JP2021186075A - rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker including a steam discharge path in which water droplets (dew) and gluey part are hardly discharged to the outside.SOLUTION: A rice cooker includes: an inner pot 1; a body 3 storing the inner pot 1; an inner lid assembly unit 49 covering the upper side of the inner pot 1; and a lid body 21 detachably dispose with the inner lid assembly unit 49 and covering the upper side of the body 3. The lid body 21 has steam discharge means 65 in which steam generated in the inner pot assembly unit 49 flows, and the inside of the lid body 21 is formed with a storage part 64 on which the steam discharge means 65 is mounted. The steam discharge means 65 has a vent hole 90 for taking in steam in the inner pot assembly unit 49, and a flow channel opening 127 for discharging to the outside of the steam discharge means 65. The storage part 64 is formed with an outlet discharge port 69 for discharging steam to the outside, and has a first steam discharge path formed inside the steam discharge means 65, and a second steam discharge path formed between the steam discharge means 65 and a wall part 147 of the storage part 64.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a rice cooker provided with a steam discharge path in which it is difficult for rice cookers and water droplets (dew) to be discharged.

Conventionally, a rice cooker in which a steam opening for discharging steam in the rice cooker to the outside of the rice cooker is formed is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a steam discharge path that connects the inside of the rice cooker and the steam opening, and the steam flows in the steam discharge path and is discharged to the outside through the steam opening. It has become.

In the rice cooking process using a rice cooker, the pressure inside the inner pot may exceed the atmospheric pressure, and the sticks and water droplets (dew) adhering to the steam discharge path flow in the steam discharge path together with the steam, and are used for steam. There was a risk of spouting from the opening.

Therefore, the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a partition wall having a plurality of through holes formed in the passage member constituting the steam discharge path, and the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) adhere to the partition wall and the steam penetrates. By passing through the holes, steam is discharged to the outside, but a structure is adopted that makes it difficult for rice cookers and water droplets (dew) to scatter to the outside.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-198439

However, since the steam port and the steam opening are arranged directly above the plurality of through holes formed in the partition wall, they must pass through the through holes without adhering to the partition wall, especially when the amount of rice cooked is large. And water droplets (dew) flowed upward and there was a risk that they would be discharged to the outside through the steam port.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker having a steam discharge path in which it is difficult for the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) to be discharged to the outside.

The rice cooker of the present invention includes an inner pot, a main body for accommodating the inner pot, an inner lid that covers the upper part of the inner pot, and a lid that is detachably provided with the inner lid and covers the upper part of the main body. The lid body is provided with a steam discharging means through which steam generated in the inner pot flows, and a housing portion for mounting the steam discharging means is formed inside the lid body, and the steam discharging means is provided. It has an intake port for taking in the steam in the inner pot and a discharge port for discharging the steam to the outside of the steam discharge means, and an outside discharge port for discharging the steam to the outside of the device is formed in the accommodating portion. It has a first steam discharge path formed inside the steam discharge means, and a second steam discharge path formed between the steam discharge means and the wall portion of the accommodating portion. It is a feature.

Further, the rice cooker of the present invention is characterized in that the second steam discharge path is formed so as to allow the steam to flow at least in the horizontal direction.

Further, the rice cooker of the present invention is characterized in that the outside outlet is not located directly above the outlet.

Further, in the rice cooker of the present invention, the steam discharging means has a first member and a second member that are detachable from each other, and the steam discharging means is attached to the bottom plate portion constituting the first member. A handle to be gripped when removing from the lid is formed, a regulating portion for restricting the removal direction between the first member and the second member is formed on the second member, and the steam discharging means is removed from the lid. At that time, when the handle is pulled, a force is applied in the direction in which the restricting portion abuts on the bottom plate portion.

Further, in the rice cooker of the present invention, the storage portion has an inner pot side opening that communicates with the inside of the inner pot, and the storage portion has a through hole other than the inner pot side opening and the outer pot discharge port. It is characterized in that it is closed by a closing member.

According to the rice cooker of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) from being discharged to the outside.

It is external perspective view of the rice cooker which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical sectional view of the rice cooker with the steam discharge means attached. It is a perspective view of the inner lid assembly unit seen from the upper surface side. The same is a perspective view of the inner lid assembly unit as viewed from the lower surface side. It is the external perspective view of the steam discharge means. It is the external perspective view of the steam discharge means. The same is a photograph of the rear side of the steam discharging means. The same is a photograph of the bottom side of the steam discharging means. It is a perspective view of the steam port assembly. The same is a photograph of the bottom side of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly. Similarly, it is a figure looking into the inside of the lid body from the lower surface side of the heat radiation plate. It is a figure which shows the removal operation of the steam discharge means. It is the figure which shows the state which the steam discharge means was removed. It is a perspective view of the rice cooker with the lid open. It is the figure which shows the operation which removes the pressure regulating valve holder assembly from the steam port assembly. In the same, it is an enlarged view of the part A of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing a steam discharge path inside the lid. It is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker. It is a plan view of the rice cooker. It is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration. It is a vertical sectional view of the rice cooker in the state where the steam discharge means is not attached.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the cooking device in the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Moreover, not all of the configurations described below are essential requirements of the present invention. Hereinafter, the directions indicated by the arrows (upper, lower, front, rear, left, right) in FIG. 1 will be described as the upper side, the lower side, the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side of the rice cooker, respectively.

First, to explain the overall configuration of the rice cooker in the present embodiment based on FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a bottomed tubular inner pot for accommodating rice to be cooked such as rice and water. Reference numeral 1 is made of aluminum having good thermal conductivity as a main material, and a heating element 2 made of a magnetic metal plate such as ferritic stainless steel is joined from the lower side surface to the bottom surface of the outer surface of the main material. The reason why the heating element 2 is not provided from the center of the side surface of the inner pot 1 to the upper part is to reduce the weight of the inner pot 1.

In the main body 3 for accommodating the inner pot 1, the outer frame of the rice cooker is formed by the upper frame 4 constituting the upper portion and the side surface portion and the outer frame 5 forming a part of the upper portion, and the bottom plate covering the lower part of the upper frame 4 is formed. 6 is further provided. At that time, the upper frame 4 and the bottom plate 6 are formed of a synthetic resin such as PP, and the outer frame 5 is formed of a metal member such as stainless steel.

A concave inner pot accommodating portion 7 is formed in the central portion of the main body 3, and the inner pot accommodating portion 7 is formed of a synthetic resin such as PP integrated with the upper frame 4. The bottom of the inner pot accommodating portion 7 is formed of an inner frame 8 made of a synthetic resin such as PET.

A cord heater 9 (see FIG. 20) is provided at the upper end of the inner pot accommodating portion 7, and the cord heater 9 is covered with a metal plate portion 10 such as an aluminum plate having good heat conduction. The metal plate portion 10 is provided as a heat dissipation portion at a position facing the gap 11 between the lid 21 and the main body 3, which will be described later, and the cord heater 9 and the metal plate portion 10 provide a flange heater as a heat generating means. It is composed. On the upper surface of the metal plate portion 10, the lower surface of the flange portion 12 extending from the upper end of the inner pot 1 to the entire circumference in the outer peripheral direction is placed, and the inner pot 1 is accommodated in the inner pot accommodating portion 7 in a suspended state. Will be done. Therefore, in this state, there is almost no gap between the inner pot 1 and the upper end of the inner pot accommodating portion 7. However, by forming a partial gap 13 in the metal plate portion 10 in a plan view so that the handle portion formed on the flange portion 12 of the inner pot 1 does not come into contact with the metal plate portion 10, the inner pot 1 is formed. When rice is cooked with water adhering to the outer surface of the above, steam is discharged from the gap 13. Further, the flange portion 12 of the inner pot 1 is formed to have an outer shape equal to or larger than that of the cord heater 9 so as to cover the cord heater 9 which is a heat generating portion.

A heating coil 15 is arranged as a main heating means for electromagnetically induced heating the inner pot 1 on the lower side surface and the bottom of the inner frame 8 facing the heating element 2 on the outer surface of the inner frame 8. Further, a thermistor-type inner pot temperature sensor 16 (see FIG. 20) abuts on the outer surface of the bottom of the inner pot 1, which detects the bottom temperature of the inner pot 1 and uses a heating coil 15 to form the bottom of the inner pot 1. The heating temperature is mainly controlled.

Then, during rice cooking and heat retention, the inner pot 1 is heated by a heating means, but during heat retention, a heating coil serving as a heating means is used according to the detection temperature of the inner pot temperature sensor 16 in contact with the outer bottom surface of the inner pot 1. 15 is heated and adjusted, and the inner pot 1 is kept at a constant temperature. After cooking the rice, the cord heater 9 serving as a heat generating means is heated until the temperature of the rice in the inner pot 1 drops to the heat retention temperature (about 100 ° C → about 73 ° C) and when the heat retention is stable (about 73 ° C). The metal plate portion 10 radiates heat into the gap 13 between the lid 21 and the main body 3, suppresses cooling due to the intrusion of outside air from the gap 13, and heats the inner pot 1. Furthermore, during the period of hot reheating, which reheats the rice in the inner pot 1 during heat retention, the inner pot 1 is heated so that the moisture generated by the heating condenses on the upper inner surface of the inner pot 1. It is configured to prevent it.

Reference numeral 21 is a lid that is rotatably provided on the upper part of the main body 3 and forms an outer shell of the rice cooker together with the main body 3. The lid 21 that opens and closes the upper opening of the inner pot 1 includes a thermista-type lid temperature sensor 22 (see FIG. 20) that detects the temperature of the inner lid 45, which will be described later, and a lid heating means 23 such as a cord heater (see FIG. 20). (See FIG. 20) is provided, and the temperature of the inner lid 45 is mainly controlled by the lid heating means 23.

In 25, heating to the bottom surface and side surface of the inner pot 1 and heating to the inner lid 45 of the lid 21 in particular by the temperature detection of the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22 during rice cooking and heat retention, respectively. It is a heating control means for controlling the temperature. The heating control means 25 receives detection signals from the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22, and heats and adjusts the cord heater 9, the heating coil 15, and the lid heating means 23, which are the heating means.

The heating control means 25 is provided with an element 26 for driving the heating coil 15. The element 26 that drives the heating coil 15 is heated with the oscillation of the heating coil 15. Since the element 26 for driving the heating coil 15 has an operating condition temperature, it is necessary to drive the element 26 at a constant temperature or lower. Therefore, the element 26 is attached to a radiator 27 made of a material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, cooled by the wind generated from the cooling fan 28 as a cooling means, and driven within the operating condition temperature. It has become. The cooling fan 28 is arranged below or on the side of the radiator 27 attached to the heating control means 25.

The bottom or side of the rice cooker to be a product is provided with a hole 29 that emits warm air from the cooling fan 28 and is discharged to the outside by the radiator 27. Although the heat control means 25 is housed inside the main body 3 inside the product, it may be arranged at any position with respect to the inner pot 1 and the hole 29 may be arranged at any position. However, due to the background of the recent demand for miniaturized product design, the heating control means 25 and the cooling fan 28 and the hole 29 for discharging the wind should be arranged at substantially opposite positions with the inner pot 1 interposed therebetween. preferable.

As shown in FIG. 1, a display operation unit 31 is provided in front of the upper surface portion of the lid 21. The display operation unit 31 has an LCD 32 that displays the time and the selected rice cooking course, and an LED (not shown) that displays the current process, as well as starting rice cooking and selecting the rice cooking course. The switch 33 is arranged on the upper part of the substrate 34 mounted inside the lid 21.

An operation panel 35 is arranged above the display operation unit 31 to display a button name. The operation panel 35 also prevents dust and water from adhering to the above-mentioned LCD 32, which is an electronic component, the LED, the switch 33, and the substrate 34.

In this embodiment, when the start of rice cooking is instructed by operating the switch 33, the rice is heated based on the temperature detection of the bottom of the inner pot 1 by the inner pot temperature sensor 16 in order to promote the absorption of water for the rice in the inner pot 1. The bottom and side surfaces of the inner pot 1 are heated by the coil 15 and the cord heater 9, respectively, and the water temperature is maintained at about 45 to 60 ° C. for 15 to 20 minutes to cook. After that, the amount of heat from the heating coil 15 is increased to strongly heat the inner pot 1, and the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 is heated to boiling. At the time of boiling and heating, the bottom temperature of the inner pot 1 becomes 90 ° C. or higher based on the temperature detected from the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22, and the temperature of the lid body 21, especially the inner lid 45, becomes 90 ° C. or higher. When it becomes stable (temperature rise rate detection), boiling is detected and boiling is continued with a reduced amount of heating. In this boiling detection, it can be confirmed by the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22 that both the bottom of the inner pot 1 and the inner lid 45 have reached 90 ° C. or higher, and the inside of the inner pot 1 is completely boiled. It becomes possible to accurately detect what has been done.

In addition, if either the bottom of the inner pot 1 or the inner lid 45 reaches an unusual temperature of 120 ° C or higher, it is judged to be abnormal, the amount of heat in cooking rice is reduced, and all operations are stopped. Either put it in a state, shift to the unevenness described later, or keep it warm to prevent abnormal heating. Further, although either the bottom of the inner pot 1 or the inner lid 45 has reached 90 ° C. or higher and a predetermined time has elapsed (for example, 5 minutes), the other bottom of the inner pot 1 and the lid 21 When either of them has a low temperature of less than 90 ° C., it is determined that the temperature detection accuracy of either the inner pot temperature sensor 16 or the lid temperature sensor 22 has deteriorated for some reason (dirt, tilt, poor contact, etc.). Reduce the amount of heating in cooking rice to stop all operations, shift to the unevenness described later, or keep warm to prevent abnormal heating.

When boiling continues, the lid heating means 23 starts heating the inner lid 45 attached to the lid 21. The heating to the inner lid 45 is controlled by the detection temperature of the lid temperature sensor 22 so that the temperature of the inner lid 45 becomes 100 to 110 ° C. Further, when the bottom of the inner pot 1 reaches a predetermined temperature rise, the cooking is detected and the process is started. During the unevenness, the temperature of the inner lid 45 is controlled to prevent dew from sticking to the upper inner surface of the inner pot 1, and the temperature of the bottom of the inner pot 1 is kept high enough to prevent the rice from burning (98 to 100 ° C). Control the temperature so that it does. Then, when the 15 to 20 minutes of unevenness is completed, the heat insulation is started.

In heat retention, the inner lid 45, which is the lower surface of the lid 21, is heated slightly higher than the temperature of the rice by the lid heating means 23 while heating the bottom portion and the lower side surface of the inner pot 1 with the heating coil 15. The temperature of the side surface of the kettle 1 is controlled by a flange heater so that the rice does not dry and a large amount of dew does not adhere. The temperature of the rice in the inner pot 1 is maintained at 70 to 76 ° C., but even when the temperature is kept warm, if the two sensors are abnormally high or low, the abnormality is detected and abnormal heating is prevented. The heating control means 25 is configured to perform the above operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, a hinge portion 36 connected to the lid 21 is provided behind the upper frame 4. A hinge spring 37 formed of a torsion coil spring or the like is housed in the hinge portion 36. A lid open button 38 (see FIG. 1) is arranged in an exposed state on the front upper surface of the lid 21, and when the lid open button 38 is pressed, the engagement between the lid 21 and the main body 3 is released. The cover 21 is automatically opened with the hinge portion 36 as the center of rotation due to the elastic force of the hinge spring 37.

The lid 21 is composed of an outer lid 41 that is an external component and an outer lid cover 42 that forms below the outer lid 41. The outer lid cover 42 is provided with a metal heat radiating plate 43 made of stainless steel or aluminum alumite, and the heat radiating plate 43 is provided with a lid heating means 23. The lid heating means 23 may be an electric heater such as a cord heater or an electromagnetic induction heating type.

As shown in FIG. 2, a metal inner lid 45 made of stainless steel or aluminum alumite is provided below the heat radiating plate 43. On the outer peripheral side of the inner lid 45 forming the lower surface of the lid 21, a lid packing 46 made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber or fluororubber that closes the gap between the inner pot 1 and the inner lid 45 and serves as a sealing member is provided. The lid packing 46 is in contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 12 of the inner pot 1.

The inner lid 45 and the lid packing 46 are integrated by a packing base 48, and these inner lid assembly units 49 are detachably provided on the inner surface of the outer lid cover 42.

A hole (not shown) is also provided in the outer cover 42 behind the outer cover 42 so as to face the hole (not shown) provided in the hinge portion 36. The hinge shaft 50 provided in the hinge portion 36 communicates these holes to support the main body 3 and the lid 21 so as to be openable and closable. The above-mentioned hinge spring 37 is hooked on the outer lid cover 42 and constantly urges the lid 21 in the opening direction.

A clamp 51 interlocking with the lid open button 38 is arranged on the substantially opposite side of the hinge shaft 50 which is the center of rotation of the lid 21. The clamp 51 is pivotally supported by the outer lid cover 42 by the clamp shaft 52, and is rotatably provided around the clamp shaft 52. A clamp receiver 53 (see FIG. 14) that engages with the clamp 51 is provided on the side substantially opposite to the hinge portion 36 of the upper frame 4. The clamp 51 provided on the lid 21 rotates about the clamp shaft 52 as a central axis and engages with the clamp receiver 53 provided on the main body 3. Due to the engagement between the clamp 51 and the clamp receiver 53, the main body 3 and the lid 21 are kept in the closed state. On the contrary, when the lid 21 is opened, the lid open button 38 is pushed to rotate the clamp 51 in the opposite direction, and the engagement between the clamp 51 and the clamp receiver 53 is released.

Next, the configuration of the inner lid assembly unit 49 corresponding to the substantially inner lid of the present embodiment will be further described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The inner lid assembly unit 49 is provided with a hole 54 for steam discharge and a hole 55 for depressurization so as to open in the inner lid 45, respectively. Further, the resin packing base 48 formed in a substantially annular shape is formed with a convex insertion portion 56 that partially protrudes in the outer peripheral direction, and the lid body 21 is in a state where the lid body 21 is opened. By inserting the insertion portion 56 into the recess 57 formed on the base end side close to the hinge portion 36 on the inner surface of the inner surface and fitting the packing base 48 to the outer lid cover 42, the inner lid assembly unit 49 can be attached to the lid body 21. It is configured so that it can be mounted at a fixed position on the inner surface side.

Above the depressurizing hole 55, a cylindrical decompression packing 63 (see FIG. 11) projecting downward from the heat radiating plate 43 is arranged. The inner lid assembly unit 49 is detachably provided on the inner surface, that is, the lower surface side of the lid body 21, and when the lid body 21 is closed with respect to the main body 3 with the inner lid assembly unit 49 attached, the lid packing 46 becomes an inner pot. The inner lid assembly unit 49 is configured to come into contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 12 of 1 and cover the upper opening of the inner pot 1 without a gap.

Subsequently, the internal configuration of the lid 21 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 to 11. The lid 21 is detachably provided with a unitized steam discharge means 65 in order to communicate with the inside of the inner pot 1 and discharge the steam generated from the inside of the inner pot 1 to the outside of the rice cooker. The steam discharging means 65 may be detachably provided from the top surface side which is the upper surface side of the lid 21 when the lid 21 is closed, but when the lid 21 is opened as in the present embodiment, the steam discharging means 65 may be provided. A mounting hole 66 (see FIG. 11) as an opening on the inner pot side is formed on the inner surface side of the lid 21 which is substantially upright away from the upper opening of the inner pot 1, and a single steam is formed from the mounting hole 66. It is more preferable to provide the discharge means 65 in a detachable manner. In such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide a mounting hole for the steam discharge means 65 on the top surface side of the lid body 21, and the top surface of the lid body 21 can secure a flat shape without unevenness. As shown in FIG. 11, a packing 67 having the same elasticity as the lid packing 46 and the decompression packing 63 is mounted and fixed around the entire mounting hole 66, and the steam discharging means 65 is provided from the inner surface side of the lid 21. When mounted, the packing 67 is configured to be in close contact with the outer surface of the steam discharging means 65 without any gap. As shown in FIG. 2, 67A is a sealing portion of the packing 67 that is in close contact with the steam discharging means 65, and 67B is a sealing portion of the packing 67 that is in close contact with the inner lid 45.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 21, an accommodation space 68 for accommodating and arranging the steam discharge means 65 is provided inside the lid 21, and the outer cover 42 is partially concave from the inner surface side of the lid 21. It is formed by the formed accommodating portion 64. The lower end opening of the accommodating portion 64 corresponds to the mounting hole 66, and the opening cylinder portion 75 forming another external discharge port 69 provided at the upper end portion of the accommodating portion 64 is an outer lid on the top surface side of the lid 21. It is inserted into the steam port 70 formed through the opening in 41, and the tip slightly protrudes to the outside of the vessel. In addition, the accommodating portion 64 is provided with holes 72 to which the pressure adjusting packing 71 is fitted and mounted and holes 74 to which the opening / closing packing 73 is fitted and mounted as similar through holes. Are always closed by packings 71 and 73, which are rich in elasticity, and steam and foreign matter intrude from the accommodation space 68 into another inside of the lid 21 at a part other than the mounting hole 66 and the external discharge port 69. It has an airtight structure that does not. Further, the mounting hole 66 is formed in such a size that a hand can be inserted into the accommodation space 68 from the inner surface side of the lid 21 with the inner lid assembly unit 49 removed from the lid 21. When cleaning the lid 21, the inner surface of the accommodation space 68 can be cleaned without any trouble.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, in the steam discharge means 65, the first pressure adjusting means 76, the second pressure adjusting means 77, and the third pressure adjusting means 78, which will be described later, are incorporated into the steam port base 80. The main components are the steam port assembly 81 as a member and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 as a second member attached and fixed to the upper part of the steam port assembly 81.

The first pressure adjusting means 76 functions as a pressure adjusting valve assembly for adjusting the pressure in the inner pot 1 to the atmospheric pressure or higher, and includes the above-mentioned spherical valve 61, a valve holder 88 for holding the valve 61, and a valve. It is mainly composed of a valve case 89 formed so as to cover the 61 and the valve holder 88. The valve 61 is a material having excellent corrosion resistance and may be a component having a certain weight, and is composed of, for example, an austenitic stainless steel ball. Further, the valve holder 88 is provided with a ventilation hole 90 as an intake port that communicates with the inside of the inner pot 1. On the side surface of the valve case 89, an opening 89A and an insertion hole 109 having a size such that the valve 61 disposed inside does not roll out are formed. Further, a locking receiving portion 87 is formed between the opening 89A and the insertion hole 109 to separate the two. A pressure regulating frame 93 covered with a pressure regulating packing 71 can be inserted into the insertion hole 109 so that the valve 61 can be moved from the outside of the valve case 89.

As shown in FIG. 2, in order to operate the valve 61 at a predetermined timing inside the valve case 89, a valve opening means 91 serving as a pressure adjusting driving means is incorporated inside the lid 21. The valve opening means 91 mainly includes a pressure adjusting frame 93 that is movable by using a solenoid 92 as a drive source, and the above-mentioned pressure adjusting packing 71 that is attached to one end side of the pressure adjusting frame 93. The valve 61 is always pressed by one end of the pressure regulating frame 93 covered with the pressure regulating packing 71 to open a ventilation hole 90 communicating with the steam discharging hole 54 provided in the inner lid 45. There is. On the other hand, when the solenoid 92 is energized and the valve opening means 91 operates, one end of the pressure regulating frame 93 is separated from the valve 61, and the valve 61 closes the ventilation hole 90. At this time, the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is adjusted to the first set pressure value in relation to the opening area of the ventilation hole 90 and the weight of the valve 61.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second pressure adjusting means 77 functions as a safety valve that opens the valve when the pressure in the inner pot 1 is increased to a set value or higher for some reason and lowers the pressure in the inner pot 1. , The tubular valve holder 95 accommodates and holds the valve body 62 and the elastic member 96. The elastic member 96 of the second pressure adjusting means 77 communicates with the steam discharging hole 54 provided in the inner lid 45, and has a ventilation hole 97 (see FIG. 8) formed as an opening on the inlet side of the valve holder 95. The valve body 62 is urged in the direction of constantly closing, and when the valve 61 of the first pressure adjusting means 76 remains blocked by a foreign substance or the like, the second pressure adjusting means 77 of the second pressure adjusting means 77. The pressure inside the inner pot 1 is adjusted to the second set pressure value in relation to the opening area of the ventilation hole 97 and the elastic urging force of the elastic member 96.

In the present embodiment, the third pressure adjusting means 78 and the depressurizing means 101 (see FIG. 2) are incorporated as pressure adjusting means other than the first pressure adjusting means 76 and the second pressure adjusting means 77, respectively. The third pressure adjusting means 78 functions as a check valve assembly for returning the pressure in the inner pot 1 from a pressure other than the atmospheric pressure to the atmospheric pressure. The tubular valve holder 102, the elastic member 103, and the valve body 104 And are housed and held. Further, in order to operate the valve body 104 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 at a predetermined timing, an opening / closing driving means (not shown) different from the valve opening means 91 is incorporated inside the lid body 21. The opening / closing driving means includes an opening / closing frame (not shown) that can be moved by using a solenoid 105 (see FIG. 20) as a drive source, and the above-mentioned opening / closing packing 73 (see FIG. 11) attached to one end side of the opening / closing frame. , Is mainly provided.

The elastic member 103 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 communicates with the hole 54 for steam discharge and opens a vent hole 106 (see FIG. 8) formed at the inlet side of the valve holder 102. When the solenoid 105 of the opening / closing driving means is not energized, the ventilation hole 106 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 is opened, and the inside of the inner lid 1 is provided by the steam discharging means 65. And the outside air are communicated with each other to keep the pressure inside the inner pot 1 at the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, when the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is set to a pressure other than the atmospheric pressure, when the solenoid 105 of the opening / closing driving means is energized to operate the opening / closing driving means, the opening / closing packing resists the elastic urging force of the elastic member 103. One end of the opening / closing frame covered with 73 presses the end of the valve body 104 exposed on the outlet side of the valve holder 102, and the valve body 104 closes the ventilation hole 106. As a result, it becomes possible to return the pressure in the inner pot 1 to the atmospheric pressure and to inject a desired pressure other than the atmospheric pressure into the inner pot 1 as needed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the steam port base 80 has a bottom plate portion 113 formed in a plate shape and a vertical wall portion 114 erected on the peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate portion 113. The vertical wall portion 114 has an inner side wall portion 114A and an outer wall portion 114B formed lower than the inner side wall portion 114A. The outer side wall portion 114B is formed on the entire circumference of the bottom plate portion 113, but the inner side wall portion 114A has a portion of the peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate portion 113 that is not formed.

The steam discharging means 65 is provided with a handle 115 having a shape that can be picked up by a finger F (see FIGS. 12 and 13) when the steam discharging means 65 is attached to and detached from the accommodation space 68 of the lid 21. .. As shown in FIG. 8, the handle 115 is formed in a semicircular ring shape on the lower side surface portion of the bottom plate portion 113 of the steam port base 80. As shown in FIGS. 2, 14 and 16, the handle 115 is inserted into the hole 54 of the inner lid 45 when the steam discharge means 65 and the inner lid assembly unit 49 are attached to the lid 21, respectively, and the inner pot 1 is inserted. It has a structure that protrudes inward. As a result, for example, when cooking rice is cooked in the inner pot 1, foreign matter such as ingredients put into the inner pot 1 sticks to the hole 54 from the inner surface side of the inner lid 45, which is originally a steam discharge means. The handle 115 for holding the 65 with the finger F can prevent it, and the steam generated from the inner pot 1 can be smoothly guided to the steam discharge means 65 without adding extra parts. When the inner lid assembly unit 49 is removed from the lid 21 with the lid 21 open to the main body 3, the exposed handle 115 is picked up by the finger F to hold the steam discharge means 65, and the steam discharge means 65 is held from there to the front side. The steam discharging means 65 can be easily removed from the inner surface side of the lid 21 by pulling it out. On the contrary, when the steam discharge means 65 is attached to the accommodation space 68 of the lid 21, the similarly exposed handle 115 is picked up by the finger F to hold the steam discharge means 65, and the steam discharge means is directed toward the accommodation space 68. By pushing the 65, the steam discharging means 65 can be easily attached from the inner surface side of the lid 21.

As shown in FIG. 16, with the inner lid assembly unit 49 attached to the lid 21, the handle 115 of the steam exhaust means 65 does not completely close the hole 54, and the outer periphery of the handle 115 and the hole 54 are formed. Intake and exhaust can be performed inside and outside the inner pot 1 from the gap.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 covers the opening 89A side (rear side) of the valve case 89, the second pressure regulating means 77, and the third pressure regulating means 78. It can be detachably attached to the steam port assembly 81. Therefore, the user can clean the steam discharge means 65 to the inside by removing the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 from the steam port assembly 81.

The pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 includes a cap covering portion 116 that covers a part of the steam port cap 83, a passage forming portion 117, and a third pressure regulating means covering portion 118 that covers the third pressure regulating means 78. The top plate portion 117A of the passage forming portion 117 is arranged at a position higher than the top plate portion 116A of the cap covering portion 116, and the top plate portion 118A of the third pressure adjusting means covering portion 118 is the top plate of the cap covering portion 116. It is arranged at a position lower than the portion 116A. At the lower end of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82, a locking wall portion 119 having a thin plate thickness is formed so that a step portion 110 is formed inside.

A substantially rectangular through hole 120 is formed in the top plate portion 116A of the cap covering portion 116. Further, a locking claw portion 124 standing downward is provided on the opening edge of the through hole 120 on the passage forming portion 117 side (rear side). Further, an exposure opening 125 for exposing the valve case 89 and the insertion hole 109 is formed in the side wall portion 116B on the side of the cap covering portion 116 opposite to the passage forming portion 117. Therefore, the pressure adjusting frame 93 can move the valve 61 from the outside of the valve case 89 by inserting the exposure opening 125 and the insertion hole 109.

At the lower end of the side wall 116B where the exposure opening 125 of the cap covering 116 is formed, a regulating portion 126 that regulates the removal direction of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 with respect to the steam port base 80 is formed. The regulating portion 126 is formed in a plate shape, and in a state where the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is attached to the steam port assembly 81, the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 of the steam port base 80 and the outer wall portion of the steam port base 80. It is arranged so as to abut on the inner surface of the 114B. Therefore, even if the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is tilted toward the regulating portion 126 (front side), the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 cannot be tilted. In the present embodiment, with the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 attached to the steam port assembly 81, the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 and the outer wall portion 114B, but the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 and the outer wall. Even if the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is arranged at a position slightly distant from the portion 114B and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is slightly tilted toward the regulation portion 126, the regulation portion 126 comes into contact with the bottom plate portion 113. good.

On the side wall portion 117B on the side (rear side) opposite to the cap covering portion 116 of the passage forming portion 117, a flow path opening 127 as a discharge port for communicating inside and outside of the passage forming portion 117 is formed. Guide walls 128 for flowing steam are formed on the upper side and the lower side of the road opening 127. The upper portion of the guide wall 128 projects upward from the top plate portion 117A of the passage forming portion 117, and the lower portion of the guide wall 128 projects below the top plate portion 117A inside the passage forming portion 117. The guide wall 128 has one long side portion 129 and two short side portions 130A and 130B. Further, in the side wall portion 117B of the passage forming portion 117, a substantially rectangular merging opening 143 is formed in a portion facing the upper side of the long side portion 129.

A circular opening hole 134 is formed in the third pressure adjusting means covering portion 118, and when the pressure adjusting valve holder assembly 82 is attached to the steam port assembly 81, the third pressure adjusting means 78 covers the third pressure adjusting means. It is covered by the portion 118, and the valve body 104 is exposed from the opening hole 134.

With the above configuration, the steam port assembly 81 and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 can be completely washed in a state where the steam discharge means 65 is disassembled, that is, in a state where the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is removed from the steam port assembly 81. At this time, since the ball-shaped valve 61 does not come out of the valve case 89, the valve 61 is not lost.

Here, a method of attaching / detaching the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 will be described. First, the method of attaching the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 will be described. When the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is assembled into the steam port assembly 81 from above, the locking claw portion 124 comes into contact with the locking receiving portion 87. When the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is further pushed down, the locking claw portion 124 is elastically deformed, the tip portion 124A of the locking claw portion 124 gets over the locking receiving portion 87, and becomes the lower side surface portion 87A of the locking receiving portion 87. Lock. Further, the lower end of the locking wall portion 119 abuts on the outer wall portion 114B of the steam port base 80, and the lower end of the step portion 110 abuts on the inner side wall portion 114A. At this time, the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 of the steam port base 80 and the outer wall portion 114B, and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is attached and fixed to the steam port assembly 81.

Next, a method of removing the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, when the regulation portion 126 side (front side) of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is lifted, the tip portion 124A of the locking claw portion 124 gets over the locking receiving portion 87 and is locked with the locking claw portion 124. The locking with the receiving portion 87 is released. After the locking claw portion 124 and the locking receiving portion 87 are released from the lock, the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 can be pulled up to remove the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 from the steam port assembly 81.

Even if an attempt is made to lift the side (rear side) opposite to the regulating portion 126 of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82, the regulating portion 126 abuts on the bottom plate portion 113 of the steam port base 80, so that the regulating portion 126 of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 The opposite side cannot be lifted, the locking claw portion 124 and the locking receiving portion 87 cannot be released, the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 cannot be pulled up, and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 can be removed. Can not. Further, even when the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 is pulled upward without tilting, the locking claw portion 124 and the locking receiving portion 87 cannot be released from each other. Therefore, the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 must be removed. I can't. That is, the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 can be removed when the regulating portion 126 side is tilted so as to be lifted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the handle 115 is arranged at a position closer to the side wall portion 116B side (rear side) of the bottom plate portion 113, and as shown in FIG. 12, when the lid 21 is opened, the handle 115 is arranged. It is a position closer to the lower side of the bottom plate portion 113. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the user puts a finger F on the handle 115 and pulls it toward the handle when the steam discharge means 65 is removed from the lid 21, the bottom plate portion 113 is pressed against the regulation portion 126. It becomes easier to apply force in the direction. Further, since the main body 3 is provided, it is difficult for the user to pull the handle 115 downward. Therefore, when the steam discharge means 65 is removed from the lid 21, it is possible to prevent the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 from being detached from the steam port assembly 81 and remaining in the accommodation space 68.

Next, the steam discharge path that flows until the steam generated inside the inner pot 1 is discharged to the outside of the rice cooker will be described with reference to FIG. The steam generated in the inner pot 1 moves from the hole 54 into the accommodation space 68 (arrow Y1). After that, the steam moves from the ventilation hole 90 into the steam discharging means 65 when the valve 61 is not closed (arrow Y2). The steam that has moved into the steam discharging means 65 moves from the opening 89A to the outside of the valve case 89 (arrow Y3). After that, the steam flows in the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 (arrow Y4) and moves from the flow path opening 127 to the outside of the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 (arrow Y5). At this time, the steam enters the space surrounded by the long side portions 129, the short side portions 130A and 130B, and the rear wall portion 144 of the accommodating portion 64 (hereinafter referred to as "merging space 145") into the upper guide wall 128. It flows upward along. When the steam reaches the uppermost wall portion 146 of the accommodating portion 64, it flows around the short side portions 130A and 130B in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) and moves to a position above the top plate portion 117A of the passage forming portion 117. (Arrow Y6). The steam flows upward from there, flows inside the opening cylinder portion 75, and is discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69 (arrow Y7). As described above, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, steam flows in the order of arrow Y1 → arrow Y2 → arrow Y3 → arrow Y4 → arrow Y5 → arrow Y6 → arrow Y7. Of these, the first path (arrow Y1) from the hole 54 to the ventilation hole 90, the second path (arrows Y2, Y3, Y4) from the ventilation hole 90 to the flow path opening 127, and the outside of the instrument from the flow path opening 127. The route up to the discharge port 69 is called the third path (arrows Y5, Y6, Y7).

As shown in FIGS. 2, 17 and 19, the uppermost wall portion 146 of the accommodating portion 64 is disposed directly above the flow path opening 127, and the external discharge port 69 is the flow path opening 127. It is not placed directly above. Therefore, the sticks and dew carried from the flow path opening 127 along the guide wall 128 together with the steam adhere to the uppermost wall portion 146, the long side portion 129, and the short side portions 130A and 130B. On the other hand, the steam flows around the short side portions 130A and 130B at the position where it reaches the uppermost wall portion 146, so that only the steam is discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69. The amount of dew and dew that has moved from the inside of the inner pot 1 to the inside of the lid 21 adheres to the inside of the steam discharging means 65 and the like, and is discharged to the outside of the steam discharging means 65. Is suppressed. In this way, by forming a non-linear steam discharge path that bypasses and flows steam by the accommodating portion 64 and the steam discharge means 65, only steam is discharged to the outside of the vessel, and steam and dew are discharged to the outside of the vessel. It is difficult to discharge to.

The steam that has moved from the ventilation hole 90 into the steam discharge means 65 moves out of the valve case 89 not only from the opening 89A but also from the insertion hole 109. FIG. 18 shows the flow of steam moving from the insertion hole 109 to the outside of the valve case 89. The steam that has moved from the insertion hole 109 to the outside of the valve case 89 wraps around the steam discharge means 65 in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) in the gap space 148 between the wall portion 147 of the accommodating portion 64 and the steam discharge means 65. It flows to the rear side (arrow Y8) and merges with the steam discharged from the flow path opening 127 in the merging space 145. Therefore, all the steam that has moved from the ventilation holes 90 into the steam discharge means 65 is collected in the confluence space 145 and then discharged to the outside of the vessel. As described above, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, steam flows in the order of arrow Y1 → arrow Y2 → arrow Y8 → arrow Y6 → arrow Y7. Of these, the route from the ventilation hole 90 to the insertion hole 109 is referred to as the fourth path, and the route from the insertion hole 109 to the merging space 145 is referred to as the fifth path. The rear wall portion 114 and the uppermost wall portion 146 form a part of the wall portion 147.

The steam discharge path of the present embodiment is a first steam discharge path in which steam flows in the internal space 149 of the steam discharge means 65, and a first steam discharge path in which steam flows out of the steam discharge means 65 and then flows in the gap space 148. 2 steam discharge paths are formed. The second path and the fourth path are the first steam discharge path, and the third path and the fifth path are the second steam discharge path.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, as a pressure adjusting means for freely adjusting the pressure inside the inner pot 1, the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is increased with the lid 21 closed to the main body 3. Further, a depressurizing means 101 for reducing the pressure to the atmospheric pressure or less is provided. The decompression means 101 reaches a decompression pump 121 as a decompression drive source provided at the rear of the lid 21, and a decompression hole 55 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) provided in the inner lid 45 from the decompression pump 121. It is composed of a tubular path 122 (see FIG. 11). Further, inside the lid 21, an electromagnetic valve 123 (see FIG. 20) that opens and closes the base end portion of the path 122 is provided.

When the inner lid assembly unit 49 including the inner lid 45 is attached to the inner surface side of the lid 21, the decompression packing 63 attached to the heat radiating plate 43 elastically deforms and comes into close contact with the upper surface of the inner lid 45, whereby the inner lid 45 is brought into close contact with the upper surface. A path 122 that communicates between the decompression hole 55 provided in the depressurization pump 121 and the decompression pump 121 is formed. Further, when the inner pot 1 is set in the inner pot accommodating portion 7 of the main body 3 and the lid 21 with the inner lid assembly unit 49 attached is closed, the lid packing 46 is placed on the upper surface of the flange portion 12 of the inner pot 1. If the valve 61 of the first pressure adjusting means 76 closes the ventilation hole 90 and the valve body 104 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 closes the ventilation hole 106, the inside of the closed inner pot 1 and the decompression pump The route 122 communicates with 121. When the decompression pump 121 is started from this state, the solenoid valve 123 opens the path 122, the air in the inner pot 1 is discharged to the outside of the rice cooker through the path 122 and the decompression pump 121, and the closed inner pot is sealed. The pressure in 1 decreases. Further, when the pressure in the inner pot 1 drops to a certain value below the atmospheric pressure, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 121 is stopped, and the solenoid valve 123 blocks the path 122 to keep the inside of the inner pot 1 in a decompressed state. ing. Further, even when the pressure inside the inner pot 1 rises due to slow leak, the solenoid valve 123 opens the path 122 and restarts the pressure reducing pump 121, so that the inside of the inner pot 1 is lower than the atmospheric pressure. It is maintained at.

When the solenoid 105 (see FIG. 20) of the opening / closing driving means is switched from energized to non-energized while the inside of the inner pot 1 is lower than the atmospheric pressure, the valve body 104 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 is released from the ventilation hole 106. The ventilation hole 106 is opened at a distance, and the inside of the inner pot 1 and the outside of the rice cooker communicate with each other. As a result, the negative pressure in the inner pot 1 can be immediately released.

Next, the control system of the rice cooker in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, 131 is a control means, which receives each temperature information from the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22 and an operation signal from the switch 33 which is an operation unit, and heats the coil during rice cooking and heat retention. It controls 15, the cord heater 9, and the lid heating means 23 that serves as a lid heater, and also controls the above-mentioned solenoids 92 and 105, the pressure reducing pump 121, and the solenoid valve 123, respectively.

In the control means 131 of the present embodiment, the heating coil 15 is mainly controlled based on the detection temperature of the inner pot temperature sensor 16 to control the temperature of the bottom of the inner pot 1, and the control means 131 mainly controls the temperature based on the detection temperature of the lid temperature sensor 22. The lid heating means 23 is controlled to control the temperature of the heat radiating plate 43 and thus the inner lid 45. When the control means 131 reads, for example, the rice cooking key of the switch 33 by reading a program stored in its own storage means (not shown) as a storage medium, the water supply of the rice charged into the inner pot 1 from the start of rice cooking Boiled rice that promotes rice cooking, boiling that raises the temperature of the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 to boiling in a short time, and continuous boiling that keeps the cooked rice boiling and cooks it into dry-up rice. Rice cooking control means 132 that keeps the raised rice at a high temperature that does not burn it, executes the rice cooking process in the order of the final finish, and cooks and heats the rice in the inner pot 1 at the desired pressure, and rice cooking. Following the step, the rice in the inner pot 1 is configured to function as a heat retention control means 133 for keeping the rice in the inner pot 1 at a desired heat retention temperature at a desired pressure.

Reference numeral 135 is a heating coil driving means having a built-in high frequency inverter circuit or the like that receives a control signal from the control means 131 and supplies a predetermined high frequency current to the heating coil 15. Separately from this, on the output side of the control means 131, the lid heater driving means 136 that receives the control signal from the control means 131 and drives the lid heating means 23 so as to heat the heat dissipation plate 43 and the inner lid 45. The cord heater driving means 137 for turning on or off the cord heater 9, the solenoid driving means 138 for turning on or off the solenoids 92 and 105 individually, the pump driving means 139 for driving the pressure reducing pump 121, and the solenoid valve. A solenoid valve driving means 140 for turning on or off the 123 and a display driving means 142 for driving the display means 141 including the above-mentioned LCD 32, LED, and the like are provided. When the rice is cooked by the rice cooking control means 132 and when the heat is kept by the heat retention control means 133, the heating coil 15 heats the inner pot 1 from the bottom to the lower side surface by detecting each temperature from the inner pot temperature sensor 16 and the lid temperature sensor 22. The cord heater 9 is used to heat the area around the flange portion 12 of the inner pot 1, and the lid heating means 23 is used to heat the lid body 21. Further, after the rice cooking by the rice cooking control means 132 is completed and the cooked food in the inner pot 1 is cooked as rice, the heat retention control means 133 automatically shifts to the heat retention, and the temperature detected by the inner pot temperature sensor 16 is automatically changed. By adjusting the heating of the inner pot 1 by the heating coil 15 and the cord heater 9, the rice is configured to keep the rice at a predetermined heat retention temperature (about 70 ° C to 76 ° C).

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of heating patterns according to the type of rice to be cooked and the cooking method are stored in advance in the storage means, and the rice cooking control means 132 operates the switch 33, for example, the selection key. When a specific heating pattern is selected from the plurality of heating patterns of the above, and then the start of rice cooking is instructed by operating the rice cooking key, the cord heater 9 and the heating coil 15 are instructed to start cooking with the selected specific heating pattern. By controlling the lid heating means 23, the solenoids 92 and 105, the pressure reducing pump 121, and the solenoid valve 123, the cooked rice contained in the inner pot 1 is cooked based on the selected pattern, and finally. It has the function of finishing rice. The selection key of the switch 33, which can be manually selected by the user, serves as a means for selecting a rice cooking course classified according to the type of rice to be cooked and the cooking method. When one rice cooking course is selected, a specific heating pattern corresponding to it is selected. The selection means is not limited to the selection key, and may include a function that the rice cooking control means 132 automatically selects a specific heating pattern by default.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described. In order to cook rice with the rice cooker of the present embodiment, first, the rice to be cooked is put in the inner pot 1, this is set in the inner pot accommodating portion 7 of the main body 3, and then the steam discharge means 65 is previously placed in the accommodating space 68. With the inner lid assembly unit 49 mounted on the inner surface side of the housed lid 21, close the lid 21 and operate the selection key of the switch 33 to select a specific rice cooking course desired from a plurality of rice cooking courses. select. Subsequently, when the rice cooking key of the switch 33 is operated, the rice cooking control means 132 incorporated in the control means 131 starts cooking rice based on a specific heating pattern corresponding to a specific rice cooking course.

The rice-cooking control means 132 executes the above-mentioned rice-cooking steps in the order of single-cooking → boiling → boiling continuation → murashi in order to finish the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 into rice. When the pressure inside 1 is increased to atmospheric pressure or higher, the solenoid driving means 138 is energized with the solenoid 105 of the opening / closing driving means so that the valve body 104 of the third pressure adjusting means 78 closes the ventilation hole 106. A control signal is transmitted, and a control signal for energizing the solenoid 92 of the valve opening means 91 is transmitted to the solenoid driving means 138 so that the valve 61 of the first pressure adjusting means 76 closes the ventilation hole 90 by its own weight. .. As a result, the pressure in the inner pot 1 is adjusted to the first set pressure value based on the relationship between the opening area of the ventilation hole 90 and the weight of the valve 61.

Further, when the rice cooking control means 132 controls the pressure inside the inner pot 1 to be equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure, the valve 61 of the first pressure adjusting means 76 keeps the ventilation hole 90 closed for some reason. When it falls, the valve body 62 incorporated in the second pressure adjusting means 77 is pushed by the pressure in the inner pot 1 against the elastic force of the elastic member 96 to open the ventilation hole 97. Therefore, the pressure in the inner pot 1 in this case is adjusted to a second set pressure value higher than the first pressure set value based on the relationship between the opening area of the ventilation hole 97 and the elastic urging force of the elastic member 96. To.

On the other hand, when the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is reduced to the atmospheric pressure or less during the rice cooking process performed by the rice cooking control means 132 and the subsequent heat retention process performed by the heat retention control means 133, the valve of the third pressure regulating means 78 is used. A control signal for energizing the solenoid 105 of the opening / closing driving means is sent from the rice cooking control means 132 and the heat retention control means 133 to the solenoid driving means 138 so that the body 104 closes the ventilation hole 106, and the pressure reducing pump 121 operates. A control means is sent to the pump driving means 139 so as to be performed, and a control signal is sent to the solenoid valve control means 140 so that the solenoid valve 123 opens the path 122. As a result, the pressure in the inner pot 1 is adjusted to a third set pressure value lower than the atmospheric pressure.

When the rice cooker and heat retention for the rice to be cooked in the inner pot 1 are completed and the lid 21 and the inner lid assembly unit 49 are to be cleaned, the front side of the rice cooker with the lid 21 open to the main body 3 The inner lid assembly unit 49 is removed from the inner surface side of the lid 21 exposed to the surface. The inner lid 45 of the inner lid assembly unit 49 is not provided with the first pressure adjusting means 76 to the third pressure adjusting means 78 as pressure adjusting means, and the steam discharging holes 54 communicating with the steam discharging means 65 are not provided. And only the holes 55 for depressurization are provided. Therefore, if at least one of the first pressure adjusting means 76 to the third pressure adjusting means 78 is provided in the steam discharging means 65 instead of the inner lid 45, the pressure adjusting means is arranged in the inner lid 45 by that amount. By reducing the number of parts, the inner lid assembly unit 49 can be easily cleaned by itself. Further, as in the present embodiment, by arranging the first pressure adjusting means 76, the second pressure adjusting means 77, and the third pressure adjusting means 78 in the steam discharging means 65, the pressure adjusting means arranged in the inner lid 45. The number of parts of the inner lid assembly unit 49 can be reduced as much as possible, and the inner lid assembly unit 49 can be cleaned more easily.

Further, after removing the inner lid assembly unit 49 from the inner surface side of the lid 21, the handle 115 of the steam discharge means 65 exposed on the front side of the rice cooker is picked up by the finger F and pulled out. The steam discharge means 65 incorporating the third pressure adjusting means 78 can be easily taken out. The independent steam discharge means 65 can be disassembled by removing the pressure regulating valve holder assembly 82 from the steam port assembly 81, so that the first pressure regulating means 76 to the third pressure regulating means 78 do not fall off. The inside of the steam discharge means 65 can be completely washed by inserting a hand through the upper end opening of the pressure valve holder assembly 82.

As described above, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, the storage space 68 is a portion other than the mounting hole 66 and the external discharge port 69, and the rice cooker is airtight so that steam and foreign matter do not enter from the storage space 68 into another inside of the lid 21. Since it has a structure, as shown in FIG. 21, rice can be cooked even when the steam discharging means 65 is not attached. In this case, the steam in the inner pot 1 moves into the accommodation space 68 from the mounting hole 66, flows in the opening cylinder portion 75, and is discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69. Further, when the steam discharge means 65 is not attached, the valve 61 does not function, so that the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is the same as the atmospheric pressure, and the force to move the steam to the outside discharge port 69 side is applied. Since it is only the rising force of steam and weak, it is difficult for the steam to be discharged to the outside of the vessel. If the steam discharging means 65 is not attached, it is not possible to separately cook by the function of adjusting the air pressure inside the inner pot 1 of the rice cooker, but the user forgets to attach the steam discharging means 65. Even if it is, there is an advantage that rice can be cooked.

As described above, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, the inner pot 1, the main body 3 for accommodating the inner pot 1, the inner lid assembly unit 49 covering the upper part of the inner pot 1, and the inner lid assembly unit 49 can be detachably attached and detached. It is provided with a lid 21 that covers the upper part of the main body 3, and the lid 21 is provided with steam discharging means 65 through which steam generated in the inner pot assembly unit 49 flows, and steam is discharged inside the lid 21. An accommodating portion 64 for mounting the means 65 is formed, and the steam discharge means 65 has a ventilation hole 90 for taking in steam in the inner pot assembly unit 49 and a flow path opening 127 for discharging to the outside of the steam discharge means 65. An external discharge port 69 for discharging steam to the outside of the vessel is formed in the accommodating portion 64, and a first steam exhaust path formed inside the steam discharge means 65, and the steam discharge means 65 and the accommodating portion 64. By having a second steam discharge path formed between the wall portion 147 and the inner pot 1, the steam generated in the inner pot 1 and the rice cooker are non-linear first steam discharge path and second steam. By flowing the discharge path, rice cookers and water droplets (dew) can be attached to the first steam discharge path and the second steam discharge path. Therefore, when the pressure inside the inner pot 1 is higher than the atmospheric pressure, the steam and water droplets (dew) among the steam and the steam discharged vigorously from the inner pot 1 are in the first steam discharge path and the first. Adhere to the steam discharge path of No. 2 to prevent sticks and water droplets (dew) from being discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69, and to discharge only steam from the outside discharge port 69 to the outside of the device. Can be done. As a result, it is possible to prevent the outer surface of the rice cooker and the surroundings of the rice cooker from becoming dirty due to stickiness.

Further, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, the second steam discharge path is formed so as to allow steam to flow at least in the horizontal direction, so that the rice cooker is discharged from the flow path opening 127 to the outside of the steam discharge means 65. The steam and rice cooker can be flowed so as to bypass in the horizontal direction, and in the flow process, the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) are discharged from the cap covering portion 116 of the steam discharge means 65, the passage forming portion 117, and the third pressure regulation. By adhering to the covering portion of the means, the wall portion 144 of the accommodating portion 64, or the like, it is possible to prevent the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) from being discharged to the outside of the vessel from the outside discharge port 69.

Further, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, since the outside discharge port 69 is not located directly above the flow path opening 127, steam discharged from the flow path opening 127 to the outside of the steam discharge means 65 or a dew must be used. When it reaches the uppermost wall part 146, it cannot flow linearly, but flows in a detouring manner. It is possible to prevent the rice cooker and water droplets (dew) from being discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69.

Further, in the rice cooker of the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 64 has a mounting hole 66 communicating with the inside of the inner pot 1, and the accommodating portion 64 has a hole 72 other than the mounting hole 66 and the external discharge port 69. When the 74 is closed by the pressure adjusting packing 73 and the opening / closing packing 75, the accommodating space 68 becomes a part other than the mounting hole 66 and the external discharge port 69, and steam or steam or steam is generated from the accommodating space 68 to another inside of the lid 21. The airtight structure prevents foreign matter from entering, and the steam generated in the inner pot 1 can be discharged to the outside of the device from the outside discharge port 69. Therefore, rice can be cooked even if the steam discharge means 65 is not attached. Become. Therefore, even if the user forgets to attach the steam discharging means 65 and executes the rice cooking, the rice can be cooked and the user can eat the rice as scheduled.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the inner pot of the present embodiment includes any container or pot that can accommodate the cooked rice. Further, a pressure adjusting means having a component configuration and a function other than the first pressure adjusting means 76 to the third pressure adjusting means 78 and the depressurizing means 101 shown in the above embodiment may be incorporated into the rice cooker of the present invention. Further, the regulating unit 126 may have another shape or may be provided in a plurality as long as the removal directions of the steam port assembly and the pressure regulating valve holder assembly can be regulated.

1 Inner pot 3 Main body 21 Lid 49 Inner lid assembly unit (inner lid)
64 Accommodating part 65 Steam discharging means 66 Mounting hole (opening on the inner pot side)
69 Outer outlet 72 holes (through holes)
73 Pressure control packing (blocking member)
74 holes (through holes)
75 Opening / closing packing (blocking member)
81 Steam port assembly (first member)
82 Pressure control valve holder assembly (second member)
90 Vent (intake port)
113 Bottom plate part 115 Handle 126 Restriction part 127 Flow path opening (exhaust port)
148 Gap space (second steam discharge path)
149 Interior space (first steam discharge path)

Claims (5)

With the inner pot,
The main body that stores the inner pot and
The inner lid that covers the upper part of the inner pot and
The inner lid is detachably provided, and a lid body that covers the upper part of the main body is provided.
The lid body includes a steam discharge means through which steam generated in the inner pot flows.
An accommodating portion for mounting the steam discharging means is formed inside the lid.
The steam discharge means has an intake port for taking in the steam in the inner pot and a discharge port for discharging the steam to the outside of the steam discharge means.
An out-of-device discharge port for discharging the steam to the outside of the device is formed in the accommodating portion.
It is characterized by having a first steam discharge path formed inside the steam discharge means and a second steam discharge path formed between the steam discharge means and the wall portion of the accommodating portion. Rice cooker. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the second steam discharge path is formed so as to allow the steam to flow at least in a horizontal direction. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outside outlet is not located directly above the outlet. The steam discharging means has a first member and a second member that are detachable from each other.
A handle for gripping the steam discharging means when the steam discharging means is removed from the lid is formed on the bottom plate portion constituting the first member.
The second member is formed with a regulating portion that regulates the removal direction between the first member and the second member.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the handle is pulled when the steam discharging means is removed from the lid, a force is applied in a direction in which the regulating portion abuts on the bottom plate portion. The rice cooker described in the section. The accommodating portion has an inner pot side opening that communicates with the inside of the inner pot.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the accommodating portion has a through hole other than the inner pot side opening and the external discharge port closed by a closing member.

Images