JP2002330867A - Electric pressure cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability of an electric pressure cooker by cooking foods by repeating pressurization and pressure reduction and broadening the cooking in the electric pressure cooker having a temperature control device used in the general household. SOLUTION: A pressure vessel 2 comprises a bottomed vessel 3 and a cover 4 covering the upper surface opening part of the vessel 3 so as to freely open/ close it. This cooker controls a pressure regulating valve switch device 12 reducing the pressure of the pressure vessel 2 by an output of a temperature sensor 5 detecting the temperature of the pressure vessel 2 and an output of a timer 26a retaining a time from the cooking start, a forced ventilation device 18, and an induction coil 7 heating the pressure vessel 2 for pressurization.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric pressure cooker provided with a temperature control device used in ordinary households.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of electric pressure cooker,
For example, the following heating control is performed.

[0003] That is, the control device of the electric pressure cooker is provided with an electric heating element for heating the pressure vessel, a time switch, a cooking pressure selection means and a temperature sensor. Automatic heating that energizes the heating element continuously, turns on and off the electric heating element when the control temperature is reached, performs temperature control, activates a time switch that sets the cooking time, and stops power supply after the set cooking time. Had gone.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional structure, there is a pressurizing means, but the pressure can be reduced by natural cooling or by taking out the pressure vessel and cooling with water. There was a problem that cooking could not be done.

[0005] Further, the cooking pressure and the cooking time set in one operation are one kind, and there is a disadvantage that it is not possible to perform fine cooking with variable cooking pressure.

In order to reduce the pressure, the pressure regulating valve must be manually opened after cooking is completed.

[0007] Further, there is a problem that when the operation is completed in a pressurized state, not only the lid cannot be opened but also if the forcible attempt is made to open the contents, there is a danger of the contents jumping out.

Further, since the inside of the pressure cooker body is heated by residual heat or the like, there is a problem that it cannot be cooled down by natural cooling.

Further, there is a disadvantage that the progress of cooking cannot be easily confirmed.

[0010] Further, there is a problem that the cost increases when a new decompression device is attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to enable cooking by repeating pressurizing and depressurizing, to widen the range of cooking and to improve usability.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a pressure vessel is constituted by a bottomed vessel and a lid for opening and closing the upper opening of the vessel, and the temperature of the pressure vessel is controlled. With the output of the temperature detecting means to be detected and the output of the timer holding the time from the start of cooking, the pressure vessel depressurizing device for depressurizing the pressure vessel and the heating means for heating this pressure vessel to pressurize are controlled. It was done.

[0013] This makes it possible to cook by repeating pressurization and depressurization, thereby expanding the range of cooking and improving usability.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a pressure vessel comprising a bottomed container and a lid which can open and close the upper opening of the container, and a pressure vessel for pressurizing the vessel. Heating means for heating the vessel, a pressure vessel decompression device for decompressing the pressure vessel, temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the pressure vessel, a timer for holding a time from the start of cooking, the temperature detection means and a timer The pressure vessel decompression device and the cooking control device for controlling the heating means are provided by the output of, and cooking can be performed by repeating pressurization and decompression, and the range of cooking can be widened, and Can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation unit having a cooking process input device, a cooking time input device, and a cooking pressure input device which can be freely selected and changed from outside. It is possible to perform cooking in which the cooking process, the cooking time, and the cooking time are finely adjusted according to the cooking menu, taste preference, and the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel depressurizing device comprises a lid provided with a pressure regulating valve which is opened and closed by a pressure regulating valve opening / closing device. By opening the pressure regulating valve provided in the pressure vessel by the pressure regulating valve opening / closing device, the steam in the pressure vessel can be discharged and the pressure can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the cooking control device is configured to operate the pressure vessel depressurizing device in a final step of cooking. By ending cooking in a cooled state, the internal pressure of the pressure vessel can be reduced at the end of cooking, and safety can be ensured.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel depressurizing device is configured such that cooling air is exhausted outside the pressure cooker main body through an outer surface of the pressure vessel. Yes, the pressure reduction time can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the cooking process input device, the cooking time input device, and the cooking pressure input device each include a display unit and a selection unit. The present process, the remaining time until the end of the process, and the cooking pressure are displayed on the respective display units, so that the progress of the cooking can be easily checked.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel depressurizing device is configured to be capable of changing the amount of air exhausted to the outside of the pressure cooker through the outer surface of the pressure vessel. In addition, an inexpensive electric pressure cooker can be provided without newly installing a decompression device.

[0021]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressure cooker main body 1 has an upper surface opened, and a pressure vessel 2 is housed inside the pressure cooker main body 1. The pressure vessel 2 includes a bottomed vessel 3 and a lid 4 that covers the upper opening of the vessel 3 so as to be openable and closable. A protection frame 6 having a temperature sensor (temperature detection means) 5 for detecting the temperature at the bottom of the pressure vessel 2 is provided, and an induction coil 7 serving as a heating means is provided outside the protection frame 6. The pressure vessel 2 is configured to generate heat by an electromagnetic action caused by flowing a high-frequency current through the induction coil 7.

When the lid 4 is pressurized, an annular packing 8 is in close contact with the lid 4 and the container 3, and a weight type pressure regulating valve 9 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 4. The pressure regulating valve 9 is configured to hold pressure by a pressure adjusting hole 10 penetrating the outside and a weight 11 closing the hole from above.

Pressure regulating valve opening / closing device (pressure vessel depressurizing device) 12
Is a valve for opening and closing the pressure regulating valve 9. The steam discharging lever 13 provided on the lid 4 and a solenoid 14 provided on the side of the pressure cooker main body 1 are provided.
It consists of: The steam discharge lever 13 has a fulcrum 13b.
, The one end 13 a is in contact with the weight 11, the other end 13 c is exposed to the solenoid 14, and the one end 13 a on the weight side is urged by a spring 15 in a direction away from the lid 4.

The solenoid 14 comprises a coil 16 and a plunger 17. When the coil 16 is energized, the plunger 17 projects and the other end 13 of the steam discharge lever 13
c is lifted against the urging force of the spring 15, the weight 11 closes the pressure adjusting hole 10, and when the energization is stopped, the plunger 17 retracts as shown in FIG. The one end 13a on the side of the weight 11 is
The weight 11 is urged further away, and the weight 11
Further, the pressure inside the pressure vessel 2 is forcibly released to the outside to reduce the pressure.

Forced ventilation device (pressure vessel decompression device) 18
Is composed of a cooling fan 19 provided at the bottom of the pressure cooker main body 1 and a ventilation passage 20 provided between the pressure vessel 2 and the protection frame 6. And a part is exhausted from an exhaust port 22 opened on the side surface of the pressure cooker main body 1, and a part is exhausted from a ventilation passage 20.
Exhausted through

The opening area of the exhaust port 22 can be changed by an on-off valve 23, and the amount of air flowing to the exhaust passage 20 and the amount of air flowing to the exhaust port 22 can be set. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, if the opening area is reduced,
On the other hand, the amount of air flowing through the exhaust passage 20 increases, and conversely, if the opening area is increased, the amount of air flowing through the exhaust passage 20 can be reduced. The heating board 24 supplies electric power to the induction coil 7 and is arranged on the leeward side of the cooling fan 19 to cool it.

The operation unit 25 is provided on a side surface of the pressure cooker main body 1 and is provided with a pressure regulating valve opening / closing device 12 as a pressure vessel decompression device.
And a control board 27 provided with a forced ventilation device 18 and a cooking control device 26 for controlling the induction coil 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the control board 27 includes a cooking process input device 28, a cooking time input device 29, and a cooking pressure input device 30, and the cooking process display unit 28a and the cooking process selection unit 28b, respectively. Display unit 29a, cooking time selection unit 29b, cooking pressure display unit 30a, and cooking pressure selection unit 30
b.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. First,
The operation when pressurizing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

If the pressure is to be increased to the set cooking pressure PH, the control temperature θH corresponding to the cooking pressure PH is converted.
1, the current output θ of the temperature sensor 5 is compared, and θ <θH
If so, it is determined that pressure is applied, and at step 32, the on-off valve 23 for varying the opening area of the exhaust port 22 is opened, and at step 33 the cooling fan 19 is operated. Thereby, the heating substrate 24 can be cooled, and the cooling air can be prevented from flowing to the pressure vessel 2 side. However, when the induction coil 7 is operating, the temperature of the cooling air is rising due to the heat generated by the heating substrate 24, and the cooling air has no significant effect even if it flows to the pressure vessel 2 side. It is also possible not to do it.

Next, in step 34, the solenoid 14 constituting the pressure regulating valve opening / closing device 12 is energized, and the pressure adjusting hole 10 is closed by the weight 11. Next, in step 35, a high-frequency current is supplied from the heating substrate 24 to the induction coil 7 to heat the pressure vessel 2 by electromagnetic induction, and the control temperature θ = θ.
The operation from step 31 to step 35 is repeated until H is reached.

In step 31, when the control temperature θ becomes equal to θH, the process proceeds to step 36, where the cooking control device 26 operates the timer 26a, adjusts the output of the induction coil 7 in steps 37 and 38, Temperature control until the temperature control time at the temperature θ = θH reaches the set time TH,
When the set time TH has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, the operation when the pressure is reduced will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

If the pressure is to be reduced to the set cooking pressure PL, the control temperature θL corresponding to the cooking pressure PL is converted, and
At 1, the current output of the temperature sensor 5 is compared with θ and θ> θL
If so, it is determined that the pressure is to be reduced. In step 42, the on-off valve 23 for varying the opening area of the exhaust port 22 is closed, and in step 43 the cooling fan 19 is operated. As a result, the cool air from the cooling fan 19 is sucked from the intake port 21 and the on-off valve 23 is closed, so that more cooling air flows through the exhaust passage 20 to cool the pressure vessel 2 and accelerate decompression.

Next, when the energization of the solenoid 14 constituting the pressure regulating valve opening / closing device 12 is stopped in step 44, the plunger 17 of the solenoid 14 is retracted, and the one end 13a on the weight side is closed by the spring 15 by the spring 15. 4
The weight 11 is urged further away, and the weight 11
0, the pressure inside the pressure vessel 2 is forcibly released to the outside.

Next, at step 45, the high-frequency current supplied to the induction coil 7 by the heating substrate 24 is stopped.
The operations from step 41 to step 45 are repeated until the control temperature θ = θH.

When the control temperature θ = θL at step 41, the solenoid 14 constituting the pressure regulating valve opening / closing device 12 is energized at step 46, and the pressure adjusting hole 1 is
0 is closed, and in step 47, the on-off valve 23 is opened so that the cooling air does not flow to the pressure vessel 2 side. However, when the induction coil 7 is operating, the temperature of the cooling air is rising due to the heat generated by the heating substrate 24. Since the cooling air has no great effect even if it flows toward the pressure vessel 2, the on-off valve 23 may not be opened. It is possible.

Next, proceeding to step 48, the cooking control device 26 operates the timer 26a, adjusts the output of the induction coil 7 in steps 49 and 50, and
Is performed until the temperature control time at the temperature θ = θL reaches the set time TL, and after the set time TL has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, a series of operations of the present invention will be described. As an example, "First, the cooking pressure P1 is T1 minutes, then the cooking pressure P2 is T2 minutes, and the cooking pressure P3 is T3 minutes.
The operation of the cooking procedure "minute" will be described with reference to FIG. However, normal pressure <P1 <P2, P2>P3> normal pressure.

An object to be cooked is put into the pressure vessel 2, and the upper opening thereof is closed with the lid 4. Next, a cooking procedure is set by the operation unit 25. First, "1" is displayed on the cooking process display unit 28a by the cooking process selection unit 28b, "T1" is displayed on the cooking time display unit 29a by the cooking time selection unit 29b, and then by the cooking pressure selection unit 30b. "P1" is displayed on the cooking pressure display section 30a. Thus, the setting of the cooking process “1” is completed.

Similarly, for cooking steps "2" and "3",
Cooking process “2”, cooking time “T2”, cooking pressure “P2”
And then the cooking process “3”, cooking time “T3”
Setting of the cooking procedure is completed by setting the cooking pressure “P3”,
Press the start button to start cooking.

In the "step 1", since the cooking pressure is set to T1 by increasing the pressure from normal pressure to P1, the control temperature θ1 corresponding to P1 is converted, and θh = θ1,
Execute Th = T1. During this time, the cooking process display section 28a
Is displayed as "1", and the cooking time display section 29a displays "T" until the remaining time until the end of the process, that is, the control temperature is reached.
1 ", the control temperature is reached, and in the temperature control state," T1-elapsed time of temperature control "is displayed, and" P "is displayed on the cooking pressure display section 30a.
1 "is displayed. When “step 1” is completed, the process proceeds to the next step.

In the "step 2", since the cooking pressure is increased from P1 to P2 and the cooking time is set for T2, the control temperature θ2 corresponding to P2 is converted, and in the above-described pressing step, θh = θ2, Execute Th = T2. During this time, “2” is displayed on the cooking process display section 28a, and the cooking time display section 29 is displayed.
In “a”, “T2” is displayed until the remaining time until the end of the process, that is, the control temperature is reached, and “T2—temperature control elapsed time” is displayed in the control temperature and the temperature control state. P2 "is displayed. When “step 2” is completed, the process proceeds to the next step.

In the "step 3", since the cooking pressure is reduced from P2 to P3 and the cooking time is set for T3, the control temperature θ3 corresponding to P3 is converted, and θL = θ3, TL = T3. During this time, “3” is displayed on the cooking process display unit 28a, and the cooking time display unit 29 is displayed.
In “a”, “T3” is displayed until the remaining time until the end of the process, that is, the control temperature is reached. In the temperature control state, “T3—elapsed time of temperature control” is displayed, and “P3” is displayed on the cooking pressure display section 30a. Is displayed. When the process is completed, the process proceeds to the next process.

When the power supply to the solenoid 14 is stopped, the plunger 17 is retracted, and the steam discharge lever 13 is urged by the spring 15 in a direction in which one end 13a on the weight side is separated from the lid 4. As a result, the weight 11 is separated from the pressure discharge hole 10, and the pressure inside the pressure vessel 2 is forcibly released to the outside, so that the pressure becomes normal pressure.

In this embodiment, the pressure regulating valve of the weight type is opened and closed. However, the same effect can be obtained by discharging steam by an electromagnetic solenoid valve or the like.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a pressure vessel constituted by a bottomed container and a lid which can open and close the upper opening of the container is pressurized. Heating means for heating the pressure vessel, a pressure vessel decompression device for decompressing the pressure vessel, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the pressure vessel, a timer for holding time from the start of cooking, and the temperature Since the pressure vessel decompression device and the cooking control device that controls the heating device are provided by the output of the detection unit and the timer, the cooking can be repeated by repeating the pressurization and the decompression, and the range of the cooking can be widened. Usability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cooking menu, the cooking time input device, and the cooking pressure input device, which can be selected and changed freely from the outside, are provided. According to the taste preference, the cooking process, the cooking time, and the cooking time can be finely adjusted for cooking.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel pressure reducing device is constituted by the lid provided with the pressure regulating valve which is opened and closed by the pressure regulating valve opening / closing device. By opening by the opening / closing device, the steam in the pressure vessel can be discharged and reduced in pressure, and the pressure can be reduced quickly and safely.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cooking control device is configured to operate the pressure vessel depressurizing device in the last step of cooking, the cooking is completed in a state where the pressure vessel is cooled. Thus, the internal pressure of the pressure vessel can be reduced at the end of the operation, the lid can be easily opened, and the contents can be prevented from being forcibly opened and the contents can be prevented from popping out, thereby ensuring safety.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the pressure vessel depressurizing device is configured such that the cooling air is exhausted to the outside of the pressure cooker main body through the outer surface of the pressure vessel. Cooling can be performed, and the time for decompression can be reduced.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the cooking process input device, the cooking time input device and the cooking pressure input device each include a display unit and a selection unit. Since the present process, the remaining time until the end of the process, and the cooking pressure are displayed, the progress of cooking can be easily confirmed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the pressure vessel decompression device is configured so that the amount of air exhausted to the outside of the pressure cooker through the outer surface of the pressure vessel can be changed, a new decompression device is attached. Thus, a low-cost electric pressure cooker can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a pressurized state of an electric pressure cooker according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the electric pressure cooker in a decompressed state.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of an operation unit of the electric pressure cooker.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart at the time of pressurizing the electric pressure cooker.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for depressurizing the electric pressure cooker.

FIG. 6 is an operation time chart of the electric pressure cooker.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Pressure Vessel 3 Vessel 4 Lid 5 Temperature Sensor (Temperature Detection Means) 7 Induction Coil (Heating Means) 12 Pressure Regulator Opening / Closing Device (Pressure Vessel Decompression Device) 18 Forced Ventilation Device (Pressure Vessel Decompression Device) 26 Cooking Control Device 26a Timer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A pressure vessel comprising a container having a bottom and a cover which can open and close an upper opening of the vessel, heating means for heating the pressure vessel to pressurize, and decompression of the pressure vessel. A pressure vessel depressurizing device, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pressure vessel, a timer for holding time from the start of cooking, and controlling the pressure vessel depressurizing device and the heating means by the output of the temperature detecting means and the timer. Electric pressure cooker with cooking control device. 2. The electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit having a cooking process input device, a cooking time input device, and a cooking pressure input device that can be freely selected and changed from outside. 3. The electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel pressure reducing device comprises a lid provided with a pressure regulating valve which is opened and closed by a pressure regulating valve opening / closing device. 4. The electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the cooking control device is configured to operate the pressure vessel decompression device in a final step of cooking. 5. The electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel decompression device is configured such that cooling air is exhausted outside the pressure cooker body through an outer surface of the pressure vessel. 6. The cooking process input device, the cooking time input device, and the cooking pressure input device each include a display unit and a selection unit,
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein during the cooking, the current process, the remaining time until the process is completed, and the cooking pressure are displayed on each display unit.
An electric pressure cooker as described. 7. The electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel depressurizing device is configured to be able to change the amount of air exhausted to the outside of the pressure cooker main body through the outer surface of the pressure vessel.