JP2015225768A - Sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor having a function to transmit information in a cooking container.SOLUTION: A sensor according to the present invention comprises a main body (20) used in a cooking container (1), a communication unit (3), and a sensing unit (4) connected with the communication unit (3). The sensor has a function to communicate information obtained by the sensing unit (4) with the outside of the cooking container by the communication unit (3). The sensing unit (4) enables a cook to learn a state in the cooking container, and to perform cooking corresponding to the state of a cooking object; and thus a sensor is obtained that is easy to use and enables cooking which gives good finish to the cooking, and is reliable and safe.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor having a function of transmitting information in a cooking container.

  In the prior art, there is a heater as a heating source under the ceramic plate, and the cooking container placed on the ceramic plate can be heated. A motor is built in the main body, and a magnet is provided on the output shaft of the motor. On the other hand, the cooking container has an agitation unit for agitating the object to be cooked, and the agitation unit also includes a magnet. An automatic stirrer having a configuration in which a magnet of a stirring unit and a magnet of a motor output shaft are magnetically coupled via a ceramic plate and the stirring unit is rotated by operating the motor to stir the object to be cooked is disclosed ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

West German utility model No. 20061631 specification

  In the automatic stirrer disclosed in Patent Document 1, since stirring is performed regardless of the state of the object to be cooked, there is a problem that the workmanship of cooking is deteriorated, for example, the food is boiled depending on the object to be cooked.

  The present invention is a sensor for transmitting information in a cooking container, and by providing a communication unit in the main body, the state in the cooking container is transmitted to the heating control unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a sensor that can perform a movable control and can improve the quality of a cooking object.

In order to solve the conventional problems, a sensor of the present invention includes a main body used in a cooking container, a communication unit arranged in the main body and capable of communicating with the outside of the cooking container, and arranged in the main body in the cooking container. And a sensing unit connected to the communication unit,
The information obtained by the sensing unit is provided with a function of communicating with the outside of the cooking container by the communication unit.

  The sensor according to the present invention provides a sensor that is easy to use, has a good cooking finish, and can be cooked with high reliability and safety by controlling the heating and the body to move according to the state of the object to be cooked. It is.

Side surface sectional view which shows the sensor of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention Sectional drawing of the induction heating apparatus and sensor in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the sensor and cooking vessel in Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the sensor and cooking vessel in Embodiment 2 which concerns on this invention The top view of the induction heating apparatus which has arrange | positioned the feed coil of Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention in matrix form

  The sensor of 1st invention is the said main body used in a cooking container, the communication part which is distribute | arranged to the said main body and can communicate with the exterior of a cooking container, is arrange | positioned at the said main body, and acquires the information in a cooking container, and the said communication And a sensing unit connected to the unit, and the information obtained by the sensing unit is communicated with the outside of the cooking container by the communication unit.

  1st invention comprised in this way can grasp | ascertain the information of the to-be-cooked item in a cooking container by transmitting the information in a cooking container to the exterior.

  In a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the communication unit is configured to communicate with a heating control unit that controls heating of the cooking container.

  In the second invention configured as described above, the sensing unit grasps the state of the object to be cooked in the cooking container, and the communication unit transmits the information to the heating control unit. It is possible to perform heating or agitation control according to the state of the food.

  In particular, the third invention is configured to be used in a sealed cooking container in the second invention.

  The third invention configured as described above makes it possible to grasp the state of the food to be cooked in the cooking container even when it is used in a cooking container that is sealed so that the food to be cooked cannot be seen. The heating control unit can perform heating or stirring control according to the state of the object to be cooked.

  In particular, the fourth invention is configured to be used in a metal cooking container in the third invention.

  According to the fourth invention configured as described above, the state of the cooking object in the cooking container can be grasped even when used in the metal cooking container, and the heating control unit It is possible to perform heating or stirring control according to the state of the object.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, a relay section connected to the cooking container is provided, the communication section communicates information to the relay section, and the relay section communicates the information outside the cooking container. It is configured as follows.

  In the fifth invention configured as described above, the communication unit in the main body once transmits the information in the cooking container to the relay unit, and the relay unit transmits the information to the outside of the cooking container. Even if it is not possible to communicate directly with metal, it is possible to reliably transmit.

  In a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the rotary magnetic field and mechanical force from the outside of the cooking container, or a motor built in the main body are configured to rotate or move within the cooking container.

  According to the sixth invention thus configured, it is possible to control the food to be cooked so as to achieve optimum rotation and movement in accordance with the state of the food to be cooked, and to prevent boiling and the like. Can do.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the sensing unit has a function of detecting the temperature around the main body, and is configured to transmit temperature information measured by the sensing unit from the communication unit. .

In the seventh invention configured as described above, the heating amount heating power can be adjusted according to the heating state of the object to be cooked.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, a function of measuring an acceleration applied to the sensing unit is provided, and the acceleration information measured by the sensing unit is transmitted from the communication unit.

  The eighth invention configured as described above can control the movement of the main body so as to optimally stir the food to be cooked by grasping the movable state of the main body from the acceleration information.

  In a ninth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, a function for measuring the orientation of the sensing unit is provided, and the orientation information measured by the sensing unit is transmitted from the communication unit.

  In the ninth invention configured as described above, the movement of the main body can be controlled so as to optimally stir the food to be cooked by grasping the position of the main body from the orientation information.

  In a tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, the tenth aspect has a function of measuring impedance around the sensing unit, and is configured to transmit impedance information measured by the sensing unit from the communication unit.

  In the tenth invention configured as described above, since the state of the object to be cooked can be grasped from the impedance information, the movement of the main body can be controlled so that the object to be cooked can be optimally stirred.

  In an eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the tenth aspect of the invention, the salinity concentration is calculated from the impedance measured by the sensing unit.

  In the eleventh invention configured as described above, since the degree of boiled food to be cooked can be grasped from the calculated salt concentration, the movement of the main body is controlled so that the food to be cooked can be optimally stirred. be able to.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sensor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. For example, detailed descriptions of already well-known matters and repeated descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid the following description from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

  Note that the inventor provides the accompanying drawings and the following description in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present invention, and intends to limit the subject matter described in the claims. is not.

  In the sensor of the following embodiment, the case where an induction heating cooker is used as a heating source will be described. However, this configuration is an example, and the present invention is limited to the configuration described in the following embodiment. Rather, it includes a sensor having the technical features of the present invention. Further, the present invention includes appropriately combining arbitrary configurations described in the respective embodiments described below, and the combined configurations exhibit their respective effects.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a use state of a sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in a cooking container.
A cooking container 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a container in which an object to be cooked such as food is placed, and is a pan, a frying pan, or the like.

  The sensor 2 includes a main body 20 in which a communication unit 3 and a sensing unit 4 are built, and the sensing unit 4 and the communication unit 3 are connected to each other. The sensor 2 is housed in the cooking container 1 so as to be storable. The sensor 2 is movably moved in the cooking container 1 to move the food to be cooked, and is movable as a blade so that the food to be cooked can be moved more easily. You may comprise so that it may have the part 21. FIG. Further, in this case, since the food to be cooked moves, there is an advantage that the food to be cooked is stirred and the taste and temperature of the food to be cooked become uniform.

  The sensing unit 4 detects and obtains the state of the cooking object that is information in the cooking container 1 and the state of the sensor 2. The sensing unit 4 is connected to the communication unit 3, and information on the result detected by the sensing unit 4 is transmitted to the outside of the cooking container 1 by the communication unit 3.

  Although the communication part 3 is for communicating with the exterior of the cooking container 1 by radio | wireless, the communication system may be what kind of system. Commonly used are electrolysis, magnetic field, light, sound waves and the like.

  The power supply unit 6 is connected to the communication unit 3 and the sensing unit 4 and supplies power for operating each of them. The power supply unit 6 may be one that stores electricity such as a battery or a capacitor, or may generate power from a temperature difference or radio waves. Further, a power receiving coil may be provided as the power supply unit 6 to supply power in a non-contact manner from an external power supply device.

  About the sensor comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and effect | action are demonstrated below about the case where an induction heating cooking appliance is used as a heating source.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the sensor and the induction heating device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, a cooking container 1 in which an object to be cooked such as food and a sensor 2 are placed is placed above the induction heating device.

  When the user instructs the start of heating by an operation unit (not shown), the heating control unit 9 of the induction heating device operates the inverter unit 8 to supply a high-frequency current to the heating coil 7. Thereby, a high frequency magnetic field is generated from the heating coil 7, an eddy current is generated in the cooking container 1, and the cooking container 1 is heated.

  The heating control unit 9 controls the inverter unit 8 so that the heating amount set by the user is obtained by operating the operation unit. Specifically, for example, an input current of the inverter unit 8 is detected, and the detected value is input to the heating control unit 9. The heating control unit 9 compares the heating amount set by the user with the input current of the inverter unit 8 and changes the operation state of the inverter unit 8.

The sensor 2 detects the state of the cooking object around the sensor 2 by the sensing unit 4. Specifically, the sensing unit 4 detects the temperature of the cooking object around the main body 20. The result of the temperature information detected by the sensing unit 4 is transmitted to the operation unit of the induction heating apparatus outside the cooking container 1 by the communication unit 3 and displayed on the operation unit. The user can grasp the state of the cooking object in the cooking container 1 by receiving and displaying the information transmitted by the communication unit 3 at the operation unit. By doing so, it becomes possible for the user to adjust the amount of heating in accordance with the state of the food to be cooked. For example, the cooked food becomes too hard due to overheating or burning. Such as failure can be prevented.

  The information transmitted by the communication unit 3 may be received by the heating control unit 9 and the heating amount may be adjusted based on the information. By doing so, functions such as automatic cooking can be added to the induction heating device. Specifically, the temperature in the cooking container 1 after the start of heating is detected by the sensing unit 4, and the information is transmitted to the heating control unit 9 by the communication unit 3. The heating control part 9 calculates the time change of the temperature in the cooking vessel 1, and when the temperature becomes constant, it determines that the object to be cooked has boiled and weakens the heating amount. By doing so, the water | moisture content in the cooking container 1 does not reduce excessively, and a boil can be prevented. Furthermore, it becomes possible to cook with less energy by weakening the heating amount, which is a thermal power.

  By using the sensor 2 of the present embodiment, the state in the cooking container 1 can be grasped even when the cooking container 1 is covered. In particular, in the case of a sealed cooking container 1 such as a pressure cooker, even if an attempt is made to check the inside of the cooking container 1, the lid cannot be opened under pressure. Therefore, the state in the cooking container 1 cannot be grasped, and cooking may fail. Even if it is such a cooking container 1, it can grasp | ascertain the state inside the cooking container 1 and can cook by using the sensor 2 of this Embodiment.

  Furthermore, when the cooking vessel 1 is made of metal, the communication method of the communication unit 3 is limited. Specifically, communication using a method such as an electric field or light is not possible. In such a case, a relay unit may be provided as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the sensor and the cooking container in the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the relay unit 10 is built in the handle 1 </ b> A of the cooking container 1, but is not limited to such a configuration. The antenna 11 has a reception antenna 11a and a transmission antenna 11b. The receiving antenna 11 a is arranged in the cooking container 1 from the relay unit 10 in order to receive information from the communication unit 3. On the other hand, since the transmission antenna 11b is for transmitting the information received by the reception antenna 11a to the outside of the cooking container 1 via the relay unit 10, the transmission antenna 11b is arranged outside the cooking container 1. By setting it as such a structure, even if the cooking container 1 is metal, it becomes possible to transmit the information of the sensing part 4 out of the cooking container 1 via the relay part 10. FIG. In particular, even in a cooking container 1 such as a metal pressure cooker, stable communication can be achieved.

  In the prior art, since it was difficult for the cooking device to grasp the state of the cooking object in the cooking container 1, the user had to grasp it and change it manually. Alternatively, control is performed based on a sequence registered in advance in the cooking device. As described above, by adopting the configuration as in the present embodiment, the cooking device and the user can grasp the state of the cooking object in the cooking container 1, so that it depends on the state of the cooking object. Thus, it is possible to change the amount of heating and the like. For example, it is possible to prevent a failure such as overheating, which causes scorching, or overcooking and the food to be cooked becoming hard.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

  The sensor according to the second embodiment is configured to rotate or move in the cooking container 1 by a rotating magnetic field or mechanical force from outside the cooking container, or by a motor built in the main body 20.

As described in the first embodiment, it is possible to grasp the state of the object to be cooked in the cooking container 1 by using the sensor 2, and the heating amount is adjusted according to the situation. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the cooked object from being burnt due to excessive heating.

  However, it is difficult to completely prevent the cooking object from being burnt only by adjusting the heating amount. Usually, the user often cooks the food to be cooked so that it does not burn. By doing so, not only can it be prevented from being burnt, but also seasonings and the like can be evenly distributed, and there is no bias in taste. Further, the high temperature portion and the low temperature portion are mixed, so that the temperature becomes more uniform, and as a result, there is an effect that cooking is completed quickly.

  Therefore, when the sensor 2 is moved by some force, the food to be cooked around the sensor 2 moves, and the above effect is obtained.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a sensor, a cooking container, and a rotation control device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the stator coil 12 is connected to a rotation inverter unit 13, and the rotation inverter unit 13 is connected to a rotation control unit 14, thereby constituting a rotation control device. On the other hand, a magnet 15 is embedded in a portion corresponding to the bottom of the cooking container 1 in the movable portion 21 of the sensor 2.

  The rotation control unit 14 supplies a current to the stator coil 12 using the rotation inverter unit 13. Since a current flows through the stator coil 12, a magnetic field is generated, and the magnet 15 receives a force in response to the magnetic field. The rotation control unit 14 controls the rotation inverter unit 13 so that this force works in a certain direction, so that the sensor 2 is rotated by the movable unit 21 in which the magnet 15 is embedded.

  In addition to the configuration as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 2 may be rotated by connecting a rotating shaft (not shown) of a motor outside the cooking container 1 to the sensor 2. Further, the motor 5 of FIG. 1 may be connected to the power supply unit 6, and the movable unit 21 and the sensor 2 may be moved by driving the motor 5. At that time, the motor 5 may be a vibration motor having a rotating shaft attached with a weight.

  By moving the sensor 2 of the present embodiment, the object to be cooked in the cooking container can be moved. By doing so, the object to be cooked does not stay in the same place in the cooking container, so that it is possible to prevent scorching from occurring. Further, the movement of the food to be cooked brings benefits such as mixing of the food to be cooked and a uniform taste.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described.

  What is detected by the sensing unit 4 is the state of the cooking object around the sensor 2, the state of the sensor 2 itself, and the like. As described in the first embodiment, when the sensing unit 4 has a temperature detection function, the sensing unit 4 can measure the temperature of the cooking object around the sensor 2.

  The sensing unit 4 measures the temperature of the object to be cooked, for example, detects the boiling of the object to be cooked and decreases the amount of heating, or adjusts the amount of heating so that the temperature is optimal for cooking. Is possible. For this purpose, the temperature detected by the sensing unit 4 is transmitted to the heating control unit 9 by the communication unit 3, and the heating control unit 9 detects the boiling and sets the heating amount so as to maintain the temperature specified by the user. Adjust it.

  The sensing unit 4 may have a function of measuring the acceleration applied to the sensing unit 4 and may transmit the acceleration information measured by the sensing unit 4 from the communication unit 3 to the outside of the cooking container 1.

  When the sensing unit 4 measures acceleration information applied to the sensing unit 4, the movable state of the sensor 2 can be detected when the sensor 2 is moved by the motor 5. Specifically, when the acceleration is negative even though the motor 5 is operating at a constant speed, it can be seen that the object to be cooked is in a state that hinders the movement of the sensor 2. . Specifically, there are many cases where the sensor 2 hits a large number of objects to be cooked and is overloaded. In such a case, it is possible to change the movable state of the sensor 2, for example, to temporarily stop the movement of the sensor 2, or to move the sensor 2 in the opposite direction, and to stop the movement of the sensor 2. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the sensing unit 4 may have a function of measuring the orientation of the sensing unit 4 and may transmit the orientation information measured by the sensing unit 4 from the communication unit 3 to the outside of the cooking container 1.

  When the sensing unit 4 measures the azimuth, it can be seen in which direction the sensor 2 is moving. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the movable range of the sensor 2 from being biased and causing burning. Specifically, the movable range of the sensor 2 is mapped, and control is performed so that the movable region of the sensor 2 is not biased.

  Furthermore, the sensing unit 4 may have a function of measuring the impedance around the sensing unit 4 and transmit the impedance information measured by the sensing unit 4 from the communication unit 3 to the outside of the cooking container 1.

  When the sensing unit 4 detects impedance, the impedance of the cooking object around the sensor 2 can be detected. Since the impedance of the object to be cooked changes depending on the salinity concentration or the like, for example, when it is detected that the impedance at the initial stage of heating changes as the heating proceeds, it is found that the object to be cooked is boiled by heating. Therefore, cooking failure can be prevented by stopping heating or notifying the user.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only differences will be described. FIG. 5 is a plan view of an induction heating apparatus in which a large number of power supply coils are arranged in a matrix form immediately below a top plate constituting the outline of the induction heating apparatus.

  When the induction heating device and the sensor 2 as shown in FIG. 5 are used, the case where the cooking container 1 is placed on nine coils as shown in FIG. 5A will be described.

  As described in the first embodiment, the power supply unit 6 supplies power to the communication unit 3 and the sensing unit 4. It has been explained that the power supply unit 6 may supply power without contact from an external power supply device, but when this induction heating device is used, the heating coil 7 (a) is used for power supply in FIG. 5 (b). The inverter unit 8 is driven by the heating control unit 9 at a frequency suitable for power supply, and supplies power to the power receiving coil that is magnetically coupled to the heating coil 7 (a) built in the power source unit 6. The structure which performs is considered. At that time, the other heating coils 7 (b) to 7 (i) may be used for heating and do not hinder heating.

  Further, the heating coils 7 (b) to 7 (i) may be used as the stator coil 12 of FIG. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 5B, the heating control unit 9 forms a rotating magnetic field by sequentially supplying a high frequency current to the heating coils 7 (b) to 7 (i), The magnet 15 built in the sensor 2 may be operated so as to move.

  As described above, the sensor according to the present invention includes a main body used in a cooking container, a communication unit, and a sensing unit connected to the communication unit, and obtains information obtained by the sensing unit as described above. By communicating with the outside of the cooking container by the communication unit, it becomes possible to grasp the state inside the cooking container, so that the food to be cooked does not burn by performing heating and control according to the state. Can do. Furthermore, by moving the sensor, the taste becomes uniform and the cooking time can be shortened, which has the effect of automating cooking and minimizing power consumption, and is useful when used in general homes and the like. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooking container 2 Sensor 3 Communication part 4 Sensing part 5 Motor 6 Power supply part 7 Heating coil 8 Inverter part 9 Heating control part 10 Relay part 11 Antenna 12 Stator coil 13 Inverter part for rotation 14 Rotation control part 15 Magnet

Claims (11)

A body used in a cooking container;
A communication unit arranged in the main body and capable of communicating with the outside of the cooking container;
A sensing unit arranged on the main body and obtaining information in a cooking container and connected to the communication unit,
With
The sensor provided with the function which communicates the information obtained by the said sensing part with the outside of a cooking container by the said communication part. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit communicates with a heating control unit that controls heating of the cooking container. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is used in a sealed cooking container. The sensor according to claim 3, which is used in a metal cooking vessel. The sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a relay unit connected to a cooking container, wherein the communication unit communicates information to the relay unit, and the relay unit communicates the information with the outside of the cooking container. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to rotate or move in the cooking container by a rotating magnetic field or mechanical force from outside the cooking container, or a motor built in the main body. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit has a function of detecting a temperature around the body, and transmits temperature information detected by the sensing unit from the communication unit. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit has a function of measuring acceleration applied to the sensing unit, and transmits acceleration information measured by the sensing unit from the communication unit. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit has a function of measuring an orientation of the sensing unit, and transmits the orientation information measured by the sensing unit from the communication unit. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit has a function of measuring impedance around the sensing unit, and transmits impedance information measured by the sensing unit from the communication unit. The sensor according to claim 10, wherein the salinity concentration is calculated from the impedance measured by the sensing unit.

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