Rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker in which an upper frame can be commonalized regardless of color of an outer frame and color of hinge cover.SOLUTION: A rice cooker 100 of the present invention comprises: a main body 1 having an upper frame 6 for suspending a pot 5 and with an upper part thereof being opened; a cover body 2 covering the opening of the main body 1; and a hinge portion 41 connecting the main body 1 and the cover body 2 in an open / close manner. The main body 1 includes: an outer frame 3 as an exterior portion; and a hinge cover 44 covering a connection portion of the hinge portion 41 between the main body 1 and the cover body 2. A periphery of the upper frame 6 is covered with the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44 such that an upper end portion of the outer frame 3 and the upper end portion of the hinge cover 44 are higher than an outer periphery portion of the upper frame 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rice cooker including a main body having an upper frame for suspending a pot.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a part of a pot housing portion for housing a pot, a rice cooker having an upper surface portion of a main body formed and provided with an upper frame for suspending the pot is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a support frame (3b) of a protection frame (3) for suspending an inner pot (2) in a rice cooker main body (1) is configured, and a lid body (12) covering the upper portion of the rice cooker main body (1) is connected to the rice cooker main body (1) so as to be openable and closable via a hinge portion (5) integrally formed with the support frame (3b). In this rice cooker, the rice cooker main body (1) has an outer frame (1a) on the outside, and a hinge cover (29) is attached to the rear side of the outer frame (1a).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, the appearance of a rice cooker has various color variations, and it is necessary to adopt a color that matches the appearance of the rice cooker for the parts exposed on the appearance surface of the rice cooker. However, in the rice cooker of Patent Document 1, since the part alignment portion formed between the outer frame (1a) and the support frame (3b) is exposed on the appearance surface, when the color of the outer frame (1a) or the hinge cover (29) is changed, it is necessary to change the color of the support frame (3b) for the appearance of the entire rice cooker. Therefore, a common color cannot be adopted for the support frame (3b), and there is a problem that the support frame (3b) cannot be made common.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a rice cooker capable of sharing the upper frame regardless of the color of the outer frame or the hinge cover.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The rice cooker of the present invention includes a main body with an upper opening having an upper frame for suspending a pot, a lid for covering the opening of the main body, and a hinge for connecting the main body and the lid so as to be openable and closable. The main body has an outer frame serving as an exterior part and a hinge cover for covering a connecting portion between the main body and the lid in the hinge. The periphery of the upper frame is covered with the outer frame and the hinge cover such that the upper end portions of the outer frame and the hinge cover are higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, since the upper frame is not exposed on the appearance surface, the upper frame can be shared.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the cooking appliance according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all these drawings, common parts will be denoted by common reference numerals.

[0010] Figs. 1 to 13 show a rice cooker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Based on these drawings, the overall configuration of the rice cooker 100 in this embodiment will be described. 1 is the main body, which has a substantially rectangular shape with the front and rear, left and right sides facing each other when viewed from above, and the upper part is open. 2 is a lid that opens and closes the upper surface opening of the main body 1. Similar to the main body 1, it has a substantially rectangular shape with the front and rear, left and right sides facing each other when viewed from above, and the upper surface is configured to be substantially flat. The main body 1 has an outer frame 3 that serves as an exterior part and a pot housing portion 4 with an open upper part. When the lid 2 is opened, a bottomed pot 5, which is a container for containing water and rice as the object to be cooked, is detachably accommodated in the pot housing portion 4. The pot housing portion 4 is composed of an upper frame 6 for suspending the pot 5 and a bowl-shaped resin inner frame 7, etc., and is integrally formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape.

[0011] The pot 5 has a main material 8 made of aluminum with good thermal conductivity, and a heating element 9 made of a magnetic metal plate such as ferritic stainless steel is joined from the lower side part to the bottom of the outer surface of the main material 8. Further, on the outer surface of the inner frame 7 facing the bottom surface from the lower part of the side surface of the pot 5, a heating coil 11 is provided as heating means for electromagnetically inductively heating the heating element 9 of the pot 5. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 11, the heating element 9 of the pot 5 generates heat due to the alternating magnetic field generated from the heating coil 11, and is configured to heat the object to be cooked in the pot 5 during rice cooking and during heat preservation. Also, at the center of the bottom of the inner frame 7, a pot sensor 12 as pot temperature detection means is disposed so as to elastically contact the bottom surface of the outer surface of the pot 5.

[0012] On the upper surface of the lid 2, a steam port 14 for discharging steam generated from the object to be cooked in the pot 5 to the outside of the rice cooker 100 is formed. Also, in front of the upper surface of the lid 2, a lid operation body 15 as lid opening means is disposed in an exposed state.

[0013] On the upper surface of the lid 2, in addition to the steam port 14 and the lid operation body 15, a display operation unit 17 is provided. The display operation unit 17 mainly includes a display means 18 composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), etc., for displaying various information related to rice cooking, an operation means 19 composed of a push-type switch, etc., for starting rice cooking or selecting a rice cooking course, and a control PC (Printed Circuit) board 20 on which a control IC (not shown) for controlling each part of these display means 18, operation means 19, and display operation unit 17 is mounted. Also, above the display operation unit 17, an operation panel 21 for protecting these display means 18, operation means 19, and control PC board 20 is arranged.

[0014] The lid body 2 is composed of an outer lid 22 serving as an exterior component and an outer lid cover 23 formed below the outer lid 22. The outer lid cover 23 is provided with a heat dissipation plate 24 made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum anodized. Below the lid body 2, an inner lid assembly 25 serving as a lower member of the lid body 2 is disposed. The inner lid assembly 25 is made of a metal material having a disk shape with substantially the same diameter as the upper opening of the pot 5, and includes an inner lid 26 that covers the upper opening of the pot 5, and a lid packing 27 serving as an elastic member provided on the entire outer circumference of the inner lid 26 to seal the space between the inner lid 26 and the pot 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the annularly formed lid packing 27 abuts against the flange 28 serving as the upper surface portion of the pot 5 and the inner surface of the upper end portion of the pot 5 when the lid is closed with the lid body 2, closing the gap between the pot 5 and the inner lid 26 and sealing the steam generated from the pot 5. The inner lid 26 made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum anodized is disposed outside the heat dissipation plate 24.

[0015] Inside the lid body 2, a lid heater 31 serving as lid heating means for heating the inner lid 26, a thermistor-type lid temperature sensor 32 for controlling the temperature of the inner lid 26 by the lid heater 31, and a pressure regulating section 33 for adjusting the pressure in the space inside the pot 5 are respectively provided. And inside the lid body 2, a steam discharge path 34 that communicates the steam port 14 and the pressure regulating section 33 is formed as a path for discharging the steam generated inside the pot 5 to the outside.

[0016] The pressure regulating section 33 is provided with a pressure regulating valve 35 that opens and closes a steam discharge path 34 between the interior of the pot 5 and the steam port 14. The pressure regulating valve 35 is interlocked with a solenoid 36 provided inside the lid body 2. When discharging the steam in the pot 5 to the outside, the steam discharge path 34 is opened, and when pressurizing or depressurizing the interior of the pot 5, the solenoid 36 moves the pressure regulating valve 35 up and down so as to block the steam discharge path 34. During pressurization, the food to be cooked in the pot 5 is heated by high-frequency energization of the heating coil 11. When the food to be cooked boils and generates steam, and this steam fills the interior of the pot 5 so that the internal pressure of the pot 5 reaches a predetermined value, the spring 37 provided in the pressure regulating valve 35 contracts upward against the elastic force of the spring 37, the pressure regulating valve 35 moves upward to open the steam discharge path 34, and thus the pressure inside the pot 5 is maintained at atmospheric pressure or higher.

[0017] 38 is a unitized heating substrate assembly disposed inside the main body 1 and including heating control means 39. The heating control means 39 is configured to electrically control each part of the rice cooker 100 in combination with the display operation unit 17, and includes a control IC such as a CPU, a memory capable of reading and writing various information and data, a microcomputer (microcontroller) including a timer capable of measuring the time related to cooking rice, etc., and electrically controls each part of the rice cooker 100. Specifically, the heating substrate assembly 38 is connected to the display operation unit 17. The heating control means 39 receives each temperature detection signal from the pot sensor 12 and the lid temperature sensor 32, outputs heating control signals to the heating coil 11 and the lid heater 31 respectively, and outputs a drive control signal to the solenoid 36 that moves the pressure regulating valve 35. Further, 40 is a cooling fan for cooling the heating substrate assembly 38. At a location facing the cooling fan 40 at the bottom of the outer frame 3, an air intake port 50 for the cooling fan 40 to take in outside air is formed.

[0018] Reference numeral 41 denotes a hinge portion which includes a hinge shaft 42 provided at the lower rear portion of the lid body 2 and a hinge spring 43 formed by a coil spring or the like and provided at the upper rear portion of the main body 1. When the lid body operating member 14 provided on the front upper surface of the lid body 2 is pushed, the engagement between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 is released, and the lid body 2 is opened about the hinge shaft 42 by the hinge spring 43.

[0019] Further, a hinge cover 44 is attached to the rear of the hinge portion 41 to cover the connecting portion between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 in the hinge portion 41. The hinge cover 44 is configured to be flush with the outer frame 3 and the outer lid 22. Therefore, the outer frame 3, the outer lid 22, and the hinge cover 44 form the outer shape of the rice cooker 100.

[0020] The hinge shaft 42 pivotally supports the main body 1 and the lid body 2 so that they can be opened and closed freely. The hinge spring 43 is locked to the outer lid cover 23 and constantly biases the lid body 2 in the opening direction. A clamp 45 interlocking with the lid body operating member 14 is disposed substantially on the opposite side of the hinge shaft 42 which is the rotation center of the lid body 2. The clamp 45 is pivotally supported by the outer lid cover 23 by a clamp shaft 46. A clamp receiver 47 (see FIG. 7) that engages with the clamp 45 is provided on the outer frame 3 substantially on the opposite side of the hinge portion 31.

[0021] The clamp 45 provided on the lid body 2 rotates about the clamp shaft 46 as the central axis and engages with the clamp receiver 47 provided on the main body 1. By the engagement between the clamp 45 and the clamp receiver 47, the main body 1 and the lid body 2 are held in the closed state. On the other hand, when the lid body 2 is to be opened, the lid body operating member 15 is pushed to rotate the clamp 45 in the reverse direction and release the engagement between the clamp 45 and the clamp receiver 47.

[0022] 48 is a pressure reducing means for making the inside of the pot 5 lower than the normal atmospheric pressure when the lid 2 is closed on the main body 1. The pressure reducing means 48 accommodates the pot 5 in the pot accommodating portion 4, and after closing the lid 2, energizes the solenoid 36 to move the pressure regulating valve 35 downward, and closes the steam discharge path 34, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the sealed pot 5. When the pressure inside the pot 5 drops below a certain value from the atmospheric pressure, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 49, which is the operation source of the pressure reducing means 48, is stopped, and the inside of the inner pot 1 is kept in a depressurized state. Further, when returning the inside of the pot 5 from the depressurized state to the same pressure as the outside air, the operation of the pressure reducing pump 49 is stopped, and a path (not shown) that communicates between the pressure reducing pump 49 and the inside of the pot 5 is opened. That is, the pressure reducing means 48 also serves as a pressure return means for returning the inside of the pot 5 from the depressurized state to the same pressure as the outside air.

[0023] Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear of the rice cooker 100 with the outer lid 22 removed. In the figure, lid reinforcing plates 51 and 52, which are a pair divided left and right and serve as lid reinforcing means, are arranged on the outer lid cover 23, which is the base material of the lid 2. These lid reinforcing plates 51 and 52 are for reinforcing the strength of the lid 2, and are made of, for example, a metal material having higher rigidity than the synthetic resin outer lid cover 23, and have a linear shape extending in the front-rear direction of the lid 2 along both side surfaces of the outer lid cover 23. Further, the lid reinforcing plates 51 and 52 have a structure fixed to the outer lid cover 35 by fastening members such as screws.

[0024] On the front side of the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52, holes 53 and 54 through which the clamp shaft 46 passes are provided. By passing the respective ends of the clamp shaft 46 through these holes 53 and 54, the clamp shaft 46 is connected to the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52. Therefore, the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52 also function as bearing portions for the clamp shaft 46. Further, on the rear side of the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52, holes 55 and 56 through which the hinge shaft 42 passes are provided. By passing the respective ends of the hinge shaft 42 through these holes 55 and 56, not only the clamp shaft 46 but also the hinge shaft 42 is connected to the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52. The hinge shaft 42 and the clamp shaft 46 are both metal members arranged to extend in the left - right direction of the lid body 2 and thus the rice cooker 100. By the combination of these members and the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52, for example, when the pressure inside the pot 4 becomes above atmospheric pressure or below atmospheric pressure during rice cooking, the lid body 2 can be effectively reinforced against the pressure increase or decrease. Therefore, with the minimum necessary structure of simply connecting the lid reinforcement plates 51 and 52 to the hinge shaft 42 and the clamp shaft 46, it is possible to increase the strength of the lid body 2 and thus the rice cooker 100 as a product, avoid an increase in product size and weight, and improve the adverse effects of cost increase. Also, by using the clamp shaft 46 as a connecting body, effective reinforcement in the clamp 45 is realized with the minimum necessary structure, and by using the hinge shaft 42 as a connecting body, effective reinforcement in the rotation mechanism between the lid body 2 and the main body 1 is realized with the minimum necessary structure.

[0025] 61, 62, 63, and 64 are bosses that accommodate screws 65, 65, 65, 65. The bosses 61, 62, 63, 64 are each in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom surface, and through-holes 61-1, 62-1, 63-1, 64-1 through which the axes of the screws 65 penetrate are formed on the upper surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, on the lower surface of the operation panel 21, cylindrical screw receivers 67, 68, 69, 70 are formed so as to extend downward at positions corresponding to the bosses 61, 62, 63, 64 as fastening portions with the outer lid cover 23. Screw holes into which the screws 65, 65, 65, 65 can be screwed are formed on the lower surfaces of the screw receivers 67, 68, 69, 70. And as shown in FIG. 5, screw receiver insertion portions 72, 73, 74, 75 are formed on the upper surface of the outer lid 22 at positions corresponding to the screw receivers 67, 68, 69, 70. The operation panel 21 is attached to the outer lid 22 by inserting the screw receivers 67, 68, 69, 70 of the operation panel 21 into the screw receiver insertion portions 72, 73, 74, 75 of the lid 22. The outer lid 22 is covered with the outer lid cover 23, and the screws 65, 65, 65, 65 are screwed into the screw receivers 67, 68, 69, 70 through the through-holes 61-1, 62-1, 63-1, 64-1 of the bosses 61, 62, 63, 64. The lid body 2 is assembled by sandwiching the outer lid 22 between the operation panel 21 and the outer lid cover 23.

[0026] Conventionally, the screw receivers have all been formed as through holes like the screw receivers 74 and 75, and the outer surfaces of the screw receivers 67, 68, 69, and 70 of the operation panel 21 were exposed in the internal space of the lid body 2 formed between the outer lid 22 and the outer lid cover 23. Here, a lubricant such as grease is applied to the hinge spring 43 for the purpose of making the operation smooth and suppressing sliding noise. The outer lid 22 and the outer lid cover 23 are made of a material that does not deteriorate even if a lubricant adheres, such as polypropylene (PP) resin, for example. However, when the operation panel 21 is made of a material such as ABS resin, which deteriorates rapidly when a lubricant adheres, when applying to the hinge spring 43 or when the rice cooker is tilted or turned upside down during the appearance inspection of the product, etc., the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 may adhere to the screw receivers 67 and 68 arranged near the hinge portion 41, and the adhered portion may deteriorate and cause solvent cracking. Therefore, in the present embodiment, cylindrical insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 that extend downward are formed in the screw receiver insertion parts 72 and 73 arranged near the hinge part 41, so that the screw receivers 67 and 68 are not exposed in the internal space of the lid body 2. Therefore, the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 act as fastening part covers for the screw receivers 67 and 68.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the inner diameters of the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 are formed to be substantially the same as the outer diameters of the bosses 61 and 62, and when the operation panel 21 is attached to the outer lid 22 and the outer lid 22 is covered with the outer lid cover 23, the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 are formed to extend downward to such an extent that the tips of the bosses 61 and 62 are inserted into the lower ends of the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1. Here, the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 are integrally formed with the outer lid 22 and are made of the same material as the outer lid 22, so they do not deteriorate even if a lubricant adheres. Therefore, the screw receivers 67 and 68 arranged near the hinge part 41 are covered by the insertion part covers 72-1 and 73-1 and the top surfaces of the bosses 61 and 62 and are not exposed in the internal space of the lid body 2, and the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 etc. does not adhere to the screw receivers 67 and 68.

[0028] In this embodiment, the screw receivers 72 and 73, which are at a distance from the hinge portion 41, are formed in through holes and no insertion part cover is provided. However, this is just an example, and a configuration in which an insertion part cover is provided for the screw receivers 72 and 73 may also be adopted.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 with the lid 2 opened, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 as viewed from the rear. As shown in these figures, in this embodiment, the outer side of the upper surface of the upper frame 6 is formed so as to extend while bending upward, and the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6 and the inner peripheral portion of the outer frame 3 are formed in substantially the same shape in a top view, and the upper frame 6 is configured to just fit into the outer frame 3. Further, the periphery of the upper frame 6 is covered with the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44 so that the upper end portions of the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44 are higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6. Therefore, since the upper frame 6 is not exposed on the outer surface of the rice cooker, a common color can be adopted for the upper frame 6, and the upper frame 6 can be made common.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the outer frame 3. In the figure, 81, 81... are rib-shaped upper frame support portions formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the upper frame support portions 81, 81... has a notch 82 formed in the side wall side of the upper outer frame 3. Further, the upper frame 6 is formed with a cylindrical portion 83 extending downward from the outer peripheral portion, and by inserting the upper frame 6 into the outer frame 3 until the lower end edge portion of the cylindrical portion 83 abuts against the lower ends of the respective notches 82, 82... of the upper frame support portions 81, 81..., the lower ends of the notches 82, 82... support the lower end edge portion of the cylindrical portion 83, and the upper frame 6 is fixed in the outer frame 3. In this embodiment, the notch 82 is formed so that the distance from the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 becomes wider as it goes upward, making it easier to insert the cylindrical portion 83 into the notch 82. However, this is just an example.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 9 for description, reference numeral 85 denotes a recess which is a location for attaching the hinge cover 44. The outer frame 3 is formed by, for example, press working or the like. When forming a bottomed cylindrical part such as the outer frame 3 by press working, a notch is required to remove the formed part from the press machine. In the present embodiment, by using this notch as the recess 85, the outer frame 3 can be formed by press working. The recess 85 of the present embodiment has substantially the same shape as a hinge cover main body 44-1 and a positioning portion 95 of the hinge cover 44 described later. When the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1, the hinge cover main body 44-1 and the positioning portion 95 are configured to fit exactly into the recess 85.

[0032] Reference numerals 86 and 87 denote ribs formed in an L shape in a top view on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3. An insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44 described later is inserted into the space between the ribs 86 and 87. Therefore, the space between the ribs 86 and 87 acts as an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44. The ribs 86 and 87 are each composed of a plate-like portion 86-1 and 87-1 extending vertically inward from the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 in a top view, and a plate-like portion 86-2 and 87-2 extending horizontally in the direction of each rib 86 and 87 from the edge portions of the plate-like portions 86-1 and 87-1 in a top view. The width between the plate-like portions 86-1 and 87-1 is provided to be larger than the width of the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44, and the width between the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 and the plate-like portions 86-2 and 87-2 is provided to be larger than the thickness of the insertion portion 94. When the insertion portion 94 is inserted into the space between the ribs 86 and 87, a so-called play is generated to provide a margin between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-like portions 86-2 and 87-2.

[0033] Reference numerals 88, 88 denote insertion receiving portions into which insertion claws 91, 91 of the hinge cover main body 44-1 described later are inserted. The insertion receiving portions 87, 87 are provided on the inner surface of the side wall at the location where both ends of the hinge cover main body 44-1 in the outer frame 3 abut.

[0034] FIG. 11(A) shows a perspective view of the hinge cover 44, and FIG. 11(B) shows a perspective view of the hinge cover 44 as viewed from the rear. Referring to the drawings, the hinge cover 44 is mainly composed of a hinge cover body 44-1, a hinge cover fixing portion 44-2, and a lid cover portion 44-3.

[0035] The hinge cover body 44-1 covers the upper part of the recess 85, and is formed such that when the hinge cover 44 is attached, the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 and the upper end of the outer frame 3 are connected. Therefore, the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 of the hinge cover 44 is higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6, and a part of the periphery of the upper frame 6 is configured to be covered by the hinge cover 44. The hinge cover body 44-1 is configured to have insertion claws 91, 91 provided at both ends, and pressing portions 92, 92 provided so as to vertically extend from the lower end of the hinge cover body 44-1 to the inside of the outer frame 3.

[0036] The insertion claws 91, 91 are inserted into the insertion receiving portions 87, 87 of the outer frame 3 and abut against the inner surface of the side wall when the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1, preventing the hinge cover 44 from spreading outside the outer frame 3, strengthening the connection between the hinge cover 44 and the outer frame 3, and enabling the upper end of the hinge cover body 44-1 and the upper end of the outer frame 3 to be connected. The length by which the insertion claws 91, 91 protrude from the hinge cover body 44-1 is preferably formed smaller than the play length between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-like portions 86-2, 87-2, so that the insertion claws 91, 91 can insert the insertion portion 94 into the space between the ribs 86, 87 without interfering with the outer frame 3.

[0037] The restraining portions 92, 92 are configured to abut against the side edges of the upper frame support portions 81, 81 of the outer frame 3 when the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1, preventing the hinge cover 44 from extending outward beyond the outer frame 3. The restraining portions 92, 92 are preferably formed so as not to contact the upper frame support portions 81, 81 when the insertion portions 94 are inserted into the space between the ribs 86, 87, and to abut against the side edges of the upper frame support portions 81, 81 of the outer frame 3 when the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1. Therefore, the length of the restraining portions 92, 92 in the direction toward the inside of the outer frame 3 is preferably formed to be smaller than the length of the clearance between the insertion portions 94 and the plate-like portions 86-2, 87-2, similar to the insertion claws 91, 91.

[0038] The hinge cover fixing portion 44-2 covers the lower part of the recess 85 and fixes the hinge cover 44 to the main body 1 when the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1, and includes an insertion portion 94 inserted into the space between the ribs 86, 87, a positioning portion 95 provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 94, and bosses 97, 97 for accommodating the screws 96, 96. The insertion portion 94 is formed in a substantially trapezoidal plate shape with a curvature substantially the same as the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 and slightly narrower at the bottom than at the top.

[0039] The positioning portion 95 positions the hinge cover 44 in the outer frame 3 by being fitted into the lower part of the recess 85. The outer shape of the positioning portion 95 is formed to be substantially the same as the contour of the lower part of the recess 85, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in this embodiment. The outer surface of the positioning portion 95 is formed flat with a curvature substantially the same as the outer surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3, and is configured such that when it is fitted into the lower part of the recess 85, the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 protrudes more than the outer surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3. And when the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1, the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 and the outer surface of the outer frame 3 are configured to be flush.

[0040] The bosses 97, 97 are each cylindrical with an open outer surface side of the hinge cover 44, and through holes are formed on the inner surface side of the hinge cover 44 through which the axes of the screws 96, 96 penetrate. Then, by screwing the screws 96, 96 through the bosses 97, 97 into a screw receiving portion (not shown) on the main body 1 side, the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, when the hinge cover 44 is attached to the main body 1, the lid cover portion 44-3 covers the recess 103 (see FIG. 12), which is a notch formed at the rear part of the outer lid 22 so as to be flush with the outer surface of the outer lid 22 of the lid body 2. The lid cover portion 44-3 is configured to have groove portions 104, 104 and a locking portion 105.

[0042] The groove portions 104, 104 are provided corresponding to the positions of the left and right arm portions of the hinge spring 43. When the lid body 2 is opened, the left and right arm portions of the hinge spring 43 enter the groove portions 104, 104, so that the left and right arm portions of the hinge spring 43 do not interfere with the hinge cover 44, acting as so-called escape grooves. The locking portion 105 connects the lid cover portion 44-3 and the lid body 2 by engaging with a receiving portion (not shown) provided on the lid body 2 side, and is provided at the upper center of the back surface of the lid cover portion 44-3.

[0043] Next, the attachment of the hinge cover 44 will be described. First, the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44 is inserted from above into the space between the ribs 86, 87. Here, when the length by which the insertion claws 91, 91 protrude from the hinge cover main body 44-1 and the length of the pressing portions 92, 92 in the inner direction of the outer frame 3 are formed smaller than the play length between the insertion portion 94 and the plate-like portions 86-2, 87-2, the insertion portion 94 can be inserted while sliding on the inner surface of the side wall of the outer frame 3 without the insertion claws 91, 91 or the pressing portions 92, 92 interfering with the outer frame 3.

[0044] When inserted until the lower end of the positioning portion 95 of the hinge cover fixing portion 44-2 abuts against the lower end of the lower portion of the concave portion 85, the positioning portion 95 is fitted into the lower portion of the concave portion 85, and the outer surface of the hinge cover main body 44-1 and the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 protrude from the outer surface of the outer frame 3. Here, until the insertion claws 91, 91 are inserted into the insertion receiving portions 87, 87 of the outer frame 3, the pressing portions 92, 92 are brought into contact with the side edges of the upper frame support portions 81, 81 of the outer frame 3, and the locking portion 105 is engaged with the engaging portion of the lid body 2, when the hinge cover 44 is moved in the direction of the lid body operating body 15 of the rice cooker 100, the outer surface of the positioning portion 95 becomes flush with the outer surface of the outer frame 3, the outer surface of the hinge cover main body 44-1 becomes flush with the outer surface of the outer frame 3, the upper end portion of the hinge cover main body 44-1 is connected to the upper end portion of the outer frame 3, and the lid body cover portion 44-3 becomes flush with the outer surface of the outer lid 22. Then, by inserting screws 96, 96 into the bosses 97, 97 and screwing them into the screw receiving portions on the main body 1 side, the hinge cover 44 is fixed to the main body 1.

[0045] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rice cooker 100 as seen from below. Referring to this figure, 111 is a power supply cord for power supply provided with a power plug that can be inserted into and removed from a household electrical outlet, and 112 is a cover that holds the base end of the power cord 111 and covers the lower part of the air intake port 50.

[0046] The cover 112 is made of a material with a high flame retardancy grade such as 5VA based on, for example, the UL94 standard, and is made of, for example, high flame retardant polypropylene (PP) resin. The cover 112 is configured to have a cord holding portion 112-1 and an air intake portion 112-2 disposed below the air intake port 50. The cord holding portion 112-1 holds the power cord 111 by sandwiching a retainer 111-1 for preventing detachment provided at the base end of the power cord 111 between it and the bottom of the outer frame 3.

[0047] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the dome portion 115. Referring to this figure, the intake portion 112-2 has a dome portion 115 that protrudes downward in a dome shape. The dome portion 115 has a disc-shaped top portion 116, an annular first annular portion 117 formed outside the top portion 116, an annular second annular portion 118 formed outside the first annular portion 117, an annular third annular portion 119 formed outside the second annular portion 118, an annular fourth annular portion 120 formed outside the third annular portion 119, and an annular fifth annular portion 121 formed outside the fourth annular portion 120. Therefore, the dome portion 115 is formed in a circular shape in plan view. Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the dome portion 115 is gently curved from the top portion 116 to the fifth annular portion 121 in a longitudinal sectional view and has no straight portions.

[0048] The top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117, the first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118, the second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119, the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120, and the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121 are each connected by a plurality of connecting pieces 122A, 122B, 122C, 122D, 122E.

[0049] The top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117 are connected by the connecting pieces 122A at four locations. The connecting pieces 122A are arranged at substantially equal intervals (about 90° intervals) on the front side, rear side, left side, and right side with respect to the top portion 116.

[0050] The first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118 are connected by the connecting pieces 122B at eight locations. The connecting pieces 122B include four arranged at positions (front side, rear side, left side, right side) extending in a direction away from the top portion 116 from the connecting pieces 122B connecting the top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117, and four arranged therebetween, which are arranged at substantially equal intervals (about 45° intervals).

[0051] The second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119 are connected by connecting pieces 122C at 10 locations. The connecting pieces 122C include two disposed at positions where the connecting piece 122C connecting the top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117 is extended in directions away from the top portion 116 to the left and right, four on the front side of the two, and four on the rear side, which are disposed at substantially equal intervals (about 36° intervals).

[0052] The third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120 are connected by connecting pieces 122D at 14 locations. The connecting pieces 122D are all disposed at substantially equal intervals (about 25.7° intervals). Also, the connecting pieces 122D do not extend in a direction perpendicular to the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120. That is, when the intake portion 112-2 is viewed from below, the fourth annular portion 120 side is located in the counterclockwise direction around the top portion 116.

[0053] The fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121 are connected by connecting pieces 122E at 16 locations. The connecting pieces 122E are all disposed at equal intervals (about 22.5° intervals). Also, the connecting pieces 122E do not extend in a direction perpendicular to the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121. That is, when the intake portion 112-2 is viewed from below, the fifth annular portion 121 side is located in the counterclockwise direction around the top portion 116.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 13, in a plan view from below the dome portion 115, the connecting pieces 122A, 122B, and 122C extend in a radial direction from the center of the top portion 116. On the other hand, the connecting pieces 122D and 122E extend in a direction different from that of the connecting pieces 122A, 122B, and 122C. This is to efficiently suck air by the cooling fan 40 whose rotation direction is counterclockwise when the rice cooker 100 is viewed from below.

[0055] Four intake holes 123A are formed between the top portion 116 and the first annular portion 117, eight intake holes 123B are formed between the first annular portion 117 and the second annular portion 118, ten intake holes 123C are formed between the second annular portion 118 and the third annular portion 119, fourteen intake holes 123D are formed between the third annular portion 119 and the fourth annular portion 120, and sixteen intake holes 123E are formed between the fourth annular portion 120 and the fifth annular portion 121.

[0056] An intake hole 123F, which is an elongated hole, is formed on the left front side of the dome portion 115. Also, an intake hole 123H, which is an elongated hole, is formed on the right front side of the dome portion 115. Further, an intake hole 123J, which is an elongated hole, is formed on the left rear side of the dome portion 115. Additionally, an intake hole 123L, which is an elongated hole, is formed on the right rear side of the dome portion 115. The intake holes 123F, 123H, 123J, and 123L are formed at the four corners of the intake portion 112-2 and have a substantially arc shape corresponding to the shape of the dome portion 115.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 12, on the bottom of the outer frame 3, four legs for supporting the rice cooker 100, namely, a left front leg 125A, a right front leg 125B, a left rear leg 125C, and a right rear leg 125D, project downward. The left rear leg 125C is disposed at a position on the left side of the intake portion 50, and the right rear leg 125D is disposed at a position on the right side of the intake portion 50.

[0058] The left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D have a substantially frustum shape, and a flat grounding portion that abuts against the placement location for placing the rice cooker is formed at the lowermost end. Note that drain holes for discharging water or the like accumulated in the left front leg 125A, the right front leg 125B, the left rear leg 125C, and the right rear leg 125D may be formed in these grounding portions.

[0059] When the placement surface is flat, the grounding portions of the left front foot 125A, the right front foot 125B, the left rear foot 125C, and the right rear foot 125D contact the placement surface in the state where the rice cooker is placed, and stably support the rice cooker so that it does not tilt. Further, in the state where the rice cooker is placed, the top 116 of the dome portion 115 does not contact the placement surface. That is, the protruding amount of the dome portion 115 is smaller than the protruding amounts of the left front foot 125A, the right front foot 125B, the left rear foot 125C, and the right rear foot 125D. In the present embodiment, the distance between the top 116 and the placement surface is about 1 mm, but this distance can be adjusted as appropriate.

[0060] In the present embodiment, since the cord holding portion 112-1 and the intake portion 112-2 are integrally molded to form the cover 112, the attachment of the holding portion of the power cord 111 and the attachment of the cover of the intake port 50 can be performed with one part, and the cost of these parts and the man-hours required for attachment can be reduced. Further, since not only the cord holding portion 112-1 but also the intake portion 112-2 is made of a material with a high flame retardancy grade, for example, even when an electronic component with heat falls from the heating substrate assembly 38, the intake portion 112-2 does not melt, so that the electronic component is not discharged from the rice cooker 100.

[0061] As described above, the rice cooker 100 of the present embodiment includes a main body 1 with an upper opening having an upper frame 6 for suspending the pot 5, a lid body 2 covering the opening of the main body 1, and a hinge portion 41 as a hinge for connecting the main body 1 and the lid body 2 so as to be openable and closable. The main body 1 has an outer frame 3 serving as an exterior component and a hinge cover 44 covering the connecting portion between the main body 1 and the lid body 2 in the hinge portion 41. The periphery of the upper frame 6 is covered with the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44 so that the upper end portions of the outer frame 3 and the hinge cover 44 are higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame 6.

[0062] By configuring in this way, since the upper frame 6 is not exposed on the appearance surface of the rice cooker 100, a common color can be adopted for the upper frame 6, and the upper frame 6 can be made common.

[0063] In addition, the outer frame 3 of the present embodiment is configured to have a space between the ribs 86 and 87 as an insertion port for inserting the insertion portion 94 of the hinge cover 44. By inserting the hinge cover 44 into the space between the ribs 86 and 87, the alignment of the hinge cover 44 can be easily performed, and the assemblability of the rice cooker 100 is improved.

[0064] In addition, in the rice cooker 100 of the present embodiment, on the bottom surface of the main body 1, a power cord 111 for supplying power to the rice cooker 100 and an intake portion 112-2 that the cooling fan 40, which is a blowing means for blowing air into the main body 1, sucks in are provided. A cord holding portion 112-1 as a cord retainer for holding the base end portion of the power cord 111 and the intake portion 112-2 are integrally formed as a cover 112. Therefore, the attachment of the holding portion of the power cord 111 and the attachment of the cover of the intake port 50 can be performed with one part, and the cost of these parts and the man-hours required for attachment can be reduced.

[0065] In addition, in the rice cooker 100 of the present embodiment, the lid body 2 has an outer lid 22 that is an exterior part and an outer lid cover 23 that forms the lower part of the outer lid 22. An operation panel 21 as a substantially plate-shaped panel portion is provided on the upper surface, which is at least one outer surface of the outer lid 22. The operation panel 21 has screw receiving portions 67 and 68 as fastening portions for fastening to the outer lid cover 23, and the outer lid 22 is configured to have insertion portion covers 72-1 and 73-1 as fastening portion covers formed around the screw receiving portions 67 and 68. Therefore, the screw receiving portions 67 and 68 can be configured not to be exposed to the internal space of the lid body 2, and the lubricant applied to the hinge spring 43 and the like does not adhere to the screw receiving portions 67 and 68.

[0066] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, the numerical values and the like exemplified in the embodiment are merely examples, and may be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the rice cooker 100 and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Main body 2 Lid body 3 Outer frame 5 Pot 6 Upper frame 21 Operation panel (panel section) 22 Outer lid 23 Outer lid cover 40 Cooling fan 41 Hinge part (hinge) 44 Hinge cover 67, 68 Screw receiving part (fastening part) 72-1, 73-1 Insertion part cover (fastening part cover) 111 Power cord 112-1 Cord holding part 112-2 Air intake part 100 Rice cooker

Claims

1. A main body with an upper frame for suspending a pot and having an open upper part, A lid for covering the opening of the main body, A hinge for connecting the main body and the lid so as to be openable and closable, and comprising: The main body An outer frame serving as an exterior part, A hinge cover for covering a connecting portion between the main body and the lid in the hinge, and having: A rice cooker characterized in that the periphery of the upper frame is covered by the outer frame and the hinge cover such that the upper end portions of the outer frame and the hinge cover are higher than the outer peripheral portion of the upper frame.

2. The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer frame has an insertion port for inserting the hinge cover.

3. On the bottom surface of the main body, a power cord for power supply and an intake portion for intake by a blowing means for blowing air into the main body are provided, The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that a cord retainer for holding a base end portion of the power cord and the intake portion are integrally formed.

4. The lid has an outer lid serving as an exterior part and an outer lid cover formed below the outer lid, At least one outer surface of the outer lid is provided with a substantially plate-shaped panel portion, The panel portion has a fastening portion for fastening to the outer lid cover, The rice cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer lid has a fastening portion cover formed around the fastening portion.

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