Electric kettle

Abstract

To reduce a height of a container part, required for securing a same internal capacity while securing cleaning easiness of the inside of the container part of a beverage feeder.SOLUTION: A beverage feeder includes a body part (4) having a container part (12). The container part includes a side trunk (16) and a bottom (18) fitted to the side trunk. The side trunk includes a lateral wall (28) constituting a part of an inner peripheral surface of the container part, and at least one protrusion (30) projecting from a part of the lateral wall toward an inner side of the container part in a cross section along an upper surface of the bottom. The bottom is brought into contact with at least one protrusion, and surely has a position in which an angle (θ1) formed by the lateral wall and each protrusion at the inner side of the container part becomes an obtuse angle in the cross section along the upper surface of the bottom, and the angle is an obtuse angle or a right angle at any position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a beverage dispenser that holds a beverage in a container and is capable of dispensing the beverage outside the container as needed. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electric kettle in which the heating plate is fixed to the liquid container by being in close contact with the horizontal surface of a step portion formed on the bottom side of the liquid container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-104750 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the electric kettle described in Patent Document 1, the step is formed around the entire circumference of the liquid container, thereby reducing the internal volume of the container. For example, it is possible to fix the heating plate to the container by abutting the heating plate against a plate-shaped rib protruding inward from the container. However, in this case, the gap between the side of the rib and the inner surface of the container becomes narrow, which may make it difficult to clean the inside of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a beverage dispenser according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body portion with a container portion, the container portion comprising a side body and a bottom portion that fits with the side body, the side body comprising a side wall that constitutes part of the inner surface of the container portion, and at least one convex portion that protrudes from a part of the side wall toward the inside of the container portion in a cross section along the upper surface of the bottom, the bottom abuts at least one of the convex portions, and in a cross section along the upper surface of the bottom, there is always a position where the angle formed between the side wall and each convex portion on the inside of the container portion is an obtuse angle, and at all positions the angle is either an obtuse angle or a right angle. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the height of the container portion required to ensure the same internal volume while ensuring ease of cleaning the inside of the container portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electric kettle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is another schematic cross-sectional view of a main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged cross-section of a main body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are schematic cross-sectional views of a lid portion for explaining the operation of the lid portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]1 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of a shoulder and a portion of a lid portion located near the shoulder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a handle portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure with some members being transparent; [Figure 12] 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an operating unit and a temperature sensing unit for explaining the operation of the operating unit and the temperature sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are a schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic side view showing a part of a temperature sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Embodiment] <Outline of electric kettle> An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, an electric kettle 2, which is an example of a beverage dispenser, will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the electric kettle 2 in a placed state, and Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the electric kettle 2 in the placed state. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the electric kettle 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electric kettle 2, taken along line AA in Fig. 2.

[0009] 1 to 4, the electric kettle 2 according to this embodiment includes a main body 4, a lid 6, and a power supply unit 8. In this specification, the "placed state of the electric kettle 2" refers to a state in which the power supply unit 10 of the power supply unit 8 is inserted into the lower part of the main body 4 and placed on a substantially horizontal surface as shown in Fig. 4. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, each direction is shown based on the placed state of the electric kettle 2.

[0010] <Container part> Details of the main body 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the main body 4, and Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 4 in a cross-section on the same plane as the cross-section shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is another schematic cross-sectional view of the main body 4, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 6. In particular, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main body 4 in a cross-section parallel to the upper surface of the bottom 18 described below.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, the main body 4 includes a container 12 and a cover 14 that serves as an outer shell covering at least the side periphery of the container 12.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 6 etc., the container part 12 includes a side body 16 and a bottom part 18. The side body 16 has a substantially cylindrical shape and fits closely with the bottom part 18 at the lower side of the electric kettle 2. The container part 12 has an opening part 20 at the upper side of the electric kettle 2 and functions as a liquid container capable of storing liquid therein.

[0013] The bottom portion 18 includes a conductive portion 22, a heater 24, and a heat source 26. The conductive portion 22 is in contact with the power supply unit 10 of the power supply unit 8, and thereby receives power from the power supply unit 8. The heater 24 is operated by the power supplied to the conductive portion 22, and heats the heat source 26. As a result, the liquid stored inside the container portion 12 is heated.

[0014] The side body 16 also includes a side wall 28 and at least one protrusion 30. The side wall 28 constitutes a part of the inner circumferential surface of the container part 12. The protrusion 30 protrudes from a part of the side wall 28 toward the inside of the container part 12, as shown in FIG.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 7, in any cross section passing through at least one protrusion 30 along the upper surface of the bottom 18, the inner surface of one protrusion 30 and the side wall 28 intersect at two points. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, at each of the two intersection points, the inner surface of the protrusion 30 and the side wall 28 form an angle θ1 on the inside of the container part 12. In this embodiment, the angle θ1 at the two intersection points between the inner surface of at least one protrusion 30 and the side wall 28 in the cross section is either an obtuse angle or a right angle. In addition, the angle θ1 at at least one of the two intersection points is an obtuse angle. In particular, in this embodiment, the angle θ1 at the two intersection points is either an obtuse angle.

[0016] The bottom 18 is positioned relative to the side body 16 by abutting against at least one protrusion 30. In particular, in this embodiment, the side body 16 has three or more protrusions 30, and the bottom 18 abuts against all of the protrusions 30. In addition, for the protrusions 30 that abut against the bottom 18, the entire surface of the lower surface 30U that faces the bottom 18 contacts the bottom 18 (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, the side wall 28 and each protrusion 30 are integral, and therefore the surfaces of the side wall 28 and each protrusion 30 are continuous. Note that the side wall 28 and the protrusion 30 may be made of different materials, and the protrusion 30 may be fixed to the side wall 28.

[0017] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of region C in Fig. 6. However, in Fig. 8, for simplicity of illustration, some members including the above-mentioned conductive portion 22 are omitted.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom 18 includes a thermal fuse 32 and a fastener 34. The thermal fuse 32 is a mechanism for detecting overheating of the heat source 26 by the heater 24 and stopping the operation of the heater 24. For example, the thermal fuse 32 has a function of wiring that supplies power from the power supply unit 8 to the heater 24. The thermal fuse 32 also stops the operation of the heater 24 by burning out when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold temperature T. As a result, the thermal fuse 32 stops the operation of the heater 24 and stops the heating of the heat source 26 by the heater 24 when the temperature exceeds the threshold temperature T that is the temperature at which it is determined that overheating by the heater 24 has occurred.

[0019] The fasteners 34, for example, a plurality of fasteners including a first fastener 34A and a second fastener 34B, clamp the thermal fuse 32 and fix the position of the thermal fuse 32 relative to the heater 24 and the heat source 26. The fasteners 34 position the thermal fuse 32 with a gap between them.

[0020] <Cover> The cover 14 is a part of the outer shell of the main body 4 that covers the side periphery of the container 12. In particular, as shown in Fig. 7, the cover 14 is formed with a gap between the container 12 and the cover 14 at a position other than the protrusion 12T by contacting the protrusion 12T formed on the outer peripheral wall of the container 12. This reduces the temperature rise of the outer shell of the main body 4 even when the temperature inside the container 12 rises.

[0021] As shown in Figures 5, 7, etc., the cover 14 is made up of multiple partial covers including a first cover 14A and a second cover 14B. The first cover 14A and the second cover 14B each cover 3 / 4 or less of the side circumference of the container part 12. In this embodiment, the first cover 14A and the second cover 14B each cover half of the side circumference of the container part 12.

[0022] In this specification, "the cover 14 covers 3 / 4 or less of the side circumference of the container part 12" means that the cover 14 covers 270° or less of the side circumference of the container part 12 when viewed from the center position 12C of the container part 12 shown in Fig. 5. In addition, in this specification, "the cover 14 covers half or less of the side circumference of the container part 12" means that the cover 14 covers 180° or less of the side circumference of the container part 12 when viewed from the center position 12C of the container part 12.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, the container part 12 and the first cover 14A have at least one first screw hole 36A on the outer side of the container part 12 and on the inner side of the cover 14. When the cover 14 is attached to the container part 12, the first screw hole 36A of the container part 12 and the first screw hole 36A of the first cover 14A communicate with each other in approximately the same direction. Therefore, the container part 12 and the first cover 14A are fixed to each other via the first screw hole 36A by a fastener including a screw. In this specification, for the sake of simplicity of illustration, the fastener including a screw that fixes the container part 12 and the first cover 14A to each other via each first screw hole 36A of the main body is omitted from the illustration. The fastener can be a conventionally known fastener including a commonly used screw.

[0024] The electric kettle 2 includes a handle portion 38 that can support the main body portion 4 by being gripped. At least a part of the handle portion 38 is formed by at least a part of the cover 14, including the first cover 14A and the second cover 14B. In particular, in this embodiment, the electric kettle 2 further includes a handle cover 40 shown in FIG. 2 etc., and the handle portion 38 is formed by each part of the first cover 14A and the second cover 14B and the handle cover 40. In particular, the handle cover 40 forms a part of the outer surface of the handle portion 38.

[0025] The handle cover 40 includes an operating unit 42 and a lamp unit 44 located around the operating unit 42. The lamp unit 44 includes, for example, an optical window 46 formed in the handle cover 40 that transmits visible light, and a light source unit 48 formed inside the handle unit 38 on the handle cover 40 side. Light from the light source unit 48 can be seen from the outside of the handle unit 38 through the optical window 46. The detailed functions of the operating unit 42 and the lamp unit 44 will be described later.

[0026] <Condition of the lid> The lid part 6 is detachably attached to the main body part 4 in a position covering the opening 20 of the container part 12. The lid part 6 has a claw part 50 shown in FIG. 3 etc. on the lower side, and is fixed to the main body part 4 via the claw part 50. Furthermore, the lid part 6 has a removal button 52 shown in FIG. 2 on the upper side. The removal button 52 moves in conjunction with the claw part 50, and the lid part 6 can be removed from the main body part 4 by moving the lid part 6 upwardly away from the main body part 4 with the removal button 52 pressed.

[0027] The cover 6 also has a push button 54 on the upper side. The push button 54 is an operating part that can switch the state of the cover 6 between a first state S1 and a second state S2 by pushing the push button 54 from the upper side to the lower side of the cover 6.

[0028] 1 and other figures, when the top surface 54T of the push button 54 is in a position that is substantially flush with the outer surface 6S of the cover 6, the cover 6 is in a first state S1. When the push button 54 is pressed toward the lower side of the cover 6 when the cover 6 is in the first state S1, the push button 54 moves to a position where the top surface 54T is closer to the inside of the cover 6 than the outer surface 6S, and the state of the cover 6 switches to a second state S2. When the cover 6 is in the second state S2, when the push button 54 is pressed further toward the lower side of the cover 6, the push button 54 returns to a position where the top surface 54T is substantially flush with the outer surface 6S, and the state of the cover 6 switches to the first state S1.

[0029] In other words, by operating the push button 54 to change the position of the push button 54, the state of the cover 6 can be switched between the first state S1 and the second state S2. Note that the positions of the push button 54 in the first state S1 and the second state S2 are not limited to the positions described above, and may be reversed, for example. In this embodiment, each of the figures except for FIG. 9 shows the case where the cover 6 is in the first state S1.

[0030] The structure of the lid part 6 in each of the first state S1 and the second state S2 will be described with further reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9(a) shows a cross section of the lid part 6 in the first state S1. Fig. 9(b) shows a cross section of the lid part 6 in the second state S2. Note that each cross section shown in Fig. 9 is a cross section on the same plane as the cross section shown in Fig. 4, but in order to show each flow path in detail, which will be described later, some of the members of the lid part 6 shown in the cross section of Fig. 4 are omitted.

[0031] 9, the paths through which gas can flow in the lid 6 are indicated by solid arrows, and the paths through which liquid and gas can flow in the lid 6 are indicated by dotted arrows, as will be described in detail later. In this embodiment, when describing the flow paths through which liquid or gas flows in the electric kettle 2, the description will be given assuming that the lid 6 is attached to the main body 4.

[0032] The lid portion 6 includes a discharge flow passage 56, a discharge port 58, a lid cover 60, and a valve 62. The discharge flow passage 56 communicates between the inside of the container portion 12 and the discharge port 58. Therefore, the discharge flow passage 56 communicates between the inside of the container portion 12 and the outside of the electric kettle 2 via the discharge port 58.

[0033] <Lid cover> The lid cover 60 is rotatably restrained around a rotating shaft 64 in the vicinity of the discharge port 58, and covers at least a part of the discharge port 58 when viewed from above. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the lid cover 60 in the first state S1 covers the entire discharge port 58 when viewed from above. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(a), in the first state S1, the tip 60E of the lid cover 60 is located closer to the end side than the center side of the lid part 6 than the tip 58E of the discharge port 58. In the first state S1, the lid cover 60 may be weakly pressed against the discharge port 58 by gravity alone in the placed state, or may be weakly pressed against the discharge port 58 by a spring (not shown) or the like provided in the lid part 6. In the first state S1, a gap 68 is formed between the discharge port 58 and the lid cover 60, which increases from the center side of the lid part 6 toward the end side.

[0034] On the other hand, the lid cover 60 in the second state S2 is maintained so that the tip 60E is located on the upper side of the lid part 6 compared to the lid cover 60 in the first state S1 (see FIG. 9). That is, in the second state S2, the lid cover 60 is maintained at a position where the distance between the lid cover 60 and the discharge port 58 (in other words, the size of the gap 68) is longer than in the first state S1. Therefore, in the second state S2, the tip 60E of the lid cover 60 is maintained higher relative to the discharge port 58 compared to the first state S1. The rotation of the lid cover 60 around the rotation axis 64 may be controlled by the lid cover control unit 66 that operates in conjunction with the push button 54, for example. For example, in the second state S2, the lid cover control unit 66 may move in conjunction with the push button 54 to rotate the lid cover 60 around the rotation axis 64 and open the discharge port 58. Furthermore, as described above, the lid cover 60 does not completely close the discharge port 58 regardless of whether the state of the lid part 6 is the first state S1 or the second state S2.

[0035] <Relationship between the valve and the lid cover> The valve 62 is located, for example, at the bottom of the lid part 6, and is located inside the container part 12 when the lid part 6 is attached to the main body part 4. The valve 62 operates in conjunction with the push button 54, and is switchably movable in the up and down directions. The valve 62 includes a packing 70. In the first state S1, the packing 70 comes into close contact with the periphery of the discharge flow path 56 on the underside of the lid part 6, thereby closing the discharge flow path 56.

[0036] The lid 6 further includes a first exhaust hole 72 and a gas flow path 74 that communicates with the first exhaust hole 72. The interior of the container 12 and the discharge flow path 56 communicate with each other via the first exhaust hole 72 and the gas flow path 74. The first exhaust hole 72 is not blocked by the valve 62 regardless of whether the lid 6 is in the first state S1 or the second state S2. Therefore, in the first state S1, the lid 6 allows gas to flow from the interior of the container 12 through the first exhaust hole 72, the gas flow path 74, and the discharge flow path 56 to the discharge port 58.

[0037] 9, the first exhaust hole 72 is located on the opposite side of the exhaust port 58 from the exhaust port 58 with respect to the center position 6C of the lid 6. Therefore, in the first state S1, even if the electric kettle 2 is tilted so that the exhaust port 58 is downward, the first exhaust hole 72 is located above the exhaust port 58, and therefore the flow of liquid through the first exhaust hole 72 is restricted.

[0038] As described above, in the first state S1, the valve 62 closes the discharge flow passage 56 so as to allow the flow of gas in the discharge flow passage 56 while restricting the flow of liquid.

[0039] On the other hand, in the second state S2, the valve 62 moves downward in conjunction with the push button 54. Therefore, in the second state S2, the packing 70 is released from the tight contact with the periphery of the discharge flow passage 56 on the lower surface of the lid portion 6. Therefore, in the second state S2, the flow of fluid including liquid and gas from the container portion 12 to the discharge port 58 via the discharge flow passage 56 is possible. In other words, in the second state, the valve 62 opens the discharge flow passage 56 so as to allow the flow of liquid and gas in the discharge flow passage 56. As described above, the valve 62 closes the discharge flow passage 56 in an openable and closable manner between the first state S1 and the second state S2.

[0040] Here, as described above, in the first state S1, the lid cover 60 is only weakly pressed against the discharge port 58 in the placed state, and is maintained in a movable state with respect to the discharge port 58. Also, in the first state S1, the valve 62 does not restrict the flow of the gas containing steam generated from the container part 12 to the discharge port 58 through the discharge flow path 56. Therefore, in the first state S1, the lid cover 60 is maintained so that the distance between the lid cover 60 and the discharge port 58, in other words, the size of the gap 68, can be changed by the gas discharged from the container part 12 through the discharge flow path 56 from the discharge port 58. In other words, the lid cover 60 is maintained so that the position with respect to the discharge port 58 can be changed by the gas discharged from the container part 12 through the discharge flow path 56 from the discharge port 58.

[0041] <Intake flow path> The lid 6 further includes a first air intake port 76, a water stop ball 78, an air intake passage 80, a second air intake port 82, a lid exhaust passage 84, and a second exhaust hole 86. Details of these members included in the lid 6 will be described further with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of area D shown in Fig. 4.

[0042] The first intake port 76 is located on the opposite side of the gas flow path 74 to the container 12. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the first intake port 76 is located on the upper side of the gas flow path 74. The water stop ball 78 is disposed inside the gas flow path 74 and has a substantially spherical shape corresponding to the shape of the first intake port 76. When the electric kettle 2 is placed on the table, the water stop ball 78 is located at the lower part of the gas flow path 74 and does not block the first intake port 76. On the other hand, when the electric kettle 2 is placed on its side or upside down, the water stop ball 78 blocks the first intake port 76. As a result, the water stop ball 78 restricts the liquid from the container 12 from flowing into the first intake port 76 when the electric kettle 2 is tipped over, for example.

[0043] Here, the position 76H of the first intake port 76 in the vertical direction is shown by a dotted line in the cross section of the first state S1 in FIG. 9. Also, the position 58H of the tip 58E of the discharge port 58, which is the highest point of the bottom of the discharge flow passage 56, in the vertical direction is shown by a dashed line in the cross section of the first state S1 in FIG. 9. As is clear from a comparison between the position 76H and the position 58H shown in the cross section of the first state S1 in FIG. 9(a), the first intake port 76 is located above the tip 58E of the discharge port 58, which is the highest point of the bottom of the discharge flow passage 56, in the placed state. Furthermore, as is clear from a comparison between the center position 6C shown in the cross section of the first state S1 in FIG. 9(a), the position of the first intake port 76, and the position of the discharge port 58, the first intake port 76 is located on the opposite side of the center of the lid 6 to the discharge port 58.

[0044] The intake flow path 80 is a flow path that communicates with the first intake port 76. The second intake port 82 is located on the opposite side of the intake flow path 80 from the first intake port 76. Here, the space located between the outermost wall of the lid portion 6 and the second intake port 82 is not partitioned from the outside of the lid portion 6. For this reason, the gas outside the lid portion 6 can flow to the inside of the container portion 12 via the second intake port 82, the intake flow path 80, the first intake port 76, the gas flow path 74, and the first exhaust hole 72 in this order.

[0045] 9 and 10, the second intake port 82 is located above the first intake port 76, and therefore is located above the tip 58E of the discharge port 58 in the placed state. Also, as is clear from a comparison of the center position 6C shown in FIG. 9 with the positions of the first intake port 76 and the discharge port 58, the second intake port 82 is located on the opposite side of the center of the lid portion 6 to the discharge port 58.

[0046] <Exhaust flow path> The lid exhaust flow path 84 communicates with the first intake port 76 and is at least partially different from the intake flow path 80. The second exhaust hole 86 is located on the opposite side of the lid exhaust flow path 84 from the first intake port 76, and communicates between the inside and the outside of the lid 6. In particular, the second exhaust hole 86 communicates with the space between the container 12 and the cover 14 of the main body 4. In particular, the main body 4 includes a temperature sensor 90 as an exhaust flow path, which is located inside a shoulder 88 formed on the container 12 side of the inside of the handle 38, and the second exhaust hole 86 communicates with the temperature sensor 90.

[0047] As described above, a gas flow path is connected from the inside of the container 12 to the temperature sensor 90 via the first exhaust hole 72, the gas flow path 74, the first intake port 76, the lid exhaust flow path 84, and the second exhaust hole 86. Therefore, the gas flow path 74, together with the lid exhaust flow path 84, also functions as an exhaust flow path from the inside of the container 12 to the temperature sensor 90.

[0048] 10, the temperature sensing unit 90 includes a first shoulder flow passage 92, a sensor housing portion 96, and a second shoulder flow passage 100. The first shoulder flow passage 92 is a gas flow passage that communicates with the second exhaust hole 86. The sensor housing portion 96 is a space that communicates with the first shoulder flow passage 92 on the side opposite the second exhaust hole 86 and that accommodates a bimetal 102 as a temperature sensor. The second shoulder flow passage 100 is a gas flow passage that communicates with the sensor housing portion 96 and also communicates with a main body exhaust flow passage 104, which will be described later, on the side opposite the sensor housing portion 96.

[0049] In particular, the first shoulder flow passage 92 has a first opening 92A and a second opening 92B, communicates with the second exhaust hole 86 at the first opening 92A and communicates with the sensor housing 96 at the second opening 92B. The second shoulder flow passage 100 has a third opening 100A and a fourth opening 100B, communicates with the sensor housing 96 at the third opening 100A and communicates with the main body exhaust flow passage 104 at the fourth opening 100B.

[0050] 4, 6, etc., the main body 4 has a main body exhaust flow path 104 between the container 12 and the cover 14, the main body exhaust flow path 104 communicating with the second shoulder flow path 100. The main body exhaust flow path 104 has an exhaust port 106 communicating with the outside of the main body 4 as a flow path outlet of the flow path of gas from the inside of the container 12 on the side opposite to the second shoulder flow path 100. As described above, the gas inside the container 12 flows in sequence from the first exhaust hole 72 to the main body exhaust flow path 104, and is discharged from the exhaust port 106 to the outside of the electric kettle 2.

[0051] <Shutter> The temperature sensor 90 and the structure around the temperature sensor 90 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 11 in addition to Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a view seen from the arrow E shown in Fig. 6. However, in Fig. 11, in order to easily show the inside of the handle portion 38, the members of the handle cover 40 except for the operating portion 42 are omitted from the illustration.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 10 or 11, the temperature sensor 90 further includes a shutter 108, a rotating shaft 110, and a shutter control section 112 inside the cover 14, particularly between the container section 12 and the cover 14. The rotating shaft 110 penetrates the inside and outside of the first shoulder flow passage 92, and constrains the shutter 108 to be rotatable around its axis inside the first shoulder flow passage 92. In particular, the rotating shaft 110 penetrates the wall surface 94 of the first shoulder flow passage 92 substantially perpendicularly. Note that in this embodiment, the rotating shaft 110 is not limited to a configuration in which it penetrates the wall surface 94 in a strictly perpendicular direction to the wall surface 94, and may penetrate in a direction inclined with respect to the wall surface 94 within the range of differences that occur in the manufacturing process.

[0053] The shutter 108 rotates about the axis of the rotating shaft 110 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 about the axis. For example, the shutter 108 comes into contact with the periphery of the second exhaust hole 86 to close the second exhaust hole 86 and restrict the flow of gas in the first shoulder flow path 92. Furthermore, the shutter 108 rotates about the axis of the rotating shaft 110, and the contact between the shutter 108 and the periphery of the second exhaust hole 86 is released to open the second exhaust hole 86 and allow the flow of gas in the first shoulder flow path 92. In this way, the shutter 108 rotates about the axis of the rotating shaft 110 to open and close the second exhaust hole 86, thereby controlling the flow of gas in the first shoulder flow path 92.

[0054] The shutter control unit 112 controls the rotation of the rotating shaft 110 around its axis in response to the operation of the operating unit 42. For example, the temperature sensing unit 90 is located outside the first shoulder flow passage 92 and further includes a rotating shaft protrusion 114 protruding in the radial direction from the rotating shaft 110, and the shutter control unit 112 controls the rotation of the rotating shaft protrusion 114 around the axis of the rotating shaft 110.

[0055] 11, the first cover 14A has at least one second screw hole 36B inside the handle portion 38. Here, the second screw hole 36B is also formed in the second cover 14B, and when the cover 14 is attached to the container portion 12, the second screw hole 36B of the first cover 14A and the second screw hole 36B of the second cover 14B communicate with each other in approximately the same direction. Therefore, the first cover 14A and the second cover 14B can be fixed to each other via the second screw hole 36B with a fastener including a screw.

[0056] 11, the above-mentioned first screw hole 36A for fixing the container part 12 and the first cover 14A to each other may be formed inside the handle part 38. Also, the third screw hole 36C for fixing the container part 12 and the second cover 14B to each other may be formed inside the handle part 38.

[0057] <Interlocking of operation unit, shutter, and heater> The manner in which the shutter control unit 112 controls the opening and closing of the second exhaust hole 86 by the shutter 108 will be described in detail with further reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. 11, showing the vicinity of the temperature sensor 90. For simplicity of illustration, some members, including the cover 14, are omitted from FIG. 12. FIG. 12(a) shows a cross-section of the vicinity of the temperature sensor 90 in the third state S3 in which the shutter 108 closes the second exhaust hole 86. FIG. 12(b) shows a cross-section of the vicinity of the temperature sensor 90 in the fourth state S4 in which the shutter 108 opens the second exhaust hole 86.

[0058] As shown in the cross section of the third state S3 (see FIG. 12(a)), the operating unit 42 has an abutment portion 116 that abuts against the shutter control unit 112. Also, the shutter control unit 112 has an abutment portion 118 that abuts against the rotation shaft protrusion 114. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the operating unit 42 is constrained to be rotatable around the axis of the rotation shaft 42R. For example, when a user presses the operating unit 42 from outside the electric kettle 2, the operating unit 42 rotates around the axis of the rotation shaft 42R.

[0059] When the operating unit 42 is pressed from the third state S3, as shown in the cross section of the fourth state S4 (see FIG. 12(b)), the contact portion 116 presses the shutter control unit 112 in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating shaft 42R of the operating unit 42 around its axis. As a result, the shutter control unit 112 moves in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit 42, and the contact portion 118 presses the rotating shaft protrusion portion 114. As a result, the shutter control unit 112 rotates the rotating shaft 110 around its axis, and ultimately rotates the shutter 108 around the axis of the rotating shaft 110. As shown in the cross section of the fourth state S4, the shutter control unit 112 operates in conjunction with the operation of the operating unit 42, causing the shutter 108 to open the second exhaust hole 86.

[0060] The shutter control unit 112 is linked to the operations of the heater 24 and the lamp unit 44, in addition to the operation of the operation unit 42. For example, when the main body unit 4 is placed on the power supply unit 8, if the shutter control unit 112 controls the shutter 108 and opens the second exhaust hole 86 by the operation of the operation unit 42, the heater 24 heats the heat source 26. Furthermore, while the heater 24 is heating the heat source 26, the light source unit 48 of the lamp unit 44 is turned on.

[0061] For this reason, while the heater 24 is heating the heat source 26, the flow path from the container 12 to the exhaust port 106 is open. Therefore, when steam is generated from the liquid inside the container 12 heated by the heat source 26, the steam is exhausted to the outside of the electric kettle 2 through the flow path from the container 12 to the exhaust port 106. In addition, the lamp unit 44 notifies the user of the electric kettle 2 that the inside of the container 12 is being heated by lighting the light source unit 48.

[0062] The gas inside the container 12, including the steam generated inside the container 12, may be introduced into the lid 6 via the first exhaust hole 72, and then flow to the exhaust port 106 as well as the discharge port 58, and discharged from the electric kettle 2. The intake flow path 80 may include an intake valve that allows gas to flow only from the second intake port 82 to the first intake port 76, thereby restricting the gas inside the container 12 from being discharged from the second intake port 82 to the outside of the electric kettle 2.

[0063] Here, the steam generated by heating the container part 12 comes into contact with the bimetal 102 of the temperature sensing part 90 before passing through the flow path from the container part 12 to the exhaust port 106. The bimetal 102 senses the change in temperature from the change in electromotive force, and in turn senses that the steam from the container part 12 is flowing toward the exhaust port 106. This allows the bimetal 102 to sense the boiling of the liquid in the container part 12.

[0064] When the bimetal 102 detects the boiling of the liquid in the container 12, the heater 24 stops operating, and the heating of the heat source 26 by the heater 24 stops. With the heater 24 stopping operating, for example, the shutter control unit 112 returns to the position shown in the cross section of the third state S3 (see FIG. 12(a)). Therefore, the shutter control unit 112 presses the contact unit 116 to return the operation unit 42 to the position shown in the cross section of the third state S3 in FIG. 12. In addition, the lamp unit 44 turns off the light source unit 48, and notifies the user of the electric kettle 2 that heating of the inside of the container 12 has finished.

[0065] Note that a weak force is always applied to the rotating shaft 110 in the direction around the axis in which the rotating shaft protrusion 114 presses the contact portion 118. Therefore, as described above, when the shutter control portion 112 returns to the position shown in the cross section of the third state S3 in Fig. 12, the rotating shaft 110 rotates around the axis so that the shutter 108 closes the second exhaust hole 86. Therefore, in the electric kettle 2 according to this embodiment, when the operation of the heater 24 is stopped, the second exhaust hole 86 is always closed, and the gas inside the container portion 12 is restricted from flowing to the exhaust port 106.

[0066] Normal liquid supply using the electric kettle 2, in other words, supply of liquid inside the container portion 12 from the outlet 58, generally occurs in a state where heating by the heater 24 is stopped. For this reason, the shutter 108 reduces outflow of the liquid to the exhaust outlet 106 when the electric kettle 2 supplies liquid inside the container portion 12. Note that the electric kettle 2 may stop operation of the heater 24 if liquid is about to be supplied from the electric kettle 2 while the heater 24 is operating, for example, if the electric kettle 2 is tilted.

[0067] Furthermore, while the liquid inside the container part 12 is being supplied to the outside of the electric kettle 2 from the discharge port 58, a gas flow path is secured from the second air intake port 82 to the inside of the container part 12. Therefore, while the liquid inside the container part 12 is being discharged from the discharge port 58, pulsation of the liquid is reduced, so that the liquid inside the container part 12 can be more smoothly supplied to the outside of the electric kettle 2.

[0068] <Details of temperature sensor> The shape of the gas flow path in the temperature sensing part 90 will be described in further detail with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view and a schematic side view showing a part of the temperature sensing part 90. In particular, Fig. 13 shows the first shoulder flow path 92, the sensor accommodating part 96, and the second shoulder flow path 100, which form the gas flow path from the second exhaust hole 86 to the main body exhaust flow path 104 in the temperature sensing part 90. However, Fig. 13 also shows the bimetal 102 formed in the sensor accommodating part 96.

[0069] A cross section 90A in Fig. 13 shows a cross section of the member forming the above-mentioned gas flow path on the same plane as the cross section shown in Fig. 10. A side view 90B in Fig. 13 is a side view of the first shoulder flow path 92 as seen from the first opening 92A side. A side view 90C in Fig. 13 is a side view of the second shoulder flow path 100 as seen from the fourth opening 100B side.

[0070] 13, the first shoulder flow passage 92 has a first section 92C whose inner diameter gradually decreases from the first opening 92A side to the second opening 92B side, and a second section 92D located closer to the second opening 92B than the first section 92C. The inner diameter of the second section 92D is equal to or smaller than the minimum inner diameter of the first section 92C. Therefore, the inner diameter of the first shoulder flow passage 92 is smaller on the second opening 92B side than on the first opening 92A side.

[0071] For example, the second section 92D is a flow path having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and has an inner diameter 92H in the height direction and an inner diameter 92W in the width direction. Both the inner diameter 92H and the inner diameter 92W are 15 mm or less, for example, the inner diameter 92H is 3.8 mm, and the inner diameter 92W is 11.0 mm. Furthermore, the length of the second section 92D from the first section 92C to the sensor accommodating section 96 is 5.3 mm or more (the sum of the length of the first section 92C, 2.6 mm, and the length of the second section 92D, 2.7 mm).

[0072] As shown in cross section 90A of Fig. 13, second shoulder flow passage 100 has substantially the same inner diameter from the third opening 100A side to the fourth opening 100B side. For example, second shoulder flow passage 100 is a flow passage having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and has inner diameter 100H in the height direction and inner diameter 100W in the width direction. Both inner diameter 100H and inner diameter 100W are 18 mm or less, for example, inner diameter 100H is 11.4 mm, and inner diameter 100W is 4.3 mm.

[0073] 13 is, for example, 18 mm. Therefore, the first shoulder passage 92 and the second shoulder passage 100 each have a portion whose inner diameter is smaller than the width 102W of the bimetal 102.

[0074] The second shoulder flow passage 100 may have a section in which the inner diameter gradually decreases from the third opening 100A to the fourth opening 100B. At least one of the first shoulder flow passage 92 and the second shoulder flow passage 100 may have a check valve that restricts the flow of gas from the container portion 12 side to the exhaust port 106 side.

[0075] <Distribution path> In this embodiment, the lid 6 having the discharge port 58 fits into the main body 4 at the top to cover the opening 20 of the container 12. For this reason, the main body 4 has a recess 120 having a shape corresponding to the discharge port 58, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The recess 120 has a flow passage 122 on the upper surface, which is recessed further toward the lower side of the main body 4. In particular, the flow passage 122 extends from the side of the center position 12C of the container 12 shown in FIG. 5 in the direction D1 toward the cover 14, which is the outer shell of the main body 4, and includes a first flow passage 124 on the container 12 side and a second flow passage 126 on the cover 14 side.

[0076] The first flow passage 124 has a width 124W of 12.9 mm or more and 13.3 mm or less along the direction D1. The second flow passage 126 has a width 126W of 5.7 mm or less along the direction D1. In other words, the distance between the tip 124E of the first flow passage 124 on the cover 14 side and the tip 120E of the upper surface of the recess 120 on the cover 14 side along the direction D1 is 3.6 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 6, the angle θ2 is an acute angle, in other words, an angle less than 90°.

[0077] 5, a first arc 124A formed when an arbitrary surface in the direction along the cover 14 intersects with the first flow passage 124 has an arc shape with a radius of 51.6 mm or less. Also, a second arc 126A formed when an arbitrary surface in the direction along the cover 14 intersects with the second flow passage 126 on the upper surface of the recess 120 has an arc shape with a radius of 63.0 mm or less.

[0078] The radius of the arc shape of the first arc 124A is different from and smaller than the radius of the arc shape of the second arc 126A. The radius of the arc shape of the first arc 124A gradually decreases from the container portion 12 toward the cover 14.

[0079] <Summary> The side body 16 of the container part 12 according to this embodiment includes a side wall 28 that constitutes a part of the inner peripheral surface of the container part 12, and at least one protrusion 30 that protrudes from a part of the side wall 28. In addition, in a cross section along the upper surface of the bottom part 18, an angle θ1 formed between the side wall 28 and each protrusion 30 on the inside side of the container part 12 necessarily has a position where it is an obtuse angle, and is either an obtuse angle or a right angle at every position.

[0080] For example, consider a case where the side body 16 has a plate-like rib that abuts against the bottom 18 and protrudes from the side wall 28 instead of the convex portion 30. In this case, when the rib protrudes from the side wall 28 toward the center of the container portion 12, the angle between the rib and the side wall 28 is a right angle in any position. Even if the rib is protruded obliquely from the side wall 28 to ensure a position where the angle between the rib and the side wall 28 is an obtuse angle, there will be other positions where the angle between the rib and the side wall 28 is an acute angle. In the above case, a gap is formed at the base end of the rib relative to the side wall 28, and a cleaning tool such as a sponge cannot reach this gap, resulting in parts of the inside of the container portion 12 that are difficult to clean.

[0081] In this embodiment, there is no position in each protrusion 30 where the angle θ1 is an acute angle, and in at least a portion of each protrusion 30, the angle θ1 is an obtuse angle. When the angle θ1 is an obtuse angle at the intersection between the inner surface of the protrusion 30 and the side wall 28, a cleaning tool or the like can reach the boundary portion between the side wall 28 and each protrusion 30 more easily than when the angle θ1 is an acute angle, and the ease of cleaning of the portion is improved. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above configuration improves the ease of cleaning the inside of the container 12, including the boundary portion between the side wall 28 and each protrusion 30. In addition, since the side wall 28 and the surface of each protrusion 30 are continuous, the ease of cleaning of the inside of the container 12 is further improved. In particular, since no gap is formed at the base end of the protrusion 30 relative to the side wall 28, the electric kettle 2 according to this embodiment clearly improves the ease of cleaning in that the inside of the container 12 is less likely to have a portion that is difficult to clean.

[0082] In addition, each of the protrusions 30 protrudes from only a portion of the side wall 28 in a cross section taken along the upper surface of the bottom 18. With the above configuration, the volume occupied by the protrusions 30 inside the container 12 can be made smaller than when the protrusions 30 protrude from the entire circumference of the side wall 28 in a cross section taken along the upper surface of the bottom 18. Therefore, with the above configuration, the height of the container 12 required to ensure the same internal volume inside the container 12 can be reduced, and the electric kettle 2 can be made smaller.

[0083] The bottom 18 is positioned in the container portion 12 by abutting against each of the protrusions 30. Therefore, misalignment of the bottom 18 in the container portion 12 is reduced with a simple configuration. In particular, in this embodiment, the bottom 18 abuts against all of the protrusions 30, and also contacts the front surface of the lower surface of each of the protrusions 30. Therefore, misalignment of the bottom 18 in the container portion 12 is further reduced. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bottom 18 abuts against three or more protrusions 30, so that the bottom 18 is more reliably fixed to the side body 16.

[0084] The bottom portion 18 according to the present embodiment includes a thermal fuse 32 that detects overheating caused by the heater 24. Here, the thermal fuse 32 is disposed with a gap between the heater 24 and the heat source 26 heated by the heater 24. In other words, the thermal fuse 32 is not pressed against the heater 24 and the heat source 26.

[0085] The above configuration can reduce the heater 24 or heat source 26 from heating the thermal fuse 32 to a temperature above the service temperature of the thermal fuse 32. In other words, the thermal fuse 32 is more likely to be disposed in a position where it can properly detect overheating caused by the heater 24. Therefore, the above configuration makes it easier to dispose the thermal fuse 32 so that it can more properly detect overheating caused by the heater 24 while reducing defects in the thermal fuse 32.

[0086] In this embodiment, the thermal fuse 32 is fixed by clamping the thermal fuse 32 with a plurality of fasteners 34. This configuration makes it easier to fix the thermal fuse 32 in a more appropriate position. Furthermore, the fixing of the thermal fuse 32 can be achieved with a simpler configuration.

[0087] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining different technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 2: electric kettle (beverage dispenser), 4: main body, 12: container, 16: side body, 18: bottom, 24: heater, 26: heat source, 28: side wall, 30: convex portion, 30U: underside, 32: thermal fuse, 34: fastener.

Claims

1. a main body portion having a container portion; The container portion includes a side body and a bottom portion that fits with the side body, The side body includes a side wall constituting a part of an inner peripheral surface of the container part, and at least one protrusion protruding from a part of the side wall toward the inside of the container part in a cross section along an upper surface of the bottom part, The bottom portion abuts against at least one of the protrusions, An electric kettle, in any cross section passing through at least one of the protrusions along the upper surface of the bottom, wherein the angles at two intersections between the inner surface of at least one of the protrusions and the side wall are both obtuse angles or right angles, and the angle at at least one of the intersections is an obtuse angle.

2. The electric kettle according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom abuts against all of the protrusions.

3. 3. The electric kettle according to claim 1, wherein the bottom further comprises a heat source for heating the inside of the container, a heater for heating the heat source, and a temperature fuse arranged with a gap between the heat source and the heater to detect overheating by the heater and stop heating of the heat source by the heater.

4. The electric kettle of claim 3 , further comprising a fastener in the base that clamps the thermal fuse to fix the position of the thermal fuse relative to the heat source and the heater.

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