JP2004065288A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker having a temperature sensing means for supplying an electrical power from a commercial power supply to detect a temperature of either a cooked object or contents in a pot, which includes a power saving standby state for shutting a supply of electrical power to a temeprature detecting means and a positive rice cooking corresponding to a temperature at the time of starting the use of rice cooker can be carried out without damaging a feeling of its practical use. <P>SOLUTION: A pot 1 putting a cooked object therein is heated with a heating means 2. A temperature of either a cooked object or the pot 1 is detected by a temperature detecting means 3. A power saving state where a supplying of electrical power for use in operating the temperature detecting means 3 and a normal waiting state for carrying out supplying of electrical power are changed over by a changing-over means 5. The heating means 2 is controlled with an input from the temperature detecting means 3 under the control of a control means 6 and at the same time the changing-over means 5 is controlled. The control means 6 controls the changing-over means 5 until the detected temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 has a value less than a predetermined temperature so as to prevent it from having the power saving state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a rice cooker having a temperature detecting means for supplying electric power from a commercial power supply and detecting a temperature of a food or a pot.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of rice cooker has been configured as shown in FIG. 5, for example. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.
[0003]
As shown in the figure, the pot 1 contains rice and water. The pot 1 is heated by the heating means 2 and the temperature of the pot 1 is detected by the temperature detecting means 3. The wiring 4 supplies power from the commercial power supply to the heating means 2 and the temperature detection means 3 via an outlet (not shown), and enables or stops the supply of power from the commercial power supply in the middle of the wiring 4. Switching means 5 is provided.
[0004]
The control means 6 operates the temperature detection means 3 to control the heating means 2 in accordance with the input from the temperature detection means 3 and the time to cook rice and keep warm. Unnecessary power consumption is avoided by not supplying power to the temperature detecting means 3.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional rice cooker, when power supply from the commercial power supply is stopped by the switching means 5, the temperature detection means 3 also stops, and power supply from the commercial power supply is started to start rice cooking. Sometimes, when the temperature detecting means 3 is operated and rice is cooked in accordance with the input, a time lag may occur and the usability may be impaired.
[0006]
In addition, when rice cooking was started in response to an input from the temperature detection means 3 before the power supply from the commercial power supply was stopped, there was a large change in the case where the power supply from the commercial power supply was stopped immediately after the rice cooking or at room temperature. In some cases, for example, rice cooking is started in accordance with a temperature different from the actual temperature, so that there is a problem that accurate rice cooking cannot be performed.
[0007]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in a rice cooker having a power saving standby state in which power supply to a temperature detection unit is cut off, without compromising usability, accurate rice cooking according to the temperature at the start of use. The purpose is to be able to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention heats a pot into which a food is put by a heating means, detects the temperature of the food or the pot by a temperature detection means, and does not supply power for operating the temperature detection means. The power saving standby state and the normal standby state for supplying power are switched by the switching unit, and the control unit controls the heating unit based on the input from the temperature detection unit and controls the switching unit. The switching unit is controlled until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature so as not to enter the power saving standby state.
[0009]
Thus, in a rice cooker having a power saving standby state in which power supply to the temperature detection unit is cut off, it is possible to perform accurate rice cooking according to the temperature at the start of use without impairing usability.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention operates a pot for storing food, a heating unit for heating the pan, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the food or the pan, and operating the temperature detection unit. Switching means for switching between a power saving standby state in which power supply is not performed and a normal standby state for supplying power, and control for controlling the heating means and controlling the switching means by an input from the temperature detecting means. Means, the control means controls the switching means until the temperature detected by the temperature detection means falls below a predetermined temperature so as not to enter a power saving standby state. In a rice cooker that has a power-saving standby state that cuts off the power supply, it can judge that the temperature is different from the actual temperature at the start of the next rice cooker so that it does not cook rice, which impairs usability. Without, it is possible to allow the correct cooking in accordance with the temperature at the start of use.
[0011]
The invention described in claim 2 is a pot for putting food, a heating means for heating the pot, a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the food or the pot, and an electric power for operating the temperature detection means. A switching unit that switches between a power saving standby state in which supply is not performed and a normal standby state in which power is supplied, and a control unit that controls the heating unit by controlling an input from the temperature detection unit and controls the switching unit. The control unit controls the switching unit in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, and intermittently supplies power to the temperature detection unit. In order not to supply power to the temperature detection means in the high temperature state immediately after cooking rice, the temperature is judged to be different from the actual temperature at the start of cooking rice. It is possible so as not to perform cooking, by performing the intermittent power supply to the temperature sensing means in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means can to be more power saving.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the interval at which power is supplied to the temperature detecting means intermittently is determined by comparing the temperature detected last time by the temperature detecting means with the temperature detected this time. Due to the difference, the time until the next power supply to the temperature detecting means is changed, and even when there is a fluctuation in room temperature, a fluctuation in water temperature, etc. It is possible to supply electricity, so that it is not possible to cook rice at a temperature different from the actual temperature at the start of rice cooking, and to supply power to the temperature detection means at appropriate intervals intermittently, thereby saving more power. Can be.
[0013]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
In the following embodiment, the power supply to the temperature detecting means and the power supply to the heating means are switched by one switching means. However, they may be separated from each other. Only the power supply to the detecting means may be switched, and the power supply to the heating means may not be switched depending on the temperature by the temperature detecting means.
[0015]
Further, in the following embodiment, as a condition for switching from the normal standby state to the power saving standby state, it is set to leave for one minute or more. You may make it switch according to a situation.
[0016]
Further, in the following embodiment, the condition for returning from the power saving standby state to the normal standby state is whether or not a key has been pressed.However, opening / closing of the lid and presence / absence of a pan are detected, and switching is performed depending on the situation. You may.
[0017]
Further, in the following embodiment, the case of one temperature detecting means is described. However, a plurality of temperature detecting means may be performed. The time and the like may be different or the same, or the respective embodiments may be combined by the respective temperature detecting means.
[0018]
Further, in the following embodiments, power supply to the temperature detecting means is not completely performed, but it is also possible to supply only the minimum power necessary for detecting an abnormal state such as disconnection. Good.
[0019]
(Example 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, a pot 1 contains rice and water, and the pot 1 is configured to be heated by a heating means 2 constituted by a heater. The temperature detecting means 3 detects the temperature of the pot 1, and is composed of a thermistor, a resistor, a voltage comparator and the like. The wiring 4 supplies electric power to the rice cooker from a commercial power supply through an outlet (not shown). The electric power from the commercial power supply is supplied to the wiring 4 for supplying electric power to the heating means 2 and the temperature detecting means 3. Switching means 5 for enabling or stopping the supply is provided. The switching unit 5 is configured by a relay, and switches between a power saving standby state in which power supply for operating the temperature detection unit 3 is not performed and a normal standby state in which power supply is performed. The setting means and the state detecting means 7 are constituted by a key, a pot presence / absence detecting means, and the like.
[0020]
The control means 8 comprises a microcomputer and a peripheral circuit, receives the output of the temperature detecting means 3, the output of the setting means and the output of the state detecting means 7, and controls the heating means 2 by the input from the temperature detecting means 3. At the same time, the control unit controls the switching unit 5 so that the switching unit 5 is controlled until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 3 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, 70 ° C.) so as not to enter the power saving standby state. are doing.
[0021]
The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In step 1, it is determined whether or not the operation for cooking rice or keeping the heat is in standby. If not, the process proceeds to step 2; In step 2, processing according to the current situation other than standby (for example, control according to a rice cooking sequence, power outage detection, etc.) is performed.
[0022]
In step 3, it is determined whether or not a condition for a power saving standby state other than the temperature detecting means 3 is satisfied, and in the case of the present embodiment, whether or not the apparatus is in a standby state and left for one minute or more, and the condition is satisfied. No, that is, in the present embodiment, if it has not been left for more than one minute, the process proceeds to step 4, and if it has been left for more than one minute, it proceeds to step 5. In step 4, normal standby processing (processing of the setting unit, control of the temperature detection unit 3, and the like) is performed.
[0023]
In step 5, it is determined whether or not the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature of 70 ° C. If the temperature is equal to or higher than 70 ° C, the process proceeds to step 4; In step 6, the switching means 5 is controlled so as not to supply power to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2, and the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, a power saving standby process (excluding the control of the temperature detecting unit 3, a power failure detection process, etc.) is performed, and the process proceeds to step 8.
[0024]
In step 8, it is determined whether the condition for ending the power saving standby state is satisfied. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether any setting means has been operated. Returns to step 7. In step 9, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2, and the process proceeds to step 4.
[0025]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 until the temperature becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature (in this embodiment, 70 ° C.). Even in the standby state in the state, by setting the predetermined temperature to a temperature that does not affect the next rice cooking start, it is possible to save power during standby without affecting actual rice cooking and usability. Can be realized.
[0026]
In the case of the present embodiment, the predetermined temperature is set to 70 ° C., but this temperature may be any temperature that does not affect the start of rice cooking and heat retention, or may be a very small temperature, such as a separately provided room temperature sensor. May be changed, or may be changed by setting means provided separately.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, the temperature detecting means 3 is composed of a thermistor, a resistor and a voltage comparator, but may be a temperature detecting means using infrared rays or the like, or the voltage comparator may be an AD converter. These may be built in a microcomputer which is a control means.
[0028]
(Example 2)
The control means 6 shown in FIG. 1 controls the switching means 5 in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 until the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 becomes lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, 70 ° C.), and is intermittent. The power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is configured to be performed. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0029]
The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In step 1, it is determined whether or not the operation for cooking rice or keeping the heat is in standby. If not, the process proceeds to step 2; In step 2, processing according to the current situation other than standby (for example, control according to a rice cooking sequence, power outage detection, etc.) is performed.
[0030]
In step 3, it is determined whether or not a condition for a power saving standby state other than the temperature detecting means 10 is satisfied. In the case of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the apparatus is in a standby state and left for one minute or more. No, that is, in this embodiment, if the user has not been left for one minute or more, the process proceeds to step 4, and if the user has been left for one minute or more, the process proceeds to step 21. In step 4, normal standby processing (processing of the setting unit, control of the temperature detection unit 3, and the like) is performed.
[0031]
In step 21, if the difference between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 and the predetermined temperature of 70 ° C. is +10 degrees or more, 30 minutes, if it is +5 degrees or more, 5 minutes; Thus, the time T1 until the return is set according to the difference between the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 and the predetermined temperature of 70 ° C., and the process proceeds to step 6.
[0032]
In step 6, the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, a power saving standby process (excluding the control of the temperature detection unit 3, a power failure detection process, etc.) is performed, and the process proceeds to step 22.
[0033]
In step 22, it is determined whether or not the time T1 set in step 21 has elapsed since the standby for power saving, and if it has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 9, and if not, the process proceeds to step 8. In step 8, it is determined whether the condition for ending the power saving standby state is satisfied. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether any setting means has been operated. Returns to step 7. In step 9, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2, and the process proceeds to step 4.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 intermittently in accordance with the temperature difference until the temperature becomes lower than the predetermined temperature (70 ° C.). Even in the case of a standby state in such a high temperature state, by setting the predetermined temperature to a temperature that does not affect the next rice cooking start, without affecting the actual rice cooking and feeling of use, In addition, since power is not always supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 when the temperature is high, power consumption during standby can be further reduced.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, when the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is set to be infinite, so that the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is not performed. Power may be supplied to the detection unit 3.
[0036]
Further, in the present embodiment, when the difference from the predetermined temperature is large, the time until power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is long, and when the difference from the predetermined temperature is small, the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is Although the time until the supply is shortened, the same time may be used.
[0037]
(Example 3)
The control means 6 shown in FIG. 1 determines the interval at which power is supplied to the temperature detection means 3 intermittently based on the difference between the temperature previously detected by the temperature detection means 3 and the temperature detected this time. It is configured to change the time until power is supplied to the power supply. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0038]
The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In step 1, it is determined whether or not the operation for cooking rice or keeping the heat is in standby. If not, the process proceeds to step 2; In step 2, processing according to the current situation other than standby (for example, control according to a rice cooking sequence, power outage detection, etc.) is performed.
[0039]
In step 3, it is determined whether or not a condition for a power saving standby state other than the temperature detecting means 3 is satisfied, and in the case of the present embodiment, whether or not the apparatus is in a standby state and left for one minute or more, and the condition is satisfied. If not, that is, in this embodiment, if it has not been left for one minute or more, the process proceeds to step 4, and if it has been left for one minute or more, the process proceeds to step 31. In step 4, normal standby processing (processing of the setting unit, control of the temperature detection unit 3, and the like) is performed.
[0040]
In step 31, if the difference between the temperature by the current temperature detecting means 3 and the temperature by the previous temperature detecting means 3 is 10 degrees or more, 5 minutes, 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes, and if it is less than 5 degrees, 30 minutes Thus, the time T1 until the return is set based on the difference between the current temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 and the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 3 previously detected, and the process proceeds to step 6.
[0041]
In step 6, the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step 7. In step 7, a power saving standby process (excluding the control of the temperature detection unit 3, a power failure detection process, etc.) is performed, and the process proceeds to step 22. In step 22, it is determined whether or not the time T1 set in step 31 has elapsed since the standby for power saving. If the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 9, and if not, the process proceeds to step 8.
[0042]
In step 8, it is determined whether the end condition of the power saving standby state is satisfied. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether any setting unit has been operated. Returns to step 7. In step 9, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 and the heating means 2, and the process proceeds to step 4.
[0043]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the power supply to the temperature detecting unit 3 is intermittently performed according to the difference between the current temperature by the temperature detecting unit 3 and the previous temperature by the temperature detecting unit 3. Therefore, even in the case of a standby state at a high temperature such as immediately after rice cooking, by setting the predetermined temperature to a temperature range that does not affect the next rice cooking start, actual rice cooking and use can be performed. Power is not always supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 in a state where the temperature is high without affecting the feeling, so that power consumption during standby can be further reduced.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, if the temperature difference is less than 5 degrees, even if the temperature is less than the predetermined temperature, power is supplied to the temperature detecting means 3 after 30 minutes. Alternatively, the set time may be set to infinity irrespective of the temperature difference so that the power supply to the temperature detecting means 3 is not performed.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the switching unit is controlled until the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature so as not to enter the power saving standby state. It is possible to judge that the temperature is different from the actual temperature at the start of rice cooking and not to cook rice, so that it is possible to perform accurate rice according to the temperature at the start of use without compromising usability .
[0046]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the temperature detecting means is controlled intermittently by controlling the switching means in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means until the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means falls below a predetermined temperature. Power supply to the rice cooker, so that it does not cook rice when it is judged that the temperature is different from the actual temperature at the start of rice cooking, and intermittently detects temperature according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector. By supplying power to the power supply, power can be further saved.
[0047]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the time until the next power supply to the temperature detecting means is changed according to the difference between the temperature previously detected by the temperature detecting means and the temperature detected this time. Therefore, even if there is a fluctuation in room temperature or water temperature, it is possible to appropriately supply power to the temperature detecting means, and to prevent rice from being cooked at a temperature different from the actual temperature at the start of rice cooking. At the same time, by intermittently supplying power to the temperature detecting means at appropriate intervals, power can be further saved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the rice cooker. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional rice cooker.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pot 2 Heating means 3 Temperature detecting means 5 Switching means 6 Control means

Claims (3)

A pot for storing the food, a heating unit for heating the pan, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the food or the pan, and power saving for not performing power supply for operating the temperature detection unit. A switching unit for switching between a standby state and a normal standby state for supplying power; and a control unit for controlling the switching unit while controlling the heating unit based on an input from the temperature detection unit. A rice cooker in which the switching unit is controlled until the temperature detected by the detection unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature so as not to enter a power saving standby state. A pot for storing the food, a heating unit for heating the pan, a temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the food or the pan, and power saving for not performing power supply for operating the temperature detection unit. A switching unit for switching between a standby state and a normal standby state for supplying power; and a control unit for controlling the switching unit while controlling the heating unit based on an input from the temperature detection unit. A rice cooker in which the switching unit is controlled in accordance with the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit to intermittently supply power to the temperature detecting unit until the temperature detected by the detecting unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The interval at which power is supplied intermittently to the temperature detecting means is determined by the difference between the temperature previously detected by the temperature detecting means and the temperature detected this time, and the time until the next power supply to the temperature detecting means is performed. 3. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the rice cooker is changed.

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