Electric rice cooker

Abstract

The electric rice cooker of the present application can ensure safety, i.e. prevent the outer cover from being opened when the inner container is pressurized, and improve operability, i.e. reduce the operation load of pressing the operation button when the outer cover is opened without pressurizing the inner container. It comprises: a rotatable hook rod provided on the outer cover; a hook receiving portion provided on the upper frame of the main body for engaging with one end of the hook rod; an operation button provided on the upper surface of the outer cover for pressing the other end of the hook rod to release the engagement state of the hook rod and the hook receiving portion; a frame-shaped button rod provided on the outer periphery of the operation button, which acts in the direction of pressing the hook rod when the operation button is pressed; and a connecting spring located on the lower surface of the operation button between the opposite frames of the button rod, which deforms in response to the pressing force of the operation button and simultaneously transmits the pressing force of the operation button to the button rod, wherein the connecting spring is fixed to the button rod in a state of having been deflected in advance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electric rice cookers, and more particularly to the construction of an operating part for opening and closing the outer lid of a pressure-type electric rice cooker. Background Technology

[0002] In existing rice cookers, to prevent the outer lid from being violently opened due to internal pressure during the cooking process, which could cause hot water and rice to spill out of the inner pot, a structure is used, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, where the front end of the hook receiving part is tilted downwards and the front locking part of the hook rod is tilted upwards. With this structure, when the inner pot is pressurized, the outer lid is pushed upwards, and the downward-tilted front end of the hook receiving part is positioned on the rotation trajectory of the hook's front end, preventing the hook from rotating and thus preventing the outer lid from opening.

[0003] However, when cooking rice is stopped or the inner pot is depressurized, the pressure initially drops rapidly, then gradually returns to atmospheric pressure. This process, though brief, takes time. During this period, the force required to lift the outer lid upwards decreases. If a strong force is used to open the lid at this time, it may be possible to do so. While the pressure inside the inner pot is lower than during cooking and therefore not dangerous, the lid still opens and closes with considerable force compared to normal conditions, which may cause user unease.

[0004] To address this, Patent Document 2 proposes a structure in which a frame-shaped button lever is provided around the outer periphery of the operation button for opening and closing the outer cover. This button lever moves in the direction of a pressing hook when the operation button is pressed. A connecting spring made of wire is positioned between the opposing frames of the button lever, located on the lower surface of the operation button. This connecting spring deforms with the pressure applied by the operation button while transmitting the pressing force to the button lever. With this structure, when the operation button is pressed to open the outer cover, if the frictional force of the hook lever engaging with the hook receiving part is stronger than the restoring force of the connecting spring after deformation, the pressing force of the operation button is absorbed by the deformation of the connecting spring, causing the operation button to retract into the frame of the button lever, and the outer cover remains closed. In other words, in Patent Document 2, even if excessive force is used to open the outer cover during the period between stopping cooking and the pressure inside the inner pot returning to atmospheric pressure, the deformation of the newly provided connecting spring can absorb the pressing force, preventing the outer cover from opening and improving safety.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-316

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-284290 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0010] However, in the structure shown in Patent Document 2, when there is no pressure inside the inner liner, the operation button is pressed while the connecting spring is flexed when the lid is opened. Therefore, due to the restoring force of the connecting spring on the deformation, the operating load during operation becomes heavier.

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to ensure safety—preventing the outer cover from opening when the inner liner is pressurized—and to improve operability—reducing the workload of pressing the operation button when opening the outer cover when the inner liner is not pressurized.

[0012] Technical solutions to the problem

[0013] To solve the above problems, the rice cooker of the present invention is configured with the structure of the claimed technical solution.

[0014] Specifically, the rice cooker of the present invention includes: an inner pot, which is detachably housed within a main body; an outer lid, which covers the upper part of the inner pot; a steam passage disposed on the outer lid; a pressure regulating valve disposed on the steam passage for regulating the pressure inside the inner pot; a pressure regulating control mechanism for actuating the pressure regulating valve to control the opening and closing of the steam passage; a hinge portion for holding the outer lid openably and closably within the main body; a rotatable hook rod disposed on the side of the outer lid opposite to the hinge portion; and a hook receiving portion disposed on the upper frame of the main body for engaging one end of the hook rod; and an operating mechanism. A button, disposed on the upper surface of the outer cover, is used to press the other end of the hook rod to release the hook rod from the locking state of the hook receiving part; a frame-shaped button rod, disposed on the outer periphery of the operation button, moves in the direction of pressing the hook rod when the operation button is pressed; and a connecting spring, located on the lower surface of the operation button between the opposing frames of the button rod, deforms in response to the pressing force of the operation button and simultaneously transmits the pressing force of the operation button to the button rod, wherein the connecting spring is fixed to the button rod in a pre-deflected state.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting spring is fixed to the button lever in a flexed state, such that: when the operation button is pressed while the inner liner is pressurized, the connecting spring deforms so that the button lever is not pressed; and when the operation button is pressed while the inner liner is not pressurized, the connecting spring does not deform.

[0016] Invention Effects

[0017] According to the present invention, safety can be ensured by preventing the outer cover from being opened when the inner liner is pressurized, and operability can be improved by reducing the workload of pressing the operation button when opening the outer cover when the inner liner is not pressurized.

[0018] Other issues, features, and effects not described above will become clearer through the following description of the implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It was demolished. Figure 1 A diagram illustrating the interior of the outer surface of the lid of a rice cooker.

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The main enlarged cross-sectional view of the outer lid of the rice cooker ( Figure 1 (Part A).

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A control module diagram for a rice cooker.

[0023] Figure 5 This is an explanation Figure 1 A 3D diagram of the opening and closing mechanism of the outer lid of a rice cooker.

[0024] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A 3D diagram of the connecting spring in the opening and closing mechanism of the rice cooker's outer lid when it deforms.

[0025] Figure 7 Figure (a) shows the fixed state of the connecting spring used in one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure (b) shows the fixed state of a conventional connecting spring.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the state of the connecting spring when it is normally fixed and when the operation button is pressed, according to an embodiment of the present invention (the diagrams (a) and (b) within the four dashed lines are detailed views of part B).

[0027] Figure 9 This is an external view of a rice cooker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 This means it has been demolished. Figure 9 The diagram shows the interior of the outer surface of the rice cooker's lid (Figures (a) and (b) within the four dashed lines are detailed views of part C).

[0029] Figure 11 This describes installing the connecting spring in a bent (deflected) position. Figure 10 A diagram showing the method of using button lever 14.

[0030] Figure 12 This diagram shows the state of the connecting spring when it is normally fixed and when the operation button is pressed, according to another embodiment of the present invention (the diagram within the solid lines is a detailed view of part D, and the diagram on the right side within the solid lines is a diagram showing the operation of the connecting spring). Detailed Implementation

[0031] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below using the accompanying drawings.

[0032] First, an example of the construction of a rice cooker to which the present invention is applicable is described. Figures 1 to 6 The following explanation is provided. Furthermore, the same structure of the rice cooker is also described in Patent Document 2. Additionally, the structure of the rice cooker is not limited to the following.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the rice cooker, the main body 1 has a protective frame 12 with an opening on the upper surface on the inside, and the inner pot 2 is detachably stored in the protective frame 12.

[0034] The inner liner 2 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open upper surface. Its upper end is bent outward and horizontally for easy disassembly and assembly from the main body 1, and is placed on the upper surface of the main body 1.

[0035] A heating mechanism 4 for induction heating of the bottom surface of the inner liner 2 is provided at the bottom of the outer side of the protective frame 12. A control unit 5 is provided in the front side space between the protective frame 12 and the main body 1. The heating mechanism 4 is controlled by the function of the control unit 5.

[0036] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the outer cover 3 is composed of an inner surface component 3a, an outer surface component 3b, and an outer surface component cover 3c.

[0037] On the inner surface component 3a of the cover, a cover is detachably mounted for covering. Figure 1 The inner cover 6 is located at the opening on the upper surface of the inner liner 2. The sealing gasket 7 installed on the lower peripheral edge of the inner cover 6 abuts against the upper end of the inner liner 2, keeping the space formed by the inner liner 2 and the inner cover 6 in a sealed state.

[0038] At approximately the center of the inner lid 6, a pressure regulating valve 8 communicating with the inner tank 2 is provided. When the pressure regulating valve 8 is closed, the vapor adjusts the pressure inside the inner tank 2 to a specified pressure (1.3 atmospheres in this embodiment), and at the same time, it is guided through a vapor passage 9 provided on the outer lid 3 to a vapor port cover 18 detachably attached to the outer lid 3, and is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through an exhaust port 18a. When the pressure regulating valve 8 is opened, the inside of the inner tank 2 is in a communicating state with the outside air through the exhaust port 18a, and the inside of the inner tank 2 is not pressurized.

[0039] In addition, as Figure 1 shown, on one side (the right side in the figure) of the outer lid 3 (the inner surface member 3a of the lid), a rotary shaft 22 (hinge portion) for pivotally supporting the outer lid 3 in an openable and closable manner is provided. As Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, on the side of the outer lid 3 opposite to the rotary shaft 22 (the left side in the figure), a hook lever 15 having a substantially "U" - shaped cross - section is provided, which is engaged with a hook receiving portion 17 provided on the main body 1 so that the outer lid 3 cannot be opened. The hook lever 15 is pivotally supported rotatably about a hook shaft 16.

[0040] And, as Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the hook lever 15 has a hook - shaped portion 15a provided at one end and a pressing portion 15b provided at the other end across the hook shaft 16. When the hook - shaped portion 15a is engaged with the hook receiving portion 17, the outer lid 3 cannot be opened unless the pressing portion 15b is pressed. In addition, as shown in Patent Document 1, the front end portion of the hook receiving portion 17 slopes downward, and the hook - shaped portion 15a of the hook lever 15 slopes upward. When the inside of the inner tank is pressurized, the outer lid is in a state of being pushed upward, and the downward - sloping front end portion of the hook receiving portion 17 is located on the rotation trajectory of the hook - shaped portion 15a, causing the hook lever 15 to no longer be able to rotate, so that the outer lid 3 cannot be opened.

[0041] On the outer surface member 3b of the outer lid 3, a substantially quadrilateral notch is formed in a portion substantially on the upper surface of the pressing portion 15b of the hook lever 15, and an operation button 10 and a button lever 14 having a frame shape (substantially quadrilateral shape) formed so as to surround the operation button 10 are arranged in the notch portion 3b - 1.

[0042] The operation button 10 and the button lever 14 on the side opposite to the pressing portion 15b of the hook lever 15 are pivotally supported by the edge portion of the notch portion 3b - 1 of the outer surface member 3b of the lid through a button shaft 10a and a button lever shaft 14a coaxial with the button shaft 10a. The pressing - portion 15b side of the button lever 14 is located on the upper surface of the pressing portion 15b. At this time, the operation button 10 is pivotally supported by the button shaft 10a so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the outer surface member cover 3c.

[0043] Between the frame members on the side of the button lever 14 that is not opposite to the button shaft 10a (in the direction orthogonal to the button shaft 10a), a connecting spring 13 made of elastic wire such as stainless steel wire is provided, positioned on the lower surface of the operating button 10 and used to support the lower surface. The two ends of the connecting spring 13 are as follows: Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, it is hung on the frame of button lever 14.

[0044] In this embodiment, the connecting spring 13 is fixed to the frame of the button lever 14 in a flexural manner. Figure 7 This indicates the state of the connecting spring 13 when it is fixed to the button lever 14. Figure 7 (a) indicates the fixed state of the connecting spring 13 in this embodiment. Figure 7 (b) indicates the fixed state of the existing connecting spring 13 used for comparison. In this embodiment, both ends are fixed to the frame of the button lever 14 in a manner that causes the connecting spring 13 to flex. By deliberately flexing and fixing the connecting spring 13 beforehand, a rigid state is formed in which the connecting spring 13 will not deform under a small pressing force from above the operating button 10. That is, when the restoring force of the connecting spring 13 is pressed against the frame, the connecting spring 13 will not deform as long as no pressing force in the opposite direction greater than the restoring force of the connecting spring 13 pressed by the frame acts on the connecting spring 13. Therefore, in this embodiment, the so-called rigid state means that the connecting spring 13 does not deform under the action of a pressing force of the same magnitude as the restoring force of the connecting spring 13 pressed by the frame. When there is no pressure inside the inner liner, the connecting spring 13 is in a rigid state when the outer cover is opened. Therefore, when the operation button 10 is pressed, the pressing force can be transmitted to the button lever 14 without the restoring force of the connecting spring 13. Furthermore, the method of fixing the connecting spring 13 to the button lever 14 will be described later.

[0045] Furthermore, when the operation button 10 is pressed from above, the button lever 14 rotates around the button lever shaft 14a and presses down the pressing part 15b of the hook lever 15. The pressed hook lever 15 rotates around the hook shaft 16, and the hook-shaped part 15a of the hook lever 15 disengages from the hook receiving part 17, thus opening the outer cover 3.

[0046] A steam temperature sensor 19 is provided in the steam passage 9 between the steam port cover 18 and the pressure regulating valve 8, in a manner that is located near the pressure regulating valve 8.

[0047] Control unit 5, etc. Figure 4The device shown is connected to a steam temperature sensor 19, a bottom temperature sensor 20 that detects the bottom temperature of the inner liner 2, a heating mechanism 4, and a pressure regulating control mechanism 11 that performs pressure regulating action of the pressure regulating valve 8. Based on the information from the steam temperature sensor 19 and the bottom temperature sensor 20, the device switches between controlling the heating mechanism 4, closing the pressure regulating valve 8, and opening the pressure regulating valve 8 to depressurize the inner liner 2.

[0048] The steam port cover 18 is detachably mounted to the outer cover 3 from the upper surface in a manner connected to the steam passage 9. In order to reduce the temperature of the steam discharged from the steam passage 9, the steam port cover 18 has a long air passage inside to guide the steam flowing in from the steam passage 9 to the exhaust port 18a.

[0049] When the user puts an appropriate amount of rice and water into the inner pot 2, inserts the inner pot 2 into the protective frame 12 and closes the outer cover 3, the outer cover 3 rotates around the rotating shaft 22 as the fulcrum, and the hook rod 15 rotates around the hook shaft 16 as the fulcrum. The hook-shaped part 15a of the hook rod 15 passes over the hook receiving part 17 and stops at the hook receiving part 17, and the outer cover 3 is closed.

[0050] When the outer cover 3 is opened in this state, the space formed by the inner liner 2 and the inner cover 6 is not pressurized because it is connected to the outside air through the steam passage. Therefore, there is no force that would lift the outer cover 3 upwards due to pressure. Consequently, the locking force between the hook-shaped portion 15a of the hook rod 15 and the hook receiving portion 17 is relatively weak. Figure 5 , Figure 8 As shown in (a), when a user wants to open the outer cover 3 and presses the operation button 10 downwards (downward arrow) with a relatively light force, the connecting spring 13, being flexibly fixed and rigid, does not deform due to the pressure applied by the operation button. Therefore, the force applied to the operation button 10 is transmitted to the button lever 14 without being subjected to a restoring force caused by deformation. The button lever 14 then presses down the pressing portion 15b of the hook lever 15. As a result, the hook lever 15 rotates around the hook shaft 16, releasing the lock between the hook portion 15a and the hook receiving portion 17, and the outer cover 3 opens. Furthermore, Figure 8 (b) indicates the state of the existing connecting spring 13 used for comparison. In the fixed state of the existing connecting spring 13, since the connecting spring 13 is not flexed and there is no pressure inside the inner liner, when the user wants to open the outer cover 3 and presses the operation button 10 downward (downward arrow), since the operation button 10 is pressed down while the connecting spring 13 is flexed, the operating load applied during operation becomes heavier due to the deformation restoring force of the connecting spring 13 (upward arrow).

[0051] Close the outer cover 3 again. After the user operates the cooking start button (illustration omitted) on the operation unit in order to cook rice, cooking will begin through the function of the control unit 5.

[0052] According to the predetermined cooking procedure, the first step is to soak the rice to promote water absorption. Based on the temperature specified by the bottom temperature sensor 20 (60°C in this embodiment), the heating mechanism 4 heats (400W in this embodiment) the inner pot 2, maintaining the water temperature inside the inner pot 2 at 55-60°C to promote water absorption by the rice grains.

[0053] After a specified time (15 minutes in this embodiment) has elapsed, the control unit 5 increases the heating amount of the heating mechanism 4 (1000W in this embodiment), and the pressure regulating control mechanism 11 operates to regulate the pressure inside the inner tank 2 using the pressure regulating valve 8.

[0054] As a result, the water temperature inside the inner tank 2 rises, generating steam and causing the pressure inside the inner tank 2 to rise. When the pressure rises to the working pressure of the pressure regulating valve 8, which is 1.3 atmospheres, it begins to boil at the boiling point of 107°C, which corresponds to 1.3 atmospheres. The steam released by the action of the pressure regulating valve 8 is released into the steam passage 9.

[0055] Because a steam temperature sensor 19 is installed near the pressure regulating valve 8 in the steam passage 9, the temperature of the steam temperature sensor 19, which is heated by steam, rises, thereby detecting the inflow of steam. The control unit 5 identifies boiling based on the fact that a certain temperature has been reached.

[0056] The control unit 5 reduces the heating amount of the heating mechanism 4 (500W in this embodiment), and the heating amount maintains the working pressure of the pressure regulating valve 8, which is 1.3 atmospheres, so that boiling at the boiling point of 107°C at this pressure continues or is maintained intermittently.

[0057] During this period, while the inner liner 2 is pressurized, the outer cover 3 is pushed upward by a force of about 100 kg. As a result, the hook-shaped part 15a of the hook rod 15 is firmly engaged with the hook receiving part 17, and it is not easy to fall off due to the friction generated by the load.

[0058] In this state, if the user mistakenly attempts to open the outer cover 3 and operates the operation button 10, the button lever 14 cannot move downwards because the hook lever 15 is not in a state where it can be easily rotated with a slight force. Therefore, when the operation button 10 is pressed forcefully, a pressing force in the opposite direction, greater than the restoring force of the connecting spring 13 pressed by the frame, acts on the connecting spring 13. The connecting spring 13 deforms, absorbing the operating force of the operation button 10. Figure 6As shown, when the operation button 10 is pressed forcefully, the connecting spring 13 deforms downwards proportionally to the pressing force, causing the operation button 10 to penetrate deeper into the inner side of the button lever 14's frame. At this time, because the connecting spring 13 has a restoring force to restore its pre-deformed shape, and is configured such that the connecting spring deforms if the pressing force exceeds this restoring force, even if the pressing force of the operation button 10 acts on the button lever 14 via the connecting spring 13, the button lever 14 will not move downwards. Therefore, even if the user presses the operation button 10, the outer cover 3 will not open, ensuring safety.

[0059] On the other hand, when the machine is turned off to stop cooking during the cooking process, the control unit 5 stops supplying power to the heating mechanism 4 to stop heating, and stops the operation of the pressure regulating control mechanism 11 to open the pressure regulating valve 8.

[0060] Therefore, after the pressure regulating valve 8 is opened, the steam inside the inner liner 2 is released from the exhaust port 18a through the steam passage 9 and the air passage in the steam port cover 18. However, because the steam release path is relatively long, path resistance is generated, and the pressure inside the inner liner 2 cannot become the same as the outside air pressure in an instant. Although the time is short, a weak pressure remains inside the inner liner 2, which recovers to the same pressure as atmospheric pressure over time.

[0061] When the outer cover 3 is opened while there is a relatively weak pressure remaining inside the inner liner 2, the restoring force required for the connecting spring 13 to deform and return to its original state is set to be smaller than the frictional force required to engage the hook portion 15a of the hook rod 15 with the hook receiving portion 17 when there is a relatively weak pressure remaining inside the inner liner 2. Therefore, the connecting spring 13 deforms and absorbs the operating force of the operating button 10, and thus the engagement between the hook portion 15a of the hook rod 15 and the hook receiving portion 17 will not disengage. Furthermore, to make the connecting spring 13 a rigid body, only the elastic force of the connecting spring 13 is increased, and as... Figure 7 In the prior art shown in (b), where the connecting spring 13 is fixed to the frame without bending, the restoring force cannot be reduced. However, in this embodiment, both the rigid body state and the restoring force can be set to be small, which can improve both the safety of opening the outer cover and the operability of the operation button.

[0062] As explained above, this embodiment provides a rice cooker that, when cooking is stopped and the pressure inside the inner pot has not returned to atmospheric pressure, cannot open the outer lid even with excessive force, thus preventing user discomfort. Furthermore, the outer lid can be easily opened when there is no pressure inside the inner pot.

[0063] Furthermore, even when the inner pot 2 is pressurized, the operation button 10 is pressed forcefully, and the pressing action of the operation button 10 is also performed within the frame of the button lever 14. Therefore, there is no need to increase the height of the outer cover 3, resulting in a compact rice cooker.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the operation button 10 is supported by the button shaft 10a. However, as long as the operation button 10 and the button lever 14 can move relative to each other via the connecting spring 13, the operation button 10 may not be supported by the button shaft 10a. See below for further details. Figures 9-12 An embodiment in which the operation button 10 is not supported by the button shaft 10a and the method of mounting the connecting spring 13 on the button lever 14 will be described.

[0065] Figure 9 This describes the appearance of the rice cooker in this embodiment. Figure 10 This means it has been demolished. Figure 9 The diagram shows the interior of the outer surface of the lid 3 of the rice cooker after it is covered. In this embodiment, multiple holes are formed in the button lever 14, and multiple claws 10-2 provided on the operation button 10 are inserted into a portion of these holes to prevent the operation button 10 from falling off, while allowing the operation button 10 to move relative to the button lever 14. Additionally, a rib 10-1 is provided at the lower center of the operation button 10, which contacts the connecting spring 13. The rib 10-1 of the operation button 10 is formed in the rib through hole 14-1 of the button lever 14 (see reference). Figure 11 The button lever 14 is connected to the connecting spring 13. The connecting spring 13 is mounted on the button lever 14 in a flexed state. Furthermore, the button lever shaft 14a of the button lever 14 is located in relation to the embodiment described above (see reference 14a). Figure 5 , Figure 6 On the opposite side, but the button lever 14a can also be configured in the same position as in the above embodiment.

[0066] Figure 11 This describes a method of mounting the connecting spring 13 onto the button lever 14 in a flexed state. The button lever 14 has two elongated holes 14-2, and a rib-through hole 14-1 is formed between the two elongated holes 14-2 for the rib 10-1 of the operating button 10 to pass through. (Example...) Figure 11 As shown in (a) and (b), one end of the connecting spring 13 is inserted into an elongated hole 14-2, passing through the lower part of the rib through-hole 14-1, and then one end of the connecting spring 13 is removed through another elongated hole 14-2 (c). In this state, the connecting spring 13 is rotated, locking both ends of the connecting spring 13 onto the frame of the button lever 14. Thus, as... Figure 7 As shown in (a), the connecting spring 13 is in a fixed state where it has flexed.

[0067] Figure 12This illustrates the states of the connecting spring 13 in its normally fixed state and the state when the operation button is pressed. Similar to the previous embodiment, when the outer cover 3 is opened without pressure on the inner liner 2, and the user presses the operation button 10 downwards with a light force to open the outer cover 3, the connecting spring 13, being flexibly fixed and rigid, does not deform due to the downward pressure of the operation button. Therefore, the force applied to the operation button 10 is transmitted to the button lever 14 (arrow I) without being subjected to a restoring force caused by deformation. The button lever 14 then presses down the pressing portion 15b of the hook lever 15 (arrow II). As a result, the hook lever 15 rotates around the hook shaft 16, releasing the lock between the hook portion 15a and the hook receiving portion 17, and the outer cover 3 opens. Therefore, this embodiment also ensures safety—preventing the outer cover from being opened when the inner liner is pressurized, and improves operability—reducing the workload of pressing the operation button when opening the outer cover when the inner liner is not pressurized.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes various modifications. For example, the embodiments described above are detailed to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not limited to having all the structures described. Additionally, a portion of the structure of one embodiment can be replaced with the structure of another embodiment. Furthermore, the structure of another embodiment can be added to the structure of one embodiment. Moreover, regarding a portion of the structure of each embodiment, other structures can be added, deleted, or replaced.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the connecting spring 13 is disposed between the frames of the button lever 14 on the side not opposite to the button shaft 10a, but it can also be disposed between the frames on the side opposite to the button shaft 10a.

[0070] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0071] 1…Main body, 2…Inner liner, 3…Outer cover, 4…Heating mechanism, 5…Control unit, 6…Inner cover, 8…Pressure regulating valve, 10…Operating button, 13…Connecting spring, 14…Button lever, 15…Hook lever.

Claims

1. An electric rice cooker, characterized in that, include: The inner liner is detachably stored inside the main body; An outer cover that covers the upper part of the inner liner; A vapor passage is provided in the outer cover; A pressure regulating valve, which is located in the steam passage, is used to regulate the pressure inside the inner liner; A pressure regulating control mechanism that actuates the pressure regulating valve to control the opening and closing of the steam passage; A hinge portion that allows the outer cover to be opened and closed within the body; A rotatable hook is provided on the side of the outer cover opposite to the hinge portion; A hook receiving part is provided on the upper frame of the main body and is used to lock with one end of the hook rod; An operation button, located on the upper surface of the outer cover, is used to press the other end of the hook rod to release the hook rod from the locking state of the hook receiving part; A frame-shaped button lever is disposed around the outer periphery of the operation button and moves in the direction of pressing the hook lever when the operation button is pressed. and A connecting spring, located on the lower surface of the operating button between the opposing frames of the button lever, deforms in response to the pressing force of the operating button and simultaneously transmits the pressing force of the operating button to the button lever. The connecting spring is fixed to the button lever in a pre-deflected state.

2. The rice cooker as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting spring is fixed to the button lever in a flexed state, such that: When the operation button is pressed while the inner liner is pressurized, the connecting spring deforms so that the button lever is not pressed down, and... When the operation button is pressed without pressure inside the inner liner, the connecting spring does not deform.

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