JP4655962B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a rice cooker.

  Conventionally, in this type of rice cooker, for example, there is a rice cooker that uses steam that heats the boiling point of water or more (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 shows a conventional rice cooker described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a lid 2 is installed in a state of covering the detachable pan 1 and the pan 1 positioned above the pan 1, and the food in the pan 1 is heated below the lid 2. The lid heating plate 3 and the lid heating means 4 for heating the lid heating plate 3 are further provided. A pot heating means 5 is provided at the bottom of the pot 1 to heat the rice and water in the pot 1. In addition, a water storage container 8 for supplying water to the steam generator 7 provided on the cover heating plate 3 is installed in the cover 2, and a water supply valve 6 is provided in the water supply hole of the water storage container 8. The water supply valve 6 is opened and closed by a solenoid (not shown) or an electric motor (not shown), so that water is supplied to the steam generator 7. The water supplied to the steam generator 7 is heated and evaporated by the lid heating plate 3 heated by the lid heating means 4. The steam generated in this manner passes through the steam charging unit 9 provided on the lid heating plate 3 and is charged into the pot 1 from above. Moreover, this vapor | steam becomes more than the boiling point (100 degreeC) of the water under atmospheric pressure with the lid | cover heating plate 3. FIG.

  In this way, the inventors of the steaming process, which is the final process of rice cooking, where superheated steam above the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure (100 ° C.) or more is almost eliminated from the top of the pan opening and the fluidity of rice is lost. Has been working on the development of rice starch to complete the gelatinization of rice starch. This is because steam is supplied, so the rice does not dry, and when steam is supplied at 100 ° C. or lower, water stays attached to the surface of the grain of rice. It has the energy necessary to advance the cooking, promotes gelatinization, and can improve rice cooking performance.

Moreover, since the steam cylinder 10 which discharges | emits the vapor | steam in the pan 1 outside the apparatus is provided, and this steam cylinder 10 adheres whenever rice is cooked, it is necessary to wash | clean every time rice is cooked. Furthermore, fresh water needs to be put in a water storage container for storing water necessary for generating steam. These two parts need to be cleaned every time rice is cooked, and it takes time for the user to remove them separately and wash them individually with a sink, etc. In the rice cooker shown in FIG. By using a water container-integrated steam cylinder formed integrally with the container, it is possible to clean the steam cylinder and supply water to the water container at a time just by removing one part, improving usability.
JP 2005-160918 A

  However, in the conventional rice cooker, when the water container-integrated steam cylinder is attached to the lid 2, the steam cylinder packing 11 is provided between the steam cylinder 10 and the lid 2, so that steam is generated outside the steam cylinder 10. Although there is no leakage, the packing 11 is not provided between the water storage container 5 and the lid 2, and there is a problem that water from the water storage container 8 spills and enters the lid 2.

  Accordingly, it is conceivable to provide the water storage container 8 with the same packing as the packing 11, but the water storage container integrated steam cylinder due to variations in the dimensions of the water storage container integrated steam cylinder and the horizontal, vertical and flatness of the lid 2. Even if it is completely attached to the lid 2, one of the two packings is completely in contact with the lid 2, but the other packing is not in contact with the lid 2. The problem of being degenerated occurs.

  Even when the two packings are completely sealed at the time of manufacture and inspection, the size, structure, and shape change are different between the lid and the water tank integrated steam cylinder. In addition, deterioration of the sealing performance due to the two packings was inevitable.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and even when a plurality of parts having packing are integrally formed, it is possible to improve the sealing performance of all the packings and ensure stable sealing performance. The purpose is to provide a rice cooker.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a rice cooker according to the present invention includes a pan, a lid that covers the opening of the pan, and a lid heating plate that is provided in the lid and has a steam hole that discharges steam in the pan. A steam passage provided in the lid and communicating with the steam hole, a steam cylinder detachably provided in the lid, and communicating with the steam passage and discharging steam in the pan to the outside of the machine. A water reservoir integrated steam cylinder, a water supply portion to which water is supplied from the water reservoir when the water reservoir integrated steam cylinder is attached to the lid, and the steam cylinder provided in contact with the steam passage. A steam cylinder packing for preventing steam leakage, and a water storage container packing for preventing water leakage by contacting the water supply unit provided in the water storage container, the steam cylinder packing and the water storage container packing, The contact directions are different from each other, and the outer lid and water storage Regardless of the dimensional variation of the vessels integrated steam tube, it is possible to ensure the sealing of both the steam discharge portion and the water discharge portion.

  The rice cooker of the present invention can ensure the sealability of all packings even when a plurality of parts having packings are integrally formed.

  The first invention includes a pan, a lid that covers the opening of the pan, a lid heating plate that is provided in the lid and has a steam hole that discharges steam in the pan, and the steam hole that is provided in the lid. A steam passage that communicates with the steam vessel; a steam tube that is detachably provided on the lid, and has a steam tube that communicates with the steam passage and discharges the steam in the pan to the outside of the machine; and a water storage container, and the water storage A water supply section for supplying water from the water storage container when a container-integrated steam cylinder is attached to the lid; a steam cylinder packing provided in the steam cylinder to prevent steam leakage by contacting the steam passage; A water storage container packing that is provided in the water storage container and prevents water leakage by abutting against the water supply unit, and the steam cylinder packing and the water storage container packing are different from each other in the abutting direction. Depending on the dimensional variation of the lid and the steam cylinder with integrated reservoir To ensure both sealing of the reservoir and the steam tube can be prevented from entering the cap leaks water or steam.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the steam cylinder packing is in contact with the steam passage in the vertical direction, and the water storage container packing is in contact with the water supply unit in the horizontal direction. When this occurs, the horizontal variation can be absorbed by the steam cylinder packing, and when the vertical dimension varies, the vertical variation can be absorbed by the water container packing.

  According to a third invention, in the first or second invention, the water storage container has a water discharge hole for discharging water and a water input valve for opening and closing the water discharge hole, and the water container integrated steam When the cylinder is attached to the lid, the water filling valve is opened after the water container packing comes into contact with the water supply part, and it is stable regardless of the speed at which the water container is set. Sealing performance can be ensured.

  In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the water supply means has valve opening / closing means for opening / closing a water charging valve of the water storage container, and the water container integrated steam cylinder has the valve opening / closing means described above. It is equipped with a fitting hook that fits into the fitting part provided on the outer lid when the water supply valve can be opened and closed, and whether or not the water tank integrated steam cylinder is completely set It can be noticed by the user and can prevent the sealing performance from being lowered due to incomplete setting.

  According to a fifth invention, in the first to fourth inventions, the water supply unit has valve opening / closing means for opening / closing a water charging valve of the water storage container, and the valve opening / closing means receives water from the water storage container. It has a filter that passes through it and can prevent foreign matter mixed in the water storage container from coming out of the water storage container and into the rice cooker.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1: shows sectional drawing of the rice cooker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, a body 31 is a substantially cylindrical body whose upper surface is open. An upper frame 32 is fitted into the opening of the body 31. Inside the body 31, an upper frame 32 and a coil base 33 form a pan 34 storage portion. The coil base 33 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the upper end portion of the coil base 33 is fixed to the upper frame 32. The coil base 33 is provided with a bottom induction coil 35 for induction heating of the pot 34, and the pot 34 is induction heated. In addition, a bottom sensor 36 for detecting the temperature of the pan 34 is energized by a sensor spring (not shown) on the bottom surface of the pan 34 to detect the temperature of the cooked rice and the temperature of the pot during the heat retention. It is controlled to reach an optimal temperature state.

  An outer lid cover 41 is installed on the lower surface of the synthetic resin outer lid (lid) 37, and a hinge integrally formed at the rear portion of the upper frame 32 around the hinge shaft 42 installed on the outer lid cover 41. It is rotatably supported via a member (not shown).

  On the lower surface of the outer lid cover 41, a lid heating plate 38 attached to and detached from the pot packing 39 is fitted to the outer lid cover 41 at three locations, one locking portion and two fitting portions. A lid coil 40 for inductively heating the lid heating plate 38 is attached to the outer lid cover 41 above the lid heating plate 38.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid heating plate 38 is provided with a steam hole 38d for releasing steam generated from the pan 34. When the outer lid 37 is closed, the lid heating plate 38 is provided with a detachable steam passage packing 43a. A steam passage 43b communicating with the steam hole 38d is provided in the outer lid 37. The steam passage packing 43a seals the steam between the steam hole 38d and the steam passage 43b so that the steam does not leak into the outer lid 37. The steam passage packing 43a is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper portion is fitted with the lower portion of the steam passage 43b. The lower end is in contact with the lid heating plate 38 in the vertical direction and seals with the outer lid 37.

  The outer lid 37 communicates with the steam passage 43b to discharge the steam to the outside of the machine, and a water storage container integrated steam cylinder in which a water storage container 44 for storing water for generating steam is integrally formed. 46 is detachably attached from above.

  FIG. 3 is a main part projection view according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the water stored in the water storage container 44 is supplied to a steam generation unit 38 a provided on the lid heating plate 38, and the lid heating plate 38 is heated by the lid coil 40, Water in the generator 38a is boiled to generate steam. Since the portion other than the steam generating unit 38a is 100 ° C. or higher, the steam moving to the steam charging unit as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 is heated to become superheated steam of 100 ° C. or higher, and from the steam charging unit 38c. It is put into the pot 34.

  Explain why superheated steam is needed. First, consider cooking rice in three steps. First, there is a step of maintaining the inside of the pan 34 at about 60 ° C. after starting cooking. Since this step is a step of sufficiently absorbing water into the rice, it is called a water absorption step. Furthermore, in the next step of the water absorption step, the cooked product in the pan 34 is boiled to 100 ° C. and the cooked step for maintaining the cooked product at around 100 ° C. for a certain period of time until there is no moisture. , Can be divided into an uneven process for fully gelatinizing the rice.

  In the water absorption process and the cooking process, since there is still sufficient water in the pot 34, it is possible to sufficiently heat the cooked food by heating from the pot 34. However, in the unevenness process, the pot 34 has already run out of water, and if the pot 34 is continuously heated, the cooked product will be burnt. Since the pan 34 cannot be heated, the surface of the cooked food is heated using the radiant heat from the lid heating plate 38. However, if the pan is heated too much, the surface of the cooked food will be dried. Until then, sufficient heating could not be performed.

  Therefore, in the unevenness process where water has already disappeared, the superheated steam at 100 ° C. or more can be sufficiently heated especially by pouring superheated steam from the opening of the pot 34 into the pot 34. . The introduced steam not only adheres to the surface of the rice, but the superheated steam comes into contact with the rice, so that the gelatinization of the rice is promoted. Further, heating only the lid heating plate 38 only heats the surface of the rice, but the heated steam can affect not only the surface of the rice but also the gap between the rice and the middle layer of the rice.

  The structure of the water storage container 44 will be described again. The water storage container 44 is provided with a water storage container lid 44a, and a water supply valve 44c is provided below the water discharge hole 44b of the water storage container 44 by a water supply valve spring 44d. The water discharge hole 44b is sealed. When the water storage container-integrated steam cylinder 46 is set on the outer lid 37, a water charging valve 44c of the water storage container 44 and a water storage container packing 46b described later are provided in the water supply portion 37b provided on the outer lid 37 and recessed downward. Enter the state. The water supply part 37b is provided with a convex part 37a (valve opening / closing means) protruding upward to open the water supply valve 44c, and the water supply valve 44c is pushed by the convex part 37a pushing up the water supply valve 44c. Is opened, and water is supplied to the steam generator 38a.

  A water container packing 46b is installed in the water discharge hole 44b of the water storage container 44, and seals the outer cover 37 so that the water discharged from the water discharge hole 44b overflows and does not escape into the outer cover 37. The water storage container 44 also serves as a fitting member to the outer lid 37.

  The water storage container packing 46b has a configuration in which a substantially annular lip piece projecting from the center in the horizontal direction is installed on the entire circumference, and when the water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 is set on the outer lid 37, Sealing is performed by the tip of the entire circumferential lip piece coming into contact with the inner wall of the supply portion 37b in the horizontal direction.

  Here, the water storage container packing 46b and the water supply unit 37b will be described. FIG. 4: is principal part sectional drawing of the rice cooker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) shows the state in which the water container integrated steam cylinder is set incompletely, (b) is The state which the water storage container integrated steam cylinder is set completely is shown.

  When the water reservoir integrated steam cylinder 46 is set on the outer lid 37, the water discharge hole 44b of the water reservoir 44 enters the water supply part 37b, and the tip of the water container packing 46b is horizontal with the inner wall of the water supply part 37b. Abut in the direction. At this time, only when the sealing property of the water storage container packing 46b is ensured, the water supply valve 44c has a dimensional relationship in which the convex portion 37a is brought into contact and opened. In order to realize this, as shown in FIG. 4A, the water supply valve 44c is configured not to contact the convex portion 37a unless the water storage container packing 46b enters the water supply portion 37b up to a predetermined distance A. is doing.

  The strength and speed of the force when the water storage container integrated steam tube 46 is set on the outer lid 37 vary depending on the user. When the water storage container integrated steam tube 46 is strongly pushed and set vigorously, the water storage container packing 46b and the water supply section The timing at which 37b abuts and the timing at which the water introduction valve 44c and the projection 37a hit each other are almost the same, and almost no water spills. However, when the water reservoir integrated steam cylinder 46 is set slowly, if the water charging valve 44c and the convex portion 37a hit before the water reservoir packing 46b and the water supply portion 37b contact and seal, Will spill. In any attachment method, it is necessary not to spill water in the water storage container 44. Therefore, the water supply valve 44e is opened after a predetermined distance A is provided and the water storage container packing 46b secures a seal. By configuring, water is prevented from spilling.

  The steam cylinder 43 is configured to communicate with the steam passage 43b via the steam cylinder packing 46a when the water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 is set on the outer lid 37. Steam is prevented from leaking between the passage 43b and the steam cylinder 3 and entering the outer lid 37.

  The steam cylinder packing 46 a is substantially cylindrical and the upper part is fixed to the lower part of the steam cylinder 43. The lower part is provided with a "<"-shaped lip piece projecting outward on the entire circumference, and the lower part of this lip piece is in contact with the steam passage 43b in the vertical direction to perform sealing.

  As described above, the direction in which the steam cylinder packing 46a and the water storage container packing 46b abut, that is, the sealing direction is set to be different from each other in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The reason for this will be described below.

  For example, it is assumed that the sealing direction of each packing is a horizontal direction. The water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 must have a seal on the steam cylinder 43 side, a seal on the water storage container 44 side, and two seals with the outer lid 37. However, since the outer lid 37 is also provided with two places, the steam path 43b and the water supply part 37b, there is always a dimensional variation in the horizontal direction. For this reason, it becomes necessary to absorb the dimensional variation of each of the outer lid 37 and the water storage container-integrated steam cylinder 46 by the packing margin of the packing. However, when the outer lid 37 and the water storage container integrated steam tube 46 are made of resin parts in particular, there are variations in the initial state of the product, such as differences in size and shape between the outer lid 37 and the water storage container integrated steam tube 46. It is difficult to absorb this dimensional variation with each packing. Furthermore, as the product is used, the heat shrinkage of the resin parts proceeds, and even if the sealing performance can be ensured in the initial state, the sealing performance gradually decreases.

  Moreover, the same problem arises also about the seal | sticker when the seal surface of each packing is a vertical method.

  Therefore, here, the sealing direction of the steam cylinder packing 46a is set to the vertical direction, and the sealing direction of the water storage container packing 46b is set to the horizontal direction, and the sealing is performed in different directions. The dimensional variation in the direction can be absorbed by each packing. For example, when the dimensional variation of the outer lid 37 and the water container integrated steam cylinder 46 occurs in the horizontal direction, the steam cylinder packing 46 abuts the steam path 43b in the vertical direction and seals it, so that the steam cylinder packing 46a The horizontal variation can be absorbed, and when the dimensional variation occurs in the vertical direction, the water storage container packing 46b is in contact with the water supply portion 37b in the horizontal direction and sealed, so that the water storage container packing 46b Variations in the vertical direction can be absorbed.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the sealing properties of both the steam cylinder 43 and the water storage container 44 are made different from each other by changing the sealing directions by the contact of the steam cylinder packing 46a and the water storage container packing 46b. It can be ensured and water and steam can be prevented from leaking and entering the outer lid.

  Further, when water is supplied to the water storage container 44, foreign matter may be mixed in, and the foreign matter is discharged into the rice cooker together with the water in the water storage container 44. When water is supplied to the lid heating plate 38 together with water, there is no problem, but when water is supplied using a pump (not shown) or the like in order to control the amount of water supplied to the lid heating plate 38, If foreign matter is mixed in the container 44, the foreign matter will enter the pump and clog the pump, making it impossible to supply water.

  In order to prevent such a state, a filter 45 is provided in the water supply unit 37b as shown in FIG. 5, so that foreign matter mixed in the water storage container 44 is collected by the filter 45 and does not enter the pump or the like. Can do.

  In addition, since the filter 45 is attached with foreign matter or the like, it is necessary to remove and clean it appropriately. Therefore, by providing the filter 45 with a convex portion 45a for opening the water supply valve, if the storage container 44 is set without the filter 45, the water supply valve 44c is not opened and the pump operates. However, water mixed with foreign matter will not enter the pump. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering the pump or the like without installing the presence / absence detection of the filter 45. Of course, the cost may be increased, but electrical control may be performed using a lead SW, a leaf SW, etc., which are conventional techniques.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to improve the sealing performance in the vertical direction, the water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 is provided with a fitting lever 46d that is urged by a fitting spring 46c and protrudes in the horizontal direction. 37, the water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 itself can be positioned in the vertical direction by fitting into the fitting portion 37c that is recessed so that the fitting lever 46d is fitted, and the vertical seal is provided. Improves. Further, by providing the fitting lever 46d, it is possible to give a click feeling to the attachment and detachment of the water container integrated steam tube 46, and to allow the rice cooker user to recognize the normal setting position of the water container integrated steam tube 46. It can be done. This makes it possible to prevent the steam container 46 of the rice cooker user from being set imperfectly and causing seal deterioration.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water storage container 44 in the water storage container integrated steam tube 46 is provided with a predetermined distance A as shown in FIG. Although it is configured to prevent the water from spilling by opening the input valve 44c, the same thing can be done for a single water storage container, not a water storage container in which a water storage container and a steam cylinder are integrally formed. An effect can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the steam cylinder packing 44a, the water storage container packing 44b, and the water charging valve 44c have been described as being provided in the water storage container-integrated steam cylinder 46, but these components are water storage containers. Needless to say, it is not necessary to provide the integrated steam cylinder 46, and the same effect can be obtained as long as the function of each component is the same regardless of the installation location.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water in the water storage container 44 is supplied to the lid heating plate 38 provided on the outer lid 37. However, the body 31 is provided with a steam generation unit and supplied to the steam generation unit. For example, it may be supplied to a portion other than the outer lid 37.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the heating of the lid heating plate 38 is described by the electromagnetic induction heating method, but is not limited to induction heating.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the water injection valve 44c of the water storage container 38 has been described as the configuration of the water injection valve in the urging method by the water injection valve spring 44d, but it can be mechanically opened and closed. If it is a valve, the same effect can be acquired.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water storage container integrated steam cylinder 46 is described as being configured to be set on the outer lid 37, but may be configured to be set on a portion other than the outer lid 37.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the setting direction of the water storage container 44 is described as the setting direction from above. However, the setting direction is not limited, and the seal of the water storage container packing 46b is set even when set in the horizontal direction. The same effect can be obtained by configuring the water injection valve 44c to be opened after ensuring the above.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water supply method to the water storage container 44 has been described as a method of supplying water with the water container-integrated steam cylinder 46 removed from the outer lid 37 and setting it on the outer lid 37. Even when the water container lid 44a is opened and water is supplied with the water container-integrated steam cylinder 46 set on the outer lid 37, the filter 45 is provided to prevent foreign matter from entering.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the foreign matter that enters the pump or the like has been described. However, even when the pump is not used, it is possible to prevent water that contains foreign matter from entering the lid heating plate 38. Needless to say.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water storage container 44 has been described as a container for containing water for generating steam, but is a container for storing water necessary for cooking rice and the like. The same effect can be obtained.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the water storage container integrated steam cylinder in which the water storage container 44 and the steam cylinder 43 are integrated has been described. However, a plurality of parts that require packing are integrally formed. However, the same effect can be obtained.

  As described above, the rice cooker according to the present invention can be used for all cookers having a part in which a plurality of parts that require packing, such as a water storage container, are integrally formed.

Sectional drawing of the rice cooker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Cross section of the main part of the rice cooker Projection view of the main part of the rice cooker (A) The figure which shows the state in which the water container integrated steam cylinder of the rice cooker is set incompletely (b) The figure which shows the state in which the water container integrated steam cylinder of the rice cooker is set completely Sectional drawing of the rice cooker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the rice cooker in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Cross section of conventional rice cooker

Explanation of symbols

31 Body
34 Pan 37 Outer lid (lid)
37a Convex part (valve opening / closing means)
37b Water supply part 37c Fitting part 38 Lid heating plate 38d Steam hole 43 Steam cylinder 43b Steam passage 44 Water storage container 44b Water discharge hole 44c Water input valve 45 Filter 46 Water container integrated steam cylinder 46a Steam cylinder packing 46b Water storage container packing 46c Fitting hook (fitting lever)
46d fitting part

Claims (5)

A pan, a lid that covers the opening of the pan, a lid heating plate that is provided on the lid and has a steam hole for discharging steam in the pan, and a steam passage that is provided on the lid and communicates with the steam hole; A water reservoir-integrated steam tube that is detachably provided on the lid and has a steam tube that communicates with the steam passage and discharges the steam in the pan to the outside of the machine, and a water storage vessel; and A water supply unit that is supplied with water from the water storage container when mounted on the lid, a steam cylinder packing that is provided in the steam cylinder and contacts the steam passage to prevent steam leakage, and provided in the water storage container And a water storage container packing that abuts against the water supply part to prevent water leakage, and the steam cylinder packing and the water storage container packing are different from each other in abutting directions. The steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein the steam cylinder packing is in contact with the steam passage in a vertical direction, and the water storage container packing is in contact with the water supply unit in the horizontal direction. The water storage container has a water discharge hole for discharging water and a water input valve for opening and closing the water discharge hole, and when the water container integrated steam cylinder is mounted on the lid, the water storage container packing supplies water. The rice cooker of Claim 1 comprised so that the said water injection valve might be opened after contact | abutting with a part. The water supply means has valve opening / closing means for opening and closing the water charging valve of the water storage container, and the water container integrated steam cylinder is provided with a lid when the valve opening / closing means can open and close the water charging valve. The rice cooker of Claim 3 provided with the hook for a fitting fitted to the provided fitting part. The water supply part has valve opening / closing means for opening / closing a water charging valve of the water storage container, and the valve opening / closing means integrally has a filter through which water from the water storage container passes. Rice cooker according to item.