JP3812502B2 - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric water heater provided with a plurality of containers such as a water heater and a water supply container.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been proposed an electric water heater equipped with a hot water container and a water supply container for containing water for automatically supplying water to the hot water container so that the hot water does not run out even when the amount of hot water consumed is large. According to such an electric water heater equipped with a plurality of containers, an example of supplying a small amount of water every time a small amount is used so as not to cause a hot water out when the water in the water heater container is reduced. For example, water supply is started when the amount of hot water in the water heater container is smaller than a predetermined amount of hot water by means of a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of hot water in the water heater container.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional configuration, when the amount of hot water falls below the predetermined amount of hot water, water is supplied immediately. Therefore, if the user falls below the predetermined amount of hot water while the user continuously discharges hot water, water supply is started. For this reason, the inconvenience that the hot water whose temperature fell is discharged.
[0004]
In addition, even if water supply is interrupted during hot water to prevent a drop in hot water temperature, for example, when pouring hot water into a plurality of cup noodles, Since the water is supplied between the first hot water and the next hot water, there is a disadvantage that hot water having a lowered temperature is similarly discharged.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to solve the conventional problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric water heater in which the hot water temperature is not lowered by water supply even when the hot water is intermittently discharged in a short time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the electric water heater of the present invention prohibits water supply by the water supply means for a predetermined time from the time when the amount of hot water in the hot water container is detected to be less than the amount of water to start water supply by the water amount detection means. It is what you do.
[0007]
As a result, when the hot water is intermittently discharged in a short time, even if it is detected that the amount of water is less than the amount of water to be started by the previous hot water supply, water is not supplied immediately, so the temperature of the hot water in the water heater container does not decrease, so If the hot water is within a predetermined time, hot water having the same temperature as the previous hot water can be used.
[0008]
Further, when there is an unlocking operation and a hot water operation for operating the hot water discharge means within a predetermined time, the predetermined time is extended.
[0009]
As a result, when the hot water is intermittently repeated for a short period of time, the water supply prohibition time is extended each time the hot water is discharged, so the probability of being supplied even if the hot water is intermittently repeated thereafter decreases. Hot water having the same temperature as the time can be used repeatedly, and it is possible to continuously prevent a decrease in the temperature of the hot water.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in claim 1 includes a water heater container for boiling and keeping hot water, heating means for heating the water heater container, water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the water heater container, and hot water in the water heater container. And a water supply container for containing water, and a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container to the water heating container, and the amount of hot water in the water heating container is kept by the water amount detection means. Water supply by the water supply means is prohibited for a predetermined time from the time when it is detected that the amount of water is less than the start amount of water, and there is an unlocking operation and a hot water operation for operating the hot water discharge means according to a user instruction within the predetermined time. and if, tested by an electric water heater which is adapted to extend the predetermined time is less than the amount of water to start the water supply by the last tapping when intermittently tapped in a short time Not the water supply immediately be. For this reason, the temperature of the hot water in the hot water container does not decrease, and therefore, if the subsequent hot water is within a predetermined time, hot water having the same temperature as that of the previous hot water can be used, and the lowering of the hot water temperature is prevented. Can do .
[0011]
In addition, when the hot water is intermittently repeated for a short period of time, the water supply prohibition time is extended each time the hot water is discharged. The hot water having the same temperature can be used repeatedly, and it is possible to continuously prevent the temperature of the hot water from decreasing.
[0012]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the water amount detecting means detects that the amount of hot water in the kettle container is less than the amount of water to stop heating by the heating means, the extension of the predetermined time is terminated and the water supply means is operated. By using the electric water heater according to claim 1, when it is detected that the hot water in the water heater is exhausted and water needs to be replenished, water supply is started immediately even during the extension of the predetermined time. Therefore, the next boiling can be performed immediately without waiting for an unnecessary time in a state where there is no remaining hot water.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 3 is the electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a water supply notice display means for displaying that the water supply is about to start during a predetermined time. Since the user can visually recognize it, there is no need to pay attention to the sudden start of automatic water supply. In addition, water is used in the water supply container in preparation for automatic water supply or when water is used up before the temperature drops. Pre-preparation, such as adding, becomes easier and easier to use.
[0014]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
Example 1
FIG. 1 shows an electric water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
[0016]
In the figure, 1 is a hot water container for boiling and holding the stored water, 2 is a heating means comprising a 925 W main heater and a 75 W heat retaining heater for heating the hot water container 1, and 3 is a hot water outlet 4 through a water pipe 4. A hot water discharge means that is a pump for discharging hot water in the hot water container 1, and 6 is a water amount detection means that detects the amount of water in the hot water container 1, and a plurality of infrared light emitting elements and light receiving elements attached facing the water pipe 4. It is comprised so that the liquid level of the water pipe 4 in which the liquid level is the same as that of the kettle 1 can be detected. 6a is a full water detection installed at a full water position, 6c is a water supply detection installed at a position where the heating means 2 is stopped in order to prevent emptying of the boiling water container 1, and 6b is installed at an intermediate position between the full water detection 6a and the water supply detection 6c. Intermediate detection, and the detection 6a, 6b, and 6c are used to detect three levels of water.
[0017]
7 is a water supply container for containing water for supplying water to the water heating container 1, 8 is a water supply means for pumping the water in the water supply container 7 through the water supply pipe 9 and supplying the water to the container 1, 10 is the hot water temperature in the water heating container 1 A temperature detecting means 11 for detecting the hot water, 11 is a hot water switch for operating the user to instruct hot water, and 12 is a lock release switch for allowing the hot water switch 11 to be accepted.
[0018]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. When the amount of water in the water heater 1 is less than the water supply detection 6c, the heating of the heating means 2 is stopped. The water supply means 8 automatically starts water supply when the amount of water in the kettle 1 is less than the full water detection 6a, and stops water supply when the amount of water exceeds the full water detection 6a. The heating means 2 starts heating when the amount of water exceeds the water supply detection 6c, and thereafter performs heating by the main heater until boiling is detected by the temperature detection means 10, and after the detection of boiling, heat is maintained by the heat retaining heater.
[0019]
Here, when the hot water discharge means 3 is operated, the hot water passes through the water pipe 4 and the hot water outlet 5, so that the amount of water detected by the water amount detection means 6 is always detected to be up to the full water detection 6 a. For this reason, it becomes a structure which cannot detect the amount of hot water of the kettle container 1 during tapping. In the operation during the heat retention, when the hot water is repeatedly discharged from the time when the water is full, the amount of hot water in the container 1 is decreased. However, if the amount of hot water is not less than the intermediate detection 6b, the water supply means 8 does not supply water. And by detecting that the amount of hot water is less than the intermediate detection 6b, the water supply operation by the water supply means 8 is started after 5 minutes from the time of detection. And if the full water detection 6a or more is detected, the water supply means 8 will be stopped.
[0020]
When water is supplied, the temperature of the hot water decreases, and when the temperature detecting means 10 detects a temperature drop of about 3 ° C. or more, heating is started by the heating means 2. Here, considering the situation in which the user performs a hot water discharge operation while keeping warm, first, assume that hot water is poured into a cup noodle when the amount of hot water is kept at the intermediate detection 6b or higher. At that time, the amount of hot water decreases, but it is assumed that there is still a hot water amount over the intermediate detection 6b. After pouring hot water into the first cup noodle, prepare the second cup noodle and then pour hot water again. At this time, it is assumed that the amount of hot water decreases and becomes less than the intermediate detection 6b. Here, if water supply is started immediately after detecting that there is less than the intermediate detection 6b, the hot water temperature decreases.
[0021]
In that case, at the point of pouring hot water into the third cup noodle, since the water supply has already started and the hot water temperature has dropped, the cup noodle cannot be cooked and it will be waited until the hot water is boiled. In consideration of such a use situation, in the present embodiment, since hot water supply is prohibited for a predetermined time after the amount of hot water is less than the intermediate detection 6b which is a reference point for water supply start, hot water is discharged intermittently in a short time. In this case, even if it is detected that the amount of water to be supplied is started by the previous hot water supply, water is not supplied immediately, so the temperature of the hot water in the hot water container does not decrease, so if the subsequent hot water is within the predetermined time, Hot water at the same temperature as the time can be used. Moreover, since the water is automatically supplied after a predetermined time has passed and the water is fully boiled, even if the user does not pay attention to the water supply, it is possible to automatically keep the heat at the full water.
[0022]
Next, the case where the user can arbitrarily change the predetermined time during which water supply is prohibited will be described. If the predetermined time can be changed, it is possible to create an environment that matches the amount of hot water discharged per user by each user. For example, it is not necessary to lengthen the predetermined time for a user who uses hot water only for making coffee, and it is necessary to lengthen the predetermined time for a user who frequently cooks large cup noodles.
[0023]
In this embodiment, a dedicated up / down switch (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the hot water switch 11 so that the predetermined time can be set from 1 minute to 10 minutes in 1 minute increments, and 10 to 30 minutes can be set in 5 minute increments. In this way, by changing the predetermined time according to the use situation of hot water that varies depending on the convenience of each user, the inconvenience of starting the hot water just before use is solved.
[0024]
(Example 2)
Next, an electric water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.
[0025]
The feature of the present embodiment is that when the user operates the lock release switch 12 or the hot water switch 11 within the predetermined time for prohibiting water supply in the first embodiment, the water supply prohibition time is further extended for a predetermined time from the operation point. By the way.
[0026]
The operation will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, heat insulation is started in step S1, and it is determined in step S2 whether or not the amount of hot water in the container 1 is less than the intermediate detection 6b. In the case of the intermediate detection 6b or more, the process returns to step S1 and the heat insulation is continued. When it is less than the intermediate detection 6b in step S2, a water supply prohibition timer is started in step S3. If the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S4, it is determined in step S5 whether or not the lock release switch 12 and the hot water switch 11 have been pressed. If not, the process waits for the predetermined time to elapse in step S4. If it is determined in step S5 that the lock release switch 12 and the hot water switch 11 have been pressed, the water supply prohibition timer is reset in step S6, and the water supply prohibition timer is started again in step S3. If the predetermined time has elapsed in step S4, the water supply prohibition timer is reset in step S7, and water supply is started in step S8.
[0027]
As described above, in this embodiment, water supply is prohibited for a predetermined time after the amount of hot water is reduced from the intermediate detection 6b, which is a reference for starting water supply. Therefore, when water is intermittently discharged in a short time, water supply is started by the previous hot water supply. Even if the amount of water is detected, water is not supplied immediately, so the temperature of the hot water in the kettle 1 is not lowered. Therefore, if the subsequent hot water is within a predetermined time, hot water having the same temperature as the previous hot water can be used. In addition, by operating the lock release switch 12 and the hot water switch 11 within a predetermined time, water supply is prohibited for a predetermined time from the time of operation. This eliminates the problem that water heating starts.
[0028]
Example 3
Next, an electric water heater in Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.
[0029]
The feature of the present embodiment is that step S9 is added during the operation of the embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. If the amount of hot water is greater than or equal to the water supply detection 6c in step S9, the process proceeds to step S4, and the passage of a predetermined time is continuously determined. If it is determined in step S9 that it is less than the water supply detection 6c, the process immediately proceeds to step S7 without waiting for the elapse of the predetermined time in step S4, the water supply prohibition timer is reset, and water supply is started in step S8.
[0030]
As described above, when the amount of hot water in the water heating vessel 1 is less than the amount of hot water for stopping the heating by the heating means 2, when the water amount detection means 6 detects it, the extension of the predetermined time is finished and the water supply means 3 is operated. As a result, when it is detected that water needs to be replenished, water supply is started immediately even when the predetermined time is extended, so the next time without waiting for an unnecessary amount of time without remaining hot water. Water heating can be performed immediately.
[0031]
Example 4
Next, an electric water heater in Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.
[0032]
A feature of the present embodiment is that a water supply notice display means 13 (FIGS. 1 and 3) including a light emitting LED or the like is provided. Simultaneously with the start of the water supply prohibition timer start process in step S3 of the third embodiment, the light emitting LED which is the water supply notice display means 13 arranged in the vicinity of the hot water switch 11 is turned on, and the light emission LED is turned on simultaneously with the water supply prohibition timer reset process in step S7. It is configured to turn off.
[0033]
As a result, since the light emitting LED can be turned on during a predetermined time during which water supply is prohibited, the user can visually recognize the timing of the water supply start. There is no need to pay, and it is easy to prepare in advance, such as using up hot water before the temperature drops, or adding water to the water supply container 7 in preparation for automatic water supply.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the electric water heater of the present invention prohibits water supply for a predetermined time even if it falls below the reference hot water amount at the start of water supply, thereby preventing a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the water heater container, and subsequent hot water discharge within a predetermined time. If there is, you can use hot water at the same temperature as the previous hot water.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a cross-sectional view of an electric water heater in Embodiments 1 to 4 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an electric water heater in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an electric water heater in Embodiments 3 and 4 of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water heater container 2 Heating means 3 Hot water means 6 Water quantity detection means 7 Water supply container 10 Temperature detection means 13 Water supply notice display means

Claims (3)

A water heating container for boiling and keeping hot water, a heating means for heating the water heating container, a water amount detecting means for detecting the amount of water in the water heating container, a tapping means for discharging hot water in the water heating container, and water A water supply container to be stored; and a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply container to the water heating container. The amount of hot water in the water heating container kept warm is detected to be less than the amount of water to start water supply by the water amount detection means. predetermined time from the time prohibits the water supply by the water supply means, when the lock release operation and tapping operation for operating the tapping means by the instruction of the user within the predetermined time period had, extending the predetermined time as to the electric water heater. The electric water heater according to claim 1 , wherein when the water amount detecting means detects that the amount of hot water in the water heater is smaller than the amount of water to stop heating by the heating means, the extension of the predetermined time is terminated and the water supply means is operated. The electric water heater according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising water supply notice display means for displaying that the water supply is about to start during a predetermined time.

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