Rice cooker

Abstract

To provide a rice cooker capable of determining whether or not a pot in which rice is put at the time of cooking has been taken care of after the cooking.SOLUTION: A rice cooker 1 includes: a housing 3; a pot 2 that can be stored in the housing 3 and can be removed from the housing; a supply part 500 for supplying rice and water inside the pot 2 stored in the housing 3; a heating part 81 for heating the pot 2 stored in the housing 3; an estimation part for outputting estimation information for estimating that there is no more material to be cooked inside the pot 2; and a control part 20 for executing a rice cooking process in which the supply part 500 is controlled to supply rice and water inside the pot 2, and the heating part 81 is controlled to heat the pot 2. When it is estimated that there is no more material to be cooked inside the pot 2 after the previous rice cooking process is finished on the basis of the acquired estimation information, the control part 20 executes the next rice cooking process, and when it is not estimated that there is no more material to be cooked inside the pot 2 after the previous rice cooking process is finished, the control part does not execute the next rice cooking process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A conventional rice cooker is a fully automatic rice cooker that integrates the processes of storing, washing, and cooking rice. A conventional rice cooker includes a storage section for storing rice, a rice washing space for washing the rice, and a rice cooking section (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

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

[0004] Conventional rice cookers are equipped with a mechanism for transferring rice from a storage unit to a rice cooking unit. It is also conceivable to equip conventional rice cookers with a mechanism for supplying water to the rice cooking unit. This allows rice and water to be supplied to the rice cooking unit without visually inspecting the inside of the rice cooking unit.

[0005] In this case, the following problem occurs: In a rice cooker that can supply rice and water to the rice cooking section, there is a risk that rice and water will be supplied to the rice cooking section for the next cooking session and rice cooking will begin while rice remains in the rice cooking section after cooking. Rice cooked in this way may have a lower taste than rice cooked when rice and water are supplied to an empty rice cooking section.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a rice cooker that can prevent cooked rice from having a lower taste than desired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. A rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: The housing and a pan that can be housed in and removed from the housing; a supply unit that supplies rice and water into the pot housed in the housing; a heating unit that heats the pot housed in the housing; an estimation unit that outputs estimation information for estimating that the food in the pot has run out; a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply rice and water into the pot and then controls the heating unit to heat the pot, thereby executing a rice cooking process; The control unit If it is estimated based on the acquired estimation information that the rice in the pot has run out since the end of the previous rice cooking process, the control unit executes the next rice cooking process in a normal operation that is predetermined to be executed when the control unit receives an instruction to start the rice cooking process, If it is not estimated based on the acquired estimation information that the rice in the pot has run out since the previous rice cooking process was completed, the next rice cooking process is not performed, or the next rice cooking process is performed by an operation different from the normal operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent cooked rice having a taste lower than desired. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rice cooker with the lid of the housing open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main part of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker as viewed in the direction VI-VI in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker as seen in the direction VII-VII in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rice cooker with the lid of the rice container open. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a rice cooker 1. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a pot attachment / detachment detection process. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a pan detection process. [Figure 16] 4 is a graph showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) in pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature-raising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process. [Figure 17] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a remaining amount detection process. [Figure 19] 4 is a graph showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) in pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature-raising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process. [Figure 20] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a boiling process. [Figure 22] 4 is a graph showing a schematic diagram of the relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) in pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature-raising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: The housing and a pan that can be housed in and removed from the housing; a supply unit that supplies rice and water into the pot housed in the housing; a heating unit that heats the pot housed in the housing; an estimation unit that outputs estimation information for estimating that the food in the pot has run out; a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply rice and water into the pot and then controls the heating unit to heat the pot, thereby executing a rice cooking process; The control unit If it is estimated based on the acquired estimation information that the rice in the pot has run out since the end of the previous rice cooking process, the control unit executes the next rice cooking process in a normal operation that is predetermined to be executed when the control unit receives an instruction to start the rice cooking process, If it is not estimated based on the acquired estimation information that the rice in the pot has run out since the previous rice cooking process was completed, the next rice cooking process is not performed, or the next rice cooking process is performed by an operation different from the normal operation.

[0011] According to this configuration, it is possible to estimate that the rice in the pot has run out based on the estimation information.

[0012] If it is not estimated that the rice in the pot has run out, the control unit will not execute the next cooking process. This prevents rice and water from being supplied to the pot for the next cooking step and the rice cooking process from starting when there is still rice in the pot. As a result, it is possible to prevent the rice from having a lower taste than desired.

[0013] Furthermore, if it is not estimated that the rice in the pot has run out, the control unit will execute the next cooking process in a manner different from the normal operation. This allows the control unit to change the operation of the rice cooking process even if rice and water have been supplied to the pot for the next cooking process while there is still rice in the pot. This makes it possible to prevent rice from being cooked with a lower taste than desired.

[0014] The rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a memory unit. The estimation unit may include a storage detection unit that detects whether the pot is stored in the housing. The control unit may store detachment information in the memory unit when the storage detection unit detects that the pot is not stored in the housing and then detects that the pot is stored in the housing. When the control unit receives an instruction to start the rice cooking process, if the detachment information is stored in the memory unit, the control unit may start the rice cooking process, but may not start the rice cooking process if the detachment information is not stored in the memory unit.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the pot was removed from the housing after the rice cooking process and then placed back into the housing based on the detection results of the storage detection unit. If the pot was temporarily removed from the housing, it can be determined that the food inside the pot has been removed. On the other hand, if the pot has not been removed from the housing, it can be determined that the food inside the pot has not been removed. If it is determined that the food inside the pot has not been removed, the rice cooking process will not be started, thereby reducing the possibility of cooking rice in a pot from which the food inside has not been removed.

[0016] The rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a non-storage timing unit that counts the time that the pot is not stored in the housing. If the time counted by the non-storage timing unit is longer than a preset time, the control unit may store the detachment information in the memory unit, and if the time counted by the non-storage timing unit is shorter than the preset time, the control unit may not store the detachment information in the memory unit.

[0017] For example, if the pot is removed from the housing for only a short time, it is unlikely that the cooked rice in the pot has been removed. With this configuration, if the pot is removed from the housing for only a short time, it can be determined that the cooked rice in the pot has not been removed.

[0018] The estimation unit may include a remaining amount detection unit that detects whether there is more food in the pot than a preset amount. Furthermore, when the control unit receives an instruction to start the rice cooking process, if the remaining amount detection unit does not detect that there is more food in the pot than the set amount, the control unit may start the rice cooking process, or if the remaining amount detection unit detects that there is more food in the pot than the set amount, the control unit may not start the rice cooking process.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether there is more food in the pot than the set amount based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection unit. If there is more food in the pot than the set amount, the rice cooking process will not start, reducing the possibility of cooking rice in a pot with food in it.

[0020] The remaining amount detection unit may be an infrared sensor that irradiates infrared rays into the pot and receives reflected light of the infrared rays. The control unit may determine whether there is more rice in the pot than the set amount based on the intensity of the reflected light that is received by the infrared sensor.

[0021] The remaining amount detection unit may be an ultrasonic sensor that transmits ultrasonic waves into the pot and receives reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves. The control unit may determine whether there is more rice in the pot than the set amount based on the time between when the ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic waves and when it receives reflected waves.

[0022] The rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include an alarm unit. When the control unit determines not to start the rice cooking process, the control unit may control the alarm unit to issue information indicating that the rice cooking process will not be started.

[0023] This configuration allows the user to be notified that there is cooked rice remaining in the pot after cooking rice.

[0024] The rice cooking process may include a temperature-raising process in which the heating unit heats the pot to raise the temperature inside the pot. Furthermore, a rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a temperature-raising timing unit that counts the time from the start of the temperature-raising process. Furthermore, the estimation unit may include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bottom of the pot. Furthermore, if the time counted by the temperature-raising timing unit until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the temperature-raising process reaches a predetermined set temperature is longer than a predetermined temperature-raising time, the control unit may reduce the heating intensity of the heating unit in processes after the temperature-raising process.

[0025] If new rice and water are added to the pot while there is still food left in it, there will be more rice and water than expected. If the rice cooking process is performed in this state, it will take longer than usual for the temperature at the bottom of the pot to reach the set temperature. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to determine whether there are more rice and water than expected in the pot by checking whether the time counted by the temperature rise timer is longer than the temperature rise time.

[0026] Furthermore, if the rice cooking process is performed when there is more rice and water than expected in the pot, there is a risk that the rice and water in the pot will overflow due to the water boiling, etc. With this configuration, when the rice cooking process is performed in this state, the heating intensity of the heating unit is weakened, thereby reducing the overflow of rice and water in the pot.

[0027] The rice cooking process may include a temperature-raising process in which the heating unit heats the pot to raise the temperature inside the pot. Furthermore, a rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a lid that covers the opening of the pot, a pressure valve that opens and closes a hole connecting the inside of the pot to the lid, and a temperature-raising timer that counts the time from the start of the temperature-raising process. Furthermore, the estimation unit may include a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the bottom of the pot. If the time counted by the temperature-raising timer until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the temperature-raising process reaches a predetermined set temperature is longer than a predetermined temperature-raising time, the control unit may control the pressure valve in a process after the temperature-raising process to keep the pressure valve open.

[0028] In a pressure rice cooker equipped with a pressure valve, the pressure inside the pot can be made higher than atmospheric pressure by closing the pressure valve. Opening the pressure valve in this state instantly reduces the pressure inside the pot to atmospheric pressure. At this time, explosive boiling occurs inside the pot. However, if new rice and water are added to the pot without removing the rice from the pot, a larger amount of rice and water than expected will remain in the pot. If the pressure valve is closed during the rice cooking process in this state, the rice and water in the pot may overflow due to the explosive boiling. With this configuration, when the rice cooking process is performed in this state, the pressure valve remains open, preventing the explosive boiling. This reduces the overflow of rice and water from the pot.

[0029] The control unit may determine the heating intensity of the heating unit in the next heating process based on the time counted by the heating timing unit until the temperature detected by the temperature sensor in the heating process reaches a predetermined set temperature.

[0030] When a large number of rice cookers are manufactured, there is a risk that the time it takes for the temperature in the pot to reach the set temperature during the heating process will vary from one rice cooker to another. With this configuration, if the time is long, the heating intensity of the heating unit during the next heating process can be increased. Also, if the time is short, the heating intensity of the heating unit during the next heating process can be decreased. By changing the heating intensity of the heating unit in this way, the variation in time between rice cookers can be corrected.

[0031] The rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a rice container that contains rice. The supply unit may supply rice contained in the rice container into the pot.

[0032] According to this configuration, rice is stored in the rice container provided in the rice cooker, so there is no need to provide a rice container separate from the rice cooker.

[0033] The rice cooker according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a water container for containing water. The supply unit may supply rice contained in the water container into the pot.

[0034] With this configuration, water is stored in the water container provided in the rice cooker, so no construction work for water supply and drainage is required when installing the rice cooker.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this specification, a first embodiment, a second embodiment, and a third embodiment will be described. Each of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment is an aspect of the present invention and is merely an example of the present invention. First, the configuration common to each embodiment will be described. Next, each embodiment will be described. Note that each embodiment does not necessarily have to have all of the common configurations. In other words, each embodiment only needs to have at least the configuration necessary to perform the rice cooking process in each embodiment among the common configurations.

[0036] <Configuration common to all embodiments> Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a rice cooker according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rice cooker with the lid of the housing open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the rice cooker of Fig. 1. In Figs. 3 and 4, some of the components of the rice cooker have been removed to show the internal structure of the rice cooker. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rice cooker of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker taken along the VI-VI direction of Fig. 5.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the rice cooker 1 comprises a cylindrical pot 2 with a bottom, a housing 3 that houses the pot 2, an upper frame 4, a lower frame 5, a hinge portion 6 arranged above the upper frame 4, a lid 7, a heating unit 8, and a control unit 20 that controls the operation of the entire rice cooker 1.

[0038] Pot 2 shown in Figure 4 can be removed from housing 3. As shown in Figure 6, housing 3 is arranged to face the outer circumferential surface of pot 2 with a gap therebetween. Upper frame 4, control unit 20, etc. are arranged in this gap.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the upper frame 4 forms the upper part of the housing 3. The upper frame 4 is provided so as to cover the space between the housing 3 and the pot 2 in a plan view. In other words, the upper frame 4 has an insertion opening 41 in the center in a plan view, through which the pot 2 is inserted. The pot 2 can be inserted into the insertion opening 41 from above, thereby storing the pot 2 in the housing 3 (see Figure 2). The pot 2 stored in the housing 3 can be removed upward through the insertion opening 41, thereby removing the pot 2 from the housing 3.

[0040] The lower frame 5 forms the lower part of the housing 3 .

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper frame 4 and the lower frame 5 protrude in the width direction relative to the remaining portions of the housing 3. The width direction is the left-right direction when the rice cooker 1 is viewed from the front. An opening is formed in the protruding portion of the upper frame 4, into which the rice container 100 (described later) is inserted. The protruding portion of the lower frame 5 supports the rice container 100 (described later).

[0042] 2 and 6, the cover 7 is attached to the hinge portion 6. The cover 7 is rotatable around the hinge portion 6. The cover 7 is supported by the housing 3 so as to be rotatable.

[0043] The lid 7 is rotatable between a pot-opening position shown in FIG. 2 and a pot-closing position shown in FIGS.

[0044] As the lid 7 rotates, the pivoting tip 7A of the lid 7 moves toward and away from the upper frame 4 of the housing 3. In other words, the lid 7 covers the opening 2A of the pot 2 (see Figure 2) in an openable and closable manner. The hinge portion 6 is located at the rear of the rice cooker 1. Therefore, the pivoting tip 7A of the lid 7 is located at the front of the rice cooker 1. As a result, when the lid 7 rotates to the pot-open position, the front of the rice cooker 1 opens (see Figure 2). This allows the user to easily access the pot 2 and serve rice.

[0045] 2, when lid 7 is in the pot-opening position, pivot tip 7A of lid 7 is separated from upper frame 4 of housing 3. At this time, lid 7 exposes pot 2 upward.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, when the lid body 7 is in the pot closing position, the pivoting tip portion 7A of the lid body 7 is supported by the upper frame 4 of the housing 3. At this time, the lid body 7 covers the opening 2A of the pot 2 (see Figure 2) from above. As shown in Figure 2, the lid body 7 has an engaging portion 71, and the upper frame 4 of the housing 3 has an engaged portion 42. When the lid body 7 is in the pot closing position shown in Figures 1 and 6, the engaging portion 71 and the engaged portion 42 engage with each other. This prevents the lid body 7 from unintentionally separating from the upper frame 4 of the housing 3.

[0047] 6, rice cooker 1 includes a heating unit 8. Heating unit 8 includes a heating section 81 that heats pot 2 housed in housing 3, and a holding section 82 that holds heating section 81.

[0048] The heating unit 81 is, for example, an induction heating (IH) type heating device. An induction heating (IH) type heating device includes a heating coil. An induction heating (IH) type heating device generates eddy currents in the metal pot 2 due to a high-frequency magnetic field that is generated when a high-frequency current is passed through the heating coil. This heats the pot 2. The heating unit 81 is located below the pot 2. In this embodiment, the heating unit 81 covers the underside of the pot 2 and the lower part of the outer surface of the pot 2.

[0049] The holding unit 82 comprises an overheat protection frame 821 and a protective frame cover 822. The overheat protection frame 821 covers the underside of the pot 2 from below and the outer surface of the pot 2 from the side. The lower part of the overheat protection frame 821 is located between the pot 2 and the heating unit 81. The protective frame cover 822 covers the underside of the pot 2 from below and the side of the pot 2 from the side. The protective frame cover 822 covers the heating unit 81 from below and the side. The protective frame cover 822 and the overheat protection frame 821 hold the heating unit 81 in a sandwiched manner.

[0050] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is a pressure rice cooker that cooks rice by pressurizing the pot 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the rice cooker as viewed in the direction VII-VII of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, a pressure valve 15 is provided inside the lid 7. The pressure valve 15 operates under the control of the control unit 20 to open and close a hole 14 that connects the pot 2 to the lid 7. The inside of the lid 7 is connected to the outside of the rice cooker 1. In other words, when the pressure valve 15 opens the hole 14, the inside of the pot 2 is connected to the outside of the rice cooker 1. On the other hand, when the pressure valve 15 closes the hole 14, the inside of the pot 2 is isolated from the outside of the rice cooker 1, and the inside of the pot 2 is sealed. When the water in the pot 2 boils in this state, the inside of the pot 2 is pressurized.

[0051] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is an automatic rice cooker that automatically transfers rice and water to the pot 2 to cook the rice. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rice cooker 1 is provided with a rice container 100 for storing rice, a water container 300 for storing water, and a supply unit 500 for supplying rice and water into the pot 2 contained in the housing 3, within the housing 3. The supply unit 500 is provided with a rice feeding unit 200 that feeds rice contained in the rice container 100 into the pot 2, and a water feeding unit 400 that feeds water contained in the water container 300 into the pot 2.

[0052] According to this embodiment, rice is stored in the rice container 100 provided in the rice cooker 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the rice container 100 separately from the rice cooker 1.

[0053] According to this embodiment, water is stored in the water container 300 provided in the rice cooker 1. Therefore, when installing the rice cooker 1, no construction work for water supply and drainage is required.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 1, the rice container 100 is supported by a lower frame 5 of a housing 3. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the rice container 100 includes a container body 110, a cylindrical portion 120, an outer cover 140, and a lid 150.

[0055] The container body 110 has a box shape that is open upward. Rice is stored in the internal space 111 of the container body 110 (see FIG. 4).

[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the container body 110 has an inclined side surface 112A at the lower part of the rear inner surface 112. When viewed in the width direction of the rice cooker 1, the inclined side surface 112A is inclined so that the length of the container body 110 in the front-to-rear direction gradually decreases downward. The front-to-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the front surface 3A of the housing 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) and extends vertically on the paper surface of FIG. 5. The width direction is a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and the up-to-down direction and extends horizontally on the paper surface of FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the inclined side surface 112A constituting the lower part of the rear inner surface 112 of the rice container 100 is inclined, while the front inner surface 113 of the container body 110 (see FIG. 4) facing the rear inner surface 112 is not inclined.

[0057] The inclined side surface 112A may be formed not only on the lower part of the rear inner side surface 112 but also on the rest of the rear inner side surface 112. For example, the inclined side surface 112A may be formed from the upper end to the lower end of the rear inner side surface 112. The front inner side surface 113 of the container body 110 may be inclined, or both the rear inner side surface 112 and the front inner side surface 113 of the container body 110 may be inclined. Rice supplied to the internal space 111 of the container body 110 slides down the inclined side surface 112A and collects downward.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the tubular portion 120 forms the upper portion of the rice container 100. The tubular portion 120 extends upward from the upper end of the container body 110. In other words, the tubular portion 120 extends in the vertical direction. The tubular portion 120 is open on both the bottom and top. The internal space of the tubular portion 120 communicates with the internal space 111 of the container body 110 through the opening on the bottom of the tubular portion 120. The internal space of the tubular portion 120 communicates with the outside through an inlet 121, which is an opening on the top of the tubular portion 120. Rice is supplied from the inlet 121 through the internal space of the tubular portion 120 to the internal space 111 of the container body 110.

[0059] The tubular portion 120 and the container body 110 are integrally formed. The integrally formed tubular portion 120 and container body 110 are inserted into an opening formed in a protruding portion of the upper frame 4. As a result, the container body 110 is positioned below the upper frame 4, and the tubular portion 120 is positioned above the upper frame 4. Therefore, the insertion port 121 of the tubular portion 120 is positioned above the upper frame 4 of the housing 3. In addition, the insertion port 121 of the tubular portion 120 is positioned above the pot 2 inserted into the insertion port 41 of the upper frame 4. Note that the tubular portion 120, the container body 110, and the upper frame 4 may be integrally formed.

[0060] Due to the above-described configuration, the upper frame 4 protrudes from the lower end of the outer surface of the side wall 122 of the tubular portion 120 to the outside of the tubular portion 120 in a plan view.

[0061] The outer cover 140 shown in Fig. 1 covers the sides of the container body 110 (see Fig. 3). This prevents the container body 110 from being exposed to the outside. On the other hand, the outer cover 140 is located below the tubular portion 120 and does not cover the tubular portion 120.

[0062] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rice cooker with the lid of the rice container open. As shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the lid 150 is attached to a hinge 160. As shown in Figs. 3 and 9, the hinge 160 is located behind the tube 120. In other words, the hinge 160 is located at the rear of the rice cooker 1. The hinge 160 is supported by the container body 110. The lid 150 can rotate around the hinge 160.

[0063] The lid 150 is rotatable between an inlet open position shown in FIG. 9 and an inlet closed position shown in FIG.

[0064] The lid 150 has a box shape that is open downward. The internal space of the lid 150 is larger than the cylindrical portion 120 and can accommodate the cylindrical portion 120.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, when the lid body 150 is in the inlet blocking position, the lid body 150 covers the inlet 121 and side wall 122 of the tubular portion 120 from above, and accommodates the tubular portion 120. At this time, the lid body 150 blocks the inlet 121. Also, at this time, the inner surface 150A (see FIG. 9) of the lid body 150 faces the side wall 122 of the tubular portion 120, and the inner top surface of the lid body 150 faces the inlet 121 of the tubular portion 120. The lower end portion 150B of the lid body 150 in the inlet blocking position contacts the upper surface of the upper frame 4 from above. As a result, the lid body 150 in the inlet blocking position is supported by the upper frame 4.

[0066] 9, when the lid body 150 is in the insertion opening position, the lower end portion 150B of the lid body 150 is separated from the upper frame 4, except for the rear portion connected to the hinge portion 160. At this time, the lid body 150 exposes the tubular portion 120 to the outside, and opens the insertion opening 121.

[0067] 4, the rice sending unit 200 includes a rice measuring unit 210 and a rice sending path 220. The rice measuring unit 210 measures the amount of rice supplied from the rice container 100 and sends the specified amount of rice to the rice sending path 220. The rice sending path 220 is a path for transporting the rice supplied from the rice measuring unit 210 to the pot 2.

[0068] The rice measuring unit 210 includes a housing 211 with a built-in measuring blade and a motor 212.

[0069] The metering blade is provided in the internal space of the housing 211 and is formed in a spiral shape around an axis extending in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the metering blade extends in the front-to-rear direction. The outer periphery of the metering blade is covered by the housing 211.

[0070] Motor 212 rotates the metering vane around its axis under the control of control unit 20 (see FIG. 6). The driving force of motor 212 is transmitted to the metering vane via a shaft (not shown).

[0071] The housing 211 has a rice container outlet. The rice container outlet is a forward-facing opening formed in the housing 211. The interior space of the housing 211 communicates with the interior space 111 of the container body 110 of the rice container 100 via the rice container outlet. The axis of the metering blade intersects with the rice container outlet.

[0072] The rice container 100 includes a rice-transferring blade. The rice-transferring blade is located at the bottom of the internal space 111 of the container body 110. The rice-transferring blade is spirally shaped around an axis. The axis of the rice-transferring blade intersects with the rice-container outlet. The rice-transferring blade rotates when a driving force is transmitted from a motor. As a result, rice contained in the internal space 111 of the container body 110 is supplied to the internal space of the housing 211 through the rice-container outlet. In other words, rice is supplied from the rice container 100 to the rice measuring section 210. The axis of the rice-transferring blade may or may not be coaxial with the metering blade. The rice-transferring blade may receive driving force from the motor 212, as with the metering blade, or may receive driving force from a motor different from the motor 212.

[0073] The housing 211 has a rice feed channel inlet. The rice feed channel inlet is a downward opening formed in the housing 211. The internal space of the housing 211 communicates with the rice feed channel 220 via the rice feed channel inlet.

[0074] The rice weighing unit 210 is equipped with an opening / closing lid that opens and closes the entrance to the rice conveying channel. The opening / closing lid can be opened and closed by known means. For example, the opening / closing lid may be opened and closed by the transmission of driving force from a motor under the control of the control unit 20 (see FIG. 6). Also, for example, the opening / closing lid may be opened and closed by displacement of a cam mechanism in response to the rotation of the metering blade.

[0075] The metering blade rotates around its axis to transport the rice stored in the internal space of the housing 211 along the axial direction toward the rice sending path inlet. At this time, the opening / closing cover is opened and the rice sending path inlet is opened. Therefore, the rice transported by the metering blade is supplied to the rice sending path 220 through the rice sending path inlet.

[0076] In this way, the metering blade can measure the rice while moving it in the axial direction (horizontal direction). The rice supplied to the rice feed path 220 is measured, for example, based on the rotation amount or rotation time of the metering blade. In this embodiment, the rice is transported horizontally, but the direction of movement of the rice is not limited to the horizontal direction. For example, if the axial direction of the metering blade is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the metering blade can also transport the rice in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0077] The rice sending path 220 is piped from below the rice measuring unit 210, facing upward at the rear of the rice cooker 1, to above the upper frame 4 of the housing 3, and then runs in a substantially horizontal direction above the upper frame 4 to above the pot 2. One end of the rice sending path 220 is connected to the rice sending path inlet of the housing 211 of the rice measuring unit 210. The other end of the rice sending path 220 is connected to the rice separating device 170.

[0078] The rice separator 170 is disposed above the pot 2. The rice separator 170 is in communication with the rice feed path 220 and the exhaust path 180 at its sides. The rice separator 170 is also in communication with the interior of the pot 2 at its bottom. The rice separator 170 is equipped with a rice feed fan. The rice feed fan is an intake fan that sucks in air from the rice feed path 220, thereby transferring the rice and air in the rice feed path 220 to the rice separator 170. The air sucked from the rice feed path 220 into the rice separator 170 proceeds to the exhaust path 180. The rice sucked from the rice feed path 220 into the rice separator 170 falls into the pot 2 due to its own weight and does not proceed to the exhaust path 180. As a result, the rice and air sucked from the rice feed path 220 into the rice separator 170 are separated in the rice separator 170. The air separated in the rice separator 170 is discharged to the outside of the rice cooker 1 through the exhaust path 180. The rice separated in the rice separator 170 is discharged into the pot 2. Because the structure of the rice separator 170 for separating rice from air is well known, further detailed description of the internal structure of the rice separator 170 will be omitted here.

[0079] 3, the water container 300 is provided inside the housing 3. The water container 300 has an internal space. The internal space of the water container 300 contains water.

[0080] The water container 300 is located at the lower front part of the housing 3. The water container 300 is supported by the lower frame 5 of the housing 3. In other words, the water container 300 is located above the lower frame 5.

[0081] 4 and 6, the water container 300 is located below the pot 2 and the heating unit 8. In a plan view, the water container 300 overlaps with the pot 2 and the heating unit 8. In this embodiment, in a plan view, a portion of the water container 300 overlaps with the pot 2 and the heating unit 8, but the entire water container 300 may overlap with the pot 2 and the heating unit 8.

[0082] The water container 300 is located beside the rice container 100. In other words, the rice container 100 is located away from the water container 300 in a plan view.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 3 has an opening / closing door 31. The opening / closing door 31 is provided at the bottom of the front surface 3A of the housing 3. When the opening / closing door 31 is opened, a water container 300 (see FIG. 3) arranged inside the housing 3 is exposed to the outside. The water container 300 is removably stored inside the housing 3. To replenish water, the user can remove the exposed water container 300 by pulling it forward.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply unit 400 includes a water supply channel 410 for transporting water from the water container 300 to the pot 2, and a water supply pump 420 for moving the water.

[0085] Water supply channel 410 is piped from the bottom of water container 300, facing upward toward the rear of rice cooker 1, to above upper frame 4 of housing 3, and then runs substantially horizontally above upper frame 4 to above pot 2. One end of water supply channel 410 communicates with water supply channel inlet 310, which is formed in the bottom of the side wall of water container 300. The interior space of water container 300 communicates with water supply channel 410 via water supply channel inlet 310. The other end of water supply channel 410 communicates with the interior of pot 2.

[0086] Water pump 420 is, for example, a gear pump, tubing pump, or other pump that can control the direction of water supply. When water pump 420 is driven, water contained in water container 300 is supplied to the inside of pot 2 via water supply channel 410. The amount of water supplied to the inside of pot 2 is measured based on, for example, the operating time of water pump 420.

[0087] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the rice cooker of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 10, the rice cooker 1 is provided with a reinforcing member 9.

[0088] The reinforcing member 9 is located below the heating unit 8 and above the lower frame 5. In other words, the reinforcing member 9 is located between the heating unit 8 and the lower frame 5 in the up-down direction.

[0089] Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the reinforcing member 9. As shown in Fig. 11, the reinforcing member 9 includes a pair of vertically extending portions 91 and a horizontally extending portion 92. In this embodiment, the pair of vertically extending portions 91 and the horizontally extending portion 92 are integrally formed.

[0090] 10, vertical extension portion 91A, one of the pair of vertical extension portions 91, is located to the right of the water container 300 when viewed from the front of the rice cooker 1. Vertical extension portion 91B, the other of the pair of vertical extension portions 91, is located to the left of the water container 300 when viewed from the front of the rice cooker 1. In other words, the pair of vertical extension portions 91 are arranged to sandwich the water container 300 in a plan view.

[0091] 10 and 11, the horizontally extending portion 92 extends in the width direction. One end of the horizontally extending portion 92 in the width direction is connected to the upper end of the vertically extending portion 91A. The other end of the horizontally extending portion 92 in the width direction is connected to the upper end of the vertically extending portion 91B. In other words, the pair of vertically extending portions 91 extend downward from the horizontally extending portion 92.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 10, a plate-like member 18 is connected to the lower part of each of the pair of vertical extension portions 91 by screws 19. The lower end of the plate-like member 18 is bent. The bent lower end of the plate-like member 18 is supported by the lower frame 5 of the housing 3. That is, in this embodiment, the pair of vertical extension portions 91 are supported by the lower frame 5 via the plate-like members 18. Note that the pair of vertical extension portions 91 may also be supported directly by the lower frame 5.

[0093] In the vertical direction, the lateral extension portion 92 is located between the heating unit 8 and the water container 300. In other words, the lateral extension portion 92 is located directly below the heating unit 8 and directly above the water container 300. In further other words, the lateral extension portion 92 overlaps with the heating unit 8 and the water container 300 in a plan view.

[0094] In this embodiment, the laterally extending portion 92 is curved as shown in Fig. 11. The laterally extending portion 92 includes a pair of inclined portions 921 and a central portion 922. The pair of inclined portions 921 constitute both ends of the laterally extending portion 92 in the width direction. The central portion 922 is located between the pair of inclined portions 921.

[0095] The outer end of one of the pair of inclined portions 921 in the width direction is connected to the vertically extending portion 91A. The outer end of the other of the pair of inclined portions 921 in the width direction is connected to the vertically extending portion 91B. The inner end of each of the pair of inclined portions 921 in the width direction is connected to the central portion 922. Each of the pair of inclined portions 921 is inclined with respect to the width direction so as to be positioned forward as it approaches the central portion in the width direction. The central portion 922 extends along the width direction.

[0096] With the above-described configuration, the horizontally extending portion 92 is bent so as to be positioned further forward as it moves away from the vertically extending portion 91 in a plan view, as shown in Figure 10. The horizontally extending portion 92 bent forward in a plan view is positioned forward away from the center of the pot 2. Note that the horizontally extending portion 92 may also be bent so as to be positioned further rearward as it moves away from the vertically extending portion 91.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 11 , a through hole 93 is formed in the boundary between the central portion 922 and the inclined portion 921 of the lateral extension portion 92. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10 , the holding portion 82 of the heating unit 8 includes a supported portion 823. The supported portion 823 is formed on the outer surface of the protective frame cover 822 and extends downward. The lower end of the supported portion 823 is inserted into the through hole 93 of the lateral extension portion 92. The supported portion 823 includes a large diameter portion 823A above the lower end of the supported portion 823, the large diameter portion 823A being larger than the other portions of the supported portion 823. The large diameter portion 823A is supported by the upper surface of the lateral extension portion 92. In other words, the lateral extension portion 92 supports the holding portion 82 of the heating unit 8. The position where the through hole 93 is formed is not limited to the above position, and the through hole 93 can be formed at any position in the lateral extension portion 92. The supported portion 823 is provided directly above the through hole 93.

[0098] In this embodiment, the supported portion 823 is located directly below the pivot tip 7A of the lid 7 in the pot closing position, as shown in Figure 6. In other words, when the lid 7 is in the pot closing position, the through hole 93 formed in the support position of the lateral extension portion 92 relative to the holding portion 82 is located directly below the pivot tip 7A. Note that the supported portion 823 may also be located directly below the fitting position between the fitting portion 71 of the lid 7 and the fitting portion 42 of the upper frame 4 of the housing 3.

[0099] The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the rice cooker 1. For example, the control unit 20 includes a program stored in a memory unit 25 (see FIG. 12) and a processor 22 (see FIG. 6) that reads and executes the program. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 includes a printed circuit board 21 and electronic components mounted on the printed circuit board 21. The electronic components are, for example, the processor 22, the memory unit 25 (see FIG. 12), a heat sink 23, and various other electronic components 24.

[0100] The printed circuit board 21 is disposed behind the water container 300 and the pot 2. The front side of the printed circuit board 21 faces rearward. The back side of the printed circuit board 21 faces forward. The processor 22, memory unit, heat sink 23, and various other electronic components 24 are mounted on the front side of the printed circuit board 21.

[0101] Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of rice cooker 1. As shown in Fig. 12, rice cooker 1 includes a control unit 20, a memory unit 25, a signal output unit 26, a signal input unit 27, and a communication interface (I / F) 28.

[0102] The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the rice cooker 1. Under the control of the control unit 20, processes such as the rice cooking process described below are executed.

[0103] The storage unit 25 is a recording medium that stores various information including programs and data necessary to realize the functions of the rice cooker 1. The storage unit 25 is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk, or other storage devices, either alone or in combination as appropriate. The storage unit 25 may also include volatile memory such as a high-speed SRAM or DRAM that temporarily stores various information.

[0104] The control unit 20 can be realized in various ways. For example, the control unit 20 may be a processor that works in cooperation with software to realize predetermined functions. If a processor is used as the control unit 20, the control unit 20 can execute various processes by reading and executing programs from the storage unit 25 that stores the programs. The processing content can be changed by modifying the programs stored in the storage unit 25, thereby increasing the flexibility in changing the control content. The processor 22 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and a micro-processing unit (MPU). Alternatively, the control unit 20 may be implemented using wired logic, which does not allow rewriting of programs. Using wired logic as the control unit 20 is effective in improving processing speed. Examples of wired logic include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The control unit 20 may also be implemented by combining a processor and wired logic. Combining a processor and wired logic for the control unit 20 increases the flexibility in software design while also improving processing speed. The control unit 20 and a circuit having a function different from the control unit 20 may be configured using a single semiconductor element. An example of a circuit having another function is an A / D-D / A conversion circuit. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may be configured with one semiconductor element or multiple semiconductor elements. When configured with multiple semiconductor elements, each control described in the claims may be realized by a different semiconductor element. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may be configured with a configuration including semiconductor elements and passive components such as resistors or capacitors.

[0105] The communication interface 28 may be any interface that enables communication between the rice cooker 1 and an external device. The communication interface 28 can be realized in various ways. For example, the communication interface 28 may be a wired connection to the external device, or a wireless communication connection to the external device. A communication interface 28 that connects the apparatus of the present disclosure to the external device via a wired connection is effective in terms of communication security and stability. Examples of the communication interface 28 for a wired connection include a wired LAN based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, or a wired connection using an optical fiber cable. Examples of the communication interface 28 for a wireless connection include a wireless connection to an external device via a base station or a direct wireless connection to an external device. Examples of wireless connections with external devices via base stations include IEEE802.11-compatible wireless LANs that communicate wirelessly with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router, third-generation mobile communication systems (commonly known as 3G), fourth-generation mobile communication systems (commonly known as 4G), fifth-generation mobile communication systems (commonly known as 5G), IEEE802.16-compatible WiMax (registered trademark), and low-power wide area (LPWA) networks. Using a communication interface 28 that directly wirelessly connects the device of the present disclosure to an external device is effective in improving communication security. Furthermore, using a communication interface 28 that directly wirelessly connects the device of the present disclosure to an external device allows the device of the present disclosure to communicate with an external device even in locations where no relay device such as a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) router is present. Examples of communication interfaces 28 that directly wirelessly connect the device of the present disclosure to an external device include Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, near-field communication (NFC) communication via a loop antenna, and infrared communication.

[0106] The signal output unit 26 outputs a signal to the control unit 20. The signal output unit 26 includes, for example, a counter 51, an ultrasonic sensor 52, a storage detection unit 53, a temperature sensor 54, and a user interface (UI) 55.

[0107] The counter 51 counts time. The counter 51 starts and stops counting and resets the counted value in response to instructions from the control unit 20. In this embodiment, the counter 51 is provided separately from the control unit 20, but the counter 51 may also be included in the control unit 20.

[0108] The ultrasonic sensor 52 is mounted on the underside of the lid 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic sensor 52 includes a transmitter 52A and a receiver 52B. When the lid 7 is in the pot-closing position, the transmitter 52A and receiver 52B face the interior of the pot 2. In response to a command from the control unit 20, the transmitter 52A transmits ultrasonic waves toward the interior of the pot 2. The receiver 52B receives the ultrasonic waves transmitted and reflected by the transmitter 52A. In response to a command from the control unit 20, the counter 51 counts the time from when the transmitter 52A transmits the ultrasonic waves to when the receiver 52B receives the ultrasonic waves. Based on the time acquired from the counter 51, the control unit 20 detects whether there is more rice in the pot 2 than the preset amount. The preset amount can be set to any amount that may remain in the pot 2. When determining whether there is no rice left in the pot 2, the preset amount can also be set to zero.

[0109] In this embodiment, a time threshold determined according to the set amount is stored in advance in the memory unit 25. If the time acquired from the counter 51 is shorter than the time threshold, the control unit 20 determines that there is more food in the pot 2 than the set amount. This is because the food remaining in the pot 2 shortens the distance between the ultrasonic sensor 52 and the reflection position of the ultrasonic waves, thereby shortening the time. On the other hand, if the time acquired from the counter 51 is longer than the time threshold, the control unit 20 determines that there is not more food in the pot 2 than the set amount. Note that in this embodiment, if the time acquired from the counter 51 is the same as the time threshold, the control unit 20 determines that there is more food in the pot 2 than the set amount.

[0110] As described above, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic sensor 52 functions as a remaining amount detection unit that detects whether or not there is more rice to be cooked in the pot 2 than a preset amount.

[0111] It should be noted that the ultrasonic sensor 52 is not the only sensor that functions as the remaining amount detector.

[0112] For example, the infrared sensor 56 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 12 may function as the remaining rice amount detector. The infrared sensor 56 includes a light-emitting element, a light-receiving element, and a lid. When the lid body 7 is in the pot-closing position, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element face the inside of the pot 2. The lid covers the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element from below. As a result, the lid shields the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element from the inside of the pot 2. The lid is made of a translucent material that allows infrared rays to pass through. When the pot 2 contained in the housing 3 is empty, the light-receiving element is positioned on the path of infrared rays irradiated from the light-emitting element and reflected by the inner surface of the pot 2. The light-emitting element irradiates infrared rays toward the inside of the pot 2 in response to instructions from the control unit 20. The infrared rays irradiated and reflected by the light-emitting element are incident on the light-receiving element. The light-receiving element outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of incident infrared rays. The control unit 20 detects whether there is more rice in the pot 2 than the set amount based on the amount of infrared rays corresponding to the signal obtained from the light-receiving element.

[0113] For example, a light threshold determined according to the set amount is stored in advance in the memory unit 25. If the amount of infrared light is less than the light threshold, the control unit 20 determines that there is more food in the pot 2 than the set amount. This is because the direction of the reflected infrared light changes depending on the food remaining in the pot 2, reducing the amount of infrared light that reaches the light receiving unit. On the other hand, if the amount of infrared light is greater than the light threshold, the control unit 20 determines that there is not more food in the pot 2 than the set amount.

[0114] Alternatively, for example, a weight sensor may function as the remaining amount detection unit. The weight sensor is positioned so that the weight of the pot 2 housed in the housing 3 can act from above. The weight sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the weight of the pot 2 housed in the housing 3. The control unit 20, upon receiving the signal from the weight sensor, detects whether there is more rice cooking content in the pot 2 than a preset amount based on the weight of the pot 2 corresponding to the signal. For example, a threshold amount obtained by adding the preset amount to the weight of an empty pot 2 is pre-stored in the memory unit 25. The control unit 20, upon receiving the signal from the weight sensor, compares the weight of the pot 2 corresponding to the signal with the threshold amount. If the weight of the pot 2 is less than the threshold amount, the control unit 20 determines that there is no rice cooking content in the pot 2 that is more than the preset amount. On the other hand, if the weight of the pot 2 is greater than the threshold amount, the control unit 20 determines that there is more rice cooking content in the pot 2 than the preset amount.

[0115] Furthermore, for example, a camera may function as the remaining amount detection unit. The camera is provided, for example, on the underside of the lid 7. When the lid 7 is in the pot closing position, the camera can capture an image of the inside of the pot 2. The camera outputs the image obtained by capturing the image. The control unit 20 determines whether or not there is any cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 based on the acquired image. For example, if the proportion of white areas, which are the color of rice, in the acquired image is greater than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 20 determines that there is more cooked rice in the pot 2 than the set amount. On the other hand, if the proportion of white areas in the acquired image is less than the set amount, the control unit 20 determines that there is not more cooked rice in the pot 2 than the set amount.

[0116] The storage detection unit 53 shown in FIG. 12 detects whether or not the pot 2 is stored in the housing 3. In this embodiment, the storage detection unit 53 is a limit switch. The limit switch is provided at a position inside the housing 3 where it can come into contact with the pot 2. When the pot 2 is not stored in the housing 3, the limit switch is not in contact with the pot 2. At this time, the limit switch outputs a signal (e.g., a low-level signal) indicating that the pot 2 is not stored in the housing 3. When the pot 2 is stored in the housing 3, the limit switch comes into contact with the pot 2. At this time, the limit switch outputs a signal (e.g., a high-level signal) indicating that the pot 2 is stored in the housing 3.

[0117] The storage detection unit 53 is not limited to a limit switch as long as it can detect whether the pot 2 is stored in the housing 3 or not.

[0118] For example, the storage detection unit 53 may be a proximity sensor that outputs different signals depending on whether the pot 2 is nearby or not.

[0119] Furthermore, for example, the weight sensor described above may be used as the containment detection unit 53. In this case, the control unit 20 detects that the pot 2 is not contained in the housing 3 when the weight corresponding to the signal obtained from the weight sensor is zero. On the other hand, the control unit 20 detects that the pot 2 is contained in the housing 3 when the weight corresponding to the signal obtained from the weight sensor is not zero.

[0120] Temperature sensor 54 shown in FIG. 12 is positioned below pot 2 and close to pot 2. Temperature sensor 54 is positioned below the center of pot 2 in a plan view. Temperature sensor 54 detects the temperature inside pot 2 by detecting the temperature at the bottom of pot 2. Temperature sensor 54 outputs information related to the detected temperature.

[0121] 12 is configured with, for example, buttons for receiving input from the user, a touch panel, etc. The user interface 55 is provided, for example, on the upper surface 7B (see FIG. 1) of the lid 7. The user operates the user interface 55 to set, for example, the amount of rice to be cooked, the cooking method, the time when cooking is complete, etc.

[0122] The user interface 55 is used by the user to input information to the rice cooker 1. Various embodiments of the user interface 55 are conceivable. For example, the user interface 55 may be configured with mechanical operating members. Alternatively, the user interface 55 may be configured with a transparent plate-like operating member installed above the display. Such a transparent plate-like operating member may be of either a contact type or a contactless type. Alternatively, the user interface 55 may be configured by using a camera to capture the user's actions and having the rice cooker 1 recognize the actions. Alternatively, the user interface 55 may be configured by having the rice cooker 1 receive sounds made by the user. An example of such a configuration is a smart speaker.

[0123] Various embodiments are possible regarding where the user interface 55 is provided. The user interface 55 may be provided in the rice cooker 1, or may be provided separately from the rice cooker 1. If the user interface 55 is provided separately from the rice cooker 1, wired or wireless communication between the user interface 55 and the rice cooker 1 is possible. In this case, the user interface 55 and the rice cooker 1 may communicate directly, or indirectly via the Internet or an access point. In addition, in the case of wireless communication, communication may be possible using a mobile communication system, or communication may be possible in accordance with other standards. Furthermore, in the case of wireless communication, long-distance wireless or close-proximity wireless may be used.

[0124] A signal from the control unit 20 is input to the signal input unit 27 shown in Fig. 12. The control unit 20 controls the operation of the signal input unit 27 by outputting a signal to the signal input unit 27. As shown in Fig. 12, the signal input unit 27 includes, for example, the heating unit 81, the pressure valve 15, and the motor 212 described above. The signal input unit 27 also includes a display unit 61 and a speaker 62. Although not shown in Fig. 12, the signal input unit 27 also includes a water pump 420 (see Fig. 4) and a rice feeding fan (not shown).

[0125] The display unit 61 is configured with a display of the rice cooker 1, etc. The display unit 61 is provided, for example, on the top surface 7B of the lid 7 (see FIG. 1). The speaker 62 outputs audio. The speaker 62 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the housing 3. The display unit 61 and the speaker 62 are examples of an alarm unit. For example, if the aforementioned user interface 55 is configured with a touch panel, the display unit 61 may be the screen of the touch panel.

[0126] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 includes a rice container 100, but it does not necessarily have to include a rice container 100. In this case, the rice sending unit 200 is connected to a rice container provided separately from the rice cooker 1, and supplies rice stored in the rice container into the pot 2.

[0127] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 includes the water container 300, but it does not necessarily have to include the water container 300. In this case, the water supply unit 400 is connected to an external water source such as a tap, and supplies water from the external water source to the pot 2.

[0128] In this embodiment, the rice container 100 is positioned away from the water container 300 in a plan view. However, the rice container 100 and the water container 300 may overlap in a plan view.

[0129] In this embodiment, the insertion opening 121 of the tubular portion 120 is located above the upper frame 4 of the housing 3 and the pot 2 inserted into the insertion opening 41 of the upper frame 4. However, the height of the insertion opening 121 may be equal to or lower than the height of the upper frame 4 or the height of the pot 2.

[0130] In this embodiment, the lid 150 opens and closes the inlet 121 of the rice container 100 by rotating, and the lid 7 exposes and closes the pot 2 by rotating. However, the means for moving the lid 150 and the lid 7 is not limited to rotation. For example, the lid 150 and the lid 7 may move by sliding instead of rotating. Also, for example, the lid 150 and the lid 7 may move by being attached or detached.

[0131] The shape and arrangement position of the reinforcing member 9 are not limited to those shown in Figures 10 and 11. The reinforcing member 9 may be positioned between the heating unit 8 and the water container 300 in the vertical direction, may support the heating unit, and may be supported by the lower frame 5.

[0132] In this embodiment, the rice cooker 1 is a pressure rice cooker, but it may be a rice cooker other than a pressure rice cooker.

[0133] First Embodiment In the present embodiment, the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 1, which is executed under the control of the control unit 20, will be described below. In the rice cooking process, the control unit 20 controls the supply unit 500 to supply rice and water into the pot 2, and then controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. The control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process after receiving rice cooking instruction information from an external device. For example, the rice cooking instruction information is sent from the user interface 55 to the control unit 20 in response to a rice cooking instruction input by the user via the user interface 55.

[0134] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. The rice cooking process includes a rice sending step S20, a water sending step S30, a pre-cooking step S40, a temperature raising step S50, a boiling step S60, and a steaming step S70. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, a pan detection step S200 is executed between step S10 and the rice sending step S20. In other words, when the control unit 20 receives a rice cooking instruction (S10), it executes the pan detection step S200.

[0135] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 also executes a pot removal detection process separate from the rice cooking process. The pot removal detection process is a process for detecting that the pot 2 has been removed from the housing 3 and then stored back into the housing 3, that is, that the pot 2 has been removed from the housing 3.

[0136] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the pot removal detection process. The pot removal detection process is carried out at regular time intervals. The regular time can be set to any time, such as 100 (μs). The pot removal detection process will be described below with reference to Figure 14. Next, the pot detection process and rice cooking process will be described with reference to Figure 13.

[0137] 14, in step S110, the control unit 20 determines whether the state has transitioned from a pot-present state in which the pot 2 is contained in the housing 3 to a pot-absent state in which the pot 2 has been removed from the housing 3. This determination is made based on a signal obtained from the containment detection unit 53. For example, if the signal obtained by the control unit 20 from the limit switch, which is the containment detection unit 53, switches from high level to low level, the control unit 20 determines that the state has transitioned from a pot-present state to a pot-absent state.

[0138] If the state has not transitioned from the pot-present state to the pot-absent state (S110: No), the pot attachment / detachment detection process ends.

[0139] If the state transition occurs from the pot-present state to the pot-absent state (S110: Yes), the control unit 20 issues a pot-absent error indicating that a pot is absent (S120). This notification is made, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 61 controlled by the control unit 20, and by outputting audio from the speaker 62 controlled by the control unit 20.

[0140] In step S130 after step S120, control unit 20 determines whether the state has transitioned from the pot-absent state to the pot-present state. As in step S120, this determination is made based on the signal obtained from storage detection unit 53. For example, if the signal obtained by control unit 20 from the limit switch, which is storage detection unit 53, switches from low level to high level, control unit 20 determines that the state has transitioned from the pot-absent state to the pot-present state.

[0141] If the state has not transitioned from the pot-free state to the pot-present state (S130: No), the notification of the pot-free error continues (S120).

[0142] If the state has transitioned from the pot-free state to the pot-present state (S130: Yes), the control unit 20 determines whether the time during which the pot-free state has lasted is longer than a set time.

[0143] The time spent in the pot-free state is counted by counter 51. When control unit 20 determines in step S110 that the state has transitioned from the pot-present state to the pot-absent state, it controls counter 51 to start counting the time. Furthermore, when control unit 20 determines in step S130 that the state has transitioned from the pot-absent state to the pot-present state, it controls counter 51 to stop counting the time. The count value of counter 51 at this time is used to determine the time spent in the pot-absent state. In this case, counter 51 functions as an unhoused timing unit that counts the time when pot 2 is not housed in housing 3.

[0144] The set time is stored in advance in memory unit 25. The set time can be set to various values. For example, if lifting pot 2 for just a moment is not to be considered as removal of pot 2, the set time is set to a short time such as 2 seconds. Also, if a prerequisite for determining that pot 2 has been removed from housing 3 is that it is washed and then placed back into housing 3, the set time is set to a time sufficient to wash pot 2, such as 1 minute.

[0145] If the time during which the pot has been absent is longer than the set time (S140: Yes), the control unit 20 stores the detachment information in the memory unit 25 (S150). The detachment information is information for identifying whether the pot 2 has been detached or not. The detachment information is, for example, a flag set at a specific address in the memory unit 25. In this case, storing the detachment information in the memory unit 25 means setting the flag, for example, storing information of "1" at the specific address. Also, in this case, deleting the detachment information from the memory unit 25 means resetting the flag, for example, storing information of "0" at the specific address.

[0146] If the time during which the pot has been absent is shorter than the set time (S140: No), the pot removal detection process ends. In this case, the control unit 20 does not store the removal information in the memory unit 25. In this embodiment, even if the time during which the pot has been absent is the same as the set time, the removal information is not stored in the memory unit 25 and the pot removal detection process ends.

[0147] Next, the pan detection process will be described. As shown in Fig. 13, when the control unit 20 receives a rice cooking instruction (S10), it executes the pan detection process S200. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the pan detection process. The pan detection process will be described below with reference to Fig. 15.

[0148] 15, in step S210, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a pan is present. This determination is made based on the signal obtained from the storage detection unit 53. For example, if the signal obtained by the control unit 20 from the limit switch, which is the storage detection unit 53, is high level, the control unit 20 determines that a pan is present. On the other hand, if the signal obtained by the control unit 20 from the limit switch is low level, the control unit 20 determines that a pan is not present.

[0149] If there is no pot (S210: No), the control unit 20 issues a no-pot error (S220) similar to step S120. In this case, the control unit 20 does not start the rice cooking process after the rice sending process S20. In other words, if the control unit 20 decides not to start the rice cooking process, it issues a no-pot error in step S220 as information indicating that the rice cooking process will not be started.

[0150] If the pot is present (S210: Yes), the control unit 20 determines whether or not attachment / detachment information is stored in the storage unit 25 (S230).

[0151] If the detachment information is stored in the storage unit 25 (S230: Yes), the control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process from the rice sending process S20 onwards.

[0152] If the attachment / detachment information is not stored in the memory unit 25 (S230: No), the control unit 20 issues a pan cleaning error, indicating that the pan 2 has not been cleaned since the last rice cooking process was executed (S240). This notification is made by displaying a message on the display unit 61 and outputting audio from the speaker 62, as in step S120. In this case, the control unit 20 does not start the rice cooking process after the rice sending process S20. In other words, if the control unit 20 decides not to start the rice cooking process, it issues a pan cleaning error in step S240 as information indicating that the rice cooking process will not be started.

[0153] The attachment / detachment information is deleted from the storage unit 25 at any timing, for example, from after the execution of step S230 until the end of the rice cooking process.

[0154] Next, the rice cooking process in normal operation will be described with reference to Figure 13. Normal operation is an operation that is predetermined to be executed when the control unit receives a rice cooking instruction. For example, normal operation is an operation during the rice cooking process that is determined according to information included in the rice cooking instruction that the control unit 20 acquires from an external device. For example, if the rice cooking instruction includes information about the amount of rice to be cooked, normal operation is an operation that is executed according to a preset heating time, cooking procedure, etc., to cook the amount of rice according to the information included in the rice cooking instruction.

[0155] In the rice sending step S20, the control unit 20 determines the amount of rice required for cooking in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the rice sending unit 200 to send the determined amount of rice from the rice container 100 into the pot 2.

[0156] In the water supply step S30, the control unit 20 determines the amount of water required for cooking rice in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the water supply unit 400 to supply the determined amount of water from the water container 300 into the pot 2.

[0157] The rice sending step S20 and the water sending step S30 may be performed in parallel. The water sending step S3 may be performed before the rice sending step S2.

[0158] FIG. 16 is a graph showing a schematic relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) inside pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature rising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process.

[0159] 16, in the pre-cooking step S40, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. At this time, the control unit 20 keeps the temperature inside the pot 2 below the gelatinization temperature (for example, 55 degrees) to allow the rice to absorb water. The control unit 20 recognizes the temperature inside the pot 2 based on information input from the temperature sensor 54.

[0160] In the temperature raising step S50, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 more strongly than in the pre-cooking step S40, raising the temperature inside the pot 2 and bringing the inside of the pot 2 to a boiling state.

[0161] In the boiling step S60, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 less than in the temperature increasing step S50. However, the heating intensity by the heating unit 81 is maintained to an extent that the boiling of the water in the pot 2 is maintained.

[0162] In the boiling step S60, the control unit 20 opens and closes the pressure valve 15. Closing the pressure valve 15 increases the pressure inside the pot 2. Note that in FIG. 16, the pressure valve 15 is closed three times, causing the pressure inside the pot 2 to increase three times, but the number of times the pressure valve 15 is closed is not limited to three. When the pressure valve 15 is opened, the pressure inside the pot 2 drops suddenly to near atmospheric pressure, causing bumping. Bubbles generated by bumping stir the rice grains.

[0163] When the water in pot 2 is absorbed by the rice and boils, and the water in pot 2 is depleted, the temperature in pot 2 rises due to heating and becomes higher than the boiling point of water (100°C). When the temperature in pot 2 reaches a temperature higher than the boiling point of water (for example, 120°C), control unit 20 controls heating unit 81 to stop heating pot 2. This period during which heating of pot 2 is stopped is the steaming process S70.

[0164] In the steaming step S70, the control unit 20 closes the pressure valve 15 for a short time and controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 for a short time, thereby evaporating the water droplets adhering to the underside of the lid 7 that covers the pot 2 from above.

[0165] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 determines whether to store the attachment / detachment information in the memory unit 25 based on a signal acquired from the storage detection unit 53. Furthermore, if the attachment / detachment information is stored in the memory unit 25, the control unit 20 estimates that the pot 2 has run out of cooked rice because the pot 2 has been cleaned since the previous rice cooking process ended. In this case, the control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process. On the other hand, if the attachment / detachment information is not stored in the memory unit 25, the control unit 20 does not estimate that the pot 2 has run out of cooked rice since the previous rice cooking process ended. In this case, the control unit 20 does not start the rice cooking process. As described above, in this embodiment, the storage detection unit 53 outputs a signal for detecting whether the pot 2 is stored in the housing 3 as estimation information for estimating that the pot 2 has run out of cooked rice. In other words, in this embodiment, the storage detection unit 53 is included in the estimation unit. In addition, the above-mentioned "there is no cooked rice left" includes a state where there is no cooked rice left in pot 2, for example, a state where there is not a single grain of rice left in pot 2, as well as a state where the amount of cooked rice remaining in pot 2 is less than the set amount.

[0166] According to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate that the food in the pot 2 has run out based on the estimation information. If it is not estimated that the food in the pot has run out, the control unit 20 will not execute the next rice cooking process. This prevents rice and water from being supplied to the pot 2 for the next cooking step and the start of cooking rice when food remains in the pot 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cooking of food with a lower taste than desired.

[0167] According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the pot 2 has been removed from the housing 3 after the rice cooking process and then placed back into the housing 3, based on the detection results of the storage detection unit 53. If the pot 2 has been temporarily removed from the housing 3, it can be determined that the food in the pot 2 has been removed. On the other hand, if the pot 2 has not been removed from the housing 3, it can be determined that the food in the pot 2 has not been removed. If it is determined that the food in the pot 2 has not been removed, the rice cooking process will not be started, thereby reducing the possibility of rice being cooked in a pot 2 from which the food has not been removed.

[0168] For example, if the pot 2 is removed from the housing 3 for only a short time, it is unlikely that the food in the pot 2 has been removed. According to this embodiment, the control unit 20 does not store the removal information in the memory unit 25 if the time counted by the counter 51 is shorter than the set time. This makes it possible to determine that the food in the pot 2 has not been removed even if the pot 2 is removed from the housing 3 for only a short time.

[0169] According to this embodiment, the display unit 61 and the speaker 62 can inform the user that the cooked rice has not been removed from the pot 2 after cooking.

[0170] Second Embodiment In the present embodiment, the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 1, which is executed under the control of the control unit 20, will be described below. In the rice cooking process, the control unit 20 controls the supply unit 500 to supply rice and water into the pot 2, and then controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. The control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process after receiving rice cooking instruction information from an external device. For example, the rice cooking instruction information is sent from the user interface 55 to the control unit 20 in response to a rice cooking instruction input by the user via the user interface 55.

[0171] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. The rice cooking process includes a rice sending step S20, a water sending step S30, a pre-cooking step S40, a temperature raising step S50, a boiling step S60, and a steaming step S70. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17, a remaining amount detection step S300 is performed between step S10 and the rice sending step S20.

[0172] When the control unit 20 receives a rice cooking instruction (S10), it executes the remaining amount detection step S300. Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the remaining amount detection step. The remaining amount detection step will be described below with reference to Figure 18.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 18, in step S310, the control unit 20 determines whether the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is equal to or less than the set amount. In the present embodiment, this determination is made based on the time obtained from the counter 51. As described above, the counter 51 counts the time from when the transmitter 52A of the ultrasonic sensor 52 emits ultrasonic waves to when the receiver 52B of the ultrasonic sensor 52 receives the ultrasonic waves. If this time is equal to or greater than the time threshold, the control unit 20 determines that the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is more than the set amount. On the other hand, if this time is less than the time threshold, the control unit 20 determines that the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is equal to or less than the set amount. Note that the counter 51 is reset, for example, after step S310 is executed.

[0174] If the amount of food remaining in the pot 2 is more than the set amount (S310: No), the control unit 20 issues a pot remaining amount error, indicating that more food than the set amount remains in the pot 2 (S320). This notification is made, for example, by displaying a message on the display unit 61 controlled by the control unit 20, and by outputting audio from the speaker 62 controlled by the control unit 20. In this case, the control unit 20 does not start the rice cooking process after the rice sending process S20. In other words, if the control unit 20 decides not to start the rice cooking process, it issues a pot remaining amount error in step S320 as information indicating that the rice cooking process will not be started.

[0175] If the amount of rice remaining in the pot 2 is equal to or less than the set amount (S310: No), the control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process from the rice sending process S20 onwards.

[0176] Next, the normal rice cooking process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0177] In the rice sending step S20, the control unit 20 determines the amount of rice required for cooking in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the rice sending unit 200 to send the determined amount of rice from the rice container 100 into the pot 2.

[0178] In the water supply step S30, the control unit 20 determines the amount of water required for cooking rice in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the water supply unit 400 to supply the determined amount of water from the water container 300 into the pot 2.

[0179] The rice sending step S20 and the water sending step S30 may be performed in parallel. The water sending step S3 may be performed before the rice sending step S2.

[0180] FIG. 19 is a graph that schematically shows the relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) inside pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature rising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process.

[0181] 19, in the pre-cooking step S40, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. At this time, the control unit 20 keeps the temperature inside the pot 2 below the gelatinization temperature (for example, 55 degrees) to allow the rice to absorb water. The control unit 20 recognizes the temperature inside the pot 2 based on information input from the temperature sensor 54.

[0182] In the temperature raising step S50, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 more strongly than in the pre-cooking step S40, raising the temperature inside the pot 2 and bringing the inside of the pot 2 to a boiling state.

[0183] In the boiling step S60, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 less than in the temperature increasing step S50. However, the heating intensity by the heating unit 81 is maintained to an extent that the boiling of the water in the pot 2 is maintained.

[0184] In the boiling step S60, the control unit 20 opens and closes the pressure valve 15. Closing the pressure valve 15 increases the pressure inside the pot 2. Note that in FIG. 19, the pressure valve 15 is closed three times, causing the pressure inside the pot 2 to increase three times, but the number of times the pressure valve 15 is closed is not limited to three. When the pressure valve 15 is opened, the pressure inside the pot 2 drops suddenly to near atmospheric pressure, causing bumping. Bubbles generated by bumping stir the rice grains.

[0185] When the water in pot 2 is absorbed by the rice and boils, and the water in pot 2 is depleted, the temperature in pot 2 rises due to heating and becomes higher than the boiling point of water (100°C). When the temperature in pot 2 reaches a temperature higher than the boiling point of water (for example, 120°C), control unit 20 controls heating unit 81 to stop heating pot 2. This period during which heating of pot 2 is stopped is the steaming process S70.

[0186] In the steaming step S70, the control unit 20 closes the pressure valve 15 for a short time and controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 for a short time, thereby evaporating the water droplets adhering to the underside of the lid 7 that covers the pot 2 from above.

[0187] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 determines whether the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is equal to or less than the set amount based on the time counted by the counter 51. The time is determined based on ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic sensor 52, which is an example of a device that functions as a remaining amount detection unit. In other words, the remaining amount detection unit detects whether there is more cooked rice in the pot 2 than the set amount. If the remaining amount detection unit does not detect that there is more cooked rice in the pot 2 than the set amount, the control unit 20 assumes that there is no more cooked rice in the pot 2 because the pot 2 has been cleaned since the end of the previous cooking cycle. In this case, the control unit 20 starts the cooking cycle. On the other hand, if the remaining amount detection unit detects that there is more cooked rice in the pot 2 than the set amount, the control unit 20 does not assume that there is no more cooked rice in the pot 2 since the end of the previous cooking cycle. In this case, the control unit 20 does not start the cooking cycle. As described above, in this embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit outputs ultrasonic waves corresponding to a signal for detecting whether there is more cooked rice than a set amount in the pot 2, as estimation information for estimating that the cooked rice in the pot 2 has run out. In other words, in this embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit is included in the estimation unit. Note that the above-mentioned "the cooked rice has run out" includes a state where there is absolutely no cooked rice remaining in the pot 2, for example, a state where not even a single grain of rice remains in the pot 2, as well as a state where the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is less than the set amount.

[0188] According to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate that the food in the pot 2 has run out based on the estimation information. If it is not estimated that the food in the pot 2 has run out, the control unit 20 will not execute the next rice cooking process. This prevents rice and water from being supplied to the pot 2 for the next cooking step and the start of cooking rice when food remains in the pot 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cooking of food with a lower taste than desired.

[0189] According to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether there is more food than the set amount in the pot 2 based on the detection result of the remaining amount detection unit. If there is more food than the set amount in the pot 2, the rice cooking process will not start, thereby reducing the possibility of rice being cooked in a pot with food in it.

[0190] <Third embodiment> In the present embodiment, the rice cooking process of the rice cooker 1, which is executed under the control of the control unit 20, will be described below. In the rice cooking process, the control unit 20 controls the supply unit 500 to supply rice and water into the pot 2, and then controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. The control unit 20 starts the rice cooking process after receiving rice cooking instruction information from an external device. For example, the rice cooking instruction information is sent from the user interface 55 to the control unit 20 in response to a rice cooking instruction input by the user via the user interface 55.

[0191] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a rice cooking process. Figure 21 is a flowchart showing an example of a boiling process. The rice cooking process includes a rice sending step S20, a water sending step S30, a pre-cooking step S40, a temperature raising step S50, a boiling step S61, and a steaming step S70. In this embodiment, the boiling step S61 is performed according to the flowchart in Figure 21.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 20, when the control unit 20 receives a rice cooking instruction (S10), it starts the rice cooking process.

[0193] In the rice sending step S20, the control unit 20 determines the amount of rice required for cooking in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the rice sending unit 200 to send the determined amount of rice from the rice container 100 into the pot 2.

[0194] In the water supply step S30, the control unit 20 determines the amount of water required for cooking rice in accordance with the rice cooking instruction. The control unit 20 controls the water supply unit 400 to supply the determined amount of water from the water container 300 into the pot 2.

[0195] The rice sending step S20 and the water sending step S30 may be performed in parallel. The water sending step S3 may be performed before the rice sending step S2.

[0196] FIG. 22 is a graph showing a schematic relationship between time (minutes) and temperature (° C.) inside pot 2 during the pre-cooking process, the temperature-raising process, the boiling process, and the steaming process.

[0197] 22, in the pre-cooking step S40, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2. At this time, the control unit 20 keeps the temperature inside the pot 2 below the gelatinization temperature (for example, 55 degrees) to allow the rice to absorb water. The control unit 20 recognizes the temperature inside the pot 2 based on information input from the temperature sensor 54.

[0198] In the temperature raising step S50, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 more strongly than in the pre-cooking step S40, raising the temperature inside the pot 2 and bringing the inside of the pot 2 to a boiling state.

[0199] After the temperature increasing step S50, a boiling step S61 is performed. The boiling step S61 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0200] In step S410, control unit 20 determines whether time t required for the temperature inside pot 2 to reach preset temperature Tem in temperature raising step S50 is longer than preset temperature raising time T.

[0201] In this embodiment, the set temperature Tem is set to a temperature slightly lower than 100°C, which is the boiling point of water. Also, in this embodiment, the temperature rise time T is set to a time necessary and sufficient to boil the amount of water specified in the rice cooking instruction during the rice cooking process in normal operation. For example, the temperature rise time T is set to a time that is the time necessary to boil the amount of water specified in the rice cooking instruction during the rice cooking process in normal operation plus a small amount of time.

[0202] The temperature inside pot 2 is detected by temperature sensor 54. Counter 51 counts the time t until the temperature inside pot 2 reaches set temperature Tem in the heating step S50. When control unit 20 starts heating step S50, it controls counter 51 to start counting the time. Furthermore, when the temperature inside pot 2 reaches set temperature Tem, control unit 20 controls counter 51 to stop counting the time. The count value of counter 51 at this time is used to determine time t until the temperature inside pot 2 reaches set temperature Tem in the heating step S50. In other words, in this case, counter 51 functions as a heating timing unit that counts the time from the start of the heating step.

[0203] If the time t required for the temperature in pot 2 to reach set temperature Tem in temperature-raising step S50 is less than or equal to temperature-raising time T (S410: Yes), for example, when time t=t1 in FIG. 22, control unit 20 controls heating unit 81 to heat pot 2 at the heating intensity used in the normal rice cooking step (S420). The heating intensity provided by heating unit 81 at this time is maintained at a level sufficient to maintain the boiling of water in pot 2. In FIG. 22, the temperature in temperature-raising step S50 and the power in boiling step S60 when step S420 is performed are indicated by solid lines.

[0204] Furthermore, if the time t required for the temperature inside pot 2 to reach set temperature Tem in temperature-raising step S50 is equal to or shorter than temperature-raising time T (S410: Yes), for example, if time t=t1 in FIG. 22, control unit 20 opens and closes pressure valve 15 (S420). Closing pressure valve 15 increases the pressure inside pot 2. Note that in FIG. 22, pressure valve 15 is closed three times, causing the pressure inside pot 2 to increase three times, but the number of times pressure valve 15 is closed is not limited to three. When pressure valve 15 is opened, the pressure inside pot 2 drops suddenly to near atmospheric pressure, causing bumping. Bubbles generated by bumping stir the rice grains. In FIG. 22, the pressure in boiling step S60 when step S420 is executed is indicated by a solid line.

[0205] If the time t required for the temperature inside the pot 2 to reach the set temperature Tem in the temperature-raising step S50 is longer than the temperature-raising time T (S410: No), for example, if time t=t2 in FIG. 22, the control unit 20 controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 at a heating intensity weaker than that used in the rice cooking step in normal operation (S430). In other words, in this case, the rice cooking step is performed in a manner different from normal operation. In FIG. 22, the temperature in the temperature-raising step S50 and the power used in the boiling step S60 when step S430 is performed are indicated by dashed lines.

[0206] Furthermore, if the time t required for the temperature in the pot 2 to reach the set temperature Tem in the temperature-raising step S50 is longer than the temperature-raising time T (S410: No), for example, if time t=t2 in FIG. 22, the control unit 20 keeps the pressure valve 15 open (S430). In other words, in this case, the rice cooking step is performed in an operation different from the normal operation. This reduces the occurrence of bumping, as described above. In FIG. 22, the pressure in the boiling step S60 when step S430 is performed is indicated by a dashed line.

[0207] In step S430, only one of heating the pot 2 at a heating intensity weaker than that used in the normal rice cooking process and keeping the pressure valve 15 open may be performed.

[0208] When the water in pot 2 is absorbed by the rice and boils, and the water in pot 2 is depleted, the temperature in pot 2 rises due to heating and becomes higher than the boiling point of water (100°C). When the temperature in pot 2 reaches a temperature higher than the boiling point of water (for example, 120°C), control unit 20 controls heating unit 81 to stop heating pot 2. This period during which heating of pot 2 is stopped is the steaming process S70.

[0209] In the steaming step S70, the control unit 20 closes the pressure valve 15 for a short time and controls the heating unit 81 to heat the pot 2 for a short time, thereby evaporating the water droplets adhering to the underside of the lid 7 that covers the pot 2 from above.

[0210] In this embodiment, the control unit 20 determines whether to perform the boiling step S61 of the rice cooking process in a manner different from the normal operation based on the time t counted by the counter 51. The time t is determined based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 54. If the time t is less than the temperature rise time T (S410: Yes), the control unit 20 estimates that the cooked rice in the pot 2 has run out because the pot 2 has been cleaned or otherwise altered since the previous rice cooking process ended. In this case, the control unit 20 performs the rice cooking process in a manner different from the normal operation (S420). On the other hand, if the time t is longer than the temperature rise time T, the control unit 20 does not estimate that the cooked rice in the pot 2 has run out since the previous rice cooking process ended. In this case, the control unit 20 performs the rice cooking process in a manner different from the normal operation (S430). As described above, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 54 outputs information related to the temperature at the bottom of the pot 2 to the control unit 20 as estimation information for estimating that the cooked rice in the pot 2 has run out. That is, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 54 is included in the estimation unit. Note that the above-mentioned "the cooked rice is gone" includes a state where there is absolutely no cooked rice remaining in the pot 2, for example, a state where not even a single grain of rice remains in the pot 2, as well as a state where the amount of cooked rice remaining in the pot 2 is below a set amount.

[0211] According to this embodiment, it is possible to estimate that the food in the pot 2 has run out based on the estimation information. Furthermore, if it is not estimated that the food in the pot 2 has run out, the control unit 20 performs the next cooking process using an operation different from the normal operation. As a result, even if rice cooking is started when rice and water have been supplied to the pot for the next cooking while there is food left in the pot 2, the control unit 20 changes the operation of the cooking process. This makes it possible to prevent the cooking of rice with a lower taste than desired.

[0212] If new rice and water are supplied to pot 2 while there is still food left in pot 2, there will be more rice and water than expected in the pot. If the rice cooking process is performed in this state, it will take longer than usual for the temperature at the bottom of pot 2 to reach the set temperature Tem. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether there are more rice and water than expected in pot 2 depending on whether the time t counted by counter 51 is longer than the temperature rise time T.

[0213] Furthermore, if the rice cooking process is performed when there is a larger amount of rice and water than expected in the pot 2, there is a risk that the rice and water in the pot 2 may overflow out of the pot 2 due to the water boiling, etc. According to this embodiment, when the rice cooking process is performed in this state, the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 is weakened, thereby reducing the overflow of rice and water in the pot 2 out of the pot.

[0214] In a pressure rice cooker equipped with pressure valve 15, the pressure in pot 2 can be made higher than atmospheric pressure by closing pressure valve 15. Opening pressure valve 15 in this state rapidly reduces the pressure in pot 2 to atmospheric pressure. At this time, explosive boiling occurs in pot 2. However, if rice and water are newly added to pot 2 without removing the food from pot 2, a larger amount of rice and water than expected will remain in pot 2. If pressure valve 15 is closed during the rice cooking process in this state, the rice and water in pot 2 may overflow due to the explosive boiling. According to this embodiment, when the rice cooking process is performed under the above-described state, pressure valve 15 is maintained open, preventing the explosive boiling. This reduces the overflow of rice and water from pot 2.

[0215] In this embodiment, the set temperature Tem is set to a temperature slightly lower than the boiling point of water. However, the set temperature Tem is not limited to the above temperature. For example, the set temperature Tem may be set to a temperature slightly higher than the temperature Tem1 in the pot 2 during the pre-cooking step S40. In this case, the control unit 20 can predict the time it will take for water to boil in the heating step S50 based on the difference between the temperature Tem1 and the set temperature Tem with respect to time t, that is, the slope of the temperature characteristic in the heating step S50 in FIG. 22.

[0216] The control unit 20 of the rice cooker 1 according to this embodiment may determine the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 in the heating step S50 the next time the rice cooking step is performed, based on the time t required for the temperature in the pot 2 to reach a preset temperature in the heating step S50. Note that this set temperature may be the same as or different from the set temperature Tem described above.

[0217] For example, if time t is shorter than temperature rise time T, the control unit 20 may reduce the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature rise step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process compared to the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature rise step S50 is performed in the current rice cooking process. If time t is shorter than temperature rise time T, it is expected that the water in the pot 2 has boiled in a shorter time than expected. Therefore, the control unit 20 reduces the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature rise step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process. This lengthens time t, making it possible to bring time t closer to temperature rise time T. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may reduce the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature rise step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process the greater the difference between time t and temperature rise time T.

[0218] Furthermore, for example, if time t is longer than temperature-raising time T, the control unit 20 may increase the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature-raising step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process compared to the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature-raising step S50 is performed in the current rice cooking process. If time t is longer than temperature-raising time T, it is predicted that the water in the pot 2 took a longer time to boil than expected. Therefore, the control unit 20 increases the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature-raising step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process. This shortens time t, allowing time t to approach temperature-raising time T. Furthermore, the control unit 20 may increase the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 when the temperature-raising step S50 is performed in the next rice cooking process the greater the difference between time t and temperature-raising time T.

[0219] When a large number of rice cookers 1 are manufactured, the time it takes for the temperature in the pot 2 to reach the set temperature during the heating process may vary from one rice cooker 1 to another. According to this embodiment, if the time is long, the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 during the next heating process can be increased. If the time is short, the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 during the next heating process can be decreased. By changing the heating intensity of the heating unit 81 in this way, the variation in time between rice cookers 1 can be corrected.

[0220] Any of the various embodiments described above may be combined appropriately to achieve the effects of each of them.

[0221] For example, the first embodiment may be combined with the second embodiment. In this case, between step S10 and the rice sending step S20, a remaining amount detecting step S300 (see FIG. 17) is executed after a pan detecting step S200 (see FIG. 13). Note that the remaining amount detecting step S300 may be executed before the pan detecting step S200 or may be executed in parallel with the pan detecting step S200.

[0222] Also, for example, the first embodiment may be combined with the third embodiment. In this case, the boiling step S61 shown in Fig. 20 is performed instead of the boiling step S60 shown in Fig. 13. Of course, the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment may be combined.

[0223] While the present invention has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments, with appropriate reference to the drawings, various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0224] 1 rice cooker 2. Pot 2A opening 3. Housing 7 Lid 14 holes 15 Pressure valve 20 Control Unit 25 Memory section 51 Counter (non-container timing unit, temperature rise timing unit) 52 Ultrasonic sensor (remaining amount detection part) 53 Storage detection unit 54 Temperature Sensor 56 Infrared sensor (remaining amount detection part) 61 Display unit (notification unit) 62 Speaker (notification unit) 81 Heating Section 100-meter container 300 water container 500 Supply Department

Claims

1. The housing and a pan that can be housed in and removed from the housing; a storage detection unit that detects whether the pot is stored in the housing; A supply unit that supplies rice and water into the pot; A heating unit that heats the pot; a control unit that controls the supply unit to supply rice and water into the pot and then controls the heating unit to perform a rice cooking process; a storage unit, The control unit When the storage detection unit detects that the pan is not stored in the housing and then detects that the pan is stored in the housing, the storage unit stores detachment information. When receiving an instruction to start the rice cooking process, if the detachment information is stored in the memory section, the rice cooker starts the rice cooking process, and if the detachment information is not stored in the memory section, the rice cooker does not start the rice cooking process.

2. and an estimation unit that outputs estimation information for estimating that the food in the pot has run out. The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the estimation unit includes a housing detection unit that detects whether the pot is housed in the housing.

3. The cooking pot further includes a non-enclosed timer that counts the time when the pot is not enclose in the housing.

3. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stores the detachment information in the memory unit if the time counted by the non-housed timing unit is longer than a preset time, and does not store the detachment information in the memory unit if the time counted by the non-housed timing unit is shorter than the preset time.

4. and an estimation unit that outputs estimation information for estimating that the food in the pot has run out. The estimation unit includes a remaining amount detection unit that detects whether there is more rice to be cooked in the pot than a preset amount, 4. The rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives an instruction to start the rice cooking process, if the remaining amount detection unit does not detect that there is more rice in the pot than the set amount, the control unit starts the rice cooking process, and if the remaining amount detection unit detects that there is more rice in the pot than the set amount, the control unit does not start the rice cooking process.

5. The remaining amount detection unit is an infrared sensor that irradiates infrared rays into the pot and receives reflected light of the infrared rays, The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines whether there is more rice in the pot than the set amount based on the intensity of the reflected light incident on the infrared sensor.

6. the remaining amount detection unit is an ultrasonic sensor that transmits ultrasonic waves into the pot and receives reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves, The rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines whether there is more rice in the pot than the set amount based on the time between when the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves and when it receives reflected waves.

7. Further provided with a notification unit, The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit, when determining not to start the rice cooking process, controls the notification unit to notify information indicating that the rice cooking process will not be started.

8. Further provided is a rice container for storing rice; The rice cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the supply unit supplies rice contained in the rice container into the pot.

9. Further provided is a water container for storing water; The rice cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the supply unit supplies rice contained in the water container into the pot.

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