JPS59183220A - Heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability and to ensure easy display, by a method wherein the touch switch of an input part is integrally formed on the liquid crystal display element of a display part. CONSTITUTION:A control panel 3 is provided with a control display part C, and with a liquid crystal display element having a touch electrode. Auto keys 4 for selecting an automatic cooking instruction and manual keys 5 for selecting the cooking mode of a manual cooking are provided at the back of the touch electrode with a display segment to light the touched key for display. Further, 4 time keys 10 correspond to their respective four digit display parts 11, and the display part is increased or decreased in the digit each time the key is depressed. This constitution allows integral formation of a control part with the corresponding display part thereto, resulting in the possibility to improve operability and ensure easy display.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to input means and display means in a heating device.

Configuration of conventional example and its problems The configuration of a conventional heating device equipped with a digital control section is as follows:
As shown in the figure, longevity was common.

That is, it consists of a main body 1 containing a heating chamber, a door 2 pivoted to the front opening of the main body so that it can be opened and closed, and an operation panel 3 equipped with various operation pieces. It is divided into operation sections A and A' that include a timer knob, and display section B that displays various displays.

Operation panel A has cooking modes for automatic cooking, such as auto, key, and manual cooking modes (high heat 1 low heat, oven,
There is a manual key 6 for selecting the grill, etc., a timer knob 6 for inputting heating time and temperature, and a clear key 7 for canceling settings. The operation section A' includes a cooking start switch 8.

On the other hand, a fluorescent display tube 9 is disposed in the display section B, and displays various information such as the valid positions of the various input keys, the elapsed heating time, and the temperature inside the refrigerator.

In this way, recent composite heating devices such as automatic microwave ovens are rapidly becoming multi-functional, and in order to allow users to fully utilize these many functions without making mistakes, the display tube 9 has become larger and more colorful. has progressed.

However, no matter how much effort is made to the display tube, it is difficult to achieve good operability and easy-to-understand display in a configuration where the operating section and display section are separated as shown in FIG.

One solution to this problem is to arrange a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as an LED) immediately adjacent to each input key or in a part of the key. However, this method is not suitable for the current situation where the number and types of input keys are generally increasing due to the increasing number of functions. The number of LEDs increases,
It is also difficult to align the keys with the keys, which tends to be expensive in terms of cost and man-hours.

Purpose of the Invention The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks by integrally forming a corresponding operation section and a display section, aiming at good operability and easy-to-understand display, and realizing a simple control system. purpose.

Structure of the Invention In order to achieve the above object, the heating device of the present invention has a structure in which a liquid crystal display element equipped with a touch electrode is mounted as an operation section and a display section. Furthermore, a configuration is proposed that synchronizes the liquid crystal display (alternating current voltage application and dynamic drive) with the sweep of the touch switch.

With this configuration, the display of the operated location changes, allowing direct and easy-to-understand display. Moreover, the control system can be easily configured.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body showing an embodiment of the present invention. The operation panel 3 is provided with an operation 9 display section C, in which a liquid crystal display element equipped with touch electrodes is arranged. Here, there is auto key 4 to select the automatic cooking menu, manual to select the manual cooking mode, key 5, and time to input the heating time.

It includes a key 10 (corresponding to a conventional timer knob 6) and a numerical display 11. Auto.

For keys 4, manual, and key 6, display segments are prepared on the back side of the touch electrode, and the keys are illuminated in the evening. The four keys 10 correspond to four digits on the display section 11, and each time the key is pressed, the digit is incremented or decremented.

The navigation key 7 and the cooking start switch 8 are not included in these touch switches.

These are all important keys that command the start or stop of heating, so we will leave them as conventional mechanical switches.
Even if the touch switch or controller breaks down, the microwave is not emitted unless the user presses the start switch 8.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a front view and a cross-sectional view showing details of a liquid crystal display element equipped with such a touch electrode.

In addition to the above-mentioned keys, a temperature key 12 for inputting temperature is provided as a touch electrode, and a temperature display section 13 corresponding to the temperature key 12 is provided. Temperature key 12 is time key 1
Like o, the set temperature is incremented or decremented each time it is pressed. Or by holding down
It can be incremented or decremented to set the desired temperature.

Display segments are provided on the back surfaces of the auto key 4, manual key 5, and key 5, and the touched keys can be displayed by lighting. For example, when you touch the "Kutsuki" key, all or part of the key lights up on the back.

Now, the structure of this liquid crystal display element 14 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3(B), the liquid crystal display element 14 has a glass cover 17 disposed on a substrate 15 made of silicon or a glass plate with a separator 16 in between, and a liquid crystal 18 between these two sheets. It is enclosed.

A transparent electrode 19 is placed on the surface of the glass cover 17.
is provided. This electrode is made of indium-tin oxide, for example.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of such essential parts. glass.

On the back side of the transparent electrode 19 of the cover 17, liquid crystal common electrodes 2OA, 20B are provided. And the board 15
A display segment 21 is arranged above. When a predetermined pulse is applied to the common electrode 20, 20B, and the display segment 21, the crystal alignment of the liquid crystal changes, and the display changes. The common electrodes 2OA and 20B and the transparent electrode 1
9, a capacitor is formed isometrically as shown. Therefore, if a drive pulse is applied from the common electrode 2OA, the presence or absence of a touch on the transparent electrode 19 can be detected by sensing the potential of the electrode 20B. In other words, if a part of the human body touches the transparent electrode 19, the stray capacitance of the human body bypasses the drive and pulse, and the sense potential decreases. This allows touch to be detected.

FIG. 5 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of such a configuration. Common electrode 2
OA and 20B are operated by the switch means 22 in the illustrated position, and a drive pulse is applied to the common electrode 2OA, and by sensing the potential of the electrode 20B, it is possible to determine whether or not a human body has touched the transparent electrode 19 as described above. can be detected. On the other hand, if the switch means 22 is switched to two positions opposite to those shown in the figure, the common electrodes 2OA and 20B are connected to the LCD driver (common) and a common signal (AC pulse) is applied. Then, along with the segment signal (AC pulse) applied to the segment electrode 21 for display purposes, the lighting of the liquid crystal 18 is controlled.

FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of the signals according to FIG. In this diagram, the phase of the common signal and segment signal is 90''-r.
Indicates the lighting status of the LCD. The LCD lights up when you press the “display cycle” button. And the next “key scan cycle”
A high voltage drive pulse is applied at It takes “
``°display'' and ``key scan'' are alternately repeated periodically.

Now, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system 4 showing an embodiment of the control section of the present invention. The configurations of the touch electrode 19 and the liquid crystal 18 are the same as those shown in FIG. 5, and are connected to the main control section 23.

24 is a key scan driver, and 25 is a touch detection circuit. 'The main control unit 23 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as 1 microcomputer).

In addition to the touch electrode, the main control unit 23 has a clear mechanical switch. Key 7 and cooking start switch 8 are connected. These are important keys that command to stop or start heating, so even if the touch circuit fails, the mechanical switches remain so that the user can press them to control the microwave delivery. 26 is a door switch that responds to the opening and closing of the door 2.

Now, the main control unit 23 receives various heating commands from the input circuit, and in accordance with these commands, the main control unit 23
Start supplying power to 8. 29 is a driver. An object to be heated 31 is placed in the heating chamber 3o and heated by the heat source 28. The progress of heating is monitored by the sensor 32, and heating is automatically terminated. As the sensor 32, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, an infrared sensor, a thermistor, etc. are used. , 33 is a detection circuit of such a sensor.

FIG. 8 is an electric circuit diagram showing a specific example of this control section. The main control section is realized by the microcomputer 23. The touch electrode 19 is assembled with a key matrix, and the detection circuit is realized by a touch sense IC 25. This IC includes decoding function and input port To”-T where touch is detected.
7 to a 4-bit code and send it to the microcontroller 23.
Input the values from o to IsK.

Each column of the key matrix 19 is swept by a driver pulse boosted by the driver 24. The switching means are realized by multiplexer 22. The multiplexer 22 selects the drive pulses DPo to DP2 and the liquid crystal common signals co and c2 in response to the select signal S, and sends them to the outputs O0 to O2.

The liquid crystal 18 receives this common signal co-02 and segment signals 5O2S1. Lighting is controlled by S2...

The supply of electricity to the heat source is carried out by three switching means, for example a relay. The signal amplified by the driver 29 controls a main relay 34, an output relay 35 that switches the output on and off, and a switching relay 36 that switches the heat source. 28 is a magnetron, and 37 is an electric heater.

The main circuit also includes a door switch 2 that responds to the opening and closing of the door.
6' is inserted. 38 is an interior light, and 39 is an electric motor such as a cooling fan.

The sensor means is realized by a humidity sensor 32, a gas sensor, an infrared sensor, a thermistor, or the like.

Then, the impedance, which changes depending on steam, gas, temperature, etc. generated from the heated object, is input to the A/D input power. A
/D Human power [Built-in A/D converter and converts analog quantities into digital quantities within the microcomputer 23.

Reference numeral 40 denotes a buzzer or a voice synthesis unit that issues various notifications and alarms.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The operation section and the corresponding display section can be integrally formed,
Good operability and easy-to-understand display can be achieved.

(2) There is no need to align the operation section and display section, and it is possible to
Unlike the configuration using the llCD, there is no need to worry about eliminating positional deviation and increase the number of work steps.

(3) The cost is determined almost by the area, and even if the device becomes more multi-functional and the number of segments to be displayed increases, the cost will not increase proportionally as in the case of conventional LEDs.

(4) It is possible to realize an operation panel with a sense of unity without a partition between the operation section and the display section, which is superior in terms of design.

(6) The space between the operation section and the display section can be made as small as possible, and the operation panel can be made smaller and space-saving.

(6) The glass panel for touch electrodes can also be used as a part of the liquid crystal display element, and electrodes and lead-out patterns can be printed at the same time as those for the liquid crystal, saving resources and lowering costs.

(It is easy to synchronize the LCD display, touch, and key sweep, and a simple control circuit can be realized.

(8) In the microwave oven: 1. The liquid crystal reacts to leaking microwaves and can be used as a safety monitor.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional heating device, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 3 (A) is a front view of a liquid crystal display element with touch electrodes (1iii) of the same device, Figure (B) is a sectional view of the same, Figure 4 is a detailed view of the same main part, and Figure 5 is an equivalent circuit. Fig. 6 shows the same timing and chart, Fig. 7 shows a system block diagram showing the control section of the device, and Fig. 8 shows an electric circuit diagram showing the control section. 14...Touch Liquid crystal display element equipped with electrodes, 1
9...Touch electrode, 17...Glass,
Cover, 18...LCD, 2OA, 20B...
...Common electrode, 21...Segment, 1
6... Board, 23... Main control unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A heating chamber in which the object to be heated is placed, a heating source coupled to this heating chamber, a control unit that controls power supply to this heating source, an input unit that inputs heating commands to this control unit, and heating data. a display section for displaying , the display section includes a liquid crystal display element, and the touch switch serving as the input section is integrally configured on the liquid crystal display element in the parentheses.