Electric cooker

Abstract

The invention provides an electric cooker which can realize unification of an upper frame without being influenced by colors of an outer frame and a hinge cover. The electric cooker (100) of the present invention is provided with: a main body (1) having an open upper part and having an upper frame (6) for hanging a pot (5); a cover body (2) covering the opening of the main body (1); and a hinge part (41) for connecting the main body (1) and the cover body (2) in an openable and closable manner, the main body (1) being provided with: an outer frame (3) serving as an exterior member; and a hinge cover (44) that covers a connection part between the main body (1) and the cover body (2) in the hinge part (41), and the periphery of the upper frame (6) is covered by the outer frame (3) and the hinge cover (44) such that the upper end part of the outer frame (3) and the upper end part of the hinge cover (44) are higher than the outer peripheral part of the upper frame (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electric rice cooker, which is provided with a main body having an upper frame for suspending a pot. Background Art

[0002] In the past, there is known an electric rice cooker in which an upper frame forming the upper surface of the main body and suspending the pot is provided as a part of the pot accommodating portion for accommodating the pot. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following electric rice cooker: a support frame 3b for suspending a protection frame 3 of an inner pot 2 is formed on the electric rice cooker main body 1, and a cover 12 covering the upper part of the electric rice cooker main body 1 is connected to the electric rice cooker main body 1 in an openable and closable manner via a hinge portion 5 formed integrally with the support frame 3b. In this electric rice cooker, an outer frame 1a is provided on the outer side of the electric rice cooker main body 1, and a hinge cover 29 is attached to the rear side of the outer frame 1a.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-88555

[0006] Generally, the appearance of the electric rice cooker has various colors, and the components exposed on the appearance surface of the electric rice cooker need to be in a color that matches the appearance of the electric rice cooker. However, in the electric rice cooker of Patent Document 1, the component joint formed between the outer frame 1a and the support frame 3b is exposed on the appearance surface, so if the color of the outer frame 1a and the hinge cover 29 is changed, the color of the support frame 3b also needs to be changed for the overall appearance of the electric rice cooker. Therefore, it is impossible to use a unified color in the support frame 3b, and there is a problem that the support frame 3b cannot be unified. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric rice cooker capable of realizing a unified upper frame without being affected by the colors of an outer frame or a hinge cover.

[0008] The electric rice cooker of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a main body with an opening at the top and an upper frame for suspending a pot; a cover body covering the opening of the main body; and a hinge connecting the main body and the cover body so that they can be opened and closed freely. The main body comprises: an outer frame serving as an appearance component; and a hinge cover covering the connecting portion between the main body and the cover body in the hinge, wherein the upper end portion of the outer frame and the upper end portion of the hinge cover are higher than the outer periphery of the upper frame, and the periphery of the upper frame is covered by the outer frame and the hinge cover.

[0009] Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, since the upper frame is not exposed on the outer surface, the upper frames can be unified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a rice cooker according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the rice cooker of the above-mentioned one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the cover body according to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the outer cover and the operation panel according to the above-mentioned embodiment as seen from below.

[0015] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the rice cooker in a state where the operation panel according to the above-mentioned embodiment is removed.

[0016] Figure 6 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the cover body of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the rice cooker in a state where the lid of the above-mentioned embodiment is opened.

[0018] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the rice cooker according to the above embodiment as seen from the rear.

[0019] Fig. 9 It is a perspective view of the outer frame of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0020] Fig.10 It is an explanatory diagram showing the main parts around the upper frame support portion of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0021] Fig.11 (A) is a perspective view of the hinge cover of the above-mentioned embodiment, Fig.11 (B) is a perspective view of the hinge cover viewed from the rear.

[0022] Fig.12 This is a perspective view of the rice cooker viewed from below in a state where the hinge cover according to the above-mentioned embodiment is removed.

[0023] Fig.13 This is a perspective view of the dome portion of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1 main body; 2 cover body; 3 outer frame; 5 pot; 6 upper frame; 21 operation panel (panel part); 22 outer cover; 23 outer cover cover; 40 cooling fan; 41 hinge part (hinge); 44 hinge cover; 67, 68 screw receiving part (fastening part); 72-1, 73-1 insertion part cover (fastening part cover); 111 power cord; 112-1 cord holding part; 112-2 air intake part; 100 rice cooker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the heating cooker in the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In addition, in all of these drawings, common reference numerals are given to common parts.

[0027] Figures 1 to 13 The electric rice cooker 100 in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. If the overall structure of the electric rice cooker 100 in this embodiment is described based on these drawings, 1 is a main body, which is roughly rectangular with the front and rear sides, the left side and the right side facing each other when viewed from above, and the upper part is open. 2 is a cover body that can be opened and closed to cover the upper surface opening of the main body 1. Like the main body 1, it is roughly rectangular with the front and rear sides, the left side and the right side facing each other when viewed from above, and the upper surface is roughly flat. The main body 1 has an outer frame 3 that becomes an appearance component, and a pot storage part 4 with an upper opening, and is configured so that when the cover body 2 is opened, a pot 5 with a bottom as a container for accommodating the rice to be cooked, i.e., water and rice, can be freely loaded and unloaded in the pot storage part 4. The pot storage part 4 is composed of an upper frame 6 that constitutes its upper and side parts and is used to suspend the pot 5, and a bowl-shaped and resin-made inner frame 7, etc., and the whole is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0028] The pot 5 is made of aluminum with good thermal conductivity as the main material 8, and a heating element 9 made of a magnetic metal plate such as ferrite stainless steel is joined from the lower side of the outer surface of the main material 8 to the bottom. In addition, a heating coil 11 is provided as a heating mechanism for electromagnetic induction heating the heating element 9 of the pot 5 on the outer surface of the inner frame 7 facing the bottom surface from the lower side of the pot 5. And it is configured so that when a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 11, the heating element 9 of the pot 5 is heated by the alternating magnetic field generated by the heating coil 11, and the food to be cooked in the pot 5 is heated when cooking and keeping warm. In addition, a pot sensor 12 as a pot temperature detection mechanism is arranged at the bottom center of the inner frame 7 so as to be in elastic contact with the bottom of the outer surface of the pot 5.

[0029] A steam port 14 is formed on the upper surface of the lid 2 to discharge steam generated from the food in the pot 5 to the outside of the rice cooker 100. In addition, a lid operating body 15 as a lid opening mechanism is disposed in an exposed state in front of the upper surface of the lid 2.

[0030] In addition to the steam port 14 and the cover operating body 15, a display operating unit 17 is provided on the upper surface of the cover 2. The display operating unit 17 mainly includes: a display mechanism 18 composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying various information related to rice cooking; an operating mechanism 19 composed of a push switch for starting rice cooking or selecting a rice cooking program; and a control PC (Printed Circuit) board 20 equipped with a control IC (not shown) for controlling the display mechanism 18, the operating mechanism 19, and various parts of the display operating unit 17. In addition, an operating panel 21 for protecting the display mechanism 18, the operating mechanism 19, and the control PC board 20 is arranged above the display operating unit 17.

[0031] The cover body 2 is composed of an outer cover 22 which is an appearance component, and an outer cover cover 23 which is formed below the outer cover 22. The outer cover cover 23 is provided with a metal heat sink 24 which is obtained by subjecting stainless steel or aluminum to an acid-resistant and corrosion-resistant treatment. An inner cover assembly 25 which is a lower component of the cover body 2 is arranged on the lower side of the cover body 2. The inner cover assembly 25 is composed of a disc-shaped metal material having a diameter substantially the same as that of the upper opening of the pot 5, and comprises: an inner cover 26 which covers the upper opening of the pot 5; and a cover seal 27 which is an elastic component and is provided on the entire outer circumference of the inner cover 26 in order to seal between the inner cover 26 and the pot 5. The cover seal 27 which is formed in an annular shape is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, when the lid 2 is closed, it abuts against the flange 28 that becomes the upper surface of the pot 5 and the inner surface of the upper end of the pot 5, thereby blocking the gap between the pot 5 and the inner cover 26 and sealing the steam generated from the pot 5. The metal inner cover 26 obtained by acid-resistant corrosion treatment of stainless steel or aluminum is arranged on the outer side of the heat sink 24.

[0032] Inside the lid body 2, there are provided a lid heater 31 as a lid heating mechanism for heating the inner lid 26, a thermistor-type lid temperature sensor 32 for performing temperature management of the inner lid 26 based on the lid heater 31, and a pressure regulating unit 33 for adjusting the pressure of the space inside the pot 5. In addition, inside the lid body 2, as a passage for releasing the steam generated in the pot 5 to the outside, a steam discharge path 34 is formed that connects the steam port 14 with the pressure regulating unit 33.

[0033] The pressure regulating part 33 is provided with a pressure regulating valve 35 for opening and closing the steam discharge path 34 between the inside of the pot 5 and the steam port 14. The pressure regulating valve 35 is linked to a solenoid 36 provided inside the cover 2, and the solenoid 36 moves the pressure regulating valve 35 up and down so as to open the steam discharge path 34 when the steam in the pot 5 is released to the outside, and to block the steam discharge path 34 when the inside of the pot 5 is set to a pressurized or depressurized state. In addition, when pressurized, the food to be cooked in the pot 5 is heated by high-frequency energization of the heating coil 11, and the food to be cooked boils and generates steam. When the steam fills the pot 5 and the internal pressure of the pot 5 reaches a predetermined value, the spring 37 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 37 provided in the pressure regulating valve 35 and contracts upward, and the pressure regulating valve 35 moves upward to open the steam discharge path 34, thereby maintaining the pressure in the pot 5 above the atmospheric pressure.

[0034] Reference numeral 38 denotes a unitized heating substrate assembly disposed inside the main body 1 and including a heating control mechanism 39. The heating control mechanism 39 is configured to electrically control various parts of the rice cooker 100 in combination with the display operation unit 17, and includes a microcomputer (microcomputer) including a control IC such as a CPU, a memory capable of reading and writing various information or data, and a timer capable of measuring the time associated with rice cooking, and electrically controls various parts of the rice cooker 100. Specifically, the heating substrate assembly 38 is connected to the display operation unit 17, and the heating control mechanism 39 receives temperature sensing signals from the pot sensor 12 and the lid temperature sensor 32, and outputs heating control signals to the heating coil 11 and the lid heater 31, respectively, and outputs a driving control signal to the solenoid 36 that activates the pressure regulating valve 35. Reference numeral 40 denotes a cooling fan for cooling the heating substrate assembly 38, and an air inlet 50 for the cooling fan 40 to take in external air is formed at the bottom of the outer frame 3 at a location opposite to the cooling fan 40.

[0035] Reference numeral 41 denotes a hinge portion, which includes a hinge shaft 42 disposed at the rear lower portion of the cover body 2, and a hinge spring 43 formed of a coil spring or the like and disposed at the upper rear portion of the main body 1. The structure is such that if the cover body operating body 14 disposed at the front upper surface of the cover body 2 is pressed, the engagement between the main body 1 and the cover body 2 is released, and the cover body 2 is opened with the hinge shaft 42 as the rotation center by the hinge spring 43.

[0036] In addition, a hinge cover 44 is installed behind the hinge part 41 to cover the connection part between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 in the hinge part 41, and the hinge cover 44 is configured to be flush with the outer frame 3 and the outer cover 22. Therefore, the outer frame 3, the outer cover 22 and the hinge cover 44 form the outer shape of the rice cooker 100.

[0037] The hinge shaft 42 supports the main body 1 and the cover 2 so that they can be opened and closed freely. The hinge spring 43 is fixed to the outer cover 23 to always apply force to the cover 2 in the opening direction. On the side substantially opposite to the hinge shaft 42, which is the rotation center of the cover 2, a clamp 45 that is linked to the cover operating body 14 is arranged. The clamp 45 is supported by the outer cover 23 via a clamp shaft 46. In addition, on the side substantially opposite to the hinge portion 31, a clamp receiving portion 47 (see FIG. 4 ) that engages with the clamp 45 is provided on the outer frame 3. Figure 7 ).

[0038] The clamp 45 provided on the cover 2 rotates around the clamp shaft 46 as the central axis, and is connected to the clamp receiving portion 47 (see Figure 3 ) is engaged. The main body 1 and the cover body 2 are kept in a closed state by the engagement of the clamp 45 and the clamp receiving portion 47. On the other hand, when the cover body 2 is opened, the cover body operating body 15 is pressed to rotate the clamp 45 in the opposite direction, thereby releasing the engagement of the clamp 45 and the clamp receiving portion 47.

[0039] Reference numeral 48 is a decompression mechanism for making the interior of the pot 5 lower than the normal atmospheric pressure when the lid 2 is closed to the main body 1. The decompression mechanism 48 reduces the internal pressure of the sealed pot 5 when the solenoid 36 is energized and the pressure regulating valve 35 is moved downward to block the steam discharge path 34 after the pot 5 is accommodated in the pot accommodation portion 4 and the lid 2 is closed. In addition, when the pressure inside the pot 5 is lower than the atmospheric pressure by a certain value, the action of the decompression pump 49, which is the action source of the decompression mechanism 48, is stopped to keep the inside of the pot 5 in a decompressed state. Moreover, when the inside of the pot 5 is restored to the same pressure as the outside air from the decompressed state, the action of the decompression pump 49 is stopped to open the unillustrated path connecting the decompression pump 49 and the inside of the pot 5. In other words, the decompression mechanism 48 also serves as a pressure recovery mechanism for restoring the inside of the pot 5 from the decompressed state to the same pressure as the outside air.

[0040] Figure 3 1 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 in a state where the outer cover 22 is removed, as viewed from the rear. In this figure, a pair of lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52 are arranged on the outer cover 23 as a base material of the cover body 2, which are divided into left and right. The lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52 are used to supplement the strength of the cover body 2, and are made of a metal material, for example, having a higher rigidity than the outer cover 23 made of synthetic resin, and are in a straight line shape extending in the front-rear direction of the cover body 2 along both side surfaces of the outer cover 23. In addition, the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52 have a structure fixed to the outer cover 35 by a fixing member such as a screw.

[0041] Holes 53 and 54 through which the clamp shaft 46 passes are provided on the front side of the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52, and the ends of the clamp shaft 46 are passed through the holes 53 and 54, thereby connecting the clamp shaft 46 to the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52. Therefore, the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52 also function as bearings for the clamp shaft 46. In addition, holes 55 and 56 through which the hinge shaft 42 passes are provided on the rear side of the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52, and the ends of the hinge shaft 42 are passed through the holes 55 and 56, thereby connecting not only the clamp shaft 46 but also the hinge shaft 42 to the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52. The hinge shaft 42 and the clamp shaft 46 are metal parts that are arranged to extend along the left and right directions of the cover body 2 and the electric rice cooker 100. By combining these parts with the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52, the cover body 2 can be effectively reinforced, for example, against the pressure increase when the pressure in the pot 4 becomes above atmospheric pressure and the pressure decrease when it becomes below atmospheric pressure when cooking rice. Therefore, only by connecting the cover reinforcement plates 51 and 52 to the hinge shaft 42 and the clamp shaft 46, the strength of the cover body 2 and the electric rice cooker 100 as a product can be increased, and the disadvantage of cost increase can be improved while avoiding the increase in product size and weight. In addition, by using the clamp shaft 46 as a connecting body, effective reinforcement in the clamp 45 is achieved with the minimum required structure, and by using the hinge shaft 42 as a connecting body, effective reinforcement in the rotation mechanism of the cover body 2 and the main body 1 is achieved with the minimum required structure.

[0042] 61, 62, 63, 64 are bosses for receiving screws 65, 65, 65, 65. Bosses 61, 62, 63, 64 are cylindrical in shape with an opening on the bottom surface, and through holes 61-1, 62-1, 63-1, 64-1 are provided on the top surface for the shaft of screw 65 to pass through. Figure 4 As shown, on the lower surface of the operation panel 21, as a fastening portion with the outer cover 23, cylindrical screw receiving portions 67, 68, 69, 70 extending downward are provided at positions corresponding to the bosses 61, 62, 63, 64, and screw holes into which screws 65, 65, 65, 65 are screwed are formed on the lower surfaces of the screw receiving portions 67, 68, 69, 70. Figure 5As shown, screw receiving insertion portions 72, 73, 74, 75 are formed on the upper surface of the outer cover 22 at positions corresponding to the screw receiving portions 67, 68, 69, 70. The operation panel 21 is mounted on the outer cover 22 by inserting the screw receiving portions 67, 68, 69, 70 of the operation panel 21 into the screw receiving insertion portions 72, 73, 74, 75 of the cover 22. The outer cover 22 is covered on the outer cover cover 23. The screws 65, 65, 65, 65 are screwed onto the screw receiving portions 67, 68, 69, 70 via the through holes 61-1, 62-1, 63-1, 64-1 of the bosses 61, 62, 63, 64. The outer cover 22 is clamped by the operation panel 21 and the outer cover cover 23, and the cover body 2 is assembled.

[0043] In the past, the screw receiving insertion parts such as the screw receiving insertion parts 74 and 75 were all formed as through holes, and the outer surfaces of the screw receiving parts 67, 68, 69 and 70 of the operation panel 21 were exposed in the internal space of the cover body 2 formed between the outer cover 22 and the outer cover cover 23. Here, a lubricant such as grease is applied to the hinge spring 43 for the purpose of smoothing the movement and suppressing the sliding sound. In addition, the outer cover 22 and the outer cover cover 23 are made of a material such as polypropylene (PP) resin that does not deteriorate even if a lubricant is attached, but in the case where a material such as ABS resin is used for the operation panel 21, when applying to the hinge spring 43 or when the rice cooker is turned sideways or upside down during the appearance inspection of the product, there is a concern that the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 will adhere to the screw receiving parts 67 and 68 arranged near the hinge part 41, and the attached part will deteriorate and cause solvent cracks. Therefore, in this embodiment, cylindrical insertion portion covers 72-1, 73-1 extending downward are formed in the screw receiving insertion portions 72, 73 disposed near the hinge portion 41, so that the screw receiving portions 67, 68 are not exposed in the internal space of the cover body 2. Therefore, the insertion portion covers 72-1, 73-1 function as fastening portion covers for the screw receiving portions 67, 68.

[0044] like Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the insertion cover 72-1, 73-1 is formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the boss 61, 62, and the insertion cover 72-1, 73-1 is formed to extend downward to the extent that the front end of the boss 61, 62 is inserted into the lower end of the insertion cover 72-1, 73-1 when the operation panel 21 is mounted on the outer cover 22 and the outer cover 22 is covered on the outer cover cover 23. Here, the insertion cover 72-1, 73-1 is formed integrally with the outer cover 22 and is made of the same material as the outer cover 22, so it will not deteriorate even if the lubricant is attached. Therefore, the screw receiving parts 67, 68 arranged near the hinge part 41 are covered by the top surfaces of the insertion cover 72-1, 73-1 and the boss 61, 62 and will not be exposed to the internal space of the cover body 2, and the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 and the like will not adhere to the screw receiving parts 67, 68.

[0045] In addition, in the present embodiment, the screw receiving insertion portions 74 and 75 which are spaced apart from the hinge portion 41 are formed as through holes and are not provided with insertion portion covers. However, this is only an example, and a configuration in which insertion portion covers are provided on the screw receiving insertion portions 74 and 75 may also be adopted.

[0046] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 with the lid 2 opened. Figure 8 1 is a three-dimensional view of the rice cooker 100 observed from the rear. As shown in these figures, in the present embodiment, the outer side of the upper surface of the upper frame 6 is formed to bend upward while extending, and in addition, when viewed from above, the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6 and the inner peripheral portion of the outer frame 3 are formed into substantially the same shape, and the upper frame 6 is configured to be just accommodated in the outer frame 3. In addition, in a manner in which the upper end portion of the outer frame 3 and the upper end portion of the hinge cover 44 are higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6, the periphery of the upper frame 6 is configured to be covered by the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44. Therefore, the upper frame 6 will not be exposed on the appearance surface of the rice cooker, so a uniform color can be adopted in the upper frame 6, and the unification of the upper frame 6 can be achieved.

[0047] Fig. 9 81, 81··· are rib-shaped upper frame support portions formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3. Fig.10As shown, the upper frame support parts 81, 81··· are respectively formed with a notch part 82 on the side wall side of the upper outer frame 3. In addition, the upper frame 6 is formed with a cylindrical part 83 extending downward from the outer periphery, and the upper frame 6 is inserted into the outer frame 3 to the extent that the lower end edge of the cylindrical part 83 abuts against the lower end of the notch parts 82, 82··· of the upper frame support parts 81, 81···, so that the lower end of the notch parts 82, 82··· supports the lower end edge of the cylindrical part 83, and the upper frame 6 is fixed in the outer frame 3. In addition, in this embodiment, the notch part 82 is formed so that the interval with the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 becomes wider as it goes upward, so that the cylindrical part 83 can be easily inserted into the notch part 82, but this is an example.

[0048] return Fig. 9 For explanation, 85 is a recessed portion as a place to install the hinge cover 44. The outer frame 3 is formed, for example, by stamping, but in the case of forming a bottomed cylindrical component such as the outer frame 3 by stamping, a notch is required for removing the formed component from the stamping machine. In the present embodiment, the notch is set as the recessed portion 85, so that the outer frame 3 can be formed by stamping. The recessed portion 85 of the present embodiment is substantially the same shape as the hinge cover body 44-1 and the positioning portion 95 of the hinge cover 44 described later, and is configured so that when the hinge cover 44 is installed on the main body 1, the hinge cover body 44-1 and the positioning portion 95 are exactly accommodated in the recessed portion 85.

[0049] Ribs 86 and 87 are formed in an L-shaped shape in a plan view on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3, and are configured so that an insertion portion 94 described later of the hinge cover 44 is inserted into the space between the ribs 86 and 87. Therefore, the space between the ribs 86 and 87 functions as an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44. The ribs 86 and 87 are respectively composed of plate-like portions 86-1 and 87-1 extending vertically inward from the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 in a plan view, and plate-like portions 86-2 and 87-2 extending horizontally from the edges of the plate-like portions 86-1 and 87-1 toward the direction of each rib 86 and 87 in a plan view. The width between the plate-like portions 86-1 and 87-1 is set to be larger than the width of the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44, and the width between the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 and the plate-like portions 86-2 and 87-2 is set to be larger than the thickness of the insertion portion 94. When the insertion portion 94 is inserted into the space between the ribs 86 and 87, there is a surplus between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-like portions 86-2 and 87-2, thereby generating a so-called clearance.

[0050] Reference numerals 88 and 88 denote insertion receiving portions into which insertion claws 91 and 91 of the hinge cover body 44 - 1 described later are inserted. The insertion receiving portions 87 and 87 are provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 at locations where both ends of the hinge cover body 44 - 1 abut.

[0051] Fig.11(A) shows a perspective view of the hinge cover 44, Fig.11 (B) shows a perspective view of the hinge cover 44 viewed from the rear. Referring to this figure, the hinge cover 44 is mainly composed of a hinge cover body 44 - 1 , a hinge cover fixing portion 44 - 2 , and a lid cover portion 443 .

[0052] The hinge cover body 44-1 covers the upper part of the recessed portion 85, and is formed so that when the hinge cover 44 is installed, the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 is connected to the upper end of the outer frame 3. Therefore, the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 of the hinge cover 44 is higher than the outer periphery of the upper frame 6, and a part of the periphery of the upper frame 6 is covered by the hinge cover 44. The hinge cover body 44-1 is configured to have insertion claws 91, 91 provided at both ends, and suppression parts 92, 92 provided to extend vertically from the lower end of the hinge cover body 44-1 to the inner side of the outer frame 3.

[0053] The insertion claws 91, 91 are inserted into the insertion receiving parts 87, 87 of the outer frame 3 when the hinge cover 44 is mounted on the main body 1, and abut against the inner surface of the side wall, thereby preventing the hinge cover 44 from expanding outward from the outer frame 3. In addition, the connection between the hinge cover 44 and the outer frame 3 is strengthened so that the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 is connected to the upper end of the outer frame 3. In addition, the length of the insertion claws 91, 91 protruding from the hinge cover body 44-1 is preferably formed to be smaller than the length of the clearance between the insertion part 94 and the plate-shaped parts 86-2, 87-2, so that the insertion part 94 can be inserted into the space between the ribs 86, 87 in a manner that the insertion claws 91, 91 do not interfere with the outer frame 3.

[0054] The inhibiting portions 92, 92 abut against the side edges of the upper frame support portions 81, 81 of the outer frame 3 when the hinge cover 44 is mounted on the main body 1, thereby preventing the hinge cover 44 from expanding outward from the outer frame 3. In addition, the inhibiting portions 92, 92 are preferably formed so as not to contact the upper frame support portions 81, 81 when the insertion portion 94 is inserted into the space between the ribs 86, 87, and abut against the side edges of the upper frame support portions 81, 81 of the outer frame 3 when the hinge cover 44 is mounted on the main body 1. Therefore, the length of the inhibiting portions 92, 92 in the inner direction of the outer frame 3 is preferably formed to be smaller than the length of the clearance between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-shaped portions 86-2, 87-2, similarly to the insertion claws 91, 91.

[0055] The hinge cover fixing portion 44-2 covers the lower portion of the recess 85 when the hinge cover 44 is mounted on the main body 1, and fixes the hinge cover 44 to the main body 1, and is composed of an insertion portion 94 inserted into the space between the ribs 86 and 87, a positioning portion 95 provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 94, and bosses 97 and 97 for receiving the screws 96 and 96. The insertion portion 94 has a curvature substantially the same as that of the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3, and is formed into a substantially inverted trapezoidal plate shape with a width slightly narrower at the bottom than at the top.

[0056] The positioning portion 95 is embedded in the lower part of the recessed portion 85 to position the hinge cover 44 in the outer frame 3. The outer shape of the positioning portion 95 is formed to be substantially the same as the contour of the lower part of the recessed portion 85, and is formed to be substantially rectangular in this embodiment. The outer surface of the positioning portion 95 is formed to be flat with a curvature substantially the same as the outer surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3, and is configured so that when the positioning portion 95 is embedded in the lower part of the recessed portion 85, the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 is more convex than the outer surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3. Furthermore, when the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1, the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 is flush with the outer surface of the outer frame 3.

[0057] The bosses 97, 97 are cylindrical shapes with openings on the outer surface side of the hinge cover 44, and through holes for the shafts of the screws 96, 96 to pass through are provided on the inner surface side of the hinge cover 44. The screws 96, 96 are screwed to the screw receiving portion (not shown) on the main body 1 side via the bosses 97, 97, so that the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1.

[0058] The cover portion 44-3 is as follows Figure 8 As shown, when the hinge cover 44 is mounted on the main body 1, it is flush with the outer surface of the outer cover 22 of the cover body 2, and covers the notch or recess 103 formed at the rear of the outer cover 22 (see Fig.12 The cover portion 44 - 3 includes grooves 104 , 104 and a locking portion 105 .

[0059] The grooves 104, 104 are provided corresponding to the positions of the left and right arms of the hinge spring 43. When the cover 2 is opened, the left and right arms of the hinge spring 43 enter the grooves 104, 104, thereby having a function as a so-called avoidance groove to avoid interference between the left and right arms of the hinge spring 43 and the hinge cover 44. The locking portion 105 is provided at the upper center of the back of the cover 44-3 by engaging with a locking portion (not shown) provided on the cover 2 side to connect the cover cover 44-3 to the cover 2.

[0060] Next, the installation of the hinge cover 44 is described. First, the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44 is inserted from the upper direction into the space between the ribs 86 and 87. Here, when the length of the insertion claws 91 and 91 protruding from the hinge cover body 44-1 and the length of the suppression portions 92 and 92 in the inner direction of the outer frame 3 are formed to be smaller than the length of the clearance between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-shaped portions 86-2 and 87-2, the insertion portion 94 can be inserted while sliding on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 so that the insertion claws 91 and 91 and the suppression portions 92 and 92 do not interfere with the outer frame 3.

[0061] When the hinge cover fixing portion 44 - 2 is inserted to the extent that the lower end of the positioning portion 95 abuts against the lower end of the lower portion of the recess 85 , the positioning portion 95 is embedded in the lower portion of the recess 85 , and the outer surface of the hinge cover body 44 - 1 and the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 protrude from the outer surface of the outer frame 3 . Here, if the hinge cover 44 is moved toward the cover operating body 15 of the rice cooker 100 to the extent that the insertion claws 91, 91 are inserted into the outer frame 3 until the receiving parts 87, 87 are inserted, the restraining parts 92, 92 are abutted against the side edges of the upper frame supporting parts 81, 81 of the outer frame 3, and the locking part 105 is engaged with the locking part of the cover 2, the outer surface of the positioning part 95 becomes the same surface as the outer surface of the outer frame 3, the outer surface of the hinge cover body 44-1 becomes the same surface as the outer surface of the outer frame 3, the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 is connected to the upper end of the outer frame 3, and the cover body cover part 44-3 becomes the same surface as the outer surface of the outer cover 22. Then, the screws 96, 96 are inserted into the bosses 97, 97 and screwed to the screw receiving part on the side of the main body 1, so that the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1.

[0062] Fig.12 111 is a power cord for power supply provided with a power plug that can be plugged into a household socket, and 112 is a cover that holds the base end of the power cord 111 and covers the lower side of the air inlet 50 .

[0063] The cover 112 is made of a material with a high flame retardancy level such as 5VA based on the UL94 standard, for example, a highly flame retardant polypropylene (PP) resin. The cover 112 includes a wire holding portion 112-1 and an air inlet portion 112-2 disposed below the air inlet 50. The wire holding portion 112-1 holds the power cord 111 by clamping a protector 111-1 for preventing the power cord 111 from coming off at its base end between the wire holding portion 112-1 and the bottom of the outer frame 3.

[0064] Fig.13 A three-dimensional view of the dome portion 115 is shown. Referring to the figure, the air intake portion 112-2 has a dome portion 115 that protrudes downward in a dome shape. The dome portion 115 has a disk-shaped top 116, an annular first annular portion 117 formed on the outside of the top 116, an annular second annular portion 118 formed on the outside of the first annular portion 117, an annular third annular portion 119 formed on the outside of the second annular portion 118, an annular fourth annular portion 120 formed on the outside of the third annular portion 119, and an annular fifth annular portion 121 formed on the outside of the fourth annular portion 120. Therefore, the dome portion 115 is formed in a circular shape when viewed from above. In addition, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown, the dome portion 115 is gently curved from the top 116 to the fifth annular portion 121 in a longitudinal cross-sectional view and has no straight line portion.

[0065] The top 116 and the first annular portion 117, the first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118, the second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119, the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120, and the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121 are connected respectively by a plurality of connecting pieces 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D, and 122E.

[0066] The top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117 are connected at four locations by connecting pieces 122A. The connecting pieces 122A are disposed at substantially equal intervals (at intervals of approximately 90 degrees) on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the top portion 116.

[0067] The first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118 are connected by connecting pieces 122B at eight locations. The connecting pieces 122B are arranged at approximately equal intervals (about 45° intervals) in such a manner that four connecting pieces 122B that connect the top 116 and the first annular portion 117 are arranged at positions extending in a direction away from the top 116 (front side, rear side, left side, right side), and four connecting pieces 122B are arranged between them.

[0068] The second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119 are connected at ten locations by connecting pieces 122C. The connecting pieces 122C are arranged at equal intervals (about 36° intervals) in a manner that two connecting pieces 122C that connect the top 116 and the first annular portion 117 are arranged at positions extending in a direction away from the top 116 to the left and right, four connecting pieces 122C are arranged on the front side of the two connecting pieces 122C, and four connecting pieces 122C are arranged on the rear side of the two connecting pieces 122C.

[0069] The third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120 are connected at fourteen locations by connecting pieces 122D. All the connecting pieces 122D are arranged at approximately equal intervals (about 25.7° intervals). In addition, the connecting piece 122D does not extend in a right angle direction relative to the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120. That is, when the air intake portion 112-2 is observed from the bottom, the fourth annular portion 120 side is located in the counterclockwise direction with the top 116 as the center.

[0070] The fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121 are connected by connecting pieces 122E at sixteen locations. The connecting pieces 122E are all arranged at equal intervals (about 22.5° intervals). In addition, the connecting piece 122E does not extend in a right angle direction relative to the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121. That is, when the air intake portion 112-2 is observed from the bottom, the fifth annular portion 121 side is located in the counterclockwise direction with the top 116 as the center.

[0071] like Fig.13As shown, when viewed from below the dome portion 115, the connecting pieces 122A, 122B, and 122C extend radially from the center of the top portion 116. On the other hand, the connecting pieces 122D and 122E extend in directions different from the connecting pieces 122A, 122B, and 122C. This is to efficiently inhale air through the cooling fan 40, which rotates counterclockwise when the rice cooker 100 is viewed from the bottom.

[0072] Four air inlet holes 123A are formed between the top 116 and the first annular portion 117, eight air inlet holes 123B are formed between the first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118, ten air inlet holes 123C are formed between the second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119, fourteen air inlet holes 123D are formed between the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120, and sixteen air inlet holes 123E are formed between the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121.

[0073] An air intake hole 123F as a long hole is formed on the left front side of the dome portion 115. In addition, an air intake hole 123H as a long hole is formed on the right front side of the dome portion 115. In addition, an air intake hole 123J as a long hole is formed on the left rear side of the dome portion 115. In addition, an air intake hole 123L as a long hole is formed on the right rear side of the dome portion 115. The air intake holes 123F, 123H, 123J, and 123L are formed at the four corners of the air intake portion 112-2 and have a substantially arc shape corresponding to the shape of the dome portion 115.

[0074] like Fig.12 As shown, at the bottom of the outer frame 3, four legs, i.e., a left front leg 125A, a right front leg 125B, a left rear leg 125C, and a right rear leg 125D, are protruded downwardly to support the rice cooker 100. The left rear leg 125C is arranged at the left side of the air intake 50, and the right rear leg 125D is arranged at the right side of the air intake 50.

[0075] The left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D have a substantially truncated cone shape, and a flat grounding portion is formed at the bottom end thereof to contact the placement location where the rice cooker is placed. In addition, drainage holes may be formed at these grounding portions to drain water and the like accumulated in the left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D.

[0076] When the placement location is flat, the grounding parts of the left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D abut against the placement location when the electric rice cooker is placed thereon, so as to stably support the electric rice cooker in a manner that the electric rice cooker does not tilt. In addition, when the electric rice cooker is placed thereon, the top 116 of the dome portion 115 does not abut against the placement location. That is, the protrusion of the dome portion 115 is smaller than the protrusion of the left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D. In addition, in the present embodiment, the interval between the top 116 and the placement location is approximately 1 mm, but the interval can be appropriately adjusted.

[0077] In this embodiment, since the wire holding portion 112-1 and the air inlet portion 112-2 are integrally formed to form the cover 112, the installation of the holding portion of the power cord 111 and the installation of the cover of the air inlet 50 can be performed using one component, which can reduce the cost of these components and the time required for installation. In addition, not only the wire holding portion 112-1, but also the air inlet portion 112-2 is made of a material with a higher flame retardancy grade, so even if, for example, a hot electronic component falls from the heating substrate assembly 38, the air inlet portion 112-2 will not dissolve, so the electronic component will not be discharged from the rice cooker 100 to the outside.

[0078] As described above, the electric rice cooker 100 of this embodiment is constructed as follows, comprising: a main body 1, which is open at the top and has an upper frame 6 for suspending a pot 5; a cover body 2, which covers the opening of the main body 1; and a hinge portion 41, which serves as a hinge for freely connecting the main body 1 and the cover body 2 to be opened and closed. The main body 1 has an outer frame 3 that serves as an appearance component, and a hinge cover 44 that covers the connecting portion between the main body 1 and the cover body 2 in the hinge portion 41, and the upper end portion of the outer frame 3 and the upper end portion of the hinge cover 44 are higher than the outer periphery of the upper frame 6, and the periphery of the upper frame 6 is covered by the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44.

[0079] With such a configuration, since the upper frame 6 is not exposed on the outer surface of the rice cooker 100 , a uniform color can be adopted for the upper frame 6 , and the upper frame 6 can be standardized.

[0080] In addition, in the outer frame 3 of the present embodiment, a space is formed between the ribs 86 and 87 which serves as an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44. By inserting the hinge cover 44 into the space between the ribs 86 and 87, the hinge cover 44 can be easily aligned, thereby improving the assemblability of the rice cooker 100.

[0081] Furthermore, in the electric rice cooker 100 of the present embodiment, a power cord 111 for powering the electric rice cooker 100 and an air intake portion 112-2 for supplying air to a cooling fan 40 as an air supply mechanism for supplying air into the main body 1 are provided on the bottom surface of the main body 1, and a cord holding portion 112-1 as a cord pressing portion for holding the base end of the power cord 111 and the air intake portion 112-2 are integrally formed as a cover 112. Therefore, the holding portion of the power cord 111 and the cover of the air inlet 50 can be installed by using one component, and the cost of these components and the number of man-hours required for installation can be reduced.

[0082] Furthermore, in the rice cooker 100 of the present embodiment, the cover body 2 has an outer cover 22 as an appearance component and an outer cover cover 23 forming the lower part of the outer cover 22, an operation panel 21 as a substantially plate-shaped panel portion is provided on the upper surface as at least one outer surface of the outer cover 22, the operation panel 21 has screw receiving portions 67 and 68 as a fastening portion for fastening to the outer cover cover 23, and the outer cover 22 has insertion portion covers 72-1 and 73-1 as fastening portion covers formed around the screw receiving portions 67 and 68. Therefore, it is possible to form a structure in which the screw receiving portions 67 and 68 are not exposed to the internal space of the cover body 2, and the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 and the like does not adhere to the screw receiving portions 67 and 68.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the numerical values ​​and the like illustrated in the embodiment are merely examples and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the rice cooker 100 and the like.

Claims

1. An electric rice cooker, characterized in that: have: The main body is open at the top and has an upper frame for hanging the pot; a cover body, covering the opening of the main body; and A hinge connects the main body and the cover body so that they can be opened and closed freely. The subject has: The outer frame becomes the appearance component; as well as a hinge cover covering a connecting portion between the main body and the cover in the hinge, The periphery of the upper frame is covered by the outer frame and the hinge cover in such a manner that an upper end portion of the outer frame and an upper end portion of the hinge cover are higher than an outer peripheral portion of the upper frame.

2. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer frame has an insertion opening into which the hinge cover is inserted.

3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: A power supply line for power supply and an air intake portion for supplying air to an air supply mechanism for supplying air into the main body are arranged on the bottom surface of the main body. A cord pressing portion that holds a base end portion of the power cord is formed integrally with the air intake portion.

4. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover body includes an outer cover that serves as an exterior component and an outer cover cover that forms a lower portion of the outer cover. A substantially plate-shaped panel portion is provided on at least one outer surface of the outer cover, The panel portion has a fastening portion for fastening to the outer cover, The outer cover has a fastening portion cover formed around the fastening portion.

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