JPH10220777A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve safety by preventing heating means from being supplied with electric power against user's intention. SOLUTION: A microcomputer monitors whether or not operation of a fire adjusting key is existent, and if existent (S1; Y), a timer is started (S2), and hence a light emitting diode of a fire display part is lighted with green to display set fire (3). In this state, the operation becomes an operation waiting state where cooking is not yet started, and if an 'input' key is not on (S5; Y) even after 10 seconds are elapsed, the fire setting is cancelled (S6). In contrast, in an operation waiting state, the 'input' key is made on within 10 seconds (S4; y), power supply is started to a heater unit, and the fire display on a fire display part is altered from green to red (S7), and thereafter the heater unit is supplied with power with the set fire.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooking device having an improved structure for starting energization of heating means such as a heater.

[0002]

As this type of cooking device, there is a cooking heater using, for example, a halogen lamp heater as a heat source. This is configured by disposing a halogen lamp heater in a main body having a top plate made of heat-resistant glass on which cooking items such as a pot are arranged on the upper surface. In addition, an operation panel is provided on the front side of the main body, and the operation panel is provided with an "on" / "off" key, a heating power adjustment key, and the like. Thus, when the user turns on the “ON” key, the halogen lamp heater is energized, and then the user operates the heating power adjustment key to adjust the heating power in, for example, a plurality of stages. Is available.

In the above-described conventional cooking device, for example, the user accidentally touches the "Enter" key on the operation panel, or an article accidentally falls on the "Enter" key. In some cases, the user may unintentionally press the “ON” key and turn on the heater. In this case, in the past, safety measures were sometimes taken, for example, by turning on the “ON” key for a certain period of time for the first time, but under the circumstances where product safety has been increasing in recent years, safety has been further increased. From the viewpoint of improvement, further improvement is desired.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the user from unintentionally energizing the heating means and improve safety. To provide a heating cooker that can be used.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heating cooker for selecting and setting a heating means serving as a heat source of a heating unit in which a cooking object is disposed, and a function related to the heating unit. A first key, a second key for instructing the start of heating cooking, and a condition that the second key is operated after the first key is operated. The present invention is characterized by a configuration including an energization control means for starting energization.

According to this, the user operates the first key and subsequently operates the second key.
Since the heating means is turned on for the first time by the action, the heating means is not turned on merely by accidentally touching the second key for instructing the start of cooking.

[0007] Here, in a heating cooker using a heating means such as a heater as a heat source, generally, a key for instructing start and end of heating cooking, which is referred to in the present invention, as an operation key. In addition to the second key, a key for selecting and setting a function or the like relating to the heating unit, for example, a key for adjusting heat power, a key for setting temperature, a key for setting time such as a timer, a type of cooking, and the like. (E.g., fried food, grilled food, etc.), a key for selecting a process, and the like.
In the present invention, since the key originally provided as the heating cooker is used as the first key, it is possible to make the configuration relatively inexpensive without causing much complexity in the configuration.

In this case, the power supply control means is configured to invalidate the operation of the first key when the second key is not operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the first key. (Invention of claim 2). According to this, the key operation is canceled except when the user operates the first key and operates the second key within a predetermined time, that is, when the user operates with an intention to start the heating cooking. Will be.

Further, when the first key is operated, a display means for displaying an operation waiting state for waiting for the operation of the second key may be provided (the invention of claim 3). According to this, the user can be visually informed that the heating means is turned on when the second key is operated next time, and the usability is improved.

[0010] At this time, the display means may be configured to perform a display indicating an operation state in which the heating means is energized in a display mode different from the operation waiting state. Invention), according to which,
The operation waiting state and the operation state can be visually notified, which is more effective.

Further, as a mode of displaying the operation waiting state and the operation state, the operation waiting state is displayed by blinking and the operation state is displayed by lighting (the invention of claim 5). The display color can be changed between the operation state (the invention of claim 6), and the display brightness can be changed between the operation waiting state and the operation state (the invention of claim 7). According to these, all of them can display each of the operation waiting state and the operation state with one display device in a manner that is easy for the user to understand.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment (corresponding to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) in which the present invention is applied to a cooking heater using a halogen lamp heater as a heat source will be described below with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of a cooking heater as a heating cooker according to the present embodiment. A main body 1 of the cooking heater is formed in a rectangular box shape, for example, a cooking table 2.
It is built in. In the main body 1, a heater unit 4 serving as a heating unit including a plurality of halogen lamp heaters 3, for example, is provided at three positions, that is, left, right, and a central rear portion.
(Only one is shown in FIG. 4) is provided, and a top plate 5 made of, for example, crystallized glass is provided on the upper surface of the main body 1. As a result, on the top plate 5, heating portions 6 on which foods such as pots are arranged are provided at three locations, that is, left, right, and the center rear portion.

On the other hand, a roaster 7 as a heating unit is provided on the front side of the main body 1 at the left side. On the right side, a so-called kangaroo pocket-type operation panel 8 described later is provided. Although not shown, a power switch and a power lamp are provided on the front surface of the main body 1 above the operation panel 8.

Although not shown or described in detail, among the heating units 6 provided on the top plate 5, for example, the heating unit 6 on the left side is capable of cooking tempura. When this tempura cooking is performed, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the oil in the pan for tempura is connected to a jack provided on the main body 1 so that the temperature of the oil is reduced.
The temperature is controlled to be a temperature selected by the user (for example, either 180 ° C. or 200 ° C.).

The operation panel 8 is provided with operation keys and a display unit corresponding to the heating units 6 and the roaster 7, respectively. FIG. 3 shows a portion corresponding to the heating section 6 on the right side as a representative, in which "input" for instructing the start of heating cooking, that is, for turning on the heater unit 4 (halogen lamp heater 3) is shown. Key 9 and an "OFF" key 10 for turning off the heater unit 4.
Is provided. Further, the heating power (heating output) of the heater unit 4 is set to, for example, eight stages (increase and decrease).
A heating power adjustment key 11 is provided. The heating power adjustment key 11 is an “input up” key 1 for increasing the heating power.
1a and a decreasing "input down" key 11b.

The operation panel 8 is provided with a heating power display section 12 for displaying the heating power (heating output) of the set heater unit 4. This heating power display unit 12
In this case, eight so-called two-color light emitting diodes 1
8 are arranged side by side in a row, and numbers 1 to 8 (thermal power levels) are written on the upper part of the three. As is well known, the two-color light-emitting diode 13 is configured by combining a red light-emitting element and a green light-emitting element in one case, and emits one of the colors red and green (depending on the mode of use, either of them). (Composite colors are also possible).

The heater unit 4 (halogen lamp heater 3) is controlled by a microcomputer 14. FIG. 4 shows a schematic electrical configuration centered on the microcomputer, with respect to only the heating unit 6 on the right side. Here, the heater unit 4 (the four halogen lamp heaters 3 connected in parallel) is connected to an AC power supply 16 via a triac 15.

The microcomputer 14 includes a driving circuit 1
The heating output of the heater unit 4 is controlled by controlling the triac 15 on / off (phase control) via the switch 7. In this case, the microcomputer 14 has an “ON” key 9 of the operation panel 8,
Signals from the “OFF” key 10 and the heat power adjustment key 11 are input, and as described above, the user
By operating the heating power adjustment key 11, the heating power can be adjusted.

The microcomputer 14 lights the light emitting diodes 13 of the heating power display unit 12 to display the heating power level at that time. At this time, if the maximum output (level is 8), 8
The light emitting diodes 13 are all turned on, and each time the output decreases by one step, the light emitting diodes 13 are turned off one by one from the right. The microcomputer 14 is supplied with operating power from the AC power supply 16 via a rectifier circuit 18 and a constant voltage circuit 19.

Then, the microcomputer 14
When the "ON" key 9 is operated, the energization of the heater unit 4 is started, and when the "OFF" key 10 is operated, the energization of the heater unit 4 is stopped. As will be described in the description of the operation of the microcomputer 14, the microcomputer 14 has a software configuration that allows the microcomputer 14 to operate the heater unit 4 on the condition that the "on" key 9 is operated after the operation of the heating power adjustment key 11 is operated. It is configured to start energization.

Accordingly, the microcomputer 14 functions as the power supply control means of the present invention, and
1 corresponds to the first key, and the “ON” key 9 corresponds to the second key. Further, the heating power display unit 12 functions as the display means according to the present invention. In this embodiment, when the “ON” key 9 is not operated within a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after the operation of the heat power adjustment key 11, the operation of the heat power adjustment key 11 is invalidated (canceled). It has become.

Further, in the present embodiment, the microcomputer 14 turns on the light emitting diode 13 of the heating power display unit 12 in green when the heating power adjustment key 11 at the time of the above operation is operated. An operation waiting state (when the "ON" key 9 is operated, power is supplied to the heater unit 4) waiting for the operation of the key 9 is displayed. When the LED 9 is operated, the light emitting diode 13 is switched to a red light, thereby displaying an operation state in which the heater unit 4 is energized.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 1 shows a processing procedure executed by the microcomputer 14 at the start of cooking. Here, in order for the user to execute the heating cooking, a frying pan, a pan or the like is placed on the top plate 5 (in this case, on the heating section 6 on the right side), and when the power switch is turned on, the heating power of the operation panel 8 is turned on. By operating the heating power adjustment key 11 while looking at the display section 12, a heating power of a level corresponding to the cooking is set, and then the "ON" key 9 is turned on.

First, in step S1, the microcomputer 14 determines whether or not the heating power adjustment key 11 has been operated. If the operation has been performed (Yes), the microcomputer 14 starts a timer (step S2) and responds to the operation. The light emitting diode 13 of the heating power display unit 12 is lit in green to display the set heating power (step S3).

In this case, when the user operates the heating power adjustment key 11
When one of the (input up) key 11a or the "input down" key 11b is operated once for the first time,
The maximum output (level 8) is displayed on the thermal power display unit 12,
Thereafter, each time the “input down” key 11b is pressed once, the heating power level is reduced by one step, and
Each time the "p" key 11a is pressed once, the level is raised by one step.

In this state, the power supply to the heater unit 4 has not been started yet, and the operation is in a state of waiting for the "ON" key 9 to be turned on (step S4). However, a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds after the timer is started.
If the “ON” key 9 is not turned on even after the lapse of the second (Yes in step S5), the heating power setting by the operation of the heating power adjustment key 11 up to that time is canceled (step S6), and the initial state is set. , Like "On"
Even if the key 9 is turned on, the heater unit 4 is not energized.

On the other hand, if the "ON" key 9 is turned on within a predetermined time (10 seconds) in the operation waiting state (Yes in step S4), the power supply to the heater unit 4 is started and Then, the heat power display of the heat power display unit 12 is changed from green to red (step S7). After that, the heater unit 4 is controlled to be energized by the set heating power (step S8), and the heating cooking is executed. At this time, although not shown, when the heating power adjustment key 11 is operated during the execution of the heating cooking, the heating power is changed accordingly and the heating power display of the heating power display unit 12 is also changed. Thereafter, when the "OFF" key 10 is turned on (Yes in step S9), the heater unit 4 is turned off (step S10), and the cooking ends.

According to this embodiment, the user can
The heater unit 4 (halogen lamp heater 3) is turned on for the first time by a so-called two-action operation of operating the heating power adjustment key 11 of the operation panel 8 and subsequently operating the "ON" key 9. Therefore, for example, if the user accidentally touches the “ON” key on the operation panel or an article accidentally falls on the “ON” key, the heater may be turned on. Unlike the conventional one, it is possible to prevent the heater unit 4 from being energized unintentionally by the user, thereby improving safety. In addition, it is not necessary to increase the number of keys on the operation panel 8, and the operation can be realized by the software configuration of the microcomputer 14, so that it is possible to reduce the cost without increasing the number of parts.

In particular, in this embodiment, when the "on" key 9 is not operated within a predetermined time after the operation of the heating power adjustment key 11, the operation of the heating power adjustment key 11 is invalidated. Except when the user performs an operation with an intention to start heating cooking, the key operation is canceled, and safety can be further improved.

Further, in this embodiment, the heating power adjustment key 11
Is operated, "ON" is displayed on the thermal power display unit 12.
An operation waiting state display that waits for key 9 to be operated is displayed.
Since the operation is performed in a color different from the operation state, it is possible to visually notify the user that the heater unit 4 will be turned on when the “ON” key 9 is operated next time, and the usability is improved. Get better. Further, in this case, the heat display section 12 originally present on the operation panel 8 can display each of the operation waiting state and the operation state in a manner that is easy for the user to understand, and the configuration for the display is relatively simple. Is what you can do.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment (corresponding to claims 1, 3, 4, and 5) of the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an electromagnetic cooker. ing. That is,
Although not shown, an induction heating coil as a heating means and a drive circuit therefor are provided in the main body of the electromagnetic cooker serving as a heating cooker, and a top such as a pot is placed on a top surface of the main body. A plate is provided, thus constituting a heating unit. Further, in this embodiment, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bottom of the pan via the top plate is provided. In this case, the electromagnetic cooker is capable of performing not only general heating cooking for heating a pot or the like at a set output but also fry cooking such as tempura for controlling the temperature of the pot to a set temperature.

An operation panel 21 as shown in FIG. 6 is provided at the front of the main body. This operation panel 2
1 includes a "on" key 22, which is a second key for instructing the start of heating cooking (turning on the induction heating coil), and an "off" key 23 for turning off the power supply. Is provided.

An output adjustment key 24, which is a pair of an up key and a down key, is provided on the front side of the central portion of the operation panel 21 for setting an output when performing general heating cooking. In addition, a temperature control key 25 is provided, which is a pair of an up key and a down key for setting the temperature of a pot (oil) when cooking fried food. In this case, when the user starts cooking, first, the output adjustment key 24 is operated in the case of general heating cooking, or the temperature adjustment key 25 is operated in the case of fried food cooking, so that the output or the temperature is controlled. And then
The "on" key 22 is turned on. Therefore, the output adjustment key 24 and the temperature adjustment key 25 function as the first key according to the present invention.

Further, on the rear side of the central portion of the operation panel 21, a display section 26 as a display means composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display is provided.
Is provided. More specifically, in the display unit 26, the upper side in the figure is a numeric display unit 26a for displaying a set temperature display and a time display, and the lower side is an output display for displaying a set heating output by a bar length. The portion 26b is provided. A timer setting key 27 for timer cooking is provided on the left side of the operation panel 21.

A microcomputer (not shown), which is an energization control unit, receives a key operation signal from the operation panel 21 and a temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor. The induction heating coil is energized based on the input signals. The display on the display unit 26 is also controlled. The control procedure at that time is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, first, it is always monitored whether the output adjustment key 24 or the temperature adjustment key 25 has been operated (steps S11, S12). As described above, when starting the cooking, the user first operates the output adjustment key 24 (in the case of general heating cooking) or the temperature adjustment key 25 (in the case of fried food cooking) according to the type of cooking to be performed. I do.

When the output adjustment key 24 is operated (Yes in step S11), the next step S1 is performed.
At 3, the output display unit 26 of the display unit 26 is operated according to the operation.
The output set to "b" is displayed. At this time, the bar of the output display section 26b is blinking, and the operation waiting state is displayed. At this time, the output adjustment key 2
In the first (first) operation of No. 4, the maximum output is displayed (set).

Thereafter, the operation waits until the "on" key 22 is turned on (step S14). If the "on" key 22 is turned on (Yes), energization of the induction heating coil is started and The output display of the output display unit 26b is switched from blinking to continuous lighting (step S15). Then, after that, the induction heating coil is energized with the set output (step S16), and the heating cooking is executed. Thereafter, when the "off" key 23 is turned on (Yes in step S17), the induction heating coil is turned off (step S18).

On the other hand, if the temperature control key 25 is operated (Yes in step S12), the next step S1 is performed.
9, the numeric display unit 26 of the display unit 26 is operated in accordance with the operation.
The temperature set in a is displayed. At this time, the number in the number display section 26a is blinked, and the operation waiting state is displayed. At this time, at the time of the first (first) operation of the temperature adjustment key 25, for example, 18
0 ° C. is displayed (set).

Thereafter, it waits until the "on" key 22 is turned on (step S20). When the "on" key 22 is turned on (Yes), the power supply to the induction heating coil is started and Then, the set temperature display of the number display section 26a is switched from blinking to continuous lighting (step S21). Then, based on the detection of the temperature sensor, the induction heating coil is energized so that the temperature of the pot becomes the set temperature (step S22), and the fried food is cooked. Also in this case, when the "OFF" key 23 is turned on (Yes in step S23), the induction heating coil is turned off (step S18).

According to this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, the user operates the operation panel 21 so-called the
Since the induction heating coil is turned on for the first time by performing an operation key operation, it is possible to prevent a user from unintentionally energizing the induction heating coil, thereby improving safety. . Further, the configuration of keys on the operation panel 21 and the configuration for display can be relatively easily completed.

In each of the above embodiments, in order to display the operation waiting state and the operation state, the display color of the heating power display unit 12 is changed, and the display of the display unit 26 is changed from blinking to lighting. Although the configuration has been described, both of the above states may be displayed by changing the display brightness. Also,
It may be configured such that a lamp or the like for displaying the operation waiting state and the operation state is separately provided.

In addition, the first key is not limited to a key for adjusting a heating power (output) and a temperature, but also a key for setting a time such as a timer, and a key for selecting a type of cooking or a type of food. Keys for selecting and setting various kinds of cooking, such as a key and a key for selecting a stroke, can be used. In addition to the halogen lamp heater and the induction heating coil, various heaters are used as heat sources. The present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist, such as being applicable to a cooking device.

[0045]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the heating cooker of the present invention, the selection of functions and the like relating to the heating section, etc.
After the first key for setting is operated, the energization of the heating means is started on condition that the second key for instructing the start of heating cooking is operated.
This provides an excellent practical effect that it is possible to prevent the heating means from being energized unintentionally by the user and to improve safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the start of cooking.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appearance of a cooking heater.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a main part of the operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing a control procedure at the start of cooking.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an operation panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 1 is a heating cooker main body, 3 is a halogen lamp heater, 4 is a heater unit (heating means), 6 is a heating unit,
8, 21 are operation panels, 9 and 22 are "on" keys (second keys), 11 is thermal power adjustment keys (first keys), 12 is thermal power display units (display means), 13 is light emitting diodes, 14 Denotes a microcomputer (power control means), 24 denotes an output adjustment key (first key), 25 denotes a temperature adjustment key (first key), and 26 denotes a display unit (display means).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heating means serving as a heat source of a heating unit in which a cooking object is disposed, a first key for selecting and setting a function and the like relating to the heating unit, and a command for instructing start of heating cooking A heating cooker comprising: a second key; and an energization control unit that starts energization of the heating unit on condition that the second key is operated after the first key is operated. . 2. The power supply control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the second key is not operated within a predetermined time after the first key is operated, the operation of the first key is invalidated. Item 2. A heating cooker according to Item 1. 3. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: display means for displaying, when the first key is operated, an operation waiting state for waiting for the operation of the second key. Cooking cooker. 4. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the display means displays a display indicating an operation state in which power is supplied to the heating means in a display mode different from the operation waiting state. . 5. The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the display means displays the operation waiting state by blinking and displays the operation state by lighting. 6. The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the display means changes the color of the display between an operation waiting state and an operation state. 7. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the display unit changes display brightness between an operation waiting state and an operation state.
The heating cooker as described.