JP3594116B2 - Electric pot temperature control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a temperature control device for an electric pot in which a container wall of an inner container made of stainless steel or the like is doubled and the inside between the containers is evacuated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The electric kettle is configured such that water put in a stainless steel inner container is boiled by a water heater and then kept at a predetermined temperature by a warming heater. However, recently, in order to reduce power consumption at the time of heat insulation, an energy-saving electric kettle with a vacuum heat insulation function that suppresses the heat radiation of hot water has been developed by doubling the inner container and making the inside a vacuum state. Have been.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional electric pot having a vacuum heat retaining function has a problem in that a sufficient energy saving effect cannot be obtained because the heat retaining by the heat retaining heater is continued even after the boiling by the water heater.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electric pot temperature control device capable of sufficiently reducing power consumption by limiting heat retention after boiling.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A temperature control device for an electric pot according to claim 1, wherein the electric pot has an inner / outer double wall structure, and has an inner container in which the inner and outer walls are in a vacuum state. And boiling detection means for detecting that the content liquid of the inner container has reached a temperature state near boiling or near boiling, and when the boiling detection means detects that the temperature state near boiling or near boiling has been reached, Heating stop means for stopping the power supply to the heater; and restarting the power supply to the heater every time a predetermined time elapses after the heating stop means stops the heating of the heater. And a reheating means for heating to a temperature or a predetermined temperature.
[0006]
According to the first aspect of the invention, once the content liquid boils, the power supply to the heater is stopped, so that unnecessary power consumption can be eliminated. In addition, even if the temperature of the boiling liquid is gradually lowered by the vacuum heat retention function, the reheating means re-boils or reheats to a predetermined temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed, and this is repeated. It will not be lost. However, repetition of re-boiling and re-heating by the re-heating means can be stopped after a long time elapses in order to eliminate waste of keeping hot water that is not used.
[0007]
The temperature control device for an electric pot according to claim 2 has an inner and outer double wall structure, and in an electric pot having an inner container in which the inner and outer walls are in a vacuum state, for supplying hot water of the inner container. A hot water supply pump that operates through a hot water supply circuit, a heater that heats the content liquid of the inner container, and boiling detection means that detects that the content liquid of the inner container has reached a temperature state of boiling or near boiling. When the boiling detecting means detects that the temperature has reached the boiling or near-boiling temperature state , and when the heat retention mode is not set, the power supply to the heater is stopped and thereafter the power supply is automatically restarted. And a hot water supply means for operating a hot water supply pump to enable a hot water supply operation even after the heating stop means stops supplying power to the heater.
[0008]
The predetermined time and the predetermined temperature can be fixed time and temperature. With this configuration, if a predetermined time and a predetermined temperature are set assuming a general usage mode of the electric pot, it is not necessary to impose a burden on the user for these settings.
[0009]
Conversely, the predetermined time may be set by a user operation by providing a predetermined time setting means. With this configuration, the predetermined time can be set in accordance with the life cycle of the user who uses the electric pot, and wasteful reheating in an unnecessarily short time can be eliminated. The predetermined temperature may be set by a user operation by providing a predetermined temperature setting means. This makes it possible to set the level of the predetermined temperature at the time of reheating in accordance with the lifestyle of the user who uses the electric kettle, and it is possible to eliminate waste of maintaining the temperature at a temperature higher than necessary.
[0010]
According to the second aspect of the invention, when the heat retention mode is not set, once the content liquid boils due to energization to the heater, the energization to the heater is completely stopped, so that unnecessary power consumption is eliminated. Can be. In addition, the boiling liquid is maintained at a high temperature for a while by the vacuum insulation function of the double wall structure. At this time, the hot water supply operation can be performed even if the power supply to the heater is stopped. In the case where heat retention mode by the operation is set, it is possible to perform the thermal insulation by the same as conventional heaters.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
1 to 7 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of a temperature control device for an electric pot, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a structure of the electric pot. , FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display operation unit of the electric pot, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electric pot temperature control device, FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the electric pot temperature control device, and FIG. 7 is a time chart showing another operation of the temperature control device for the pot, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation for setting the heat retention temperature, FIG. 8 is a time chart showing another operation of the temperature control device for the electric pot, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of the display operation unit of the electric pot.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the electric pot of the present embodiment fills the interior of the inner container 1 housed in the main case 13 with water, and the water is boiled by the heater 2. The inner container 1 is a container made of a stainless steel plate, and has a vacuum heat insulating function by forming the stainless steel plate into a double-walled structure inside and outside to form a vacuum space 14 of a vacuum. Further, a packing material 16 is attached to a lid 15 covering the upper end opening of the inner container 1, and when the lid 15 is closed, the packing material 16 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the inner container 1 to seal the inside. And the heat retention effect inside the inner container 1 is enhanced. However, the inner part of the inner container 1 has a single-wall structure 17 for the most part at the bottom in order to heat the internal water with the heater 2 or to measure the temperature of the water with the water temperature sensor 10. The heater 2 may be a conventional one in which a high-heat-output water heater line and a low-heat-output heat-retention heater wire are internally provided, or a heater in which only a hot-water heater line is provided. it can. Further, in addition to the heater 2 having only the water heater line, another heater for keeping the temperature in which only the heater line is wired can be provided. The hot water in the inner container 1 is lifted upward through the pouring passage 4 by the hot water supply pump 3 and supplied from the tip of the discharge packing 5.
[0014]
A display operation unit 6 as shown in FIG. 3 is provided on a shoulder of the main body of the electric pot. The display operation unit 6 includes a large number of switch keys 7 for receiving user operations and a large number of LED lamps 8 for lighting and displaying. The display operation unit 6 is connected to a microcomputer 9 as shown in FIG. The microcomputer 9 controls the temperature of the electric pot and controls other operations. That is, the microcomputer 9 can input the operation of the switch key 7 on the display / operation unit 6 and turn on the LED lamp 8 of the display / operation unit 6. The microcomputer 9 inputs the temperature of hot water detected by a water temperature sensor 10 provided in the inner container 1 and controls the heater 2 for heating the hot water of the inner container 1 via a heater circuit 11. Can be. Further, for example, when the “hot water supply” switch key 7 of the display operation unit 6 is pressed, the hot water supply operation is performed by operating the hot water supply pump 3 via the hot water supply circuit 12.
[0015]
The operation of the electric pot temperature control device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in the first step (hereinafter referred to as "S"), the heater 2 is energized and heated until the hot water in the inner container 1 boils (S1, S2). Then, when the hot water boils, it is checked whether or not the mode is the warming mode (S3), and if not, the process ends.
[0016]
In this temperature control, when the heater 2 is energized and the hot water boils once, the energization of the heater 2 is stopped thereafter, so that unnecessary power consumption can be eliminated. However, the hot water supply operation can be performed during this time. The boiling water is kept at a high temperature for a while by the vacuum heat retention function, so it is a control suitable for the usage method in which the hot water is mostly used up in a relatively short time after boiling. . If hot water is needed again after the hot water has cooled down after a long time, the control is returned to S1 by pressing the switch key 7 of "select reboil" on the display operation unit 6. The boiling heat can be performed by transferring.
[0017]
If it is determined in S3 in the flowchart of FIG. 1 that the mode is the heat retention mode, the timer count is performed until the predetermined count ends (S4, S5). When the counting is completed, the process returns to S1 to perform the boiling heating. The heat retention mode is set, for example, when the heat retention time is determined by pressing the switch key 7 of “selection of heat retention time” on the display operation unit 6.
[0018]
Even in this temperature control, when the heater 2 is energized and the hot water boils once, the energization of the heater 2 is temporarily stopped thereafter, so that unnecessary power consumption can be eliminated. However, as shown in FIG. 5, when a predetermined time (for example, 12 hours) elapses after the timer count ends, the hot water is boiled again and the same operation is repeated. You can always supply hot water. Therefore, in this case, most of the water is not always used immediately after the boiling water is first boiled, but is often used for a long time, and the temperature may fluctuate to some extent. This is a control suitable for various usage patterns.
[0019]
In the above temperature control, the boiling heating is performed again in the case of the heat retention mode. However, instead of this, control for raising the hot water to a predetermined temperature may be performed. For example, when the heat retention temperature is set by pressing the "heat retention selection" switch key 7 of the display operation unit 6, the temperature is raised to the set predetermined temperature, instead of heating until boiling, and then the heater 2 is turned on again for a predetermined time. Is stopped.
[0020]
Also in this temperature control, when the heater 2 is energized and the hot water once boils or rises to a predetermined temperature, the energization of the heater 2 is temporarily stopped thereafter, so that unnecessary power consumption can be eliminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, every time a predetermined time (for example, 10 hours) elapses after the timer count ends, the hot water is heated to a predetermined temperature (90 ° C. in the figure), so that the hot water is not excessively cooled. Hot water with a certain temperature can be supplied at any time. In FIG. 6, when such reheating is repeated for 30 hours or more, heating is stopped thereafter to prevent waste of keeping hot water that has not been used even after one day or more. ing.
[0021]
The setting operation of the heat retention temperature by the switch key 7 of "heat retention selection" of the display operation unit 6 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. When the switch key 7 for "selection of heat retention" is depressed (S11), a mode for setting a heat retention temperature is entered, and the LED lamp 8 of "98" indicating a temperature of 98 ° C. is first turned on (S12). Here, when the switch key 7 for "selection of heat retention" is pressed again (S13), the heat retention temperature is set to a temperature of 98 ° C (S14). However, when 2 seconds have elapsed without pressing the switch button 7 for “Hold selection” (S15), the LED lamp 8 is switched to the “90” LED lamp 8 indicating a temperature of 90 ° C. (S16). Then, when the switch key 7 for "select heat retention" is pressed (S17), the heat retention temperature is set to a temperature of 90 ° C (S18). However, when 2 seconds elapse again without pressing the switch button 7 of “HEAT INSULATION” (S19), the LED lamp 8 of “60” indicating the temperature of 60 ° C. is switched on (S20). Then, when the switch key 7 for "select heat retention" is pressed (S21), the heat retention temperature is set to a temperature of 60 ° C (S22). Here, if 2 seconds have passed again without pressing the switch button 7 of "HEAT INSULATION" (S23), it is checked whether or not these temperature setting processes have been performed twice. And the same process is repeated again (S24). When the temperature setting process has been performed twice, the heat retention temperature is set to a temperature of 98 ° C. as a default value (S25). However, the default temperature setting may be 90 ° C. or 60 ° C., or the heat retaining temperature may not be selected. When the heat retention temperature is not selected from the beginning or when it is not selected here, the heat retention mode may not be set, or even in the heat retention mode, reboil may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0022]
By pressing the switch button 7 of "selection of heat retention time" of the display operation part 6, the predetermined time until reheating is set to 8 hours, 6 hours or 4 hours in the same manner as the setting operation of the heat retention temperature. Can be. Although the temperature and time are selected and set here, any temperature and time can be set by inputting numeric keys or the like. By storing the temperature and time set in this way in a nonvolatile storage device such as an EEPROM, these settings can be made effective even after the power is once turned off. However, these temperatures and times can be set to fixed values in advance in accordance with the standard life cycle of the user, and it is possible to always operate in the state where the heat retention mode is set, Unless the switch key 7 for "reboil selection" is pressed, reheating may not be performed.
[0023]
In the above temperature control, when the hot water boils, the power supply to the heater 2 is temporarily stopped. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the heater 2 is controlled only for the first predetermined time to keep the hot water at a high temperature. Thereafter, the stop of power supply to the heater 2 and the reheating can be repeated. The warming of the hot water at a high temperature can be performed by appropriately turning on / off the water heater of the heater 2 as shown in the figure, or when the warming heater is provided, the warming heater may be turned on. . Further, as shown in FIG. 9, even if the hot water is boiled, the boiling state or a temperature state near the boiling state is maintained for a while, and then the stop of the power supply to the heater 2 and the reheating are repeated. You can also. In this case as well, the hot water may be maintained in a boiling state by appropriately turning on / off the water heater of the heater 2. However, as shown in the drawing, once the hot water boils, the hot water heater is turned off and only the heat retaining heater is turned off. By turning it on, the boiling state can be maintained. In FIG. 9, when a predetermined time has elapsed after the power supply to the heater 2 is stopped, only the heat retention heater is turned ON to perform reheating. When these temperature controls are performed, the hot water is mainly used within a predetermined time after being boiled, and moreover, it is suitable for a use form in which it is desired that the temperature of the hot water is substantially at the time of use. It will be.
[0024]
Further, in the above temperature control, when the reboil is performed by pressing the switch key 7 for “reboil selection”, the original control is repeated thereafter, but once the user selects “reboil selection”. When the switch key 7 is pressed, the electric pot will be used in a different usage form than usual, so that the heat retaining mode is automatically canceled or the heat retention at a constant temperature using a conventional heat retaining heater is maintained. It can also be done.
[0025]
Further, when water is added to the inner container 1 of the electric pot, re-boiling can be performed automatically without pressing the switch key 7 for "select re-boil". Water is added to the electric kettle when the remaining hot water is low or a lot of hot water is required later. Therefore, normally, the switch key 7 of "select reboil" is pressed to reboil. . Therefore, when the water temperature sensor 10 detects a sudden drop in the temperature of the hot water, the water is automatically re-boiled, so that the user does not have to press the switch key 7 for “select re-boil”, and the operation is forgotten. Can be prevented.
[0026]
As described above, the temperature control device for an electric pot according to the present embodiment can suppress useless heating after boiling using the vacuum heat retention function of the inner container 1.
[0027]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration of the heater 2 is not particularly limited. However, if the heater 2 is formed only by a heater and a heater wire, the structure of the heater can be simplified and the cost of the product can be reduced.
[0028]
In the above embodiment, the temperature of the hot water detected by the water temperature sensor 10 is used only for the temperature control. However, the display operation unit 6 may be provided with a liquid crystal display device or the like to perform the temperature display. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the temperature display may be such that a plurality of LED lamps 8 are turned on to display an indication of the temperature of hot water. When the user can know the current temperature of the hot water in this way, the necessity of pressing the "reboil selection" switch key 7 can be easily determined.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the temperature control apparatus for an electric pot of the present invention, the temperature of the hot water is reduced little by the vacuum heat retaining function, and thus the energy saving effect is improved by limiting unnecessary heat retention after boiling. Will be able to do it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1, showing one embodiment of the present invention, is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of a temperature control device for an electric pot.
FIG. 2, showing one embodiment of the present invention, is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining the structure of an electric pot.
FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view of a display operation unit of an electric pot.
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a temperature control device for an electric pot.
FIG. 5, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a time chart illustrating an operation of the temperature control device for the electric pot.
FIG. 6, showing one embodiment of the present invention, is a time chart illustrating another operation of the temperature control device for the electric pot.
FIG. 7, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a flowchart illustrating an operation of setting a heat retaining temperature.
FIG. 8, showing an embodiment of the present invention, is a time chart illustrating another operation of the temperature control device for the electric pot.
FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of the present invention, and is a time chart illustrating another operation of the electric pot temperature control device.
FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view illustrating another example of the display operation unit of the electric pot.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner container 2 Heater 6 Display operation part 7 Switch key 8 LED lamp 9 Microcomputer 10 Water temperature sensor 11 Heater circuit

Claims (2)

In an electric pot with an inner container having an inner and outer double wall structure and having a vacuum state between the inner and outer walls,
A heater for heating the contents of the inner container,
Boiling detection means for detecting that the content liquid of the inner container has reached a temperature state of boiling or near boiling,
Heating stop means for stopping the energization of the heater when the boiling detection means detects that a temperature state of boiling or near boiling has been reached;
Reheating means for re-energizing the heater every time a predetermined time elapses after the heating stop means stops heating the heater, and heating the contents of the inner container to a temperature at or near boiling or a predetermined temperature; A temperature control device for an electric pot, comprising: In an electric pot with an inner container having an inner and outer double wall structure and having a vacuum state between the inner and outer walls,
A hot water supply pump that operates through a hot water supply circuit to supply hot water to the content liquid of the inner container;
A heater for heating the contents of the inner container,
Boiling detection means for detecting that the content liquid of the inner container has reached a temperature state of boiling or near boiling,
When the boiling detecting means detects that the temperature has reached the boiling or near-boiling temperature state , and when the heat retention mode is not set, the power supply to the heater is stopped and thereafter the power supply is automatically restarted. There is no heating stop means,
A temperature control device for an electric pot, comprising: a hot water supply means for operating a hot water supply pump to enable a hot water supply operation even after the heating stop means stops supplying power to the heater.

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