KR100398971B1 - Apparatus for sterilizing microwave oven having a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a sterilization apparatus for a microwave oven having a ultraviolet sterilization lamp for informing a user of an exchange time of an ultraviolet sterilization lamp, and a control method thereof. Microwave sterilization apparatus having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention, by projecting the electromagnetic wave generated by the magnetron in the cooking chamber to cook the food contained in the cooking chamber, illuminating the inside of the cooking chamber to contain the cooking utensils A sterilizing apparatus for a microwave oven having an ultraviolet sterilizing lamp for sterilizing, the apparatus comprising: a counter for counting a use time of the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp; A memory unit for generating and storing a second cumulative value by adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value; And a control unit for comparing the second cumulative value and the set value of the memory unit to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value, thereby further improving the functionality of the microwave oven. Can improve.

Description

Microwave sterilization apparatus and method for the same with ultraviolet sterilization lamp {APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING MICROWAVE OVEN HAVING A STERILIZING ULTRAVIOLET LAMP AND METHOD THEREFOR}

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing a microwave oven having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp and a method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus for sterilizing an microwave oven having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp for recognizing a user of a replacement time of an ultraviolet germicidal lamp and a method of controlling the same. It is about.

A general microwave oven is a device that cooks by applying electromagnetic waves to food, and is a cooking apparatus. A main body including a cooking chamber for accommodating food, a magnetron for generating electromagnetic waves, a high-pressure generator, and the like are attached to the front of the main body, and the entire microwave oven. It has an operation panel for manipulating the operation of. Electromagnetic waves generated by the magnetron are supplied into the cooking chamber, and cooking of food contained in the cooking chamber is performed by the electromagnetic waves.

In the cooking chamber, a tray for placing food and a lamp for illuminating the inside of the cooking chamber are usually installed. The tray rotates the food at low speed during the operation of the marnetron, so that the electromagnetic waves are evenly projected onto the food, and the lamp illuminates the inside of the cooking chamber during the operation of the microwave oven so that the user can check the cooking status inside the cooking chamber from the outside. do. In addition, the lamp is turned on when the door to open and close the cooking chamber of the microwave oven serves to facilitate the operation of the user accepts food in the cooking chamber or take out the cooked food from the cooking chamber.

However, in the conventional microwave oven, the lamp serves only to illuminate the cooking chamber, and its use is limited. In addition, since the conventional microwave oven does not have a separate sterilization means, it is often difficult to sterilize a cooking utensil including a milk bottle and a dish towel.

Thus, the present invention was created to solve the above problems, the present invention is to accumulate and store the lighting time of the lamp, and when the cumulative time of the lamp and the set time is the same, the replacement time of the lamp to the user visual and auditory In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilization apparatus and method for microwave ovens having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp which can further improve the functionality of the microwave oven.

Microwave sterilization apparatus having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

In the sterilization apparatus of the microwave oven having an ultraviolet sterilization lamp for sterilizing the sterilization including the cooking utensils by cooking the food contained in the cooking chamber by projecting the electromagnetic waves generated by the magnetron in the cooking chamber,

A counter that starts counting when the UV germicidal lamp is turned on and counts the usage time of the UV germicidal lamp;

A memory unit for generating and storing a second cumulative value by adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value; And

And a control unit for comparing the second cumulative value and the set value of the memory unit to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a microwave oven having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp is provided.

In order to sterilize the sterilizer including the cooking utensil, the second cumulative value is added by adding a counter that counts the sterilization time of the ultraviolet sterilization lamp which is turned on according to the selection of the ultraviolet sterilization selection key, a counting value of the counter and a first stored value. A memory unit for generating and storing a value and comparing the stored second cumulative value and a set value with the memory unit to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV sterilizing lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value. In a method including a control unit equipped with a program,

The program,

a) the user checks whether one of the door closing and the start key and the UV sterilization selection key has been input, and if it is determined to turn on the UV sterilization lamp to sterilize the sterilization including a cooking utensil, and the UV sterilization lamp Counting an operating time of;

b) checking whether the sterilization operation has ended in step a), and if it is determined that the sterilization operation is finished, adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value, generating a second cumulative value, and Storing a second cumulative value in the memory unit; And

c) comparing the second cumulative value with the setting value of the memory unit, and if the second cumulative value is larger than the setting value, visually and acoustically recognizing the replacement of the UV germicidal lamp.

According to the present invention, since the user can visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp, the functionality and convenience for the microwave oven can be further improved.

1 is a view showing the front of the microwave oven to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a view showing the configuration of a microwave oven having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of notifying replacement time of an ultraviolet germicidal lamp in FIG. 2.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

101: operation panel 103: door sensor

105: control unit 107: UV germicidal lamp

109: high voltage generator 111: drive motor

113: tray 201: counter

203: memory section

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples.

1 is a front view of a microwave oven to which the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, the microwave oven to which the present invention is applied includes a main body 1 forming an appearance by forming a cooking chamber 5 and a front surface of the main body 1 to control the operation of the microwave oven by external operation. And an operation panel 7 providing an operation unit, wherein the operation panel 7 includes a plurality of keys including a start key K1, a time setting key K2, an ultraviolet sterilization selection key K3, and the like. .

In addition, a tray for placing food is installed inside the cooking chamber 5, and a driving motor (not shown) for rotating the tray at a low speed is installed at a lower portion of the tray.

The front door of the cooking chamber 5 is installed, the hook 3 is installed on the inner wall surface of the door 3 and the hook groove 4 is installed to the main body is installed so as to be mutually coupled, hook groove (4) inside the door sensor (not shown) is installed to detect this when the hook 3 is inserted to detect the opening and closing state of the door.

In addition, an ultraviolet germicidal lamp 11 for discharging ultraviolet rays simultaneously into the cooking chamber 5 is installed at an upper portion of the main body 1 forming the cooking chamber 5, and the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp 11 are cooking utensils. To perform the sterilization function of the sterilant comprising a.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the microwave oven of Figure 1 having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention. The microwave oven having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention with reference to the operation panel 101 including a start key (K1), a timer (K2), and a sterilization key (K3) for selecting the function of the microwave oven; In accordance with the selection of the door sensor 103 for detecting the opening and closing of the door of the microwave oven, the detection signal of the door sensor 103, and the start key K1 and the timer K2 of the operation panel 101. Control signal of the control unit 105 which controls the cooking operation of the control unit and controls the sterilization operation of the microwave oven according to the selection of the sterilization key K3 and the control unit 105 which is generated according to the selection of the sterilization key K3. UV sterilization lamp 107 is turned on and receives the high-pressure generator 109 for generating a high voltage for generating electromagnetic waves in response to the control signal of the controller 105 generated in accordance with the selection of the start key (K1) and The controller 105 generated according to the selection of the start key K1. It includes a drive motor 111 for rotating the tray 113 at low speed by receiving a control signal of the).

And a counter 201 connected to the output side of the control unit 105 and counting the lighting time of the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107 simultaneously with the output of a control signal for turning on the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107, and the ultraviolet light. When the germicidal lamp 107 is turned off, after receiving the counting value of the counter 201, adding the first accumulated value and the first counting value previously stored, generating a second accumulated value, and storing the accumulated value. It further includes a memory unit 203 for transmitting to the control unit 105.

The control unit 105 compares the second cumulative value and the set value of the memory unit 203, and when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value, the UV germicidal lamp 107 using the display device of the operation panel 101. It has a program to recognize the exchange of visually and aurally.

In the microwave sterilization apparatus having an ultraviolet germicidal lamp according to the present invention configured as described above, the user opens the door 2 to cook the food and then put the food to be cooked on the tray 9, the door (2) When closing, the door sensor 103 recognizes that the hook 3 and the hook groove 4 are inserted.

Then, the cooking operation, cooking intensity, cooking time, etc. are set through the operation panel 7. Here, when the start key K1 is input, the controller 105 controls the power to be provided to the high voltage generator 109, whereby the high voltage generator 109 generates a high voltage, and the high voltage is provided to the magnetron. Therefore, the magnetron generates electromagnetic waves. This electromagnetic wave is supplied to the food placed on the tray 9 rotating at a low speed by the drive motor, and the food is cooked by the electromagnetic wave. At this time, the cooking time and the cooking intensity are determined by the operation of the operation panel 7.

When the door sensor 103 recognizes the closing of the door and the pressing of the start key K1 of the operation panel 101, the control unit 105 generates a first control signal for turning on the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107. The first control signal is sent to the UV germicidal lamp 107, and at the same time generates a second control signal for starting counting to the counter 201, which is sent to the counter 201.

The counter 201 starts counting at the same time as the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 is turned on.

After that, when the cooking time is completed after the time set by the time setting key K2 has elapsed, the controller 105 generates a third control signal for turning off the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107 and transmits the third control signal to the ultraviolet sterilization lamp. Send to 107. The ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 which has received the third control signal is turned off. At this time, the control unit 105 generates a fourth control signal for stopping the operation of the counter 201, and the counter 201 receiving the fourth control signal stops the counting operation and stores a counting value in the memory unit 203. To send.

The memory unit 203 adds and stores the counting value to a previously stored first cumulative value to generate a second cumulative value, and the second cumulative value is transmitted to the controller 105.

The control unit 105 receiving the second cumulative value compares the second cumulative value with a set value, and if the second cumulative value is greater than the set value, the control panel 101 notifies the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp 107. ) To the display device.

However, when the ultraviolet sterilization selection key K3 is operated by the user, the controller 105 generates a first control signal for turning on the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107, and the first control signal is the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107. ) And simultaneously generate a second control signal for starting counting to the counter 201, which is transmitted to the counter 201.

The counter 201 starts counting at the same time as the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 is turned on.

After that, when the cooking time is completed after the time set by the time setting key K2 has elapsed, the controller 105 generates a third control signal for turning off the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107 and transmits the third control signal to the ultraviolet sterilization lamp. Send to 107. The ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 which has received the third control signal is turned off. At this time, the control unit 105 generates a fourth control signal for stopping the operation of the counter 201, and the counter 201 receiving the fourth control signal stops the counting operation and stores a counting value in the memory unit 203. To send.

The memory unit 203 generates a second cumulative value by adding the counting value to a previously stored first cumulative value, and the second cumulative value is stored and then transmitted to the controller 105.

The control unit 105 receiving the second cumulative value compares the second cumulative value with a set value, and if the cumulative value is greater than the set value, displays a message indicating the exchange of the UV sterilization lamp 107 on the operation panel 101. To the device.

3 is a flowchart showing a sterilization process according to the present invention. Referring to Figure 3 describes the sterilization process according to the present invention.

The control unit 105 checks whether the door sensor 103 is recognized that the closing of the door and the pressing of the start key K1 of the operation panel 101 are recognized (step 301), and the control unit 105 controls the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107. ) Generates a first control signal to light up, the first control signal is sent to the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107 (step 303), and at the same time generates a second control signal to start counting to the counter 201, This second control signal is transmitted to the counter 201.

The counter 201 starts counting at the same time as the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 turns on (step 305).

Then, when the cooking time is completed by the time set by the time setting key K2 (step 306), the controller 105 generates a third control signal for turning off the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 107 to control the third control. The signal is sent to the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107. The ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107 which has received the third control signal is turned off (step 307). At this time, the control unit 105 generates a fourth control signal for stopping the operation of the counter 201, and the counter 201 receiving the fourth control signal stops the counting operation and stores a counting value in the memory unit 203. (Step 309).

The memory unit 203 adds the first accumulated value and the counting value already stored to generate the second accumulated value and stores the generated second accumulated value (step 311), and the generated second accumulated value is provided to the controller 105. .

The control unit 105 receiving the cumulative value compares the second cumulative value with a set value (step 313), and when the second cumulative value is larger than the set value, the control unit 101 notifies a replacement of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 107. (Step 315).

If it is determined in step 301 that the door closing and start keys K1 have not been pressed, it is checked by the user whether the UV sterilization selection key K3 is selected (step 317), and if it is determined, the process proceeds to step 303. If it is determined that it is not selected, it is checked whether another key is input (step 319). If it is determined that another key is input, the selected mode is executed (step 321) and the program is terminated.

According to the present invention, after accumulating the cumulative use time of the UV germicidal lamp after the cumulative value is more than the set value by visually and audibly recognizing the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp to the user, the convenience of the microwave oven and The effect of further improving the functionality is obtained.

In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Claims (3)

In the sterilization apparatus of the microwave oven having an ultraviolet sterilization lamp for sterilizing the sterilization including the cooking utensils by cooking the food contained in the cooking chamber by projecting the electromagnetic waves generated by the magnetron in the cooking chamber, A counter that starts counting when the UV germicidal lamp is turned on and counts the usage time of the UV germicidal lamp; A memory unit for generating and storing a second cumulative value by adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value; And And a control unit configured to compare the second cumulative value and the set value of the memory unit to the user to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value. Microwave sterilizer. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a counter that starts counting when the UV germicidal lamp is turned on and counts a use time of the UV germicidal lamp; A memory unit for generating and storing a second cumulative value by adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value; And a control unit configured to compare the second cumulative value and the set value of the memory unit to the user to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV germicidal lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value. Microwave sterilizer with germicidal lamp. In order to sterilize the sterilizer including the cooking utensil, the second cumulative value is added by adding a counter that counts the sterilization time of the ultraviolet sterilization lamp which is turned on according to the selection of the ultraviolet sterilization selection key, a counting value of the counter and a first stored value. A memory unit for generating and storing a value and comparing the stored second cumulative value and a set value with the memory unit to visually and audibly recognize the exchange of the UV sterilizing lamp when the second cumulative value is greater than or equal to the set value. In a method including a control unit equipped with a program, The program, a) the user checks whether one of the door closing and the start key and the UV sterilization selection key has been input, and if it is determined to turn on the UV sterilization lamp to sterilize the sterilization including a cooking utensil, and the UV sterilization lamp Counting an operating time of; b) checking whether the sterilization operation has ended in step a), and if it is determined that the sterilization operation is finished, adding a counting value of the counter and a previously stored first cumulative value, generating a second cumulative value, and Storing a second cumulative value in the memory unit; And c) comparing the second cumulative value with a setting value of the memory unit, and if the second cumulative value is larger than a setting value, visually and acoustically recognizing the replacement of the ultraviolet germicidal lamp. Sterilization method of the microwave oven having a.