Rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker capable of suppressing rice cooking in a state that a part or all of things to be stored such as a pot are not stored in a housing, a state that foreign matter is put in the things to be stored, etc.SOLUTION: A rice cooker includes: a housing having a storage region for detachably storing a pot, a pot container, and a lid body of the pot container; a heating part for heating the pot in the storage region; a weight detection part for detecting the weight of things to be stored in the storage region; a rice supply part for supplying rice to the pot; a water supply part for supplying water to the pot; a control part for executing a rice cooking process for supplying the rice and the water in the pot, and heating the pot; and a storage part for storing the total weight. The total weight is the weight obtained by adding the weight of rice and water stored in the pot at each setting point set beforehand to the combined weight of the pot, the pot container, and the lid body. If the weight obtained from the weight detection part at a certain setting point is different from the total weight at the certain setting point, the control part does not execute the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process under way.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rice cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a steam rice cooker that includes a main body (also called a housing) and a pot that can be housed in the main body. In this steam rice cooker, rice is cooked with the pot housed in the main body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model No. 3226192 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure aims to provide a rice cooker that can prevent rice cooking from being performed in abnormal conditions, such as when some or all of a container such as a pot is not contained in the casing, or when a foreign object is present in the container such as a pot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure is configured as follows. A rice cooker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: A pot and A pot container for removably storing the pot; A lid for covering the upper opening of the pot container; A housing having a storage area for removably storing the pot, the pot container, and the lid; A heating unit is provided inside the housing and below the storage area, and heats the pot stored in the storage area; A weight detection unit provided below the storage area and configured to detect a weight of an object stored in the storage area; a rice supply unit that supplies rice into the pot in the storage area; a water supply unit for supplying water into the pot in the storage area; a control unit that executes a rice cooking process including a rice feeding process of controlling the rice supply unit to feed rice into the pot, a water feeding process of controlling the water supply unit to feed water into the pot, and a heating process of controlling the heating unit to heat the pot; A memory unit that stores a total weight corresponding to each of a plurality of preset time points during and after the rice cooking process is not being performed, the total weight corresponding to each of the plurality of set points in time is a weight obtained by adding the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid to the weight of rice and water that are preset as being contained in the pot at the corresponding set point in time; If the weight obtained from the weight detection unit at a certain set point in time among the multiple set points in time differs from the total weight at the certain set point in time, the control unit does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a rice cooker can be provided that can prevent rice cooking from being performed in abnormal conditions, such as when some or all of a container such as a pot is not contained in the casing, or when a foreign object is present in the container such as a pot. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lid, pot, and pot container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section along line A1-A1 in FIG. 1; [Diagram 5] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the communication member is located at a first communication position, the cross-sectional view being partially enlarged in FIG. 4. [Figure 6]5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the communication member is located at a second communication position, the cross-sectional view being partially enlarged in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a rice cooker. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a rice cooking process. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a heating process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (Background to this disclosure) In the steam rice cooker disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pot can be removed from the main body during cooking. In this case, there is a risk that foreign objects may be added to the pot removed from the main body. Here, the foreign objects include not only objects other than rice and water, but also the added extra rice and water. In addition, there is a risk that some or all of the rice and water in the pot removed from the main body may be removed from the pot. In the steam rice cooker disclosed in Patent Document 1, the pot removed from the main body during cooking can be reattached to the main body. Therefore, there is a risk that the pot to which foreign objects have been added or the pot from which the rice and water have been removed may be reattached to the main body and rice cooking may be resumed.

[0009] In addition, there is a risk that the pot without the lid will be attached to the main body, and in this case, rice cooking may start when the pot is not covered with the lid.

[0010] Some rice cookers are equipped with a detector that detects whether a pot is attached to the main body. However, although this type of rice cooker can detect whether a pot is attached to the main body, it cannot detect whether there is a foreign object in the pot, or whether the pot is attached to the main body in the correct position.

[0011] The inventors therefore discovered a rice cooker configuration that can prevent rice cooking from being performed in abnormal conditions, such as when some or all of the contents, such as a pot, are not placed in the casing, or when a foreign object is present in the pot or other contents, and have come up with the present disclosure.

[0012] The rice cooker according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes: A pot and A pot container for removably storing the pot; A lid for covering the upper opening of the pot container; A housing having a storage area for removably storing the pot, the pot container, and the lid; A heating unit is provided inside the housing and below the storage area, and heats the pot stored in the storage area; A weight detection unit provided below the storage area and configured to detect a weight of an object stored in the storage area; a rice supply unit that supplies rice into the pot in the storage area; a water supply unit for supplying water into the pot in the storage area; a control unit that executes a rice cooking process including a rice feeding process of controlling the rice supply unit to feed rice into the pot, a water feeding process of controlling the water supply unit to feed water into the pot, and a heating process of controlling the heating unit to heat the pot; A memory unit that stores a total weight corresponding to each of a plurality of preset time points during and after the rice cooking process is not being performed, the total weight corresponding to each of the plurality of set points in time is a weight obtained by adding the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid to the weight of rice and water that are preset as being contained in the pot at the corresponding set point in time; If the weight obtained from the weight detection unit at a certain set point in time among the multiple set points in time differs from the total weight at the certain set point in time, the control unit does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed.

[0013] According to this configuration, by comparing the weight detected by the weight detection unit with the total weight stored in the memory unit, it is possible to detect that the pot, pot container, and lid are not partly or entirely contained in the housing, or that a foreign object is in the pot. Also, according to this configuration, if such detection is made, if the rice cooking process is not being performed, the rice cooking process is not performed, and if the rice cooking process is being performed, the rice cooking process is stopped. This makes it possible to suppress the execution of the rice cooking process in abnormal conditions, such as when the pot, pot container, and lid are not partly or entirely contained in the housing, or when a foreign object is in the pot.

[0014] In addition, with this configuration, when the weight obtained from the weight detection unit is zero during the rice cooking process, it is possible to identify that the contents have been removed from the housing. In this case, by stopping the rice cooking process, it is possible to prevent the rice cooking process from being performed when the pot, pot container, and lid are not contained in the housing.

[0015] The rice cooker according to the second aspect of the present disclosure is The device may further include a notification unit, In the rice cooker according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, The control unit detects the weight of the object accommodated in the accommodation area when the weight acquired from the weight detection unit at the certain set time point is different from the total weight at the certain set time point. Detainees The notification unit may be controlled to notify that the weight is inappropriate.

[0016] According to this configuration, the Detainees The user can be notified that the weight is inappropriate.

[0017] In the rice cooker according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, If the weight obtained from the weight detection unit at the certain set point in time is outside a weight range that is a certain range that includes the total weight at the certain set point in time, the control unit may not perform the rice cooking process or may stop the rice cooking process that is being performed.

[0018] There is a risk that the weight of the contained object may differ from the total weight due to water droplets adhering to the contained object, etc. However, in such a case, since this is not an abnormality, it is desirable to carry out the rice cooking process. With this configuration, as long as the weight of the contained object is within the weight range, the rice cooking process will not be skipped or stopped. Therefore, even if there is some fluctuation in the weight of the contained object due to water droplets adhering to the contained object as described above, the possibility that the rice cooking process will not be skipped or stopped can be reduced.

[0019] In the rice cooker according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, When rice is supplied into the pot, the total weight at the point in time when that execution is performed among the multiple set points in time may be the total weight before that execution plus the weight of rice supplied into the pot by that execution.

[0020] According to this configuration, when rice is added to the pot, the total weight is calculated by adding the weight of the added rice, thereby reducing the possibility that the total weight stored in the memory unit will differ from the total weight of the contents actually contained in the storage area.

[0021] In the rice cooker according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, When the supply of water into the pot is executed, the total weight at the point at which the execution is executed among the multiple set points may be the total weight before the execution plus the weight of water supplied into the pot by the execution.

[0022] According to this configuration, when water is added to the pot, the total weight is calculated by adding the weight of the added water, thereby reducing the possibility that the total weight stored in the memory unit will differ from the total weight of the contents actually contained in the storage area.

[0023] A rice cooker according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure includes: The storage device may further include a storage detection unit provided in the housing and configured to detect the presence or absence of an object stored in the storage area, In the rice cooker according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, The control unit may stop the rice cooking process when the storage detection unit detects that an item to be stored is not stored in the storage area during the rice cooking process.

[0024] According to this configuration, the control unit can determine whether or not to stop the rice cooking process based on the presence or absence of an object contained in the storage area, in addition to the weight of the object contained in the storage area. As a result, even if the weight detection unit cannot detect the object because the temperature around the weight detection unit is higher than the operating temperature of the weight detection unit, the control unit can determine whether or not to stop the rice cooking process.

[0025] In the rice cooker according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, The water conveying step may be performed after the rice conveying step.

[0026] With this configuration, even if the rice in the pot is piled up, the water supplied into the pot can reduce the pile of the rice in the pot and make the surface of the rice closer to horizontal.

[0027] The rice cooker according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure is The rice processing apparatus may further include a rice tank for storing rice. In the rice cooker according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, The rice supply unit may supply rice from the rice tank into the pot.

[0028] According to this configuration, by storing rice in the rice tank, rice can be supplied from the rice tank to the pot when needed.

[0029] A rice cooker according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure includes: The device may further include a water tank for storing water. In the rice cooker according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, The water supply unit may supply water from the water tank into the pot.

[0030] With this configuration, there is no need to connect the rice cooker to a water supply or the like in order to supply water to the pot.

[0031] In the rice cooker according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, The total weight at a set point during the heating process among the multiple set points may be the total weight before the heating process is performed minus the amount of water that has evaporated in the pot during the heating process that is set in advance.

[0032] When the water boils during the heating process, the water evaporates and the weight of the contents decreases. In this case, the weight of the contents acquired from the weight detection unit during the heating process may become smaller than the total weight recorded in the memory unit, and the rice cooking process may be stopped unintentionally. With this configuration, the total weight is changed according to the evaporation of the water. This makes it possible to prevent the rice cooking process from being stopped unintentionally.

[0033] In the rice cooker according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, The storage unit may store the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid, The control unit may determine whether each of the pot, the pot container, and the lid is contained in the storage area based on the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid stored in the memory unit.

[0034] With this configuration, it is possible to identify whether the item not contained in the storage area is a pot, a pot container, or a lid.

[0035] (Embodiment) [Rice cooker] A rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The rice cooker 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called fully automatic rice cooker that can automatically perform processes from supplying rice and water to a pot to cooking rice.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker 1 includes a housing 11, a rice tank 301, a pot 2, a pot container 21, and a lid 22.

[0037] Housing 11 has a rectangular shape with one side bent into a semicircular arc in a plan view.

[0038] In this embodiment, the curved side of the housing 11 is the front, the side opposite the curved surface of the housing 11 is the rear, and the direction toward the front and rear is the front-rear direction Y.

[0039] In this embodiment, the side of the housing 11 and the rice tank 301 on which the rice tank 301 is provided is the upper side, and the side of the housing 11 and the rice tank 301 on which the housing 11 is provided is the lower side, and the direction going upward and downward is the vertical direction Z.

[0040] In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z is the lateral direction X. When the rice cooker 1 is viewed from the front, the left and right of the lateral direction X are defined. For example, the water tank 401 is provided on the right side of the rice cooker 1.

[0041] The lateral direction X, the front-rear direction Y, and the up-down direction Z are mutually orthogonal. In this embodiment, the direction orthogonal to the Z direction is the lateral direction.

[0042] A storage area 12 capable of storing a pot container 21 is provided at the front lower portion of the housing 11. The pot container 21 can be stored in the storage area 12 from the side by sliding movement. FIG 1 shows, as an example, a configuration in which the pot container 21 is stored in the storage area 12 from the front by sliding movement.

[0043] Above the storage area 12 on the curved surface that is the front surface of the housing 11, a steam vent 53b, which will be described later, is provided.

[0044] A water tank mounting portion 11b is provided on the lower right side of the housing 11. A water tank 401 is disposed on the water tank mounting portion 11b. The water tank 401 is a container that contains water. In this embodiment, a plastic bottle is disposed as an example of the water tank 401.

[0045] The rice tank 301 is a container for storing rice. The rice tank 301 is provided above the housing 11 and is supported by the housing 11. A lid 11a for covering the rice tank 301 is removably attached to the upper end of the rice tank 301.

[0046] The water tank 401 may be a part of the rice cooker 1, like the rice tank 301. The rice cooker 1 does not have to be connected to the water tank 401. In this case, for example, the rice cooker 1 is connected to a water supply and is supplied with water from the water supply. The rice tank 301 may be provided separately from the rice cooker 1, like a plastic bottle, which is an example of the water tank 401.

[0047] The storage area 12 accommodates a pot container 21, a pot 2 (see FIG. 2) that is removably accommodated in the pot container 21, and a lid 22 that is detachably attached to the pot container 21. The pot container 21, the pot 2, and the lid 22 can be accommodated in the storage area 12 and can be removed from the storage area 12. With the pot 2 accommodated and the lid 22 attached, the pot container 21 is accommodated in the storage area 12 from front to rear by sliding movement, and is pulled out of the storage area 12 from rear to front. In other words, the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22 can be attached and detached to the housing 11 by sliding movement along the front-to-rear direction Y between the storage area 12 and the outside of the housing 11.

[0048] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lid, the pot, and the pot container.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 2, pot 2 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. Pot 2 has a bottom 2a, a side wall 2b extending upward from bottom 2a, an opening 2c formed by the upper end of side wall 2b, and a flange portion 2d. Flange portion 2d extends from the upper end of side wall 2b toward the outside of pot 2 around the entire circumferential circumference of the upper end of side wall 2b. Pot 2 is made of metal.

[0050] Pot container 21 has a bottomed, cylindrical shape capable of housing pot 2. Pot container 21 has bottom 21a, sidewall 211 extending upward from bottom 21a, and upper opening 21h formed by the upper end of sidewall 211. Pot container 21 is made of, for example, resin.

[0051] The side wall 211 has an inner wall portion 21b, a rib 21c, and an outer wall portion 21d. A plurality of ribs 21c are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall portion 21b along the up-down direction Z. The outer wall portion 21d and the outer peripheral surface of the inner wall portion 21b face each other. The plurality of ribs 21c are located between the outer wall portion 21d and the inner wall portion 21b. An air layer 21e is formed between the inner wall portion 21b and the outer wall portion 21d.

[0052] When the pot 2 is stored in the pot container 21, gaps are created between the inner wall 21b of the pot container 21 and the side wall 2b of the pot 2, and between the bottom 21a of the pot container 21 and the bottom 2a of the pot 2. Therefore, compared to when there is no gap between the pot container 21 and the pot 2, the amount of heat transferred from the pot 2 to the pot container 21 is reduced.

[0053] When the pot 2 is contained in the pot container 21, the flange portion 2d of the pot 2 is placed on the upper end portion of the inner wall portion 21b of the pot container 21. As a result, when the pot 2 is contained in the pot container 21, the pot 2 is supported by the pot container 21.

[0054] A through hole (not shown) is provided in the center of the bottom portion 21a of the pot container 21, penetrating the bottom portion 21a in the vertical direction.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower part of the rice cooker of FIG.

[0056] 3, a protrusion 61 is provided on the bottom of the accommodation area 12. The pot container 21 accommodated in the accommodation area 12 is supported by the protrusion 61.

[0057] 1 and 2, lid 22 covers upper opening 21h of pot container 21. As shown in Fig. 2, lid 22 includes lid body 22a, hole 22b, pot gasket 22c, and attachment member 22d.

[0058] In this embodiment, the lid body 22a has a ring-shaped flat portion and a cylindrical portion protruding downward from the outer edge of the flat portion. The hole 22b is formed in the center of the flat portion of the lid body 22a. When rice is fed by the rice feeder 3 (described later) and water is fed by the water feeder 4 (described later) into the pot 2, the rice and water pass through the hole 22b.

[0059] Pot gasket 22c is provided so as to come into contact with pot 2 when lid 22 is removably attached to pot container 21 so as to cover the opening of pot 2. Mounting member 22d is attached to lid body 22a so as to sandwich pot gasket 22c therebetween.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, showing a state in which the communicating member is located at the first communicating position. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, showing a state in which the communicating member is located at the second communicating position. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the housing. Note that FIG. 7 shows the housing 11 when the communicating member 5 described later is located at the second communicating position. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the rice cooker.

[0061] 4 to 7, the rice cooker 1 has a rice supplying unit 3, a water supplying unit 4, a connecting member 5, a weight detecting unit 6, a heating unit 7, a temperature detecting unit 8, and a control unit 91. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the rice cooker 1 has a memory unit 92 and a notification unit 93.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 4, the rice supply unit 3 is disposed in a rice transfer space 302 in the housing 11. The rice transfer space 302 is formed below the rice tank 301 and above the storage area 12. The rear end of the rice transfer space 302 communicates with the bottom surface of the rice tank 301 via a through hole (not shown). The front end of the rice transfer space 302 communicates with a cylindrical portion 303. The cylindrical portion 303 extends downward from the rice transfer space 302 and opens toward the hole 22b of the lid body 22 stored in the storage area 12.

[0063] The rice supplying section 3 has a rice sending shaft 31 and a rice sending blade 32. The rice sending shaft 31 extends in the rice transfer space 302 along the front-rear direction Y. The rice sending blade 32 is formed in a spiral shape around the axis of the rice sending shaft 31.

[0064] The rice stored in the rice tank 301 falls due to gravity through the through hole into the rice transfer space 302. The rice in the rice transfer space 302 is sent forward by a rice sending shaft 31 and rice sending blades 32, which are rotated by a motor or the like. When the pot container 21 is stored in the storage area 12, the rice sent to the upper part of the storage area 12 falls due to gravity into the tube portion 303. The rice that falls further from the tube portion 303 enters the pot 2 stored in the pot container 21 through the hole 22b of the lid 22. In this manner, the rice supply unit 3 supplies the rice in the rice tank 301 into the pot 2 in the storage area 12.

[0065] 7, the water supply unit 4 is disposed inside the housing 11. The water supply unit 4 has a water supply pipe 41 and a water supply pump .

[0066] The water supply pipe 41 has one end 41a and the other end 41b. As shown in Fig. 4, the one end 41a opens toward the hole 22b of the lid 22 housed in the housing area 12. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, the other end 41b is connected to a water intake member 402 on the rear surface of the housing 11 so that they can communicate with each other. The water intake member 402 is a tubular member that takes in water from inside the water tank 401 placed on the water tank mounting portion 11b.

[0067] The water intake member 402 includes a water intake pipe 402a through which fluids such as water and gas can flow, and a cap portion 402b that is removably attached to the opening of the water tank 401. One end of the water intake pipe 402a is connected to the cap portion 402b and communicates with the inside of the water tank via the cap portion 402b. The other end of the water intake pipe 402a is connected to one end portion 41a of the water supply pipe 41.

[0068] The water supply pipe 41 is provided with a water supply pump 42. The water supply pump 42 is a volumetric pump such as a diaphragm pump, a plunger pump, or a piston-type pump. In this embodiment, the water supply pump 42 is attached to connect two water supply pipes 41. When the water supply pump 42 is driven, the water in the water tank 401 is sucked up into the water supply pipe 41 through the water intake pipe 402a and flows from the other end 41b of the water supply pipe 41 to one end 41a. The water that flows to the one end 41a is supplied to the pot 2 contained in the pot container 21 through the hole 22b of the lid body 22 contained in the storage area 12, as shown in FIG. 4. In this manner, the water supply unit 4 supplies the rice in the water tank 401 to the pot 2 in the storage area 12.

[0069] 4, the communication member 5 is disposed in the housing 11, and includes a communication member body 51, a sealant 52, and a steam cylinder 53. The communication member 5 is disposed so as to be movable between a first communication position shown in FIG. 5 and a second communication position shown in FIG.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, when the communication member 5 is in the first communication position, the sealing material 52 blocks the hole 22b of the lid body 22. Here, the steam cylinder 53 is attached to the sealing material 52. As a result, when the communication member 5 is in the first communication position, steam can flow between the hole 22b of the lid body 22 and the steam cylinder 53. In other words, the steam cylinder 53 is in communication with the inside of the pot 2. On the other hand, when the communication member 5 is in the first communication position, the hole 22b of the lid body 22 and the rice supply part 3 (cylinder part 303) and the water supply part 4 (water supply pipe 41) are blocked by the sealing material 52. Therefore, fluids such as rice and water cannot flow between the hole 22b of the lid body 22 and the rice supply part 3 (cylinder part 303) and the water supply part 4 (water supply pipe 41).

[0071] 6, when the communication member 5 is in the second communication position, the sealant 52 is retracted from the hole 22b of the lid 22. This allows fluids such as rice and water to flow between the hole 22b of the lid 22 and the rice supply unit 3 and the water supply unit 4 when the communication member 5 is in the second communication position. On the other hand, when the communication member 5 is in the second communication position, steam cannot flow between the hole 22b of the lid 22 and the steam cylinder 53.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 4, one end 53a of steam cylinder 53 is attached to sealing material 52. The other end of steam cylinder 53 communicates with steam port 53b formed in the front surface of housing 11. As a result, when communication member 5 is located in the first communication position, steam within pot 2 is discharged to the outside of housing 11 through hole 22b of lid 22 and steam cylinder 53.

[0073] The weight detection unit 6 is provided within the housing 11 below the storage area 12. The weight detection unit 6 supports a convex portion 61. The convex portion 61 forms the bottom of the storage area 12. The pot container 21 contained in the storage area 12 is placed on the convex portion 61. The weight of the pot container 21 acts on the weight detection unit 6 via the convex portion 61. As a result, the weight detection unit 6 detects the weight of the item contained in the storage area 12.

[0074] For example, when the pot 2 is contained in the pot container 21 and the lid 22 is attached to the pot container 21, the weight detection unit 6 detects the total weight of the pot container 21, the pot 2, and the lid 22. In this case, the contained objects are the pot container 21, the pot 2, and the lid 22. Also, for example, when the pot 2 is contained in the pot container 21 but the lid 22 is not attached to the pot container 21, the weight detection unit 6 detects the total weight of the pot container 21 and the pot 2. In this case, the contained objects are the pot container 21 and the pot 2. Also, for example, when the pot 2 is contained in the pot container 21, rice and water are contained in the pot 2, and the lid 22 is attached to the pot container 21, the weight detection unit 6 detects the total weight of the pot container 21, the pot 2, the rice and water in the pot 2, and the lid 22. In this case, the contained objects are the pot container 21, the pot 2, the rice in the pot 2, the water in the pot 2, and the lid 22.

[0075] Heating unit 7 heats pot 2 accommodated in storage area 12. Heating unit 7 is provided inside housing 11 and below storage area 12. When pot 2 is accommodated in storage area 12, heating unit 7 faces bottom 2a of pot 2. Heating unit 7 is, for example, an induction heating coil that inductively heats pot 2 when electricity is passed through it.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 3, a light-transmitting glass plate 61a is provided at the center of the protrusion 61 supported by the weight detection unit 6.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, a temperature detection unit 8 is provided inside the housing 11 and below the glass plate 61a. In this embodiment, the temperature detection unit 8 is an infrared sensor. The infrared sensor detects infrared rays emitted from the bottom 2a of the pot 2 through a through hole in the bottom 21a of the pot container 21 and the glass plate 61a. In this way, the infrared sensor measures the temperature of the bottom 2a of the pot 2. It should be noted that the temperature detection unit 8 is not limited to an infrared sensor. For example, it may be a bottom sensor that detects the temperature of the pot 2 by directly contacting the bottom 2a of the pot 2.

[0078] The control unit 91 is provided inside the housing 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 91 is configured as an electronic component mounted on a printed circuit board. The control unit 91 controls the operation of the rice cooker 1.

[0079] The operation of the rice cooker 1 is, for example, a rice cooking process including a rice feeding process, a water feeding process, and a heating process. The rice feeding process is a process of feeding rice into the pot 2. The water feeding process is a process of feeding water into the pot 2. The heating process is a process of heating the pot 2. The execution of the rice cooking process by the control unit 91 will be described later.

[0080] The control unit 91 includes, for example, a processor that reads and executes a program stored in a storage unit 92 shown in FIG.

[0081] The control unit 91 can be realized in various ways. For example, a processor that cooperates with software to realize a predetermined function may be used as the control unit 91. If a processor is used as the control unit 91, the control unit 91 can execute various processes by reading a program from a storage unit 92 that stores the program and executing the program. Since the processing content can be changed by changing the program stored in the storage unit 92, the degree of freedom in changing the control content can be increased. The processor includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). Furthermore, wired logic in which the program cannot be rewritten may be used as the control unit 91. Using wired logic as the control unit 91 is effective in improving the processing speed. Examples of wired logic include ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Furthermore, the control unit 91 may be realized by combining a processor and wired logic. If the control unit 91 is realized by combining a processor and wired logic, the degree of freedom in software design can be increased while the processing speed can be improved. Furthermore, the control unit 91 and a circuit having a function different from that of the control unit 91 may be configured with one semiconductor element. Examples of circuits having a function different from that of the control unit 91 include an A / D conversion circuit (analog to digital converter) and a D / A conversion circuit (digital to analog converter). Furthermore, the control unit 91 may be configured with one semiconductor element or multiple semiconductor elements. When configured with multiple semiconductor elements, each control described in the claims may be realized by different semiconductor elements. Furthermore, the control unit 91 may be configured with a configuration including semiconductor elements and passive components such as resistors and capacitors.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 91 controls the rice supply unit 3 in the rice sending process. In this embodiment, the control unit 91 rotates the rice sending shaft 31 by driving a motor (not shown). As a result, rice in the rice tank 301 is supplied into the pot 2 in the storage area 12.

[0083] Furthermore, control unit 91 controls water supply unit 4 in the water supplying step. In detail, control unit 91 drives water supply pump 42. As a result, water in water tank 401 is supplied into pot 2 in storage area 12.

[0084] The control unit 91 also controls the communication member 5. In this embodiment, the control unit 91 drives a motor (not shown) to move the communication member 5 to the first communication position and the second communication position. This selectively switches between communication between the inside of the pot 2 and the rice supply unit 3 and the water supply unit 4, and communication between the inside of the pot 2 and the steam cylinder 53.

[0085] Furthermore, in the heating step, the control unit 91 controls the heating unit 7 to heat the pot 2 accommodated in the accommodation area 12. This heats the pot 2 and the food to be cooked, such as rice and water, in the pot 2. The control unit 91 outputs a control signal to the inverter circuit 94 based on the rice cooking sequence stored in the memory unit 92. The rice cooking sequence is a predetermined procedure for cooking rice, including current application time, heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc., in each step of the rice cooking process. The inverter circuit 94 outputs a high-frequency current to the heating unit 7 in accordance with the control signal from the control unit 91.

[0086] Inverter circuit 94 is provided in housing 11. Control unit 91 acquires the voltage value applied to the element included in inverter circuit 94 and the current value flowing through the element. Based on the acquired voltage value and current value, control unit 91 determines whether or not a pot 2, which is an object that can be contained in storage area 12, is present. This will be described in detail below. When a control signal is output to inverter circuit 94 when pot 2 is not contained in storage area 12, the amount of change in the voltage value and current value is larger than the amount of change when pot 2 is contained in storage area 12. Based on this amount of change, control unit 91 determines whether or not a pot 2 is contained in storage area 12. Inverter circuit 94 is an example of an object detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an object contained in storage area 12.

[0087] Control unit 91 also obtains information on the weight of the objects contained in containing area 12 from weight detection unit 6. Control unit 91 also obtains temperature information of bottom 2a of pot 2 from temperature detection unit 8. The temperature of bottom 2a of pot 2 is the same as the temperature inside pot 2.

[0088] The storage unit 92 is a recording medium for recording various information including programs and data necessary to realize the functions of the rice cooker 1. In this embodiment, the storage unit 92 is configured as an electronic component mounted on a printed circuit board. The storage unit 92 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or other storage device alone or in an appropriate combination thereof. The storage unit 92 may include a volatile memory such as a static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capable of high speed operation for temporarily storing various information.

[0089] Information on the total weight is stored in the memory unit 92. The total weight is the combined weight of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22, plus the weights of rice and water that are preset as being contained in the pot 2 at the corresponding set time point. The set time points are multiple preset time points when the rice cooking process is not being performed and when it is being performed. In this embodiment, the multiple set time points are four time points: a time point when the rice cooking process is not being performed, a time point when the rice cooking process starts, a time point when the rice sending process is completed, and a time point when the water sending process is completed, as well as multiple time points during the heating process.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the rice cooking process is not being performed and when the rice cooking process is started, the total weight is the sum of the weight of pot 2, the weight of pot container 21, and the weight of lid 22, and is stored in memory unit 92. Note that when the rice cooking process is not being performed and when the rice cooking process is started, the weights of rice and water preset as being contained in pot 2 are zero.

[0091] Furthermore, at the time when the execution of the rice sending process is completed, the weight of the rice supplied into the pot 2 in the rice sending process is added to the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 before the execution of the rice sending process is started, and this weight is stored in the memory unit 92 as the new total weight. In other words, the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is updated by executing the rice sending process. In this case, the weight of the rice supplied into the pot 2 in the rice sending process is the weight of the rice that is preset as being contained in the pot 2 at the time when the execution of the rice sending process is completed. Note that the weight of the rice supplied to the pot 2 in the rice sending process is the difference between the information on the weight of the contained object obtained by the control unit 91 from the weight detection unit 6 before the execution of the rice sending process and the information on the weight of the contained object obtained by the control unit 91 from the weight detection unit 6 after the execution of the rice sending process.

[0092] Furthermore, at the time when the execution of the water supplying process is completed, the weight of the water supplied into the pot 2 during the water supplying process is added to the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 before the execution of the water supplying process is started, and the weight is stored in the memory unit 92 as the new total weight. In other words, the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is updated by executing the water supplying process. In this case, the weight of the water supplied into the pot 2 during the water supplying process is the weight of the water previously set as being contained in the pot 2 at the time when the execution of the water supplying process is completed. Note that the weight of the water supplied to the pot 2 during the water supplying process is the difference between the information on the weight of the contained object acquired by the control unit 91 from the weight detection unit 6 before the execution of the water supplying process and the information on the weight of the contained object acquired by the control unit 91 from the weight detection unit 6 after the execution of the water supplying process.

[0093] Furthermore, in the heating process, a preset amount of water evaporation is successively subtracted from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92. The total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is updated each time a subtraction is performed. In other words, the number of points in time during the heating process is the number of updates. The amount of water evaporation is determined based on the rice cooking sequence stored in the memory unit 92. Based on the rice cooking sequence, the timing at which water boils and the amount of boiled water evaporated per unit time (e.g., 5 seconds) can be calculated. The amount of water evaporation is determined based on the calculated amount of evaporation per unit time.

[0094] In this embodiment, as described above, one total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is updated according to the execution of the rice sending process. As a result, the memory unit 92 stores a total weight corresponding to each of a plurality of preset time points when the rice cooking process is not being executed and is being executed. However, a plurality of total weights may be stored in the memory unit 92. For example, the total weight at a plurality of time points, namely, when the rice cooking process is not being executed, when the rice cooking process starts, when the rice sending process is completed, when the water sending process is completed, before the water boils in the heating process, and when the water is boiling in the heating process, may be stored in the memory unit 92. In this case, the control unit 91 selects the total weight corresponding to the current time point from the plurality of total weights stored in the memory unit 92 at each time point.

[0095] The notification unit 93 is composed of a display of the rice cooker 1 or the like. The notification unit 93 is provided, for example, above 53b on the front surface of the housing 11. The notification unit 93 is controlled by the control unit 91 and displays information sent from the control unit 91. Note that the notification unit 93 is not limited to a display as long as it is capable of notifying the user of the rice cooker 1 of information. For example, the notification unit 93 may be a speaker that issues a notification by voice.

[0096] The following describes the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 1, which is executed under the control of the control unit 91. Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the rice cooking process. The rice cooking process includes a rice sending step (S50), a water sending step (S70), and a heating step (S100).

[0097] When the rice cooking process is not being performed, the control unit 91 acquires information on the weight of the contained objects stored in the storage area 12 from the weight detection unit 6 at preset time intervals (S10). As described above, the total weight when the rice cooking process is not being performed is the combined weight of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22. The preset time may be zero. In other words, the control unit 91 may constantly acquire information on the weight of the contained objects from the weight detection unit 6.

[0098] If the acquired weight information of the contained items differs from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S10: NO), the control unit 91 controls the alarm unit 93 to alarm that the contained items stored in the storage area 12 are inappropriate (S110).

[0099] For example, when a pot container 21 and a lid 22, without a pot 2 contained therein, are contained in the storage area 12, the control unit 91 acquires information on the combined weight of the pot container 21 and the lid 22 from the weight detection unit 6. The acquired weight differs from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92. In this case, the control unit 91 controls the notification unit 93 to provide an indication that the items contained in the storage area 12 are inappropriate.

[0100] In step S10 and steps S30, S60, S80, and S230 described later, the following cases are assumed as cases in which the acquired weight information of the contained objects differs from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92. At least one of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22 is not contained in the storage area 12, so the weight detection unit 6 detects a weight that is lighter than the total weight. The position of the pot container 21 contained in the storage area 12 is shifted from the appropriate position, so the weight detection unit 6 detects a weight that is lighter than the total weight. The weight detection unit 6 detects a weight that is heavier than the total weight because a foreign object is contained in the pot 2. The foreign object is, for example, an object other than rice or water that is not related to cooking rice, or leftover rice from a previously performed cooking process. The pot container 21 is removed from the storage area 12, so the weight detection unit 6 no longer detects the weight.

[0101] After step S110, the process of the flowchart ends. In other words, in this case, the rice cooking process is not executed. Note that step S10 is repeated until the control unit 91 acquires information on a rice cooking instruction (S20: NO).

[0102] The rice cooking instruction information is sent from an input unit to the control unit 91 in response to a rice cooking instruction input by a user through an input unit (not shown) such as a switch or a touch panel provided on the housing 11 of the rice cooker 1. Also, for example, the rice cooking instruction information may be a rice cooking instruction input by a user into an external device such as a smartphone or a personal computer and sent from the external device to the control unit 91 of the rice cooker 1. In this case, the rice cooker 1 and the external device are configured to be able to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication.

[0103] When the control unit 91 acquires information on a cooking instruction from an external device or the like (S20: YES), it executes the same process as in step S10. That is, the control unit 91 acquires information on the weight of the objects accommodated in the accommodation area 12 from the weight detection unit 6 (S30). If the weight information differs from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S30: NO), the control unit 91 controls the notification unit 93 to notify that the objects accommodated in the accommodation area 12 are inappropriate (S110). In this case, the rice cooking process is not executed.

[0104] On the other hand, if the acquired weight information is the same as the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S30: YES), the control unit 91 starts the rice cooking process. First, the control unit 91 controls the communication member 5 to move it to the second communication position (S40). This allows rice to be supplied from the rice tank 301 to the pot 2, and allows water to be supplied from the water tank 401 to the pot 2.

[0105] Next, the control unit 91 executes the rice sending step (S50). In the rice sending step, the control unit 91 determines the amount of rice required for cooking in accordance with the cooking instruction. The control unit 91 controls the rice supply unit 3 to supply the determined amount of rice from the rice tank 301 into the pot 2.

[0106] At the time when the execution of the rice sending process is completed, the weight of the rice supplied into the pot 2 in the rice sending process is added to the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 before the execution of the rice sending process is started, and this weight is stored in the memory unit 92 as a new total weight. The weight of the rice is calculated by subtracting the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 in step S30, which is the time before the execution of the rice sending process is started, from the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 at the time when the execution of the rice sending process is completed. Note that the weight of the rice may be determined based on the amount of rice determined by the control unit 91 in response to the rice cooking instruction, rather than the amount of rice actually sent. In this case, the above calculation is not performed.

[0107] Next, the control unit 91 executes the same process as step S10. That is, the control unit 91 acquires information on the weight of the object contained in the storage area 12 from the weight detection unit 6 (S60). If the weight information is different from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S60: NO), the control unit 91 controls the notification unit 93 to notify that the object contained in the storage area 12 is inappropriate (S110). In this case, the rice cooking process is stopped, and the subsequent water supply process and heating process are not executed. Note that the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 at the time of step S60 is the total weight of the pot 2, the pot container 21, the lid 22, and the amount of rice in the pot 2.

[0108] On the other hand, if the acquired weight information is the same as the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S60: YES), the control unit 91 executes the water supplying process (S70). In the water supplying process, the control unit 91 determines the amount of water required for cooking rice in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 91 controls the water supply unit 4 to supply the determined amount of water from the water tank 401 into the pot 2.

[0109] At the time when the water supplying process is completed, the weight of the water supplied into the pot 2 during the water supplying process is added to the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 before the start of the water supplying process, and the resulting weight is stored in the memory unit 92 as a new total weight. The weight of the water is calculated by subtracting the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 in step S60, which is before the start of the water supplying process, from the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 at the time when the water supplying process is completed. Note that the weight of the water may be determined based on the amount of water determined by the control unit 91 in response to a rice cooking instruction, rather than the amount of water actually supplied. In this case, the above calculation is not performed.

[0110] Next, the control unit 91 executes the same process as step S10. That is, the control unit 91 acquires information on the weight of the object contained in the storage area 12 from the weight detection unit 6 (S80). If the weight information is different from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S80: NO), the control unit 91 controls the notification unit 93 to notify that the object contained in the storage area 12 is inappropriate (S110). In this case, the rice cooking process is stopped, and the subsequent heating process is not executed. Note that the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 at the time of step S80 is the total weight of the pot 2, the pot container 21, the lid 22, the amount of rice in the pot 2, and the amount of water in the pot 2.

[0111] On the other hand, if the acquired weight information is the same as the total weight stored in memory unit 92 (S80: YES), control unit 91 controls communication member 5 to move it to the first communication position (S90). This allows steam generated in pot 2 in the heating process described below to flow to steam cylinder 53.

[0112] Next, the control unit 91 executes a heating process (S100). The heating process includes a water absorption process, a boiling process, and a steaming process.

[0113] In the water absorption process, the control unit 91 controls the heating unit 7 to heat the pot 2. At this time, the control unit 91 keeps the temperature inside the pot 2 below the gelatinization temperature (e.g., 55 degrees) to allow the rice to absorb water. The control unit 91 recognizes the temperature inside the pot 2 based on information input from the temperature detection unit 8.

[0114] In the boiling process which follows the water absorption process, control unit 91 controls heating unit 7 to heat pot 2 more strongly than during the water absorption process, raising the temperature in pot 2 and causing the water in pot 2 to boil. Once the water in pot 2 has boiled, control unit 91 may reduce the heat applied to pot 2. However, the heating intensity applied by heating unit 7 is maintained at a level that keeps the water in pot 2 boiling.

[0115] In the steaming process that follows the boiling process, the control unit 91 controls the heating unit 7 to heat the pot 2 for a short period of time. This causes the rice in the pot 2 to steam, and also causes water droplets adhering to the underside of the lid 22 that covers the pot 2 from above to evaporate.

[0116] When the heating process as described above is being carried out, the control unit 91 executes a process similar to step S10 (weight detection process) and a process for detecting the presence or absence of the pot 2 (pot detection process) at preset time intervals (e.g., 5 seconds). The weight detection process and pot detection process during the heating process will be described below with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the heating process. In the description of the heating process in FIG. 10, the processes for heating the pot 2 carried out in the water absorption process, boiling process, and steaming process are referred to as heating processes.

[0117] During the heat treatment (S210), the control unit 91 refers to the count value of the counter and determines whether a set time has elapsed since the counter was last reset (S220). When the set time has elapsed, the counter is reset and starts counting again. The counter may be built into the control unit 91 or may be provided separately from the control unit 91.

[0118] If the set time has not elapsed (S220: NO), the control unit 91 determines whether the heating process is complete, in other words, whether all steps of the heating process are complete (S250). If the heating process is not complete (S250: NO), the heating process continues (S210). On the other hand, if the heating process is complete (S250: YES), the rice cooking process is completed.

[0119] When the set time has elapsed (S220: YES), the control unit 91 executes the same process (weight detection process) as step S10. That is, the control unit 91 acquires information on the weight of the objects contained in the storage area 12 from the weight detection unit 6 (S230). If the weight information differs from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 (S230: NO), the control unit 91 controls the notification unit 93 to notify that the objects contained in the storage area 12 are inappropriate (S110 in FIG. 9). In this case, the rice cooking process is stopped. That is, the heating process is stopped midway.

[0120] Here, as described above, at the time of the heating step, the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is sequentially subtracted by the preset amount of water evaporation. An example of subtraction of the total weight is described below. Before the water boils in the water absorption step and the boiling step, the water in the pot 2 is not boiled, so the amount of water evaporation in the pot 2 is small. Therefore, subtraction of the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is not performed before the water boils in the water absorption step and the boiling step. After the water in the pot 2 starts to boil in the boiling step, the amount of water evaporation in the pot 2 is large. Therefore, after the water in the pot 2 starts to boil in the boiling step, sequential subtraction of the amount of evaporation is performed from the total weight stored in the memory unit 92. In this example, the sequential subtraction is performed every time the count is reset. That is, the sequential subtraction is performed every set time. During the steaming step, the amount of water remaining in the pot 2 is small, so the amount of water evaporation in the pot 2 is small. Therefore, during the steaming step, subtraction of the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is not performed.

[0121] Furthermore, when the set time has elapsed (S220: YES), control unit 91 executes a pan detection process (S240). In this embodiment, in step S240, control unit 91 acquires the voltage values ​​applied to the elements included in inverter circuit 94 and the current values ​​flowing through the elements. Control unit 91 determines whether or not pan 2 is contained in housing area 12 based on the acquired voltage and current values.

[0122] Note that step S240 may be executed before step S230, or steps S230 and S240 may be executed in parallel.

[0123] If the control unit 91 determines that the pot 2 is not in the storage area 12 (S240: NO), the rice cooking process is stopped. In other words, the heating process is stopped midway. In this case, it is estimated that the pot container 21 containing the pot 2 has been removed from the storage area 12 during the heating process, for example.

[0124] On the other hand, if the control unit 91 determines that the pot 2 is present in the accommodation area 12 (S240: YES), the control unit 91 determines whether the heating process is complete, in other words, whether all steps of the heating process are complete (S250). If the heating process is not complete (S250: NO), the heating process continues (S210). On the other hand, if the heating process is complete (S250: YES), the rice cooking process is completed.

[0125] [effect] According to the rice cooker 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0126] The rice cooker 1 comprises: a pot 2; a pot container 21 that removably houses the pot 2; a lid 22 that covers an upper opening 21h of the pot container 21; a housing 11 having a storage area 12 that removably houses the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22; a heating unit 7 that is provided inside the housing 11 and below the storage area 12 and heats the pot 2 stored in the storage area 12; a weight detection unit 6 that is provided below the storage area 12 and detects the weight of the items stored in the storage area 12; a rice supplying unit 3 that supplies rice into the pot 2 in the storage area 12; a water supplying unit 4 that supplies water into the pot 2 in the storage area 12; a control unit 91 that executes a rice cooking process including a rice feeding process of controlling the rice supplying unit 3 to feed rice into the pot 2, a water feeding process of controlling the water supplying unit 4 to supply water into the pot 2, and a heating process of controlling the heating unit 7 to heat the pot 2; and a memory unit 92 that stores a total weight corresponding to each of a plurality of preset time points when the rice cooking process is not being executed and when it is being executed. The total weight corresponding to each of the multiple set time points is the combined weight of pot 2, pot container 21, and lid 22 plus the weights of rice and water that are preset as being contained in pot 2 at the corresponding set time point. If the weight acquired from weight detection unit 6 at a certain set time point among the multiple set time points differs from the total weight at the certain set time point, control unit 91 does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed.

[0127] According to this embodiment, by comparing the weight detected by the weight detection unit 6 with the total weight stored in the memory unit 92, it is possible to detect that the pot 2, pot container 21, and lid 22 are not partly or entirely contained in the housing 11, or that a foreign object is present in the pot 2. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if such detection is made, the rice cooking process is not performed if the rice cooking process is not being performed, and the rice cooking process is stopped if the rice cooking process is being performed. This makes it possible to suppress the execution of the rice cooking process in abnormal states, such as when the pot 2, pot container 21, and lid 22 are not partly or entirely contained in the housing 11, or when a foreign object is present in the pot 2.

[0128] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the weight obtained from weight detection unit 6 is zero during the rice cooking process, it can be determined that the contents have been removed from housing 11. In this case, by stopping the rice cooking process, it is possible to prevent the rice cooking process from being performed when pot 2, pot container 21, and lid 22 are not contained in housing 11.

[0129] The rice cooker 1 further includes an alarm unit 93. When the weight acquired from the weight detection unit 6 at a certain set time point differs from the total weight at the certain set time point, the control unit 91 notifies the rice cooker 1 in the storage area 12 of the weight of the rice cooker 1 in a certain set time point. Detainees The weight sensor 94 controls the notification unit 93 to notify that the weight is inappropriate.

[0130] According to this embodiment, the storage area 12 Detainees The user can be notified that the weight is inappropriate.

[0131] When rice is supplied into pot 2, the total weight at the time when that execution is performed among multiple set points in time is the total weight before that execution plus the weight of rice supplied into pot 2 by that execution.

[0132] According to this embodiment, when rice is added to pot 2, the total weight is calculated by adding the weight of the added rice. This reduces the possibility that the total weight stored in memory unit 92 will differ from the total weight of the contents actually stored in storage area 12.

[0133] When water is supplied into pot 2, the total weight at the point in time when that execution is performed among multiple set points in time is the total weight before that execution plus the weight of water supplied into pot 2 by that execution.

[0134] According to this embodiment, when water is added to pot 2, the total weight is calculated by adding the weight of the added water. This reduces the possibility that the total weight stored in memory unit 92 will differ from the total weight of the items actually stored in storage area 12.

[0135] The rice cooker 1 further includes an inverter circuit 94 that is provided in the housing 11 and detects the presence or absence of an object contained in the storage area 12. When the inverter circuit 94 detects that an object is not contained in the storage area 12 during the rice cooking process, the control unit 91 stops the rice cooking process.

[0136] According to this embodiment, the control unit 91 can determine whether or not to stop the rice cooking process based on the presence or absence of an object contained in the containing area 12, in addition to the weight of the object contained in the containing area 12. As a result, even if the weight detection unit 6 cannot detect the object because the temperature around the weight detection unit 6 is higher than the operable temperature of the weight detection unit 6, for example, the control unit 91 can determine whether or not to stop the rice cooking process.

[0137] The water conveying step is carried out after the rice conveying step.

[0138] According to this embodiment, even if the rice in pot 2 is piled up, the water supplied into pot 2 can reduce the pile of the rice in pot 2 and make the surface of the rice closer to horizontal.

[0139] The rice cooker 1 further includes a rice tank 301 for storing rice. The rice supply unit 3 supplies rice from the rice tank 301 into the pot 2.

[0140] According to this embodiment, by storing rice in the rice tank 301, rice can be supplied from the rice tank 301 to the pot 2 when needed.

[0141] The rice cooker 1 further includes a water tank 401 that contains water. The water supply unit 4 supplies water from the water tank 401 into the pot 2.

[0142] According to this embodiment, in order to supply water to the pot 2, it is not necessary to connect the rice cooker 1 to a water supply or the like.

[0143] The total weight at a set point during the heating process among the multiple set points is the total weight before the heating process is performed minus the amount of water evaporated in pot 2 during the preset heating process.

[0144] When the water boils during the heating process, the water evaporates and the weight of the contents decreases. In this case, the weight of the contents acquired from the weight detection unit 6 during the heating process may become smaller than the total weight recorded in the memory unit 92, and the rice cooking process may be stopped unintentionally. According to this embodiment, the total weight is changed according to the evaporation of the water. This makes it possible to prevent the rice cooking process from being stopped unintentionally.

[0145] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the control unit 91 compares the weight information of the contained items acquired from the weight detection unit 6 with the total weight stored in the memory unit 92. When the acquired weight information differs from the total weight, the control unit 91 does not execute the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process in progress. On the other hand, when the acquired weight information is the same as the total weight, the control unit 91 enables the rice cooking process or continues the rice cooking process in progress.

[0146] However, the control unit 91 may determine whether the acquired weight information of the contained items is within a weight range, instead of determining whether the acquired weight information of the contained items is the same as the total weight. The weight range is preset to a certain range including the total weight stored in the storage unit 92. For example, if the total weight stored in the storage unit 92 is 750 (g), the weight range is set to a range of plus or minus 2 (g) of 750 (g), that is, 748 to 752 (g). The range on the plus side and the range on the minus side of the total weight may be the same range (the plus side and the minus side have the same value) as described above, or may be different ranges (the plus side and the minus side have different values). For example, if the total weight stored in the storage unit 92 is 750 (g), the weight range may be set to a range of plus 3 (g) and minus 1 (g) of 750 (g), that is, 749 to 753 (g).

[0147] The total weight may change for each set time point. Therefore, the weight range also changes for each set time point. For example, when the range on the plus side and the range on the minus side for the total weight are both 2(g), if the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 at the first set time point is 750(g), the weight range is set to 748-752(g). If the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 at the second set time point is 900(g), the weight range is set to 898-902(g). The first set time point is, for example, a time point when the rice cooking process is not being performed. The total weight at this time is the combined weight (750(g)) of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22. The second set time point is, for example, a time point when the rice sending process is completed. The total weight at this time is the combined weight of pot 2, pot container 21, and lid 22 (750 g) plus the weight of the rice in pot 2 (150 g).

[0148] The plus and minus ranges for the total weight may be different for each set time point. For example, at a first set time point, the plus and minus ranges for the total weight may both be 2(g), and at a second set time point, the plus and minus ranges for the total weight may be plus 1(g) and minus 3(g). In this case, the weight range at the first set time point is set to 748-752(g). Also, the weight range at the second set time point is set to 897(g)-901(g).

[0149] When the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 is outside the weight range, the control unit 91 does not execute the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process in progress, just as in the case where the weight information differs from the total weight in the above embodiment. On the other hand, when the weight information obtained from the weight detection unit 6 is within the weight range, the control unit 91 enables the rice cooking process or continues the rice cooking process in progress.

[0150] The weight range at each set time point may be stored in the storage unit 92. Also, the plus side range and the minus side range for the total weight at each set time point may be stored in the storage unit 92. In this case, the weight range is calculated using the plus side range and the minus side range.

[0151] According to the rice cooker 1 of the first modification, the following effects can be achieved.

[0152] If the weight obtained from the weight detection unit 6 at a certain set point in time is outside a weight range that is a certain range that includes the total weight at the certain set point in time, the control unit 91 does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed.

[0153] There is a risk that the weight of the contained object may differ from the total weight due to water droplets adhering to the contained object, etc. However, in such a case, since this is not an abnormality, it is desirable to carry out the rice cooking process. According to the first modification, as long as the weight of the contained object is within the weight range, the rice cooking process will not be skipped or stopped. Therefore, even if there is some fluctuation in the weight of the contained object due to water droplets adhering to the contained object as described above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the rice cooking process will not be skipped or that the rice cooking process will be stopped.

[0154] [Variation 2] The weight of pot 2, the weight of pot container 21, and the weight of lid 22 may each be stored in memory unit 92.

[0155] In this case, the control unit 91 determines whether or not each of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22 is contained in the storage area 12 based on the weight of the pot 2, the weight of the pot container 21, and the weight of the lid 22 stored in the memory unit 92.

[0156] For example, in step S30 of the rice cooking process (see FIG. 9), if the acquired weight information is less than the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 by the weight of the pot 2, the control unit 91 determines that the pot 2 is not contained in the pot container 21 and causes the notification unit 93 to notify the same (S110 in FIG. 9). Also, for example, if the acquired weight information is less than the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 by the weight of the lid 22, the control unit 91 determines that the lid 22 is not attached to the pot container 21 and causes the notification unit 93 to notify the same (S110 in FIG. 9). Also, for example, if the acquired weight information is less than the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 by the weight of the pot 2 and the lid 22, the control unit 91 determines that the pot 2 is not contained in the pot container 21 and that the lid 22 is not attached to the pot container 21, and causes the notification unit 93 to notify the same (S110 in FIG. 9).

[0157] According to the rice cooker 1 of the second modification, the following effects can be achieved.

[0158] The memory unit 92 stores the weight of the pot 2, the weight of the pot container 21, and the weight of the lid 22. The control unit 91 determines whether or not each of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the lid 22 is stored in the storage area 12 based on the weight of the pot 2, the pot container 21, and the weight of the lid 22 stored in the memory unit 92.

[0159] According to the second modification, it is possible to identify whether the item not contained in the containing area 12 is the pot 2, the pot container 21, or the lid 22.

[0160] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the water sending process is performed after the rice sending process. However, the order of the rice sending process and the water sending process is not limited to the above order. For example, the rice sending process may be performed after the water sending process. Also, for example, the rice sending process and the water sending process may be performed in parallel. Also, for example, each of the rice sending process and the water sending process may be performed in multiple steps. In this case, the rice sending process and the water sending process may be performed alternately. Also, in this case, in one rice sending process, a portion of the amount of rice determined in accordance with the rice cooking instruction is supplied into the pot 2, and in one water sending process, a portion of the amount of water determined in accordance with the rice cooking instruction is supplied into the pot 2. Note that the total weight stored in the memory unit 92 is updated every time the rice sending process is performed and every time the water sending process is performed.

[0161] In the above embodiment, in step S240, control unit 91 detects the presence or absence of a pot 2, which is an object contained in storage area 12, based on the voltage value and current value acquired from inverter circuit 94. However, control unit 91 may also detect the presence or absence of an object contained in storage area 12 by means of something other than inverter circuit 94. For example, rice cooker 1 may be equipped with a mechanical pot detection unit that detects whether or not it is in contact with pot container 21 contained in storage area 12. In this case, control unit 91 detects the presence or absence of pot container 21, which is an object contained in storage area 12, based on the signal acquired from the pot detection unit.

[0162] In the above embodiment, control unit 91 executes a weight detection process and a process for detecting the presence or absence of a contained object (a pan detection process in the above embodiment) in the heating step (S100). However, control unit 91 may execute only one of the weight detection process and the process for detecting the presence or absence of a contained object in the heating step (S100). Furthermore, control unit 91 may execute a process for detecting the presence or absence of a contained object instead of the weight detection process when weight detection unit 6 cannot be used in the heating step (S100). Here, an example of an instance when weight detection unit 6 cannot be used is when heating unit 7 heats pan 2, causing the temperature around weight detection unit 6 to become higher than the operable temperature of weight detection unit 6.

[0163] Any of the various embodiments described above may be appropriately combined to achieve the effects of each of the embodiments.

[0164] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiment with appropriate reference to the drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1. Rice cooker 11. Cabinet 12 Containment Area 2. Pot 21 Pot Container 21h Upper opening 22 Lid 3 Rice supply department 301 US Tank 4 Water supply section 401 Water Tank 6 Weight detection unit 7 Heating section 91 Control Unit 92 Memory section 93 Notification Department 94 Inverter circuit (storage detection section)

Claims

1. A pot and A pot container for removably storing the pot; A lid for covering the upper opening of the pot container; A housing having a storage area for removably storing the pot, the pot container, and the lid; A heating unit is provided inside the housing and below the storage area, and heats the pot stored in the storage area; A weight detection unit provided below the storage area and configured to detect a weight of an object stored in the storage area; a rice supply unit that supplies rice into the pot in the storage area; a water supply unit for supplying water into the pot in the storage area; a control unit that executes a rice cooking process including a rice feeding process of controlling the rice supply unit to feed rice into the pot, a water feeding process of controlling the water supply unit to feed water into the pot, and a heating process of controlling the heating unit to heat the pot; A memory unit that stores a total weight corresponding to each of a plurality of preset time points during and after the rice cooking process is not being performed, the total weight corresponding to each of the plurality of set points in time is a weight obtained by adding the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid to the weight of rice and water that are preset as being contained in the pot at the corresponding set point in time; The control unit of the rice cooker does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed when the weight obtained from the weight detection unit at a certain set point in time among the multiple set points in time differs from the total weight at the certain set point in time.

2. Further comprising a notification unit, The rice cooker of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the notification unit to notify that the weight of the contents contained in the storage area is inappropriate if the weight obtained from the weight detection unit at the certain set point in time is different from the total weight at the certain set point in time.

3. The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit does not perform the rice cooking process or stops the rice cooking process that is being performed if the weight acquired from the weight detection unit at the certain set time point is outside a weight range that is a certain range including the total weight at the certain set time point.

4. A rice cooker as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when rice is supplied into the pot, the total weight at the point at which the supply is made among the multiple set points in time is the total weight before the supply of rice into the pot plus the weight of rice supplied into the pot by the supply of rice.

5. A rice cooker as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when water is supplied into the pot, the total weight at the point at which the execution is performed among the multiple set points in time is the total weight before the execution plus the weight of water supplied into the pot by the execution.

6. The housing further includes a storage detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an object stored in the storage area, The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit stops the rice cooking process when the storage detection unit detects that no object is stored in the storage area during the rice cooking process.

7. The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the water conveying step is performed after the rice conveying step.

8. Further comprising a rice tank for storing rice; The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the rice supplying unit supplies rice from the rice tank into the pot.

9. Further comprising a water tank for storing water, The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the water supply unit supplies water from the water tank into the pot.

10. 10. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the total weight at a set point during the heating process among the plurality of set points is the total weight before the heating process is executed minus the amount of water that has evaporated in the pot during the heating process that is set in advance.

11. The memory unit stores the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid, A rice cooker as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the control unit determines whether each of the pot, the pot container, and the lid is contained in the storage area based on the weight of the pot, the weight of the pot container, and the weight of the lid stored in the memory unit.

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