JP6273693B2 - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Description

  The present application relates to an electric kettle that can boil hot water in a main body that is detachably mounted on a power supply stand, and particularly relates to an electric kettle that has a configuration that prevents hot water from spilling during a fall.

  In recent years, in order to meet the needs of users who want to quickly boil a small amount of hot water when they want to use it, electric kettles equipped with a main body that is detachably mounted on a power supply stand have been widely used.

  Such an electric kettle has a relatively small capacity of about 0.15 liters to 1.2 liters. When water is put into an inner container in the main body and placed on the power supply base, When the heater is energized, boiling water can be boiled in a short time of about 1 to 3 minutes.

  The electric kettle does not have a heat retaining function like an electric kettle. In addition, when hot water is boiled, only the main body is lifted from the power supply stand, and the main body is tilted like pouring hot water with a conventional kettle, and hot water in the main body can be poured into a coffee cup or the like from the spout portion.

  As an electric kettle currently on the market, there is a simple form in which the main body with an inner container is composed of a single layer structure made of resin or glass, and a heater as a heat source is provided at the lower part of the inner container part is there. The electric kettle of such a form uses a plate-like member as a lid that covers the inner container, has an extremely simple configuration that can be opened and closed by a lever and can be filled with water, is lightweight and A low-cost electric kettle can be realized.

  On the other hand, as another form of electric kettle currently on the market, a hot water switch that allows hot water to be poured into the lid that covers the opening of the main body only when necessary, or accidentally overturning the electric kettle body Some have a mechanism to prevent hot water from spilling even if it is allowed to. The electric kettle of this form considers safety by placing importance on handling hot water in which the electric kettle boils. As an electric kettle with a lid with a water stop function at the time of falling that prevents hot water from spilling when falling, the remaining volume of hot water is low and the volume ratio of the main unit is increased. The structure which did is proposed (refer patent document 1).

JP 2009-172109 A

  After boiling the hot water with the main unit mounted on the power supply base as described above, lift the main body from the power supply base, bring the spout close to the coffee cup or the like where you want to pour hot water, and tilt the main body. It is used to pour hot water. Because of this usage, the bottom of the main body of the electric kettle has a structure that can be placed directly on a table or other table without using a power supply table, and the user is close to the place where hot water is used. In many cases, the electric kettle is placed on the main body, and there is a risk that the main body of the electric kettle may be overturned by hitting the main body or sliding the hand. For this reason, in an electric kettle, it is extremely important to take care not to spill hot water even if the main body falls over.

  On the other hand, the basic need for an electric kettle is that water can be boiled easily and quickly, and the lightness of the main unit and the ease of use of an electric kettle, such that the electric kettle can be obtained at low cost. There are strong needs to pursue. Furthermore, in recent years, with the spread of highly safe electric kettles, there is a tendency for demand for electric kettles having a relatively large capacity of 1.0 liter (l) or more.

  This disclosure responds to such new needs of electric kettles, and has the safety of preventing hot water spills during a fall, the convenience of being lightweight and low cost, and further demand for capacity increase. The purpose is to obtain an electric kettle that can cope with the above.

In order to solve the above problems, an electric kettle according to the present disclosure includes an inner container, a main body including a heater disposed on a bottom surface of the inner container and heating a liquid in the inner container, and an opening of the inner container. A lid having a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper portion of the main body, and a power base on which the main body is detachably mounted, and a side surface of the main body. A handle is fixed to the main body, a spout is formed at the upper end of the main body on the side opposite to the handle in the radial direction, and the inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and The center of the opening is located on the side of the spout part with respect to the center of the bottom surface, and the back side of the main body to which the handle is fixed has the spout part on the upper side with respect to the lower side. It is formed to be inclined so as to be positioned on the side, and the grip portion of the handle is on the lower side. Inclined so as to be positioned on the spout part side to the side, at least a portion of the power switch part consisting of a power switch and a steam detector is disposed in said body adjacent to the position of the lid It is characterized by that.

  In the electric kettle according to the present disclosure, the opening of the inner container is sealed so that it can be opened and closed, and the lid fixed to the upper part of the main body has a water-stop function at the time of falling. It is formed smaller than the diameter, and the center of the opening is positioned on the spout side with respect to the center of the bottom surface. For this reason, at the time of a fall, a pouring part is maintained in a higher position with respect to a mounting surface, and the highly safe electric kettle which can reduce the amount of hot water which spills from a pouring part can be obtained.

It is a perspective view showing appearance of an electric kettle concerning an embodiment of this indication. It is sectional drawing seen from the side surface which shows the internal structural example of the electric kettle concerning embodiment of this indication. It is sectional drawing explaining the structural example of the main body of the electric kettle concerning embodiment of this indication. It is sectional drawing explaining the structural example of the cover body of the electric kettle concerning embodiment of this indication. It is a side view explaining the positional relationship of the center of the opening part of an inner container, and the center of a bottom face. It is a figure explaining the difference in the height of the spout part at the time of electric kettle fall by the difference in the center position of the opening part of an inner container. Furthermore, it is a figure explaining the difference in the height of the spout part at the time of an electric kettle fall when the difference in the length of a handle part is added. It is a figure for demonstrating the difference in the remaining hot water state by the positional relationship of the center of the opening part of an inner container, and the center of a bottom face. It is a rear view which shows the structural example of the handle of the electric kettle concerning embodiment of this indication. It is a figure explaining the difference in the height of the spout part at the time of electric kettle fall by the difference in the width of a handle.

  An electric kettle according to the present disclosure includes a main body including an inner container, a heater disposed on a bottom surface of the inner container and heating a liquid in the inner container, and an opening of the inner container is sealed so as to be openable and closable. A lid provided with a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper part of the main body, and a power base on which the main body is detachably mounted, and a handle is fixed to a side surface of the main body, A spout is formed at the upper end of the main body opposite to the handle in the radial direction, the inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is It is located in the said spout part side with respect to the center of the said bottom face.

  The electric kettle according to the present disclosure has the above-described configuration, so that even if the user accidentally knocks down the electric kettle, the lid body has a water stop function at the time of falling, so that direct hot water spillage is prevented. can do. In addition, the inner container is formed so that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is located on the side of the spout part with respect to the center of the bottom surface. Since the position is located on the upper side, the amount of liquid spilling from the spout can be reduced. For this reason, even when the capacity | capacitance of an inner container becomes large, the amount of water leaks from the spout part at the time of a fall can be reduced effectively.

  In the electric kettle according to the present disclosure, it is preferable that the center of the opening portion and the center of the bottom surface of the inner container are located on a diameter connecting the spout portion and the grip portion. By doing in this way, when an electric kettle falls, a spout part can be maintained in a higher position and the amount of water leakage from a spout part can be reduced.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said edge part side edge part of the said opening part is located in the center side of the said bottom face rather than the said mouth part edge part of the said bottom face. By doing in this way, the liquid inside the inner container can be collected on the side opposite to the spout portion when the electric kettle falls, and a posture in which the spout portion is at a high position can be quickly realized during the fall. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an electric kettle according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, in this specification, the concept of the up-down direction used when demonstrating each structural member of an electric kettle shall be based on the up-down direction in the state which mounted the electric kettle main body on the power supply stand. Moreover, in description of the liquid stored in an electric kettle, the case where hot water is boiled from water based on the most general usage method of an electric kettle is illustrated and demonstrated.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an electric kettle according to the present embodiment.

  The electric kettle of the present embodiment is detachably fixed to the upper part of the main body 1 by sealing the main body 1 and the opening of the upper part of the inner container (not shown in FIG. 1) disposed inside the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. And a power supply base 3 on which the main body 1 is detachably mounted.

  A handle 4 that can carry the main body 1 is fixed to a side surface of the main body 1 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment. Further, a spout portion 5 is formed on the upper end portion of the main body 1 on the opposite side in the radial direction from the direction in which the handle 4 is fixed so as to protrude in the direction opposite to the direction in which the handle 4 protrudes. Then, the liquid stored in the inner container in the main body 1 such as water or hot water in which the water is boiled can be poured into a coffee cup or the like by holding the handle 4 and tilting the main body 1.

  Hereinafter, in the present specification, the side on which the handle 4 is provided is the rear side, the side on which the spout portion 5 that is the opposite side is provided is the front side, and the spout portion 5 and the handle 4 are left and right. The side simultaneously looking in the direction is referred to as the side surface side.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the outer case 6 is disposed at a middle portion in the vertical direction of the main body 1 and covering a side surface of the inner container formed inside the main body. A hot water amount confirmation window 10 for confirming the amount of hot water inside the inner container from the outside is formed on the side surface portion of the outer case 6.

  The electric kettle of the present embodiment has a structure in which the lid 2 is inserted from above the main body 1 to seal the opening at the upper end of the inner container disposed inside the main body 1. The lid body 2 is provided with a spring mechanism (not shown) for fixing the lid body 2 to the upper portion of the main body 1 in a state where the opening of the inner container is sealed. The spring mechanism is released on the upper surface of the lid body 2. An attachment / detachment lever 7 used when removing the lid 2 from the main body 1 is arranged. A hot water supply button 8 is disposed on the upper surface of the lid 2. The hot water supply button 8 operates a hot water switch for opening a hot water supply passage from the inner container in the main body 1 to the spout portion 5 when hot water stored in the main body 1 is poured from the spout portion 5. It is a button to do.

  A power button 9 is disposed on the handle 4. By operating the power button 9, it is possible to start energization of the heater disposed at the bottom of the inner container in the main body 1 and heat and boil liquid such as water stored in the inner container.

  2-4 is sectional drawing for demonstrating an internal structure about the electric kettle of this embodiment which showed the external appearance structure in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the lid 2 is fixed to the main body 1 and the electric kettle in a state where the main body 1 is placed on the power supply stand 3 as seen from the side as in FIG. The cross-sectional structure of the main body 1, the cover body 2, and the power supply stand 3 is shown. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the main body 1, and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional configuration of the lid body 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 1 of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment includes a spout portion 5 and a cylindrical portion on the upper side of the main body 1 to which the lid body 2 is detachably fixed. The bottom of the inner container 12 is constituted by a resin-made integrally molded casing 11. A thick flange 13 is formed at the upper end of the inner container 12 in the housing 11, and the inner peripheral surface of the flange 13 forms an opening 14 on the upper surface of the inner container 12. .

  At the bottom of the inner container 12 that hits the lower end of the housing 11, a metal heating plate 15 such as stainless steel, on which a heater 16 for heating the liquid inside the inner container 12 is disposed on the rear surface, is connected to the inner container 12 from below. The heating plate 15 is inserted and forms the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12. A power plug 17 that supplies power to the heater 16 is disposed in the center of the back surface of the heating plate 15.

  A bottom cover member 19 is disposed at the lower end portion of the main body 1 so as to cover the lower end portion of the housing 11 except for the power plug 17 portion. The bottom cover member 19 is integrated with the lower end portion of the housing 11 by being fitted to each other. With such a configuration, after the heating plate 15 integrated with the heater 16 and the power plug 17 is fitted and fixed to the lower end portion of the inner container 12 of the casing 11 from below, the bottom cover member 19 is attached to the casing. The overall shape of the main body 1 can be easily formed by fitting and fixing to the lower end portion of 11.

  2 and 3 exemplify a configuration in which the bottom of the inner container 12 of the housing 11 is a cylindrical opening and the heating plate 15 occupies the entire bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12. However, a part of the bottom surface of the inner container 12 may be formed by the housing 11 and the heating plate 15 may be fitted or fixed to the bottom surface portion of the inner container 12.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the inner periphery of the thick flange 13 formed in the housing 11 and the outer periphery of the heating plate 15 are both circular when viewed in plan, and the electric As for the inner container 12 of a kettle, both the opening part 14 and the bottom face 18 are formed circularly. However, the planar shape of the opening portion 14 and the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12 of the electric kettle according to the present disclosure is not limited to the circular shape illustrated in the present embodiment, and an elliptical shape, an elliptical shape, or a corner portion is rounded. Various shapes such as a rectangular shape can be adopted depending on the external design of the electric kettle.

  The electric kettle according to the present disclosure is configured such that the center of the opening 14 at the upper end of the inner container 12 is positioned on the spout 5 side that is the front side with respect to the center of the heating plate 15 that is the bottom surface 18. Specifically, as an example, an electric kettle having an internal capacity of 1.0 liter in the inner container 12 is set such that the diameter of the opening 14 is about 100 mm, the diameter of the bottom surface is about 138 mm, and the heating plate 15 of the opening 14 and the bottom surface 18. The height between the upper surface and the upper surface can be about 100 mm. In this case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the center of the opening of the inner container 12 is positioned about 15 mm on the side of the spout part with respect to the center of the bottom surface. Note that the positional relationship between the center of the opening 14 of the inner container and the center of the bottom surface 18, particularly the operation and effect thereof, will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an inner container window in which the upper end position of the liquid stored in the water storage space 20 inside the inner container 12 can be confirmed on the side surface of the inner container 12. 21 is formed. The inner container window 21 is positioned so as to overlap the hot water amount confirmation window 10 formed on the side surface portion of the outer case 6 shown in FIG. 1, and the user can externally pass through the inner container window 21 and the hot water amount confirmation window 10. The amount of liquid in the inner container 12 can be grasped. In this case, the user can easily grasp the remaining amount in the inner container 12 by attaching a memory indicating the amount of hot water to the hot water amount confirmation window 10.

  A rib 22 protruding in an annular shape is formed on the outer surface of the inner container 12. The rib 22 secures a predetermined gap 23 between the outer case 6 disposed outside the inner container 12 and the inner container 12, and the temperature of the inner container 12 that is high because hot water is stored therein. It is possible to avoid feeling the heat when the user touches the side surface of the electric kettle directly transmitted to the outer case 6. For this reason, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the outer case 6 extends from a position slightly above the opening 14 at the upper end of the inner container 12 to a position slightly below the heating plate 15 that is the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12. The entire side surface of the inner container 12 is covered with a region that can include a portion where the inside is the water storage space 20.

  In the electric kettle according to the present embodiment, the outer case 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a horizontal cross-sectional shape of a substantially “C” shape, and a part of the side surface is missing. In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the outer case 6 is attached to the casing 11 so as to wrap around the side surface of the inner container 12 from the front side so that the lacked side portion of the outer case 6 is opened. By pressing the entire portion, the outer case 6 can be fixed to the casing 11 at the same time when the handle 4 is fixed to the casing 11.

  A spout portion 5 is formed at the upper front end of the housing 11. In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the housing 11 and the spout portion 5 are formed as a single unit by projecting the front upper end portion of the housing 11 forward. A U-shaped or V-shaped notch may be formed, and a spout formed by a member different from the casing 11 may be projected forward from the notch.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rear side portion on the upper side of the spout portion 5 is covered with a hook-like portion 2 a (see FIG. 4) that protrudes to the front side of the lid 2.

  A handle 4 for holding the electric kettle is fixed to the rear side portion of the housing 11 opposite to the side where the spout portion 5 is formed.

  The handle 4 of the electric kettle in the present embodiment includes a grip portion 4a that is actually gripped by the user, a fixing portion 4b that fixes the handle 4 to the back surface of the housing 11, and an upper portion that connects the grip portion 4a and the fixing portion 4b at the top. The whole is a vertically long annular member formed by a lower connecting portion 4d that connects the connecting portion 4c, the gripping portion 4a and the fixing portion 4b at the lower portion.

  In the electric kettle handle 4 of the present embodiment, the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the fixing portion 4b are fixed to the back surface of the housing 11, and the portion lacking the side surface of the outer case 6 is pressed by the entire fixing portion 4b as described above. Since it is configured, the overall shape is annular. However, when it is not necessary to hold the outer case 6 with the handle 4, the fixing portion 4b is not necessarily required. In this case, the overall shape of the handle 4 can be a substantially U shape or a substantially C shape in which only the upper end portion and the lower end portion are fixed to the housing 11 instead of being annular. In addition, since the handle can perform a minimum function as long as the user can lift the electric kettle, only the upper end of the gripping part is fixed to the casing 11 and the lower end of the gripping part is not connected to the casing 11 and ends. It can also be formed as a lever-like member.

  A space wider than other portions of the handle 4 is formed inside the upper connection portion 4c of the handle 4, and a power switch 24 operated by the power button 9 is disposed in this space.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the inside of the inner container 12 is provided via the steam inlet 25 formed in the back side wall portion of the lid 2 fixing portion of the housing 11 and the steam hole 26 (see FIG. 4) of the lid 2. The water storage space 20 is spatially connected to the steam detection unit 27 formed in the portion where the power switch 24 is disposed. For this reason, when the steam detection unit 27 detects that a certain amount or more of steam is generated in the water storage space 20, it is determined that the hot water in the water storage space 20 has boiled, and the power switch 24 is automatically turned off. Overcooking can be prevented.

  Next, the configuration of the lid 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 2 is inserted into a predetermined position on the top of the housing 11, and a lid seal 28 that is an annular seal member formed on the bottom of the lid 2 forms the opening 14 of the inner container 12. The opening 14 of the inner container 12 can be hermetically sealed by being in close contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 13 to be pressed.

  The hot water supply button 8 shown in FIG. 1 has a hot water supply comprising a disk-shaped sealing member 29 whose periphery is covered with a sealing member, and an elastic member 30 such as a coil spring that urges the sealing member 29 upward. A switch 31 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 2, in the state where the hot water supply button 8 is not pushed down, the upper surface of the sealing member 29 is pressed against the lower surface 32 of the connecting portion with the hot water supply path 33 of the lid 2 by the elastic member 30, And the spout portion 5 are spatially separated. On the other hand, when the hot water supply button 8 is pressed, the sealing member 29 is pushed down, and when the sealing member 29 is fixed by being pushed down by a lock mechanism (not shown in FIG. 2), the sealing member 29 and the lower surface 32 of the lid body 2 are fixed. It is fixed in a state where a gap is formed between the two. In the state where the hot water supply button 8 is pushed down, the water storage space 20 of the inner container 12 and the hot water supply path 33 connected to the spout portion 5 inside the lid 2 are spatially interposed through a gap portion around the sealing member 29. Therefore, hot water inside the water storage space 20 can be poured from the spout portion 5 into a coffee cup or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a steam outlet 34 connected to the steam detector 27 is provided above the steam inlet 25 on the back side of the lid 2 arrangement portion of the housing 11. Is formed. Further, on the back side of the lid body 2, when the lid body 2 is mounted on the upper part of the housing 11, a steam opening 35 is formed so as to face the steam outlet 34 formed in the housing 11 and to be connected thereto. Has been. Furthermore, a steam path 36 connected to the hot water supply path 33 from the steam opening 35 via the peripheral portion of the hot water supply switch 31 is formed in the lid 2. For this reason, in a state where the lid 2 is fixed to the upper portion of the casing 11, the vapor hole 26, the vapor inlet 25, the vapor detector 27, the vapor outlet 34, the vapor opening 35, the vapor path 36, The water storage space 20 inside the inner container 12 and the outside of the electric kettle are spatially connected via the hot water supply path 33 and the water inlet 5. For this reason, even if the water in the water storage space 20 boils and steam is generated while the hot water supply switch 31 is closed, the steam can be discharged to the outside from the water injection port 5 that also serves as a steam discharge port. . Therefore, the atmospheric pressure inside the water storage space 20 rises, and a gap is generated in the hot water supply switch 31, so that the hot water inside the water storage space 20 can be prevented from leaking outside in an undesired state.

  The power supply stand 3 is provided with a placement surface 37 whose peripheral portion is raised in a ring shape so that the bottom surface of the main body 1 can be placed in a stable state on the upper surface. Further, a power connector 38 connected to the power plug 17 formed on the bottom surface of the main body 1 is formed at the center portion of the mounting surface 37.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, a power cable for obtaining a commercial power supply from a household outlet is connected to the power connector 38, and a reel mechanism for winding the power cable is disposed inside the power supply stand 3. be able to.

  The electric kettle according to the present disclosure is disposed inside the main body 1, and the inner container 12 that forms the water storage space 20 that boiles the water contained inside the main body 1 to make hot water has a diameter at the upper end that is larger than the diameter at the bottom. The center of the opening is located on the side of the spout with respect to the center of the bottom.

  Here, the positional relationship between the center of the opening of the inner container 12 and the center of the bottom surface will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a drawing for explaining the shape of the inner container of the electric kettle shown in this embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 5A, in order to clarify the position and shape of the inner container in the overall configuration of the electric kettle without complicating the drawing, the position of the inner container is additionally described in the side view of the electric kettle. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the diameter of the opening 14 at the upper end of the inner container 12 is formed smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface 18 at the lower end of the inner container 12. Further, the center 41 of the opening 14 is located closer to the spout 5 than the center 42 of the bottom surface 18.

  FIG.5 (b) is a figure which shows the structure of the comparative example for comparing with the electric kettle of this embodiment shown to Fig.5 (a). In the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5B, the diameter of the opening 14 ′ at the upper end of the inner container 12 ′ is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface 18 ′ at the lower end, but the center of the opening 14 ′. 43 is simultaneously the center of the bottom surface 18 '.

  The electric kettle of this embodiment lowers the gravity center position of the water stored in the water storage space 20 inside the inner container 12 by making the diameter of the opening 14 at the upper end of the inner container 12 smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface 18 at the lower end. Therefore, the stability when the user places the electric kettle on the table or the like at the time of use can be improved. Moreover, by making the diameter of the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12 larger than the diameter of the opening 14, the height of the inner container 12 is not increased more than necessary, and the horizontal sectional area of the inner container 12 is more than necessary. Without increasing the capacity, the capacity of the water storage space 20 inside the inner container 12 can be increased. For this reason, in the electric kettle of this embodiment, it can be made to match | combine suitably with the request | requirement which requests | requires the increase in internal capacity.

  Further, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the center 41 of the opening 14 is located on the side of the spout 5 relative to the center 42 of the bottom surface 18, that is, the front side of the electric kettle. For this reason, compared with the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5B, the center of gravity of the water storage space 20 formed inside the inner container 12 can be positioned on the front side of the electric kettle, and the handle 3 When the user holding the water pours hot water or the like inside the water storage space 20 into the coffee cup, the electric kettle can be naturally tilted toward the spout portion 5 side.

  Further, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, which shows the shape and position of the inner container 12 in FIG. 5A, the center 41 of the opening 14 is located closer to the spout 5 than the center 42 of the bottom surface 18. For this reason, compared with the case of the comparative example shown in FIG.5 (b), the position of the lid 2 and the spout part 5 arrange | positioned in the front side of the lid 2 is the center 42 of the bottom face of the inner container 12. It can be made to be located in the front side more.

  Further, since the position of the lid body 2 can be arranged on the front side, a space is created in the rear side portion of the lid body 2 at the upper end portion of the housing 11, and the connection portion on the upper side of the housing 11 and the handle 4 is further on the front side. Can be positioned. For this reason, the arrangement position of the power switch 24 and the steam detection unit 27 shown as the region 45 in FIG. 3 can be set to the front side, and as a result, the housing 4 is tilted to the front side. It can be arranged on the back side. For this reason, even when the position near the bottom of the inner container 12 is the same, the amount of protrusion of the handle 4 to the rear with respect to the center 42 of the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12 can be reduced.

  Further, since the center 41 of the opening 14 of the inner container 12 is located on the spout part 5 side, as shown in FIG. Can be formed.

  By adopting these configurations, compared with the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. 5 (b), the spout portion serving as an outflow path through which hot water flows out when the electric kettle is overturned The position of 5 can be maintained at a higher position with respect to the placement surface, and the amount of water leakage can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the center 41 of the opening part 14 becomes the spout part 5 side with respect to the center 42 of the bottom face 18 of the inner container 12, compared with the case of the comparative example shown in FIG. The front side surface 12 a is shaped to stand more perpendicular to the bottom surface 18 of the inner container 12. As a result, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the amount of remaining hot water inside the inner container 20 can be effectively reduced.

  Hereinafter, these effects obtained by the shape of the inner container of the electric kettle according to the present embodiment will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the difference in the position of the spout portion when the electric kettle falls due to the difference in the positional relationship between the center of the opening of the inner container and the center of the bottom surface. FIG. 6A shows an electric kettle configured such that the center of the opening is located closer to the spout than the center of the bottom, like the electric kettle of the present embodiment shown in FIG. The state which looked at the fall state from the cover body side is shown. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the electric kettle with the center of the opening located at the same position as the center of the bottom surface falls like the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. The state seen from the side of is shown. FIG. 6C is a diagram in which the states of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B are overlapped for comparison.

  When the electric kettle with the handle fixed to the main body falls down like the electric kettle of the present embodiment, it stops in a state where the handle heavier than the other part is lowered. At this time, in the case of an electric kettle configured such that the center of the opening is positioned closer to the spout part than the center of the bottom, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, since the center 53 of the opening of the inner container is located on the side of the spout 5, the spout 5 located at a position farther from the handle 4 is separated from the mounting surface 51 of the electric kettle. The height H1 becomes a higher position.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the electric kettle whose center 54 at the bottom of the inner container and the center of the opening are in the same position falls, the handle 4 ′ of the spout 5 ′. The height H2 from the mounting surface 51 to the spout part 4 ′ when the electric kettle falls is relatively low.

  As shown in FIG. 6C by overlapping the two cases, when the overturned electric kettle stops with the grips 4 and 4 ′ on the lower side, the center of the opening portion is more than the center of the bottom surface. The height H1 of the spout portion 5 with respect to the placement surface 51 in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 6A located on the side is shown in FIG. 6B where the center of the opening is at the same position as the center of the bottom surface. It can be seen that H3 (= H1−H2) is higher than the height H2 of the spout portion 5 ′ with respect to the placement surface 51 in the case of the embodiment.

  As described above, the electric kettle according to the present embodiment is sealed and fixed in a state where the lid of the inner container seals the opening of the inner container, and therefore the electric kettle in a state other than during hot water supply when the hot water supply switch 8 is not pressed. Even if it falls, the hot water in the water storage space 20 inside the inner container 12 does not flow out of the spout portion 5 through the hot water supply path 33 as it is. However, it is conceivable that the hot water in the water storage space 20 always reaches the spout part through a path for releasing steam connected to the outside and flows out to the outside. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, when the electric kettle falls, the hot water in the water storage space 20 is effectively restricted from flowing out by holding the position of the spout portion high. can do.

  Next, FIG. 7 illustrates the effect of reducing the amount of hot water flowing out to the outside by reducing the maximum protrusion amount of the handle rearward relative to the center of the bottom surface of the inner container in the electric kettle of the present embodiment. FIG.

  FIG. 7A shows an overturn in the electric kettle shown in FIG. 5A having the same configuration as the electric kettle of the present embodiment in which the center of the opening of the inner container is located closer to the spout than the center of the bottom surface. The spout position at the time is shown. Moreover, FIG.7 (b) is a figure which shows the pouring part position at the time of the fall of the electric kettle as a comparative example in which the center of an opening part shown in FIG.5 (b) exists in the same position as the center of a bottom face. is there. As in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 also shows the configuration of FIG. 7A and FIG.

  As described above, in the case of the electric kettle of the configuration example of this embodiment showing the arrangement position of the inner container in FIG. 5A, the center of the opening of the inner container is located on the spout part side, Since the power switch part inside the handle can be arranged in the space behind the lid body generated because the lid body is arranged on the spout part side, as shown in FIG. The maximum protrusion amount L1 to the rear of the handle 4 with respect to the center 52 can be reduced. For this reason, when the electric kettle falls, the center line 54 of the upper surface of the electric kettle that connects the center of the handle 4 and the center of the spout portion 5 intersects the mounting surface 51 at a relatively large angle. Become.

  On the other hand, in the case of the electric kettle of the comparative example in which the center of the opening of the inner container is located at the same position as the center of the bottom surface, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, since the maximum protrusion amount L2 of the handle 4 ′ with respect to the center 54 of the bottom surface of the inner container is increased, when the electric kettle falls, the placement surface 51, the handle 4 ′, and the spout portion 5 ′ are The angle formed with the center line 55 on the upper surface of the electric kettle to be connected is reduced.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7C with the two states overlapped, in the case of the electric kettle shown in FIG. 7A, the center 53 of the opening of the inner container is more spouted than the center 52 of the bottom surface. Since the position of the spout portion 5 is higher than the placement surface 51, the angle formed by the center line 54 on the upper surface of the electric kettle with the placement surface 51 is large. In combination, the height H4 from the placement surface 51 of the spout portion is a higher position. For this reason, the difference H6 (= H4-H5) with the height H5 of the spout part 5 ′ from the mounting surface 51 in the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. 7B is the height shown in FIG. It becomes larger than the difference H3. As a result, in the electric kettle of this embodiment, it turns out that the leakage of the hot water from the spout part 5 can be prevented effectively when it falls down.

  As described above, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the position of the spout portion that becomes the outflow path of hot water when it falls down can be increased, and the outflow amount of hot water from the water storage space can be reduced. In this case, since it is assumed that the electric kettle that has fallen has a stable posture on the mounting surface with the handle 4 down and the spout portion 5 up, the electric kettle that has fallen down is more It is important to quickly shift to a stable posture with the handle 4 on the lower side.

  For this reason, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the inner container 12 is protruded to the handle 4 side, which is the rear side, below the flange 13 that forms the opening 14. By forming a large area 44 on the rear side in the water storage space 20, when the electric kettle falls, hot water stored in the water storage space 20 gathers in the area 44 so that the center of gravity moves to the handle 4 side. Thus, the posture is stabilized more quickly with the handle 4 on the lower side. Moreover, since the area | region 44 is formed in the back side below the collar part 13 which forms the opening part 14, when the electric kettle falls, the hot water inside the water storage space 20 is interrupted by the upper surface part of the area | region 44, Therefore It is also possible to prevent the hot water inside 20 from rushing directly to the bottom surface side of the lid body 2 and to prevent the water pressure in the portion that becomes the flowing water path from rising all at once.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, even in the structure on the bottom surface side of the lid body 2, the space 46 is formed on the handle 4 side behind the hot water supply switch 31, so Even in the body 2, hot water gathers on the rear handle 4 side so that the posture can be stabilized with the handle 4 being lowered earlier.

  Next, an effect of reducing the amount of remaining hot water remaining in the water storage space 20 in the electric kettle of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a coffee cup for hot water in the water storage space inside the inner container 12 in the electric kettle of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5A and the electric kettle of the comparative example shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating some of the amount of remaining hot water which arises when pouring on.

  8A shows an electric kettle in which the center of the opening of the inner container shown in FIG. 5A is located closer to the spout than the center of the bottom surface, and FIG. The case of the electric kettle of the comparative example shown as 5 (b) in which the center of the opening of the inner container is at the same position as the center of the bottom surface is shown. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the hot water remaining inside the inner container is shown with hatching in the figure with the central axis of the bottom surface of the inner container being horizontal. Yes.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5A, in the case of the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the center 41 of the opening 14 of the inner container 12 is located closer to the spout 5 than the center 42 of the bottom surface 18. Therefore, the side surface 12a on the front surface side that is the spout portion 5 side of the inner container 12 is formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface 18, and the retreat amount of the side surface 12a toward the handle 4 is relatively small. For this reason, when the electric kettle is tilted so that the center 42 of the bottom surface 18 is horizontal, the inner container 12 is blocked by the front wall portion of the opening 14 of the inner container 12 and cannot reach the hot water supply path. The region 56 that becomes the remaining hot water remaining inside is relatively small.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), in the electric kettle of the comparative example, the center 43 of the opening 14 ′ and the bottom surface 18 ′ of the inner container 12 ′ coincides, so that the inner container 12 ′ The front wall 12a ′ is inclined to the handle 4 ′ side by an amount corresponding to half of the difference between the diameter of the opening 14 ′ of the inner container 12 ′ and the diameter of the bottom surface 18 ′. For this reason, when the electric kettle is tilted so that the center 43 of the bottom surface 18 ′ of the inner container 12 ′ is horizontal, it is blocked by the front wall of the opening 14 ′ and remains in the inner container 12 ′. The area 57 is large. Thus, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, when the electric kettle is similarly inclined, the volume of the portion blocked by the front wall of the opening can be reduced, and the amount of remaining hot water inside the inner container is reduced. can do.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the inclined portion 47 is formed below the opening 14 at the upper end of the inner container 12, so that the electric kettle need not be greatly inclined. The hot water inside the inner container 12 is led out to the hot water supply path 33.

  In the electric kettle of the present embodiment, when the electric kettle falls, the position of the spout portion that is the flowing water path at the time of the fall is maintained higher by narrowing the width of the handle in contact with the placement surface. It can be configured.

  Hereinafter, the water leakage reduction effect by the shape of the handle of the electric kettle of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

  FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the shape of the handle of the electric kettle of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the width of the grip, particularly the gripping portion gripped by the user, is formed narrow.

  As shown in FIG. 9, by narrowing the width of the grip portion 4 a of the handle 4, it is expected that the user can hold the handle 4 of the electric kettle more securely when pouring hot water from the electric kettle. it can. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the overturned electric kettle further devise shapes of the spaces 44 and 46 in the inner container 12 and the lid body 2 depending on the weight of the handle 4 itself. Thus, the state in which the handle 4 is on the lower side is a stable posture on the placement surface.

  At this time, the main body 1 of the electric kettle of the present embodiment is designed to have a shape in which the diameter in the vicinity of the opening 14 of the inner container 12 is the smallest, so that the contact surface between the mounting surface and the main body 1 when it falls down Are the upper surface of the main body and the outer surface in the vicinity of the joint between the bottom housing and the bottom cover member. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, due to the relationship between the diameter D1 of the upper end portion of the main body and the diameter D2 of the connection portion of the housing and the bottom cover member, the intermediate portion of the handle 4, particularly the center in the vertical direction, The part shown as the area | region 61 in FIG. 9 slightly below will contact a mounting surface. Therefore, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the width W1 of the grip portion 4a that comes into contact with the mounting surface when the handle 4 falls, in particular, is narrower than the width W2 of the entire handle 4.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the difference in the inclination of the electric kettle due to the difference in the width of the grip portion when the electric kettle falls.

  In FIG. 10, the figure which looked at the electric kettle of the state which fell down on the mounting surface 64 similarly to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 from the upper part of the cover body is shown. As described above with reference to FIG. 9, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the diameter D1 of the upper end portion of the main body is smaller than the diameter D2 of the joint portion with the bottom cover member of the main body because of the design of the main body. When the electric kettle falls, the central axis of the bottom surface of the inner container is not parallel to the placement surface, and the upper side of the main body is in an oblique state closer to the placement surface than the lower side. However, in FIG. 10, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, the state where the center axis of the bottom surface of the inner container of the electric kettle is parallel to the placement surface is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the overturned electric kettle has a stable posture in a state where one place A on the side surface of the main body and two side end portions B of the grip portion 4 a of the handle 4 are in contact with the placement surface 64. Show. At this time, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the width of the portion 61 that comes into contact with the mounting surface 64 when the grip portion 4a is overturned is narrow, so that the center of the handle 4 and the spout portion on the upper surface of the electric kettle in the overturned state. The angle 65 formed by the center line 63 connecting the centers of the five and the placement surface 64 can be increased.

  On the other hand, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 10, when the width of the grip portion 4a is formed to be the same as the entire width of the handle 4, the wide portion 62 of the handle 4 comes into contact with the placement surface. When shown without changing the inclination of the electric kettle, the surface indicated by the dotted line 66 is the mounting surface. As a result, the angle 67 formed by the center line 63 on the upper surface of the electric kettle and the relative placement surface 66 becomes a small value. As is clear from this, when the electric kettle falls, the height of the spout portion from the placement surface can be increased by narrowing the width of the handle in contact with the placement surface. It is possible to reduce the outflow amount of hot water from the spout portion during a fall.

  As described above, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, the diameter of the opening portion of the inner container is formed smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening portion of the inner container is closer to the spout portion side than the center of the bottom surface. By doing so, not only can the amount of water stored in the water storage space inside the inner container be increased and hot water can be easily poured, but also the effect of reducing the outflow of hot water when the electric kettle falls can be achieved. . Moreover, the effect of reducing the amount of hot water remaining in the inner container at the time of hot water supply can also be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the center of the opening of the inner container and the center of the bottom surface are both located on a line connecting the center of the handle and the center of the spout is shown. In the kettle, the center of the inner container opening and the center of the bottom surface do not necessarily need to be located on the center line of the upper surface of the electric kettle connecting the centers of the handle and the spout. It is only necessary that the center of the opening of the inner container is located at least on the side of the spout part from the center of the bottom surface. More preferably, when the spout portion is viewed from the center of the bottom surface of the inner container, the center of the opening portion belongs to a range of 45 degrees in the left-right direction with respect to the arrangement direction of the spout portion, in other words, When the bottom surface of the inner container is divided into four in a range of 90 degrees from the center, the center of the opening is positioned in a quarter of the region located on the side of the spout, so that the electric kettle of the present disclosure The effect of can be demonstrated.

  In addition, as described above, the shape of the opening of the inner container and the shape of the bottom of the inner container of the electric kettle can be made not to be a perfect circle as shown in the above embodiment due to restrictions from the external design. In this case, the diameter of the opening and bottom of the inner container means the length in the direction connecting the handle and the spout, and the center of the opening and bottom means the handle and spout Can be understood as meaning the midpoint in the direction connecting

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the edge part by the side of the spout part of the opening part of an inner container exists in a handle side rather than the spout part side end part of an inner container bottom face, ie, when planarly viewed, an inner container An example in which the opening portion of the inner wall completely overlaps the bottom surface of the inner container is illustrated. However, the electric kettle of the present disclosure may be configured such that the position of the opening portion side end portion of the opening portion is located on the spout portion side that is forward of the position of the bottom portion of the opening portion side. it can.

  In this way, by arranging the center position of the opening of the inner container on the front side with respect to the center position of the bottom surface, as shown in FIG. The spout part which becomes the outflow path of hot water can be maintained in a higher position. In addition, when the center position of the opening of the inner container is a shape that projects farther forward than the center position of the bottom surface, the upper side is obliquely forward compared to the lower side as the shape of the side surface of the electric kettle. Inevitably, the design has to be inclined and is not very desirable in terms of design. In addition, if the side shape of the electric kettle is inclined obliquely forward, the side surface of the electric kettle becomes relatively wide so that the main body does not rotate easily when it falls, and the handle contacts the mounting surface. The possibility of being stable in a shape that is laid down with the side face down is increased. In such a case, the premise of the electric kettle according to the present disclosure in which the state in which the handle is in contact with the mounting surface is broken, and the effect of preventing or reducing the outflow of hot water inside the water storage space is sufficient. It will not be demonstrated. From these viewpoints, it is preferable that the front end portion of the inner container opening is slightly behind the front end portion of the inner container bottom surface as shown in the above embodiment. Even when the front end of the opening of the inner container is positioned closer to the spout than the front end of the bottom surface, it is considered that the preferable range is that the center of the opening overlaps the front end of the bottom surface.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, while the housing | casing of the main body was formed with resin, while making a part of this housing | casing into an inner container, the structure where resin-made exterior cases were arrange | positioned to the peripheral part of the inner container was illustrated. In addition to being able to reduce the weight of the main body compared to a configuration using an inner container made of metal such as stainless steel, which has been used as a mainstream in an electric kettle having a lid body with a water stop function at the time of falling. Thus, by forming the inner container from resin, the diameter of the opening is made smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is positioned closer to the spout portion than the center of the bottom surface. This is because the kettle's characteristic configuration can be easily realized.

  However, the configuration of the main body and the inner container of the electric kettle of the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration exemplified above, and an inner container having a desired shape can be obtained by using a split mold as a mold when forming the metal inner container. It does not exclude a configuration including a metal inner container as an electric kettle according to the present disclosure in a case where it can be formed.

  Further, in the electric kettle of the present embodiment, a configuration in which a part of a resin casing is used as an inner container and a side surface portion of the inner container is covered with a separate outer case disposed at a predetermined interval is shown. It is also possible to configure the outer case with a resin member integral with the casing, for example, by folding back at the upper end or lower end of the casing to form a double structure. In addition, by devising the thickness of the members constituting the casing, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the outer surface of the inner container is exposed as it is as the outer surface of the main body, and further, as a separate member inside the resin casing It is also possible to arrange the formed resin inner container. Furthermore, the casing and exterior case of the electric kettle according to the present disclosure are not limited to those made of resin, and a metal or glass member can also be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the structure which combines the spout part which is an exit of a hot-water supply path | route as an exit of the steam path | route of an electric kettle was shown, in the electric kettle of this indication, the exit of a steam path is a spout part. Not only the configuration but also a conventionally known configuration in which a steam discharge port is provided on the upper surface of the lid and the outlet of the steam path and the outlet of the hot water supply path are made different. In the electric kettle according to the present disclosure, the handle is designed to be in a stable posture in which the handle is positioned on the lower side more quickly when the vehicle falls over. It is preferable to arrange the steam outlet at a position farther from the spout portion side, that is, from the handle arrangement side.

  Note that, in the portions other than the configuration of the steam path, the configuration of the lid shown as the above embodiment is merely an example, and when the main body falls, the hot water in the fall does not spill out. The structure of the various lid bodies provided with the function can be employed as the lid body of the electric kettle according to the present disclosure. Various configurations other than those exemplified above can be adopted as the configuration of the power switch and the power supply stand.

  The electric kettle of the present invention is useful as a lightweight and low-cost electric kettle having safety capable of preventing spilled water during a fall and a simple configuration of the main body. In particular, even when the capacity of the water storage space of the inner container is increased, there is no need to greatly increase the height of the inner container or the entire electric kettle and the occupied area when viewed in plan, and an electric kettle with a reliable water stop function is provided. Can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Cover body 3 Power supply stand 4 Handle 11 Housing | casing 12 Inner container 14 Opening part (inner container) 18 Bottom surface (inner container)

Claims (4)

A main body comprising an inner container and a heater disposed on the bottom surface of the inner container for heating the liquid in the inner container;
A lid provided with a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper portion of the main body by opening and closing the opening of the inner container;
A power base on which the main body is detachably mounted;
A handle is fixed to the side of the main body,
A spout is formed on the upper end of the main body on the opposite side in the radial direction from the handle,
The inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is located on the spout side with respect to the center of the bottom surface,
The side surface on the back side of the main body to which the handle is fixed is formed to be inclined so that the upper side is located on the side of the spout part with respect to the lower side,
The grip portion is inclined so that the upper side is located on the spout side with respect to the lower side ,
An electric kettle in which at least a part of a power switch portion including a power switch and a steam detector is disposed in the main body adjacent to the position where the lid is disposed . A main body comprising an inner container and a heater disposed on the bottom surface of the inner container for heating the liquid in the inner container;
A lid provided with a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper portion of the main body by opening and closing the opening of the inner container;
A power base on which the main body is detachably mounted;
A handle is fixed to the side of the main body,
A spout is formed on the upper end of the main body on the opposite side in the radial direction from the handle,
The inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is located on the spout side with respect to the center of the bottom surface,
The side surface on the back side of the main body to which the handle is fixed is formed to be inclined so that the upper side is located on the side of the spout part with respect to the lower side,
A confirmation window with a memory indicating the amount of hot water for confirming the position of the upper end of the liquid in the inner container is formed on the side surface of the main body, and connects the upper part and the lower part of the confirmation window. The electric kettle is characterized in that each of the two side edges is formed so as to be inclined so that the upper portion is located on the side of the spout part. A main body comprising an inner container and a heater disposed on the bottom surface of the inner container for heating the liquid in the inner container;
A lid provided with a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper portion of the main body by opening and closing the opening of the inner container;
A power base on which the main body is detachably mounted;
A handle is fixed to the side of the main body,
A spout is formed on the upper end of the main body on the opposite side in the radial direction from the handle,
The inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is located on the spout side with respect to the center of the bottom surface,
The electric kettle is characterized in that the grip is formed such that the width of the grip portion of the portion that comes into contact with the placement surface when the handle falls is narrower than the width of the other portion. A main body comprising an inner container and a heater disposed on the bottom surface of the inner container for heating the liquid in the inner container;
A lid provided with a water stop function at the time of falling, which is detachably fixed to the upper portion of the main body by opening and closing the opening of the inner container;
A power base on which the main body is detachably mounted;
A handle is fixed to the side of the main body,
A spout is formed on the upper end of the main body on the opposite side in the radial direction from the handle,
The inner container is formed such that the diameter of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface, and the center of the opening is located on the spout side with respect to the center of the bottom surface,
The grip is formed in an annular shape by a grip part gripped by a user, a fixing part that fixes the handle to the main body, and an upper connection part and a lower connection part that connect the grip part and the fixing part,
Electric kettle, characterized in that the thickness of the anchoring portion is formed smaller than the thickness of the grip portion.

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