JP6523896B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker provided with a touch switch.

  Conventionally, "the operation unit for manually changing the content of the setting object in cooking is operated in the circumferential direction and the plurality of touch switches operated according to the change of the capacitance, and the plurality of touch switches are operated. And a circular operation portion formed in the circumferential direction to be input, and input from a plurality of touch switches in response to the user touching the circumferential operation portion while moving in the circumferential direction There is proposed a rice cooker having a control circuit that detects a signal and determines the operation direction of the operation unit based on the detection result, and does not need the protruding portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2009-139019, A

  Although the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 configures the operation unit with a plurality of touch switches, the design property is improved by eliminating the need to project the portion protruding from the touch switch, and the operation unit is simplified. Can be provided. However, since there is no unevenness in the touch switch portion, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to know which portion to operate when operating the rice cooker. Further, since the touch switch portion can be operated by touching, it is not possible to feel the stroke due to pressing, that is, the amount of physical movement. For this reason, since it can not be judged whether the operation part was actually pressed down at the time of operation to an operation part, there existed a problem that the operation mistake and setting mistake to a rice cooker arise.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to make the operation of the rice cooker easy to understand and to reduce the number of operation errors and setting errors. The purpose is to get.

Rice cooker according to the present invention comprises a body having a heating means, an outer lid openably provided to said body, a rice cooker with a the top outer edge of the top surface of the front Kigaifuta concentrically arranged, but having a plurality of touch switch for accepting an operation by being traced surface.

  According to the rice cooker according to the present invention, at least one of the main body and the outer lid is provided with a touch switch for receiving an operation to the rice cooker. By doing this, it is possible to obtain a rice cooker that can make the operation part of the rice cooker easy to understand and reduce operation errors and setting errors to the rice cooker.

It is a schematic perspective view of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows another example of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of a state when selecting a rice kind with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of a state when selecting a rice kind with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows an example of a state when selecting a rice kind with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of rice type selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of rice type selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of rice type selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of rice type selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows another example of a state when selecting a rice cooking menu with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of the rice cooking menu selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of the rice cooking menu selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of the rice cooking menu selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state of the display part at the time of the rice cooking menu selection of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state when selecting a rice kind and a rice cooking menu with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state in which the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention was equipped with the illumination type touch switch. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state in which the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention was equipped with the illumination type touch switch. It is a schematic plan view which shows the state which provided the rib in the circumference | surroundings of the steam hole of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is the enlarged view of the rib of FIG. 13A, and AA sectional drawing of a rib. It is a schematic plan view of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a schematic plan view of the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 7 of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the form of drawing is an example and does not limit this invention. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or corresponding parts, which are common to the entire text of the specification. Furthermore, in the following drawings, the relationship of the size of each component may differ from an actual thing.

Embodiment 1
[Composition of rice cooker]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker 100 includes a main body 1 having heating means therein, and an outer lid 2 attached to an upper portion of the main body 1 so as to be openable and closable. A lid opening / closing button 4 for opening and closing the outer lid 2 is provided at the upper part on the front side of the main body 1. The outer lid 2 has a circular outer lid top surface portion 5 on the top surface, has an outer lid side surface portion 6 on the side, and the top surface outer edge portion between the outer lid top surface portion 5 and the outer lid side surface portion 6 It has eleven. The top outer surface portion 11 and the outer cover side surface portion 6 are configured to be continuous from the top surface to the side surface by the top surface outer edge portion 11. In addition, when the rice cooker 100 is placed on a flat and horizontal place, the outer lid top surface 5 is horizontal, or slightly forward inclined for improving visibility and operability, or an outer lid side surface 6 has a frusto-conical shape or a cylindrical shape. Also, although the case where the outer lid 2 has the top outer edge 11 as a separate body is shown as an example, the outer periphery of the outer lid top 5 may be used as the top outer edge 11 or the outer lid side 6 The top surface outer edge portion 11 may be integrated with any of the members as the top surface outer edge portion 11 at the upper end portion thereof.

  The outer lid top surface portion 5 of the outer lid 2 comprises a display unit 8 for displaying the operation state or setting menu of the rice cooker 100 and setting item changing means 7 for changing the setting menu of the display unit 8 and the like. An operation unit 12 is provided. Further, behind the outer lid 2, a steam outlet 10 for discharging the steam in the main body 1 of the rice cooker 100, and a notification unit 9 for emitting an alarm sound and the like are provided. In the first embodiment, an example in which the steam discharge port 10 is provided at the rear of the outer lid top surface 5 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The steam outlet 10 is located near the center of the outer lid top surface. It may be arranged.

[Composition of outer lid]
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer lid 2 is formed in a circular shape in top view, and the touch switch 15 is formed on the top outer edge 11 of the outer lid 2 by 15 ° with respect to the center point 13 of the outer lid 2. , And 24 are arranged concentrically while maintaining an even spacing. The touch switch 15 is configured of, for example, a capacitive touch panel or an optical touch panel. In the first embodiment, an example in which 24 touch switches 15 are arranged on the top outer edge portion 11 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, 36 touch switches may be arranged or received Depending on the configuration, the number of touch switches may be changed as appropriate, such as setting the number of touch switches 15 to one. Moreover, although the example which arrange | positioned the touch switch 15 to the top outer edge part 11 in this Embodiment 1 was shown, you may arrange | position to at least one, such as the main body 1 or the outer cover side part 6. FIG. The same applies to Embodiments 2 to 7 described later.

  The touch switch 15 in the outer lid 2 is suitably provided on the top surface outer edge 11 configured as an inclined surface. The reason is that when the rice cooker 100 is placed on a flat and horizontal place, the top surface outer edge 11 which is the interface between the horizontal or substantially horizontal outer lid side surface 6 and the substantially vertical outer lid top surface 5. This is because the top outer edge portion 11 which is the boundary surface having this slope has a slope and is easy to touch and intuitively understand when tracing with a fingertip. Further, it is appropriate that the touch switch 15 in the outer lid 2 is formed on an outer peripheral portion of the outer lid top surface portion 5 including the operation portion 12 by molding acrylic resin or the like. The reason for this is that when the peripheral edge of the outer lid top surface 5 is stepped with the top surface outer edge 11, the outermost top surface edge of the operation panel can be easily recognized, and in the same way as the top surface outer edge 11 Because it is easy to touch and intuitively understand.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the outer lid 2A is formed in a rectangular shape in top view, and the top outer edge 11 of the outer lid 2A has the entire length of the outer periphery of the top outer edge 11 equal to 24 in length L. Twenty-four touch switches 15 are arranged at divided intervals. Thus, the touch switch 15 can be disposed also on the top surface outer edge portion 11 of the rectangular outer lid 2.

[Operation of rice type selection]
FIG. 4: is a schematic plan view which shows an example of a state when selecting a rice kind with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the deepest side of the top view of the outer lid 2, that is, the uppermost side of the outer lid 2 in the drawing is referred to as an A point 20. Then, with respect to the center point 13 of the outer lid 2, a point rotated clockwise from the point A 20, that is, a center angle of 90 ° clockwise is defined as a point B 21. And as a kind of setting item of a rice kind, suppose that there are three types, "white rice", "non-washed rice", and "germinated rice." In the first embodiment, although there are three types of “white rice”, “non-washed rice”, and “germinated rice”, the present invention is not limited thereto, and setting items of other rice types are added. Or you may reduce the number of rice varieties.

  Starting from the point B, the rice cooker 100 cooks when the top surface outer edge 11 is swung clockwise at a central angle of 30 °, that is, the touch switch 15 by a distance of two in top view of the outer lid 2 Recognize that "white rice" was selected as the rice type. Similarly, starting from the point B 21, when the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is swung clockwise by a central angle of 60 °, that is, the touch switch 15 is moved by a distance of four, the rice cooker 100 Recognize that "no-wash rice" was selected as the type of rice to be cooked. Furthermore, starting from the point B 21, the rice cooker 100 rotates the top surface outer edge 11 clockwise at a center angle of 90 °, that is, the touch switch 15 by a distance of six in top view of the outer lid 2 Recognize that "germinated rice" has been selected as the type of rice to be cooked.

  In the first embodiment, for example, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is scanned at a central angle of 30 °, that is, when only two touch switches 15 are scanned, an example in which “white rice” is selected has been described. The present invention is not limited to this, and the setting may be changed to different central angles according to the rice type such as 10 ° or 45 ° other than 30 °. The same applies to the second to seventh embodiments described later.

  FIG. 5: is a schematic plan view which shows an example of a state when selecting a rice kind with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. As shown in FIG. 5, starting from the point B 21, the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is counterclockwise rotated by a central angle of 30 °, that is, a distance of two touch switches 15 In the case, the rice cooker 100 recognizes that “white rice” is selected as the rice species to be cooked. Similarly, in the top view of the outer lid 2, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is counterclockwise rotated at a central angle of 60 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved for a distance of four, the rice cooker 100 is used as rice seed to cook rice Recognize that "no-wash rice" was selected. Furthermore, in top view of the outer lid 2, when the top outer edge portion 11 is scanned counterclockwise at a central angle of 90 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved for a distance of six, the rice cooker 100 Recognize that "germinated rice" was selected. As described above, it is possible to select the rice species to be cooked by tracing the top surface outer edge 11 counterclockwise starting from the point B 21.

  In addition, when selecting the rice type to cook rice, change of the setting menu, such as whether the top surface outer edge portion 11 and the touch switch 15 are swipe clockwise or swipe clockwise, is the above-mentioned. It is possible to switch by pressing the setting item changing means 7 provided on the outer lid 2. The detailed operation of the setting item changing means 7 will be described later.

  In the first embodiment, the starting point when selecting a rice type is from B point 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this, even if the rice type is selected with a point other than B point as a starting point Good. The same applies to the second to seventh embodiments described later. In addition, the starting point of the rice type selection may be changed, or the rice type may be determined by tracing the set distance. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a state when selecting a rice type with the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the deepest side in a top view of the outer lid 2, that is, the uppermost side of the outer lid 2 in the drawing is designated as an A point 20. Then, with the center point 13 of the outer lid 2 as a reference, the point rotated clockwise from the point A 20, that is, the center angle 150 ° clockwise is set as the point C 22, and the point rotated clockwise 180 ° as the point D And 23

  Starting from the D point 23, the rice cooker 100 cooks when the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is traced clockwise by a central angle of 30 °, that is, by a distance of two touch switches 15. Recognize that "white rice" was selected as the rice type. Similarly, starting from the point C 22, when the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is swung clockwise by a central angle of 60 °, that is, the touch switch 15 is moved by a distance of four, the rice cooker 100 Recognize that "no-wash rice" was selected as the type of rice to be cooked. Furthermore, starting from the point D 23, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is swung clockwise at a central angle of 90 °, that is, the touch switch 15 by a distance of six in top view of the outer lid 2, the rice cooker 100 is Recognize that "germinated rice" has been selected as the type of rice to be cooked. As described above, at the time of rice type selection, even if the start point of tracing the touch switch 15 is made different, the operation of rice type selection can be performed. That is, if the top surface outer edge portion 11 is traced by a predetermined angle, that is, a predetermined touch switch, the rice type can be selected regardless of the direction the rice cooker 100 is operated.

  FIGS. 7A to 7D are schematic views showing the state of the display unit at the time of rice type selection of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. When the setting item changing means 7 (see FIG. 1) provided on the outer lid 2 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit 8 as a standby screen. Then, the notification unit 9 (see FIG. 1) emits a sound or light to notify that the operation input to the touch switch 15 is possible. As shown in FIG. 7A, the display unit 8 is provided with a rice type display field 8a. For example, "white rice", "non-washed rice", and "germinated rice" are displayed as setting items in the rice type display column 8a. In the standby state and the stopped state of the rice cooker 100, none of "white rice", "non-washed rice" and "germinated rice" is selected as the setting item.

  Here, although the screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit 8 as a standby screen by pressing the setting item changing unit 7, the touch switch is also applied in the standby state and the stop state of the rice cooker 100. Alternatively, when the operation input to the touch switch 15 is performed, the screen illustrated in FIG. 7A may be displayed on the display unit 8 as a standby screen.

  Further, here, the operation input to the touch switch 15 is enabled by pressing the setting item changing means 7 or in the standby state and the stop state of the rice cooker 100, and when the operation input to the touch switch 15 is made. The screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed on the display unit 8 as a standby screen, but the setting items are stored and stored in the control unit (not shown) for the purpose of improving usability. The standby screen may be displayed on the display unit 8 with the setting item selected. For example, when "non-washed rice" is set at the time of previous rice cooking and "non-washed rice" which is the setting item is stored, the screen shown in FIG. 7C is displayed on the display unit 8 as a standby screen. At this time, if the displayed setting item is a desired setting item, rice cooking can be started as it is, which is extremely convenient.

  Here, as described above, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise at a central angle of 30 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is traced by two, nothing is selected in FIG. 7A. From this, as shown in FIG. 7B, "white rice" in the rice type display column 8a is selected. Similarly, when the top outer edge 11 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise at a central angle of 60 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved by a distance of four, the state shown in FIG. 7A from which nothing is selected. As shown in 7C, "non-washed rice" in the rice type display column 8a is in a state of being selected. Furthermore, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise at a central angle of 90 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved by six, as shown in FIG. As a result, "germinated rice" in the rice type display column 8a is selected.

  In the first embodiment, when none of "white rice", "non-washed rice" and "germinated rice" is selected, when, for example, the top surface outer edge portion 11 is swung 90 ° clockwise, An example in which "germinated rice" was selected without displaying "white rice" and "non-washed rice" in the rice type display column 8a is shown. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the selected item of the rice type display column 8a when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is continuously traced clockwise with a center angle of 30 °, 60 °, and 90 °. May be changed continuously to "white rice", "non-washed rice", "germinated rice".

[Operation of rice cooking menu selection]
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the state when the rice cooking menu is selected with the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the deepest side in a top view of the outer lid 2, that is, the uppermost side of the outer lid 2 in the drawing is referred to as an A point 20. Then, with respect to the center point 13 of the outer lid 2, a point rotated clockwise from the A point 20, that is, a center angle 270 ° clockwise is set as an E point 24. And as a kind of setting item of a rice cooking menu, suppose that there are three types, "normal", "hurry", and "Okayu". In addition, in this Embodiment 1, the example which has three types of "normal", "hurry", and "o kayu" is shown, but this invention is not limited to this, The setting item of other rice cooking menu is added or Or, you may reduce the rice cooking menu.

  Starting from the point E 24, the rice cooker 100 cooks rice when the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is traced counterclockwise at a central angle of 30 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is traced by a distance of two. Recognize that "Normal" is selected as the menu. Similarly, the rice cooker 100 is started when the top surface outer edge portion 11 in the upper surface view of the outer lid 2 is moved counterclockwise at a central angle of 60 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved by a distance of four in a top view of the outer lid 2 Recognizes that "Hurry" is selected as a rice cooking menu. Furthermore, starting from the point E 24, when the top surface outer edge 11 in the top view of the outer lid 2 is traced counterclockwise at a central angle of 90 °, that is, the touch switch 15 is moved by a distance of six, the rice cooker 100 Recognize that "Okayu" was selected as the rice cooking menu.

  In the first embodiment, the starting point for selecting the rice cooking menu is from E point 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, even if the rice cooking menu is selected with a point other than E point as the starting point Good. In the first embodiment, for example, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is scanned at a central angle of 30 °, an example is shown in which “normal” is selected, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Depending on the setting, the central angle may be changed to a different angle such as 10 ° or 45 ° other than 30 °. The same applies to the second to seventh embodiments described later.

  9A to 9D are schematic views showing the state of the display unit when the rice cooking menu is selected on the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the state where the display unit 8 displays the states of FIGS. 7A to 7D, when the setting item changing unit 7 (see FIG. 1) provided on the outer lid 2 is further pressed, the display of the display unit 8 is switched. The screen represented by 9A is displayed as the initial screen. As shown in FIG. 9A, the display unit 8 is provided with a rice cooking menu display field 8b. In the cooking menu display column 8b, for example, "normal", "hurry", and "okay" are displayed. When rice cooker 100 is in the standby state and in the stopped state, none of "normal", "hurry", and "okarayu" is selected.

  Here, as described above, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is scanned counterclockwise at a central angle of 30 °, that is, when only two touch switches 15 are traced, from the state where nothing is selected in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, "Normal" in the rice cooking menu display field 8b is selected. Similarly, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is counterclockwise rotated at a central angle of 60 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved by four, as shown in FIG. 9C from the state where nothing is selected in FIG. 9A. It is in the state where "urgent" of the rice cooking menu display column 8b is selected. Furthermore, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is counterclockwise rotated at a center angle of 90 °, that is, when the touch switch 15 is moved by six, rice is cooked as shown in FIG. "Okayu" in the menu display field 8b is selected.

  In the first embodiment, for example, the top surface outer edge portion 11 is swung counterclockwise at a central angle of 90 ° from the standby state in which none of "normal", "hurry" and "okarayu" are selected. In the display of the rice cooking menu display column 8b, "normal" and "urgent" are not selected and displayed in the display of the rice cooking menu display column 8b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is continuously scanned counterclockwise at a central angle of 30 °, 60 °, 90 °, the display of the rice cooking menu display field 8 b is “generally”. , "Hurry", "Okayu" may be changed continuously.

[Setting item change means]
Next, the setting item changing means 7 will be described. The setting item changing means 7 is composed of a contact type tact switch or a capacitance type touch switch, and changes the setting item or setting menu to be input by the touch switch 15 by the input to the setting item changing means 7 It is. For example, in the initial setting of the setting item, the case where the touch switch 15 is traced counterclockwise is the mode in which the setting item of the rice cooking menu is determined, and the clockwise setting is the mode in which the setting item of rice type is determined. In this case, in the mode in which the counterclockwise setting determines the setting item of rice type by the input of the setting item changing means 7, the setting is reversed such as the mode in which the clockwise setting determines the setting item of the rice cooking menu. As described above, the setting item changing means 7 changes the setting menu of the rice cooker 100. Further, as another embodiment, it is also conceivable to change the setting element of the time of the rice cooker 100 by the input of the setting item changing means 7. For example, when the touch switch 15 is swung clockwise, the setting mode is set to “time” in time setting, and when the touch switch 15 is swung counterclockwise, the setting mode is set to “minute”. .

  Next, an example in which various setting items are changed by the setting item changing unit 7 will be described. For example, it is assumed that the initial setting of the touch switch 15 of the rice cooker 100 is set as the change mode of the setting item of the rice type in the clockwise direction and is set as the change mode of the setting item of the cooking menu in the counterclockwise direction. Here, by inputting the setting item changing means 7, when the touch switch 15 is moved clockwise, the setting mode of "hour" unit of time is set, and when it is counterclockwise, the setting mode of "minute" unit of time is switched . Further, by inputting the setting item changing means 7, when the touch switch 15 is swung clockwise, it becomes the setting mode of selection of the heat retention mode, and when it is counterclockwise, it switches to the setting mode of selection of the sound volume. Subsequently, by inputting the setting item changing means 7, the mode is switched to a mode in which other setting items of the rice cooker 100 are changed.

  In the example of the determination mode of the rice type and the determination mode of the rice cooking menu described above, an example in which the clockwise and counterclockwise directions are set reversely by the input of the setting item changing means 7 is shown. The setting item transition may be configured to switch the setting from the increasing direction to the decreasing direction. For example, in the setting mode in the "time" unit of time setting, from the state where the value of "time" is set to increase clockwise, by the input of the setting item changing means 7, clockwise The value may be set to decrease. The setting item changing unit 7 is preferably disposed around the display unit 8 of the outer cover top surface 5 surrounded by the touch switch 15, in particular, on the left or right or in front (the opposite side of the steam discharge port 10).

[Effect of Embodiment 1]
From the above, according to the first embodiment, at least one of the main body 1 having the heating means, the outer lid 2 provided openably and closably on the main body 1, and the main body 1 and the outer lid 2 It is set as the structure provided with the touch switch 15 which receives operation by being traced. By doing this, it is possible to obtain the rice cooker 100 that can make the operation unit 12 of the rice cooker 100 easy to understand and can reduce operation errors and setting errors in the rice cooker 100.

  Further, a plurality of touch switches 15 are provided, and the plurality of touch switches 15 are concentrically arranged on the top outer edge portion 11 of the outer lid top surface portion 5 of the outer lid 2. By doing this, when the top surface outer edge portion 11 which is a boundary surface having a slope is traced with a fingertip, it is easy to touch and intuitively understand, so that the user can easily grasp the location of the touch switch 15 , Operability is improved.

  In addition, since the operation is received according to the distance or angle by which the touch switch 15 is traced, the rice cooker 100 can be easily operated, and an operation error or setting error can be prevented.

  Further, since the setting item changing means 7 for changing the setting items or setting menu of the rice cooker 100 is provided, the function of the touch switch 15 or the display content of the display unit 8 can be switched. The configuration of 8 is simplified.

  In addition, since the notification unit 9 is provided to notify that the operation input to the touch switch 15 is possible, it is easy to use.

Second Embodiment
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, the second embodiment will be described below focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 is that the setting items to the rice cooker are switched without pressing the setting item changing means 7.

  FIG. 10: is a schematic plan view which shows a state when selecting a rice kind and a rice cooking menu with the outer cover of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the deepest side of the top view of the outer lid 2, that is, the uppermost side of the outer lid 2 in the drawing is designated as an A point 20. Then, with respect to the center point 13 of the outer lid 2, a point rotated clockwise from the point A 20, that is, a center angle 180 ° clockwise, is set as a point D 23, and a point rotated center angle 210 ° is set as an F point 25 .

  When selecting a rice type, the center angle of 30 ° clockwise from the D point 23, that is, a distance of two touch switches 15, is traced, and the setting item of the rice type is set to "white rice". Next, a center angle of 60 ° from the F point 25 in a counterclockwise direction, that is, a distance of four touch switches 15 is traced, and the setting item of the rice cooking menu is set to “normal”. Thus, there is no need to provide the setting item changing means 7 by separating the case of selecting the setting item of rice type according to the direction of tracing the touch switch 15 and the case of selecting the setting item of the rice cooking menu. It becomes possible to decide the setting item of the rice kind and the rice cooking menu by the operation of.

[Effect of Embodiment 2]
From the above, the setting items are configured to be changed according to the direction in which the touch switch 15 is traced. By doing this, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the setting item changing means 7, and it is possible to determine the setting items of rice type and rice cooking menu by a series of operations, and usability improves Do.

Third Embodiment
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the third embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, the third embodiment will be described below focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3 is that the touch switch is illuminated.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is equipped with an illuminated touch switch. As shown in FIG. 11, the hatched portion is an illuminated touch switch 15a having a planar light emitting portion 16a. As described above, the touch switch 15a is provided with the planar light emitting unit 16a, and by using the illumination type, operation of the rice cooker 100 follows the top surface outer edge 11 with the fingertip using the light of the surface of the touch switch 15a as a mark. It becomes easy to do.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is equipped with an illuminated touch switch. As shown in FIG. 12, the touch switch 15b has an illumination type configuration including a point-like light emitting part 16b that emits light in the form of a mark on the surface portion. With such a configuration, a standard for a predetermined center angle is easily attached, and the operation of the rice cooker 100 is further ensured. For example, when it is desired to operate by tracing the center angle of 30 °, that is, the distance of two touch switches 15b, the touch switches 15b are traced from a certain point-like light emitting part 16b to two point-like light emitting parts 16b next to each other. Just do it.
In addition, you may comprise the luminescent color of the dotted light emission part 16b by multiple types, also in this case, the standard for a predetermined | prescribed center angle is easy to attach easily, and it goes without saying that the operation to the rice cooker 100 becomes more reliable. .

[Effect of Third Embodiment]
From the above, the touch switch 15 is configured to be an illumination type of planar light emission or point light emission. By doing this, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it becomes easy for the user to operate the rice cooker 100 by tracing the top surface outer edge portion 11 with a fingertip using the light of the touch switch as a mark.

Fourth Embodiment
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that a rib protruding upward is provided around the steam outlet.

  FIG. 13A is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a rib is provided around the steam port of the outer cover of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 13B is an enlarged view of the rib of FIG. 13A, and an AA cross-sectional view of the rib. As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the outer lid top surface 5 is provided with a rib 17 projecting upward so as to surround the steam discharge port 10. In this way, it is possible to prevent the high temperature steam from accidentally coming in contact with the steam outlet 10 when the touch switch 15 is operated.

[Effect of Fourth Embodiment]
From the above, the outer cover 2 is provided with the steam outlet 10, and the rib 17 is provided around the steam outlet 10. In this way, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the rice cooker 100 that prevents the high temperature steam from accidentally touching the steam outlet 10 when the touch switch 15 is operated.

Embodiment 5
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, the fifth embodiment will be described below focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between the first embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that detection means for notifying the proximity of a hand or a finger is provided around the steam outlet.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, in the outer lid top surface portion 5, the detection means 18 for detecting that the user's hand or finger is in proximity to the vapor outlet 10, and the finger or hand being in proximity to the vapor outlet 10 A notification means 19 for notifying when the detection means 18 detects is provided, and the detection means 18 is provided to surround the steam discharge port 10. By doing this, when the detection unit 18 detects that a finger or the like is in proximity to the steam discharge port 10, the notification unit 19 notifies the user by sound or light, etc., whereby the user erroneously raises the temperature Can be prevented from coming into contact with the steam outlet 10 from which the steam is blown out. In addition, as for the place which provides the alerting | reporting means 19, when alerting | reporting by light, the circumference | surroundings of the steam discharge port 10 are desirable. When alerting | reporting with a sound, it does not restrict to the circumference | surroundings of the steam discharge port 10. FIG. When the notification means 19 is provided on the outer lid 2, it may be used also as the notification unit 9, for example. Further, the notification means 19 may be provided in the main body 1.

[Effect of Fifth Embodiment]
From the above, the outer cover 2 is in proximity to the detection means 18 for detecting the proximity of the finger or the hand to the steam outlet, and when the detection means detects that the finger or the hand is proximate to the steam outlet. And notification means 19 for notifying that. In this way, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the high temperature steam from accidentally coming in contact with the steam outlet 10 when the touch switch 15 is operated.

Sixth Embodiment
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, the sixth embodiment will be described below focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 6 is that the steam outlet is provided near the center of the outer lid.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the steam discharge port 10 is provided in the vicinity of the central portion of the outer lid top surface portion 5. By moving the steam discharge port 10 away from the top surface outer edge portion 11 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the high temperature steam from accidentally coming in contact with the steam discharge port 10 even when the user traces the top surface outer edge portion 11. .

[Effect of Embodiment 6]
From the above, the steam discharge port 10 is provided at the central portion of the outer lid 2. By doing this, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent the high temperature steam from accidentally coming in contact with the steam outlet 10 when the top surface outer edge portion 11 is being traced.

Embodiment 7
The basic configuration of the rice cooker 100 according to the seventh embodiment is the same as the rice cooker 100 according to the first embodiment, and thus the seventh embodiment will be described focusing on the differences with the first embodiment. . The difference between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 7 is that a protrusion serving as a mark is provided on the touch switch.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the outer lid of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, protrusions 30 serving as marks are provided on the surface of the touch switch 15 c. By doing this, the user can operate the touch switch 15 c with the projection 30 as a mark, and the operability improves.

[Effect of Seventh Embodiment]
From the above, the projections 30 or the marks are provided on the surface portion of the touch switch 15c. In this way, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the user can operate the touch switch 15 c using the protrusion 30 as a mark, and the operability is improved.

  The first to seventh embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of the respective embodiments. For example, it is also possible to combine all or part of each embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 main body, 2 outer cover, 2A outer cover, 4 cover open / close button, 5 outer cover top surface area, 6 outer cover side surface area, 7 setting item changing means, 8 display area, 8a rice type display field, 8b rice cooking menu display field, 9 notification part, 10 steam discharge port, 11 top surface outer edge part, 12 operation part, 13 center point, 15 touch switch, 15a touch switch, 15b touch switch, 15c touch switch, 16a planar light emitting part, 16b point light emitting part , 17 ribs, 18 detection means, 19 notification means, 20 A points, 21 B points, 22 C points, 23 D points, 24 E points, 25 F points, 30 protrusions, 100 Rice cooker.

Claims (12)

A body having heating means,
It is a rice cooker provided with the outer lid provided openably and closably in the said main body, Comprising:
Before concentrically disposed top outer edge of the top surface of Kigaifuta, rice cookers, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of touch switch for accepting an operation by being traced surface. A body having heating means,
It is a rice cooker provided with the outer lid provided openably and closably in the said main body, Comprising:
The outer lid is
While having an outer lid side portion on the side, and having an outer lid top surface portion and a top surface outer edge portion on the top surface,
The top surface outer edge is
A boundary surface between the outer lid side surface portion and the outer lid top surface portion,
Cooker, characterized in that the touch switch accepts an operation by being traced the front surface is provided. The rice cooker according to claim 2 , wherein a plurality of the touch switches are provided on the top surface outer edge portion . The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an operation is received according to a distance or an angle following the touch switch. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein an operation is received according to a direction in which the touch switch is traced. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising setting item changing means for changing a setting item or a setting menu of the rice cooker. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the touch switch is an illumination type of planar light emission or point light emission. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a notification unit notifying that an operation input to the touch switch has become possible. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein a protrusion or a mark is provided on a surface portion of the touch switch. The outer lid is provided with a steam discharge port for discharging the steam inside the main body,
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein a rib is provided around the steam discharge port. The outer lid is provided with a steam discharge port for discharging the steam inside the main body,
Detection means for detecting the proximity of a finger or a hand to the steam outlet;
When the finger or hand into the steam outlet has detected said detecting means and proximate to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that and a notification means for notifying that the close Cooker described. The steam outlet, rice cooker according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that provided at the center portion of the outer lid.

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