JP3911084B2 - Cold insulated rice - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a home-use cold storage rice jar for storing grains such as white rice at a low temperature.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to store edible white rice in general households, weighed rice biscuits that can take out white rice by a predetermined amount have been conventionally used.
[0003]
This kind of weighed rice is simply used to store white rice, and in the kitchens that tend to be hot and humid, the white rice tends to be oxidized and deteriorated, and mold and pests are easily generated in the rice. The decline could not be avoided. Therefore, as in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-52652 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-11653, etc., the inside of the rice jar is kept cold to prevent the deterioration of white rice.
[0004]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional rice bottles, the cold air in the rice bottles leaks from a slight gap such as the rice inlet and outlet, and the outside air is cooled by the leaked cold air and condensation occurs around it. When the rice inlet is opened, outside air flows into the rice bottle, and the introduced outside air is cooled in the rice bottle, causing condensation on the inner wall of the rice bottle and causing mold.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cold insulated rice bottle capable of solving the above problems.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a storage unit for storing white rice or the like in a heat insulation box, and a cold storage rice bin provided with a cooling device for keeping the inside of the heat insulation box, such as white rice in the storage unit. When detecting that the remaining amount provided by the remaining amount detecting unit and the remaining amount provided by the remaining amount detecting unit is lower than a predetermined amount, the operation of the cooling device is stopped or reduced, and the temperature difference between the inside of the storage unit and the outside air is reduced. And controlling means.
[0007]
Further, there is a temperature difference between the first notifying unit for notifying the remaining amount decrease in the storage unit, the unit for detecting the temperature in the storage unit, the unit for detecting the temperature outside the heat insulating box, and the outside air in the storage unit. A second informing means for informing that the amount has become smaller, and when the control means detects that the remaining amount provided by the remaining amount detecting means has decreased below a predetermined amount, the first informing means reduces the remaining amount. And the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped or lowered. After that, when the difference between the temperature inside the storage unit and the outside air temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the outside air temperature detecting means is reduced to a predetermined range, the second operation is performed. Control is performed so as to be notified by the notification means.
[0008]
Further, in the heat insulating rice bin provided with a cooling unit that cools the inside of the heat insulation box, the storage portion for storing the white rice and the like is formed in the heat insulation box. When the open state of the lid is detected by the opening / closing detection means, the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped. Thereafter, when the closed state of the lid is detected, the cooling device is dehumidified for a predetermined time, and the normal cooling operation is resumed after the dehumidifying operation.
[0009]
Furthermore, in the insulated rice bin in which a storage unit for storing white rice and the like is formed in the heat insulation box and a cooling device for keeping the inside of the heat insulation box is provided, the rice weighing is located below the storage unit and measures and discharges the white rice and the like. A rice vessel body is formed in the heat insulation box, and a rice container is provided in the heat insulation box, and a front door provided in the heat insulation box is opened to open the rice from the rice vessel body. A predetermined gap is formed between the heat insulation box inner wall and the rice vessel body outer wall to form a cold air flow path, and the opening provided with the front door and the rice vessel body front surface A cold rice container characterized in that a narrower channel than the cold air channel is formed between them.
[0010]
[Action]
In the present invention, when it is detected that the remaining amount of white rice or the like in the storage unit has decreased, it is determined that it is necessary to receive supplementation of white rice, and the cooling operation is stopped or the driving ability is lowered together with a notification of the remaining amount being reduced. Because the temperature inside the rice bin is changed to the same level as the outside air temperature, when the rice inlet is opened and white rice is replenished, the outside air that flows into the rice bin does not condense on the inner wall of the rice bin. Hygienic.
[0011]
In addition, when it is detected that the remaining amount of white rice, etc. in the storage section has decreased, this is notified, and further, that the temperature in the rice bin has changed to the same level as the outside air temperature after the cooling operation is stopped or lowered. Since the notification will be made, the timing of adding white rice becomes clear, and while the difference between the temperature inside the rice bottle and the outside air temperature is large, the rice inlet is accidentally opened and the inside of the rice bottle may be condensed. Absent.
[0012]
In addition, when the rice inlet is opened, that is, when it is detected that the rice inlet has been opened, the cooling operation is stopped, and then when the rice inlet is closed, the dehumidifying operation is performed for a predetermined time. Even if moisture outside air is cooled and condensed in the rice bottle, this can be eliminated to some extent, and normal cooling operation can be performed. Therefore, wasteful cooling and dehumidification is eliminated when the rice inlet is opened. Dehydration is preceded after the inlet is closed, so that the dew condensation that has occurred in the rice bin when it is opened can be eliminated.
[0013]
Furthermore, since a predetermined gap is formed between the inner wall of the heat insulating box and the outer wall of the main body of the rice bowl, the entire air passage body is cooled, so that the white rice in the storage unit can be uniformly kept cold. Further, since not only the storage unit but also the measuring device and the rice receiving container are similarly kept at a low temperature, dew condensation does not occur on the white rice discharged from the storage unit when measuring and discharging rice. In addition, since the flow path formed between the opening provided with the front door and the front surface of the rice vine body is narrower than the cold air flow path, the leakage of cold air when the front door is opened is minimized, and the cold air leakage portion Condensation can be prevented from occurring.
[0014]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a cold insulated rice according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the front door is opened, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are a central longitudinal sectional view and A- It is A sectional drawing. FIG. 5 shows a rear perspective view for explaining the internal structure.
[0015]
Reference numeral 1 denotes a heat insulating box having openings on the front and upper sides, which closes the front opening through the seal member 3 of the front door 2 and closes the upper opening which is a rice inlet with a lid 4. It is comprised so that the inside can be kept sealed. And in the heat insulation box 1, the box-shaped storage part 5 for storing white rice, the measurement part 6 for measuring and taking out white rice below the storage part 5, and the rice receiving container 7 are provided, When the front door 2 is in the open state, the front plate 8 that covers the entire front opening part together with the front surface of the rice receiving container 7 visually confirms the operation keys 9 for measuring rice and the remaining amount of rice. A window 10 in which a transparent member is fitted is provided so as to be able to. In addition, a water storage container 12 is provided in the space behind the measuring unit 6 to store the condensed water in the cooling unit 11 and the cooling unit 18 of the cooling unit 11.
[0016]
The storage unit 5 is provided in the heat insulating box 1 between a pair of side plates 13 arranged so as to form a space with the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating box 1, and the front surface is formed integrally with the front plate 8. The space is formed between the front plate 8 and the back surface of the front door 2 and between the back surface and the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating box 1. Further, a ventilation hole 14 is formed in a portion of the lower part of the pair of side plates 13 that does not constitute the storage part 5, and a ventilation part 15 is provided at the upper end of the storage part 5 so that air inside and outside the storage part 5 flows. A gap 16 is formed between the front opening edge and the front plate 8, that is, the front surface of the storage unit 5, thereby forming a cold air circulation space 17 that connects the entire circumference of the storage unit 5 together. By circulating the air cooled by the cooling device 11 in the cold air circulation space 17, it becomes possible to efficiently keep the entire inside of the heat insulating box 1 cool.
[0017]
The space between the front plate 8 and the rear surface of the front door 2 is the front plate through a slight gap 16 between the inner side of the front opening edge of the heat insulating box 1 and the front plate 8, that is, the front surface of the storage unit 5. 8 Communicating with the cool air circulation space 17 at the rear, and the cool air from the cooling device 11 circulates, but the gap 16 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the heat insulating box 1 and the side plate 13. By making it narrower than the cold air circulation space, the occurrence of condensation on the periphery of the front plate is prevented by minimizing the leakage of cold air when the front door 2 is opened for measuring operations of white rice. Furthermore, even when the wall surface of the space between the front plate 8 and the back surface of the front door 2 has dewed, it is possible to eliminate the dew condensation by circulating cold air in this space and dehumidifying the cooling unit 18. it can.
[0018]
As the cooling device, one that is used in a conventionally known refrigerator composed of an electric compressor, a condenser, a dryer, and an evaporator may be used, but in this embodiment, a device that uses the Peltier effect is used. use. By adopting a Peltier cooling device, a smaller and simpler configuration can be achieved.
[0019]
The cooling device 11 includes a cooling unit 18, a heat radiating unit 19, a Peltier element 20, a cooling fan 21 and a heat radiating fan 22, and removes a part of the wall of the heat insulating box 1 below the storage unit 5 to provide a cooling unit. 18 is arranged so as to protrude into the cool air circulation space 17, and the heat dissipating part 19 is protruded to the outside of the heat insulating box 1, a cooling fan 21 is provided in the vicinity of the cooling part 18 in the cold air circulation space 17, A heat radiating fan 22 is attached at a position facing the heat radiating portion 19. Then, by operating the Peltier element 20 between the cooling unit 18 and the heat radiating unit 19, cold air is generated in the cooling unit 18 and heat is generated from the heat radiating unit 19. The entire heat insulating box is cooled by forced circulation inside, and the heat of the heat radiating portion 19 is forcibly discharged to the outside by the heat radiating fan 22. The cooling efficiency of the Peltier element 20 is improved by the discharge of heat generated from the heat radiating unit 19.
[0020]
Below the cooling device 11, a discharge means including a water receiving container 23, a drain hose 24, and a water storage container 12 is provided in order to discharge condensed water generated in the cooling unit 18 to the outside. If the wall of the heat insulating box 1 to which the cooling device 11 is attached is inclined and the surface of the cooling unit 18 is similarly inclined, the water condensed on the cooling unit 18 is condensed and flows into the water receiving container 23, and partly Is collected in the water storage container 12 through the drainage hose 24 having a U-shape.
[0021]
Further, the cold insulated rice bottle of the present embodiment has means 29 for detecting the remaining amount of white rice in the storage unit 5, means 25 for detecting the open / closed state of the lid 4 of the rice inlet, and means 30 for detecting the temperature in the storage unit. And a means 31 for detecting the outside air temperature, and a cooling operation corresponding to each situation can be performed. As the means for detecting the remaining amount of white rice, existing techniques such as attaching a vibrator to the inner wall surface of the storage unit 5 and moving a switch with a diaphragm are used to detect whether the lid 4 is open or closed. A switch that is turned on and off by opening and closing the lid 4 may be provided in the unit. Moreover, what is necessary is just to use the existing temperature sensor also about the temperature detection means 30 and the external temperature detection means 31. FIG.
[0022]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of one embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 26 denotes a control unit, 27 denotes a drive unit for energizing the cooling device 11 and the notification units 32 and 33 in accordance with an output signal from the control unit 26, 28 denotes a rice opening opening / closing detection unit 25, and a remaining amount detection unit 29, a detection unit including a temperature detection unit 30 in the storage unit and an outside air temperature detection unit 31.
[0023]
This invention is comprised as mentioned above and can cool the white rice in the storage part 5 efficiently. An example of the operation will be described below. In a normal state in which a sufficient amount of white rice is stored in the storage unit 5 and the rice slot is closed, the Peltier element 20, the cooling fan 21 and the heat radiating fan 22 are energized, and Cooling takes place. As shown in FIG. 5, the air cooled by the cooling unit 18 is sent to the measuring unit 6 and the rice receiving container 7 by the cooling fan 21 and is insulated from the storage unit 5 through the vent hole 14 below the side plate 13. Since it flows into the cool air circulation space 17 between the inner walls of the box 1 and the cool air enters the storage portion 5 from the ventilation portion 15 at the upper end of the storage portion 5, the white rice can be cooled from the entire periphery. Then, the cold air that has passed through the cold air circulation space 17 is sucked into the cooling fan 21, cooled again by the cooling unit 18, circulated in the heat insulating box 1, and can always be kept at a low temperature.
[0024]
Next, an operation example when the remaining amount of white rice in the storage unit 5 is reduced will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. During the normal cooling operation, when the remaining rice amount detecting means 29 detects that the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount (S1), the cooling device 11 is turned off, and the cooling operation is stopped. The first notification means 32 notifies the user that the remaining amount is low, and prompts the user to prepare rice to be replenished (S2). As a notification method, a buzzer provided in advance or a LED lamp may be turned on. When it is determined that the internal temperature has gradually approached and become equal to the outside air temperature (S3), the second notification means 33 performs notification for prompting the supply of white rice (S4). Here, the reason for making the internal temperature equal to the outside air temperature is to prevent the outside air from condensing on the walls and rice grains in the storage unit 5 due to the contact between the cooled storage unit 5 and the high temperature and high humidity outside air. is there. Next, in accordance with the notification, white rice is replenished from the rice inlet (S5). When the lid opening / closing detection means 25 detects that the rice inlet is closed (S6), energization of the cooling device 11 is resumed (S7), Return to normal cooling operation.
[0025]
Still another operation example will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the rice inlet is opened to add additional white rice, the lid opening / closing detection means 25 detects the opening of the rice inlet in order to prevent high temperature and high humidity outside air from flowing into the storage unit 5 and causing condensation. When it is done (S11), the power supply to the cooling unit 11 is turned off and the cooling operation is stopped (S12). When the rice inlet is returned to the closed state (S13), the cooling device 11 enters the dehumidifying operation (S14). The normal cooling operation is resumed (S16) at a point in time (S15) when a predetermined time is assumed that the inside of the heat insulating box 1 is likely to be low to some extent. The dehumidifying operation is performed in order to more efficiently cool and dehumidify the air in the heat insulating box 1 that has become high temperature and high humidity due to the inflow of outside air. The operation of performing dehumidification by promoting dew condensation in the air and the cooling unit 21 is stopped by stopping the rotation of the cooling fan 21 in order to prevent the cooling unit 18 from being kept at a low temperature of, for example, about 0 ° C. by continuously applying high-temperature air. The operation of waiting for the temperature of 18 to decrease is repeated.
[0026]
In the other embodiment, cooling and dehumidification are efficiently performed by intermittently operating the cooling fan 21 as a dehumidifying operation after the opening and closing operation of the rice inlet, but at least the rotation of the cooling fan 21 is stopped by stopping the rotation for a predetermined time. It is possible to reduce the temperature of the cooling unit 18.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the remaining amount of white rice or the like in the storage unit falls below a predetermined amount, the cooling operation is stopped or lowered so that the temperature in the heat insulation box becomes equal to the outside air temperature. It is possible to eliminate the waste of continuing cooling the storage part that has been lost, and when the rice inlet is opened for additional input of rice, the outside air does not condense inside the storage and it can be used very hygienically. .
In addition, a notification is made when the remaining amount of white rice or the like in the storage unit is less than a predetermined amount, and further, a notification is made that the temperature difference between the inside of the storage and the outside air has become smaller due to the stoppage or reduction of the cooling operation. Is easy to understand, and users will not forget to replenish rice. In addition, rice replenishment can be performed in a short time without causing condensation of white rice and the like, and what is left in the storage section and newly introduced can be stored without sacrificing taste and quality.
In addition, the dehumidification operation is performed after the rice input port is opened and then dehumidified, so that the temperature inside the rice bin body that has risen due to the outside air flowing into the storage unit when the rice input port is opened can be lowered in a short time and the humidity can be reduced. Can be lowered to the extent that condensation does not occur. Moreover, since it can implement only by operation control of a cooling fan, a very economical and efficient cooling operation can be performed without requiring a complicated structure.
Further, since the cold air is distributed throughout the main body of the rice by circulating the cold air through the cold air flow path, the inside of the main body of the rice bottle can be uniformly cooled without unevenness. In addition, since the cool air flow path between the front opening edge of the heat insulation box and the front of the rice vine body is narrower than other cool air flow paths, there is no leakage of cold air when the front door is opened, and condensation occurs in the leakage part. Can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a cold insulated rice according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a front door of the cold insulated rice according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened.
FIG. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view in FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view illustrating the internal structure of a cold insulated rice according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system for cold insulated rice according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the cold insulated rice according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of operation of the cold insulated rice according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat insulation box 2 Front door 3 Seal member 4 Lid 5 Storage part 6 Weighing part 7 Rice receiving container 8 Front plate 9 Operation key 10 Window 11 Cooling device 12 Water storage container 13 Side plate 14 Ventilation hole 15 Ventilation part 16 Crevice 17 Cold air circulation space 18 Cooling unit 19 Heat radiating unit 20 Peltier element 21 Cooling fan 22 Heat radiating fan 23 Water receiving container 24 Drain hose 25 Cover opening / closing detection means 26 Control part 27 Drive part 28 Detection part 29 Remaining quantity detection means 30 Outside temperature detection means 31 in the storage part Air temperature detection means 32 First notification means 33 Second notification means

Claims (4)

In the insulated rice box that has a storage unit for storing white rice etc. in the heat insulation box body and provided a cooling device for keeping the heat insulation box body cold,
When detecting that the remaining amount of white rice or the like in the storage unit and the remaining amount provided by the remaining amount detection unit is lower than a predetermined amount, the operation of the cooling device is stopped or reduced, and the inside of the storage unit and the outside air And a means for controlling the temperature difference to be small. In the cold insulated rice container according to claim 1,
A temperature difference between the first notifying means for notifying a decrease in the remaining amount in the storage part, a means for detecting the temperature in the storage part, a means for detecting the temperature outside the heat insulating box, and the outside air in the storage part becomes small. Second informing means for informing that, and when the control means detects that the remaining amount provided by the remaining amount detecting means has fallen below a predetermined amount, the first informing means informs the remaining amount reduction. In addition, when the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped or lowered, and the difference between the temperature inside the storage unit and the outside air temperature detected by the temperature detecting means and the outside air temperature detecting means is reduced to a predetermined range, the second informing means The cold insulated rice bin is characterized by being controlled so as to be notified by. In the insulated rice box that has a storage unit for storing white rice etc. in the heat insulation box body and provided a cooling device for keeping the heat insulation box body cold,
A rice inlet formed in the heat insulation box to put white rice or the like into the storage unit, a lid for opening and closing the rice inlet, means for detecting opening and closing of the lid, When the open state is detected, the cooling operation of the cooling device is stopped. After that, when the closed state of the lid is detected, the cooling device is dehumidified for a predetermined time, and the normal cooling operation is resumed after the dehumidifying operation. A cold insulated rice jar characterized by comprising: In the insulated rice box that has a storage unit for storing white rice etc. in the heat insulation box body and provided a cooling device for keeping the heat insulation box body cold,
A rice vessel body, which is located under the storage unit and forms a rice meter for measuring and discharging white rice etc., and further detachably provided with a rice receiving container for taking out the measured white rice etc. is accommodated in the heat insulating box. , Used to open the front door provided in the heat insulation box and take out the rice from the main body of the rice,
A predetermined gap is formed between the inner wall of the heat insulation box and the outer wall of the rice vine body to form a cold air flow path, and between the opening provided with the front door and the front surface of the rice vine body from the cold air flow path. A cold insulated rice bottle characterized in that a narrow channel is formed.

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