JPH10328022A - Electric rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enables control of a pressure in an inner pot during the rice cooking process at multiple stages. SOLUTION: In an electric rice cooker which is provided with container body 1 so arranged to allow setting of an inner pot 3 inside and a lid body 2 to openably cover an upper opening of the container body 1, the lid body 2 is provided with a pressure control means 24 having a function of controlling the pressure in the inner pot 3 during the rice cooking process at multiple stages. This enables control of the pressure in the inner pot 3 at multiple stages during the rice cooking process. (for example, the internal pressure in the inner pot is raised only during a specified period or the pressure in the inner pot is altered corresponding to a rice cooking menu).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric rice cooker, and more particularly to a pressure regulating mechanism in an electric rice cooker.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electric rice cooker, a steam passage for discharging steam generated in an inner pot during a rice cooking process to the outside is provided in a lid, and pressure regulation is provided in the middle of the steam passage. The pressure in the inner pan is adjusted by interposing a pressure regulating valve for use.

[0003]

Incidentally, the pressure regulating valve used conventionally has only a single pressure regulating function and cannot change the pressure in the inner pot during the rice cooking process. Had become. On the other hand, there is a fact that rice cooked by an electric rice cooker becomes more and more delicious by increasing the pressure in the inner pot for a predetermined period during the rice cooking process. Also, depending on the rice cooking menu, there is a fact that it is possible to cook delicious rice by maintaining the pressure in the inner pot higher than usual.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to adjust the pressure in an inner pot during a rice cooking process in a plurality of stages.

[0005]

According to the basic configuration of the present invention (the invention of claim 1), as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a container main body configured so that an inner pot can be set therein, A pressure regulating means having a function of regulating the pressure in the inner pot during the rice cooking process in a plurality of stages, wherein the electric rice cooker comprises a lid for covering an upper opening of the container body so as to be able to open and close the upper opening. Is provided.

[0006] With the above configuration, the pressure in the inner pot is regulated in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process (for example, the pressure in the inner pot is increased only for a predetermined period during the rice cooking process, or the rice cooking menu is changed). The pressure in the inner pot can be changed in response to the change), so that plump and delicious rice can be cooked.

As described in the second aspect of the present invention, the pressure regulating means opens and closes a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight, and has a magnetic property, and When configured with a magnetic force generator that applies a suction force in the valve closing direction to the body, pressure adjustment by gravity of the valve body itself, and pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body and the suction force of the magnetic force generator Thus, the pressure in the inner pot can be easily adjusted in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. In this case, claim 3
If the magnetic force generator is an electromagnet and control means for adjusting the current supplied to the electromagnet is provided as in the invention of the third aspect, it is possible to more easily perform pressure regulation in a plurality of stages by controlling the current supplied to the electromagnet. Can be. Further, as in the invention of claim 4, when the control means adjusts the current supplied to the electromagnet corresponding to the rice cooking menu, it is possible to automatically perform the optimal pressure adjustment for the rice cooking menu. it can. Further, as in the invention of claim 5, when the control means changes the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet between the early stage and the late stage of the rice cooking process, pressure cooking can be performed, and delicious rice can be cooked. Can be raised.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the pressure regulating means includes a first valve body that opens and closes a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight; When the temperature of the steam passing through the steam passage reaches a predetermined value and the second valve is opened by a spring made of a shape memory alloy, the pressure is regulated by gravity of the first valve itself. And a pressure regulating function by a second valve element that is opened by a shape memory alloy that operates according to the temperature of the steam generated from the inner pan, and can exert two types of pressure regulating functions during the rice cooking process. The pressure in the inner pan can be easily adjusted in a plurality of stages. In this case,
As in the invention of claim 7, when the passage opening area by the second valve body is larger than the passage opening area by the first valve body, the operating temperature of the spring is set to be high, and the second valve body Can function as a safety valve, and safety can be ensured.

Further, as in the invention of claim 8, the pressure regulating means is configured to open and close two passages in a steam passage formed in the lid independently by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight. When the first valve body is constituted by the first and second valve bodies and the weight of the first valve body is set to be larger than the weight of the second valve body, a pressure adjusting action of the first valve body itself due to gravity is provided; 2 with the pressure regulating action of the second valve body itself due to gravity
Various types of pressure regulation functions can be exhibited, and the pressure in the inner pot can be easily regulated in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. In this case, if the second valve element closes the passage when the pressure in the inner pan reaches a predetermined value, as in the invention of claim 9, the second valve element Pressure adjustment can be set large.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment (Corresponding to Claims 1 to 4) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an electric rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this electric rice cooker includes a container body 1 configured to accommodate an inner pot 3 and a lid 2 that covers an upper opening of the container body 1. It is configured.

The container body 1 includes an inner case 4 made of sheet metal forming the inner peripheral surface, an outer case 5 made of synthetic resin (for example, made of polypropylene) forming the outer peripheral surface and the bottom surface, It is constituted by a shoulder member 6 made of a synthetic resin (for example, made of polypropylene) for connecting the upper edge of the upper case and the upper edge of the outer case 5. A hot plate type rice cooker 7 in which a sheath heater 9 is embedded in a hot plate 8 made of aluminum alloy) is fixed. And the inner pot 3 is
It is housed in the container body 1 while being placed on the hot platen 9.

At the center of the hot platen 8, there is formed a through hole 10 penetrating vertically, and a center sensor 11 acting as a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the inner pot 3 is formed in the through hole 10. It is provided so as to penetrate the bottom surface of the inner case 4. A warming heater 12 is disposed at an upper and lower middle portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner case 4.

On the other hand, the lid 2 has an upper plate 13 made of synthetic resin (for example, made of polypropylene) constituting an outer surface and a donut-shaped lower plate made of synthetic resin (made of, for example, polypropylene) constituting an inner peripheral surface. It is constituted by a plate 14 and a metal radiator plate 15 attached to the lower plate 14,
A heat insulating material 16 is housed between the upper and lower plates 13 and 14. The lid 2 is rotatably and detachably attached to one side of the shoulder member 6 via a hinge pin 17.

At the center of the lid 2, there is formed a tubular portion 18 which is suspended from the upper plate 13, and the inside of the tubular portion 18 is generated in the inner pot 3 during rice cooking. A steam passage 19 for discharging the steam S to the outside is provided. Oneva pool 21 is attached to the lower end of cylindrical portion 18. Reference numeral 22 denotes an inlet for steam S, and reference numeral 23 denotes an oneva return hole for returning oneva.

The steam passage 19 in the lid 2 is provided with a pressure adjusting means 24 having a function of adjusting the pressure in the inner pot 3 during the rice cooking process in a plurality of stages.

The pressure regulating means 24 opens and closes the middle of the steam passage 19 (for example, a valve hole to be described later) by the pressure in the inner pan 3 and its own weight, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. And an electromagnet 26 acting as a magnetic force generator for applying a suction force to the valve body 25 in the valve closing direction.

The valve body 25 has a cylindrical body 28 vertically provided at the center of a cap 27 attached to the outlet of the steam passage 19, and a valve seat 29 attached to the lower end of the cylindrical body 28.
A valve portion 25a for opening and closing a valve hole 31 formed in the valve seat 29; and a cap extending integrally from the valve portion 25a. And a valve stem 28b that is loosely fitted in a steam vent hole 32 formed in the valve stem 27. Further, the valve element 28 is
The valve part 2 is made of synthetic resin as a whole.
A steel ball 33, which is a ferromagnetic material that increases its own weight and exerts an attractive force on the magnetism of the electromagnet 26, is embedded in 5 a.

On the other hand, the electromagnet 26 is provided in the cover 2 between the cylindrical portion 18 and the heat radiating plate 15 and directly below the valve body 25. Thus, the supplied current is controlled in accordance with the rice cooking menu.

A hole 35 corresponding to the lower end of the vapor passage 19 (that is, a portion where the oneva reservoir 21 is attached) is formed in the radiator plate 15, and the oneva reservoir 21 is formed at the edge of the hole 35. Supported. In addition, this heat sink 1
The outer peripheral edge of 5 is connected to the inner peripheral edge of the lower plate 14 via a seal packing 36. When the lid 2 is closed, the seal packing 36 is pressed against the upper rim of the inner pot 3 to maintain airtightness.

On the upper surface of the radiator plate 15, the radiator plate 15
A lid heater 37 for preventing dew formation and growth of oneva by heating the fin is provided.

On the front side of the container body 1 (that is, on the side provided with a lock mechanism 38 for locking the lid 2), a control for controlling the energization of the rice cooker 7, the warming heater 12, the lid heater 37 and the like. Control board 3 with built-in unit
9 and a switch board 40 having various switches (for example, a rice cooker switch, a reservation switch, a warming switch, etc.)
Are arranged.

On the outer surface of the switch board 40, there is provided an operation panel 41 provided with, for example, various operation switches and a display unit for displaying a setting state set by the operation switches.

Next, the configuration of a control circuit section centered on the rice cooker microcomputer control unit 42 in the electric rice cooker having the above configuration will be described with reference to the circuit configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 43 denotes an AC power supply;
Is a temperature fuse, 45 is a relay for ON / OFF control of the rice cooker 7, 46 and 47 are triacs for the heat retention heater and the lid heater, and the triacs 46 and 47 are used.
Receives the output signal from the microcomputer control unit 42 and turns on the warming heater 12 and the lid heater 37, respectively.
/ OFF control. Reference numeral 48 denotes a thermistor serving as a temperature detection unit in the center sensor 11, 49 denotes a pot detection switch in the center sensor 11, 50 denotes a rice cooker switch, 51 denotes a heat retention / cancellation switch, 52 denotes a reservation switch, 53, 54, and 55 light emitting diodes. 56 is a liquid crystal display device.

The control unit 42 has a function of adjusting the current supplied to the electromagnet 26 in accordance with the rice cooking menu. For example, in the case of "okowa" and "early cooking",
Control means for controlling the amount of supplied current to be large so that the attraction force of the electromagnet 26 is large, and controlling the amount of supplied current to be small so as to reduce the attraction force of the electromagnet 26 in the case of "sushi" and "porridge". Act as

In the electric rice cooker configured as described above, the pressure in the inner pot 3 is adjusted during the rice cooking process based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

In steps S ₁ and S ₂ , the cooked rice menu is set to “Okowa”, “early cooked” or “sushi sushi”
It is determined whether or not “porridge” is set.

If an affirmative determination is made in step S ₁ , the process waits until it is determined in step S ₃ that the water absorption process has been completed, and then the electromagnet 26 is energized with a large energization amount in step S ₄ . That is, during the water absorption process, the pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body 25 is performed, and thereafter, the pressure in the inner pot 3 is increased to the predetermined pressure P ₁ by the attraction force of the electromagnet 26 until the boiling maintaining process is completed. The pressure is regulated so as to be maintained at the reference pressure.

[0031] When it is determined that the cooking ends in step S _5, Step S ₆ energization of the electromagnet 26 is stopped at the pressure of the inner pot 3 is the pressure P ₂ pressure adjusted by the weight of the valve member 25 (See FIG. 5), and then the process proceeds to the heat retaining step. In the heat retaining step, the valve 2
5 closes the steam passage 19, so that the escape of steam can be prevented, and the heat retention power is improved.

On the other hand, a negative determination is made in step S _1, the cases where an affirmative determination is made in step S _2, the energization to wait until the water absorption process is determined to have ended in step S _7, the electromagnet 26 in step S ₈ It is energized with the quantity "small". That is, during the water absorption process, the pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body 25 is performed, and thereafter the inner pot 3 is attracted by the electromagnet 26 until the boiling maintaining process is completed.
The internal pressure is regulated so as to be maintained at a predetermined pressure P ₃ (see FIG. 5).

[0033] When it is determined that the cooking ends in step S _9, the process proceeds to step S _6, in the same manner as described above, the energization of the electromagnet 26 is stopped, the pressure of the inner pot 3 is self-weight of the valve member 25 Pressure P ₂ regulated by pressure (see FIG. 5)
, And then the process proceeds to the heat retaining step.

If a negative determination is made in step S ₂ , the cooked rice menu is “white rice” or “cooked rice”.
And it is, because it is better that this case does not add pressure, wait until it is determined that cooking ends in step S _10, the process proceeds to incubating process. That is, the energization of the electromagnet 26 is not performed, and only the pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body 25 is performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, there are two types of pressure regulation: the pressure regulation by the gravity of the valve body 25 itself, and the pressure regulation by the gravity of the valve body 25 and the attraction force of the electromagnet 26. The function can be exhibited, and the pressure in the inner pot 3 can be easily adjusted in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. In addition, the electromagnet 26 corresponds to the rice cooking menu.
Since the current supplied to the rice cooker is adjusted, the optimal pressure adjustment for the set rice cooking menu can be automatically performed.

Second Embodiment (Corresponding to Claims 1 to 3 and 5) FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the internal pressure adjustment control of the inner pot 3 in the electric rice cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is shown.

In this case, the control unit 42 (see FIG. 3) acting as a control means has a function of changing the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet 26 between the early and late stages of the rice cooking process. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, control for adjusting the internal pressure of the inner pot 3 in the electric rice cooker according to the present embodiment will be described.

When it is confirmed in step S ₁ that the boiling has started, a timer for t seconds is started in step S ₂ , and at the same time, the current is supplied to the electromagnet 26 at a small amount in step S ₃ . That is, until the start of boiling, the pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body 25 is performed,
Thereafter, the internal pressure of the inner pot 3 is regulated by the attraction force of the electromagnet 26 so as to be maintained at a predetermined pressure P ₄ (see FIG. 7) until a predetermined time (ie, t seconds) elapses from the start of boiling. It becomes.

[0040] When it is determined that the elapsed t seconds in step S _4, is energized by the power supply amount to the electromagnet 26 "large" in step S _5. Then, the internal pressure of the inner pan 3 is regulated by the attraction force of the electromagnet 26 so as to be maintained at the predetermined pressure P ₅ (see FIG. 7). Such pressure adjustment is continued until the increase cook in step S ₆ is determined to have ended. When the cooking is completed, the energization of the electromagnet 26 is stopped, the internal pressure of the inner pot 3 is adjusted by the weight of the valve body 25, and then the process proceeds to a heat retaining step.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the pressure is adjusted at the pressure P ₄ until a predetermined time (ie, t seconds) elapses from the start of boiling, and after the predetermined time (ie, t seconds) elapses. until the increase cook ends is of being pressure regulated at a pressure P ₅ from the pressure P _4. Therefore, pressure cooking can be performed, and delicious rice can be cooked.

Third Embodiment (Corresponding to Claims 1, 6, and 7) FIG. 8 shows a pressure regulating mechanism in an electric rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, the pressure regulating means 24 is connected to the steam passage 19
(In other words, a first valve body) 25 that opens and closes by the pressure and the weight of the inner pan 3 and operates when the temperature of the steam S passing through the steam passage 19 reaches a predetermined value. And a second valve body 58 that is opened by a spring 57 made of a shape memory alloy.

The steam passage 19 is provided with a steam cap 59 which can be detachably attached to the cylindrical portion 18 vertically provided at the center of the lid 2 through a seal packing 60 in an airtight manner.
Is formed in the steam cap 59.
A second valve hole 61 closed by a second valve body 58 urged in the valve closing direction by the spring 57 is formed. Here, the passage opening area of the second valve body 58 (in other words, the opening area of the valve hole 61) is equal to the valve body 25.
Is larger than the opening area of the passage (in other words, the opening area of the valve hole 31).
The total opening area is larger than the opening area of the valve hole 31 and smaller than the opening area of the valve hole 61. The first valve hole 31 opened and closed by the valve body 25 is
The second valve body 58 is formed. In the case of the present embodiment, the lower end of the steam cap 59 is a large opening 59a, and the oneva reservoir 21 is attached to the opening 59a. This makes it easier for the oneva contained in the steam S flowing into the steam cap 59 to be separated in the oneba pool 21 having a large volume. Reference numeral 62 denotes a cover for covering the upper end opening of the cylindrical portion 18, reference numeral 63 denotes an intake valve for sucking outside air into the inner pot 3 with the lid 2 covered, and reference numeral 64 denotes a lower end of the cylindrical portion 18 and the radiator plate 1.
5 is a ring packing for sealing the gap between the ring packing 5.

With the above configuration, during the rice cooking process, until the temperature of steam S generated from inner pan 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, first valve body 25 responds to the pressure increase of inner pan 3. When the temperature of the steam S generated from the inner pot 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the valve is opened as shown by reference numeral 25 ′, and the internal pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulating action of the first valve body 25 itself due to gravity. Then, the spring 57 made of a shape memory alloy operates (ie, contracts), and as shown in FIG.
Is opened, and the internal pressure is adjusted by the pressure adjusting action of the second valve body 58. That is, two types of pressure regulation functions can be exhibited according to the temperature of the steam S,
During the rice cooking process, the pressure in the inner pot 3 can be easily adjusted to two stages (internal pressure until reaching a predetermined temperature <the internal pressure thereafter). By the way, since the passage opening area of the second valve body 58 (that is, the opening area of the valve hole 61) is larger than the passage opening area of the valve body 25 (that is, the opening area of the valve hole 31), If the operating temperature of the spring 57 is set to the steam temperature when the inside of the inner pot 3 rises to an abnormal pressure, the second valve body 58 can function as a safety valve, and safety can be ensured.

The other configuration, operation, and effect are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description is omitted.

Fourth Embodiment (Corresponding to Claims 1, 8, and 9) FIG. 10 shows an adjusting mechanism in an electric rice cooker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, the pressure adjusting means 24 connects the two steam passages 19A and 19B formed in the lid 2 to the inner pan 3
It comprises first and second valve bodies 65 and 66 which open and close independently according to the internal pressure and own weight. The weight of the first valve body 65 is greater than the weight of the second valve body 66. It is set large. In this case, the first and second valve bodies 6
5, 66 are ball valves. The steam passage 19A, 1
9B is formed by partitioning the inside of a steam cap 59 which can be attached and detached in a hermetically sealed state via a seal packing 60 with respect to a cylindrical portion 18 vertically provided at the center of the lid 2 via a partition wall 67. When the pressure in the inner pan 3 rises to a predetermined value (in other words, a pressure sufficient to push up the first valve body 65), the first valve body 65 rises. A hole 68 for closing is formed. Symbol 69
Is a valve hole opened and closed by the first valve body 65, and 70 is a valve hole opened and closed by the second valve body 66. In the case of the present embodiment, the oneva pool is omitted.

With the above-described structure, in the early stage of rice cooking (for example, in the water absorption step), the first valve body 65 operates to regulate the pressure, but the pressure in the inner pot 3 increases. Then, the first valve body 65 moves upward to close the hole 68,
The pressure in the inner pan 3 is increased. Further, when the pressure in the inner pot 3 increases, the second valve body 66 operates to perform pressure regulation at a high pressure. That is, the pressure in the inner pot 3 can be adjusted in two stages between the initial stage of rice cooking (for example, the water absorption process) and the subsequent stage (for example, the cooking process). When the pressure is adjusted according to the rice cooking process, plump and delicious rice can be cooked. During the heat retention, the first and second valve bodies 65, 6
6 is a valve hole 69, 7 serving as an inlet of the steam passage 19A, 19B.
Since each 0 is closed, the escape of the steam S to the outside can be prevented, and the heat retention ability is improved.

The other configuration, operation, and effect are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Fifth Embodiment (Corresponding to Claims 1, 6, and 7) FIGS. 11 to 13 show an electric rice cooker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

In this case, as the rice cooking heater 7, work coils 7A, 7B, 7C arranged corresponding to the bottom surface, the curved surface and the side surface of the inner pot 3 are employed. The inner case 4 is made of a synthetic resin. Further, the lid 2 is formed by integrally forming a lower plate 14 on the outer peripheral portion of the upper plate 13 to form the upper and lower plates 1.
A hollow portion 71 is formed between the upper ring 13 and the lower plate 14. The hollow portion 71 is formed between the lid ring 72 and the upper plate 13 by attaching the cylindrical portion 18, the lower plate 14 and the lid ring 72, which are suspended from the center of the upper plate 13. A hollow lid having a hollow portion 73 formed therein, and the hollow portions 71 and 73 maintain heat insulation.

An inner lid 74 is detachably attached to the lower surface of the lid 2 via a steam cap 59. Reference numeral 75 denotes a steam cap 59 on the inner lid 74.
87 is a steam inlet formed in the inner lid 74, 88 is a shoulder heater provided on the shoulder member 6, 89
Is a seal packing for sealing between the inner lid 74 and the edge of the inner pot 3.

As shown in FIG. 12, the pressure adjusting means 24 in the present embodiment is a valve body for opening and closing the steam passage 19 formed in the steam cap 59 by the pressure in the inner pot 3 and its own weight. In other words, the first valve body) 25 and the second valve body which is opened by a shape memory alloy spring 57 which operates when the temperature of the steam S passing through the steam passage 19 reaches a predetermined value. 58.

The first valve body 25 is composed of a sphere that is vertically movable within a valve cylinder 76 that is fitted and fixed in the steam cap 59, and is provided on the bottom surface of the valve cylinder 76. The formed valve hole 31 is opened and closed.
Reference numeral 77 denotes a mounting flange integrally formed at the lower end of the valve cylinder 76. By fixing the mounting flange 77 to a step portion 78 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the steam cap 59, the valve cylinder 76 becomes a steam cap 59. Attached to. Reference numeral 79 is a steam hole.

On the other hand, the second valve body 58 is connected to the valve cylinder 7.
6 is a cylindrical body that is loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the steam cap 6 so as to be vertically movable and protrudes upward from a through hole 80 formed in the top surface 59 of the steam cap 59. A spring 57 made of a shape memory alloy that extends when the steam reaches a predetermined temperature is interposed between the valve cylinder 76 and the top of the steam cap 59 when the spring 57 is not operating. Steam outlet 81 located below surface 59b
have. The second valve element 58 is urged by a bias spring 82 in a valve closing direction (in other words, downward). Reference numeral 83 denotes a cap attached to the upper end of the second valve body 58. The cap 83 has a steam discharge port 84 serving as a steam outlet when the first valve body 25 is opened. . Reference numeral 85 denotes the first valve body 2
Reference numeral 86 denotes a steam hole for preventing a valve 5 from abnormally rising.

With the above configuration, during the rice cooking process, until the temperature of the steam S generated from the inner pot 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the internal pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulating action of the first valve body 25 itself due to gravity. The adjustment is performed, but when the temperature of the steam S generated from the inner pot 3 reaches a predetermined temperature, the spring 57 made of the shape memory alloy operates (that is, expands), and the second
Of the steam cap 81 is exposed above the top surface 59b of the steam cap 59, and the internal pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulating action of the second valve body 58 (see FIG. 13). That is, two types of pressure regulation functions can be exhibited according to the temperature of the steam S, and the pressure in the inner pot 3 can be easily regulated in two stages during the rice cooking process.

The other configuration, operation, and effect are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

[0059]

According to the invention of the present application (the invention of claim 1),
An electric rice cooker comprising a container body configured to be able to set an inner pot therein, and a lid that covers the upper opening of the container body so that the upper opening can be opened and closed. A pressure regulating means having a function of regulating the pressure in the inner pan in a plurality of stages is provided so that the pressure in the inner pan is regulated in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process (for example, the inner pan is regulated for a predetermined period during the rice cooking process). It is possible to increase the pressure or change the pressure in the inner pot in correspondence with the rice cooking menu), so that there is an excellent effect that it is possible to cook plump and delicious rice.

As described in the second aspect of the present invention, the pressure regulating means opens and closes a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pot and its own weight, and has a magnetic property, and When configured with a magnetic force generator that applies a suction force in the valve closing direction to the body, pressure adjustment by gravity of the valve body itself, and pressure adjustment by the own weight of the valve body and the suction force of the magnetic force generator Thus, the pressure in the inner pot can be easily adjusted in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. In this case, claim 3
If the magnetic force generator is an electromagnet and control means for adjusting the current supplied to the electromagnet is provided as in the invention of the third aspect, it is possible to more easily perform pressure regulation in a plurality of stages by controlling the current supplied to the electromagnet. Can be. Further, as in the invention of claim 4, when the control means adjusts the current supplied to the electromagnet corresponding to the rice cooking menu, it is possible to automatically perform the optimal pressure adjustment for the rice cooking menu. it can. Further, as in the invention of claim 5, when the control means changes the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet between the early stage and the late stage of the rice cooking process, pressure cooking can be performed, and delicious rice can be cooked. Can be raised.

Further, as in the invention of claim 6, the pressure regulating means comprises a first valve element for opening and closing a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight; When the temperature of the steam passing through the steam passage reaches a predetermined value and the second valve is opened by a spring made of a shape memory alloy, the pressure is regulated by gravity of the first valve itself. And a pressure regulating function by a second valve element that is opened by a shape memory alloy that operates according to the temperature of the steam generated from the inner pan, and can exert two types of pressure regulating functions during the rice cooking process. The pressure in the inner pan can be easily adjusted in a plurality of stages. In this case,
As in the invention of claim 7, when the passage opening area by the second valve body is larger than the passage opening area by the first valve body, the operating temperature of the spring is set to be high, and the second valve body Can function as a safety valve, and safety can be ensured.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 8, the pressure regulating means is capable of independently opening and closing two passages in the steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight. When the first valve body is constituted by the first and second valve bodies and the weight of the first valve body is set to be larger than the weight of the second valve body, a pressure adjusting action of the first valve body itself due to gravity is provided; 2 with the pressure regulating action of the second valve body itself due to gravity
Various types of pressure regulation functions can be exhibited, and the pressure in the inner pot can be easily regulated in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. In this case, if the second valve element closes the passage when the pressure in the inner pan reaches a predetermined value, as in the invention of claim 9, the second valve element Pressure adjustment can be set large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an electric rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pressure adjusting mechanism in the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a connection diagram of a control circuit unit in the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the pressure adjusting mechanism in the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in inner pot temperature and a change in inner pressure when rice is cooked in the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the pressure adjusting mechanism in the electric rice cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in inner pot temperature and a change in inner pressure when cooking rice in the electric rice cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pressure adjusting mechanism in an electric rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state after the operation of the second valve body of the pressure regulating mechanism in the electric rice cooker according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a pressure adjusting mechanism in an electric rice cooker according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view in which a part of an electric rice cooker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is omitted.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view of a pressure adjusting mechanism in an electric rice cooker according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view showing a state after the operation of the second valve body of the pressure regulating mechanism in the electric rice cooker according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a container body, 2 is a lid, 3 is an inner pot, 19 is a steam passage,
19A and 19B are steam passages, 24 is pressure regulating means, 25 is a valve element (first valve element), 26 is a magnetic force generator (electromagnet), 34
Is a control means, 57 is a spring, 58 is a second valve body, 6
5 is a 1st valve body, 66 is a 2nd valve body.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An electric rice cooker comprising: a container main body configured to allow an inner pot to be set therein; and a lid for opening and closing an upper opening of the container main body, wherein the lid is provided. The electric rice cooker further comprises pressure adjusting means having a function of adjusting the pressure in the inner pot in a plurality of stages during the rice cooking process. 2. A valve body which opens and closes a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pan and its own weight and has magnetism, and a valve closing direction with respect to the valve body. 2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the electric rice cooker is constituted by a magnetic force generator for applying a suction force. 3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic force generator is an electromagnet and control means for adjusting a current supplied to the electromagnet is provided. 4. The electric rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the control means adjusts a current supplied to the electromagnet in accordance with a rice cooking menu. 5. The electric rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the control means changes the amount of current supplied to the electromagnet between an early stage and a late stage of the rice cooking process. 6. A first valve body for opening and closing the pressure regulating means by a pressure in the inner pan and a weight of the steam passage formed in the lid, and a temperature of steam passing through the steam passage is predetermined. 2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the electric rice cooker comprises a second valve element which is opened by a spring made of a shape memory alloy which operates when the value reaches the value. 7. The passage opening area of the second valve body is:
The electric rice cooker according to claim 5, wherein an area of the passage opened by the first valve body is made larger. 8. The pressure regulating means is constituted by first and second valve bodies for independently opening and closing two passages in a steam passage formed in the lid by the pressure in the inner pot and its own weight. And the weight of the first valve body is changed to the second valve body.
2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the weight is set to be larger than the weight of the valve body. 9. The electric rice cooker according to claim 7, wherein the second valve element closes the passage when the pressure in the inner pot reaches a predetermined value.