JP2004357895A - Grill - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grill allowing a user to easily recognize that a cooking timer is operated, at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: A residual time display to be displayed on a display part 19 during the cooking is intermittently performed at a predetermined period, and throughout the operation, an animation display different from the residual time display is performed. Namely, the display part 19 not only monotonously displays the residual time alone but also provides the display mode with the movement, so that the user can recognize that the cooking timer is actually operated by just glancing the display part 19, thereby improving the usability. No special device is provided for showing that the cooking timer is operated so as to suppress the manufacturing cost. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a grill provided with a cooking timer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a grill with a cooking timer that automatically extinguishes a fire after a set cooking time has elapsed is known. By providing such a cooking timer, the degree of baking can be stabilized, and the trouble of checking the degree of baking during cooking can be reduced.
In such a grill, as shown in FIG. 7, the remaining time of the cooking timer is displayed on a display section 119 provided on the front of the appliance to inform the user of the remaining cooking time.
[0003]
By the way, in the grill as described above, since only the number indicating the remaining time is lit on the display unit 119, there is a drawback that it is difficult to understand at a glance whether the cooking timer is actually operating. Was.
Therefore, in the grill disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 8, a dot 223 is provided at the lower right of the number in the display unit 219, and the remaining time is displayed while the cooking timer is operating. A grill that makes it easy to see that the cooking timer is operating by blinking the display 223, and a blinking display of the remaining time displayed on the display unit 319 while the cooking timer is operating as shown in FIG. Has proposed a grill that makes it easy to understand that the timer is operating.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-65170
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former grill in which the dots 223 are provided separately from the numeric display, there is a problem that the cost is increased accordingly.
In general, when displaying an error such as a misfire in a grill burner, the lighting display is often switched from a lighting display to a blinking display. There is a problem that it is easy to make mistakes.
In addition, a seven-segment LED is often used for the display unit as described above, and in order to display numbers 8 and 9, many segments must be turned on, and power consumption is large. There was a problem of becoming.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a low-cost grill that makes it easy to understand that the cooking timer is operating.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The grill according to claim 1 of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems,
A burner that burns fuel gas inside the grill storage;
When the set cooking time has elapsed from the start of the combustion operation, the combustion operation of the burner is stopped, or timer means for reporting completion of cooking,
A numerical value display for displaying the remaining time of the timer means by a number,
The gist of the numerical display is to display the remaining time by a number intermittently at a predetermined cycle, and to perform a display different from the number during a period in which the remaining time is not displayed.
[0007]
The grill according to claim 2 of the present invention is the grill according to claim 1,
The remaining time display has at least a period in which the remaining time is displayed in minutes, and when the remaining time in minutes changes, the remaining time is always displayed on the numerical display so that the remaining time is displayed. The gist is that the display cycle is set.
[0008]
Further, the grill according to claim 3 of the present invention is the grill according to claim 1 or 2,
The numerical value display is composed of a plurality of segments, and is a display for displaying a number by lighting an arbitrary one of the segments. The main point is that the lighting control of each segment is performed so as to move to the adjacent segment.
[0009]
The grill according to claim 4 of the present invention is the grill according to claim 3,
In controlling the lighting of each of the segments, the numerical display is configured to limit the number of segments that are simultaneously lit when a display different from the remaining time is displayed to the number of segments that are simultaneously lit when the remaining time is displayed as a number. .
[0010]
The grill according to claim 5 of the present invention is the grill according to claim 3 or claim 4,
The gist of the invention is that the numerical display is constituted by a 7-segment display.
[0011]
The grill according to claim 6 of the present invention is the grill according to claim 5,
When controlling the lighting of each of the segments, the numerical display limits the number of simultaneously lit segments to a maximum of two and performs display different from the numeric display.
[0012]
The grill according to claim 1 of the present invention having the above-described configuration stops the burning operation of the burner or notifies completion of cooking when a set cooking time has elapsed from the start of the burning operation.
During cooking, the remaining cooking time is displayed on the numerical display. The remaining time display is intermittently performed at a predetermined cycle, during which time a display different from the remaining time display by numbers is performed. That is, not only the numeric display of the remaining time is monotonously displayed on the numerical display, but also the display form moves, so that the user can actually operate the timer means simply by looking at the numerical display. Can be recognized.
In addition, since the display different from the remaining time display is performed by using the numerical display, it is not necessary to provide another display, and it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.
Furthermore, by making the display different from the remaining time display a display mode that consumes less power than the numeric display, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the entire appliance.
Note that the start of the combustion operation in the present invention does not define a strict timing, and may be either when the burner is ignited or when the ignition is detected. Good.
[0013]
Further, in the grill according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the remaining time in minutes changes, the remaining time is displayed on the numerical value display. For example, the display mode of the numerical display is switched from the display mode different from the remaining time display to the remaining time display at the time when the remaining time changes from 9 minutes to 8 minutes or shortly before. Therefore, when the remaining time in minutes changes, the numerical display always displays the remaining time. That is, the moment at which the number in the minute display is switched is n minutes 00 seconds (n: a natural number), and at an incomplete time (for example, at n minutes 20 seconds or the like), the moment at which the numeral is switched without switching is observed. If so, the remaining time can be correctly grasped.
[0014]
In the grill according to the third aspect of the present invention, each segment of the numerical value display is controlled to be lit, and when a display different from the remaining time display is performed, the lit segment is moved to an adjacent segment as time elapses. Go. That is, in a time zone different from the remaining time display, the display displayed on the numerical value display moves in a series like an animation. For this reason, it is easier to understand that the timer means is actually operating.
In addition, since this display form is displayed as a series of continuous animations, it is not misunderstood as an error display, nor is it erroneously recognized as a number.
[0015]
Further, in the grill according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of segments that are simultaneously turned on when the display is different from the remaining time display is limited to the number of segments that are simultaneously turned on when the remaining time is displayed as a number, so that the power is surely reduced. Consumption can be reduced.
[0016]
Further, in the grill according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if an inexpensive seven-segment display having a low display capability is used, simple lighting control such as moving a lighting segment to an adjacent segment with the passage of time is performed. The display can be moved.
[0017]
In the grill according to claim 6 of the present invention, the number of segments that are simultaneously turned on is limited to a maximum of two, so that power consumption can be reliably reduced. In other words, when displaying a number on the 7-segment display, the two segments used to display the number "1" are the minimum number of segments to be used. Therefore, the number of simultaneously lit segments should be limited to two or less. If this is the case, power consumption can be reduced as compared to a case where only numerical display is performed.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, a preferred embodiment of the grill of the present invention will be described below.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a table stove with a grill as an embodiment of the present invention. The table stove 1 with a grill is provided with an opening / closing door 2 substantially at the center of a front panel 22, and a grill 4 with a grill burner 3 for burning and heating an object to be cooked such as fish is provided therein. Further, on the right side of the front panel 22, an ignition button 5 for igniting and extinguishing the grill burner 3, a heating power adjusting lever 6 for adjusting the combustion amount of the grill burner 3, and a setting and display of a cooking timer of the grill 4 are displayed. And an operation unit 7 for performing the operation. On the left side of the front panel 22, a battery case 9 for storing the dry batteries 8 is provided.
[0020]
Next, the configuration of the grill 4 of the grill stove 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the grill 4.
The grill 4 includes a grill burner 3 that burns fuel gas in a grill chamber 10, a gas supply path 11 for supplying fuel gas to the grill burner 3, an igniter 12 that generates a high voltage, and a high voltage from the igniter 12. An electrode 13 that is sparked by being applied, a thermocouple 14 that generates a thermoelectromotive force by the combustion heat of the grill burner 3, a controller 15 that controls combustion, an operation unit 7 that sets and displays a cooking timer, and cooking. The igniter 12 and the controller 15 are provided with a dry battery 8 serving as a power supply for the igniter 12 and the controller 15.
The gas supply path 11 has a main valve 17 which opens when the ignition button 5 is pressed and closes when the ignition button 5 is pressed, and a suction valve which is opened when the ignition button 5 is pressed and energized. And a magnet valve 18 for maintaining a state. In addition, a switch S1 that is turned on by pressing the ignition button 5 and turned off by the next pressing operation, and a switch S2 that is turned on only during the pressing operation of the ignition button 5 at the time of ignition are provided.
[0021]
The main part of the controller 15 is configured by a microcomputer, and includes an input interface for inputting signals from various sensors, an output interface for outputting drive signals to various actuators, and the like. When the thermoelectromotive force generated from the thermocouple 14 becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value (1.75 mV in the present embodiment), it is determined that ignition has occurred, the magnet valve 18 is energized, and the predetermined value (1.75 mV) is set during combustion. ) A flame detection circuit is provided to judge that a fire has occurred and to stop energization when the following conditions occur. In other words, this flame detection circuit is a fire extinguishing safety device for closing the gas flow path to the grill burner 3 and preventing the outflow of raw gas when a misfire occurs during combustion. Further, a cooking timer is provided which starts counting down from the initial cooking time at the same time as flame detection by the thermocouple 14.
[0022]
The operation unit 7 displays the initial cooking time simultaneously with the flame detection by the thermocouple 14, and thereafter displays the remaining time of the cooking timer according to the elapsed time, and can adjust the cooking time in minutes. It comprises a + switch 20 and a-switch 21. The display unit 19 includes two 7-segment LEDs.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the grill 4 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the ignition button 5 is pressed (S1), the switch S1 is turned on and the controller 15 is energized. Then, in conjunction with the pressing operation of the ignition button 5, the main valve 17 and the magnet valve 18 are mechanically pushed open and the fuel gas flows to the grill burner 3, and at the same time, the switch S2 is turned on, the igniter 12 is turned on, and the electrode is turned on. 13 sparks and ignites grill burner 3 (S2). Also, a quick function is provided for forcibly energizing the magnet valve 18 and holding the suction valve open from the start of ignition, that is, for seven seconds after the switch S1 is turned on (S2).
Then, when the grill burner 3 starts burning during the seven seconds, the thermocouple 14 is heated, the thermoelectromotive force generated by the thermocouple 14 increases, and the controller 15 causes the thermoelectromotive force of a predetermined value (1.75 mV) or more to rise. When the power is detected, it is determined that ignition has occurred, and the magnet valve 18 is energized to maintain the suction open state.
[0024]
When the flame is detected (S4: YES), the cooking timer is started (S5), and the remaining time is displayed on the display unit 19 (S6). The details of the timer display will be described later.
When seven seconds have elapsed since the start of ignition (S3: YES), the igniter 12 is turned off to stop sparking from the electrode 13 (S7). At this time, if the thermoelectromotive force of the thermocouple 14 has not risen to a predetermined value (1.75 mV) or more (S8: NO), it is determined that a misfire has occurred, the power supply to the magnet valve 18 is stopped, and the magnet is stopped. The valve 18 is closed (S9).
[0025]
If flame is detected (S8: YES), the remaining time is displayed on the display unit 19 until the cooking timer expires (S10). When the cooking timer expires (S11: YES), it is determined that the cooking is completed, the power supply to the magnet valve 18 is stopped, the supply of fuel gas is stopped, and the grill burner 3 is extinguished (S12). When 10 seconds elapse after the time-up, the display of the remaining time is stopped (S12). Note that, for 10 seconds after the time-up, the display section 19 displays 0 as the remaining time.
[0026]
If the desired cooking time is different from the initial cooking time displayed on the display unit 19 at the time of starting cooking, the cooking time is lengthened by pressing the + switch 20 and the cooking time is pressed by pressing the-switch 21. Can be adjusted shorter. The cooking timer starts counting down from the set value as soon as the cooking time is adjusted.
[0027]
Next, the timer display control will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the flame is detected in step 4, the cooking timer is started (S13), and the remaining time (minutes) is displayed on the display unit 19 as shown in FIG. 5 (S14). In this embodiment, the initial value of the cooking timer is set to 12 minutes. Further, as described above, the timer value can be adjusted by the + switch 20 or the-switch 21 during the timer display, and at the time of the adjustment, the timer value in seconds is rounded up to 00 seconds. For example, if the + switch 20 is pressed in the middle of 12 minutes (that is, the timer value is, for example, 11 minutes and 30 seconds), the timer value becomes 13:00 minutes.
When 1.5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the remaining time display (S15: YES), the display mode of the display unit 19 switches from the remaining time display to the animation display as shown in FIG. 5 (S16). That is, an animation display different from the numerical display is performed using the 7-segment LED for the remaining time display. Note that one cell in FIG. 5 is a display time of 0.5 seconds, and when the cooking timer starts, the display starts from the upper left cell and moves to the right, and when it reaches the right end of the first step, two steps are displayed. Go to the left end of your eyes. When the second stage ends and reaches the right end of the third stage, it returns to the upper leftmost cell and moves rightward again.
[0028]
In this animation display, first, all the segments are turned off momentarily, and the upper inner segment of each of the two 7-segment LEDs arranged side by side is turned on. Then, the upper segment of each of the 7-segment LEDs is turned on, and each of the turned-on segments moves to the adjacent segment with the passage of time (at 0.5 second intervals), so that each of the two 7-segment LEDs is turned on. This is a display form that rotates from the inside to the outside. The rotation from the inside to the outside represents the flow of the exhaust gas from the grill burner 3 (the exhaust gas is trapped in the grill storage 10), and is full of playfulness.
The number of segments that are simultaneously turned on in this animation display is a maximum of two, which is set to the same number of segments as in the case of “1”, which uses the least number of segments in displaying numbers.
Then, the animation display ends in 4.5 seconds (S17: YES), and switches to the remaining time (minutes) display (S14).
[0029]
The above-described remaining time display and animation display are alternately repeated until the remaining time of the cooking timer reaches 30 seconds. Since the display time (6 seconds) of one cycle of the remaining time display and the animation display is a divisor of one minute (60 seconds), at the moment when the remaining time (minute) changes (for example, 12 minutes → 11 minutes). Can always display the remaining time on the display unit 19. That is, the moment when the number in the minute display is switched is n minutes and 00 seconds. At an incomplete time (for example, at n minutes and 20 seconds), if the moment when the numeral is switched without being switched, the remaining time is determined. It can be grasped correctly and is easy to use.
[0030]
While the remaining time (minutes) display and the animation display are repeated, when the remaining time reaches 30 seconds (S18: YES), the buzzer 16 is sounded (S19), and the display on the display unit 19 is switched to the second as shown in FIG. The display is switched to the unit remaining time display (S20). Since the display time (6 seconds) of one cycle of the remaining time display and the animation display is a divisor of 30 seconds, the display unit 19 always displays the remaining time in seconds at the moment of switching to the remaining time display in seconds. Can be displayed.
After switching to the remaining time display in units of seconds, as shown in FIG. 6, only the remaining time (seconds) is displayed on the display unit 19 while being counted down, and no animation is displayed.
[0031]
When the cooking timer expires (S21: YES), it is determined that the cooking is completed, the buzzer 16 is sounded to notify the user (S22), and the power supply to the magnet valve 18 is stopped to supply the fuel gas. Then, the grill burner 3 is extinguished (S23). The buzzer sound at this time is set to be different from the buzzer sound when the remaining time is 30 seconds.
When 10 seconds elapse after the time-up (S24: YES), the display of the remaining time is turned off (S25). Note that, for 10 seconds after the time-up, the display section 19 displays 0 as the remaining time.
[0032]
According to the grill 4 described above, the remaining time display displayed on the display unit 19 during cooking is performed intermittently at a predetermined cycle, during which an animation display different from the remaining time display is performed. In other words, not only the remaining time is monotonously displayed on the display unit 19, but also the movement of the display form occurs, so that the user can easily know that the cooking timer is operating simply by looking at the display unit 19. It becomes easier and the usability is improved.
Moreover, not only the display mode of the display unit 19 is switched, but also the display is an animation display in which the display moves as time elapses, so that it is easier to understand that the cooking timer is actually running during periods other than the time display period. . Furthermore, the animation display as described above can be performed by using a simple 7-segment LED having a low display capability simply by performing a simple lighting control of moving a lighting segment to an adjacent segment with the passage of time. Manufacturing costs can be reduced.
[0033]
In addition, since the number of segments that are simultaneously lit in the animation display is set to be equal to or less than the number of segments that are simultaneously lit when the remaining time is displayed, battery consumption can be reduced, which is economical. That is, when displaying a number with the 7-segment LED, the smallest number of segments that are simultaneously turned on is two in the case of the number “1”, and the next smallest number is in the case of “4” and “7”. Since there are four, by setting the maximum number of simultaneous lighting at the time of animation display to two, considerable power consumption can be suppressed. Therefore, the number of times of replacing the dry battery 8 can be reduced, and the usability is improved.
In this embodiment, since two 7-segment LEDs are used for the display unit, up to four segments are lit at the same time. However, even in this case, except for the case of the number “1”, Since the number of segments that are simultaneously turned on can be made smaller than that at the time of displaying numbers, power consumption can be suppressed.
[0034]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, although the display unit 19 of the present embodiment uses a 7-segment LED, the present invention is not limited to this, and various displays such as those using a dot matrix may be used.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the grill according to claim 1 of the present invention, the display of the remaining time during cooking on the numerical display is performed intermittently at a predetermined cycle, and during that time, the remaining time display is Since a different display causes a movement in the display form, it is easy to understand that the timer means is actually operating, and the usability is good.
In addition, since there is no need to provide a special device for indicating that the timer means is operating, manufacturing costs can be suppressed.
Furthermore, by making the display different from the remaining time display a display mode that consumes less power than the numeric display, it is possible to suppress the power consumption of the entire appliance.
[0036]
Further, according to the grill according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the remaining time in minutes changes, the remaining time can be reliably displayed on the numerical display, so that the remaining time can be correctly grasped and the usability is improved. good.
[0037]
Further, according to the grill according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the display is different from the remaining time display, the display displayed on the numerical display moves like an animation, so that the timer means is actually operating. Is even easier to understand.
In addition, since this display mode is displayed as a series of continuous animations, it is not misunderstood as an error display nor is it mistakenly recognized as a number.
[0038]
Furthermore, according to the grill according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of segments used in the display different from the remaining time display is set to be equal to or less than the number of segments used in the remaining time display. It is economical because it can be reduced.
[0039]
Further, according to the grill of the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if an inexpensive seven-segment display having a low display ability is used, simple lighting control such as moving a lighting segment to an adjacent segment over time is performed. Since movement can be caused in the display by itself, the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
[0040]
Further, according to the grill of the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the number of segments that are simultaneously turned on is limited to a maximum of two, the power consumption can be surely reduced and it is economical.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a table stove with a grill as an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a grill as the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the grill according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating timer display control according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing switching between a remaining time display and an animation display.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition from a remaining time display in minutes to a remaining time display in seconds;
FIG. 7 is an external view of a display unit as a conventional example.
FIG. 8 is an external view of a display unit as a conventional example.
FIG. 9 is an external view of a display unit as a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
3. Grill burner, 4 Grill, 10 Grill storage, 15 Controller, 16 Buzzer, 19 Display unit.

Claims (6)

A burner that burns fuel gas inside the grill storage;
When the set cooking time has elapsed from the start of the combustion operation, the combustion operation of the burner is stopped, or timer means for reporting completion of cooking,
A numerical value display for displaying the remaining time of the timer means by a number,
The above-mentioned numerical display is a grill, wherein the remaining time is displayed intermittently by a predetermined period in a predetermined cycle, and a display different from the number is performed in a period in which the remaining time is not displayed. The remaining time display has at least a period in which the remaining time is displayed in minutes, and when the remaining time in minutes changes, the remaining time is always displayed on the numerical display so that the remaining time is displayed. The grill according to claim 1, wherein a display cycle is set. The numerical value display is composed of a plurality of segments, and is a display for displaying a number by lighting any one of the segments.When the display is different from the remaining time display, the lighted-up segment is accompanied by the passage of time. 3. The grill according to claim 1, wherein lighting control of each segment is performed so as to move to an adjacent segment. In controlling the lighting of each segment, the numerical display limits the number of segments that are simultaneously lit when a display different from the remaining time is displayed to the number of segments that are simultaneously lit when the remaining time is displayed as a number. The grill according to claim 3. 5. The grill according to claim 3, wherein the numerical value display comprises a 7-segment display. 6. The grill according to claim 5, wherein, when controlling the lighting of each segment, the numerical display limits the number of simultaneously lit segments to a maximum of two and performs a display different from a numeric display.

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