KR101468044B1 - Electric cooker and method for scheduling warming function of electric cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electric rice cooker having a warming reservation function comprises: a heating control unit controlling the output of an operating power to be applied to a heater to heat an inner cooker; a timing unit to measure a fixed time; and a microprocessor computer (MICOM) unit controlling the operation of the heating control unit according to a control algorithm corresponding to a predetermined warming function to perform the warming function. When a user sets the warming reservation function to automatically perform the warming function after a fixed warming reservation time, the microprocessor computer unit controls the timing unit to measure an elapsed time and controls the operation of the heating control unit to perform the warming function when the elapsed time being measured reaches the warming reservation time.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric hot-insulating rice cooker and an electric hot-

The present invention relates to an electric heat-insulating rice cooker having a heat-reservation function capable of automatically starting keeping warm-up at a predetermined time, and a method of reserving a warm-up function in such an electric heat-insulating cooker.

The electric heat-warming rice cooker is a basic function and provides the cooking function and the warming function. At this time, in the cooking function of the general thermosensor, the thermosensor function is automatically set to be performed after the completion of cooking. And the warming function automatically lasts indefinitely unless the user inserts the inner pot from the thermostat cooker or inputs a separate thermal cancellation function.

Regarding the warming function provided in the electric heat-warming rice cooker, refer to registered patent No. 10-0746443 (name: electric pressure warming rice cooker with a personal warming function) (hereinafter referred to as "prior art"). In the above-mentioned prior art, a personalized warming function is proposed in order to maintain the rice quality and reduce the power consumption by performing the resting process during the warming process.

1 is a block diagram of an electric pressure heat-insulating rice cooker according to the prior art. The user can set the resting process during the warming process according to the usage pattern of the user's electric pressure insulated rice cooker by using the custom warm keeping setting button 41 provided in the electric pressure warming cooker. The microcomputer 70 controls the heater unit 30 for a predetermined period of time during the resting process so that power is not supplied to the heater 31 so that heating by the heater 31 is not performed.

Meanwhile, in the conventional electric heat-insulated rice cooker, the pausing process and the keeping process are set through a specific setting function before the cooking process is performed. This personalized warm-up function is performed after rice is cooked with the rice .

Therefore, the conventional electric heat-insulated rice cooker can not cope with a demand for storing food such as rice or other food in the inner pot and warming it at a desired time by warming-up function.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0746443

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electric heat-insulated rice cooker capable of reserving execution of a warming function.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric heat-insulating rice cooker having a heat reservation function, comprising: a heating controller for controlling an output of an operation power to be applied to a heater for heating an inner pot; And a microcomputer for controlling the operation of the heating control unit according to a control algorithm corresponding to a predetermined warming function to perform the warming function, wherein the microcomputer is configured to automatically perform the warming function after a predetermined warming- When the timer function is set by the user, the elapsed time is measured by controlling the timing unit, and when the elapsed time measured reaches the reserved reservation time, the heating control unit controls the operation of the heating control unit Function is executed.

In addition, the reserved time for the thermal reservation can be arbitrarily set by the user.

In addition, the thermal reservation function can be set before the cooking function is completed after execution of a predetermined cooking function is started by the user.

The microwave oven may further include an operation unit having a "keep warm" button for selecting driving and cancellation of the keep warm function for keeping the content contained in the inner pot at a predetermined temperature, and the microcomputer determines that the keep warm button is pressed for one second or more It is regarded that the above-mentioned keeping reservation function is inputted.

In addition, the microcomputer can set the reserved reservation time according to the number of times that the button is further pressed after a certain button is pressed for one second or more and the above-mentioned reservation reservation function is inputted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reserving an insulated function of a thermosensitive rice cooker, comprising the steps of: receiving a setting for a thermal reservation function to automatically perform a thermal insulation function after a predetermined thermal reservation time; Measuring an elapsed time after the inserting reservation function is input; And controlling the operation of the heating control unit to execute the warming function when the elapsed time measured reaches the reserved warm-up time.

In addition, the thermal reservation function may be inputted before the cooking function is completed after a predetermined cooking function is started by a user's selection, and the thermal reservation function is a function of the thermal insulation cooker It can be input in the standby state, which is the stopped state.

The electric heat-insulating rice cooker having the above-described configuration according to the present invention can reserve the execution of the warming-up process so that the user can store the cooked food in the inner pot, .

In addition, the cooked food can be stored in the electric heat-insulated cooker, so that the deterioration of the food and the sanitary condition can be maintained.

1 is a block diagram of an electric pressure heat-insulating rice cooker according to the prior art.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a thermally insulated rice cooker having a heat reservation function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
3 is a view illustrating an example of an interface panel including an operation unit and a display unit provided in the thermosensitive cooker according to the present invention.
Fig. 4 shows an algorithm for implementing the "reservation reservation function" provided in the present invention.

Hereinafter, a method for reserving an insulated function of an electrothermal cooker and an electrically insulated rice cooker having a heat reservation function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a thermally insulated rice cooker having a heat reservation function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. As shown in the figure, the rice cooker includes a power supply unit 10, a heater unit 20, a heating control unit 30, a sensing unit 40, an operation unit 50, a display unit 60, a memory unit 70, (75) and a microcomputer (80).

The power supply unit 10 generates and supplies operating power required from each part of the thermo-sensitive rice cooker from a commercial AC power source of 110 V or 220 V and 60 Hz. For example, the power supply unit 10 is configured to supply a large output DC power for driving the heater unit 20, which will be described later, and a small output DC power (not shown) for operating an electronic circuit portion, Respectively.

The heater unit 20 is for heating the contents contained in the inner pot (not shown) of the thermosensitive cooker, and includes one or a plurality of heaters. As the heater, various types of heaters such as an electric resistance method, an infrared radiation method, an induction heating method, and an electromagnetic wave heating method can be applied. In the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use an induction heating type heater. In particular, one or a plurality of induction heating coils for performing a cooking process and one or a plurality of heaters for performing a warming process may be independently provided at the same time in the thermosensitive cooker according to the present invention. When a plurality of heaters are provided in this way, the heaters can be arranged to surround the lower part, the side part and the upper part of the inner pot.

The heating control unit 30 controls the operation of the heater unit 20 in accordance with an input control signal so as to cook (e.g. cook) or maintain the temperature of the contents contained in the inner pot (for example, at 74 캜). That is, when the heater unit 20 includes the induction heating coil, the heating control unit 30 controls the heating amount of the heater unit 20 by controlling the on / off or the applied duty of the input large power DC power source . A control signal for controlling the operation of the heating control unit 30 is input from the microcomputer unit 80. [

The sensing unit 40 is provided in the vicinity of the heater unit 20 or the inner pot and senses the temperature of the heater unit 20 or the inner pot under the control of the microcomputer unit 80. [ That is, when the contents stored in the inner pot are cooked or kept warm according to the heating method corresponding to the menu selected by the user, the temperature of the heater unit 20, particularly the inner pot, can be checked by the micom 80.

The operation unit 50 includes one or a plurality of operation means so that the user can select a desired function among the functions provided by the thermosensitive cooker. The operating means provided may include, for example, a tact button, a capacitance sensitive touch button or a touch screen, a slider, a jog dial, and the like. The operation and determination input of the user by the buttons and the jog dial arranged on the operation unit 50 can be inputted to the microcomputer unit 80 as an operation signal.

The display unit 60 can display the operation status and determination of the user for the thermo-sensitive rice cooker, the current operation state or the failure state of the thermo-sensitive rice cooker according to the display signal provided by the microcomputer unit 80. [ Display 60 may include one or more LED display elements, one or more 7-segment LEDs, visual display means such as LCD, OLED, touch screen, etc., and audible indicator means such as speakers.

In particular, FIG. 3 shows an example of an interface panel including an operation unit and a display unit provided in the thermosensitive rice cooker according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the interface panel displays the operation state and operation state of the thermosensitive cooker visually A button area B in which a plurality of operating means such as a button for functioning as the operating part 50 are disposed and a dial area D in which operating means such as a jog dial are disposed, . ≪ / RTI >

In the display area A, a variety of cooking and keeping menus provided by the thermo-electric rice cooker can be displayed by controlling various colors and brightness. Also, it is possible to display a user's operation status and selection input for a selection item, notification of a reserved function, current operation state or failure status of the electric heat-preserving cooker, and the like.

In the button area B, for example, a "reservation" button for reserving a predetermined function in advance, an "automatic washing" for automatically cleaning the inside and outside of the inner pot, Button for changing or setting the various additional functions provided by the electric heat-inserting cooker, a button for canceling the function currently being operated, A "cancel" button may be provided.

On the other hand, the dial area D may be provided with a jog dial capable of rapidly moving / switching and selecting various menu / function or time adjustment arranged in a series. In the example of Fig. 3, the "cooking" button is arranged at the center of the jog dial. However, the "cooking" button can also be placed in the button area.

Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, a button reservation area "B" reserved for the purpose of setting or canceling the reserved reservation function is provided in the button area B, or an item "reserved reservation" which can be selected by rotating the jog dial .

2, the memory unit 70 is operated by the microcomputer unit 80, and information about the activated function or menu is stored by operating the user through the operation unit 50 and confirming the selection . The memory unit 70 controls the operation of the heating control unit 30 and the display unit 60 for controlling the temperature of the heater unit 20 or the inner pot according to various functions and menus provided in the thermosensor, And the like can be stored. When the user selects a specific function, the microcomputer unit 80 loads the control algorithm corresponding to the function from the memory unit 70, and controls the heating controller 30, including the heating controller 30, And controls the operation. In particular, the memory unit 70 according to the present invention may store information indicating the user's input to the thermal reservation function and information related to the thermal reservation time.

Under the control of the microcomputer unit 80, the timing unit 75 can time the elapsed time from a predetermined time point, and the remaining time to a preset time point. Also, the timing unit 75 may timing the current time according to the standard time information.

The micom 80 controls the operation of each part constituting the thermosensor. That is, a display signal is provided to the display unit 60 in response to an operation signal input from the operation unit 50 in accordance with a user's operation, and a control signal is supplied to the heating control unit 30 in accordance with the cooking menu selected through the operation unit 50 Thereby controlling the operation of the heater unit 20. This allows the user to perform functions such as cooking / keeping warm / automatic cleaning selected.

In addition, each part of the thermo-electric cooker is checked for a predetermined period (for example, every second, every hour, etc.) guided by the timing unit 75 to determine whether there is a failure or maintenance, Lt; / RTI >

The microcomputer unit 80 stores the information in the memory unit 70 as the user reserves a predetermined function and stores the information in the memory unit 70 at a predefined period (for example, every minute or every minute (For example, when cooking is completed), the reserved information stored in the memory unit 70 is checked so that a predetermined reserved function can be executed.

In particular, the microcomputer unit 80 of the thermosensitive rice cooker according to the present invention automatically performs a thermostat operation when the thermostatted rice cooker reaches a predetermined time (that is, a reserved time for inserting) from a standby state in which no operation is performed Implement the thermal reservation function.

That is, when the user holds arbitrary content in the rice cooker and inputs the "reservation reservation" function by operating the operation unit 50 and additionally sets the reserved reservation time, the microcomputer unit 80 outputs the timing unit 75 When the elapsed time measured reaches the preset reserved reservation time, the operation of the heating control unit is controlled to drive the heater unit to execute the warming function.

Such a heat reservation function is unique in that it does not perform the heat insulation after cooking the contents contained in the inner pot but stores the food that has already been cooked in the inner pot and immediately performs the heat insulation operation at the set time.

Here, an algorithm for controlling the heater unit 20 to be driven to the maximum output for a predetermined time and controlling the temperature from a later time to maintain an appropriate keeping temperature when the keeping reservation function is executed at the predetermined set time for reserved reservation, Can be assumed.

It is preferable that the heat reservation function is set by the user's operation while the thermosensor is in the standby state.

As a method for inputting the heat reservation function, it is possible to implement using the "heat / reheat" button basically provided in a general electric heat-insulated rice cooker.

That is, each of the buttons of the general thermosensible rice cooker is implemented so that the functions are selected / determined by a single pressing operation. Further, in a special case, the confirmation and cancellation of the selection may be implemented so that each time the button is held for one second or longer. However, according to the present invention, for example, when the user presses the "keep warm / reheat" button for a long time (for example, .

Also, for example, when an interface for inputting the reservation function for inserting is provided by pressing and holding the "warm / reheat" button, the user can select the reservation function by pressing and holding the warm / reheat button and then press the warm / The reservation time may be set to 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, or the like depending on the number of times.

On the other hand, the reserved reservation time can be input according to the direction of rotation of the jog dial, the "+" button and the "-" button provided to increase or decrease the time.

In addition, in the thermal reservation function, the thermal reservation time may basically be set. If the user does not additionally set the reserved reservation time after inputting and activating the reserved reservation function, the microcomputer unit 80 sets the default preset time to the reserved reservation time and can start the timing. This basic time can be defined, for example, as 3 hours, 6 hours, and so on.

In the display area A of the interface panel as shown in Fig. 3, an indication relating to the cooking process will be displayed on the display unit while the cooking button is operated and the cooking is in progress. That is, the activation of the corresponding function can be displayed by displaying a certain character, symbol, animation, or the like in the display area A by keeping the specific button in the illuminated state or maintaining the blinking state.

The setting and processing method of the thermal reservation function will be described in more detail with reference to the following flow chart. Fig. 4 shows an algorithm for implementing the "heat reservation function" provided in the present invention in the thermosensitive rice cooker having the above-described configuration.

The user puts the food to be insulated in the inner pot (S11) into the electric heat-insulated rice cooker which is kept in the standby state, and inputs the heat reservation function through the operation unit (S12). The user can further input the reserved time (S13) and do not need to input it.

If not, the microcomputer sets the preset default reservation time to the reserved reservation time and continues the reservation reservation function (S17).

When the keep reservation function is input, the microcomputer controls the timing unit to measure the elapsed time from the present time (S14), and continuously compares the elapsed time with the reserved reservation time (S15). As a result of the comparison, if the elapsed time coincides with the reserved reserved time, the microcomputer immediately controls the heating control unit according to the control algorithm corresponding to the warming function, and when the heating control unit drives the heater unit, Function is executed (S16).

On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the reserved reservation time based on the elapsed time from an arbitrary point of time is set. However, the reserved reservation time can be designated at an arbitrary specific time, and the timing unit measures the current time. The microcomputer continuously inspects the current time. When the present time reaches the specified time, A control method in which the control is performed is also possible.

Meanwhile, if the thermal reservation function according to the present invention is used in combination with the function of automatically canceling the ongoing thermal insulation function after a certain time, the thermal insulation operation can be automatically canceled and the thermal insulation can be restarted again at a predetermined time Therefore, when the user returns to the house after going out for a long period of time, the cooked rice may not be kept warm for the time of going out, and the cooked rice may be heated again in accordance with the return time.

It is to be understood that the terms used in the foregoing description are defined by way of example only and are not intended to limit the invention to those terms alone. Any other name for the method may be given.

Claims (8)

A heating control unit for controlling the output of the operation power source to be applied to the heater for heating the inner pot,
A timing unit for measuring a predetermined time, and
And a microcomputer unit controlling the operation of the heating control unit according to a control algorithm corresponding to a predetermined warming function to perform the warming function,
Wherein the microcomputer controls the timing unit so that when the user performs an inserting reservation function to automatically execute the inserting function after a predetermined inserting reservation time from a standby state in which the heating control unit is not operated, Wherein the control unit measures the elapsed time since the input of the reservation function and controls the operation of the heating control unit to execute the warming function when the elapsed time measured reaches the warming reservation time, Electric warming cooker equipped. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one of the at least two heat-insulated rice cookers has a temperature reservation reservation time set by a user. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the microcomputer performs the cooking function by controlling the operation of the heating control unit according to a control algorithm corresponding to the cooking function after the execution of the predetermined cooking function is inputted by the user, Is set in a state before completion of the heat insulation cooking. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising an operation unit having an insulated button for selecting driving and cancellation of the insulated function for maintaining the content contained in the inner pot at a predetermined temperature,
Wherein the microcomputer considers that the reserved reservation function is inputted when it is determined that the reserved button is pressed for at least one second. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the microcomputer sets the reserved reservation time according to the number of times that the button is further pressed after a specific button is pressed for at least one second and the reserved reservation function is inputted, . A heating control section for controlling an output of an operation power source to be applied to a heater for heating the inner pot; and a microcomputer section for controlling the operation of the heating control section according to a control algorithm corresponding to a predetermined maintaining function to perform the maintaining function As a method for reserving a keep function of a rice cooker,
Receiving a setting for a thermal reservation function for automatically performing an thermal insulation function from a standby state in which the heating control unit is not operated after a predetermined thermal reservation time;
Measuring an elapsed time after the inserting reservation function is input; And
And controlling the operation of the heating control unit to execute the warming function when the elapsed time measured reaches the reserved warming-up time. The method according to claim 6,
The heating reservation function is a function of controlling the operation of the heating control unit in accordance with a control algorithm corresponding to the cooking function after the predetermined cooking function is inputted by the user's selection and performing the cooking function, Is input during the time before completion of the warming-up function. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the heat reservation function is capable of being input during the standby state of the thermo-sensitive rice cooker.

Images