JP2007234279A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability of an apparatus with an operation switch arranged on a top surface by freely changing over a detection time of a touch switch. <P>SOLUTION: This heating cooker is provided with the capacitance type touch switch arranged nearly flush with a top plate for controlling an induction heating means, and a control means for recognizing that switch input is carried out when a difference voltage between a reference voltage when a person does not touch the touch switch and a detection voltage when the person touches the touch switch is set larger than a predetermined voltage level for a predetermined period or more, and can achieve switch detection performance balancing unintended switch reception prevention with operability by allowing the predetermined period to be changed over to a plurality of kinds. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooking device having a capacitive touch switch on the same surface as a top plate.

  Conventionally, this type of cooking device has a configuration in which an operation unit is provided on a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 6 shows a conventional cooking device described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the top plate 17 is arrange | positioned on the upper surface of the main body 16 which comprises the outline of a heating cooker. A heating means 18 is disposed on the lower surface of the top plate 17 in the main body 16. On the surface of the top plate 17, there is provided a heating unit 20 for placing the article to be heated 19 corresponding to the position where the heating means 18 is disposed. Furthermore, a first operation unit 21 and a first display unit 22 that displays various states according to operations are provided on the front surface of the main body 16.

On the surface of the top plate 17, there is provided a second operation portion 23 having operation keys as operation means that are frequently used for heating on / off of the heating means 18, heating power adjustment, and the like. Below the top plate 17 is provided a second display unit 24 that indicates whether or not the input operation of the second operation unit 23 is possible. When the second operation unit 23 is capable of input operation, it is lit by a light emitting LED. However, when the state is invalid, the display is turned off or blinking.
JP 2003-208972 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the detection level of the touch switch is constant despite the fact that the actual usage of the device is diverse, and the switch may be detected unintentionally when cleaning the device. However, it has a problem that operability is poor because it is dull with respect to the actual use.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and by enabling a plurality of types of touch switch detection times or detection voltage levels to be switched, it is possible to freely realize switch detection performance that is compatible with prevention of unintended switch reception and operability. An object is to provide an easy-to-use cooking device that can be set.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a heating cooker according to the present invention includes a main body constituting an outer shell, a top plate provided on an upper surface of the main body, and an object to be heated placed on the top plate at a high frequency. An induction heating means for induction heating by an electric current; a capacitive touch switch provided on substantially the same plane as the top plate for controlling the induction heating means; and a reference voltage when a person is not touching the touch switch. When the difference voltage of the detection voltage when touched by a person becomes greater than a predetermined voltage level for a predetermined time or more, a control means for recognizing that a switch is input is provided, and the predetermined time can be switched among a plurality of types. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the prevention of unintended switch reception and the operability, which is easy to use.

  The heating cooker of the present invention can freely set the switch detection performance that achieves both prevention of unintended switch reception and operability by making it possible to switch a plurality of types of detection time or detection voltage level of the touch switch. Can do.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to solve the conventional problem, a heating cooker according to the present invention is mounted on a main body constituting an outer shell, a top plate provided on an upper surface of the main body, and the top plate. A person touches the touch switch, induction heating means for induction heating of the heated object by high-frequency current, a capacitive touch switch provided on substantially the same surface as the top plate for controlling the induction heating means, and the touch switch. And a control means for recognizing that the switch is input when the differential voltage between the reference voltage when there is not and the detection voltage when touched by a person becomes greater than a predetermined voltage level for a predetermined time or more, By making it possible to switch between a plurality of types, it is possible to set an optimum detection performance that prevents unintended switch reception and does not impair operability according to the actual usage of the user, which is convenient.

  The predetermined time, that is, the switch detection time, becomes sensitive if the set time is short. For example, when wiping around the touch switch or when the food is scattered near the touch switch, the switch is unintentionally accepted. If the setting time is long, the detection performance when the user operates the switch is dull, and depending on the operation, the switch is difficult to enter and the usability is poor. In the present invention, it is possible to freely set an optimal reaction time that achieves both of the exclusive aspects described above, and thus the usability is greatly improved.

  In addition, particularly in a cooking device having induction heating as in the present invention, the electrical signal of the switch detection may change due to the influence of the magnetic field lines generated during induction heating, and the aforementioned influence is detected. By changing the time, it can be avoided and the usability can be improved.

  In addition, in the case of the present invention in which the switch is arranged on the same surface as the heating unit, there is a high possibility that the food or cooking equipment will be placed on or brought into contact with the switch unit, and the detection time is switched and adjusted. The convenience that can be done is particularly high.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main body constituting the outer shell, a top plate provided on an upper surface of the main body, induction heating means for induction heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate with a high frequency current, and the top Capacitance type touch switch that is provided on substantially the same plane as the plate and controls the induction heating means, a differential voltage between a reference voltage when a person is not touching the touch switch, and a detection voltage when the person is touched Is provided with a control means for recognizing that a switch is input when the voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage level for a predetermined time or more, and by allowing a plurality of types of the predetermined voltage level to be switched, unintended switch reception is prevented. In addition, the optimum detection performance that does not impair the operability can be set according to the actual use of the user, so that it is convenient.

  The differential voltage varies depending on the internal resistance and capacitance of the user who operates the switch, the installation status of the device, and the surrounding installation environment of the device. It also fluctuates by adhering to. In the present invention, since the predetermined detection voltage can be set, it is possible to interpolate the difference in the difference voltage due to the individual difference of the user's human body and the difference in the installation environment of the device, and the optimum detection performance can be realized individually, which is convenient. . In addition, by setting and adjusting the detection predetermined voltage, prevention of erroneous switch detection due to splashing of water during cooking or cooking can be set in a balance with operability, which is convenient.

  In addition, particularly in a cooking device having induction heating as in the present invention, the electrical signal of the switch detection may change due to the influence of the magnetic field lines generated during induction heating, and the aforementioned influence is detected. By changing the voltage setting, this can be avoided and the usability can be improved.

  In addition, in the case of the present invention in which the switch is arranged on the same surface as the heating unit, there is a high possibility that the food or cooking equipment will be placed on or contacted with the switch unit, and the detection voltage is switched and adjusted. The convenience that can be done is particularly high.

  The third invention is provided with a touch switch adjustment mode in which the user can easily switch between a predetermined time or a predetermined voltage level, so that the user can freely select the switch detection performance according to the use situation, and is easy to use. Good.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to shift to the touch switch adjustment mode by a predetermined combination operation of the switches mounted on the device, so that the setting is not changed unintentionally during normal use and the usability is good. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a dedicated switch for mode transition, the configuration is inexpensive.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can be surely notified that the setting has been completed by notifying when the transition to the touch switch adjustment mode or when the setting is completed in the touch switch adjustment mode. it can.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the display means for displaying the setting contents in the touch switch adjustment mode is provided, the switch adjustment setting is easy for the user and easy to understand.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a top plate 2 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1 constituting the outer shell, and an object to be heated mounted on the top plate 2 is heated by an induction heating means at the lower part of the top plate 2 on the left side of the main body. A left heating coil 3a and a right heating coil 3b as induction heating means are provided below the top plate 2 on the right side of the main body. The left heating coil 3a and the right heating coil 3b inductively heat an object to be heated above the heating coil by causing a high frequency current to flow through the coil and generating a magnetic field. Further, on substantially the same surface as the top plate 2, a left heating off / on switch 6a, a right heating off / on switch 6b, which are touch switches for controlling heating on / off, and a left down switch for adjusting heating output. 7a1, a left up switch 7a2, a right down switch 7b1, and a right up switch 7b2 are provided, and immediately before each switch, a left liquid crystal display device 5a and a right liquid crystal display device for displaying the operating state and setting state of the left and right heating means, respectively. 5b are provided. Further, on the front side surface of the main body, there are provided a left timer switch 11a for setting the timer for the left heating unit, a timer setting for the right heating unit for the right timer switch 11b, and a power switch 11c for turning on / off the device.

  Furthermore, on the lower side of the top plate 2, a control means 4 for controlling the detection method of the touch switch, a time switching means 8 for switching the switch detection time (tθ) of the touch switch, and a switch detection voltage (Vθ of the touch switch). ) And a notifying means 10 for notifying that when the device shifts to the touch switch adjustment mode or when the setting is completed in the touch switch adjustment mode.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the induction heating means, the heating off / on switch, the up switch, the down switch, and the liquid crystal display device are provided independently on the left and right, respectively, and the above-mentioned components are the left block, the right Since the same operation is performed in units of blocks, description of the right block is omitted and description of the left block is substituted.

  A cooking device having the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the left switch and a switch detection signal. Each switch is composed of a conductive front electrode and a back electrode, and a top plate 2 made of an insulating material (here, glass). It has a capacitor configuration with The surface electrode is formed on the same surface as the outer surface of the top plate 2 so that the user can easily operate it. When a person's finger touches the surface electrode, the charge stored in the capacitor structure described above is transferred to the human body. Therefore, the switch detection voltage varies from v1 to v2 as shown in FIG. The acceptance of the switch is valid when the control means 4 continuously inputs a variable voltage exceeding a preset switch detection voltage Vθ for a preset switch detection time tθ. When a person touches the left heating off / on switch 6a, the signal is input to the control means 4, and the control means 4 controls heating on / off of the left heating coil 3a and displays the operating state of the left liquid crystal display device 5a.

  When a person touches the left down switch 7a1 and the left up switch 7a2, the signal is input to the control means 4, and the control means 4 functions to increase or decrease the heating output of the left heating coil 3a. At that time, the operation state of the left liquid crystal display device 5a is also displayed.

  About the cooking-by-heating machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  FIG. 3 is an operation example of switch detection time switching according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the standard setting state, the switch detection time tθ is 0.2 seconds and the switch detection voltage Vθ is 1 V. The detection level V1 when the switch is not touched and the detection level when the switch is touched When the difference voltage V2 (V1-V2) and the time t1 when the finger is touched are Vθ (2 V) and tθ (0.2 seconds) or more, the switch reception is performed.

  Next, when the power switch 11c is turned on while the left timer switch 11a is pressed, the device notifies the sound by the notification means 10 and shifts to the touch switch adjustment mode. FIG. 5A shows the display operation of the left liquid crystal display device 5a in the touch switch adjustment mode. At the time of transition, a number (here, 0.2) indicating the switch detection time tθ is displayed. . In this state, if the left down switch is input, the set time can be shortened to 0.15 seconds and 0.10 seconds, and if the left up switch is input, the set time can be increased to 0.25 seconds and 0.30 seconds. The switching of the set time is stored in the time switching means 8, and when the power switch is turned off in the state where the time is set, the touch switch adjustment mode is terminated together with a notification sound indicating the completion of the setting. When the power is turned on next time after the setting is completed, for example, if tθ is set to 0.3 seconds, as shown in FIG. 3B, if tθ is set to 0.1 seconds, (c) in FIG. As long as it is not set again in the touch switch adjustment mode, the operation continues for the set detection time.

  FIG. 4 is an operation example of switch detection voltage switching according to the present embodiment. As in FIG. 3, in the standard setting state, the switch detection time tθ is 0.2 seconds and the switch detection voltage Vθ is 1 V. The detection level V1 when the switch is not touched and the detection level V2 when the switch is touched When the difference voltage (V1−V2) and the time t1 during which the finger is touched are equal to or greater than Vθ (2V) and tθ (0.2 seconds), switch acceptance is performed. When switching the detection voltage, after shifting to the touch switch adjustment mode by the same method as described above, when the left heating off / on switch 6a is turned on, the left liquid crystal display device 5a is turned on as shown in FIG. A number (here, 1) indicating the switch detection voltage Vθ is displayed. In this state, if the left down switch is input, the set voltage can be reduced to 0.75 V and 0.5 V, and if the left up switch is input, the set voltage can be increased to 1.25 V and 1.5 V. The switching of the set voltage is stored in the voltage switching means 9, and when the power switch is turned off in a state where the voltage is set, the touch switch adjustment mode is terminated together with a notification sound indicating the completion of the setting. When the power is turned on next time after the setting is completed, for example, if Vθ is set to 1.5V, as shown in FIG. 4B, if Vθ is set to 0.5V, FIG. Unless otherwise set again in the touch switch adjustment mode, the operation continues at the set detection voltage.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can freely set the set time, and the optimum detection performance that prevents unintended switch reception and does not impair operability can be set according to the user's actual usage. Is good.

  That is, the switch detection time is sensitive if the setting time is short, for example, when wiping around the touch switch or when the food is scattered near the touch switch, etc. When the setting time is long, the detection performance when the user operates the switch intentionally becomes dull, and depending on the operation method, the switch is difficult to turn on and the usability is deteriorated. In the present invention, it is possible to freely set an optimal reaction time that achieves both of the exclusive aspects described above, and thus the usability is greatly improved.

  In addition, especially in a cooking device having induction heating as in the present embodiment, there is a possibility that the electrical signal of the switch detection may change due to the influence of magnetic lines generated during induction heating, and the above-described influence Can be avoided and the usability can be improved by changing the detection time.

  In addition, in the case of the present invention in which the switch is arranged on the same surface as the heating unit, there is a high possibility that the food or cooking equipment will be placed on or brought into contact with the switch unit, and the detection time is switched and adjusted. The convenience that can be done is particularly high.

  The detection differential voltage also varies depending on the internal resistance and capacitance of the user who operates the switch, the installation status of the device, and the surrounding installation environment of the device. It also fluctuates by sticking around the switch. Since the detection predetermined voltage can be set in the present invention, it is possible to interpolate the difference in the differential voltage due to the individual difference of the user's human body and the difference in the installation environment of the device, and the optimum detection performance can be realized individually, which is convenient. . In addition, by setting and adjusting the detection predetermined voltage, prevention of erroneous switch detection due to splashing of water during cooking or cooking can be set in a balance with operability, which is convenient.

  In the present embodiment, the transition to the touch switch detection mode can be performed by a combination operation of existing switches that control different devices during normal use, and does not have a dedicated mode transition switch. Although described as being effective, even if a dedicated switch is provided or a transition switch is installed in a portion that is not exposed in normal use, the same effects can be obtained except for low cost and ease of setting.

  In the present embodiment, the heating unit is described as induction heating. However, even if the heating unit is electric heating, radial heater heating, or gas heating, the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, in this embodiment, the transition to the touch switch adjustment mode is performed by the combination operation of the left timer switch and the power switch as a touch switch. An effect is obtained.

  As described above, the cooking device according to the present invention can improve the usability of the device having the operation switch on the top surface by switching the detection level of the touch switch according to the operation state of the device. It can be applied not only to electric heating and induction heating but also to gas cooking devices.

The block diagram of the heating cooker in Embodiment 1 of this invention Switch configuration diagram of the cooking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the operation example of switch detection time switching in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the operation example of switch detection voltage switching in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the example of a display in touch switch adjustment mode Configuration diagram of a conventional cooking device

Explanation of symbols

1 Body 2 Top plate 3a Left heating coil (induction heating means)
3b Right heating coil (induction heating means)
4 Control means 5a Left liquid crystal display device (display means)
5b Right liquid crystal display device (display means)
6a Left heating off / on switch (touch switch)
6b Right heating off / on switch (touch switch)
7a1 Left up switch (touch switch)
7b1 Right up switch (touch switch)
7a2 Left down switch (touch switch)
7b2 Right down switch (touch switch)
8 Time switching means 9 Voltage switching means

Claims (6)

A main body constituting the outer shell, a top plate provided on the upper surface of the main body, induction heating means for induction heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate by high-frequency current, and substantially the same surface as the top plate A capacitance type touch switch that controls the induction heating means, a reference voltage when a person is not touching the touch switch, and a differential voltage of a detection voltage when the person touches is a predetermined time or more. A heating cooker comprising control means for recognizing that a switch input has been made when the voltage level exceeds a predetermined voltage level, and wherein a plurality of types can be switched during the predetermined time. A main body constituting the outer shell, a top plate provided on the upper surface of the main body, induction heating means for induction heating an object to be heated placed on the top plate by high-frequency current, and substantially the same surface as the top plate A capacitance type touch switch that controls the induction heating means, a reference voltage when a person is not touching the touch switch, and a differential voltage of a detection voltage when the person touches is a predetermined time or more. A cooking device comprising control means for recognizing that a switch is input when the voltage level exceeds a predetermined voltage level, wherein the predetermined voltage level can be switched between a plurality of types. The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a touch switch adjustment mode in which a user can easily switch between a predetermined time or a predetermined voltage level. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the switch to the touch switch adjustment mode can be performed by a predetermined combination operation of switches mounted on the device. The cooking device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when the mode is shifted to the touch switch adjustment mode or when the setting is completed in the touch switch adjustment mode, the fact is notified. The cooking device according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying setting contents in the touch switch adjustment mode.