JP3888299B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a two-tank electric water heater provided with a water heater container and a water supply container, and more particularly to a hot water discharge operation in a state where a commercial power source is disconnected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of electric water heater, a so-called one-tank electric water heater provided with one container for storing water has been mainly used. And when this electric water heater is connected to a commercial power supply, the boiling water will scatter when it comes out during boiling, and the user will be burned, or it will malfunction and remain in the low-temperature water state. There was a risk of deriving. Therefore, an electric water heater has been proposed that can only discharge hot water that is always kept at a high temperature. According to this electric water heater, a hot water motor and a hot water switch in series with this are connected in parallel to a temperature regulator that controls the opening and closing of the heater, so that hot water is prohibited during the heating process. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a so-called two-tank electric water heater comprising a water heater container and a water supply container for storing water for automatically supplying water to the water heater container is provided in order to prevent hot water from running out even when the amount of hot water consumed is large. Proposed.
[0004]
According to this electric water heater, when the hot water in the water heater container is reduced, water is supplied from the water supply container, and water is supplied to the full water so as not to run out.
[0005]
Furthermore, regarding the hot water operation, an electric water heater has been proposed that is capable of performing a hot water operation even when the commercial power source is disconnected in a two-tank type. According to this electric water heater, when the commercial power supply is disconnected, it is possible to use the backup power source to discharge hot water at any time, and it is convenient because it can be used by moving the electric water heater to the place required by the user It was a thing.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-0664049
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the two-tank electric water heater capable of performing the hot water operation even when the conventional commercial power source is disconnected, only hot water is used when connected to the commercial power source as in the conventional one-tank electric water heater. Although hot water could not be discharged, hot water could be discharged at any time by pressing the hot water switch with the commercial power supply disconnected. Therefore, for example, water that has been left in a water supply container for several days and bacteria have propagated is automatically supplied to the water heater container, and even when the commercial power supply is disconnected during the water heater, hot water can be discharged, so that bacteria are present There is a risk that the hot water may be discharged in the room, and it is impossible to provide safe hot water.
[0008]
In addition, in the above-described case, there is a problem that even if there are no germs, low-temperature hot water is poured out, and low-temperature hot water is used for cooking that requires hot water, thereby ruining cooking.
[0009]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and provides a highly safe electric water heater capable of pouring only hot water free from various germs at a high temperature in a hot water operation with a commercial power supply disconnected. Objective.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the electric water heater of the present invention performs the hot water operation after being disconnected from the commercial power source depending on the operation state such as whether the electric water heater is heated immediately before being disconnected from the commercial power source or whether it is being fed. A hot water operation determining means for determining whether to prohibit the hot water is provided so that the hot water operation in a state where the commercial power source is disconnected is not allowed when the hot water operation determining means is in the hot water prohibited state.
[0011]
With this configuration, when the hot water temperature is low, such as during heating or water supply, when the hot water is disconnected from the commercial power source, the hot water can be prohibited.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the electric water heater of the present invention contains a water heater container that heats water by boiling water, a heating means that heats the water heater container, and water. A hot water supply operation is performed by a water supply container, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container to the water heating container, a backup power supply for performing a hot water discharge operation with the commercial power supply disconnected, and an operation immediately before the commercial power supply is disconnected. Control means having a hot water operation determining means for determining whether to prohibit or not, and when the commercial power supply is disconnected and the hot water operation determining means is in a hot water prohibition state, the control means does not cause hot water to be discharged in the hot water operation. It was set as the structure controlled to.
[0013]
With this configuration, when the hot water temperature is low, such as during heating or water supply, when the hot water is disconnected from the commercial power source, the hot water can be prohibited. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to pour water in which germs have propagated or hot water whose temperature has decreased, and safe hot water can be tapped. Moreover, pouring hot water at a low temperature and ruining cooking can be eliminated.
[0014]
In the invention described in claim 2, in particular, the hot water operation determining means according to claim 1 is configured to be in a hot water prohibition state when the operation immediately before the commercial power supply is disconnected is being heated by the heating means. It is possible to avoid using hot water that may be contaminated by low temperature or various bacteria. Therefore, only boiling and hot water can be discharged.
[0015]
The invention described in claim 3 is particularly characterized in that the hot water operation determining means described in claim 1 is in a state in which the hot water is prohibited when the operation immediately before the commercial power supply is disconnected includes the water supply operation by the water supply means. In the case of low-temperature hot water, hot water cannot be discharged, and the discomfort caused by supplying low-temperature hot water can be eliminated. Moreover, since the hot water cannot be discharged unless the supplied water is boiled again, only safe hot water that has been boiled can be discharged.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the configuration according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the hot water operation determining unit has a display unit, and the hot water operation determining unit prohibits the hot water in a state where the commercial power source is disconnected. In the case of the state, the display means displays the fact that the hot water is prohibited, so that the user can immediately check whether the hot water can be discharged and the convenience can be improved.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 5 is particularly used in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification means is provided and the commercial power supply is disconnected and the hot water is prohibited. When the user presses a hot water switch that is operated to perform a hot water operation, the notification means invalidates the information, thereby confirming that the user is in a hot water prohibition state and improving convenience.
[0018]
The invention described in claim 6 has a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water in the water heater container, in particular, in the configuration described in any one of claims 1 to 5, and the commercial power supply is disconnected. Even when the hot water is ready for hot water, the hot water discharge operation is prohibited when the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature. I'm sorry.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 7 is the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in particular, has a time measuring means, and even when the commercial power source is disconnected and in a hot water discharge enabled state, By adopting a configuration in which the hot water discharge operation is prohibited after a predetermined time has elapsed from the state where the commercial power source is disconnected by the time measuring means, it is not necessary to use water that is likely to propagate miscellaneous bacteria when left for a long time.
[0020]
The invention described in claim 8 has a release switch in a hot water prohibition state, particularly in the configuration described in any one of claims 1 to 7, and when the release switch is pressed, the hot water operation determining means prohibits hot water. By adopting a configuration in which the hot water can be discharged even in the state, the water can be discarded by simply pressing the release switch when it is desired to discard the water in the kettle.
[0021]
【Example】
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
Example 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The configuration and functions of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
1 is a main body constituting the outer shell, 2 is a water heater container that heats the water contained in the main body 1 and keeps it warm, 3 is a heating means that abuts the water heater container 2 and heats the water in the water heater container 4, 4 Is a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the water heater container 2 and 5 is a control means comprising a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), and the signal from the temperature detecting means 4 is boiling. When a temperature lower than the boundary temperature, for example, less than about 90 ° C. is detected, the heating means 3 is driven to heat and reboil. The control means includes boiling detection means 6 and hot water operation determination means 7. The boiling detection means 6 detects the boiling of the water in the kettle container 2 because the temperature increase gradient obtained from the temperature detection means 4 is less than a predetermined temperature increase gradient, for example, 30 seconds / 0.5 ° C. It is configured to detect and stop the heating means 3. Further, the hot water operation determining means 7 which is a feature of this embodiment determines whether or not the hot water operation is prohibited by the operation before the commercial power source is disconnected.
[0024]
Reference numeral 8 denotes reheating means for forcibly reheating water that is being kept warm, and operates by operating a switch provided on the upper part of the container. In response to a signal from the reheating unit 8, the control unit 5 drives the heating unit 2 to heat the water. Thereafter, when boiling is detected by the boiling detection means 6, the heating means 3 is stopped. Thereby, when hot water close to the boiling state is required, hot water can be easily obtained and convenience is improved.
[0025]
Reference numeral 9 denotes a hot water switch for operating the user to instruct hot water, and 10 is a hot water outlet means comprising a pump or the like. The hot water in the hot water container 2 is discharged from the hot water outlet 12 through the water level pipe 11. Reference numeral 13 denotes a water amount detecting means, which is composed of a water level pipe 11 and an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element that are attached to face the water level pipe 11. And the water level of a water heater container is detected by detecting the liquid level of the water level pipe | tube 11 in which a liquid level becomes the same as the water heater container 2. FIG. 13a is a full water detection installed at the full water position, and 13b is a water supply detection installed at a position where the heating means is stopped in order to prevent emptying of the kettle container 2.
[0026]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a water supply container for containing water for supplying water to the water heater container 2, and 15 denotes water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container 14 to the water heater container 2 through a water supply pipe 16, which is constituted by a water supply motor or the like. In addition, water supply to the water supply container is made possible by removing only the water supply container and supplying water at the tap.
[0027]
Reference numeral 17 denotes an informing means for displaying and informing an operation such as in the process of boiling water or keeping warm. 18 is a display means for displaying the state of the hot water operation such as LCD, LED, etc., in the state where the commercial power supply is disconnected and when the hot water operation determining means 7 of the control means 5 is in the hot water prohibition state, indicate. 19 is a release switch in a hot water prohibition state. When the release switch 19 is pressed, the hot water operation determining means 17 can discharge hot water even in the hot water prohibition state. As a result, when it is desired to throw away hot water, it can be easily thrown away simply by pressing the release switch.
[0028]
Next, the circuit configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 20 is a commercial power source and 21 is a DC power source. Reference numeral 22 denotes a backup power source for performing a hot water discharge operation in a state where the commercial power source 20 is disconnected. The heating means 3 includes a first heating element 3a for heating the water in the kettle container, a second heating element 3b having a heating power smaller than that of the first heating element 3a and mainly used as a heating means for keeping warm. The relay contacts 3c and 3d connected in series with the commercial power source 20 and the relay coils 3e and 3f for controlling the relay contacts 3c and 3d are configured to pass current through the relay coil and close the relay contacts. I am doing so.
[0030]
The temperature detection means 4 generates a divided voltage value by the temperature sensing element 4a for converting the temperature into a resistance value, and the temperature sensing element 4a and the resistance 4b, and inputs the divided voltage value to an AD converter 4c for converting this into a binary code. To do. The AD converter 4 c sets a range of about 30 to 120 ° C. to a unit temperature width, for example, about 0.5 ° C., and outputs a signal to the control means 5 every time the unit temperature rises.
[0031]
The reheating means 8 is composed of a switch 8a and resistors 8b and 8c, which are inputs for forcibly reheating water that is being kept warm.
[0032]
Further, the notification means 17 notifies the end of boiling by the buzzer 17a, the LED 17b displays during boiling, and the 17c displays during heat insulation.
[0033]
The hot water discharge means 10 includes a motor 10a that drives an electric pump that sends water in the kettle 2 to the outside, a transistor 10b, and a lock release switch 10c that outputs a signal for turning on the transistor 10b. The hot water can be discharged when the unlocking switch 9c is on in the unlocked state where the unlock switch 10c is turned on and the transistor 10b is turned on.
[0034]
Therefore, in the locked state where the lock release switch 10c is turned off and the transistor 10b is turned off, the hot water cannot be discharged even if the hot water switch 9 is turned on. Furthermore, if the next hot water is not discharged within a certain time, for example, 10 seconds after the end of the hot water, the transistor 10b is turned off again so that the hot water cannot be discharged only by turning on the hot water switch 9.
[0035]
The water amount detection means 13 is composed of an infrared light emitting element and a light receiving element. When full water is detected, the water level detection 13a is turned on and water supply is stopped. When water supply is detected, the water level detection 13b is turned on and water supply is started.
[0036]
The water supply means 15 includes a water supply motor 15a and a transistor 15b. When the water in the water supply container 14 is heated and supplied to the container 2, the water supply motor 15a is driven by turning on the transistor 15b.
[0037]
The release switch 19 is an input for forcibly releasing the hot water discharge prohibition state, and includes a switch 19a and resistors 19b and 19c.
[0038]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a control means comprising a microcomputer.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the water heater operation of the electric water heater in the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the water heater operation of the program stored in the microcomputer 5. Hereinafter, the operation when the operation before the commercial power supply is disconnected is a kettle, that is, the operation when the commercial power supply 20 is disconnected during heating will be described.
[0040]
First, when the water heating operation is started, the hot water operation determining means 7 is set in a hot water prohibition state in S100, and in S101, the control means 5 turns on the water supply motor 15a in S102 to detect full water if the detected water amount of the water amount detecting means 13 is less than the water supply detection 13a. Water is supplied until 13a is reached. In step S103, the heating unit 3 is turned on to start heating. When boiling is detected in S104, the heating means 3 is turned off in S105. In step S106, the hot water operation determining means 7 is brought into a hot water ready state. After that, keep warming.
[0041]
Next, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the hot water discharge operation of the electric water heater in the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the hot water discharge operation in a state where the commercial power source is disconnected. Hereinafter, this operation will be described.
[0042]
First, when the commercial power source 20 is disconnected, the backup power source 22 operates. If the hot water operation determining means 7 is in the hot water prohibition state in S200, the hot water operation display means 18 displays that the hot water is prohibited in S201. When the lock release switch 10c is turned on (S202), the buzzer 14a is notified of invalidity in S203. That is, when the commercial power source is disconnected during heating by the heating means 2, that is, during the hot water prohibition state, even if the lock release switch 10c is turned on, it cannot be received or discharged.
[0043]
Next, if the hot water operation determining means 7 is in a hot water ready state in S200, the lock release switch 10c is turned on (S204), and an acceptance notification is given to the buzzer 14a in S205. Then, when the hot water switch 9 is turned on, the hot water is discharged.
[0044]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the use of hot water that is always contaminated with various germs, and to achieve high safety.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the hot water prohibition state of the hot water operation determining means 7 is the case where the operation before the commercial power source is disconnected is during heating by the heating means 3, but may be the case where there is a water supply operation by the water supply means 15. . In this case, even if water is supplied to a water supply container and left for several days and miscellaneous bacteria may have propagated, it cannot be used unless the supplied water is boiled reliably, so that safety can be improved. it can.
[0046]
Further, even when the commercial power source is disconnected and the hot water is prohibited, the hot water discharge operation may be enabled when the release switch 19 is turned on. Thereby, when it is desired to throw out the low-temperature hot water or water in the kettle container, it can be easily discharged and thrown away, so that convenience can be improved.
[0047]
Note that even when the commercial power source is disconnected and the hot water can be discharged, the hot water discharge operation may be prohibited when the temperature detection means 4 reaches a predetermined temperature, for example, about 50 ° C. or less. Thereby, safer hot water can be discharged.
[0048]
Further, even when the commercial power source is disconnected and the hot water can be discharged, the hot water discharge operation may be prohibited when a predetermined time, for example, 6 hours elapses after the commercial power source is disconnected by the time measuring means. Thereby, convenience can be improved and safe hot water can be discharged.
[0049]
As described above, in the present embodiment, in the hot water operation with the commercial power source disconnected, the hot water operation is prohibited by the operation immediately before the commercial power source is disconnected, thereby making it safe and easy to use. .
[0050]
(Example 2)
Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
[0051]
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first embodiment has a hot water operation determining means for determining whether or not the hot water operation is prohibited by the operation immediately before the commercial power is disconnected, and the commercial power is disconnected. Thus, when the hot water operation determining means is in the hot water prohibition state, that is, when it is disconnected from the commercial power source during heating or water supply while being connected to the commercial power source, the hot water operation does not discharge the hot water. On the other hand, the present embodiment differs in that the hot water operation determining means is not used, and this is notified by sound or the like when disconnected from the commercial power source during heating or water supply or at low temperatures.
[0052]
That is, a water heater that heats the water by boiling water, a heating means that heats the water heater, a water supply container that contains water, a water supply means that supplies water from the water supply container to the water heater, and a commercial power source are separated. A backup power source and a control means for performing a hot water discharge operation in a heated state are provided, and the control means informs this with a notification means such as a sound when the commercial power supply is disconnected during heating or water supply or at low temperatures It is characterized by that.
[0053]
It is difficult to identify the state of low temperature during heating or water supply or from outside, but since it is notified by sound and other notification means, the user can still recognize the aforementioned state when disconnecting the container from the commercial power supply, so You can easily know that it cannot be used as hot water. As a result, the user can re-connect and select whether to use the device on the spot or to reheat and use it after moving. As a result, the user can disconnect the container from the power source and always be able to discharge hot water. Moreover, in this case, since it is consciously heated and boiled, various germs can be completely eliminated.
[0054]
In addition, as a notification means, there are methods such as a sound such as a warning sound, a light such as blinking, or a display method, but a sound or light or a combination of these is excellent for invoking an unconscious operation.
[0055]
Also, how long is the waiting time if it is calculated from the amount of water, water temperature, or heating output and displayed on the display means how much heating will be completed when it is disconnected from the commercial power supply during heating, water supply, or at low temperatures The user can know whether there is, and convenience is improved.
[0056]
Needless to say, the function of this embodiment may be added to the first embodiment.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, in the hot water operation with the commercial power supply disconnected, the hot water that is free from miscellaneous bacteria at high temperatures can be discharged with high safety. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the electric water heater. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a water heater operation of the electric water heater. Flow chart shown [Explanation of symbols]
2 Water heater 3 Heating means 4 Temperature detection means 5 Microcomputer (control means)
7 Hot water operation determining means 9 Hot water switch 14 Water supply container 15 Water supply means 17 Notification means 18 Display means 19 Release switch 22 Backup power supply

Claims (8)

  Water heater for boiling water to keep warm, heating means for heating the water heater container, water supply container for containing water, water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container to the water heater container, and commercial power source are separated A backup power source for performing a hot water operation in a state, and a control means having a hot water operation determining means for determining whether or not the hot water operation is prohibited by an operation immediately before the commercial power supply is disconnected. An electric water heater configured to control so that no hot water is discharged in the hot water operation when the hot water operation determining means is in the hot water prohibition state in the disconnected state.   2. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the hot water operation determining means sets the hot water prohibition state when the operation immediately before the commercial power source is disconnected is during heating by the heating means.   2. The electric water heater according to claim 1, wherein the hot water operation determining means sets the hot water prohibition state when the operation immediately before the commercial power source is disconnected is during the water supply operation by the water supply means.   4. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit, wherein when the hot water operation determining unit is in a hot water discharge prohibition state in a state where the commercial power source is disconnected, the display unit displays that the hot water discharge is prohibited. The electric water heater according to any one of the above.   An informing means is provided, and when the user is in a hot water prohibition state with the commercial power source disconnected, the informing means notifies the user when the hot water switch is operated to perform the hot water operation. The electric water heater of any one of -4.   Having temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the water in the kettle, and prohibiting the hot water operation when the temperature detection means falls below a predetermined temperature even when the commercial power supply is disconnected and the hot water can be discharged. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that:   Even when the commercial power source is disconnected and the hot water can be discharged, the hot water discharge operation is prohibited when a predetermined time elapses after the commercial power source is disconnected by the timing unit. Item 7. An electric water heater according to any one of Items 1 to 6.   8. The electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a release switch for prohibiting hot water discharge, wherein when the release switch is pressed, the hot water operation determining means can perform hot water discharge even when the hot water is prohibited.

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