JP2006280766A

JP2006280766A - Rice cooker

Info

Publication number: JP2006280766A
Application number: JP2005107256A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Masatoshi Yagi; 正俊八木
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2005-04-04
Filing date: 2005-04-04
Publication date: 2006-10-19

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain precise boiling-over prevention and boiling detection in a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This rice cooker is provided with a steam passage provided on the surface of a lid body, an approximately tubular weight tube provided in the upper part of the steam passage, a weight vertically moving in the inside of the weight tube, a spring disposed in the lower part of the weight and formed of a shape memory alloy contracted at a regular temperature and extending at an approximately boiling temperature, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed on the upper face of the weight tube. When the spring pushes up the weight upward at an approximately boiling temperature, the light of the light emitting element to the light receiving element is cut off to detect the boiling inside the pot, thereby attaining the precise boiling detection and boiling-over prevention with simple constitution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は一般的な家庭用の炊飯器に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a general household rice cooker.

従来、鍋内の蒸気の沸騰を検知するこの種の炊飯器は、蓋内部に収められた温度センサー７０により検知されるようになっている。 Conventionally, this type of rice cooker that detects the boiling of steam in a pan is detected by a temperature sensor 70 housed inside the lid.

図４は、特許文献１に記載された従来の炊飯器を示すものである。図４に示すように、３１は炊飯器の本体を示し、着脱自在の鍋を内装する。さらに鍋の上面を覆う蓋６０が開閉自在に設置されている。 FIG. 4 shows a conventional rice cooker described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, 31 shows the main body of a rice cooker and is equipped with a removable pan. Further, a lid 60 covering the upper surface of the pan is installed so as to be freely opened and closed.

また、鍋を加熱する鍋加熱手段と鍋の温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段を本体３１内部に配置する。フロート６６は、蓋４７が閉まった状態では、蒸気の吹き出し口６８の上部を覆うように配設しており、フロート６６を円筒状、または球状の磁石により形成し、一方、蒸気筒５０の下面に当該フロート６６の移動をガイドする溝６９を設け、フロート６６に取り付けられた当該窪んだ溝６９にガイドされる凸部を全周に渡って設けている。また、当該溝６９は、炊飯時のおねば発生時に当該おねばの通過する道を形成するとともに、フロート６６がおねばによって移動不可能となるのを防止する役目も担うものである。フロート６６はおねば検出装置である。従来の構成はこのフロート６６の移動を検知しておねばの発生を防止していた。本発明はおねばの発生防止と沸騰検知を簡単な構成で達成する炊飯器に関するものである。
特開平１１−９９０５９号公報 Further, a pot heating means for heating the pot and a pot temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the pot are arranged inside the main body 31. The float 66 is disposed so as to cover the upper part of the steam outlet 68 when the lid 47 is closed, and the float 66 is formed of a cylindrical or spherical magnet. A groove 69 for guiding the movement of the float 66 is provided, and a convex portion guided by the recessed groove 69 attached to the float 66 is provided over the entire circumference. In addition, the groove 69 forms a path through which the rice cake passes when rice rice is produced, and also has a role of preventing the float 66 from being moved by the rice cake. The float 66 is a detection device. The conventional configuration prevents the occurrence of this if the movement of the float 66 is detected. The present invention relates to a rice cooker that achieves the prevention of rice cracking and the detection of boiling with a simple configuration.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-99059

前記従来の構成では、吹きこぼれ防止と沸騰検知の正確さが要求されていた。特に、業務用等ではコンベアの上に多数の炊飯器を設置し、順次炊飯していくため耐久性があり、簡単な構成の吹きこぼれ防止と沸騰検知構成が課題であった。 In the conventional configuration, it is required to prevent spillage and to accurately detect boiling. In particular, for business use and the like, a large number of rice cookers are installed on a conveyor, and the rice is cooked sequentially, which is durable.

本発明は、前記従来の課題を解決するもので、簡単な構成で正確な吹きこぼれ防止と沸騰検知を実現できる炊飯器を提供することを目的とする。 This invention solves the said conventional subject, and it aims at providing the rice cooker which can implement | achieve accurate spill prevention and boiling detection with a simple structure.

前記従来の課題を解決するために、本発明の炊飯器は、炊飯器本体と、炊飯器本体内に着脱自在に収納された鍋と、炊飯器本体の上面開口部を覆い開閉自在に軸支した蓋体と、蓋体の表面に設けた蒸気通路と、蒸気通路の上方に設けた略筒状の錘筒と、この錘筒の内面側を上下に移動する錘と、錘の下部に配置し通常温度では収縮し、略沸騰温度で伸びる形状記憶合金よりなるばねと、錘筒の上面に配置された発光素子と受光素子とよりなり、ばねが略沸騰温度で錘を上方に押し上げたときに、発光素子の光が受光素子へ遮断され鍋内の沸騰を検知することとし、吹きこぼれも防止したものである。 In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a rice cooker of the present invention includes a rice cooker main body, a pan detachably accommodated in the rice cooker main body, and an upper surface opening of the rice cooker main body so as to be freely openable and closable. A lid, a steam passage provided on the surface of the lid, a substantially cylindrical weight cylinder provided above the steam passage, a weight that moves up and down the inner surface of the weight cylinder, and a lower part of the weight When the spring is made up of a shape memory alloy that contracts at normal temperature and extends at approximately boiling temperature, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed on the upper surface of the cylinder, the spring pushes the weight upward at approximately boiling temperature. In addition, light from the light emitting element is blocked by the light receiving element to detect boiling in the pan, and spillage is prevented.

本発明の炊飯器は、吹きこぼれ検知と沸騰検知を簡単な構成で達成することができる。従来のような温度センサーでは、業務用などの大型の炊飯器では沸騰検知を短時間で捕らえる適切な場所をみつけるのが困難であったが、これを解消できる。 The rice cooker of the present invention can achieve spillage detection and boiling detection with a simple configuration. With conventional temperature sensors, it has been difficult to find an appropriate place to catch boiling detection in a short time with a large-sized rice cooker for business use, but this can be solved.

第１の発明は、蓋体の表面に設けた蒸気通路と、蒸気通路の上方に設けた略筒状の錘筒と、この錘筒の内面側を上下に移動する錘と、錘の下部に配置し通常温度では収縮し、略沸騰温度で伸びる形状記憶合金よりなるばねと、錘筒の上面に配置された発光素子と受光素子とよりなり、ばねが略沸騰温度で錘を情報に押し上げたときに、発光素子の光が受光素子へ遮断され鍋内の沸騰を検知することにより、簡単な構成で正確な沸騰検知を実現できる。 The first invention includes a steam passage provided on the surface of the lid, a substantially cylindrical weight cylinder provided above the steam passage, a weight that moves up and down the inner surface of the weight cylinder, and a lower portion of the weight. It is composed of a spring made of a shape memory alloy that contracts at normal temperature and extends at approximately boiling temperature, and a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed on the upper surface of the cylinder, and the spring pushes the weight to information at approximately boiling temperature. Sometimes, the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the light receiving element and the boiling in the pan is detected, so that accurate boiling detection can be realized with a simple configuration.

第２の発明は、さびにくい耐久性のあるバネを提供することができる。 The second invention can provide a durable spring that is not easily rusted.

第３の発明は、重量が軽く、生産性の良いバネを提供することができる。 The third invention can provide a spring that is light in weight and high in productivity.

（実施の形態１）
図１は本発明の第１の実施の形態における炊飯器の断面図を示すものである。図１において、１は炊飯器の本体を示し、着脱自在の鍋２を内装する。さらに鍋２の上面を覆う蓋体３が開閉自在に設置されている。また鍋２を加熱する鍋加熱手段４と鍋２の温度を検知する鍋温度検知手段５を本体１内部に配置する。鍋加熱手段４と鍋温度検知手段５は保護枠６によって保持されている。鍋加熱手段４は、ヒーターであっても、鍋２を誘導加熱するコイルであっても、いかなる加熱手段であっても構わない。鍋２上面の開口部には鍋内の蒸気を本体１外に排出する蒸気通路７が設けられている。 (Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a rice cooker in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 shows the main body of a rice cooker, and interiors a detachable pan 2. Further, a lid 3 that covers the upper surface of the pan 2 is provided so as to be freely opened and closed. A pan heating means 4 for heating the pan 2 and a pan temperature detecting means 5 for detecting the temperature of the pan 2 are arranged inside the main body 1. The pan heating means 4 and the pan temperature detecting means 5 are held by a protective frame 6. The pot heating means 4 may be a heater, a coil for induction heating the pot 2, or any heating means. A steam passage 7 for discharging steam in the pot to the outside of the main body 1 is provided in the opening on the upper surface of the pot 2.

蓋体３の温度を検知する蓋温度検知手段８が蓋体３内に設けられ、蓋加熱手段９を制御する。 A lid temperature detecting means 8 for detecting the temperature of the lid 3 is provided in the lid 3 and controls the lid heating means 9.

図２において、蓋加熱手段９を載置する放熱板１０に複数の蒸気穴１１があいている。蒸気穴１１の上面を覆う蒸気通路１２がある。蒸気通路１２の上には、略筒状の錘筒１７が配置されている。蒸気通路１２と錘筒１７の間には蒸気通過孔１８がある。錘筒１７の内側には形状記憶合金よりなるばね１３が配置され、上部には錘１４が固定されている。錘１４の中央には蒸気の抜ける孔１９がある。錘筒１７の上面側に発光素子１５と受光素子１６が配置されている。 In FIG. 2, a plurality of steam holes 11 are formed in the heat radiating plate 10 on which the lid heating means 9 is placed. There is a steam passage 12 covering the upper surface of the steam hole 11. A substantially cylindrical weight cylinder 17 is disposed on the steam passage 12. A steam passage hole 18 is provided between the steam passage 12 and the cylinder 17. A spring 13 made of a shape memory alloy is disposed inside the weight cylinder 17, and a weight 14 is fixed to the upper part. At the center of the weight 14 is a hole 19 through which steam can escape. A light emitting element 15 and a light receiving element 16 are arranged on the upper surface side of the spindle 17.

次に、炊飯工程は浸水、炊き上げ、蒸らしの各工程に大分されている。 Next, the rice cooking process is largely divided into water immersion, cooking, and steaming processes.

浸水工程においては、鍋温度検知手段５で鍋２の温度を米が吸水に適した温度（約６０℃）になるように鍋加熱手段４を制御する。所定の時間を経て米に水が吸水した後、浸水工程から炊き上げ工程に移行する。 In the water immersion process, the pot heating means 4 is controlled by the pot temperature detecting means 5 so that the temperature of the pot 2 becomes a temperature suitable for water absorption (about 60 ° C.). After water has absorbed into the rice after a predetermined time, the process proceeds from the soaking process to the cooking process.

炊き上げ工程では、鍋加熱手段４によって、鍋２内の米と水の温度を急激に上昇させて、沸騰状態にする。このとき、ばね１３に略沸騰の蒸気が当たり、ばねが超弾性の荷重で錘を上昇させる。この状態を、図３に示す。錘１４が発光素子１５の光を遮断し、鍋加熱手段４はマイコン制御により断続的な短時間ＯＮ、長時間ＯＦＦを繰り返す。また、蒸気が出なくなり錘付近の温度が下がると、ばねは弾性力が無くなり収縮し、動作前の状態に戻る。マイコンはこの状態を検知し、次の炊飯に備える。以上の結果により、沸騰検知とともに、おねばの吹きこぼれは防止される。この後、鍋２底の水分がなくなって、鍋温度検知手段５の温度が１００℃を超えた所定の温度になったことを検知すると、鍋加熱手段４による鍋２の加熱を止めて、炊き上げ工程を終えて、蒸らし工程になる。 In the cooking step, the temperature of the rice and water in the pan 2 is rapidly increased by the pan heating means 4 to bring it into a boiling state. At this time, substantially boiling steam hits the spring 13, and the spring raises the weight with a superelastic load. This state is shown in FIG. The weight 14 blocks the light from the light emitting element 15, and the pan heating means 4 repeats intermittent short-time ON and long-time OFF under microcomputer control. Further, when the vapor does not go out and the temperature near the weight decreases, the spring loses its elastic force and contracts to return to the state before operation. The microcomputer detects this state and prepares for the next rice cooking. Based on the above results, the spilling of the rice ball is prevented together with the boiling detection. After this, when it is detected that the moisture at the bottom of the pan 2 has disappeared and the temperature of the pan temperature detecting means 5 has reached a predetermined temperature exceeding 100 ° C., the heating of the pot 2 by the pot heating means 4 is stopped and cooked. After the raising process, it becomes a steaming process.

以上のように、本発明にかかる炊飯器は、民生用のみならず業務用の炊飯器などにも適用できる。 As described above, the rice cooker according to the present invention can be applied not only for consumer use but also for business use.

本発明の実施の形態１における炊飯器の縦断面図The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態１における炊飯器の主要断面図Main sectional view of rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 本発明の実施の形態１における炊飯器の主要断面図Main sectional view of rice cooker in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 従来の炊飯器の主要断面図Main sectional view of conventional rice cooker

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１本体
２鍋
３蓋体
１２蒸気通路
１３ばね
１４錘
１５発光素子
１６受光素子
１７錘筒 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Pan 3 Lid 12 Steam passage 13 Spring 14 Weight 15 Light emitting element 16 Light receiving element 17 Cylinder

Claims

炊飯器本体と、前記炊飯器本体内に着脱自在に収納された鍋と、前記炊飯器本体の上面開口部を覆い開閉自在に軸支した蓋体と、前記蓋体の表面に設けた蒸気通路と、前記蒸気通路の上方に設けた略筒状の錘筒と、この錘筒の内面側を上下に移動する錘と、錘の下部に配置し通常温度では収縮し、略沸騰温度で伸びる形状記憶合金よりなるばねと、前記錘筒の上面に配置された発光素子と受光素子とよりなり、前記ばねが略沸騰温度で前記錘を上方に押し上げたときに、前記発光素子の光が前記受光素子へ遮断され鍋内の沸騰を検知する炊飯器。 A rice cooker body, a pan detachably housed in the rice cooker body, a lid body covering the upper surface opening of the rice cooker body and pivotally supported so as to be opened and closed, and a steam passage provided on the surface of the lid body A substantially cylindrical weight cylinder provided above the steam passage, a weight that moves up and down the inner surface of the weight cylinder, and a shape that is disposed at the lower part of the weight and contracts at a normal temperature and extends at a substantially boiling temperature. A spring made of a memory alloy, a light emitting element and a light receiving element disposed on the upper surface of the weight cylinder, and when the spring pushes the weight upward at a substantially boiling temperature, the light of the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element. A rice cooker that is blocked by the element and detects boiling in the pan.

形状記憶合金がニッケル、チタンの合金よりなる請求項１記載の炊飯器。 The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy is made of an alloy of nickel and titanium.

形状記憶合金が銅、亜鉛、アルミニウムの合金よりなる請求項１記載の炊飯器。 The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy is made of an alloy of copper, zinc, and aluminum.