Method and device for estimating temperature of contents in electric kettle

Abstract

To quickly and accurately estimate the heating temperature of water and other contents contained in an electric pot, which changes from moment to moment, by using the temperature of a heater without directly measuring the temperature of the contents. [Solution] A device that receives power from the power supply coil 13 of a power supply stand 27 without contact via the power receiving coil 14 of an electric kettle 28 and heats the contents 36 with the built-in heater 18, and comprises a power supply circuit 19 that supplies power to the heater 18, a temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the heater 18, a control unit 20 that controls the supply of electricity to the heater 18, a temperature memory unit 25 that stores the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 22 via the control unit 20, a temperature estimation coefficient memory unit 29 that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle 28, and a temperature estimation unit 26 that estimates the temperature of the contents 36 based on the data in the temperature memory unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle, which accurately estimates the heating temperature of the contents based on a temperature sensor of a heater built into the electric kettle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electric kettle as shown in FIG. 7 is known (Patent Document 1). 7, a ring-shaped heater 52 is provided on the outer bottom of a container 51 as heating means, and a temperature sensor (thermistor) 53 is attached to the center of the heater 52 so as to be in pressure contact with the container 51, and the temperature of the water in the container 51 is indirectly detected by temperature detection means 54 which includes the temperature sensor 53. When electricity is applied to the heater 52 to start heating, temperature gradient detection means 55 detects the temperature gradient from the output of the temperature detection means 54, and stores the value in first memory means 56 under specified conditions.

[0003] Then, gradient comparison means 57 compares the value stored in the first storage means 56 with the output of the temperature gradient detection means 55, and outputs when the ratio becomes equal to or less than a predetermined ratio. On the other hand, temperature comparison means 58 compares the output of the temperature detection means 54 with a value stored in a non-volatile second storage means 59, and outputs when the output of the temperature detection means 54 becomes equal to or greater than the stored value. Then, when either the output of the gradient comparison means 57 or the output of the temperature comparison means 58 is obtained, boiling detection means 60 detects boiling and stops the supply of electricity to the heater 52, and stores the output of the temperature detection means 54 at this time in the second storage means 59. It is stated that: [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-191925. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The invention described in Patent Document 1 aims to provide an electric kettle that detects boiling, and has a ring-shaped heater 52 as heating means provided on the outer bottom of a container 51, and a temperature-sensing element (thermistor) 53 attached to the center of the heater so as to be in pressure contact with the container 51, so that the temperature detected is the outer bottom of the container 51. Therefore, since the actual temperature characteristics of the water in the container 51 differ depending on the thermal resistance of the container, the material of the container, the heat retention capacity of the container, the capacity of the container, etc., the actual temperature of the water had to be detected indirectly by temperature detection means 54. In addition, when electricity is applied to the heater 52 to start heating, the temperature gradient detection means 55 detects the temperature gradient from the output of the temperature detection means 54, so the actual temperature of the water takes time to be detected and the temperature cannot be detected quickly.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a method and device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle, which makes it possible to quickly and accurately estimate the temperature of water and other contents that changes from moment to moment while they are being heated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention comprises: The device is provided with a power supply stand 27 incorporating a power supply coil 13 and an electric pot 28 incorporating a power receiving coil 14 that receives power from the power supply coil 13 in a non-contact manner, and heats the contents 36 contained therein with a heater 18 provided in the electric pot 28. Prepared , A power supply circuit 19 for supplying power to the heater 18; A temperature sensor 22 for detecting the temperature of the heater 18; A control unit 20 coupled to the power supply circuit 19 and controlling the supply of electricity to the heater 18; a temperature storage unit 25 coupled to the control unit 20 and storing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 via the control unit 20; a temperature estimation coefficient storage unit 29 for storing a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric pot 28; a temperature estimation unit 26 that estimates the temperature of the contents 36 based on the data of the temperature memory unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; The present invention is characterized in that it is provided with:

[0008] The temperature estimation coefficient Ce is a temperature stored in the temperature memory unit 25 when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater 18 by controlling the power supply circuit 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20, the pulse voltage being turned on between T11 and T21 and turned off between T21 and T31, the temperature at T21 being To1, the temperature at T31 being Tn1, and the temperature of the contents 36 actually measured by a temperature sensor other than the temperature sensor 22 being Te1. Next It is characterized in that it is determined by calculating an equation. Ce = (To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1)

[0009] The estimated temperature Te of the contents 36 is The temperature is stored in the temperature memory unit 25 when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater 18 by controlling the power supply circuit 19 according to a command from the control unit 20, and the pulse voltage is turned on between T1 and T2 and turned off between T2 and T3. When the temperature at T2 is To and the temperature at T3 is Tn, the estimated temperature Te of the contents 36 is calculated by the temperature estimation unit 26 using the following formula. Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce

[0010] The temperature estimation unit 26 is characterized by comprising a first subtraction circuit 30 which subtracts Tn from the output To of the temperature memory unit 25, a division circuit 31 which divides the calculation output (To-Tn) of the first subtraction circuit 30 by the temperature estimation coefficient Ce to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce, and a second subtraction circuit 32 which subtracts the output (To-Tn) / Ce of the division circuit 31 from the output To of the temperature memory unit 25 to calculate the estimated temperature Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce of the contents 36.

[0011] The device further includes a gyro sensor 21 that is provided at approximately the center of rotation of the electric kettle 28 and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle 28, and this gyro sensor 21 is connected to the control unit 20. The temperature set by the output of the gyro sensor 21 is stored in the temperature setting unit 24, and the control unit 20 controls the power supply of the power supply circuit 19 to make the temperature of the contents 36 coincide with the temperature set in the temperature setting unit 24.

[0012] The electric kettle 28 further includes a gyro sensor 21, which is provided at approximately the center of rotation of the electric kettle 28 and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle 28, the gyro sensor 21 is connected to the control unit 20, the temperature set by the output of the gyro sensor 21 is stored in the temperature setting unit 24, the control unit 20 controls the power supply of the power supply circuit 19 to make the temperature of the contents 36 coincide with the temperature set in the temperature setting unit 24, a vibration motor 43 is provided inside the electric kettle 28, the vibration motor 43 is connected to the control unit 20 and set by the gyro sensor 21, and when the temperature stored in the temperature setting unit 24 reaches a predetermined value, the vibration motor 43 is driven by a signal from the control unit 20 to vibrate the electric kettle 28 to notify the user.

[0013] The method for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention includes the steps of: a power supply stand 27 incorporating a power supply coil 13 and an electric kettle 28 incorporating a power receiving coil 14 that receives power from the power supply coil 13 in a non-contact manner, and heating contents 36 contained in the electric kettle 28 with a heater 18 provided in the electric kettle 28, the device comprising: a power supply circuit 19 that supplies power to the heater 18; a temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the heater 18; a control unit 20 that is connected to the power supply circuit 19 and controls the supply of electricity to the heater 18; a temperature memory unit 25 that is connected to the control unit 20 and stores the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 22 via the control unit 20; a temperature estimation coefficient memory unit 29 that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle 28; and a temperature estimation unit 26 that estimates the temperature of the contents 36 based on data from the temperature memory unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; a step of controlling the power supply circuit 19 according to a command from the control unit 20 to apply a pulse voltage to the heater 18, the pulse voltage being turned on during T11-T21 and turned off during T21-T31; A step of obtaining a temperature To1 at the time T21 and a temperature Tn1 at the time T31 by the temperature sensor 22; A step of determining a temperature Te1 of the contents 36 at time T31 measured by a temperature sensor other than the temperature sensor 22; A step of calculating the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric pot 28 by Ce=(To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1); a step of controlling the power supply circuit 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20 to apply to the heater 18 a pulse voltage that is turned on during T1-T2 and turned off during T2-T3; storing the temperature To at time T2 and the temperature Tn at time T3 measured by the temperature sensor 22 in the temperature memory unit 25; A step of calculating a temperature Te of the contents 36 based on the preset temperature estimation coefficient Ce, the To and the Tn by a calculation of Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce. The present invention is characterized in that it comprises: Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 1, The device is provided with a power supply stand having a built-in power supply coil and an electric pot having a built-in power receiving coil that receives power from the power supply coil in a non-contact manner, and heats the contents stored in the electric pot with a heater provided in the electric pot. Prepared , a power supply circuit for supplying power to the heater; A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater; A control unit coupled to the power supply circuit and controlling the supply of electricity to the heater; a temperature storage unit coupled to the control unit and configured to store the temperature detected by the temperature sensor via the control unit; a temperature estimation coefficient storage unit that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric pot; a temperature estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the content based on the data in the temperature storage unit and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; Since the electric kettle is equipped with a temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric kettle, it is possible to accurately and quickly estimate the temperature of the contents from the measurement value of the temperature sensor that measures the heater temperature, without using a temperature sensor that directly measures the temperature of the contents.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 2, The temperature estimation coefficient Ce is a temperature stored in the temperature memory unit when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater by controlling the power supply circuit according to a command from the control unit, the pulse voltage being turned on between T11 and T21 and turned off between T21 and T31, the temperature at T21 being To1, the temperature at T31 being Tn1, and the temperature of the contents actually measured by a temperature sensor different from the temperature sensor at T31 being Te1. tree, Ce = (To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1) Since the above calculation is performed, the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric kettle can be easily obtained.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 3, The temperature is stored in the temperature memory unit when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater by controlling the power supply circuit according to a command from the control unit, and the pulse voltage is turned on between T1 and T2 and turned off between T2 and T3. When the temperature at T2 is To and the temperature at T3 is Tn, the estimated temperature Te of the contents is calculated by the temperature estimation unit. Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce can be calculated easily and accurately.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 4, The temperature estimation unit comprises a first subtraction circuit which subtracts Tn from the output To of the temperature memory unit, a division circuit which divides the calculation output (To-Tn) of the first subtraction circuit by the temperature estimation coefficient Ce to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce, and a second subtraction circuit which subtracts the output (To-Tn) / Ce of the division circuit from the output To of the temperature memory unit to calculate the estimated temperature Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce of the contents, so that the temperature estimation unit can be constructed from a simple subtraction circuit and division circuit.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 5, The electric kettle further includes a gyro sensor that is provided approximately at the center of rotation of the electric kettle and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle. This gyro sensor is connected to the control unit. The temperature set by the output of the gyro sensor is stored in the temperature setting unit. The control unit controls the power supply of the power supply circuit so that the temperature of the contents coincides with the temperature set in the temperature setting unit. Therefore, the set temperature can be set by the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 6, The electric kettle further includes a gyro sensor that is provided approximately at the center of rotation of the electric kettle and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle, and this gyro sensor is connected to the control unit. The temperature set by the output of the gyro sensor is stored in the temperature setting unit. The control unit controls the power supply of the power supply circuit to make the temperature of the contents match the temperature set in the temperature setting unit. A vibration motor is provided inside the electric kettle and connected to the control unit. When the temperature set by the gyro sensor reaches a predetermined value, the vibration motor is driven by a signal from the control unit to vibrate the electric kettle to notify the user, so that the set temperature can be felt by touch.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 7, The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating contents stored in an electric kettle, the apparatus comprising: a power supply stand having a built-in power supply coil; and an electric kettle having a built-in power receiving coil that receives power from the power supply coil in a non-contact manner, the apparatus comprising: a power supply circuit that supplies power to the heater; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater; a control unit that is connected to the power supply circuit and controls the supply of power to the heater; a temperature memory unit that is connected to the control unit and stores the temperature detected by the temperature sensor via the control unit; a temperature estimation coefficient memory unit that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle; and a temperature estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the contents based on data in the temperature memory unit and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce, a step of controlling the power supply circuit in response to a command from the control unit to apply a pulse voltage to the heater, the pulse voltage being turned on during T11-T21 and turned off during T21-T31; determining a temperature To1 at time T21 and a temperature Tn1 at time T31 by the temperature sensor; A step of determining a temperature Te1 of the contents measured by a temperature sensor different from the temperature sensor at the time T31; A step of calculating the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric pot by Ce=(To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1); a step of controlling the power supply circuit in response to a command from the control unit to apply a pulse voltage to the heater, the pulse voltage being turned on during T1-T2 and turned off during T2-T3; storing the temperature To at time T2 and the temperature Tn at time T3 measured by the temperature sensor in the temperature storage unit; A step of calculating a temperature Te of the contents based on the preset temperature estimation coefficient Ce, the To and the Tn by a calculation of Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce. Therefore, the temperature of the contents can be estimated according to the specific characteristics of the electric kettle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a method and device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is an electric circuit diagram showing a first embodiment of a method and device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a temperature estimation unit 26 in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a flow chart of a method and device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention and a liquid temperature estimation method using the device; [Figure 6] 4 is a waveform diagram showing a method for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention and an operation waveform diagram of the device for the method. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional electric kettle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention comprises: The device is provided with a power supply stand 27 incorporating a power supply coil 13 and an electric pot 28 incorporating a power receiving coil 14 that receives power from the power supply coil 13 in a non-contact manner, and heats the contents 36 contained therein with a heater 18 provided in the electric pot 28. Prepared , A power supply circuit 19 for supplying power to the heater 18; A temperature sensor 22 for detecting the temperature of the heater 18; A control unit 20 coupled to the power supply circuit 19 and controlling the supply of electricity to the heater 18; a temperature storage unit 25 coupled to the control unit 20 and storing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22 via the control unit 20; a temperature estimation coefficient storage unit 29 for storing a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric pot 28; a temperature estimation unit 26 that estimates the temperature of the contents 36 based on the data of the temperature memory unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; It consists of:

[0023] The temperature estimation coefficient Ce is a temperature stored in the temperature memory unit 25 when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater 18 by controlling the power supply circuit 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20, the pulse voltage being turned on between T11 and T21 and turned off between T21 and T31, the temperature at T21 being To1, the temperature at T31 being Tn1, and the temperature of the contents 36 actually measured by a temperature sensor other than the temperature sensor 22 being Te1. Next Calculate the formula to find the answer. Ce = (To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1)

[0024] The temperature is stored in the temperature memory unit 25 when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater 18 by controlling the power supply circuit 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20, and the pulse voltage is turned on between T1 and T2 and turned off between T2 and T3. If the temperature at T2 is To and the temperature at T3 is Tn, the estimated temperature Te of the contents 36 is calculated by the temperature estimation unit 26 using the following formula. Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce

[0025] The temperature estimation unit 26 comprises a first subtraction circuit 30 which subtracts Tn from the output To of the temperature memory unit 25, a division circuit 31 which divides the calculation output (To-Tn) of the first subtraction circuit 30 by the temperature estimation coefficient Ce to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce, and a second subtraction circuit 32 which subtracts the output (To-Tn) / Ce of the division circuit 31 from the output To of the temperature memory unit 25 to calculate the estimated temperature Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce of the contents 36.

[0026] The electric pot 28 is further provided with a gyro sensor 21 that is provided at approximately the center of rotation of the electric pot 28 and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric pot 28. The gyro sensor 21 is connected to the control unit 20. The temperature set based on the output of the gyro sensor 21 is stored in the temperature setting unit 24. The control unit 20 controls the power supply of the power supply circuit 19 to make the temperature of the contents 36 coincide with the temperature set in the temperature setting unit 24.

[0027] The electric kettle 28 further includes a gyro sensor 21, which is provided approximately at the rotation center of the electric kettle 28 and outputs the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle 28, and this gyro sensor 21 is connected to the control unit 20, and the temperature set by the output of the gyro sensor 21 is stored in the temperature setting unit 24, and the control unit 20 controls the power supply of the power supply circuit 19 so that the temperature of the contents 36 coincides with the temperature set by the temperature setting unit 24. A vibration motor 43 is provided inside the electric kettle 28, and this vibration motor 43 is connected to the control unit 20 and set by the gyro sensor 21. When the set temperature stored in the temperature setting unit 24 reaches a predetermined value, the vibration motor 43 is driven by a signal from the control unit 20 to vibrate the electric kettle 28 to notify the user.

[0028] a power supply stand 27 incorporating a power supply coil 13 and an electric kettle 28 incorporating a power receiving coil 14 that receives power from the power supply coil 13 in a non-contact manner, and heating contents 36 contained in the electric kettle 28 with a heater 18 provided in the electric kettle 28, the device comprising: a power supply circuit 19 that supplies power to the heater 18; a temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the heater 18; a control unit 20 that is connected to the power supply circuit 19 and controls the supply of electricity to the heater 18; a temperature memory unit 25 that is connected to the control unit 20 and stores the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 22 via the control unit 20; a temperature estimation coefficient memory unit 29 that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle 28; and a temperature estimation unit 26 that estimates the temperature of the contents 36 based on data from the temperature memory unit 25 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; a step of controlling the power supply circuit 19 according to a command from the control unit 20 to apply a pulse voltage to the heater 18, the pulse voltage being turned on during T11-T21 and turned off during T21-T31; A step of obtaining a temperature To1 at time T21 and a temperature Tn1 at time T31 by the temperature sensor 22; A step of determining a temperature Te1 of the contents 36 at time T31 measured by a temperature sensor other than the temperature sensor 22; A step of calculating the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric pot 28 by Ce=(To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1); a step of controlling the power supply circuit 19 in response to a command from the control unit 20 to apply to the heater 18 a pulse voltage that is turned on during T1-T2 and turned off during T2-T3; storing the temperature To at time T2 and the temperature Tn at time T3 measured by the temperature sensor 22 in the temperature memory unit 25; A step of calculating a temperature Te of the contents 36 based on the preset temperature estimation coefficient Ce, the To and the Tn by a calculation of Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce. It consists of: EXAMPLES

[0029] A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. In Figure 1, the method and device for estimating the temperature of the contents in an electric kettle according to the present invention comprises a power supply stand 27 and an electric kettle 28 placed on this power supply stand 27, and the power supply coil 13 in the power supply stand 27 and the power receiving coil 14 in the electric kettle 28 are magnetically coupled, and power is transmitted by electromagnetic induction and the magnetic field resonance action with a resonant capacitor. The power supply stand 27 is thin, having a thickness of about 10 to 15 mm, and a diameter of about 100 to 200 mm, and includes an AC adapter 10a connected to an AC power source 10, a rectifier circuit 11, an inverter circuit 12 for converting into a high-frequency signal, and the power supply coil 13, as shown in Fig. 2. The AC adapter 10a connected to the AC power source 10 and the rectifier circuit 11 may be provided outside the power supply stand 27. The electric pot 28 contains water or other contents 36 to be heated, and the electric pot body 37 of the electric pot 28 is airtightly fitted into the lower exterior material 40 with a packing 41 interposed therebetween. The electric pot body 37 is composed of a double wall, an inner wall portion 38a and an outer wall portion 38b, and the inside forms a vacuum insulation portion 39. The electric pot body 37 is covered with a lid 42. A board holder 45 is provided between the bottom portion 44 of the exterior material 40 and the bottom portion of the electric pot body 37, a wiring board 47 is disposed between the board holder 45 and a board holder cover 46 below the board holder 45, and the power receiving coil 14 is attached between the underside of the board holder cover 46 and the bottom portion 44.

[0030] A vibration motor 43 is provided on the side of the substrate holder 45. A heater 18 made of ceramic or the like supported by an inner bottom cover 50 is attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the electric kettle body 37, and a temperature sensor 22 is attached in close contact with the underside of the heater 18, and the heater 18 is pressed against the bottom of the electric kettle body 37 by a spring plate 48 between the substrate holder 45 and the inner bottom cover 50. The heater 18 is configured by forming a thin-film heater pattern in a serpentine shape on a thin ceramic plate, and providing a thin thermistor in the center of this heater pattern. The wiring board 47 is provided with circuit elements including a control unit 20 based on a microcomputer as shown in Fig. 2, and other circuits. More specifically, the wiring board 47 includes a resonance capacitor 15 connected to the power receiving coil 14 and for transmitting power by magnetic field resonance, a rectifier circuit 16 for rectifying the high-frequency power received by the power receiving coil 14, a smoothing capacitor 17, and a power supply circuit 19 including a switch circuit such as a MOS-FET. The control unit 20 is connected to a temperature storage unit 25 for storing the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 22, a temperature estimation unit 26 for estimating the temperature of the contents 36, a non-volatile memory 23 for storing the current set temperature of the electric pot 28, a gyro sensor 21 for detecting the angular velocity of the electric pot 28 provided substantially in the center of the wiring board 47 and setting the temperature of the contents 36, a temperature setting unit 24 for storing the set temperature of the contents 36, a wireless communication unit 9, and further to the vibration motor 43. A temperature estimation coefficient memory unit 29 is connected to the temperature estimation unit 26, which stores a temperature estimation coefficient Ce that is preset based on the thermal resistance of the container that constitutes the electric kettle 28, the material of the container, the heat retention capacity of the container, the capacity of the container, etc.

[0031] The temperature estimation unit 26 comprises a first subtraction circuit 30 which subtracts Tn (the temperature obtained in step a8 described later) input to a second temperature signal input terminal 34 from To (the temperature obtained in step a5 described later) output from the temperature memory unit 25 and input to a first temperature signal input terminal 33, a division circuit 31 which divides the calculation output To-Tn of the first subtraction circuit 30 by the preset temperature estimation coefficient Ce to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce, and a second subtraction circuit 32 which subtracts the output (To-Tn) / Ce of the division circuit 31 from the To output from the temperature memory unit 25 and input to the first temperature signal input terminal 33 to calculate the estimated temperature Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce of the contents 36. In FIG. 6, To and Tn are temperatures detected by applying a pulse voltage to the heater 18, which is turned on for T1-T2 and off for T2-T3, to obtain an estimated temperature Te of the contents 36, and To is the temperature obtained in step a5, which will be described later, and Tn is the temperature obtained in step a8, which will be described later.

[0032] In this configuration, the heating process of the contents 36 will be described with reference to FIG. a1: When the electric kettle 28 is placed at the center of the power supply stand 27, the temperature setting unit 24 is initialized to the set temperature immediately before the electric kettle 28 was removed from the power supply stand 27, based on the data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 via the control unit 20. For example, it is assumed that the set temperature is initialized to 55°C. At this time, it is assumed that the contents 36 and the heater 18 are in a state of temperature equilibrium, the temperature of the heater 18 is measured by the temperature sensor 22, and this temperature is regarded as the current temperature of the contents 36. For example, it is assumed that the current temperature is 50°C. a2: At this time, if the set temperature--the current temperature of the contents 36>a° C. (for example, a=0.5° C.), then the answer is YES. a3: The control unit 20 closes the power supply circuit 19 to supply power to the heater 18 for heating. a4: Wait for t1 seconds (for example, t1 = 15 seconds). a5: The temperature of the heater 18 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this temperature is stored in the temperature storage unit 25 via the control unit 20 as To. a6: Open the power supply circuit 19 to stop heating by the heater 18.

[0033] a7: Wait for t2 seconds (for example, t2 = 5 seconds). a8: The temperature of the heater 18 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this temperature is stored in the temperature storage unit 25 via the control unit 20 as Tn. a9: The temperature estimator 26 calculates the estimated temperature Te. Details will be described later. a10: The estimated temperature Te is the current temperature of the contents 36. a11: If the result of "set temperature - current temperature of contents 36 > a°C" is YES, return to the initial step a3. a12: If the set temperature - current temperature of the contents 36 > a°C is NO in the step a11, wait t3 seconds (for example, t3 = 40 seconds). This step is a step of waiting for the heater 18 and the contents 36 to reach temperature equilibrium. a13: The temperature of the heater 18 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this temperature is set as the current temperature of the contents 36, and the process returns to step a2. a14: In the step a2, if the set temperature-current temperature of the contents 36>a° C. becomes NO, wait for t4 seconds (for example, t4=1 second). a15: The temperature of the heater 18 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this temperature is set as the current temperature of the contents 36, and the process returns to step a2.

[0034] The step a9 of calculating the estimated temperature Te in the temperature estimating section 26 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. This process estimates the temperature of the contents 36 heated by the electric kettle 28 using the detection value of the temperature sensor 22 provided on the outer bottom surface of the electric kettle body 37 and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce inherent to the electric kettle 28, without using a direct temperature sensor on the contents 36. For this process, a temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to electric kettle 28 shown in Fig. 1 is obtained in advance when this electric kettle 28 is developed. Since the correlation between the heating of heater 18 and the temperature of contents 36 by electric kettle 28 varies depending on the power supplied to heater 18, the thermal resistance between heater 18 and electric kettle 28, the material of electric kettle 28, the heat retention capacity of electric kettle 28, the capacity of electric kettle 28, etc., the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to electric kettle 28 is set in advance in the next process. In FIG. 6, at time T11, the power supply circuit 19 is closed and power is applied to the heater 18 for T11-T21 (for example, 15 seconds) to heat it, and the temperature To1 of the heater 18 at this time is detected by the temperature sensor 22 and stored. Next, during the period T21-T31 (for example, 5 seconds), the power supply to the heater 18 is stopped to stop heating, and the temperature Tn1 of the heater 18 at this time is detected by the temperature sensor 22 and stored. At the same time, the actual temperature of the contents 36 at time T31 is measured by another temperature sensor (not shown), and the temperature Te1 at this time is stored. Based on these values ​​To1, Tn1, and Te1, When the electric pot 28 is developed, a value that satisfies the following formula is obtained in advance as the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric pot 28. Ce = (To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1) Incidentally, as a specific example, the temperature estimation coefficient Ce was obtained as 0.57.

[0035] The process is explained in detail in FIG. a91: The power supply circuit 19 is closed at time T1 in Fig. 6. The above-mentioned step a3 corresponds to this step. a92: Heat the heater 18 for a predetermined time (t8 seconds) (T1-T2 time, for example, 15 seconds). The above-mentioned step a4 corresponds to this step. a93: The temperature To of the heater 18 at time T2 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this To is stored in the temperature storage unit 25 via the control unit 20. The above-mentioned step a5 corresponds to this step. a94: At time T2, the power supply circuit 19 is opened to stop heating by the heater 18. The above-mentioned step a6 corresponds to this step. a95: Non-heating for a predetermined time (t9 seconds) (T2-T3 time, for example, 5 seconds). The above-mentioned step a7 corresponds to this step. a96: The temperature Tn of the heater 18 at time T3 is detected by the temperature sensor 22, and this Tn is stored in the temperature storage unit 25 via the control unit 20. The above-mentioned step a8 corresponds to this step. a97: The temperature estimation unit 26 calculates the estimated temperature Te from To and Tn input from the temperature storage unit 25 to the temperature estimation unit 26 and Ce input from the temperature estimation coefficient storage unit 29. The step a9 corresponds to this step. The calculation of Te by the temperature estimation unit 26 is performed by subtracting Tn input from the temperature storage unit 25 to the second temperature signal input terminal 34 from To input from the temperature storage unit 25 to the first temperature signal input terminal 33 in the first subtraction circuit 30 to obtain (To-Tn), as shown in FIG. 3. The division circuit 31 divides (To-Tn) obtained by the first subtraction circuit 30 by Ce previously stored in the temperature estimation coefficient storage unit 29 to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce. The second subtraction circuit 32 subtracts (To-Tn) / Ce obtained by the division circuit 31 from To input to the first temperature signal input terminal 33. As a result, Te at the output terminal 35 is obtained by the following formula. Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce The temperature of the contents 36 obtained in this manner is used for temperature control as the current temperature, and is also transmitted from the wireless communication unit 9 to the wireless terminal 8 via the control unit 20, and displayed on the display unit 7 provided on this wireless terminal 8.

[0036] When an electric pot 28 is placed at the center position of the power supply stand 27, the temperature setting unit 24 is initialized to the set temperature immediately before the electric pot 28 was removed from the power supply stand 27 based on the data stored in the non-volatile memory 23 via the control unit 20. When attempting to increase the set temperature of temperature setting unit 24, a user places his / her hand on electric kettle 28 and rotates it to the right by a predetermined angle. Then, gyro sensor 21 detects the angular velocity of electric kettle 28 and outputs the result to control unit 20. Control unit 20 then increases the set temperature of temperature setting unit 24 by 1° C. per 20 degrees of central angle, for example, and stores the set temperature of temperature setting unit 24 in non-volatile memory 23. By repeating the heating process using the set temperature of the temperature setting unit 24, the temperature of the contents 36 is raised to the target temperature. When attempting to lower the temperature set by temperature setting unit 24, a hand is placed on electric kettle 28 and rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. Then, gyro sensor 21 detects the angular velocity of electric kettle 28 and outputs the result to control unit 20. Control unit 20 then lowers the temperature set by temperature setting unit 24 by 1°C per 20 degrees of central angle, for example, and stores the temperature set by temperature setting unit 24 in non-volatile memory 23. By repeating the heating process using the set temperature of the temperature setting unit 24, the temperature of the contents 36 is lowered to the target temperature.

[0037] In FIG. 1, a vibration motor 43 is built into a board holder 45 inside the electric kettle 28, and the electric kettle 28 can vibrate in the cases shown in Table 1 below to notify the user. [Table 1] [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 7...display unit, 8...wireless terminal, 9...wireless communication unit, 10...AC power source, 11...rectifier circuit, 12...inverter circuit, 13...power supply coil, 14...power receiving coil, 15...resonant capacitor, 16...rectifier circuit, 17...smoothing capacitor, 18...heater, 19...power supply circuit, 20...control unit, 21...gyro sensor, 22...temperature sensor, 23...non-volatile memory, 24...temperature setting unit, 25...temperature storage unit, 26...temperature estimation unit, 27...power supply stand, 28...electric kettle, 29...temperature estimation coefficient storage unit, 30...first subtraction circuit, 31...division circuit, 32...second subtraction circuit, 33...first temperature signal input terminal terminal, 34...second temperature signal input terminal, 35...output terminal, 36...contents, 37...electric kettle body, 38a...inner wall portion, 38b...outer wall portion, 39...vacuum insulation portion, 40...exterior material, 41...packing, 42...lid, 43...vibration motor, 44...bottom, 45...board holder, 46...board holder cover, 47...wiring board, 48...spring plate, 49...mica plate, 50...inner bottom cover, 51...container, 52...heater, 53...temperature sensor, 54...temperature detection means, 55...temperature gradient detection means, 56...first memory means, 57...gradient comparison means, 58...temperature comparison means, 59...second memory means, 60...boiling detection means.

Claims

1. The present invention is provided in an apparatus including a power supply stand having a built-in power supply coil and an electric pot having a built-in power receiving coil that receives power from the power supply coil in a non-contact manner, and which heats contents stored in the electric pot with a heater provided in the electric pot, a power supply circuit for supplying power to the heater; A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater; A control unit coupled to the power supply circuit and controlling the supply of electricity to the heater; a temperature storage unit coupled to the control unit and configured to store the temperature detected by the temperature sensor via the control unit; a temperature estimation coefficient storage unit that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle; a temperature estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the content based on the data in the temperature storage unit and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce; An apparatus for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle, comprising:

2. The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle as described in claim 1, characterized in that the temperature estimation coefficient Ce is the temperature stored in the temperature memory unit when a pulse voltage is applied to the heater by controlling the power supply circuit in response to a command from the control unit, and the pulse voltage is turned on between T11 and T21 and turned off between T21 and T31 repeatedly, and is found by calculating the following formula, where To1 is the temperature at T21, Tn1 is the temperature at T31, and Te1 is the temperature actually measured by a temperature sensor other than the temperature sensor of the contents at T31. Ce=(To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1)

3. The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle as described in claim 2, characterized in that the temperature stored in the temperature memory unit when the power supply circuit is controlled by a command from the control unit to apply a pulse voltage to the heater that is turned on between T1 and T2 and off between T2 and T3, and the estimated temperature Te of the contents is calculated by the temperature estimation unit using the following formula, where To is the temperature at T2 and Tn is the temperature at T3. Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce

4. The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle as described in claim 3, characterized in that the temperature estimation unit comprises a first subtraction circuit that subtracts Tn from the output To of the temperature memory unit, a division circuit that divides the calculation output (To-Tn) of this first subtraction circuit by the temperature estimation coefficient Ce to obtain (To-Tn) / Ce, and a second subtraction circuit that subtracts the output (To-Tn) / Ce of the division circuit from the output To of the temperature memory unit to calculate the estimated temperature Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce of the contents.

5. 2. The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle as described in claim 1, further comprising a gyro sensor provided at approximately the center of rotation of the electric kettle and outputting the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle, said gyro sensor being coupled to said control unit, a temperature set based on the output of said gyro sensor being stored in a temperature setting unit, and said control unit controlling the supply of power to said power supply circuit so as to make the temperature of the contents coincide with the temperature set in said temperature setting unit.

6. 2. The device for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a gyro sensor provided at approximately the center of rotation of the electric kettle and outputting the rotation angle and direction of the electric kettle, said gyro sensor being connected to said control unit, a temperature set by the output of said gyro sensor being stored in a temperature setting unit, said control unit controlling the supply of power to said power supply circuit so that the temperature of the contents coincides with the temperature set in said temperature setting unit, a vibration motor being provided inside said electric kettle and connected to said control unit, and when the temperature set by the gyro sensor reaches a predetermined value, said vibration motor is driven by a signal from the control unit to vibrate the electric kettle to provide an alert.

7. The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating contents stored in an electric kettle, the apparatus comprising: a power supply stand having a built-in power supply coil; and an electric kettle having a built-in power receiving coil that receives power from the power supply coil in a non-contact manner, the apparatus comprising: a power supply circuit that supplies power to the heater; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heater; a control unit that is connected to the power supply circuit and controls the supply of power to the heater; a temperature memory unit that is connected to the control unit and stores the temperature detected by the temperature sensor via the control unit; a temperature estimation coefficient memory unit that stores a preset unique temperature estimation coefficient Ce of the electric kettle; and a temperature estimation unit that estimates the temperature of the contents based on data in the temperature memory unit and the temperature estimation coefficient Ce, a step of controlling the power supply circuit according to a command from the control unit to apply a pulse voltage to the heater, the pulse voltage being turned on between T11 and T21 and turned off between T21 and T31; determining a temperature To1 at time T21 and a temperature Tn1 at time T31 by the temperature sensor; A step of determining a temperature Te1 of the content at time T31 measured by a temperature sensor different from the temperature sensor; A step of calculating the temperature estimation coefficient Ce specific to the electric pot by Ce=(To1-Tn1) / (To1-Te1); a step of controlling the power supply circuit according to a command from the control unit to apply a pulse voltage to the heater, the pulse voltage being turned on during T1-T2 and turned off during T2-T3; storing the temperature To at time T2 and the temperature Tn at time T3 measured by the temperature sensor in the temperature storage unit; A step of calculating a temperature Te of the contents based on the preset temperature estimation coefficient Ce, the To and the Tn by a calculation of Te=To-(To-Tn) / Ce; A method for estimating the temperature of contents in an electric kettle comprising the steps of:

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