JP2009000191A - Cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooker capable of preventing an object to be cooked from being heated while a clamp is half-engaged. <P>SOLUTION: A latch 71 with a latch pawl 71c at the lower end is turnably set in a lid part of the rice cooker, and a fixed part 81 to engage the latch pawl 71c is disposed in the body of the rice cooker. When the latch 71 is energized in a direction toward the fixed part 81 and normally engaged with the fixed part 81, emitted light is shaded because a light emitting device 101 is set in a top plate 13 of the body of the rice cooker and a light receiving device 102 is set in the fixed part 81. Consequently, the half-engaged state of the latch can be detected. The result of detection is announced by the display on a panel or by voice. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooking device, and more particularly to a cooking device in which a lid that covers an opening of the cooking device is pivotally supported so as to be freely opened and closed.

A conventional heating cooker, for example, a rice cooker, has a main body that can accommodate an inner pot, a lid that covers an opening in the upper part of the main body, and heating means and control for heating and cooking rice stored in the inner pot. Means. One side (rear side) of the lid is pivotally supported by the main body, and the other side (front side) is detachably engaged with the main body.
And in order to prevent the lid from opening due to the applied pressure in the inner pot during rice cooking, a clamp is provided on the lid so that it can rotate, and the lid clamp is bitten into a part of the main body. A mechanism is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-029402 A (page 7-8, FIG. 1)

In the clamp mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1, a substantially square-shaped clamp is pivotally supported by a clamp shaft fixed to a lid body, and is always in a bending direction (direction of the leading end of the biting portion). ). On the other hand, the clamp receiver provided in the main body has a tapered surface and a substantially horizontal engaged surface connected to the tapered surface.
Since the lower end of the clamp is bent and a biting portion (engagement portion) is formed, when the lid is closed, the biting portion is guided by the tapered surface and the clamp moves away from the engaged surface. After the biting part is removed from the taper surface after rotating in the direction, the clamp rotates in the direction of the engaged surface and engages so that the biting part bites into the engaged surface. is there.
Therefore, if the user does not push the lid sufficiently and is not completely closed, the biting portion remains guided by the taper surface and does not come off the taper surface. Even if it is not engaged with the engaging surface, or even if it is disengaged from the tapered surface, the biting portion does not fully engage with the engaged surface due to the presence of foreign matter or the like (so-called “clamp half-hanging” state). . And when heating was started without noticing such a state of "clamp half", there was a problem that the lid opened during cooking and the rice was boiled.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. During heating, the heating is not started in a half-clamped state or the user is surely aware of the half-clamped state. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking device that can prevent the lid from being opened.

The rice cooker according to the present invention is capable of storing the inner pot, and has a main body having an opening in the upper part,
A lid that is pivotally supported by the main body and opens and closes the opening;
Heating means for heating the cooking object put in the inner pot;
Control means for controlling the heating means;
Operating means operated to activate or deactivate the heating means via the control means;
The engagement means provided on the lid includes engagement detection means for detecting an engagement state engaged with the engaged means provided on the main body.

  According to the present invention, the engagement means provided on the lid body has the engagement detection means for detecting the engagement state where the engagement means is engaged with the engaged means provided on the main body. It can be detected that the means is not normally engaged (for example, half-hanging state). Therefore, based on the detection result, it is possible to prevent the heating unit from starting (starting energization) or to notify the user that the heating unit is not normally engaged. The body is prevented from opening.

[Embodiment 1]
(rice cooker)
1 to 3 illustrate a rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lid is opened, and FIG. 2 is a state in which the lid is closed. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view in side view showing an operation state of opening the lid.
1 to 3, a rice cooker 1 includes a main body 10 having an opening for inserting and removing the inner pot 30 and a lid for pivotally supporting the main body 10 to open and close the opening. 20, heating means 40 for heating an object to be cooked (not shown) placed in the inner pot 30, control means 50 for controlling the heating means 40, and heating means 40 via the control means 50. Operating means (same as the “rice cooking button” commanding the start of rice cooking) 60 operated to start or stop.
The lid 20 is fixed to the main body 10 by the engagement of the engaging means 70 provided on the lid 20 and the engaged means 80 provided on the main body 10, and the engaged state is determined by the engagement detecting means. 100 is detected.

(Main unit)
The main body 10 includes a main body outer cylinder 11 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, a main body inner cylinder 12 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and an upper portion of the main body outer cylinder 11 and an upper portion of the main body inner cylinder 12. And an annular main body ceiling 13.
An operation means (rice cooking button) 60 and a notification means (display panel 91 and sound generator 92) are arranged on the front surface (left side surface in the figure) of the main body outer cylinder 11, and a main body handle 15 for carrying is turned on the side surface. It is installed freely.
The main body cylinder 12 can accommodate the inner pot 30 therein, and the inner cylinder upper edge (substantially corresponding to the inner edge of the main body ceiling 13) 14 of the main body inner cylinder 12 is located on the outer peripheral side at the upper edge of the inner pot 30. A projecting outer flange (hereinafter referred to as “inner hook flange”) 31 is supported.
Near the rear surface of the main body ceiling 13 (right side in the figure), a lid support shaft 16 that constitutes a hinge for pivotally supporting the lid 20 is installed, and close to the front side (left side in the figure). Is provided with an engaged means 80 (which will be described in detail separately) for fixing the lid 20 so that it cannot be opened.
A heating means (electromagnetic induction coil) 40 and a thermometer 41 are installed on the bottom surface of the bottom of the body cylinder 12, and a control means for driving the heating means 40 in the space between the main body outer cylinder 11 and the main body inner cylinder 12. (High frequency transmitter, microcomputer, etc.) 50 is arranged.

(Lid)
The lid 20 includes an upper lid 21, an inner lid 22 provided with a heater (not shown) between the upper lid 21, and an inner lid 23 that is detachably attached to the upper lid 21. On the side, it is installed in the main body 10 by a hinge having a lid support shaft 16. The lid 20 is biased by a biasing means (not shown) in a direction that is always opened. Engaging means 70 for opening and closing the lid 20 (this will be described in detail separately) is provided near the front surface of the lid 20.

(Engagement means)
The engaging means 70 provided on the lid body 20 includes a latch 71 formed in a substantially L shape. The latch 71 includes a latch vertical portion 71b, a latch horizontal portion 71a that is bent and connected to the upper end of the latch vertical portion 71b, and a latch claw portion 71c that is bent and connected to the lower end of the latch vertical portion 71b. The latch support shaft 72 is rotatably supported. An urging means (coil spring) 73 is installed between the lower surface of the latch horizontal portion 71 a and the upper surface of the inner lid 22. It is biased to rotate toward the back (same in the counterclockwise direction in the figure) (see FIG. 2).

A latch release button 74 is disposed on the upper lid 21 so as to be movable up and down. The lower end of the latch release button 74 is in contact with the upper surface of the latch horizontal portion 71a. That is, the latch release button 74 is pushed up by the biasing means 73 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the user pushes in the latch release button 74, the latch 71 is rotated in the direction of coming out of the engaged means 80 (same in the clockwise direction in the figure) (see FIG. 3).
The arrangement position of the urging means 73 is not limited to that shown in the figure. For example, the urging means 73 is brought into contact with the latch vertical portion 71b, or the latch 71 and the latch release button 74 are connected. The biasing means 73 may be brought into contact with the latch release button 74. Further, the urging means 73 may use either a repulsive force or a pulling force.

(Engaged means)
The engaged means 80 provided in the main body 10 is formed in a flange shape toward the front surface (left side in the drawing) on the inner cylinder upper edge (substantially equivalent to the inner edge of the main body ceiling 13) 14. In other words, the engaged means 80 includes a fixed portion 81 that forms a predetermined gap with the main body ceiling 13, and a guide portion 82 that is formed obliquely rearward and upward toward the front edge of the fixed portion 81. have.
Therefore, when the user closes the lid 20, first, the latch claw portion 71 c of the latch 71 slides in contact with the guide portion 82. At this time, since the biasing means 73 is compressed, the latch 71 rotates in the clockwise direction. When the lid 20 is completely closed, the latch claw portion 71c enters the fixed portion 81 deeply by the counterclockwise rotation by the biasing means 73 of the latch 71 when the latch claw portion 71c is detached from the guide portion 82. become.

(Engagement detection means: optical sensor)
FIG. 4 is a partial side view schematically illustrating an engagement detection unit including an optical sensor installed in the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which (a) is a full scale state, (b ) Is half-weighted. 4, the optical sensor 100 includes a light emitting element 101 installed on the main body ceiling 13 and a light receiving element 102 installed on the fixing portion 81 (on the lid 20 side). Therefore, when the latch claw portion 71c penetrates into the fixing portion 81 sufficiently deeply (hereinafter referred to as the “full scale state”), the emitted light is blocked by the latch claw portion 71c ((a of FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the latch claw portion 71c does not penetrate into the fixed portion 81 sufficiently deeply (the same as the half-clamped state), the emitted light reaches the light receiving element 102. It can be detected whether it is in a state.

The light emitting element 101 may be installed on the fixing portion 81 (on the lid 20 side), and the light receiving element 102 may be installed on the main body ceiling 13. In addition, the optical sensor 100 is installed at a position where the latch claw portion 71c exists only when the latch claw portion 71c exists only when the latch claw portion 71c is in the full scale state, and at a position where the latch claw portion 71c is retracted when the half clash portion is present May be.
Further, instead of the optical sensor, a magnetic material detection sensor (utilizing variation in magnetic permeability) or an electrical material detection sensor (variation in dielectric constant) is used at one position of the light emitting element 101 or the light receiving element 102. A non-contact detection means such as) may be installed.

(Engagement detection means: micro switch)
FIG. 5 is a partial side view schematically illustrating an engagement detection unit including a micro switch installed in the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which (a) is a full scale state, (b ) Is half-weighted. In FIG. 5, the microswitch 200 is installed so as to protrude from the lower surface of the fixing portion 81 (the lid 20 side). Therefore, when the latch claw portion 71c reaches the full scale state, the end surface of the latch claw portion 71c comes into contact with the micro switch 200 to generate a “material present” signal, while the latch claw portion 71c is in a half scale state. At this time, the end face of the latch claw 71c does not come into contact with the micro switch 200, so that a “material present” signal is not generated.

The microswitch 200 is installed at a position where the latch claw portion 71c exists only when the latch claw portion 71c exists only when the latch claw portion 71c is in the full scale state, and at a position where the latch claw portion 71c is retracted when the half claw state is present. May be.
In addition, the latch 71 and the latch support shaft 72 on which the arm material is installed are integrated to support the latch support shaft 72 so that the arm material can be contacted only when the latch claw portion 71c is fully covered. You may install the microswitch 200 in the position which touches.
Furthermore, instead of the micro switch 200, an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the latch support shaft 72 by integrating the latch 71 and the latch support shaft 72 rotatably supported may be installed.

(Control method: optical sensor)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a control method in the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which an optical sensor is installed.
In FIG. 6, when the rice cooking button 60 is pressed (turned on), the control means 50 first instructs the light emitting element 101 to emit light (S11), and the light receiving element 102 detects the emitted light (S12). If it is detected (receives light), it is determined that “it is not a half-scaled state (all-scaled state)” (S16), and a rice cooking sequence is started (S17).
On the other hand, when the light receiving element 102 has not detected (no light is received), it is determined as “half-cut state” (S14), and the transition to the rice cooking sequence is stopped (operation stopped). Is displayed and notified (S15).

And when an operator pushes in the cover body 20 and presses the rice cooking button 60 again, the said step (S11-S17) will be repeated.
The display means that the display panel 91 is lit or blinking a sentence such as “the lid is not locked” or “the lid is not completely closed, so please press the lid”. Alternatively, a schematic diagram showing a half-connected state is turned on or blinked. Further, the notification means that the sound generation device 92 reads out the sentence or emits a predetermined warning sound (such as a chime or a siren).

(Control method: Micro switch)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a control method in the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, in which a micro switch is installed.
In FIG. 7, when the rice cooking button 60 is pressed (turned on), the control means 50 first confirms energization of the microswitch 200 (S21), and whether or not the microswitch 200 is in the presence of material (ON). (S22). If the material is present (ON), it is determined that “it is not a half-scaled state (all-scaled state)” (S26), and the rice cooking sequence is started (S27).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no material (OOF), it is determined that the state is “half-linked” (S24), the transition to the rice cooking sequence is stopped (operation stopped), and the fact is indicated. Display / notify (S25). And when an operator pushes in the cover body 20 and presses the rice cooking button 60 again, the said step (S21-S27) will be repeated.

  Therefore, since the state of the half claw of the latch claw portion 71c is detected by a simple mechanism and the state is displayed / alarmed to the user, the user can quickly and easily cancel the half clash state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lid from opening during heating. Therefore, rice can be cooked deliciously.

  As mentioned above, although the rice cooker is demonstrated as Embodiment 1, the heating cooker in this invention is not limited to this, For example, the water heater (hot-water supply jar) etc. which only heat the thing accommodated in the inside etc. Is included. At this time, the inner hook is fixed to the main body and cannot be taken in and out.

  As described above, since the cooking device of the present invention detects a state in which the lid is not completely closed, it is possible to cope in advance so that the lid does not open during heating. It can be widely used as a heater and various heating devices.

The perspective view which shows the state by which the cover body of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention was open | released. Sectional drawing of the side view which shows the state which closed the cover body of the rice cooker shown in FIG. The partial sectional view of the side view which shows the operation state which opens the cover body of the rice cooker shown in FIG. The partial side view explaining the optical sensor installed in the rice cooker shown in FIG. The partial side view explaining the microswitch installed in the rice cooker shown in FIG. The flowchart explaining the control method in case an optical sensor is installed. The flowchart explaining the control method when a microswitch is installed.

Explanation of symbols

  1: Rice cooker (heating cooker), 10: main body, 11: main body outer cylinder, 12: main body inner cylinder, 13: main body ceiling, 15: main body handle, 16: lid support shaft, 20: lid body, 21: Upper lid, 22: inner lid, 23: inner lid, 30: inner hook, 31: inner hook flange, 40: heating means, 41: thermometer, 50: control means, 60: rice cooking button (operation means), 70: engagement 71: Latch horizontal part, 71b: Latch vertical part, 71c: Latch claw part, 72: Latch support shaft, 73: Biasing means, 74: Latch release button, 80: Engaged means, 81: fixed part, 82: guide part, 91: display panel, 92: sounding device, 100: light sensor (engagement detecting means), 101: light emitting element, 102: light receiving element, 200: microswitch (engagement detecting means) ).

Claims (7)

A main body capable of storing the inner pot and having an opening at the top;
A lid that is pivotally supported by the main body and opens and closes the opening;
Heating means for heating the cooking object put in the inner pot;
Control means for controlling the heating means;
Operating means operated to activate or deactivate the heating means via the control means;
An engagement detection means for detecting an engagement state in which an engagement means provided on the lid is engaged with an engaged means provided on the main body;
Having a heating cooker.   The control means enables the heating means to be activated only when the engagement detection means detects that the engagement means is normally engaged with the engaged means. The cooking device according to claim 1.   The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement detection means is started or stopped in conjunction with an operation for starting or stopping the heating means of the operation means.   One or both of the main body and the lid are provided with a display unit, and one or both of the operating state of the heating unit or the engagement state detected by the engagement detection unit is displayed on the display unit. The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   When one or both of the main body and the lid is provided with alarm means, and the engagement state detected by the engagement detection means is not normal, the control means activates the alarm means to notify that it is not normal The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:   6. The engagement detection unit according to claim 1, wherein the engagement detection unit is one of an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a micro switch that detects that the locking unit has reached a predetermined position. The cooking device described. The engaging means is pivotally supported by the lid body, and includes a latch vertical portion, a latch horizontal portion provided at an upper end of the latch vertical portion, and a latch claw provided at a lower end portion of the latch vertical portion. And comprising
The engaged means includes a fixing portion fixed to the main body,
The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the latching claw portion engages with a lower surface of the fixed portion by rotating the engagement means.

Images