KR102226610B1 - Cooker and re-cooking method of cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

A cooking appliance according to the technical idea of the present disclosure includes a heating unit that provides heat to a food stored in a cooking container, a heating drive unit that controls a heating output of the heating unit by adjusting power applied to the heating unit, the cooking container, or A selection step selected according to the step selection signal among a plurality of steps of a boiling process in response to a sensor unit that senses the temperature of the food and outputs the sensing temperature and a recooking selection signal and a step selection signal, and a subsequent step of the selection It may include a control unit for controlling the recooking by controlling the operation of the heating driver so that the step is performed.

Description

Cooking appliance and recooking method of cooking appliance {COOKER AND RE-COOKING METHOD OF COOKER}

The technical idea of the present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance including a recooking function and a recooking method of the cooking appliance.

The technical idea of the present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance, and more particularly, to a cooking appliance including a recooking function and a recooking method of the cooking appliance.

The technical idea of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking device and a method for recooking the cooking device that quickly provide high-quality cooked food based on the recooking process when the cooked food is recooked.

A cooking appliance according to the technical idea of the present disclosure includes a heating unit that provides heat to a food stored in a cooking container, a heating drive unit that controls a heating output of the heating unit by adjusting power applied to the heating unit, the cooking container, or A selection step selected according to the step selection signal among a plurality of steps of a boiling process in response to a sensor unit that senses the temperature of the food and outputs the sensing temperature and a recooking selection signal and a step selection signal, and a subsequent step of the selection It may include a control unit for controlling the recooking by controlling the operation of the heating driver so that the step is performed.

According to the cooking device and the recooking method of the cooking device according to the technical idea of the present disclosure, the soaking process and the moxibustion process are omitted when recooking food, By providing a cooking process, it is possible to quickly provide a high-quality cooked product.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
2 shows a user interface of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1.
3 is a diagram exemplarily showing each process and control method of a cooking operation of a cooking appliance.
4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of recooking a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
5A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
5B is a flowchart illustrating a step of setting a control temperature of FIG. 5A.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
7A to 7C are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of recooking a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The terms used in various embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present disclosure. Expressions such as "include" or "may include" that may be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure indicate the existence of a corresponding function, operation, or component that has been disclosed, and an additional one or more functions, operations, or It does not limit the components, etc.

In addition, expressions such as “first,” “second,” and the like used in various embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to distinguish one component from another component, and corresponding components, for example, corresponding components It does not limit the order and/or importance of them. Without departing from the scope of the rights of various embodiments of the present disclosure, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component.

Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary including technical or scientific terms are interpreted as having the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which various embodiments of the present disclosure belong. It should be, and should not be construed in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless explicitly defined in various embodiments of the present disclosure.

1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a user interface of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1.

The cooking appliance 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a product for cooking food using electricity, and may include an electric rice cooker, a multi-cooker, a cooktop, an electric range, an electric oven, or an electric oven range. When the cooking device 100 is not properly cooked according to the cooking algorithm (or referred to as the cooking process), and the user wants to recook, the recooking algorithm (or referred to as the recooking process) and the user By performing recooking according to the selected rapid step, it is possible to quickly provide a high-quality cooked product. The cooking device 100 is for the cooking menu selected by the user among various types of cooking menus such as "white rice", "cooked rice", "sticky rice", "cooked rice", "multigrain rice", and "germinated brown rice". Cooking can be performed based on processes set as standard. In addition, the cooking device 100 may perform recooking based on processes set differently from cooking for a cooking menu determined during cooking or a cooking menu (eg, white rice) determined in advance for recooking.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cooking appliance 100 includes a user interface 110, a control unit 120, a memory 130, a power supply unit 140, a heating driving unit 150, a heating unit 160, and a sensor unit 170. And a vapor discharge unit 180. In addition to this, the cooking device 100 may further include other components such as a cooking container and a communication unit.

The user interface 110 is a functional unit for a user to manipulate the cooking appliance 100 and may be provided on the front surface of the body of the cooking appliance 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the user interface 110 may include an input unit 111 and a display unit 112. In an embodiment, the user interface 110 may further include an audio output unit 113.

The input unit 111 is a functional unit for a user to manipulate the cooking appliance 100, and when a setting input is obtained from the user, a selection signal corresponding to the setting input is generated and provided to the control unit 120.

The input unit 111 is a variety of inputs for selecting and executing unique functions (eg, cooking, warming, recooking, etc.) and additional functions (eg, locking function, power saving function, washing, mode selection function, etc.) provided by the device. Means may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 111 may include a plurality of buttons (or function buttons) 10 and a jog dial 20. The button may be a mechanical button or a capacitive button. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the input unit 111 may include various types of input means such as a voice recognition unit and a motion sensor.

The input unit 111 may include input means (e.g., a button 10 or a jog dial 20) for obtaining a cooking setting input, a recooking setting input, and a step setting input for rapid stage setting of recooking from a user. have. The input unit 111 may obtain a cooking setting input from a user and provide a cooking selection signal to the controller 120. The input unit 111 may obtain a recooking setting input and a step setting input from a user, and provide a recooking selection signal and a stage selection signal to the controller 120.

For example, referring to FIG. 2, when a user manipulates the jog dial 20 to select'cooking', a cooking setting input may be obtained. When the user manipulates the recooking button 11, a recooking setting input may be obtained. When a user manipulates the jog dial 20 to select a number such as '1', '2', or '3', a step setting input corresponding to the selected number may be obtained. As another embodiment, the step setting input may be obtained according to the number of times or time that the recook button 11 (or another dedicated button) is pressed. For example, when the recook button 11 is pressed once, a step setting input indicating step 1 is obtained, when pressed twice, a step setting input indicating step 2 is obtained, and when pressed three times, a step indicating step 3 is obtained. A setting input can be obtained. Alternatively, when the recooking button 11 is pressed for a predetermined first time, a step setting input indicating step 1 is obtained, and when pressed for a predetermined second time longer than the first time, a step setting input indicating step 2 is obtained. If it is pressed for a predetermined third time longer than the second time, a step setting input indicating step 3 may be obtained. However, this is only exemplary and is not limited thereto, and input means and input methods for obtaining a cooking setting input, a recooking setting input, and a step setting input may be variously changed.

The display unit 112 may display information about the cooking device 100, such as setting information, status information, or information on a user's input. For example, the display unit 112 may display whether the cooking device 100 is performing cooking or recooking. In an embodiment, the display unit 112 may display a notification for a user operation required for cooking or re-cooking (eg, adding water, sealing the lid of the body, etc.). The operation state or notification of the cooking appliance 100 may be output as a voice through the audio output unit 113.

The controller 120 may control the overall operation of the cooking device 100 so that the cooking device 100 can perform unique functions and additional functions and operate safely. The control unit 120 includes components (e.g., the power supply unit 140) based on a control algorithm preset at the manufacturing stage and/or a user's setting input received through the user interface 110, that is, a control algorithm according to the user's selection. ), the heating drive unit 150, the user interface 110, the sensor unit 170, and the steam discharge unit 180), thereby controlling the cooking appliance 100. The controller 120 may control components based on settings (eg, a heating method, a time, a control temperature, a pressure valve control method, etc.) for each process according to a cooking algorithm or a recooking algorithm.

When a cooking selection signal is received from the input unit 111, the control unit 120 controls the cooking appliance 100 to perform cooking according to a cooking algorithm, and when a recooking selection signal and a step selection signal are received, the cooking appliance 100 ) Can be controlled to perform the recooking according to the recooking algorithm and the selected rapid step. In this embodiment, the cooking algorithm and the recooking algorithm may be different. The recooking algorithm may be set to complete cooking faster than the cooking algorithm. The recooking algorithm may not include some of the plurality of processes included in the cooking algorithm. In an embodiment, the control unit 120 adaptively to the state of the food when recooking is performed, at least among a heating method, a time (eg, heating time) and a control temperature set for processes included in the recooking algorithm. You can change one. The recooking algorithm will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

The memory 130 may include a volatile or nonvolatile memory device, and may store a control algorithm related to an operation of the controller 120 and/or various data generated as the control algorithm is executed. For example, the memory 130 may store a cooking algorithm and a recooking algorithm.

In an embodiment, the controller 120 and the memory 130 may be implemented as a microcomputer (or referred to as a microcomputer). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the controller 120 may be implemented with a logic circuit or a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and the like, and the memory 130 It may be provided separately from the control unit 120.

The power supply unit 140 may provide power, such as AC or DC power, to the heating driver 150. In addition, the power supply unit 140 may generate power provided to other components.

The heating driving unit 150 may apply power received from the power supply unit 140 to the heating unit 160. The heating driver 150 sets or changes the on or off timing, on/off ratio, size, etc. of the power (voltage or current) applied to the heating unit 160 under the control of the control unit 120, and thus the heating unit ( 160) can be adjusted. The heating driving unit 150 is a control provided from the control unit 120 according to settings (eg, heating method, heating time, control temperature, etc.) for each process (or each step of each process) of a cooking algorithm or a recooking algorithm. The power applied to the heating unit 160 may be adjusted based on the signal.

The heating unit 160 may provide heat to the cooking container or the food accommodated in the cooking container based on the power applied from the heating driving unit 150. The heating unit 160 may heat the cooking container or directly heat the food. The heating unit 160 may include one of an induction, a hot plate, a highlight, a magnetron, a light wave irradiator, and various heating elements that generate heat using gas or electricity.

The sensor unit 170 may sense the temperature of a cooking container or food and provide the sensing temperature to the controller 120. The sensor unit 170 may provide the sensing temperature in real time. In an embodiment, the sensor unit 170 may be installed above the heating unit 160 or below the cooking container. The sensor unit 160 may include a temperature sensor such as an infrared sensor, a thermometer, a thermistor, a resistance sensor, and a diode sensor. In an embodiment, the control unit 120 may vary at least one of a heating method, a time, and a control temperature set for processes performed during recooking based on the sensing temperature provided from the sensor unit 170.

The steam discharge unit 180 may discharge steam during the cooking process. The steam discharge unit 130 may include a pressure weight or a pressure valve (eg, a solenoid valve), and may discharge steam by opening a pressure weight or a pressure valve under the control of the controller 120.

3 is a diagram exemplarily showing each process and control method of a cooking operation of a cooking appliance. A case where the cooking device is an electric rice cooker will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cooking operation may include a soaking process, a heating process, and a steaming process. As shown in FIG. 3, in each step included in the soaking process, the heating process, and the moxibustion process, the heating method, time, control temperature, and pressure valve control method may be different.

The soaking process may include a soaking heating section for heating rice and water contained in an inner pot of a cooking appliance, such as an electric rice cooker, to a predetermined soaking temperature, and a soaking waiting section for waiting for a predetermined soaking time while maintaining the soaking temperature. have.

The heating process may include determining the number of servings and a boiling process. In the serving number determination step, the heating unit (160 in Fig. 1) heats the cooking container with a constant heating output, and the control unit (120 in Fig. 1) senses the temperature of the lower portion of the inner pot or the food, the speed of the change of the sensing temperature, For example, the amount of rice and water contained in the inner pot (that is, the number of servings) can be determined based on the heating rate.

The boiling process includes a first boiling step of heating the inner pot so that the sensing temperature reaches the first boiling temperature (that is, the control temperature of the boiling step 1) as the first boiling output, and the sensing temperature is the second boiling temperature ( That is, it may include a boiling step 2 of heating the inner pot to reach the control temperature of the boiling step 2). In this case, the second boiling temperature may be higher than the first boiling temperature. The heating time can be set for each of the boiling stage 1 and the boiling stage 2. When the sensing temperature reaches the first boiling temperature or the heating time set for the first boiling step has elapsed, the first boiling step may be terminated. When the sensing temperature reaches the second boiling temperature or the heating time set for the boiling step 2 exceeds, the boiling step 2 may be terminated.

The boiling process may include a delay step of maintaining the sensing temperature at a predetermined temperature (ie, a control temperature of the delay step) for a predetermined time between the boiling step 1 and the boiling step 2. The control temperature of the delay step may be lower than the first boiling temperature and the second boiling temperature.

The steaming process is a process in which cooked rice is gradually cooled by heating at high temperature and high pressure in the boiling process to produce the best rice taste. The moxibustion process may include a plurality of moxibustion steps (eg, moxibustion 1, moxibustion 2, and moxibustion 3 steps) according to a heating control method, a steaming time, a control temperature, and a pressure valve control method. By opening the pressure valve in at least one of the plurality of steaming steps, the pressure in the electric rice cooker may be reduced.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 3, a heating method, a time, a control temperature, and a pressure valve control method are specifically described in steps included in each process, but this is only an example and is not limited thereto. The heating method, time, control temperature, and pressure valve control method of steps included in each process may be variously changed. For example, the heating method, time, control temperature, and pressure valve control method of steps included in each process may be varied according to the cooking menu.

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of recooking a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cooking device (100 in FIG. 1) may obtain an input for recooking and setting a stage (S110). For example, the input unit (111 in FIG. 2) obtains a recooking setting input from the user and a step setting input according to rapid stage selection of recooking, and controls a recooking selection signal and a stage selection signal according to the recooking and step setting input ( It can be provided in 120) of FIG.

The cooking appliance may determine the selected rapid stage based on the stage setting input (S120). The cooking device may perform a boiling process according to the selected rapid step (S130). When performing the boiling process, the control unit discharges the components of the cooking device (for example, the heating drive unit 150 of FIG. 1, the sensor unit 170, and steam) so that the cooking device performs recooking according to the recooking algorithm and the selected step. The unit 180 can be controlled.

Specifically, the control unit may determine whether the step selection input indicates step 1 (S121). When the step selection input indicates step 1, the cooking appliance may perform boiling step 1 (S131). The control unit may control the heating driving unit 150 in FIG. 1 based on the setting for the boiling step 1 and the sensing temperature.

If the step selection input does not indicate step 1, the controller may determine whether the step selection input indicates step 2 (S122). When the step selection input indicates step 2 or after the boiling step 1 is performed, the cooking appliance may perform a delay step (S132). The controller may control the heating driver based on the setting of the delay step and the sensing temperature.

When the step selection input does not indicate step 2, or after the delay step is performed, the cooking appliance may perform step 2 of boiling (S133). The control unit may control the heating driving unit based on the setting for the boiling step 2 and the sensing temperature. If the boiling step 2 is performed, re-cooking can be terminated.

As described above, according to the recooking method of the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the cooking appliance performs recooking, according to the recooking algorithm, some processes performed in the cooking algorithm, such as boiling process and moxibustion process, are excluded. The process can be carried out. In addition, among a plurality of steps of the boiling process that are sequentially performed, the step selected by the user, that is, a selection step selected according to a step setting input, may be performed. Accordingly, the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can quickly provide high-quality cooked food by performing re-cooking according to the re-cooking algorithm and the rapid step selected by the user.

5A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a control temperature setting step of FIG. 5A. FIG. 5A shows a case where the step selection input indicates one step, that is, a case where the boiling process starts from the first step of boiling.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the cooking appliance (100 of FIG. 1) may sense the temperature of a cooking container, eg, a lower portion of an inner pot of an electric rice cooker or a food (S11). For example, the lower sensor of the sensor unit (170 in FIG. 1) may sense the temperature of the lower portion of the inner pot or the temperature of the food. The sensing result may be output as a sensing temperature.

The cooking appliance may set the control temperature of the first step of boiling based on the sensing temperature (S12). In an embodiment, the control unit (120 in FIG. 1) may set the control temperature, that is, the first boiling temperature, based on the sensing temperature output from the sensor unit. Referring to FIG. 5B, the controller may generate a comparison temperature by adding a predetermined first temperature (eg, a temperature between 10 degrees and 20 degrees) to the sensing temperature (S1). The control unit may compare the comparison temperature and a preset control temperature (eg, a first boiling temperature set when cooking is performed) for the first boiling step (S2). If the comparison temperature is higher than the preset control temperature, the comparison temperature may be reset to the control temperature (S3). If the comparison temperature is not higher than the preset control temperature, the preset control temperature may be maintained (S4). For example, if the sensing temperature is 100 degrees, the predetermined temperature is 20 degrees, and the preset control temperature for the boiling step 1 is 110 degrees, the comparison temperature is 120 degrees, which is higher than the preset control temperature of 110 degrees, The comparison temperature of 120 degrees may be set as the first boiling temperature. As another example, if the sensing temperature is 80 degrees, the predetermined temperature is 20 degrees, and the preset control temperature for the boiling step 1 is 110 degrees, the comparison temperature is 100 degrees, and it is lower than the preset control temperature of 110 degrees, 110 degrees, which is a preset control temperature, may be set (ie, maintained) as the control temperature. In this way, the control unit may set a temperature having a higher value among the comparison temperature and the preset control temperature as the control temperature of the first step of boiling.

When the temperature of the cooked food, that is, the sensing temperature, is higher than the preset control temperature for the first boiling step, the first boiling step may be omitted. However, the cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure sets a higher temperature among the comparison temperature obtained by adding a predetermined first temperature to the sensing temperature and a preset control temperature as the control temperature of the boiling step 1 performed when recooking, thereby boiling 1 You can prevent the step from being skipped.

With continued reference to FIG. 5A, the cooking appliance may perform step 1 of boiling (S13). The cooking appliance may heat the inner pot so that the sensing temperature reaches the control temperature set in step S12 through the first boiling output. For example, by controlling the power applied to the heating unit (160 in Fig. 1) by the heating driver (150 in Fig. 1) under the control of the control unit, the heating unit can provide heat to the cooked food as a set heating output, that is, the first boiling output. I can. The controller may end the boiling step 1 when the sensing temperature reaches the control temperature or when a set time for the boiling step 1 elapses.

The cooking appliance may perform a delay step (S14). For example, the control unit may control the heating driving unit so that the sensing temperature is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The control unit may end the delay step when the set time for the delay step elapses.

Thereafter, the cooking appliance may perform step 2 of boiling (S15). The cooking appliance may heat the inner pot so that the sensing temperature reaches a preset control temperature (eg, a second boiling temperature) through the second boiling output. For example, by controlling the power applied to the heating unit under the control of the control unit, the heating driving unit may provide heat to the food through a set heating output, that is, the second boiling output. When the sensing temperature reaches the second boiling temperature or a time set for the boiling second step has passed, the control unit may end the boiling second step. After the boiling step 2 is performed, the boiling process can be completed.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 shows a case where the step selection input indicates the second step, that is, the case where the boiling process starts from the second step of boiling.

Referring to FIG. 6, the cooking appliance may sense a temperature of a cooking container, such as a lower portion of an inner pot of an electric rice cooker or a food (S21).

The cooking appliance may set the control temperature of the boiling step 2 based on the sensing temperature (S22). In an embodiment, the control unit (120 in FIG. 1) may set the control temperature of the second boiling step, that is, the second boiling temperature, based on the sensing temperature output from the sensor unit. Similar to the description with reference to FIG. 5B, the control unit generates a comparison temperature by adding a predetermined first temperature (eg, a temperature between 10 degrees and 20 degrees) to the sensing temperature, and a preset control temperature for the comparison temperature and boiling step 2 A temperature having a higher value among (for example, the second boiling temperature set when cooking is performed) may be set as the control temperature of the second boiling stage.

After the control temperature is set, the cooking appliance may perform step 2 of boiling (S23). The cooking appliance may heat the cooking appliance, for example, the inner pot so that the sensing temperature reaches the control temperature set in step S22 through the second boiling output. By performing the boiling step 2, the boiling process can be completed.

7A to 7C are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of a boiling process of a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A shows a case where the step selection input indicates a first stage, that is, a case where the boiling process starts from the boiling stage 1, and FIG. 7B shows a case where the stage selection input indicates a second stage, that is, a case where the boiling process starts from a delay stage. 7C shows a case where the step selection input indicates three stages, that is, a case where the boiling process starts from the second stage of boiling.

First, when the flowchart of the boiling process of FIG. 7A is compared with the flowchart of the boiling process of FIG. 5A, the cooking appliance may determine whether water is added, and further include an operation according to the determination result.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the cooking appliance may sense a temperature of a cooking container, such as a lower portion of an inner pot of an electric rice cooker or a cooking object (S31).

The cooking device may determine whether or not water is required based on the sensing temperature (S32). In an embodiment, when the sensing temperature is higher than a predetermined reference temperature set for the first boiling step (eg, a temperature 10 to 20 degrees lower than the preset control temperature for the first boiling step), the controller (120 in FIG. 1) Or, when the sensing temperature is higher than the preset control temperature for the boiling step 1, and it is expected that the boiling step 1 is omitted, it may be determined that water injection is necessary.

When it is determined that water input is necessary, the cooking device may output a water input request notification signal (S33). For example, under the control of the control unit 120, the display unit 112 and/or the audio output unit 113 may output a water input request and a notification signal to mix water with rice.

When it is determined that water input is not necessary, or after the input of water is detected or a predetermined time (e.g., waiting time for water input) has elapsed after outputting a water input request notification signal, the cooking appliance boils based on the sensing temperature 1 The control temperature of the step can be set (S34). The cooking appliance may set the control temperature based on the sensing temperature output in step S31. Thereafter, the cooking appliance may perform boiling step 1 (S35), delay step (S36), and boiling step 2 (S37). The control temperature setting step (S31), boiling step 1 (S35), delay step (S36), and boiling step 2 (S37) are performed in the control temperature setting step (S12), boiling step 1 (S13), and delay step of FIG. It is similar to (S14) and boiling step 2 (S15). Therefore, redundant descriptions will be omitted.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance may determine whether water is required during the boiling step 1 (S35) and/or the boiling step 2 (S37). For example, when the cooking appliance is heated in the boiling step 1 (S35) and/or the boiling step 2 (S37), if the heating rate of the sensing temperature is higher than the preset reference heating rate, it is determined that water is required, and water is injected. Request notification signal can be output. The cooking appliance may determine whether to add water based on the heating rate during the boiling step 1 (S35) and/or the boiling step 2 (S37) even after determining whether water is required in step S32.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the cooking appliance may sense a temperature of a cooking container, such as a lower portion of an inner pot of an electric rice cooker or a cooking object (S41).

The cooking appliance may determine whether or not water is required based on the sensing temperature (S42). In an embodiment, when the sensing temperature is higher than a predetermined reference temperature set for the delay step (e.g., a temperature 10 to 20 degrees lower than the preset control temperature for the delay step), the controller (120 in FIG. 1) It can be determined that input is necessary.

When it is determined that water input is necessary, the cooking device may output a water input request notification signal (S43).

When it is determined that water input is not necessary, or after the input of water is detected or a predetermined time (e.g., waiting time for water input) has elapsed after outputting a water input request notification signal, the cooking appliance is delayed (S44) and boils. Step 2 (S45) may be sequentially performed.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the cooking appliance may sense the temperature of a cooking container, such as a lower portion of an inner pot of an electric rice cooker or a food (S51).

The cooking appliance may determine whether or not water is required based on the sensing temperature (S52). In an embodiment, when the sensing temperature is higher than a predetermined reference temperature set for the boiling step 2 (eg, a temperature 10 to 20° lower than the preset control temperature for the boiling step 2), the controller (120 in FIG. 1) Or, when the sensing temperature is higher than the preset control temperature for the boiling step 2, and it is expected that the boiling step 2 is omitted, it may be determined that water injection is necessary.

When it is determined that water input is necessary, the cooking device may output a water input request notification signal (S53). When it is determined that water input is not necessary, or after the input of water is detected or a predetermined time (e.g., waiting time for water input) has elapsed after outputting a water input request notification signal, the cooking appliance boils based on the sensing temperature. The control temperature of the step can be set (S54). The cooking appliance may set the control temperature based on the sensing temperature output in step S51. Thereafter, the cooking appliance may perform boiling step 2 (S55).

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance may determine whether or not water is required during the boiling second step (S55). For example, when the cooking appliance is heated in the boiling second step (S55), when the temperature increase rate of the sensing temperature is higher than the preset reference temperature increase rate, the cooking appliance may determine that water is required and may output a water input request notification signal. Even after determining whether water is required in step S52, the cooking appliance may determine whether additional water is required based on the heating rate during the boiling second step (S55).

As described above, the cooking appliance according to the present embodiment determines whether to add water based on the sensing temperature, that is, the temperature of the food or the rate of temperature increase, and when it is determined that water is required, requests the user to add water, thereby recooking. During the process, excessive moisture removal of the food or burning of the food can be prevented.

8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method of recooking a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cooking device (100 in FIG. 1) may obtain a recooking and step setting input (S210). For example, the input unit (111 in FIG. 2) obtains a recooking setting input from the user and a step setting input according to rapid stage selection of recooking, and controls a recooking selection signal and a stage selection signal according to the recooking and step setting input ( It can be provided in 120) of FIG.

The cooking appliance may determine the selected rapid stage based on the stage setting input (S220). The cooking device may perform a boiling process according to the selected rapid step (S230). When performing the boiling process, the control unit includes components of the cooking appliance (e.g., the user interface 110 of FIG. 1, the heating drive unit 150), and the sensor unit so that the cooking appliance performs recooking according to the recooking algorithm and the selected step. 170), and the vapor discharge unit 180) can be controlled.

Specifically, the control unit may determine whether the step selection input indicates step 1 (S221). When the step selection input indicates step 1, the cooking appliance outputs a water input request notification signal (S231). Step 1 of boiling may be performed (S231). For example, under the control of the control unit 120, the display unit 112 and/or the audio output unit 113 may output a water input request and a notification signal to mix water with rice. After outputting the water input request notification signal, after water input is detected or a predetermined time (e.g., water input waiting time) has elapsed, the control unit sets the boiling stage 1 and the heating drive unit (150 in FIG. 1) based on the sensing temperature. ), it is possible to perform the first step of boiling. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, the control unit may set the control temperature of the first step of boiling based on the sensing temperature output from the sensor unit 170.

If the step selection input does not indicate step 1, the controller may determine whether the step selection input indicates step 2 (S222). When the step selection input indicates step 2 or after the boiling step 1 is performed, the cooking appliance may output a water input request notification signal (S233) and perform a delay step (S132). For example, after the control unit outputs a water input request notification signal, after the input of water is sensed or a predetermined time (e.g., water input waiting time) has elapsed, the control unit controls the heating driver based on the setting for the delay step and the sensing temperature, You can perform a delay step.

When the step selection input does not indicate step 2, or after the delay step is performed, the cooking appliance may perform step 2 of boiling (S235). The control unit controls the heating driving unit based on the setting and sensing temperature for the boiling step 2, thereby performing the boiling step 2. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, the control unit may set the control temperature of the boiling step 2 based on the sensing temperature output from the sensor unit. If the boiling step 2 is performed, re-cooking can be terminated.

According to the present embodiment, when the boiling step 1 or the delay step is performed according to the step selection input, the cooking appliance may output a water input request notification signal. However, when boiling is performed from step 2, the cooking appliance may not output a water input request notification signal. That is, the cooking appliance may selectively output a water input request notification signal according to the rapidity selected by the user.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the cooking device may obtain a cooking setting input (S310). For example, the input unit 111 in FIG. 2 may obtain a cooking setting input from the user and provide a cooking selection signal according to the cooking setting input to the control unit 120 in FIG. 1. The cooking setting input may include an input for selecting one of various types of cooking menus such as "white rice", "cooked rice", "sticky rice", "cooked rice", "multigrain rice", "germinated brown rice", etc. have. The controller may control the cooking appliance to cook according to the standard cooking algorithm of the selected menu.

According to the cooking algorithm, the cooking device may perform a soaking process (S320), a boiling process (S330), and a moxibustion process (S340). The boiling process 330 may include a first step of boiling (S331), a delay step (S332), and a second step of boiling (S333) that are sequentially performed. When the moxibustion process (S340) is completed, cooking may be terminated (S350).

After the cooking is finished, the cooking device may determine whether the recooking and step setting input has been obtained (S360). That is, it is possible to check whether the user has selected the recooking function.

If the recooking and step setting input is obtained, the cooking device may check the step (S370). As described with reference to FIG. 4, the control unit (120 in FIG. 1) may check which of a plurality of steps, for example, step 1, step 2, and step 3, is represented by the step selection signal according to the step setting input.

The cooking appliance may perform recooking according to the recooking algorithm and the selected step. The recooking algorithm may be a recooking algorithm for a menu selected when cooking is performed or a menu previously determined for recooking. Settings for a process performed according to the recooking algorithm for each menu (eg, heating method, time, control temperature, etc.) may be similar to setting of the same process performed according to the cooking algorithm of the same menu.

As shown, the cooking device may perform a boiling process (S330) except for the soaking process (S320) and the moxibustion process (S340), and a plurality of steps of the boiling process (S330), for example, boiling step 1 According to the step identified in step S370 of (S331), the second boiling step (S332), and the third step of boiling (S333), a selected step of the plurality of steps and a subsequent step thereof may be performed. For example, if the step selection signal represents step 1, the boiling step 1 (S331) to the delay step (S332) and boiling step 2 (S332) are performed, and when the step selection signal represents step 2, the delay step (S332) From step 2 to boiling (S332) is performed, and when the step selection signal indicates step 3, boiling step 2 (S333) may be performed. In this case, the boiling process may be performed as described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 7.

After the boiling second step (S333) is ended, re-cooking may be ended. That is, when performing recooking, the moxibustion process S340 may be omitted. Thereafter, the cooking device may determine whether the recooking and step setting input has been obtained (S360). That is, it is possible to check whether the user has additionally selected the recooking function. If the additional recooking and step setting input is obtained, as described above, according to the recooking algorithm, additional recooking may be performed. If there is no additional recooking and step setting input, the cooking appliance may stop the operation or perform a warming operation.

As described above, exemplary embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and specification. In the present specification, embodiments have been described using specific terms, but these are only used for the purpose of describing the technical idea of the present disclosure, and are not used to limit the meaning or the scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. . Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present disclosure should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

100: cooking appliance 110: user interface
120: control unit 150: heating drive unit
160: heating unit 170: sensor unit
180: steam discharge unit

Claims (9)

A heating unit that provides heat to the food stored in the cooking container;
A heating driving unit for controlling a heating output of the heating unit by adjusting power applied to the heating unit;
An input unit for receiving a user setting input through a plurality of buttons;
An output unit that provides information to a user by outputting an audio signal or a display signal;
A sensor unit that senses the temperature of the cooking container or the food and outputs a sensing temperature; And
In response to a reselection selection signal and a step selection signal generated based on the user's selection as the user manipulates the plurality of buttons of the input unit, a selection selected according to the step selection signal among a plurality of steps of the boiling process And a control unit configured to control recooking by controlling an operation of the heating driver to perform a step and a subsequent step of the selecting step. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit,
When performing the re-cooking, the cooking apparatus, characterized in that for controlling the operation of the heating driver so as to omit the soaking process and the moxibustion process. The method of claim 1, wherein the boiling process,
A boiling step 1 in which the heating unit performs a heating operation based on a first boiling setting so that the sensing temperature reaches a first control temperature;
A holding step of performing a heating operation based on a holding setting of the heating unit so that the sensing temperature is maintained at a temperature equal to or less than the first control temperature; And
And a boiling step 2 in which the heating unit performs a heating operation based on a second boiling setting so that the sensing temperature reaches a second control temperature higher than the first control temperature,
Cooking apparatus, characterized in that one of the boiling step 1, the holding step, and the boiling step 2, which are set to be performed sequentially, is selected as the selection step. The method of claim 3, wherein the control unit,
When the boiling step 1 or the boiling step 2 is selected as the selection step, a comparison temperature is generated by adding a predetermined first temperature to the sensing temperature output from the sensor unit, and the comparison temperature and the selection step are previously A cooking apparatus, characterized in that, among the set control temperatures, a temperature having a higher value is set as a control temperature of the selection step to be performed when the recooking is performed. The method of claim 3,
The input unit, when the recooking setting input and the step setting input are received as the user manipulates a preset recooking button and a step selection button among the plurality of buttons, the recooking selection signal and the step selection signal And transmitting the re-cooking selection signal and the step selection signal to the control unit. The method of claim 5,
The step selection button is the same as the recook button,
And the input unit generates the step selection signal based on a time period during which the recook button is operated or the number of times the recook button is operated. The method of claim 5, wherein the control unit,
Before the selection step is performed, if the sensing temperature exceeds a predetermined reference temperature set for the selection step, it is determined that water injection is necessary, and controls the output unit to output a notification signal including water injection request information. Cooking appliance, characterized in that. The method of claim 5,
When the boiling step 1 or the boiling step 2 is selected as the selection step, the control unit determines that water injection is necessary when the temperature rising rate of the sensing temperature is higher than the reference temperature rising rate when performing the boiling step 1 or the boiling step 2 And controlling the output unit to output a notification signal including water input request information. The method of claim 5, wherein the control unit,
When the boiling step 1 or the holding step is selected as the selection step, it is determined that water is injected, and the output unit is controlled to output a notification signal including water input request information, and the boiling step 2 is the selection step. When selected, it is determined that water input is not required.

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