Electric water heater

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an electric water heater that provides even hot water for showering. Furthermore, it is also to provide an electric water heater that allows for easy switching between normal hot water supply and hot water supply for extraction, and that is easy to maintain. [Solution] The electric water heater 1 according to the present disclosure comprises a holding means 10 for holding liquid, a heating means 30 for heating the liquid, a water outlet 50 having a water outlet 52 for dispensing the liquid heated by the heating means 30, and a shower water outlet attachment 80 installed below the water outlet 52 and equipped with a water spray plate 82 having a plurality of water spray holes 82b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric water heater, and particularly to a technique for smoothly switching between normal hot water discharge and hot water discharge for extraction such as coffee or tea.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an electric water heater that heats the water stored in a tank to discharge hot water, or an instant water heater that can be equipped with a PET bottle and heats the water supplied from the attached PET bottle to discharge hot water, by pressing a hot water discharge button provided on an operation unit, it is common to discharge a single stream of hot water from a single hot water discharge port. To extract coffee or tea using such an electric water heater, an extraction container such as a funnel-shaped dripper with coffee powder placed below the hot water discharge port or a teapot with tea leaves is positioned, and hot water is discharged into the extraction container for extraction. In order to extract delicious coffee or tea, it is necessary to pour hot water so that the hot water penetrates evenly into the placed coffee powder or tea leaves. However, since a single stream of hot water is supplied from the hot water discharge port of a conventional electric water heater, in order to pour hot water evenly onto the coffee powder placed in the funnel-shaped dripper, the user himself / herself had to move the electric water heater itself or the dripper in a circular motion.

[0003] There is one provided with an operation lever for switching between normal hot water discharge and shower hot water discharge for extraction, as described in Patent Document 1, which can perform even pouring of hot water onto the dripper without the user manually moving the electric water heater or the dripper, and can discharge a single stream of hot water during normal operation (Patent Document 1).

[0004] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, an electric water heater has two outlets in parallel: a first outlet that dispenses the hot water poured from the pouring spout as a normal single stream, and a second outlet that receives the hot water poured from the pouring spout and dispenses it as a shower for extraction. By operating an operating lever to rotate the pouring spout, it is possible to switch between the hot water dispensed from the first outlet and the hot water dispensed from the second outlet. In other words, the main pouring spout and the pouring pipe connected to it are designed to be rotatable by operating an operating lever, and by operating the operating lever, the pouring pipe and pouring spout are rotated, making it possible to select between the first and second hot water outlets.

[0005] This technology allows the user to select either the first or second hot water outlet via a rotating mechanism, enabling even dispensing via a shower-like stream without the user having to move the extraction container in a circular motion, while also allowing for normal hot water dispensing.

[0006] Incidentally, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which the hot water supply pipe and outlet rotate by operating an operating lever, resulting in many movable parts that cannot be separated from the electric water heater body, and since these movable parts become hot, the structure is prone to malfunction. Furthermore, even if a malfunction occurs, repairing it by separating it from the electric water heater body renders the electric water heater itself unusable, resulting in poor maintainability.

[0007] Furthermore, the second water outlet for the shower is simply a dish with multiple holes positioned below the main water inlet, making it difficult for the water poured from the main inlet to be evenly distributed through all the holes. In other words, the water is concentrated in the holes located near the bottom of the main water inlet, while less water is dispensed from the surrounding holes, resulting in an uneven shower distribution. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3470668 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide an electric water heater that provides even hot water for showers. It also aims to provide an electric water heater that allows easy switching between normal hot water supply and hot water supply for extraction, and that is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides the following solutions.

[0011] The electric water heater according to the first feature comprises a holding means for holding liquid, a heating means for heating the liquid, a hot water outlet for dispensing the liquid heated by the heating means, and a shower hot water attachment installed below the hot water outlet and equipped with a spray plate having a plurality of spray holes.

[0012] According to the invention relating to the first feature, by providing a shower hot water outlet attachment equipped with a spray plate having multiple spray holes and installed below the hot water outlet, the hot water discharged from the hot water outlet can be sprayed out as a shower through the spray holes.

[0013] Furthermore, in the electric water heater relating to the second feature, the shower hot water outlet attachment is formed in a box shape, with an inlet formed on the top surface for the hot water discharged from the outlet to flow in, and the aforementioned water spray plate is provided on the bottom surface.

[0014] According to the invention relating to the second feature, the inside of the box-shaped shower hot water outlet attachment functions as a storage space that can temporarily hold the hot water flowing in from the inlet. Therefore, while continuously receiving the hot water from the outlet, the hot water that flows into the shower hot water outlet attachment is temporarily held by the spray plate and distributed throughout the entire surface of the spray plate. Then, the shower can be evenly dispensed from the multiple spray holes drilled in the spray plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the electric water heater relating to the third feature is an invention relating to the second feature, wherein a raised portion is formed on the spray plate at a location below the inlet, which rises upward.

[0016] According to the invention relating to the third feature, a raised portion is formed on the spray plate below the inlet, so that the hot water flowing in from the inlet can be distributed evenly to the corners of the spray plate. As a result, hot water can be dispensed evenly from the spray plate in a shower-like manner.

[0017] Furthermore, the electric water heater relating to the fourth feature is an invention relating to the third feature, in which no sprinkler holes are formed in the region where the raised portion is formed.

[0018] According to the invention relating to the fourth feature, since no sprinkler holes are formed in the region where the raised portion is formed, it is possible to prevent the hot water flowing in from the inlet from being unevenly discharged from near the bottom of the inlet.

[0019] Furthermore, the electric water heater according to the fifth feature is an invention according to the second feature, wherein grooves of a predetermined depth are formed on the surface of the water spray plate on the side where the inlet is formed, connecting the water spray holes.

[0020] According to the invention relating to the fifth feature, since the water outlets are connected by grooves formed in the water outlet plate, even if there is little hot water remaining on the water outlet plate, the hot water flows evenly through the grooves to the water outlets, and the shower can be dispensed evenly from multiple water outlets.

[0021] Moreover, the electric water heater according to the sixth feature is an invention according to any one of the first to fifth features, and a shower water outlet attachment is detachable from the water outlet means.

[0022] According to the invention according to the sixth feature, since it is detachable from the shower water outlet attachment, it is possible to easily switch between normal water outlet from the water outlet and even shower water outlet from a plurality of water spray holes provided in the water spray plate.

[0023] Moreover, the electric water heater according to the seventh feature is an invention according to any one of the first to fifth features, and the shower water outlet attachment detachably includes an extraction container composed of a basket having an open upper portion and at least a mesh filter on the lower surface and a filter cover having an open upper portion capable of accommodating the basket and a beverage outlet on the bottom surface below the water spray holes.

[0024] According to the invention according to the seventh feature, since the shower water outlet attachment detachably includes an extraction container composed of a basket having an open upper portion and at least a mesh filter on the lower surface and a filter cover having an open upper portion capable of accommodating the basket and a beverage outlet on the bottom surface below the water spray holes, by simply attaching the shower water outlet attachment with the extraction raw material in the basket and discharging water, shower water is evenly discharged from a plurality of water spray holes toward the extraction raw material, and an evenly extracted beverage can be enjoyed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric water heater in which shower water is evenly discharged. In addition, it is possible to easily switch between normal water discharge and water discharge for extraction, and to provide an electric water heater with excellent maintainability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view from above, and Figure 1(b) is a perspective view from below. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 according to this embodiment. Figure 4(a) is a perspective view taken from diagonally above, and Figure 4(b) is a perspective view taken from diagonally below. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed structure of the spray plate 82 of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 according to this embodiment. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view, and Figure 5(b) is a plan view of the spray plate 82. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 and the spray plate of the extraction container 90 according to this embodiment. Figure 6(a) is an exploded perspective view, Figure 6(b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below, and Figure 6(c) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the overall structure of an electric water heater according to another embodiment. Figure 7(a) shows the lid closed, and Figure 7(b) shows the lid open. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention with reference to the figures. However, this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0028] [Overall configuration of electric water heater 1] The overall configuration of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the electric water heater 1 has a structure that allows a commercially available PET bottle to be attached with the cap removed, and is an instantaneous water heater that heats the water supplied from the attached PET bottle to dispense hot water.

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment, where Figure 1(a) is a perspective view from above and Figure 1(b) is a perspective view from below. Figure 2 is a side view of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electric water heater 1 according to this embodiment heats a liquid inside the unit and dispenses it outside the unit. It comprises a holding means 10 for holding the liquid, a supply means 20 for dispensing the liquid, a heating means 30 for heating the liquid, a pouring pipe 40, a dispensing means 50 for dispensing the heated liquid, a power supply means 60 for supplying power to the heating means 30 and control means, a housing 70, a shower dispensing attachment 80 that is detachably attached to the dispensing means 50 and has a plurality of water outlets 82b, an extraction container 90 that can contain coffee grounds or tea leaves and receive shower dispensing water from the water outlets 82b, and a control means (not shown). Note that in Figure 3, the holding means 10, the shower dispensing attachment 80, and the extraction container 90 are not shown.

[0031] The holding means 10 in this embodiment is a cylindrical structure that can be attached to a commercially available PET bottle with the cap removed. It has a screw-on portion 11 at the top that can be screwed onto the mouth of the PET bottle, and an outlet portion 12 at the bottom that allows the liquid supplied from the mouth of the PET bottle to flow out. The outlet portion 12 also has a valve portion (not shown). By screwing the PET bottle with the cap removed onto the screw-on portion 11 and attaching it to the mounting portion 71 formed on the top surface of the housing 70, the liquid inside the PET bottle can be sent to the supply means 20.

[0032] In this embodiment, a system that allows a PET bottle to be attached as the liquid holding means 10 is adopted, but it is not limited to this. A storage tank provided inside the housing may also be used as the liquid holding means 10.

[0033] The supply means 20 pumps the liquid held by the holding means 10 towards the heating means 30 and the hot water dispensing means 50, and in this embodiment, an electric pump is used.

[0034] The heating means 30 heats the liquid supplied by the supply means 20 to a desired temperature. In this embodiment, the heating means 30 consists of a heater in which a heating element that generates heat when an electric current is passed through is directly or indirectly wrapped around a metal tube made of stainless steel or the like. However, various types of heating means 30 can be used, such as resistance heaters or those using electromagnetic induction, and are not particularly limited.

[0035] The hot water supply pipe 40 is a path that guides the heated and pressurized hot water to the hot water dispensing means 50.

[0036] The hot water dispensing means 50 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 40 and dispenses hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe 40. It comprises a nose portion 51 that protrudes horizontally from the housing 70 and a single hot water outlet 52 formed vertically downward on the lower surface of the nose portion 51. Furthermore, an engagement recess 53 is formed on the lower surface of the nose portion 51, into which the engagement projection 81b of the shower hot water dispensing attachment 80, which will be described later, engages.

[0037] The power supply means 60 is connected to a household power supply or general power supply and supplies power for operation to the supply means 20, heating means 30, etc., and includes a power plug and power cord (not shown).

[0038] The housing 70 holds the holding means 10, the supply means 20, the heating means 30, etc., either inside or outside, and in this embodiment, it is formed in a cylindrical shape. An operation panel (not shown) is formed on the surface of the housing 70.

[0039] An operation panel (not shown) formed on one side of the housing 70 includes a power button, a temperature control button, a mode selection button, and a water supply / child lock button. A mounting section 71 to which the retaining means 10 can be attached is formed on the top surface of the housing 70. The operation panel also includes a setting display section that shows the current temperature, set temperature, etc.

[0040] The control device includes means for outputting control signals to the supply means 20 and the heating means 30, and timing means for measuring time, and outputs control signals to the supply means 20 and the heating means 30 based on the detection result of the timing means. The control device also includes selection operation means for selecting from multiple hot water dispensing modes. The selection operation means includes an operation panel that allows the user to select one of the following modes: a hot water dispensing mode for normal hot water dispensing, and an extraction mode for extraction with the shower hot water dispensing attachment 80, including the extraction container, attached.

[0041] In the electric water heater 1 constructed as described above, a PET bottle with the cap removed is attached to the holding means 10 to hold the liquid, and by operating an operating part (not shown), the power supply means 20 is activated to pump the liquid, the heating means 30 heats the liquid to the desired temperature, and a stream of hot water is discharged from the outlet 52 of the hot water dispensing means 50 via the pouring pipe 40.

[0042] [Detailed configuration of the shower water outlet attachment 80] Next, the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 will be explained using Figures 4 and 5.

[0043] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the detailed structure of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80. Figure 4(a) is a perspective view taken from diagonally above, and Figure 4(b) is a perspective view taken from diagonally below. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed structure of the spray plate 82. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view, and Figure 5(b) is a plan view of the spray plate 82.

[0044] The shower hot water outlet attachment 80 consists of a casing 81 formed in the shape of a box with an open bottom, and a spray plate 82 attached to the bottom surface of the casing. A recess 81a is formed on a part of the top surface of the box-shaped casing 81, which is recessed downwards so as to fit into the nose portion 51 of the hot water outlet means 50. On the top surface of the recess 81a, an engaging projection 81b is formed which engages with an engaging recess 53 of the nose portion 51 of the hot water outlet means 50, and an inlet 81c is formed which is located below the hot water outlet 52 when the engaging recess 53 engages with the engaging projection 81b, allowing hot water to flow into the interior. The spray plate 82 is fitted to the open bottom of the casing 81 to spray the hot water that has flowed in from the inlet 81c in a shower-like manner. The interior of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80, which is formed by fitting a water spray plate 82 to the bottom surface of the casing 81 with an open bottom, is defined as a storage space where hot water flowing in from the inlet 81c can be temporarily stored.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5, the watering plate 82 has a watering section 82a formed on its entire circumference via a downwardly convex stepped section, and a plurality of watering holes 82b are formed in the watering section 82a.

[0046] The sprinkler section 82a is not a flat plate; a raised section 82c is formed in the sprinkler section 82a at the location below the inlet 81c. Sprinkler holes 82b are not formed in the region where the raised section 82c is formed.

[0047] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), grooves 82d are formed on the surface of the watering section 82a to a predetermined depth that does not penetrate the watering section 82a, and adjacent watering holes 82b are connected by the grooves 82d.

[0048] To attach the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 configured in this way to the hot water outlet means 50, the recess 81 of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 is fitted into the nose portion 51 of the hot water outlet means 50. Then, the engaging projection 81b formed on the upper surface of the recess 81a engages with the engaging recess 53 formed on the lower surface of the nose portion 51, and the attachment of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 is completed.

[0049] When the shower hot water attachment 80 is attached to the hot water dispensing means 50 and hot water is dispensed by operating the control panel, the hot water dispensed from the hot water outlet 52 of the hot water dispensing unit 50 flows in through the inlet 81c formed on the upper surface of the recess 81a. When the shower hot water attachment 80 is attached to the hot water dispensing means 50, the inlet 81c is formed to be located directly below the hot water outlet 52 of the hot water dispensing means 50, so the hot water from the hot water outlet 50 flows smoothly into the shower hot water attachment 80 without splashing.

[0050] When hot water flows into the box-shaped shower outlet attachment 80, the water is temporarily stored in the space inside the shower outlet attachment 80. In particular, the spray plate 82 located at the bottom of the shower outlet attachment 80 has a downwardly convex step formed around almost its entire circumference, and a spray section 82a is formed via this step. As a result, the water that flows into the shower outlet attachment 80 is temporarily held in the spray section 82a and distributed throughout the entire area of ​​the spray section 82a. Then, the shower water can be evenly dispensed from the multiple spray holes 82b drilled in the spray section 82a.

[0051] Furthermore, since a raised portion 82c is formed in the spraying section 82a below the inlet 81c, the hot water flowing in from the inlet 81c can be distributed evenly to the corners of the spraying section 82a. Moreover, since no spray holes 82b are formed in the area where the raised portion 82c is formed, it is possible to prevent the hot water flowing in from the inlet 81c from being unevenly discharged from near the area below the inlet 81c. In addition, since adjacent spray holes 82b are connected by grooves formed in the spraying section 82a, even if there is little hot water remaining in the spraying section 82a, the hot water flows evenly to the spray holes 82b through the grooves 82d, and shower water can be discharged evenly from multiple spray holes 82b.

[0052] [Detailed configuration of extraction container 90] Next, we will describe the extraction container 90 that is attached to the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 using Figure 6.

[0053] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the overall structure of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 and the spray plate of the extraction container 90 according to this embodiment. Figure 6(a) is an exploded perspective view, Figure 6(b) is a perspective view seen from diagonally below, and Figure 6(c) is a perspective view seen from diagonally above.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, below the spray plate 82 of the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 configured in this way, an extraction container 90 capable of holding coffee grounds, tea leaves, etc., can be detachably attached to the shower hot water outlet attachment 80.

[0055] The extraction container 90 is a cylindrical container capable of holding extraction ingredients such as coffee grounds or tea leaves, as well as hot water, for extracting beverages. In this embodiment, the extraction container 90 comprises a basket 91 with an open top and metal mesh filters 91a on its bottom and four sides, and a filter cover 92 which is formed in a box shape with an open top, houses the basket 91, and has a beverage outlet 92a on its bottom.

[0056] The cross-section of the basket 91 is formed to be approximately the same shape as the cross-section of the spray plate 82.

[0057] The beverage extraction operation when the shower water outlet attachment 80 and extraction container 90, formed in this manner, are attached will be explained.

[0058] After placing the extraction ingredients such as coffee grounds or tea leaves in the basket 91, the extraction container 90 is attached to the shower water outlet attachment 80. Then, the shower water outlet attachment 80 with the extraction container 90 attached is attached to the nose portion 51. The operation at this time is the same as described above, in which the recess 81 of the shower water outlet attachment 80 is fitted into the nose portion 51 of the water outlet means 50. Then, the engaging projection 81b formed on the upper surface of the recess 81a engages with the engaging recess 53 formed on the lower surface of the nose portion 51, and the attachment of the shower water outlet attachment 80 is completed.

[0059] In this state, when hot water is dispensed by operating the control panel, the hot water dispensed from the hot water outlet 52 of the hot water dispensing unit 50 is sprayed out as a shower from the multiple spray holes 82b of the shower hot water dispensing attachment 80.

[0060] The hot water sprayed from the sprinkler holes 82b flows down into the open-topped extraction container 90, extracting the raw materials such as coffee grounds and tea leaves contained in the basket 91 of the extraction container 90. The extracted liquid passes through the mesh filter 91a of the basket 91 and is discharged from the beverage outlet 92a of the filter cover 92. On the other hand, the raw materials remaining after the extract has been extracted cannot pass through the mesh filter 91a and remain on the basket 91 as extraction residue. The extracted liquid discharged from the beverage outlet 92a can be collected by the user in a mug or other container placed below the beverage outlet 92a.

[0061] The above describes extraction with the extraction container 90 integrated into the system, but this is not the only option. The extraction container 90 may be configured separately from the shower hot water attachment 80, and the shower hot water attachment 80 may only have the function of spraying hot water from the spray plate 82. In this case, the hot water sprayed from the spray plate 82 can be collected in a mug or the like, or coffee or tea can be extracted using an extraction container separately installed below the spray plate 82.

[0062] Furthermore, although the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 is configured to be detachable by using the engaging recess 53 and the engaging projection 81b, it may also be configured to be detachable by providing grooves or convex guide parts that allow it to slide.

[0063] Furthermore, although the shower hot water outlet attachment 80 is configured to be detachable from the outside of the nose section 51, this is not the only configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(b), it may be configured to be installed inside the hot water outlet means 50.

[0064] In other words, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(b) as another embodiment, a retractable lid may be provided on the nose portion 51 of the hot water dispensing means 50, and the shower hot water dispensing attachment 80 and the extraction container 90 may be attached by opening the lid. In this case, the hot water supplied from the pouring pipe 40 should be received from a hot water outlet (not shown) provided inside the nose portion 51 at an inlet 81c formed in the casing 81 of the shower hot water dispensing attachment 80.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments.

[0066] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are explained in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those comprising all the configurations described. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] The electric water heater of this invention can be applied to various types of electric water heaters, regardless of whether they are for general household or commercial use, and regardless of whether they are of the type such as a detachable PET bottle type or a kettle type. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1. Electric water heater 10 Retention means 11 Arukubu 12 Exit section 20 Means of supply 30 Heating means 40 Pouring pipe 50 Hot water supply method 51 Nose section 52 Hot water outlet 53 Engaging recess 60 Power supply means 70 cabinets 71 Mounting part 80 Shower hot water outlet attachment 81 Casing 81a Recess 81b Engagement protrusion 81c inlet 82 Sprinkler Plate 82a Sprinkler section 82b Sprinkler holes 82c Exciting part 82d Groove 90 Extraction vessel 91 Basketball Club 91a Mesh filter 92 Filter Cover 92a Beverage outlet

Claims

1. A means for holding liquid, A heating means for heating the aforementioned liquid, A hot water dispensing means having a hot water outlet for dispensing the liquid heated by the aforementioned heating means, The shower outlet attachment is provided with a spray plate having multiple spray holes and installed below the aforementioned hot water outlet, The shower hot water outlet attachment is formed in a box shape, has an inlet on its upper surface for the hot water discharged from the outlet to flow into, and is equipped with the spray plate on its bottom surface. In the aforementioned spray plate, a raised portion is formed at the location directly below the inlet, which rises upward. Electric water heater.

2. The water spray holes are not formed in the region where the raised portion is formed. The electric water heater according to claim 1.

3. On the surface of the spray plate, on the side where the inlet is formed, grooves of a predetermined depth are formed to connect the spray holes. The electric water heater according to claim 1.

4. The shower water outlet attachment is detachably attached to the water outlet means. An electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Below the aforementioned spray plate, the extraction container further comprises a basket with an open top and a mesh filter on at least its lower surface, and a filter cover with an open top capable of housing the basket and having a beverage outlet on its bottom. An electric water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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