Rice washing device

Abstract

The present invention aims to provide a compact device that does not require a compressor by using a microbubble generator that generates microbubbles with the flow of water, thereby enabling efficient cleaning using microbubbles and reducing water consumption. [Solution] In a rice washing apparatus that supplies rice to a rice washing tank (5), supplies water from a main water pipe (46), and rotates a stirring rod (35) to wash the rice, a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the downstream side of the water flow of a flow sensor (27) installed in the water supply path to control the water supply. The main water supply pipe (46) is branched into an upper water supply pipe (48) that supplies water to the top of the rice washing tank (5) and a lower water supply pipe (53) that supplies water to the bottom of the rice washing tank (5), and a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the lower water supply pipe (53).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice washing device for washing rice before cooking.

Background Art

[0002] The rice washing device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-177355 supplies water to a rice washing tank into which rice is put, blows air to generate bubbles, and stirs the rice with a stirring rod to wash the rice and put it into a rice cooker.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to supply water and air into the rice washing tank, the conventional rice washing device requires a compressor for sending air in addition to a water supply device for sending water. An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized device that does not require a compressor by using a microbubble generator that generates microbubbles by the flow of water, performs efficient cleaning with microbubbles, and reduces water consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The problems of the present invention are solved by the following technical means.

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a rice washing device that supplies rice to a rice washing tank (5), supplies water from a main water supply pipe (46), rotates a stirring rod (35) to wash the rice, and connects a microbubble generator (80) to the downstream side of the water flow of a flow sensor (27) provided in the water supply path to perform water supply control. The rice washing apparatus is characterized in that the main water supply pipe (46) is branched into an upper water supply pipe (48) that supplies water to the top of the rice washing tank (5) and a lower water supply pipe (53) that supplies water to the bottom of the rice washing tank (5), and a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the lower water supply pipe (53).

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is a rice washing device that supplies rice to a rice washing tank (5), supplies water from a main water pipe (46), and rotates a stirring rod (35) to wash the rice, wherein a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the downstream side of the water flow of a flow sensor (27) provided in the water supply path to control the water supply, The main water supply pipe (46) is branched into an upper water supply pipe (48) that supplies water to the top of the rice washing tank (5) and a lower water supply pipe (53) that supplies water to the bottom of the rice washing tank (5), and a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the upper water supply pipe (48).

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is a rice washing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water supply from the main water pipe (46) is branched into a bubble rice washing path (48) that sends water to the rice washing tank (5) via a microbubble generator (80) through a water supply solenoid valve (29, 30) and a direct water supply path (53) that sends water directly to the rice washing tank (5).

[0009] The invention of claim 4 is a rice washing device according to claim 1 or 2, in which a flow sensor (27) detects the flow rate, and if the flow rate is greater than or equal to the flow rate at which microbubbles are generated, the water is flowed through a pipe via a microbubble generator (80), and if the flow rate is less than or equal to the flow rate at which microbubbles are generated, a water supply channel without a microbubble generator (80) is selected. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] In the invention of claim 1, water from the main water pipe 46 is supplied to the rice washing tank 5 through the microbubble generator 80 without the need to inject air with a compressor, and the rice is quickly washed by the cleaning action of the micro-valves in the water supply. The flow sensor 27 installed in front of the microbubble generator 80 is less affected by the water volume measurement caused by the microbubbles, and can accurately measure the amount of water supplied and supply it to the rice washing tank 5.

[0011] Furthermore, water is supplied to the rice washing tank 5 from the upper water supply pipe 48 and the lower water supply pipe 53. However, water containing microbubbles is supplied from the upper water supply pipe 53 through the microbubble generator 80 to the rice in the rice washing tank 5 from the bottom of the tank, making the washing process with microbubbles and water bubbles more effective.

[0012] Furthermore, in the invention of claim 2, water containing microbubbles is supplied from the lower water supply pipe 53 through the microbubble generator 80 to the rice in the rice washing tank 5 through the upper shower outlet 49, thereby enabling more effective washing by microbubbles and water bubbles.

[0013] In the invention of claim 3, if the water flow in the main water pipe 46 is weak, the water supply solenoid valves 29 and 30 can be switched to the direct water supply path 53, allowing for light rice washing without using microbubbles, resulting in rice that retains its flavor without being over-washed. If the water flow in the main water pipe 46 is strong and microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generator 80, the water supply solenoid valves 29 and 30 can be switched to the bubble rice washing path 48, allowing for quick rice washing while conserving water using water containing microbubbles. It is also possible to supply the exact amount of water to the rice cooker through the direct water supply path 53.

[0014] In the invention of claim 4, if the flow rate is insufficient due to resistance such as back pressure in the water supply pipe, it is difficult to generate microbubbles. Therefore, by selecting a water supply pipe that does not pass through the microbubbles, the resistance of the microbubble generator 80 is not encountered, and a stable flow rate can be ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a rice washing and cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the water supply piping. [Figure 5]It is a side sectional view of the metering part of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view of the drum case of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 8] It is a plan view of the partition member and the peripheral arrangement equipment of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 9] It is a view in which a microbubble generator is arranged in the upper water supply passage of the rice washing and cooking device. [Figure 10] It is a view in which a microbubble generator is arranged in the lower water supply passage of the rice washing and cooking device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the following drawings.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the support member 1 that frames the square tube material vertically and horizontally is composed of a rectangular base frame 1a provided with casters at the lower part, left and right support columns 1b, 1b having a predetermined width and a predetermined height, and a plurality of horizontal bars 1c, 1c... supported between the left and right support columns 1b, 1b.

[0018] A flat partition member 3 is provided on the above-mentioned horizontal bar 1c to mount each equipment, a rice storage tank 4 is provided above it, a rice washing tank 5 is provided below the rice storage tank 4, and a rice cooking device 6 is arranged at an interval below the rice washing tank 5. This rice cooking device 6 is composed of a rice cooking pot 7, a gas stand 8 for heating the pot, a draw-out type stand 9, and the like. In FIG. 2, the right side of the stand 9 is the front side before drawing out, and the left back side is the side for drawing in.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the rice storage tank 4 consists of an upper main tank 4a with a rectangular cross-section and a lower funnel-shaped hopper section 4b, with a measuring drum case 10 attached to the lower end of the hopper section 4b. Inside the measuring drum case 10, as shown in Figure 6, is a measuring drum 13 consisting of a cylindrical drum section 11a with a notch 11 and front and rear side walls 12a and 12b, which are rotatably supported by a horizontal shaft 14 that penetrates the front and rear side walls 12a and 12b. A motor 15 is mounted on the rear side of the drum case 10 to directly operate the horizontal shaft 14, and a fixed amount of rice flows down from the rice storage tank 4 through the notch 11 into the measuring drum 13. When the notch 11 rotates downwards and reaches the discharge port 16 formed in the drum case 10, the rice flows down and is discharged from the measuring drum 13.

[0020] The partition member 3 is provided with an opening 17 corresponding to the discharge port 16, and is configured to dispense a predetermined amount of rice from the rice storage tank 4 to the rice washing tank 5 by rotating the measuring drum 13 for a predetermined number of rotations. Furthermore, the system is configured to supply a predetermined amount by detecting the number of dispensing cycles using a rotation sensor (not shown).

[0021] The drum case 10 and the funnel-shaped hopper 4b are integrally constructed, and after the upper main tank 4a is removed, the hopper 4b and drum case 10 can be detached from the partition member 3. Specifically, the rear side is provided with an engaging portion 20 that allows the engaging protrusion 19 of the drum case 10 to engage with and disengage from a hook-shaped portion 18 formed on the partition member 3, and the front side is provided with a detachable engaging stay 21 that can be attached and detached with a screw between the partition member 3 and the drum case 10, and the engagement with the drum case 10 is released by loosening the screw 22 and rotating the stay 21 around the screw portion.

[0022] The drum case 10 is formed so that its lower edge fits into the rectangular opening of the partition member 3. However, by disengaging the engagement stay 21 and slightly lifting that side upward, the engagement of the lower edge from the partition member 3 can be released, and by pulling it out diagonally from the front towards the front, the engagement of the rear lower edge can be released and it can be freed from the engagement of the engagement portion 20.

[0023] The rice storage tank 2 and the measuring unit are covered on the outside by a cover member 23, with the left and right side walls and the rear side wall being fixed to the partition member 3 or the like as appropriate, and the lower half of the front side wall 23a is configured as a door that can be opened and closed using, for example, the right side when viewed from the front as a pivot point. The upper half of the front side wall 23b is connected to the left and right side walls and is configured to be detachable. Therefore, inspection and removal of the rice storage tank 2 and the drum case 10 can be performed with the lower half of the front side wall 23a open. Reference numeral 24 denotes a rectangular cover plate that detachably covers the main tank 4a from above.

[0024] In Figure 5, reference numeral 25 denotes a rice discharge shutter provided on one side (the front side in the illustrated example) of the funnel-shaped hopper section 4b. In an upright position, it blocks the discharge of rice, and by rotating around the pivot point, it becomes an inclined guide chute, allowing the rice in the rice storage tank 4 to be discharged.

[0025] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the weighing drum 13, in which gaskets 26a and 26b are installed at an angle between the funnel-shaped lower hopper 4b and the drum case 10 to guide the rice inclined, and the gap between the outer circumference of the weighing drum 13 and the inner circumference of the drum case 10 is configured to have a gap t (for example, about 1 mm) that is sufficient to prevent the rice from being crushed by its intrusion.

[0026] The weighing drum 13 is rotated and stopped repeatedly in a certain direction by the motor 15, and the stopping position of the weighing drum 13 is as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, the vibration means 66 is attached to the inclined wall near the side where the rear-rotating gasket 26b is located on the side wall of the funnel-shaped hopper 4b to promote the flow of rice inside, and the weighing drum 13 is configured such that its open edge stops behind the rotation of the vibration-side gasket 26b, and its other open edge stops in front of the non-vibrating gasket 26a, thereby shielding the rice that tries to enter due to the vibration of the vibration means 66 from entering with the weighing drum 13, while the non-vibrating side naturally feeds rice into the weighing drum 13, thereby stabilizing the accuracy of the supply amount.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the rice washing tank 5 has a receiving cylinder 31 at the top that guides the rice supplied from the drum case 10, a cylindrical body in the middle, and a hopper-like section at the bottom. A jacket section 32 is connected below the hopper-like section of the rice washing tank 5, and a filter 33 made of a mesh material with an opening small enough to prevent rice grains from leaking out is provided at the boundary between the hopper-like section and the jacket section 32.

[0028] A vertical hollow shaft 34 is provided in the center of the rice washing tank 5. Multiple stirring rods 35, 35..., which are formed by bending a rod-shaped body into an inverted L-shape, are attached to this hollow shaft 34 by welding or the like at their upper ends. The hollow shaft 34 is rotated by a rice washing motor 36 via a bevel gear mechanism 37, and the rotation is configured to stir the rice and water in the tank.

[0029] The hollow shaft 34 described above has a valve shaft 38 that passes through it and is loosely fitted to it so as to be able to slide up and down, and extends downward. A conical rice discharge valve 39 is attached to the lower end of the valve shaft 38 so as to be able to be attached and detached. The upper end of the valve shaft 38 is moved up and down by a cam 41 driven by a rice discharge valve drive motor 40, and by an interlocking mechanism such as a dropping arm described later, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the rice discharge valve 39. When the rice discharge valve 39 opens, the rice in the rice washing tank 5 falls into the inner pot of the rice cooking device 6 below.

[0030] As shown in the water supply path diagram in Figure 4, the main water supply pipe 46, which supplies water from the outside, is equipped with a flow sensor 27 and is branched by a branch pipe 28 into an upper water supply pipe 48 and a lower water supply pipe 53. The upper water supply pipe 48 is connected to the upper shower outlet 49 via a first solenoid valve 29 and a microbubble generator 80 and supplied to the rice washing tank 5. The lower water supply pipe 53 is connected to the jacket section 32 of the rice washing tank 5 via a second solenoid valve 30 and supplied to the rice washing tank 5. The water supplied from the main water supply pipe 46 is measured by a flow sensor 27 installed in front of the microbubble generator 80, so the correct amount of water is supplied to the rice cooking pot 7 through the rice washing tank 5, resulting in optimal rice cooking. The upper water supply pipe 48 is the upper water supply route that passes through the partition plate 3 at the top of the rice washing tank 5, while the lower water distribution pipe 53 is the lower water supply route that passes through the cover member 23 and the water supply hose 51a installed on the side of the rice washing tank 5, and through the lower water inlet 52 and the jacket section 32 (see Figure 1). In other words, water is supplied through two separate systems.

[0031] If the water flow in the main water pipe 46 is weak, the first solenoid valve 29 is closed and the second solenoid valve 30 is opened to direct water supply to the lower water supply pipe 53 and supply water to the rice washing tank 5. However, if the water flow in the main water pipe 46 is strong, the second solenoid valve 30 is closed and the first solenoid valve 29 is opened to direct water supply to the upper water supply pipe 48, where microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generator 80 and supplied to the rice washing tank 5 from the upper shower outlet 49, thereby enabling effective rice washing with a stable water volume.

[0032] If the water flow from the main water pipe 46 is sufficiently strong, opening both the first solenoid valve 29 and the second solenoid valve 30 allows water to be supplied to the rice washing tank 5, enabling quick rice washing with a stable water flow. In the above embodiment, the water supply direction is switched by flow path switching control of the first solenoid valve 29 and the second solenoid valve 30 as the water supply solenoid valves, but the water supply direction may also be changed by making the branch pipe 28 a two-way switching solenoid valve.

[0033] Furthermore, although the above explanation described the installation of a microbubble generator 80 in the upper water supply pipe 48 as shown in Figure 9, a microbubble generator 80 may also be installed in the lower water supply pipe 53 as shown in Figure 10.

[0034] Furthermore, by piping the main water supply pipe 46 close to the rice cooker 6 to heat the water supply, the generation of microbubbles by the microbubble generator 80 can be promoted.

[0035] In yet another embodiment, the water supply channel is perpendicular to the ground, and the microbubble generator is grounded below this vertically rising water supply channel. In this case, the bubbles generated by the microbubble generator rise and do not dissolve back into the supplied water. This layout is also effective when the piping is slightly angled, but it is important that the microbubble generator is located below.

[0036] In the piping downstream of a microbubble generator, installing a transparent hose is also an effective means of verification for the operator.

[0037] Reference numeral 55 in Figure 3 indicates a shutter that is connected to the electric motor 15 to open and close the discharge port 16. The motor 15 is connected to the shutter support shaft 58 via link mechanisms 56 and 57, and the shutter 55 is configured to open when the drum opening aligns with the discharge port 16 (see Figures 5 and 6). Therefore, the shutter 55 is always in the closed position, preventing the scattering of diffused water during rice washing in the rice washing tank 5 and preventing water from entering the measuring drum 13.

[0038] The drum case 10 is located to the left of the position where the upper water supply pipes 48, 48 are located, and the motor 40 for the rice discharge valve 39 and the rice washing motor 36 for driving the stirring rods 35, 35 are located to the right.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, a drain box 60 is provided on the lower side of the rice washing tank 5. The drain box 60, which has a drain port 61, is connected to the lower end of an overflow pipe 62 whose upper end opens to the upper side of the rice washing tank 5, and to the other end of the jacket section 32, one end of which communicates with the jacket section 32. Drainage from the jacket section 32 is performed by opening and closing a drain valve 64, and the water level in the rice washing tank 5 is adjusted by draining water with a water level valve 65.

[0040] Normally, the drain box 60 is closed by the drain valve 64 and the water level valve 65. However, when draining water from the rice washing tank 5, the water is drained from the filter 33 of the jacket section 32 through the drain valve 64 and / or the water level valve 65, the drain box 60, and the drain port 61. The drain valve 64 and the water level valve 65 are opened and closed by appropriate opening and closing outputs. In addition, a water level sensor 68 is provided at the top of the rice washing tank 5 to detect the amount of water in the tank.

[0041] Incidentally, the overflow pipe 62 has a horizontal pipe section 62a connected to the upper end of the rice washing tank 5 and a vertical pipe section 62b connected to the horizontal pipe section 62a, with the lower end of the vertical pipe section 62b connected to the drain box 60. The upper end of the vertical pipe section 62b is extended upward, and this extended pipe section 62c passes through the partition member 3 and is appropriately fixed and supported by a mounting holder 69 provided on the lower surface of the partition member 3.

[0042] Within the cover member 23, the substantially closed space A between the lower part of the rice storage tank 4 and the partition member 3 houses the measuring unit 10, various drive units, piping, etc., but ventilation is ensured to prevent the accumulation of water vapor. Specifically, a blower fan 70 is placed on one side wall of the cover member 23 and is powered and driven during the operation of the device, so as to be able to supply outside air into space A. The air that enters space A circulates through space A as appropriate and is exhausted to the outside of the machine through the mesh holes described later. Therefore, the humidity inside space A, which receives water vapor rising during rice cooking, can be reduced by the circulation of outside air. A controller 71 is placed on the inner surface of the cover member 23 on the side facing the blower fan 70, and moisture can be removed from this controller 71 by providing ventilation to it as well. Furthermore, by positioning the upper end opening of the extension pipe 62c near the controller 71, for example, below the front of the controller 71, an appropriate airflow can be generated, allowing the air acting on the controller 71 to be efficiently introduced into the extension pipe 62c.

[0043] As mentioned above, the extension 62c of the overflow pipe 62 penetrates the partition member 3, so that its upper opening faces the space A, and the air from the blower fan 70 is supplied to the rice washing tank 5 through the overflow pipe 62. In other words, the air that enters from the upper end of the extension 62c of the overflow pipe 62 passes through the extension 62c and the horizontal pipe section 62a before entering the rice washing tank 5. Therefore, it has the effect of drying the inside of the rice washing tank 5. In this way, by configuring a ventilation section B such as the extension 62c of the overflow pipe 62 between the space A and the rice washing tank 5, the circulating air from the blower fan 70 can be introduced into the rice washing tank 5, and the inside of the rice washing tank 5 can be dried.

[0044] Furthermore, if the extension pipe section 62c of the overflow pipe 62 is provided as the ventilation section B, even if dust in space A is carried by the air, this dust will fall through the vertical pipe section 62b of the overflow pipe 62 to the drain box 60, and there is little risk of it entering the rice washing tank 5.

[0045] A mesh body 73 made of a ventilation net or perforated metal may be attached to the upper end of the extension pipe section 62c (ventilation section B) to prevent foreign matter from entering.

[0046] A cavity C is provided at the bottom of the space A enclosed by the cover member 23 and the partition member 3, etc., to accommodate various harnesses (not shown). More specifically, the partition member 3 is formed by drawing and integrally molding the side walls, and a bottom plate 72 is provided below it in a lid-like manner to form the cavity C. A mesh body 74 made of ventilation mesh or perforated metal is attached to the partition member 3 at an appropriate location to communicate with the cavity C. In this case, the mesh size of the mesh body 73 at the upper end of the extension pipe section 62c (ventilation section B) is smaller than the mesh size of the mesh body 74 placed at an appropriate location on the partition member 3, thereby enhancing the effect of preventing foreign objects, especially tiny insects, from entering the space A. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 4. Rice storage tank 5. Rice washing tank 29,30 Water supply solenoid valves (first solenoid valve, second solenoid valve) 32 Jacket section 35 Stirring rod 46 Main water pipe 48. Bubble rice washing route (upper water supply pipe) 49 Upper shower outlet 53 Direct water supply route (lower water supply pipe) 54 Flow Sensor 80 Microbubble Generator

Claims

1. In a rice washing apparatus that supplies rice to a rice washing tank (5), supplies water from a main water pipe (46), and rotates a stirring rod (35) to wash the rice, a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the downstream side of the water flow of a flow sensor (27) installed in the water supply path to control the water supply. A rice washing apparatus characterized in that the main water supply pipe (46) is branched into an upper water supply pipe (48) that supplies water to the top of the rice washing tank (5) and a lower water supply pipe (53) that supplies water to the bottom of the rice washing tank (5), and a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the lower water supply pipe (53).

2. In a rice washing apparatus that supplies rice to a rice washing tank (5), supplies water from a main water pipe (46), and rotates a stirring rod (35) to wash the rice, a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the downstream side of the water flow of a flow sensor (27) installed in the water supply path to control the water supply. A rice washing apparatus characterized in that the main water supply pipe (46) is branched into an upper water supply pipe (48) that supplies water to the top of the rice washing tank (5) and a lower water supply pipe (53) that supplies water to the bottom of the rice washing tank (5), and a microbubble generator (80) is connected to the upper water supply pipe (48).

3. The rice washing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water supply from the main water distribution pipe (46) is branched into a bubble rice washing path (48) that sends water to the rice washing tank (5) via a microbubble generator (80) through water supply solenoid valves (29, 30) and a direct water supply path (53) that sends water directly to the rice washing tank (5).

4. The rice washing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a flow sensor (27) detects the flow rate, and if the flow rate is greater than or equal to the flow rate at which microbubbles are generated, the water is flowed through the piping via the microbubble generator (80), and if the flow rate is less than or equal to the flow rate at which microbubbles are generated, a water supply channel without a microbubble generator (80) is selected.

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