JP2001169909A - Rice cooker and rice cooking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker which can lessen the unevenness of cooking. SOLUTION: This rice cooker includes an inner pan 38 which is housed in the housing space of a rice cooker body and a heating means for heating the inner pan 38. The inner pan 38 is provided with a pair of supporting shafts 42. The inner pan 38 is supported freely tiltably over a prescribed range at a rice cooker body via a pair of the supporting shafts 42. The inner pan 38 is provided with a drive mechanism 4 in association therewith. The drive mechanism 54 tilts the inner pan 38 within at part of the period of a rice cooker stage. As a result, the region to be heated of the inner pan 38 is changed and the convection state of the rice cooking water in the inner pan 38 is fluctuated, by which the rice cooking without the unevenness of cooking is made possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a rice cooker for cooking rice and a rice cooking method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a rice cooker has a rice cooker main body, and an inner pot is accommodated in an accommodation space of the rice cooker main body. An outer lid is openably and closably mounted on the rice cooker main body, and an inner lid is detachably mounted on an inner surface of the outer lid. When the outer lid is closed, the inner lid is accommodated in the accommodation space and closes the upper opening of the inner pot,
The outer lid covers the top opening of the rice cooker body. For example, a gas burner as a heating means is disposed at the bottom of the rice cooker main body, and the combustion flame from the gas burner heats the bottom surface of the inner pot.

Referring to FIG. 15, in such a rice cooker, gas burner 2 is formed in a ring shape, and combustion flame 4 from gas burner 2 at the time of cooking rice has a predetermined portion on the bottom surface of inner pot 6 (specifically, rice cooker). , A predetermined radius from the center of the bottom surface of the inner pot 6), and the predetermined portion is intensively heated. Therefore, at the time of cooking rice, the water in the inner pot 6 generates a temperature difference convection in the inner pot 6 due to the heat from the combustion flame 4, and is heated at, for example, a ring-shaped portion slightly away from the bottom center of the inner pot 6. After that, it rises radially outward and flows therefrom, and then convects so as to sink into the center of the inner pot 6. Accordingly, the rice to be cooked also rises radially outward from a portion slightly away from the center of the bottom of the inner pot 6, for example, as indicated by the arrow 8, and then convects to sink into the center of the inner pot 6. Become like As described above, the inner pot 6 receives the fixed-position heating, and the temperature difference convection of the rice in the inner pot 6 always draws a substantially constant convection locus.

[0004]

As shown in FIG. 15, when a temperature difference convection motion is generated in the inner kettle 6 such that the rice draws a fixed trajectory, a region 10 having a small convection, for example, a ring-shaped combustion is generated. Rice present in the inner central part of the flame (the area just above the central fire extinguisher sensor) is underheated due to less convective motion. As a result, a so-called uneven cooked state in which a well-cooked part and a not-yet cooked part are mixed in the inner pot 6 occurs, and in such a uneven cooked state, the amount of cooked rice increases. The more likely it is to happen.

An object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker capable of reducing uneven cooking. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooking method capable of reducing uneven cooking.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a rice cooker main body, an inner pot accommodated in the accommodation space of the rice cooker main body, a lid for opening and closing the accommodation space of the rice cooker main body, A rice cooker provided with a heating means for heating the inner pot, wherein the inner pot is supported by the rice cooker body so as to be tiltable over a predetermined range, and a drive mechanism for tilting the inner pot is provided. Wherein the drive mechanism tilts the inner pot during at least a part of a rice cooking process, thereby changing a heated area of the inner pot and changing a convection state of the rice cooker in the inner pot. I do.

According to the present invention, the inner pot is tiltably supported by the rice cooker main body, and is tilted by the action of the driving mechanism during at least a part of the rice cooking process. When the inner pot is tilted in this manner, the heated area of the inner pot to be heated by the heating means changes, and as a result, the convection state of the cooked water in the inner pot fluctuates. And rice to be cooked in the inner pot can be heated almost uniformly. Note that a gas burner, an electric heater, or the like can be used as a heating source.

In the present invention, the inner hook is provided with a pair of support shafts, and the pair of support shafts constitutes a tilt axis extending substantially horizontally, and the inner hook tilts about the tilt axis. It is characterized by being performed. According to the present invention, the inner shuttle is provided with a pair of support shafts, and the inner shuttle is tilted about a substantially horizontal tilt axis formed by the pair of support shafts. Further, in the present invention, the lid body is attached to the rice cooker main body so as to be openable and closable, and includes an outer lid that covers the accommodation space of the rice cooker main body, and an inner lid that covers an opening of the inner pot. The inner lid is mounted on the inner surface of the outer lid so as to be movable over a predetermined range in a direction approaching and separating from the outer lid and to be tiltable over a predetermined angle range in an arbitrary direction.

According to the present invention, the inner lid of the lid is attached to the outer lid so as to be movable toward and away from the outer lid and to be tiltable in an arbitrary direction. Can be moved to. Therefore, even if the inner pot tilts, the inner lid keeps the state covering the upper opening of the inner pot,
The rice in the inner pot can be cooked as required. Further, the present invention is a rice cooking method for cooking rice stored in an inner pot, wherein the inner pot is tilted during at least a part of a rice cooking process to change a convection state of rice cooked in the inner pot. It is characterized by being varied.

According to the present invention, the convection state of the cooking water in the inner pot is changed by tilting the inner pot in at least a part of the rice cooking process, so that the rice to be cooked is almost eliminated and the rice is cooked almost uniformly. And the occurrence of uneven cooking can be prevented. Further, in the present invention, the rice cooking step includes: a heating period in which the rice water in the inner pot is heated until it boils; a first boiling period in which the rice water in the inner pot is substantially in a boiling state; A second boiling period in which the temperature of the inner kettle sharply rises due to the absence of the cooking water in the kettle, wherein the inner kettle is tilted at least in the first boiling period.

According to the present invention, since the inner pot is tilted at least in the first cooking period, when the rice is being boiled in a boiling state, the region to be heated changes and the convection state of the cooked water changes. Therefore, when the rice to be cooked is cooked, it can be cooked almost uniformly, and the occurrence of uneven cooking can be effectively prevented.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS.
An embodiment of a rice cooker according to the present invention (and a rice cooker for implementing the rice cooking method of the present invention) will be described. First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of a rice cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment, which is partially cut away and shown in section.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an inner pot of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 and a driving mechanism for tilting the inner pot, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the driving mechanism of FIG. 2 and its vicinity in an enlarged manner. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an attachment structure between the outer lid and the inner lid in the lid of the rice cooker of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a temperature detection mechanism of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 and its vicinity. 6 is a simplified diagram schematically showing a fuel gas supply system and an electric control system of the rice cooker of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a relation between rice cooking time and a temperature of a bottom of an inner pot. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a tilting state of an inner pot and a convection state of rice cooking water at that time, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a rice cooking operation by the rice cooker of FIG. 1, and FIG.
10 is a flowchart specifically showing the contents of some steps of the flowchart in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 1, the illustrated rice cooker includes a rice cooker main body 20 mounted on, for example, a table (not shown) or the like. 24 are mounted to be openable and closable. Rice cooker body 20
A gas burner 26 as a heating means and a fuel gas supply system 28 for supplying a fuel gas to the gas burner 26 are disposed at the bottom of the gas burner 26. The upper side of the gas burner 26 is covered by a partition plate 30, and the fuel gas supply system 2
8 is arranged below the partition plate 30, and the burner flame holes 32 of the gas burner 26 are located above the upper partition plate 30. The rice cooker body 20 has an inner cylindrical member 3 therein.
The accommodation space 36 is formed by 4, and the accommodation space 36 occupies most of the rice cooker main body 20. This accommodation space 36
An inner pot 38 containing rice to be cooked and cooking water is removably accommodated therein.

It is important that the inner pot 38 is tiltably supported by the rice cooker main body 20. Referring to FIG. 2 as well, in the first embodiment, an annular flange 40 projecting outward in the radial direction is provided at an upper end portion of the inner hook 38, and a predetermined portion (a lower portion of the annular flange 40) opposed thereto is provided. (A side portion) is provided with a pair of support shafts 42. The support shaft 42 extends radially outward and forms a tilt axis 44 that extends horizontally in practice. A pair of receiving members 46 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 34 of the rice cooker main body 20 so as to correspond to the pair of supporting shafts 42 (in FIG. 2, the inner cylindrical member 34 is omitted and the pair of receiving members 46 Shown). Each receiving member 46 has a receiving concave portion 48 whose upper surface side and inner surface side are open, and the pair of support shafts 42 are received in the receiving concave portions 48 of the corresponding receiving member 46 from above. In this embodiment, the pair of receiving members 46 are disposed to face the rice cooker main body 20 in a lateral direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1), and therefore, via the pair of support shafts 42 and the receiving members 46. The supported inner pot 38 is the rice cooker main body 2.
0 (right side in FIG. 1) centered on the tilting axis 44 extending in the lateral direction in the housing space 36 of FIG.
And in the backward direction (left side in FIG. 1) indicated by the arrow 52.

A driving mechanism 54 for tilting the inner shuttle 38 is provided. Referring also to FIG.
The illustrated drive mechanism 54 includes a rectangular frame 56, and an upper wall portion 58 of the frame 56 extends inward toward the inner hook 38. An attachment member 60 is fixed to a predetermined portion of the inner pot 38,
The end of the upper wall 58 and the mounting member 60 are pivotally connected via, for example, a hinge 62. The frame 56 is
A pair of side walls 64, 66 extending downward from the upper wall 58, and a bottom wall 6 connecting lower ends of the side walls 64, 66.
8, the top wall 58, the side walls 64, 66 and the bottom wall 6
8, a rectangular cam housing space is defined, and a disk cam 70 as a cam means is rotatably housed in the cam housing space. The drive mechanism 54 includes an electric motor 72 as a driving means for rotatingly driving the disk cam 70, and an output shaft 74 of the electric motor 72 is eccentrically fixed to the disk cam 70.

In this embodiment, the size of the diameter of the disc cam 70 corresponds to the distance between the pair of side walls 64, 66 of the frame 56, and accordingly, the disc cam 70 has a pair of side walls 64, 66.
The frame 56 is rotated while being substantially in contact with the inner surface of the frame, and the frame body 56 is rotated in such a manner as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 at a first position (a position to tilt forward) and a second position shown by a two-dot chain line ( (Position for tilting to the rear side). That is, when the maximum radius portion of the disc cam 70 acts on the inner surface of the one side wall 64, the frame 56 is located at the first position closest to the inner pot 38. At this time, the frame 56 The lower portion is pushed rearward, so that the inner shuttle 38 is tilted forward around the support shaft 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow 50 and is held at the first tilt position shown by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the maximum radius portion of the disk cam 70 acts on the inner surface of the other side wall 66, the frame 56 is located at the second position farthest from the inner hook 38, and at this time, the frame 56 The lower portion of the shuttle 38 is pulled forward, so that the inner shuttle 38 is tilted rearward about the support shaft 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow 52 and is held at the second tilt position indicated by the two-dot line in FIG. When the maximum radius portion of the disc cam 70 is located at the center between the pair of side walls 64 and 66, the frame 56 is moved between the first position shown by a solid line and the second position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. At this time, the inner pot 38 is not substantially pushed or pulled by the frame 56,
It is held at a neutral position (the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) between the first tilt position and the second tilt position.

Returning to FIG. 1, the lid 22 that covers the upper side of the rice cooker body 20 so as to be openable and closable is composed of an outer lid 76 and the outer lid 76.
And an inner lid 78 attached to the inside. When the lid 22 is in the closed state shown in FIG. 1, the inner lid 78 covers the upper opening of the inner pot 38, and the outer lid 76 has the upper opening of the accommodation space 36 of the rice cooker body 20 above the inner lid 78. Cover. On the other hand, when the lid 22 is opened, the upper part of the rice cooker main body 20 and the inner lid 38 is opened, so that the rice in the inner lid 38 can be disguised, and the inner pot 38 of the accommodating space 36 of the rice cooker main body 20 is provided.
And can be taken out of the accommodation space 38.

The inner lid 78 is arranged as shown in FIG.
6 is detachably mounted. Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, a substantially hemispherical housing recess 80 is provided on the inner surface of substantially the center of outer cover 76, and mounting member 82 is attached to housing recess 80.
Is attached. A spherical head 84 is provided at one end of the mounting member 82, and the head 84 is housed in the housing recess 80 of the outer lid 76, and the mounting member 82 is further provided on the inner surface of the outer lid 76.
A detachment prevention member 86 is attached so as to cover the head 84. Therefore, the mounting member 82 is mounted so as to be tiltable in any direction.

At the other end of the mounting member 82, a locking portion 88 is provided, and a shaft portion 9 for connecting the head portion 84 and the locking portion 88 is provided.
0 has an inner lid 78 attached thereto. At the center of the inner lid 78 is formed an opening slightly larger than the locking portion 88 of the mounting member 82, and an elastic member 92 made of, for example, rubber is attached to this opening. It is mounted on the shaft portion 90 of the 88. The elastic member 92 is relatively elastically deformable, and can be attached to the shaft portion 90 through the locking portion 88 of the mounting member 82 by the elastic deformation, and can be removed from the shaft portion 90. A coil spring 94 as an elastic means is further interposed between the detachment preventing member 86 and the inner lid 78 so as to cover the shaft portion 90 of the mounting member 82. This coil spring 94 is used for the inner lid 78.
Is biased away from the outer lid 76, and the inner lid 78 is normally held in a state where the elastic member 92 is in contact with the locking portion 88,
It is movable in a direction approaching the outer lid 76 along the shaft portion 90 against the elastic biasing action of the coil spring 94. With this configuration, the inner hook 38 is moved from the first tilt position to the second tilt position.
Even when tilting between the tilting positions as described later, the state in which the upper surface opening of the inner lid 38 is covered by the inner lid 78 is maintained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a temperature sensor 98 is provided. In this embodiment, an elevating shaft 100 is provided at the center of the gas burner 26, and the elevating shaft 100 is supported by the tubular member 102 so as to be vertically movable. The sensor mounting member 10 is swingably connected to the tip of the elevating shaft 100 via a pin 104, and the temperature sensor 98 is provided on the sensor mounting member 106 thus connected. The other end of the elevating shaft 100 is inserted into the cylindrical member 102, and the inserted end is provided with a contact portion 108. A locking ring 110 is locked to the elevating shaft 100, and a coil spring 112 is interposed between the locking ring 110 and the end wall of the cylindrical member 102 so as to cover the elevating shaft 100. . Because of this configuration, the lifting shaft 1 is normally operated by the action of the coil spring 110.
00 is displaced upward, and the contact portion 108 is
02 is held at an ascending position in contact with the end wall. And
When the inner pot 38 is mounted on the rice cooker main body 20 (the inner pot 38 support shaft 42 is mounted on the pair of receiving members 46), the bottom wall of the inner pot 38 detects the temperature sensor 98 as shown by a solid line in FIG. Pressing downward, the temperature sensor 98 is elastically pressed against the center of the bottom wall of the inner pot 38 by the action of the coil spring 112. In this press-contact state, the elevating shaft 100 is vertically movable over a predetermined range, and the sensor mounting member 106 is swingable about the pin 104 in the direction indicated by the arrow. 1 tilt position and 2nd
Even when the camera is tilted between the tilting positions as described later, the state where the temperature sensor 98 is pressed against the bottom wall of the inner pot 38 is maintained.

Next, a gas burner 26 and a fuel gas supply system 28 for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 26 in this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. The illustrated gas burner 26 is formed of a circular burner, and a plurality of flame holes are arranged in a ring shape around the burner. A pilot flame burner 114 is provided in connection with the gas burner 26, and the flame from the pilot flame burner 114 ignites and burns the gas burner 26.

The illustrated fuel gas supply system 28 includes a main supply passage 116 for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 26,
A pilot supply channel 118 for supplying fuel gas to the pilot burner 114, and a main supply channel 116 and a pilot supply channel 118 for connecting the pilot supply burner 114 to a fuel supply source (not shown). A fuel gas supply passage 120, wherein the fuel gas supply passage 120 is, for example, an underground pipe as a fuel supply source when using city gas as a fuel gas, and a case where LP gas is used as a fuel gas, for example. Is connected to a gas cylinder (not shown) as a fuel supply source, and the fuel gas from the fuel supply source is supplied to the fuel gas supply channel 120.

An original electromagnetic on-off valve 122 is provided in the fuel gas supply passage 120, and the original electromagnetic on-off valve 120 opens and closes the fuel gas supply passage 120. Further, a first electromagnetic opening / closing valve 124 and an electromagnetic proportional valve 126 are provided in the main supply flow path 116. The first solenoid on-off valve 124 opens and closes the main supply passage 116, and the proportional solenoid valve 126 controls the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through the main supply passage 116. A second electromagnetic on-off valve 128 is disposed in the pilot-fire supply flow path 118, and the second electromagnetic on-off valve 12
8 opens and closes the pilot fire supply channel 118.

The rice cooker body 20 further comprises a control means 130 comprising, for example, a microcomputer. The control means 130 controls the operation of the electromagnetic on-off valves 122, 124, 128 and the electromagnetic proportional valve 126. Ignite. In this embodiment, in connection with the inner pot 38, a weight sensor 132 for detecting the weight of the inner pot 38 and the rice and the cooking water contained therein is provided. The weight detection signal from the weight sensor 132 and the temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 98 are sent to the control means 130.

A control panel 134 is provided on the upper front surface of the rice cooker body 20, and a display panel 136 of the control panel 134 (for example, a liquid crystal display device).
Displays a date, a rice cooking start reservation time, a cooking time, and the like. The control panel 134 is further provided with a power switch 138, a rice cooker switch 140, a heat retention switch 142, a cancel switch 144, a time setting switch 146, and the like. The power switch 138 is a switch for supplying and stopping the supply of electricity to the rice cooker, the rice cook switch 140 is a switch for starting rice cooking by the rice cooker, and the heat keeping switch 142 is for keeping the cooked rice warm. The cancel switch 144 is a switch for canceling the contents set and operated, and the time setting switch 146 is a switch for setting a rice cooking start time and the like. Input signals from the various switches 138 to 146 are sent to the control means 130.

FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the cooking time during cooking and the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 38 (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 98).
Changes as shown in FIG. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the rice cooking operation is started by sequentially increasing the temperature from the time of ignition (at the start of combustion of the gas burner 26). And inner pot 3
The heating period (S1) is until the cooked water in 8 is brought into a boiling state (substantially rises to 100 ° C.), for example, 10 to 13
Minutes. Thereafter, this boiling state is maintained (since the temperature sensor 98 detects the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 38, the detected temperature is somewhat higher than 100 ° C.). In this boiling state, rice is cooked, This state continues until the cooked water in the kettle 38 is substantially exhausted. This boiling period is the first
The stew period (S2) is, for example, about 4 to 6 minutes.
When the cooking water in the inner pot 38 is substantially exhausted, the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 38 rises rapidly, and thus, for example, about 1
When the temperature rises to 60 ° C., the heating by the gas burner 26 ends. The period during which the boiling state ends and the temperature of the inner pot 38 rises sharply is the second simmering period (S3).
About 60 seconds. The heating period (S1), the first stew period (S2), and the second stew period (S3) are included in the rice cooking process.

Following the rice cooking step, a rice drying step (T) is performed. In the steaming step, the heating by the gas burner 26 is substantially finished, the cooked rice is kept as it is while the outer lid 44 is kept closed, and the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 38 is gradually lowered. State is maintained. This period is the spotting period, and this spotting period corresponds to the spotting step (T), and is, for example, about 15 to 20 minutes. The period from the start of the rice cooking process to the end of the rice drying process (T) is a period in which the rice cooking operation is performed, and the rice cooking operation ends when the rice drying process (T) ends.

In this embodiment, as will be described later, the inner pot 38 is held at the neutral position during the heating period (S1).
In the first simmering period (S2), the inner pot 38 is alternately held at the first tilting position and the second tilting position, and then in the second simmering period (S3) and the simmering step, the inner pot 38 is returned to the neutral position. Will be retained. Next, along with FIG. 6 and FIG.
The rice cooking operation by the illustrated rice cooker, in other words, the rice cooking method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In addition, this rice cooking operation is an operation signal from the control means 130,
This is performed by a control signal.

To cook rice, first, the control panel 134
Power switch 138 is closed (ON) (step S-
1) Then, the rice cooker switch 140 is closed (ON) (step S-2). Then, the process proceeds to step S-3, where the original solenoid on-off valve 122 is opened, and then the second solenoid on-off valve 128 is opened (step S-4). Is supplied to the pilot fire burner 114 through the pilot fire supply channel 118. Next, a spark is generated by the ignition device 131 (comprising a piezoelectric element or the like) (step S-5), and the fuel gas from the pilot burner 114 is ignited and burns (step S-5).
-6).

Next, the first solenoid on-off valve 124 is opened (step S-7), and the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply passage 120 is supplied to the gas burner 26 through the main supply passage 116, and The pilot combustion from the burner 114 transfers to the fuel gas from the gas burner 26 and burns, and the heating period (S1) of the rice cooking process starts. In the heating period (S1), the maximum radius of the disk cam 70 of the drive mechanism 54 is located at the center between the side walls 64 and 66 of the frame 56, and the inner shuttle 38 is in the neutral position shown in FIGS. (The position where the inner hook 38 is held straight).

When the inner pot 38 is in the neutral position, the combustion flame from the gas burner 26 acts in a ring shape near the center of the bottom of the inner pot 38 as shown in FIG. As shown by an arrow in FIG. 8A, the cooked water and rice in the inner pot 38 are heated almost radially outward from the bottom of the inner pot 38, and then the central bottom thereof is heated. Convection as if sinking into. Thus, the inner pot 38
When the cooked water in the inside becomes boiling (for example, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 98 reaches, for example, 102 ° C.), the heating period (S
1) ends, and the first stew period (S2) starts. Then, the process proceeds from step S-8 to step S-9, and the inner shuttle 38 is alternately positioned at the first tilt position and the second tilt position by the operation of the drive mechanism 54.

Referring to FIG. 10, the heating of the inner shuttle 38 in step S-9 will be described in detail. First, in step S9-1, the electric motor 72 of the drive mechanism 54 is rotated in a predetermined direction by a predetermined amount, and The plate cam 70 is positioned at an angular position (an angular position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3) where the maximum radius portion acts on one of the side wall portions 64 of the frame body 56 (FIG. 3).
reference). Thus, the upper wall 58 of the frame 56 is
Is pushed inward, the inner hook 38 is tilted clockwise in FIG. 3 about the pair of support shafts 42 (FIG. 2) and is held at the first tilt position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 (step S).
9-2).

When the inner pot 38 is held at the first tilt position, the combustion flame of the gas burner 26 acts on the inner pot 38 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the inner pot 38 has its front part (the right part in FIG. 8 (b)) downward and its rear part (the left part in FIG. 8 (b)). The bottom portion of the inner pot 38 is held at one side from the center thereof, and in this embodiment, a region shifted to the right in FIG.
It is strongly heated by the combustion flame from the air. Therefore, the cooking water and the rice in the inner pot 38 are, as shown in FIG.
A temperature difference convection is generated in a state shifted to one side of the inner pot 38, and a relatively large convection vortex is generated at the left portion of the inner pot 38, while a relatively small convection vortex is generated at the right portion. Such a convection state is continuously performed for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds.
From step S9-4.

In step S9-4, the electric motor 72 is rotated by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, and the disc cam 70 is positioned at an angular position where its maximum radius acts on the other side wall 66 of the frame 56 (see FIG. 3). (An angular position indicated by a two-dot chain line) (see FIG. 3). Thus, the upper wall 58 of the frame 56 pulls the bottom of the inner pot 38 outward, and the inner pot 38
2 (FIG. 2) is tilted counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and held at the second tilt position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 (step S9-5).

When the inner pot 38 is held at the second tilt position, the combustion flame of the gas burner 26 acts on the inner pot 38 as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8C, the inner pot 38 has its front part (the right part in FIG. 8C) at the bottom and its rear part (the left part in FIG. 8C) at the top. The bottom portion of the inner pot 38 is held from the center to the other side, and in this embodiment, the region shifted to the left in FIG.
It is strongly heated by the combustion flame from the air. Therefore, the cooked rice water and the rice in the inner pot 38 are, as shown in FIG.
A temperature difference convection is generated in a state shifted to the other side of the inner pot 38, and a relatively large convection vortex is generated on the right side of the inner pot 38, while a relatively small convection vortex is generated on the left side. Such a convection state is continuously performed for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds, and when the predetermined time elapses, Step S9-6 is performed.
Then, the process returns to step S9-1. The tilting of the inner pot 38 is repeatedly performed until the first stew period (S2) ends.

As described above, in the first simmering period (S2), the inner pot 38 is alternately positioned at the first tilting position and the second tilting position, so that the inner pot 38 is heated by the combustion flame of the gas burner 26. The heating area fluctuates and the inner pot 38
The convection state of the cooked water in the inside fluctuates to form an irregular convection motion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the accumulation of rice to be cooked and eliminate uneven cooking. In particular, this first
During the stewing period (S2), the cooked water in the inner pot 38 is in a boiling state, and irregularities in the convection of the boiled cooked water can effectively prevent uneven cooking.

In this embodiment, the first stew period (S
In 2), the inner hook 38 is alternately positioned at the first tilt position and the second tilt position. Instead of such tilting, three positions of the first tilt position, the second tilt position, and the neutral position are provided. May be positioned. Further, the switching of the tilt of the inner pot 38 in the first stew period (S2), that is, the timing of the tilt of the inner pot 38 may be adjusted based on the weight detection signal from the weight sensor 132. That is, since the heating time increases as the amount of cooked rice increases, the amount of cooked rice increases in this connection with step S9.
-3 and the predetermined time in step S9-6 may be lengthened. For example, when the amount of rice cooked in the inner pot 38 is small, the predetermined time is set to, for example, 30 seconds as in the above-described embodiment, and when the amount of rice is large, the predetermined time is set to, for example, 60 seconds. May be configured. The setting of the predetermined time is performed by the weight sensor 13.
The adjustment may be made linearly or stepwise based on the weight detection signal from step 2, or may be made in two or three steps. In the above-mentioned heating state, the cooking water in the inner pot 38 is substantially eliminated (the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 98 starts to rapidly rise from about 102 ° C.).
Then, the first stew period (S2) ends, and the second stew period (S3) starts. Then, the process proceeds from step S-10 to step S-11, in which the electric motor 72 of the drive mechanism 54 rotates to return the disc cam 70 to the original angular position, and the inner hook 38 is again held at the neutral position. Heating is performed by the gas burner 26 in this neutral position. When the temperature at the bottom of the inner pot 38 is a predetermined temperature, for example, about 160
° C (the temperature sensor 98 detects this temperature)
And the second stew period (S3) ends, and step S-12 is performed.
Then, the process proceeds to step S-13, where the first solenoid on-off valve 124 is closed, the combustion heating by the gas burner 26 ends, and the rice cooking process ends. At this time, the second solenoid on-off valve 1
22 is kept open, so that the pilot-fire burner 11
No. 4 keeps igniting and burning, whereby the mura process is executed.

The temperature of the bottom of the inner pot 38 is gradually lowered after the start of the drying process, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the discharging process is completed, and the process proceeds from step S-14 to step S-15. In step S-15, the second electromagnetic switching valve 128 is closed, the supply of fuel gas to the pilot flame burner 114 is stopped, and the pilot flame burner 114 extinguishes. Next, in step S-16, the original electromagnetic on-off valve 122 is closed, the supply of the fuel gas through the fuel gas supply channel 120 is completed, and thus the rice cooking operation by the rice cooker is completely completed. The rice in the inner pot 38 is cooked as required.

In the above-described embodiment, the drive mechanism 54 includes the electric motor 72, the disk cam 70, the frame 56, and the like, and the inner hook 38 is tilted by the rotation of the disk cam 70. The mechanism may be configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 11, a modified drive mechanism 54A is shown.
Has a pair of electromagnetic solenoids 162 and 164, and these electromagnetic solenoids 162 and 164 are disposed to face the outside of the inner hook 38. One of the electromagnetic solenoids 162
Is disposed on the lower left side, for example, on the rear side of the inner hook 38, and the other electromagnetic solenoid 64 is disposed on the upper right side in FIG. 11, for example, on the front side of the inner hook 38. At a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface of the inner pot 38, a mounting member 166 is mounted corresponding to each of the electromagnetic solenoids 162, 164.
6 has an L-shaped connecting member 17 via a hinge 168, for example.
0 is rotatably connected, and the output shafts 172 of the electromagnetic solenoids 162 and 164 corresponding to each connecting member 170 are connected (in FIG. 11, only one of the mounting member 166, the hinge 168, and the connecting member 170 is shown). .

With this configuration, when both of the electromagnetic solenoids 164 and 166 are deenergized, the inner hook 38 is straightened by its own weight and is held at the neutral position. The electromagnetic solenoids 164 and 166 may be provided with biasing means such as coil springs, respectively, and the inner shuttle 38 may be held at the neutral position using the biasing force of the biasing means. Also, one electromagnetic solenoid 162
Is biased by the electromagnetic solenoid 162, the inner hook 38 is pulled to the lower left in FIG. 11, and is tilted about the pair of support shafts 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow 174 to be positioned at the first tilt position. On the other hand, when the other electromagnetic solenoid 164 is energized, this electromagnetic solenoid 164
As a result, the inner hook 38 is pulled to the upper right side in FIG. 11, is tilted about the pair of support shafts 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow 176, and is positioned at the second tilt position.

As described above, even when the pair of electromagnetic solenoids 162 and 164 are used as the driving mechanism 54A, the inner hook 38 supported to be tiltable can be positioned at the first tilting position, the neutral position, and the second tilting position. The rice cooker provided with such a drive mechanism 54A can achieve the same effect as described above. Second Embodiment Next, a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a sectional view schematically showing a rice cooker according to the second embodiment, and FIG.
14 is a perspective view showing a main part of a support mechanism of an inner pot in the rice cooker of FIG. 12, and FIGS. 14 (a) and (b) are views for explaining movement of a lever member of the support mechanism of FIG. It is.

In FIG. 12, the illustrated rice cooker includes a rice cooker main body 202, and a lid 204 is attached to the rice cooker main body 202 so as to be openable and closable. Inside the rice cooker main body 202, an inner cylinder member 208 that defines a housing space 206 is provided, and a gas burner 210 is provided below the inner cylinder member 208, and a burner flame hole 212 of the gas burner 210 is attached to the inner cylinder member 208. It is located in the accommodation space 206 through the bottom wall. An inner pot 214 is detachably accommodated in the accommodation space 206.

In the first embodiment, the inner shuttle is supported so as to be tiltable about a pair of support shafts. In the second embodiment, the inner shuttle 214 is supported by the support ring 216 and the support ring 216 is provided. 216 is configured to tilt together with the inner hook 214. The support ring 216 is disposed somewhat above the inner cylindrical member 208, and its inner peripheral portion is
06, and its outer peripheral portion projects outward of the inner cylindrical member 208. An annular flange 215 projecting outward in the radial direction is provided at an upper end portion of the inner hook 214, and the annular flange 215 is mounted on the support ring 216.

The support ring 216 is supported by a support drive mechanism 218 and tilted as described later. Referring to FIG. 13 as well, the illustrated support drive mechanism 218 includes four support rods 220, 222, 224, and 226. The two support rods 220 and 222 extend vertically at the rear side of the inner cylindrical member 208, and their lower ends are fixed to the connecting member 223. Also, the remaining two support rods 22
4, 226 extend in the vertical direction at the front side of the inner cylinder member 208, and their lower ends are fixed to the connection member 225. Each of the support rods 220, 222, 224, and 226 has a pair of guide members 228 provided in the rice cooker main body 202.
The guide member 230 supports the support rod 220 so as to be able to move up and down (only the guide member supporting the support rod 220 is shown in FIG. 13). Therefore, the pair of support rods 220 and 222 are integrated, and the other pair of support rods 224 and 226 are The support ring 216 is moved up and down integrally with the support rods 220 and 22.
2,224,226.

The pair of support rods 220 and 222 are moved up and down by a lever mechanism 232, and the other pair of support rods 224 and 226 are moved up and down by a lever mechanism 234. These lever mechanisms 232 and 234 are operated by an operating mechanism 236.
Actuated by Referring to FIG. 14 as well, lever mechanisms 232 and 234 have substantially the same configuration, and have support legs 238 mounted in rice cooker main body 202. Lever member 2
42 is swingably mounted. An operating portion 244 projecting upward is provided at one end of the lever member 242 (upper right side portion in FIG. 13 and right end portion in FIG. 14), and the operating portion 224 contacts the lower surface of the connection member 223 (225). A substantially L-shaped cam operated portion 246 is provided at the other end of the lever member 242, and the operating mechanism 236 acts on the cam operated portion 246 of the lever mechanisms 232 and 234.

The illustrated operating mechanism 236 includes an electric motor 248 as a drive source, and its output shafts 250 and 252 extend to both sides. One output shaft 25 of the electric motor 248
0, a first cam 254 is fixed.
Acts on the cam actuated portion 246 of the lever member 242 of the lever mechanism 232 from above, the second cam 256 is fixed to the other output shaft 252, and the second cam 256 is connected to the lever member 242 of the other lever mechanism 234. Cam actuated portion 24 of
6 acts from above. First and second cams 254, 25
Reference numeral 6 denotes a disc cam, and the output shafts 250 and 252 of the electric motor 248 are eccentrically fixed to the first and second cams 254 and 256 with their phases shifted from each other by 180 degrees. Therefore, the largest radius portion of the first cam 254 is the cam operated portion 246 of the lever member 242 of the one lever mechanism 232.
(The state shown in FIG. 14A), the minimum radius portion of the second cam 256 acts on the cam operated portion 246 of the lever member 242 of the other lever mechanism 234 (FIG. 14).
(State shown in FIG. 14B), and when the minimum radius portion of the first cam 254 acts on the cam operated portion 246 of one lever mechanism 232 (state shown in FIG. 14B).
The maximum radius portion acts on the cam operated portion 246 of the other lever mechanism 234 (the state shown in FIG. 14A).

In this embodiment, the support rod 220
(222, 224, 226) is locked by a locking ring 258, and a support rod 220 (222, 224, 226) is provided between the locking ring 258 and the lower guide member 228.
And a coil spring 260 is interposed (FIG. 13).
The locking ring 2 attached to the support rod 220
58 and coil spring 260). These coil springs 260 support the respective support rods 220, 222, 224, 226.
Are elastically biased upward. Note that a short tubular member 262 (FIG. 12) is provided in the rice cooker main body 202, and a support ring 216 is provided inside the short tubular member 262 in the radial direction. It is tilted in the member 262 as described later. Other configurations of the rice cooker according to the second embodiment are substantially the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.

Also in the second embodiment, the inner hook 214
Can be positioned at the first tilt position, the neutral position, and the second tilt position, and the same effects as described above are achieved. That is, when the largest radius portion of the first cam 254 acts on the cam operated portion 246 of the lever member 242 of the lever mechanism 232 by the electric motor 248, the smallest radius portion of the second cam 256 becomes the lever member 242 of the other lever mechanism 234. Act on the cam actuated portion 246. Therefore, one lever mechanism 2
In FIG. 32, as shown in FIG. 14A, the lever member 242 is swung about the pin 240 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow 264, and the action portion 244 and the connecting member 2
The pair of support rods 220 and 222 rises via 23, and the upper left portion of the support ring 216 in FIG. On the other hand, in the other lever mechanism 234, as shown in FIG. 14B, the lever member 242 is swung clockwise as indicated by an arrow 266 about the pin 240, and the action portion 244 and the connection member 225 are moved. The other pair of support rods 224 and 226 descends, and the lower right part of the support ring 216 in FIG. Accordingly, in this state, the inner shuttle 214 supported by the support ring 216 is tilted slightly to the lower right in FIG. 12, that is, to the front side, and is held at the first tilt position.

The minimum radius of the first cam 254 is the cam operated portion 246 of the lever member 242 of the lever mechanism 232.
, The largest radius portion of the second cam 256 becomes the cam operated portion 24 of the lever member 242 of the other lever mechanism 234.
Acts on 6. In this state, contrary to the above,
In the lever mechanism 232, as shown in FIG. 14B, the action portion 244 of the lever member 242 moves down, and the pair of support rods 220 and 222 move down via the connecting member 223, whereas the other lever 232 moves down. In the mechanism 234,
As shown in FIG. 14A, the action portion 244 of the lever member 242 is raised, and the pair of support rods 224 and 226 are raised via the connection member 225.
The inner pot 214 supported at the upper left in FIG.
That is, it is slightly tilted rearward and is held at the second tilting position.

The first cam 254 (or the second cam 25)
In the state in which 6) is rotated 90 degrees from the angular position shown in FIG. 14A or FIG. 14B, as easily understood, the lever members 242 of the lever mechanisms 232 and 234 are in the same state. , Four support rods 220, 22
2, 224 and 226 are at the same height level, the support ring 216 is kept substantially horizontal, and the inner shuttle 214 mounted thereon is held at the neutral position shown in FIG.

Although the embodiment of the rice cooker according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the heating means is constituted by the gas burner 26, but may be constituted by an electric heater in place of the gas burner 26, and the same effect is achieved in this case. Further, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner pot 38 (214) is tilted in the first stew period (S2) of the rice cooking process, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, over the entire period of the rice cooking process, or From the heating period (S1) to the first stew period (S2)
The inner pot 38 (214) may be tilted over the entire period or from the first simmering period (S1) to the second simmering period (S3), or may be tilted during the heating period (S1) or the second simmering period (S3). You may do so.

[0052]

According to the rice cooker according to the first aspect of the present invention, the inner pot is tilted by the driving mechanism during at least a part of the rice cooking process. The convection state of the cooked water fluctuates, whereby the rice to be cooked in the inner pot can be heated substantially uniformly.

According to the rice cooker of the second aspect of the present invention, the inner pot can be tilted about the substantially horizontal tilt axis. Further, according to the rice cooker of the third aspect of the present invention, the inner pot can be freely moved with respect to the outer lid over a predetermined range. Further, according to the rice cooking method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, rice to be cooked can be heated substantially uniformly to prevent uneven cooking.

Further, according to the rice cooking method of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the inner pot is tilted at least in the first cooking period, the region to be heated fluctuates when the rice is being boiled in a boiling state, and the rice is cooked. When the rice to be boiled is cooked almost uniformly, it is possible to effectively prevent uneven cooking.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a rice cooker according to the present invention, which is partially cut away and shown in cross section.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing an inner pot of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 and a driving mechanism for tilting the inner pot.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the drive mechanism of FIG. 2 and its vicinity in an enlarged manner.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing an attachment structure between an outer cover and an inner cover in the cover of the rice cooker of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing a temperature detection mechanism of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 and its vicinity.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram schematically showing a fuel gas supply system and an electric control system of the rice cooker of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a rice cooking time and a temperature of a bottom surface of an inner pot.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a tilting state of the inner pot and a convection state of the cooked water at that time.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a rice cooking operation by the rice cooker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart specifically showing the contents of some steps of the flowchart of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically showing a modification of a drive mechanism for tilting the inner hook.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view schematically showing a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a perspective view showing a main part of a support mechanism of an inner pot in the rice cooker of FIG.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining the movement of a lever member of the support mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a combustion state of heating means and a convection state of cooked water at that time in a conventional rice cooker.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20, 202 Rice cooker main body 24, 204 Lid body 26, 210 Gas burner 38 Fuel gas supply system 36, 206 Storage space 38, 214 Inner pot 42 Support shaft 46, 48 Receiving member 54, 54A Driving mechanism 76 Outer lid 78 Inner lid 82 Mounting member 98 Temperature sensor 130 Control means 216 Support ring 218 Support drive mechanism

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Makiko Abe 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (72) Kazuko Kuwahara 4-1-2, Hirano-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi F-term (reference) in Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. 4B023 LE11 LP10 LP20 LT03 4B055 AA02 AA04 BA26 BA62 BA63 BA80 CA01 CA09 CA22 CA71 CB02 CB27 CC32 CC37 CC52 CD58 CD80 DA02 DB01 DB08 GA05 GB01 GB12 GC38 GC40 GD02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A rice cooker main body, an inner pot accommodated in the accommodating space of the rice cooker main body, a lid body that opens and closes the accommodating space of the rice cooker main body, and heating for heating the inner kettle. Means, wherein the inner pot is supported by the rice cooker body so as to be tiltable over a predetermined range, and a drive mechanism for tilting the inner pot is provided, and the drive mechanism is used for a rice cooking process. A rice cooker characterized by tilting the inner pot for at least a part of the time, thereby changing a heated region of the inner pot and changing a convection state of the rice cooker in the inner pot. 2. The inner hook has a pair of support shafts,
The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the pair of support shafts form a tilt axis extending substantially horizontally, and the inner pot is tilted about the tilt axis. 3. The lid body is openably and closably attached to the rice cooker main body, and includes an outer lid that covers the accommodation space of the rice cooker main body, and an inner lid that covers an opening of the inner pot. The lid is
3. The outer lid is mounted on an inner surface of the outer lid so as to be movable in a predetermined range in a direction approaching and separating from the outer lid and to be tiltable in a predetermined angle range in an arbitrary direction. Rice cooker. 4. A rice cooking method for cooking rice stored in an inner pot, wherein the convection state of cooked water in the inner pot is changed by tilting the inner pot during at least a part of a rice cooking process. A rice cooking method characterized by causing the rice to cook. 5. The rice cooking step includes: a heating period in which the rice cooked in the inner pot is heated until boiling; a first boiling period in which the rice cooked in the inner pot is substantially in a boiling state; 5. The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the rice cooker tilts at least in the first cooker period, including a second stew period in which the temperature of the inner cooker sharply rises due to the absence of the cooking water in the cooker. Method.