JP2014100298A - Electric rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric rice cooker provided with inner pot drive means for driving an inner pot itself directly or indirectly that can agitate rice or the like in the inner pot.SOLUTION: An electric rice cooker having an inner pot in which rice or the like is placed, an inner case for accommodating the inner pot, an outer case for accommodating the inner case, and a lid body disposed in the upper part of the inner case and the outer case in an openable and closable manner is provided with a drive mechanism for driving the inner pot in the inner case. Thus, by providing the drive mechanism for moving the inner pot in the inner case for the electric rice cooker and thereby moving the inner pot itself, rice and water in the inner pot can be agitated without needing an agitating blade or an agitating arm, and necessary work such as washing the rice can be performed.

Description

  The invention of this application includes an electric rice cooker having a driving means for directly or indirectly driving the inner pot, and by stirring the inner pot by the driving means, which enables stirring of rice and the like in the inner pot. Concerning configuration.

  Conventionally, various improvements have been made to electric rice cookers, and the usability and rice cooking performance of recent electric rice cookers have been considerably improved.

  However, it is the same to wash the rice stored in the inner pot, add the amount of water according to the amount of rice and cook it, and washing the rice in the inner pot is a relatively complicated operation. There is a need for improvement.

  On the other hand, in the conventional electric rice cooker, by devising the arrangement of the heating means such as the work coil with respect to the inner pot or by changing the heating pattern, the convection state in the inner pot at the time of cooking is improved, Efforts are also made to improve the rice cooking performance by making the heating state uniform.

  However, there is a limit to improving the rice cooking performance by improving the heating method and the convection state, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient convection effect especially when the amount of rice cooking is large.

  For this reason, for example, a stirring blade or a stirring arm having a folding structure that can be stored on the lower surface of the lid of the electric rice cooker is provided in part, and the stirring blade or the stirring arm automatically and manually does not need to be manually operated. While it is possible to wash rice, it is proposed to achieve better uniform heating than natural convection by stirring rice during cooking as required (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). See).

JP-A-7-289424 JP 2012-135605 A

  As described above, if a means for stirring rice, water, and other foods in the inner pot is provided, rice washing operations using water will be easier, and natural convection will be possible even during the rice cooking process such as water absorption and heating. In addition, even better compulsory agitation is possible, so that rice cooking performance is improved, and further, burning during cooking can be avoided.

  However, the above-mentioned conventional stirring means inserts a considerably long stirring blade or stirring arm directly into the inner pan and rotates it with a motor, and it is complicated to attach, remove, and fold the lid body part. The structure is necessary, and the lid itself incorporating the drive mechanism is also increased in size, which is expensive and unusable.

  The invention of this application was made in order to solve such a problem, and provided with an inner pot driving means for directly or indirectly driving the inner pot itself so that rice in the inner pot can be agitated. The purpose is to provide an electric rice cooker.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured with the following problem solving means.

(1) Invention of Claim 1 The problem-solving means of this invention is the inner pot which accommodates rice etc., the inner case which accommodates this inner pot, the outer case which accommodates this inner case, the inner case and the outer An electric rice cooker comprising a lid provided at the top of the case so as to be openable and closable is characterized in that a drive mechanism for driving the inner pot in the inner case is provided.

  In this way, in the electric rice cooker, when a drive mechanism for moving the inner pot in the inner case is provided, thereby moving the inner pot itself, the rice and water in the inner pot can be moved without the need for stirring blades or stirring arms. It is agitated and can perform necessary operations such as washing rice.

(2) Invention of Claim 2 The problem-solving means of the present invention is the structure of the problem-solving means of the invention of Claim 1, wherein the inner pot is supported floating via the inner case and is vibrated in the vertical direction by the drive mechanism. It is characterized by being able to.

  In this way, when the inner pot is floatingly supported through the inner case and can be vibrated in the vertical direction by the drive mechanism, the rice and water in the inner pot are agitated by the vertical vibration of the inner pot. , Rice washing work, etc. become possible.

(3) Invention of Claim 3 The problem-solving means of the present invention is the structure of the problem-solving means of the invention of Claim 1, wherein the inner pot is supported rotatably with respect to the inner case, and is driven horizontally by the drive mechanism. It is characterized by being able to rotate.

  In this way, when the inner pot is rotatably supported with respect to the inner case and can be rotated in the horizontal direction by the drive mechanism, the inner pot rotates with the rice in the inner pot. Water is efficiently stirred, and effective rice washing operations and the like become possible.

(4) Invention of Claim 4 The problem-solving means of this invention is the structure of the problem-solving means of the invention of Claim 2, wherein a plurality of vertical drive mechanisms are installed in the circumferential direction of the inner case, Is driven in the circumferential direction one after another.

  In this way, when a plurality of sets of drive mechanisms, which are vibration generating means in the vertical direction, are installed in the circumferential direction of the inner case and each is driven sequentially in the circumferential direction, It vibrates while repeating the tilting in the direction and returning to the horizontal state sequentially, and the rice and water in the inner pot are moved up and down in the up and down direction due to the vibration.

  As a result, more effective rice washing operations and the like are possible.

(5) Invention of Claim 5 The problem-solving means of the present invention is the configuration of the problem-solving means of the invention of Claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism is rotational drive means provided on the lid, and is provided below the lid. It is characterized in that the inner pot is rotated through an inner lid provided.

  Thus, when the drive mechanism is a rotational drive means provided on the lid, and the inner pan is rotated via the inner lid provided below the lid, a motor or the like The inner pot can be easily rotated by the rotation driving means provided in the inner lid, and there is no need to provide a special rotational force transmission mechanism.

  As a result of the above, according to the present invention, it becomes possible to automatically stir the inner pot such as rice washing with a simple configuration that does not require a stirring blade, a stirring arm, etc., and increase the functionality and performance of the electric rice cooker. Can be realized. In addition, convenience is improved.

It is sectional drawing (AA sectional view taken on the line AA of FIG. 2) in the front-rear direction of the main body showing the overall configuration of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a bottom view of the front-back direction of the main body showing the configuration of the electric rice cooker. It is an expanded sectional view of the main part (drive mechanism) of the electric rice cooker. It is an expanded sectional view of the state (operation state) different from Drawing 3 of the electric rice cooker. It is an expanded sectional view of the modification which changed a part of composition of the electric rice cooker. It is an expanded sectional view of the state (operation state) different from Drawing 5 of the electric rice cooker. It is sectional drawing of the main body left-right direction which shows the whole structure of the electric rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the principal part (drive mechanism) of the electric rice cooker.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS.

  First, the structure of the whole electric rice cooker concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention and the principal part is shown by FIGS. 1-4.

<Configuration of the rice cooker body>
The rice cooker body 1 in the electric rice cooker according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, as an example, an inner pot 3 made of a non-metallic material that contains rice and water (for example, As an example, a ceramic pot such as an earthen pot) and a lower synthetic resin dish-shaped first protective frame (lower frame) 4a formed so that the inner pot 3 can be arbitrarily stored and set. And an inner case (protection unit) 4 composed of a cylindrical second protective frame (upper frame) 4b that is open at both the upper and lower ends thereof, and a bottomed body that is an outer casing that holds the inner case 4 A lid 2 that covers the upper side opening so as to be openable and closable is provided on one side (rear part) of the upper side opening of the rice cooker body 1. It is attached so that it can be opened and closed in the front-rear direction.

  On the upper surface side of the first inner case 4a constituting the lower portion of the inner case 4, for example, a plate-shaped ceramic protective frame (heat shielding plate) 6 is partially disposed in the radial direction. The first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 are placed above the ceramic protective frame 6 with an adhesive layer having a thickness of A bottom wall portion (substantially the entire flat surface portion and rounded surface portion) 3a of the inner pot 3 is placed, and the lower surface side thereof is covered. A center sensor fitting insertion hole 6a corresponding to the center sensor fitting opening 10a at the center of the first inner case 4a is provided at the center of the ceramic protective frame 6, and the outer periphery thereof has a circumferential direction. There are provided fitting holes for fitting the convex packings 6b, 6b, 6b for supporting the inner pot at intervals of 120 °. And, in this fitting hole, convex packings 6b, 6b, 6b having high heat resistance and elasticity such as silicon rubber are fitted as shown in the figure, and the pocket portion P of the lower first inner case 4a is fitted. , P, P are supported in a stable fixed state.

  And the opening part of the inner pot 3 is hung by the shoulder member 8 part mentioned later in the state which the hill part of the bottom wall part 3a of the inner pot 3 contact | abuts on the upper part, and it is predetermined between the protective frame 6 made from ceramics. It is designed to be supported in a state where the gap (ventilation space) is maintained.

  By the way, in the case of this embodiment, the first inner case 4a and the second inner case 4b are configured separately from each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first inner case 4a An annular frame member 42 is fitted to the step 41 portion at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion via the outer peripheral flange portion 6d of the opening 6c of the ceramic protective frame 6, and the annular frame member 42 is interposed therebetween. The lower end side of the second inner case 4b is placed and fitted to the upper portion 42a so as to have an inner case structure in which the inner pot 3 can be stored. As will be described later, the first inner case 4a is elastically supported by the floating support mechanism on the bottom case 1b.

  On the other hand, the second inner case 4b has a cylindrical member 40a made of synthetic resin as a center, and a mounting member 40c for attaching a shoulder member, various reinforcing members, and the like protruding outward in a horizontal direction by a predetermined width on the upper end side thereof. In addition, a metal cylindrical member 40b having substantially the same vertical width is integrated on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical member 40a so as to be integrated into a double cylindrical structure with a predetermined gap.

  And the heater H1 which consists of a code | cord heater etc. which function as a heating means at the time of rice cooking and heat retention is provided in the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 40b made of inner pot side metal, and the above-mentioned inside at the time of rice cooking and heat retention. The side wall 3b of the pot 3 is heated effectively and uniformly.

  Further, at the lower end of the cylindrical member 40b made of the same metal, the fitting portion extends inward and outward by extending to the inner peripheral surface of the opening 6c of the lower dish-shaped ceramic protective frame 6 during fitting. When the second inner case 4b is fitted to the upper end side of the first inner case 4a and the ceramic protective frame 6 via the annular frame member 42, the skirt-like packing 35 is attached. The skirt portion (sealing edge portion) 35a of the packing 35 is inscribed in the inner peripheral surface of the upper end side opening 6c of the ceramic protective frame 6 without a gap (see FIG. 3).

  On the other hand, at this time, a gap A having a predetermined vertical dimension is formed between the lower end of the annular frame member 42 and the flange portion 6d on the outer end side of the upper end side opening 6c of the ceramic protective frame 6. Thus, moisture is discharged outwardly through the gap A (see FIG. 3).

  Further, on the inner peripheral surface side of the mounting base portion 35b of the packing 35, a centering convex portion 35c that comes into contact with the lower end portion of the side wall portion 3b of the stored inner pot 3 to regulate the center position of the inner pot 3 is provided. , 35c... Are provided at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction.

  On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom wall portion 3a of the inner pot 3 and the outer peripheral surface of the curved surface between the bottom wall portion 3a and the side wall portion 3b surface, self-heating is possible by eddy current induced inside, For example, first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 made of metal such as silver paste are individually attached.

  A coil base 9 is provided on the lower side of the first inner case 4a which is the bottom wall portion of the inner case 4, and a ferrite base accommodating portion is provided on the lower surface portion side in the circumferential direction through a ferrite core housing portion. A core is disposed, and the first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 on the lower surface side and the side curved surface side of the bottom wall portion 3a of the inner pot 3 are disposed on the upper side of the coil base 9. Corresponding to the position, the first and second sets of work coils C1 and C2, which are inner pot heating means in which litz wires are wound concentrically, are arranged. The inner pot 3 is indirectly heated by inducing an eddy current in the first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2.

  One end of each of the first and second work coils C1, C2 is connected to a power supply line through a rectifier circuit and a smoothing circuit (not shown), and the other end is connected to a collector of an IGBT (power transistor) (not shown). ing. Reference numeral 16 denotes a coil base presser from the lower side, and reference numeral 16a denotes a mounting screw.

  On the other hand, the outer case 1a is formed of, for example, a cylindrical cover member in the vertical direction formed of a synthetic resin material, and the upper end portion of the cover member (that is, the outer case 1a) has a rectangular shape made of synthetic resin. The outer peripheral edge portion of the annular shoulder member 8 is coupled in a fitted state, and the circular opening on the inner pot 3 side forms the outer periphery of the opening of the rice cooker body 1 described above. A synthetic resin bottom case 1b is coupled to the lower end of the cover member (that is, the outer case 1a), and heat insulation having a predetermined width is formed between the inner case 4 and the first inner case 4a. And the ventilation space part is formed.

  A center sensor fitting port (center sensor storage space) 10a penetrating concentrically in the vertical direction is formed at the center of the coil base 9 below the inner case 4 and the center sensor fitting port. A center sensor CS including an inner pan temperature detection sensor such as a thermistor is provided at 10a in a state that it can be moved up and down in a vertical direction and is always upwardly biased by a coil spring.

  By the way, each of the inner case 4, the outer case 1a, the shoulder member 8, and the bottom case 1b has a sufficient reinforcing structure in consideration of, for example, the characteristics of a pressure-type electric rice cooker that cooks rice in a high-pressure state. It has been adopted.

<Detailed configuration of the lid mounting part>
On the other hand, the lid body 2 includes an upper plate 21 made of synthetic resin that constitutes an upper outer peripheral surface thereof, a lower plate 22 made of the same synthetic resin provided on the inner side (lower side) of the upper plate 21, A metal heat radiating plate 23 having a lid heater (not shown) that is superposed and fixed to the inner side (lower side) of the main body of the plate 22 via a rubber first packing 25, and below the heat radiating plate 23 It is formed from a metal inner lid 24 provided with a rubber-made second packing 14 via a synthetic resin detachable frame member 27 on the outer peripheral edge portion.

  In order to increase the pressure resistance strength, the outer peripheral side portion of the rear end portion 22a of the lower plate 22 main body portion as the center is locked to the connecting piece 11e on the hinge unit 11 side via the connecting piece 22b and the screw 22c. In addition, on the upper surface of the main body portion of the lower plate 22, a metal reinforcing plate having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined structure, and a large number of reinforcing ribs are provided across the left and right and front and rear. The whole is formed into a high-strength structure.

  That is, the lower plate 22 has an intermediate portion of the rear end side outer periphery 22a of the main body portion bent upward in the shape of a U, houses the above-described hinge unit 11 on the inner side, and has an outer peripheral end side. The descending portion covers the hinge unit 11.

  And each part part of these lower-plate 22 rear end side outer periphery 22a is made into an attachment bracket, The said cover body 2 has the rear end side with respect to the shoulder member 8 which has formed the opening part of the said rice cooker main body 1 upper part. The hinge unit 11 is pivotably attached to the open end side (front end side) of the lid unit 2 and engages with a predetermined position of the lid body 2 to open and close the lid body 2 in the vertical direction. A lock and unlock mechanism 13 is provided.

<Detailed configuration of pressure adjustment mechanism in lid>
In this embodiment, the present invention is shown as an example applied to a pressure-type electric rice cooker. In the substantially central portion of the lid 2, only steam is collected while recovering viscous components. The first and second pressure regulating units 26A that adjust the pressure in the inner pot 3 to three levels of normal pressure, medium pressure (first pressure), and high pressure (second pressure) according to the rice cooking process. , 26B (26B is not visible because of the cut surface, and is not shown).

  The first and second sets of pressure regulating units 26A and 26B are composed of first and second corresponding two sets of steam escape passages 90a to 90c and 90a to 90c that detour from the inside of the inner pot 3 to the outside. And two sets of pressure relief mechanisms provided in the first and second sets of steam escape passages 90a to 90c and 90a to 90c. The two sets of pressure adjusting mechanisms are provided on the downstream side (upper part) of the first and second steam escape passages 90, 90a to 90c, the inner lid 24 of each of the 90a to 90c, and the steam inlet 90 of the heat radiating plate 23. ) Is provided with spherical valves B1 (large) and B2 (small: not shown because of invisible because of the cut surface), and the steam relief by the spherical valves B1 and B2 is provided. The pressure regulation pressure is set in the above three stages by opening and closing the passage.

  The spherical valves B1 and B2 are electrically selected and controlled by a predetermined electromagnetic solenoid.

<Configuration of other lid parts>
Further, the outer peripheral side of the heat radiating plate 23 is bent at a substantially right angle to the upper side and is formed into a cylindrical wall, and a part (intermediate) of the cylindrical wall is overlapped flatly to be outside in the radial direction. A convex portion is formed in the direction, and a base portion of the first packing 25 made of rubber is fitted into the convex portion.

  The tip of the first packing 25 is in contact with the upper end of the outer peripheral edge 24a of the inner lid 24 described below.

  The outer peripheral edge portion 24a of the inner lid 24 is bent in a crank shape, and is formed with a cylindrical wall in the vertical direction and a flange portion extending horizontally outward from the upper end of the cylindrical wall in the radial direction. Yes.

  And the 2nd rubber-made packing 14 is attached using the outer side corner space between the cylindrical wall and a flange part. The second packing 14 is fixed in such a manner that a base portion having a hook-shaped cross section is engaged with an inner peripheral side base portion having an H-shaped cross section of a fixing frame member made of synthetic resin, and extends downward from the base portion. The cylindrical wall portion is fitted so as to be parallel to the cylindrical wall portion of the inner lid 24.

  And from the lower end of the said cylindrical wall part, the horizontal part of the predetermined | prescribed width further extended in radial direction outward is provided, and the flange of the outer peripheral edge of the opening part of the inner pot 3 mentioned later is provided in the outer peripheral end of this horizontal part. Two sets of seal pieces, a first seal piece that comes into contact with the upper surface of the portion 3c and a second seal piece that comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion of the opening portion of the inner pot 3, are provided integrally.

  And the 2nd packing 14 of such a structure is the inner side of the outer peripheral edge part 24a curled in the outer peripheral side crank shape of the said inner lid 24 via the base part part of the frame member 27 mentioned above, and the handle piece part of the outer periphery. Is fixed as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the center of the front part of the upper plate 21 of the lid 2, there is an opening for fitting the operation panel 10 constituting the operation part and the display part of the rice cooker, and in the middle plate 20 part on the lower side thereof. A concave groove portion for fitting the operation panel 10 is formed, and an outer peripheral surface continuous with the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 21 is formed in the opening and the concave groove portion, for example, an operation panel made of a transparent ABS resin, for example. 10 is fitted and covered.

  The operation panel 10 includes a substrate having a predetermined depth and a liquid crystal panel storage box on the back side of the panel, and the microcomputer board 10B and the liquid crystal panel 10A having a microcomputer as control means for the pressure adjustment mechanism are provided on the upper plate. 21 is fitted and accommodated in the opening of 21 and the recessed groove of the intermediate plate 20. And in the center part, it has a transparent window corresponding to the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 10A, and around the transparent window, a rice cooking reservation switch, a rice cooking switch, a heat retention switch, a cancel switch, a rice cooking menu (for example) Various operation keys such as a menu switch for selecting white rice, quick-cooking, rice cake, rice porridge, brown rice and other course menus), an automatic rice washing course selection switch, a clock and a timer time / minute setting switch are provided.

<Detailed configuration of the rice cooker body shoulder>
On the other hand, the shoulder member 8 forming the periphery of the opening of the inner pot storage opening of the rice cooker body 1 extends from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, and the inner peripheral side second cylindrical wall 81b side is connected to the inner peripheral side. Engaging with the upper ends of the cylindrical portions 40a, 40b of the second inner case 4b of the case 4 and engaging the inner pan 3 with the flange portion 3c of the inner pan 3 in substantially the entire upper end side circumferential direction. An inner pot support portion 82 having an inverted U-shaped cross section forming a stepped portion, and an engaging projection 84 provided on the outer peripheral wall of the inner pot support portion 82 having an inverted U-shaped cross section are provided at the upper end of the outer case 1a. And a shoulder frame portion having an inverted U-shaped cross section that is engaged with each other, and these are continuously integrated with each other.

  The inner pot support portion 82 accommodates the shoulder heater H2 inside thereof, and is formed low to form a handle groove at the maximum dimension position in the left-right direction, and the opening edge (flange portion) of the inner pot 3 is formed. ) A gap into which a finger enters is formed between 3c and 3c.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, from the rear end side of the hinge unit mounting piece 8b portion, a hinge unit mounting piece reinforcing member (hereinafter simply referred to as a hinge piece reinforcing member) as shown in FIG. 11e is inserted and engaged, and is fastened and integrated when assembled.

  The hinge piece reinforcing member 11e is inserted and fitted into a fitting groove in a vertical wall portion at the lower side of the hinge unit mounting piece 8b extending in the vertical direction and below the shoulder frame portion 8c. The back surface of the hinge unit mounting piece 8b has a predetermined width in the vertical direction with two upper and lower tiers that are screwed and fastened to the rear side reinforcing member mounting edge portion of the inner case 4b. The hinge unit 11 is fitted and supported at the upper part of the left and right ends of both sides of the main body unit, located at the rear side of both ends of the hinge unit mounting piece 8b. A hinge shaft support piece a is integrally provided.

  And using this, the hinge unit attachment piece 8b and the shoulder frame 8c are firmly reinforced and the hinge shaft 11b of the hinge unit 11 is supported in a stable state.

  As a result, the stable rigidity and shape of the rear part of the shoulder member 8 are ensured despite the large weight of the lid 2.

<Configuration of the first protective frame and the coil stand etc. at the bottom of the inner case>
By the way, the first protective frame 4a made of synthetic resin in which the ceramic protective frame 6 is integrated is attached upward via a floating support mechanism provided with a coil spring 62 on the bottom case 1b of the rice cooker body 1. It is elastically supported in a floating state.

  This floating support mechanism is configured as follows, for example.

  That is, first, the coil base 9 that supports the first protective frame 4a via the first and second work coils C1 and C2 is a dish-shaped first work coil receiver that supports the first work coil C1. And the second work coil C2 which is located on the outer peripheral surface side 4 side of the coil base 9 (at intervals of 90 °) and supports the second work coil C2 provided with the upper end extending to the outer periphery of the first inner case 4a. It consists of a work coil receiver.

  The second work coil receiver is provided with a work coil pad having elasticity on the inner surface side and a ferrite core housing portion (core housing groove) on the outer surface side thereof, and the four corners on the lower surface side of the side walls are shown in FIG. The first sleeve members 70, 70, 70, 70 extending downward by a predetermined length as shown in FIG. The first sleeve members 70, 70, 70, 70 are configured to include a first cylindrical body portion 70 a having a lower-side small diameter and a second cylindrical body portion 70 b having an upper-side large diameter.

  Further, below the first cylindrical body portion 70a on the lower side of the first sleeve member 70, a lifting member 61 is loosely fitted (externally fitted) via a coil spring 62 as described below.

  The elevating member 61 has a bottom 61a made of a spherical cylindrical part, and a large-diameter first cylindrical part 61b in which the first cylindrical part 70a is loosely fitted (internally fitted) on the upper side, and the inside thereof. The cylinder of the second sleeve member 63 on the bottom case 1b side is provided on the outer peripheral surface portion of the second cylindrical portion 61d and the first cylindrical portion 61b having a small diameter to which the coil spring 62 is fitted (externally fitted). Flange 61c is provided as a stopper piece that is engaged with and supported by the upper end of body portion 63a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the second sleeve member 63 on the side of the bottom case 1b has four corners in the circumferential direction that are coaxial with the first sleeve member 70, 70, 70, 70 on the first inner case 4a side. And a cylindrical body part 63a extending above a predetermined height from the bottom plate part of the bottom case 1b, continuous to the cylindrical part 63a, and projecting below a predetermined dimension from the bottom plate part of the bottom case 1b. The bottom side spherical surface of the elevating / lowering member 61, which is formed of a bottomed cylindrical body composed of the bottom 63b portion, and is locked to the lowered position via the flange portion 61c on the side wall thereof as shown in the figure. An opening 63c into which the operating rod 50a enters is provided toward the central axis position of the portion 61a.

  First, the elevating members 61, 61, 61, 61 are arranged at the center axis positions in the cylindrical body parts 63 a, 63 a, 63 a, 63 a of the second sleeve members 63, 63, 63, 63 on the same bottom case 1 b side. The lower end side is inserted, and the lower end side of the coil spring 62 is inserted into the upper end side of the upper side cylindrical body parts 61b, 61b, 61b, 61b of the elevating members 61, 61, 61, 61. The lower end side cylindrical body portions 70, 70, 70, 70 of the first sleeve member 70 on the first inner case 4a side are fitted to the upper end side of the coil spring 62, and the coil spring 62 is interposed inside. Then, the cylindrical body portions 70a, 70a, 70a, 70a of the first sleeve members 70, 70, 70, 70 are loosely fitted into the cylindrical body portions 61a of the elevating members 61, 61, 61, 61.

  Since each of the above members 70, 61, and 63 slides repeatedly, it is molded with a synthetic resin having a particularly high slidability, such as copolymer polyacetal.

  As a result, the lower first inner case 4a in which the dish-shaped ceramic protective frame 6 is integrated is suspended from the shoulder member 8 and fixed in an upper second inner case 4b. With respect to the lower end portion, the upper and lower directions can be moved up and down via the coil spring 62, and the lower end portion is elastically supported in a floating manner in a state of being upwardly biased.

  On the other hand, in this state, the electromagnetic plungers 50, 50, 50c, 63c, 63c side portions of the bottom member 1b side second sleeve members 63, 63, 63, 63 are respectively shown in the drawings. 50 and 50 are installed (see FIG. 2). Then, the operating rods 50a, 50a, 50a, 50a have predetermined dimensions through the openings 63c, 63c, 63c, 63c from the lowermost position of the central shaft portion of the elevating members 61, 61, 61, 61 in the lowered position. Positioned so as to make an intrusion collision toward a position higher by b.

  Therefore, for example, when the electromagnetic plunger 50 is ON-driven in the state of FIG. 3 where the operating rod 50a has not been extended yet, the operating rod 50a is extended and driven as shown in FIGS. 61 is smoothly lifted upward by a predetermined dimension b.

  Then, the inner pot 3 is tilted by a predetermined angle in the diagonal direction via the first protective frame 4a. As a result, the rice and water in the inner pot 3 are also moved diagonally.

  The expansion and contraction of the operating rod 50a of the electromagnetic plunger 50 is repeated, for example, at a predetermined cycle, whereby the first protective frame 4a is lifted and lowered by the lifting stroke of the dimension b, and the inner pot 3 is also lifted and lowered similarly. It is done.

  Then, the electromagnetic plunger 50 is turned on and off in such a manner that the four corners in the circumferential direction are not simultaneously driven but sequentially driven in a predetermined direction in the circumferential direction.

  As described above, a plurality of sets of drive mechanisms which are vertical vibration generating means in the vertical direction are installed in the circumferential direction of the inner case 4, and each of them is continuously driven in order in the circumferential direction. The inner pot 3 vibrates while repeatedly tilting in the circumferential direction and repeatedly returning to the horizontal state, and the rice and water in the inner pot 3 are swung up and down in the circumferential direction by the vibration. become.

  As a result, a swirl flow is formed, and a more effective rice washing operation or the like becomes possible.

  Furthermore, when the ceramic inner pot 3 having variations (tolerances) in individual finished dimensional accuracy is employed as in this embodiment, the opening edge 3c of the inner pot 3 and the lid 2 are good. If it is going to ensure sealing performance, as mentioned above, the inner pot 3 will be suspended and fixedly supported by the step part of the shoulder member 8, and the fluctuation | variation of the clearance gap between both will be prevented.

  However, if such a configuration is adopted, the first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 on the outer peripheral surface of the bottom of the inner pot 3 and the first on the coil base 9 side are now also in relation to the finishing accuracy of the inner pot 3. The distance between the second work coils C1 and C2 cannot be kept constant, and the electromagnetic induction efficiency varies depending on the product.

  In order to avoid this, if the storage method in which the inner pan 3 is suspended from the shoulder member 8 and the inner pan 3 is placed on the ceramic protective frame 6 of the first protective frame 4a is adopted, Although the problem is avoided, the sealing performance with the lid 2 is deteriorated as described above.

  However, as described above, conversely, the lower first protective frame 4a having the ceramic protective frame 6 is relatively spaced from the upper second protective frame 4b by a predetermined gap distance. A (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) is maintained and installed (supported) separately in a relatively movable state, and is lifted and biased uniformly by the coil spring 62 of the lower floating support mechanism. Then, the distance between the first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 on the inner pot 3 side and the first and second work coils C1 and C2 on the coil base 9 side can always be kept constant.

  In addition, at this time, A0 ± α with respect to the design value A0 shown in the gap A and the variation in the gap A (FIG. 3) generated between the upper end of the lower first protective frame 4a and the lower end of the upper second protective frame 4b. As will be described later, the skirt portion 35a of the packing 35 covers the bottom wall portion 3a of the inner pot 3 and the first and second work coils C1, C2 during storage and relative lifting. Centering also realizes the guide surface of the centering convex portion 35 c on the upper end side of the packing 35.

  Further, as described above, when the dish-shaped ceramic protective frame 6 is integrally joined on the lower first protective frame 4a, and these are integrally functioned as the lower first protective frame unit, The lower first protective frame unit substantially becomes a protective frame having a double structure of resin and ceramic.

  In addition to them, as described above, if the lower first protective frame 4a in which the ceramic protective frame 6 is integrated is supported by a floating mechanism via the coil spring 62, the lower first Even if the protective frame 4a is arbitrarily moved up and down, for example, the vertical dimension of the inner pot 3 fluctuates with respect to the design value, for example, as shown in the figure, the bottom wall 3a of the inner pot 3 and the first and second Since the distance between the work coils C1 and C2 is such that the distance is always constant, the induction efficiency is not changed.

  On the other hand, if it does in this way, there is a relation with part accuracy, the above-mentioned inner pot 3 stores gap A in the predetermined size range between the lower end of upper part side 2nd protection frame 4b in a fixed state. Even if it is not done, it is necessary to provide a design value in advance.

  As a result, it looks bad as it is, and since the heat on the inner pot 3 side escapes from the gap A (A0), the amount of heating on the inner pot side wall surface 3b side is insufficient, and the cooking of the rice becomes worse. .

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, as described above, the lower end of the second protective frame 4b on the upper side is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface 6c of the upper end side opening of the ceramic protective frame 6 in an overlapping state and sealed. A skirt-like packing 35 such as silicon rubber is provided, and the gap A (A0) is sealed in a state where the lower first protective frame 4a can be moved up and down.

  As a result, the gap A (A0) is reliably sealed, and the above-described problems are solved.

  Moreover, on the inner peripheral surface of the upper end side of the packing 35, the outer peripheral surface of the upper end side R portion of the bottom wall portion 3a of the inner pot 3 to be stored is smoothly guided with a small contact area, and the center of the storage position of the inner pot 3 is stored. A centering convex portion 35c for providing a ring is provided.

  As a result, the convex portion 35c for centering functions as a conventional shoulder packing guide function, and an appropriate centering function of the inner pot 3 is realized. As a result, conventional shoulder packing is not required.

  Further, the centering convex portion 35c is guided by being brought into contact with the R surface portion of the outer periphery of the bottom wall portion 3a of the inner pot 3 with a contact area as small as possible, so that the centering convex portion 35c is less worn and durable. High nature.

  In addition, when the dish-shaped ceramic protective frame 6 is provided on the upper surface side of the first protective frame 4a to the outer peripheral end as described above, the lower end of the second protective frame 4b side frame member 42 And the flange portion 6d on the outer periphery of the ceramic protective frame 6 may collide and be damaged when the first protective frame 4a is raised and lowered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the gap A (design dimension A0) between them is between the upper end of the outer peripheral end 41a of the first protective frame 4a and the outer end of the second protective frame 4b side frame member step portion 42a. By setting it larger than the gap a (see FIGS. 3 and 4), such a collision is prevented.

(Modification 1)
3 and 4, the bottom 61a of the elevating member 61 is a spherical body, and the tip of the operating rod 50a of the corresponding electromagnetic plunger 50 is also a spherical body, so that the elevating member is as small as possible. 61 can be moved up and down smoothly.

  However, in the case of the ceramic inner pot 3 or the like, there is a considerable weight, and it does not move up and down smoothly without a corresponding pressing force.

  Further, in the case of a spherical body, the greater the curvature, the larger the lifting stroke can be made. However, in such a case, a larger pressing force is required to move up and down.

  Therefore, in this modification, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a rotating roller 80 having a desired diameter is provided at the lower end of the central shaft portion of the bottom 61 a of the elevating member 61, and the rotational force of the rotating roller 80 is used. Thus, the elevating member 61 can be moved up and down easily with a smaller pressing force and with a larger stroke.

  Reference numeral 80a denotes a rotation support shaft of the rotating roller 80.

(Modification 2)
In any of the configurations of the first embodiment and the modified example 1 described above, the lifting member 61 is moved up and down by the electromagnetic plunger 50 provided on the side where the operating direction of the motion axis is orthogonal. did.

  However, for example, the electromagnetic plunger 50 may be provided below the elevating member 61, and the moving axis of the operating rod 50a may be positioned coaxially with the central axis of the elevating member 61 to perform the elevating operation.

  Further, when the elevating member driving mechanism is provided below the elevating member 61 as described above, for example, a piezoelectric element or the like can be adopted as the driving mechanism instead of the electromagnetic plunger as described above.

(Modification 3)
In the above embodiment, the pressure type earthenware rice cooker has been described as an example, but it is needless to say that this can be applied to a normal atmospheric pressure type and a metal pot electric rice cooker as well. .

(Embodiment 2)
Next, FIG.6 and FIG.7 has shown the structure of the electric rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention made to rotate an inner pot.

  The configuration in which the entire inner pot 3 is mechanically moved to stir the rice and water in the inner pot 3 is not limited to the configuration that gives mechanical vertical tilt and vertical vibration as described above.

  For example, if the inner pot 3 itself is supported by a certain method so as to be horizontally rotatable and the rotational force is transmitted from the lid body 2 by any method, the inner pot 3 itself can be rotated in the inner case 4 in the horizontal direction. Thus, the rice and water in the inner pot 3 can be rotated (turned), and the washing operation can be performed.

  The electric rice cooker of this embodiment is configured from such a viewpoint.

(Overview of the rice cooker body)
The rice cooker body 1 of this electric rice cooker has, for example, a clad (multi-layer plate) structure including a magnetic metal plate such as a stainless steel plate capable of self-heating by an eddy current induced therein as shown in FIG. A pot 3, a bottomed cylindrical inner case (protective frame) 4 made of synthetic resin so that the inner pot 3 can be arbitrarily stored and set, and an outer casing that holds the inner case 4 It comprises a bottom cylindrical outer case 1a, and a lid 2 that can be opened and closed at the upper part of the opening surface of the rice cooker body formed by integrating the outer case 1a and the inner case 4. .

  A coil base is provided on the lower side of the bottom portion 4a of the inner case 4, and an upper portion thereof is provided with a ferrite core (not shown) to each of a central portion and a side portion (corner portion) of the bottom portion 3a of the inner pot 3. 1st and 2nd two sets of work coils C1 and C2 in which litz wires are respectively concentrically wound corresponding to the position are substantially the whole from the center of the bottom 3a of the inner pot 3 to the side. As a result, an eddy current is induced at the bottom of the inner pot 3 when energized, and the whole is heated substantially uniformly.

  The outer case 1a is made of, for example, a cylindrical cover member formed of a synthetic resin material in the vertical direction. A shoulder member 8 made of synthetic resin is provided at the upper end of the cover member, and the lower end of the cover member 1a. The bottom part 1b made from a synthetic resin is integrated with the part, and the said rice cooker main body 1 is comprised by the bottomed cylindrical body as a whole.

  Furthermore, a heat retaining heater H3 corresponding to the entire circumference of the side portion 3b of the inner pot 3 is provided on the outer periphery of the side wall portion 4b of the inner case 4 as a heating means at the time of heat retention for the stored inner pot 3. Yes. The first and second work coils C1 and C2 and the heat retaining heater H3 are appropriately driven and controlled by the microcomputer control unit so that an appropriate rice cooking function and heat retaining function can be realized.

  On the other hand, timer reservation for each of these functions, selection of rice cooking and heat retention menus, operation settings such as heating amount, heating pattern, heat retention temperature, heat retention time etc. corresponding to each menu, selection settings such as automatic rice washing course, etc. It is performed using various input switches provided on the operation panel unit on the front side (or the top side of the lid) of the rice cooker, and the first and second are controlled by a predetermined microcomputer control unit according to the setting contents. The work coils C1 and C2, the heat retaining heater H3, the lid heater H4, and the like are controlled.

  When the automatic rice washing course selection switch is operated, an inner lid rotation motor 103 (described later) provided on the lid body 2 is driven, and the inner pot 3 is rotationally driven via the inner lid 24. The

  A center sensor fitting port 10a is formed at the center of the bottom portion 4a of the inner case 4. The center sensor fitting port 10a is urged upward by a coil spring in a state where it can be vertically moved up and down. A center sensor CS comprising an inner pan temperature detection sensor is provided. Reference numeral 16 denotes a core presser provided below the ferrite core described above.

  On the other hand, reference numeral 2 denotes a lid, and the lid 2 constitutes the central portion of the vessel body and has a pressure adjusting steam unit installation groove (a pressure adjusting steam unit installation recess) 2A and a steam pipe fitting hole 2B. A synthetic resin upper plate 21, a synthetic resin lower plate 22 provided below the outer peripheral edge 21 a of the upper plate 21, and a steam pipe fitting hole provided in the center of the lower plate 22. 2C and a metal heat dissipating plate 23 provided below the lower plate 22. Further, an inner lid 24 is further provided in a detachable state below the heat radiating plate 23. Moreover, packing 24f corresponding to the opening edge part (horizontal flange part of a horizontal predetermined width | variety) 3c of the inner pot 3 is provided in the outer peripheral part 24a lower part of the inner cover 24. As shown in FIG. Further, a lid heater H4 for heating the upper side of the inner pot 3 is provided on the upper surface of the heat sink 23. Reference numeral 21 b denotes a cover material for the upper surface of the upper plate 21.

  The lid body 2 is pivotally attached to the shoulder member 8 above the outer case 1a on the rear end side via a hinge mechanism (not visible due to the cutting direction), and the opposite open end On the side, a lid opening / closing lever that engages with a predetermined position of the lid body 2 to open and close the lid body 2 in the vertical direction is provided.

(Detailed configuration of lid and rice cooker main part)
By the way, in the central part of the lid body 2, for example, an installation groove of a pressure adjusting unit as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-284401 (reference numeral 40 in FIGS. 1 to 4) which is an application of the present applicant. A recess 2A for installing the synchronized pressure steam unit) is provided. The steam unit installation groove 2A is formed by recessing a part of the upper plate 21 made of the synthetic resin to a position substantially lower to the position of the lower plate 22 to form a recess for installing a steam unit as a pressure adjusting mechanism. A steam pipe fitting hole 2 </ b> B having a predetermined diameter is provided in the central portion so as to penetrate the overlapping portions of the upper plate 21 and the lower plate 22 in a superposed state and extend toward the heat radiating plate 23 and the inner lid 24.

  In the steam pipe fitting hole 2B portion, a circular cylindrical opening extending in the vertical direction is formed with the opening edges of the synthetic resin upper plate 21 and lower plate 22 overlapped as described above. However, a rubber packing 2C for sealing is interposed between the overlapping portions of the opening edge portions.

  In addition, a circular opening 2D having a substantially larger diameter than the steam pipe fitting hole 2B is provided at the central portion of the heat radiating plate 23 located on the lower side coaxial with the steam pipe fitting hole 2B. .

  And in the case of this electric rice cooker, using the steam unit installation groove 2A, the steam pipe fitting hole 2B, and the opening 2D of the lid body 2, for example, as shown in FIG. The inner lid rotation unit 100 is mounted in a detachable state.

  That is, in this case, the inner lid rotating unit 100 has the same shape and dimensions as the external shape and external dimensions of the conventional pressure regulating steam unit installed in the steam unit installation groove 2A. A motor cover 101 and a motor case 102 which are fitted to each other, and a cylindrical inner lid drive motor 103 is housed in a motor housing space formed between them through a bracket piece 104, and is A rotating shaft 103a is fixed so as to extend downward from above via a cylindrical motor fixing member 105 having a motor mounting flange portion 105a.

  Under the cylindrical motor fixing member 105, the same external shape and external dimensions as the steam pipe portion fitted in the steam pipe fitting hole 2B of the steam unit shown in the conventional example are formed. FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the inner lid rotating unit 100 having the inner lid rotating motor 103 is stabilized without vibrations by being fitted and fixed in a stable state to the steam pipe fitting hole 2B using the portion. 7 is mounted.

  On the other hand, a magnet disk 106 having a predetermined diameter is fixed to the lower end of the motor rotating shaft 103a, and the inner lid 24 is detachably attached using the magnet disk 106.

  That is, in this embodiment, a magnet disk 107 having a shape and size corresponding to the magnet disk 106 is fixed to the central portion 24b of the inner lid 24 described above, and the magnet disk 107 is attached to the motor rotation shaft. It is connected and fixed by being attracted to the magnetic disk 106 on the 103a side.

  The corresponding attracting surfaces of the two magnetic disks 106 and 107 are formed as concave and convex surfaces as shown in the figure that engage in a concave and convex state and maintain the engaging force in the rotational direction.

  Therefore, in the case of the same configuration, the inner lid rotating unit 100 in a state where the inner lid 24 is not yet connected to the inside of the lid body 2 is replaced with the above-described conventional pressure regulating steam unit instead of the above-described conventional structure. It can be installed in a state where it can be arbitrarily attached to and removed from the steam pipe fitting hole 2B portion of the lid body 2. After the installation, the lid body 2 is opened and the inner lid 24 is attached to the motor rotating shaft 103a portion. it can.

  After that, when the lid 2 is closed and, for example, the automatic rice washing course selection switch on the operation panel is turned on (the automatic rice washing course is selected), the inner lid 24 can be rotated at a predetermined speed.

  In this case, when the inner lid rotating unit 100 is fitted into the steam pipe fitting hole 2B portion in the power source and control terminal portion of the inner lid rotating motor 103 described above, the power source for a required portion in the lid body 2 is supplied. Terminals and control terminals are connected to each other through a desired connector (pin plug or the like), and a power source and necessary control signals are input and output.

  On the other hand, in the case of this embodiment, the inner pot 3 described above is suspended from the opening edge 3c portion of the predetermined width on the shoulder member 8 portion of the rice cooker main body 1 via the rotating body 85 as shown in FIG. The inner case 4 can be freely rotated (turned) in the horizontal direction.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the shoulder member 8 has a structure having first and second cylindrical walls 81a and 81b in the inner and outer directions, and a lid on the upper part of the outer peripheral first cylindrical wall 81a. 2 is formed with a step portion 8a to which the end portion 21c of the upper plate 21 is engaged, and the second cylindrical wall 81b on the inner peripheral side is at the upper end of the side wall portion 40a of the side portion 4b of the inner case 4 described above. Engaged and supported.

  And between the upper end part of these 1st, 2nd cylindrical walls 81a and 81b, the rotary body storage formed in the cross-section U shape by the cylindrical side walls 82a and 82b which extend in the circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. A groove 83 is provided.

  And the some rotary body 85,85 ... is provided in the circumferential direction predetermined position in the same rotary body accommodation groove | channel 83, and the inner pot 3 mentioned above is supported rotatably.

  As shown in the drawing, the rotary body 85 has a dharma shape with a small diameter on the upper side 85a and a large diameter on the lower side 85b, and supports the opening edge 3c of the inner pot 3 on the upper end side, and on the lower end surface. A spherical ball 86 is rotatably mounted so that it can freely travel in a state where the inner pot 3 is supported in the rotating body housing groove 83.

  And in the state which closed the cover body 2, the base 24e part is fixed to the outer peripheral side curl part 24a part of the inner cover 24 via the core material 24d on the upper surface of the opening edge part 3c of the inner pot 3 as shown in the figure. The sealing packing (tongue portion) 24f is pressed with a pressing force of a predetermined value or more.

  Reference numeral 24 c is a synthetic resin ring member fitted to the outer periphery of the inner lid 24.

  Therefore, in the same state, when the automatic rice washing course selection switch on the operation panel portion is turned ON (the automatic rice washing course is selected) as described above and the inner lid 24 is rotated at a predetermined speed, the inner pot 3 itself rotates. For example, water and rice in the inner pot 3 in which a desired amount is accommodated are stirred.

  As a result, the rice in the inner pot 3 is automatically washed. And after the washed rice, the dirty water is thrown away and fresh water is added to make rice cooking possible.

  In the case of the present invention, after the rice washing is completed, when the rice cooking start switch is pressed in the state where water is newly added, the water absorption process is started. If the inner pan 3 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed and rotation speed according to the temperature and evenly heated in a floating state where rice does not stay in the bottom of the inner pan 3 as much as possible, water absorption performance and temperature rise performance are possible. As much as possible. Moreover, in that case, if the same rotation control is made according to the rice cooking menu, it can be made more effective.

  When using it at the rice cooking process like the latter, it is good to arrange | position a pressure regulation mechanism in parallel with the said inner lid rotation unit 100 itself (the part).

(Other embodiments)
In the present invention, in addition to the configuration of each of the embodiments described above, the following configuration can be further combined.

  (1) A stirrer fan drive type electromagnetic motor is attached to the lower part of the inner case 4, while a stirring member that is rotationally driven by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic motor can be inserted into the inner pot 3. This makes it possible to easily mix rice and water at a predetermined speed and in a predetermined rotation state even during cooking.

  According to such a structure, the uniform heating in a rice cooking process is attained, and an uneven cooking is eliminated.

  (2) An ultrasonic generator is provided on the outer periphery of the inner case 4 in the same manner as described above, and the rice and water in the inner pot 3 are vibrated with ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator.

  And thereby, uniform stirring of rice and water similar to the above is carried out to eliminate uneven cooking.

  1 is a rice cooker body, 2 is a lid, 2A is a steam unit installation groove, 2B is a steam pipe fitting hole, 2C is a rubber packing, 2D is a circular opening, 3 is an inner pot, 3c is an inner pot opening edge , 4 is an inner case, 24 is an inner lid, 50 is an electromagnetic plunger, 50a is an operating rod, 61 is an elevating member, 63 is a second sleeve member, 70 is a first sleeve member, 85 is a rotating body, 103 is An inner lid rotation motor, 103a is a motor rotation shaft, 106 and 107 are magnet disks, and C1 and C2 are first and second work coils.

Claims (5)

  An inner pot for storing rice, an inner case for storing the inner pot, an outer case for storing the inner case, and a lid provided on the upper part of the inner case and the outer case so as to be opened and closed. An electric rice cooker comprising a drive mechanism for driving the inner pot in the inner case.   2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the inner pot is supported in a floating manner via an inner case and is vibrated in the vertical direction by a drive mechanism.   The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the inner pot is rotatably supported with respect to the inner case and is rotated in the horizontal direction by a drive mechanism.   3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of sets of vertical drive mechanisms are installed in the circumferential direction of the inner case, and each is driven sequentially in the circumferential direction.   4. The electric rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the driving mechanism is rotation driving means provided on the lid, and the inner pan is rotated via an inner lid provided below the lid. vessel.

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