JPH1156613A - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a cover and the main body of a rice cooker from being vibrated by reaction of the opening operation of the cover in a rice cooker adapted to automatically open the over. SOLUTION: A cover 51 is automatically opened by the force an open spring 104 provided on its hinge part 66 when locking by a clamp is released. In the hinge part 66, a brake spring 106 formed out a plate spring is fixed to a bearing piece 102 on the cover 51 side. When the cover 51 is closed, the brake spring 106 is not brought into contact with the rice cooker main body, but as the cover 51 is opened, it is brought into contact with the bearing piece 101 on the rice cooker main body. The brake 106 is pressed in the axial direction of the hinge part 66 to generate the braking force in the open direction and in the opposite direction for the cover 51. Thus, a shock when the cover 51 reaches the full-open position is lessened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker such as a domestic warming pot, and more particularly to a lid structure.

[0002]

The rice cooker is configured such that a pot for putting rice and water can be attached to and detached from the rice cooker main body. It is covered by a lid. One side of the lid is rotatably supported by the rice cooker main body by a hinge portion, and the other side is detachably engaged with the rice cooker main body by a clamp. In order to easily open the lid, a spring is provided in the hinge part to apply a force in the opening direction to the lid, and the lid automatically opens when the locking by the clamp is released. I have.

[0003] By the way, the force required to open the lid requires the greatest force when opening the lid,
The spring force must also be set accordingly. Therefore, when the lid approaches the fully open position, the spring force is too strong, and the lid opens too vigorously. Therefore, after the lid is fully opened, the lid and the rice cooker main body vibrate or the rice cooker main body is lifted due to the remaining power of the opening operation.
When the lid vibrates, dew adhered to the lower surface of the lid after cooking rice may be scattered, and the outer shell of the rice cooker and the surrounding floor may be soiled.

One means for suppressing the occurrence of such inconvenience is to weaken the force of the spring. However, if the force of the spring is weakened, the opening speed of the lid becomes slow, causing inconvenience in use. Or the lid cannot be opened reliably.

[0005] Generally, the lid is provided with a lid packing made of an elastic material such as rubber which is in close contact with the periphery of the upper surface of the pot when the lid is closed to maintain airtightness. In a conventional rice cooker, the lid packing is fixed to the lid, so that the user cannot attach or detach it. For this reason, there was a problem in the operability of cleaning the lid packing.

On the other hand, there is a rice cooker in which a lid packing is made detachable, but in this type of conventional rice cooker, the structure of the lid packing and a mounting portion of the lid packing in the lid are complicated, and the lid packing is complicated. There was a problem that the operation of attaching the lid packing to the body was troublesome.

[0007] In a rice cooker in which the lid packing is made detachable, there is a risk that rice will be cooked without the lid packing attached. If this is done, steam will leak and the lid will be deformed. The rice cooker main body and the floor surface become dirty due to the spill, and a problem arises that the cooked state of the rice becomes worse.

The present invention is intended to solve such a problem, and has as its basic object to improve the practicality of a rice cooker lid such as cleanability, and automatically opens the lid. A first object of the rice cooker is to prevent the lid and the rice cooker main body from vibrating due to the recoil of the opening operation of the lid. Further, in a rice cooker with a detachable lid packing, the second purpose is to simplify the structure of the lid packing part and to facilitate the attaching / detaching operation of the lid packing, and further, a state in which the lid packing is not attached. A third object is to prevent the use of such a device.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rice cooker main body, and a lid body rotatably supported by a hinge portion on the rice cooker main body to achieve the first object. An opening spring provided on the hinge portion for automatically opening the lid when the lid is unlocked from the rice cooker main body; and an opening spring for opening the lid when the lid is opened. And a brake spring for generating a braking force in a direction opposite to the opening direction.

With this brake spring, braking is applied to the lid when the lid is opened, the impact when the lid is fully opened is reduced, and vibration and lifting of the lid and the rice cooker main body are prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker according to the first aspect of the present invention, the brake spring is fixed to one of the rice cooker main body and the lid, and a free end side is the rice cooker main body and the lid. The braking force is generated by hitting the other of the above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker according to the second aspect of the present invention, the brake spring is a leaf spring, and the brake spring is disposed in a gap between the lid and the rice cooker main body at the hinge portion. When the lid is opened, the hinge is pushed in the axial direction to generate a braking force.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, the brake spring is bent so as to prevent the free edge of the brake spring from interfering with the lid or the rice cooker main body. It has a part.

[0014] The bent portion prevents the tip of the brake spring from biting into the lid or the rice cooker main body, thereby preventing the lid from being damaged or hindering its operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the second object, the rice cooker main body, a lid that opens and closes with respect to the rice cooker main body, and the rice cooker that is detachably provided on the lid body. An annular lid packing for maintaining airtightness with the container body side, the lid packing comprising a packing body made of an elastic material, and a frame body for holding the packing body; It is made of a material having higher rigidity than the main body and has a handle, and the packing is attached to the lid by elastically pressing the packing body against the main body of the lid.

The lid packing is easy to handle because the packing main body made of an elastic material is held by a frame made of a highly rigid material, and the lid packing can be detached by gripping a handle on the frame. In addition, since the lid packing is attached to the lid by elastically pressing the packing body against the main body of the lid, the lid can be easily attached and detached.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the frame includes a first frame member made of resin,
A second frame member made of metal, the packing body is sandwiched between the first frame member and the second frame member, and the first frame member and the second frame are sandwiched between the first frame member and the second frame member. The body member is fixed by welding, and the frame member and the packing body are fixed.

Particularly, when the frame includes the second frame member made of metal, the strength and rigidity of the frame are increased. At the same time, the packing body is sandwiched between the two frame members, and the lid packing is assembled by fixing the two frame members by welding using the first frame member made of resin. Easy to do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, in order to also achieve the third object, the rice cooker moves in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the lid packing to the lid. A clamp stopper is provided which allows closing of the lid when the lid packing is attached to the lid and hinders closing of the lid when not attached.

If the lid packing is not attached to the lid, the lid cannot be closed because it is hindered by the clamp stopper. As a result, the user knows that the lid packing is not attached, and cannot use the rice cooker as it is. On the other hand, when the lid packing is attached, the clamp stopper moves to a position where the closing of the lid is not hindered in conjunction therewith, and the lid can be closed.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a rice cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 11 showing an overall sectional view of a rice cooker, 1 is a rice cooker main body, 2 is an outer frame which forms an outer shell of the rice cooker main body 1, and an outer frame 2
The bottom plate 3 is fitted and fixed to the lower end of the opened bottom. Further, inside the outer frame 2, a bottomed cylindrical pot housing 5 for housing the pot 4 is provided. The pan storage wall 6 that forms the side surface of the pan storage section 5 is formed integrally with the outer frame 2 that forms the upper portion of the pan storage section 5. On the other hand, a coil base 7, which is a separate component from the outer frame 2, forms the bottom of the pot housing 5. Then, the bottomed cylindrical pot 4 that accommodates a cooked product such as rice or water during rice cooking and stores a warmed product such as rice during warming can be inserted into and removed from the inside of the pan storage unit 5. Will be accommodated.

The pot 4 is a pot body made of aluminum or the like.
Heating element 12 made of magnetic metal material on bottom and lower side of 11
Are joined. A flange portion 13 extending outward in the horizontal direction is formed at the upper portion of the pan 4. By placing the lower surface of the flange portion 13 on the upper end of the pan storage portion 5, the inside of the pan storage portion 5 is formed. The pot 4 is accommodated in a suspended state. At this time, a first space 14 is formed between the outer surface of the pan 4 and the inner surface of the pan housing portion 5 so as to enhance the heat retention of the pan 4.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a pot temperature sensor provided at the center of the bottom of the coil base 7 as pot temperature detecting means. The pan temperature sensor 15 is elastically pressed against the bottom of the outer surface of the pan 4 by a coil spring (not shown), and constantly detects the temperature of the cooked rice or the warmed food in the pan 4. In addition, heating during rice cooking and heat retention is controlled.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a heating coil as heating means provided on the outer surface of the coil base 7. This heating coil 21
The pot 4 is used for both induction heating and heating by electromagnetic induction heating. The pot 4 is provided at a position facing the bottom surface and the lower side surface of the pot 4 in a state facing the heating element 12. In addition, the heating coil 21 may be provided only on the bottom surface of the pan 4 or in a state where the heating coil 21 is opposed to a plurality of locations on the side surface of the pan 4. Outside the pot housing wall 6, there is provided a body heat insulating wall 23 which is a side portion of a wall covering the pot housing wall 6 with a second space 22 interposed therebetween. This torso insulation wall 23
Is formed integrally with the outer frame 2 similarly to the pot housing wall 6.

A coil cover 25 made of a flame-retardant plastic resin material and covering the heating coil 21 is provided outside the coil base 7 with a gap between the coil base 7 and the outer bottom surface. Further, a ferrite member 27 for preventing leakage of magnetic flux from the heating coil 21 is mounted outside the coil cover 25.

In the outer frame 2, a heating substrate 31 is provided below the ferrite member 27. This heating substrate 31
In each case, a heating board unit 32 constituting a control circuit of the heating coil 21 and a switching element 33 as a heat generating component are mounted. The heating substrate unit 32 includes an inverter circuit and the like, and supplies a predetermined high-frequency current to the heating coil 21. By supplying the high-frequency current, a magnetic field is generated in the heating coil 21, and the heating element 12 of the pan 4 is heated by electromagnetic induction heating to heat the pan 4. It is the same as a jar type insulated pot.
A heat radiating plate 34 is attached between the switching element 33 for generating a high-frequency current and the heating substrate 31 in a state of being in close contact with the heat.
A third space 35 is interposed between the second space 35 and the second space 35. The heat sink
The lower end of 34 faces a cooling fan 37 provided in a vent 36 formed in the bottom plate 3 and is configured to circulate heat with the outside air.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a substrate provided inside the front portion of the outer frame 2. A power supply unit 42 forming a power supply circuit is provided on the substrate 41 downward, and a display operation unit 43 including display means such as an LCD and an LED and operation means including various switches is provided outside. It is provided to face an operation panel 44 mounted on the front surface of the frame 2. Note that 45
Is a cord reel provided inside the rear portion of the outer frame 2 for winding a power cord (not shown).

Reference numeral 51 denotes a lid that directly covers the upper opening of the pot 4. The lid 51 is made of a plastic resin material such as polypropylene, and forms an outer lid 52 and a portion on the lower periphery of the lid 51 that does not face the upper opening of the pot 4.
An outer lid cover 53 made of a plastic resin material such as polypropylene fitted to the lower periphery of the lower part 52 and a member having excellent heat conductivity such as aluminum, and opposing the upper opening of the pot 4 on the lower surface of the lid 51. And a lower surface member 54, which is a structure forming a portion to be formed. The upper surface of the lid body 51 formed by the outer lid 52 has a three-dimensional shape, and is formed in an arbitrary design. Also, on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface member 54,
A flange-shaped fixing portion 55 that is attached and fixed to the outer lid cover 53 via a screw (not shown) is formed, and a base 57 having a hole 56 in the center is formed in the other portion.
An annular concave portion 58 is formed in the peripheral portion of the lower surface of the base portion 57, and an annular groove 59 is formed in the peripheral portion of the upper surface of the base portion 57. These recesses 58 and grooves 59 are provided to suppress a rise in the temperature of the fixing portion 55 on the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface member 54.

A lid temperature sensor 61 as a lid temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the lower surface member 54 is provided on the upper surface, that is, the rear surface of the lower surface member 54, and the lower surface member 54 is heated at the time of cooking rice and at the time of keeping warm to prevent dew condensation. Each is provided with a lid heater 62 serving as lid heating means. Then, the temperature information from the lid temperature sensor 61 is received, and while the power of the lid heater 62 is controlled, the temperature of the lid body 51, in particular, the temperature of the lower surface member 54 is controlled.

Inside the cover 51, a cover lower surface heat shield 63 for blocking heat from the lower surface member 54 is provided so as to cover the back surface of the lower surface member 54. Further, another outer cover heat shield plate 64 is provided inside the outer cover 52. Between the outer lid cover 53 and the lower surface member 54, a lid packing 65 made of an annular elastic material and having a lower part in close contact with the upper surface of the flange portion 13 of the pan 4 when the lid 51 is closed is provided. Is done. The lid 51 is pivotally supported on one side of the rice cooker main body 1 by a hinge 66. On the other hand, a locking portion 67 is provided on the opposite side of the hinge portion 66 in the lid 51,
The clamp 68 provided on the rice cooker main body 1 is detachably engaged with the locking portion 67, and the lid 51 is held in a closed state with respect to the rice cooker main body 1 by this engagement. I have. The configuration of the hinge 66 will be described later in detail.

At the top of the upper surface of the outer lid 52, a concave portion 71 depressed toward the pot 4 is provided.
There is a steam port 72 which can be installed or removed vertically from above 51. The steam port 72 includes a steam port cap 73 as an upper member shown in FIG. 13 and a steam port case 74 as a lower member shown in FIG. 14. Both the steam port cap 73 and the steam port case 74 are made of polypropylene or the like. Made of plastic resin material with excellent steam resistance.

The lower portion of the steam port cap 73 and the upper portion of the steam port case 74 are fitted and engaged by a clockwise rotation operation. For that, the steam port cap
Plane outline of top surface of 73 (planar shape when viewed from above)
Is formed in a circular shape, and the steam port cap 73 and the steam port case 74 are provided on the lower side of the outer convex portion 75 formed so as to protrude outward in a substantially horizontal direction on the outer peripheral upper portion of the steam port case 74. The inner convex portions 76 formed so as to protrude inward in a substantially horizontal direction are engaged with the lower inner peripheral portion of the steam port cap 73 so that they are locked to each other. In addition, the outer convex portion 75
In the vicinity of the locking portion of the inner convex portion 76, the lower surface of the outer convex portion 75 and the upper surface of the inner convex portion 76 are respectively locked with the steam port cap 73 to the steam port case 74, and then the steam port cap 73. The projections 77 and 78 for preventing disengagement are provided. Outer convex part 75 of steam port case 74
Are provided, each of which has a left-downward inclined portion 79. The inner convex portion 76 of the steam port cap 73 is
Four are provided so as to correspond to the four outer convex portions 75 of the outer convex portion 75, respectively. It is configured to be fastened along the lower surface of the inclined portion 79. In addition, the projections 77 on the lower surface of these outer projections 75 are
When the steam port cap 73 and the steam port case 74 are rotationally fitted with each other, the protrusion 78 on the upper surface of the inner convex portion 76 gets over and a click feeling is obtained. This prevents the steam port cap 73 from coming off.

A plurality of steam outlets 81, which are steam outlets, are formed in the upper surface of the steam port cap 73 concentrically with respect to the center position thereof. It is configured to be discharged to the outside of the lid 51 through the inside of the mouth 72. Further, on the outer surface of the steam port cap 73 or the steam port case 74, a display portion 82 including characters such as "tight" and "remove" indicating a direction in which the steam port cap 73 and the steam port case 74 are coupled and separated. Is formed by engraving.

At the bottom of the recess 71 of the outer lid 52, an opening 83 communicating with the space in the pan 4 is formed.
A steam port packing 84 made of an elastic member such as silicone rubber is provided around the outer cover 52 between the outer lid 52 and the lower surface member 54 to close the gap therebetween. The steam port packing 84 has an engagement projection 85 on the inner peripheral surface. On the other hand, at the center of the outer bottom surface of the steam port case 74, a cylindrical projection 86 extending downward is formed, and at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the projection 86, the engagement projection of the steam port packing 84 is formed. A convex portion 87 engaging with the portion 85 is formed. Then, the concave portion 71 of the outer lid 52
When the steam port 72 is inserted vertically from above, the projection 86 of the steam port case 74 is inserted into the steam port packing 84 through the opening 83, and the engaging projection of the steam port packing 84 is inserted.
The steam port 72 is attached to the lid 51 by elastically deforming the projection 85 and engaging the projection 87 of the projection 86 of the steam port case 74.

Inside the steam port case 74, there is formed a steam cylinder portion 88 which rises coaxially from a projecting portion 86 at the bottom. The inside of the steam cylinder portion 88 communicates with the inside of the pot 4 via the inside of the projecting portion 86. On the other hand, at the center of the steam port cap 73, a cylindrical wall 89 hanging downward is formed, and the lower part of the cylindrical wall 89 is tapered, and the lower end of the cylindrical wall 89 is Is opposed to the outer peripheral side of the upper end portion of the steam cylinder section 88 via a small gap 90. Also,
A plurality of steam passages 91 are formed in the upper portion of the side surface of the cylindrical wall portion 89. Further, a pressure regulating valve 92 for closing an upper opening of the cylindrical wall portion 89 is attached to an upper portion of the cylindrical wall portion 89. The pressure regulating valve 92 is prevented from coming off with respect to the cylindrical wall portion 89 by engaging a plurality of locking claws 93 formed on the lower side thereof with the steam passages 91. And steam port 72
Inside, a space surrounded by the cylinder wall portion 89 and the pressure regulating valve 92 above the steam cylinder portion 88 forms a first pressure regulating chamber 94 as a first space, and the steam cylinder portion 88 and the cylinder wall portion are formed. The space on the outer peripheral side of 89 forms a second pressure regulating chamber 95 which is a second space.
In addition, a bottom return hole 96 is formed at the base of the steam cylinder portion 88 so as to open from the bottom of the second pressure regulating chamber 95 into the protruding portion 86.

Next, the configuration of the hinge 66 will be described. A bearing piece 101 is provided at the rear of the upper surface of the outer frame 2 of the rice cooker body 1.
Are formed at the right and left ends of the rear part of the outer lid cover 53 of the lid body 51. A left and right hinge shaft 103 rotatably penetrates the bearing pieces 101 and 102, whereby the lid 51 is rotatably supported by the rice cooker main body 1 in a predetermined range of about 90 °. Have been. An open spring 104 composed of a torsion coil spring is wound around the hinge shaft 103. One end of the open spring 104 is engaged with the outer frame 2 and the other end is connected to the outer cover 53. Is engaged with a spring receiving member 105 fixed to the spring. This allows the release spring
104 applies a force in the opening direction to the lid 51, and the lid 51 is automatically opened when the locking of the lid 51 to the rice cooker main body 1 by the clamp 68 is released. I have.

On the bearing piece 101 of the outer cover 53, one end of a brake spring 106 made of a leaf spring is screwed.
Fixed by 7. The brake spring 106 is bent at a plurality of places, and a free end side opposite to the fixed end is located in the gap 108 between the bearing pieces 101 and 103 of the outer frame 2 and the outer lid cover 53 facing each other. It is 109. The pressing portion 109 resiliently hits the side surface 101a of the bearing piece 101 of the outer frame 2 when the lid 51 is opened to a certain degree or more. That is, the brake spring 106 generates a frictional force against the rotation of the lid 51 by being pressed against the bearing piece 101 in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 103, and as a result, when the lid 51 is opened, the release spring 104 releases the lid 51. It generates a braking force in the direction opposite to the direction. Further, the side surface 101a of the bearing piece 101 and the pressing portion 109
The shape and the positional relationship are set such that the contact position of the pressing portion 109 with the side surface 101a gradually moves toward the front end of the pressing portion 109, that is, the free end side, as the lid body 51 opens. At the same time, the pressing portion 109 has a direction approaching the side surface 101a of the bearing piece 101 toward the distal end, that is, the free end side, in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 103. Therefore, as the opening of the lid 51 increases, the braking force generated by the brake spring 106 increases. However, the distal end of the pressing portion 109 has an
In order to prevent interference with the bent portion 1, the bent portion 110 is bent in a direction away from the side surface 101a.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Operate the clamp 68 on the rice cooker main body 1 side to open the lid
When the lid 51 is released from the locking portion 67 on the 51 side to release the lid 51 from the rice cooker main body 1, the lid 51 is automatically rotated and opened by the force of the opening spring 104. Brake spring 106
Rotates around the hinge shaft 103 together with the lid 51. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 8, when the lid 51 is at a position close to the fully closed position, the brake spring 106 is not in contact with the bearing piece 101, and therefore the braking force against the opening of the lid 51 Has not occurred. Therefore, while a large force is required to start the opening operation of the lid 51, a force sufficient to start the opening operation can be applied to the lid 51. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9, when the lid 51 is opened to a certain extent, the brake spring 106 starts to contact the bearing piece 101 on the rice cooker main body 1 side, and this bearing piece 101 and the bearing piece on the lid body 51 side. The hinge shaft 103 is pushed into the gap 108 between the hinge shaft 103 and the hinge shaft 103 to generate a spring force. As a result, the brake spring 106 applies a braking force to the opening operation of the lid 51, and the opening force of the lid 51 is suppressed.
This braking force increases as the opening degree of the lid 51 increases. Accordingly, the rotation speed of the lid 51 gradually decreases, and the lid 51 slowly reaches the fully open position shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 10, and is fully opened by the braking force of the brake spring 106. Almost stops. Thereby, the impact when the lid 51 reaches the fully open position is reduced, and the lid 51
And the rice cooker main body 1 are prevented from being vibrated and lifted.

To close the opened lid 51, the user pushes down the lid 51. When the lid 51 reaches the fully closed position, the clamp 68 on the rice cooker main body 1 side engages with the locking portion 67 on the lid 51 side.
Engages. As a result, against the force of the opening spring 104,
The lid 51 is held in a closed state with respect to the rice cooker main body 1.

As described above, the damping action of the brake spring 106 prevents the lid 51 and the rice cooker main body 1 from being unnecessarily vibrated or lifted by the reaction of the automatic opening operation of the lid 51. , The vibration of the lid 51
It is also possible to prevent the dew attached to the lower surface of the rice cooker from scattering and soiling the rice cooker body 1 and the surrounding floor surface. Thereby, the cleaning property is improved, and the practicality as a rice cooker is improved.

On the other hand, since the force of the opening spring 104 does not need to be weakened, when the opening operation of the lid 51 having a large force is started, the lid 51 can be opened vigorously.
Therefore, the lid 51 can be reliably and automatically opened, and the time required for opening the lid 51 does not become long, so that there is no inconvenience in use.

The opening speed of the lid 51 is initially high and becomes slower as it approaches the fully opened position. At this fully opened position, the lid 51 stops quietly, so that a high quality feeling can be obtained as a product.

The brake spring 106 has one end fixed to the rice cooker main body 1 and the opposite free end applied to the lid 51 to generate a braking force. The structure can be simplified and the lid 51
, It is possible to easily apply an appropriate braking force at an appropriate rotation position. Further, the brake spring 106 is arranged as a leaf spring in a gap between the bearing pieces 101 and 102 of the rice cooker main body 1 and the lid 51 so that a braking force is generated by being pushed in the axial direction of the hinge shaft 103. Therefore, the structure of the brake spring 106 can be made simpler and more compact.

Further, since the bent portion 110 is provided at the distal end of the brake spring 106, the edge of the brake spring 106 does not bite into or stick into the bearing piece 101, particularly when the lid 51 which is fully opened is closed again. Therefore, the rice cooker main body 1 can be prevented from being damaged by the brake spring 106, and the opening / closing operation of the lid 51 is not hindered.

During cooking, the steam generated in the pan 4 is
It is discharged to the outside from the steam port 72 of the closed lid 51. That is, the steam in the pan 4 is blown up by the ass (starch broth).
First, the steam cylinder 88 of the steam case 74
And blows out into the first pressure regulating chamber 94 around the upper opening of the steam cylinder portion 88. Here, the steam and the moisture are separated from each other, and the steam flows from the steam passage 91 in the cylindrical wall portion 89 forming the first pressure regulating chamber 94 to the upper portion of the second pressure regulating chamber 95 around the same. The steam is discharged and further discharged from the steam outlet 72 through the steam outlet hole 81 of the steam outlet cap 73. On the other hand, the moisture separated from the steam falls through the gap 90 between the lower end portion of the cylinder wall portion 89 and the upper end portion of the steam cylinder portion 88 to the lower portion of the second pressure regulation chamber 95. By separating the steam and the moisture inside the first pressure regulating chamber 94 in this way, the phenomenon that the moisture is blown out from the steam discharge holes 81 on the upper surface of the steam port 72 is suppressed. The water collected in the lower part of the second pressure regulating chamber 95 is heated by steam entering the second pressure regulating chamber 95 from inside the pan 4 through the return hole 96, so that the second There is a case where the inside of the pressure regulating chamber 95 is boiled, and the steam generated by this boiling is discharged to the outside through the vapor discharge holes 81. Further, when the rice cooking is completed and the steam is almost eliminated due to the spots, the water accumulated in the second pressure regulating chamber 95 is sucked into the pot 4 which is decompressed by the release of the steam by the rice cooking, It returns to the inside of the pot 4 through the return hole 96 and is collected.

The upper opening of the steam cylinder 88 is provided in the first pressure regulating chamber.
Since the surroundings are covered by the cylinder wall 89 forming the 94, it is difficult for outside air to enter from the upper opening of the steam cylinder 88,
The lower part of the steam port 72 is hardly cooled by the outside air, and the cooling in the pot 4 can be suppressed. This makes it difficult for dew condensation to occur at the lower portion of the steam port 72 during heat retention, and it is possible to suppress a phenomenon in which the dew drops as water droplets. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the taste of the rice from deteriorating due to the dripping of water droplets.

In recent years, rice cookers without a removable inner lid provided on the lower surface of the lid so as to cover the upper surface of the pan have become mainstream. In such a rice cooker, the effect of suppressing the spilling by the inner lid at the time of cooking is lost, so that there is a problem that the spilling or spilling of the boiling juice easily occurs from the steam port. Therefore, conventionally, when the inside of the pot begins to boil, the amount of heating is reduced by a considerable amount to cook rice, thereby preventing overspill. However, when the amount of heating decreases, cooking unevenness due to insufficient heating increases, which may deteriorate the rice cooking performance. In addition, during the heat retention after cooking rice, the temperature of the rice is maintained at 70 to 76 ° C., but when outside air enters through the hole communicating with the outside air of the steam port, the lower part of the steam port cools down and dew condensation occurs there. Dew may form drops of water and drop on rice, causing rice to sticky.

On the other hand, according to the configuration of the steam port 72 of the present embodiment, the steam port 72 has a high effect of suppressing spills and is hard to allow outside air to enter. In addition, since the spill can be suppressed, the cleaning property is also improved. In addition, since the reduction in the amount of heating after boiling can be suppressed, uneven cooking due to insufficient heating can be prevented, and deterioration in rice cooking performance can be prevented.

In the first embodiment, the brake spring
The brake spring 106 is fixed to the lid 51 and the free end of the brake spring 106 is brought into contact with the rice cooker main body 1. Conversely, the brake spring is fixed to the rice cooker main body and the brake spring is free. The end side may be applied to the lid side. Also,
The brake spring is not limited to a leaf spring, but may be a coil spring. Furthermore, the mounting position of the brake spring and the direction in which the force acts are not limited to the axial direction of the hinge shaft, but may be the circumferential direction. That is, when the lid is opened, the braking force of the brake spring may act directly in the rotation direction.

Next, a second embodiment of the rice cooker according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Further, reference numerals that appear only in the drawings used in the description of the first embodiment will be appropriately referred to. In the second embodiment, an annular lid packing 121 for maintaining the airtightness between the pot 4 on the rice cooker main body 1 side and the lid 51 is detachably attached to the lid 51. This lid 51 is
A side surface portion 55a of the fixing portion 55 of the lower surface member 54 forming a main body portion of
An annular opening downwardly opened between a substantially horizontal upper plate portion 53a of a frame-shaped outer lid cover 53 forming a main body of the lid body 51 and a cylindrical wall portion 53b hanging down from an outer peripheral portion of the upper plate portion 53a. A concave groove 122 is formed, and a lid packing 121 is inserted and mounted in the concave groove 122. The outer lid cover 53 has a lower plate portion 53c that protrudes from the lower edge of the cylindrical wall portion 53b to the outer peripheral side, and the lower surface of the lower plate portion 53c has a rear side of the concave groove 122. And a recess 123 for finger insertion is formed.

The lid packing 121 includes an annular packing body 126 made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and an annular frame 127 for holding the packing body 126. A first frame member 128 made of plastic resin as a structure and a second frame member made of metal as a structure
Frame member 129. These frame members 128
, 129 are more rigid than the material of the packing body 126. The packing body 126 has a base 131 having a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open lower side. On the other hand, the first frame member 128 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open upper side, and the first frame member 128 and the base 131 of the packing body 126 are engaged with each other. Further, the second frame member 129 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open lower side, and
8 and the base 131 of the packing body 126 are sandwiched on the upper side from the inner side and the outer side. Also, the second
The caulking claws 132 are formed at a plurality of locations on the lower edge of the outer peripheral side of the frame member 129, and the caulking claws 132 are bent to press the lower surface of the first frame member 128. The frame members 128, 129 and the packing body 126 are fixed to each other. Along with this, this packing body
126 hangs down along the inner peripheral surface of the first frame member 128,
It has an annular seal piece 133 for holding down the first frame member 128 from below. The sealing piece 133 has a shape that expands and contracts in the vertical direction.
It adheres on top. The packing body 126 is
A flange-shaped protrusion 134 is provided on the inner peripheral surface. 134
Is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 55a of the lower surface member 54 of the lid 51, whereby the lid packing 121 is
It can be attached to 51.

Further, at the rear of the first frame member 128,
A pair of substantially horizontal left and right handle portions 135 projecting to the outer peripheral side are formed to protrude. These handle portions 135 are located facing the recessed portions 123 of the outer lid cover 53 so that a finger can be easily put thereon. On the other hand, a pressing piece 136 is provided at the front of the first frame member 128.
Are formed so as to protrude toward the outer peripheral side. This pressing piece 136
Is a through hole 137 formed in the cylindrical wall portion 53b of the outer lid cover 53.
Projecting forward through

Next, the structure of the clamp 141 for holding the lid 51 closed with respect to the rice cooker main body 1 will be described. A substantially inverted L-shaped clamp body 142 is pivotally attached to a front end of the outer lid 122 opposite to the hinge 66 by a left-right support shaft 143 located at the center thereof. The clamp body 142 has a rear end portion and a lower surface member 54.
The rear end is urged in the upward direction, that is, in the direction in which the lower end on the opposite side is retracted, by the coil spring 144 mounted between them. A clamp button 145 is formed on the upper rear end of the clamp body 142 so as to protrude therefrom.
The clamp button 145 protrudes upward from a through hole 146 formed in the outer lid 52. Also, the clamp body
An engagement recess 147 is formed on the rear side of the lower end of 142.
On the other hand, the clamp body 142
A hook portion 148 as a locking portion with which the engaging concave portion 147 is detachably engaged is integrally formed so as to protrude forward.
Further, a clamp push 149 is provided on the outer frame 2 located below the hook portion 148 and abuts on the lower end of the clamp body 142 from below so as to be vertically movable within a predetermined range. Urged upward.

The support shaft 143 of the clamp body 142
Has a clamp stopper 151 consisting of a torsion coil spring.
Is wound. This clamp stopper 151 has a stopper piece 152 that hangs down along the rear surface of the clamp body 142, and when no external force is applied forward,
Due to its own elasticity, the stopper piece 152 is located farther away from the clamp body 142. In this state, even if the lid 51 is to be closed, the lower end of the stopper piece 152 hits the upper surface of the flange 13 of the pot 4 and cannot be closed. Then, the stopper piece 152 moves in conjunction with attachment / detachment of the lid packing 121 to / from the lid body 51,
When the lid packing 121 is attached,
When the pressing piece 136 of the 121 pushes the stopper piece 152 forward, the stopper piece 152 comes closer to the clamp body 142 and is positioned more forward. In this state, the lid 51 can be closed by the lower end of the stopper piece 152 being located forward of the flange portion 13 of the pan 4.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the lid packing 121 becomes dirty, the lid packing 121 can be removed from the lid 51 for cleaning. Lid packing 121
In order to remove the cover, the cover 51 is opened, the handle portion 135 of the first frame member 128 of the cover packing 121 is picked, and the handle portion 135 is pulled out from the cover body 51, whereby the first The pressing piece 136 of the frame member 128 comes out of the through hole 137 of the outer cover 53, and the lid packing 121 comes out of the concave groove 122 of the lid 51. This is because the projecting piece 134 of the packing body 126 simply comes off the side surface 55a of the lower surface member 54 of the lid 51.
To attach the lid packing 121 to the lid 51 after cleaning, first lightly align the lid packing 121 with the lower surface of the lid 51,
Next, by pushing the handle portion 135 into the lid 51, the pressing piece 136 is passed through the through hole 137 of the outer lid cover 53, and
As shown by the arrow in FIG.
2 Insert Along with that, the protrusion of the packing body 126
134 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 55a of the lower surface member 54 by pressing. Thus, the projecting piece 13 of the packing body 126 is
4 is sandwiched between the side surface portion 55a of the lower surface member 54 and the frame body 127 and tightened, so that the lid packing 121 is held and fixed to the lid body 51 and does not come off.

Further, the cover 121 is rotated forward and downward to
When the lid packing 121 is attached as described above, if the lid packing 121 is attached as described above, the pressing piece 136 pushes the stopper piece 152 of the clamp stopper 151 forward, and this stopper piece 152 is moved as shown by a solid line in FIG. , Clamp body 14
2, when the lid 51 is closed and the lid 51 is closed, it is located forward of the flange 13 of the pan 4 and does not interfere with the flange 13. The lower end of the clamp body 142 is the rice cooker body 1.
By hitting the upper side of the hook portion 148 of the outer frame 2, the clamp body 142 rotates, and the engaging concave portion 147 engages with the hook portion 148. This engaged state is maintained by the bias of the coil spring 144, whereby the release spring 10
4, the lid 51 is kept closed. In order to open the lid 51, the clamp button 145 may be pressed downward with a finger. Accordingly, the clamp body 142 rotates against the bias of the coil spring 144, and the engagement recess 147 thereof
Is disengaged forward from the hook portion 148. When the finger is released from the clamp button portion 145 in this state, the lid 51 is rotated upward and rearward by the urging of the release spring 104 to open. At this time, the clamp push 149 urged by the coil spring 150 pushes up the clamp body 142, so that the coil spring 144
This prevents the engagement concave portion 147 of the clamp body 142 from re-engaging with the hook portion 148.

On the other hand, when the lid 51 is closed without the lid packing 121 attached to the lid 51, as shown by a chain line in FIG. Clamp stopper 151
The lower end of the stopper piece 152 hits the upper surface of the flange portion 13 of the pot 4, so that the engagement concave portion 147 of the clamp body 142 cannot reach the hook portion 148, and the lid 51 is closed. Can not do. That is, the lid
Even if the user intends to close the cover 51 by pushing it down, the engaging concave portion 147 is not engaged with the hook portion 148. Therefore, if the user releases his / her hand from the cover 51, the cover 51 is opened by the bias of the opening spring 104.
Thus, the user can clearly know that the user has forgotten to attach the lid packing 121, and unless the lid packing 121 is attached, the user cannot use the rice cooker. Conversely, if the lid 51 can be closed, it can be confirmed that the lid packing 121 is attached.

According to the configuration of the second embodiment, since the lid packing 121 is made detachable, the cleaning property of the lid packing 121 is improved, and the practicality as a rice cooker is improved. Also, in the detachable lid packing 121, a packing body 126 made of an elastic member for maintaining airtightness is provided.
Is held by the frame 127 having a higher rigidity than the packing body 126, so that the handling of the cover packing 121 such as the attachment and detachment of the cover packing 121 can be facilitated. Moreover, the frame
Since the handle portion 135 is provided on the 127, the attachment and detachment of the lid packing 121 can be further facilitated.
Since the projection 134 on the inner peripheral surface of the packing body 126 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the side surface portion 55a of the lower surface member 54 of the lid 51 only by holding it on the lid 51, the lid packing 121 is simply removed. Can be attached and detached, the attachment and detachment can be made easier, and the structure of the lid packing 121 can be simplified.

Moreover, since the frame 127 includes the second frame member 129 made of metal, the strength and rigidity of the frame 127 are further increased, and the lid packing 121 is made tough, and its handling is improved. It will be easier. Further, the packing main body 126 is sandwiched between the first frame member 128 made of resin and the second frame member 129 made of metal, and the second packing member 129 is swaged to form the lid packing 121. Can be easily assembled in manufacturing, and the assembled state can be made strong and reliable. Moreover, the structure of the lid packing 121 is simple.

Further, the clamp 141 is provided with a clamp stopper 151 which is interlocked with the attachment / detachment of the lid packing 121, so that the lid 51 cannot be closed unless the lid packing 121 is attached to the lid 51. Use of the rice cooker without the 121 attached can be reliably prevented, and inconvenience such as spillage due to use without the lid packing 121 can also not occur. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the rice cooker main body 1 and the surrounding floor surface from being stained due to the spill. Also, thermal deformation of the lid 51 due to leakage of steam,
Poor cooking can be prevented.

FIG. 18 shows a third embodiment of the rice cooker according to the present invention. This third embodiment is a modification of the lid packing 121. In the lid packing 121 of the third embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 156 are formed on the upper surface of the first frame member 128 made of resin, while the upper surface of the packing body 126 and the second frame member 129 made of metal are formed. A plurality of through holes 157, 158 are respectively formed in the portion, and the protrusions respectively passed through these through holes 157, 158
The fixing portion 159 is formed by crushing 156 with heat.
That is, the first frame member 128 and the second frame member 129 are fixed to each other by using heat welding with a resin, whereby the frame members 128, 129 and the packing body 126 are also fixed. Things.

As in the second embodiment, a pair of frame members 12
8 and 129 sandwich the packing body 126 made of an elastic member, and fix it using heat welding with resin, so that the lid packing 121 can be easily assembled in manufacturing, and the assembly state is strong and reliable. Can be.

In the second and third embodiments, the fixing portion of the lid packing on the lid is set on the inner peripheral side of the lid packing. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The outer periphery of the lid packing may be elastically fitted and fixed to the lid. In addition, the fitting shape of the frame member and the packing body can be appropriately set.

Further, in the above embodiment, the pot 4 is heated by electromagnetic induction, but the heating means of the pot may be an electric heater or the like.

[0065]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the lid is unlocked from the rice cooker main body by an open spring provided in a hinge portion for supporting the lid rotatably opening and closing on the rice cooker main body. In the rice cooker that automatically opens the lid, a brake spring that generates a braking force in a direction opposite to the opening direction is provided to the lid as the lid is opened, so that the opening operation of the lid is performed. The lid and the rice cooker body can be prevented from vibrating and lifting due to the recoil, so that the vibration does not cause the dew attached to the lid body to scatter and stain the rice cooker body or the floor surface, etc. The performance is improved.

According to the rice cooker of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the brake spring is fixed to one of the rice cooker main body and the lid, and the free end side is the rice cooker main body. Since the braking force is generated by hitting the other of the lid and the lid, the structure of the brake spring portion can be simplified, and an appropriate braking force can be applied to the lid at an appropriate rotation position.

According to the rice cooker of the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect of the present invention, the brake spring is a leaf spring and is provided at the hinge between the lid and the rice cooker main body. Since the braking force is generated by being provided and being pushed in the axial direction of the hinge portion as the lid is opened, the structure of the brake spring portion can be made simpler and more compact.

According to the rice cooker of the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the second or third aspect of the present invention, the free end of the brake spring interferes with the lid or the rice cooker main body. , It is possible to prevent the lid or the rice cooker main body from being damaged by the brake spring and to prevent the operation of the lid from being hindered.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the rice cooker in which the annular lid packing for maintaining the airtightness with the rice cooker main body side is provided on the lid, the lid packing is made of an elastic material; A frame body for holding the packing body, the frame body being made of a material having higher rigidity than the packing body, and having a handle portion, and the packing body being elastically pressed against the body portion of the lid body to cover the packing. Since the cover packing is attached to the cover, the structure of the cover packing can be simplified, the attachment / detachment operation of the cover packing is facilitated, and the cleanability of the cover packing is improved.

According to the rice cooker of the invention of claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5, the frame is made of a first frame member made of resin and a second frame made of metal. Since the packing body is sandwiched between these frame members, and both frame members are fixed by welding, and these frame members and the packing body are fixed, assembly of the lid packing is easy, and The assembling state can be strengthened, and the lid packing can be made more easily handled.

According to the rice cooker of the invention of claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 5 or 6, the lid moves to the lid in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the lid packing, and the lid packing is attached to the lid. A clamp stopper is provided to allow the lid to be closed when it is closed and to prevent the lid from being closed when it is not attached, so it is possible to reliably prevent the use of the rice cooker without the lid packing attached It can also prevent dirt due to spills.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a plan view near a hinge portion.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state in which a lid is fully closed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state where the lid is being opened.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state in which the lid is fully opened.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state in which the lid is fully closed.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state where the lid is being opened.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state where the lid is fully opened.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state in which the lid is fully closed.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state where the lid is being opened.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the vicinity of the hinge part, showing a state where the lid is fully opened.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the whole rice cooker.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the steam port case.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the steam port cap according to the third embodiment, with a part thereof being in section.

FIG. 14 shows a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing near a clamp.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the same lid packing.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the same lid packing.

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a state where the upper cover is opened.

FIG. 18 shows a rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is sectional drawing of a lid packing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rice cooker main body 51 Lid 66 Hinge part 104 Release spring 106 Brake spring 110 Bent part 121 Lid packing 126 Packing main body 127 Frame 128 First frame member 129 Second frame member 135 Handle part 151 Clamp stopper

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A rice cooker main body, a lid body rotatably supported by a hinge part on the rice cooker main body, and a lock provided on the hinge part with the lid body being released from the rice cooker main body is released. An opening spring that automatically opens the lid when the lid is opened, and a brake spring that generates a braking force in a direction opposite to the opening direction with respect to the lid as the lid opens. Rice cooker. 2. The brake spring is fixed to one of the rice cooker main body and the lid, and generates a braking force by a free end of the brake spring contacting the other of the rice cooker main body and the lid. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein 3. The brake spring, which is a leaf spring, is disposed in a gap between the lid and the rice cooker main body at the hinge portion, and is opened in the axial direction of the hinge portion as the lid is opened. 3. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the rice cooker generates a braking force when pressed. 4. The rice cooker according to claim 2, wherein the brake spring has a bent portion for preventing an edge on a free end side from interfering with the lid or the rice cooker main body. . 5. A rice cooker main body, a lid that opens and closes with respect to the rice cooker main body, and an annular lid packing that is detachably provided on the lid and maintains airtightness with the rice cooker main body side. The lid packing includes a packing main body made of an elastic material, and a frame body that holds the packing main body, and the frame body is made of a material having higher rigidity than the packing main body and has a handle portion, A rice cooker wherein the packing main body is elastically pressed against the main body of the lid, and the lid packing is attached to the lid. 6. The frame includes a first frame member made of resin and a second frame member made of metal, and the first frame member and the second frame member are connected to each other. The packing body is interposed therebetween, and the first frame member and the second frame member are fixed by welding to fix the frame members and the packing body. 5. The rice cooker according to 5. 7. The lid moves in conjunction with the attachment / detachment of the lid packing, allows the lid to be closed when the lid packing is attached to the lid, and closes the lid when the lid packing is not attached. The rice cooker according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a clamp stopper that inhibits closing.