JP2008113990A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rice cooker which can be easily maintained while stabilizing the temperature of high temperature steam to be sent into a pot and demonstrating a prescribed rice cooking performance at all times. <P>SOLUTION: The rice cooker includes: a pot 22; a pot heating means 23 for heating the pot; a lid body 25 for covering the opening of the pot; a steam generation means 27 having a water storage part 27a and a water storage part heating means 27b; and a steam path 28 for communicating and connecting the water storage part and the pot. At the opening of the steam path 28, a route lid 30 for closing at least a part is provided. Thus, hot water is prevented from jumping into the steam path 28, steam heating is stabilized, and a prescribed rice cooking performance is exhibited. At the same time, foreign matters are prevented from intruding into the steam path and maintenance is easily performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker used for general household or business use.

  In a general household rice cooker, by using a pan heating means arranged at the bottom of the pan and a lid heating means arranged in the pan, the rice and water in the pan are heated uniformly from above and below, Promotes gelatinization of rice starch. Furthermore, in the steaming process which is the final process of rice cooking, the heating from a lid | cover heating means is continued, gelatinization of rice starch is completed, and the improvement of rice cooking performance is aimed at.

  At this time, if the heating is continued with the pot heating means, the cooked rice near the bottom of the pot will be burnt, and if heated by the heat radiation of the lid heating means, the moisture of the cooked rice will evaporate and dry, and the rice cooking performance will deteriorate. One has been proposed that supplies steam for heating upward in the pan to cook rice (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the periphery of the bottom of the pot 2 in the main body 1 is heated by the pot heating means 3, and the upper part of the side is heated by the pot side heating means 4, and the temperature of the pot 2 is detected by the temperature sensor 5. . The lid 6 that can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 1 includes an inner lid 7 that covers the pan 2 and a lid heating means 12 that heats the inner lid 7. Further, a steam generating means 8 is accommodated in the main body 1, and a steam passage 9 is disposed in the facing lid 6, and the steam generated by the steam generating means 8 is supplied into the pan 2. Yes. The steam passage 9 is provided with a steam passage heating means 10 for heating the steam passage 9, whereby the steam is heated to a temperature sufficient to heat the cooked rice, for example, 120 ° C., and fed into the pot 2.

  Here, when hot water splashed when boiling inside the steam generating means 8 enters the steam passage 9, the temperature of the steam passage 9 is cooled to 100 ° C., and steam at a low temperature is sent into the pan 2, This may cause problems such as the amount of steam being affected by the flow of water.

In order to cope with this problem, a steam generating means lid 11 having a plurality of holes is attached to the opening of the steam generating means 8. This prevents hot water that scatters when boiling inside the steam generating means 8 from directly jumping into the steam passage 9.
JP 2004-248900 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the steam generating means lid 11 having a plurality of holes is attached to the opening of the steam generating means 8, so that water that is the source of steam is put into the steam generating means 8, or the steam generating means The steam generating means lid 11 becomes an obstacle when washing 8 or the like. Further, when the lid 6 is opened, the inlet opening of the steam passage 9 facing the steam generating means lid 11 is exposed, so that foreign matters such as rice grains easily enter from the inlet opening, and when entering, the steam passage 9 There is also a problem that it is difficult to take out the foreign matter because the device itself is narrow.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, obtains a predetermined rice cooking performance by supplying steam for heating rice cooking, easily supplies water to the steam generating means and cleans the steam generating means, and also provides a steam passage. An object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker that prevents foreign matter from entering easily.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the rice cooker of the present invention is provided with a path lid that closes at least a part of the opening of the steam passage facing the water storage section of the steam generating means.

  As a result, even if the water in the water storage section of the steam generating means boils and the hot water jumps, it is prevented from entering the steam passage by the action of the path cover, and there is no possibility that the steam passage is cooled by the hot water. For this reason, the temperature of the steam passage can be stabilized, high-temperature steam can be constantly fed into the pan, and predetermined rice cooking performance can be obtained. Further, since the path lid is provided at the opening of the steam passage, water can be easily supplied to the steam generating means and the steam generating means can be easily cleaned, and foreign matter does not easily enter the steam passage.

  The rice cooker of the present invention obtains a predetermined rice cooking performance by supplying steam for heating rice cooking, can easily supply water to the steam generating means and wash the steam generating means, and foreign substances easily enter the steam passage. There is nothing.

  1st invention is a pan, the pan heating means which heats the said pan, the cover body which supported the opening part of the said pan so that opening and closing was possible, and the steam generation means which has a water storage part and the water storage part heating means A steam passage provided in the lid for connecting the reservoir and the pan to supply steam into the pan, and at least a part of the opening of the steam passage facing the reservoir of the steam generating means By using a rice cooker with a path cover that closes, even if the water in the water storage part of the steam generating means boils and hot water jumps, it prevents the steam path from entering the steam path due to the action of the path cover. No fear of being cooled with water. For this reason, the temperature of the steam passage can be stabilized, high-temperature steam can always be fed into the pan, and predetermined rice cooking performance can be obtained. Further, since the path lid is provided at the opening of the steam passage, water can be easily supplied to the steam generating means and the steam generating means can be easily cleaned, and foreign matter does not easily enter the steam passage.

  In the second invention, in particular, in the first invention, the path lid is provided with a hole of a size that does not allow rice grains to pass therethrough, so that it is necessary to suppress and care for foreign substances such as rice grains to enter the steam passage. Can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the hole of the path lid is provided so that the lid shaft support side of the substantially vertical wall provided in the path lid is the water storage portion side. As a result, when the lid is opened, the hole of the path lid faces downward, so that foreign matters such as rice grains do not enter, and the necessity of cleaning the steam passage can be reduced.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the third aspect of the invention, the configuration is such that the hole of the path lid does not directly face the inside of the steam passage, so that the hot water that has jumped out of the water storage section has passed through the hole of the path lid. However, hot water does not jump into the steam passage, and it becomes possible to ensure a predetermined rice cooking performance.

  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)
FIG. 1 shows a rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the rice cooker body 21 includes a pot 22 for storing rice and water, a pot heating means 23 for induction heating the bottom and sides of the pot 22, and a pot temperature detecting means 24 for detecting the temperature of the pot 22. And a lid 25 that covers the opening of the pot 22 and is pivotally supported by a pivotal support 25a, and an inner lid 26 that is provided on the lid 25 and seals the upper opening of the pot 22.

  In the rice cooker body 21, steam generating means 27 for generating steam is provided. The steam generation means 27 includes a water storage section 27a that is detachably installed to store water that is a source of steam, and a water storage section heating means 27b that heats the water storage section 27a. A steam passage 28 for inductively supplying steam generated from the water storage section 27a into the pot 21 is provided in the lid 25 facing the water storage section 27a. The steam passage 28 penetrates between the water storage portion 27a and the pan 22, and the steam can be fed into the pan 22 by being heated by the steam passage heating means 29 without leaking to the outside. .

  A path lid 30 that closes at least a part is provided at the opening of the steam passage 28 facing the water storage part 27 a of the steam generating means 27. In the present embodiment, the path lid 30 is provided with a plurality of small holes that do not allow foreign matter such as rice grains to enter. Due to the action of the path lid 30, the hot water popping out when the water in the water storage unit 27 a boils is hit and is quickly returned to the water storage unit 27 a.

  Further, in the rice cooker main body 1, there is a control means 31 for controlling the heating level of the pot heating means 23, the water storage section heating means 27 b and the steam passage heating means 29 based on temperature detection by the pot temperature detection means 24. Is provided.

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

  First, rice and water, which are cooked items, are set in the pan 22 and water is stored in the water storage unit 27a, and rice cooking is started. At the start of cooking, the control means 31 starts energizing the pot heating means 23 and heats the inside of the pot 22. During this time, the water storage section heating means 27b is also energized so that the water in the water storage section 27a is in a preheated state before boiling. The steam passage heating means 29 is also preheated.

  Next, when the rice in the pot 22 is gelatinized and cooked, the bottom of the pot 22 loses moisture, and the temperature rises rapidly due to heating. Therefore, the pot temperature detecting means 24 detects the cooking, and the pot heating means 23 is turned off.

  At this stage, since gelatinization as rice has not yet been completed, it is necessary to keep the temperature in the pan 22 at 100 ° C. or more for another 10 minutes or more. At this time, depending on the heating of the pot heating means 23, the vicinity of the bottom of the pot 22 is overheated and causes scorching.

  Here, the control means 31 energizes the water storage section heating means 27 b and the steam passage heating means 29. Along with this, the water in the water storage unit 27 a starts to boil, and the generated steam is pushed out to the steam passage 28 and sent out to the pot 22. In the present embodiment, the steam passage 28 is heated to about 140 ° C., and the steam temperature when it is discharged to the pan 22 reaches about 130 ° C. Therefore, the rice in the pan 22 is continuously heated by this steam heat, and without drying, condensate on the surface of the rice can be prevented by exceeding 100 ° C., and finished into delicious rice. It becomes.

  The steam heating means 27 is kept to a minimum size because the rice cooker body 21 becomes large and difficult to use when the volume of water is increased. Then, when heating is performed to generate a necessary amount of steam, the inside boils and hot water scatters and tries to jump into the steam passage 28. When hot water jumps into the steam passage 28, the steam passage 28 is cooled to 100 ° C., and the passing steam cannot be heated to 100 ° C. or higher. When steam of about 100 ° C. enters the pot 22, there is no amount of heat to evaporate the moisture on the surface of the rice, resulting in a watery rice.

  Here, a path lid 30 is installed at the opening of the steam passage 28. The hot water collides with the path lid 30 before the steam passage 28 and drops again into the water reservoir 27a. The path lid 30 is provided with a plurality of small holes that do not allow foreign matter such as rice grains to enter, and the steam passes through the holes and enters the steam passage 28. Accordingly, hot water does not enter the steam passage 28.

  By the way, the water storage part 27a is simply opened (the path lid 30 is installed in the steam passage 28) and is detachably installed, so that even if foreign matter such as rice grains enters, it can be easily washed away each time. it can. It is only necessary to exclude the components other than the container and simply boil the water, and the handling becomes very easy.

  On the other hand, since the steam passage 28 is provided with the steam passage heating means 29 and the like, it is easier to incorporate it into the lid body 25, but it is difficult to perform maintenance when foreign matter enters inside. Accordingly, the most rational means is to make it difficult for foreign matter to enter the steam passage 28. By the way, by installing the path lid 30 at the entrance of the steam passage 28, a means for making it difficult for foreign matter to enter the steam passage 28 is obtained.

  In addition, in this Embodiment, although it demonstrates by the operation | movement at the time of rice cooking, since the temperature of rice can be maintained by giving high temperature steam and moderate humidity can be given to rice similarly at the time of heat retention, it is useful. Effects can be obtained. In addition, the path cover 30 may be detachable from the steam passage 28. Even in this case, it goes without saying that the same effect as described above can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2)
2 and 3 show the configuration around the steam passage of the rice cooker in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the path lid 30 is provided with a single or a plurality of holes 32 through which steam passes near the center. The hole 32 is provided so as to open so that the lid shaft support side (the shaft support portion 25a side) of the substantially vertical wall is on the water storage portion 27a side. In other words, the right side of FIG. 2 is opened so as to be open to the water reservoir 27a, and the entire path lid 30 has a mortar shape so that the vicinity of the hole 32 is the lowest point. As a result, even if the dew adhering in the steam passage 28 or the hot water jumping out when the water storage part 27a boils passes through the hole 32, it is quickly returned to the water storage part 27a.

  Here, when the lid body 25 is in an open state as shown in FIG. 3, the outer side of the hole 32 of the path lid 30 faces downward. That is, even if foreign matter such as rice grains adheres to this part, the foreign matter cannot substantially enter the steam passage 28.

  In addition, the steam that has passed through the hole 32 does not flow directly toward the steam passage 28 but flows toward the opposite side of the steam passage 28. In other words, since the hot water that has flowed out of the water storage portion 27a may not be completely stopped by the path lid 30, even if it enters the hole 32, it does not jump directly into the back of the steam passage 28, but once the steam passage 28 It collides with the wall surface near the entrance, drops as it is, and returns to the water reservoir 27a again.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the steam that has passed through the hole 32 is disposed in the direction toward the opposite side of the steam passage 28. However, the steam passage 28 and the hole 32 are not disposed on the opposite side, for example. It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained if the hot water does not directly jump into the steam passage 28 such as by providing a wall. That is, the hole 32 of the path lid 30 is configured not to directly face the inside of the steam passage 28.

  In addition, the basic operation | movement at the time of rice cooking and heat insulation in this Embodiment is the same as Embodiment 1. FIG.

  As described above, the rice cooker according to the present invention obtains predetermined rice cooking performance by supplying steam for heating rice cooking, can easily supply water to the steam generating means and wash the steam generating means, and can be used in the steam passage. Since foreign substances do not easily enter, it can be applied to rice cookers for general home use or business use. Further, the steam supply configuration can be applied not only to the rice cooker but also to cooking utensils that perform cooking by applying high-temperature steam, such as ovens and steamers.

Sectional drawing which shows the rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The fragmentary sectional view which shows the steam channel | path part structure of the rice cooker in Embodiment 2 of this invention. Partial sectional view showing the structure of the steam passage when the lid of the rice cooker is opened Cross section of conventional rice cooker

Explanation of symbols

22 pan 23 pan heating means 25 lid body 25a shaft support portion 27 steam generating means 27a water storage portion 27b water storage portion heating means 28 steam passage 30 path lid 32 hole

Claims (4)

A pan, a pan heating means for heating the pan, a lid body that covers the opening of the pan and is pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable, a steam generation means having a water storage section and a water storage section heating means, and provided in the lid body A steam passage for connecting the water reservoir and the pan to supply steam into the pan, and a path lid for closing at least a part of the opening of the steam passage facing the water reservoir of the steam generating means is provided. rice cooker. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the path lid is provided with a hole having a size such that rice grains do not pass therethrough. 3. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hole of the path lid is provided so as to be opened so that the lid shaft support side of the substantially vertical wall provided in the path lid is the water storage section side. The rice cooker of Claim 3 comprised so that the hole of a path | route cover might not face the inside of a steam channel | path directly.