Intelligent electric cooker for making traditional African staple food and use method of intelligent electric cooker
Through the design of the lifting motor, rotating motor and anti-blocking pressure relief components of the smart rice cooker, the problem of difficult to achieve segmentation process by ordinary rice cookers is solved, automatic temperature control and stirring is realized, and the taste and safety of African household staple food is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510676422.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-24
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-29
AI Technical Summary
It is difficult for ordinary rice cookers to achieve the segmentation process of "high-temperature gelatinization → low-speed stirring → constant temperature stewing", resulting in uneven viscosity of finished staple foods in African households or burnt at the bottom, which cannot meet the taste needs.
A smart rice cooker is designed, equipped with lifting motor, rotating motor, mixing paddle, exhaust hole and anti-blocking pressure relief components. It combines NTC temperature sensor probe and temperature control circuit board to achieve automated temperature control and stirring process, including high-speed and low-speed stirring modes, and is equipped with a touch screen to support a variety of food modes.
Automatic temperature control and stirring are realized, saving 60% time, gelatinization temperature error ≤1℃, dough viscosity standard deviation ≤5%, wide application range, high safety, and prevent excessive pressure in the pot and blockage of exhaust pipes.
Smart Images
Figure CN120381196A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of rice cookers, and particularly to an intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods and a using method thereof. Background Technique
[0002] A rice cooker is a modern cooking utensil that can perform various processes such as steaming, boiling, stewing, simmering, and braising. It can not only cook food thoroughly but also keep it warm. It is clean, hygienic, pollution-free, time-saving, and labor-saving, and is one of the indispensable utensils for modern household chores.
[0003] The production of traditional sadza relies on manual stirring of cornmeal and boiling water, and the ratio of powder to water (usually 1:4 - 1:5) and the stirring force need to be precisely controlled. The process is not only cumbersome but also prone to caking. After research, the average number of diners in African families is 4 - 6 people, and an inner pot volume design of 3 - 8L can cover 80% of daily needs. Since ordinary rice cookers are difficult to achieve the segmented process of "high-temperature gelatinization → low-speed stirring → constant-temperature stewing", it will lead to uneven viscosity of the finished product or bottom burning, thus making it difficult to meet the needs of African families for the taste of staple foods. Therefore, we provide an intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods and a using method thereof. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To solve the problem in the above background technique that due to the difficulty of ordinary rice cookers in achieving the segmented process of "high-temperature gelatinization → low-speed stirring → constant-temperature stewing", it will lead to uneven viscosity of the finished product or bottom burning, thus making it difficult to meet the needs of African families for the taste of staple foods, the present invention provides an intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods and a using method thereof.
[0005] The present invention is realized by the following technical solutions: An intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods includes a housing. Inside the housing, there is an inner pot for steaming and cooking food. At the bottom of the inner cavity of the housing, there is a heating plate for heating the food in the inner pot. The top of the housing is connected with an upper cover. An elevating motor is fixedly connected to the upper cover. The output end of the elevating motor is fixedly connected with a rotating motor. The end of the rotor of the rotating motor is coaxially and fixedly connected with a rotating shaft. The outer part of the rotating shaft is detachably connected with stirring paddles for stirring food at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. An exhaust hole for preventing excessive pressure in the pot is opened on the upper cover. An exhaust pipe is fixedly connected to the upper cover and the exhaust pipe is communicated with the exhaust hole. A clogging prevention and pressure relief component is arranged on the exhaust pipe.
[0006] As a further improvement of the above solution, the anti-blocking pressure relief component includes a top cover movably connected to the outside of the exhaust pipe. A groove is formed at the top of the inner cavity of the top cover. A sealing cover for closing the exhaust pipe is arranged inside the groove. A sealing ring made of silica gel material for improving the sealing effect is fixedly connected to the edge of the sealing cover. A vertical rod is fixedly connected to the top of the sealing cover, and the top of the vertical rod extends to the outside of the top cover. A pressing plate is fixedly connected to the top of the vertical rod. A spring is sleeved on the outside of the vertical rod, and both ends of the spring are fixedly connected to the top cover and the pressing plate respectively.
[0007] As a further improvement of the above solution, the top of the outer shell is connected to the upper cover by a snap connection. The lifting motor connected to the upper cover is hidden. At least two groups of limiting sliders are fixedly connected to the inner side surface of the top cover at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Limiting sliding grooves for the limiting sliders to slide are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outside of the exhaust pipe.
[0008] As a further improvement of the above solution, the bottom of the inner cavity of the inner tank is designed in an arc structure and matches the movement track of the stirring paddle. A Teflon non-stick coating is sprayed on the inner wall of the inner tank. A concave hole is formed at the center of the bottom of the inner tank. An NTC temperature sensor for real-time monitoring of the central temperature in the pot is arranged inside the concave hole. The NTC temperature sensor is electrically connected to a temperature control circuit board.
[0009] As a further improvement of the above solution, the heating plate is designed as a disc-shaped structure as a whole, and the surface of the heating plate is in contact with the bottom of the inner tank. The power of the heating plate is 800 - 1200w.
[0010] As a further improvement of the above solution, a heating ring for maintaining the circumferential temperature of the pot body uniform to avoid local overheating is further arranged inside the outer shell, and the heating ring surrounds the outside of the middle part of the inner tank. The power of the heating ring is 200 - 300w, and the power ratio of the heating ring to the heating plate is 1:4 to 1:3.
[0011] As a further improvement of the above solution, the stirring paddle is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel material, and the stirring paddle is a 45° inclined curved surface.
[0012] As a further improvement of the above solution, a touch screen for displaying language selection and program menu is fixedly connected to the outside of the outer shell. A power supply interface for connecting the power supply is arranged at the lower part of the outer shell. The adapted voltage of the power supply interface is 100 - 240V.
[0013] As a further improvement of the above solution, the size of the touch screen is 7 inches and supports bilingual switching between English / Swahili. The touch screen is preset with three modes of corn flour, cassava flour, and sorghum flour.
[0014] A method for using an intelligent rice cooker for making traditional African staple foods, comprising the following steps: S1. After the user places the ingredients in the inner pot, select the corresponding ingredient mode through the touch screen according to the type of ingredients; S2. Start the heating plate and the heating ring to heat the food in the inner pot. The NTC temperature sensor probe monitors the temperature in real time and compares it with the preset threshold. When the gelatinization temperature ≥ 80°C, high-speed stirring is triggered. When the gelatinization temperature ≤ 80°C, it switches to low-speed stirring; S3. When high-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 5 - 8 minutes. When low-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 12 - 15 minutes. The rotation speed of the high-speed stirring is 200 - 300 rpm, and the rotation speed of the low-speed stirring is 50 - 100 rpm; S4. If the temperature exceeds the safety threshold, the rice cooker automatically pauses stirring and gives an alarm. If the lid is opened halfway, it automatically enters the standby state and continues the current stage after closing the lid; S5. After cooking is completed, the stirring paddle automatically rises and enters the heat preservation mode. The temperature fluctuation range in the heat preservation stage ≤ ±3°C.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. The present invention can automatically complete stirring and temperature control, saving 60% of the time compared with traditional manual production.
[0016] 2. The gelatinization temperature error of the present invention ≤ 1°C, and the standard deviation of the dough viscosity ≤ 5%, with a better taste than traditional manual production.
[0017] 3. In addition to nshima, the present invention can also be compatible with pasty staple foods such as Latin American cornmeal mush and Indian cracked wheat porridge, with a wider scope of application.
[0018] 4. Through the sliding fit between the limit slider and the limit chute, the present invention can automatically lift the top cover to relieve pressure when the pressure in the pot is too high, thereby preventing the situation of explosion due to excessive pressure in the pot and making it safer and more reliable to use.
[0019] 5. By pressing the pressing plate, the present invention can push the cover fixedly connected thereto through the vertical rod to move vertically downward. At this time, the spring will be compressed, so as to push out the pasty food inside the exhaust pipe and the exhaust hole, thereby preventing the exhaust pipe and the exhaust hole from being blocked, and further improving the safety of the rice cooker during subsequent use. When the pressing plate is released, the cover will automatically reset by the self-returning action of the spring. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the outer shell and the inner container of the present invention; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the outer shell of the present invention; Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the inner container of the present invention as viewed from below; Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the connection structure of the stirring paddle of the present invention; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the longitudinal section of the anti-blocking and pressure-relieving component of the present invention; Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the broken line of temperature and time at different stages of the present invention; Figure 8 Flow chart of the stages of the present invention.
[0021] Main symbol description: 1. Outer shell; 2. Inner container; 3. Heating plate; 4. Upper cover; 5. Rotating shaft; 6. Stirring paddle; 7. Exhaust hole; 8. Exhaust pipe; 9. NTC temperature sensor probe; 10. Heating ring; 11. Touch screen; 12. Power interface; 101. Top cover; 102. Sealing cover; 103. Vertical rod; 104. Pressing plate; 105. Spring; 106. Limit slider; 107. Limit chute. Specific embodiments
[0022] Next, in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments, the present invention will be further described. It should be noted that, on the premise of no conflict, any combination of the following-described embodiments or technical features can form a new embodiment. Embodiment
[0023] Please refer to Figure 1-8, an intelligent rice cooker for making traditional African staple foods in this embodiment, includes a housing 1. Inside the housing 1, there is an inner pot 2 for steaming food. At the bottom of the inner cavity of the housing 1, there is a heating plate 3 for heating the food in the inner pot 2. At the top of the housing 1, there is an upper cover 4 connected. A lifting motor is fixedly connected to the upper cover 4. The output end of the lifting motor is fixedly connected to a rotating motor. The end of the rotor of the rotating motor is coaxially fixedly connected to a rotating shaft 5. The outer part of the rotating shaft 5 is detachably connected with stirring paddles 6 for stirring food at equal circumferential intervals. The inclination angle of the stirring paddles 6 is adjustable. An exhaust hole 7 for preventing the pressure in the pot from being too high is opened on the upper cover 4. A exhaust pipe 8 is fixedly connected to the upper cover 4 and the exhaust pipe 8 is communicated with the exhaust hole 7. A anti-blocking pressure relief component is arranged on the exhaust pipe 8. The bottom of the inner cavity of the inner pot 2 is designed with an arc structure and is matched with the movement track of the stirring paddles 6, which can improve the mixing efficiency. A Teflon non-stick coating is sprayed on the inner wall of the inner pot 2, which can prevent food from sticking to the inner pot 2. A concave hole is opened at the center of the bottom of the inner pot 2. Inside the concave hole, there is an NTC temperature sensor 9 for real-time monitoring of the central temperature in the pot. The NTC temperature sensor 9 is electrically connected to a temperature control circuit board. The temperature control circuit board can store multiple groups of custom heating curves. The heating plate 3 is designed as a disc-shaped structure as a whole and the surface of the heating plate 3 is in contact with the bottom of the inner pot 2. The power of the heating plate 3 is 800 - 1200w. Inside the housing 1, there is also a heating ring 10 for maintaining the circumferential temperature of the pot body evenly to avoid local overheating and the heating ring 10 surrounds the outer side of the middle part of the inner pot 2. The power of the heating ring 10 is 200 - 300w. The power ratio of the heating ring 10 to the heating plate 3 is 1:4 to 1:3, and the temperature is independently controlled by the PID algorithm. A touch screen 11 for displaying language selection and program menu is fixedly connected to the outside of the housing 1. A power interface 12 for connecting the power supply is arranged at the lower part of the housing 1. The adapted voltage of the power interface 12 is 100 - 240V. The size of the touch screen 11 is 7 inches and it supports bilingual switching between English and Swahili. The touch screen 11 presets three modes of corn flour, cassava flour and sorghum flour, automatically matching the powder-water ratio and stirring duration. Users or R & D personnel can customize parameters such as stirring speed and heating temperature through the touch screen, and the relevant parameters are stored in the EEPROM of the temperature control circuit board.
[0024] The anti-blocking pressure relief component includes a top cover 101 movably connected to the outside of the exhaust pipe 8. A groove is provided at the top of the inner cavity of the top cover 101, and a cover 102 for closing the exhaust pipe 8 is arranged inside the groove. A sealing ring made of silica gel for improving the sealing effect is fixedly connected to the edge of the cover 102. A vertical rod 103 is fixedly connected to the top of the cover 102, and the top of the vertical rod 103 extends to the outside of the top cover 101. A pressing plate 104 is fixedly connected to the top of the vertical rod 103. A spring 105 is sleeved on the outside of the vertical rod 103, and both ends of the spring 105 are fixedly connected to the top cover 101 and the pressing plate 104 respectively. The elastic coefficient of the spring 105 is 5 - 10 N / cm, and the corresponding pressure relief pressure threshold is 1.0 - 1.5 atm. The top of the outer shell 1 is connected to the upper cover 4 in a snap-fit manner. The lifting motor connected to the upper cover 4 is hidden. At least two groups of limiting sliders 106 are fixedly connected to the inner side surface of the top cover 101 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and limiting chutes 107 for the limiting sliders 106 to slide are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outside of the exhaust pipe 8.
[0025] A method for using an intelligent rice cooker for making traditional African staple foods includes the following steps: First step: After the user places the ingredients in the inner pot 2, select the corresponding ingredient mode through the touch screen 11 according to the type of ingredients. The ingredient mode includes a preset value of the powder-to-water ratio, and the powder-to-water ratio ranges from 1:3 to 1:6; Second step: Start the heating plate 3 and the heating ring 10 to heat the food in the inner pot 2. The NTC temperature sensor probe 9 monitors the temperature in real time and compares it with the preset threshold. When the gelatinization temperature ≥ 80 °C, high-speed stirring is triggered. When the gelatinization temperature ≤ 80 °C, it switches to low-speed stirring; Third step: When high-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 5 - 8 minutes. When low-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 12 - 15 minutes. The rotation speed of the high-speed stirring is 200 - 300 rpm, and the rotation speed of the low-speed stirring is 50 - 100 rpm; Fourth step: If the temperature exceeds the safety threshold, the rice cooker automatically pauses stirring and gives an alarm. If the lid is opened midway, it automatically enters the standby state and continues the current stage after closing the lid; Fifth step: After cooking is completed, the stirring paddle 6 automatically rises and enters the heat preservation mode. The temperature fluctuation range during the heat preservation stage ≤ ±3 °C.
[0026] In the embodiment of the present application, the implementation principle of an intelligent rice cooker for making traditional African staple foods and its usage method is as follows: First, place the ingredients in the inner pot 2 and select the corresponding ingredient mode through the touch screen 11 according to the type of ingredients. Then, start the heating function. The food and water in the inner pot 2 can be heated through the heating plate 3 and the heating ring 10. At this time, it will enter the gelatinization stage, and the temperature will rise rapidly. At the same time, the NTC temperature sensor probe 9 will monitor the temperature in real time and compare it with the preset threshold. When the temperature rises to 85°C ± 2°C, the rotary motor will drive the stirring paddle 6 on the rotating shaft 5 to stir at a high speed of 250 rpm for 5 - 8 minutes. After that, it will enter the simmering stage, and the temperature will drop and stabilize at 78°C ± 2°C. At this time, the rotary motor will drive the stirring paddle 6 on the rotating shaft 5 to stir at a low speed of 60 rpm for 12 - 15 minutes. Then, it will enter the heat preservation stage, and the temperature will drop to 45°C ± 5°C and maintain a constant temperature. At this time, the rotary motor will stop driving the stirring paddle 6 on the rotating shaft 5 to rotate. During the whole process, the lifting motor can control the lifting of the stirring paddle 6 to adjust the stirring depth. The gearbox inside the upper cover 4 can realize the switching of the stirring mode. At the same time, through the sliding fit between the limit slider 106 and the limit chute 107, when the pressure in the pot is too high, the top cover 101 can be automatically lifted to relieve the pressure, thereby preventing the situation of explosion due to excessive pressure in the pot, and making it safer and more reliable to use. Finally, remove the upper cover 4 to take out the food in the inner pot 2. By pressing the pressing plate 104, the cover 102 fixedly connected to it through the vertical rod 103 can be pushed to move vertically downward. At this time, the spring 105 will be compressed, so as to push out the paste food inside the exhaust pipe 8 and the exhaust hole 7, thereby preventing the exhaust pipe 8 and the exhaust hole 7 from being blocked, and further improving the safety during the subsequent use of the rice cooker. When the pressing plate 104 is released, the cover 102 will automatically reset by the elastic force of the spring 105 itself. Embodiment
[0027] On the basis of Embodiment 1, the further improvement of this embodiment lies in that: the stirring paddle 6 is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel, and the stirring paddle 6 is in the shape of a 45° inclined curved surface, which fits the radian of the inner pot 2 to ensure rapid mixing of powder and water in the gelatinization stage and anti-sticking and turning-over stirring in the simmering stage.
[0028] The above-mentioned implementation manners are only the preferred implementation manners of the present invention, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art on the basis of the present invention belong to the scope of protection required by the present invention.
Claims
1. An intelligent rice cooker for making traditional African staple foods, characterized in that, It includes a housing (1), inside which there is an inner pot (2) for steaming food. At the bottom of the inner cavity of the housing (1), there is a heating plate (3) for heating the food in the inner pot (2). At the top of the housing (1), there is an upper cover (4) connected. On the upper cover (4), there is a lifting motor fixedly connected. The output end of the lifting motor is fixedly connected with a rotating motor. At the end of the rotor of the rotating motor, there is a rotating shaft (5) coaxially fixedly connected. At the outer part of the rotating shaft (5), there are stirring paddles (6) for stirring food detachably connected circumferentially at equal intervals. The inclination angle of the stirring paddle (6) is adjustable. On the upper cover (4), there is an exhaust hole (7) for preventing the pressure in the pot from being too high. On the upper cover (4), there is an exhaust pipe (8) fixedly connected and the exhaust pipe (8) is communicated with the exhaust hole (7). On the exhaust pipe (8), there is an anti-blocking pressure relief component.
2. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-blocking pressure relief component includes a top cover (101) movably connected to the outside of the exhaust pipe (8). At the top of the inner cavity of the top cover (101), there is a groove. Inside the groove, there is a sealing cover (102) for closing the exhaust pipe (8). At the edge of the sealing cover (102), there is a sealing ring made of silica gel material for improving the sealing effect. At the top of the sealing cover (102), there is a vertical rod (103) fixedly connected and the top end of the vertical rod (103) extends to the outside of the top cover (101). At the top end of the vertical rod (103), there is a pressing plate (104) fixedly connected. Outside the vertical rod (103), there is a spring (105) sleeved and the two ends of the spring (105) are respectively fixedly connected with the top cover (101) and the pressing plate (104). The elastic coefficient of the spring (105) is 5 - 10 N / cm, and the corresponding pressure relief pressure threshold is 1.0 - 1.5 atm.
3. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 2, wherein, The top of the housing (1) is connected to the upper cover (4) in a snap - on manner. The lifting motor connected to the upper cover (4) is hidden. On the inner side surface of the top cover (101), there are at least two groups of limiting sliders (106) fixedly connected circumferentially at equal intervals. On the outside of the exhaust pipe (8), there are limiting chutes (107) circumferentially at equal intervals for the limiting sliders (106) to slide.
4. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 3, wherein, The bottom of the inner cavity of the inner pot (2) is designed in an arc structure and matches the movement track of the stirring paddle (6). On the inner wall of the inner pot (2), there is a Teflon non - stick coating sprayed. The thickness of the Teflon non - stick coating is 20 - 30 μm. At the center of the bottom of the inner pot (2), there is a concave hole. Inside the concave hole, there is an NTC temperature sensing probe (9) for real - time monitoring of the central temperature in the pot. The NTC temperature sensing probe (9) is electrically connected to a temperature control circuit board, and the temperature control circuit board can store multiple groups of custom heating curves.
5. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 4, wherein The heating plate (3) is designed in an overall disc - shaped structure and the surface of the heating plate (3) is in contact with the bottom of the inner pot (2). The power of the heating plate (3) is 800 - 1200 w.
6. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 5, characterized in that, Inside the said outer shell (1), there is also a heating ring (10) for maintaining the circumferential temperature of the pot body evenly to avoid local overheating. The heating ring (10) surrounds the outside of the middle part of the inner pot (2). The power of the heating ring (10) is 200 - 300w, and the power ratio of the heating ring (10) to the heating plate (3) is 1:4 to 1:
3.
7. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 6, characterized in that, The said stirring paddle (6) is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel, and the stirring paddle (6) is a 45° inclined curved surface.
8. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 7, characterized in that, The outside of the said outer shell (1) is fixedly connected with a touch screen (11) for displaying language selection and program menu. The lower part of the outer shell (1) is provided with a power interface (12) for connecting to the power supply. The adapted voltage of the power interface (12) is 100 - 240V.
9. The intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to claim 8, characterized in that, The size of the said touch screen (11) is 7 inches and it supports bilingual switching between English and Swahili. The touch screen (11) is preset with three modes of corn flour, cassava flour and sorghum flour.
10. The usage method of an intelligent rice cooker for making African traditional staple foods according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: S1. After the user places the ingredients in the inner pot (2), select the corresponding ingredient mode through the touch screen (11) according to the type of ingredients. The ingredient mode includes a preset value of the powder-water ratio, and the powder-water ratio ranges from 1:3 to 1:
6. S2. Start the heating plate (3) and the heating ring (10) to heat the food in the inner pot (2). The NTC temperature sensor probe (9) monitors the temperature in real time and compares it with the preset threshold. When the gelatinization temperature ≥ 80°C, high-speed stirring is triggered. When the gelatinization temperature ≤ 80°C, it switches to low-speed stirring. S3. When high-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 5 - 8 minutes. When low-speed stirring is carried out, the user needs to wait for 12 - 15 minutes. The rotation speed of high-speed stirring is 200 - 300rpm, and the rotation speed of low-speed stirring is 50 - 100rpm. S4. If the temperature exceeds the safety threshold, the rice cooker automatically pauses stirring and gives an alarm. If the lid is opened halfway, it automatically enters the standby state and continues the current stage after closing the lid. S5. After cooking is completed, the stirring paddle (6) automatically rises and enters the heat preservation mode. The temperature fluctuation range during the heat preservation stage ≤ ±3°C.