JP2001161293A - Food material-mixing apparatus, and method for regulating rotation of mixing vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively and accurately carry out the control of the rotation of a mixing vessel 3 in a food material-mixing apparatus 1. SOLUTION: This food material-mixing apparatus 1 has a detecting means 51 for detecting the standard rotary position A of the mixing vessel 3, and a timer means for detecting the rotating time of the mixing vessel 3. The rotating time per one revolution of the vessel 3 storing the food material is measured by the timer means. The time required for rotating the vessel 3 at a prescribed angle from the standard rotary position A is calculated from the rotating time per one revolution, and the rotational displacement of the mixing vessel 3 is controlled based on the calculated time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food mixing apparatus for automatically mixing foods such as rice and vinegar put into a mixing container, and a method of controlling the rotation of the mixing container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a food mixing apparatus, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-71453, rice and vinegar are stored in a cylindrical mixing vessel having a bottom and an opening of the mixing vessel. A sushi rice is known in which a lid is attached to a portion and a mixing container is rotated about a horizontal axis orthogonal to the axis of the mixing container to mix and mix rice and vinegar while stirring. In addition, in this mixing apparatus, not only the mixing process of rice and vinegar, but also a mura process in which the rotation of the mixing container is stopped for a predetermined time, or cooling air flows into the container while intermittently rotating the mixing container. The cooling steps are performed automatically and continuously.

[0003]

In this seed food mixing apparatus, the opening of the mixing container is turned obliquely upward when the rice or the like is put into the mixing container so that the rice or the like can be easily taken in and out of the mixing container. When taking out, etc., the rotation position of the mixing container is controlled so that the opening is directed obliquely downward.In the above-described conventional apparatus, the rotation position of the mixing container corresponding to each direction of the opening is detected by a sensor. The rotation control is performed by detecting the rotation.

[0004] However, providing individual sensors for each direction of the opening requires a plurality of sensors, which increases the cost, and when the opening faces in another direction. Since the rotational position of the mixing vessel cannot be detected, it is impossible to perform various position controls.
The width of the operation pattern cannot be expanded by freely changing the rotation or the like. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a food mixing apparatus and a rotation control method of a mixing container that can perform rotation control of various mixing containers at low cost and accurately.

[0005]

The present invention employs the following technical means to achieve the above object. That is, the present invention provides a food mixing apparatus including a mixing container capable of storing food ingredients and mixing the stored food ingredients by rotating the food mixing apparatus, including a detection unit that detects a reference rotation position of the mixing container, A timer for detecting the rotation time of the mixing container, wherein the rotation time per rotation of the mixing container containing the food is measured by the timer, and the mixing container is rotated by a predetermined angle from a reference rotation position. The rotation time per rotation is calculated from the rotation time per rotation, and control means for controlling the rotation position of the mixing container based on the calculated time is provided.

[0006] According to this, during a mixing process performed in a state where the food is put into the mixing container, the rotation time per one rotation of the mixing container is measured by the timer. Then, when the mixing container is stopped at a predetermined rotation position, for example, a position for inputting or discharging a food, etc., the time required for the mixing container to rotate the angle from the reference position to the predetermined rotation position, It is calculated from the rotation time per rotation. By rotating the mixing container for a time calculated from the reference position, the mixing container can be stopped at the predetermined rotation position.

For example, when the rotation angle from the reference position to the predetermined rotation position is 180 °, one rotation (360
°) to stop at a predetermined rotational position by rotating the mixing container for half the rotation time per rotation.
Therefore, in the food mixing apparatus of the present invention, at least one detecting means for detecting the reference rotation position of the mixing container is provided.
With this arrangement, it is possible to perform rotation control over time without providing a detection unit for detecting another rotation position (stop position), and various position controls can be performed at low cost.

Here, the rotation time (rotation speed) per rotation of the container can be obtained in advance as a design value from the output of a rotation motor for rotating the mixing container. However, the state where the ingredients are actually stored (mixed state of ingredients, etc.)
In, the power transmission loss and the like in the rotation drive portion changes depending on the capacity of the food material, and the rotation time per one rotation of the mixing container also changes accordingly,
If the rotation time up to a predetermined rotation position is calculated based on the above design values, it is difficult to obtain an accurate rotation time.

For this reason, in the present invention, the rotation time per rotation in a state in which the food is actually stored is measured by the time measuring means instead of the rotation time per rotation in design, so that this time can be reduced. The rotation time up to a predetermined rotation position calculated as follows can also be accurately calculated. The measurement of the rotation time per rotation is preferably performed during the food mixing process, and the time of only one rotation of the mixing container is measured (for example, the time of the first rotation of the mixing process). Alternatively, an average value may be obtained by measuring the time of a plurality of rotations and dividing the time by the number of rotations.

The reference rotation position of the mixing container can be arbitrarily set. The rotation position is set when the mixing container is brought into the feeding or discharging position of the foodstuff, and the position is detected by the detecting means. It is preferable to detect by. Thus, the mixing container can be accurately positioned at the position where the food is put into or taken out of the food via the detection means, and the operation of putting or discharging the food can be performed satisfactorily. The present invention relates to a method for controlling the rotation of a mixing container capable of storing foodstuffs and mixing the stored foodstuffs by rotating, wherein the rotation time per rotation of the mixing container storing the foodstuffs is measured, and the mixing container is measured. Is calculated from the rotation time per rotation by a predetermined angle, and the rotation position of the mixing container is controlled based on the calculated time.

Thus, similarly to the above, various position controls can be accurately performed at low cost without providing a large number of detecting means.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a food mixing apparatus 1 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, vinegared rice (sushi rice) is prepared by mixing rice and mixed vinegar.
Is shown as an example of an apparatus for making the above. In this embodiment, a vinegar supply device 2 that automatically supplies vinegar to the food mixing device 1 is provided in parallel. The food mixing device 1 is capable of storing foods such as rice and vinegar, and is capable of mixing the foods stored by rotation, and is detachably attached to the outer periphery of the container 3 via a connector 4. A rotating ring 5 whose axis X is oriented in the front-rear direction (front direction of the apparatus), and an apparatus main body 6 that rotatably supports the mixing container 3 around the axis X via the rotating ring 5. The main configuration is provided.

The apparatus main body 6 includes a rotary driving means 7 for transmitting rotational power to the mixing container 3 via the rotary ring 5, and a ventilation means for forcibly flowing air into the mixing container 3 to flow air. 8 are provided. Then, the “mixing step (mixing step)” in which the ingredients are mixed and stirred by continuously rotating the mixing container 3, and “mixing” performed by stopping rotation (or intermittent rotation) of the container 3 for a predetermined time after mixing. Process "
The rotation drive means 7 and the ventilation means 8 are so arranged that the "cooling step" for cooling the foodstuff by the ventilation means 8 while the mixing container 3 is continuously or intermittently rotated is automatically operated in order.
Is controlled by the control means 9.

The apparatus main body 6 is formed in a hollow box shape, and has a base 11 at a lower portion thereof. An adjuster leg 12 is attached to the lower surface of the base 11, and the main body 6 can be horizontally adjusted and fixed by the adjuster leg 12. In addition, wheels and free wheels used for moving the device 1 can be attached to the lower surface of the base 11. The base 11 has base legs 13 provided on both left and right sides, and a mounting portion 14 provided between the left and right base legs 13, and the mounting portion 14 is provided between the left and right base portions 13. It is provided to be able to move back and forth between a retracted state and a state where it has advanced forward.

Then, the mounting portion 14 is advanced forward to the lower side of the mixing vessel 3 so that the mounting portion 14
When the receiving container 15 for transferring the vinegared rice from the mixing container 3 can be placed thereon, and the receiving container 15 is not placed on the placing portion 14, the placing portion 14 is retracted so as to fit between the base legs 13. This prevents workers' feet and the like from coming into contact with each other, so that a narrow space in the kitchen can be effectively used. In addition, by retracting the mounting section 14, the apparatus 1 can be easily installed and moved. A recess 16 is formed in the upper front part of the apparatus main body 6, and the bottom of the mixing container 3 can be accommodated in the recess 16. Further, two support rollers 17 on the left and right sides are attached to the front end of the portion where the recess 16 is formed so as to be rotatable around the axis in the front-rear direction.

The left and right support rollers 17 are spaced apart from each other within the range of the left and right sides of the rotating ring 5.
Are supported at two points from below. By supporting the rotating ring 5 at two points by the supporting roller 17 in this manner, the left and right movement of the rotating ring 5 (mixing container 3) can be regulated. By arranging them, the left and right widths of the entire device 1 are made as small as possible, thereby enabling compactness. The mixing container 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a front and rear halfway portion thereof is connected to the rotating ring 5 via a connecting member 4.
In addition, the axis (the central axis of the cylinder) Y of the mixing container 3 and the axis (the axis of rotation) X of the rotating ring 5 have an inclined relationship, and the opening 3A is provided on the front side in the container axis Y direction. Is located.

A lid 19 is detachably attached to the opening 3A of the mixing container 3, and a plurality of agitating members 20 are protruded from the inner surface of the lid 19. The rotation driving means 7
Has a drive motor 22 provided substantially at the center on the left and right inside the apparatus main body 6, and a transmission member 23 for transmitting the power of the drive motor 22 to the support roller 17. The transmission member 23 is
As shown in FIG. 7, two pulleys 24 provided on the output shaft of the drive motor 22 and the rotation shaft 1 of the left and right support rollers 17 are provided.
7A, and right and left transmission belts 26 wound around these pulleys, so that the power from the drive motor 22 is transmitted to both the left and right support rollers 17. .

When the support roller 17 is driven to rotate, the rotary ring 5 rotates around its axis X by frictional transmission, and the mixing container 3 connected thereto also rotates around the axis X of the rotary ring 5. . At this time, the mixing container 3 turns the openings 3A sequentially obliquely upward (see FIG. 3 (a)), obliquely laterally, obliquely downward (see FIG. 3 (b)), and obliquely laterally opposite to the above. The food in the mixing container 3 also moves back and forth by this rotation while moving up and down, so that the mixing of the food can be performed efficiently by this vertical movement.

In the above description, the left and right support rollers 17
It is possible to rotate the rotating ring 5 and the mixing container 3 by rotating only one of them, but by rotating both the right and left support rollers 17, the friction transmission power between the rotating ring 5 and the rotating ring 5 can be increased. And power transmission loss due to slippage between the two can be prevented as much as possible. The ventilation means 8 includes a blower 28 placed at a lower part in the apparatus main body 6, and an inflow duct 29 is connected to an intake port of the blower 28. The inflow duct 29 extends upward in the apparatus main body 6 and can take in outside air through an air intake formed in an upper part of the apparatus main body 6.

An inflow duct 2 is provided at a lower front portion of the apparatus body 6.
An operation lever 31 for operating an on-off valve 30 provided in the interior 9 is provided, and by increasing or decreasing the ventilation area of the inflow duct 29 by the on-off valve 30, it is possible to adjust the suction amount of the blower 28, that is, the strength of the air blow. . A blower duct 32 is connected to the discharge port of the blower 28 and the blower duct 3
2 is a ventilation member 33 having an air passage 33A which extends upward and is bent downward at the upper end, and whose end is bent in an L-shape in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the.

An opening 6A is formed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 6 coaxially with the rotation axis X, and the ventilation member 33 is attached to the opening 6A. At the front end of the ventilation member 33, a ring-shaped receiving member 34 having a diameter larger than that of the ventilation passage 33A is provided so as to protrude from the front surface of the apparatus main body 6. On the bottom surface of the mixing vessel 3, a ventilation opening 3B is formed coaxially with the rotation axis X, and a ventilation pipe 35 is attached to the opening 3B so as to project rearward. The rear end is inserted into the receiving member 34.

An exhaust opening 19A is formed in the center of the lid 19 attached to the mixing container 3, and the opening 19A
Is provided with a leakage prevention member 19B made of a porous member.
It is detachably oriented so as to bulge inward, and a turning plate 19C is attached in front of the exhaust opening 19B at an interval. Therefore, the wind generated by the blower 28 can flow into the mixing vessel 3 through the ventilation duct 32, the ventilation path 33 </ b> A of the ventilation member 33, and the ventilation pipe 35. To cool the food, and to be discharged from the exhaust opening 19A through the leak prevention material 19B, and the discharged wind is changed in direction by the deflection plate 19C to be in front of the user. To prevent spraying.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
5, a flange portion 35A protruding in the radial direction is formed at the rear end portion, and a plate-shaped stopper is formed on the left and right sides of the receiving member 34 through a rectangular hole 34A penetrating in the left and right direction. Member 3
6 is detachably attached. This retaining member 36
The left and right inner ends project from the inner periphery of the receiving member 34 and can be engaged with the front side of the flange 35A. 3 is prevented from falling forward. The vertical movement of the mixing container 3 is also restricted by inserting the ventilation tube 35 into the receiving member 34.

Therefore, the mixing container 3 (rotary ring 5)
The movement in the left-right direction is regulated by the support roller 17 in the middle part before and after, and the movement in the front-rear and vertical direction is regulated by the receiving member 34 at the bottom part. Even if the left and right widths are small as two points, it is possible to prevent the posture of the mixing container 3 from collapsing. In addition, both ends of a lock member 37 of a portal type as viewed from the front are detachably attached to the stopper member 36, and the lock member 37 prevents the stopper member 36 from being detached from the hole 34A.

At the upper right part (upper right part in FIG. 1) of the front of the apparatus main body 6, a protruding part 6B protruding forward is provided, and a control box provided with control means 9 is provided in this protruding part. An operation panel 41 is provided on the front surface of the protrusion 6B. A power switch 42 is provided below the operation panel 41. The operation panel 41 is provided so that the panel surface faces obliquely upward, specifically, a direction substantially parallel to the axis Y of the mixing container 3 with the opening 3A facing obliquely upward, This ensures visibility of the operation panel 41 from the front and facilitates operation of each button on the operation panel 41.

The visibility and operability are also improved by disposing the operation panel 41 at the upper right of the mixing container 3 and projecting forward from the upper part of the apparatus main body 6.
As shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 41 includes an operation unit 43 having a start button 43A, a stop button 43B, and the like.
Of the stirring (mixing) process, the drying process, the cooling process, and the completion, the operation display unit 44 that indicates the currently performed process by a lamp 44A, and the time display that displays the remaining time in each process or all processes. A part 45 is provided.

The operation unit 43 includes a start button 43A, a stop button 43B, a sharp discharge button 43C, a drum (mixing container) return button 43D, a blow button 43E,
It has a rotation button 43F. Shari discharge button 43
C is an operation button for rotating the mixing container 3 so that the food container is in a posture for discharging the food material when the food material is taken out after the cooling process is completed, and the drum return button 43D is used for inputting the food material or for removing the food material. This is an operation button for rotating the mixing container 3 so that the mixing container 3 is in the posture for feeding food after discharging.

Blow button 43E and rotation button 43F
Is an operation button for manually operating the rotation drive means 7 and the ventilation means 8. On the lower side of the operation panel 41,
A manual setting unit 46 having a-button 46A, a setting button 46B, etc., a course setting unit 47 having a course selection button 47A, and a cooling pattern setting unit 48 having a cooling pattern selection button 48A are provided. The manual setting section 46
Is used when manually setting the operation time of each process according to the user's preference, and the course setting unit 47 sets the operation time and the like of each process according to the amount of ingredients in a plurality of operation courses in advance. Is used to select a desired one from. Further, the cooling pattern setting unit selects a desired cooling pattern from a plurality of cooling patterns in which the amount of intermittent rotation of the drum in the cooling step (for example, intermittent rotation of one rotation or half rotation) is programmed in advance. Used when

The control means 9 controls the operation panel 4 as described above.
The operation of the rotation driving means 7 and the ventilation means 8 is controlled based on the operation course, cooling pattern, and the like set by 1 and each step is automatically operated sequentially. The cooling step may be controlled based on the actual temperature inside the container 3 instead of controlling the ventilation means 8 and the like based on the operation time.
For example, a temperature sensor is provided inside the deflection plate 19C of the lid 19 or on the stirring member 20, and the temperature of the cooling air discharged from the exhaust opening 19A or the temperature of the rice is detected by the temperature sensor. Then, when the detected temperature reaches a predetermined cooling temperature, control is performed such that the operation of the ventilation means 8 and the rotation driving means 7 is stopped and the cooling step is completed.

In this manner, the food can be cooled to a constant temperature without being affected by seasonal temperature differences and the temperature of the rice before mixing. As shown in FIG. 5, in the food mixing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the rotation position A of the mixing container 3 when the opening 3A is directed obliquely upward is a food input position (the attitude at this time is referred to as a food input attitude). The rotation position B of the mixing container 3 when the opening 3A is turned obliquely downward rightward (at 4 o'clock in the clock) by rotating 120 ° clockwise in FIG. (The posture is called the food discharge posture).

The rotation position C of the mixing container 3 when the opening 3A is directed obliquely downward is set as a second discharge position of the food material, or a position for cleaning the inside of the mixing container 3 after discharging the food material. The rotation is controlled by the control means 9 so that the rotation of the mixing container 3 is stopped at these positions A, B, and C. Also, the control means 9 controls the rotation of the mixing container 3 so that the rotation of the mixing container 3 can be stopped at other rotation positions other than those described above, for example, at the rotation position when the opening 3A is directed obliquely to the side.

In order to control the rotation position of the mixing container 3, the food mixing apparatus 1 according to the present invention uses the detecting means 51 for detecting the reference rotation position (A) of the mixing container 3.
And a time measuring means (timer) for measuring the rotation time of the mixing container 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the detection means 51 is a detection target 5 attached to the ventilation pipe 35 on the bottom surface of the mixing container 3 via a bracket projecting radially outward.
1A, and a detector 51B provided on the lower side of the front surface of the receiving member 34 and detecting the detection target 51A. The detection target 51B is, for example, a detection target 51A formed of a magnet or the like. A magnetic sensor or the like for detecting the pressure can be adopted.

The detector 51B and the object to be detected 51A
Is positioned so as to detect the rotation position A of the mixing container 3 when the opening 3A is directed obliquely upward, that is, the rotation position A of the mixing container 3 when the food is put in the posture for feeding the food as a reference rotation position. Have been. And, when the drum return button 43D is operated before the input of the food or after the discharge of the food,
Alternatively, when the cooling step is completed, the control unit 9 controls the rotation driving unit 7 to rotate the mixing container 3 to the position A detected by the detection unit 51 and to set the container 3 to the food charging posture. Like that.

The time counting means measures the time from the rotation position A of the mixing vessel 3 detected by the detecting means 51 to one rotation, ie, the rotation time per rotation of the mixing vessel 3. . Specifically, the rotation time required for the first rotation (one rotation from the reference position A to the reference position A) in performing the food mixing process is measured, and the time measured at this time is , The rotation time per one rotation in a state where the food material is stored in the mixing container 3.

In order to rotate the mixing container 3 to the food discharging position B, for example, after the cooling step is completed, the sharp discharging button 43 is used.
By operating C, the control means 9 performs the following rotation control by this operation. First, mixing container 3
Is calculated from the rotation time per rotation from the reference position (foodstuff input position) A to the foodstuff discharge position B. For example, if the rotation time per rotation (360 °) is 12 seconds, since the angle from the reference position A to the food discharge position B is 120 °, 1/3 of 12 seconds, that is, 4 seconds is calculated. It is calculated as a value.

Then, the control means 9 rotates the container 3 by 120 ° from the reference position A by operating the rotation driving means 7 for 4 seconds, and stops the container 3 in the state where it is positioned at the food discharge position B. Similarly, the opening 3A
When the vehicle is stopped obliquely downward, since the rotation is 180 ° from the reference position A, a rotation time of 6 seconds is calculated. When the opening 3A is directed obliquely sideways,
Since the rotation is 90 ° or 270 ° from the reference position, a rotation time of 3 seconds or 9 seconds is calculated.

By rotating the mixing container 3 from the reference position A for these times, the mixing container 3 can be stopped at a desired position. In the case where the mixing container 3 is intermittently rotated 90 ° or 120 ° intermittently, in the case of the above example, the reference position A is 3 °.
The rotation may be performed every second or every four seconds. In the present embodiment, the mixing container 3 is moved to the food discharging position B (120 degrees from the reference position) by operating the sharp discharging button 43C.
°), and from this state again the button 4
By operating the 3C, the opening 3A is rotated by 60 ° to a posture C (180 ° from the reference position) with the opening 3A facing obliquely downward.

The rotation control at this time is, in the above example,
By rotating the mixing container 3 for 2 seconds, which is obtained by subtracting 120 ° rotation time 4 seconds from 180 ° rotation time 6 seconds, the opening 3A is directed obliquely downward,
The rotation time is newly calculated from the rotation time per rotation (also in this case, it is also 2 seconds), and the opening 3A is turned obliquely downward by rotating the mixing container 3 from the position B for this time. What should I do? As described above, in the present invention, if the detecting means 51 is provided at at least one position, the mixing container 3 can be placed not only at the rotational position A detected by the detecting means 51 but also at other rotational positions B and C. Can be positioned, and the cost can be reduced without requiring a large number of detectors.

Further, since the mixing vessel 3 can be positioned at various positions without increasing the number of detectors 51B, for example, the intermittent rotation amount of the mixing vessel 3 in the cooling pattern can be reduced to １ ／ rotation, １ ／ rotation, or the like. Can be set, and the range of operation variations can be expanded. In the state where the food is stored in the mixing container 3, the slip between the support roller 17 and the rotating ring 5 changes depending on the capacity of the food, and the rotation time per rotation is also one time per operation. However, according to the present invention, in each operation, the rotation time per one rotation of the container 3 in a state where the food is stored is measured at each operation, and based on this, the rotation time until the predetermined rotation position is reached. Because the rotation time is calculated,
It is possible to accurately position the mixing container 3 at a desired position.

The reference rotation position is the food input position A.
However, it is also possible to set the food discharge positions B and C and other arbitrary positions, and to set both the food input position A and the discharge position B as the reference positions and to set the detection means 51
(Detector 51A) may be provided, and other control regarding the rotational position may be performed by the above method. The blower 28
A filter for preventing the inflow of dust and the like is provided at an air inlet of the apparatus and an air inlet of the apparatus main body 6, and this filter is handled so as to be cleaned at predetermined intervals (for example, every month). It is instructed by instructions.

However, in practice, it is troublesome to manage the cleaning time on the user side, and since the frequency of use of the apparatus 1 differs depending on the user, an appropriate cleaning time is different from the time described in the instruction manual. In some cases, the operation of the apparatus 1 is often performed in a state where the cooling capacity is deteriorated without being properly cleaned. Therefore, in the food mixing device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate cleaning time for each user, and when the time comes, the time display unit 45 displays a message to prompt the user to perform cleaning. Thus, the burden on the user for cleaning management and the like can be reduced.

The setting of the cleaning time (period) is performed by converting the number of operations performed during the period or by converting the cleaning time into the actual operating time of the fan. It should be done by the supplier. As a method of setting the cleaning timing, the cleaning timing can be changed through a hiding operation of the operation panel 41 (an operation not used in normal driving) so that the user does not accidentally change the timing setting. As the hiding operation, for example, the setting button 46B
The power switch 42 is turned on while simultaneously pressing the and the course button 47A, and the cleaning time is set on the operation panel 41 by this operation.

When the set cleaning time comes, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the F-CL (FILTE
R-CLEAN) is displayed, and the user can clean the filter at an optimum time according to this display without managing the cleaning time by himself. Note that such setting can be performed not only for the filter cleaning time but also for other parts cleaning time. Since the cleaning of the filter and the like is performed by the user, the display indicating that the cleaning is performed may be displayed on the time display unit 45 as described above. However, replacement of the consumable parts, for example, replacement of the support roller 17 or the like accompanied by wear. It is necessary to manage the timing not by the user but by the maintenance person.

Also, in practice, the maintenance staff has replaced parts during a periodic inspection, or the maintenance staff has replaced parts upon contact from a user when a problem has occurred in operation. In many cases, parts could not be replaced. In this embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, for example, a function of counting the number of times of operation of the apparatus 1 is incorporated in a test mode for checking the function of the apparatus 1 and a predetermined period after the product is delivered. At the time of initial maintenance and inspection after the elapse of time, maintenance personnel can check the number of times counted by hidden operation, and the optimal time for parts replacement is determined from the relationship between the number of operations during that period and the number of service parts. Is converted, and the maintenance side can easily manage by using this time as a guide.

By doing so, parts can be replaced at an appropriate time, and the apparatus 1 can always be operated in an optimal condition without deteriorating the function of the food mixing apparatus 1. In addition, as a method of confirming the number of driving, for example, the operation panel 4
The number of operations may be displayed on the time display unit 45 by turning on the power switch 42 while simultaneously pressing the + button and the-button 46 of No. 1. The vinegar supply device 2 includes a storage tank 53 for storing vinegar, and a driving device 54 for taking out vinegar from the tank 53 and supplying the vinegar to the mixing container 3.
And a suction pipe 55 and a delivery pipe 56 that form a vinegar distribution channel.
And a control unit 57 that controls the operation of the driving device 54.

The driving device 54 has a driving box 58 provided on the back of the food mixing device 1 and a pump (piston pump) 59 provided in the driving box 58. The suction pipe 55 has one end inserted into the storage tank 53 and the other end connected to a suction port of a pump 59. One end of the delivery pipe 56 is connected to the discharge port of the pump 59, and the other end of the delivery pipe 56 enters the inside of the apparatus main body 6 from the back, and the inside of the mixing vessel 3 through the ventilation path 33 </ b> A in the ventilation member 33 and the ventilation pipe 35. And a discharge nozzle 5 provided at the tip thereof
6A is arranged in the middle of the mixing container 3 before and after.

The control section 57 is provided in a control box 60 provided separately from the driving device 54, and is electrically connected to the pump 59. Further, the control box 60 can be detachably attached to an appropriate position such as a side surface or an upper surface of the apparatus main body 6. Note that the driving device 54 and the control unit 57 may be integrally configured. An operation panel 61 is provided in the control box 60.

As shown in FIG. 10, the operation panel 61
In the upper part, the vinegar replenishment display section 63 for indicating the vinegar replenishment time by lighting of the lamp 63A, the course display section 64 for displaying the set course of the vinegar supply quantity, and the number of times the set vinegar supply quantity is supplied. And a setting part 66 for setting a course setting, a vinegar supply amount setting, a tank capacity (amount of vinegar in the tank 53), etc.
A manual operation button 67 is provided. The setting unit 6
6 includes operation buttons such as a +-button 66A, a setting button 66B, a course selection button 66C, a display section 66D for displaying the set vinegar supply amount, and a display section 66E for displaying the set tank capacity. Have been.

The course selection button 66C is an operation button for selecting a desired one from a plurality of courses in which the supply amount of vinegar according to the amount of food is programmed in advance. The +/- button 66A and the setting button 66B are These are operation buttons for manually setting the vinegar supply amount and inputting the tank capacity (the amount of vinegar in the storage tank 53). The amounts set by these operation buttons are displayed on the display units 66D and 66E. Is done. The supply count display section 65 is displayed in a fraction format,
The actual supply number 65A is displayed in the numerator, and the maximum supply number 65B is displayed in the denominator.

The maximum number of supply times 65B indicates the number of times the set vinegar supply amount can be supplied from the total amount of vinegar in the storage tank 53, and this number is set in the tank capacity setting. The control unit 57 calculates the relationship between the capacity of the vinegar in the storage tank 53 and the vinegar supply amount set in the vinegar supply amount setting or the course setting. For example, if the volume of vinegar in the storage tank 53 is 20,000
When cc is set and the vinegar supply amount at one time is set to 500 cc, the control unit 57 calculates 40 times, which is obtained by dividing 20000 cc by 500 cc, as the maximum number of times of supply.

When the actual supply frequency 65A displayed on the numerator matches the calculated maximum vinegar supply frequency 65B displayed on the denominator, the operation of the pump 59 is regulated and the vinegar supply lamp 63A is controlled. Is lit to encourage the supply of vinegar into the storage tank 53. By doing so, it is possible to know the replenishment time of vinegar without providing a float sensor or the like for measuring the amount of vinegar in the storage tank 53, and it is not necessary to provide a sensor or the like. It is possible to use a commercially available tank instead of the storage tank 53 described above.

The operation panel 41 has a maximum supply number of 65B.
Is provided with a +/- button (number-of-times adjustment button) 68 for manually increasing / decreasing. By providing the number-of-times adjustment button 68, for example, even when the capacity of vinegar in the tank 53 and the capacity of vinegar that can be sucked up are different due to, for example, how the suction pipe 55 is inserted into the storage tank 53,
This can be handled by reducing the maximum supply frequency 65B. Further, when the maximum number of supply times 65B matches the actual number of supply times 65A even though vinegar more than one supply amount remains in the tank 53,
If vinegar is added to the inside, the maximum number of times of supply can be increased.

The control section 57 is connected by a communication cable or the like in a wired or wireless manner so as to interlock with the control means 9 of the food mixing apparatus 1. By pressing the first start button 43A, the vinegar supply device 2 automatically operates. In addition, both courses set in the food mixing device 1 (courses for each process time according to the amount of food material) are reflected in the course setting (the supply amount of vinegar according to the amount of food material) in the vinegar supply device 2. May be linked.

In the supply of the vinegar, the whole supply amount may be supplied before the step of mixing the ingredients starts.
As shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable that a part of the total supply amount is intermittently performed before the mixing step is started and the remaining part is intermittently performed during the mixing step. This makes it possible to uniformly mix vinegar with the whole rice. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed in design. For example,
In addition to mixing rice and vinegar, the food mixing device of the present invention can be used for mixing and cooling in the process of making mixed rice, spaghetti, potatoes, macaroni, salads, and the like.
Further, as the operation pattern of the apparatus, in addition to the simultaneous operation of mixing rice and the cooling operation, it is also possible to perform only the mixing operation and the cooling operation alone.

The present invention is not limited by the presence or absence of the vinegar supply device 2, but may be one in which vinegar or the like is supplied into the mixing container 3 manually.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
Rotation control of various mixing containers can be performed at low cost and accurately without increasing the number of detection means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a food mixing device and a vinegar supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where a mixing container faces obliquely upward, and FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the mixing container faces diagonally downward.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a rotation position (stop position) of the container.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a container bottom.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an arrow AA in FIG. 5, and FIG.
FIG. 3A is a view taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a rotation driving unit.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an operation panel of the food mixing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the operation panel.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an operation panel of the vinegar supply device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the mixing of ingredients and the supply of vinegar.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Food mixing apparatus 3 Mixing container 9 Control means 51 Detection means

Continued on the front page (72) Minoru Nakajima, 2-2-227 Mizuhashi, Higashi-osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Yamato Seiko Co., Ltd. No. Yamato Seiko Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Harada 2-2-227 Mizuhashi, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Yamato Seiko Co., Ltd. No. Daiwa Seiko Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4B023 LE16 LP20 LT41 LT67 4G036 AA02 4G078 AA20 AB09 BA03 CA01 CA05 CA12 CA20 DA30 DB10 EA20

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A food mixing apparatus comprising a mixing container capable of storing food ingredients and mixing the stored food ingredients by rotating the food mixing apparatus, comprising: a detection unit configured to detect a reference rotation position of the mixing container; A timer is provided for detecting the rotation time of the mixing container, and the rotation time per rotation of the mixing container containing the food is measured by the timer, and the mixing container rotates a predetermined angle from a reference rotation position. A food mixing apparatus comprising a control means for calculating a time from the rotation time per one rotation and controlling a rotation position of the mixing container according to the calculated time. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mixing container is capable of changing its attitude between a food input and an output attitude by rotating the mixing container, and the detecting unit determines a rotation position of the mixing container in the input or output attitude as the reference position. The food mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the food mixing device is provided so as to detect the rotation position of the food. 3. A method for controlling the rotation of a mixing container capable of storing foodstuffs and mixing the stored foodstuffs by rotating, comprising: measuring a rotation time per rotation of the mixing container storing the foodstuffs; A method for controlling the rotation of a mixing container, wherein a rotation time of the container at a predetermined angle is calculated from the rotation time per rotation, and the rotation position of the mixing container is controlled based on the calculated time.