A rice cooker

Abstract

A rice cooker provided by the present invention includes an upper cover and a pot body, and further includes: a first engaging structure provided on one of the pot body and the upper cover; a second engaging structure provided on the other of the pot body and the upper cover, adapted to engage with the first engaging structure when the upper cover and the pot body are closed to connect the upper cover and the pot body. A driving member is adapted to receive an electrical signal and drive the second engaging structure to move to separate from or engage with the first engaging structure. Such a setting can realize the engagement and disengagement of the upper cover and the pot body through an electric control method such as remote control or touch screen control, avoid opening holes on the product surface, and damage the appearance of the product when setting mechanical buttons to control the opening and closing of the engaging structure, reduce the design difficulty of the engaging structure and the control structure, and improve the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and particularly to a rice cooker. Background Art

[0002] At present, when opening the lid of a rice cooker on the market, a pressing and exposed opening button is mostly used to compress a spring, driving an opening lock to disengage from the engaging position, so as to smoothly open the lid of the rice cooker.

[0003] However, for this kind of lid-opening method, it is necessary to open a hole on the product surface to set the button, which has a certain damage to the appearance of the product, and there will be a certain gap between the opening button and the outer shell. To meet the appearance requirements and smooth lid-opening experience, there are also high requirements for controlling the fitting gap in the design and processing technology. In addition, problems such as button jamming, non-return, button shaking, and uneven and unbalanced force often occur when using the opening button to open the lid. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defects of high design requirements and poor use effects of the button set as the power source for opening the lid in the prior art, so as to provide a rice cooker.

[0005] The present invention provides a rice cooker, including an upper lid and a pot body, and further including:

[0006] A first engaging structure, provided on one of the pot body and the upper lid;

[0007] A second engaging structure, provided on the other of the pot body and the upper lid, adapted to engage with the first engaging structure when the upper lid and the pot body are closed, connecting the upper lid and the pot body.

[0008] A driving member, adapted to receive an electrical signal and drive the second engaging structure to move to separate from or engage with the first engaging structure.

[0009] The first engaging structure includes:

[0010] A thrust portion, clamped with the pot body or the upper lid provided with the first engaging structure, adapted to limit the movement of the first engaging structure under the action of the second engaging structure;

[0011] A first clamping portion, fixedly connected to the thrust portion.

[0012] The second engaging structure includes:

[0013] A main body, including a rotating shaft, rotatably connected in the pot body or the upper lid provided with the second engaging structure;

[0014] The second clamping part is fixedly connected to the main body and is adapted to be clamped with the first clamping part under the action of an external force;

[0015] The connecting part is fixedly connected to the main body and is adapted to provide power for the second clamping part under the action of the driving part.

[0016] The thrust part includes: a rotating shaft arranged parallel to the rotating shaft;

[0017] The limiting part includes a groove body and a convex block that abut against the pot body or the upper cover provided with the first engaging structure, and the abutting direction is adapted to limit the movement of the first engaging structure under the action of the second engaging structure.

[0018] Barbs are provided on the relatively arranged outer ends of the first clamping part and the second clamping part, and the engaged barbs are adapted to limit the opening of the upper cover from the pot body.

[0019] The first clamping part and the connecting part are sheet-shaped, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs perpendicular to the rotating shaft are arranged thereon.

[0020] A protrusion is provided on the main body and is fixedly connected to the reset structure in the pot body or the upper cover provided with the second engaging structure.

[0021] The reset structure is an elastic member.

[0022] The driving part includes: a motor adapted to receive an electrical signal and output power;

[0023] A gear member is connected to the motor and is provided with a plurality of uniformly arranged blades, and the blades are adapted to drive the connecting part to move within the rotation stroke.

[0024] The motor is adapted to drive the blades to rotate by a fixed angle after receiving an electrical signal.

[0025] The first engaging structure is arranged in the upper cover, and the second engaging structure and the driving part are arranged in the pot body.

[0026] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0027] 1. A rice cooker provided by the present invention includes an upper cover and a pot body, and further includes: a first engaging structure arranged on one of the pot body and the upper cover; a second engaging structure arranged on the other of the pot body and the upper cover, adapted to be engaged with the first engaging structure when the upper cover and the pot body are closed to connect the upper cover and the pot body. A driving part adapted to receive an electrical signal and drive the second engaging structure to move to separate or engage with the first engaging structure.

[0028] When the upper cover and the pot body are closed, the driving member receives an electrical signal to drive the second engaging structure to move, so that the first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are engaged, fixing the upper cover and the pot body. After the driving member receives the second electrical signal, it drives the second engaging structure to continue to move and separate from the first engaging structure, disengaging from the engaged state, and the upper cover and the pot body can be separated. Such a setting can realize the engagement and disengagement of the upper cover and the pot body through an electrically controlled method such as remote control or touch screen control, avoiding opening holes on the product surface and setting mechanical buttons to control the opening and closing of the engaging structure, thereby preventing damage to the appearance of the product, reducing the design difficulty of the engaging structure and the control structure, and improving the user experience.

[0029] 2. For the rice cooker provided by the present invention, the second engaging structure includes: a main body, including a rotating shaft, which is rotatably connected to the pot body or the upper cover provided with the second engaging structure; a second engaging portion, fixedly connected to the main body, and adapted to be engaged with the first engaging portion under the action of an external force; a connecting portion, fixedly connected to the main body, and adapted to provide power for the second engaging portion under the action of the driving member.

[0030] The arrangement of the rotating shaft on the main body can cause the second engaging portion to move. The connecting portion provides power and a direction of movement for the rotation of the rotating shaft under the action of the driving member. Such an arrangement can enable the second engaging portion to be engaged with or disengaged from the first engaging portion under the action of a driving force.

[0031] 3. For the rice cooker provided by the present invention, the thrust portion includes: a rotating shaft, arranged parallel to the rotating shaft; a limiting portion, including a groove body and a convex block that abut against the pot body or the upper cover provided with the first engaging structure, and the abutting direction is adapted to limit the movement of the first engaging structure under the action of the second engaging structure.

[0032] The groove body and the convex block on the limiting portion abut against the pot body or the upper cover, restricting the rotation of the rotating shaft along the direction of the action of the second engaging structure, so that the first engaging structure can be stably engaged with the second engaging structure, preventing the occurrence of a tripping phenomenon.

[0033] 4. For the rice cooker provided by the present invention, the first engaging portion and the connecting portion are in the shape of a sheet, and a number of reinforcing ribs perpendicular to the rotating shaft are provided thereon.

[0034] The arrangement of the reinforcing ribs increases the installation strength of the first engaging portion, prevents the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion from being damaged due to multiple collisions during engagement, also increases the service strength of the connecting portion, can withstand the acting force brought by the driving member for a longer time, and improves the service life of the first engaging structure and the rice cooker.

[0035] 5. For the rice cooker provided by the present invention, the motor is adapted to drive the blade to rotate by a fixed angle after receiving an electrical signal.

[0036] When the rotation angle of the blade is fixed and the blades on the gear member are evenly arranged, the connecting portion rotates by the same angle under the drive of the blade. Such a setting enables the cooperation between the motor and the elastic member to periodically disengage and engage the barbs on the second engaging portion from the barbs on the first engaging portion, that is, to control the fixation and separation of the pot body and the upper cover. Description of the Drawings

[0037] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rice cooker provided in the embodiment of the present invention in the engaged state of the second engaging structure and the first engaging structure;

[0039] Figure 2 is Figure 1 An enlarged schematic view of part A of the rice cooker shown;

[0040] Figure 3 It is an enlarged schematic view of part A of the rice cooker provided in the embodiment of the present invention in the separated state of the second engaging structure and the first engaging structure;

[0041] Figure 4 It is an enlarged schematic view of a partial three-dimensional structure of the rice cooker provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 It is an enlarged schematic view of a partial three-dimensional structure of the rice cooker provided in the embodiment of the present invention from another angle.

[0043] Description of the Reference Numerals:

[0044] 1 - First engaging structure; 2 - Second engaging structure; 3 - Upper cover; 4 - Pot body; 5 - Driving member; 11 - Thrust portion; 12 - First engaging portion; 21 - Main body; 22 - Second engaging portion; 23 - Connecting portion; 41 - Elastic member; 51 - Motor; 52 - Gear member; 111 - Rotating shaft; 112 - Limiting portion; 121 - Reinforcing rib; 211 - Rotating shaft; 212 - Projection. Detailed Embodiments

[0045] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0047] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "installation", "connection", "coupling" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0048] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0049] As Figure 1 As shown in FIG. -5, in this embodiment, a rice cooker is provided, which includes an upper cover 3 and a pot body 4, and further includes: a first engaging structure 1 provided on one of the pot body 4 and the upper cover 3; a second engaging structure 2 provided on the other of the pot body 4 and the upper cover 3, adapted to engage with the first engaging structure 1 when the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4 are closed, connecting the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4. A driving member 5, adapted to receive an electrical signal and drive the second engaging structure 2 to move to separate from or engage with the first engaging structure 1.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first engaging structure 1 is provided in the upper cover 3, and the second engaging structure 2 and the driving member 5 are provided in the pot body 4. As an alternative embodiment, the first engaging structure 1 is provided in the pot body 4, and the second engaging structure 2 and the driving member 5 are provided in the upper cover 3.

[0051] When the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4 are closed, the driving member 5 receives an electrical signal to drive the second engaging structure 2 to move, so that the first engaging structure 1 and the second engaging structure 2 are engaged, fixing the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4. After the driving member 5 receives the second electrical signal, it drives the second engaging structure 2 to continue to move and separate from the first engaging structure 1, disengaging from the engaged state, and the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4 can be separated. Such a setting can realize the engagement and disengagement of the upper cover 3 and the pot body 4 through an electric control method such as remote control or touch screen control, avoiding opening holes on the product surface and setting mechanical buttons to control the opening and closing of the engaging structure, thus preventing damage to the appearance of the product, reducing the design difficulty of the engaging structure and the control structure, and improving the user experience.

[0052] The first engaging structure 1 includes: a thrust portion 11, which is clamped with the pot body 4 or the upper cover 3 provided with the first engaging structure 1 and is adapted to limit the movement of the first engaging structure 1 under the action of the second engaging structure 2; a first clamping portion 12, which is fixedly connected to the thrust portion 11. In this embodiment, the thrust portion 11 is engaged with the upper cover 3 and limits the first engaging structure 1 from rotating clockwise under the action of the second engaging structure 2.

[0053] The second engaging structure 2 includes: a main body 21, which includes a rotating shaft 211 and is rotatably connected in the pot body 4 or the upper cover 3 provided with the second engaging structure 2; a second clamping portion 22, which is fixedly connected to the main body 21 and is adapted to be engaged with the first clamping portion 12 under an external force; a connecting portion 23, which is fixedly connected to the main body 21 and is adapted to provide power for the second clamping portion 22 under the action of the driving member 5.

[0054] The arrangement of the rotating shaft 211 on the main body 21 can cause the second clamping portion 22 to move, and the connecting portion 23 provides power and a movement direction for the rotation of the rotating shaft 211 under the action of the driving member 5. Such an arrangement can enable the second clamping portion 22 to engage or disengage from the first clamping portion 12 under the action of the driving force.

[0055] The thrust portion 11 includes: a rotating shaft 111, which is arranged parallel to the rotating shaft 211; a limiting portion 112, which includes a groove body and a convex block that abut against the pot body 4 or the upper cover 3 provided with the first engaging structure 1, and the abutting direction is adapted to limit the movement of the first engaging structure 1 under the action of the second engaging structure 2. In this embodiment, the groove body and the convex block on the limiting portion 112 abut against the upper cover 3 and limit the first engaging structure 1 from rotating clockwise.

[0056] The groove body and the convex block on the limiting portion 112 abut against the pot body 4 or the upper cover 3, restricting the rotation of the rotating shaft 111 along the action direction of the second engaging structure 2, so that the first engaging structure 1 can be stably engaged with the second engaging structure 2, preventing the occurrence of a tripping phenomenon. In addition, such an arrangement can enable the first engaging structure 1 to be disassembled by rotating counterclockwise or facilitate the disassembly of the upper cover 3 assembly fixed to the first engaging structure 1.

[0057] Barbs are provided on the relatively arranged outer ends of the first clamping portion 12 and the second clamping portion 22, and the barbs of the clamping are adapted to limit the upper cover 3 from being opened from the pot body 4. As a transformable embodiment, a hook or other movable connection structure may be provided at the contact position between the first clamping portion 12 and the second clamping portion 22.

[0058] The first clamping portion 12 and the connecting portion 23 are sheet-shaped, and a number of reinforcing ribs 121 perpendicular to the rotating shaft 211 are provided thereon. The arrangement of the reinforcing ribs 121 increases the installation strength of the first clamping portion 12, prevents the first clamping portion 12 and the second clamping portion 22 from being damaged due to multiple collisions during clamping, and also increases the service strength of the connecting portion 23, enabling it to withstand the acting force brought by the driving member 5 for a longer time, thereby improving the service life of the first clamping structure 1 and the rice cooker.

[0059] A protrusion 212 is provided on the main body 21 and is fixedly connected to the reset structure in the pot body 4 or the upper cover 3 provided with the second clamping structure 2. The reset structure and the driving member 5 act together to respectively provide the power for separating and clamping the clamping of the first clamping structure 1 and the second clamping structure 2.

[0060] The reset structure is an elastic member 41. In this embodiment, it is a spring fixedly connected to the protrusion 212 and the pot body 4 at both ends. As a transformable embodiment, the elastic member 41 may be a silicone column or other structures.

[0061] The driving member 5 includes: a motor 51 adapted to receive an electrical signal and output power; a gear member 52 connected to the motor 51 and provided with a number of evenly arranged blades, and the blades are adapted to drive the connecting portion 23 to move within the rotation stroke. In this embodiment, the motor 51 is a stepper motor 51.

[0062] The motor 51 is adapted to drive the blades to rotate a fixed angle after receiving an electrical signal. When the rotation angle of the blades is fixed and the blades on the gear member 52 are evenly arranged, the connecting portion 23 rotates the same angle under the drive of the blades. Such an arrangement enables the motor 51 to cooperate with the elastic member 41 to periodically achieve the separation and engagement of the barbs on the second clamping portion 22 and the barbs on the first clamping portion 12, that is, to control the fixation and separation of the pot body 4 and the upper cover 3.

[0063] Working principle:

[0064] In this embodiment, the stepper motor 51 receives a pulse, rotates by a certain step angle, drives the gear to rotate by a certain angle. During the rotation of the gear, the blade comes into contact with the connecting portion 23, and the second clamping portion 22 moves, causing the first engaging structure 1 and the second engaging structure 2 to disengage, realizing the opening of the pot lid. The blade of the gear member 52 gradually separates from the lower end of the connecting portion 23, and the second engaging structure 2 resets under the action of the spring and returns to the initial state. After the stepper motor 51 receives the next pulse, the next lid opening is realized.

[0065] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples given for clear illustration and are not limitations on the implementation manners. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other different forms of changes or variations can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation manners here. And the obvious changes or variations derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rice cooker, comprising an upper lid (3) and a pot body (4), characterized in that, Further included are: A first engaging structure (1) provided on one of the pot body (4) and the upper cover (3); A second engaging structure (2) provided on the other of the pot body (4) and the upper cover (3), adapted to engage with the first engaging structure (1) when the upper cover (3) is closed with the pot body (4) to connect the upper cover (3) and the pot body (4); And A driving member (5) adapted to receive an electrical signal and drive the second engaging structure (2) to move to separate from or engage with the first engaging structure (1), The first engaging structure (1) includes: A thrust portion (11) that is clamped to the pot body (4) or the upper cover (3) provided with the first engaging structure (1), adapted to restrict the first engaging structure from moving under the action of the second engaging structure; A first clamping portion (12) fixedly connected to the thrust portion (11), The second engaging structure (2) includes: A main body (21) including a rotating shaft (211), rotatably connected in the pot body (4) or the upper cover (3) provided with the second engaging structure (2); A second clamping portion (22) fixedly connected to the main body (21), adapted to engage with the first clamping portion (12) under an external force; A connecting portion (23) fixedly connected to the main body (21), adapted to provide power for the second clamping portion (22) under the action of the driving member (5), The thrust portion (11) includes: A rotating shaft (111) arranged parallel to the rotating shaft (211); A limiting portion (112) including a groove body and a convex block that abut against the pot body (4) or the upper cover (3) provided with the first engaging structure (1), and the abutting direction is adapted to restrict the first engaging structure (1) from moving under the action of the second engaging structure, The driving member (5) includes: A motor (51) adapted to receive an electrical signal and output power; A gear member (52) connected to the motor (51), provided with a plurality of evenly arranged blades, and the blades are adapted to drive the connecting portion (23) to move within a rotation stroke, and the gear member (52) is located at the bottom of the second engaging structure (2).

2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that, Barbs are provided on the relatively arranged outer ends of the first clamping portion (12) and the second clamping portion (22), and the barbs for clamping are adapted to restrict the upper cover (3) from being opened from the pot body (4).

3. The rice cooker according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first clamping portion (12) and the connecting portion (23) are sheet-shaped, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (121) perpendicular to the rotating shaft (211) are provided thereon.

4. The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that, A protrusion (212) is provided on the main body (21), and is fixedly connected to a reset structure in the pot body (4) or the upper cover (3) provided with the second engaging structure (2).

5. The rice cooker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reset structure is an elastic member (41).

6. The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The motor (51) is adapted to drive the blades to rotate by a fixed angle after receiving an electrical signal.

7. The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that, The first engaging structure (1) is provided in the upper cover (3), and the second engaging structure (2) and the driving member (5) are provided in the pot body (4).

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