JP2002336121A - Electric rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric rice cooker having a small and compact pressure controller excellent in design, which is capable of effectively inhibiting overflowing without making a structure change affecting a lid large or the like. SOLUTION: The electric rice cooker is provided with an inner pot, a rice cooker body for removably storing the inner pot, a lid body for opening/shutting an opening part of the rice cooker body, a steam passage provided on the lid body for discharging steam outside from inside of the inner pot, and the pressure controller part provided on the steam passage for controlling pressure inside the inner pot, wherein the pressure controller part communicates with the steam passage. The electric rice cooker is also provided with a steam discharging space for separating the steam containing rice glue from the steam passage into the rice glue and the steam, a lifting valve receiver provided on a bottom opening communicating with the steam passage of the steam discharging space, and a lifting valve retained on the lifting valve receiver so as to freely elevate/descend. The lifting valve is generally spherical, wherein an outer periphery face is formed on a level of specified height.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric rice cooker, and more particularly, to a structure of a pressure adjusting unit provided in a lid unit of the electric rice cooker.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an electric rice cooker includes a rice cooker main body for accommodating an inner pot (rice cooker) so as to be freely taken in and out, and a lid unit for opening and closing an opening of the rice cooker main body. Put rice and water in the inner pot stored in the rice cooker body,
When the lid unit is closed, the rice cooker is efficiently heated by desired heating means such as a heater and a work coil, so that the rice is cooked deliciously.

By the way, in the case of such an electric rice cooker,
Needless to say, when cooking rice, a large amount of steam is generated in the inner pot, and the steam is discharged to the outside through a steam passage provided in the lid unit. At this time, a pressure regulating function is provided so that a large flow resistance is generated in the steam passage, and when the rice and water in the inner pot are in a boiling state, the internal pressure may be kept slightly higher. Tips for cooking delicious rice.

[0004] However, particularly during cooking during the rice cooking process, a large amount of a high-viscosity liquid, generally called slime, is generated in the inner pan and passes through the steam passage together with the steam. Is discharged to the outside,
So-called spillover is likely to occur.

[0005] This cooking spill may occur, for example, when the amount of water is larger than a fixed amount, or when the amount of rice is smaller than the amount of water, or when a small amount of rice is cooked, the microcomputer erroneously determines the number of cooked rice, and It occurs when cooking with high power. In order to prevent such spillage of the slime, there has been a problem that the heating power must be set in consideration of the margin (suppressing the electric power at the time of cooking) and the heating power cannot be sufficiently increased.

Conventionally, in order to prevent such a spill,
One in which the pressure adjusting portion of the steam passage is extremely large to form a sticking portion having a sufficient volume, or one in which a spherical ball valve is provided at the opening at the bottom of the steam discharge space of the pressure adjusting portion. There is.

[0007]

However, in the case of the former configuration, the design of the lid unit itself is greatly restricted, for example, such that an effective heat insulating area cannot be secured in the lid unit. This causes problems and is not desirable in terms of design. In addition, there is a problem that a sufficient effect of preventing the spill-over cannot be obtained for the size.

On the other hand, in the latter configuration, the ball valve itself suppresses the steam blowing pressure by a predetermined weight, so that the internal pressure in the inner pot can be kept high accordingly, and the ball valve is not obstructed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a straight blow-out from the top of the viscous material and prevent a spill-over.

However, since the conventional ball valve is merely a spherical body, when the internal pressure overcomes the weight of the ball valve, steam containing viscous liquid flows around the ball valve. However, there is a problem that the performance of separating water and viscous water is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and by using a substantially spherical elevating valve having an outer peripheral surface having a high and low surface, it is possible to improve the performance of separating steam and steam. A compact, compact, design-friendly electric pressure control unit that can effectively suppress spillage without affecting the structure of the lid unit, such as by enlarging the pressure control unit. It is intended to provide a rice cooker.

[0011]

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

(1) According to the present invention, in the present invention, an inner pot, a rice cooker main body for accommodating the inner pan, and a lid for opening and closing an opening of the rice cooker main body, and the lid And a steam passage for discharging the steam in the inner pan to the outside, and a pressure regulator provided in the steam passage and adjusting the pressure in the inner pan, and the pressure regulator, A vapor discharge space that communicates with the steam passage and separates the vapor containing the viscous material from the vapor passage into viscous and steam; and a lift valve provided at a bottom opening of the vapor discharge space that communicates with the vapor passage. In an electric rice cooker comprising a receiver and an elevating valve held up and down on the elevating valve receiver, the elevating valve has a substantially spherical shape, and its outer peripheral surface is formed at a predetermined height.

[0013] According to such a configuration, the steam pressure blown out from the lower bottom opening exceeds the weight pressure of the lift valve to lift the lift valve upward, and the steam containing viscous liquid flows obliquely upward from the outer periphery of the lift valve. When it comes to be blown out, the steam to be blown obliquely upward flows so as to envelop the elevating valve, and turbulence is generated by the elevation surface near the outer peripheral surface thereof, which is effectively agitated. Separated from steam. In addition, a viscous component having a particularly large mass and a high viscosity in the steam is caused by the coander effect generated from the upper surface side to the lower surface of the outer periphery of the elevating valve and the scooping action by the lower surface. Without invading the inside of the part and being blown up, it is made to flow downward by the subsequent rotation and is reliably collected.

Therefore, a considerable amount of the viscous component can be effectively separated and collected before reaching the upper part of the vapor discharge space, and the effect of preventing the spill is far greater than that of the conventional flat ball valve structure. Get higher. At the same time, by maintaining proper pressure regulation performance, more delicious rice can be cooked.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the predetermined height surface is formed by providing a large number of concave portions over the entire spherical portion.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, the above described co-under effect and the scooping action are more reliably realized by the large number of concave portions formed in the entire spherical portion, and the separation and recovery of the viscous component can be efficiently performed. It is planned.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the predetermined height surface is formed by providing a large number of convex portions over the entire spherical portion.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, the above-mentioned co-under effect and the scooping action are more reliably realized by the convex portions formed over the entire spherical portion, and the separation and recovery of the viscous component can be efficiently performed. Can be

(4) In the structure of the present invention, in the structure of the first aspect, the predetermined height surface is formed by forming the elevation valve into a substantially spherical irregular shape. I have.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, the above-mentioned coin-under effect and the scooping action are more reliably realized by the deformed structure of the elevating valve itself, and the separation and recovery of the viscous component can be efficiently performed.

(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first, second, third or fourth aspect of the invention, the elevation valve receiver has a spherical radius corresponding to a spherical radius of the elevation valve. Is formed on the concave groove surface.

Therefore, according to such a configuration, the viscous component blown upward from the periphery of the elevating valve by the concave groove surface having a spherical radius corresponding to the spherical radius of the elevating valve guides the outer peripheral surface side thereof. As a result, while the above-mentioned viscous component collecting action is greatly improved, in the same case, the elevating valve that moves up and down in the up-down direction is securely held so as to correspond to the bottom-side opening, and more reliable adjustment is performed. It is possible to maintain the pressure action and the viscosity recovery action.

(6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fifth aspect, a plurality of slits are provided radially outward on an outer peripheral edge of the concave groove surface. ing.

Therefore, in such a configuration, the viscous component separated as described above is reliably collected in the lower inner pot through the plurality of slits.

(7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the steam discharge space includes A detour is formed that diverts the vapor toward the vapor discharge port and separates the viscous component downward during the detour.

Therefore, in such a configuration, the steam containing the viscous component from the elevating valve receiver to the outside of the steam discharge space is complicatedly diverted through the bypass, and the final steam discharge port is formed. , And it is possible to avoid suddenly blowing out to the outside, and furthermore, the viscous component is more effectively separated downward in the same detour.

(8) Invention of Claim 8 According to the structure of the present invention, the above-mentioned Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
In the configuration of the invention according to the sixth or seventh aspect, the bypass is formed by arc-shaped ribs provided downward from an upper portion of the vapor discharge space.

Therefore, in such a configuration, the steam containing the viscous component discharged from the outer periphery of the elevating valve to the upper part of the steam discharge space is formed by the arc-shaped ribs from the upper part of the steam discharge space to the lower part. The detour route allows the viscous component to be more efficiently separated while rotating in the circumferential direction.

[0029]

As described above, according to the electric rice cooker of the present invention, it is possible to effectively suppress spills without affecting the structure of the lid unit, for example, by increasing the size of the pressure adjusting unit. Thus, it is possible to provide an electric rice cooker provided with a pressure regulating unit which is excellent in design.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) FIGS.
1 shows the configuration and operation of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention including a pressure adjusting unit.

(Characteristics of the present embodiment) First, in the electric rice cooker of the present embodiment, for example, an inner pot made of a magnetic metal plate capable of electromagnetic induction is used as an inner pot, while a heating means for cooking rice is used. Two sets of work coils are provided so as to surround the entire inner bottom wall of the inner pan via the inner case made of a synthetic resin so as to surround the entire inner bottom pan of the inner pan. In addition, a heat retention heater is provided as a heating means at the time of heat retention so as to cover the entire periphery of the side wall of the inner pan. And thereby, it is possible to realize an appropriate rice cooking and heat retaining function.

On the other hand, the lid unit of the rice cooker main body is a substantially spherical body having a large number of recesses on its outer peripheral surface and having a high / low surface structure elevating valve which exerts an action of separating viscous and steam. A steam discharge device having a pressure passage opening / closing and pressure regulating means is provided, and the steam passage is effectively and appropriately opened and regulated by the synchronized pressure passage opening / closing and pressure regulating means, particularly when cooking in a rice cooking process, and effectively. While separating and recovering the slime component, when the slag component is reduced by the completion of the boiling maintenance process from the cooking, the steam passage is closed, and the process shifts to the spotting process. It is designed to effectively prevent spills due to the generation of a large amount of stickiness during cooking.

At the same time, the separated viscous material is recovered to the inner pot side through a viscous return passage different from the original steam passage, so that the viscous material can always be reliably and smoothly recovered. And

[0034] Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent the spillover.

(Structure of Rice Cooker Main Body) That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the electric rice cooker is made of a magnetic metal plate such as a stainless steel plate capable of self-heating by eddy current induced therein. Pot (rice cooker) 3, an inner case (protection frame) 4 having a bottom and made of synthetic resin and formed so that the inner pot 3 can be set arbitrarily, and an outer casing holding the inner case 4 And a lid unit 2 which can be opened and closed at the top of a rice cooker body formed by integrating the outer case 1 and the inner case 4. .

A coil mount 7 is provided below the bottom wall (bottom) 4b of the inner case 4, and the coil mount 7 is provided above the coil mount 7 in FIG.
As shown in the figure, through a ferrite core (not shown), at a small pitch such that the litz wires are in contact with each other at both the central part and the lateral part of the bottom wall 3a of the inner pot 3. Two sets (plurality) of work coils C concentrically wound
_1, C ₂ is, at predetermined intervals between them mutually, is provided so as to surround the entire bottom wall 3a of the pot 3, respectively, at the time of energization by inducing eddy currents in the inner pot 3 The whole is heated substantially uniformly. And
The work coils C ₁ and C ₂ are connected, for example, in series with each other, one end of which is connected to a power supply line via a rectifier circuit and a smoothing circuit, and the other end is an IGBT (power transistor).
Are connected to the respective collectors.

Further, the work coil C ₂ above the inner case side wall 4b, at the time of thermal insulation and heat retention heater H ₁ is provided which serves as a heating means, all of the side wall portion 3b of the inner bowl 3 at the time of insulation The circumference is effectively and uniformly heated. The insulation heater H ₁ is constituted by, for example, code heater.

The outer case 1 includes a vertically-covered cylindrical cover member 1a made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and a synthetic resin shoulder member 5 coupled to an upper end of the cover member 1a. A bottom member 1b made of synthetic resin integrated with a lower end of the cover member 1a;
And a bottomed cylindrical body having a predetermined size of heat insulation and ventilation space formed between the bottom wall 4a and the bottom wall 4a.

A center sensor storage space (center sensor fitting hole) 10 penetrating vertically and concentrically is formed in the center of the coil base 7 below the inner case 4. A center sensor 8 having an inner pot temperature detection sensor and an inner pot detection switch is provided in the center sensor storage space 10 so as to be vertically movable and constantly urged upward by a coil spring 11. Have been.

Reference numeral H ₂ denotes a flange on the inner side of the shoulder member 5 on the outer periphery of the upper edge of the side wall (side) 4 b of the inner case 4 corresponding to the upper edge of the side wall (side) 3 b of the inner pot 3. Part 5a
Are provided through the shoulder heater, which effectively heats the upper edge of the side wall 3b of the inner pot 3 during the heat retention,
By also heating the heat radiating plate 24 via the outer peripheral edge 24d of the heat radiating plate 24, the condensed liquid droplets generated on the lower surface of the heat radiating plate 24 are quickly evaporated to prevent white blur of the rice.

(Configuration of Lid Unit) On the other hand, reference numeral 2 denotes a lid unit. The lid unit 2 has an outer cover 21 made of a synthetic resin forming an outer peripheral surface thereof and an inner peripheral edge portion of the outer cover 21. A protruding inner frame portion 22, an inner cover 23 made of synthetic resin, which is fixed to the lower portion of the inner frame portion 22, and a lower opening edge of the inner pan 3 provided below the inner cover 23; It is formed of a metal heat radiating plate and a heat radiating plate provided with a heat radiating plate packing at an engaging portion with the portion. Further, by providing a heat insulating material 20 between the outer cover 21 and the inner cover 23, the lid unit 2 is formed in a heat insulating structure.

The lid unit 2 is rotatably attached to the shoulder member 5 on the upper part of the outer case 1 via a hinge mechanism 12 and a hinge cover 26. 2 is provided with a lock and lock release mechanism 13 which engages with a predetermined position to open and close the lid unit 2 in the vertical direction.

As shown in the figure, a pressure control is provided at a substantially central portion of the lid unit 2 to release only steam while recovering the viscous component and adjust the pressure in the inner pot 3 according to the rice cooking process. Steam release device 30 provided with unit (pressure regulating unit)
Is provided.

(Structure of the steam discharging device) As shown in detail in FIG. 2, for example, the steam discharging device 30 has a cylindrical steam pipe portion (steam passage portion) 31 on the lid unit 2 side and the steam pipe portion. And a pressure regulating unit (pressure regulating unit) 32 which is detachably attached to the opening 31. The steam pipe portion 31 is formed at a central portion of the outer cover 21 of the lid unit 2 and has a circular front portion and a rear portion having a bottom portion of a front circular portion inside the pressure regulating unit installation concave portion 21a which extends in an elliptical shape. A steam pipe main body portion 33 in which a cylindrical upper end portion 33a is fitted and fixed to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical opening portion 27 formed at the center to form a mutually continuous cylindrical opening portion.
The heat sink 2 is opened up and down, and
4 and attached to the inside of the steam pipe main body 33 so as to be detachably engaged from the lower side via a cylindrical engagement packing 35 fitted to the outer periphery of the main body side cylindrical wall portion 36a. And a pipe 36.

The steam pipe main body 33 has a cylindrical wall portion 33b formed integrally with the inner cover 23 and extending downward substantially continuously from the cylindrical opening 27 of the outer cover 21 so as to have substantially the same diameter. A rib 33c for engaging the inner pipe 36 is provided below the inner peripheral surface.

On the other hand, as described above, the inner pipe 36 has a cylindrical wall portion 36a extending upward with an outer diameter which can be fitted into the rib 33c of the steam pipe main body 33, and has an outer peripheral surface thereof. An elastically deformable cylindrical engagement packing 35 made of silicon rubber or the like is tightly fitted. The upper and lower ribs 35a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the engagement packing 35 are provided.
By engaging and pressing the concave groove portions between the ribs 35b with the ribs 33c, the ribs are vertically detachably supported in a state where they are sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

The flange 36b for attaching a heat sink is provided on the outer periphery of the lower end of the inner pipe 36 as described above. The central part of the plate 24 is integrally attached. The inner portion of the flange portion 36b at the center of the radiator plate 24 is slightly recessed downward to form a concave groove portion 24b for returning the viscosity. Return hole) 24c, 24c
Are formed.

As described above, first, on the side of the lid unit 2, the heat dissipation plate 24 is provided inside the cylindrical opening 27 of the outer cover 21, the steam pipe main body 33, and the inner pipe 36. Steam outlet holes 24c, 24
The large-diameter first steam passage 39A as a steam discharge port which communicates with the inside of the inner pot 3 through the cylindrical opening 27 of the outer cover 21 to the outside through the cylindrical opening 27 of the outer cover 21. Are formed.

On the other hand, the pressure adjusting unit (pressure adjusting unit) 32
The pressure adjusting unit engaging rib 27a on the lid unit 2 side is connected to the lid unit 2 via a cylindrical elastic packing 40 made of a heat-resistant rubber member (silicon rubber) fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the lower cylindrical opening 41a. A pressure-adjusting case main body 41 having a large opening diameter on the upper surface side, which is detachably fitted and fixed from the upper side into the cylindrical opening 27 having the same;
The pressure regulating cap 46 is fixed by helicoidally engaging the lower cylindrical peripheral wall 46a with the upper cylindrical peripheral wall 41a of the first pressure regulating cap 46, and the pressure regulating cap 46 is shortened downward from the center rear surface thereof. A cylindrical first cylindrical rib 42a extending in a cylindrical shape for engaging a lifting valve receiving member, and the first cylindrical rib 4a;
A semi-cylindrical second cylindrical rib 4 for detour formation, which is located on both left and right sides on the outer peripheral side of 2a, and extends downward with predetermined slit spaces 42c, 42c at both front and rear ends.
2b, 42b (see FIG. 3) and the pressure regulating case main body 41
The upper side valve receiving portion 43a which is provided at the center axis portion of the bottom side cylindrical opening portion 41b and is opened in both the upper and lower directions.
Is a large-diameter, lower-side pressure-adjusting pipe fitting portion 43b having a small-diameter cylindrical valve structure having a different-diameter cylindrical structure, and fitted and fixed in the pressure-adjusting pipe fitting portion 43b of the lift valve receiver 43. A heat-resistant rubber member (silicon silicon) having a hat-shaped cross section, which is loosely fitted and supported so as to be able to move up and down inside the pressure adjusting pipe 44 and has a flat circular flange portion (valve body portion) 45b on the outer periphery at the lower end thereof. The pressure control valve packing 45 is made of rubber and has a vertically opened cylindrical pressure regulating valve packing 45 and a lift valve 47 which is held at the center of the valve receiving portion 43a of the lift valve receiver 43 so as to be able to move up and down.

The first cylindrical rib 42a and the valve receiving portion 43a of the elevating valve receiver 43 form a first steam discharge space 50a inside, and the outer peripheral surface thereof and the second cylindrical Between the second steam discharge space 5 and the ribs 42b, 42b.
0b, a third vapor discharge space 50c is formed on the outer periphery of each of the second cylindrical ribs 42b, 42b.

The elevating valve 47 has a substantially spherical shape, for example, as shown in FIGS.
Has a high-low surface structure having pyramid-shaped concave portions 47a, 47a,..., And allows the steam containing the viscous component to flow with high flow resistance around the perimeter. In addition to causing the stirring effect by the flow, the Cander effect (the generation of Karman vortices) in which the viscous component having particularly large mass and high viscosity is generated from the high surface side to the low surface side in the concave portions 47a, 47a. And the scooping action of the lower surface. The bottom surface of the valve receiving portion 43a of the lifting valve receiver 43 holding the lifting valve 47 has a concave groove surface structure, and a plurality of slits 49, 49,.
Is provided to allow the separated viscous component to flow out below.

Further, as shown in the figure, the pressure regulating case body 41 is provided with a handle 41d as shown in the figure at one end of the rear side central portion of the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 41a. To be easily removed from the opening of the lid unit 2 and to facilitate the turning operation when the helicoid coupling between the pressure regulating case main body 41 and the pressure regulating cap 46 is released. ing.

The first, second, and third vapor discharge spaces 50a, 50 between the pressure regulating case main body 41 and the pressure regulating cap 46, each functioning as a viscous separation / holding space.
b and 50c are resilient return passages formed between the lower pressure adjusting pipe fitting portion 43b of the elevating valve receiver 43 and the inner peripheral surface of the lower cylindrical opening 41b of the pressure adjusting case main body 41. 3
9c while the upper outer periphery is
, 46b, 4 which are located at the center portions on the left and right sides of the right and left sides, respectively, and are arranged in a small arc shape.
6b... In addition, the above-mentioned viscosity return passage 3
9c is opened and closed only in the blowing direction by the flange portion 45b of the pressure regulating valve packing 45, but the thickness of the flange portion 45b is thin and flexible. Because of its resilience and resilience, the viscosity from the viscosity return passage 39c can be returned downward by its weight.

Therefore, when the steam pressure in the inner pan 3 is low and the pressure regulating valve packing 45 is lower than the state shown in FIG. Through the gap between the first
The steam passages 39A communicate with each other, and also function as steam passages. However, when the steam pressure in the inner pan 3 is increased and the elevating valve 47 is lifted, the pressure regulating valve packing 45 is moved to the viscosity return passage 39.
c is closed in the blowing direction to prevent the blowing of steam. On the other hand, the separated viscous is passed through the viscous return passage 39.
c, the flange portion 45b of the pressure regulating valve packing 45
While being bent into the first steam passage 39A, and is surely returned to the inner pot 3 through the steam outlet holes 24c of the concave groove 24b at the center of the heat sink 24. ing.

With these configurations, from the upper part of the first steam passage 39A on the lid unit 2 side, the second steam passage 39B in the pressure regulating pipe 44 and the pressure regulating valve packing 45, the lift valve receiver 43 , A first steam discharge space 50a around the elevating valve 47, slits 49 on the bottom surface of the valve receiving part 43a of the elevating valve receiver 43, the pressure regulating cap Between the second cylindrical rib 42b and the pressure regulating case main body 41,
The second and third vapor discharge spaces 5 formed through the second through holes 42b
0b, 50c, from the first steam discharge space 50a in the circumferential direction of the second steam discharge space 50b, from the front-back direction of the second steam discharge space 50b, to the left and right in the circumferential direction of the third steam discharge space 50c, .., 46b, 46 from the left and right circumferential positions of the third steam discharge space 50c.
b ... upward, while taking a sufficient time, through two semi-cylindrical ribs 42b, 42b formed on the left and right sides of the outer periphery of the pressure regulating cap 46, the steam discharge ports 46b, 46b
A steam discharge path having a bypass structure communicating with the b is formed.

Therefore, in this configuration, first, at the time of the rice cooking step, the inner pot 3 is provided with the two sets of work coils C ₁ and C _2.
The heat is generated substantially uniformly from the bottom wall portion 3a to the side wall portion 3b side by the driving of the upper portion of the inner pot 3 even in a water absorption process where the rice immersed in the water in the inner pot 3 acts as a heat insulating portion. The side is evenly heated to enable substantially uniform water absorption performance, and even when the amount of cooked rice is large, the entire inner pot 3 is substantially uniformly heated to cook efficiently without heating unevenness. In addition, local concentration of heat on the bottom wall 3a of the inner pot 3 in a state where moisture has disappeared after the boiling step is prevented, thereby preventing the occurrence of scorching.

Further, during the heat retaining step, the inner case 4
The heat retaining heater H ₁ provided on the side wall 4 b of the inner case 4 is provided at the upper end position of the side wall 4 b of the inner case 4 corresponding to the upper edge of the side wall 3 b of the inner pot 3 and the outer peripheral edge 24 d of the heat sink 24. By driving each of the shoulder heaters H _2, the entirety of the inner wall 3 from the bottom wall 3 a to the side wall 3 b and the upper part is uniformly heated with an appropriate heating amount, and there is no heating unevenness. Insulation without heat is realized.

In the configuration of the electric rice cooker according to the present embodiment, for example, the internal pressure in the inner pan 3 exceeds the weight pressure of the elevating valve 47 at the time of cooking, in which the stickiness is most likely to occur in the rice cooking process. The pressure regulating valve packing 45
Rises, the outer peripheral flange portion 45b closes the resilience return passage 39c from below to above, and through the first and second steam passages 39A and 39B and the bottom opening 48 of the valve receiving portion 43a. The steam containing the viscous component that blows up,
The elevating valve 47 having the special structure, which has closed the bottom opening 48 of the elevating valve receiver 43, is lifted upward by a predetermined height.

Then, the separation and recovery of the viscous component by the elevating valve 47 are first enabled in the first vapor discharge space 50a.

That is, as described above, the lift valve receiver 4
When the elevating valve 47 that has closed the bottom opening 48 of the third valve 3 is lifted upward, the distance between the lower valve receiving portion 43a and the first and second steam passages 39A, 39A increases.
39B is communicated with the first vapor discharge space 50a.

In the communicating state, the steam containing the viscous component which blows upward from the bottom opening 48 of the valve receiving portion 43a may have a concave spherical surface on the bottom surface of the valve receiving portion 43a. The flow having a high flow resistance so as to enclose the elevation valve 47 having a high / low surface structure having a plurality of triangular pyramid-shaped recesses 47a, 47a,. In the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface of the elevating valve 47, a turbulent flow causes a stirring action, and the viscous component having a particularly large mass and a high viscosity in the recesses 47a, 47a... From the high side to the low side. The coander effect (entanglement effect due to the occurrence of Karman vortex) and the scooping action of the lower surface penetrate into the respective recesses 47a, 47a... Of the lift valve 47, and they blow up. Without being, then of the lift valve 47
Is caused to flow downward by the rotation of the valve receiving portion 43a.
.. Flows downward from the radial slits 49, 49,... At the bottom, and is reliably recovered through the viscosity return passage 39c.

Therefore, a considerable amount of the viscous component can be effectively separated and recovered before reaching the upper part of the first vapor discharge space 50a, which is far more than a conventional flat ball valve structure. The effect of preventing spillage increases.

Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the steam containing the viscous component left outside from the elevating valve 47 and the first steam discharge space 50a is supplied to the second cylindrical rib 42b. , 42b, while being diverted in a complicated manner, to the final steam discharge ports 46b, 46b,..., And it is possible to avoid suddenly blowing out to the outside. The sticky component is more effectively separated downward.

That is, the first vapor discharge space 50a
The steam outwards in the radial direction, including some viscous components passing through,
Furthermore, the second on the left and right circular arcs inside the pressure regulating cap 46
Due to the arrangement of the cylindrical ribs 42b, 42b in the second vapor discharge space 50b, the circumferential direction of the ribs 42b, 42c, 42c is changed from the circumferential direction to the front and rear slits 42c, 42c.
c through a complicated steam detour that changes from the c to the circumferential side of the third steam discharge space 50c, thereby effectively separating any remaining viscous components in the steam. And
The separated viscous component is supplied from the viscous return passage 39c on the outer peripheral side, which is different from the central side second vapor passage 39B, which is the original vapor discharge path, to the first vapor passage having a large diameter. 39A, the steam outlet holes 24c,
Are returned into the inner pot 3 through 24c.

As a result, in the configuration of the present embodiment,
Although it is a small and compact pressure regulating unit, it can automatically cope with the generation of a large amount of steam. And thereby, it is possible to provide an electric rice cooker which is hardly spilled over. As a result, it is possible to increase the heating power of the rice cooking output, and it is possible to cook more delicious rice by maintaining appropriate pressure regulation performance.

(Embodiment 2) Next, FIG. 7 and FIG.
9 shows a configuration of a pressure adjusting unit of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The pressure regulating unit 32 of this embodiment has the same basic structure as that of the first embodiment, but has the following differences and features. .

That is, first, the pressure adjusting cap 46 described above is used.
An opening 46c having a predetermined diameter is provided at a central portion of the lifting and lowering portion, which covers the upper portion of the above-described lifting and lowering valve receiver 43, which protrudes upward at a predetermined height in a hemispherical shape using the opening 46c. A valve cap 51 is provided.

For this reason, FIG. 5, which has been lifted upward due to steam blown from the lower side during cooking,
Since the substantially spherical elevating valve 47 as shown in FIG. 6 is almost always located at the center axis portion of the opening 48 on the bottom side of the elevating valve receiver 43, it is difficult to be displaced to the outer peripheral side. The amount of the vapor containing the viscous component that rises after passing through the outer periphery of 47 becomes uniform at all positions around the 360 ° direction.
An effective collecting action of the viscous material by the outer peripheral surface concave portions 47a of the elevating valve 47 can be realized uniformly at the entire peripheral position in the 0 ° direction, and the spill can be prevented more reliably. Become like

Further, correspondingly, the lifting valve receiver 4
The valve receiving portion 43a side having the upper side slits 49, 49,... Extends upward and is formed deeper than that of the first embodiment, and the bottom side concave groove surface portion which comes into contact with the lift valve 47 is provided. The spherical radius R _{2 of A} is the above-described substantially spherical elevating valve 4
To be substantially equal to 7 spherical radius R ₁ of, and smaller than that of the first embodiment.

This makes it easier for the lift valve 47 to be held by the central shaft of the bottom opening 48 of the valve receiving portion 43a of the lift valve receiver 43, while allowing the lift valve 47 to be blown upward from the bottom opening 48. The vapor containing the viscous component is guided in the central axis direction by the concave groove surface portion A having the small spherical radius, and is effectively caught on the outer peripheral surface side of the elevating valve 47 having the concave portions 47a. , 47a ...
・ It will be efficiently scooped inside. As a result, the performance of collecting the viscous component is further improved.

At the same time, when the internal pressure in the inner pan 3 is low, the substantially spherical elevating valve 47 is securely fitted into the concave groove portion A, so that the elevating valve receiver 43 receives the valve. The sealing performance with respect to the bottom opening 48 of the portion 43a is also improved, and the internal pressure maintaining performance in the inner pan 3 is also improved.

Further, since the lengths of the slits 49, 49... In the radial direction and the height direction can be increased, the effect of improving the collection efficiency of the glue itself can be expected.

The above spherical radius R for obtaining these effects is obtained.
Vertical depth of ₂ of the groove surface portion A, the depth of the longitudinal value of the radius R ₁ of the lift valve 47 is optimal.

In the structure of this embodiment, the length of the pressure regulating pipe 44, which was shorter in the structure of the first embodiment, is also increased, so that the viscous component is reduced to the upper side of the lift valve receiver 43. The first steam releasing space 50a in the portion 43a is not easily climbed up, and the inner first cylindrical rib 42a is correspondingly reversed from the outer peripheral second cylindrical rib 42b. Long downward (slits 49, 49
.. the slits 49, 49 having the length increased by extension (lower than the lower end) without the viscous component coming out of the portion going around the outer peripheral side second vapor discharge space 50b side; It is ensured that it is returned to the lower-side sticky return passage 39c. In this case, the first cylindrical rib 42
a is integrally formed so as to extend downward, for example, from the outer peripheral end of the valve receiving portion 43a of the elevating valve receiver 43, and the elevating valve cap 51 is formed with respect to the step portion inside the opening 46c of the pressure regulating cap 46. It polymerizes together with the outer peripheral end and is integrally welded and fixed from below.

All other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
And has the same effect.

(Embodiment 3) Next, FIGS.
Shows the configuration of the pressure regulating unit of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

In the case of the pressure regulating unit 32 of this embodiment, the lift valve cap 5 in the configuration of the second embodiment is used.
1 is made of a transparent material (transparent heat-resistant synthetic resin), so that the lifting and lowering and rotation of the lift valve 47 can be seen from the outside, and other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment. Exactly the same.

In the case of such a configuration, the user is
In addition to being able to expect the effect of promoting the cleaning of the pressure regulating unit 32 itself when the interior is dirty, the effectiveness and necessity of the pressure regulating unit and the function of preventing the spillover of the pressure regulating unit have been confirmed by consumers in sales demonstrations and the like. Can be effectively appealed, and the sales promotion effect is greatly improved.

(Embodiment 4) Next, FIGS.
2 shows the configuration of the elevating valve in the pressure adjusting unit of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In the case of the elevation valve 47 of this embodiment, instead of the triangular pyramid-shaped recesses 47a, 47a,... Formed from the eight faces of the sphere of the first embodiment toward the center, respectively. For example, rectangular concave portions 47b, 47b,.
And a large number of.

Also in such a configuration, the lattice-shaped rectangular recesses 47b, 47b,... Perform the same function as the above-described triangular pyramid-shaped recesses 47a, 47a. The viscous component is separated and recovered.

(Embodiment 5) Next, FIG. 13 and FIG.
4 shows a configuration of an elevating valve in the pressure adjusting unit of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

In the case of the elevating valve 47 of this embodiment, instead of the triangular pyramid-shaped recesses 47a, 47a,... Formed from the eight faces of the sphere of the first embodiment toward the center, respectively. For example, concave spherical dimples 47c, 47c
It is characterized by forming a large number of.

Also in such a configuration, the dimples 47c, 47c,... Having the concave spherical shape perform the same operation as the concave portions 47a, 47a,. Separated and collected.

(Embodiment 6) The structure of the elevating valve 47 in the pressure adjusting unit 32 is similar to that of each of the above embodiments.
Various concave portions 47 are formed in order to form a height surface on the outer peripheral surface.
47a, 47b, 47c, 4
In addition to the case where 7c... Are provided, various structures such as, for example, providing a large number of convex portions, or forming the spherical portion itself into a polygonal shape having a diamond-cut surface or the like are used. Can be adopted.

(Embodiment 7) As described above, in the case of the pressure regulating unit 32 according to each embodiment of the present invention, the first steam discharge space 50a Most of the viscous components can be effectively separated and recovered in the detour circuit structure.
Is separated through the vapor discharge spaces 50b and 50c, so that it is possible to almost certainly prevent the spill.

However, the effect of preventing the spillover becomes more effective, for example, as the viscosity component itself reaching the elevating valve 47 is reduced in advance.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, a mesh member having a predetermined mesh pitch is stretched on the upper end portion or the inner pipe 36 portion of the pressure control pipe 44 in the configuration of each of the above embodiments to raise The component functions as a pre-filter. Thus, the amount of the viscous component reaching the elevating valve 47 is reduced in advance, thereby reducing the burden of the separating / collecting operation of the viscous component by the elevating valve 47, and further, the second and third vapor discharges Space 50b, 50
By reducing the volume of c, the pressure regulating unit 32 itself can be further reduced in size.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire configuration of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view around a pressure regulating unit in a lid unit of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a pressure adjusting unit of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a structure of an elevating valve receiving portion in the pressure adjusting unit of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an elevating valve in a pressure adjusting unit of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an elevating valve in a pressure regulating unit of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a structure around a pressure adjusting unit in a lid unit of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a tuning pressure unit.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing a structure around a pressure adjusting unit in a lid unit of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a tuning pressure unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an elevating valve of a pressure adjusting unit of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of the lift valve.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an elevating valve of a pressure adjusting unit of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of the lift valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is an outer case, 2 is a lid unit, 27 is a cylindrical opening,
Reference numeral 30 denotes a steam discharging device, 31 denotes a steam pipe section, 32 denotes a pressure regulating unit section, 33 denotes a steam pipe main body section, 36 denotes an inner pipe, 39A denotes a first steam path, 39B denotes a second steam path, and 39C denotes a control section. A viscosity return passage, 41 is a pressure regulating case main body, 4
2a is a first cylindrical rib, 42b is a second cylindrical rib,
44 is a pressure regulating pipe, 45 is a pressure regulating valve packing, 46 is a pressure regulating cap, 46b is a vapor discharge port, 46c is an opening, 47 is a lift valve, 47a, 47b, 47c are concave portions, 48 is a bottom opening, and 50a is a fourth opening. A first steam discharge space, 50b is a second steam discharge space, and 50c is a third steam discharge space.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An inner pot, a rice cooker main body for accommodating the inner pan, and a lid for opening and closing an opening of the rice cooker main body, and a steam provided in the lid and provided in the inner pan. And a pressure regulating unit provided in the steam passage and adjusting the pressure in the inner pan, and the pressure regulating unit communicates with the steam passage, from the steam passage. A steam discharge space for separating the steam containing the slime into a slime and a steam; a lift valve receiver provided at a bottom opening of the steam discharge space communicating with the steam passage; An electric rice cooker comprising a lift valve freely held, wherein the lift valve has a substantially spherical shape, and its outer peripheral surface is formed at a predetermined height. 2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined height surface is formed by providing a large number of concave portions over the entire spherical portion. 3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined height surface is formed by providing a number of convex portions over the entire spherical portion. 4. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined elevation surface is formed by making the elevating valve have a substantially spherical deformed structure. 5. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the elevating valve receiver is formed on a concave groove surface having a spherical radius corresponding to the spherical radius of the elevating valve. 6. The electric rice cooker according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of slits are provided radially outward on an outer peripheral edge of the concave groove surface. 7. A detour circuit is formed in the vapor discharge space to divert vapor from the elevating valve receiver in the direction of the vapor discharge port and to separate the viscous component downward during the detour. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bypass is formed by arc-shaped ribs provided downward from an upper portion of the vapor discharge space. 7
An electric rice cooker as described.