JP2720797B2 - Electric rice cooker handle structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the structure of a handle of an electric rice cooker.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is well known that an electric rice cooker is provided with a U-shaped handle which is rotatable on the shoulder of a container body.

[0003] The handle of the conventional electric rice cooker is supported at the center of the left and right sides of the shoulder of the container body by simply pivotably supporting the base of a U-shaped handle. During use), it is placed on a protruding locking piece formed to protrude from the outer case surface on the rear side and stored and supported.

[0004]

Generally, it is desired that the above-mentioned handle is easily attached at the time of attachment, but it is desirable that the handle is maintained in a secure engagement state after attachment.

For this purpose, the handle-side shaft and the shaft-side fitting hole of the body-side shoulder are fitted without being engaged with each other at a predetermined rotation angle position. It is conceivable to adopt an engagement structure that engages with each other at a position other than the corner position so that it does not come off.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional handle structure, even when the predetermined rotation angle position is locked on the most stable locking piece, for example, both ends are not supported at all. Therefore, there is a problem that mutual alignment is difficult, and the shaft portion and the shaft portion fitting hole cannot be easily fitted.

In the above structure, since the handle and the locking piece supporting the handle each protrude from the outer case surface of the container body, the outer peripheral surface of the entire container lacks continuity and is partially locked. There is a problem that the stability and posture of the handle storage support state are poor because the support is performed by only one part. Further, damage due to an impact at the time of dropping or the like is likely to occur.

[0008] In a recent electric rice cooker, an operation panel is usually provided on an upper portion of a front portion of a container body.
Further, a lock lever of the lid unit is provided immediately above the lid unit. Therefore, when the above-mentioned handle is tilted from the upper standing state to the front side by rotating in an arc, it may hit the operation panel or the lock lever to cause erroneous operation thereof, or may cover the operation panel or the lock lever to disable the operation. Or the operation panel surface may be damaged.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and is provided with the following effective problem solving means.

That is, in the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention, shaft holes are provided on the left and right sides of the shoulder of the container body having the lid, and the shafts are engaged with the hole edges of the shaft holes. Thereby, in the electric rice cooker in which the handle is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate in the front-rear direction of the container body, an upward step is formed along the outer periphery of the rear portion of the shoulder of the container body, and the handle is formed. When the handle is tilted to the rear side, the handle is placed on the same step portion, while the handle shaft is formed with an engaging projection with the shaft hole, and The engaging projection of the handle shaft portion is fitted into the shaft hole of the container body at the mounting position on the step portion.

Further, the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention is the electric rice cooker having the above-mentioned structure, wherein the handle pivot portion is engaged with the handle pivoting portion when tilted to the front side, and the handle is arced toward the front side. A handle rotation angle regulating means for regulating the rotation angle is provided so that the handle does not come into contact with an operation panel or the like on the front surface of the container body.

Further, the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention is the electric rice cooker described above, wherein the handle pivot portion is located at a position within a predetermined rotation angle range above the center of the container body. A handle temporary locking means for temporarily locking is provided.

[0013]

The handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention has the following functions corresponding to the above-mentioned respective constitutions.

That is, in the configuration of the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention, as described above, the shaft holes are provided on the left and right sides of the shoulder of the container body having the lid, and the hole edge of each shaft hole is provided. In the electric rice cooker having the handle pivotally supported in the front-rear direction of the container main body by engaging the shaft portion, the shoulder rear portion of the container main body faces upward along the outer periphery thereof. A step is formed, and when the handle is tilted toward the rear,
The handle is placed on the same step, while the handle shaft is formed with an engagement protrusion with the shaft hole, and the handle is placed on the step on the step. The engaging projection of the handle shaft is fitted into a shaft hole of the container body.

Therefore, when not in use, the handle is reliably placed on the step formed upward on the outer periphery of the rear part of the shoulder of the container body, and the posture of the stored state is very stable. Further, the strength is much higher than in the case where a partially protruding locking piece is provided and supported in a state where the locking piece protrudes greatly from the outer case surface, and there is almost no possibility of damage due to an impact when dropped.

Further, as a result, the handle portion and the surface of the container main body form a continuous surface, so that the entire outer peripheral surface of the container main body including the handle can be formed substantially flush.
A sense of continuity and a sense of clarity throughout the design are realized.

Further, in the above case, when the handle is placed on the step, the engaging projection with the shaft hole of the container body side shoulder provided on the handle shaft is provided on the container body side shoulder. Are fitted into the shaft holes.

Therefore, when attaching the handle to the container body, the open end side having the handle shaft portion is placed on the step from the rear side to the front side of the container body,
When pushed along the stepped surface, the shafts and the engagement projections at both ends of the handle eventually reach and are fitted into shaft holes for the handle pivots formed in the container body side shoulder. After that, the shaft portion is engaged with the hole edge of the coaxial hole, and when the shaft is rotated by a predetermined angle from the position, the engagement protrusion of the handle shaft and the hole edge mutually engage in and out. Will not come off.

Therefore, in this configuration, the handle is attached by
It becomes extremely simple, and the first positioning in the case where an engagement structure that engages with each other and maintains the engagement relationship after the attachment is adopted becomes easy.

In the configuration of the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to the present invention, shaft holes are provided on both left and right sides of the shoulder of the container body having the lid as described above. In the electric rice cooker, the handle is pivotally supported so as to be able to rotate in the front-rear direction by engaging the shaft portion and the engaging protrusion, the handle pivoting portion engages when tilting forward. A handle rotation angle restricting means for restricting an arc rotation angle toward the front side of the handle is provided, and even when the container is tilted downward from the standing state to the front side, the operation panel section and the lock on the front part of the container body are provided. The handle does not come into contact with the lever or the like.

Therefore, even when the handle is turned upward and downward from the center of the container body, the operation keys of the operation panel and the lock lever of the lid unit are operated by the handle. It is prevented that the panel is erroneously operated or hinders the operation, and the panel surface is not damaged.

Further, in the case where each of these configurations is adopted, it is preferable that the handle pivot portion is provided with a handle temporary locking means for temporarily locking the handle at a predetermined rotation angle position above the center portion of the container body. If necessary, the handle is held at an upright position where the handle can be easily lowered, which is convenient during transportation use.

[0023]

As a result, according to the handle structure of the electric rice cooker of the present invention, the handle itself can be extremely easily attached to the container body. In addition, it is possible to realize a flush feeling of the entire surface of the container body while having a sufficiently large easy-to-drop handle, and the design is refreshing. In addition, the storage state and the posture of the handle become very stable.

Further, the possibility of damage to the handle due to an impact at the time of dropping or the like is reduced. In addition, since there is no erroneous operation of the operation unit or damage to the panel surface when the handle is turned forward and downward, the reliability of the product is further improved.

[0025]

1 to 12 show a handle structure of an electric rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the electric rice cooker of the embodiment employs an electromagnetic induction heating system having a work coil, for example.
And it is constituted so that cooking rice and heat retention may be used. Then, for example, as shown in FIGS.
Is, for example, a cylindrical cover portion 4a formed of a synthetic resin plate.
A shoulder 4b formed integrally with the upper end of the cover 4a;
The bottom part 4c made of synthetic resin is integrally connected to the lower end of the cover part 4a. The outer case 4 is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole. And
A synthetic resin formed inside the outer case 4 so that an inner pot made of, for example, stainless steel capable of generating heat by an eddy current generated by a work coil (electromagnetic induction coil) not shown can be detachably set. A cylindrical inner case with a bottom is provided. In addition, the outer case 4
The lid unit 5 is provided at the upper part of the unit via a hinge mechanism 50 (see FIG. 4) so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction.

On the other hand, on the side (front side) of the shoulder 4b of the outer case 4 opposite to the hinge mechanism 50, a lock lever 39 and an operation panel 70 constituting an operation section are provided vertically. . The lock lever 39 locks the lid unit 5 in a closed state by engaging the distal end thereof with the distal end of the lid unit 5, and releases the lid unit 5 upward by releasing the engagement. I have. Also,
The operation panel 70 includes various switches 61, 62a, 62b, 62c, 71, 72, 73, 7 necessary for rice cooking as shown in FIG.
4 and a liquid crystal display unit 75 for displaying a rice cooking menu, a timer setting time, a reservation, fuzzy rice cooking, reheating, heat retention / cancellation, etc. selected by each of the switches and allowing the user to visually recognize it. Is formed.

Further, a handle 96 is provided at the center of the left and right shoulders 4b of the outer case 4 so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction as shown in the figure. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, an upward stepped portion 4 recessed inward by at least the thickness width of the handle 96 is provided on the outer periphery of the rear half of the shoulder 4b from the handle pivot.
As shown in FIG. 5, a handle 96 tilted and stored at the rear side forms a continuous surface with the outer case 4 and is stably mounted on the step portion 40 in a stable state. It has become. Further, a concave groove 41 for inserting a finger, which is cut into a circular arc having a predetermined width, is provided at a lower portion of the rear surface in the center in the left-right direction. Also, both ends of the shoulder portion at the left and right central sides of the step portion 40 are arc-shaped inclined surfaces 40a which rise and incline from the rear side to the front side, and the step vertical wall portion located at the radial center portion thereof. Shaft fitting holes (shaft holes) 97, 97 for pivoting the handle 96 are formed in 40b.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, for example, the handle 96 has a U-shape as a whole, and the width at both ends is smaller than the width at the center, so that the handle 96 has elasticity in the inner reduction direction. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a shaft portion formed on the stepped vertical wall portion 40b on the shoulder 4b side of the outer case 4 is provided inside the base portions 96b, 96b at both ends. Fitting shafts (shaft portions) 98, 98 which are loosely fitted in the fitting holes 97, 97 are provided, respectively.

[0030] Then, the virtual and the both end fitting shaft 98, 98 by loosely rotatably coaxially in the shaft section fitting hole 97, 97, from the state of the solid line A ₁ shown in FIG. 4, for example It is mounted so as to be able to arbitrarily rotate in the range of about 160 ° to the state of the lines A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ .

Right above the shaft fitting holes 97, 97 of the stepped vertical wall 40b on the side of the left and right shoulders 4b of the outer case 4, for example, as shown in FIGS. A _first having a tilt angle θ ₁ , θ ₂ and projecting outward in a round shape;
The second engaging projections 99A, 99B are provided, and a part of the hole edge of the fitting holes 97, 97 is cut out in a substantially fan shape on the front side in the horizontal direction. Are formed. Correspondingly, the handle shaft O- of the bases 98a, 98a of the fitting shafts 98, 98 on the handle 96 side is correspondingly provided.
In the upper position on O '(see FIG. 11), the shaft fitting hole 9 is provided.
A third engagement projection 76 on a radius surface which has a predetermined engagement resistance and slides by pressing with a predetermined engagement resistance is provided when corresponding to the first and second engagement projections 99A, 99B on the 7,97 side. I have. The first and second
The engagement projections 99A and 99B and the third engagement projection 76 constitute the handle temporary locking means in the configuration of the invention according to the third aspect of the present invention.

Further, the fitting shafts 98, 98 bases 98a,
98a of the third engaging projection 7 on the handle axis OO '
At the end side position (lower position) in the direction opposite to 6,76, the shaft fitting hole 97, a fan-shaped notch at the edge of the 97 hole as shown in FIGS. Fourth engagement protrusions (engagement protrusions) 77, 77 having a fan shape that are fitted to the portions 97a, 97a are protruded outward in the radial direction, and the lower surface side thereof is a shoulder 4b of the outer case 4. Rib 7 protruding downward from the upper wall
It is adapted to abut with rotation state of the virtual line A ₄ in FIG. 4 to the lower surface of 8. The fourth engagement projection 77 and the rib 78
The rotation angle restricting means in the constitution of the invention described in claim 2 in the claims is constituted.

Therefore, in the above configuration, first, the handle 9
When attaching 6, the handle 96 is placed in a horizontal state with both ends facing the front side of the container body, and is pushed forward along the surface of the step portion 40. Then, the both end side base portions 96b, 96b are guided by the inclined surfaces 40a, 40a which are inclined upward and forward from the rear ends of both ends of the step portion 40, and the inner fitting shafts 98, 98 are moved toward the shoulder portion 4b side. It becomes coaxial with the shaft fitting holes 97 of the stepped vertical wall portion 40b.

In this state, the shaft fitting hole 9
The notches 97a, 97a at the edge of the hole 7, 97 and the fitting shaft 98,
The fourth engagement projections 77 correspond to the engagement shafts 98 in the cutouts 97a.
98 and then the shape of the handle 96 itself
(The width at both ends is smaller than the central portion.) The inward fitting elastic force allows the fitting state to be stably maintained.

Therefore, the attachment of the handle 96 to the outer case 4 is extremely simple.

Next, the above handle 96 attached as described above, when it is rotated in the arrow (a) direction from the state of the solid line A ₁ in FIG. 4, the shaft section fitting hole 97, 97 the fourth engaging portion 77, 77 without sliding resistance of many such from a ₁ to the state before the a ₂ together is not disengaged engaged freely rotating in the hole edge portion the fitting shaft 98, 98 on the inside Although dynamic, come to a ₂ position, the handle third-side engaging portion 76 and the shoulder portion side first
Is engaged with the engaging projection 99A, thereby increasing the sliding resistance.

Then, when it gets over this, eventually, FIG.
Before A ₃ position shown in becomes possible again freely rotates.
However, further come to A ₃ position of FIG. 4, the handle third engaging projection 76 of the shoulder portion 4b side second side engagement projection 9
9B, the sliding resistance increases again.

Therefore, in this configuration, the handle 9
6 it is possible to temporary lock at the position of free rotating angle range theta in (e.g. theta = 15 ° approximately) between A ₂ and A ₃ position shown in FIG. 4, the position standing handle 96 upwards Since it is in the state of being made to be moved, it becomes very convenient in carrying operation.

Next, when the handle 96 is moved from the position A ₃ ,
Further, it is rotated forward in the direction of the arrow (a), and A ₄ shown in FIG.
Position (the position is that the central part 96a of the handle 96 is
This position is a position short of contacting the lock lever 39 and the front side operation panel 70). At this position, as shown in FIG. since the lower face is abut abut against the lower surface of the shoulder portion 4b side ribs 78, the handle 96 is locked to rotation of the reliable downward the a ₄ position, in FIGS. 3 and 4 or cause erroneous operations collides with the lock lever 39 and the operation panel 70 rotated to a ₅ position of the phantom line showing the operation panel 7
There is no damage to the 0 side.

[0040] Incidentally, engagement in this case, in order to avoid with certainty also the contact of the operation panel 70 or the like due to bending of the handle 96 (the pressing displacement of the A ₅ position), for example the upper operation panel 70 of the outer case 4 It is, of course, possible to separately provide a joint projection.

[0041] In the above structure, when rotated to a predetermined angle or more arrow (a) direction from A ₁ position of FIG 4, a fourth engaging portion 77 of the fitting shaft 98 side of the fan notch Part 97
Since the engagement between the shoulder side shaft portion fitting holes 97, 97 and the hole edge back side can be securely performed via the holes 97a, 97a, there is no possibility that they come off during transportation or the like.

Further, in the above configuration, as described above, the shoulder portion 4b of the container main body 1 is provided with the step portion 40 which is recessed inward at least by the thickness width of the handle 96 at the rear outer peripheral portion. (From above A ₄ , A ₃ , A ₂ position to A ₁ position)
At the time of tilting, the entire handle 96 is configured to be securely and stably placed on the step portion 40.

Therefore, when the handle is not used, the handle 9 is not used.
The posture of the storage state of 6 is very stable. Further, thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the outer case 4 and the outer peripheral surface of the handle become substantially the same,
Compared to the conventional case where a partially protruding locking piece is provided and supported in a state where it protrudes greatly from the outer case 4 surface, the strength is much higher, and there is almost no possibility of damage due to impact such as dropping. No.

Further, as a result, the entire outer peripheral surface of the container main body including the handle can be formed to be flush.
A sense of continuity is realized on the whole design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an electric rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention in a handle upright state.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a handle turning state of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of an outer case shoulder showing a state in which the electric rice cooker has a handle stored therein.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a handle fitting state of a shoulder portion of an outer case of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of a handle fitting hole of a shoulder of an outer case of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a handle base of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a handle fitting hole in a shoulder of an outer case of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an engagement relationship of a rotation angle regulating portion in a handle attachment portion of the electric rice cooker.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the handle base of the electric rice cooker in an upright state.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a rotation angle regulation state when the handle of the electric rice cooker is tilted forward.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a container body, 4 is an outer case, 4a is a cover portion, 4b is a shoulder portion, 4c is a bottom portion, 5 is a lid unit, 76 is a third engagement projection, 77 is a fourth engagement projection, 78 Is a rib, 96 is a handle,
96b is a handle base, 97 is a fitting hole, 98 is a fitting shaft, 99
A is a first engagement projection, and 99B is a second engagement projection.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An axial hole is provided on both left and right sides of a shoulder portion of a container body having a lid portion, and the axial portion is engaged with a hole edge of each of the axial holes, thereby turning the container body in the front-rear direction. In an electric rice cooker pivotally supporting a handle, an upward step is formed along the outer periphery of a shoulder rear portion of the container body,
When the handle is tilted to the rear side, the handle is placed on the same step portion, while the handle shaft is formed with an engaging projection with the shaft hole. The handle structure of an electric rice cooker, wherein the engaging projection of the handle shaft is fitted into the shaft hole of the container body at the mounting position on the step. 2. A handle turning angle restricting means which is engaged with the handle pivoting portion when the handle is tilted to the front side and restricts the arc turning angle toward the front side of the handle is provided. The handle structure of an electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the handle does not come into contact with an operation panel section or the like of the section. 3. A handle temporary locking means for temporarily locking the handle at a position within a predetermined rotation angle range above a central portion of the container main body is provided at the handle pivot portion. 1
Or the handle structure of the electric rice cooker according to 2.