JP3168982B2 - Liquid level indicator for liquid container - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid level display device for a liquid container for storing an electric pot or other various liquids.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an electric pot, a transparent liquid amount indicating pipe connected to a container so as to have the same liquid level as the container is provided.
2. Description of the Related Art It has long been practiced to display the liquid amount to the outside so that the liquid amount can be visually recognized from the outside through a window provided on the outer surface of the container for displaying the liquid amount. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, each liquid amount display on the liquid amount display surface b is performed by lamps c1 to c6 for displaying the liquid amount arranged inside the liquid amount display surface b provided on the outer surface of the container a and the lid. In some cases, the parts b1 to b6 are individually illuminated, and the liquid amount is externally displayed by a difference in the illuminated position or a difference in the number.

[0003]

However, in any of the above-mentioned conventional liquid amount display methods, it is often difficult to see the liquid amount display depending on the viewing angle or the brightness of external light. These are considered to be due to the fact that differences in brightness and brightness are reduced by the influence of external light.

An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-read liquid amount display device in which the difference in brightness and brightness in a liquid container can be clearly recognized.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid amount display device for a liquid container according to the present invention comprises: a transparent window provided on an outer surface of a container for storing liquid for displaying a liquid amount; A plurality of independently arranged transparent liquid amount display portions and a scale display of the liquid amount corresponding to these liquid amount display portions are arranged so as to display the liquid amount by the difference in the position and number of each illuminated, A liquid amount display surface located at a predetermined distance inside the transparent window and surrounded by a peripheral wall around the transparent window, and individually opposed to the back of each liquid amount display portion of the liquid amount display surface. And a plurality of lamps for illuminating the opposed liquid amount display sections, and the lamps are positioned at the back of the liquid amount display section, from the narrow bottom, facing the opposed liquid amount display section, and the lamps. Liquid amount table that individually guides light from And extended guide holes toward the parts, further comprising a as main features.

Conventionally, in each liquid amount display unit, the illumination state is blurred due to the influence of reflected light depending on the viewing direction on the outer surface of the liquid amount display surface, the insufficient light amount of the LED lamp, etc. The display of the difference between the presence and absence of illumination is weaker than the scale display, and it was difficult to see, but as described above, such a liquid amount display surface was separated by a predetermined distance inside the transparent window provided on the outer surface of the outer case. And the surrounding area between the transparent window and the transparent window is surrounded by the outer wall, so that the liquid level display surface is located in a closed space slightly deep inside the transparent window, making it difficult for external light to reach and restricting the incidence from the front. As much as the light is directed toward the inside of the inner guide hole and made harder to the outside, the presence or absence of an independent lighting state of each adjacent liquid amount display unit can be clearly seen through the transparent window, Incident from the front, not transparent Since simultaneously clearly visible through the liquid amount of the scale display also transparent window provided in the easy parts directs the transparent window by reflecting light, easy to see, and has high commercial value. In addition, the guide hole extends from the narrow bottom to each liquid amount display section and extends toward the liquid amount display section so as to individually guide light from the lamp to the opposing liquid amount display section. Since even the weak light of the LED lamp can be guided to the required individual illumination range without waste, the individual illumination at each liquid level display section can be strengthened, so that the illumination at each adjacent liquid level display section can be enhanced. The difference in presence or absence can be more clearly recognized, making it easier to see.

The liquid amount display device for a liquid container according to the present invention further comprises a window plate having a transparent window for displaying the liquid amount provided on the outer surface of the container for storing the liquid, a position at which each is illuminated, In addition to having a plurality of mutually independent transparent liquid amount display portions and a scale display of the liquid amount corresponding to these liquid amount display portions arranged so as to display the liquid amount by a difference in number, a predetermined amount is provided inside the transparent window. A display box having a liquid amount display surface which is positioned at a distance and is surrounded by a peripheral wall around the transparent window, and which is individually opposed to the back of each liquid amount display portion of the liquid amount display surface. A circuit board on which a plurality of lamps for illuminating the opposed liquid amount display unit are mounted, and the lamp is positioned from the narrow bottom located at the back of the liquid amount display unit so as to face the opposed liquid amount display unit. Separate the light from the lamp to the opposing liquid level display An illumination box having a guide hole extended toward the liquid amount display unit to be guided, and the window plate is fitted with the display box from the outside to the window opening of the outer case, and between the window plate and the display box. Another feature is that the edge of the window opening is sandwiched and fixed, and the illumination box is sandwiched between the display box and a circuit board fitted inside the display box.

In such a configuration, as in the invention having the main feature, the liquid amount display surface having the transparent liquid amount display portions is positioned deeper than the transparent window, and the respective liquid amount display portions are disposed. The guide hole guides the light from the lamp, which is individually illuminated from the inside, to the liquid volume display from the bottom to the liquid volume display. According to another aspect of the present invention, the transparent window, the liquid amount display surface having each liquid amount display unit, the guide hole, and the lamp are provided so as to be clearly recognized as described above. The window board, the display box, the lighting box, and the circuit board make it possible to easily satisfy the required functions independently of each other, and the fitting of the window board and the display box is used to fix it to the outer case and display the circuit board. By mounting inside the box Since so readily assembled by sandwiching between the display box and the circuit board bright box, easily and inexpensive to implement, solution amount indicator means,
Each liquid volume display section of the liquid volume display surface is illuminated by each lamp inside, and the liquid volume can be displayed according to the difference in the illuminated position and number, especially the display of this liquid volume is provided on the outer surface of the body The measurement is performed from the inside of the transparent window for displaying the liquid amount, and the liquid amount display surface of the liquid amount display means for displaying the liquid amount is a predetermined distance inward from the transparent window for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the body. The liquid level indicator corresponding to the liquid level in this dim background is illuminated from the inside by the lamp, and the liquid that is not illuminated The difference between the lightness and the darkness of the liquid amount display section is increased, so that the liquid amount display is easy to see.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 is an example of a case where the liquid amount of an electric pot is displayed, and the result of measuring the liquid amount of the content liquid is displayed as a lamp. 6 to FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electric pot of the first embodiment accommodates an inner case 2 made of a metal such as stainless steel in an outer case 1 made of a synthetic resin. At the same time as connecting the outer case 1 with the shoulder member 3 to form the container 4, an opening 5 at the upper end of the container 4 communicating with the inner container 2 is formed.
Is formed. The opening 5 of the container 4 is provided with a lid 6 hinged so as to be openable and closable at a rear portion thereof, and when closed, the lock member 8 operated by the spring 7 elastically engages with the locking portion 109 of a part of the shoulder member 3. Engaged and automatically locked in the closed state. The lock by the lock member 8 can be released by operating the lever 9a of the lock release cam 9, and the lid 6 can be opened by pulling up the lever 9a following the release.

A heater 11 is applied to the bottom of the inner container 2 so as to heat the content liquid stored in the inner container 2 so as to perform water heating and heat retention. However, various operation modes such as a descaling mode for maintaining boiling are provided. A content liquid discharge passage 12 is connected to the bottom of the inner container 2 and rises between the inner container 2 and the outer case 1 to bend downward in a beak-shaped protruding portion 13 formed by the shoulder member 3 and protruding forward. The opening 1 at the bottom of the projection 13
The contents liquid is discharged to the outside at the front front position of the container 4 through 4. The discharge of the content liquid is performed by the operation of a pumping type electric pump 15 provided at a position lower than the bottom of the inner container 2 in the middle of the content liquid discharge path 12. Needless to say, the content liquid can be pressurized by a manual pump or an electric pump and discharged through the content liquid discharge passage 12.

In the lid 6, a steam passage 16 for releasing the steam generated in the inner container 2 to the outside, and a not-shown water stop at the time of tipping which prevents the contents liquid from flowing out through the steam passage 16 when the container 4 falls. A valve is provided. A metal inner lid 17 is provided on the innermost surface of the lid 6, and the inner lid 17 closes the opening 18 at the upper end of the inner container 2 with a seal packing 19 interposed therebetween with good security.

An operation panel 21 for performing various operation modes and discharge operations is provided on the upper surface of the projecting portion 13 of the shoulder member 3. An overturning stop valve 22 is provided to prevent the content liquid from flowing out through the liquid pouring path 12. A bottom cover 34 is attached to the opening 23 at the bottom of the outer case 1 from below, and a rotary seat 35 is sandwiched between the bottom of the outer case 1 and the bottom cover 34 so that the container 4 can be rotated. Support. Below the bottom of the inner container 2, there is provided a circuit box 36 integrally formed or attached to a member forming the bottom of the container 4, such as the outer case 1 and the bottom cover 34, and an electronic circuit for controlling various operations. The substrate 37 is housed. A temperature sensor 38 is applied to the bottom of the inner container 2 to provide temperature information for operation control by the electronic circuit board 37.

The rising portion of the content liquid discharge passage 12 is
, More specifically, the same liquid level as the liquid stored in the inner container 2, so this is used as a liquid amount detecting pipe 12a, and there are six photocouplers 41a around which a predetermined liquid level is detected.
To 41f are provided.
The detected liquid level is displayed on a transparent window 42 provided at the front of the container 4 for displaying the liquid amount. As shown in FIG.
The level is shown at the bottom.
3L 1/2 liquid level, the top is the full liquid level,
Lamps 42a-42f, specifically LEDs 42a-42
Indicated by f.

However, it is preferable to electrically detect the liquid amount for such liquid amount display, and there are other methods such as a capacitance type and an electrode type.

In the first embodiment, in particular, in addition to the transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount, inside the transparent window 42, the liquid amount display portions 51a to 51f of the liquid amount display surface 51 are further arranged. Each of the lamps 42 for indicating the liquid amount located inside
A liquid amount display means 52 illuminated by a to 42f is provided. The liquid amount display surface 51 of the liquid amount display means 52 is located at a predetermined distance X shown in FIG. 3 from the transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount.

Accordingly, the liquid amount display means 52 illuminates the liquid amount display portions 51a to 51f of the liquid amount display surface 51 with the respective lamps 42a to 42f inside the liquid amount display portions 51a to 51f so that the difference in the illuminated position and the number of the illuminated positions. The liquid amount can be displayed by the In particular, the display of the liquid amount is performed from the inside of the transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount provided on the outer surface of the container 4, and the liquid amount display surface 51 of the liquid amount display means 52 for displaying the liquid amount is provided. The inside of the transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the body 4 is separated by a predetermined distance X from the transparent window 42, so that it is hardly affected by external light and becomes dim. 51a-51f
Of the lamps 42a-
Since the light is illuminated by the corresponding object of 42f, the difference in brightness from the liquid amount display unit which is not illuminated becomes large.
The liquid level display becomes easy to see.

Each of the liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f includes, for example, a frame 411a printed on a transparent sheet 411 bonded to the liquid amount display surface 51 as shown in one embodiment in FIG.
As independent transparent windows. This prevents the illumination by the lamps 42a to 42f from affecting each other between the adjacent liquid amount display units, and allows the liquid amount display units 51a to 51f to be connected to each other.
Since the illumination range of 1f is clearly divided, the difference in the number of illumination positions becomes clear and the liquid amount display becomes easy to see. On the transparent sheet 41, a print 411b that makes portions other than the liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f opaque, and a scale display 4 for the liquid amount.
11c is added to the frame 411a.

The liquid amount display means 52 includes lamps 42a-42.
Guide holes 55a to 55f are provided for individually guiding light from f to the liquid amount display portions 51a to 51f. This allows
In order to clarify the division of the illumination range of each of the liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f, the liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f are displayed from a lamp.
Since the illumination light reaching 51f is prevented from affecting each other and all the light can reach the corresponding liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f, each liquid amount display section 51a
The classification of the illumination of ~ 51f is achieved in a brighter illumination state, and the display state of the liquid amount is more easily seen.

The guide holes 55a to 55f are provided on the liquid amount display surface 51.
, The illumination range by each of the lamps 42a to 42f can be enlarged to display the liquid amount, and the visibility can be further improved, and the illumination becomes particularly dark under the high illumination efficiency. There is no such problem, which is more preferable.

The liquid level display surface 51 and the transparent window 42 on the outer surface of the container 4
A peripheral wall 56 surrounding the periphery of the liquid amount display surface 51 is formed around the periphery of the liquid amount display surface 51, and a light-shielding peripheral wall 56 is integrally formed around the liquid amount display surface 51. Thereby, the transparent window 4 for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the container 4 is displayed on the liquid amount display surface 51 of the liquid amount display means 52.
External light is prevented from entering from portions other than the portion 2, and the influence of the external light can be further suppressed, so that the liquid amount display can be more easily viewed. The peripheral wall 56 serves as a spacer for providing the distance X between the liquid amount display surface 51 and the transparent window 42, and can be easily and reliably prevented from being separated during assembly.

The transparent window 42 has a vertically long window opening 61 formed in the front part of the outer case 1 and a window plate 6 made of a transparent resin material.
2 is applied from the outer surface, and an engaging hook 62a integrally formed inward is elastically engaged with the rim of the window opening 61 to prevent the hook from coming off, and the transparent sheet 60 is attached to the surface.
Are formed by applying a print 60a to make the surroundings opaque. However, the window opening 6 of the outer case 1
It is also possible to make a configuration simply by applying a transparent plate to 1. The window plate 62 has a box-shaped peripheral wall 62a integrally formed on the rear surface thereof fitted into the window opening 61, and a liquid amount display means 52 fitted into the display box 71 having the display surface 51 from the inside, thereby forming a side surface. By stopping the engagement by the elastic engagement between the engagement claw 74 and the engagement hole 75, the edge of the window opening 61 is positioned between the window plate 62 and the liquid amount display means 52 in FIG.
It is fixed in a state of being sandwiched as shown in FIG.

The liquid amount display means 52 is shown in FIG.
(B), as shown in FIG. 6, a display box 71 which is a necessary member, an illumination box 72 built therein, and a lamp 42a attached to the inside thereof by a fitting engagement claw 82.
To 42f and a circuit board 81 on which a control circuit for driving the same is mounted as a single unit. The illumination box 72 has the guide holes 55a to 55f tapered up and down.
Gluing or screwing on the inside of the liquid amount display surface 51 of
Or it is attached by force fit or elastic engagement,
The lamps 42a to 42f mounted on the circuit board 81 are received in the guide holes 55a to 55f, and the illumination is performed. According to the unitization of the liquid amount display means 52, the liquid amount display means 52 is treated as one pre-assembled part, and is provided with a transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the body 4 in a predetermined positional relationship. In the embodiment, it is only necessary to maintain the unique positional relationship with the window plate 62, and the assembly is easy.

When the transparent window 42 for displaying the liquid amount and the transparent windows of the liquid amount display sections 51a to 51f are formed of a transparent sheet as described above, it is easy to perform printing, and only an appropriate opaque portion is formed. It is possible to easily form transparent windows of the required shape, size and number, easily display scales and other necessary displays, and simply attach a transparent sheet so as to cover the window holes of the base material. However, even if there are many, it can be easily formed with one transparent sheet, and the laminated transparent sheet is also preferable because it simultaneously serves as a seal for closing the window hole in a watertight state.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the transparent liquid amount connected to the container 4 so as to have the same liquid level as that of the container 4 to be stored. The display pipe 91 is made visible from the outside through a window 142 for displaying a liquid amount provided on the outer surface of the container 4.
A light-collecting sheet 92 is provided so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the container 4 on both sides of the light-collecting sheet 42.
On the inner surface of the portion facing the back of the camera, there is provided a diffuse reflection portion 93 formed by applying a white paint or the like.

According to this, the liquid level indicating pipe 91 is transparent and has the same liquid level as the container 4, so that the liquid level can be visually recognized from the outside through the window 142 for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the container 4. The liquid level is displayed.
Are exposed on both sides of the window 142 for displaying the liquid amount on the outer surface of the body 4, and guide the external light 94 received there to the back of the liquid amount display pipe 91. The liquid level display pipe 91 is illuminated from the back by being diffusely reflected by the diffuse reflection portion 93 provided on the inner surface of the liquid level display pipe. Above the liquid level 101, only the irregular reflection portion 93 shines in the narrow band 101b, so that the liquid storage range or the liquid level 101 can be easily viewed using external light.

The liquid amount indicating pipe 91 may be the rising portion of the content liquid discharging passage of the first embodiment, or may be provided separately for the liquid amount indicating. Also, window 1
42 is covered with a transparent cover 102,
Even without this, the light-collecting sheet 92 blocks the window 142,
The entry of garbage and water can be prevented.

[0029]

According to the main features of the liquid amount display device for a liquid container according to the present invention, conventionally, in each liquid amount display section, the influence of reflected light depending on the viewing direction on the outer surface of the liquid amount display surface and the LED lamp are used. The illumination state is blurred due to insufficient light quantity, etc., and the display of the difference between the presence and absence of illumination between adjacent independent liquid amount display sections is weaker than the scale display, and it is difficult to see, but such a liquid amount display surface is difficult to see. As shown in the figure, the liquid amount display surface is located inside the transparent window provided on the outer surface of the outer case at a predetermined distance, and the area between the transparent window and the transparent window is surrounded by a peripheral wall. The adjacent liquid volume display sections are located in a position that makes it difficult for external light to reach, and restricts external light from entering from the front. The presence of independent lighting conditions through the transparent window The scale display of the liquid amount provided in the part that is not transparent and reflects the external light that enters from the front and is easy to go to the transparent window can also be clearly seen through the transparent window at the same time, so it is easy to see, It has high commercial value. In addition, the guide hole extends from the narrow bottom to each liquid amount display section and extends toward the liquid amount display section so as to individually guide light from the lamp to the opposing liquid amount display section. Since even the weak light of the LED lamp can be guided to the required individual illumination range without waste, the individual illumination at each liquid level display section can be strengthened, so that the illumination at each adjacent liquid level display section can be enhanced. The difference in presence or absence can be more clearly recognized, making it easier to see.

According to another feature of the liquid level display device for a liquid container of the present invention, as in the main feature of the invention, the liquid level display surface having transparent liquid level display portions is larger than the transparent window. Guide holes that are located deep inside and guide the light from the lamps that individually illuminate each liquid amount display unit from the inside toward the liquid amount display unit from the bottom toward the liquid amount display unit, and adjacent to each other, According to another aspect of the present invention, a transparent window and each liquid amount display unit are provided so that the difference in the presence or absence of illumination of the liquid amount display unit can be clearly recognized through the transparent window as described above. The liquid level display surface, guide holes, and lamps can be easily fitted independently of each other by the window plate, display box, lighting box, and circuit board. Use the outer case to fix Since the lighting box is sandwiched between the display box and the circuit board to be easily assembled by being mounted inside the box, the lighting box can be easily and inexpensively realized. The liquid level indicator is illuminated by each lamp inside, and the liquid level can be displayed according to the illuminated position and the number of lamps.In particular, this liquid level display indicates the liquid level provided on the outer surface of the body It is performed from the inside of the transparent window that displays the liquid amount. The liquid amount display surface of the liquid amount display means for displaying the liquid amount is a predetermined distance inward from the transparent window that displays the liquid amount on the outer surface of the body. However, the liquid amount display portion corresponding to the liquid amount is illuminated from the inside by the lamp in the dim background because it is less susceptible to the influence of external light, so that it is brighter and darker than the non-illuminated liquid amount display portion. The difference between Display is easy to see.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention in which a part of an electric pot is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a front view in which a part of the electric pot of FIG. 1 is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a liquid amount display section of the electric pot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a liquid amount display section of FIG. 3;

5A and 5B show the appearance of the liquid amount display section in FIG. 3; FIG. 5A is a side view and FIG. 5B is a top view.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid amount display section of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electric pot according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid amount display section of the electric pot of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional liquid amount display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Container body 411, 60 Transparent sheet 42 Transparent window 42a to 42f for displaying liquid amount Lamp 51 Liquid amount display surface 51a to 51f Liquid amount display section 52 Liquid amount display means 411a Frame 55a to 55f Guide hole 56 Perimeter wall 71 Display Box 72 Lighting box 81 Circuit board 91 Liquid level display pipe 92 Condenser sheet 142 Window

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (56) References JP-A-9-168641 (JP, A) JP-A-3-3931 (JP, U) JP-A-58-106983 (JP, U) JP-A-4-106 136778 (JP, U) Fully open 1979-201585 (JP, U) Fully open 57-17180 (JP, U) Fully open 1986-61934 (JP, U) Fully open, 2-55830 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47J 27/21 101 A47J 41/00 302

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transparent window provided on an outer surface of a container for storing a liquid for displaying a liquid amount, and a plurality of independent windows arranged so as to display the liquid amount according to a difference in the illuminated position and number. A transparent liquid amount display portion and a scale display of the liquid amount corresponding to these liquid amount display portions, and are positioned at a predetermined distance inside the transparent window and are surrounded by a peripheral wall around the transparent window. A liquid amount display surface, a plurality of lamps individually positioned opposite to the back of each liquid amount display unit on the liquid amount display surface, and illuminating the opposed liquid amount display unit; and a plurality of lamps positioned at the back of the liquid amount display unit. A guide hole extending toward a liquid amount display portion that guides the lamp from the narrow bottom to the side of the liquid amount display portion facing the lamp and individually guides light from the lamp to the opposed liquid amount display portion. A liquid amount display device for a liquid container, comprising: 2. A window plate having a transparent window for displaying a liquid amount provided on an outer surface of a container for storing a liquid, and a plurality of window plates for displaying the liquid amount according to a difference in the illuminated position and number. It has a transparent liquid amount display portion arranged side by side and a scale display of the liquid amount corresponding to these liquid amount display portions, and is located at a predetermined distance inside the transparent window and has a circumference between the transparent window and the transparent window. A display box having a liquid amount display surface surrounded by a peripheral wall, and a plurality of lamps positioned individually opposite to the back of each liquid amount display portion of the liquid amount display surface to illuminate the opposed liquid amount display portion. A lamp mounted on the circuit board, and the lamp is positioned at the back of the liquid amount display section so that the lamp faces the opposite liquid amount display section from the narrow bottom, and the light from the lamp is opposed to the liquid amount display section. Guide hole extended toward the liquid level display that leads individually to With a lighting box that has
The window plate is fitted with the display box from the outside into the window opening of the outer case, and the edge of the window opening is fixed between the window plate and the display box, and the display box and the inside of the display box are fixed. A liquid level display device for a liquid container, wherein the lighting box is sandwiched between a circuit board and an insulator.