Pressure cooker

Abstract

A pressure cooker capable of maintaining an outer cover in a closed state during cooking. A heating cooker is provided with: a housing; a pot; an outer cover movable between a closed position and an open position; an inner lid attached to the outer lid and covering the opening of the pot in an openable / closable manner; the pair of clamping parts can move between a clamping position for clamping the inner cover and the flange part of the pot in the thickness direction and a clamping releasing position far away from the inner cover and the flange part; a sliding member that is relatively movable with respect to the outer cover; a moving mechanism that moves the pair of nip portions to a nip release position corresponding to the first position of the sliding member or a nip position corresponding to the second position of the sliding member in conjunction with the movement of the sliding member; and an outer cover operation part capable of moving to a fixed position for maintaining the outer cover at the closed position and a release position for allowing the outer cover to be opened. The sliding member is in contact with the outer cover operation portion when located at the second position, and restricts movement of the outer cover operation portion to the release position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pressure cooker. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as such a pressure cooker, for example, a pressure cooker described in Patent Document 1 is known. The heating cooker of Patent Document 1 is configured to include a flange portion that clamps the pot and a clamping portion of the inner lid. When the inner lid moves upward due to the pressure inside the pot, the clamping portion contacts the lower surface of the flange portion of the pot and the upper surface of the inner lid to restrict further movement of the inner lid. According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the pressure inside the pot from being applied to the outer lid, and the structure of the outer lid can be simplified.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-140174 Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] In the pressure cooker of Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement from the viewpoint of maintaining the outer lid in a closed state during cooking.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above problems and provide a pressure cooker capable of maintaining the outer lid in a closed state during cooking.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the pressure cooker of the present disclosure includes: a housing provided with an upper opening; a pot having a flange portion and received in the housing through the upper opening; an outer lid mounted on the housing via a hinge shaft and movable between a closed position covering the upper opening and an open position away from the upper opening; an inner lid detachably mounted on the outer lid and configured to open and close to cover the opening of the pot in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the outer lid; a pair of clamping portions movable between a clamping position for clamping the inner lid and the flange portion in the thickness direction and a clamping release position away from the inner lid and the flange portion, and when viewed from above in the thickness direction, the pair of clamping portions are provided at positions opposite to each other across the central portion of the inner lid; a sliding member relatively movable with respect to the outer lid; a moving mechanism configured to move the pair of clamping portions to the clamping release position corresponding to the first position of the sliding member or the clamping position corresponding to the second position of the sliding member in conjunction with the movement of the sliding member; and an outer lid operation portion mounted on the outer lid and movable between a fixed position engaging with the housing to maintain the outer lid in the closed position and a release position allowing the outer lid to open, and the sliding member is configured to contact the outer lid operation portion when located at the second position and restrict the movement of the outer lid operation portion to the release position.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker described in the first aspect, wherein the sliding member has a contact portion that contacts the outer lid operation portion when the sliding member is located at the second position, and the lower surface of the sliding member has a lower surface inclined region at the contact portion of the sliding member, and the lower surface inclined region slopes upward as it moves away from the hinge shaft in the moving direction of the sliding member, and the lower surface inclined region contacts the outer lid operation portion during the movement of the sliding member toward the second position.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker described in the first aspect, wherein the outer lid operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is located at the second position, and the upper surface of the outer lid operation portion has an upper surface inclined region at the contact portion of the outer lid operation portion, and the upper surface inclined region slopes downward as it moves closer to the hinge shaft in the moving direction of the sliding member, and the upper surface inclined region contacts the sliding member during the movement of the sliding member toward the second position.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the first aspect, wherein the outer lid has a protrusion that protrudes downward from a top surface that faces the sliding member located at the second position in the vertical direction. When the sliding member is located at the second position, the protrusion contacts the upper surface of the sliding member to restrict upward movement of the sliding member.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the first aspect, wherein the outer lid operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is located at the second position. The pressure cooker further has a spring that biases the contact portion of the outer lid operation portion downward. When the sliding member is located at the second position, the contact portion of the sliding member contacts the outer lid operation portion at positions on both sides in a lateral direction that intersects the moving direction of the sliding member.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the first aspect. Each clamping portion has a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are arranged at intervals from each other and clamp the inner lid and the flange portion in the thickness direction. The moving mechanism has a pair of connecting members that connect the first clamping member and the second clamping member at each clamping portion. The outer lid has a bottom portion located below the pair of clamping portions. A protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the bottom portion and each connecting member is provided on one of the bottom portion and each connecting member, and a groove portion that receives the protrusion is provided on the other of the bottom portion and each connecting member. The protrusion or the groove portion provided on the bottom portion extends along a lateral direction that intersects the moving direction of the sliding member. When the pair of clamping portions move between the clamping position and the clamping release position, one of the protrusion and the groove portion slides along the other of the protrusion and the groove portion.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the sixth aspect, wherein the protrusion is provided on the bottom portion and extends along the lateral direction in a top view and protrudes upward toward each connecting member. The groove portion is provided on each connecting member and is recessed upward to receive the protrusion. When the pair of clamping portions move between the clamping position and the clamping release position, the groove portion slides along the protrusion.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker described in the first aspect. The outer lid has: a lid main body having a recess surrounded by a peripheral wall portion and recessed downward; a top plate supported by an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion and covering the recess; and an annular covering member covering an outer surface of the peripheral wall portion. The covering member has an upper edge portion covering an edge portion of the top plate from above. A drain groove is provided at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion to guide moisture that has entered a gap between the top plate and the covering member. A drain hole communicating with the outside of the outer lid is provided in the drain groove.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a pressure cooker that maintains the outer lid in a closed state during cooking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pressure cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 of the pressure cooker.

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing Figure 1 the exploded perspective view of the outer lid of the pressure cooker.

[0020] Figure 4 is a plan view showing Figure 1 the upper main body of the outer lid in the pressure cooker.

[0021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper main body viewed from below Figure 4 of.

[0022] Figure 6A is a perspective view showing various parts and mechanisms that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding member with respect to the outer lid in the pressure cooker Figure 1 of.

[0023] Figure 6B is a perspective view showing various parts and mechanisms that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding member with respect to the outer lid in the pressure cooker Figure 1 of.

[0024] Figure 6C is a perspective view showing various parts and mechanisms that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding member with respect to the outer lid in the pressure cooker Figure 1 of.

[0025] Figure 7A is a perspective view showing Figure 1 in the pressure cooker where the sliding member is located Figure 6AA plan view showing the positions of the clamping part and the moving mechanism that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding part when in the position shown.

[0026] Figure 7B It shows Figure 1 When the sliding part of the pressure cooker is in the Figure 6B A plan view showing the positions of the clamping part and the moving mechanism that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding part when in the position shown.

[0027] Figure 7C It shows Figure 1 When the sliding part of the pressure cooker is in the Figure 6C A plan view showing the positions of the clamping part and the moving mechanism that move in linkage with the relative movement of the sliding part when in the position shown.

[0028] Figure 8A It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the state where the clamping part of the pressure cooker is in the clamping release position.

[0029] Figure 8B It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the state where the clamping part of the pressure cooker is in the clamping position.

[0030] Figure 9 A perspective view of each part and each mechanism shown as viewed from below. Figure 6A as shown.

[0031] Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower main body of the outer lid in the pressure cooker shown.

[0032] Figure 11 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the EA1 area of Figure 2 when the sliding part is in the first position.

[0033] Figure 12 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the EA1 area of Figure 2 when the sliding part is in the second position.

[0034] Figure 13 An internal perspective view of the sliding part and the outer lid operation part when the sliding part is in the first position.

[0035] Figure 14 An internal perspective view of the sliding part and the outer lid operation part when the sliding part is in the second position.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals

[0037] 1: housing; 1A: upper opening; 2: pot; 21: flange; 3: outer cover; 32: outer cover operating part; 324A: rib; 324Aa: upper end; 324Ab: upper surface inclined area; 325: coil spring; 33: sliding part; 331: protrusion; 332: base; 333: top end; 333A: lower surface inclined area; 34: clamping part; 341: first clamping part; 342: second clamping part; 35: moving Mechanism; 351: connecting part; 351C: groove; 41: lower body; 413: protrusion; 42: upper body; 42A: back; 421: peripheral wall; 421A: outer surface; 422: upper end; 424: recess; 425A: insertion hole; 426: drainage groove; 426A: drainage hole; 428: protrusion; 43: top plate; 431: edge; 44: covering part; 442: upper edge; 443: claw; 5: inner cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] <Insights that form the basis of this disclosure>

[0039] In the pressure cooker described in Patent Document 1, the clamping portion is capable of moving between a clamping position where the flange portion and the inner cover can clamp a pot, and a clamping release position where the flange portion and the inner cover do not clamp the pot. Specifically, the clamping portion moves between the clamping position and the clamping release position in conjunction with the movement of a sliding plate installed on the outer cover. This linkage is achieved by sliding a protrusion of the clamping portion along a guide groove provided on the sliding plate. When the sliding plate moves in one direction, the clamping portion moves in a direction close to the center of the outer cover and reaches the clamping position. On the other hand, when the sliding plate moves in the opposite direction, the clamping portion moves in a direction away from the center of the outer cover and reaches the clamping release position.

[0040] In addition, as a conventional pressure cooker, there is a known pressure cooker that includes a housing for storing a pot, an outer cover mounted to the housing via a hinge shaft, and a button for opening the outer cover. The button is provided on the outer cover, for example, and engages with the housing to inhibit the outer cover from opening. When the button is pressed and moved by a user, the engagement between the button and the housing is released, and the outer cover can be opened.

[0041] In the case where the pressure cooker described in Patent Document 1 is provided with the button, if the button is pressed when the clamping portion is in the clamping position, the outer cover may be opened and move together with the inner cover and the pot. In this case, there is a possibility that steam leaks from between the pot and the inner cover, or the pressure cooker may fall over due to the movement of the heavy pot. That is, from the perspective of maintaining the outer cover in a closed state during cooking, the existing pressure cooker has room for improvement.

[0042] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention conducted in-depth research to maintain the outer lid in a closed state during the cooking process, and as a result, found the following structure: when the sliding plate is located at a position corresponding to the clamping position of the clamping portion, it contacts the button and restricts the movement of the button. According to this structure, when the clamping portion is in the clamping position, even if the user wants to press the button, the button does not move, so that the outer lid can be maintained in a closed state during the cooking process. Based on this new insight, the inventor of the present invention completed the following disclosure.

[0043] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pressure cooker including: a housing provided with an upper opening; a pot having a flange portion and being received in the housing through the upper opening; an outer lid pivotally mounted to the housing via a hinge shaft and movable between a closed position covering the upper opening and an open position away from the upper opening; an inner lid detachably mounted to the outer lid and being able to open and close to cover the opening of the pot in association with the opening and closing movement of the outer lid; a pair of clamping portions movable between a clamping position for clamping the inner lid and the flange portion in a thickness direction and a clamping release position away from the inner lid and the flange portion, and in a plan view observed from the thickness direction, the pair of clamping portions being provided at positions facing each other with the central portion of the inner lid interposed therebetween; a sliding member relatively movable with respect to the outer lid; a moving mechanism that, in association with the movement of the sliding member, moves the pair of clamping portions to the clamping release position corresponding to a first position of the sliding member or the clamping position corresponding to a second position of the sliding member; and an outer lid operation portion mounted to the outer lid and movable between a fixed position where it engages with the housing to maintain the outer lid in the closed position and a release position allowing the outer lid to open, and the sliding member contacts the outer lid operation portion when located at the second position to restrict the movement of the outer lid operation portion to the release position.

[0044] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the first aspect, wherein the sliding member has a contact portion that contacts the outer lid operation portion when the sliding member is located at the second position, and a lower surface inclined region is provided at the contact portion of the lower surface of the sliding member, and the lower surface inclined region inclines upward as it moves away from the hinge shaft in the moving direction of the sliding member, and the lower surface inclined region contacts the outer lid operation portion during the movement of the sliding member toward the second position.

[0045] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the first or second aspect, wherein the outer lid operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is in the second position, and an upper surface of the outer lid operation portion has an upper surface inclined region at the contact portion of the outer lid operation portion, the upper surface inclined region being inclined downward as it approaches the hinge axis in the moving direction of the sliding member, and the upper surface inclined region contacts the sliding member during the movement of the sliding member toward the second position.

[0046] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the outer lid has a protruding portion that protrudes downward from a top surface that faces the sliding member in the vertical direction when the sliding member is in the second position, and when the sliding member is in the second position, the protruding portion contacts an upper surface of the sliding member to restrict upward movement of the sliding member.

[0047] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the outer lid operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is in the second position, and the pressure cooker further has a spring that biases the contact portion of the outer lid operation portion downward, and when the sliding member is in the second position, the contact portion of the sliding member contacts the outer lid operation portion at positions on both sides in a lateral direction that intersects the moving direction of the sliding member of the spring.

[0048] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, each clamping portion having a first clamping member and a second clamping member that are arranged at intervals from each other and clamp the inner lid and the flange portion in the thickness direction, the moving mechanism having a pair of connecting members that connect the first clamping member and the second clamping member in each clamping portion, the outer lid having a bottom portion located below the pair of clamping portions, and a protrusion protruding toward the other of the bottom portion and each connecting member being provided on one of the bottom portion and each connecting member, and a groove portion for receiving the protrusion being provided on the other of the bottom portion and each connecting member, the protrusion or the groove portion provided on the bottom portion extending along a lateral direction that intersects the moving direction of the sliding member, and when the pair of clamping portions move between the clamping position and the clamping release position, one of the protrusion and the groove portion slides along the other of the protrusion and the groove portion.

[0049] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to the sixth aspect, wherein the protrusion is provided at the bottom, the protrusion extends along the lateral direction in a plan view, protrudes upward toward each connecting member, the groove portion is provided at each connecting member, the groove portion is recessed upward, receives the protrusion, and when the pair of clamping portions move between the clamping position and the clamping release position, the groove portion slides along the protrusion.

[0050] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the pressure cooker according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the outer lid having: a lid main body having a recess surrounded by a peripheral wall portion and recessed downward; a top plate supported by an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion and covering the recess; and an annular covering member covering an outer surface of the peripheral wall portion, the covering member having an upper edge portion covering an edge portion of the top plate from above, a drain groove is provided at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, the drain groove guides moisture entering a gap between the top plate and the covering member, and a drain hole communicating with the outside of the outer lid is provided in the drain groove.

[0051] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a heating cooker including: a housing provided with an upper opening; a pot received in the housing through the upper opening; and an outer lid pivotally mounted to the housing via a hinge shaft and movable between a closed position covering the upper opening and an open position away from the upper opening, the outer lid having: a lid main body having a recess surrounded by a peripheral wall portion and recessed downward; a top plate supported by an upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion and covering the recess; and an annular covering member covering an outer surface of the peripheral wall portion, the covering member having an upper edge portion covering an edge portion of the top plate from above, a drain groove is provided at the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion, the drain groove guides moisture entering a gap between the top plate and the covering member, and a drain hole communicating with the outside of the outer lid is provided in the drain groove.

[0052] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the heating cooker according to the ninth aspect, wherein the top plate is supported by the entire circumference of the upper end portion of the peripheral wall portion.

[0053] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the heating cooker according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the covering member is made of metal, the covering member has a bendable claw portion extending from a lower edge portion, an insertion through hole into which the claw portion can be inserted is provided in the peripheral wall portion, the claw portion passes through the insertion through hole and bends inside the peripheral wall portion so as not to fall off from the insertion through hole.

[0054] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the heating cooker according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, wherein the covering member is made of aluminum.

[0055] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description, terms indicating a specific direction or position (for example, terms including "upper", "lower", "right", "left") are used as needed, but the use of these terms is for facilitating the understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings and does not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure by the meanings of these terms. In addition, the following description is essentially just an illustration and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its use.

[0056] In addition, hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", etc. are used assuming the state during normal use, but this does not mean limiting the use state, etc. of the pressure cooker of the present disclosure.

[0057] <Embodiment>

[0058] Use Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the overall structure of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the pressure cooker of . The pressure cooker of the present embodiment is, for example, a pressure rice cooker.

[0059] As Figure 1 or Figure 2 shown, the pressure cooker of the present embodiment has: a housing 1 provided with an upper opening 1A; a pot 2 that is accommodated in the housing 1 through the upper opening 1A; and an outer lid 3 that can open and close the upper opening 1A.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the housing 1 has a bottomed cylindrical pot accommodating portion 12 provided so as to be recessed inward from the upper wall 11. The upper opening of the pot accommodating portion 12 coincides with the upper opening 1A. The pot 2 is detachably accommodated in the pot accommodating portion 12 through the upper opening 1A. The pot 2 has an annular flange portion 21 protruding outward from the upper end portion. The inner side surface of the pot accommodating portion 12 is formed to have a predetermined gap from the outer side surface of the pot 2. Cooked items such as rice and water are placed in the pot 2.

[0061] A heating unit 13 for heating food in the pot 2 is provided inside the housing 1 and on the outer peripheral surface of the pot storage unit 12. In the present embodiment, the heating unit 13 is composed of an induction heating coil unit for induction heating the pot 2 via the pot storage unit 12. The induction heating coil unit includes a bottom inner heating coil 131 and a bottom outer heating coil 132. The bottom inner heating coil 131 is arranged so as to face the central part of the bottom of the pot 2 across the pot storage unit 12. The bottom outer heating coil 132 is arranged so as to face the corner of the bottom of the pot 2 across the pot storage unit 12.

[0062] An opening 12A is provided at the center of the bottom of the pot storage section 12. A pot temperature sensor 14 is provided at the opening 12A as an example of a pot temperature detection section for detecting the temperature of the pot 2. The pot temperature sensor 14 is arranged so as to be able to abut against the bottom of the pot 2 stored in the pot storage section 12. In the present embodiment, the temperature of the food to be cooked in the pot 2 is estimated based on the temperature detected by the pot temperature sensor 14.

[0063] The outer cover 3 is configured to be able to close in a closed position ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the outer cover 3 is configured to be movable between a closed position and an open position by rotating about a hinge shaft 3A disposed above the upper wall 11 of the housing 1. In the present embodiment, a torsion spring connecting the housing 1 and the outer cover 3 is wound around the hinge shaft 3A. When the outer cover 3 is in a state where it can be opened, it rotates by the force of the torsion spring and moves to the open position.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, the inner cover 5 is detachably mounted on the outer cover 3. The inner cover 5 is configured to be able to cover the opening of the pot 2 in an open and close manner in conjunction with the opening and closing action (rotation action) of the outer cover 3. That is, the inner cover 5 is detachably mounted on the outer cover 3 on the opposite surface of the upper opening of the pot 2 accommodated in the pot storage portion 12. When the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, the inner cover 5 is configured to cover the upper opening of the pot 2. An annular gasket 51 is mounted on the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the inner cover 5 on the side of the pot 2. The gasket 51 is configured to be in close contact with the vicinity of the flange portion 21 of the pot 2 when the outer cover 3 is in the closed position, so as to seal the gap between the pot 2 and the inner cover 5.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, at a position of the outer cover 3 away from the hinge axis 3A, an outer cover operating portion 32 is provided in a manner engaged with the housing 1. In this specification, the side provided with the hinge axis 3A is referred to as the "rear side", and the side provided with the outer cover operating portion 32 is referred to as the "front side". In order to discharge the steam generated in the pot 2 to the outside, the outer cover 3 is also provided with an exhaust hole 31 that penetrates the outer cover 3 in the thickness direction.

[0066] Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the outer lid of a pressure cooker that represents Figure 1 . As shown in Figure 3 , the outer lid 3 has: a substantially disk-shaped lower main body 41 that faces the upper wall 11 of the housing 1 in the closed position; and an upper main body 42 that is mounted on the lower main body 41 from above and has an annular peripheral wall portion 421 when viewed from above. The lower main body 41 is an example of the bottom of the outer lid 3 in the present disclosure. The upper main body 42 is an example of the lid main body in the present disclosure. A recess 424 that is surrounded by the peripheral wall portion 421 and recessed downward is formed in the upper main body 42. As shown in Figure 2 , the lower end portion 423 of the peripheral wall portion 421 is located below the bottom 424A of the recess 424 and is connected to the outer edge portion 411 of the lower main body 41.

[0067] The upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421 supports a top plate 43 disposed above the peripheral wall portion 421. The top plate 43 covers the recess 424. In the present embodiment, the top plate 43 has a layer made of glass. Further, in the present embodiment, the top plate 43 is adhered to the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421 via a double-sided tape and is supported around the entire upper end portion 422.

[0068] A part of the outer surface 421A of the peripheral wall portion 421 is covered with an annular covering member 44 having a shape along the outer surface 421A. The covering member 44 has a bendable claw portion 443 extending from the lower edge portion 441. In the present embodiment, eight claw portions 443 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. The covering member 44 is made of a metal such as aluminum, for example.

[0069] Figure 4 is a top view of the upper main body of the outer lid in a pressure cooker that represents Figure 1 . As shown in Figure 4 , a control unit 6 and an input unit 7 for inputting various information are provided in the recess 424 of the upper main body 42.

[0070] The control unit 6 includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of cooking programs for cooking a cooking object. Here, the "cooking program" refers to the steps of cooking in which the energization time, heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc. are predetermined. Each cooking program corresponds to an arbitrary program among the plurality of cooking programs. The control unit 6 controls the driving of the heating unit 13 based on the cooking program input by the input unit 7 described later and the detected temperature of the pot temperature sensor 14, etc., and executes the cooking process. In the present embodiment, the control unit 6 is a circuit board on which electronic components are mounted.

[0071] The input unit 7 includes: a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information such as cooking programs and cooking times via the top plate 43; and a selection unit (not shown) that can select a specific cooking program from among a plurality of cooking programs. The selection unit is configured to be able to not only select a cooking program but also instruct the execution of starting, canceling, reservation, etc. of cooking. The user can select a specific cooking program through the selection unit while referring to the display content of the display unit and instruct the start of cooking. In the present embodiment, the input unit 7 is a touch panel type input unit.

[0072] As Figure 3 shown, a ring-shaped fixing groove 425 into which the lower edge portion 441 of the covering member 44 is inserted downward is provided on the outer surface 421A of the peripheral wall portion 421. As Figure 4 shown, the fixing groove 425 has an annular shape interrupted by the outer cover operation portion 32 in a plan view. At the fixing groove 425, eight insertion through holes 425A are provided in the circumferential direction at positions corresponding to the eight claw portions 443. Each insertion through hole 425A is configured to allow the claw portion 443 to be inserted therethrough.

[0073] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper main body viewed from below. As Figure 4 shown, in a state where the covering member 44 is attached to the upper main body 42, each claw portion 443 has a shape that bends inward on the inner side of the peripheral wall portion 421 through the corresponding insertion through hole 425A so as not to fall off from the insertion through hole 425A. Thus, the vertical position of the covering member 44 with respect to the upper main body 42 is fixed. Here, the inner side refers to the direction approaching the imaginary central axis VC1 of the pot 2 (refer to Figure 5 Figure 2 Figure 2 ), and the outer side refers to the direction away from the imaginary central axis VC1.

[0074] As Figure 1 shown, the upper edge portion 442 of the covering member 44 has a shape that bends inward and covers the edge portion 431 of the top plate 43 from above (refer to Figure 3 Figure 3 ). Thus, the top plate 43 is sandwiched between the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421 and the upper edge portion 442 of the covering member 44 and is more reliably fixed.

[0075] Figure 3 As Figure 2 shown, in the present embodiment, the region of the outer surface 421A of the peripheral wall portion 421 above the fixing groove 425 constitutes an upper region 421B, and the region below the fixing groove 425 constitutes a lower region 421C. That is, the covering member 44 covers the upper region 421B. As

[0076] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a drain groove 426 recessed downward is provided at the upper end 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421. In the present embodiment, the drain groove 426 is provided over the entire circumference of the upper end 422 and has a ring shape when viewed from above. A drain hole 426A is provided at the rearmost position of the drain groove 426 to connect the drain groove 426 with the external fluid of the outer cover 3. The drain groove 426 and the drain hole 426A guide the moisture entering the gap between the top plate 43 and the covering member 44 to the outside of the outer cover 3, thereby suppressing the malfunction of the pressure cooker caused by the moisture adhering to the control unit 6 or the input unit 7.

[0077] The water entering the drainage hole 426A can be discharged through the inner side of the peripheral wall portion 421, for example, to the upper wall 11 of the housing 1 (see Figure 2 ), or discharged to the outside of the pressure cooker from the connection between the housing 1 and the outer cover 3, or discharged to the outside of the pressure cooker through a portion of the internal space of the housing 1 where no electronic components are arranged. In addition, the water may evaporate while flowing inside the housing 1 or the outer cover 3.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, an internal space SP1 of the outer cover 3 is formed between the lower body 41 and the upper body 42. Figure 3 As shown, a slide member 33 that is relatively movable with respect to the lower body 41 , a pair of clamping parts 34 , 34 , a moving mechanism 35 , and a biasing part 36 are provided in the internal space SP1 .

[0079] use Figures 6A - 6C , Figures 7A - 7C , Figures 8A - 8B and Figure 9 , a process in which the slide member 33 moves the pair of clamping parts 34 , 34 via the moving mechanism 35 will be described. Figures 6A - 6C The slide member 33 is shown to move relative to the outer cover 3 . Figures 7A - 7C as well as Figures 8A - 8B The components and mechanisms that move in conjunction with the relative movement of the sliding member 33 with respect to the outer cover 3 are shown. Figure 9 Observed from below Figure 6A A three-dimensional diagram of the parts and mechanisms shown.

[0080] In this embodiment, if Figure 6A As shown in FIG. 1 , the sliding member 33 is composed of a substantially T-shaped plate-like member having an opening 33A at the center. The power transmission member 37 is mounted on the sliding member 33 by inserting the protrusion 37A of the power transmission member 37 into the opening 33A. Figure 9As shown, a gear 37B is provided on the back surface of the power transmission member 37 (opposite side of the convex portion 37A). The gear 37B is arranged to mesh with the gear 38A of the motor 38 (refer to Figure 6A ). The sliding member 33 is configured such that when the motor 38 is driven by the control unit 6, it receives the driving force of the motor 38 via the power transmission member 37 and relatively moves in the front-rear direction X1 ( Figures 7A - 7C ; the left-right direction in Figure 6A ) with respect to the lower main body 41. Specifically, the sliding member 33 moves between the first position shown in Figure 7A and the second position shown in Figure 6C and Figure 7C .

[0081] A pair of clamping portions 34, 34 are configured to be able to move between a clamping position (the position shown in Figure 8B ) where the inner lid 5 and the flange portion 21 of the pot 2 are clamped in the thickness direction, and a clamping release position (the position shown in Figure 8A ) where they are separated from the flange portion 21 of the inner lid 5 and the pot 2. In a top view observed from the thickness direction (refer to Figures 7A - 7C ), the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 are provided at positions opposite to each other with the central portion of the inner lid 5 in between. In the present embodiment, the central portion of the inner lid 5 coincides with the central portion of the pot 2 in a top view. The central portion of the inner lid 5 is located at the same position as the central portion 3a of the outer lid 3 in the lateral direction Y1 orthogonal to the front-rear direction X1, and is located in front of the central portion 3a. In the present embodiment, the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 are line-symmetric with respect to an imaginary straight line L1 passing through the central portion 3a of the outer lid 3 in the front-rear direction X1 in a top view.

[0082] Each clamping portion 34 includes a first clamping member 341 and a second clamping member 342 arranged at intervals from each other. The first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342 have a portion with a substantially U-shaped cross-section so as to clamp the inner lid 5 and the flange portion 21 of the pot 2 in the thickness direction.

[0083] The moving mechanism 35 is configured to move the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 between the clamping position (the position shown in Figure 8B ) and the clamping release position (the position shown in Figure 8A ) in linkage with the movement of the sliding member 33. Specifically, the moving mechanism 35 is configured such that when the sliding member 33 moves from the first position (refer to Figure 6A ) to the second position (refer to Figure 6C in one direction (from the rear to the front),), the pair of clamping parts 34, 34 are moved from the clamping release position to the clamping position. Conversely, the moving mechanism 35 is configured to move the pair of clamping parts 34, 34 from the clamping position to the clamping release position when the sliding member 33 moves from the second position to the first position in the opposite direction (from the front to the rear). That is, the clamping release position of the pair of clamping parts 34, 34 corresponds to the first position of the sliding member 33, and the clamping position of the pair of clamping parts 34, 34 corresponds to the second position of the sliding member 33.

[0084] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 35 includes a connecting member 351 that connects the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342. The moving mechanism 35 is configured to move the connecting member 351 in conjunction with the movement of the sliding member 33, thereby moving the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342 to the clamping position ( Figure 8B position shown) or the clamp release position ( Figure 8A In the present embodiment, the connecting member 351 is integrally formed of the same metal material as the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342. Alternatively, the connecting member 351 may be separately formed of a metal material different from that of the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342.

[0085] like Figure 9 As shown, each connecting member 351 has a connection portion 41 extending downward (at Figure 9 The two convex parts 351B are located at intervals in the front-to-back direction X1. A groove part 351C recessed upward is formed between the two convex parts 351B. In the present embodiment, the groove part 351C is formed in the central part of each connecting member 351 in the front-to-back direction X1. In addition, the groove part 351C can also be formed by, for example, partially reducing the thickness of the connecting member 351.

[0086] Figure 10 Yes means Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the lower body of the outer cover of the pressure cooker. Figures 7A - 7C and Figure 10 As shown, the lower body 41 has a protrusion 413 received by the groove portion 351C of each connecting member 351. The protrusion 413 extends linearly along the lateral direction Y1 in a plan view, and protrudes upward toward each connecting member 351. In this embodiment, the protrusion 413 has two protrusions extending parallel or substantially parallel along the lateral direction Y1 in a plan view.

[0087] When a pair of clamping portions 34, 34 move between the clamping position and the clamping release position, the groove portions 351C of the respective connecting members 351 slide along the protrusions 413. Thus, the moving direction of the connecting member 351 having the groove portion 351C and the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342 connected by the connecting member 351 is restricted to the lateral direction Y1 which is the extending direction of the protrusion 413.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 35 includes a pair of cam plates 352, 352 connected to the sliding member 33. In the present embodiment, the pair of cam plates 352, 352 are configured to be line-symmetrical with respect to an imaginary straight line L1 in a plan view. A cam groove 352A is provided in each cam plate 352. The cam groove 352A has an inclined surface 352Aa inclined with respect to the front-rear direction X1 and the lateral direction Y1 orthogonal to the front-rear direction X1. The inclined surface 352Aa provided in one cam plate 352 and the inclined surface 352Aa provided in the other cam plate 352 are inclined in a direction of separating from each other as they approach the outer cover operation portion 32 in a plan view.

[0089] Each connecting member 351 has a cam pin 351A engaged with the cam groove 352A. In the present embodiment, the cam pin 351A is arranged at the same position or substantially the same position as the groove portion 351C in a plan view. If the motor 38 is driven by the control unit 6, the gear of the motor 38 meshes with the gear of the power transmission member 37, and the power transmission member 37 moves relative to the outer cover 3 in the front-rear direction X1. Thus, the convex portion 37A of the power transmission member 37 is inserted into the sliding member 33 of the opening portion 33A, and the sliding member 33 moves relative to the outer cover 3 in the front-rear direction X1. When the sliding member 33 moves in the front-rear direction X1, each cam pin 351A slides along the inclined surface 352Aa of the corresponding cam groove 352A. Thus, when each connecting member 351 moves toward the imaginary straight line L1, the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 move closer to each other along the lateral direction Y1. When each connecting member 351 moves away from the imaginary straight line L1, the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 move away from each other along the lateral direction Y1. As a result, as Figures 6A - 6C and Figures 7A - 7C shown, the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 move between the clamping position ( Figure 8B the position shown) and the clamping release position ( Figure 8A the position shown). The pair of clamping portions 34, 34 are biased by the biasing portion 36 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position.

[0090] In the present embodiment, as Figures 7A - 7CAs shown, the force applying part 36 includes: a first spring member 361, which applies force to the first clamping member 341 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position; and a second spring member 362, which applies force to the second clamping member 342 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position. In this embodiment, the first spring member 361 and the second spring member 362 are composed of wire springs. For example, the wire spring has a rod shape with a diameter of 0.6 mm and is composed of SUS304-WPB as a stainless steel wire for a spring.

[0091] The first spring member 361 is provided such that one end is fixed to the outer cover 3 and the other end is engaged with the hook portion 341A provided on the first clamping member 341. The first spring member 361 applies force to the hook portion 341A toward L1 in a plan view, thereby applying force to the first clamping member 341 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first spring member 361 is configured to apply force to the first clamping member 341 in the thickness direction from the inner cover 5 toward the flange portion 21 of the pot 2.

[0092] The second spring member 362 is provided such that one end is fixed to the outer cover 3 and the other end is engaged with the hook portion 342A provided on the second clamping member 342. The second spring member 362 applies force to the hook portion 342A toward L1 in a plan view, thereby applying force to the second clamping member 342 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position. In addition, in the present embodiment, the second spring member 362 is configured to apply force to the second clamping member 342 in the thickness direction from the inner cover 5 toward the flange portion 21 of the pot 2.

[0093] use Figure 11 , the outer cover operating portion 32 is described. Figure 11 The sliding member is in the first position. Figure 2 The outer cover operating part 32 is configured to be movable between a fixed position in which the outer cover 3 is engaged with the housing 1 to maintain the outer cover 3 in a closed position and a release position in which the outer cover 3 is allowed to open. Specifically, the outer cover operating part 32 includes an operating rod 321 that is moved (rotated) by being pressed by a user of the pressure cooker and an engaging rod 326 that rotates in contact with the operating rod 321.

[0094] The operating rod 321 is configured to be rotatable about the rotating shaft 322 in the internal space SP1. In the present embodiment, the rotating shaft 322 is supported by a bearing portion 427 extending downward from the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421, and extends in the radial direction (outer-inner direction) of the imaginary central axis VC1. The operating rod 321 has a bearing portion 427 extending downward from the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421. Figure 11 The first portion 323 as a portion on the left side of the rotating shaft 322 and the Figure 11The second part 324 of the part on the right side in []. The first part 323 has an operation part 323A which is arranged at a position outside the peripheral wall part 421 via an opening part provided on the peripheral wall part 421 and is pressed downward by the user. At the fixed position of the outer cover operation part 32, a spiral spring 325 sandwiched between the second part 324 and the upper main body 42 applies a downward force to the second part 324.

[0095] The engaging rod 326 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis 327 in the internal space SP1. In the present embodiment, the rotation axis 327 is supported by a bearing part 414 extending upward from the lower main body 41 and extends in the radial direction. The engaging rod 326 has a first part 328 which is a part above the rotation axis 327 and a second part 329 which is a part below the rotation axis 327. A housing engaging part 329A is provided on the second part 329, and the housing engaging part 329A has a shape recessed outward and is configured to be able to engage with the housing 1.

[0096] When the outer cover operation part 32 is in the fixed position, a spiral spring (not shown) sandwiched between the second part 329 and the peripheral wall part 421 applies an inward force to the second part 329. At this time, the housing engaging part 329A engages with the housing 1. Thus, the outer cover 3 is connected to the housing 1 and held in the closed position.

[0097] By the user pressing the operation part 323A of the operation rod 321, the operation rod 321 rotates from the fixed position to the release position. At this time, by the first part 323 of the operation rod 321 contacting the first part 328 of the engaging rod 326, the engaging rod 326 rotates in such a way that the second part 329 moves outward and reaches the release position. Thus, the engagement between the housing engaging part 329A and the housing 1 is released, and the outer cover 3 can move to the open position. In the present embodiment, the outer cover 3 is biased by a torsion spring wound around the hinge shaft 3A, so when the engagement is released, the outer cover 3 moves to the open position.

[0098] Use Figures 11 - 12 and Figures 13 - 14 , a mechanism for restricting the movement of the outer cover operation part 32 to the release position by the sliding member 33 will be described. Figure 12 It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the EA1 area in the state where the sliding member is in the second position Figure 2 of []. Figures 13 - 14 It is an internal perspective view showing the sliding member and the outer cover operation part. Figure 13 It shows the state where the sliding member is in the first position, Figure 14 It shows the state where the sliding member is in the second position.

[0099] As Figure 13As shown, the second portion 324 of the operating lever 321 has two ribs 324A located at both ends in the lateral direction Y1 and protruding upward. Each rib 324A has an upper end 324Aa. The upper surface of each rib 324A has an upper surface inclined area 324Ab, which is an area behind the upper end 324Aa and is inclined downward as it approaches the hinge axis 3A in the front-rear direction X1 as the moving direction of the sliding member 33.

[0100] On the other hand, Figure 6A As shown, the sliding member 33 has two protrusions 331 in front of the opening 33A that protrude forward and are aligned with the rib 324A in the front-rear direction X1. Figure 13 As shown, each protrusion 331 has a Figure 2 ) and the top end portion 333. The bottom surface of the top end portion 333 forms a bottom surface inclined region 333A that inclines upward as it moves away from the hinge shaft 3A in the front-rear direction X1 that is the moving direction of the sliding member 33.

[0101] As described above, the sliding member 33 receives the driving force of the motor 38 via the power transmission member 37 and moves relative to the lower body 41 in the front-rear direction X1. When the sliding member 33 moves forward toward the second position, the lower surface inclined area 333A of the sliding member 33 contacts the upper surface inclined area 324Ab of the operating rod 321. Each protrusion 331 moves in a manner that passes over the rib 324A. Figure 14 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the sliding member 33 reaches the second position, the base 332 of the sliding member 33 contacts the upper end 324Aa of the rib 324A of the operating lever 321. That is, the base 332 is an example of a contact portion of the outer cover operating portion 32 in the present disclosure, and the upper end 324Aa of the rib 324A is an example of a contact portion of the sliding member 33 in the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the base 332 contacts the operating lever 321 at positions on both sides of the coil spring 325 in the lateral direction Y1.

[0102] like Figure 12 As shown, when the sliding member 33 is located at the second position, the base 332 of the sliding member 33 restricts the second portion 324 of the operating rod 321 from moving upward. In conjunction with this restriction, the first portion 323 of the operating rod 321 is also restricted from moving downward. That is, the movement of the operating rod 321 to the release position is restricted by the contact between the sliding member 33 and the operating rod 321. Thus, when the sliding member 33 is located at the second position, the engaging rod 326 moves to the release position, which can inhibit the outer cover 3 from moving to the open position.

[0103] Further, when the sliding member 33 is in the second position, the upper surface 33B of the sliding member 33 contacts a protruding portion 428 that protrudes downward from the back surface 42A of the upper main body 42 that faces the upper surface 33B in the vertical direction. The back surface 42A is an example of the top surface of the outer lid in the present disclosure. Thus, the protruding portion 428 inhibits the sliding member 33 from being pressed by the operating lever 321 and moving upward. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the protruding portion 428 does not contact the sliding member 33 located at the first position or between the first position and the second position.

[0104] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, when the sliding member 33 is in the second position, the movement of the outer lid operating portion 32 toward the release position is restricted by contacting the outer lid operating portion 32. Thus, the outer lid 3 can be maintained in the closed state during the cooking process.

[0105] The sliding member 33 restricts both the movement of the clamping portion 34 and the movement of the outer lid operating portion 32. Thus, the position of the sliding member 33, the position of the clamping portion 34, and the presence or absence of the restriction of the movement of the outer lid operating portion 32 are linked. That is, when the clamping portion 34 clamps the flange portion 21 of the pot 2 and the inner lid 5, the movement of the outer lid operating portion 32 is restricted. Therefore, compared with the structure in which the outer lid operating portion 32 is restricted by a component independent of the movement of the clamping portion 34, the safety of the pressure cooker can be further improved.

[0106] In consideration of the demand for miniaturization of the pressure cooker and the outer lid 3, the motor 38 that moves the sliding member 33 is easily a small-sized motor. On the other hand, the smaller the size of the motor, the weaker the driving force exerted by the motor. As a method of moving the sliding member 33 and the clamping portion 34 using a motor with a weak driving force, it is considered to make the connection between the sliding member 33, the moving mechanism 35, and the clamping portion 34 have a certain degree of slack. In this case, the vertical position of the sliding member 33 changes due to this slack, and the sliding member 33 may collide with the outer lid operating portion 32 along the moving direction or enter below the outer lid operating portion 32.

[0107] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the lower surface of the sliding member 33 has a lower surface inclined region 333A at the contact portion of the sliding member 33, and the lower surface inclined region 333A inclines upward as it moves away from the hinge axis 3A in the moving direction of the sliding member 33. Thus, the sliding member 33 can move to the second position by riding on the outer lid operating portion 32 by means of the lower surface inclined region 333A. That is, it is possible to inhibit the collision and entry into the sliding member 33, and the sliding member 33 can reach the second position more reliably. Therefore, the movement of the outer lid operating portion 32 toward the release position can be restricted more reliably.

[0108] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the upper surface of the outer lid operation portion 32 has an upper surface inclined region 324Ab at the contact portion of the outer lid operation portion 32, and the upper surface inclined region 324Ab inclines downward as it approaches the hinge shaft 3A in the moving direction of the sliding member 33. Thereby, the sliding member 33 can be placed on the outer lid operation portion 32 via the upper surface inclined region 324Ab and move to the second position. That is, it is possible to suppress the collision and entry into the sliding member 33, and make the sliding member 33 reach the second position more reliably. Therefore, the movement of the outer lid operation portion 32 to the release position can be restricted more reliably.

[0109] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the outer lid 3 has a protruding portion 428 that protrudes downward from the back surface 42A that is vertically opposed to the sliding member 33 located at the second position. Thereby, even when the sliding member 33 is pressed upward by the outer lid operation portion 32, it is possible to suppress the further upward movement of the sliding member 33 by the contact between the sliding member 33 and the protruding portion 428. Therefore, the movement of the outer lid operation portion 32 to the release position can be restricted more reliably.

[0110] As described above, when the connection between the sliding member 33, the moving mechanism 35, and the clamping portion 34 has a certain degree of slack, when the sliding member 33 is pressed upward by the outer lid operation portion 32, it can move upward within the range of this slack. In this case, the structure provided with the protruding portion 428 is particularly effective.

[0111] In addition, different from the structure that lowers the entire back surface 42A, the protruding portion 428 does not restrict the upward movement of the sliding member 33 at positions other than the second position. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the upward movement of the sliding member 33 located at the second position, and for the sliding member 33 between the first position and the second position, it is possible to allow the slack in the vertical direction required for the movement of the sliding member 33 based on the motor 38.

[0112] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the contact portion of the sliding member 33 contacts the outer lid operation portion 32 at both lateral positions of the coil spring 325. Thereby, compared with the structure in which the contact portion of the sliding member 33 contacts only at one lateral position of the coil spring 325, the stress applied to the outer lid operation portion 32 is dispersed, and thus breakage of the outer lid operation portion 32 can be suppressed.

[0113] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, during the movement of the pair of clamping portions 34, 34 between the clamping position and the clamping release position, one of the protrusion and the groove portion (the groove portion 351C in the present embodiment) slides along the other of the protrusion and the groove portion (the protrusion 413 in the present embodiment). By this sliding, the movement of the pair of clamping portions 34 linked to the movement of the sliding member 33 can be guided in a desired direction.

[0114] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the convex portion 351B constituting the groove portion 351C is arranged so as to sandwich the protrusion 413 from both sides in the front-rear direction X1 during the movement of the pair of clamping portions 34, 34. With this arrangement, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the connecting member 351 and the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342 connected by the connecting member 351 during the movement of the pair of clamping portions 34, 34. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the clamping portion 34 from deviating from the clamping position and causing the clamping state of the inner lid 5 and the flange portion 21 to accidentally come off.

[0115] During the use of the pressure cooker, it is considered that dew is generated on the top plate 43 due to the discharge of steam, or moisture adheres to the top plate 43 due to touching the input unit 7 with wet hands. If this moisture enters the recess 424 of the outer lid 3 through the gap between the top plate 43 and the covering member 44, it may cause corrosion and short circuit of the control unit 6 (for example, a circuit board) arranged in the recess 424. In particular, the more functions the pressure cooker has, the larger the area and volume of the electronic components in the recess 424, and the less moisture is allowed to enter the recess 424.

[0116] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, a drain groove 426 and a drain hole 426A for guiding the moisture entering the gap to the outside of the outer lid 3 are provided at the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421. Thus, the moisture entering this gap is discharged to the outside of the outer lid 3 through the drain groove 426 and the drain hole 426A without entering the recess 424. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the malfunction of the components arranged in the recess 424 caused by moisture. In particular, when the control unit 6 and the input unit 7 are arranged in the recess 424, it is possible to reduce the possibility of malfunction of the pressure cooker caused by their corrosion and short circuit.

[0117] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the top plate 43 is supported by the entire circumference of the upper end portion 422 of the peripheral wall portion 421. In this case, when a force is applied to press the top plate 43 downward, compared with a structure in which the top plate 43 is supported only by a part of the upper end portion 422, for example, a structure supported by a plurality of columnar support members, the stress is dispersed over the entire top plate 43. Thus, even when the top plate 43 is made of a material such as glass that is easily broken, it is possible to suppress the breakage of the top plate 43. In particular, when the input unit 7 is a touch panel, a force is applied to press the top plate 43 from above during daily touch operations on the input unit 7, but in this case, it is also possible to further suppress the breakage of the top plate 43.

[0118] In the pressure cooker according to the present embodiment, the claw portion 443 of the covering member 44 is bent so as to penetrate the insertion through-hole 425A of the peripheral wall portion 421 and not fall off from the insertion through-hole 425A. Thus, the lower edge portion 441 of the covering member 44 is fixed to the peripheral wall portion 421. In addition, the upper edge portion 442 of the covering member 44 covers the edge portion 431 of the top plate 43 from above. Therefore, by fixing the covering member 44, the top plate 43 is also fixed relative to the outer lid 3. Accordingly, compared with a structure in which the covering member 44 that does not use the claw portion 443 is not fixed, the top plate 43 can be fixed more reliably.

[0119] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be implemented in various other ways. For example, in the above, both of the two clamping portions in the pair of clamping portions 34 are constituted by the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, only one of the pair of clamping portions 34 may be constituted by the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342.

[0120] In addition, in the above, the first spring member 361 that biases the first clamping member 341 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position and the second spring member 362 that biases the second clamping member 342 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position are provided, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, one arc-shaped spring member may be provided so as to bias both the first clamping member 341 and the second clamping member 342 from the clamping release position toward the clamping position. According to this structure, the number of components can be reduced and the operability can be improved. However, in this structure, a larger space is required to provide the spring member.

[0121] In addition, in the above, the first spring member 361 and the second spring member 362 are constituted by wire springs, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first spring member 361 and the second spring member 362 may also be constituted by leaf springs or coil springs.

[0122] In addition, in the above, the second portion 324 of the operating lever 321 is biased downward by the coil spring 325, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the spring 325 may also be constituted by a leaf spring or a wire spring. In addition, the second portion 324 may also be biased downward by a spring disposed below the second portion 324.

[0123] In addition, in the above, the protrusion 413 has two protrusions extending parallel or substantially parallel along the lateral direction Y1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion 413 may also be a protrusion that is linear in a top view. In this case, the groove portion 351C may also slide along the front-facing surface and the rear-facing surface of the protrusion 413.

[0124] In addition, in the above description, the groove portion 351C is provided in each connecting member 351, and the protrusion 413 is provided in the lower main body 41, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a protrusion protruding downward toward the lower main body 41 may be provided in each connecting member 351, and a groove portion extending along the lateral direction Y1 in a plan view and receiving the protrusion may be provided in the lower main body 41. In this case, by sliding the protrusion along the groove portion, the movement of the pair of clamping portions 34 linked to the movement of the sliding member 33 can also be guided in a desired direction.

[0125] By appropriately combining any of the above-described various embodiments or modified examples, the effects each has can be achieved. In addition, combinations of embodiments with each other, combinations of examples with each other, or combinations of an embodiment and an example can be made, and combinations of features in different embodiments or examples can also be made.

[0126] The present disclosure has been fully described with reference to the drawings and in association with preferred embodiments, but various deformations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that these deformations and modifications are included therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure according to the appended claims.

[0127] Industrial Applicability

[0128] Since the pressure cooker of the present disclosure maintains the outer lid in a closed state during cooking, it can be used, for example, as a pressure rice cooker.

Claims

1. A pressure cooker, characterized in that: The pressure cooker comprises: A housing having an upper opening; a pot having a flange portion and received in the housing through the upper opening; an outer cover mounted to the housing via a hinge axis and movable between a closed position covering the upper opening and an open position away from the upper opening; An inner cover, which is detachably mounted on the outer cover and can be opened and closed in conjunction with the opening and closing action of the outer cover to cover the opening of the pot; a pair of clamping parts, which are movable between a clamping position for clamping the inner cover and the flange in the thickness direction and a clamping release position away from the inner cover and the flange, and the pair of clamping parts are arranged at positions opposite to each other across the center of the inner cover when viewed from above in the thickness direction; A sliding component capable of relative movement with respect to the outer cover; a moving mechanism that moves the pair of clamping portions to the clamping release position corresponding to the first position of the sliding member or the clamping position corresponding to the second position of the sliding member in conjunction with the movement of the sliding member; as well as an outer cover operating portion, which is mounted on the outer cover and is movable between a fixed position for engaging with the housing to maintain the outer cover in a closed position and a release position for allowing the outer cover to be opened, The sliding member contacts the outer cover operating portion when located at the second position, thereby restricting movement of the outer cover operating portion to the released position.

2. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sliding member has a contact portion that contacts the outer cover operating portion when the sliding member is located at the second position. The lower surface of the sliding member has a lower surface inclined region at a contact portion of the sliding member, and the lower surface inclined region is inclined upward as it moves away from the hinge axis in a moving direction of the sliding member. The lower surface inclined region contacts the outer cover operating portion while the sliding member moves toward the second position.

3. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cover operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is located at the second position. The upper surface of the outer cover operation portion has an upper surface inclined region at the contact portion of the outer cover operation portion, and the upper surface inclined region is inclined downward as it approaches the hinge axis in the moving direction of the sliding member. The upper surface inclined region is in contact with the sliding member while the sliding member moves toward the second position.

4. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer cover has a protrusion that protrudes downward from a top surface that faces the sliding member located at the second position in the up-down direction. When the sliding member is located at the second position, the protrusion contacts the upper surface of the sliding member to restrict upward movement of the sliding member.

5. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer cover operation portion has a contact portion that contacts the sliding member when the sliding member is located at the second position. The pressure cooker further comprises a spring which urges the contact portion of the outer cover operating portion downward. When the sliding member is located at the second position, the contact portion of the sliding member contacts the outer cover operating portion at positions on both sides of the spring in a lateral direction intersecting the moving direction of the sliding member.

6. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that Each clamping portion includes a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member are arranged at a distance from each other and clamp the inner cover and the flange portion in the thickness direction. The moving mechanism includes a pair of connecting members, and the pair of connecting members connect the first clamping member and the second clamping member at each clamping portion. The outer cover has a bottom portion located below the pair of clamping portions, A protrusion is provided on one of the bottom and each connecting member and protrudes toward the other of the bottom and each connecting member. A groove for receiving the protrusion is provided on the other of the bottom and each connecting member. The protrusion or the groove provided on the bottom portion extends in a lateral direction intersecting with the moving direction of the sliding member. When the pair of clamping portions moves between the clamping position and the clamping release position, one of the protrusion and the groove portion slides along the other of the protrusion and the groove portion.

7. The pressure cooker according to claim 6, characterized in that The bottom portion is provided with the protrusion, which extends along the lateral direction in a plan view and protrudes upward toward each connecting member. Each connecting member is provided with the groove portion, which is recessed upward to receive the protrusion. When the pair of clamping portions moves between the clamping position and the clamping release position, the groove portion slides along the protrusion.

8. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that The outer cover has: a cover body having a concave portion surrounded by a peripheral wall portion and concave downward; a top plate supported by the upper end of the peripheral wall portion and covering the recessed portion; and an annular covering member covering the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion, The covering member has an upper edge portion that covers the edge portion of the top plate from above, A drainage groove is provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall portion, and the drainage groove guides water that has entered the gap between the top plate and the cover member. The drainage groove is provided with a drainage hole communicating with the outside of the outer cover.

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