JPH0622851A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To economically eliminate a harmful matter contained in water by constituting the water heater so that various heating continuation time including the heating continuation time of at least five minutes or longer can be selected still after water in the inside of the water heater is boiled. CONSTITUTION:By putting water into a vessel 1, and executing electric conduction to a heating means 2 on the bottom face of the vessel 1 by an instruction of a control means 6, a water temperature is allowed to rise. When a boiling detecting means 4 detects boiling from an output of a temperature detecting means 3 on the bottom face of the vessel 1, a boiling signal is inputted to the control means 6. Various continuation time including continuous heating of at least five minutes or longer is set in advance to a boiling mode selecting means 5 in a cover of a pot. In accordance with a water temperature and the quantity of water at the time of starting heating, a boiling mode is elected. The control means 6 executes electric conduction to the heating means 2 and executes continuout heating by a command of the boiling mode selecting means 5. In such a way, a harmful matter contained in water is eliminated surely and economically.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater used in homes and the like, and more particularly to a water heater having a continuous boiling mode in which boiling is continued for a predetermined period of time to improve the water quality and make the water delicious. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, water heaters are mainly provided with a continuous boiling mode for removing chlorine and the like in tap water in order to drink hot water deliciously. In this continuous boiling mode,
There is a karuki cut boiling mode that creates boiling water by boiling the hot water that has been once boiled for 2 to 3 minutes to remove delicious scalp in the water. The chlorine content of 1 PPM or more can be reduced to about 0.01 PPM.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. The structure of a conventional electric water heater is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the structure of the conventional device will be described with reference to FIG. . In FIG. 1, 1 is a container for containing water, 2 is a container 1
Heating means for heating the water inside, 3 is a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water in the container 1, 4 is a boiling detecting means for detecting boiling based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3, and 5 is a boiling mode selection. Means, 6 is control means, and boiling detection means 4
And the information from the boiling mode selection means 5 is taken in and the energization to the heating means 2 is controlled.

FIG. 15 is a view showing an operation panel of the boiling mode selecting means 5, in which 51 is an operation panel.
Reference numeral 52 is a normal boiling mode selection switch, and 53 is a kalki cut boiling mode (continuous boiling mode) selection switch.

Next, the operation of the conventional device will be described.
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the operation of the conventional device, and in the figure, 101 to 105 respectively indicate operation steps. Heating is started by the heating means 2 by putting water in the container 1, selecting the normal boiling mode 52 or the continuous boiling mode 53, and turning on the power (step 10).
1). In the next step 102, based on the temperature information from the temperature detecting means 3, when the boiling detecting means 4 detects boiling of water in the container 1, when the continuous boiling mode 53 is selected, the process proceeds to step 104, After the boiling is detected, the heating is continued for another 3 minutes to continue the boiling, and the heating is ended in step 105. In addition, for example, when mineral water or the like is used and the kalci cut is not necessary, the normal boiling mode 52 is selected (step 103), and the heating is ended at the time of boiling (step 105). While the heating means 2 is being energized, an indicator (not shown) is lit to indicate that heating is in progress.

[0006]

Since the conventional water heater as described above is constructed and operates as described above, it is possible to sufficiently remove chlorine in tap water and trihalomethane which is a carcinogenic organic compound which is currently a problem. Sometimes you can't.
That is, when the continuous boiling mode is selected, in the conventional device, the kalki cut boiling mode in which heating is continued for 3 minutes and boiling continues regardless of the amount of water and the temperature of the water, the boiling temperature continues to operate. In the summer when the temperature is high, the heating duration is insufficient and these harmful substances cannot be removed sufficiently. In addition, if the heating duration is set long in advance in order to sufficiently remove these harmful substances even when the amount of water is high or the temperature of the water is high, when the amount of water is low or in the winter time and energy such as electric power is required. Is wasted. Furthermore, in the conventional water heater, when the continuous boiling mode is selected, the indicator continues to light up even during continuous boiling as before the boiling, so it is not clear whether the continuous boiling mode is working or not. There was a problem such as giving.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a water heater capable of sufficiently removing harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane without wasting energy such as time and electric power. Is intended.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water heater according to the present invention has the continuous boiling mode in which the heating duration (including intermittent heating) of at least 5 minutes can be selected.

In the second invention of the present application, the continuous boiling mode is provided in which a plurality of heating durations including a heating duration of at least 5 minutes or more can be selected.

In the third invention of the present application, there is provided means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the water temperature at the start of heating.

In the fourth invention of the present application, there is provided means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the amount of water in the container.

In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the adsorbing means for adsorbing the harmful substance is provided at the position where the water is stored in the container.

[0013]

In the first invention of the present application, the continuous boiling mode in which the heating duration (including intermittent heating) can be selected for at least 5 minutes or more is provided, so that the concentration of trihalomethane can be adjusted to WH.
It can be made to be equal to or less than the regulation value of O.

In the second invention of the present application, at least 5
By having a continuous boiling mode that allows you to select multiple heating durations including heating durations of more than a minute, you can select the minimum required heating duration depending on the situation such as the amount of water and the temperature of the water. It is possible to sufficiently remove harmful substances without wasting energy.

In the third invention of the present application, the means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the water temperature at the start of heating is provided, so that the minimum required heating duration can be automatically set in both summer and winter. The toxic substance can be sufficiently removed without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

In the fourth invention of the present application, the means for automatically changing the heating continuation time based on the amount of water in the container is provided, so that the minimum required boiling continuation time is obtained regardless of whether the amount of water is large or small. Can be automatically selected, and harmful substances can be sufficiently removed without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

Further, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the adsorbing means is provided at the position where the water is stored in the container, and the harmful substances can be sufficiently removed by utilizing the convection of the water generated during boiling.

[0018]

【Example】

Example 1. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as the device described in the prior art except that the content of the continuous boiling mode selectable by the boiling mode selecting means 5 is different. Here, description of each unit is omitted.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.
Reference numerals 115 to 115 respectively indicate operation steps. This Example 1
In the continuous boiling mode selectable by the boiling mode selecting means 5, a boiling mode A in which the heating duration is within 1 minute and a boiling mode B in which heating is continued for at least 5 minutes are set. If mode B is selected, then continue heating and boiling at step 114 for at least 5 minutes.

FIG. 3 is a graph in which the relationship between the boiling duration and the residual trihalomethane concentration was actually measured.
That is, assuming that the concentration of trihalomethane in tap water is 100%, it will be 95% immediately after boiling, and after boiling, it will be 85% after 1 minute, 50% after 3 minutes, and 25% after 5 minutes.
It turns out to be%. On the other hand, the WHO (World Health Organization) regulation value for trihalomethanes is 30 ppb or less, and the current concentration of trihalomethane in Japan's tap water may reach close to 100 ppb in some regions (especially in summer). That is, surely the WHO regulation value (30 ppb)
To reduce the concentration of trihalomethane in source water to 3
It must be 0% or less, and the WHO standard can be satisfied only by continuing boiling for 5 minutes or more. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the boiling mode B for continuously heating for at least 5 minutes is provided.

Example 2. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, when the boiling mode B is selected, heating is continued for at least 5 minutes, but in the second embodiment, step 14 is performed.
If the boiling mode B is selected in step 3, next step 14
In No. 4, heating is continuously performed for at least 5 minutes, and intense boiling is suppressed so as to remove user's anxiety. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and similar effects are obtained.

Example 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a plurality of heating durations including a heating duration of at least 5 minutes or more (boiling mode A = heating duration 1 in the embodiment). Within minutes,
Boiling mode B = heating duration 5 minutes, boiling mode C = heating duration 3 minutes) is equipped with a continuous boiling mode, and the minimum required heating duration is selected according to the situation such as water volume and water temperature. It is designed to effectively remove harmful substances. That is, if boiling mode B is selected in step 153, continuous heating is performed for 5 minutes in step 154, and if boiling mode B is not selected, step 156 is performed.
It is judged whether or not the boiling mode C is selected, and if the boiling mode C is selected, step 1
Although the continuous heating is performed for 3 minutes at 57, when the boiling mode C is not selected, the boiling mode A is set, and the process proceeds to step 155 to end the heating.

Example 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the temperature detecting means 3 is used.
With the means to detect the initial water temperature at the start of heating with, and automatically change the heating duration based on the detected initial water temperature, regardless of the water temperature, that is, the minimum required heating duration in both summer and winter. Is automatically selected so that harmful substances can be sufficiently removed without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment. When heating is started by the heating means 2 in step 171, the initial stage at the start of heating is based on the information from the temperature detecting means 3 in step 172. The water temperature is detected, and the control means 6 determines the heating duration based on this initial water temperature. Then, in the next step 173, when the boiling detection means 4 detects boiling based on the information from the temperature detection means 3, the process proceeds to step 174, and whether or not the initial water temperature detected in step 172 is low temperature (for example, less than 10 ° C.). If it is determined that the temperature is low, the process proceeds to step 175, and heating is continued for 2 minutes and then terminated.

If the initial water temperature is not low, the routine proceeds to step 176, where it is judged whether the initial water temperature is medium temperature (eg 10 ° C. or higher and less than 20 ° C.). If the initial water temperature is medium temperature, the routine proceeds to step 177. Continue heating for 3 minutes and then finish. If the initial water temperature is not the middle temperature, that is, if the temperature is high, the operation proceeds to step 178 to continue the heating for 5 minutes and then to finish the operation.

As described above, in Example 4, the boiling duration after boiling was automatically changed according to the initial water temperature in the container 1, and the boiling duration was longer as the water temperature was higher. Of course, chlorine that inhibits
It can sufficiently remove harmful trihalomethanes that are often present in tap water in the summer, and can boil delicious and safe hot water. Further, in the winter when the water temperature is low, the amount of trihalomethane is small, so that it is not necessary to prolong the boiling time, and wasteful consumption of energy such as time and electric power can be prevented.

Example 5. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding portions, and 7 indicates temperature information detected by the temperature detecting means 3 (for example, temperature rise). A water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the container 1 based on a curve is shown. In this Example 5, the means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the amount of water in the container 1 is provided, so that the minimum required boiling duration is automatically selected regardless of whether the amount of water is large or small. It is possible to sufficiently remove harmful substances without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment. When water is put in the container 1 and the power is turned on, heating is first started by the heating means 2 in step 191, and the next step 192 is executed. Then, the amount of water in the container 1 is detected by the amount of water detecting unit 5 based on the temperature information (for example, the temperature rise curve) from the temperature detecting unit 3. Then, when boiling is detected by the boiling detecting means 4 based on the information from the temperature detecting means 3 in step 193, the process proceeds to step 194. In step 194, it is determined whether or not the amount of water in the container 1 is small. If the amount is small, the process proceeds to step 195, heating is continued for 3 minutes, and then the process is finished.

If the amount is not small, step 19
6, it is determined whether or not the amount of water is medium. If the amount of water is medium, the process proceeds to step 197 to continue heating for 4 minutes and then ends. If the amount of water is not medium, that is, if the amount of water is large, the operation proceeds to step 198, where heating is continued for 5 minutes and then terminated. In Example 5, as described above, the boiling duration after boiling was automatically changed according to the amount of water in the container, and the boiling duration was increased as the amount of water increased. Regardless of the taste-inhibiting chlorine, the carcinogenic and harmful organic compound trihalomethane can be sufficiently removed. In addition, it is possible to prevent wasteful consumption of energy such as time and electric power without needing to lengthen the boiling time.

Example 6. Generally, in this type of electric water heater, an indicator (not shown) lights up while the heating means 2 is being energized, and it is understood that heating is in progress. When the continuous boiling is performed, the indicator lights up even during the continuous boiling as in the case before the boiling. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not clear whether the continuous boiling is working or not, and the user is anxious. In order to solve such a problem, in the sixth embodiment, when the continuous boiling is working, the display of the indicator is switched from the lighting display to the blinking display by the control of the control means 6, and for the purpose of water purification. It was decided to notify the user of the continuation of boiling.

Example 7. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of Embodiment 7 of the present invention, in which an adsorption device is arranged at the bottom of the inside of a container, for example, made of stainless steel that contains water. In the figure, 53 is an adsorption device, which is composed of an elastic member 54 and a storage portion 56 in which an adsorbent 55 such as activated carbon is stored. The elastic member 54 and the storage section 56 are made of the same material as the container 1. FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of the adsorption device 53, and the storage portion 56 is elastically supported by the elastic member 54. The elastic member 54 is a spiral elastic member whose diameter decreases as it approaches the storage portion. Further, the adsorption device 53 is detachably provided in the container of the water heater. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the storage section 56, in which the adsorbent 55 such as activated carbon is stored in a movable state. The storage part 56 is composed of a storage device 58 and a lid part 59. In this embodiment, the lid part 59 is movably installed in the storage device 58 via a gap. This is because if the metal members come into contact with each other and are fixed, they will be corroded by crevice corrosion. For example, the storage portion may be integrally formed, and the shape of the storage portion is not limited to that shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a top view of the storage section, and shows the storage container 58 and the lid section 5 of the storage section 56.
A plurality of holes 57 for allowing water to pass through are provided on the entire surface of 9.

The water in the container of the water heater is heated by the heating means 2 and the water temperature rises, so that convection as shown by the arrow occurs. Then, due to the generated convection, water passes through the inside of the adsorption device. When the water boils, the storage part moves up and down, but since it is supported by the elastic member, the up and down movement caused by the convection of water is promoted, and the passage of water becomes active. After boiling, the adsorption device may be removed from the container, or it may be left attached and used for re-boiling. Also, when cleaning the inside of the container, the suction device can be easily removed for cleaning.

In the seventh embodiment, the adsorption device is provided at the bottom of the container, but as shown in FIG. 14, it may be attached to the top of the water heater or the lid. When it is attached to the upper part, the storage part may be hung from a lid or the like without being supported by the elastic member. With the above structure, the adsorption device can be removed more easily.

When the amount of water is small, the storage unit is lowered by its own weight and immersed in the water. When the amount of water is large, the storage unit is lifted by buoyancy to move to the center of the water. You may.

Although the storage part of the adsorption device is provided so as not to contact the bottom surface of the container, the gap between the heater and the storage part improves the circulation of water during boiling, for example, on the inner wall of the container. You may make it provide the recessed part which hold | maintains a storage part so that it can move up and down. Further, when the adsorption device is arranged in the water heater having a temperature sensor or the like on the bottom surface of the container due to the gap between the heater and the storage portion, there is no storage portion on the bottom surface, so that an effect that the water temperature can be accurately measured can be produced.

If the elastic member or the storage portion of the adsorption device is made of a heat-resistant member, the adsorption device can be placed in an oven or the like as it is, so that the adsorbent such as activated carbon can be dried and reused. it can.

Further, the opening ratio of the holes 57 provided in the storage portion is
If it exceeds 20%, the removal performance of harmful substances does not change so much and becomes almost constant.

The elastic member 54 is made of a metal having excellent corrosion resistance, and is made of a single wire material so that the material composition does not change due to welding or the like, and corrosion resistance deterioration due to the composition change may be prevented. . Furthermore, if the elastic member and the storage section are made of the same type of material as the container, the respective electric potentials become constant and corrosion can be prevented.

Furthermore, by combining Examples 1 to 6 with Example 7, it is possible to remove harmful substances which cannot be removed only by continuous boiling.

[0040]

Since the present invention is constructed and operates as described above, it has the following effects.

By providing the continuous boiling mode in which the heating duration (including intermittent heating) of at least 5 minutes or more can be selected, the concentration of trihalomethane can be kept below the WHO regulation value.

Further, by providing a continuous boiling mode capable of selecting a plurality of heating durations including a heating duration of at least 5 minutes, the minimum required heating duration is selected according to the situation such as the amount of water and the water temperature. Therefore, harmful substances can be sufficiently removed without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

Further, by providing means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the water temperature at the start of heating,
The minimum required heating duration can be automatically selected in both summer and winter, and harmful substances can be sufficiently removed without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

Also, by providing means for automatically changing the heating duration based on the amount of water in the container, the minimum required heating duration can be automatically selected regardless of whether the amount of water is large or small. It is possible to sufficiently remove harmful substances without wasting energy such as time and electric power.

Further, when the continuous boiling is working, the display of the indicator is switched from the lighting display to the blinking display by the control of the control means, so that the user can be informed of the continuous boiling for the purified water, and the safety can be improved. A device that can be used with care.

Further, since the convection of water at the time of boiling can be utilized by providing the adsorbing means at the place where the water is located in the container, it is possible to sufficiently remove the harmful substances which cannot be removed only by boiling.

Further, since the adsorbing means is elastically provided in the container by the elastic member, the adsorbing member moves in response to the convection of water at the time of boiling, so that harmful substances can be efficiently removed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a graph obtained by actually measuring the relationship between the boiling duration and the residual trihalomethane concentration.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a storage section.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a storage section.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a storage section.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a conventional device.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 2 Heating means 3 Temperature detection means 4 Boiling detection means 5 Boiling mode selection means 6 Control means 7 Water amount detection means 53 Adsorption device 54 Elastic member 56 Storage part

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kenzo Takahashi 1728 Omaeda, Hanazono-cho, Oza-gun, Saitama 1 Mitsubishi Electric Home Equipment Co., Ltd.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A container for containing water, a heating means for heating water in the container, a boiling mode selecting means for selecting a continuous boiling mode for continuously heating for a predetermined time after boiling, and a boiling mode in the container. It has a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water, a boiling detecting means for detecting boiling based on the temperature detecting means, and a controlling means for controlling the heating means based on the boiling mode selecting means and the boiling detecting means. , Continuous boiling mode is selected, and after boiling, the heating is continued for a predetermined time to reduce harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane in hot water. A water heater with a boiling mode. 2. The water heater according to claim 1, further comprising a continuous boiling mode capable of selecting an intermittent heating time of at least 5 minutes or more. 3. A container for containing water, a heating means for heating water in the container, a boiling mode selecting means for selecting a continuous boiling mode for continuously heating for a predetermined time after boiling, and a boiling mode selecting means in the container. It has a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of water, a boiling detecting means for detecting boiling based on the temperature detecting means, and a controlling means for controlling the heating means based on the boiling mode selecting means and the boiling detecting means. , Select the continuous boiling mode, and after boiling, continue heating for a predetermined time as it is to reduce harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane in hot water. A water heater equipped with a continuous boiling mode in which the heating duration can be selected. 4. A container for containing water, a heating means for heating the water in the container, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the container, and a boiling for detecting boiling of the water in the container. In a water heater equipped with a detection means and a control means for controlling the heating means, by heating for a predetermined time after boiling, it is possible to reduce harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane in hot water. A water heater equipped with means for automatically changing the heating duration after boiling based on the water temperature of the water. 5. The water heater according to claim 4, wherein the heating duration after boiling which is automatically changed based on the water temperature at the start of heating is longer as the water temperature is higher. 6. A container for containing water, a heating means for heating the water in the container, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the container, and a boiling for detecting boiling of the water in the container. In a water heater having a detection means and a control means for controlling the heating means, which is capable of reducing harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane in hot water by continuously heating for a predetermined time after boiling, in the container A water heater comprising: a water amount detecting means for detecting the water amount and the means for automatically changing the heating duration after boiling based on the water amount in the container. 7. The water heater according to claim 6, wherein the heating duration after boiling, which is automatically changed based on the amount of water in the container, is longer as the amount of water is larger. 8. The display according to claim 1, wherein the display is turned on during heating before boiling, and the display blinks during heating after boiling. 3rd, 4th
A water heater according to paragraphs 5, 5, 6 and 7. 9. A container for containing water, a heating means for heating the water in the container, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the container, and a boiling for detecting boiling based on the temperature detecting means. A detection means; a control means for controlling the heating means based on the boiling detection means; and an adsorption means for adsorbing harmful substances such as chlorine and trihalomethane at a position where water is stored in the container. Water heater to be. 10. An adsorbing means for adsorbing a harmful substance, which is provided at a position where water is contained in a container, adsorbs an adsorbent and the like, and an accommodating member elastically or detachably elastically supports the accommodating member. 10. A water heater comprising an elastic member.