JP2004049522A

JP2004049522A - Rice cooker

Info

Publication number: JP2004049522A
Application number: JP2002210742A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Satoshi Nakae; 中江　智; Akiyoshi Fukumoto; 福本　明美; Taketoshi Sato; 佐藤　武年; Hirotsugu Kamiya; 上谷　洋次
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2002-07-19
Filing date: 2002-07-19
Publication date: 2004-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-07-19
Also published as: JP3858780B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it is difficult to cook rice deliciously while heating contants in a pot to increase their temperature only by heating the pot from the surrounding of the bottom of the pot in a rice cooker. <P>SOLUTION: Steam generated from the inside of the pot during rice cooking is heated and discharged to the rice and water from an opening part at the top surface of the pot so as to equally heat the inside of the pot while preventing drying. Thus, irregular cooking is reduced to improve the taste of the entire cooked rice in the pot. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する利用分野】
本発明は炊飯器に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の一般的な炊飯器の構成を図５に示す。本体３０内に鍋３１を着脱自在に内装し、鍋上面を覆う開閉自在の蓋３２を設ける。また鍋３１内の米と水を加熱するため鍋加熱手段３３を鍋３１の底部に配置しさらに蓋３２内に蓋加熱手段３４を配置する。さらに米飯の加熱状態を制御するため、鍋３１底部に鍋３１温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段３５、さらに鍋３１上面の温度を検知する蓋温度検知手段３４を配置する。制御手段３６はこの鍋温度検知手段３５、蓋温度検知手段３４の検知温度を元に鍋加熱手段３３、蓋加熱手段３４を適時動作させるものである。
【０００３】
以上の構成において、動作を説明する。鍋３１に炊飯を行う量の米と米量に適した水を入れる。一般的な炊飯器の炊飯工程は浸水、炊き上げ、蒸らし工程に分類され、以上の工程を経て米はご飯となる。使用者が炊飯を開始させると、制御手段３６は鍋温度検知手段３５、蓋温度検知手段３４の検知温度を元に鍋３１内の米、水を前述の浸水、炊き上げ、蒸らし工程に必要な温度・時間に維持するものである。
【０００４】
米を蒸気の充満する雰囲気中に置くことで、米一粒一粒が均等な条件下で水分と熱を受けながら炊飯を行う蒸気炊飯がある。
【０００５】
蒸気を用いる炊飯装置は特開平０２−２８３３２８号公報に示すようなものである。図１１に示す蒸気炊飯装置について説明する。本体３７は、内部中央部付近に炊飯トレイ３３を係止し、その底部は米粒が通過できない多数の孔が開けられた仕切板３９が設けられている。上部には給水シャワー４０が設けられ、セットされた米粒に水を均一に噴射する。下部には蒸気供給部４１が設けられ、給水ポンプ４２から供給される水を蒸気化して下から蒸気を噴射する。
【０００６】
以上の構成において米に対して適時下方から蒸気を噴射、上方から水を噴射しながら炊飯を行うものである。
【０００７】
以上のように米粒に対して、水、熱の供給のため非常に大がかりな装置となるのが一般的である。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
一般的な家庭用の炊飯器において、鍋内の米と水を加熱するのは鍋底部に配置した鍋加熱手段が主となる。蓋内の蓋加熱手段は鍋内の米と水の上方の空間を介して加熱を行うため鍋底部からの加熱と状態が異なり、適切な加熱状態とすることが難しい。本来炊飯に必要となる加熱量が不足したり、または加熱量が多すぎると水が減少した状態で上面だけ乾燥してしまい食味を損なうこととなる。
【０００９】
また、蒸らし工程においては、米飯の焦げを防止するため特に鍋加熱手段の加熱量を減少させなければならず、鍋底からも十分な加熱を実現できていない。
【００１０】
以上の課題を解決する蒸気炊飯装置は米粒を加熱する蒸気以外に、米粒に対して蒸気炊飯では供給不足となる水分を補う給水手が必要となる。従って蒸気炊飯装置は構成が非常に複雑となり家庭用の炊飯器として応用することが困難である。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記目的を達成するために、鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する鍋加熱手段と、前記鍋の開口部を覆う蓋と、外気を前記鍋内に送風する外気吸引手段と、前記外気吸引手段が吸引した外気を前記鍋開口部へ導く外気送風経路と、前記外気送風経路内に外気加熱手段とを有する炊飯器としたもので、鍋加熱手段による加熱に加えて、炊飯中に発生する蒸気を活用して、鍋上方から任意温度の蒸気を噴射し鍋の上方から米、水の加熱を行う構成とするものである。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
請求項１に記載の発明は、鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する鍋加熱手段と、前記鍋の開口部を覆う蓋と、外気を前記鍋内に送風する外気吸引手段と、前記外気吸引手段が吸引した外気を前記鍋開口部へ導く外気送風経路と、前記外気送風経路内に外気加熱手段とを有する炊飯器としたもので、蒸気のみの炊飯では不足する炊飯に必用な水分を鍋内に初めからセットすることで、水分の補給手段を別途設ける必要がなく、鍋開口部から外気を投入する外気送風経路と外気送風手段と外気加熱手段を有し、加熱された外気を炊飯中に発生する蒸気と混合させ、より高温の蒸気を生成して米と水の加熱を上方から補う。鍋内上面の米を効果的に加熱することができ、鍋内をより均一に加熱させることができ、より食味の良い米飯を得ることができるものである。
【００１３】
請求項２に記載の発明は、特に請求項１記載の発明において、鍋内で発生する蒸気が外気送風経路内に侵入することを未然に防止する逆流防止手段を、外気送風経路の鍋側先端付近に配置することにより、簡単な構成により外気送風経路を衛生的に保持することができる。また、逆流防止手段の蒸気と接する部分のみを洗浄することで、日常的な衛生は容易に保持できるものである。
【００１４】
請求項３に記載の発明は、特に請求項２記載の発明における逆流防止手段を着脱自在な構成とすることで、常に清潔な状態を保つことが容易にできるものである。
【００１５】
請求項４に記載の発明は、特に請求項１または２記載の発明において、外気温度制御手段の動作を制御し外気温度を任意に設定する外気温度制御手段を有するものである。したがって、各炊飯工程において最適な、また炊飯合数に対応した最適な温度の過熱蒸気を生成し米に放射させることできるものである。
【００１６】
請求項５に記載の発明は、鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する鍋加熱手段と、前記鍋の開口部を覆う蓋と、炊飯中に鍋内から発生する蒸気を吸引する蒸気吸引手段と、前記蒸気吸引手段が吸引した蒸気から過熱蒸気を生成する過熱蒸気生成手段と、前記過熱蒸気を前記鍋に導く蒸気循環経路とを有した炊飯器としたもので、蒸気発生手段を配置し鍋の開口部から前記鍋内に蒸気を投入する構成を設けるもので、蒸気のみの炊飯では不足する炊飯に必用な水分を鍋内に初めからセットすることで、水分の補給手段を別途設ける必要がなく、炊飯時の米と水の加熱を上方から補う。さらに、炊飯中に発生する蒸気をさらに加熱して炊飯中の米に放射することで、鍋内上面の米を効果的に加熱することができ、鍋内をより均一に加熱させることができ、より食味の良い米飯を得ることができるものである。
【００１７】
請求項６に記載の発明は、特に請求項５記載の発明における蒸気吸引手段を構成する蒸気吸引手段駆動部と、過熱蒸気生成手段を構成する過熱蒸気生成手段駆動部を分割して蓋に配置し、蒸気吸引手段と過熱蒸気生成手段において蒸気に触れる部分と蒸気循環経路は着脱自在な構成とすることで、蒸気に曝される部分は常に清潔な状態を保つことが容易にできるものである。
【００１８】
請求項７に記載の発明は、鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する鍋加熱手段と、前記鍋の開口部を覆う蓋と、炊飯中に鍋内から発生する蒸気を液化して回収する蒸気回収手段と、回収した水より過熱蒸気を生成する過熱蒸気生成手段と、前記過熱蒸気を前記鍋内に導く蒸気経路とを有した炊飯器としたもので、炊飯中に鍋内から発生する蒸気を液化して回収する蒸気回収手段を有し、回収した水より過熱蒸気を生成する過熱蒸気生成手段を有する構成をもつ。この構成により本体外へ放出される蒸気を回収し、蒸気発生の減少するむらし工程においても、過熱蒸気を米に放射することができるものである。したがって、蒸気により鍋内温度を均一に加熱を促進させるものであり、蒸らし時にも米をより均一に加熱し、さらに米内部に滞留する余分な水分の放出を促進させるものである。
【００１９】
請求項８に記載の発明は、特に請求項７記載の発明における蒸気回収手段を構成する蒸気回収手段駆動部と、過熱蒸気生成手段を構成する過熱蒸気生成手段駆動部を分割して蓋に配置し、蒸気吸引手段と過熱蒸気生成手段において蒸気に触れる部分と蒸気循環経路は着脱自在な構成とすることで、常に清潔な状態を保つことが容易にできるものである。
【００２０】
請求項９に記載の発明は、特に請求項３，５，６，７，８のいずれか１項に記載の発明において、過熱蒸気生成手段の動作を制御し過熱蒸気温度を任意に設定する温度制御手段を有するものである。したがって、各炊飯工程において最適な、また炊飯合数に対応した最適な温度の過熱蒸気を生成し米に放射させることできるものである。
【００２１】
【実施例】
（実施例１）
本発明の第１の実施例について図１を参照しながら説明する。図１に示す１は炊飯器の本体を示し、着脱自在の鍋２を内装する。さらに鍋２の上面開口部を覆う蓋３が開閉自在に設置されている。
【００２２】
また鍋２を加熱する鍋加熱手段４と鍋２の温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段５を本体１内部に配置する。蓋３には鍋２内を上面から加熱する蓋加熱手段６と、蓋外気を吸引する外気吸引手段７と、吸引された外気を加熱する外気加熱手段８と、さらに加熱された外気を鍋２の上面開口部に導入する外気送風経路９、さらに鍋２内から蒸気を外部へ放出させる蒸気筒１０を配置する。
【００２３】
また、外気送風経路９の鍋２の上面開口部先端付近に、炊飯中の蒸気が外気送風経路９へ侵入することを防止する逆流防止手段１１を設置するものである。
【００２４】
さらに、外気加熱手段７を制御し、外気の加熱温度を任意に調節する外気温度制御手段１２を有するものである。
【００２５】
上記の構成において動作を説明する。炊飯を行う米とその米量に対応する水を鍋２入れ、本体１の所定の状態に内装する。炊飯開始スイッチ（図示せず。）を使用者が操作すると、炊飯工程が実施される。一般的に炊飯工程は浸水、炊き上げ、蒸らしの各工程に大分されている。それぞれの工程において、鍋２内部の水と米の状態が適正値として設定された温度や所定時間維持するため、鍋温度検知手段５の出力を検出しながら鍋加熱手段４を駆動させる。
【００２６】
その炊き上げ工程において、鍋２内の米と水は沸騰状態となるまで加熱され、鍋２内の水が無くなるまで沸騰状態が維持される。この間に、米と水は加熱された鍋２から直接熱エネルギを受け沸点に到達し、米は高温の水を吸水しながら糊化を進行させ、水は蒸気へと変化し続ける。この時、鍋２上部の開口部からは蓋加熱手段により加熱され米と水の上部空間は高温に保たれる。しかし、この空間に充満する蒸気が加熱されて、蒸気はそのまま蒸気筒１０から本体１外へ放出される熱量も多い。したがって、炊き上げ工程において上部から十分な加熱はなされていない。
【００２７】
この炊き上げ工程の間に上部からも積極的に加熱を行うために、外気を吸引する外気吸引手段７を動作させ、鍋開口部に連通する外気送風経路９へ外気を送り込む。
【００２８】
外気送風経路内９に送り込まれた外気は、外気加熱手段７において１００℃以上の温度に加熱され、鍋２開口部より鍋内に放出される。加熱された外気は、鍋２内の米・水の上部空間において鍋２内で発生した蒸気と混合し、１００℃以上の蒸気となる。
【００２９】
この１００℃以上の蒸気は、鍋開口部となる上方から米と水に対して、吹きつけ米と水を上方から加熱する働きをするものである。
【００３０】
外気温度制御手段１１は、予め炊飯器が認識している炊飯を行う合数により加熱される外気温度を調整するために、外気加熱手段８の動作時間を制御する。具体的には、各炊飯合数に合わせた外気加熱手段８の動作時間を設定し、外気温度制御手段１１に予め記憶させておく。炊飯合数が多いほど、外気加熱手段８の動作時間を長く設定し、鍋２内の米、水を確実に温度上昇をさせるものである。炊飯器が炊飯を開始し炊飯を行う合数に合わせた炊飯を実施し、炊き上げ工程を開始する。炊き上げ工程において外気温度制御手段１１は、炊飯合数に合わせて記憶した所定時間を設定して、前述のように外気を加熱して鍋２内に投入する動作を行うものである。
【００３１】
さらに、外気送風経路９の鍋２開口部側の先端付近には炊飯中の蒸気の侵入を防止する逆流防止手段１１を着脱自在に設けるために、炊飯中に鍋２内で発生する蒸気が外気送風経路９内に侵入して細菌の増殖の原因となることを防止する。また、蒸気に接触する逆流防止手段１１を着脱自在とすることで、適時使用者が洗浄できて、より容易に衛生に保つことができるものである。
【００３２】
なお、外気吸引手段７、外気加熱手段８、外気送風経路９、外気温度制御手段１２は蓋３内ではなく、本体１内に配置することも可能である。しかしながら、蓋３内に設ける方が、構成を簡素化できる。
【００３３】
また、外気吸引手段７と外気加熱手段８の配置は、図１と逆であっても同様の効果を得られる。
【００３４】
また、外気吸引手段７の吸引側にフィルターを設けることで、異物を吸い込むことを容易に防止する。また、外気加熱手段８には、外気加熱手段８の異常加熱状態を防止する一般的な温度検知手段（図示せず）を設けることで安全性を確保する。さらに前記温度検知手段の温度を検知して、外気加熱手段８の動作を制御することで、より目的温度に対して正確な外気を得ることができるものである。
【００３５】
なお、蓋３からの加熱を行う蓋加熱手段６の無い構成の炊飯器においても効果はかわらない。また、この炊飯器の鍋２の加熱手段としては、鍋加熱手段４に加え、鍋２側面からの加熱を行う加熱手段を追加するものに対しても、同様の効果を得るものであり、鍋加熱手段４を含む鍋側面、蓋からの加熱手段において、電磁誘導加熱、ヒータ加熱、ガス加熱等を用いても同様である。
【００３６】
（実施例２）
本発明の第２の実施例について図２、図３を参照しながら説明する。図１と同様に１は炊飯器の本体を示し、着脱自在の鍋２を内装する。さらに鍋２の上面開口部を覆う蓋３が開閉自在に設置されている。また鍋２を加熱する鍋加熱手段４と鍋２の温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段５を本体１内部に配置する。蓋３には鍋２内を上面から加熱する蓋加熱手段６と、炊飯中に鍋２内から発生する蒸気を吸引する蒸気吸引手段１３と、吸引した蒸気を加熱し過熱蒸気を生成する過熱蒸気生成手段１４と、生成した過熱蒸気を鍋２内に投入し米と水に放射する蒸気循環経路１５と、さらに鍋２内から蒸気を外部へ放出させる蒸気筒１０を配置するものである。
【００３７】
前記蒸気吸引手段１３は、直接蒸気に触れる蒸気吸引部１６と蒸気吸引部１６を動作させる蒸気吸引部駆動手段１７からなる。また、前記過熱蒸気生成手段１４は内部を蒸気が通過する蒸気通過部１８と蒸気通過部１８を加熱する蒸気通過部加熱手段１９からなる。
【００３８】
さらに、前記蒸気吸引手段１１を構成する蒸気吸引部１６を、蒸気吸引部駆動手段１７と分離し、さらに過熱蒸気生成手段１４を構成する蒸気通過部１８を蒸気通過部加熱手段１９と分離して、蒸気吸引部駆動手段１７と蒸気通過部加熱手段１９とを蓋内部に配置し、直接蒸気に触れる蒸気吸引部１６と蒸気通過部１８とと蒸気循環経路１５は着脱自在な構成とするものである。
【００３９】
また、生成する過熱蒸気の温度を任意に調節する蒸気温度制御手段２０を蓋３内に有するものである。
【００４０】
上記の構成において動作を説明する。炊飯行程を開始する準備は実施例１と同様である。炊き上げ行程に入り、鍋２内の米と水の加熱が進み蒸気が発生する時期となり鍋温度検知手段５が沸騰状態を検出すると、蒸気吸引手段１１を動作させ蒸気を吸引し、過熱蒸気生成手段１２の蒸気通過部１４へ吸引した蒸気を誘導する。蒸気通過部１８は、すでに蒸気通過部加熱手段１９によって加熱されており、吸引された蒸気が蒸気通過部１８内を通過する間に、さらに高温に加熱され過熱蒸気となる。この過熱蒸気は蒸気循環経路１５により、米と水に向けて放出され米と水を確実に加熱する。その後過熱蒸気蒸気は蒸気筒１０より外部へ放出される。
【００４１】
蒸気温度制御手段２０は、予め炊飯器が認識している炊飯を行う合数により加熱される蒸気温度を調整するために、過熱蒸気生成手段１４の動作時間を制御する。具体的には、各炊飯合数に合わせた過熱蒸気生成手段１４の動作時間を設定し、蒸気温度制御手段２０に予め記憶させておく。炊飯合数が多いほど、過熱蒸気生成手段１４の動作時間を長く設定し、鍋２内の米と水を確実に温度上昇をさせるものである。炊飯器が炊飯を開始し炊飯を行う合数に合わせた炊飯を実施し、炊き上げ工程を開始する。炊き上げ工程において蒸気温度制御手段２０は、炊飯合数に合わせて記憶した所定時間を設定して、前述のように外気を加熱して鍋２内に投入する動作を行うものである。
【００４２】
なお、蒸気吸引手段１３、過熱蒸気生成手段１４、蒸気循環経路１５、蒸気温度制御手段２０は、図２の通り蓋３の下面に配置する場合以外に、蓋３の内部や本体１内部に配置することも可能である。しかしながら、図３の場合の方が、構成を簡素化できる。
【００４３】
また、過熱蒸気生成手段１４内の蒸気通過部過熱手段１９には異常加熱状態を防止する一般的な温度検知手段（図示せず）を設けることで安全性を確保する。さらに前記温度検知手段の温度を検知して、蒸気通過部加熱手段１９の動作を制御することで、より目的温度に対して正確な外気を得ることができるものである。
【００４４】
なお、蓋３からの加熱を行う蓋加熱手段６の無い構成の炊飯器においても効果はかわらない。また、この炊飯器の鍋２の加熱手段としては、鍋加熱手段４に加え、鍋２側面からの加熱を行う加熱手段を追加するものに対しても、同様の効果を得るものであり、鍋加熱手段４を含む鍋側面、蓋からの加熱手段において、電磁誘導加熱、ヒータ加熱、ガス加熱等を用いても同様である。
【００４５】
（実施例３）
本発明の第３の実施例について図４，図５を参照しながら説明する。図１と同様に１は炊飯器の本体を示し、着脱自在の鍋２を内装する。さらに鍋２の上面開口部を覆う蓋３が開閉自在に設置されている。
【００４６】
また鍋２を加熱する鍋加熱手段４と鍋２の温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段５を本体１内部に配置する。蓋３には鍋２内を上面から加熱する蓋加熱手段６と、炊飯中に鍋２内から発生する蒸気を吸引し液化させる蒸気回収手段２１と、回収し液化した水を加熱し過熱蒸気を生成する過熱蒸気生成手段２２と、生成した過熱蒸気を鍋２内に投入し米と水に放射する蒸気経路２３、蒸気経路２３の鍋２側の開口部に逆流防止手段１０を設ける。また、蒸気をさらに鍋２内から蒸気を外部へ放出させる蒸気筒１０を配置するものである。
【００４７】
前記蒸気回収手段２１は、直接蒸気に触れる蒸気吸引部２４と蒸気冷却部２５、蒸気吸引部２４と蒸気冷却部２５を動作させる蒸気回収部駆動手段２６からなる。また、前記過熱蒸気生成手段２２は、蒸気冷却部２５で液化した水を回収する貯水部２７と貯水部２７を加熱する貯水部加熱手段２８からなる。
【００４８】
さらに、前記蒸気回収手段２１を構成する蒸気吸引部２４と蒸気冷却部２５を、蒸気回収部駆動手段２６と分離し、さらに過熱蒸気生成手段２２を構成する貯水部２７を貯水部過熱手段２８と分離して、蒸気回収部駆動手段２６と貯水部加熱手段２８とを蓋内部に配置し、直接蒸気に触れる蒸気吸引部２４と蒸気冷却部２５と貯水部２７、さらに蒸気経路２３と逆流防止手段１０は着脱自在な構成とするものである。
【００４９】
また、生成する過熱蒸気の温度を任意に調節する蒸気温度制御手段２９を蓋３内に有するものである。
【００５０】
上記の構成において動作を説明する。炊飯行程を開始する準備は実施例１と同様である。炊き上げ行程に入り、鍋２内の米と水の加熱が進み蒸気が発生する時期となり鍋温度検知手段５が沸騰状態を検出すると、蒸気回収手段２１を動作させる。蒸気回収手段２１は蒸気回収駆動手段２６により蒸気吸引部２４を動作させ、蒸気を吸引し蒸気冷却部２５へ送風する。蒸気冷却部２５において蒸気は熱交換をして液化し、水として回収する。回収された水は過熱蒸気生成手段２２内の貯水部２７に一旦貯められ、必要に応じて貯水部加熱手段２８において加熱され過熱蒸気となる。生成された過熱蒸気は蒸気経路２３を介して鍋２の上面の開口部から米と水を確実に加熱する。
【００５１】
また、炊き上げ工程が終了し蒸らし工程になり鍋から蒸気の発生が少なくなった場合においても、一旦貯水部２７に貯められた水を加熱して過熱蒸気を鍋２内に投入する。蒸らし工程において過熱蒸気を投入することができれば、蒸らし工程において鍋加熱手段や蓋加熱手段では不足する加熱を十分補うことができるものである。
【００５２】
蒸気温度制御手段２９は、予め炊飯器が認識している炊飯を行う合数により加熱される蒸気温度を調整するために、過熱蒸気生成手段２２の動作時間を制御する。具体的には、各炊飯合数に合わせた過熱蒸気生成手段２２の動作時間を設定し、蒸気温度制御手段２９に予め記憶させておく。炊飯合数が多いほど、過熱蒸気生成手段２２の動作時間を長く設定し、鍋２内の米と水を確実に温度上昇をさせるものである。炊飯器が炊飯を開始し炊飯を行う合数に合わせた炊飯を実施し、炊き上げ工程を開始する。炊き上げ工程において蒸気温度制御手段２９は、炊飯合数に合わせて記憶した所定時間を設定して、前述のように外気を加熱して鍋２内に投入する動作を行うものである。
【００５３】
さらに、炊き上げ工程が終了し蒸らし工程においては、各炊飯合数ごとの蒸らし工程に適した蒸気温度を蒸気温度制御手段２９に記憶させ、炊き上げ工程と同様に過熱蒸気生成手段２２の動作時間を制御するものである。
【００５４】
なお、蒸気回収手段２１、過熱蒸気生成手段２２、蒸気経路２３、蒸気温度制御手段２９は蓋３内ではなく、本体１内に配置することも可能である。しかしながら、蓋３内に設ける方が、構成を簡素化できる。
【００５５】
また、過熱蒸気生成手段２２内の貯水部手段２８には異常加熱状態を防止する一般的な温度検知手段（図示せず）を設けることで安全性を確保する。さらに前記温度検知手段の温度を検知して、貯水部加熱手段２８の動作を制御することで、より目的温度に対して正確な外気を得ることができるものである。
【００５６】
なお、蓋３からの加熱を行う蓋加熱手段６の無い構成の炊飯器においても効果はかわらない。また、この炊飯器の鍋２の加熱手段としては、鍋加熱手段４に加え、鍋２側面からの加熱を行う加熱手段を追加するものに対しても、同様の効果を得るものであり、鍋加熱手段４を含む鍋側面、蓋からの加熱手段において、電磁誘導加熱、ヒータ加熱、ガス加熱等を用いても同様である。
【００５７】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明によれば、炊飯中に発生する蒸気を用いて過熱蒸気を生成させ、炊飯中の米に放射させることで、鍋内の米、水の加熱において不足する上方からの加熱を行う。かつ上方の乾燥を防止することで、食味を非常によくし、さらに小型の蒸気炊飯を実現する炊飯器を提供するものである。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施例１における炊飯器の断面図
【図２】本発明の実施例２における炊飯器の断面図
【図３】本発明の実施例２における炊飯器の断面図
【図４】本発明の実施例３における炊飯器の断面図
【図５】従来の炊飯器の断面図
【図６】従来の蒸気炊飯装置の断面図
【符号の説明】
２　鍋
３　蓋
４　鍋加熱手段
５　鍋温度検知手段
７　外気吸引手段
８　外気加熱手段
９　外気送風経路
１１　逆流防止手段
１２　外気温度制御手段
１３　蒸気吸引手段
１４　過熱蒸気生成手段
１５　蒸気循環経路
１６、２４　蒸気吸引部
１７　蒸気吸引部加熱手段
１８　蒸気通過部
１９　蒸気通過部加熱手段
２０、２９　蒸気温度制御手段
２１　蒸気回収手段
２２　過熱蒸気生成手段
２３　蒸気経路
２５　蒸気冷却部
２６　蒸気回収部駆動手段
２７　貯水部
２８　貯水部加熱手段[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rice cooker.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of a conventional general rice cooker. A pan 31 is detachably provided in the main body 30 and an openable / closable lid 32 for covering the upper surface of the pan is provided. A pot heating means 33 for heating rice and water in the pot 31 is arranged at the bottom of the pot 31, and a lid heating means 34 is arranged in the lid 32. Further, in order to control the heating state of the cooked rice, a pan temperature detecting means 35 for detecting the temperature of the pan 31 at the bottom of the pan 31 and a lid temperature detecting means 34 for detecting the temperature of the upper surface of the pan 31 are arranged. The control means 36 operates the pot heating means 33 and the lid heating means 34 on a timely basis based on the detected temperatures of the pot temperature detecting means 35 and the lid temperature detecting means 34.
[0003]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. The rice to be cooked and the water suitable for the rice amount are put in the pot 31. The rice cooking process of a general rice cooker is classified into submerging, cooking and steaming processes, and rice is converted into rice through the above processes. When the user starts cooking rice, the control means 36 controls the rice and water in the pot 31 based on the detected temperatures of the pot temperature detecting means 35 and the lid temperature detecting means 34 based on the temperatures soaked, cooked and steamed. Temperature and time are maintained.
[0004]
There is steam rice cooking in which rice is placed in an atmosphere filled with steam, and rice is cooked while receiving moisture and heat under even conditions.
[0005]
A rice cooker using steam is as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 02-283328. The steam rice cooker shown in FIG. 11 will be described. The main body 37 has a rice cooking tray 33 locked near the center of the inside thereof, and a bottom portion provided with a partition plate 39 having a large number of holes through which rice grains cannot pass. A water shower 40 is provided at an upper portion, and sprays water uniformly on the set rice grains. A steam supply unit 41 is provided at a lower portion, and vaporizes water supplied from a water supply pump 42 to inject steam from below.
[0006]
In the above-described configuration, rice is cooked while appropriately injecting steam from below and ejecting water from above.
[0007]
As described above, a very large apparatus is generally used for supplying water and heat to rice grains.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a general household rice cooker, rice and water in a pot are mainly heated by a pot heating means arranged at the bottom of the pot. Since the lid heating means in the lid heats through the space above the rice and water in the pan, the state differs from the state of heating from the bottom of the pan, and it is difficult to set an appropriate heating state. If the amount of heating originally required for cooking rice is insufficient, or if the amount of heating is too large, only the upper surface is dried in a state where water is reduced, and the taste is impaired.
[0009]
Further, in the steaming step, in order to prevent scorching of the cooked rice, the amount of heating of the pot heating means must be reduced, and sufficient heating from the bottom of the pot cannot be realized.
[0010]
The steam rice cooker that solves the above-mentioned problems requires a water supply hand that supplements the water that is insufficient for steam rice to supply to the rice grains, in addition to the steam that heats the rice grains. Therefore, the configuration of the steam rice cooker is very complicated, and it is difficult to apply the steam rice cooker as a home rice cooker.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid covering an opening of the pot, an outside air suction means for blowing outside air into the pot, and the outside air suction. A rice cooker having an outside air blowing path for guiding outside air sucked by the means to the pot opening and an outside air heating means in the outside air blowing path, which is generated during rice cooking in addition to heating by the pot heating means. Utilizing steam, steam of an arbitrary temperature is injected from above the pot, and rice and water are heated from above the pot.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 includes a pot, a pot heating unit that heats the pan, a lid that covers an opening of the pot, an outside air suction unit that sends outside air into the pot, and the outside air suction unit. An outside air blowing path for guiding the sucked outside air to the pot opening, and a rice cooker having an outside air heating means in the outside air blowing path, the water necessary for rice cooking, which is insufficient in rice cooking only with steam, is placed in the pot. By setting from the beginning, there is no need to provide a separate means for replenishing moisture, and it has an outside air blowing path for introducing outside air from the pan opening, an outside air blowing means, and an outside air heating means, and generates heated outside air during rice cooking To produce hotter steam to supplement the heating of rice and water from above. The rice on the upper surface in the pot can be heated effectively, the inside of the pot can be heated more uniformly, and more delicious rice can be obtained.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the present invention, a backflow preventing means for preventing steam generated in the pan from entering the outside air blowing path is provided at a pot-side end of the outside air blowing path. By arranging in the vicinity, it is possible to sanitarily hold the outside air blowing path with a simple configuration. Further, by cleaning only the portion of the backflow prevention means that comes into contact with the steam, daily hygiene can be easily maintained.
[0014]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the backflow preventing means in the second aspect of the present invention has a detachable structure, whereby a clean state can always be easily maintained.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an outside air temperature control means for controlling the operation of the outside air temperature control means and arbitrarily setting the outside air temperature. Therefore, it is possible to generate superheated steam at an optimum temperature corresponding to the number of cooked rices in each rice cooking process and to emit the superheated steam to the rice.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 5, wherein the pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid covering an opening of the pot, a steam suction means for sucking steam generated from inside the pot during rice cooking, A steam cooker having superheated steam generation means for generating superheated steam from the steam sucked by the steam suction means, and a steam circulation path for guiding the superheated steam to the pan, wherein the steam generation means is arranged and an opening of the pan is provided. It is provided with a configuration for introducing steam into the pot from the part, and by setting the necessary moisture for cooking rice which is insufficient in steam-only rice in the pot from the beginning, there is no need to separately provide a water supply means, The heating of rice and water during cooking is supplemented from above. Furthermore, by further heating the steam generated during rice cooking and radiating it to the rice being cooked, the rice on the top surface of the pot can be effectively heated, and the pot can be heated more evenly. You can get more delicious rice.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the steam suction means driving part constituting the steam suction means and the superheated steam generation means driving part constituting the superheated steam generation means are divided and arranged on the lid. In the steam suction means and the superheated steam generation means, the portion that comes into contact with the steam and the steam circulation path are configured to be detachable, so that the portion that is exposed to the steam can easily be kept clean at all times. .
[0018]
The invention according to claim 7 is a pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid for covering the opening of the pot, and a steam recovery means for liquefying and recovering steam generated from inside the pot during rice cooking. And a rice cooker having superheated steam generating means for generating superheated steam from the collected water, and a steam path for guiding the superheated steam into the pot, and liquefying steam generated from the pot during cooking. And a superheated steam generating means for generating superheated steam from the collected water. With this configuration, the steam released to the outside of the main body is recovered, and the superheated steam can be radiated to the rice even in the uneven process in which the generation of steam is reduced. Therefore, the steam promotes the uniform heating of the temperature in the pot, heats the rice evenly during steaming, and promotes the release of excess water remaining inside the rice.
[0019]
In the invention according to claim 8, the drive section for the steam recovery means constituting the steam recovery means and the drive section for the superheated steam generation means constituting the superheated steam generation means are divided and arranged on the lid. In addition, the portions of the steam suction unit and the superheated steam generation unit that come into contact with the steam and the steam circulation path are configured to be detachable, so that a clean state can always be easily maintained.
[0020]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in particular, in any one of the third, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth aspects, the temperature for controlling the operation of the superheated steam generating means and arbitrarily setting the superheated steam temperature is provided. It has control means. Therefore, it is possible to generate superheated steam at an optimum temperature corresponding to the number of cooked rices in each rice cooking process and to emit the superheated steam to the rice.
[0021]
【Example】
(Example 1)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 1 shown in FIG. 1 indicates a main body of a rice cooker, in which a detachable pot 2 is provided. Further, a lid 3 that covers the upper opening of the pan 2 is installed so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0022]
A pot heating means 4 for heating the pot 2 and a pot temperature detecting means 5 for detecting the temperature of the pot 2 are arranged inside the main body 1. The lid 3 has a lid heating means 6 for heating the inside of the pot 2 from above, an outside air suction means 7 for sucking outside air from the lid, an outside air heating means 8 for heating the sucked outside air, and a heating means for heating the heated outside air to the pot 2. An outside air blowing path 9 to be introduced into the upper surface opening of the container 2 and a steam tube 10 for discharging steam from the inside of the pan 2 to the outside are arranged.
[0023]
Further, a backflow prevention means 11 for preventing steam during cooking from entering the outside air blowing path 9 is provided near the top end of the upper surface opening of the pot 2 in the outside air blowing path 9.
[0024]
Further, it has an outside air temperature control means 12 for controlling the outside air heating means 7 and arbitrarily adjusting the heating temperature of the outside air.
[0025]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. Rice to be cooked and water corresponding to the amount of the rice are placed in the pot 2 and the main body 1 is housed in a predetermined state. When a user operates a rice cooking start switch (not shown), a rice cooking process is performed. Generally, the rice cooking process is largely divided into each process of flooding, cooking and steaming. In each step, the pot heating means 4 is driven while detecting the output of the pot temperature detecting means 5 in order to maintain the state of water and rice inside the pot 2 as appropriate values and for a predetermined time.
[0026]
In the cooking process, the rice and water in the pot 2 are heated to a boiling state, and the boiling state is maintained until the water in the pot 2 runs out. During this time, the rice and water receive the heat energy directly from the heated pot 2 and reach the boiling point. The rice advances gelatinization while absorbing hot water, and the water continues to change into steam. At this time, the lid 2 is heated from the opening at the top of the pot 2 by the lid heating means, and the space above the rice and water is kept at high temperature. However, the steam filling this space is heated, and the steam has a large amount of heat released from the steam cylinder 10 to the outside of the main body 1 as it is. Therefore, sufficient heating is not performed from above in the cooking process.
[0027]
In order to actively heat the upper part during the cooking process, the outside air suction means 7 for sucking the outside air is operated, and the outside air is sent to the outside air blowing path 9 communicating with the opening of the pot.
[0028]
The outside air sent into the outside air passage 9 is heated to a temperature of 100 ° C. or higher by the outside air heating means 7 and is discharged into the pot from the opening of the pot 2. The heated outside air mixes with the steam generated in the pot 2 in the upper space of the rice and water in the pot 2 and becomes steam of 100 ° C. or more.
[0029]
The steam at 100 ° C. or higher serves to spray rice and water from above, which serves as a pot opening, to heat the rice and water from above.
[0030]
The outside air temperature control means 11 controls the operation time of the outside air heating means 8 in order to adjust the outside air temperature heated by the total number of rice cookers which the rice cooker recognizes in advance. Specifically, the operation time of the outside air heating means 8 is set in accordance with each number of cooked rice, and stored in the outside air temperature control means 11 in advance. The larger the number of cooked rice, the longer the operation time of the outside air heating means 8 is set, and the temperature of rice and water in the pot 2 is surely raised. The rice cooker starts the rice cooking and carries out the rice cooking according to the total number of the cooked rice, and starts the cooking process. In the cooking step, the outside air temperature control means 11 performs an operation of setting the stored predetermined time in accordance with the number of cooked rice and heating the outside air and putting it into the pot 2 as described above.
[0031]
Further, in order to detachably provide a backflow prevention means 11 for preventing the invasion of steam during the cooking of rice in the vicinity of the tip of the outside air blowing path 9 on the side of the opening of the pot 2, the steam generated in the cooking pan 2 during the cooking of the outside air is removed. This prevents the intrusion into the ventilation path 9 and the growth of bacteria. In addition, by making the backflow prevention means 11 that comes into contact with the steam detachable, the user can clean the timely, and the sanitation can be more easily maintained.
[0032]
The outside air suction means 7, the outside air heating means 8, the outside air blowing path 9, and the outside air temperature control means 12 can be arranged in the main body 1 instead of in the lid 3. However, providing it in the lid 3 can simplify the configuration.
[0033]
The same effect can be obtained even if the arrangement of the outside air suction means 7 and the outside air heating means 8 is opposite to that in FIG.
[0034]
In addition, by providing a filter on the suction side of the outside air suction means 7, it is possible to easily prevent foreign substances from being sucked. The outside air heating means 8 is provided with a general temperature detecting means (not shown) for preventing an abnormal heating state of the outside air heating means 8, thereby ensuring safety. Further, by detecting the temperature of the temperature detecting means and controlling the operation of the outside air heating means 8, it is possible to obtain more accurate outside air for the target temperature.
[0035]
The effect is not changed even in a rice cooker having a configuration in which the lid heating means 6 for heating from the lid 3 is not provided. In addition, the same effect can be obtained as a heating means for heating the pot 2 of the rice cooker, in addition to the pot heating means 4 and a heating means for heating from the side of the pot 2 is added. The same applies when using electromagnetic induction heating, heater heating, gas heating, or the like in the heating means from the side of the pot including the heating means 4 or the lid.
[0036]
(Example 2)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rice cooker main body, in which a detachable pot 2 is provided. Further, a lid 3 that covers the upper opening of the pan 2 is installed so as to be freely opened and closed. A pot heating means 4 for heating the pot 2 and a pot temperature detecting means 5 for detecting the temperature of the pot 2 are arranged inside the main body 1. The lid 3 has a lid heating means 6 for heating the inside of the pot 2 from above, a steam suction means 13 for sucking steam generated from the inside of the pot 2 during cooking, and a superheated steam for heating the sucked steam to generate superheated steam. The steam generator 10 includes a generating means 14, a steam circulation path 15 for introducing the generated superheated steam into the pot 2 and emitting the steam to rice and water, and a steam cylinder 10 for discharging steam from the pot 2 to the outside.
[0037]
The steam suction unit 13 includes a steam suction unit 16 that directly contacts the steam and a steam suction unit driving unit 17 that operates the steam suction unit 16. The superheated steam generating means 14 includes a steam passing part 18 through which steam passes, and a steam passing part heating means 19 for heating the steam passing part 18.
[0038]
Further, the steam suction unit 16 forming the steam suction unit 11 is separated from the steam suction unit driving unit 17, and the steam passage unit 18 forming the superheated steam generation unit 14 is separated from the steam passage unit heating unit 19. The steam suction section driving means 17 and the steam passage section heating means 19 are disposed inside the lid, and the steam suction section 16, the steam passage section 18, and the steam circulation path 15 that directly contact the steam are detachable. is there.
[0039]
The lid 3 has a steam temperature control means 20 for arbitrarily adjusting the temperature of the generated superheated steam.
[0040]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. Preparations for starting the rice cooking process are the same as in the first embodiment. When the rice and water in the pot 2 are heated and steam is generated, and the pot temperature detecting means 5 detects a boiling state, the steam suction means 11 is operated to suck the steam to generate superheated steam. The suctioned steam is guided to the steam passage section 14 of the means 12. The steam passage section 18 has already been heated by the steam passage section heating means 19, and is further heated to a higher temperature to become superheated steam while the sucked steam passes through the inside of the steam passage section 18. The superheated steam is released toward the rice and water by the steam circulation path 15 to reliably heat the rice and water. Thereafter, the superheated steam is released from the steam cylinder 10 to the outside.
[0041]
The steam temperature control means 20 controls the operation time of the superheated steam generation means 14 in order to adjust the temperature of the steam heated by the total number of rice cookers recognized in advance by the rice cooker. Specifically, the operation time of the superheated steam generation means 14 is set in accordance with each number of cooked rice, and stored in the steam temperature control means 20 in advance. The larger the number of cooked rice, the longer the operation time of the superheated steam generation means 14 is set, and the temperature of rice and water in the pot 2 is surely increased. The rice cooker starts the rice cooking and carries out the rice cooking according to the total number of the cooked rice, and starts the cooking process. In the cooking step, the steam temperature control means 20 performs the operation of setting the stored predetermined time in accordance with the number of cooked rice and heating the outside air and putting it into the pot 2 as described above.
[0042]
The steam suction means 13, the superheated steam generation means 14, the steam circulation path 15, and the steam temperature control means 20 are arranged inside the cover 3 or inside the main body 1, except when they are arranged on the lower surface of the cover 3 as shown in FIG. It is also possible. However, the configuration in FIG. 3 can be simplified.
[0043]
Further, safety is ensured by providing a general temperature detecting means (not shown) for preventing an abnormal heating state in the steam passing section superheating means 19 in the superheated steam generating means 14. Further, by detecting the temperature of the temperature detection means and controlling the operation of the steam passage section heating means 19, it is possible to obtain more accurate outside air with respect to the target temperature.
[0044]
The effect is not changed even in a rice cooker having a configuration in which the lid heating means 6 for heating from the lid 3 is not provided. In addition, the same effect can be obtained as a heating means for heating the pot 2 of the rice cooker, in addition to the pot heating means 4 and a heating means for heating from the side of the pot 2 is added. The same applies when using electromagnetic induction heating, heater heating, gas heating, or the like in the heating means from the side of the pot including the heating means 4 or the lid.
[0045]
(Example 3)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rice cooker main body, in which a detachable pot 2 is provided. Further, a lid 3 that covers the upper opening of the pan 2 is installed so as to be freely opened and closed.
[0046]
A pot heating means 4 for heating the pot 2 and a pot temperature detecting means 5 for detecting the temperature of the pot 2 are arranged inside the main body 1. The lid 3 has a lid heating means 6 for heating the inside of the pot 2 from above, a steam recovery means 21 for sucking and liquefying the steam generated from the inside of the pot 2 during cooking, and heating the collected and liquefied water to generate superheated steam. The generated superheated steam generating means 22 and the generated superheated steam are introduced into the pot 2 and are radiated to rice and water. The backflow prevention means 10 is provided at the opening of the steam path 23 on the pot 2 side. Further, a steam cylinder 10 for further discharging steam from the inside of the pot 2 to the outside is arranged.
[0047]
The steam recovery unit 21 includes a steam suction unit 24 and a steam cooling unit 25 that directly contact the steam, and a steam recovery unit driving unit 26 that operates the steam suction unit 24 and the steam cooling unit 25. The superheated steam generation means 22 includes a water storage section 27 for recovering water liquefied in the steam cooling section 25 and a water storage section heating means 28 for heating the water storage section 27.
[0048]
Further, the steam suction unit 24 and the steam cooling unit 25 forming the steam recovery unit 21 are separated from the steam recovery unit driving unit 26, and the water storage unit 27 forming the superheated steam generation unit 22 is replaced with a water storage unit overheating unit 28. Separately, the steam recovery section driving means 26 and the water storage section heating means 28 are arranged inside the lid, and the steam suction section 24, the steam cooling section 25, and the water storage section 27 which directly contact the steam, the steam path 23, and the backflow prevention means Reference numeral 10 denotes a detachable structure.
[0049]
Further, a steam temperature control means 29 for arbitrarily adjusting the temperature of the generated superheated steam is provided in the lid 3.
[0050]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. Preparations for starting the rice cooking process are the same as in the first embodiment. When the rice and water in the pot 2 are heated and steam is generated when the pot temperature detecting means 5 detects the boiling state, the steam recovery means 21 is operated. The steam recovery unit 21 operates the steam suction unit 24 by the steam recovery driving unit 26 to suck the steam and send the steam to the steam cooling unit 25. The steam cools and liquefies in the steam cooling unit 25 and is collected as water. The recovered water is temporarily stored in a water storage unit 27 in the superheated steam generation unit 22, and is heated by a water storage unit heating unit 28 as necessary to become superheated steam. The generated superheated steam reliably heats rice and water from the opening on the upper surface of the pot 2 via the steam path 23.
[0051]
Further, even when the cooking process is completed and the steaming process is completed and the generation of steam from the pot is reduced, the water once stored in the water storage unit 27 is heated and the superheated steam is injected into the pot 2. If the superheated steam can be introduced in the steaming step, the insufficient heating of the pot heating means and the lid heating means in the steaming step can be sufficiently compensated.
[0052]
The steam temperature control means 29 controls the operation time of the superheated steam generation means 22 in order to adjust the temperature of the steam heated by the total number of rice cookers recognized in advance by the rice cooker. Specifically, the operation time of the superheated steam generator 22 is set in accordance with the total number of cooked rice, and is stored in the steam temperature controller 29 in advance. The larger the number of cooked rice, the longer the operation time of the superheated steam generation means 22 is set, and the temperature of rice and water in the pot 2 is surely increased. The rice cooker starts the rice cooking and carries out the rice cooking according to the total number of the cooked rice, and starts the cooking process. In the cooking step, the steam temperature control means 29 performs an operation of setting the stored predetermined time in accordance with the number of cooked rice and heating the outside air and putting it into the pot 2 as described above.
[0053]
Further, in the steaming step after the cooking step is completed, the steam temperature suitable for the steaming step for each number of cooked rice is stored in the steam temperature control means 29, and the operating time of the superheated steam generating means 22 is stored in the same manner as in the cooking step. Is controlled.
[0054]
Note that the steam recovery means 21, the superheated steam generation means 22, the steam path 23, and the steam temperature control means 29 can be arranged in the main body 1 instead of in the lid 3. However, providing it in the lid 3 can simplify the configuration.
[0055]
In addition, the water storage unit 28 in the superheated steam generation unit 22 is provided with a general temperature detection unit (not shown) for preventing an abnormal heating state, thereby ensuring safety. Further, by detecting the temperature of the temperature detecting means and controlling the operation of the water storage section heating means 28, it is possible to obtain more accurate outside air for the target temperature.
[0056]
The effect is not changed even in a rice cooker having a configuration without the lid heating means 6 for heating from the lid 3. In addition, the same effect can be obtained as a heating means for heating the pot 2 of the rice cooker, in addition to the pot heating means 4 and a heating means for heating from the side of the pot 2 is added. The same applies when using electromagnetic induction heating, heater heating, gas heating, or the like in the heating means from the side of the pot including the heating means 4 and the lid.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, superheated steam is generated using steam generated during rice cooking and radiated to the rice being cooked, so that the rice in the pot, which is insufficient in heating water, from above. Perform heating. In addition, the present invention provides a rice cooker that can improve the taste by preventing the upper part from drying, and realize small-sized steam rice cooking.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a sectional view of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a sectional view of a rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a conventional rice cooker. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional steam rice cooker.
2 pan 3 lid 4 pan heating means 5 pan temperature detecting means 7 outside air suction means 8 outside air heating means 9 outside air blowing path 11 backflow prevention means 12 outside air temperature control means 13 steam suction means 14 superheated steam generation means 15 steam circulation paths 16, 24 Steam suction part 17 Steam suction part heating means 18 Steam passage part 19 Steam passage part heating means 20, 29 Steam temperature control means 21 Steam recovery means 22 Superheated steam generation means 23 Steam path 25 Steam cooling part 26 Steam recovery part drive means 27 Water storage Part 28 Reservoir heating means

Claims

A pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid for covering the opening of the pot, an outside air suction means for blowing outside air into the pot, and the outside air sucked by the outside air suction means to the pot opening. A rice cooker having an outside air blowing path to be guided, and outside air heating means in the outside air blowing path.

2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, further comprising a backflow preventing means for preventing invasion of steam generated from the pot near the opening of the pot in the outside air blowing path.

3. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the backflow prevention means is detachable.

The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an outside air temperature control unit that controls an operation of the outside air heating unit and arbitrarily sets a heating temperature of the outside air.

A pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid covering the opening of the pot, a steam suction means for sucking steam generated from inside the pot during rice cooking, and superheating from the steam sucked by the steam suction means A rice cooker having superheated steam generation means for generating steam, and a steam circulation path for guiding the superheated steam to the pan.

The steam suction unit has a steam suction unit driving unit and a steam suction unit, and the superheated steam generation unit has a steam passage unit heating unit and a steam passage unit, and the steam suction unit, the steam passage unit and the steam The rice cooker according to claim 5, wherein the rice cooker is detachable from the circulation path.

A pot, a pot heating means for heating the pot, a lid covering an opening of the pot, a steam recovery means for liquefying and recovering steam generated from inside the pot during rice cooking, and superheated steam from the recovered water. A rice cooker comprising: a superheated steam generating means for generating; and a steam path for guiding the superheated steam into the pan.

The steam recovery unit has a steam recovery unit drive unit, a steam suction unit, and a steam cooling unit, and the superheated steam generation unit has a water storage unit and a water storage unit heating unit, and the steam suction unit includes: The rice cooker according to claim 7, wherein the steam cooling section and the steam circulation path are detachable.

The rice cooker according to any one of claims 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8, further comprising steam temperature control means for controlling operation of the superheated steam generation means and arbitrarily setting the superheated steam temperature.