JPWO2018207441A1 - Cooking system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric rice cooker and a heating / cooking system having a configuration in which a rice cooker is placed and induction heating is performed to prevent overheating of the electric rice cooker, thereby improving convenience. The electric rice cooker and the heating cooking system set an induction heating cooker provided with a heating coil and a first input operation unit, an inner pot heated by the heating coil of the induction heating cooker to put rice, and rice cooking conditions. A rice cooker unit having a second input operation unit to perform cooking, wherein the rice cooker unit covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation unit in a state where the rice cooker unit is placed on the top plate of the induction heating cooker; A gap is formed between the upper surface of the input operation unit 1 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit, and an infrared signal for coordinating the control operation between the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit is generated by the induction heating. It is performed by passing through the window at the opposite part of the cooker and the rice cooking unit. In a state where the rice cooking unit is not placed, the induction heating cooker can set induction heating conditions by the first input operation unit, and operates as a single induction heating cooker.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric rice cooker and a cooking system, and in particular, the electric rice cooker is used by being placed on an induction heating cooker, and after completion of rice cooking, it can be removed from the induction heating cooker. The present invention relates to a heating cooker that can be used alone.

  Conventionally, a rice cooker unit (also referred to as a "honey") having an inner pot is placed on a tabletop induction heating cooker (also referred to as an "electromagnetic cooker"), and rice cooking operation is performed by an induction heating source. There has been an electric rice cooker in which a rice cooking unit can be moved to a place away from an induction heating cooker after cooking rice (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, there is an electric rice cooker which not only can be separated vertically from an induction heating cooker but also has a function of measuring the weight of an inner pot for storing rice and the like, thereby improving user convenience (Patent Documents). 2, 3, and 4).

Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3103627 Japanese Patent No. 5775885 JP 2017-079207 A JP 2017-077459 A

In the electric rice cooker described in Patent Literature 1, when the rice cooker unit is placed on the induction cooker, various input operation buttons constituting the operation unit of the induction cooker are exposed. There is a possibility that the input operation button on the induction heating cooker side which is not necessary for cooking rice may be pressed in a state where is placed.
Further, in the electric rice cookers described in Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4, when the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the input operation unit disposed at the front upper surface of the induction heating cooker. And the display unit and the bottom surface of the rice cooker unit are close to each other, so that the input operation unit and the display unit receive heat radiation from the bottom surface of the rice cooker unit, which has been heated to a high temperature by induction heating, and are overheated. there were.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has as its main object to prevent an input operation unit or a display unit disposed at a front upper portion of an induction heating cooker from being overheated.

The electric rice cooker according to the first invention is
A heating coil, an induction heating cooker provided with first input operation means positioned forward of the heating coil and for inputting induction heating conditions,
A rice cooker including an inner pot that stores the rice to be cooked and is heated by the heating coil, and a second input operation unit that inputs a rice cooking condition;
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A projection is formed on at least one of an upper surface of the induction heating cooker and a lower surface of the rice cooking unit, the protrusion protruding toward the gap.

  According to the electric rice cooker of the first invention, it is possible to prevent overheating of the first input operation means disposed at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker.

The electric rice cooker according to the second invention is
An induction heating cooker comprising: a heating coil; and first input operation means positioned forward of the heating coil and for inputting induction heating conditions;
A rice cooker including an inner pot that stores the rice to be cooked and is heated by the heating coil, and a second input operation unit that inputs a rice cooking condition;
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A vent hole is formed in the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit corresponding to the gap to allow cooling air of a cooling fan built in the rice cooking unit to flow.

  According to the electric rice cooker of the second invention, overheating of the first input operation means disposed at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker can be prevented by the cooling air flowing through the rice cooking unit.

The heating and cooking system according to the third invention is:
An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A window for passing an infrared signal between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker is provided at a portion of the rice cooker unit opposite the bottom plate and the top plate of the induction heating cooker behind the gap. Forming
The induction heating cooker checks the placement of the rice cooking unit by the infrared signal before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit, and thereafter invalidates an input operation of the first input operation means. It is a configuration characterized by the following.

  According to the heating and cooking system of the third invention, overheating of the first input operation means arranged at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker can be prevented by the gap, and the rice cooking unit can be used. Before starting the rice cooking process, the placement of the rice cooking unit is confirmed by the infrared signal, and thereafter, the input operation of the first input operation means of the induction heating cooker is invalidated, so that a predetermined rice cooking unit is used. In this case, it is possible to prevent an unintentional input operation by the first input operation means.

The heating and cooking system according to the fourth invention includes:
An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A window for passing an infrared signal between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker is provided at a portion of the rice cooker unit opposite the bottom plate and the top plate of the induction heating cooker behind the gap. Forming
Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit, the induction heating cooker checks the placement of the rice cooking unit by the infrared signal, and thereafter invalidates the input operation of the first input operation means,
Further, the induction heating cooker releases an invalid state of the input operation of the first input operation means when detecting that the rice cooking unit has completed a predetermined rice cooking process by the infrared signal. Configuration.

  According to the heating cooking system of the fourth invention, overheating of the input operation unit arranged at the front upper part of the induction heating cooker can be prevented by the gap, and the rice cooking step by the rice cooking unit can be prevented. Before starting, the placement of the rice cooking unit is confirmed by the infrared signal, and thereafter, the input operation of the first input operation means of the induction heating cooker is invalidated, so that when using a predetermined rice cooking unit, During the rice cooking operation, careless input operation by the first input operation means can be prevented. Further, when the rice cooking process is completed, the invalid state of the input operation is automatically released, so that use of the induction heating cooker alone does not become a hindrance.

A heating cooking system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes:
An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
Information for controlling rice cooking is transmitted between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker to a portion of the rice cooking unit opposite to the top plate of the induction cooking device behind the gap. Forming a window for passing infrared signals,
In the induction heating cooker or the rice cooking unit, at least one of during the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit or during the period of reserved rice cooking, the placement of the rice cooking unit is confirmed by the infrared signal, and at a predetermined reference position. When it is determined that there is no rice cooking unit, according to the degree of progress of the rice cooking process, a process of determining whether to continue or stop the rice cooking operation is performed, and at the stage of continuing or stopping the rice cooking operation, a notification operation is performed in advance. It is a configuration characterized by doing.

According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first input operation means arranged at the front part of the upper surface from being overheated.
Before or after starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit, the process of confirming the placement of the rice cooking unit by the infrared signal and determining whether to continue or stop the rice cooking operation according to the degree of progress of the rice cooking process. Is performed, and the user is notified in advance at the stage of continuing or stopping the rice cooking operation, so that there is an advantage that misunderstanding or erroneous operation of the user can be prevented.

The heating cooking system according to the sixth invention is
An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
Information for controlling rice cooking is transmitted between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker to a portion of the rice cooking unit opposite to the top plate of the induction cooking device behind the gap. Forming a window for passing infrared signals,
In the induction heating cooker, at least one of during the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit or during the period of reserved rice cooking, the infrared signal confirms placement of the rice cooking unit, and the rice cooking unit is placed at a predetermined reference position. When it is determined that there is no wireless communication, an external wireless communication unit for wirelessly notifying is provided.

  According to the heating and cooking system of the sixth invention, overheating of the input operation unit disposed in the front portion of the upper surface of the induction heating cooker can be prevented by the gap, and the rice cooking unit can be used during cooking or reservation. During the rice cooking period, when it is detected that the user has deviated from the reference position, it is notified to the outside, so that it is possible to monitor the rice cooking to be surely executed, thereby increasing the convenience and security of the user. it can.

The heating and cooking system according to the seventh invention includes:
An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A window for passing an infrared signal between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker is provided at a portion of the rice cooker unit opposite the bottom plate and the top plate of the induction heating cooker behind the gap. Forming
The induction heating cooker monitors the placement of the rice cooker unit by the infrared signal while the rice cooker unit is placed at a predetermined position and is performing a heat retaining step, and the input of the first input operation means. Continue to disable the operation,
Further, when the induction heating cooker cannot detect the presence of the rice cooking unit at a predetermined position by the infrared signal, it terminates the warming step of the rice cooking unit and disables the input operation of the first input operation means. Is canceled.

According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first input operation means arranged at the front part of the upper surface from being overheated.
In addition, at the stage of the warming step by the rice cooker unit, the placement of the rice cooker unit is confirmed by the infrared signal, and when it is detected that there is a problem with the placement of the rice cooker unit, the warming operation is stopped, and Since the invalid state of the input operation of the input operation means can be released, there is an advantage that misunderstanding or erroneous operation in use by the user can be prevented.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the electric rice cooker of this invention, the overheating of the input operation part arrange | positioned at the upper surface front part of an induction heating cooker can be prevented.
Further, according to the heating cooking system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent overheating of the input operation unit, and furthermore, invalidate the input operation by the first input operation means of the induction heating cooker during the rice cooking operation, thereby making a mistake. You can avoid usage.

It is a perspective view of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the XX line of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the operation input part in the front part of the electric rice cooker of FIG. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view 1 of a front portion of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view 2 of a front part of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a front part of a lid of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 1. It is a control block diagram which shows the structure of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a control block diagram which shows the structure of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the rice cooking process of the electric rice cooker of FIG. The operation | movement relationship explanatory drawing of the rice cooking unit of this invention, and an induction heating cooker. It is a flowchart 1 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 2 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 3 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 4 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 5 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 6 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 7 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. 2 is a flowchart 1 showing a control operation of a rice cooking unit of the electric rice cooker in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart 2 which shows the control operation of the rice cooker unit of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a flowchart 3 which shows the control operation of the rice cooker unit of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a longitudinal sectional view of an operation input unit at a front part of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 19. It is a control block diagram which shows the structure of the induction heating cooker which induction-heats the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower front part of the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the operation input part in the front part of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lower part of the left side of the electric rice cooker of FIG. It is an explanatory view showing the whole picture of one house (home) using the electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. It is a top view of the lid of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cooperative relationship between the induction heating cooker and the electric power instruction | command apparatus in the home shown in FIG. 27 in time series. It is a flowchart which shows the step of reservation rice cooking operation of an electric rice cooker. It is a flowchart which shows the monitoring and notification operation of an electric rice cooker. It is a flowchart 1 which shows the control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 34 is a flowchart 2 showing a control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit of FIG. 33. 34 is a flowchart 3 illustrating a control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit in FIG. 33. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation of the rice cooking unit of FIG. 13 relates to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the induction heating cooker. It is related to Embodiment 7 of the present invention and is a perspective view of an electric rice cooker. FIG. 39 is a plan view 1 of a lid of a rice cooking unit of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 38. FIG. 39 is a plan view 2 of a lid of a rice cooking unit of the electric rice cooker in FIG. 38. FIG. 39 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the rice cooking unit in FIG. 38. 39 is a flowchart showing a control operation in the case of stew cooking in the rice cooking unit of FIG. 38. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of a control pattern in stew cooking of the rice cooking unit in FIG. 38.

  Hereinafter, the rice cooker of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the size relationship of each component may be different from the actual one. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding components, and this is common throughout the entire specification. Furthermore, the forms of the components shown in the entire text of the specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these descriptions.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 20 will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric rice cooker of FIG. 1 taken along line XX. In FIG. 2, cross-section display (hatching) is omitted for some components.

In the double-headed arrow shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the R direction is the right direction of the rice cooking unit (also referred to as “oat part”) 1 and the induction heating cooker 10. The L direction is the left direction.
The BK direction of the double-headed arrow indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 is the direction behind the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10. FR also indicates the forward direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electric rice cooker 100 includes a rice cooking unit 1 and an induction heating cooker 10. The rice cooking unit 1 is merely placed on the top plate 22 constituting the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and is not fixed by connecting means such as screws. It can be easily separated from the top surface. The induction heating cooker 10 is a member on which the rice cooking unit 1 is placed. For example, the induction heating cooker 10 has a substantially L-shape when viewed from the side of the electric rice cooker 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rice cooking unit 1 includes a main body 1A having a square (cubic) shape, a lid 1B connected to the main body 1A by a hinge (not shown), and a handle 1C ( (Not shown), inner pot 3, inner pot temperature detecting means 5, feeding means 6 mainly composed of a feeding coil, receiving coil 7, lid opening / closing button 8, lid heating means 9A, An inner pot side heating means 9B, a display means 11 which is an example of the notification means 70, and a second input operation means 12 for inputting a rice cooking condition or the like by a user are provided. Reference numeral 18 denotes an operation unit for measuring the weight of rice, described later, on which a plurality of operation keys 18A are arranged. One operation key (switch) 18A is a key for starting the measurement of the weight, and there is also an operation key (switch) 18A for canceling the measurement result.

Except for the lid 1B, the square case constituting the outer shell of the rice cooking unit 1 is formed of a plastic material. 1F indicates a front wall surface, and 1R indicates a right wall surface (right side surface).
Similarly, the body case 10A forming the outer shell of the induction heating cooker 10 is also formed of a plastic material. 10F is a front wall surface of the main body case 10A, and 10R is a right wall surface.

  The induction heating cooker 10 has, in its internal space, a cooling fan 13, an induction heating coil 14, a power transmission coil 17, a magnetic shield 19, a control device 50, and an outside air temperature for detecting the temperature of room air in a kitchen or the like. Detecting means 15. The induction heating coil is referred to as "heating coil" in the following description.

  The main body 1A of the rice cooking unit 1 is a member for accommodating the inner pot 3, and a lid 1B and a U-shaped handle 1C (not shown) are attached to the main body 1A. Both ends of the handle are rotatably fixed to the left and right side surfaces of the electric rice cooker main body 1A, and are used when lifting up the rice cooking unit 1 as a whole.

  The lid 1B is, for example, a square or rectangular member in plan view provided so as to cover the entire upper surface of the main body 1A. The lid 1B has a planar shape almost the same size as the planar shape of the main body 1A.

  The inner pot 3 is a substantially bottomed cylindrical member having an opening at the top. It is made of a material such as a magnetic metal or carbon. The inner pot temperature detecting means 5 is a temperature detecting means (also referred to as "temperature monitoring means") for detecting the temperature of the inner pot 3, and is constituted by, for example, a thermistor 5A. Although the thermistor measures the temperature by contacting the outer surface of the inner pot 3, an infrared temperature sensor 5B or the like that detects the temperature without contact may be used. The infrared temperature sensor 5B is installed inside the induction heating cooker 10 as shown in FIG. 2, and measures the temperature by receiving infrared rays radiated from the inner pot 3 as shown by a dashed arrow.

  The power supply means 6 is a power storage means provided, for example, on the rear side (back side) of the rice cooking unit 1 with respect to the inner pot 3. The power supply means 6 is composed of, for example, a secondary battery 95 (see FIG. 8) such as a lead storage battery, a nickel hydride storage battery, or a lithium ion storage battery. The power supply means 6 is not limited to the secondary battery 95, but may be a primary battery such as a dry battery. As described above, when the power supply unit 6 is formed of a primary battery, it is desirable to provide the power supply unit 6 at a position where the power supply unit 6 can be easily replaced in consideration of the possibility of frequently replacing the power supply unit 6.

  The power receiving coil 7 is, for example, a coil provided inside the rice cooking unit 1 and functions to supply power to the power supply unit 6 based on the power transmitted from the power transmitting coil 17. In addition, as a method of supplying power to the power supply means 6 in a non-contact manner, there are an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, an electric field coupling method, and the like.

  The lid opening / closing button 8 is configured such that the lid 1B is opened from the main body 1A when a force from the front side to the rear side of the rice cooking unit 1 is applied. Is provided. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, by applying a force from the front side to the rear side of the rice cooking unit 1 on the lid opening / closing button 8, the lid 1 </ b> B locks the main body 1 </ b> A with the locking mechanism (shown in FIG. 1). ) Comes off, and is opened by the force of a spring mechanism (not shown) incorporated behind the lid 1B.

  The lid heating means 9A is a heating means provided above the inner pot 3, and is provided, for example, inside the lid 1B. The inner pot side heating means 9B is a heating means provided on the side of the inner pot 3, and is provided inside the main body 1A, for example. When the rice cooking unit 1 is correctly placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the lid heating means 9A and the inner pot side heating means 9B are driven by the power of the external power supply supplied from the induction heating cooker 10. Is done. When the rice cooking unit 1 is not placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the lid heating means 9 </ b> A and the inner pot side heating means 9 </ b> B are driven by, for example, electric power of the power supply means 6.

  The display means 11 is composed of two display screens. The two display screens 11A and 11B are display means for displaying various kinds of information of the electric rice cooker 100 on the screen, and include, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), and the like.

  The first display screen 11A provided on the lid 1B displays, for example, a time during which the rice can be kept warm when the rice cooking unit 1 is removed from above the induction heating cooker 10. The first display screen 11A also displays, for example, the power storage state of the power supply unit 6. The first display screen 11A also displays, for example, the current power storage state within a range of 0% to 100%. Further, the first display screen 11A displays the time required until the charging of the power supply means 6 is completed.

  The second display screen 11B arranged on the front of the main body 1A displays information such as the weight of rice to be cooked and the optimal amount of water in characters and numbers.

  The second input operation means 12 is arranged at a front part of the lid 1B. The input operation unit 12 is an operation unit that receives an operation input or the like for executing a process such as a preheating process, a rice cooking process, and a washing process. A plurality of press-type input keys are arranged. Details will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a touch-type input key may be provided in place of or in combination with the press-type input key.

  Also, a first display screen 11A is arranged at the same position as the second input operation means 12. The second input operation means 12 allows the user to input various rice cooking conditions such as the amount of cooked rice, the brand of rice, the hardness of rice cooked, the time of completion of rice cooking and the time zone when performing reserved rice cooking, and the input result. Can be confirmed each time on the first display screen 11A. Details will be described with reference to FIG.

  The cooling fan 13 is a blowing unit for releasing heat generated in the control device 50 including the semiconductor integrated circuit and the electronic circuit in the induction heating cooker 10 into the air. When the cooling fan 13 rotates, an air flow from the cooling fan 13 toward the heating coil 14 is generated. The heating coil 14 heats the inner pot 3 itself by the generated magnetic force lines, and heats cooked items such as rice and water stored in the inner pot 3. It is provided so as to be positioned below the inner pot 3 while being placed on the cooking device 10. The heating coil 14 is formed by winding a thin copper wire or the like into a donut shape.

  The power transmission coil 17 supplies electric power from the induction heating cooker 10. The power transmission coil 17 is located upstream of the heating coil 14 in the air flow of the cooling fan 13. That is, the power transmission coil 17 is located on the rear side of the induction heating cooker 10 with respect to the heating coil 14 and is located on the front side with respect to the cooling fan 13. By providing the power transmission coil 17 in this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the heating coil 14 is cooled and the air whose temperature has increased is supplied to the power transmission coil 17.

  The magnetic shield 19 is a member that shields electromagnetic waves emitted from the heating coil 14 from reaching the power transmission coil 17. The magnetic shield 19 has, for example, a fixed height so as to surround the periphery of the heating coil 14 and is provided in an annular shape in plan view. The magnetic shield 19 extends downward from the lower surface of the top plate 22 at the upper part of the induction heating cooker 10, for example. Note that the magnetic shield 19 is not limited to the example in which the magnetic shield 19 is provided annularly outside the body of the induction heating cooker 10 in the radial direction than the heating coil 14. What is necessary is just to be provided so that it may be located between them.

The outside air temperature detecting means 15 is for detecting the temperature outside the space where the electric rice cooker 100 is placed. It is installed on the wall surface of a rear vertical portion 16 that rises vertically at the rear of the induction heating cooker 10. The detected temperature of the outside air temperature detecting means 15 is used together with the detected temperature of the inner pot temperature detecting means 5 for calculating a heat retaining time described later.
In addition, although the outside air temperature detecting means 15 is provided in the induction heating cooker 10 in the first embodiment, it may be provided in the rice cooking unit 1.

  In FIG. 1, reference numerals 2 denote legs arranged one at each of four corners on the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1. A weight sensor 4 is disposed inside the leg, and can measure the weight of the rice cooking unit 1 in grams. This weight sensor will be described later in detail.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes first input operation means arranged in a horizontally long belt shape at a front portion of the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10. In this input operation means, various push-type input buttons (keys) are arranged. In this input operation means, various conditions such as heating power, a cooking menu (boiler, boiled food, etc.), cooking time, etc. can be input so that induction heating cooking can be performed by the induction heating cooker 10 alone, independently of the rice cooking unit 1. .
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10, the first input operation means 20 is covered by the rice cooking unit 1 from above as shown in FIGS. It will be in the state that was done.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a protrusion (a ridge) formed on the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 so as to extend right and left so as to cross right behind the first input operation means 20. The protrusion 21 has a length that covers the entire width of the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and is formed of a material having heat resistance and elasticity. Are fixed to the upper surface of a top plate 22 made of heat-resistant glass or the like. The protrusion is formed, for example, of silicone rubber.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 23 denotes an inner lid for opening and closing the upper opening of the inner pot 3, which is a thin metal plate having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum and has a circular planar shape. The electric heater serving as the lid heating means 9 </ b> A is disposed on the upper surface of the inner lid 23.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes a seal packing attached around the inner lid 23, which is made of a material having high heat resistance and elasticity such as silicon rubber. When the lid 1B is closed, the inner pot 3 is sealed by the inner lid 23 and the packing 24. The inner lid 23 is formed with a small hole for removing steam during rice cooking, and a steam discharge passage communicating with the outside of the rice cooking unit 1 is formed so as to pass through the inside of the lid 1B. .

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 25 denotes an inner body made of a heat-resistant resin or a non-magnetic metal (for example, aluminum) that is not heated by induction and surrounds the periphery of the inner pot 3 in close proximity. An electric heater serving as a hook side heating means 9B is wound.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes a wireless communication module (wireless communication unit) housed in the rear vertical section 16, which can wirelessly communicate with local network equipment (including a power command device) installed in the home. In addition, information can be exchanged with a remote information terminal, communication device, or the like via an Internet line. Also, a remote control signal for the rice cooking unit 1 can be received. As the wireless communication means, for example, well-known means such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) can be adopted.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 27 denotes a support plate that supports the second display screen 11B. Reference numeral 28 denotes a window formed in the inner trunk portion 25 corresponding to the center of the bottom of the inner pot 3, and is covered with a material that transmits infrared rays. Reference numeral 29 denotes a window provided at a position corresponding to the window, and is formed on the top plate 22. The top plate 22 is usually provided with a coating film or the like that blocks visible light on the back (lower) surface so that the internal structure of the induction heating cooker 10 cannot be visually recognized. Since there is no such coating film, infrared rays can easily transmit.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 denotes a permanent magnet installed on the rear surface of the rice cooking unit 1 so as to correspond to a reed switch 31 (see FIG. 3), which is one of the placement detection sensors arranged inside the rear vertical portion 16. is there.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a support substrate, which supports an infrared temperature sensor 5B constituting the inner pot temperature detecting means 5, and is installed horizontally inside the induction heating cooker 10.

  Reference numeral 34 denotes an infrared signal transmission / reception unit that constitutes a part of the reference position determination unit 33, and is disposed outside the magnetic shield 19 and behind the first input operation unit 20. Two or more infrared signal transmitting / receiving sections 34 are provided instead of one. At least one is for transmitting an infrared signal, and at least one is for receiving an infrared signal. In this case, it is advantageous in terms of structure that windows 37 to be described later can be shared if they are arranged side by side in an approaching state.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes an infrared signal transmission / reception unit that constitutes a part of the reference position determination unit 33, and is disposed on a vertical extension of the infrared signal transmission / reception unit 34. Like the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34, two or more infrared signal transmitting / receiving units 35 may be provided instead of one.

  36A is a first signal processing unit for decoding an infrared signal. Note that a similar second signal processing unit 36B is also provided on the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34 side. Since there is a concern that noise may occur in wireless communication while the induction heating coil 14 is being driven, communication is performed using an infrared signal. 101 is a power plug, and 102 is a power cord.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 37 denotes a window formed in the top plate 22 for transmitting infrared signals similarly to the window 29.
Reference numeral 39 denotes a bottom plate made of heat-resistant plastic constituting the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and forms a window for transmitting infrared signals.
Reference numeral 40 denotes a support substrate that supports the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 34.

In FIG. 3, 1F is a front wall surface of the main body 1A of the rice cooking unit 1, and 10F is a front wall surface of a main body case 10A forming an outer shell of the induction heating cooker 10.
In FIG. 3, the range of the first input operation means 20 in the front-rear direction is as indicated by solid-line arrows.

  In the first input operation means 20, a plurality of push-type electronic switches 41 are arranged in a horizontal line at a constant interval. Each of the electronic switches 41 can generate a predetermined signal by closing an internal contact when the operation unit 41A at the top is pressed. 41B is a pressing rod made of plastic.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a circuit board on which the electronic switches 41 are mounted. Reference numeral 43 denotes a protection sheet (or protection plate) formed of a thin, curving plastic material, which covers the operation section 41A in a sealed state to prevent water from entering from above. When the protection sheet 43 is pressed by the user's finger, the operation unit 41A moves downward by a small dimension and the internal contact of the electronic switch 41 closes.
Reference numeral 44 denotes a through hole formed in a support frame 45 made of plastic, and has a diameter larger than the outer dimensions of the operation unit 41A so as to allow the operation unit 41A to move up and down.

The first input operation means 20 includes a display means 70D for displaying the operation input result. Although not shown, it is composed of a liquid crystal display screen, a laser light emitting diode element (LED) and the like. The LED illuminates the protection sheet 43 of the first input operation means 20 with light from below, displays a specific portion of the protection sheet 43 in red or yellow, and displays the input result of each electronic switch 41 to the user. indicate.
The liquid crystal display screen has a configuration in which an opening is provided in a part of the protective sheet 43, the opening is covered with a transparent sheet from above, and the liquid crystal display screen is set to face this opening.

  In the first embodiment, a description will be given of enabling / disabling the input function of the first input operation unit 20. When the input function is disabled, the display unit 70A also disables the display function at the same time. The screen display is turned off. Conversely, when the input function of the first input operation means 20 becomes valid (when it is activated for the first time and when the invalidation is released), it becomes valid at the same time, and the display operation is performed.

In FIG. 3, S is a gap formed between the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and the opposing surface of the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooking unit 1 and has a height of about 10 mm to 15 mm.
FIG. 3 shows a state in which rice is being cooked. In the rice cooking unit 1, since predetermined rice and water are contained in the inner pot 3, the rice is heavier than the rice cooking unit 1. In this state, the facing distance G1 between the front wall surface 1F of the main body 1A of the rice cooking unit 1 and the front wall surface 10F of the main body case 10A forming the outer shell of the induction heating cooker 10 is about several mm. Therefore, the gap S communicates forward by the gap G1. In addition, not only the front wall surface 1F of the main body 1A of the rice cooking unit 1 but also the left and right wall surfaces and the lower ends of the left and right wall surfaces of the main body case 10A forming the outline of the induction heating cooker 10 are aligned in the same horizontal plane. The gap S communicates with the front and the left and right sides.

  The protrusion (projection) narrows the facing distance H between the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooking unit 1 and the upper surface of the first input operation means 20. In other words, since the inside of the space S is narrowed, the hot air generated at a position directly above the induction heating coil 14 behind the protrusion 21 passes over the protrusion 21 and the first input operation means 20. Flow to the side is suppressed. For this reason, when the rice cooking operation is performed, even if the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 is heated by the induction heating coil 14, the portion of the first input operation means 20 is prevented from being overheated.

  After the use of the rice cooking unit 1 is completed and the unit 1 is removed from the induction heating cooker 10, the portion of the first input operation means 20 is hot and immediately another heating cooking by the induction heating cooker 10 is performed. Does not invite you to start.

  In FIG. 3, 20W indicates the width in the front-rear direction of the first input operation means 20, which is about 50 mm to 70 mm.

  Next, FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the front leg portion 2. The weight sensor 4 is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 39, and a strain sensor 4S (not shown) is disposed directly above the thick pillar-shaped leg 2. The weight can be measured by the output from the strain sensor 4S according to the force pressing the strain sensor 4S by the leg 2, that is, the weight of the rice cooking unit 1. It should be noted that a weight sensor using such a strain sensor 4S has already been proposed for a long time, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 46 denotes a through hole formed in the bottom plate 39, and has a size (diameter) that allows the leg portion 2 to move up and down.

  The state shown in FIG. 4 is a state in which the rice cooking unit 1 is placed to perform a rice cooking operation, whereas the state shown in FIG. Inside, it contains only rice and is light because it does not contain the necessary amount of water. Therefore, the facing distance G2 is larger than the facing distance G1.

Next, the second input operation means 12 and the first display screen 11A will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first half of lid 1B of electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1. A first display screen 11A composed of a liquid crystal display screen or the like is arranged substantially at the center of the lid 1B at the left and right.

  On the first display screen 11A, a time, a rice type display section 60, a hardness display section 61, and a menu display section 62 are displayed. On the left side outside the first display screen 11A, a rice type switch 63, a hardness switch 64, a menu switch 65, and an off / heat switch 66 are provided, and outside the first display screen 11A. On the right side, a rice cook switch 67, a reservation switch 68, and a time switch 69 are provided. After the rice cooking operation is started, when the off / heat switch 66 is pressed, a command signal to stop the rice cooking is issued to the control device 50. Further, after the heat keeping operation is started, when the off / heat keeping switch 66 is pressed, a command signal for stopping the heat keeping is issued. In the first embodiment, the control program is such that the heat retaining step is automatically executed by the control device 50 within a certain period of time following the unevenness step.

  12V is a switch for selecting a voice input mode. When this switch is pressed, a voice message "Switched to voice input mode" is issued from voice notification means 90V, which will be described later, and thereafter, voice input can be performed. Pressing the switch 12V again cancels the voice input mode. The voice notification unit 90V provides guidance that "the voice input mode has been released." The voice input mode is an example of a voice input unit.

  Reference numeral 91 denotes a wireless communication unit (input / output unit) for performing short-range wireless communication (NFC), which can perform communication when an information processing terminal having an NFC function approaches or comes into contact with the information processing terminal.

  The rice type switch 63 is input means for setting the type of rice to be cooked. Each time the rice seed switch 63 is pressed, the display of the rice seed display section 60 is switched to “white rice”, “non-washed rice”, “brown rice”, and “germinated brown rice”. Information on the rice type set by the rice type switch 63 is input to the control device 50 described later.

  In FIG. 6, the brand is described in addition to the rice type switch 63, but a specific brand of rice can also be designated by the switch 63, but two types of input functions (brand and rice type) can be specified by pressing the switch 63. You can select only one of them. Detailed description is omitted.

  The hardness switch 64 is input means for setting the hardness of the cooked rice. Each time the hardness switch 64 is pressed, the display of the hardness display section 61 is switched between “hard” and “soft”. The information on the hardness of the cooked food input to the hardness switch 64 is input to the control device 50, and the control device 50 selects the hardness of the cooked food. When "warm" is set, rice cooking operation is performed in a "hard mode" described later, and when "soft" is set, rice cooking operation is performed in a "soft mode" described later. In the first embodiment, the hardness switch 64 and the control device 50 constitute a hardness selection unit.

  The electric rice cooker described in the first embodiment and the following embodiments has two types of cooking, a “soft mode” and a “hard mode” in which rice is cooked harder than the soft mode. It shall be possible.

  The menu switch 65 is an input unit for setting a rice cooking menu. Each time the menu switch 65 is pressed, the display of the menu display unit 62 is switched to “risotto”, “porridge”, and “cooking” in response. The information on the rice cooking menu set by the menu switch 65 is input to the control device 50.

  An off / heat switch 66 is an input means for switching the end / start of the heat retention operation, a rice cook switch 67 is an input means for instructing a start of rice cooking, a reservation switch 68 is an input means for setting a rice cooking reservation, and a time switch 69. Is input means for setting a time such as a current time or a reservation time. Information set by the off / heat switch 66, the rice cook switch 67, the reservation switch 68, and the time switch 69 is input to the control device 50.

  The various switches 63 to 69 constitute a press-type input means 12P (see FIG. 8). If a touch-type switch is used instead of the press-type switches 63 to 69, the touch-type input unit 12T is used. In FIG. 8, which will be described later, the touch input means 12T is also shown.

  Next, a configuration related to control of the induction heating cooker 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 80 denotes a main controller, which is constituted by a microcomputer as a core, and has a storage means 80R such as a semiconductor storage device (flash memory, ROM, or RAM) and a clock means (clock circuit) for calculating time. ) Built-in 80T. A computer program for controlling the entire heating operation and various control data tables are stored in the storage means 80R.

  Reference numeral 71 denotes a commercial power supply (for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and a voltage of 100 V or 200 V). The power supply unit 72 receives power from a commercial power supply via the power cord 102 and the plug 101. The power supply unit 72 includes a rectifier circuit and the like, and has a function of converting the power to a predetermined voltage.

  Reference numeral 73 denotes an inverter circuit that receives the power from the power supply unit 72, generates high-frequency power, and supplies the high-frequency power to the induction heating coil 14. Various electric components such as a semiconductor power control element and a switching element are mounted on the inverter circuit. Reference numeral 20 denotes the first input operation means, which uses the push-type electronic switch 41 as a push-type input means.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes a notification unit, which includes a display unit 70D and a voice notification unit 70V such as a voice synthesizer. The display unit 70D includes a liquid crystal display screen and a semiconductor light emitting element (eg, an LED). The state and condition of the induction heating operation (for example, heating power value, heating time) can be displayed by characters, numbers, figures, and the like.

  Although not shown, the sound notifying unit 70V includes a buzzer and a speaker that emit a sound. The display means 70D is arranged at the place where the first input operation means 20 is located as described above, so that when the user operates the first input operation means 20, the input result can be immediately confirmed. I have to.

  Numeral 74 denotes a top plate temperature detecting means which comes into contact with the top plate 22 and measures the temperature thereof. For example, a thermistor is used. The data of the temperature detection result is transmitted to main controller 80.

  In FIG. 7, when the cooked rice unit 1 is placed, the object-to-be-heated detecting means is constituted by an infrared temperature sensor 5B which receives infrared rays emitted from the outer surface of the inner pot 3 and measures the temperature. . Since this temperature sensor can also measure the temperature of a general pot or frying pan other than the rice cooking unit 1, the temperature of an object to be heated (a general metal pan or the like) can be controlled by the main controller 80.

  Next, the configuration related to the control of the rice cooking unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 50 denotes a control device, which is constituted by a microcomputer as a core, and has storage means 50R such as a semiconductor storage device (flash memory, ROM, or RAM), and time measuring means (clock circuit) for calculating time. Built-in 50T. A computer program for rice cooking, which controls the overall rice cooking including conditions such as the heating power, energizing time, target heating temperature, etc. of the water absorption step and the rice (boiling) step, and a computer program for measuring the weight of rice, A self-inspection program, a computer program for dealing with abnormalities, and a data table for various controls are stored in the storage means 50R.

Reference numeral 93 denotes a sensor for detecting the opening of the lid 1B, which is installed near the lid opening / closing button 8. When the mechanical lock of the lid 1B is released, a lid open signal is transmitted from this sensor to the control device 50.
The weight measuring means 94 includes the four weight sensors 4 described above and a processing circuit (not shown) for calculating the weight of the rice cooking unit 1 based on the output voltages from the sensors.
Reference numeral 12 denotes the second input operation means, which uses various push-type switches 63 to 69 provided on the lid 1B as the push-type input means 12P.

  Reference numeral 90 denotes a notification unit, which includes a first display screen 11A, a second display screen 11B, and a voice notification unit 90V such as a voice synthesizer. Although not shown, the voice synthesizer 90V includes a buzzer and a speaker that emit a sound.

  5A is a thermistor that contacts the inner pot 3 and measures its temperature, and data of the temperature detection result is transmitted to the controller 50 each time.

  In FIG. 7, the heating target temperature detecting means includes an infrared temperature sensor 5 </ b> B that receives infrared rays emitted from the outer surface of the inner pot 3 and measures the temperature when the rice cooking unit 1 is placed. Since this temperature sensor can also measure the temperature of a general pot or frying pan other than the rice cooking unit 1, the temperature of an object to be heated (a general metal pan or the like) can be controlled by the main controller 80.

  Reference numeral 95 denotes a secondary battery constituting the power supply means 6, and is constituted by, for example, a lead storage battery, a nickel hydride storage battery, a lithium ion storage battery, or the like. The power supply means 6 is not limited to the secondary battery 95, but may be a primary battery such as a dry battery.

  The reference position determination means 33 determines whether or not the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a predetermined position of the induction heating cooker 10. The determination result of the reference position determination means 33 is output to the control device 50. Note that the control device 50 may include the function of the reference position determination unit 33.

In the first embodiment, the reference position determining means 33 includes two means. One is a combination of a permanent magnet 30 installed on the rear surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and a reed switch 31 (see FIG. 3) provided on the rear vertical portion 16 (one of the placement detection sensors).
The other is a combination of the pair of infrared signal transmitting and receiving units 34 and 35 as described above.

  The reference position determination unit 33 may employ a configuration in which, for example, a determination is made as to whether or not the resistance value when a current flows through the heating coil 14 is equal to or greater than the reference resistance value. Specifically, for example, when the control device 50 determines that the resistance value when a current flows through the heating coil 14 is equal to or greater than the reference resistance value, the rice cooking unit 1 sets the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 Is determined to be in the correct position above the. In addition, when the control device 50 determines that the resistance value when the current flows through the heating coil 14 is less than the reference resistance value, the rice cooking unit 1 is removed from the induction heating cooker 10. judge.

  The reference position determining means 33 may be configured to determine whether or not the rice cooking unit 1 is attached to a predetermined position of the induction heating cooker 10 based on the temperature detected by the infrared temperature sensor 5B. In this case, for example, when the detection temperature of the infrared temperature sensor 5B is equal to or higher than the threshold temperature, the control device 50 has a high possibility that the rice cooking unit 1 is attached to the induction heating cooker 10, It is determined that the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a predetermined position. When the detection temperature of the infrared temperature sensor 5B is lower than the threshold temperature, it is highly likely that the rice cooking unit 1 has been removed from the induction heating cooker 10, and thus it is determined that the rice cooking unit 1 is not mounted. I do.

  In addition, the control device 50 is not limited to the configuration including the storage unit 50R and the timer unit 50T. For example, the storage unit 50R and the timing unit 50T may be configured separately from the control device 50, and the output of the storage unit 50R and the timing unit 50T may be input to the control device 50.

  In the audio notifying means 70V, the audio (guide audio) is output at a preset volume or a volume set by the user. The sound volume can be set in a plurality of levels.

  For example, the control device 50 determines the temperature of the inner cooker 3 based on the detected temperature of the thermistor 5A, which is the temperature detector of the inner cooker 3, the threshold temperature stored in the controller 50 in advance, and the detected temperature of the outside air temperature detector 15. Calculates the time from the initial temperature to below the threshold temperature, determines the heat retention time, and displays the heat retention time on the first display screen 11A. The higher the temperature detected by the thermistor 5A is higher than the threshold temperature, the longer it takes for the temperature of the inner pot 3 to reach the threshold temperature when the rice cooking unit 1 is removed from the induction heating cooker 10, so that the temperature is maintained. The possible time is set long.

  As described above, the first display screen 11 </ b> A displays the heat-remaining time, thereby prompting the user to eat the food to be cooked (rice) promptly, and setting the rice cooking unit 1 to the induction heating cooker 10. To keep the food (rice) warm. Therefore, the possibility that the temperature of the cooked rice falls below the threshold temperature stored in the control device 50 in advance and the taste of the rice is deteriorated can be reduced.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a temperature change with time of the electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that the horizontal axis in FIG. 9 indicates time, and the vertical axis in FIG. 9 indicates the temperature of the inner pot 3.

  The temperature of the inner pot 3 is, for example, a detected temperature of a thermistor 5A as the inner pot temperature detecting means 5. As shown in FIG. 9, when the preheating step is performed, the rice cooking step is performed after the preheating step is performed, and the unevenness step is performed after the rice cooking step is performed, the temperature of the inner pot 3 in the rice cooking step is reduced. There is a time zone where the change is steep. As described above, in the time zone in which the temperature change of the inner pot 3 is sharp, the electric power supplied to the heating coil 14 is large.

  Therefore, in a time zone in which the temperature change of the inner pot 3 becomes steep, the main control device 80 sends the power transmission coil 17 It is good to stop the power supply. Specifically, for example, when the change temperature per unit time of the inner pot 3 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the main controller 80 stops the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 and changes the inner pot 3 per unit time. When the temperature is lower than the predetermined value, the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 is continued. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility of hindering the temperature rise of the object to be heated in the rice cooking process. Note that main controller 80 is not limited to an example of determining whether to stop supplying power to power transmission coil 17 based on the temperature of inner pot 3.

  For example, whether to stop supplying power to the power transmission coil 17 may be determined depending on whether or not the rice cooking process is performed. Specifically, main controller 80 stops power supply to power transmission coil 17 when the preheating step is completed and the rice cooking step is started, and ends when the rice cooking step is completed and the spotting step is started. Then, the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 is started.

  Further, for example, whether to stop the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 may be determined based on whether or not the current value supplied to the heating coil 14 is equal to or greater than the threshold current value. Specifically, when the current value supplied to heating coil 14 is equal to or greater than the threshold current value, main controller 80 stops the power supply to power transmission coil 17 and stops the current value supplied to heating coil 14. Is smaller than the threshold current value, the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 is continued.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 and the main control device 80 of the induction heating cooker 10 communicate between the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 34 and the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 35. By communication, at least during the rice cooking operation (from the pre-heating process to the washing process), the latest control data is always transmitted / received, and the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 operate in cooperation with each other by infrared communication. It is carried out.

Next, the operation of electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a mutual operation relationship between the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 of the present invention. The operation steps after connecting the power plug 101 of the induction heating cooker 10 to the commercial power supply 71 are indicated by reference numerals SP1 to SP6.

Simply connecting the power plug 101 of the induction heating cooker 10 to the commercial power supply 71 does not start the induction heating operation or the rice cooking operation (SP1).
Next, when the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10 (SP2), the reed switch 31, which is a placement detection sensor, is turned on if it is at a correct position (SP3).
From this stage, the rice cooking unit becomes the exclusive mode. For this reason, the induction heating cooker 10 is automatically set within the predetermined time without any input operation or heating operation command on the side of the induction heating cooker 10 by the user. An infrared signal for reference position determination is transmitted from the 10 side, and the rice cooking unit 1 is started.

  Thereafter, the rice cooking operation is started (SP4), and after the rice cooking operation is completed (SP5), when the rice cooking unit 1 is lowered from above the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit exclusive mode is automatically canceled, and the induction heating is performed. The cooking device 10 alone can perform induction heating cooking using another cooking utensil such as a pot or a frying pan.

Next, FIG. 11 will be described.
FIG. 11 shows the operation steps of the induction heating cooker 10. The operation steps are indicated by S1 to S12.
First, when the power plug 101 is connected to the commercial power source 71, the reed switch 31 is turned on (closed) if the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a correct position (S1).

  Then, even if the user does not operate the first input operation means 20 or the second input operation means 12 of the rice cooking unit 1, the main control device 80 operates the infrared temperature sensor 5B and other current sensors (FIG. (Not shown), a self-check is started to determine whether there is any abnormality in the internal components of the induction heating cooker 10 (S2).

  If there is no abnormality, main controller 80 drives power transmission coil 17 to start supplying predetermined power. The notification means 70 is also activated (S3). On the other hand, the operation of the cooling fan 13 is started in the "weak" mode (S4). Therefore, the power transmission coil 17 is cooled by the cooling air.

  At this stage, the main control device 80 knows that the rice cooker unit 1 is placed at the correct position because the reed switch 31 is turned on. The determining means (B) 33 is driven. Then, the infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 to the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 35 (S5).

  After that, since the response signal is transmitted by infrared rays from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35, the reference position determination unit 33 receives the response signal and finally confirms that the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a correct position. (S6). If, after transmitting the infrared signal from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34 toward the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35, there is no instantaneous response signal, the rice cooker unit 1 is not placed at a correct position. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the cooking liquid from the previous cooking is dripped and adhered to the upper surface of the window 37 as dirt, which hinders infrared communication. In any of these cases, an error occurs on the main control device 80 side.

  During the rice cooking operation, since the operation data and the temperature data are exchanged between the two infrared signal transmission / reception units 34 and 35, the rice cooking operation is not permitted even if the window 37 becomes dirty. If the reference position determination result is NG in step S6, the process proceeds to the abnormality handling step shown in FIG. 16, which will be described later.

  In the next step S7, main controller 80 performs processing to invalidate the generation of the input command signal from first input operation means 20. Specifically, a signal for generating an input signal of the first input operation means 20 is cut off to prevent an input signal from being generated. However, the invalidating means is not limited to this method.

  Even if, for example, the rice cooker unit 1 is momentarily lifted and the first input operation unit 20 is operated by the invalidation processing of the input operation unit from the first input operation unit 20, such operation is mainly performed. Since it is not input to the control device 80, it is not possible to stop cooking just before and start using the induction heating cooker 10 alone.

Next, in the induction heating cooker 10, the notification means 70 such as the voice notification means 70V notifies that the rice cooking operation is to be performed (S8).
In the next step S9, the rice cooking unit 1 enters a standby state in order to determine whether or not a rice cooking start command has been issued. After the rice cooking unit 1 is placed, it takes time to actually start the rice cooking, such as adjusting the amount of water in the inner pot 3. Therefore, the standby time is measured by the timer 80T (S10).

  For example, there is no command signal indicating that rice cooking has been started (S11), no command signal for starting rice cooking via the wireless communication unit 26 (S12), and the predetermined time T1 (for example, 60 minutes) from the stage of step 10 is not satisfied. When the time has elapsed (S13: see FIG. 12), main controller 80 determines that cooking is forgotten for some reason.

  As shown in FIG. 12, main controller 80 issues a drive stop command for power transmission coil 17 and stops the operation of cooling fan 13 (S14).

  Next, in the induction heating cooker 10, the notification means 70 such as the voice notification means 70V notifies that the rice cooking operation has been canceled (S15). When a predetermined time T2 (for example, 61 minutes) has elapsed from the stage of step 10 (S16), main controller 80 cancels the invalidation processing of the input operation unit from first input operation means 20 (S17). . Therefore, at this stage, for example, if the rice cooking unit 1 is moved to another place, the first input operation means 20 can be operated to start another heating cooking in the induction heating cooker 10. When there is no operation of the first input operation means 20, the main control device 80 automatically shuts off the main power supply by itself, and operates in consideration of safety so that the heating operation is not performed carelessly. (S18).

Next, a case where there is a command signal to start cooking rice (see S11 in FIG. 11) will be described with reference to FIG.
Proceeding to step S19 for starting the rice cooking process, main controller 80 obtains information on the rice cooking conditions from rice cooking unit 1 through communication between infrared signal transmitting and receiving units 34 and 35 (S20). For example, data indicating the heating time for cooking rice, the amount of cooked rice, and the like may be obtained.

  In the next step S21, the cooling fan 13 is changed to the "high" operation mode, and the inverter circuit 73 is driven (S22). Thereby, the inner pot of the rice cooking unit 1 is induction-heated by the heating coil 14 and the temperature rises, so that the process proceeds to the preheating process and thereafter proceeds to the rice cooking process.

Main controller 80 starts measuring the elapsed time in order to grasp the rice cooking time (S23), and sends information indicating the rice cooking conditions to wireless power command device (not shown) or the like via wireless communication unit 26. Send.
"Rice cooking conditions" refers to heating time, maximum power consumption, rice cooking amount, and the like for rice cooking. In addition, even if the elapsed time is not grasped on the main control device 80 side, information such as the elapsed time from the start of rice cooking and the remaining heating time can be transmitted from the rice cooking unit 1 to the two infrared signal transmitting / receiving sections 34 and 35 at any time. , The step S23 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the main control device 80 thereafter performs determinations and checks in steps S26, S27, S28, and S29.
First, even during rice cooking, the reference position determination means 33 is driven again (S25), and it is checked at regular time intervals whether or not the rice cooking unit 1 is placed (S26).

  Further, it is checked whether or not the top plate 22 is at an abnormally high temperature, whether or not the mounting board of the inverter circuit 73 is in an overheated state (S27).

  Then, it is checked whether or not a command to stop the rice cooking has been issued (S28) and whether or not the scheduled rice cooking time has been exceeded (S29). These checks are repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.

  Then, when a predetermined rice cooking time (for example, 40 minutes in the standard course with a three-piece rice cooking amount) specified in the operation program of the control device 50 has elapsed (S29), the notification means 70 of the induction heating cooker 10 sends the notification. It notifies that cooking operation was completed (S30).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a drive stop command for the power transmission coil 17 is issued (S31). Then, driving of the inverter circuit 73 is stopped (S32). Further, the notifying unit 70 notifies the start of the mura processing (S33).

  Measurement of the elapsed time is started to grasp the unevenness time (S34), and when a predetermined unevenness time (for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes) has elapsed (S35), the operation of the cooling fan 13 is stopped (S35). S36). Thereby, the heating coil 14 is sufficiently cooled at this stage, and the temperature of the top plate 22 is 40 ° C. to 50 ° C. or less.

Then, main controller 80 cancels the invalidation processing of the input operation unit from first input operation means 20 (S37). Then, main controller 80 automatically shuts down the main power supply by itself, and performs an operation in consideration of safety so that the heating operation is not carelessly performed (S38).
In the first embodiment, it has been described that the control program is such that the heat retention step is automatically executed by the control device 50 within a certain period of time following the murara step. If the heating step is left on the induction heating cooker 10, the heating step is actually continued for, for example, one hour after the squeezing step, during which the reference position determination means 33 is driven (step S25). ), At regular time intervals, it is checked whether the rice cooking unit 1 is placed. However, in this case, since the heating coil 14 is not already driven on the induction heating cooker 10 side, only step SB11 shown in FIG. 16 is performed, and the input command operation from the first input operation means 20 is invalidated. (S7 in FIG. 11) is released.

Next, the operation of FIG. 15 will be described.
The operation shown in FIG. 15 is performed after a “No” determination is made in step S6 shown in FIG. That is, since the reference position determination result is NG (unsuitable), the reference position determination is performed again.

  First, at step SA1, the notifying unit 70 notifies that the reference position determination result is NG (unsuitable). Specifically, it suggests to the user that the rice cooking unit 1 is not placed at the correct position or that the window 37 is dirty, and prompts the user to clean or check the window.

Then, measurement of the elapsed time is started in order to complete the subsequent correction operation and recheck operation within a fixed time (SA2).
Next, an infrared signal is transmitted again from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 of the induction heating cooker 10 (SA3). Then, the reference position is determined based on the state of the response signal from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 (SA4). Here, when the predetermined response signal is obtained and it is confirmed that the rice cooker unit 1 is present at the regular position, the notification unit 70 outputs a voice such as "I have confirmed the correct set of the rice cooker unit". Is performed, and a first process that proceeds to step S7 is performed.

  If the determination of the reference position in step SA4 does not become “Yes” within the predetermined time T4 (for example, 5 minutes or 10 minutes), the operation of the power transmission coil 17 and the cooling fan 13 is performed as shown in step SA7. The operation is stopped, and the notification means 70 gives a voice notification such as "Cannot proceed to the rice cooking operation, so the operation will be stopped", etc., automatically shuts off the main power supply (SA9), and ends a series of operations. That is, if the correction cannot be performed during a certain grace period (time T4), the second process of forcibly stopping the operation before the rice cooking operation is performed for safety.

  The operation steps in FIG. 14 do not include the processing (S7) for invalidating the input command operation from the first input operation means 20, as described in FIG. This is because it is a stage (step S6) before such processing.

  Next, the operation of FIG. 16 will be described. The operation shown in FIG. 16 is performed after a “No” determination is made in step S26 shown in FIG. That is, in the process after the start of the rice cooking operation, the reference position determination result is NG (non-conforming), so the reference position determination is performed again.

First, in step SB1, main controller 80 temporarily stops driving inverter circuit 73.
Further, the notifying means 70 provides a voice guide such as "The rice cooker unit 1 is not properly placed, so set it at a correct position" (SB2).

  It is determined whether, for example, 15 minutes have elapsed since the drive of the inverter circuit 73 was started (SB3). For example, if only 10 minutes have passed since the start of the induction heating, the condition of the inner pot 3 is the preheating step, so even if the heating is stopped at this point, there is no problem if the rice is cooked again later. Therefore, if 15 minutes have not elapsed in SB3, the process proceeds to step SB9.

  In step SB9, the power transmission coil 17 and the cooling fan 13 are stopped, and the notifying unit 70 notifies that the rice cooking operation has been stopped halfway (SB10). Then, the process of invalidating the input command operation from the first input operation means 20 (S7 in FIG. 11) is canceled (SB11).

  Thereafter, main controller 80 turns off the main power supply by itself (SB12), and terminates all the series of operations. In addition, since there is a possibility that the top plate 22 is heated to a high temperature by the heating coil 14, the operation stop timing of the cooling fan 13 is delayed by a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) in the step SB9. May be stopped after the temperature is lowered.

  If it is determined in step SB3 that, for example, 15 minutes have elapsed since the start of the drive of the inverter circuit 73, if 15 minutes have elapsed, the process proceeds to step SB5.

Next, the operation of FIG. 17 will be described.
The operation shown in FIG. 17 is performed after a “No” determination is made in step S28 shown in FIG. In other words, this corresponds to a case where a rice cook stop command is issued from the rice cooker unit 1 for some reason in a step after the rice cook operation is started. This is a case where the switch 66 of the second input operation means 12 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed.

First, in step SD1, main controller 80 temporarily stops driving inverter circuit 73.
In step SD2, the notifying unit 70 provides a voice guide such as "an operation of stopping the rice cooking operation has been performed halfway".

  It is determined whether, for example, 15 minutes have elapsed since the drive of the inverter circuit 73 was started (SD3). For example, if 25 minutes have passed since the start of the induction heating, the condition of the inner pot 3 is already in the boiling process, so if the heating is stopped at this point, even if the rice cools down once, the rice cooker can start again. However, there is a concern that the rice will not have the same cooking result as the original one, and that the rice will have poor taste.

  Therefore, at this stage, if there is no problem if the rice cooking is started again again immediately, the user is prompted to restart the rice cooking. Therefore, in SD8, a voice guidance such as "Please set the rice cooking unit immediately and press the rice cooking button (rice cooking switch 67) again" is performed in the notification means 70.

  When a command to cook rice by pressing the rice cooker button (rice cook switch 67) is issued within one minute from the notification of SD8 (SD9), the drive of the inverter circuit 73 is restarted, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  If it is, for example, within 15 minutes from the time when the drive of the inverter circuit 73 is started, the process proceeds to step SD5. The notifying means 70 provides voice guidance such as "stop cooking operation halfway" (SD5), and stops driving the power transmission coil 17 and the cooling fan 13 (SD6). Then, the main power supply is automatically cut off (SD7), and a series of operations is terminated.

  When a “No” determination is made in step S27 shown in FIG. 13, that is, when an abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to a predetermined abnormality handling step SC1. Depending on the nature of the abnormality, measures such as immediately stopping the inverter circuit 73 are executed.

Next, the operation of FIG. 18 will be described.
FIG. 18 shows the operation steps on the rice cooking unit 1 side.
The operation steps of the rice cooking unit 1 are indicated by SR1 to SR15.

  When the rice cooking unit 1 is correctly set on the induction heating cooker 10, the driving of the power receiving coil 7 is started by the power transmitting coil 17. Even if the user does not operate the second input operation means 12 of the rice cooking unit 1, the control device 50 causes the thermistor 5 </ b> A or another current sensor (not shown) to malfunction the internal components of the rice cooking unit 1. The self-check for whether there is any is started (SR2).

  Then, when there is no abnormality, the control device 50 knows that the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a correct position. Next, the control device 50 transmits the infrared signal from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 of the induction heating cooker 10 to The response signal is received by the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 and transmitted to the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34 (SR3).

  Thereafter, the first display screen 11A of the lid 1B is activated, and the second display screen 11B is not activated (SR4). This is because it is not yet at the stage of measuring the weight of rice, so that there is no need to activate and display the second display screen 11B, and energy is saved.

In step SR4, the notifying means 90 gives a voice guide, for example, "I'm about to cook rice."
The control device 50 reads the latest rice cooking condition used in the previous rice cooking from the storage unit 50R. For example, the condition that the amount of rice cooked with white rice is 3 and the method of cooking is “soft” is read (SR5).

  Next, the read rice cooking conditions are displayed on the first display screen 11A. For example, to display "white rice" and change it, the switch 63 may be pressed. Press once to select "no-wash rice", press twice to select the next candidate, such as "germinated brown rice", and go round to the original "white rice". Can be selected (SR6).

Similarly, information on the rice brand and the rice cookability, that is, information on the hardness of the rice, can be sequentially read out and corrected (SR7, SR8).
At this stage, the control device 50 activates the second display screen 11B and displays that the weight of rice can be measured. The notification is also made by the audio notifying means 90V (SR9).

  Next, the process proceeds to the rice weight measurement process and the notification process. According to the method of measuring the weight of rice and the result of the measurement, the appropriateness of the amount of water to be charged into the inner pot 3 is guided by the second display screen 11B and the sound notification means 90V (SR9). This step will be described later in detail.

  When the rice cook switch 67 is pressed after the adjustment of the amount, type, brand and amount of water of the rice is finally completed, the sound informing means 90V indicates, for example, "The result of the rice weight measurement was 300 g. I'll start cooking rice. " The second display screen 11B ends the display operation (turns off) (SR10).

  Next, a final rice cooking condition such as "How to cook with white rice ..., the expected cooking time is 18:50" is performed using a voice guide (SR11).

When about 10 seconds have passed since the rice cook switch 67 was pressed, the control device 50 estimates that there is no user's cancel operation, and transmits a predetermined “rice cook command signal” to the induction heating cooker 10. The command signal in this case is transmitted from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 35 to the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 (SR12).
The “rice cooking command signal” here is not a control program for determining the details of the rice cooking process. If basic data indicating the quantity, type, brand, etc. of rice is sent, induction heating for rice cooking is performed using computer software (rice cooking control program) stored in storage means 80R of main controller 80 based on the basic data. The energization control of the coil 14 can be executed. However, the control program itself for determining the details of the rice cooking process may be directly transmitted.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the preheating step has been completed (SR13). If it is determined that the preheating step has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step (SR14), and the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 indicates that the preheating step has been completed. The signal is transmitted by infrared rays (SR14).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the rice cooking process has been completed (SR15). If it is determined that the rice cooking process has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step (SR16), and the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 indicates that the rice cooking process has been completed. The signal is transmitted by infrared rays (SR16).

  As shown in FIG. 19, next, it is determined whether or not the blurring process has been completed (SR17). If it is determined that the blurring process has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step (SR18), and the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 A signal indicating that the mura process has been completed is transmitted by infrared rays.

  Then, the notification means 90 on the rice cooking unit 1 side also displays the end of rice cooking (end of spotting) on the first display screen, and the audio notifying means 90 also notifies the end of rice cooking and the end of the spotting step by voice. Is performed (SR19). With the above steps, a series of rice cooking operations is completed.

Next, the operation steps of FIG. 20 will be described.
FIG. 20 is for describing in detail the steps from step SR9 to SR10 in FIG.

The step SR9 includes steps SR9A to SR9M shown in FIG.
In the first step SR9A, the voice notification means 90V notifies that the mode is automatically switched to the voice input mode. The voice guide includes an explanation that only rice is put in the inner pot 3 and that the weight is measured while the lid 1B is kept open. Then, the mode is automatically switched to the voice input mode (SR9B).

  Next, the notification means 90 performs a voice guide asking whether the user wants the mode for measuring the weight (SR9C). Depending on the user who is proficient in cooking rice, the amount of water can be adjusted to an appropriate level by experience, and when the measurement by the rice cooking unit 1 is not desired, a predetermined word such as "do not measure" by voice is used. , A voice is input through a microphone provided at an appropriate location on the lid 1B, and the process proceeds to the normal step SR10 at once. At the same time, the voice input mode is automatically canceled.

  In step SR9C, when the user utters the request for the weight measurement mode, control device 50 determines whether or not lid 1B is open (SR9D). This determination is made by the control device 50 determining the output from the lid opening sensor 93. If the cover 1B is not opened, the sound may be guided so as to be opened by the sound notification means 90V.

  In the next step SR9E, when the user utters “measurement start”, the control device 50 calculates the weight of the whole rice cooking unit 1 from the measured values of the four weight sensors 4 by the weight measuring means 94 (SR9F ).

  Then, the measurement result is notified by voice (SR9G). Then, the water amount corresponding to the weight is calculated, and the result is notified by the sound notifying means 90V (SR9H). Upon hearing this notification, when the user injects water into the inner pot 3 of the rice cooking unit 1 with the lid 1B open, the weight measuring means 94 determines the proper weight and the current weight during the injection. The difference is calculated and notified by voice (SR9K).

  If it is determined by the control device 50 that the water level has finally reached the appropriate water level through the process of removing water that has been injected or overfilled (SR9L), the voice notification that the voice input mode is automatically released is issued. The notification is made on the means 90V and the second display screen 11B, and the process proceeds to step SR10. That is, when the adjustment of the amount, type, brand, and amount of rice, etc., of rice is finally completed, the fact that the appropriate amount of water has been measured is notified on the audio notifying means 90V and the second display screen 11B (SR10).

  In the next step SR11, it is recommended by voice to press the rice cooker switch 67, and furthermore, in the voice notifying means 90V, the rice cooker starts with, for example, "white rice, how to cook ... The expected cooked time is 18:50. A voice guide such as "It is minute" (SR11).

  In the first embodiment, since the voice input mode is automatically set at the stage of measuring the weight of rice and injecting water, the user can concentrate on the operation of pouring water and open or close the lid 1B. Thus, the operation of checking the first display screen 11A can be avoided, and the effect of improving the convenience for the user can be expected.

Summary of Embodiment 1.
As is apparent from the above description, the first embodiment discloses the electric rice cooker 100 of the first invention.
That is, electric rice cooker 100 in Embodiment 1
An electric rice cooker 100 including an induction heating cooker 10 and a rice cooker unit 1 mounted on the upper part and a built-in inner pot 3 for induction heating,
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes an inner pot 3 for accommodating the rice to be cooked, and second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions.
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
At least one of the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1 is provided between the first input operation means 20 and the heating coil 14 and the upper surface of the induction heating cooking device 10 and rice cooking. A projection 21 for narrowing an interval H facing the lower surface of the unit 1;
Further, a gap S communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means 20 of the induction heating cooker 10 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1.

  According to the electric rice cooker having this configuration, it is possible to prevent overheating of the first input operation means 20 disposed at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker 10.

Furthermore, electric rice cooker 100 in Embodiment 1 was provided with the configuration according to the third invention.
That is, the heating and cooking system of the first embodiment includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit 1 in which an inner pot 3 which is placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 and is built therein is induction heated. And
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
Between the first input operation means 20 and the heating coil 14, a gap S communicating with the outside is formed between an upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and a lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
An infrared signal is provided between the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 at a position behind the gap S between the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and the top plate 22 of the induction cooking device 10. Forming a window 37 for passing through,
Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1, the induction heating cooker 10 confirms the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 by the infrared signal, and then performs an input operation of the first input operation means 20. To invalidate it.

  According to the heating cooking system of the third invention, overheating of the first input operation means 20 arranged at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker 10 can be prevented by the gap S, and Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1, the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed by the infrared signal, and thereafter, the input operation of the first input operation means 20 of the induction heating cooker 10 is invalidated. When the predetermined rice cooking unit 1 is used, it is possible to prevent the first input operation means 20 from performing an inadvertent input operation.

Furthermore, electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 had the configuration according to the fourth invention.
That is, the heating and cooking system of the first embodiment includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit 1 in which an inner pot 3 which is placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 and is built therein is induction heated. And
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
Between the first input operation means 20 and the heating coil 14, a gap S communicating with the outside is formed between an upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and a lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
A rice cooking process is performed between the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 at a position behind the gap S between the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and the top plate 22 of the induction cooking device 10. Before the start and after the start of the rice cooking process, a window 37 for transmitting an infrared signal is formed,
Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1, the induction heating cooker 10 confirms the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 by the infrared signal, and then performs an input operation of the first input operation means 20. When the induction heating cooker 10 detects that the rice cooking unit 1 has completed a predetermined rice cooking process by the infrared signal, the input operation is invalidated in the first input operation means 20. Is released.

  According to the heating cooking system of the fourth invention, overheating of the first input operation means 20 arranged at the front upper portion of the induction heating cooker 10 can be prevented by the gap S, and Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1, the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed by the infrared signal, and thereafter, the input operation of the first input operation means 20 of the induction heating cooker 10 is invalidated. In the case where the predetermined rice cooking unit 1 is used, it is possible to prevent the first input operation means 20 from performing an inadvertent input operation during the rice cooking operation. In addition, when the rice cooking process is completed, the invalid state of the input operation is automatically released, so that use of the induction heating cooker 10 alone is not hindered.

As described in the first embodiment, the heating and cooking system according to the fifth invention includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface thereof; and a rice cooking unit 1 having a built-in inner pot 3 which is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10; With
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
A gap S communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means 20 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
A portion of the rice cooker unit 1 opposite to the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 behind the gap S is provided for controlling rice cooking between the rice cooker unit 1 and the induction cooker 10. Window 37 for passing infrared signals transmitting information for
The induction heating cooker 10 or the rice cooking unit 1 checks the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 by the infrared signal when the rice cooking unit 1 is in the rice cooking process or during at least one of the reserved rice cooking periods. When it is determined that the rice cooking unit 1 is not at the reference position, the rice cooking operation is continued or stopped in accordance with the degree of progress of the rice cooking process, and the rice cooking operation is continued or stopped. , In advance (SA8 in FIG. 15, SB2 and SB10 in FIG. 16, SD5 and SD8 in FIG. 17, etc.).

According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, it is possible to prevent overheating of the first input operation means 20 disposed at the front portion of the upper surface.
Before or after the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1 is started, the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed by the infrared signal, and the degree of progress of the rice cooking process, that is, the elapsed time from the start of the rice cooking and the temperature of the inner pot 3. In accordance with the information, processing to determine whether to continue or stop the rice cooking operation is performed, and the user is notified in advance at the stage of the rice cooking operation continuation or stop, so misunderstanding or misoperation of the user's use is recognized. There is an advantage that it can be prevented.

  The control program of the main control device 80 or the control device 50 may be changed so that the degree of progress of the rice cooking process is determined not only by the elapsed time from the start of rice cooking but also by taking into account the temperature information of the inner pot 3. .

Embodiment 2 FIG.
21 to 23 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric rice cooker as viewed from the side. FIG. 22 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the front of the electric rice cooker in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a control-related configuration of the electric rice cooker of FIG. Note that the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The electric rice cooker 100 according to the second embodiment has a configuration according to the second invention.
That is, the electric rice cooker 100 according to the second embodiment is an electric rice cooker 100 including the induction heating cooker 10 and the rice cooker unit 1 that is mounted on the induction cooker 10 and in which the built-in inner pot 3 is induction-heated. So,
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes an inner pot 3 for accommodating the rice to be cooked, and second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions.
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
Between the first input operation means 20 and the heating coil 14, a gap SS communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
A ventilation hole for flowing cooling air of a cooling fan built in the rice cooking unit 1 is formed on the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 corresponding to the gap SS.

  According to the electric rice cooker 100 of the second embodiment, overheating of the input operation unit disposed at the front upper part of the induction heating cooker 10 can be prevented by the cooling air flowing through the rice cooking unit 1.

The electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described in detail below.
In FIG. 21, reference numeral 103 denotes an IC tag installed in place of the permanent magnet 30 of the first embodiment. The reader (IC tag information reading unit) 104 that reads the tag information corresponds to the placement detection sensor (lead switch) 31 of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 21, reference numerals 105 denote support legs attached to the four corners of the bottom surface of the induction heating cooker 10, and inside thereof, a weight sensor 4 (not shown) corresponding to the weight sensor 4 of the first embodiment. ) Is arranged.

  In FIG. 22, reference numeral 22A denotes an inclined portion formed around the top plate 22 (front, rear, left and right) constituting the upper surface of the induction heating cooker 10. That is, the inner side of the inclined portion is about 10 mm higher than the upper surface of the outermost peripheral portion.

  In FIG. 22, reference numeral 106 denotes a protrusion integrally formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooking unit 1. As shown in FIG. 22, the projection is formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 39 as a square or a rectangle in a plan view so as to surround the periphery of the inclined portion 22A.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the protruding portion 106 is shaped to fit outside the inclined portion 22A. Note that the inclined portion 22A and the projecting portion 106 do not need to be in close contact with each other, and may maintain a gap of about several mm. By the fitting of the inclined portion 22A and the projection portion 106, a stopper function is exerted so that the rice cooking unit 1 does not inadvertently move back and forth and left and right on the induction heating cooker 10.

  The protrusion height of the protrusion 106 may be flush with the lower end surface of the peripheral portion, and it is not particularly necessary to protrude greatly downward. If the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on a table or the like, the stability is deteriorated if the rice cooking unit 1 is made to protrude greatly.

  Reference numeral 130 denotes a cooling fan, which is provided to suppress hot air from staying inside the rice cooking unit 1, particularly at the bottom of the inner pot 3 and its surroundings. Reference numeral 107 denotes a ventilation hole which forms an intake air passage of the cooling fan 130, and is a circular hole or a thin slit having a diameter of about several millimeters that cannot be inserted by a finger. Thick arrows indicate the flow of the cooling air sucked by the cooling fan 130.

  In FIG. 23, reference numeral 194 denotes a weight measuring means for measuring the weight of rice, which includes the weight sensor 4 (not shown). The weight measuring means does not measure only the rice cooking unit 1 as in Embodiment 1, but measures the weight of the induction heating cooker 10 in a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is mounted.

  Also in the second embodiment, since the basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
24 to 26 relate to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower front part of the electric rice cooker. FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of the operation input unit at the front of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the left side of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. Note that the same or corresponding parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  The electric rice cooker 100 according to the third embodiment suppresses the temperature rise of the first input operation means 20 particularly at the front part of the induction heating cooker 10, and also raises the temperature rise of the left and right side parts of the rice cooker unit 1. It is provided with a configuration aiming to provide a rice cooker with high safety while suppressing it.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the rice cooking unit 1 has a bottom plate 39 having a shape close to a rectangle or a square in plan view, and plastic or rubber support legs 2 fixed to the lower surfaces of four peripheral corners. Have been. Since the support leg has a shape in which the upper part is thicker and becomes thinner toward the lower part, the periphery is an inclined surface 2S.

  CL is a center line extending in the vertical direction, and indicates the center of the support leg 2. As can be seen from FIG. 24, the positions of the front surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and the front wall surface 10F of the outer shell of the induction heating cooker 10 are substantially flush. The support leg 2 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the front wall surfaces 1F and 10F.

The inclined surface 2S of the support leg 2 hits an inclined portion 22A in which the top plate 22 rises upward from the middle, and the support leg 2 is hard to move rearward. That is, the support leg 2 and the inclined portion 22A serve as stoppers so that the rice cooking unit 1 does not easily move backward.
With this structure, in order to bring the rice cooker unit 1 closest to the rear vertical portion 16 (the reference position), the support leg 2 is moved backward until it hits the inclined portion 22A as shown in FIG. Just move it.

  Since the position of the support leg 2 is within the width 20W in the front-rear direction of the first input operation means 20 as shown in FIG. 24, the two support legs 2 on the front side of the rice cooking unit 1 are In order to avoid the position of the first input operation means 20, they are provided apart from each other in the left-right direction. As a result, a situation in which the support leg 2 pushes the first input operation means 20 from above does not occur. This is clear from the following FIG.

FIG. 25 will be described.
The window 37 for transmitting infrared signals is covered with a glass plate or the like for transmitting infrared rays in a sealed state. A feature of the third embodiment is that the window 37 is formed in the inclined portion 22A of the top plate 22.

The infrared signal is not vertical as shown by a broken line IR in FIG. 25, but in a direction inclined forward. HZ indicates the maximum outer peripheral range where the rice cooking unit 1 and other metal pans and the like are placed and induction-heated. This range is determined by the maximum outer diameter of the heating coil 14.
At the time of cooking with a general pot or a frying pan or the like on the top plate 22, there is a possibility that the window 37 may be covered with overflowing cooking liquid, cooking utensils and the like. There is a concern that it will stick.

  Therefore, in the third embodiment, the important window 37 is disposed on the inclined portion 22A of the top plate 22 so as not to be stained. Also, when the first input operation means 20 is operated from the front, the window 37 is easily visible from the front side, so that there is an advantage that even if there is dirt, the user can easily notice it.

Next, FIG. 26 will be described.
FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower part of the left side of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. Although not shown, the shape of the lower part on the right side is symmetrical with FIG.
As can be seen from FIG. 26, the top plate 22 is further raised except for a part of the left and right ends (width WL) so that induction heating can be performed as close as possible to the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooking unit 1. . In other words, stepped portions 22L and 22R (not shown) that stand substantially vertically are integrally formed at the left and right ends.

  In FIG. 26, 1P is a protrusion (also referred to as a “rib”) formed integrally with the inside of the lower part of the plastic case constituting the outer shell of the rice cooking unit 1. The projections 1P are formed at a constant interval (for example, 30 to 50 mm) inside the lower part of the case of the rice cooking unit 1. The tip of the projection 1P contacts or approaches the step 22L as shown in FIG. For this reason, the rice cooking unit 1 correctly placed on the induction heating cooker 10 is prevented from inadvertently moving in the left-right direction because of the projection 1P.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 26, a gap S having a predetermined width WL is formed at least in the lower left and right portions of the case of the rice cooking unit 1. In addition, the gap communicates with the outside through the gap of the facing gap G1, so that hot air is prevented from being trapped in the gap S, and a rise in the temperature of the case of the rice cooking unit 1 can be suppressed. Even if the user touches the lower left side of the rice cooking unit 1 during the rice cooking operation, the hand does not touch the step 22L of the top plate 22.

As shown in FIG. 26, in the third embodiment, the top plate 22 is formed of a part that approaches or contacts the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooking unit 1 and the left and right peripheral parts are separate members. 22T is formed of a plastic material having low thermal conductivity, so that the temperature rise of the peripheral portion 22T (on the left and right sides) can be particularly suppressed. Note that the front and rear peripheral portions may be similarly formed of different members.
It is necessary to select a material of the top plate 22 that is close to or in contact with the bottom plate 39 of the rice cooker unit 1, has high heat resistance, and easily transmits the magnetic lines of force from the heating coil 14. On the other hand, if the left and right peripheral portions are formed of separate members, it is not necessary to use such a high heat-resistant material, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

Also in the third embodiment, the basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, an effect equivalent to that of the first embodiment can be expected.
Further, in the third embodiment, an increase in the temperature of the outer case of the rice cooking unit 1 can be suppressed, and an effect of improving the installation stability of the rice cooking unit 1 can be expected.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
27 to 32 relate to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an entire image of one house (home). FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the lid of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing, in chronological order, the cooperative relationship between the induction heating cooker and the power command device in the home shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing steps of a reserved rice cooking operation of the electric rice cooker. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the monitoring and notification operation of the induction heating cooker. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The electric rice cooker 100 according to the fourth embodiment has a configuration aimed at further improving the convenience of the user by the communication function provided in the induction heating cooker 10 in particular.

In addition, the internal structure of the induction heating cooker 10 is improved to improve the cooling efficiency of the heating coil.
The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  In the fourth embodiment, the “home electric appliance” EE refers to an electric appliance designed mainly for use at home, and includes a household electric appliance in a kitchen such as an electric rice cooker 100 and a television receiver. Examples include, but are not limited to, video equipment such as a machine, an air conditioner, an electric vacuum cleaner, an electric washing machine (including a drying function), a hot water supply equipment used for a bath, and the like. In the following description, the home appliance EE includes the electric rice cooker 100 unless otherwise specified.

In the fourth embodiment, the “identification information” of the home electric appliance EE is information for identifying the home electric appliance EE, and is information unique to the home electric appliance EE, and is necessary for performing accurate repair or inspection. This is important information. For example, the following are specifically included in the identification information, but are not limited thereto. The home electric appliance EE will be described later in detail.
(1) Manufacturer name of home electric appliance (2) Model name (3) Model number (4) Rated power consumption (5) Date of purchase (This is often the start date of the quality assurance period of the manufacturer or distributor. )
(6) Date of commencement of use (for dishwashers, this is the date of legal inspection)
(7) Quality guarantee number

  “Integrated management device” 200 according to the fourth embodiment refers to a device for operating two or more home electric appliances EE in cooperation with each other. For example, it refers to a device that links the electric rice cooker 100 that is an object of the present invention with another home electric appliance EE, for example, an air conditioner or a ventilation device. “Cooperation” means that information indicating one driving state or acquired data is used by the other home appliance for driving, display, or the like. For this reason, the integrated management device 200 has a function of acquiring information on the current state of the home appliance EE, such as operation, stop, and standby state, from the home appliance EE through a wired or wireless signal.

  The “power command device” in the fourth embodiment is an “integrated management device” 200 having a function of limiting power consumption and a function of regulating the upper limit of the total power consumption in one home. Say. In one household electrical appliance, the “integrated management device” may also serve as the “power command device”. Further, the “power command device” of one home appliance is not always the power command device for other home appliances. In the following description, reference numeral 200 is used for both the power command device and the integrated management device.

  The “resident” in the fourth embodiment refers to a person living in one house described later, including parents and children, siblings, sisters, and the like who are related to each other, but temporarily stays in a living space HA described later for a predetermined period. Includes visitors staying in and other people who share their lives. Also includes those who rent one or more living spaces by one or more people. In addition, when the electric rice cooker 100 and other household electric appliances EE are used, a resident is referred to as a “user”.

  In the fourth embodiment, “home” means one house managed by a specific manager, and may include an apartment house having a plurality of rooms and a plurality of families. . That is, even in such an apartment house, similarly to the case of one house, when the upper limit of the commercial power is centrally managed by one power cut-off device (one breaker BK or a plurality of power breakers, etc.) , It is considered the home here.

  In the fourth embodiment, “operation information” of an integrated management device (also referred to as a “power command device”) 200, which will be described later, refers to information indicating an upper limit total power amount set in one home, Information indicating the difference between the total power consumption and the power consumption, information such as a name that specifically specifies the home appliance EE controlled by the power command device 200, The information includes information indicating the use state of the device EE, information on the amount of electric power used in each household electric appliance EE (for example, an average amount of electric power for one minute), but is not limited thereto.

  In the fourth embodiment, the “electric power limit information on the home electric appliance side” refers to information on some signal relating to the power consumption received by the electric home appliance from the power command device 200, and includes a power reduction request signal AS1 and a power reduction request described later. This means information including command information such as the command signal AS2. The information includes the reception time of the signal (year and month and time in seconds) and information indicating the meaning of the signal. For example, the power reduction command signal AS2 at a certain point in time for the electric rice cooker 100 described below is information such as “Reception time: 17:00 on May 1, 2017, instantaneous maximum power consumption is reduced by 2%”. Note that, in the case of home electric appliances, for example, the electric rice cooker 100, the power limiting information on the home electric appliance side is stored in a time series in the storage means 80R of the main control device 80 for controlling the whole, and the main power supply is cut off. Even if it does not disappear. Considering that the main power supply is turned on and off as one cooking, at least ten times of storage are stored. Any excess is automatically deleted in sequence.

  In the fourth embodiment, the “position information on the home electric appliance side” is information (code) indicating in which room in the living space HA the electric home appliance is present. When the kitchen is code 002 and the bedroom is 003, the rules are previously defined by the central control unit of the power command device 200, and the power command device 200 is to be (power) controlled using the home electric appliance EE. , The position information is registered in the power command device 200 together with the identification information of the home electric appliance. Note that even the home electric appliance EE that is not the (power) controlled object of the power command device 200 may transmit the latest position information indicating its installation position and use place.

  Home appliances that do not change their initial installation position, such as a built-in induction heating cooker that is installed and used in kitchen furniture of a kitchen or an air conditioner that is used fixed to a wall In the case of the device EE, the position information can be permanently used as it is.

  In the description of the fourth embodiment, a detailed description of means for grasping the latest position of electric rice cooker 100 and other individual portable home appliances will be omitted.

(overall structure)
FIG. 27 illustrates an example of one house using the electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 4. In FIG. 27, HA1 indicates a living space (kitchen) of one house. It should be noted that other living spaces are not shown in FIG. 27, but there are also a "living room", a "bathroom", and the like, and other rooms may be provided.

  All living spaces HA are supplied with, for example, 200 V power from a commercial power supply 71 of a power company outside the house. The electric power is drawn into the house via the watt hour meter 110. Reference numeral 111 denotes a power supply line (main trunk line) connected to the commercial power supply 71 having a voltage of 200 V via a breaker BK. Various electric home appliances EE are connected to the power supply line 111, respectively. Home appliances other than the electric rice cooker 100 are not shown.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a power command device (also serving as an integrated management device) to which power is supplied via a breaker BK, which is mounted on a place where a family can easily access, such as a wall surface of a living space HA (kitchen). Either installed or placed on the floor.

  In FIG. 27, AD is a power tap. In the fourth embodiment, since each home appliance EE in the living space HA transmits an identification code such as position information indicating the installed living space HA and room information to the power command device 200, This power tap may be omitted.

  In FIG. 27, reference numeral 112 denotes a router connected to the power command device 200. The router is an external organization such as a local power company, a public organization, or an information providing organization that transmits a power reduction command signal, power tightness information, and the like. 113 is connected via a wide area communication network (also referred to as “communication network” or “Internet”) 114 such as the Internet.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes an information communication terminal device. The “information communication terminal device” 115 referred to in the fourth embodiment is a terminal device that allows a user to easily carry a telephone and communicate data and data (including mail information) indoors, outdoors, and when going out. It is. Devices that can not make telephone calls but can download information, send e-mails, and send remote control signals over the Internet are called "portable communication devices". Portable small personal computers are also one type of information communication terminal equipment.

  The information communication terminal device 115 according to the fourth embodiment has a function of causing the input / output unit of each household electric appliance EE to approach (or make contact with) about several centimeters and transmitting and receiving signals by short-range communication. I have. Note that the short-range communication is an international standard technology of wireless communication known as Near Field Communication (abbreviation: NFC).

  In this NFC communication, a so-called wireless tag (NFC tag) is embedded in the home electric appliance EE. The NFC tag is connected to an NFC communication control IC (hereinafter, referred to as an “NFC control circuit”), and is connected to the control circuit. When receiving radio waves of a predetermined frequency from the outside, the power for the control circuit is reduced. The antenna includes a generated antenna and a microchip memory (hereinafter, referred to as an “NFC storage unit”) connected to the NFC control circuit.

On the other hand, the information communication terminal device 115 reads data from an NFC storage unit (not shown) (of the rice cooking unit 1) of the electric rice cooker 100, which is one of the home electric appliances EE, via the NFC tag (status). Information), and conversely, control data (control command) is sent from the information communication terminal device 115 to an NFC storage unit (not shown) of the rice cooking unit 1, and the control device 50 (NFC tags of this type may be referred to as “active tags”). Home appliances EE other than the electric rice cooker 100 have the same configuration. That is, the NFC according to the fourth embodiment has a function of reading information stored in the internal storage device of the home electric appliance EE on the information communication terminal device 115 side (the NFC tag having such a function may be referred to as a “simple tag”. Not only), but also the function of the home electric appliance EE that can be activated by a control command from the information communication terminal device 115. In other words, the information communication terminal device 115 has a function of not only reading various information from the home electric appliance EE, but also writing to the NFC storage unit, and has two functions of a reader and a writer.
It is said that the advantage of NFC is that it does not generally limit the format of data that can be exchanged by communication, and that it can exchange not only text data but also moving images and XML data.

  Although not shown, a base station of the information communication terminal device 115 is connected to the communication network 114 via a relay server, and the information communication terminal device 115 can access the router 112 via the base station. Can be done. In other words, if the information communication terminal device 115 owned by the resident of the home is connected to the communication network 114 from a remote place, it can be connected to the power command device 200.

  In addition, it can be connected to the wireless communication unit 26 (see FIG. 2) of the electric rice cooker 100 via the power command device 200, and can be remotely controlled from a place away from the living space HA. However, in the fourth embodiment, direct remote control of electric rice cooker 100 and other home electric appliances EE from information communication terminal device 115 cannot be performed. This is because some home electric appliances EE emit radiant heat directly into the room, such as electric cookers, so it is not possible to remotely control them via a communication circuit used by many people from outside the house. However, this is not adopted in consideration of safety, and instead, all operations are performed via the power command device 200.

  Inside the house, the electric rice cooker 100 may be connected via a router 112, a home server (not shown), or a local network facility (not shown).

  Next, FIG. 28 will be described. FIG. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the entire electric rice cooker 100 as viewed from the side, similarly to FIG. 2 of the first embodiment. Cross-section display (hatching) is omitted for some components.

  The induction heating cooker 10 has a cooling fan 13, a heating coil 14 wound in a thin disk shape (donut shape), a power transmission coil 17, a magnetic shield plate 19 having a circular shape in a plan view, and a control device 50. And an outside air temperature detecting means 15 for detecting the temperature of indoor air in a kitchen or the like.

  The magnetic shield plate 19 has a height such as to partition the internal space of the induction heating cooker 10 horizontally. The magnetic shield plate 19 and a large flat area plastic partition plate 96 installed horizontally. , A circular room 97 is defined in a plan view.

  The room 97 houses the heating coil 14. The cooling fan 13 is located behind the room 97, and is installed vertically so that the outlet is forward and the inlet is backward.

Reference numeral 98 denotes a vent, which is formed at the rear of the magnetic shield plate 19 constituting the room 97.
The cooling air blown out from the cooling fan 13 passes through the ventilation hole 98 and passes through the room 97, and passes through the exhaust port (not shown) provided on the left side of the induction heating cooker 10. Released to the outside.
In addition, the cooling fan 13 may be further arranged on the right side in FIG. 28, and the inside of the room 97 may be cooled after the power transmission coil 17 is cooled by the cooling air of the cooling fan 13 first.
Alternatively, the air path may be branched into two in front of the room 97, and one may be sent to the power transmission coil 17 side and the other may be sent to the room 97.

Reference numeral 99 denotes a wind direction plate disposed on the upstream side of the cooling airflow as viewed from the cooling fan 13.
What is indicated by thick arrows in FIG. 28 is the flow of cooling air generated in the internal space of the induction heating cooker 10 by the cooling fan 13.

  As is apparent from FIG. 28, in the fourth embodiment, fresh air is sucked into the living space HA from the intake hole on the rear side of the main control device 80, and the cooling air flows around the main control device 80. It is cooled and then sent into the room 97. Therefore, the heating coil 14 is effectively cooled, and the top plate 22 located directly above the heating coil 14 is also cooled.

  96A is a through hole formed in the center of the partition plate 96. The through hole is formed directly above an infrared temperature sensor 5B that senses the temperature in a non-contact manner by sensing the infrared radiation radiated from the inner pot 3, and is opened to allow the infrared radiation to pass therethrough.

  A lower space 108 surrounded by the magnetic shield 19 is defined below the partition 96, and an infrared temperature sensor 5B fixed by the support substrate 32 is disposed in this space. With this structure, the infrared temperature sensor 5B is less susceptible to high heat from the heating coil 14, so that more accurate temperature detection can be performed.

  An infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34 for transmitting important control information to / from the rice cooking unit 1 is located in front of the room 97 and opposite to the heating coil 14 with the magnetic shield plate 19 interposed therebetween. . Therefore, the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 is also less likely to be thermally affected by the heating coil 14. Similarly, the first input operation means 20 is configured to avoid a temperature rise.

  Although the room 97 is defined by the magnetic shield plate 19, for example, a plastic plate or the like may be arranged along with the magnetic shield plate. That is, it is not necessary to form the entire room 97 with the magnetic shield 19.

Next, FIG. 29 will be described. FIG. 29 is a plan view of the lid of the electric rice cooker shown in FIG.
In FIG. 29, reference numeral 20 denotes a second input operation means (input operation unit) of the rice cooking unit 1 of the electric rice cooker 100, a “rice cooking start switch” 67 for starting a rice cooking operation or confirming a reservation, and cooking. "Insulation switch" 75 that instructs a mode to keep the raised rice at a certain predetermined temperature, "Menu switch" 65 to select various rice cooking menus such as normal rice cooking, porridge and rice cooked rice, rice cooking such as white rice and brown rice "Rice type switch" 63 for selecting and inputting the type of rice to be sent, and informing by voice the state of the rice cooker unit 1 and the next necessary operation, adjusting the volume for notifying, and turning on / off the voice mode. "Voice navigation switch" 76, "Reserved switch" 68 for setting the reserved rice cooking function, "Off / cancel switch" for canceling or turning off various input operations and modes 66, "normal" in the cook how (cooked acceleration), "firm", the different "porridge" can be selected are "cook how switch (hardness switch)" 64 from the normal cooking includes respectively.

  Each of these switches may be any of a mechanical switch or a capacitive touch switch that generates an input signal by closing a built-in electric contact when pressed by a user, and may be used in combination. Is also good. The warming switch 75 starts the warming mode when operated after the mura processing is finished.

  A power saving switch 77 can reduce power consumption by a predetermined amount when pressed once. For example, when the power saving switch is pressed in the preheating step, the power consumption can be reduced only for the first few minutes, but the time required for the preheating step becomes longer by that amount. Displays a notice to that effect, such as "The power saving mode has been selected. The time for the preheating process will be extended by several minutes without having to press the voice guidance (navigation) switch 76 each time." Guidance is given.

  Reference numeral 78 denotes a health information display switch that, when pressed once, displays information on healthy rice cooking on the first display screen 11A. When this key is pressed, information such as rice and rice cooking method can be obtained from the information server of the external institution 113 via the wireless communication unit 26 of the induction heating cooker 10 and the power command device 200.

  Reference numeral 91 denotes an NFC input / output unit for allowing the information communication terminal device 115 having an NFC input / output unit to approach to enable short-range wireless communication, and approaching the upper surface of the lid 1B and being embedded therein. Have been. Further, on the upper surface of the lid 1B, the target position to approach or contact the information communication terminal device 115 is referred to as “TOUCH” so that the user can easily recognize the position of the wireless tag (NFC tag) 91T of the NFC input / output unit 91. It is displayed in characters.

  In FIG. 29, reference numeral 81 denotes power priority information displayed on the first display screen 11A, and information related to a command such as a power reduction request signal AS1 and a power reduction command signal AS2 is received by the wireless communication unit 26. In this case, the main control device 80 of the induction heating cooker 10 transfers information to the rice cooking unit 1 by an infrared signal via the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34, and upon receiving the information, the control device 50 causes the first display screen 11A to be transmitted. Of the display circuit (not shown). However, it is displayed only during the period when the rice cooking unit 1 is executing the preheating step or the rice cooking step.

  Reference numeral 82 denotes boiling step display information also displayed on the first display screen 11A. In the state shown in FIG. 28, the rice cooking process is currently being performed, and the inside of the inner pot 3 is in a boiling state, but even if the power reduction request signal AS1 and the power reduction command signal AS2 are received from the power command device 200. The user can easily recognize that this is a home appliance (electric rice cooker) that does not take measures such as reducing power.

Next, FIG. 30 will be described. FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing, in chronological order, a cooperative relationship between the induction heating cooker 10 and the power command device 200 in the living space shown in FIG. 27.
In FIG. 30, L1 to L10 are driving information signals transmitted from electric rice cooker 100 to power command device 200.

In FIG. 30, a rectangular frame indicated by a broken line indicates a range in which the induction heating cooker 10 is related to the rice cooking unit 1.
L1 is a signal indicating that the main power supply is turned on (ON) when the commercial power supply 71 is connected to the induction heating cooker 10. If the induction heating cooker 10 has a power switch for turning on the main power, the signal is transmitted when the switch is pressed and turned on.

  L2 is information for selecting the reserved rice cooking mode. L3 is notice information (also referred to as a "start request signal") transmitted when the reserved time for starting rice cooking approaches (for example, 5 minutes before the set time for reserved rice cooking).

  In FIG. 30, KS is a “cooking start permission signal” transmitted from the power command device 200 within a short time (usually within a few seconds) from the start notice information (also referred to as a “start request signal”) L3. . Unless this signal reaches electric rice cooker 100, main controller 80 of electric rice cooker 100 does not transmit an actual heating start command signal to inverter circuit 73.

  L4 is one of the operation information signals, and indicates that the inverter circuit 73 was actually driven, the induction heating operation was started, and the preheating step was started.

  L5 is an operation information signal indicating that the rice cooking process has been started. L6 is an operation information signal indicating that the rice cooking process has been completed. During the execution time period of the rice cooking process, power is not reduced by an external operation or command. That is, even if the electric rice cooker 100 actually receives the power reduction command signal AS2, the power is reduced after the next operation information signal L6. In the power command device 200, even if the electric rice cooker 100 is registered as a power reduction target electric device, the power command device 200 receives the power reduction command when receiving the operation information signal L5 indicating that it is a rice cooking process. Even if the signal AS2 is received, a power reduction command signal is not transmitted to the electric rice cooker 100 in response thereto.

  L6 indicates a driving information signal indicating that the rice cooking process has been completed. L7 indicates that the blurring step has been completed. L8 is an operation information signal indicating the start of the warming step. L9 is an operation information signal indicating the end of the heat retaining step. The heat retaining step is performed by energizing only the lid heating means 9A and the inner pot side heating means 9B.

  L10 is a signal indicating main power cutoff (OFF) in which the connection between the commercial power supply 71 and the induction heating cooker 10 is cut off. These pieces of information L1 to L10 include the current time in seconds. Although there is a response signal from the power command device 200 to each operation information signal, a detailed description is omitted.

  The power command device 200 gives the highest priority to the required power of the electric rice cooker 100 (over other home electric appliances EE), and secures the required power of the electric rice cooker 100 with the highest priority. Therefore, even if the rated capacity of the breaker BK is about to be exceeded, or if it is about to exceed the upper limit of the power capacity specified by the user, the power is not reduced in the boiling process, and delicious rice is cooked. Can be.

(Reserved rice cooker operation of electric rice cooker)
Next, the pre-cooking operation of the electric rice cooker 100, which is one of the features of the fourth embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps SE1 to SE8 show the operation up to the setting of the reserved rice cooking, which is the operation of the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1.

  When the user presses the reservation switch 68 of the first input operation means 20, sets the rice cooking time, and finally presses the rice cooking start switch 67, a reservation rice setting confirmation signal is generated, and the setting of the reservation rice is set. Determined (SE1).

  In response to the confirmation signal, the operation information signal L2 indicating the setting of the reserved rice cooking mode is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 26 to the power command device 200 (SE2). At this time, the rice cooking operation start time information is also transmitted in a 24-hour display, such as “20:00”. Further, information of a reservation setter (estimated as a user) may be transmitted by being included in the data, for example, as a code number indicating “resident B”.

  Next, the time interval between the rice cooking start time set by the user and the current time is calculated. In addition, when the user sets the desired rice cooking time, “the rice cooking completion time” is set. In other words, the cooker wants to complete the rice cooking when returning home, and sets the set time to “20:00”. The control device 50 receives this input and performs the rice cooking process (in this case, the preheating process, the rice cooking process, The required time of the pre-heating step (including three of the spotting steps) is calculated (SE3).

  From the calculation result of step SE3, when there is a time of 60 minutes or more, "Yes" is determined in the next step SE4, and the process proceeds to the next step SE5. The “standby process” of step SE5 means that, when the wait determination unit incorporated in the control device 50 receives the information on the rice cooking start time, from the current time to a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes before) the designated time. In the meantime, in order to enter the standby state, the power supply to the control device 50 is cut off, and the operation of the first display screen 11A is also stopped. This eliminates power consumption on the rice cooking unit 1 side. Note that the standby determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the designated time of rice cooking (start) from the current time by using the time information from the timer 50T for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). ) Check at intervals. The description of the subsequent operation is omitted.

  On the other hand, if there is no time of 60 minutes or more from the calculation result of step SE3, the process proceeds to step SE6. In step SE6, it is checked at predetermined time intervals whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the designated time, and if "Yes" in this step, the process proceeds to the next step S7.

  In step SE7, the operation information signal (notification signal) L3 indicating the start of rice cooking in the reserved rice cooking mode is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 26 to the power command device 200. At this time, the rice cooking operation start time information is also transmitted in a 24-hour display, such as “20:00”.

  In the next step SE8, the start of the rice cooking operation is notified by sound or text by the sound notifying means 90V and the first display screen 11A. The description of the subsequent operation is omitted.

(Monitoring operation during reservation cooking)
Next, FIG. 32 will be described.
The monitoring operation during reservation cooking of the electric rice cooker 100, which is one of the features of the fourth embodiment, will be described. Steps SU1 to SU8 indicate the steps of the monitoring operation. This is the operation of the control device 80. As described above, the rice cooking unit 1 is configured to execute the monitoring operation by the main control device 80 of the induction heating cooker 10 because power may not be supplied to the control device 50 during the reserved rice cooking as described above.

  The monitoring operation of the electric rice cooker 100, which is one of the features of the fourth embodiment, is performed not only during the reserved cooking but also during the cooking, so that the reserved cooking is not described in FIG.

First, the monitoring operation starts from the stage where the rice cooking process or the reserved rice cooking process is started as shown in step SU1.
When the information communication terminal device 115 is approached to the short-range wireless communication unit 91 in advance and the information communication terminal device 115 is registered in the rice cooking unit 1, the main control is performed when the rice cooking process or the reserved rice cooking process is started. The device 80 checks (SU2) the registration data (stored in the storage unit 80R) transmitted in advance from the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 (SU2), and when there is the registered information communication terminal device 115, Then, the information communication terminal device 115 is designated and the wireless communication unit 26 notifies the start of rice cooking or the setting of the reserved rice cooking (SU3).

  Note that the information communication terminal device 115 may be registered in the induction heating cooker 10 side. Various methods of registering the identification information, the address, and the like of the information communication terminal device 115 in advance in the electric rice cooker 100 (including the induction heating cooker 10 and the rice cooking unit 1) are known, such as MAC address transmission. Therefore, description of these will be omitted.

  Thereafter, a case where the rice cooking unit 1 temporarily moves from a predetermined position (reference position) on the upper surface of the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 for some reason will be described. For example, this corresponds to a case where a resident A has set a reserved rice cooker for the electric rice cooker 100, but another resident B has inadvertently moved the rice cooker unit 1 without knowing the circumstances.

  In the induction heating cooker 10, during the reserved rice cooking period (from the time of setting the reserved rice cooking until the actual rice cooking process, the rice drying process, and the warming process are all completed), the cooking is performed at a predetermined time or at a predetermined timing. The reference position determination operation is performed as in step S6 of FIG.

  Therefore, if the rice cooking unit 1 moves from the reference position of the induction heating cooker 10 for some reason, step SU4 becomes “No” and the process proceeds to step SU6. Therefore, even if the information communication terminal device 115 registered in advance is in a remote place outside the living space HA, the information communication terminal device 115 is notified from the wireless communication unit 26 via the power command device 200 to the information communication terminal device 115. Is done. If there is any reply from the information communication terminal device 115 (SU7), the process proceeds to step SU8, in which the notification means 70 of the induction heating cooker 10 notifies the notification using characters or voice. When electric power is supplied from the induction heating cooker 10 to the rice cooking unit 1, external response information is also sent from the induction heating cooking appliance 10 to the rice cooking unit 1.

  Here, the "reply" means that the information communication terminal device 115 has previously selected and registered a plurality of types of fixed messages and warnings. For example, if a reply "warning" is specified, In the induction heating cooker 10 and the rice cooking unit 1, since the rice cooking unit is in use, the contents are requested to the resident at home to check immediately. This reply may be set to be automatically transmitted on the information communication terminal device 115 immediately (for example, within 10 seconds) unless otherwise operated by the user.

  If the rice cooking unit, the rice drying process, and the heat retaining process are all completed without moving the rice cooking unit 1 from the reference position of the induction heating cooker 10 (SU5), a series of monitoring operations is completed. It should be noted that this monitoring operation is not entirely performed only by main controller 80 of induction heating cooker 10, and a part of the operation may be assigned to rice cooking unit 1. As described in the first embodiment, the rice cooking unit 1 includes the power supply unit 95 such as a secondary battery, and can execute information processing for monitoring.

  In the fourth embodiment, the induction heating cooker 10 uses the induction cooking device 10 during the reserved rice cooking period (from setting the reserved rice cooking until the actual rice cooking process, the rice drying process, and the heat retaining process are all completed). Although the reference position determination operation is performed as shown in step S6, the operation may not be performed for the heat retaining step. In other words, this means that the maintenance of the cooperative relationship between the induction heating cooker 10 and the rice cooking unit 1 is terminated at the stage where the rice drying process is completed, and the position of the rice cooking unit 1 is guided at the stage where the rice drying process is completed. Even if the induction heating cooker 10 is removed from the top of the heating cooker 10 and changes to another place such as a table, the operation of the induction heating cooker 10 is not affected at all. With this configuration, when the muramura step is completed, the input operation function for the first input operation means 20 is not restricted, so that the induction heating cooker 10 can be used immediately for another cooking.

Summary of Embodiment 4.
As is clear from the above description, the heating and cooking system according to the fourth embodiment includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface thereof; and a rice cooking unit 1 having a built-in inner pot 3 which is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10; With
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
A gap S communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means 20 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
A portion of the rice cooker unit 1 opposite to the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 behind the gap S is provided for controlling rice cooking between the rice cooker unit 1 and the induction cooker 10. Window 37 for passing infrared signals transmitting information for
The induction heating cooker 10 confirms the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 by the infrared signal when the rice cooking unit 1 is in the rice cooking process or at least one of the reserved rice cooking periods, and moves to a predetermined reference position. When it is determined that the rice cooker unit 1 is not present, a wireless communication unit 26 is provided outside for wirelessly notifying.

  According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, overheating of the first input operation means 20 disposed at the front portion of the upper surface of the induction heating cooker can be prevented by the gap S, and the rice cooking unit 1 can cook rice. If it is detected that the vehicle has deviated from the reference position during the cooking or during the pre-cooking period, it is notified to an external device, such as the power command device 200 or the information communication terminal device 115, so that the rice can be reliably executed. Monitoring can be performed so that the convenience and security of the user can be increased.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the basic operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected.
Further, in the fourth embodiment, when it is detected that the rice cooker unit 1 has deviated from the reference position during the cooking of rice or during the reserved rice cooking period, it is notified to the information communication terminal device 115 and the like, so that the rice cooker can be reliably cooked. And the user's convenience and security can be increased.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, a lower space 108 surrounded by the magnetic shield 19 is defined below the partition plate 96, and the infrared temperature sensor 5B fixed by the support substrate 32 is disposed in this space. Therefore, the infrared temperature sensor 5B is less likely to receive high heat from the heating coil 14, so that more accurate temperature detection can be performed.

  The infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 is located on the front side of the room 97 and is opposite to the heating coil 14 with the magnetic shield plate 19 interposed therebetween. Since it is not easily affected, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a failure or abnormality due to heat. Similarly, since the first input operation means 20 is configured to avoid a rise in temperature, it is possible to suppress the failure and shorten the life of the electronic components arranged there.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 28, a room 97 is defined below the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10, and the heating coil 14 is disposed inside the room 97. Since cooling is performed by the cooling air supplied from the heating unit 13, overheating of the heating coil 14 is prevented, which contributes to prevention of overheating of the top plate 22.

  Further, the cooling fan also cools the power transmission coil 17, so that the power transmission coil 17 can be prevented from overheating.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIGS. 33 to 36 relate to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 33 is a flowchart 1 showing a control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit. FIG. 34 is a flowchart 2 showing a control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit of FIG. FIG. 35 is a flowchart 3 showing a control operation of the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit of FIG. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the rice cooking unit in FIG. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  The electric rice cooker 100 according to the fifth embodiment changes the operation program when the induction heating cooker 10 is started. In addition, the operation program of the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 is particularly changed to provide a configuration for improving operability when the user measures the weight of rice.

Hereinafter, the steps of the control operation shown in FIG. 33 are obtained by improving steps S1 to S12 in FIG. 11 of the first embodiment.
Steps that are the same as or the same as in FIG. 11 will be described with the same reference numerals.

  First, when the power plug 101 of the induction heating cooker 10 is connected to the commercial power supply 71, the reed switch 31 is turned on (closed) if the rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a correct position (S1).

  Then, even if the user does not operate the first input operation means 20 or the second input operation means 12 of the rice cooking unit 1, the main control device 80 operates the infrared temperature sensor 5B and other current sensors (FIG. (Not shown), a self-check is started to determine whether there is any abnormality in the internal components of the induction heating cooker 10 (S2).

  If there is no abnormality, main controller 80 drives power transmission coil 17 to start supplying predetermined power. The notification means 70 is also activated (S3). On the other hand, the operation of the cooling fan 13 is started in the "weak" mode (S4). Therefore, the power transmission coil 17 is cooled by the cooling air.

  At this stage, the main control device 80 knows that the rice cooker unit 1 is placed at the correct position by turning on the reed switch 31, but then the rice cooker unit 1 moves to the reference position. The determination unit 33A is activated. In the first embodiment, the main control device 80 drives the reference position determination means (B) 33. In the fifth embodiment, when the power is supplied from the power supply means 6 to the control device 50, the control is performed. The operation program of the device 50 is started, and the infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 35 to the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 (SM5).

  Then, the infrared signal received by the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 is decoded by the reference position determination unit 33B, and the result is input to the main controller 80. Main controller 80 finally confirms that rice cooking unit 1 is placed at a correct position (SM6).

  If a predetermined normal infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 35 to the infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit 34, the reference position determining unit 33B cannot receive such a normal infrared signal. In this case, even if the rice cooking unit 1 is placed in the correct position, the cooking liquid from the last cooking is dripped and adheres to the upper surface of the window 37 as dirt, which hinders infrared communication. Is assumed. In this case, the main controller 80 makes an error determination. The operation after the error determination (SM6) is shown in FIG.

  During the rice cooking operation, since the operation data and the temperature data are exchanged between the two infrared signal transmission / reception units 34 and 35, the rice cooking operation is not permitted even if the window 37 becomes dirty. When the reference position determination result is NG in step SA6, the process proceeds to the abnormality handling step shown in FIG. 14, which will be described later.

  In the next step S7, main controller 80 performs processing to invalidate the generation of the input command signal from first input operation means 20. Specifically, a signal for generating an input signal of the first input operation means 20 is cut off to prevent an input signal from being generated. However, the invalidating means is not limited to this method.

  Even if, for example, the rice cooker unit 1 is momentarily lifted and the first input operation unit 20 is operated by the invalidation processing of the input operation unit from the first input operation unit 20, such operation is mainly performed. Since it is not input to the control device 80, it is not possible to stop cooking just before and start using the induction heating cooker 10 alone.

Next, in the rice cooking unit 1, the notification means 90 such as the voice notification means 90V notifies that the rice cooking operation is to be performed (SM8).
Note that, in the first embodiment, the notification is performed by the notification unit 70 such as the voice notification unit 70V in the induction heating cooker 10, so this part is also different from the first embodiment.

  In the next step S9, the rice cooking unit 1 enters a standby state in order to determine whether or not a rice cooking start command has been issued. After the rice cooking unit 1 is placed, it takes time to actually start the rice cooking, such as adjusting the amount of water in the inner pot 3. Therefore, the standby time is measured by the timer 80T (S10).

  For example, there is no command signal indicating that rice cooking has been started (S11), no command signal for starting rice cooking via the wireless communication unit 26 (S12), and the predetermined time T1 (for example, 60 minutes) from the stage of step 10 is not satisfied. When the time has elapsed (S13: see FIG. 34), main controller 80 determines that cooking is forgotten for some reason.

Next, FIG. 34 will be described.
The steps of the control operation shown in FIG. 34 are obtained by improving steps S13 to S18 in FIG. 12 of the first embodiment. In other words, it shows an operation in a state where preparation for starting the rice cooking operation has not been performed and there is no key rice cooking instruction and time has elapsed.

When a predetermined time T1 (for example, 60 minutes) has elapsed from the stage of step 10 (S13), the rice cooking unit 1 notifies that the rice cooking operation has been canceled by the notification means 70 such as the voice notification means 70V (SM14). . The notification from the rice cooking unit 1 in this step is different from that in FIG. 12 of the embodiment.
Next, in the induction heating cooker 10, the control device 50 stops supplying power to the rice cooking unit 1 (S15). Specifically, a command to stop the power supply to the power transmission coil 17 and the cooling fan 13 is issued.

  When a predetermined time T2 (for example, 61 minutes) has elapsed from the stage of step 10 (S16), main controller 80 cancels the invalidation processing of the input operation unit from first input operation means 20 (S17). . Therefore, at this stage, for example, if the rice cooking unit 1 is moved to another place, the first input operation means 20 can be operated to start another heating cooking in the induction heating cooker 10. When there is no operation of the first input operation means 20, the main control device 80 automatically shuts off the main power supply by itself, and operates in consideration of safety so that the heating operation is not performed carelessly. (S18).

Next, FIG. 35 will be described.
The steps of the control operation shown in FIG. 35 are the same as steps SA1 to SA9 in FIG. 15 of the first embodiment. If the determination of “No” is made in step SM6 of FIG. 33, the process of FIG. 35 is executed by main controller 80. That is, FIG. 35 illustrates an operation when the main control device 80 detects that the rice cooking unit 1 is not at the reference position before the rice cooking operation starts. Steps SA1 to SA9 illustrated in FIG. Since these steps are the same as steps SA1 to SA9 shown, detailed description will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, FIG. 36 will be described. The steps of the control operation shown in FIG. 36 are obtained by improving steps SR9 and subsequent steps in FIG. 20 of the first embodiment.

  As described with reference to FIG. 20 of the first embodiment, when the user finishes inputting the hardness of rice when cooking rice (SR8), next, the control device 50 activates the second display screen 11B, and displays the rice display. Indicates that weight can be measured. The notification is also made by the audio notifying means 90V (SR9).

  In the fifth embodiment, when the lid 1B is opened, the lid 1B is then closed, and if the rice cooker switch 67 is pressed, the rice can be immediately shifted to rice cooking without going through the step of measuring rice weight. However, there is an advantage that a user who has mastered the adjustment of water at the time of cooking rice can quickly proceed with the steps up to the start of cooking rice.

In FIG. 36, when the second display screen 11B is activated (SR9) and measurement of the predetermined time T6 is started (ST1), there is a step of determining whether or not the lid 1B is open.
As described in the first embodiment, the lid opening / closing button for opening the lid 1B and a mechanism interlocked with the opening / closing operation are provided with a microswitch or a reed switch as the lid opening sensor 93, and the like. The controller 50 may detect the opening.

Alternatively, before the second display screen 11B is activated, the control device 50 may monitor the state in which the position at the center of gravity of the rice cooking unit 1 moves back and forth, and detect the opening of the lid 1B.
For example, as described in the first embodiment, two weight sensors are provided in the front-back direction of the rice cooker unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10, and the weight of the rice cooker unit 1 and the induction cooker 10 is reduced by the weight sensor. In this case, when the lid 1B is opened, the lid 1B is supported by the rice-cooking unit 1 vertically or more stably backward through a rear hinge portion (not shown) when the lid 1B is opened. You.

  For this reason, when the lid 1B is opened, the measured value of the front-side weight sensor decreases before and after the lid 1B is opened, and the weight of the lid 1B is applied to the hinge portion (not shown) on the rear side. The measurement value of the weight sensor on the rear side increases.

  In particular, before the second display screen 11B is activated, steps (SR7, SR8) for sequentially reading out information on the rice brand and the cooking of rice, that is, the hardness of rice, and correcting them are also included. Therefore, when operating the second input operation means 12, the user usually needs to close the lid 1B to perform the operation. The measurement value of the weight sensor on the front side at this time, The balance of the measurement values of the weight sensor changes when the lid 1B is subsequently opened.

  Therefore, the control device 50 can analyze the data of the measurement values of the plurality of weight sensors as described above without providing hardware such as a micro switch and a reed switch as the cover opening sensor 93. 1B opening can be detected.

  In FIG. 36, when the opening of the lid 1B is detected, the control device 50 proceeds to the next operation step ST12. Then, just in case, it is checked once again whether the lid 1B is open. After that, when it is detected that the rice cooker switch 67 has been pressed (ST13), the first display screen 11A and the audio notification means 90V are provided. Then, the user is notified that the lid 1B is kept closed and is not opened (ST15), and it is detected that the lid 1B is closed (ST16). Proceed to SR10.

For this reason, in step SR10, the audio notifying means 90V provides an audio guide such as "Rice weight measurement result was 500 g. Since the appropriate amount of water was determined, white rice is cooked in a soft mode."
The second display screen 11B ends the display operation (turns off).
In this way, it is possible to immediately shift to rice cooking without going through the step of measuring rice weight.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST2 that the lid 1B is open, the process proceeds to the next step ST3.
In this step ST3, it is determined whether or not the operation key 18A arranged on the rice weight measurement operation section 18 has been operated to issue a rice weighing command. If the predetermined operation key 18A is pressed, the rice weight is measured with the lid 1B opened (ST4).

  The weight is measured by the weight measuring means 94 in a state where the rice is put in the inner pot 3, the weight is notified by the voice notifying means 90V, and the weight is also displayed as a numerical value on the second display screen 11B (ST5).

  After that, the amount of water corresponding to the weight of the rice is notified by sound, such as "500 milliliters", by the sound notifying means 90V, and is also displayed numerically on the second display screen 11B (ST6).

  Then, with the lid 1B kept open, the notified amount of water was injected, and when a predetermined operation key 18A was pressed, rice and water were put into the inner pot 3 by the weight measuring means 94. It is weighed again in the state, and the determination result is notified by the sound notifying means 90V, and is also displayed on the second display screen 11B (ST6).

  Thereafter, when it is detected that the rice cooker switch 67 has been pressed (ST13), the first display screen 11A and the audio notifying means 90V keep the lid 1B closed and do not open it. Is notified (ST15), and when it is detected that the lid 1B is closed (ST16), the process proceeds to step SR10 described above.

  In step ST3, when time elapses without operating the operation key 18A arranged on the operation unit 18 for measuring rice weight, the elapsed time is checked in step ST8 during that time, and the second display screen 11B is activated. If 30 minutes have not elapsed since the start of the operation, the voice notification unit 90V notifies that the command is waiting for a weight measurement, and displays the second display screen 11B (ST11).

  Such a reminder may be performed every few minutes. If it is determined in step ST8 that 30 minutes have elapsed, the user may take some time to do some work with the lid 1B open, or may start preparing for another cooking, and the rice cooking set will be postponed. Since there is a possibility that the error has occurred, an error notification is performed to call the user's attention (ST9). This error notification is preferably performed on the audio notification unit 90 and the second display screen 11B. Then, the control device 50 stops a series of rice cooking condition setting operations, ends the operations of the second display screen 11B and the first display screen 11A, and turns off those screen displays (ST10).

  In step ST13, when the rice cooker switch 67 is not pressed and the time has elapsed, the elapsed time is checked in step ST14, and if 30 minutes have not elapsed since the second display screen 11B was activated, Returning to step ST2, it is checked again whether or not the lid 1B is open. However, if 30 minutes have elapsed, the process proceeds to step ST9, and an error is notified. This error notification is preferably performed on the audio notification unit 90 and the first display screen 11A. Then, the control device 50 stops a series of rice cooking condition setting operations, ends the operations of the second display screen 11B and the first display screen 11A, and turns off those screen displays (ST10).

Summary of Embodiment 5
As is apparent from the above description, the heating and cooking system according to the fifth embodiment includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface thereof; and a rice cooking unit 1 having a built-in inner pot 3 which is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10; With
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
A gap S communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means 20 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
A portion of the rice cooker unit 1 opposite to the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10 behind the gap S is provided for controlling rice cooking between the rice cooker unit 1 and the induction cooker 10. Window 37 for passing infrared signals transmitting information for
The induction heating cooker 10 or the rice cooking unit 1 checks the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 by the infrared signal before the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1 starts, and if the rice cooking unit 1 is not at a predetermined reference position. When the determination is made (step SM6 in FIG. 34), the process of stopping the rice cooking operation (step SA8 in FIG. 35) without energizing the heating coil 14 is performed, and there is a problem in placing the rice cooking unit 1 on. The configuration is characterized in that a notification is made in advance (steps SA1 and SA8 in FIG. 35) at a stage after the presence of the event is detected.

According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, it is possible to prevent overheating of the first input operation means 20 disposed at the front portion of the upper surface.
In addition, at a stage before the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit 1 is started, the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed by the infrared signal, and at a stage after it is detected that there is a problem with the placement of the rice cooking unit 1, rice is cooked. Since the malfunction is notified to the user in advance, such as stopping the operation, there is an advantage that misunderstanding or erroneous operation of the user can be prevented.

Embodiment 6 FIG.
FIG. 37 relates to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of the induction heating cooker. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The configuration of the second input operation means 12 of the lid 1B will be described below on the assumption that the configuration is the same as that of FIG. 29 (Embodiment 4).

  The electric rice cooker 100 according to the sixth embodiment changes the operation program of the induction heating cooker 10. In particular, the operation program of the control device 50 after the rice cooking process is completed in the rice cooking unit 1 is changed.

The induction heating cooker 10 of the electric rice cooker 100 performs the same operation as the operation steps S1 to S30 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 of the first embodiment.
Step S30 and subsequent steps are improved as shown in FIG.

First, when the rice cooking process is completed (S30), the notification unit 70 of the induction heating cooker 10 notifies that the rice cooking process will be started (SU1).
On the other hand, even in the rice cooking unit 1, the notification unit 90 notifies the user of the start of the washing process by voice in synchronization with this.

  Measurement of the elapsed time is started (SU2) in order to grasp the unevenness time, and when the time of the predetermined unevenness process (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed, the notification unit 70, for example, "Since the unevenness process has been completed, You can eat immediately. ”(SU3)

  Since the heat retention switch 75 is for instructing to start the heat retention mode when operated after the mura processing, the next step SU4 is to determine whether or not the heat retention switch 75 has been pressed by the user. Make a decision.

  When the heat retention switch 75 is pressed, the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 requests the main control device 80 to provide the data of the temperature measurement result from the outside air temperature detection means 15 and keeps the temperature based on the provided data. The possible time is calculated (SU5). Note that the control device 50 may not request data provision, and the main control device 80 itself may calculate the heat retention time, and the control device 50 may acquire the result. In the latter case, the control device 50 transmits a specific identification code or data indicating that the heat retention switch 75 has been pressed from the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 35, and the main control device 80 receives the data and the like, The operation for calculating the heat retention time is started.

  If the heat retention switch 75 has not been pressed within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to step SU5. For example, at the start of rice cooking, the user may be clearly aware of rice cooking, but may forget to cook rice afterwards. If the user forgets to cook rice in this way, the rice cooker may not be in the vicinity of the electric rice cooker 100, and may not be aware of the end of the washing process and may be left as it is.

  In step SU5, for a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes), it is checked whether or not the heat retention switch 75 has been pressed, for example, every one minute. After the grace period, the process proceeds to step 10.

In step 10, the notification means 70 of the induction heating cooker 10 notifies that the heat retaining step has been completed.
Between steps SU4 to SU10, the lid body heating means 9A, the inner pot side surface heating means 9B, and the induction heating coil 14 may be heated with a minimum heating amount (thermal power) or may not be energized at all. In winter or the like when the air temperature in the living space is low, the outside air temperature detecting means 15 inputs the room temperature data of the low air temperature to the main controller 80, so that the rice cooking unit 1 cools down during the above-mentioned predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes). May be lost.

  Therefore, assuming such a situation, the main control device 80 drives all or a part of the lid heating means 9A, the inner pot side heating means 9B, and the induction heating coil 14 to, for example, about 30 W to 100 W in total. It is also programmed to temporarily perform the heat retention operation with the power consumption of.

In step SU7, a warming operation for the calculated warmable time TX (for example, 3 hours) is started. Further, the start of the warming step is notified by the notifying means 70 (SU7).
The heat retaining step of the sixth embodiment is performed by driving the induction heating coil 14 unlike the first embodiment. For this reason, the bottom of the inner pot 3 which is hard to raise the temperature can be maintained at a predetermined heat retaining temperature (for example, about 70 ° C.) only by the lid heating means 9A and the inner pot side heating means 9B.

  Then, a check (SU8) as to whether the heat retention time TX (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed (SU8) and a check as to whether the rice cooker unit 1 is present at the reference position (SU9) are repeatedly performed (for example, a time interval within several seconds). so).

  Therefore, a user different from the user who instructed the rice cooking operation does not notice that the rice cooking unit 1 is performing the heat retaining operation, and has moved the induction heating cooker 10 to use it for another heating cooking. In this case, step SU9 makes a “Yes” determination. Then, the notification means 70 of the induction heating cooker 10 notifies that the heat retaining step has been completed. At about the same time, the notification means 90 of the rice cooking unit 1 also notifies that the heat retaining step has been completed (SU10).

Further, the input function of the first input operation means 20 of the induction heating cooker 10 is restored. That is, the input prohibition measure to the main control device 80 is released (SU11).
Therefore, the user can immediately operate the first input operation means 20 of the induction heating cooker 10 to start desired heating cooking.

  If the induction heating coil 14 has been driven in the heat retaining step, the drive of the inverter circuit 73 is stopped (SU12). When the lid heating means 9A and the inner pot side heating means 9B have been heated by the electric power from the power supply means 6, the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 stops heating them (SU12).

  Furthermore, when the induction heating coil 14 is being driven, and when power is being supplied from the power transmission coil 17, the operation of the cooling fan 13 that has cooled them is also stopped (SU13).

  Then, main controller 80 shuts off the main power supply circuit by itself. On the other hand, the control device 50 of the moved rice cooking unit 1 also knows that it is not at the reference position by the reference position determination means 33, so the control device 50 stops supplying power to the power transmission coil 17, and Of the input operation means 12 is stopped.

Summary of Embodiment 6
As is apparent from the above description, the heating and cooking system according to the sixth embodiment includes:
An induction heating cooker 10 having a top plate 22 on an upper surface thereof; and a rice cooking unit 1 having a built-in inner pot 3 which is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate 22 of the induction heating cooker 10; With
The induction heating cooker 10 includes a heating coil 14 for inductively heating the inner pot 3, and a first input operation located on the front side of the heating coil 14 in order to set energizing conditions for the heating coil 14. Means 20;
The rice cooking unit 1 includes second input operation means 12 for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit 1 is placed on the induction heating cooker 10, the rice cooking unit 1 covers and covers the upper part of the first input operation means 20,
A gap S communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means 20 and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit 1,
An infrared signal is provided between the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 at a position behind the gap S between the bottom surface of the rice cooking unit 1 and the top plate 22 of the induction cooking device 10. Forming a window 37 for passing through,
The induction heating cooker 10 monitors the placement of the rice cooker unit 1 by the infrared signal while the rice cooker unit 1 is placed at a predetermined position and is executing a warming process, and the first input operation is performed. Continue to disable the input operation of the means 20,
Further, when the induction heating cooker 10 cannot detect the presence of the rice cooking unit 1 at a predetermined position by the infrared signal, the induction heating cooker 10 terminates the warming step of the rice cooking unit 1 and inputs the first input operation means 20. The configuration was to cancel the invalidation of the operation.

According to the heating cooking system having this configuration, it is possible to prevent overheating of the first input operation means 20 disposed at the front portion of the upper surface.
Also, at the stage of the warming step by the rice cooking unit 1, the placement of the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed by the infrared signal, and at the stage of detecting that there is a problem with the placement of the rice cooking unit 1, the warming operation is stopped, and Since the invalidation of the input operation of the first input operation means 20 can be canceled, there is an advantage that misunderstanding or erroneous operation in use by the user can be prevented.

Embodiment 7 FIG.
38 to 43 relate to Embodiment 7 of the present invention, and FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an electric rice cooker according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. FIG. 39 is a plan view 1 of the lid of the rice cooking unit. FIG. 40 is a plan view 2 of the lid of the rice cooking unit. FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control means of the rice cooking unit of FIG. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a control operation when stew cooking is performed in the rice cooking unit in FIG. FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of a control pattern in stew cooking of the rice cooking unit in FIG. 38. Note that the same or corresponding parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In electric rice cooker 100 according to Embodiment 7, the cooking menu of rice cooking unit 1 is particularly enhanced. That is, the rice cooking unit 1 can perform “simmered” cooking, “porridge”, and “steamed” cooking. In order to realize this, the operation program of the control device 50 of the rice cooking unit 1 is changed.
The operation program of the main control device 80 of the induction heating cooker 10 is also partially changed.

  Further, a steam discharger (sometimes referred to as an on-site recovery device) for releasing water vapor generated during the rice cooking process and the like inside the inner pot 3 is used to allow water to be injected into the inner pot 3 so that the user can use the steam. The convenience of adjusting the amount of water before the start of rice cooking has been improved.

  Further, the second input operation means 12 is improved so that the visibility of the first display screen 11A arranged thereon, the instruction for measuring the weight of rice and the confirmation of the result can be easily performed.

  The electric rice cooker 100 according to the seventh embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the electric rice cooker 100 includes the induction heating cooker 10 and the rice cooking unit 1.

Before starting the specific description of the seventh embodiment, an outline of “simmered” cooking, “porridge”, and “steamed cooking” will be described.
(1) “Boiled” cooking: An electric rice cooker capable of cooking ingredients such as vegetables and meat in a soup or the like to which water or seasoning has been added and heating the cooked food is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2005-296366. It is proposed by JP-A-2007-181521 and JP-A-2004-329488. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-329488 proposes that dedicated inner pots are prepared for rice cooking and boiled dishes, and the inner pots are replaced according to the rice cooked and boiled dishes.

  (2) “porridge”: A configuration in which an “rice porridge” menu is prepared in an electric rice cooker so that rice porridge can be made has been proposed in, for example, JP-A-2007-135883 and JP-A-8-1640065. As described in JP-A-2007-13588, there are a thick porridge made by making the heating time relatively long, and a thin porridge made by making the heating time relatively short. When making porridge, it is necessary to use a heating pattern and heat that are different from rice cooking.

  "Steaming" cooking: A steaming table or a net having a large number of ventilation holes is put in the inner pot 3, vegetables and the like are put thereon, and the water put in the bottom of the inner pot is boiled. It heats vegetables and the like. Therefore, unlike when cooking rice, it is not necessary to cook with the lid 1B closed, but rather it is better to perform cooking with the lid 1B opened.

The rice cooking unit 1 of the seventh embodiment has the following configuration based on the characteristics of each cooking described above.
In FIG. 38, reference numeral 12 denotes a second input operation means provided on the lid 1B, and has a second display screen 11B composed of a liquid crystal display screen or the like.
Reference numeral 122 denotes a steam ejector having a circular planar shape. This steam discharger has formed therein a first passage (not shown) for discharging steam generated inside the inner pot 3 during rice cooking. That is, the internal space of the inner pot 3 is communicated with the external space of the rice cooking unit 1.

The steam discharger 122 is proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-187371 and 2014-83203.
Next, FIG. 39 will be described.
In FIG. 39, reference numeral 12 denotes a second input operation means provided on the lid 1B, and has a second display screen 11B constituted by a liquid crystal display screen or the like.

The steam discharger 122 is located at a position behind the second display screen 11B, and is detachably mounted in a circular concave portion 123 that is concave in a mortar shape.
Reference numeral 124 denotes a circular lid formed of a plastic material in a disk shape. The lid 124 covers the upper opening of the steam discharger 122. The lid 124 can be easily opened by a user for cleaning or water injection described later. Reference numeral 125 denotes a hinge shaft that rotatably supports the rear portion of the lid 124. The hinge shaft 125 is a member that connects the lid 1B and the lid 124. With this configuration, the lid 124 is substantially vertical with the hinge shaft 125 as a fulcrum in the most opened state.

Reference numeral 126 denotes a plurality of vapor discharge holes formed to penetrate the lid 124 up and down. In the seventh embodiment, a total of five vapor discharge holes are provided.
Reference numeral 127 denotes a water injection port that is exposed when the lid 124 is opened, and the water injection port vertically passes through the inside of the steam discharger 122. In other words, this steam discharger has formed therein a second passage (not shown) for discharging the steam generated inside the inner pot 3 during rice cooking. The first passage and the second passage may also be used, but usually, the first passage is provided with an inner pot 3 in which the amount of steam generated during rice cooking is suppressed. Suitable for these purpose functions because sometimes a throttle or a control valve mechanism to keep the air pressure at the time of boiling of 3 is provided, and a check valve to prevent the intrusion of cold air from outside may be provided when the rice cooking is completed. As shown in FIG.

In FIG. 39, the surface (upper surface) of the second display screen 11B also serves as a touch-type input screen on which a change in capacitance when a user touches a finger or the like can be used to perform input.
In FIG. 39, reference numeral 120 denotes a touch-type key, which may be called an icon. The touch-type keys are caused to appear in correspondence with the display on the display screen 11B so that the control device 50 can visually check the user whenever necessary. Since such touch-type input keys are well known, detailed description will be omitted.

  120A is a “cooking key” for instructing the controller 50 to cook rice, 120B is a “rice porridge key” for instructing to make rice porridge, and 120C is a “cooking key” for instructing to cook boiled / simmered cooking. And 120D are "steaming key" for instructing steaming. Reference numeral 121 denotes an operation start switch, which includes touch keys. The operation start switch 121 disappears from the surface of the second display screen 11B after the operation of, for example, cooking rice is started.

  These keys 120A to 120D appear in a list on the second display screen 11B as shown in FIG. 38 when the menu switch 65 is pressed when the rice cooking unit 1 is activated by the induction heating cooker 10. I do. After touching any one of these keys 120A to 120D, the operation start switch 121 appears on the second display screen 11B.

  FIG. 40 is a plan view of the lid of the rice cooking unit as in FIG. In FIG. 40, reference numeral 120R denotes a touch-type key for returning to a previous screen, and when this key is touched, the display screen state shown in FIG. 39 is obtained.

128 is a touch-type key for instructing the control device 50 to measure the weight of rice.
Once the key 121 for starting heating is pressed, the key 120R disappears immediately, and the weight measurement instruction cannot be given.

  Reference numeral 129 denotes a water amount display unit, which displays, based on the weight calculated by the weight measuring unit 94, a water amount that is insufficient with respect to the optimum water amount. For this reason, the triangular figures (indicators) 129A are displayed in a vertical line. However, when water is added to the inner pot 3 and the weight increases, the figures 129A glowing blue increase. The state in which all of the five figures 129A shine blue is the appropriate amount of water. When water is excessively added, the figure 129A changes to a red figure 129A instead of the blue figure 129A, and all of them flash simultaneously to warn the user that the amount of water is excessive.

In FIG. 41, reference numeral 12T denotes a touch-type input unit which constitutes the second input operation unit 12, and includes the touch-type keys 120A to 120D and 120R shown in FIGS.
A microcomputer (not shown) constituting the control device 50 is operated by a control program for cooking rice and a control program for performing the stew cooking, rice porridge, and steam cooking. These control programs are stored in the storage means (ROM) or the storage means 50R of the microcomputer.

Next, a case where the second input operation means 12 receives a command signal to start stew cooking will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a control operation when the rice cooking unit 1 cooks the stew.

Step SW1 is a case where the stew key 120D is pressed and then the operation start switch 121 is pressed.
The control device 50 notifies the start of the stew cooking by the voice notification means 90V (SW2).

  The control device 50 confirms that the lid 1B is closed by the lid opening sensor 93, and when it is closed, issues a measurement command signal to the weight measuring means 94, and cooks rice at the stage immediately before the start of the stew process. The weight of the unit 1 is measured (SW3).

The control device 50 receives the measurement result signal from the weight measuring means 94, and stores the indicated weight value in the storage means 50R.
Also, the measurement result is reported by the reporting means 90. Specifically, for example, a voice notification unit notifies that "the current weight is 1500 g", and also displays "Measurement result: 1500 g" on the second display screen 11B (SW4).

  Next, the control device 50 transmits basic information necessary for executing the stew cooking to the induction heating cooker 10 by the infrared signal from the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 35. For example, in order to perform the operation pattern as shown in FIG. 43, the execution program for the sections A to X is transmitted so that the stew process and the low-temperature heating process can be sequentially performed.

  Note that the control program for various cooking such as stewed cooking and rice cooking is not transmitted from the rice cooking unit 1 to the induction heating cooker 10 each time, but is prepared in advance by the induction heating cooker 10 (stored in the storage unit 80R). ), The method of transmitting the progress of each process, temperature data of the inner pot 3 and the like from the rice cooking unit 1 may be used.

  In the induction heating cooker 10, the heating coil 14 is driven by the inverter circuit 73 in response to the command signal for starting the stew cooking from the rice cooking unit 1, and the operation of the cooling fan 13 is also started.

In the next step SW5, since the inner pot of the rice cooking unit 1 is induction-heated by the heating coil 14 and its temperature rises, it is determined whether or not it has reached the boiling temperature.
As shown in FIG. 43, it is necessary to maintain a state in which the temperature reaches a boiling temperature level for a predetermined time TY. The length of this time depends on the ingredients to be cooked, but is, for example, 30 minutes or more.
This time TY can be designated by the second input operation means 12 before the start of the stew cooking. Alternatively, when a material to be boiled is selected, the time is set by the control device 50.

The timing at which a measurement command signal is issued to the weight measuring means 94 to measure the weight of the rice cooking unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as “measurement time”) is determined in advance by the control device 50. By pressing the key 128, a measurement command can be issued each time.
As described above, the stage P1 at which the operation start switch 121 is pressed is one (first) of the measurement timing.
The stage at which the key 128 is arbitrarily pressed is also one of the measurement timings.

In the following description, a case where the weight is automatically measured by the control device 50 even when the key 128 is not arbitrarily pressed will be described.
As shown by reference numerals P1 to P4 in FIG. 41, there are a total of four automatic measurement times.
In step SW6, measurement of the elapsed time from the point in time when the state in which the temperature has reached the boiling temperature is started. This time is necessary for determining whether or not the “predetermined time TY” described later has been maintained. The length of this time depends on the ingredients to be cooked, but is, for example, 30 minutes or more.

  If it is determined in step SW7 that it is the measurement time, the process proceeds to step SW8, and the control device 50 instructs the weight measuring means 94 to perform a measuring operation. Then, it receives the measurement result signal from the weight measuring means 94, compares the indicated weight value with the previous weight value stored in the storage means 50R, and determines whether the weight is reduced (SW9). .

  The “reduction in weight” referred to here is based on a predetermined weight value (for example, 100 g). If the weight has not decreased to this level, step SW9 becomes “No” and the next step SW14 causes It is determined whether the process (section B in FIG. 41) has been completed.

When it is determined that the step weight is reduced (SW9), the weight reduction rate is calculated (SW10).
For the initial weight (for example, 1500 g as described above), a rate (%) is calculated in order to see the degree of influence of the decrease. For example, if the weight is reduced by 100 g, it is equivalent to 6.6% of 1500 g, and therefore, it is rounded up to “7%”.

  If the determination is “No” in step SW10, the process proceeds to step SW14. If the determination is “Yes”, the weight value and the change rate (decrease rate) at that time are stored and stored in the storage unit 50R (SW12).

  In the next step SW13, a display such as "Measurement result: 1300 g. Weight is reduced by 200 g" is displayed on the second display screen 11B. The same information is also notified by sound using the sound notifying unit 90V.

  Next, the control device 50 transmits to the induction heating cooker 10 a command signal for urgently stopping the stew cooking by the infrared signal from the infrared signal transmitting and receiving unit 35 (SW13). Thereby, the cooking by the rice cooking unit 1 is stopped.

  In step SW14, it is determined whether or not the boiling process (section B in FIG. 41) has been completed, and if completed, the process proceeds to the next low-temperature heating process.

  Next, FIG. 43 will be described. FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram of a control pattern in the stew cooking of the rice cooking unit 1. The vertical axis indicates the temperature of the inner pot 3, and the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of the stew cooking. The temperature of the inner pot 3 is measured by the inner pot temperature detecting means 5.

As can be seen from FIG. 43, in the section A, the heating coil 14 is heated by the maximum heating power, and the temperature of the inner pot 3 rises to 100 ° C. at a stretch.
When the temperature of the inner pot 3 reaches 100 ° C., detected by the inner pot temperature detecting means 5, this temperature data is transmitted to the induction heating cooker 10 from the infrared signal transmitter / receiver 35 as an infrared signal.

  The induction heating cooker 10 controls so as to reduce the heating power of the inverter circuit 73 and maintain the state for a predetermined time (TY). Actually, the temperature does not always need to be 100 ° C., but may be maintained at 98 ° C. or more.

When it is determined in step SW14 in FIG. 42 that the boiling process (section B in FIG. 43) has been completed, the process proceeds to step SW15 in the low-temperature heating process in FIG.
In the section C, in the induction heating cooker 10, the inverter circuit 73 is stopped, and no induction heating is performed. Then, it waits until the inner pot temperature detecting means 5 of the rice cooking unit 1 detects that the inner pot 3 cools down to 85 ° C. naturally.

  When the inner pot temperature detecting means 5 detects that the inner pot 3 naturally cools down to 85 ° C., it receives an infrared signal indicating the temperature detection data, and the induction heating cooker 10 controls the inverter circuit 73 to operate. It drives and heats the inner pot 3. And it is maintained at around 80 ° C to 85 ° C.

  As shown in FIG. 43, the section D is induction-heated, the section E is spontaneous heat radiation, and the subsequent section N is induction heating again. Liquids and the like penetrate to make it delicious. It should be noted that there is a method of reducing the amount of heating per unit time by reducing the energization rate instead of the method of repeating energization and non-energization as in the sections D and E. However, in the seventh embodiment, the heating is not performed. It is expected that by performing the operation intermittently (intermittently), convection will be generated in the cooking liquid inside the inner pot 3.

The length of the low-temperature heating step is not constant and varies depending on the type and amount of the boiled food. It may take several hours or more to slowly boil the meat and vegetables and allow the broth to penetrate inside.
Finally, the induction heating by the heating coil 14 is stopped, and the apparatus waits until it cools down naturally.
In FIG. 43, the time when the temperature finally drops to about 70 ° C. is regarded as the completion of the cooking, and at this time, the notification means 90 of the rice cooking unit 1 and the notification means 90 of the induction heating cooker 10 respectively perform cooking. The end is notified.

  P1 to P4 shown in FIG. 43 are timings (measurement timings) at which the rice cooker 1 issues a measurement command signal to the weight measuring means 94 to measure the weight of the rice cooker 1 as described above. One time is set for each of the section B, the section E in which heating by the heating coil 14 is temporarily stopped (paused), and the section X of natural heat radiation.

  If, during the section B of the stew process, it is detected that the weight has greatly decreased at the measurement time P2 as in step SW11, a possible cause is that the boiling is so strong that the moisture evaporates excessively. It is assumed that the liquid to be cooked has overflowed or that the liquid to be cooked has overflowed from the inner pot 3 due to intense boiling.

  In this stew cooking, when entering the section C, for example, at the stage of step SW14 in FIG. 42, it is possible to give a voice notification that the lid 1B may be opened, and the lid opening sensor 93 may detect the lid 1B. Is detected as an error in the section C to the section X even if the opening is detected, the amount of water evaporation from the inner pot 3 may increase.

  In such stew cooking, in the seventh embodiment, the weight measuring means 94 grasps at a predetermined measurement time that the broth or seasoning liquid has decreased, and if the amount has decreased excessively, the heating operation is interrupted. Can be stopped automatically. For this reason, cooking can be performed with confidence, even if the user does not always watch by the side for stew cooking that requires a relatively long time.

  In the seventh embodiment, the stop (pause) of heating by the heating coil 14 is selected as the timing (measurement timing) at which the weight measuring means 94 automatically measures the weight of the rice cooking unit 1. For this reason, while the heating is stopped, the measurement can be performed in a quiet state without the influence of the convection of the object to be cooked inside the inner pot 3 or the minute vibration due to boiling, and accurate weight measurement can be expected.

Further, in the seventh embodiment, since the water can be injected into the inner pot 3 using the steam discharger, for example, the water is put into the inner pot 3 as a rough guide, and then the lid 1B is closed. In this state, the lid 124 is opened, and water can be replenished from above the water inlet 127 with a cup or the like. Moreover, in this state (the lid 1B is not opened or closed), if the user presses the weighing instruction key 128, the weight measuring means 94 measures the weight at that time. Therefore, if the amount of rice is predominantly controlled by the second input operation means 12 before this, the total weight of the rice cooker 3 as a result of adding the amount of water suitable for the amount of rice, Can be recognized by the graphic 129A displayed on the water amount display unit 129.
In addition, in addition to or instead of the graphic 129A, for example, a numerical value indicating a shortage of water may be displayed.

  As described above, in the seventh embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the convenience of adjusting the amount of water before the start of rice cooking is improved.

  Furthermore, the effect of detecting the change in weight by the rice cooking unit 1 has been described only in the case of the stewing process. However, the "porridge" which requires a process of heating for a relatively long time with the lid 1B open, and the inner pot 3 similarly. A similar effect can be expected if the water is heated and applied to "steaming" cooking which requires continuous steam generation.

Other embodiments and modified examples.
In Embodiments 1 and 2, what constitutes the reference position determination means 33 is the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 34 on the induction heating cooker 10 side, and the infrared signal transmitting / receiving section 35 on the rice cooking unit 1 side. Then, an infrared signal is first transmitted from the induction heating cooker 10 side, and the response of the infrared signal from the rice cooking unit 1 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the mounting position of the rice cooking unit 1 is a reference position. Although this is a method, it is not necessary to adopt a mode in which information is transmitted separately from each other by infrared signals in both directions. For example, a method may be used in which an infrared signal is first transmitted from the induction heating cooker 10 and the state of the reflected light is determined on the induction heating cooker 10 side.

  In the first to seventh embodiments, a basic rice cooking control operation program (computer software) that can execute a rice cooking operation is stored in the storage unit 50R of the control device 50 on the rice cooking unit 1 side, and is used by using the program. Although the rice was cooked, it is not always necessary to prepare an operation program that can autonomously perform the rice cooking operation on the rice cooking unit side. In this case, an operation program (computer software) for rice cooking control is stored in the main control device 80 of the induction heating cooker 10, and the induction heating coil 14 is controlled using this operation program to cook rice (preheating). , Rice cooking, and rice washing) operation, and in order to determine the progress of the rice cooking process, control data such as the temperature of the inner pot 3 may be obtained as needed from the rice cooking unit 1 using an infrared signal.

  Further, as described in the first and second embodiments, the rice cooking unit is provided by means such as a combination of a reed switch 31 and a permanent magnet 30, and an IC tag 103 and a reader (IC tag information reading unit) 104 installed at predetermined positions. 1 may be confirmed, and only information transmission between the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 may be performed by an infrared signal. The induction heating cooker 10 uses high-frequency power and generates an alternating magnetic field, so there is a concern that wireless communication may be affected as electrical noise, and communication using infrared signals is advantageous in this aspect as well.

  Further, in the first to seventh embodiments, the window 37 is formed in a portion where the rice cooking unit 1 and the induction heating cooker 10 overlap with each other and at the closest portion, and the infrared signal is transmitted. Can be realized under close or close environment not affected by disturbance light such as visible light and sunlight, and it can be expected that signal transmission is ensured. Note that an infrared transmission hole may be provided in the first input operation means 20, and an infrared signal may be transmitted to the rice cooking unit 1 via the transmission hole. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the transmission hole so as to avoid the button (key) portion or the touch switch portion pressed by the user.

  Furthermore, in Embodiments 1 to 7, since induction heating cooker 10 has a form having rear vertical portion 16, when induction heating of cooking utensils such as various pots and pans is performed, rear vertical portion 16 is located on the rear side. And it was possible to prevent the cooking utensils from falling backward. However, in implementing the present invention, the rear vertical portion 16 is not essential. That is, the induction heating cooker 10 may have a flat outer shape on the entire upper surface.

  The electric rice cooker and the heating and cooking system according to the present invention can be widely used not only in kitchens of ordinary houses but also in kitchens such as public facilities and stores.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rice-cooking unit 1A Main body 1B Lid 1F Front wall surface 1P Projection part 2 Leg part 2S Inclined surface 3 Inner pot 4 Weight sensor 4S Strain sensor 5 Inner pot temperature detecting means 5A Thermistor 5B Infrared temperature sensor 6 Power supply means 7 Receiving coil 8 Lid opening / closing Button 9A Lid heating means 9B Inner pot side heating means 10 Induction heating cooker 10A Main body case 10F Front wall surface 11 Display means 11A First display screen 11B Second display screen 12 Second input operation means 12P Press-type input means 12T Touch-type input means 12V switch 13 Cooling fan 14 Induction heating coil 15 Outside air temperature detection means 16 Rear vertical part 17 Power transmission coil 18 Operation part 18A Operation key 19 Magnetic shield plate 20 First input operation means 21 Projection (convex)
Reference Signs List 22 Top plate 22A Inclined part 22L Step part 22T Peripheral part 23 Inner lid 24 Seal packing 25 Inner trunk 26 Wireless communication module (wireless communication unit)
27 Support plate 28 Window 29 Window 30 Permanent magnet 31 Placement detection sensor (lead switch)
Reference Signs List 32 support substrate 33 reference position determination means 34 infrared signal transmission / reception unit 35 infrared signal transmission / reception unit 36A first signal processing unit 36B second signal processing unit 37 window 38 window 39 bottom plate 40 support substrate 41 electronic switch 41A operation unit 42 circuit board 43 Protection Sheet 44 Through Hole 45 Support Frame 46 Through Hole 50 Controller 50R Storage Means 50T Clocking Means 60 US Type Display Unit 61 Hardness Display Unit 62 Menu Display Unit 63 US Type Switch 64 Hardness Switch 65 Menu Switch 66 Off / Heat Insulation Switch 67 Cooking switch 68 Reservation switch 69 Time switch 70 Notification means 70D Display means 70V Audio notification means 71 Commercial power supply 72 Power supply unit 73 Inverter circuit 74 Top plate temperature detection means 75 Heat insulation switch 76 Voice navigation switch 77 Power saving switch 7 Health information display switch 80 Main controller 80R storage means 80T timekeeping means 81 power priority information 82 boiling process displays information 90V sound reporting means 91 short-range wireless communication unit 93 the lid opening sensor 94 weight measuring unit 95 feeding unit (secondary battery)
96 Partition plate 96A Through-hole 97 Room 98 Vent 99 Wind panel 100 Electric rice cooker 101 Power plug 102 Power cord 103 IC tag 104 Reader (IC tag information reading unit)
105 Support leg 106 Projection (fitting part)
107 Vent hole 108 Lower space 110 Watt hour meter 111 Power line 112 Router 113 External organization 114 Communication network 115 Information communication terminal equipment 120 Touch-type key 121 Operation start switch 122 Steam discharger 123 Recess 124 Lid 125 Hinge shaft 126 Steam discharge hole 127 Water inlet 128 Measurement instruction key 129 Water amount display 129A Indicator (graphic)
130 cooling fan 194 weight measuring means 200 integrated management device (power command device)
AD Power Tap BK Breaker H Opposed Distance HA Living Space HZ Maximum Peripheral Range S Void SS Void G1 Opposed distance.

The present invention relates to a pressurized thermal cooking system, in particular, electric rice cooker, induction is used heating cooker is placed on the, after cooking completion is removable from the induction heating cooker, the induction heating cooker It relates to what can be used alone.

Claims (31)

An induction heating cooker comprising: a heating coil; and first input operation means positioned forward of the heating coil and for inputting induction heating conditions;
A rice cooker including an inner pot that stores the rice to be cooked and is heated by the heating coil, and a second input operation unit that inputs a rice cooking condition;
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
An electric rice cooker, characterized in that at least one of an upper surface of the induction heating cooker and a lower surface of the rice cooker unit is provided with a projection projecting toward the gap. An induction heating cooker comprising: a heating coil; and first input operation means positioned forward of the heating coil and for inputting induction heating conditions;
A rice cooker including an inner pot that stores the rice to be cooked and is heated by the heating coil, and a second input operation unit that inputs a rice cooking condition;
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
An electric rice cooker, characterized in that a vent hole for flowing cooling air of a cooling fan built in the rice cooker unit is formed on a bottom surface of the rice cooker unit corresponding to the gap. A projection protruding toward the gap,
3. The electric device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed of a resilient material, and is installed so as to traverse the rear of the upper surface of the first input operation unit for a long time in the left-right direction. 4. rice cooker. A protrusion protruding toward the gap,
And a top plate constituting an upper surface of the induction heating cooker,
The top plate has an inclined portion or a step portion that is higher than the upper surface at the most peripheral portion thereof,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is provided on the rice cooking unit side and abuts on the inclined portion or the step portion.   The electric rice cooker according to claim 4, wherein the inclined portion or the step portion is located on a rear side of the first input operation means. A top plate constituting an upper surface of the induction heating cooker,
The top plate has an inclined portion that is higher than the upper surface at the most peripheral portion thereof,
3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion has a window through which an infrared signal for communicating control information is transmitted between the induction heating cooker and the rice cooker unit. vessel. The induction heating cooker includes a main controller that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation unit,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the main control device includes a control program for executing the rice cooking process by heating the rice cooker unit with the heating coil. The induction heating cooker includes a main controller that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation unit,
The main control device includes a control program that executes the rice cooking process by heating the rice cooking unit with the heating coil,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the induction heating cooker includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an inner pot built in the rice cooking unit. The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the main control device and the control device transmit control information by infrared communication through a window formed in a portion where the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit overlap. An electric rice cooker according to claim 1. When a power supply is connected to the induction heating cooker, the main control device is in a standby state for receiving an input with the first input operation means,
In this standby state, when the main control device detects that the rice cooking unit is placed at a predetermined position, the main control device cancels the standby state for receiving an input of the first input operation means,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 9, wherein the control device of the rice cooker unit is in a standby state for receiving an input by the second input operation means. The induction heating cooker is provided with a reed switch that magnetically detects that the rice cooking unit is installed at a reference position,
Power is supplied to the main controller via the reed switch,
After the reed switch is turned on, the main controller transmits an infrared signal to the rice cooking unit, and the heating of the rice cooking unit is performed until a predetermined infrared signal is returned from the rice cooking unit. The electric rice cooker according to claim 9, wherein the energization of the coil is not started. Inside the induction heating cooker, there is provided a magnetic shield plate surrounding the periphery of the heating coil, and a cooling fan for introducing cooling air into a space surrounded by the magnetic shield plate,
3. An infrared signal transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting an infrared signal for exchanging control information with the rice cooking unit is arranged outside a space surrounded by the magnetic shield plate. An electric rice cooker according to claim 1. Arranging a receiving coil at the bottom of the rice cooking unit,
A power transmission coil that supplies power to the power reception coil in a non-contact manner is arranged in the induction heating cooker,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 9, wherein the main control device controls energization of a power transmission coil. The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
The main control device and the control device transmit control information by infrared communication through a window formed in a portion where the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit overlap,
The control device has a control program that executes a weight measuring step of measuring the weight of the inner pot containing rice or rice and water,
The control program, at the stage of the weight measurement step, to automatically start the voice input means,
The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the rice cooking condition determined after the weight measuring step is transmitted between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker by the infrared communication. . The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
The main control device and the control device transmit control information by infrared communication through a window formed in a portion where the induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit overlap,
The induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit have a reference position determination unit that determines a position where the rice cooking unit is installed,
After it is determined by the reference position determination means that the position where the rice cooking unit is installed is correct, the main control device transmits a first signal to the rice cooking unit by the infrared communication and the second signal. Enable the input function of the input operation means,
The control device, by the information of the rice type and hardness is input by the second input operation means, to determine the desired rice cooking conditions of the user,
When a rice cooking start command is input to the control device by the second input operation means, the control device transmits a second signal to the induction heating cooker by the infrared communication,
When receiving the second signal, the main controller controls the energization of the heating coil to sequentially execute the preheating step, the rice cooking step, and the rice drying step according to the rice cooking control operation program held by the main controller,
3. The electric rice cooker according to claim 1, wherein the rice cooking unit includes a temperature monitoring unit that transmits temperature data of the inner pot in the rice cooking process to the main control device by an infrared signal. 4. When the position where the rice cooking unit is installed is not determined to be correct by the reference position determination means, the main control device may perform one of the first processing and the second processing according to an elapsed time from the start of rice cooking. Is determined.
The first process is executed when the elapsed time from the start of rice cooking is short, and when it is determined that the installed position of the rice cooking unit is correct within a predetermined time, the shift to the rice cooking process is permitted. To do
16. The electric rice cooker according to claim 15, wherein the second process does not permit the process to proceed to the rice cooking process, and forcibly ends the rice cooking operation by the rice cooking unit. An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A window for passing an infrared signal between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker is provided at a portion of the rice cooker unit opposite the bottom plate and the top plate of the induction heating cooker behind the gap. Forming
The induction heating cooker checks the placement of the rice cooking unit by the infrared signal before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit, and thereafter invalidates an input operation of the first input operation means. A cooking system characterized by the following. An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
A window for passing an infrared signal between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker is provided at a portion of the rice cooker unit opposite the bottom plate and the top plate of the induction heating cooker behind the gap. Forming
Before starting the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit, the induction heating cooker checks the placement of the rice cooking unit by the infrared signal, and thereafter invalidates the input operation of the first input operation means,
Further, the induction heating cooker releases an invalid state of the input operation of the first input operation means when detecting that the rice cooking unit has completed a predetermined rice cooking process by the infrared signal. Cooking system. An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
Information for controlling rice cooking is transmitted between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker to a portion of the rice cooking unit opposite to the top plate of the induction cooking device behind the gap. Forming a window for passing infrared signals,
In the induction heating cooker or the rice cooking unit, at least one of during the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit or during the period of reserved rice cooking, the placement of the rice cooking unit is confirmed by the infrared signal, and at a predetermined reference position. When it is determined that there is no rice cooking unit, according to the degree of progress of the rice cooking process, a process of determining whether to continue or stop the rice cooking operation is performed, and at the stage of continuing or stopping the rice cooking operation, a notification operation is performed in advance. A cooking system characterized by: An induction heating cooker having a top plate on an upper surface, and a rice cooker unit having a built-in inner pot that is used by being placed close to or in contact with the top plate of the induction heating cooker,
The induction heating cooker includes a heating coil for induction heating the inner pot, and first input operation means located on a front side of the heating coil to set a current supply condition of the heating coil,
The rice cooking unit includes second input operation means for setting rice cooking conditions,
In a state where the rice cooking unit is placed on the induction heating cooker, the rice cooking unit covers and conceals the upper part of the first input operation means,
A gap communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the first input operation means and the lower surface of the rice cooking unit,
Information for controlling rice cooking is transmitted between the rice cooking unit and the induction heating cooker to a portion of the rice cooking unit opposite to the top plate of the induction cooking device behind the gap. Forming a window for passing infrared signals,
In the induction heating cooker, at least one of during the rice cooking process by the rice cooking unit or during the period of reserved rice cooking, the infrared signal confirms placement of the rice cooking unit, and the rice cooking unit is placed at a predetermined reference position. A heating cooking system, comprising: a wireless communication unit that wirelessly informs the outside when it is determined that there is no cooking. The top plate has an inclined portion or a step portion that is higher than the upper surface at the most peripheral portion thereof,
The heating and cooking system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the protrusion is provided on the rice cooking unit side and abuts on the inclined portion or the step portion.   22. The heating cooking system according to claim 21, wherein the inclined portion or the step portion is located on a rear side of the first input operation means. The induction heating cooker includes a main controller that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation unit,
The heating and cooking system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the main control device includes a control program that executes the rice cooking process by heating the rice cooking unit with the heating coil. The induction heating cooker includes a main controller that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation unit,
The main control device includes a control program that executes the rice cooking process by heating the rice cooking unit with the heating coil,
The heating cooking system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the induction heating cooker includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the inner pot built in the rice cooking unit. The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
The said window for performing infrared communication was formed in the part which the said induction heating cooker and the said rice cooking unit overlap, and were close to or contact, The one in any one of Claims 17-20 characterized by the above-mentioned. The cooking system as described. When a power supply is connected to the induction heating cooker, the main control device is in a standby state for receiving an input with the first input operation means,
In this standby state, when the main control device detects that the rice cooking unit is placed at a predetermined position, the main control device cancels the standby state for receiving an input of the first input operation means,
26. The heating and cooking system according to claim 25, wherein the control device of the rice cooking unit enters a standby state for receiving an input from the second input operation means. The induction heating cooker is provided with a reed switch that magnetically detects that the rice cooking unit is installed at a reference position,
Power is supplied to a main controller that controls the heating coil via the reed switch,
After the reed switch is turned on, the main control device transmits the infrared signal to the rice cooking unit, and until the predetermined infrared signal is returned from the rice cooking unit, the main control device transmits the infrared signal to the rice cooking unit. The heating cooking system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein energization of the heating coil is not started. The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
The control device or the main control device has a control program that executes a weight measuring step of measuring the weight of the inner pot containing rice or rice and water,
21. The heating and cooking system according to claim 17, wherein the control program automatically activates a voice input unit at the stage of the weight measurement step. The induction heating cooker has a main control device that controls the heating coil in response to an input from the first input operation means,
The rice cooking unit includes a control device that determines an rice cooking condition in response to an input from the second input operation means,
The induction heating cooker and the rice cooking unit have a reference position determination unit that determines a position where the rice cooking unit is installed,
After the reference position determination unit determines that the position where the rice cooking unit is installed is correct, the main control device transmits a first signal to the rice cooking unit by infrared communication and performs the second input. The input function of the operating means is enabled, and the control device determines the rice cooking desired condition of the user by the information of the rice type and the hardness being input by the second input operating means,
When a rice cooking start command is input to the control device by the second input operation means, the control device transmits a second signal to the induction heating cooker by the infrared communication,
When receiving the second signal, the main controller controls the energization of the heating coil to sequentially execute the preheating step, the rice cooking step, and the rice drying step according to the rice cooking control operation program held by the main control apparatus,
21. The rice cooking unit according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the rice cooking unit includes temperature monitoring means for transmitting the temperature data of the inner pot in the rice cooking process to the main controller by the infrared signal. The cooking system as described. When the position where the rice cooking unit is installed is not determined to be correct by the reference position determination means, the main control device may perform one of the first processing and the second processing according to an elapsed time from the start of rice cooking. Is determined.
The first process is executed when the elapsed time from the start of rice cooking is short, and when it is determined that the installed position of the rice cooking unit is correct within a predetermined time, the shift to the rice cooking process is permitted. To do
30. The heating and cooking system according to claim 29, wherein the second process does not permit the shift to the rice cooking process and forcibly ends the rice cooking operation by the rice cooking unit.   21. The target device that the wireless communication unit of the induction heating cooker notifies wirelessly to the outside is an information communication terminal device registered in the induction heating cooker or the rice cooking unit. Cooking system.

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