JP2000051074A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save unnecessary standby power by supplying power from a solar battery to a controlling means and operating a power selecting device for switching a power supply source to a commercial power source if solar battery output detected by means of a solar battery monitor is below a level required by the controlling means. SOLUTION: A controlling means 6 is operated by power supply from a solar battery 5 so as to give an instruction for heating to a heating controlling means 3 at proper timing. The heating controlling means 3 receiving the instruction for heating supplies electric power from a commercial power source 4 to a heating means 2, and then, the heating means 2 heats an inner pot 1 containing cooking food. In this case, a solar battery monitor 7 detects an output voltage and an output current from the solar battery 5. Then, a power source selecting device 8 is controlled so that output power from the solar battery 5 is fed as a power source for the controlling means 6 if the detected value is higher than a predetermined threshold value while power from the commercial power source 4 is fed as a power source for the controlling means 6 if the detected value is lower than the predetermined threshold value. In this way, a standby power consumption in a standby time, in which no heating action is produced for a long time, can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker used in ordinary households.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric rice cookers equipped with a microcomputer have become the mainstream, and have a structure in which the microcomputer continues to operate as long as power is supplied regardless of whether the rice cooker is operated.

A conventional rice cooker will be described below by way of an example. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional rice cooker. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 11 denotes an inner pot for holding food, and 12 denotes an inner pot.
1, a heating control means for controlling the heating means 12, and a control means 15 for instructing the heating control means 13 to perform heating.

[0004] The operation of an example of a conventional rice cooker configured as described above will be described below.

The control means 15 operates by receiving electric power from a commercial power supply, and instructs the heating control means 13 to heat the inner pot 11 during cooking. The heating control means 13 includes a control means 15
The electric power from the commercial power supply is supplied to the heating means 12 in accordance with the instruction from, and the inner pot 11 is heated.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional rice cooker, the control means 15 continues to operate even when the cooking operation is not performed, and wasteful standby power is consumed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker which does not consume wasteful standby power.

[0008]

Accordingly, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a configuration in which a solar cell is added and power for operating the control means is supplied from the solar cell.

As another means, a solar cell monitor for monitoring the output of the solar cell and the solar cell, and a power selection device for selecting a power supply source for the control means from the solar cell and a commercial power supply are added. The device uses a solar cell as the power supply source of the control means, but when the output of the solar cell detected by the solar cell monitor does not reach the level required by the control means, the power selection device is operated to activate the power supply of the control means. The power supply is switched to a commercial power supply.

As still another means, a solar cell and a power storage device are added, and surplus power of the solar cell during the day is stored in the power storage device so that the output of the solar cell reaches a level required by the control means. Even if the power is not enough, the power supplied to the control means is covered by the power stored in the power storage device, and the control means is operated.

As still another means, a solar cell, a power storage device, a solar cell monitor for monitoring the output of the solar cell and the power storage device, and a power supply source for the control means are selected from a solar cell and a commercial power supply. A power selection device is added, and the surplus power of the solar cells during the day is stored in the power storage device, and when the output of the solar cell is below the level required by the control means, the power supply to the control means is supplied to the power storage device. If the power stored in the power storage device decreases and the output from the power storage device detected by the solar cell monitor does not reach the level required by the control means, The power supply source of the control means is switched to the commercial power supply by operating the selection device.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since electric power is supplied to the control means from the solar cell, the commercial power supply is used only for heating the inner pot, and the electric power of the control means is not used. Not consumed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the amount of power supplied from the solar cell is reduced, the control means can be operated by the electric power from the commercial power supply, so that the control means can be operated even when there is no sunlight. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the surplus power of the solar cell when the sunlight is strong can be stored.
The sunlight can be used efficiently.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the amount of power supplied from the solar cell is reduced and the stored surplus power is also reduced, the control means can be operated with the power from the commercial power supply. And the control means can be operated even when there is no sunlight.

[0016]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the first invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an inner pot for holding food such as rice, 2 denotes a heating means for heating the inner pot 1,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a heating control unit for controlling the heating unit 2, reference numeral 5 denotes a solar cell for converting sunlight into electric power, and reference numeral 6 denotes a control unit which operates with electric power from the solar cell 5 and issues a heating instruction to the heating control unit 3.

An operation example of the first invention will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 6 composed of a microcomputer, a display and the like operates by power supply from the solar cell 5, and issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3 composed of a relay, an inverter and the like at appropriate times. Upon receiving the heating instruction, the heating control unit 3 supplies the electric power from the commercial power supply 4 to the heating unit 2 such as a heater, and the heating unit 2 heats the inner pot 1 containing the food.

By this operation, the control means 6 operates only with the electric power from the solar cell 5 irrespective of whether or not the heating is performed, so that the electric power consumed by the control means 6 does not need to be supplied from the commercial power supply 4. It is possible to reduce the standby power consumption during standby without performing the heating operation for a long time.

(Embodiment 2) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the second invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes an inner pot for holding food such as rice, 2 a heating means for heating the inner pot 1, 3 a heating control means for controlling the heating means 2, and 5 a solar cell for converting sunlight into electric power. , 6 is a control means which operates with electric power from the solar cell 5 and issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3, 7 is a solar cell monitor which monitors the output of the solar cell 5 and outputs the information, and 8 is a solar cell monitor. Control means 6 according to the output of
A power selection device for selecting whether to take power supplied to the solar cell 5 or the commercial power supply 4.

An operation example according to the second invention will be described with reference to FIG. The solar cell monitor 7 detects an output voltage, an output current, and the like of the solar cell 5 and outputs a power selection device 8
Supplies the output power of the solar battery 5 when the detection value of the solar battery monitor 7 is higher than a predetermined threshold value, and supplies the power from the commercial power source 4 as the power source of the control means 6 when the detection value is lower than the predetermined threshold value. The control means 6 to which power has been supplied issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3 composed of a relay, an inverter or the like at an appropriate time. Upon receiving the heating instruction, the heating control unit 3 supplies electric power from the commercial power supply 4 to the heating unit 2 such as a heater, and the heating unit 2 heats the inner pot 1 containing the food.

According to this operation, when the output power of the solar cell 5 is sufficiently large irrespective of whether the heating is performed or not, the control means 6 operates on the power from the solar cell 5 and thus consumes the electric power consumed by the control means 6 with the commercial power supply. It is not necessary to supply power from the power supply 4 and the standby power consumption during standby without performing the heating operation for a long time can be reduced. Further, even when the output power of the solar cell 5 is smaller than the amount required for operating the control unit 6, the control unit 6 operates with the electric power from the commercial power supply 4, so that the control unit 6 can continue to operate. .

(Embodiment 3) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the third invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an inner pot for holding food such as rice, 2 denotes a heating means for heating the inner pot 1,
3 is a heating control means for controlling the heating means 2, 5 is a solar cell for converting sunlight into electric power, 6 is a control means which operates with electric power from the solar cell 5 and issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3, 9
Is a power storage device for storing power.

An operation example according to the third invention will be described with reference to FIG. When the output power from the solar cell 5 is larger than the power consumed by the control means 6, the power storage device 9 stores the surplus power. In addition, the solar cell 5
When the output power from the control unit 6 is smaller than the power consumed by the control unit 6, part or all of the power consumed by the control unit 6 is covered by the power stored in the power storage device 9. The control means 6 to which power has been supplied issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3 composed of a relay, an inverter or the like at an appropriate time. Upon receiving the heating instruction, the heating control unit 3 supplies the electric power from the commercial power supply 4 to the heating unit 2 such as a heater, and the heating unit 2 heats the inner pot 1 containing the food.

According to this operation, when the output power of the solar cell 5 is sufficiently large irrespective of whether the heating is performed or not, the control means 6 operates on the power from the solar cell 5 and thus consumes the electric power consumed by the control means 6 with the commercial power supply. It is not necessary to supply power from the power supply 4 and the standby power consumption during standby without performing the heating operation for a long time can be reduced. Further, even when the output power of the solar cell 5 is smaller than the amount required for operating the control unit 6, the control unit 6 operates with the power stored in the power storage device 9, and thus the power storage device 9 is supplied with power. The control means 6 can be kept operating as long as it remains.

(Embodiment 4) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the fourth invention. FIG.
, 1 is an inner pot for holding cooked food such as rice, 2 is a heating means for heating the inner pot 1, 3 is a heating control means for controlling the heating means 2, 5 is a solar cell for converting sunlight into electric power, 6
Is a control unit that operates with the power from the solar cell 5 and issues a heating instruction to the heating control unit 3, 9 is a power storage device that stores power, and 10 is an output that monitors the output of the solar cell 5 and the power storage device 9 and stores the information. Is a power selection device for selecting whether to take power supplied to the control means 6 from the solar battery 5 or the commercial power supply 4 according to the output of the solar battery monitor 10.

An operation example according to the fourth invention will be described with reference to FIG. When the output power from the solar cell 5 is larger than the power consumed by the control means 6, the power storage device 9 stores the surplus power. In addition, the solar cell 5
When the output power from the control unit 6 is smaller than the power consumed by the control unit 6, part or all of the power consumed by the control unit 6 is covered by the power stored in the power storage device 9. The solar battery monitor 10 detects the output voltage and the output current of the solar battery 5 and the power storage device 9, and the power selection device 8 detects the solar battery 5 and the power storage device when the detected value of the solar battery monitor 10 is higher than a predetermined threshold. 9 is supplied as a power source of the control means 6, and when the detection value of the solar cell monitor 10 is lower than a predetermined threshold, the power from the commercial power source 4 is supplied as a power source of the control means 6. The control means 6 to which power has been supplied issues a heating instruction to the heating control means 3 composed of a relay, an inverter or the like at an appropriate time. Upon receiving the heating instruction, the heating control unit 3 supplies the electric power from the commercial power supply 4 to the heating unit 2 such as a heater, and the heating unit 2 heats the inner pot 1 containing the food.

According to this operation, when the output power of the solar cell 5 is sufficiently large irrespective of whether the heating is performed or not, the control means 6 operates on the electric power from the solar cell 5, so that the power consumed by the control means 6 is supplied to the commercial power supply. It is not necessary to supply power from the power supply 4 and the standby power consumption during standby without performing the heating operation for a long time can be reduced. Further, even when the output power of the solar cell 5 is smaller than the amount required for operating the control unit 6, the control unit 6 operates with the power stored in the power storage device 9, and thus the power storage device 9 is supplied with power. The control means 6 can be kept operating as long as it remains. In addition, even when the output power of the solar cell 5 is smaller than the amount required to operate the control unit 6 and the amount of power stored in the power storage device 9 is not enough, the control unit 6 receives the power from the commercial power supply 4. Therefore, the control means 6 can be continuously operated since the operation is performed with the electric power.

In the second and fourth embodiments, the power selection device 8 selects one of the electric power from the solar cell 5 and the electric power from the commercial power supply 4. However, another electric power such as from a primary battery is used. What you choose is acceptable. In the third and fourth embodiments, the power storage device 9 stores and uses the surplus power of the solar cell 5, but may use a primary battery or the like.

[0032]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention provides
If there is sufficient power from the solar cell, there is no need to supply the power consumed by the control means from the commercial power supply, and in particular, a rice cooker that has reduced standby power consumption during standby without performing long-time heating operation. It can be realized.

Further, the invention described in claim 2 provides a rice cooker which can continue to operate using a commercial power supply even when the output power of the solar cell is smaller than the amount required for operating the control means. It can be realized.

[0034] Further, even when the output power of the solar cell is smaller than the amount required to operate the control means, the control means is provided as long as the power stored in the power storage device remains. It is possible to realize a rice cooker that can continue to operate.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the output power of the solar cell is smaller than the amount required for operating the control means, the control means is operated as long as the power remains in the power storage device. It is possible to realize a rice cooker that can continue to operate the control means by using the power from the commercial power supply even when the amount of power stored in the power storage device is insufficient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a rice cooker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional rice cooker.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inner pot 2 Heating means 3 Heating control means 4 Commercial power supply 5 Solar cell 6 Control means

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inner pot installed inside a main body for storing food, a heating unit for heating the inner pot, a heating control unit for supplying electric power from a commercial power supply to the heating unit, and converting sunlight into electric power. A rice cooker comprising a solar cell and control means for controlling the heating control means, wherein the control means is supplied with electric power from the solar cell. 2. A power supply device comprising: a solar cell monitor for monitoring an output from a solar cell; and a power selection device for selecting one of the solar cell and a commercial power supply as a power supply source for a control means. 2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a power supply source for said control means is selected according to an output of said solar battery monitor. 3. A power storage device for storing power obtained by a solar cell, wherein when the amount of power supplied from the solar cell is decreasing, power is supplied from the power storage device to control means. Item 4. The rice cooker according to Item 1. 4. A power storage device for storing power obtained by a solar cell, wherein when the amount of power supplied from the solar cell is decreasing, power is supplied from the power storage device to control means, The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein a battery monitor monitors power from the solar battery and the power storage device.