JP6762885B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a rice cooker that can secure visibility and operability and improve usability in consideration of cost and compactification.

The mainstream of the operation unit of the conventional rice cooker is a push-type operation means using a tact switch and an embossed operation nameplate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker provided with a push-type operating means capable of pushing and operating a tact switch through an emboss that bends up and down provided on an operation nameplate.

On the other hand, in recent years, non-push-type operation means such as a touch operation method have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a rice cooker provided with an operation panel capable of touch operation as a non-push-type operation means. ing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-226343 JP-A-2016-193257

However, the above-mentioned conventional rice cooker has the following problems.

If all the keys are operated by direct touch by the non-push type operation means, there is little doubt about how to use it, but a space for displaying all the options is required in advance, and both the operation means and the display means are large. To become.

If the size of the display element is reduced or the size of the display element is reduced too much to suppress the increase in size of the operation unit and the display unit, the visibility and operability will be deteriorated.

If the color touch liquid crystal used for smartphones is used, the problems of visibility and operability can be solved, but the marketability as a rice cooker is lost due to a significant increase in parts cost.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker that is easy to use by ensuring visibility and operability in consideration of cost and compactification.

The present invention is composed of a main body that covers a bottomed tubular inner pot and a heating means for heating the inner pot, and a lid that covers the upper opening of the inner pot, and the lid is attached to the main body. In a rice cooker which is provided so as to be openable and closable and has a display unit and an operation unit on the lid or the main body, both the push-type operating means and the non-push-type operation means are provided as the operation unit, and the non-push The moving type operating means is arranged only in the display unit , the non-pushing type operating means is a capacitive operation means in which a conductive wire is connected to the transparent electrode portion, and the transparent electrode portion is used in the display unit. range was from larger, it has a plurality of the transparent electrode portion, when the conductive wire exceeds a certain distance, the Rukoto changing the area of the transparent electrode portion in proportion to the distance of the conductive wire It is a feature.

According to the invention of claim 1, the operability as a rice cooker can be improved by using the push-type operating means and the non-push-type operation means in combination, and the non-push-type operation means is provided to the minimum necessary. This makes it possible to reduce costs and reduce compactness. Further, by arranging the non-push-type operating means only on the display unit, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation.

According to the invention of claim 1 , it is possible to secure the capacitance, maintain / improve the touch sensitivity, and make the display unit compact.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, by making the capacitance between the transparent electrode portions substantially constant, the display unit can be made compact while maintaining the touch sensitivity.

According to the invention of claim 2 , it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish the transparent electrode portion from the appearance, and it is possible to improve the appearance quality.

According to the invention of claim 3 , it is possible to suppress a decrease in touch sensitivity due to noise.

According to the invention of claim 4 , the camouflage effect can be maintained even when the position of the transparent electrode portion and the camouflage printing portion are displaced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sense of depth when the printed portion is viewed from the outer surface of the operation panel, and it is possible to improve the appearance quality.

According to the invention of claim 6, the embossed operation sheet required for the push-type operation means can be integrally molded at the same time as the operation panel, so that the push-type operation means and the non-push-type operation means can be formed. It can be easily used together and the cost can be suppressed.

According to the invention of claim 7 , by insert-molding the capacitive operation means integrally with the operation panel, it is possible to reduce appearance defects and post-processes and reduce costs.

According to the invention of claim 8, since the decrease in the brightness of the display unit can be compensated for, the decrease in visibility due to the colored transparent electrode portion and the camouflage printing portion can be prevented.

According to the invention of claim 9 , by reducing the number of display elements for each layer and increasing the size of each display element within the limited display range, the visibility of the display unit and the non-pushing operation The operability of the means can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 1 0, by displaying the display elements of each layer on the same screen, it is possible to expand the function of the multi-layer display device. ..

It is a vertical sectional view of the rice cooker in one Example of this invention. The same is the vertical sectional view of the lid body. Same as above, is a plan view of the lid. The same is the perspective view which shows the structure of the control PC board and its surroundings. The same is the perspective view which shows the structure in the state which the operation button is removed from FIG. The same is the top view of the main part of the lid. The same is the top view of the touch sensor. The same is the top view which shows the display area of the display part with respect to the transparent electrode part of a touch sensor, and the positional relationship of a camouflage printing part. Same as above, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. Same as above, it is a plan view of a touch sensor having a camouflage printing portion having a shape different from that of FIG. The same is the perspective view which shows an example of the operation panel by the acrylic panel. Same as above, it is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. The same is the perspective view which shows an example of the operation panel by the insert panel. Same as above, FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. Same as above, is a perspective view of the backlight LCD unit as viewed from above. Same as above, it is a partially cutaway perspective view of FIG. Same as above, it is a plan view of the glass plate of the first layer. Same as above, it is a plan view of the glass plate of the second layer. Same as above, it is a plan view of the LCD screen displayed before the clock adjustment is selected. Same as above, it is a plan view of the LCD screen displayed after selecting the clock adjustment. Same as above, it is a plan view of the LCD screen displayed when the cooking is changed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the rice cooker of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, to explain the overall configuration based on FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a bottomed tubular inner pot for accommodating cooked rice such as rice and water. The inner pot 1 is mainly made of aluminum having good thermal conductivity, and a heating element 2 made of a magnetic metal plate such as ferritic stainless steel is joined from the lower side surface to the bottom surface of the outer surface. The reason why the heating element 2 is not provided from the center of the side surface of the inner pot 1 to the upper part is to reduce the weight of the inner pot 1.

The main body 3 forming the outer shell of the rice cooker has an upper frame 4 constituting the upper portion and the upper side surface portion thereof and an outer frame 5 forming the side bottom surface portion as main components. At that time, the upper frame 4 and the outer frame 5 are formed of a synthetic resin such as PP or ABS polycarbonate.

A clean frame 6 made of a metal plate such as stainless steel is provided on the upper surface of the upper frame 4. On the other hand, a concave inner pot accommodating portion 7 is integrally formed with the upper frame 4 in the central portion of the main body 3, and heating is performed on the outer periphery of the inner cauldron accommodating portion 7 except for the heating coil 18 described later. The configuration is such that no means are provided. The bottom of the inner pot accommodating portion 7 is formed of an inner frame 8 formed of a synthetic resin such as PET.

A cord heater 9 is provided at the upper end of the inner pot accommodating portion 7, and the cord heater 9 is covered with a metal plate portion 10 such as an aluminum plate having good heat conduction. In this embodiment, the metal plate portion 10 serving as the heat radiating portion is provided at a position facing the gap 11 between the lid 16 and the main body 3 described later and a position facing the side surface 1A of the inner pot 1. The cord heater 9 and the metal plate portion 10 constitute a flange heater 12 as a heat generating means.

On the flange heater 12, the lower surface 13A of the inner pot ring portion 13 extending from the substantially central portion of the inner pot 1 to the entire circumference in the outer peripheral direction is placed, and the inner pot accommodating portion 7 is suspended from the inner pot 1. Is housed in. Therefore, in this state, there is almost no gap between the inner pot 1 and the upper end of the inner pot accommodating portion 7. However, by partially narrowing the width of the metal plate portion 10 of the flange heater 12 in a plan view and reducing the contact area of the inner hook ring portion 13 with the lower surface 13A, the inner hook ring portion 13 has a partial handle. The portion 14 is formed so that the lower surface 13A of the inner hook ring portion 13 can be supported by a finger. Further, the step portion 7A of the inner pot accommodating portion 7 located below the inner hook ring portion 13 is formed to have an outer shape equal to or larger than that of the cord heater 9 so as to cover the cord heater 9 serving as a heat generating portion. ..

The flange heater 12 heats the inner pot ring portion 13 and the side surface 1A of the inner pot 1 during rice cooking and heat retention, and also provides a gap 11 space between the lid 16 and the main body 3 and the inner pot 1 and the inner pot accommodating portion 7. Heat is radiated from the metal plate portion 10 into the gap 15 space to suppress the cooling of the inner pot 1 and prevent the moisture generated by heating from condensing on the upper inner surface 1B of the inner pot 1.

A heating coil 18 is arranged on the outer surface of the inner frame 8 as a heating means for electrically induction heating the inner pot 1 on the lower side surface and the bottom of the inner frame 8 facing the heating element 2. Further, a thermistor type inner pot temperature sensor 19 abuts on the outer surface of the bottom of the inner pot 1, which detects the bottom temperature of the inner pot 1 and mainly heats the bottom of the inner pot 1 by the heating coil 18. It is designed to be managed.

Then, during rice cooking and heat retention, the inner pot 1 is heated by the heating means, but during heat retention, a heating coil serving as the heating means is used according to the detection temperature of the inner pot temperature sensor 19 in contact with the outer bottom surface of the inner pot 1. 18 is heated and adjusted to keep the inner pot 1 at a constant temperature. After cooking the rice, the cord heater 9 serving as a heat generating means is heated until the temperature of the rice in the inner pot 1 drops to the heat retention temperature (about 100 ° C → about 73 ° C) and when the heat retention is stable (about 73 ° C). Heat is radiated from the metal plate portion 10 into the gap 11 space between the lid 16 and the main body 3 to suppress cooling due to the intrusion of outside air from the gap 11 and heat the inner pot 1. Further, when the rice is kept warm, the rice in the inner pot 1 is reheated. During the period of hot reheating, the inner pot 1 is heated, and the moisture generated by the heating condenses on the upper inner surface 1B of the inner pot 1. It is configured to prevent.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a lid that is rotatably provided on the upper part of the main body 3 and forms an outer shell of the rice cooker together with the main body 3. The lid 16 covering the upper opening of the inner pot 1 is provided with a thermistor-type lid temperature sensor 20 for detecting the temperature of the inner lid 41 described later, and a lid heating means 21 such as a cord heater. Yes, the temperature of the inner lid 41 is mainly controlled by the lid heating means 21. Further, a cord heater 22 different from the lid heating means 21 is provided on the inner side surface portion of the lid 16 which is above the inner hook ring portion 13 and faces the outer surface of the inner hook 1. The cord heater 22 is fixed to an inner lid ring 23 made of a metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum with an aluminum foil tape or the like, and constitutes an inner lid ring heater 24 as a lid side heating means.

17 is a temperature detection of the inner pot temperature sensor 19 and the lid temperature sensor 20 during rice cooking and heat retention to heat the bottom surface, the lower side surface, and the upper side surface of the inner pot 1 and to the lower surface and the side surface of the lid body 16. It is a heating control means for controlling the temperature of each heating. The heating control means 17 receives detection signals from the inner pot temperature sensor 19 and the lid temperature sensor 20 and heats and adjusts the heating coil 18, the flange heater 12, the inner lid ring heater 24, and the lid heating means 21 which are the heating means. Is.

The heating control means 17 is provided with an element 25 for driving the heating coil 18. The element 25 that drives the heating coil 18 is heated with the oscillation of the heating coil 18. Since the element 25 that drives the heating coil 18 has an operating condition temperature, it is necessary to drive it at a constant temperature or lower. Therefore, the element 25 is attached to a radiator 26 made of a material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, cooled by the wind generated from the cooling fan 27 as a cooling means, and driven within the operating condition temperature. It has become. The cooling fan 27 is arranged below or on the side of the radiator 26 attached to the heating control means 17.

The bottom or side of the rice cooker to be a product is provided with a hole 40 for discharging the warm air emitted from the cooling fan 27 to the outside by the radiator 26. Although the heating control means 17 is housed in the product, it may be arranged at any position with respect to the inner pot 1, and the hole 40 may be arranged at any position. However, due to the background of the recent demand for miniaturized design of products, the heating control means 17 and the cooling fan 27 and the hole 40 for discharging the wind are arranged at substantially opposite positions with the inner pot 1 interposed therebetween.

A display operation unit 28 is provided in front of the upper surface portion of the lid body 16. The display operation unit 28, in addition to the LCD 29 that displays the time and the selected rice cooking course and the LED 30 that displays the current process (see FIGS. 4 and 5), starts rice cooking and the rice cooking course. A switch 31 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for selecting a lid 16 is arranged on the upper portion of the substrate 32 provided inside the lid 16.

An operation panel 33 is arranged above the display operation unit 28 to display a button name. The operation panel 33 also prevents dust and water from adhering to the electronic components such as the LCD 29, the LED 30, the switch 31, and the substrate 32.

Further, the operation panel 33 is also provided with an operation means by a switch 31 different from the switch 31 on the substrate 32, and can be directly touch-operated according to the display of the LCD 29.

In this embodiment, when the start of rice cooking is instructed by operating the switch 31, the rice is heated based on the temperature detection of the bottom of the inner pot 1 by the inner pot temperature sensor 19 in order to promote the absorption of water for the rice in the inner pot 1. The bottom and side surfaces of the inner pot 1 are heated by the coil 18 and the cord heater 9, respectively, and the water temperature is maintained at about 45 to 60 ° C. for 15 to 20 minutes for soaking and cooking. After that, the amount of heating from the heating coil 18 is increased to strongly heat the inner pot 1, and the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 is heated to boiling. At the time of boiling and heating, the bottom temperature of the inner pot 1 becomes 90 ° C. or higher based on the temperature detected by the inner pot temperature sensor 19 and the lid temperature sensor 20, and the temperature of the lid 16 becomes stable (temperature rise) at 90 ° C. or higher. After (rate detection), boiling is detected, and boiling is continued with a reduced amount of heating. In this boiling detection, it can be confirmed by the inner pot temperature sensor 19 and the lid temperature sensor 20 that both the bottom of the inner pot 1 and the lid 16 have reached 90 ° C. or higher, and the inside of the inner pot 1 is completely boiled. It becomes possible to accurately detect what has been done.

In addition, if either the bottom of the inner pot 1 or the lid 16 reaches an unusual temperature of 120 ° C. or higher, it is judged to be abnormal, the amount of heating in rice cooking is reduced, and all operations are stopped. Either put it in a state, shift to the unevenness described later, or keep it warm to prevent abnormal heating. Further, although the bottom of the inner pot 1 and the lid 16 have reached 90 ° C. or higher for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), any of the other bottom and the lid 16 of the inner pot 1 has passed. When the temperature is lower than 90 ° C, it is determined that the temperature detection accuracy of either the inner pot temperature sensor 19 or the lid temperature sensor 20 has deteriorated for some reason (dirt, tilt, poor contact, etc.), and the rice is cooked and heated. The amount of heating in the above is reduced to stop all operations, or to shift to unevenness, which will be described later, or to keep warm to prevent abnormal heating.

When boiling continues, the lid heating means 21 and the inner lid ring heater 24 start heating the lid 16 particularly to the inner lid 41. The heating of the lid body 16 is controlled by the detection temperature of the lid temperature sensor 20 so that the temperature of the lid body 16 becomes 100 to 110 ° C. Further, when the bottom portion of the inner pot 1 reaches a predetermined temperature rise, the cooking is detected and the process is started. During the unevenness, the temperature of the lid 16 is controlled to prevent the inner pot 1 from sticking to the upper inner surface 1B, and the temperature of the bottom of the inner pot 1 is maintained at a high temperature (98 to 100 ° C) so that the rice does not burn. ) To control the temperature. Then, when the 15 to 20 minutes of unevenness is completed, the heat retention is started.

In heat retention, the heating coil 18 heats the bottom and the lower side of the inner pot 1, while the lid heating means 21 heats the inner lid 41, which is the lower surface of the lid 16, slightly higher than the temperature of the rice, and further inner. The temperature of the side surface of the pot 1 is controlled by the flange heater 12 and the inner lid ring heater 24 so that the rice does not dry and a large amount of soup does not adhere. The temperature of the rice in the inner pot 1 is maintained at 70 to 76 ° C., but even when the temperature is kept warm, if the two sensors are abnormally high or low, the abnormality is detected and abnormal heating is prevented. The heating control means 17 is configured to perform the above operation.

A hinge portion 34 that connects to the lid 16 is provided behind the upper frame 4. A hinge spring (not shown) formed of a torsion coil spring or the like is housed in the hinge portion 34. A lid open button 35 is arranged in an exposed state on the front upper surface of the lid body 16, and when the lid open button 35 is pressed, the engagement between the lid body 16 and the main body 3 is released, and the hinge portion 34 is pressed. The lid 16 is automatically opened as the center of rotation.

The lid 16 is composed of an outer lid 37 that is an external component and an outer lid cover 38 that forms below the outer lid 37. The outer lid cover 38 is provided with a metal heat radiating plate 39 made of stainless steel or aluminum alumite, and the heat radiating plate 39 is provided with a lid heating means 21. The lid heating means 21 may be an electric heater such as a cord heater or an electromagnetic induction heating type.

A metal inner lid 41 made of stainless steel or aluminum alumite is provided on the outside of the heat radiating plate 39. On the outside of the inner lid 41 forming the lower surface of the lid 16, a lid packing 42 made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber or fluororubber that closes the gap between the inner pot 1 and the inner lid 41 and serves as a sealing member is provided. The lid packing 42 is in contact with the upper surface 1C of the inner pot 1.

The inner lid 41 and the lid packing 42 are integrated by a packing base 43, and these inner lid assembly units 44 are detachably provided on the inner surface of the outer lid cover 38.

A hole 38A (see FIG. 2) is also provided in the outer lid cover 38 behind the outer lid cover 38 so as to face the hole 34A provided in the hinge portion 34. The hinge shaft 46 provided in the hinge portion 34 pivotally supports the main body 3 and the lid 16 by communicating these holes 34A and 38A. The above-mentioned hinge spring is hooked on the outer lid cover 38 and constantly urges the lid 16 in the opening direction.

A clamp 47 linked to the lid opening button 35 is arranged on the substantially opposite side of the hinge shaft 46, which is the center of rotation of the lid body 16. The clamp 47 is pivotally supported by the outer lid cover 38 by the clamp shaft 48, and is rotatably provided around the clamp shaft 48. Although not shown, a clamp receiver that engages with the clamp 47 is provided on the side substantially opposite to the hinge portion 34 of the upper frame 4.

The clamp 47 is made of a metal part such as stainless steel, and the engaging portion 47A (see FIG. 2) extending inward of the main body 3 is substantially L-shaped. By doing so, it is possible to obtain engagement with a clamp receiver having stronger strength than when the clamp 47 is made of synthetic resin. Further, when viewed from the front of the rice cooker, the engaging portions 47A are provided at substantially equal positions on the left and right from the center of the clamp 47. The clamp 47 provided on the lid 16 rotates about the clamp shaft 48 as a central axis and engages with the clamp receiver provided on the main body 3. Due to the engagement between the clamp 47 and the clamp receiver, the main body 3 and the lid 16 are kept in the closed state. The clamp receiver is made of metal parts such as stainless steel. By doing so, it is possible to obtain engagement with the clamp 47, which has stronger strength than the case where the clamp receiver is made of synthetic resin. On the contrary, when the lid 16 is opened, the lid open button 35 is pushed to rotate the clamp 47 in the opposite direction, and the engagement between the clamp 47 and the clamp receiver is released.

The inner lid assembly unit 44 is provided with a pressure adjusting portion 51 for adjusting the internal pressure of the inner pot 1. The pressure regulating portion 51 is mainly composed of a pressure regulating valve 54, a pressure regulating valve holder 55, and a pressure regulating valve cover 56. The pressure regulating valve 54 may be a part made of a material having excellent corrosion resistance and having a certain weight, and is composed of, for example, an austenitic stainless steel ball.

The pressure regulating valve 54 is held by the pressure regulating valve holder 55. The pressure regulating valve holder 55 is provided with a pressure regulating hole 57 located below the pressure regulating valve 54 and communicating the inside of the inner pot 1 with the outside of the lid 16. That is, the steam generated from the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 is released to the outside air when it passes through the pressure adjusting hole 57. The pressure adjusting valve 54 is held so as to close the pressure adjusting hole 57, and the pressure in the inner pot 1 can be adjusted by the opening area of the pressure adjusting hole 57 and the weight of the pressure adjusting valve 54.

The pressure regulating valve holder 55 holds the pressure regulating valve 54, and the pressure regulating valve cover 56 is covered from above them. The pressure regulating valve holder 55 is inserted into the hole 41A of the inner lid 41, and the mounting portion of the pressure regulating valve holder 55 protruding downward from the inner lid 41 is held by the pressure regulating valve holder support member 58, so that the pressure regulating valve holder 55 is mounted on the inner lid 41. The pressure adjusting unit 51 is configured. The pressure regulating valve cover 56 is for regulating the moving range of the pressure regulating valve 54, and is provided with a plurality of holes 56B for guiding the steam discharged from the pressure regulating hole 57 to the steam port 67. Further, since the inner lid 41 is sandwiched between the pressure regulating valve holder 55 and the pressure regulating valve cover 56, the hole 41A is not exposed.

The outer lid cover 38 is provided with a frame 60 and a pressure adjusting packing 61, which are movable by using the solenoid 59 as a drive source. The pressure adjusting packing 61 is provided with a concave mounting portion 63 for fitting into the inner diameter of the mounting hole 62 provided in the outer lid cover 38.

The frame 60 is always in a position where the pressure adjusting valve 54 is pushed to open the pressure adjusting hole 57, and the inside of the inner pot 1 is in a non-pressurized state. The position of the frame 60 at this time is set as the first frame position. By doing so, when the lid 16 is opened and closed, a smooth operation can be obtained without being affected by the negative pressure in the inner pot 1. The protruding portion for operating the pressure regulating valve 54 of the frame 60 is used as the pressure regulating valve operating portion 64, and the clamp operation regulating portion 65 is provided on the substantially opposite side of the pressure regulating valve operating portion 64 of the frame 60. At the first frame position, the clamp operation restricting unit 65 moves to a position that does not restrict the rotation of the clamp 47.

When rice cooking is started, the frame 60 moves from the first frame position to the second frame position. At this time, the pressure regulating valve operating unit 64 of the frame 60 separates from the pressure regulating valve 54 and releases the pressure regulating valve 54, whereby the pressure regulating valve 54 closes the pressure regulating hole 57. Further, the clamp operation restricting portion 65 of the frame 60 slips under the clamp 47. The frame 60 does not have to sneak downward, and may have a position or shape that regulates the operation of the clamp 47. By doing so, the rotation of the clamp 47 is restricted at the second frame position, and even if an attempt is made to push the lid open button 35, the engagement between the clamp 47 and the clamp receiver is locked, so that the lid 16 Will not open.

A steam port 67 is provided at the rear portion of the upper surface of the lid 16 to discharge the steam generated in the inner pot 1 during rice cooking to the outside of the machine. The steam generated from the cooked rice in the inner pot 1 during rice cooking is discharged from the pressure adjusting portion 51 of the inner lid 41 with the pressure adjusting hole 57 open, and is provided on the outer lid cover 38 inside the lid body 16. It is configured to discharge from the steam port 67 to the outside of the machine through the steam passage 68.

The steam port 67 is configured to be removable from the lid 16, and is held by being inserted into the steam port packing 69 formed of an elastic member such as silicone rubber. The steam port packing 69 is sandwiched between the outer lid 37 and the outer lid cover 38, so that the outer lid 37, the outer lid cover 38, and the steam port 67 are brought into close contact with each other, and steam leakage to the inside of the lid 16 is also prevented. ..

Next, the structure characteristic of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

The display operation unit 28 provided on the outer lid 37 has a display unit 81 using an LCD 29 for displaying the time and the selected rice cooking course, and for starting rice cooking and selecting the rice cooking course. A control PC (Printed Circuit) plate 86, which is a display / operation control means 85 equipped with an LCD 29, a tact switch 84, and the like, is provided on the lower surface of the operation unit 82 including the switch 31 of the above. Be placed. The control PC board 86 corresponds to the above-mentioned substrate 32, and by mounting a control IC (not shown) or the like related to operation or display on the pattern-formed control PC board 86, the display / operation control means 85 is configured.

The LCD 29 serving as the display unit 81 is arranged substantially in the center of the outer lid 37, and by selecting the display element 87 displayed on the LCD 29 on the upper surface serving as the surface of the LCD 29, the rice cooking course and the time setting can be touched with a fingertip. A touch sensor 88 to be operated is arranged. When the touch sensor 88 is connected to the control PC plate 86, it functions as a touch key which is a non-push-type operating means 89.

The operation contents performed by the non-push-type operating means 89 on the display unit 81 include selection and setting of various rice cooking courses, setting of time and reserved time, and a start key for starting rice cooking from the off state, rice cooking and heat retention. The start key 91A and the off key 91B are provided by a push-type operating means 90 such as a tact switch 84 that cannot be operated by touch at a place other than the display unit 81 without providing an off key to stop and turn off. Is installed.

In addition to the start key 91A, as a key 91 for lighting the LED 30 to display the process as a rice cooker such as rice cooking, heat retention, and reservation, heat retention is started from the off state, and the cooked rice is reheated at the time of heat retention. The heat-retaining key 91C and the reservation key 91D that cooks the food to be cooked at the reservation time are also the push-type operation means 90, so that the lamp window 92 through which the light from the LED 30 can be transmitted is embossed. It can be easily formed structurally by printing on 93. The embossed portion 93 that bends up and down is arranged at an appropriate position on the operation panel 33 that is exposed on the upper surface of the lid 16 so as to face the tact switch 84. Further, the key 91 here is a start key 91A illuminated by the lit LED 30, a heat retaining key 91C, a reservation key 91D, a cut key 91B not illuminated by the LED 30, and a key 91 for quickly cooking rice to be cooked. The switch 31 which is composed of the Sokuuma key 91E and is the operation unit 82 is composed of the touch key of the non-push-type operation means 89 and the key 91 of the push-type operation means 90 described above.

The push-type operating means 90 is composed of an operation button 97 formed of synthetic resin and a tact switch 84 arranged on the control PC plate 86 below the embossed operation sheet 96, and is an embossed operation. The sheet 96 is provided on the surface side of the operation panel 33 to form an external surface of the lid 16. Therefore, when the embossed portion 93 is pushed from the surface side of the operation sheet 96, a light operation feeling is obtained by reversing the embossed portion 93, and at the same time, the push-moving operation means 90 can be obtained by simply touching the surface of the operation sheet 96. The existence of the key 91 to be operated can be known.

The operation unit 82 is arranged on the front side of the upper surface of the lid 16, and the name and the like of each key are printed on the design and embossed operation sheet 96 corresponding to the key 91, and the display unit 81 on which the LCD 29 is arranged is arranged. A transparent window portion 99 without a design print is formed on the top. A touch sensor 88 is arranged below the transparent window portion 99, and by touching the touch sensor 88 on a display element 87 such as a rice cooking course displayed on the LCD 29, operation as a touch key is possible.

The operation button 97 has a shape that covers the LCD holder 101 that holds the LCD 29 and the outer peripheral portion of the LCD 29, and is fixed to the control PC plate 86. The fixing structure is not limited, and it may be a claw stopper or a screw. Above each tact switch 84, a cylindrical operation button portion 97A is cantileveredly supported by an arm portion 97B formed thinner than the surroundings. These operation button portions 97A and arm portion 97B constitute operation buttons 97, and each time the embossing portion 93 is pressed with a finger from the upper surface side of the operation panel 33, the arm portion 97B bends and the operation button portion 97A Pushes the movable part of the tact switch 84, and the tact switch 84 is switched from off to on.

The control PC plate 86 is fixed to the operation panel 33 via the operation button 97, and the outer lid lower member 102 formed of a synthetic resin such as PP supports the control PC plate 86 while claw fitting with the outer lid 37. It is fixed by screwing or screwing. The outer lid 37 and the outer lid lower member 102 form a control PC plate accommodating portion 103 for accommodating the control PC plate 86 inside the lid body 16. A moisture-proof packing 104 made of a single-foaming elastic member is sandwiched between the outer lid 37 and the outer lid lower member 102 to prevent steam from entering the control PC plate storage portion 103.

The display operation unit 28 including the display unit 81 and the operation unit 82 may be provided on the front surface of the main body 3 instead of on the upper surface of the lid body 16. In any case, in the present embodiment, the operation unit 82 includes both a push-type operating means 89 that is pushed instead of a touch operation and a non-push-type operating means 90 that is touch-operated instead of a touch operation. As a result, the operability of the rice cooker can be improved. Further, the non-push-type operating means 90 using the touch key using the touch sensor 88 is arranged only on the upper surface of the LCD 29 serving as the display unit 81, and is not arranged in other places. The number of non-push-type operation means 90 can be minimized to reduce the cost, and compactness can be realized even when used in combination with the push-type operation means 89. Further, by arranging the non-push-type operating means 90 in accordance with the display unit 81 located only near the center of the lid 16, it is possible to naturally understand that the touch-operated portion is the display unit 81, and erroneous operation is prevented. It becomes possible.

As described above, the rice cooker of this embodiment is a main body 3 that covers a bottomed tubular inner pot 1 for storing rice to be cooked, a flange heater 12 as a heating means for heating the inner pot 1, and a heating coil 18. And a lid 16 that covers the upper opening of the inner pot 1, the main body 3 and the lid 16 are pivotally supported by a hinge shaft 46 that serves as a hinge shaft, and the lid 16 is centered on the hinge shaft 46. Is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body 3, and a clamp 47 is provided as an engaging means for holding the closed state between the main body 3 and the lid 16 on the substantially opposite side of the hinge shaft 46, and the upper surface of the lid 16 is provided. Alternatively, an LCD 29 serving as a display unit 81 and a switch 31 serving as an operation unit 82 are provided on the front surface of the main body 3. Here, in particular, both the push-type operating means 89 and the non-push-type operation means 90 are provided as the operation unit 82, and the non-push-type operation means 90 is arranged only on the upper surface of the LCD 29 serving as the display unit 81. Has been done.

In this case, by using the push-type operating means 89 and the non-push-type operation means 90 together, the operability as a rice cooker can be improved, and the non-push-type operation means 90 is provided at the minimum necessary cost. It is possible to reduce the cost of the product and make the product more compact. Further, by arranging the non-push-type operating means 90 only on the upper surface of the display unit 81, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation.

Next, the features of the touch sensor 88 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the touch sensor 88, which is a non-push-type operating means 89 arranged below the operation panel 33, is a contact point between a transparent electrode portion 88A made of a conductive polymer and a conductive carbon paint connected to a control PC plate 96. A capacitive touch sensor is used in which a silver-containing pattern wiring 88C connecting the parts 88B is printed on a PET sheet 88D as an insulating sheet. Here, a plurality of components in which the transparent electrode portion 88A and the contact portion 88B are connected by the pattern wiring 88C are arranged on the touch sensor 88 as touch keys.

In order to improve the touch sensitivity of the touch sensor 88, it is desirable that the transparent electrode portion 88A is as large as possible and the pattern wiring 88C is as short as possible. However, in recent years, it has become difficult to increase the size of the display unit 81 on which the touch sensor 88 is arranged due to the influence of the compactification of the rice cooker.

Regarding this point, in the present embodiment, the transparent electrode portions 88A corresponding to the plurality of display elements 87 are arranged in the display area 111 of the display unit 81 in substantially equal areas, so that which transparent electrode portion 88A is used. Has the same touch range. Further, by arranging each transparent electrode portion 88A in an enlarged range in the range where the design is printed on the outer peripheral portion of the display area 111 of the display unit 81, the display unit is secured while ensuring the required capacitance. It is possible to make the 81 compact without difficulty.

Capacitance is the resistance value generated by touching the vicinity of the transparent electrode portion 88A when the user operates it, and it is more accurate if the difference between the resistance value when touch is ON and when the touch is OFF is large. Can recognize the presence or absence of touch operation. Further, even when a plurality of touch keys are operated at the same time, it becomes easy to set an erroneous operation determination, and the touch sensitivity as a non-push-type operating means 89 can be maintained and improved.

As described above, the touch sensor 88, which is the non-pushing type operating means 89 of the present embodiment, is configured as a capacitance type operating means in which the pattern wiring 88C, which is the conductive wiring, is connected to the transparent electrode portion 88A. The transparent electrode portion 88A is formed larger than the display region 111 which is the range of the display portion 81.

In this way, by arranging the transparent electrode portion 88A not only in the display area 111 of the display unit 81 as a guide for touch operation but also outside the display area 111, it is necessary as a capacitance type operation means. Capacitance can be secured, touch sensitivity can be maintained and improved, and the display unit 81 can be made compact.

FIG. 7 shows the touch sensor 88 shown in FIG. 6 as a single unit. In the figure, the numerical value following the "area" indicates the area of the transparent electrode portion 88A, and the numerical value following the "length" indicates the length of the pattern wiring 88C connected to the transparent electrode portion 88A. .. Further, FIG. 8 shows the positional relationship between the display area 111 of the display unit 81 and the camouflage printing unit 114 described later with respect to the transparent electrode unit 88A. Further, FIG. 9 shows an AA line cross section of the touch sensor 88 shown in FIG.

In each of these figures, each transparent electrode portion 88A is arranged in a display area 111 of the display unit 81 with a substantially equal area, and any transparent electrode portion 88A has the same touch range. However, outside the display area 111, which is the outer peripheral portion of the display unit 81, replenishment measures are taken to change the expanded area of the transparent electrode portion 88A according to the distance of the individual pattern wiring 88C.

If the area of all the transparent electrode portions 88A is replenished, the area occupied by the transparent electrode portion 88A outside the display area 111 of the display unit 81 expands, which hinders the compactification of the display unit 81. Further, the transparent electrode portion 88A, which is relatively close to the contact portion 88B and has a relatively short length of the pattern wiring 88C, is less affected by the sensitivity change. Therefore, in this example, among the plurality of transparent electrode portions 88A, for the transparent electrode portion 88A in which the length of the pattern wiring 88C exceeds a certain distance, the display area of the display unit 81 is proportional to the distance of the pattern wiring 88C. Outside 111, the area of the enlarged transparent electrode portion 88A is configured to increase and change.

Specifically, in this example, when the average value of the lengths of all the pattern wirings 88C is 50%, the lengths exceeding 40% as the above-mentioned constant distance (in the example shown in FIG. 7, all the lengths). Since the average length of the pattern wiring 88C is 113.8 mm, the length of the transparent electrode portion 88A connected to the pattern wiring 88C (the length exceeds 91.0 mm) is enlarged outside the display area 111 of the display unit 81. It is designed to start replenishing the area of 88A and to expand only the minimum area of the other transparent electrode portion 88A without replenishing the area. As a result, in the display area 111 of the display unit 81, also while the electrostatic capacitance between each of the transparent electrode portions 88A substantially constant, outside the display area 111 of the display unit 81, the enlarged area of the transparent electrode portions 88A By replenishing the pattern wiring 88C having a length exceeding a certain distance so as to increase in proportion to the length, the display unit 81 maintains the desired touch sensitivity in any transparent electrode portion 88A. It is possible to reduce the size of the.

Further, the touch sensor 88, which is a non-pushing type operating means 89 arranged below the operation panel 33, has a transparent electrode portion 88A made of a conductive polymer and a contact portion 88B made of a conductive carbon paint connected to the control PC plate 96. A capacitive touch sensor is used in which the silver-containing pattern wiring 88C that connects the above is printed on the PET sheet 88D, which is an insulating sheet, and then overcoated with a transparent paint 88E for the purpose of protecting them. ing. Here, too, a plurality of components in which the transparent electrode portion 88A and the contact portion 88B are connected by the pattern wiring 88C are arranged on the touch sensor 88 as touch keys.

By forming the contact portion 88B at a position extending from the main body of the touch sensor 88, it is possible to easily connect to the FPC actuator 112 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) arranged on the control PC plate 86. It is configured.

The conductive polymer used in the capacitive touch sensor 88 has a unique color tone, and the color is light blue. The transparent electrode portion 88A formed of the conductive polymer is formed with a color tone density that can be visually confirmed from the transparent window portion 99 on the display unit 81. Therefore, if the range of the display element 87 of the LCD 29 and the transparent electrode portion 88A do not always match, the appearance of the display element 87 will change depending on where the transparent electrode portion 88A exists and where the transparent electrode portion 88A does not exist. , The user may feel uncomfortable.

Therefore, here, on the opposite surface 88G of the PET sheet 88D on which the transparent electrode portion 88A is formed, which is opposite to the printed surface 88F, a conductive polymer of the same material as the transparent electrode portion 88A is applied to a range other than the transparent electrode portion 88A. , The camouflage printing unit 114 is printed and formed. The reason why the conductive polymer is used for the camouflage printing unit 114 is that the color tones are exactly the same. Further, in the camouflage printing at this time, the wiring pattern is not printed so that the conductive camouflage printing unit 114 is not electrically connected anywhere. As a result, the part where the transparent electrode portion 88A does not exist has a color tone similar to that of the transparent electrode portion 88A by the camouflage printing portion 114, making it difficult to distinguish the transparent electrode portion 88A arranged on the display unit 81 from the appearance. The appearance quality can be improved.

Further, as the camouflage printing unit 114, a non-conductive paint that does not contain conductive polymer, metal particles, or carbon and is not affected by electricity is used, and is colored in substantially the same color as the transparent electrode portion 98A. It may be formed on the opposite surface 88G of 88D. Also in this case, it is difficult to distinguish the transparent electrode portion 88A arranged on the display portion 81 from the appearance, the appearance quality can be improved, and at the same time, the generation of noise by the camouflage printing portion 114 is prevented and the touch is made. It is possible to suppress a decrease in sensitivity.

As described above, the touch sensor 88 serving as the capacitive operation means of this example has a plurality of transparent electrode portions 88A, and among them, the transparent electrode portion 88A in which the pattern wiring 88C exceeds a certain distance has a pattern. The area is changed outside the display area 111 of the display unit 81 in proportion to the distance of the wiring 88C.

Therefore, the capacitance between the transparent electrode portions 88A can be made substantially constant, and the display unit 81 can be made compact while maintaining the touch sensitivity of any transparent electrode portion 88A.

Further, in the touch sensor 88 which is a capacitance type operation means, a camouflage printing portion 114 having a color similar to that of the transparent electrode portion 88A is formed in a range other than the colored transparent electrode portion 88A. The similar color referred to here includes the same color as the transparent electrode portion 88A, and is realized by making the camouflage printing portion 114 the same material as the transparent electrode portion 88A.

By forming the camouflage printing portion 114 having a color similar to that of the transparent electrode portion 88A in a range other than the transparent electrode portion 88A, it is possible to make it difficult to distinguish the transparent electrode portion 88A arranged on the display portion 81 from the appearance. The appearance quality can be improved.

Further, the camouflage printing unit 114 here is made of a non-conductive paint that is not affected by electrical influence (generation of noise). As a result, it is possible to prevent the generation of noise by the camouflage printing unit 114 and suppress the decrease in touch sensitivity.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a touch sensor 88 in which a camouflage printing unit 114 having a shape different from that of FIG. 8 is printed and formed.

In the figure, the camouflage printing portion 114 applied to a range other than the transparent electrode portion 88A on the opposite surface 88G of the transparent electrode portion 88A is printed and formed so as to overlap the outer circumference of the transparent electrode portion 88A by 0 to 0.5 mm. This is because the former is more colored than the transparent electrode portion 88A when the camouflage printing portion 114 is formed by providing a gap even if the same color is provided, and when the camouflage printing portion 114 is formed by slightly wrapping the same color without providing a gap. This is because a thin transparent line is generated in the latter case as a darker line than the transparent electrode portion 88A, but a darker line having a color tone close to the original color is less noticeable. Further, by setting the overlapping dimension of the transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 114 in the range of 0 to 0.5 mm, when the transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 114 are printed on the PET sheet 88D. Even if some misalignment occurs, it is possible to prevent an unprinted gap between the transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 114.

In addition, since the detailed configuration and action / effect of the touch sensor 88 shown in FIG. 10 are common to the above-mentioned touch sensor 88, overlapping description will be omitted.

As described above, since the transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 114 of this example are formed so as to overlap each other by 0 to 0.5 mm, even if the transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 114 are displaced from each other. The camouflage effect by the camouflage printing unit 114 can be maintained without the occurrence of a non-printing range in which the color difference is conspicuous.

Next, the features of the operation panel 33 and its surroundings will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

The operation panel 33 forming the upper surface of the lid 16 has a back surface opposite to the outer surface, which is the front surface of a resin material made of a highly transparent methacrylic resin having a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm. The name of the design, operation keys, rice cooking course, etc. is written on the surface by painting or silk printing, and the outer shape is cut to form an arbitrary shape.

The operation panel 33 can be deformed from a flat plate shape to a curved surface shape by a hot press, and is processed according to the design of the lid body 16. When the material thickness of the operation panel 33 is 1.5 mm or less, it is possible to attach the operation panel 33 to the upper surface of the outer lid 37 while deforming it, but a strong fixing means that can withstand the repulsive force of the operation panel 33 is required. Become.

Further, when cutting the outer shape of the base material, in addition to chamfering the cut surface, the tact switch 84 constituting the push-type operating means 89 and the mounting portion of the steam port 67 are also processed at the same time to form the operation panel 33. The error in the shape of each part is suppressed, and the time required for processing is also shortened.

On the printed surface 33A of the operation panel 33 completed in this way, the above-mentioned printing portion by painting or silk printing is formed, and the above-mentioned touch sensor 88 is further attached. At this time, if foreign matter enters between the operation panel 33 and the touch sensor 88 and appears in the transparent window portion 99, the visual inspection fails, so work in a clean room is desirable. In addition to foreign matter, air may enter and become bubbles. Since this affects not only the appearance but also the touch sensitivity, deaeration treatment (autoclave) by temperature and heat is performed.

As a result, a transparent resin layer 116 is formed on the appearance of the operation panel 33. The resin layer 116 is formed between the external surface 33B, which is the exposed surface of the operation panel 33 touched by the user's finger, and the printed surface 33A, which is the back surface of the operation panel 33 on the opposite side of the external surface 33B. By providing a distance between the external surface 33B of the operation panel 33 and the printed surface 33A on which the printed portion of the design is formed, a sense of depth is generated when the printed portion is viewed from the external surface 33B side, and a high-class feeling is obtained. Can be done.

In the example shown in this figure, the operation sheet 96 is not arranged in the portion where the printed portion is formed, but the embossed operation sheet 96 is arranged in the other portion, and is directly under the embossed portion 93. By arranging the tact switch 84, it is possible to provide a rice cooker including both the push-push type operation means 89 and the non-push-type operation means 90 described above. Further, the operation panel 33 may be formed of a transparent or translucent resin material such as acrylic.

As described above, the touch sensor 88, which is the capacitive operation means in this figure, is attached to the printed surface 33A which is the back surface of the operation panel 33, and the printed surface 33A of the operation panel 33 is transparent or transparent. A printed portion such as a design is formed on the back surface of a translucent plate-shaped resin material.

Therefore, by forming a transparent or translucent resin layer between the external surface 33 B side, which is the outer surface of the operation panel 33, and the printed surface 33 A forming the printed portion of the design, the printed portion is formed from the external surface 33 B side. You can get a sense of depth when you look at it, and you can improve the appearance and quality of the rice cooker.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the features of another example relating to the operation panel 33 and its surroundings will be described.

In the figure, the operation panel 33 in this example is set on an operation sheet 96 in which a design is printed on a PET sheet having a thickness of about 188 μm and a molding machine (not shown), and a transparent resin such as ABS is injected to increase the thickness. The 2.2-2.7 mm insert panel 117 is integrally formed with the operation sheet 96.

In the insert panel 117 completed in this way, the touch sensor 88 described above is attached to the back surface of the operation panel 33. At this time, if foreign matter enters between the operation panel 33 and the touch sensor 88 and appears in the transparent window portion 99, the visual inspection fails, so it is desirable to work in a clean room. In addition to foreign matter, air may enter and become bubbles. Since this affects not only the appearance but also the touch sensitivity, deaeration treatment (autoclave) by temperature and heat is performed.

In the insert panel 117, an operation sheet 96 having a printed design is formed on the surface of the operation panel 33. Therefore, while the feeling of depth as shown in FIG. 11 cannot be obtained, the shape of the embossed portion 93 that the user pushes with the push-type operating means 90 is also changed when the operation panel 33 is insert-molded into the operation sheet 96. Since it is formed at the same time, there is a great cost advantage.

Further, the touch sensor 88 arranged on the back surface of the operation panel 33 is integrally molded with the operation panel 33 immediately after or at the same time as the molding of the insert panel 117. This eliminates the opportunity for foreign matter to adhere between the operation panel 33 and the touch sensor 88, such as packing, storage, and movement after molding the insert panel 117, and reduces appearance defects in which foreign matter enters the transparent window portion 99. At the same time, post-processes such as attaching the touch sensor 88 and deaeration processing can be abolished.

The touch sensor 88 is printed with a heat-sensitive adhesive 88H (see FIG. 9) on the upper surface of the overcoat 88E. The adhesive 88H is set to a temperature at which it is fused by heat of about 100 ° C. immediately after molding the insert panel 117, and the adhesion does not peel off at the temperature of the product in use. Further, in the case of insert molding at the same time as the operation sheet 96, the reliability can be further improved by setting the fusion temperature of the adhesive material 88H to be higher.

In addition, the configuration and action / effect of the rice cooker including the touch sensor 88 are common to the above-mentioned examples.

As described above, the touch sensor 88, which is the capacitive operation means in this example, is attached to the back surface of the operation panel 33, and the operation panel 33 has an operation sheet 96 on which a design or the like is printed. It is integrally molded.

In this case, the embossed operation sheet 96 required for the push-type operation means 89 can be insert-molded integrally at the same time as the operation panel 33, so that the push-type operation means 89 and the non-push-type operation means 90 can be integrally formed. It can be easily used together and the cost can be suppressed.

Further, in this example, a touch sensor 88 serving as a capacitive operation means is integrally molded on the back surface of the operation panel 33, and the touch sensor 88 is also formed in the process of manufacturing the operation panel 33 for insert molding the operation sheet 96. By insert molding integrally with the operation panel 33, it is possible to reduce appearance defects and post-processes and reduce costs.

Next, the features of the display unit 81 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

The display operation unit 28 is a tact switch for starting rice cooking and selecting a rice cooking course, in addition to the LCD 29 for displaying the time and the selected rice cooking course and the LED 30 for displaying the current process. 84 is located on top of the substrate 32.

The LCD 29 is held by an LCD holder 101 made of a synthetic resin such as PC (polycarbonate). In the LCD holder 101, a lighting substrate 119 on which the LED 118 is arranged and a light guide plate 120 for distributing the light emitted by the LED 118 to the entire LCD 29 are arranged directly under the LCD 29. The LCD holder 101 is colored white in order to further internally reflect the light of the light guide plate 120. This is the backlight LCD unit 121, and the backlight LCD unit 121 includes a lighting substrate 119 provided with an LED 118 as a light source and a light guide plate 120 as a lighting function of the LCD 29 serving as a liquid crystal display device in the LCD holder 101. It is composed of.

When the display unit 81 is provided with the capacitance type touch sensor 88, the brightness of the display unit 81 through the transparent window unit 99 is slightly reduced by the light blue transparent electrode unit 88A and the camouflage printing unit 114 that camouflages the existence thereof. However, it decreases. The backlight LCD unit 121 has a power plug 122 that supplies power to the main body 3 when it is plugged into an outlet (not shown), when the touch sensor 88 or key 91 is operated, or when the lid 16 is opened / closed. , The LED 118 is turned on for a certain period of time to illuminate the LCD 29 from the back surface, thereby improving the visibility to the user.

As described above, in this embodiment, the LCD 81 as a liquid crystal display device having a lighting function unit by the backlight LCD unit 121 is used for the display unit 81, and the decrease in the brightness of the display unit 81 is used to illuminate the backlight LCD unit 121. Since it can be supplemented by a function, it is possible to prevent a decrease in visibility due to the colored transparent electrode portion 88A and the camouflage printing portion 141.

Next, the features of the LCD 29 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18.

In the LCD 29, a current is passed through a display element 87 which is an electrode printed in advance on the glass plate 123, and a voltage is applied to a liquid crystal (not shown) sealed by the glass plate 123 to turn the display element 87 black. By turning it on, it functions as a liquid crystal display device.

When the touch switch operation unit 82 is provided on the display unit 81, the operability of the touch switch is important in addition to the visibility of the display element 87. Moreover, in the case of a touch switch having no unevenness on the surface, it is not always possible to touch the intended portion. Therefore, while it is important to make the range of each display element 87 corresponding to the touch switch as large as possible, the number of display elements 87 that can be arranged on the screen of the LCD 29 is also limited.

Therefore, the LCD 29 of the present embodiment secures the number of display elements 87 used by using a multilayer LCD in which a plurality of glass plates 123 serving as a substrate on which the display element 87 is printed are stacked.

For example, the UP key and the DOWN key that are touch-operated on the display unit 81 are highly versatile, and are therefore used as dual-purpose keys in various selection situations. FIG. 17 is an example of the first layer glass plate 123A of the multilayer LCD, and FIG. 18 is an example of the second layer glass plate 123B. A display element 87A for displaying the time, a display element 87B corresponding to the UP key for adjusting the time, and a display element 87C corresponding to the DOWN key are arranged on the glass plate 123A of the first layer. The second layer of the glass plate 123B, a time meter display bottom of (forward), the display element 87D for selecting divided cooking selecting the hardness of the rice to cooking is expanded laterally.

At the time of setting the time, the UP key and the DOWN key can be used for adjustment without any problem by using the time adjustment display elements 87B and 87C on the left and right of the time display display element 87A as a guide. However, if the second layer glass plate 123B does not exist and the LCD 29 in which all the display elements 87 are printed on the first layer glass plate 123A is used, the display element 87A for time display is used for selection. When the display element 87D of is arranged, the display element 87D is hidden by the user's own hand when the UP key or the DOWN key is touch-operated at the time of changing the cooking.

Therefore, using the LCD 29 that enables multi-layer display in which a plurality of display elements 87 are displayed in layers by a plurality of laminated glass plates 123, the display elements 87D for selection are cooked separately on the second layer glass plate 123B. At the bottom of the display element 87D, a display element 87E corresponding to a dedicated forward key for changing the cooking, which is different from the display elements 87B and 87C for time adjustment, and a display element corresponding to the return key are formed. 87Fs are arranged side by side. In addition, by using a key dedicated to changing the cooking, it is possible to display according to the display element 87D for selecting the cooking, which is developed in the horizontal direction, improving the operability as a rice cooker. ..

In the multilayer LCD 29 in this embodiment, a group of frequently used display elements 87 is arranged on the first layer glass plate 123A, and a group of other display elements 87 is arranged on the second layer glass plate 123B or later. There is. This is to reduce the burden on the user by reducing the number of times the display is switched between the first layer glass plate 123A and the other layers as much as possible when selecting the type of rice or rice cooking course. is there.

Further, it is possible to simultaneously display a part of the display elements 87 after the first layer glass plate 123A and the second layer glass plate 123B. For example, when white rice cooking is selected by touching the display element 87G of "white rice" on the first layer glass plate 123A, the next options are the display element 87H of "Kamado Master" and "Sweet Master". Five types of display element 87I, display element 87J for "cooking", display element 87K for "porridge", and display element 87L for "eco-cooking" are displayed on the first layer glass plate 123A. On the other hand, for example, when the first layer glass plate 123A is touch-operated on the display element 87M of "brown rice" to select brown rice cooking, the next option is the display element 87H of "Kamado Master" and "sweetness". It is necessary to display four types of display element 87I for "master", display element 87K for "porridge", and display element 87N for "mixed white rice". However, since the space of the display elements 87H, 87I, 87J, 87K, 87L for five horizontal layers is already used in the first layer glass plate 123A, the display element 87N for selecting "white rice mixture" exclusively for brown rice. Cannot be placed in the same row.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the “white rice mixed” display element 87N dedicated to brown rice is arranged on the second layer glass plate 123B, and together with the “white rice mixed” display element 87N, inside the first layer glass plate 123A. Therefore, it is possible to display the display element 87H of "Kamado Master", the display element 87I of "Sweet Master", and the display element 87K of "Okayu" at the same time and in the same row.

The same applies to the time adjustment. First, as shown in FIG. 19, before the clock adjustment is selected, the time display display element 87A formed on the first layer glass plate 123A and the second layer glass plate 123A are formed. The display element 87O for selecting "clock adjustment" is displayed at the same time. From this state, when a mode for changing the time and reservation time settings is selected by touching the display element 87O for selecting "clock adjustment" for a long time (or pressing the reservation key 91D), FIG. 20 shows. As described above, instead of the display element 87O for selecting "clock adjustment", the display element 87B corresponding to the UP key is displayed at the same position (on the left side of the display element 87A for time display, the DOWN key is supported. Display element 87C is displayed).

Further, as shown in FIG. 21, at the time of the above-mentioned change of cooking, the display element 87G of "white rice" formed on the glass plate 123A of the first layer, the display element 87H of "Kamado master", and the second layer. The display element 87D formed on the glass plate 123A for selecting the cooking separately, the display element 87E corresponding to the forward key, and the display element 87F corresponding to the back key are simultaneously displayed. In this way, a combination of the plurality of display elements 87 is configured regardless of which layer the glass plates 123A and 123B are.

As described above, the LCD 29, which is the liquid crystal display device of the present embodiment, is composed of a multi-layer display device capable of multi-layer display in which a plurality of display elements 87 are displayed in layers. Therefore, by reducing the number of display elements 87 for each layer and increasing the size of each display element 87 within the limited display range of the LCD 29, the visibility of the display unit 81 and the non- pushing type The operability at the time of touch operation to the operation means 90 can be improved.

Further, the LCD 29 of this embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of display elements 87 are displayed regardless of the hierarchy. Therefore, the display elements 87 of each layer can be displayed on the same screen, and the function as the LCD 29 can be expanded.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The numerical values illustrated in the examples are merely examples, and may be changed as appropriate according to the specifications of the rice cooker.

1 Inner pot 3 Main body 12 Flange heater (heating means)
16 Lid 18 Heating coil (heating means)
29 LCD (Liquid Crystal Display, Multilayer Display)
81 Display unit 82 Operation unit 87 Display element 88 Touch sensor (capacitive operation means)
88A transparent electrode part 88C pattern wiring (conductive wiring)
89 Push-type operating means 90 Non-push-type operating means (capacitive operating means)
114 Camouflage printing unit 121 Backlight LCD unit (lighting function)

Claims (10)

The main body that covers the bottomed tubular inner pot and the heating means that heats the inner pot,
It is composed of a lid covering the upper opening of the inner pot.
In a rice cooker in which the lid body is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the main body and the lid body or the main body has a display unit and an operation unit.
Both the push-type operation means and the non-push-type operation means are provided as the operation unit, and the non-push-type operation means is arranged only on the display unit .
The non-pushing type operating means is a capacitance type operating means formed by connecting a conductive wiring to a transparent electrode portion, and the transparent electrode portion is formed larger than the range of the display portion.
A rice cooker having a plurality of transparent electrode portions, and changing the area of the transparent electrode portion in proportion to the distance of the conductive wiring when the conductive wiring exceeds a certain distance . The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein a camouflage printing portion having a similar color is formed in a range other than the colored transparent electrode portion. The rice cooker according to claim 2 , wherein the camouflage printing unit is made of a paint that is not affected by electricity. The rice cooker according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the transparent electrode portion and the camouflage printing portion are formed so as to overlap each other by 0 to 0.5 mm. The capacitance type operating means is attached to the back surface of the operating panel.
The operation panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the operation panel is formed by forming a printed portion such as a design on the back surface of a plate-shaped resin material made of transparent or translucent. rice cooker. The capacitance type operating means is attached to the back surface of the operating panel.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the operation panel is integrally molded with an operation sheet printed with a design or the like. The rice cooker according to claim 6 , wherein the capacitance type operating means is integrally molded on the back surface of the operation panel. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein a liquid crystal display device having a lighting function is used for the display unit. The rice cooker according to claim 8 , wherein the liquid crystal display device is composed of a multi-layer display device capable of multi-layer display in which a plurality of display elements are displayed in layers. The rice cooker according to claim 9 , wherein the multilayer display device displays a plurality of display elements regardless of the hierarchy.

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