JPWO2014162679A1 - Automatic bread machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic bread maker of the present disclosure is an automatic bread maker that automatically performs a plurality of bread making processes including a kneading process, and is disposed in a cooking container into which a bread-making material is put, a cooking container, Determine the end of the kneading process based on the kneading blade that kneads the bread ingredients, the motor that rotates the kneading blade, the pulse output unit that outputs a pulse according to the rotation angle of the kneading blade, and the pulse output by the pulse output unit A determination unit. The determination unit measures the pulse period during which the kneading blade rotates at least once during the kneading process, and the time difference calculated based on the maximum time and the minimum time of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold value. When it becomes larger, the end of the kneading process is determined.

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an automatic bread maker mainly used in general households.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some automatic bread machines operate a kneading process by a predetermined bread making sequence and end the kneading process regardless of the state of the dough after a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, some conventional automatic bread machines end the kneading process when the load current of the motor exceeds a certain level during the kneading process (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a conventional automatic bread maker. As shown in FIG. 10, the conventional automatic bread maker includes a motor current detection unit 109, a control unit 105 equipped with a microcomputer and the like, a motor control unit 106 that drives the motor with a signal from the control unit 105, and the like. Has been.

Japanese Patent No. 4260140

  However, in the conventional configuration, the end of the kneading process is determined when the load current of the motor exceeds a certain level. For this reason, an erroneous determination may be made when the load current of the motor fluctuates regardless of the fabric kneading state, such as when the power supply voltage fluctuates.

  Further, the conventional automatic bread maker cannot cope with a difference in load current caused by variations due to individual differences in the motor itself. Therefore, it is necessary to set a condition with a margin in advance in order to suppress erroneous determination. As a result, it is difficult to accurately determine changes in the kneading state of the dough.

  The present disclosure solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic bread maker that can more accurately determine the kneading state of the dough even when there are variations due to individual differences of motors or fluctuations in power supply voltage. And

In order to solve the above-described problem, an automatic bread maker that is one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
An automatic bread maker that automatically performs a plurality of bread making processes including a kneading process,
A cooking container into which bread-making ingredients are charged;
A kneading blade arranged in the cooking container and kneading the bread-making material;
A motor for rotating the kneading blade;
A pulse output unit that outputs a pulse according to the rotation angle of the kneading blade;
A determination unit for determining the end of the kneading step based on the pulse output by the pulse output unit;
With
The determination unit measures a pulse period during a period in which the kneading blade rotates at least once during the kneading step, and a time difference calculated based on the maximum time and the minimum time of the pulse period is a first time. When the threshold value is greater than 1, the end of the kneading step is determined.

  According to the automatic bread maker of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize an automatic bread maker that can more accurately determine the kneading state of the dough even when there are variations due to individual differences of motors or fluctuations in power supply voltage.

These and other objects and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this drawing,
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an automatic bread maker according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2A is a diagram of the cooking container and the kneading blade according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a change in load torque applied to the kneading blade when the kneading blade rotates once in Embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure; FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a change in load torque applied to the kneading blade during one rotation of the kneading blade in Embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure; FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a change in the output pulse at the time of a change in the load torque of the kneading blade in the first embodiment according to the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the time difference between the elapsed time and the pulse period of the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a change in the number of rotations of the kneading blades in the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the relationship between the load torque of the kneading blade and the rotation angle when the fluctuation of the blade load torque becomes small in a state where the dough is stuck to the kneading blade, FIG. 6B is a diagram showing fluctuation of a pulse output from the pulse output unit when the load torque of the kneading blade fluctuates. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in the number of rotations of the kneading blades in the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a change between an elapsed time of the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure and a time difference between pulse periods; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of the operation of the automatic bread maker according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional automatic bread maker.

An automatic bread maker that is one embodiment of the present disclosure is:
An automatic bread maker that automatically performs a plurality of bread making processes including a kneading process,
A cooking container into which bread-making ingredients are charged;
A kneading blade arranged in the cooking container and kneading the bread-making material;
A motor for rotating the kneading blade;
A pulse output unit that outputs a pulse according to the rotation angle of the kneading blade;
A determination unit for determining the end of the kneading step based on the pulse output by the pulse output unit;
With
The determination unit measures a pulse period during a period in which the kneading blade rotates at least once during the kneading step, and a time difference calculated based on the maximum time and the minimum time of the pulse period is a first time. When the threshold value is greater than 1, the end of the kneading step is determined.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the state of the dough without being affected by variations due to individual differences in motors or fluctuations in power supply voltage, using fluctuations in the pulse period synchronized with the rotation angle of the kneading blades. . Therefore, it is possible to realize an automatic bread maker that can finish the kneading process in an optimum dough kneading state.

  In the automatic bread maker according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the time difference in the first aspect is a maximum time and a minimum time of the pulse period measured within a period in which the kneading blades are rotated a plurality of times. It is the average value of the difference from time.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the variation in the time difference of the pulse period and more accurately determine the dough kneading state.

The automatic bread maker according to the third aspect of the present disclosure further includes a control unit that performs drive control of the kneading blades according to the first or second aspect,
The control unit stops the rotation of the kneading blades when the determination unit determines the end of the kneading process.

  With such a configuration, when the determination unit determines the end of the kneading process, the kneading process can be automatically ended, and an easy-to-use automatic bread maker can be realized.

  In the automatic bread maker according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit according to the third aspect includes a first rotation speed for kneading the dough during the period in which the determination unit measures the pulse period. The kneading blade is rotated at a lower second rotation speed.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the kneading blade from rotating while the dough is stuck to the kneading blade during the period when the determination unit measures the pulse period. In addition, the accuracy of measuring the pulse period can be improved. Therefore, it becomes easier to accurately determine the difference in the kneading state of the dough, and the burden on the determination unit that measures the pulse period can be reduced.

  In the automatic bread maker according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit according to the third or fourth aspect determines that the state in which the time difference is equal to or less than the second threshold is continuing. In this case, after the control unit stops the rotation of the kneading blade or after rotating the rotation speed of the kneading blade at a third rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed for kneading the dough Rotate again at the first rotation speed.

  With such a configuration, even when the dough is stuck to the rotating kneading blade during the kneading process and the dough cannot be kneaded, this state can be quickly improved, and the kneading process Can be performed efficiently.

  In the automatic bread maker according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is configured such that the time difference is greater than a first threshold and the time difference is differentiated. A value is calculated, and when the differential value becomes smaller than a third threshold value, the end of the kneading step is determined.

  With such a configuration, the kneading state of the dough can be more accurately determined. As a result, the automatic bread maker according to the present disclosure can continue the kneading process even when the dough is not kneaded after the time difference of the pulse period becomes larger than the first threshold, and kneads at an optimal timing. The process can be finished.

  In the automatic bread maker according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the motor in any one of the first to sixth aspects is an inverter motor.

  With such a configuration, the kneading state of the fabric can be determined from the signal of the inverter motor. Therefore, a low-cost automatic bread maker can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the automatic bread maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, description of portions not directly related to the present disclosure is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic bread maker of Embodiment 1 includes a cooking container 1. A kneading blade 2 is arranged inside the cooking container 1. The kneading blade 2 is connected to the motor 3. The motor 3 is connected to a pulse output unit 4 that outputs a pulse corresponding to the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2. The pulse output unit 4 is connected to a determination unit 5 that determines the end of the kneading process based on the pulse of the pulse output unit 4. Further, in the automatic bread maker according to the first embodiment, the control unit 6 that performs drive control of the kneading blade 2 may be connected to the pulse output unit 4 and the motor 3. The motor 3 may be connected to a motor power source 7 that supplies power to the motor 3.

  The cooking container 1 is a container that is charged with bread making materials and kneaded to baked. The cooking container 1 is configured as a bottomed cylinder. A kneading blade 2 is rotatably attached to the bottom inside the cooking vessel 1. The kneading blade 2 is attached to a rotating shaft 9 that penetrates the bottom of the cooking vessel 1. The rotating shaft 9 is connected to the motor 3 via a transmission mechanism 8 composed of a pulley and a belt.

  As the motor 3, for example, an inverter motor or the like can be used. The motor 3 rotates the kneading blade 2 by rotating the rotary shaft 9 via the transmission mechanism 8. The kneading blade 2 is rotated at a constant rotation speed (for example, 250 rpm) during the kneading process. The motor 3 is supplied with electric power from a motor power source 7.

  The pulse output unit 4 outputs a synchronization pulse synchronized with the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2. For example, when the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2 outputs three pulses every 90 degrees, the pulse output unit 4 outputs twelve pulses while the kneading blade 2 rotates once. Here, the time from the rise of the pulse to the rise of the next pulse, or the time from the fall of the pulse to the fall of the next pulse is defined as a pulse period. Since the pulse output from the pulse output unit 4 is synchronized with the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2, the pulse period is shortened when the rotation speed is increased, and conversely, the pulse period is increased when the rotation speed is decreased.

The determination unit 5 determines the kneading state (end time of the kneading process) of the dough made from the bread-making material based on the pulse output from the pulse output unit 4. The determination unit 5 measures the pulse period within a period in which the kneading blade 2 rotates at least once during the kneading process, and each time the kneading blade 2 rotates, the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T of the pulse period. _A time difference ΔT is calculated based on _min . Determining unit 5 determines the end of this time difference ΔT is preset value of the pulse period (first threshold) steps kneading if it becomes greater than S _1. The details of the determination of the kneading state of the dough in the determination unit 5, that is, the determination of the end of the kneading process will be described later.

  The control unit 6 controls driving of the kneading blade 2 based on the determination result of the determination unit 5. Specifically, the control unit 6 drives and controls the kneading blade 2 by driving and controlling the motor 3 that rotates the kneading blade 2. For example, when the determination unit 5 determines the end of the kneading process, the control unit 6 controls the motor 3 to stop the rotation of the kneading blade 2 or to stop after a certain period of time. The control unit 6 is not limited to the drive control of the motor 3, and may control other circuits in the automatic bread maker. For example, the control unit 6 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each component of the automatic bread maker. For example, the control unit 6 may detect an instruction input from an operation unit through which a user inputs an instruction, and may control to display a character or the like on a display unit including a liquid crystal display device.

Next, the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 rotating in the cooking container 1 will be described.
FIG. 2A is a view of the cooking container and the kneading blade according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from above. In the actual kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the dough 10 is kneaded by the kneading blade 2 while moving in the cooking container 1 in the same direction as the rotation direction of the kneading blade 2.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, consider a case where the dough 10 is in a position represented by a hatched portion (upper left corner in FIG. 2A) and the kneading blade 2 is rotated clockwise (black arrow in FIG. 2A). Hereinafter, the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 when the kneading blade 2 is rotated clockwise with the position where the kneading blade 2 is in the illustrated position (the right side in FIG. 2A) as a reference (rotation angle 0 degree) will be described. .

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a rotation angle of the kneading blade and a load torque applied to the kneading blade in Embodiment 1 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2B shows a load torque curve when the kneading blade 2 rotates clockwise in the state shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the kneading blade 2 passes through a region where the dough 10 does not exist, for example, a region where the rotation angle is 0 degrees to 180 degrees, the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 is small. On the other hand, when the kneading blade 2 passes through a region where the dough 10 exists, for example, a region having a rotation angle of 180 degrees to 270 degrees, the kneading blade 2 passes through the dough 10, so that the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 is increased. growing. When the kneading blade 2 passes through a region with a rotation angle of 240 degrees to 270 degrees, the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 is maximized. In addition, the load torque curve shown to FIG. 2B has shown the average load torque when the mixing blade 2 rotates in multiple times. Therefore, in the kneading process, since the dough 10 is moved and kneaded to the region where the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2 is 0 degrees to 90 degrees, the load torque curve shown in FIG. The load torque is slightly larger.

  Since the kneading blade 2 and the motor 3 are connected by a transmission mechanism 8 as shown in FIG. 1, the load applied to the kneading blade 2 is directly transmitted as the load of the motor 3.

Next, determination of the kneading state of the dough 10 in the determination unit 5 will be specifically described.
FIG. 3A shows a variation in load torque applied to the kneading blade during one rotation of the kneading blade in the first embodiment according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3B shows the fluctuation of the output pulse when the load torque of the kneading blade fluctuates in the first embodiment according to the present disclosure.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the load torque of the kneading blade 2 fluctuates, torque fluctuation synchronized with the position of the kneading blade 2 is also transmitted to the motor 3 connected by the transmission mechanism 8. When the motor 3 receives a change in load torque during rotation, the rotation speed temporarily changes. Therefore, when the pulse synchronized with the rotation angle is measured, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the load torque is small, the rotation speed is increased and the pulse period from the pulse output unit 4 is shortened. On the contrary, when the load torque is large, the rotation speed of the motor 3 is slowed down, so that the pulse period becomes long.

  Moreover, the fluctuation | variation of the load torque concerning the kneading blade 2 shown to FIG. During bread making, the dough 10 is generally made by kneading flour and water. When the gluten is generated by sufficiently kneading, the dough 10 becomes more viscous. When the viscosity increases, the resistance when the kneading blade 2 passes through the dough 10 increases, and the resistance is reflected as a load torque. Conversely, when the kneading blade 2 passes through the region where the dough 10 does not exist, the load torque becomes small. Therefore, the torque difference A1 between the maximum torque and the minimum torque shown in FIG. 3A is small when the viscosity of the fabric 10 is low, that is, when the fabric 10 is not sufficiently kneaded, and is large when the kneading proceeds sufficiently. Become. This means that if the torque difference A1 between the maximum torque and the minimum torque is evaluated, the kneading state of the fabric 10 (end of the kneading process) can be determined.

The output pulse of the pulse output unit 4 varies according to the variation of the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2 as described above. Therefore, the pulse cycle varies according to the variation of the load torque applied to the kneading blade 2. Therefore, the determination unit 5 relatively determines the value of the torque difference A1 of the load torque shown in FIG. 3A by calculating the time difference ΔT that is the difference between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period. It is possible.

FIG. 4 shows changes in the time difference between the elapsed time and the pulse period of the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time of the kneading process, and the vertical axis represents the time difference ΔT (T _max −T _min ) of the pulse period. As shown in FIG. 4, as the elapsed time of the kneading process advances, the time difference ΔT of the pulse period increases. In the latter half of the kneading process, when the kneading proceeds sufficiently, the change (increase rate) in the time difference ΔT of the pulse period becomes small. Time the time difference ΔT of the pulse period, to become a representation relatively kneaded state of the fabric 10, the determining unit 5, which is greater than the determination value (first threshold value) S ₁ that the time difference ΔT is determined in advance Thus, it can be determined that the dough 10 has been sufficiently kneaded and the kneading process has been completed.

As an example, one pulse outputted from the pulse output unit 4 every time the kneading blade 2 rotates 6 degrees, in the case where the kneading blade 2 is rotating at 250 rpm, the first threshold value S ₁ is set to 2 ms Explain the case. Since 60 pulses are output each time the kneading blade 2 makes one rotation, the pulse period when rotating at a constant speed of 250 rpm is 4 milliseconds. When the pulse period varies due to the variation of the load torque due to the cloth, the minimum time T _min of the pulse period is 2.5 milliseconds, the maximum time T _max is 4 milliseconds, and the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is 1.5 milliseconds. At the second time, the time difference ΔT is equal to or less than the first threshold value S ₁ (ΔT ≦ S ₁ ). In this case, the determination unit 5 determines the continuation of the kneading process. When the minimum time T _min of the pulse period is 1.5 milliseconds, the maximum time T _max is 4 milliseconds, and the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is 2.5 milliseconds, the time difference ΔT is equal to the first threshold value S _1. It becomes larger (ΔT> S ₁ ). In this case, the determination unit 5 determines the end of the kneading process.

  As described above, the automatic bread maker according to Embodiment 1 is characterized in that the determination unit 5 determines the kneading state based on the difference in the fluctuations in the rotational speed of the kneading blades 2. Therefore, the automatic bread maker according to the first embodiment can determine the state of the dough 10 without being influenced by the output of the motor caused by variations due to individual differences of motors or fluctuations in motor power supply voltage.

In the first embodiment, the determination unit 5 uses the time difference ΔT based on the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period of the pulse output from the pulse output unit 4 to relatively change the load torque of the mixing blade 2. It is characterized by measurement. The same effect can be obtained when a torque measuring unit is connected to the kneading blade 2 and the torque fluctuation of the kneading blade 2 is directly measured.

  The pulse output from the pulse output unit 4 is not limited to a pulse corresponding to the rotation angle of the kneading blade 2. For example, the pulse output from the pulse output unit 4 may be a pulse corresponding to the rotation angle of the motor 3. As an example, when the pulse output unit 4 outputs one pulse every 90 degrees of rotation angle of the motor 3, four pulses are output while the motor 3 makes one rotation. When the reduction ratio of the transmission mechanism 8 is 1/5, the motor 3 rotates 5 times while the kneading blade 2 rotates once, so 20 pulses are output from the pulse output unit 4 while the kneading blade 2 rotates once. Will be output. With such a configuration, the torque fluctuation of the kneading blade 2 can be relatively examined without using an expensive part such as a torque measuring unit, and a low-cost automatic bread maker can be realized.

In the first embodiment, the determination unit 5 is kneading blade 2 is determined the end of the time difference ΔT and the first threshold value S ₁ and compares with kneading step per rotation, but is not limited thereto. For example, the determination unit 5 may calculate the average value ΔT _ave from the time difference ΔT of the pulse period calculated during the period when the kneading blade 2 rotates a predetermined number of times (for example, five times). The determination unit 5 may determine the end of the kneading process when the average value ΔT _ave is greater than the first threshold value S ₁ . Explaining with a specific example, the determination unit 5 calculates the time difference ΔT of the pulse period while the kneading blade 2 rotates five times, and calculates the average value ΔT _ave from the calculated time difference ΔT for five times. The determination unit 5 may determine the end of the kneading step when the average value ΔT _ave is larger than the first threshold value S ₁ (ΔT _ave > S ₁ ). By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the variation in the time difference ΔT of the pulse period and more accurately determine the kneading state of the dough 10. In addition, although the above demonstrated the case where average value (DELTA) _Tave when the mixing blade 2 rotates 5 times was _demonstrated , it is not limited to this. For example, the average value ΔT _ave of the time difference ΔT of the pulse period when the kneading blade 2 rotates 2 to 10 times may be calculated.

The time difference ΔT of the pulse period is calculated based on the difference between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period, but is not limited thereto. For example, the time difference ΔT of the pulse period may be calculated from the difference between the average values of the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period in the preceding and succeeding times.

Control unit 6, for example, processes may be terminated kneading immediately after the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold value S _1. Alternatively, the control unit 6 may end the kneading process after a certain time has elapsed. Control of the control unit 6 is not limited to, after a time difference ΔT of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold value S _1, it may be performed any operation as processing after the determination.

  Note that if an inverter motor is used as the motor 3, the pulse period can be measured by a signal output from the inverter motor. Therefore, the torque fluctuation of the kneading blade 2 can be relatively evaluated without using special parts. As a result, a low-cost automatic bread maker can be provided.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, the automatic bread maker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing changes in the number of rotations of the kneading blades in the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of a sequence for changing the rotational speed of the kneading blade in the kneading step. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that when the determination unit 5 measures the pulse period, the kneading blade 2 is changed from the first rotation speed V ₁ for kneading the dough 10 to the low second rotation speed V ₂ . It is a point that is rotated down.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, in the initial stage of the kneading process in a state where the bread making materials are not gathered, the automatic bread making machine of the second embodiment suppresses the scattering of the bread making materials, For example, the kneading blade 2 is rotated at a two-stage speed of 60 rpm) and a medium rotation speed (for example, 200 rpm). In a state where the dough 10 has been gathered to some extent after a predetermined kneading time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed, the automatic bread maker of the second embodiment increases the number of rotations of the kneading blades 2 to the first rotational speed. The rotational speed is changed so as to advance the kneading at V ₁ (for example, 250 rpm).

The determination of the kneading state of the dough 10 shown in the first embodiment is usually performed in the latter half of the kneading process. In the second half of the kneading step, as shown in FIG. 5, an automatic bread making machine is performing kneading at a first speed V ₁ of the state of increasing the speed of rotation. Further, in the latter half of the kneading process, the dough 10 is in a collective state, and the viscosity of the surface of the dough 10 is reduced.

  Generally, the cooking container 1 is processed such that the dough 10 does not stick, such as fluorine processing. Therefore, in the second half of the kneading process, the state where the dough 10 moves so as to slide in the cooking container 1 is increasing. When the kneading blade 2 is rotated at a high speed in such a state, the kneading blade 2 may rotate with the dough 10 stuck to the kneading blade 2. In such a state, since the kneading blade 2 does not pass through the dough 10, the torque difference A1 of the load torque fluctuation as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6A shows the relationship between the load torque of the kneading blade and the rotation angle when the fluctuation of the blade load torque becomes small in a state where the dough is stuck to the kneading blade. FIG. 6B shows the fluctuation of the pulse output from the pulse output unit when the load torque of the kneading blade fluctuates. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the dough 10 is stuck to the kneading blade 2, the kneading blade 2 does not pass through the dough 10, and the maximum torque applied to the kneading blade 2 is reduced. Therefore, the torque difference A1 between the maximum torque and the minimum torque is reduced. In such a state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the maximum time T _max of the pulse period decreases as the maximum torque decreases. That is, in a state where the dough 10 is stuck to the kneading blade 2, the time difference ΔT between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse cycle becomes small. Therefore, since the time difference ΔT is not larger than the first threshold value S _1, the determining unit 5, despite the dough 10 is kneaded sufficiently, it may be determined that the kneading is insufficient.

Therefore, in the automatic bread maker according to the second embodiment, as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5, the control unit 6 temporarily decreases the rotation speed of the kneading blade 2 when the determination unit 5 measures the pulse period. ing. Specifically, the control unit 6 rotates the kneading blade 2 at a second rotation speed V ₂ (for example, 50 to 60 rpm) that is lower than the first rotation speed V ₁ (for example, 250 rpm). Control unit 6, a period for measuring the pulse period (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed, returning the rotational speed of the kneading blade 2 from the second rotation speed V ₂ to the first rotational speed V _1.

  As described above, in the automatic bread maker according to the second embodiment, the rotational speed of the kneading blade 2 is lowered to move to the bottom of the cooking container 1 due to the viscosity of the dough 10 itself. For this reason, it can be in the state where it is easy to get caught in the kneading blade 2. That is, since the phenomenon that the kneading blade 2 rotates while the dough 10 is stuck to the kneading blade 2 can be suppressed, the determination unit 5 can more reliably measure the fluctuation of the pulse period.

In the automatic bread maker of the second embodiment, the rotational speed of the kneading blade ₂ is lowered to the second rotational speed V2 during the measurement period of the pulse period. Therefore, the pulse period measured at the second rotational velocity V ₂ is longer than the measured pulse period in the first rotation speed V ₁ of the during normal kneading process. For example, when the first rotation speed V ₁ is 250 rpm and the second rotation speed V ₂ is 50 rpm, the pulse period measured at the _second rotation speed V ₂ is measured at the first rotation speed V ₁ . It is about 5 times longer than the pulse period. As a result, the automatic bread maker of Embodiment 2 can reduce the burden on the determination unit 5 that measures the pulse period.

In addition, since the pulse period measured at the second rotation speed V ₂ becomes longer, the time difference ΔT of the pulse period also becomes longer. Therefore, automatic bread making machine of the second embodiment, it is possible to set the first threshold value S ₁ in a wider range, it is possible to capture a change in the kneaded state of the fabric 10 in greater detail. For example, in the case of the first rotation speed V ₁ (for example, 250 rpm), it is assumed that the first threshold value S ₁ is set in a narrow range of 2 to 3 seconds. In the case of the second rotation speed V ₂ (for example, 50 rpm), the first threshold value S ₁ can be set in a wide range of 10 to 15 seconds (a range that is five times the _first rotation speed V ₁ ). As a result, the automatic bread maker of the second embodiment can set the _first threshold value S1 in detail, and can set the timing for ending the kneading process in more detail.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the automatic bread maker according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in the number of rotations of the kneading blades in the kneading process of the automatic bread maker according to the third embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an example of a sequence for changing the rotational speed of the kneading blade in the kneading step. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first and second embodiments is that when the determination unit 5 determines that the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is not more than the _second threshold value S2, the control unit 6 sets the mixing blade 2 to the first This is a point of rotation at a _third rotation speed V ₃ lower than the rotation speed V _{1 of 1} .

  As described in the second embodiment, in the latter half of the kneading process, the kneading blade 2 may rotate with the dough 10 sticking to the kneading blade 2.

  In this case, since the kneading blade 2 is not kneading the dough 10, the kneading blade 2 is actually not kneaded despite rotating. If such a state occurs frequently, the kneading process time may become long. Moreover, not only the cooking time is lengthened but also a problem from the viewpoint of energy saving.

Therefore, in the automatic bread maker of Embodiment 3, when the time difference ΔT between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period continues to be equal to or smaller than the _second threshold value S2, the determination unit 5 It is determined that the kneading blade 2 is rotating with the dough 10 stuck to the kneading blade 2. Based on the determination result of the determination unit 5, the control unit 6 controls the rotation of the kneading blade 2.

Specifically, for example, the determination unit 5 has a predetermined state in which the time difference ΔT between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period is equal to or smaller than a _second threshold value S ₂ (for example, 1 millisecond). It is determined that the period (for example, 1 to 2 seconds) continues. Here, the predetermined period means a period during which the kneading blade 2 rotates at least twice. In this case, the determination unit 5 determines that the kneading blade 2 is rotating with the dough 10 stuck to the kneading blade 2. Based on this determination result, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 6 changes the rotational speed of the kneading blade 2 from the first rotational speed V ₁ (for example, 250 rpm) to the low third rotational speed V ₃ (for example, 10-50 rpm). Control unit 6, a predetermined time (e.g., 4-5 seconds) after has elapsed, returns the rotational speed of the kneading blade 2 to the first rotational speed V _1.

  The control unit 6 may temporarily stop the rotation of the kneading blade 2 based on the determination result from the determination unit 5, or may stop until the kneading process is completed.

  As described above, when the rotation of the kneading blade 2 is stopped or the rotation is made at a low speed, the dough 10 moves so as to fall to the bottom of the cooking container 1 due to its own viscosity, and is easily caught by the kneading blade 2. When the dough 10 is caught by the kneading blade 2, the kneading blade 2 again passes through the dough 10, so that the kneading blade 2 can knead the dough 10.

Further, when the rotational speed of the kneading blade 2 is returned to the first rotational speed V ₁ (for example, 250 rpm), the control unit 6 increases the time difference ΔT of the pulse period by a certain value or more (for example, 2 milliseconds or more). may return kneading rotational speed of the blades 2 to the first rotational speed V ₁ when the. That is, when the determination unit 5 determines that the idle state (the state in which the dough 10 is stuck to the kneading blade 2 and the kneading blade 2 is rotating) is resolved, the control unit 6 performs the kneading. may return rotational speed of the blades 2 to the first rotational speed V _1.

  As described above, in the automatic bread maker according to the third embodiment, the dough 10 is prevented from being insufficiently kneaded by rotating the kneading blade 2 while the dough 10 is stuck to the kneading blade 2. Can do. Furthermore, in the automatic bread maker of Embodiment 3, it is possible to prevent the kneading process time from becoming unnecessarily long.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, an automatic bread maker according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 shows the change between the elapsed time of the kneading process and the time difference of the pulse period of the automatic bread maker according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. And it differs from the first to third embodiments, the determination unit 5, when the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold S _1, and the amount of change the time difference ΔT of the pulse period (differential value) [Delta] D is if it becomes less than the third threshold value S _3, it is a point to determine the end of the kneading step.

  As shown in FIG. 8, as the kneading process time progresses, the kneading of the dough 10 progresses, and the change (increase rate) in the time difference ΔT of the pulse period becomes smaller. Since the time difference ΔT of the pulse period relatively represents the kneading state of the dough 10, when the change of the pulse period ΔT becomes small, the kneading of the dough 10 is sufficiently advanced. .

The automatic bread making machine of the fourth embodiment, the determination unit 5, after a time difference ΔT of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold value S _1, the amount of change in the time difference ΔT of the pulse period (differential value) to evaluate the ΔD . Determining unit 5, when the calculated amount of change (differential value) [Delta] D is smaller than a predetermined value (third threshold) S _3, it is determined the completion of the kneading process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the automatic bread maker in the fourth embodiment. The operation of the automatic bread maker according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in step ST1, the determination part 5 measures a pulse period. The determination unit 5 measures the pulse period based on the pulse output from the pulse output unit 4. Note that the measurement of the pulse period is performed a plurality of times during the period in which the kneading blade 2 rotates at least once.

In step ST2, the determination unit 5 calculates a time difference ΔT based on the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _{min of} the pulse period. The determination unit 5 calculates the time difference ΔT from the difference between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period every time the kneading blade 2 makes one rotation. The time difference ΔT may be an average value ΔT _ave of the difference between the maximum time T _max and the minimum time T _min of the pulse period when the kneading blade 2 rotates a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 rotations).

In step ST3, the determination unit 5, the time difference ΔT of the pulse period is determined whether the first is greater than the threshold value S _1. In the step ST3, the case where the time difference [Delta] T is greater than the first threshold value _{S 1 (ΔT> S 1)} , the process proceeds to step ST4, if the time difference [Delta] T is equal to the first threshold value _{S 1} or less (ΔT ≦ _S 1), Return to step ST1.

In step ST4, the determination unit 5 calculates a change amount (differential value) ΔD of the time difference between the pulse periods. As shown in FIG. 8, the determination unit 5 sets a determination time J _n (J ₁ , J ₂ , J ₃ ...) For determining the change amount ΔD at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1 minute interval). At each determination time J _n , the change amount ΔD _m of each pulse period is calculated. Specifically, the determining unit 5, the difference between the time difference [Delta] T _n-1 calculated in determination timing J _n-1, which was the time difference [Delta] T _n and the previous calculation in the current determination timing J _n, the change in the time difference of the pulse period The amount ΔD _m (ΔT _n −ΔT _n−1 ) is calculated. That is, in step ST4, the determination unit 5 calculates the differential value ΔD _m of the time difference ΔT _n of the pulse period for each determination time J _n .

In step ST5, the determination unit 5, the amount of change in the time difference of the pulse period (differential value) [Delta] D determines whether a third threshold S ₃ is smaller than. In step ST5, if the amount of change [Delta] D is a third threshold _{S 3} is smaller than (ΔD _<S 3), the process proceeds to step ST6, when the amount of change [Delta] D is the third threshold value _{S 3} or more ([Delta] D ≧ _{S 3} ), The process returns to step ST4.

  In step ST6, the determination unit 5 determines the end of the kneading process. The determination unit 5 determines that the dough 10 has been sufficiently kneaded and determines the end of the kneading process. The control unit 6 performs processing such as stopping the rotation of the kneading blade 2 based on the determination result of the determination unit 5.

Thus, in the automatic bread making machine of the third embodiment, when the time difference [Delta] T of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold S _1, and the change amount (differential value) of the time difference [Delta] T [Delta] D is the third threshold value if it becomes smaller than the S _3, it is determined the completion of the kneading process. Thereby, the automatic bread maker of Embodiment 4 can determine the kneading state of the dough 10 more accurately. For example, after a time difference ΔT of the pulse period is greater than the first threshold value S _1, even when the kneaded dough is insufficient, it is possible to continue the kneading process. As a result, the automatic bread maker according to Embodiment 3 can finish the kneading process at an optimal timing.

  Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included therein, so long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention according to the appended claims.

  The automatic bread maker according to the present disclosure can grasp the kneading state of the dough from the fluctuation of the rotation speed of the kneading blade, and more accurately determine the end of the kneading process regardless of variations in the motor or power supply voltage. Is possible. In addition, the automatic bread maker according to the present disclosure can suppress the rotation of the kneading blade while the dough is stuck to the kneading blade, and can also prevent the kneading process time from becoming unnecessarily long. Therefore, in particular, the present disclosure is useful as an automatic bread maker mainly used in general households.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooking container 2 Kneading blade 3 Motor 4 Pulse output part 5 Judgment part 6 Control part 7 Motor power supply 8 Transmission mechanism 9 Rotating shaft 10 Dough

Claims (7)

An automatic bread maker that automatically performs a plurality of bread making processes including a kneading process,
A cooking container into which bread-making ingredients are charged;
A kneading blade arranged in the cooking container and kneading the bread-making material;
A motor for rotating the kneading blade;
A pulse output unit that outputs a pulse according to the rotation angle of the kneading blade;
A determination unit for determining the end of the kneading step based on the pulse output by the pulse output unit;
With
The determination unit measures a pulse period during a period in which the kneading blade rotates at least once during the kneading step, and a time difference calculated based on the maximum time and the minimum time of the pulse period is a first time. An automatic bread maker that determines the end of the kneading step when the threshold value is greater than 1.   The automatic bread maker according to claim 1, wherein the time difference is an average value of a difference between a maximum time and a minimum time of the pulse period measured during a period in which the kneading blades are rotated a plurality of times. A control unit for controlling the driving of the kneading blades;
The automatic bread maker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit stops the rotation of the kneading blades when the determination unit determines the end of the kneading step.   The said control part rotates the said mixing blade | wing at the 2nd rotational speed lower than the 1st rotational speed for kneading | mixing dough during the period when the said determination part is measuring the pulse period. Automatic bread machine.   When the determination unit determines that the state in which the time difference is equal to or less than the second threshold continues, the control unit stops the rotation of the kneading blades or rotates the kneading blades. 5. The automatic bread maker according to claim 3, wherein the bread is rotated at a third rotation speed that is lower than a first rotation speed for kneading the dough and then rotated again at the first rotation speed. .   The determination unit determines the end of the kneading step when the time difference is larger than a first threshold and when a differential value of the time difference is calculated and the differential value is smaller than a third threshold. The automatic bread maker according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The automatic bread maker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the motor is an inverter motor.

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