Electric cooker

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric cooker in which a hinge spring is prevented from being exposed to the rear of a hinge cover. An electric cooker for implementing this includes: a main body equipped with an inner pot for receiving food; a lid coupled to the upper part of the main body and covering the open upper part of the main body; a hinge spring comprising a first support part, one end of which is supported by the lid, a second support part, the other end of which is supported by the main body, and a coil part formed in a coil shape by being wound around a hinge axis between the first support part and the second support part to apply an elastic rotational force in the direction in which the lid opens; and a hinge cover coupled to the main body to cover the rear of the hinge spring so as to prevent the coil part from being exposed to the rear.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric cooker, and more specifically, to an electric cooker in which the opening and closing of the lid is achieved by the elastic force of a hinge spring. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, electric cooking appliances refer to electric rice cookers, electric pressure cookers, etc., used to cook food in commercial establishments and homes.

[0003] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a conventional electric cooker (1) comprises a main body (10) in which an inner pot for receiving food is mounted inside, a lid (20) hinged to the rear end of the main body (10) so as to open and close the open top of the main body (10), a hinge shaft (30) and a hinge spring (40; 40a, 40b) for the hinge connection, and a hinge cover (50) connected to the rear of the main body (10) to cover the rear of the hinge spring (40; 40a, 40b).

[0004] The hinge spring (40) is composed of a first support part (41) supported by the lid (20), a second support part (not shown) supported on the rear side of the main body (10), a coil part (42) wound in a coil shape around the hinge axis (30), and a connecting part (43) formed in a straight shape to connect the first support part (41) and the coil part (42), so that the lid (20) is pressed by the first support part (41) to rotate around the hinge axis (30) by the elastic force of the coil part (42), thereby changing from the closed state of FIG. 1 to the open state of FIG. 2.

[0005] The first support part (41) and the connecting part (43) are bent to form a bent part (44; 44a, 44b), and when the lid (20) is rotated to open, the hinge spring (40) may interfere with the top of the hinge cover (50) due to the bent part (44; 44a, 44b).

[0006] As a method to prevent such interference problems, the distance between the rear end of the hinge spring (40) and the hinge cover (50) can be configured to increase. However, if the distance between the rear end of the hinge spring (40) and the hinge cover (50) increases, there is a problem that the volume of the electric cooker (1) increases in the front-rear direction.

[0007] Accordingly, in the conventional method, as shown in FIG. 3, a cover groove (51a, 51b) is formed in the upper part of the hinge cover (50) with a shape that is cut to have an upper and lower length, and when the lid (20) is rotated to open, the bent portion (44; 44a, 44b) of the hinge spring (40) is inserted into the cover groove (51a, 51b), thereby solving the problem of interference between the hinge spring (40) and the hinge cover (50).

[0008] However, when the cover grooves (51a, 51b) are formed in the hinge cover (50), as shown in FIG. 1, the coil portion (42) of the hinge spring (40) and the lubricant applied to the coil portion (42) are exposed to the rear through the cover grooves (51a, 51b) when the lid (20) is closed, thus degrading the aesthetics.

[0009] In addition, a straight-shaped connecting part (43) is connected to the coil part (42), so a sudden change in angle occurs between the coil part (42) and the connecting part (43), which reduces durability. Therefore, as the opening and closing operation of the lid (20) is repeated, there was a problem in that damage occurred at the connecting part (43). The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems, and aims to provide an electric cooker in which the hinge spring is prevented from being exposed to the rear of the hinge cover. means of solving the problem

[0011] The electric cooker of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a main body equipped with an inner pot for receiving food; a lid coupled to the upper part of the main body and covering the open upper part of the main body; a hinge spring comprising a first support member supported at one end by the lid, a second support member supported at the other end by the main body, and a coil member wound around a hinge axis between the first support member and the second support member to form a coil shape, so as to apply an elastic rotational force in the direction in which the lid opens; and a hinge cover coupled to the main body to cover the rear of the hinge spring so as to prevent the coil member from being exposed to the rear. Effects of the invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the appearance can be improved by preventing the hinge spring from being exposed to the rear of the hinge cover.

[0013] In addition, it prevents interference between the hinge cover and the hinge spring, and allows the electric cooker to be configured compactly.

[0014] In addition, the durability of the hinge spring can be improved.

[0015] In addition, design constraints on the hinge cover can be reduced, and the usable design area can be increased. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the lid of a conventional electric cooker in a closed state. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the electric cooker of FIG. 1 with the lid open. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the part equipped with a hinge cover in the electric cooker of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the lid of an electric cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention in a closed state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the electric cooker of FIG. 4 with the lid open. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the part equipped with a hinge cover in the electric cooker of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the electric cooker shown in FIG. 4 with the outer lid removed. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in which the inner lid and hinge cover are removed from the state of FIG. 7. FIG. 9(a) is an enlarged view of a portion with the outer lid removed from the state of FIG. 4. FIG. 9(b) is an enlarged view of a portion with the outer lid removed from the state of FIG. 5. FIG. 10(a) is a side view of the shape when the lid is closed, with a hinge spring according to an embodiment of the present invention installed in an electric cooker. FIG. 10(b) is a side view of the shape of the hinge spring during the process in which the lid is opened by the elastic restoring force of the hinge spring from the state of FIG. 10(a). FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a hinge cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0018] In the following description of directions, "front" is defined as the left side in Fig. 4, and "rear" is defined as the right side in Fig. 4.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 11, an electric cooker (2) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (100) equipped with an inner pot (not shown) for receiving food, and a lid (200) connected to the upper part of the main body (100) by a hinge structure to cover the open upper part of the main body (100).

[0020] A mounting space equipped with a heating means, such as a heating plate heater or an induction heating device, is formed inside the main body (100), and the inner pot is mounted inside the mounting space.

[0021] The lid (200) may include an inner lid portion (210) that is connected to the upper part of the main body (100) and opens and closes, on which various electrical components and wiring are installed, and an outer lid portion (220) that covers the upper part of the inner lid portion (210).

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4 and FIGS. 7, the inner lid portion (210) has spring support portions (211a, 211b, 212a, 212b) formed therein, on which the first support portion (410) of the hinge spring (400a, 400b) described later is supported. The spring support portions (211a, 211b, 212a, 212b) are formed in a hook shape so that the upper end of the first support portion (410) is caught when the first support portion (410) rotates upward.

[0023] The above spring support members (211a, 211b, 212a, 212b) are composed of a pair of spring support members (211a, 211b) formed at a position spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the upper right side of the inner lid member (210), and a pair of spring support members (212a, 212b) formed at a position spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the upper left side of the inner lid member (210).

[0024] A hinge shaft (300) and a hinge spring (400) are provided so that the main body (100) and the lid (200) are joined in a hinge structure.

[0025] The hinge shaft (300) is in the shape of a rod having a length in the left-right direction and is rotatably coupled to the rear of the main body (100).

[0026] The hinge spring (400) is provided such that one end is supported by the lid (200) and the other end is supported by the main body (100) to apply an elastic rotational force in the direction in which the lid (200) opens.

[0027] The hinge spring (400) is composed of a pair of hinge springs (400a, 400b) spaced apart from each other in the left and right directions of the electric cooker (2). The pair of hinge springs (400a, 400b) may be provided symmetrically with respect to the center line in the front and rear directions of the electric cooker (2).

[0028] At the rear upper end of the main body (100), a hinge cover (500) is provided to cover the rear of the hinge spring (400a, 400b) in order to prevent the hinge spring (400) from being exposed to the rear.

[0029] Below, only the shape and coupling structure of one of the pair of hinge springs (400a, 400b) are described, and since the other hinge spring is provided with the same shape and is symmetrical to the left and right, a detailed description is omitted.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 10, the hinge spring (400) is described in detail. FIG. 10(a) shows the shape of the hinge spring (400) when the lid (200) is closed and the hinge spring (400) is installed in the electric cooker (2), and FIG. 10(b) shows the shape of the hinge spring (400) during the process in which the lid (200) is opened by the elastic restoring force of the hinge spring (400) in the state of FIG. 10(a).

[0031] In the following description of the hinge spring (400), the description is based on the state shown in FIG. 10.

[0032] The hinge spring (400) comprises a first support member (410) supported by the spring support members (211a, 211b, 212a, 212b), a second support member (450) supported at the rear of the main body (100), and a coil member (420) wound in a coil shape around the hinge axis (300) to apply elastic rotational force to the lid (200) in the direction in which the lid (200) is opened.

[0033] The first support member (410) is formed to have a length in the front-rear direction. The first support member (410) may be formed in a straight shape, or it may be formed in a bent shape to prevent interference with the internal structure of the lid (200).

[0034] The second support member (450) is formed to have a length in the vertical direction when installed on the electric cooker (2), so that its rear side is supported by the main body (100).

[0035] The coil portion (420) is composed of a first coil portion (421) formed in an arc shape to surround at least a portion of the circumference of the hinge shaft (300), and a second coil portion (422) wound multiple times around the circumference of the hinge shaft (300), thereby applying elastic force to the first support portion (410) and the second support portion (450).

[0036] The first coil section (421) and the second coil section (422) may be configured to have different radii of curvature. For example, the radius of curvature of the first coil section (421) connected to the first support section (410) may be formed to be larger than the radius of curvature of the second coil section (422) connected to the second support section (450). When configured in this way, a large elastic force is generated in the second coil portion (422) which is wound multiple times around the hinge shaft (300), and this elastic force is transmitted to the first support portion (410) through the first coil portion (421), which has a larger radius of curvature than the second coil portion (422) and makes the angle change smoother, thereby preventing damage from occurring in the first coil portion (421) and the part connected to the first coil portion (421), and thus improving the durability of the hinge spring (400).

[0037] The first support member (410) and the first coil member (421) may be connected by an upper connecting member (430). The upper connecting member (430) may consist of a first connecting member (431) formed at a downward slope at the rear end of the first support member (410), and a second connecting member (432) that extends rearward from the rear end of the first connecting member (431) and is connected to the first coil member (421).

[0038] When the first connecting part (431) and the second connecting part (432) are provided, a space (S) is created on the upper part of the upper connecting part (430). Therefore, even if the lid (200) is opened and the upper connecting part (430) rotates clockwise, the space (S) prevents the upper connecting part (430) from interfering with the upper part of the hinge cover (500).

[0039] The second support member (450) and the second coil member (422) can be connected by a lower connecting member (440) that extends downward from the second coil member (422).

[0040] Referring to FIG. 11, the hinge cover (500) may be composed of a hinge cover body (501) formed in the shape of a roughly square plate, and a pair of main body coupling parts (502a, 502b) that are extended forward in a bent shape from both ends of the hinge cover body (501) and coupled to the rear of the main body (100).

[0041] On both upper sides of the hinge cover body (501), spring cover portions (510a, 510b) are formed to cover the rear of the coil portion (420) so as to prevent the coil portion (420) of the hinge spring (400a, 400b) provided at the front of the hinge cover (500) from being exposed to the rear.

[0042] The spring cover portions (510a, 510b) may be formed as part of the hinge cover body (501), and when the lid (200) is opened, the hinge springs (400a, 400b) rotate without interfering with the coil portion (420) and the upper connecting portion (430). Therefore, since there is no need to form a cut-shaped groove in the spring cover portions (510a, 510b), the aesthetics of the electric cooker (2) can be improved, and the design constraints of the hinge cover (500) can be reduced and the design utilization area can be increased.

[0043] At the top of the hinge cover body (501), a cover top portion (530) is formed that extends forward from the top of the hinge cover body (501) and is coupled to the main body (100).

[0044] A pair of spring operating grooves (520a, 520b) are formed in the upper part of the cover (530) in a shape with a portion cut out at positions spaced apart in the left and right directions. The pair of spring operating grooves (520a, 520b) are formed at positions corresponding to the pair of hinge springs (400a, 400b), respectively.

[0045] When the lid (200) is opened, the second connecting part (432) rotates and is received in the spring operating groove (520a, 520b). This prevents the hinge spring (400) from interfering with the hinge cover (500) when the lid (200) is opened.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, a pair of spring passage grooves (111a, 111b) may be formed in the rear upper portion (110) of the main body (100) so that the second connecting portion (432) of the upper connecting portion (430) passes through when the lid (200) is closed.

[0047] When the lid (200) is closed, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the second connecting part (432) passes through the spring passage groove (111a). When the lid (200) is opened in this state, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the second connecting part (432) rotates to a position away from the spring passage groove (111a).

[0048] When the spring passage grooves (111a, 111b) are formed in this manner, the first connecting part (431) can be configured to slope downward toward the rear, and the second connecting part (432) can be configured to extend backward from the downwardly sloped rear end so that the position of the second connecting part (432) becomes a low position.

[0049] Therefore, even if the front-rear distance between the spring cover part (510a) and the hinge spring (400) is not wide, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the second connecting part (432) can be prevented from interfering with the spring cover part (510a) when the lid (200) is opened, thereby preventing the volume of the electric cooker (2) from increasing.

[0050] Meanwhile, a protruding part (213a) is formed at the rear end of the lid (200). As shown in FIG. 9(a), when the lid (200) is closed, the protruding part (213a) is positioned away from the spring passage groove (111a), and when the lid (200) is opened, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the protruding part (213a) rotates clockwise and is positioned inside the spring passage groove (111a). Due to this configuration, when the lid (200) is open and viewed from the front toward the rear, the protruding part (213a) blocks the spring passage groove (111a), so the component located at the rear of the spring passage groove (111a) is not visible, thereby improving the aesthetics of the electric cooker (2).

[0051] According to the above configuration, the hinge spring (400) is prevented from being exposed to the rear of the hinge cover (500), thereby improving the aesthetics, and the electric cooker (2) can be configured compactly while preventing interference between the hinge cover (500) and the hinge spring (400).

[0052] As described above, although the present invention has been explained in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and it is possible to implement it with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and such modifications are also included in the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0053] 1, 2 : Electric cooker 10, 100 : Main unit 20, 200: Lid 30, 300: Hinge axis 40, 400, 400a, 400b: Hinge springs 41, 410: First support 42, 420 : Coil section 43 : Connection section 44 : Folded section 50, 500 : Hinge cover 110: Upper rear of the main body 111a, 111b: Spring passage groove 210: Inner lid part 211a, 211b, 212a: Spring support part 213a : Protrusion 220 : Outer lid 421: 1st coil section 422: 2nd coil section 430: Upper connecting part 431: First connecting part 432 : Second connecting part 440 : Lower connecting part 450 : Second support part 510a, 510b : Spring cover part

Claims

Claim 1 An electric cooker comprising: a main body equipped with an inner pot for receiving food; a lid coupled to the upper part of the main body and covering the open upper part of the main body; a hinge spring comprising a first support member supported at one end by the lid, a second support member supported at the other end by the main body, and a coil member wound around a hinge axis between the first support member and the second support member to form a coil shape, so as to apply an elastic rotational force in the direction in which the lid opens; and a hinge cover coupled to the main body to cover the rear of the hinge spring and prevent the coil member from being exposed to the rear, wherein the coil member is composed of a first coil member and a second coil member having different radii of curvature formed to surround at least a portion of the hinge axis, and wherein the radius of curvature of the first coil member connected to the first support member is larger than the radius of curvature of the second coil member connected to the second support member. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 An electric cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that, between the first support member and the first coil member, a first connecting member is formed at a downward inclination from the rear end of the first support member when the lid is closed, and a second connecting member is formed extending rearward from the rear end of the first connecting member and connected to the first coil member. Claim 5 An electric cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that a spring operating groove is formed on the upper part of the portion covering the rear of the hinge spring in the hinge cover so as to receive a part of the hinge spring when the lid is opened. Claim 6 In claim 5, between the first support member and the first coil member, a first connecting member is formed to be inclined downward at the rear end of the first support member when the lid is closed, and a second connecting member is formed to be connected to the first coil member by extending rearward from the rear end of the first connecting member; and the electric cooker is characterized in that a part of the hinge spring received in the spring operating groove is the second connecting member. Claim 7 An electric cooker according to claim 1, wherein the hinge spring is provided with a connecting portion connecting the first support portion and the coil portion; and the rear upper portion of the main body has a spring passage groove formed therein so that the connecting portion passes through when the lid is closed. Claim 8 An electric cooker according to claim 7, wherein a protruding portion is formed on the rear end of the lid; and when the lid is opened, the connecting portion is positioned away from the spring passage groove and the protruding portion is positioned inside the spring passage groove, thereby preventing the hinge spring from being exposed forward.

Images