KR20180129201A - Induction cooking apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, an induction cooking apparatus capable of transmitting information on a state of a heating load seated in a heating region to a user comprises: a working coil forming a heating region and heating load seated in the heating region; an inverter applying a drive voltage to the working coil; a plurality of antenna devices arranged along the periphery of the heating region and outputting a signal to the heating region to obtain information on at least one of a load seated state, an eccentric state, and a material type of the heating region; and a control unit controlling driving of the inverter based on the information obtained in the antenna devices.

Description

{INDUCTION COOKING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to an induction heating cooker.

An induction heating cooker is a device that induces a high frequency current to a working coil or a heating coil so that when a strong magnetic force line is passed through a heating load And the container itself is heated to perform the cooking function.

The basic heating principle of the induction heating cooker is as follows. As a current is applied to the heating coil, the heating load, which is a magnetic body, generates heat by induction heating, and the heating load itself is heated by the generated heat, .

The inverter used in the induction heating cooker serves to switch the voltage applied to the heating coil so that a high frequency current flows through the heating coil. The inverter drives a switching element, typically an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), so that a high frequency current flows through the heating coil to form a high frequency magnetic field in the heating coil.

The induction heating cooker includes a main body, an upper plate forming an upper outer surface of the main body, a heating region in which the heating load is seated on the upper plate, and an operation of the induction cooking appliance controlled by the user .

On the other hand, the heating load can be seated so as to deviate from the center of the heating region. In other words, the heating load can be seated eccentrically. If the heating load is seated eccentrically in the heating area, the heating efficiency of the induction heating cooking appliance may be lowered. Further, since the heating time is prolonged as the heating efficiency is lowered, there is a problem that usability is lowered.

Therefore, the induction heating cooking apparatus needs to sense the eccentricity of the heating load placed in the heating region and to stop the heating of the heating load seated in the heating region when the heating load is eccentric above the reference value.

For this purpose, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2006-0032013 (published on Mar. 13, 2006), which is a prior art document, discloses an induction heating cooking appliance which cuts off the drive of the inverter in accordance with the eccentricity of the heating load.

The induction heating cooking apparatus of the prior art includes a power supply unit for rectifying and filtering the AC power to supply power to the circuit of the induction heating cooker and a switching unit for performing a switching operation according to the input signal Vin supplied by the power supply unit A width of a drive pulse applied to the inverter unit corresponding to an input signal varying according to a degree of eccentricity of a heating load so that the inverter unit generates a constant power, And outputs a pulse width control signal Vc so as to be variable.

When the input signal Vin is smaller than the reference signal Vref, which is connected to the output terminal of the constant output control unit and operates synchronously with the pulse width control signal Vc, the induction heating cooking apparatus of the prior art And outputs a feedback signal (Vfd) so that the operation of the inverter unit is interrupted when it is determined that there is no load. The inverter control unit applies a constant output control signal to the constant output control unit so that the inverter unit outputs a constant output, Vfd) is 0, the driving of the inverter section is cut off.

According to the prior art, if the reference signal (Vref) is smaller than the input signal (Vin), the object load detecting unit determines that the heating load is not in the heating area, and stops the drive of the inverter. However, in the case of the prior art, although the heating load is located in a part of the heating region and the cooking can be sufficiently performed, the driving of the inverter may be interrupted because it is determined that there is no heating load. Therefore, there is a problem that inconvenience is caused to the user.

Further, the heating load may be eccentric during the cooking process. For example, in the presence of moisture between the lower surface of the heating load and the heating region, the heating load may be heated by a flow-heated cooking appliance. At this time, on the lower surface of the heating load, moisture may be evaporated and bubbles may be generated. By the bubbles generated on the lower surface of the heating load, the heating load can be eccentrically slipped in the heating region. In this case, the driving of the inverter can be cut off by the eccentricity of the heating load. Therefore, in order to smoothly cook, when the eccentricity is generated and the heating of the induction heating cooking appliance is stopped, the user needs to recognize this and fix the heating load. On the other hand, in the case of the prior art, there is no means for the user to recognize that the induction heating cooker is stopped due to the eccentricity of the heating load. Therefore, there is a problem that usability is lowered.

When the non-heated load (or non-heated container) made of a material having a low non-metal resistance such as aluminum is placed in the heating area, the food load detector detects that the reference signal Vref according to the non- Vin. ≪ / RTI > That is, the condition for detecting the unheated load in the material load detecting section is similar to the condition for measuring the eccentricity of the heating load in the heating region. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to distinguish between the eccentricity of the heating load and the non-heating container in the material load detecting section.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an induction heating cooking apparatus capable of more accurately measuring the eccentricity of a heating load placed in a heating region and determining whether to perform heating based on the measured degree of eccentricity.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an induction heating cooking appliance capable of transmitting information on the state of a heating load placed in a heating area to a user.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an induction heating cooking apparatus capable of distinguishing whether the heating load is eccentric or not and whether or not the load placed on the heating region can be heated.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an induction heating cooking apparatus comprising a working coil for heating a load placed in the heating region, an inverter for applying a driving voltage to the working coil, And an antenna device for outputting a signal to the heating zone to obtain at least one of information on whether or not the heating zone is loaded, eccentricity, and material type.

The induction heating cooking apparatus further includes a control unit for controlling driving of the inverter based on information obtained from a plurality of antenna apparatuses.

A plurality of antenna devices are disposed along the circumference of the working coil.

The antenna apparatus includes a load sensing antenna device for determining whether the load region of the heating region is seated and whether the load seated in the heating region is eccentric.

The plurality of load sensing antenna devices are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

The controller compares the measured value obtained from the load sensing antenna device with a predetermined set value to determine whether or not the load region of the heating region is eccentric and whether the load is seated in the heating region.

The load sensing antenna device is formed in a circular or polygonal ring shape and includes an antenna portion for outputting a signal to the heating region.

The load sensing antenna device includes an impedance connected to a feed point and a ground point of the antenna unit, respectively.

The measured value is determined based on the voltage measured at the impedance.

The set value includes a first set value for determining whether or not to eccentricity.

The control unit interrupts the driving of the inverter when at least one of the measured values obtained by the first and second load sensing antenna units is greater than the first set value.

The set value includes a second set value larger than the first set value to determine whether or not the load placed on the heating region is heatable.

The control unit drives the inverter when at least one of the measured values obtained by the load sensing antenna apparatus is included in the range between the first set value and the second set value.

The set value includes a third set value larger than the second set value to determine whether or not the load placed in the heating area can be heated.

The control unit determines the load placed on the heating area as a non-heating load when the measurement value obtained by the load sensing antenna device is included in the range between the second set value and the third set value.

The antenna device includes a material sensing antenna device for outputting a signal of a set frequency at which the input is blocked corresponding to the material of the load placed in the heating area, in order to determine the material of the load placed in the heating area.

The antenna apparatus further includes a memory in which material information of a load corresponding to the set frequency is stored.

The material sensing antenna device includes an antenna portion formed of a circular or polygonal annular conductor.

Wherein the set frequency is determined by a conductor length between a feed point and a ground point of the antenna unit.

The material sensing antenna device further includes an impedance connected to a feeding point and a grounding point of the antenna unit, respectively.

The control unit determines whether the set frequency is blocked based on the measured value measured at the impedance.

If the measured value is smaller than the cut-off set value, the controller determines that the set frequency generated by the material sensing antenna apparatus is cut off.

Wherein the control unit determines the material of the load seated in the heating area by referring to the memory when it is determined that the signal of the set frequency is blocked.

A plurality of the material sensing antenna devices are provided.

Each signal output from a plurality of material sensing antenna devices has a different set frequency.

The plurality of material sensing antenna devices include a first material sensing antenna device for sensing a material of a heating load.

The plurality of material sensing antenna devices include a second material sensing antenna device for sensing a non-heating material.

And a load sensing antenna for sensing a heating load or a non-heating load of the load placed in the heating area.

The control unit detects the unloaded load material using the second material sensing antenna device when the load placed on the heating area by the load sensing antenna is detected as an uncharged load.

A plurality of working coils are provided.

Each of the plurality of working coils is provided with the antenna device.

The control unit may determine whether or not eccentricity of a load and a type of material of a load are detected with respect to a heating region in which the seating of the load is detected when a load is detected in at least one antenna device of each antenna device provided in the plurality of working coils, At least one piece of information is obtained. The control unit controls driving of the inverter based on the obtained information.

The induction heating cooking apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a load sensing antenna device capable of sensing a heating load placed in a heating area. The measurement value measured by the load sensing antenna device may vary depending on the position of the load placed in the heating area. Therefore, there is an advantage that the eccentricity of the heating load placed in the heating area can be measured more precisely.

The load sensing antenna device may be provided along the circumference of the heating area. Therefore, whether or not the eccentricity of the load placed in the heating area by the first and second load sensing antenna devices and whether or not the load can be heated can be more accurately detected.

Further, the induction heating cooking apparatus is further provided with a material sensing antenna device for sensing the material of the load placed in the heating area. The heating intensity of the induction heating cooker can be adjusted based on the material information of the load identified by the material sensing antenna device. For example, when the load placed on the heating area is a heating load, the induction heating cooking appliance can provide the heating load with the corresponding heating intensity of the material information of the obtained heating load. Therefore, there is an advantage that the cooking efficiency is further improved.

 Further, when it is determined that the load placed on the heating area by the load sensing antenna device is non-heating load, the material information of the non-heating load placed on the heating area by the material sensing antenna device can be determined. That is, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the load placed on the heating area can be heated by the material sensing antenna device.

The material sensing antenna device may be provided along a circumference of the heating area. The plurality of material sensing antenna devices can output signals having different frequencies. At this time, the frequency of the material sensing antenna device to be cut off corresponding to the material of the load placed in the heating area may be different from each other. Therefore, it is possible to detect materials of various loads by the plurality of material sensing antennas.

1 is a perspective view of an induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II 'in FIG.
3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a heating unit according to an embodiment.
4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an induction heating cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.
5 is a flowchart briefly illustrating a process of controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.
7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the heating load according to one embodiment is seated in place in the heating zone.
8 is a cross-sectional view showing that the heating load according to an embodiment is eccentrically seated in the heating region.
9 is a sectional view of an induction heating cooker according to another embodiment.
10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the induction heating cooking apparatus according to another embodiment.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing that the heating load according to another embodiment is seated in the heating region in a correct position.
12 is a flowchart showing a control method of an induction heating cooking apparatus according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that, in adding reference numerals to the constituent elements of the drawings, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the difference that the embodiments of the present invention are not conclusive.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the constituent elements from other constituent elements, and the terms do not limit the nature, order or order of the constituent elements. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, Quot; may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected. &Quot;

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the spirit of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and that those skilled in the art, upon reading and understanding the spirit of the invention, may easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same concept.

1 is a perspective view of an induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the induction cooking appliance 1 according to one embodiment may include a main body 11 forming an internal space for accommodating a plurality of parts. The main body 11 may form a lower outer appearance of the induction heating cooker 1.

The induction heating cooking appliance 1 is disposed on the upper surface (ceiling direction) of the main body 11 and includes an upper plate 12 for seating a heating load to be cooked by the induction cooking appliance 1, . ≪ / RTI > The upper plate 12 may form an upper surface of the induction cooker 1.

The induction heating cooker 1 may include a working coil 110, which is provided in the main body 11, generates a magnetic field to provide a heat source, and is an electric induction heating element.

A heating load may be seated on the position of the upper plate 12 corresponding to the working coil 110. Then, the heating load can be heated by the working coil 110. In detail, when power is supplied to the working coil 110, the heating load placed on the upper plate 12 can be heated by the magnetic field generated by the working coil 110. Then, the food contained in the heating load can be cooked.

In the present specification, the heating load may mean a load composed at least in part of a ferromagnetic material such as iron, steel, or the like. On the other hand, a load formed of a material having a weak magnetic property or a material having no magnetism other than a ferromagnetic material such as aluminum or copper should be unremelhed.

The upper plate 12 may be formed to have a predetermined thickness. For example, the upper plate 12 may be formed of a heat-resistant glass of ceramic material and may have a property of being resistant to heat.

The upper plate 12 may be provided with a heating region 111 at a position corresponding to the working coil 110 so that the heating load can be cooked. When the heating load is placed in the heating area 111, the heating load can be heated. The heating region 111 may have a size corresponding to the size of the working coil 110. The heating region 111 may have a size corresponding to the shape of the working coil.

The upper plate 12 may include a guide line 101 for guiding the heating load to the heating area 111. By the guide line 101, the top plate 12 can be divided into a heating area 111 for heating a heating load and a non-heating area where heating is not carried out even if the heating load is set.

When the plurality of working coils 110 are provided, the number of the guiding lines 101 may correspond to the number of the working coils 110. The guide line 101 may be formed to be the same as or larger than the circumference of the heating region 111. The guide line 101 may be formed on the outer side or the inner side of the upper plate 12. The guide line 101 may be formed of a material having high heat resistance.

In the present specification, the mounting of the heating load (B in Fig. 5) to the guide line 101 can be expressed that the heating load B is properly positioned in the heating area 111. [

The upper plate 12 may further include an operation unit 13 for controlling the operation of the control unit 170. The operation unit 13 may be applied in various ways such as a button, a knob, and a touch screen. Therefore, the user can set the induction cooking appliance 1 to the desired purpose by using the operation unit 13. [ For example, the user can determine the heating level (or the heating intensity) of the working coil 110 using the operation unit 13. [ Then, the working coil 110 is operated at the set heating level, so that the heating load placed in the heating area 111 can be heated. The heating level of the working coil 110 may be determined by the intensity of the magnetic field applied to the working coil 110.

The upper plate 12 may further include a display unit 14 as a means for displaying information and status of the load placed in the heating area 111. [ The display unit 14 may display information input to the operation unit 13. [ For example, the display unit 14 may display a heating level of the working coil 110 set through the operation unit 13. [

The display unit 14 may display a message for the user to recognize when the cooking of the induction cooking appliance 1 is stopped or an abnormality occurs in the state of the induction cooking appliance 1 . The message may be displayed in the form of at least one of voice, text, and images.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along a line II-II 'of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control arrangement of the induction cooking appliance according to an embodiment .

2 to 4, when a current is supplied to the working coil 110 in a state where a heating load is placed in the heating region 111, a heating load as a magnetic body is heated by induction heating And the heating load is heated by the generated heat so that the cooking can be performed.

The main body 11 may further include an inverter 165 for switching a voltage applied to the working coil 110 to supply a current to the working coil 110. A high frequency current can flow through the working coil 110 by the inverter 165. The main body 11 may further include a rectification unit 163 for rectifying the power supplied from the power supply unit 161 in order to supply power for driving the inverter 165.

The main body 11 may further include a controller 170 for controlling the power supplied to the inverter 165 to be switched.

In summary, the rectifying unit 163 can rectify the power supplied from the power supply unit 161 to a power source to be supplied to the inverter 165. The power rectified by the rectifying unit 163 may be supplied to the inverter 165. [ The inverter 165 may switch a voltage applied to the working coil 110 so that a high frequency current flows through the working coil 110. Therefore, a high-frequency magnetic field may be formed in the working coil 110. Eddy current flows in the heating load B placed in the heating area 111 so that the food contained in the heating load B can be heated and cooked.

The main body 11 includes antenna devices 120, 140, and 140 for detecting whether the heating region 111 is loaded, whether or not the loaded load can be heated, whether the load is eccentric, 140, and 150, respectively. The antenna devices 120, 140, 140 and 150 may be disposed on the antenna mounting part 15 formed between the working coil 110 and the upper plate 12. The antenna mounting portion 15 may be formed along the outer circumference of the working coil 110.

The antenna device 120, 140, 140, 150 may include a load sensing antenna device 120, 140 for detecting a load placed on the heating area 111.

The load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may include a load sensing antenna unit 121 for outputting a signal in one direction by a supplied current. The load sensing antenna unit 121 may be formed as a conductor having an annular shape. For example, the load sensing antenna unit 121 may be formed in a circular ring shape. Alternatively, the load sensing antenna unit 121 may be formed in a ring shape having a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a square shape. The load sensing antenna unit 121 may include, for example, a loop antenna.

The load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may further include a feed line 122 connected to an input port 127 to which power is supplied.

In addition, the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may further include a ground line 123 connected to a ground.

The load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may further include an impedance 126 connected in parallel to the load sensing antenna 121. [ One end of the impedance 126 may be connected to the feed line 122. The other end of the impedance 126 may be connected to the ground line 123. Accordingly, when a current is supplied to the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 and a signal is generated in the load sensing antenna unit 121, the load sensing antenna unit 121 may be measured.

On the other hand, when power is supplied to the working coil 110 in a state where a heating load is placed on the heating region 111, a vortex current can flow through the heating load B. Alternatively, when a signal is output from the load sensing antenna unit 121, a vortex current may flow through the heating load B. The magnetic field formed by the parasitic current may weaken the intensity of the signal output from the load sensing antenna unit 121. At this time, the intensity of the signal measured at the impedance 126 may be less than the first set value. Accordingly, when the intensity of the measured signal is lower than the first set value, the controller 170 can confirm that the heating load is seated in the heating area. The control unit 170 determines whether or not the heating load is seated, and performs heating based on the determined information will be described later.

A plurality of the load sensing antenna units 121 may be disposed along the circumference of the working coil 110. The load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may include a first load sensing antenna device 120 disposed at one side of the working coil 110 and a second load sensing antenna device 120 disposed at a second side of the first load sensing antenna device 120, And may include a load sensing antenna device 140. The first load sensing antenna device 120 and the second load sensing antenna device 140 may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

The controller 170 controls the load sensing impedance of the first load sensing antenna apparatus 120 and the second load sensing antenna apparatus 140 by the heating load placed in the heating region 111 through the respective load sensing impedances provided in the first load sensing antenna apparatus 120 and the second load sensing antenna apparatus 140, The intensity of the signal can be measured. Then, it is possible to confirm whether or not the heating region 111 is placed on the heating load based on the intensity of the measured signal. In detail, when the magnitude of the voltage measured at the load sensing impedance of each of the first load sensing antenna device 120 and the second load sensing antenna device 140 is smaller than the first set value, It can be confirmed that the heating load is positively positioned in the heating region 111.

In the process of heating the heating load to the heating region 111, a swirling current may be formed on the bottom surface of the heating load. At this time, the magnetic field due to the eddy current is interfered with the signal output from the load sensing antenna apparatus 120, 140. Therefore, the intensity of the signal output from the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 is weakened. Accordingly, the measured value measured through the load sensing impedance 126, 146 provided in the load sensing antenna apparatus 120, 140 may be smaller than the first set value.

On the other hand, the heating load can be eccentrically seated by the user. Alternatively, the heating load may be eccentric in the cooking process due to bubbles or the like generated on the bottom surface of the heating load. At this time, the intensity of the signal measured at the load sensing impedance of at least one of the first load sensing antenna device 120 and the second load sensing antenna device 140 may be greater than the first set value. At this time, the controller 170 can confirm the eccentric state of the heating load. Therefore, the control unit 170 stops the heating and controls the display unit 14 so that the user can recognize that the eccentricity has occurred in the heating load.

Also, it is possible to confirm whether or not the load placed in the heating area 111 is heated based on the intensity of the signal measured by the load sensing antenna apparatus 120, 140. Specifically, the magnitude of the voltage measured at each load sensing impedance of the first load sensing antenna device 120 and the second load sensing antenna device 140 may be greater than a second setting value that is greater than the first setting value . At this time, the controller 170 may determine that the load placed in the heating area 111 is not heated. Accordingly, the controller 170 controls the display unit 14 to display information in which the load placed on the heating area 111 is not loaded, in the form of at least one of voice, text, and images .

If the magnitude of the voltage measured at each of the load sensing impedances of the first load sensing 120 and the second load sensing antenna device 140 is greater than a third set value greater than the second set value, (170), it can be confirmed that the heating region (111) is in a no-load state.

The main body 11 may further include a material sensing antenna device 130 or 150 for sensing a material of a load placed in the heating area 111.

The material sensing antenna apparatuses 130 and 150 may include a material sensing antenna unit 131 for outputting a signal in one direction by an input port 137 to which a current is supplied. The material sensing antenna unit 131 may be formed of a conductor having an annular shape. The material sensing antenna unit 131 may be formed in a ring-like shape, for example. Alternatively, the material sensing antenna unit 131 may be formed in a ring shape having a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a square shape. The material sensing antenna unit 131 may include, for example, a loop antenna.

The material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 may further include a feed line 132 connected to an input port 137 to which power is supplied.

Also, the material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 may further include a ground line 133 connected to a ground.

The main body 11 may further include a material sensing impedance 136 for determining whether a signal output from the material sensing antenna unit 131 of the material sensing antenna apparatuses 130 and 150 passes a load. The controller 170 can measure the intensity of the signal due to the heating load B placed in the heating area 111 through the material sensing impedance 136. [ Based on the intensity of the signal, the controller 170 can check whether the signal output from the material sensing antenna unit 131 or 151 passes through a load.

For example, the set frequency of the signal outputted from the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 may be included in the frequency cutoff band of the heating load placed in the heating area 111. In this case, it can be understood that the signals output from the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 are not passed through the load and are returned again. Accordingly, the magnitude of the voltage measured at the material sensing impedances 136 and 156 may be smaller than the cut-off setting value. The controller 170 may determine that the load placed in the heating area 111 is a heatable load.

The set frequency of the signal outputted from the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 is the length of the material sensing antenna unit from the feeding point 132a to the grounding point 133b . ≪ / RTI > The length of the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 may be determined based on a material forming the load. Specifically, the load may have different frequency cutoff bands that block the set frequency of the signal passing through the load, depending on the material being formed. At this time, the length of the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 may be set based on a frequency cutoff band of a load for detection.

For example, the load to be detected may be a non-heated load, which is formed of an aluminum material. It is possible to cut off the frequency corresponding to a specific frequency band, which is unheated by the aluminum material. Therefore, the length of the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 can be determined so that the frequency of the signal output from the material sensing antenna apparatuses 130 and 150 is included in the frequency cutoff band.

In summary, the type of the load placed in the heating area 111 can be determined by determining the length of the material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 according to the band characteristics of the load to be detected.

A plurality of the material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 may be provided along the circumference of the working coil 110. The material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 may include a first material sensing antenna device 130 for sensing a material under non-heating load. The material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 may include a second material sensing antenna device 150 for sensing the material of the heating load.

The first material sensing antenna device 130 may be disposed on one side of the working coil 110. The second material sensing antenna device 150 may be disposed on the other side of the working coil 110. The output signals of the first material sensing antenna device 130 and the second material sensing antenna device 150 may have different set frequencies in order to determine the material of the non-heating load and the heating load, respectively. That is, the first material sensing antenna unit 131 and the second material sensing antenna unit 151 may have different lengths.

The main body 11 may include at least one of the first material sensing antenna device 130 and the second material sensing antenna device 150.

For example, a plurality of the first material sensing antenna apparatuses 130 may be provided. The output signal of any one of the plurality of first material sensing antennas may be included in a frequency cutoff band under non-heating load formed of an aluminum material. And the other output signal may be included in a frequency blocking band under non-heating load formed of a plastic material. The output signal of any one of the plurality of first material sensing antenna devices 130 may be detected by the first material sensing impedance 131 when the non-heating load formed of the aluminum material is seated in the heating area 111. [ It can be measured that the non-heating load placed in the heating area 111 is blocked by the heating load. On the other hand, it can be measured that the output signal of the other one of the plurality of first material sensing antenna devices 130 passes through the non-heating load by the first material sensing impedance 131. Accordingly, the controller 170 can confirm the type of the non-heating load that is seated in the heating area 111. Also, the controller 170 controls the display unit 14 so that the user can recognize that the load placed in the heating area 111 is non-heating load. Thus, there is an advantage that convenience for the user is improved. Further, there is an advantage that the type of the load placed in the heating area can be more accurately determined.

As another example, a plurality of the second material sensing antenna apparatuses 150 may be provided. Each of the plurality of second material sensing antenna devices 150 may have different set frequencies. When the heating load is mounted on the heating area 111, the controller 170 can determine the material of the heating load through the material sensing antenna 150. In addition, depending on the determined material of the heating load, the controller 170 can control the intensity of the magnetic field by varying the heating intensity to change the heating intensity. For example, in the case of a heating load including a material having a low specific heat, it is necessary to further increase the heating intensity in order to quickly cook the food. Therefore, the control unit 170 can control the inverter 165 so that the heating intensity is higher than the heating level input through the operation unit 13. [

In the present embodiment, both the first material sensing antenna device 130 for sensing the material under non-heating load and the second material sensing antenna device 150 for sensing the material of the heating load are provided in the main body 11 . However, the main body 11 may be provided with only one of the first material sensing antenna device 130 and the second material sensing antenna device 150.

The material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 and the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance to reduce interference between signals output from the respective antennas.

The main body 11 may further include a voltage measuring unit 166 for measuring the voltages of the impedances 126, 136, 146 and 156 provided in the antenna devices 120, 130, 140 and 150.

The main body 11 further includes an amplifying unit 167 for amplifying the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit 166 to more accurately analyze the voltage measured by the voltage measuring unit 166 .

The main body 11 may further include an analog to digital converter 168 for converting a voltage amplified by the amplifying unit 167 into a digital signal. The digital signal converted by the AD converter 168 may be transmitted to the controller 170.

In this specification, the digital signal converted by the AD converter 168 may be referred to as a " measurement value ".

The main body 11 may further include a memory 169 for storing information for comparison with the measured values. The first set value and the second set value may be stored in the memory 169.

The control unit 170 compares the set values stored in the memory 169 with the measured values measured by the load sensing antenna apparatuses 120 and 140 and the material sensing antenna apparatuses 130 and 150 It is possible to determine at least one of whether or not the heating load is seated in the heating region 111, eccentricity, and whether or not the load is heated.

5 is a flowchart briefly illustrating a process of controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a heating start command may be input to the controller 170 through the operation unit 13 (S100). The heating start command may include a heating level for heating the load.

When the heating start command is input, the controller 170 controls the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 to check whether the heating area 111 is loaded. The controller 170 may control the material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 to determine whether the load placed in the heating area 111 is a load capable of being heated (S200). The controller 170 can perform heating when the load placed on the heating area 111 can be heated. On the contrary, when the load placed on the heating area 111 can not be heated, the controller 170 can transmit information that the load can not be heated to the user through the display unit 14.

The controller 170 may sense the eccentricity of the load placed in the heating area 111 (S300). In detail, the control unit 170 can confirm whether or not it is seated eccentrically in the heating region 111.

When the load is properly placed in the heating area 111, the controller 170 may perform heating (S500). Meanwhile, the controller 170 can confirm whether eccentricity has occurred during the heating of the load placed on the heating region 111. [0064] When eccentricity is generated in the heating load, a message is displayed on the display unit 14, and the information in which the eccentricity of the heating load is generated can be transmitted to the user.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an induction heating cooking apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a heating load according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a heating load according to the present invention; Fig.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8, a load may be seated in the heating region 111. Fig. The heating start command of the heating area 111 on which the load is placed can be inputted through the operation unit 13 (S1).

When the heating start command is inputted through the operating unit 13, the controller 170 controls the load sensing antenna apparatus 120 and 140 to output a signal toward the load (S3) . Current may be supplied to the first and second load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 through the input ports 127 and 147. [ The first and second load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 can output a signal toward the heating area by the current supplied to the first and second load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140. At this time, the controller 170 may measure the intensity of the output signal from the load sensing impedances 126 and 146 connected in parallel to the 1 and 2 load sensing antenna units 121 and 141, respectively. If the measured value measured through the load sensing impedance 126, 146 is smaller than the third set value, it can be understood that the load is seated in the heating area 111.

The controller 170 can check whether the load placed in the heating area 111 can be heated or not (S7). The control unit 170 may determine whether the load is heated by using at least one of the load sensing antenna apparatuses 120 and 140 and the material sensing antennas 130 and 150. [

The control unit 170 can output a signal through the load sensing antenna units 121 and 141 to a load placed in the heating area 111. [ The controller 170 can determine whether or not the load can be heated by using measured values measured through the load sensing impedances 126 and 146. For example, when the measured value is equal to or less than the first set value, the controller 170 may determine that the load is a heatable load. Also, when the measured value is within the first set value to the second set value range, the controller 170 can confirm that the load is eccentrically positioned in the heating area 111. [ Further, when the measured value is equal to or less than the second set value, it can be determined that the heating is impossible. The non-heating state may include a state in which the load placed in the heating region is a non-heating load, or the heating region 111 is in a no-load state.

In order to confirm whether the load placed in the heating area 111 is a heatable load, the controller 170 determines whether or not the load can be heated through the first and second material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 It can be judged.

Current may be supplied to the first and second material sensing input ports 137 and 157. Accordingly, the first and second material sensing antenna units 131 and 151 can output a signal toward the load placed in the heating area 111. [ At this time, the set frequency of the signal output from the first material sensing antenna unit 131 may be included in the frequency cutoff band of the heating load. The set frequency of the signal output from the second material sensing antenna unit 151 may be included in a frequency cutoff band under non-heating load.

For example, if the measured value measured through the first material sensing impedance 136 is less than the cut-off setting value, it can be understood that the load placed in the heating area 111 is a heating load.

Conversely, if the measured value measured through the second material sensing impedance 156 is less than the cut-off set value, it can be understood that the load seated in the heating area 111 is non-heating load.

In this specification, the measured values are obtained by measuring the voltage measured at the load sensing / material sensing impedances 126, 136, 146 and 156 through the voltage measuring unit 166 using the amplifiers 167, 168). ≪ / RTI >

If it is determined that the load placed on the heating area 111 by the at least one of the load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 and the material sensing antenna devices 130 and 150 is under non-heating load, The first warning message can be displayed (S11). The first warning message may be a message for informing the user that the non-load is under load. The first warning message may be displayed through at least one of voice, text, and image through the display unit 14. [

Meanwhile, as another example, a plurality of second material sensing antenna devices 150 may be provided for sensing the unloaded material. The plurality of second material sensing antenna apparatuses 150 may output signals having different setting frequencies.

The controller 170 may detect that one of the output signals of the plurality of second material sensing antennas 151 for sensing the unloaded load material is blocked using the second material sensing impedance 156 .

The controller 170 can refer to the memory 169 and confirm the information about the set frequency of the second material sensing antenna device in which the output signal is blocked. In the memory 169, material information corresponding to the set frequency can be stored. Accordingly, the controller 170 can determine the type of the unheated load.

If it is determined that the non-heated load material is present, the controller may further display the type of the unloaded load in the first warning message.

If it is determined that the load placed on the heating area 111 is a heatable load, the controller 170 can confirm whether the load is seated in order to heat the heating load B (S9). The controller 170 may control the first and second load sensing antenna devices 120 and 140 such that the respective measured values measured through the first and second load sensing impedances 126 and 146 are smaller than the first set value . When the measured value measured at the first and second load sensing impedances 126 and 146 is smaller than the first set value, the controller 170 determines that the heating load seated in the heating area 111 is correctly positioned Can be confirmed.

When it is confirmed that the heating load is properly positioned in the heating area 111, the heating load placed in the heating area 111 can be heated (S13). The control unit 170 may control the inverter 165 based on the heating level input through the operation unit 13. [ Therefore, the load seated in the heating region 111 can be heated.

Meanwhile, in another example, the controller 170 may determine the type of the heating load using the first material sensing antenna device 130. For this, a plurality of the first material sensing antenna devices 130 may be provided. The plurality of first material sensing antenna devices 130 may output different set frequency signals.

The controller 170 may detect that one of the output signals of the plurality of first material sensing antennas 131 for sensing the material of the heating load is blocked by using the first material sensing impedance 136 .

The controller 170 can refer to the memory 169 and confirm the information about the first material sensing antenna device in which the output signal is blocked. Accordingly, the controller 170 can determine the type of the heating load.

The controller 170 can refer to the memory 169 and perform cooking according to the material of the heating load. For example, when the material of the heating load has a high specific heat, the controller 170 increases the heating level during the set time more than the input heating level so that the heating load B is quickly cooked Can be controlled.

Meanwhile, the controller 170 can confirm whether or not the load placed on the heating area 111 is in a correct position until a heating end command is input (S9).

If the heating load placed in the heating area 111 is eccentric during the heating process, the controller 170 can check whether the heating load is being heated (S18).

When the heating load is being heated, the controller 170 stops the driving of the inverter 165 to stop the heating of the heating load (S19). Then, the user can display a second warning message for inducing the correct seating of the heating load (S21). The second alert message may be represented by at least one of voice, text, and image.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the heating load is not being heated, the second warning message may be displayed to induce the user to sit in the correct position.

The induction heating cooking apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a load sensing antenna capable of sensing a heating load placed in a heating area. The measurement value measured by the load sensing antenna may vary depending on the position of the load placed on the heating area. Therefore, there is an advantage that the eccentricity of the heating load placed in the heating load can be measured more precisely.

The induction heating cooking apparatus is further provided with a material sensing antenna for sensing the material of the load placed in the heating area. Particularly, the material can be identified by the material sensing antenna, which is not heated by the load sensing antenna. Therefore, there is an advantage that it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the load placed on the heating area is heated.

Further, when the material of the heating load is determined by the material sensing antenna, the heating intensity of the induction heating cooking appliance can be adjusted according to the material of the heating load. Therefore, there is an advantage that usability is improved.

Also, when the material of the load is determined, the control unit can provide the user with information about the material of the load through the display unit.

In addition, the load sensing antenna and the material sensing antenna are simple in structure, and have a simple design and a small cost.

Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, redundant contents are omitted in comparison with the previous embodiment.

Compared with the previous embodiment, this embodiment reveals in advance that there is a feature in a portion where a plurality of working coils are provided in one heating region and an antenna device is provided in each working coil.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an induction heating cooker according to another embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of an induction heating cooker according to another embodiment.

9 and 10, the induction heating cooker 2 according to another embodiment may include a main body 21 and a top plate 22 that is seated on an upper portion (upper portion in the drawing) of the main body 21 have. The main body 11 may include working coils 211 and 212 for providing a heat source by a magnetic field.

In the present specification, a plurality of working coils may be provided in the main body. However, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that two working coils are provided in the main body. That is, the main body 21 may include a first working coil 211 and a second working coil 212.

A plurality of heating zones 211a and 212a may be formed at the positions of the upper plate 22 corresponding to the plurality of working coils 211 and 212, respectively. In detail, a first heating region 211a may be formed at a position of the upper plate 22 corresponding to the first working coil 211. [ A second heating region 212a may be formed at a position of the upper plate 22 corresponding to the second working coil 212. [

When power is supplied to a working coil of a heating region where a heating load is placed on at least one of the plurality of heating regions 211a and 212a, the heating load placed on the heating region by the magnetic field generated by the working coil is heated . Accordingly, the food contained in the heating load can be cooked.

The first working coil 211 and the second working coil 212 may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval so as not to interfere with each other.

The main body 11 may further include an inverter (not shown) for switching a voltage applied to the working coils 211 and 212 to allow a high frequency current to flow through the working coils 212 and 212.

Then, a high-frequency current can flow through the working coils 211 and 212 by the inverter. In order to supply power for driving the inverter, the main body 21 may further include a rectifying unit (not shown) for rectifying power supplied from a power supply unit (not shown). At least one of the inverter, the power supply unit, and the rectifying unit may be controlled by the control unit 26. [

Meanwhile, the main body 21 may include antenna devices 220, 230, and 240 provided in the plurality of heating regions 211a and 212a, respectively.

The antenna devices 220, 230, and 240 may include load sensing antenna devices 220 and 230 for sensing a load placed on the plurality of heating areas 211a and 212a. One or more load sensing antenna devices 220 and 230 may be provided in the heating zones 211a and 212a. The load sensing antenna devices 220 and 230 may be disposed along the circumference of the corresponding heating areas 211a and 212a.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that one load sensing antenna device is provided in each heating area. That is, the first load sensing antenna device 220 may be provided in the first heating area 211a. The second heating area 212a may include the second load sensing antenna device 220.

The first load sensing antenna device 220 disposed at the periphery of the first heating area 211a may be mounted on the first heating area 211a so that the first load sensing antenna device 220, The heating load can be detected.

When the heating load is placed on the second heating region 212a, the second load sensing antenna device 230 disposed on the periphery of the second heating region 212a is positioned in the second heating region 212a, It is possible to detect the heat load that is seated in the heat sink.

When the heating load is applied to at least one of the first heating area 211a and the second heating area 212a, the control unit 26 transmits sensing information from the load sensing antenna unit of the heating area on which the heating load is placed Can receive. Then, the control unit 26 can operate the working coil of the heating regions 211a and 212a on which the heating load is placed. The control unit 26 may operate the working coils 211 and 212 of the heating zones 211a and 212a in which the heating load is detected by referring to the information input to the operation unit 23. [ The information input to the operation unit 23 may include, for example, a heating level.

On the other hand, information input to the operation unit 23 can be displayed on the display unit 24. [ It is also possible that the display area 24 is displayed with the heating area detected as having the heating load placed thereon.

The main body 22 may further include a material sensing antenna device 240 or 250 for sensing the material of the load placed in the heating areas 211a and 212a. The material sensing antenna device 240 may be provided in each of the heating zones 211a and 212a. The material sensing antenna devices 240 and 250 may be disposed along the circumference of the heating zones 211a and 212a.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that one material sensing antenna apparatus is provided in each heating region. That is, the first material sensing antenna apparatus 240 may be provided in the first heating region 211a. The second material sensing antenna device 250 may be provided in the second heating area 212a.

A load may be placed on at least one of the first heating region 211a and the second heating region 212a. At this time, the controller 26 controls the first material sensing antenna device 240 and the second material sensing antenna device 250 so that the load of the load placed in the first and second heating areas 211a and 212a The material can be detected. The controller 26 can control the heating performance and heating intensity of the heating zones 211a and 211b based on the material of the load placed in the first and second heating zones 211a and 212a .

For example, it can be determined that the load placed on the heating zones 211a and 211b by the load sensing antennas 220 and 230 is not heated. At this time, the controller 26 controls the material sensing antennas 240 and 250 to identify the material of the load placed in the heating zones 211a and 212a, thereby determining whether the load can be heated more accurately .

Alternatively, it can be determined that the load placed in the heating zones 211a and 211b by the load sensing antennas 220 and 230 is a heating load. The control unit 26 controls the material sensing antennas 240 and 250 to identify the material of the load placed in the heating areas 211a and 212a. The inverter can be controlled so that the heating level is higher or lower than the heating level input to the operation unit 24, depending on the identified material.

As another example, when the material of the heating load placed in the first heating area 211a and the material of the heating load placed in the second heating area 212a are different by the material sensing antennas 230 and 240, The controller 26 may control the inverter to vary the heating levels based on the materials of the heating load placed in the first heating area 211a and the second heating area 212a. At this time, in order to control the inverter based on the material of the heating load, the heating level according to the material of each heating load can be stored in the main body 22. The main body 22 may further include a timer (not shown) so that heating is performed at the stored heating level for a set time.

For example, the specific heat of the load placed in the first heating region 211a may be high. The specific heat of the load placed in the second heating region 212a may be low. At this time, the controller 26 may raise the heating level of the first heating zone 211a to a level higher than the heating level input to the operation unit 26 for a predetermined period of time. The heating level of the second heating area 212a can be controlled so as to be equal to the level input to the operation unit 26. [

The induction heating cooking apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of working coils. And a load sensing antenna for sensing a load is provided at the periphery of the heating region corresponding to the plurality of working coils. When the heating load is placed in any one of the plurality of heating zones, the working coil of the heating zone on which the heating load is placed is operated. Therefore, there is an advantage that usability is improved.

Further, the induction heating cooking apparatus is provided with a material sensing antenna disposed on the periphery of the plurality of heating regions, for sensing the material of the load. When the heating loads of different materials are respectively seated in the plurality of heating zones, the control unit can refer to the memory and control the inverter to heat the heating load with the heating intensity suitable for the sensed material. Therefore, there is an advantage that the cooking efficiency is further improved.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. That is, within the scope of the present invention, all of the components may be selectively coupled to one or more of them.

Furthermore, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or "having" described above mean that a component can be implanted unless otherwise specifically stated, But should be construed as including other elements. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as predefined terms, should be interpreted to be consistent with the contextual meanings of the related art, and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal, unless expressly defined to the contrary.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

1: induction heating cooker 11: main body
12: upper plate 110: working coil
111: heating area 120: first load sensing antenna device
121: first load sensing antenna part 126: first load sensing impedance
130: first material sensing antenna device 140: second load sensing antenna device
150: second material sensing antenna device 165: inverter
166: voltage measuring unit B: cooking object

Claims (18)

A working coil for forming a heating region and heating a load placed in the heating region;
An inverter for applying a driving voltage to the working coil;
An antenna device disposed at a plurality of positions along the periphery of the heating zone and outputting a signal to the heating zone to obtain information on at least one of load seatedness, eccentricity, and material type of the heating zone; And
And a control unit for controlling driving of the inverter based on information obtained in a plurality of antenna apparatuses. The method according to claim 1,
The antenna device includes:
A plurality of portions are disposed along the periphery of the working coil,
And a load sensing antenna device for determining whether the load region of the heating region is seated and whether the load seated in the heating region is eccentric. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the plurality of load sensing antenna devices are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein,
Wherein the load sensing antenna device compares a measured value obtained by the load sensing antenna device with a predetermined set value to determine whether the load area of the heating area is seated and whether the load seated on the heating area is eccentric. 5. The method of claim 4,
The load sensing antenna device includes:
An antenna unit formed in a circular or polygonal ring shape and outputting a signal to the heating region,
And an impedance connected to a feed point and a ground point of the antenna unit, respectively,
Wherein the measured value is determined based on a voltage measured at the impedance. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the set value includes a first set value for determining whether or not to eccentricity,
Wherein,
Wherein the driving of the inverter is interrupted when at least one of the measured values obtained by the first and second load sensing antenna devices is larger than the first set value. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the set value includes a second set value that is larger than the first set value to determine whether or not the load placed on the heating region is heatable eccentricity,
The control unit
Wherein the controller drives the inverter when at least one of the measured values obtained by the load sensing antenna device is within the range between the first set value and the second set value. Wherein the set value includes a third set value larger than the second set value to determine whether or not the load placed on the heating area can be heated,
Wherein,
Wherein the controller determines the load placed on the heating area as a non-heating load when the measurement value obtained by the load sensing antenna device is within the range between the second set value and the third set value. The method according to claim 1,
The antenna device includes:
A material sensing antenna device for outputting a signal of a set frequency at which the input is interrupted corresponding to the material of the load placed in the heating area in order to determine the material of the load seated in the heating area;
And a memory for storing material information of a load corresponding to the set frequency. 10. The method of claim 9,
The material sensing antenna device comprises:
And an antenna portion formed of a circular or polygonal annular conductor,
The set frequency may be,
And the length of the conductor between the feeding point and the grounding point of the antenna section. 10. The method of claim 9,
The material sensing antenna device comprises:
And an impedance connected to the feed point and the ground point of the antenna unit, respectively,
Wherein,
And judges whether or not the signal of the set frequency is blocked based on the measured value measured at the impedance. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein,
And determines that the set frequency generated by the material sensing antenna device is cut off when the measured value is smaller than the cutoff set value. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein,
And judges the material of the load seated in the heating area by referring to the memory if it is determined that the signal of the set frequency is blocked. 10. The method of claim 9,
The plurality of material sensing antenna devices are provided,
Wherein each signal output from the plurality of material sensing antenna devices has a different set frequency. 15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the plurality of material sensing antenna devices comprise:
A first material sensing antenna device for sensing a material of the heating load,
And another part includes a second material sensing antenna device for sensing a non-heated load material. 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising a load sensing antenna for sensing a heating load or a non-heating load of the load placed in the heating area,
Wherein,
Wherein when the load placed on the heating region by the load sensing antenna is detected as a non-heating load, the non-heating load sensing unit detects the non-heating load using the second material sensing antenna apparatus. The method according to claim 1,
A plurality of working coils are provided,
Wherein each of the plurality of working coils is provided with the antenna device. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein,
When a load is detected in at least one of the antenna devices of the plurality of working coils,
Acquiring information on at least one of the eccentricity of the load and the type of the material of the load with respect to the heating region in which the seating of the load is sensed and controlling the driving of the inverter based on the obtained information.

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