JP2800634B2 - Heating equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the operability of a heating device such as a microwave oven, and more particularly, to improving the operability by concentrating an input unit required for operation at one place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an external view of an operation unit of a conventional microwave oven. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, microwave ovens have become capable of automatically measuring weight and detecting steam from food by installing sensors such as a weight sensor and a steam sensor, and accordingly, cooking menus have been increasing.

[0003] Therefore, the number of input keys corresponding to the cooking menu is also increasing. Therefore, when many keys are to be inserted in a limited space, the characters of the keys tend to be small, and there is a problem that the characters are difficult to see.

[0004] "HIGH POWER" is a manual cooking by MICROWAVE which is frequently used every day.
To set (R), first, the "strong range" key 14 is pressed, then the selection setting means (for example, the encoder 8, hereinafter referred to as the encoder) is rotated to set the time, and then the "start" key 10-1 is depressed. Also, in oven cooking using an electric heater or the like, first, the "oven" key 15 is pressed, and the "temperature setting" key 13 (up / down key) is continuously pressed to match the required temperature, and then the encoder 8 is rotated. Then, the time is set, and then the "Start" key 10-1 is pressed. In this case, each key is separated or the encoder is separated from the key, which makes it difficult to use.

[0005] On the other hand, the automatic cooking by MICROWAVE, "A warm" (AUTO SENSOR REH)
EAT), press the "warm" key 10-2,
After that, the "Start" key 10-1 may be pressed, and the operation method differs depending on each menu.

[0006]

However, the fact that the operation method differs depending on each menu as in a conventional microwave oven is very troublesome, and is a major problem because it is difficult to use especially for elderly people. It has become.
In addition, the operation procedure as to what operation should be performed is not displayed, which makes the operation difficult. Furthermore, the operation unit in recent years has increased the number of keys and attempts to display a large number on a display unit of a limited size. As a result, a large number of small characters are displayed. It gives users the impression that it is difficult to use, and is becoming a major issue.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has the following constitution in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. That is, the number of input keys is reduced as much as possible, and the rotatable first selection setting means (for example, an encoder) is used as the center of operation, and the selection setting means is provided with a cooking start means (for example, a start key section) for inputting an operation start. It is composed integrally. Then, the cooking menu group is divided into a first cooking menu group (for example, a manual cooking menu group) and a second cooking menu group (for example, an automatic cooking menu group), and first cooking for displaying the first cooking menu group is performed. A menu group display section and a second cooking menu group display section for displaying a second cooking menu group are provided. And
If the selection setting means is rotated in one predetermined direction, the first
Is selected, a first cooking menu group display section is displayed, a specific cooking menu in the first cooking menu group is selected according to the degree of rotation, and the selection setting means is rotated in the other direction. If so, the second cooking menu group is selected, the second cooking menu group display section is displayed, and a specific cooking menu in the second cooking menu group is selected according to the degree of rotation, and the cooking start means is selected. Is pressed, the operation of the cooking menu starts.
Also, by not operating the selection setting means directly press the cooking start means, a third cooking menu of "Me Atata"
There is selected, the cooking operation is started. This " warm up"
The menu is most easily used because it is the most frequently used.

As described above, the selection and start of operation of various cooking menus are substantially performed only by operating the selection setting means and the cooking start means provided at one place, not by the input keys which are arranged in a planar manner. The operation is simplified by completing the operation.

[0009] In addition, only by rotating the selection setting means, a target cooking menu is selected and displayed, and by pressing the cooking start means, the cooking operation of the selected cooking menu is started, so that the entire cooking menu is started. , The operation method was unified.

A setting key portion for setting temperature and time and a display portion thereof, a temperature and time setting display portion, a finishing adjustment key portion and a display portion thereof are provided, and operation is simplified by showing an operation procedure. The configuration was adopted.

Further, the order of the menus in the first cooking menu group display section (for example, a manual cooking menu group display section) and the second cooking menu group display section (for example, an automatic cooking menu group display section) depends on the frequency of use. In order that the highest cooking menu can be selected by the minimum rotation operation of the selection setting means, the cooking menus are arranged in descending order of use frequency. In addition, the display
Plug-in for easy viewing and easy operation
Display is blank when the cooking menu is
The operation procedure according to the cooking menu
The display unit is configured to be turned on or off. And
The operation method is different between lighting and blinking
If it lights up, press the key.If it flashes, press the key.
"" In addition, the display unit needs to display it.
Is displayed only when necessary, and the display once displayed is unnecessary.
When it becomes, the display disappears.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the selection and the start of the operation of the whole cooking menu are not input keys distributed in a plane, but are substantially performed by operating only one operation unit (the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8)). By completing the operation, the operation can be simplified and the operation unit becomes very easy to use.

Further, the operability is improved by arranging the positions of the manual cooking menu group display section 1 and the automatic cooking menu group display section 2 up, down, right and left.

[0014] In the manual cooking menu group display section and the automatic cooking menu group display section, the usability is improved by arranging the menus with the highest frequency of use from the top or the bottom. Furthermore, setting and cooking can be started by simply pressing the start button on the most frequently used menu among all menus, and the usability has been greatly improved. Ma
When a cooking menu is entered,
The display turns on or off according to the operating procedure
So that if it is lit,
In case of "flashing", prompt "key press"
By this, it is possible to cook without mistake in the operation of the key
Become like In addition, the display unit displays only the necessary display
The operation becomes very easy.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operation unit of a microwave oven according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation unit of the microwave oven of the present invention. First, the cooking menu group is divided into a first cooking menu group (for example, a manual cooking menu group) of different genres, a second cooking menu group (for example, an automatic cooking menu group), and a third cooking menu.

The manual cooking menu group is a group of manual cooking menus, and the manual cooking is cooking performed by setting a cooking time and a cooking temperature by a user.

On the other hand, the automatic cooking menu group is a group of automatic cooking menus. In the automatic cooking, a user sets a cooking time and a cooking temperature by using sensors such as a weight sensor and a steam sensor. There is no need for it, and if you select a cooking menu, it can be done automatically. Here, the third cooking menus, said although automatic cooking menu cooking menu using a sensor similar to the group, Ru most frequently used "Atata Me" der.

The first cooking menu group (hereinafter referred to as manual cooking menu group) is displayed by the first cooking menu group display section (hereinafter referred to as manual cooking menu group display section) 1 and the second cooking menu group is displayed. The second cooking menu group display unit (hereinafter, referred to as an automatic cooking menu group display unit) 2 displays the cooking menu group (hereinafter, referred to as an automatic cooking menu group).

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the operation unit of the present invention. The control unit 9 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) is operated by the selection setting unit 8 (hereinafter referred to as an encoder), the cooking start unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a start key unit), the setting key unit 3 and the finish adjustment key unit 6, and the manual cooking group. Display unit 1 and manual cooking menu group setting display unit 24, automatic cooking menu group display unit 2 and automatic cooking menu group setting display unit 25, temperature / time set display unit 5, setting key unit display unit 7
Is controlling.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation unit of the present invention.
A knob 18 protrudes from a surface 19 (hereinafter, referred to as a base) of the operation unit, and a start button 17 is provided inside the knob 18. The knob 18 is configured to interlock with the rotation operation of the encoder 8, and the start button 17 is configured to interlock with the start key unit 10. The encoder 8 is rotatable, selects a manual cooking menu group or an automatic cooking menu group according to the direction of rotation, and selects a cooking menu within the cooking menu group according to the degree of rotation. The setting of time and temperature required in the manual cooking menu is also input by the encoder 8.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of the encoder 8. The encoder 8 has a rotating unit 20 that can rotate to the left or right. The degree of rotation is output from a terminal 26 as an electric signal, which is processed by a microcomputer, and the entire operation unit is controlled. I have. FIG.
As shown in (C), by disposing the start key section 10 below the encoder 8, if the switch mechanism section 21 of the encoder 8 is pressed, the start key section 10 is pressed and turned on.
Configuration.

Further, the lamp 16 is mounted in the encoder 8. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit of the present invention. The encoder 8, the start key unit 10, and the lamp 16 are mounted on a printed circuit board 22. The rotating unit 20 of the encoder 8 is configured to work with the knob 18, and the start button 17 is configured to work with the switch mechanism 21 of the encoder 8. A start button 17 is formed inside the knob 18 and protrudes from a surface 19 (hereinafter, referred to as a base) of the operation unit. This is easy for the user to use.

The user turns the knob 18 to
By rotating the rotary unit 20 of the encoder 8 and pressing the start button 17, the start key unit 1
You will press 0.

The setting key section display section 4 includes a lamp 23
Is mounted on a printed circuit board and the lamp is turned on / off.
Is turned on and off. The same applies to other display units.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the operation unit according to the present invention. The operation method will be described based on this flowchart. First, in the state where the microwave oven is connected to the power supply, that is, in the plug-in state, the operation unit is in the state shown in FIG. 6, and the displayed portion is an extremely limited portion. That is, the start button 1
First operation is displayed near 7 and start button 17
"Manual" and "automatic". This is because the operation unit of the present invention is configured so that only the display unit corresponding to the purpose of the operation is lit on.

Here, when the start button 17 is pressed, the start key section 10 is pressed, and the third cooking menu "warm" (AUTO MICROWAVE).
COOK) is selected, and the cooking operation is started.

The cooking menu "warm up" is the menu that is used most frequently, and can be set and started with the simplest operation, improving the usability.

Next, by rotating the knob 18, the encoder 8 is rotated, and a cooking menu group and a cooking menu are selected. When the knob 18 is rotated to the right, the manual cooking menu group and the manual cooking menu are selected, and when the knob 18 is rotated to the left, the automatic cooking menu group and the automatic cooking menu are selected.

Now, consider a case where the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is rotated right by one click. At this time, the manual cooking menu group is selected, and as shown in FIG. 7, the manual cooking menu group display section 1 is turned on, and the manual cooking menu group setting display section 24 indicating which menu is currently selected is displayed at the bottom. The position of the “high range” is lit, indicating that the menu “high range” is currently selected. Here, the setting key section display section 4 for illuminating (displaying) the setting key section 3 for switching the input (for example, time, temperature, etc.) required for the manual cooking menu blinks to prompt the user to perform an operation.

Here, when the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is further rotated to the right by one click, the position of "low range" located at the second position from the bottom of the manual cooking menu group setting display section 24 is turned on. "Low range" is selected.
If the knob 18 is further rotated, thereafter, "oven toaster", "grill", and "oven" are selected in that order.

Therefore, the manual cooking menu group display section 1
The higher the menu, the more it is necessary to rotate the knob 18 (ie, the encoder 8). Therefore, the lower the frequency of the menu, the lower the knob. Rotation operation can be reduced, and usability is improved.

If it is assumed that "high range" has been selected, when the setting key section 3 is pressed next, the cooking menu is set to "high range" as shown in FIG. Time set display section 5 which is an input necessary for the menu of
Lights up, and the input of the cooking time by the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is urged. Here, when the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is rotated, a time is set according to the degree of rotation, and as shown in FIG. 9, the cooking can be started, and the start button 17 flashes to prompt the start. Here, when the start button 17 is pressed, the start key section 10 is pressed, and the cooking operation is started.

Next, consider the case where the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is rotated one click to the left from the plug-in state. In this case, the automatic cooking menu group is selected,
As shown in FIG. 10, the automatic cooking menu group display unit 2 is turned on, and “raw thawing” (DEFROST) is located at the top of the automatic cooking menu group setting display unit 25 that indicates which menu is currently selected. Is lit, indicating that "raw thawing" is currently selected. These automatic cooking menus have a finish adjustment function that allows the user to adjust the workmanship of cooking in three stages.
Therefore, here, since there is a possibility of the finish adjustment, the finish adjustment key section display section 7 is turned on to allow the user to operate. Here, if the "strong" key of the finish adjustment key portion is pressed, the finish adjustment becomes stronger.
Pressing the "weak" key in the finish adjustment key section weakens the finish adjustment. If nothing is pressed, the finish adjustment is the norm.

Next, when the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is further rotated left by one click, the position of the "toast" located second from the top of the automatic cooking menu group setting display section 25 is turned on, and the "toast" is turned on. Is selected and further turned to the left, and thereafter, "milk", "sake-no-kan", and "leaves and flowers" are selected in that order.

Therefore, the automatic cooking menu group display section 2
The lower the menu, the more the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) needs to be rotated. By placing the more frequently used menu at the top, the more frequently used the menu, the more the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8). The rotation operation is reduced, improving usability.

Here, when "raw thawing" is selected, cooking can be started regardless of whether or not the finish adjustment key section 6 is operated, and the start button 17 flashes to prompt the start. . Here, when the start button 17 is pressed, the start key section 10 operates to start the cooking operation.

As described above, by operating the knob 18 (ie, the encoder 8), the operation method using the cooking menu can be simplified. The procedure is displayed on the setting key section display section 4.
By providing a temperature / time set display section 5, a finish adjustment key section display section 6, and a start key section 16 and displaying them only when necessary, it has become much easier to use. In addition, when the display is lit, the key means that the key can be received, and when it flashes, it means that the user should press a key.

Further, as described above, whether the group is a manual cooking menu group or an automatic cooking menu group is determined based on the rotation direction of the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8). FIG.
1 is an example of an external view of an operation unit of a microwave oven according to the present invention. For example, when the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is rotated right, the manual cooking menu group is selected, and the manual cooking menu group display unit 1 is displayed.

When the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8) is rotated counterclockwise, the automatic cooking menu group is selected, and the automatic cooking menu group display section 2 is displayed. Therefore, the positional relationship between the manual cooking menu group display section 1 and the automatic cooking menu group display section 2 is such that when left and right display sections are present, the manual cooking menu group display section is arranged on the right side and the automatic cooking menu display section is displayed on the left side. By arranging the groups, the cooking menu group display section is present at a position corresponding to the rotation direction of the encoder, which makes it very easy to see and greatly improves the operability.

When these cooking menu groups are vertically arranged, the manual cooking menu group display section 1 is arranged on the upper side and the automatic cooking menu group display section 2 is arranged on the lower side, so that the knob 18 ( That is, the cooking menu group display section exists in the rotation direction of the encoder 8), and the operability is greatly improved.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The selection and start of the operation of the entire cooking menu are substantially completed only by operating the operation unit (the knob 18 (that is, the encoder 8)) at one place instead of using the input keys which are arranged in a planar manner. By doing so, the operation can be simplified and the operation unit becomes very easy to use.

[0043] (2) the position of the manual cooking menu group display unit 1 and the automatic cooking menu group display unit 2, by arranging vertically or right or left, and the operability is improved.

(3) In the manual cooking menu group display section and the automatic cooking menu group display section, the usability is improved by arranging the menus having the highest frequency of use from the top or the bottom. Furthermore, setting and cooking can be started by simply pressing the start button on the most frequently used menu among all menus, and the usability has been greatly improved. (4) Instruct the cooking procedure by lighting or flashing, or
Only necessary displays are displayed on the display, so key operations can be
It can be done reliably without any difference.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an operation unit of a microwave oven according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of an operation unit of the microwave oven.

3A is a configuration diagram of the encoder, FIG. 3B is a front view showing the configuration of the encoder, and FIG. 3C is a side view showing the configuration of the encoder.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an operation unit of the microwave oven.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the microwave oven.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an operation unit of the microwave oven.

FIG. 7 is an operation specification diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 8 is an operation specification diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 9 is an operation specification diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 10 is an operation specification diagram of the microwave oven.

FIG. 11 is an external view of an operation unit of the microwave oven.

FIG. 12 is an external view of an operation unit of a conventional microwave oven.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 manual cooking menu group display section (first cooking menu group display section) 2 automatic cooking menu group display section (second cooking menu group display section) 3 setting key section 4 setting key section display section (third display section) 5) Temperature / time set display section (fourth display section) 6 Finish adjustment key section 7 Finish adjustment key section display section (fifth display section) 8 Selection setting means (encoder) 9 Control section (microcomputer) 10 Start cooking Means (start key section) 16 Start key section display lamp 17 Start button 18 Knob 20 Encoder rotating section 21 Encoder switch mechanism section 22 Printed circuit board 23 Display section lamp 24 Manual cooking menu group setting display section 25 Automatic cooking menu group Setting display section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Ito 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. In-house (72) Inventor Hirofumi Takemasa 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kaoru Konno 1006 Odakadoma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Inventor Kensuke Mizuma 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-63-127027 (JP, A) JP-A-5-322176 (JP, A) JP-A Heisei 3-67924 (JP, A) JP-A-62-29783 (JP, A) JP-A-2-35371 (JP, A) JP-A 64-31904 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ^6, DB ) F24C 7/02 301

Claims (21)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first cooking menu group (manual cooking menu group) requiring an additional operation other than a heating start operation after selecting a cooking menu, and a second cooking menu group requiring no additional operation other than a heating start operation after selecting a cooking menu. A cooking menu group (automatic cooking menu group), a first cooking menu group display section for displaying the first cooking menu group, and a second cooking menu group display section for displaying the second cooking menu group Rotatable selection setting means for selecting the first and second cooking menu groups and selecting a cooking menu in each of the cooking menu groups, and wherein the first or second is set according to the rotation direction of the selection setting means. A cooking menu in the cooking menu group according to the degree of rotation, and a first cooking menu group display section or a second cooking menu corresponding thereto. Configuration and the heating device for displaying the-menu group display unit. 2. Manual cooking when the selection setting means is turned clockwise.
The menu group and the manual cooking menu are selected.
The automatic cooking menu group and the automatic cooking menu
2. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the heating device is selected. 3. A display unit is provided on both left and right sides of the surface of the operation unit.
In the case, the display unit on the right side is a manual cooking menu group display unit,
A configuration in which the left display unit is an automatic cooking menu group display unit
The heating device according to claim 2. 4. When a display section is provided above and below the selection setting means.
In this case, the upper display is the manual cooking menu group display, and the lower display is
The display on the side is the automatic cooking menu group display
The heating device according to claim 2. 5. A display at the bottom of a manual cooking menu group display section.
3. A display indicating the maximum output of a radio wave.
5. The heating device according to 4. 6. An indication indicating the maximum output of a radio wave,
The heating device according to claim 5, wherein the heating device is displayed as “strong”. 7. An uppermost display of a manual cooking menu group display section.
Is indicated by a term meaning oven cooking.
Is the heating device according to 4. 8. Display at the top of an automatic cooking menu group display section
Is a term meaning thawing or a term meaning toast
The heating device according to claim 3, wherein the heating device is indicated by a button. 9. An initial operation is displayed near the selection setting means.
The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A cooking start means, wherein said cooking start means is integrally formed with said selection setting means, and a cooking operation is started by operating said cooking start means in a cooking start waiting state. The heating device according to claim 1, wherein 11. A cooking start means display for illuminating the cooking start means.
A lamp for displaying the cooking start means;
The cooking start means and the selection setting means are integrally configured.
The heating device according to claim 10. 12. The cooking start means is different from the cooking menus in the first cooking menu group and the second cooking menu group when the operated is executed before the operation by the selection setting means. third of cooking menus (per order)
There selected heating device structure as claims 10, further comprising a cooking operation start until function. 13. A first cooking menu group (manual cooking menu group) requiring an additional operation other than a heating start operation after selecting a cooking menu, and a second cooking menu group requiring no additional operation other than a heating start operation after selecting a cooking menu. A cooking menu group (automatic cooking menu group), a first cooking menu group display section for displaying the first cooking menu group, and a second cooking menu group display section for displaying the second cooking menu group Rotatable selection setting means for selecting the first and second cooking menu groups and selecting a cooking menu in each cooking menu group, and heating start means integrally formed with the selection setting means. With the heating device provided, Displaying and selecting a cooking menu group corresponding to the rotation direction detected by the selection setting means; 2. A step of selecting a specific cooking menu in the cooking menu group selected according to the degree of rotation of the selection setting means. 3. A step of starting a heating / cooking operation in accordance with an operation of the heating start means. A heating device having an operation setting method comprising the steps of: 14. A cooking menu in the first cooking menu group and the cooking menu in the second cooking menu group according to the operation of the heating start means before the first step of the operation setting method according to claim 13. and third cooking menu (per order) heating device configurations having the operation setting method in which a step of the start of the cooking operation is selected. 15. In the plug-in state, display or no display
The display unit that performs either of
A heating device according to claim 13 or claim 14. 16. When a cooking menu is input, the cooking is performed.
The display lights up according to the operating procedure according to the menu.
15. The process according to claim 13 or 14, wherein
Thermal equipment. 17. The display unit is operated in a lighting state and a blinking state.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the operation method is different.
15. The heating device according to 14. 18. When the key is lit, the key is accepted, and when the key is blinking,
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein a key press is prompted.
Thermal equipment. 19. A display section displays only when the display is necessary.
The heating device according to claim 13, wherein the heating device has a configuration. 20. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein said display is unnecessary.
14. The display according to claim 13, wherein the display disappears when it becomes
15. The heating device according to 14. 21. Cooking menu selection setting, cooking temperature and
And a rotary encoder for cooking and cooking time.
Rotation of the rotary encoder
It is configured to be able to set menu, temperature, and time
The heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 20.