JP3912392B2 - Energy-saving warming method and electric hot water storage container using it - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an energy-saving heat retention method and an electric hot water storage container to which the method is applied, and is used for, for example, an electric pot for home use.

  Electric pots are widely used in homes, workplaces, cafeterias, etc., and are particularly highly dependent on the home, leaving the power turned on except for replacement of the liquid contents, and halfway through re-boiling operations during use In many cases, the heat insulation is continued except at the time of start-up and initial boiling by 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.

  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 a user's setting operation.

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). According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, power information when energizing a main body, that is, average power per unit time, predetermined by setting a timer is used to automatically determine and respond to a time zone for energy saving. Information such as instantaneous power at timing, 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 energization is not required.
JP 2001-231682 A

  However, the power information at the time of energization to the main body detected and accumulated by the one described in Patent Document 1 includes energization information for initial water heating and normal warming, and there is a lot of accumulated information. In order to grasp the actual state of use, complicated operations are required, and accurate determination is difficult. In particular, if the user's usage pattern is to be grasped more correctly from long-term accumulated data such as in a non-volatile memory, the accumulated data will increase and it will become more difficult to grasp the actual state of use.

  In any case, in order to automatically achieve energy saving in accordance with the usage record of the user, it is necessary to sufficiently accumulate the usage record data. In particular, it is necessary to collect usage data for several days, such as seeing the overlap of major usage cycles, just by grasping the general tendency of excluding irregular daily usage by the user. For these reasons, automatic energy-saving use cannot be performed for several days from the start of use by the user, which is unreasonable in terms of energy saving.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an energy-saving and heat-retaining method that can save energy even when the use record is still insufficient for automatic energy-saving, and an electric hot water storage container to which the energy-saving method is applied.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the energy-saving and warming method of the present invention selects and uses the normal heat-keeping mode or the energy-saving warming mode at a lower temperature than in the normal heat-keeping mode while heating the liquid content in the electric hot water storage container. In the energy-saving warming method that automatically uses energy-saving warming based on past usage data while maintaining the state, when the energy-saving warming mode is selected in the energy-saving warming method, actual usage data for performing energy-saving warming While there is not enough storage, the actual power usage data is accumulated while performing semi-energy saving warming that does not exceed the normal heat retention and does not fall below the energy saving warmth. The main feature is to switch to energy-saving warming based on actual usage data.

  In such a configuration, the actual use of the content liquid in the electric hot water storage container can be automatically detected electrically, mechanically, optically, and physically by, for example, discharge or operation for discharge. If the energy saving mode is selected, but there is not enough usage data to save energy when the energy saving mode is selected, the power consumption does not exceed the normal temperature and falls below the energy saving temperature. In the case of energy-saving warmth even if the user uses it while obtaining energy-saving usage and responding to the user's energy-saving consciousness and practicality, it does not lead to energy-saving warmth because it does not quasi-energy-saving warmth Compared to the above, it is possible to reduce the user's dissatisfaction and inconvenience by quickly rising to the normal warming state or the boiling state due to re-boiling operation. When the shortage is resolved, the energy consumption is switched to energy-saving and warming based on the accumulated usage data. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the probability of inconvenience that the frequency of irregular use of the user is reduced.

  As an electric hot water storage container that achieves such a method, the content liquid is heated by a heater and based on the selection, the state of use is maintained while maintaining the normal temperature or the energy saving temperature at a temperature lower than the normal temperature. In the electric hot water storage container to be provided, when the use detection means for detecting the use and the selection of the energy saving warming are selected, while the usage data by the usage detecting means for performing the energy saving warming is insufficient to accumulate, Accumulated energy usage is stored while performing semi-energy-saving warming that does not exceed normal energy consumption and does not meet energy conservation warming. When the lack of performance data is resolved, energy is saved based on the accumulated performance data. The main feature is that it has a control means to switch to heat retention, and the selection of the energy saving mode is based on the initial setting based on the manufacturer's selection It may also be due to the user side of the selection operation.

  Semi-energy-saving warming is to stop heating until the temperature of the content liquid drops below the normal temperature and lower to the first temperature above the energy-saving temperature after boiling. When the liquid content falls to the first temperature, the temperature is below the normal temperature. It can be set as control which repeats continuing heating until it reaches 2nd temperature higher than 1st temperature.

  Further, the semi-energy-saving warming can be controlled to keep warm to a temperature between normal heat-saving and energy-saving warming after boiling.

  In addition, semi-energy-saving warming is normally held for a predetermined time after boiling, and after the predetermined time has passed, heating is stopped until the liquid content falls below the normal warming temperature to a first temperature that is equal to or higher than the energy-saving warming temperature. When the temperature of the content liquid drops to the first temperature, the heating is repeated until reaching the second temperature which is lower than the normal temperature and higher than the first temperature, or between the normal temperature and the energy saving temperature. It is also possible to control to keep the temperature at this temperature.

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

  According to the main features of the energy-saving and warming method and the electric hot water storage container using the energy-saving and warming method of the present invention, even when the usage record data for performing energy-saving and warming is insufficient, the power consumption is reduced from the initial control stage. As a quasi-energy-saving state, the manufacturer provides products and the user's willingness to select energy-saving heat retention is used from the beginning of use. By reducing the user's dissatisfaction, and when the shortage of accumulation of performance data is resolved, it is possible to shift to further energy-saving and warming without inconvenience that matches the actual performance.

  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.

  This embodiment is an example of a household electric pot, and a heat insulating container is used as an 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 effective as a target even if it does not perform boiling water as long as it stores hot water while heating. 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 source / drive system board 27 and the operation unit D or the initial setting. It can be set as the control means which employ | adopted various apparatuses including these. 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 the operation means by the resin spring integrally formed on the operation panel 32 or the key member provided separately, but this is also essential in the present invention. There is no specific configuration in particular. The microcomputer 33a has a boiling temperature of about 98 ° C. for the boiling water until boiling, and the boiling temperature is about 98 ° C., but almost no boiling is observed in the boiling state. Normal heat retention at a high temperature of about 90 ° C. that can be felt as such, it is sufficiently lower than those, but even if it is used as it is, it can be used without being aware that it is particularly low temperature, and it can be kept near boiling or high temperature, or until boiling Even if you want to use it afterwards, save energy at about 80 ° C, which can be started up in a relatively short time. For these controls, the microcomputer 33a uses temperature information from the content liquid temperature detecting means 29 for detecting the temperature of the content liquid. Specifically, the content liquid temperature detecting means 29 is an inner container sensor 29 applied individually 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. It is not limited to this. However, the energy-saving warming temperature is not limited to the above, and can be set freely from the standpoint of inconvenience at the time of use during energy-saving and energy-saving warming. In some cases, it can be freely set by user key operation etc. Good.

  By the way, the use of the content liquid in the electric pot can be detected by various conventionally known methods. Including these, the discharge, discharge operation, etc. of the hot water storage liquid 71 can be performed electrically, mechanically, and optically. It can be physically detected automatically and obtained as an electrical signal. For example, what is disclosed in Patent Document 1 electrically, whether or not the discharge flow of the hot water storage liquid 71 passes between the electrodes, and mechanically, the discharge flow of the hot water storage liquid 71 is a blade or screw. , Or whether the float is pushed, optically, whether the discharge flow of the content liquid 71 passes through the optical path of the photocoupler, physically, temperature detection from the discharge flow of the hot water storage content liquid 71 It can be detected by whether or not there is. Alternatively, the rotation of the electric pump 26 or its motor may be detected using an encoder or a photocoupler to detect the discharge flow. Further, it is also possible to detect the discharge flow by detecting the operation state of the manual pump 10 and the pressure increase state due thereto.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge system content liquid 71a in the discharge system 25 in an electric pot usually keeps the same liquid amount as the hot water storage content liquid 71 after boiling or keeping warm. 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 of each part of the discharge system 25 when the temperature is kept at 98 degrees, and FIG. 6 shows the experimental example of the temperature change of 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 substrate 33, (2) is the inside of the operation unit box 101 that houses the control substrate 33 of the protruding portion 31, and (3) is the surface of the discharge port portion 25 c, (4) is the back surface of the power supply / drive system board 27, and (5) is the surface of the electric pump 26. In 98 degree heat retention, the influence of discharge is large because the heat retention temperature is high, and one clear temperature peak is obtained by discharge of the hot water storage liquid 71 at any location of (1) to (5), and in 90 degree heat retention (4 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. Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 1, the electric pump 26 determines whether or not the hot water storage liquid 71 is discharged by detecting the temperature of the discharge system 25 or the vicinity thereof by the discharge system sensor 72 or the like. It can be determined simply whether it is performed by the manual pump 10 or by tilting the body 1.

  4A and 4B, the discharge system 25 is provided with a discharge system sensor 111 that is rotated by the discharge flow of the discharge system content liquid 71a and the hot water storage content liquid 71. To detect. As shown in FIG. 4A, the discharge system sensor 111 is provided in the middle of the discharge system 25 to detect the state of the discharge flow. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, the sensor blade 111a that rotates in response to the discharge flow accompanying discharge in the discharge system 25, and the sensor blade 111a that is provided around the discharge system 25 and that rotates around the sensor blade 111a. The rotation sensor 111b detects rotation. The sensor blade 111a is a screw type, but may be of any type. The rotation sensor 111b is a photocoupler composed of light emitters / receivers 111b1 and 111b2, but the light emitters / receivers 111b1 and 111b2 deviate from the rotation shaft 111a1 of the sensor blade 111a in response to the sensor blade 111a being a screw type. Thus, the presence or absence of intermittent crossing by the blade portion 111a2 accompanying the rotation of the sensor blade 111a is detected. The sensor blade 111a1 receives a rotation proportional to the flow rate associated with the discharge of the discharge system content liquid 71a and the hot water storage content liquid 71 in the discharge system 25, and moves the sensor optical path of the rotation sensor 111b at a speed and time interval proportional to the flow rate associated with the discharge. Cross. Thereby, the flow rate at the time of discharge and the amount of liquid discharged can be determined from the number, time, and time interval of crossing the sensor blade 111a detected by the rotation sensor 111b. The discharge system sensor 111 detects the flow of the discharge system content liquid 71a and the hot water storage content liquid 71 in the discharge system 25, regardless of whether the discharge is performed by the electric pump 26 or the manual pump 10. Even if the ink is discharged at an angle, it can be detected. The discharge system sensor 111 may employ other detection methods such as detecting the movement of a magnet embedded in a part of the sensor blade 111a with a single lead sensor. In this case, in particular, the sensor structure is simplified because it is not necessary to have a sensor optical path that passes through the inside of the ejection system 25.

  From the above, it is possible to automatically set the energy saving time zone by easily and accurately knowing the time zone suitable for energy saving and warming from simple and less information on the state of use from the detection of discharge in the discharge system 25. Therefore, it is possible to determine the state of use over a longer period using a non-volatile memory or the like, and to set an energy saving time zone, it does not require a large capacity and can be determined by a simple operation, so that the cost can be reduced. When the energy saving time zone set in this way is reached, energy saving without excess or deficiency based on the state of use can be realized without complicated settings by switching from normal heat retention to energy saving heat retention. In addition, the more energy saving and warming that is automatically set in this way matches the user's usage record and lifestyle, the less frequently it is used during energy saving and warming. Therefore, the heat insulation temperature can be kept low.

  In order to perform such energy-saving warming, the electric pot of the present embodiment has a discharge system provided as a discharge system temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the discharge system 25 for performing the discharge or the vicinity thereof as shown in FIG. Based on the sensor 72, the energy consumption setting means 73 for determining the presence / absence of use based on the temperature detected by the discharge system sensor 72, that is, the history of use, and setting the energy saving time zone, and the energy saving setting means 73 based on the setting by the energy saving setting means 73. It is sufficient to include an energy saving and warming control means 74 that switches from normal warming to energy saving warming when the time zone is reached. The discharge system sensor 72 may be another discharge system sensor 111 described above, or may be other use detection means.

  The discharge system sensor 72 uses a thermistor or the like, and can detect the temperature of the discharge system 25 or the vicinity thereof, for example, as a discharge system sensor 72 provided at a position as shown in FIG. The control means 74 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. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage means 75 for accumulating the determined use results is provided, and an energy saving time zone for executing the energy saving warming is set according to the use progress results accumulated in the storage means 75. I have to. The storage means 75 uses a non-volatile memory having a backup power source 76 as shown in FIG. 2, so that the stored contents can be kept even after the electric pot is turned off. The user's usage history from the long-term data over several days, one week, several weeks, one month, several months, four seasons, including the memory data before and after the power was turned off The usage pattern can be easily and accurately determined.

  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. 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 receive heat from the system 25, and the temperature of the discharge system 25 can be detected more easily. On the surface facing the control board 33, hardware parts such as the switches 48 and display lamps (not shown) are mounted, whereas the back surface of the control board 33 faces chip parts such as a chip-type microcomputer 33a. By mounting and using the discharge system sensor 72 by a chip-type thermistor or the like, both component cost and mounting cost can be reduced.

  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. Further, as a lamp display, an unlock lamp 91, a water supply notification lamp 92, an energy saving lamp 93, and the like are provided using LEDs.

Here, some specific examples of the method for setting the energy saving time zone will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 7, it corresponds to a plurality of time blocks B _{1 to} Bm obtained by dividing a time length of 24 hours _per day. between time to and 7 the time between t ₁ ~t ₂ in the schematic example shown in (a) corresponding to four time blocks _{B 1 ~B 4, t 2 ~t} 3, t 3 ~t 4, t 4 ~ The use P results for which the discharge operation has been performed are determined every t ₁ . In the determination, the results for three days shown in (a) to (c) shown in FIG. 7 are determined as the accumulated results for each of the time blocks B _{1 to} B ₄ . The determination is made after the actual performance for one day, but the determination accuracy improves as the cumulative number increases. Next, in each of the determined time blocks B _{1 to} B ₄ , a time block B with a predetermined usage record S, and in the example of FIG. 7D, between the times B ₁ , B ₂ , and B ₃ , and incubation time zone R _1, R _2, R _3, and time is no record of predetermined used block B, and example the time between energy saving time zone Z after about the B ₄ in FIG. 7 (d), the normal incubation time When the time of the bands R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ is reached, normal heat insulation is performed, and when the time of the energy saving time zone Z is reached, energy saving heat insulation is performed. The predetermined usage record S is effective if it is determined whether or not the reference number N of the number of uses P is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, and N = 2 in the schematic example of FIG. In time block B ₁ , N = 4 in B ₂ , N = 4 in B ₃ , and N = 10 in B ₃ , both of which are N ≧ 2, so the normal heat retention time zones R _{1 to} R ₃ are set, and time block B _In N, since N = 1 and N <2, the energy saving time zone Z is set.

  In such a schematic example, it is possible to derive the use progress or pattern of the user by determining the result of use P, and by setting the N value, it becomes a bedtime period in the normal life pattern expected from the recognition of time. Time block B treats rare discharge operations as irregular, and is difficult to set in the normal heat retention time zone R, easy to set in the energy saving time zone Z, and the time block B that becomes the real life time zone excluding the sleeping time zone Therefore, it is easy to set in the normal heat retention time zone R by using the fact that the discharge operation is easy to repeat, and it is difficult to set it in the energy saving time zone Z, so that it can suitably correspond to the daily life pattern of the user. , Energy can be saved without dissatisfaction or inconvenience to the user.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the data of the usage P for three days is accumulated to uniformly N = S, and if there is a single usage P, it is determined that there is a predetermined usage record S. Therefore, if there is even one use P for each time block B of the set time blocks B _{1 to} Bm, it is set as the normal heat retention time zone R as there is a predetermined usage record S, otherwise it is set as the energy saving time zone Z Therefore, determination and setting operations can be simplified and realized at the lowest cost. In addition, the time for one day is set to six time blocks B _{1 to} B ₆ and more than the above formula example, and it becomes easier to match the usage pattern and life pattern of the user by the amount of time blocks. In this example, one time block B only needs to be used once, and even if there are multiple times, it can be handled as one time. Therefore, if there is a single use P, the subsequent operation of taking in the use P can be omitted in the time block B.

In the above-described method, if the number P of use P for determining a predetermined use result S is different in which time block B, it is difficult to set the normal heat retention time zone R as described above, and energy saving. or easily set the time zone Z, and usually easily set the incubation time period R, an operation to make it difficult to set the energy saving time period, for each time block B ₁ .about.B _4, between corresponding time _{t 1 ~t 2, t 2 ~t} 3, t 3 ~t 4, t 4 can be performed in accordance with the characteristics of the pattern of use P expected from ~t _1. As described above, the reference number N of times of use P is effective by manually setting it from the expected life pattern of the user, but the time block B that is irregularly handled because the discharge operation is rare from the accumulated result of the use P actual patterns. It is also possible to determine a time block B in which the discharge operation is often repeated and automatically set an N value necessary for the time block B.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, if the time lengths of the meal time blocks B ₁ , B ₃ , and B ₅ are set shorter than the late-night time block B ₆ , the meal time is the longest at dinner time. However, it is possible to suitably cope with the fact that the comparison is not possible for the late-night time block B ₆ that is said to be extremely rarely used. In the schematic example shown in FIG. 9, in particular, 24 hours for one day is divided into _six time blocks B _{1 to} B ₆ , and meals generally correspond to three times in the morning, noon and evening. In addition, in time block B ₁ at breakfast, the time zone for breakfast and breakfast is shorter than dinner time, and the time zone for breakfast is shorter than lunch time. The time interval t _{1 to} t _{2 is set} to 2 hours from 6:00 to 8:00, and in the time block B ₃ at lunch time, the time interval t _{3 to} t _{4 is set} to 3 hours from 11:00 to 14:00. The time block B ₅ is set to 4 hours from 18: 00 to 22:00, and each has a length. On the other hand, the time block B _{6 in the} midnight time zone is set to be the longest from 22:00 to 6:00. Further, the remaining time blocks B ₂ and B ₄ are between the remaining times. Accordingly, while the same number of time blocks B _{1 to} B ₆ as shown in FIG. 8 are set, the length is determined according to the degree to which the same usage pattern or life pattern specified or predicted by the time recognition continues. With the time block B, the normal heat retention time zone R and the energy saving time zone Z can be automatically set with high accuracy.

  In order to automatically set the energy-saving time zone according to the user's usage results in this way, the energy-saving time zone and the timing of energy-saving warming are determined and determined for a predetermined period of several days or longer regardless of the method to be determined. It is necessary to accumulate user usage data for a period of time, but as mentioned above, if energy-saving heat insulation cannot be performed during that period, the manufacturer selects the specifications when providing the product, or the energy-saving consciousness selected by the user for use It is irrational. Therefore, in the present embodiment, to cope with this, when the energy saving warming mode is selected, the power consumption is kept at 98 ° C. warming or 90 ° while the actual data of the use P for performing energy saving warming is insufficient. When accumulating the actual data of the used P and eliminating the shortage of the actual data of the used P while performing the semi-energy-saving warming that does not exceed the normal heat retaining temperature such as 80 ° C and does not fall below the energy saving warming temperature of 80 ° C. Then, switch to the energy-saving warming that is set based on the accumulated data on the usage P.

  As a result, when the energy saving mode is selected, if there is a lack of performance data for use P to save energy, the energy consumption does not exceed the normal temperature and does not fall below the energy saving temperature. Because it keeps warm, it does not lead to energy-saving warmth, but it obtains a usage state that is more energy-saving than normal warming and responds to the user's energy-saving consciousness and practicality. It is possible to reduce the user's dissatisfaction and inconvenience by promptly rising to the normal warming state or the boiling state due to re-boiling operation. Switch to energy-saving and warming based on the accumulated usage data when it is used. From that which was Tsu, it is possible to reduce the chance of probability that the frequency of irregular use is made inconvenient small user.

  As described above, the selection of the energy saving mode may be performed by the initial setting based on the manufacturer's selection or by the user's selection operation. However, in the electric pot of the present embodiment, the energy saving key on the operation panel 32 is selected. The user can select energy-saving warming by 84, and the microcomputer 33a performs such control when the energy-saving key 84 is operated.

  An example of such control will be described. As shown in a main routine of main control in FIG. 10, after initial setting is performed by turning on the power, input / output processing by various sensors and operations is performed. Next, display processing related to input / output and accompanying operation control is performed. Subsequently, a boiling process for initial boiling or re-boiling, a normal heat retention at 98 ° C. or 90 ° C., and a heat retention process for lowering the temperature and performing manual setting and setting including heating stop are performed. 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.

  A specific example of the subroutine for performing the energy saving setting process will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 11, if there is an energy saving selection, the energy saving display blinks to indicate that the energy saving is selected and its preparation state is displayed. Data acquisition is performed, and the control is repeated until the acquisition is completed. When the capturing is completed, the energy saving display is switched to lighting with 1/2 output, the data capturing end is notified, and, for example, the actual use for 3 days is determined. Of these determination results, for example, the time zone in which the unused state continues for 6 hours or more is set as the energy saving time zone Z, and the other time zone is set as the normal heat retention time zone R. When the setting is completed, the energy-saving display is switched to lighting at all outputs to notify that the energy-saving warming setting state has been reached.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, if there is an energy saving selection, the energy saving display blinks at 1/2 output to indicate that the energy saving is selected and that it is in a ready state, and the data for use P is loaded, and the loading ends. The control is repeated until. When importing is completed, for example, a record of use for 3 days is determined, and for example, the time zone in which the unused state has continued for 6 hours or more is set as the energy saving time zone Z, and the other time zone is normally kept warm. Set to band R. When the setting is completed, the energy saving display is turned on and the energy saving warming setting state is notified. It is also possible to make a notification by sounding a buzzer once with energy saving 1/2 flashing or separately, or by sounding a buzzer twice with 1/2 lighting.

  A specific example of the subroutine for performing the heat insulation process will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 13, control is started by being in the heat insulation mode, and if the energy saving heat insulation is not selected, the normal heat insulation is set to the selected heat insulation temperature 98. Repeat the incubation according to the difference of ℃ or 90 ℃. If there is a normal warming temperature selection operation with the energy saving warming selected, the normal warming control will return. If there is no normal warming temperature selection operation, the energy saving display will flash until the energy saving time zone Z is set. After displaying that the setting of the energy saving time zone Z is still incomplete, the remaining time until the setting is completed is displayed, and the energy consumption is maintained without exceeding the case of the normal heat retention described above. Control so that the quasi-energy-saving heat insulation that does not fall below is continued. Moreover, when the remaining time runs out and the setting of the energy saving time zone Z is completed while continuing such semi-energy saving warming, the energy saving display is turned on to notify the completion, and thereafter only the time zone corresponding to the energy saving time zone Z Energy saving heat insulation is performed, and normal heat insulation is performed for the time zone corresponding to the other normal heat insulation time zone R.

  A specific example of the sub-energy-saving warming subroutine will be described. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the control is started on the condition that energy-saving warming is selected, and the temperature of the hot water storage liquid 71 is lowered to 80 ° C. or less as the energy-saving warming temperature. The heater is turned on while the heater is turned on, and the heater is turned off when the temperature is higher than a selected temperature of 98 ° C. and 90 ° C., which is the normal heat retention. As a result, the hot water content liquid 71 is lower in power consumption than the normal heat retention temperature by the amount lower than the normal heat retention temperature, and the dissatisfaction and inconvenience in using the hot water content liquid 71 is reduced by the amount higher than the energy saving heat retention temperature. However, the power consumption is larger than in the case of energy-saving warming.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, first, during the set time of the predetermined time timer, for example, for 2 hours, 3 hours, or longer, the hot water content liquid 71 is selected at a normal temperature of 98 ° C. or 90 ° C. After waiting for the temperature to fall to 0 ° C., the heater is turned on and off to maintain that temperature, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the same control as in the example shown in FIG. 14 is repeated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, first, after waiting for the set time of the timer 1 for a predetermined time, for example, 2 hours, the hot water content liquid 71 is lowered to the selected temperature of 98 ° C. or 90 ° C. at the normal temperature keeping. The heater is turned on and off to maintain the temperature, and when the predetermined time timer 1 ends, the heater is turned on for a set time of the predetermined time timer 2, for example, 2 hours, and when the predetermined time timer 2 ends, The heater is turned on for a set time of the predetermined time timer 3, for example, 2 hours. When the predetermined timer 3 ends, the control returns to the control for maintaining the selected temperature in the normal heat retention, and this control is repeated thereafter.

  Since the heat retention is an operation mode after boiling, any control of the semi-energy-saving heat retention is usually performed after boiling, but is not limited thereto. Further, if the electric pot has a heat insulating function such as the vacuum double container 3, the temperature of about 60 ° C. can be maintained even after about 7 hours to 10 hours even with the control of turning off the heater after boiling. Since this can be done, this can also be quasi-energy-saving control. According to this, the power consumption is further reduced as compared with the case of energy-saving heat retention. Of course, depending on the storage period of the use data, when the temperature falls below 60 ° C., it is possible to shift to the above-described various quasi-energy-saving heat insulation. Further, even when re-boiling is performed during the semi-energy-saving warming, it is preferable that the semi-energy-saving warming is continued until the necessary time.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  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 as shown in FIG. . 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be practically used for energy-saving control that is automatically set based on the use results of a user of an electric pot, and can save energy in a range that does not cause dissatisfaction or inconvenience to the user before automatic setting.

It is sectional drawing which shows one example of the electric pot which concerns on the Example of the electric hot water storage container of this invention. It is a block diagram of the control circuit of the electric pot of FIG. It is a top view of the operation panel of the electric pot of FIG. It is sectional drawing of a part of electric pot which shows the example of installation of another discharge system sensor, and sectional drawing which shows the discharge system sensor. It is a graph which shows the example of a change of the detected temperature in a discharge system from the discharge operation time in a 98 degreeC heat retention state in a discharge system. It is a graph which shows the example of a change of the detected temperature in a discharge system from the discharge operation time in a 90 degreeC heat retention state in a discharge system. It is a time chart which shows the example of detection of a use for 3 days, and the determination of a state. It is a time chart which shows another example of detection of the use for 3 days, and a state. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing a processing example of a 24-hour timer used for use detection and state determination in FIG. 8. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine which shows the main operation | movement control of an electric pot. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the subroutine of the energy saving setting process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another specific example of the subroutine of the energy saving setting process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the subroutine of the heat retention process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the subroutine of a semi-energy saving process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows another specific example of the subroutine of a semi-energy saving process in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the other specific example of the subroutine of a semi-energy saving process in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 10 Manual pump 11 Heater 25 Discharge system 25c Discharge port part 26 Electric pump 29 Inner container sensor 32 Operation panel 33 Control board 33a Microcomputer 71 Hot water storage content liquid 71a Discharge system content liquid 72, 111 Discharge system sensor 73 Energy saving setting means 74 Energy saving heat control means 75 Storage means 82 Discharge key 83 Selection key 84 Energy saving key

Claims (5)

While heating the content liquid in an electric hot water storage container, select the normal heat retention mode or the energy saving heat retention mode at a lower temperature than in the normal heat retention mode, and continue using the product while using it by discharging. In an energy-saving warming method that is automatically performed based on usage data,
When the energy saving warming mode is selected, while the actual usage data for energy saving warming is insufficient to accumulate, the track record of use is being performed while performing semi-energy saving warming that does not exceed the normal warming and does not fall below the energy saving warming. An energy-saving and warming method characterized by switching to energy-saving and warming based on accumulated usage data when data is accumulated and the lack of usage data is resolved. Semi-energy-saving warming is to stop heating until the temperature of the content liquid drops below the normal temperature and lower to the first temperature above the energy-saving temperature after boiling. When the liquid content falls to the first temperature, the temperature is below the normal temperature. The energy-saving heat-retaining method according to claim 1, wherein heating is repeated until a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature is reached. The energy-saving warming method according to claim 1, wherein the semi-energy-saving warming is warmed to a temperature between normal warming and energy-saving warming after boiling. The semi-energy-saving warming is normally kept for a predetermined time after boiling, and after the predetermined time has passed, the heating is stopped until the content liquid falls below the normal warming temperature to a first temperature that is equal to or higher than the energy-saving warming temperature, When the content liquid drops to the first temperature, repeat the heating until reaching the second temperature that is lower than the normal temperature and higher than the first temperature, or the temperature between the normal temperature and the energy saving temperature The energy-saving and warming method according to claim 1, wherein the heat is kept warm. In an electric hot water storage container that is heated for use by a heater and continues to be used while being kept warm and energy-saving warming at a temperature lower than the normal warming based on the selection.
When the use detection means for detecting the use and the energy-saving warming selection are selected, the power consumption does not exceed the normal heat-saving while the accumulation of the usage data by the usage detection means for performing the energy-saving warming is insufficient. It is equipped with control means that accumulates actual usage data while performing semi-energy-saving thermal insulation that is less than the thermal insulation, and switches to energy-saving thermal insulation based on the accumulated usage actual data when the shortage of actual usage data is resolved. An electric hot water container characterized by that.

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