JP2013094575A - Cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooker which can not only remove the problem of storage space and the troublesomeness of power supply but also allowing packing using another container immediately after cooking or during cooking operation.SOLUTION: The cooker includes a pot 5, a body 1 for holding the pot 5, and a decompression pump 41 for reducing pressure in the body 1 to less than atmospheric pressure, the decompression pump 41 communicates with an suction cap 53 for opening and closing the inside of the body 1 to and from the outside to drive the decompression pump 41 so that both the pot 5 inside the body 1 and the other container outside the body 1 may be brought into decompression. In this case, by driving the decompression pump 41, opening the inside of the body 1 to the outside by the suction cap 53 for not only the inside of the body 1 but also the other container prepared outside the body 1, can put the other container in any decompression state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooking device provided with a decompression means for reducing the pressure inside a container to atmospheric pressure or less.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a cooker that improves cooking performance and heat retention performance by reducing the pressure inside the container to atmospheric pressure or less using a decompression means (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Separately from this, a dedicated product for the purpose of reducing the pressure in the bag or container to atmospheric pressure is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2010-284020 A JP 2007-106473 A

  However, it is only the container of the cooker that can be decompressed by the cooker, there is no product that can depressurize both, and there is a need for a space for separately storing the cooker and the dedicated product in the kitchen etc. It was. In addition, a dedicated product requires power supply with a commercial power source, a battery, or the like, and there remains an inconvenience of securing a power supply source during use or setting it each time.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention not only solves the problem of storage space and troublesome power supply by giving two functions in one cooker, but also immediately after cooking or during cooking operation, An object is to provide a cooker that enables packing in a separate container.

  In the invention of claim 1, by driving the decompression means, not only inside the main body but also another container outside the main body, the inside and outside of the main body is opened by the opening / closing means, so that the other container can be arbitrarily decompressed. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to give two decompression functions to the inside and outside of the main body with a single cooker, and it is possible to eliminate the problem of storage space and the troublesome power supply. Further, packing in a separate container is possible immediately after cooking or during cooking operation.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform decompression in a plurality of directions with the same decompression means only by providing a branching means in the middle of the communication means for communicating the decompression means and the container, and the decompression means can be shared. Can do.

  In the invention of claim 3, even when the cooking device is in operation, by operating the closing means, the pressure reducing means is operated by the driving means while maintaining the inside of the container in a reduced pressure state, so that another container outside the main body is operated. Can be decompressed.

  In the invention of claim 4, by utilizing the elasticity of the opening and closing means, the passage to the outside of the main body can be reliably sealed when closed.

  According to the invention of claim 1, by giving two functions with one cooker, not only the problem of storage space and the troublesome power supply is eliminated, but also immediately after cooking or during cooking operation, A cooker that allows packing in a separate container can be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the decompression means can be made common only by providing the branching means.

  According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to depressurize another container outside the main body while maintaining the inside of the container in a reduced pressure state even during operation of the cooking device.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the passage to the outside of the main body can be reliably sealed.

It is a whole sectional view of a cooking appliance in the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the connection structure of a pressure reduction unit same as the above. It is a perspective view of an outer cover same as the above. It is a perspective view of the principal part which shows the use condition of an inlet port case same as the above. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the air intake case. It is a block diagram which shows an electrical structure same as the above.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In FIG. 1 which shows typically the whole structure of the rice cooker which is a cooking appliance, 1 is a main body of a cooking appliance, The bottomed cylindrical pot accommodating part 4 is arrange | positioned inside the main body 1, This pot accommodation. A pan 5 serving as a bottomed cylindrical container that accommodates an object to be cooked such as rice or water is detachably attached to the portion 4. Inside the pot accommodating part 4, the pot 5 is accommodated in a suspended state.

  7 is a heating coil as a heating means provided outside the pan 5. The heating coil 7 is arranged on the outside of the pot housing portion 4 from the outer bottom surface portion of the pan 5 to the lower portion of the outer surface, and is joined to the outer surface of the pan 5 by supplying a predetermined high-frequency current to the heating coil 7. The heating element (not shown) made of the magnetic metal material is heated so that the pot 5 is heated by electromagnetic induction. A pan temperature sensor 8 serving as a pan temperature detecting means is provided in the center of the bottom of the pan accommodating portion 4. The pan temperature sensor 8 is in contact with the outer bottom surface of the pan 5 and detects the temperature of the pan 5. In addition, as a heating means instead of the electromagnetic induction (IH) type such as the heating coil 7, an electric heating type heating means such as a heat generating heater may be used as long as the pot 5 can be heated.

  A heating unit 11 that supplies a high-frequency current to the heating coil 7 and adjusts the heating output of the heating coil 7 is mounted on the substrate 13 inside the main body 1. In addition, a control unit 15 is provided inside the main body 1 so as to face the operation panel 14 provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

  The main body 1 includes a frame body 2 including the pot accommodating portion 4, and a lid body 21 positioned above the frame portion 2 and thus the pot 5. The lid body 21 forms an outer lid 22 as an external component that forms an upper shell of the lid body 21, an outer lid cover 23 that forms the inner surface of the lid body 21, a lower surface of the lid body 21, and an upper surface of the pot 5. A lid lower surface member 24 that forms a portion facing the opening is a main component. Further, an inner lid 25 that directly covers the upper surface opening of the pan 5 so as to cover the lid lower surface member 24 is detachably provided to the lid lower surface member 24. The lid 21 is pivotally supported by the frame 2 by a hinge portion 26 having a hinge spring provided behind the frame 2. A lid opening button 27 is provided on the front side of the main body 1 on the opposite side of the hinge portion 26, and a clamp (not shown) connected to the lid opening button 27 is engaged with the front portion of the frame body 2. By stopping, the lid body 21 is closed with respect to the frame body 2. When the lid opening button 27 is pushed, the engagement between the lid body 21 and the frame body 2 is released, and the hinge portion 26 is attached. The lid 21 is automatically opened by the force.

  Inside the lid 21, a lid heater 28 that heats the lid lower surface member 24 or the inner lid 25, and a lid temperature sensor that contacts the upper surface of the inner lid 25 and detects the temperature of the inner lid 25 and thus the lid 21. 29 etc. are provided. The lid temperature sensor 29 may detect the temperature of the lid lower surface member 24 instead of the temperature of the inner lid 25. A steam port 31 for releasing the steam in the pot 5 to the outside is provided in a substantially central part of the lid 21 so as to be detachable from the upper surface of the lid 21.

  Further, inside the lid body 21, a pressurizing means 33 for bringing the pressure inside the pan 5 into a pressurized state higher than the atmospheric pressure (normal pressure) that is the pressure outside the main body 1, and in particular the pan 5 inside the main body 1. Each is provided with decompression means 34 for bringing the internal pressure into a decompressed state lower than atmospheric pressure. These pressurizing means 33 and decompression means 34 are provided as so-called adjustment means that make the pressure in the pan 5 variable other than atmospheric pressure.

  The pressurizing means 33 is located between the steam passages extending from the inside of the pan 5 to the steam port 31, and includes a ball-like pressure regulating valve 35 that adjusts the sealing degree of the lid 21, that is, the pressure inside the pan 5, and the pressure regulating valve 35. Then, the pressure regulating valve holder 37 as a pedestal portion that closes the valve hole 37A communicating with the hole 36 provided in the inner lid 25, and a dome-shaped pressure regulating valve that is attached to the pressure regulating valve holder 37 so as to cover the pressure regulating valve 36. A cover 38 is disposed on the upper surface of the inner lid 25, while a solenoid 40 having a plunger 39 that can be moved in and out by electromagnetic force is disposed inside the lid 21. FIG. As shown, when the inner lid 25 is attached to the lid lower surface member 24, the tip of the plunger 39 is positioned facing the pressure regulating valve 35. In the pressurizing means 33 here, the plunger 39 advances to the non-energized state of the solenoid 40 and presses the pressure regulating valve 35 in the direction to open the valve hole 37A of the pressure regulating valve holder 37, while the solenoid 40 is energized. When the plunger 39 is retracted and the pressure regulating valve 35 is moved in a direction to close the valve hole 37A of the pressure regulating valve holder 37, and the pressure regulating valve 36 closes the valve hole 37A, the heating coil 7 By heating 5, the pressure in the closed pan 5 is configured to be higher than the atmospheric pressure.

  The decompression unit 34 includes a decompression pump 41 as decompression means for bringing the container 5 to less than atmospheric pressure, a tubular path 43 extending from the decompression pump 41 through the inside of the lid body 21 to the hole 42 provided in the inner lid 25, And an electromagnetic valve 44 provided as a closing means for opening and closing the base end portion of the path 43. A plurality of decompression pumps 41 are provided in advance so as to enhance the suction force and maintain the suction function on the other side even if one breaks, but not on the inside of the lid body 21 as shown in FIG. It may be provided inside the body 2.

  When the lid 21 is closed with the inner lid 25 attached to the lid lower surface member 24, the pressure reducing pump 41 and the inside of the pan 5 communicate with each other through a path 43 as a communicating means constituted by an elastic member. Here, if the plunger 39 of the solenoid 40 is in the retracted position and the pressure regulating valve 35 is blocking the valve hole 37A, the pressure from the inside of the pan 5 is increased by activating the decompression pump 41. The pressure in the sealed pan 5 is reduced by being discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the path 43 and the decompression pump 41. Also, when the pressure in the pan 5 drops below the atmospheric pressure, the solenoid valve 44 and thus the passage 43 are closed, the pan 5 is kept in a reduced pressure state, and the pressure in the pan 5 rises due to slow leak. In this case, the electromagnetic valve 44 and thus the path 43 are opened, the decompression pump 41 is activated, and the inside of the pan 5 is maintained in a state lower than the atmospheric pressure.

  In addition, the decompression unit 34 is provided with a branch pipe 46 as a branch means in the middle of the path 43. The branch pipe 46 is configured to switch the suction by the decompression pump 41 in a plurality of directions, and is configured to be able to suck in gas from a plurality of directions including the inside of the pan 5 by operating the decompression pump 41. The branch pipe 46 here is disposed between the electromagnetic valve 44 and the pressure reducing pump 41.

  FIG. 2 shows a connection configuration of the decompression unit 34 in the present embodiment. In the figure, the pressure reducing unit 34 is constituted by the pressure reducing pump 41, the path 43, the electromagnetic valve 44, and the branch pipe 46 as described above. The branch pipe 46 includes a first connection portion 46A that is connected to the pressure reducing pump 41, a second connection portion 46B that is connected to the inside of the pan 5, and a third connection portion 46C that is connected to the suction port 51 provided at an appropriate position of the main body 1. It is configured with. Here, two first connection portions 46A are provided corresponding to the two decompression pumps 41, and one third connection portion 46C is provided corresponding to the one suction port 51. The number of the 41 and the suction ports 51 is not limited, and a necessary number of the first connection portions 46A and the third connection portions 46C may be provided in the branch pipe 46 corresponding to the numbers.

  Of the connection portions 46B and 46C in the suction direction provided in the branch pipe 46, one third connection portion 46C not facing the electromagnetic valve 44 is connected to the lid body 21 via the pipe body 52 corresponding to the branch path. It is attached to a suction port 51 provided on the inner surface. Further, the suction port 51 provided at the tip of the tube body 52 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the lid body 21, that is, to communicate with the outside air. A suction port cap 53 formed of an elastic member such as rubber is provided outside the suction port 51 as an opening / closing means, and the suction port cap 53 is configured to seal or open the outside of the suction port 51. It has become.

  In a state where the suction port 51 is opened, the suction port case 55 can be connected to the outside of the main body 1 by connecting a flexible tube 54 to the suction port 51. A suction port 56 is formed at the tip of the suction port case 55, and not only the inside of the pot 5 but also the suction port 56 of the suction port case 55 is operated by operating the decompression pump 41 mounted in the lid 21. The gas in a separate container (not shown) such as another container or bag is sucked and vacuum-depressurized.

  FIG. 3 shows an external configuration of the outer lid 22, and FIG. 4 shows a use state of the inlet case 55. In each of these drawings, a concave portion 58 that substantially matches the outer shape of the inlet cap 53 is provided on the side portion of the outer lid 22 that forms the outer appearance of the lid body 21, and protrudes from the bottom of the concave portion 58, as described above. A suction port 51 is provided. Is attached to the outer surface of the outer lid 22 and closes the opening surface of the recess 58 so as to elastically abut against the tip of the suction port 51. In addition, the suction port cap 53 has a structure that does not come off the outer lid 22 regardless of whether the suction port 51 is opened or closed, thereby preventing the suction port cap 53 from being lost.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the inlet case 55 alone. The intake port case 55 is made of a transparent and inflexible molding resin, and has a cylindrical shape that expands in a tapered shape from the proximal end side where the connection port 59 of the tube 54 is provided toward the distal end side where the intake port 56 is provided. have. The cap-like suction port 56 is made of rubber, and an opening communicating with the inside of the suction port case 55 is formed at the center thereof. The gas in another container existing outside the main body 1 is sucked using the suction port case 55.

  Next, the control system will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 61 is a heating control means, which receives each temperature information from the pan temperature sensor 8 and the lid temperature sensor 29 and an operation signal from the operation switch 62 provided on the operation panel 14, While controlling the heating coil 7 that heats the bottom of the pan 5 and the lid heater 28 that heats the lid body 21 while keeping warm, in addition to the solenoid 40, the pressure reducing pump 42, and the electromagnetic valve 44 described above, The LCD 63 as a display provided, and the LED 64 as a lamp provided on the lid opening button 27 and the operation panel 14 are respectively controlled. The operation panel 14 may be provided on either the frame body 2 or the lid body 21.

  The heating control means 61 of the present embodiment mainly controls the heating coil 7 based on the temperature detected by the pan temperature sensor 8 to manage the temperature of the bottom of the pan 5, and based on the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor 29. The lid heater 28 is mainly controlled to control the temperature of the lid lower surface member 24 and the inner lid 25. The heating control means 61 includes, as a function on the control sequence of the program stored in its own storage means (not shown), a rice cooking control means 67 for cooking rice to be cooked in the pan 5 during rice cooking, Insulation cooker 68 in the pan 5 at a predetermined time stored in advance in response to a heat retention control means 68 that heats and heats the rice in the pot 5 to a predetermined heat retention temperature and a command for starting reserved rice cooking from the operation switch 62 A reserved rice cooking control means 69 for controlling the rice cooking control means 67 so as to cook food is provided. The predetermined time can be changed as appropriate by operating, for example, the hour key or minute key of the operation switch 62.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a heating coil driving unit that incorporates a high-frequency inverter circuit that receives a control signal from the heating control unit 61 and supplies a predetermined high-frequency current to the heating coil 7. Separately from this, on the output side of the heating control means 51, a lid heater driving means 72 for driving the lid heater 28 in response to a control signal from the heating control means 61, and a solenoid for turning on or off the solenoid 40 Driving means 73, pump driving means 74 for operating the decompression pump 41 when the pressure in the main body 1 is reduced, electromagnetic valve driving means 75 for turning on or off the electromagnetic valve 44, LCD driving means 76 for driving the LCD 63, and LED 64 LED driving means 77 for driving each is provided. And at the time of rice cooking by the rice cooking control means 67 and at the time of heat insulation by the heat insulation control means 68, heating to the bottom of the pan 5 by the heating coil 7 and the lid by detecting each temperature from the pan temperature sensor 8 and the lid temperature sensor 29 The cover 28 is configured to be heated by the heater 28. Moreover, after the rice cooking by the rice cooking control means 67 is finished and the cooked food in the pan 5 is cooked as rice, it automatically shifts to heat insulation by the heat insulation control means 68, and the temperature detected by the pan temperature sensor 8 is reached. Based on this, the rice is kept at a predetermined temperature (about 70 ° C. to 76 ° C.).

  The operation switch 62 as the operation means is provided on the operation panel 14 shown in FIG. 1 together with the LCD 63 and the LED 64 as display means, and includes a plurality of keys (operation units) including a course selection key 62A. . The course selection key 62A makes it possible to select a specific rice cooking course from among a plurality of rice cooking courses stored and held in the heating control means 61. The heating control means 61 is a rice cooking selected by the course selection key 62A. By executing the control pattern corresponding to the course, any one or all of the heating coil 7, the lid heater 28, the solenoid 40, the pressure reducing pump 41, the solenoid valve 44, the LCD 63, and the LED 64 are uniquely used in each rice cooking course. It comes to control.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When rice and water to be cooked are put in the pan 5 and a rice cooking start key (not shown) of the operation switch 62 is operated, for example, the rice cooking by the rice cooking control means 67 is performed. Operation starts. The rice cooking control means 67 executes a series of rice cooking processes from the beginning to the rice cooking while controlling each part with a control pattern corresponding to the rice cooking course selected in advance by the course selection key 62A. Further, during this rice cooking process, the heating control means 61 operates the decompression pump 41 as necessary, and controls the opening and closing of the solenoid 40 and the electromagnetic valve 44, thereby reducing the pressure inside the container 5 below atmospheric pressure. Take control.

  Specifically, the rice cooking control means 67 is based on the temperature detection of the bottom of the pan 5 by the pan temperature sensor 8 in order to promote water absorption to the rice in the pan 5 before starting substantial rice cooking. The pot 5 is heated with the heating coil 7, and the water temperature in the pot 5 is kept at about 45 to 60 ° C. for 15 to 20 minutes.

  When the start is started, the heating control means 61 outputs a signal for driving the decompression pump 41 to the pump drive means 74 in order to discharge air from the inside of the pan 5, and the electromagnetic valve 44 and thus the synchronized with the decompression pump 41. A signal for opening the path 43 is output to the electromagnetic valve driving means 75. Thereafter, the heating control means 61 stops driving the decompression pump 41 and closes the solenoid valve 44 and thus the passage 43 to maintain the inside of the pan 5 in a decompressed state, taking into account the pressure increase due to the slow leak, for a predetermined time. After a lapse of time, the heating control means 61 drives the decompression pump 41 again for a predetermined time and opens the electromagnetic valve 44 and thus the path 43 to discharge air from the pot 5. Thereafter, the above-described operation is repeated, and the pressure reducing pump 41 and the electromagnetic valve 44 are simultaneously turned on and off, and the pressure in the pan 5 is maintained at a value within a desired range.

  When the inside of the pan 5 is less than atmospheric pressure, the solenoid 40 is energized (on) and the plunger 39 moves to the retracted position, so that the pressure regulating valve 35 closes the valve hole 37A of the pressure regulating valve holder 37, Sealing in the pan 5 is ensured. Therefore, the inside of the pan 5 can be depressurized in a sealed state at the time of passing, and the rice can sufficiently absorb water in the pan 5.

  After that, when the predetermined time has expired, the rice cooking control means 67 starts a substantial rice cooking operation and interrupts the pressure reduction control to the pan 5 by the heating control means 61. Therefore, the pressure reduction pump 41 and the electromagnetic valve 44 are It will be in an OFF state until the subsequent heat retention becomes stable. Moreover, the rice cooking control means 67 retracts the pressure regulation valve 35 from the valve hole 37A, and maintains the pan 5 at substantially atmospheric pressure. When the boiling state in the pan 5 is detected, cooking (continuous boiling heating) and unevenness are carried out continuously, but in order to keep the inside of the pan 5 above atmospheric pressure until the middle of the unevenness, the rice cooking control means 67 is The solenoid 40 is turned on, and the valve hole 37 </ b> A is closed from the pressure regulating valve 35. Thereby, the communication between the inside of the pan 5 and the outside is blocked.

  If it transfers to a rice cooking process, the rice cooking control means 67 will strongly heat the pan 5 with the heating coil 7, and will boil and heat to a to-be-cooked rice. When the temperature of the bottom of the pan 5 becomes 90 ° C. or higher during the boiling heating and the temperature of the lid 21 is stabilized at 90 ° C. or higher, it is assumed that the inside of the pan 5 is in a boiling state, and the heating amount is reduced more than before. Shift to continuous boiling heating. During boiling heating, the rice cooking control means 67 turns off the solenoid 40 and retracts the pressure regulating valve 35 from the valve hole 37A. Thereby, the pressurization means 33 will be in the open state which made the inside and outside of the pan 5 communicate, without sealing, and the pan 5 is maintained by substantially atmospheric pressure. The fact that the temperature of the lid body 21 is stabilized at 90 ° C. or higher is detected by the rate of temperature increase of the detected temperature from the lid temperature sensor 29. Moreover, in this boiling detection, it can be confirmed by the pan temperature sensor 8 and the lid temperature sensor 29 that both the bottom of the pan 5 and the lid 21 are 90 ° C. or more, and the inside of the pan 5 has completely boiled. Can be detected accurately.

  Moreover, if it transfers to continuation of boiling, the rice cooking control means 67 will start the lid | cover heating by the lid | cover heater 28. FIG. The lid heating here is managed by the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor 29 so that the temperature of the inner lid 25 becomes 100 to 110 ° C. Moreover, if it transfers to boiling continuous heating, the rice cooking control means 67 will turn on and off the solenoid 40 periodically. In this boiling continuous heating, it is preferable to change the power interruption timing of the solenoid 40 according to the rice cooking course selected by the course selection key 62A. Thereby, the sealing degree of the pressurization means 33 leading to the pan 5 can be varied to an optimum one according to the selected rice cooking menu.

  And if the bottom part of the pan 5 raises predetermined temperature, the cooking in the pan 5 will be detected, the rice cooking process by the rice cooking control means 67 will be complete | finished, and it will transfer to a heat retention process by the heat retention control means 68, and first It shifts to nomura. During unevenness, the lid heater 28 is cut off by temperature control based on the temperature detected by the lid temperature sensor 29 to prevent dew on the inner lid 25 and high temperature (98-100 ° C.) to the extent that the rice does not burn. The temperature of the bottom of the pan 5 is managed by temperature detection by the pan temperature sensor 8 so as to be held. The unevenness is continued for a predetermined time (15 to 20 minutes), and when the unevenness is completed, the operation shifts to heat retention by the heat retention control means 68.

  If it shifts to unevenness, the operation | movement which returns the inside of the pan 5 to atmospheric pressure gradually will be performed in consideration that the cover body 21 will be opened immediately after the heat insulation start after that. The heat retention control means 68 switches the solenoid 40 from the on state to the off state during the unevenness, and retracts the pressure regulating valve 35 from the valve hole 37A.

  When the temperature is kept warm, the heating coil 7 heats the bottom of the pot 5 and the lower part of the side surface, and the temperature of the rice stored in the pot 5 is slightly higher, and the lower surface of the lid 21 is heated by the lid heater 28. Thereby, the temperature of the rice in the pan 5 is temperature-maintained at 70-76 degreeC. In addition, when the heat retention elapsed time reaches a preset time, the heat retention control means 68 controls the operations of the decompression pump 41 and the electromagnetic valve 44 again so that the pressure in the pan 5 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure. At the same time, the solenoid 40 is turned on in order to seal the inside of the pan 5. Such an operation may be performed when the pan temperature sensor 8 detects that the inside of the pan 5 has reached a predetermined temperature in the heat retaining stroke, not after a predetermined time of the heat retaining stroke. The pressure reduction control for the pot 5 during the heat retention is released when the lid opening button 27 is pressed for the purpose of opening the lid 21 and is resumed when the lid 21 is closed.

  In order to allow only the gas in the pan 5 to be sucked through the path 43 at the time of cooking immediately after cooking or at the time of heat retention during cooking, the suction port cap 53 closes the opening surface of the recess 58 and sucks the suction port. 51 is sealed. In this way, only the path 43 from the container 5 through the branch pipe 46 to the decompression pump 41 is formed, so that the gas in the pan 5 can be efficiently sucked. On the other hand, in order to allow gas to be generated not only in the pot 5 but also from the outside of the main body 1, the suction port cap 53 is moved to open the opening surface of the recess 58, and the suction port 51 exposed to the outside is connected to the tube 54. And the connection port 59 of the suction port case 55 may be connected to the other end of the tube. In this case, a path 43 from the container 5 to the decompression pump 41 through the branch pipe 46 and a path from the suction case 55 to the decompression pump 41 through the tube 54, the pipe body 52 and the branch pipe 46 are formed. If a separate bag-like container is attached to the case 55, not only the inside of the pan 5 but also the inside of the outer container can be easily decompressed by the main body 1 of the cooking device with a decompression function when the decompression pump 41 is operating. Can be packed.

  Further, when the rice is not cooked or kept warm, the solenoid 40 is in a non-energized (off) state, the decompression pump 41 and the electromagnetic valve 44 are not operating, and the path 43 is open. Here, when decompression control is to be performed outside the main body 1 using the suction port case 55, the suction port cap 53 is moved to open the opening surface of the recess 58, and the suction port 51 exposed to the outside is connected to the tube. One end of 54 is connected, and the connection port 59 of the suction port case 55 is connected to the other end of the tube. Then, for example, when a vacuum key (not shown) of the operation switch 62 is operated, the electromagnetic valve 44 and thus the passage 43 are closed, and the pressure reducing pump 41 is operated, so that the suction port 56 through the suction port case 55, the tube 54, and Gas is sucked through the tube body 52 in order. Therefore, if a bag-like separate container is attached to the inlet case 55, only the inside of the outer container can be easily decompressed and packed.

  As described above, when the gas is sucked from the suction port case 55 in the cut-off state, the path 43 from the container 5 to the branch pipe 46 is closed by the electromagnetic valve 44, so that the lid 21 is opened. Even when the container 5 is not housed in the frame 2, the gas can be efficiently sucked from the suction port case 55. In addition, when the operation switch 62 is operated, for example, at the time of cooking, keeping warm, or turned off, the operation of the decompression pump 41 is stopped and the solenoid valve 44 and thus the path 43 is opened. It has become.

  As mentioned above, the rice cooker as a cooking device in the present embodiment includes a pan 5 as a container, a main body 1 that houses the pan 5, and a decompression pump as a decompression unit that decompresses the interior of the main body 1 to less than atmospheric pressure. 41 and a cooking device provided with a heating control means 61 and a pump driving means 74 as driving means for driving the pressure reducing pump 41, the pressure reducing pump 41 is an inlet cap as an opening and closing means for opening and closing the inside and outside of the main body 1. The decompression pump 41 can be driven so as to be in a decompressed state in both the pan 5 inside the main body 1 and another container outside the main body 1.

  In this case, by driving the decompression pump 41, not only the inside of the main body 1 but also another container provided outside the main body 1, the inside and outside of the main body 1 are opened by the inlet cap 53, so that The container can be arbitrarily depressurized. Therefore, it is possible to give two decompression functions to the inside and outside of the main body 1 with a single cooker, and the problem of the storage space and the troublesome power supply can be solved. Further, packing in a separate container is possible immediately after cooking or during cooking operation.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the branch pipe 46 which is a branch means is provided in the middle of the path | route 43 as a communication means which connects the pressure reduction pump 41 and the pan 5, and the 2nd connection so that the pressure reduction pump 41 goes to several directions. 46B and the third connection part 46C are provided in the branch pipe 46, and the suction port cap 53 is provided in the suction port 51 communicating with the third connection part 46C in at least one direction toward the decompression pump 41. Yes.

  In this case, only by providing the branch pipe 46 in the middle of the path 43 connecting the decompression pump 41 and the pan 5, the same decompression pump 41 enables decompression in a plurality of directions to the inside and outside of the main body 1, The decompression pump 41 can be shared.

  In the present embodiment, an electromagnetic valve 44 is provided as a closing means for closing the inside of the pan 5, and the branch pipe 46 is disposed between the decompression pump 41 and the electromagnetic valve 44.

  In this case, even when the cooking device such as rice cooking or heat insulation is in operation, the pressure reducing pump 41 is controlled by the heating control means 61 or the pump driving means while the inside of the pan 5 is maintained in a reduced pressure state by operating the electromagnetic valve 44. It is possible to depressurize another container outside the main body 1 by operating according to 74.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the suction port cap 53 is constituted by an elastic member, and when the suction port cap 53 closes the suction port 51, the tube body 52 that is a passage to the outside of the main body 1 is sealed. ing.

  In this case, by utilizing the elasticity of the suction port cap 53, when the suction port cap 53 closes the suction port 51, the suction port 51 at the tip of the tube body 52 to the outside of the main body 1 can be reliably sealed. it can.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the suction ports 51 are provided on the side surface of the lid body 21, but instead, the suction ports 51 may be provided on the frame body 2, and the plurality of suction ports 51 may be provided so that a plurality of outer containers can be decompressed simultaneously. It may be provided.

1 body 5 pan (container)
41 Pressure reducing pump (pressure reducing means)
44 Solenoid valve (closing means)
46 Branch pipe (branch means)
52 Tube (passage)
53 Suction port cap (opening / closing means)
61 Heating control means (drive means)
74 Pump drive means (drive means)

Claims (4)

In a cooking device comprising a container, a main body for storing the container, a decompression means for reducing the inside of the main body to less than atmospheric pressure, and a drive means for driving the decompression means,
The pressure reducing means communicates with an opening / closing means for freely opening and closing the inside and outside of the main body, and the pressure reducing means is configured to be drivable so as to be in a reduced pressure state both inside and outside the main body. vessel. A branching means is provided in the middle of the communication means for communicating the decompression means and the container, and the decompression means is directed in a plurality of directions.
The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is provided in at least one direction toward which the decompression means is directed.   The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein a closing means for closing the inside of the container is provided, and the branching means is disposed between the pressure reducing means and the closing means.   The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening / closing means is constituted by an elastic member, and when closed, the passage to the outside of the main body is sealed.

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