Automatic rice milling, rice washing and cooking machine

Abstract

To provide an automatic rice milling, rice washing and cooking machine which can obtain sufficient cooling effect of grains after rice milling and also reduce manufacturing cost.SOLUTION: An automatic rice milling, rice washing and cooking machine comprises: a rice milling device B which mills grains; a rice washing device D which washes the grains; a rice cooking device E which cooks the grains; and a controller C which controls the devices. The controller C is constructed to be capable of executing, in the rice milling process of the rice milling device B, one mode selected by a user among a plurality of modes having different control volume, and include, in the rice washing process, cooling processing where finished rice milled by the rice milling device B stands for standby time in a rice washing tank of the rice washing device for heat release. The cooling processing is constituted to determine the standby time on the basis of the one mode selected by the user and configure the standby time to be longer as grain milling degree of the finished rice becomes higher.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic rice polishing, washing and cooking machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice cookers that automatically polish, wash, and cook brown rice input by a user have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice cooker that fully automatically performs processes from husking to stone removal, polishing, washing, soaking, and cooking. This automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice cooker is configured with a rice-polishing unit that includes a rice-hulling shed as a means for storing rice grains, a rice huller as a means for husking that delivers rice grains from the rice shed and husks them, a stone-removing machine as a means for removing stones and separating brown rice from pebbles, and a rice-polishing machine as a means for polishing the brown rice, a cooling unit that cools and weighs the polished white rice, a rice-washing unit that washes the white rice, a soaking unit that soaks the washed white rice, a rice-cooking unit that stores the soaked rice and cooks it, and a control unit that controls each of the above units.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that enables rice to be washed without losing its sweetness by using a cooling unit that cools and weighs polished white rice and then supplies the cooled white rice to a rice washing unit. This cooling unit is composed of a spiral hollow pipe through which the white rice flows, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with a refrigerant that cools the hollow pipe, and a box-shaped measuring case that stores the white rice that has flowed down the hollow pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-171288 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the cooling unit described in Patent Document 1 may not be able to provide a sufficient cooling effect when grains pass through the hollow pipe that cools them with force or when the flow rate of the passing grains is high. Also, providing a cooling unit increases the manufacturing cost of the automatic rice milling, washing, and cooking machine.

[0006] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide an automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice-cooking machine that can achieve a sufficient cooling effect on polished rice grains and also reduce manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is: An automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice cooker includes a rice polishing device that polishes grains, a rice washing device that washes the grains polished by the rice polishing device, and a rice cooking device that cooks the grains washed by the rice washing device, and further includes a control device that controls these devices. The control device is configured to be able to execute one mode selected by a user from a plurality of modes with different control amounts in the rice milling process by the rice milling device, and further In the rice washing process by the rice washing device, a cooling process is provided in which the finished rice milled by the rice milling device is left in the rice washing tank of the rice washing device for a waiting time to release heat, The automatic rice-polishing, washing, and cooking machine is characterized in that the cooling process is configured to determine the waiting time based on one mode selected by the user in the rice polishing process, and is configured to set the waiting time longer as the degree of polishing of the finished rice increases.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the higher the degree of polishing of the finished rice, the longer the waiting time for the grains to be left to cool is set, thereby achieving a sufficient cooling effect for the polished grains, and furthermore, by leaving the grains in the rice washing tank for a waiting time to dissipate heat, the grains can be cooled without the need for a dedicated device for cooling. This makes it possible to provide an automatic polishing-rice-washing rice cooker that can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0009] The second invention has the same configuration as the first invention, but also: In the rice washing process by the rice washing device, a rinsing process for rinsing the finished rice is provided, The rinsing process is characterized in that the rinsing time is set longer as the degree of polishing of the finished rice increases.

[0010] According to the second invention, in addition to the effects of the first invention, By taking into account the degree of polishing of the finished rice, the optimum rinsing time can be set according to the degree of bran adhesion to the grains.

[0011] The third invention, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, The plurality of modes include at least a mode in which the finish is polished rice and a mode in which the finish is polished rice, In the rice polishing step, when the user selects a mode for finishing with white rice, the rinsing time is set to be shorter than when the user selects a mode for finishing with partially milled rice.

[0012] According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the second aspect of the present invention, In the case of partially milled rice, the bran layer can be prevented from being removed by rinsing, making it possible to make the most of the characteristics of partially milled rice when cooked. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, an automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice-cooking machine can be provided that can achieve a sufficient cooling effect on polished rice grains and further reduce manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic rice milling, washing, and cooking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the conveying device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the rice polishing device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line γ-γ of FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a schematic right side view of the rice washing device and the rice cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rice washing device of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the input / output relationship of the control device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a process diagram showing a series of steps from washing rice to cooking rice using the automatic rice washing and cooking device shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the transport step in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main part around the second operation panel in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a list of control amounts of each mechanism in each mode that can be selected and executed in the rice polishing process of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the rice washing step in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a list summarizing the relationship between the cooling process and rinsing process in FIG. 12 and the mode selected in the rice polishing step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] <1. Overall configuration of the automatic rice polishing, washing and cooking machine> An embodiment specifically constructed based on the above technical concept will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, "polishing" refers to polishing grains to whiten them, and "rice milling" refers to the process of turning brown rice into white rice by polishing. "Rice re-milling" refers to the process of further polishing white rice that has already been polished. "Polishing degree" refers to the degree to which grains are polished, and The degree of polishing indicates the percentage of the weight of the grain that has been removed by polishing, and therefore, generally, the higher the degree of polishing, the higher the grain whiteness (a numerical value that indicates the degree of whiteness of the rice). In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, "grain" refers to a group of grains.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of an automatic rice milling, washing, and cooking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the automatic rice polishing, washing, and cooking machine 1 receives grains to be polished (mainly brown rice, but also white rice) from a user and includes a conveying device A that conveys the grains that have been fed in, a rice polishing device B that polishes the grains conveyed by the conveying device A, a rice washing device D that washes the grains polished by the rice polishing device B, and a rice cooking device E that cooks the grains washed by the rice washing device D, as well as a control device C that controls these devices. Each component will be explained in turn below.

[0017] <2. Structure of the conveying device> FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the conveying device of FIG. As shown in Figure 2, the conveying device A has a conveying hose a3 extending upward from the upper surface of the rear part, and the end of the conveying hose a3 is connected to the rice milling device B. The conveying device A is equipped with an input hopper a1 that receives the grains to be processed. Below the input hopper a1, a delivery valve a2, which is an example of a measuring member, is arranged. The delivery valve a2 is a rotating member provided with a space that can accommodate a predetermined amount of grains, and has a known configuration. The delivery valve a2 is rotated by the drive of a delivery valve motor m1, and is driven and controlled by a control device C, which will be described later (see Figure 7). The predetermined amount of grains measured out by the delivery valve a2 and sent downward are sent to the rice milling device B through the delivery hose a3 by a blower a4, which is an example of a conveying member.

[0018] Furthermore, a remaining amount detection sensor s1 is disposed inside the input hopper a1 as an example of a remaining amount detection member, detecting the amount of grain remaining in the input hopper a1. A grain imaging camera s2 is also disposed inside the input hopper a1 to capture images of the grains in the input hopper a1. The grain imaging camera s2 is a camera capable of acquiring image information including color, and is configured, for example, by a CCD camera. A first operation panel P1 equipped with operation buttons and the like and configured to accept operations from the user is also provided on the front panel of the conveying device A. Information acquired from the remaining amount detection sensor s1, the grain imaging camera s2, and the first operation panel P1 is transmitted to a control device C, which will be described later. The control device C is configured to start a conveying process, which will be described later, upon receiving a predetermined operation on the first operation panel P1. Furthermore, the amount of grain to be conveyed (kg) in the conveying process, i.e., the amount of grain to be measured by the feed valve a2 and sent downward, can be set by a predetermined setting operation.

[0019] The input hopper a1 and the blower a4 are connected by a dust suction hose a5, so that when the blower a4 sends conveying air to the conveying hose a3, the dust inside the input hopper a1 is simultaneously sucked in by the dust suction hose a5 and sent to the conveying hose a3, thereby making it possible to remove dust inside the input hopper a1.

[0020] <3. Rice milling equipment configuration> Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the internal structure of the rice milling device B of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a γ-γ line cross-sectional view of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 5, the rice milling device B is equipped with a grain tank b1 that stores grains transported from a transport hose a3, and a polishing chamber b2 that polishes the grains, and a rotary valve b3 is disposed in a supply path b8 that connects the grain tank b1 and the polishing chamber b2.

[0021] This rotary valve b3 is configured to rotate to deliver a predetermined amount of grains stored in the grain tank b1 to the polishing chamber 9. Therefore, the amount of grains supplied to the polishing chamber b2 per unit time is determined according to the rotation speed of the rotary valve b3. The polishing valve motor m2 that rotates the rotary valve b3 is controlled by a control device C, which will be described later. As a result, the control device C can control the amount of grains supplied (per unit time) to the polishing chamber b2 by controlling the polishing valve motor m2.

[0022] The polishing chamber b2 has a rotary shaft b4 inside that is rotated by a roll rotation motor m3. On this rotary shaft b4, there are provided, in order from the upstream side in the grain conveying direction F1, a transport roll b5 that transports the grains that have been dropped from the rotary valve b3 and sends them to the polishing chamber b2, and a polishing roll b7 that stirs and polishes the brown rice in the polishing chamber b2.

[0023] The transport roll b5 is provided with a screw thread, so that when the rotary shaft b4 rotates, the grains are transported along the longitudinal direction of the shaft and sent out from the supply path b8 into the polishing chamber b2. The speed at which the grains are transported by the transport roll b5 is sufficiently faster than the speed at which the grains are supplied by the rotary valve b3.

[0024] Furthermore, within the polishing chamber b2, a rice polishing screen b9, whose plate surface is formed with mesh-like slits, is disposed so as to surround the polishing roll b7. As shown in FIG. 4, this rice polishing screen b9 is formed with a substantially circular cross section. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rice polishing screen b9 has dimensions of, for example, a width W1 of 100 mm (millimeters), a height W2 of 120 mm (millimeters), and a depth of 400 mm (millimeters). The polishing chamber b2 in this embodiment is in an inclined position, with the supply side at the upper position and the outflow side at the lower position.

[0025] The polishing roll b7 has stirring blades b71 for stirring the grains, which protrude from the circumferential surface along the longitudinal direction of the polishing roll b7. The arrow F2 in FIG. 6 indicates the rotation direction of the polishing roll b7. The rotation speed of the polishing roll b7 can be controlled by a control device C (described later) that drives and controls the roll rotation motor m3. That is, the control device C controls the number of rotations per unit time (1 minute) (min-1) of the polishing roll b7, i.e., the rotation speed (rpm), by controlling the roll rotation motor m3. Note that as the number of rotations per unit time (min-1) of the polishing roll b7, i.e., the rotation speed (rpm), increases, the linear speed of the grains in the polishing chamber b2 also increases. As a result, the polishing speed of the grains (the speed at which they are polished) also increases.

[0026] In this way, when the polishing roll b7 rotates, the grains in the rice polishing screen b9 in the polishing chamber b2 are stirred and move straight, interfering with the plate surface of the rice polishing screen b9 and being polished (polished) by friction between the grains.

[0027] An outlet b11, which is an opening through which polished rice flows out, is provided at the bottom of the polishing chamber b2. A pressure plate b12 is disposed over the outlet b11 so as to cover it and is biased toward the polishing chamber b2. The pressure plate b12 is fixed to one end of a pressure arm b14, which is rotatable about a pressure support shaft b13, and the other end of the pressure arm b14 is biased by an elastic spring b15. The pressing force of the elastic spring b15 is adjusted by the position of a pressure adjustment head b16, which advances and retreats as a result of the drive of a pressure adjustment motor m4. The pressure adjustment motor M3 is driven and controlled by a control device C, which will be described later. As a result, the control device C can control the pressure of the pressure plate b12.

[0028] Here, the polished grains in the polishing chamber b2 flow out from the outlet b11 against the negative force of the pressure plate b12, pass through the grain slider b17, which is a supply path that descends downward, and are supplied to the rice washing device D. Therefore, the greater the pressure of the pressure plate b12, the higher the pressure inside the polishing chamber b2 and the higher the degree of polishing. Conversely, the smaller the pressure of the pressure plate b12, the lower the pressure inside the polishing chamber b2 and the lower the degree of polishing.

[0029] A bran removal fan b18 is provided below the polishing chamber b2 to suck up the bran generated in the polishing chamber b2, and is configured to appropriately suck and remove the bran generated during the rice polishing process by driving the bran removal fan b18. The fan motor m5 that drives the bran removal fan b18 is controlled by the control device C.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the whitening roll b7 is provided with a pair of stirring blades b71, b71 for stirring the grains and a plurality of alignment claws b72, b72, b72, ... for aligning the grains during stirring, on the peripheral surface of the roll body which has an approximately cylindrical shape.

[0031] The stirring blades b71 are formed in a feather-like shape protruding from the circumferential surface along the longitudinal direction of the polishing roll b7, and are capable of stirring the grains br within the rice polishing screen b9 as the polishing roll b7 rotates. Each alignment claw b72 is formed with a contact wall surface that rises substantially vertically from the circumferential surface of the roll body along the longitudinal direction of the polishing roll b7, and an inclined surface that slopes in a gentle arc from the top of the contact wall surface. As a result, when the polishing roll b7 rotates, each contact wall surface comes into contact with the grains br to assist stirring and align them (i.e., align the grains br so that their longitudinal direction is substantially the same as the direction of travel of the grains br), thereby homogenizing the density of the grains br within the rice polishing screen b9 and aligning them well. Furthermore, because the inclined surface of the alignment claw b72 is inclined in a gentle arc, it is possible to prevent damage to the grains even when it comes into contact with them. Furthermore, if the alignment claws b9 are not provided, the grains around the stirring blade b71 tend to become dense, and when the grains become dense, they cannot move and tend to become disorganized. As a result, the germ at the tip of the grain br comes into contact with the rice-polishing screen b9 and is easily scraped off.

[0032] <4. Right side view of the rice washing device and rice cooking device> FIG. 5 is a schematic right side view of the rice washing device D and the rice cooking device E shown in FIG. The rice washing device D is equipped with a rice storage section D1 that stores and weighs the (polished) grains received from the rice polishing device D, and a rice washing section D2 that is attached below the rice storage section D1 and has a rice washing tank d21 that washes the grains. Furthermore, below the rice washing section D2 is provided a rice cooking device E that has a rice cooking pot e7 for cooking the grains washed in the rice washing tank d21, and a frame e2 that supports these. The rice cooking device E will be described later. In Figure 5, the front is indicated by "F3" and an arrow.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rice washing device D of FIG. As shown in Figure 6, the rice storage section 1 is equipped with a rice storage tank d11 that stores grains, a weighing device d12 that weighs the grains stored in the rice storage tank d11 and drops them into the rice washing tank d21, a flat floor panel d13 that is installed approximately horizontally at the bottom of the rice storage shed 2, and an opening / closing door P3 that is installed at the front of the rice storage shed 2. A second operation panel P2 is arranged on the opening / closing door P3 (in front of the rice storage section D1).

[0034] In this embodiment, the lower end of the measuring device d12 extends to a position above or below the lower surface of the floor panel d13, and the floor panel d13 is formed with a rice-dropping opening d15 configured to match the shape (approximately rectangular) of the lower part of the measuring device d12. That is, the measuring device d12 is inserted into the rice-dropping opening d15, and as a result, rice can be dropped into the rice-washing tank d21 through the rice-dropping opening d15.

[0035] On the other hand, the rice washing section D2 includes a rice washing tank d21, an overflow pipe d22 that allows the upper part of the rice washing tank d21 to be drained, a drain box d23 connected to the lower end of the overflow pipe d22, a jacket drain pipe d24 connected to the rice washing tank d21 and the drain box d23, and a drain hose d25 connected to the drain box d23.

[0036] A drain valve d26 that can be opened and closed under the control of the control device C is provided inside the drain box d23, and a drain port that is an opening for draining water is provided at the bottom end of the drain valve d26. The drain valve d26 is configured to open and close by driving a drain solenoid m8.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the rice washing tank d21 is fixed with its upper end in contact with the underside of the floor panel d13, and in this embodiment, the floor panel d13 is located slightly above the lower end of the rice storage section D1.

[0038] The rice washing tank d21 is provided with a jacket portion d27 at its bottom, and is configured so that when the drain valve d26 is opened, the water stored in the rice washing tank d21 is drained to the outside through the jacket portion d27, the jacket drain pipe d24, and a drain hose d25 connected to the drain outlet of the drain box d23, as shown by the two-dot chain line with an arrow in Fig. 6. An opening provided on the bottom surface of the jacket portion d27 of the rice washing tank d21 can be opened and closed by a rice discharge valve d28.

[0039] The water supply pipe d14 for supplying water to the rice washing tank d21 is connected to a water supply source (not shown) and is disposed in the lower space within the rice storage section D1. It is configured to supply water to an upper water supply pipe d16 disposed above the rice washing tank d21 and a lower water supply pipe d17 extending along the side of the rice washing tank d21. A flow rate sensor s3 is provided on the water supply pipe d14, and an upper solenoid valve d18 and a lower solenoid valve d19 are provided on the upper water supply pipe d16 and the lower water supply pipe d17, respectively, which are controlled to open and close in response to the measurement value of the flow rate sensor s3. A shower nozzle d20 is provided at the lower end of the upper water supply pipe d16, which can spray water from above into the rice washing tank d21. The lower water supply pipe d17 is a flexible hose, and its lower end is connected to the side of the jacket section d27, allowing water to be supplied to the interior of the rice washing tank d21 from below. In addition, a water level sensor s4 that detects the amount of water in the rice washing tank d21 is provided on the top of the rice washing tank d21.

[0040] The basic operation of the rice washing process by the rice washing unit D2 is as follows: first, the drain valve d26 shown in FIG. 6 is closed, the lower electromagnetic valve d19 is opened, and water is supplied into the rice washing tank d21 from the lower water supply pipe d17.

[0041] As a result, when the water level sensor s4 detects that the level of the water supplied to the rice washing tank d21 is at a predetermined level, the control device C closes the lower solenoid valve d19 to stop the water supply from the lower water supply pipe d17, rotates the stirring rod d29 by the rice washing motor m6 for a predetermined time, and then opens the drain valve d26 to drain the water from the rice washing tank d21.

[0042] In addition, when dropping washed rice grains and water into the rice cooking device E, the control device C slides the rice discharge shaft d31 attached to the top of the rice discharge valve d28 downward by driving the rice discharge motor m7, causing the rice discharge valve d28 to descend, and the grains and water are dropped into the rice cooking device E (rice cooker e7) through the opening on the underside of the jacket portion d27.

[0043] The rice cooking device E is equipped with a kettle heating burner e6 and a rice cooking kettle e7 mounted above it. The center of the lid e8 of the rice cooking kettle e7 can be opened and closed by an automatic opening / closing means e9 driven by a rice cooking kettle opening / closing motor m9, and when rice and water are dropped from the rice washing tank d21, the center of the lid e8 is opened by the automatic opening / closing means e9, and after the rice (grains) and water have been dropped, the automatic opening / closing means e9 closes the center of the lid e8.

[0044] <5. Configuration of control device C> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the input / output relationship of the control device C shown in FIG. The control device C is connected to each device of the automatic rice polishing, washing, and cooking machine (conveying device A, rice polishing device B, rice washing device D, rice cooking device E) and functions to control each device. The control device C is an information processing device that is equipped with a CPU that performs arithmetic processing and memory that can read and write information necessary for the arithmetic processing, and the CPU operates in accordance with various control programs stored in the memory to perform the processing necessary for executing each step described below.

[0045] The input side of the control device C is connected to a remaining amount detection sensor s1, a grain imaging camera s2, a first operation panel P1, a second operation panel P2, a flow rate sensor s3, and a water level sensor s4, from which various information can be obtained.

[0046] The output side of the control device C is connected to the feed valve motor m1, blower a4, rice polishing valve motor m2, roll rotation motor m3, pressure adjustment motor m4, fan motor m5, rice washing motor m6, rice discharge motor m7, upper solenoid valve d18, lower solenoid valve d19, drain valve solenoid m8, rice cooker opening / closing motor m9, and kettle heating burner e6, and each device can be controlled by outputting signals containing control commands to these.

[0047] <6. A series of processes from washing rice to cooking rice> FIG. 8 is a process diagram showing a series of steps from washing rice to cooking rice using the automatic rice washing and cooking device shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 8, the automatic rice washing and cooking device 1 is configured to be able to execute a series of processes, including a transport process (step #1) for transporting input grains, a rice polishing process (step #2) for polishing the grains, a rice washing process (step #3) for washing the grains, and a rice cooking process (step #4) for cooking the grains. Each process will be described in detail below.

[0048] <7. Transportation process> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the transport step in FIG. The control device C starts the conveying process when it receives a predetermined operation for starting processing via the first operation panel P1. In the conveying process, the control device C starts the blower a4 and weighs the grains that have been put into the input hopper a1 while acquiring the detection result of the remaining amount detection sensor s1 at predetermined time intervals (step #11). When the amount of grains in the input hopper a1 is greater than a predetermined amount, the control device C performs normal operation by continuously driving the feed valve a2 and blower a4 (step #12). On the other hand, when the amount of grains in the input hopper a1 falls below the predetermined amount, the control device C performs intermittent operation by intermittently driving the feed valve a2 and blower a4 (step #13). This reduces the loss of conveying capacity that occurs when air backflows from the blower a4 due to a decrease in grains in the input hopper a1, and prevents dust from being scattered by the backflowing air. When the remaining amount of grains is exhausted or the amount of conveyed grains reaches a set amount (step #14), the conveying process ends. Subsequently, the rice polishing process starts.

[0049] <8.Rice polishing process> FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the main part around the second operation panel in FIG. The control device C controls the rice milling device B to mill the grains during the rice milling process, and is configured to be able to select and execute multiple modes with different control amounts for each mechanism (specifically, mainly the rice milling valve motor m2, roll rotation motor m3, and pressure adjustment motor m4). When the rice milling process is being carried out, the control device C executes the mode selected by the user by operating the switches (SW1 to SW8) on the second operation panel P2 shown in Fig. 10. Note that Fig. 10 shows a portion of the second operation panel P2, and in addition to the switches (SW1 to SW8) shown in Fig. 10, the second operation panel P2 also has a monitor and switches that can display various information. Furthermore, switch SW9 is a switch for returning the grains without milling them.

[0050] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a list of the control variables of each mechanism in each selectable mode in the rice milling process of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 lists the classification (course), mode, corresponding button, supply amount (kg / hr), pressure (MPa), and rotation speed (rpm). "Classification (course)" is the major classification of each mode. "Mode" indicates the name of the selectable mode, and "Corresponding button" indicates the correspondence between the switches (SW1 to SW8) on the second operation panel P2 and the mode executed by operating the switch. For example, operating switch SW1 selects and executes the standard mode. "Supply amount (kg / hr)" indicates the grain supply amount (kg) per unit time (1 h) of the rotary valve b3 when each mode is selected. "Pressure (MPa)" indicates the pressure of the pressure plate b12 when each mode is selected (in other words, the force pressing toward the polishing chamber b2). "Rotation speed (rpm)" indicates the rotation speed of the polishing roll b7.

[0051] In the figure, X (kg / hr), P (MPa), and R (min-1) are set values ​​according to the scale of the rice milling apparatus B, and are set as control variables that serve as the basis for the rice milling process. These set values ​​are set in advance by the user or manufacturer before the rice milling process. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, these set values ​​are set to, for example, X = 380, P = 1, and R = 900. These set values ​​mean that the control variables are controlled so that the grain supply rate per hour of the rotary valve b3 is 380 kg, the pressure of the pressure plate b12 is 1 MPa, and the rotation speed of the milling roll b7 is 900 min-1. In the figure, the preferred set values ​​for each mode are listed, with the set values ​​for the "standard" mode used as the reference.

[0052] Standard mode, upper white mode, and germ protection (white rice) mode are modes in which the rice is polished to white. Furthermore, standard mode is a control mode in which the control amounts that serve as the standard for normal rice polishing are set, and rice polishing is performed using the grain supply amount X, pressure P, and rotation speed R of rotary valve b3. In upper white mode, the pressure (P) is increased by about 20% compared to normal mode. This allows for a higher degree of polishing in the final polishing.

[0053] In the germ protection (white rice) mode, the grain supply amount (X) is reduced by approximately 20% compared to the standard mode. The pressure (P) is also increased by approximately 0-20%, and the rotation speed (R) is increased by approximately 10%. By reducing the grain supply amount (X) by approximately 20%, the density of the grains br in the polishing chamber b2 is reduced (the packing rate is lowered), and the longitudinal direction of the grains br is more likely to be aligned in the direction of travel (along the polishing roll b7). As a result, the desired polishing degree is achieved through contact of the sides of the grains br with the polishing screen b9 and friction between the grains, while preventing the tips of the grains br, where the germs are present, from coming into contact with the polishing screen b9 or with each other and being scraped off. This enables rice polishing without removing the germs. In addition, it reduces friction between grains, preventing the removal of the germ, and evenly removes the grain surface, preserving the flavor layer of the finished rice and resulting in a good taste. In addition, by increasing the rotation speed R by approximately 10%, the peripheral speed of the polishing roll b7 is increased relative to the speed of the grains br moving through the polishing chamber b2, allowing the stirring blades b71 and alignment claws b72 to act on the grains br, aligning them and increasing their ability to move in a straight line. As a result, the removal of the germ is more effectively prevented.

[0054] The 8-minute mode, 5-minute mode, and germ protection (brown rice) mode are modes for partially polished rice. Therefore, compared to the standard mode, the pressure (P) is reduced by approximately 20% in the 8-minute mode, and by approximately 40% in the 5-minute mode, thereby reducing the degree of polishing. In addition, in the germ protection (brown rice) mode, the grain supply amount (X) is reduced by approximately 20%, preventing the tips of the grains (br) containing the germ from coming into contact with the polishing screen (b9) or with each other and being scraped off, while preserving the flavor layer of the polished rice and achieving a good taste. Furthermore, to achieve partially polished rice, the pressure (P) is reduced by approximately 20-40%. In addition, by increasing the rotation speed (R) by approximately 10%, the above-mentioned effects align the grains, increasing their linearity and preventing the removal of the germ, enabling a polishing process.

[0055] In the no-rinse mode, the grain supply amount is reduced by about 20% and the pressure (P) is increased by about 40% compared to the standard mode. This increases the degree of polishing and enables the rice to be finished as no-rinse rice.

[0056] The re-milling mode is a mode for milling brown rice (i.e., white rice) that has already been milled. Since the surface of white rice oxidizes over time after milling, and the flavor deteriorates, milling the rice again in this re-milling mode can improve the deterioration of flavor.

[0057] Therefore, in the re-milling mode, the pressure (P) is reduced by about 30% compared to the standard mode. This prevents the breakage of polished rice that has become brittle over time. In addition, it prevents the surface of the polished rice from being over-polished. Furthermore, the rotation speed (R) is configured to be increased by about 10%. By increasing the rotation speed (R) by about 10%, the straightness of the grains br is increased, thereby reducing the time the polished rice spends in the polishing chamber b2, thereby reducing the load on the polished rice and effectively preventing the rice from breaking. Furthermore, at this time, reducing the pressure P of the pressure plate b12 also makes it easier for the grains to flow out of the polishing chamber b2, and the synergistic effect of these two factors reduces the time the polished rice spends in the polishing chamber b2.

[0058] As described above, one of the above modes is selected by the user, and the rice milled by the rice milling device B passes through the grain slider b17 and is supplied to the rice washing device D, where the subsequent rice washing process begins.

[0059] <9.Rice washing process> Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing of the rice washing process in Fig. 8. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a table summarizing the relationship between the cooling process and rinsing process in Fig. 12 and the modes selected in the rice milling process. As shown in Fig. 12, under the control of the control device C, in the rice washing process, a cooling process (step #21) for cooling the grains, a rinsing process (step #22) for rinsing the grains, an agitation and washing process (step #23) for agitating and washing the grains, a soaking process (step #24) for soaking the grains, a water adjustment process (step #25) for adjusting the amount of water when supplying the grains to the rice cooker E, and a dropping process (step #26) for dropping the grains into the rice cooker E are executed in this order. Each process will be explained below.

[0060] The cooling process is a process for cooling the grains that have been warmed by the rice milling. More specifically, the grains (finished rice) that have been milled and supplied to the rice storage section D1 (rice storage tank d11) are dropped into the rice washing tank d21 by the measuring device d12, and then left in the rice washing tank d21 for a predetermined waiting time to dissipate heat and cool. This allows the rice to be washed without losing its sweetness. Here, as shown in Figure 13, the waiting time for the grains to be left in the cooling process is determined according to the mode selected in the rice washing process.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 13, the cooling time in standard mode is 30 minutes (min). Generally, the higher the degree of polishing of the grains polished by rice polishing device B (finished rice), the higher the temperature after polishing due to friction during polishing, so it is preferable to set a longer standby time. Therefore, in this embodiment, as an example, the standby time in standard mode is 30 minutes (min), while the standby time in upper white mode, which polishes the finished rice to a higher degree than standard mode, is set to 40 minutes (min). Based on the same logic, the standby time in 5-minute mode is set to 10 minutes (min), and the standby time in 8-minute mode, which polishes the finished rice to a higher degree, is set to 20 minutes (min). In this way, a sufficient cooling effect can be achieved by setting the standby time longer the higher the degree of polishing of the finished rice polished by rice polishing device B, and shorter the standby time the lower the degree of polishing. That is, for example, as the degree of polishing of the finished rice of rice polishing device B increases from brown rice, three-quarters polished rice, five-quarters polished rice, seven-quarters polished rice, to white rice (in other words, as control device C controls rice polishing device B with a control amount that increases the degree of polishing of the finished rice), the waiting time can be set longer, such as 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or 30 minutes, thereby achieving an optimal cooling effect.

[0062] On the other hand, in the germ protection (white rice) mode, in order to prevent the sweetness from leaking out of the umami layer of the finished rice during washing, for example, the time is set to 40 minutes (min), which is longer than the standard mode. By the same logic, in the germ protection (brown rice) mode, for example, the time is set to 30 minutes (min), which is longer than the 5-minute mode and 8-minute mode. Also, in the no-wash rice mode, in order to finish the rice as no-wash rice, the pressure of the pressure plate b12 is increased, which causes the temperature of the grains to rise, so 40 minutes (min), which is longer than the standard mode, is set. In the re-milling mode, the pressure of the pressure plate b12 is set lower than in the standard mode, and the temperature of the grains is less likely to rise, so in consideration of the speed of processing, 0 minutes (min) is set (no waiting time).

[0063] In the above example, the length of the waiting time is determined according to the degree of polishing, but the waiting time may also be determined according to the pressure of the pressure plate b12 in the rice polishing process. That is, the higher the pressure of the pressure plate b12, the more likely the temperature of the finished rice grains will rise, so the waiting time is set longer, and the lower the pressure of the pressure plate b12, the shorter the waiting time is set. As described above, with a configuration in which the polished rice grains are cooled by leaving them in the rice washing tank d21, it is possible to reduce production costs while obtaining a sufficient cooling effect by determining the waiting time based on the mode selected for the rice polishing process.

[0064] Next, in the rinsing process (step #22), the number of rinses is determined according to the mode selected in the rice washing process. In this embodiment, rinsing is performed for approximately three minutes (min) by spraying water into the rice washing tank d21 from the shower nozzle d20 at the tip of the upper water supply pipe d16. After filling the rice washing tank d21 with water, the drain valve d26 is opened to drain the water, completing one rinse. The length of one rinse may be changed or adjusted depending on the size of the rice washing tank d21, etc.

[0065] In this embodiment, the number of rinses determined based on the mode selection for the rice milling process is, as shown in FIG. 13 , two for the standard mode and upper white mode, three for the germ protection (white rice) mode, one for the 8-minute mode and 5-minute mode, two for the germ protection (brown rice) mode, and zero for the no-rinse mode and re-milling mode. Here, the number of rinses (rinse time) is set to be less (shorter) when the rice is polished to partially milled rice than when polished rice is polished (standard mode and upper white mode). This prevents the bran layer from being removed by rinsing when polished rice is used, enabling the rice to be cooked to its full potential. In particular, in this embodiment, when polished rice is used, the rinsing time is set to be approximately half that when polished rice is used. This allows for a quick rinsing process while ensuring a cooked rice that takes advantage of the properties of partially milled rice.

[0066] Furthermore, when polished rice is used as the finishing product, the number of rinses (rinse time) is set to be greater (longer) in the germ protection (white rice) mode than in the standard mode and the upper white mode. As a result, in the germ protection (white rice) mode, since a large amount of bran tends to adhere to the grains in order to leave the germ intact, the excess bran can be washed away. By the same logic, when polished rice is used as the finishing product, the number of rinses (rinse time) is set to be greater (longer) in the germ protection (brown rice) mode than in the 8-minute mode and the 5-minute mode. Note that in the rice polishing process, the higher the polishing degree of polished rice used by the rice polishing device B, the more likely bran will adhere to the grains, so the number of rinses (rinse time) may be set to be greater (longer); and the lower the polishing degree, the less likely bran will adhere to the grains, so the number of rinses (rinse time) may be set to be shorter (shorter). As a result, by taking into account the polishing degree of the polished rice, the optimal rinse time can be set according to the degree of bran adhesion to the grains.

[0067] Next, in the stirring and washing process (step #23), the control device C controls the drain valve d26, opens the lower solenoid valve d19, and supplies water from the lower water supply pipe d17 into the rice washing tank d21. When the water level sensor s4 detects that the level of water supplied to the rice washing tank s21 has reached a predetermined level, the control device C closes the lower solenoid valve d19 to stop the water supply from the lower water supply pipe d17, and rotates the stirring rod d29 by the rice washing motor m6 for a predetermined time, then opens the drain valve d23 and drains the water from the rice washing tank d21.

[0068] Next, in the soaking process (step #24), with the drain valve d26 opened by the drain valve solenoid d50, water is intermittently sprayed from the shower nozzle d20, and the rice is soaked for the soaking time set on the second operation panel P2.

[0069] Next, in the water addition process (step #25), a predetermined amount of water is supplied from the lower water supply pipe d17 into the rice washing tank d21 based on the water addition and cooking method set on the second operation panel P2 under the control of the control device C. Next, in the dropping process (step #26), grains and water are dropped into the rice cooking pot e7 of the rice cooking device E.

[0070] Returning to Figure 8, the rice cooking process (step #4) following the rice washing process (step #3) will not be described in detail as it is a publicly known technique, but after the kettle heating burner e6 is ignited, the rice is cooked according to the cooking method set on the second operation panel P2.

[0071] <10.Other> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept.

[0072] The efficiency setting for the germ protection (white rice) mode may be set to three stages: fast, normal, and slow, and the rotation speed of the whitening roll b7 may be adjustable in stages. The control device C may be configured to analyze the image captured by the grain imaging camera s2 in the input hopper a1, determine the appropriate mode for the input grains in the rice milling process, and display a warning on a predetermined display unit if the user selects an inappropriate mode with switches SW1 to SW8 (for example, if the image analysis determines that the whiteness of the grains is above a certain level and the re-milling mode is appropriate, and another mode is selected). [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 Automatic rice polishing and washing machine A Conveyor device a1 Feeding hopper a2 Feeding valve a3 conveying hose a4 blower a5 dust suction hose B Rice polishing equipment b1 Grain tank b2 Polishing room b3 rotary valve b4 Rotation axis b5 Transport roll b7 White Roll b8 Supply route b12 pressure plate C Control device D Rice washing device D1 Rice storage department d11 Rice storage tank d12 measuring instrument d13 floor panel D2 Rice washing department d16 Upper water supply pipe d17 Lower water supply pipe d18 Upper solenoid valve d19 Lower solenoid valve d21 Rice washing tank d22 overflow pipe d27 Jacket section d29 stirring rod d31 rice removal shaft E Rice Cooker

Claims

1. An automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice cooker includes a rice polishing device that polishes grains, a rice washing device that washes the grains polished by the rice polishing device, and a rice cooking device that cooks the grains washed by the rice washing device, and further includes a control device that controls these devices. The control device is configured to be able to execute one mode selected by a user from a plurality of modes with different control amounts in the rice milling process by the rice milling device, and further In the rice washing process by the rice washing device, a cooling process is provided in which the finished rice milled by the rice milling device is left in the rice washing tank of the rice washing device for a waiting time to release heat, The automatic rice-polishing, washing, and cooking machine is characterized in that the cooling process is configured to determine the waiting time based on one mode selected by the user in the rice polishing process, and is configured to set the waiting time longer the higher the degree of polishing of the finished rice.

2. In the rice washing process by the rice washing device, a rinsing process for rinsing the finished rice is provided, 2. The automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice-cooking machine according to claim 1, wherein the rinsing process is configured to set a longer rinsing time as the polishing degree of the finished rice increases.

3. The plurality of modes include at least a mode in which the finish is polished rice and a mode in which the finish is polished rice, The automatic rice-polishing, rice-washing, and rice-cooking machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, when a user selects a mode in which the rice is polished to white rice in the polishing process, the rinsing time is set to be shorter than when a mode in which the rice is polished to partially polished rice is selected.

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