KR100295196B1 - Apparatus for automatically discharging steam in electric pressure cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An automatic steam discharging apparatus used in an electric pressure cooker is provided to ensure the safety of the electric pressure cooker by allowing a lid of the electric pressure cooker to be opened only when a steam passage has been opened. CONSTITUTION: An automatic steam discharging apparatus(10) includes a body(12) and a lid(14) formed with an opening(72). A lower end of the body(12) is inserted into the opening(72) of the lid(14). A screw section(16) is formed in a predetermined portion of the body(12) which is inserted into the lid(14). A nut(18) is screw-coupled to the screw section(16) in the lid(14), so the body(12) is securely fixed to the lid(14). A part of the body(12) rested on an upper surface of the lid(14) is formed with a slot. An O-ring(20) is inserted into the slot of the body(12) so as to seal between the body(12) and the lid(14). A steam passage(22) is longitudinally formed in the body(12).

Description

Steam automatic discharge device for electric pressure cooker

The present invention relates to a steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker, in particular, so that the power consumption can be reduced and the explosion of the electric pressure cooker by allowing the electric pressure cooker lid to be opened only after the steam passage is surely opened. The present invention relates to a device for automatically discharging steam in an electric pressure cooker, which preempts risks and ensures maximum safety and consequently increases the commerciality of the electric pressure cooker.

Typically, the automatic pressure cooker is provided with a steam automatic discharge device, the steam automatic discharge device is closed during cooking to prevent the discharge of steam and open after cooking is finished to allow the discharge of steam. The operation of the steam evacuation unit is controlled by the microcomputer. When the microcomputer determines that the cooking is finished according to the various types of cooking data input, the microcomputer opens the steam passage by cutting off the power supply to the coil constituting the automatic steam discharging device. Then, the microcomputer switches the clamp mechanism, which functions to fix the electric pressure cooker lid to the electric pressure cooker body to the release position, in order to withstand the high pressure during cooking, the catch button provided on the electric pressure cooker lid by the user. Press and open the lid of the electric pressure cooker.

However, in the steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker according to the prior art structured as described above, after the microcomputer cuts off the power supply to the coil, the clamp mechanism is released without confirming the sure opening of the steam passage. If the steam passage is not opened due to failure or malfunction of each component constituting the steam discharge device, the electric pressure cooker may explode when the clamp mechanism is released. It has resulted in a fatal effect on the marketability of the product. In addition, in order to maintain the steam passage in the closed state during cooking, power must be continuously supplied to the coil, so there is a problem that the power consumption is increased.

The present invention was created to solve the problems inherent in the automatic steam discharge device for electric pressure cooker according to the prior art as described above, the object of the present invention is structured so that the power consumption is reduced and the steam passage is surely open. By automatically opening the lid of the electric pressure cooker only after it is finished, the automatic discharge device for the electric pressure cooker, which preemptively eliminates the danger of explosion of the electric pressure cooker, guarantees the maximum safety and consequently increases the commerciality of the electric pressure cooker. In providing.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the automatic steam discharge device for electric pressure cooker according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: steam automatic discharge device 12: main body

14: rice cooker lid 16: screw

18: inner nut 20,20a, 20b: 0-ring

22: steam passage 24: valve chamber

26: steam outlet 28: valve seat

30: diaphragm 32: frame

34: bobbin 36: over mold

38 coil 40 operating chamber

42: plunger 44: spring

46 shaft 48 flange portion

50: cap 52: switch case

54: gasket 56: packing

58: fixed switching member 60: movable switching member

62: magnetic material 64: plate

66: first lead wire 68: second lead wire

70: screw 72: hole

74: steam inlet 76: pore

78: micom 80: permanent magnet

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker: the device is fixed to the electric pressure cooker lid, one end is in communication with the inside of the electric pressure cooker and the other end is a steam passage communicating with the outside A body formed; It is structured to reduce the electricity consumption while operating between the closed position to close the steam passage during cooking to prevent the discharge of steam and the open position to allow the discharge of steam by opening the steam passage after cooking is finished. Operating means; Clamp means operative between a fixed position such that the electric pressure cooker lid cannot be opened from the electric pressure cooker and a release position such that the electric pressure cooker lid can be opened from the electric pressure cooker; Switch means attached to said actuating means for generating a closing signal or an opening signal, respectively, when said actuating means is moved to said closed position or open position; And controlling the operation of the operating means according to the pressing of the cooking button or various cooking data, moving the clamp means to the release position as the open signal is input from the switch means, and a closing signal is input from the switch means. The control means for performing a heating operation for the electric pressure cooker according to the above.

According to another aspect of the invention, the operating means, the frame is fixed to the main body; A bobbin fixedly housed in the frame, the inner circumferential surface of which provides an operating chamber; A coil wound on an outer circumferential surface of the bobbin and connected to the control means; A magnetic body fixed to one end of the frame in the operating chamber; A permanent magnet arranged between one end of the frame and the magnetic body; A plunger disposed in the operating chamber in a reciprocating manner; A shaft having one end positioned inside the operation chamber and the other end protruding outside through the magnetic body and the one end of the frame; A diaphragm fixed between the other end of the shaft and moved between a closed position for closing the steam passage of the main body and an open position for opening the steam passage of the main body; And a spring arranged between the magnetic material and the plunger in the operating chamber to push the plunger toward the other end of the frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, the switch means, the switch case is fixed to the other end of the frame; A fixed switching member fixed to the switch case and connected to the control means; And a movable switching member fixed to the other end of the plunger and moved together with the plunger.

According to another aspect of the invention, the control means is composed of a microcomputer.

According to another aspect of the invention, the main body is disposed in the vertical direction, the operation means and the switch means are disposed in the horizontal direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, the valve chamber is formed in the middle portion of the steam passage, the valve seat is formed in a portion where the one end of the steam passage and the valve chamber is communicated, the diaphragm is the valve seat The seating prevents the release of steam.

According to the above characteristics of the present invention, when one direction of electricity, eg, forward electricity, is instantaneously applied from the microcomputer to the coil, the magnetic material and the plunger have different polarities, and thus the plunger is pulled toward one end of the frame and thus the shaft is The diaphragm fixed to the end of the shaft while being pushed by the plunger is moved to the closed position to close the steam passage during cooking. The electricity applied instantaneously to the coil is cut off after the plunger is moved to the magnetic body by a certain distance, and after the electricity is cut off, the plunger remains in contact with the magnetic body by the attraction force of the permanent magnet. Therefore, since there is no need to continuously supply current to the coil during cooking, the amount of electricity used can be reduced.

When the microcomputer determines that cooking has been completed according to various cooking data, electricity in one direction, for example, electricity in a reverse direction, is instantaneously applied to the coil so that the magnetic material and the plunger have the same polarity, and the magnetic force pushes the plunger together with the spring. By the restoring force of the plunger is pushed toward the other end of the frame. Therefore, the diaphragm fixed to the end of the shaft is moved to the open position by its elasticity and the pressure of the steam to open the steam passage to discharge the steam in the electric pressure cooker to the outside.

At this time, since the movable switching member fixed to the other end of the plunger is connected to the fixed switching member, an opening signal indicating the opening of the steam passage is input to the microcomputer, and the microcom releases the clamp means after confirming that the steam passage is surely opened. The user can press the catch button and open the lid of the electric pressure cooker. Therefore, even if a failure or malfunction of each component constituting the operation means occurs, the clamp means is moved to the release position only after the microcomputer confirms the sure opening of the steam passage, thus eliminating the risk of explosion of the electric pressure cooker. As a result, safety is assured as much as possible, thereby increasing the commerciality of the electric pressure cooker.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the same reference numerals will be used for the same parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, it shows a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of the automatic steam discharge device for electric pressure cooker according to the present invention.

Steam automatic discharge device 10 for an electric pressure cooker according to the present invention includes a body (12). A hole 72 is formed in the electric pressure cooker lid 14, and a lower end portion of the main body 12 is fitted through the hole 72. A threaded portion 16 is formed at a portion of the main body 12 that is fitted into the inner side of the electric pressure cooker lid 14, and an inner nut 18 is attached to the threaded portion 16 inside the electric pressure cooker lid 14. The body 12 is firmly fixed to the electric pressure cooker lid 14 by being fastened. A groove is formed in the portion of the main body 12 seated on the upper surface of the electric pressure cooker lid 14, and the 0-ring 20 is inserted into the groove to perform a sealing function.

The main body 12 is formed with a steam passage 22 extending in the longitudinal direction. The lower end of the steam passage 22 forms a steam inlet 74 to communicate with the inside of the electric pressure cooker lid 14, and the upper end of the steam passage 22 forms a steam outlet 26 to communicate with the outside. In the middle of the steam passage 22, a valve chamber 24 is provided in the main body 12, and a valve seat 28 is provided in the main body 12 at a portion where the steam inlet 74 and the valve chamber 24 communicate with each other. Is formed. When the steam passage 22 is opened, the steam in the electric pressure cooker lid 14 may be discharged to the outside through the pores 76 formed in the inner nut 18, and the electric pressure when the steam passage 22 is closed. The steam in the cooker lid 14 cannot be discharged to the outside. Reference numeral 50 denotes a cap fitted to an upper end of the main body 12.

On the side of the main body 12 in the upper portion of the electric pressure cooker lid 14, a frame 32 having a 'c' shaped cross section is disposed in the horizontal direction. The frame 32 is fixed to the body 12 by a screw 70, and the left end of the frame 32 is closed. The bobbin 34 is accommodated in the frame 32 and maintained in a fixed state. The coil 38 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 34, and the operating chamber 40 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the bobbin 34. The coil 38 is connected to the microcomputer 78 via the first lead wire 66, and the over mold 36 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the coil 38 to prevent inflow of moisture.

The plunger 42 is disposed in the operating chamber 40 in a reciprocating manner, and the magnetic body 62 is fixed to the left end wall of the frame 32 in the operating chamber 40. A permanent magnet 80 is arranged between the inner surface of the left end wall of the frame 32 and the magnetic body 62. A spring 44 is arranged between the magnetic body 62 and the plunger 42, and the spring 44 functions to push the plunger 42 toward the right end of the frame 32. Inside the operating chamber 40, the right end of the shaft 46 is located in a reciprocating manner, and the left end of the shaft 46 penetrates through the walls of the left end of the magnetic body 62 and the frame 32. It protrudes outward. A flange portion 48 is formed at the left end of the shaft 46 which protrudes outward, and the central portion of the diaphragm 30 is fixed to the flange portion 48. The circumferential outer edge of the diaphragm 30 is held pressed against the wall portion of the body 12 providing the valve chamber 24 by the left end wall of the frame 32. As the plunger 42 is moved in the operating chamber 40, the diaphragm 30 lands on the valve seat 28 to close the steam passage 22 and the steam spaced apart from the valve seat 28. It is movable between open positions for opening the passage 22. Reference numeral 20a denotes a zero ring provided between the inner surface of the left end wall of the frame 32 and the outer surface of the axial left end of the bobbin 34 to perform a sealing function.

The open right end of the frame 32 is closed by the switch case 52, which is connected to the frame 32 by the screw 70 for fixing the frame 32 to the body 12. It is fixed to). A plate 64 is interposed between the frame 32 and the switch case 52. Reference numeral 20b denotes a zero ring provided between the bobbin 34 and the plate 64 and reference numeral 54 denotes a gasket provided between the plate 64 and the switch case 52. The fixed switch layer member 58 is fixed to the inside of the switch case 52, and the movable switching member 60 is integrally fixed to the right end of the plunger 42 together with the plunger 42. It is moved back and forth. The fixed switching member 58 is connected to the microcomputer 78 via the second lead wire 68, and a packing 56 is fitted to the outer surface of the switch case 52. In response to the movement of the plunger 42, when the movable switching member 60 is connected to the fixed switching member 58, an opening signal informing the opening of the steam passage 22 is input to the microcomputer 78; When the movable switching member 60 is separated from the fixed switching member 58, a closing signal for informing that the steam passage 22 is closed is input to the microcomputer 78.

Hereinafter, the operation of the steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker according to the present invention structured as described above will be described in detail:

Initially, when the cook button is pressed while rice is put in the electric pressure cooker, a signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 78, and the microcomputer 78 detects this and switches the clamp mechanism (not shown) to the fixed position to make the electric pressure rice cooker. The lid 14 is firmly fixed to the electric pressure cooker to allow the electric pressure cooker lid 14 to withstand the high pressure generated during cooking. Then, the microcomputer 78 applies the electricity in one direction, such as the electricity in the forward direction, instantaneously, for example, 0.5 to 1 second, to the coil 38 via the first lead wire 66; When forward electricity is applied to the coil 38, the magnetic body 62 and the plunger 42 have different polarities, so that the plunger 42 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 44 and moves toward the left end of the frame 32. The diaphragm 30, which is pulled and thus pushed by the shaft 46 by the plunger 32, is fixed to the end of the shaft 46 to move to the closed position to close the steam passage during cooking. The forward electricity instantaneously applied to the coil 38 is cut off after the plunger 42 is moved toward the magnetic body 62 by a certain distance, and after the electricity is cut off, the plunger 42 is permanent magnet 80 It is maintained in contact with the magnetic body 62 by the attraction force. When the movable switching member 60 fixed to the right end of the plunger 42 falls from the fixed switching member 58, a closing signal informing of the closing of the steam passage 22 is received via the second lead wire 68 and the microcomputer 78. And the microcomputer 78 receives the closing signal to confirm the secure closing of the steam passage 22 and then performs a heating operation on the electric pressure cooker.

When the microcomputer 78 determines that the cooking is finished according to various cooking data such as the temperature and pressure in the electric pressure cooker, the microcomputer 78 momentarily, for example, 0.5 to 1 second, to the coil 38 in the other one direction. Applying electricity, eg, reverse electricity; When electricity in reverse direction is applied to the coil 38, the magnetic body 62 and the plunger 42 have the same polarity, and the magnetic body 62 pushes against the plunger 42 and the restoring force of the spring 44. The plunger 42 is pushed toward the right end of the frame 32. Therefore, the diaphragm 30 fixed to the end of the shaft 46 is moved to the open position by its elasticity and the pressure of the steam to open the steam passage to discharge the steam in the electric pressure cooker to the outside. The reverse electricity applied instantaneously to the coil 38 is cut off after the plunger 42 has been moved a certain distance towards the right end of the frame 32, and after the electricity is cut off the plunger 42 springs. Only by the restoring force of 44 is it continuously moved toward the right end of the frame 32. As the plunger 42 moves, when the movable switching member 60 fixed to the right end of the plunger 42 is connected to the fixed switching member 58, an opening signal indicating the opening of the steam passage 22 is supplied with the second signal. The microcomputer 78 is transmitted to the microcomputer 78 via the lead wire 68, and the microcomputer 78 receives the open signal and confirms that the steam passage 22 is surely opened before switching the clamp mechanism to the release position. Accordingly, the user can press the catch button provided on the electric pressure cooker lid and open the electric pressure cooker lid.

According to the configuration as described above of the present invention, since it is not necessary to continuously supply the current to the coil during cooking, the electricity consumption can be reduced; Even in the event of failure or malfunction of each component constituting the steam automatic discharge device, the clamp mechanism is switched to the release position only after the microcomputer confirms the sure opening of the steam passage, thus eliminating the risk of explosion of the electric pressure cooker. As a result, safety is assured as much as possible, thereby increasing the commerciality of the electric pressure cooker.

While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto but may vary without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that such modifications and variations can be made in the art.

Claims (6)

In the steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker, the main body 12 is fixed to the electric pressure cooker lid 14, the one end is in communication with the inside of the electric pressure cooker, the other end is in communication with the outside body 12 is formed Wow; While the cooking is closed, the steam passage 22 is closed to prevent the discharge of steam, and after the cooking is finished, the steam passage 22 is opened to operate the open position to allow the discharge of steam while using electricity consumption. Operating means configured to be reduced; Clamp means operated between a fixed position such that the electric pressure cooker lid 14 cannot be opened from the electric pressure cooker and a release position to allow the electric pressure cooker lid 14 to be opened from the electric pressure cooker; Attached to the operating means to control the operation of the operating means in accordance with the pressing of the switch means and the cooking button to generate the closing signal or the open signal, respectively, when the operating means is moved to the closed position or the open position; And a control means for moving the clamp means to the release position as the open signal is input from the switch means and performing a heating operation on the electric pressure cooker as the close signal is input from the switch means. Steam automatic discharge device for electric pressure cooker. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating means, the frame 32 is fixed to the main body 12; A bobbin 34 fixedly housed in the frame 32 and providing an operation chamber 40 on an inner circumferential surface thereof; A coil 38 wound around the outer circumferential surface of the bobbin 34 and connected to the control means; A magnetic body 62 fixed to one end of the frame 32 in the operating chamber 40; A permanent magnet (80) arranged between one end of the frame (32) and the magnetic body (62); A plunger 42 disposed in the operating chamber 40 in a reciprocating manner; A shaft 46 having one end positioned inside the operation chamber 40 and the other end protruding to the outside through the magnetic body 62 and the one end of the frame 32; The diaphragm 30 fixed between the other end of the shaft 46 and moved between a closed position for closing the steam passage 22 of the main body 12 and an open position for opening the steam passage 22 of the main body 12. And a spring 44 arranged between the magnetic body 62 and the plunger 42 in the operating chamber 40 to push the plunger 42 toward the other end of the frame 32. Steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker, characterized in that the configuration. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch means comprises: a switch case (52) fixed to the other end of the frame (32); A fixed switching member 58 fixed to the switch case 52 and connected to the control means; And a movable switching member (60) fixed to the other end of the plunger (42) to move together with the plunger (42). The steam automatic discharge device for an electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a microcomputer (78). 2. The apparatus for automatically discharging steam for an electric pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein the main body (12) is disposed in the vertical direction and the actuating means and the switch means are disposed in the horizontal direction. According to claim 1, wherein the steam passage 22 formed on one side of the main body 12 has a valve chamber 24 is formed in the middle portion of the one end and the valve chamber 24 of the steam passage 22 The valve seat 28 is formed in the communication portion and the diaphragm 30 provided at the lower end of the valve seat 28 is seated on the valve seat 28 to prevent the discharge of steam, characterized in that Steam automatic discharge device for rice cooker.