JP7574095B2 - Heating Equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heating device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker, which is a type of heating appliance. This rice cooker is equipped with an operation panel for performing operations such as cooking rice. The operation panel has an opening, the outside of which is blocked by an elastically deformable operation unit. By pushing the operation unit, a switch mounted on a circuit board via a spacer is operated, and the rice cooking process and other operations are controlled.

JP 2019-186115 A

Rice cookers are equipped with a steam vent that releases steam generated during cooking. For example, if the rice cooker is placed in a cupboard with a dedicated storage section, the steam blowing out from the steam vent may bounce off the top surface (opposite object) of the storage section and hit the operation panel, causing the heat of the steam to plastically deform the operation section. If the amount of plastic deformation of the operation section is large, the operating stroke of the operation section will change excessively, resulting in a decrease in operability of the operation section. Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the decrease in operability due to plastic deformation that may occur in the operation section.

The present invention aims to provide a heating device that can reduce the amount of plastic deformation that may occur in the operating section and prevent a decrease in the operability of the operating section.

One aspect of the present invention provides a heating device comprising: a steam port; an operation panel section having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and provided in an area where at least a portion of the steam blowing out from the steam port and bouncing back hits the operation panel section, and an elastically deformable operation section provided at the outer end of the peripheral wall so as to close the opening; a circuit board arranged at a distance inside the operation panel section and having a switch corresponding to the operation section; a spacer unit arranged between the operation panel section and the circuit board and having a spacer interposed between the operation section and the switch; and a rib at least a portion of which is arranged inside the peripheral wall and against which the deformed operation section can come into contact.

In this embodiment, a rib is provided that is at least partially disposed within the peripheral wall of the operation panel unit and that the deformed operation unit can abut against. As a result, the operation unit that deforms inward bends inward with the apex of the abutting rib as a fulcrum, so the amount of displacement is smaller than when there is no rib. Therefore, even if plastic deformation occurs in the operation unit due to the heat of the steam, it is possible to suppress changes in the operation stroke of the operation unit. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operability of the operation unit.

The distance between the operating portion and the rib satisfies the following.
[Equation 1]
0≦D1≦D2+D3
D1: Distance between the operating part and the rib D2: Distance between the operating part and the spacer D3: Distance between the switch and the spacer

In this embodiment, the distance D1 between the operating part and the rib is equal to or greater than 0 (zero) and equal to or less than the sum of the distance D2 between the operating part and the spacer and the distance D3 between the switch and the spacer. Therefore, if plastic deformation occurs in the operating part, the operating part will reliably abut against the rib, minimizing changes in the operating stroke of the operating part.

A plurality of switch sets each consisting of the operating portion, the switch, and the spacer are provided, and the rib is provided on at least the first switch set, which is closest to the steam port, among the plurality of switch sets.

In this embodiment, the rib is provided on the first switch set, which is the closest to the steam vent, among the multiple switch sets. Since the first switch set, which is closest to the steam vent, is the area most likely to be hit by steam, providing the rib on this first switch set can effectively prevent a decrease in operability of the operating part of the first switch set.

The rib is provided at least in the portion of the peripheral wall closest to the steam port.

In this embodiment, the rib is provided in the portion of the peripheral wall closest to the steam port. Since the portion closest to the steam port is the portion most susceptible to plastic deformation, providing the rib in this portion reduces the amount of displacement of the operating part, and effectively prevents a decrease in the operability of the operating part.

The spacer unit has a base and an elastic piece protruding from the base, the spacer is integrally provided at the tip of the elastic piece, and the rib is provided at the base and protrudes toward the operating unit.

In this embodiment, the rib is provided at the base of the spacer unit. This prevents the number of parts in the heating device from increasing, thereby preventing a decrease in the operability of the operating unit. This also prevents a decrease in the ease of assembly of the heating device due to an increase in the number of parts.

The rib has legs that protrude from the base toward the circuit board and are supported by the circuit board.

In this embodiment, the rib has legs that are supported by the circuit board. Therefore, when the spacer is pressed by operating the operation part, the base of the spacer unit can be prevented from moving together with the spacer. Therefore, when the operation panel part has multiple switch sets, operating the operation part of one switch set can be prevented from operating the switches of the other switch sets.

The housing has an exterior body having a recess for accommodating the circuit board, the recess is provided with a support rib for supporting the bottom surface of the circuit board, the base of the spacer unit is provided with a first support part supported by the circuit board and a second support part capable of supporting the elastically deformed operation panel part, and the support rib, the first support part, and the second support part are arranged on a straight line.

In this embodiment, the support rib formed in the storage recess and the first support portion and the second support portion formed in the spacer unit are arranged in a straight line. As a result, a support pillar is formed between the operation panel portion and the storage recess, extending from the bottom surface of the storage recess to the operation panel portion. This support pillar reduces the amount of displacement that the operation panel portion can elastically deflect when an external force is applied to the operation panel portion. This prevents the operation panel portion from deflecting by an amount of displacement equivalent to the operation stroke of the operation portion, thereby preventing the switch from malfunctioning when an external force is applied to the operation panel portion.

The cooking device comprises a pot for containing the food to be cooked and a lid for closing the top opening of the pot, the operation panel and the steam vent are both provided on the top panel of the lid, and the circuit board and the spacer unit are both located inside the top panel.

The heating device of this embodiment is a cooking device that includes a pot and a lid, with the operation panel and steam vent provided on the top panel of the lid, and the circuit board and spacer unit located inside the top panel. Such cooking devices may be placed in a cupboard that includes a dedicated storage section, and the operation section is more likely to be plastically deformed by the heat of steam that bounces off the top surface of the storage section than other heating devices. However, in this embodiment, even if plastic deformation occurs in the operation section, the deterioration of the operability of the operation section can be suppressed.

The heating device of the present invention can reduce the amount of plastic deformation that may occur in the operating part, and can prevent a decrease in the operability of the operating part.

1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance which is a heating appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover of FIG. 1 is opened. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the lid taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion VI in FIG. 5 . FIG. FIG. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a heating device according to a first modified example. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5 of a heating device according to a second modified example.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 and 2 show a cooking device 10, which is an example of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the cooking device 10 includes a cooking pot 15 that contains food to be cooked, including soup stock and water, a cooking device body 20 in which the cooking pot 15 is removably disposed, and a lid 30 that is attached to the cooking device body 20 in an openable and closable manner.

In the cooking appliance 10, the cooking pot 15 is placed in the cooking appliance body 20, the lid 30 is closed on the cooking appliance body 20, and then the control panel 53 provided on the lid 30 is operated, and the food is cooked by a control unit (not shown). Steam generated in the cooking pot 15 during cooking is blown out to the outside through the steam passage 34 provided on the lid 30. In this embodiment, the amount of plastic deformation of the operation part 54 of the operation panel 53 caused by steam bouncing off an opposing object is reduced, and the deterioration of the operability of the operation part 54 is suppressed.

The configuration of the cooking appliance 10 is described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cooking pot 15 is cylindrical with a bottom and is made of a magnetic material that is heated by electromagnetic induction. However, the cooking pot 15 may also be heated by a heating plate equipped with a heater.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the cooking device body 20 comprises a body exterior body 21 with an open upper end, and a shoulder body 22 that closes the opening of the body exterior body 21. A hinge connection part 23 is provided on the back of the shoulder body 22 to which the lid body 30 is rotatably attached.

The cooker body 20 is formed with a storage section 24 that stores the cooking pot 15. The storage section 24 is a bottomed cylinder that is slightly larger than the cooking pot 15. Outside the storage section 24, that is, inside the cooker body 20 between the main body exterior 21 and the storage section 24, a coil (not shown) is disposed as a heating section that heats the cooking pot 15. A high-frequency current is passed through the coil (heating section) under the control of the control section, generating eddy currents, which inductively heats the cooking pot 15.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the lid body 30 includes a lid main body 31 and a lid exterior body 32. The lid main body 31 includes a connection portion 31a for rotatably connecting to the hinge connection portion 23 of the cooking appliance main body 20. The lid exterior body 32 is attached to the lid main body 31 and is integrated with the lid main body 31.

A certain amount of space is provided between the lid body 31 and the lid exterior body 32. In this space, a duct member 35 that forms the steam passage 34 and a locking member 37 that holds the lid body 30 in a closed state relative to the cooking device body 20 are arranged.

The duct member 35 is attached to an opening 31b provided in the lid body 31 so as to be located above the cooking pot 15. The opening 31b forms the entrance of the steam passage 34. The lid body 31 is provided with an inner lid (not shown) that seals the opening of the cooking pot 15, and the opening 31b is covered and concealed by this inner lid. A steam vent member 36 is attached to the duct member 35, and this steam vent member 36 is disposed in an opening 32a provided in the lid exterior body 32. The steam vent 36a formed in the steam vent member 36 opens to the outside on the top surface of the lid exterior body 32.

Continuing to refer to Figures 2 and 3, the locking member 37 is attached to the front side of the lid body 31 and releasably engages with the engaging portion 25 of the cooking device body 20. The locking member 37 is released from the engaging portion 25 by operating the operating member 38. The operating member 38 is attached to the lid exterior body 32 and is exposed to the outside through the opening 32b.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the lid exterior body 32 is provided with an operation unit 50. More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the lid exterior body 32 includes a lid cover 40 and a top panel 42 that covers the top surface of the lid cover 40. The operation unit 50 includes an operation panel section 53, a circuit board 55, and a spacer unit 58. The operation panel section 53 is formed on the top panel 42. The circuit board 55 and the spacer unit 58 are disposed inside the top panel 42.

The operation unit 50 is described in detail below.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the operation unit 50 includes multiple switch sets 51 each of which includes an operation section 54 provided on an operation panel section 53, a switch 56 provided on a circuit board 55, and a spacer 60 provided on a spacer unit 58.

The lid cover 40, which accommodates the circuit board 55 and the spacer unit 58, is made of a resin such as PP or ABS. Referring to FIG. 4, the lid cover 40 has a recess 40a for accommodating the top panel 45, and a screw fastening portion 40b for mounting the top panel 45 by screwing it.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the lid cover 40 has an accommodation recess 41 formed between the portion where the steam port member 36 is arranged and the portion where the operating member 38 is arranged, for accommodating the circuit board 55 and the spacer unit 58. The accommodation recess 41 is defined by a bottom surface 41a and an outer peripheral surface 41b that is connected to the outer periphery of the bottom surface 41a and extends toward the operating panel portion 53. Referring to Figures 4 and 7, the accommodation recess 41 is provided with a number of positioning ribs 41c, a number of support ribs 41d, 41e, and one locking claw portion 41f.

The positioning rib 41c is provided from the bottom surface 41a to the outer peripheral surface 41b. The positioning rib 41c positions the circuit board 55 at a distance from the bottom surface 41a and restricts the movement of the circuit board 55 in the lateral direction along the bottom surface 41a.

The first support rib 41d and the second support rib 41e are both protruding pieces that protrude from the bottom surface 41a and support the bottom surface of the circuit board 55. In this embodiment, four first support ribs 41d and two second support ribs 41e are provided. Each of the first support ribs 41d not only supports the circuit board 55, but also functions as a support pillar that supports the operation panel unit 53 in cooperation with support portions 59f and 59g described below (see FIG. 6). The second support rib 41e only supports the circuit board 55 and does not function as a support pillar.

The locking claw portion 41f protrudes from the bottom surface 41a and elastically locks onto the outer periphery of the upper surface of the circuit board 55. The locking claw portion 41f cooperates with the multiple support ribs 41d, 41e to restrict movement of the circuit board 55 in the vertical direction intersecting with the bottom surface 41a.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the top panel 45 forming the operation panel section 53 is plate-shaped and has bosses 46 for screwing and mounting to the lid cover 40. As described above, the top panel 45 has an opening 32a for arranging the steam vent member 36 and an opening 32b for arranging the operation member 38. The top panel 45 also has a window 47 that allows the display of the liquid crystal display 44 to be seen through, and an operation panel section 53 for operating the cooking appliance 10.

The rest of the top panel 45 except for the window portion 47 is made of opaque resin that does not allow the interior to be seen through. The window portion 47 is made of transparent resin that allows the display of the liquid crystal display 48 arranged on the circuit board 55 to be seen through. In other words, the top panel 45 has an opaque resin portion 45a and a transparent resin portion 45b.

ABS can be used to form the opaque resin part 45a. ABS can be used to form the transparent resin part 45b. The thicknesses of the opaque resin part 45a and the transparent resin part 45b are set to a dimension (e.g., 3 mm) that ensures a degree of rigidity that does not easily bend due to external forces. Here, "not easily bendable" means that they will not bend due to the operating force exerted by the user when normally closing the lid body 30, and if a force exceeding such operating force is applied, the opaque resin part 45a and the transparent resin part 45b may bend elastically.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, the top panel 45 further includes a coating layer 45c on the outer surfaces of the opaque resin portion 45a and the transparent resin portion 45b. The coating layer 45c is made of a PET resin film and has a thickness (e.g., 2 mm) that allows it to be elastically deformed. The coating layer 45c covers the entire outer surface of the opaque resin portion 45a and the transparent resin portion 45b except for the openings 32a and 32b described above.

The top panel 45 is manufactured, for example, by insert molding. Specifically, the resin film that constitutes the coating layer 45c and the transparent resin plate that constitutes the transparent resin part 45b are set in a mold, and then the mold is closed and the opaque resin material is injected. This results in the top panel 45 being molded with the opaque resin part 45a, the transparent resin part 45b, and the coating layer 45c integrated together.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the operation panel section 53 is formed around the window section 47. The operation panel section 53 has multiple operation sections 54, and in this embodiment, there are three operation sections 54 on the front side of the window section 47 and two on each side of the window section 47, for a total of seven operation sections 54.

An opening 53a is provided in the opaque resin section 45a, and the operation section 54 is formed by a part of the covering layer 45c that covers the opening 53a. In other words, an opening 53a is provided in the operation panel section 53, and an elastically deformable operation section 54 is provided so as to cover the outer end of the peripheral wall 53b that defines the opening 53a.

For example, if there is an opposing object (wall) within 10 mm above the steam port 36a, steam blowing out of the steam port 36a and bouncing off the opposing object hits the area where the operation panel unit 53 is formed. When the steam hits the operation unit 54, the heat of the steam may cause the operation unit 54 to plastically deform so that it recesses inward. In this embodiment, ribs 63, 64 are provided inside the peripheral wall 53b, so that even if plastic deformation does occur in the operation unit 54, the amount of plastic deformation can be reduced. The ribs 63, 64 will be described in detail later.

Continuing to refer to Figures 4 to 6, the circuit board 55 is housed in the housing 24 of the lid cover 40 and is arranged at a distance inside the operation panel section 53, that is, inside the top panel 45. The circuit board 55 is configured by laying conductive parts (not shown) such as copper foil or the like in a predetermined pattern on an insulating substrate.

Switches 56 are arranged on the circuit board 55 at positions corresponding to the multiple operation units 54. Referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, two switches 56 are arranged on one of the multiple operation units 54. The switches 56 are electrically connected to the conductive portion, and are switched between on and off states by the operation of the operation receiving portion 56a. For example, a tact switch can be used as such a switch 56.

Referring to Figures 4 and 8, the circuit board 55 is provided with a plurality of first locking holes 55a for locking the spacer unit 58 and a plurality of insertion holes 55b for inserting the insertion portions 59e of the spacer unit 58. The circuit board 55 is also provided with a plurality of second locking holes 55c for locking the LCD holder 49 that holds the LCD display 48, and a plurality of positioning holes 55d for positioning the LCD holder 49.

Continuing to refer to Figures 4 to 6, the spacer unit 58 is disposed between the operation panel section 53 and the circuit board 55. The spacer unit 58 includes a spacer 60 interposed between the operation section 54 and the switch 56. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, like the switch 56, two spacers 60 are disposed on one of the multiple operation sections 54. Thus, the number of switches 56 and spacers 60 is one more than the number of operation sections 54.

In the following description, the operating section in which the two spacers 60 are arranged is referred to as 54A, the spacer arranged in the operating section 54 other than operating section 54A is referred to as 60A, and the two spacers arranged in operating section 54A are referred to as 60B.

Continuing with reference to Figures 8 and 9, the spacer unit 58 is a resin molded product that includes one base 59 and multiple spacers 60, which are integrated into an integral structure by elastic pieces 61.

The base 59 is disposed at a distance from each of the circuit board 55 and the operation panel unit 53 (see FIG. 6). The base 59 comprises a first portion 59a, a second portion 59b, and a third portion 59c. The first portion 59a is located at a distance from each other on the front side of the window portion 47 and extends left and right. The second portion 59b is located at a distance from each other on the left side of the window portion 47 and extends front and rear. The third portion 59c is located at a distance from each other on the right side of the window portion 47 and extends front and rear along the second portion 59b.

The base 59 is provided with a number of locking pieces 59d that elastically lock into the first locking holes 55a of the circuit board 55, and a number of insertion portions 59e that are inserted into the insertion holes 55b.

The base 59 is provided with a first support portion 59f and a second support portion 59g. Referring to FIG. 6, the first support portion 59f and the second support portion 59g are provided at positions corresponding to the first support ribs 41d, respectively, and function as support columns supporting the operation panel portion 53 in cooperation with the first support ribs 41d.

The first support portion 59f protrudes toward the circuit board 55 and is supported by the circuit board 55. Specifically, the tip (lower end) of the first support portion 59f is located near the circuit board 55 in the assembled state. Located near means a state in which it is located at a distance from the circuit board 55 due to assembly tolerances, and includes a state in which it abuts against the circuit board 55 and a state in which it is substantially abutting against the circuit board 55.

The second support portion 59g protrudes toward the operation panel portion 53 and can be contacted by the operation panel portion 53 when it is elastically deformed. Specifically, the tip (upper end) of the second support portion 59g is located near the operation panel portion 53 in the assembled state. More specifically, the tip of the second support portion 59g is located at a predetermined distance from the operation panel portion 53. This distance is set to a distance (e.g., 0.2 to 0.3 mm) at which the operation panel portion 53 can contact and support the operation panel portion 53 when the operation panel portion 53 is elastically deformed due to an external overload.

An opening 59h is provided in the portion of the base 59 where the spacer 60A is provided. An opening 59h is not provided in the portion of the third portion 59c of the base 59 where the spacer 60B is provided.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, each of the spacers 60 is disposed between the operation unit 54 and the switch 56, and transmits the operating force of the operation unit 54 to the switch 56. Referring to Fig. 9, the spacer 60A is provided in the opening 59h, and the spacer 60B is provided adjacent to the third portion 59c of the base 59. The outer shape of the spacer 60A is one size smaller than the outer shape of the operation unit 54, i.e., the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel unit 53. The outer shape of the two spacers 60B combined is one size smaller than the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel unit 53 corresponding to the operation unit 54A.

Each spacer 60 has a board 60a that extends along the circuit board 55. The board 60a has protruding parts 60b that protrude upward to form a lattice pattern, and the upper parts of the protruding parts 60b are disposed within the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel part 53. Each board 60a also has a pressing part 60c that protrudes downward, and the pressing part 60c presses the switch 56 to activate it.

The elastic piece 61 protrudes from the base 59, and the spacer 60 is connected to its tip. Two elastic pieces 61 are provided for each spacer 60. The elastic pieces 61 are formed thinner than the base 59 to provide elasticity, and allow the spacer 60 to move between the operation panel unit 53 and the circuit board 55.

Referring to Figures 6 and 9, switch set 51 consisting of operating unit 54, switch 56, and spacer 60A is provided with ribs 63 against which deformed operating unit 54 can come into contact. Switch set 51 consisting of operating unit 54A, switch 56, and spacer 60B is also provided with ribs 64 against which deformed operating unit 54A can come into contact. Deformation of operating units 54, 54A includes both elastic deformation caused by the user's push operation and plastic deformation caused by the application of heat.

The rib 63 of the spacer 60A is provided on the base 59 of the spacer unit 58. The rib 63 protrudes toward the operating section 54, and a part of the tip side is interposed between the peripheral wall 53b of the operating panel section 53 and the spacer 60A. The rib 63 protrudes from the peripheral wall that defines the opening 59h of the base 59. A punched portion 59i that communicates with the opening 59h is provided in the part of the base 59 where the elastic piece 61 is formed, and the rib 63 is not provided in the part of the punched portion 59i. In other words, the rib 63 is a discontinuous cylindrical shape, and its outer shape is smaller than the outer shape of the operating section 54 and larger than the outer shape of the spacer 60A.

The rib 64 of the spacer 60B is provided on the third portion 59c of the base 59 of the spacer unit 58. The rib 64 protrudes toward the operation portion 54A, and a portion of the tip side is interposed within the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel portion 53. The rib 64 protrudes in a flat shape from the third portion 59c of the base 59 so as to separate the pair of spacers 60B, and extends in the short direction through the longitudinal center of the peripheral wall 53b.

Referring to Figures 6 and 8, the ribs 63, 64 each extend from the base 59 toward the circuit board 55. That is, the ribs 63, 64 each have a restricting portion 63a, 64a that protrudes from the base 59 toward the operating portion 54, and legs 63b, 64b that protrude from the base 59 toward the circuit board 55. The tips (lower ends) of the legs 63b, 64b are located near the circuit board 55 in the assembled state. Located near the circuit board 55 means a state in which they are spaced apart from the circuit board 55 due to assembly tolerances, and includes a state in which they abut against the circuit board 55 and a state in which they substantially abut against the circuit board 55.

In this embodiment, three of the six ribs 63 for the spacer 60A are provided with an LED placement section 63a for placing an LED (not shown). The LED placement section 63a is cylindrical with a C-shaped cross section with a portion of the spacer 60A side cut out.

In this way, the operating unit 54 is provided with ribs 63, 64, some of which are located inside the peripheral wall 53b. As a result, when the operating unit 54 deforms inward, the operating unit 54 abuts against the ribs 63, 64 and bends inward with the tops of the abutting ribs 63, 64 as fulcrums. Therefore, the amount of displacement of the operating unit 54 is smaller than when the ribs 63, 64 are not present. Therefore, even if plastic deformation occurs in the operating unit 54 due to the heat of the steam, the amount of displacement can be reduced. The tops of the ribs 63, 64 are the parts of the ribs 63, 64 that are closest to the operating unit 54, 54A.

Referring to FIG. 6, the distance between the operating part 54 and the rib 63 is D1, the distance between the operating part 54 and the spacer 60 is D2, the distance between the switch 56 and the spacer 60 is D3, and the stroke of the operation receiving part 56a of the switch 56 is S. In this case, the steady-state operation stroke by pushing the operating part 54 is the length obtained by adding the distance D2, the distance D3, and the stroke S (D2+D3+S).

As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6, if the rib 63 were not present, the operation unit 54 would elastically deform inward with the upper end of the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel unit 53 as the fulcrum. When the operation unit 54 is plastically deformed by heat in this manner, the operation stroke becomes shorter than the steady-state operation stroke (D2+D3+S), and the operability of the operation unit 54 decreases. To prevent such a decrease in operability, in this embodiment, the distance D1 between the operation unit 54 and the rib 63 is set to satisfy the following. The distance between the operation unit 54A and the rib 64 is also set in a similar manner.

[Equation 2]
0≦D1≦D2+D3
D1: Distance between the operating part and the rib D2: Distance between the operating part and the spacer D3: Distance between the switch and the spacer

Referring to formula 2, the distance D1 between the operating part 54 and the rib 63 is set to be equal to or greater than 0 (zero) and equal to or less than the sum of the distance D2 between the operating part 54 and the spacer 60 and the distance D3 between the switch 56 and the spacer 60. Therefore, if plastic deformation occurs in the operating part 54, the operating part 54 will reliably abut against the rib 64, so that the change in the operating stroke (D2+D3+S) of the operating part 54 can be minimized. In addition, the elastic restoring force of the elastic piece 61 and the restoring force of the operation receiving part 56a of the switch 56 work together to ensure the stroke S of the switch 56.

More specifically, the distance D1 between the operating part 54 and the rib 63 is preferably set to 0.3 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. If the distance D1 is made too large, the amount of displacement that the operating part 54 can deform increases, and the operability of the operating part 54 decreases when plastic deformation occurs. If the distance D1 is made too small, the rib 63 may press the operating part 54 outward due to assembly errors, resulting in poor appearance. To prevent these inconveniences, the distance D1 between the operating part 54 and the rib 63 is preferably set within the range specified above, and in this embodiment it is set to 0.3 mm.

The distance D2 between the operating part 54 and the spacer 60 is preferably set to 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. If the distance D2 is made too large, the steady-state operation stroke becomes large, and the operability of the operating part 54 becomes poor. If the distance D2 is made too small, an assembly error may cause the spacer 60 to press the operating part 54 outward, resulting in poor appearance. To prevent these inconveniences, the distance D3 between the operating part 54 and the rib 63 is preferably set to the above-specified range, and in this embodiment it is set to 0.2 mm.

It is preferable that the distance D3 between the switch 56 and the spacer 60 is set to 0 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less. If the distance D3 is made too large, the steady-state operation stroke becomes large, and the operability of the operation unit 54 becomes poor. If the distance D3 is made too small, an assembly error may cause the spacer 60 to press the operation receiving portion 56a of the switch 56, resulting in a problem that the stroke S of the switch 56 becomes short. To prevent these inconveniences, it is preferable that the distance D3 between the operation unit 54 and the rib 63 is set within the above-specified range, and in this embodiment it is set to 0.3 mm.

The distance L1 between the peripheral wall 53b and the rib 63 is preferably set to 1 mm or more and 2 mm or less. If the distance L1 is made too small, the top panel 45 will not be easily attached to the lid cover 40 to which the spacer unit 58 is attached, and the deformation suppression effect of the operating unit 54 will be reduced. If the distance L1 is made too large, the spacer 60 will be too small or the operating unit 54 will be too large. To prevent these inconveniences, the distance L1 between the peripheral wall 53b and the rib 63 is preferably set to the range specified above, and in this embodiment it is set to 1.5 mm.

The distance L2 between the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 60 and the rib 63 is preferably set to 0.8 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. If the distance L2 is made too small, the spacer 60 may interfere with the rib 63 or the user's finger may hit the rib 63 through the operating part 54, reducing the operability of the operating part 54. If the distance L2 is made too large, the spacer 60 may become too small or the operating part 54 may become too large. To prevent these inconveniences, the distance L2 between the spacer 60 and the rib 63 is preferably set within the above-specified range, and is set to 1 mm in this embodiment.

The thickness of the ribs 63, 64 is preferably set to 1 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less. If the thickness of the ribs 63, 64 is made too small, the ribs 63, 64 will be elastically deformed by the operation of the operating part 64. If the thickness of the ribs 63, 64 is made too large, at least one of the aforementioned distance L1 between the peripheral wall 53b and the rib 63 and the distance L2 between the outer peripheral surface of the spacer 60 and the rib 63 will become small. To prevent these inconveniences, the thickness of the ribs 63, 64 is preferably set within the above-specified range, and in this embodiment it is set to 1.2 mm.

In the switch set 51 configured in this manner, even if plastic deformation occurs in the operating unit 54, the amount of displacement of the operating unit 54 can be reduced by the ribs 63 and 64, so that a decrease in the operability of the operating unit 54 can be suppressed.

The cooking appliance 10 of this embodiment has the following features:

The operation panel unit 53 is provided with ribs 63, 64, at least a portion of which is disposed within the peripheral wall 53b, against which the deformed operation unit 54 can abut. As a result, the operation unit 54, which deforms inward, bends inward with the tops of the abutting ribs 63, 64 as fulcrums, so that the amount of displacement is smaller than when the ribs 63, 64 are not present. Therefore, even if the operation unit 54 is plastically deformed by the heat of the steam, it is possible to suppress changes in the operation stroke of the operation unit 54. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the operability of the operation unit 54.

The distance D1 between the operating part 54 and the ribs 63, 64 is equal to or greater than 0 (zero) and equal to or less than the sum of the distance D2 between the operating part 54 and the spacer 60 and the distance D3 between the switch 56 and the spacer 60. Therefore, if plastic deformation occurs in the operating part 54, the operating part 54 will reliably abut against the ribs 63, 64, minimizing the change in the operating stroke of the operating part 54.

The ribs 63 are provided on all of the multiple switch sets 51. This effectively prevents deterioration in the operability of the operating parts 54 of all of the switch sets 51.

The rib 63 is provided at least in the portion of the peripheral wall 53b closest to the steam port 36a. Since the portion closest to the steam port 36a is the portion most susceptible to plastic deformation, providing the rib 63 in this portion reduces the amount of displacement of the operating part 54, and effectively prevents a decrease in the operability of the operating part 54.

The ribs 63, 64 are provided on the base 59 of the spacer unit 58. Therefore, in order to suppress a decrease in the operability of the operating part 54, an increase in the number of parts of the cooking appliance 10 can be prevented. Therefore, a decrease in the ease of assembly of the cooking appliance 10 due to an increase in the number of parts can also be prevented.

The ribs 63, 64 have legs 63b, 64b that are supported by the circuit board 55. Therefore, when the spacer 60 is pressed by operating the operation part 54, the base 59 of the spacer unit 58 can be prevented from moving together with the spacer 60. Therefore, when the operation panel part 53 has multiple switch sets 51, it is possible to prevent the switches 56 of the other switch sets 51 from being operated by operating the operation part 54 of one switch set 51.

The support rib 41d formed in the storage recess 41 and the first support portion 59f and the second support portion 59g formed in the spacer unit 58 are arranged in a straight line. As a result, a support pillar is formed between the operation panel portion 53 and the storage recess 41, extending from the bottom surface of the storage recess 41 to the operation panel portion 53. This support pillar reduces the amount of displacement that the operation panel portion 53 can elastically deflect when an external force is applied to the operation panel portion 53. This prevents the operation panel portion 53 from deflecting by an amount of displacement equivalent to the operation stroke of the operation portion 54, thereby preventing the switch 56 from malfunctioning when an external force is applied to the operation panel portion 53.

The heating device is a cooker 10 equipped with a cooking pot 15 and a lid 30, with the operation panel section 53 and steam vent 36a provided on the top panel 45 of the lid 30, and the circuit board 55 and spacer unit 58 disposed inside the top panel 45. Such a cooker 10 may be placed in a cupboard equipped with a dedicated storage section, and the operation section 54 is more likely to be plastically deformed by the heat of steam that bounces off the top surface of the storage section than other heating devices, but in this embodiment, even if plastic deformation occurs in the operation section 54, the deterioration of the operability of the operation section 54 can be suppressed.

The heating device of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, all switch sets 51 are provided with ribs 63 or 64, but ribs 63 or 64 may be provided only on the first switch set 51A, which is the closest of the multiple switch sets 51 shown in FIG. 9, and may not be provided on the others. Since the first switch set 51A, which is closest to the steam port 36a, is the area most likely to be hit by steam, providing ribs 63 or 64 on this first switch set 51A can effectively prevent a decrease in operability of the operating part 54 of the first switch set 51A.

The rib 63 of the spacer 60A is provided on the entire peripheral wall of the opening 59h of the base 59, except for the punched-out portion 59i for forming the elastic piece 61, but it may be provided only on the portion closest to the steam port 36a. Since the portion closest to the steam port 36a is the portion most susceptible to plastic deformation, providing the rib 63 in this portion reduces the amount of displacement of the operating part 54, and effectively prevents a decrease in the operability of the operating part 54.

The rib 63 may be composed of multiple protrusions spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall of the opening 59h, or may be composed of only one protrusion.

The ribs 63, 64 are not limited to being provided on the spacer unit 58, but may be provided as in the first modified example shown in FIG. 10 or the second modified example shown in FIG. 11.

In the first modified example shown in FIG. 10, the rib 63 is provided in the storage section 24 of the lid cover 40. In this case, the rib 63 is formed in a discontinuous cylindrical shape, and through holes are provided in the circuit board 55 and the spacer unit 58 in the portions corresponding to the rib 63.

In the second modified example shown in FIG. 11, the ribs 63 are provided on the peripheral wall 53b of the operation panel section 53. In this case, the ribs 63 are provided separately from the operation panel section 53 and are attached later by welding or the like. Alternatively, the opaque resin section 45a and the transparent resin section 45b including the ribs 63 are integrally molded using a mold, and a coating layer 45c is later molded on the surfaces of the opaque resin section 45a and the transparent resin section 45b.

The operation unit 50 including the operation panel section 53 may be provided on the cooking device body 20, and may be provided in an area that is at least partially hit by the steam that is ejected from the steam port 36a and rebounds.

In the above embodiment, the cooking appliance 10 has been described as an example, but the heating appliance may be a rice cooker that cooks rice. It may also be a water boiler that boils water, or a humidifier that humidifies the air in a room, and the same action and effect can be obtained as long as the heating appliance has a pot and a lid that covers the top opening of the pot.

10...Cooker (heating equipment)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 15: cooking pot 20: cooking device body 21: body exterior body 22: shoulder body 23: hinge connection portion 24: storage portion 25: locking portion 30: lid body 31: lid body 31a: connection portion 31b: opening 32: Lid exterior body 32a... opening 32b... opening 34... steam passage 35... duct member 36... steam port member 36a... steam port 37... lock member 38... operation member 40... lid cover 40a... recess 40b... screw fastening portion 41... Housing recess 41a... bottom surface 41b... outer peripheral surface 41c... positioning rib 41d... first support rib 41e... second support rib 41f... locking claw portion 45... top panel 45a... opaque resin portion 45b... transparent resin portion 45c... coating layer 46...Boss 47...Window 48: Liquid crystal display 49: Liquid crystal holder 50: Operation unit 51: Switch set 51A: First switch set 53: Operation panel section 53a: Opening 53b: Peripheral wall 54, 54A: Operation section 55: Circuit board 55a: First connection Stop hole 55b... Insertion hole 55c... Second stop hole 55d... Positioning hole 56... Switch 56a... Operation receiving portion 58... Spacer unit 59... Base portion 59a... First portion 59b... Second portion 59c... Third portion 59d... Stop hole 55b... Insertion hole 55c... Second stop hole 55d... Positioning hole 56... Switch 56a... Operation receiving portion 58... Spacer unit 59... Base portion 59a... First portion 59b... Second portion 59c... Third portion 59d... Stop hole Stop piece 59e: Insertion portion 59f: First support portion 59g: Second support portion 59h: Opening portion 59i: Punched portion 60, 60A, 60B: Spacer 60a: Base plate 60b: Protrusion portion 60c: Pressing portion 61: Elastic piece 63: rib; 63a: restricting portion; 63b: leg portion; 63c: LED arrangement portion; 64: rib; 64a: restricting portion; 64b: leg portion

Claims (7)

Steam vents and
an operation panel unit provided in an area where steam blown out of the steam port and rebounded hits at least a part of the steam port, the operation panel unit having an opening defined by a peripheral wall and an elastically deformable operation unit provided on an outer end of the peripheral wall so as to close the opening;
a circuit board disposed inside the operation panel unit with a space therebetween and having switches corresponding to the operation unit;
a spacer unit disposed between the operation panel unit and the circuit board, the spacer unit having a spacer interposed between the operation unit and the switch;
a rib that is at least partially disposed within the peripheral wall and that is capable of being contacted by the deformed operation portion ;
The spacer unit has a base and an elastic piece protruding from the base,
The spacer is provided integrally with a tip of the elastic piece,
The rib is formed in an interrupted cylindrical shape protruding from a portion of the base other than the elastic piece toward the operating portion . The heating device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the operating portion and the rib satisfies the following:
0≦D1≦D2+D3
D1: Distance between the operating part and the rib D2: Distance between the operating part and the spacer D3: Distance between the switch and the spacer a plurality of switch sets each including the operation unit, the switch, and the spacer are provided;
The rib is provided on at least a first switch set, which is closest to the steam port, among the plurality of switch sets.
A heating device according to claim 1 or 2. The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rib is provided at least in a portion of the peripheral wall closest to the steam port. The heating device according to claim 1 , wherein the rib includes a leg portion that protrudes from the base portion toward the circuit board and is supported by the circuit board. an exterior body having an accommodating recess for accommodating the circuit board;
The accommodating recess is provided with a support rib for supporting a bottom surface of the circuit board,
a first support portion supported by the circuit board and a second support portion capable of supporting the operation panel portion when elastically deformed,
The support rib, the first support portion, and the second support portion are provided on a straight line.
A heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The cooking apparatus includes a pot for containing food to be cooked and a lid for closing an upper end opening of the pot,
the operation panel and the steam vent are both provided on a top panel of the lid, and the circuit board and the spacer unit are both disposed inside the top panel.
A heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .

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