JP7621291B2 - Rice cooker - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a rice cooker having an intake port and an exhaust port formed in the bottom case.

A conventional example is a rice cooker that has an air intake and exhaust port on the bottom case to cool the inside of the main body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, a cylindrical bottomed inner pot that contains rice or other food to be heated is detachably housed inside an inner case provided in the main body. The rice cooker described in Patent Document 1 has an induction heating coil that heats the bottom of the inner pot, and a power supply board that drives the induction heating coil. The power supply board supplies power to the induction heating coil using power from an external power source such as a commercial power source. As a result, the inner pot receives an induced current from the induction heating coil and generates heat through electromagnetic induction. The heat generated heats and cooks the food contained inside the inner pot.

JP 2012-75510 A

In the rice cooker described in Patent Document 1, an air intake and an exhaust port are provided on the bottom case to cool the inside of the main body. Outside air is taken in through the air intake to cool the inside of the main body. Air that has been warmed by the inside of the main body is released through the exhaust port. This poses the problem that the warm air released from the exhaust port is taken into the inside of the main body through the air intake. To prevent this, it is necessary to position the exhaust port away from the air intake, but as a result, it is difficult to ensure the opening area of the exhaust port and the air intake port to obtain sufficient cooling performance.

This disclosure has been made to solve this problem, and aims to provide a rice cooker that can improve cooling performance by preventing the warm air discharged from the exhaust port from being drawn into the main body through the intake port.

The rice cooker according to the present disclosure comprises a cylindrical main body, a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, an inner pot detachably housed in the main body, a heating unit disposed on the main body and heating the inner pot, a power supply board disposed on the main body and driving the heating unit, a cooling fan disposed on the intake port of the bottom case and blowing cooling air taken in from the intake port towards the power supply board, and a first convex member disposed between the intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the rice cooker into a first region including an area where the intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed, and when the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction, the first convex member is a convex member extending from an outer surface forming the lower surface of the bottom case. The bottom case has a pair of handle portions that protrude downward in the first direction from a portion of the bottom case, and when the width direction of the main body is defined as a third direction, the bottom case has a pair of handle portions that are arranged on both ends of the bottom case in the third direction and are formed in a concave shape that is recessed from the outer surface portion of the bottom case toward the inside of the main body, and when the depth direction of the main body is defined as a second direction, the bottom case has a pair of rib portions that are arranged on the outer surface of the handle portions and have a convex shape that protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface portion of the handle portions, the longitudinal direction of the convex shape extending in the second direction, and in the second direction, both ends of the rib portions and both ends of the handle portions are not in contact with each other, and a space is formed between the both ends of the rib portions and the both ends of the handle portions.
The rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes a cylindrical main body, a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an air intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, an inner pot removably housed in the main body, a heating unit disposed in the main body and heating the inner pot, a power supply board disposed in the main body and driving the heating unit, a cooling fan disposed at the air intake port of the bottom case and blowing cooling air taken in from the air intake port towards the power supply board, and a cooling fan disposed between the air intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and configured to cool the inner pot. The container is provided with a first convex member that divides a first region including an area where an air intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed, and when the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction, the first convex member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms the lower surface of the bottom case, and is provided with a second convex member that is disposed in the second region of the bottom case, extends radially in the radial direction of the inner pot with the center point of the inner pot as its center, and protrudes downward from the outer surface of the bottom case.
In addition, the rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes a cylindrical main body, a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an air intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, an inner pot removably housed in the main body, a heating unit disposed on the main body and heating the inner pot, a power supply board disposed on the main body and driving the heating unit, a cooling fan disposed on the air intake port of the bottom case and blowing cooling air taken in from the air intake port towards the power supply board, and a first convex portion disposed between the air intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the rice cooker into a first region including an area where the air intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed. and a second convex member, wherein the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction, the first convex member is protruding downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion forming the lower surface of the bottom case, is arranged on the outer surface portion of the bottom case, protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface portion of the bottom case, and comprises a cord reel having a bottomed cylindrical shape with an upper end opening toward the main body, and is provided with a second convex member extending radially from an outer peripheral surface portion forming the side of the cord reel toward the outside of the cord reel, and protrudes downward from the outer surface portion of the bottom case.
In addition, the rice cooker according to the present disclosure includes a cylindrical main body, a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an air intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, an inner pot removably housed in the main body, a heating unit disposed on the main body and heating the inner pot, a power supply board disposed on the main body and driving the heating unit, a cooling fan disposed at the air intake port of the bottom case and blowing cooling air taken in from the air intake port towards the power supply board, and a cooling fan disposed between the air intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and having a first region including an area where the air intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed. and a first convex member that separates the bottom case from a second region that includes a formation region, and when the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction, the first convex member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms the lower surface of the bottom case, is arranged on the outer surface portion of the bottom case, and comprises a bottomed, cylindrical cord reel that protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface portion of the bottom case and has an upper end that opens toward the main body, and at least a portion of the first convex member is arranged to overlap the cord reel.

According to the rice cooker of the present disclosure, a first protruding member is disposed between the intake port and exhaust port of the bottom case and divides a first region including the region where the intake port is formed from a second region including the region where the exhaust port is formed, and is provided on the outer surface of the bottom case. If the height direction of the main body is defined as the first direction, the first protruding member protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface forming the lower surface of the bottom case. Therefore, most of the airflow discharged from the exhaust port is blocked by the first protruding member and does not flow in the direction toward the intake port. As a result, it is possible to prevent air discharged from the exhaust port from being taken into the main body through the intake port.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which cooling air flows in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which cooling air flows in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a direction in which cooling air flows in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to a first variant of the first embodiment; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a bottom case of a rice cooker according to a reference example in which a first convex member is not provided. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a bottom case of a rice cooker according to a reference example in which a first convex member is not provided. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to embodiment 3. FIG. 14, with the addition of arrows indicating the air flow. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to embodiment 4. FIG. A plan view showing the left and right handle portions of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to embodiment 4. A cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a rice cooker according to embodiment 4. FIG. 20 is a partially enlarged view showing a portion surrounded by a circle R in FIG. 18 .

The following describes an embodiment of the rice cooker according to the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The present disclosure also includes all combinations of the configurations shown in the following embodiment and its modified examples that can be combined. In each drawing, the same reference numerals are the same or equivalent, and this is common throughout the entire specification. In each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship or shape of each component may differ from the actual one. In each drawing, Z is the height direction of the rice cooker, and Y is the depth direction of the rice cooker. X is the width direction of the rice cooker. The height direction Z is, for example, a vertical direction, and in the height direction Z, Z1 is the upward direction when the rice cooker is placed in the normal orientation, and Z2 is the downward direction. In the depth direction Y, Y1 is the front direction (or the front side) of the rice cooker, and Y2 is the rear direction (or the rear side) of the rice cooker. In addition, in the width direction X, X1 is the right direction (or right side) when the rice cooker is placed in the normal orientation and viewed from the front side, and X2 is the left direction (or left side). The height direction Z is sometimes called the first direction. The depth direction Y is sometimes called the second direction. The width direction X is sometimes called the third direction.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rice cooker according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane parallel to the YZ plane. As shown in Fig. 1 or 2, the rice cooker 100 has a main body 1 which is an outer case, an inner case 2 fixed inside the main body 1, an induction heating coil 3, a temperature sensor 4, and a bottom case 8. The rice cooker 100 is placed on a floor surface 90 when used, as shown in Fig. 2.

The main body 1 forming the side of the rice cooker 100 has a cylindrical shape. The main body 1 may be rectangular in plan view, or may be circular or elliptical. Furthermore, the back side of the main body 1 may be rectangular, and the front side may be circular or semicircular. The upper and lower ends of the main body 1 are open. A bottom case 8 is provided at the lower end of the main body 1. The bottom case 8 is attached to the main body 1 so as to cover the open lower end of the main body 1. The main body 1 and the bottom case 8 form the outer shell of the rice cooker 100, which has a bottomed cylindrical shape. The bottom case 8 is made of a synthetic resin such as PP (polypropylene). The main body 1 is made of a resin such as PC (polycarbonate) or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The main body 1 is not limited to resin, and may be made of a metal member such as stainless steel.

The inner case 2 has a cylindrical shape with an open top and a bottom. In plan view, the inner case 2 has a circular or nearly circular shape, or an elliptical shape. The inner kettle 5, which will be described later, is removably housed inside the inner case 2.

The induction heating coil 3 is a coil for electromagnetic induction heating provided on the outer wall of the inner case 2. The induction heating coil 3 is arranged on the bottom of the inner case 2 and on the side near the bottom. The induction heating coil 3 is wound, for example, in a spiral shape. A high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 3 via, for example, a rectifier circuit and an inverter circuit provided on the power supply board 20. The induction heating coil 3 constitutes a "heating section" that heats the inner pot 5. The "heating section" is not limited to the induction heating coil 3, and may be of another configuration as long as it can heat the inner pot 5.

The temperature sensor 4 is provided on the lid 7, which will be described later. The lid 7 is attached to the main body 1 so as to be able to open and close, covering the open upper end of the main body 1. The temperature sensor 4 detects the temperature inside the inner pot 5. The temperature sensor 4 is arranged, for example, so as to pass through a through hole formed in the inner lid 7b that constitutes the lid 7. Note that the number of temperature sensors is not limited to one, and in addition to the temperature sensor 4 on the lid side, a temperature sensor on the pot bottom side may be provided at the bottom of the inner case 2.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker 100 has an inner pot 5, a hinge portion 6, a lid body 7, and a lid heater 9.

The inner pot 5 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper end. In plan view, the inner pot 5 has a circular or nearly circular shape, or an elliptical shape. The inner pot 5 is detachably housed in the inner case 2 provided in the main body 1. The inner pot 5 houses the food to be heated, such as rice and water, inside. The inner pot 5 receives an induced current from the induction heating coil 3, and the inner pot 5 itself heats up due to electromagnetic induction. The food to be heated in the inner pot 5 is heated and cooked by the heat. A flange portion 50 is provided on the periphery of the opening of the inner pot 5. The flange portion 50 is provided around the entire circumference of the opening along the circumferential direction of the opening of the inner pot 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the flange portion 50 has an L-shaped cross section. The flange portion 50 is composed of a horizontal portion 50a extending horizontally from the periphery of the opening of the inner pot 5, and a vertical portion 50b erected in the upward direction Z1 from the outer periphery of the horizontal portion 50a. The horizontal portion 50a of the flange portion 50 extends from the periphery of the opening of the inner pot 5 toward the outside of the inner pot 5 in the radial direction of the inner pot 5. That is, the horizontal portion 50a is provided so as to be parallel to the XY plane. The horizontal portion 50a has a doughnut shape in a plan view. The vertical portion 50b is provided on the outer periphery of the horizontal portion 50a. The vertical portion 50b stands upright from the outer periphery of the horizontal portion 50a toward the upward direction Z1. The extension direction of the vertical portion 50b and the extension direction of the horizontal portion 50a intersect with each other, for example, are perpendicular to each other. Also, the vertical portion 50b has a doughnut shape in a plan view.

The hinge portion 6 is provided on the rear portion of the main body 1. The lid body 7 is attached to the main body 1 via the hinge portion 6 so as to be openable and closable. The lid body 7 is composed of an outer lid 7a, an inner lid 7b, and a lid gasket (not shown).

The outer lid 7a is attached to the main body 1 via the hinge portion 6 so that it can be opened and closed. The outer lid 7a is positioned so as to cover the opening at the upper end of the main body 1.

The inner lid 7b is a lid that covers the inner pot 5 and is placed inside the outer lid 7a. A lid packing (not shown) that is a sealing material is attached to the peripheral portion of the inner lid 7b. The lid packing is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The lid packing ensures the airtightness between the flange portion 50 of the inner pot 5 and the inner lid 7b. The inner lid 7b is attached to the inner wall surface of the outer lid 7a by the user when the outer lid 7a is in the open state. As a result, the outer lid 7a and the inner lid 7b are connected to each other, and when the outer lid 7a is opened or closed, the inner lid 7b is opened and closed simultaneously in conjunction with the outer lid 7a. The inner lid 7b and the outer lid 7a constitute the lid body 7 that covers the inner pot 5. The inner lid 7b is detachably attached to the outer lid 7a, and when the inner lid 7b is washed, the inner lid 7b is removed from the outer lid 7a by the user.

The outer lid 7a is placed on top of the inner lid 7b so as to cover the inner lid 7b. The outer lid 7a is attached to the main body 1 via a hinge portion 6 so as to be able to open and close. When the outer lid 7a is in the closed state, it is placed so as to cover the opening of the main body 1 and the opening of the inner pot 5. When the outer lid 7a is in the open state, the food to be cooked in the inner pot 5 can be put in and taken out. Furthermore, when the outer lid 7a is in the open state, it is also possible to take in and out the inner pot 5 itself from the main body 1.

The lid heater 9 is provided inside the lid body 7. As described above, since the induction heating coil 3 is disposed below the inner pot 5, the temperature of the upper part of the inner pot 5 tends to be lower than the temperature of the lower part of the inner pot 5 during the rice cooking operation and the keep warm operation of the rice cooker 100. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the lid heater 9 is disposed inside the lid body 7. The lid heater 9 heats the upper part of the inner pot 5. By using the induction heating coil 3 and the lid heater 9 together, it is possible to suppress temperature unevenness in the inner pot 5 and the adhesion of sauce to the inner lid 7b. This allows the rice to be cooked deliciously and the deliciousness of the rice can be maintained even during the keep warm operation.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the rice cooker 100 has a power supply board 20, a cooling fan 21, and a heat dissipation fin 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply board 20 is arranged on the rear part of the main body 1. The power supply board 20 is erected in the height direction Z. The power supply board 20 is arranged so that its main surface (i.e., the mounting surface) is parallel or approximately parallel to the height direction Z and perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the XY plane. The power supply board 20 uses power from an external power source such as a commercial power source to supply high-frequency current to the induction heating coil 3 to drive the induction heating coil 3. The power supply board 20 may have a plate-like shape, but may also have a box-like shape. When the power supply board 20 is box-like, the mounting surface on which the component 205 (see FIG. 7) is mounted constitutes part of the box-like shape.

The heat dissipation fins 32 are arranged relative to the power supply board 20. The heat dissipation fins 32 dissipate heat from heat-generating components mounted on the power supply board 20, thereby cooling the power supply board 20. The heat dissipation fins 32 have a plurality of heat dissipation members 32a arranged at regular intervals in the width direction X. The heat dissipation members 32a are, for example, rectangular plate-shaped. The heat dissipation members 32a are made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling fan 21 is arranged below the power supply board 20. The cooling fan 21 is arranged relative to an intake port 30 (described later) formed in the bottom case 8. The cooling fan 21 blows outside air (cooling air) taken in from the intake port 30 toward the power supply board 20 and the heat dissipation fins 32, thereby cooling the power supply board 20 and the heat dissipation fins 32.

The bottom case 8 is provided with an air intake 30, an exhaust 31, and a cord reel 22. As described above, the air intake 30 takes in cooling air from the outside to cool the power supply board 20 and the heat dissipation fins 32. The exhaust 31 discharges the cooling air to the outside after cooling the inside of the main body 1, particularly the power supply board 20 and the heat dissipation fins 32. The cord reel 22 houses a power cord with one end connected to the power plug 23. The other end of the power cord is connected to the power supply board 20. The power plug 23 is detachably connected to an external power source such as a commercial power source.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation display unit 24 is provided on the top surface of the lid 7. The operation display unit 24 is provided with switches, various buttons, and a display screen such as a display. The user can execute each operation of the rice cooker 100 by operating the various buttons on the operation display unit 24. The display screen also displays the cooking status and the contents of the cooking menu set by the user's operation. An operation board 25 is connected to the operation display unit 24. The contents of the operation on the operation display unit 24 are transmitted to the control unit (not shown) via the operation board 25.

The detection results of the temperature sensor 4 and other sensors are input to the control unit (not shown). In addition, various settings such as a cooking menu input by the user to the operation display unit 24 are sent to the control unit. The control unit controls the operation of the power supply board 20 and the cooling fan 21, etc., based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 4 and other sensors and the various settings input to the operation display unit 24. The control unit is composed of, for example, a processor and a memory. Each function of the control unit is realized when the processor executes a program stored in the memory.

Next, the operation of the rice cooker 100 will be described. When operating the rice cooker 100, the user first places ingredients such as rice and water into the inner pot 5. These ingredients are the items to be heated and cooked in the rice cooker 100.

Then, when the user grasps the flange portion 50 of the inner pot 5, places the inner pot 5 on the inner case 2, and closes the outer lid 7a, the lid gasket of the inner lid 7b is pressed against the flange portion 50 of the inner pot 5, sealing the internal space of the rice cooker 100.

As described above, the outer lid 7a is rotatable around the hinge portion 6, and opens and closes the opening at the top end of the main body 1. The outer lid 7a is always biased in the opening direction by the hinge portion 6. When the outer lid 7a is closed, it is locked to the main body 1 by, for example, a latch portion (not shown) provided on the front portion of the outer lid 7a. When the user presses the lid opening button 60 (see FIG. 1), the latch portion that locks the outer lid 7a to the main body 1 is released, and the biasing force of the hinge portion 6 opens the outer lid 7a.

Next, the user selects a rice cooking menu on the operation display unit 24 and turns on the switch of the operation display unit 24, which starts cooking rice in the rice cooker 100. Note that while FIG. 1 shows an example in which the operation display unit 24 is installed on the outer lid 7a, this is not limited to this case, and the operation display unit 24 may be installed on the front part of the main body 1. The operation display unit 24 may also be provided in a location other than the main body 1. That is, if the rice cooker 100 has a remote controller (not shown), the operation display unit 24 may be provided on the remote controller. Alternatively, the operation display unit 24 may be provided as an application program on a portable mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user.

When cooking begins in the rice cooker 100, a high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 3 from the power supply board 20. This generates a high-frequency magnetic field from the induction heating coil 3, exciting the surface of the inner pot 5 that faces the heating coil (i.e., the bottom surface of the inner pot 5), which is magnetically coupled to the induction heating coil 3, and inducing eddy currents in the bottom surface of the inner pot 5. These eddy currents and the resistance of the inner pot 5 generate Joule heat, causing the bottom surface of the inner pot 5 to heat up, thereby heating the food to be cooked.

Next, the configuration of the bottom case 8 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. Figures 3 and 4 show the bottom case 8 viewed from the downward direction Z2. Therefore, please note that the orientations of the upward direction Z1 and the downward direction Z2 in Figures 3 and 4 are reversed from those in Figures 1 and 2. Also, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. Figure 5 shows the bottom case 8 viewed from the upward direction Z1. The orientations of the upward direction Z1 and the downward direction Z2 in Figure 5 are the same as those in Figures 1 and 2.

As described above, the bottom case 8 is attached to the main body 1 so as to cover the opening at the lower end of the main body 1. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the above-mentioned cord reel 22 is provided in the center of the bottom case 8. The cord reel 22 is disposed in the center of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X and the depth direction Y. The cord reel 22 protrudes in the downward direction Z2 from the outer surface portion 8a forming the lower surface of the bottom case 8. Here, the outer surface portion 8a of the bottom case 8 means the entire surface facing the downward direction Z2 as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the cord reel 22 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with at least the lower end closed. The cord reel 22 has an approximately circular shape in a plan view. The upper end of the cord reel 22 may also be closed. However, a part of the cord reel 22 is open, from which the cord is pulled out to the outside of the cord reel 22, and the power plug 23 shown in Fig. 5 is connected to the end of the cord.

In addition, in the depth direction Y of the bottom case 8, the first region 801 on the rear side (closer to the rear direction Y2) of the main body 1 is provided with an intake port 30. The first region 801 is a region on the rear side bounded by the first convex member 40 described later. The first region 801 includes a formation region 300 in which the intake port 30 is formed. The intake port 30 may be rectangular or circular in plan view, and the shape is not particularly limited. In addition, in the bottom case 8, the second region 802 on the front side (closer to the front direction Y1) of the main body 1 is provided with an exhaust port 31. The second region 802 is a region on the front side bounded by the first convex member 40 described later. The second region 802 includes a formation region 310 in which the exhaust port 31 is formed. The exhaust port 31 may be polygonal, circular, or elliptical in plan view, and the shape is not particularly limited. In addition, the exhaust port 31 may be divided into multiple blocks, as in the example of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 4, the exhaust port 31 is divided into three blocks. The formation area 310 is an area that includes all of these blocks. As shown in FIG. 4, both the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31 have multiple slits formed that penetrate the plate thickness of the bottom case 8.

In FIG. 3, the bottom case 8 is provided with a handle portion 82, which will be described later, but this is not limited to this case. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4, the rice cooker 100 may use a bottom case 8 that does not have a handle portion 82.

The positions of the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the intake port 30 is located on the rear side of the main body 1 relative to the center point A of the inner pot 5 arranged inside the main body 1, and the exhaust port 31 is located on the front side of the main body 1 relative to the intake port 30. In other words, the exhaust port 31 is located on the front side of the main body 1 relative to the center point A of the inner pot 5 arranged inside the main body 1. Here, the center point A of the inner pot 5 means the center of the circular shape, since the inner pot 5 has a circular shape in a plan view. Therefore, it is the center point of the inner pot 5 in the width direction X and the depth direction Y.

4, the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 is provided with a first convex member 40 that divides the first area 801 and the second area 802. The first convex member 40 protrudes from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 in the downward direction Z2. The first convex member 40 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the first convex member 40 is installed below the center point A of the inner pot 5. The first convex member 40 may be located directly below the center point A of the inner pot 5, or may be shifted from the position directly below the center point A of the inner pot 5. However, it is preferable that the first convex member 40 is installed at a position where the area of the first area 801 where the intake port 30 is provided is larger than the area of the second area where the exhaust port 31 is provided. Therefore, it is preferable that the first convex member 40 is located closer to the front than the center of the depth direction Y of the main body 1. The bottom case 8, the intake port 30, the exhaust port 31, the first protruding member 40, the cord reel 22, and the legs 81 are integrally molded, for example, by injection molding. However, they are not limited to being integrally molded.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cooling fan 21 is provided above the intake port 30. As described above, both the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31 have multiple slits that penetrate the plate thickness of the bottom case 8, as shown in FIG. 4. The inside and outside of the bottom case 8 are connected through these slits, and the cooling air flow can flow through these slits with reduced pressure loss. By providing multiple slits in the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the main body 1 from the outside through the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31.

At least one of the multiple components mounted on the power supply board 20 is a heat-generating component such as a semiconductor switching element that constitutes an inverter circuit and a rectifier circuit. At least another of the multiple components mounted on the power supply board 20 is a consumable component such as an electrolytic capacitor that is easily damaged by heat and that is likely to have an effect on the lifespan of the component due to heat. Since a failure of the power supply board 20 leads to a failure of the entire rice cooker 100, improving the cooling performance of the power supply board 20 is important for the rice cooker 100. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a cooling fan 21 is provided to take in outside air as cooling air from the air intake 30 and cool the power supply board 20.

Next, the basic direction of cooling air flow will be explained using Figures 6 to 7. Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams explaining the direction of cooling air flow in the rice cooker according to embodiment 1. Figure 6 is a diagram in which arrows indicating the direction of cooling air flow have been added to Figure 2. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100, with a portion cut away for the purpose of explanation.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cooling air generated by driving the cooling fan 21 is taken in through the air intake 30, cools the inside of the main body 1, and then is exhausted to the outside of the main body 1 through the exhaust 31.

The direction of the cooling air flow will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the direction of the cooling air flow in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, more than half of the cooling air generated by driving the cooling fan 21 flows into the power supply board 20, and the remaining cooling air flows toward the induction heating coil 3. The cooling air that flows into the power supply board 20 rises inside the heat dissipation fins 32 while cooling the heat dissipation member 32a of the heat dissipation fins 32, as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 8, and is discharged into the power supply board 20 from the upper end of the heat dissipation fins 32. Then, it flows inside the power supply board 20 while cooling the components (not shown) mounted on the power supply board 20, and flows from the lower opening of the power supply board 20 toward the center part of the bottom case 8. The cooling air is then discharged to the outside of the rice cooker 100 from the exhaust port 31 formed in the bottom case 8.

On the other hand, as shown by arrows C1 and C2 in FIG. 8, the cooling air that flows toward the induction heating coil 3 flows upward in a "part" and flows horizontally in a "other part". The "part" that flows upward rises through the space between the inner case 2 and the rear part 204 of the power supply board 20 as an air passage, as shown by arrow C1, and hits the inner lid 7b. The cooling air then flows into the gap between the main body 1 and the inner case 2 of the rice cooker 100. The cooling air then absorbs heat from the induction heating coil 3 that enters the gap and is exhausted to the outside of the rice cooker 100 from the exhaust port 31 formed in the bottom case 8. The cooling air of the "other part" that flows horizontally flows into the space between the bottom surface of the inner case 2 and the bottom case 8 and around the bottom surface of the inner case 2, as shown by arrow C2 in FIG. The cooling air is then discharged to the outside of the rice cooker 100 through an exhaust port 31 formed in the bottom case 8 while cooling the induction heating coil 3 and the cord reel 22.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first embodiment. Figure 9 shows the bottom case 8 viewed from the downward direction Z2. Therefore, please note that the orientation of the upward direction Z1 and the downward direction Z2 in Figure 9 is reversed from that in Figures 1 and 2. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a first convex member 40 is provided on the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8. The first convex member 40 is disposed between the intake port 30 and the exhaust port 31. The first convex member 40 protrudes from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 toward the downward direction Z2 in the height direction Z. The first convex member 40 is, for example, a plate-shaped member. The length of the first convex member 40 in the height direction Z is a length that does not abut the first convex member 40 against the floor surface 90, as shown in Figure 2. The legs 81 of the rice cooker 100 are provided on the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8. The legs 81 are erected from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 toward the downward direction Z2 in the height direction Z. The rice cooker 100 is supported by the legs 81 and placed on the floor surface 90. The legs 81 on the rice cooker 100 ensure a gap between the bottom case 8 and the floor surface 90. That is, the legs 81 function as a spacer to ensure a gap between the bottom case 8 and the floor surface 90. The length of the first convex member 40 in the height direction Z from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 is shorter than the length of the legs 81 in the height direction Z from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the tip (lower end) of the first convex member 40 does not abut against the floor surface 90.

The longitudinal direction of the first convex member 40, which is made of a plate-like member, extends in the width direction X as shown in FIG. 9. The width direction length L1 of the first convex member 40 is shorter than the width direction X length L2 of the main body 1. That is, the first convex member 40 is not formed to both ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X, but is formed to a position inside the both ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X. The airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 collides with the first convex member 40 as shown by the arrow E1 in FIG. 9, and then is returned as shown by the arrow E2, or collides with the first convex member 40 and flows along the first convex member 40 to the second region 802 side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 from being taken into the intake port 30.

9, since the cord reel 22 is provided on the bottom case 8, at least a portion of the first convex member 40 is arranged to overlap the cord reel 22. That is, at least a portion of the first convex member 40 is erected from the outer surface of the cord reel 22 toward the downward direction Z2 in the height direction Z. The length in the height direction Z of the portion of the first convex member 40 erected from the outer surface of the cord reel 22 is shorter than the length between the outer surface of the cord reel 22 and the floor surface 90. That is, when the rice cooker 100 is placed on the floor surface 90, neither the outer surface of the cord reel 22 nor the first convex member 40 comes into contact with the floor surface 90.

The first convex member 40 is provided to prevent the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 from being taken into the intake port 30. That is, the first convex member 40 divides the outer surface portion 8a of the bottom case 8 into a first region 801 in which the intake port 30 is formed and a second region 802 in which the exhaust port 31 is formed. The first convex member 40 functions as a dividing wall that divides the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 and the air taken in from the intake port 30. The arrows in FIG. 9 indicate the flow of air. As shown by arrow D, outside air (cooling air) for cooling the inside of the main body 1 is taken in from the intake port 30 by driving the cooling fan 21. On the other hand, the cooling air after cooling the inside of the main body 1 is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 from the exhaust port 31 as shown by arrows E, E1, and E2.

At this time, the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 is diffused in all directions due to the general properties of gas. Therefore, a part of the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows toward the intake port 30 as shown by the arrow E1, but most of the air abuts against the first convex member 40 and returns as shown by the arrow E2, so it is not taken into the intake port 30. In this way, the first convex member 40 divides the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 and the air taken in from the intake port 30, thereby preventing the air discharged from the exhaust port from being taken into the inside of the main body 1 through the intake port 30. The action of the first convex member 40 can prevent the warm air exhausted from the exhaust port 31 from being taken in through the intake port 30, so that outside air with a sufficient temperature difference with the inside of the main body 1 is taken into the intake port 30. This improves the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1.

<Modification 1>
In the example of FIG. 9, the width direction length L1 of the first convex member 40 is shorter than the width direction X length L2 of the main body 1, but the present invention is not limited to this case. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the first modification of the first embodiment. In the first modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the width direction length L1 of the first convex member 40 is the same as or approximately the same as the width direction X length L2 of the main body 1. Therefore, the first convex member 40 is extended to both ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X. In the case of FIG. 10, the first convex member 40 can more reliably separate the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 and the air taken in from the intake port 30, thereby further improving the cooling performance.

<Effects of First Embodiment>
Next, the effects of the first embodiment and the first modification will be described. In order to clearly explain the effects, a reference example in which the first convex member 40 is not provided will be described first. FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views showing a bottom case of a rice cooker according to a reference example in which the first convex member is not provided. The arrows in FIGS. 11 and 12 indicate the flow of air. As shown by the arrow P1 in FIG. 11, outside air (cooling air) for cooling the inside of the main body 1 is taken in from the intake port 30 by driving the cooling fan 21. On the other hand, the cooling air after cooling the inside of the main body 1 is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 from the exhaust port 31 as shown by the arrow P2 in FIG. 11.

At this time, the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 is diffused in all directions due to the general properties of gas. Therefore, as shown by the arrow P3 in FIG. 12, part of the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows toward the intake port 30 and is taken into the intake port 30 as is. The air discharged from the exhaust port 31 is air that has been warmed inside the main body 1. Therefore, when the warmed air is mixed with the outside air taken in from the intake port 30, the temperature difference between the temperature of the air taken in from the intake port 30 and the temperature inside the main body 1 is reduced. As a result, the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1 is reduced.

In contrast, in the first embodiment and the first modification, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, a first convex member 40 that protrudes in the downward direction Z2 is provided on the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8. This makes it possible to prevent the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 from being taken into the inside of the main body 1 through the intake port 30. As a result, it is possible to prevent the warmed air after cooling the inside of the main body 1 from being taken into the inside of the main body 1 again through the intake port 30. Therefore, a temperature difference between the temperature of the air taken in through the intake port 30 and the temperature inside the main body 1 is sufficient to cool the inside of the main body 1. Therefore, the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1 is improved compared to the reference example shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

In addition, in the first embodiment and the first modification, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the intake port 30 is disposed on the rear side of the main body 1 relative to the center point A of the inner pot 5, and the exhaust port 31 is disposed on the front side of the main body 1 relative to the intake port 30. In this way, by disposing the intake port 30 near the power supply board 20, which is the heat source, the cooling air taken in from the intake port 30 can be directed efficiently at the power supply board 20. In addition, by disposing the exhaust port 31 on the opposite side of the intake port 30, the cooling air taken in the inside of the main body 1 can pass through the entire inside of the main body 1, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8. As a result, the cooling performance of the rice cooker 100 is further improved.

9, the first convex member 40 is disposed closer to the front direction Y1 than the center of the entire length of the bottom case 8 in the depth direction Y. Therefore, the range (area) partitioned by the first convex member 40 is wider on the intake port 30 side than on the exhaust port 31 side. In this way, the first convex member 40 partitions the area on the intake port 30 side so that the area is wider, so the pressure loss of the airflow flowing into the intake port 30 is reduced, and the outside air easily flows toward the intake port 30. On the other hand, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows toward the outside of the main body 1 along the first convex member 40. Since the range on the exhaust port 31 side is narrow, it quickly reaches the outside of the main body 1 and is quickly released to the outside of the main body 1. This further suppresses the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 from flowing toward the intake port 30 side. As a result, the cooling performance of the rice cooker 100 can be further improved, and hot exhaust air can be prevented from being drawn back into the rice cooker 100 through the intake port 30.

In addition, in the modified example 1 shown in FIG. 10, the first convex member 40 is arranged up to the left and right ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X. This allows the first convex member 40 to more reliably separate the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 and the air taken in from the intake port 30, further improving the cooling performance. In addition, in the modified example 1 shown in FIG. 10, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows along the first convex member 40 to the outer periphery of the bottom case 8. This allows the heat of the discharged airflow, which has a higher temperature than the outside air, to be diffused into the outside air. This allows the rise in the temperature of the outside air near the intake port 30 that is taken in by the intake port 30 to be suppressed.

Embodiment 2.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the first convex member 40A also basically extends in the width direction X, but as shown in Fig. 13, at least a portion of the first convex member 40A is inclined with respect to the width direction X toward the formation region 310 of the exhaust port 31, that is, toward the front direction Y1 side in the depth direction Y. That is, the first convex member 40A is disposed near the exhaust port 31 and is disposed along the outer periphery of the formation region 310 of the exhaust port 31.

In the second embodiment, the first protruding member 40A has a straight portion 40a extending in the width direction X and an inclined portion 40b joined to the straight portion 40a. The inclined portion 40b is provided at both ends of the straight portion 40a in the width direction X. When the width direction X is used as a reference, the inclined portion 40b is inclined toward the front direction Y1 in the depth direction Y, i.e., toward the exhaust port 31, with respect to the width direction X. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, the two inclined portions 40b are inclined in a direction away from each other as they approach the front direction Y1 in the depth direction Y. In the example of FIG. 13, the straight portion 40a is provided only in the center portion of the cord reel 22, but this is not the only possible embodiment. The straight portion 40a may extend to both ends of the cord reel 22 in the width direction X. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so their description will be omitted here.

<Effects of the Second Embodiment>
As described above, in the second embodiment, the inclined portion 40b, which is at least a part of the first convex member 40A, is inclined toward the formation region 310 of the exhaust port 31 with respect to the width direction X. As a result, the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows in a direction away from the intake port 30 along the first convex member 40A. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 from being taken into the inside of the main body 1 through the intake port 30. As a result, a temperature difference between the temperature of the air taken in from the intake port 30 and the temperature inside the main body 1 is sufficient to cool the inside of the main body 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1.

Embodiment 3.
14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the first convex member 40B is arranged in the vicinity of the exhaust port 31 on the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8, and is arranged along the outer periphery of the exhaust port 31. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a plurality of second convex members 41 are provided extending radially from the center point A (see FIG. 2) of the inner pot 5. The second convex member 41 is made of a plate-shaped member. The second convex member 41 functions as a straightening wall that straightens the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 toward the outer periphery of the bottom case 8.

As shown in FIG. 14, the second convex member 41 extends radially from the center point A (see FIG. 2) of the inner pot 5. The second convex member 41 extends from the center point A (see FIG. 2) of the inner pot 5 in the radial direction toward the outside of the inner pot 5. However, the extension direction of the second convex member 41 only needs to extend from the inside to the outside of the bottom case 8 in the second region 802 (see FIG. 9). Therefore, the second convex member 41 does not necessarily have to extend from the center point A (see FIG. 2) of the inner pot 5 in the radial direction toward the outside of the inner pot 5.

In the example of FIG. 14, the cord reel 22 is provided on the bottom case 8, so the second convex member 41 extends from the outer peripheral surface portion that forms the side of the cord reel 22 toward the outer peripheral portion of the bottom case 8. The second convex member 41 may extend to a length that reaches the outer peripheral portion of the bottom case 8, but may also extend to a length that reaches near the outer peripheral portion of the bottom case 8, as shown in FIG. 14.

In addition, in the third embodiment, the first convex member 40B is inclined toward the exhaust port 31 in the width direction X, like the inclined portion 40b (see FIG. 13) of the first convex member 40A described in the second embodiment above. In the third embodiment, the first convex member 40B extends from the outer peripheral surface portion that forms the side of the cord reel 22 toward the outer peripheral portion of the bottom case 8, but this is not limited thereto. In the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, at least a portion of the first convex member 40B may be arranged to overlap the cord reel 22.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in embodiment 1 or 2, so a description of it will be omitted here.

<Effects of Third Embodiment>
The effect of the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram in which arrows showing the flow of air are added to FIG. 14. In the third embodiment, the second convex member 41 is provided. Therefore, the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 flows along the second convex member 41. The second convex members 41 are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction of the inner pot 5. Therefore, the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 flows through the gap formed between the second convex members 41. Compared with the second embodiment shown in FIG. 13, in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 flows through the narrow gap formed between the second convex members 41 as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 15. Therefore, the air path of the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 is narrowed by the second convex member 41. As a result, the speed (wind speed) of the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 is increased. In this way, in the third embodiment, the speed (wind speed) of the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 is increased, so that the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 flows quickly toward the outside of the main body 1. As a result, in the third embodiment, the airflow exhausted from the exhaust port 31 can flow quickly toward the outside of the main body 1 compared to the first and second embodiments, and thus the cooling performance is further improved.

As described above, in the third embodiment, first, the first convex member 40B is arranged along the exhaust port 31 in the vicinity of the exhaust port 31. That is, the first convex member 40B is inclined toward the formation region 310 of the exhaust port 31 with respect to the width direction X, similar to the first convex member 40A shown in the second embodiment. This allows the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 to flow along the first convex member 40B. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 from being taken into the inside of the main body 1 through the intake port 30. As a result, a temperature difference sufficient to cool the inside of the main body 1 can be secured as the temperature difference between the temperature of the air taken in from the intake port 30 and the temperature inside the main body 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1.

Secondly, in the third embodiment, the second convex member 41 is arranged from near the center point A of the inner pot 5 toward the outer periphery of the bottom case 8. As a result, the airflow path of the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 is narrowed by the second convex member 41, and the wind speed of the airflow increases. This makes it easier for the airflow to flow to the outside of the main body 1. This further improves the cooling performance for cooling the inside of the main body 1.

Embodiment 4.
Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a bottom case provided in a rice cooker according to embodiment 4. Fig. 16 shows the bottom case 8 as viewed from the downward direction Z2 in the height direction Z. Therefore, it should be noted that the orientations of the upward direction Z1 and the downward direction Z2 in Fig. 16 are reversed to those in Figs. 1 and 2.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the bottom case 8 is provided with a pair of handles 82 for the user to grip the main body 1. The pair of handles 82 are arranged at both ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X. The handles 82 are formed in a concave shape recessed from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 toward the inside of the main body 1. In other words, the handles 82 are recessed from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 toward the upward direction Z1 in the height direction Z.

Figure 17 is a plan view showing the left and right handles of the bottom case provided in the rice cooker according to the fourth embodiment. Figure 17 shows the handle 82 as viewed from the downward direction Z2 of the height direction Z. As shown in Figure 17, the handle 82 has, for example, a trapezoidal shape in plan view as a whole. The handle 82 has an inner end 82a located inside the main body 1, an outer end 82b located at the left and right ends of the main body 1, and a pair of ends 82c located at both ends in the depth direction Y joined to the inner end 82a and the outer end 82b. The inner end 82a and the outer end 82b extend in the depth direction Y. On the other hand, the ends 82c located at both ends in the depth direction Y are inclined with respect to the width direction X. The end 82c located closer to the back direction Y2 in the depth direction Y and the end 82c located closer to the front direction Y1 in the depth direction Y are inclined in a direction away from each other as they move toward the outside of the main body 1. That is, the pair of ends 82c each extend in a direction intersecting the inner end 82a and the outer end 82b. The pair of ends 82c may also each extend in a direction perpendicular to the inner end 82a and the outer end 82b. In that case, the handle portion 82 has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

The handle portion 82 is recessed in the upward direction Z1 from the outer surface portion 8a of the bottom case 8. Therefore, the inner end portion 82a of the handle portion 82 and the pair of ends 82c located at both ends in the depth direction Y are stepped so that the outer surface of the handle portion 82 is farther from the floor surface 90 than the outer surface of the bottom case 8, as shown in FIG. 16. In addition, the outer end portion 82b is open toward the outside.

In addition, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the outer surface 82d forming the lower surface of the handle 82 is provided with a plurality of rib portions 83. The rib portions 83 function as a slip prevention when the user grips the main body 1 with the handle 82. The rib portions 83 have a convex shape protruding from the outer surface 82d of the handle 82 toward the downward direction Z2 in the height direction Z. That is, the rib portions 83 protrude in a direction toward the floor surface 90 (see Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 17, the rib portions 83 extend in the depth direction Y in a plan view. The rib portions 83 are arranged so as to be parallel to the inner end portion 82a and the outer end portion 82b of the handle 82, and the longitudinal direction of the rib portions 83 extends in the depth direction Y. A plurality of rib portions 83 are provided for one handle 82. In the example of FIG. 17, two rib portions 83 are provided for one handle portion 82, but any number of rib portions 83 may be provided. In addition, the rib portions 83 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval from each other.

As shown in FIG. 17, if the shortest distance between the end 83a of the rib portion 83 in the depth direction Y and the end 82c of the handle portion 82 is distance L3 or distance L4, a space 84 having distance L3 or distance L4 is formed between the end 83a and end 82c of the rib portion 83 in a plan view. In other words, the rib portion 83 is not in contact with either of the end portions 82c in the front-rear direction in the depth direction Y of the handle portion 82. Therefore, the space 84 functions as an air passage through which air flows.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a rice cooker according to embodiment 4. Figure 18 shows the cross-sectional shape of the rice cooker 100 when the center of the rice cooker 100 is cut along a plane parallel to the XZ plane. Figure 18 shows the rice cooker 100 as viewed from the front side in the depth direction Y. Figure 19 is a partial enlarged view showing the circular frame R part in Figure 18. As shown in Figure 19, the outer surface of the handle 82 is recessed upward in the height direction Z more than the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8. Therefore, the distance H1 between the handle 82 and the floor surface 90 is greater than the distance H2 (see Figure 2) between the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 formed by the leg 81, which is a spacer, and the floor surface 90.

In this way, in the fourth embodiment, the handle portion 82 is disposed at the left and right ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X, and is recessed upward in the height direction Z from the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8. Therefore, the distance H1 between the handle portion 82 and the floor surface 90 is greater than the distance H2 between the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8 and the floor surface 90 in other areas other than the area where the handle portion 82 is formed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, a space 85 is formed below the handle portion 82. Therefore, as shown by the arrow G in FIG. 16 and FIG. 19, the airflow of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port 31 flows through the space 85 toward the outside of the main body 1. Therefore, the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port 31 can be further prevented from being taken into the intake port 30. In addition, the provision of the handle portion 82 forms a space 85 enlarged relative to the outer surface 8a of the bottom case 8, so that the heat of the air discharged from the exhaust port 31 is easily diffused, and the temperature of the exhaust gas is quickly reduced. This helps to prevent the temperature from rising near the air intake 30.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the first protruding member 40 extends from the center of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X to the left and right handles 82. That is, the first protruding member 40 extends from near the center point A of the inner pot 5 to a position that reaches the formation area of the left and right handles 82. Therefore, the first protruding member 40 acts to prevent the airflow from the exhaust port 31 from flowing toward the intake port 30, and can straighten the airflow that is trying to flow toward the intake port 30 toward the handles 82. This allows the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port 31 to be diffused.

<Effects of the Fourth Embodiment>
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the left and right ends of the bottom case 8 in the width direction X are provided with the concave handles 82 recessed toward the upward direction Z1 in the height direction Z. In this way, by providing the concave handles 82 communicating with the area in which the exhaust port 31 is formed at the left and right ends of the bottom case 8, the space 85 in the handles 82 is expanded, and the heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust port 31 is quickly diffused. As a result, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the outside air near the intake port 30 from rising. Therefore, the air warmed from the intake port 30 is not taken into the rice cooker 100, and the cooling performance of the rice cooker 100 is further improved.

In addition, in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the first protruding member 40 extends from the center of the bottom case 8 to the left and right handles 82 in the width direction X. This allows the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 to flow along the first protruding member 40, making it possible to prevent the airflow from flowing toward the intake port 30. In addition, by causing the airflow to flow along the first protruding member 40, the airflow toward the intake port 30 can be straightened in the direction of the handles 82. Since the space 85 in the handles 82 is large, the heat of the airflow discharged from the exhaust port 31 can be quickly diffused.

Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the handle portion 82 is provided with a rib portion 83 extending in the depth direction Y. Both ends of the rib portion 83 in the depth direction are not in contact with the ends 82c of the handle portion 82 in the depth direction Y. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, a space 84 is formed between both ends of the rib portion 83 in the depth direction and the ends 82c of the handle portion 82 in the depth direction Y. By not extending the rib portion 83 to the ends 82c of the handle portion 82 in the depth direction Y, the space 84 becomes an air passage for exhaust. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from accumulating between the rib portions 83. In this way, the rib portion 83 formed on the handle portion 82 functions as a non-slip surface, and the space 84 formed at both ends of the rib portion 83 in the depth direction Y can suppress the temperature rise of the handle portion 82.

1 main body, 2 inner case, 3 induction heating coil, 4 temperature sensor, 5 inner pot, 6 hinge portion, 7 lid body, 7a outer lid, 7b inner lid, 8 bottom case, 8a outer surface portion, 9 lid heater, 20 power supply board, 21 cooling fan, 22 cord reel, 23 power plug, 24 operation display portion, 25 operation board, 30 intake port, 31 exhaust port, 32 heat dissipation fin, 32a heat dissipation member, 40 first convex member, 40A first convex member, 40B first convex member, 40a straight portion, 40b inclined portion, 41 second convex member, 50 flange portion, 50a horizontal portion, 50b vertical portion, 60 lid opening button, 81 legs, 82 handle portion, 82a inner end portion, 82b outer end portion, 82c end portion, 82d Outer surface, 83 rib portion, 83a end portion, 84 space, 85 space, 90 floor surface, 100 rice cooker, 204 rear portion, 205 part, 300 forming area, 310 forming area, 801 first area, 802 second area, A center point, B arrow, C1 arrow, C2 arrow, D arrow, E arrow, E1 arrow, E2 arrow, F arrow, G arrow, H1 distance, H2 distance, L1 length, L2 length, L3 distance, L4 distance, P1 arrow, P2 arrow, X width direction, X1 right direction, X2 left direction, Y depth direction, Y1 front direction, Y2 rear direction, Z height direction, Z1 upward direction, Z2 downward direction.

Claims (13)

A cylindrical body;
a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an intake port and an exhaust port;
An inner pot detachably accommodated in the main body;
A heating unit disposed in the main body for heating the inner pot;
A power supply board that is disposed in the main body and drives the heating unit;
a cooling fan disposed at the intake port of the bottom case and configured to blow cooling air taken in through the intake port toward the power supply board;
a first protruding member disposed between the intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the bottom case into a first region including an area where the intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed;
Equipped with
If the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction,
The first protruding member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms a lower surface of the bottom case,
When the width direction of the main body is defined as a third direction,
a pair of handles disposed at both ends of the bottom case in the third direction and formed in a concave shape recessed from the outer surface of the bottom case toward the inside of the main body;
When the depth direction of the main body is defined as a second direction,
a rib portion disposed on an outer surface of the handle portion, the rib portion having a convex shape protruding downward from the outer surface of the handle portion in the first direction, the longitudinal direction of the convex shape extending in the second direction;
In the second direction, both ends of the rib portion and both ends of the handle portion are not in contact with each other, and a space is formed between the both ends of the rib portion and the both ends of the handle portion.
Rice cooker. The first convex member is a plate-like member extending in the third direction.
The rice cooker according to claim 1 . The first protruding member extends to both ends of the bottom case in the third direction.
The rice cooker according to claim 2 . The first protruding member extends from a central portion of the bottom case to each of the handle portions.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The air intake is disposed on a rear side of the main body relative to a center point of the inner kettle in the second direction,
The exhaust port is disposed closer to a front surface of the main body than the intake port in the second direction.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . At least a portion of the first convex member is disposed so as to be inclined toward the formation region of the exhaust port with respect to the third direction.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . A second protruding member is disposed in the second region of the bottom case, extends radially in the radial direction of the inner kettle with the center point of the inner kettle as a center, and protrudes downward from the outer surface of the bottom case.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . a cord reel having a bottomed cylindrical shape that is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom case, protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface of the bottom case, and has an upper end that is open toward the main body;
a second protruding member extending radially from an outer peripheral surface portion forming a side surface of the cord reel toward the outside of the cord reel and protruding downward from the outer surface portion of the bottom case,
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The first region defined by the first protruding member is larger than the second region.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . a cord reel having a bottomed cylindrical shape that is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom case, protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface of the bottom case, and has an upper end that is open toward the main body;
At least a portion of the first convex member is disposed so as to overlap the cord reel.
The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . A cylindrical body;
a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an intake port and an exhaust port;
An inner pot detachably accommodated in the main body;
A heating unit disposed in the main body for heating the inner pot;
A power supply board that is disposed in the main body and drives the heating unit;
a cooling fan disposed at the intake port of the bottom case and configured to blow cooling air taken in through the intake port toward the power supply board;
a first protruding member disposed between the intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the bottom case into a first region including an area where the intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed;
Equipped with
If the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction,
The first protruding member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms a lower surface of the bottom case,
A second protruding member is disposed in the second region of the bottom case, extends radially in the radial direction of the inner kettle with the center point of the inner kettle as a center, and protrudes downward from the outer surface of the bottom case.
Rice cooker. A cylindrical body;
a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an intake port and an exhaust port;
An inner pot detachably accommodated in the main body;
A heating unit disposed in the main body for heating the inner pot;
A power supply board that is disposed in the main body and drives the heating unit;
a cooling fan disposed at the intake port of the bottom case and configured to blow cooling air taken in through the intake port toward the power supply board;
a first protruding member disposed between the intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the bottom case into a first region including an area where the intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed;
Equipped with
If the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction,
The first protruding member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms a lower surface of the bottom case,
a cord reel having a bottomed cylindrical shape that is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom case, protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface of the bottom case, and has an upper end that is open toward the main body;
a second protruding member extending radially from an outer peripheral surface portion forming a side surface of the cord reel toward the outside of the cord reel and protruding downward from the outer surface portion of the bottom case,
Rice cooker. A cylindrical body;
a bottom case covering an opening at a lower end of the main body and having an intake port and an exhaust port;
An inner pot detachably accommodated in the main body;
A heating unit disposed in the main body for heating the inner pot;
A power supply board that is disposed in the main body and drives the heating unit;
a cooling fan disposed at the intake port of the bottom case and configured to blow cooling air taken in through the intake port toward the power supply board;
a first protruding member disposed between the intake port and the exhaust port of the bottom case and dividing the bottom case into a first region including an area where the intake port is formed and a second region including an area where the exhaust port is formed;
Equipped with
If the height direction of the main body is defined as a first direction,
The first protruding member protrudes downward in the first direction from an outer surface portion that forms a lower surface of the bottom case,
a cord reel having a bottomed cylindrical shape that is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom case, protrudes downward in the first direction from the outer surface of the bottom case, and has an upper end that is open toward the main body;
At least a portion of the first convex member is disposed so as to overlap the cord reel.
Rice cooker.

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