JP2005302411A - Induction heating cooking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the number of heating power levels that can be set up with a fewer number of heating level selection keys to improve user-friendliness. <P>SOLUTION: In the induction heating cooking device provided with heating level selection keys 7 setting stepped heating levels, a display part 2 discernibly displaying heating levels set, a heating means 6 heating loads such as a pan, and a control part 3 controlling the heating means 6 and the display part in accordance with the heating levels set by the selection keys 7. The number of the heating level selection keys 7 is to be smaller than the number of heating levels that can be set, in which, when the heating level selection key is operated once, a heating power level of an initial set value alloted to that key is set, and when the key is operated several times within a given time, other heating levels not included in those that can be set with the other heating level selection keys can be set and modified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation method for adjusting a heating power level of an induction heating cooker.

  This type of conventional induction heating cooker generates high-frequency current by controlling inverter power, generates eddy current in a metal load (pan) placed in the vicinity of the heating coil through which this high-frequency current flows, and the Joule heat As a result, the load itself self-heats, so that it can be efficiently heated. And in recent years, since the safety and temperature control characteristics are excellent with respect to cooking utensils using a gas stove or an electric heater, these are being replaced.

  And since the operation of such an induction heating cooker can be set with a key switch or a rotary encoder by means of electrical control, the operation part can be flattened or intuitively operated. It is easy to use regardless of age.

  For example, an operation key (“power off / on key”, “power down key”, “power up key”) is provided on the top of the induction heating cooker so that the heating power level can be set (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, operation keys ("power switch", "thermal power down switch", "thermal power up switch") and a rotary encoder for adjusting the intermediate stage of the thermal power are provided on the operation panel on the upper surface of the front part of the aircraft. Can be set (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-279055 A

JP 2003-185151 A

  However, in the above prior art, if the former one increases the heat power level that can be set, the number of times that the “power reduction key” or “power increase key” is operated increases, and the usability becomes worse. is there. For example, when the settable thermal power level is 10 and the thermal power level being set is 1, when setting the thermal power level to 10, if the “power increase key” is not pressed nine times, the target thermal power level is reached. Not reach.

  The latter has a problem that when an elderly person tries to operate it, it becomes difficult to rotate the rotary encoder because the ability of exercise such as wrist and arm is lowered.

  In addition, it is possible to set a fine thermal power level with power control by the inverter power supply, and even when trying to adjust to the optimal thermal power for cooking, operate the “power down key” or “power up key” with the former one In the latter case, the rotation angle of the rotary encoder increases, so the usability deteriorates.

  In addition, during normal cooking, the thermal power level to be used is only a few levels, so when the thermal power level that is always used (for example, strong / medium / weak) is set, the number of operations increases, which is convenient. Will get worse.

  In addition, in order to reduce the number of key operations, the number of thermal power level selection keys that matches the number of thermal power levels that can be set will not only enlarge the operation unit, but also reduce the distance between the keys. , Usability gets worse.

  In addition, the induction heating cooker has a weak point that the thermal power level is difficult to understand instead of the advantage that no open flame is emitted, and there is a problem that it is necessary to interlock the display unit and the operation unit so that the thermal power level is not set incorrectly. is there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. In claim 1, a thermal power level selection key for setting a stepwise thermal power level, and a display unit for displaying the thermal power level in an identifiable manner according to the set thermal power level. And an induction heating cooker comprising: a heating means for heating a load such as a pan; and a control unit for controlling the heating means and the display unit in accordance with a heating power level set by the heating power level selection key. The number of level selection keys is set to a number smaller than the number of steps of the settable thermal power level, and by pressing the thermal power level selection key for the first predetermined time, the initial thermal power level assigned to the key is set. By pressing for a predetermined time or longer, the setting can be changed to a thermal power level that is not included in the thermal power level that can be set by a thermal power level selection key other than the key.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the number of stages of the thermal power level assigned to the thermal power level selection key exceeds 2, a predetermined time corresponding to the number of stages is set, and the thermal power Change the level.

  Further, in claim 3, when the maximum heat power level that can be set is set by operating the heat power level selection key, the heat power level is not changed even if the heat power level selection key is pressed for a predetermined time or more.

  Since the induction heating cooker of the present invention is configured as described above, when setting a thermal power level, the thermal power level can be freely set by continuously pressing a thermal power level selection key including the thermal power level for a predetermined time. In addition, for normal use, a thermal power level selection key corresponding to a preset thermal power level may be pressed once for a short time, so that rough thermal power settings can be easily set. In other words, rough thermal power settings can be set with a single action, and fine thermal power settings can be set by continuing to press the thermal power selection key for a predetermined time, so a wide range of thermal power levels can be achieved while minimizing finger movement and vertical movement. Can be set, and usability is greatly improved.

  In addition, since the number of thermal power level selection keys is small, it is possible to consolidate the operation unit and the display unit in one place, so that the display unit and the operation unit can be easily linked so that the thermal power level is not set erroneously. At the same time, downsizing and space saving can be achieved, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

  In addition, even if the time to press the same thermal power level selection key is increased, the thermal power level range that can be set with the key does not deviate, so that it is impossible to set the thermal power level beyond the range due to erroneous operation, and the load It is possible to prevent unintended firepower input or firepower shortage from occurring.

  Furthermore, since the thermal power level display means corresponding to the thermal power level is provided, the set thermal power level can be easily confirmed, so that erroneous setting due to an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an induction heating cooker showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the set heating power level and the input power of the induction heating cooker. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated, FIG. 4 is also a diagram for explaining the operation method of the thermal power level selection key and the display method of the thermal power level display means, and FIG. 5 is the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation method of the thermal power level selection key and the display method of the thermal power level display means of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is also the operation panel of the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation method of the thermal power level selection key and the display method of the thermal power level display means of the third embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit, which is operated by a user to set a thermal power level. Reference numeral 2 denotes a display unit that displays the setting result in an identifiable manner according to the thermal power level set by the operation of the operation unit 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a control unit which is composed of a microcomputer circuit, and displays the setting result on the display unit 2 according to the setting of the thermal power level set by the operation of the operation unit 1, and the inverter power of the inverter unit 4 which will be described later. Is controlled to achieve a predetermined target thermal power level.

  Inverter power 4 is controlled by the control unit 3, and a high-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 5 described later, so that a metal load such as a pan placed in the vicinity self-heats.

  5 is a heating coil, which is provided below the top plate on which the pan on the top surface of the induction heating cooker is placed, and is arranged in the vicinity by causing a high-frequency current to flow through the heating coil 5 by the inverter unit 4. A self-heating of a load such as a pot that is a metal load. The inverter unit 4 and the heating coil 5 constitute a heating means 6.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an operation panel, which is configured by integrating the operation unit 1 and the thermal power level display means 8.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the input power target value of the induction heating cooker and the thermal power level set by the control unit 3, and in this example, the thermal power level is set to N stages from the thermal power level 1 (minimum setting) to the thermal power level N. The target input power increases monotonically as the number of thermal power levels increases.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel 9 including the operation unit 1 and the display unit 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the operation panel 9 is an arrangement in which the operation unit 1 and the display unit 2 are intensively arranged. The number of thermal power levels that can be set in stages is nine, and the number of keys for selecting the thermal power level is five. The case is shown.

  10 is a cut-in key for starting or stopping heating. The cut-in key 10 is controlled by the control unit 3 so that the key input is confirmed if the pressed time is longer than the key input decision determination time. Judgment.

  Reference numerals 11 to 15 denote key switches, which constitute a thermal power level selection key 7 for setting thermal power levels that can be set stepwise. If the time during which the key switches 11 to 15 are pressed is equal to or longer than the first predetermined time, the first input is confirmed. If the time is continuously longer than the second predetermined time, the second time is determined. The input is confirmed, and if it is longer than the Nth predetermined time, the Nth input is confirmed. Further, if the input of the key switches 11 to 15 is canceled during any predetermined time, the key input confirmation made so far is validated.

  The above input confirmation method of the key switches 11 to 15 is applied when the thermal power level selection key 7 for setting the thermal power level is pressed, and is applied to the cutting key 10 for instructing to start or stop heating. Only the first input confirmation is valid.

  Reference numerals 21 to 29 denote lamps, which indicate the set thermal power levels, which constitute the thermal power level display means 8 and have two types of states of lighting and extinguishing.

  Next, the main operation method of the operation panel 9 by the above structure is as follows.

(A) When the heating of the induction cooking device is turned off and the cutting key 10 is pressed once, the heating standby state is entered, and the lamp 20 blinks (at this point, the heating coil 5 is not energized). B) When any one of the key switches 11 to 15 of the thermal power level selection key 7 is pressed, the lamp 20 and the lamp indicating the set thermal power level are turned on, and the control unit 3 performs an inverter according to the set thermal power level. The heating coil 5 is energized by heating the heating coil 5 by controlling the part 4 (C) The lamp 20 is turned off when the cutting key 10 is pressed during heating or in a heating standby state, and the heating coil 5 is stopped and the state is switched to the heating OFF state.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows an operation method of the thermal power level selection key 7 and a display method of the thermal power level display means 8, and the above operation method will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

State (a): When the cut key 10 is pressed once, the heating lamp 20 starts blinking.
(While heating is stopped, waiting for key input)
State (b): When the “3” key of the key switch 13 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is set to 5, the heating lamp 20 is turned on, and the lamps 21 to 25 are turned on. (C): When the “3” key of the key switch 13 is continuously pressed and the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level is changed from 5 to 6, and the lamps 21 to 26 are lit. When the “5” key is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the fire power level is changed from 6 to 9, and the lamps 21 to 29 are lit. (e): Press the “5” key of the key switch 15 continuously. If the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level remains 9 (the thermal power level is not changed because it has already been set to the maximum thermal power level that can be set with the “5” key of the key switch 15).
State (f): When the “2” key of the key switch 12 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is changed from 9 to 3, and the lamps 21 to 23 are lit.

  As described above, when the thermal power level selection key 7 is pressed and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level corresponding to the level is set, and when the input is confirmed twice further by pressing, the level is set to the level + 1 level ( However, the case of state (e) is excluded).

  According to this example, the number of thermal power levels is nine, but the number of necessary thermal power level selection keys 7 is five. Further, the thermal power level that can be set by pressing the thermal power level selection key 7 covers from the lowest level to the highest level of all the levels that can be set in stages, and can be set every other level. Therefore, in normal operation, five levels of thermal power levels can be set by just confirming the input of the thermal power level selection key 7 once. However, if further setting of the thermal power level is necessary, the thermal power level selection key 7 is input twice. do it.

  Further, in this example, the thermal power level by the one-time input confirmation of the “5” key of the key switch 15 is the maximum setting, but it may be possible to set it one step further. In this case, 10 levels can be set, the thermal power level 9 is set when the input of the “5” key of the key switch 15 is confirmed once, and the thermal power level 10 is set when the input is confirmed twice.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of an operation panel 9 including the operation unit 1 and the display unit 2 in the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment of FIG. 3 is that the number of lamps 21 to 25 constituting the thermal power level display means 8 is the same as the number of key switches 11 to 15 of the thermal power level selection key 7. .

  FIG. 6 shows an operation method of the thermal power level selection key 7 and a display method of the thermal power level display means 8, and the operation method of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

State (a): When the cut key 10 is pressed and the input is confirmed once, the heating lamp 20 starts blinking.
(While heating is stopped, waiting for key input)
State (b): When the “3” key of the key switch 13 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is set to 5, the heating lamp 20 is lit, the lamps 21 and 22 are lit, The lamp 23 blinks. State (c): When the “3” key of the key switch 13 is continuously pressed and the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level is changed from 5 to 6, and the lamps 21 to 23 are lit. State (d): When the "5" key of the key switch 15 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is changed from 6 to 9, the lamps 21 to 24 are lit, and the lamp 25 is blinking. State (e): key When the “5” key of the switch 15 is continuously pressed and the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level is changed from 9 to 10 and the lamps 21 to 25 are turned on. State (f): The “2” key of the key switch 12 is first Press for a predetermined time When the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is changed from 9 to 4, and the lamps 21 and 22 are lit.

  FIG. 7 shows a plan view of an operation panel 9 composed of the operation unit 1 and the display unit 2 in the third embodiment of the present invention. The number of firepower levels that can be set in stages is 9 levels. The number of keys for selecting the thermal power level is three. Then, a cut-in key 10 for starting or stopping heating, key switches 11 to 13 for setting a thermal power level, a lamp 20 indicating heating, and lamps 21 to 29 indicating a set thermal power level. It consists of

  Next, FIG. 8 shows an operation method of the thermal power level selection key 7 and a display method of the thermal power level display means 8, and the above operation method will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

State (a): When the cut key 10 is pressed once, the heating lamp 20 starts blinking.
(While heating is stopped, waiting for key input)
State (b): When the “middle” key of the key switch 12 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the thermal power level is set to 4, the heating lamp 20 is lit, and the lamps 21 to 24 are lit (C): When the “middle” key of the key switch 12 is continuously pressed and the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level is changed from 4 to 5, and the lamps 21 to 25 are lit. (d): “strong” of the key switch 13 When the key is pressed once for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the power level is changed from 5 to 7, and the lamps 21 to 27 are lit. State (e): Press the “strong” key of the key switch 13 continuously to 2 When the input is confirmed twice, the thermal power level is changed from 7 to 8, and the lamps 21 to 28 are turned on. State (f): When the “strong” key of the key switch 13 is continuously pressed and the input is confirmed three times, the thermal power level is changed from 8. Change to 9 And the lamps 21 to 29 are turned on. State (g): When the “weak” key of the key switch 11 is pressed for the first predetermined time and the input is confirmed once, the firepower level is changed from 9 to 1, and the lamp 21 is turned on. .

  According to this example, the number of thermal power levels is nine, but the number of necessary keys is three. In addition, the thermal power level that can be set by confirming the input of the key once can cover the strong, medium, and weak levels. Therefore, in normal operation, three levels of thermal power level can be set only by confirming the input of the key once, and only when the corresponding key switch is pressed long, only when the finer thermal power level needs to be set.

  Further, in this example, once the thermal power level selection key 7 is input and confirmed, it is set to the lowest level of the thermal power level range that can be set with the key, but it may be an intermediate level or the highest level within the range. (In this case, a change method of +1 level when input twice is confirmed, -1 level when input is confirmed three times, or a change method in the opposite direction is set).

  In any of the first to third embodiments described above, in any case, even if the time for pressing the same thermal power level selection key 7 is increased, the thermal power level range that can be set with the key is not deviated. It is impossible to set a thermal power level that exceeds the range, so that unintentional thermal power input and thermal power shortage do not occur.

  In this way, when setting the thermal power level, the thermal power level can be freely set by continuously pressing the thermal power level selection key 7 including the thermal power level for a predetermined time, and for normal use, Since the thermal power level selection key 7 corresponding to the preset thermal power level has only to be pressed once for a short time, rough thermal power settings can be easily set. In other words, rough thermal power settings can be set with a single action, and fine thermal power settings can be set by continuing to press the thermal power selection key for a predetermined time, so a wide range of thermal power levels can be achieved while minimizing finger movement and vertical movement. Can be set, and usability is greatly improved.

  Further, since the number of the thermal power level selection keys 7 can be reduced, the operation unit 1 and the display unit 2 can be consolidated in one place. Therefore, the display unit 2 and the operation unit 1 are set so as not to erroneously set the thermal power level. Can be easily linked, and can be reduced in size and space, and the degree of freedom in design is improved.

  In addition, even if the time for pressing the same thermal power level selection key 7 is increased, the thermal power level that exceeds the range cannot be set due to an erroneous operation, so that the thermal power level range that can be set with the key is not deviated. It is possible to prevent unintended firepower input or firepower shortage from occurring.

  Furthermore, since the thermal power level display means 8 corresponding to the thermal power level is provided, the set thermal power level can be easily confirmed, so that erroneous setting due to an erroneous operation is unlikely to occur.

It is a system block diagram of the induction heating cooking appliance which shows one Example of this invention. It is a figure showing the relationship between the thermal power level similarly set, and the input electric power of an induction heating cooking appliance. It is a top view of the operation panel which similarly integrated the operation part and the display part. It is a figure explaining the operating method of a thermal power level selection key, and the display method of a thermal power level display means similarly. It is a top view of the operation panel of a 2nd Example similarly. It is a figure explaining the operation method of the thermal power level selection key of 2nd Example, and the display method of a thermal power level display means similarly. Similarly, it is a plan view of the operation panel of the third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the operating method of the thermal-power level selection key of 3rd Example, and the display method of a thermal-power level display means similarly.

Explanation of symbols

2 Display unit 3 Control unit 6 Heating means 7 Thermal power level selection key

Claims (3)

  A thermal power level selection key (7) for setting a stepwise thermal power level, a display section (2) for display in an identifiable manner according to the set thermal power level, and a heating means (6) for heating a load such as a pan In the induction heating cooker comprising a heating means (6) and a control section (3) for controlling the display section (2) according to the heating power level set by the heating power level selection key (7), the heating power The number of level selection keys (7) is set to a number smaller than the number of settable thermal power levels, and when the thermal power level selection key (7) is pressed for the first predetermined time, the thermal power level of the initial setting value assigned to the key is set. The induction addition is characterized in that the setting can be changed to a thermal power level that is not included in the thermal power level that can be set by a thermal power level selection key (7) other than the relevant key by being continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer. Cooker.   When the number of stages of the thermal power level assigned to the thermal power level selection key (7) exceeds 2, a predetermined time corresponding to the number of stages is set, and the thermal power level is changed each time the predetermined time is kept pressed. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein: The thermal power level is not changed even if the thermal power level selection key (7) is pressed for a predetermined time or more when the maximum thermal power level that can be set is set by operating the thermal power level selection key (7). Induction heating cooker.

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