JP6519643B2 - Electric rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric rice cooker having an energy saving mode and an infrared sensor. More specifically, the infrared sensor detects a change in the amount of infrared radiation and automatically cancels the energy saving mode to operate the operation unit. The present invention relates to the structure of an electric rice cooker that enables the operation setting function of and enables detection of boil-out during cooking.

  In recent electric rice cookers, in addition to normal white rice cooking, for example, brown rice and millet rice cooking, also cooked in, cooked rice, such as rice crackers and rice porridge, quick cooking and eco-cooking function, in each case It is designed to be provided with functions such as adjustment, adjustment of finish level, voice guide, and further cooking, inner pot washing and the like.

  In an electric rice cooker equipped with such many functions, the number of operation switches in the operation panel portion for performing operation setting of each function is also large, and a display panel portion for displaying information necessary for the operation. There is also a large display amount of (see, for example, the configuration of the electric rice cooker shown in Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the electric rice cooker of such a configuration, of course, in the operation standby state in which the AC power is connected to the power supply circuit and the operation setting is awaited, various components on the operation panel side operation board Since it is necessary to maintain the switch circuit in the activated state and to maintain the liquid crystal display panel drive circuit on the display panel side in the driven state, power consumption is considerably consumed when the standby time is extended. is there.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, recently, a real time clock function (RTC function) is added to the microcomputer control unit, and the necessary operation setting operation is not performed for a predetermined time or more automatically. It has been proposed to shift to an energy saving mode for saving (or turning off) the power supply of peripheral circuits to reduce power consumption. And in the case of the electric rice cooker which adopted such an energy saving mode, the recovery from the said energy saving mode to the normal standby state which can be operated and set can push an energy saving mode cancellation switch for exclusive use, or any operation setting It is common to do this by pressing a switch.

JP, 2013-244107, A

  Certainly, when the energy saving mode is released by pressing the dedicated operation switch or any of the operation setting switches, it is possible to return to the normal standby state where the operation setting can be reliably performed. However, in that case, at least one extra switch operation is required in the sense that the switch ON operation is required, and in the case of a dedicated operation switch, some users may forget to press the switch and the operation setting There is a drawback that it is easy to cause misunderstandings and product problems.

  The above-mentioned conventional energy saving mode basically shifts in the standby state only when no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more, and the total of all the steps from the rice cooking process to the end of the heat retention process. The transition time to the energy saving mode, the time maintained in the energy saving mode is short, and in most cases the energy saving effect is small.

  Furthermore, in the above-mentioned electric rice cooker, depending on the amount of water used by the user, the amount of rice to be cooked, the type of rice used, etc. May cause spills and spills. When such a boil over occurs, the "mud" flows on the lid surface, splatters from the steam port, and reenters the inside of the rice cooker body, which causes a trouble.

  Therefore, when such a boil over occurs, it is desirable that the same state be detected automatically if possible, and an evasive measure be taken such as lowering the thermal power promptly.

The invention of this application has been made to solve such technical problems , and a user installs an infrared sensor for detecting infrared radiation on the lid and detects the amount of infrared radiation within a predetermined corresponding area. Whether the user is not at the side of the electric rice cooker, at least when the user is not next to the electric rice cooker, the operation circuit of the operation unit of the lid is operated regardless of the standby state, the non-standby state, and the rice cooker operation state. while reducing the power consumption as much as possible by controlling the display circuit of the display unit in a non-energized state or power saving state with the configuration to control the non-energized state impossible, have users to a Jo Tokoro corresponding area In this case, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric rice cooker in which the control state is released and, if necessary, bubbling is detected to take necessary avoidance measures.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to include the following problem solving means.

The electric rice cooker according to the present invention comprises an inner pot, a rice cooker main body that accommodates the inner pot so as to be able to be removed, and the inner pot within the rice cooker main body. An electric rice cooker comprising an inner pot heating means for heating, an openable / closable cover on an upper portion of the rice cooker body, and an operation unit and a display unit , wherein the cover is provided with an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor by detecting the amount of infrared rays in a predetermined corresponding area by, determining the user's presence in the predetermined correspondence area, the standby state, the non-standby state, other, regardless of the cooker operation state, Yu Za If but not stay in the predetermined corresponding area is not energized the display circuit of the display unit to control the operation circuit of the upper Kimisao operation unit in the non-energized state operation settings is not possible the operation unit Or power saving state When the user is in the predetermined corresponding area, the operation circuit of the operation unit is controlled to an energized state in which the operation setting of the operation unit can be performed, and the display circuit of the display unit is normally operated. It controls to the energization state which can be lighted .

That is, in the configuration of the present invention, the lid is provided with an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor detects a change in the amount of infrared light in a predetermined corresponding area of the rice cooker body. When there is no user in the predetermined corresponding area of the rice cooker main body, the amount of detection of infrared rays by the infrared sensor is small, but the amount of detection of infrared rays greatly increases as compared with the case where they are not present. Therefore, the presence or absence of the user in the predetermined target area of the rice cooker body is first determined by the detected amount of the infrared rays. And, as a result, regardless of the standby state, the non-standby state, and any other operating state of the rice cooker, at least when the user is not within the predetermined corresponding area of the rice cooker body, the operation of the operation portion of the lid Power consumption is reduced as much as possible by controlling the circuit to the non-energized state where operation setting of the operation unit is not possible and controlling the display circuit of the display unit to the non-energized state or the power saving state.

As a result, the energy saving performance is much improved as compared with the conventional energy saving mode control in which the energy saving mode is switched to only the standby state where no operation key operation is performed for a predetermined time or more.

On the other hand, when the user is in the predetermined corresponding area of the rice cooker main body, the control circuit of the operation unit is controlled to be energized and the display circuit of the display unit is controlled to be energized so as to allow normal lighting. An appropriate operation setting can be performed by the operation means of the operation unit while watching the display state of the display unit.

Therefore, assuming that the user is not within the predetermined corresponding area of the rice cooker body, the operation circuit of the operation unit of the lid is controlled to a non-energized state in which the operation setting of the operation unit is not possible and the display circuit of the display unit is When the user approaches the rice cooker main body from the energy saving state controlled to the non-energized state or the power saving state, and it is going to make the operation setting of the rice cooking or heat retention function of the electric rice cooker, it automatically It is judged and the energy saving mode can be canceled automatically corresponding to it, and it can be made to return to the usual waiting state in which appropriate operation setting is possible.

(2) SUMMARY OF THE SUMMARY This invention of claim 2 is the structure of the SUMMARY of the invention described in claim 1, the lid positioned on the rear end side central portion of the lid member Te vapor unit is provided, the infrared sensor, so as not to detect the infrared the steam unit either et exiting vapor, spaced front side of the lid, and to the steam unit and the front-rear direction corresponding not been found provided positioned inclined surface inclined downward as the distance from the offset has been the steam unit to the left or right direction of the lid.

During cooking, a predetermined amount of steam is discharged from the steam port of the steam unit of the lid. Accordingly, the steam unit is provided positioned in the front-rear direction central portion of the lid, infrared sensor Ri flat installation surface near as high as the vapor inlet of the steam unit and the steam unit and the front-rear direction When you are compatible, the light receiving angle of the infrared sensor becomes equal to the front-rear direction, will overlap with the upper region of the steam inlet at the rear side, there is a possibility that detects the infrared of the steam discharged from the steam outlet . In addition, it is also susceptible to the effects of rice cakes.

Therefore, while located on the rear side central portion of the lid providing a vapor unit, infrared sensor spaced the front end of the lid, or One steam unit and left or right in the longitudinal direction does not correspond lid The infrared sensor is located at a position lower than the steam port of the steam unit, and the opening surface of the opening for light reception is provided by being located on the inclined surface which is inclined downward as it is separated from the steam unit. By increasing the directivity toward the front by making it open obliquely to the front side, the steam port of the steam unit comes out of the light receiving angle area of the infrared sensor, and is affected by the steam discharged from the steam port. I try not to.

In addition, as the same inclined surface, a downward inclined surface is selected which is offset in either the left or right direction of the lid which does not correspond to the steam unit on the rear end side of the lid and the front-rear direction. Therefore, it becomes less susceptible to the steam from the steam port.

  As a result, the detection accuracy of the presence of the user in the predetermined correspondence area is greatly improved, and the erroneous detection is eliminated.

(3) The problem-solving means of the invention of claim 3 The electric rice cooker of the invention has a constitution of the problem-solving means of the invention of claim 1 or 2 and has a plurality of judgment reference values of the infrared detection amount by the infrared sensor. In addition to the presence or absence of the user in the predetermined corresponding area, it is also possible to detect boil over.

  During cooking, not only steam as described above, but also "moisture" may occur to cause boil-over. In the case where "moisture" has flowed out or spattered on the upper surface of the lid due to boilout, a large amount of infrared radiation corresponding to it is detected, so "moisture" corresponding to the amount of infrared radiation It is considered that, for example, the amount of heating of the inner pot heating means is reduced to avoid spilling out.

  In that case, in addition to the first determination criterion based on the infrared radiation amount according to the user's body temperature, the second determination criterion based on the large infrared radiation amount of "nobody" detected at the same time is determined from the experimental result If it is stored, in addition to the detection of the presence of the user, the occurrence of the boil over can be easily detected, and if the amount of heating of the inner pot heating means is correspondingly reduced, the boil over quickly. Can be prevented.

  As a result of the above, according to the invention of this application, an energy saving state as long as possible can be realized, and the energy saving performance is greatly improved. In that case, when it is necessary to release the energy saving state, the energy saving state is automatically canceled only by the user approaching the electric rice cooker main body without requiring any switch operation etc. It is very convenient because it is possible. In addition, even when boil-out occurs during cooking, it can be automatically detected and prevented, so the cooking function is also improved.

It is a top view which shows the structure of the electric rice cooker main body top part which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of the invention of this application. It is sectional drawing in the AA line cutting part of FIG. 1 which shows the structure inside the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 1st embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view of the left half part (front part except a cover body) of FIG. 2 which shows the structure inside of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the BB line cutting part of FIG. 1 which shows the installation state of the infrared sensor in the cover part of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a fundamental structure which shows the characteristic of the installation state of the infrared sensor in the cover part of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 1st embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing the infrared detection state of the infrared sensor when it is assumed that the front part of the lid of the electric rice cooker main body is flat in the horizontal direction and the infrared sensor is installed on the upper surface of the flat lid. . The invention of this application wherein the front of the lid of the electric rice cooker body is inclined downward at a predetermined inclination angle at least from the front end of the steam unit to the front end of the lid, and the infrared sensor is installed on the top of the lid inclined downward. It is explanatory drawing which shows the infrared detection state of the infrared sensor in 1st Embodiment. The structure of FIG. 7 in which the front of the lid of the electric rice cooker main body is inclined downward at a predetermined inclination angle at least from the front end of the steam unit to the front end of the lid and the infrared sensor is installed on the upper surface of the lid inclined downward. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detection state of the infrared rays in the modification which made the light receiving axis of the infrared sensor in in accordance with the inclined surface of a cover body, and incline it. Shoulder member, shoulder heater frame, shoulder heater cover, sliding seal for seal, metal plate according to the first embodiment of the invention of the present application shown in FIGS. It is an upper and lower exploded perspective view which shows the structure of each part. The outer pot of the electric rice cooker main body, the second protective frame unit (upper), the first protective frame unit (lower), the magnetic shielding according to the first embodiment of the invention of this application shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 It is an upper-lower disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a board, a 1st, 2nd work coil, a ferrite core, and each part of a coil stand. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the structure of the said infrared sensor part of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the invention of this application, and the control function of the microcomputer control unit in a rice cooker main body. It is sectional drawing which shows the installation state of the infrared sensor in the cover part of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 1st modification of the 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the installation state of the infrared sensor in the cover part of the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 2nd modification of the 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the structure of the infrared sensor part in the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the invention of this application, and the control function of the microcomputer control unit in a rice cooker main body. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the lid part of the electric rice cooker main body based on 3rd Embodiment of this invention which provided the ultrasonic sensor in addition to the infrared sensor in the lid part. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the structure of the infrared sensor in the electric rice cooker main body which concerns on the 3rd embodiment, and an ultrasonic sensor part, and the control function of the microcomputer control unit in a rice cooker main body.

  Hereinafter, several embodiments for carrying out the invention of this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS.

First Embodiment
First, FIGS. 1 to 11 respectively show the structure of the rice cooker main body of the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment of the invention of this application and the main parts thereof. As a basic feature of the electric rice cooker according to the first embodiment, regardless of the standby state, the non-standby state, or any other operating state of the rice cooker, at least the user is in a predetermined corresponding area such as an operation position. When not present, the operation part and the display part of the lid are set to the energy saving state to reduce the power consumption as much as possible.

<About the composition of the rice cooker main part>
The rice cooker main body in the electric rice cooker according to this embodiment is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 9 and 10, a bottomed cylindrical inner pot 3 made of a ceramic material containing rice and water. (For example, a ceramic inner kettle such as a clay pot), a bottomed cylindrical outer kettle 6 also made of ceramic material covering the bottom 3a to the side 3c of the inner kettle 3 and the same outer kettle 6 on the bottom side A protective frame (inner case) 4 forming an inner hook storage groove 5 for optionally storing and setting the inner hook 3 via the outer hook 6, and a protective frame for housing and holding the protective frame 4 A main body case 1 having a storage space, and a lid 2 provided on the rear end side of the opening 5a of the inner hook storage groove 5 of the main body case 1 open and close the opening 5a.

  The main body case 1 is composed of a side cylindrical outer case 1a made of synthetic resin and a bottom side dish-like bottom case 1b made of synthetic resin as in the case of the upper end of the outer case 1a. A resin-made shoulder member 8 is provided, and the protective frame 4 forming the inner hook storage groove 5 is connected and supported via the shoulder member 8. The edge portion 84 of the outer circumferential side cross section reverse U-shape of the shoulder member 8 is engaged over the entire circumferential direction so as to be crowned with the engagement edge portion 10 having the cross section wedge shape on the upper end side of the outer case 1a. There is.

  The protective frame 4 is composed of two upper and lower casing members of a first protective frame unit (lower unit) 4A and a second protective frame unit (upper unit) 4B which are separate bodies respectively molded of synthetic resin. The second protective frame unit 4B constituting the upper side casing is integrally formed on the upper portion of the first protective frame unit 4A constituting the lower side casing.

  First, the first protective frame unit 4A constituting the lower side housing has a bottom 41a formed of a flat circular surface of a predetermined radius and a predetermined height above while gradually enlarging the diameter from the outer periphery of the bottom 41a. And a step 41c in the form of a hook having a cross section formed radially outward at the upper edge of the bend 41b and rising substantially perpendicularly from the outer periphery of the step 41c. And a support wall portion 41d having a cylindrical wall of a predetermined height. The first protective frame unit 4A is supported at its bottom 41a and bent portion 41b by a lower coil base 9 described later.

  Next, the second protective frame unit 4B constituting the upper side casing is centered at the lower end side of a cylindrical wall 42b having a predetermined upper and lower width and having a U-shaped cross section opened outward in the radial direction. A mounting portion 42a on the support wall 41d of the first protective frame unit 4A is provided with a hook-like engagement step 42d enlarged outward in a predetermined dimension radial direction on the upper end side thereof. . The upper portion (approximately upper half portion) of the second protective frame unit 42B divided by the rib 42c of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall 42b is a mounting surface (a winding surface of a third work coil C3 described later) And a third work coil C3 wound on the work coil installation surface in a two-layer state of inner and outer layers.

  The installation surface of the third work coil C3 is not the entire upper and lower width of the cylindrical wall 42b, for example, an upper half portion, thereby allowing the lower first protective frame unit 4A to be a little This is to increase the distance to the side second work coil C2 to avoid mutual induced interference.

  Then, by integrally integrating the first and second protective frame units 4A and 4B in the upper and lower portions as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a protective frame 4 is formed as a whole with a bottomed cylindrical body structure. On the upper surface side of the bottom portion (the upper surface side of the bottom portion 41a of the first protective frame unit 4A and the curved portion 41b), the bottom portion 6a and the curved portion 6b of the shell 6 made of the above-mentioned ceramic material are partially disposed in the radial direction The upper portion of the ceramic outer cauld 6 is attached via an adhesive portion (not shown) having a predetermined thickness and in a state where a predetermined heat insulating air layer is maintained on the portion without the adhesive. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a ceramic in which first and second induction heating elements G1 and G2 made of silver paste or silver spray are provided on each of a circular flat bottom 3a and a curved portion 3b on a rounded surface. Circular bottom 3a of the inner pot 3 made of Flexure 3b on the rounded surface of the outer periphery is adapted to be accommodated while maintaining a predetermined clearance S.

  Then, in the same storage state, the upper end of the side portion 6c is extended long to the upper portion of the side portion 3c of the inner hook 3 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. The outer hook 6 sufficiently covers the area from the bottom 3 a to the side 3 c of the inner hook 3.

  By the way, the outer hook 6 of this embodiment has a wedge-shaped structure as a whole, and corresponds to the center sensor insertion hole 10a at the center of the first protective frame unit 4A at the center of the flat circular bottom 6a. A sensor portion insertion hole 6e of the center sensor is provided, and the sensor portion above the center sensor CS inserted into the center sensor insertion hole 10a is loosely inserted so as to be capable of moving up and down. A pedestal on which pedestal support members 61, 61 · · · made of a heat resistant elastic member such as silicone rubber for supporting the pedestal 3e of the inner hook 3 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral side in the radial direction. The partial support member fitting holes 6f, 6f, ... are provided. Further, a heat-resistant elastic member such as silicon rubber is also provided to support the outer periphery of the bent portion 3b of the inner pot 3 at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction also in the outer peripheral portion of the bent portion 6b on the outer peripheral side The centering support member mounting holes 6g, 6g,... Are provided for mounting the centering support members 62, 62,.

  And, each of the mounting holes 6f, 6f ···, 6g, 6g ··· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · heat resistance such as silicone rubber is high in the interior mounting members 61, 61 · · · · · centering support member 62, 62 are fitted and fixed, and the bottom 3a and the curved portion 3b of the inner hook 3 are supported, but the elevated portion supporting members 61, 61 ··· portions are the lower first protective frame unit 4A Supported in a stable fixed state between the pocket portions P, P, ···, and the elevated portion 3e portion of the outer periphery of the bottom portion 3a of the inner hook 3 is mounted on the upper portion thereof in a state of contacting downward from above When the protective frame 4 and the outer hook 6 elastically supported so as to be able to move up and down via the floating support mechanism are lowered according to the weight of the inner hook 3, the outer peripheral side flange portion F of the opening 3d of the inner hook 3 On the inner edge 82 portion of the shoulder member 8 described later It is engaged via the heat resistant support member, and the inner hook 3 is suspended uniformly throughout the circumferential direction, and the first and second work coils C1, C2 on the side of the protective frame 4 are , And the second induction heating parts G1 and G2 face each other in an appropriate positional relationship and via an appropriate induction gap, and an appropriate predetermined gap with the outer pot 6 (heat storage and convection space It is supported in the state which kept S).

  At the same time, the opposing position and the corresponding distance between the third induction heating portion G3 on the inner peripheral surface of the side portion 6c of the outer pot 6 and the side portion 6c of the inner pot 3 which are inductively heated by the third work coil C3. Also maintain the correct design position and design distance.

  On the other hand, the centering support members 62, 62... On the outer peripheral side of the curved portion not only support the inner hook 3 in the protective frame 4 with the appropriate positional relationship via the outer hook 6 after being stored as such but The outer circumference of the bent portion 3b of the inner hook 3 stored at the time is guided along the entire circumference so as to be stored with an accurate positional relationship, and the function of centering properly is performed.

  In addition, the projection size of the elevated portion support members 61, 61 ···, centering support members 62, 62 ···, to the inward side of the outer hook 6 is such that the inner hook 3 is appropriate in the protective frame 4 as described above. In the state of FIGS. 2 and 3 stored and set in a positional relationship, the dimension is set to form an appropriate gap S between the outer peripheral surface of the inner hook 3 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer hook 6.

  As a result, in the stored state of the inner hook 3 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom 3a and the bent portion 3b of the inner hook 3 are heated by the heat generation of the first and second induction heating parts G1 and G2. The temperature rises locally, and the high temperature heat is gradually conducted from the bottom 3a and the curved portion 3b to the upper side 3c through the inside of the wall, and the side 3c is not provided with the induction heating portion The temperature on the side also rises gradually.

  In the above configuration, in addition to that, the ceramic outer pot 6 is also provided inside the protective frame 4 in which the inner pot 3 is stored, and the first and second induction heating portions G1, G2 are The outer periphery of the inner kettle 3 is covered with the ceramic outer kettle 6, and the bottom 3a of the inner kettle 3 and the induction heating parts G1 and G2 of the curved part 3b and the induction heating parts G1 and G2 are outward. The heat radiated to the surface is shut off by the ceramic shell 6 and the induction heating portion G1 of the inner pot 3 bottom portion 3a, the induction heating portion G2 of the curved portion 3b, and the radiation heat radiated outward from around them Heats the inner kettle 3 itself so as to largely wrap the outer periphery of the inner kettle 3, and the heat is stored in the opposing surface of the outer kettle 6 and the inner kettle 3 and in the gap S between them. High temperature air heated in the above condition by convection Bottom 3a of the inner hook 3 through S, increases from the outer peripheral surface side of the curved portion 3b on the outer peripheral surface of the side portion 3c, the whole of the inner hook 3 the outer peripheral surface heating, so heated.

  As a result of the above, the inner pot 3 is relatively quickly heated from the bottom 3a and the side of the curved portion 3b to the entire side 3c, and the heat is effectively stored. Therefore, the calorific value in the first and second induction heating parts G1 and G2 can be effectively used.

  Furthermore, in the case of the configuration of this embodiment, in that case, the third induction heating portion G3 is provided on the side inner peripheral surface of the outer hook 6, and the third induction heating portion G3 corresponds to the third induction heating portion G3. A third work coil C3 which is an electromagnetic induction means for inducing heat generation of the third induction heating portion G3 is provided on the outer periphery of the side wall portion of the protective frame 4 and the side portion 6c of the outer hook 6 itself is It heats from the inner skin side.

  Therefore, the outer cauld 6 made of the ceramic does not merely cover the outer periphery of the bottom 3 a of the inner cauld 3 so as not to release the heat, but itself is heated to become high temperature, and the outside of the high temperature state The radiant heat from the kettle 6 actively heats the inner inner kettle 3 at a close distance with a small gap S, and the inner kettle 3 is not only the bottom side, but also the side which was conventionally underheated The whole including 3c is effectively heated and heated. In this case, since the distance between the third work coil C3 and the third induction heating portion G3 is short, the induction efficiency of the third induction heating portion by the third work coil C3 is also high, and noise is also less likely to occur.

  Moreover, the heating of the side portion 3c of the inner pot 3 is different from the case where the induction heating portion is directly provided to the side 3c of the inner pot 3 for heating, for example. Since the inner pot 3 is heated by the radiant heat from the entire side 6c of the outer pot 6, the heating state becomes uniform, and the side of the inner pot 3 becomes uniform. There is no risk of causing burns due to local heating as in the case of heating by providing an induction heating portion directly on 3c and the like.

  Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, the side portion 6c of the outer hook 6 is extended high near the upper portion of the side portion 3c of the inner hook 3 and located on the inner peripheral surface of the high extended side portion 6c. And a third work coil C3 for inducing heat generation of the third induction heating portion G3 on the outer periphery of the side wall portion of the protective frame 4 corresponding to the third induction heating portion G3. It is provided.

  Therefore, in the outer pot 6 made of ceramic, the inner peripheral surface of the side portion 6c extended to a position corresponding to the upper portion of the side portion 3c of the inner pot 3 is efficiently heated to a high temperature. The upper portion of the side 3c of the inner kettle 3 which has been underheated is also effectively heated, and the entire inner kettle 3 including the side 3c and its upper portion is effectively heated and heated. As a result, the space at the upper portion of the rice in the inner pot 3 is maintained at the same high temperature state (approximately 120 ° C.) as in the case of a bowl.

  In this case, the upper position of the side portion 3c of the inner pot 3 on which the side portion 6c of the outer pot 6 provided with the third induction heating portion G3 extends is determined, for example, from the rated cooking capacity of the electric rice cooker It corresponds to near the upper position of the rice after completion of cooking (upper position than the position of water at the time of water absorption). In such a case, it is possible to appropriately apply a suitable and sufficient amount of heat as in the case of rice bran on the rice after completion of cooking and its upper space position determined from the rated cooking capacity of the electric rice cooker. Therefore, it is possible to cook even more delicious rice by eliminating uneven cooking without causing burns.

<On the floating support structure of protective frame>
As described above, the protective frame 4 in this embodiment is configured by integrating the first and second protective frame units 4A and 4B vertically, but the first protective frame unit 4a is, for example, It is floatingly supported on the above-mentioned bottom case 1b via a floating support mechanism provided with a coil spring, and can be raised and lowered in a predetermined upper and lower dimension range.

  On the other hand, the second protective frame unit 4B ascends and descends similarly in the state of FIGS. 2 and 3 placed on the top of the first protective frame unit 4A. As a result, the bowl-shaped outer pot 6 housed and installed in the bottomed cylindrical protective frame 4 consisting of the first and second protective frame units 4A and 4B is also the first and second protective frame unit Similarly, ascend and descend with 4A and 4B (see the arrow in FIG. 3).

  Therefore, when the inner pot 3 containing water and rice is stored on the outer pot 6 via the elevated portion supporting members 61, 61, ..., and the centering supporting members 62, 62, ... Depending on the weight, the protective frame 4 and the outer hook 6 are lowered together with the inner hook 3 by a predetermined dimension, and the lower surface of the flange portion F at the outer end of the opening 3d of the inner hook 3 is the opening 5a of the inner hook storage groove 5 It abuts on the heat-resistant supporting member portion on the inner peripheral edge portion 82 of the shoulder member 8 being formed, and is supported in a suspended state in the same portion.

  As a result, in the case of this embodiment, the inner pot 3 provided with the first and second induction heating parts G1 and G2 on the bottom side is provided with the first and second work coils C1 and C2. The third work coil C3 of the second protective frame unit 4B provided with the first and second work coils C1 and C2 of the protective frame unit 4A and the third work coil C3 and the third induction heating portion G3 The third induction heating portion G3 of the provided outer kettle 6 is set at an appropriate position and dimensional relationship.

  At this time, the elevated portion supporting members 61, 61 and so on and the centering supporting members 62 and 62 set an appropriate gap S between the outer hook 6 and the inner hook 3 and the centering supporting members 62 and 62. As described above, the centering function of the inner hook 3 at the time of storage is performed.

<About the seal structure of the clearance for raising and lowering>
By the way, if the protective frame 4 and the outer pot 6 are floated with respect to the rice cooker main body as described above, and the elevating space D is formed between the shoulder member 8 and the upper end 6 d of the side part 6 c of the outer pot 6, The heat between the inner kettle 3 and the outer kettle 6 escapes from the elevating space D to the outside, and there is also a possibility that water or the like attached to the outer periphery of the inner kettle 3 infiltrates. And other problems.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, they are assembled on the inner peripheral side of the shoulder heater frame 31 with respect to the shoulder member 8 and the shoulder heater cover 30 connecting reinforcing metal plates 32 and 32 on the upper side of the same lifting space D. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the shoulder member 8 and the outer hook 6 are extended by a predetermined dimension on the inner peripheral surface side (opening inner peripheral surface side) of the upper end 6 d of the side portion 6 c of the lower outer hook 6. A skirt-like sliding packing 35 for sealing the elevating space D between the side portion 6c and the upper end 6d in the inside and outside over the entire circumferential direction is attached, and above the protective frame 4 and the outer hook 6 When the shoulder member 8, the shoulder heater frame 31, the shoulder heater cover 31, the sliding packing 35, and the metal plates 32 and 32 are mutually polymerized and integrally connected, the skirt portion of the sliding packing 35 (for sealing Edge) 35 b is the side of the outer kettle 6 It is adapted to slidably inscribed with the inner circumferential surface of the c of the upper end 6d.

In the packing 35, a fixing portion 35a is provided on the upper side of the skirt portion 35b so as to be sandwiched and fixed between the metal plates 32 and 32 and the shoulder heater cover 30, and the fixing portion 35a is used. It is attached as shown in FIG.
There is.

<About setting the shoulder heater in the shoulder>
As described above, the opening 5a of the inner hook storage groove 5 in the rice cooker main body of this embodiment is the shoulder member 8 fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral edge side of the upper end 1c of the main body outer case 1a It consists of a shoulder heater cover 30 and a shoulder heater frame 31 which are connected and fixed to the inner periphery of the member 8 from the lower side via metal plates 32 and 32 and a packing 35, of which the shoulder heater frame 31 is It has a U-shaped cross-section open radially outward, and a shoulder heater H made of, for example, a cord heater is provided over the entire circumference on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Then, when the same shoulder heater H generates heat, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the heat keeping thick inward in the radial direction at the opening 3d of the corresponding inner hook 3 in the storage state in the inner hook storage groove 5 The lower part of the part HK is efficiently heated to prevent the occurrence of dew in the same part and to prevent the occurrence of white blur of rice and the like.

<About the composition of the coil base>
On the other hand, on the lower side (lower side of the first protective frame unit 4A) of the protective frame 4 configured as described above, a plate-shaped coil stand 9 made of synthetic resin for supporting the bottom of the protective frame 4 is provided. It is provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first and second work coils C1 on the outer peripheral surface side of the first protective frame unit 4A are located on the upper surface side in the circumferential direction of the coil base 9, as shown in FIG. , Ferrite core storage grooves 9a, 9a... Extending in the radial direction corresponding to C2, and the first and second ferrite frame storage grooves 9a, 9a. The four ferrite cores 70, 70,... For the work coils C1, C2 are accommodated. The first and second work coils C1 and C2 are supported in four ways by the upper surfaces of the ferrite core storage grooves 9a 9a... Housing the ferrite cores 70 70. Then, the first protective frame unit 4A and the coil base 9 are connected and fixed to each other using the connecting portion on the outer peripheral side.

  In addition, four legs 9b, 9b,... Are provided downward on the lower outer periphery of the coil base 9 corresponding to the positions of the ferrite core storage grooves 9a, 9a,. The legs 9b, 9b,... Are supported by floating support mechanisms 63, 63,... Provided on the bottom case 1b. Further, at the central portion of the coil base 9, there is provided a center sensor body fitting opening 9c concentrically penetrating the center sensor fitting hole 10a on the side of the first protective frame unit 4A. -A center sensor CS composed of an inner pot temperature detection sensor such as a thermistor or the like in a state capable of moving up and down in the vertical direction through the sensor body insertion port 9c and always urged upward by a coil spring It is installed facing towards.

<About the composition of the lid>
On the other hand, the lid 2 covering the opening 5a of the inner pot storage groove 5 of the rice cooker main body is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. The upper surface 21 made of synthetic resin has a support surface portion of the name plate 20 and a recessed portion 21a for installing a microcomputer substrate etc. on the front side and constitutes a central casing portion of the lid 2 including the peripheral wall portion 21b A lower plate 22 made of a synthetic resin, which is provided on the inner side (lower side) of the upper plate 21, and a first portion made of rubber in a recess 22b of the lower surface of the central portion outer peripheral side of the main body 22a of the lower plate 22. A metal heat dissipating plate 23 having a lid heater (not shown) fitted and fixed from the lower side via a packing 25 and provided below the heat dissipating plate 23 and made of synthetic resin attached and removed to the outer peripheral edge portion Metal with a second rubber packing 14 attached via a possible frame member 27 It is formed from the cover 24.

  As described above, the outer peripheral packing 14 portion of the inner cover 24 is detachably fitted from the lower side to the inner cover fitting recessed portion 22 b provided on the outer peripheral side of the central portion of the lower plate 22. . The outer peripheral side edge 22 c of the lower plate 22 is engaged with the lower inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 21 c of the upper and lower plates 21 having a predetermined vertical width.

  By the way, in order to enhance the pressure resistance strength, the outer peripheral side portion of the rear end portion of the main body portion 22a of the lower plate 22 serving as the center is locked to the connecting piece on the hinge unit 11 side via a connecting piece In addition, a metal reinforcing plate having a predetermined thickness, a predetermined structure, and a large number of reinforcing ribs are provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 22a of the lower plate 22 across the left and right and the front and rear. The whole is formed into a high strength structure.

  That is, the lower plate 22 has the middle portion of the outer periphery on the rear end side of the main body 22a bent upward in a U-shape, and accommodates the above-described hinge unit 11, and the outer peripheral end side The lowering portion covers the hinge unit 11.

  The outer periphery of the rear end side of the main body portion 22a of the lower plate 22 is used as a bracket for attachment, and the lid 2 has the rear end side via the hinge unit 11 with respect to the shoulder member 8 of the rice cooker main body upper portion. Lock and lock release mechanism 13 which engages with a predetermined position of the lid 2 and opens and closes the lid 2 in the vertical direction on its open end side (front end side) It is provided.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the upper surface portion outer periphery 21b forming the name plate support surface portion of the upper plate 21 is a curved surface whose outer diameter is gradually enlarged from the upper side to the lower side. The side is integrally connected to the upper end side of the peripheral wall portion 21c described above via a nameplate fitting groove (U-shaped groove). Then, the nameplate 20 forming the transparent window 60c corresponding to the operation panel 60 surface and the liquid crystal panel 60A as shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a shape corresponding to the support surface shape of each part of the upper plate 21 As shown in FIG. 4, the nameplate fitting grooves on the outer periphery of the upper plate 21 are used to be integrated into a substantially flush state. Then, on the upper surface of the same name plate 20, a transparent sheet 80 made of synthetic resin for waterproofing is attached.

  As described later, the name plate 20 is provided in a downward inclined state in which the height gradually decreases from the rear end side steam unit 51 to the front end side direction, and constitutes a support surface portion of the name plate The support surface structure of the upper plate 21 also has a downward inclined surface structure to the front end side corresponding thereto.

<About the structure of the pressure adjustment mechanism in the lid portion>
In this embodiment, the case of application to a pressure-type electric rice cooker is shown as an example, and in the substantially central portion of the lid 2, only steam is released to the outside while recovering viscous components, and a rice cooking process is performed. A pressure control unit 26A is provided to adjust the pressure in the inner pot 3 in a plurality of stages accordingly.

  The pressure control unit 26A is configured of, for example, a steam release passage 50, 50a to 50c which detours from the inside of the inner pot 3 to the outside and a pressure control mechanism provided in the steam release passage 50, 50a to 50c (this Although a plurality of pressure regulation units 26A are actually provided, this is not an essential configuration in the case of this embodiment, so the description thereof will be omitted).

<About the configuration of the operation panel and display panel portion on the upper surface of the lid>
Reference numeral 60 in FIG. 1 is an operation panel, and the operation panel 60 is provided with a substrate and liquid crystal panel storage box of a predetermined depth on the back side of the panel portion, and is provided with a microcomputer as rice cooking and heat retention control means. The microcomputer substrate 60 B and the liquid crystal panel 60 A are fitted and stored in the opening of the upper plate 21 and the recessed groove of the middle plate 20.

  And while having transparent window 60C corresponding to the display surface of liquid crystal panel 60A in the central part, rice cooking reservation switch SW1 for rice cooking, rice cooking switch SW2, heat retention switch SW8, cancellation switch around the same transparent window 60C. The menu switch SW5 (back), SW6 (susmu), fireproof selection switch SW4, voice guide SW7, clock and timer of SW3 and rice cooking menu (eg white rice, quick cooking, rice bran, rice porridge, brown rice and other course menu) Various operation keys of the time / hour setting switch SW9 are provided.

<About the composition of the infrared sensor in the lid part and its installation structure>
Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, an infrared sensor MS is provided at the front part of the lid 2. The infrared sensor MS has, for example, an electrical configuration as shown in FIG. 11, and the user can check the operation setting or the operation setting state, the rice cooking state or the heat retention state, the clock display confirmation, etc. It is configured to function as a human sensor that detects that it has approached the front position of the vehicle by a predetermined distance or more.

  That is, the infrared sensor MS includes the light receiving unit 90a and the light receiving circuit unit (sensor main body) 90b, and selects infrared light incident through the light receiving lens 91 of the light receiving unit 90a by passing the infrared filter 92. The output voltage according to the amount of infrared pyroelectricity output from the infrared pyroelectric element 93 is amplified to a predetermined voltage level through an amplifier circuit (output voltage amplifier circuit) 96. Input to the comparator circuit 97.

  The comparator circuit 97 faces, for example, the operation panel section 60 at the top of the electric rice cooker main body, and confirms the display on the liquid crystal panel 60A through the transparent window 60c and the front position when the user performs an operation. The voltage value (reference voltage ± α) corresponding to the amount of infrared rays incident according to the temperature of the user (person) at the position (the distance from the electric rice cooker main body at those standing positions) is a reference for comparison It is set as a voltage. Therefore, if the output voltage from the amplifier circuit 96 input to the comparator circuit 97 becomes equal to or higher than such a reference voltage, the comparator circuit 97 detects the presence of the user, and the human detection signal (H signal) Is output.

  The human detection signal (H signal) from the comparator 97 is input to the human detection circuit of the microcomputer control unit 100 on the microcomputer substrate side as shown in the figure, and the user confirms the operation setting, the operation setting state, and the rice cooking state It is determined that the user is at the front position of the electric rice cooker main body due to the heat retention state, confirmation of the clock display, or any other reason.

  When it is determined that the user is at the same position, the microcomputer control unit 100 operates the operation board circuit control means 111 for controlling the supply state of the power to the operation board circuit, and when the user is not present Power is supplied to the operation board circuit of the operation panel unit 60 that has been in the energized state (energy saving mode) to enable operation setting, cancellation, and change of the rice cooking or heat retention function by operating the various operation switches SW1 to SW9. The panel drive control means 112 is operated to turn on the backlight of the liquid crystal panel 60A which has been turned off when there is no user, and displays the information of the liquid crystal panel 60A which has been non-displayed when there is no user. .

  As a result, the user operates the various operation switches SW1 to SW9 of the operation panel 60 while looking at the display information of the liquid crystal panel 60A which is brightly lit and displayed through the transparent window 60c, and the operation setting of the appropriate rice cooking or heat retention function , Cancel, change is possible. Moreover, confirmation of the operation setting state in the cooking standby state at the time of timer reservation, confirmation of the cooking state in cooking, the heat retention state in warming, a clock display, etc. are also possible.

  Moreover, each of these is realized automatically as the user simply approaches the electric rice cooker main body, and it is very convenient because it does not require any manual operation such as the ON operation of the operation key.

  In addition, in the case of such a configuration, the present invention is not limited to the simple standby state as in the past, and in short, when the user is not near the electric rice cooker and neither operation nor display is necessary Since it is possible to save or shut off the supply of power to the power consuming part of the power saving part, the energy saving effect is very high.

  In the configuration of the light receiving circuit unit 90b of FIG. 11, reference numeral 95 denotes a stabilized power supply circuit for driving the circuit, and reference numeral 94 denotes a one-chip IC incorporating various electronic devices.

By the way, in this case, the user approaches the electric rice cooker main body according to the detection sensitivity of the infrared sensor MS itself as described above, and the reference voltage of the comparator circuit 97 opposes the surface of the operation panel 60 on the upper surface thereof. And the amount of detected infrared light from other positions since it is set to correspond to the amount of infrared light emitted from the human body of the user with reference to the normal operation position where the user can operate properly. Can be eliminated as a disturbance. Therefore, the proximity of the user can be properly detected if the magnitude of the amount of infrared rays actually input is determined using the detected amount of infrared rays corresponding to the user's body temperature at the original operation setting position as a reference value, However, the pressure control steam unit 51 is provided at the upper center (or slightly near the rear) of the lid 2 as described above. The steam ports 51a, 51a are opened at the bottom. Then, from the steam ports 51a, 51a, high temperature steam V is blown out at the time of cooking (boiling maintaining step). Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the light receiving surface of the light receiving part 90a of the infrared sensor MS is at a lower position than the upper surface of the lid 2 (upper surface of the upper plate 20), the lid 2 Assuming that the upper surface (upper surface of the upper plate 20) is flat from the rear end side to the front end 20b side of the steam unit 51 as shown in FIG. 6, the light receiving angle θ1 of the light receiving portion 90a of the infrared sensor MS is As it spreads to the side, the infrared rays of the steam V from the steam ports 51a, 51a are detected, and there is a problem that proper user detection can not be performed (occurrence of false detection). As a result, the height of the above-mentioned energy saving effect is hampered.

  Therefore, in the configuration of this embodiment, first, the entire front side portion 20a of the name plate 20 constituting the upper surface portion of the lid 2 becomes gradually lower toward the front end 20b than the steam unit 51 of the nameplate 20. The sloped surface is inclined downward by a predetermined angle θ2 (see FIG. 5), and one side closer to the front end of the nameplate 20 having the same downward inclination (adjacent to the timer reservation switch SW1: see FIG. 1) And a coaxial portion on the microcomputer board 60B provided in the microcomputer board installation space 28 on the lower side of the first light receiving opening 20c, and An infrared sensor MS consisting of a circuit section 90b is installed. A substrate cover 29 is provided on the microcomputer substrate 60B except for a portion corresponding to the liquid crystal panel 60A, so that predetermined electronic components on the microcomputer substrate 60B are covered. A second circular light receiving opening (first light receiving opening 90c) corresponds to the light receiving portion 90a of the infrared sensor MS on the microcomputer substrate cover 29 side and the first light receiving opening 20c on the name plate 20 side. A slightly larger diameter) 29a than the light receiving opening 20c is opened.

  With these configurations, a recessed groove having a predetermined depth for the installation of the infrared sensor MS as shown in FIG. 4 is formed, and the infrared sensor MS is installed so as to be accommodated in the recessed groove. Only the external infrared rays incident on the light receiving section 90a through the first and second light receiving openings 20c and 29a are accurately detected.

  Moreover, in this case, the front portion 20a of the name plate 20 with respect to the unit 51 is inclined downward from the front side to the front end 20b side of the steam unit 51 at the predetermined descent angle θ2 as described above. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the first light receiving opening 20c located and opened at the inclined surface portion of the name plate 20 has, for example, a circular opening surface at the descending inclination angle θ2 The light reception detection angle θ1 in the front-rear direction shown in FIG. 6 is also the light reception center angle of the light reception central axis inclined by θ2 from the vertical direction obliquely downward on the front side.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the steam V blown out from the steam ports 51a, 51a of the steam unit 51 at the rear end side of the name plate 20 (more specifically, the rear end side horizontal surface portion of the upper plate 21). It is no longer possible to detect infrared rays, and accurate user detection is possible.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the light receiving portion 90a and the light receiving circuit portion 90b themselves of the infrared sensor MS are more effective when inclined in accordance with the forward inclination angle θ2.

  Moreover, in the case of this embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 1, the infrared sensor MS is separated from the steam unit 51 by a large distance in the direction of the front end of the rice cooker main body, and The position of the steam unit 51, which is provided close to one side and provided at the center portion on the rear end side and is provided with the steam ports 51a, 51a, is largely out of position in the left-right direction. It is installed offset so that it does not correspond. Therefore, combined with the above-described operation, false detection is less likely to occur.

  Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, in the above case, a transparent waterproof sheet 80 having a predetermined thickness is attached to the upper surface of the name plate 20, and this waterproof sheet 80 is a first waterproof sheet of the name plate 20. In the light receiving opening 20c, as shown in FIG. 4, it is formed in a concave lens shape, and a concave lens 80a for infrared ray condensing is formed.

  Therefore, a relatively wide range of infrared rays can be incident to the inside of the recessed groove portion of the light receiving portion 90a.

<Modification 1>
In the first light receiving opening 20c, the cross-sectional shape of the lens portion 80a by the transparent waterproof sheet 80 which performs the function of a condensing lens is not limited to the concave lens shape as shown in FIG. A convex lens shape such as 12 can also be used. This enables fine adjustment of the detection range and direction.

<Modification 2>
When the waterproof sheet 80 is not provided on the outer surface, for example, the lens member 80a having a waterproof sheet function may be provided inside the first light receiving opening 20c.

<About the effect of the infrared detection sensor in the configuration of the electric rice cooker of this embodiment>
In the case of the embodiment of the invention of this application, in the electric rice cooker which exhibits the above-described basic functions, the user is at least the electric rice cooker in the standby state, the rice cooking state, the heat retention state, and all other cases. , The operation panel 60 and the liquid crystal panel 60A can not be operated by the operation switch, and the display of the display unit is turned off in the energy saving mode (power off mode or power saving mode). It is located on a part not affected by the steam unit 51, that is, away from the steam unit 51 part of the lid 2 in the front end direction, and on an inclined surface part inclined downward toward the front end side. An infrared detection sensor MS for detecting is provided, and the above operation panel is automatically provided in accordance with the infrared detection amount of the infrared sensor MS. 60 operation switch and release of the energy-saving mode of the liquid crystal panel 60A of control non-released state, also detects the boil over during cooking, so as to control the heating output.

  According to such a configuration, the operation setting unit of the electric rice cooker is operated, at least when the user is not beside the electric rice cooker, whether in the standby state, the rice cooking state, the heat retention state, or any other case. While setting can not be performed and the display on the display unit is maintained in the energy saving mode with the display turned off, the power consumption is reduced as much as possible, while the user approaches the electric rice cooker main body and the rice is cooked specifically. When trying to start operations such as selection setting of functions or heat retention function, cancellation, change, or when trying to check operation setting status, cooking status, heat retention status, clock display, remaining time, etc. The infrared detection amount of the infrared sensor MS is increased to a predetermined amount or more according to the body temperature of the user in the facing state.

  Therefore, it can be determined that the user is approaching and is actually trying to set the operation or the like of the rice cooker or the heat retaining function of the electric rice cooker, and correspondingly, the above-described energy saving mode is automatically canceled. Then, it is possible to return to the normal standby state where necessary operation settings and necessary information can be displayed. That is, it can function as a highly accurate human sensor.

  Moreover, in the case of the above configuration, in that case, the infrared sensor MS is a rice cooker lower than the installation surface of the steam unit 51 where the infrared rays from the steam V discharged from the steam ports 51a and 51a of the steam unit It is provided to be positioned in the concave groove portion of the downward inclined surface toward the front end side of the main body.

  During cooking, a predetermined amount of steam is discharged from the steam ports 51a, 51a of the steam unit 51. Therefore, if the infrared sensor MS is on the flat installation surface of the same height as the steam ports 51 a and 51 a of the steam unit 51, the infrared detection area of the infrared sensor MS is above the steam ports 51 a and 51 a of the steam unit 51. There is a possibility that the infrared rays of the steam discharged from the steam ports 51a, 51a may be detected.

  Therefore, the infrared sensor MS is provided in a recessed groove provided on the front side inclined surface which is inclined downward toward the front end side of the lid 2 lower than the installation surface of the steam ports 51a and 51a of the steam unit 51. It is installed to prevent the influence of the steam from the steam ports 51a and 51a, and the light receiving opening 20c at the upper end of the concave groove where infrared rays are incident is inclined forward, and the detection area of the infrared sensor MS is Also by making forward inclination, the infrared rays from the steam blown out from the steam ports 51a, 51a of the steam unit 51 are detected so that the upper part of the steam ports 51a, 51a of the steam unit 51 is not included in the detection area. I try not to.

  In such a configuration, the opening surface of the upper end side light receiving opening 20c of the recessed groove portion in which the infrared sensor MS is installed is open on the downward inclined surface to the front end side of the lid 2, so the user is opposed Opening toward the front side operation position of the electric rice cooker main body, the rear side opening edge position where the steam unit 51 is located becomes higher than the front side opening edge position, the steam unit The rear side 51 is effectively shielded (see the explanatory view of FIG. 5). Therefore, the infrared sensor MS installed in the concave groove portion is not affected by the infrared rays of the steam V from the steam ports 51a and 51a of the steam unit 51 on the rear side of the lid 2, but also from both left and right sides. It becomes difficult to receive the influence of the infrared rays, and only the infrared rays from the user at the predetermined operation position (predetermined corresponding area) facing the front side and the front side upper side can be effectively detected.

Therefore, if the infrared amount from the user at the same position is set as a reference threshold, the detected amount of infrared from other positions can be eliminated as a disturbance, and the person at the original operation setting position can The energy saving mode can be accurately canceled by detecting the presence of the user's operation state or the like properly using the detected amount of infrared radiation corresponding to the body temperature as a reference value (second embodiment)
Next, FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the main part of an electric rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the invention of this application.

  In the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the sensor body itself is provided with the comparator circuit 97 with the infrared sensor MS provided on the downward inclined surface on the front side of the vapor unit 51 of the lid 2. A human feeling of detecting that the user has approached a predetermined operable position (predetermined corresponding area) to operate the electric rice cooker main body by detecting an infrared amount corresponding to the human body temperature as a reference value It was configured to function as a sensor (human detection sensor).

  However, the infrared sensor MS can be effectively utilized not only as such a human sensor but also in other applications.

  That is, in the second embodiment, basically, as in the case of the first embodiment, the user operates the electric rice cooker main body, and approaches the predetermined operable position. It is configured to function as a human sensor that detects what has been done, but in addition to that, for example, a large amount of “otan” is generated, and a blowout occurs from the steam port 51 a of the rear side steam unit 51. Thus, it is also configured to function as a blowout detection sensor that detects that the blown "mochi" has spattered to the front side inclined surface.

  That is, in the configuration of the second embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, only the amplifier circuit 96 for amplifying the output level of the detection signal is provided in the main body side light receiving circuit section 90b of the infrared sensor MS. In the unit 100 side, a first reference value S1 based on the amount of infrared radiation from the user at the operation setting position of the electric rice cooker body as a determination criterion, and a second based on the amount of infrared radiation corresponding to the temperature of the flying dust If the output voltage output from the amplifier circuit 96 has reached the first reference value S1 but has not reached the second reference value S2, the operation state etc. Operation board circuit control means 111 for controlling the supply state of the power supply to the operation board circuit as in the first embodiment. Power supply to enable operation setting of the rice cooking or heat retention function by operating the various operation switches SW1 to SW9, and activating the liquid crystal panel drive control means 112 to display the backlight of the liquid crystal panel 60A and various information displays. Release the unlit state, turn on the backlight and display the necessary information.

  On the other hand, in the case where the output voltage output from the amplifier circuit 96 has reached the first reference value S1 as well as exceeding the first reference value S1 and reaching the second reference value S2. The control board circuit control means 111 for controlling the supply state of the power to the control board circuit and the liquid crystal panel drive control means 112 are kept in the stop state, judging that the "sticky" splattering state due to the boil over On the other hand, the first and second work coil output control means 113 are operated to stop the driving of the first and second work coils C1, C2 on the bottom side of the inner hook 3 and heating from the bottom side of the inner hook 3 The amount is small to avoid blowout, and a sufficient (large) heat storage amount of the inner kettle 3 itself, and the third work coil C3 on the outer kettle 6 side and the heating portion G3 and the shoulder heater H, lid heater (not shown) Depending on the amount of heating By uniformly heat the entire 3, it is maintained in a stable boiling state, raising effectively cook without reducing the cooking function.

  In this case, the output of the infrared sensor MS, that is, the determination that the detected amount of infrared rays exceeds the first and second reference values S1 and S2 is of course programming the determination sequence as described above to the microcomputer control unit 100. It can be easily realized just by doing. Therefore, there is no cost.

  In addition, the second reference value S2 is not an extreme case where the toner flows directly to the infrared sensor MS as described above, but as described above, a certain amount of scattering to the surroundings at the time of the occurrence of the blowout Set based on volume.

Furthermore, the drive stop control of the first and second work coils C1 and C2 by the same spillover is promptly released after a predetermined time effective for preventing the spillover after the drive is stopped, and is originally according to the rice cooking process It is returned to its proper heating condition. Therefore, the necessary rice cooking function is properly maintained, and the taste of cooked rice is not reduced.
Third Embodiment
Next, 15 and FIG. 16 show the configuration of the whole and essential parts of an electric rice cooker according to a third embodiment of the invention of this application.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the infrared sensor MS as in the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 15, the operation panel 60 and the liquid crystal panel 60A slightly near the front end side from the vapor unit 51 of the lid 2 The ultrasonic sensor US is provided on the lower surface side portion of the name plate 20 in which the transparent window 60c and the like for this purpose are formed, and the “cloth width” to the upper surface portion of the lid 2 It is characterized in that the placement can be detected.

  As described above, in the case where the operation panel 60 and the transparent window 60c for the liquid crystal panel 60A are provided on the upper surface side of the lid 2 as shown in the first embodiment, the nameplate 20 corresponding to them is a lid It is provided so as to cover substantially the entire upper cover 20 of the body 2. In such a case, some of the users put the washed cloth on the upper surface of the lid 2 in a state of covering the steam unit 51 portion. Although the intention is not necessarily clear, it is considered that the intention is probably to dry the cloth on the lid 2 or to intend to sterilize it with steam.

  However, if rice is cooked while the cloth is spread like this, the high temperature steam coming out of the steam port 51a of the steam unit 51 will collect under the cloth and heat the entire name plate 20, which is relatively thin. The name plate 20 is deformed by heat, and the distance between the embossed portion of the operation panel 60 and the operation switches SW1 to SW9 changes, which may make it impossible to perform normal ON / OFF operation.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, in addition to the infrared sensor MS for human detection similar to that of the first embodiment described above, The ultrasonic sensor US for detecting the cloth width is provided on the lower surface side portion of the name plate 20 provided with the operation panel 60 and the transparent window 60c for the liquid crystal panel 60A, etc. In addition to the detection of the presence of the user in the corresponding area, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the “cloth width” on the upper surface portion of the lid 2.

  That is, in the same configuration, when the rice cooking switch SW2 is pressed and rice cooking is started, first, the infrared sensor MS described above detects whether the user is still at the operation position (predetermined corresponding area), and the detection result is On the basis of this, when the user is still at the operation position of the electric rice cooker main body, the operation board circuit control means 111 and the liquid crystal panel drive control means 112 are operated to operate the operation board circuit and the liquid crystal panel 60c as described above. Maintain normal operating condition.

  On the other hand, if there is no H output signal from the comparator circuit 97 of the infrared sensor MS, and it is confirmed that the user is away from the electric rice cooker main body, then the ultrasonic sensor US is then activated to cover Detect the presence or absence of a "cloth" on the body 2. As a result, the possibility that the user's hand or the like is erroneously detected as the “cloth width” can be avoided, and only when the “cloth width” is placed can be detected accurately.

  Then, when the “cloth width” is placed on the lid 2 having the amount of downward reflection of the ultrasonic wave radiated upward from the ultrasonic sensor US above the predetermined reference amount, the voice notification means 114 is first performed. Activate the alarm and generate an audible alarm saying, "A cloth is on! Please remove it."

  On the other hand, even though the alarm is generated, if the placement state of the "cloth width" continues for a predetermined time or more, the drive of all the heating output control means 114 of the work coil etc. is finally stopped, Stop cooking itself.

  Thereby, the thermal deformation of the name plate 20 forming the upper surface portion of the lid 2 as in the prior art is avoided.

(Other embodiments)
In the above description, although the invention of this application is applied to an electromagnetic induction type electric rice cooker provided with a ceramic inner pot and a ceramic outer pot, the invention of this application is essentially As apparent from various technical ideas, the present invention is not applied only to the above-described specific configuration of the electric rice cooker, and the same applies to the various configurations of the electric rice cooker in general as described above. Provide useful beneficial effects.

  1 is a rice cooker body case, 1a is an outer case, 1b is a bottom case, 2 is a lid, 3 is an inner pot, 3a is a bottom, 3b is a bent portion, 3c is a side portion, 3c is a side, 3d is an opening, 4 is a protective frame 4A is a first protective frame unit, 4B is a second protective frame unit, 5 is an inner hook storage groove, 6 is a ceramic outer pot, 6a is a bottom, 6b is a curved portion, 6c is a side portion, 6d is a 6d The upper end of the side, 7 is a magnetic shielding plate, 8 is a shoulder member, 9 is a coil base, 90 is a recessed groove portion, 90a is a light receiving portion, 90b is a light receiving circuit portion, 100 is a microcomputer control unit, 111 is operation board circuit control means, 112 is a liquid crystal panel drive control means, 114 is a voice notification means, 115 is a heating output control means such as a work coil, C1 is a first work coil, C2 is a second work coil, C3 is a third work coil, and G1 is 1st induction heating part, G2 is 2nd induction heating part, G3 is 3rd induction The heat generating portion, MS is an infrared sensor, and US is an ultrasonic sensor.

Claims (3)

An inner pot, a rice cooker main body for receiving the inner pot in a removable manner, an inner pot heating means for heating the inner pot within the rice cooker main body, and an openable / closable upper portion of the rice cooker main body In an electric rice cooker comprising a lid having an operation unit and a display unit, the lid is provided with an infrared sensor, and the infrared sensor detects the amount of infrared radiation in the predetermined corresponding area, thereby the same corresponding area determining the presence or absence of user in the inner, the standby state, the non-standby state, other, regardless of the cooker operation state, when the user Za is absent in the predetermined corresponding area is the upper Kimisao operation portion an operation circuit while controlling the display circuit of the non-energized state and the display unit can not be operated settings of the operation unit in the non-energized state or power saving state, if the user is in a the predetermined corresponding area is the above Electric rice cookers, characterized in that the operating circuit of the work unit and to control the display circuit energized state and the display section capable of operation setting of the operating unit to the conduction state allowing normal lighting. The lid and steam unit is provided at the rear end side central portion of the lid member, an infrared sensor, so as not to detect the infrared the steam unit either et exiting steam, the lid spaced front side of the body, and Re et provided positioned inclined surface inclined downward as the distance from the offset has been the steam unit to the left or right direction of the lid that do not correspond to the steam unit and the front-rear direction The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of judgment reference values of the infrared detection amount by the infrared sensor are provided, and in addition to the presence or absence of the user in a predetermined corresponding area, blowout can also be detected. vessel.

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