JP3858832B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rice cooker that uses steam for heating rice cooking to improve rice cooking performance.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a general household rice cooker, by using a pot heating means arranged at the bottom of the pot and a lid heating means arranged in the lid, by uniformly heating the rice and water in the pot from above and below, It promotes gelatinization of rice and improves rice cooking performance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
By the way, in this conventional rice cooker, heating is continued in the steaming process, which is the final process of rice cooking, and completing the conversion of rice starch into a lake is an indispensable requirement for improving rice cooking performance. If the heating is continued by heating, the cooked rice near the bottom of the pot will be burnt, so that the heating is weakened. In order to prevent insufficient gelatinization associated with weakening the heating and improve rice cooking performance, the lid heating means heats the rice from above the pan opening with a high heat source.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 988050 gazette
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the rice cooker having the above-described conventional configuration, in particular, the rice in the upper layer in the pan is directly heated by the heat radiation of the lid heating means, which is a high heat source. The phenomenon of evaporation and drying occurs. Therefore, the upper layer of the pan is dried and loses its taste. This is because the higher the amount of cooked rice, the greater the amount of heating, but the greater the amount of cooked rice, the closer the upper rice approaches the lid heating means.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a rice cooker in which the rice in the upper layer of the pan does not dry regardless of the amount of rice cooking, and further promotes the gelatinization of the rice and improves the rice cooking performance. It is the purpose.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the rice cooker of the present invention efficiently generates high-temperature steam above the boiling point of water in the unevenness process, and supplies this from the top of the pan to cook rice. Is.
[0008]
Thereby, since high-temperature steam is efficiently obtained and rice cooking is performed, the rice in the upper layer of the pan is not dried regardless of the amount of rice cooking, and gelatinization of the rice is promoted, and the rice cooking performance is improved.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is a pan, a pan heating means for heating the pan, a lid covering the opening of the pan, a steam generating means for generating steam to be supplied into the pan, and the lid And a steam heater provided with steam heating means for supplying steam from the steam generating means as high-temperature steam above the boiling point of water to the interior space from above the pan in the uneven process. Therefore, the rice in the upper layer of the pan is not dried regardless of the amount of rice cooking, and the gelatinization of the rice is promoted to improve the rice cooking performance.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a high-temperature steam port for high-temperature steam supplied into the pan from the steam heating means is provided with a high-temperature steam port valve that opens when steam is supplied when the lid is closed and closes when the lid is opened. By using the rice cooker according to claim 1 provided, the rice cooker at the time of opening the lid adds high-temperature steam to the pan uniformly from the high-temperature steam port and uniformly improves the taste of the entire pan. At the same time, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from intruding into the steam heating means by mistake from the high temperature steam port when the lid is opened.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 can supply high-temperature steam into the pot only in a necessary process by using the rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2 that stops supply of high-temperature steam when the lid is opened. It is possible to promote gelatinization of rice with a limited amount of power consumption, and to prevent discoloration, deformation or corrosion of the lid outer shell due to high temperature steam.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4 makes it possible to stabilize the steam from the steam generating means by utilizing the characteristic that the steam rises by using the rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2 in which the steam generating means is provided in the rice cooker body. Then, it can be sent to the steam heating means arranged on the lid.
[0013]
The invention according to claim 5 provides the valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a valve for separating the steam generating means and the steam heating means and closing the opening on the steam heating means side when the lid is opened. By using the described rice cooker, it is possible to improve the care of the steam generating means and prevent dripping of dew from the steam heating means when cold.
[0014]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
Example 1
The rice cooker in Example 1 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 1, FIG.
[0016]
In the figure, the rice cooker body 1 has a bottomed cylindrical pot storage portion 1a, and stores the pot 2 in a detachable manner. A bottom induction coil 3 serving as a pot heating means is provided at the bottom of the pot storage portion 1a. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bottom sensor configured to come into contact with the bottom surface 2 a of the pan 2. The control unit 5 controls the operation of the rice cooker.
[0017]
The upper part of the rice cooker body 1 is covered with an openable and closable lid 8 comprising an outer lid 8a and an outer lid cover 8b, which is pivotally supported by a hinge shaft 7 provided on the hinge 6 at the rear of the rice cooker body 1. Yes.
[0018]
The lid 8 is provided with a heating plate 9 facing the opening of the pan 2. On the surface of the heating plate 9 facing the pan 2, a lid induction coil 10 that is a lid heating means is provided. The heating plate 9 has a heating plate steam port 9a, and the lid top surface 8c is provided with a lid steam port 8d communicating with the heating plate steam port 9a. The steam port packing 11 is sandwiched between the heating plate 9 and the lid 8, and the pan packing 12 is sandwiched between the heating plate 9 and the pan flange portion 2 b on the upper edge outer peripheral portion of the pan 2 when the lid is closed. .
[0019]
The steam heating means 13 comprising a heating pipe is disposed inside the lid 8, one end communicating with the steam generating means 15 via the steam path 14, and the other end serving as a high temperature steam port 13 a. It faces the upper part of the inside. Moreover, the steam generation means 15 is provided in the outer side of the rice cooker main body 1, and has the water supply port 15a and the steam generation means 15b.
[0020]
Next, the operation in the above configuration will be described.
[0021]
The rice to be cooked and the water corresponding to the amount of the rice are put in the pan 2 and equipped in the rice cooker body 1. Further, it is confirmed whether or not the steam generating means 15 has a predetermined amount or more of water, and if not, water is supplied to the steam generating means 15b from the water supply port 15a of the steam generating means 15. And if a user operates the rice cooking start switch (not shown), the control part 5 will receive the input from a rice cooking start switch, and a rice cooking process will be implemented. The bottom sensor 4 detects the temperature of the bottom surface 2 a of the pan 2 and sends a signal to the control unit 5. In response to the signal from the bottom sensor 4, the control unit 5 can control the temperature of the water and rice in the pot 2 as appropriate values in each of the rice cooking processes, which are largely divided into the water immersion, cooking, and steaming processes. The energization amount of the bottom induction coil 3, the lid induction coil 10, the steam generation means 15 and the steam heating means 13 is controlled as an output so as to be maintained for a predetermined time.
[0022]
The bottom induction coil 3 heats the bottom surface 2a of the pan 2 by induction heating with a current supplied from the control unit 5. The lid induction coil 10 also causes the heating plate 9 to generate heat by induction heating with a current supplied from the control unit 5.
[0023]
The steam generating means 15 converts the current supplied from the control unit 5 into heat, and boiles the water in the steam generating means 15b to generate steam. The generated steam flows to the steam heating means 13 via the steam path 14. The vapor | steam heating means 13 converts the electric current supplied from the control part 5 into heat, and supplies it in the pan 2 as high temperature vapor | steam (refer FIG. 2). Here, in the steam generation means 15b, bubbles are generated when water boils. Since the latent heat of vaporization of water is much larger than the amount of heat required to heat the steam to a high temperature, if the bubbles at the time of boiling reach the steam heating means 13, the heat of the steam heating means 13 is taken away by the bubbles. In this embodiment, the steam path 14 is provided, and bubbles at the time of boiling disappear in the steam path 14, so that the bubbles reach the steam heating means 13. And stable generation of high-temperature steam.
[0024]
Next, operation | movement of the rice cooker in each process is demonstrated. First, in the water immersion process, the bottom induction coil 3 is energized to heat the pan 2 so that the temperature of the rice and water rises to a temperature at which rice gelatinization does not start. In addition, steam is generated from the steam generating means 15, and heat is also applied to the internal space 2 c of the pan 2. In the inundation process, it is necessary to keep the whole rice in the pan 2 uniformly at the target temperature and keep the water absorption conditions of the rice in the pan 2 uniform in order to cook delicious rice. Since rice and water are heated from both the bottom surface 2a and the inner space 2c of the pan 2, the temperature of the entire pan 2 can be increased uniformly in a shorter time than the heating of the bottom induction coil 3 alone. Further, by introducing steam into the internal space 2 c of the pan 2, the temperature of the entire pan 2 can be efficiently increased in a much shorter time than when the heating plate 9 is heated by the lid induction coil 10.
[0025]
Next, in the cooking step, the bottom induction coil 3 causes the bottom surface 2a of the pan 2 to generate heat, and the lid induction coil 10 causes the heating plate 9 to generate heat so that the entire pan 2 is wrapped. In addition, the steam generating means 15 and the steam heating means 13 are energized to send high temperature steam into the internal space 2c of the pan 2. The water in the pot 2 can reach the boiling point in a shorter time, and furthermore, the temperature of the entire pot 2 can be raised uniformly by the high-temperature steam fed into the internal space 2 c of the pot 2. This can heat the whole pan 2 quickly and uniformly regardless of the amount of cooked rice, and can promote gelatinization of rice starch evenly.
[0026]
Finally, in the unevenness process, the bottom induction coil 3 generates heat on the bottom surface 2a of the pan 2 to such an extent that the rice on the bottom surface 2a of the pan 2 does not dry or burn, and the lid induction coil 10 causes dew on the heating plate 9. The heating plate 9 generates heat to the extent that it does not. Then, the high temperature steam is sent into the internal space 2 c of the pan 2 by the steam generating means 15 and the steam heating means 13. In the spotting process, it is important to keep the entire pan 2 at a high temperature at a temperature at which the rice does not dry or burn so that the rice is gelatinized up to the core. By supplying high-temperature steam having a boiling point of water (100 ° C.) or higher to atmospheric pressure in the internal space 2c, first, the steam is supplied, so that the rice is not dried, and secondly In the steam supply at 100 ° C. or lower, water stays attached to the surface of the rice grain, but since it is steam at 100 ° C. or higher, it has the energy necessary to advance gelatinization of rice starch and promotes gelatinization, Rice cooking performance can be improved.
[0027]
Furthermore, the arrangement of the steam heating means 13 on the lid 8 is because the lid 8 receives the heat of the pan 2 and the lid 8 has a higher temperature than the rice cooker body 1 and is preheated in advance. It can be obtained and has good responsiveness and energy saving.
[0028]
In addition, although the induction coil was used as a pan heating means and a lid pan heating means, it is not restricted to this, Other heating means, such as a sheathed heater, may be sufficient. The steam heating means 13 and the steam generation means 15 actually have heating coils, respectively, and are heated by the heating coils when energized.
[0029]
(Example 2)
Next, the rice cooker in Example 2 of this invention is demonstrated with FIG. 3, FIG.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, the lid 8 is provided with a high temperature steam port 16 having a high temperature steam port valve 16a that communicates with the steam heating means 13 and can be opened and closed. That is, the high temperature steam port 16 of the high temperature steam supplied from the steam heating means 13 into the pan 2 is opened when the steam is supplied when the lid is opened by the high temperature steam port valve 16 and is closed when the lid is opened. .
[0031]
On the other hand, the heating plate 9 has a high temperature steam port hole 9b and a high temperature steam port packing 9c, and the high temperature steam port 16 and the high temperature steam port hole 9a are in communication. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0032]
In the above configuration, the pot packing 12 and the steam port packing 11 provided on the lid 8 seal the heating plate 9 and the pot flange portion 2b, and the heating plate 9 and the lid 8, respectively. The steam generated from the pan 2 during rice cooking is prevented from flowing out of the rice cooker body 1 from other than the lid steam port 8d. In the present embodiment, the high-temperature steam from the high-temperature steam port 16 is reliably sent to the internal space 2c of the pan 2 and is not leaked to the outside when the lid 8 is closed. Moreover, since high temperature steam is sent into the internal space 2c of the pan 2, the high temperature steam is evenly distributed throughout the pan 2, and the taste of the rice in the entire pan 2 is improved uniformly.
[0033]
The steam heating means 13 has a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher in order to heat the steam at a high temperature. Since the high temperature steam port 16 is opened downward when the lid 8 is closed, there is no possibility that foreign matter may enter the steam heating means 13 even if the high temperature steam port valve 16a is open. If the high-temperature steam port valve 16 a is open when it is open, foreign matter may enter the steam heating means 13 from the high-temperature steam port 16. If foreign matter or the like enters, it may cause a failure, or foreign matter may adhere to the rice in the pan 2 together with high-temperature steam during cooking, but the high-temperature steam port valve 16a is configured to open the high-temperature steam port 16 when the lid 8 is open. It has a closed configuration and there is no fear of foreign matter intrusion (see FIG. 4).
[0034]
Example 3
Next, the rice cooker in Example 3 of this invention is demonstrated.
[0035]
In the present embodiment, when the lid 8 is opened, the heating operation of the steam heating means 13 is stopped under the control of the control unit 5. That is, the supply of high temperature steam is stopped when the lid is opened. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0036]
By the way, the lid 8 may be accidentally opened during cooking, but at this time, the high-temperature steam is released into the atmosphere and the effect of promoting gelatinization of the rice cannot be obtained. The outer lid 8a or the outer lid cover 8b is often made of a resin such as polypropylene, ABS, or PMMA, or a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. If it is a metal, corrosion may occur. Therefore, as in this embodiment, when the lid 8 is opened, if the operation of the steam heating means 13 is stopped, it is possible to save energy without unnecessarily heating the steam to a high temperature, and the outer lid 8a or the outer lid cover. No high temperature steam hits 8b, and there is no fear of discoloration, deformation or corrosion of the outer lid 8a or the outer lid cover 8b.
[0037]
Example 4
Next, FIG. 5 demonstrates the rice cooker in Example 4 of this invention.
[0038]
In the present embodiment, the steam generating means 15 is provided in the rice cooker body 1. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, the steam generating means 15 may be provided outside the rice cooker body 1. Other configurations are the same as those in the first or second embodiment.
[0039]
In the above configuration, steam can be stably fed into the steam heating means 13. In other words, steam has the property of rising because it is lighter than room temperature air. Therefore, when the steam generating means 15 is provided in the rice cooker body 1, the steam generated by the steam generating means 15 can rise smoothly and be stably sent to the steam heating means 13 provided on the lid 8. Further, the bubbling bubbles generated from the steam generating part 15b of the steam generating means 15 form water droplets in the steam path 14 and then recirculate to the lower steam generating part 15b to efficiently convert water into steam. be able to.
[0040]
(Example 5)
Next, the rice cooker in Example 5 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 6, FIG.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, when the lid is opened, the steam heating means 13 and the steam generating means 15 are separated by the steam path opening 14a, and a valve 14c for closing the opening 14b on the steam heating means side is provided.
[0042]
Specifically, the steam path 14 communicating the steam heating means 13 and the steam generating means 15 is separated halfway, and when the lid is opened, the opening 14b on the steam heating means side of the steam path opening 14a is closed by the valve 14c. It comes to be formed. On the other hand, the opening 14d on the steam generating means side of the steam path opening 14a is opened as it is, and the steam generating section 15b of the steam generating means 15 is touched from the opening 14d on the steam generating means side of the steam path opening 14a. It is something that can be done. Other configurations are the same as those in any of the first to fourth embodiments.
[0043]
In the above configuration, when the lid 8 is opened, the opening 14b on the steam heating means side is closed by the valve 14c. When the steam heating means 13 stops operating after cooking, the steam remaining in the steam heating means 13 and the steam path 14 is cooled and becomes dew. Although dew adheres to the steam path opening 14a by the opening / closing operation of the lid 8, the steam path opening 14a is closed by the steam path opening valve 14c, so that dew does not drip onto the rice cooker body 1. Further, the action of the valve 14c can prevent foreign matter from intruding through the opening 14b on the steam heating means side when the lid is opened.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the steam generating part 15b of the steam generating means 15 is used for a long period of time, the chlorine component contained in the supplied water adheres, so it is sometimes necessary to remove the adhering chalk component. Since the steam generating part 15b can be touched from the opening part 14d, the cover 8 can be opened to easily remove the alkal component, and it is easy to care for. In addition, even if water is accidentally supplied to the steam generation unit 15b to a specified amount or more, water is not supplied to the opening 14d or more, thereby reliably preventing bubbles generated in the steam generation unit 15b from being ejected to the steam heating means 13. In addition, high temperature steam can be generated stably.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the rice cooker of the present invention, high-temperature steam is efficiently generated in the uneven process, and this is supplied from the top of the pan into the pan to cook rice. Rice is efficiently obtained, so that the rice in the upper layer of the pan is not dried regardless of the amount of rice cooking, and gelatinization of the rice is promoted, and the rice cooking performance is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a cross-sectional view of a rice cooker in Embodiments 1 and 3 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the rice cooker. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a rice cooker in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 4] Cross-sectional view of the main part when the rice cooker is opened. Fig. 5 Cross-sectional view of the main part of the rice cooker in Example 4 of the present invention. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the main part when the rice cooker is opened [Explanation of symbols]
1 Rice cooker body 2 Pan 3 Bottom induction coil (pan heating means)
8 Lid 13 Steam heating means 14 Steam path 14a Steam path opening 14c Valve 15 Steam generating means 16 High temperature steam port 16a High temperature steam port valve

Claims (5)

A pan, a pan heating means for heating the pan, a lid covering the opening of the pan, a steam generating means for generating steam to be supplied into the pan, and being disposed in the lid, and generating the steam Steam cooker provided with steam heating means for supplying steam from the means to the internal space from above the pan in a steaming process as high temperature steam higher than the boiling point of water.   2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein a high-temperature steam port of the high-temperature steam supplied from the steam heating means to the inside of the pan is provided with a high-temperature steam port valve that opens when steam is supplied when the lid is closed and closes when the lid is opened. vessel.   The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the supply of high-temperature steam is stopped when the lid is opened.   The rice cooker of Claim 1 or 2 which provided the steam generation means in the rice cooker main body.   The rice cooker of any one of Claims 1-4 which provided the valve which closes the opening part by the side of a steam heating means while separating a steam generation means and a steam heating means at the time of lid | cover opening.

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