Cooking device

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker capable of detecting a remaining amount of a cooked object in a pan and suppressing an increase in size of the cooker.SOLUTION: A heating cooker 10 includes a pot 15 for storing a cooking object, a body 20 formed with a hinge part 24, a lid body 35 turnably attached to the hinge part 24, and a residual quantity detection part 50 for detecting a residual quantity by a distance to the cooking object in the pot 15. The residual quantity detection part 50 is arranged outside a seal part of the pot 15 by the seal member 40 when viewed from the extending direction of the axis A of the pot 15, faces the inside of the pot 15 from above when the lid body 35 is opened to the body 20, and detects the residual quantity of the cooking object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rice cooker that is placed on a sink or dining table and has four weight-sensing legs. This rice cooker's weight-sensing legs can detect the total weight of the appliance, including the rice in the pot. This allows the weight of the rice, or the amount of rice remaining in the pot, to be determined by subtracting the weight of the appliance itself from the total weight. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6148774 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the rice cooker of Patent Document 1, in order to attach the weight sensors that make up the weight detection legs to each of the four legs, it is necessary to secure a dedicated installation space defined by a wall at the bottom of the main body, which makes it unavoidable for the entire appliance to become larger. In other words, there is room for improvement in the rice cooker of Patent Document 1 in terms of preventing the overall appliance from becoming larger. This problem is not limited to rice cookers that cook rice, but can also occur in heating cookers that cook ingredients in a pot.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking device that can detect the amount of food remaining in a pot and that can prevent the device from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance comprising a pot for containing an item to be cooked, a main body having a hinge portion formed on the outside of the pot when viewed from the axial direction of the pot, a lid having a sealing member that closes the top opening of the pot and is rotatably attached to the hinge portion, and a remaining amount detection portion that is positioned outside the portion of the pot sealed by the sealing member when viewed from the axial direction of the pot, and that looks into the pot from above when the lid is opened relative to the main body and detects the remaining amount of food in the pot based on the distance from the pot.

[0007] The cooking device is equipped with a remaining amount detection unit that looks into the pot from above when the lid is opened and detects the amount of food remaining in the pot based on the distance from the food. This makes it possible to detect the amount of food remaining in the pot. Compared to a weight sensor, the remaining amount detection unit, which detects the amount of food remaining based on the distance from the food, does not require consideration of the weight balance of the device, can detect the amount of food remaining with just one unit, and does not require a dedicated installation space defined by a wall. This prevents the device from becoming larger. Furthermore, the remaining amount detection unit is positioned outside the portion of the pot sealed by the sealing member of the lid when viewed from the axial direction of the pot. This prevents the remaining amount detection unit from becoming dirty due to steam containing tiny food particles that may be generated from the food during cooking, which could reduce detection accuracy.

[0008] When viewed in the axial direction of the pan, the remaining amount detection unit is disposed on the hinge portion side of the pan.

[0009] The change in distance from the pot due to opening and closing of the lid is smaller on the hinge side than on the tip side, which is on the opposite side from the hinge. Therefore, by placing the remaining amount detector on the hinge side, the stability of the distance of the remaining amount detector from the food in the pot can be improved. As a result, the remaining amount detector can detect the amount of food remaining with improved accuracy.

[0010] The hinge portion has an exterior portion that protrudes above the upper end of the pot to cover the hinge axis and is spatially connected to the lid body, and the exterior portion or the lid body has an opening that faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid body is opened relative to the main body, and the remaining amount detection unit is attached to the exterior portion so as to be located behind the opening when the lid body is opened relative to the main body.

[0011] The remaining amount detection unit is attached to a hinge portion of the main body that does not move when the lid is opened or closed. This improves the stability of the distance of the remaining amount detection unit relative to the food in the pot. Furthermore, when the lid is opened from the main body, it is located behind an opening in the exterior or lid. This allows the inside of the pot to be viewed from above through the opening, ensuring reliable detection of the amount of food remaining in the pot. Furthermore, because the remaining amount detection unit, including the opening, is positioned outside the seal portion of the pot, it is possible to prevent the remaining amount detection unit from becoming dirty with steam containing tiny food particles, which could reduce detection accuracy, regardless of whether the lid is opened or closed relative to the main body.

[0012] The opening is provided in the lid body, and when the lid body is opened relative to the main body, it coincides with the detection axis of the remaining amount detection unit, but when the lid body is closed relative to the main body, it is located outside the detection range of the remaining amount detection unit.

[0013] The opening is provided in the lid, and when the lid is opened from the main body, it coincides with the detection axis of the remaining food quantity detector, allowing the amount of food remaining in the pot to be reliably detected from above. On the other hand, when the lid is closed from the main body, the opening is located outside the detection range of the remaining food quantity detector, preventing steam containing minute food particles from entering the area where the remaining food quantity detector is located through the opening. This prevents the remaining food quantity detector from becoming dirty and reducing its detection accuracy.

[0014] A fan is provided to blow air to the remaining amount detection unit.

[0015] The remaining amount detection unit is provided with a fan that blows air to it, so that when the lid is opened from the main body, steam containing tiny food particles can effectively prevent the remaining amount detection unit from becoming cloudy or dirty, which would otherwise reduce detection accuracy.

[0016] The lid has an opening that faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid is opened relative to the main body, and the remaining amount detection unit is attached to the lid so as to be located behind the opening.

[0017] The remaining food quantity detector is attached to the lid so that it is located behind an opening that faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid is opened, so the distance from the pot can be made shorter than when the remaining food quantity detector is attached to the exterior of the hinge part of the main body, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the remaining food quantity.

[0018] The hinge portion has an exterior portion that protrudes above the upper end of the pot and covers the hinge axis, and the lid body has a stopper portion that stops the rotation of the lid body by abutting against the exterior portion when the lid body is opened relative to the main body.

[0019] The lid has a stopper that stops the lid from rotating when it comes into contact with the exterior covering the hinge shaft, so the position of the remaining food amount detector can be determined when the lid is opened relative to the main body, ensuring accuracy in detecting the amount of food remaining.

[0020] The remaining amount detection unit is composed of a distance measurement sensor having an output unit that outputs light or ultrasonic waves toward the food and an input unit that inputs the light or ultrasonic waves reflected by the food.

[0021] The remaining amount detection unit is composed of a distance measurement sensor having an output unit that outputs light or ultrasound and an input unit that receives reflected light or ultrasound. This allows the distance from the remaining amount detection unit to be determined by the time between the output of light from the output unit and the input of the reflected light (TOF method) or the angle of incidence of light on the input unit (triangulation method). Alternatively, the distance from the remaining amount detection unit to the food can be determined by the time between the output of ultrasound from the output unit and the input of the reflected ultrasound. As a result, the amount of food remaining in the pot can be detected with high accuracy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The present invention makes it possible to detect the amount of food remaining in the pot and also prevents the device from becoming too large. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a rice cooker as an example of a cooking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of the rice cooker with the lid closed. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] Block diagram of a rice cooker. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a heat retention process performed by the control unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of a rice cooker as an example of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of the rice cooker of the second embodiment with the lid closed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] (First embodiment) 1 to 4, a rice cooker 10, which is an example of a cooking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, includes a rice cooker pot (pot) 15, a rice cooker main body (main body) 20, and a lid 35.

[0026] In the accompanying drawings, the X direction is the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of rice cooker 10, the direction indicated by the arrow is the front side, and the direction opposite to the arrow is the rear side, the Y direction is the width direction of rice cooker 10, and the Z direction is the height direction.

[0027] 5, rice cooker 10 further includes an IH coil (heating unit) 30, a lid heater 38, a pot temperature sensor 42, a lid temperature sensor 43, an operation panel unit 45, and a control unit 58. Of these, operation panel unit 45 includes a plurality of switches including a cancel switch 46, and an LCD display unit 47 that displays the operating status of rice cooker 10, etc.

[0028] Control unit 58 controls IH coil 30 and lid heater 38 based on the temperatures detected by temperature sensors 42 and 43 in accordance with a predetermined program, and cooks rice (food ingredients) contained in rice cooker pot 15 (rice cooking process). When the rice cooking process is complete, control unit 58 continues to control IH coil 30 and lid heater 38 based on the temperatures detected by temperature sensors 42 and 43, and keeps the cooked rice (food) warm at a predetermined temperature (keep warm process). The keep warm process ends when cancel switch 46 is operated.

[0029] In restaurants, it is necessary to keep track of the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker 10 and cook new rice when the amount is low. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the keep-warm process is being performed, the open detection unit 56 detects that the lid 35 has been opened, and the infrared sensor (remaining amount detection unit) 50 detects the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker 15 and displays it on the LCD display unit 47, improving user convenience.

[0030] The configurations of the rice cooker pot 15, the rice cooker body 20, and the lid 35 will be specifically described below.

[0031] 1 to 4, rice cooker pot 15 is cylindrical with a bottom and has a circular shape when viewed in the direction in which axis A extends (axial direction). Rice cooker pot 15 is made of a magnetic material and is formed by pressing or casting. As long as rice cooker pot 15 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, it may have a polygonal shape when viewed in the direction in which axis A extends.

[0032] The rice cooker main body 20 includes a shoulder body 21 and a main body cover 22, and is placed on a sink or dining table. The shoulder body 21 is formed with a cylindrical storage compartment 23 with a bottom that detachably stores the rice cooker pot 15. When the rice cooker pot 15 is stored in the storage compartment 23, the axis of the storage compartment 23 and the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15 coincide with each other. A hinge 24 is formed on the shoulder body 21 at the rear of the storage compartment 23, i.e., at the rear of the rice cooker pot 15 when viewed from the direction in which the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15 extends, to attach the lid 35 in an openable and closable manner.

[0033] The hinge portion 24 includes an exterior portion 25 that protrudes above the opening 15a at the top of the rice cooker pot 15. The upper end of the exterior portion 25 is open and spatially connected to the interior of the lid 35. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the exterior portion 25 is composed of a main body portion 26 and a hinge cover 27. The main body portion 26 is integral with the shoulder body 21 and includes a front wall portion 26a extending along the YZ plane and a pair of side wall portions 26b protruding rearward from both sides of the front wall portion 26a. The hinge cover 27 is separate from the shoulder body 21 and the main body cover 22 and covers the upper rear portion of the main body portion 26 and the main body cover 22. A metal hinge receiver 28 is attached within the exterior portion 25. A metal hinge shaft 29 supported by the hinge receiver 28 is located above and rearward of the opening 15a of the rice cooker pot 15 and extends in the width direction. The outer periphery of the hinge shaft 29 is covered by an exterior part 25 .

[0034] 2 and 3, an IH coil 30 is disposed on the outer surface of the housing 23, i.e., between the main body cover 22 and the housing 23. The IH coil 30 is configured with multiple windings wound in a circular shape, and generates eddy currents when a high-frequency current is passed through it, thereby inductively heating the rice cooker pot 15. A holder 32 holding a ferrite core 31 is disposed on the outside of the IH coil 30. The holder 32 holds the IH coil 30 between the housing 23 and the IH coil 30.

[0035] 1 to 4, lid 35 is rotatably attached to hinge 24 of rice cooker body 20 and releasably covers opening 15a of rice cooker pot 15. Lid 35 comprises a resin lid body 36 and lid cover 37. A heat sink (not shown) is arranged on the inner surface of lid body 36 (the lower side in FIG. 3) that faces rice cooker pot 15 in the closed state shown in FIG. 3, and a lid heater 38 (see FIG. 5) is arranged on the upper surface of this heat sink.

[0036] Notches 36a, 37a are formed on the rear sides (lower parts in FIGS. 1 and 4) of the lid main body 36 and the lid cover 37, respectively, into which the hinge section 24 can be fitted. The notches 36a, 37a open a portion of the rear side of the lid body 35, providing spatial communication between the interior of the lid body 35 and the interior of the exterior section 25 of the hinge section 24. Mounting sections 36b are provided on the edges of the notches 36a of the lid main body 36, into which both ends of the hinge shaft 29 are fitted to allow the lid body 35 to rotate about the hinge shaft 29.

[0037] A metal inner lid 39 that covers the rice cooker pot 15 is attached to the inner surface of the lid 35 (the lower side in FIG. 3) that faces the rice cooker pot 15 in the closed state shown in FIG. 3. A seal member 40 is attached to the outer periphery of the inner lid 39, forming a seal with the inner circumferential surface of the opening 15a of the rice cooker pot 15. In this embodiment, the inner lid 39 is detachable from the lid 35. The inner lid 39 may be provided integrally with the lid 35. In other words, the seal member 40 may be directly attached to the lid 35 so as not to be detachable.

[0038] Referring to Figure 5, rice cooker 10 is equipped with a pot temperature sensor 42 and a lid temperature sensor 43 that detect the temperature inside rice cooker pot 15. Both pot temperature sensor 42 and lid temperature sensor 43 are composed of thermistors. Pot temperature sensor 42 is positioned to pass through housing 23 so as to contact the outer surface of rice cooker pot 15, and indirectly detects the temperature inside rice cooker pot 15 by detecting the temperature of rice cooker pot 15. Lid temperature sensor 43 is positioned to pass through lid body 36 so as to contact the heat sink, and indirectly detects the temperature inside rice cooker pot 15 via the heat sink and inner lid 39. Lid temperature sensor 43 may also be a steam sensor that detects the temperature of steam expelled from inside rice cooker pot 15 to the outside of inner lid 39.

[0039] 3 and 5, an operation panel 45 is provided on the lid cover 37 of the lid body 35. The operation panel 45 may be provided on the rice cooker main body 20. The operation panel 45 has multiple switches including a cancel switch 46, and an LCD display 47 that displays the operating status of the rice cooker 10, etc. When not in use, the LCD display 47 displays multiple predetermined rice cooking menus (initial display). When cooking rice, the LCD display 47 displays the remaining time required for cooking. When keeping warm, the LCD display 47 displays the keep-warm time and the amount of rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15. For example, the amount of rice remaining is displayed numerically according to the amount remaining, or as a level display with varying lengths depending on the amount remaining. The numerical display includes a display of the remaining amount in cups, and a percentage display where the maximum amount of rice that can be cooked (full) is 100%.

[0040] An infrared sensor 50 is attached to the rice cooker main body 20 as a remaining rice amount detection unit that detects the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15. Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the infrared sensor 50 is attached to the upper part of the exterior part 25 at the hinge part 24 of the rice cooker main body 20 via a support member (stay) not shown. The infrared sensor 50 is positioned so that it faces the inside of the rice cooker pot 15 from above when the lid 35 is open to the rice cooker main body 20. When the lid 35 is closed to the rice cooker main body 20, the infrared sensor 50 is blocked by the lid 35 and cannot view the inside of the rice cooker pot 15. The infrared sensor 50 is positioned on the hinge part 24 side of the rice cooker pot 15 when viewed in the direction in which the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15 extends. The infrared sensor 50 is also positioned above and outside the portion of the rice cooker pot 15 that is sealed by the sealing member 40 of the inner lid 39 when viewed in the direction in which the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15 extends.

[0041] Here, the configuration in which the infrared sensor 50 is attached to the top of the exterior part 25 includes a configuration in which the entire infrared sensor 50 is located inside the exterior part 25, a configuration in which only a portion of the infrared sensor 50 is located inside the exterior part 25, and a configuration in which the entire infrared sensor 50 is located outside the exterior part 25 (inside the lid body 35). In other words, the infrared sensor 50 does not have to be located inside the exterior part 25 as long as it is attached inside the exterior part 25 via a support member. In other words, the infrared sensor 50 only needs to be located in the space between the exterior part 25 and the lid body 35 of the hinge part 24, which are connected to each other, so that the distance to the inside of the rice cooker pot 15 does not change when the lid body 35 is opened or closed.

[0042] 2, 4, and 5, the infrared sensor 50 is mounted at an angle so as to face the interior of the rice cooker pot 15 from above. The infrared sensor 50 includes an output unit 51 that outputs infrared rays (light) toward the interior of the rice cooker pot 15 and an input unit 52 that receives the reflected infrared rays, and is capable of optically detecting the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15. The infrared rays emitted from the output unit 51 form a detection range 50a that spreads out in a roughly conical shape within the rice cooker pot 15. The central axis of this detection range 50a is the detection axis 50b. When infrared rays equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold are input to the input unit 52, the input unit 52 outputs a signal representing the detection result to the control unit 58. The control unit 58 uses the detection result from the input unit 52 to calculate the distance to the cooked rice.

[0043] 1 and 2, lid 35 has an opening 53 that faces the inside of rice cooker pot 15 when lid 35 is open relative to rice cooker body 20. Opening 53 is provided in stopper portion 36c of lid body 36 and penetrates it in the front-to-rear direction when lid 35 is fully open. Stopper portion 36c is configured to abut against the front surface of front wall portion 26a of hinge portion 24 when lid 35 is fully open, opening approximately 90 degrees relative to rice cooker body 20, and to prevent lid 35 from rotating rearward beyond that position.

[0044] The opening 53 is located below the infrared sensor 50 and coincides with the detection axis 50b of the infrared sensor 50 when the lid 35 is open relative to the rice cooker body 20. More specifically, the center (centroid) of the opening 53 is located on the detection axis 50b of the infrared sensor 50 when the lid 35 is fully open relative to the rice cooker body 20. In other words, the infrared sensor 50 is located behind the opening 53 when the lid 35 is fully open relative to the rice cooker body 20. The area of ​​the opening 53 is larger than the area of ​​the portion of the detection range 50a of the infrared sensor 50 that passes through the opening 53. On the other hand, when the lid 35 is closed relative to the rice cooker body 20, more specifically, when the lid 35 is rotated from the fully open state toward the closing position, the opening 53 is located outside the detection range 50a of the infrared sensor 50 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, when the lid 35 is closed relative to the rice cooker body 20, the infrared sensor 50 cannot view the inside of the rice cooker pot 15.

[0045] The opening 53 may be provided in the front wall 26a of the hinge 24 of the rice cooker body 20. In this case, the infrared sensor 50 is located behind the opening 53 regardless of whether the lid 35 is open or closed. However, when the lid 35 is closed, the infrared sensor 50 is blocked by the lid 35 and cannot see inside the rice cooker pot 15. The opening 53 may also be covered with a light-transmitting member.

[0046] 4 and 5, a fan 54 is attached inside the exterior part 25 of the hinge part 24 of the rice cooker main body 20. The fan 54 is configured to blow air toward the infrared sensor 50, preventing the input part 52 from becoming cloudy or dirty due to steam containing fine rice powder (food particles), thereby reducing detection accuracy. In this embodiment, the fan 54 is configured as a sirocco fan. The fan 54 can be changed as needed as long as it is configured to prevent steam from adhering to the infrared sensor 50.

[0047] 5, rice cooker 10 is provided with an open detection unit 56 for detecting when lid 35 is opened. Open detection unit 56 can be a tilt sensor that is disposed inside lid 35 and outputs a signal when lid 35 is opened and does not output a signal when lid 35 is closed. Open detection unit 56 can also be a tactile switch that is attached to hinge 24 and turns on when lid 35 is opened, and can be modified as needed as long as it is configured to detect the open / closed state of lid 35.

[0048] 5, control unit 58 is composed of one or more microcomputers and other electronic devices, and is attached to a control board (not shown) located in rice cooker body 20 or lid 35. IH coil 30, lid heater 38, pot temperature sensor 42, lid temperature sensor 43, operation panel 45, infrared sensor 50, and open detection unit 56 are connected to control unit 58.

[0049] The control unit 58 includes a memory 59, a timer 60, and a measurement unit 61. The memory 59 stores programs for executing the rice cooking process and the keep-warm process, as well as set values ​​(temperature, time, etc.) used in the programs. The timer 60 measures the execution times of the steps included in the rice cooking process and the keep-warm process.

[0050] The measurement unit 61 measures the distance from the infrared sensor 50 to the cooked rice in the rice cooker 15 based on the detection time (detection result) or the angle of incidence (detection result) from when the output unit 51 of the infrared sensor 50 outputs infrared rays to when the input unit 52 of the infrared sensor 50 inputs the reflected infrared rays. In other words, the measurement unit 61 and the infrared sensor 50 constitute a TOF or triangulation distance measurement sensor that measures the distance to the cooked rice in the rice cooker 15. For example, the detection time is shortest when a full amount of cooked rice remains in the rice cooker 15 and becomes longer as the amount of cooked rice decreases. The angle of incidence is most obtuse when a full amount of cooked rice remains in the rice cooker 15 and becomes acute as the amount of cooked rice decreases. The measurement unit 61 measures the distance from the infrared sensor 50 to the cooked rice in the rice cooker 15, i.e., the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker 15, based on the detection time and the data table stored in the memory 59.

[0051] More specifically, in the keep-warm process, control unit 58 controls IH coil 30 and lid heater 38 based on the temperatures detected by temperature sensors 42 and 43, and adjusts the cooked rice to a set temperature. Control unit 58 also measures the duration of the keep-warm process using timer 60, and displays the keep-warm time and the amount of rice remaining on LCD display 47. The amount of rice remaining displayed immediately after the start of the keep-warm process is the cooked rice capacity determined in the rice cooking process.

[0052] Next, when the control unit 58 detects that the lid 35 has been opened using the opening detection unit 56, the control unit 58 repeatedly measures the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker 15 using the infrared sensor 50 and the measurement unit 61 until the opening detection unit 56 detects that the lid 35 has been closed. Then, when the opening detection unit 56 detects that the lid 35 has been closed, the control unit 58 causes the LCD display unit 47 to display the final amount of cooked rice remaining measured (determined) by the infrared sensor 50 and the measurement unit 61.

[0053] Next, the heat retention process performed by the control unit 58 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0054] In the heat retention process, the control unit 58 repeatedly performs the temperature adjustment process of steps S2 and S3 and the remaining amount detection process of steps S5 to S10 until the cancel switch 46 is operated (steps S4 and S11).

[0055] Specifically, in step S1, the control unit 58 first resets and starts the timer 60, and causes the LCD display unit 47 to display the keep-warm time (initially 0 minutes) and the cooking capacity determined in the rice cooking process as the remaining amount of rice.

[0056] Subsequently, in step S2, the IH coil 30 is controlled to be turned on and off (temperature adjustment step) based on the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 42 and 43, and then in step S3, the keep-warm time is updated based on the time measured by the timer 60.

[0057] Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the cancel switch 46 has been operated. If the cancel switch 46 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S5, and if the cancel switch 46 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0058] In step S5, it is determined whether or not the lid 35 has been opened based on an input signal from the open detection unit 56. If the lid 35 has not been opened, the process returns to step S2, and the temperature control process for the cooked rice is performed. On the other hand, if the lid 35 has been opened in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0059] In step S6, infrared rays are output from output unit 51 of infrared sensor 50, and then in step S7 it is determined whether or not reflected infrared rays have been input by a signal from input unit 52 of infrared sensor 50. If reflected infrared rays have not been input to input unit 52, the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if reflected infrared rays have been input to input unit 52 in step S6, the process proceeds to step S8, where the amount of cooked rice remaining in rice cooker pot 15 is calculated based on the time or angle of incidence between when infrared rays are output from output unit 51 and when the reflected infrared rays are detected by input unit 52.

[0060] Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the lid 35 is closed based on an input signal from the open detection unit 56. If the lid 35 is closed, the process proceeds to step S10, where the remaining amount of cooked rice on the LCD display unit 47 is updated to the amount calculated (determined) in step S8, and the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if the lid 35 is not closed in step S9, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0061] If the input unit 52 does not detect reflected infrared rays in step S7, or if the lid 35 is not detected as being closed in step S9, it is determined in step S11 whether the cancel switch 46 has been operated. If the cancel switch 46 has not been operated, the process returns to step S6, and the infrared sensor 50 repeatedly detects the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15. On the other hand, if the cancel switch 46 has been operated in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0062] If the cancel switch 46 is operated in step S4 or S11, the induction heating (temperature control) by the IH coil 30 is stopped in step S12, and then the LCD display 47 is changed to the initial display (displaying multiple rice cooking menus) in step S13, and the keep-warm process is terminated.

[0063] The rice cooker 10 configured in this manner has the following features.

[0064] The rice cooker body 20 is equipped with an infrared sensor 50 that looks into the rice cooker pot 15 from above when the lid 35 is opened, and detects the amount of rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15 based on the distance from the rice. This makes it possible to detect the amount of rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15. Compared to a weight sensor, the infrared sensor 50 does not require consideration of the weight balance of the device, can detect the amount of rice remaining with just one sensor, and does not require a dedicated installation space defined by a wall. This helps prevent the device from becoming too large.

[0065] Moreover, when viewed from the direction of the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15, the infrared sensor 50 is positioned outside the portion of the rice cooker pot 15 sealed by the sealing member 40 of the lid 35. This prevents the infrared sensor 50 from becoming dirty with steam containing fine rice powder that may be generated from the cooked rice during cooking, which would otherwise reduce detection accuracy.

[0066] When viewed from the direction in which axis A of rice cooker pot 15 extends, infrared sensor 50 is positioned on the hinge part 24 side of rice cooker pot 15. The change in distance to rice cooker pot 15 due to opening and closing of lid 35 is smaller on the hinge part 24 side than on the tip side, which is opposite hinge part 24. Therefore, by positioning infrared sensor 50 on the hinge part 24 side, it is possible to improve the stability of the distance of infrared sensor 50 from the cooked rice in rice cooker pot 15. As a result, it is possible to improve the accuracy with which infrared sensor 50 detects the amount of cooked rice remaining.

[0067] The infrared sensor 50 is attached to the exterior part 25 of the hinge part 24 that protrudes above the top end of the rice cooker pot 15. In other words, the infrared sensor 50 is attached to the hinge part 24 of the rice cooker body 20, which does not move when the lid 35 is opened or closed. This improves the stability of the distance of the infrared sensor 50 from the cooked rice in the rice cooker pot 15. Furthermore, when the lid 35 is opened from the rice cooker body 20, the infrared sensor 50 is located behind an opening 53 formed in the lid 35. Therefore, the inside of the rice cooker pot 15 can be viewed from above through the opening 53, and the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15 can be reliably detected. Furthermore, because the infrared sensor 50, including the opening 53, is positioned outside the sealed portion of the rice cooker pot 15, it is possible to prevent the infrared sensor 50 from becoming dirty with steam containing fine rice powder, which would otherwise reduce detection accuracy, regardless of whether the lid 35 is opened or closed from the rice cooker body 20.

[0068] Opening 53 is provided in lid 35, and when lid 35 is opened from rice cooker body 20, it coincides with the detection axis of infrared sensor 50, so that the amount of cooked rice remaining in rice cooker pot 15 can be reliably detected by looking into the inside of rice cooker pot 15 from above. On the other hand, when lid 35 is closed from rice cooker body 20, opening 53 is located outside the detection range of infrared sensor 50, so steam containing fine rice powder is prevented from entering the area where infrared sensor 50 is located through opening 53. This prevents infrared sensor 50 from becoming dirty and reducing its detection accuracy.

[0069] It is equipped with a fan 54 that blows air to the infrared sensor 50. Therefore, when the lid 35 is opened from the rice cooker body 20, the infrared sensor 50 can be effectively prevented from becoming cloudy or dirty due to steam containing fine rice powder, which would otherwise cause a decrease in detection accuracy.

[0070] The infrared sensor 50 constitutes a distance measuring sensor, and can determine the distance from the infrared sensor 50 to the cooked rice based on the time or angle of incidence between when infrared rays are output from the output unit 51 and when the reflected infrared rays are input by the input unit 52. As a result, the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0071] Other embodiments and various modifications of the present invention will be described below, but in these descriptions, points that are not particularly mentioned are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the drawings referred to below, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.

[0072] (Second embodiment) 7 and 8, the rice cooker 10 of the second embodiment differs from the rice cooker 10 of the first embodiment in that an infrared sensor 50 is attached to the lid body 35.

[0073] The infrared sensor 50 is attached to the lid body 36 so as to be located behind an opening 53 provided in the lid body 35. As in the first embodiment, the opening 53 is provided in a stopper portion 36c that abuts against the front surface of the front wall portion 26a of the hinge portion 24 when the lid body 35 is fully open at approximately 90 degrees relative to the rice cooker body 20, and stops the lid body 35 from rotating further rearward than that position. The opening 53 allows a view of the inside of the rice cooker pot 15 when the lid body 35 is open relative to the rice cooker body 20.

[0074] Similar to the first embodiment, the infrared sensor 50 includes an output section 51 and an input section 52 (see FIG. 5). The infrared sensor 50 is disposed behind the opening 53 (inside the lid 35) via a transparent substrate 55. The transparent substrate 55 is made of a clear resin that does not reflect or absorb light and allows light to pass through without diffusing inside, and is attached so as to cover the opening 53.

[0075] In the rice cooker 10 of the second embodiment configured in this way, similar to the first embodiment, the infrared sensor 50 can detect the amount of cooked rice remaining in the rice cooker pot 15 when the control unit 58 (see FIG. 5) is performing a keep-warm process and the lid 35 is opened from the rice cooker body 20. Therefore, the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0076] Furthermore, compared to attaching the infrared sensor 50 to the exterior part 25 of the hinge part 24 of the rice cooker body 20, the infrared sensor 50 can be placed near the opening 53, shortening the distance to the rice cooking pot 15. This improves the accuracy of detecting the amount of cooked rice remaining. Furthermore, compared to attaching the infrared sensor 50 to the hinge part 24 of the rice cooker body 20, the infrared sensor 50 can be attached with a simple configuration without using support members or the like.

[0077] Furthermore, lid 35 has stopper portion 36c that stops rotation of lid 35 by abutting against exterior portion 25 that covers hinge shaft 29 when lid 35 is opened relative to rice cooker body 20. This allows the position of infrared sensor 50 to be determined when lid 35 is opened relative to rice cooker body 20, ensuring accuracy in detecting the amount of cooked rice remaining.

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0079] For example, instead of the infrared sensor 50, the remaining amount detection unit may be configured with an ultrasonic sensor in which the output unit 51 outputs ultrasonic waves and the input unit 52 inputs the reflected ultrasonic waves. In this case, it is preferable that the opening 53 is configured to be a through hole without being blocked by a translucent material. The remaining amount detection unit may also use a millimeter-wave radar. The remaining amount detection unit may also be configured with a camera that can capture images of the rice cooker pot 15 and multiple LIDARs that can measure distance, and may be able to detect the amount of rice remaining through image analysis. In other words, the remaining amount detection unit may be configured to be able to detect the amount of rice remaining based on the distance from the rice in the rice cooker pot 15.

[0080] The remaining amount detection unit may be located at the tip of the lid 35 opposite the hinge unit 24. The location of the remaining amount detection unit can be changed as needed, as long as it is located outside the sealing portion between the rice cooker pot 15 and the sealing member 40 when viewed in the direction in which the axis A of the rice cooker pot 15 extends.

[0081] If the configuration or structure can prevent the remaining amount detection section from becoming cloudy or dirty, the fan 54 does not need to be used.

[0082] The remaining amount of cooked rice may be constantly detected by the remaining amount detection unit during the keep-warm process without providing the open detection unit 56. Even in this case, the remaining amount of cooked rice in the rice cooker pot 15 can be detected only when the lid 35 is open, as the inside of the rice cooker pot 15 is visible.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the rice cooker 10 has been described as an example, but the cooking device of the present invention may also be a cooker for cooking vegetables or meat as ingredients. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10 Rice cooker (heating cooker) 15 Rice cooker (pot) 15a opening 20 Rice cooker body (main body) 21 Shoulder body 22 Exterior body 23 Storage unit 24 Hinge part 25 Exterior part 26 Main body 26a Front wall 26b Side wall part 27 Hinge cover 28 Hinge receiving part 29 Hinge axis 30 IH coil 31 Ferrite core 32 Holder 35 Lid 36 Lid body 36a Notch 36b Mounting part 36c Stopper part 37 Lid cover 37a Notch 38 Lid heater 39 Inner lid 40 sealing material 42 Pot temperature sensor 43 Lid temperature sensor 45 Operation panel 46 Cancel Switch 47 LCD display section 50 Infrared sensor (remaining amount detection section) 50a detection range 50b Detection axis 51 Output section 52 Input section 53 Open hole 54 Fans 55 Transparent substrate 56 Open detection unit 58 Control Unit 59 Memory 60 Timer 61 Measuring part A Rice cooker pot axis (axial direction)

Claims

1. a pot for containing food to be cooked; a main body having a hinge portion formed on the outer side of the pot when viewed in the axial direction of the pot; a lid body having a sealing member that closes the upper end opening of the pot and is rotatably attached to the hinge portion; a remaining amount detection unit that is disposed outside the portion of the pot sealed by the sealing member when viewed in the axial direction of the pot, faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid body is opened from the main body, and detects the remaining amount of food in the pot based on the distance from the food; A heating cooker comprising:

2. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the remaining amount detection unit is disposed on the hinge side of the pot when viewed in the axial direction of the pot.

3. The hinge portion has an exterior portion that protrudes above the upper end of the pot to cover the hinge shaft and is spatially connected to the inside of the lid body, The exterior part or the lid body has an opening that faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid body is opened from the main body, The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining amount detecting unit is attached to the exterior part so as to be located behind the opening when the lid body is opened from the main body.

4. The heating cooker according to claim 3, wherein the opening is provided in the lid body and coincides with the detection axis of the remaining amount detection unit when the lid body is opened relative to the main body, but is located outside the detection range of the remaining amount detection unit when the lid body is closed relative to the main body.

5. The cooking device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fan that blows air to the remaining amount detection unit.

6. The lid has an opening that faces the inside of the pot from above when the lid is opened from the main body, The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the remaining amount detector is attached to the lid so as to be located behind the opening.

7. The hinge portion has an exterior portion that protrudes above the upper end of the pot and covers the hinge shaft, The cooking device according to claim 6, wherein the lid has a stopper portion that stops rotation of the lid by contacting the exterior portion when the lid is opened relative to the main body.

8. 3. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the remaining amount detection unit is configured by a distance sensor having an output unit that outputs light or ultrasonic waves toward the food and an input unit that inputs the light or ultrasonic waves reflected by the food.

Images