conduction from the inner container 2 to the heat insulating cover 71 by closing the first heat insulating space 72, and closes the first heat insulating space 72. Thus, the heat insulation can be improved.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG.
Is made of resin, and is formed into a double wall structure having a third heat insulating space 74 by integral molding, bonding, welding, or the like, so that radiant heat reaching the outer case 1 is Since the conduction to the outer surface is suppressed by preventing the heat conduction due to the restriction of the air in the third heat insulating space 74, the heat insulating property is further improved.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 and the embodiment of FIG. 4, even in any one of the heat insulating spaces 72 to 74, it is divided into several rooms vertically, horizontally, or horizontally and vertically. When the partition 75 is provided, the movement of air in the heat-insulating spaces 72 to 74 is easily suppressed by that much, so that the heat insulation is improved, and the partition 75 is provided in the heat-insulating spaces 72 to 74.
A heat insulating space 72 serving as a spacer between adjacent members forming
To 74 are easily maintained in the predetermined gap widths S1 to S3, and it is possible to prevent the heat insulation from being changed due to a change after the fact.

Further, the shape-retaining property and durability required for the heat-insulating cover 71 forming the heat-insulating space 72 and the like can be suppressed low, and the range of usable materials is widened, which is advantageous for securing heat-insulating properties.
Moreover, the heat insulating cover 71 that forms the heat insulating spaces 72 to 74
When the above-mentioned partition part is provided, it becomes its own reinforcing rib or the like.
The shape retention and durability required for such purposes can be kept low, and the range of materials that can be used is widened, which is advantageous for ensuring heat insulation. The partition 75 is preferably formed integrally with the inner container 2, the heat insulating cover 71, and the outer case 1. For a metal plate, a ridge formed by sheet metal processing may be used.

The heat insulating cover 71 is formed of a hard material such as a resin wall or a metal wall, as in the present embodiment shown in FIGS. Alternatively, the support structure can be held simply by being fitted to the outer periphery, and the support structure when the heat insulating cover 71 is separated from the shoulder member 3 is simplified.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper end of a heat-insulating flexible sheet 91 made of an inorganic fiber shaping sheet or a foamed resin is folded inward so that the restoring tension state as shown in the figures is obtained. Alternatively, the spacer 77 between the inner container 2 and the inner container 2 is easily formed by increasing the thickness. In particular, the bending may be performed by dividing the sheet in an appropriate number in the circumferential direction in accordance with the thickness and rigidity of the flexible sheet 91, and may be performed without such an in some cases. Moreover, in order to give the flexible sheet 91 a cylindrical shape, the mating edge 91a of the flexible sheet 91 is used.
Opposite engaging pieces 9 provided by punching and forming each other
1b has a simple structure in which they are engaged with each other, so that the flexible sheet 91 can be easily formed into a tubular shape by utilizing the flexibility and appropriate restoring property.

According to the spacer 77, the gap width S1 of the first heat insulating space 72 can be ensured, and the spacer 77 is engaged at the fitting portion between the upper end of the heat insulating cover 71 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 76 of the shoulder member 3. When the engaging portions 78 and 79 are provided by a combination of a projection and a hole, it is also useful for holding the engagement.

As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, when the lower end of the heat insulating cover 71 is supported by a part such as the rib 1a at the bottom of the outer case 1, the heat insulating cover 71 can be insulated without any special supporting member. The assembling rigidity of the cover 71 is improved, so that the usable material range is also widened. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is particularly advantageous because the lower end portion is supported by the seal member 92. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
The annular plate 96 supported on a receives the lower end of the multiple structure 90, closes the lower end of the vertical independent space 82 formed therein, and closes the upper end by the shoulder member 3. In addition, the movement of the air is further suppressed to further improve the heat insulating property. However, the same operation and effect can be obtained even when the annular case 96 is received on the annular step surface formed in a part of the outer case 1 without the annular plate 96. The specific configuration of the container 4 is not particularly limited as long as the inner container 2 is made of metal, such as a case in which the outer case 1 is formed of a metal plate such that only the bottom is formed of resin and the body is formed of a metal plate.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the heat insulating cover 71, which is a resin wall, is supported by fitting the upper end thereof into the annular groove 97 of the shoulder member 3.
Combined with the support of the lower end by the bottom of the
The heat insulating cover 71 can be stably held. However, the lower end of the heat insulating cover 71 can be supported by the annular groove throughout all the embodiments. Further, the annular grooves need not be continuous.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the outer surface of the shoulder member 3 is covered with the resin cover 101, and the outer surface on the side of the shoulder member 3 has a small contact area with the resin cover 101. A large number of protrusions 102 are formed, and the resin cover 101 and the heat insulating space 103 formed below the resin cover 101 prevent heat from escaping to the outside through the shoulder member 3 directly connected to the inner container 2 and improve heat insulation. This is effective when applied to the other embodiments shown in the drawings. Further, the back plate 6 of the lid 6
A heat conduction preventing member 104, such as resin or rubber, which is in contact with the seal packing 19 is provided on the lower surface of the outer periphery of a, and has a double insulation structure to the shoulder member together with the seal packing 19.

[0039]

According to the electric hot water storage container of the present invention, the heat insulating cover, which is provided with a structure in which the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are small and the cost can be reduced, forms the first heat insulating space between the inner container and the heat insulating cover. At the same time as suppressing the movement of air and suppressing the heat conduction from the inner container side to the heat insulating cover side, a second heat insulating space is formed between the inner case and the outer case to suppress the movement of air and suppress the air movement from the heat insulating cover side to the outer case. The heat conduction to the side is suppressed, and at the same time, the inflow and outflow of air between the first and second heat-insulating spaces is prevented, and the heat of the inner container passes through the first heat-insulating space, the heat-insulating cover, and the second heat-insulating space. Only the radiated heat that has passed can reach the outer case, so that the heat insulation can be improved. In addition, the number of components is increased by one, including the structure that supports the heat insulating cover on the shoulder member, but the structure is not particularly complicated, and the radiant heat reaching the outer case tends to be conducted to the outer surface of the outer case. However, since the heat is suppressed by preventing the heat conduction due to the restriction of the air in the third heat insulating space, the heat insulating property is further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electric pot showing a typical embodiment of the present invention as one example.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the electric pot of FIG. 1 as viewed in section.

3A and 3B show another embodiment of the electric pot of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a main part and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a part of a heat insulating cover.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part showing still another embodiment of the electric pot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the electric pot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a part of a heat insulating cover of the electric pot of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part showing another embodiment of the electric pot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a heat insulating cover of the electric pot of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a main part showing still another embodiment of the electric pot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a part of the electric pot of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Outer case 2 Inner container 3 Shoulder member 4 Body 11 Heater 71 Heat insulation cover 72, 73, 74 Heat insulation space 75 Partition part 76 Tube part 77 Spacer 78, 79 Engagement part 81 Metal plate 82 Independent space 90 Multiple structure 91 Flexible Seat 92 Seal member 95 Rib-shaped part

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electric hot water storage container for heating and heating a content liquid in an inner container housed in an outer case by a heater to store the hot water therein, wherein the inner case is integrated with a shoulder member connecting the mouth portions of the inner case and the inner container. Or a supporting member provided with a shoulder member, a heat insulating cover is provided at least outside the body of the inner container, and a first heat insulating space is formed between the heat insulating cover and the inner container. An electric hot water storage container characterized in that a second heat insulating space is formed therebetween, and the outer case has a double wall structure having a third heat insulating space.