CN112425261A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

The heating cooker is provided with a top plate for placing a cooking container, a heating source arranged below the top plate, a heating port arranged on the top plate and showing the position for placing the cooking container, a plurality of light sources arranged below the top plate and controlled independently, and a transmission part arranged outside the heating port of the top plate and transmitting light emitted from the plurality of light sources.

Description

Heating cooker

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heating cooker that indicates an operating state of a heating source by light.

Background

A heating cooker is known which heats a cooking container placed on a top plate using a heating coil or a resistance heater as a heating source. For example, in a heating cooker of an induction heating system, eddy current is generated in a cooking container main body placed above a heating coil through a top plate by magnetic flux generated by flowing current through a metal body such as the heating coil disposed in the heating cooker. Then, the cooking container is heated by joule heat generated by the eddy current and the resistance of the cooking container main body.

In recent years, as a heating cooker used by elderly people, there has been an increasing chance of selecting a heating cooker using a heating coil or a resistance heater as a heating source. One reason such a heating cooker is preferred by users is: since flame is not used in cooking, the fear of burning due to flame, the burning of clothes and the spread of fire are reduced.

In the heating cooker described above, unlike a heating cooker that heats a cooking container with a flame, since there is no flame during cooking, a user cannot directly observe whether or not a heating source is operating and the heating power of the heating source. Therefore, various proposals have been made to make it easy for a user to grasp the operating state of the heating cooker.

As conventional heating cookers, there are the following: a plurality of display portions are provided radially outside the outer circumferential ring line of the heating port (see, for example, patent document 1). The heating cooker makes the light emitting area of the display part different according to the heating output of the induction heating coil.

Further, a heating cooker configured as follows is proposed: a plurality of slits are formed in a film provided on the top plate by printing, and light emitted from a light emitting member provided below the top plate passes through the slits (see, for example, patent document 2). Patent document 2 describes: the light transmitted through the slits is reflected by the side surface of the pan, and a pattern like a flame is drawn on the side surface of the pan.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2005-123054

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2003-257601

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the technique of patent document 1, the light emitting section emits light with a constant light emitting area corresponding to the output of the heat source. In this configuration, the light emitting area of the light emitting portion changes at the instant when the output of the heat source changes, so that the user can recognize the change in the output of the heat source. However, the light emitting area of the light emitting section does not change even in a state where the output of the heat source does not change. In addition, there is no comparison target of the light emitting area of the light emitting section. Therefore, in a state where the output of the heat source is not changed, it is difficult for the user to recognize the presence or absence of the output of the heat source and the degree of the output.

The technique of patent document 2 aims to give the user an impression of the pan being placed on a flame and a feeling of warmth by drawing a flame-like pattern on the side surface of the pan. However, depending on the color of the surface of the pan and the dirt on the surface of the pan, it may be difficult for the user to recognize the flame-like pattern. The difficulty in recognizing the flame-like pattern is conspicuously recognized by visually impaired persons such as elderly people.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a heating cooker that is easy for a user who has a problem in visual recognition to recognize that a heating source is operating.

Means for solving the problems

The heating cooker of the present invention is configured to include: a top plate on which a cooking container is mounted; a heating source disposed below the top plate; a heating port provided in the top plate and indicating a position where the cooking container is placed; a plurality of light sources disposed below the top plate and independently controlled; and a transmission portion that is provided outside the heating port of the top plate and transmits light emitted from the plurality of light sources, wherein when the heating source is operating, one or more light sources of the plurality of light sources that emit light are continuously changed such that light that flows in one direction along a direction parallel to the surface of the top plate is emitted from the transmission portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, when the heat source is operating, light flowing in one direction parallel to the surface of the top plate is emitted from the transmission portion. Since the user observes the flow of light, the user easily recognizes that the heating source is operating.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to modification 2 of embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating modification 1 of lighting control example 1 of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating modification 2 of light source lighting control example 1 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating modification 3 of light source lighting control example 1 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating modification 4 of lighting control example 1 of the light source according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the transmissive part and the plurality of light sources according to embodiment 4.

Fig. 17 is a timing chart for explaining an example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 5.

Fig. 18 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 6.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the Heating cooker of the present invention is applied to a household IH (Induction Heating) type Heating cooker will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present invention includes all combinations of combinable configurations among the configurations described in the following embodiments. The heating cooker shown in the drawings is an example of a device to which the heating cooker of the present invention is applied, and the device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the heating cooker shown in the drawings. In the following description, directional terms (for example, "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "front", "rear", and the like) are used as appropriate for easy understanding, but these terms are used for description and do not limit the present invention. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and this point is common throughout the specification. In addition, in each drawing, the relative dimensional relationship, the shape, and the like of each constituent member may be different from the actual ones.

Embodiment 1.

(Structure of heating cooker)

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in fig. 1, the heating cooker 1 includes a main body 2 and a top plate 3 disposed above the main body 2. A front surface operation portion 5 is provided on the front surface of the main body 2. The front surface operation unit 5 includes a power switch for turning on or off the power of the heating cooker 1, a plurality of operation knobs for adjusting the heating power, and the like.

The top plate 3 is composed of, for example, a heat-resistant glass plate and a metal frame attached to the periphery of the glass plate. The top plate 3 is provided with a heating port 20 as a heating region. In the present embodiment, three heating ports 20 are provided. A display showing a region where a cooking vessel such as a pot or a pan is placed is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the top plate 3 corresponding to the heating port 20. A heating coil 4 serving as a heating source is provided inside the main body 2 below the heating port 20. The heating port 20 is formed in the same shape as the outer shape of the heating coil 4 as a heating source or in a shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the heating coil 4. In the present embodiment, the display of the heating port 20 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view.

A transmission part 32 is provided outside each heating port 20, and the transmission part 32 indicates a driving state of the heating source disposed below the heating port 20. The transmission portion 32 is configured to transmit light emitted from the light emitting portion 30 (see fig. 2) disposed below the top plate 3. The transmissive portion 32 in the present embodiment is a portion of the top plate 3 made of a glass plate, and is a region where no coating is provided or a coating is provided to the extent that light is transmitted. The transmission part 32 may be formed by a transparent glass plate fitted into a hollow portion of an opaque glass plate constituting the top plate 3. In addition to such a structure, a material and a structure that transmit light can be used as the transmission portion 32. The overall shape of the transmission portion 32 provided for each heating port 20 extends in a direction away from the outer periphery of the heating port 20.

The transmissive portion 32 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of transmissive portions. In the present embodiment, the plurality of transmission portions constituting the transmission portion 32 are referred to as a first transmission portion 32A, a second transmission portion 32B, a third transmission portion 32C, and a fourth transmission portion 32D. In fig. 1, in order to prevent the drawing from being complicated, reference numerals 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D are given only to the transmission sections 32 provided corresponding to the heating coil 4 at the left end of the drawing sheet. Note that, when a configuration common to the first, second, third, and fourth transmission sections 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D is described, it is simply referred to as a transmission section 32.

The first transmissive portion 32A, the second transmissive portion 32B, the third transmissive portion 32C, and the fourth transmissive portion 32D are arranged in this order so as to be spaced outward from the heating port 20. That is, the first transmissive portion 32A is disposed closest to the heating port 20, and the second transmissive portion 32B is disposed farther from the heating port 20 than the first transmissive portion 32A.

The number and shape of the heating coils 4 illustrated in fig. 1 are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. The number of the heating coils 4, that is, the number of the heating sources may be at least one.

An operation display unit 6 is provided on the front side of the top plate 3. The operation display unit 6 of the present embodiment includes a display screen having a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or the like, and a capacitive touch sensor. The touch sensor obtains an operation input of a user via the top plate 3. The operation display unit 6 includes an operation unit, a heating power display unit that shows the magnitude of heating power set by the operation unit, and an information display unit that displays information on the setting state and the operating state of the heating cooker 1. The operation unit of the operation display unit 6 receives operation inputs related to settings of heating power, temperature, cooking mode, and the like of the heating coils 4 corresponding to the heating ports 20, and further receives operation inputs related to instructions such as heating start and heating stop. Here, the information related to the operation state of the heating cooker 1 may include a selected cooking mode, the progress of automatic cooking, the temperature of a cooking container placed in the heating port 20, warning information, and the like.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part of heating cooker 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 shows a cooking container 300 mounted on the top plate 3, and a schematic cross section and a functional structure of the heating cooker 1. In fig. 2, only one heating coil 4 is illustrated, but the same applies to the structure associated with the other heating coils 4. As shown in fig. 2, inside the main body 2 of the heating cooker 1 and below the top plate 3, a heating coil 4, a coil base 9 supporting the heating coil 4, a plurality of ferrite cores 10 disposed on the lower surface of the coil base 9, and an infrared sensor 11 are provided. A contact temperature sensor 12 is attached to the lower surface of the top plate 3. Further, a temperature detection unit 13, a control unit 14, an inverter 15, and a light emitting unit 30 are provided.

The heating coil 4 is disposed below the heating port 20, and the heating port 20 is provided in the top plate 3. The heating coil 4 is a coil formed by winding a conductive wire such as a copper wire or an aluminum wire, for example, and generates a high-frequency magnetic field by supplying a high-frequency current. The heating coil 4 of the present embodiment is a double-layer ring shape, but the shape and arrangement of the heating coil 4 are not limited to those shown in the drawings. Alternatively, a resistance heating type electric heater that generates heat by flowing electricity through the heating element may be provided as the heating source instead of the heating coil 4, or a resistance heating type electric heater that generates heat by flowing electricity through the heating element may be provided as the heating source in addition to the heating coil 4.

The coil base 9 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and houses and supports the heating coil 4.

The ferrite core 10 is a rod-shaped member made of a ferromagnetic material having a non-conductive property and a high magnetic permeability. By providing the ferrite core 10, the leakage flux to the lower side of the heating coil 4 is suppressed, and the heating efficiency can be improved and the cooking container 300 can be uniformly heated. The shape and structure of the ferrite core 10 do not limit the present invention.

The contact temperature sensor 12 is disposed in contact with the lower surface of the top plate 3, i.e., the surface facing the heating coil 4. A plurality of contact temperature sensors 12 may be provided with respect to one heating coil 4. The contact temperature sensor 12 detects the temperature of the cooking container 300 placed above the top plate 3 through the top plate 3.

The infrared sensor 11 detects infrared energy emitted from the bottom of the cooking container 300, and the cooking container 300 is placed on the top plate 3 on the heating coil 4. In order to prevent the cooling air flowing near the heating coil 4 from directly blowing the infrared sensor 11, the periphery of the infrared sensor 11 is covered with a sensor case 110. In order to make the ambient temperature around the infrared sensor 11 uniform, the infrared sensor 11 is held at a spatial distance from the sensor housing 110. The sensor case 110 is fixed to the coil base 9 with tapping screws or the like, or is partially formed integrally with the coil base 9. With such a holding structure of the sensor housing 110, the distance between the top plate 3 and the infrared sensor 11 is kept constant.

The transmission window 16 is provided in the heating port 20 of the top plate 3. The transmission window 16 is provided so that the infrared sensor 11 can detect infrared rays transmitted through the cooking container 300 on the top plate 3. The transmission window 16 is provided in the range of the heating port 20 and at a position facing the detection portion of the infrared sensor 11. The transmission window 16 is preferably not coated to allow infrared rays to easily transmit therethrough. However, when the transmission window 16 is not coated, the heating coil 4, wiring, and the like inside the main body 2 may be viewed from above the top plate 3, which is undesirable in appearance. Therefore, in the case where the transmission window 16 is not coated, a tube or a plate may be provided in a direction in which the coil base 9 holding the heating coil 4 and the sensor case 110 face the top plate 3. By providing such a shielding tube or plate, it is possible to make it difficult to see the heating coil 4, wiring, and the like from the outside. Further, instead of covering the entire surface of the transmission window 16 with paint, the transmission window 16 may be painted in a dot-like or stripe-like shape to reduce the proportion of the opening portion that is not painted, thereby ensuring the appearance and functionality.

Temperature detector 13 receives output values from infrared sensor 11 and contact temperature sensor 12, and calculates the temperature of cooking container 300 based on the received output values. The temperature detection unit 13 is configured by hardware such as a circuit device or an arithmetic device such as a microcomputer for realizing the function, and software executed thereon.

The control unit 14 controls the operation of the heating cooker 1 based on the setting contents input to the front surface operation unit 5 or the operation display unit 6. Further, the control unit 14 controls the inverter 15 based on the cooking temperature set by the user and the temperature of the cooking container 300 calculated by the temperature detection unit 13, thereby performing heating control. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the light emitting unit 30 based on an operation input to the front surface operation unit 5 or the operation display unit 6.

The control unit 14 is constituted by dedicated hardware or a microcomputer having a memory and a CPU that executes a program stored in the memory. The control unit 14 may have the function of the temperature detection unit 13.

When the control unit 14 is dedicated hardware, the control unit 14 corresponds to, for example, a single Circuit, a composite Circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Each of the functional units realized by the control unit 14 may be realized by separate hardware, or may be realized by one hardware.

When the control unit 14 is a microcomputer, each function executed by the control unit 14 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the memory. The CPU reads and executes the program stored in the memory, thereby realizing each function of the control unit 14. Here, the memory is, for example, a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.

Inverter 15 is a drive circuit that converts an ac power supply of commercial power supply 200 into a high-frequency current and supplies the high-frequency current to heating coil 4. The heating cooker 1 may have a configuration other than that shown in fig. 2, and for example, the heating cooker 1 may include a communication unit for communicating with an external device.

The light emitting unit 30 includes a plurality of light sources and a control circuit for independently controlling the light emitting operation of the light sources. The light emitting section 30 of the present embodiment includes a first light source 31A, a second light source 31B, a third light source 31C, and a fourth light source 31D. The light emitting unit 30 of the present embodiment includes four light sources, but the number of light sources may be two or more. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D of the present embodiment include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) mounted on a substrate. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D, which are a plurality of light sources, may be mounted on one substrate or may be separately mounted on a plurality of substrates. The control circuit provided in the light emitting unit 30 independently turns on or off the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 14.

Light emitting surfaces of the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D face the first transmission portion 32A, the second transmission portion 32B, the third transmission portion 32C, and the fourth transmission portion 32D, respectively. The light emitted from the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D is transmitted through the first transmission part 32A, the second transmission part 32B, the third transmission part 32C, and the fourth transmission part 32D, respectively, which are opposed to each other, and is emitted upward of the top plate 3. The user can observe the light emitted from the first, second, third, or fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, or 32D.

In addition, although the present embodiment shows an example in which one light source is disposed to face one transmission unit, a plurality of light sources independently controlled may be disposed to face one transmission unit. Each light source can have one or more light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes. Further, a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of different colors may be provided for one light source. In this case, the control circuit of the light emitting unit 30 can independently turn on or off the plurality of light emitting elements emitting light of different colors, thereby changing the color of light emitted from one light source.

Since the first, second, third, and fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D are configured to transmit light, the substrate, wiring, and the like of the light emitting portion 30 in the main body 2 may be viewed from above the top plate 3, which is undesirable in appearance. In addition, light from a light source other than the opposing light source may enter the transmission portion. For example, not only the light from the first light source 31A but also the light from the second light source 31B may enter the first transmission portion 32A. In the case of these matters, a tube or a plate for preventing light from the light source from entering the transmission part other than the transmission part facing each other may be provided between the light emitting surface side of the light source and the transmission part.

(arrangement of light-emitting Transmission section)

Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 1. The arrangement and shape of the first, second, third, and fourth transmissive portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D will be described. The first transmissive portion 32A, the second transmissive portion 32B, the third transmissive portion 32C, and the fourth transmissive portion 32D are arranged outside the heating ports 20 with respect to the respective heating ports 20. The first transmissive portion 32A, the second transmissive portion 32B, the third transmissive portion 32C, and the fourth transmissive portion 32D are linearly arranged in this order in a direction away from the heating port 20. In the present embodiment, the first transmissive part 32A, the second transmissive part 32B, the third transmissive part 32C, and the fourth transmissive part 32D have rectangular planar shapes and have the same area.

The first transmission part 32A is disposed opposite to the outer circumference of the circular heating port 20. The first transmissive portion 32A in fig. 3 is a rectangle whose side facing the outer periphery of the circular heating port 20 is a long side. The second transmission part 32B is disposed opposite to the first transmission part 32A, and has a long side parallel to the long side of the first transmission part 32A. Similarly, the third transmissive portion 32C is provided opposite to the second transmissive portion 32B, and has a long side parallel to the long side of the second transmissive portion 32B. The fourth transmissive part 32D is disposed opposite to the third transmissive part 32C and has a long side parallel to the long side of the third transmissive part 32C.

Further, the number of the transmission portions (four in the present embodiment) provided with respect to one heating port 20 may be one. In this case, a plurality of light sources can be provided to face one transmission unit 32. The number of the transmissive portions provided for one heating port 20 may be the same as or different from the number of output levels (levels) of the heating coils 4 serving as the heating sources.

The number of light-emitting transmission windows of the transmission unit 32 does not need to be equal to the number of heating power settings, and heating power settings may be distributed such that the first light source 31A is turned on in the case of heating power 1 or 2, and the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are turned on in the case of heating power 3 or 4.

(Lighting control example 1)

Fig. 4 is a timing chart for explaining an example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1. In fig. 4, the timing of turning off and on is shown for each of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D. The abscissa of fig. 4 represents time, and illustrates that the period t1 is a period during which heating power 1 is set, and the period t2 is a period during which heating power 3, which is greater than heating power 1, is set. The lighting control of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D will be described by taking as an example a case where the setting is changed from heating power 1 to heating power 3.

As shown in the period t1, when heating power 1 is set by the front surface operation unit 5 or the operation display unit 6 and an instruction to start heating is input, the control unit 14 turns on the first light source 31A, and when the period a elapses, turns off the first light source 31A and turns on the second light source 31B. When the second light source 31B is turned on and the period B passes, the second light source 31B is turned off and the first light source 31A is turned on. That is, the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are alternately turned on. The length of the period a during which the first light source 31A is turned on at a time is a fixed value. The length of the period B during which the second light source 31B is turned on at each time is also a fixed value. The control unit 14 performs such control of blinking the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B so that the lighting periods do not overlap, during the period t1 in which heating power 1 is set.

Subsequently, the setting is changed from heating power 1 to heating power 3. Here, fire 3> fire 1. Then, the control unit 14 stops the lighting control in heating power 1, and newly starts the lighting control in heating power 3 as shown in period t 2. As shown in a period t2 in fig. 4, the control unit 14 turns on the first light source 31A, and turns off the first light source 31A and turns on the second light source 31B when the period a elapses. When the second light source 31B is turned on and the period B passes, the second light source 31B is turned off and the third light source 31C is turned on. When the third light source 31C is turned on and the period C passes, the third light source 31C is turned off and the fourth light source 31D is turned on. When the fourth light source 31D is turned on and the period D passes, the fourth light source 31D is turned off and the first light source 31A is turned on. That is, when a direction along the order of the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D is set as a first direction, the light sources are sequentially blinked in the order along the first direction. The lengths of the periods a to D during which the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D are turned on are fixed values, respectively. The control unit 14 performs such control of blinking the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D so that the lighting periods do not overlap, during the period t2 in which heating power 3 is set.

The controller 14 continues the lighting control exemplified in the period t1 and the period t2 until the heating power is changed or the heating is stopped.

Although not shown in fig. 4, when heating power 2 is set, the control unit 14 causes the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C to blink in this order. Here, fire 1< fire 2< fire 3. When the heating power is set to 0.5, the control unit 14 blinks only the first light source 31A. Here, firepower 0.5< firepower 1.

In this way, when the heating source performs the heating operation, the control unit 14 causes the adjacent light sources corresponding to the heating power among the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D to sequentially blink in one direction. When the heating power is small, the lighting control is performed only on the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B close to the heating port 20, and the third light source 31C and the fourth light source 31D are added in this order as the light source for the lighting control as the heating power increases. By sequentially flashing the adjacent light sources, a user having a viewpoint above the top plate 3 observes that light flowing in one direction along a direction parallel to the surface of the top plate 3 is emitted from the transmission portion 32. When the lighting control shown in period t2 in fig. 4 is performed, in the example shown in fig. 3, the user observes that light is emitted in the order of first transmissive portion 32A, second transmissive portion 32B, third transmissive portion 32C, fourth transmissive portion 32D, and first transmissive portion 32A … in one direction. That is, the user observes the flow of one light beam from the position closest to the heating port 20 toward the outside.

In the example of fig. 4, the following is explained: as the heating power increases, the number of light sources to be turned on increases in order along the direction from the first light source 31A closest to the heating port 20 to the fourth light source 31D farthest therefrom. However, the order of lighting the light sources may be the reverse direction of fig. 4. Specifically, when the heating power is the minimum, the control unit 14 blinks only the fourth light source 31D located at the position farthest from the heating port 20, and increases the third light source 31C, the second light source 31B, and the first light source 31A in this order as the heating power increases. In this way, a user having a viewpoint above the top plate 3 observes that the flow of light in the direction approaching the heating port 20 is emitted from the transmission portion 32.

In the example of fig. 4, the lengths of the period a, the period b, the period c, and the period d are all the same. In the case where a plurality of light sources are sequentially caused to blink at equal intervals in this manner, three or more light sources are caused to blink in the order of arrangement. This allows the user to observe that the light emitted from the transmission unit 32 flows in one direction. Further, by repeating a cycle of blinking three or more light sources in the order of arrangement, blinking the last light source, and then blinking again in the order from the first light source, the directivity of light can be further intensified. In the example of fig. 4, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are blinked in this order, and are blinked again in order from the first light source 31A. By repeating such a cycle of blinking by three or more light sources, the user can continuously observe the flow of light in one direction. By allowing the user to observe the light flowing in one direction, the user can easily recognize that the heating coil 4 as the heating source is operating.

In the example of fig. 4, the lengths of the period a, the period b, the period c, and the period d can be set to be within one second. The lengths of the period a, the period b, the period c, and the period d may be one second or more, for example, about 2 to 3 seconds, so that the user, such as an elderly person with reduced visual recognition ability, can easily observe the flow of light. In the example of fig. 4 and the following examples, the user may be able to change the lengths of the periods a to d. In this case, for example, an input unit for inputting the length of the lighting period is provided in the front surface operation unit 5, and the control unit 14 determines the lengths of the periods a to d based on the lighting period input to the input unit.

(Lighting control example 2)

Fig. 5 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1. As can be seen by comparing fig. 5 and 4, the period a, the period B, the period C, and the period D of each lighting of the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are shorter than the period shown in fig. 4. That is, the cycle of the blinking of the plurality of light sources is different from that of lighting control example 1.

The control unit 14 switches between the lighting control example 1 shown in fig. 4 and the lighting control example 2 shown in fig. 5 according to the operating state of the heating source or the state of the heating cooker 1. This makes it easier for the user to recognize a change in the operating state of the heating source or a change in the state of the heating cooker 1.

For example, when the temperature of cooking container 300 is detected to be close to the target temperature by infrared sensor 11 or contact temperature sensor 12, control unit 14 switches from lighting control example 1 to lighting control example 2. Here, the target temperature can be set by the front surface operation unit 5, the operation display unit 6, or the automatic cooking function. When switching from the lighting control example 1 to the lighting control example 2, the period of blinking is changed while the number of blinking light sources among the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D is maintained. When switching to the lighting control example 2, the user observes that the flow of light in one direction changes to a flow at a speed faster than before. This enables the flow of light emitted in one direction from the transmission unit 32 to be used as a warning display indicating that the temperature of the cooking container 300 approaches the target temperature.

For example, in order to express a difference in the output of the heat source, the lighting control example 1 and the lighting control example 2 in which the blinking speed of the light source is different may be used. Specifically, the control unit 14 executes the lighting control example 1 in either the case where the output of the heating coil 4 is large or small, and executes the lighting control example 2 in the other case. This makes it possible for the user to easily recognize the difference in the output of the heating source.

(Lighting control example 3)

Fig. 6 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1. In the lighting control example 3 shown in fig. 6, the control unit 14 simultaneously lights on and off the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D. The lighting control example 3 in which all light sources are caused to blink in synchronization with the timing of turning on and off of the light sources in this manner can be used in combination with either or both of the lighting control example 1 in fig. 4 and the lighting control example 2 in fig. 5. The control unit 14 switches from the lighting control example 1 shown in fig. 4 or the lighting control example 2 shown in fig. 5 to the lighting control example 3 shown in fig. 6 according to the operating state of the heat source or the state of the heating cooker 1. This makes it easier for the user to recognize a change in the operating state of the heating source or a change in the state of the heating cooker 1.

For example, when the infrared sensor 11 or the contact temperature sensor 12 detects that the temperature of the cooking container 300 reaches the target temperature, the control unit 14 switches from the lighting control example 1 or 2 to the lighting control example 3. When switching to the lighting control example 3, the user observes that the flow of light in one direction is stopped. This allows the flickering light emitted from the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D that blink simultaneously and emitted from the transmission portion 32 to be used as a warning display for the user. Further, the control unit 14 may perform control of stopping heating by the heating source in addition to the lighting control example 3 when it is detected that the temperature of the cooking container 300 reaches the target temperature.

(Lighting control example 4)

Fig. 7 is a timing chart for explaining another example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 1. In fig. 7, the vertical axis simply shows the magnitude of the luminance of the light emitted from the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D.

This lighting control example 4 is similar to the above-described lighting control examples 1 and 2 in that a plurality of light sources are sequentially caused to blink on and off, but is different from the lighting control examples 1 and 2 in that the luminance of the light sources is caused to decrease in a stepwise manner or continuously. The control section 14 periodically turns on the first light source 31A, and decreases the luminance in a stepwise or continuous manner during one turn-on period. Thereby, a flicker of the attenuated light is observed by the user.

This lighting control example 4 can be used in combination with one or more of the above-described lighting control examples 1 to 3. The control unit 14 switches from any one of the lighting control example 1, the lighting control example 2, and the lighting control example 3 to the lighting control example 4 shown in fig. 7 according to the operating state of the heat source or the state of the heating cooker 1. This makes it easier for the user to recognize a change in the operating state of the heating source or a change in the state of the heating cooker 1.

For example, lighting control example 3 is executed when the temperature of cooking container 300 reaches the target temperature detected by infrared sensor 11 or contact temperature sensor 12. After lighting control example 3 is executed for a while, control unit 14 decreases the output of the heating source and switches from lighting control example 3 to lighting control example 4. When switching to the lighting control example 4, the user observes light that flickers while attenuating. In this way, the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 and flickering while attenuating can be used as a warning display for showing to the user that the output of the heat source is suppressed.

(Lighting control example 5)

The lighting control example 5 sequentially blinks a light source randomly selected from a plurality of light sources. The control unit 14 repeats the following control: one light source is randomly selected from among the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D using a random number or the like to be turned on, and the other light sources are turned off. The control unit 14 turns on the light source so that the turn-on period does not overlap. The lighting period may be a fixed value or a value that changes randomly.

This lighting control example 5 can be used in combination with one or more of the above-described lighting control examples 1 to 4. The control unit 14 switches from any one of the lighting control example 1, the lighting control example 2, and the lighting control example 3 to the lighting control example 5 shown in fig. 6 according to the operating state of the heat source or the state of the heating cooker 1. This makes it easier for the user to recognize a change in the operating state of the heating source or a change in the state of the heating cooker 1.

For example, lighting control example 3 is executed when the temperature of cooking container 300 reaches the target temperature detected by infrared sensor 11 or contact temperature sensor 12. It is assumed that after lighting control example 3 is executed for a while, it is detected by infrared sensor 11 or contact temperature sensor 12 that the temperature of cooking container 300 exceeds a threshold value showing an excessive rise. In this case, the control unit 14 switches from the lighting control example 3 to the lighting control example 5. When switching to the lighting control example 5, the user observes random light flickering. In this way, the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 in a scattered manner can be used as a warning display for the user indicating an abnormal state in which the cooking container 300 is excessively heated.

As described above, the heating cooker 1 of the present embodiment includes the light emitting portion 30, and the light emitting portion 30 is provided below the top plate 3 and includes the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D which are independently controlled. Further, a transmission portion 32 through which light emitted from the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D is transmitted is provided outside the heating port 20 of the top plate 3. When the heating coil 4 heats the cooking container 300, the position of the light source that emits light among the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D is continuously changed. Specifically, as illustrated in fig. 4, 5, and 7, the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D arranged in a straight line sequentially blink in this order of arrangement, and this blinking is repeated in a cycle. By the operation of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D, light flowing in one direction parallel to the surface of the top plate 3 is emitted from the transmission portion 32. Thereby, the user observes the flow of light. Therefore, even when the user is visually impaired, it is easy to recognize that the heating cooker 1 is operating. By easily recognizing that the heating cooker 1 is operating, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to turn off the power supply to the heating cooker 1 and unnecessarily turning on the power supply to the heating source.

In the present embodiment, the number of blinking light sources among the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D differs depending on the magnitude of the output of the heating coil 4 as the heating source. In the lighting control example 1 shown in fig. 4, the number of light sources that emit light increases as the output of the heating coil 4 increases. When the number of the blinking light sources among the arranged first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D is made different, the user observes a change in the position of the light blinking according to the output of the heating coil 4. Therefore, the user can easily visually recognize the change in the output of the heating source. Therefore, the user can easily adjust the output of the heating source, and can feel a sense of security when adjusting the output. Further, the user can easily adjust the output of the heating source, so that the cooking container 300 can be heated at an output suitable for cooking, cooking completion can be improved, and power consumption can be reduced.

(modification of transmissive section)

Hereinafter, a modification of the shape of the transmission section 32 will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1. In the example shown in fig. 8, the first, second, third, and fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D constituting the transmission portion 32 have the same shape as a part of the shape similar to the heating port 20. In the example of fig. 8, the first, second, third, and fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D have arc shapes. Further, the longer the distance from the heating port 20, the longer the length of the arc shape, and the larger the surface area. In the example of fig. 8, the length of the arc is made longer in the order of the first transmissive part 32A, the second transmissive part 32B, the third transmissive part 32C, and the fourth transmissive part 32D, and the length of the arc of the fourth transmissive part 32D located outermost is made longest. With this configuration, the user can be given the impression that the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 spreads around the heating port 20.

Further, the range of the light-emitting transmission portion 32 may be gradually increased toward the outside of the heating port 20 as the output of the heating source is increased. Specifically, when heating power 1 is set in the heating coil 4, light is emitted from the first and second light-transmitting portions 32A and 32B. When heating power greater than heating power 1 is set in the heating coil 4, light is emitted from the first, second, third, and fourth transmission sections 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D. As described above, the area from which light is emitted increases as the heating power increases, and the user can easily recognize the magnitude of the heating power.

The shapes of the first, second, third, and fourth light transmission sections 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D are not limited to the circular arc shape, and may be rectangular, for example.

Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to modification 2 of embodiment 1. In the example shown in fig. 9, the first, second, third, and fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D constituting the transmission portion 32 have longer lengths in the radial direction of the heating port 20 as they are located farther from the heating port 20. In the example of fig. 9, the length of the side along the radial direction of the heating port 20 is longer and the length of the side of the outermost fourth transmissive part 32D is longest in the order of the first transmissive part 32A, the second transmissive part 32B, the third transmissive part 32C, and the fourth transmissive part 32D. With this configuration, the user can be given the impression that the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 spreads around the heating port 20.

Further, the range of the light-emitting transmission portion 32 may be gradually increased toward the outside of the heating port 20 as the output of the heating source is increased. Specifically, when heating power 1 is set in the heating coil 4, light is emitted from the first and second light-transmitting portions 32A and 32B. When heating power greater than heating power 1 is set in the heating coil 4, light is emitted from the first, second, third, and fourth transmission sections 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D. As described above, the area from which light is emitted increases as the heating power increases, and the user can easily recognize the magnitude of the heating power.

(modification 1 of Lighting control example 1)

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating modification 1 of lighting control example 1 of the light source according to embodiment 1. This modification 1 is the same as the lighting control example 1 of fig. 4 in the following respects: two or more of the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D are sequentially turned on so that the lighting period does not overlap. The modification 1 is different from the lighting control example 1 of fig. 4 in the following points: there is an off period during which neither light source is turned on until the next light source is turned on. In fig. 10, the off period is shown by reference character e. In this way, in the configuration in which the plurality of light sources sequentially blink, by providing a period during which none of the light sources is lit between the lighting period and the lighting period of the light sources, the lighting state and the extinguished state of each light source are clearly distinguished, and thus the user can easily observe the lighting state and the extinguished state. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

(modification 2 of lighting control example 1)

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating modification 2 of light source lighting control example 1 according to embodiment 1. Modification 2 is an example as follows: the plurality of light sources repeatedly blink at a specific cycle, and the length of a period from when a first light source among the plurality of light sources is turned on to when a second light source is turned on is different from the length of a period from when the second light source is turned on to when a third light source is turned on. This modification 2 is similar to the lighting control example 1 of fig. 4 in the following respects: two or more of the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D are sequentially turned on so that the lighting period does not overlap.

Modification 2 varies the length of the period in which each light source is turned on depending on the light source. In the present embodiment, the longer the light source located at a position away from the heating port 20, the longer the lighting time per one time, the longer the lighting time becomes in the order of the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D. That is, the period a < period b < period c < period d. Here, the period a is, for example, about 1 second, and the period d is, for example, about 3 seconds. By making the lengths of the lighting periods different from each other and blinking the plurality of light sources, the user can easily recognize from which light source the light is emitted. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

In modification 2, as in modification 1, an off period during which none of the light sources is turned on may be provided between the time when a certain light source is turned on and the time when the next light source is turned on. This can provide the same operational effects as in modification 1. In modification 2, the light sources may be sequentially turned on without providing the off period.

(modification 3 of lighting control example 1)

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating modification 3 of light source lighting control example 1 according to embodiment 1. Modification 3 is an example as follows: the plurality of light sources repeatedly blink at a specific cycle, and the length of a period from when a first light source among the plurality of light sources is turned on to when a second light source is turned on is different from the length of a period from when a last light source is turned on to when the first light source is turned on. This modification 3 is similar to the lighting control example 1 of fig. 4 in the following respects: when each of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D is focused, the blinking is repeated so that the lighting period does not overlap.

In modification 3, the lighting period of each of the light sources located farthest from the heating port 20, among the light sources that increase the cycle of the blinking, is made longer than the lighting period of the other light sources. Fig. 12 shows an example in which three light sources, i.e., the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C, sequentially blink, but the period C during which the third light source 31C located at the farthest position from the heating port 20 is lit is longer than the periods a and B. When the heating power is smaller than the heating power illustrated in fig. 12, the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are sequentially turned on and off so that the period a < the period B. When the heating power is larger than the heating power illustrated in fig. 12, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are sequentially turned on and off so that the period a becomes equal to the period B and the period C becomes equal to the period D. In this way, by making the lighting period of the outermost light source among the light sources that increase to the cycle of blinking longer than the lighting periods of the other light sources, the user can easily recognize the outer edge of the light emitted from the transmission portion 32. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

In modification 3, as in modification 1, an off period during which none of the light sources is turned on may be provided between the time when a certain light source is turned on and the time when the next light source is turned on. This can provide the same operational effects as in modification 1. In modification 3, the light sources may be sequentially turned on without providing the off period.

(modification 4 of Lighting control example 1)

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating modification 4 of lighting control example 1 of the light source according to embodiment 1. Modification 4 is an example as follows: the plurality of light sources repeat blinking at a specific cycle, and a length of a period from lighting of a first light source to lighting of a second light source among the plurality of light sources is different from a length of a period from lighting of the second light source to lighting of a third light source. This modification 4 is the same as the lighting control example 1 of fig. 4 in that two or more of the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D blink.

In modification 4, the timing of starting the light source to turn on the blinking light source is shifted, but the light source turn-on period is repeated and the timing of turning off the light source is the same. Specifically, the first light source 31A starts to be turned on, and then the second light source 31B starts to be turned on in a state where the first light source 31A is turned on. Then, the third light source 31C starts to be lit while the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are lit. Then, the fourth light source 31D starts to be lit while the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C are lit. Then, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are simultaneously turned off. Focusing on each light source, the same as the lighting control example 1 in that the blinking is repeated, but since the lighting periods of the plurality of light sources are repeated, the light that the user observes to flow in one direction is gradually enlarged, and the user easily recognizes the flow of light. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

In fig. 13, an example is shown in which the timing of starting the lighting of the blinking light sources is shifted, but instead, the timing of starting the lighting of the blinking light sources may be all synchronized, and the timing of turning off may be sequentially shifted. For example, the first light source 31A to the third light source 31C are simultaneously turned on, and the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C are turned off at intervals in this order. In this way, the user also observes that the light flow gradually attenuates in one direction from the state where the plurality of light sources are simultaneously turned on, and the user can easily recognize the light flow. Further, the timing of starting the light of the blinking light source and the timing of turning off the blinking light source may be shifted. Specifically, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C are sequentially turned on at intervals, and a period during which these three light sources are simultaneously turned on is provided. Then, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, and the third light source 31C are turned off at intervals in this order. Thus, the user observes that the light flowing in one direction is gradually enlarged and then the light is gradually attenuated in the flow in the same direction, and the user easily recognizes the flow of the light.

Embodiment 2.

In the present embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the transmission portion 32 and the arrangement of the light source will be described. The shape and arrangement of the transmission section 32 and the configuration other than the arrangement of the light sources are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described in this embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 2. The transmissive portion 32 of the present embodiment is the same as embodiment 1 in that it is provided outside the heating port 20 for each heating port 20. The overall shape of the transmission section 32 of the present embodiment is different from that of embodiment 1 in that it extends from the heating port 20 toward the direction approaching the operation display section 6.

The first transmissive portion 32A, the second transmissive portion 32B, the third transmissive portion 32C, and the fourth transmissive portion 32D included in the transmissive portion 32 of the present embodiment are arranged in this order on a straight line along a direction away from the operation display portion 6. The overall shape of the transmission section 32 is an isosceles triangle, and the top angle thereof is located closer to the operation display section 6 than the bottom angle. A triangle is formed by the triangular first transmission part 32A and the trapezoidal second, third, and fourth transmission parts 32B, 32C, and 32D. The width of the fourth transmissive part 32D on the left and right sides at the position farthest from the operation display part 6 is longest, and the width of the first transmissive part 32A on the left and right sides at the position closest to the operation display part 6 is shortest.

In fig. 14, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D disposed below the top plate 3 are shown by broken lines. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D have the same basic configuration as the light source described in embodiment 1. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are disposed at positions where emitted light transmits through the transmission part 32. Preferably, the plurality of light sources are disposed at positions overlapping the transmission portion 32 in a plan view. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are arranged in this order on a straight line in a direction away from the operation display unit 6. The following example is shown in fig. 14: the same number of light sources as the plurality of light transmitting portions (4 light sources in the present embodiment) constituting the light transmitting portion 32 are provided, and the plurality of light sources are arranged at positions overlapping with the corresponding light transmitting portions among the plurality of light transmitting portions in a plan view. However, a plurality of light sources may be arranged for one transmissive portion.

The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are controlled to be turned on as shown in the lighting control example of embodiment 1. When the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are turned on, light from the light sources is transmitted through the transmission part 32, and the user observes the transmitted light.

According to the present embodiment, the user operating heating cooker 1 at a position facing operation display unit 6 can easily observe the light from first light source 31A, second light source 31B, third light source 31C, and fourth light source 31D. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D can be easily disposed at positions away from the heat source which becomes a high temperature. Therefore, the durability of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D can be improved while suppressing degradation of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D by heat. By improving the durability of the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D, the heat-resistant structure provided for the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D can be simplified, and the material cost of the heating cooker 1 can be reduced.

Embodiment 3.

In the present embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the transmission portion 32 and the arrangement of the light source will be described. The shape and arrangement of the transmission section 32 and the configuration other than the arrangement of the light sources are the same as those in embodiment 1, and therefore differences from embodiment 1 will be mainly described in this embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 3. The transmissive portion 32 of the present embodiment is the same as embodiment 1 in that it is provided outside the heating port 20 for each heating port 20. The overall shape of the transmission section 32 of the present embodiment is different from that of embodiment 1 in that it extends in the width direction of the top plate 3.

The first transmissive portion 32A, the second transmissive portion 32B, the third transmissive portion 32C, and the fourth transmissive portion 32D included in the transmissive portion 32 of the present embodiment are arranged in this order from left to right on a straight line along the width direction of the top plate 3. The planar shape of the first, second, third, and fourth transmission portions 32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D is rectangular, forming the overall rectangular shape of the transmission portion 32.

In fig. 15, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D disposed below the top plate 3 are shown by broken lines. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D have the same basic configuration as the light source described in embodiment 1. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are disposed at positions where emitted light transmits through the transmission part 32. Preferably, the plurality of light sources are disposed at positions overlapping the transmission portion 32 in a plan view. The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are arranged in this order from left to right on a straight line along the width direction of the top plate 3. The following example is shown in fig. 15: the same number of light sources as the plurality of light transmitting portions (4 light sources in the present embodiment) constituting the light transmitting portion 32 are provided, and the plurality of light sources are arranged at positions overlapping with the corresponding light transmitting portions among the plurality of light transmitting portions in a plan view. However, a plurality of light sources may be arranged for one transmissive portion.

The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are controlled to be turned on as shown in the lighting control example of embodiment 1. When the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D are turned on, light from the light sources is transmitted through the transmission part 32, and the user observes the transmitted light.

According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained. The first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D and the first to fourth light transmission sections 32A to 32D shown in fig. 15 may be arranged in left-right reverse directions.

Embodiment 4.

In the present embodiment, an example of the properties of light emitted from the transmission unit 32 will be described. The present embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from embodiment 1.

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the transmissive part and the plurality of light sources according to embodiment 4. In fig. 16, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D disposed below the transmission portion 32 are shown by broken lines. In the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D of the present embodiment, the wavelength of the emitted light is longer in this order. By making the wavelengths of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources different from each other, the hues of the light are made different from each other, and the user can observe the light having the different hues emitted from the transmission portion 32. For example, the first light source 31A emits yellow light, the second light source 31B emits orange light, the third light source 31C emits vermilion light, and the fourth light source 31D emits red light. In addition to this, light sources emitting two kinds of light having different wavelengths may be alternately arranged. In combination with the lighting control example 1 shown in fig. 4, when the output of the heat source is small, light having a relatively short wavelength is emitted from the first light source 31A. As the output of the heat source increases, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D emit light having a longer wavelength in this order.

The first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D may have a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light having different wavelengths. For example, the first light source 31A as one light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements having different emission colors. Then, light is simultaneously emitted from one or more of the plurality of light emitting elements provided in the first light source 31A. In this way, the color (RGB) of light emitted from the light-transmitting portion 32 and observed by the user can be made different by the combination of the light-emitting elements that emit light. For example, blue light is emitted from the first light source 31A, green light is emitted from the second light source 31B, orange light is emitted from the third light source 31C, and red light is emitted from the fourth light source 31D.

Instead of or in addition to the difference in the wavelength of light emitted from the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D, the colors of the first to fourth transmission portions 32A to 32D may be different. For example, the first to fourth transmission portions 32A to 32D are colored transparent members. When the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D emit light of a single color, for example, white, the emitted light is refracted while being transmitted through the first to fourth transmission portions 32A to 32D, and is recognized by the user as light of a color corresponding to the color of the first to fourth transmission portions 32A to 32D.

Instead of or in addition to the difference in the wavelength of the light emitted from the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D and the difference in the color of the first to fourth light transmission portions 32A to 32D, the transmittance of the light in the first to fourth light transmission portions 32A to 32D may be different. For example, the transmission amount of light is increased in the order of the first transmission part 32A, the second transmission part 32B, the third transmission part 32C, and the fourth transmission part 32D. Specifically, printing is performed on the front surface or the back surface of the transmissive portion 32 using a coating material made of a glass-based inorganic material, a thermosetting resin, an ultraviolet curable resin, or the like. The light transmittance can be changed by changing the density of the printed coating. The coating material used for printing is not limited to the above-mentioned coating materials, and any material having relatively high rigidity and relatively low brittleness and containing no harmful substances may be used, and a wide range of materials may be used.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the user can observe light having different hues. Therefore, the user can more clearly recognize the information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

Embodiment 5.

In this embodiment, an example in which the brightness of light emitted from a plurality of light sources is different will be described. The present embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from embodiment 1.

Fig. 17 is a timing chart for explaining an example of lighting control of the light source according to embodiment 5. In fig. 17, the vertical axis simply shows the magnitude of the luminance of the light emitted from the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D.

As shown in fig. 17, the first light source 31A, the second light source 31B, the third light source 31C, and the fourth light source 31D emit light with higher brightness in this order. With such a configuration, even for a user who has a color vision disorder and is difficult to recognize light of different colors, it is easy to recognize a difference in light emitted from each light source. For example, it is difficult for a user with abnormal red and green color vision, which is frequently present in congenital diseases, to distinguish them from each other even if the user emits light of colors having different hues, such as blue, green, and orange. However, according to the present embodiment, since the luminance of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources is different, the user can more clearly recognize information such as the heating power transmitted by using the light from the first light source 31A to the fourth light source 31D.

Embodiment 6.

This embodiment differs from embodiment 1 in the following points: the user can select the color of the light emitted from the transmission unit 32. The present embodiment will be described mainly with respect to differences from embodiment 1.

Fig. 18 is a schematic plan view of the top plate 3 according to embodiment 6. The heating cooker 1 of the present embodiment includes a setting unit 33 that sets the color of light emitted from the transmission unit 32. The setting unit 33 is an interface for receiving an input of color setting, such as a touch panel or a push button. Fig. 18 shows an example in which setting unit 33 is provided on the upper surface of heating cooker 1, but the position of setting unit 33 is not limited to the illustrated position.

Even when the top plate 3 is black, if the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 is red, the light emitted can be seen only as dark gray to a user having a trouble in red-green color perception. Thus, it is difficult for the user to recognize information such as heating power transmitted by using the light emitted from the transmission portion 32. In this case, the user sets the color of the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 using the setting portion 33. The control unit 14 changes the color of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources based on the setting in the setting unit 33. When the color of the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 is a color having a white component, particularly white, so-called white (passive) color or yellow, which is a color having a strong white component, the light emitted is easily recognized by a user having a red-green color vision disorder. Therefore, when the top plate 3 is black, a color having a white component may be set as a color that can be set in the setting unit 33. Each light source includes one light emitting element capable of changing an emission color or includes a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of mutually different colors. In this case, the control circuit of the light emitting unit 30 can independently turn on or off the plurality of light emitting elements emitting light of different colors, thereby changing the color of light emitted from one light source.

When the top plate 3 is white or a color close to white, if the color of the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 is a color having a strong white component such as white, yellow, or pink, it is difficult for the user to observe the light emitted from the transmission portion 32. In this case, the user sets the color of the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 using the setting portion 33. The control unit 14 changes the color of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources based on the setting in the setting unit 33. As the color that can be set by the setting unit 33, three primary colors of red, blue, and green, or colors similar to these primary colors may be set in advance.

According to the present embodiment, the user using the heating cooker 1 can select the color of light emitted from the transmission portion 32. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the light emitted from the transmission portion 32 by setting the color suitable for his or her own color vision using the setting portion 33.

Two or more of the above embodiments and modifications thereof can be used in combination with each other. This allows the user to more clearly recognize information such as the heating power transmitted by the light from the first to fourth light sources 31A to 31D.

In addition to the above-described embodiments, a plurality of light sources provided in the light emitting unit 30 may be arranged to express characters or symbols. The plurality of light sources arranged in this manner are handled as one light source by a set of characters or symbols, and the lighting control described in the above embodiment is performed. This allows the user to recognize that the light observed as characters or symbols flows in one direction. For example, a plurality of light sources are arranged in a ring shape, and a plurality of groups of the light sources arranged in the ring shape are provided. Further, by performing lighting control by treating a plurality of light sources arranged in a ring shape as one light source, it is possible to make the user recognize that the light in the ring shape flows in one direction.

Further, the plurality of light sources provided in the light emitting section 30 may be arranged in a matrix. Then, the plurality of light sources arranged in a matrix are treated as one light source by a set of characters or symbols, and the lighting control described in the above embodiment is performed. This allows the user to recognize that the light observed as characters or symbols flows in one direction.

Description of reference numerals

1 heating cooker, 2 main body, 3 top plate, 4 heating coil, 5 front surface operating part, 6 operating display part, 9 coil base, 10 ferrite core, 11 infrared sensor, 12 contact temperature sensor, 13 temperature detecting part, 14 control part, 15 inverter, 16 transmission window, 20 heating port, 30 light emitting part, 31A first light source, 31B second light source, 31C third light source, 31D fourth light source, 32 transmission part, 32A first transmission part, 32B second transmission part, 32C third transmission part, 32D fourth transmission part, 33 setting part, 110 sensor housing, 200 commercial power supply, 300 cooking container.

Claims (20)

1. A heating cooker, comprising:

a top plate on which a cooking container is mounted;

a heating source disposed below the top plate;

a heating port provided in the top plate and indicating a position where the cooking container is placed;

a plurality of light sources disposed below the top plate and independently controlled; and

a transmission part disposed outside the heating port of the top plate and transmitting light emitted from the plurality of light sources,

the cooking device is configured such that, when the heating source is operating, one or more light sources of the plurality of light sources that emit light are continuously changed so that light that flows in one direction parallel to the surface of the top plate is emitted from the transmission portion.

2. The heating cooker according to claim 1,

the cooking device is configured such that the number of light sources emitting the light increases as the output of the heat source increases.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 1 or claim 2,

the plurality of light sources blink in synchronization when the output of the heating source changes.

4. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

when the heat source is operating, one or more of the plurality of light sources are caused to blink, and when the output of the heat source is changed, the period of blinking of the blinking light sources is changed while maintaining the number of blinking light sources of the plurality of light sources.

5. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the plurality of light sources include a first light source, a second light source and a third light source arranged in sequence along a first direction,

when the heat source is operating, the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source are sequentially flashed in the order along the first direction or in the direction opposite to the first direction, and flashing of the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source is repeated in a cyclic manner.

6. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the plurality of light sources are arranged on a straight line along a direction from the center of the heating port toward the outside.

7. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the heating cooker is provided with an operation part which is arranged on the upper surface of the heating cooker and sets the output of the heating source,

the plurality of light sources are arranged on a straight line along a direction away from the operation portion.

8. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the plurality of light sources are arranged on a straight line along a width direction of the top plate.

9. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the plurality of light sources includes a first light source and a second light source,

when the heat source is operating, the first light source and the second light source each repeatedly blink at a specific cycle, and a period from the lighting of the first light source to the lighting of the second light source is different from a period from the lighting of the second light source to the lighting of the first light source.

10. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the transmissive part includes a first transmissive part and a second transmissive part,

the second transmission part is disposed at a position farther from the heating port outward than the first transmission part.

11. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the transmissive part includes a first transmissive part and a second transmissive part,

the planar shape of the first transmission part and the second transmission part is a circular arc shape,

the second transmission part is disposed at a position farther from the heating port outward than the first transmission part, and the length of the arc of the second transmission part is longer than the length of the arc of the first transmission part.

12. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the transmissive part includes a first transmissive part and a second transmissive part,

the second transmission part is arranged at a position farther from the heating port to the outside than the first transmission part,

the length of the second transmission part in a direction from the center of the heating port toward the outside is longer than the length of the first transmission part in a direction from the center of the heating port toward the outside.

13. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the plurality of light sources are caused to blink at different periods based on at least one of an output of the heating source, a temperature of the cooking container, and a temperature of the top plate.

14. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the brightness of the plurality of light sources is made different based on at least one of the output of the heating source, the temperature of the cooking container, and the temperature of the top plate.

15. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 14,

the transmissive part includes a plurality of transmissive parts,

at least one of hue, wavelength, and brightness of the light emitted from the plurality of transmission portions is different from each other.

16. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 15,

the transmissive portion includes a plurality of transmissive portions having different transmittances of light.

17. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 15,

when the output of the heat source is large, the wavelength of the light emitted from the transmission unit is longer than when the output of the heat source is small.

18. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 16,

when the output of the heat source is large, the luminance of the light emitted from the transmission unit is large, as compared with when the output of the heat source is small.

19. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 18,

the cooking device comprises a setting unit for setting the hue of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources,

the color of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources is changed based on the setting of the setting unit.

20. The heating cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

the top plate is black and the light emitted from the transmission part has a white component, or,

the top plate has a color of a white component and the light emitted from the transmission portion is any one of three primary colors of red, blue, and green.

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