JPS61197919A - Microwave oven - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To cook easily and quickly tasty foods with high flavor by incorporating a weighing section for cooking materials in a microwave oven. CONSTITUTION:An electronic range consists of a main body 1, door 2, monitoring window 3, knob 4 for opening and closing the door, manually set timer 5 for cooking, cooking start button 6, weight indicating section 7 with a pointer 8, weighing section 10 comprising a weighing pan 9 and weight transmitting section with support shaft 11. When a cooking material is placed on the weighing pan 9, its weight is weighed by the weighing section 10 which rotates the pointer 8 of the weight indicating section 7 to indicate weight. With this arrangement a most appropriate cooking time can be easily known by calculating the cooking time per unit weight of a cooking material which is set up beforehand according to the kind of cooking and the weight of the cooking material. When the manually set timer 5 is set for this time and the start button 6 is pressed down, a food of high flavor can be cooked after the set time.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to improvements in electric cookers.

In addition, in this specification, an electric cooker refers to a microwave oven or an electric grill as a product name.

Refers to appliances whose purpose is to cook using electrical energy, including but not limited to electric ovens, electric steam, and combinations thereof.

Hereinafter, a microwave oven, which is commonly used as an electric cooker, will be explained in detail as an example, but other electric cookers can be similarly configured.

Conventionally, microwave ovens were not equipped with a measuring device for measuring cooking ingredients.

The cooking time of a microwave oven must be set manually according to the type of cooking and the weight of the cooking ingredients, but sometimes there is no measuring device near the microwave, or even if there is a measuring device, there is no measuring device. Since it is a hassle to calculate each time, I usually end up setting the timer on a whim. In cases like this, the food almost always ends up being extremely bad.

In addition, the cooking time chart that comes with the microwave oven is written as shown in the following table, for example, and is not written in more detail than this.

Therefore, if we take grilled fish as an example, if it is about 80g, you can set the timer for 1 minute and 10 seconds, but it is unlikely that it will be exactly 80g. For example, it varies from 185g to 53g.

In such cases, it is not immediately clear how many minutes and seconds to set the timer, so in reality, the timer is set manually.

For this reason, microwave ovens, which are supposed to be able to cook delicious, flavorful food easily and quickly, have the disadvantage that improper timer settings can cause overcooking or half-cooking, making it difficult to fully utilize their original benefits. It was hot. In particular, defrosting was a problem, and there were many practical problems.

The present invention provides an electric cooker that eliminates these drawbacks and allows for easy, quick, and flavorful cooking.

The present invention will be explained below using examples.

Incidentally, in the embodiment, a microwave oven, which is one type of electric cooking device, is used, but as mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to this.

Embodiment (1.) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microwave oven according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a measuring section of the microwave oven.

The microwave oven of this embodiment has a main body 1, a door 2. Monitoring window 3
, a door opening/closing knob 4, a manual cooking timer 5, a cooking start button 6, a weight display section 7 with a pointer 8, and a weighing pan 9.
and a weight transmission section using a support shaft 11.
0 (in this embodiment, a spring-type measuring instrument was used).

By placing cooking ingredients (not shown) on the weighing plate 9, the weight of the cooking ingredients is measured by the measuring unit 10, and the pointer 8 of the weight display unit 7 is rotated to display the weight of the cooking ingredients.

Therefore, the cooking time per unit weight is set in advance according to the type of cooking (usually, microwave ovens have a quick reference table with some examples of cooking times) and the measured cooking time. The optimal cooking time can be easily determined by calculating the weight of the cooking ingredients, so by setting the manual cooking timer 5 and pressing the cooking start button 6, a flavorful dish will be ready after the set time.

Furthermore, the measuring unit 10 can be conveniently used as a normal measuring device even when the microwave oven is not used.

Embodiment (2) Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a microwave oven which is another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the measuring section of the microwave oven. , door 13, monitoring window 14, door opening/closing knob 15, manual cooking timer 16
, cooking start button 17 , weight display section 18 , weighing pan 19
It is composed of. As shown in FIG. 4, the weighing section includes a weight detection section 20, a reference setting section 22, and a comparison/amplification section 2.
1, an A-D conversion section 23, and a weight display section 18.

When a cooking ingredient (not shown) is placed on the weighing pan 19, a weight detection unit 20 (in the embodiment, the weight due to gravity of the cooking ingredient, that is, pressure) is detected by the weight detection unit 20 provided under the weighing pan 19. The semiconductor shown as
Alternatively, any material that can convert weight into an electrical signal, such as a spring or mainspring that can convert expansion/contraction displacement into an electrical signal, can be used. The electrical resistance value of the weight sensor (hereinafter also referred to as a weight sensor) changes. Change value of this resistance and reference setting section 2
The comparison/amplification section 21 compares the reference output (reference resistance value) from the output terminal 2 with the reference output (reference resistance value) from the A-D converter section 21, and amplifies it as a change in current value proportional to the weight.
3, and the weight of the cooking ingredients is digitally displayed on the weight display section 18 using a light emitting diode.

Therefore, since the weight of the cooking ingredients is accurately displayed as a digital value, the timer setting of the cooking time can be set more accurately.

Furthermore, even when the microwave oven is not in use, it can be used as a normal measuring device by leaving only the measuring section in operation.

Embodiment (3) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a microwave oven according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a measuring section and a cooking time setting section of the microwave oven.

The microwave oven of this embodiment includes a main body 24, a door 25, a monitoring window 26, a door opening/closing knob 27, and a manual adjustment timer 28.
, a cooking selection switch 29, a cooking start button 30, a cooking time display section 31, a weight display section 32, and a weighing pan 33.

The measuring section and cooking time setting section are shown in FIG.

That is, the weighing section includes a weight detection section 34 and a comparison/amplification section 35.
, a standard setting section 36, an A-D converting section 37, and a weight display section 32, and the cooking time setting section includes a cooking time standard setting section 29 that sets the cooking time per unit weight for each cooking.
b, 29c, 29d, 29e, a cooking selection switch 29, an arithmetic circuit 38 for calculating the cooking time according to the weight of the cooking material by calculating the weight of the cooking material and the cooking time per unit weight of each cooking material; Control unit 39, electronic cooking timer 40, manual adjustment timer 28, cooking control unit 4
1 and a cooking time display section 31.

Next, the operation of this range will be explained.

When cooking ingredients (not shown) are placed on the weighing pan 33, the electrical resistance value of the weight detection section 34 provided under the weighing pan 33 changes. The change value of the resistance and the reference input (reference resistance value) from the reference setting section 36 are compared in the comparison/amplification section 35,
After converting the current to a change proportional to the weight and amplifying it, this current change amount, which is an analog quantity, is digitized through the A-D converter 37, and the weight of the cooking ingredients is digitally displayed on the weight display unit 32 with a light emitting diode. do. In addition, the cooking time standard setting section 2 sets the cooking time per unit weight for each cooking by connecting the cooking selection changeover switch 29 to contact b.
9b (in this embodiment, the cooking time of the cooking time standard setting section 29b is to reheat the curry, and the cooking time per 1 g is 1.4 seconds), so the time per unit weight is 1.4 seconds. The signal is sent to the arithmetic circuit 38. On the other hand, the A-D converter 37
Since a more digitized weight signal is similarly applied to the arithmetic circuit 38, by calculating this time signal and the weight signal (for example, assuming the weight is 75 g), the arithmetic circuit 38 determines that the standard cooking time is 105 seconds, that is, 1 An output signal indicating that it is minute 45 seconds is applied to the control section 39. The control unit 39 sets the cooking electronic timer 40 to this standard cooking time of 1 minute and 45 seconds. However, this is just a standard cooking time, so depending on your personal preference, you may prefer slightly hotter food, or conversely, slightly colder food may be better. Therefore, a manual adjustment timer 28 is provided in order to finely adjust the electronic cooking timer 40 that has been set again. To set the time to minutes and 25 seconds, use the manual adjustment timer 28 and make positive and negative adjustments.

Of course, this method can be used not only based on personal preference, but also when it is necessary to increase or decrease the time depending on the temperature of the ingredients before cooking.

Furthermore, when the cooking selection changeover switch 29 is switched to contact a, the cooking time reference setting sections 29b, 29c, 29d, 29
The cooking time signal for each cooking is not applied to the arithmetic circuit 38 because it is not connected to any of the cooking time signals e.

In this case, if there is no desired cooking on the cooking selection changeover switch 29 (that is, the cooking time standard setting sections 29b, 29
c, 29d, 29e), set the manual adjustment timer 28 to the plus side to set the cooking time appropriately, press the cooking start button 30, and use it as a conventional microwave oven that will finish cooking when the time is up. be able to.

Furthermore, the high-frequency oscillating magnetron, which is the cooking means of the microwave oven, operates only during the time set by the timer after the cooking start button is pressed, and is stopped by the action of the cooking control unit 41 when the set time has elapsed.

By doing this, you can weigh the cooking ingredients and
It saves you the trouble of calculating the cooking time each time according to the weight and setting the timer, and it also allows you to adjust the time plus or minus the standard time according to your preference, so you can create a detailed and delicious meal for each person. It is possible to easily, quickly and reliably cook dishes that suit one's taste, and the advantages of a microwave oven can be brought out to a greater extent. Of course, the measuring section can be used not only when cooking with a microwave oven, but also for measuring ingredients when cooking with other cooking devices.

Embodiment (4) FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a measuring section and a cooking time setting section of a microwave oven according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The microwave oven of this embodiment includes a weight detection section 42, a comparison/amplification section 43, a reference setting section 44, an A-D conversion section 45, a weight display changeover switch 46, a weight calculation circuit 48, and a recording/reproduction section 49.
, a storage section 50, and a weight display section 47, a cooking time standard setting section 51c, 51d, 51e that sets the cooking time per unit weight for each cooking, a cooking selection switch 51, and a cooking material selection switch 51. An arithmetic circuit 52 and a control unit 53 for calculating the weight and cooking time per unit weight of each cooking material, and calculating the cooking time according to the weight of the cooking material.
, cooking electronic timer 54, manual adjustment timer 55,
It is configured to include a cooking control section 56 and a cooking time setting section constituted by a cooking time display section 57.

For the first weighing, prepare a cooking plate (
(not shown) is placed on the weight detection section 42. As a result, the electrical resistance value of the weight detection section 42 changes. Change in resistance and reference input from reference setting section 44 (reference resistance value)
A comparison/amplification unit 43 compares the current value with the current value and amplifies it as a change in current value proportional to the weight, and then converts this current change amount, which is an analog quantity, into a digital signal through an A/D conversion unit 45.

The arithmetic circuit 48 has no effect on the digital signal obtained from the first measurement, and the digital signal is recorded in the storage section 50 through the recording/reproducing section 49.

Next, for the second weighing, place the cooking ingredients on the cooking plate and then place the cooking plate on the weight detection unit 42, and the order will be changed to the same as above, and the cooking plate and the cooking ingredients will be weighed. A digital signal corresponding to the sum of the weights becomes the output of the A-D converter 45 and enters the arithmetic circuit 48. At this time, the recording/reproducing unit 49 reproduces a digital signal corresponding to the weight of only the first weighed cooking plate recorded in the storage unit 50, and the arithmetic circuit 48
Put it in.

Based on these two digital signals, the arithmetic circuit 48 calculates (
2nd weight) - (1st weight), that is, {(
Cooking can be started by calculating the following formula (weight of cooking plate) + (weight of cooking ingredients)} - (weight of cooking plate) = (weight of cooking ingredients) and setting the weight display switch 46 to "off". The net weight of the ingredients is sent as a digital signal to the weight display section 47, and the net weight of the cooking ingredients is digitally displayed on the weight display section 47 by a light emitting diode. By connecting the cooking selection changeover switch 51 to the contact c, the cooking time reference setting section 51c sends a cooking time signal per unit weight to the arithmetic circuit 52.

On the other hand, a digital signal indicating the net weight of the cooking ingredients also enters the arithmetic circuit 52. The calculation circuit 52 calculates the standard cooking time by calculating the cooking time signal per unit weight and the weight signal. This standard cooking time signal passes through the control section 53 and sets the electronic cooking timer 54. Further, a manual adjustment timer 55 can be used to change the standard cooking time by plus or minus depending on the person's preference.

In this way, the set cooking time is displayed on the cooking time display section 5.
As the cooking start button is pressed and cooking progresses, the control section 53 subtracts the elapsed time from the set time and displays the remaining time on the cooking time display section 57.

Then, when the remaining time reaches zero, the cooking control section 56 stops the high frequency oscillation from the magnetron.

By doing this, if it is impossible to directly measure only the ingredients due to the type of cooking ingredients, such as milk, you can measure only the container the first time, and then measure the required amount of milk in the container the second time. The net weight of the milk alone is automatically measured and displayed, and the timer is set to suit the weight, making it not only extremely convenient, but also allows you to easily and reliably prepare delicious, flavorful dishes. ，Everyone can enjoy cooking. Of course, the measuring unit of the present invention can be used for purposes other than microwave cooking.

Further, by turning on the weight display changeover switch 46, it can be used in the same manner as in the above embodiment (3), and can also be used for cooking that does not require a cooking plate or for simple weighing.

Embodiment (5) Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a microwave oven according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the door removed so that the inside of the oven can be seen, and Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the main parts of the microwave oven. .

The microwave oven of this embodiment includes a main body 58, a manual adjustment timer 60, a cooking selection switch 61, a cooking start button 63, a weight display switch 62, and a cooking time display section 64.
, a weight display section 65, an outer weighing pan 66, and a weighing pan/weight detection section 59. The measuring section includes a weight detecting section 67 provided under the external weighing pan 66, a weighing pan/weight detecting section 59 provided inside the microwave oven, and a reference setting section 7.
0, comparison/amplification section 68.72, A-D conversion section 69.73
, storage section 71, arithmetic circuit 74, weight display changeover switch 6
The cooking time setting section includes cooking time reference setting sections 61d, 61e, and 61f, a cooking selection switch 61, and a cooking time setting section that calculates the weight of the cooking material and the cooking time per unit weight for each cooking. It is composed of an arithmetic circuit 75 for calculating cooking time according to the weight of cooking ingredients, a control section 76, an electronic cooking timer 77, a manual adjustment timer 60, a cooking control section 78, and a cooking time display section 64. There is.

First, when only the cooking container (not shown) is placed on the outside weighing pan 66, the weight detection section 67 provided under the weighing pan 66
The electrical resistance value of changes. The change in resistance value is compared with the reference input from the reference setting section 70 in the comparison/amplification section 68,
After being amplified as a change in current value proportional to the weight, this current, which is an analog quantity, is recorded in the storage unit 71 as a digital signal through the AD converter 69.

Next, when cooking ingredients are placed in a cooking container and placed on the measuring plate and weight detecting section 59 in the warehouse, the electric resistance value of the measuring plate and weight detecting section 59 changes. Changes in this resistance value and reference setting section 7
The comparison/amplification unit 72 compares the reference input from 0 to the reference input, and amplifies it as a change in current value proportional to the weight. This current, which is an analog quantity, is then passed through the A-D conversion unit 73 to the arithmetic circuit 7.
Send to 4. At the same time, the digital signal previously recorded in the storage section 71 is reproduced and sent to the arithmetic circuit 74. Thereby, the arithmetic circuit 74 calculates the difference between these two digital signals.
By making the weight display changeover switch 62 conductive to the contact b side, the weight that is the difference between both digital signals, that is, the net weight of the cooking ingredients, is displayed on the weight display section 65.

Furthermore, the digital signal equivalent to this net weight is sent to the arithmetic circuit 7.
Enter 5. Also, by connecting the cooking selection switch 61 to the contact d. From the cooking time standard setting section 61d,
A cooking time signal per unit weight required for the cooking is input to the calculation circuit 75. A calculation circuit 75 calculates the standard cooking time according to the weight of the cooking material from both signals input in this way.
is calculated. This calculated time signal passes through the control unit 76 and sets the cooking electronic timer 77.

Further, a manual adjustment timer 60 can be used to readjust the cooking time plus or minus the standard cooking time according to each person's preference.

The cooking time set in this way is digitally displayed by a light emitting diode on the cooking time display section 64, and by pressing the cooking start button 63, the elapsed time is displayed by the control section 76 according to the progress of cooking. , and the remaining time is displayed on the cooking time display section 64. When the remaining time reaches zero, that is, when the cooking ends, the cooking control section 78 stops the high-frequency oscillation from the magnetron.

By doing this, the cooking time is automatically set by simply placing the cooking container on the outside measuring pan 66, then putting the cooking ingredients into the cooking container and placing it on the measuring pan/weight detection section 59 inside the refrigerator. Since the timer is set automatically, it is convenient because it saves the trouble of putting the container into the refrigerator again after placing it twice on the measuring pan 66 outside and completing the measurement.

Inappropriate timer settings for microwave ovens are eliminated, delicious food can be cooked quickly and by anyone, and the advantages of microwave ovens can be fully utilized. Further, by making the weight display changeover switch 62 conductive to the contact a side, only the weight of the cooking ingredients placed on the outer measuring pan 66 can be displayed, so that it can also be used for mere measurement.

In addition, if the weight display changeover switch 62 is made conductive to the contact b side and the cooking ingredients are placed only on the weighing plate/weight detection unit 59 inside the refrigerator without doing anything to the measuring plate 66 outside, the weight display A section 65 displays the weight of cooking ingredients in the refrigerator. At this time, if the cooking selection changeover switch 61 is electrically connected to a contact other than contact C (at this time, the cooking time can only be set using the manual adjustment timer 60), for example, contact f, the cooking time reference setting section 61f is activated. Circuit 75, control unit 76, electronic cooking timer 77, manual adjustment timer 6
0, a cooking time suitable for the weight of cooking ingredients in the refrigerator is automatically set and displayed on the cooking time display section 65.
In this way, it can be used in a variety of ways depending on the type of cooking, and the food can be cooked quickly and optimally, making it easy to serve delicious food.

In the above example, the cooking time is proportional to the weight of the cooking ingredients. In some cases, it is better to calculate the relationship as a high-order function rather than as a linear function, so the present invention is constructed so that the cooking selection changeover switch is operated to switch the calculation circuit to one with high-order function characteristics. The effect can be demonstrated even more. In addition, the cooking control section was used to simply switch the magnetron's oscillation between "on" and "off";
We have given an example of a microwave oven that outputs the same output during the cooking time, but in order to achieve a finer finish (cooking), it is possible to control the magnitude of the magnetron's high-frequency output depending on the temperature of the cooking time and the length of the cooking time. Let the department change it.

For example, if the cooking time is 1 minute and 30 seconds, the high frequency output is increased for the first minute to quickly warm up the entire food. and,
Once cooking has progressed to a certain extent, the high-frequency output can be reduced for the remaining 30 seconds to achieve a finer finish, resulting in better food. By doing so, the present invention can be brought out even more effectively. In addition, by installing a weight detection unit inside the microwave oven, if the weight detected by the weight detection unit is less than a predetermined value, the power for cooking will not be turned on, and an alarm will be issued to prevent the microwave from being loaded. This has advantages such as being able to prevent damage to the magnetron due to high frequency oscillation.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize many advantages such as saving the time and effort of measuring a scale every time cooking, and saving space since there is no need to provide a separate scale.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a microwave oven which is an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the measuring section of the microwave oven, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a microwave oven which is another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the main parts of the microwave oven, and Fig. 5 is the same. A perspective view of a microwave oven according to another embodiment, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the same main part, and FIG.
The figure is a block diagram of the main parts of a microwave oven, which is another example of the same.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a microwave oven according to another embodiment with the door removed, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the main parts of the microwave oven. 40,54,77,...Electronic timer for cooking, 29,
61, 51,...Cooking selection switch, 20, 3
4, 42, 59, 67, ... weight detection section, 9, 19, 3
3,66,...Measuring pan, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e, 51c, 51d, 5
1e, 61d, 61e, 61f......Cooking time standard setting section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An electric cooker comprising a heating means and a measuring section capable of measuring the weight of cooking ingredients.