JP5515263B2 - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric kettle that heats a liquid, and more particularly, to an electric kettle that stops a heater after detection of boiling and reports the convergence of the boiling state after a predetermined time.

  Conventionally, electric kettles are generally widely used as being easy to carry and capable of boiling hot water and the like easily. This electric kettle usually has an electric kettle body having a heater for heating a predetermined amount of water and a base to which an external power cord for supplying electric power to the heater of the electric kettle body is connected. And it has composition which can boil hot water etc. by setting an electric kettle main part to this base, and turning on a power switch (for example, refer to patent documents 1).

An electric kettle is also disclosed in which a control panel is housed in a handle that is a part that grips the kettle with a hand to control the temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Utility Model Registration No. 3097275 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-157

  An electric kettle thermistor generally uses an alarm that informs the user of the boiling state after detecting the temperature, as can be seen in Patent Document 2. In this electric kettle, the power switch is turned on, the heater generates heat and performs boiling, and the hot water eventually reaches the boiling temperature. If hot water is poured in that state, hot water may blow out from the spout, causing the surroundings to become dirty and burned.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to stop the heater after detecting boiling, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the boiling in the container has occurred. It is intended to provide an electric kettle that prevents boiling liquid from splashing and causing burns or the like due to the notification of the fact that it has settled.

In order to achieve the above object, an electric kettle according to claim 1 of the present invention includes an electric kettle main body that opens at the top and has a heater disposed at the bottom to store liquid, and a lid that covers the opening of the electric kettle main body. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the liquid, control means for controlling the heater by a detection output of the temperature detecting means, and notification means for notifying the boiling of the liquid, the control means comprising: When heating by the heater is started and it is determined that the temperature detection unit has detected a predetermined temperature, heating by the heater is stopped, and the notification unit is controlled after a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating stop. Informing the boiling of the liquid, and further determining the time from the start of driving of the heater until the temperature detecting means detects a predetermined temperature, As the temperature detecting means from the moving start a long time until detecting a predetermined temperature, wherein the predetermined time is long.

The electric kettle of the present invention has the following excellent effects by having the above configuration. That is, according to the present invention, immediately after the boiling is detected, the heater is stopped, and after the boiling has stopped, an alarm such as a buzzer and a lamp is immediately sounded and blinked, and the convergence of the boiling is notified to the surroundings. You can pour hot water under the condition.

Further , according to the present invention, when the rated water level in the kettle main body is less than the standard water level according to the amount of liquid stored in the electric kettle main body, the timing for notifying the convergence of boiling to the surroundings is compared to the case of the standard water level. When the rated water level in the kettle body is higher than the standard water level, the timing for notifying the convergence of the boiling to the surroundings can be delayed as compared with the case of the standard water level.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below exemplifies an electric kettle for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to specify the present invention as the electric kettle. Other embodiments within the scope are equally applicable.

  With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the electric kettle which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing temperature characteristics over time in the electric kettle according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the boiling time of the liquid in the electric kettle body and the time until notification, FIG. These are the flowcharts for demonstrating the operation | movement of a present Example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric kettle 1 has an electric kettle body 3 in which an upper portion is opened and a heater plate (heater heater) 2 is disposed at the bottom to store a predetermined amount of liquid such as water, The electric kettle body 3 has a base 4 on which the electric kettle body 3 is placed, and an openable / closable lid body 6 that covers the opening 5 above the electric kettle body 3. The handle 7 is provided.

  The electric kettle body 3 is provided with temperature detection means (temperature sensor) 8 formed of a thermistor on the inner wall near the opening 5 and above the rated water level line (MAX). The rated water level line is set to a height at which hot water does not blow out from the upper opening 5 even when water below this line is accommodated even if the water surface bounces and the water surface undulates.

The handle 7 includes a control means 9 for controlling the heater 2 by inputting a detection value of the temperature detection means 8 in a member constituting the handle 7, and the temperature detection means 8 and the control means 9 are accommodated. Although not shown in the figure, isolation members P _{1 to} P _{3 that} are connected by lead wires and prevent vapor intrusion are mounted between the two members. These isolation members P _{1 to} P ₃ are formed of packing members having heat resistance and elasticity. In addition, the handle 7 is provided with a power switch 10 for turning on / off the power to the heater 2 below the inner side of the semicircular ring type handle member. The lid main body 6 is provided with an automatic spring opening / closing mechanism, and an operation button 11 for releasing the automatic spring opening / closing mechanism is disposed in the vicinity of the outer top portion of the handle 7.

  The electric kettle body 3 has the following characteristics by having the above-described configuration. That is, since the thermistor is used for the temperature detecting means 8, there is no mechanical movable part as in the bimetal sensor of the prior art, and the seal structure for preventing the invasion of steam is simplified. Therefore, the control means 9 is not affected by the steam, and malfunction or failure of the control means 9 can be prevented. Further, since the temperature detection means 8 is mounted above the rated water level line, the temperature detection means 8 detects the vapor temperature at which the liquid evaporates and the boiling state of the liquid when the temperature detection means 8 is immersed in the liquid. can do. Since the temperature detecting means 8 is mounted on the inner wall near the opening 5, the temperature detecting means 8 in the electric kettle main body 3 can be compared with the one provided near the heater 2 at the bottom of the container as in the prior art. Temperature detection is accurate. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hot water from flowing down to the outside. Since the lid main body 6 is provided with an automatic spring opening / closing mechanism, the lid main body 6 can be easily opened with one hand by operating the operation button 11.

  These and other features are described below in the individual component descriptions.

  The electric kettle main body 3 is opened at the upper and lower sides by the opening 5 and the opening 12, and has a tubular body 13 having a predetermined diameter, and the heat resistance provided with the handle 7 on the side wall 14 of the tubular body 13. It is formed with the resin molding which has. In the electric kettle body 3, the heater plate 2 is fixed in a liquid-tight manner in the lower opening 12 with a seal packing 15 interposed. The upper opening 5 has a spout 16 formed at one end thereof, and a mounting chamber 17 in which the temperature detecting means 8 is mounted at a position near the handle 7 at the other end.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the power switch 10 is provided on the handle 7 in the lower U-shaped groove 7 a, that is, at a position close to the base 4. The operation portion 18 of the power switch 10 protrudes from a small hole 7c provided inside the handle body 7b.

  Since the power switch 10 is arranged on the lower inner side of the handle body 7b, the chance of touching the obstacle is reduced compared to the case exposed on the top of the handle as in the prior art, and the power switch is touched by the obstacle. The safety is improved without turning on the air and turning off 10.

  Further, the handle body 7b accommodates a control means 9 for controlling the heater 2 by inputting a detection value from the thermistor 8 into the U-shaped groove 7a. Although not shown, the control means 9 includes a microcomputer and a memory, and the memory stores a value (for example, 85 ° C.) for stopping energization of the heater 2 when the steam temperature reaches a predetermined value. doing. This value is set to a value lower than the boiling temperature of the liquid. By setting and setting this value, the control means 9 performs control to stop heating the heater 2 when the detected vapor temperature reaches a value corresponding to the boiling of the liquid. Can be heated to boiling temperature.

  Although not shown, the temperature sensor 8 and the control means 9 are connected by a lead wire. An elongated window hole is formed on the surface of the side wall 14 on which the handle 7 is formed, and a measuring memory plate 19 made of a light transmissive member for confirming the amount of water is attached to the window hole. By providing the weighing memory plate 19 at this location, the weighing memory becomes inconspicuous and the design is improved.

  Since the mounting chamber 17 is located above the rated water level line, the temperature detecting means 8 attached to the mounting chamber 17 can detect the vapor temperature and the liquid temperature. That is, when water exceeding the rated water level line is accommodated, the temperature detection unit of the thermistor 8 can be immersed in the water to detect the water temperature. Although the thermistor 8 is provided in the electric kettle body 3, it may be attached to the lid body 6. Reference numeral 8 </ b> A indicates a case where the thermistor 8 is attached to the lid body 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid body 6 includes a lid body 20 that is open at the top and covers the upper opening 5 of the electric kettle body 3 with a shallow bottom, and a decorative cover 21 that covers the opening 5 of the lid body 20. It consists of

  The heater plate 2 attached to the electric kettle body 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heater plate 2 is liquid-tightly fixed in the lower opening 12 with a seal packing 15 interposed therebetween. That is, a plurality of protrusions 22 are formed on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical body 13, the heater plate 2 is fitted from the lower opening 12, and the heater plate 2 is connected to the lower end portions of the protrusions 22. The presser ring 23 is fitted into the opening 12 while being brought into contact with the opening 12. Moreover, the upper end part of each projection part 22 is a standard of the rated water level line. The heater 2 is fixed by an annular fixing member (not shown) with a seal packing 15 interposed around the heater 2. The heater plate 2 has a sheathed heater (not shown) mounted on a stainless steel plate having a predetermined thickness. This sheathed heater is connected to the electrical connector 24. The lower opening 12 is covered with a bottom cover 25. The electric connector 24 is connected to an electric connector 26 provided on the base 4 when the electric kettle body 3 is placed on the base 4.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the electric kettle main body 3 from when the liquid poured into the electric kettle is heated by the heater to start boiling and after the boiling is stopped until the user is notified that the liquid is at an appropriate temperature is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a time chart showing temperature characteristics over time in the electric kettle according to the embodiment of the present invention. As time passes, the steam temperature rises. As the liquid temperature approaches the boiling point, the vapor temperature rises rapidly. At this time, the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 is in a boiling state, and the vapor temperature is in the vicinity of 85 ° C. Thereafter, when energization to the heater is stopped (OFF), the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 is calmed down, and the steam temperature starts to decrease.

  FIG. 4 shows the boiling time of the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 and the time from when the heater is stopped to when the alarm is started. The vertical axis represents the time until the alarm is notified after the heater is stopped, and the horizontal axis represents the time required for the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 to boil (water boiling time). According to FIG. 4, when the amount of liquid is small (less than 200 cc), the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 reaches the boiling point in less than 3 minutes. At this time, the time required for alarm notification after the heater is stopped is 3 seconds. If the amount of liquid is standard (200 cc or more and less than 800 cc), the time to reach the boiling point is 3 minutes or more to less than 5 minutes. At this time, the time required for alarm notification after the heater stops is 5 seconds. Furthermore, if the amount of liquid is large (800 cc or more), it takes 5 minutes or more to reach the boiling point. At this time, the time required for alarm notification after the heater is stopped is 10 seconds.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, water is injected into the tubular body 13 of the electric kettle body 3.

  Subsequently, when the power switch 10 is pressed (ON) in step S2, the control means 9 detects this signal.

  In step S3, the control means 9 activates (ON) the heater 2.

  In step S4, the control means 9 starts measuring the time until the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 boils (the temperature detection means 8 detects 85 ° C.).

  In step S5, the control means 9 determines whether or not the steam temperature near the temperature sensor 8 is 85 ° C. When the liquid inside the kettle is in a boiling state, the vapor temperature in the vicinity of the temperature sensor 8 is around 85 ° C. When the control means 9 detects that the steam temperature near the temperature sensor 8 has reached 85 ° C., the process proceeds to step S6. If the steam temperature is not 85 ° C., the process of step S5 is repeated.

  Subsequently, when the liquid inside the kettle boils in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the measurement of the boiling time of the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 is terminated, and the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control means 9 stops (OFF) the heater 2 and then proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, the control means 9 reads the boiling time (t1) stored in the memory, and after the heater 2 is stopped, the steam temperature in the electric kettle body 3 starts to drop, and the liquid is boiling (boiling state). ) To converge. Here, the control means 9 determines that the amount of liquid is larger (800 cc or more) than the rated water level line when the time required for the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 to boil is 5 minutes or longer. If the time until boiling of the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 is 3 minutes or more and less than 5 minutes, the control means 9 determines that the amount of liquid is standard (200 cc or more and less than 800 cc) compared to the rated water level line. Furthermore, if the time until boiling of the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 is less than 3 minutes, it is determined that the amount of the liquid is smaller than the rated water level line (less than 200 cc). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, the control means 9 notifies the boiling of the liquid in the electric kettle body 3 by an alarm according to the amount of liquid determined in step S9. Specifically, when it is determined in step S9 that the amount of liquid is large, the control means 9 is predicted to be subsided from the state in which the liquid inside the electric kettle body 3 is boiled down. Alarm notification is given after the second has elapsed. Further, when it is determined in step S9 that the amount of liquid is standard, the control means 9 issues an alarm notification after 5 seconds have elapsed since the heater was stopped. Furthermore, when it is determined in step S9 that the amount of liquid is small, the control means 9 issues an alarm notification after 3 seconds have elapsed since the heater was stopped.

  Thus, according to the present invention, after the controller 9 detects the boiling inside the kettle according to the amount of liquid inside the kettle, a period of time has passed and the liquid has reached an appropriate temperature. Can be informed. As a result, the danger that the boiled liquid spills out from the kettle spout and pollutes the surroundings or burns is reduced, and a safe and comfortable use environment is realized.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing temperature characteristics over time in the electric kettle according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the boiling time of the liquid in the electric kettle body and the time until notification. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 .... Electric kettle, 2 .... Heating heater plate (heater heater), 3 .... Electric kettle body, 4 .... Base, 5 .... Opening, 6 .... Lid body, 7 .... Handle, 7a ... U Shape, 7b ... Handle body, 7c ... Small hole, 8 ... Temperature detection means (thermistor, temperature sensor), 9 ... Control means, 10 ... Power switch, 11 ... Operation button, 12 ... Opening , 13 .. Tubular body, 14 .. Side wall, 15 .. Seal packing, 16 .. Spout, 17 .. Mounting chamber, 18 .. Operation part, 19. Body, 21 ... Cosmetic cover, 22 ... Projection, 23 ... Holding ring, 24 ... Electrical connector, 25 ... Bottom cover, 26 ... Electrical connector, MAX ... Rated water level line

Claims (1)

An electric kettle body that opens upward and has a heater at the bottom to store liquid, a lid that covers the opening of the electric kettle body, temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the liquid, and Control means for controlling the heater by a detection output, and notification means for notifying the boiling of the liquid,
When the control means starts heating by the heater and determines that the temperature detecting means has detected a predetermined temperature, the control means stops heating by the heater, and the notification means is turned on after a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating stop. By controlling, it informs the boiling of the liquid,
Furthermore, the time from the start of driving the heater to the temperature detecting means detecting a predetermined temperature is determined,
The electric kettle characterized in that the predetermined time is longer as the determined time from the start of driving of the heater to the time when the temperature detecting means detects the predetermined temperature is longer .

Images