Rice washing device

Abstract

The objective is to enable container cleaning in a rice washing device when the water supply and drainage lines use a common connecting pipe. [Solution] In a rice washing device comprising a mounting platform (2) on which a container (10) containing rice and water is placed, an agitator (3) for agitating and washing the rice in the container (10) placed on the mounting platform (2), and a support (4) for supporting the agitator (3), a water supply pipe (83C) for supplying water into the container (10) and a drain pipe (85C) for draining the water from inside the container (10) are connected, and water supply and drainage are performed by a common connecting pipe (84C), a washing mode (Y) is provided in which water is supplied into the container (10) from the water supply pipe (83C), and then drained from the connecting pipe (84C) and drain pipe (85C). In addition, the driving time (Tp) of the lower drain pump (73) in washing mode (Y) is set to be longer than the water supply time (Tc).

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a rice washing device.

Background Art

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the operating time (Tp) of the lower drain pump (73) in the washing mode (Y) is set to be longer than the water supply time (Tc).

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the support body (4) is provided with a lifting device (50) and is movable between a rice washing position (P1) in which the agitator (3) is inserted inside the container (10) and ready for agitation, and a retracted position (P2) in which it is retracted to the outside of the container (10) and separated from the container (10), and when the operating time (Tp) of the lower drain pump (73) has elapsed, the lifting device (50) is given an upward output to move from the rice washing position (P1) to the retracted position (P2), and the upward output is stopped based on detection by the upper end position detection sensor (91) of the rice washing section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the invention described in claim 1, an empty container (10) can be cleaned by performing the cleaning mode (Y).

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effects described in claim 1, residual water remaining in the container (10) after drainage can be prevented.

[0012] According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effects described in claim 2, it becomes easier to recognize when drainage has finished. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a schematic perspective view showing a state when a stirring body or the like of the rice washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is in the rice washing position. [Figure 2] It is a schematic perspective view showing a state when a stirring body or the like of the rice washing device is in the retracted position. [Figure 3] (A) is a schematic front sectional view of the rice washing device, and (B) is a schematic side sectional view thereof. [Figure 4] (A) is a schematic view showing a state when a stirring body or the like of the rice washing device is in the retracted position, and (B) is a schematic view showing a state when the stirring body or the like of the rice washing device is in the rice washing position. [Figure 5] It is a partial sectional schematic view showing a part of the configuration of the rice washing device together with a container. [Figure 6] It is a schematic view showing the configuration of a water supply functional part and a drainage functional part in the rice washing device. [Figure 7] It is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a control system in the rice washing device. [Figure 8] (A) is a partial sectional schematic view showing a part of the configuration of a rice washing device with a separate example of a water supply / drainage part together with a container, and (B) is a sectional view of a part thereof. [Figure 9] It is a time chart. [Figure 10] It is a developed perspective view showing a separate example of a lifting device. [Figure 11] It is a side view showing a separate example of a lifting device. [Figure 12] It is a rear view showing a separate example of a drain water pipe.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In FIGS. 1 to 3, a rice washing device 1 of the present invention is shown.

[0016] The rice washing device 1 is a simple type of rice washing device that does not have a dedicated rice washing tank for performing rice washing, and at least includes a mounting table 2 for mounting a container 10 for containing rice and water, a stirring body 3 for stirring and washing the rice in the container 10 mounted on the mounting table 2, and a support body 4 for supporting the stirring body 3.

[0017] The container 10 is a container capable of performing the rice washing operation by the stirring body 3 and can be arbitrarily selected and used by the user. For example, a rice cooking pot built into a rice cooker is applicable.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the mounting table 2 is configured to be flat, and is detachably attached to the base portion of the support body 4 via a moving means such as a slide rail.

[0019] Thereby, it becomes possible to pull out the mounting table 2 and separate it from the stirring body 3 etc., and the operation of mounting the container 10 on the mounting table 2 and the operation of removing the container 10 from the mounting table 2 become easier.

[0020] The stirring body 3 stirs the rice contained in the container 10 mounted on the mounting table 2 together with water to perform the rice washing operation, and has a drive shaft 31 supported to rotate and stirring rods 32 provided so as to project from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft 31 to generate a stirring action.

[0021] The drive shaft 31 is provided rotatably at substantially the central portion inside the container 10 via a bearing member 35 on a movable frame portion 42 of the support body 4 described later.

[0022] The stirring rod 32 is a rod-shaped member bent into a required shape suitable for stirring rice when it rotates around the rotating drive shaft 31. In this embodiment, the stirring rod 32 consists of four stirring rods 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D formed from round rods into an L shape, which are fixed to the drive shaft 31 with a 90-degree displacement in plan view. The horizontal lengths of the fixed stirring rods 32A to 32D are different, and the vertical length is made such that the side closer to the drive shaft 31 is closer to the bottom of the container 10, while the side further from the drive shaft 31 is made slightly shorter to account for the curved rising shape towards the side wall of the container 10.

[0023] The lower ends of the stirring rods 32A to 32D are tapered to a point, and when the stirring rods 32A to 32D are lowered into the container 10 as described later, the stirring rods 32A to 32D can be smoothly inserted into the rice being filled into the container 10. In the illustrated example, a separate member 32t formed in a sharp shape is placed over the lower ends of the stirring rods 32A to 32D, but the tips of the stirring rods 32A to 32D themselves may also be tapered.

[0024] The support body 4 at least supports the stirring body 3, and as shown in Figures 1 to 4, it is configured to support the stirring body 3 so that it can move between a rice washing position P1 in which it is inserted inside the container 10 and ready for stirring, and a retracted position P2 in which it is moved to the outside of the container 10 and separated from the container 10.

[0025] This support body 4 mainly consists of a base frame section 41 for installation at the location where the rice washing device 1 is used, and a movable frame section 42 that can support and move the agitator 3, etc.

[0026] The fixed frame section 41 is a frame section with a structure and shape that includes a space for housing the mounting base 2. The movable frame section 42 is a frame section that is positioned opposite the mounting base 2 at a distance from it.

[0027] The movable frame section 42 supports the drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3 via a bearing member 35 so that it can be rotated while hanging downwards. The movable frame section 42 is equipped with a drive unit, such as a rice washing and agitation motor 37 (described later), which transmits rotational power to the drive shaft 31.

[0028] Furthermore, the movable frame section 42 is provided with a cover 43 that covers the space on its upper side. The cover 43 is equipped with an operation panel 55, which serves as an operation unit, and includes an input unit for setting conditions and giving instructions necessary for operating the rice washing device 1, as well as a display unit for displaying necessary information. The movable frame section 42 houses a control unit 15 that controls the operation of the rice washing device 1, and a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies the necessary current to the electrical components.

[0029] Between the fixed frame portion 41 and the movable frame portion 42, a lifting device 50 is configured to move the movable frame portion 42 in the vertical direction.

[0030] The lifting device 50 consists of a lifting switch 51, a lifting motor 52 that can move in both forward and reverse directions, a screw-type vertical shaft 53, and a lifting frame 54 integrated with a movable frame 42. The lifting frame 54 is configured to move up or down along the screw-type vertical shaft 53, which rotates in both forward and reverse directions by the lifting motor 52.

[0031] Next, we will describe the water supply unit 6, which supplies water into the container 10 placed on the mounting base 2, and the drainage unit 7, which discharges the water from inside the container 10. The water supply unit 6 and the drainage unit 7 are connected by a water pipe that is divided into multiple sections.

[0032] The water supply unit 6 includes a water supply connection unit 61 connected to a water supply connection hose 69 that supplies water from a water source such as a water tap (not shown), two upper water supply units 62A and 62B that supply water from above the container 10, and a lower water supply unit 63 that supplies water from the inside bottom of the container 10.

[0033] Of these, the water supply connection section 61 is composed of a water supply connection fitting and is configured to allow one-touch connection and disconnection with the connection end of the water supply connection hose 69. The water supply connection section 61 is also provided with an open valve (not shown) that switches the flow path of water supplied from the water supply connection hose 69 on and off.

[0034] The two upper water supply sections 62A and 62B are composed of water supply equipment such as shower heads, and can supply water to the inside of the container 10 from above in a wide spray pattern.

[0035] The lower water supply section 63 is composed of the lower end opening 84c of a water passage pipe 84, which will be described later, located in the lower inner part of the container 10.

[0036] The upper water supply sections 62A and 62B are connected to the water supply connection section 61 by a water supply pipe 81 for drawing in water. One of the two branches of this water supply pipe 81, which serves as the first branch water supply pipe, is further divided into two branches, to which the upper water supply sections 62A and 62B are connected. As a result, the upper water supply sections 62A and 62B are connected to the water supply connection section 61 and can receive a water supply.

[0037] Furthermore, the lower water supply section 63 is formed by further branching of the other water supply pipe 83, which is a second branch water supply pipe from the water supply pipe 81, and arranging one of the dual-purpose water supply pipes 84 so that it extends to the lower inside of the container 10. The downstream portion of the water supply pipe 84 is arranged to pass through the hollow of the drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3, as will be described later. As a result, the lower water supply section 63 is connected to the water supply connection section 61 and can receive a water supply.

[0038] In Figure 6, reference numeral 64 indicates a pipe fitting. Furthermore, the water supply function unit 6 is composed of equipment such as control valves.

[0039] First, an upper water supply solenoid valve 65 is positioned in the middle of the water supply pipe 82, which serves as the first branch water supply pipe, to act as a control valve for switching the upper water supply on and off. Furthermore, a lower water supply solenoid valve 66 is positioned in the middle of the water supply pipe 83, which serves as the second branch water supply pipe, to act as a control valve for switching the lower water supply on and off. Additionally, a three-way solenoid valve 67 is positioned at the connection point between the water supply pipe 83 (the second branch water supply pipe) and the shared water supply pipe 84, to further switch the lower water supply on and off.

[0040] Furthermore, a flow sensor 68 for measuring the flow rate of the supplied water is placed in the middle of the water supply pipe 81, which serves as the water intake pipe.

[0041] On the other hand, the drainage function unit 7 includes a lower drainage unit 71 that draws in water from the lower inside of the container 10 and drains it, an upper drainage unit 72 that draws in water from the upper inside of the container 10 and drains it, a lower drainage pump 73 that sucks water from the lower drainage unit 71 and drains it, and an upper drainage pump 74 that sucks water from the upper drainage unit 72 and drains it.

[0042] The lower drain section 71 is formed by the lower end opening 84c of a multi-purpose water pipe 84 located in the lower inside of the container 10.

[0043] The upper drain section 72 is for draining water to prevent the container 10 from overflowing when it becomes full. This upper drain section 72 consists of drainage equipment such as a drain pipe and a water intake nozzle, which are positioned to protrude from the lower side of the movable frame section 42 and reach the upper inside of the container 10.

[0044] The lower drain pump 73 is connected to the lower drain section 71 and operates to draw in water, while the upper drain pump 74 is connected to the upper drain section 72 and operates to draw in water.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the drainage function unit 7 is connected by multiple water passage pipes 84-88, which are arranged in a divided manner, and consists of a lower drainage section 71, an upper drainage section 72, a lower drainage pump 73, an upper drainage pump 74, and a drainage box 75.

[0046] The lower drainage section 71, like the lower water supply section 63, is configured such that one of the shared water supply pipes 84, from which the water supply pipe 83 (which serves as the second branch water supply pipe) is branched, extends to the lower inside of the container 10.

[0047] The lower drain pump 73 is connected to a water supply pipe 83, which is a second branch water supply pipe, and to the other water supply pipe 85, which is the lower drain pipe. Furthermore, the water supply pipe 85 is connected to a water supply pipe 84, which is a dual-purpose water supply pipe, via a three-way solenoid valve 67, so that the lower drain section 71 is connected to the lower drain pump 73 and can receive water intake.

[0048] The upper drain section 72 is connected to one end of the water passage pipe 86, which is part of the water passage pipe 8, and the other end of the water passage pipe 86 is connected to the upper drain pump 74. Thus, the upper drain section 72 is connected to the upper drain pump 74 and can receive water intake.

[0049] The three-way solenoid valve 67 between the shared water supply pipe 84 and the water supply pipe 85 functions as a control valve that switches between the lower water supply from the water supply function unit 6 and the lower drainage from the drainage function unit 7.

[0050] On the outlet side (downstream side) of the lower drainage pump 73 and the upper drainage pump 74, a drainage box 75 is located to combine the wastewater discharged from the lower drainage pump 73 and the wastewater discharged from the upper drainage pump 74 for wastewater treatment.

[0051] Furthermore, the drain box 75 is connected to the other end of a water passage pipe 87, which serves as a first discharge pipe with one end connected to the lower drain pump 73, and to the other end of a water passage pipe 88, which serves as a second discharge pipe with one end connected to the upper drain pump 74. In addition, the drain box 75 is connected to a water passage pipe 89, which serves as the final drain pipe for the combined wastewater. The water passage pipe 89 is connected to a discharge destination that is connected to a drainage facility such as a sewer (not shown).

[0052] The movable frame section 42 is equipped with a liquid level sensor 76 that detects whether the water level inside the container 10 has reached the upper limit position h1 in order to prevent overflow of the water contained inside the container 10. The upper drain section 72 is controlled to turn on and off based on the detection information from the liquid level sensor 76, and is positioned so that the height position h2 of its lower end is lower than the upper limit position h1.

[0053] Furthermore, in the rice washing device 1, the water supply pipe 84, which serves as both a lower water supply pipe and a lower drain pipe, is supported by the movable frame portion 42 of the support body 4 so that it can move together with the agitator 3 between the rice washing position P1 and the retracted position P2.

[0054] The drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3 is hollow, and the dual-purpose water pipe 84 is positioned to pass through the hollow interior of the drive shaft 31. The drive shaft 31 is made of a cylindrical member, and its upper end portion is rotatably supported by a bearing member 35 in the movable frame portion 42. The drive shaft 31 rotates in the required direction when the rotational power of the rice washing drive motor 37 is transmitted to a bevel gear 38 provided at its upper end.

[0055] The water pipe 84 is divided into a first piping section 84A located on the movable frame section 42 and a second piping section 84B located inside the hollow of the drive shaft 31, with the end of the first piping section 84A and the upper end of the second piping section 84B connected by a connecting joint 80.

[0056] The second piping portion 84B of the water supply pipe 84 is attached to the hollow space of the drive shaft 31 via a sliding bearing 39, thereby supporting the second piping portion 84B in a fixed state on the drive shaft 31. This also means that the drive shaft 31 is rotatably supported by the sliding bearing 39 relative to the fixed second piping portion 84B of the water supply pipe 84. Furthermore, the presence of the sliding bearing 39 prevents water or rice contained in the container 10 from entering the hollow space between the drive shaft 31 and the second piping portion 84B.

[0057] A filter 77 is provided at the lower end of the dual-purpose water pipe 84, which protrudes from the lower end of the drive shaft 31, to prevent rice from passing through its lower end opening 84c. The filter 77 only needs to have the function of preventing rice from passing through and allowing smaller objects (including water) to pass through, and can be constructed using, for example, a porous material or a porous structure.

[0058] The control unit 15 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and performs necessary control based on the control program and data stored in the storage means 16.

[0059] The control unit 15 is connected to the operation panel 55, flow sensor 68, liquid level sensor 76, etc., and receives instruction information and control information necessary for control operation. The control unit 15 is also connected to the controlled objects, such as the rice washing drive motor 37, upper water supply solenoid valve 65, lower water supply solenoid valve 66, three-way solenoid valve 67, lower drain pump 73, upper drain pump 74, etc., and outputs the control signals necessary for each controlled object.

[0060] Next, we will explain how to use and operate the rice washing device 1.

[0061] First, the movable frame section 42 of the rice washing device 1, on which the agitator 3 and other components are located, is moved upward from the rice washing position P1 to the retracted position P2 by operating the lifting switch 51.

[0062] Next, after extending the mounting platform 2, a container 10, such as a rice cooker, is placed on the mounting platform 2. At this time, the container 10 is fixed in position relative to the mounting platform 2 by the fixing member 23 on the mounting surface of the mounting platform 2, so it does not move unexpectedly. Furthermore, the required amount of rice to be washed is placed into the container 10, but since the agitator 3 and the like have moved to the retracted position P2 and are away from the container 10, the work of setting the container 10 on the mounting platform 2 and the work of placing the rice into the container 10 can be easily performed without being obstructed by the agitator 3 and the like.

[0063] Next, the mounting base 2 on which the container 10 is placed is pushed in and stored in its designated position on the fixed frame section 41. At this point, the mounting base 2 is fixed to the fixed frame section 41.

[0064] Next, by operating the lifting switch 51, the movable frame 42 is lowered, causing the movable frame 42 to move downward from the retracted position P2 to the rice washing position P1.

[0065] As a result, in the rice washing device 1, the agitator 3 in the movable frame section 42, as well as the second piping section 84B as the lower water supply section 63 and the second piping section 84B of the water supply pipe as the lower drain section 71, descend together with the drive shaft 31 and are inserted into the container 10 containing the rice. At this time, the filter 77 in the lower drain section 71 moves downward until it comes into contact with or close to the bottom surface of the storage space of the container 10. The lower ends of the agitator rods 32A to 32D are tapered, so they can be smoothly inserted into the container 10 filled with rice.

[0066] Incidentally, the movable frame portion 42 is configured to rotate the drive shaft 31 when it moves downward from the retracted position P2 to the rice washing position P1. With this configuration, the stirring rods 32A to 32D can be smoothly inserted into the rice being filled into the container 10.

[0067] The operator then inputs necessary information regarding the rice washing process (such as the amount and type of rice to be washed) and sets conditions (such as the washing time and number of rinses) on the control panel 55 located on the top surface of the cover 43. When the start button for the rice washing process on the control panel 55 is pressed, the rice washing process begins.

[0068] As a result, water is supplied to the container 10 placed on the mounting base 2 from the two upper water supply units 62A and 62B, and upper water supply is performed. At this time, the upper water supply is stopped when the control unit 15 predicts and measures the amount of water to be supplied from the detection information input from the flow sensor 68 and closes the opening valve at the water supply connection unit 61 and the upper water supply solenoid valve 65 to turn it off when the amount of water to be supplied for the rice washing work, which has been set in advance.

[0069] Once the water supply to the container 10 is complete, the rice washing drive motor 37 is activated to rotate the agitator 3 in a predetermined direction. As a result, the rice in the container 10 is agitated together with the water by the agitator rods 32A and 32B of the agitator 3, and the rice washing process begins.

[0070] The rice washing process ends when the predetermined washing time has elapsed, at which point the control unit 15 stops the rice washing drive motor 37 and stops the rotation of the agitator 3.

[0071] When the rice washing process is complete, the lower drain pump 73 is activated, causing the water in the container 10 (water after washing and rinsing) to be drawn in through the lower end opening 84c of the second piping section 84B of the water passage pipe 84 and sent to the lower drain pump 73 through the water passage pipe 84 and water passage pipe 85 for drainage. At this time, the water drawn in through the lower end opening 84c of the second piping section 84B moves through the hollow space of the drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3.

[0072] Furthermore, in this drainage system, a filter 77 is provided at the lower end of the second piping section 84B, allowing for efficient drainage of water from the container 10 while avoiding the discharge of rice.

[0073] In this case, the operation of the lower drainage pump 73 ends when, for example, a predetermined time corresponding to the amount of water supplied has elapsed, by stopping the operation of the lower drainage pump 73.

[0074] Next, rinsing takes place, which is done using a bottom water supply. The movement of the water supplied and accumulated by the bottom water supply immerses the washed rice in container 10, washing it as it is submerged in the water.

[0075] During the rinsing process, once the lower water supply operation is complete, the agitator 3 rotates for a short time at a slower speed than during rice washing before draining water from the drainage function unit 7, or the drainage function unit 7 drains water from the bottom without rotating the agitator 3.

[0076] Furthermore, the rinsing process is repeated in the same manner according to the number of rinses preset on the control panel 55.

[0077] Regarding the rinsing process, for example, the water supply function unit 6 may be configured to supply water from above for a predetermined time, followed by draining water from below for a predetermined time, thereby achieving the necessary water level for cooking rice.

[0078] Once the rice washing process is complete, the movable frame section 42 is moved from the rice washing position P1 to the retracted position P2 by operating the lifting switch 51, as shown in Figure 2.

[0079] Next, the rice washing device 1 extends the mounting platform 2, and then removes the container 10, which has finished washing the rice, from the mounting platform 2. This completes the rice washing process using the rice washing device 1. If, for example, the container 10 is a rice cooker, then the container 10 is placed in the rice cooker and the cooking process begins.

[0080] As explained above, the rice washing device 1 does not have a rice washing tank specifically for washing rice, so there is no need to perform maintenance on a rice washing tank. Moreover, this rice washing device 1 does not require space for installing a rice washing tank. Since there is no need to secure space, the device can be made smaller almost entirely to compensate for the lack of installation space.

[0081] Furthermore, when the agitator 3 is moved to the retracted position P2, the rice washing device 1 allows the container 10 to be moved freely without being obstructed by the agitator 3, etc., which makes it easier to perform tasks such as placing the container 10 on the mounting stand 2 or removing the container 10 from the mounting stand 2.

[0082] Furthermore, since the water passage pipe 84 (second piping section 84B) that sucks and passes water from the container 10 is positioned to pass through the hollow of the drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3, there is no risk of the water passage pipe 84 interfering with the agitator 3's stirring operation, which allows for further miniaturization of the device.

[0083] Furthermore, in this rice washing device 1, the water supply pipe 84, i.e., the second piping section 84B, which supplies water from below, is also used as a drain pipe and is positioned to pass through the hollow of the drive shaft 31 of the agitator 3. Compared to the case where a separate water supply pipe is provided for water supply from below, the device can be made even smaller, and water can be supplied into the container 10 efficiently by using the water supply pipe 84 for this purpose.

[0084] Alternatively, the upper water supply and drainage may be eliminated, and the washing, rinsing, and water level adjustment may be performed using a combination of lower water supply and drainage.

[0085] Next, an alternative configuration for the lower water supply and lower drainage functions will be described based on Figure 8. The three-way switching valve 67 is abolished, and the water supply pipe 83C, connecting pipe 84C, and drainage pipe 85C are connected by a three-way connecting fitting 67C. In this configuration, the water supply pipe 83C and drainage pipe 85C are positioned in a nearly horizontal position, and the position of the drainage pipe 85C is higher than that of the water supply pipe 83C, creating a height difference H. Therefore, when supplying water to the container 10 via the water supply pipe 83C and connecting pipe 84C, it is difficult for the water supply to enter the drainage pipe 85C, preventing errors in the amount of water supplied. Furthermore, the three-way switching valve 67 shown in Figure 5 is not necessary.

[0086] Note that in Figure 8, components with the same configuration as those in Figure 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0087] The lower drain pump 73 connected to the drain pipe 85C employs a so-called rotary impeller type. When the lower drain pump 73 is not driven, the rotary impeller that makes up the drain pump 73 does not rotate, so the water supplied from the water supply pipe 83C cannot pass through the lower drain pump 73 in the drain pipe 85C, thus preventing water supply loss. Furthermore, the three-way switching valve 67 shown in Figure 5 is not necessary.

[0088] A microbubble generator 90 is installed in the water supply pipe 83C. This microbubble generator 90 is positioned immediately before the branching point where the water supply pipe 83C and the drain pipe 85C are connected by a three-way connector 67C. By installing it immediately before this branching point, microbubbles can be supplied into the container 10 as soon as they are generated, making them less susceptible to the effects of drainage.

[0089] Next, we will explain the cleaning mode Y, which is a combination of the lower water supply function and the lower drainage function. Specifically, water is supplied into the container 10 from the water supply pipe 83C, and then drained from the connecting pipe 84C and the drainage pipe 85C. This allows the inside of an empty container 10 to be cleaned.

[0090] As shown in Figure 9, the operating time Tp of the lower drain pump 73 in washing mode Y is set to be longer than the water supply time Tc. Therefore, residual water remaining in the container 10 after drainage can be prevented. Here, the water supply amount and water supply time Tc are assumed to be the ON time of the lower water supply valve 66, and the amount of water supplied per unit time when the lower water supply valve 66 is ON is assumed to be approximately the same as the amount of water drained per unit time by the lower drain pump 73.

[0091] Furthermore, once the operating time Tp of the lower drain pump 73 has elapsed, the lifting motor 52 of the lifting device 50 is given forward rotation output to raise the movable frame 42, causing the movable frame 42 to rise and the rice washing section, including the agitator 3, to be retracted to position P2, away from the container 10. A rice washing section upper end position detection sensor 91 is provided to detect whether or not the rice washing section, including the agitator 3, has reached position P2, and the upward movement is stopped based on the upper end position detection. This configuration makes it easy to recognize when drainage has finished.

[0092] In Figure 3, the tray indicated by reference numeral 92 is provided below the pull-out type mounting base 2 that receives the container 10, preventing water dripping from the drive shaft 31, etc., and rinsing water from soiling the work area where the device is placed when the inner pot is removed after washing the rice and adjusting the water level. Furthermore, this tray 92 is designed to be detachable as needed, and a tray detection sensor 93 is provided to detect its mounting status. If the tray 92 is not mounted in the prescribed position, this is detected and the operation is deterred, thereby creating a hygienic work environment.

[0093] Next, we will explain the alternative configuration of the lifting device shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0094] The support 100 consists of a base frame portion 101 and a movable frame portion 102 that can support and move the stirring body 3, etc. Between these fixed frame portion 101 and movable frame portion 102, a lifting device 105 is configured to move the movable frame portion 102 in the vertical direction.

[0095] The lifting device 105 has a gear group 106 on the fixed frame section 101 side, in which multiple spur gears are arranged vertically in a meshing manner, and a rack 107 on the movable frame section 102 side, which meshes only with the lowest gear 106a of the gear group 106, arranged vertically. The base of a manual handle 108 is fixed to the rotation pivot shaft of the uppermost gear 106b of the gear group 106. When the manual handle 108 is rotated upward, the uppermost gear 106b rotates in the forward direction, causing the lowest gear 106a to reverse direction via the intermediate gears 106c, 106c..., and the movable frame section 102 rises in engagement with the rack 107. When the manual handle 108 is rotated downward, the movable frame section 102 rises. Furthermore, in order to increase the rack engagement stroke of the lowest gear 106a, it is advisable to add a larger diameter gear coaxially with the lowest gear 106a and engage the rack 107 with the added gear.

[0096] Furthermore, the lifting and lowering interlocking mechanisms for the gear group 106 and the rack 107 are configured on both the left and right sides of the support 100 to enable balanced lifting and lowering operations.

[0097] Next, an alternative configuration for the drainage pipe shown in Figure 12 will be described. The water pipe 87, which serves as the first discharge pipe with one end connected to the lower drainage pump 73, is made of a flexible hose 87H. This flexible hose 87H is bendable, and when the movable frame section 42 rises to the retracted position P2 and then descends to the rice washing position P1, a U-shaped bend M is formed, creating a water reservoir. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 2. Mounting platform 3 Stirring body 4 Support 10 containers 73. Lower drainage pump 83C water supply pipe 84C communication pipe 85C drain pipe 91. Sensor for detecting the upper end position of the rice washing section P1 Rice washing position P2 Evacuation position Tc water supply time Tp pump operating time Y Washing Mode

Claims

1. A rice washing device comprising a mounting platform (2) on which a container (10) for containing rice and water is placed, an agitator (3) for agitating and washing the rice in the container (10) placed on the mounting platform (2), and a support (4) for supporting the agitator (3), wherein a water supply pipe (83C) for supplying water into the container (10) and a drain pipe (85C) for draining the water from inside the container (10) are connected, and water supply and drainage are performed by a common connecting pipe (84C), wherein a washing mode (Y) is provided in which water is supplied into the container (10) from the water supply pipe (83C), and then drained from the connecting pipe (84C) and drain pipe (85C).

2. The rice washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating time (Tp) of the lower drain pump (73) in washing mode (Y) is set to be longer than the water supply time (Tc).

3. The rice washing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the support (4) is equipped with a lifting device (50) and is movable between a rice washing position (P1) in which the agitator (3) is inserted inside the container (10) and ready for agitation, and a retracted position (P2) in which the agitator is retracted to the outside of the container (10) and separated from the container (10), and when the operating time (Tp) of the lower drain pump (73) has elapsed, the lifting device (50) is given an upward output to move from the rice washing position (P1) to the retracted position (P2), and the upward output is stopped based on the detection by the upper end position detection sensor (91) of the rice washing section.

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