JP5460813B1 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a rice cooker that is easy to use and can stably cook delicious rice using any rice.
SOLUTION: A pot-shaped container 5 for storing an object to be heated, a main body 1 in which the pot-shaped container is installed, a lid body 10 for opening and closing an opening of the pot-shaped container, and a first container for heating the pot-shaped container. 1 heating means 3, a water tank 20 for storing water to be supplied into the pot-shaped container, a water supply path 12 for supplying water into the pot-shaped container, a second heating means 22 for heating the supplied water, and detection Rice crackability information detection means for detecting information related to the ease of cracking of the target rice, and control means for judging the degree of rice crackability by comparing the detection information with a preset reference value The control means controls the second heating means based on the degree of ease of cracking of rice and adjusts the temperature of the water supplied into the pot-shaped container.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker in which a pot-like container containing food such as rice is accommodated in a main body and cooked.

  The function that a user who uses a rice cooker wants the rice cooker is to cook delicious rice first. In addition, the user wants not only to cook delicious cooked rice, but also to a rice cooker that is easy to use such that there is no need to adjust the water level.

  Therefore, by heating the water that has been put in the water supply tank to a constant temperature and automatically supplying the water to the inner pot, even if the temperature of the water changes depending on the season, There has been proposed a rice cooker that cooks delicious cooked rice without any hassle by soaking (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-348990 (see, for example, page 8 and FIG. 1)

  However, in the structure of the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to supply water at a water temperature according to the nature of the rice, and it is not enough to stably and deliciously cook any rice. There was room.

  A rice crack that has cracks, cracks, crevices, or scratches (hereinafter generally referred to as “crack”) is called “cracked grain” or “trunk cracked grain”. These rice are more prone to “cracking” when immersed in water. Thus, rice that is “cracked” when immersed in water is called “water-impregnated grain”. In addition, even rice grains that are not “cracked” in the stage before being immersed in water, some rice grains that are “cracked” around the rice grains and become “water-impregnated damaged grains” when immersed in water. When “water soaked rice” with large “cracking” is cooked, the rice grains called “cooked rice grains” tend to become rice grains in which the outline of the rice grains is almost collapsed. This “cooked rice disintegrated grain” is not very tasty because of its crisp texture.

  Thus, rice grains that are “cracked” before and after soaking the rice in water do not taste delicious. For this reason, it is preferable that rice grains that have not been "cracked" in the stage before the rice is soaked in water should not be "cracked" in the process after being soaked in water, and before the rice is soaked in water. It is preferable that the rice grains in which “cracks” are generated do not become large in the process after being immersed in water.

  The deliciousness of cooked rice is greatly influenced by the likelihood of “cracking” and the likelihood of “cracking” becoming large (hereinafter referred to as “easy to break”). There is a possibility that the taste will be reduced by cooking rice.

  “Ease of cracking” of rice is determined by various factors such as variety, brand, place of production, production year, rice milling method, and storage status. For example, if the starch is not sufficiently accumulated during ripening during rice growth, or if the bonds between the starch grains are rough and the intergranular spacing is rough, Become. Depending on the rice milling method, the “crackability” of the rice differs, and it becomes “easy to break” when the moisture of the rice evaporates due to frictional heat during milling. In addition, if the rice is left in an environment where the storage condition of the rice is poor and the humidity is low, the rice dries out and becomes “easy to break”.

  Also, the rice becomes “easy to break” by soaking in cold water, and even the same rice becomes “easier to break” as the temperature of the soaking water is lower. In other words, if the temperature of the water soaked is high, the rice can be prevented from cracking. And rice has a feature that the higher the water temperature, the easier the water absorption, and the more the rice is "cracked", the easier the water absorption. Therefore, in order to make the water absorption of rice constant, it is not enough to adjust the water temperature, and it is necessary to consider both the water temperature and the “easiness of cracking” of the rice.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a rice cooker that is easy to use and can cook rice in a stable and delicious manner no matter what rice the user uses. The purpose is that.

  A rice cooker according to the present invention is provided in a pan-shaped container that accommodates an object to be heated, a main body in which the pan-shaped container is installed, a lid that covers an opening of the pan-shaped container in an openable and closable manner, and the main body. A first heating means for heating the pot-shaped container, a water tank for storing water to be supplied into the pot-shaped container, a water supply path for supplying water in the water tank into the pot-shaped container, A second heating means for heating the water to be supplied; a rice crackability information detection means for detecting information related to the crackability of rice to be detected; and detection information in the rice crackability information detection means; Control means for judging the degree of ease of cracking of the rice by comparing with a preset reference value, and the control means is based on the degree of ease of cracking of the rice. To control the temperature of the water supplied into the pan-like container.

  According to the rice cooker of the present invention, water is automatically fed into a pot-like container at an optimal water temperature based on the degree of "easiness to break" of rice, so it is easy to use and what kind of rice the user uses However, no matter what kind of water is used by the user, the rice can be cooked stably and deliciously.

It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows roughly an example of a structure of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement at the time of the water supply of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and normal rice cooking. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the water supply of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and operation | movement at the time of normal rice cooking. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement at the time of the reservation rice cooking of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram which shows roughly an example of a structure of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement at the time of the water supply of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention, and normal rice cooking.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a rice cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Moreover, in the following drawings including FIG. 1, the relationship of the size of each component may be different from the actual one.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Based on FIG. 1, the rice cooker 100 is demonstrated. The rice cooker 100 cooks a heated object by heating a pot-shaped container 5 containing a heated object (food such as rice or water) with the heating coil 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a rice cooker 100 is, for example, a main body 1 having a cylindrical shape with a bottom, a lid 10 that is attached to the main body 1 so that an upper opening of the main body 1 can be opened and closed, and a detachable to the main body 1. And a water tank 20 to be attached.

(Main unit 1)
The main body 1 includes a container cover 2, a heating coil 3 as a heating means for the pan-like container 5, a pan bottom temperature sensor 4, a hinge portion 6 that supports the lid 10 so as to be opened and closed, and a heating means for the water tank 20. Water tank heating coil 22, water tank temperature sensor 23, time measuring means 7, and control means 8 for performing rice cooking operation by driving and controlling each part and each device.

The container cover 2 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the pot-shaped container 5 is detachably accommodated therein. In the center of the bottom of the container cover 2, a hole 2a for inserting the pan bottom temperature sensor 4 is provided.
The pan-like container 5 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape including a magnetic metal that generates heat by induction heating, and a flange portion 5a is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end portion.

  The heating coil 3 induction-heats the pan-like container 5 by controlling the energization by the control means 8. As a heating means, an electric heater such as a sheathed heater may be provided in place of the heating coil 3. The heating coil 3 corresponds to the “first heating means” of the present invention.

  The pan bottom temperature sensor 4 may be composed of, for example, a thermistor. The pan bottom temperature sensor 4 is biased upward by elastic means such as a spring and is configured to contact the bottom surface of the pan-like container 5 accommodated in the container cover 2. Information regarding the temperature of the pot-like container 5 detected by the pot bottom temperature sensor 4 is output to the control means 8.

  The hinge portion 6 is provided on one end side (left side of the drawing) of the upper portion of the main body 1 and supports the lid body 10 so as to be opened and closed.

  The time measuring means 7 is instructed by the control means 8 and counts the elapsed time. Then, the elapsed time counted by the time measuring means 7 is output to the control means 8.

The control means 8 includes the heating coil 3 and the water tank heating coil 22 based on outputs from the pan bottom temperature sensor 4, the operation / display unit 13, the internal temperature sensor 14, the moisture content detection means 17, and the water tank temperature sensor 23. In addition to controlling the high-frequency current energized and the operation of the magnet pump 16, the overall operation of the rice cooker 100 is controlled.
The control means 8 can be configured by hardware such as a circuit device that realizes the function, or can be configured by an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer or a CPU and software executed thereon.

Further, the control means 8 compares the information detected by the “rice cracking ease information detection means” described below with a preset reference value, thereby determining the degree of ease of cracking of the rice to be detected. Is to judge.
The operation / display unit 13, the internal temperature sensor 14, the magnet pump 16, and the moisture content detection means 17 which is an example of “rice cracking ease information detection means” will be described later.

(Cover 10)
The lid 10 has an outer lid 10a and an inner lid 10b. A water supply path 12 is provided between the outer lid 10a and the inner lid 10b.
The water supply path 12 will be described later.

  The outer lid 10a constitutes an upper portion and a side portion of the lid body 10, and is attached to a surface opposite to the main body 1 side of the inner lid 10b via a locking member 11. The outer lid 10a is provided with an operation / display unit 13 on the upper surface, and a cartridge 15 penetrating to the inner lid 10b is detachably attached. The cartridge 15 includes a steam inlet 15a having a valve that moves up and down according to the steam pressure generated during rice cooking, and a steam outlet 15b that discharges the steam that has passed through the valve of the steam inlet 15a to the outside. Is provided. Moreover, the internal temperature sensor 14 and the moisture content detection means 17 are arrange | positioned inside the outer cover 10a (inner cover 10b side). A valve that moves up and down according to the vapor pressure is not shown.

  The inner lid 10b is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, and is attached to the surface of the outer lid 10a on the main body 1 side via a locking member 11. A lid packing 9 made of a sealing material is attached to the peripheral edge of the inner lid 10b to ensure hermeticity with the flange portion 5a formed on the outer periphery of the upper end of the pan-like container 5. Further, a lid steam port 10bA for discharging the steam generated in the pan-like container 5 to the outside is provided, and further, a lid hole portion 10bB for inserting the internal temperature sensor 14 and the moisture content detecting means 17 is provided. ing. Further, the inner lid 10b is provided with a lid water supply port 10bC through which water stored in the water tank 20 enters the pan-like container 5 through the water supply path 12, and the lid water supply port 10bC is shown in FIG. Thus, it is good to comprise with a plurality of holes.

(Water tank 20)
The water tank 20 is made of, for example, plastic, and a magnetic metal plate (not shown) that generates heat by induction heating is installed on the bottom surface of the water tank 20. The water tank 20 is detachably attached to the front side of the main body 1. A tank lid 21 is fitted in the upper opening of the water tank 20 in a removable state. The tank lid 21 is provided with a tank vent 21 a that communicates the outside with the inside of the water tank 20. The tank lid 21 is provided with a tank water supply port 21b joined to the tank side channel port 12b of the water supply channel 12, and a communication pipe 21c extending downward from the tank water supply port 21b into the water tank 20.

  A water tank heating coil 22 and a water tank temperature sensor 23 are provided at a position below the water tank 20 of the main body 1. The energization of the water tank heating coil 22 is controlled by the control means 8 so that the magnetic metal plate in the water tank 20 is inductively heated and the water stored in the water tank 20 is heated. An electric heater such as a sheathed heater may be provided in place of the water tank heating coil 22. Further, the water tank temperature sensor 23 may be constituted by a thermistor, for example. The water tank temperature sensor 23 is biased upward by elastic means such as a spring and is configured to contact the bottom surface of the water tank 20. Information regarding the temperature of the water tank 20 detected by the water tank temperature sensor 23 is output to the control means 8. The water tank heating coil 22 corresponds to the “second heating means” of the present invention.

(Water supply path 12)
The water supply path 12 guides the water stored in the water tank 20 to the lid water supply port 10bC of the inner lid 10b and supplies it into the pot-like container 5 before the start of rice cooking.

  The water supply path 12 is formed of heat-resistant resin or the like and is detachably accommodated in the outer lid 10a. In addition, the water supply path 12 includes a lid side path opening 12a joined to the lid water supply opening 10bC of the inner lid 10b and a tank side path joined to the tank water supply opening 21b of the water tank 20 when the lid 10 is closed. It has an opening 12b and a path portion 12d that allows the lid-side path opening 12a and the tank-side path opening 12b to communicate with each other. Packing may be provided on the periphery of the lid side passage port 12a and the tank side passage port 12b.

(Operation / Display Unit 13)
The operation / display unit 13 is provided on the upper surface of the outer lid 10a. This operation / display unit 13 accepts various instructions from the user (for example, start, cancellation, reservation, etc. of rice cooking), and various information (for example, rice cooking menu (standard rice cooking, quick cooking rice, kage and soft rice) , White rice cooked rice or washed rice cooked rice), time, amount of rice to cook, etc.). And by the operation of the operation / display part 13, the rice cooking program according to the selected rice cooking menu and the amount of rice to be cooked is executed by the control means 8 built in the main body 1. That is, the control means 8 performs rice cooking by operating and stopping the heating coil 3, the magnet pump 16, and the water tank heating coil 22 by the rice cooking program corresponding to the selected rice cooking menu and the amount of rice to be cooked. ing.

(Internal temperature sensor 14)
The internal temperature sensor 14 is attached to the side of the outer lid 10a facing the inner lid 10b, and detects the temperature in the pan-like container 5 through the lid hole 10bB of the inner lid 10b. For example, the internal temperature sensor 14 may be a thermistor. Information regarding the temperature in the pan-like container 5 detected by the internal temperature sensor 14 is output to the control means 8.

(Magnet pump 16)
The magnet pump 16 includes a magnet pump motor 16a and a magnet pump impeller casing 16b, and is provided in the communication pipe 21c of the main body 1 and the water tank 20, respectively, and functions as a water supply means. When the magnet pump 16 is driven by the control means 8, the magnet pump motor 16a operates to rotate the impeller in the magnet pump impeller casing 16b. When the impeller in the magnet pump impeller casing 16 b rotates, the water stored in the water tank 20 is supplied into the pot-like container 5 through the communication pipe 21 c and the water supply path 12.

(Moisture content detection means 17)
Cracking rice is characterized by low moisture content. Since the “easiness of cracking” of rice and the water content are highly correlated, the degree of “ease of cracking” of rice can be accurately estimated by measuring the moisture content of rice. For this reason, in the first embodiment, the moisture content detecting means 17 is used as means for detecting information related to “ease of cracking” of rice (hereinafter referred to as “rice breakage information detecting means”).

  The moisture content detecting means 17 may be constituted by an optical moisture meter, for example. The moisture content detecting means 17 is attached to the side of the outer lid 10a facing the inner lid 10b, and detects the moisture content of the rice that passes through the lid hole 10bB of the inner lid 10b and is put in the pan-like container 5. Is. Information on the moisture content of rice detected by the moisture content detection means 17 is output to the control means 8.

(Other configurations)
The main body 1 may be provided with a handle (not shown) for carrying the rice cooker 100. When the handle is provided, the handle may be pivotally supported substantially in the front-rear center of the upper part of the side surface of the main body 1 and the rotation direction of the handle may be substantially the same as the rotation direction of the lid body 10. Then, when the rice cooker 100 is transported, the handle is rotated and lifted so as to be positioned almost directly above the shaft fulcrum of the handle, and the user can transport the rice cooker 100 with only the handle.

Next, the operation of water supply and normal rice cooking of the rice cooker 100 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the rice cooker 100 during water supply and normal rice cooking. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the rice cooker 100 during water supply and normal rice cooking. Hereinafter, operation | movement of the water supply of the rice cooker 100 and normal rice cooking is demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  Before operating the rice cooker 100, the user first stores the pan-like container 5 containing a predetermined amount of rice in the container cover 2 in the main body 1, and sets the water tank 20 containing a predetermined amount of water. . And a user closes lid 10, chooses a rice cooking menu with operation / display part 13, sets the amount of rice (for example, 3 cups) to cook, and presses a rice cooking switch (not shown), An operation instruction is given to the rice cooker 100. The rice cooker 100 starts water supply and rice cooking when the rice cooking switch is pressed by the user and an operation instruction is given.

  When the rice cooking switch is pressed by the user and the start of rice cooking is instructed, in step S <b> 1, the control means 8 operates the moisture content detection means 17 to detect the moisture content of the rice in the pan-like container 5. And the control means 8 determines whether the grade of the ease of cracking of rice is larger than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2). When the detected moisture content is larger than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2; Y), the control means 8 determines that the rice to be cooked is rice that is difficult to break, and proceeds to the water supply process 1 in step S3. .

In the water supply process 1, the control means 8 first starts energizing the water tank heating coil 22 (step S31). And the control means 8 heats until the water tank temperature sensor 23 detects predetermined | prescribed temperature, for example, 30 degreeC (step S32). When it is detected that the water tank temperature sensor 23 has reached the predetermined temperature of 30 ° C. (step S32; Y), the magnet pump 16 is energized and water supply into the pan-like container 5 is started (step S33). Time measuring means 7 counts the time for energizing the pump until a predetermined energization time t ₁ (step S34). Once at a predetermined energization time _{t 1} (step S35), the control unit 8, to cut off power supply to the magnet pump 16 (step S36), the water supply step 1 is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the moisture content detected by the moisture content detection means 17 is equal to or less than the predetermined moisture content W as a reference value (step S2; N), the control means 8 It is determined that the rice to be broken is easily broken, and the process proceeds to the water supply process 2 in step S5.

In the water supply process 2, the control means 8 starts energizing the water tank heating coil 22 (step S51), and heats until the water tank temperature sensor 23 detects a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 ° C. (step S52). When it is detected that the water tank temperature sensor 23 has reached the predetermined temperature of 40 ° C. (step S52; Y), the magnet pump 16 is energized (step S53), and water supply into the pan-like container 5 is started. Time measuring means 7 counts the time for energizing the pump until a predetermined energization time t ₂ (step S54). If it is determined to have reached the predetermined energization time _{t 2} (step S55; Y), the control unit 8 is cut off the power supply to the magnet pump 16 (S56), the water supply step 2 is completed.

At this time, the predetermined energization time t ₂ to the magnet pump 16 is made larger than t _1, the amount of water supplied to the pot-like container 5 in the water supply step 2 in step S5, the water supply of the water supply step 1 in step S3 More than the amount.

  When the water supply is finished, the process proceeds to the rice cooking process, where the heating coil 3 is energized with a heating program corresponding to the rice cooking menu selected by the operation / display unit 13 and rice is cooked. That is, a preheating process, a temperature raising process, a boiling maintenance process, and a steaming process are sequentially performed.

The preheating process is a stage before the water in the pot-like container 5 boils, and the pot-like container 5 is heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, thereby promoting water absorption of the rice, and sugar and umami components as sweet ingredients It is the process of producing | generating taste components, such as an amino acid.
The temperature raising step is a step from the end of the preheating step until the water in the pan-like container 5 boils.
A boiling maintenance process is a process of heating so that the boiling of the water in the pan-like container 5 may be maintained, and accelerating gelatinization of the starch of rice.
The steaming step is a step of sufficiently gelatinizing the starch at the center of the cooked rice grain to make the moisture distribution uniform.
When the steaming process is finished, the rice cooking process is finished.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when it is determined in step S2 that the moisture content is larger than the predetermined W and it is determined that the rice to be cooked is rice that is difficult to break, the water in the water tank 20 is heated. You may supply water in the pot-shaped container 5 without carrying out. In this case, if the rice is hard to break, the water in the water tank 20 is not heated, which saves energy. Moreover, in this case, since the time for heating until the feed water temperature reaches a predetermined temperature can be reduced, the time from the start of rice cooking to the end of rice cooking can be shortened.

Next, operation | movement of the reserved rice cooking of the rice cooker 100 is demonstrated.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the rice cooker 100 during reserved rice cooking. Hereinafter, the operation of the reserved rice cooking of the rice cooker 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Before operating the rice cooker 100, the user first stores the pan-like container 5 containing a predetermined amount of rice in the container cover 2 in the main body 1, and sets the water tank 20 containing a predetermined amount of water. . Then, the user closes the lid 10, selects the rice cooking menu with the operation / display unit 13, sets the amount of rice to be cooked (for example, 3 cups), and the time when the rice cooking is finished, and a reservation switch (not shown). Z)) to give an operation instruction to the rice cooker 100. The rice cooker 100 starts reserved rice cooking when a reservation switch is pressed by the user and an operation instruction is given.

  When the reservation rice cooking switch is pressed by the user and the reservation start is instructed, in step S1, the control means 8 operates the moisture content detecting means 17 to detect the moisture content of the rice in the pan-like container 5. And the control means 8 determines whether the grade of the ease of cracking of rice is larger than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2). When the detected moisture content is larger than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2; Y), the control means 8 determines that the rice to be cooked is rice that is difficult to break, and proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the control unit 8 sets a cooking menu set by the user, rice amount of cooking time rice is finished, and on the basis of the determined moisture content in step S2, the reservation time t _a, the time measuring means 7 counts the reservation time t _a. Time measuring means 7 in step S7 when it is determined to have reached the predetermined reservation time t _a, the process proceeds to the water supply step 1 in step S3. The flow from the water supply process 1 of step S3 to the end of rice cooking is the same as that of the normal rice cooking demonstrated in FIG.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S2 that the moisture content detected by the moisture content detection means 17 is equal to or less than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2; N), the control means 8 makes the rice to be cooked easy to crack. It judges that it is rice and moves to step S8.

In step S8, the control unit 8 sets a cooking menu set by the user, rice amount of cooking time rice is finished, and on the basis of the determined moisture content in step S2, the reservation time t _b, the time measuring means 7 counts the time reservation _{t b).} Time measuring means 7 at step S9, when it is determined to have reached the predetermined reservation time t _b, the process proceeds to the water supply step 2 in step S5. The flow from the water supply process 2 of step S5 to the end of rice cooking is the same as the normal rice cooking described in FIG.

Incidentally, the reservation time _{t b} of the step S8, is shorter than the reserved time _{t a} step S7. In the water supply process 2 of step S5, since it is necessary to heat the water in the water tank 20 to a temperature higher than that of the water supply process 1 of step S3, the heating time becomes long. Therefore, it is shifted to the water supply process 2 of step S5 earlier, and the time for heating the water in the water tank 20 is ensured, regardless of the “easiness of cracking (here, moisture content of rice)” The end time is not shifted.

  As described above, in the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, the degree of “easy to break” of rice is determined based on the moisture content of rice detected by the moisture content detecting means 17, and the “easy to break” of the rice is determined. The temperature of water supplied into the pot-like container 5 is determined according to the degree of “ Thus, in rice cooker 100, by controlling the water supply temperature according to the degree of “easiness of cracking” of rice, cracking is suppressed for rice that has not yet cracked. It is possible to suppress the expansion of “cracking” for rice that has already “cracked”. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100, the fall of the taste by generation | occurrence | production of a "rice cooking disintegrated grain" can be suppressed significantly.

  In general, when heating, the temperature rises from a position close to the heating source. Therefore, in the rice cooker 100, the temperature of the lower part in the pan-like container 5 is high at the initial stage of heating by the heating coil 3, and the temperature of the upper part is high. The temperature distribution is low. And the temperature difference between the upper part and the lower part in the pan-like container 5 after the start of heating, that is, temperature unevenness tends to increase as the water temperature when heating by the heating coil 3 is started is lower.

  In addition, rice has the property that water absorption proceeds as the water temperature rises, and rice that has been “cracked” is more susceptible to temperature and water absorption is easier than normal rice. Therefore, even if there is slight temperature unevenness, the difference in the amount of absorbed water between the low temperature portion and the high temperature portion is larger in the rice where “cracking” has occurred than in the normal rice. That is, the water absorption unevenness generated by the temperature unevenness is larger in the rice where the “crack” has occurred.

  From these things, when the water temperature before a rice cooking process is low and trying to cook the rice which "cracked" generate | occur | produces, water absorption nonuniformity will become very large easily. As a result, when the rice that has cracked is cooked, the upper part that absorbs less water has a hard and soft texture, and the lower part that absorbs water is too soft and sticky. .

  However, the rice cooker 100 which concerns on this Embodiment 1 can suppress temperature nonuniformity by adjusting water supply temperature and supplying water heated beforehand. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100, even when the rice which has already been "cracked" is cooked before cooking rice, the water absorption unevenness caused by the temperature unevenness can be suppressed, and thus the uneven cooking can be suppressed. Moreover, the rice cooker 100 can suppress generation | occurrence | production of the "crack" after water supply with respect to the rice which has not generate | occur | produced "crack" before the rice cooking start by adjusting water supply temperature. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100, even if temperature unevenness occurs during heating, water absorption unevenness is less likely to occur compared to rice in which “cracking” has occurred, and consequently, uneven cooking is suppressed. Can do.

  Also, in the case of a rice cooker without an automatic water supply mechanism, the user first sets a pan-like container containing a predetermined amount of rice and water in the main body, gives an operation instruction to the rice cooker and starts cooking rice Become. However, in this case, the user does not always give an operation instruction to the rice cooker immediately after putting the rice and water in the pan-like container, and the user may be left for a while with the rice immersed in water. It can be enough. Or, in the case of reserved rice cooking, the rice is left in a state of being immersed in water during reservation (a stage before heating by cooking rice begins).

  At this time, if the rice is fragile, the crack will occur or the crack will become large when left in water. And as above-mentioned, it is likely that it will become "rice cooking disintegrated grain" by rice cooking, or water absorption nonuniformity will generate | occur | produce in a pot-shaped container, and it will lead to nonuniform cooking rice, and will become unpasteful rice. However, in the rice cooker 100, since the rice is not left as it is immersed in water, delicious rice can be cooked stably.

  Furthermore, in the rice cooker 100, when it is determined that the rice to be cooked has a predetermined moisture content W or less, the amount of water supplied to the pan-like container 5 is increased by energizing the magnet pump 16 for a long time. ing.

  Generally, it is known that as the amount of water added to rice increases, the rice can be cooked softer. Similarly, as the amount of water contained in the rice itself increases, the rice can be cooked softly. Conversely, the less water the rice contains, the harder it is cooked. Therefore, in the rice cooker 100, the amount of water supplied into the pot-like container 5 is increased by the amount of water content of rice, so that the cooked rice has a constant hardness regardless of the water content of rice used by the user. can do. Thus, by measuring the moisture content as a means of determining the degree of “easiness of cracking” of rice, the degree of “easiness of cracking” of rice can be accurately determined and the hardness of rice is made constant. Can be further ensured.

  As described above, the rice cooker 100 can cook rice by supplying water at an optimal water temperature to prevent the occurrence of “cracking” and “cracking” of rice, and to suppress the occurrence of “cooking grains” and uneven cooking. Is possible. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100, whatever rice the user uses (for example, different varieties, production areas, and storage conditions), it is possible to stably cook delicious rice.

  Moreover, according to the rice cooker 100, as the water temperature is low, rice is more likely to break, as described above, but whatever water the user uses (for example, the difference in the temperature of tap water depending on the season or region) Even if there is a difference in water temperature such as water stored in the refrigerator and water stored at room temperature), you can cook delicious rice stably.

  In addition, rice with insufficient starch accumulation and rice with a coarse bond between starch grains and coarse intergranular spacing are easily broken and have an opaque white color. Therefore, as means for judging the degree of “easiness to break” of rice, instead of the moisture content detection means 17, whiteness detection means (for example, a color difference meter) for detecting the whiteness of rice grains may be used. When using the moisture content as an index to accurately determine the degree of “breakability” of rice, it is necessary to measure the unwashed rice by means of moisture content detection means. If it is a means to detect, the degree of "easiness to break" of rice can be judged accurately before and after washing. You may use together the moisture content detection means 17 and the whiteness detection means (for example, color difference meter) which detects the whiteness of a rice grain.

  In the above configuration, the magnet pump 16 is used as the water supply means, but water may be supplied into the pot-like container 5 by sending air from the pump into the water tank 20 that is substantially sealed. Or it is good also as a structure which provides a pump in the middle of the water supply path | route 12, sucks the water in the water tank 20, and supplies the water in the pan-shaped container 5. FIG. Even in such a configuration, the control contents executed by the control means 8 are as described above.

  Moreover, although the structure which arrange | positions the water tank 20 in the front surface of the main body 1 was demonstrated as an example, it is not restricted to this, The water tank 20 may be arrange | positioned in a side surface or a back surface, and the upper part or lower part of the main body 1 A water tank 20 may be disposed in the tank. Further, the water tank 20 may be configured to be housed in the main body 1. Furthermore, since the water tank 20, the tank lid 21, the communication pipe 21c, the water supply path 12, and the cartridge 15 are detachable from the main body 1, they can be removed and cleaned each time they are used. Therefore, it can be used hygienically.

  In the case of the rice cooker 100, the “easiness of cracking” of rice is automatically measured simply by pressing a rice cooker switch or a reservation switch, so that no extra operation occurs. Moreover, like the conventional rice cooker with a water supply means, it is possible to save the trouble of water level adjustment when putting water for rice cooking into the pot-like container 5 and the rice cooking menu selected by the user ( It is possible to supply water according to softness. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100, a user's convenience can be improved and rice can be cooked deliciously.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a rice cooker 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Based on FIG. 5, 100A of rice cookers are demonstrated. As with the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, the rice cooker 100A heats the pot-like container 5 containing the object to be heated (food such as rice and water) with the heating coil 3. It is something to cook. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100A is the same as that of the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment. However, in the rice cooker 100A, the moisture content detection means (hereinafter, moisture content) which is an example of the rice crackability information detection means. This is different from the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment in that the installation position of the detection means 17A) is provided on the outer lid 10a. That is, the rice cooker 100A does not detect the moisture content of the rice set in the pan-like container 5, but detects the moisture content of the rice placed on the sample stage of the moisture content detecting means 17A by the user. I have to. As shown in FIG. 5, the sample stage of the moisture content detection means 17A is a portion that is exposed on the upper surface of the outer lid 10a and constitutes a part of the upper surface of the outer lid 10a.

  The moisture content detection means 17A may be constituted by, for example, a high-frequency capacity type or electric resistance type moisture meter. Information regarding the moisture content of rice detected by the moisture content detection means 17A is output to the control means 8.

Next, operation | movement of the water supply of rice cooker 100A and normal rice cooking is demonstrated.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of the rice cooker 100A during water supply and normal rice cooking. Hereinafter, operation | movement of the water supply of rice cooker 100A and normal rice cooking is demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  The user first sets a predetermined amount of rice on the sample stage of the moisture content detection means 17A. Then, the user presses a rice measurement switch (not shown) of the operation / display unit 13 to give an operation instruction to the rice cooker 100A (step S10; Y). The control means 8 operates the moisture content detection means 17A when the rice measurement switch is pressed by the user and an operation instruction is given (step S11). The control means 8 stores the moisture content information detected by the moisture content detection means 17A in a storage means (not shown) in the control means 8 (step S12). Next, the control means 8 transfers to step S13 which judges whether the rice cooking switch was pressed down.

  On the other hand, when the control means 8 determines that the rice measurement switch is not pressed in step S10 (step S10; N), the control means 8 proceeds to step S13.

  The user stores the pot-like container 5 containing rice in the container cover 2 in the main body 1 and sets the water tank 20 containing a predetermined amount of water. And a user closes lid 10, chooses a rice cooking menu with operation / display part 13, sets the amount of rice (for example, 3 cups) to cook rice, and presses a rice cooking switch (not shown), An operation instruction is given to the rice cooker 100A. When the rice cooker switch is pressed down and the start of rice cooking is instructed by the user (step S13; Y), rice cooker 100A starts rice cooking and proceeds to step S15. In addition, when the rice cooking switch is not pressed down (step S13; N), the control means 8 confirms the presence or absence of operation of a rice measurement switch again (step S14).

  And the control means 8 reads moisture content information from the memory | storage means in the control means 8 (step S15). Next, the control means 8 compares the read moisture content information with a predetermined moisture content W (step S2). When it determines with the detected moisture content being larger than the predetermined moisture content W (step S2; Y), the control means 8 judges that the rice to cook is a rice which is hard to break, and the water supply process 1 of step S3 Migrate to From the water supply process 1 of step S3 to the end of rice cooking, it is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected moisture content is equal to or less than the predetermined moisture content W serving as a reference value (step S2; N), the control means 8 determines that the rice to be cooked is easily broken rice, The process proceeds to step S5. From the water supply process 2 of step S5 to the end of rice cooking, it is the same as that of Embodiment 1.

  As described above, in the rice cooker 100A, the occurrence of “cracking” or “cracking” of rice is prevented by supplying water at an optimal water temperature in the same manner as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment. The rice is cooked while suppressing the occurrence of “collapsed grains” and uneven cooking. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100A, whatever rice is used by the user (for example, different varieties, production areas, and storage conditions), it is possible to stably cook delicious rice. Further, as described in the first embodiment, the lower the water temperature, the easier the rice breaks. However, according to the rice cooker 100A, whatever water the user uses (for example, the temperature of tap water depending on the season or region) Even if there is a difference in water temperature such as the water stored in the refrigerator and the water stored at room temperature), you can cook delicious rice stably.

  In addition, in order to accurately determine the degree of “easiness of cracking” of rice, it is necessary to measure the unwashed rice by the moisture content detection means. Therefore, in the rice cooker 100A, not the rice in the pan-like container 5, but the rice set on the sample stage of the moisture content detection means 17A is measured. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100A, even if the rice needs to be washed, the moisture content can be measured before washing the rice, and the moisture content of the rice can be accurately measured.

  When cooking rice that needs to be washed, the rice cooker 100A measures the moisture content of the rice set on the sample stage of the moisture content detection means 17A by the user and stores the moisture content information in the storage means (FIG. Step S10 to Step S12 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the user cleans the rice, puts the washed rice into the pot-shaped container 5, stores the pot-shaped container 5 with the rice in the container cover 2 in the main body 1, and stores a predetermined amount of water in the water tank. 20 is set. And a user closes the cover body 10, selects the rice cooking menu with the operation / display part 13, sets the amount of rice (for example, 3 cups) to cook, and presses a rice cooking switch (not shown). When it is determined that the rice cooking switch is pressed (step S13; Y), the process proceeds to step S15 and proceeds as described above until the end of rice cooking.

  At this time, when the rice cooking menu is selected, the presence / absence of rice washing can be set, and the pump energizing time in steps S35 and S55 may be shortened when the rice washing is set compared to the case without rice washing. That is, since the rice absorbs water when washing the rice, the amount of water supplied into the pot-like container 5 is reduced by that amount, so that the cooked state can be made constant.

  Moreover, in the rice cooker 100A, it is not necessary to measure the moisture content each time rice is cooked, and the moisture content can be measured when the convenience of the user is good. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100A, when the user is busy, it is possible to cook rice without measuring the moisture content. Conversely, when it is desired to re-purchase new rice and determine the characteristics of the rice, it is possible to measure the moisture content and execute rice cooking suitable for the rice.

  The moisture content detection means 17A is provided on the outer lid 10a as shown in FIG. 5 and is not touched by rice balls or steam generated during cooking. By adopting such a configuration, the moisture content detection means 17A is not soiled by rice cooking. Therefore, according to the rice cooker 100A, it is possible to always stably and accurately determine the moisture content, that is, the degree of ease of cracking of rice.

  In addition, as means for judging the degree of “easiness to break” of rice, not only the moisture content detection means 17A, but also crack detection means for detecting the presence or absence of “cracks (cracks or cracks)” on the surface of the rice grain may be used. . Rice that has cracked or cracked before being soaked in water is likely to be `` cracked '' easily after being soaked in water. It may be detected whether or not. Such crack detection means may be used in combination with the moisture content detection means 17A.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where a means for heating the water tank 20 is used as a method for heating the water to be supplied has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this means. For example, in the vicinity of the water supply path 12 A heater may be arranged to heat the water in the water supply path 12. By doing so, only the amount of water absorbed in the pot-like container 5 is heated, which is energy saving.

  Further, the means for detecting the amount of rice is not limited to the method of inputting to the operation / display unit 13, but the amount of rice may be detected by a weight sensor. Further, the amount of water supplied to the pot-like container 5 may be detected by a weight sensor instead of the energization time of the magnet pump 16.

  In the first and second embodiments, as an example of the rice crackability information detection means for determining the degree of “easy to break” of rice, a method of directly measuring the moisture content of rice has been described as an example. It is not limited. For example, it is assumed that the operation / display unit 13 includes a means for setting the rice milling date (rice milling date setting means) as a rice cracking information detection unit, and the past the rice milling date, the more the drying proceeds during storage. Then, it may be determined that the rice is fragile. In this case, the reference value for determining the degree of “easiness to break” of rice is the number of days from the rice milling day. If it is such a structure, a complicated structure like a moisture content detection means is unnecessary, and a compact rice cooker can be provided.

  Or, the rice cooker is equipped with a calendar function as a means of detecting the ease of cracking of rice, and the air is dry in the winter, so it is assumed that the rice is drying during storage and is judged to be easily broken You may do it. In this case, the reference value for determining the degree of “easiness to break” of rice is a specific date. If it is such a structure, a complicated structure like a moisture content detection means is unnecessary, and a compact rice cooker can be provided.

  Alternatively, the rice cooker is equipped with a humidity sensor as a means of detecting the ease of breaking rice, and the lower the detected humidity is, the more likely the rice is to dry during storage, and it is judged that the rice is fragile. Good. In this case, the reference value for determining the degree of “easiness to break” of rice is a preset humidity. When providing a humidity sensor, the humidity sensor may be configured to be removable from the rice cooker body. With this configuration, the humidity in the rice bin can be measured, the dry state (moisture content) of the rice can be estimated with higher accuracy, and the degree of “easiness to break” of the rice can be determined correctly.

  As a means of detecting the ease of cracking of rice to determine the degree of “breakability” of rice, information on the purchased rice (brand name, production area, rice milling method, etc.) is downloaded from the Internet, and the “breaking of rice” is based on that information. The degree of “ease” may be determined. In this case, the reference value for determining the degree of “easiness to break” of rice is determined based on the inputted rice information.

  In addition, based on the degree of “easiness to break” of rice, not only the feed water temperature but also the temperature and time of the preheating process, and the power and time of the temperature raising process and boiling maintaining process may be varied. In addition, one or more of these rice cracking ease information detection means may be used in combination with the moisture content detection means described in the first and second embodiments, or the moisture content described in the first and second embodiments. It may be used in place of the detection means.

  In addition, the rice cooker according to the first and second embodiments is configured so as to be connected to an external information device such as a PC or a telephone, and a rice cooker starts, cooks rice, stops cooking, cancels reservation, etc. It may be possible to perform. Thereby, even after a user leaves a house, the timing of rice cooking start can be changed according to his / her schedule, and it becomes possible to eat a freshly prepared state after returning home. In addition, if rice is suddenly no longer needed, the rice will hurt if it has been soaked in water as in the case of regular reserved rice, and if the rice is sprinkled on another day, the desired cooking state Can be cooked, but if it is a rice cooker according to Embodiments 1 and 2, the set rice can be turned to cooked rice for another day.

  Furthermore, according to the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1, 2, it also leads to power saving. For example, if the return is likely to be delayed, the rice cooking time can be delayed from the reserved time, and the rice can be cooked at a time when the electricity bill is cheap.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body, 2 Container cover, 2a Hole part, 3 Heating coil, 4 Pan bottom temperature sensor, 5 Pan-shaped container, 5a Flange part, 6 Hinge part, 7 Time measurement means, 8 Control means, 9 Cover packing, 10 Cover body, 10a outer lid, 10b inner lid, 10bA lid steam port, 10bB lid hole, 10bC lid water inlet, 11 locking material, 12 water supply channel, 12a lid side channel port, 12b tank side channel port, 12d channel unit, 13 operation / Display unit, 14 Internal temperature sensor, 15 Cartridge, 15a Steam inlet, 15b Steam outlet, 16 Magnet pump, 16a Magnet pump motor, 16b Magnet pump impeller casing, 17 Moisture content detection means, 17A Moisture content detection means, 20 water tank, 21 tank lid, 21a tank vent, 21b tank water inlet, 21c communication , 22 water tank heating coil, 23 water tank temperature sensor, 100 rice cooker, 100A cooker.

Claims (13)

A pan-like container for storing the object to be heated;
A main body on which the pan-like container is installed;
A lid that covers the opening of the pan-like container so as to be freely opened and closed;
A first heating means provided on the main body for heating the pan-like container;
A water tank for storing water to be supplied into the pan-like container;
A water supply path for supplying water in the water tank into the pan-like container;
A second heating means for heating the supplied water;
Rice crackability information detection means for detecting information related to the crackability of rice to be detected;
Control means for determining the degree of ease of cracking of the rice by comparing the detection information in the rice crackability information detection means and a preset reference value;
The control means includes
The rice cooker characterized by adjusting the temperature of the water supplied into the pan-like container by controlling the second heating means based on the degree of ease of cracking of the rice. The control means includes
The higher the degree of cracking of the rice to be detected,
2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the second heating unit is controlled to increase a temperature of water supplied into the pot-shaped container. The control means includes
The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of water supplied into the pan-shaped container is adjusted according to the degree of ease of cracking of the rice to be detected. The control means includes
The higher the degree of cracking of the rice to be detected,
The amount of water supplied into the pan-like container is increased. The rice cooker according to claim 3. In the one using the moisture content detection means for detecting the moisture content of the rice as the rice crackability information detection means,
The control means includes
It is judged that it is easy to be broken, so that the moisture content of the rice detected by the moisture content detecting means is low. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The moisture content detecting means is
Installed in a position where the moisture content of the rice contained in the pan-like container can be detected,
The rice cooker according to claim 5, wherein the moisture content of the rice contained in the pan-like container is detected. The moisture content detecting means is
Installed to constitute a part of the upper surface of the lid,
The rice cooker according to claim 5, wherein the moisture content of the rice placed on the upper surface of the lid is detected. In the one using the whiteness detection means for detecting the whiteness of the rice as the rice crackability information detection means,
The control means includes
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it is determined that the more white the rice detected by the whiteness detection means is, the easier it is to break. In those using crack detection means for detecting the presence or absence of cracks on the surface of the rice as the rice crackability information detection means,
The control means includes
It is judged that it is easy to break, so that there are many cracks of the rice detected by the crack detection means. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized by things. In the one using rice milling date setting means for setting the rice milling date as the rice cracking ease information detection means,
The control means includes
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein it is determined that the rice milling date set by the rice milling date setting means is more fragile as it is in the past. In what uses the calendar function as the rice cracking ease information detection means,
The control means includes
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ease of cracking of the rice is determined based on a date specified by the calendar function. In a rice cracking information detection means using a humidity sensor,
The control means includes
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rice is more likely to break as the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is lower. The rice cooker as described in any one of Claims 1-12 provided with the memory | storage means to memorize | store the information which the said rice cracking ease information detection means detected.

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