WO2004019740A1

WO2004019740A1 - Electric water heater

Info

Publication number: WO2004019740A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/010539
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yasushi Morimoto; Kouichi Hosoi; Toyoaki Takeshita; Tadashi Tanno
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-08-29
Filing date: 2003-08-20
Publication date: 2004-03-11
Also published as: JP2004089252A; AU2003262257A1; JP3952909B2

Abstract

For reducing electric power consumption, eliminating the danger of hot water or steam at the time of water supply, and enabling an automatic water supply, an electric water heater comprises a water heating container and a water storage tank separate from each other, and a water supplying unit for supplying water from the water storage tank according to the amount of hot water in the water heating container. The water storage tank is provided with a float having a magnet. A water-level sensing unit which senses the position of the magnet of the float is arranged outside the water storage tank. The electric power consumption is reduced by heating a certain amount of liquid and keeping it warm in the water heating container. Water is supplied by supplying water into the water storage tank.

Description

Akira Shobu Electric water heating equipment technology field

In the present invention, the liquid in the boiling water container is heated and kept warm, and the liquid can be discharged outside the water boiling container as needed. It is related to the boiler. Background of technology

A water heater is used to keep liquids at a predetermined temperature by boiling a liquid such as water, and the user can use it to flush the necessary amount of hot water as needed. It is a convenient electrical appliance that can be used. Fig. 5 shows the side of the conventional electric water heater, and the side of the machine. In Fig.5, the electric water heater has a water container that can contain water and other liquids, and has a water container at the bottom of the water container. There are 10 hours of air conditioning. Open the upper lid 1 0 3 of the boiling water 1 0 1 and put in a liquid such as water 1 2 0 2 (hereinafter referred to as water 1 2 0 2). When power is supplied to 4, the water can be heated by heating. The volume of the water bath is, for example, 2 to 3 liters, and the volume may be more than the volume used by the user at one time. Boil a large amount of water and keep it warm. If you want to fill the water storage tank with water (water supply), open the lid 103 and pour the water into the hot water.

HU note Conventional electric water boiling power, in the case of the customer, the user (for example, standard More than 1.5 liters of the amount that a typical four-man family normally uses at dinnertime, etc. (below, this amount is the required amount). Boiling water of 2 liters and 3 liters of water for storage. Because it heats up by boiling a much larger amount of water than it needs, it consumes unnecessary power. Open the lid 103 when filling the water container 101 with water. At this time, steam may stand up and cause burns due to the steam. Also, when you fill the water container with water in order to replenish the water, the high temperature water may scatter and cause burns. Disclosure of invention

In the present invention, the user consumes the required amount of liquid on the surface by heating / holding to reduce the power consumption and the hot water at the time of water supply. To prevent the dangers caused by splashing and standing vapors, and to provide an electric water boiling device that enables the water supply to the water container to be automated. The purpose is to provide it.

The electric water heater of the present invention is a water boiling container for heating a predetermined amount of liquid such as water and keeping it warm and a storage water tank for storing ordinary temperature liquid. According to the volume of the liquid in the container and the boiling water container, the water storage tank is equipped with a water supply section for supplying water to the boiling water container from the storage tank. A water storage tank is provided with a float containing a magnetite, and a water level detection unit that detects the water position by detecting the position of the magnetite in the above-mentioned flow. Is set up.

The user must use a water bath to heat and store the required amount of liquid required on the surface, and the amount of liquid exceeding the specified amount should be heated and stored. Because there is no power consumption can be saved. The amount of liquid exceeding the specified amount is stored in the water storage tank, and when the liquid in the water boiling tank decreases, the water tank will be replenished. Ru When supplying water to the storage tank, pour liquid into the storage tank. Therefore, there is no risk of burns as high temperature hot water does not scatter and there is no possibility of steam rising.

The storage tank will automatically supply water when the liquid content in the water container decreases due to use. The water level detection section detects the water level of the storage tank to control the electric water boiling system according to the amount of liquid in the storage tank. Uh. For example, if it is necessary to refill the liquid, use a display device etc. to inform the user. This makes it possible to automate and stop water supply to the hot water container and to display various types of water according to the water level in the storage tank.

The electric water heater of the invention described in claim 1 has a heat generating body, which is heated by the heat generating body and accommodates a predetermined amount of liquid which is boiled. The water supply vessel is connected to the hot water storage container by a water supply passage, and the liquid supply to the hot water storage container via the water supply passage is collected. Have a large water storage tank. A water supply unit is provided to supply the liquid from the storage tank according to the amount of liquid in the hot water storage container. The water storage tank has a float containing magnets that moves up and down with the liquid level in the water storage tank, and the water storage tank has the water storage tank. A water level detection unit is provided at a position other than the tank to detect the position of the magnetic particles in the flow area described above. Only a predetermined amount of liquid that is usually used once by the user is heated and kept warm in a water boiling container and the amount of liquid exceeding the predetermined amount is stored in water. Keep stock in tank. This reduces power consumption. As the water supply is to the storage tank, there is no risk of burns from hot water or steam. The water level detection unit detects the water level of the storage tank, which makes it possible to automate the water supply to the boiling water container.

The electric water heater of the invention according to claim L controls a control unit that controls the water supply unit according to the storage amount in the storage tank detected by the water level detection unit. It is set up further. Stop the water supply if the liquid in the storage tank falls below a certain level. If the water level in the storage tank rises above a certain level by refilling the fluid, the water supply section can operate. This will automate the water supply from the storage tank to the boiling water container.

The electric water heater according to claim 3 of the present invention is configured so that the water storage tank can be detached from and attached to the main body having the water boiling container. When water is supplied to the storage tank, it can be transported by removing the storage tank from the main body ^, which improves convenience.

The water heater according to claim 4 of the present invention is a float having a port that moves up and down in conjunction with the water level in the storage tank. Guided by a member installed in the water storage tank, move up and down. This makes it possible to detect the water level with certainty and control the water supply to the water container or the stop of the water supply.

The electric water heater of the invention as set forth in claim 5 is a single heater. There are multiple water level detection units for the lot. This makes it possible to detect the amount of water in the storage tank with high accuracy, so detailed water control can be performed.

In the electric water heater of the invention described in claim 6, the water level detection unit has a permanent magnet and a magnetic detection element, and as a magnetic detection element, a lead switch or a heat detection element is used. Using a sensor element. As a result, it is possible to ensure high reliability in detecting the water level in the storage tank.

The electric water heater according to the invention as set forth in claim 7 is provided with a magnet in a removable water storage tank for a body having a water boiling capacity and a water boiling container. Install a water storage tank detection unit that detects the above-mentioned magnet on the side of the main unit that has a sensor to detect the presence or absence of a water storage tank. If there is no water storage tank, stop all control of the water storage tank.

The electric water heater according to claim 8 of the present invention has a water level detection unit that detects the position of a float magnet and a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a storage tank. Also serves as . A simple description of the drawing that can simplify the water storage tank detection unit by this

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric water heater used for the explanation of the first to third embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 2 (a) is a partial perspective view of the reservoir tank 20 showing the rib 3 l a 3 1 b proposed in the draft 50 a.

Fig. 2 (b) shows the upper surface of the water storage tank 20 in Fig. 2 (a). It is a figure.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electric water heater according to Example 4 of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electric water heater used for the explanation of the examples 5 and 6 of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a side view of a conventional electric water heater. Best form for implementing inventions

Hereinafter, the electric water heater of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

<<1st example>>

The electric water heater of the first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the electric water heater of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the electric water heater in this example has a boiling vessel 1 and a storage tank 20, and between the two, a water supply channel 21 is used. It is linked. A water heater 1 has a heater 3 such as electric heater and the like at the bottom and a liquid 2 such as water in the water heater 1 (hereinafter referred to as "water"). In the case of hot water and high water, hot water 2 is used, and in the case of ordinary temperature, water 2 and I ^ may be heated by the heat generator 3. Ru The opening of the upper part of the water container 1 is covered with an openable / closable lid 5. The lid 5 is provided with a steam □ 5 a for releasing the steam generated in the water container 1 to the outside.

When the hot water 2 reaches a predetermined temperature, the heating element 3 is turned off. Reduce the heating power, and maintain the temperature of hot water 2 at a fixed value. When the user wants to use the hot water 2 in the boiling water container 1, the water supply slip, which is provided in the operation unit 18 but whose illustration is omitted, is provided. Operate the check. By the operation of the water supply switch, the pump 10 provided at the bottom of the water heater operates and the water 2 in the water heater 1 is introduced. Out passage 1 1 a and 1 1 b through and out of the discharge port 1 2. The water level of the hot water 2 in the water container 1 is the water level sensor 1 installed in the discharge path 1 1 a

Detected at 3 o'clock. If the water level drops below the prescribed level using water 2 in water bath 1⁄4 1, the detection signal of the water level sensor 13 will be marked on the control unit 4 Be added. The control unit 4 fills the water tank 2 with water 2 from the water storage tank 20 by filling it into the container as described in detail below.

The amount (predetermined amount) of hot water 2 contained in the hot water container 1 is 0

It is necessary to set this amount as 5

". Essentially, it is the amount of hot water 2 kept in a water bath 1 and kept at a constant temperature, for example 95, at a constant temperature. Required if the amount of hot water 2 used by a customer (for example, an average four-person family) at dinner is approximately 1.5 liters. It is appropriate to reduce the amount to 1.5 liters and keep a large amount of hot water 2 of 5 'J or more and keep the electric power useless. It will be consumption. “Required” is an optional item in the range of 0.5 U from 2 U for example, according to the user of the ^ x boiler in this embodiment. It is designed to be set to the amount of The required amount setting is This is done by inputting the desired value into the control unit 4 by the operation unit 18. The control unit 4 is based on the detection value of the water level sensor 13 so that the required amount of hot water 2 set in the water boiling bath 1 is held. Supply water 2). If the user uses hot water 2 and the water level of the water bottle 1 drops to a predetermined value, then the water level is from the water level sensor 1 3. Detected. The detection power of the water level sensor 13 is applied to the control unit 4!], And the control unit 4 drives the water supply pump 23 to store the water tank 20. Transfer the water 2 from the container into the water container 1.

Water storage tank 20 This tank is used to store liquid 2 (water 2) such as water, and is connected to the hot water boiling vessel 1 in the water supply channel 2 1. It is being done. When the amount of hot water 2 in the boiling water container 1 is decreased, water 2 is replenished from the storage tank 20. When filling water storage tank 20, open lid 20 a and pour water. The line 20 d indicates the upper limit of the water level of the storage tank 20, and this line 20 d is used to prevent water from entering the storage tank 20. Are asking the person to pay attention.

Water 2 stored in the storage tank 20 passes through the pumping pipe 2 3 a and the water supply channel 2 1 and the water supply port 22 from the water supply port 1 2 A fixed amount is added to D. Water 2 to be added is poured intermittently or continuously up to the specified amount. As shown in Fig. 1, when the storage tank 20 is arranged in parallel with the boiling water reservoir 1, the lower part of the water supply channel 23 a will be supplied with water. Set up a water supply pump 2 3 that is a water platform. Although not shown, if a storage tank 20 is placed above the water heater 1, the water supply will be provided. Water supply pump 2 3 is not necessary as a means of water, but a water supply valve is required instead.

The storage tank 20 can be attached to and detached from the main body 100 including the boiling water container 1, and when water is supplied to the storage tank 20, the main body 100 will be removed. Storage tank 20 can be removed and transported.

The water supply pump 2 3 is driven by the control unit 4 which is a control means. The control unit 4 replenishes the necessary water 2 in accordance with the water level detected by the water level sensor 13 installed in the discharge path 1 1 of the boiling water container 1. The control unit 4 for driving the water supply pump 2 3 may drive the water supply pump 2 3 for a given period of time according to the amount of hot water 2 in the water boiling vessel 1.

In the storage tank 20, there is a front 50 with magnetic stone 51 incorporated by insert molding or the like. The flow hole 50 has a hole, and the water supply pipe 23 a vertically arranged in the water supply tank 20 is inserted into the hole, and it is possible to slide up and down. It is configured . The float 50 has a specific weight less than 1.0 with the magnet 5 1 included. It is made according to the buoyancy given by water 2 and it moves up and down along the pumping pipe 2 3 a according to the water 2 level. You □ As mentioned later with reference to Fig. 2 as described later, it may be possible to use other components provided in the water storage tank 20. The position of the upper limit of the flow sheet 50 which may be configured is regulated by the floating top bar 5 3 provided on the pumping pipe 23 a. ing .

In the position of the main unit 100 facing the flow axis 50, The water level detection section 52, which has a water level detection section 52 that has a magnetic detection means, is a float that moves up and down according to the amount of water.

Detect 5 0 with the magnetism of magnet 5 1. The water level detection unit 52 has a detection element 54 that is turned on by magnetism, and the water storage tank 20 has a stored water level of 6 If it becomes more than the first predetermined amount of 1 (about 4 0 0 ^ U U in this embodiment), the position to detect the flow mark 5 0 ( Fixed at the upper limit of 50). The flow chart 50 can not be moved above the flow charter chart 5 3

The water volume of the storage tank 20 is not less than the first predetermined volume above. The second predetermined volume of the water level 6 2 (about 100 S 'J in this embodiment) As a result, the water level detection unit 52 does not detect the flow 50. If the water level detection unit 52 does not detect the flow field 50, it means that the water 2 in the water storage tank 20 has been depleted, and the water storage tank 2 It is necessary to fill 0 with water 2. In this embodiment, the water level of the water 2 in the water storage tank 20 is lowered, and the water level detection unit 52 is in a state where it does not detect the flow level 50. Then, the detection unit 52 opens. When the control unit 4 detects that the switch is open, it is necessary to fill the storage tank 20 with the liquid 2 in the display unit 18. Display and. The indication may be, for example, the flashing of the indicator. You may use the above display as a letter such as “The storage tank is empty” or a notification based on voice.

Driving of the water supply pump 23 is performed by the control unit 4 according to the amount of water in the storage tank 20, and when the water 2 exceeds the first predetermined amount. The water pump 2 3 drives the water pump 2 3 to supply water 2 to the water heater 1. Stop the water supply pump 2 3 when the amount of water 2 falls below the second fixed amount. In the present embodiment, the water consumption amount of the “use amount” is the amount used by the user (standard four-person family) in the water boiling vessel 1 for one meal. Insert 2 and keep it warm. If a large amount of hot water 2 exceeding the amount used is used as in the conventional electric water heater, the electric water boiling of this embodiment is compared to the case of heating and holding. Spent equipment consumes little power and has a high energy saving effect.

When supplying water to storage tank 20, remove lid 20 a and pour water 2 into it. It is the water storage tank 20 that opens the lid when water is supplied, and there is no need to open the lid 5 of the water heater 1 and accordingly hot water or steam is released. There is no risk of burns, so there is no need to pay attention to hot water or steam. This is a place where older people and children can use it. It is safe, though.

When the hot water 2 in the water container 1 is reduced by the use of the user, the low water level is detected by the water level sensor 13 and the detection value is controlled. It is input to control unit 4. The control unit 4 drives the water supply pump 23 to send the water 2 of the water storage pump 20 to the boiling water reservoir 1. As a result, the water storage tank 20 power supply system automatically supplies water 2 to the water reservoir 1.

<<2nd example>>

The electric water heater of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electric water heater of the second embodiment is installed in the water storage tank 20 and holds the float 50 a The means is different from that of the flow 50 of the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and therefore redundant explanations will be omitted. Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view showing a part of the storage tank 20 of the electric water heater of this embodiment, and Figure 2 (b) is the storage tank 2. It is a top view of the part of 0 seen from the top. In (a) and (b) of Fig. 2, two reservoirs 3 1 a and 3 1 in the vicinity of one corner and one part 2 of a storage tank 20 b is set vertically with a predetermined interval. The float 50 a is held by the two ribs 31 a and 31 b and the corner section 32 of the reservoir tank 20, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). As shown by arrow 33, it is supported to be movable upward and downward. A permanent magnet 51 is provided inside the flow 50 a. The specific gravity of float 50 a is lighter than that of water 2, so if water 2 is present, it floats up and moves upward in the direction of arrow 33. . The upper end of the ribs 31a and 31b is provided with the floating stoppers 34a and 34b, respectively. Restricting upward movement range. In the first embodiment, since the float 50 a is installed in the pumping head 2 3 a, the float 50 has a large hole. It was over. Since there is no need to make a large hole in the flow 50 a of this embodiment, the flow 50 a can be made smaller.

<<3rd example>>

The electric water heater of the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. As a detection element 54 of the water level detection unit 52 which detects the water level of the storage tank 20, a lead stitch or hole relay element is used. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The lead switch is a switch whose contact is closed by magnetism, and the contact part is filled with inert gas and stored in a tightly closed glass tube. It is being done. Therefore, it is highly reliable. Also, the Hall element has a long life because it has no mechanical moving parts.

According to the present embodiment, a magnet is provided on the float 50 in the storage tank 20 and the magnetism is provided on the outside of the storage tank 20. Also, since the Hall element is detected, the structure is simple and high reliability can be ensured.

<<4th example>>

An electric water heater according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electric water heater of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 has a water level detection unit for detecting the water level of the storage tank 20. The configuration of the water level detection unit is shown in FIG. It is different from the ones. The other configurations are the same as those shown in Fig. 1, so duplicate explanations are omitted.

In FIG. 3, the water level detection unit 52a of this embodiment has a plurality (two in FIG. 3) of detection elements 54a and 54b. The detection elements 54 a and 54 b use the lead structures or hole elements described in the third embodiment. Detector element 5 4 a is similar to that of the first embodiment described above, but is similar to that of the first embodiment. When it is at the upper limit position and it is set at the position where it detects the float 50, the storage volume of the storage tank 20 will be the first of the water level 61 It is more than the specified amount (approximately 400 metric liters) of. The detection element 54 b detects the flow h 50 when the flow 50 is in the lower limit position. At this time, the amount of water stored in storage tank 20 is less than or equal to the second predetermined amount (approximately 100 metric liters) of water level 62

Compared with the electric water heater of the first embodiment, the electric water heater of the present embodiment has the following features. According to the water level detection unit 52 a of this embodiment, when the water amount in the storage tank 20 is equal to or more than the first predetermined amount, the detection element 54 a detects the water amount. 2 If it is less than the specified amount, detect with detection element 54 b. Therefore, the first and second predetermined quantities can be detected reliably.

In the first embodiment of the HU eye, when the water level detector 54 which is not installed is broken and becomes in the normal state, the water storage Even if the amount of water in the tank 20 decreases to the first predetermined value, the condition is not detected. As a result, it is impossible to notify the user that the storage capacity of the storage tank 20 has decreased.

In this embodiment, since the detection element 54 b detects that the float 50 is in the lower limit position, the detection element 54 a has a failure as described above. Even in the event of a failure, you can detect that float 50 is in the low position. Therefore, the water level detection unit 52 a can detect that the storage amount of the storage tank 20 has decreased to the second predetermined amount. In this way, the user is notified of the decrease in the amount of stored water. be able to .

As mentioned above, the electric water heater in this embodiment is highly reliable.

<<Fifth embodiment>

The electric water heater according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In Fig. 4, the water heater in this embodiment can be removed from the main body 1 00 from the main body 1 0 0. Other configurations that have a storage tank detection unit 55 that detects if it is installed in or removed from This is the same as in the first example shown in the figure, so redundant explanations will be omitted. The storage tank detection unit 5 5 has a permanent magnet 5 9 set in the storage tank 20 and a permanent magnet 5 9 facing the main magnet 5 9. It has an attached detector 5 7. The detection output of detection element 5 7 is input to control unit 4. The detection element 5 7 uses a read switch or a hole element.

When the storage tank 20 is attached to the main unit 100, the detection element 5 7 may be turned on, for example, by the magnetic force of the permanent magnetite 5 9. It has become a The control unit 4 determines that the storage tank 20 is attached to the main body 100 since the detection element 5 7 is on. Ru When the water storage tank 20 is removed from the main unit 100, the detector element 5 7 is turned off and the detection child 3 5 7 is used. The control unit 4 can determine that the storage tank 20 has been removed. Control unit 4 When the water storage tank 20 is separated from the main body 100 0, the output that drives the water supply pump 2 3 of the water storage tank 20 is output. It is not.

<<6th example>>

In the sixth embodiment, in place of the storage tank detection unit 55, the water level detection unit 52a according to the fourth embodiment described above shown in FIG. It is also related to being used as a tank detection unit. The amount of water in storage tank 20 changes between the first and second predetermined amounts, and float 50 moves up and down accordingly. At this time, it is necessary for detection element 54 4 a, 5 4 so that at least one of detection element 5 4 a or 5 4 b always detects float 50. Set the position of b. With this configuration, both detector elements 5 4 a and 5 4 b detect float 50 together (when the detector element is detected, the detector element is detected. When the lead switch is used for 5 4 a and 5 4 b, when both lead switches are both off, the control unit 4 holds the water tank. If at least one of the detector elements 5 4 a and 5 4 b is judged to have been removed, the water reservoir tank 20 will be removed. It is determined that the unit is attached to the main unit 100.

According to the present embodiment, the detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the storage tank 20 can be used in combination with the water level detection unit 52a, so that the configuration is simple. Become . As a result, the number of parts is reduced and the cost of the electric water heater is reduced. Possibilities of industrial use

According to the electric water heater of the present invention, since the user heats / retains the necessary amount of liquid, useless consumption of power is eliminated and consumption is eliminated. Cost and power can be reduced. Water is supplied to the water storage tank, so there is no danger to hot water or steam when supplying water, and water is supplied to the boiling water container. Automation is possible.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1) A water heater with a heat source, which is heated and boiled by the heat source described above, and which contains a predetermined amount of liquid,

A storage water tank which is connected to the hot water container by means of a water supply channel, and which is supplied to the hot water container through the water supply channel. C,

According to the amount of liquid in the hot water storage container, a water supply section for supplying the liquid from the water storage tank is provided.

The water storage tank has a float containing a magnet stone that moves up and down with the water level of the liquid in the water storage tank.

Electric water boiling water with a water level detection section that detects the magnetic position of the float at a different position from the water storage tank.

3⁄4 o

A request for having a control unit to control the water supply unit according to the amount of water stored in the water storage tank detected by the water level detection unit. Electric water heater as described in Section 1.

3. The electric water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that the water storage tank can be attached to and removed from the water storage tank side.

4. A float that moves up and down to the level of liquid in the storage tank will be moved by the members provided in the storage tank. The electric water heater described in claim 1 configured to be unobtrusive Boilers.

5. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of water level detectors facing the float are provided.

6. The water heater according to claim 1, wherein the water level detection unit uses a lead switch or a Hall element as a magnetic detection means.

The water storage tank can be attached to and detached from the water boiling tank side, and a magnet is provided on the water storage tank, and the magnet magnet is placed on the water boiling container side. The electric water boiling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a water storage tank detection unit configured to detect the presence or absence of the water storage tank by using the water storage tank.

The electric water heater according to claim 7, characterized in that the water level detection unit for detecting the position of the magnet of the float detects the presence or absence of the water storage tank. Container.