JP7386428B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a rice cooker.

As a conventional rice cooker, a fully automatic rice cooker that integrates a rice pot, water pouring, and rice cooking process is known. A conventional rice cooker includes a storage section for storing rice, a rice washing space for washing rice, and a rice cooking section (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-220047

Since conventional rice cookers are supplied with water from an external water source such as a tap, it is necessary to perform construction work for water supply and drainage during installation, and to install the rice cooker near an external water source such as a tap. Therefore, it is conceivable to arrange a water container that stores water inside the housing of the rice cooker, but there is a problem in accurately measuring the amount of water that should be supplied from the water container to the pot.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a rice cooker that can supply a precise amount of water from a water container to a pot before cooking rice.

A rice cooker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pot;
a casing that accommodates the pot;
a water container provided within the housing and accommodating water;
a water supply unit that moves water contained in the water container to the pot before cooking rice;
a water level sensor that detects the water level in the water container;
an input section that accepts operation instructions from a user;
a control unit that controls the water supply unit to move a specified amount of water to the pot according to the operation instruction based on the detection result of the water level sensor;
Equipped with.

According to the rice cooker according to the present disclosure, an accurate amount of water can be supplied from the water container to the pot before cooking rice.

A perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker according to an embodiment. A perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker in Figure 1 A perspective view showing the main parts of the rice cooker in Figure 1 Top view of the rice cooker in Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the rice cooker seen in the V-V direction in Figure 4 Perspective view showing the rice cooker with the rice container lid open Partial side view of the rice cooker showing the rice container lid in the closed position Partial side view of the rice cooker showing the rice container lid in the open position Perspective view showing the rice cooker with the door open A perspective view showing the rice cooker with the water container removed Exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the Peltier unit Exploded perspective view showing the structure of the rice measuring section Cross-sectional view showing the state of the rice measuring section during rice feeding Enlarged view of a part of the cross-sectional view in FIG. 12 Cross-sectional view showing the state of the rice measuring section when rice is not being sent Cross-sectional view showing the rice measuring unit in the unattached state Top view of rice separator Place the rice separator in the XVII-XVII direction in Figure 16. Cross-sectional view of the rice separation device seen in the XVIII-XVIII direction in Figure 16 A perspective view showing the configuration of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device Exploded perspective view of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device in Figure 19 Plan view of the rotating body in FIG. 20 Cross-sectional view showing the rice feeding lid opening/closing device in the closed state Cross-sectional view showing the rice feeding lid opening/closing device in the open state Cross-sectional view showing a cross section parallel to the YZ plane through the outlet of the water container Exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the water level sensor Exploded perspective view showing the surrounding configuration of the water container storage section A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the rice cooker according to the present embodiment Flowchart showing an example of operation by the rice cooker according to the present embodiment Flowchart showing the flow of rice storage amount detection process in Figure 28 Flowchart showing the flow of the rice sending process in Figure 28 Flowchart showing the flow of the rice sending amount measurement process in Figure 30 Flowchart showing the flow of the water supply process in Figure 28 Flowchart showing the flow of the stirring process in Figure 28 Graph schematically showing the relationship between time and temperature inside the pot during rice cooking operation A schematic enlarged view of region R in FIG. 34 Graph showing a comparative example of the relationship between time and temperature inside the pot during rice cooking operation Flowchart showing a modification of the stirring process in FIG. 33 Graph showing the difference in temperature (pressure) change depending on the amount of rice cooked in the stirring process in Figure 37 Flowchart showing the flow of rice feeding amount measurement processing according to another embodiment of the present disclosure Flowchart showing a modification of the water supply process in FIG. 32

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

(Embodiment)
According to the first aspect of the present disclosure,
A pot and
a casing that accommodates the pot;
a water container provided within the housing and accommodating water;
a water supply unit that moves water contained in the water container to the pot before cooking rice;
a water level sensor that detects the water level in the water container;
an input section that accepts operation instructions from a user;
a control unit that controls the water supply unit to move a specified amount of water to the pot according to the operation instruction based on the detection result of the water level sensor;
A rice cooker is provided.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit controls the amount of water transferred from the water container to the pot based on the difference in water level detected by the water level sensor before and after the water is transferred by the water supply unit. The rice cooker according to the first aspect is provided, which calculates the amount.

According to the third aspect of the present disclosure,
The water supply section includes a water supply channel that connects the water container and the pot,
The water container is detachably attached to the housing,
The water container has an opening that is connected to the water supply channel when attached to the casing, and an opening that closes the opening to prevent water from passing through when the water container is removed from the casing. A first aspect or a second aspect, comprising: an on-off valve configured to open the opening and allow water to pass through the opening to the water supply channel when a water container is attached to the housing. Provides the rice cooker described in .

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the rice cooker according to the third aspect, wherein the water supply unit includes a water supply device that moves water in the water supply channel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the rice cooker according to the fourth aspect, wherein the water level sensor detects the water level in the water container by measuring the pressure in the water supply channel.

According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the water level sensor is configured to detect a pressure corresponding to a difference between the water level in the water supply channel and the water level in the water container. Provides the rice cooker described in .

According to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, after moving the specified amount of water from the water container to the pot, the control section returns water remaining in the water supply channel to the water container. There is provided a rice cooker according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, in which the water supply section is controlled as follows.

According to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure,
Further comprising a notification device that notifies the user,
If the amount of water corresponding to the water level detected by the water level sensor is less than the designated amount, the control section may stop the water supply section from transferring water to the pot, and/or may notify that by the notification device. The rice cooker according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is provided.

Hereinafter, a rice cooker according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, substantially the same members are designated by the same reference numerals.

Further, in the following, for convenience of explanation, terms such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", etc. indicating directions are used assuming a state during normal use. However, these terms are not meant to limit the usage conditions of the rice cooker of the present invention.

[1. composition]
[1-1. overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing main parts of the rice cooker 1 of FIG. 1. In FIGS. 2 and 3, some of the components of the rice cooker 1 are removed to show the internal structure of the rice cooker 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the rice cooker 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker 1 viewed in the VV direction of FIG. 4.

The rice cooker 1 includes a cylindrical pot 2 with a bottom, a housing 3 housing the pot 2, an upper frame 4, a hinge portion 5 disposed above the upper frame 4, and a lid 6. The pot 2 can be removed from the housing 3. The housing 3 is provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the pot 2 with a gap therebetween. The upper frame 4 is provided so as to cover between the upper opening of the housing 3 and the upper opening of the pot 2 in plan view. The lid body 6 is attached to the hinge part 5 so as to be able to rotate around the hinge part 5. Thereby, the lid body 6 covers the upper opening of the pot 2 in an openable and closable manner. The hinge part 5 is arranged at the rear of the rice cooker 1. This opens the front side of the lid 6, allowing the user to easily access the pot 2 and pour out the rice.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rice cooker 1 further includes a heating section 8 that heats the pot 2, and a control section 20 that controls the operation of the rice cooker 1 as a whole. The heating unit 8 includes, for example, a heating coil, and is an induction heating (IH) type that heats the metal pot 2 by generating an eddy current in the metal pot 2 using a high-frequency magnetic field generated when a high-frequency current is passed through the heating coil. This is a heating device.

In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is a pressure rice cooker that cooks rice by pressurizing the inside of the pot 2. A pressure valve 15 (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 5) is provided inside the lid 6 and operates to open and close a hole that communicates the inside of the pot 2 with an external space under the control of the control unit 20. It is being The rice cooker 1 also includes a boiling detection section 16 (see FIG. 5) that detects that the water in the pot 2 has boiled, and a pressure sensor 17 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that detects the pressure inside the pot 2. It further includes: The boiling detection unit 16 is, for example, a steam sensor.

The rice cooker 1 is an automatic rice cooker that automatically transfers rice and water to a pot 2 to cook rice. Therefore, the rice cooker 1 includes a rice container 100 for storing rice and a water container 300 for storing water in the housing 3. Furthermore, the rice cooker 1 includes a rice feeding section 110 that moves the rice contained in the rice container 100 to the pot 2, and a water feeding section 310 that moves the water contained in the water container 300 to the pot 2. Details of the rice feeding section 110 and the water feeding section 310 will be described later.

The top of the rice container 100 is provided with a rice container opening 101 for supplying or replenishing the rice container 100 with rice. The rice container 100 is placed in front of the rice cooker 1, and the rice container opening 101 is placed above the rice container 100. When in use, it is assumed that there are walls behind and on the sides of the rice cooker 1, and that there is also a top plate of the storage space for the rice cooker 1 above the rice cooker 1. Even in such a case, since the rice container opening 101 is located at the front, the user can easily throw rice into the rice container opening 101 from, for example, a rice bag. Furthermore, by placing the rice container 100 in the front, it is possible to prevent the width of the rice cooker 1 from increasing, and it is possible to prevent the ease of installing the rice cooker 1 from deteriorating when there are objects or walls on the side. .

The rice container 100 further includes a rice container lid 104 configured to open and close the rice container opening 101. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker 1 with the rice container lid 104 open. When the rice container lid 104 moves from the closed position to the open position, it is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the lid body 6 rotates when it moves from the closed state to the open state. That is, the rice container lid 104 includes a first rotation shaft 105 arranged in front of the rice container opening 101 so as to extend from side to side. Thereby, the rice container lid 104 moves from the back to the front and opens, without interfering with the lid body 6. Therefore, in order to be able to open the rice container lid 104 without interfering with the lid 6, it is possible to increase the depth dimension of the rice cooker 1 by, for example, providing the rice container opening 101 further forward. do not have.

The opening/closing operation of the rice container lid 104 will be described in detail with reference to the partial side views of FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A shows the rice container lid 104 in the closed position. FIG. 7B shows the rice container lid 104 in the open position. As shown in FIG. 7B, the rice container lid 104 further includes a second pivot shaft 106. As shown in FIG.

If the rice container lid 104 does not have the second rotation axis 106 and only has the first rotation axis 105, even if you try to open the rice container lid 104 from the closed position shown in FIG. Since the front end 104a and the front end 4a of the upper frame 4 are in contact with each other, the rice container lid 104 cannot be opened. Therefore, when the rice container lid 104 moves from the closed position to the open position, it is rotated by the second rotation shaft 106 in a direction different from the rotation direction by the first rotation shaft 105. The second rotation shaft 106 is arranged behind the first rotation shaft 105 when the rice container lid 104 is in the closed position, and rotates together with the rice container lid 104 about the first rotation shaft 105. move. With this configuration, the front end 104a of the rice container lid 104 and the front end 4a of the upper frame 4 do not come into contact with each other during the opening operation, and the rice container lid 104 can be opened. Moreover, such a two-axis configuration allows parts such as an operation board, a flat cable, and a display to be placed between the rice container lid 104 and the lid seat 104b (see FIG. 5) in the vertical direction.

The back surface of the lid seat 104b of the rice container lid 104 is approximately horizontal when the lid is in the closed position. The lid seat 104b is configured to rotate by an angle θ from the closed position and not to rotate any further. The angle θ is, for example, greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. In other words, the rice container lid 104 is pivotable from the closed position in the open position until at least a portion of the rice container lid 104 is located in a rest position forward and above the first pivot axis 105; It is constructed so that it can stand still in a rest position. When the angle θ is obtuse in this way, in the open position, the lower part of the lid seat 104b becomes a slope facing toward the rice container 100, and the rice placed on the lid seat 104b can be guided into the rice container 100. . Therefore, the user can easily put rice from the rice bag into the rice container 100. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent rice from spilling out when the rice is supplied to the rice container 100.

If the rice container opening 101 of the rice container 100 is located at the top as shown in the figure, dew that adheres to the bottom of the pot 2 and lid 6 during rice cooking, water vapor generated during rice cooking, etc. will be removed from the rice container 100. There is a possibility that the rice may enter through the opening 101 of the rice container. If moisture enters the rice container 100, the rice in the rice container 100 may become soggy or spoiled. Therefore, at the upper part of the upper frame 4, between the rice container opening 101 of the rice container 100 and the pot 2, a waterproof wall 9 is provided which projects upward from the rice container opening 101. The waterproof wall 9 can prevent water from entering the rice container opening 101 of the rice container 100.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a door 103 that can be opened and closed by a hinge is attached to the front surface of the rice container 100. Door 103 opens forward. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker 1 with the door 103 open. This allows the user to access the rice container 100 by, for example, putting his/her hand into the rice container 100 from the front. Therefore, the inside of the rice container 100 can be cleaned by wiping it. The rice container 100 may include an inner lid 107 for closing the front opening of the rice container 100 so that rice does not spill out of the rice container simply by opening the door 103.

The rice container 100 has an inclined side surface 108 that is inclined so that the width of the rice container 100 when viewed from the front gradually decreases downward. In this embodiment, only one side surface 108 of the rice container 100 is sloped, and the other side surface 109 opposite to the sloped side surface 108 is not sloped. This configuration is advantageous because it is possible to secure a wide space below the inclined side surface 108, and when the water container 300 is disposed in this space as described later, the capacity of the water container 300 can be increased. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and both the left and right sides of the rice container may be inclined. The rice supplied into the rice container 100 slides down the inclined side surface 108 and collects downward.

At least a portion of the water container 300 is located below the sloped side surface 108 of the rice container 100. As shown in FIG. 5, a water container storage section 301 for storing a water container 300 is provided below the rice cooker 1. In this way, by arranging the water container 300 below the inclined side surface 108 of the rice container 100, the rice cooker 1 can be made compact.

The water container 300 is removably stored in the water container storage section 301. In order to replenish water, the user can pull the water container 300 forward from the water container storage section 301 to take it out. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker 1 with the water container 300 taken out, and shows the overall configuration of the water container 300. The water container 300 includes a lid 302 that can open and close the water supply port, and an outlet 303 that is connected to the water supply channel 311 to the pot 2 when attached. Exit 303 is an example of an "opening" in the present disclosure. After taking out the water container 300, the user opens the lid 302 and refills the water container 300 with water from a tap or the like through the water supply port. When in use, it is assumed that there are walls at the rear and sides of the rice cooker 1, but the configuration in which the water container 300 is pulled forward and taken out allows the user to easily fill the water container 300 with water.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rice cooker 1 includes a Peltier unit 400 behind the water container storage section 301 for cooling the water contained in the water container 300. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the Peltier unit 400. The Peltier unit 400 includes a Peltier element 401, a heat sink 403, a temperature sensor 405 that detects the temperature of the heat sink 403, a cooling fan 407, a heat sink 409, a temperature sensor 410 that detects the temperature of the heat sink 409, and packing. 411, a front cover 413, and a rear cover 414.

The Peltier element 401 is an example of the "cooling device" of the present disclosure. Since the Peltier element 401 is small, the entire rice cooker 1 can be made smaller by using the Peltier element 401 as a cooling device. By cooling the water, it is possible to prevent the growth of bacteria and the spoilage of the water. Moreover, by cooking rice with cooled water, the taste of the rice after cooking is improved.

The Peltier element 401 has a flat shape extending parallel to the ZX plane, and has a cooling surface 401a at the front (+Y direction) and a heat generating surface at the rear. The heat sink 403 is attached to the heat generating surface of the Peltier element 401. Temperature sensor 405 is attached to the side surface of heat sink 403. The cooling fan 407 blows air toward the heat sink 403, cools the heat sink 403, and can lower the temperature of the cooling surface 401a of the Peltier element 401. In the illustrated example, the cooling fan 407 is installed below the heat sink 403.

The heat sink 409 is attached to the cooling surface 401a of the Peltier element 401 and transmits the temperature of the cooling surface 401a to the water container 300. Therefore, the cooling surface 401a of the energized Peltier element 401 cools the water in the water container 300 via the heat sink 409. A cold guide plate 304 may be arranged around the water container 300 (see FIG. 26). The cold guide plate 304 is made of, for example, a metal with high thermal conductivity. The cold guide plate 304 contacts the heat sink plate 409 and can efficiently transmit cold air to the water in the water container 300.

The Peltier element 401 has a configuration in which a PN semiconductor is sandwiched between two ceramic plates, and the PN semiconductor is soldered to an electrode provided on the ceramic plates. When power is supplied to the Peltier element 401, one surface (the aforementioned cooling surface 401a) is cooled and the other surface (the aforementioned heat generating surface) is heated. The cooled ceramic surface undergoes thermal contraction, and the heated ceramic surface undergoes thermal expansion. As a result, stress is generated at the junction surface of the PN semiconductor. Therefore, when energization and de-energization are changed, or when the polarity of energization is changed, the expansion and contraction of the ceramic forming the Peltier element 401 changes, and repeated stress is applied to the joint of the PN semiconductor, causing solder cracks. This causes problems such as damage to the Peltier element 401 and deterioration of cooling capacity.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the cooling fan 407 is determined in advance by the control unit 20 based on the temperature of the heat sink 403 detected by the temperature sensor 405 and/or the temperature of the heat sink 409 detected by the temperature sensor 410. The temperature is controlled to be within a specified temperature range. Thereby, temperature changes in the ceramic that constitutes the Peltier element 401 can be reduced. In this way, since the ceramic temperature can be stabilized with simple control, the life of the Peltier element 401 can be extended.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rice cooker 1 further includes a substrate 10 on which a switching transistor is mounted for supplying power to the heating section 8, and a heat sink 11 for cooling the switching transistor. Heat sink 11 is arranged above heat sink 403. That is, the heat sink 11 is placed on the lee of the wind supplied by the cooling fan 407, and the heat sink 11 and the heat sink 403 are arranged in series in the flow direction of the wind supplied by the cooling fan 407. Therefore, the cooling fan 407 can cool not only the heat sink 403 but also the heat sink 11. Therefore, there is no need to further provide a fan for cooling the switching transistor or the substrate 10 equipped with the switching transistor in the rice cooker 1, and miniaturization can be achieved while ensuring the cooling function.

As shown in FIG. 5, the rice cooker 1 further includes a heat insulating material 12. The heat insulating material 12 is arranged between the pot 2 and the heating section 8 and the water container storage section 301, and between the pot 2 and the heating section 8 and the rice container 100. As a result, the heat insulating material 12 thermally separates the water container storage section 301 and the rice container 100 from the pot 2 and the heating section 8, which become hot during cooking and keeping the rice warm, so that the water container storage section 301 and the rice container 100 are housed in the water container storage section 301. It is possible to prevent the water in the water container 300 and the rice in the rice container 100 from reaching high temperatures. When water and rice reach high temperatures, there is a risk of spoilage, proliferation of various bacteria, deterioration of taste, etc., but the heat insulating material 12 can prevent these situations.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heat insulating material 12 is not disposed between the water container storage section 301 and the rice container 100. Further, the heat sink 409 and the water container storage section 301 are in contact with each other (see FIG. 10), and the water container storage section 301 and the rice container 100 are adjacent to each other. Therefore, the heat of the heat sink 409 attached to the cooling surface 401a of the Peltier element 401 is also transmitted to the rice container 100 via the water container storage section 301. Thereby, the heat sink 409 cooled by the Peltier element 401 not only cools the water in the water container 300 but also cools the rice in the rice container 100 by after-cooling. Therefore, the rice cooker 1 can cool the rice in the rice container 100, and can prevent spoilage of the rice, growth of germs, deterioration of taste, etc.

[1-2. Rice sending department]
[1-2-1. Measuring blade and rice transfer blade]
The rice feeding section 110 includes a rice feeding path 111 for transferring rice from the rice container 100 to the pot 2, and a rice measuring section 120 that measures the amount of rice and supplies a designated amount of rice to the rice feeding path 111. (See FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the rice measuring section 120. The rice measuring unit 120 includes a measuring blade 121 spirally formed around an axis parallel to the Y-axis, and a guide part 122 that covers the outer periphery of the measuring blade 121. The guide portion 122 has a cylindrical shape with an axis extending in the Y-axis direction. That is, the guide portion 122 has a cylindrical shape formed coaxially with the metering blade 121 and covers the outer periphery of the metering blade 121.

The rice measuring section 120 further includes a drive motor 123 that rotates the measuring blade 121 around the Y axis under the control of the control section 20 . An input shaft 124 and an output shaft 126 are provided between the metering blade 121 and the drive motor 123. Input shaft 124 is rotated by drive motor 123 and can transmit the power of drive motor 123 to output shaft 126 . The output shaft 126 is inserted into the metering blade 121 so as to be slidable in the Y direction with respect to the metering blade 121 . Output shaft 126 is rotated by input shaft 124 and can transmit the power of drive motor 123 to metering vane 121 .

The input shaft 124 has a meshing portion 125 that has a spur gear shape when viewed from the Y direction, and the output shaft 126 has a meshing portion 127 that has an internal gear shape when viewed from the Y direction. The input shaft 124 is attached to be slidable in the Y direction relative to the output shaft 126. By pushing the input shaft 124 into the output shaft 126 in the Y direction, the meshing portion 125 of the input shaft 124 meshes with the meshing portion 127 of the output shaft 126. When the meshing portion 125 and the meshing portion 127 mesh, the input shaft 124 can transmit the power of the drive motor 123 to the output shaft 126. When the meshing portion 125 and the meshing portion 127 are not engaged, the input shaft 124 cannot transmit the power of the drive motor 123 to the output shaft 126. In this way, the meshing portion 125 of the input shaft 124 and the meshing portion 127 of the output shaft 126 constitute a clutch mechanism 128.

The rice measuring section 120 includes a rice feeding path entrance 129 connected to the rice feeding path 111, a rice feeding path cover 130 configured to be able to open and close the rice path from the measuring blade 121 to the rice feeding path entrance 129, and a packing. 131. The rice feeding path cover 130 and the packing 131 are attached around the metering blade 121 coaxially with the metering blade 121.

The rice measuring section 120 covers the guide section 122, and also includes a fixing base 132 that fixes the drive motor 123, a spring 133 that biases the output shaft 126 in the +Y direction, and a rice feeding path cover 130 that biases the rice feeding path cover 130 in the +Y direction. It further includes a spring 134 for urging. The springs 133 and 134 are, for example, compression coil springs.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the state of the rice measuring section 120 during rice feeding. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12. The rice cooker 1 further includes a rice transfer blade 148 that is spirally formed around the shaft and rotates in the feeding direction about the shaft to transfer rice to the metering blade 121. The rice transfer blade 148 is an example of the "rice transfer unit" of the present disclosure. The rice transfer vane 148 is concentric with the metering vane 121 and connected in series with the metering vane 121 . That is, the rice transfer blade 148 is connected to the metering blade 121 such that its axial direction coincides with the axial direction of the metering blade 121. Further, the tip end 126a of the output shaft 126 is fitted into a recess 148a provided at one end of the rice transfer blade 148. The tip 126a of the output shaft 126 has a portion where the distance between the axis and the surface of the tip portion 126a in the direction perpendicular to the axis is large and a portion where the distance is small. For example, the cross section of the tip 126a of the output shaft 126 in the direction perpendicular to the axis has a polygonal shape. Thereby, the rice transfer blade 148 can be rotated by the rotation of the metering blade 121 in the supply direction.

By concentrically connecting the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 in series in this way, the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 can be driven by one drive motor 123. Therefore, the drive motor 123 is shared, the configuration is simplified, and the rice cooker 1 can be made smaller.

A bearing 149 is attached to the other end of the rice transfer blade 148, and the bearing 149 is placed in contact with a bearing portion 100b provided on the front inner wall 100a of the rice container 100 (see FIG. 26). The rice transfer blade 148 rotates when the metering blade 121 is rotated in the supply direction by the drive motor 123, and transfers the rice in the rice container 100 to the metering blade 121 (in the −Y direction). The rice transfer blade 148 allows the rice in the front of the rice container 100 to be transferred to the measuring blade 121 without providing a slope on the bottom of the rice container 100 so that the rice can slide down to the measuring blade 121 in the rear. Therefore, the capacity of the rice container 100 can be increased and rice can be prevented from remaining in the rice container 100.

The rice transfer blade 148 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, for example, so that rice can be prevented from being caught between the rice transfer blade 148 and the inner wall of the rice container 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in the rice transfer operation and failures in the drive motor 123 due to rice being caught in the rice.

The metering blade 121 can transfer rice in the axial direction (+Y direction) by rotating in the supply direction about the shaft. At the time of rice feeding shown in FIG. 13, the rice feeding path cover 130 is displaced rearward, and the surface in the -Y direction is in contact with the seat surface 121a of the metering blade 121. Along with this, the packing 131 is also displaced rearward. Thereby, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 13, the path for rice from the metering blade 121 to the rice feeding path entrance 129 is opened. Therefore, the rice transferred by the metering blade 121 is supplied to the rice feeding path 111 via the rice feeding path entrance 129.

In this way, the measuring blade 121 can measure rice while moving it horizontally (while pushing it). One possible method for weighing rice is to drop the rice from a rice container using the action of gravity and weigh it, for example, based on time. However, this method requires a space for measuring in the height (vertical) direction, which causes the problem that the entire rice cooker becomes larger. For example, if a space for such measurements is provided in the lid above the pot, the lid will become larger and heavier, and the opening and closing mechanism of the lid will have to be complicated. However, this leads to further increase in the size of the rice cooker. The rice cooker 1 according to the present embodiment can measure the rice while moving it horizontally using the measuring blade 121, so there is no need to provide a space above the pot for measuring. Therefore, the rice container 100 can be provided inside the housing 3, and the rice cooker 1 can be downsized. Note that in this embodiment, the rice is moved in the horizontal direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to move the rice diagonally using the metering blade 121.

In the attached state where the rice transfer blade 148 is attached to the output shaft 126 (the state shown in FIGS. 12 to 14), the rice transfer blade 148 is in contact with the bearing portion 100b of the rice container 100 via the bearing 149. The axial dimensions of the rice transfer vane 148, bearing 149, and output shaft 126 are configured such that in the installed state, the rice transfer vane 148 forces the output shaft 126 against the input shaft 124. Accordingly, in the connected state, the meshing portion 125 of the input shaft 124 meshes with the meshing portion 127 of the output shaft 126, and the power of the drive motor 123 is transmitted to the input shaft 124 via the output shaft 126. In the attached state in which the rice transfer blade 148 is attached to the output shaft 126 in this manner, the clutch mechanism 128 is in a connected state in which power can be transmitted.

When the rice transfer blade 148 is attached to the output shaft 126, the spring 133 is elastically deformed and biases the output shaft 126 in the +Y direction relative to the rice transfer blade 148 with the fixed base 132 as a reference. There is. The output shaft 126 is biased in the +Y direction, but since the tip of the rice transfer blade 148 connected to the output shaft 126 is fixed to the bearing portion 100b of the rice container 100 via a bearing 149, the output shaft 126 is biased in the +Y direction. Do not slide. Therefore, the connected state of clutch mechanism 128 is maintained.

The rice measuring section 120 has a rotation speed sensor 141 that detects the rotation speed of the measuring blade 121. The rotation speed sensor 141 is an example of the "rotation speed detection section" of the present disclosure. The amount of rice supplied from the metering blade 121 to the rice feeding path 111 via the rice feeding path entrance 129 can be calculated if the rotation speed of the metering blade 121 can be detected. For example, the amount of rice supplied to the rice feeding path 111 when the metering blade 121 rotates once is fixed. Therefore, by detecting the rotation speed of the measuring blade 121 using the rotation speed sensor 141, a desired amount of rice can be transferred from the rice container 100 to the pot 2 with high accuracy. Moreover, by covering the outer periphery of the measuring blade 121 with the guide portion 122 as described above, the amount of rice transferred as the measuring blade 121 rotates is stabilized, and measurement accuracy is improved.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rotation speed sensor 141, which is an example of a rotation speed detection section, is attached to the metering blade 121, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, rotation speed sensor 141 may be attached to output shaft 126, input shaft 124, or drive motor 123. Alternatively, a stepping motor may be used as the drive motor 123, and the control unit 20 may measure the number of rotations of the drive motor 123, that is, the number of rotations of the metering blade 121, by measuring the number of rotation pulses of the stepping motor. . Further, for example, the control unit 20 may calculate the amount of rice transferred as the metering blade 121 rotates by measuring the rotation time instead of the rotation speed.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the state of the rice measuring section 120 when rice is not being sent. After the rice feeding in the state shown in FIG. 13 is completed, the drive motor 123 rotates in the rice discharging direction, which is opposite to the feeding direction, and the metering blade 121 also rotates in the rice discharging direction. Thereby, the measuring blade 121 discharges the rice on the measuring blade 121 into the rice container 100 after rice feeding is completed. Unlike this, if rice remains on the measuring blade 121 even after rice feeding is completed, there is a problem in that measurement errors due to the remaining rice occur during the next rice feeding, but the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present disclosure 1 solves this problem and allows rice to be weighed with high precision.

When the drive motor 123 rotates the metering blade 121 in the rice discharging direction as described above, the rice feeding path cover 130 rotates relative to the metering blade 121 and is displaced forward (+Y direction). As a result, the rice feeding path cover 130 and the packing 131 close the path of rice from the metering blade 121 to the rice feeding path entrance 129. Thereby, foreign objects and pests can be prevented from passing through the rice feeding path entrance 129. For example, pests in the rice container 100 can be prevented from reaching the pot 2 through the rice feeding path entrance 129 and the rice feeding path 111. It is also possible to prevent hot air from the pot 2 from entering the rice container 100 and from escaping the cold air from the rice container 100 through the rice feeding path entrance 129 and the rice feeding path 111.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the rice measuring unit 120 in a non-attached state with the rice transfer blade 148 removed from the output shaft 126. The rice transfer blade 148 is detachably connected to the metering blade 121. Specifically, the rice transfer blade 148 is detachably connected to the output shaft 126. Thereby, the removed rice transfer blade 148 can be washed. Further, the inside of the rice container 100 can be cleaned with the rice transfer blade 148 removed. Since the rice transfer blade 148 is detachable in this way, the ease of cleaning is improved and the rice cooker 1 can be kept sanitary.

Compared to FIG. 14, in FIG. 15, the output shaft 126 has moved forward with respect to the input shaft 124, thereby disengaging the meshing portion 125 of the input shaft 124 and the meshing portion 127 of the output shaft 126. . In this manner, when the rice transfer blade 148 is removed from the output shaft 126, the clutch mechanism 128 is in a disconnected state in which no power is transmitted.

When the rice transfer blade 148 is pulled forward from the attached state shown in FIG. 14, the output shaft 126 also moves forward together with the rice transfer blade 148. When the rice transfer blade 148 is further pulled forward, the output shaft 126 comes into contact with the metering blade 121 in the Y direction, and the output shaft 126 cannot move forward any further. When the rice transfer blade 148 is further pulled forward, the fitting between the recess 148a of the rice transfer blade 148 and the tip end 126a of the output shaft 126 is released, and the rice transfer blade 148 can be removed from the output shaft 126. In this manner, the rice transfer vane 148 is in the unattached condition, removed from the output shaft 126 of FIG. 15, and the clutch mechanism 128 is in the disconnected condition of FIG.

In the unattached state where the rice transfer blade 148 is removed from the output shaft 126 in FIG. Output shaft 126 moves rearward. As a result, the rice transfer blade 148 is in the attached state attached to the output shaft 126, and the clutch mechanism 128 is in the connected state as shown in FIG.

If the clutch mechanism 128 is in the connected state even though the rice transfer blade 148 is removed from the output shaft 126 and is in the unattached state, the rice will be weighed even though there is no rice on the metering blade 121. Therefore, a situation may arise where measurement with low accuracy is performed. In this embodiment, since the clutch mechanism 128 is in the disconnected state when the metering blade 121 is removed from the output shaft 126 and is not attached, the metering blade 121 does not rotate, and therefore, the rice measurement that is performed according to the rotation is not performed. . Therefore, in the non-attached state, the measurement of rice and the transfer of rice to the pot 2 are not executed, and the above-mentioned situation can be prevented.

The rice measuring unit 120 may further include a rice transfer blade detection unit that detects whether the rice transfer blade 148 is attached to the output shaft 126. The rice transfer blade detection unit is, for example, a current detection device that detects the amount of current flowing through the drive motor 123. When the rice transfer blade 148 is not attached to the output shaft 126, only the input shaft 124 is driven by the drive motor 123, so the load applied to the drive motor 123 is small. Therefore, the amount of current flowing through the drive motor 123 is also small. Therefore, for example, if the amount of current detected by the current detection device is less than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 20 determines that the rice transfer blade 148 is not attached to the output shaft 126. If it is determined that it is not in the attached state, the control unit 20 notifies the user via the output unit 23. Thereby, the user can know that the rice transfer blade 148 is not attached, and can instruct the user to attach the rice transfer blade 148 and start cooking rice again. The output unit 23 includes, for example, a display unit 31 such as a display of the rice cooker 1, and a notification device such as a speaker 32 that outputs audio. The control unit 20 may notify a user terminal such as a smartphone via the communication interface 25 instead of the output unit 23.

[1-2-2. Rice separation device】
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rice feeding path 111 extends from the rice feeding path entrance 129 to the top of the pot 2. The rice feeding section 110 further includes a rice separating device 150 at the most downstream of the rice feeding path 111. The rice feeding section 110 also causes the air in the rice feeding path 111 to flow through an exhaust pipe 113 that is fluidly connected to the rice feeding path 111 via the rice separating device 150, thereby transferring the rice to the rice feeding path. It further includes a fan 112 for moving rice from an inlet 129 to the pot 2.

The rice separating device 150 is arranged inside the lid 6. Although the present disclosure is not limited thereto, if the rice separating device 150 is placed inside the lid 6, the width of the rice cooker 1 can be prevented from increasing, and the rice cooker 1 can be used when there are objects or walls on the side. It is possible to prevent deterioration of installation properties.

The rice feeding fan 112 is attached, for example, to an end of the exhaust pipe 113 that is different from the pot 2 side, and sucks air from the exhaust pipe 113, the rice separating device 150, and the rice feeding path 111, thereby removing the rice from the rice feeding path 111. This is an intake fan that moves air. As a result, heat generated by the operation of the rice feeding fan 112 and the like does not enter the rice feeding path 111, so that damage caused by heat to the rice during rice feeding can be reduced. Further, by using a configuration in which rice is moved using negative pressure using an intake fan, it is possible to prevent rice from flowing back into the rice container 100.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the rice separating device 150. The rice separating device 150 includes a cylindrical main body 153 whose central axis is an axis parallel to the Y-axis, an intake port 151 that takes in the rice and air moved by the rice feeding fan 112, and an exhaust port 152 that discharges the air. A rice discharge port 154 for discharging rice is provided. The intake port 151 is connected to the rice feeding path 111. The exhaust port 152 is connected to the exhaust pipe 113. In FIG. 16, parts other than the rice separating device 150, such as the rice feeding path 111 and the exhaust pipe 113, are omitted. In FIG. 16, double arrows indicate the direction in which air travels during rice feeding.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the rice separating device 150 taken along the direction XVII-XVII of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the rice separating device 150 taken along the direction XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16. In FIG. 17, double arrows indicate the direction in which air and rice move during rice feeding. The rice separator 150 separates rice and air taken in from the intake port 151 by using the flow force of the air taken in from the intake port 151, discharges the rice only from the rice discharge port 154, and discharges the rice from the exhaust port 152. Excrete only. Rice is not discharged from the exhaust port 152. The rice discharged from the rice discharge port 154 is supplied to the pot 2.

Specifically, the rice separation device 150 separates rice and air using a cyclone configuration. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in the intake port 151, the path of rice and air is perpendicular to the central axis of the main body 153, and the rice and air flow into the cylindrical wall surface of the main body 153 instead of near the central axis. It is configured as follows. In other words, the intake port 151 is configured such that the rice and air flow in along a tangent to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall of the main body 153. The exhaust port 152 is provided at the center of the main body 153 in the cross-sectional view of FIG. The rice discharge port 154 is provided at the bottom of the main body 153.

With this configuration, the rice and air flowing in from the intake port flow into the inner surface of the main body 153 in a swirling manner. As a result, a relatively large centrifugal force is applied to the rice, which has a higher specific gravity than air, so that the rice is pressed against the inner surface of the main body 153. Therefore, the rice travels along the wall surface of the main body 153, reaches the rice discharge port 154, is discharged from the rice discharge port 154, and enters the pot 2. Air is exhausted from the exhaust port 152. Rice does not pass through the exhaust port 152.

There is a filter method using a filter as a means for separating rice and air. However, in the filter method, a filter is installed in the lid 6 of the rice cooker 1, and it is difficult to replace and clean the filter. Therefore, if the filter becomes clogged after long-term use, there is a problem that rice cannot be sent. On the other hand, according to the rice separation device 150 of this embodiment that separates rice and air without using a filter, the filter does not become clogged and rice can be fed stably over a long period of time. Can be done.

[1-2-3. Rice feeding lid opening/closing device]
After the rice has been transferred to the pot 2, the rice discharge port 154 of the rice separating device 150 is closed by the rice transfer lid 201 (see FIG. 18). The rice feeding lid 201 is driven by the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200. The operation of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 is controlled by the control unit 20, for example.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200. The rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 includes a fixed base 202 attached to the lid 6, a packing 203 attached to the fixed base 202, and a rice feeding lid 201 that opens and closes the rice discharging port 154 of the rice separating device 150. The rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 includes a motor 210 for driving the rice feeding lid 201, a spur gear 211, a rotating body 212 having a gear 212a, and a rotating body seat 213 having a rack gear 213a extending in the vertical direction. It further includes a rotation shaft 214 having a gear 214a. The rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 further includes a motor fixing base 204 for fixing the motor 210 and a rotating body seat 205 for directing the rotating body 212. The motor fixing base 204 is arranged inside the lid body 6.

Spur gear 211 is attached to motor 210. The spur gear 211 meshes with the rack gear 213a and moves the rotating body seat 213 up and down. When the rotating body seat 213 moves up and down, the rotating body 212 also moves up and down. The rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 has a link mechanism that converts the vertical movement of the rotating body 212 into a rotational movement around the vertical axis of the rotating body 212.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the rotating body 212. The rotating body 212 has a ring-like shape that is a bottomless cylindrical shape. The rotating body 212 has a spur gear-like gear 212a on a part of its outer periphery, and has a link pin 212b protruding inwardly in the direction of the cylindrical axis on its inner peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 20, the motor fixing base 204 has a link 220, and the fixing base 202 has a link 221. As shown in FIG. 19, during assembly, a gap 222 is formed between the link 220 and the link 221, the gap 222 spiraling around the vertical axis. The link pin 212b of the rotating body 212 is fitted into this gap 222 during assembly. The link pin 212b of the rotating body 212 can slide in the gap 222 along the direction in which the gap 222 extends spirally.

As shown in FIG. 19, the gear 212a of the rotating body 212 meshes with the gear 214a of the rotating shaft 214. The rice feeding lid 201 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 214.

Next, the operation of the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 will be explained. FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 in a closed state in which the rice discharging port 154 of the rice separating device 150 is closed by the rice feeding lid 201. FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 in an open state with the rice discharging port 154 open.

When the motor 210 is operated in the opening direction in the closed state of FIG. 22, the spur gear 211 rotates in the opening direction. As a result, the rack gear 213a meshed with the spur gear 211 moves downward, and the rotating body seat 213 moves downward. As the rotating body seat 213 moves, the rotating body 212 moves downward, and the link pin 212b of the rotating body 212 slides through the spiral gap 222 between the links 220 and 221, and the rotating body 212 moves downward. Rotate. Since the gear 212a of the rotating body 212 and the gear 214a of the rotating shaft 214 mesh with each other, when the rotating body 212 rotates, the rotating shaft 214 rotates. When the rotation shaft 214 rotates, the rice feeding lid 201 attached to the tip of the rotation shaft 214 also rotates around the rotation shaft 214.

In this way, the rice feeding lid 201 moves downward as the rotating body seat 213 moves downward, and rotates as the rotating shaft 214 rotates. As a result, the rice discharge port 154 is opened to be in the open state shown in FIG. 23. The movement from the open state in FIG. 23 to the closed state in FIG. 22 can be achieved by rotating the motor 210 in the closing direction, which is opposite to the opening direction.

After the rice feeding is completed, for example during rice cooking, the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 closes the rice discharge port 154 of the rice separating device 150 with the rice feeding lid 201 to be in a closed state. This can prevent steam from leaking from the rice discharge port 154. Therefore, it is possible to prevent steam from entering the rice container 100 via the rice feeding path 111 and causing spoilage of the rice, and from reducing the pressure inside the pot 2 during rice cooking.

Further, when transferring rice to the pot 2, the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 moves the rice feeding lid 201 as shown in FIG. 23 to open the rice discharging port 154 of the rice separating device 150. This allows rice to enter the pot 2 through the rice discharge port 154. If the rice feeding lid 201 is simply moved downward during rice feeding, there is a risk that rice may get on the top surface of the rice feeding lid 201. If rice is on the top surface of the rice feeding lid 201, the rice will get between the rice feeding lid 201 and the packing 203, making it impossible to close the rice feeding lid 201 and causing steam leakage. Therefore, the rice feeding lid opening/closing device 200 of this embodiment not only moves the rice feeding lid 201 downward when moving from the closed state to the open state, but also rotates the rice feeding lid 201 around the rotation shaft 214 as described above. Remove the rice feeding lid 201 from the rice path. This can prevent rice from getting on the top surface of the rice feeding lid 201. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rice from entering between the rice feeding lid 201 and the packing 203 when the rice feeding lid 201 is closed, thereby preventing steam leakage.

[1-2-4. Rice storage amount sensor]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker 1 further includes a rice storage amount sensor 230 that detects the amount of rice stored in the rice container 100. For example, the rice storage amount sensor 230 detects whether there is rice in the rice container 100 to a predetermined height. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the rice storage amount sensor 230 is a capacitive sensor such as an electrostatic touch sensor attached to the outer surface of the rice container 100. The rice storage amount sensor 230 may include a plurality of sensors arranged in the vertical direction. In this case, each of the plurality of sensors detects whether or not there is rice in the horizontal direction thereof. In this case, the amount of rice in the rice container 100 can be measured more accurately than when there is only one sensor.

The rice storage amount sensor 230 is not limited to the above-mentioned capacitance type sensor, and may be, for example, a weight sensor, a mechanical switch type sensor provided in the rice container 100, an infrared sensor, or the like. However, the capacitive sensor can be attached to the outer surface of the rice container 100, and the sensor will not fall into the rice container 100. Further, when an infrared sensor is used, the detection accuracy is deteriorated due to rice flour, etc., but when a capacitive sensor is used, the detection accuracy is not deteriorated due to rice flour, etc. Therefore, by using a capacitive sensor, the amount of stored rice can be detected stably and accurately.

[1-3. Water supply section]
As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply section 310 includes a water supply channel 311 for transferring water from the water container 300 to the pot 2, a water supply pump 312 for moving water, and a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water container 300. 313. The water pump 312 is an example of a "water supply device" of the present disclosure. The water pump 312 is, for example, a gear pump, a tubing pump, or the like that can control the direction of water supply. By using the water pump 312, water can be fed with a simple configuration. Further, by using the water supply pump 312, the degree of freedom in designing the water supply channel 311 increases.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view showing a section parallel to the YZ plane passing through the outlet 303 (see FIG. 9) of the water container 300. In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 24, parts other than the periphery of the outlet 303 of the water container 300 are omitted. FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the water level sensor 313.

The upstream side of the water supply channel 311 is connected to a water supply channel inlet 315 . A valve plunger 307 protruding forward is provided at the water supply channel inlet 315. A ball valve 305 is provided at the outlet 303 of the water container 300. The ball valve 305 is biased by a spring 306 to block the outlet 303 of the water container 300 when the water container 300 is removed from the water container housing 301 . This prevents water from leaking from the water container 300. On the other hand, when the water container 300 is set in the water container storage section 301, the valve plunger 307 pushes and moves the ball valve 305 forward, so that the outlet 303 of the water container 300 is opened. Thereby, the outlet 303 of the water container 300 and the water supply channel inlet 315 are fluidly communicated, and the water in the water container 300 can flow into the water supply channel 311. The ball valve 305 is an example of the "on-off valve" of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the water level sensor 313 is attached above the water supply channel entrance 315 via a packing 314. The water level sensor 313 is, for example, a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside the water supply channel 311. Such a water level sensor 313 detects, for example, a pressure corresponding to a difference between the water level in the water supply channel 311 and the water level in the water container 300.

The water level sensor of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned pressure sensor, and may be, for example, a capacitance type sensor, an ultrasonic type sensor, a radio wave type sensor, or the like.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration around the water container storage section 301. FIG. 26 also shows the configuration of the Peltier unit 400, rice measuring section 120, rice transfer blade 148, etc. described above.

[1-4. Control section]
The rice cooker 1 is an automatic rice cooker that automatically transfers rice and water to a pot 2 to cook rice under the control of a control unit 20. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of such a rice cooker 1. The rice cooker 1 includes a control section 20, a storage section 21, an input section 22, an output section 23, and a communication interface (I/F) 25.

The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the rice cooker 1. The storage unit 21 is a recording medium that records various information including programs and data necessary to realize the functions of the rice cooker 1.

The control unit 20 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the control unit 20 may be a processor that implements predetermined functions in cooperation with software. If a processor is used as the control unit 20, the control unit 20 can execute various processes by reading a program from the storage unit 21 storing the program and executing the program. Since the processing content can be changed by changing the program stored in the storage unit 21, the degree of freedom in changing the control content can be increased. The processor includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). Further, wired logic whose program cannot be rewritten may be used as the control unit 20. Using wired logic as the control unit 20 is effective in improving processing speed. Examples of the wired logic include ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the control unit 20 may be realized by combining a processor and wired logic. If the control unit 20 is realized by combining a processor and wired logic, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in software design and improve processing speed. Further, the control section 20 and a circuit having a function different from that of the control section 20 may be configured with one semiconductor element. Examples of circuits having other functions include an A/D/D/A conversion circuit. Furthermore, the control section 20 may be configured with one semiconductor element or may be configured with a plurality of semiconductor elements. When configured with a plurality of semiconductor elements, each control described in the claims may be realized with different semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may be configured to include a semiconductor element and passive components such as a resistor or a capacitor.

The storage unit 21 is realized by, for example, a flash memory, a semiconductor memory device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or another storage device alone or by appropriately combining them. The storage unit 21 may include a volatile memory such as SRAM or DRAM that can operate at high speed and temporarily stores various information.

The communication interface 25 may be any interface as long as it enables communication between the rice cooker 1 and an external device. Communication interface 25 can be implemented in various ways. For example, the communication interface 25 may be connected to an external device by wire, or may be connected to an external device wirelessly. The communication interface 25 that connects the device of the present disclosure and an external device by wire is effective in terms of communication security and communication stability. Examples of the wired communication interface 25 include a wired LAN based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard or a wired connection using an optical fiber cable. Examples of the communication interface 25 for wireless connection include a wireless connection with an external device via a base station or the like, or a direct wireless connection with an external device. Wireless connections with external devices via base stations etc. include, for example, IEEE802.11 compatible wireless LAN that wirelessly communicates with WiFi (registered trademark) routers, 3rd generation mobile communication systems (commonly known as 3G), Examples include a 4th generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 4G), a 5th generation mobile communication system (commonly known as 5G), WiMax (registered trademark) compatible with IEEE 802.16, and LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). By using the communication interface 25 that directly wirelessly connects the device of the present disclosure and an external device, it is effective to improve the security of communication, and even in places where there is no relay device such as a WiFi (registered trademark) router, The device of the present disclosure can communicate with external devices. Examples of the communication interface 25 for directly wirelessly connecting the device of the present disclosure and an external device include communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), communication using NFC (Near Field Communication) via a loop antenna, or infrared communication. There is.

The input unit 22 is an input interface that receives signals from the rice cooker 1 or an external device. The input section 22 includes, for example, the boiling detection section 16 described above, a pressure sensor 17 that detects the pressure inside the pot 2, a rotation speed sensor 141 that detects the rotation speed of the metering blade 121, and a stored rice amount sensor 230. It includes a water level sensor 313, a temperature sensor 405 that detects the temperature of the heat sink 403, and a temperature sensor 410 that detects the temperature of the heat sink 409. The input unit 22 may include buttons for accepting input from the user, and a user interface (UI) 40 such as a touch panel. For example, the user operates the user interface 40 to set the amount of rice to be cooked, the cooking method, the time when the rice is cooked, and the like.

The user interface 40 is used by the user to input information to the rice cooker 1. Various embodiments of the user interface 40 are possible. For example, the user interface 40 may be configured with mechanical operation members. Further, the user interface 40 may be configured with a transparent plate-like operating member installed above the display. Such a transparent plate-like operating member may be of a contact type or a non-contact type. Alternatively, the user interface 40 may be created by photographing the user's actions using a camera and having the rice cooker 1 recognize the actions. Further, the rice cooker 1 may be used as the user interface 40 by receiving the sound emitted by the user. An example of such a configuration is a smart speaker.

Various embodiments can be considered regarding where the user interface 40 is provided. The user interface 40 may be provided in the rice cooker 1 or may be provided separately from the rice cooker 1. When the user interface 40 is provided separately from the rice cooker 1, communication between the user interface 40 and the rice cooker 1 is enabled by wire or wirelessly. In this case, the user interface 40 and the rice cooker 1 may be able to communicate directly, or may be able to communicate indirectly through the Internet or an access point. In addition, when communicating wirelessly, it may be possible to communicate using a mobile communication method, or it may be possible to communicate based on other standards. Furthermore, when communicating wirelessly, remote radio or close proximity radio may be used.

The control section 20 controls the operation of the output section 23. The output unit 23 includes, for example, the heating unit 8 described above, a switching transistor for supplying power to the heating unit 8, a pressure valve 15, a display unit 31, a speaker 32, a rice feeding fan 112, and a water pump. 312, a Peltier element 401, and a cooling fan 407.

[2. motion]
FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The rice cooker 1 is an automatic rice cooker that dispenses rice in the rice container 100 and water in the water container 300 in response to a rice cooking instruction input from the user received via the user interface 40 or the communication interface 25. and is moved to the pot 2, and the heating section 8 is operated to cook rice. Specifically, the operations performed by the rice cooker 1 include a step S1 of accepting the rice cooking instruction as described above, a rice feeding step S2, a water feeding step S3, a pre-cooking step S4, a cooking step S5, and a stirring step S6. , a boiling maintenance step S7, and a steaming step S8. Further, in parallel with these steps, the rice cooker 1 executes a rice storage amount detection step S9 according to the detection result of the rice storage amount sensor 230. Hereinafter, each step of the operation of the rice cooker 1 will be explained in detail.

[2-1. Rice storage amount detection process]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of the rice storage amount detection step S9 in FIG. 28. The rice storage amount detection step S9 is periodically executed by the control unit 20. Alternatively, the rice storage amount detection step S9 may be executed when the rice storage amount sensor 230 detects that the rice storage amount M in the rice container 100 is less than or equal to a predetermined amount M0.

First, the control unit 20 acquires a detection result as to whether the rice storage amount M in the rice container 100 is greater than a predetermined amount M0 from the rice storage amount sensor 230 (S91). If it is determined that the stored rice amount M is less than or equal to the predetermined amount M0 (No in step S92), and if the stored rice amount M has not been reset in step S24 (described later) (No in step S93), The control unit 20 sets the stored rice amount M to M0 and stores it in the storage unit 21 (S94).

If the rice storage amount M is greater than the predetermined amount M0 (Yes in step S92), the control unit 20 ends the rice storage amount detection step S9. If it is determined in step S93 that the rice storage amount M has been reset, the rice storage amount detection step S9 ends. Note that the order of steps S92 and S93 may be reversed.

[2-2. Rice sending process]
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of the rice feeding process S2 in FIG. 28. The control unit 20 determines the amount m of rice required for rice cooking in accordance with the rice cooking instruction (step S1 in FIG. 28) (S21). The amount of cooked rice is specified, for example, by the user specifying the volume of rice (total, ml, ^cm3 , etc.), the weight of rice (g), the number of servings, etc. For example, the user inputs the amount of cooked rice using the UI 40, such as a button provided on the top of the lid 6 or the rice container lid 104. Alternatively, the user may operate a terminal such as a smartphone and transmit the amount of cooked rice to the control unit 20 of the rice cooker 1 via the communication interface 25.

Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the stored rice amount M is greater than a predetermined amount M0 (S22). Since this step S22 is substantially the same as step S92 in FIG. 29, the control unit 20 may actually use the result of step S92 in step S22.

In step S22, if it is determined that the rice storage amount M is less than or equal to the predetermined amount M0 (No in step S22), the control unit 20 determines that the rice storage amount M is the required amount of rice determined in step S21. It is determined whether the number is less than m (S23).

If it is determined that the rice storage amount M is greater than or equal to the required rice amount m (No in step S23), the control unit 20 resets the rice storage amount M (S24). Specifically, the control unit 20 updates the rice storage amount M to M−m, and stores the updated result in the storage unit 21. Thereby, the control unit 20 can always grasp the stored rice amount M.

Furthermore, when the rice storage amount sensor 230 includes a plurality of sensors arranged in the vertical direction, the control unit 20 may reset the rice storage amount M using the detection results of each sensor. For example, the rice storage amount sensor 230 includes k sensors arranged in the vertical direction, and each sensor indicates that the rice storage amount M in the rice container 100 is greater than a predetermined amount (M1, M2, ..., Mk). Detect whether or not. Here, it is assumed that M1>M2>...>Mk. When the control unit 20 determines that the rice storage amount M is less than or equal to M1, and when it determines that the rice storage amount M is greater than or equal to the required rice amount m, it updates the rice storage amount M to M1-m. However, if it is detected that the rice storage amount M is less than or equal to M2, the control unit 20 gives priority to this result and updates the rice storage amount M to M2-m. The same applies to the detection results of other sensors that detect whether or not the stored rice amount M in the rice container 100 is greater than a predetermined amount (M3, M4, . . . , Mk). Note that the control unit 20 may be able to calculate the stored rice amount M with higher accuracy. For example, in the process of weighing rice in step S26 of FIG. 30, the control unit 20 may detect the amount m1 of rice sent when the stored rice amount sensor 230 reaches Mk. Thereby, the control unit 20 can calculate the amount of rice to be further sent from the time when the stored rice amount sensor 230 reaches Mk as m−m1. The control unit 20 can then calculate that the amount of stored rice in the rice container 100 will be Mk-(m-m1). The control unit 20 stores the stored rice amount M as Mk-(m-m1), and can use this value the next time a rice cooking instruction is input.

Next, the control unit 20 starts the rice feeding fan 112 (S25), and executes the rice feeding amount measuring process by the rice measuring unit 120 (S26). Details of step S26 will be described later. When the rice feeding is completed, the control unit 20 stops the rice feeding fan 112 (S27).

If it is determined in step S23 that the stored rice amount M is less than the required amount m of rice (Yes in step S23), the control unit 20 notifies the user via the output unit 23 (step S28). For example, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 31 to display that the amount of rice is insufficient, or causes the speaker 32 to output that the amount of rice is insufficient or to output a warning sound. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may notify a user terminal such as a smartphone via the communication interface 25. When the notification is given, rice cooking by the rice cooker 1 is not executed. The user can know from the notification that the amount of rice is insufficient, and can replenish the rice and instruct the rice to be cooked again.

If it is determined in step S22 that the stored rice amount M is greater than the predetermined amount M0 (Yes in step S22), the process proceeds to step S25.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the flow of rice feeding amount measurement processing step S26 in FIG. First, the control unit 20 determines the required rotation speed N of the metering blade 121 necessary to transfer the amount of rice specified in the rice cooking instruction (S1 in FIG. 28) (S261).

Next, the control unit 20 drives the drive motor 123 to rotate the metering blade 121 in the supply direction (S262). When the rotation starts, the control unit 20 acquires the rotation speed n of the metering blade 121 detected by the rotation speed sensor 141 (S263). The rotational speed n is the rotational speed of the metering blade 121 from the start of rotation. Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the rotation speed n is larger than the required rotation speed N determined in step S261 (S264). If the rotation speed n is less than or equal to the required rotation speed N determined in step S261 (No in step S264), the control unit 20 executes step S262 and step S263 again. If the rotation speed n is larger than the required rotation speed N determined in step S261 (Yes in step S264), the process advances to step S265. In this way, the control unit 20 drives the drive motor 123 until the rotation speed n of the metering blade 121 reaches the required rotation speed N.

In step S265, the control unit 20 rotates the drive motor 123 in the rice discharging direction, which is opposite to the supply direction, and rotates the metering blade 121 in the rice discharging direction. Thereby, the measuring blade 121 discharges the rice on the measuring blade 121 into the rice container 100 after rice feeding is completed.

[2-3. Water conveyance process]
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of the water supply step S3 in FIG. 28. First, the control unit 20 determines the amount w of water required for cooking rice based on the amount of rice included in the rice cooking instruction from the user (step S4) (S31).

Next, the control unit 20 acquires the detection result of the water level in the water container 300 by the water level sensor 313 (S32), and determines the amount of water W0 in the water container 300 based on the detection result (S33). Next, the control unit 20 determines whether the amount W0 of water in the water container 300 is less than the required amount w determined in step S31 (S34).

If it is determined that the amount W0 of water in the water container 300 is equal to or greater than the required amount w determined in step S31 (No in S34), the control unit 20 controls the water supply pump necessary to supply the required amount w of water. 312 is calculated (S35). Next, the control unit 20 operates the water pump 312 for the drive time T calculated in step S35 (S36). As a result, the specified amount of water is moved from the water container 300 to the pot 2.

As a means for detecting the amount of water to be transferred from the water container 300 to the pot 2, in addition to the above-mentioned means, a means for measuring the flow rate of water flowing out from the water container 300 can be considered. In this case, for example, a flow sensor that measures the flow rate of water is used. However, there are many variations in the measurement results of the flow rate sensor, and there is a problem that the amount of water poured into the pot 2 cannot be accurately measured. In contrast, the rice cooker 1 according to the present disclosure detects the water level in the water container 300 using the water level sensor 313. By using the water level sensor 313 that detects a static water level, compared to a flow rate sensor that measures a dynamic water flow rate, a specified amount of water can be detected with high accuracy and poured into the pot 2. can. Further, by using a highly accurate and inexpensive pressure sensor as the water level sensor 313, the manufacturing cost of the rice cooker 1 can be reduced.

Next, the control unit 20 controls the water supply unit 310 to move the water in the water supply channel 311 into the water container 300 (S37). For example, the control unit 20 drives the water pump 312 to cause the water in the water channel 311 to flow in a direction opposite to the water feeding direction in step S26. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the water remaining in the water supply channel 311 from rotting and the proliferation of various bacteria within the water supply channel 311.

If it is determined in step S34 that the amount W0 of water in the water container 300 is less than the required amount w determined in step S31 (Yes in S34), the control unit 20 notifies the user via the output unit 23. (Step S38). For example, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 31 to display that the amount of water is insufficient, or causes the speaker 32 to output that the amount of water is insufficient or to output a warning sound. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may notify a user terminal such as a smartphone via the communication interface 25. When the notification is given, rice cooking by the rice cooker 1 is not executed. The user can know from the notification that the amount of water is insufficient, and can instruct the user to replenish the water and cook the rice again.

[2-4. Rice cooking operation]
When the above-mentioned water supply step S3 is completed, rice and water are set in the pot 2. After this, a rice cooking operation including a pre-cooking process S4, a cooking process S5, a stirring process S6, a boiling maintenance process S7, and a steaming process S8 is performed.

The pre-cooking step S4 is a step in which heating is performed by the heating unit 8, but the temperature inside the pot 2 is kept below the gelatinization temperature (for example, 55 degrees), and the rice is made to absorb water. The cooking step S5 is a step of further heating the pot 2 to bring it to a boiling state.

The rice cooker 1 is an automatic loading type rice cooker, and automatically moves the rice in the rice container 100 and the water in the water container 300 to the pot 2. Because there is no human intervention to flatten or stir the rice before cooking, the rice may pile up in the pot 2 after being added, and not all of the rice may be soaked in water. For this reason, there is a problem that uneven cooking occurs between the rice that has been soaked in water and the rice that has not been soaked, and the taste of the rice after cooking is impaired. In other words, the problem is that the water in the higher parts of the rice runs out first, making the rice hard, while the lower parts of the rice become softer because they are soaked in water for a long time.

Furthermore, when cooking unwashed rice, starch adhering to the unrinsed rice settles and adheres to the bottom of the pot, preventing heat transfer from the pot 2 to the food such as rice. This problem can be solved by lightly washing the unwashed rice once, but the automatic rice cooker 1 cannot perform the rice washing operation.

In order to solve these problems, it is desirable to stir the rice and water in the pot at an early stage of rice cooking. One means for solving these problems is to stir the inside of the pot with a stirring member such as a blade during the pre-cooking step S4 or immediately after the food in the pot boils. However, in this case, it is necessary to set the stirring member in the pot, which complicates the structure of the rice cooker and requires maintenance of the stirring member, making handling complicated.

Therefore, the rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above problem by performing stirring by controlling the pressure inside the pot 2 to generate bumping in the stirring step S6.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of the stirring step S6 in FIG. 28. First, the control unit 20 obtains a detection result as to whether the boiling detection unit 16 has detected boiling (S61). For example, the boiling detection unit 16 detects boiling when the temperature of the steam exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the boiling detection section 16 may measure the temperature of steam generated from the pot 2, and the control section 20 may determine whether the heated object in the pot 2 has boiled.

When boiling is detected (Yes in step S61), the control unit 20 closes the pressure valve 15 and shuts off the inside of the pot 2 from the outside space (S62). As a result, the pressure inside the pot 2 increases. Next, the control unit 20 acquires the detection result of the pressure P in the pot 2 from the pressure sensor 17, and if the detected pressure P is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold Pth (Yes in step S63), the control unit 20 controls the pressure valve 15 (S64). As a result, the pressure inside the pot 2 suddenly drops to near atmospheric pressure, bumping occurs, and the rice grains are stirred by the bubbles generated.

The threshold value Pth is, for example, 5 kPa to 30 kPa. It is known that when the gauge pressure inside the pot 2 is 20 kPa, the temperature inside the pot 2 corresponds to about 105°C. It is known that if the pressure inside the pot 2 is 5 kPa or more, stirring of the food in the pot 2 is possible. Furthermore, it is known that when the pressure inside the pot 2 exceeds 30 kPa, there are problems such as it becomes difficult to prevent boiling over and the surface of the rice becomes sticky. These problems can be avoided by setting the threshold value Pth between 5 kPa and 30 kPa.

FIG. 34 shows the time (minutes) and the temperature in the pot 2 (℃ ) is a graph schematically showing the relationship between FIG. 35 is a schematic enlarged view of region R in FIG. 34, and is a graph showing the difference in temperature (pressure) change depending on the amount of rice cooked.

In this embodiment, the pressure valve 15 is opened when the detected pressure or temperature exceeds the threshold value as described above, so regardless of the amount of rice cooked, the temperature inside the pot 2 reaches 105°C (or the pressure Immediately after the pressure reaches 20 kPa), the pressure decreases and bumping occurs. In the example shown in FIG. 35, the time from boiling detection (S61) to opening the pressure valve 15 (S64) is T1 (minutes) when the amount of rice is small, and T3 when the amount of rice is the maximum. (minutes), and if the amount of rice is intermediate between these, it is T2 (minutes). Here, T1<T2<T3.

In addition, there is also a conventional technique in which a bumping phenomenon is generated by opening a pressure valve during the boiling maintenance process, thereby stirring the cooked rice in the pot (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-344568). However, in the prior art, as shown in the comparative example in FIG. 36, the time from detection of boiling to opening of the pressure valve is a constant value (T0) regardless of the amount of rice cooked. This constant value T0 is set so that bumping can occur even if the maximum amount of rice is put into the pot. Therefore, when cooking a small amount of rice, for example, the pressure valve may not open until the time T0 has elapsed, even though a long time has passed since the rice boiled. In the conventional technology, the problem of rice clumping up in an automatic rice cooker 1 like the embodiment of the present disclosure and the problem of starch adhering to unrinsed rice settling and adhering to the bottom of the pot are less likely to occur. Therefore, the fact that the pressure valve was not opened and bumping did not occur until a long time T0 had elapsed did not pose a problem. However, in the automatic rice cooker 1 such as the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is desirable to perform an operation of stirring the rice and water in the pot at an early stage of rice cooking. Therefore, in this embodiment, especially when the amount of rice is small, the rice that has formed into a mountain is stirred and broken up at an early stage of rice cooking to quickly eliminate the situation where the rice is not completely submerged in water. A configuration like this is adopted.

The operation of the rice cooker 1 shown in FIG. 28 may include a stirring step S6a shown in FIG. 37 instead of the stirring step S6 in FIG. 33. In comparison with the stirring step S6 in FIG. 33, the stirring step S6a in FIG. 37 includes step S63a instead of step S63 in which it is determined whether the detected pressure P is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value Pth. That is, if a predetermined time has elapsed since closing the pressure valve 15 (Yes in step S63a), the control unit 20 opens the pressure valve 15 (S64). As a result, the pressure inside the pot 2 suddenly drops to near atmospheric pressure, bumping occurs, and the rice grains are stirred by the bubbles generated.

The predetermined time is set according to the amount of rice to be cooked, for example, T1a (minutes) when the amount of rice is small, T3a (minutes) when the amount of rice is the maximum, and T3a (minutes) when the amount of rice is in between these. In some cases it is T2a (minutes). Here, T1a<T2a<T3a. In this way, the time from closing to opening the pressure valve 15 is set to be shorter as the amount of cooked rice is smaller.

FIG. 38 is a graph showing the difference in temperature (pressure) change depending on the amount of rice cooked in the stirring step S6a. FIG. 38 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion corresponding to region R in FIG. 34. As can be seen by comparing with FIG. 35, the control unit 20 opens the pressure valve 15 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure valve 15 was closed. As mentioned above, the predetermined time is set according to the amount of rice to be cooked, for example, T1a (minutes) if the rice is a small amount, T3a (minutes) if the rice is the maximum amount, and T3a (minutes) if the rice is the maximum amount. If the amount is intermediate between these amounts, it is T2a (minutes).

[3. Effects, etc.]
[3-1. Effects related to overall structure, etc.]
As described above, the rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the bottomed cylindrical pot 2, the housing 3 that houses the pot 2, the upper frame 4, the hinge part 5, and the lid body 6. , a rice container 100 for storing rice, and a rice feeding section 110. The housing 3 is provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the pot 2 with a gap therebetween. The upper frame 4 is provided so as to cover between the upper opening of the housing 3 and the upper opening of the pot 2 in plan view. The hinge portion 5 is arranged above the upper frame 4. The lid body 6 is attached to the hinge part 5 so as to be rotatable about the hinge part 5, and covers the upper opening of the pot 2 so as to be openable and closable. The rice container 100 is provided inside the housing 3. The rice sending unit 110 moves the rice stored in the rice container 100 to the pot 2. The rice container 100 has a rice container opening 101 provided at its top. The rice container opening 101 is arranged at the front facing the hinge part 5 with the pot 2 in between in a plan view.

Thereby, the user can easily put rice from the rice bag into the rice container 100 through the rice container opening 101 provided at the top.

At least a portion of the rice container 100 is configured to extend from below the pot 2 toward the front facing the hinge portion 5 across the pot 2 in plan view.

Thereby, the volume of the rice container 100 can be secured by using the space below the pot 2. Moreover, since the rice container 100 extends toward the front, it is possible to prevent the width of the rice cooker 1 from increasing. Therefore, the size of the rice cooker 1 can be reduced, and the ease of installing the rice cooker 1 can be prevented from deteriorating when there is something on the side. Further, during use, it is assumed that there are walls behind and on the sides of the rice cooker 1, and it is also assumed that there is a top plate of the storage space for the rice cooker 1 above the rice cooker 1. Even in such a case, the user can easily put rice from the rice bag into the rice container 100 because the rice container 100 is in the front.

The rice container 100 may include a rice container opening 101 provided at the top and a rice container lid 104 configured to open and close the rice container opening 101. In this case, the rice container opening 101 may be placed in front of the pot 2. The rice cooker 1 is located at the upper part of the upper frame 4 and projects upward from the rice container opening 101 between the rice container opening 101 and the pot 2 to prevent water from entering the rice container opening 101. A waterproof wall 9 may further be provided.

By providing the waterproof wall 9, dew that adheres to the bottom of the pot 2 and the lid 6 during rice cooking, water vapor generated during rice cooking, etc. can be removed from the rice container 100 through the rice container opening 101 provided at the top. can be prevented from invading. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rice in the rice container 100 from becoming soggy or spoiling.

The rice container lid 104 includes a first rotation shaft 105 arranged to extend from side to side in front of the rice container opening 101, and rotates around the first rotation shaft 105 to open the rice container opening. It may be movable between an open position in which the rice container opening 101 is opened and a closed position in which the rice container opening 101 is closed.

Thereby, the rice container lid 104 does not interfere with the lid body 6 when moving from the closed position to the open position.

In the open position, the rice container lid 104 is rotatable from the closed position until at least a portion of the rice container lid 104 is located in a rest position forward and above the first rotation axis 105, and in the rest position. It may be configured to be stationary.

Thereby, in the open position, the back surface of the rice container lid 104 forms a slope with the downward direction facing the rice container 100, and the rice riding on the slope can be guided into the rice container 100. Therefore, the user can easily put rice from the rice bag into the rice container 100. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent rice from spilling out when the rice is supplied to the rice container 100.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a water container 300 that is provided in the housing 3 and stores water, and a water supply section 310 that moves the water stored in the water container 300 to the pot 2.

Thereby, there is no need to supply water from an external water source such as tap water, and it is possible to prevent the rice cooker from becoming large due to the water supply equipment.

At least a portion of the water container 300 may be configured to extend from below the pot 2 toward the front.

Thereby, the rice container 100 and the water container 300 can be gathered at the front position, and the size of the rice cooker 1 can be realized.

The rice container 100 has an inclined side surface 108 that is inclined so that the width of the rice container 100 gradually decreases downward when viewed from the front, and at least a portion of the water container 300 is located below the inclined side surface 108. may be placed.

Thereby, a wide space can be secured below the inclined side surface 108, and when the water container 300 is placed in this space, the capacity of the water container 300 can be increased.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a cooling device for cooling the water contained in the water container 300. The cooling device may be a Peltier element 401.

Thereby, the water contained in the water container 300 can be cooled. Therefore, the growth of bacteria in the water container 300 and the spoilage of the water can be prevented. Moreover, by cooking rice with cooled water, the taste of the rice after cooking is improved.

The rice cooker 1 includes a heat sink 403 attached to the heat generating surface of the Peltier element 401, a temperature sensor 410 that detects the temperature of the heat sink 403, a cooling fan 407 that blows air toward the heat sink 403, and controls the rotation of the cooling fan 407. The control unit 20 may further include a control unit 20 that performs the following steps. The control unit 20 controls the rotation of the cooling fan 407 so that the temperature of the heat sink 403 detected by the temperature sensor 410 falls within a predetermined temperature range.

Thereby, temperature changes in the Peltier element 401 can be reduced. Therefore, the life of the Peltier element 401 can be extended, and the cooling ability can be exhibited for a long period of time.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a switching transistor for supplying power to the heating unit 8 that heats the pot 2, and a heat sink 11 attached to the switching transistor. The heat sink 11 is placed on the leeward side of the wind supplied by the cooling fan 407 . The heat sink 403 and the heat sink 11 are lined up in the flow direction of the air supplied by the cooling fan 407.

Thereby, the cooling fan 407 can cool not only the heat sink 403 but also the heat sink 11. Therefore, there is no need to further provide a fan for cooling the switching transistor or the substrate 10 equipped with the switching transistor in the rice cooker 1, and miniaturization can be achieved while ensuring the cooling function.

[3-2. Effects related to the composition of the rice sending department]
The rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pot 2, a casing 3 that accommodates the pot 2, and a lid 6 that is attached above the casing 3 and covers the upper opening of the pot 2 in an openable and closable manner. , a rice container 100 provided in a casing 3 for storing rice, and a rice feeding section 110 for moving the rice stored in the rice container 100 to a pot 2. The rice feeding section 110 includes a rice feeding path 111 for transferring rice from a rice container to a pot, and a rice feeding path 111 that pushes rice in, measures the amount of rice pushed in based on the pushing amount, and sends a designated amount of rice. and a rice measuring section 120 that supplies rice to the rice passage 111.

Thereby, it is possible to weigh the rice while moving it horizontally, so there is no need to provide a space for weighing in the height (vertical) direction. If a space for such measurement is provided in the lid above the pot, the lid will be large. If the lid of the rice cooker becomes large and heavy, the opening/closing mechanism for the lid must be complicated, leading to further increase in size of the rice cooker. On the other hand, in this embodiment, where there is no need to provide a space for measuring above the pot, the rice container 100 can be provided inside the housing 3, and the rice cooker 1 can be made smaller.

The rice measuring section 120 may push rice horizontally or diagonally into the rice feeding path 111.

As a result, the method of weighing rice is not limited to one in which rice is dropped downward by gravity. Therefore, the rice measuring section 120 can be placed in various spaces.

The rice measuring part 120 includes a measuring blade 121 spirally formed around a first axis, a guide part 122 having a cylindrical shape and covering the outer periphery of the measuring blade 121, and a measuring blade 121 spirally formed around a first axis. The drive motor 123 may also be provided with a drive motor 123 for rotation. The metering blade 121 rotates in the feeding direction around the first axis to feed the rice in the axial direction along the inner circumferential surface of the guide portion 122 to feed a specified amount of rice to the rice feeding path 111. do.

As a result, the outer periphery of the metering blade 121 is covered by the guide portion 122 . Therefore, the amount of rice transferred as the measuring blade 121 rotates is stabilized, and the measuring accuracy is improved.

The rice measuring section 120 may include a rotation speed sensor 141 that detects the rotation speed of the measuring blade 121.

Thereby, the rotation speed sensor 141 detects the rotation speed of the metering blade 121. Therefore, it is possible to accurately measure the specified amount of rice.

One end of the measuring blade 121 may be connected to the rice feeding path 111, and the other end may be connected to a rice transfer section disposed inside the rice container 100. The rice transfer section transfers rice from the rice container 100 to the measuring blade 121. The rice transfer unit may include a rice transfer blade 148 that is spirally formed around the second axis and transfers rice to the metering blade 121 by rotating about the second axis.

Thereby, rice in the front of the rice container 100 can be transferred to the measuring blade 121 without providing a slope on the bottom of the rice container 100 so that the rice can slide down to the measuring blade 121 at the rear. Therefore, the capacity of the rice container 100 can be increased and rice can be prevented from remaining in the rice container 100.

The rice transfer blade 148 is connected to the metering blade 121 such that the second axis and the first axis are located in a straight line, and when the metering blade 121 rotates about the first axis, the rice transfer blade 148 transfers the rice to the second axis. It may be configured to rotate about an axis.

Thereby, the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 are concentrically connected in series, and the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 can be driven by one drive motor 123. Therefore, the drive motor 123 is shared by the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121, which simplifies the configuration and contributes to miniaturization of the rice cooker 1.

The rice transfer blade 148 may be configured to be detachably connected to the metering blade 121.

Thereby, the removed rice transfer blade 148 can be washed. Further, the inside of the rice container 100 can be cleaned with the rice transfer blade 148 removed. Therefore, the ease of cleaning the rice transfer blade 148 and the rice container 100 is improved, and the rice cooker 1 can be kept sanitary.

In the rice cooker 1, when the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 are connected, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 123 is transmitted to the metering blade 121; If not, a clutch mechanism 128 configured not to transmit the rotational driving force of the drive motor 123 to the metering blade 121 may be further provided.

As a result, when the rice transfer blade 148 and the metering blade 121 are not connected, the rotational driving force of the drive motor 123 is not transmitted to the metering blade 121. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which rice is measured even though there is no rice on the measuring blade 121, resulting in low-accuracy measurement.

After the rice sending unit 110 moves the rice weighed by the rice measuring unit 120 to the pot, the drive motor 123 rotates the first shaft in the opposite direction to the feeding direction to transfer the rice on the measuring blade 121 to the rice container. 100.

Thereby, it is possible to prevent rice from remaining on the measuring blade 121 even after rice feeding is completed. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the problem of measurement errors caused by remaining rice during the next rice transfer, and it is possible to measure rice with high accuracy.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a rice storage amount sensor 230 that detects the amount of rice stored in the rice container 100, and a control section 20 that controls the movement of rice by the rice feeding section 110. If the amount of stored rice detected by the stored rice amount sensor 230 is less than the specified amount, the control section 20 stops the rice sending section 110 from moving the rice to the pot, and/or causes the notification device to notify that fact. inform.

As a result, if the amount of rice is insufficient, the rice will not be moved, and the user will be able to know that the amount of rice is insufficient and will be instructed to replenish the rice and start cooking again. can do.

The stored rice amount sensor 230 may be a sensor that detects whether the amount of rice stored in the rice container 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When the rice storage amount sensor 230 detects that the amount of rice stored in the rice container 100 has become less than the predetermined amount M0, the control unit 20 sets the predetermined amount M0 and the specified amount. Using the calculated amount m, the current amount of rice in the rice container 100 is calculated.

Thereby, the rice cooker 1 can always know the amount of rice stored in the rice container 100.

The rice storage amount sensor 230 is an electrostatic touch sensor and may be placed outside the rice container 100.

As a result, the rice storage amount sensor 230 does not fall into the rice container 100 unlike a sensor provided inside the rice container 100. Further, when an infrared sensor is used, the detection accuracy is deteriorated due to rice flour, etc., but when an electrostatic touch sensor is used, the detection accuracy is not deteriorated due to rice flour, etc. Therefore, the amount of stored rice can be detected stably and accurately.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a rice feeding fan 112 and a rice separating device 150. The rice feeding fan 112 moves air in the rice feeding path 111, thereby moving the rice from the rice container 100 to the pot. The rice separating device 150 is disposed in the rice feeding path 111, and includes an intake port 151 that takes in the rice and air moved by the rice feeding fan 112, an exhaust port 152 that discharges the air, and a rice discharge port 154 that discharges the rice. and. The rice separator 150 separates rice and air taken in from the intake port 151 by using the flow force of the air taken in from the intake port 151, discharges the rice only from the rice discharge port 154, and discharges the rice from the exhaust port 152. Only the rice is discharged, but the rice is not discharged. The rice discharged from the rice discharge port 154 is supplied to the pot 2.

Thereby, in the rice feeding mechanism using the rice feeding fan 112 that flows the air in the rice feeding path 111, rice can be reliably put into the pot 2. Furthermore, since the rice cooker 1 does not use a filter to separate rice, the filter does not become clogged, and rice can be fed stably over a long period of time.

The rice separating device 150 may be provided inside the lid 6.

Thereby, it is possible to prevent the width or depth of the rice cooker 1 from increasing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the installation of the rice cooker 1 from deteriorating when there are objects or walls on the side.

[3-3. Effects related to the configuration of the water supply section]
The rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pot 2, a casing 3 that accommodates the pot 2, a water container 300 that accommodates water, a water supply section 310, and a water level that detects the water level in the water container 300. It includes a sensor 313, an input section 22, and a control section 20. Water container 300 is provided within housing 3. The water supply unit 310 moves the water contained in the water container 300 to the pot 2 before cooking rice. The input unit 22 receives operation instructions from the user. Based on the detection result of the water level sensor 313, the control unit 20 controls the water supply unit 310 to move a specified amount of water to the pot 2 according to the operation instruction.

Thereby, the rice cooker 1 can accurately move a specified amount of water from the water container 300 to the pot 2 before cooking rice. In particular, by using the water level sensor 313 that detects a static water level, compared to a flow rate sensor that measures a dynamic water flow rate, a specified amount of water can be detected with high precision and poured into the pot 2. be able to.

The control unit 20 may calculate the amount of water that has moved from the water container 300 to the pot 2 based on the difference in water level detected by the water level sensor 313 before and after the water is moved by the water supply unit 310.

Thereby, the rice cooker 1 can accurately detect the amount of water that has moved from the water container 300 to the pot 2, and can accurately measure and pour the specified amount of water into the pot 2 according to the operation instruction.

The water supply section 310 may include a water supply channel 311 between the water container 300 and the pot 2. The water container 300 may be detachably attached to the housing 3. The water container 300 includes an outlet 303 that is connected to the water supply channel 311 when attached to the housing 3 . The water container 300 closes the outlet 303 to prevent water from passing when removed from the housing 3 , and opens the outlet 303 when attached to the housing 3 to supply water to the water supply channel 311 via the outlet 303 . A ball valve 305 configured to pass through the ball valve 305 is further included.

Since the water container 300 is detachably attached to the housing 3, the user can easily replenish water by removing the water container 300. When the water container 300 is removed from the housing 3, the ball valve 305 closes the outlet 303 to prevent water from leaking out.

The water supply unit 310 may include a water pump 312 that moves water within the water supply channel 311.

Thereby, even if the water container 300 is not placed above the pot 2, the water pump 312 can feed water from the water container 300 to the pot 2. Therefore, the water container 300 can be placed in a space other than above the pot 2, and the rice cooker 1 can be made smaller.

The water level sensor 313 may detect the water level in the water container 300 by measuring the pressure in the water supply channel 311. Water level sensor 313 may be configured to detect a pressure corresponding to a difference between the water level in water supply channel 311 and the water level in water container 300.

As a result, detection results with little variation can be obtained, and a specified amount of water can be measured with high accuracy. Furthermore, by using a highly accurate and inexpensive pressure sensor, the manufacturing cost of the rice cooker 1 can be reduced.

The control unit 20 may control the water supply unit 310 to return the water remaining in the water supply channel 311 to the water container 300 after moving a specified amount of water from the water container 300 to the pot 2. .

Thereby, it is possible to prevent the water remaining in the water supply channel 311 from rotting after the specified amount of water has been transferred to the pot 2, and the proliferation of various bacteria within the water supply channel 311.

The rice cooker 1 may further include an output section 23 that notifies the user. If the amount of water corresponding to the water level detected by the water level sensor 313 is less than the specified amount, the control section 20 stops the water supply section 310 from transferring water to the pot 2, and/or the output section 23 notifies the user to that effect. do.

As a result, if the amount of rice is insufficient, the rice will not be moved, and the user will be able to know that the amount of rice is insufficient and will be instructed to replenish the rice and start cooking again. can do.

[3-4. Effects related to rice cooking operation, etc.]
The rice cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an automatic rice cooker that cooks rice by moving designated amounts of rice and water determined based on an operation instruction by a user into a pot 2. The rice cooker 1 includes a pot 2, a casing 3 that houses the pot 2, a lid 6 that closes the opening of the pot 2, and a pressure valve that operates to open and close a hole that communicates the inside of the pot 2 with an external space. 15, and a rice container 100 provided within the housing 3 and containing rice. The rice cooker 1 includes a rice feeding section 110 that moves rice from the rice container 100 to the pot 2, a heating section 8 that heats the pot 2, and a boil detection section 16 that detects that the water in the pot 2 has boiled. Prepare more. The rice cooker 1 further includes an input section 22 that receives operation instructions from a user, and a control section 20. The control unit 20 controls the movement of rice by the rice feeding unit 110, the movement of water by the water feeding unit 310, the heating by the heating unit 8, and the opening and closing of the pressure valve 15. The control unit 20 sets the time from closing to opening the pressure valve 15 as a first time when the specified amount is a first amount, and sets the time from when the pressure valve 15 is closed to the opening to the first time when the specified amount is a second amount. The time from closing to opening is set as the second time. The control unit 20 sets the first amount to be greater than the second amount and the first time to be longer than the second time.

In an automatic rice cooker, there is no human intervention to flatten or stir the rice before cooking, so the rice will pile up in the pot after being added, and the rice will not be completely submerged in water. There are cases. Furthermore, when cooking unwashed rice, the starch adhering to the unrinsed rice settles and adheres to the bottom of the pot, impeding heat transfer from the pot to the food such as rice. This problem can be solved by lightly washing unwashed rice once, but automatic rice cookers cannot perform the rice washing operation. With the above-described configuration, the rice cooker 1 can stir the rice in the pot 2 by generating bumping after detecting boiling. Therefore, it is possible to break up a pile of rice and make it flat, and it is possible to prevent uneven cooking between rice that has been soaked in water and rice that has not been soaked. In addition, stirring can eliminate the situation where starch precipitates and adheres to the bottom of the pot, impeding heat transfer from the pot to the food to be cooked, such as rice.

After the boiling detection unit 16 detects boiling, the control unit 20 closes the pressure valve 15 to increase the pressure inside the pot 2, and then opens the pressure valve 15 to lower the pressure inside the pot 2 at once, thereby preventing bumping. control to generate and stir the rice in pot 2.

Thereby, as described above, after boiling is detected, bumping can be generated to stir the rice in the pot 2. Therefore, it is possible to break up a pile of rice and make it flat, and it is possible to prevent uneven cooking between rice that has been soaked in water and rice that has not been soaked. In addition, stirring can eliminate the situation where starch precipitates and adheres to the bottom of the pot, impeding heat transfer from the pot to the food to be cooked, such as rice.

The control unit 20 may shorten the time from closing to opening the pressure valve 15 as the specified amount decreases.

Thereby, when the amount of rice to be cooked is large, the time from closing to opening the pressure valve 15 can be lengthened, and adjustments can be made so that bumping occurs when the pressure valve 15 is opened. In addition, when the amount of rice to be cooked is small, the time between closing and opening the pressure valve 15 is shortened, and adjustments are made so that bumping occurs when the pressure valve 15 is opened, and the time after boiling is long. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the pressure valve is not opened even though the time has elapsed. Therefore, regardless of the amount of rice to be cooked, it is possible to stir the rice at an early stage of cooking, thereby solving the problem of uneven cooking and the problem of starch settling and adhering to the bottom of the pot.

The rice cooker 1 may further include a pressure sensor 17 that detects the pressure inside the pot 2. The control unit 20 opens the pressure valve 15 when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 17 exceeds a predetermined threshold Pth.

Thereby, rice can be stirred at an early stage of rice cooking regardless of the amount of rice being cooked. Therefore, the problem of uneven cooking and the problem of starch settling and adhering to the bottom of the pot can be solved.

The predetermined threshold value Pth may be 5 kPa to 30 kPa.

It is known that when the gauge pressure inside the pot 2 is 20 kPa, the temperature inside the pot 2 corresponds to about 105°C. It is known that if the pressure inside the pot 2 is 5 kPa or more, stirring of the food in the pot 2 is possible. Furthermore, it is known that when the pressure inside the pot 2 exceeds 30 kPa, there are problems such as it becomes difficult to prevent boiling over and the surface of the rice becomes sticky. These problems can be avoided by setting the threshold value Pth between 5 kPa and 30 kPa.

(Other embodiments)
As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to create a new embodiment by combining the components described in the above embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be illustrated below.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the control unit 20 acquires the rotation speed n of the metering blade 121 detected by the rotation speed sensor 141 (S263), and the rotation speed n of the metering blade 121 is set to the required rotation speed. An example of the operation in which the drive motor 123 is driven until the number N is reached has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rice cooker 1 may be of any type as long as it can measure the amount of rice fed by rotating the measuring blade 121.

For example, the rice sending process S2 shown in FIG. 30 may include the rice sending amount measuring process S26a shown in FIG. 39 instead of the rice sending amount measuring process S26 (FIG. 31). In the rice feeding amount measurement process S26a, the control unit 20 determines the required rotation time t of the measuring blade 121 necessary to transfer the amount of rice specified in the rice cooking instruction (S1 in FIG. 28) (S261a). Next, the control unit 20 rotates the metering blade 121 in the supply direction by the required rotation time t (S262a). Next, the control unit 20 rotates the drive motor 123 in the rice discharging direction opposite to the supply direction, and rotates the metering blade 121 in the rice discharging direction (S265).

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 32, the control unit 20 calculates the driving time T of the water pump 312 necessary to supply the required amount w of water (S35), and pumps the water pump for the driving time T. An example of the operation of operating 312 (S36) has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rice cooker 1 may be any rice cooker 1 as long as it can supply the required amount w of water to the pot 2.

For example, in the operation of the rice cooker 1 shown in FIG. 28, the control unit 20 may include a water feeding step S3a shown in FIG. 40 instead of the water feeding step S3 (FIG. 32). Steps S31 to S34, S37, and S38 shown in FIG. 40 are the same as those shown in FIG. 32, so the explanation will be omitted.

If it is determined in step S34 that the amount W0 of water in the water container 300 is equal to or greater than the required amount w determined in step S31 (No in S34), the control unit 20 sets the required amount w in the variable w1 ( S301), the loop processing of S302 to S309 is started. After step S301, the control unit 20 calculates the drive time Tp of the water pump required to supply water of P% of the variable w1 (S302). Next, the control unit 20 operates the water pump 312 for the driving time Tp calculated in step S302 (S303). The value of P is, for example, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, etc., but is not limited thereto and may be any value.

Next, the control unit 20 acquires the detection result of the water level in the water container 300 by the water level sensor 313 (S304), and determines the amount of water W1 in the water container 300 based on the detection result (S305). The control unit 20 calculates the amount w2 of water actually supplied in step S303 (S306). Here, w2=W0-W1. Next, the control unit 20 calculates the error e between the amount w2 of water actually supplied in step S303 and the variable w1 (S307). Here, e=(w1-w2)/w1. If the error e calculated in step S307 is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference error eK (No in step S308), the control unit 20 sets the variable w1 to (w1-w2) (S309), and returns to step S302. return. If the error e calculated in step S307 is less than the predetermined reference error eK (Yes in step S308), the process advances to step S37. The value of the reference error eK is, for example, 0.05, but is not limited to this and may be any value.

By including the water feeding step S3a shown in FIG. 40 instead of the water feeding step S3 (FIG. 32), the amount of water supplied to the pot 2 can be measured more accurately.

In the above embodiment, the rice cooker 1 including the Peltier element 401 for cooling the water in the water container 300 has been described. The Peltier element 401 does not need to operate all the time, as long as it cools the water to prevent the growth of germs and spoilage of the water. For example, the control unit 20 may stop the operation of the Peltier element 401 when cooking rice, for example, when the heating unit 8 performs a heating operation. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a large current from flowing through the Peltier element 401 against heating. Therefore, the life of the Peltier element 401 can be extended, or energy saving can be achieved without requiring a large current. Alternatively, it is not necessary to make the Peltier element 401 large enough to sufficiently cool the rice even when cooking rice. Thereby, it is possible to downsize the Peltier element 401 and, in turn, to downsize the rice cooker 1.

In the embodiment described above, the rice cooker is an automatic loading type rice cooker that includes a rice container 100 and a water container 300, and cooks rice by moving a specified amount of rice and water determined based on an operation instruction by a user to a pot 2. 1 was explained. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to being applied to a rice cooker that includes both the rice container 100 and the water container 300. For example, the configuration of the rice feeding section 110 and the rice feeding process S2 shown in FIG. 30 realized thereby may be applied to a rice cooker that includes a rice container but does not include a water container. Such a rice cooker includes, for example, a rice container provided in a housing, a rice feeding mechanism that moves the rice in the rice container to a pot 2, and a rice cooker that is connected to a water supply or an external water tank, and is connected to a water supply or an external water tank. A water supply mechanism that supplies water from the tank to the pot 2 is provided.

Similarly, the stored rice amount detection step S9 shown in FIG. 29 and the stirring steps S6 and S6a shown in FIGS. 33 and 37 may also be applied to the rice cooker without a water container as described above.

Note that the above-described embodiments are for illustrating the technology of the present disclosure, and therefore various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

The present disclosure is applicable to rice cookers.

1 Rice cooker 2 Pot 3 Housing 4 Upper frame 5 Hinge part 6 Lid body 8 Heating part 9 Waterproof wall 10 Board 11 Heat sink 12 Heat insulating material 15 Pressure valve 16 Boiling detection part 17 Pressure sensor 20 Control part 21 Storage part 22 Input part 23 Output part 25 Communication interface 31 Display part 32 Speaker 40 User interface 100 Rice container 100a Inner wall 100b Bearing part 101 Rice container opening 103 Door 104 Rice container lid 104a Front end part 104b Lid seat 105 First rotation axis 106 Second rotation Driving shaft 107 Inner lid 108 Inclined side surface 109 Side surface 110 Rice feeding section 111 Rice feeding path 112 Rice feeding fan 113 Exhaust pipe 120 Rice measuring section 121 Measuring blade 121a Seat surface 122 Guide section 123 Drive motor 124 Input shaft 125 Engagement section 126 Output shaft 126a Tip part 127 Engagement part 128 Clutch mechanism 129 Rice feeding path entrance 130 Rice feeding path cover 131 Packing 132 Fixing base 141 Rotation speed sensor 148 Rice transfer blade 150 Rice separating device 151 Intake port 152 Exhaust port 153 Main body 154 Rice discharge port 200 Feeding Rice lid opening/closing device 201 Rice feeding lid 202 Fixed base 203 Packing 204 Motor fixed base 205 Rotating body seat 210 Motor 211 Spur gear 212 Rotating body 212a Gear 212b Link pin 213 Rotating body seat 213a Rack gear 214 Rotating shaft 214a Gear 220 Link 221 Link 222 Gap 230 Rice storage amount sensor 300 Water container 301 Water container storage 302 Lid 303 Outlet 304 Cold guide plate 305 Ball valve 307 Valve plunger 310 Water supply section 311 Water supply channel 312 Water supply pump 313 Water level sensor 314 Packing 315 Water supply channel inlet 400 Peltier unit 401 Peltier element 401a Cooling surface 403 Heat sink 405 Temperature sensor 407 Cooling fan 409 Heat sink 410 Temperature sensor 411 Packing 413 Front cover 414 Rear cover

Claims (7)

A pot containing rice ;
a casing that accommodates the pot;
a water container provided within the housing and accommodating water;
a water supply unit that moves water contained in the water container to the pot before cooking rice;
a water level sensor that detects the water level in the water container;
an input section that accepts operation instructions from a user;
a control unit that controls the water supply unit to move a specified amount of water to the pot in multiple stages based on the detection result of the water level sensor;
A rice cooker that heats the rice and the designated amount of water in the pot,
The control unit includes:
Calculating the total amount of water that has moved from the water container to the pot based on the difference in water level detected by the water level sensor before and after the water is moved by the water supply unit,
Each time the movement of water at each stage is completed, it is determined whether the specified amount of water has moved to the pot based on the difference between the specified amount and the calculated total amount;
rice cooker. The water supply section includes a water supply channel that connects the water container and the pot,
The water container is detachably attached to the housing,
The water container has an opening that is connected to the water supply channel when attached to the casing, and an opening that closes the opening to prevent water from passing through when the water container is removed from the casing. 2. An on-off valve configured to open the opening and allow water to pass through the opening into the water supply channel when the water container is attached to the housing. rice cooker. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the water supply section includes a water supply device that moves water within the water supply channel. The rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the water level sensor detects the water level in the water container by measuring pressure in the water supply channel. The rice cooker according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the water level sensor is configured to detect a pressure corresponding to a difference between the water level in the water supply channel and the water level in the water container. The control unit controls the water supply unit to return water remaining in the water supply channel to the water container after moving the specified amount of water from the water container to the pot. The rice cooker according to any one of items 2 to 5. Further comprising a notification device that notifies the user,
If the amount of water corresponding to the water level detected by the water level sensor is less than the designated amount, the control section may stop the water supply section from transferring water to the pot, and/or may notify that by the notification device. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which provides notification.

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