JP4063238B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker having a function of detecting the weight of a food item put in a pan.

  One of the conditions for cooking delicious rice with a rice cooker is to accurately measure the amount of rice and the amount of water. In general, the rice cooker user first measures the desired amount of rice with a measuring cup in the measuring cup, puts it in a pan, and after washing the rice, the water corresponding to the amount of rice is prepared based on the scale inside the pan. Put in. Conventional rice cookers can cook rice with a standard hardness when the amount of rice and the amount of water are accurate.

  However, since the amount of rice and the amount of water weighed by the user varies, the hardness of the rice when cooked varies. If the amount of rice weighed is less than desired or the amount of water is greater than the standard, the rice has become softer than the standard. If the amount of rice weighed is greater than desired or the amount of water is less than the standard, the rice has become harder than the standard.

  Conventionally, this type of rice cooker has an operation panel, a buzzer, and a weight measuring means for measuring weight, and can accurately measure the amount of rice and the amount of water corresponding to a desired amount of rice set by the user (set amount of rice set). It is what I did. On the operation panel, a cup number setting key, weight key, clear key, and number display section are arranged. The user prepares cooking rice by the following procedure.

  The user turns on the cup number setting key, and turns off the cup number setting key when the desired amount of rice cooking (number of cups) is displayed on the number display section. Store the empty pot in the predetermined position of the rice cooker and turn on the weight key. The weighing mode starts, and the weight (g) of the pan is displayed on the numeric display. Next, the clear key is turned on, and the display of the numeric display unit is reset to 0 g. In this state, put rice in the pan. The amount of rice is adjusted so that the amount of rice (weight) matches the weight of rice corresponding to the set amount of cooked rice and the buzzer for proper notification sounds.

Next, when the clear key is turned on again, the display of the numeric display unit is reset to 0 g and the water weight measurement state is set. When water is supplied to the pan, the weight of the water is displayed on the numeric display. Adjust the water so that the weight of water matches the weight of water corresponding to the set amount of cooked rice and the buzzer for proper notification sounds. The user can accurately weigh the rice and water based on the buzzer sound. Then, when rice cooking is started, rice cooking operation | movement is performed according to the preset heating program, and rice cooking with the appropriate rice amount and water amount can be performed (for example, refer patent document 1).
JP-A-61-146215

  However, the rice cooker has an appropriate amount of rice that satisfies the taste performance, spilling performance, and unevenness performance. It will be a failure. For example, if you cook rice with less rice than the lower limit, too much heat will enter and it will be hard and tasteless. End up. As described above, the conventional rice cooker has a problem that even if the amount of water appropriate for the amount of rice is adjusted and rice cooking is started, it is not always possible to produce rice with satisfactory performance for the user.

  This invention solves the said conventional subject, It aims at providing the rice cooker which makes a user recognize that the amount of rice is the quantity which is not suitable for rice cooking, and avoids the failure of rice cooking.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a heating means for heating the pot by detachably storing the pot in the rice cooker body having an open upper surface, covering the upper surface opening of the rice cooker body with a lid so as to be opened and closed. Control according to a predetermined heating program by the cooking control means, detect the weight of the pot and the cooked food in the pan by the weight detection means, and from the output signal of the weight detection means at the request from the rice amount determination means to request the determination of the rice amount It is configured so that the amount of rice is judged and the optimum amount of water is displayed for the amount of rice by means of the amount of water display means. The amount of water display means is optimal if the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan. The indication of the correct amount of water is not performed.

  Thus, the user can inform the user that the amount of rice is not suitable for rice cooking if the amount of rice is not displayed on the water amount display means when the amount of rice is determined by the rice amount determination means. It is possible to avoid the failure of cooking rice.

  The rice cooker of the present invention can inform the user that it is out of the optimum range of rice cooking, and the user can recognize it and redo the adjustment of the amount of rice, thus avoiding the failure of rice cooking can do.

1st invention heats the said rice cooker main body with which the upper surface opened, the pan detachably accommodated in the said rice cooker main body, the lid | cover which opens and closes the upper surface opening part of the said rice cooker main body, and can open and close Heating means, cooking control means for controlling the heating means according to a predetermined heating program, weight detection means for detecting the weight of the pan and the food in the pan, and rice quantity determination means for requesting confirmation of the rice quantity And a water amount display means for determining the amount of rice from the output signal of the weight detection means upon request from the rice amount determination means and displaying an indication of the optimum amount of water for the rice amount, wherein the water amount display means comprises the rice amount When requesting confirmation of the amount of rice by the confirmation means, if the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan, the indication of the optimum amount of water is not performed, When the user is not displayed on the water volume display means US amount weight detection means detects can be perceived to be other than the rated cooking capacity of the pan, it is possible to re-adjust the rice amount, it is possible to avoid the failure of the cooking.

2nd invention heats the said rice cooker main body with which the upper surface opened, the pan detachably accommodated in the said rice cooker main body, the lid | cover which can open and close the upper surface opening part of the said rice cooker main body, and open the said pan Heating means, cooking control means for controlling the heating means according to a predetermined heating program, weight detection means for detecting the weight of the pan and the food in the pan, and rice quantity determination means for requesting confirmation of the rice quantity And a water amount display means for determining the amount of rice from the output signal of the weight detection means upon request from the rice amount determination means and displaying an indication of the optimum amount of water for the rice amount, wherein the water amount display means comprises the rice amount When the confirmation of the amount of rice is requested by the confirmation means, if the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan , the fact is displayed, and the user displays the amount of water. check the display of non-rated cooker capacity of the pot to the means When, not recognize the US amount weight detection unit detects is other than the rated cooking capacity of the pan, it is possible to re-adjust the rice amount, it is possible to avoid the failure of the cooking.

The third invention is such that, in the first or second invention, the start of rice cooking in a state where the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is outside the rated capacity is prohibited, and the amount of rice is a pan. Because rice cooking in a state other than the rated rice cooking capacity cannot be performed, failure of rice cooking can be avoided.

4th invention is provided with the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports in the said 1st or 2nd invention, The said alerting | reporting means is the rice cooking amount which the weight detection means detected at the time of the start of rice cooking within the rated rice cooking capacity of a pan. The notification pattern is changed to notify when there is a time when it is outside the rated cooking capacity of the pan , and rice cooking has started in a state where the amount of rice is other than the rated cooking capacity of the pan In this case, since the notification is different from normal, the user can recognize the possibility that the rice cooking will fail, and if the rice cooking result is unsuccessful, the procedure will be improved at the next rice cooking, and the rice cooking will continue to fail. Can be avoided.

5th invention is provided with the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports in the said 1st or 2nd invention, and the said alerting | reporting means is the rice amount detected by the weight detection means at the time of completion | finish of rice cooking within the rated rice cooking capacity of a pan. The notification pattern was changed to notify when there is a time other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan , and rice cooking has started in a state where the amount of rice is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan If the result of cooking is unsuccessful, the user can recognize the cause of the failure of cooking rice, and improve the procedure at the next cooking, Avoid continuation of failure.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention. A sectional view is shown in the broken part. In order to simplify the drawing, lead wires and the like for electrical connection are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker body 10 has an upper surface that is open and a lid 20 that covers the upper surface opening is provided to be openable and closable. The storage unit 30 of the rice cooker main body 10 includes an upper frame 32 and a lower coil base 31, and the storage unit 30 stores the magnetic pot 12 in a detachable manner. A heating coil (heating means) 13 for inductively heating the pan 12 is disposed at a portion of the coil base 31 facing the bottom of the pan 12.

  The circuit board 14 is mounted with a microcomputer, an input circuit, an output circuit, and a rewritable nonvolatile memory (not shown, for example, a flash memory). The rice cooker of this Embodiment is the method mentioned later, induction-heats the pan 12, and cooks the food 19 in the pan 12 by heating. The cooked food 19 is rice before cooking rice and water or cooked rice. This rice cooker has a power cord (not shown) and is in a “power-on” state when commercial power is supplied from the power cord.

  The temperature detection means 15 is disposed at the bottom of the coil base 31 and detects the temperature of the pan 12. This temperature detection means 15 is located at the center of the bottom of the pot 12 when the pot 12 is stored in the storage portion 30. The temperature of the pan 12 is detected. The pan detection means 16 detects whether or not the pan 12 is stored in the storage portion 30, and the pan detection means 16 is constituted by a micro switch rigidly connected to the rice cooker body 10, and the pan 12 is When stored in the storage unit 30, the protrusion provided on the bottom of the temperature detection unit 15 presses the micro switch, and the pan detection unit 16 outputs an ON signal.

  The lid opening / closing detection means 21 detects the opening / closing of the lid 20, and this lid opening / closing detection means 21 is provided in the rice cooker body 10 and is constituted by a microswitch. When the lid 20 is opened, the hinge portion of the lid 20 is a microswitch. And the lid open / close detection means 21 outputs an ON signal. The pan detection means 16 and the lid open / close detection means 21 are always operating when the rice cooker is turned on, and output an on signal or an off signal.

  The weight detection means 40 detects the weight of the pan 12, and this weight detection means 40 is composed of a support portion 17 and a load cell 18, and the load cell 18 is a robust load cell (load converter). The main body 10 is rigidly connected. A resistance wire strain gauge (not shown) is attached to the load cell 18. A change in resistance of the strain gauge when the load cell 18 is distorted is taken out as an electric signal by the bridge circuit, and the differential amplifier amplifies the electric signal.

  The support portion 17 has a shape in which three protrusions are provided on a thin plate, and the thin plate is screwed to one end of the load cell 18. The protrusions of the support part 17 respectively penetrate three holes provided in the bottom part of the coil base 31, and when the pan 12 is not stored in the storage part 30, the load cell 18 detects the weight of the support part 17. . When the pan 12 is stored in the storage unit 30, the bottom of the pan 12 comes into contact with the tip of the protrusion of the support unit 17, and the load cell 18 is distorted. When the pan 12 containing the food 19 is stored in the storage unit 30, the load cell 18 detects the total weight of the food 19 in the support unit 17, the pan 12, and the pan 12. That is, the weight detection means 40 is configured to accurately measure the weight of the pan 12 and the object to be heated (cooked item 19) through the support portion 17 that supports the bottom surface of the pan at three points.

  Electrical signals from the temperature detection means 15, the pan detection means 16, the lid opening / closing detection means 21 and the weight detection means 40 are input to the circuit board 14, respectively.

  Although FIG. 3 is not illustrated in FIG. 2, it is a figure which shows the operation part of the rice cooker of this Embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, an operation unit 50 is provided on the front surface of the rice cooker body 10. The operation unit 50 includes a display unit 60 and a key input unit 59. The key input unit 59 includes a rice cooking switch 51, a heat retention switch 52, a cancel switch 53, a reservation switch 54 for timer reservation, and a reservation time (hour and minute). ), The time switch 55 and the minute switch 56, the rice weighing switch (rice amount determining means) 57 that requests the rice amount determination from the signal from the weight detecting means 40 (load cell 18), and the course for selecting a favorite rice cooking course. A selection switch 58 and the like are arranged. The user can input commands by operating the switches.

  The display unit 60 includes a liquid crystal display unit 61 and an LED display unit 62. The liquid crystal display unit 61 displays the selected rice cooking course, the status of rice cooking, and the like. The LED display unit 62 constitutes a water amount display means, and displays an indication of the amount of water after the operation of the rice metering switch 57.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the LED display unit 62, which is a water amount display means, has an insufficient amount of water LED 63 indicating that the amount of water is insufficient, an LED 64 for indicating that rice is being cooked, and rice is normal. An ordinary LED 65 indicating that the rice is cooked softly, a soft LED 66 indicating that the rice is cooked softly, an excessive water LED 67 indicating that the amount of water is excessive, and the like are arranged. After each rice is determined by the operation of the rice weighing switch 57, the condition for lighting each LED is calculated, and any one of the LEDs 63 to 67 is turned on according to the weight increase by the weight detection means thereafter. Let

  Below, the structure of the control system of the rice cooker of this Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the rice cooker of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes an operation unit 50, a weight detection unit 40, a pan detection unit 16, a lid open / close detection unit 21, a temperature detection unit 15, a control unit 300, a heating coil drive unit 311, a notification unit 330, The heating coil 13, the storage unit 320, the pan 12, and the lid 20 are included.

  The storage unit 320 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory (mounted on the circuit board 14), and stores a weight calculation parameter 321 for calculating the weight of the food item 19. The control unit 300 includes a microcomputer mounted on the circuit board 14. The heating coil driving unit 311 and the notification unit 330 are mounted on the circuit board 14.

  The control unit 300 is constituted by a microcomputer, and detects software operation commands input by the user via the operation unit 50, weight detection means 40, pan detection means 16, lid open / close detection means 21, temperature detection means 15, and the like. Based on each signal input from the means and the weight calculation parameter 321 read from the storage unit 320, the heating coil driving unit 311 is controlled and displayed on the display unit 60. The heating coil driving unit 311 drives the heating coil 13 according to the control of the control unit 300. The heating amount of the heating coil 13 is controlled by the energization rate and / or the energizing amount of the heating coil 13.

  The control unit 300 includes a weight calculation unit 301 and a cooking control unit 306, and the weight calculation unit 301 is based on the output signal of the load cell 18 and the weight calculation parameter 321 read from the storage unit 320. The weight (the amount of cooked rice or the amount of heat insulation) of the food 19 is calculated. The cooking control unit 306 includes a heating control unit 304 and a heating program storage unit 305. The heating program storage unit 305 stores a heating program (a rice cooking process and a heat retaining process) corresponding to the weight of the rice cooking course selected by the course selection switch 58 and the food 19. The heating control unit 304 responds to the weight of the cooked food 19 based on the rice cooking course selected by the course selection switch 58, the weight of the cooked food 19 calculated by the weight calculating unit 301, and the temperature of the pan 12 detected by the temperature detecting means 15. The heating program is read and the heating coil driving means 311 is controlled.

  The notification means 330 performs the rice cooking start notification when the rice cooking is started by the operation of the rice cooking switch 51. In addition, when the rice cooking operation is completed, a rice cooking completion notification is performed. Each of the rice cooking start notification and the rice cooking end notification is notified by separate notification patterns.

  Next, a weight calculation method will be described with reference to FIG. As the weight calculation parameter 321, output signals (S 1, S 2, S 3) of the load cell 18 for three states (loads W 1, W 2, W 3) are written. W1 is a load when the pan 12 is not stored in the storage unit 30, and the output signal of the load cell 18 at that time is S1. W2 is a load when the empty pan 12 is stored in the storage unit 30, and the output signal of the load cell 18 at that time is S2. W3 is a case where a weight corresponding to the maximum weight of the cooked food 19 (for example, the total weight of water for cooking 5 go rice and 5 go rice) is put in the pan 12 and stored in the storage section 30. With the load, the output signal of the load cell 18 at that time is S3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the magnitude of the load applied to the load cell 18 and the magnitude of the output signal of the load cell 18. The magnitude of the output signal of the load cell 18 can be expressed by a linear function of the load applied to the load cell 18. In FIG. 5, a straight line 401 is a line representing the relationship between the magnitude of the load on the load cell 18 and the magnitude of the output signal of the load cell 18. When the magnitude of the output signal of the load cell 18 is S, the weight W of the food 19 in the pan 12 is
W = Wmax × (S−S2) / (S3−S2) (1)
It becomes. However, Wmax is the maximum weight (= W3-W2) of the food 19 and is a known amount. Although the weight (= W2-W1) of the pan 12 varies from product to product, since the above equation (1) does not include the weight of the pan 12, the weight of the cooked product 19 can be accurately calculated.

  Here, a method of determining the amount of rice K using this weight W will be described. The unit of weight W is gram. One cup of rice is 150 grams, so the number of cups can be determined by W / 150. For example, when it is 450 grams, it is divided by 150 and becomes 3 to determine that it is 3 cups.

  Further, a method for determining the standard of the amount of water to be cooked with the degree of preference for this amount of rice K will be described.

  Once the amount of rice K is determined, the standard target weight (weight when water is added to the rice) can be obtained by calculating the product of a certain ratio to the weight of the determined amount of rice. For example, if the amount of rice K is 3 cups with respect to the weight of 450 grams of rice, and the target weight is 2.5, the amount is 1125 grams. Therefore, standard rice can be cooked by adding 675 grams of water to 450 grams of rice. The ratio data is individual for each cup number, for example, 2.7 for 1.0 cup and 2.45 for 5.0 cup. Once the standard target weight is determined, the standard target water weight (difference between the standard target weight and the weight of rice) is also determined. You can cook soft rice.

  In other words, add water after determining the amount of rice, and if it is within ± 5% of the standard target water weight, it will be “normal”. Because it is small, it can be cooked to “soft” if it is “Kai” and +5 to + 10% because it has more water. Furthermore, when it does not enter any range such as below -10% or above + 10%, rice cooking may fail, and it can be determined that the water amount is insufficient or the water amount is excessive.

  Thus, by determining the ratio of the increase in water to the standard target water weight, it is possible to determine the amount of water to be cooked with a preference. If any one of the LEDs 63 to 67 is lit and displayed as the determination information, an indication of the amount of water can be displayed.

  In the above configuration, the water amount adjustment process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The rice should be washed without washing.

  In step 501, it is determined whether or not the lid 20 is open. If the lid 20 is open, the process proceeds to step 502. In step 502, it is determined whether the rice weighing switch 57 has been pressed. If the rice weighing switch 57 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step 503, where a signal is received by the weight detection means 40, and the weight Wa is calculated according to the weight calculation method described above. In subsequent step 504, the rice amount is determined from the weight Wa according to the rice amount determination method described above, and the process proceeds to step 505. In step 505, it is determined whether the amount of rice is 0.5 cup or more, and if it is 0.5 cup or more, the process proceeds to step 506, and if it is less, the process branches to step 510.

  In step 506, the amount of rice is further determined to determine whether it is 5.1 cup or more. If it is 5.1 cup or more, the process branches to step 510, and if less, the process proceeds to step 507. In step 507, the signal is received again by the weight detection means 40, and the weight Wb is calculated. In the next step 508, the weight Wb is determined, a determination is made based on the above-described method for determining the water amount, and the result is displayed on the LEDs 63 to 67. In step 509, it is determined whether or not the lid 20 is closed. If not, the process returns to step 507, and if closed, the water amount adjustment is terminated.

  In step 510, all the LEDs 63 to 67 are turned off, and the process returns to step 501.

  Thus, the lid 20 is opened and the rice metering switch 57 is operated to determine the amount of rice K. If the amount of rice K is 0.5 cup to 5.0 cup, the water amount display means (LED display unit) 62), the water amount can be adjusted. Otherwise, the water amount display means is not displayed and the operation of the rice metering switch 57 is waited again. Therefore, when the user puts rice and operates the rice metering switch 57, the water amount display means is not displayed unless it is within the range of 0.5 cup to 5.0 cup. It is possible to prevent rice cooking failure due to too much rice amount or too much rice amount.

(Embodiment 2)
The water amount display means (LED display unit 62) shown in FIG. 3 alternately blinks the insufficient water amount LED 63 and the excessive water amount LED 67 when the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means 40 is outside the predetermined range. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The operations from step 501 to step 509 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Processing branches to step 511 when the amount of rice is not 0.5 cup or more at step 505 and when the amount of rice is determined to be 5.1 cup or more at step 506. In step 511, the insufficient water amount LED 63 and the excessive water amount LED 67 are alternately blinked, and the process returns to step 501.

  Thus, the lid 20 is opened and the rice metering switch 57 is operated to determine the amount of rice K. If the amount of rice K is not in the range of 0.5 cup to 5.0 cup, the water shortage LED 63 And the excessive water amount LED 67 blink alternately, and the operation of the rice metering switch 57 is waited again. Therefore, when the user inserts rice and operates the rice metering switch 57, the water shortage LED 63 and the excessive water amount LED 67 are alternately blinked and displayed unless they are within the range of 0.5 cup to 5.0 cup. If it is not in the range of cups to 5.0 cups, the water amount can be adjusted again, so that rice cooking failures can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, a predetermined LED is blinked, but the same effect can be obtained even if an additional LED is added to inform that the amount of rice is not within the optimum range. Not too long.

(Embodiment 3)
The control unit 300 shown in FIG. 1 prohibits the start of rice cooking when the amount of rice is outside a predetermined range. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  After adjusting the amount of water, it is determined in step 601 whether the rice cooking switch 51 has been pressed. If pushed, the process proceeds to step 602, where it is determined whether the amount of rice is 0.5 cup or more. If it is 0.5 cup or more, the process proceeds to step 603; otherwise, the process returns to step 601. In step 603, it is determined whether the amount of rice is 5.1 cups or more. If it is 5.1 cups or more, the process returns to step 601; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 604 to start the rice cooking operation.

  Thus, cooking rice cannot be started if the amount of rice is not in the range of 0.5 cup to 5.0 cup. Therefore, the rice cooking start in the state where the amount of rice is not in the optimal range can be prevented.

(Embodiment 4)
The control unit 300 shown in FIG. 1 uses the notification unit 330 to change and notify the notification pattern at the start of rice cooking, when the amount of rice is within a predetermined range and when the amount of rice is out of the range. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the notification pattern diagram of FIG.

  After adjusting the amount of water, it is determined in step 601 whether the rice cooking switch 51 has been pressed. If pushed, the process proceeds to step 605, where it is determined whether the amount of rice is 0.5 cup or more. If it is 0.5 cup or more, the process proceeds to step 606; otherwise, the process branches to step 608. In step 606, it is determined whether the amount of rice is 5.1 cups or more. If it is 5.1 cup or more, the process branches to step 608; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 607. In step 607, the notification pattern shown in FIG. 10A is notified, and in step 608, the notification pattern shown in FIG. And both go to step 604 and start cooking rice.

  Thus, at the start of rice cooking, if the amount of rice is in the range of 0.5 cups to 5.0 cups, a normal rice cooking start notification is made. Therefore, when rice cooking is started in a state where the amount of rice is not within the optimum range, by listening to the notification, the user can recognize the possibility that rice cooking will fail, and if the rice cooking result is unsuccessful, By improving the procedure at the next rice cooking, continuation of rice cooking failure can be avoided.

(Embodiment 5)
The control unit 300 shown in FIG. 1 uses the notification unit 330 to change and notify the notification pattern when the rice cooking is finished, when the amount of rice is within a predetermined range and when the amount of rice is out of the range. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 and the notification pattern diagram of FIG.

  If cooking rice is completed at step 610, it will progress to step 611 and will determine whether the amount of rice is 0.5 cup or more. If 0.5 cup or more, the process proceeds to step 612; otherwise, the process branches to step 614. In step 612, it is determined whether the amount of rice is 5.1 cups or more. If it is 5.1 cups or more, the process branches to step 614; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 613. In step 613, the notification pattern shown in FIG. 10B is repeatedly notified six times, and in step 614, the notification pattern shown in FIG. 10C is repeatedly notified four times.

  Thus, at the end of rice cooking, if the amount of rice is in the range of 0.5 cups to 5.0 cups, a normal rice cooking end notification is made, and if not so, an abnormality is notified. Therefore, when rice cooking is started in a state where the amount of rice is not within the optimum range, by listening to the notification at the end of rice cooking, if the rice cooking result is unsuccessful, the user may have failed Recognize and improve the procedure at the next cooking, avoiding the continuation of cooking failure.

  As described above, the rice cooker according to the present invention can inform the user that it is outside the possible range of optimal rice cooking, the user can recognize that, and can redo the adjustment of the amount of rice, Since the failure of rice cooking can be avoided, it is useful as a rice cooker having a function of detecting the weight of the food put in the pan.

The block diagram of the rice cooker of Embodiment 1 of this invention Side view of the rice cooker partially cut away The figure which shows the operation part of the rice cooker The figure which shows the water quantity display means of the rice cooker The figure which shows the relation between the load to the load cell and the output signal of the load cell Flow chart of the process for adjusting the amount of water in the rice cooker The flowchart of the process of the water quantity adjustment of the rice cooker of Embodiment 2 of this invention. The flowchart of the rice cooking start process of the rice cooker of Embodiment 3 of this invention. The flowchart of the rice cooking start process of the rice cooker of Embodiment 4 of this invention. Notification pattern diagram of the notification means of the rice cooker The flowchart of the process of the rice cooking end of the rice cooker of Embodiment 5 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

10 Rice cooker body 12 Pot 13 Heating coil (heating means)
20 Lid 40 Weight detection means 57 Rice metering switch (Rice amount determination means)
62 LED display (water volume display means)
306 Cooking control means

Claims (5)

A rice cooker body having an open top surface, a pan that is detachably stored in the rice cooker body, a lid that covers the top opening of the rice cooker body so as to be openable and closable, a heating means that heats the pan, and Cooking control means for controlling the heating means in accordance with a predetermined heating program, weight detection means for detecting the weight of the pan and the food in the pan, rice quantity confirmation means for requesting confirmation of the amount of rice, and rice quantity confirmation Water amount display means for determining the amount of rice from the output signal of the weight detection means upon request from the means and displaying a guideline of the optimum amount of water for the rice amount, and the water amount display means A rice cooker that does not display an indication of the optimum amount of water if the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan when confirmation is requested. A rice cooker body having an open top surface, a pan that is detachably stored in the rice cooker body, a lid that covers the top opening of the rice cooker body so as to be openable and closable, a heating means that heats the pan, and Cooking control means for controlling the heating means in accordance with a predetermined heating program, weight detection means for detecting the weight of the pan and the food in the pan, rice quantity confirmation means for requesting confirmation of the amount of rice, and rice quantity confirmation Water amount display means for determining the amount of rice from the output signal of the weight detection means upon request from the means and displaying a guideline of the optimum amount of water for the rice amount, and the water amount display means A rice cooker that displays that when the confirmation is requested, the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan . The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein start of rice cooking in a state where the amount of rice detected by the weight detection means is other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan is prohibited. Informing means for informing, the informing means at the start of cooking rice, when the amount of rice detected by the weight detecting means is within the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan and when the other than the rated rice cooking capacity of the pan The rice cooker of Claim 1 or 2 which changed and notified. An informing means for informing, the informing means at the time of the end of rice cooking, when the amount of rice detected by the weight detecting means is within the rated cooking capacity of the pan and when it is other than the rated cooking capacity of the pan The rice cooker of Claim 1 or 2 which changed and notified.

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