JP2004089958A - Rice washer and automatic rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice washer for improving usability and an automatic rice cooker. <P>SOLUTION: The rice washer has a rice washing part 23 installed inside a rice washing enclosure 20, and a bran recovering part 25 for recovering rice bran generated at the rice washing part. The bran recovering part 25 has a bran recovering filter 37 for recovering and storing rice bran 24 generated at the rice washing part, and a bran recovering container 38 having the bran recovering filter inside thereof and detachably and attachably mounted to the rice washing enclosure and the rice washing part. The bran recovering filter 37 is included inside of the bran recovering container 38, thereby it can surely be set and the presence or absence of the bran recovering filter 37 can visually be confirmed at setting. As a result, the usability is improved and the rice bran recovering capacity can be ensured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a white rice cooker mainly used for cooking rice and an automatic rice cooker provided with the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of rice sharpeners that automatically grind rice are known. One example is shown in FIG.
[0003]
The figure shows a part of a rice cutting device incorporated in an automatic rice cooker, a rice storage unit 1 for storing rice, a rice measuring unit 2 for measuring rice, a rice cutting unit 3 having a rice polishing unit for cutting rice, A rice bran collecting section 5 for collecting rice bran 4 generated when rice is harvested and a suction means 6 are provided.
[0004]
The rice splicing part 3 has an outer container 7 having a substantially cylindrical side wall and connected to the bran collecting part 5, and a rice having a substantially cylindrical side wall and a hole provided therein to prevent the passage of rice. The container includes a storage container 8, a rotating blade 9 rotatably disposed therein and having a brush on an outer surface, and a driving unit 10 for driving the rotating blade 9. Further, the bran collecting section 5 includes a filter bag 11 made of a paper pack or the like and which can be freely removed by a user.
[0005]
The operation will be described in the above configuration. When the user puts rice into the rice storing unit 1 and inputs the amount of rice to be trimmed, the user starts the operation by pressing an operation start button (not shown).
[0006]
When the operation is started, the control means operates the rice weighing means 2 to perform a rice weighing step of weighing a predetermined amount of rice input by the user from the rice stored in the rice storage unit 1, and The rice is supplied to the rice cutting unit 3.
[0007]
When a predetermined amount of rice is supplied to the rice cutting unit 3, the rice cutting unit 4 operates the rice polishing means to rotate the rotating blades 9. By circulating the rice between the brush surface of the rotating blades 9 and the inner surface of the rice storage container 8, a rice cutting process for removing rice bran on the rice surface from the rice mainly by frictional force is performed, and at the same time, the suction means 6 is operated to operate the rice. The rice bran 4 discharged from the storage container 8 is conveyed to the bran collecting section 5 and collected in the filter bag 11.
[0008]
After the rice cutting process, the rice from which the rice bran has been removed is taken out as it is or, in the case of an automatic rice cooker, automatically transported to a rice cooker (not shown) to supply a predetermined amount of water. Cooking rice is automatically started.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the configuration of the conventional rice cutter, since the filter bag 11 for collecting the rice bran 4 is groped, the filter bag 11 may be incompletely mounted. If the attachment was incomplete, all of the rice bran 4 could not be collected in the filter bag 11 and was scattered out of the housing by the suction means 6, which was inconvenient. In addition, there is a problem in that the rice bran is deposited on the suction means 6 so that the suction performance is deteriorated, and as a result, the rice bran collecting ability may be deteriorated.
[0010]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and a rice cutting device and an automatic rice bran device which can easily and securely set a bran collecting container and a bran collecting filter of a bran collecting section at a predetermined position and ensure rice bran collecting performance. It aims to provide a rice cooker.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the rice cutting device and the automatic rice cooker according to the present invention, the rice bran collecting section includes a rice bran collecting filter for collecting and storing rice bran generated in the rice cutting portion, and a rice bran collecting filter. And a rice bran collecting container removably attached to the towel housing or the towel portion.
[0012]
As a result, the bran collecting filter is contained in the bran collecting container, so that the bran collecting filter is contained in the bran collecting container. Can be visually checked, and only the bran collection container needs to be set at a predetermined position. For this reason, setting mistakes can be reduced, and rice bran recovery performance can be ensured.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 includes a rice pad portion provided in a rice paddle case, and a rice pad collecting section for collecting rice bran generated in the rice pad section, wherein the rice pad collecting section comprises a rice pad section. A rice bran filter having a rice bran collecting filter for collecting and storing the generated rice bran and a rice bran collecting container including the rice bran collecting filter and detachably attached to the rice padding housing or the rice padding section, thereby recovering the rice bran. Since the filter is contained in the bran collection container, it can be set securely, and when the bran collection section is installed, the presence of the bran collection filter is visually checked because the bran collection filter is contained in the bran collection container. It is only necessary to set the bran collecting container at a predetermined position. For this reason, setting mistakes can be reduced, and rice bran recovery performance can be ensured.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rice cutting device according to the first aspect, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of at least one of the bran collecting container and the bran collecting filter. The presence or absence of any of the bran collecting filters can be detected, the usability of the rice bran can be improved, and the rice bran collecting performance can be ensured.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rice cutting device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of rice bran in an air discharge path connected to the bran collecting container and discharging the bran collecting air. By doing so, it is possible to detect rice bran leakage particularly due to breakage of the rice bran recovery filter, etc., to improve the usability of the rice cutting device, and to ensure rice bran recovery performance.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the air discharge path for discharging the bran recovery air connected to the bran recovery container, wherein a detection means for detecting pressure in the path is provided. By using the rice-sharpener described above, it is possible to detect the pressure drop difference inside the passage due to the presence / absence of the bran collecting filter, and determine the presence / absence of the bran collecting filter. In addition, as rice bran accumulates in the bran collecting filter, the air flow rate through the air discharge path decreases, and therefore a pressure drop difference is generated, so that the rice bran accumulation time can be signaled. And the rice bran recovery performance can be secured.
[0017]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the rice bran container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the bran collecting container is made visible from the outside, allows the user to attach the rice bran collecting container after mounting. In addition, it is possible to visually determine the presence or absence of a rice bran recovery filter, and to improve the usability of the rice cutting device extremely inexpensively and easily, thereby ensuring the rice bran recovery performance.
[0018]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the rice bran recovery container, the upper edge of the side wall is brought into contact with the rice paddle or the rice pad through the side wall edge of the rice bran recovery filter. Alternatively, by using the rice cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rice cutting device is locked and held at the rice splicing portion, without the bran collecting filter, the mounting play of the bran collecting container is large, and the bran collecting is performed. Since the container cannot be attached to the rice padding box or rice padding part, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the rice bran recovery filter, improve the usability of the rice paddle with an extremely inexpensive and simple configuration, and secure the rice bran recovery performance. .
[0019]
An invention according to claim 7, comprising an rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rice cooker is configured to transport the sharpened rice to the rice cooking section by rice transport means. As a result, the rice bran recovery performance is secured, the rice cooking can be automated, and an automatic rice cooker with higher added value can be obtained.
[0020]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 shows a rice sharpener according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
As shown in the figure, a rice storage unit 21 for storing rice, a rice weighing unit 22 provided at the bottom of the rice storage unit 21, and a rice tongue unit for removing the weighed rice, are stored in a rice box 20. 23, a rice bran collecting section 25 for collecting rice bran 24 generated when rice is harvested, and a rice bran 24 collecting driving means 26. At the same time, there are also provided control means 27 for controlling rice weighing, rice padding, recovery of rice bran 24, etc., driving means 28 for rice padding section 23, and rice container 29 for receiving rice padded.
[0023]
The rice storage unit 21 supplies and stores rice appropriately from the outside, and the rice measuring unit 22 measures a predetermined amount of rice by opening and closing the rice supply hole 30 with an opening and closing member that rotates. Can be done.
[0024]
Further, the rice splicing portion 23 has a substantially cylindrical side wall and has an outer container 31 connected to the bran collecting portion 25 at the bottom, and a substantially cylindrical side wall therein, and has a size that does not allow rice to pass through. A rice container 33 provided with a large number of holes 32, and a rotating blade 35 rotatably disposed in the inside thereof and having a brush 34 on the outer surface, the rotating blade 35 being driven by a driving means 28 coupled with coupling. It is driven in rotation. When the rice cutting is completed, the discharging means 36 operates to supply the rice to the rice container 29.
[0025]
Further, the bran collecting unit 25 collects and stores the rice bran 24 generated in the rice bridging unit 23, and the bran collecting filter 37, which includes the bran collecting filter 37 and is detachably attached to the rice bridging housing 20 or the rice bridging unit 23. And a bran collecting container 38 attached thereto.
[0026]
The bran collecting filter 37 has a ring-shaped cylindrical shape, the upper surface is open and the bottom has a mesh structure made of paper or a resin material such as nylon, PP, polyester, or ABS. Like the recovery filter 37, it has a ring-shaped cylindrical shape and the upper surface is open. The bran collecting filter 37 is positioned at the open portion of the bran collecting container 38 and is detachably provided. In this embodiment, the bran collecting container 38 is held by the locking means 39 in a state in which the bran collecting filter 37 is included. It is attached detachably so as to be in close contact with the bottom of the rice pad 23. This shortens the rice bran recovery route to improve the efficiency of rice bran recovery. As the locking means 39, various methods other than the patch lock shown in the figure, such as screw connection or hooking, can be considered.
[0027]
The lower part of the bran collecting container 38 (below the bran collecting filter 37) is freely separable from the air discharging path 40 of the collecting driving means 26, and the air discharging path 40 is set by setting the bran collecting container 38 at a predetermined position. Is to be connected. Various connection configurations between the bran collection container 38 and the air discharge path 40 are conceivable. For example, when the end of the air discharge path 40 is formed of an elastic body and the bran collection container 38 is set at a predetermined position. An appropriate configuration such as a configuration in which a cylindrical portion provided on the side surface of the bran collecting container 38 fits into an elastic body at the end of the air discharge path 40 can be adopted.
[0028]
The operation of the above configuration will be described. When a certain amount of rice weighed by the rice weighing unit 22 from the rice storage unit 21 is put into the rice storage container 33 in the rice cutting unit 23, the control unit 27 operates the driving unit 28 according to the rice cutting process program. Let it. When the driving means 28 operates, the rotary blades 35 rotate, and a rice slicing step for removing the rice stored in the rice storage container 33 is performed.
[0029]
The rice paddle removes the rice bran 24 on the rice surface from the rice mainly by frictional force by circulating the rice between the brush 34 of the rotating blades 35 and the inner surface of the rice container 33. The removed rice bran 24 is discharged between the outside of the side wall of the rice storage container 26 and the inside of the side wall of the outer container 31 through the hole 32 of the rice storage container 33. At the same time, the rice bran 24 is recovered into the bran recovery filter 37 in the bran recovery section 25 from the bottom hole of the outer container 31 by the suction force generated by the operation of the recovery driving means 26. The air from which the rice bran has been removed is discharged out of the rice pad housing 20 through the air discharge path 40. After the rice cutting process, the rice from which the rice bran 24 has been removed is supplied to the rice container 35 by the operation of the discharging means 36.
[0030]
The rice in the rice container 35 is taken out as it is or, in the case of an automatic rice cooker, automatically conveyed to a rice cooker (not shown), and after a predetermined amount of water is supplied, rice cooker is automatically started. It is.
[0031]
The rice bran 24 collected in the bran collecting filter 37 can be removed from the rice bridging section 23 in this embodiment by removing the locking means 39, so that the rice bran can be removed together with the bran collecting filter 37. The rice bran 24 can be discharged out of the housing 20 (the configuration of the outlet of the rice paddle housing 20 is not shown) and the rice bran 24 can be discharged.
[0032]
Since the rice pad 23 and the driving means 28 can be separated by coupling, the rice pad 23 and the rice bran collecting section 25 are locked together by the locking means 39 so that the rice pad 23 and the rice bran collecting section 25 are removed together outside the rice pad housing 20. The rice bran 24 can be treated and each part can be cleaned.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the bran collecting filter 37 can be securely set only by being contained in the bran collecting container 38, and when the bran collecting section 25 is mounted, the presence or absence of the bran collecting filter 37 can be visually checked. In addition, it is only necessary to set the bran collecting container 38 alone at a predetermined position, and it is possible to reduce the setting mistake with a simple configuration, to improve the usability of the rice cutter, and to ensure the rice bran collecting performance. it can.
[0034]
Further, if the bran collecting section 25 is directly attached to the rice separating section 23, a bran collecting path is not required, and the cost can be reduced. As described above, the same effect can be obtained by attaching the rice bran collecting section 25 to the rice paddle case 21 instead of attaching the rice bran collecting section 25 to the rice padding section 23.
[0035]
(Example 2)
FIG. 2 shows a rice sharpener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0036]
As shown in the figure, the present embodiment is provided with detecting means 41 or 42 for detecting the presence or absence of at least one of the bran collecting container 38 and the bran collecting filter 37.
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the detecting means 41 is provided with a magnet 43 at the bottom of the bran collecting filter 37 and a lead SW 44 operated by the magnet 43 at a position facing the bottom of the rice cutting device housing 20. The detecting means 42 is provided with a projection 45 on the bottom of the rice bran collecting container 38 and a micro SW 46 operated on contact with the projection 45 on the bottom surface of the rice cutter housing 20.
[0038]
Note that the same applies to a case where a non-contact type unit such as an optical sensor is used instead of the lead SW44, and a case where a non-contact type unit such as a magnetic sensor or an optical sensor is used instead of the micro SW 46. . Further, only one of the detection means of the bran collecting container 38 and the bran collecting filter 37 may be used.
[0039]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the presence or absence of the bran collecting container 38 or the bran collecting filter 37 is directly detected, the determination can be made more reliably, the usability of the rice cutting device can be improved, and the rice bran collecting performance can be ensured. be able to.
[0040]
(Example 3)
FIG. 3 shows a rice sharpener according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0041]
As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a detection means 47 for detecting the presence or absence of rice bran is provided in an air discharge path 40 connected to the bran collection container 38 and discharging the bran collection air. The detecting means 47 uses an optical sensor in this embodiment.
[0042]
Here, it is natural that the bran collection filter 37 is forgotten to be attached. However, even if the rice bran collection filter 37 is damaged and the rice bran 24 passes through the bran collection filter 37, the detection means 47 is not affected. Since the rice bran 24 passing between the sensors is detected, abnormality determination is performed.
[0043]
As described above, according to this embodiment, not only the detection of the presence or absence of the bran collecting filter 37 but also the rice bran leakage caused by the breakage of the bran collecting filter 37 can be determined, the usability of the rice cutting device can be improved, and the rice bran collecting performance can be improved. Can be secured.
[0044]
(Example 4)
FIG. 4 shows a rice sharpener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0045]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, a detection means 48 for detecting pressure in the passage is provided in an air discharge path 40 connected to the bran collection container 38 and discharging the bran collection air. The detecting means 48 is a pressure sensor.
[0046]
In addition, if a check valve 49 that opens when air is discharged and closes otherwise is provided in the air discharge path 40 between the collection driving means 26 and the rice cutter case 20, the internal pressure of the air discharge path 40 is stably maintained. Therefore, the pressure detection performance is improved, and the detection can be performed even when the collection driving unit 26 is not operating, which is more effective.
[0047]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the collection driving means 26 is operating, the pressure loss in the mesh portion of the bran collection filter 37 causes a negative pressure in the air discharge path 40, so that the pressure loss difference in the path is reduced. By detecting, the presence or absence of the bran collection filter 37 can be determined.
[0048]
In addition, as the rice bran 24 accumulates in the bran collection filter 37, the amount of air passing through the air discharge path 40 is reduced, and thus a pressure drop difference is further generated so that the rice bran accumulation time can be notified and the rice bran is accumulated. The usability of the vessel can be improved and the rice bran recovery performance can be ensured.
[0049]
(Example 5)
FIG. 5 shows a rice sharpener according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0050]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the bran collection container 50 is configured such that the inside can be seen from the outside. That is, the bran collecting container 50 is made of a transparent or translucent material, and the presence or absence of the bran collecting filter 37 can be confirmed from the outside.
[0051]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can visually check the presence or absence of the bran collecting filter 37 from outside the bran collecting container 50 even after the bran collecting section 25 is attached. Can improve the usability and ensure the rice bran recovery performance.
[0052]
(Example 6)
FIG. 6 shows a rice sharpener according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.
[0053]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the rice bran collecting container 38 is configured such that the upper side edge 52 of the rice bran is sandwiched between the side edge 53 of the rice bran collecting filter 51 and the rice pad housing 20 or the rice pad 23. In this state, the locking means 39 is used to lock and hold the rice padding housing 20 or the rice padding section 23 with the locking means 39. The height of the side wall edge 53 may be 0.5 mm or more. The bran collecting filter 51 is the same as the bran collecting filter 37 of the first embodiment except that it has a side wall edge 53.
[0054]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, without the bran collecting filter 51, the mounting play (0.5 mm or more) is large, and the bran collecting container 38 cannot be mounted on the rice box 20 or the rice box 23. The presence or absence of the bran collecting filter 51 can be easily confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the usability of the rice shaver with an extremely inexpensive and simple configuration, and to ensure the rice bran recovery performance.
[0055]
(Example 7)
FIG. 7 shows an automatic rice cooker according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the rice cutter is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only different points will be described.
[0056]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, a rice cooker 54 is provided above the rice remover case 20 so that the rice in the rice container 35 can be automatically supplied to the rice cooker 54 by the rice transport means 55. It has become. In addition, rice cooking water is supplied from the water supply means 56 to the rice cooking section 54 to cook rice. That is, a series of operations from rice weighing, rice cutting, rice discharging, rice bran recovery, rice transport, and rice cooking can be automatically performed.
[0057]
The rice cutting device of the automatic rice cooker according to the present embodiment employs the one shown in the first embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and it is apparent that the rice cutting device shown in the second to sixth embodiments may be used. It is.
[0058]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, automation from rice weighing to rice cooking can be performed, and an automatic rice cooker with higher added value can be provided.
[0059]
In addition, the rice cutter shown in each Example 1-6 can be suitably combined and comprised, and it is not limited to the single structure of each Example.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the rice cutting device and the automatic rice cooker of the present invention, the rice bran collecting container and the rice bran collecting filter of the rice bran collecting section can be easily and reliably set at predetermined positions, and the rice bran collecting performance can be secured. Things.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rice sharpener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rice sharpener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a rice sharpener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a rice sharpener according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an automatic rice cooker according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a conventional rice cutter.
Reference Signs List 20 rice sponge case 23 rice spike unit 25 rice bran collection unit 26 collection drive unit 27 control unit 31 outer container 33 rice storage container 37, 51 rice bran collection filter 38, 50 rice bran collection container 40 air discharge paths 41, 42, 47, 48 Detecting means 52 Side wall upper edge 53 Side wall edge 54 Rice cooker

Claims (7)

A rice paddle portion provided in the rice paddle case, and a rice bran collecting section for collecting rice bran generated in the rice padding section, wherein the rice bran collecting section collects and stores rice bran generated in the rice padding section. A rice cutting device having a collecting filter and a bran collecting container including a bran collecting filter and detachably attached to the rice padding housing or rice padding section. The rice cutting device according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit configured to detect presence or absence of at least one of the bran collecting container and the bran collecting filter. The rice cutting device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of rice bran in an air discharge path connected to the bran recovery container and discharging the bran recovery air. The rice cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a detection means for detecting pressure in the passage is provided in an air discharge path for discharging the bran recovery air connected to the rice bran recovery container. The rice cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rice bran collecting container is made visible from the outside. The rice bran collecting container is locked and held by the rice padding casing or the rice padding portion in a state where the upper edge of the side wall is brought into contact with the rice padding casing or the rice padding portion via the side wall edge of the rice bran collecting filter. The rice sharpener according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is configured as described above. An automatic rice cooker comprising the rice cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rice is transported to the rice cooking section by rice transport means.

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