JPH08210651A - Heating cooking appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simplify the construction of a manipulating part of an operation panel and enhance controllability. CONSTITUTION: Various types of cooking menus, which are associated with automatic cooking and classified into three groups of cooking menus, are displayed on a cooking menu display 23 of an operation panel 21 while an LED 25 is installed for every cooking menu. A back light is installed to the rear surface of the cooking menu display 23 in conformity with each group of cooking menus. A dial 29 is installed to the operation panel 21 where the dial 29 serves as a setting knob which sets a cooking menu or cooking time by a turning operation and a start button switch which directs the start of cooking by a depressing operation. When the dial 29 is turned in the right direction, the cooking menu groups on the top are selected and then the LED is lit up, starting with the first menu 'rice group' one after another and then the last menu 'bread and cake' is selected. Then, the lighting of the LED 25 moves backward.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heating cooker such as a microwave oven capable of performing cooking for a large number of cooking menus selected by a user on an operation panel.

[0002]

For example, in a microwave oven with an oven function, a microcomputer or the like stores a cooking program corresponding to a plurality of cooking menus in advance,
There is provided one in which heating cooking is automatically executed by a corresponding cooking program based on the user selecting any one from a plurality of cooking menus. Also, in such a microwave oven, the user
Of course, it is possible to execute a manual cooking menu that specifies the cooking mode such as “range”, “oven”, and “toaster” and the cooking time and temperature.

This type of microwave oven is constructed by providing an operation panel 1 as shown in FIG. 8 on the front surface of the main body. At the center of the operation panel 1, a plurality of selection keys 2 corresponding to a cooking menu group such as "side dish" and "sweets / bread" are provided vertically. On the left side of the selection key 2, a menu display section 3 having a cooking menu printed on the surface is provided.

In this menu display section 3, a plurality of cooking menus belonging to a cooking menu group of "side dishes" such as "boiled leaf vegetables" and "boiled root vegetables", and "cookie special course", " A plurality of cooking menus belonging to the cooking menu group of "sweets and bread" such as "cake special course" are printed, and LEDs 4 corresponding to the respective cooking menus are provided.

[0007] In this case, when one of the automatic cooking menus is desired to be executed, the user first presses any one of the selection keys 2 to specify the cooking menu group, Further, the pressing operation of the selection key 2 is repeated to select the cooking menu. For example, when the user wants to select “meat and potatoes / boiled food”, first, the selection key 2 of “side dish” is operated (at this time, the LED 4 of “boiled vegetables of top leaf” is turned on). Further, if the "side dish" selection key 2 is operated twice, the lighting of the LEDs 4 moves in order and the LEDs 4 of "meat and potatoes" are turned on. After that, if the start key 5 is operated, automatic cooking according to the cooking program of "meat and potatoes" is executed.

However, the operation panel 1 as described above is provided with a plurality of selection keys 2 for selectively setting a cooking menu related to automatic cooking, and also has a start key 5 and time for manual cooking. Since the knobs for setting are arranged in a distributed manner, there is a problem that the number of parts of the operation portion is large and the configuration becomes complicated. In addition, the user may be confused about where to operate in order to select a desired cooking menu or set the cooking time, or may have to find the position of the start key 5 or the time setting knob. , The operation was relatively complicated.
In addition to this, it is necessary to press the selection key 2 many times, so that the operation becomes troublesome and the operability is required to be improved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a heating cooker capable of simplifying the structure of the operation portion of the operation panel and improving the operability. To provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating cooker in which an operation panel provided on a main body and a large number of cooking menus provided on the operation panel are divided into a plurality of cooking menu groups. A display section to be displayed separately, a setting knob provided on the operation panel for selectively setting a cooking menu by a rotating operation, and a setting knob provided coaxially with the setting knob for instructing to start cooking by pressing operation. It has a start button and is characterized in that different cooking menu groups can be selected depending on the rotating direction of the setting knob, and the cooking menus belonging to the cooking menu group can be set.

Further, in this case, it is more effective if the large number of cooking menus is roughly divided into a cooking menu group related to automatic cooking and a cooking menu group related to manual cooking. Invention of 2).

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a microwave oven with an oven function will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. First, FIG. 6 shows the appearance of a microwave oven which is a cooking device.
Inside, a cooking room 12 and a machine room (not shown) are provided side by side. As shown in FIG. 7, an oven heater 13 for oven cooking, a grill heater 14 for grill cooking, and the like are provided in the cooking chamber 12, and a magnetron 15 and the like for range cooking are provided in the machine chamber. It is provided.

The oven heater 13 and the grill heater 1
As shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 4 and the magnetron 15 are microcomputers 1 provided as control means in the machine room.
6 is controlled via drive circuits 17, 18 and 19, respectively. Thus, the microcomputer 16 causes the oven heater to respond in response to the user selecting a cooking menu related to automatic cooking, or setting of a cooking mode or cooking time related to manual cooking, as described later. By controlling 13, the grill heater 14, the magnetron 15 and the like, heating cooking of the cooking object housed in the cooking chamber 12 is executed.

On the front surface of the main body 11, a door 20 for opening and closing the cooking chamber 12 is rotatably provided, and an operation panel 21 is provided. Hereinafter, the operation panel 21 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

First, on the upper part of the operation panel 21, there is provided a time display section 22 for digitally displaying cooking time and the like. A cooking menu display section 23 is provided immediately below the time display section 22. In this case, the cooking menu display unit 23 is configured by printing various types of cooking menus related to automatic cooking on a translucent panel.
It is roughly classified into three cooking menu groups of "warm. Vegetables. Defrosting", "heartful cooking" and "bread. Sweets", and each of them is in the upper part 23 of the cooking menu display 23.
a, the middle part 23b and the lower part 23c are printed.

In the upper part 23a, "warming.vegetables.thawed" as a title of the cooking menu group is printed on the upper part, and cooking menus such as "rice" and "side dishes" are arranged in two rows on the lower part. It is printed. In addition, the middle section 23
Similarly, in b and the lower part 23c, under the titles of the cooking menu groups of "heartful cooking" and "bread. candy", "rice cooked", "red rice" ... The cooking menu is printed.

On the back side of the cooking menu display section 23, an upper section 23a, a middle section 23b and a lower section 23 are provided.
A backlight 24 (illustrated only in FIG. 7) is provided corresponding to each of c. In this case, the titles of the cooking menu groups are printed so that they are always displayed to the user regardless of whether the backlight 24 is turned on. However, as shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. Is printed so that it rises brightly only when it is illuminated from behind by the backlight 24 and becomes dark as a whole when the backlight 24 is turned off.

Further, the cooking menu display section 23 is provided with an LED 25 as a light emitting element for each cooking menu. The backlight 24 and the LEDs 25 are
As shown in FIG. 7, the microcomputer 16 controls lighting and extinguishing via display circuits 26 and 27.

As described later in detail, one LED 25 corresponding to the cooking menu is selectively turned on in response to the user's selection operation of the cooking menu for automatic cooking, and the cooking menu is selected. The backlight 24 corresponding to the cooking menu group to which the group belongs is selectively turned on. The time display unit 22 is also controlled by the microcomputer 16 via the display circuit 28.

Now, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 21
A dial 29 is provided on the lower part of the so as to be rotatable and pressed. In this embodiment, this dial 29
Serves as a setting knob for the user to select and set the cooking menu, and also as a start button for the user to instruct the start of cooking. This means that the button is integrally provided coaxially with the setting knob.
Further, in this case, the dial 29 has a large size which is sufficiently easy to operate since the conventional plurality of selection keys are not required.

When the dial 29 is rotated, a pulse switch 30 (shown only in FIG. 7) is operated, and as shown in FIG. 7, the pulse switch 30 adjusts the rotation angle of the dial 29. The pulse signal is input to the microcomputer 16 via the menu and time setting circuit 31. When the dial 29 is pressed, the start switch 32 (shown only in FIG. 7) is operated. The signal from the start switch 32 is also input to the microcomputer 16 via the key switch circuit 33.

The microcomputer 16 stores a cooking program corresponding to each of the cooking menus relating to automatic cooking, and is adapted to execute automatic cooking according to the user's selection setting. In this case, when the dial 29 is rotated, the microcomputer 16 turns on the LED 25 of the cooking menu display unit 23 in order and turns on the backlight 24 according to the turning angle of the dial 29. . In this case, as will be described later, the LED 25 and the backlight 24 in different cooking menu groups are sequentially turned on depending on whether the rotating direction of the dial 29 is the right (clockwise) direction or the left (counterclockwise) direction. ing. Then, when the user stops the rotation of the dial 29 when the LED 25 of the desired cooking menu is lit and presses the dial 29 in that state, the cooking menu is automatically executed. It is like this.

Further, in this embodiment, the dial 29
Below, a "range", a "toaster", an "oven", etc. for executing a manual cooking menu (cooking in which the user arbitrarily sets the cooking mode, time, etc.) different from the automatic cooking menu The manual key 34 is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the signals of these manual keys 34 are also
It is adapted to be input to the microcomputer 16 via the key switch circuit 33. Here, when the manual cooking menu is selected, the function of the dial 29 is switched for time setting, and the cooking time can be set by the rotating operation.

In this case, as shown in FIG.
A function display lamp 35 for indicating that the rotating operation of the dial 29 can be accepted and for displaying the current function of the dial 29 is provided at the upper left portion of the numeral 9, and "select auto" is lit. Sometimes, the turning operation of the dial 29 selects the cooking menu in the automatic cooking as described above, and when the "time" is lit, the turning operation of the dial 29 sets the time in the manual cooking menu. It is possible to do.
The set time at this time is displayed on the time display unit 22, and the cooking mode and the like are also displayed on the time display unit 22 in characters.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The food is accommodated in the cooking chamber 12 and the door 2
When 0 is closed, microcomputer 16
The control is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart.

That is, when the door 20 is closed, first, the "select auto" of the function display lamp 35 is turned on (step S1). Then, in this state, when any one of the manual keys 34 is pressed (Yes in step S2).
s), it is determined that the manual cooking menu has been selected, and the function display lamp 35 is switched to "time" lighting (step S3). The display of the function display lamp 35 prompts the user to execute the time setting operation.

After that, when the dial 29 is rotated (Yes in step S4), the cooking time is displayed on the time display unit 22 according to the amount of rotation (step S5). Stops the operation when the desired time is displayed. With this, the cooking mode and time are set, and when the dial 29 is pressed (started) thereafter (Yes in step S6), cooking of the set manual cooking menu is executed. (Step S7).

On the other hand, if the user does not press the manual key 34 (No in step S2) and rotates the dial 29 (Yes in step S8), it is determined that the automatic cooking course has been selected. It Here, when the user rotates the dial 29, one LED 25 corresponding to each cooking menu of the cooking menu display unit 23 is sequentially turned on. In this case, the dial 29 is turned to the right (clockwise). ) Direction (Y in step S9)
es), the top cooking menu group ("Warm. Vegetables.
“Thaw” ”is selected, and the LED 25 is turned on sequentially from the top cooking menu (“ rice ”) (step S10).

When the dial 29 is rotated to the left (counterclockwise) (No in step S9), the bottom cooking menu group ("bread.confectionery") is selected. ,
The lighting of the LED 25 proceeds in the returning direction (step S11). Therefore, when the dial 29 is turned counterclockwise from the initial state, the LED2 of the last "pizza"
5 is turned on, and when it is turned further to the left, LE is placed in the order of “pound cake”, “madeleine” ...
D25 comes on. The user can turn on the LED 25 as described above to display the cooking menu display unit 2
One of the cooking menus displayed in 3 is selected.

At this time, the backlight 24 is turned on together with the lighting of the LED 25 (step S12). In this case, one of the three backlights 24 is selectively operated. Only the cooking menu group to which the cooking menu of the currently lit LED 25 is lit is illuminated from behind and displayed brightly.

Specifically, from "rice" to "fish and shellfish"
LE of the cooking menu of "Warm. Vegetables. Thaw" up to
When D25 is on, the upper part 23a is illuminated by the backlight 24 (see FIG. 2), and when the LED 25 of the "heart-full cooking" cooking menu from "cooking rice" to "steaming" is on. , The middle section 23b is illuminated by the backlight 24 (see FIG. 3), and when the LED 25 of the cooking menu of "bread.confectionery" from "cookie" to "pizza" is lit, the lower section 23c.
Are illuminated by the backlight 24 (see FIG. 4).

When the dial 29 is pressed (started) after the selection of such a cooking menu (Yes in step S13), the selected automatic cooking (corresponding to the lit LED 25) is cooked. The cooking of the menu is executed (step S14).

As described above, according to this embodiment, the functions of the conventional plurality of selection keys 2 and start keys 5 and the cooking time setting knob during manual cooking can be achieved by one dial 29. The configuration of the operation portion of the operation panel 21 can be greatly simplified. Therefore, the dial 29 can be made large enough to be easy to operate, and even if the number of cooking menus is large, the time display section 22 and the menu display section 23 can be made wide to allow the cooking menu to be prepared. Etc. can be displayed in large characters. Further, in this embodiment, one dial 2
Since 9 is also used as both the setting knob and the start button, the number of parts is reduced by that amount, and the configuration can be further simplified.

When the user selects and sets the cooking menu for automatic cooking, the dial 29 may be rotated, which makes the operation far easier than pressing the selection key 2 many times. One dial 29 is to be operated regardless of whether the user selects the cooking menu for automatic cooking or the time setting for manual cooking.
Therefore, the user does not hesitate about which key should be operated. Further, unlike the conventional one in which the start key 5 is arranged separately from the selection key 2, the start button is integrated with the dial 29, so the user has to search for the start button. Instead, the cooking operation can be smoothly started by a simple operation of pressing the dial 29 and then pressing the dial 29.

Further, depending on the rotating direction of the dial 29,
Since different cooking menu groups can be selected and the cooking menu can be set, the usability is improved for the user. Further, when the user selects and sets a desired cooking menu, only the backlight 24 corresponding to the cooking menu group to which the selected cooking menu belongs is turned on, so that the number of automatic cooking menus increases. Also, the display is very easy for the user to see, and the selection operation can be performed easily.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, the area occupied by the operating portion in the operating panel 1 is large, and the operating portion of the operating panel 21 is larger than that of the conventional one which is relatively complicated and troublesome to operate. The configuration can be greatly simplified, and the operability when the user selects and sets a cooking menu and starts cooking can be improved. Further, it is possible to obtain an excellent practical effect that the display of the menu display unit 23 can be easily seen.

By the way, in the above-mentioned embodiment, only the cooking menu related to the automatic cooking is selected and set on the menu display section 23, but the manual cooking menu such as "range", "toaster", "oven", etc. is also set. , Dial 29 can be configured to be selectively set. At this time, the cooking menu group is roughly divided into an automatic cooking menu and a manual cooking menu. For example, the dial 29 can be rotated rightward. For example, the automatic cooking menu group is selected, and the manual cooking menu group is selected by rotating the dial 29 to the left. According to this, the operability can be further improved.

In the above embodiment, the dial 29 having the setting knob and the start button for instructing the start of cooking integrated is provided, but the setting knob and the start button are provided separately. It can also be configured,
In this case, a start button may be provided in the center (inside), and a ring-shaped setting knob may be provided on the outer peripheral side thereof. In this case as well, by providing the setting knob and the start button coaxially. As a result, the structure of the operation portion of the operation panel can be simplified and the operability can be improved.

Besides, in the above embodiment, the menu display unit 2
Although the backlight 24 is provided in 3, the backlight 24 may be omitted if the display is easy to see, and at this time, it is not necessary to classify a large number of cooking menus into a cooking menu group. The present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope of the gist.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the heating cooker of the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel is provided with the setting knob for selectively setting the cooking menu by the rotating operation. Along with this setting knob, a start button for instructing the start of cooking by pressing is provided, and a different cooking menu group is selected depending on the rotating direction of the setting knob and belongs to that cooking menu group. Since the cooking menu can be set, the configuration of the operation portion of the operation panel can be simplified and the operability can be improved, which is an excellent effect.

In this case, the large number of cooking menus are
If the cooking menu group related to automatic cooking and the cooking menu group related to manual cooking are roughly divided (heating cooker according to claim 2), the operability can be further improved. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which an upper part of a cooking menu display section is illuminated.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where the middle section of the cooking menu display section is illuminated.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state where the lower part of the cooking menu display is illuminated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a cooking menu.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a microwave oven.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 11 is a main body, 12 is a cooking chamber, 16 is a microcomputer, 21 is an operation panel, 22 is a time display unit, and 2
3 is a cooking menu display unit, 24 is a backlight, 25 is an LED, and 29 is a dial (setting knob, start button).

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. In a heating cooker based on a set cooking menu, an operation panel provided on the main body and a large number of cooking menus provided on the operation panel are divided into a plurality of cooking menu groups. A display section to be displayed separately, a setting knob provided on the operation panel for selectively setting a cooking menu by a rotating operation, and a setting knob provided coaxially with the setting knob for instructing to start cooking by pressing operation. A heating cooker comprising a start button, wherein different cooking menu groups are selected depending on the rotating direction of the setting knob, and cooking menus belonging to the cooking menu group can be set. 2. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein a large number of cooking menus are roughly classified into a cooking menu group related to automatic cooking and a cooking menu group related to manual cooking.