JP7309027B2 - rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a rice cooker including a main body, an inner pot, and heating means.

In a conventional rice cooker, an inner pot filled with rice and water is housed in the main body of the rice cooker, and the start of rice cooking is instructed. After the instruction, the rice cooker goes through a rice cooking process in which the inner pot is heated by the heating means, and then shifts to a heat retention process. In the heat-retaining step, the heating means is controlled so as to maintain the set heat-retaining temperature, and the temperature of the rice is kept constant. At that time, the input means or the display means displays an operation state or the like by means of an LED or the like. The display means for performing the display is arranged in the vicinity of the keys of the input means, and only shows the state of the function operation of the keys. In other words, the display was of a level that the user who operated it could consciously visually confirm it (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Japanese Patent No. 4015932

A conventional rice cooker does not perform an operation to increase the user's appetite during a processing step such as a rice cooking process. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user will not be able to enjoy the meal by eating without appetite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker that enhances the user's appetite when cooking rice and enhances the enjoyment of eating.

A rice cooker according to the present invention comprises a main body having a hollow portion formed therein, an inner pot detachably housed in the hollow portion of the main body and containing an object to be heated therein, and heating the inner pot. Heating means and illumination means for illuminating the lower part of the main body, the illumination means illuminating the lower part of the main body according to a predetermined condition, the predetermined condition being a preheating step in the rice cooking mode. , changing the light emission pattern according to the transition of the process order of the rice cooking process or the murashi process, wherein the illumination means continues illumination and continues the stop of illumination in the rice cooking mode according to the light emission pattern. Alternately repeating, the width of the time during which illumination is continued is made larger in the rice cooking process than in the preheating process and smaller in the mottling process than in the preheating process, and the ratio of the time of illumination is set to the preheating process. It is made larger in the rice cooking process.

According to the rice cooker of the present invention, the lighting means illuminates the lower portion of the main body according to the predetermined conditions. The predetermined condition is a condition that the light emission pattern is changed according to the transition of the process order of the preheating process, the rice cooking process, or the steaming process in the rice cooking mode. The illumination means alternately repeats continuation of illumination and continuation of stoppage of illumination in the rice cooking mode according to the light emission pattern. The illumination means makes the duration of illumination longer in the preheating process than in the steaming process and longer in the rice cooking process than in the preheating process. In addition, the lighting means increases the ratio of lighting time in the rice cooking process than in the preheating process. Thereby, the rice cooker can produce the flame of the stove or the like by the lighting means. In addition, the rice cooker can remind the user of cooking rice with high heat in the rice cooking process. Therefore, the rice cooker allows the user to imagine that fluffy and delicious rice can be cooked, thereby increasing the user's appetite and enhancing the enjoyment of eating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing control means according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; It is a plane projection view which shows the illumination operation|movement of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. FIG. 11 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a rice cooker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; 10 is a flow chart showing lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. It is a plane projection view which shows the lighting operation of the rice cooker which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing lighting operation of a rice cooker according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing lighting operation of the rice cooker according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts, and this is common throughout the specification. Also, in the drawings of cross-sectional views, hatching is appropriately omitted in view of visibility. Furthermore, the forms of components shown in the entire specification are merely examples and are not limited to these descriptions.

Embodiment 1.
<Configuration of rice cooker 1>
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rice cooker 1 is, for example, an electromagnetic induction heating cooker, and includes a main body 2, a lid 3, a heating means 4, an inner pot 5, and a lighting means 6. have.

The main body 2 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening 21 on the upper surface. A hollow portion 22 is formed inside the main body 2 . The lid 3 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 2 so as to be openable and closable, and closes the opening 21 of the main body 2 . The heating means 4 is provided on the bottom surface of the hollow portion 22 of the main body 2 and has a shape along the bottom surface of the inner pot 5 . The heating means 4 is, for example, a heating coil, and induces an eddy current in the inner pot 5 to heat the inner pot 5 . Note that the heating means 4 may be flat. The inner pot 5 is detachably accommodated in the hollow portion 22 of the main body 2, and accommodates rice and water as objects to be heated therein.

<Lighting Means 6>
The illumination means 6 is composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED, and illuminates the lower part of the main body 2 . Specifically, the illumination means 6 illuminates a region below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 . The illumination means 6 is arranged only at one place on the front surface of the lower part of the main body 2 . Thereby, the illumination means 6 illuminates the area below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 with the front of the main body 2 as a reference. In addition, the illumination means 6 may be provided in multiple numbers.

<Hardware configuration of rice cooker 1>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the control means 9 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , the rice cooker 1 has input means 7 , display means 8 and control means 9 .

The input means 7 is composed of a plurality of keys and the like. The input means 7 inputs information about rice cooking to the control means 9 . The display means 8 is composed of, for example, an LCD or an LED. A display means 8 is provided on the top surface of the lid 3 . The display means 8 displays information about rice cooking.

<Control Means 9>
As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 9 is a processing circuit having a microcomputer having a CPU, memories such as ROM and RAM, and input/output devices such as I/O ports. The control means 9 sets the type of rice to be cooked or the rice cooking menu according to the input from the input means 7 , and displays information such as the setting contents related to the rice cooking on the display means 8 . Upon receiving an instruction to start cooking rice from the input means 7, the control means 9 heats the inner pot 5 via the heating means 4 to cook rice. The illumination means 6 illuminates the lower portion of the main body 2 of the rice cooker 1 according to conditions predetermined by instructions from the control means 9 .

<Lighting operation of rice cooker 1>
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, when illumination from the illumination means 6 is performed according to predetermined conditions, the illumination range 30 of the hatched portion below the main body 2 shown in the figure is illuminated. A hatched illumination range 30 is a range on the mounting surface on which the main body 2 is mounted. Since the illumination means 6 illuminates the area below the main body 2 along the outer periphery of the main body 2 with the front of the main body 2 as the reference, the hatched illumination range 30 is along the outer periphery of the main body 2 with the front of the main body 2 as the reference. It is formed in a region below the front side of the main body 2 .

As described above, since the lighting means 6 illuminates the lower part of the main body 2 according to the predetermined conditions, it is possible to produce a delicious image such as the flames of the stove, and it is possible to appeal that the rice cooker 1 can cook plump and delicious rice. .

<Effect of Embodiment 1>
According to Embodiment 1, rice cooker 1 includes main body 2 having hollow portion 22 formed therein. The rice cooker 1 is detachably housed in a hollow portion 22 of a main body 2, and includes an inner pot 5 for housing an object to be heated therein. The rice cooker 1 includes heating means 4 for heating the inner pot 5 . The rice cooker 1 includes lighting means 6 for lighting the lower portion of the main body 2 .

According to this configuration, the illumination means 6 can illuminate the lower part of the main body 2 with light like the flame of a furnace. Therefore, a new appealing method is created in which a delicious image like the flames of a stove is produced by lighting, and the user is reminded of the fact that fluffy and delicious rice can be cooked.

According to Embodiment 1, the illumination means 6 illuminates the area below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 .

According to this configuration, the illumination means 6 can illuminate the area below the main body 2 along the outer periphery of the main body 2 with light closer to the flame of the furnace.

According to Embodiment 1, the illumination means 6 illuminates the area below the main body 2 along the outer periphery of the main body 2 with the front of the main body 2 as a reference.

According to this configuration, the lighting means 6 can illuminate the area below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 with the front surface of the main body 2 as a reference, with light closer to the flame of the furnace. As a result, for the user who often sees the rice cooker 1 from the front of the main body 2, a delicious image such as the flames of the stove is produced by the illumination, and the user is reminded of the ability to cook plump and delicious rice. Appeal method is created. In particular, it is effective when the rice cooker 1 is stored in a storage shelf or the like in the kitchen and the user hardly sees the rice cooker 1 only from the front side. In addition, since only the front side is illuminated and other portions are not illuminated, power consumption can be saved.

According to Embodiment 1, the illumination means 6 illuminates the lower part of the main body 2 according to predetermined conditions.

According to this configuration, a delicious image like the flames of a stove is produced by illumination according to predetermined conditions, creating a new appealing method that reminds the user that plump and delicious rice can be cooked.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 6 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

The lighting operation pattern shown in FIG. 6 is during rice cooking. The pattern of the lighting operation shown in FIG. 7 is for keeping warm. The pattern of lighting operation shown in FIG. 8 is that at the time of reservation. Here, the illumination means 6 performs illumination according to predetermined conditions according to each mode.

<Cooking mode>
In FIG. 6, the curve shown in the upper part is a temperature curve representing the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 during rice cooking. The three pattern diagrams shown at the bottom represent the light emission pattern of the illumination means 6 or the intensity of the illuminance of the illumination means 6 . The three pattern portions shown in the lower portion of FIG. 6 are different from each other and also from the pattern diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8 . That is, the illumination means 6 changes the light emission pattern for each of the rice cooking mode, heat retention mode, and reservation mode. In particular, the lighting means 6 changes the light emission pattern according to the transition of the process order of the preheating process, the rice cooking process, or the steaming process in the rice cooking mode.

The operation during rice cooking will be described with reference to the temperature curve in the upper portion of FIG. When rice cooking is started, the temperature of the bottom surface of the inner pot 5 is kept constant while waiting for a predetermined time to pass. This is called a preheating process, and the purpose is to allow the rice to sufficiently absorb moisture. Next, the process shifts to the rice cooking process. In the rice cooking process, the temperature of the rice and water, which are the objects to be cooked in the inner pot 5, is raised at once by heating with high heat to bring them to a boil. After that, the boiling state is maintained, and when the water in the inner pot 5 evaporates and disappears, the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 begins to rise rapidly, so the rice cooking process is finished at a predetermined bottom surface temperature. This temperature is also called dry-up temperature. Next, the process shifts to the murashi process. In the steaming process, the inner pot 5 is appropriately heated so that the temperature of the rice in the inner pot 5 does not drop, and a predetermined time is waited for. This heating is generally called double cooking. At this point, the rice contained at the start of rice cooking is gelatinized, i.e. gelatinized, by moisture and heat, and the rice is cooked. Then, when the steaming process is completed, the process shifts to the heat retention process in which the rice is kept at a constant temperature.

First, of the three pattern diagrams in the lower part of FIG. 6, the upper pattern (a) will be described. In pattern (a), the illumination means 6 performs illumination at the "ON" level on the vertical axis, and stops illumination at the "OFF" level on the vertical axis. In other words, it is controlled to be either "ON" or "OFF". Here, for example, the illumination means 6 is controlled to be ON for 30 seconds and OFF for 30 seconds. Moreover, the same light emission pattern is continued from the start to the end of rice cooking.

When the illumination means 6 is controlled by the light emission pattern of pattern (a), by illuminating with the specific light emission pattern at the time of rice cooking, it is possible to produce a delicious image such as the flame of the stove, which is the original purpose, and to make plump and delicious rice. It can be appealed that the rice cooker 1 can cook rice, and it can also be recognized that the rice is currently being cooked.

Next, the middle pattern (b) will be described. In pattern (b), the light emission pattern in the preheating step is the same as pattern (a). In the rice cooking process, the rate of ON is set larger than that in the preheating process, for example, control is performed so that it is ON for 105 seconds and OFF for 45 seconds. In the next mouring step, the ON width is made smaller than in the preheating step, and controlled to be ON for 10 seconds and OFF for 10 seconds. The pattern (b) differs from the pattern (a) in that the pattern (a) continued the same light emission pattern from the start to the end of rice cooking, whereas in the pattern (b), the preheating process and the rice cooking process, The difference is that each of the mottling steps is controlled by a different light emission pattern.

When the illumination means 6 is controlled by the pattern (b) of light emission pattern, the same effect as the pattern (a) can be obtained, and which step of rice cooking is being performed can be recognized. Furthermore, by constructing a light emission pattern reminiscent of the high heat in the rice cooking process, it becomes easier to appeal the taste of rice cooking with a higher heat.

Next, the lower pattern (c) will be described. In pattern (c), the handling of the illumination level on the vertical axis is different from that in pattern (a) or pattern (b). In pattern (c), the lighting means 6 continuously changes the lighting level, that is, the illuminance. The "ON" level of pattern (a) or pattern (b) is represented by "strong" as the highest level. On the other hand, the "OFF" levels of pattern (a) and pattern (b) are treated in the same way, and are levels at which illumination is stopped. By continuously changing the range from "strong" to "OFF", it is possible to construct a light emission pattern such as "fluctuation" or "flicker" that resembles a flame or a furnace. Here, similarly to pattern (b), the light emission pattern is changed for each rice cooking process. However, as in pattern (a), the same light emission pattern may be used from the start to the end of rice cooking.

When the illuminating means 6 is controlled by the light emission pattern of pattern (c), the same effect as pattern (a) and pattern (b) is obtained, and "fluctuation" or "flame" or "flame" is produced. Since a light emission pattern such as "flickering" can be configured, the ability to cook delicious rice can be strongly appealed.

<Keep warm mode>
In FIG. 7, the upper curve is a temperature curve representing the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 during heat retention. The two pattern diagrams shown at the bottom represent the light emission patterns of the illumination means 6. FIG.

In the upper temperature curve, the behavior during heat retention is explained. When the rice cooking is completed and the heat retention is started, the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 is lowered to the heat retention temperature and reaches the heat retention temperature. The sauce indirectly keeps the temperature of the rice in the inner pot 5 constant.

First, of the two pattern diagrams in the lower part of FIG. 7, the upper pattern (a) will be described. In pattern (a), the illumination means 6 performs illumination at the "ON" level on the vertical axis, and stops illumination at the "OFF" level on the vertical axis. That is, the lighting is controlled to be either "ON" or "OFF". Here, for example, the illumination means 6 is controlled to be ON for 2 minutes and OFF for 28 minutes. Compared to the time axis during rice cooking in FIG. 6, the time axis during heat retention in FIG. 7 is set with a longer span. In addition, the same light emission pattern continues from the start to the end of keeping warm.

When the illumination means 6 is controlled by the light emission pattern of pattern (a), the illumination means 6 illuminates with a specific light emission pattern during heat retention, thereby producing a delicious image such as the flame of the furnace, which is the original purpose. It can be appealed that the rice cooker 1 can cook fluffy and delicious rice, and at the same time, it can be recognized that the rice is currently being kept warm.

Next, the lower pattern (b) will be described. In pattern (b), the illumination of the lighting means 6 is kept off in the initial stage of the heat retention process when the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 has not decreased to the heat retention temperature. When the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 reaches the heat insulating temperature and the control of the heating means 4 is started so as to maintain the heat insulating temperature, the lighting means 6 is turned on for 2 minutes and turned off for 28 minutes, repeating a pattern. Thereafter, this light emission pattern is continued until the cancel key provided on the input means 7 is operated to end the heat retention process.

The difference between pattern (b) and pattern (a) is that while pattern (a) continued the same light emission pattern from the start to the end of the heat retention process, in pattern (b) The light emitting pattern is controlled by different light emission patterns during the lowering of the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 and in the fixed process in which the bottom surface temperature of the inner pot 5 reaches the heat retention temperature and is controlled to a constant temperature.

When the illumination means 6 is controlled by the pattern (b) of light emission pattern, the same effect as the pattern (a) is obtained, and it is possible to recognize which process of heat retention is being performed.

Incidentally, as shown in pattern (c) of FIG. 6, the illumination means 6 may be configured to continuously change the illumination level, that is, the illuminance, even during heat retention. In this case, by continuously changing the illuminance from "strong" to "OFF", it is possible to construct a light emission pattern such as "fluctuation" or "flickering" that resembles a flame or a furnace. Also, as in pattern (a) of FIG. 7, the same control may be applied from the start to the end of heat retention, or the light emission pattern may be changed for each heat retention step as in pattern (b).

When the illumination means 6 is configured so as to continuously change the level of illumination, that is, the illuminance, the same effect as the pattern (a) and the pattern (b) can be obtained, and an image such as a flame or a furnace can be obtained. , ``swaying'' or ``flickering'' can be configured, so that the ability to cook delicious rice can be strongly appealed.

<Reservation mode>
The light emission pattern shown in FIG. 8 is similar to the light emission pattern of the illumination means 6 shown in the lower part of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, and here represents the operation of the illumination means 6 in the reservation process.

By operating the reservation key or menu key provided in the input means 7, the reservation time and the reservation menu are set, and finally the rice cooking key is entered to confirm the reserved rice cooking, and the mode shifts to the reservation standby mode. be. In the reservation standby mode, the reservation standby state is continued until the rice cooking start time set by the reservation menu comes, and when the rice cooking start time comes, reserved rice cooking is started.

In this reservation standby mode, the illumination means 6 is controlled with the light emission pattern shown in FIG. For example, the lights are on for 2 minutes, off for 2 minutes, on again for 2 minutes, and then off for 24 minutes. This cycle is repeated while the reservation process continues.

<Others>
In addition, the predetermined condition of the lighting means 6 may be to change the light emission color for each of the rice cooking mode, heat retention mode, and reservation mode instead of the light emission pattern. Moreover, the illumination means 6 may change the light emission color according to the transition of the process order of the preheating process, the rice cooking process, or the steaming process in the rice cooking mode.

<Effects of Embodiment 2>
According to Embodiment 2, the predetermined condition of the lighting means 6 is to change the light emission pattern for each of the rice cooking mode, heat retention mode, and reservation mode.

According to this configuration, the original purpose of the rice cooker 1, such as the flame of the stove, can be produced, and the rice cooker 1 can cook plump and delicious rice. can recognize what kind of mode is

According to Embodiment 2, the predetermined condition of the lighting means 6 is to change the emission color for each of the rice cooking mode, the heat retention mode, and the reservation mode.

According to this configuration, the original purpose of the rice cooker 1, such as the flame of the stove, can be produced, and the rice cooker 1 can cook plump and delicious rice. can recognize what kind of mode is

According to Embodiment 2, the predetermined condition of the lighting means 6 is to change the emission color or emission pattern according to the transition of the preheating process, the rice cooking process, or the steaming process in the rice cooking mode.

According to this configuration, it is possible to change the luminous color or luminous pattern such as ``swaying'' or ``flickering'', which gives an image of a flame or a furnace, and it is possible to strongly appeal that delicious rice can be cooked.

Embodiment 3.
FIG. 9 is a plan projection view showing the lighting operation of the rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the input means 7 includes a rice key or menu key for setting the type of rice to be cooked or a menu, a rice cooking key for instructing the start of the rice cooking operation, and the like. A hatched range around the main body 2 is an illumination range 31 by the illumination means 6 and is a range on the mounting surface on which the main body 2 is mounted. In Embodiment 3, a plurality of lighting units 6 are provided. Here, a total of four lighting units 6 are provided on each of the front, left and right side surfaces, and rear surface. In addition, the number of the plurality of lighting means 6 is not limited. A plurality of lighting means 6 are spaced around the waist of the main body 2 and illuminate the area below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 all the way around the outer circumference of the main body 2 .

An illumination range 31 illuminated by the illumination means 6 is within a predetermined range in a direction away from the main body 2 based on the planar projected shape of the main body 2 . Specifically, the illumination range 31 is a range of 50 mm in the direction away from the main body 2 based on the planar projected shape of the main body 2 .

By limiting the illumination range 31 to a preset range in this way, in addition to achieving the same effect as in the first embodiment, a wide range around the main body 2 is illuminated, and the user is disturbed. It will not be misidentified as a fire, or the light will not disturb your sleep when you go to bed.

<Effect of Embodiment 3>
According to Embodiment 3, the illumination range 31 illuminated by the illumination means 6 is within a predetermined range in the direction away from the main body 2 based on the planar projected shape of the main body 2 .

According to this configuration, the user does not mistakenly recognize a fire or the like due to illumination of a wide range around the main body 2, and does not disturb sleep because the light disturbs sleep.

According to Embodiment 3, the predetermined range is 50 mm in the direction away from the main body 2 with respect to the planar projected shape of the main body 2 .

According to this configuration, the illuminated range can be limited to the periphery of the main body 2, and the wide range of the periphery of the main body 2 is illuminated, which may cause the user to mistakenly think that there is a fire, or the user may be concerned about the light during sleep. It does not interfere with sleeping.

According to the third embodiment, the plurality of illumination means 6 are spaced apart and illuminate the area below the body 2 along the periphery of the body 2 all the way around the periphery of the body 2 .

According to this configuration, the plurality of lighting means 6 can illuminate the area below the main body 2 along the outer circumference of the main body 2 over the entire outer circumference of the main body 2 with light closer to the flame of the furnace. As a result, even when the user views the rice cooker 1 from any direction of the main body 2, a delicious image like the flames of a furnace is produced by the lighting, and a new idea is presented to the user that the rice can be cooked plumply and deliciously. Appeal method is created.

Embodiment 4.
FIG. 10 is a pattern diagram showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In FIG. 10, the upper curve is a temperature curve representing the temperature of the bottom surface of the inner pot 5 during rice cooking. The three pattern diagrams shown at the bottom represent the light emission patterns of the illumination means 6 and represent the intensity of the illuminance of the illumination means 6 . That is, the illuminance illuminated by the illumination means 6 can be changed freely.

The upper temperature curve is the same as in FIG. 6 of the second embodiment, so the explanation is omitted.

First, of the three pattern diagrams in the lower part of FIG. 10, the upper pattern (a) will be described. In pattern (a), the highest level of illumination is indicated by "strong", and the level at which illumination is stopped is indicated by "OFF". In the case of pattern (a), it is controlled to either the highest level "strong" or the level to stop illumination "OFF", so it is the same as pattern (a) in FIG. 6 of the second embodiment. operation.

Next, the middle pattern (b) and the lower pattern (c) will be described. Pattern (b) differs from pattern (a) in that the maximum level of illumination of illumination means 6 is set low. That is, the brightness when the lighting means 6 is ON is set to be darker than in pattern (a). Furthermore, the pattern (c) differs from the pattern (b) in that the maximum level of illumination of the illumination means 6 is set lower, and the brightness when the illumination means 6 is ON is It is set darker than pattern (b).

By making the illumination level of the illumination means 6 changeable, the illuminance of the illumination means 6 can be set according to the actual usage of the rice cooker 1 by the user, and usability is further improved. For example, when the ambient brightness is low, such as at night, the illuminance of the lighting means 6 is reduced. Also, when the brightness of the surroundings is bright, the illuminance is increased to illuminate. In this way, the user can easily understand the difference in brightness of the lighting means 6 . As for the method of changing the illumination level of the illumination means 6, setting by key input of the input means 7 may be used. Further, when the current time is clocked by the control means 9, the surroundings of the rice cooker 1 may be configured so as to determine whether the time zone is bright or the time zone when the surroundings are dark. Thus, the method of changing the level of illumination of the illumination means 6 is not limited to the scope of the description here.

<Effect of Embodiment 4>
According to Embodiment 4, the illuminance illuminated by the illumination means 6 can be changed.

According to this configuration, the illuminance of the lighting means 6 can be set according to the actual use of the rice cooker 1 by the user, and usability is further improved.

Embodiment 5.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, descriptions of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiments are omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the rice cooker 1 includes an illuminance sensor 10 that detects the brightness around the main body 2 . Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the illuminance illuminated by the illuminating means 6 is changed according to the brightness around the main body 2 detected by the illuminance sensor 10 . Note that the rice cooker 1 may detect the brightness around the main body 2 by a method other than the illuminance sensor 10 . An example in which the illuminance of the lighting means 6 is controlled to three levels of "strong", "medium" and "weak" will be described below.

In FIG. 12, first, the brightness around the main body 2 is measured using the illuminance sensor 10 capable of electrically measuring the brightness around the main body 2 (S101). Next, the measured brightness is compared with the reference value A in S102. If the measured brightness is determined to be equal to or higher than the reference value A, it is determined that the brightness of the surroundings is bright, and the process proceeds to S103. Here, the measured brightness is represented by illuminance (lux), and the brighter the value, the larger the measured value. Also, the reference value A to be compared with the measured brightness is a preset value for classifying the illuminance (lux) into several ranks. In S103, the illuminance of the lighting means 6 is set to "strong".

Subsequently, when it is determined that the compared brightness is lower than the reference value A and darker than A in S102, the process proceeds to S104, and the measured brightness and the reference value B are compared. If it is determined in S104 that the compared brightness is equal to or higher than the reference value B, the process proceeds to S105 and sets the illuminance of the lighting means 6 to "medium". At this time, the reference value B is set to a value lower than the reference value A. If it is determined in S104 that the compared brightness is less than the reference value B, in S106 it is determined that the surrounding brightness is dark, and the illuminance of the lighting means 6 is set to "weak" (S107 ).

In this way, the lighting means 6 set with respective illuminances are controlled like patterns (a) to (c) shown in FIG. 10 of the fourth embodiment. Pattern (a) when the illuminance is set to "strong" in S103, pattern (b) when the illuminance is set to "medium" in S105, and pattern (c) when the illuminance is set to "weak" in S107. are controlled respectively.

In this way, the illuminance sensor 10 measures the ambient brightness of the main body 2 and determines the brightness to set the illuminance of the illumination means 6. Therefore, the user does not have to bother to manually set the brightness. The illuminance is automatically set according to the brightness of the surroundings, greatly improving usability.

<Effect of Embodiment 5>
According to Embodiment 5, rice cooker 1 includes illuminance sensor 10 that detects the brightness around body 2 . The illuminance illuminated by the illuminating means 6 is changed according to the ambient brightness of the main body 2 detected by the illuminance sensor 10 .

According to this configuration, the illuminance of the illumination means 6 can be automatically set according to the brightness of the surroundings without the user having to manually set the illuminance of the illumination means 6, which is very convenient. improves.

Embodiment 6.
FIG. 13 is a plan projection view showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. In Embodiment 6, descriptions of the same matters as in the above-described Embodiments are omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In FIG. 13, illumination ranges 32a, 32b, 32c and 32d hatched around the main body 2 are the same as the illumination range 31 shown in FIG. 9 of the third embodiment. That is, a plurality of lighting units 6 are provided and can be individually controlled. For this reason, in FIG. 13, the illumination range 31 shown in FIG. 9 is divided into four ranges obtained by dividing the central angle of the top surface of the substantially circular lid body 3 by 90°. The four divided ranges are defined as area A (32a), area B (32b), area C (32c), and area D (32d). The light emission pattern of the illumination of the illumination means 6 can be individually switched for each of the four regions. That is, it is possible to arbitrarily select which one of the plurality of lighting means 6 to control. For example, area A (32a) located in front of main body 2 is illuminated during rice cooking, and area B (32b) and area D (32d) located on both sides of main body 2 are illuminated during heat retention.

<Others>
In addition, the configuration may be such that when the ambient brightness is bright, the area A (32a) is illuminated, and when the ambient brightness is dark, the area B (32b) and the area D (32d) are illuminated. Also, the number of areas to be illuminated at the same time is not limited to one or two, and may be three or four.

By dividing the illumination ranges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d of the plurality of illumination means 6 in this way, the illumination ranges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d can be set according to the actual use of the rice cooker 1 by the user. Usability is improved.

<Effect of Embodiment 6>
According to Embodiment 6, a plurality of illumination means 6 are provided and can be individually controlled. It is possible to arbitrarily select which of the plurality of lighting means 6 to control.

According to this configuration, the illumination ranges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d of the plurality of illumination means 6 are divided, and the illumination ranges 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d of the plurality of illumination means 6 are set according to the actual usage of the user. You can do it and it will be easier to use.

Embodiment 7.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In Embodiment 7, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described Embodiments is omitted, and only the characteristic portion thereof will be described.

The lighting means 6 is controlled according to the input of the input means 7 . In FIG. 14, first, in S201, the input of the key provided in the input means 7 is determined. If it is determined in S201 that there is key input, the process proceeds to S202. On the other hand, if it is determined in S201 that there is no key input, but that there is no key input, determination of key input is repeated. If it is determined in S201 that there is a key input, the timer t is started in S202, and the illumination of the illumination means 6 is turned on in S203. Next, in S204, it is determined whether the timer t has elapsed 60 seconds. Then, when it is determined in S204 that the timer t has elapsed for 60 seconds, the process proceeds to S205 to turn off the lighting means 6 and terminates. When it is determined in S204 that the timer t has not elapsed for 60 seconds, the process returns to S203 and the lighting of the lighting means 6 is continued to be ON. That is, every time there is a key input of the input means 7, the lighting of the lighting means 6 is turned on continuously for 60 seconds.

As a result, the illumination means 6 is illuminated in conjunction with the key input by the user's operation, so that the user using the rice cooker 1 is appealed to have fun in operation and that the rice cooker 1 can cook delicious rice. can.

<Effect of Embodiment 7>
According to Embodiment 7, the rice cooker 1 includes input means 7 for inputting information about rice cooking. The lighting means 6 is controlled according to the input of the input means 7 .

According to this configuration, it is possible to appeal to the user of the rice cooker 1 that it is a rice cooker 1 that is fun to operate and can cook delicious rice.

Embodiment 8.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the lighting operation of rice cooker 1 according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, descriptions of the same matters as in the above-described embodiments are omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rice cooker 1 is supplied in combination with the main body 2 and includes a padding member 20 that is laid between the main body 2 and the mounting surface on which the main body 2 is mounted. The laying member 20 is sheet-like or plate-like. The material of the surface of the floor member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed is made of a material that suppresses light reflection.

As a result, the material of the laying member 20 that is laid between the main body 2 and the placement surface on which the main body 2 is placed is a material that suppresses the reflection of light. It goes without saying that the effect is produced, but the effect can be made more remarkable.

<Effect of Embodiment 8>
According to the eighth embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is supplied in combination with the main body 2, and includes a bedding member 20 laid between the main body 2 and the mounting surface on which the main body 2 is mounted. The material of the surface of the floor member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed is made of a material that suppresses light reflection.

According to this configuration, the effect that the wide range around the main body 2 is illuminated prevents the user from mistaking it for a fire or the like, and prevents the user from disturbing his/her sleep due to being concerned about the light. can.

Embodiment 9.
In the ninth embodiment, descriptions of the same matters as in the above-described embodiments are omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In the rice cooker 1, the front and back surfaces of the bedding member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed are made of a material that suppresses light reflection on one side, and a material that reflects light on the other side. there is

With such a flooring member 20, when a surface that suppresses the reflection of light is used, the same effect as in the above-described third embodiment can of course be obtained, but the effect can be made more remarkable. can. On the other hand, when a surface made of a material that reflects light is used, a visual effect such as so-called indirect lighting can be obtained, such as making the periphery of the main body 2 vaguely bright.

<Effect of Embodiment 9>
According to the ninth embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is supplied in combination with the main body 2, and includes a padding member 20 that is laid between the main body 2 and the mounting surface on which the main body 2 is mounted. The front and back surfaces of the floor member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed are made of a material that suppresses reflection of light on one side, and a material that reflects light on the other side.

According to this configuration, one of the front and back surfaces of the floor member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed is made of a material that suppresses light reflection. As a result, the effect that the wide range around the main body 2 is illuminated prevents the user from erroneously recognizing it as a fire or disturbs the user's sleep by disturbing the light when going to bed. On the other hand, the other surface of the front and back surfaces of the floor member 20 on which the main body 2 is placed is made of a material that reflects light. As a result, a visual effect such as so-called indirect lighting, such as faintly brightening the periphery of the main body 2, can be obtained.

Embodiment 10.
In the tenth embodiment, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiments is omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In the rice cooker 1, the luminescent color of the lighting means 6 includes at least a wavelength range of 590 to 780 nm. The emission color of this wavelength is approximately orange, which is a so-called warm color, and is easily reminiscent of the flames of a furnace.

As a result, the lighting is performed with a luminescent color that is easily associated with the flame of a stove, etc., and the rice cooker 1 that can cook plump and delicious rice is strongly impressed, and the appealing effect can be fully exhibited.

<Effect of Embodiment 10>
According to the tenth embodiment, the luminescent color of the illumination means 6 includes at least the wavelength range of 590 to 780 nm.

According to this configuration, since the lighting means 6 illuminates with a luminescence color easily associated with a flame of a furnace, etc., the user is strongly impressed that the rice cooker 1 can cook plump and delicious rice, which is an appealing effect. can be fully demonstrated.

Embodiment 11.
In the eleventh embodiment, the description of the same matters as those of the above-described embodiments is omitted, and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In the rice cooker 1, when the lighting means 6 is turned on, the illuminance of the light emitting element, which is the display element of the display means 8, is reduced or turned off. For example, when the lighting means 6 is turned on according to a predetermined condition, if the LEDs, which are the display elements of the display means 8, are turned on at the same time, the illuminance is not high enough to illuminate the surroundings, but the light source is the lighting means 6. and display means 8 exist. For this reason, there is a concern that the visual effect of illumination by the illumination means 6 will be hindered. In addition, the LEDs, which are the display elements of the display means 8, are red for the rice cooking display LED indicating that the rice is being cooked, and yellow or orange for the heat retention display LED that indicates that the rice is being kept warm, indicating that the reservation is in progress. The reservation display LED is generally green. In this case as well, there is a concern that the visual effect of the illumination by the lighting means 6 may be hindered due to the difference in the luminescent color of the display means 8 .

As a result, the emission from the display element of the display means 8, which is an element that hinders the effect of illumination from the illumination means 6, is reduced or extinguished. , the appeal of the rice cooker 1 capable of cooking fluffy and delicious rice can be realized more effectively.

<Effects of Embodiment 11>
According to Embodiment 11, the rice cooker 1 includes display means 8 for displaying information about rice cooking. When the lighting means 6 is turned on, the illuminance of the display means 8 is reduced or turned off.

According to this configuration, light emission from the display element of the display means 8, which is an element that hinders the effect of the illumination from the illumination means 6, is reduced or extinguished. As a result, the original purpose of the rice cooker 1, such as the flame of the stove, can be produced, and the fact that the rice cooker 1 can cook plump and delicious rice can be more effectively appealed.

<Others>
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful because the illumination of the lighting means 6 produces a delicious image, reminds the user that plump and delicious rice can be cooked, and creates a new method of appealing to the user.

1 rice cooker, 2 main body, 3 lid, 4 heating means, 5 inner pot, 6 lighting means, 7 input means, 8 display means, 9 control means, 10 illuminance sensor, 20 floor member, 21 opening, 22 hollow portion, 30, 31, 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d illumination range.

Claims (11)

a main body having a hollow inside;
an inner pot that is detachably housed in the hollow portion of the main body and that houses an object to be heated therein;
heating means for heating the inner pot;
illuminating means for illuminating the lower part of the main body;
with
The lighting means illuminates the lower part of the main body according to predetermined conditions,
The predetermined condition is to change the light emission pattern according to the transition of the process order of the preheating process, the rice cooking process, or the steaming process in the rice cooking mode,
The illumination means is
According to the light emission pattern, in the rice cooking mode, the continuation of illumination and the continuation of illumination stop are alternately repeated, and the width of the time during which illumination is continued is made larger in the rice cooking process than in the preheating process, and A rice cooker in which the ratio of time for illumination is made smaller in the shading process than in the process, and is made larger in the rice cooking process than in the preheating process. a main body having a hollow inside;
an inner pot that is detachably housed in the hollow portion of the main body and that houses an object to be heated therein;
heating means for heating the inner pot;
illuminating means for illuminating the lower part of the main body;
with
The lighting means illuminates the lower part of the main body according to predetermined conditions,
The predetermined condition is to change the light emission pattern before and after the temperature of the inner pot reaches a set temperature to keep warm in the keep warm mode,
The illumination means is
According to the light emission pattern, the illumination is stopped before the temperature of the inner pot reaches the heat retention temperature, and when the temperature of the inner pot reaches the heat retention temperature, the lighting is continued and the lighting is stopped. A rice cooker that alternates between continuous and continuous. 3. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the lighting means illuminates a region below the main body along the outer circumference of the main body. 4. The rice cooker according to claim 3, wherein the lighting means illuminates a region below the main body along the outer circumference of the main body with reference to the front surface of the main body. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the color of light emitted from said lighting means includes at least a wavelength range of 590 to 780 nm. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an illumination range illuminated by said illumination means is within a predetermined range in a direction away from said main body with reference to a planar projected shape of said main body. 7. The rice cooker according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined range is 50 mm in a direction away from the main body based on the planar projected shape of the main body. 8. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the illuminance illuminated by said illumination means is variable. An illuminance sensor that detects the brightness around the main body,
9. The rice cooker according to claim 8, wherein the illuminance illuminated by said illuminating means is changed according to the brightness around said main body detected by said illuminance sensor. a plurality of the illumination means are provided and individually controllable;
10. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein it is possible to arbitrarily select which of the plurality of lighting means to control. 11. The rice cooker according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of lighting means are spaced apart and illuminate a region below the main body along the outer circumference of the main body over the entire outer circumference of the main body.

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