JPWO2014064933A1 - Induction heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The induction heating device includes a top plate on which a cooking container for heating a food is placed, a plurality of heating coils that are arranged in close proximity to generate a magnetic field for heating the cooking container, and a high frequency that energizes each heating coil. A heating control unit that controls the heating power of the cooking container by controlling the current, a cooking container detection unit that performs a detection operation of the cooking container that detects whether the cooking container is placed above each heating coil, and the cooking container An operation unit that displays a detection result of the detection unit, and a priority order determination unit that determines, for each heating coil, a priority order of the heating coil that detects whether the cooking container is placed in the cooking container detection unit; A container detection part performs the detection operation of a cooking container whether the cooking container is mounted above it about each said heating coil based on the determined priority. Thereby, since the detection operation of a cooking container is performed about a heating coil with high possibility that a cooking container is placed, a cooking container can be detected at an early stage and power consumption can be suppressed.

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an induction heating apparatus that induction-heats a cooking container such as a metal cooking pan placed on a top plate.

  Conventionally, in an induction heating cooker generally used as an induction heating device, one or a plurality of heating coils are arranged directly below a top plate for one heating port. This general induction heating cooker is configured to induction-heat a metal cooking pan or the like that is a cooking container placed on a top plate by a heating coil.

  In addition, in other induction heating cookers, a so-called multi-coil configuration in which a large number of heating coils are arranged in a matrix just under the top plate has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the induction heating cooker described in Patent Document 1, a large number of heating coils spread under the top plate are arranged close to each other in a matrix, and a cooking container such as a cooking pot is placed on any of the top plates. Even if it is placed at a position, it has a configuration capable of induction heating. In addition, in this induction heating cooker, the operation unit displays a display that correlates with the placement position and size of the cooking container, and the user operates the cooking coil set to operate each heating coil set. Was configured to heat.

JP 2008-238771 A

  As described above, in the induction heating cooker described in Patent Document 1, the cooking container may be placed at any position on the top plate. Therefore, even when the cooking container is a single cooking container or a plurality of cooking containers, it is necessary to display the state on the display unit. Thereby, the user can visually recognize which cooking container is the target of the heating instruction.

  In the case of a general induction heating cooker, there is an operation unit corresponding to one heating port. When the user gives a heating instruction from the operation unit, it can be heated under the optimum conditions if it is determined whether it is a cooking container that can be heated before performing the heating operation, and what kind of material it is. did it.

  On the other hand, in the induction heating cooker in which the heating coils are arranged in a matrix and can be heated even if the cooking container is placed at any position, the cooking container is placed before the heating operation. Need to be detected and displayed on the operation unit.

  As a method for detecting a cooking container, a method is described in which a current having a frequency higher than that when heating is applied to each heating coil, and a determination is made as to whether a load is placed from the heating coil current value or the like. .

  However, in the conventional configuration, when the heating coil is applied to an induction heating cooker arranged in a matrix, there are a large number of heating coils. There is a problem of requiring power and time.

  In addition, a circuit for flowing a high-frequency current is required so that the detection operation can be performed simultaneously, and the apparatus becomes large.

  Furthermore, since it is necessary to always perform the detection operation of the cooking container, heat generated by the heating coil is increased, and in the worst case, the coil is burned.

  In addition, when the number of inverters for flowing high-frequency current is smaller than the number of heating coils, it is necessary to switch which heating coil the high-frequency current flows, and there is a problem with durability such as relays necessary for switching there were.

  Furthermore, in order to reduce switching and power consumption, if a high-frequency current is made to flow periodically at regular intervals with respect to each heating coil, it takes time to detect after loading the load. There was also the problem that it took.

  As described above, in the case of a multi-coil configuration in which a large number of heating coils are laid under the top plate, how to detect the cooking container is important.

  The present disclosure solves the above-described conventional problem, and provides an induction heating device that displays a cooking container placed on a top plate and constitutes a heating device that is easy to use for a user and that reduces power consumption. The purpose is to do.

An induction heating device of the present disclosure includes a top plate on which a cooking container for heating a cooked product is placed;
A plurality of heating coils arranged close to each other to generate a magnetic field for heating the cooking vessel;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating power of the cooking container by controlling a high-frequency current to be supplied to each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils;
A cooking container detection unit that performs a detection operation of the cooking container to detect whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil;
An operation unit for displaying a detection result of the cooking container detection unit;
For each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils, a priority order determination unit that determines the priority order of the heating coils for detecting whether or not the cooking container is placed in the cooking container detection unit;
With
The cooking container detection unit performs a cooking container detection operation as to whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit.

  The induction heating device according to the present disclosure performs a cooking container detection operation on a heating coil that is likely to be placed on the cooking container based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit. For this reason, it is not necessary to always supply a high-frequency current to all the heating coils, and even when a relay is used, there is no need to always perform switching, and the cooking container can be detected at an early stage. Therefore, it is easy to use and power consumption can be suppressed.

(A) And (b) is a block diagram which shows the structure of the induction heating apparatus in this indication. 1 is a block diagram of an induction heating device in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the heating coil in a general induction heating apparatus. 3 is a diagram showing an arrangement of heating coils of the induction heating device in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an external view of a display example of an operation unit of the induction heating device in Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram at the time of using the detection auxiliary | assistance part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 1 as a temperature detection part. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows a state when the temperature detection part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 2 is arrange | positioned in the center of a heating coil. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows a state when the temperature detection part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 2 is arrange | positioned in the center of a heating coil. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows a state when the temperature detection part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 2 has been arrange | positioned in the center of heating coils. It is a block diagram at the time of comprising the detection auxiliary | assistance part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 5 by the electrostatic capacitance detection part. It is a figure which shows a state when the electrode required for the detection of an electrostatic capacitance is arrange | positioned in the center of a some heating coil in the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows a state when the electrode required for the detection of an electrostatic capacitance is arrange | positioned in the approximate center of heating coils in the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 7. FIG. It is a block diagram at the time of comprising the detection auxiliary | assistance part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 8 with the vibration detection part. FIG. 25 is a block diagram in the case where the position of a vibration source is estimated from a plurality of vibration detection units of the induction heating device in the ninth embodiment. It is a block diagram at the time of comprising the detection auxiliary | assistance part of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 10 by the distance estimation part. FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an induction heating device in an eleventh embodiment. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the heating coil of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 12. FIG. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the heating coil and cooking vessel of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 12. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the address of the heating coil of the induction heating apparatus in Embodiment 14, (b) is a figure which shows the use frequency of each heating coil of (a). FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an induction heating device in a twentieth embodiment.

The induction heating device according to the first aspect includes a top plate on which a cooking container for heating a food is placed;
A plurality of heating coils arranged close to each other to generate a magnetic field for heating the cooking vessel;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating power of the cooking container by controlling a high-frequency current to be supplied to each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils;
A cooking container detection unit that performs a detection operation of the cooking container to detect whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil;
An operation unit for displaying a detection result of the cooking container detection unit;
For each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils, a priority order determination unit that determines the priority order of the heating coils for detecting whether or not the cooking container is placed in the cooking container detection unit;
With
The cooking container detection unit performs a cooking container detection operation as to whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit.
According to the 1st aspect, the detection operation of a cooking container is performed about the heating coil with high possibility that a cooking container will be placed based on the priority determined by the priority determination part. For this reason, a cooking container can be detected early and power consumption can also be suppressed.

  1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating a configuration of an induction heating device according to the present disclosure. In this induction heating apparatus, the top plate 2 on which the cooking container 1 is placed, the plurality of heating coils 3 arranged in close proximity, and the heating control for controlling the high-frequency current that is passed through each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils 3. The detection result of the cooking container detection part 5 which performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 which detects whether the cooking container 1 is mounted above the part 4, each heating coil 3, and the cooking container detection part 5 is displayed. An operation unit 6 and a priority order determination unit 20 are provided. The priority order determination unit 20 determines the priority order of the heating coils 3 for detecting whether or not the cooking container 1 is placed in the cooking container detection unit 5 for each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils 3.

  As described above, the priority order determination unit 20 determines the priority order of the heating coil 3 that detects whether or not the cooking container 1 is placed in the cooking container detection unit 5. This priority is the case where the cooking container detection unit 5 selects the heating coil 3 that preferentially performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 and the detection frequency that performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 for each heating coil 3. Either of the setting and the setting may be used. In addition, you may set so that the detection operation may be preferentially performed with the heating coil 3 having a higher detection frequency.

  Moreover, the arrangement | positioning location of the priority determination part 20 is not restrict | limited in particular. As an arrangement | positioning location of the priority determination part 20, the structure of Fig.1 (a) or (b) is mentioned, for example. In the case of FIG. 1A, the priority order determination unit 20 is connected to the heating control unit 4. In FIG. 1A, for example, the priority determining unit 20 is configured by a detection assisting unit 21, a temperature detecting unit 22, a capacitance detecting unit 12, a vibration detecting unit 13, a position estimating unit 14, a distance estimating unit 17, and the like which will be described later. Applicable when configuring. In the case of FIG. 1B, the priority order determination unit 20 is provided between the heating control unit 4 and the cooking container detection unit 5. FIG. 1B corresponds to the case where the priority order determination unit 20 is configured by, for example, a detection position determination unit 23, a detection operation determination unit 31, and the like which will be described later.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the priority order determination unit may include a detection auxiliary unit that detects an object on the top plate. Further, when the detection assisting unit detects an object, the cooking container detection unit may detect whether the cooking container is placed on a heating coil around the detected object. Good.
According to the second aspect, when the object on the top plate is simply detected by the detection assisting unit, and the object is detected, the cooking container is mounted on the heating coil around the detected object by the cooking container detection unit. The cooking container is detected whether it is placed. Therefore, since it is not necessary to always perform an operation of detecting the cooking container, power consumption can be reduced. Further, when switching by a relay or the like is necessary, the durability of the relay can be improved.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the detection assisting unit may be configured by a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the object.
According to the third aspect, since the temperature detection unit is used, an object can be detected in advance at high speed and with low power consumption. Moreover, since the heating coil is not used, switching by a relay or the like is unnecessary, so that the durability of the relay can be improved.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a fourth aspect, in the third aspect, when the cooking container detection unit detects a temperature change of the object by the temperature detection unit, the induction heating device is in the vicinity of the detected temperature change part. You may perform the detection operation of a cooking container only about a certain heating coil.
According to the 4th mode, in order to perform the operation which detects a cooking container only to the heating coil of the location which detected the temperature change with high possibility that the cooking container was laid among many heating coils, The time required for the detection operation can be shortened.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a fifth aspect, in the third aspect, the cooking container detection unit may perform the detection operation of the cooking container at every predetermined period.
According to the fifth aspect, even when the temperature of the cooking container is not different from the part detected by the temperature detecting unit and the temperature change cannot be detected, the cooking container is detected at regular intervals by the cooking container detecting unit. Therefore, the cooking container can be prevented from falling into a state where it cannot be detected.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a sixth aspect, in the third aspect, the temperature detection unit may detect infrared rays and measure a temperature.
According to the sixth aspect, since it can be determined whether the cooking container has been placed by a change in disturbance light in addition to a change in temperature, the probability of failing to detect that the cooking container has been placed can be reduced.

The induction heating device according to a seventh aspect is the second aspect, wherein the detection auxiliary unit is
An electrode disposed on the lower surface of the top plate;
A capacitance detector that detects a change in capacitance generated in the electrode by placing the object on the top surface of the top plate;
You may comprise.
According to the 7th aspect, since it is not necessary to always perform the operation | movement which detects a cooking container, power consumption can be reduced. Further, when switching by a relay or the like is necessary, the durability of the relay can be improved.

In the induction heating apparatus according to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the electrodes may be arranged in a pair near the heating coils.
According to the 8th aspect, since it detects whether there exists a possibility that the cooking container has been mounted with respect to each heating coil, and performs cooking container detection operation | movement, the detection operation of a useless cooking container is made as much as possible. Can be reduced.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a ninth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the electrode may be disposed at a position that is approximately the center between a plurality of adjacent heating coils.
According to the ninth aspect, by reducing the number of electrodes, it is possible to prevent the equipment configuration from becoming complicated and expensive, and to provide the consumer at a low cost.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a tenth aspect, in the second aspect, the detection assisting unit may be configured by a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the top plate.
According to the tenth aspect, by detecting the vibration generated in the top plate, it is detected that the cooking container is placed on the top plate and the detection operation of the cooking container is performed, thereby reducing the number of detection operations. When the power consumption is reduced or switching with a relay or the like is required, the durability of the relay can be improved.

The induction heating apparatus according to an eleventh aspect is the position estimation for estimating the position of the vibration source in the tenth aspect by providing a plurality of the vibration detectors and estimating the position of the vibration source from the phase differences of the plurality of vibration waveforms detected by the vibration detectors. A part may be further provided.
According to the eleventh aspect, by estimating the position of the vibration source, the detection operation of the cooking container can be performed only for a place where the cooking container is highly likely to be placed. This can reduce the number of detection operations of the cooking container.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a twelfth aspect, in the second aspect, the detection assisting section includes a light emitting section, a light receiving section, and an amount of light received by the light receiving section to an object above the light receiving section. You may comprise with the distance estimation part which estimates a distance.
According to the twelfth aspect, it is detected by determining whether the cooking container is placed from the light quantity of the light receiving unit, and performing the detection operation of the cooking container when there is a possibility that the cooking container is placed. The number of operations can be reduced.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect, in the first aspect, the priority order determination unit causes the cooking container detection unit to cook with respect to each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils. You may include the detection position determination part which determines the detection frequency about whether the detection operation of a container is performed.
According to the thirteenth aspect, the heating coil that is likely to place the cooking container performs the detection operation of the cooking container at a high frequency, and the heating coil that is unlikely to be placed is the cooking coil. By performing the detection operation at a low frequency, the time taken to detect the cooking container can be suppressed, and the number of cooking container detection operations can be reduced. By doing so, the consumption of electric power required for the detection operation of the cooking container can be suppressed, and the durability of the relay can be improved in a configuration in which the inverter circuit and the heating coil are switched using the relay.

The induction heating device according to a fourteenth aspect is the above-described thirteenth aspect, wherein the detection position determination unit is the outermost periphery of the heating coil disposed at a position that is the outermost peripheral part among the plurality of heating coils. The detection frequency may be set lower than that of the heating coil other than the part.
According to the 14th aspect, since the heating coil arrange | positioned at the outermost periphery part has high possibility that the cooking container is mounted also in the adjacent heating coil arrange | positioned inside it, it is the outermost periphery part. Even if the number of detection operations (detection frequency) is reduced, the usability of the heating coil does not have much influence on usability, and power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the number of detections.

An induction heating device according to a fifteenth aspect is the above-described thirteenth aspect, wherein the cooking container detection unit is adjacent to the heating coil when the cooking container detection unit detects that the cooking container is placed above one heating coil. The cooking container detection operation may also be performed for the heating coil to be performed.
According to the fifteenth aspect, when a cooking container is placed on one heating coil, it is very likely that the cooking container will be placed on the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil. And the detection operation of a cooking container is performed also about an adjacent heating coil. Thereby, the exact position and size of the cooking container 1 can be detected.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, the cooking container detection unit may be configured such that the detection frequency of the adjacent heating coil is set lower than other heating coils. The cooking container detection operation may be performed immediately for the adjacent heating coils.
According to the sixteenth aspect, when it is detected that the cooking container is placed on one heating coil, even if the detection frequency is set low for the adjacent heating coil, the adjacent Since there is a very high possibility that the cooking container will be placed on the heating coil, the cooking container detection operation is immediately performed on the adjacent heating coil. Thereby, the exact position and size of the cooking container 1 can be detected.

In an induction heating device according to a seventeenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the detection position determination unit is based on the position and the number of times of the heating coil detected that the cooking container is placed within a predetermined period. The detection frequency for each of the heating coils may be set.
According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to learn the position of the heating coil that is often used from the past actual use within a predetermined period, and to set the detection frequency according to the usage frequency for each heating coil. Therefore, a cooking container can be detected at an early stage by performing many detection operations on a heating coil that is frequently used. On the other hand, power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the number of detection operations for a heating coil at a position that is not often used.

The induction heating apparatus according to an eighteenth aspect is the heating apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the detection position determination unit is disposed in a direction away from the operation unit with respect to the heating coil disposed on the operation unit side. The detection frequency may be set higher than that of the coil.
According to the eighteenth aspect, since the heating coil located at a position away from the operation unit is far from the user, the usability is slightly lowered, and thus the usage frequency tends to be low. Therefore, it is possible to detect the cooking container at an early stage by performing a detection operation with a higher detection frequency on the heating coil arranged on the operation unit side that tends to be used frequently.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a nineteenth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the detection position determination unit is a heating coil disposed in a direction away from the operation unit with respect to the heating coil in which a heating operation is performed. The detection frequency may be set lower than that of the heating coil arranged on the operation unit side with respect to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed.
According to the nineteenth aspect, on the basis of the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed as a reference, the heating coil disposed on the far side, that is, in the direction away from the operation unit, has the cooking container being heated as an obstacle. It is difficult to place the cooking container. Therefore, the frequency of use is very low. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the number of detection operations by reducing the detection frequency for the heating coils arranged in a direction away from the operation unit with respect to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed.

In an induction heating device according to a twentieth aspect, in the thirteenth aspect, the detection position determination unit detects the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed more frequently than the other heating coils. May be set low.
According to the twentieth aspect, when the cooking container is placed on the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed, it is difficult to place the cooking container because the flange of the cooking container becomes an obstacle. Further, since the cooking container is not usually heated in close contact, the possibility of placing the cooking container on the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil being heated is low. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the detection frequency and reducing the number of detection operations for the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed.

The induction heating apparatus according to a twenty-first aspect is the detection position according to the thirteenth aspect, in the case where the control value of the heating control unit that controls the high-frequency current that is supplied to the heating coil that is performing the heating operation changes suddenly. The determination unit may set the detection frequency higher than the other heating coils for the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed.
According to the twenty-first aspect, when the cooking container being heated is moved, the heating control unit sets the control value of a switching element such as an IGBT constituting the inverter circuit when trying to supply the same power as before. Need to change. Specifically, when the power is controlled by the switching frequency, the frequency must be low, and when the power is controlled by the conduction ratio, the conduction ratio must be increased. When the cooking vessel is not moved, these control values are only constant or change slowly. Conversely, when the cooking container is moved, the control value changes suddenly. Therefore, since the cooking container is moved when the control value changes suddenly, there is a high possibility that the cooking container is moved and placed on the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil being heated. Therefore, the cooking container can be detected early by increasing the detection frequency.

The induction heating apparatus according to a twenty-second aspect further includes a power operation unit capable of switching whether to supply power to the operation unit in the thirteenth aspect,
When a predetermined time elapses after a user operates the power supply operation unit to supply power to the operation unit, the detection position determination unit detects a detection frequency for all the plurality of heating coils. May be lowered or set to zero as a whole.
According to the twenty-second aspect, the detection operation of the cooking container is repeatedly performed when the user operates the power supply operation unit and the power is supplied, but it is quite easy to perform other cooking operations and the like. May not be placed. During this time, the detection operation of the cooking container is performed, so that power is wasted. Therefore, when the cooking container is not placed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the frequency of performing the cooking container detection operation can be reduced to reduce power consumption.

In an induction heating apparatus according to a twenty-third aspect, in the first aspect, the priority order determination unit determines whether the cooking container detection unit performs a cooking container detection operation on each of the plurality of heating coils. It may also include a detection operation determining unit that determines whether or not.
According to the twenty-third aspect, since the cooking container is detected at a timing when the cooking container is placed or the cooking container is likely to be moved, the cooking container can be detected early and is unnecessary. It is also possible to reduce the number of detection operations.

The induction heating device according to a twenty-fourth aspect is the above-described twenty-third aspect, in which, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user last operated the operation unit, the detection operation determining unit is As for the heating coil, the detection frequency may be lowered or set to zero as a whole.
According to the twenty-fourth aspect, since the possibility that the cooking container is placed or the cooking container is moved is low, reducing the number of detection operations during that time can reduce the power consumption and increase the durability of the relay. it can.

The induction heating device according to a twenty-fifth aspect further comprises a human body detection unit for detecting a human body in the twenty-third aspect,
The cooking container detection unit may start a cooking container detection operation when the human body detection unit detects a person.
According to the twenty-fifth aspect, the cooking container is likely to be placed or moved when the user is near the induction heating device. Can be detected early.

In the induction heating apparatus according to a twenty-sixth aspect, in the twenty-fifth aspect, when the human body detection unit does not detect a person, the cooking container detection unit may stop the detection operation of the cooking container.
According to the twenty-sixth aspect, since the cooking container is not placed or moved when the user is not near the induction heating device, the detection operation of the cooking container is stopped to reduce power consumption. And durability of the relay can be improved.

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

  The inventor provides the accompanying drawings and the following description in order for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and is intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims. is not.

  In the induction heating apparatus of the following embodiment, an induction heating cooker will be described, but this configuration is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration described in the following embodiment, and the present disclosure It includes an induction heating device having the following technical features. In addition, the present disclosure includes appropriately combining arbitrary configurations described in each embodiment described below, and the combined configurations exhibit their respective effects.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a state where the cooking container is placed on the induction heating device in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state where the cooking container 1 is placed in a built-in type induction heating cooker.

  A cooking container 1 shown in FIG. 2 is a container for storing an object to be cooked such as food, and is a pan, a frying pan, a kettle or the like.

  The cooking vessel 1 is placed on a top plate 2 that forms part of the outline of the induction heating cooker. The top plate 2 often uses crystallized glass, but is not limited thereto.

  The heating coil 3 generates a magnetic flux by a high-frequency current supplied in accordance with an instruction from the heating control unit 4 and induction-heats the cooking container 1 on the top plate 2.

  The heating control unit 4 is connected to the operation unit 6, the inverter circuit 7, the detection auxiliary unit 21, and the cooking container detection unit 5. The heating control unit 4 is connected to an operation unit 6 for the user of the induction heating cooker to instruct heating power and the like, and supplies power to the inverter circuit 7 in accordance with the heating instruction from the user. The power supplied by the heating control unit 4 is controlled so as to achieve the intended heating power.

  The cooking container detection unit 5 determines whether or not there is a cooking container 1 capable of induction heating on the heating coil 3, and the heating control unit 4 receives the result and only the heating coil 3 with the cooking container 1 on the upper side. It can be operated.

  As the cooking container detection unit 5, a means for detecting a change in inductance by providing a detection coil or a heating coil 3 and an inverter circuit 7 are used to pass a current having a higher frequency than when heating the heating coil 3. There are means for determining whether a load is placed from the heating coil current value at that time. The cooking container detection unit 5 is not limited to the above means, and may be realized by any means.

  The heating control unit 4 is often realized by a microcomputer, a DSP, a custom IC, or the like, but is not limited thereto. In addition, all or some of the functions of the heating control unit 4, the detection assisting unit 21, and the cooking container detection unit 5 may be configured to be the same.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of heating coils in a general induction heating apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the heating coils of the induction heating apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  Although FIG. 3 shows the heating coil 3 as one heating coil, it is the same even if it comprises a plurality of smaller heating coils.

  First, the operation of a general induction heating cooker will be described. The user places the cooking container 1 on the top plate 2 so as to face the heating coil 3. Since a general induction heating cooker cannot be heated unless it is directly facing the heating coil 3, there is generally a display indicating the position of the heating coil 3 on the top plate 2.

  Next, the user operates the operation unit 6 corresponding to the heating coil 3 on which the cooking container 1 is placed, determines heating power and the like, and inputs an instruction to start heating.

  Here, the operation unit 6 corresponding to the heating coil 3 includes an operation unit 6a for operating the heating coil 3a, a heating coil 3b and an operation unit 6b, and a heating coil 3c and an operation unit 6c. 3 and the operation unit 6 often correspond to each other.

  Otherwise, that is, even when the heating coil 3 and the operation unit 6 do not necessarily correspond, for example, the operation buttons corresponding to the respective heating coils 3 are prepared in one operation unit 6. In other cases, a method of switching between the heating coil 3a and the heating coil 3b as a control target is also conceivable. Since there are only three types of heating coil 3 in the case of FIG. 3, such means can be used.

  And the heating control part 4 gives the instruction | command which performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 to the cooking container detection part 5, and the cooking container detection part 5 detects the cooking container 1. FIG. The detection operation of the cooking container detection unit 5 determines whether the cooking container 1 that can be heated is placed or what the material of the cooking container 1 is, and the determination result is sent to the heating control unit 4.

  The heating control unit 4 changes the heating method according to the result. Specifically, in the case of a load that cannot be heated, the fact is displayed on the operation unit 6, and the operating power of the inverter circuit 7 is changed depending on the material of the cooking vessel 1, and heating is performed with the heating power instructed by the user. I do.

  As described above, the reason why the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed in a general induction heating cooker is to heat the cooking container 1 in an optimal state, and the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed by the user. It may be performed after receiving the instruction and before heating.

  Next, the operation and action of the induction heating cooker according to the first embodiment will be described. The user places the cooking container 1 at an arbitrary position on the top plate 2. In that case, it is necessary to place on at least one heating coil 3. A plurality of cooking containers 1 may be placed.

  At that time, when the user tries to heat a specific cooking container 1, since the cooking container 1 does not know what size and where the cooking container 1 is placed, the operation unit 6 does not know the cooking container 1. The operation unit corresponding to 1 cannot be prepared in advance.

  Therefore, the heating control unit 4 causes the cooking container detection unit 5 to execute the detection operation of the cooking container 1, detects what size the cooking container 1 is placed at which position, and operates the result. This is displayed on part 6.

  However, the operation unit 6 may display that there are a plurality of cooking containers 1 when there are a plurality of detected cooking containers 1. In addition, when one cooking container 1 is selected from the plurality of cooking containers 1, the correspondence between the display on the operation unit 6 and the actual cooking container 1 may be understood by lighting the periphery of the selected cooking container 1. . Further, the size of the cooking container 1 is not necessarily reflected in the display. That is, it is only necessary to display information that allows the user to instruct the specific cooking container 1 to be heated by the operation unit 6.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the display 8 corresponding to the cooking container 1 may be displayed by the operation unit 6. FIG. 5 is an external view of a display example of the operation unit 6 of the induction heating apparatus in the first embodiment. The display 8 is an example indicating that one cooking container 1 is placed on the front side to the left of the center. When a plurality of cooking containers 1 are placed, the number of displays 8 increases.

  For example, by selecting the display 8 corresponding to the cooking container 1 that is desired to be heated, the operation target is specified, and a heating instruction can be input.

  In this way, in the induction heating cooker that can heat the cooking container 1 placed at an arbitrary position by arranging a large number of the heating coils 3 adjacent to each other, the cooking container before entering the heating operation. It is not sufficient to perform one detection operation. That is, unless the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is always performed, the display 8 indicating the cooking container 1 cannot be displayed on the operation unit 6, and the user cannot input a heating instruction.

  Moreover, the heating control part 4 needs to determine which heating coil 3 should be operated by detecting the position where the cooking container 1 was mounted.

  As described above, the difference between the conventional induction heating cooker and the induction heating cooker of the present disclosure is that the heating coil 3 and the operation unit 6 are clearly associated with the conventional induction heating cooker. The induction heating cooker of form 1 is that the heating coil 3 and the operation part 6 change depending on the mounting position of the cooking container 1. In order to cope with a change in the placement position of the cooking container 1, it is necessary to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 in advance.

  As described above, as the detection operation of the cooking container 1, a higher frequency current is applied to the heating coil 3 than when the heating coil 3 is heated, and it is determined whether the load is placed from the heating coil current value or the like at that time. The method is the most effective. When the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed simultaneously on all the heating coils 3 using this method, although the power consumed by each heating coil 3 is small, there are a large number of heating coils 3, The total will continue to consume over tens of watts.

  Moreover, in order to perform the detection operation | movement of the cooking container 1 simultaneously with respect to all the heating coils 3, the inverter circuit 7 for sending the electric current of a higher frequency than the time of heating to each heating coil 3 is needed, and an apparatus However, there is a problem that the size becomes large and expensive.

  Therefore, a method of switching the plurality of heating coils 3 with respect to one inverter circuit 7 by a relay or the like, and detecting the cooking container 1 by passing a high-frequency current sequentially through the plurality of heating coils 3 can be considered. With this method, since it is not necessary to provide the same number of inverter circuits 7 as the heating coil 3, it is possible to achieve downsizing and cost reduction of the device.

  A plurality of inverter circuits 7 may be provided, and the heating coil 3 connected to each inverter circuit 7 may be shared. By doing so, it becomes possible to simultaneously perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by the number of the inverter circuits 7.

  However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to frequently switch the relay, and the durability of the relay becomes a problem. In addition, since the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed by switching the inverter circuit 7, there are cases where the detection is immediately performed according to the timing of placing the cooking container 1 and the timing of performing the detection operation, and when it is not.

  Specifically, for example, assuming that the detection operation of one heating coil 3 takes 0.2 seconds, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed by switching the five heating coils 3 to one inverter circuit 7. It takes a maximum of 1 second from the placement of the sensor to the detection. Further, when a blank time, for example, a blank time of 0.2 seconds is provided between the detection operations of the respective heating coils 3, it takes about 2 seconds in one cycle of the detection operation.

  As the number of heating coils 3 connected to one inverter circuit 7 increases, the time required for detection increases, the time lag from the placement of the cooking container 1 to the display on the operation unit 6 increases, and the user feels uncomfortable. It becomes difficult to remember and use.

  Therefore, the first embodiment includes a detection assisting unit 21 that simply detects an object on the top plate 2. Although the detection assisting unit 21 detects an object existing on the top plate 2, an object other than the cooking container 1 may be detected. The detection auxiliary unit 21 may not be able to detect the cooking container 1 with high accuracy like the cooking container detection unit 5, and may simply detect anything as long as it is an object on the top plate 2. Note that the detection assisting unit 21 may not necessarily detect all of the objects on the top plate 2 because it depends on the detection mechanism. As the detection auxiliary unit 21, for example, as described later, a temperature detection unit 22, a capacitance detection unit, a vibration detection unit, a distance estimation unit, a detection position determination unit, and a detection operation determination unit may be used. Moreover, you may control on / off the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by the cooking container detection part 5 by providing the detection assistance part 21. FIG. Thereby, when the possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed is small, the detection operation of the cooking container detection unit 5 can be stopped (off), and power consumption can be reduced and the durability of the relay can be improved. it can. In addition, when the detection auxiliary unit 21 detects the possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed, the detection operation of the cooking container detection unit 5 is started (turned on), and the cooking container 1 can be placed. By performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 with respect to the heating coil 3 at the position where there is a property, it is possible to reduce power consumption and improve the durability of the relay.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram in the case where the detection assisting unit of the induction heating device according to the first embodiment is configured by the temperature detecting unit 22. In this Embodiment 1, the temperature detection part 22 which detects the temperature of the cooking container 1 as shown in FIG. When there is a change in the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 22, the detected temperature change may be due to the cooking container 1 being placed. Therefore, the detection operation is performed only when the cooking container 1 is placed by performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 for the first time when the temperature change is detected. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate problems such as a reduction in time until the detection is performed after placing the cooking container 1 and an increase in power consumption due to a relay durability problem caused by repeating unnecessary detection operations. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use induction heating cooker.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 2 will be described. The difference between the induction heating device of the second embodiment and the induction heating device of the first embodiment is that the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed only on the heating coil 3 in the vicinity of the temperature detection unit 22 where the temperature has changed. It is a point that I tried to do.

  First, the temperature detection unit 22 detects the temperature of the cooking container 1, and there are mainly two types of arrangement methods. One is a case where the heating coil 3 is arranged at substantially the center. For example, there are arrangements shown in FIGS.

  The other is a method in which the heating coils 3 adjacent to each other are arranged at substantially the center. For example, there is an arrangement shown in FIG. 7 to 9, only one or four temperature detectors 22 are shown, but actually, the temperature detectors 22 are all or substantially the center of a part of the heating coils, and the heating coils 3 to each other. It is arranged at the approximate center.

  First, it demonstrates using FIG. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is disposed at the center of the heating coil 3. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is arranged at the center of the heating coil 3.

Consider a case in which there is a change in the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 22 in the second row from the left and the second row from the bottom when the induction heating cooker is viewed from above. In this case, it is considered that the possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed on the temperature detection unit 22 that detects the temperature change is extremely high.
Therefore, it is necessary to detect the cooking container 1 with respect to the heating coil 3 around the temperature detection unit 22 that has detected the temperature change.

On the other hand, even if there is no change in the heating coil 3 surrounding the temperature detection unit 22 that has detected the temperature change and the cooking container 1 cannot be detected thereon, the cooking container 1 is present on the surrounding heating coil 3. there is a possibility. Therefore, you may perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 also to the right and left, upper and lower heating coils 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 around the temperature detection unit 22 that has detected the temperature change.
That is, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed on the five heating coils 3 surrounded by the dotted lines in FIG. By doing so, the magnitude | size and mounting position of the cooking container 1 can be detected correctly.

  Furthermore, when expanding the possibility, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is also performed on the heating coil 3 in the oblique direction of the temperature detection unit 22 that has detected the temperature change, and the dotted line You may perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 with respect to nine heating coils 3 enclosed by.

  Next, a case where there are temperature changes in the plurality of temperature detection units 22 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is arranged at the center of the heating coil 3. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is arranged at the center of the heating coil 3. FIG. 8 illustrates only the temperature detection unit 22 that is assumed to have a temperature change.

  As described above, since there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed on the heating coil 3 around the temperature detection unit 22 where the temperature has changed, the cooking container 1 with respect to those heating coils 3. Detection operation is performed.

  In addition, since there is a possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed on the adjacent heating coil 3, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed including the adjacent range. In this case, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed on the twelve heating coils 3 in the portion surrounded by the dotted line in FIG.

  Furthermore, when the possibility is considered, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 may be performed on the 16 heating coils 3 in a portion surrounded by a dotted line as shown in FIG.

  Thus, since the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed by constricting the heating coil 3 in the vicinity of the temperature detection unit 22 where the temperature has changed, problems such as a relay durability problem and an increase in power consumption can be eliminated.

  Moreover, detection operation | movement can be completed quickly by detecting mounting of the cooking container 1 with a temperature change, and limiting the number of the heating coils 3 to perform detection operation.

  Next, FIGS. 9A and 9B when the temperature detection unit 22 is disposed at substantially the center between the heating coils 3 will be described. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is arranged at the approximate center between the adjacent heating coils 3. FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when the temperature detection unit 22 of the induction heating device according to the second embodiment is arranged at the approximate center between the heating coils 3.

  In this case as well, a range in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed may be determined based on the same concept as when the temperature detection unit 22 is disposed at substantially the center of the heating coil 3. For example, when there is a temperature change in one temperature detection unit 22, as shown in FIG. 9A, 4 within the dotted line including the heating coil 3 surrounding one temperature detection unit 22 in which the temperature change has occurred. What is necessary is just to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 with respect to the one heating coil 3. FIG. In addition, when there are temperature changes in a plurality of temperature detection units 22, for example, four temperature detection units 22, as shown in FIG. 9B, heating that surrounds the four temperature detection units 22 in which the temperature has changed. What is necessary is just to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 with respect to the heating coil 3 in the dotted line containing the coil 3. FIG.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 3 will be described. The difference between the induction heating device of the third embodiment and the induction heating device of the first embodiment is that the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed at regular intervals.

  In Embodiment 1, since there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed only when the temperature detector 22 has a temperature change, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed with respect to those heating coils 3. Thus, it has been explained that effects such as reduction of power consumption can be obtained.

  However, this is effective only when the temperature of the cooking container 1 is different from the temperature detected by the temperature detector 22.

  That is, when the temperature of the cooking container 1 and the detected temperature of the temperature detection unit 22 are the same, there is no temperature change, and thus the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is not performed. Since the detection operation is not performed, a display indicating that the cooking container 1 has been placed is not displayed on the operation unit 6. Therefore, the problem that the cooking container 1 cannot be heated arises.

  There is no confirmation that the temperature detected by the cooking container 1 and the temperature detection unit 22 is necessarily different, and if the cooking container 1 cannot be detected, the user needs to change the temperature of the cooking container 1 by some means. It becomes an induction heating cooker that is very inconvenient.

  In order to avoid such a situation, in the third embodiment, in addition to the detection operation timing of the cooking container 1 described in the first embodiment, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed at regular intervals. Can be avoided.

  However, if the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is frequently performed, the problem of the durability of the relay and the effect of reducing the power consumption are reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the frequency. For example, the detection cycle is determined based on the number of heating coils 3, the time required for the detection operation of the cooking container 1, the product specification, etc., and may be performed every 5 seconds, for example.

(Embodiment 4)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 4 is demonstrated. The induction heating device of the fourth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating device of the first embodiment in that an infrared sensor is used for the temperature detection unit 22.

  In Embodiment 3, the problem in the case where the temperature of the cooking container 1 and the detected temperature of the temperature detector 22 are the same has been described. Moreover, when the temperature detection part 22 is comprised with the thermistor, the subject that time lag arises after the cooking container 1 is mounted by the temperature capacity | capacitance of the top plate 2 until the temperature detection part 22 detects the change of temperature also occurs. is there.

  In order to solve these problems, it is effective to use an infrared sensor for the temperature detector 22. Since the infrared sensor directly receives the infrared rays emitted from the cooking vessel 1, it is more responsive than the thermistor.

  Therefore, since the detection temperature of the temperature detection part 22 changes immediately by mounting the cooking container 1, it can transfer to the detection operation of the cooking container 1 immediately. Therefore, as a result, the time from when the cooking container 1 is placed to when the display 8 indicating the cooking container 1 appears on the operation unit 6 can be shortened.

  In addition, since the infrared sensor needs to receive infrared rays radiated from the cooking container 1, the printing applied to the top plate 2 is usually changed for the portion of the visual field that receives infrared rays from the infrared sensor. In general, it is easy to transmit infrared rays. On the contrary, it is desirable that the portion other than the visual field received by the infrared sensor is made of a material that does not transmit infrared rays.

  In such a configuration, normally, when the cooking container 1 is not placed on the field of view of the infrared sensor, infrared rays contained in sunlight, illumination, etc. enter the infrared sensor and are calculated from the output of the infrared sensor. The temperature is higher than the original temperature.

  From such a state, when the cooking container 1 is placed on the field of view of the infrared sensor, light such as sunlight or illumination is blocked, and the infrared sensor receives infrared rays contained in sunlight or illumination. The infrared ray received by the infrared sensor is only the infrared ray radiated from the cooking vessel 1, and the temperature of the cooking vessel 1 can be detected.

  That is, since the incident state of disturbance light such as sunlight or illumination changes depending on whether or not the cooking container 1 is placed, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed when there is a change in the incident state of disturbance light. Just do it.

  Although it is a very rare case, the infrared energy of disturbance light such as sunlight or illumination and the infrared energy emitted from the cooking container 1 are equivalent, or the disturbance light such as sunlight or illumination When there is no infrared energy and the infrared energy radiated from the cooking container 1 is an amount corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature detector 22, there is no change in the amount of energy received by the infrared sensor, and the cooking container 1 Cannot move to detection operation.

  Therefore, even if the temperature detection unit 22 is an infrared sensor, it is effective to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 at regular intervals described in the third embodiment.

(Embodiment 5)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 5 will be described. The induction heating apparatus of the fifth embodiment is different from the induction heating apparatus of the first embodiment described above in that the detection auxiliary unit 21 uses an electrode 11 for detecting a change in capacitance and a capacitance detection unit 12. It is.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram in the case where the detection assisting unit of the induction heating device according to the fifth embodiment is configured by the capacitance detecting unit 12.

  An electrode 11, which is a conductor formed by coating or bonding, is disposed on the back surface of the top plate 2, and the cooking container 1 is a conductor placed on the top plate 2 facing the electrode 11. The capacitance detection unit 12 detects a change in capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitance detection unit 12 operates independently of the cooking container detection unit 5 and does not require switching of a relay or the like, so that a change in capacitance can always be detected.

  Since the insulating material necessary for forming the capacitor is usually not on the top plate 2, air plays a role. However, when another object such as the cooking container 1, fingers, water, or an object to be cooked is on the top plate 2, the capacitance changes because the relative permittivity of each object is different from that of air. This capacitance change is detected by the capacitance detector 12. The capacitance detection unit 12 often detects a change in capacitance by converting the change in capacitance into a change in DC voltage, but is not limited thereto.

  In the case of a method for detecting a change in capacitance, since there is a change in capacitance even in other than a cooking container, such as a wet cloth, the cooking vessel 1 is placed even if the capacitance changes. Is not limited.

  When the cooking container 1 is detected by such a method, there is a problem of erroneous detection. Therefore, a method is used in which a higher-frequency current is supplied to the heating coil 3 that is the most effective means for detecting the cooking container 1 than when heating, and a determination is made as to whether the load is placed from the current value of the heating coil. The induction heating cooker of the present disclosure was used as the trigger. Accordingly, since only the heating coil 3 on which the cooking container 1 may be placed is detected, the time until the detection is detected after placing the cooking container 1 is shortened, and the durability of the relay by repeating unnecessary detection operations. And problems such as an increase in power consumption can be eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use induction heating cooker.

(Embodiment 6)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described. The induction heating device of the sixth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating device of the fifth embodiment in that a pair of electrodes are arranged in the vicinity of each heating coil.

  In the fifth embodiment, it has been described that an effect such as reduction in power consumption can be obtained by performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 only when the capacitance detection unit 12 has a change in capacitance.

  The detection accuracy of the cooking container 1 varies depending on how the electrodes 11 necessary for detecting the capacitance are arranged.

  In the induction heating cooker of the present disclosure in which a large number of heating coils are arranged close to each other in a matrix, whether or not the cooking container 1 is placed on each heating coil 3 is detected. It must be detected whether it can be operated.

  Therefore, it is desirable to arrange the heating coil 3 and the electrode 11 necessary for detecting the capacitance in a pair as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the electrode 11 necessary for detecting the capacitance is configured by three electrodes 11 a, 11 b, and 11 c for one heating coil 3, but the number is not limited to three. .

  As described above, the electrode 11 is arranged around the heating coil 3 to assist the detection of the cooking container 1, and the cooking container 1 can be detected more quickly and accurately.

(Embodiment 7)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 7 will be described. The difference between the induction heating device of the seventh embodiment and the induction heating device of the sixth embodiment is that the electrode 11 is arranged at a center position between a plurality of adjacent heating coils.

  In the sixth embodiment, the induction heating cooker in which the electrodes are paired with the heating coils has been described. The induction heating cooker having such a configuration has a problem that the number of the electrodes 11 increases and the configuration becomes complicated while the detection of the cooking container 1 is fast.

  Therefore, in the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the electrostatic capacitance is located at a position that is substantially the center of a plurality of adjacent heating coils 3 (heating coil 3a, heating coil 3b, heating coil 3c, heating coil 3d). The number of electrodes 11 can be reduced by arranging the electrodes 11 necessary for detection of the device, and the configuration of the device can be simplified and made inexpensive.

  When there is a change in capacitance, as described in the second embodiment, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed on the heating coil 3 around the location where the change in capacitance has occurred. The cooking container 1 can be detected quickly and accurately.

(Embodiment 8)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus according to the eighth embodiment will be described. The induction heating apparatus of the eighth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating apparatus of the first embodiment in that a vibration detection unit 13 that detects the vibration of the top plate 2 is used as the detection auxiliary unit 21.

  In the eighth embodiment, FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the induction heating device when the auxiliary detection unit according to the eighth embodiment is configured by the vibration detection unit 13. The vibration generated in the cooking container 1 propagates to the top plate 2. The vibration detection unit 13 detects vibration of the top plate 2.

  It is desirable that the vibration detection unit 13 is configured to contact the back surface of the top plate 2. Further, the adhesion between the top plate 2 and the vibration detection unit 13 may be improved, and the vibration detection unit 13 may be pressed against the top plate 2 using a spring or the like.

  In addition, since it is sufficient that the vibration detection unit 13 can detect the vibration of the top plate 2, for example, even if the vibration detection unit 13 is arranged on the heating coil 3 that is in contact with the top plate 2, the vibration of the top plate 2 is detected. Can be detected. Thereby, the configuration of the device can be simplified.

  However, in that case, since the vibration detection level is lowered, it is necessary to further amplify using an amplifier or the like, and the S / N ratio may be deteriorated. It does not matter.

  As the vibration detection unit 13, a piezoelectric element or the like is often used, but is not limited thereto. The vibration detection unit 13 is connected to the heating control unit 4, and the heating control unit 4 can detect that the cooking container 1 may be placed from the vibration generated in the top plate 2. Therefore, the heating control unit 4 can instruct the cooking container detection unit 5 to start the detection operation and detect the cooking container 1.

  The vibration generated in the top plate 2 is not limited to the case where the cooking container 1 is placed, but the number of times is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional method in which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 must always be performed. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use induction heating cooker that can eliminate problems such as durability of the relay and increased power consumption due to repeated unnecessary detection operations.

  In addition, it is discriminate | determined from the vibration waveform of the vibration detection part 13 from the pattern of the vibration waveform when the cooking container 1 is mounted, and other times whether it is the vibration waveform in which the cooking container 1 is mounted, and the cooking container Only when it is determined that 1 is placed, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 may be performed. This can further reduce power consumption.

(Embodiment 9)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 9 will be described. The induction heating apparatus of the ninth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating apparatus of the eighth embodiment in that a plurality of vibration detection units 13 for detecting vibration are provided, and the position of the vibration source is estimated from the phase difference between the vibration waveforms. The position estimation unit 14 is used.

  In the ninth embodiment, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the induction heating apparatus when the position of the vibration source is estimated from the plurality of vibration detection units 13 according to the ninth embodiment.

  A plurality of vibration detectors 13 for detecting the vibration of the top plate 2 are provided. The plurality of vibration detectors 13 can be arranged to detect vibrations of the top plate 2 at positions away from each other, thereby making it easy to estimate the position of the vibration source.

  The vibration waveform that is the output of each vibration detection unit 13 is sent to the position estimation unit 14. The position estimation unit 14 estimates the position of the vibration source from the phase difference of the vibration waveform of each vibration detection unit 13 and the positional relationship of the vibration detection unit 13.

  For example, when there is no phase difference, it can be seen that the cooking container 1 has been placed at a position equidistant from each vibration detection unit 13, so the detection of the cooking container 1 with respect to the heating coil 3 corresponding to that position is detected. The operation may be performed.

  Moreover, since the distance from each vibration detection part 13 is estimated from the relationship between the vibration propagation speed of the top plate 2 and the phase difference, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed with respect to the heating coil 3 corresponding to the position that satisfies them. Should be done.

  The position estimation unit 14 may be the same as the heating control unit 4 or the cooking container detection unit 5 and is often realized by a microcomputer, a DSP, a custom IC, or the like, but is not limited thereto. .

(Embodiment 10)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 10 will be described. The induction heating device according to the tenth embodiment is different from the induction heating device according to the first embodiment described above in that the light emitting unit 15, the light receiving unit 16, and the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 16 are detected in the detection auxiliary unit 21. 16 is a point using a distance estimation unit 17 that estimates a distance to an object on the top.

  In the tenth embodiment, FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the induction heating device when the detection assisting section according to the tenth embodiment is configured by the distance estimating section 17.

  The light emitting unit 15 emits light toward the upper surface of the top plate 2 and may be visible light or infrared light. The light emitting unit 15 is connected to the distance estimating unit 17 or the heating control unit 4 and emits light when there is a light emission instruction.

  The light receiving unit 16 reflects the light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 by some object and receives the reflected light. Therefore, the light receiving sensitivity wavelength of the light receiving unit 16 needs to include the light emitting wavelength of the light emitting unit 15. The light receiving unit 16 outputs an output corresponding to the amount of received light, and the output is sent to the distance estimating unit 17.

  The distance estimating unit 17 estimates the distance to the object based on how much light emitted from the light emitting unit 15 is reflected by the object and received by the light receiving unit 16. The distance estimation includes a triangulation method, but is not limited thereto.

  The estimation result of the distance estimation unit 17 is sent to the heating control unit 4, and when it is determined that the cooking container 1 is placed, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed on the corresponding heating coil 3. As a result, it is possible to eliminate problems such as shortening the time from mounting to detection, and the problem of relay durability and increased power consumption due to repeated unnecessary detection operations. Therefore, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use induction heating cooker.

  The distance estimation unit 17 may be the same as the heating control unit 4 or the cooking container detection unit 5 and is often realized by a microcomputer, a DSP, a custom IC, or the like, but is not limited thereto. .

  In the tenth embodiment configured as described above, in the induction heating apparatus that can be heated where many heating coils are adjacent and where the cooking container is placed, the detection of the cooking container is performed only when necessary. Let the action take place. As a result, the power consumption can be reduced and the durability of the relay, which is a switching component, can be improved, and the user can immediately perform the heating operation with the operation unit as soon as the cooking container is placed. Therefore, an easy-to-use induction heating device can be realized.

(Embodiment 11)
FIG. 16 is a block diagram schematically showing a state where the cooking container 1 of the induction heating apparatus in the eleventh embodiment is placed. In the built-in type induction heating cooker, the cooking container 1 is placed. It shows the state that is placed.

  In the present disclosure, the detection position determination unit 23 increases the frequency of the detection operation of the heating coil 3 at a position where the cooking container 1 is likely to be placed. That is, the detection operation is frequently performed for the corresponding heating coil 3 by the cooking container detection unit 5. On the other hand, the frequency with which the detection operation is performed on the heating coil 3 at a position where the possibility of placing the cooking container 1 is low is reduced. As a result, power consumption can be reduced and relay durability can be improved.

  The detection position determination unit 23 is connected to the heating control unit 4 and the cooking container detection unit 5. The detection position determination unit 23 determines the heating coil 3 that performs the detection operation based on the information from the heating control unit 4, and causes the cooking container detection unit 5 to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1. The detection result of the cooking container detection unit 5 is sent to the detection position determination unit 23, and the detection position determination unit 23 further sends the detection result to the heating control unit 4. Based on the detection result, the heating control unit 4 makes a determination to update the content displayed on the operation unit 6 or to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 again.

  Here, the cooking container detection unit 5 has been described as being connected to the heating control unit 4 via the detection position determination unit 23. However, the cooking container detection unit 5 and the detection position determination unit 23 are directly connected to the heating control unit. 4 may be connected. Further, the detection position determination unit 23 is often realized by a microcomputer, a DSP, a custom IC, or the like, but is not limited thereto, and the heating control unit 4, the cooking container detection unit 5, and the detection position determination unit 23 are all included. Alternatively, some functions may be configured with the same function.

  The detection position determination part 23 sets the detection frequency of the cooking container 1 high about the heating coil 3 with high possibility that the cooking container 1 will be mounted, and the heating coil 3 with low possibility that the cooking container 1 will be mounted. , The detection frequency of the cooking container 1 is set low. Therefore, the cooking container detection unit 5 performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 of the heating coil 3 with a high possibility of placing the cooking container 1 at a high frequency and performs heating with a low possibility of placing the cooking container 1. The detection operation of the cooking container 1 of the coil 3 is performed at a low frequency. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time required to detect the cooking container 1 and to reduce the number of detection operations of the cooking container 1. By doing so, consumption of electric power required for the detection operation of the cooking vessel 1 can be suppressed, and in the case of a configuration in which the inverter circuit 7 and the heating coil 3 are switched using a relay, the durability of the relay can be improved. .

  Here, the frequency of performing the detection operation will be described. When the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed on all the heating coils 3 at the same frequency, for example, the detection operation is performed once every 3 seconds. On the other hand, the heating coil 3 which the detection position determination part 23 judged that there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 will be placed shall perform a detection operation once per second. On the other hand, the heating coil 3 determined by the detection position determination unit 23 that the possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed is low performs a detection operation once every 5 seconds. By doing so, the cooking container 1 can be detected at an early stage and the power consumption can be reduced. In order to further reduce power consumption, the heating coil 3 determined by the detection position determination unit 23 that the cooking container 1 is unlikely to be placed is stopped (corresponding to zero as the detection frequency). Also good.

(Embodiment 12)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 12 will be described. In the induction heating device of the twelfth embodiment, the difference from the induction heating device of the eleventh embodiment described above is that the heating coil 3 disposed at the position that is the outermost peripheral portion of the plurality of heating coils 3 is the outermost periphery. The detection position determination unit 23 sets the detection frequency to be lower than that of the heating coil 3 other than the heating coil 3.

  First, the heating coil 3 serving as the outermost peripheral part will be described. FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing the arrangement of the heating coils of the induction heating apparatus according to the twelfth embodiment. FIG. 17A shows a case where the heating coil 3 is not arranged beside the operation unit 6, and FIG. 17B shows a case where the heating coil 3 is arranged also beside the operation unit 6.

  The heating coil 3 that is the outermost peripheral portion is the heating coil 3 in the hatched area surrounded by the dotted line in FIGS. 17A and 17B, and in FIG. 17 (b) corresponds to 26 heating coils.

  FIG. 18A shows an example in which the cooking container 1 is placed only on the heating coil 3 located at the outermost peripheral portion. 18 (a) and 18 (b) are diagrams showing the arrangement of the heating coil 3 and the cooking vessel 1 of the induction heating device according to the twelfth embodiment.

  When the cooking container 1 is placed as shown in FIG. 18A, the cooking container 1 protrudes from the induction heating device, and there are only two heating coils 3 immediately below the cooking container 1, so that cooking takes time. Take it.

  Therefore, it is not usually placed in this way, and the heating coil 3 is often placed so that there are many directly below as shown in FIG. In that case, the cooking container 1 is also placed above the heating coil 3d other than the outermost peripheral portion. The heating coil 3d performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 in a normal cycle (in the example of Embodiment 11, a cycle of 3 seconds), and the cooking container 1 is first detected by the heating coil 3d. By doing so, the accurate position and size of the cooking container 1 can be detected by performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 on the periphery, that is, the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3d.

  Thus, since the possibility that the cooking container 1 is mounted only on the heating coil 3 at the outermost peripheral portion is low, the frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 of the heating coil 3 at the outermost peripheral portion is reduced. However, it is considered that there is not much problem in practical use.

  However, since the cooking container 1 is sometimes small, the cooking container 1 detects that the detection operation of the cooking container 1 of the heating coil 3 that is completely the outermost periphery is stopped (corresponding to zero as the detection frequency). Since the problem that it is not performed also arises, it is necessary to determine the detection period (or the detection frequency as a reciprocal number) of the cooking container 1 of the heating coil 3 used as the outermost periphery part in consideration of them.

(Embodiment 13)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 13 will be described. In the induction heating apparatus according to the thirteenth embodiment, the difference from the induction heating apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment described above is that when it is detected that the cooking container 1 is placed above one heating coil 3, the heating is performed. It is the point which performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 also about the heating coil 3 adjacent to the coil 3. FIG. Thereby, the exact position and size of the cooking container 1 can be detected.
When it is detected that the cooking container 1 is placed above one heating coil 3, the frequency of performing the detection operation in the adjacent heating coil 3 is set lower than the other heating coils 3. Even in the case where the heating coil 3 is present, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 may be performed immediately for the adjacent heating coil 3. Moreover, you may set so that the priority which performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 may be raised about the heating coil 3 by which the frequency which performs a detection operation is set lower than the other heating coil 3. FIG. In this case, the priority order may be increased, or the priority order may be increased and the detection frequency may be increased.

As described in the twelfth embodiment, for example, the frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking containers 1 of the heating coils 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i that are the outermost peripheral portions is set low.
Here, consider a case where it is detected that the cooking container 1 is placed above the heating coil 3d. In this case, there is a possibility that the cooking container 1 is also placed on the adjacent heating coils 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i (FIG. 18B). On the other hand, as described above, among the adjacent heating coils, the detection frequency of the heating coils 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, and 3i that are the outermost peripheral portions is set low.
However, when it is detected that the cooking container 1 is placed above the heating coil 3d, the heating coils 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i whose detection frequency is set low in the adjacent heating coil 3 are used. Even if it is included, since there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 is also placed on these heating coils 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, the cooking container 1 is detected. Thereby, the exact position and size of the cooking container 1 can be detected.

(Embodiment 14)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 14 will be described. In the induction heating device according to the fourteenth embodiment, the detection position determination unit 23 is different from the induction heating device according to the eleventh embodiment in that the position of the heating coil 3 on which the cooking container 1 is placed within a predetermined period. The frequency at which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed for each heating coil 3 is determined based on the number of times and the number of times.

  19 (a) and 19 (b) are diagrams showing a history of use of the heating coil of the induction heating apparatus in the fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 19A is a diagram showing the address of the heating coil 3. FIG.19 (b) is a figure which shows the usage frequency of each heating coil 3 of Fig.19 (a). In FIG. 19, only nine heating coils 3 are taken out and the others are omitted.

  The usage frequency shown in FIG. 19B indicates the number of times the cooking container 1 is placed on each heating coil 3 within a predetermined period. Here, the predetermined period may be, for example, the past one month of use, the past 100 times of use, or the start of use to the previous use. Within these periods, the detection position determination unit 23 determines at which position the number of times of use is high, and the heating coil 3 at a position where the use frequency is high sets the frequency of performing the detection operation to be high. The heating coil 3 located at a low position is set to a low frequency for performing the detection operation.

  Specifically, the heating coils 3p, 3q, 3s, and 3t that are frequently used are set to have a high detection frequency, and the heating coils 3j, 3k, 3m, 3n, and 3r that are not frequently used are frequently used to perform the detection operation. Set low. In this way, by learning from the actual use in the past, the cooking container 1 can be detected at an early stage without excessively increasing the number of detection operations (detection frequency) of the cooking container 1 as an induction heating device, and consumption required for the detection operation. Electric power can also be reduced.

(Embodiment 15)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 15 will be described. In the induction heating apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment, the difference from the induction heating apparatus of the eleventh embodiment is that the detection position determination unit 23 causes the heating coil 3 arranged on the operation unit 6 side to be separated from the operation unit 6. The detection frequency is set higher than that of the heating coil 3 arranged in the direction.

  Since the present disclosure has a multi-coil configuration in which a large number of heating coils 3 are disposed under the top plate 2, the cooking container 1 may be placed anywhere. However, there are actually positions that are easy to use and positions that are not. For example, when the left side of the induction heating device is a wall and there is a cooking table or sink on the right side, the right side is used more frequently from the center of the induction heating device, and the left side is less frequently used. .

  Similarly, on the side closer to the operation unit 6 and the far side, the heating coil closer to the operation unit 6 is more frequently used than the side farther from the operation unit 6. This is considered to be because when food is put in the cooking container 1, it becomes heavy and tends to be placed in front. Therefore, the heating coil 3 arranged on the operation unit 6 side requires the detection operation as a whole by making the frequency of the detection operation of the cooking container 1 higher than the heating coil 3 arranged in the direction away from the operation unit 6. Power consumption can also be reduced.

(Embodiment 16)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 16 will be described. The induction heating device of the sixteenth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating device of the eleventh embodiment in that the detection position determination unit 23 applies the heating operation to the heating coil 3 from the operation unit 6. The heating coil 3 arranged in a direction away from the heating coil 3 is set at a lower detection frequency than the other heating coils 3.

  When there is a cooking container 1 that is already heated, the heating coil 3 that is arranged on the back side of the heating coil 3 that is performing the heating operation, that is, in a direction away from the operation unit 6, is a cooking container that is being heated. It is difficult for the cooking container 1 to be placed due to the obstacle 1. This is because the cooking container 1 containing the ingredients is heavy as described above, and the cooking container 1 already heated becomes an obstacle, and if the cooking container 1 being heated is inadvertently touched, there is a risk of burns.

  Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that the heating coil 3 located at a position away from the operation unit 6 is used for the heating coil 3 performing the heating operation. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the number of detection operations for the heating coil 3 compared to the heating coil 3 on the operation unit 6 side, that is, by reducing the detection frequency.

(Embodiment 17)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 17 will be described. In the induction heating device of the seventeenth embodiment, the difference from the above-described induction heating device of the eleventh embodiment is that the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 being heated by the detection position determining unit 23 is The detection frequency is set lower than the other heating coils 3.

  When the cooking container 1 is to be placed on the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 on which the heating operation is being performed, if the cooking container 1 is a pan, the flange or the like is placed in the way. It is difficult.

  In addition, since the cooking container 1 is not usually heated in close contact, it can be said that the possibility of placing the cooking container 1 on the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 being heated is low. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by reducing the number of detection operations for the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 on which the heating operation is performed, that is, by reducing the detection frequency.

  In addition, although the detection frequency of the target heating coil 3 is set to be lower than that of the other heating coils 3, these may be set to be lower than the previous frequency. That is, the detection frequency of the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 on which the heating operation is performed may be set lower than the detection frequency before the heating operation is performed.

(Embodiment 18)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 18 will be described. The induction heating apparatus according to the eighteenth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment in that the detection position determination unit 23 controls the high-frequency current of the heating coil 3 in which the heating operation is performed. When the control value of the part 4 changes suddenly, the detection frequency of the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 in which the heating operation is performed is set higher than that of the other heating coils 3.

  When the cooking container 1 being heated is moved, the heating control unit 4 needs to change the control value of a switching element such as an IGBT constituting the inverter circuit 7 when trying to supply the same power as before. .

  Specifically, when the cooking container 1 being heated is moved, the frequency is lowered when the power is controlled by the switching frequency, and the conduction ratio is increased when the power is controlled by the conduction ratio. Must. On the other hand, when the cooking container 1 is not moved, these control values are only constant or change gently.

  Conversely, when the cooking container is moved, the control value changes suddenly. Therefore, when the control value changes suddenly, there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 has been moved. Then, there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 is moved and placed on the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 being heated. Therefore, the cooking container 1 can be detected at an early stage by increasing the detection frequency.

  Although the detection frequency of the target heating coil 3 is set to be higher than that of the other heating coils 3, it may be set to be higher than the frequency until then. That is, when the control value of the heating control unit 4 that controls the high-frequency current of the heating coil 3 in which the heating operation is performed changes suddenly, the heating coil 3 adjacent to the heating coil 3 in which the heating operation is performed The frequency may be set higher than the frequency of performing the detection operation.

(Embodiment 19)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 19 will be described. The induction heating apparatus of the nineteenth embodiment is different from the above-described induction heating apparatus of the eleventh embodiment in that it includes a power operation section 24 that can switch whether or not to supply power to the operation section 6 and the like. When a predetermined time elapses after the user operates the operation unit 24 to supply power to the operation unit 6 or the like, the detection position determination unit 23 determines the frequency at which the detection operation of each heating coil 3 is performed. The point is to lower or set to zero (corresponding to the stop of the detection operation).

  The power supply operation unit 24 is a so-called power switch for switching whether to supply power to the components constituting the induction heating device such as the operation unit 6. When the user operates the power supply operation unit 24 and the power is supplied, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is repeatedly performed. It may not be placed. In the meantime, since the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed, power is consumed wastefully. Therefore, when the cooking container 1 is not placed even after a predetermined time has passed since the power operation unit 24 was started to supply power, the frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is set to be low. Consumption can be suppressed.

  In this Embodiment 11-19 comprised as mentioned above, the cooking container 1 is mounted in the induction heating apparatus which can heat even if many heating coils 3 adjoin and the cooking container 1 is mounted anywhere. The frequency with which the detection operation is performed is set to be high for the heating coil 3 arranged at a position where there is a high possibility of being placed. On the contrary, the frequency with which the detection operation is performed is set to be low for the heating coil 3 on which the possibility of placing the cooking container 1 is low. Thereby, the reduction of power consumption and the durability of the relay which is a switching component can be improved. Therefore, the user can realize an easy-to-use induction heating apparatus that can perform the heating operation with the operation unit 6 as soon as the cooking container 1 is placed.

(Embodiment 20)
FIG. 20 is a block diagram schematically showing a state where cooking container 1 is placed on the induction heating apparatus in the twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 20 shows a state where the cooking container 1 is placed in a built-in type induction heating cooker.

  In the present disclosure, when the detection operation determining unit 31 is likely to place the cooking container 1, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is frequently performed, and when the cooking container 1 is unlikely to be placed, the cooking container 1 is detected. Reduce the frequency of detection operations. As a result, power consumption can be reduced and relay durability can be improved.

  The detection operation determination unit 31 is connected to the heating control unit 4 and the cooking container detection unit 5. The detection operation determination unit 31 determines a period (or a detection frequency that is the reciprocal) of performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 based on information from the heating control unit 4, and causes the cooking container detection unit 5 to detect the cooking container 1. Execute the detection operation.

  The detection result of the cooking container detection unit 5 is sent to the detection operation determination unit 31, and the detection operation determination unit 31 further sends the detection result to the heating control unit 4. Based on the detection result, the heating control unit 4 makes a determination to update the content displayed on the operation unit 6 or to perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1 again.

  Here, the cooking container detection unit 5 has been described as being connected to the heating control unit 4 via the detection operation determination unit 31, but the cooking container detection unit 5 and the detection operation determination unit 31 are directly connected to the heating control unit 4. And may be connected.

  The detection operation determination unit 31 is often realized by a microcomputer, a DSP, a custom IC, or the like, but is not limited thereto, and the heating control unit 4, the cooking container detection unit 5, and the detection operation determination unit 31 are all included. Alternatively, some functions may be configured with the same function.

  The detection operation determination unit 31 determines when the cooking container 1 is placed or when the placement position is likely to change and when it is low. When there is a high possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed immediately, or the detection cycle of the detection operation is shortened, that is, the detection frequency is increased, thereby detecting the cooking container 1. Reduce the time it takes to complete.

  On the other hand, when the possibility that the cooking container 1 is placed is low, it is possible to reduce the power consumption and improve the durability of the relay by lengthening the execution cycle of the detection operation or stopping the detection operation. it can. Thereby, it can be set as an easy-to-use induction heating cooker.

(Embodiment 21)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 21 will be described. The induction heating device according to the twenty-first embodiment differs from the induction heating device according to the twenty-second embodiment described above in that when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user last operated the operation unit 6, a detection operation determination unit The frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by 31 is reduced or set to zero (corresponding to stopping the detection operation).

  Usually, an induction heating cooker often has a power supply switching unit (not shown). This power supply switching part switches whether to supply power to each part of the induction heating cooker. When power is not supplied, power is not consumed, thus saving energy.

  On the other hand, when the power is supplied, the operation unit 6 is displayed, and the cooking container detection unit 5 needs to repeat the operation of detecting whether or not the cooking container 1 is placed. In other words, the electric power required for the detection operation is wasted. In particular, when the heating operation is finished and the user is in an operation such as cooking, for example, the user may forget to operate the power supply switching unit so as not to supply power. In such a case, the detection operation determination unit 31 performs the detection operation of the cooking container 1 because it may be used again, and power is wasted.

  In such a case, the user does not operate the operation unit 6 after inputting a heating stop instruction through the operation unit 6. Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the user last operated the operation unit 6, it is determined that the possibility of performing the heating operation again is not high, and the detection operation determination unit 31 performs the detection operation execution cycle. The power consumption can be reduced by lengthening. Alternatively, when the possibility of performing the heating operation is extremely low, the heating operation may be stopped. In that case, the operation of restarting the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by operating the operation unit 6 again, or the operation of stopping the supply of power once and supplying the power again by the power supply switching unit is necessary. It becomes.

  Here, the predetermined time from when the user last operates the operation unit 6 until the execution period of the detection operation (the reciprocal of the detection frequency) is changed should be determined from the user's convenience. It may be about 5 minutes. In addition, the frequency at which the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is performed may be any time as long as it is longer than the normal time, such as a normal time immediately after the power is turned on, for example, a 3-second cycle, and a 10-second cycle when there is no operation. It does not matter if it is a period. The longer the execution period of the detection operation of the cooking container 1, the lower the power consumption. However, when heating is performed again, it takes time until the display is reflected on the operation unit 6 depending on the timing. It becomes difficult to use. Therefore, it is preferable that the user's usability is not deteriorated, such as setting for returning the detection operation of the cooking container 1 to the original cycle.

(Embodiment 22)
Hereinafter, the induction heating apparatus of Embodiment 22 will be described. The induction heating device of the twenty-second embodiment differs from the induction heating device of the twenty-second embodiment described above in that it includes a human body detection unit 32 that detects a human body, and the cooking container detection unit 5 has a human body detection unit 32 that detects a person. When it detects, it is a point which starts the detection operation of the cooking container 1 immediately. Thereby, when a person is detected, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 can be performed at least once at an early stage. That is, even when the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is already performed, a blank time between the detection operations of the heating coils 3 may be included. Even in such a case, when the human body detection unit 32 detects a person, the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is started immediately, so that the cooking container 1 can be detected earlier.
In addition, it replaces with the start of the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by the cooking container detection part 5, or the detection operation determination part 31 cooks compared with the case where a person is not detected when the human body detection part 32 detects a person. The frequency of performing the container detection operation may be set high as a whole.

  In FIG. 20, the human body detection part 32 will detect that when a user comes in front of the induction heating cooking appliance. For example, a pyroelectric element that detects a change in infrared rays is often used as the human body detection unit 32, but the human body detection unit 32 is not limited thereto.

  The human body detection unit 32 is connected to the heating control unit 4, and the detection result of the human body detection unit 32 is sent to the detection operation determination unit 31. If the human body detection unit 32 detects that the user is near the induction heating cooker, the detection operation determination unit 31 can determine that the possibility of performing the heating operation is high. For this reason, for example, as described in the twenty-first embodiment, even when the frequency of the detection operation of the cooking container 1 is lowered, the frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking container is set high as a whole. Thereby, the cooking container 1 can be detected early by performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1 at least once in a short cycle. In this case, the detection frequency may be set high for a certain period.

  In addition, since it is sufficiently conceivable that the heating operation is not performed immediately, the detection operation determining unit 31 can detect the cooking container 1 at an early stage by instructing to continuously perform the detection operation of the cooking container 1. .

On the other hand, when the human body detection unit 32 detects that there is no user, the cooking container 1 is not placed or moved, so there is no need to detect the cooking container 1. Therefore, in such a case, the cooking container detection unit 5 stops the detection operation of the cooking container 1. As a result, wasteful power consumption can be suppressed. Further, when the inverter circuit 7 and the heating coil 3 are connected by a relay, the number of times the relay is driven can be reduced and the durability of the relay can be improved.
Instead of stopping the detection operation of the cooking container 1 by the cooking container detection unit 5, or in addition, the detection operation determining unit 31 reduces the frequency of performing the detection operation of the cooking container 1, or zero (corresponding to the stop of the detection operation) ) May be set.

  In the induction heating apparatus of the present disclosure configured as described above, in the induction heating apparatus that can heat a heating container 3 where many cooking coils 3 are adjacent to each other and place the cooking container, the cooking container is used only when necessary. 1 detection operation can be performed. Thereby, reduction of power consumption and durability of the relay as a switching component can be improved, and the user can perform the heating operation with the operation unit 6 as soon as the cooking container 1 is placed. As a result, a user-friendly induction heating apparatus can be realized.

  As described above, the induction heating apparatus according to the present disclosure presents an induction heating apparatus having excellent commercial value and high reliability and safety, and various devices that perform induction heating such as induction heating cookers. It is effective for use.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooking container 2 Top plate 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3m, 3n, 3p, 3q, 3r, 3s, 3t Heating coil 4 Heating control part 5 Cooking container detection unit 6, 6a, 6b, 6c Operation unit 7 Inverter circuit 8 Display 11, 11a, 11b, 11c Electrode 12 Capacitance detection unit 13 Vibration detection unit 14 Position estimation unit 15 Light emission unit 16 Light reception unit 17 Distance estimation unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Priority order determination part 21 Detection assistance part 22 Temperature detection part 23 Detection position determination part 24 Power supply operation part 31 Detection operation | movement determination part 32 Human body detection part

Claims (26)

A top plate on which a cooking container for heating the food is placed;
A plurality of heating coils arranged close to each other to generate a magnetic field for heating the cooking vessel;
A heating control unit for controlling the heating power of the cooking container by controlling a high-frequency current to be supplied to each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils;
A cooking container detection unit that performs a detection operation of the cooking container to detect whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil;
An operation unit for displaying a detection result of the cooking container detection unit;
For each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils, a priority order determination unit that determines the priority order of the heating coils for detecting whether or not the cooking container is placed in the cooking container detection unit;
With
The cooking container detection unit performs an induction heating operation for detecting whether or not the cooking container is placed above each heating coil based on the priority order determined by the priority order determination unit. apparatus. The priority determining unit includes a detection auxiliary unit that detects an object on the top plate,
The said cooking container detection part performs the detection operation | movement of a cooking container whether the cooking container is mounted about the heating coil of the periphery of the detected said object, when the said detection auxiliary | assistance part detects an object. The induction heating device described in 1.   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection assisting unit includes a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the object.   The said cooking container detection part performs the detection operation of a cooking container only about the heating coil in the vicinity of the detected location of the said temperature change, when the said temperature detection part detects the temperature change of the said object. Induction heating device.   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cooking container detection unit performs a cooking container detection operation at regular intervals.   The induction heating device according to claim 3, wherein the temperature detection unit is a method of detecting temperature by detecting infrared rays. The detection auxiliary unit is
An electrode disposed on the lower surface of the top plate;
A capacitance detector that detects a change in capacitance generated in the electrode by placing the object on the top surface of the top plate;
The induction heating apparatus according to claim 2, comprising:   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the electrodes are disposed in a pair near the heating coils.   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position that is substantially the center between a plurality of adjacent heating coils.   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection assisting unit includes a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the top plate.   The induction heating apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a position estimation unit that includes a plurality of the vibration detection units and estimates a position of a vibration source from a phase difference between a plurality of vibration waveforms detected by the vibration detection unit.   The detection auxiliary unit includes a light emitting unit, a light receiving unit, and a distance estimating unit that estimates a distance from an amount of light received by the light receiving unit to an object above the light receiving unit. The induction heating apparatus described.   The priority determination unit is a detection position determination unit that determines a detection frequency of how often the cooking container detection unit performs the detection operation of the cooking container with respect to each heating coil of the plurality of heating coils. The induction heating device according to claim 1, comprising:   The said detection position determination part sets detection frequency lower than the heating coils other than the said outermost periphery part about the heating coil arrange | positioned in the position used as an outermost periphery part among these heating coils. Induction heating device.   When the cooking container detection unit detects that the cooking container is placed above one heating coil, the cooking container detection operation is also performed on the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil. The induction heating apparatus described.   Even when the detection frequency of the adjacent heating coil is set lower than that of the other heating coils, the cooking container detection unit immediately performs the detection operation of the cooking container for the adjacent heating coil. The induction heating device according to claim 15.   The said detection position determination part sets the detection frequency about each said heating coil based on the position and frequency | count of the heating coil detected that the said cooking container was mounted in the predetermined period. Induction heating device.   The induction heating according to claim 13, wherein the detection position determination unit sets the detection frequency of the heating coil arranged on the operation unit side to be higher than that of the heating coil arranged in a direction away from the operation unit. apparatus.   The detection position determination unit is arranged on the operation unit side with respect to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed with respect to the heating coil arranged in a direction away from the operation unit with respect to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed. The induction heating device according to claim 1, wherein the detection frequency is set to be lower than that of the heating coil arranged in the coil.   The induction heating device according to claim 13, wherein the detection position determination unit sets a detection frequency lower than that of the other heating coils for the heating coil adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed.   When the control value of the heating control unit that controls the high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed suddenly changes, the detection position determination unit performs heating adjacent to the heating coil in which the heating operation is performed. The induction heating device according to claim 13, wherein the coil is set to have a higher detection frequency than other heating coils. A power operation unit that can switch whether to supply power to the operation unit;
When a predetermined time elapses after a user operates the power supply operation unit to supply power to the operation unit, the detection position determination unit detects a detection frequency for all the plurality of heating coils. The induction heating device according to claim 13, wherein is lowered or set to zero as a whole.   The induction according to claim 1, wherein the priority order determination unit includes a detection operation determination unit that determines whether or not the cooking container detection unit performs a detection operation of a cooking container for each of the plurality of heating coils. Heating device.   When a predetermined time has elapsed since the user last operated the operation unit, the detection operation determination unit lowers the detection frequency as a whole or sets it to zero for all the plurality of heating coils. Item 24. The induction heating device according to Item 23. A human body detection unit for detecting a human body;
The induction heating apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cooking container detection unit starts a cooking container detection operation when the human body detection unit detects a person.   26. The induction heating device according to claim 25, wherein when the human body detection unit does not detect a person, the cooking container detection unit stops the detection operation of the cooking container.

Images