JP6785621B2 - Pressure cooker - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a pressure cooker provided with a locking mechanism for fixing a lid to a cooking container.

Conventionally, a pressure cooker having a cooking container and a lid and pressurizing and heating the inside of the cooking container is known. As a locking mechanism for fixing the cooking container and the lid of such a pressure cooker, a first overhanging portion and a second overhanging portion having different overhang amounts are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the flange portion of the cooking container. In addition to the provision, a technique has been proposed in which locking portions are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the lid so that the locking portions of the lid are locked to the first overhanging portion of the cooking container. In this locking mechanism, the locking portion moves with the operation of the operation lever and is locked to the first overhanging portion to be in a locked state, and the locking portion moves with the operation of the operating lever. The lock to the first lock portion is released and the lock is released. Then, when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, the weight closes the opening provided in the lid body, and when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, the weight opens the opening provided in the lid body. A mechanism for moving the position is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2007-68709 (pages 4-6)

According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the weight opens the lid unless the locking portion of the lid is locked to the first overhanging portion of the cooking container constituting the locking mechanism. Do not close. In the unlocked state, the weight opens the opening of the lid, so that no pressure is applied to the inside of the cooking container even if it is heated, and steam is released to the outside through the opening of the lid. Therefore, basically, when the locked state is incomplete, the pressure in the cooking container does not increase.

However, if the mechanism that moves the position of the weight according to the locked state and the unlocked state of the lock mechanism fails, the weight may be in a state of closing the opening of the lid even if the lock is incomplete. If it is heated in this state, it will be pressurized in the cooking container with the lock incomplete.

The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a pressure cooker capable of suppressing pressurization in an incompletely locked state between the cooking container and the lid. It is a thing.

The pressure cooker according to the present invention operates with a cooking container, a lid that covers the upper opening of the cooking container so as to be openable and closable, and a lock mechanism that fixes the state in which the lid covers the upper opening of the cooking container. A lock operation unit that receives the lock mechanism to be in a fixed or non-fixed state, and is between a first state in which the lock mechanism is in a fixed state and a second state in which the lock mechanism is in a non-fixed state. A lock operation unit that is displaced or deformed, a lock state detection unit that detects whether the lock mechanism is in a fixed state or a non-fixed state, a pressure adjusting valve that adjusts the pressure in the cooking container, and cooking. When the operation unit that accepts the start instruction operation and the operation unit receives the instruction operation, the lock state detection unit detects the fixed state of the lock mechanism and the non-fixed state. In both cases, the lock operation unit is provided with a notification unit that outputs first information prompting confirmation of whether the lock operation unit is in the first state or the second state.

According to the present invention, a lock operation unit that is displaced or deformed between when the lock mechanism is in the fixed state and when it is in the non-fixed state is provided, and the user is urged to confirm the state of the lock operation unit. Therefore, even if a mechanism that cannot be visually recognized from the outside has a failure, it is possible to prevent the cooking container from being pressurized with the lock incomplete.

It is sectional drawing schematically explaining the structure of the pressure cooker which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the pressure cooker which concerns on embodiment. It is a bottom view of the inner lid which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the cooking container which concerns on embodiment. It is an operation flowchart of the pressure cooker which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the pressure cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the form of the drawings shown below. Further, in the following description, terms indicating directions (for example, "top", "bottom", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are appropriately used for ease of understanding. This is for illustration purposes only and these terms are not intended to limit the invention. Further, in each figure, those having the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent thereof, which are common in the entire text of the specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship or shape of each component may differ from the actual one.

Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment. The pressure cooker 100 includes a housing having a container cover 1 and an outer lid 2 that is openably and closably connected to the container cover 1. The container cover 1 and the outer lid 2 form the outer shell of the pressure cooker 100. Inside the container cover 1, a cooking container 3 having an open top is detachably housed. An inner lid 4 is provided on the lower surface of the outer lid 2 to openably cover the upper opening of the cooking container 3. In the present embodiment, the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 4 form a lid of the pressure cooker 100. The outer lid 2 is supported by the container cover 1 via a hinge, and when the outer lid 2 is closed, the outer lid 2 is locked to the container cover 1 via a latch.

The cooking container 3 is a pot-shaped container in which ingredients are stored. The cooking container 3 is composed of materials that generate heat by induction heating, such as stainless steel, iron, carbon, aluminum, and copper, alone or in combination. A pair of handle portions 5 are provided on the outer surface of the cooking container 3. The pair of handle portions 5 are provided at positions facing each other. In the handle portion 5, the container cover 1 is formed with a gap in which the handle portion 5 is arranged, and the user can grip the handle portion 5 by inserting a finger into the gap. A flange 30 extending outward is formed on the upper edge of the cooking container 3.

A lid packing 6 for sealing between the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 is attached to the peripheral edge of the inner lid 4. In a state where the inner lid 4 is closed, a part of the lid packing 6 enters the inside of the cooking container 3 to obtain a seal between the flange 30 of the cooking container 3 and the upper inner side surface and the inner lid 4.

The inner lid 4 is formed with a steam hole 7 which is an opening for discharging steam in the cooking container 3. On the upper side of the inner lid 4, a pressure adjusting valve 8 for opening and closing the steam hole 7 and a valve driving unit 9 for displacing the pressure adjusting valve 8 are provided. The pressure adjusting valve 8 is moved by the valve drive unit 9 to change the position with respect to the steam hole 7, and the opening area of the steam hole 7 is changed according to the change in the position. When the pressure in the cooking container 3 is less than the upper limit value, the pressure regulating valve 8 closes the steam hole 7 by its own weight, but when the pressure in the cooking container 3 becomes more than the upper limit value, the pressure acts. The pressure regulating valve 8 is lifted to open the steam hole 7. The valve drive unit 9 can be composed of, for example, a stepping motor.

A space communicating with the steam hole 7 is formed in the outer lid 2, and the cartridge 10 is provided in this space. The cartridge 10 is a container in which an opening communicating with the steam hole 7 and an opening communicating with the outside are formed, and a space serving as a steam flow path is formed inside the cartridge 10. The cartridge 10 communicates with the inside of the cooking container 3 through the steam hole 7.

The pressure cooker 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a lock ring 12 for fixing the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3. The lock ring 12 of the present embodiment has a structure in which the outer peripheral portion of the inner lid 4 and the flange 30 of the cooking container 3 are fixed by sandwiching them up and down. The lock ring 12 has two types of states: a fixed state in which the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 are fixed, and a non-fixed state in which the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 are not fixed. The lock ring 12 of the present embodiment is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction, and the locked state and the non-fixed state are switched by rotating in the circumferential direction. Reference numeral 121 shown in FIG. 1 is a part of the lock ring 12, and reference numeral 31 is a part of the flange 30. These will be described later.

The outer lid 2 is provided with a lock operation unit 13 that switches the lock ring 12 between a fixed state and a non-fixed state in response to a user operation. The position or shape of the lock operation unit 13 differs depending on whether the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state or the non-fixed state. That is, the lock operation unit 13 displaces or deforms itself as the lock ring 12 is switched between the fixed state and the non-fixed state. Therefore, the appearance of the lock operation unit 13 from the user differs depending on whether the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state or the non-fixed state. The state of the lock operation unit 13 when the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state is referred to as a first state, and the state of the lock operation unit 13 when the lock ring 12 is in the non-fixed state is referred to as a second state.

A lock state detection unit 14 is provided as a configuration for detecting whether the lock ring 12 is in a fixed state or a non-fixed state. The lock state detection unit 14 of the present embodiment is composed of a touch switch or a magnetic sensor that detects the position of a specific portion of the lock ring 12, and is locked by the position of the specific portion of the lock ring 12 that rotates in the circumferential direction. The state of the ring 12 is detected. The lock ring 12, the lock operation unit 13, and the lock state detection unit 14 are connected to the outer lid 2.

The container cover 1 has an inner surface facing the cooking container 3 to be housed and an outer surface, and a heating coil 11 is provided in a space formed between the inner surface and the outer surface. .. The heating coil 11 is spirally wound along the shape of the outer surface of the cooking container 3 and receives a high-frequency current. When a high-frequency current is supplied, magnetic field lines are generated around the heating coil 11, and the cooking container 3 generates heat due to the eddy current generated when the magnetic field lines pass through the cooking container 3. The specific configuration for heating the cooking container 3 is an example, and the present invention is not limited by the configuration of the heating means.

A hole is formed in the central portion of the bottom surface inside the container cover 1, and the bottom temperature sensor 15 is provided in this hole. The bottom temperature sensor 15 is urged from the bottom to the top by the compression spring 16 and is configured to come into contact with the bottom of the cooking container 3 housed in the container cover 1. The bottom temperature sensor 15 contacts the cooking container 3 and detects the temperature of the cooking container 3.

The inner lid 4 is provided with a lid temperature sensor 17. The lid temperature sensor 17 is provided to detect the temperature inside the cooking container 3. The lid temperature sensor 17 may be an infrared sensor that detects the temperature based on the infrared rays in the cooking container 3, or indirectly detects the temperature in the cooking container 3 by detecting the temperature of the inner lid 4. It may be a contact type sensor. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the lid temperature sensor 17 is arranged in the opening provided in the inner lid 4, a sealing material such as packing is used so that the steam in the cooking container 3 does not leak from this opening. And seal the inside of the cooking container 3. The present invention is not limited by the specific configuration and number of the bottom temperature sensor 15 and the lid temperature sensor 17, and only one of the sensors may be provided.

On the outer surface of the pressure cooker 100, an operation unit 18 and a display unit 19 are provided at positions visible to the user. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 18 and the display unit 19 are provided on the outer surface of the container cover 1. The operation unit 18 can be composed of any one of a switch, a button, and a touch panel that receives an operation input from the user, or a combination thereof. The display unit 19 is a notification unit that visually notifies information, and can be configured by any one of an LED, a liquid crystal screen, an organic EL screen, or a combination thereof. Instead of the display unit 19, or in addition to the display unit 19, a voice means for notifying information by voice may be provided as the notification unit. The audio output means can be configured by either a buzzer and a speaker, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment. The pressure cooker 100 is provided with a control unit 20 that controls the operation of each part constituting the pressure cooker 100, and an inverter 21 that supplies a high-frequency current to the heating coil 11. Signals from the lock state detection unit 14, the bottom temperature sensor 15, the lid temperature sensor 17, and the operation unit 18 are input to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 is a valve drive unit based on each or a combination of these signals. 9. Control the operation of the display unit 19 and the inverter 21. The control unit 20 can be configured by hardware such as a circuit device that realizes the function, or can be configured by a computing device such as a microcomputer or a CPU and software executed on the arithmetic unit.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the inner lid according to the embodiment. The lock ring 12 is provided with locking portions 121 projecting from the outer peripheral edge side of the inner lid 4 toward the central portion at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. The plurality of locking portions 121 are arranged at intervals from each other, and the portion between the adjacent locking portions 121 is referred to as a notch portion 122. The notch 122 is recessed from the tip of the locking portion 121 with respect to the central portion of the inner lid 4, and the locking ring 12 as a whole is circumferentially oriented by the alternately arranged locking portions 121 and the notch 122. It has an uneven shape.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cooking container according to the embodiment. The flange 30 of the cooking container 3 has a first flange portion 31 and a second flange portion 32 having different protrusion lengths. The first flange portion 31 has a longer length protruding toward the outside of the cooking container 3 than the second flange portion. Therefore, it can be said that the first flange portion 31 has a relatively convex shape and the second flange portion 32 has a relatively concave shape. By alternately arranging the plurality of first flange portions 31 and the plurality of second flange portions 32 in the circumferential direction, the flange 30 has an uneven shape in the circumferential direction as a whole.

The actions related to fixing and releasing the lid and the cooking container 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate. When the outer lid 2 is closed, as shown in FIG. 1, the lid packing 6 of the inner lid 4 comes into contact with the flange 30 of the cooking container 3, and the lid packing 6 is pressed against the flange 30 by the weight of the outer lid 2. Further, the locking portion 121 of the lock ring 12 shown in FIG. 3 enters the outside of the second flange portion 32, that is, between the adjacent first flange portions 31. The position of the lock ring 12 at this time is referred to as an open position. When the lock ring 12 is in the open position, the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 are in a non-fixed state.

When the user operates the lock operation unit 13 shown in FIG. 1 to fix the lock ring 12, the lock ring 12 rotates horizontally. As the lock ring 12 rotates horizontally, the locking portion 121 of the lock ring 12 moves to the lower side of the first flange portion 31, and the first flange portion 31 and the locking portion 121 overlap in the vertical direction. The position of the lock ring 12 at this time is referred to as a lock position. When the lock ring 12 is in the locked position, the locking portion 121 of the lock ring 12 is in a state of sandwiching the inner lid 4 and the first flange portion 31 vertically, and the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 are in a fixed state. .. In the present embodiment, the flange 30 of the cooking container 3 including the lock ring 12, the first flange portion 31 and the second flange portion 32 constitutes a locking mechanism for locking the fixed state of the lid and the cooking container 3.

When the lock ring 12 moves from the open position to the lock position, the lock state detection unit 14 detects that the lock ring 12 is in the lock position and controls a lock signal which is a signal indicating that the lock ring 12 is in the lock position. Output to unit 20. The control unit 20 that has acquired the detection signal from the lock state detection unit 14 determines that pressure cooking can be executed. When the user operates the operation unit 18 to instruct the start of pressure cooking, the control unit 20 receives a signal from the operation unit 18 and executes a heating program for pressure cooking. A heating program corresponding to a plurality of pressure cooking menus is stored in advance in the control unit 20, and pressure cooking is performed according to the pressure cooking menu input to the operation unit 18. The control unit 20 does not start the pressure cooking if the lock signal from the lock state detection unit 14 is not acquired even if the signal for starting the pressure cooking is input from the operation unit 18.

When starting the pressure cooking, the control unit 20 controls the valve drive unit 9 to move the pressure adjusting valve 8 to a position where the steam hole 7 is closed. Next, the control unit 20 controls the inverter 21 to supply high-frequency power to the heating coil 11. Then, a magnetic field is generated around the heating coil 11 for offense and defense, the facing surface of the cooking container 3 magnetically coupled to the heating coil 11 is excited, and an eddy current is induced in the cooking container 3. Joule heat is generated by the eddy current and the resistance of the cooking container 3, and the temperature of the cooking container 3 heats up the contents in the cooking container 3. When the contents in the cooking container 3 boil with heating, steam increases in the cooking container 3, but the weight of the pressure regulating valve 8 hinders the discharge of steam from the steam hole 7, and the inside of the cooking container 3 Pressure increases.

The upper limit of the pressure applied to the inside of the cooking container 3 is set by the opening area of the steam hole 7 and the weight of the pressure adjusting valve 8 that closes the opening area. As an example, in the case where the upper limit of the pressure is determined by the weight of the pressure regulating valve 8, if the steam hole 7 is φ1 mm and the pressure regulating valve 8 is 10 g, the pressure applied to the inside is about 2.2 atm (abs). ). When the pressure in the cooking container 3 reaches the set upper limit value, the steam pressure pushes the pressure regulating valve 8 away, and the steam hole 7 is opened. Then, the steam in the cooking container 3 flows out through the steam holes 7 and the cartridge 10. Then, when the steam pressure in the cooking container 3 becomes less than the upper limit value, the pressure adjusting valve 8 falls again due to its own weight and closes the steam hole 7. By the action of such a pressure adjusting valve 8, the pressure in the cooking container 3 is kept constant.

When pressure is applied to the inside of the cooking container 3, an upward force is applied to the inner lid 4. Here, the inner lid 4 and the cooking container 3 are vertically sandwiched by the lock ring 12 to regulate the upward displacement. Therefore, the lid does not open unexpectedly even when pressure is applied.

Next, the operation related to the detection and notification of the fixed state and the non-fixed state of the lid and the cooking container 3 before the start of pressure cooking will be further described. In the normal state in which the pressure cooker 100 is operating normally, when the lock state detection unit 14 does not detect that the lock ring 12 is in the lock position, an instruction to start pressure cooking is input to the operation unit 18. Even if it is done, the control unit 20 does not start the heating control of the pressure cooking. Further, the control unit 20 controls the display unit 19 to notify that the lid and the cooking container 3 are in a non-fixed state and that the lock operation unit 13 should be operated to lock. Such notification prompts the user to perform a lock operation so that the pressure inside the cooking container 3 does not increase due to heating in a state where the lid is not locked. After the notification, the lock state detection unit 14 detects that the lock ring 12 is in the locked position, and then when an instruction to start pressure cooking is input to the operation unit 18, the control unit 20 performs pressure cooking. Start heating control. As described above, in the normal state, since the lock state detection unit 14 detects whether or not the lid and the cooking container 3 are fixed, the pressure cooking may be executed in a state where the fixing is insufficient. Absent.

Here, it is assumed that the lock state detection unit 14 has failed. If the lock state detection unit 14 is out of order, even if the lid and the cooking container 3 are in the non-fixed state, the control unit 20 may receive a signal indicating the fixed state, and conversely, the lock state is in the fixed state. Even so, the control unit 20 may receive a signal indicating a non-fixed state. When the control unit 20 receives the signal indicating the fixed state and starts the heating control of the pressure cooking, if it is actually in the non-fixed state, the steam hole 7 is blocked by the pressure adjusting valve 8. In the cooking container 3 of the above, steam increases with heating. When the internal pressure of the cooking container 3 increases with the increase in steam, the entire lid including the inner lid 4 rises, steam leaks from the gap between the flange 30 of the cooking container 3 and the lid packing 6, and pressure cooking is performed. I can't. Further, as the internal pressure of the cooking container 3 increases, stress concentrates on the hinge that opens and closes the outer lid 2 and the latch that locks the outer lid 2 to the container cover 1, which may cause the hinge and the latch to be damaged. Further, when pressure cooking is started in an insufficiently fixed state where the lock ring 12 is between the lock position and the open position in a state where the lock state detection unit 14 has failed, the lock ring 12 and the cooking container 3 Since the engagement with the flange 30 is incomplete, the stress may be concentrated on a part of the flange 30 as the internal pressure of the cooking container 3 increases. Then, the flange 30 may be deformed and steam or moisture may be vigorously released from the deformed portion to the outside, and when the steam is released, the pressure in the cooking container 3 decreases and the desired pressure cooking can be performed. Can not.

In order to improve safety and prevent the pressure inside the cooking container 3 from unexpectedly decreasing and the cooking finish from being deteriorated, the lock state detection unit 14 is in a state of failure for transmitting an unintended signal. In addition, it is important to make the user aware of this before the start of pressure cooking.

In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, the pressure cooker 100 of the present embodiment is notified to prompt confirmation of the state of the lock operation unit 13 regardless of the detection signal output from the lock state detection unit 14. It is configured. Specifically, the display unit 19 confirms the state of the lock operation unit 13 both when the control unit 20 receives the lock signal from the lock state detection unit 14 and when the control unit 20 does not receive the lock signal. Notify the prompting information. Hereinafter, the control flow for realizing the operation of the pressure cooker 100 will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment. When the user instructs the operation unit 18 to start pressure cooking (step S1), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state. Specifically, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state depending on whether or not a detection signal indicating that the lock ring 12 is in the lock position is received from the lock state detection unit 14. When it is determined that the lock ring 12 is not in the fixed state (step S2; NO), that is, when the lock signal from the lock state detection unit 14 is not received, the display unit 19 asks the user to confirm the lock operation unit 13. The first information prompting the user is notified (step S3).

The first information notified in step S3 is (i) that the lid and the cooking container 3 are in the non-fixed state, and (ii) when the lock operation unit 13 is in the first state (the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state). It is necessary to confirm whether it is in the first state), and (iii) the lock operation unit 13 should be in the first state when the lock operation unit 13 is not in the first state. Or a combination thereof can be included. When the display unit 19 notifies the information, the user can be urged to confirm the lock operation unit 13, and when the lock operation unit 13 is in the second state, it can be urged to enter the first state. .. Further, the first information notified in step S3 can include (iv) information indicating that there is a possibility of failure when the lock operation unit 13 is in the first state. That is, since there is a contradiction between the detection result that the lock state detection unit 14 is in the non-fixed state and the fact that the lock operation unit 13 is in the first state, the user is notified of the possibility of failure. By doing so, the user can be made aware of the failure.

After the notification in step S3, when the user again instructs the operation unit 18 to start pressure cooking (step S4), the control unit 20 again determines whether or not the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state. (Step S5). When it is determined that the lock ring 12 is not in the fixed state (step S5; NO), the process returns to step S3, and when it is determined that the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state (step S5; YES), the control unit 20 performs pressure cooking. Heating control is started (step S6).

Here, after determining that the lock ring 12 is not in the fixed state in step S5 (step S5; NO), the information notified in step S3 includes the third information regarding the possibility of failure in addition to the first information described above. be able to. Although it was determined in step S2 that the lock ring 12 was in the non-fixed state and the user was urged to confirm (see step S3) (see step S3), an instruction to start pressure cooking was input (step S4). If it is determined that the lock ring 12 is still in the non-fixed state even after that, the lock state detection unit 14 or the lock operation unit 13 may be out of order. Therefore, in step S3 after step S5, by notifying the user of the possibility of failure, it is possible to prevent pressure cooking from being performed in the state of failure.

By the operation of steps S1 to S6 as described above, even when the lock ring 12 is not in the fixed state when the user first performs the instruction operation for starting pressure cooking (see step S1) (step S2). By notifying the display unit 19 (see step S3), the user can be prompted to operate the lock operation unit 13. When the user operates the lock operation unit 13 to put it in the first state, the lid body and the cooking container 3 are fixed by the lock ring 12, and pressure cooking can be started.

Displayed when the control unit 20 determines in step S2 that the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state (step S2; YES), that is, when the control unit 20 receives the lock signal from the lock state detection unit 14. The unit 19 notifies the user of the first information prompting the user to confirm the lock operation unit 13 (step S7).

The information to be notified in step S7 includes information that (v) the lid and the cooking container 3 are in the fixed state, and (vi) it should be confirmed that the lock operation unit 13 is in the first state. Any or a combination thereof can be included. When the display unit 19 notifies the information, the user can be prompted to confirm the lock operation unit 13. Further, the first information notified in step S7 can include the second information that (vii) the lock operation unit 13 needs to be repaired when it is confirmed that it is in the second state. When the lock operation unit 13 is in the second state, it is in a state inconsistent with the detection result of the lock state detection unit 14, so that the user is notified of the possibility of some failure by notifying the second information. Can be done.

After the notification in step S7, when the user again instructs the operation unit 18 to start pressure cooking (step S8), the control unit 20 again determines whether or not the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state. (Step S9). When it is determined that the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state (step S9; YES), the control unit 20 starts the heating control of pressure cooking (step S6).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S9 that the lock ring 12 is in the non-fixed state (step S9; NO), the display unit 19 (a) notifies the user of information prompting the user to confirm the lock operation unit 13, and (step S9; NO). b) Notify the fourth information indicating that there is a possibility of failure (step S10).

The information for prompting confirmation of (a) the lock operation unit 13 notified in step S10 is different in that it should be confirmed that the lid and the cooking container 3 are in the fixed state and that the lock operation unit 13 is in the first state. , And the information that the lock operation unit 13 needs to be inspected or repaired when it is in the second state, or a combination thereof can be included. Further, the fourth information regarding the possibility of failure, which is notified in step S10, is that the lock state detection unit 14 may be out of order, and that the pressure cooker 100 including the lock state detection unit 14 has a failure. It can include either or both of the information that any part may be out of order.

Due to such an operation, when the user first performs an instruction operation for starting pressure cooking (see step S1), the lock ring is locked even though the lock operation unit 13 is not actually in the first state. When a failure has occurred in which 12 is detected to be in a fixed state (see step S2; YES), the user can be made aware of the failure by notifying the display unit 19 (see step S7).

As described above, the pressure cooker 100 of the present embodiment includes a lock operation unit 13 that is displaced or deformed between when the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state and when it is in the non-fixed state. Then, regardless of the detection result of the lock state detection unit 14 that detects whether the lock ring 12 is in the fixed state or the non-fixed state, information prompting the user to confirm the state of the lock operation unit 13 is provided. The display unit 19 notifies. Therefore, even if the internal mechanism of the lock ring 12 or the lock state detection unit 14 that cannot be visually recognized from the outside has a failure, it is possible to prevent the cooking container from being pressurized with the lock incomplete. ..

1 Container cover, 2 Outer lid, 3 Cooking container, 4 Inner lid, 5 Handle, 6 Lid packing, 7 Steam hole, 8 Pressure control valve, 9 Valve drive, 10 Cartridge, 11 Heating coil, 12 Lock ring, 13 Lock operation unit, 14 Lock state detection unit, 15 Bottom temperature sensor, 16 Compression spring, 17 Lid temperature sensor, 18 Operation unit, 19 Display unit, 20 Control unit, 21 Inverter, 30 flange, 31 1st flange unit, 32nd 2 flanges, 100 pressure cookers, 121 locking, 122 notches.

Claims (4)

With a cooking container
A lid that opens and closes the upper opening of the cooking container and
A locking mechanism that fixes the state in which the lid covers the upper opening of the cooking container,
A lock operation unit that receives an operation to bring the lock mechanism into a fixed state or a non-fixed state, the first state in which the lock mechanism is in the fixed state and the second state in which the lock mechanism is in the non-fixed state. A lock operation unit that displaces or deforms between
A lock state detection unit that detects whether the lock mechanism is in a fixed state or a non-fixed state,
A pressure regulating valve that adjusts the pressure inside the cooking container,
An operation unit that accepts instructions to start cooking,
When the operation unit receives the instruction operation, the lock operation unit receives the instruction operation, and the lock operation unit detects the fixed state and the non-fixed state of the lock mechanism. A pressure cooker including a notification unit that outputs first information prompting confirmation of whether the state is one state or the second state. The first information output by the notification unit when the lock state detection unit detects the fixed state of the lock mechanism is
The pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the lock operation unit includes the second information which is information that repair is necessary when it is confirmed that the lock operation unit is in the second state. After the notification unit outputs the first information in a state where the lock state detection unit detects the non-fixed state of the lock mechanism,
When the lock state detection unit detects the non-fixed state of the lock mechanism when the operation unit receives the instruction operation,
The pressure cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit outputs the first information again and also outputs the third information regarding the possibility of failure. After the notification unit outputs the first information in a state where the lock state detection unit detects the fixed state of the lock mechanism,
When the lock state detection unit detects the non-fixed state of the lock mechanism when the operation unit receives the instruction operation,
The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit outputs a fourth information regarding the possibility of failure.

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