JP3129376B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rice cooker, and more particularly, to heating or heating an inner pot by energizing an electromagnetic induction coil or a heater provided at the bottom of a container housing the inner pot. And a rice cooker for cooking rice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a rice cooker determines the amount of cooked rice from a temperature rise state in the course of the rice cooking process, and changes the current-carrying capacity to an electromagnetic induction coil and a heater in the subsequent cooked rice based on the determination. By doing so, it is possible to achieve predetermined rice cooking.

[0003]

However, with the above-described control alone, the actual rice cooked state varies, and rice cooked as set may not be achieved. This is more likely to occur during winter or when cooking in cold climates.

[0004] The inventors of the present invention have conducted various experiments and studies, and as a result, it has been found that the temperature is greatly affected by the water temperature in the inner pot at the beginning of rice cooking.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has an object to provide a rice cooker which can perform predetermined rice cooking without the influence of the above-mentioned variation in the initial rice cooking temperature by improving simple software control based on such new knowledge. It is assumed that.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the rice cooker according to the present invention has a heating means for heating an inner pot to cook rice and a heating control of the heating means in accordance with a setting. Control means, determining means for determining the amount of cooked rice from the temperature rise state during the cooking step of the rice cooking process, according to the determination data of this determining means, the energizing capacity to be heated in the subsequent cooking step in multiple stages. setting means for setting a detection means for detecting the initial temperature at the start cooking, this corrects the determined data of the determination means in accordance with the detected temperature of the detection means
Based on the corrected determination data,
A first feature is that a current-carrying capacity correction means for correcting the current-carrying capacity is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a rice cooker according to the present invention has a heating means for heating an inner pot to cook rice, a control means for controlling heating of the heating means in accordance with settings, and a rice cooking process. Determining means for determining the amount of cooked rice from the temperature rise state during the cooking step of, according to the determination of this determining means,
Setting means for setting a current-carrying capacity for heating in a plurality of stages at later cook up step, a detecting means for detecting an initial temperature at the start of cooking, a plurality of time the cooking amount determined in accordance with the detected temperature of the detection means that a NoboriAtsushijo condition correcting means for correcting the Atsushi Nobori of step a second feature.

[0008]

In the rice cooker according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The heating means is controlled by the control means, and the energizing capacity of a plurality of stages set in advance, and the subsequent rice cooking set by the setting means based on the result of determination of the amount of rice cooked from the determination means during the cooking step of the rice cooking process. The rice is cooked by being actuated by a plurality of stages of the current-carrying capacity at which heating is performed.In the early stage of the rice cooking start, the detecting unit detects the initial temperature at the start of rice cooking, and the correcting unit based on the initial temperature. The judgment data of the judging means is corrected and based on the corrected judgment data.
Power supply for correcting the power supply capacity set in the plurality of stages.
Since the capacity is provided, the determination of the amount of cooked rice will be performed under the determination condition taking into account the difference in the initial temperature, and the energizing capacity to be heated in the subsequent cooking process will vary in the initial temperature of the cooked rice. Without compromising the judgment data.
Make sure to set properly based on the amount of rice cooked
It is possible to achieve a predetermined rice cooking.

In the rice cooker according to the second aspect of the present invention, the heating means is controlled by the control means to set a plurality of heating currents to be heated in advance, and to control the heating capacity during the cooking process in the rice cooking process. It is acted upon by a plurality of heating power supply capacities in the subsequent cooking process set by the setting means based on the amount of cooked rice determined by the determination means from the temperature rising state,
Although rice is cooked, an initial temperature at the start of rice cooking is detected by the detecting means at the beginning of the rice cooking start, and the temperature rising state in a plurality of stages in the rice cooking amount determination process is corrected based on the initial temperature. However, the determination of the amount of cooked rice will be performed under the determination condition that incorporates the difference in the initial temperature, and even if the energizing capacity for heating in a plurality of stages of the subsequent cooking process varies in the initial temperature of the cooked rice, Multi-stage properly without affecting
By setting the temperature rising state , the desired rice cooking according to the rice cooking amount can be achieved.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an electric rice cooker for cooking and keeping heat as an embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker according to the present embodiment accommodates an inner pot 3 in a body 1 and a lid 5 pivotally supported by a hinge shaft 4 at the rear of the body 1. , The mouth 1a, 3a of the container 1 and the inner pot 3 can be opened and closed at the same time, and rice is cooked by heating the inner pot 3.

The body 1 is formed in a hollow shape by an inner case 7 and an outer case 8 whose upper ends are connected by a shoulder member 10 made of resin. The inner case 7 is a one-piece molded product made of metal, and the upper end of the inner case 7 is forcibly fitted and connected to a forcibly fitted portion 10 a provided on the inner periphery of the shoulder member 10, whereas the outer case 8 is a forcibly fitted portion. Metal body 8a spliced at 8c
And a bottom portion 8b made of resin, and the upper end of the body portion 8a is formed on the outer periphery of the shoulder member 10.
b.

A hot platen 13 having a built-in rice cooker 11 is provided in the bottom of the inner case 7, and is fixed on the bottom of the inner case 7 by screws 15. The rice cooking is performed by receiving and heating the inner pot 3 on the hot platen 13. At the bottom center of the inner case 7, a temperature sensor 16 for controlling the heat generation of the rice cooker 11 is mounted in common with the screw 15, and this temperature sensor 16 is attached to the central opening 1 of the hot platen 13.
It is exposed to the upper surface of the hot platen 13 through 3a and comes into contact with the bottom of the inner pot 3 received on the hot platen 13 in the inner case 7, so as to detect the rice cooking temperature and the heat retaining temperature.

The cover 5 has a double structure of an outer plate 23 and an inner plate 24 made of resin, and an inner cover 14 made of metal is applied to the opening of the inner plate 24 and attached with screws 30. . A seal packing 25 for sealing between the lip of the inner pot 3 and the outer periphery of the inner cap 14 is provided at the fitting portion of the inner cap 14 to the inner plate 24. Is closed.

A steam pipe 26 for allowing steam generated in the inner pot 2 to escape to the outside is formed integrally downward and slightly toward the rear of the center of the outer plate 23, and formed on the inner plate 24 so as to face the steam pipe 26. A steam release port 27 is provided. The steam release port 27 is connected to the steam pipe 28 by a cylindrical elastic pipe 29 made of rubber, resin, or the like. A pressure regulating valve 31 for releasing steam to the outside while maintaining the pressure is integrally formed. This pressure regulating valve 31 cuts the valve membrane,
Although the cut portion is expanded at a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure to release steam, any type may be specifically employed.

The cover 5 is provided with a spring 32 which is operated around a pivot.
In the closed state, the distal end 5a is engaged with a lock lever 34 pivotally supported by a shaft 33 at the front edge of the rim of the container 1 in the closed state. Locked and stable. Lock lever 34 is spring 35
The lid 5 is automatically opened by the spring 32 by being depressed and disengaged from the tip 5a. However, in this opening operation, a leaf spring 36 provided in the rear portion of the lid 5 is used.
Is slidingly brought into contact with a part of the bearing portion 37 to be braked, and the lid 5 is opened at a gentle speed.

A body heater 38 is provided on the outer periphery of the body of the inner case 7.
Is wound, and a lid heater 39 is attached to the upper surface of the inner lid 14, and the rice in the inner pan 3 is uniformly and uniformly distributed from the surroundings by these or these and the low-capacity energization of the rice cooking heater 11. Be able to keep warm.

Around the body of the inner case 7 is covered with a heat insulating wall 40, and a heat insulating wall 40 is also provided in the lid 5 so as to prevent heat from escaping to the outside during cooking and keeping warm. .

A control box 42 for accommodating a power supply control board 41 is integrally formed downward in the front half of the opening 8b, and a bottom plate 8b is formed with a cover plate 43 fitted in the opening. The control box 42 is covered from below to protect the power supply control board 41 in the control box 42. An upper recess 44 is provided in the rear half of the cover plate 43, and a cord reel 45 for winding and housing the power cord is accommodated and mounted in the recess 44.

The inner case 7 and the outer case 8 at the front of the body 1
An extended space 51 wider than the other portions is formed between the display unit 52 and the display unit 52 and the microcomputer control board 53.

The display unit 52 is located immediately behind an operation panel 55 formed by attaching a seal sheet 54 on the front upper surface of the shoulder member 10, and a screw 156 is provided on the back side of the shoulder member 10.
, And receives various key operations from the operation panel 55, and performs various lighting displays such as the operation and operation status and the start of rice cooking on the operation panel 55. The microcomputer control board 53 includes a display unit 52
Is attached to the outer surface of a protective wall 56 which is formed integrally with the resin base 60 and is suspended in the expansion space 51 by screws 57.

FIG. 2 shows the power supply control board 4 of the rice cooker according to this embodiment.
1, an entire control circuit composed of a display unit 52, an operation panel 55, and a microcomputer control board 53. An AC power supply 61 includes a rice cooker 11, a body heater 38, and a lid heater 39, and triacs 62, 63, and The triacs 62 and 63 and the relay 64 are connected and controlled by a microcomputer 65 on a microcomputer control board 53 through a relay contact 64a of a relay 64 as shown in FIG. The heater 39 can be controlled as set for rice cooking and heat retention.

The microcomputer 65 has a temperature sensor 16 and a holder support facing a part of the holder 67 of the temperature sensor 16 so as to determine whether the temperature sensor 16 is pushed down by the inner pot 3. An inner pot detection switch 68 provided in the section 69 is also connected as shown in the figure.

Display unit 52 and operation panel 55
As shown in FIG. 2, a digital display unit 71, a key switch 72 for both heat retention and cancellation, a rice cooking start key switch 73, a rice cooking reservation time setting key switch 74, a time setting key switch 75 for cooking rice reservation, and a minute setting key switch 76
And rice cooker display LED 77, heat retention display LED
78, a cooked rice reservation status display LED 79, and a buzzer 80 for warning are connected to the microcomputer 65.

In the present embodiment, the relay 64 serving as a heating means is controlled by the control function of the microcomputer 65 to set a predetermined current-carrying capacity for heating.
During the cooking process of the rice cooking process, the rice is operated by the power supply capacity in the subsequent cooking process set by the setting function of the microcomputer 65 based on the determination result of the amount of rice by the determination function of the microcomputer 65 during the cooking process. In addition, the initial temperature at the start of rice cooking is detected by the detection function of the microcomputer 65 via the temperature sensor 16 at the initial stage, and the correction function of the microcomputer 65 is performed based on the initial temperature. The set current carrying capacity based on the amount of rice cooked by the setting function of the microcomputer 65 is corrected, so that the rice cooker with the current carrying capacity according to the amount of cooked rice can also take into account the difference in the initial temperature of rice cooking. And the energizing capacity of the subsequent cooking process will vary with the initial temperature of the cooked rice. Even, are properly set without this influence, it is possible to achieve a predetermined cooking.

Here, the microcomputer 65 controls the heating means so as to energize the rice cooker 11 for heating the inner pot 3 so as to energize it as set, a determination function for determining the amount of rice cooked, and a function for determining the amount of cooked rice according to this determination. Setting function to set the current carrying capacity, a detecting function to detect the initial temperature of rice cooking, and a correction function to correct the set current carrying capacity to be heated by the detected initial temperature of rice cooking,
It corresponds to the control means, the determination means, the setting means, the detection means, and the correction means in the present invention, and it goes without saying that other than the microcomputer 65 may be employed.

The present invention can be similarly applied to a rice cooker of the type in which rice is cooked by heating the inner pot 3 by electromagnetic induction. In this case, the control means controls an electromagnetic induction coil instead of the rice cooker 11. become.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show rice cooking by the control circuit of FIG.
An example of the heat retaining operation control is shown and will be described. When the power is turned on, first, as shown in FIG. 3, after initialization and clearing of various setting states are performed in step # 1, input by various key switches is performed in a standby mode in the next step # 2. Then, while performing various input / output processing, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input of the rice cooker switch key in step # 3.

When there is an operation input of the rice cooker key switch, the buzzer is activated in step # 4 to notify the start of the rice cooker operation, and in step # 5, the rice cooking state display LED is turned on. Next, after waiting for a predetermined time a seconds to elapse in step # 6, the initial temperature T at the start of rice cooking by the temperature sensor is
The magnitude relation between the lower reference temperature T1 and the upper reference temperature T2 is determined in steps # 7 and # 8, and correction data α1 to α3 corresponding to the magnitude relation determination result are set in steps # 9 to # 11.

Thereafter, in step # 12, FIG.
(B) A water absorption step of heating the inner pot 3 to maintain a predetermined low temperature to absorb water into rice is performed for a time corresponding to each setting menu shown in (c), and in step # 13, FIG.
The cooking process according to each setting menu shown in (a), (b) and (c) is started. This cooking step may be performed in any manner, but in this embodiment, FIG.
(B), so that the rice cooking temperature along the ideal cooking curve set according to each setting menu shown in (c),
While watching the difference between the ideal cooking curve and the actual rice cooking temperature, the rice cooking heater is controlled so that the ideal cooking curve is obtained, and the cooking process is started.

After the start of the cooking process, in step # 14 shown in FIG. 4, during the cooking process in which the rice temperature rises from the water absorption temperature to the boiling temperature, the actual rice cooking temperature is an ideal cooking curve. The total number β of the cooked rice amounts is determined based on the amount of deviation from and the time until the deviation is eliminated, and in steps # 15 and # 16, at the start of the rice cooking, for each magnitude of the determined rice amount β. The correction data set in accordance with the initial temperature of (1) performs the correction process based on α1 to α3, and as a result of this correction, the power supply capacity of the corresponding heater is selected and set in step # 17, and the heating based on this is performed thereafter. To

Then, the rice cooking temperature is adjusted to the cooking end temperature 13
When it is confirmed in step # 18 that the temperature has reached 0 ° C., the steaming process is performed in step # 19. Upon completion of the steaming process, the process shifts to a heat retaining process in step # 20.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment, the internal function of the microcomputer is used to heat the inner pot to cook rice. Means, a control means for controlling the heating according to the setting of the heating means, a determination means for determining the amount of cooked rice from a temperature rise state in the middle of the cooking step of the rice cooking process, and, according to the determination of this determination means, for subsequent rice cooking Setting means for setting an energizing capacity for heating in a plurality of stages, detecting means for detecting an initial temperature at the time of starting rice cooking using a temperature sensor, and determining data of the determining means in accordance with the detected temperature of the detecting means. And a correcting means for correcting.

Therefore, the heating means is controlled by the control means, and is set by the setting means based on a plurality of preset power supply capacities set in advance and the result of determination of the amount of rice cooked from the determination means during the cooking of the rice cooking process. double in the subsequent rice
This embodiment is common to the first embodiment in that it is operated by several stages of the current-carrying capacity and cooks rice.

However, at the beginning of the rice cooking process, the detection means detects the initial temperature at the start of rice cooking, and the correction means corrects the determination data of the determination means based on the initial temperature, thereby determining the amount of rice cooked. there will be carried out in a determination condition which incorporates the differences between the initial temperature, current carrying capacity of the multi-step process up cooked after it, even if there are variations in the initial temperature of the cooking, this effect without properly plurality of stages so as to be set, it is possible to achieve a predetermined cooking in accordance with 炊 rice amount.

FIG. 6 shows a control flow after the determination of the total number in the present embodiment. In step # 114, the total number β of the cooked rice amount is temporarily determined as in the first embodiment. In step # 15, the tentative total number determination result β is corrected with the correction data α set from the initial temperature at the time of the start of rice cooking in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the proper total number data θ is calculated.

After that, in steps # 116 and # 117, the rice cooker is energized with the current-carrying capacities W1 to W4 necessary for the subsequent cooking process in accordance with the size of the combined data θ. After that, since it is the same as the case of the first embodiment, the description is omitted. The graph of FIG. 7 shows the change of the rice cooking temperature and the state of control in this embodiment.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment, the internal function of the microcomputer is used to heat the inner pot to cook rice. Means, control means for controlling the heating according to the setting of the heating means, determination means for determining the amount of rice cooked from the temperature rise state during the cooking of the rice cooking process, and according to the determination of this determination means, for subsequent cooking Setting means for setting a plurality of stages of energization capacity to be heated, detecting means for detecting an initial temperature at the start of rice cooking using a temperature sensor, and a plurality of steps for determining the amount of cooked rice according to the detected temperature of the detecting means. And a correcting means for correcting the current carrying capacity.

Therefore, the heating means is controlled by the control means, and the setting means is based on the preset plurality of power supply capacities and the amount of rice cooked determined by the determination means from the temperature rise state during the cooking step of the rice cooking process. The second and third embodiments are common to the first and second embodiments in that they are operated by a plurality of stages of heating current supply capacity set in the subsequent rice cooking and cook rice.

However, the initial temperature at the start of the rice cooking is detected by the detecting means at the beginning of the rice cooking, and based on the initial temperature, the temperature rising state in the rice cooking amount determination process is determined in a plurality of stages.
By correcting by adjusting the power supply capacity of the floor, the determination of the amount of cooked rice will be performed under the determination conditions incorporating the difference in the initial temperature, and the power supply capacity of the subsequent cooking process will vary with the initial temperature of the cooked rice Even if there is, it is possible to achieve predetermined rice cooking according to the amount of cooked rice by appropriately setting the temperature rising state in a plurality of stages without affecting the above.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show one specific example of such control. In step # 211 the initial temperature Tα at the start of rice cooking is detected, and in step # 212 a water absorption step is performed. When this is completed, in steps # 213 and 214,
The heater is energized with the capacity of W1, and the operation shifts to the rice cooking amount determination operation at the start-up stage to the rice cooking process, and the heating state is continued until the rice cooking temperature reaches the temperature TA shown in FIG. When TA is reached, as shown in steps # 215 to # 222, while turning on the heater at the power supply capacity W2 is continued until the stepwise upper limit temperature Tm is reached, and integrating the power supply time t during that time is repeated n times. , The stepwise upper limit temperature Tm
Is performed while updating to the next target temperature, and the energization time of each time is determined according to the difference in the initial temperature Tα at the start of the rice cooking, S1, S
2, different from S3.

The energization state for determining the amount of cooked rice is as shown in FIG. 10. The energization integration time t when n times of energization is completed is different from the state for each time for determining the amount of cooked rice. , And the difference in the amount of cooked rice reflects on the temperature rise characteristics. Therefore, it is possible to determine the amount of cooked rice from the temperature rise characteristic based on the current-flow integration time t. The difference between the energization times S1 to S3 set according to the difference in the initial temperature at the start of the rice cooking means that the elevated temperature state is corrected according to the difference in the initial temperature at the start of the rice cooking. .

Of course, in order to determine the amount of cooked rice, the number of times of energization m may be one. However, by setting this to a large number of times, it is possible to finely set the temperature rise ideal for the rice cooking temperature determination for the rice cooking amount interlocking with the cooking operation.

When the amount of cooked rice is obtained as the accumulated time t, in steps # 231 and # 232 shown in FIG.
The heaters are turned on with the corresponding energization capacities W3 to W6,
If it is confirmed in step # 234 that the temperature has reached 130 ° C., the process proceeds to the uneven process in step # 235, and then to the heat retaining process in step # 236.

[0045]

According to the first feature of the rice cooker of the present invention,
The heating means is controlled by the control means, and the energizing capacity of a plurality of stages set in advance, and the subsequent rice cooking set by the setting means based on the result of determination of the amount of rice cooked from the determination means during the cooking step of the rice cooking process. The rice is cooked by being actuated by a plurality of stages of the current-carrying capacity at which heating is performed.In the early stage of the rice cooking start, the detecting unit detects the initial temperature at the start of rice cooking, and the correcting unit based on the initial temperature. The judgment data of the judging means is corrected and based on the corrected judgment data.
Power supply for correcting the power supply capacity set in the plurality of stages.
Since the capacity is provided, the determination of the amount of cooked rice will be performed under the determination condition taking into account the difference in the initial temperature, and the energizing capacity to be heated in the subsequent cooking process will vary in the initial temperature of the cooked rice. Without compromising the judgment data.
Make sure to set properly based on the amount of rice cooked
It is possible to achieve a predetermined rice cooking.

According to the second feature of the rice cooker of the present invention, the heating means is controlled by the control means, so that a predetermined plurality of current supply capacities for heating and a rise during the cooking process in the rice cooking process are provided. double in step raised cooking subsequent to set the setting means based on rice amount determines the determination means from the warm state
The rice is cooked by being operated by several stages of the current-carrying capacity, and rice is cooked. At the beginning of the rice cooking, an initial temperature at the start of rice cooking is detected by the detecting means, and the rice cooking amount determining step is performed based on the initial temperature. Since the multi-step heating state is corrected in the above, the determination of the amount of cooked rice will be performed under the determination condition incorporating the difference in the initial temperature, and the subsequent cooking process
Even if the heating capacity of multiple stages varies in the initial temperature of rice cooking, the temperature can be increased in multiple stages properly without affecting this
By setting the state, it is possible to achieve predetermined rice cooking according to the amount of rice cooked.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a rice cooker showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the rice cooker of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operation control of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 up to the start of cooking in the rice cooking operation.

4 is a flowchart showing operation control from the start of cooking in the rice cooking operation of the rice cooker in FIG. 1 to a heat retention step after rice cooking.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing rice cooking temperature changes according to each setting menu of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 and timings of various operations.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of control after a combined number determination according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a change in rice cooking temperature under the control of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a first half of a flowchart of the control after the union determination according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second half of the flowchart of the control after the integration test, showing the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a change in rice cooking temperature under the control of FIGS. 8 and 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 inner pot 16 temperature sensor 65 microcomputer

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A heating means for heating an inner pot to cook rice, a control means for controlling the heating of the heating means in accordance with a setting, and a determination of the amount of cooked rice from a temperature rise state during the cooking step of the cooking process. A plurality of determining means and a plurality of energizing capacities to be heated in the subsequent cooking step according to the determination data of the determining means.
Setting means for setting the phase detection means for detecting an initial temperature at the start of cooking, by correcting the determined data of the determination means in accordance with the detected temperature of the detecting means determines data of the corrected
The current-carrying capacity set in the multiple stages based on the data
A rice cooker comprising: a current-carrying capacity correction unit that corrects the current . Determination 2. A inner bowl heating means for performing cooking by heating, and control means for heating control according to the setting of the heating means, the rice amount from an elevated temperature in the middle as cook-up Engineering of cooking process Determining means, and according to the determination by the determining means,
Setting means for setting a current-carrying capacity for heating in a plurality of stages at later cook up step, a detecting means for detecting an initial temperature at the start of cooking, a plurality of time the cooking amount determined in accordance with the detected temperature of the detection means A rice cooker comprising: a temperature-raising state correcting means for correcting a temperature rising state in stages .