JP3903958B2 - Energy-saving warming method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention is an energy-saving warming methodTo the lawFor example, it is used for an electric pot for home use.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Electric pots are widely used in homes, workplaces, restaurants, etc., but they are particularly highly dependent on homes. In many cases, the heat insulation is continued except during the start-up on the way or during the initial boiling due to replenishment of the contents. However, although the capacity is large, the power consumption is comparable to a large refrigerator, which is a problem in terms of energy saving.
[0003]
Therefore, it has become possible to save power and save energy by reducing the heat retention temperature, including stopping energization, by setting the time of the timer during non-use hours when going to bed or going out. In addition, users who are concerned about power consumption often respond by meticulously by turning the power off frequently or setting an energy-saving warming mode. However, this is troublesome because it requires frequent user operations.
[0004]
In order to solve this problem, power information at the time of power supply to the main unit side, which is different from power supply to the control system, is detected and stored in the memory, and the usage record is analyzed from the stored power information. As a result, it is known that the energization breaker is turned off during a time period when energization is not necessary (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses power information when energizing a main body, that is, average power per unit time, predetermined timing by setting a timer, in order to automatically determine and respond to a time zone for energy saving. Information such as instantaneous power at, phase difference between voltage and current, and dynamic impedance is accumulated, and it is determined from the accumulated data whether it is a time zone in which it is not necessary to energize. In addition, energy saving and warming are performed in all the time periods during which the determined energization is not necessary.
[0005]
In particular, the heating is temporarily stopped in the energy-saving warming, but when the temperature is lowered to a predetermined lower limit temperature, for example, 60 ° C., the energy-saving warming is continued so that the heating is restarted and this lower-limit temperature is maintained.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, energy-saving warming is performed during periods when there is no actual use or when the frequency of actual use is low, but there is an intention to prevent inconvenience from unforeseen actual use rather than leaving the power off. . However, inconvenience arises if the lower limit temperature at the time of energy saving is set to one as in the case described in Patent Document 1.
[0007]
In actual use with normal heat retention, re-boiling may be used afterwards, so in actual use in an energy-saving heat retention state with an energy-saving heat-reduction temperature lower than normal heat retention, Despite being considered to be mostly used, it takes a long time to boil due to the low heat retention temperature, and it takes a long time to boil depending on the amount of liquid even at the same heat retention temperature. It is confusing for the user to use it.
[0008]
For example, if the lower limit temperature is too low, when the amount of liquid is large, the waiting time until boiling becomes unexpectedly long and it is easy to give dissatisfaction and inconvenience to the user. Therefore, if the lower limit temperature is set high, the energy saving effect is reduced.
[0009]
  An object of the present invention is to provide an electric hot water storage container in which the variation in re-boiling time due to the amount of liquid in the energy-saving warming mode can be suppressed within a predetermined range.Energy-saving warming methodIs to provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the energy-saving and warming method of the present invention keeps the use state while keeping the content liquid in the electric hot water storage container at a normal temperature or at an energy-saving temperature that is lower than the normal temperature. For actual use by the discharge operation, every time the set energy saving time zone is reached, the energy saving warming temperature is changed according to the current liquid volume so that the content liquid can be boiled for a predetermined time.If there is an unlocking operation of the discharge lock during energy saving warming, normal warming is performed for a predetermined time thereafter.thingSpecialIt is a sign.
[0011]
  In such a configuration, each time the energy saving time zone set in the continuous use state of the electric hot water storage container is reached, the content liquid boils at a predetermined time in order to perform energy saving warming at an energy saving warming temperature lower than the normal warming temperature. Since the energy-saving warming temperature is changed according to the current liquid volume so that it can be used, even if there is a difference in the liquid volume depending on the energy-saving warming time zone, when boiling water during the energy-saving warming operation, set the water heating mode The heating capacity can be boiled at the required time, eliminating the inconvenience that the boiling time is indefinite, the boiling time is too long, and the energy-saving temperature is uniformly high and the energy-saving effect is impaired. .In particular, although the normal heat retention is performed for a predetermined time thereafter by the unlocking operation of the discharge lock during the energy saving heat retention, the unlocking is performed prior to the discharge operation, so that the temperature rise for the discharge can be started early. it can.
[0021]
Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. Each feature of the present invention can be employed alone or in combination in various combinations as much as possible.
[0022]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in order to understand the present invention. The following description is a specific example of the present invention and does not limit the scope of the claims.
[0023]
This embodiment is an example of a household electric pot, and an insulated container is used as the inner container. The heat insulating container of the example shown in FIG. 1 has a container 1 in which a stainless steel vacuum double container 3 is housed in an outer case 2 as an inner container, heats the content liquid by a heater 11 and stores hot water, and electrically drives the content liquid. The pump 26 and the manual pump 10 such as a manual bellows pump are used to discharge water to the outside through a pipeline type discharge system 25 to supply hot water for use. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if the content liquid is heated by the heater 11 to be heated and stored while being kept warm or energy-saving, and used for use. The present invention is effective including tilting the container body 1 without using a manual pump, and it is also effective as a target even without performing boiling water. However, stainless steel has low thermal conductivity among metals, has sufficient bending rigidity and strength, and has a rust-preventing effect. It is suitable for an electric hot water storage container and suitable for providing the vacuum double container 3. Moreover, the vacuum double container 3 does not necessarily need to be accommodated in the exterior case 2 and can be shared by the exterior body. Further, the control board 33 equipped with the microcomputer 33a is used to perform the operation control according to the operation mode set in the power supply circuit board 27, the operation unit D and the initial setting, and this also includes the hardware circuit. In addition, the control means can employ various devices. The operation part D is composed of an operation panel 32 provided on the upper surface of the protruding part 31 that protrudes, for example, in a bowl shape to the front of the upper end of the container 1, and various switches 48 on the control board 33 provided on the inside thereof. In addition, it is possible to perform the on-operation by individually pushing by means of an operation means by a resin spring integrally formed on the operation panel 32 or a key member provided separately, but this is not essential to the present invention. The specific configuration is not particularly questioned. The microcomputer 33a uses temperature information from the content liquid temperature detecting means 29 for detecting the temperature of the content liquid for boiling water, normal heat retention, and energy saving heat retention. The content liquid temperature detecting means 29 is an inner container sensor individually applied to the center of the single bottom portion to which the heater 11 of the vacuum double container 3 as the inner container is applied.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 32 has a liquid crystal display unit 81 for displaying a set heat retention temperature, a current temperature, a current operation mode, a danger notification, a prompt for a necessary operation, etc. Discharge key 82 for discharging hot water 71 to supply hot water, lock / release key 83 for locking or unlocking the discharge operation by the discharge key 82, energy saving key 84 for manually setting the energy saving mode, normal boiling, re-boiling during energy saving warming A re-boiling key 85 for performing the operation, a selection key 86 for selecting whether the temperature is kept at 98 degrees or 90 degrees, a time for setting the timer, a measuring cup key 87 for setting a discharge amount when a discharge operation is performed, and a set numerical value An up key 88 and a down key 89 are provided for up / down. As the lamp display, an unlock lamp 91, a hot water notification lamp 92, an energy saving lamp 93, and the like are provided using LEDs.
[0025]
The electric kettle as the electric hot water storage container of the present embodiment is used as a normal heat retaining temperature T or a normal heat retaining temperature T, particularly as an energy saving heat retaining method.₀Energy saving warming temperature T lower than₁Energy saving time zone Z as shown in FIG. 8 (b) set during 24 hours a day, for example, during 24 hours a day, while continuing the use state while maintaining energy saving heat at₁~ Z_FourEach time the hot water content liquid 71 is boiled at the predetermined time t illustrated in FIG.₁Change the temperature to save energy. In the example of FIG. 14, the energy saving temperature T for the flow rate Q1.₁1 is set, and the energy saving temperature T for the flow rate Q2₁2 is set, and the energy-saving temperature T for the flow rate Q3₁3 is set. Here, Q1> Q2> Q3.
[0026]
Thus, the set energy saving time zone Z in the continuous use state in which the electric pot is turned on.₁~ Z_FourNormal temperature T₀Energy saving warming temperature T lower than₁In order to perform energy-saving and warming in the hot water, the energy-saving and warming temperature T according to the current amount of liquid so that the stored hot water content liquid 71 can be boiled at a predetermined time t.₁Change as above. As a result, the time zone Z₁~ Z_FourEven if there is a difference in the liquid amount Q depending on the heating capacity WH shown in FIG.₀Can be boiled for a predetermined time t. Accordingly, it is possible to solve the problem that the boiling time is indefinite, the boiling time is too long, and the energy saving temperature is uniformly high and the energy saving effect is impaired.
[0027]
Note that the normal heat retention is the heating capacity WH shown in FIG. 14 that matches the set selected heat retention temperature.₁Heating temperature is lower than that, but energy-saving temperature T is lower than that₁Heating capacity WH during energy-saving and warming₂Is a heating capacity WH during normal heat retention as shown in FIG.₁Lower than. Where WH₀> WH₁> WH₂And heating capacity WH₁Is set by the selected heat retention temperature, and the heating capacity WH₂Is set to a plurality according to the liquid amount Q detected at that time. However, the heating capacity WH can be variously set according to the duty ratio, power consumption, and the like.
[0028]
In order to achieve the above-described method, the hot water storage liquid 71 is heated by the heater 11 so that the normal heat retention or the normal heat retention temperature T is achieved.₀Energy saving warming temperature T lower than₁The electric pot according to the present embodiment, which is used for discharge operation while continuing the use state while maintaining the energy-saving and warming in the time zone Z for energy-saving and warming as shown in FIG.₁~ Z_FourStorage means 75 storing the energy saving time zone Z that has been set₁~ Z_FourEnergy saving warming temperature T according to the current liquid quantity Q so that the stored hot water content liquid 71 can be boiled at a predetermined time t.₁Energy-saving warming temperature setting means 78 for setting the energy-saving warming temperature T that has been set₁Energy saving time zone Z₁~ Z_FourIt is sufficient to include an energy-saving and warming control means 74 for performing energy-saving and warming in the storage means 75, and the storage means 75 can be set even if the power is turned off due to replacement of the contents liquid or washing, etc.₁~ Z_FourIt is preferable to employ a non-volatile memory having a backup power source 76 to keep storing the data.
[0029]
Energy saving time zone Z₁~ Z_FourCan be set manually by the user or the like, but the actual usage record of the user accompanying the change in time or the elapsed time in a predetermined period is stored in the storage means 75, and the actual use is determined from the stored actual use history. Energy saving time zone Z is saved by energy saving warming control means 74 in the infrequent or infrequent time zone₁~ Zn can be automatically set, otherwise normal warming time zone R₁~ Rn can be set. Here, energy saving time zone Z₁~ Zn is set, and other than that, normal warming time zone R₁Treated as ~ Rn or normal warming time zone R₁~ Rn is set and the rest is energy saving time zone Z₁~ Zn can be handled. Therefore, the storage means 75 has a normal heat retention time zone R.₁~ Rn and energy saving time zone Z₁Even if any one of -Zn is set and stored, there is no substantial change. In order to achieve this, it is only necessary to provide actual use result judging means 73 as shown in FIG. In addition, a clock means 77 may be provided for time management of actual use results. It is only necessary to use a timer function that looks at the elapsed time. However, the calendar function is suitable for setting an energy saving time zone suitable for an actual usage pattern in a week, an actual usage pattern, a period, a time, a season, and the like. In FIG. 2, all of the performance determination means 73, the energy saving and warming control means 74, the clock means 77, and the energy saving and warming temperature setting means 78 are internal functions of the microcomputer 33 a. However, it can be replaced with individual devices as needed.
[0030]
Energy saving temperature T₁Is the normal temperature T₀Therefore, in order to switch from the normal heat retention mode to the energy conservation heat retention mode, the heating may be stopped in any case, thereby starting the energy conservation and the energy conservation heat retention temperature T due to the temperature drop of the liquid at that time.₁It is possible to reliably start the automatic setting operation. Therefore, apart from the above-mentioned energy-saving and warming method, the hot water storage liquid 71 is used in the electric hot water storage container while maintaining the use state while maintaining the normal temperature or the energy-saving and warming temperature lower than the normal temperature, and actually using the discharge operation. Set energy saving time zone Z₁Energy saving warming temperature T changed according to the current liquid amount Q so that the content liquid can be boiled at a predetermined time t after heating is stopped once every time it becomes ~ Zn.₁It is preferable to perform energy-saving and warming at.
[0031]
As a result, the energy saving time zone Z set in the continuous use state of the electric hot water storage container₁Every time it becomes ~ Zn, the hot water content liquid 71 is kept at the normal temperature T by stopping the heating while stopping the heating to save energy.₀Energy storage temperature T according to the current liquid quantity Q so that the hot water storage liquid 71 can be boiled at a predetermined time t.₁Change the normal temperature T₀We will respond by saving energy at lower temperatures. Therefore, time zone Z₁Even when there is a difference in the liquid amount Q depending on ~ Zn, when boiling is performed by a boiling operation during energy-saving and warming, the heating capacity WH set in the boiling mode can be boiled for a predetermined time t. For this reason, it is eliminated that the boiling time is indefinite, the boiling time is too long, and the energy saving temperature is uniformly high and the energy saving effect is impaired.
[0032]
The liquid amount Q can be determined by the temperature change of the content liquid after the heating is stopped and the energy saving heat retaining mode is entered. In this way, when the heating is stopped and the energy-saving warming mode is entered, the stored hot water content liquid 71 naturally cools down, but the rate of temperature drop depends on the liquid amount Q, so the temperature change at that time, specifically, the temperature drop gradient Or the amount of liquid is judged from the temperature drop characteristics and the time for which the specified temperature range changes, etc.₁It can be used for setting. Therefore, sensors for detecting the liquid amount are not necessary. In addition, since the room temperature is also related to the natural temperature drop, the variation in boiling time due to the difference in room temperature can be eliminated without special monitoring.
[0033]
The liquid amount Q can also be determined by heating during normal heat retention or by stopping heating. In this way, a predetermined normal temperature T is maintained even during normal temperature.₀In order to maintain the temperature, heating is stopped or stopped, so the rate of temperature increase or decrease depends on the amount of liquid, and the cycle of heating on and off is different, so use these to determine the amount of liquid Q , Energy-saving warming temperature T₁It can be used for setting. Therefore, sensors for detecting the liquid amount are not necessary. In addition, since room temperature is also related to heating temperature rise and natural temperature drop, variations in boiling time due to differences in room temperature can be eliminated without special monitoring of room temperature. In addition, before going into energy saving warming mode, the next energy saving time zone Z₁~ Energy saving warm temperature for Zn can be set.
[0034]
Also, during energy-saving warming mode, energy-saving time zone Z₁When there is a discharge or boiling operation as shown in FIG. 14 in the middle of .about.Zn, the normal temperature is kept for a predetermined time t1 thereafter. In this way, if there is a discharge or boiling operation during the energy saving warming mode, it can be said that there is a high probability that actual use will be repeated. However, since normal heat insulation is performed for a predetermined time t1 thereafter, actual use is repeated in the energy saving heat retention mode, and each time the energy saving heat insulation temperature T is satisfied.₁The user's inconvenience due to the necessity of starting up from the user is solved.
[0035]
Here, the difference in waiting time required for boiling depending on the liquid amount and the liquid temperature is as shown in FIG. 7 for an electric pot having a capacity of 3 L according to the experimental example of the present inventor, and varies in various ways. If the user's waiting time is limited to, for example, 7 minutes, an energy-saving warming temperature T can be achieved with a liquid volume Q1 of 7/7.₁Is 80 ° C, 6/7 liquid quantity Q2 is energy-saving warming temperature T₁Is 75 ° C, 5/7 liquid quantity Q3 is energy saving warming temperature T₁Is between 70 and 75 ° C, energy saving temperature T at 4/7 liquid volume Q4₁Is 65 ° C, 3/7 liquid quantity Q5 is energy-saving warming temperature T₁Is 55 ° C, 2/7 liquid quantity Q6 is energy-saving warming temperature T₁May be set to 35 to 30 ° C., and energy saving temperature T at 1/7 liquid quantity Q2₁Even if it is set to 20 ° C., the waiting time can be shortened to 5 minutes, and compared with the case where the heat retention temperature is uniformly set to 60 ° C., there is less waiting time for the user in the liquid amounts Q1 to Q3. There is no great difference between the liquid amounts Q4 and Q5, and there is little waiting time at the liquid amounts Q6 and Q7, and a high energy saving effect is obtained. However, a typical waiting time is around 5 minutes.
[0036]
However, the liquid volume Q and energy-saving warming temperature T₁Can be changed based on the setting of the predetermined time t1 by the user. Thereby, energy-saving warming temperature T set according to liquid quantity Q₁Can be changed according to a predetermined time t1 set corresponding to the waiting time set by the user, and it is possible to select whether to prioritize the energy saving effect or shorten the waiting time, which is convenient.
[0037]
Here, the energy saving time zone Z shown in FIG.₁~ Z_FourThe setting of time block B at the time of meal shown in FIG.₁, B_Three, B_FiveAnd time block B that is not₂, B_Four, B₆And set under different handling as actual use P, that is, increase the weight of actual use P at the time of meal, and reduce the weight of actual use P at the time of non-meal In general, the time zone for meals that are easy to use in general is usually the warming time zone R₁~ R_FourIt has been set in preference to, making it easier to match the actual situation.
[0038]
Specifically, the time block B at the time of a meal in the unit of one day in the time which the clock means 77 measures.₁, B_Three, B_FiveBetween t corresponding to₁~ T₂, T_Three~ T_Four, T_Five~ T₆And non-meal time block B₂, B_Four, B₆Between t corresponding to₂~ T_Three, T_Four~ T_Five, T₆~ T₁The actual use P is determined every time by the result determination means 73, and the energy-saving and warming control means 74 is the time block B during meals.₁, B_Three, B_FiveThen, if the actual use P is even once, normal heat insulation time zone R₁~ R_ThreeNon-meal time block B₂, B_Four, B₆Then, when the actual use P is twice or less, the normal heat retention time zone R is not set, but the energy saving time zone Z is set. However, non-meal time block B₂, B_Four, B₆Since it often takes a long time, including at bedtime, it is often unsatisfactory to look at the actual number of uses P during that period. Therefore, in the example of FIG.₂, B_Four, B₆Then, the predetermined time t₂If there are two or more actual uses during the period, it is assumed that the frequency of actual use is high._ThreeIs set.
[0039]
Such a result is judged more accurately whether it is irregular actual use without having to set the normal heat retention time R as the result of accumulating 24 hours of actual use data for several days is judged. Can do. In addition to the cycle of several days, the user's actual usage history, usage pattern, life pattern from long-term memory data through one-week cycle, several-week cycle, one-month cycle, several-month cycle, and four-season cycle Can be determined and dealt with easily and accurately. In order to cope with a pattern cycle for each day of the week or more, it is preferable to employ a calendar function as the clock means 77.
[0040]
By the way, according to the operation panel 32 described above, the discharge key 82 is always operated in order to discharge the hot water storage content liquid 71, and if there is an operation of the lock / release key 83, an indication of intention to perform the next discharge operation is displayed. Therefore, the ejection operation should be performed with a probability of almost 100%, and an electrical signal related to the ejection operation can be obtained in any case. Further, even if the discharge is performed by the manual pump 10, an electrical signal for the discharge operation can be obtained if this is detected by a switch or a sensor.
[0041]
Further, the discharge system content liquid 71a in the discharge system 25 in the electric pot normally maintains the same amount of liquid as the stored hot water content liquid 71 after boiling or keeping warm, as shown in FIG. However, since the discharge system content liquid 71 a is not heated by the heater 11, the temperature is lower than that of the hot water storage content liquid 71. For this reason, each time the hot water storage liquid 71 is discharged to the discharge system 25, the temperature of the discharge system 25 and its surroundings rises. FIG. 5 shows an experimental example of the temperature change in each part of the discharge system 25 when the temperature is kept at 98 ° C., and FIG. 6 shows the experimental example of the temperature change in each part of the discharge system 25 when the temperature is kept at 90 degrees. 5 and 6, (1) is the back surface of the control board 33, (2) is the inside of the box 101 containing the control board 33 of the projecting portion 31, (3) is the surface of the discharge port portion 25 c, (4) ▼ is the back surface of the power source / drive system substrate 27, and 5 is the surface of the electric pump 26. When the temperature is kept at 98 degrees, the influence of the discharge is large as the temperature is kept high, and one clear temperature peak is obtained by the discharge of the hot water storage liquid 71 at any point of (1) to (5). A clear temperature peak is obtained except for ▼, and even in the case of (4), the number and timing are indefinite, but a temperature peak that was not at the time of heat retention is obtained.
[0042]
Accordingly, whether or not the hot water storage liquid 71 is discharged by the discharge system sensor 72 or the like at the discharge system 25 or in the vicinity thereof is determined whether the discharge is performed by the electric pump 26, the manual pump 10, or Regardless of whether the body 1 is tilted or not, the actual use P signal can be reliably obtained by one electrical signal related to the discharge, and the automatic setting of the energy saving time zone as described above is simple data by simple data. It can be easily done by processing.
[0043]
The discharge system sensor 72 uses a thermistor or the like, and is a discharge system sensor 72 provided at a position as shown in FIG. 1, for example, that can detect the temperature of the discharge system 25 or the vicinity thereof. Each of the energy saving and warming control means 74 and the clock means 77 can be constituted by a single circuit or device, or a combination of a plurality of circuits or devices. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is provided as an internal function of the operation control microcomputer 33a.
[0044]
Further, the discharge system sensor 72 as the discharge system temperature detecting means is mounted on a control board 33 as an existing circuit board in the vicinity of the discharge system 25 as shown in FIG. As described above, since the discharge system sensor 72 is used without being attached to a special mounting member or wiring member by being mounted on the existing control board 33, it does not cause a cost increase.
[0045]
Further, the control board 33 protrudes to the front part of the shoulder 6 of the container 1 and is located on the inner side of the upper surface of the protruding part 31 in which the discharge port 25c of the discharge system 25 is built. As a result, the control board 33 is located immediately above the discharge port portion 25c of the discharge system 25 built in the protruding portion 31 of the container 1, and the discharge system sensor 72 mounted on the control board 33 is located near the discharge port portion 25c. Therefore, it is easy to detect the temperature in the vicinity of the discharge system 25.
[0046]
Moreover, since the discharge system sensor 72 is provided on the back surface of the control substrate 33 as shown in the figure, and is positioned above the discharge system 25, more specifically, above the discharge port portion 25 c, It is easy to detect the temperature of the discharge system 25 because the heat from the system 25 is easily received.
[0047]
Here, the surface facing the control board 33 is mounted with hardware parts such as the switches 48 and a display lamp (not shown), whereas the back surface of the control board 33 is a chip such as a chip-type microcomputer 33a. By mounting the components on the surface and using the discharge-type sensor 72 with a chip-type thermistor or the like, both component costs and mounting costs can be reduced.
[0048]
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the heat conducting member 102 is sandwiched between the operation unit box 101 that accommodates the control board 33 and the discharge port part 25 c. Thereby, the response performance of the discharge system sensor 72 with respect to the temperature rise by discharge of the hot water storage liquid 71 at the discharge port 25c of the discharge system 25 can be enhanced. For example, it is preferable to use a silicon sheet for heat conduction as the heat conducting member 102. If a slightly thicker material is sandwiched by using elasticity, the operation portion box 101 and the discharge port portion 25c are not required to be specially formed. With both sides.
[0049]
Here, an example of control by the microcomputer 33a of this embodiment will be described. As shown in a main routine of main control in FIG. 9, after initial setting is performed by turning on the power, input by various sensors and operations is performed. Output processing is performed. Next, display processing related to input / output and accompanying operation control is performed. Subsequently, a boiling process for initial boiling and re-boiling, a normal heat retention at 98 degrees and 90 degrees, and a heat retention process for lowering the temperature and performing manual settings including heating stop and energy-saving warming. Further, a discharge process by a discharge operation, an energy saving setting process for the automatic energy saving setting, and other processes are performed. Therefore, as long as there is no abnormality signal due to some abnormality and the power is not turned off, the processes after the input / output process are repeated.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 10, the subroutine for performing the energy saving setting process sets the energy saving setting flag to 0 when there is an energy saving setting operation such as a dedicated key operation or a long press operation of another key such as the energy saving key 84, and this is determined next. As a result, the time taken by the clock means 77 starts to be taken in and the energy saving setting operation is automatically performed. Here, if the energy saving flag is set to 0 by the initial setting, it can be automatically performed at the initial use of the electric pot without a human energy saving setting operation. After the energy saving setting, the energy saving setting flag is set to 1, and this returns with the energy saving setting state until there is a manual release by the energy saving setting operation or an automatic release for a special reason.
[0051]
The energy saving setting process repeats storing the current time in the storage means every time there is an electrical signal of actual use P related to discharge, and every time there is an actual use P accompanied by discharge of the hot water storage liquid. With this repetition, it is determined whether or not a predetermined date and time such as the date, week, month, season, etc. of the energy saving determination has passed, and is initially set from the actual use P results stored in the storage means up to that time. Or the actual progress of actual use based on different criteria is determined for the time block during meals and the time block during non-meal times that are set manually, and the energy saving time zone Z and normal heat retention time zone R to be applied thereafter are determined. The energy saving setting flag is set to 1 by setting the energy saving time zone setting subroutine shown in FIG.
[0052]
In the process shown in FIG. 11, first, the current time block B is determined, and the time block B₁Shift to the control flow of the corresponding time block of .about.Bn. Time block B at meal time₁As a representative example, the number of actual uses P from the start time to the end time is counted, and the time block B by the end time is counted.₁Number of times of actual use corresponding to N₁If not, the time block B₁Is set to energy saving time zone Z. If it has reached, the normal heat insulation time zone R is set or the normal heat insulation time zone R is handled by the heat insulation control. The counting at this time is repeated when the predetermined date and time is a plurality of days until the corresponding time is reached, so that it can be determined from the cumulative result exceeding the daily unit. However, a specific setting operation can be performed in any way.
[0053]
Next, block B for non-meal time_FourAs a representative example, whenever there is an actual use P from the start time to the end time, the number of times is counted as the time is read, and the time block B is reached by the end time.₁The number of actual uses corresponding to is the reference value N_FourIf it has been reached, the energy saving time zone is not set, and the normal heat retention time zone is set or such handling is performed. If not reached, the sub-reference value N is lower than that._Four'Or not, and if so, time block B_FourFor example, the normal heat retention time zone R in the example of FIG._ThreeIs energy saving time zone, energy saving time zone Z in the example of Fig. 8₂, Z_ThreeAnd Normal warming time zone R in this case_ThreeIs time block B_FourIt is preferable to set with a margin having an appropriate time width before and after the actual use time zone within a predetermined time in order not to deviate from the actual use. Since the count at this time is also repeated at the corresponding time until the predetermined date and time is a plurality of days, it can be determined from the cumulative result exceeding the daily unit. However, a specific setting operation can be performed in any way.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 12, the heat retention processing subroutine includes one or a plurality of energy saving time zones Z set.₁..Determining whether or not it is the energy saving start time in Zn based on the above timekeeping, otherwise, it is determined whether or not there has been a manual operation of energy saving warming, otherwise there is a temperature selected as the normal warming time zone R Keep warm at normal temperature. If there is manual operation of energy-saving warming, the set energy-saving warming is performed, but if there is a discharge during energy-saving warming, energy-saving warming is canceled and normal warming is restored. Set energy saving time zone Z₁・ ・ When energy saving start time is reached in Zn, energy saving is maintained, the heater 11 is turned off, so-called thermos warming is started with the vacuum double container 3 as a heat insulating container, and energy saving is started. It becomes lower than the case of heat insulation. However, since the thermos is kept warm, there is no sudden temperature drop, and depending on the amount of the hot water storage liquid 71 and the difference in the hot water temperature just before, the temperature of about 60-70 ° C. can be maintained in about 8 hours. .
[0055]
When the energy saving end time is reached, the temperature is lower than the normal temperature during the energy saving warming, so the start-up process to the normal warming is performed by the water heating mode or the like, and then the normal warming is resumed. However, this start-up process can be performed as a result of determining the content liquid temperature.
[0056]
If there is a discharge or reboiling operation between the energy saving start time and the energy saving end time, in addition to the redo control in the energy saving setting process, the start-up process such as the water heating mode is performed to return to the normal heat retention, or The hot water is boiled by boiling treatment, and it corresponds to the possibility of actual use by discharge or actual use by reboiling for the time being. FIG. 14 shows such a control example and the temperature change of the content liquid in that case. Normal warming time zone R that maintains the set temperature in the normal warming heating mode₁From energy saving time zone Z₁Non-use time zone R in which is set₁The next normal warming time zone R₂Heating is stopped until it becomes a complete energy-saving warming state by thermos warming.
[0057]
Here, the content liquid temperature is usually the next normal heat retention time zone R₂It continues to fall to the start-up time by the heating mode of normal heat retention. For this reason, as shown in FIG.₁If the user is performed in the middle of the process, the content liquid at a temperature lower than the set temperature in normal heat insulation is discharged, and the user is dissatisfied, or depending on the degree of dissatisfaction, a re-boiling operation is performed to raise the temperature This is inconvenient for the user. Therefore, such an energy saving time zone Z₁If there is a discharge operation or re-boiling operation, the temperature is raised to the set heat retention temperature in the hot water heating mode at an early stage, or the water is boiled, and the normal heat retention mode is maintained for the predetermined time t. It is designed to automatically cope with repeated use for beverages and the like. It is preferable to change the predetermined time t so that the discharge operation does not come off depending on the number of discharges and the discharge amount at that time.
[0058]
In the case of energy-saving warming, it is preferable to turn on the energy-saving lamp 93 and the magic bottle warming display 110 regardless of manual setting or automatic setting. Even during startup as described above, if the energy saving lamp 93 or the set heat retention temperature display 111 or the current temperature display 112 is flashed regardless of manual setting or automatic setting, the temperature is being raised in a special mode. It is convenient to announce that it is.
[0059]
As mentioned above, energy saving time zone Z₁..When there is a discharge operation in the middle of Zn and the start-up process is performed, the current hot water temperature displayed on the liquid crystal is notified by flashing for several seconds, the set heat retention temperature display 111 and the energy saving lamp 93 are flashing. It is possible to let the user recognize that the control is a special start-up process by making a notification and making a notification that the 100 ms is operated three times by a buzzer alone or with them.
[0060]
In addition, energy saving time zone Z₁.. The start-up process may be performed when a discharge unlock operation is performed instead of the discharge operation in the middle of Zn. The discharge lock is automatically set when there is no discharge for a certain period of time, and the lock release is performed prior to the discharge operation, so that the temperature rise for discharge can be started early.
[0061]
In addition, when it is difficult to quickly raise the temperature for the first halfway discharge, the first discharge is performed and the start-up process is performed later so that the temperature can be normally maintained for a predetermined time t.
[0062]
In view of energy saving, it is desirable to restore the energy-saving temperature again after the normal temperature is maintained for a predetermined time t after the start-up process is performed by the middle discharge or the discharge lock is released or the water is boiled by a re-boiling operation. When returning to the energy-saving heat insulation is performed by interrupting the discharge for a certain period of time, it is possible to correspond to the actual use situation on the way.
[0063]
Further, in the control of FIG.₁.. When there is a discharge operation in Zn, the energy saving setting counter is incremented by 1, and the energy saving flag is set to 0 when the count reaches a predetermined number of times once or more. As a result, the energy saving setting that does not match the actual situation is performed again by the control shown in FIG. This resetting may be performed for the entire energy-saving time zone that has been set, but it should be corrected only for specific energy-saving time zones related to actual use during such energy-saving warming. When performing a number of energy saving time zones, the entire set energy saving time zones may be reset.
[0064]
Specifically, midway discharge is energy saving time zone Z₁.. It is conceivable to correct the corresponding time zone depending on which timing time in Zn. For example, when the timing time is near the border adjacent to the normal warming time zone in the corresponding energy saving time zone, the adjacent normal warming time zone is increased to the adjacent side so that the timing time is included in the normal warming time zone And the corresponding energy saving time zone is shortened on the adjacent side. In addition, energy saving time zone Z₁・ ・ If the discharge timing of Zn is almost in the middle of the applicable energy saving time zone, set the energy saving warmth with the lower limit temperature set for the whole energy saving time zone or for a predetermined time in the middle to the set warmth temperature It is possible to respond to subsequent use by making the rise of the device faster.
[0065]
Further, FIG. 13 shows a specific example of the subroutine for energy saving and warming shown in FIG. In this example, at the start of energy saving warming, first, the warming heater is turned off to start energy saving warming, that is, a thermos warming state. Next, the current liquid volume Q and the current room temperature T_RImport. This is an element for determining the time required for the current content liquid to boil, and as described above, it may be a temperature change accompanying heating or stopping of the content liquid. Next, the energy-saving warming temperature T at which the content liquid is boiled at a predetermined time t which is initially set or set by the user as shown in FIG.₀Is determined and set. After that, the energy-saving warming temperature T set by the liquid contents₀Each time the temperature falls below, the heat insulation heater is turned on to save energy₀To keep.
[0066]
In addition, energy saving warming temperature T₁The minimum temperature is set so as not to fall below this in any case, and the hot water content liquid 71 can be prevented from becoming extremely low.
[0067]
Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the electric pot of the present embodiment will be described in more detail. The vacuum double container 3 is composed of a stainless steel inner cylinder 4 and an outer cylinder 5, and the heater 11 is a vacuum as described above. It is applied to the single bottom 3c of the double container 3 so that the heating efficiency does not decrease. The heater 11 can be used in combination with a water heater and a heat retaining heater having different capacities, or can be used individually. However, the heater 11 can be used in a known manner such as changing the duty ratio between the water heating mode and the heat retaining mode. It can also be used with different heat generation capacity. The exterior case 2 that accommodates the vacuum double container 3 is made of synthetic resin, the bottom and the body are integrally formed, and a separate shoulder 6 is fitted to the upper end of the body so as to be integrated. The heavy container 3 is accommodated and held. A discharge system 25 is connected to the single bottom of the vacuum double container 3, and the discharge system 25 rises between the vacuum double container 3 and the outer case 2, and a discharge port 25 d faces the front of the container 1. Yes. An electric pump 26 such as a centrifugal pump is provided in the middle of the discharge system 25, and the content liquid flowing into the discharge system 25 is sent out to the discharge port 25d and discharged. However, the method of the electric pump can be freely selected regardless of whether it is a pumping type or a pressurizing type. In addition, a manual pump 10 is provided on the lid 13 that covers the opening 12 of the container 1 that leads to the mouth of the vacuum double container 3 so that the container 12 can be opened and closed. Pressurized air is blown in to pressurize the hot water storage liquid 71 and push it out through the discharge system 25 so that it can be discharged outside. The manual pump 10 has an advantage that hot water can be supplied by manually discharging the stored hot water content 71 without a power source.
[0068]
The rising portion 25a of the discharge system 25 is a transparent tube so that the liquid amount can be seen through the transparent liquid amount display window 62 of the container 1. However, the liquid amount of the content liquid can be detected and displayed step by step with a photocoupler or the like by the photocoupler or the like, and can also be used as liquid amount data for various controls. Further, the automatic detection of the liquid amount may be performed by a capacitance method, or the liquid amount is automatically determined by a temperature rise characteristic when the hot water storage liquid 71 is heated by the heater 11 or a temperature drop characteristic when the heating of the heater 11 is stopped. Can be detected.
[0069]
The lid 13 is formed with a vapor passage 17 for releasing the vapor from the vacuum double container 3 to the outside. The lid 13 is formed on the inner opening 17a of the position facing the vacuum double container 3 of the lid 13 and the outer surface exposed to the outside. It communicates with the outer opening 17b. In the middle of the steam passage 17, when the container body 1 rolls over and the stored hot water content liquid 71 enters, a safety path 17c is provided that delays reaching the outer opening 17b by temporarily storing or detouring it. . As a result, it is possible to take measures such as raising the container 1 before the container 1 rolls over and the content liquid flows out through the vapor passage 17. Further, when the container body 1 rolls over, the steam passage 17 is provided with a water stop valve 18 at the time of falling, which works by its own weight or the like so as to prevent the entering content liquid from proceeding forward. Is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided at one location just inside the inner opening 17a.
[0070]
The front portion of the lid 13 is provided with a lock member 21 that engages with the locking portion 19 on the shoulder 6 side in the closed position to lock the lid 13 in the closed position, and the locking portion when the lid 13 is closed. The spring 22 is always urged to the locked position so as to automatically engage with the spring 19. Correspondingly, the lid 13 is provided with a lock release member 23 for releasing the lock by retracting the lock member 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the unlocking member 23 is of a lever type pivotally supported on the lid 13 by a shaft 24. By pushing down the front end 23a with a thumb or the like and rotating it counterclockwise, the locking member 21 is spring-loaded. It is possible to lift the lid 13 which has been unlocked by lifting the rear end 23b raised by the unlocking operation with another finger and opening it.
[0071]
In the space between the bottom of the outer case 2 and the bottom of the vacuum double container 3, a circuit box 28 that houses the power supply / drive system board 27 is installed together with the electric pump 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit box 28 is integrally formed in the opening at the bottom of the outer case 2. The circuit box 28 is provided with a lid 60 that opens downward and closes it.
[0072]
The upper part of the discharge system 25 constitutes a discharge port portion 25c, which is an inverted U-shaped unit, at a portion between the projecting portion 31 of the container 1 and the pipe cover portion 2d on the exterior case 2 side. The part 25c is provided with a water stop valve 34a at the time of overturning, a water stop valve 34b at the time of forward tilt, and a discharge port 25d. The discharge port 25d is opened downward through the pipe cover portion 2d.
[0073]
A cover plate 36 is applied to the opening at the bottom of the outer case 2 from below by screwing or partial engagement, and a rotating seat ring 37 is supported on the outer periphery of the cover plate 36 so that it can rotate. When the vessel 1 is placed on a table surface or the like, it can be rotated lightly on the rotating ring 37 to change its orientation.
[0074]
Further, the discharge system sensor 72 provided on the control board 33 monitors the detected temperature while the discharge temperature is not detected as room temperature, and is used for various controls such as boiling water control, heat retention control, and liquid volume determination of the stored hot water content. be able to.
[0075]
In addition, as an energy-saving heat-retaining method different from the above, the energy-saving heat-retaining temperature T that is lower than the normal heat-retaining temperature or the normal heat-retaining temperature 71 is stored in the electric pot.₁In order to continue to use the product while maintaining the energy saving temperature at the time of use, and to provide actual use by the discharge operation, when the energy saving time zone Z is set, if the heating is stopped and there is a boiling operation, the liquid quantity Q at that time Also, it is possible to perform boiling with a heating capacity WH changed so as to be boiled at a predetermined time t according to the content liquid temperature. In this way, every time when the energy saving time zone Z set in the state of continuous use of the electric pot is reached, heating is stopped to save energy, and the hot water storage liquid 71 is naturally lower than the normal warming temperature by stopping heating. To lower the temperature, whenever the boiling operation is performed, the hot water is heated by changing the heating capacity WH in accordance with the current liquid amount Q and the content liquid temperature so that the hot water content liquid 71 can be boiled for a predetermined time. Therefore, even if there is a difference in the liquid amount Q depending on the time zone for energy saving and the difference in liquid temperature depending on the boiling operation time in the middle of the energy saving mode, it can be boiled at a predetermined required time t and the boiling time is It is solved that it is indefinite, the boiling time is too long, and the energy saving temperature is uniformly high and the energy saving effect is impaired.
[0076]
Of course, the water heating mode is usually performed in the shortest possible time with the maximum heating capacity of the electric pot, but the heating capacity is changed with respect to the liquid amount Q as described above, and the time until boiling is constant. If you want to make it, always do not water at the maximum heating capacity. Therefore, in the case of the liquid amount Q above a certain level, the energy-saving warming temperature T corresponding to the liquid amount Q as in the previous control example while maintaining a uniform maximum heating capacity.₁When the liquid volume is below a certain level, the energy-saving temperature T₁It is possible to cope with a change in the heating capacity below the maximum heating capacity while maintaining the natural temperature drop in which the heating without changing is stopped. Thereby, the setting which exceeds a normal maximum heating capacity can be avoided.
[0077]
Further, the determination of the liquid amount Q may be made based on the magnitude of the capacitance of the stored hot water content liquid 71, or by a water level sensor such as a photo sensor, or a subtraction based on a flow rate or a discharge amount from a predetermined water level. It can also be determined by the method.
[0078]
In addition, the frequency of the energy saving time period is ranked based on the past actual use P results. Specifically, the energy saving warming time period is one day, and the lowest rank is one month. The highest rank is used, and in the case of the highest rank, the probability of actual use in the middle of the set energy saving time period is utilized, and the energy saving temperature T1 is not changed by the liquid amount Q, but at the lowest temperature. If energy-saving heat retention control or heating stop is performed, energy-saving efficiency can be improved while avoiding inconvenience for unexpected use.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
  Of the present inventionEnergy-saving warming methodAccording to the above, each time the energy saving time zone set in the state of continuous use of the electric hot water storage container is reached, the content liquid can be boiled for a predetermined time to perform energy saving warming at an energy saving warming temperature lower than the normal warming temperature. Since the energy-saving warming temperature is changed according to the current liquid volume, even if there is a difference in the liquid volume depending on the energy-saving warming time period, when boiling water is used for boiling during energy-saving warming, the heating set in the water heating mode is used. Boiling can be performed for a predetermined time with a capacity, and it is possible to solve the problem that the boiling time is indefinite, the boiling time is too long, and the energy saving temperature is uniformly high and the energy saving effect is impaired.In particular, although the normal heat retention is performed for a predetermined time thereafter by the unlocking operation of the discharge lock during the energy saving heat retention, the unlocking is performed prior to the discharge operation, so that the temperature rise for the discharge can be started early. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one example of an electric pot according to an embodiment of an electric hot water storage container of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a control circuit diagram of the electric pot of FIG.
3 is a plan view of an operation unit of the electric pot of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing another example of the electric pot of FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a graph showing the temperature change of each part of the discharge system due to the discharge of the hot water storage liquid when the electric pot of FIG. 1 is kept at 98 ° C. FIG.
6 is a graph showing a temperature change in each part of the discharge system due to discharge of the hot water storage liquid when the electric pot of FIG. 1 is kept at 90 ° C. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a table showing the time required to boil the content liquid due to the difference in liquid volume and liquid temperature.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of an operation for setting an energy saving time zone from the progress of one day of actual results for actual use for each time block at the time of eating and when not eating, in units of 24 hours.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a main routine showing a main control example of the control circuit of FIG. 2;
10 is a flowchart of an energy saving setting processing subroutine in FIG. 9;
11 is a flowchart of an energy saving time zone setting processing subroutine in FIG. 10;
12 is a flowchart of a heat retention processing subroutine in FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an energy-saving heat retaining subroutine in the heat retaining process of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a time chart showing an example of control when there is a halfway discharge or reboiling operation in an energy saving time zone, and the temperature change of the content liquid due to the control.
[Explanation of symbols]
D Operation part
1 body
10 Manual pump
11 Heater
25 Discharge system
26 Electric pump
32 Operation panel
33 Control board
33a microcomputer
71 Contents of hot water storage
72 Discharge sensor
73 Achievement judging means
74 Energy-saving warming control means
75 memory means
76 Backup power supply
77 Clock means
78 Energy saving warming temperature setting means
82 Discharge key
85 Re-boiling key

Claims (1)

Set the energy saving time zone to use the contents in the electric hot water storage container while keeping the normal temperature and the energy saving temperature at an energy saving temperature lower than the normal temperature, and continuing to use it for actual use by the discharge operation. each, have row energy-saving warmth by changing the energy saving retained temperature according to the current amount of liquid to be boiled liquid contents at a predetermined time, if there is a lock releasing operation of the ejection lock in energy saving insulation, then a predetermined time An energy-saving and warming method, characterized by performing normal warming only .

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