JP3512008B2 - 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 capable of keeping heat with low power consumption.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric hot water storage container is equipped with a heat retention heating means (normal heat retention heater).
For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the target set heat retention temperature 98
By turning on and off within a predetermined control temperature range (T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C) centering on ° C, the desired set temperature is kept at 98 ° C on average. Therefore, the electric hot water storage container should have the required temperature (98 ° C) when needed.
It is very convenient in that you can get hot water.

However, since the above-mentioned heat retaining / heating means is naturally kept in the energized state almost constantly, the power consumption (electricity bill) does not become ridiculous when the heat retaining time becomes long.

Under these circumstances, recently, the inner container itself has a vacuum double structure having a high heat insulation function to improve the heat retention performance, and a timer is used to go out at night or at night.
Turn off the power to the heat retention heating means within a predetermined time, keep the heat retention temperature itself lower than normal and keep it warm, and when the hot water temperature becomes lower than the predetermined value or the set time elapses, the power is restarted and the original The ones that are designed to be kept at a high heat retention temperature are being provided.

Further, when a light-saving switch is provided so that the inside of the room becomes dark, the warming and heating means is automatically turned off to keep the temperature lower than usual and keeps brighter or the temperature of the hot water is kept below a predetermined temperature. When the temperature drops, there is a method in which energization is started again to return to a normal temperature state.

Further, in such a heat-retaining state, there is also one in which the actual hot water temperature at that time is displayed on the display section.

[0007]

By the way, in any of the above conventional examples, in order to control the hot water temperature or display the hot water temperature, any one of them is always energized and placed in a hot water temperature detecting means such as a bottom sensor,
The hot water temperature detection data is constantly taken into the microcomputer side heat retention control means to monitor the hot water temperature.

However, the hot water temperature detecting means such as the bottom sensor is generally composed of a high resistance body such as a thermistor as shown by reference numeral 12 in FIG. Therefore, constantly applying a constant voltage (about +5 V) to it also consumes a large amount of power.

Further, if the hot water temperature detection data detected by the thermistor portion is constantly taken into the microcomputer at a constant cycle, the number of times the microcomputer takes in data increases, and thus extra drive power is required. .

These problems are caused especially by improving the heat retention performance by using the electric hot water storage container as an inner container type of the above-mentioned vacuum double structure, while providing a manual hot water supply means such as a bellows and the like in a non-energized state without an AC power source. However, there is a problem in the case where the hot water can be supplied even in the above case and the backup power supply is provided correspondingly so that the hot water temperature in the inner container can be displayed even in the non-energized state without the AC power supply.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and the heat retention heating means is turned off during heat retention.
By increasing the time and turning off the hot water temperature detection means during the same OFF time so that the hot water temperature detection data is not taken in by the heat retention control means, power consumption as described above is reduced as much as possible. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric hot water storage container that is made small.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following means for solving problems.

(1) Invention of Claim 1 An electric hot water storage container according to the present invention is a warming and heating means for heating an inner container, a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting a hot water temperature of hot water in the inner container, and the hot water temperature detecting means. The warming and heating means is turned on and off so that the temperature of the hot water in the inner container detected by the means falls within a predetermined temperature range.
An electric hot water storage container comprising a heat retention control means for FF control, wherein a power consumption switching means for reducing power consumption during heat retention is provided, and in a heat retention state in which the power consumption switching means is operated, When the hot water temperature of the hot water in the inner container detected by the hot water temperature detecting means is equal to or higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined temperature range, the hot water temperature is estimated as the lower limit value of the predetermined temperature range. It is characterized in that the hot water heating means is turned off and the hot water temperature detecting means is turned off until the temperature falls to 0.degree.

Therefore, in this configuration, in the heat-retaining state in the energy-saving mode in which the power consumption switching means is operated, the actual hot water temperature at that time is equal to or higher than the upper limit value of the predetermined temperature range which is the control temperature range. Under the above conditions, the heat retention heater is turned OFF, and the OFF state is maintained until the hot water temperature decreases to a value estimated as the lower limit value of the above predetermined temperature range, so that the average value of the target heat retention temperature is Lower
Power consumption is reduced by shortening the energization time to the heat retention heater, and in addition to that, the hot water temperature detection means such as the bottom sensor is also turned off, and the acquisition of the hot water temperature detection data to the microcomputer side heat retention control means is stopped. By doing so, effective power saving is realized by two power saving methods, and it is possible to achieve more effective power saving for the entire electric hot water storage container.

(2) Invention of Claim 2 In the electric hot water storage container of this invention, in the constitution of the invention of claim 1, the OF of the above-mentioned heat retention heating means and hot water temperature detection means is provided.
When the hot water temperature at F is lowered to the lower limit value of the predetermined temperature range, the warming / heating means previously set based on the hot water temperature lowering characteristic of the electric hot water container itself is turned off. It is characterized in that it is made according to the required elapsed time from the time when the value is decreased to the above lower limit value.

Therefore, in this configuration, even if the hot water temperature detecting means is turned off and the hot water temperature detection data is stopped being fetched to the microcomputer side heat retention control means as described above, the target hot water temperature (lower limit) is substantially reached. (Value) can be detected, and appropriate heat retention control can be performed within an arbitrarily set predetermined temperature range.

(3) Invention of Claim 3 In the electric hot water storage container of the present invention, in the constitution of the invention of Claim 1, the OF of the above-mentioned heat retention heating means and hot water temperature detection means is provided.
The fact that the hot water temperature has decreased to the lower limit value of the predetermined temperature range at the time of F is detected by the hot water temperature lowering characteristic that the temperature at the time of turning off the heat retention heater to the predetermined reference temperature after the heat retention heater is turned off. The hot water temperature lowering characteristic of the electric hot water storage container itself is estimated, and the time required for the temperature to drop from the predetermined reference temperature determined based on the estimated hot water temperature lowering characteristic to the lower limit value is determined. It is characterized by

Therefore, in this configuration, even if the hot water temperature detecting means is turned off as described above and the fetch of the hot water temperature detection data to the microcomputer side heat retention control means is stopped, the target hot water temperature (lower limit) is substantially reached. (Value) can be detected, and appropriate heat retention control can be performed within an arbitrarily set predetermined temperature range.

(4) Invention of Claim 4 In the electric hot water storage container of this invention, in the constitution of the invention of Claims 1, 2 or 3, the lower limit value of the above-mentioned predetermined temperature range can be used by a user who is normally assumed. It is characterized by being set low within a range of various temperature levels.

By lowering the lower limit value of the control temperature range during heat retention within the range of temperature levels that can be used by the user in this way, the OFF time of the heat retention heating means can be lengthened accordingly, and the hot water temperature detection Since the OFF time of the means can be lengthened, the power consumption can be further reduced.

(5) Invention of Claim 5 In the electric hot water storage container of the present invention, in the structure of the invention of Claim 4 above, the temperature level of tea, coffee, etc., which is usually assumed by the user, can be used. 70 ℃ for 9
It is characterized by being in the range of 5 ° C.

Therefore, in this configuration, the above-mentioned energy-saving and heat-retaining control is performed within the range of 70 ° C. to 95 ° C. for tea, coffee and the like.

(6) Invention of Claim 6 The electric hot water storage container of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned Claims 1, 2, 3, 4
Alternatively, the structure of the invention of 5 is characterized in that the inner container has a heat insulating structure to improve heat retention performance.

According to this structure, the heat retention performance is greatly improved and the characteristic of lowering the hot water temperature is slowed down, so that the OFF time of each of the warming heater and the hot water temperature detecting means can be made sufficiently long, and further, It is possible to effectively reduce the power consumption.

(7) Invention of Claim 7 The electric hot water storage container of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned Claims 1, 2, 3,
In the configuration of the invention of 4, 5, or 6, in the warm state in which the power consumption switching means is operated, the decrease in the hot water temperature is subtracted and displayed based on the time elapsed after the warm heater is turned off. It is characterized by having done.

Therefore, in this configuration, in the heat-retaining state in the energy-saving mode in which the power consumption switching means is operated, the decrease in the hot water temperature is subtracted based on the lapse of time after the heat-retaining heater is turned off. The hot water temperature is displayed.

Therefore, the hot water temperature can be displayed even if the hot water temperature detecting means such as the hot water temperature sensor is OFF, which is convenient and saves the power consumption.

[0028]

As a result of the above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric hot water storage container having a high energy-saving effect during heat retention.

[0029]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The configuration and operation of some embodiments of the electric hot water container of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Structure of Electric Hot Water Storage Container Main Body Common to Each Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 5 show the structure of an electric hot water storage container main body common to each embodiment of the present invention described later. There is.

This electric hot water storage container is first shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a container body 1 having an inner container 3 for storing hot water
And a lid body 2 for opening and closing the upper opening of the container body 1,
A boiling heater 4A which is a first heating means for heating the inner container 3 when boiling the water, and a heat retention heater 4B which is a second heating means for heating the inner container 3 when the temperature is kept warm.
And a hot water supply passage 5 for supplying hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside, and an electric hot water pump for sending hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 in a state where an AC power source is connected. 6 and a manual air pump 18 for sending the hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 when the AC power source is not connected.

The container body 1 has a cylindrical outer case 7 made of synthetic resin that constitutes an outer side surface, the inner container 3 that constitutes an inner side surface, and the outer case 7 and the inner container 3 on the upper side. It is composed of an annular shoulder member 8 made of synthetic resin, which is integrally connected and fixed, and a dish-shaped bottom member 9 made of synthetic resin, which constitutes the bottom portion.

The inner container 3 is a vacuum double structure having a high heat retention performance in which a vacuum heat insulating space is provided between an inner cylinder 10 made of stainless steel and having a cylindrical bottom and a cylindrical outer cylinder 11 made of stainless steel. The bottom portion of the inner cylinder 10 is formed with a single plate portion 3a which is formed only by the bottom portion of the inner cylinder 10 except the outer peripheral portion. The single plate portion 3a is formed so as to project slightly upward, and on the lower surface side thereof, the boiling water heater 4A and the heat retaining heater 4B (for example, two sets of heating elements having different wattages are held on a mica plate). It consists of a mica heater). At the upper end of the inner container 3, a small diameter water supply port 3b having a heat-keeping structure is formed by drawing the upper end on the inner cylinder 10 side toward the central axis direction. Further, reference numeral 12 is a bottom sensor (hot water temperature sensor) which functions as hot water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner container 3 (in other words, the temperature of hot water in the inner container 3), and is shown in FIG. Like the conventional one, it consists of a thermistor.

As will be described later, the bottom sensor 12 is in the same state when at least the heat retention heater 4B is turned off in the energy saving heat retention mode in which the power consumption changeover switch 70, which is a power consumption changeover means, is turned on. When the hot water temperature T becomes lower than the predetermined temperature T ₃ ° C, it is turned off.
To be done. Then, the hot water temperature when the bottom sensor 12 is OFF is set to a lower limit side from a predetermined temperature point (T ₁ ° C or T ₃ ° C) within a predetermined control temperature range T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C as described later. Based on the elapse of the time (t or tb) required to decrease the temperature value to the predetermined temperature value T ₂ ℃, the initial hot water temperature value (T ₁ ℃ or T
₃ ° C.) is subtracted and displayed on a hot water temperature display section 47a of the liquid crystal display section 47 described later.

Therefore, in order to display the hot water temperature value T in this case, the bottom sensor 12 is not necessary, and the bottom sensor 12 is not necessary.
There is no power consumption.

Of course, when the heat retention heater 4B is ON and the bottom sensor 12 is also ON, the hot water temperature T is displayed based on the hot water temperature detection data of the bottom sensor 12.

Further, reference numeral 13 is a convex full water level display portion for displaying the full water level of the inner container 3.

The lid 2 is composed of an upper plate 14 made of synthetic resin and a lower plate 15 made of synthetic resin having an outer peripheral edge joined to the upper plate 14, and is provided at the rear portion of the shoulder member 8. The hinge receiver 16 is supported by a hinge pin 17 so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction and detachable.

Further, an air pump 18 driven by a manual operation is provided on the lid body 2 so that hot water can be supplied to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5 even when the AC power source is not connected. Has been done. The air pump 18 is of a bellows type arranged in a cylindrical portion 19 formed in the substantially central portion of the lid body 2.
Bellows 20C with a bellows structure via 0A and the pressing plate 20B
By pressing downward, the pressurized air 20D in the bellows 20C is blown into the inner container 3 through the air blowing port, and the hot air in the inner container 3 is heated by the blowing pressure of the pressurized air. It is designed to be pushed out to the outside via. Further, 20E is a restoring spring of the bellows 20C upward, and 15A is a bellows supporting plate on the lower plate 15 side. In addition, reference numerals 21a to 21d are vapor discharge passages of the lid body 2 which are communicated considerably from the lower side to the upper side, and 22 is a fall-stop water disposed midway on the vapor discharge portion 21a side of the vapor discharge passages 21a to 21d. It is a valve.

On the lower surface of the lower plate 15 of the lid body 2,
An inner cover member 23 made of metal is fixed, and an outer peripheral edge of the inner cover member 23 is made of a heat-resistant rubber that is pressed against the upper surface of the water supply port 3b of the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed. The seal packing 24 is provided.

An electric hot water supply pump 6 is arranged at a lower position of the inner container 3 on the upstream end side of the hot water supply passage 5 through a hot water introducing cylinder 6a on the inner container 3 side and a hot water suction port 6b on the hot water supply pump side. In the hot water supply passage 5, the hot water introducing cylinder 6a is provided.
The hot water sucked in through the hot water suction port 6b is discharged from the discharge port 6c by the action of the electric hot water supply pump 6,
The hot water supply passage 5 is guided to a spout 5c to the outside through a straight pipe portion 5a. A flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of hot water passing through the hot water supply passage 5 is provided at the straight pipe portion 5a of the inner container 3 of the hot water supply passage 5 which is located below the full water level display portion 13 as necessary. Is provided.

Further, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, reference numeral 35 is an operation panel section having operation surfaces for various switches and a display surface of a liquid crystal display section, which will be described later, and 51 is a microcomputer unit 60 and various switches. 38-41, 70, a microcomputer board including a liquid crystal display device (driving unit), 51a,
The support member 50 of the microcomputer board 51 is a power supply board provided with the electric hot water supply pump 6, the hot water heater 4A, the drive circuits 54, 55 and 56 of the warming heater 4B, the stabilizing power supply circuit 57, and the like.

The operation panel section 35 has, for example, FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, hot water supply switch 38, hot water supply lock release switch 39, reboil switch 40, heat retention selection switch 41, power consumption changeover switch 70, reboil display LED
44, a heat retention selection display LED 45, a hot water supply lock release display LED 46, and a liquid crystal display unit 47 are provided.

The liquid crystal display unit 47 is provided with a time / time / hot water temperature / operating state etc. display unit 47a, a heat retention set temperature display unit 47b, a foam bottle heat retention display unit 47c and an energy saving mode display unit 47d. It is designed to display various useful information.

Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit section in the electric hot water container body having the above-mentioned configuration. The power switch SW, the triac 53, the triac drive circuit 54, and the relay drive on the side of the power supply board 50 described above are driven. Circuit 5
5, the interrupt circuit (IRQ circuit) 56, the stabilized power supply circuit 57, the hot water supply circuit 58, etc.
It is configured to be connected to the microcomputer unit 60 on the first side. Further, on the side of the power supply board 50, the AC power supply 52 is also provided with the heater 4A through the power plug and the socket, and the water heater 52A.
Via the power switch SW, the warming heater 4B via the power connector C ₁ , the electric hot water pump 6 via the connector C ₂ , and the bottom sensor 12 via the connector C ₃ , respectively. It is connected to the. Further, the microcomputer unit 60 on the microcomputer board 51 further includes a liquid crystal display 47, a reboiling display LED 44, a heat retention selection display LED 45, a hot water supply lock release display LED 46, a hot water supply switch 38, a reboil switch 40, and a heat retention selection switch. 41, a hot water supply lock release switch 39, a power consumption changeover switch 70, a piezoelectric buzzer 61, an oscillation circuit 62, a reset circuit 63, etc. are connected to each other.

(Modification) The power consumption changeover switch 70 described above may also be used as an existing switch (for example, the reboil switch 40) that is not used during heat retention.

The reset of the energy saving mode is performed by pushing the power consumption changeover switch 70 again.
The hot water supply lock release switch 39 may also be operated to be turned on.

The details of various energy-saving control during heat retention, which is executed on the premise of the electric hot water storage container having the above-described configuration, will be described in detail below.

(Embodiment 1) First, the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the time chart of FIG. 7 show the contents of the energy-saving control system when the electric hot water container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is kept warm.

This control system is characterized in that it is in the energy-saving and heat-retaining mode state from the beginning when the electric power consumption changeover switch 70 is turned on and the descaling is completed and the heat-retention mode is entered. In each case of the energy-saving heat retention mode state after the above-described power consumption changeover switch 70 is turned on in the middle of the heat retention mode, the target heat retention temperature range described above (T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C) By setting the lower limit value T ₂ ° C of the lower limit value (92 ° C) to be lower than that of the conventional example of Fig. 11 described above within the range of the normally assumed usable water temperature on the user side, the warming heater during warming The total OFF time of 4B is set as long as possible, and the above-mentioned hot water temperature detection is performed during the OFF time (OFF period) of the heat retention heater 4B. By turning off the voltage applied to the bottom sensor (thermistor) 12 and stopping the temperature detection data from being fetched to the microcomputer unit 60 side, it is possible to eliminate the power consumption in the temperature detection circuit portion of the bottom sensor 12 and the microcomputer 60. In this way, each of them is effective and sufficiently reduced in power consumption during heat retention. Then, in that case, the detection of the decrease in the hot water temperature to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C for turning on the warming heater 4B which has been once turned off is made beforehand by the time of the hot water temperature coming from the warming characteristic of the electric hot water storage container itself. Specific decrease characteristics (how long it takes to decrease from a certain temperature to a certain temperature) by the set elapsed time that is set.

That is, in the control, as shown in step S ₁ of the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the control is started, it is first determined whether or not the current control mode is the heat retention mode. Then, as a result, in the case of the control mode (for example, the water boiling mode) that is not the heat retention mode of NO, the determination of the heat retention mode is repeated until the heat retention mode is set.

On the other hand, if the same heat retention mode is determined, YES (hold
If it is determined that the temperature mode), then step S₂Proceed to
The current hot water temperature is shown in the time chart of FIG. 7, for example.
Hot water temperature control range (T₁℃ ~ T₂℃)
Upper limit T₁℃ (eg T₁℃ = 99 ℃) or more
To judge. As a result, the current hot water temperature T of NO is the upper limit value T
₁If it is lower than ℃ (99 ℃), step S₃Proceed to
After turning on the above heat insulation heater 4B, return after
Repeatedly, the above heat retention mode is reset
As long as the temperature is not finished, the above heat retention heater 4B is driven to be heated.
And the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 is the upper limit value T of the hot water temperature control width.
₁Raise the temperature above ℃ (99 ℃). On the other hand, YES
The current hot water temperature T is the upper limit value T₁State above ℃ (99 ℃)
If it is (at the state of to in FIG. 7), the next step S
_FourThen, the heat retention heater 4B is turned off.

As a result, assuming that the present hot water temperature T is 99 ° C. or more as in the case of to in FIG. 7, the inner heater 3 is turned off by turning off the heat retaining heater 4B, as shown in the characteristic of FIG. The inner hot water temperature T gradually decreases to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C (92 ° C) after a predetermined elapsed time t specified by the heat retaining characteristics such as the product structure of the electric hot water storage container.
The elapsed time t is fixedly set in the memory of the microcomputer unit 60 by a preliminary experiment for each product.

[0054] Further, in the above-mentioned bottom sensor 12 is also OFF simultaneously in step S ₅ with OFF of the insulation heater 4B, to stop receiving the temperature detection data to the microcomputer unit 60.

As a result, the power consumption associated with the hot water temperature detection is reduced together with the heat retention heater 4B being turned off.

Meanwhile,-holding temperature heater 4B, in synchronization with the OFF state of the bottom sensor 12 in the next step S _6, to start the count operation of the timer for counting the predetermined time t. Then, at step S ₇ that follows on the basis of the count value of the timer, substantially the required time t is elapsed indicating whether the current water temperature T has decreased to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C. illustrated (92 ° C.) Whether or not it is determined. In the determination, the determination result is determined several times until YES, and the process proceeds to step S ₈ when it becomes to YES, the insulation heater 4B
Again returned to the bottom sensor 12 in step S ₉ as well as to ON ON, to resume the incorporation of temperature detection data to the microcomputer unit 60, the hot water while monitoring the change in hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 Insulation heating is performed until the upper limit value T ₁ ° C of the temperature control width becomes equal to or higher than T ₁ .

That is, in this configuration, when the hot water heater T is turned off at the upper limit value T ₁ ° C between the upper limit value T ₁ ° C and the lower limit value T ₂ ° C of the hot water temperature control range, the hot water temperature T becomes the lower limit. The elapse of the required time t required to decrease to the value T ₂ ° C is judged, and the same time t elapses, that is, the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 decreases from the same upper limit value T ₁ ° C to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C. The same lower limit value T ₂
When it becomes lower than ℃ (92 ℃), the heat insulation heater 4B is turned on again and the bottom sensor 12 is turned on.
By performing the normal warming / heating control while monitoring the hot water temperature T, the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 is raised to the hot water temperature control upper limit value T ₁ ° C (99 ° C) or more in Fig. 7. I have to.

Then, after that, at least in the heat retaining state in the energy saving mode, by repeating the same control as described above, as a result, the average value of the target heat retaining temperature is lowered and the energizing time to the heat retaining heater 4B is reduced. It is effective by two power saving methods, namely, power saving by shortening, and the thermistor part of the bottom sensor 12 is turned off accordingly, and power saving is stopped by stopping temperature data acquisition to the microcomputer unit 60. By reducing the power consumption, it is possible to more effectively reduce the power consumption of the electric hot water storage container as a whole.

In particular, the bottom sensor 12 associated with the latter power-off
The power consumption can be reduced by turning off the power and turning off the temperature detection data to the microcomputer 60. For example, when the power supply is unplugged, the hot water supply device is in a power failure state. This is also effective for energy saving in the case of a product configured to display water temperature as shown in item 5.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a flow chart of FIG. 8 and a time chart of FIG. 9 show the contents of the energy-saving control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the electric hot water storage container is kept warm.

This control system is characterized in that it is in the energy-saving and heat-retention mode state from the beginning when the above-mentioned power consumption changeover switch 70 is turned on and the descaling is completed and the heat-retention mode is entered. In each case of the energy-saving heat retention mode state from the middle of the ON operation of the power consumption changeover switch 70 in the middle of the heat retention mode being maintained, the target hot water temperature control width (T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C) described above is obtained. ) Lower limit value T ₂ ° C is set to be lower than that of the above-mentioned conventional example (Fig. 11) within the range of normally assumed usable water temperature on the user side (T ₂ = 92).
C.), the total OFF time of the heat retention heater 4B during the heat retention control is made as long as possible to reduce power consumption, and the hot water temperature detection described above is performed during the OFF time (OFF period) of the heat retention heater. By turning off the voltage applied to the bottom sensor (thermistor) 12 for power supply and stopping the acquisition of the temperature detection data to the microcomputer 60 side, the power consumption in the temperature detection circuit part of the bottom sensor 12 and the microcomputer unit 60 is reduced. It is characterized in that the power consumption is effectively and sufficiently reduced in each case by keeping away from each other.
Then, in that case, the decrease in the hot water temperature T to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C of the hot water temperature control width for turning on the hot water heater 4B that has been once turned off is detected at the beginning of the energy saving control when the hot water heater 4B is turned off. The time required for lowering the hot water temperature is detected as a parameter from the product characteristics of the electric hot water storage container itself within a predetermined temperature drop range, and the detected elapsed time is used as a parameter for the hot water temperature It is designed to be specified by the expected elapsed time after which it is finally determined corresponding to the deterioration characteristic.

That is, as shown in step S ₁ of the flowchart of FIG. 8, when the control is started, it is first determined whether or not the current control mode is the heat retention mode. Then, as a result, in the case of the mode other than the NO heat retention mode (for example, the boiling water mode), the determination of the heat retention mode is repeated until the heat retention mode is set.

On the other hand, if YES (heat retention mode) is determined in the determination of the same heat retention mode, the process proceeds to step S ₂ , and the current hot water temperature T is the hot water temperature control in the energy saving control shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the width (T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C) is equal to or more than the upper limit value T ₁ ° C (for example, T ₁ = 99 ° C). As a result, when the temperature is lower than the upper limit value T ₁ ° C (99 ° C) of NO, the process proceeds to step S ₃ , the heat retention heater 4B is turned on, the process returns and the above operation is repeated to change the hot water temperature T to the hot water control range. Up to the upper limit value T ₁ ° C (99 ° C) or above.
On the other hand, when the present hot water temperature T is YES above T ₁ ° C (99 ° C) (for example, t in the time chart of Fig. 9).
(state of o), the above-mentioned heat retention heater 4B is turned off in the next step S ₄ .

As a result, assuming that the present hot water temperature T is 99 ° C. or more as in the case of “to” in the time chart of FIG. 9, the temperature of the warming heater 4B is turned off, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the hot water temperature lowering characteristic, the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 is gradually decreased by the lower limit value T ₂ ° C (9
2 ℃).

Therefore, in synchronism with the heat insulation heater 4B being turned off, at the next step S ₅ , the predetermined time ta, tb is reached.
Start a timer to count.

First, at step S ₆ , the current water temperature T is T ₁ when the heat insulation heater 4B is turned off.
Temperature T ₃ lower than the same temperature T ₁ ℃ from ℃ (99 ℃) by a specified value
(For example, T ₃ = 97 ° C.) is determined,
The process proceeds to step S ₇ as they become to YES, the water temperature T based on the count value of the timer T ₃ ° C. from the T ₁ ° C.
Then, the time ta required to lower the temperature is calculated. And
In step S ₈ that follows based on it, determine the time tb required hot water temperature T in the OFF state of the same heat insulating heater 4B from the time ta is lowered to the lower limit T ₂ ° C. (92 ° C.) (predicted) In the following step S ₉ , the heat retention heater 4B is continuously turned off within the same time tb, and further,
In step S ₁₀ , the bottom sensor 12 is also turned off to stop the temperature detection data from being taken into the microcomputer unit 60.

As a result, the power consumption due to the hot water temperature detection is reduced together with the heat retention heater 4B being turned off.

Thereafter, in step S ₁₁ , the same heat retaining heater 4 is used.
B and the OFF time tb of the bottom sensor 12 are judged to have passed, and the same time tb of YES has passed, that is, the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 has decreased to the lower limit value T ₂ ° C (92 ° C), and lower than that. When it becomes likely, oN bottom sensor 12 as well as the oN again the insulation heater 4B in step S ₁₂
Then, the normal warming and heating control is performed while monitoring the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3, and the hot water temperature T in the inner container 3 is changed to the hot water temperature control range (T ₁ ° C to T ₂ ° C in FIG. 9). ) To the upper limit value T ₁ (99 ° C) or more.

Thereafter, at least in the heat-retention state in the energy saving mode, the same control as described above is repeated, and as a result, the average value of the target heat-retention temperature is lowered and the energization time to the heat-retention heater 4B is shortened. The two power saving methods are effective. One is to save power consumption, and the other is to turn off the thermistor part of the bottom sensor 12 to stop the temperature detection data from being fetched to the microcomputer unit 60. As a result, the electric hot water storage container as a whole can achieve more effective power consumption reduction.

In particular, reduction of power consumption by the latter method is
For example, in the power failure state in which the electric plug is unplugged, the backup power supply is installed, so
This is effective as an energy-saving measure (prevention of battery exhaustion) when configured to display the hot water temperature.

[0071] (Other embodiments) In the above usually envisioned usable temperature levels range T ₁ ℃ ~T ₂ ℃ of users in the embodiments, 99 ° C. as described above to 9
Not limited to the range of 2 ° C., it is possible to set the lower limit value T ₂ ° C. to be lower than the above case, for example, within the range of 95 ° C. to 70 ° C. for coffee, tea and the like. By doing so, the heat insulation heater 4B and the bottom sensor 12 are provided.
OFF time is further extended, and power consumption is further saved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an electric hot water storage container main body common to each embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the side.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main body portion.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit diagram of the main body portion.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of an energy saving mode lighting display state of an operation panel section of the main body section.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the operation panel portion of the main body portion in a full lighting display state.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of energy-saving heat retention control of the electric hot water storage container according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is the same time chart.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the content of energy-saving heat retention control of an electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is the same time chart.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of hot water temperature detecting means used in a conventional general electric hot water storage container.

FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the contents of normal heat retention control of the conventional general electric hot water storage container.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a container body, 3 is an inner container, 4A is a heater for boiling water, 4B
Is a heat retention heater, 12 is a bottom sensor, 60 is a microcomputer unit, and 70 is a power consumption changeover switch.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47J 27/21 101 A47J 41/02 102

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A warming and heating means for heating an inner container, a hot water temperature detecting means for detecting a hot water temperature of hot water in the inner container, and a hot water temperature in the inner container detected by the hot water temperature detecting means is a predetermined temperature. An electric hot water storage container comprising a heat retention control means for controlling ON / OFF of the heat retention heating means so as to be within a range, wherein power consumption switching means for reducing power consumption during heat retention is provided. When the hot water temperature of the hot water in the inner container detected by the hot water temperature detecting means is higher than or equal to the upper limit value of the predetermined temperature range, the hot water temperature is maintained while the switching means is operated. The warming and heating means is turned off and the hot water temperature detecting means is turned off until the temperature is lowered to a value estimated as the lower limit value of the predetermined temperature range, and the acquisition of the hot water temperature detection data to the warming control means is stopped. It is characterized by doing Electric hot water storage container. 2. The detection that the hot water temperature when the warming heating means and the hot water temperature detecting means are off has dropped to the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range is based on the hot water temperature lowering characteristic of the electric hot water container itself. 2. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 1, wherein the electric hot water storage container is constructed according to a required elapsed time from when the previously set heat retaining and heating means is turned off to when the heat insulating and heating means is lowered to the lower limit value. 3. The temperature at the time of turning off the warming heater and the hot water temperature detecting means when the hot water temperature has dropped to the lower limit of the predetermined temperature range is detected after the warming heater is turned off. From the predetermined reference temperature determined above based on the estimated hot water temperature lowering characteristics, the lower limit is estimated based on the estimated hot water temperature lowering characteristics of the electric hot water storage container itself. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 1, wherein the electric hot water storage container is constructed according to a required elapsed time until the value falls. 4. The electricity according to claim 1, wherein the lower limit value of the predetermined temperature range is set to be low within a range of a temperature level that can be normally assumed by a user. Hot water storage container. 5. A temperature range that is normally assumed by a user is 70 ° C. for tea, coffee, etc.
The electric hot water storage container according to claim 4, wherein the electric hot water storage container has a temperature range of up to 95 ° C. 6. The heat retaining performance is improved by using the heat insulating structure for the inner container.
The electric hot water storage container according to 4 or 5. 7. A hot water temperature decrease is subtracted and displayed based on the lapse of time after the heat retention heater is turned off in a heat retention state in which the power consumption switching means is operated. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.