JP4063134B2

JP4063134B2 - rice cooker

Info

Publication number: JP4063134B2
Application number: JP2003113856A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正人渡辺; 説三紺ノ; 幸一郎山下; 宏北木; 雅章柴田
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp; Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp; Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 2003-04-18
Filing date: 2003-04-18
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-18
Also published as: JP2004313571A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、調理物を入れる鍋を加熱手段により加熱し保温機能を有する炊飯器に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の炊飯器においては、米飯の保温温度は保存による米飯の劣化が少ないと言われている通常保温温度（例えば、７２℃程度）のものが多かった。しかしながら、実際は、この温度領域で米飯を保温すると、米飯が黄変したり、異臭が発生し、食味の劣化が避けられず、最長でも１２時間の保温が限界であった。
【０００３】
この解決策として、通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度（例えば、５５〜７０℃）で保温することにより、米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑える一方で、通常保温温度より高い高温保温温度（例えば、７５℃〜９５℃）まで所定時間ごとに温度上昇させることにより保温温度低下により発生する雑菌を繰返し殺菌し、保温中のご飯もおいしく食べることができるものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開平０７−２９８９８３号公報
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような従来の保温方法の炊飯器では、通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度での保温中はおいしさの要因の１つである保温温度が低く、食味が低下してしまうという問題があった。この対策として、保温中の米飯の温度を一時的に炊きたての温度まで加熱する機能を有するものもあるが、食事前にその都度操作を行う必要があり、また、操作から温度上昇が完了するまでに時間を要するという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えるとともに、食事の際にはわざわざ操作することなく保温温度の高い状態のご飯を食べられるようにすることを目的としている。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記目的を達成するために、炊飯器本体内部に収容する鍋に調理物を入れ、この鍋を蓋により覆って加熱手段により加熱し、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に検知手段により蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知し、この検知手段によって蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知するたびに現在時刻を計時する現在時刻計時手段により計時した時刻を記憶手段に記憶し、保温時に保温温度制御手段により加熱手段を制御するよう構成し、保温温度制御手段は、記憶手段の記憶データに基づいて次回の保温時に通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と通常保温温度よりも高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御するよう構成したものである。
【０００８】
これにより、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えることができるとともに、食事の際にわざわざ操作することなく保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の請求項１に記載の発明は、炊飯器本体内部に収容され調理物を入れる鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する加熱手段と、前記鍋を覆う蓋と、現在時刻を計時する現在時刻計時手段と、前記蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知する検知手段と、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に前記検知手段が蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知するたびに前記現在時刻計時手段により計時した時刻を記憶する記憶手段と、保温時に加熱手段を制御する保温温度制御手段とを備え、前記保温温度制御手段は前記記憶手段の記憶データに基づいて次回の保温時に通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と前記通常保温温度よりも高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御するよう構成したものであり、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、その食事時間帯にあわせて次回の保温時の保温温度を制御することにより、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えることができるとともに、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１０】
請求項２に記載の発明は、上記請求項１に記載の発明において、複数回の保温中に記憶手段に蓄積された記憶データを基に、次回の保温時に検知手段により蓋の開または閉または開閉が検知される可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定する推定手段を備え、保温温度制御手段は、前記推定手段により推定した推定データに基づいて次回の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにしたものであり、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、複数回の保温中に記憶された食事時間帯の中から次回の保温時に食事時間帯となる可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定し、それらの時間帯にあわせて次回の保温時の保温温度を制御することにより、毎日のほぼ一定の食事時間帯の中で稀に発生したイレギュラーな食事時間帯による記憶情報を排除し、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化の原因となる高温での保温時間を必要最小限に抑えるとともに、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１１】
請求項３に記載の発明は、上記請求項２に記載の発明において、記憶手段は、複数回の保温中に取得されたデータを各曜日別に記憶し、推定手段は、前記記憶手段の各曜日別記憶データを基に、次週の各曜日の保温時に検知手段により蓋の開または閉または開閉が検知される可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定するようにし、保温温度制御手段は、前記推定手段により推定した推定データに基づいて次週の各曜日の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにしたものであり、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、複数回の保温中に記憶された各曜日別の食事時間帯の中から、次週の各曜日の保温時に食事時間帯となる可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定し、それらの時間帯にあわせて次週の各曜日の保温時の保温温度を制御することにより、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えるとともに、平日は遅めの時間帯、休日は早めの時間帯というような、各曜日毎にほぼ一定の食事時間帯を利用して、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１２】
請求項４に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜３に記載の発明において、保温開始から所定の時間以内に、保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、保温温度制御手段は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにしたものであり、保温開始から所定の時間以内に高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合に高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇させることにより、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、低温保温温度時に発生する雑菌を高温保温温度まで温度上昇することにより殺菌することができ、保温中もおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１３】
請求項５に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜４に記載の発明において、保温温度制御手段による前回の高温保温温度への上昇から所定の時間以内に、保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、保温温度制御手段は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにしたものであり、所定の時間ごとに最低１回は保温温度を高温保温温度に上昇させることにより、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、低温保温温度時に発生する雑菌を殺菌することができ、保温中もおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１４】
請求項６に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜５に記載の発明において、保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数行った以降は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず通常保温温度で保温を行うようにしたものであり、高温保温温度への上昇回数を制限し、所定の温度上昇回数終了後に通常保温温度で保温することにより、所定の温度上昇回数到達までは、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えるとともに、食事時間帯にあわせて保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができ、所定の温度上昇回数終了後は、過加熱による米飯の食味劣化を抑えることができ、かつ雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度に移行する直前に殺菌を行うため、おいしいご飯を食べることができる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００１５】
請求項７に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜６に記載の発明において、保温開始から所定の時間経過以降は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず一度高温保温温度まで上昇させた後に通常保温温度で保温を行うようにしたものであり、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に一度高温保温温度まで上昇させた後に通常保温温度で保温を行うようにすることにより、保温開始から所定の時間が経過するまでは、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、食事時間帯にあわせて保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができ、所定の時間経過以降は、雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度に移行する直前に殺菌を行うため、おいしいご飯を食べることができる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００１６】
請求項８に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜７に記載の発明において、外部より任意のデータを入力する入力手段を備え、少なくとも前記入力手段により入力されたデータに基づいて、次回または次回以降の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにしたものであり、外部より任意のデータを入力できるようにすることにより、日常とは異なる時間帯に食事をすることがわかっている場合に、その時間帯をあらかじめ入力しておくことができ、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられようにすることができる。
【００１７】
請求項９に記載の発明は、上記請求項１〜８に記載の発明において、外部より加熱開始命令を入力する加熱開始命令入力手段と、前記入力手段による加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示を行う表示手段とを備え、保温温度制御手段により低温保温温度で保温されている間は、前記表示手段により加熱開始命令の入力を推奨するようにしたものであり、低温保温温度で保温されている間のみ加熱開始命令の入力を推奨することにより、高温保温温度または通常保温温度で保温されている間は必要の無い加熱開始命令の入力を行わせることなく、低温保温温度で保温されている間のみ加熱開始命令の入力を行わせることができ、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯（日常の食事時間帯と異なる時間帯）に食事をする場合のみ加熱開始命令を入力してもらうことにより、いつでも保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００１８】
【実施例】
以下、本発明の実施例について、図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００１９】
（実施例１）
図１に示すように、鍋１は米飯などの調理物２を収容する容器で、鍋１の底に鍋１の底温度を検知する鍋温度センサ６を設けている。炊飯器本体７は鍋１、鍋１を加熱する加熱手段５および鍋温度センサ６を収容し、この炊飯器本体７に蓋８を設け、蓋８には、蓋８の開または閉または開閉の状態を検知する状態スイッチである検知手段９を内装し、検知手段９で保温中に蓋８の開閉を検知すると、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻を記憶手段１０で記憶するようにしている。
【００２０】
制御手段１１は、保温温度制御手段３と記憶手段１０とで構成し、保温温度制御手段３は、鍋温度センサ６の出力と記憶手段１０に記憶されたデータに基づき、インバータ４を介して加熱コイルからなる加熱手段５を制御し、米飯温度を高温で保温する高温保温温度と、この高温保温より低い温度で保温する低温保温温度の２水準の保温温度を制御するよう構成している。
【００２１】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図２に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は保温開始（図２では１７：００）から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度（例えば、約６０℃）に達し、その後は図２における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、例えば、２１：００に食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻（例えば、２１：００）が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００２２】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図２における実線Ａ）を行うが、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻（２１：００）に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度（例えば、約８０℃）まで上昇させるのに必要な時間（例えば、約４０分）を差し引いた時刻（２０：２０）から加熱を開始し、前回の保温中に食事をした時刻（２１：００）にはご飯の温度を高温保温温度にする（図２における点線Ｂの温度推移）。その結果、前回とほぼ同時刻に食事する場合には、保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００２３】
以上のように本実施例によれば、毎回ほぼ同時刻に食事をする生活習慣を利用して、前回の保温時に蓋８が開閉された時に記憶した時刻にあわせて、ご飯の温度を高温保温温度になるように制御することによって、食事の際に保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００２４】
なお、保温中の蓋８の開閉は必ずしもご飯をよそう時のみ行われるのではなく、例えば炊飯終了直後、すなわち、保温開始直後にご飯をほぐすために蓋８が開閉される場合もあるので、保温開始から一定の時間（例えば、３０分）以内に蓋８が開閉された場合は、その時の時刻を記憶しないようにしてもよい。
【００２５】
また、記憶手段１０に記憶されている時刻に近づいた時（例えば、１時間前）に、ご飯の温度がすでに高温保温温度にある場合は、あらためて温度上昇させる必要はなく、記憶手段１０に記憶されている時刻まで高温保温温度を維持すればよい。
【００２６】
また、検知手段９の一例として状態スイッチを蓋８に内装して説明したが、蓋８の開閉状態が検知できればよく、これに限定するものではない。
【００２７】
また、保温温度制御手段３はインバータ４を介して加熱コイルからなる加熱手段５を制御するように説明したが、保温温度を制御することができればよく、これに限定するものではない。
【００２８】
（実施例２）
図３に示すように、制御手段１１ａは、保温温度制御手段３と記憶手段１０と推定手段１３で構成し、推定手段１３は、複数回の保温中に記憶手段１０に蓄積された記憶データを基に、次回の保温時に検知手段９により蓋８の開または閉または開閉が検知される可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定し、保温温度制御手段３は、鍋温度センサ６の出力と推定手段１３の推定データに基づき、インバータ４を介して加熱コイルからなる加熱手段５を制御し、米飯温度を高温で保温する高温保温温度と、この高温保温より低い温度で保温する低温保温温度の２水準の保温温度を制御するよう構成している。他の構成は上記実施例１と同じであり、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００２９】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図４に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は、上記実施例１と同様に、保温開始から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図４における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００３０】
推定手段１３は、複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データ（例えば、１週間分）の中から、記憶頻度が高い時刻を複数（例えば、２つ）推定する。
【００３１】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図４における実線Ａ）を行うが、推定手段１３が推定した時刻（例えば、２０：００と２３：００）に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させるのに必要な時間を差し引いた時刻から加熱を開始し、推定手段１３が推定した時刻にはご飯の温度を高温保温温度にする（図４における点線Ｂの温度推移）。その結果、日常の食事時間とほぼ同時刻に食事する場合には、保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００３２】
以上のように本実施例によれば、複数回の保温時に記憶されたデータから記憶頻度が高いデータを複数推定し、それらの推定データに基づいて保温温度を制御することにより、毎回ほぼ同時刻に食事する生活習慣を利用するとともに、日常のなかで稀に発生したイレギュラーな食事時間帯による記憶情報を排除し、保温中の米飯の劣化の原因となる高温保温温度での保温時間を必要最小限に抑えつつ、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００３３】
（実施例３）
図３における記憶手段１０は、検知手段９で保温中に蓋８の開閉を検知すると、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻を各曜日別に記憶し、推定手段１３は、記憶手段１０に記憶されている各曜日別のデータの中から各曜日別に記憶頻度が高いデータを複数推定するようにし、保温温度制御手段３は、推定手段１３により推定した推定データに基づいて次週の各曜日の保温時の保温温度を制御するよう構成している。他の構成は上記実施例２と同じであり、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００３４】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図５に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は、保温開始から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図５における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻が記憶手段１０に各曜日別に記憶される。
【００３５】
推定手段１３は、複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された各曜日別時刻データ（例えば、１ヶ月分）の中から、各曜日別に記憶頻度が高い時刻を複数（例えば、２つ）推定する。次週の各曜日の保温時は、保温開始からしばらくは先週の同じ曜日の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図５における実線Ａ）を行うが、推定手段１３が推定した時刻（例えば１７：００と２１：００）に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させるのに必要な時間を差し引いた時刻から加熱を開始し、推定手段１３が推定した時刻にはご飯の温度を高温保温温度にする（図５における点線Ｂの温度推移）。その結果、各曜日ごとに食事時間帯が毎週ほぼ同じである場合には、保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００３６】
以上のように本実施例によれば、複数回の保温時に各曜日別に記憶されたデータから各曜日別に記憶頻度が高いデータを複数推定し、それらの推定データに基づいて保温温度を制御することにより、各曜日ごとに毎週ほぼ同時刻に食事する生活習慣を利用して、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００３７】
（実施例４）
図１または図３における保温温度制御手段３は、保温開始から所定の時間以内（例えば、４時間以内）に、保温温度制御手段３により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、記憶手段１０の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにしている。他の構成は上記実施例１〜３と同じである。
【００３８】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図６に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は保温開始（図６では１３：００）から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図６における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、例えば２２：００に食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻（例えば２２：００）が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００３９】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図６における実線Ａ）を行い、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させることとなる。
【００４０】
ここで、前述のように保温開始（１３：００）から高温保温温度まで保温温度が上昇する時刻（２２：００）までの間隔が９時間となり、ご飯の温度が７２℃前後の範囲から低下してからの経過時間が雑菌抑制時間の４時間を超えてしまうため、保温開始から４時間後に加熱を開始し、高温保温温度まで上昇させて雑菌の繁殖を抑制し、その後、上記実施例１または２と同様に、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させる（図６における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００４１】
以上のように本実施例によれば、保温開始から所定の時間以内（例えば、４時間以内）に、保温温度制御手段３により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合、すなわち、保温開始時刻から前回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻までの時間が雑菌抑制時間を超える場合には、高温保温温度まで上昇させて雑菌の繁殖を抑制することができ、かつ食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００４２】
（実施例５）
図１または図３における保温温度制御手段３は、保温温度制御手段３による前回の高温保温温度への上昇から所定の時間以内（例えば、４時間以内）に、保温温度制御手段３により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、記憶手段１０の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにしている。他の構成は上記実施例１〜３と同じである。
【００４３】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図７に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は保温開始（図７では９：００）から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図７における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、例えば１回目の食事の際（例えば、１３：００）と２回目の食事の際（例えば、２１：００）に食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻（１３：００と２１：００）が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００４４】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図７における実線Ａ）を行い、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させることとなる。
【００４５】
ここで、前述のように１回目の高温保温温度への上昇時刻（１３：００）から２回目の高温保温温度への上昇時刻（２１：００）までの間隔が８時間となり、ご飯の温度が７２℃前後の範囲から低下してからの経過時間が雑菌抑制時間の４時間を超えてしまうため、１回目の高温保温温度への上昇（１３：００）から４時間後に加熱を開始し、高温保温温度まで上昇させて雑菌の繁殖を抑制し、その後、２回目の高温保温温度への上昇時刻（２１：００）に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させる（図７における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００４６】
以上のように本実施例によれば、保温温度制御手段３による前回の高温保温温度への上昇から所定の時間以内（例えば、４時間以内）に、保温温度制御手段３により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合、すなわち、高温保温温度への上昇が行われた時刻から次回の高温保温温度への上昇が行われる時刻までの時間が雑菌抑制時間を超える場合には、高温保温温度まで上昇させて雑菌の繁殖を抑制することができ、かつ食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができる。
【００４７】
（実施例６）
図１または図３における保温温度制御手段３は、保温温度制御手段３により高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数（例えば、３回）行った以降は、記憶手段１０の記憶データに関わらず通常保温温度で保温を行うようにしている。他の構成は上記実施例１〜３と同じである。
【００４８】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図８に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は保温開始（図８では９：００）から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図８における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。
【００４９】
その温度推移の途中で、例えば１回目の食事時刻が１２：００、２回目の食事時刻が１５：００、３回目の食事時刻が１９：００、４回目の食事時刻が２３：００として、それぞれの時刻に食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻（１２：００、１５：００、１９：００、２３：００）が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００５０】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図８における実線Ａ）を行い、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させることとなる。
【００５１】
ここで、前述のように高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数（３回、すなわち、１９：００まで）行うまでは、上記実施例１または２と同様に、記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または推定手段１３が推定した時刻にあわせて高温保温温度までご飯の温度を上昇させるが、所定の回数の温度上昇を行った以降（１９：００以降）は、過加熱による米飯の食味劣化を抑え、かつ雑菌の繁殖を抑制するために通常保温温度で保温を行う（図８における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００５２】
以上のように本実施例によれば、高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数行うまでは、記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または推定手段１３が推定した時刻にあわせて高温保温温度までご飯の温度を上昇させることにより、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができ、所定の回数の温度上昇を行った以降は、記憶手段１０の記憶データに関わらず、雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度で保温を行うことにより、過加熱による米飯の食味劣化を抑え、かつ雑菌の繁殖を抑制することができ、おいしいご飯を食べることができる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００５３】
（実施例７）
図１または図３における保温温度制御手段３は、保温開始から所定の時間（例えば、１２時間）経過以降は、記憶手段１０の記憶データに関わらず一度高温保温温度まで上昇させた後に通常保温温度で保温を行うようにしている。他の構成は上記実施例１〜３と同じである。
【００５４】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図９に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は保温開始（図９では９：００）から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図９における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、例えば１回目１３：００、２回目１７：００、３回目２２：００に食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻（１３：００、１７：００、２２：００）が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００５５】
次回の保温時には、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図９における実線Ａ）を行い、前回の保温中に記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または前回の保温までの複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データより推定手段１３が推定した時刻に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させることとなる。
【００５６】
ここで、前述のように保温開始から所定の時間が経過するまで（２１：００まで）は、上記実施例１または２と同様に、記憶手段１０に記憶した時刻、または推定手段１３が推定した時刻にあわせて高温保温温度までご飯の温度を上昇させるが、所定の時間が経過した以降（２１：００以降）は、一度高温保温温度まで上昇させて低温保温温度時に繁殖した雑菌の殺菌を行った後に、雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度で保温を行う（図９における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００５７】
以上のように本実施例によれば、保温開始から所定の時間が経過するまでは、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、食事時間帯にあわせて保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べることができるようにすることができ、所定の時間経過以降は、雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度に移行する直前に殺菌を行うため、おいしいご飯を食べることができる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００５８】
なお、保温開始から所定の時間が経過した時点でのご飯の温度がすでに高温保温温度にある場合は、あらためてご飯の温度を上昇させる必要はなく、時間経過とともに通常保温温度まで下がった時点で、そのまま通常保温温度で保温して構わない。
【００５９】
（実施例８）
図１０に示すように、入力手段１４は、外部より任意の時刻データを保温温度制御手段３に入力するもので、保温温度制御手段３は、少なくとも入力手段１４により入力されたデータに基づいて、次回または次回以降の保温時の保温温度を制御するよう構成している。他の構成は上記実施例２と同じであり、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００６０】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図１１に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は、保温開始から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図１１における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００６１】
推定手段１３は、複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データ（例えば、１週間分）の中から、記憶頻度が高い時刻（例えば２２：００）を推定する。ここで、次回の食事時刻が日常と異なる時刻（例えば２０：００）であることが予めわかっている場合は、次回の保温開始までに入力手段１４により次回の食事時刻を予め入力しておけば、次回の保温時は、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図１１における実線Ａ）を行い、推定手段１３が推定した時刻（２２：００）の代わりに、入力手段１４によって入力した時刻（２０：００）にご飯の温度が高温保温温度になるようにする（図１１における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００６２】
以上のように本実施例によれば、外部より任意のデータを入力することを可能にすることにより、次回の食事時間帯が日常とは異なる時間帯であることがわかっている場合に、その時間帯をあらかじめ入力しておくことができ、日常と異なる食事時間帯に食事をする場合でも、保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００６３】
（実施例９）
図１２に示すように、加熱開始命令入力手段１５は、外部より保温温度制御手段３に加熱開始命令を入力するもので、表示手段１６は、液晶表示器などで構成し、鍋温度センサ６の出力が低温保温温度である場合に加熱開始命令入力を推奨する表示（例えば、「食事前に要加熱」と表示）を行うものであり、保温温度制御手段３により低温保温温度で保温されている間は、表示手段１６により加熱開始命令の入力を推奨するようにしている。他の構成は上記実施例２と同じであり、同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００６４】
上記構成において動作を説明する。図１３に示すように、鍋１内の調理物２であるご飯の温度は、保温開始から時間経過とともに低下し、例えば約２時間経過後には低温保温温度に達し、その後は図１３における実線Ａのような温度推移を行う。その温度推移の途中で、食事をするために蓋８を開けてご飯をよそい、その後蓋８を閉じると、このとき、検知手段９で保温中の蓋８の開閉を検知し、その時点で現在時刻計時手段１２が計時していた時刻が記憶手段１０に記憶される。
【００６５】
推定手段１３は、複数回の保温時に記憶手段１０に記憶された時刻データ（例えば、１週間分）の中から、記憶頻度が高い時刻（例えば１７：００と２１：００）を推定する。次回の保温時は、保温開始からしばらくは前回の保温時とほぼ同じ温度推移（図１３における実線Ａ）を行うが、推定手段１３が推定した時刻（例えば１７：００と２１：００）に近づくと、ご飯温度を低温保温温度から高温保温温度まで上昇させるのに必要な時間を差し引いた時刻から加熱を開始し、推定手段１３が推定した時刻にはご飯の温度を高温保温温度にする（図１３における点線Ｂの温度推移）。
【００６６】
図１３における点線Ｂの温度推移の中で区間Ｃの時間帯は低温保温温度で保温している時間帯であり、次回の食事時間帯がこの区間Ｃ内であった場合、保温温度の低いご飯を食べることとなってしまうため、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯（図１３における区間Ｃ）のみ表示手段１６により加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示（例えば、「食事前に要加熱」と表示）を行い、加熱開始命令入力手段１５により加熱開始命令を入力する。
【００６７】
以上のように本実施例によれば、低温保温温度で保温している間には加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示を行い、外部より加熱開始命令の入力を行うことができるようにすることにより、高温保温温度または通常保温温度で保温されている時間帯は必要のない加熱開始命令の入力を行わせることなく、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯のみ加熱開始命令の入力を行わせることができ、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯（日常の食事時間帯と異なる時間帯）に食事をする場合のみ加熱開始命令を入力することにより、いつでも保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【００６８】
なお、表示手段１６は、一例として液晶表示器に「食事前に要加熱」と表示するように説明したが、加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示を行うことができればよく、これに限定するものではない。
【００６９】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明の請求項１に記載の発明によれば、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、毎回ほぼ同時刻に食事をする生活習慣を利用して、次回の保温時に、その食事時間帯にあわせて通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と前記通常保温温度より高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御することによって、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えるとともに、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７０】
また、請求項２に記載の発明によれば、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、複数回の保温中に記憶された食事時間帯の中から、次回の保温時に食事時間帯となる可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定し、それらの時間帯にあわせて通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と前記通常保温温度より高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御することによって、毎回ほぼ同時刻に食事する生活習慣を利用するとともに、日常のなかで稀に発生したイレギュラーな食事時間帯による記憶情報を排除し、保温中の米飯の劣化の原因となる高温保温温度での保温時間を必要最小限に抑えつつ、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７１】
また、請求項３に記載の発明によれば、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知した時刻を食事時間帯とみなし、複数回の保温中に記憶された各曜日別食事時間帯の中から、次週の各曜日の保温時に食事時間帯となる可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定し、次週の各曜日の保温時に、それらの時間帯にあわせて通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と前記通常保温温度より高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御することによって、各曜日ごとに毎週ほぼ同時刻に食事する生活習慣を利用して、食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７２】
また、請求項４に記載の発明によれば、保温開始から所定の時間以内に高温保温温度への温度上昇が行われなかった場合に、前回の食事時間帯および前回までの複数回の食事時間帯から推定された食事時間帯に関係なく、高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇させることにより、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、低温保温温度時に発生する雑菌を高温保温温度まで温度上昇することにより殺菌することができ、かつ食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７３】
また、請求項５に記載の発明によれば、前回の高温保温温度への上昇から所定の時間以内に高温保温温度への温度上昇が行われなかった場合に、高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇させることにより、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、低温保温温度時に発生する雑菌を高温保温温度まで温度上昇することにより殺菌することができ、かつ食事の際には保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７４】
また、請求項６に記載の発明によれば、高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数行った以降は通常保温温度で保温を行うことにより、所定の温度上昇回数到達までは、保温中の米飯の黄変、異臭の発生、食味の劣化を抑えるとともに、食事時間帯にあわせて保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができ、所定の温度上昇回数終了後は、過加熱による米飯の食味劣化を抑えることができ、かつ雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度に移行する直前に殺菌を行うため、おいしいご飯を食べられる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００７５】
また、請求項７に記載の発明によれば、保温開始から所定の時間経過以降は、一度高温保温温度まで上昇させた後に通常保温温度で保温を行うことにより、保温開始から所定の時間が経過するまでは、米飯の保温劣化を軽減できる低温保温温度の時間を最大限確保しつつ、食事時間帯にあわせて保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができ、所定の時間経過以降は、雑菌が繁殖しにくい通常保温温度に移行する直前に殺菌を行うため、おいしいご飯を食べられる時間をより長くすることができる。
【００７６】
また、請求項８に記載の発明によれば、外部より任意の時間帯を入力することを可能にすることにより、日常とは異なる時間帯に食事をすることがわかっている場合に、その時間帯をあらかじめ入力しておくことができ、日常とは異なる時間帯に食事をする場合でも、保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を提供することができる。
【００７７】
また、請求項９に記載の発明によれば、低温保温温度で保温している間には加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示を行い、外部より加熱開始命令の入力ができるようにすることにより、高温保温温度または通常保温温度で保温されている時間帯は必要のない加熱開始命令の入力を行うことなく、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯のみ加熱開始命令の入力を行うことができ、低温保温温度で保温されている時間帯（日常の食事時間帯と異なる時間帯）に食事をする場合のみ加熱開始命令を入力することにより、いつでも保温温度の高い状態のおいしいご飯を食べられるようにすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施例の炊飯器のシステム構成図
【図２】同炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図３】本発明の第２の実施例の炊飯器のシステム構成図
【図４】同炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図５】本発明の第３の実施例の炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図６】本発明の第４の実施例の炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図７】本発明の第５の実施例の炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図８】本発明の第６の実施例の炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図９】本発明の第７の実施例の炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図１０】本発明の第８の実施例の炊飯器のシステム構成図
【図１１】同炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【図１２】本発明の第９の実施例の炊飯器のシステム構成図
【図１３】同炊飯器の保温温度変化を示すタイムチャート
【符号の説明】
１鍋
２調理物
３保温温度制御手段
５加熱手段
７炊飯器本体
８蓋
９検知手段
１０記憶手段
１２現在時刻計時手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a rice cooker having a heat-retaining function by heating a pan in which a food is put by a heating means.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of rice cooker, the temperature at which the cooked rice is kept usually has a normal temperature (eg, about 72 ° C.), which is said to be less deteriorated by storage. However, in fact, when the cooked rice is kept warm in this temperature range, the cooked rice is yellowed or has a bad odor, and the deterioration of the taste cannot be avoided.
[0003]
As a solution to this, it is possible to suppress the yellowing of rice, the generation of a strange odor, and the deterioration of the taste by maintaining the temperature at a low temperature (for example, 55 to 70 ° C.) lower than the normal temperature, while the temperature is higher than the normal temperature. There are those that can repeatedly sterilize the germs generated by the decrease in the temperature by raising the temperature every predetermined time until the temperature is maintained (for example, 75 ° C. to 95 ° C.), so that the rice during the heat can be eaten deliciously (for example, patents) Reference 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-298983
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the rice cooker of such a conventional heat retention method, there is a problem that the heat retention temperature, which is one of the factors of taste, is low during heat retention at a low temperature heat retention temperature lower than the normal heat retention temperature, and the taste is deteriorated. there were. Some measures have the function of heating the temperature of the cooked rice to the temperature of freshly cooked rice, but it is necessary to perform the operation before each meal, and until the temperature rise from the operation is completed There was a problem that it took time.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and suppresses yellowing of the cooked rice, the generation of a strange odor, and the deterioration of the taste of the cooked rice. The purpose is to be able to eat.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention puts a cooked food in a pot accommodated in the rice cooker body, covers the pot with a lid, and heats it with heating means. After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The detection means detects opening, closing, or opening / closing of the lid, and each time the detection means detects opening / closing / opening / closing of the lid, the time measured by the current time counting means that stores the current time is stored in the storage means, The temperature control means is configured to control the heating means by the temperature maintaining temperature control means at the time of temperature retention. It is configured to control at least two levels of the heat insulation temperature.
[0008]
As a result, it is possible to suppress yellowing of the cooked rice, the generation of a strange odor, and the deterioration of the taste, and to make it possible to eat delicious rice with a high temperature without special operation during meals. it can.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a current timekeeping clocking the current time, a pan that is housed in the rice cooker body, puts the food, heating means that heats the pan, a lid that covers the pan, and the current time. Means, and detecting means for detecting opening, closing or opening / closing of the lid; After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation Each time the detection means detects opening, closing, or opening / closing of a lid, storage means for storing the time counted by the current time counting means, and heat retention temperature control means for controlling the heating means during heat retention, the heat retention temperature The control means is configured to control at least two levels of the heat retention temperature, that is, a low temperature heat retention temperature lower than the normal heat retention temperature and a high temperature heat retention temperature higher than the normal heat retention temperature based on the stored data of the storage means. Yes, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time when the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as a meal time zone, and by controlling the heat retention temperature at the next heat insulation time according to the meal time zone, yellowing of cooked rice, generation of off-flavor, Deterioration of the taste can be suppressed, and it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat-retaining temperature when eating.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, based on the stored data accumulated in the storage means during a plurality of times of heat retention, the lid is opened or closed by the detection means during the next heat retention. Provided with an estimation means for estimating a plurality of time zones in which opening / closing is likely to be detected, the thermal insulation temperature control means controls the thermal insulation temperature at the next thermal insulation based on the estimation data estimated by the estimation means. Is, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time at which the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as a meal time zone, and from among the meal time zones memorized during multiple incubations, there are multiple times during the next incubation period By presuming and controlling the temperature during the next incubation according to those time zones, memory information due to irregular meal times that occurred rarely in the almost constant meal time zone every day is eliminated. In addition to minimizing the warming time at high temperatures, which causes yellowing of the cooked rice, the generation of strange odors, and the deterioration of the taste, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high temperature during meals Can be.
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the storage means stores data obtained during a plurality of heat insulations for each day of the week, and the estimation means includes each day of the week of the storage means. Based on the other stored data, a plurality of time zones in which the opening, closing, or opening / closing of the lid is likely to be detected by the detection means at the time of heat retention on each day of the next week are estimated, and the heat insulation temperature control means is the estimation means Based on the estimated data estimated by, the warming temperature during the warming of each day of the next week is controlled, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time at which the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as the meal time zone, and the meal time zone for each day of the week is selected from the meal time zones for each day stored during multiple heat insulations. By estimating multiple time zones with high possibility and controlling the heat retention temperature during the next week's day according to those time zones, yellowing of the cooked rice, generation of strange odors, deterioration of taste In addition to reducing the number of meals on a weekday and early days on holidays, use a fairly constant mealtime for each day of the week. Can be eaten.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat insulation temperature is not increased to the high temperature heat insulation temperature by the heat insulation temperature control means within a predetermined time from the start of the heat insulation. The heat insulation temperature control means increases the heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature regardless of the storage data of the storage means, and the heat insulation temperature is increased to the high temperature heat insulation temperature within a predetermined time from the start of the heat insulation. If not, by raising the temperature to the high temperature, the maximum temperature of the low temperature temperature that can reduce the temperature deterioration of the cooked rice is ensured, while increasing the temperature of miscellaneous bacteria generated at the low temperature temperature to the high temperature temperature. It can be sterilized and can be eaten delicious while keeping warm.
[0013]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, within a predetermined time from the previous rise to the high temperature heat insulation temperature by the heat insulation temperature control means, the heat insulation temperature control means reaches the high temperature heat insulation temperature. In the case where the warming temperature is not increased, the warming temperature control means raises the warming temperature to the high temperature warming temperature regardless of the data stored in the storage means, and at least once every predetermined time. By increasing the heat retention temperature to the high temperature heat retention temperature, it is possible to sterilize the germs generated at the low temperature heat retention temperature while maximizing the time of the low temperature heat retention temperature that can reduce the heat deterioration of the cooked rice, and delicious during the heat retention You can be able to eat rice.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 described above, wherein after the predetermined number of times of increase to the high temperature heat insulation temperature is performed by the heat insulation temperature control means, it is normal regardless of the storage data of the storage means. The temperature is kept at the heat insulation temperature, and the number of times the temperature rises to the high temperature heat insulation temperature is limited. After the predetermined number of temperature rises, the temperature is kept at the normal heat insulation temperature until the predetermined temperature rise number is reached. In addition to suppressing the yellowing of the cooked rice, the generation of strange odors, and the deterioration of the taste, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat insulation temperature according to the meal time zone, after the predetermined number of temperature rises , Which can suppress the deterioration of the taste of cooked rice due to overheating and sterilize just before shifting to the normal warming temperature where germs are difficult to propagate, so the time you can eat delicious rice will be longer Door can be.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the heat retention, the temperature is once increased to the high temperature heat retention temperature regardless of the data stored in the storage means, and then the normal heat retention is performed. The temperature is kept at a certain temperature, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the heat retention, once the temperature has been raised to a high temperature, the temperature is kept at the normal temperature, so that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the heat retention. Until then, you can eat delicious rice with a high temperature in accordance with the meal time zone while ensuring maximum time of low temperature temperature that can reduce the heat deterioration of the rice. After the lapse, sterilization is performed immediately before the transition to the normal heat retention temperature at which various germs are difficult to propagate, so that the time during which delicious rice can be eaten can be extended.
[0016]
The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising input means for inputting arbitrary data from the outside, and based on at least the data input by the input means, next time or next time. If you know that you will eat at a time different from daily life by allowing you to input arbitrary data from the outside by controlling the temperature during the subsequent warming The time zone can be entered in advance, so that you can eat delicious rice with a high temperature during meals.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a heating start command input means for inputting a heating start command from the outside, and a display recommending input of a heating start command by the input means. The display means is provided, and while the temperature is kept at the low temperature keeping temperature by the temperature keeping temperature control means, the display means recommends the input of a heating start command, and the temperature is kept at the low temperature keeping temperature. It is recommended to input the heating start command only during the period, while the heat is kept at the low temperature without causing the unnecessary heating start command to be input while the temperature is kept at the high temperature or normal temperature. The heating start command can be input only, and the heating start command is input only when eating in the time zone where the temperature is kept at a low temperature (the time zone different from the daily meal time zone). By get, at any time it can be made to eat the delicious rice with high thermal insulation temperature state.
[0018]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
Example 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the pan 1 is a container for storing cooked food 2 such as cooked rice, and a pan temperature sensor 6 for detecting the bottom temperature of the pan 1 is provided at the bottom of the pan 1. The rice cooker body 7 accommodates the pot 1, the heating means 5 for heating the pot 1, and the pot temperature sensor 6. The rice cooker body 7 is provided with a lid 8, and the lid 8 is opened, closed, or opened / closed. The detection means 9 which is a state switch for detecting the state is built in, and when the detection means 9 detects the opening / closing of the lid 8 during the heat insulation, the time that the current time counting means 12 has timed at that time is stored in the storage means 10. Like to do.
[0020]
The control means 11 is constituted by the heat insulation temperature control means 3 and the storage means 10, and the heat insulation temperature control means 3 is heated via the inverter 4 based on the output of the pan temperature sensor 6 and the data stored in the storage means 10. The heating means 5 composed of a coil is controlled to control two levels of heat retention temperatures, namely, a high temperature heat retention temperature for maintaining the rice temperature at a high temperature and a low temperature heat retention temperature for maintaining the temperature at a temperature lower than the high temperature heat retention.
[0021]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature of the rice that is the cooking 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention (17:00 in FIG. 2). For example, after about 2 hours have passed, the temperature is kept at a low temperature (for example, After that, the temperature transition as shown by the solid line A in FIG. 2 is performed. In the middle of the temperature transition, for example, when the lid 8 is opened to eat at 21:00, the rice is moved away, and then the lid 8 is closed, at this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 being kept warm. At that time, the time (for example, 21:00) that the current time measuring means 12 is measuring is stored in the storage means 10.
[0022]
At the time of the next warming, the temperature transition (solid line A in FIG. 2) is almost the same as the previous warming for a while from the start of the warming, but when the time (21:00) stored in the storage means 10 during the previous warming approaches , Heating is started from the time (20:20) after subtracting the time (for example, about 40 minutes) required to raise the rice temperature from the low temperature to the high temperature (for example, about 80 ° C.) At the time of eating during the heat retention (21:00), the temperature of the rice is set to the high temperature heat retention temperature (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 2). As a result, when eating at approximately the same time as the previous time, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high temperature keeping temperature.
[0023]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature of the rice is kept at a high temperature in accordance with the time stored when the lid 8 was opened and closed at the previous heat insulation by using the lifestyle habit of eating at approximately the same time each time. By controlling the temperature, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high temperature during the meal.
[0024]
In addition, the lid 8 is not necessarily opened and closed during the warming, but it is not always performed when the rice is ready. For example, the lid 8 may be opened and closed immediately after the end of cooking, that is, immediately after the warming starts. When the lid 8 is opened and closed within a certain time (for example, 30 minutes) from the start of heat insulation, the time at that time may not be stored.
[0025]
Further, when the temperature of the rice is already at the high temperature holding temperature when the time stored in the storage means 10 is approaching (for example, one hour ago), there is no need to increase the temperature again, and the storage means 10 stores the temperature. What is necessary is just to maintain high temperature heat retention temperature until the time currently set.
[0026]
In addition, the state switch is described as being incorporated in the lid 8 as an example of the detection means 9, but it is only necessary to detect the open / closed state of the lid 8, and the present invention is not limited to this.
[0027]
Moreover, although the heat insulation temperature control means 3 was demonstrated to control the heating means 5 which consists of a heating coil via the inverter 4, it should just be able to control heat insulation temperature, and is not limited to this.
[0028]
(Example 2)
As shown in FIG. 3, the control means 11a is constituted by the heat insulation temperature control means 3, the storage means 10, and the estimation means 13, and the estimation means 13 stores the storage data accumulated in the storage means 10 during a plurality of heat insulation. Based on this, a plurality of time zones during which the detection unit 9 is likely to detect the opening, closing, or opening / closing of the lid 8 during the next heat retention are estimated, and the heat retention temperature control unit 3 determines the output of the pan temperature sensor 6 and the estimation unit. Based on the estimated data of 13, the heating means 5 comprising a heating coil is controlled via the inverter 4, and the two levels of the high temperature heat retention temperature for maintaining the rice temperature at a high temperature and the low temperature heat retention temperature for maintaining the temperature at a temperature lower than this high temperature heat retention. It is configured to control the heat insulation temperature. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.
[0029]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked product 2 in the pan 1 decreases with the passage of time from the start of heat retention, for example, reaches the low temperature heat retention temperature after about two hours have passed, as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the temperature transition as shown by the solid line A in FIG. 4 is performed. In the middle of the temperature transition, when the lid 8 is opened for eating and the rice is moved away, the lid 8 is then closed. At this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 during the heat retention. The time measured by the time counting means 12 is stored in the storage means 10.
[0030]
The estimation means 13 estimates a plurality of times (for example, two) having a high storage frequency from the time data (for example, for one week) stored in the storage means 10 during a plurality of heat insulation times.
[0031]
At the next warming, the temperature transition (solid line A in FIG. 4) is almost the same as the previous warming for a while from the start of warming, but approaches the time estimated by the estimating means 13 (for example, 20:00 and 23:00). Then, heating is started from the time obtained by subtracting the time required to raise the rice temperature from the low temperature temperature to the high temperature temperature, and the temperature of the rice is set to the high temperature temperature at the time estimated by the estimation means 13 (FIG. (Temperature transition of dotted line B in 4). As a result, when eating at approximately the same time as the daily meal time, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat insulation temperature.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of data having a high storage frequency is estimated from data stored at a plurality of times of heat insulation, and the heat insulation temperature is controlled based on the estimated data, so that the time is almost the same every time. In addition to using the lifestyle habits of eating regularly, it eliminates memory information due to irregular meal times that occur rarely in daily life, and requires warming time at high temperature warming temperature that causes deterioration of cooked rice during warming While keeping it to a minimum, you can eat delicious rice with a high temperature during meals.
[0033]
(Example 3)
When the detecting means 9 detects opening / closing of the lid 8 during the heat retention, the storage means 10 in FIG. 3 stores the time currently measured by the current time counting means 12 for each day of the week, and the estimating means 13 stores A plurality of data having a high storage frequency for each day of the week stored in the means 10 are estimated, and the heat insulation temperature control means 3 is based on the estimated data estimated by the estimation means 13 for the next week. It is configured to control the heat retention temperature during the heat retention on each day of the week. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.
[0034]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked product 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention, for example, reaches a low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, and thereafter, the solid line A in FIG. The temperature transition is as follows. In the middle of the temperature transition, when the lid 8 is opened for eating and the rice is moved away, and then the lid 8 is closed, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid during the heat retention, and at that time the current time The time measured by the time measuring means 12 is stored in the storage means 10 for each day of the week.
[0035]
The estimation unit 13 estimates a plurality of times (for example, two) having a high storage frequency for each day of the week from the time data for each day of the week (for example, for one month) stored in the storage unit 10 during a plurality of heat insulation times. To do. During the warming of each day of the next week, the temperature transition (solid line A in FIG. 5) is almost the same as the warming of the same day of the previous week for a while from the start of the warming, but the time estimated by the estimation means 13 (for example, 17:00) 21:00), heating is started from the time obtained by subtracting the time required for raising the rice temperature from the low temperature to the high temperature, and the temperature of the rice is increased at the time estimated by the estimation means 13. The insulation temperature is set (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 5). As a result, when the meal time zone is almost the same for each day of the week, delicious rice with a high temperature can be eaten.
[0036]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of data having a high storage frequency is estimated for each day of the week from data stored for each day of the week at a plurality of times of heat insulation, and the temperature is controlled based on the estimated data. Thus, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat-retaining temperature at the time of eating using the lifestyle habit of eating at about the same time every week on each day of the week.
[0037]
Example 4
In the case where the temperature keeping temperature control means 3 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 has not been raised to the high temperature keeping temperature by the heat keeping temperature control means 3 within a predetermined time (for example, within 4 hours) from the heat keeping start. Regardless of the data stored in the storage means 10, the heat insulation temperature is raised to the high temperature heat insulation temperature. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments.
[0038]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature of the cooked rice 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention (13:00 in FIG. 6), for example, reaches a low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, Thereafter, a temperature transition as shown by a solid line A in FIG. 6 is performed. In the middle of the temperature transition, for example, when the lid 8 is opened in order to eat at 22:00, the rice is moved away, and then the lid 8 is closed, at this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 being kept warm. At that time, the time (for example, 22:00) that the current time measuring means 12 is measuring is stored in the storage means 10.
[0039]
At the time of the next warming, the temperature transition is substantially the same as the previous warming (solid line A in FIG. 6) for a while from the start of the warming, and the time stored in the storage means 10 during the previous warming or a plurality of times until the previous warming When the time estimated by the estimation means 13 is approached from the time data stored in the storage means 10 during the heat retention, the rice temperature is raised from the low temperature heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature.
[0040]
Here, as described above, the interval from the start of heat insulation (13:00) to the time when the heat insulation temperature rises from the high temperature heat insulation temperature (22:00) is 9 hours, and the temperature of the rice falls from the range of around 72 ° C. Since the elapsed time after the time exceeds 4 hours of the germ-inhibiting time, heating is started 4 hours after the start of the heat retention, the temperature is raised to a high temperature heat-holding temperature to suppress the propagation of germs, and then Example 1 or 2, the time stored in the storage unit 10 during the previous warming, or the time estimated by the estimation unit 13 from the time data stored in the storage unit 10 during the multiple warming up to the previous warming, The rice temperature is increased from the low temperature holding temperature to the high temperature holding temperature (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 6).
[0041]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the warming temperature is not increased to the high temperature warming temperature by the warming temperature control means 3 within a predetermined time (for example, within 4 hours) from the warming start, that is, The time from the warming start time to the time stored in the storage means 10 at the previous warming time or the time estimated by the estimating means 13 from the time data stored in the memory means 10 at the time of multiple warming up to the previous warming is suppressed. When the time is exceeded, the temperature can be raised to a high temperature keeping temperature to suppress the propagation of various bacteria, and delicious rice with a high temperature keeping temperature can be eaten at the time of eating.
[0042]
(Example 5)
In FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, the temperature maintaining temperature control means 3 is operated by the temperature maintaining temperature control means 3 within a predetermined time (for example, within 4 hours) from the previous rise to the high temperature temperature maintaining temperature by the temperature maintaining temperature control means 3. If the warming temperature has not been raised, the warming temperature is raised to the high temperature warming temperature regardless of the data stored in the storage means 10. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments.
[0043]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked product 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention (9:00 in FIG. 7), for example, reaches a low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, Thereafter, a temperature transition as shown by a solid line A in FIG. 7 is performed. In the middle of the temperature transition, open the lid 8 and eat rice to eat at the first meal (for example, 13:00) and the second meal (for example, 21:00), Thereafter, when the lid 8 is closed, at this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 being kept warm, and the time (13:00 and 21:00) currently measured by the time counting means 12 at that time is stored. Stored in the means 10.
[0044]
At the time of the next warming, the temperature transition is substantially the same as the previous warming (solid line A in FIG. 7) for a while from the start of the warming, and the time stored in the storage means 10 during the previous warming or a plurality of times until the previous warming When the time estimated by the estimation means 13 is approached from the time data stored in the storage means 10 during the heat retention, the rice temperature is raised from the low temperature heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature.
[0045]
Here, as described above, the interval from the first rise time to the high temperature keeping temperature (13:00) to the second rise time to the high temperature keeping temperature (21:00) is 8 hours, and the temperature of the rice is Since the elapsed time after dropping from the range of around 72 ° C. exceeds 4 hours of the germ suppression time, heating is started 4 hours after the first rise to the high temperature heat retention temperature (13:00), The temperature is raised to the heat insulation temperature to suppress the propagation of various bacteria, and then the rice temperature is raised from the low temperature heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature when approaching the second rise time (21:00) to the high temperature heat insulation temperature (FIG. 7). Temperature change of dotted line B in FIG.
[0046]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the temperature is kept to the high temperature keeping temperature by the heat keeping temperature control means 3 within a predetermined time (for example, within 4 hours) from the previous rise to the high temperature keeping temperature by the heat keeping temperature control means 3. If the temperature does not rise, that is, if the time from the time when the temperature is raised to the high temperature insulation temperature to the time when the temperature rises to the next high temperature temperature exceeds the contamination control time, The temperature can be raised to a heat retention temperature to suppress the propagation of germs, and delicious meals with a high heat retention temperature can be eaten during meals.
[0047]
(Example 6)
The warming temperature control means 3 in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 is normal regardless of the data stored in the storage means 10 after the warming temperature control means 3 has raised the temperature to the high temperature warming temperature a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). Keeping warm at the warm temperature. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments.
[0048]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked food 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention (9:00 in FIG. 8), for example, reaches the low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, Thereafter, the temperature transition as shown by the solid line A in FIG. 8 is performed.
[0049]
During the temperature transition, for example, the first meal time is 12:00, the second meal time is 15:00, the third meal time is 19:00, and the fourth meal time is 23:00. When the lid 8 is opened and the rice 8 is closed in order to eat at this time, the lid 8 is then closed. The time (12:00, 15:00, 19:00, 23:00) that has been timed is stored in the storage means 10.
[0050]
At the time of the next warming, the temperature transition is substantially the same as the previous warming (solid line A in FIG. 8) for a while from the start of the warming, and the time stored in the storage means 10 during the previous warming or a plurality of times until the previous warming When the time estimated by the estimation means 13 is approached from the time data stored in the storage means 10 during the heat retention, the rice temperature is raised from the low temperature heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature.
[0051]
Here, the time stored in the storage means 10 is the same as in the first or second embodiment until the predetermined number of times (three times, that is, until 19:00) is raised to the high temperature insulation temperature as described above. Alternatively, the temperature of the rice is raised to the high temperature insulation temperature in accordance with the time estimated by the estimating means 13, but after the predetermined number of times of temperature rise (after 19:00), the deterioration of the taste of the cooked rice due to overheating is suppressed. In addition, in order to suppress the propagation of various germs, the temperature is kept at a normal temperature (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 8).
[0052]
As described above, according to this embodiment, until the temperature is raised to the high temperature insulation temperature a predetermined number of times, the rice is stored up to the high temperature insulation temperature according to the time stored in the storage means 10 or the time estimated by the estimation means 13. By raising the temperature, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat retention temperature during meals. After the temperature has been raised a predetermined number of times, miscellaneous germs can be found regardless of the data stored in the storage means 10. By maintaining the temperature at a normal temperature that is difficult to breed, the deterioration of the taste of cooked rice due to overheating can be suppressed, and the propagation of miscellaneous bacteria can be suppressed, and the time during which delicious rice can be eaten can be extended.
[0053]
(Example 7)
1 or 3, after the elapse of a predetermined time (for example, 12 hours) from the start of the heat retention, the heat retention temperature control means 3 once increases to the high temperature heat retention temperature regardless of the stored data in the storage means 10 and then the normal heat retention temperature. Keeping warm with. Other configurations are the same as those in the first to third embodiments.
[0054]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the temperature of the rice that is the cooking 2 in the pan 1 decreases with time from the start of heat retention (9:00 in FIG. 9), for example, reaches a low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, Thereafter, a temperature transition as shown by a solid line A in FIG. 9 is performed. In the middle of the temperature transition, for example, the first time 13:00, the second time 17:00, the third time 22:00 to eat, open the lid 8, and then close the lid 8, The detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid during the heat retention, and the time (13:00, 17:00, 22:00) currently measured by the time counting means 12 at that time is stored in the storage means 10.
[0055]
At the time of the next warming, the temperature transition is substantially the same as the previous warming (solid line A in FIG. 9) for a while from the start of the warming, and the time stored in the storage means 10 during the previous warming or a plurality of times until the previous warming When the time estimated by the estimation means 13 is approached from the time data stored in the storage means 10 during the heat retention, the rice temperature is raised from the low temperature heat insulation temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature.
[0056]
Here, as described above, the time stored in the storage means 10 or the estimation means 13 is estimated until a predetermined time has elapsed (until 21:00) from the start of heat retention, as in the first or second embodiment. The temperature of the rice is raised to the high temperature holding temperature according to the time, but after a predetermined time has elapsed (after 21:00), the temperature is raised to the high temperature holding temperature once and the germs that have propagated at the low temperature holding temperature are sterilized. After that, heat retention is performed at a normal heat retention temperature at which various germs hardly propagate (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 9).
[0057]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, until the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the heat insulation, while keeping the maximum time of the low temperature heat insulation temperature that can reduce the heat insulation deterioration of the cooked rice, the heat insulation temperature according to the meal time zone. It is possible to eat delicious rice in a high state, and after a certain period of time, germs are sterilized just before moving to a normal temperature where it is difficult for bacteria to propagate, so you can eat delicious rice The time can be made longer.
[0058]
In addition, when the temperature of the rice at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the heat insulation is already at the high temperature heat insulation temperature, it is not necessary to raise the temperature of the rice again, and when the temperature falls to the normal heat insulation temperature over time, It may be kept at the normal temperature as it is.
[0059]
(Example 8)
As shown in FIG. 10, the input means 14 inputs arbitrary time data from the outside to the heat insulation temperature control means 3, and the heat insulation temperature control means 3 is based on at least the data inputted by the input means 14. It is configured to control the heat insulation temperature at the next or subsequent heat insulation. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.
[0060]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked food 2 in the pan 1 decreases with the passage of time from the start of the heat retention, for example, reaches the low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, and then the solid line A in FIG. The temperature transition is as follows. In the middle of the temperature transition, when the lid 8 is opened for eating and the rice is moved away, the lid 8 is then closed. At this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 during the heat retention. The time measured by the time counting means 12 is stored in the storage means 10.
[0061]
The estimation means 13 estimates a time (for example, 22:00) having a high storage frequency from the time data (for example, for one week) stored in the storage means 10 during a plurality of heat insulation times. Here, if it is known in advance that the next meal time is different from the daily time (for example, 20:00), the next meal time may be input in advance by the input means 14 until the next heat insulation start. In the next warming, the temperature transition (solid line A in FIG. 11) is almost the same as the previous warming for a while from the start of warming, and instead of the time (22:00) estimated by the estimation unit 13, the input unit 14 The temperature of the rice is set to a high temperature keeping temperature at the time (20:00) input by (1) (temperature transition of dotted line B in FIG. 11).
[0062]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is known that the next meal time zone is different from the daily time by allowing arbitrary data to be input from the outside, The time zone can be input in advance, and even when eating at a meal time zone different from the daily life, it is possible to eat delicious rice with a high heat insulation temperature.
[0063]
Example 9
As shown in FIG. 12, the heating start command input means 15 inputs a heating start command from the outside to the heat insulation temperature control means 3, and the display means 16 is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like. When the output is a low temperature keeping temperature, a display for recommending input of a heating start command is performed (for example, “heating before meal” is displayed), and the temperature is kept at a low temperature keeping temperature by the heat keeping temperature control means 3. In the meantime, it is recommended to input a heating start command by the display means 16. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted.
[0064]
The operation in the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the temperature of the rice that is the cooked product 2 in the pan 1 decreases with the passage of time from the start of the heat retention, for example, reaches the low temperature heat retention temperature after about 2 hours, and thereafter the solid line A in FIG. The temperature transition is as follows. In the middle of the temperature transition, when the lid 8 is opened for eating and the rice is moved away, the lid 8 is then closed. At this time, the detection means 9 detects the opening and closing of the lid 8 during the heat retention. The time measured by the time counting means 12 is stored in the storage means 10.
[0065]
The estimation means 13 estimates time (for example, 17:00 and 21:00) having a high storage frequency from time data (for example, for one week) stored in the storage means 10 during a plurality of times of warming. At the next warming, the temperature transition (solid line A in FIG. 13) is almost the same as the previous warming for a while from the start of warming, but approaches the time (for example, 17:00 and 21:00) estimated by the estimation means 13. Then, heating is started from the time obtained by subtracting the time required to raise the rice temperature from the low temperature temperature to the high temperature temperature, and the temperature of the rice is set to the high temperature temperature at the time estimated by the estimation means 13 (FIG. The temperature transition of the dotted line B in 13).
[0066]
In the temperature transition of the dotted line B in FIG. 13, the time zone of the section C is a time zone where the temperature is kept at the low temperature and the next meal time zone is within this section C. The display means 16 recommends the input of a heating start command only during the time zone (section C in FIG. 13) where the temperature is kept at a low temperature keeping temperature (for example, “requires heating before meal”). And a heating start command input means 15 inputs a heating start command.
[0067]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the display recommending the input of the heating start command is performed while the temperature is kept at the low temperature keeping temperature, and the heating start command can be input from the outside. This makes it possible to input a heating start command only during a time period kept warm at a low temperature keeping temperature without inputting a heating start command that is not necessary during a time zone kept at a high temperature keeping temperature or a normal keeping temperature. Delicious rice with a high temperature at any time can be obtained by entering a heating start command only when eating during a time zone that is kept at a low temperature temperature (a time zone different from the daily meal time zone). Can be eaten.
[0068]
The display means 16 has been described as displaying “requires heating before meal” on the liquid crystal display as an example. However, the display means 16 only needs to be able to perform a display that recommends the input of a heating start command, and is not limited thereto. is not.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time when the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as a mealtime period, and it is lower than the normal temperature at the mealtime period at the next heat insulation using the lifestyle habit of eating at approximately the same time each time. By controlling at least two levels of heat retention temperature, a low temperature heat retention temperature and a high temperature heat retention temperature higher than the normal heat retention temperature, the yellowing of the cooked rice, the generation of off-flavor, and the taste deterioration are suppressed, and at the time of eating Delicious rice with a high temperature can be provided.
[0070]
According to the invention of claim 2, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time at which the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as the meal time zone, and the time zone that is likely to be the meal time zone during the next warming is selected from the meal time zones memorized during the multiple warming. Living by eating at approximately the same time each time by controlling at least two levels of heat insulation temperature, a low temperature insulation temperature lower than the normal heat insulation temperature and a high temperature heat insulation temperature higher than the normal heat insulation temperature according to those time zones In addition to using habits, memory information due to irregular meal times that occur rarely in daily life is eliminated, and the heat retention time at the high temperature heat insulation temperature that causes deterioration of cooked rice during heat insulation is minimized. On the other hand, it is possible to provide delicious rice with a high temperature during the meal.
[0071]
According to the invention of claim 3, After a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation The time at which the lid is opened, closed, or opened / closed is regarded as a meal time zone, and the meal time zone can be set during the next week's warmth from the meal time zones of each day stored during multiple warming. Estimate multiple time periods that have high characteristics, and at the time of heat retention on each day of the next week, at least two levels of heat retention temperatures, a low temperature heat retention temperature that is lower than the normal heat retention temperature and a high temperature heat retention temperature that is higher than the normal heat retention temperature, according to those time zones By controlling this, it is possible to provide delicious rice with a high heat-retaining temperature at the time of eating using the lifestyle habit of eating at about the same time every week for each day of the week.
[0072]
According to the invention described in claim 4, when the temperature rise to the high temperature heat retention temperature is not performed within a predetermined time from the start of heat retention, the previous meal time zone and a plurality of meal times up to the previous time Regardless of the meal time period estimated from the belt, by increasing the heat retention temperature to the high temperature heat retention temperature, while ensuring the maximum time of the low temperature heat retention temperature that can reduce the heat insulation degradation of the rice, the germs that occur at the low temperature heat retention temperature Can be sterilized by raising the temperature to a high temperature keeping temperature, and delicious rice with a high temperature keeping temperature can be provided during meals.
[0073]
According to the invention described in claim 5, when the temperature rise to the high temperature heat insulation temperature is not performed within a predetermined time from the previous rise to the high temperature heat insulation temperature, the heat insulation temperature is increased to the high temperature heat insulation temperature. It is possible to sterilize by increasing the temperature of the miscellaneous bacteria generated at the low temperature warming temperature to the high temperature warming temperature while ensuring the maximum time of the low temperature warming temperature that can reduce the thermal degradation of the cooked rice. Can provide delicious rice with high heat insulation temperature.
[0074]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, after the predetermined number of times of raising the temperature to the high temperature keeping temperature, the rice is kept warm until the predetermined number of times of temperature rise is reached by keeping the temperature at the normal temperature keeping temperature. Can suppress the occurrence of yellowing, off-flavour, and taste deterioration, and provide delicious rice with a high heat-retention temperature in accordance with the mealtime period. Since the sterilization is carried out immediately before the transition to the normal temperature at which the deterioration of the taste can be suppressed and the germs are difficult to propagate, the time for eating delicious rice can be made longer.
[0075]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, after elapse of a predetermined time from the start of heat insulation, a predetermined time elapses from the start of heat insulation by performing heat insulation at the normal heat insulation temperature after raising the temperature to the high temperature heat insulation temperature once. Until then, you can eat delicious rice with a high temperature in accordance with the meal time zone while ensuring maximum time of low temperature temperature that can reduce the heat deterioration of the rice. After the lapse, sterilization is performed immediately before the transition to the normal heat retention temperature at which various germs are difficult to propagate, so that the time for eating delicious rice can be extended.
[0076]
In addition, according to the invention described in claim 8, when it is known that the user can input an arbitrary time zone from the outside, it is known that he / she eats at a time zone different from daily life. The obi can be entered in advance, and even when eating at a time different from daily life, delicious rice with a high temperature can be provided.
[0077]
Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the display that recommends the input of the heating start command is performed while the temperature is kept at the low temperature holding temperature, and the heating start command can be input from the outside. Without entering the heating start command that is not necessary during the time when the temperature is kept at the high temperature or normal temperature, the heating start command can be entered only during the time when the temperature is kept at the low temperature. , Enter a heating start command only when you eat during a time zone that is kept at a low temperature, which is different from the daily meal time zone, so that you can eat delicious rice with a high temperature at any time. Can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a rice cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[Figure 2] Time chart showing temperature change of the rice cooker
FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a rice cooker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Time chart showing temperature change of the rice cooker
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing changes in the temperature of the rice cooker according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a rice cooker according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker.
FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of a rice cooker according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the temperature change of the rice cooker.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 pan
2 Cooked food
3 Thermal insulation temperature control means
5 Heating means
7 Rice cooker body
8 lid
9 Detection means
10 Memory means
12 Current timekeeping means

Claims

炊飯器本体内部に収容され調理物を入れる鍋と、前記鍋を加熱する加熱手段と、前記鍋を覆う蓋と、現在時刻を計時する現在時刻計時手段と、前記蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知する検知手段と、保温開始から所定の時間経過後に前記検知手段が蓋の開または閉または開閉を検知するたびに前記現在時刻計時手段により計時した時刻を記憶する記憶手段と、保温時に加熱手段を制御する保温温度制御手段とを備え、前記保温温度制御手段は、前記記憶手段の記憶データに基づいて次回の保温時に通常保温温度より低い低温保温温度と前記通常保温温度よりも高い高温保温温度の少なくとも２水準の保温温度を制御するよう構成した炊飯器。A pan that is contained inside the rice cooker body and that contains the cooked food, a heating means that heats the pan, a lid that covers the pan, a current time counting means that counts the current time, and opening or closing or opening and closing the lid. Detecting means for detecting, storage means for storing the time counted by the current time measuring means each time the detecting means detects opening, closing, or opening / closing of the lid after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of heat retention, and heating means for heat retention A temperature maintaining temperature control means for controlling the temperature, and the temperature maintaining temperature control means is a low temperature keeping temperature lower than the normal keeping temperature and a high temperature keeping temperature higher than the normal keeping temperature during the next keeping based on the stored data of the storage means. A rice cooker configured to control the temperature of at least two levels.

複数回の保温中に記憶手段に蓄積された記憶データを基に、次回の保温時に検知手段により蓋の開または閉または開閉が検知される可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定する推定手段を備え、保温温度制御手段は、前記推定手段により推定した推定データに基づいて次回の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにした請求項１記載の炊飯器。 Equipped with estimation means for estimating a plurality of time zones in which it is highly likely that the detection means will detect opening, closing, or opening / closing of the lid during the next warming based on the storage data accumulated in the storage means during a plurality of times of warming The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the heat insulation temperature control means controls the heat insulation temperature at the next heat insulation based on the estimated data estimated by the estimation means.

記憶手段は、複数回の保温中に取得されたデータを各曜日別に記憶し、推定手段は、前記記憶手段の各曜日別記憶データを基に、次週の各曜日の保温時に検知手段により蓋の開または閉または開閉が検知される可能性が高い時間帯を複数推定するようにし、保温温度制御手段は、前記推定手段により推定した推定データに基づいて次週の各曜日の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにした請求項２記載の炊飯器。 The storage means stores data acquired during a plurality of times of heat insulation for each day of the week, and the estimation means is based on the data stored for each day of the week in the storage means and the detection means at the time of heat insulation for each day of the next week. A plurality of time zones in which opening, closing, or opening / closing is likely to be detected are estimated, and the heat insulation temperature control means calculates the heat insulation temperature at the time of heat insulation on each day of the next week based on the estimation data estimated by the estimation means. The rice cooker according to claim 2, which is controlled.

保温開始から所定の時間以内に、保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、保温温度制御手段は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにした請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 If the warming temperature control means does not raise the warming temperature to the high temperature warming temperature within a predetermined time from the start of warming, the warming temperature control means will keep the warming temperature up to the high temperature warming temperature regardless of the data stored in the storage means. The rice cooker of any one of Claims 1-3 which was made to raise.

保温温度制御手段による前回の高温保温温度への上昇から所定の時間以内に、保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度まで保温温度の上昇が行われなかった場合は、保温温度制御手段は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず高温保温温度まで保温温度を上昇するようにした請求項１〜４のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 If the warming temperature control means does not raise the warming temperature to the high temperature warming temperature within a predetermined time from the previous rise to the high temperature warming temperature by the warming temperature control means, the warming temperature control means The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature is increased up to a high temperature temperature regardless of stored data.

保温温度制御手段により高温保温温度への上昇を所定の回数行った以降は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず通常保温温度で保温を行うようにした請求項１〜５のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature is maintained at the normal temperature regardless of the data stored in the storage means after the temperature has been raised to the high temperature by the temperature control means a predetermined number of times. Rice cooker.

保温開始から所定の時間経過以降は、記憶手段の記憶データに関わらず一度高温保温温度まで上昇させた後に通常保温温度で保温を行うようにした請求項１〜６のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of heat insulation, the temperature is once raised to a high temperature heat insulation temperature regardless of the storage data of the storage means and then kept at a normal heat insulation temperature. rice cooker.

外部より任意のデータを入力する入力手段を備え、少なくとも前記入力手段により入力されたデータに基づいて、次回または次回以降の保温時の保温温度を制御するようにした請求項１〜７のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 The input means for inputting arbitrary data from the outside, and based on at least the data input by the input means, the heat retention temperature at the next or subsequent heat retention is controlled. Item 1. Rice cooker.

外部より加熱開始命令を入力する加熱開始命令入力手段と、前記入力手段による加熱開始命令の入力を推奨する表示を行う表示手段とを備え、保温温度制御手段により低温保温温度で保温されている間は、前記表示手段により加熱開始命令の入力を推奨するようにした請求項１〜８のいずれか１項に記載の炊飯器。 A heating start command input means for inputting a heating start command from the outside, and a display means for performing a display recommending the input of the heating start command by the input means, while the temperature is kept at a low temperature keeping temperature by the heat keeping temperature control means The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an input of a heating start command is recommended by the display means.