Pressure cooker and pressure cooker control devices

Abstract

To provide a pressure cooker and a pressure pot control device capable of reducing or eliminating a steam sound ejected when cooking a material to be cooked with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A pressure cooker 1 for cooking a material to be cooked stored in a pressure pot 10 equipped with a pressure valve 12a includes: a heating part 20 for heating the pressure pot 10; a temperature detection sensor 30 for detecting the temperature of the pressure pot 10, and a control part 43 for controlling a heating amount output by the heating part 20. When controlling the heating amount until the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 30 reaches a target temperature for pressure-cooking the material to be cooked, the control part 43 executes control so that the heating amount is a first heating amount until the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature, and executes control so that the heating amount is a second heating amount smaller than the first heating amount when the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure cooker for pressure-cooking food and a pressure cooker control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a silencer for a cooker and a pressure cooking device that attenuates the sound of steam. The silencer for a cooker comprises an opening that surrounds the space around the steam port of the cooker, a tubular section that rises from the opening, and a sound-absorbing structure that is attached to the inside of the tubular section and prevents at least the steam ejected from the steam port of the cooker from rising directly. The opening can surround the space around the steam port of the cooker, and when in use, the base section with the opening at its lower end can be positioned to cover the steam port of the cooker, thereby attenuating the sound of steam. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-325232 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the pressure cooking device of Patent Document 1 has a problem in that a separate cooker silencer is required to cover the steam vent of the cooker.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a pressure cooker and pressure cooker control device that has a simple configuration and can reduce or eliminate the steam noise emitted when cooking food. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pressure cooker according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration: A pressure cooker for cooking food contained in a pressure cooker having a pressure valve, A heating unit that heats the pressure cooker; A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the pressure cooker; a control unit that controls the amount of heat output by the heating unit, The heating unit is Burner and a gas pipe for circulating fuel gas to be supplied to the burner; a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas, The gas pipe is A main pipe connected to the gas supply port , Two sub-pipes branched from the main pipe and having different flow path cross-sectional areas, The two sub-pipes include a first pipe and a second pipe having a flow path cross-sectional area that is at least twice that of the first pipe, The valves include a first valve provided in the first pipe and a second valve provided in the second pipe, The control unit controls the amount of heat until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a target temperature for pressure-cooking the food to be cooked, and By opening the first valve and the second valve, The heating amount is controlled to be a first heating amount, and when the predetermined temperature is reached, By closing the second valve The heating amount is controlled to be a second heating amount that is smaller than the first heating amount.

[0007] According to the above characteristic configuration, when controlling the amount of heat until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches the target temperature for pressure-cooking the food, the heating unit is controlled to heat at a first amount of heat until a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature is reached, and once the predetermined temperature is reached, the heating unit is controlled to heat at a second amount of heat smaller than the first amount of heat, until the detected temperature reaches the target temperature. This makes it possible to reduce overshoot of the temperature detected after the target temperature is reached (to reduce the degree to which the target temperature is exceeded), and to reduce or eliminate the sound of steam emitted when the food is cooked, compared to when the heating unit is controlled to heat at the first amount of heat until the target temperature is reached. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of heat, the sound of steam emitted when cooking food can be reduced or eliminated, allowing the pressure cooker to have a simple structure.

[0008] Furthermore, since the amount of heat is controlled by controlling the valve that adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas, the sound of steam emitted when cooking food can be reduced or eliminated with a simple configuration.

[0009] Furthermore, by closing one of the two valves, the heating amount is changed from the first heating amount to the second heating amount, so the pressure cooker can have a simple configuration.

[0010] Further characteristic features of the pressure cooker according to the present invention are: The predetermined temperature and the target temperature are lower than the design temperature at which the pressure valve of the pressure cooker operates.

[0011] According to the above characteristic configuration, the temperature detected after reaching the target temperature is less likely to exceed the design temperature at which the pressure valve operates, and the steam noise emitted when cooking the food can be more effectively reduced or eliminated.

[0014] The pressure cooker control device according to the present invention has the following features: A pressure cooker control device that controls a pressure cooker that cooks food contained in a pressure cooker having a pressure valve, The pressure cooker includes a heating unit for heating the pressure cooker, Burner and a gas pipe for circulating fuel gas to be supplied to the burner; a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas, The gas pipe is a main pipe communicating with the gas supply port; Two sub-pipes branched from the main pipe and having different flow path cross-sectional areas, The two sub-pipes include a first pipe and a second pipe having a flow path cross-sectional area that is at least twice that of the first pipe, The valves include a first valve provided in the first pipe and a second valve provided in the second pipe, an input unit into which temperature information of the pressure cooker is input; a storage unit for storing information indicating a target temperature for pressure cooking the food contained in the pressure cooker and a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature; a control unit that controls the amount of heat output by the pressure cooker; When the control unit controls the heating amount until the temperature input to the input unit reaches the target temperature, the control unit controls the heating amount until the temperature input to the input unit reaches a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature. By opening the first valve and the second valve, The heating amount is controlled to be a first heating amount, and when the predetermined temperature is reached, By closing the second valve The heating amount is controlled to be a second heating amount that is smaller than the first heating amount.

[0015] According to the above characteristic configuration, when controlling the amount of heat until the temperature input to the input unit reaches the target temperature for pressure-cooking the food, the heating unit is controlled to heat at a first amount of heat until a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature is reached, and once the predetermined temperature is reached, the heating unit is controlled to heat at a second amount of heat smaller than the first amount of heat, until the input temperature reaches the target temperature. This makes it possible to reduce overshoot of the input temperature after the target temperature is reached (to reduce the degree to which the target temperature is exceeded), and to reduce or eliminate the sound of steam being emitted when the food is cooked, compared to when the heating unit is controlled to heat at the first amount of heat until the target temperature is reached. Furthermore, by controlling the amount of heat, the sound of steam emitted when cooking food can be reduced or eliminated, allowing the pressure cooker to have a simple structure. Furthermore, since the amount of heat is controlled by controlling the valve that adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas, the sound of steam emitted when cooking food can be reduced or eliminated with a simple configuration. Furthermore, by closing one of the two valves, the heating amount is changed from the first heating amount to the second heating amount, so the pressure cooker can have a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a pressure cooker according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the pressure cooker of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a heating unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a gas supply unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a cooking control process performed by the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a timing chart showing the control of the pressure cooker according to the embodiment and a diagram showing the temperature change of the bottom surface of the pot body. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A pressure cooker and a control device (an example of a pressure cooker control device) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pressure cooker 1 comprises a pressure cooker 10 in which the food to be cooked is stored, a heating unit 20 that heats the pressure cooker 10, a temperature detection sensor 30 (an example of a temperature detection unit) that detects the temperature of the pressure cooker 10, a control unit 40 that controls the amount of heat output by the pressure cooker 10, a support unit 50 that supports the pressure cooker 10, the heating unit 20, the temperature detection sensor 30 and the control unit 40, and an operation unit 60 that accepts operations on the pressure cooker 1.

[0019] The pressure cooker 10 has a pot 11 in which food to be cooked is placed and a lid 12 that covers the pot 11.

[0020] Pot 11 has a circular shape in a plan view and includes a cylindrical pot body 111 that is open on one side, and two pot handles 112 provided on the side surfaces of pot body 111.

[0021] Pot body 111 has a double structure and includes inner pot 111a placed inside pot body 111 and outer pot 111b placed outside inner pot 111a at a distance from inner pot 111a. Inner pot 111a is open on one side and has storage space S1 for storing food to be cooked. A combustion chamber S2 is formed between inner pot 111a and outer pot 111b to heat storage space S1.

[0022] The bottom of inner pot 111a has a measurement part 111c that measures the temperature of inner pot 111a when it comes into contact with temperature detection sensor 30, which will be described later. Measurement part 111c protrudes to the outside of inner pot 111a.

[0023] Two pot handles 112 are provided on inner pot 111a. More specifically, the two pot handles 112 are provided at positions facing each other with inner pot 111a in between.

[0024] Outer pot 111b includes a plurality of ribs 111d for supporting inner pot 111a. Inner pot 111a is removable from outer pot 111b, and inner pot 111a is supported by outer pot 111b (a plurality of ribs 111d) by placing flange 111e of inner pot 111a on the plurality of ribs 111d. This forms combustion chamber S2.

[0025] Multiple ribs 111d are spaced apart circumferentially at the upper end of the outer pot 111b, and combustion exhaust gas generated by the burner 21 described later in the combustion chamber S2 is discharged to the outside through gaps formed between the multiple ribs 111d.

[0026] Lid 12 includes lid body 121, which is circular in plan view and has approximately the same dimensions as pot body 111, and two lid handles 122 provided on the sides of lid body 121. Each of the two lid handles 122 is fixed to the opposing pot handle 112 in the vertical direction with a sealing device (not shown), and lid 12 is set on pot 11 (inner pot 111a). When lid 12 is set on pot 11, covering the opening of pot body 111, lid 12 is configured to seal storage space S1 from the outside space and combustion chamber S2.

[0027] Lid body 121 has pressure valve 12a that adjusts the pressure in storage space S1, which is sealed when lid 12 is set on pot 11. Pressure valve 12a is provided on the surface (top surface) of lid body 121 opposite pot body 111, for example, in the center.

[0028] Heating unit 20 includes burner 21, gas supply unit 22 for supplying fuel gas to burner 21, ignition cock 23 for controlling the heat output of burner 21, and heat shield 24 for blocking radiant heat from the flame. Heating unit 20 also includes an ignition device, an overheating prevention circuit, and a safety device (not shown). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, outer pot 111b has a hole 111h formed in the bottom thereof through which burner 21 can be inserted to expose it within combustion chamber S2. Burner 21 is positioned within combustion chamber S2 through hole 111h, facing the bottom of inner pot 111a.

[0029] 3, the burner 21 includes a plurality of flame holes 21a from which flames are emitted. The pressure cooker 10 is heated by the flames emitted from the flame holes 21a.

[0030] 2 and 3, the gas supply unit 22 includes a fuel gas supply port 221 to which fuel gas is supplied from the outside, a main pipe 222 that communicates with the fuel gas supply port 221, a plurality of sub-pipes 223 that branch off from the main pipe 222, a junction pipe 224 where the plurality of sub-pipes 223 join together, and a plurality of valves 226 that are provided on each of the plurality of sub-pipes 223. The main pipe 222 and the plurality of sub-pipes 223 are examples of gas pipes.

[0031] 4, the upstream end of the main pipe 222 in the flow direction D of the fuel gas is connected to the fuel gas supply port 221, and the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply port 221 flows through the main pipe 222. The downstream end of the main pipe 222 is connected to a plurality of sub-pipes 223.

[0032] The upstream end of each of the plurality of sub-pipes 223 in the flow direction D is connected to the main pipe 222, and the fuel gas supplied from the main pipe 222 flows through the sub-pipes 223. The downstream end of each of the plurality of sub-pipes 223 is connected to the junction pipe 224.

[0033] The sub-pipe 223 includes a first pipe 223a and a second pipe 223b. The first pipe 223a and the second pipe 223b have different flow path cross-sectional areas, and the flow rates of the fuel gas flowing through the first pipe 223a and the second pipe 223b are different from each other.

[0034] Fuel gas flows through the first pipe 223a at a flow rate smaller than that of the second pipe 223b. In this embodiment, the ratio of the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the first pipe 223a to that of the second pipe 223b is 1:3, and fuel gas flows through the first pipe 223a at a flow rate that is one-fourth of the flow rate of fuel gas when the burner 21 is at maximum thermal power (hereinafter referred to as the maximum flow rate). Fuel gas flows through the second pipe 223b at a flow rate that is three-fourths of the maximum flow rate.

[0035] The junction pipe 224 has an upstream end in the flow direction D of the fuel gas connected to the first pipe 223a and the second pipe 223b, and a downstream end connected to the burner 21. The junction pipe 224 supplies the fuel gas supplied from at least one of the first pipe 223a and the second pipe 223b to the burner 21.

[0036] In this embodiment, the plurality of valves 226 includes two valves 226 that adjust the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through each of the plurality of sub-pipes 223. The valves 226 are, for example, solenoid valves.

[0037] The two valves 226 include a first valve 226a and a second valve 226b. The first valve 226a is provided on the first pipe 223a. The first valve 226a controls the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate that is one-fourth of the maximum flow rate. Specifically, when the first valve 226a is opened, the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate that is one-fourth of the maximum flow rate is started, and when the first valve 226a is closed, the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate that is one-fourth of the maximum flow rate is stopped.

[0038] The second valve 226b is provided on the second pipe 223b. The second valve 226b controls the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate of three-quarters of the maximum flow rate. Specifically, when the second valve 226b is opened, the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate of three-quarters of the maximum flow rate begins, and when the second valve 226b is closed, the flow of fuel gas at a flow rate of three-quarters of the maximum flow rate stops.

[0039] 1 to 3, the ignition cock 23 ignites the burner 21 and adjusts the heat output. For example, by pressing the ignition cock 23, an ignition device (not shown) is activated, igniting the burner 21. Furthermore, by rotating the ignition cock 23, the open / closed states of the first valve 226a and the second valve 226b are controlled. As a result, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 21 is adjusted, and the heat output of the burner 21 is controlled. In other words, the amount of heat output by the burner 21 is controlled.

[0040] The temperature sensor 30 is located in the center of the burner 21, which is inserted into a hole 111h formed in the bottom of the outer pot 111b in the combustion chamber S2, and is configured to detect the temperature by contacting the measurement part 111c of the inner pot 111a placed on the outer pot 111b. The temperature sensor 30 outputs temperature information indicating the temperature of the measurement part 111c of the inner pot 111a to the control device 40. The temperature sensor 30 is, for example, a thermistor. Hereinafter, the temperature of the measurement part 111c will be referred to simply as the temperature of the inner pot 111a.

[0041] In pressure cooker 10, when the internal pressure in storage space S1 exceeds the design pressure, pressure valve 12a of lid 12 opens, spraying steam from storage space S1 to the outside and maintaining a constant pressure in storage space S1. When pressure valve 12a opens and sprays steam from storage space S1 to the outside, a steam sound is generated. In this embodiment, pressure valve 12a of pressure cooker 10 causes the internal pressure in storage space S1 to exceed the design pressure when the temperature measured by temperature detection sensor 30 exceeds 120°C. In other words, there is a correlation between the temperature detected by temperature detection sensor 30 and the internal pressure in storage space S1, and when the detected temperature reaches 120°C, the internal pressure is considered to have reached the design pressure.

[0042] The control device 40 controls the operation of the pressure cooker 1. The control device 40 includes a cooking timer 41 for measuring the cooking time for pressure-cooking the food, a steaming timer 42 for measuring the time for steaming the food, a control unit 43 for controlling the operation of each unit of the pressure cooker 1, a memory unit 44 for storing various information, and an input / output unit 45 (an example of an input unit) for inputting and outputting various information.

[0043] Temperature information is input to the input / output unit 45 from the temperature detection sensor 30. Furthermore, operation information is input to the input / output unit 45 from an operation unit 60, which will be described later.

[0044] The storage unit 44 is configured with at least one of, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 44 stores information indicating a predetermined temperature, a target temperature, and a design temperature in advance.

[0045] The control unit 43 is configured by software with a central processing unit (CPU) and memory at its core, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0046] Control unit 43 acquires temperature information input to input / output unit 45. When controlling the amount of heat output by burner 21 until the temperature detected by temperature detection sensor 30 reaches a target temperature for cooking the food under pressure (hereinafter referred to as pressure cooking), control unit 43 controls the amount of heat output by burner 21 to be a first amount of heat until a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature is reached, and controls the amount of heat output by burner 21 to be a second amount of heat smaller than the first amount of heat once the predetermined temperature is reached, thereby heating the food until the detected temperature reaches the target temperature. The first amount of heat and the second amount of heat are set in advance depending on the volume of pressure cooker 10, the predetermined temperature, the target temperature, the design temperature, etc.

[0047] In this embodiment, the target temperature is a temperature for pressure-cooking the food to be cooked, and is set in advance by operating the setting unit 63. The target temperature is set depending on the type of pressure cooking, the volume of the pressure cooker 10, etc. In this embodiment, the target temperature is, for example, 110°C. The target temperature is set to a temperature lower than the temperature (for example, 120°C) at which the internal pressure of the storage space S1 exceeds the pre-designed design pressure of the pressure cooker 1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature is a temperature lower than the target temperature, and is the temperature at which burner 21 begins to control (reduce) the amount of heat output while the temperature of inner pot 111a is rising to the target temperature. The predetermined temperature is a value based on experimental results obtained by the designer, taking into account the volume of pressure cooker 10, the design temperature, and other factors, and is set in advance by operating setting unit 63 of operation unit 60, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the predetermined temperature is, for example, 90°C.

[0049] In this embodiment, the control unit 43 controls the amount of heat output by the heating unit 20 by controlling the open / close state of at least one of the first valve 226a and the second valve 226b.

[0050] Specifically, when control unit 43 starts heating by heating unit 20, it opens first valve 226a and second valve 226b, causing them to transition to an open state. From the time control unit 43 starts heating by heating unit 20 until first temperature information (information indicating that a predetermined temperature has been reached) is obtained from temperature detection sensor 30, that is, until temperature detection sensor 30 detects that the temperature of inner pot 111a has reached the predetermined temperature, control unit 43 keeps first valve 226a and second valve 226b in an open state and causes burner 21 to burn at the first heating amount.

[0051] Until the control unit 43 obtains the second temperature information (information indicating that the target temperature has been reached) from the temperature detection sensor 30, that is, when the temperature detection sensor 30 detects that the temperature of the inner pot 111a has reached a predetermined temperature, the control unit 43 closes the second valve 226b to transition to a closed state while maintaining the first valve 226a in an open state, and causes the burner 21 to burn at a second heating amount.

[0052] When the control unit 43 acquires the second temperature information, i.e., when it detects that the temperature of the inner pot 111a has reached the target temperature, it closes the first valve 226a and transitions it to a closed state while maintaining the second valve 226b in a closed state.

[0053] Thereafter, control unit 43 controls the open / close state of first valve 226a so that the temperature detected by temperature detection sensor 30 maintains the target temperature. Specifically, when the temperature detected by temperature detection sensor 30 becomes lower than the target temperature by a specified temperature (e.g., 3°C), only first valve 226a is opened to cause burner 21 to burn at the second heating amount, and when the target temperature is reached, first valve 226a is closed to stop combustion of burner 21, thereby performing temperature control operation to maintain the target temperature. When the time measured by cooking timer 41 reaches a preset time (hereinafter referred to as the set cooking time) while the target temperature is maintained, control unit 43 closes first valve 226a to transition to the closed state.

[0054] As described above, the target temperature is lower than the design temperature at which the internal pressure exceeds the design pressure, and the predetermined temperature is lower than the design temperature. Therefore, compared to when burner 21 is controlled to heat at the first heating amount until the target temperature is reached, the overshoot of the input temperature after the target temperature is reached can be reduced (the degree to which the target temperature is exceeded is reduced), reducing or eliminating the internal pressure of pressure cooker 10 from exceeding the design pressure, and reducing or eliminating the occurrence of evaporation noise caused by pressure valve 12a of pressure cooker 10 opening.

[0055] The support section 50 has a support base 51 on which the pressure cooker 10 is placed and a plurality of support posts 52 extending vertically from the support base 51. In this embodiment, the outer pot 111b is configured to be integrated with the support base 51 when placed on top of the support base 51, and the inner pot 111a is configured to be removable from the outer pot 111b. In this case, a drip receiver for collecting juices spurting out from the pressure cooker 10 is provided at a location other than the portion where the hole 111h is formed at the bottom of the outer pot 111b and at the top of the support base 51. The outer pot 111b may also be configured as a separate unit from the support base 51 and configured to be removable from the support base 51.

[0056] The operation unit 60 accepts operations performed by the user on the pressure cooker 1 and outputs information indicating the operations. The operation unit 60 has a power switch 61 that can switch the power supplied to the pressure cooker 1 on and off, an operation switch 62 that can switch between starting and stopping pressure cooking using the pressure cooker 1, and a setting unit 63 that accepts settings such as a target temperature, cooking time, and steaming time. The setting unit 63 is composed of a plurality of buttons, touch sensors, etc.

[0057] Next, the cooking control process of the pressure cooker 1 by the control unit 43 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The cooking control process of the pressure cooker 1 is started, for example, when an instruction to start the cooking control process is given while the power of the pressure cooker 1 is on. The start of the cooking control process is given, for example, by operating the operation unit 60, but the start of the cooking control process may also be given by pressing and rotating the above-mentioned ignition cock 23.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 43 opens the first valve 226a and the second valve 226b to transition them from a closed state to an open state, thereby starting heating by the burner 21 (step S101).

[0059] Next, the control unit 43 waits until the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 30 reaches a predetermined temperature (step S103; No). When the predetermined temperature is reached (step S103; Yes), the control unit 43 transitions the second valve 226b from the open state to the closed state, thereby reducing the amount of heat output by the burner 21 from the first amount of heat to the second amount of heat (step S105).

[0060] Next, the control unit 43 waits until the temperature detected by the temperature detection sensor 30 reaches the target temperature (step S107; No).

[0061] When the target temperature is reached (Step S107; Yes), control unit 43 starts time measurement by cooking timer 41 (Step S109) and waits until the time measured by cooking timer 41 reaches the set cooking time (Step S111: No). Note that while cooking timer 41 is measuring time, control unit 43 controls the open / close state of first valve 226a so as to maintain the target temperature.

[0062] When the time measured by the cooking timer 41 reaches the set cooking time (step S111: Yes), the control unit 43 starts timing by the steaming timer 42 (step S113) and waits until the time measured by the steaming timer 42 reaches the set steaming time (step S115; No).

[0063] When the time measured by the steaming timer 42 reaches the set steaming time (step S115; Yes), the control unit 43 notifies the completion of cooking by sounding a buzzer for a predetermined period of time to notify the completion of cooking (step S117), and ends the cooking control process.

[0064] Next, the control of the pressure cooker 1 by the control unit 43 will be specifically described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that Figure 6 is a timing chart for when the predetermined temperature is 90°C, the target temperature is 110°C, and the design temperature is 120°C.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 6, when the gas cock (not shown) transitions from a closed state to an open state and the power switch 61 described with reference to Fig. 1 transitions from an OFF state to an ON state, power is supplied to the pressure cooker 1 and the overheat protection circuit is activated. The overheat protection circuit operates while the power switch 61 is in the ON state, that is, until the power switch 61 transitions to the OFF state.

[0066] Next, when the ignition cock 23 is pushed and rotated, the ignition device is activated, and the pilot light and safety device (thermocouple) are also activated. The ignition device stops when the ignition cock 23 is no longer operated. The pilot light and safety device (thermocouple) are activated until the ignition cock 23 is rotated and transitions to the closed state.

[0067] Next, when the operation switch 62 transitions from the OFF state to the ON state and the cooking control process starts, the first valve 226a (SVS) and the second valve 226b (SVL) transition from the closed state to the open state, and heating by the burner 21 starts.

[0068] When heating by burner 21 begins, the temperature of inner pot 111a begins to rise, as shown in the lower graph of FIG.

[0069] When the temperature of the inner pot 111a rises and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 reaches the predetermined temperature of 90°C, the control unit 43 changes the second valve 226b (SVL) from open to closed while keeping the first valve 226a (SVS) open. This reduces the amount of heat output by the burner 21. Specifically, the amount of heat output by the burner 21 is changed from the first amount of heat to the second amount of heat. The second amount of heat is one-fourth the first amount of heat.

[0070] Thereafter, the pressure cooker 10 is heated by the burner 21 at the second heating amount (one-fourth the heating amount), and the temperature of the inner pot 111a rises more slowly than before it reaches the predetermined temperature.

[0071] If the temperature of the inner pot 111a continues to rise and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 reaches the target temperature of 110°C, the control unit 43 transitions the first valve 226a (SVS) from an open state to a closed state, stopping heating by the burner 21 and starting timing by the cooking timer 41. The control unit 43 maintains the temperature of the inner pot 111a at the target temperature of 110°C while the cooking timer 41 is timing. Specifically, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 drops by 3°C or more below the target temperature of 110°C, the control unit 43 transitions the first valve 226a from a closed state to an open state, restarting heating by the burner 21. On the other hand, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 reaches the target temperature of 110°C after heating has resumed, the control unit 43 transitions the first valve 226a from an open state to a closed state, stopping heating by the burner 21.

[0072] When the time measured by the cooking timer 41 reaches the set cooking time, the control unit 43 ends the time measurement by the cooking timer 41, transitions the first valve 226a from an open state to a closed state, stops heating by the burner 21, and starts the time measurement by the steaming timer 42.

[0073] When the time measured by the steaming timer 42 reaches the set steaming time, the control unit 43 ends the time measurement by the steaming timer 42, sounds a buzzer for a predetermined time to notify the completion of cooking, and ends the cooking control process. After that, the ignition cock 23 transitions from an open state to a closed state, and the power switch 61 also transitions from an ON state to an OFF state.

[0074] As described above, when controlling the amount of heat generated by burner 21 until the temperature detected by temperature sensor 30 reaches the target temperature for pressure-cooking the food, control unit 43 controls burner 21 to maintain the first amount of heat until the temperature detected by temperature sensor 30 reaches a predetermined temperature, and then controls burner 21 to maintain the second amount of heat once the predetermined temperature is reached. This reduces or eliminates the occurrence of steam noise caused by the opening of pressure valve 12a of pressure cooker 10. As a result, the fear or discomfort felt by users of pressure cooker 10 due to the steam noise can be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, controlling the amount of heat output by burner 21 reduces or eliminates the steam noise emitted during cooking of the food, allowing pressure cooker 1 to have a simple configuration.

[0075] Furthermore, the predetermined temperature and the target temperature are lower than the design temperature at which the internal pressure of the pressure cooker 10 exceeds the design pressure. Therefore, the evaporation noise can be more effectively reduced or eliminated.

[0076] Furthermore, by closing the second valve 226b, the control unit 43 changes the amount of heat output by the burner 21 from the first amount of heat to the second amount of heat, so that the pressure cooker 1 can have a simple configuration.

[0077] Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the amount of heat output by the burner 21 was controlled by opening and closing two valves 226 to control the flow rate of the fuel gas flowing through two pipes (first pipe 223a and second pipe 223b) with different flow path cross sections, but the method for controlling the amount of heat output by the burner 21 is not particularly limited, and for example, the main pipe 222 may be provided with a main valve capable of adjusting the flow rate, and the control unit 43 may control the amount of heat by controlling the open / close state of the main valve. In this case, the first valve 226a and the second valve 226b can be omitted.

[0078] (2) In the above embodiment, the second heating amount was one-fourth of the first heating amount, but the second heating amount may be smaller than the first heating amount as long as it is a heating amount that can reduce the overshoot of the temperature detected after the target temperature is reached (reduce the degree to which the target temperature is exceeded), and may be, for example, one-third of the first heating amount.

[0079] (3) In the above embodiment, the burner 21 is used as an example of a member for heating the pressure cooker 10, but the heating member is not limited to this and may be an electric heater.

[0080] (4) In the above embodiment, the pot 11 and the lid 12 are circular in plan view. However, the shapes of the pot 11 and the lid 12 can be changed in various ways, and may be elliptical in plan view, for example.

[0081] (5) In the above embodiment, the measurement part 111c, where the temperature of the inner pot 111a is measured by the temperature detection sensor 30, is located in the center of the bottom surface of the inner pot 111a. However, the location of the measurement part 111c is not limited to the bottom surface of the inner pot 111a, as long as it is a location where the temperature of the inner pot 111a can be detected. In this case, the predetermined temperature and target temperature may be corrected depending on the location where the temperature detection sensor 30 detects the temperature. Furthermore, although a contact-type temperature sensor is used as the temperature detection sensor 30 in the above embodiment, a non-contact temperature sensor (a temperature sensor using infrared rays) may also be used.

[0082] The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1: Pressure cooker 10: Pressure cooker 11: Hotpot 12a: Pressure valve 20: Heating section 21: Burner 30: Temperature sensor 40: Control device 43: Control section 44: Storage section 45: Input / output section 222: Main piping 223: Sub-pipe 226: Valve

Claims

1. A pressure cooker for cooking food contained in a pressure cooker having a pressure valve, A heating unit that heats the pressure cooker; A temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the pressure cooker; a control unit that controls the amount of heat output by the heating unit, The heating unit is Burner and a gas pipe for circulating fuel gas to be supplied to the burner; a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas, The gas pipe is a main pipe communicating with the gas supply port; two sub-pipes branching from the main pipe and having different flow path cross-sectional areas; The two sub-pipes include a first pipe and a second pipe having a flow path cross-sectional area that is at least twice that of the first pipe, The valves include a first valve provided in the first pipe and a second valve provided in the second pipe, When controlling the amount of heat until the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit reaches a target temperature for pressure-cooking the food, the control unit controls the amount of heat to be a first heating amount by opening the first valve and the second valve until a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature is reached, and when the predetermined temperature is reached, controls the amount of heat to be a second heating amount smaller than the first heating amount by closing the second valve.

2. The pressure cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined temperature and the target temperature are lower than a design temperature at which a pressure valve of the pressure cooker operates.

3. A pressure cooker control device that controls a pressure cooker that cooks food contained in a pressure cooker having a pressure valve, The pressure cooker includes a heating unit for heating the pressure cooker, Burner and a gas pipe for circulating fuel gas to be supplied to the burner; a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the fuel gas, The gas pipe is a main pipe communicating with the gas supply port; two sub-pipes branching from the main pipe and having different flow path cross-sectional areas; The two sub-pipes include a first pipe and a second pipe having a flow path cross-sectional area that is at least twice that of the first pipe, The valves include a first valve provided in the first pipe and a second valve provided in the second pipe, an input unit into which temperature information of the pressure cooker is input; a storage unit for storing information indicating a target temperature for pressure cooking the food contained in the pressure cooker and a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature; a control unit that controls the amount of heat output by the pressure cooker; When controlling the amount of heating until the temperature input to the input unit reaches the target temperature, the control unit controls the amount of heating to a first amount of heating by opening the first valve and the second valve until a predetermined temperature lower than the target temperature is reached, and when the predetermined temperature is reached, controls the amount of heating to a second amount of heating smaller than the first amount of heating by closing the second valve.

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