JPH08452A - Gas rice cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the cooking of rice even when a power source is turned OFF by a power failure or the like. CONSTITUTION:This rice cooker is made up of a burner 10 to burn a fuel gas, solenoid valves 18 and 19 to adjust the flow rate of the fuel gas, a thermosensitive thermistor 9 to detect the temperature of material to be cooked, a controller 5 handling the control of combustion, a commercial power source 16, a dry cell 3, a switching section 4 to switch a power source and the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas rice cooker having a controller.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Rice cookers having a controller have been conventionally used, but in recent years, rice cooker control has come to be performed by a so-called microcomputer. In an electric rice cooker, a commercial power source is used for heating and controlling energization of a heater, and in a gas rice cooker, heating is performed by gas, but a commercial power source is used for combustion control.

[0003]

However, when the commercial power supply is cut off due to a power failure or the like, not only can rice be cooked, but also rice reservation and the like are interrupted, and reset is necessary even when the commercial power supply is restored. Some electric rice cookers use the built-in standby power source to back up the rice cooking reservation contents and clock even if the commercial power is cut off, but since the commercial power is used for heating the heater, rice cannot be cooked unless the commercial power is restored. Also, in the gas rice cooker, heating is done with gas,
Commercial power supply is used for drive control of the cooked rice heating unit, and backup is not performed at the time of power failure, so cooked rice cannot be cooked. An object of the gas rice cooker of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to cook rice even when the commercial power supply is cut off due to a power failure or the like.

[0004]

A first gas rice cooker of the present invention for solving the above problems is a rice heating unit for heating a rice cooking pot by burning a fuel gas by a burner, and the above rice cooked by a commercial power source. In a gas rice cooker having a rice-cooking control unit for driving and controlling a heating unit, a battery for backing up the commercial power source and switching means for switching power supply to the rice-cooking control unit from the commercial power source to the battery are provided. Is the gist.

A second gas rice cooker of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first gas rice cooker, a detection unit for operating the switching means is provided depending on whether or not the commercial power source is supplied.

[0006] The third gas rice cooker is composed of a rice cooker heating unit that burns a fuel gas by a burner to heat a rice cooker pot, and a rice cooker controller that drives the rice cooker heating unit by supplying power from a battery. And

The fourth gas rice cooker is characterized in that, in the first and second gas rice cookers, the battery is composed of a storage battery, and the storage battery is charged while the commercial power source is energized.

A fifth gas rice cooker is the same as the first, second, third, and fourth gas rice cookers, wherein the rice cooking heating section is provided with an electromagnetic valve for controlling fuel gas, and the electromagnetic valve includes a valve and a suction coil. It is a power-saving type that includes a holding coil and opens the valve by energizing the suction coil and holds the valve open state by energizing the holding coil.

The sixth gas rice cooker is the same as the first, second, third, and fourth gas rice cookers, wherein the rice cooker heating section is provided with an electromagnetic valve for controlling fuel gas, and a plunger of an axial core is provided around it. The gist is that the solenoid valve is opened by a push solenoid driven by the electromagnetic force generated by the drive coil.

The seventh gas rice cooker is the same as the first, second, third, and fourth gas rice cookers, wherein the rice cooking heating section is provided with an electromagnetic valve for controlling fuel gas, and the electromagnetic valve is driven by a motor through a spindle. The point is that the valve is opened.

[0011]

The first gas rice cooker of the present invention having the above structure is provided with a battery for backing up the commercial power supply and a switching means for switching the power supply to the rice cooking control unit from the commercial power supply to the battery. Therefore, it can be operated with a commercial power source or a battery. Further, even when normally operating with commercial power, when the commercial power is cut off due to an unexpected power failure or the like, the power can be switched to the battery and the operation can be continued.

The second gas rice cooker of the present invention is the first gas cooker.
In addition to the gas rice cooker, the detection unit that operates the switching means depending on the presence or absence of the commercial power supply is provided, so even when the commercial power is cut off due to a power outage, etc., it is detected and automatically Switch the power supply to the battery and continue the operation without interruption.

Furthermore, since the third gas rice cooker is cooked and heated by the fuel gas and is fed by the battery to control the rice cooking, it can be operated only by the battery.

Further, the fourth gas rice cooker is the same as the first and second gas rice cookers, but the battery is composed of a storage battery, and the storage battery is charged while the commercial power source is energized. Therefore, the storage battery is discharged in a normal use state. It doesn't run out. for that reason,
You can switch to a storage battery and operate at any time.

Further, the fifth gas rice cooker has first, second,
In the 3 and 4 gas rice cookers, the rice heating section is provided with a solenoid valve for controlling the fuel gas, and the solenoid valve opens the valve by energizing the suction coil and opens the valve by energizing the holding coil. It is a power-saving type that holds To open the valve, a large electromagnetic force is required because energy that moves the valve by a predetermined stroke is required against the spring force that closes the valve. Compared with this, a small electric current is sufficient to hold the adsorption because an electromagnetic force is not required so much. Therefore, a solenoid valve that uses a suction coil that generates a large force with a large current for a short time to open the valve and uses a dedicated holding coil for long-time adsorption consumes less power. Of course, it consumes less battery. This makes it possible to cook rice practically for the first time even when a small battery having a small electric capacity is used.

Further, the sixth gas rice cooker has first, second,
In the third and fourth gas rice cookers, the rice cooking heating unit includes a solenoid valve for controlling fuel gas, and the solenoid valve is opened by a plunger of a push solenoid. To open the valve, a large electromagnetic force is required because energy that moves the valve by a predetermined stroke is required against the spring force that closes the valve. Compared with this, a small electric current is sufficient to hold the adsorption because an electromagnetic force is not required so much. Therefore, the push solenoid that uses a large current instantaneously to obtain a large force is used only for opening the valve, and for long-term adsorption, the solenoid valve that uses a dedicated coil consumes less power, so it is economical. And the battery lasts longer. Therefore, even if a small battery having a small electric capacity is used, sufficiently practical rice cooking can be performed.

Further, the seventh gas rice cooker has first, second,
In the gas cookers Nos. 3 and 4, the rice heating unit has an electromagnetic valve for controlling the fuel gas, and the electromagnetic valve is opened by the motor via the spindle, so that the electric power consumed for opening the valve can be small. In addition, the motor has low energy loss, so it is economical and the battery lasts a long time.

[0018]

EXAMPLES In order to further clarify the constitution and operation of the present invention described above, a preferred example of the gas rice cooker of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The gas rice cooker 1 is roughly classified into a rice cooking heating unit that burns fuel gas by the burner 10 to heat a rice cooking pot, a rice cooking control unit that drives and controls the rice cooking heating unit, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the rice cooking control unit. Consists of. The cooking rice heating unit is the original solenoid valve 2 that opens and closes the fuel gas supply.
0, a gas governor 19 that is located downstream of the original solenoid valve 20 and that maintains a constant fuel gas supply pressure, and two that are provided with parallel flow paths downstream thereof and that open and close the valves to adjust the fuel gas flow rate. Solenoid valves 17 and 18, a burner 10 for burning a mixture of fuel gas and air, and a nozzle 1 for ejecting fuel gas to the burner 10 before the burner 10.
It consists of 1. The rice cooking control unit includes an igniter 14 that discharges electricity from the electrode 13 and ignites the air-fuel mixture from the burner 10, and a frame rod 12 that monitors the combustion state of the ignited flame.
And a temperature sensitive thermistor 9 for detecting the heating temperature of cooked food at the bottom of the pot, and an operation panel 15 for inputting and displaying operating conditions.
And a controller 5 that controls these inputs and outputs and the drive control of the rice cooking heating unit described above. The power supply unit for supplying power to the rice cooking control unit is roughly divided into a power plug 16 connected to a commercial power supply, a dry battery 3 for backing up the commercial power supply, and a switching unit 4 for switching between the commercial power supply and the dry battery 3 power supply. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit 4 is provided with a commercial power source (AC10) powered by the power plug 16.
0V) voltage conversion unit 23, a rectification unit 24 that converts AC into DC, a switch unit 2 that switches the power supply to either a commercial power supply or a dry battery 3, and whether or not commercial power is supplied. The detection unit 25 includes a detection unit 25 for detecting and a switch control unit 26 for outputting a control signal to the switch unit 2 based on a signal from the detection unit 25. The switch unit 2
Is composed of two switching transistors 27 and 28 and switches the power supply to the controller 5. In addition to the power supply to the controller 5, the power supply section
Driving power for the solenoid valves 17, 18 and the like is also supplied.

In normal use, first put the washed rice in a pot, open the gas main plug, and connect the power plug 16 to a commercial power source (AC).
When the rice cooking switch (not shown) is operated in the state of being connected to 100 V), the controller 5 is turned on and the operation is started. First, the clock display on the operation panel 15 shows 0: 0.
Flash at 0. When the current time is set and the rice cooking time is set in the timer, the timer starts counting and the preparation for timer rice cooking is completed.

When the time is up, the controller 5
The original solenoid valve 20 is opened, and further the solenoid valves 17 and 18 are opened and closed to supply the fuel gas to the nozzle 11 and operate the igniter 14 to discharge the electrode 13 to start the ignition operation. First, the fuel gas is ejected to the burner 10 by the nozzle 11 before the burner 10. At the time of ejection, the surrounding air is sucked into the burner 10 as primary air. Then, at the outlet of the burner 10, combustion is performed by igniting the air-fuel mixture of fuel gas and air. In this way, burner 1
Combustion is started at 0, and rice is cooked under the flame monitoring by the flame rod 12. When the cooking temperature nears completion and the temperature of the bottom of the pot rises rapidly, the temperature-sensitive thermistor 9
Is activated, the controller 5 stops the combustion by the signal, and the rice cooking is completed.

The operation of the power supply unit for supplying power to drive and control the rice cooking operation will be described below with reference to FIG.
When the AC voltage (AC100V) is supplied from the power plug 16 connected to the commercial power source, the detection unit 25 detects the AC voltage and sends a signal to the switch control unit 26 to output a gate signal to the switch unit 2. . In the switch unit 2, switching transistors 27 and 28 are symmetrically connected and simultaneously receive a gate signal from the switch control unit 26 to switch the circuit. The input of the switching transistor 28 on the power source side of the dry battery 3 is a NOT circuit 29 for inverting the gate signal. On the other hand, the gate signal directly enters the switching transistor 27 on the commercial power supply side. Therefore, the gate signal turns on the switching transistor 27 and the switching transistor 2
Since the switch 8 is off, the controller 5 is supplied with power from the commercial power supply. If the commercial power source is cut off due to an unexpected power failure or the voltage of the commercial power source falls below a predetermined value due to a poor connection of the power plug 16, the switch control unit 26 operates by the signal of the detection unit 25, The switching transistors 27 and 28 are turned on and off in the opposite manner, and the power supply to the controller 5 is switched from the commercial power supply to the dry battery 3.

According to the gas rice cooker 1, when the commercial power is cut off due to an unexpected power failure after the power is turned on and the controller 5 starts to operate, the switching unit 4 detects it and immediately Then switch the power source to the dry battery 3. For this reason, the controller 5 is not affected by fluctuations in the power supply, and the gas rice cooker 1 can continue its operation as it is. When the commercial power is restored during operation, the dry battery 3 returns to the commercial power. In other words, the commercial power source is always backed up by the dry battery 3, and even in the case of an unexpected power failure, the power supply is not interrupted, so that the operation can be performed without any trouble. Further, the switching of the power source may be performed manually instead of the method of automatically switching by the switching unit 4. In this case, the switching operation is required, but it is not necessary to provide the switching unit 4, so the rice cooker is inexpensive. Further, it is of course applied to a rice cooker having both functions and provided with automatic and manual selection switches.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. This gas rice cooker does not use a commercial power source and operates only with the attached battery. Therefore, it differs from the configuration of the previous embodiment in that there is no connection between the switching unit for switching the power source and the commercial power source. The battery may be a so-called disposable dry battery or a rechargeable storage battery. Further, the type of battery may be any such as a mercury battery.
According to this gas rice cooker, a commercial power source is not used as a power source, so that it is possible to cook rice irrespective of a power failure as long as gas is supplied. It also has the advantage that rice can be cooked even in places where there is no commercial power supply.

Further, a third embodiment will be described. The third gas rice cooker has a storage battery instead of the dry battery 3 of the gas rice cooker 1 of the first embodiment, and is configured to charge the storage battery while the commercial power source is energized. Normally, when used, the storage battery is always charged, so that the storage battery is always charged regardless of the time of switching to the storage battery.
Therefore, there is an advantage that rice can be cooked without having to worry about the charge amount of the storage battery and the replacement of the dry battery.

A fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth gas rice cooker is the same as the gas rice cookers of the first, second and third embodiments.
A feature is that a solenoid valve for controlling the fuel gas is provided in the rice heating section, and the solenoid valve is a power-saving solenoid valve. This is provided with a suction coil and a holding coil separately, and the electromagnetic force generated by energizing the suction coil moves the movable part to open the valve. After the valve is opened, the valve is held open by using the electromagnetic force generated by the holding coil. To open the valve, a large electromagnetic force is required because energy that moves the valve by a predetermined stroke is required against the spring force that closes the valve. On the other hand, since a very large electromagnetic force is not required to hold the adsorption, a minute current is sufficient. Therefore, a solenoid valve that uses a suction coil that generates a large force with a large current for a short time to open the valve and uses a dedicated holding coil for long-time adsorption consumes less power.

The fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth gas rice cooker is the same as the gas rice cookers of the first, second and third embodiments.
An electromagnetic valve for controlling the fuel gas is provided in the rice heating section, and the electromagnetic valve is opened by a so-called push solenoid. This is a valve that opens and closes the gas flow path,
This is a solenoid valve composed of a spring for urging the valve in a closing direction and a push solenoid for pushing the valve open in a direction opposite to the spring via a plunger. Such a push solenoid has a structure in which a plunger is provided around the shaft center and a drive coil is wound around the shaft core, and when energized, an electromagnetic force is generated in the drive coil to momentarily move the plunger forward. Push it out. Thus
The valve is driven by the push solenoid up to the valve open position, but the valve is held after the valve is opened by the electromagnetic force attracting the movable piece interlocking with the valve to the fixed iron core around which the coil is wound. To open the valve, a large electromagnetic force is required because energy that moves the valve by a predetermined stroke is required against the spring force that closes the valve. On the other hand, a small electromagnetic force generated by a minute current is sufficient for holding the adsorption. Therefore, a push solenoid that uses a large current instantaneously to obtain a large force is used only for opening the valve, and for long-term adsorption, a solenoid valve that uses a dedicated coil consumes less power. Furthermore, halfway opening of the valve due to exhaustion of the battery is prevented,
It is known that the gas flow path can be surely opened or not opened to improve safety. As means for opening and driving the valve, in addition to the push solenoid, the valve may be pushed open by moving the spindle via a cam driven by a motor. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0027]

As described in detail above, according to the first gas rice cooker of the present invention, even when the commercial power source is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the battery is switched to the battery and the operation is continued. You can cook rice regardless of the circumstances. Therefore, as long as the gas is supplied, there is no need to worry about the power supply, and it is very easy to use.

Further, according to the second gas rice cooker of the present invention, in addition, when the commercial power supply is cut off due to a power failure or the like by providing a detection unit for operating the switching means depending on whether or not the commercial power supply is supplied. However, it automatically switches the power supply to the battery and continues operation without interruption. Therefore, as long as there is a gas supply, there is no need to worry about power supply or blackouts.
Very easy to use.

Further, according to the third gas rice cooker, the commercial power supply is not required for control, and the rice cooker can be controlled only by the battery, so there is no need to prepare the power supply or worry about power failure. It is also convenient because you can cook rice even in places where there is no commercial power supply.

Further, according to the fourth gas rice cooker, the attached storage battery is charged while the commercial power source is energized, and the storage battery will not be completely discharged in the normal use state. You can drive in exchange. Therefore, it does not take time and effort to replace and charge the battery, and it can be operated at any time and is easy to use.

Further, according to the fifth gas rice cooker, since the electromagnetic valve is a power saving type, it consumes less electricity and is economical. Of course, the battery consumption is low, so the battery lasts longer and can be driven by a compact and practical battery.

Further, according to the sixth gas rice cooker, since the solenoid valve is opened by the push solenoid, the electric power consumed for opening the valve can be small. Therefore, it is economical and the battery lasts a long time. It is practical because it is not necessary to worry about the electric capacity of the battery.

Further, according to the seventh gas rice cooker, since the solenoid valve is opened by the motor via the spindle, not only the electric power consumed for opening the valve is small, but also
Energy efficient. Therefore, it is economical and the battery lasts a long time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas rice cooker according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a power supply unit according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Gas Rice Cooker 3 Dry Battery 4 Switching Section 5 Controller 9 Temperature Sensitive Thermistor 10 Burner 11 Nozzle 12 Frame Rod 13 Electrode 17,18 Solenoid Valve 20 Source Solenoid Valve 27,28 Switching Transistor

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A gas rice cooker comprising: a rice heating unit that burns a fuel gas by a burner to heat a rice cooking pot; and a rice cooking control unit that is powered by a commercial power source to drive and control the rice heating unit. A gas rice cooker comprising a battery for backing up a power source and a switching means for switching the power supply to the rice cooking control unit from the commercial power source to the battery. 2. The gas rice cooker according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit for operating the switching means depending on whether or not the commercial power source is supplied. 3. A gas rice cooker comprising a rice cooking heating unit for burning a rice cooking pot by burning fuel gas with a burner, and a rice cooking control unit for supplying power from a battery and drivingly controlling the rice cooking heating unit. 4. The gas rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a storage battery, and the storage battery is charged while the commercial power source is energized. 5. The gas rice cooker according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the rice heating heating unit includes a solenoid valve for controlling a fuel gas, the solenoid valve including a valve, a suction coil, and a holding coil. And a power saving type in which the valve is opened by energizing the suction coil and the valve is opened by energizing the holding coil. 6. The gas rice cooker according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the rice heating section is provided with a solenoid valve for controlling fuel gas, and a drive coil provided around a plunger having an axis. A gas rice cooker characterized in that the electromagnetic valve is opened by a push solenoid driven by an electromagnetic force generated by. 7. The gas rice cooker according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the rice heating unit has a solenoid valve for controlling fuel gas, and the solenoid valve is opened by a motor via a spindle. A gas rice cooker characterized by that.