JPH11197021A - Electric hot water storage container - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To improve safety of an unlocking operation of a lid unit of an electric hot water storage container. SOLUTION: A cover member which can be moved up and down in a vertical direction is provided in a finger insertion concave portion of an unlocking operation lever formed on an upper surface of a lid unit of a conventional electric hot water storage container. When the cover member is pressed down while a continuous surface is formed with the upper surface, a finger insertion space for operating the unlocking operation lever is formed for the first time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric hot water storage container having a cover with an unlocking operation lever.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric hot water storage container is provided with a lid that can be opened and closed at an upper portion of a container body. The lid is provided with a lock mechanism that locks the lid so that the lid is not unnecessarily opened with respect to the container body in the closed state, and releases the locked state of the lock mechanism to release the lid. An unlocking mechanism is provided to allow the body to be released.

[0003] The lock release mechanism is constituted by a lock release operation lever. The unlocking operation lever is usually provided on the upper portion of the lid, and a finger insertion recess for inserting a finger is formed on the operation end side.

[0004]

However, in the case of the above configuration, the lid can be relatively easily formed by inserting a finger into the finger insertion recess for inserting the finger and rotating the unlock operation lever upward. Since the body is opened, it is convenient, but on the other hand, there is a case where the user inadvertently or an infant or the like mistakenly operates.

Further, since the concave portion for inserting the finger is left open, there is a disadvantage that dust and insects easily enter the upper portion of the lid.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a cover member which can be pressed down is provided in the finger insertion recess, and if necessary, the cover member is first pressed down. For example, it is possible to provide an electric water storage container that improves safety, improves appearance, and further prevents dust and insects from entering by preventing the lock release operation lever from being unlocked. It is the purpose.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided with the following means for solving the problems.

That is, the electric hot water storage container according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a container main body, a lid of the container main body, a lock mechanism for locking the lid to the container main body in a closed state,
A lock release operation lever for releasing the lock state of the lock mechanism; and a finger insertion recess for inserting and releasing a finger provided on the operation end side of the lock release operation lever. The cover member to be covered is fitted to the finger insertion recess via a spring so as to be able to move up and down, and the cover member is placed by being biased by the spring to a raised position corresponding to the operation end of the unlock operation lever, By pressing down from the raised position to the lowered position against the urging force of the spring, the finger insertion recess is opened to operate the operation lever.

Therefore, the finger insertion concave portion of the unlocking operation lever formed on the upper portion of the lid of the conventional electric hot water storage container is required to be able to move up and down in a normal state where the unlocking operation is not performed. The cover member can be pushed down to the lowering position accordingly, preventing accidental or inadvertent unlocking operation and preventing entry of dust and insects, while lowering the cover member. When pushed down to the position, a concave space is formed for inserting a finger capable of operating the unlocking operation lever as in the related art.

Next, in the electric hot water storage container according to the second aspect of the present invention, the cover member in the configuration according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises:
When the finger insertion recess is pushed down to the lowered position, the finger insertion recess is locked in an opened state, and when pressed again in the downward direction in the locked state, the locked state is released and the finger insertion recess is returned to the original state covering the recess. It has become.

Therefore, even if the cover member is kept pressed against the spring and is not maintained in that state, if the cover member is pushed down to the lowered position, the state where the concave space for inserting the finger is opened is kept in the locked state. Since the lock release operation lever can be formed, the lock release operation lever can be easily released.

Next, an electric hot water storage container according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a container main body, a lid of the container main body, a lock mechanism for locking the lid to the container main body in a closed state, and the lock mechanism. A lock release lever for releasing the lock state of the lock lever, and a finger insertion recess for inserting and releasing a finger provided on the operation end side of the lock release operation lever, and covering the finger insertion recess. The member is pivotally supported via a spring so that the member can be arc-rotated into the finger insertion concave portion, and the cover member is urged by the spring to a rotational position corresponding to the operation end of the unlock operation lever, and is placed. The operation lever is operated by pressing down from the rotation position against the urging force of the spring to open the finger insertion recess.

Therefore, the finger insertion recess of the unlocking operation lever formed in the upper part of the lid of the conventional electric hot water storage container is required to be able to rotate in an arc in a normal state where the unlocking operation is not performed. Will be covered by a cover member that can be pushed down according to
Inadvertent or accidental unlocking operation is prevented, and dust and insects are prevented from entering, and when the cover member is pressed down and rotated in an arc, the unlocking operation lever can be operated as before. Thus, a recessed space for inserting a finger is formed.

Next, in the electric hot water storage container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first, second or third aspect of the present invention, the lock release operating lever has a pivot shaft portion on the spout side and the other end thereof. Since the operation end is on the arc rotation axis side of the lid, and the operation end is rotated in the direction of the spout to release the locked state of the lock mechanism, the above-described configuration is adopted. Even if it is adopted, its operability is not hindered.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electric hot water storage container according to the first, second or third aspect of the invention, wherein the unlocking operation lever has a pivot axis on the arc pivot axis side of the lid. On the other hand, the operation end thereof is on the spout side, and the locked state of the lock mechanism is released by rotating the operation end in the arc rotation axis direction of the lid,
Even if the above configuration is adopted, the operability is not hindered.

In the electric hot water storage container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first, second, third, fourth or fifth aspect, the unlocking operation lever is continuous with the lid when not operated. And the cover member also forms a surface that is continuous with the lid when not pressed down.

Therefore, the surface as a whole is substantially continuous with the lid and has little unevenness, and the upper surface of the lid can be easily wiped off.

[0018]

As described above, according to the electric hot water storage container of the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric hot water storage container having a lid locking mechanism which is more secure than the conventional electric hot water storage container. .

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) FIGS.
2 shows the structure of the lid unit of the electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, this electric hot water storage container comprises a container body 1 and a lid unit 2 pivotally supported on the upper part of the container body 1 so as to be openable and closable.

The container main body 1 includes a cylindrical outer case 3 forming an exterior part and an inner container 4 forming a hot water storage part. The bottom of the outer case 3 is made of a synthetic resin bottom member 3A.
Covered by A liquid meter 51 is provided on the front surface of the outer case 3 as shown in FIG.

On the bottom of the inner container 4, the inner container 4
A heater, which is a heating means for heating the water contained therein and for keeping the temperature warm, is additionally provided (not shown).

On the side of the bottom of the inner container 4, a hot water inlet for a hot water discharge passage for discharging hot water kept warm after boiling is opened. A downstream opening of the hot water discharge passage is connected to a safety opening / closing valve on the side of the hot water outlet 8 provided in the main body opening 10 on the front side of the container main body 1 via a predetermined water level sensor. (Tumble stop valve) It is connected to 9 parts.

The main body opening 10 is formed by vertically integrating an upper opening member 10a and a lower opening member 10b as shown in the figure. An opening / closing valve 9 and a hot water pouring outlet 8 are provided in the pouring direction. Various operation switches 5a are provided on the upper surface side of the upper opening member 10a, and an electrical component storage box 5b corresponding to the operation switches 11a is provided on the back side thereof.
Are provided respectively.

In this electric hot water storage container, the water contained in the inner container 4 is heated by a heater and boiled to perform boiling water, and after descaling for a predetermined time, The hot water supply pump operates the hot water supply pump as necessary, and the hot water in the inner container 4 is heated by the hot water supply pump, the hot water supply port, the hot water discharge passage, Open / close valve 9
Through the hot water pouring outlet 8 to the outside.

On the other hand, reference numeral 2 denotes a lid unit (lid) provided on the upper part of the outer case 3.
Are a synthetic resin upper plate 11, a synthetic resin lower plate 12 integrated below the upper plate 11, and a metal inner cover 13 integrated below the lower plate 12. Consisting of
The rear end 11a of the upper plate 11 can be vertically opened and closed (arc-rotated open / close) with respect to the rear end 15a of the shoulder member 15 attached to the upper part of the main body side outer case 1 via the hinge portion 14. So that it is axially mounted. Note that a handle 50 is provided on the shoulder member 15.

The upper plate 11 is provided with a steam discharge port 16 having a grill structure in a concave shape having partitioning ribs 16a, 16a,. Further, a concave groove portion 17 having a predetermined depth is formed at a front position, and a lid unit opening / closing mechanism 18 is provided on the front side of the concave groove portion 17. The lid unit opening / closing mechanism 18 has a lock release operation lever 19 provided above the front position of the concave groove portion 17 and provided substantially in the same plane as the upper plate 11. 19, a long locking portion pressing piece 19a and a short stopper piece 19b
Are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals, and the support shafts 20 and 2 are integrally formed on the left and right side walls between them.
0 is loosely fitted into holes in both side walls of the concave groove portion 17 of the upper plate 11 and rotatably supported.

The operating end 19c of the rear part of the unlocking operation lever 19 (the hinge part 14 side of the lid unit 2).
Is lifted upward and rotated in the direction of the front side spout 8, the lower end of the lock portion pressing piece 19 a rotates rearward with the support shafts 20, 20 as fulcrums, and an operating member 21 of a lock mechanism described later. Is pressed in the rear lock release direction to release the locked state of the lid unit 2 by the lock mechanism.

A push cover (cover member) 30 to be described later is provided on the rear side of the unlock operation lever 19.
Installation space is left.

On the other hand, as shown in the drawing, the upper plate-side concave portion of the lower plate 12 forms a receiving space for the concave groove 17 on the upper plate 11 side, thereby opening and closing the lid unit. The mechanism 18 can be stored. An operating member guide groove 23 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at a position below the unlock operation lever 19 on the concave portion, and the operating member 21 is interposed in the operating member guide groove 23 via a coil spring 24. It is housed so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction while being constantly urged forward (locking direction) with the rear partition 25 of the recess. On the lower surface side, an inner cover mounting portion 22 extends downward.

The operating member 21 is provided with a pair of claw-shaped lock pieces 21a, 21a on both sides of the front end thereof, and the lock pieces 21a, 21a are closed when the lid unit 2 is closed.
When a corresponds to a lock piece engaging hole (not shown) formed in the rear wall 27 of the front upper member 10a, the coil spring 24 projects and engages in the front locking direction by the urging force of the coil spring 24 to perform a locking operation. Is to be fulfilled. On the other hand, from this state, when the operating member 21 is pressed in the lock release direction opposite to the biasing direction of the coil spring 24 via the lock portion pressing piece 19b by the rotation of the lock release operation lever 19 as described above. , The lock pieces 21a, 2
1a is retracted to release the locked state.

On the other hand, a portion from the center to the rear of the lower plate 12 is formed so as to bulge deeply from below to near the lower portion of the above-mentioned steam discharge port 16 to form a steam pipe portion 42, and a steam pipe portion 42 is formed inside. A discharge space (steam passage) is formed.

This vapor discharge space is divided into first and second upper and lower two chambers 44 and 45 by a funnel-shaped partition plate 43 having a gentle slope and the inner cover 13 and the partition plate. The openings 43a at the center of the tube 43 communicate with each other.

An opening 43a at the center of the partition plate 43 is provided.
A water stop valve 46 is provided at the lower portion, and a portion of the inner cover 13 corresponding to the water stop valve 46 is slightly swelled downward. Steam holes are formed.

The falling water stop valve 46 closes the opening 43a of the partition plate 43 when the hot water storage container falls, thereby preventing the hot water from leaking to the steam discharge port 16 side.

A steam shield plate 47 which is inclined downward from above is provided below the steam discharge port 16 in the first chamber 44 above the steam discharge space.

Reference numeral 48 denotes a polycover packing on the lower periphery of the lid unit 2.

The rear portion of the partition wall 25 of the front portion 12a of the lower plate 12 is further recessed downward by a predetermined dimension, and a push cover support cylinder 28 is provided upright at the center of the bottom. At the center of the push cover support cylinder 28, an engagement cylinder 29 into which an engagement rod 36 on the push cover 30 side described below is inserted and engaged is further provided.

On the other hand, reference numeral 30 denotes a push cover (cover member) which covers a finger insertion space (finger insertion recess) 40 on the rear side of the operation lever 19 of the concave groove portion 17. It is fitted and supported by a coil spring 32 interposed between the push cover support cylinder 28 and a vertically movable state (in a state where it can be pushed down). The push cover 30
Is a cylindrical body having a diameter larger than that of the push cover support cylinder 28, and when pushed down to the lowest position against the upward biasing force of the coil spring 32, for example, as shown in FIG. The push cover support tube 28 is almost completely fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the push cover support tube 28, and the engagement rod 36 is attached to the engagement tube 29.
It is locked in the lowermost state by being inserted and fitted into the inside, and a finger insertion space 40 for rotating the unlocking operation lever similar to the conventional one is formed in the upper part thereof.

On the other hand, when the push cover 30 is pushed downward again from this state, the engagement between the engagement rod 36 and the engagement cylinder 29 is released, and the push cover 30 is returned to its original state by the urging force of the coil spring 32. Return to the state.

Reference numeral 31 denotes the push cover 30
The ring-shaped coil spring engaging ribs 33 on the side and back are stopper pieces provided on the outer peripheral edge on the lower end side of the push cover 30, and engage with the stopper portion 34 on the upper plate 11 side when the push cover 30 is raised. In addition, the ascending position is regulated. Thus, in a normal state in which the lock release operation lever 19 is not operated, the push cover 30 has an upper surface together with the lock release operation lever 19 as shown in FIGS. 11 are held so as to be in the same plane along the upper surface.

On the other hand, the lock release operation lever 1
9 to release the lock of the lid unit 2 by first pushing the push cover 30 downward, thereby pushing it down a predetermined amount or completely downward,
Thus, a finger insertion space 40 engageable with the operation end 19c of the unlock operation lever 19 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is formed.
By rotating from the rear side to the front side spout 8 toward the operation end 19c, the lock is released as in the related art.

Therefore, in the configuration of the lid unit of the present embodiment, two consecutive operations of pushing down the push cover 30 and rotating the unlock operation lever 19 are required to release the lock. The lock cannot be easily released by an operation of a child or the like.

On the other hand, in a normal state where the push cover 30 is not pressed down (unlocked operation state), the finger insertion space 40 is brought into the same plane state which is continuous with the upper surface of the upper plate 11 by the push cover 30. Since the cover is covered, not only the appearance is improved, but also dust, dirt, insects and the like do not enter the finger insertion space 40.

The lock release operation lever 19 is
The rotation support shafts 20 and 20 are located on the front side (the spout 8 side).
On the other hand, the operation end 19c is on the rear side (the hinge portion 14 side which is the arc rotation axis of the lid unit 2), and by rotating the operation end 19c in the direction of the front spout 8, the locked state of the lock mechanism is achieved. Is canceled, so that even if the above-described configuration is adopted, the operability is not hindered.

Further, once the push cover 30 is pushed down to the lowermost position, the push cover 30 is locked in a lowered state in which the finger insertion space 40 is opened, and when the push cover 30 is pushed down again in the locked state, the locked state is released. Then, the finger insertion space 40 is returned to the original state covering the finger insertion space 40. When the finger insertion space 40 is pushed down and locked to the lowest position, the same open state as in the related art can be maintained. Therefore, the same ease of operation as before can be realized,
It is also convenient for homes without infants.

(Embodiment 2) Next, FIGS.
5 shows a structure of a lid unit of an electric hot water storage container and a lock release operation lever portion thereof according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, an arc-rotation type opening / closing cover 30A is employed in place of the up-and-down elevating type push cover 30 as in the first embodiment, and the rear end side (the hinge portion 14 of the lid unit 2) is used. Side) is pivotally attached to the upper plate 11 side via the rotating shaft 53, and is always positioned at the closed position as shown by the urging force of the winding spring 54, and is placed.
When the lid unit 2 is unlocked, the opening / closing cover 30 is opened.
By pressing and rotating the front end side (the outlet 8 side) of A as shown by the arrow, a finger insertion space is formed, and the operation end 19c of the unlocking operation lever 19 is turned in the unlocking direction (upward). Is made possible. Note that reference numeral 20A
Indicates a rotation support shaft of the lock release operation lever 19.

According to such a configuration, the same objects and effects can be realized with a simpler configuration than that of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) Next, FIG. 7 shows a structure of an unlocking operation lever portion of a lid unit of an electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, an arc-rotating type opening / closing cover 30B is employed instead of the up-and-down elevating type push cover 30 as in the first embodiment. Front end 57 side (spout 8
Side) is engaged with the lower side of the operation end 19c of the lock release operation lever 19, and the base at the front end side (the spout 8 side) is connected to the upper plate 11 side of the lid unit 2 via the rotation shaft 55. The rear end 5 is pivotally attached and is biased by a winding spring (not shown).
6 (the hinge unit 14 side of the lid unit 2), the cover unit is always positioned at the closed position as shown in the figure, and the lid unit 2 is unlocked. 2 by pushing the hinge portion 14) as shown by the arrow to rotate the operating end 19c of the unlocking operation lever 19 from the lower side to the upper side by a predetermined angle until the finger can be engaged. Thus, the unlock operation lever 19 can be turned in the unlock direction without forming a finger insertion space.
Reference numeral 20A denotes a rotation support shaft of the lock release operation lever 19.

According to such a configuration, the same object, function and effect can be realized with a simpler configuration than that of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 4) Next, FIGS.
Shows the structure of the lid unit of the electric hot water storage container and the unlocking operation lever portion thereof according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the lock release operation lever 19 is provided slightly lower, and instead of the up-and-down elevating type push cover 30 as in the first embodiment, a large-sized cover cover also covers the upper portion of the lock release operation lever 19. An open / close cover 30C of an arc-rotation type is adopted, and the rear end side (the hinge portion 14 side of the lid unit 2) is always brought to the upper plate 11 side of the lid unit 2 via the pivot shaft 58 in a closed position as shown in the figure. When the lid unit 2 is unlocked, the knob unit 59 protruding above the front end side (the spout 8 side) of the opening / closing cover 30C when the lid unit 2 is unlocked is arc-rotated from the front to the rear as shown by the arrow. By doing so, a finger insertion space is formed, and the operation end 19c of the lock release operation lever 19 can be turned in the lock release direction. Note that reference numeral 20
Indicates a rotation support shaft of the lock release operation lever 19 similar to that of the first embodiment.

According to such a configuration, the same object, function and effect can be realized with a simpler configuration than that of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 5) In the electric hot water storage container of each of the above-described embodiments, the lock release operation lever 19 is provided with the rotation support shaft (20, 20
A) portion is on the spout 8 side, and the operation end 19c is on the hinge portion 14 side which is the arc rotation axis of the lid unit 2, and by rotating the operation end 19c in the direction of the spout 8, The lock release lever 19 is configured to release the locked state of the lock mechanism. The lock release operation lever 19 is, for example, as shown in FIGS.
The part A) is on the hinge part 14 side, which is the arc rotation axis of the lid unit 2, and the operation end 19c is on the spout 8 side, and the operation end 19c is connected to the hinge, which is the arc rotation axis of the lid unit 2. The lock state of the lock mechanism may be released by rotating in the direction of the part 14, and the opening / closing cover 30 </ b> A similar to FIG. 6 may be provided on the spout 8 side. When such a configuration is adopted, the operation can be facilitated by pushing down the opening / closing cover 30A with the thumb and then lifting the unlocking operation lever 19 in the hinge 14 direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a structure of a lid unit of an electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when a push cover is not pressed.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a lid unit in the state of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of the lid unit when a push cover is pressed.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the lid unit in the state of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of the electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention when an opening / closing cover of a lid unit is closed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the opening / closing cover in the state of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of an electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention when an open / close cover of a lid unit is closed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a structure of the electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention when an open / close cover of a lid unit is closed.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the opening / closing cover in the state of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of an electric hot water storage container according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention when an opening / closing cover of a lid unit is closed.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the opening / closing cover in the state of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

2 is a lid unit, 11 is an upper plate, 12 is a lower plate, 13 is an inner cover, 19 is a lock release operation lever, 19a is a lock portion pressing piece, 21 is an operating member, 21a is a lock piece, and 28 is a push cover support cylinder. , 30 is a push cover, and 32 is a coil spring.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A container body, a lid of the container body, a lock mechanism for locking the lid to a closed state with respect to the container body, a lock release operation lever for releasing the locked state of the lock mechanism, A finger insertion recess for inserting and releasing a finger provided on the operation end side of the lock release operation lever; and a spring for moving the cover member covering the finger insertion recess up and down to the finger insertion recess. Mated through
While the cover member is urged by the spring to a raised position corresponding to the operation end of the unlock operation lever,
An electric hot water storage container wherein the operation lever is operated by pressing down from the raised position to a lowered position against the urging force of the spring to open the finger insertion recess. 2. The cover member is locked in a state where the finger insertion concave portion is opened when pushed down to the lowered position, and when the cover member is pushed again in the downward direction in the locked state, the locked state is released and the finger insertion concave portion is released. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus returns to the original state of the cover.
An electric hot water storage container as described. 3. A container main body, a lid of the container main body, a lock mechanism for locking the lid in a closed state with respect to the container main body, a lock release operation lever for releasing the locked state of the lock mechanism, A finger insertion recess for inserting and releasing a finger provided on the operation end side of the lock release operation lever, so that a cover member covering the finger insertion recess can be pivoted to the finger insertion recess. Pivoted through a spring,
While the cover member is urged by the spring to a rotation position corresponding to the operation end of the lock release operation lever and placed,
An electric hot water storage container, wherein the operation lever is operated by opening the finger insertion recess by pressing down from the pivot position against the urging force of the spring. 4. The unlocking operation lever, wherein the rotation shaft is on the spout side and the operation end is on the arc rotation shaft side of the lid, and the operation end is turned in the spout direction. By
4. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lock state of the lock mechanism is released. 5. The unlocking operation lever, wherein the rotation axis is on the arc rotation axis side of the lid, the other operation end is on the spout side, and the operation end is in the direction of the arc rotation axis of the lid body. The electric hot water storage container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the locked state of the lock mechanism is released by a rotation operation. 6. The lock release operating lever forms a surface that is continuous with the lid in a non-operating state, and the cover member also forms a surface that is continuous with the lid when not pressed down. The electric hot water storage container according to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.