Lever mechanism and cooker

Abstract

To provide a lever mechanism that can reduce such the concern that an electronic component may be damaged or malfunction due to static electricity when the electronic component is disposed in the periphery as much as possible.SOLUTION: A lever mechanism 119 includes: a part to be locked 149; a locking part LD capable of locking to the part to be locked; a biasing part LI for biasing the locking part in a direction of locking to the part to be locked; and a metal member 111c. The biasing part abuts on the metal member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lever mechanism and also to a cooking device equipped with the lever mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, a rice cooker has been proposed that comprises "a rice cooker body, an inner pot that is detachably stored within the rice cooker body, a heating means for heating the inner pot, a lid that covers an upper opening of the rice cooker body, a hinge shaft that pivots the lid to one side of the rice cooker body, an elastic member that urges the lid in the opening direction, a hook lever that is provided on the rice cooker body approximately opposite the hinge and locks the lid, a human body detection sensor that detects the approach of a person, a control unit that controls the lid to be unlocked, and an operating unit that unlocks the hook lever in response to a signal from the control unit, wherein the control unit unlocks the lid in response to an output from the human body detection sensor" (see, for example, JP 2005-304522 A, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-304522 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the rice cooker described above, electronic components such as a human body detection sensor are arranged around the hook lever. However, in the rice cooker described above, if a person charged with static electricity touches the hook lever, the static electricity may be discharged to the hook lever and diffused to the electronic components, causing damage to the electronic components or malfunctioning.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a lever mechanism that can reduce as much as possible the risk of electronic components being damaged or malfunctioning due to static electricity when electronic components are placed nearby. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lever mechanism according to the present invention comprises: A locked portion; A locking portion that can be locked to the locked portion; a biasing portion that biases the locking portion in a direction to lock the locking portion to the locked portion; A metal member, The biasing portion abuts against the metal member.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the static electricity discharged to the locking portion can be diffused to the metal member via the biasing portion, and therefore, when an electronic component is placed nearby, the risk of the electronic component being damaged or malfunctioning due to static electricity can be reduced as much as possible.

[0008] In the present invention, It is preferable that the device further include a detection sensor that is disposed around the locking portion and detects whether or not the locking portion is locked to the locked portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the risk of the detection sensor being damaged or malfunctioning due to static electricity. Also, according to the above configuration, when the lever mechanism is provided in a cooking appliance, cooking control can be performed according to the detection result of the detection sensor.

[0010] The cooking device according to the present invention comprises: The lever mechanism described above; A main body on which the locking portion is provided; a cover body provided with the engaged portion and disposed on the upper side of the main body, The metal member is a shoulder member mounted on the body and located at an upper end of the body.

[0011] According to the above-described configuration, static electricity can be easily diffused to the shoulder member, which is a member having a comparatively large surface area, and can be easily diffused into the air via the shoulder member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid is shown in a closed state. [Diagram 2] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid is shown in a closed state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 4] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid is shown in an open state. [Diagram 5] Fig. 1 is a front view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lid is shown in a closed state. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the lid is closed and a state in which the lever mechanism is removed. [Figure 7] 1 is a top perspective view of a lever mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a first torsion spring and a third torsion spring are not shown. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view of a lever mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a first torsion spring and a third torsion spring are not shown. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a front view of the lever mechanism, the shoulder member, and the flange member of the protective frame according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of Fig. 9. Note that in this drawing, a shoulder member and a part of a flange member of a protective frame are omitted. [Figure 11]This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 9. Note that this figure shows a state in which the protrusion of the stopper of the lever mechanism is not positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor, and the light-receiving element receives light from the light-emitting element, and a part of the shoulder member and the flange member of the protective frame are omitted. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Fig. 9. Note that this figure shows a state in which the protrusion of the stopper of the lever mechanism is located between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor and the light-receiving element does not receive light from the light-emitting element, and a part of the shoulder member and the flange member of the protective frame are omitted. [Figure 13] 1 is a bottom perspective view of a lever mechanism, a shoulder member, and a flange member of a protective frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, with parts of the shoulder member and the flange member of the protective frame omitted in this drawing. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view of a lever mechanism, a shoulder member, and a flange member of a protective frame according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the lever mechanism, the shoulder member, and the flange member of the protective frame are shown upside down, and parts of the shoulder member and the flange member of the protective frame are omitted. [Figure 15] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lever mechanism of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II in Fig. 2. This figure shows the lid in the closed state and the operating part of the lever mechanism not being pressed down. This figure does not show the inner pot, and only shows the latching part of the lid. [Figure 16] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lever mechanism of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II in Fig. 2. This figure shows the lever mechanism in a depressed state when the pressure cooking operation is not performed. This figure does not show the inner pot, and only shows the latched portion of the lid. [Figure 17] An enlarged cross-sectional view of the lever mechanism of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II in Fig. 2. This figure shows the lever mechanism in a depressed state during pressure cooking. This figure does not show the inner pot, and only shows the latched portion of the lid. [Figure 18] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lever mechanism of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention taken along line II in Fig. 2. This figure shows the state in which the lid is being switched from open to closed. This figure does not show the inner pot, and only shows the latched portion of the lid. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] <Configuration of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention> 1 to 6, a rice cooker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mainly composed of a main body 110, an inner pot 130, a lid 140, and a hinge mechanism 150. These components will be described in detail below.

[0014] (1) Main unit 1 to 6 and 15, main body 110 is mainly composed of housing 111, first gasket PK1, second gasket PK2, pot mounting section 112, induction heating coil 113, warming heater HT, center sensor 114, speaker AL, blower fan 115, heat sink 116, control board 118, automatic retractable power cord unit 120, and lever mechanism 119. These components will be described in detail below.

[0015] (1-1) Housing 1 to 6 and 15, the housing 111 is mainly composed of a housing 111a, a shoulder member 111c, a protective frame 111d, and a spacer (not shown). These components will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 111 contains a first packing PK1, a second packing PK2, an induction heating coil 113, a center sensor 114, a speaker AL, a blower fan 115, a heat sink 116, a control board 118, and an automatic retractable power cord unit 120.

[0016] (1-1-1) Containment Unit As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 15, the container 111a is mainly composed of a side wall Aa, a bottom wall Ab, and a cover member Ac.

[0017] The side wall Aa is an enclosing wall portion having a substantially rounded rectangular shape in a plan view, and is made of ABS resin or the like. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6 and 15, it forms most of the side surface of the main body 110 (a portion other than the lower rear end). As shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 15, an opening Aa1 is formed in the upper portion of the front wall portion of the side wall Aa for inserting the front portion of the lever main body LB of the lever mechanism 119. A protrusion Aa2 is formed around the entire periphery of the upper end portion of the side wall Aa (see Figs. 3 and 15). As shown in Figs. 3 and 15, the protrusion Aa2 extends inward from the upper end portion of the side wall Aa. The upper surface of the protrusion Aa2 is a curved surface as shown in Figs. 3 and 15.

[0018] The bottom wall Ab is made of ABS resin or the like, and covers the lower opening of the side wall Aa except for the area directly below the blower fan 115, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6. An exhaust port (not shown) is formed in the bottom wall Ab for discharging the air inside the housing 111 to the outside. As shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5, and Fig. 6, the bottom wall Ab has four legs Ab1 extending downward. As shown in Fig. 3, a speaker AL is disposed above the front end of the bottom wall Ab.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member Ac is mainly formed of a lower cover part Ac1 and a rear cover part Ac2. The lower cover part Ac1 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is attached to the bottom wall Ab to cover the blower fan 115 from below, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower cover part Ac1 has an intake port Ac1a for drawing air from outside the housing 111 into the inside. When the blower fan 115 is driven, the outside air is drawn into the inside of the housing 111 through the intake port Ac1a, and the heated air inside is discharged to the outside of the system from the exhaust port by the air flow generated by the drawing. The rear cover part Ac2 extends upward from the rear end part of the lower cover part Ac1, as shown in FIG. 3. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear cover part Ac2 forms the lower rear end part of the side surface of the main body 110, and covers the automatic retractable power cord unit 120 from the rear side.

[0020] (1-1-2) Shoulder member The shoulder member 111c is a member made of a metal such as stainless steel, and is fitted into the side wall Aa of the housing 111a through an upper opening of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a and disposed inside the housing 111a, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 10 to Fig. 12, and Fig. 15. The shoulder member 111c is mainly formed of a bottom wall portion Ca, a curved portion Cb, a flange portion Cc, and a vertical wall portion Cd, as shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 10 to Fig. 12, and Fig. 15. The bottom wall portion Ca has a substantially rounded rectangular shape in a plan view (see Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 10 to Fig. 12, and Fig. 15, a flange member Da of the protective frame 111d is attached to the lower surface of the bottom wall portion Ca. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 14, the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d has an arm insertion hole Da4 (described later), so that when the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d is attached to the underside of the bottom wall portion Ca, a part of the underside of the bottom wall portion Ca is not hidden by the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d in a bottom view. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 14, the tip portion of the second arm portion LI3 of the third torsion spring LI of the lever mechanism 119 passes through the arm insertion hole Da4 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d and abuts against the underside of the bottom wall portion Ca. An insertion opening for the inner pot 130 is also formed in the bottom wall portion Ca from the front end to the rear (see Figs. 3, 4 and 15). In addition, openings are formed on the left and right sides of the front end of the bottom wall portion Ca (more specifically, the area forward of the insertion opening of the inner bowl 130) for inserting the upper extension wall portion LD2 and the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 (see FIG. 4). In addition, an opening is formed on the rear end of the bottom wall portion Ca (more specifically, the area rearward of the insertion opening of the inner bowl 130) for inserting the fixing portion 153 of the hinge mechanism 150 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 10 to 12, and 15, the curved portion Cb extends upward from the outer end of the bottom wall portion Ca while curving. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3, 10 to 12, and 15, the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d is attached to the underside of the curved portion Cb in the same manner as the underside of the bottom wall portion Ca. As shown in FIGS. 3, 10 to 12, and 15, the flange portion Cc extends outward from the upper end of the curved portion Cb.The vertical wall portion Cd has a substantially rectangular shape in a front view, and extends upward from the front edge of an opening (opening for inserting the fixing portion 153 of the hinge mechanism 150) at the rear end of the bottom wall portion Ca, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The left end, upper end, and right end of the vertical wall portion Cd are covered with the hinge cover 154 of the hinge mechanism 150 by covering the vertical wall portion Cd with the hinge cover 154 of the hinge mechanism 150 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The shoulder member 111c also serves to reflect upward the light of the LED 147 guided by the light guide member 148 when the cover body 140 is in the closed state. In order to efficiently reflect the light of the LED 147 guided by the light guide member 148, the surface of the shoulder member 111c may be subjected to a mirror finish.

[0021] (1-1-3) Protective frame The protective frame 111d has the function of housing the inner pot 130, and is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or the like. As shown in Figures 3, 9 to 15, the protective frame 111d is mainly made up of three members: a flange member Da, an intermediate member Db, and a bottom member Dc. These components will be described in detail below.

[0022] The flange member Da has a generally rounded rectangular shape in plan view, and constitutes the upper part of the protective frame 111d and is connected to the intermediate member Db, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 15. An insertion opening for the inner pot 130 is formed in the center of the flange member Da (see Fig. 3, 13 to 15). The flange member Da also has an opening for inserting the upper extension wall portion LD2 and the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 (see Fig. 4). As shown in Figs. 9 to 14, a first bearing portion Da1 for mounting the first rotation shaft LE of the lever mechanism 119 is formed on the left and right sides of the lower part of the front end portion of the flange member Da. 9, 13 and 14, a second bearing Da2 for mounting the second rotation shaft LF of the lever mechanism 119 is formed in the left and right parts of the lower front part of the flange member Da (more specifically, in the lower part of the flange member Da, a part rearward of the left first bearing Da1 and a part rearward of the right first bearing Da1 and a right part). Also, as shown in FIG. 9, 11 to 14, a board holder Da3 for mounting the detection board DS of the lever mechanism 119 is formed in the right part of the lower front part of the flange member Da (more specifically, in the lower part of the flange member Da, a part rearward of the right second bearing Da2). The board holder Da3 is formed with a screw receiving hole (not shown) for passing the screw SC1 through. 10 and 14, an arm portion insertion hole Da4 for passing a tip portion of the second arm portion LI3 of the third torsion spring LI of the lever mechanism 119 is formed in the left part of the front part of the flange member Da (more specifically, the part to the right of the second bearing portion Da2 on the left side in bottom view). Also, as shown in Fig. 3, a fixing portion 153 of the hinge mechanism 150 that passes through an opening in the rear end portion of the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c is attached to the rear end portion of the flange member Da.

[0023] The intermediate member Db is a substantially cylindrical member, and constitutes the middle part of the protective frame 111d, and is connected to the flange member Da and the bottom member Dc, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 15. As shown in Fig. 3, a heat retention heater HT is disposed inside the intermediate member Db.

[0024] The bottom member Dc is a bowl-shaped member that opens upward, and constitutes the lower part of the protective frame 111d and is connected to the intermediate member Db as shown in Fig. 3. Also, an opening for passing the center sensor 114 is formed in the center of the bottom wall of the bottom member Dc (see Fig. 3).

[0025] (1-1-4) Spacer The spacers have a shape extending from the bottom to the top, and four of them are arranged between the side wall Aa of the housing 111a and the intermediate member Db and bottom member Dc of the protective frame 111d. More specifically, the spacers are arranged on the inside of the front part of the right wall part of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a, on the inside of the middle part in the front-rear direction of the right wall part of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a, on the inside of the front part of the left wall part of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a, and on the inside of the middle part in the front-rear direction of the left wall part of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a. The lower ends of the spacers are fixed to the bottom wall Ab of the housing 111a, and the upper ends of the spacers are fixed to the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d.

[0026] (1-2) First packing The first packing PK1 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and has a generally circular ring shape (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 15). As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 15, the first packing PK1 is disposed between the flange member Da and the intermediate member Db, and serves to close the gap between the flange member Da and the intermediate member Db over the entire circumference.

[0027] (1-3) Second packing The second packing PK2 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, and has a substantially circular ring shape (see FIG. 3). The second packing PK2 also serves to seal the gap between the intermediate member Db and the bottom member Dc over the entire circumference (see FIG. 3).

[0028] (1-4) Pot placement part The pot placement part 112 is a substantially annular member made of resin or the like, and is fitted into the insertion opening for the inner pot 130 in the bottom wall part Ca of the shoulder member 111c and the insertion opening for the inner pot 130 in the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d, as shown in Figs. 3 and 15. The pot placement part 112 is also formed with a high step part 112a and a low step part (not shown), as shown in Figs. 3 and 15. The high step part 112a is one step higher than the low step part, and is formed at the front and rear parts of the pot placement part 112, as shown in Figs. 3 and 15, and is located above the bottom wall part Ca of the shoulder member 111c. As shown in Fig. 3, when the inner pot 130 is accommodated in the protective frame 111d, the flange part 133 of the inner pot 130 is placed on the high step part 112a. This prevents the inner pot 130 from coming into contact with the metal shoulder member 111c. The low stage is formed on the left and right sides of the pot mounting portion 112, and is located above the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c. When the inner pot 130 is housed in the protective frame 111d, the flange portion 133 of the inner pot 130 is not placed on the low stage. As a result, a gap is formed between the low stage and the flange portion 133 of the inner pot 130, and the inner pot 130 housed in the protective frame 111d can be easily removed by inserting a finger into this gap.

[0029] (1-5) Induction heating coil Induction heating coil 113 is an induction heating source that inductively heats inner pot 130, and is disposed on the outside of the bottom wall and curved wall portion of bottom member Dc of protective frame 111d as shown in FIG.

[0030] (1-6) Heater The warming heater HT is an annular heater used during warming operation, and is disposed inside the intermediate member Db of the protective frame 111d as described above, and is disposed outside the cylindrical wall portion 132 of the inner pot 130 when the inner pot 130 is housed in the protective frame 111d as shown in Fig. 3. Note that the warming heater HT may be used not only during warming operation, but also during rice cooking operation.

[0031] (1-7) Center sensor The center sensor 114 is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the inner bowl 130 and for detecting the presence or absence of the inner bowl 130, and as shown in Fig. 3, it protrudes upward through an opening in the bottom member Dc of the protective frame 111d. The center sensor 114 is biased upward by a biasing member such as a coil spring. In other words, the center sensor 114 is in a state in which it can freely protrude and retract in the vertical direction. When the inner bowl 130 is housed in the protective frame 111d, the center sensor 114 comes into contact with the bottom wall portion 131 of the inner bowl 130 to measure the temperature of the inner bowl 130.

[0032] (1-8) Speakers The speaker AL plays a role of notifying people with sounds when cooking starts and finishes, etc., and outputs sounds based on commands from the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB. As described above, the speaker AL is disposed above the front end of the bottom wall Ab of the container 111a.

[0033] (1-9) Blower fan The blower fan 115 is disposed directly above the intake port Ac1a of the lower cover part Ac1 of the cover member Ac of the housing 111a, with the rotation axis aligned substantially along the vertical direction (see FIG. 3). When the blower fan 115 is driven, outside air is sucked in through the intake port Ac1a of the lower cover part Ac1 of the cover member Ac of the housing 111a, flows into the housing 111, and is sent upward as it is. The outside air sent upward is supplied to the control board 118 and the like through the heat sink 116, cooling them.

[0034] (1-10) Heat sink The heat sink 116 is a component for efficiently exchanging heat with the outside air, and is disposed above the blower fan 115 as shown in FIG.

[0035] (1-11) Control board The control board 118 is a board that constitutes a power supply circuit and has several heat generating components mounted thereon. The control board 118 is accommodated in the rear space of the housing 111 as shown in Fig. 3, and is communicatively connected to the microcomputer board CB and the detection board DS, etc. as shown in Fig. 19.

[0036] (1-12) Automatic retractable power cord unit Automatic rewind power cord unit 120 is composed of a power cord (not shown) and an automatic rewind mechanism (not shown), and is housed in the rear space of housing 111 as shown in FIG. 3. The power cord is composed of an attachment plug, an electric wire, and the like. The attachment plug is disposed at the tip of the electric wire. The electric wire is wound around the automatic rewind mechanism so as to be freely extensible.

[0037] (1-13) Lever mechanism Lever mechanism 119 is for opening and closing cover 140, and as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and 7 to 15, is mainly composed of an operating part LA, a lever main body LB, a transmission member LC, a stopper LD, a first rotating shaft LE, a second rotating shaft LF, a first torsion spring LG, a second torsion spring LH, a third torsion spring LI, a detection board DS, a photosensor PS, and a locked part 149. These components will be described in detail below. Note that locked part 149 is provided on cover 140 since it constitutes a part of cover 140, and the details of locked part 149 will be described later.

[0038] The operating portion LA is a member that is pushed down by a person when the cover 140 is changed from the closed state to the open state, and is mainly formed of a base portion LA1, an extension wall portion LA2, a partition wall portion LA3, etc., as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 7, and 15. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 7, and 15, a recess LA1a having a substantially semicircular shape in a plan view is formed on the upper surface of the base portion LA1 from the rear end to the middle portion in the front-rear direction. In addition, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 7 to 9, 13, and 14, recesses LA1b are formed on the left and right portions of the lower surface of the base portion LA1. In addition, as shown in Fig. 15, the base portion LA1 is formed with a first insertion portion LA1c that is recessed from the rear end to the front side below the extension wall portion LA2. As shown in Fig. 15, the front portion of the base portion LB1 of the lever main body LB is inserted into this first insertion portion LA1c. As shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the base portion LA1 is formed with a second insertion portion LA1d recessed upward from the lower end. As shown in Fig. 15, a screw SC is inserted into this second insertion portion LA1d. As shown in Fig. 15, the first insertion portion LA1c and the second insertion portion LA1d are partitioned by a partition wall portion LA3. However, since a screw hole is formed in the partition wall portion LA3, the first insertion portion LA1c and the second insertion portion LA1d communicate with each other through this screw hole (see Fig. 15). Then, the front portion of the base portion LB1 of the lever main body LB is inserted into the first insertion portion LA1c in a state where it protrudes to the outside of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a through the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a. Then, in a state where the screw hole of the partition wall portion LA3 and the screw hole of the base portion LB1 of the lever body LB form one communication hole, the screw SC is inserted into the second insertion portion LA1d and passed through this communication hole (see FIG. 15). In this manner, the operating portion LA can be connected to the lever body LB (see FIG. 15). When the operating portion LA is connected to the lever body LB, the base portion LA1 is disposed outside the front wall portion of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 15, and a person can press down the operating portion LA to press down the lever body LB via the operating portion LA.When the operating part LA is connected to the lever body LB and not pressed down, the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a is covered by the base part LA1 in the front view (see Figs. 5 and 6). Although not shown, when the operating part LA is connected to the lever body LB and pressed down, the upper end of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a is exposed without being covered by the base part LA1 in the front view, and the part of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a other than the upper end is covered by the base part LA1. The extension wall part LA2 extends rearward from the center of the rear end of the base part LA1 as shown in Figs. 7 and 15. As shown in Fig. 15, when the operating part LA is connected to the lever body LB, the extending wall part LA2 enters the inside of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a through the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a. Also, as shown in Fig. 15, when the operating part LA is connected to the lever body LB and not pressed down, the extending wall part LA2 is located above the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a.

[0039] The lever body LB is a member formed from metal, and as shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and 13 to 15, is mainly formed of a base portion LB1, a rear wall portion LB2, a bearing portion LB3, a first torsion spring mounting portion LB4, and an abutment portion LB5. As shown in Figs. 7, 13 to 15, the base portion LB1 is a flat plate portion extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 15, the front portion of the base portion LB1 protrudes outward from the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a through an opening Aa1 in the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a, and the rear portion of the base portion LB1 is disposed inside the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a. Also, a screw hole for passing a screw SC is formed in the front end portion of the base portion LB1 (see Fig. 15). As shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and 13 to 15, the rear wall portion LB2 extends downward from the rear end of the base portion LB1. As shown in Figs. 8, 9, 13 to 15, the left-right center of the lower end of the rear wall portion LB2 is located above the left and right parts of the lower end of the rear wall portion LB2. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, 13 to 15, the bearing portion LB3 extends forward from the left and right ends of the rear wall portion LB2 and is disposed between the first bearing portion Da1 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d. Also, a bearing hole for passing the first rotating shaft LE is formed in the bearing portion LB3 (see Figs. 7 to 9, 13 to 15). By passing the first rotating shaft LE through this bearing hole, the lever body LB becomes rotatable around the first rotating shaft LE. As shown in Figs. 8, 9, 13 to 15, the first torsion spring mounting portion LB4 extends rightward from the front end of the left bearing portion LB3. As shown in Figures 8, 9, 13 and 14, a notch LB4a is formed in the lower end of the first torsion spring mounting portion LB4, and one end of the first torsion spring LG is attached to this notch LB4a. The lever body LB is biased by the first torsion spring LG in a clockwise direction about the first rotation shaft LE when viewed from the right side by the first torsion spring LG. As shown in Figures 13 to 15, the abutment portion LB5 extends rearward from the left-right central portion of the lower end of the rear wall portion LB2 and then extends diagonally downward and rearward.Furthermore, when the cover 140 is in the closed state and the operating part LA is not pressed down as shown in Fig. 15, the abutment part LB5 is slightly separated from the receiving part LC2 of the transmission member LC, and when the operating part LA is pressed down as shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the abutment part LB5 abuts against the receiving part LC2 of the transmission member LC. Therefore, when the lever main body LB is pressed down via the operating part LA and rotated counterclockwise against the biasing force of the first torsion spring LG around the first rotation shaft LE as viewed from the right side, the abutment part LB5 applies a force to the receiving part LC2 of the transmission member LC. As a result, the transmission member LC is rotated clockwise around the second rotation shaft LF by the lever main body LB as viewed from the right side.

[0040] The transmission member LC is a member formed from resin, and as shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and 13 to 15, is mainly formed of a base portion LC1, a receiving portion LC2, a second torsion spring mounting portion LC3, and the like. A bearing hole for passing the second rotation shaft LF is formed in the base portion LC1 (see Figs. 7, 13 to 15). By passing the second rotation shaft LF through this bearing hole, the transmission member LC becomes rotatable around the second rotation shaft LF. As shown in Fig. 15, the receiving portion LC2 extends diagonally downward and forward from the front end of the upper end portion of the base portion LC1. As described above, when the cover 140 is in the closed state and the operating portion LA is not pressed down, the receiving portion LC2 is slightly separated from the contact portion LB5 of the lever body LB, and when the operating portion LA is pressed down, the receiving portion LC2 contacts the contact portion LB5 of the lever body LB. As shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 13 to Fig. 15, the second torsion spring attachment portion LC3 has a generally hook shape and is formed on the left and right sides of the lower end portion of the base portion LC1. As shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 9, and Fig. 13 to Fig. 15, a portion that connects one coil portion and the other coil portion of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the second torsion spring attachment portion LC3. Then, as shown in Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, and Fig. 13 to Fig. 15, when an end of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the second torsion spring attachment portion LD6 of the stopper LD, the transmission member LC is biased by the second torsion spring LH in the counterclockwise direction about the second rotation axis LF in a right side view, and is attached to the stopper LD. In addition, when the transmission member LC rotates clockwise around the second rotation shaft LF in right side view, it applies a force to the stopper LD (a force that attempts to rotate the stopper LD clockwise around the second rotation shaft LF in right side view).

[0041] The stopper LD is a member formed from metal, and as shown in Figs. 7 to 15, is mainly formed of a base portion LD1, an upper extended wall portion LD2, a claw portion LD3, a bearing portion LD4, a bottom wall portion LD5, a second torsion spring mounting portion LD6, a third torsion spring mounting portion LD7, a rear extended wall portion LD8, and a protrusion portion LD9. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the base portion LD1 is a flat plate portion having a horizontally elongated, substantially rectangular shape in a front view. As shown in Figs. 7, 8, 10, and 15, the upper extended wall portion LD2 extends upward from the left and right ends of the base portion LD1. As shown in Figs. 7, 8, 10 to 12, and 15, the claw portion LD3 extends forward from the upper end of the upper extended wall portion LD2. The claw portion LD3 is engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149 of the cover 140 when the cover 140 is closed. The bearing portion LD4 extends forward from the left and right ends of the base portion LD1, as shown in Figs. 7 to 9, 13, and 14, and is disposed between the second bearing portions Da2 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d. The bearing portion LD4 is also formed with a bearing hole for passing the second rotating shaft LF (see Figs. 7 to 9, 13, and 14). By passing the second rotating shaft LF through this bearing hole, the stopper LD becomes rotatable about the second rotating shaft LF. The bottom wall portion LD5 extends forward from the lower end of the base portion LD1, as shown in Figs. 7 to 10, and 13 to 15. In addition, the bottom wall portion LD5 comes into contact with the lower end portion of the base portion LC1 of the transmission member LC (a portion below the second rotation shaft LF of the transmission member LC) when the operation portion LA is not pressed down when the lid body 140 is in the closed state as shown in Fig. 15, when the operation portion LA is pressed down when the pressure cooking operation is not performed as shown in Fig. 16, or when the lid body 140 is changed from open to closed as shown in Fig. 18. The second torsion spring attachment portion LD6 extends forward from the left and right portions of the front end of the bottom wall portion LD5, then extends downward and further extends rearward as shown in Figs. 7 to 15. One end of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the left second torsion spring attachment portion LD6, and the other end of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the right second torsion spring attachment portion LD6.As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, 13 and 14, the third torsion spring mounting portion LD7 extends forward from the left end of the bottom wall portion LD5 (more specifically, the portion of the bottom wall portion LD5 to the left of the second torsion spring mounting portion LD6 on the left side). As shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 14, the first arm portion LI2 of the third torsion spring LI is attached to the third torsion spring mounting portion LD7. The stopper LD is biased by the third torsion spring LI in the counterclockwise direction about the second rotation shaft LF as viewed from the right side. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, 13 and 14, the rear extension wall portion LD8 extends rightward from the front end of the lower end of the right bearing portion LD4 and then extends rearward. As shown in Figs. 7 to 9 and 11 to 13, the protrusion LD9 is formed at the rear end of the rear extension wall portion LD8, and has a substantially rightward triangular shape in a right side view. As shown in Fig. 11, when the stopper LD is not rotated around the second rotation axis LF (i.e., when the stopper LD is in a position where the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is locked with the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149), the protrusion LD9 is not located between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photosensor PS (i.e., located outside (rear side) of the photosensor PS). And, as shown in Fig. 12, when the stopper LD is rotated clockwise around the second rotation axis LF in a right side view, the protrusion LD9 is located between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the photosensor PS.

[0042] As described above, the first rotation shaft LE is attached to the first bearing portion Da1 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d. At this time, as shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the first rotation shaft LE is inserted into the inside of the coil portion of the first torsion spring LG and into the bearing hole of the bearing portion LB3 of the lever main body LB. As shown in Fig. 15, the first rotation shaft LE is located at a height position between the upper and lower ends of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing body 111a.

[0043] As described above, the second rotating shaft LF is attached to the second bearing portion Da2 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d. At this time, as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 13 to Fig. 15, the second rotating shaft LF is inserted through the inside of the coil portion of the second torsion spring LH and the inside of the coil portion LI1 of the third torsion spring LI, and is also inserted through the bearing hole of the base portion LC1 of the transmission member LC and the bearing hole of the bearing portion LD4 of the stopper LD.

[0044] As described above, the first torsion spring LG is a member for biasing the lever main body LB in the clockwise direction around the first rotation shaft LE when viewed from the right side. As described above, the first rotation shaft LE is inserted into the inside of the coil portion of the first torsion spring LG, one end of the first torsion spring LG is attached to the first torsion spring attachment portion LB4 of the lever main body LB, and the other end of the first torsion spring LG is attached to the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d.

[0045] The second torsion spring LH is a double torsion spring, which biases the transmission member LC in the counterclockwise direction about the second rotating shaft LF when viewed from the right side as described above, and is a member for attaching the transmission member LC to the stopper LD. As described above, the second rotating shaft LF is inserted inside both coil portions of the second torsion spring LH, a portion connecting one coil portion and the other coil portion of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the second torsion spring attachment portion LC3 of the transmission member LC, one end of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the second torsion spring attachment portion LD6 on the left side of the stopper LD, and the other end of the second torsion spring LH is attached to the second torsion spring attachment portion LD6 on the right side of the stopper LD.

[0046] The third torsion spring LI is a member for biasing the stopper LD in the counterclockwise direction around the second rotation shaft LF as viewed from the right side as described above, and is made of metal. The third torsion spring LI is formed of a coil portion LI1, a first arm portion LI2, a second arm portion LI3, etc. as shown in Figs. 9, 10, 13, and 14. The second rotation shaft LF is inserted into the inside of the coil portion LI1 as described above. The first arm portion LI2 extends from one end of the coil portion LI1, and is attached to the third torsion spring attachment portion LD7 of the stopper LD as shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 14. The second arm portion LI3 extends from the other end of the coil portion LI1, and is attached to the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d as shown in Figs. 10 and 14. As described above, the tip portion of the second arm portion LI3 passes through the arm portion insertion hole Da4 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d and comes into contact with the lower surface of the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c.

[0047] The detection board DS is connected to the control board 118 as shown in Fig. 19, and has a photosensor PS mounted thereon as shown in Fig. 9 and Figs. 11 to 13. The detection board DS is also formed with a screw receiving hole (not shown) for passing a screw SC1 through. With the screw receiving hole of the detection board DS and the screw receiving hole of the board holding part Da3 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d forming a single communication hole, the detection board DS is attached to the board holding part Da3 of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d by passing the screw SC1 through this communication hole (see Figs. 11 to 14).

[0048] The photosensor PS is an electronic component mainly composed of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and is mounted on the detection board DS and disposed around (on the right side of) the stopper LD as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. When the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD is not positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element as shown in FIG. 11, the photosensor PS detects that the light-receiving element is receiving light from the light-emitting element. When the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD is positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element as shown in FIG. 12, the light from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element is blocked by the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD. The detection result of the photosensor PS is sent from the detection board DS to the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB via the control board 118. When the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB receives the detection result information of the photosensor PS indicating that the light-receiving element is receiving light from the light-emitting element, it determines that the claw LD3 of the stopper LD is engaged with the claw 149a of the engaged portion 149 (see FIG. 11). In addition, when the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB does not receive detection result information from the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element, it determines that the tip portion of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is slightly engaged with the tip portion of the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149 (i.e., it is in a semi-locked state) (see Figure 12), or that the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is not engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149.

[0049] (2) Inner pot As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner pot 130 is inserted through an insertion opening for the inner pot 130 in the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c and an insertion opening for the inner pot 130 in the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d, and is housed in the protective frame 111d with a specified gap. The inner pot 130 is a multi-layer body (clad material) of various aluminum alloys and stainless steel alloys, and is induction heated by the induction heating coil 113. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner pot 130 is formed of a bottom wall portion 131, a cylindrical wall portion 132, a flange portion 133, etc. The bottom wall portion 131 is generally disc-shaped in a plan view (see Figure 3). As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cylindrical wall portion 132 is generally cylindrical and extends upward from the outer end of the bottom wall portion 131. 3 and 4, the flange portion 133 extends outward from the upper end of the cylindrical wall portion 132. As described above, when the inner pot 130 is accommodated in the protective frame 111d with a specified gap therebetween, the flange portion 133 is placed on the high stage portion 112a of the pot mounting portion 112.

[0050] (3) Lid As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the lid 140 is for covering the opening of the inner pot 130 housed in the protective frame 111d of the main body 110 from above, and is disposed on the upper side of the main body 110 and attached to the main body 110 via the hinge mechanism 150 so as to be rotatable about the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151 (see Fig. 3) of the hinge mechanism 150. As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the lid 140 is mainly composed of an exterior body 141, a microcomputer board CB, a group of operation buttons BT, an information display panel DI, a pressure adjustment mechanism 143, a reinforcing member (not shown), a flow path forming portion 144, an inner lid 145, a steam sensor SS, an LED 147, an LED board FP, a light guide member 148, a locked portion 149, and a lid heater CH. These components will be described in detail below.

[0051] (3-1) Exterior body Exterior body 141 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped resin member, and as shown in Figures 1 to 6, is mainly composed of upper exterior member 141a and lower exterior member 141b, etc. These components will be described in detail below.

[0052] The upper exterior member 141a is a member having a substantially rounded rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2, and is attached to the lower exterior member 141b so as to cover the lower exterior member 141b from above as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The upper exterior member 141a is mainly formed of a side wall Sa1 and a top wall Sa2 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. The side wall Sa1 has a substantially rounded rectangular cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, and is inclined inwardly as it goes upward. As shown in FIG. 3, the LED 147, the LED board FP, and the light guide member 148 are disposed inside the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 so as to face the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, when the upper exterior member 141a is attached to the lower exterior member 141b, a small gap is formed between the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 and the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1 of the lower exterior member 141b. 3 and 4, a front end 148a of the light guiding member 148 is disposed in this gap. The top wall Sa2 extends inward from the upper end of the side wall Sa1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 5, and 6, an opening is formed in the front part of the top wall Sa2 to expose the upper surfaces of the operation buttons of the operation button group BT, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an opening is formed in the rear part of the top wall Sa2 to fit a part of the flow path forming portion 144 (a portion forming the exhaust port BO).

[0053] The lower exterior member 141b is a member having a substantially rounded rectangular shape in a bottom view (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the lower exterior member 141b is mainly formed of an outer wall Sb1, a first bottom wall Sb2, an inner wall Sb3, and a second bottom wall Sb4. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the outer wall Sb1 has a substantially rounded rectangular cylindrical shape and is inclined inwardly as it goes downward. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first bottom wall Sb2 extends inwardly from the lower end of the outer wall Sb1 except for the lower end of the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the inner wall Sb3 extends upwardly from the lower end of the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1 and the inner end of the first bottom wall Sb2. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second bottom wall Sb4 extends inwardly from the upper end of the inner wall Sb3. In addition, a reinforcing member is attached to the upper surface of the second bottom wall Sb4, and an inner lid 145 is attached to the lower surface of the second bottom wall Sb4 as shown in FIGS.

[0054] (3-2) Microcomputer board 19, the microcomputer board CB has electronic components such as a microcomputer MC mounted thereon, and is communicatively connected to the steam sensor SS, information display panel DI, pressure adjustment mechanism 143, lid heater CH, LED board FP electrically connected to LED 147, and control board 118, and is communicatively connected via the control board 118 to the center sensor 114, detection board DS electrically connected to photosensor PS, induction heating coil 113, heat retention heater HT, speaker AL, etc. The microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB is equipped with a memory, and various programs and data for executing controls such as rice cooking control and heat retention control are stored in the memory. The microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB executes each process in the rice cooker 100, controls the output of the induction heating coil 113, the warming heater HT, and the lid heater CH, causes the LED board FP to change the brightness of the light emitted by the LED 147 depending on the progress of each process in the rice cooker 100, causes the LED board FP to change the speed at which the brightness of the light emitted by the LED 147 is changed depending on the progress of each process in the rice cooker 100, causes the LED board FP to change the color of the light emitted by the LED 147, causes the speaker AL to output sound, measures time, etc. Also, the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB determines the engagement state of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149 depending on whether or not it has received detection result information from the photosensor PS, and controls the pressure adjustment mechanism 143. More specifically, when the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB receives detection result information from the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element, it determines that the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaging portion 149 (see Figure 11), and causes the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 to pressurize the inside of the inner pot 130 during rice cooking operation.When the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB does not receive the detection result information of the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element receives the light from the light emitting element, it determines that the tip portion of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is slightly engaged with the tip portion of the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149 (see FIG. 12), or that the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is not engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149, and prevents the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 from pressurizing the inside of the inner pot 130 during rice cooking operation. When the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB causes the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 to pressurize the inside of the inner pot 130 during rice cooking operation, it controls the stepping motor of the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 to rotate the rotating member in the first direction. As a result, the valve body is pushed downward against the biasing force of the coil spring by the rotating member to close the pressure adjustment port of the inner lid 145, so that the inside of the inner pot 130 can be pressurized. Furthermore, when the inside of the inner pot 130 is to be prevented from being pressurized by the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 during rice cooking operation, the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB controls the stepping motor of the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 to rotate the rotating member in the second direction. This causes the valve body to open the pressure adjustment port of the inner lid 145 by the biasing force of the coil spring, so that the inside of the inner pot 130 can be prevented from being pressurized.

[0055] (3-3) Operation buttons The operation button group BT includes, for example, a rice cooking start button, a cancel button, etc. The upper surface of each operation button in the operation button group BT is exposed through the opening in the top wall Sa2 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141, as described above.

[0056] (3-4) Information display panel The information display panel DI is disposed behind the group of operation buttons BT as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The information display panel DI displays various information such as rice cooking menu information and rice cooking progress information based on commands from the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB.

[0057] (3-5) Pressure adjustment mechanism The pressure adjustment mechanism 143 adjusts the pressure inside the inner pot 130 to 1 atmosphere or more (for example, 1.03 to 1.3 atmospheres) when the lid body 140 is in the closed state and pressure cooking is in progress. The pressure adjustment mechanism 143 is mainly composed of a stepping motor controlled by the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB, a rotating member rotated in a first direction or a second direction by the stepping motor, a valve body that is pushed downward by the rotating member when the rotating member rotates in the first direction to close the pressure adjustment port of the inner lid 145, a coil spring that urges the valve body upward, and the like. Note that the pressure adjustment mechanism 143 is not limited to this configuration, and may be composed of, for example, a pressure adjustment ball that closes the pressure adjustment port of the inner lid 145, a reciprocating actuator controlled by the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB, and a pushing part that is moved by the reciprocating actuator to push the pressure adjustment ball away from the pressure adjustment port of the inner lid 145, and the like.

[0058] (3-6) Reinforcement members The reinforcing member is intended to increase the rigidity of exterior body 141, and is made of, for example, sheet metal such as hot-dip galvanized steel sheet (SGCC), engineering plastic such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or the like.

[0059] (3-7) Flow path forming section The flow path forming portion 144 serves to form a part of the gas flow path within the lid body 140. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, an exhaust port BO is formed in the flow path forming portion 144. As described above, the portion of the flow path forming portion 144 that forms the exhaust port BO is fitted into the opening at the rear of the top wall Sa2 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141, and the exhaust port BO exhausts the gas that has flowed into the flow path forming portion 144 to the outside of the lid body 140.

[0060] (3-8) Inner lid As shown in Fig. 3, the inner lid 145 is a member that covers the top of the inner pot 130 to seal the inner pot 130 when the lid 140 is in the closed state. The inner lid 145 is formed with an inlet that allows gas (for example, steam generated in the inner pot 130, or outside air when the lid 140 is in the open state) to flow into the inside of the lid 140. The inner lid 145 is also formed with a pressure adjustment port that is opened and closed by a valve of the pressure adjustment mechanism 143.

[0061] (3-9) Steam sensor The steam sensor SS is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the lid 140 , more specifically, the temperature of the gas flowing through the gas flow path inside the lid 140 .

[0062] (3-10) LED The LED 147 emits light to inform people of the progress of each process in the rice cooker 100. The LED 147 is disposed inside the exterior body 141 as shown in FIG. 3. More specifically, the LED 147 is disposed inside the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 so as to face the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 as described above. In this way, the LED 147 is disposed closer to the front side of the lid body 140. The LED 147 is attached to the LED board FP as shown in FIG. 3, and is electrically connected to the LED board FP as shown in FIG. 19.

[0063] (3-11) LED board As described above, the LED board FP is a board for mounting the LEDs 147, is electrically connected to the LEDs 147, and is communicatively connected to the microcomputer board CB, receiving commands from the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB to control the brightness, etc., of the LEDs 147. Also, as described above, the LED board FP is disposed inside the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 so as to face the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141.

[0064] (3-12) Light-guiding member The light guide member 148 is a plate member made of acrylic resin, and is disposed inside the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 so as to face the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141, as described above. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the light guide member 148 is inclined downward as it approaches the front. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED 147 is disposed above the rear end (upper end) of the light guide member 148. Also, as described above, the front end portion 148a of the light guide member 148 is disposed in the gap between the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 and the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1 of the lower exterior member 141b. Also, a plurality of grooves (not shown) are formed in the light guide member 148. These grooves allow the light emitted by the LEDs 147 to be sufficiently guided to the front end 148a of the light-guiding member 148, and also allow the light to be guided to the outside (front side) of the exterior body 141 through a gap between the front wall portion of the side wall Sa1 of the upper exterior member 141a of the exterior body 141 and the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1 of the lower exterior member 141b. This allows the light emitted by the LEDs 147 to be visually recognized by a person.

[0065] (3-13)Locked part As described above, the locked portion 149 constitutes a part of the lever mechanism 119, and is disposed inside the front wall portion of the outer wall Sb1 of the lower exterior member 141b of the exterior body 141 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Also, as shown in Figures 10 to 12 and 15, the locked portion 149 is formed with a claw portion 149a that extends so as to incline upward toward the rear, and when the cover body 140 is in the closed state, the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 of the main body 110 is locked to the claw portion 149a.

[0066] (3-14) Lid heater The lid heater CH is a heater used during keep-warm operation, and is disposed above the inner lid 145. The lid heater CH may be used not only during keep-warm operation but also during rice cooking operation, and may be disposed at a location other than the upper side of the inner lid 145.

[0067] (4) Hinge mechanism As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge mechanism 150 is mainly composed of a hinge mechanism side rotating shaft 151, a hinge mechanism side torsion spring 152, a fixed portion 153, a rotating portion (not shown), and a hinge cover 154. The hinge mechanism side rotating shaft 151 is inserted into a bearing hole of the fixed portion 153 and a bearing hole of the rotating portion. The hinge mechanism side torsion spring 152 is for biasing the cover body 140 in the opening direction. One end of the hinge mechanism side torsion spring 152 is fixed to the fixed portion 153, and the other end of the hinge mechanism side torsion spring 152 is fixed to the rotating portion. As described above, the fixed portion 153 is attached to the rear end of the flange member Da of the protective frame 111d of the main body 110 through the opening at the rear end of the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c of the main body 110. Moreover, a bearing hole for inserting the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151 is formed in the fixed part 153. The rotation part is attached to the rear end of the reinforcing member of the cover 140. Moreover, a bearing hole for inserting the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151 is formed in the rotation part. Then, the fixed part 153 and the rotation part are connected by inserting the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151 into the bearing hole of the fixed part 153 and the bearing hole of the rotation part, and the rotation part becomes rotatable about the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151 and the cover 140 becomes rotatable about the hinge mechanism side rotation shaft 151. The hinge cover 154 is placed on the vertical wall part Cd of the shoulder member 111c of the main body 110 as described above.

[0068] <Opening and closing operation of the lid of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention> Here, the opening and closing operation of the lid body 140 of the rice cooker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, when a person changes the lid body 140 from the open state to the closed state, the person does not need to operate the lever mechanism 119, but simply tilts the lid body 140 toward the main body 110. At this time, the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 moves downward while contacting the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD. During this time, since the position of the locked portion 149 on the lid body 140 is fixed and the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 is inclined, as shown in FIG. 18, the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD moves rearward, and the stopper LD rotates clockwise around the second rotation shaft LF against the biasing force of the third torsion spring LI when viewed from the right side. As described above, when the cover 140 is changed from the open state to the closed state, the bottom wall portion LD5 of the stopper LD abuts against the lower end of the base portion LC1 of the transmission member LC, so that the transmission member LC is rotated by the stopper LD in the clockwise direction about the second rotation axis LF as viewed from the right side to the cover closed rotation position. At this time, as shown in Fig. 18, the transmission member LC rotates so that the receiving portion LC2 of the transmission member LC is separated from the abutting portion LB5 of the lever body LB and the transmission member LC does not come into contact with the lever body LB, so that no force is applied to the lever body LB. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 18, when the cover 140 is changed from the open state to the closed state, the operating portion LA and the lever body LB do not move. The rotation position of the transmitting member LC when the cover is closed (see FIG. 18) is between the initial position of the transmitting member LC (i.e., the position of the transmitting member LC when the cover 140 is closed and the operating unit LA is not pressed down as shown in FIG. 15) and the rotation limit position of the transmitting member LC (i.e., the position of the transmitting member LC when the operating unit LA is pressed down to the maximum as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17). When the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 reaches the lower side of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD, the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD moves forward by the biasing force of the third torsion spring LI and is locked with the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 (see FIG. 15). In this way, the cover 140 is in the closed state.

[0069] When the lid body 140 is changed from the closed state to the open state when the pressure cooking operation is not performed, the person pushes down the operating part LA as shown in FIG. 16. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the lever body LB connected to the operating part LA is pushed down and rotated counterclockwise around the first rotation axis LE against the biasing force of the first torsion spring LG as viewed from the right side. Also, as described above, the abutment part LB5 of the lever body LB abuts against the receiving part LC2 of the transmission member LC when the operating part LA is pushed down, so that the transmission member LC is rotated clockwise around the second rotation axis LF as viewed from the right side as shown in FIG. 16. At this time, since the transmission member LC is attached to the stopper LD by the second torsion spring LH as described above, it tries to rotate together with the stopper LD (i.e., a force that tries to rotate the stopper LD in the clockwise direction around the second rotation axis LF as viewed from the right side is applied to the stopper LD). The biasing force of the second torsion spring LH is set to be larger than the biasing force of the third torsion spring LI. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 16, the transmission member LC actually rotates together with the stopper LD, and the stopper LD is rotated clockwise around the second rotation shaft LF against the biasing force of the third torsion spring LI when viewed from the right side. Finally, as shown in Fig. 16, the state in which the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is locked to the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 of the lid body 140 is released, and the lid body 140 is lifted by the hinge mechanism side torsion spring 152 of the hinge mechanism 150, as shown in Fig. 4, and the lid body 140 is opened.

[0070] In addition, it is not preferable from a safety standpoint for the lid body 140 to change from a closed state to an open state during pressure cooking operation. Therefore, in this rice cooker 100, when pressure cooking operation is performed and the lid body 140 is in a closed state, even if a person presses down the operating part LA, the lid body 140 will not change from a closed state to an open state. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, when the operating part LA is pressed down, the lever body LB is pressed down via the operating part LA and is rotated counterclockwise around the first rotating shaft LE against the biasing force of the first torsion spring LG as viewed from the right side. In addition, as described above, the abutment part LB5 of the lever body LB abuts against the receiving part LC2 of the transmission member LC when the operating part LA is pressed down, so that the transmission member LC is rotated clockwise around the second rotating shaft LF as viewed from the right side as shown in FIG. 17. At this time, since the transmission member LC is attached to the stopper LD by the second torsion spring LH as described above, it tries to rotate together with the stopper LD (i.e., a force that tries to rotate the stopper LD in the clockwise direction around the second rotation axis LF as viewed from the right side is applied to the stopper LD). However, when pressure cooking is in progress, an upward force acts on the lid 140, and the locking force between the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 and the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD becomes stronger. In this rice cooker 100, the biasing force of the second torsion spring LH is set to be greater than the biasing force of the third torsion spring LI, but is set to be smaller than the force required to rotate the stopper LD when pressure cooking is in progress. 17, the transmission member LC does not rotate together with the stopper LD, but rotates by itself against the biasing force of the second torsion spring LH, and the stopper LD does not rotate about the second rotation shaft LF. In this way, when pressure cooking is in progress, even if the operating part LA is pressed down, the closed state of the lid body 140, that is, the state in which the claw part LD3 of the stopper LD is locked to the claw part 149a of the locked part 149 of the lid body 140, is maintained.

[0071] <Features of the rice cooker according to the embodiment of the present invention> (1) In the rice cooker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the third torsion spring LI of the lever mechanism 119 biases the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 in the counterclockwise direction around the second rotation shaft LF in the right side view, and the tip portion of the second arm portion LI3 of the third torsion spring LI abuts against the lower surface of the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c made of metal. Therefore, in this rice cooker 100, static electricity discharged to the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 can be diffused to the shoulder member 111c via the third torsion spring LI of the lever mechanism 119. Therefore, in this rice cooker 100, the risk that the photosensor PS arranged around the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 will be damaged or malfunction due to static electricity can be reduced as much as possible. In addition, in this rice cooker 100, static electricity can be diffused to the shoulder member 111c, which is a member with a relatively large surface area, and the static electricity can be easily diffused into the air via the shoulder member 111c.

[0072] (2) In the rice cooker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the photosensor PS of the lever mechanism 119 can detect that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element. The microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB can determine the engagement state of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 with the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 of the lever mechanism 119, depending on whether or not it has received detection result information from the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element. For this reason, in this rice cooker 100, rice cooking control can be performed according to the engagement state of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 with the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 of the lever mechanism 119.

[0073] <Modification> (A) In the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the tip portion of the second arm portion LI3 of the third torsion spring LI of the lever mechanism 119 abuts against the lower surface of the bottom wall portion Ca of the shoulder member 111c made of metal. However, the design may be modified so that the second arm portion LI3 of the third torsion spring LI abuts against a metal member other than the shoulder member 111c (for example, the lever body LB of the lever mechanism 119, etc.), or the coil portion LI1 or the first arm portion LI2 of the third torsion spring LI abuts against a metal member including the shoulder member 111c. In addition, for example, the third torsion spring LI may be connected to a metal member including the shoulder member 111c via a metal wire, the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 may be connected to a metal member including the shoulder member 111c via a metal wire, or the second torsion spring LH of the lever mechanism 119 may be connected to a metal member including the shoulder member 111c via a metal wire. In the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the side wall Aa and the bottom wall Ab of the container 111a were made of resin, but the side wall Aa or the bottom wall Ab of the container 111a may be made of a metal member made of metal.

[0074] (B) In the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB determined the engagement state of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD of the lever mechanism 119 with the claw portion 149a of the locked portion 149 of the lever mechanism 119, depending on whether or not it received detection result information from the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element. However, the microcomputer MC on the microcomputer board CB may determine this engagement state depending on detection result information from a detection sensor other than the photosensor PS (for example, an inclination sensor, etc.).

[0075] (C) The lever mechanism 119 according to the previous embodiment has two rotation shafts, i.e., the first rotation shaft LE and the second rotation shaft LF. However, the lever mechanism 119 may have only one rotation shaft. In this case, the rotation shaft may be passed through a bearing hole of the lever body LB, a bearing hole of the transmission member LC, a bearing hole of the stopper LD, the inside of the coil part of the first torsion spring LG, the inside of the coil part of the second torsion spring LH, and the inside of the coil part LI1 of the third torsion spring LI. When the lever body LB rotates about this rotation shaft, the transmission member LC may be rotated about this rotation shaft, and a force that rotates the stopper LD about this rotation shaft may be applied to the stopper LD. For example, when the lever body LB rotates counterclockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view, the transmission member LC may be rotated counterclockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view, and a force that rotates the stopper LD counterclockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view may be applied to the stopper LD. Also, when the lever body LB rotates clockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view, the transmission member LC may be rotated clockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view, and a force that rotates the stopper LD clockwise around the rotation shaft in the right side view may be applied to the stopper LD. In such a case, the shapes and positional relationships of the lever body LB, the transmission member LC, the stopper LD, and the locked portion 149, etc., and the biasing directions of the first torsion spring LG, the second torsion spring LH, and the third torsion spring LI, etc., need to be appropriately modified in design. Also, the position of the photosensor PS needs to be appropriately changed in design so that the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD can be positioned between the light receiving element and the light emitting element when the stopper LD rotates.

[0076] (D) In the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the first rotation shaft LE was located at a height between the upper end and the lower end of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a. However, the first rotation shaft LE may be located above the upper end of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a, or may be located below the lower end of the opening Aa1 of the side wall Aa of the housing 111a. In such a case, the shape of the lever body LB, the transmission member LC, the stopper LD, etc. must be appropriately modified in design so that the lever body LB and the transmission member LC can be rotated by pressing down the operating part LA, and the transmission member LC can apply a force to the stopper LD to rotate the stopper LD. In addition, the position of the photosensor PS must be appropriately modified in design so that the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD can be located between the light receiving element and the light emitting element when the stopper LD is rotated.

[0077] (E) In the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD is not positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor PS when the stopper LD is not rotating around the second rotation axis LF, and is positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor PS when the stopper LD is rotating clockwise around the second rotation axis LF in the right side view. However, the protrusion LD9 of the stopper LD is positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor PS when the stopper LD is not rotating around the second rotation axis LF, and does not have to be positioned between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the photosensor PS when the stopper LD is rotating clockwise around the second rotation axis LF in the right side view. And, the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB may determine that the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149 when it does not receive the detection result information of the photosensor PS indicating that the light-receiving element is receiving the light from the light-emitting element. On the other hand, when the microcomputer MC of the microcomputer board CB receives detection result information from the photosensor PS indicating that the light receiving element is receiving light from the light emitting element, the microcomputer MC may determine that the tip portion of the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is slightly engaged with the tip portion of the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149, or that the claw portion LD3 of the stopper LD is not engaged with the claw portion 149a of the engaged portion 149.

[0078] (F) Although not mentioned in the rice cooker 100 according to the previous embodiment, electronic components other than the photosensor PS may be arranged around the stopper LD. In such a case, it is possible to minimize the risk that such electronic components will be damaged or malfunction due to static electricity.

[0079] (G) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the rice cooker 100, but the present invention may be applied to cooking appliances other than rice cookers (for example, a thermal jar, a bread maker, etc.).

[0080] The above modified examples may be applied individually or in combination with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100 Rice cooker (cooking appliance) 110 Main unit 111c Shoulder member (metal member) 119 Lever mechanism 140 Lid 149 Locked part LD stopper (stopping part) LI 3rd torsion spring (biasing part) PS Photo sensor (detection sensor)

Claims

1. A locked portion; A locking portion that can be locked to the locked portion; a biasing portion that biases the locking portion in a direction to lock the locking portion to the locked portion; A metal member, The biasing portion is in contact with the metal member. Lever mechanism.

2. The locking mechanism further includes a detection sensor disposed around the locking portion and configured to detect whether the locking portion is locked to the locked portion.

2. The lever mechanism of claim 1.

3. A lever mechanism according to claim 1 or 2; A main body on which the locking portion is provided; a cover body provided with the engaged portion and disposed on the upper side of the main body, The metal member is a shoulder member provided on the body and located at an upper end of the body. Cooker.

Images