JP2006346060A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker which enables the tasteful cooking of rice and keeps the cooked rice warm by a higher force of a fire according to the quantity of rice to be cooked, degree of water, quality of rice and a menu used by sensing changes in the weight during the processes of cooking rice and keeping the cooked rice warm. <P>SOLUTION: The rice cooker is provided with a body 2 with its top opened, a pot 3, a lid 4, a heating means 7 of heating the pot, a weight sensing means 8 for sensing the weight of the pot 3, an arithmetic part 10a for calculating changes in the weight of the pot during the operation and a control means 10 having a heating control part 10b which controls the degree of current-carrying capacity of the heating means 7 based on an output signal of the arithmetic part 10a. In addition to the heating of the pot 3 according to the initial quantity of rice to be cooked and the rice cooking process involved, sealing force of a sealing means 4a is adjusted to enable the measurement of the pot 3 with a higher accuracy keeping the lid 4 closed, thereby enabling the tasteful cooking of rice and keeping the cooked rice warm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a weighing mechanism and heating control means for cooked food in a rice cooker.

  In recent years, rice cookers using electromagnetic induction heating have become widespread in the market. A rice cooker that uses electromagnetic induction heating (also called induction heating rice cooker or IH rice cooker) has an induction heating coil (also simply called heating coil) outside the bottom of the pan, and uses the magnetic force generated from the induction heating coil. And the pan itself is heated, so you can cook delicious rice that is plump compared to conventional rice cookers that use a heater.

  On the other hand, in order to improve the taste of rice, rice cookers that determine the amount of rice and water in a pan, that is, the amount of cooked rice, and control the amount of heating (also called thermal power) according to the amount of cooked rice have become widespread. Conventionally, a method is known in which the amount of cooked rice is determined from the rate of temperature rise of a pan during heating (for example, when boiling after rice is absorbed at a predetermined temperature). However, in this case, the thermal power control is impossible until the temperature reaches a predetermined value and the amount of cooked rice is determined. Therefore, when the amount of cooked rice is small, the water may boil before water absorption is sufficiently performed, and the core may remain in the rice and the rice may become hard.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-272724 discloses a conventional rice cooker. The rice cooker of the conventional example detects the weight of the inner pot (the inner pot, the total weight of water and rice) by the weight detection means simultaneously with the start of rice cooking, determines the amount of rice cooking, and the electric energy of the heater at the time of cooking (thermal power) To control. Therefore, it becomes possible to control the thermal power commensurate with the amount of cooked rice at the start of cooking, and cook delicious rice.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 1-2724

  However, the conventional rice cooker disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-272724 has a main body, a bottom frame, and a bottom lid that is inserted inside the bottom frame. When the pan is stored in the main body, the distance between the electrodes attached to the bottom frame and the bottom lid changes in proportion to the total weight of the pan and the main body. A change in capacitance between the electrodes is detected as a change in the oscillation state, and the amount of cooked rice is detected. However, the conventional rice cooker has a problem that the overall size of the rice cooker relative to the pan is large, and the carrying and installation properties are poor. Furthermore, there is a problem that the number of parts is large and the assemblability is poor.

  Moreover, when trying to attach the weight detection means similar to the rice cooker of a prior art example to an induction heating rice cooker, the following problems arose. In an induction heating rice cooker, when cooking rice, the pan itself is heated to a high temperature to cause convection of water in the pan, and the rice is heated by heat conduction by the convection. Therefore, in order to uniformly heat the rice and water in the pan and not cause uneven cooking, the positional relationship between the pan and the induction heating coil is fixed to an optimum state, and the predetermined state is determined according to the amount of rice cooked. It is necessary to cause convection of strength in the pan. For this reason, the induction heating coil often has a three-dimensional complicated shape. For this reason, a storage portion (also referred to as a protective frame) on which the induction heating coil is mounted is usually produced from a heat-resistant resin in view of moldability and mass productivity. In general, an induction heating rice cooker is formed of a heat-resistant elastic material in which a pan is horizontally suspended at the upper end of a storage portion by a flange portion or the like, and a predetermined gap is maintained between the pan and the storage portion. A gap adjusting means. However, when the pan is attached or detached, the support state of the gap adjusting means changes, and the weight detection means similar to the conventional rice cooker cannot accurately measure the weight of the pot, and the induction heating rice cooker Could not be attached to.

  In addition, if it is the same weight detection means as the conventional rice cooker, external parts such as forgetting to attach a part of the main body or lid to the wall surface of the installation place, or to attach an detachable accessory to the main body or lid There was also a problem that the measurement results were varied depending on factors, and accurate measurement could not be performed.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is a small, lightweight, inexpensive, rice cooker that exhibits excellent rice cooking performance using electromagnetic induction heating, capable of appropriate thermal power control according to the weight of the food. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, the rice cooker of the present invention holds a gap between the pan, a protective frame having a heating coil for induction heating the pan, and a gap between the pan and the protective frame. A gap adjusting means, a lid covering the pan, a sealing means for sealing the opening of the pan, a lid open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the lid, and a weight detection for weighing the pan or the protective frame Means, control means for controlling the operation of the heating coil, and seal adjusting means for adjusting the sealing force of the sealing means.

  As a result, the pan is accommodated by the gap adjusting means so as to be a predetermined gap from the protective frame, and the distance between the pan and the heating coil is properly maintained, so that high heating power can be supplied to the pan by induction heating. . In addition, the weight detection means can adjust the fire according to the amount of cooked rice, and the rice can be cooked plumply. Further, since the sealing force adjusting means adjusts the sealing force by the sealing means to the upper end of the pan, it is possible to release the sealing force (that is, make it zero) or reduce it below a predetermined force. The weight of the pan without the influence of the sealing force can be measured, and the weight and weight change of the rice can be detected more accurately, so the heat control that operates the heating coil with the optimum heat control keeps the moisture moist without drying. can do.

  The rice cooker of the present invention measures the weight of the cooked food from the initial stage during the cooking operation, and further during the heat retaining operation after cooking, and with high cooking power according to the change in the weight of the cooked food, it has excellent rice cooking performance. Thermal insulation performance can be obtained.

  The first invention is a pan, a protective frame having a heating coil for induction heating the pan, a gap adjusting means for holding a gap between the pan and the protective frame in a predetermined gap, and a lid covering the pan A sealing means for sealing the opening of the pan, a lid open / close detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the lid, a weight detection means for weighing the pan or the protective frame, and controlling the operation of the heating coil. By having the control means and the seal adjusting means for adjusting the sealing force of the sealing means, the pan is accommodated by the gap adjusting means so as to be a predetermined gap from the protective frame. The distance between the pan and the heating coil is properly maintained, and high heating power can be supplied to the pan by induction heating. In addition, the weight detection means can adjust the fire according to the amount of cooked rice, and the rice can be cooked plumply.

  Further, since the sealing force adjusting means adjusts the sealing force by the sealing means to the upper end of the pan, it is possible to release the sealing force (that is, make it zero) or reduce it below a predetermined force. The weight of the pan without the influence of the sealing force can be measured, and the weight and weight change of the rice can be detected more accurately, so the heat control that operates the heating coil with the optimum heat control keeps the moisture moist without drying. can do.

  In other words, in addition to weighing with the lid open before cooking, even if the main body or lid touches the side or top of the installation location during cooking or heat insulation, there is almost no variation in the weighing result of the pan. It can measure with high accuracy and enhances the deliciousness of cooked rice or cooked rice.

  In the second invention, in particular, the sealing means of the first invention is arranged on the lid, and the lid opening / closing means for opening and closing the lid is provided. Since the lid is opened by operating the means, the sealing means is separated from the pan together with the lid, the sealing force applied to the pan is released to zero, and the weight detection means accurately measures the weight and weight change of the pan. it can.

  In the third invention, in particular, by providing a seal moving means for separating the sealing means of the first or second invention from the pan, only the sealing means is isolated from the pan without opening the lid and added to the pan. Releases the sealing force. Thereby, the weight detection means can accurately measure the weight of the pan even when the lid is closed and the load is applied to the lid or the main body. Under various installation conditions and use conditions, the change in the weight of the cooked rice can be measured with high accuracy, so that the change in the weight due to the drying of the rice in the heat retention process can be detected. By controlling the heating amount of the heating means, the control means can suppress the drying of the rice and can keep the temperature delicious. In addition, since the operation of the seal moving means can be performed without opening the lid, the control means measures the weight of the heated rice at a predetermined timing according to the warming time, and automatically controls the energization of the heating coil according to the change. It goes without saying that it can be done.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the sealing means of any one of the first to third inventions is formed of a hollow elastic material, and air supply means for filling high-pressure air in the hollow portion of the sealing means is provided. Then, in the rice cooking process, the air supply means is operated, high pressure air is supplied to the sealing means and elastically deformed to prevent steam leakage from the upper end of the pan, as before the start of the rice cooking process or during the heat insulation process When the amount of steam generated is small, when the pan is weighed, the high-pressure air of the sealing means is released, and the load by the sealing means on the upper end of the pan is made zero by elastic deformation, so that it can be highly accurate at any timing. It is to be weighed. The air supply means or the sealing means includes a valve body for releasing air and a passage opening / closing means.

  The fifth aspect of the invention is particularly a heating plate that covers the top of the pan of any one of the first to fourth aspects and has a sealing means, and a heating plate support means that detachably attaches and supports the heating plate to the lid. When the lid is opened to prepare rice cooking or to serve rice, the heating plate support means fixes the heating plate to the lid, and they rotate as a unit. When the lid is closed as in the rice cooking process or the heat retaining process, the heating plate support means removes the heating plate from the lid and places it on the upper end of the pan. That is, when the lid is closed, the weight of the sealing means and the heating plate acts as a predetermined sealing force on the pan, but the weight of the lid and the external force applied to the lid do not act on the pan, so there is no variation in the pan weighing.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the heating plate support means of the fifth invention has a support portion that supports the heating plate from below when the lid is open, and the vertical direction between the support portion and the heating plate when the lid is closed. Since the predetermined gap is provided, the heating plate support means does not support the heating plate during the rice cooking process or the heat insulation process with the lid closed, so that the pan can be accurately measured. In addition, even when a large amount of steam is generated from the pan as in the rice cooking process, the sealing force of the sealing means of the lid acts effectively, and the pot can be measured during any process. From the weight change of the pan during the rice cooking process, the cooking state can be realized by inferring the progress of the rice cooking process and controlling the energization of the heating coil to adjust the cooking of the rice. When the lid is opened, the heating plate is supported by the support portion of the heating plate support means and separated from the pan together with the lid. Therefore, accurate weighing can be performed regardless of whether the lid is opened or closed.

  The seventh aspect of the invention is particularly provided with a sealing force detecting means for detecting the sealing force of the sealing means in the closed state of any one of the first to sixth inventions, and the weight based on the output signal of the sealing force detecting means. By providing a control unit that corrects the measurement by the detection means, when the lid is closed as in the rice cooking process or the heat retention process, the sealing force detection means detects the force applied to the pan or the sealing means on the pan, and controls The part corrects the detection result of the weight detection means and measures the pan with high accuracy.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The rice cooker of Embodiment 1 in this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-4.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of rice cooker 1 in the first embodiment. A main body 2 having an open upper surface, a pan 3 detachably accommodated in the main body 2, a lid 4 that covers the main body 2 so as to be opened and closed, a lid opening / closing detection means 5 that detects an open / closed state of the lid 4, and a pan 3 It has a protective frame 6 for storage. As a heating means for the pot 3, a heating coil 7 for induction heating the pot 3 is provided, and the heating coil 7 is fixed to the lower surface of the protective frame 6. The heating coil 7 may be fixed to the protective frame 6 or may be embedded integrally.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a sealing means 4 a that seals the upper end of the pot 3 is fixed to the lid 4 on a heating plate 4 b that covers the upper surface of the pot 3. Since the sealing means 4a is formed of an elastic material having heat resistance and water resistance and is attached to the heating plate 4b, it is also called heating packing. The heating plate 4b is detachable from the lid 4, and can be removed and washed. The lid 4 is provided with a lid heating coil for inductively heating the heating plate 4b, similarly to the heating coil 7.

  Further, the convex gap adjusting means 6a for adjusting the gap between the pot 3 and the protective frame 6 so that the pot 3 is housed in the center of the protective frame 6 and the heating portion of the pot 3 and the heating coil 7 are at a predetermined distance. Are provided. Although the detailed arrangement is not shown, in the first embodiment, the gap adjusting means 6a is arranged at the same height in the vertical direction, and three are arranged so as to contact the outer periphery of the pan 3 at equal intervals. It is not limited to this.

  In addition, the bottom of the protective frame 6 has a pan support means 8 a that supports the stored pan 3, and a bottom temperature sensor 6 b that detects the temperature of the pan 3 is configured to contact the bottom surface of the pan 3. Thereby, the weight of the pan 3 is added to the pan support means 8a, and the weight detecting means 8 for measuring the weight of the cooked food put in the pan 3 by measuring the weight is provided. In addition, the weight detection means 8 in Embodiment 1 is composed of a strain body deformed by weight and a strain gauge, and is a measuring mechanism generally called a load cell. The metering mechanism is a known prior art and will not be described in detail. In addition, there are several types of measuring mechanisms such as an electrostatic capacity type, an electromagnetic force balance type, and a tuning fork vibration type, and the measuring mechanism is not limited to a load cell using a strain body and a strain gauge.

  Further, the control means 10 controls the operation of the rice cooker 1 by controlling the operation of the heating coil 7 and the lid heating coil by the input of the operation unit 9 to perform rice cooking and heat insulation. Moreover, the control means 10 calculates the weight change of the pan 3 from the output signal of the weight detection means 8, and the heating control part 10b that controls the energization amount of the heating means 7 based on the output signal of the calculation part 10a. Have The operation unit 9 includes a rice cooking start button, a cut-off button for stopping heat retention, and the like.

  The lid 4 has a rotating shaft at one end, and is provided with a lid opening / closing means 11 that opens and closes by rotating the lid 4 around the rotating shaft. The lid opening / closing means 11 has a drive mechanism for rotating the rotation axis of the lid 4 by a predetermined angle based on a command from the control means 10. Since the mechanism for rotating the component by a predetermined angle can be configured by a general technique, detailed illustration is omitted.

  About the rice cooker 1 comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, the user opens the lid 4 of the rice cooker 1 and puts rice to be cooked into the pan 3. The amount of rice is weighed by pressing a rice weighing button (not shown) on the operation unit 9. By the operation of the rice weighing button, the control means 10 stores the weight of rice to be cooked from the change in the weight of the pan 3 calculated based on the output signal of the weight detection means 8 by the calculation unit 10a (weight from the weight W2 in FIG. 3). Weight minus W1).

  Next, the user takes out the pan 3 from the main body 2, cleans the rice, and then stores the pan 3 in the main body 2. The control means 10 calculates the water weight from the total weight of the pan 3 measured by the weight detection means 8 by the calculation unit 10a. Furthermore, the water weight is compared with the rice weight, and the hardness of the rice estimated from the ratio of rice and water stored in advance is displayed on a water addition / decrease display unit (not shown). The user adjusts water according to his / her preference, and when the total weight of the pan 3 reaches the weight W3 in FIG. 3, the lid 4 is closed, and the rice cooking start button (not shown) is pressed to start rice cooking. In other words, rice is cooked by adjusting the water weight (calculated by W3-W2) to the rice weight (calculated by W2-W1).

  Further, when the pot 3 is stored, the position of the pot 3 is regulated in the radial direction by the gap adjusting means 6 a, so that the pot 3 is arranged at the center with respect to the protective frame 6. Since the pan 3 has a structure that is not supported by the opening on the upper surface of the main body 2, the total weight of the pan 3 (weights W <b> 2 and W <b> 3 in FIG. 3) is added to the pan support unit 8 a and transmitted to the weight detection unit 8. Thereby, the weight detection means 8 can repeatedly measure the weight of the pan 3 regardless of whether the pan 3 is attached or detached, and can measure the amount of cooked rice and water level.

  Subsequently, when the rice cooking is started, the control means 10 cooks the rice with a predetermined high heating power in each of the soaking, cooking, and steaming rice cooking processes according to the amount of rice cooking and the amount of water. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the water immersion process from time T0 to time T1, rice is absorbed at a pot temperature of C1.

  In the first half of the cooking process, from the time T1 to T3, the pan temperature rises from C1 to C2, the average input of the heating coil 7 is heated at once with P1, the pan temperature is about 100 ° C at C2, and the pan 3 The water in it boils. Furthermore, in the second half of the cooking process, from time T2 to T3, water gradually evaporates and is discharged from the steam cylinder provided on the lid 4. In the meantime, the control means 10 can calculate from the output signal of the weight detection means 8 that the moisture has evaporated and reduced in this process. Here, it is assumed that the calculated water evaporation amount is D1.

  When entering the steaming process, the heating control unit 10b controls the energization amount so that the average input of the heating coil 7 becomes P3 from the output signal of the calculation unit 10a, that is, the water evaporation amount D1, the initial rice amount, the water amount, and the like. To do.

  The basic operation of the heating control unit 10b is to compare the moisture evaporation amount D1 with the previously stored standard evaporation amount D0. When D1> D0, there is little water absorption and the average input of the heating coil 7 in the steaming process Decrease P3 and start cooking quickly. On the contrary, when D1 <D0, the water absorption is large, the average input P3 of the heating coil 7 in the steaming process is increased, and it is cooked firmly, without causing scorching and drying, Cook rice deliciously with moderate firepower. The standard evaporation amount D0 varies variously under the influence of the amount of rice, the amount of water, the menu, the room temperature, and the like, and a plurality of data may be stored. Depending on the user's preference and menu settings, the reverse of the above operation, for example, when D1> D0, the average input P3 of the heating coil 7 may be increased to make it firm and firm. is there.

  In particular, not only for cooking rice, but also when cooking boiled food automatically, by supplying a heating amount according to the amount of water evaporation to the pan 3, an appropriate amount of water and softness of the food are obtained.

  Furthermore, when the rice cooking process is finished, the user loosens the rice in the pan 3 once and discharges excess water. At this time, the weight detection means 8 detects that the weight of the pan 3 is W4. When the lid 4 is closed, the heat insulation process proceeds, and the control means 10 controls the energization amount so that the average input of the heating coil 7 becomes P4. During this time, a sealing force is applied to the weight detection means 8 as a load, and the weight is larger than W4.

  In the heat retaining step, when a preset time has elapsed, the control means 10 operates the lid opening / closing means 11. When the lid opening / closing means 11 is operated, the sealing means 4 is moved away from the pan 3, and the weight detecting means 8 measures that the weight of the pan 3 is W5. Based on the output signal of the weight detection means 8, the calculation unit 10a calculates the weight change d1 between the times T4 and T5 by using a mathematical formula (W5-W4).

  Needless to say, controlling the opening / closing angle of the lid 4 to the minimum angle at which the sealing means 4a separates from the pan 3 prevents the outside air from entering the pan 3 and accelerating moisture evaporation of the rice. By separating the sealing means 4a from the pan 3, there is no measurement error due to a change in sealing force between times T4 and T5 due to changes in the elastic deformation force of the sealing means 4a due to the passage of time or temperature. Weighing is performed.

  In FIG. 3, the average input and the weight are shown almost linearly. However, in reality, the heating coil 7 is energized intermittently every predetermined time by the control means 10, and the change in weight is also affected by the heating coil. Needless to say, there is a tendency to be linked to the energization of No. 7, but a detailed graph is omitted.

  Here, as a basic operation of the heating control unit 10b, the water evaporation amount d1 is compared with the previously stored standard evaporation amount d0. If d1> d0, the preset average input P4 is set. If the amount of evaporation is excessive and the energization at the average input P4 is continued, the drying tends to proceed too much. Therefore, the average input P5 of the heating coil 7 is decreased and the heat insulation is continued. Conversely, when d1 <d0, the average input P3 of the heating coil 7 is increased. Each of these is deliciously kept warm with moderate heat without causing scorching and without drying.

  Note that the standard evaporation amount d0 varies in various ways due to the influence of the amount of rice, the amount of water, the menu, the room temperature, and the like, and a plurality of data may be stored. Of course, depending on the user's preference and menu settings, the operation opposite to the above may be performed, for example, when d1> d0, the average input P3 of the heating coil 7 may be increased to keep the heat firm and firm. It is.

  In addition, since the distance of the pan 3 and the heating coil 7 does not change by the attachment / detachment operation of the pan 3, the heating coil 7 can always heat the pan 3 with a predetermined high heating power, and cooks deliciously in the plump rice. Moreover, by providing the gap adjusting means 6a for adjusting the gap between the pan 3 and the protective frame 6, the gap between the pan 3 and the protective frame 6 becomes substantially constant over the entire circumference, and there is no variation in heating due to the portion of the pan 3, Since the amount of heat is evenly applied to the rice, there is little unevenness in cooking.

  In addition, in the weight detection means 8 of Embodiment 1, in addition to the pan support means 8a, a protective frame support means 8a for supporting the protection frame 6 is provided, and the weight detection means 8 measures the total weight of the pan 3 and the protection frame 6. You may do it. In this case, the configuration of weight detection is the same as that of the second embodiment shown below, but the calculation unit 10a protects the weight stored in advance from the weight measured by the weight detection means 8 and its change. The weight of rice and water is calculated by subtracting the weight of the frame 6 and the pan 3. Further, a storage unit for an output signal from the weight detection unit 8 provided in the control unit 10 and a calculation unit 10a for performing a predetermined calculation calculate the rice weight, the water weight, and the water amount, and display them on the operation unit 9. This is easily realized by the conventional technique, and the description is omitted.

(Embodiment 2)
The rice cooker of Embodiment 2 in this invention is demonstrated using FIGS.

  5 and 6 are cross-sectional views showing a state in which lid 4 of rice cooker 1 in Embodiment 2 is closed. As shown in both figures, the seal moving means 4d for separating the sealing means 4a from the pot 3 is different from the first embodiment as a seal adjusting means for adjusting the sealing force applied to the pot 3 by the sealing means 4a. . Other configurations such as the heating coil 7 for heating the pan 3 and the weight detection means 8 for measuring the weight of the pan 3 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The configuration and operation of the seal moving means 4d will be described. The sealing means 4a is formed of the same elastic material as in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the seal mounting plate 4c. The heating plate 4b and the seal attachment plate 4c are detachably attached to the inner surface of the lid 4. The seal mounting plate 4c is fitted to the inner surface of the lid 4 in a screw shape and moves up and down depending on the rotation direction. Further, the seal mounting plate 4c forms a gear-shaped outer peripheral surface, and the seal moving means 4d has a gear-shaped output shaft. When the seal moving means 4d operates, the rotational torque of the output shaft is transmitted to the outer peripheral surface, and the seal mounting plate 4c rotates.

  Further, by switching the rotation direction of the output shaft, the rotation direction of the seal mounting plate 4c is switched, and the seal mounting plate 4c and the sealing means 4a are configured to be able to move in either the vertical direction. In addition, about the mechanism which switches rotational motion to an up-down motion, it is realizable with the combination of a well-known technique, and detailed drawing is abbreviate | omitted. That is, the mechanism for moving the cylindrical mechanism part up and down is a well-known technique that can be variously considered, and is not limited to this configuration.

  The operation and effect of the seal moving means 4d will be described. First, in the rice cooking step, the lid 4 is closed and the heating coil 7 is heated to cook rice as shown in FIG. In the subsequent heat retaining step, the sealing means 4a is separated from the pan 3 by the operation of the seal moving means 4d as shown in FIG. That is, in the rice cooking preparation stage, when performing rice weighing and water adjustment, the user opens the lid 4, so that the sealing force of the sealing means 4 a is not applied to the pan 3.

  Further, during the heat retaining process, the sealing means 4a is moved upward by a command from the control means 10, so that the sealing force of the sealing means 4a is not applied to the pot 3. As an effect, when the pan 3 is weighed, the sealing force can be removed and the pan 3 can be weighed with high accuracy.

  In addition to high heating power and high-performance rice cooking performance by induction heating of the heating coil 7, it is possible to achieve both high precision weighing performance by the weight detection means.

  Especially when the lid 4 is kept warm or when the lid 4 and a part of the main body 1 are in contact with the wall surface at the installation location and receiving a load, the pan 3 can be accurately measured, so that the installation is free. It is easy to use.

  In the second embodiment, the seal moving means 4d moves up and down only the seal means 4a. However, the seal moving means 4a and the heating plate 4b may be integrally moved simultaneously.

(Embodiment 3)
The rice cooker of Embodiment 4 in this invention is demonstrated using FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where lid 4 of rice cooker 1 in Embodiment 3 is closed. As shown in the figure, as a seal adjusting means for adjusting the sealing force applied to the pan 3 by the sealing means 4a, the sealing means 4a is formed of a hollow elastic material, and air that fills the hollow portion of the sealing means 4a with high-pressure air. The point which provided the supply means 4e differs from the said Embodiment 1-2. Since other configurations such as the heating coil 7 for heating the pan 3 and the weight detection means 8 for measuring the weight of the pan 3 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, description thereof will be omitted.

  The configuration and operation of the air supply means 4e will be described. The sealing means 4a is formed hollow with the same elastic material as that in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the heating plate 4b. The lid 4 is provided with an air supply means 4e that feeds high-pressure air into the hollow portion of the sealing means 4a, expands the cross-sectional shape, and generates a sealing force at the upper end of the pan 3. The sealing means 4a is fixed to the heating plate 4b, and the heating plate 4b is detachably attached to the inner surface of the lid 4. By attaching the heating plate 4b to the lid 4, the sealing means 4a is connected to the air supply means 4a.

  In addition, the valve body for releasing the high pressure air of the sealing means 4a is provided in the connection part from the air supply means 4e to the sealing means 4a. The mechanism for supplying and discharging air to the hollow tube can be realized by a combination of known techniques, and detailed drawings are omitted. That is, such a mechanism is a well-known technique that can be variously considered, and the configuration for opening and closing the passage and discharging the air is not limited to the configuration described above.

  The operation and effect of the air supply means 4e will be described. First, in the rice cooking process, the steam generated in the pan 3 leaks from the state of FIG. 7 by operating the air supply unit 4e, inflating the sealing unit 4a with high-pressure air and bringing it into close contact with the upper end of the pan 3. The steam is discharged from the steam for discharging the steam provided in the lid 4. There is no leakage of steam, and the rice is cooked by heating the heating coil 7. In the subsequent heat retaining step, the valve body is operated, air is released from the sealing means 4a, the cross-sectional shape of the sealing means 4a is reduced, and a gap is formed between the sealing means 4a and the upper end of the pan 3.

  That is, in the rice cooking preparation stage, when performing rice weighing and water adjustment, the user opens the lid 4, so that the sealing force of the sealing means 4 a is not applied to the pan 3. Further, during the heat retaining process, the sealing means 4a is contracted by the command of the control means 10, so that the sealing force of the sealing means 4a is not applied to the pan 3. As an effect, when the pan 3 is weighed, the sealing force can be removed and the pan 3 can be weighed with high accuracy.

  In addition to high heating power and high-performance rice cooking performance by induction heating of the heating coil 7, it is possible to achieve both high precision weighing performance by the weight detection means.

  In the third embodiment, air is used as a driving source for deforming the sealing means 4a. However, a pressurized fluid may be used.

(Embodiment 4)
The rice cooker of Embodiment 4 in this invention is demonstrated using FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where lid 4 of rice cooker 1 in Embodiment 3 is closed. As shown in the figure, a heating plate 4b that covers the upper portion of the pan 3 and has a sealing means 4a, and a heating plate support means 4f that detachably attaches and supports the heating plate 4b to the lid 4 are provided. Further, the heating plate support means 4f is different from the first to third embodiments in that a predetermined gap is provided in the vertical direction between the heating plate support means 4f and the heating plate 4b with the lid 4 closed. Since other configurations such as the heating coil 7 for heating the pan 3 and the weight detection means 8 for measuring the weight of the pan 3 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, description thereof will be omitted.

  The configuration and operation of the heating plate support means 4f will be described. The sealing means 4a is formed of the same elastic material as in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the heating plate 4b. The heating plate support means 4f has a support portion that receives the lower surface of the outer edge portion of the heating plate 4b. However, when the lid 4 is closed as shown in FIG. 8, the heating plate support means 4f is the lower surface of the outer edge portion of the heating plate 4b. The load is not received. Further, the heating plate 4b has a gap h1 between the inner surface of the lid 4 and the weight of only the heating plate 4b and the sealing means 4a is added to the upper end portion of the pan 3 as a sealing force of the sealing means 4a. Operate. When the lid 4 is opened, as shown in FIG. 9, the heating plate 4 b is supported by the support portion of the heating plate support means 4 f, rotates together with the lid 4, and is detached from the upper end portion of the pan 3.

  The mechanism for attaching and separating the heating plate 4b to the lid 4 can be realized in various ways by a combination of known techniques, but has a substantially L-shaped support portion as in the fourth embodiment. The configuration by the heating plate support means 4f does not require a dedicated drive source for attaching and separating the heating plate 4b, and can be automatically performed by the user opening and closing the lid 4. However, the shape of such a part can be variously considered, and is not limited to the shape described.

  The operation and effect of the heating plate support means 4f will be described. First, when the lid 4 is closed, the heating plate support means 4f regulates the position of the heating plate 4b in the radial direction but does not support its weight. In the rice cooking process, the sealing means 4a is brought into close contact with the upper end of the pan 3 as shown in FIG. 8 to prevent the steam generated in the pan 3 from leaking, and the steam discharges the steam provided on the lid 4. Exhausted from the steam. There is no excess steam leakage, and the heating coil 7 heats up the rice.

  In the subsequent heat retaining step, the heat is kept moist without excessive steam discharge by the action of the sealing means 4a. That is, in the rice cooking preparation stage, when the rice is weighed and added or subtracted, the sealing force of the sealing means 4a is applied to the pan 3 even during the heat retaining process, but the sealing force is applied to the sealing means 4a applied to the upper end of the pan 3. The weight of the heating plate 4b is constant. As an effect, when the pan 3 is weighed, the sealing force is added, but it can be corrected by the calculation unit 10a, and can be weighed with high accuracy. In addition to high heating power by induction heating of the heating coil 7 and high-performance rice cooking performance, high-precision weighing performance by the weight detection means 8 can be achieved.

(Embodiment 5)
The rice cooker of Embodiment 5 in this invention is demonstrated using FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which lid 4 of rice cooker 1 in Embodiment 3 is closed. As shown in the figure, there is provided a sealing force detection means 4g for detecting the sealing force of the sealing means 4a with the lid 4 closed, and a control for correcting the measurement by the weight detection means based on the output signal of the sealing force detection means 4g. The point which provided the part differs from the said Embodiment 1-2. Other configurations such as the heating coil 7 for heating the pan 3 and the weight detection means 8 for measuring the weight of the pan 3 are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The configuration and operation of the sealing force detection means 4g will be described. The sealing means 4a is formed of the same elastic material as in the first embodiment, and is fixed to the heating plate 4b. The heating plate 4b is detachably attached to the inner surface of the lid 4. The heating plate 4b is attached to the lid 4 via the sealing force detecting means 4g, and detects the sealing force according to the open / closed state of the lid 4. In order to detect the sealing force, the sealing force detecting means 4g has a strain body and a strain gauge that are deformed by the sealing force, like the weight detecting means 8. The mechanism for detecting the force can be realized by a combination of known techniques in the same manner as the weight detection means 8, and detailed drawings are omitted. That is, such a mechanism is a well-known technique that can be considered in various ways, and is not limited to the configuration described.

  The operation and effect of the sealing force detection means 4g will be described. First, in the rice cooking process, the lid 4 is closed, and the sealing means 4a is brought into close contact with the upper end of the pan 3 as shown in FIG. It is discharged from the steam for discharging the steam provided in. There is no leakage of steam, and the rice is cooked by heating the heating coil 7. The same applies to the subsequent heat retention step. That is, in the rice cooking preparation stage, when the rice is weighed and water is added or subtracted, the sealing force of the sealing means 4a is applied to the pot 3 during the heat retaining process, but the sealing force is detected by the sealing force detection means 4g. As an effect thereof, when the control means 10 measures the pan 3, it is possible to correct the sealing force by the calculation unit 10a and to measure with high accuracy. In addition to high heating power by induction heating of the heating coil 7 and high-performance rice cooking performance, high-precision weighing performance by the weight detection means 8 can be achieved.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment in which the operation unit 9 according to the fifth embodiment is arranged on the upper surface of the lid 4. Since the operation unit 9 is on the upper surface of the lid 4, the lid 4 is normally opened in the rice cooking preparation stage, so it is possible to confirm rice weighing and water adjustment somewhat, but it is possible. In particular, since the operation unit 9 is disposed on the lid 4, the outer size of the main body 2 becomes compact, and the width and depth indicating the width of the installation location may be small, so it can be installed in various places, Convenience is excellent.

  In each of the above embodiments, if the protection frame 11 that houses the pan 3 and the heating coil 12 are integrally formed, or the heating coil 12 is fixed to the protection frame 11 in advance, the pan 3 The distance between the heating coil 12 and the heating coil 12 does not fluctuate during assembly work or maintenance work, and the heating efficiency from the heating coil 12 to the pan 3 is stabilized. Therefore, high-heated rice can be cooked with reduced heat loss due to induction heating and increased heating efficiency.

  In each of the above embodiments, if the heating coil 7 is embedded in the protective frame 6 integrally, the heating coil 7 is supported by the protective frame support means 8b for measuring the weight of the protective frame 6. Regardless of the temperature, the pan 3 can be freely and uniformly disposed under the pan 3, so that the heating unevenness of the pan 3 is reduced, the heating of the pan 3 is made uniform, and the rice cooking performance is improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the gap adjusting means 6a, the rotation preventing means (not shown) for the pan 3 and the like may be provided as separate parts with respect to the protective frame 6. In addition, regarding the material, the easiness of elastic deformation may be changed by each means, or the heat-resistant temperature may be changed depending on the manner of contact with the pan 3. By these, durability reliability of each means and each component can be improved, and long-term maintenance of weighing accuracy and rice cooking performance can be achieved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the energization amount of the heating coil 7 is controlled. Specifically, the amount of power energized to the heating coil 7 is controlled, or the time for energizing the heating coil 7 is set. They can be adjusted or combined.

  In addition, as long as it is the structure which moves only the sealing means 4a or those components only like said each embodiment, in addition to the measurement in the state where the lid | cover 4 of the rice cooking preparation stage was open | released, rice cooking and heat retention Even during operation, even if the main body 1 and the lid 4 come into contact with the side or top surface of the installation location, there is no variation in the measurement result of the pan 3, and accurate measurement can always be performed, so the installation location can be freely selected. Easy to use.

  Instead of providing the seal moving means 4d as in each of the above embodiments, the entire protective frame 6, protective frame supporting means 8b, and weight detecting means 8 housing the pan 3 are moved downward, and the lid No. 4 may be held in a predetermined position, the sealing force may be released, and the pan 3 may be weighed. In this case, a space height is required below the main body 2 so that the pan 3 or the like can be moved by a predetermined distance. Even so, there is no variation in the measurement result of the pan 3, and accurate measurement can always be performed.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is excellent in that the weight of rice and water is measured with high accuracy from the initial stage during the cooking operation, and further during the heat retaining operation after cooking, and by the high heating power corresponding to the weight change of the cooked food. The rice cooker is capable of obtaining both hot rice cooking performance and heat insulation performance. However, the object of cooking is not limited to rice, and if the food, moisture and seasoning are put in the same pan and heated, the same weight change occurs due to evaporation of moisture during operation. The ability to control the energization amount of the heating means corresponding to such a weight change, that is, the control of the heating power, can be said to be a cooker that can always cook and keep warm at an appropriate temperature and at an appropriate humidity. In other words, it can be said that the cooked food is a cooker that achieves a stable and delicious taste, such as being not too dry, not sticky, and not burning.

  As described above, the heating coil, the weight detection means, and the seal adjustment means in the rice cooker of the present invention secure a predetermined distance between the pan and the heating coil, and according to the initial weight and weight change of the cooked item, with the optimum heating power. Can be cooked deliciously. Moreover, it is applicable not only to rice cookers but also to various household devices such as heating cookers and electric jar pots.

Sectional drawing which shows the state which opened the cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the cover of Embodiment 1 Chart showing weight change and input of embodiment 1 Temperature chart of rice cooking process of Embodiment 1 Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the lid | cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which moved the sealing means of Embodiment 2 Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the lid | cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 3 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 4 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which open | released the cover of Embodiment 4 Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the lid | cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 5 of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the lid | cover of the rice cooker in Embodiment 6 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rice cooker 2 Main body 3 Pan 4 Lid 4a Sealing means 4b Heating plate 4c Seal attachment plate 4d Seal moving means 4e Air supply means 4f Heating plate support means 4g Sealing force detection means 5 Lid opening / closing detection means 6 Protection frame 6a Clearance adjustment means 7 Heating coil 8 Weight detection means 8a Pan support means 8b Protection frame support means 9 Operation part 10 Control means 10a Calculation part 10b Heating control part 11 Lid opening / closing means

Claims (7)

A pan, a protective frame having a heating coil for induction heating the pan, a gap adjusting means for holding a gap between the pan and the protective frame in a predetermined gap, a lid covering the pan, and an opening of the pan Sealing means for sealing the part, lid opening / closing detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the lid, weight detection means for weighing the pan or the protective frame, control means for controlling the operation of the heating coil, and the seal A rice cooker having seal adjusting means for adjusting the sealing force of the means. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a sealing means is disposed on the lid, and a lid opening / closing means for opening and closing the lid is provided. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising seal moving means for separating the sealing means from the pan. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing means is formed of a hollow elastic material, and an air supply means for filling the hollow portion of the sealing means with high-pressure air is provided. The rice cooker of any one of Claims 1-4 which provided the heating plate which covers the upper part of a pan, and has a sealing means, and the heating plate support means which attaches | detaches and attaches the said heating plate to a lid | cover detachably. . The heating plate support means has a support portion for supporting the heating plate in the lid open state, and a predetermined gap is provided in the vertical direction between the support portion and the heating plate in the lid closed state. rice cooker. 7. A sealing force detecting means for detecting the sealing force of the sealing means when the lid is closed, and a controller for correcting the measurement by the weight detecting means based on an output signal of the sealing force detecting means. Or the rice cooker according to item 1.