Rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker that can reduce noise generated at the time of delivery of rice.SOLUTION: A rice cooker comprises: a pot; a case having an upper opening part, and for housing the pot through the upper opening part; a rice container for housing rice; a rice supply part for supplying the rice in the rice container into the pot; an outer lid for openably / closably covering the upper opening part of the case by rotating around an outer lid hinge part provided at an upper part of the case; and an inner lid detachably attached to the outer lid, and for openably / closably covering an opening part of the pot in association with the rotation of the outer lid. The rice supply part comprises: a cylindrical rice delivery pipe of which one end part communicates with the inside of the rice container, and of which another end part penetrates the inside of the outer lid and opens toward a rice input port provided at the inner lid; and a rice delivery fan for pushing out the rice in the rice delivery pipe into the pot through the rice input port by generating an air flow toward the rice input port from the side of the rice container in the rice delivery pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, so-called fully automatic rice cookers have been known that can automatically perform processes from supplying rice and water to a pot to cooking the rice (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-220047 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional fully automatic rice cookers, there is still room for improvement in terms of reducing noise generated when feeding rice into the pot.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the problem and to provide a rice cooker that can reduce noise generated when feeding rice. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. According to the present invention, a pot and A housing having an upper opening and accommodating the pot through the upper opening; A rice container for storing rice; A rice supply unit that supplies rice from the rice container to the pot; an outer lid that opens and closes an upper opening of the housing by rotating about an outer lid hinge portion provided on an upper portion of the housing; An inner lid that is detachably attached to the outer lid and covers the opening of the pot in an openable and closable manner in accordance with the rotation of the outer lid; Equipped with The rice supplying department: A cylindrical rice-transporting pipe whose one end is connected to the inside of the rice container and whose other end penetrates the inside of the outer lid and opens toward the rice-inlet provided in the inner lid; A rice sending fan that generates an air flow from the rice container side toward the rice inlet in the rice sending pipe and pushes the rice in the rice sending pipe into the pot through the rice inlet; Provided is a rice cooker comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a rice cooker capable of suppressing noise generated when feeding rice can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker of FIG. 1 with an outer lid open. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker of FIG. 1 with a rice container lid open. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 with the housing, the outer lid, and the outer wall of the rice container removed, seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of parts related to the rice storage section and the rice supply section, seen obliquely from above. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of parts related to the rice storage section and the rice supply section, viewed obliquely from below. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a top view showing the internal structure of the outer lid. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the outer lid from an oblique rear view. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a portion of the rice supply pipe located at the portion where the outer lid and the rice container are adjacent to each other. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A1-A1 of FIG. 9. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the inner wall of the outer lid. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner lid is attached to the outer lid of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] The rice insertion lid is shown in the closed position. [Figure 16] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker of FIG. 1 taken in the depth direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Findings on which the present invention is based) The present inventors conducted extensive research into ways to reduce noise generated during rice delivery and obtained the following findings.

[0010] Conventional automatic rice cookers are usually configured to supply rice into the pot by dropping the rice under its own weight from above the pot. In this configuration, the rice collides with the bottom wall of the pot, generating a loud noise. In order to suppress this noise, it is possible to provide a separate silencer. However, in this case, the number of parts increases and space is required to provide the silencer.

[0011] Therefore, the inventors discovered a configuration in which an air flow is generated in a rice delivery pipe for supplying rice from a rice container to a pot, and the air flow pushes the rice in the rice delivery pipe into the pot through the rice inlet of the inner lid. With this configuration, the flow rate of the air flowing through the rice delivery pipe drops sharply as it flows into the pot, which is a large space. In addition, the air flow entering the pot increases the internal pressure of the pot. As a result, the speed at which the rice collides with the bottom wall of the pot is reduced, and noise during rice delivery is reduced compared to conventional fully automatic rice cookers. Based on this novel finding, the inventors arrived at the following invention.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a pan and A housing having an upper opening and accommodating the pot through the upper opening; A rice container for storing rice; A rice supply unit that supplies rice from the rice container to the pot; an outer lid that opens and closes an upper opening of the housing by rotating about an outer lid hinge portion provided on an upper portion of the housing; An inner lid that is detachably attached to the outer lid and covers the opening of the pot in an openable and closable manner in accordance with the rotation of the outer lid; Equipped with The rice supplying department: A cylindrical rice-transporting pipe whose one end is connected to the inside of the rice container and whose other end penetrates the inside of the outer lid and opens toward the rice-inlet provided in the inner lid; A rice sending fan that generates an air flow from the rice container side toward the rice inlet in the rice sending pipe and pushes the rice in the rice sending pipe into the pot through the rice inlet; Provided is a rice cooker comprising:

[0013] With this configuration, the airflow generated by the rice sending fan flows into the pot together with the rice through the rice inlet, which reduces the speed at which the rice hits the bottom wall of the pot and reduces noise when sending rice.

[0014] The rice sending pipe may have an internal flow passage with a uniform or approximately uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction. With this configuration, the rice in the rice sending pipe can be pushed into the pot with a constant or approximately constant pressure by the air flow generated by the rice sending fan, and noise during rice sending can be further reduced.

[0015] In addition, a portion of the rice feeding tube may be disposed coaxially with the outer lid hinge portion and provided so as to penetrate the side wall of the outer lid. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the influence of the rotational movement of the outer lid and to minimize the number of places where the rice feeding tube bends at a sharp angle (for example, 90 degrees or more). This suppresses the pressure loss of the air flow caused by the bending of the rice feeding tube and improves the sealing performance of the rice feeding tube. As a result, the noise during rice feeding can be further suppressed and the product size can be further reduced.

[0016] The rice container further includes a rice container lid that rotates around the rice container hinge part to open and close the rice container opening provided above the rice container, and the rice container hinge part and the outer lid hinge part are arranged coaxially, and a part of the rice supply pipe passes through the inside of the rice container hinge part or forms at least a part of the rice container hinge part. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the influence of the rotational movement of the rice container lid and to minimize the number of places where the rice supply pipe bends at a sharp angle (for example, 90 degrees or more). This suppresses the pressure loss of the air flow caused by the bending of the rice supply pipe and improves the sealing property of the rice supply pipe. As a result, the noise during rice supply can be further suppressed and the product size can be further reduced. In addition, the rice container opening can be secured large, improving the ease of refilling the rice container with rice.

[0017] The rice feed container may further include a rice feed lid that covers the rice feed opening in an openable and closable manner, and an annular sealing member that is disposed around the rice feed opening and seals the gap between the outer lid and the inner lid, as well as the gap between the rice feed lid part and the inner lid. With this configuration, a single sealing member seals the gap between the outer lid and the inner lid, and the gap between the rice feed lid part and the inner lid, thereby preventing an increase in the number of parts and improving sealing performance.

[0018] The rice feeder may further include an arm portion that moves the rice feed lid portion between a closed position where the rice feed lid portion comes into contact with the sealing member to close the rice feed opening and an open position where the rice feed lid portion moves away from the sealing member to open the rice feed opening, and the arm portion may be located in an enclosed space between the outer lid and the inner lid that is sealed except for the other end of the rice feed tube when the rice feed lid portion is located in the closed position. According to this configuration, by locating the arm portion that moves the rice feed lid portion in the enclosed space between the outer lid and the inner lid, it is possible to prevent rice powder, insects, and the like from entering the inside of the outer lid or the space between the outer lid and the inner lid, and it is possible to improve cleanability.

[0019] The rice sending fan may be driven at a predetermined rotation speed, and when the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan is higher than the predetermined rotation speed, the rice sending fan may be driven at a rotation speed even higher than the predetermined rotation speed. With this configuration, when the rice sending fan is driven at a predetermined rotation speed and the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan is higher than the predetermined rotation speed, it can be estimated that the rice sending tube or the filter of the rice sending fan is clogged. Then, by driving the rice sending fan at a rotation speed even higher than the actual rotation speed, the clogging of the rice sending tube or the filter of the rice sending fan can be cleared. As a result, the noise during rice sending caused by the clogging of the rice sending tube or the filter of the rice sending fan can be suppressed.

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0021] In addition, for ease of explanation, the following uses terms indicating directions such as "up," "down," "front," "rear," and "side," assuming a state of normal use, but this is not meant to limit the state of use of the rice cooker of the present invention.

[0022] (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rice cooker 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 the rice. The rice cooker according to this embodiment is also a non-pressure type rice cooker that performs the rice cooking process with a pressure in the pot of less than 1.05 atm.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker of this embodiment includes a housing 1, an outer lid 2 covering the upper part of the housing 1, a water container 3 provided at the lower part of the housing 1, a rice container 4 provided along one side of the housing 1, and a rice container lid 5 covering the upper part of the rice container 4.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker of Fig. 1 with the outer lid 2 open. In this embodiment, the housing 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped or approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in Fig. 2, an upper opening 1a is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1. The pot 6 is accommodated in the housing 1 by inserting it through the upper opening 1a. An outer lid hinge portion 1b is provided on the upper rear portion of the housing 1. The outer lid hinge portion 1b is provided so as to extend in the lateral direction X.

[0025] The outer lid 2 is configured to cover the upper opening 1a of the housing 1 in an openable and closable manner by rotating around the outer lid hinge portion 1b. In this embodiment, the outer lid 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped or approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. When viewed from above, the outer lid 2 and the housing 1 have the same or approximately the same shape. That is, the outer lid 2 and the housing 1 have the same or approximately the same dimensions in the horizontal direction X and the depth direction Y perpendicular to the horizontal direction X.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, an inner lid 7 is detachably attached to the outer lid 2. In this embodiment, the inner lid 7 has a disk or a substantially disk shape. The inner lid 7 is configured to cover the opening of the pot 6 so as to be able to open and close freely as the outer lid 2 rotates. The inner lid 7 is provided with a rice inlet 7a for putting rice into the pot 6 and an exhaust outlet 7b for discharging fluids such as air or steam from within the pot 6.

[0027] A water container 3 for containing water is provided in the lower part of the housing 1. In this embodiment, the water container 3 is configured to be detachable from the housing 1 by sliding in the depth direction Y.

[0028] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the rice cooker of Fig. 1 with the rice container lid 5 open. The rice container 4 is for containing rice. In this embodiment, the rice contained in the rice container 4 is rice that does not need to be washed, so-called no-rinse rice. A rice container opening 4a for placing rice inside the rice container 4 is provided above the rice container 4. A rice container hinge portion 4b is provided at the rear upper portion of the rice container 4. The rice container lid 5 is configured to cover the rice container opening 4a so as to be freely opened and closed by rotating around the rice container hinge portion 4b.

[0029] In this embodiment, the rice container lid 5 and the rice container 4 have the same or approximately the same shape when viewed from above. That is, the rice container lid 5 and the rice container 4 have the same or approximately the same dimensions in the horizontal direction X and the depth direction Y. In addition, the total length in the height direction Z of the rice container lid 5 and the rice container 4 is the same or approximately the same as the total length in the height direction Z of the outer lid 2 and the housing 1. The height direction Z is perpendicular to the horizontal direction X and the depth direction Y. When the rice container lid 5 and the outer lid 2 are closed, the rice cooker according to this embodiment has an appearance of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0030] Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the rice cooker in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the rice cooker in Figure 1 with the housing 1, the outer lid 2, and the outer wall of the rice container 4 removed, as seen obliquely from behind.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4, the rice container 4 has a rice storage section 41 that stores rice. The rice storage section 41 has an inclined surface 41a that is inclined in the depth direction Y and height direction Z so that the cross-sectional area becomes smaller toward the bottom. The rice stored in the rice storage section 41 moves downward along the inclined surface 41a due to its own weight, and is collected below the inclined surface 41a.

[0032] One end of the cylindrical rice supply pipe 42 is connected to the lower part of the rice storage section 41. In this embodiment, the rice supply pipe 42 has an internal flow path with a uniform or approximately uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction. The internal flow path of the rice supply pipe 42 is formed in a straight line or a smooth curve so as not to have any protrusions or recesses where rice may get stuck. A rice supply device 43 is provided below the inclined surface 41a. The rice supply device 43 supplies rice from the rice container 4 to the rice supply pipe 42 in an amount corresponding to the amount of rice to be cooked selected on the display operation unit 8 described later. The other end of the rice supply pipe 42 penetrates the inside of the outer lid 2 and opens toward the rice inlet 7a (see FIG. 2) of the inner lid 7. A rice supply fan 44 is attached to the rice supply pipe 42. The rice supply fan 44 is configured to generate an air flow from the rice container 4 side toward the rice inlet 7a in the rice supply pipe 42, and push the rice in the rice supply pipe 42 into the pot 6 through the rice inlet 7a. In this embodiment, the rice sending pipe 42, the rice sending device 43, and the rice sending fan 44 constitute a rice supplying section that supplies rice in the rice container 4 (rice storage section 41) into the pot 6.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the configuration of the rice containing section 41 and the rice supply section and related parts as viewed from diagonally above. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the configuration of the rice containing section 41 and the rice supply section and related parts as viewed from diagonally below.

[0034] 7 and 8, a filter 45 is provided below the rice sending fan 44. In this embodiment, the filter 45 is configured to be detachable from the rice container 4 by sliding in the lateral direction X. The filter 45 prevents dust and other particles from entering the rice sending fan 44 from outside the rice container 4.

[0035] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the rice container hinge portion 4b and the outer lid hinge portion 1b are arranged coaxially. The straight pipe portion 42a, which is a part of the rice supply pipe 42, passes through the inside of the rice container hinge portion 4b or constitutes at least a part of the rice container hinge portion 4b. In this embodiment, the straight pipe portion 42a of the rice supply pipe 42 constitutes the rice container hinge portion 4b and functions as the rice container hinge portion 4b. This makes it possible to suppress the influence of the rotational movement of the rice container lid 5 on the straight pipe portion 42a of the rice supply pipe 42.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a top view showing the internal structure of the outer lid 2. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the outer lid 2 from diagonally behind. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a part of the rice sending pipe 42 located in the part where the outer lid 2 and the rice container 4 are adjacent to each other.

[0037] The straight pipe section 42a of the rice conveying pipe 42 is arranged coaxially with the outer lid hinge section 1b and is provided so as to penetrate the side wall 2a of the outer lid 2. The outer lid side end 42aa of the straight pipe section 42a is rotatably connected to one end 42ca of the joint section 42c via an annular sliding packing 42b. In this embodiment, the joint section 42c is formed in a substantially L-shape. The joint section 42c is configured to rotate around the straight pipe section 42a as a rotation axis. In other words, the joint section 42c is configured to rotate in accordance with the rotational movement of the outer lid 2. The straight pipe section 42a and the joint section 42c are made of a rigid member such as plastic.

[0038] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the rice sending pipe 42 includes a flexible tube 42d. In this embodiment, the tube 42d is a rubber tube. One end 42da of the tube 42d is connected to the other end 42cb of the joint portion 42c. The other end 42db of the tube 42d is connected to the outer casing member 22 of the rice putting unit 21 so as to penetrate the outer casing member 22 and be exposed below the outer lid 2. The rice putting unit 21 is a unit for putting rice discharged from the rice sending pipe 42 into the pot 6. The outer shape of the tube 42d changes from a flat shape to a substantially square shape from the one end 42da to the other end 42db. However, the internal flow path of the tube 42d has a uniform or substantially uniform cross-sectional area in the longitudinal direction, and is formed in a straight line or a smooth curved shape so as not to have any protrusions or recesses where rice may get stuck.

[0039] Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in Fig. 9. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of the inner wall of the outer lid 2. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner lid 7 is attached to the outer lid 2 in Fig. 13.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 12, the outer casing member 22 constitutes part of the inner wall (the wall on the pot 6 side) of the outer lid 2, and is a portion recessed toward the upper wall of the outer lid 2. The other end 42db of the tube 42d is provided so as to penetrate the outer casing member 22 and open toward the rice insertion opening 7a of the inner lid 7 (see Fig. 14).

[0041] The rice pouring unit 21 comprises an outer casing member 22, a rice pouring lid portion 23, an annular sealing member 24, and an arm portion 25.

[0042] The rice insertion lid part 23 is configured to cover the rice insertion opening 7a so as to be freely opened and closed. In this embodiment, the rice insertion lid part 23 has a disk or a substantially disk shape. The rice insertion lid part 23 has a diameter smaller than the rice insertion opening 7a and larger than the inner diameter of the seal member 24. The rice insertion lid part 23 is connected to one end of the arm part 25.

[0043] The arm 25 is configured to move the rice insertion lid 23 between a closed position where it contacts the seal member 24 to close the rice insertion opening 7a, and an open position where it is removed from the seal member 24 to open the rice insertion opening 7a. Figure 15 shows the rice insertion lid 23 in the closed position. Figure 12 shows the rice insertion lid 23 in the open position.

[0044] In this embodiment, the arm 25 is configured to move the rice-input lid 23 between the closed position and the open position by rotating around the rotating shaft 25a. The rotating shaft 25a is connected to the driving source 26. When the driving source 26 is driven, the rotating shaft 25a rotates, and the arm 25 rotates. When the rice-input lid 23 is in the closed position, the arm 25 is located in a sealed space E1 between the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 7, which is sealed except for the other end 42db of the rice-sending tube 42. The sealed space E1 is formed by the outer member 22, the rice-input lid 23, and the seal member 24. The rotating shaft 25a is covered by the arm 25 and is configured not to be exposed to the sealed space E1. The driving source 26 is disposed outside the sealed space E1.

[0045] The sealing member 24 is provided on the bottom wall of the outer lid 2 facing the inner lid 7. When the inner lid 7 is attached to the outer lid 2 as shown in Fig. 14, the sealing member 24 is arranged around the rice insertion opening 7a and is configured to seal the gap between the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 7. Furthermore, when the rice insertion lid part 23 is in the closed position, the sealing member 24 is configured to seal the gap between the rice insertion lid part 23 and the inner lid 7. In other words, the sealing member 24 has the function of sealing gaps in two places with a single part.

[0046] As described above, the inner lid 7 is provided with an exhaust port 7b (see FIG. 14) for discharging fluid such as air or steam in the pot 6. As shown in FIG. 13, the outer lid 2 is provided with an exhaust passage 27. The exhaust passage 27 is provided at a position facing the exhaust port 7b. An annular packing (not shown) for sealing the gap between the inner lid 7 and the outer lid 2 is provided around the exhaust passage 27 of the outer lid 2 when the inner lid 7 is attached to the outer lid 2. The fluid in the pot 6 flows into the exhaust passage 27 through the exhaust port 7b.

[0047] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker shown in FIG. 1 cut in the depth direction Y. As shown in FIG. 16, an exhaust hole 2b is provided in the upper wall of the outer lid 2. The exhaust hole 2b communicates with the exhaust passage 27. The fluid in the pot 6 that has flowed into the exhaust passage 27 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust hole 2b. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the exhaust hole 2b is formed so as to extend in the lateral direction X.

[0048] The size of the rice inlet 7a is, for example, 215 mm 2 or the like. The size of the exhaust port 7b is, for example, 80.0 mm 2 or the like. In a top view, it is preferable that the rice inlet 7a is close to the center of the pot 6. Thereby, the mountain of rice formed in the pot 6 by the rice discharged from the rice inlet 7a becomes a more uniform shape. Also, it is preferable that the exhaust port 7b is arranged away from the rice inlet 7a. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the rice discharged from the rice inlet 7a from flowing into the exhaust passage 27 through the exhaust port 7b. In the present embodiment, the distance L1 from the center of the pot 6 to the center of the rice inlet 7a is set to be smaller than the distance L2 from the center of the pot 6 to the center of the exhaust passage 27 (L1 < L2). In a top view, the center of the rice inlet 7a and the center of the exhaust port 7b are located at positions facing each other with the center of the pot 6 interposed therebetween. The distance L1 is, for example, 22.5 mm. The distance L2 is, for example, 44.9 mm.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 14, the inner lid 7 is provided with a steam inlet 7c and a water inlet 7d. As shown in FIG. 13, the outer lid 2 is provided with a steam sensor 28 and a water inlet passage 29. The steam sensor 28 is provided at a position corresponding to the steam inlet 7c. The water inlet passage 29 is provided at a position corresponding to the water inlet 7d. In this embodiment, the steam sensor 28 measures the temperature of the steam generated in the pot 6. An annular packing 28a is provided around the steam sensor 28 so that the steam taken in from the steam inlet 7c is directed toward the steam sensor 28. Similarly, an annular packing 29a is provided around the water inlet passage 29.

[0050] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, one end of a cylindrical water supply pipe 31 communicates with the water input passage 29. The other end of the water supply pipe 31 communicates with the inside of the water container 3 through the outer lid hinge portion 1b. The water supply pipe 31 is provided with a water supply pump 32. When the water supply pump 32 is driven, the water in the water container 3 is supplied into the pot 6 through the water supply pipe 31, the water input passage 29, and the water input port 7d. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 31 and the water supply pump 32 constitute a water supply unit that supplies the water in the water container 3 into the pot 6.

[0051] 1 and 3, a display operation unit 8 is provided on the upper wall of the outer lid 2, which displays various types of rice cooking information such as the amount of cooked rice and the rice cooking course (white rice course, brown rice course, etc.) and allows the user to select specific rice cooking information from the various types of rice cooking information. The display operation unit 8 is configured to display various types of rice cooking information and to instruct the user to select the amount of cooked rice and the rice cooking course, as well as to start, cancel, schedule, etc. cooking. In this embodiment, the display operation unit 8 is an example of a selection unit that allows the user to select the amount of cooked rice.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 16, the housing 1 has a pot accommodating section 1c that accommodates a pot 6. A pot heating device 9 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the pot accommodating section 1c of the housing 1 in a position facing the pot 6. The pot heating device 9 is an example of a heating section that heats the pot 6. The pot heating device 9 is, for example, an induction heating coil that inductively heats the pot 6 when electricity is passed through it. A through hole is provided in the central bottom of the pot accommodating section 1c of the housing 1, and a pot temperature sensor 10, an example of a temperature detection section, is provided so as to come into contact with the central bottom of the pot 6 through the through hole.

[0053] In addition, inside the housing 1, a control unit 11 is provided. The control unit 11 controls the water pump 32, the driving source 26, the rice sending device 43, and the rice sending fan 44 to supply rice and water into the pot 6, and controls the pot heating device 9 to perform the rice cooking process. The control unit 11 is provided with a memory unit that stores a plurality of rice cooking sequences for cooking rice. Here, the "rice cooking sequence" refers to a rice cooking procedure in which the power supply time, heating temperature, heating time, heating output, etc. are predetermined for each of the four main processes of preheating, heating, maintaining boiling, and steaming, when they are performed in order. Each rice cooking sequence corresponds to one of a plurality of rice cooking courses. The control unit 11 controls the pot heating device 9 based on the rice cooking information selected by the display operation unit 8 and the detected temperatures of the pot temperature sensor 10 and the steam sensor 28, and performs the rice cooking process.

[0054] The control unit 11 also includes a storage unit that stores multiple preparatory sequences to be performed before the rice cooking process begins. Here, the "preparatory sequence" refers to a procedure in which the operating time of each pump or fan is predetermined for each process, including rice and water feeding. Based on the rice cooking information selected on the display operation unit 8, the control unit 11 controls the water feeding pump 32, the driving source 26, the rice feeding device 43, and the rice feeding fan 44 to perform each process.

[0055] When the control unit 11 drives the water supply pump 32, the water in the water container 3 is supplied into the pot 6 through the water supply pipe 31, the water input passage 29, and the water input port 7d. When the control unit 11 drives the drive source 26, the arm 25 rotates about the rotation shaft 25a, and the rice input lid 23 moves from the closed position to the open position. After that, when the control unit 11 drives the rice sending device 43 and the rice sending fan 44, the rice in the rice container 4 is sent into the rice sending pipe 42 by the rice sending device 43, and the rice in the rice sending pipe 42 is sent into the pot 6 through the rice input port 7a by the rice sending fan 44.

[0056] In this embodiment, the rice sending fan 44 is driven by the control unit 11 at a predetermined rotation speed (for example, 60% to 65% of the maximum rotation speed). At this time, if rice is clogged in the rice sending pipe 42 or dust or the like is clogged in the filter 45, the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 will be higher than the predetermined rotation speed due to pressure loss. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 is higher than the predetermined rotation speed, the rice sending fan 44 is driven at an even higher rotation speed (for example, 100% of the maximum rotation speed). This makes it possible to eliminate clogging of the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45. In addition, since the rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 is not set to the maximum rotation speed under normal circumstances, noise caused by the driving of the rice sending fan 44 can be suppressed.

[0057] In this embodiment, the rice sending fan 44 is driven at a higher rotation speed than the actual rotation speed for a predetermined time, and then driven at a lower rotation speed than the higher rotation speed. At this time, if the clogging of the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45 has not been cleared, the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 will be higher than the lower rotation speed. Therefore, when the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 is higher than the lower rotation speed, the control unit 11 is configured to issue a warning indicating that the clogging of the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45 has not been cleared. The warning is issued, for example, by voice or display from the display operation unit 8.

[0058] The rice cooker according to this embodiment is configured so that the airflow generated by the rice sending fan 44 flows into the pot 6 together with the rice through the rice inlet 7a. This configuration can reduce the speed at which the rice hits the bottom wall of the pot 6, and can suppress noise when the rice is being sent.

[0059] In addition, in the rice cooker according to this embodiment, the rice delivery pipe 42 has a uniform or approximately uniform cross-sectional area along the longitudinal direction. This allows the airflow generated by the rice delivery fan 44 to push the rice in the rice delivery pipe 42 into the pot 6 at a constant or approximately constant pressure, further reducing noise when delivering rice.

[0060] In addition, in the rice cooker according to this embodiment, the straight pipe section 42a of the rice delivery pipe 42 is arranged coaxially with the outer lid hinge section 1b and is provided so as to penetrate the side wall 2a of the outer lid 2. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the influence of the rotational movement of the outer lid 2 and to minimize the number of places where the rice delivery pipe 42 bends at a sharp angle (for example, 90 degrees or more). This suppresses the pressure loss of the air flow caused by the bending of the rice delivery pipe 42 and improves the sealing performance of the rice delivery pipe 42. As a result, noise during rice delivery can be further suppressed.

[0061] In addition, the rice cooker according to this embodiment is provided with a rice container lid 5 that can open and close the rice container opening 4a by rotating around the rice container hinge portion 4b. The rice container hinge portion 4b and the outer lid hinge portion 1b are arranged coaxially. The straight pipe portion 42a of the rice supply pipe 42 constitutes the rice container hinge portion 4b. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the influence of the rotational movement of the rice container lid 5 and to reduce the number of places where the rice supply pipe 42 bends at a sharp angle (for example, 90 degrees or more) as much as possible. This suppresses the pressure loss of the air flow caused by the bending of the rice supply pipe 42 and improves the sealing property of the rice supply pipe 42. As a result, noise during rice supply can be further suppressed. In addition, the rice container opening 4a can be secured large, improving the ease of refilling rice into the rice container 4.

[0062] Furthermore, the rice cooker according to this embodiment is equipped with a rice charging lid part 23 that covers the rice charging opening 7a so as to be able to open and close freely, and an annular sealing member 24 that seals the gap between the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 7 and also seals the gap between the rice charging lid part 23 and the inner lid 7. With this configuration, the gap between the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 7 and the gap between the rice charging lid part 23 and the inner lid 7 are sealed with a single sealing member 24, which prevents an increase in the number of parts and improves sealing performance.

[0063] Furthermore, the rice cooker according to this embodiment is provided with an arm unit 25 that moves the rice-introducing lid unit 23 between a closed position where the rice-introducing opening 7a is closed and an open position where the rice-introducing opening 7a is opened. The arm unit 25 is located in the sealed space E1 when the rice-introducing lid unit 23 is located in the closed position. With this configuration, by disposing the arm unit 25 in the sealed space E1, it is possible to prevent rice powder, insects, and the like from entering the outer lid 2 or the space between the outer lid 2 and the inner lid 7.

[0064] In addition, according to the rice cooker of this embodiment, the rice sending fan 44 is driven at a predetermined rotation speed, and when the actual rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44 is higher than the predetermined rotation speed, it is driven at a rotation speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed. With this configuration, it is possible to estimate that the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45 is clogged based on the rotation speed of the rice sending fan 44. Then, by driving the rice sending fan 44 at a rotation speed higher than the actual rotation speed, the clogging of the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45 can be cleared. As a result, the noise during rice sending caused by the clogging of the rice sending pipe 42 or the filter 45 can be suppressed.

[0065] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms. For example, the display operation unit 8 is given as an example of the selection means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the selection means may be an information terminal device such as a smartphone. The selection means may receive information selected by an information terminal device such as a smartphone, and select the amount of cooked rice, etc., based on the information.

[0066] In addition, although the rice cooker according to the present embodiment is a non-pressure type rice cooker in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. The rice cooker according to the present invention may be a pressure type rice cooker.

[0067] 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. [Industrial Applicability]

[0068] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The rice cooker according to the present invention can suppress noise generated when feeding rice, and is therefore useful, for example, as a fully automatic rice cooker that can automatically perform operations from supplying rice and water to the pot to cooking the rice. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Case 1a Top opening 1b Outer lid hinge 1c Pot storage section 2 Outer lid 2a side wall 2b Exhaust hole 3 water container 4 rice container 4a Rice container opening 4b Rice container hinge 5 Rice container lid 6. Pot 7 Inner lid 7a Rice inlet 7b Exhaust port 7c Steam intake 7d Water inlet 8 Display operation unit (selection means) 9 Pot heating device (heating section) 10 Pot temperature sensor (temperature detection part) 11 Control section 21 Rice input unit 22 Exterior components 23 Rice input lid part 24 Sealing material 25 Arm section 25a Rotating shaft 26 Power Source 27 Exhaust passage 28 Steam Sensor 28a Gasket 29 Water input passage 29a Gasket 31 Water pipe 32 Water Pump 41 US Detention Center 41a Slope 42 Rice feeding tube 42a Straight pipe section 42aa end 42b Sliding packing 42c Joint 42ca one end 42cb other end 42d Tube 42da One end 42db other end 43 Rice feeding device 44 Sending rice fans 45 Filters E1 Closed space

Claims

1. A pot and A housing having an upper opening and accommodating the pot through the upper opening; A rice container for storing rice; A rice supply unit that supplies rice from the rice container to the pot; an outer lid that opens and closes the top opening of the housing; An inner lid that is detachably attached to the outer lid and covers an opening of the pot; Equipped with The rice supplying department: A cylindrical rice-transporting pipe whose one end is connected to the inside of the rice container and whose other end penetrates the inside of the outer lid and opens toward the rice-inlet provided in the inner lid; A rice-inputting lid portion that covers the rice-inputting port in an openable and closable manner; an arm portion that moves the rice insertion lid portion to a closing position for closing the rice insertion opening and an opening position for opening the rice insertion opening; Equipped with When the rice input lid part is located in the open position, the rice input lid part and the arm part are located in a position that does not cross under the other end of the rice sending pipe. Rice cooker.

2. When the rice-introducing lid part is located at the closed position, the arm part is located in a sealed space between the outer lid and the inner lid, except for the other end of the rice-sending pipe. The rice cooker according to claim 1.

3. An annular sealing member disposed around the rice inlet to seal the gap between the outer lid and the inner lid and to seal the gap between the rice inlet lid portion and the inner lid; The rice cooker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

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