JP6070760B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric water heater, and more particularly to the structure of an electric water heater such as an electric kettle that prevents vapor from going outside.

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

  The steam discharge port introduces steam in the inner container from the steam inlet part on the inner surface side (inner container opening side) of the lid, and steam with a short distance in the thickness direction of the lid through the overturn stop valve Through the discharge passage, the steam is discharged as steam from the slit-shaped steam discharge port formed on the upper surface side of the lid toward the indoor space (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). ).

  As a result, the pressure in the inner container at the time of heating and boiling is also reduced, and the liquid (water) in the inner container boils safely and smoothly.

JP 2009-189519 A JP 2009-172109 A Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-118825 Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-115900

  However, in the case of such an electric water heater (especially in the case of an electric kettle), there are cases where it is used by placing it on the floor surface. In such cases, children can touch the steam discharged from the steam outlet. There is sex. In addition, when a large amount of steam is emitted, the indoor humidity becomes high, and there is a problem that the bran and the wallpaper get wet. Moreover, if it boils more than necessary, energy-saving performance will also fall.

  Therefore, it is preferable to prevent the steam itself from going out by some method or to reduce the steam generation amount as much as possible.

  The present invention was made to cope with such a problem, and a boiling detection passage provided with a vapor sensor as a boiling detection means is provided in an opening on the container body side corresponding to the lid to detect a boiling state. In addition, the heating means can be turned off after boiling, and a steam cooling passage for condensing steam in a detour state is provided inside the lid, and the steam generated at the time of boiling is efficiently converted into liquid droplets. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric water heater having an electric kettle structure with a steam reduction system that prevents steam from being discharged.

(1) First Problem Solving Means In the present invention, as a first problem solving means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the liquid container for hot water storage and the bottom of the liquid container are heated. A heating means, a container body having an opening in the upper part containing the liquid container and the heating means, a handle provided on the back of the container body, a lid for covering the opening of the container body, and A steam sensor provided at a position corresponding to the lid of the opening of the container main body, and a power supply means for detachably mounting the container main body and supplying power to the heating means in the container main body in the mounted state. An electric water heater comprising a power supply stand provided with a steam inlet having one end opened in the liquid container and the other end opened toward the opening of the container body in the lid body, and one end side in the lid In the opening of the container body And a steam cooling passage that opens in the horizontal direction at the other end, and has one end opened in the opening of the container body corresponding to the other end opening of the lid-side steam inlet. The container body is provided by providing a boiling detection passage whose other end is turned to the side opened corresponding to the opening on the one end side of the lid side steam cooling passage, and providing the steam sensor in the middle of the boiling detection passage. In the cover state of the opening, the steam in the liquid container introduced through the steam inlet is made to turn sideways in the boiling detection passage portion, and after the boiling is detected by the steam sensor, the steam is detected. It is characterized by dew condensation through the cooling passage and recovery into the liquid container.

  According to such a configuration, when the vapor generated in the liquid container at the time of boiling enters the vapor introduction port in the lid, one end side is promptly connected to the other end of the lid side vapor introduction port through the vapor introduction port. And the other end side is led to the boiling detection passage of the U-turn passage structure that opens to the side opened corresponding to the opening on the one end side of the lid side steam cooling passage. It is detected by the steam sensor provided in the middle of that, for example, the power supply to the heating means is stopped with good responsiveness.

  Then, the steam after the boiling detection is opened from the downstream side of the boiling detection passage on the container body opening side to one end side of the lid body toward the opening of the container body and the other end side in the lid body in the horizontal direction. It is cooled by flowing through the detour steam cooling passage, the generated steam is efficiently condensed, and the condensed water is collected in the liquid container.

  In this case, in the case of the above configuration, in particular, the boiling detection passage opens at one end side corresponding to the opening at the other end of the lid side steam inlet, and the other end is one end of the lid side steam cooling passage. A boiling detection passage that is turned to the side opened corresponding to the side opening, and by providing the steam sensor in the middle of the boiling detection passage, the steam introduction in the cover state of the opening of the container body Boiling is detected by allowing the vapor in the liquid container introduced through the mouth to flow sideways in the boiling detection passage portion.

  Therefore, the steam flowing through the boiling detection passage effectively contacts the steam sensor, and the boiling state is more reliably detected.

  As a result, according to the configuration of the electric water heater of the present invention, an electric kettle having a substantially complete steam-less structure can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the external structure in the lid closed state of the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the inside-and-outside structure in the lid open state of the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the up-down direction in the cover closed state of the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view (FIG. 1A-A cutting | disconnection part, A'-A 'cutting | disconnection part of FIG. 6) of the cover body part of the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the lid part in the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which removed the cover body part (FIG. 5) upper plate in the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the steam collection | recovery unit attached to the cover body in the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention, and a pressure release passage unit part. FIG. 8 is a top and bottom exploded perspective view of a pressure relief passage unit portion shown in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view of the steam recovery unit portion shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the steam recovery unit shown in FIG. 9. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam in the vapor | steam cooling channel | path in the vapor | steam recovery unit of the electric water heater concerning the reference example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam from the inner container side in the vapor | steam path | route of the X section enlarged view shown in FIG. 3, and the return state of dew condensation water. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electric water heater concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the electric water heater concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention.

<Reference example>
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an electric water heater according to a reference example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In this reference example, an electric pot is adopted as an electric water heater.

This electric pot has both a water heater and a heat retaining function. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a container main body 1 including an inner container 3 that is a liquid container for storing a liquid (water), A lid 2 that opens and closes the upper opening of the container body 1, an electric heater 4 that is a heating means for heating the inner container 3 when boiling and keeping warm, and hot water in the inner container 3 is supplied to the outside. A hot water supply passage 5 for discharging, 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 in a state where an AC power source is connected, and the hot water supply pump 6 And a hot water supply operation lever 4 for driving the vehicle. 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 in front of the container body 1 in the hot water supply passage 5.

  The container body 1 includes an outer case 7 made of a synthetic resin that forms an outer surface portion (in the case of this reference example, a rectangular tube shape), the inner container 3 that forms an inner surface portion, and the outer case 7. The inner container 3 is integrally coupled and fixed on the upper side, and the synthetic resin annular shoulder member 8 to which the lid 2 is attached when the lid is closed and the synthetic resin dish that forms the bottom surface portion. And the bottom member 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a transparent water amount viewing window provided at a position where the water amount pipe 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. 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 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 (outer cover) and a synthetic resin lower plate (inner cover) 12 whose outer peripheral edges are coupled to the upper plate 11. The shoulder member 8 is supported by a rear end portion 8a (see FIG. 3) via a hinge pin 13 and a hinge lock member 14 so that the shoulder member 8 can be opened and closed in a vertical direction and is detachable.

  Further, the lid 2 has an opening at a position other than the steam inlet 16 communicating with the inside of the inner container 3 and the upper surface of the lid 2 (for example, the lower surface of the right front end in the present embodiment). A steam cooling passage 15 meandering in a zigzag manner connecting to the steam outlet 17 (see FIG. 4) is formed. The steam cooling passage 15 is formed in a steam recovery unit 18 that is widely disposed in the lid 2 in a plan view as described below. And in order to promote the condensation effect by the cooling of the vapor | steam V which flows in the same vapor | steam cooling channel | path 15, between the said vapor | steam collection | recovery unit 18 and the upper board 11 of the cover body 2, it is a space part for thermal radiation and heat insulation. On the other hand, between the steam recovery unit 18 and the lower plate 12 of the lid 2, heat transfer from the lower inner container 3 is prevented and the steam recovery unit 18 is not heated. In addition, a heat insulating member 28 made of a heat insulating material such as foamed polystyrene that maintains the heat retaining performance of hot water in the inner container 3 is provided.

  If necessary, an aluminum foil or the like having a high heat dissipation effect is attached to the upper surface of the steam recovery unit 18 (that is, the upper surface of an upper constituent member 18b described later), so that it flows in the steam cooling passage 15. The heat radiation effect from the vapor V to the air in the space 32 is further enhanced, and the condensation effect is also improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 11, for example, the steam recovery unit 18 is configured by integrally connecting a synthetic resin lower component member 18a and a synthetic resin upper component member 18b. A rectangular portion 19 located at the rear end of the semicircular portion (that is, the rear end side of the lid 2), a semicircular enlarged portion 20 located on the front side of the rectangular portion 19, and the other end of the enlarged portion 20 11 (for example, the lower left end in the plan view state of FIG. 11) and an extending portion 21 extending a predetermined length long from the front side of the lid body 2 (the lower side in the drawing).

  The steam inlet 16 portion described above is provided in a cylindrical shape downward from the lower surface side of the center of the rear end portion of the enlarged portion 20, and the steam outlet 17 is a tip portion of the extension portion 21. It is provided in a cylindrical shape facing downward on the lower surface side.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 9, and 10, the steam outlet 17 extends in a cylindrical shape with a predetermined length downward, and has three flat ribs at the center of the tip side. The convex part 17a provided via the shoulder part 8 is fitted into the upper part of the cylindrical water stop valve SV part provided at the shoulder front end side corner part 8b part of the shoulder member 8 described above.

  And in the same insertion state, the said convex part 17a pushes down against the urging | biasing force of the urging | biasing spring S to the upper side valve closing direction of the cross-sectional T type valve body a of the water stop valve SV, and the cylindrical stop The steam passage 40 of the water valve SV is opened to the steam outlet 17 side of the steam cooling passage 15 (sixth cooling passage 15f).

  On the other hand, one end 41a of a flexible pressure release pipe 41 made of rubber, for example, is connected to the outlet portion 40a of the steam passage 40 on the water stop valve SV side. The shoulder member 8 is disposed so as to extend from the front portion of the shoulder member 8 to a lower position near the center portion of the lower opening member 42 that extends flat in front of a predetermined dimension. The extended end portion opens downward and communicates with an air outlet 44 for pressure release provided in the lower port cover member 43 assembled on the lower surface side of the lower port member 42. I'm hurt.

  The air outlet 44 is formed of an elliptical cylindrical body that is long in the left-right direction as shown in the figure, and a rectangular shape that is erected above a predetermined height in the horizontal direction at a predetermined interval in the outer periphery. The rib 45 is erected, and a dew condensation water storage pocket 45a for storing dew condensation water is formed around the air outlet 44 made of an elliptical cylindrical body.

  And the extended end part 41b of the said pressure release pipe 41 is formed in the same square fitting part fitted so that the condensed water storage pocket 45a may be covered.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the steam outlet 17 is opened toward the lower surface side of the lid body 2 and the water stop valve SV is associated with the lower portion thereof. As long as it is outside the body 2 and is located at a position other than the upper surface portion, it may be configured to open at any position (for example, a side surface portion).

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, the steam cooling passage 15 allows the steam S introduced from the steam inlet 16 extending from the lower side to the upper side. The left first cooling passage 15a led substantially straight to the rear end side) and a U-turn from the rear end side to the right side of the first cooling passage 15a so that the rectangular portion is substantially extended to the rear end side of the front side enlarged portion 20. After extending straight, the second cooling passage 15b extending forward along the circumferential direction, and the third cooling passage 15c extending to the left and right sides at a substantially intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the enlarged portion 20 following the second cooling passage 15b. A fourth cooling passage 15d extending to the left and right sides of the enlarged portion 20 following the third cooling passage 15c, and a right and left at the front end portion (maximum diameter portion) of the enlarged portion 20 following the fourth cooling passage 15d. Between both ends Bill and fifth cooling passage 15e, consists sixth cooling passage 15f that following the fifth cooling passage 15e reaches the upper part of the steam outlet 17 portion extends to the front end portion of the projecting portion 21.

  In other words, the steam cooling passage 15 is likely to condense and condense when the steam V flowing through the portion of the steam cooling passage 15 efficiently exchanges heat (dissipates heat) with the air layer inside and outside (especially the upper surface side). In addition, when viewed from the entirety of the lid body 2, it is not the shortest distance between them from the steam inlet 16 side on the rear end side to the steam outlet 17 side on the front end side, but between the left and right end sides of the lid body 2. The zigzag shape is configured as a steam cooling passage with the longest possible distance that detours (meanders) several times over time.

  If it does in this way, the 1st-6th arrange | positioned widely in the cover body 2 by meandering between the right-and-left both ends side several times from the rear-end part side of the said cover body 2 to the front-end part side. The cooling passages 15a to 15f function as an effective cooling space for the steam V introduced from the steam inlet 16, and the passage of the introduced steam V from the first cooling passage 15a to the sixth cooling passage 15f. Effectively heat exchange (radiation) with the inside and outside air is efficiently condensed, and almost all the vapor is formed into droplets to form the condensed water W.

  Then, the condensed water W formed into droplets is refluxed in the reverse direction through the first to fifth cooling passages 15a to 15e inclined downward in the direction of the communication hole 23 of the lid 2 as described later, The second cooling passage 15b returns to the first cooling passage 15a via the u-turn portion 15U, and continues from the side of the steam inlet 16 through the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12 and the condensed water return port 26b of the inner cover member 26 to the inner container 3. (See FIG. 12).

  In this case, the dew condensation water W returned to the steam inlet 16 portion is further returned from the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12 to the bottom of the inner cover member 26, and an opening 26b provided in the bottom portion. , 26b, 26b are returned to the inner container 3.

  Further, in the case of the cooling passages 15a to 15f as described above, even if the electric pot falls to the left or right side, either one of the left and right zigzag cooling passages is on the upper side. Hot water will not leak.

  In this case, the communication portion (the rear end side vertical wall portion of the lower plate 12) between the first cooling passage 15a and the second cooling passage 15b on the rear end side of the lid body 2, that is, the U-turn of the two passages. A communication hole (steam / condensed water inlet / outlet) 23 for facing the pin-shaped steam sensor 22 attached to the side inner peripheral surface of the shoulder member 8 so as to detect the temperature of the steam V is formed in the portion 15u. Is formed between the outer peripheral edge portion of the communication hole 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the attachment portion of the steam sensor 22 on the shoulder member 8 side when the lid body 2 is closed. A seal packing 24 is provided for sealing.

  Then, the first cooling passage 15a and the second cooling passage 15b are communicated with each other in a U shape via the vapor sensor 22 only when the lid body 2 is closed. When the lid 2 is opened, the vapor V from the first cooling passage 15a passes through the communication hole 23 to the second cooling passage 15b, and the sixth, fifth, fourth, third and second cooling. The above-described condensed water W from the passages 15f, 15e, 15d, 15c, and 15b is recirculated into the inner container 3 through the flowing steam inlet 16 as described above.

  The left and right openings 19a (first cooling passages 15a) of the rear end side rectangular portion 19 of the steam recovery unit 18 are formed inside the communication hole 23 formed in the vertical wall portion of the lower plate 12 of the lid 2. (Steam outlet part), 19b (steam inlet of the second cooling passage 15b) are brought into contact with each other, and the outer periphery of the openings 19a, 19b is sealed with the inner lip part of the packing 24, thereby The first and second cooling passages 15a and 15b communicate with each other.

  Incidentally, the first to sixth cooling passages 15a to 15f of the steam recovery unit 18 are integrally provided on the upper surface of the above-described lower component member 18a of the steam recovery unit 18, as shown in FIGS. Further, a partition is formed by the molding step 25a and ribs (partition walls) 25b.

  The configuration of the steam cooling passage 15 is not limited to a zigzag meandering shape in the left and right directions in the plane direction as in the present embodiment, but is a substantially circular path that passes through the outer periphery of the lid body 2 or a passage that spirally bypasses in the plane direction. It can be deformed into various shapes such as a shape.

  In the case of this reference example, the third cooling passage 15c includes a passage enlarged portion 15c1 that is located on the outlet side of the second cooling passage 15b and has a passage sectional area that is widened, and a right end side of the passage enlarged portion 15c1. And a trap portion 15c2 that traps the dew condensation water W when the electric pot is tilted forward or falls forward. The fourth cooling passage 15d has a passage located on the outlet side of the third cooling passage 15c. A passage expanding portion 15d1 having an enlarged cross-sectional 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 pot is tilted forward or falls forward are formed. The passage 15e includes a passage expanding portion 15e1 located on the outlet side of the fourth cooling passage 15d and having a passage cross-sectional area widened, and a forward inclination of the electric pot located on the right end side of the passage expanding portion 15e1. Alternatively, a trap portion 15e2 that traps the dew condensation water W when the vehicle falls forward is formed, and the sixth cooling passage 15f is located on the outlet side of the fifth cooling passage 15e, and when the electric pot is inclined forward or falls forward. A trap portion 15f2 for trapping the dew condensation water W and a trap portion 15f3 for trapping the dew condensation water W when the electric pot is tilted forward or falls forward are formed on the outlet side of the sixth cooling passage 15f.

  In this reference example, the passage expanding portions 15c1, 15d1, and 15e1 are configured such that the passages expand on the same plane as the third to fifth cooling passages 15c to 15e. The cross-sectional area of the passage can be increased in the vertical direction (that is, the depth direction).

  The steam recovery unit 18 is configured so that the second to fifth cooling passages 15b to 15e excluding the sixth cooling passage 15f and the first cooling passage 15a are closed when the lid 2 is closed. It is attached to the communication hole 23 (openings 19a, 19b of the rectangular portion 19) so as to be inclined downward at a predetermined inclination angle.

  On the other hand, in the same state, the first cooling passage 15a is formed so as to partially incline downward from the communicating hole 23 toward the steam inlet 16 in the opposite direction.

  If it does in this way, the dew condensation water W which the vapor | steam V which flows through the 1st-6th cooling channel | paths 15a-15f condenses will first cool through the communicating hole 23 part (U-turn part 15U) of the cover body 2 first. It is easy to recirculate into the inner container 3 through the passage 15a and from the first cooling passage 15a through the steam inlet 16, the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12, and the steam return ports 26b, 26b,. .

  Further, when the second to fifth cooling passages 15b to 15e are inclined as described above, the upper plate 11 of the lid 2 and the steam recovery unit 18 can be seen as apparent from FIGS. Between the first to fifth cooling passages 15a to 15e, an effective heat radiation and heat insulation space 32 is formed in which the interval in the vertical direction becomes larger toward the upstream side of the passage (the rear end side of the steam recovery unit 18). It will be.

  The space 32 has a higher heat dissipation capability with respect to the steam V flowing in the first, second, and third cooling passages 15a, 15b, and 15c having a higher temperature and lower degree of condensation toward the upstream side. While functioning as a large effective cooling air layer, it functions as an effective heat insulation space portion that prevents the heat of high-temperature steam from being transmitted to the upper plate 11 portion of the lid 2.

  That is, the steam flowing in the first to sixth cooling passages 15a to 15f has a higher temperature and a lower degree of condensation on the upstream side.

  Therefore, in this part, heat is exchanged with a sufficient amount of air (including outside air that has entered through the gap between the lids 2) with a sufficient temperature difference to condense and form droplets as much as possible. Insulate as effectively as possible so that the temperature of the plate 11 portion does not increase.

  On the other hand, when going downstream, the temperature of the steam flowing in the cooling passage is lowered and the condensation is also progressing. Therefore, it does not necessarily require a large amount of air, and is condensed by effective heat exchange with a certain amount of air. In addition to promoting the action, heat insulation with the upper plate 11 is also made just in case.

  According to these configurations, most of the steam V is condensed and recovered up to the fifth cooling passage 15e, and the temperature of the passage decreases to a substantially safe low temperature.

  For this reason, when reaching the sixth cooling passage 15f in the final stage, the steam is almost lost, and the air pressure from the steam outlet 17 to the stop valve SV side is substantially the air pressure accompanying the increase in internal pressure (in FIG. 10). (See broken line arrow).

  Therefore, a small gap as shown in the figure is sufficient for the gap between the upper plate 11 in the same portion, and it is not necessary to install a space as a heat insulating space.

  The air pressure finally released from the steam outlet 17 into the pressure release pipe 41 through the water stop valve SV is supplied to the above-described air outlet 44 portion at the end of the pressure release pipe 41 to be the lower port cover member. It is discharged below 43.

  In this case, when the condensed water is contained in the discharged air even a little, the water is stored in the dew condensation water storage pocket 45a.

  Reference numerals 50, 50... Are support columns for the upper plate 11 erected on the upper surface side of the steam recovery unit 18.

  Further, as described above, on the lower surface side of the lower plate 12 in the lid body 2, a metal inside provided with steam inlets 26 a, 26 a... And condensed water return ports 26 b, 26 b. A cover member 26 is fixed, and an outer peripheral edge (entire circumference) of the inner cover member 26 is made of a heat-resistant rubber that is pressed against the upper end side opening of the inner container 3 when the lid 2 is closed. A seal packing 27 is provided.

  The steam inlets 26a, 26a,... Are formed in the top plate portion of the convex portion that is convex upward in the shape of a trapezoidal cross section and is also higher near the bottom of the outer periphery, while the condensed water return port 26b , 26b,... Are formed in a lower bottom portion.

  Therefore, even when the dew condensation water W is returned, the steam inlets 26a, 26a,... Are always open, so that smooth steam can be introduced.

  1, 5, and 6, reference numeral 29 denotes a lid opening / closing lever for operating the opening / closing state of the lid body 2, 29 a and 29 a are locking engagement pieces, and reference numeral 30 in FIGS. An operation panel unit 31 having an operation surface of switches and a display surface of liquid crystal display means is a handle used when carrying the electric pot.

  By configuring as described above, as shown in FIG. 11, after the boiling of the inner cover 26 starts, the steam is recovered through the steam inlets 26a, 26a... At the lower part of the lid 2 and the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12. The steam V from the inner vessel 3 led to the steam inlet 16 of the unit 18 flows in the steam cooling passage 15 (15a to 15f) toward the steam outlet 17 side (see FIG. 11), first, the first cooling passage. The steam temperature is detected by the steam sensor 22 immediately after leaving 15a. At the same time, it is immediately determined that the water has boiled, and the electric heater 4 is immediately turned off so that no steam is emitted.

  Therefore, according to the same configuration, boiling detection can be performed much earlier than boiling detection by the bottom sensor that detects the temperature of the bottom portion of the conventional inner container 3, and heating by the electric heater 4 immediately after the boiling starts. Is stopped, the steam generated from the hot water in the inner container 3 is extremely reduced and energy is saved.

  Thereafter, the steam V makes a U-turn at the steam sensor 22 portion and enters the third cooling passage 15c from the second cooling passage 15b. The pressure is reduced and the passage is expanded at the passage expanding portion 15c1 portion of the third cooling passage 15c. Condensation is accelerated by cooling with the internal air. Thereafter, also in the process of flowing through the fourth cooling passage 15d and the fifth cooling passage 15e, the pressure is similarly reduced in the passage expanding portions 15d1 and 15e1, respectively, and the air is cooled by the air in the passage, thereby condensing. Therefore, in the process of flowing from the first cooling passage 15a through the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth cooling passages 15b, 15c, 15d, 15e, and 15f, almost all the steam V is condensed and the condensed water W Thus, almost no steam is discharged from the steam outlet 17.

  The condensed water W condensed in each of the first to sixth cooling passages is substantially steam-cooled in which the entire body is inclined downward toward the steam inlet 16 side communication hole 23 when the lid body 2 is closed. The steam flows through the passage 15 in the opposite direction to the steam V, passes through the second cooling passage 15b through the u-turn section 15U, and from the u-turn section 15U through the first cooling passage 15a, into the steam inlet 16, the steam inlet 12a of the lower plate 12, and the inside The condensed water is returned to the inner container 3 through the condensed water return ports 26b, 26b,.

  Moreover, in the above structure, between the steam inlet 16 communicating with the inside of the inner container 3 and the steam outlet 17 communicating with the outside of the lid 2 as described above, from the steam inlet 16 side to the steam outlet 17 side direction. Heat insulation that insulates between the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f and the upper opening of the inner container 3 on the lower side of the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f that condense the steam V in the passage while detouring in the plane direction. Since the member 28 is provided, the heat of the hot water in the inner container 3 is prevented from being transmitted to the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f via the lid body 2, and the steam in the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f is more reliably secured. While a cooling function is ensured, the heat insulation function prevents a drop in the hot water temperature in the inner container 3, and a sufficient heat retaining performance is maintained.

  Therefore, both a sufficient heat retaining function and a steamless function are realized at the same time.

  Further, in the above configuration, in that case, a space for heat dissipation and heat insulation is provided in the upper part of the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f in the lid 2 as a heat insulating part having a heat insulating power smaller than that of the heat insulating member 28 on the lower side. A part 32 is provided.

  According to such a configuration, the heat insulating performance of the lid body 2 as a whole is improved as much as possible by two sets of upper and lower heat insulating portions, and the heat retaining function as an electric pot is improved, while the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f Effective vapor condensation performance can be ensured.

  Further, even if a person touches the upper plate 11 portion having a high temperature such as the upstream portions of the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f, it is not necessary to feel the heat.

  Further, in the above configuration, the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f function as a heat insulating part having a heat retaining performance improving effect.

  As described above, high-temperature steam introduced from the inner container 3 side flows widely from the steam inlet 16 side toward the outlet 17 side in the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f. Accordingly, the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f are originally much higher in temperature than the surrounding members, and serve to heat the heat insulating member 28 provided on the lower side thereof from the upper side.

  For this reason, compared with a mere heat insulation member, the heat retention function improvement effect is much higher, and the heat retention performance of the hot water in the inner container is more effectively improved in the lid 2 portion.

  Furthermore, in the above configuration, in those cases, particularly, the steam cooling passages 15a to 15f are a complete passage from the steam inlet 16 to the steam outlet 17, and the steam inlet 16 side u-turn section in the middle thereof A steam sensor 22 as a steam detector is provided at the 15U position.

  According to such a configuration, unlike the conventional steam detection (boiling detection) method, the steam inlet is different from the configuration in which the steam detection passage is formed separately from the steam discharge passage to detect the steam (boiling detection). All of the steam introduced from the gas passes through the steam detector, so that the steam detection accuracy is improved and the response of boiling detection is greatly improved.

  Therefore, it becomes possible to quickly turn off the heating means such as an electric heater in accordance with the start (detection) of boiling, and the amount of steam generated by boiling can be limited to the smallest possible amount.

  For this reason, a steam-less state can be realized more effectively, and unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.

  As a result, according to the present reference example, it is possible to provide a high-performance electric pot with high heat retention performance and high energy saving effect at a low cost while having an almost complete steam-less structure.

<Embodiment 1>
Next, FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the electric water heater according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  Recently, instead of the electric pot in the above reference example, where it is necessary to energize the warming heater at all times, the heating means can be energized simply and quickly only when hot water is needed. The electric kettle that has been used is useful as an energy-saving water heater.

  The electric kettle includes a liquid container containing water and a water heater body provided with an electric heating means for heating the liquid container, and the water heater body is detachably mounted. In a state where the main body is placed, the power supply unit includes a power supply unit including a power supply unit that supplies power to the power receiving unit of the heating unit on the water heater main body side.

  Then, for example, when boiling is performed and then the boiling state is reached, it is detected by a steam sensor for detecting boiling steam (for example, a bimetal, a thermistor, etc.), and the above power supply unit quickly supplies the above The water heater is turned off by turning off the power supply to the water heater body side water heater.

  Even in the case of such an electric kettle, a considerable amount of steam is generated at the time of boiling. Therefore, there is exactly the same problem as in the case of the electric pot described above, and it is desired to reduce the amount of generated steam as much as possible.

  This embodiment is configured from such a viewpoint, and an electric kettle as described above is adopted as an electric water heater.

  That is, the electric kettle of this embodiment includes a container main body 61 provided with a liquid container 60 for hot water storage inside, a lid 62 that opens and closes the upper side opening of the container main body 61, and the liquid container 60 is heated. From the upper end to the back of the outer case 61A of the container main body 61, a flat C-shaped water heater 63 which is a heating means for heating at times, a hot water outlet 64 for supplying hot water in the liquid container 60 to the outside, A side U-shaped handle portion 65 that is integrally attached so as to extend toward the lower end side is provided.

  The container main body 61 includes a synthetic resin cylindrical outer case 61A having a bottom member 61a, and a synthetic resin annular shoulder member 61b provided around the entire upper end of the container, and the inner side of the shoulder member 61b. The upper end (opening edge) of the liquid container 60 is supported via the container locking portion.

  The liquid container 60 is formed of, for example, a single-plate stainless steel bottomed cylindrical tube, and the water heater (seeds heater) 63 extends in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery of the bottom surface of the bottom portion 60a. It has been.

  In this case, the hot water heater 63 has a flat C-shaped heater embedding convex portion 63b having a predetermined height on the lower side of the inverted trapezoidal cross section on the outer periphery of the heater plate 63a having a flat central portion and good heat conductivity. The heater is embedded in the heater burying convex portion 63b. At both ends thereof, power supply lead terminals for connecting power supply lead wires, which are power supply wirings, are provided so as to protrude from both ends of the heater embedding convex portion 63b (not shown).

  On the other hand, on the lower surface side of the heater plate 63a, a cylindrical body is located on the inner peripheral side of the heater embedding convex portion 63b and is composed of a power receiving rod-like electrode, a sleeve-like electrode, and a sleeve-like insertion / removal guide tube. A first power supply substrate (detailed structure is not shown) provided with a power receiving coupler 66 is provided.

  At the end of the first power supply board on the side of the handle 65, a power connector terminal is provided for connection to the power supply lead terminals at both ends of the water heater 63 via lead wires. The power connector terminal is an open / close contact of an ON / OFF operation lever switch 67 on the upper end side of the handle portion 65 via a wiring space 65a in the handle portion 65 via a power lead wire which is a power supply wiring. The bimetal switching contact portion of the vapor sensor (boiling detection sensor) 70 is connected in series with each other, and the bimetal switching contact portion is connected to the wiring space 65a in the handle portion 65 via a lead wire as a power supply wiring. Is connected to a power lead terminal at one end of the water heater 63.

  The power connector terminal on the first power supply board side is connected to the power supply lead terminal on the other end side of the water heater 63 through a power supply lead wire which is a power supply wiring.

  Next, the lid 62 includes a synthetic resin upper plate 62a, a synthetic resin lower plate 62b having an outer peripheral edge coupled to the upper plate 62a, and a metal inner cover member 62c below the synthetic resin lower plate 62b. It is configured to be detachably fitted in the vertical direction to the opening inside the shoulder member 61b.

  Between the upper plate 62a and the lower plate 62b, a space having a desired width in which the heat insulating material 28 and the steam recovery unit 88 can be installed is formed, and the handle portion 65 side boiling detection passage 84 portion thereof is formed. Is provided with a steam sensor 70.

  The lower plate 62b portion of the lid body 62 is formed, for example, as a whole in a hat shape in cross section, and the main body portion is formed in a cylindrical body having a predetermined depth corresponding to the opening diameter of the inner container 60.

  A concave groove 80 is formed in the lower surface side portion of the cylindrical body portion. The concave groove portion 80 is recessed to the lower side of a predetermined diameter, the central portion of which is displaced by a predetermined dimension from the central portion of the lower surface of the cylindrical body portion. Is formed.

  The recessed groove 80 is filled with a heat insulating material 28 such as polystyrene foam.

  And the vapor | steam collection | recovery unit 88 mentioned above is installed in the upper part side.

  A cylindrical steam inlet 81 extending from the lower side to the upper side is integrally formed on the rear end side (the grip portion 65 side) of the concave groove portion 80 of the lower plate 62b. The upper end side opening of the steam inlet 81 is connected to the shoulder member 61b and the handle mounting portion 83 that form the upper side opening of the container body 61 via a connection pipe 82 that is bent in an angle toward the rear. It is connected to the boiling detection passage 84 portion.

  The boiling detection passage 84 is a U-turn passage that turns to the side at the handle attachment portion 83 portion of the shoulder member 61b that forms the upper-side opening of the container body 61, and the downstream-side opening has a packing. The first steam cooling passage 88a on the lower side of the steam recovery unit 88 is communicated with one end side (inlet portion).

  The boiling detection steam sensor 70 is installed on the upper surface side of the center of the u-turn part of the boiling detection passage 84.

  On the other hand, the steam recovery unit 88 has a first steam cooling passage 88a extending from the boiling detection passage 84 side to the hot water pouring outlet 64 side and an extending end side of the first steam cooling passage 88a to the grip portion 65 side again. It comprises a plurality of bypassed steam cooling passages with the upper side second steam cooling passage 88b that makes a u-turn (bypass), and its lower surface side is insulated by the heat insulating member 28 such as polystyrene foam as described above. In addition, heat from the hot water on the inner container 63 side is not transmitted, and the upper surface side is opened to the heat radiation and heat insulation space 85 side formed between the upper plate 11.

  Therefore, the steam V introduced into the first and second steam cooling passages 88a and 88b is not affected by the heat from the inner container 60 side as in the case of the electric pot of the first embodiment described above. Then, it is effectively cooled and condensed to form dew condensation water W.

Here, the first steam cooling passage 88a is inclined upward from the handle portion 65 side toward the hot water pouring outlet 64 side, while the second steam cooling passage 88b is directed from the hot water pouring outlet 64 side toward the grip portion 65 side. It is installed in the form of rising and tilting. Therefore, the dew condensation water W generated by the condensation of the steam V returns in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the steam V (two-dot chain arrow) (solid arrow), and the steam inlet 81 from the u-turn portion of the boiling detection passage 84. through condensation water return port 93b of the cover member 62c among described next, back from 93b · · · in the liquid container 6 in the 0.

That is, on the lower side of the lower plate 62b in the lid 62, a metal inner cover member provided with steam inlets 93a, 93a,... And condensed water return ports 93b, 93b,. 62c is fixed to the outer peripheral edge (entire circumference) of the inner cover member 62c, and the seal packing made of heat-resistant rubber is pressed against the upper end side opening of the liquid container 60 when the lid 62 is closed. 97 is provided.

  The steam inlets 93a, 93a,... Are located at the center of the flat part, and the condensed water return ports 93b, 93b,. , Formed on the bottom surface of the recess that is lower than the outer periphery.

  Therefore, even when the dew condensation water W is returned, the steam inlets 93a, 93a,... Are substantially open, and the smooth steam V can be introduced.

  The other end of the second steam cooling passage 88b of the steam recovery unit 88, that is, the downstream end, is a handle attachment portion 83 portion and descends downward in the rear end side of the main body case 61A. It is connected to an upper end 89a of a pressure relief passage 89 that is open to the outside at a part (air outlet 89b) via packings P1 and P2.

  Other configurations are basically the same as the configuration of the electric pot of the reference example.

  Therefore, according to the above configuration, in the case of an electric kettle, it is possible to realize the same steam-less function as in the case of the electric pot.

  In that case, the heat insulation and heat insulation performance of the lid 62 can be improved in the same manner. Therefore, as long as the structure for improving the heat insulation function on the main body case 61A is adopted, the heat insulation function is provided in the electric kettle. It is also possible to do.

  In FIG. 13, reference numeral 90 denotes a hot water supply lock switch that opens and closes a valve body that opens and closes the inlet portion of the inner hot water pouring passage 68 for hot water supply, and reference numeral 100 corresponds to the power receiving coupler 66 on the container body 61 side. It is a power supply stand for electric power supply provided with the electric power feeding coupler 101 to perform.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, FIG. 14 shows the configuration of an electric water heater according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, in the same electric kettle as that in the first embodiment, an air outlet 96 for pressure release is opened on the top surface of the lid body 62, and an end side opening 88c of the second steam cooling passage 88b is formed. The air outlet 96 is provided in correspondence with the air outlet 96 and does not require the long pressure release passage 89 from the upper side to the lower side as in the first embodiment.

Even in such a configuration, since the steam is sufficiently recovered in the first and second steam cooling passages 88a and 88b of the steam recovery unit 88, the air outlet 96 on the top surface side of the lid body 62. Since not much steam is emitted from the portion, it is possible to realize a substantially similar steam-less function.
(Modification)
The invention of the present application is not limited to the configuration described in each of the above embodiments, and it is needless to say that the design can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the invention.

1 is a container body 2 is a lid 3 is an inner container 4 is an electric heater (heating means)
15 is a steam cooling passage 15a is a first cooling passage 15b is a second cooling passage 15c is a third cooling passage 15d is a fourth cooling passage 15e is a fifth cooling passage 15f is a sixth cooling passage 15u is a u-turn section 16 is a steam inlet 17 Is a steam outlet 28 is a heat insulating member 32 is a space part
60 is a liquid container 61 is a container body 62 is a lid,
70 is a steam sensor 88 is a steam recovery unit 88a is a first steam cooling passage 88b is a second steam cooling passage 89 is a pressure release passage 89b is an air outlet 100 is a power supply stand V is steam W is condensed water

Claims (1)

A liquid container for hot water storage, a heating means at the bottom of the liquid container, for heating the liquid container, a container body having an opening in the upper part containing the liquid container and the heating means, and a back portion of the container body A handle provided on the container, a lid for covering the opening of the container body, a vapor sensor provided at a position corresponding to the lid of the opening of the container body, and the container body being detachable An electric water heater comprising a power supply stand mounted and provided with a power supply means for supplying power to the heating means in the container body in the same mounting state, with one end side opening into the liquid container in the lid body While the other end side is provided with a steam inlet opening toward the opening of the container body, and one end side is opened toward the opening of the container body and the other end side is provided with a steam cooling passage that bypasses in the horizontal direction, Container body Inside the mouth, one end side is opened corresponding to the other end side opening of the lid side steam inlet, and the other end side is opened to the side opened corresponding to the one end side opening of the lid side steam cooling passage. A boiling detection passage is provided, and the vapor sensor is provided in the middle of the boiling detection passage, so that the vapor in the liquid container introduced through the vapor inlet is in the cover state of the opening of the container body. An electric water heater, wherein a boiling detection passage portion is made to turn sideways to flow, and after the boiling is detected by the vapor sensor, it is condensed through the vapor cooling passage and collected in the liquid container.

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