JP6028814B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric water heater in which a liquid (for example, water) in a liquid container is heated by heating means such as an electric heater, and more particularly to a structure of an electric water heater in which steam is not emitted outside during heating. It is.

  An electric water heater generally includes an inner container for containing a liquid (for example, water), a container body provided with a heating means for heating the liquid in the inner container, and a lid body that covers the upper opening of the container body. The upper surface of the lid is provided with a steam outlet for discharging steam to the outside during boiling.

  The steam exhaust port introduces steam from the steam inlet port portion on the inner surface side of the lid, passes through the steam discharge passage through the overturn stop valve, and extends upward from the slit-shaped steam discharge port formed on the upper surface side to the indoor space. It is made to discharge (for example, refer patent document 1).

  As a result, the pressure in the inner container at the time of boiling decreases, and the liquid (for example, hot water) in the inner container boils in a smooth shape, and after the boiling for a predetermined time is continued, the temperature is kept as needed. It will be transferred to the state.

  However, in the case of the electric water heater having the above-described configuration, there are cases where the electric water heater is used while being placed on the floor surface. In such a case, a child or the like may touch the steam discharged from the steam discharge port. Moreover, if a large amount of steam is emitted, the humidity in the room becomes high, the bran and the wallpaper become wet, and if the boiling state continues more than necessary, there is a problem that power consumption increases.

  Therefore, it is preferable to prevent the steam itself from being emitted to the outside or to reduce the amount of generated steam itself by some method.

  In this regard, an electric rice cooker or the like has already been proposed in which steam is not discharged from a steam outlet formed in the lid (see Patent Document 2). However, it is impossible to apply the technology in an electric rice cooker or the like to an electric water heater.

  For example, in the case of a type in which the steam path is cooled by passing it through a water tank, when the steam path is submerged, the steam outlet is blocked, and a dangerous state of natural discharge from the discharge port unique to the electric water heater occurs. In addition, there is a possibility that the inside of the inner container becomes negative pressure after boiling, and the water in the water tank may be sucked up. is there.

  Furthermore, in the case of using a fan to cool the steam to a temperature where it cannot be seen, it is very costly and the lid of the electric water heater is often detachable. There are problems such as inability.

JP 2009-189519 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-140836

  As described above, in the case of an electric water heater, there is a problem that it is preferable not to emit steam itself or to reduce the amount of steam generated itself.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and by providing a steam path for condensing steam in the lid body, the steam outlet on the top surface of the lid body is eliminated so that steam is not emitted outside. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric water heater.

In the present invention, as means for solving the above-described problems, a container main body provided with an inner container for storing a liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container, and a lid for covering the upper side opening of the container main body, A steam path in the lid that connects the steam inlet communicating with the inside of the inner container and a steam outlet that opens to the outside of the lid at a portion that is not open to the outside, and is introduced from the steam inlet. an electrical water heater the majority of the steam is configured to condensation is cooled in the course of flowing through the steam route, a plurality of vapor passages for bypassing the left is partitioning the steam route by a plurality of ribs A passage enlarging part and a local part in which the passage cross-sectional area is locally enlarged by partially changing the interval between the ribs adjacent to each other in the passage width direction of the plurality of ribs forming the plurality of vapor passages. Cross-sectional area is characterized by providing a passage reduction portion to reduce the.

  According to such a configuration, a steam path that connects the steam inlet and the steam outlet in the lid is formed in a plurality of steam passages that are partitioned by the plurality of ribs and detour to the left and right. As a result, the length of the steam path for condensing the steam can be effectively lengthened, and the steam detours to the left and right to improve the condensation effect.

  Moreover, in the case of the present invention, a passage enlargement portion in which the passage cross-sectional area is locally enlarged by partially changing the interval between the ribs adjacent to each other in the passage width direction of the plurality of ribs forming the plurality of vapor passages. And a passage reducing portion in which the passage sectional area is locally reduced.

  Therefore, in the case of the same configuration, a local passage cross-sectional area enlarged portion and a passage cross-sectional area reduced portion are formed in each of the plurality of steam passages bypassing left and right, and in the inner container at the time of boiling After the generated steam is introduced from the steam inlet, the steam pressure is changed from high to low, from low to high, and high in the process of flowing through each steam passage where the cross-sectional area of the passage expands and shrinks locally. It changes greatly several times from low to low. As a result, most of the flowing steam is efficiently condensed.

Further, the steam outlet of the steam route downstream is opened in the lid outside the body portion which is not open to the outside. Therefore, almost no steam is discharged to the outside.

  As a result of the above, according to the present invention, since the discharge of steam to the outside is hardly performed, the safety of the electric water heater is ensured without forming a steam discharge port on the upper surface of the lid, and the lid The simple structure of forming a steam path having a plurality of portions with different passage cross-sectional areas in the body makes it possible to eliminate the discharge of steam from the lid to the outside. There is no longer an increase in moisture.

It is a perspective view of the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view at the time of the cover body opening of the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is the X section enlarged view of FIG. It is a perspective view of the cover in the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the upper plate of the cover body in the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the vapor | steam path | route structure part attached to the cover body in the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the steam path | route structure part shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam in the vapor | steam path | route in the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam and condensed water from an inner container to a vapor | steam sensor part in the vapor | steam path | route in the X section enlarged view shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam and condensed water from a vapor | steam sensor part to a vapor | steam path structure part in the vapor | steam path | route in the X section enlarged view shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the dew condensation water in the cover body at the time of the cover body opening in the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the dew condensation water in the vapor | steam path | route at the time of the front inclination of the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention, or the time of forward fall. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the dew condensation water in the vapor | steam path | route at the time of the lid body opening of the electric water heater concerning embodiment of this invention at the time of back tilting, or backward fall.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  This electric water heater has a water heater and a heat retaining function, and includes a container body 1 having an inner container 3 for storing a liquid (for example, water), a lid body 2 for opening and closing the upper side opening of the container body 1, An AC heater is connected to an electric heater 4 that is a heating means for heating the inner container 3 at the time of boiling and keeping warm, a hot water supply passage 5 for pouring hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside, and an AC power source. And an electric hot water supply pump 6 for pouring hot water in the inner container 3 to the outside through the hot water supply passage 5. Reference numeral 5 a denotes an outlet (that is, a discharge port) of the hot water supply passage 5, and 5 b denotes a transparent measuring tube provided in a straight pipe portion located at the front portion of the container body 1 in the hot water supply passage 5.

  The container body 1 includes a cylindrical outer case 7 made of a synthetic resin that forms an outer surface portion (in the case of the present embodiment, a rectangular tube shape), the inner container 3 that forms an inner surface portion, and the outer case 7. And the inner container 3 are integrally coupled and fixed on the upper side, and the synthetic resin annular shoulder member 8 which is mounted when the lid 2 is closed, and the synthetic resin dish-shaped plate constituting the bottom surface portion. And the bottom member 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a transparent measuring window provided at a position where the measuring tube 5b can be seen at the front portion of the outer case 7.

  The inner container 3 has a bottomed cylindrical inner cylinder 3A made of stainless steel and a cylindrical outer cylinder 3B which is also made of stainless steel and has no bottom part, joined to each other at the upper end side part and the lower end side part. It is made of a heat insulating structure with a vacuum double wall structure having a high heat insulation performance in which a vacuum heat insulating space is provided between the cylinder 3A and the outer cylinder 3B, and at the bottom, the inner cylinder 3A and the outer cylinder 3B on the outer peripheral side A single plate portion 3a constituted only by the bottom surface portion of the inner cylinder 3A is formed except for the joint portion. The single plate portion 3a is formed so as to protrude slightly higher upward, and the electric heater 4 (for example, a mica heater in which two sets of heating elements having different wattages are held on a mica plate) is formed on the lower surface side thereof. Is attached.

  The lid 2 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 11 and a synthetic resin lower plate 12 whose outer peripheral edges are coupled to each other with respect to the upper plate 11. The end portion 8a is supported by a hinge pin 13 and a hinge lock 14 so that the end portion 8a can be opened and closed in a vertical direction and is detachable.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the steam recovery unit 18 is configured by integrally combining a lower constituent member 18 a made of synthetic resin and an upper constituent member 18 b made of synthetic resin. (That is, the rectangular portion 19 located on the rear end side of the lid body 2), a semicircular enlarged portion 20 located on the front side of the rectangular portion 19, and one end side of the enlarged portion 20 (that is, an upper view). And a projecting portion 21 projecting forward from the left side.

  The steam inlet 16 is provided at a rear portion of the enlarged portion 20, and the steam outlet 17 is provided at a tip portion of the protruding portion 21. The steam outlet 17 does not communicate entirely with the inner container 3 but partially communicates with the inner container 3 and partially with the outlet of the hot water supply passage 5 in the shoulder member 8 (that is, It is opened adjacent to the discharge port 5a. That is, the steam outlet 17 is opened to the outside of the lid 2 at a portion that is not open to the outside.

  In this way, the conventional steam discharge port on the top surface of the lid body 2 is eliminated, the steam from the steam outlet 17 does not exit from the lid body 2, and the steam introduction into the steam path 15 is performed by the steam inlet 16. Therefore, the steam path 15 can be effectively used as a condensation passage for the steam S.

  In the present embodiment, the steam outlet 17 is configured to open to the lower surface side of the lid 2, but the steam outlet 17 is located at any position as long as it is outside the lid 2. You may comprise so that it may open.

  The steam path 15 serves as a steam cooling passage for allowing steam introduced from the steam inlet 16 to flow toward the steam outlet 17 and condensing the steam in the process, and as shown in FIG. The first passage 15a that once leads the steam S introduced from 16 to the rear side (that is, the rear end portion of the rectangular portion 19), and U-turns from the rear end of the first passage 15a to the front side (that is, the enlarged portion). A second passage 15b extending to the rear side of the second passage 15; a third passage 15c extending to the left and right at an intermediate position of the enlarged portion 20 following the second passage 15b; and the enlarged portion 20 following the third passage 15c. A fourth passage 15d extending left and right at the intermediate position, a fifth passage 15e extending left and right at the front end of the enlarged portion 20 following the fourth passage 15d, and the protruding portion 21 following the fifth passage 15e. of It extends to end consists sixth passage 15f to reach the steam outlet 17. The steam path 15 is a long path detoured in a zigzag shape from side to side from the steam inlet 16 to the steam outlet 17 so that the steam S flowing through the steam path 15 is likely to condense.

  If it does in this way, even if an electric water heater falls on either the right or left side, the hot water in the inner container 3 will not leak from the place where either one of zigzag shape becomes an upper side. The communication part (that is, the U-turn part) between the first passage 15a and the second passage 15b faces the steam sensor 22 attached to the shoulder member 8 so as to detect the temperature of the steam S. A communication hole (condensation water outlet) 23 is formed, and an opening edge of the communication hole 23 is provided with a seal packing 24 for sealing the communication hole 23 when the lid body 2 is closed. . Accordingly, the first passage 15a and the second passage 15b are communicated only when the lid body 2 is closed, and when the lid body 2 is opened, the dew condensation water passes through the communication hole 23. W is to flow out (that is, reflux into the inner container 3). These first to sixth passages 15a to 15f are defined by ribs 25 integrally projecting upward from the upper surface of the lower component member 18a.

  Of the first to sixth passages 15a to 15f, the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e are defined in the passage width direction of the ribs 25, 25,... That define the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e. By changing the interval between the ribs 25 adjacent to each other, the passage width of the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e is continuously changed from the upstream side to the downstream side as a whole from the enlarged state to the reduced state. (See FIGS. 8, 9, 13, and 14). As a result, the length of the steam path for condensing the steam can be effectively increased, and the steam bypasses the left and right, and the passage width is continuously changed from the expanded state to the reduced state as a whole. By flowing, the passage width sequentially repeats expansion, contraction, expansion, and contraction, and the pressure of the flowing steam alternately changes from a high state to a low state and from a low state to a high state. Therefore, the condensation effect can be improved.

  In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the two ribs 25 on the central portion side that define each of the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e in which the passage width continuously changes as a whole from the enlarged state to the reduced state. 25, the passage width is continuously changed from the expanded state to the reduced state by partially increasing the thickness in the passage width direction on the passage reduction portion side toward the passage surface side where the passage width is reduced. The passages 15c to 15e are provided with passage enlarged portions 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1 (upstream portions) in which the passage cross-sectional area is locally increased and a passage reduction portion (downstream portion) in which the passage cross-sectional area is locally reduced. (See FIGS. 8, 9, 13, and 14). 8, 9, 13, and 14, the portions indicated by reference numerals 25 a and 25 a are portions in which the thickness of the ribs 25 and 25 in the passage width direction on the passage reduction portion side is directed toward the passage surface side where the passage width is reduced This is a thickened part.

  That is, the third passage 15c is located on the outlet side of the second passage 15b and has a passage enlarged portion 15c1 whose passage cross-sectional area expands locally, and a right side of the passage enlarged portion 15c1. A trap portion 15c2 is formed for trapping condensed water W when the water heater is tilted forward or falls forward (see FIG. 13). The fourth passage 15d is located on the outlet side of the third passage 15c and is disconnected from the passage. A passage expanding portion 15d1 having a large area, and a trap portion 15d2 which is located on the left end side of the passage expanding portion 15d1 and traps the dew condensation water W when the electric water heater is tilted forward or falls forward (see FIG. 13). In the fifth passage 15e, a passage enlargement portion 15e1 located on the outlet side of the fourth passage 15d and having a passage cross-sectional area greatly expanding locally, and the passage enlargement portion 15e1 A trap portion 15e2 is formed on the right end side to trap the condensed water W when the electric water heater is tilted forward or falls forward (see FIG. 13). The sixth passage 15f has an outlet for the fifth passage 15e. When the electric water heater is tilted forward or when the electric water heater is tilted forward, the condensed water W is trapped (see FIG. 13). The trap portion 15f2 is positioned on the outlet side of the sixth passage 15f. A trap portion 15f3 is formed to trap the condensed water W when the vehicle falls forward (see FIG. 13).

  In the present embodiment, the passage expanding portions 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1 have a configuration in which the passage width is enlarged on the same plane as the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e, thereby effectively passing the passage. The cross-sectional area is configured to expand.

  The steam recovery unit 18 is attached so that the entire steam path 15 is inclined downward toward the steam inlet 16 side (that is, the hinge side) when the lid 2 is closed. In this way, the dew condensation water W generated by the dew condensation of the steam S flowing through the steam path 15 is easily recirculated from the steam inlet 16 into the inner container 3.

  Further, a metal inner cover member 26 having a steam inlet 26 a to the steam inlet 16 is fixed to the lower surface side of the lower plate 12 in the lid 2, and the outer peripheral edge of the inner cover member 26 is fixed. A seal packing 27 made of heat-resistant rubber that is pressed against the upper end opening of the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed is provided on the entire circumference.

  In the drawings, reference numeral 29 is a lid opening / closing lever for regulating the opening / closing state of the lid body 2, 30 is an operation panel portion having an operation surface of various switches and a display surface of liquid crystal display means, and 31 is used when carrying an electric water heater. It is a handle.

  By configuring as described above, after starting boiling, the steam S from the inner container 3 led to the steam inlet 16 through the steam inlet 26a at the lower part of the lid 2 is, for example, as shown in FIG. In the process of flowing through the steam path 15 having such a configuration toward the steam outlet 17, the steam temperature is first detected by the steam sensor 22, and when it is determined that the boiling state is present, the electric heater 4 enters the heat retaining heating state. Therefore, since it can detect earlier than the boiling detection with the bottom sensor which detects the temperature of the bottom part of the conventional inner container 3, the vapor | steam S produced from the hot water in the inner container 3 decreases, and it also becomes energy-saving. Thereafter, when the steam S enters the third passage 15c from the second passage 15b in the process of flowing through the steam passage 15, the pressure is reduced in the passage expansion portion 15c1 in the third passage 15c, and condensation is promoted. . After that, the pressure is increased again through the passage reducing portion downstream of the third passage 15c, and then the pressure is reduced by the passage expanding portion 15d1 of the fourth passage 15d to promote dew condensation. Further, after the pressure is increased again through the passage reducing portion downstream of the fourth passage 15d, the pressure is reduced at the passage expanding portion 15e1 of the fifth passage 15e, and condensation is promoted.

  In other words, in the same configuration, after the steam S generated in the inner container 3 at the time of boiling flows through the third to fifth passages 15c to 15e where the passage cross-sectional area expands and shrinks after being introduced from the steam inlet 16, The steam pressure changes from a high state to a low state, from a low state to a high state, and from a high state to a low state multiple times. As a result, in the process of flowing through the steam path 15, most of the steam S generated in the inner container is efficiently converted to the dew condensation water W, and almost no steam is discharged from the steam outlet 17.

  The condensed water W condensed in the steam path 15 flows toward the steam inlet 16 through the steam path 15 having a downwardly inclined portion toward the steam inlet 16 when the lid body 2 is closed. It will be refluxed from the inlet 16 into the inner container 3.

  Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, the steam outlet 17 on the downstream side of the steam path 15 (downstream side of the fifth and sixth passages 15e, 15f) is the lid 2 at the portion not opened to the outside as described above. Open to the outside. Therefore, the discharge of steam to the outside is more reliably prevented.

  Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, as described above, the passage enlarged portions 15c1, 15d1, 15e1 of the third passage 15c, the fourth passage 15d, and the fifth passage 15e and the third passage 15c and the fourth passage 15d, respectively. As shown in the figure, the passage reduction portion on the downstream side of the fifth passage 15e is the passage reduction portion side of the two ribs 25, 25 that define each of the third passage 15c, the fourth passage 15d, and the fifth passage 15e. By increasing the wall thickness in the passage width direction toward the reduction portion side passage direction rather than the wall thicknesses of the passage enlargement portions 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1, the passage width is greatly different. Therefore, it is easy to realize the passage expanding portion and the passage reducing portion.

  Further, when the electric water heater is tilted forward or falls forward, as shown in FIG. 13, the portion excluding the portion of the condensed water W generated in the steam path 15 that is recirculated from the steam inlet 16 into the inner container 3. Flows in the steam path 15 toward the steam outlet 17, but is stored in the trap portions 15c2, 15d2, 15e2, 15f2, and 15f3.

  In addition, although the dew condensation water W in the part from the inlet side of the trap part 15f3 to the steam outlet 17 may be discharged | emitted from the steam outlet 17, since there is almost no dew condensation water W remaining in the said part, it does not become a problem. .

  Further, when the lid 2 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, a portion excluding the portion of the dew condensation water W generated in the steam path 15 that is recirculated from the steam inlet 16 into the inner container 3. The dew condensation water W flows out from the communication hole 23 where the steam sensor 22 faces (that is, returns to the inner container 3).

  Furthermore, when the electric water heater is tilted backward or falls backward, as shown in FIG. 14, the portion of the condensed water W generated in the steam path 15 that is recirculated from the steam inlet 16 into the inner container 3 is excluded. The portion returns to the communication portion (that is, the U-turn portion) between the first passage 15a and the second passage 15b that the steam sensor 22 faces. Thereafter, when the electric water heater is returned to the normal posture (ie, the upright posture), the condensed water W is returned to the inner container 3 from the steam inlet 16 to the steam path 15, so that the condensed water W is outside. It will no longer leak out.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since most of the generated steam is condensed and recirculated into the inner container 3, a steam-less type electric water heater is provided at an extremely low cost. Is possible. Moreover, since almost no condensed water W remains in the steam path 15, the user does not have to disassemble the steam recovery unit 18 constituting the steam path 15 and perform maintenance (that is, maintenance-free). Become).

  In the present embodiment, the steam inlet 16 is provided on the hinge pin 13 side and the steam outlet 17 is provided on the front side of the lid body 2. However, the steam inlet 16 is provided on the front side of the lid body 2 and the steam outlet 17 is provided. You may provide in the hinge pin 13 side. In addition, if the steam recovery unit 18 is installed with a gap between the steam collecting unit 18 and the hot water pool portion at the time of falling water, the cooling performance can be easily maintained.

  The invention of the present application is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and it is needless to say that the design can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

1 is a container body 2 is a lid 3 is an inner container 4 is a heating means (electric heater)
15 is a steam path, 16 is a steam inlet, 17 is a steam outlet, 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1 are passage expansion portions. S is steam. W is dew condensation water.

Claims (1)

A container main body provided with an inner container for storing a liquid and a heating means for heating the inner container; a lid for covering the upper side opening of the container main body; and a lid in the lid that is in communication with the inner container. in steam inlet and a portion which is not open to the outside and a vapor path connecting the steam outlet opening into the lid outside the majority of the steam introduced from the steam inlet it is cooled in the course of flowing through the steam route an electrical water heater comprising configured to condensation Te, thereby forming a plurality of vapor passages for bypassing the left is partitioning the steam route by a plurality of ribs, said to define a same plurality of steam passages By partially changing the interval between the ribs adjacent to each other in the passage width direction of the plurality of ribs, a passage expanding portion in which the passage sectional area is locally expanded and a passage reducing portion in which the passage sectional area is locally reduced are provided. That Electric kettle to butterflies.

Images