JP2010207642A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heating cooker configured to confirm a condition of water in a water tank before heating, and to notify a user to change water if required. <P>SOLUTION: A water tank-detecting unit 9 for detecting installation of the water tank 7 is disposed on the upper surface of the bottom of a rice cooker body 1; at least a lowest water level-detecting unit 10, an initial full water level-detecting unit 11, and a temperature-detecting unit 13 are disposed on a side of the water tank 7; and a control unit 14 is provided which is configured to notify the user to set the water tank 7 when the water tank is not detected by the water tank-detecting unit 9, to notify the user to change water in the water tank 7 when the temperature detected by the temperature-detecting unit 13 is higher than a first temperature, to notify the user to adjust the water level of the water tank 7 when a full water level is not detected by the initial full water level-detecting unit 11, and to notify the user to refill water in the water tank 7 when the lowest water level is not detected by the lowest water level-detecting unit 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a rice cooker, and more particularly to a heating cooker that collects steam generated during rice cooking.

  A conventional rice cooker is detachably housed in a rice cooker body, and includes a container having a water tank, and a steam introduction pipe having one end passing through the inner lid of the inner pot and the other end attached to the container. The steam in the inner pot generated during rice cooking is guided into the container through the steam introduction pipe, and the steam is guided into the water tank and condensed with cooling water (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-106532

  In the conventional rice cooker described above, it is necessary to check how much water is contained in the tank of the container before the start of rice cooking, and the minimum amount of water required to condense the steam in the tank. If not, the water temperature in the aquarium will rise in a short time, making it difficult to recover steam, and if you cook rice near full water, all of the steam condensate may be stored in the aquarium. Otherwise, water may leak from the tank during cooking. In addition, when rice is cooked after adding more water than the specified amount in the inner pot, there is a possibility that "Onaba" may enter the tank, and the tank is not sufficiently washed. If left untreated, bacteria may propagate in the aquarium, so there is a problem in terms of hygiene.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and confirms the state of water in the water tank before the start of heating, and notifies the user when water needs to be replaced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking device that can handle the above.

  A heating cooker according to the present invention includes a steam conduit for guiding steam in a container generated during cooking, a water tank for collecting steam guided by the steam conduit into water, and a temperature for detecting the temperature of the water tank. When the detection means and the cooking start operation are detected, it is determined whether the temperature of the water tank detected by the temperature detection means is higher than a predetermined first temperature, and the temperature of the water tank is higher than the predetermined first temperature. Is provided with a control means for informing the water exchange of the water tank.

  In the present invention, when an operation for starting cooking is detected, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the water tank detected by the temperature detecting means is higher than a predetermined first temperature, and the temperature of the water tank is higher than the predetermined first temperature. When the water exchange of the aquarium is notified, the water temperature in the aquarium rises in a short time, the steam condensation rate decreases, and a part of the steam that could not be recovered is prevented from leaking outside the aquarium Can do.

It is a side view which shows the inside of the rice cooker of the heating cooker which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the rice cooker which concerns on embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the inside of, for example, a rice cooker of a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, a rice cooker 2 is detachably housed inside a rice cooker body 1, and a lid 3 whose one end is pivotally supported to be openable and closable is attached to the upper part of the rice cooker body 1. An inner lid 4 is detachably attached to the lid 3. The lid 3 is provided with a steam conduit 6 having one end detachably attached to the central portion of the inner lid 4. When the lid 3 covers the upper surface opening of the main body 1, the inner lid 4 closes the upper surface opening of the rice cooker 2 and seals the inside. A heating body 5 for heating the rice cooker 2 is disposed above the bottom of the rice cooker body 1, and a water tank 7 is detachably installed on the side of the rice cooker 2.

  The aquarium 7 has a water tank lid 7a that is made of an insulating material such as plastic that has good heat conduction and is detachable, and has a steam introduction pipe 7b whose upper end is fixed to the water tank lid 7a. Yes. The upper end of the steam introduction pipe 7 b is detachably connected to the other end of the steam conduit 6 disposed in the lid 3. That is, when the lid 3 is opened, the steam conduit 6 is separated from the steam introduction pipe 7b, and when the lid 3 is closed, the steam conduit 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7b are connected in a sealed state. The steam conduit 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7b are for guiding the steam in the rice cooker 2 generated during rice cooking into the water tank 7, and the water tank 7 condenses the steam flowing into the steam introduction pipe 7b with water. This is for storing as recovered water 9.

  A water tank detection unit 9 is arranged on the bottom upper surface of the rice cooker body 1, and a lower limit water level detection unit 10, an initial full water detection unit 11, a full water detection unit 12, and a temperature detection unit 13 are arranged on the side surface side of the water tank 7. Yes. The water tank detection unit 9 described above includes, for example, a tact switch that is turned on when the water tank 7 is installed in the rice cooker body 1. The lower limit water level detection unit 10, the initial full water detection unit 11, and the full water detection unit 12 include, for example, electrostatic capacitance sensors, and the detection electrodes are disposed close to the side surface of the water tank 7, and are electrostatically connected to the virtual GND. A voltage proportional to the capacity is generated. That is, the voltage increases as the water level of the recovered water 8 in the water tank 7 increases.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 14 sets the voltage at the lower limit water level as the first voltage value, the voltage at the initial full level as the second voltage value, and the voltage at the full level as the third voltage value. Is set to When the water tank 7 is installed in the rice cooker body 1, the temperature detection unit 13 is disposed so as to contact the side surface of the water tank 7. The lower limit water level of the aquarium 7 is the minimum water level necessary for condensing steam with water, and the initial full water level is the limit level at which the water in the aquarium 7 does not leak even if all the steam generated during cooking is condensed. Yes, full water is the limit water level at which water in the water tank 7 does not leak. The full water level is set to a position higher than the initial full water level, and is a water level for interrupting energization of the heating element 5 and temporarily stopping heating when the recovered water 8 reaches the water level during cooking.

  The control unit 14 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and has the first voltage value, the second voltage value, and the third voltage value described above as data, and the first temperature and the second temperature higher than the first temperature as data. The control means of the present invention and the installation time measuring means for measuring the installation time of the water tank 7 are provided. The installation time is the time t1 at the end of rice cooking. When the water tank 7 is removed between the end of the rice cooking and the start of the next rice cooking, the time t1 becomes zero. The first voltage value is lower than the second and third voltage values, and the second voltage value is lower than the third voltage value.

Next, operation | movement of the rice cooker comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the rice cooker according to the embodiment.
When detecting the ON operation of the rice cooking switch (not shown), the control unit 14 measures the time t2 when the rice cooking switch is ON, and then determines whether the water tank 7 is detected by the water tank detection unit 9 (S1). ). When the installation of the water tank 7 is not detected, for example, the installation of the water tank 7 is notified through a liquid crystal display unit and a buzzer (not shown) (S11), and when the installation of the water tank 7 is detected, the measurement is performed first. The time t1 measured at the end of the previous rice cooking is subtracted from the time t2 to calculate the elapsed time t2-t1 of the aquarium installation, and it is determined whether the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time T (S2).

  When the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T, the water exchange of the water tank 7 is notified through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer (S12), and when the elapsed time is less than the predetermined time T, the water tank 7 detected by the temperature detecting unit 13 It is determined whether the temperature of is higher than the first temperature (S3). When the temperature of the water tank 7 is higher than the first temperature, the water exchange of the water tank 7 is notified through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer (S13), and when the temperature of the water tank 7 is equal to or lower than the first temperature, the initial full water detection unit 11 Whether or not the initial full water is detected is determined by comparing the output voltage of the initial full water detection unit 11 with the second voltage value of the data (S4).

  When the initial full water is detected, the adjustment of the water level of the water tank 7 through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer, that is, the discharge of the water in the water tank 7 is notified (S14), and when the initial full water is not detected, the lower limit water level is detected. Whether the lower limit water level is detected by the unit 10 is determined by comparing the output voltage of the lower limit water level detection unit 10 with the first voltage value of the data (S5). When the lower limit water level is not detected, water supply to the water tank 7 is notified through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer (S15), and when the lower limit water level is detected, the rice cooking start based on the ON operation of the rice cooking switch is executed. (S6). That is, the installation of the water tank 7 is detected, the elapsed time t2-t1 of the water tank installation is less than the predetermined time T, the temperature of the water tank 7 is equal to or lower than the first temperature, and the water 8 in the water tank 7 is equal to or higher than the lower limit water level and less than the initial full water level. At the time of start of cooking rice.

  When the notification is made in any of S11 to S15, the rice cooking start based on the ON operation of the rice cooking switch is invalidated (S18), and the operation is terminated. When the user takes action according to the notification and the rice cooking switch is turned on again, the control unit 14 measures the time t2 when the rice cooking switch is turned on again, and determines whether or not the water tank 7 is installed (S1). ). When the conditions are satisfied in order without notifying in each step (S1 to S5), the rice cooking start based on the ON operation of the rice cooking switch is executed (S6). In addition, after notifying the installation of the water tank 7 in S11, when the ON operation of the rice cooking switch is detected, the determination in S2 is that the water tank 7 is detached from the rice cooker body 1 at the time t1 measured at the end of the previous rice cooking. Therefore, the elapsed time of installation of the water tank 7 becomes zero, and is determined to be less than the predetermined time T.

  The determination in S <b> 1 is to prevent steam discharge from the steam conduit 6 that occurs when rice cooking is performed without the water tank 7 being installed. When steam is released, there is a risk of condensation in the rice cooker body 1 or burns. Therefore, when installation of the water tank 7 is not detected, the installation of the water tank 7 is notified in S11.

  The determination in S2 is to prevent the water tank 7 containing the recovered water 8 from being left in the rice cooker body 1 for a predetermined time T or longer. That is, when rice is cooked after adding more water than the specified amount of water in the rice cooker 2, there is a possibility that an “oneba” may enter the water tank 7, and the water tank 7 is not sufficiently washed, and after rice cooking is completed. If the water tank 7 is left for a long time, there is a possibility that bacteria may propagate in the water tank 7, so that the exchange of water is promoted in S12 before such a state is reached. The determination criterion is the predetermined time T.

  The determination in S3 is for efficiently cooling and condensing the steam guided into the water tank 7. When the temperature of the water tank 7 is higher than the first temperature, that is, when the water temperature in the water tank 7 is high, the steam condensation rate decreases and the steam cannot be sufficiently recovered, and some of the steam leaks outside the water tank 7. . In order to prevent this, the water exchange of the water tank 7 is notified in S13.

  The determination in S5 is that when the water 8 in the water tank 7 is lower than the lower limit water level, the water temperature rises at the time of steam recovery, the steam condensation rate decreases, and the steam cannot be sufficiently recovered. This is to prevent leakage to the outside. Therefore, the supply of water is notified in S15.

  After cooking rice is started (S6), it is determined whether or not full water is detected by the full water detection unit 12 by comparing the output voltage of the full water detection unit 12 with the third voltage value of the data (S7). When not detected, it is determined whether cooking rice is finished (S8). When full water is detected before cooking is finished, the heating body 5 is turned off and heating of the rice cooking pot 2 is temporarily stopped (S16), and the water in the tank 7 is filled through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer. Notification is made (S17), and the heating control operation is terminated. This state is a case where the rice is cooked when the water level in the water tank 7 before the start of rice cooking is just before the initial full water level. In such a case, the user discharges the recovered water 8 in the water tank 7 and removes the water tank 7. If it installs in the rice cooker main body 1 and turns on the rice cooking switch, the control part 14 will restart the rice cooking start, will energize the heating body 5, and will be performed from the place interrupted.

  Moreover, when rice cooking is complete | finished without full water being detected, it is determined whether the temperature of the water tank 7 detected by the temperature detection part 13 is higher than 2nd temperature (S9), and the temperature of the water tank 7 is 2nd. When the temperature is higher than the temperature, a notice that the temperature of the water tank 7 is high is notified through the liquid crystal display unit and the buzzer (S10), and the series of operations described above is terminated. On the other hand, when the temperature of the water tank 7 is equal to or lower than the second temperature, the series of operations is terminated without notifying high temperature attention.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, the installation of the water tank 7 is detected, the elapsed time t2-t1 of the water tank installation is less than the predetermined time T, the temperature of the water tank 7 is equal to or lower than the first temperature, and the water in the water tank 7 is Since the start of rice cooking is executed when 8 is above the lower limit water level and less than the initial full water level, there is no danger of condensation or burns due to the release of steam in the rice cooker body 1 due to forgetting to install the water tank 7, and rice cooking. Corrosion of the recovered water 8 and bacterial growth due to leaving the aquarium 7 after completion for a long time can be prevented, and there is an effect of preventing sanitary deterioration. Moreover, since it is not possible to cook rice at a high water temperature in the water tank 7 and at a water level lower than the lower limit water level, the steam condensation rate is reduced and the steam cannot be sufficiently recovered, and a part of the steam is in the water tank 7. Leakage to the outside can be prevented, and adjustment of water (water amount) is urged at the time of detection of initial full water, so there is almost no stoppage of heating due to detection of full water during cooking. Furthermore, when the temperature of the water tank 7 is determined to be higher than the second temperature after the completion of cooking, high temperature attention is notified, so that there is an effect that high safety is obtained.

  In addition, in embodiment, although the temperature detection part 13 was provided in the rice cooker main body 1 and it was made to contact the side surface of the water tank 7 at the time of water tank installation, a temperature detection part is provided in a water tank, and temperature data is contactless. You may make it communicate with the control part 14. FIG. Moreover, although it described that the material with good heat conductivity was used for the water tank 7, when it was set as the structure which arrange | positions the temperature detection part in the water tank 7 as mentioned above, you may use a material with poor heat conductivity for the water tank 7. . Moreover, the temperature detection part 13 is provided in the rice cooker main body 1, it is made to contact the side surface of the water tank 7 at the time of water tank installation, a heat conductive material is used for the water tank part which contacts the temperature detection part 13, and other water tanks You may make it use the material with poor heat conduction for a part.

1 Rice cooker body, 2 Rice cooker, 3 Lid body, 4 Inner lid, 5 Heating body, 6 Steam conduit,
7 water tank, 7a water tank lid, 7b steam inlet pipe, 8 water (recovered water), 9 water tank detector,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lower limit water level detection part, 11 Initial full water detection part, 12 Full water detection part, 13 Temperature detection part.

Claims (2)

A steam conduit for guiding steam generated in the container during cooking;
A water tank that collects the steam guided by the steam conduit and turns it into water;
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water tank;
When the operation of starting cooking is detected, it is determined whether the temperature of the water tank detected by the temperature detection means is higher than a predetermined first temperature, and when the temperature of the water tank is higher than the predetermined first temperature, And a control means for notifying the water exchange of the aquarium. The control means includes
After completion of cooking, it is determined whether the temperature of the water tank detected by the temperature detecting means is higher than a predetermined second temperature, and when the temperature of the water tank is higher than the predetermined second temperature, a high temperature warning is notified. The cooking device according to claim 1.

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