JPH11283479A - Cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To make an operation panel of a heating cooker in which the setting of a heating time is a main operation a compact configuration. SOLUTION: A time signal generating means 9 for generating a heating time in accordance with a rotation amount of a rotary operation member 7 is provided, and the heating time generated by the time signal generating means 9 is represented by a plurality of dot indicators 8, 8,. .. And the rotary operation member 7 are arranged in a band on the time setting device 2 provided on the front surface of the cooking device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooking device for setting a time with a simple structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electric and electronic devices such as a microwave oven and an electric washing machine have a time setting device for setting the operation time. In a microwave oven as an example of this electric / electronic device, heating time is controlled by a timer function of a microcomputer, and the heating time is set by a rotary encoder as an input means.

FIG. 7 shows an operation panel of a low-priced microwave oven emphasizing basic functions. A rotation knob 21 of a rotary encoder is provided below the operation panel 20 and a display means 22 is provided above the operation panel. I have. Display means 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a liquid crystal display device or a fluorescent display device, and the heating time set by rotating the rotary knob 21 is digitally displayed. 23 in the figure
Is a start switch for starting microwave heating for a set heating time, and 24 is a cancel switch for canceling the set heating time or stopping microwave heating.

FIG. 8 is a control circuit diagram of the above-mentioned microwave oven. In FIG. A high voltage transformer, 28 is a fan motor for cooling the magnetron 25 and the high voltage transformer 27, 29 is a power plug, 30 is a door switch for detecting opening and closing of the door, 31 is a current fuse, and 32 is a relay for controlling a heating operation. A switch 33 is a rotary encoder for setting a heating time, and 34 is a control means which comprises a microcomputer and controls the entire microwave oven.
The timer means 35 is built in.

In the above-mentioned microwave oven, the rotary knob 21
When the is rotated, the heating time according to the amount of rotation is displayed by the display unit 22.
Is displayed and set. And the start switch 23
Is pressed, the control means 34 turns on the relay switch 32
The heating operation is started while maintaining the state. In the heating operation, the magnetron 25 oscillates to microwave heat the food housed in the heating chamber, and the lamp 26 is turned on to illuminate the food so that the heating condition of the food can be seen through the viewing window of the door, and the fan motor 28 rotates. Then, the magnetron 25 and the high-pressure transformer 27 are cooled. At the same time as the heating operation is started, the timer means 35 is operated, and the remaining time is displayed on the display means 22 while counting down from the set heating time.

When the remaining time becomes zero (zero), the relay switch 32 is turned off and the heating operation ends.
When the door is opened during the heating operation, the door switch 30 is turned off.
When the heating operation is interrupted and the cancel switch 24 is pressed during the heating operation, the control means 34 turns off the relay switch 32 to end the heating operation, and simultaneously displays the remaining time of the timer means 35 at zero. The display of the means 22 is set to zero.

A time setting device using a light emitting element (LED) as a display means is described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-64836 as a time limit device of an electric washing machine. As shown in FIG. 9, the time display of the timed device is provided on a plurality of indicators 42... Disposed around the rotary knob 41 and on the outside of the plurality of indicators 42. The time display unit 43 is used. As shown in FIG. 10, the display of the set time corresponds to the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 41.
.. Are sequentially lit, and the indicator 42 lit last.
The number on the time display section 43 with respect to indicates the set time.

[0008]

The former of the above-mentioned time setting device has a high manufacturing cost since the display means 22 is a liquid crystal display device or a fluorescent display device, and is similar to a low-cost type microwave oven in which only basic functions are emphasized. It is a luxurious specification to display only the heating time. The latter is a rotary knob 41.
Are arranged around the device, and a time display unit 43 is provided therearound, so that the width of the operation panel is widened and the heating time setting means is provided like a low-cost microwave oven. In addition, an operation panel having only a start switch and a cancel switch has a drawback that not only does it have a stupid design, but also the proportion occupied by the operation panel is large and the product value is reduced in appearance.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time setting apparatus for setting a heating time, a timer means for measuring a set time, and the timer means being set. In a heating cooker comprising: a control means for terminating the heating operation when time is measured, wherein the time setting device generates a time signal corresponding to a rotation operation member and a rotation amount of the rotation operation member. It comprises a signal generating means and a plurality of dot displays for displaying a set time, wherein the rotary operation member and the plurality of dot displays are arranged in a band.

[0010] Therefore, with this configuration, in an inexpensive heating cooker such as an inexpensive microwave oven in which the setting of the heating time is the main setting operation, the operation panel becomes a strip-shaped compact one, and the ratio of the operation panel is reduced. The product value is improved in appearance. The time signal generating means may be based on a pressing operation. However, since the rotating operation member can have a smaller occupied area than the pressing operating member, the time signal generating means is limited to a method for generating a time signal by a rotating operation.

[0011] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the plurality of dot displays are arranged at a pitch proportional to a set time. Therefore, with this configuration, the length of the set time is displayed in a proportional relationship, so that the set time or the remaining time can be easily grasped sensuously.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time setting device for setting a heating time, timer means for measuring a set time, and heating when the timer means measures a set time. Control means for ending the operation, the time setting device, the operation member, a time signal generating means for generating a time signal according to the operation amount of the operation member,
Heating cooking comprising a plurality of dot displays for displaying a set time, wherein a subdivision time obtained by dividing an integer (n) between two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays can be set; In the display device, (n-1) dot displays for setting the subdivision time are provided, and when the subdivision time is set, the dot display on the short side of the adjacent dot display is turned on, The dot display for setting the subdivision time blinks in correspondence with the subdivision time.

Therefore, according to this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a dot display for setting a subdivision time between each adjacent dot display, so that a dot for setting a subdivision time is provided between each adjacent dot display. The total number of dot displays can be reduced as compared with the case where a display is provided, so that the operation panel can be made compact and the cost can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time setting device for setting a heating time, timer means for measuring a set time, and heating when the timer means measures a set time. Control means for terminating the operation, the time setting device, the operation member, a time signal generation means for generating a time signal according to the operation amount of the operation member, a plurality of for displaying the set time A heating cooker configured with a dot display and capable of setting a segmentation time corresponding to two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays, wherein the segmentation time is set when the segmentation time is set. One of the dot displays is turned on and the other is turned on and off.

Accordingly, with this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a dot display for setting the subdivision time, so that the total number of dot displays can be reduced as compared with the case of providing the dot display for setting the subdivision time. Thus, the operation panel can be made compact and cost can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a time setting device for setting a heating time, timer means for measuring a set time, and heating when the timer means measures a set time. Control means for ending the operation, the time setting device, the operation member, a time signal generating means for generating a time signal according to the operation amount of the operation member,
A heating cooker comprising a plurality of dot displays for displaying a set time, wherein a segmentation time corresponding to two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays can be set; When the time is set, both of the adjacent dot indicators are turned on and off.

Accordingly, with this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a dot display for setting the subdivision time, so that the total number of dot displays can be reduced as compared with the case where a dot display for setting the subdivision time is provided. The operation panel can be made more compact and cost can be reduced. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment in which both the dot indicators are blinked, it may be easy to see the blinking simultaneously or alternately.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a microwave oven according to the present invention. An operation panel 1 arranged on the right side of the front side is provided with a time setting device 2 for setting a heating time, and a start button 3 for starting microwave heating is provided below the time setting device 2. And a cancel button 4 for canceling the set heating time or stopping the microwave heating, and an output switching knob 5 for switching the microwave heating output between "strong" and "weak" is provided above the cancel button 4. .
Reference numeral 6 in the figure denotes a door that opens and closes a front opening of the heating chamber.

The time setting device 2 comprises a rotary knob 7 for temperature setting and a plurality of dot displays 8... 8 ′ for displaying the set time. A- of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, which is a sectional view taken along the arrow A ', the rotary knob 7 is mounted on the rotary shaft of the rotary encoder 9, and the dot indicators 8 and 8' display the set time in a strip shape.
The light-emitting diodes 11, 11,... Corresponding to the display units 8, 8,.
(Not shown) and light emitting diodes 11 ', 11' corresponding to the indicators 8 ', 8'.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rotary encoder 9 has first and second contact points 9a and 9b of two circuits, which are turned on and off at predetermined rotation angles by the rotation of a rotary knob 7, respectively. One end of each of the contacts 9a and 9b is connected to a + 5V power supply terminal, the other end is grounded via a resistor, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) serving as control means via the resistor. 12). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the ON / OFF timing due to the rotation of the rotary knob 7 is shifted between the two contacts 9a and 9b so that the microcomputer 12 can identify the rotation direction of the rotary knob 7. I have.

For example, if the second contact 9b is ON when the first contact 9a falls from ON to OFF, the rotation is in the forward direction, and the second contact 9a falls from ON to OFF when the first contact 9a falls from ON to OFF. If the contact 9b is in the OFF state, the rotation is in the reverse direction. In addition, one of the two contacts 9a, 9b
The number of repetitions of N and OFF is counted by the microcomputer 12,
Thus, the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 7 is detected. The amount of rotation, that is, the repeated count value of ON / OFF of the contact, corresponds to the set time (minute).

Further, on the display sheet 10 of the operation panel 1, as shown in FIG. 5, dot displays 8 consisting of ten light emitting diodes 11 are arranged in a strip shape above the rotary knob 7. . Each of the dot displays 8... Displays each time of 30 seconds to 9 minutes by lighting or blinking, and each of the dot displays 8. Are sequentially arranged at a pitch proportional to the set time, and each display 8... Is given a display time corresponding to each display 8. Therefore, the time set according to the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 7 is proportional to the display length (height) of the display 8.

The light emitting diodes 11 of each of the indicators 8...
.., As shown in FIG. 3, each anode is connected to a + 5V power supply terminal via a current limiting resistor, each cathode is connected to the microcomputer 12, and each light emitting diode 11 is connected to the microcomputer 12 The lighting is controlled by.
Therefore, the microcomputer 12 calculates the amount of rotation of the operation knob 7 based on signals from the two contacts 9a and 9b of the rotary encoder 9, sets a time corresponding to the amount of rotation in timer means built in the microcomputer 12, and further sets the time. An operation of lighting the light emitting diodes 11 corresponding to the time and all the light emitting diodes on the short time side by this is performed.

The microcomputer 12 detects the rotation direction and the amount of rotation of the rotary knob 7 and controls the lighting of the light emitting diodes 11..., So that the rotary knob 7 is turned clockwise as shown in FIG. The time according to the moving amount is set in order from the short time side (30 seconds), and the display is sequentially turned on from the short time side (30 seconds) display. The heating time is set when a predetermined time elapses after the rotation of the rotary knob 7 is stopped, and then when the rotary knob 7 is turned clockwise, the 30-second indicator flashes and the time of 30 seconds is added. When the rotary knob 7 is further turned clockwise, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes,... Are added and the 30-second indicator changes from blinking to lit, corresponding to the added time. The display lights up sequentially. Conversely, turn the rotary knob 7 counterclockwise to 3
The 0 second indicator flashes and the 30 second time is subtracted,
When the rotary knob 7 is further turned counterclockwise, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes,... Are subtracted, and the 30-second indicator changes from blinking to lighting, and the display corresponding to the subtracted time is set. The display on the longer side turns off sequentially.

The display example shown in FIG. 5 shows a state in which, after four minutes have been set, the rotary knob 7 is turned clockwise to add 30 seconds and set four minutes and thirty seconds. Indicates that the display is lit and the display is blinking for 30 seconds. For the setting of 4 minutes and 30 seconds, the rotary knob 7 may be turned counterclockwise after the setting of 5 minutes, and 30 seconds may be subtracted. In this case, a display of 30 seconds to 5 minutes is displayed. After the indicator lights once, the indicator for 5 minutes goes off and the indicator for 30 seconds changes from lighting to blinking.

On the right side of the rotary knob 7, dot display units 8 'and 8' each composed of two light emitting diodes 11 'are arranged in a band shape.
The time setting is displayed in combination with the minute and 20 minute indicators and the 30 second to 9 minute indicators. For example, in the display example shown in FIG. 5, when the indicator of 10 minutes is turned on, a time of 14 minutes and 30 seconds is set. The maximum setting time in the time setting device shown in FIG. 5 is 29 minutes and 30 seconds.

When the set time is zero, that is, when the heating operation is terminated or the set time is canceled by the cancel button 4, or the set time is zero due to excessive rotation.
When the rotary knob 7 is turned in the counterclockwise direction, the time is set in order from the long-time side according to the amount of rotation, and once all the indicators 8 are turned on, the long-time side ( (9 minutes) It turns off sequentially from the display.

Therefore, for example, to set 24 minutes and 30 seconds, turn the rotary knob 7 counterclockwise to 9 minutes, 8 minutes.
The indicator for minutes, 7 minutes, and 6 minutes may be turned off, and once 25 minutes have been set, the rotary knob 7 may be further turned counterclockwise to blink the indicator for 30 seconds.

In this way, the microcomputer 12 confirms that the rotation of the rotary knob 7 has stopped, and when the time is set in the timer means and the start button 3 is pressed, the microcomputer 1
Reference numeral 2 controls the relay switch 32 to drive the magnetron 25, and executes the operation of displaying the remaining time of the timer means built in the microcomputer 12 on the display units 8,. In the above embodiment, the operation panel 1
Is a vertical type, the rotary knob 7 and the plurality of dot indicators 8 are arranged in a vertical band. However, when the operation panel is a horizontal type, the operation panel may be arranged in a horizontal band. is there.

<Second Embodiment> The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is the hardware configuration of the time setting device. The point is that the dot display for setting the divided time (30 seconds) which divides one set time into two is eliminated to reduce the cost. A description will be given using the same setting display example of 4 minutes and 30 seconds as in the first embodiment based on the time setting device shown in FIG.

In the display example shown in FIG. 6A, the rotary knob 7
Turn clockwise to turn on the indicator for 1 minute to 4 minutes in sequence, set 4 minutes, and then turn the rotary knob 7 again clockwise. Made
Four minutes and thirty seconds are set. That is, the lighting of the display for four minutes or less indicates that four minutes are set, and the blinking of the five-minute indicator above the four-minute display indicates 30 minutes.
Indicates that seconds are added.

In the display example shown in FIG. 6B, the rotary knob 7
Turn clockwise to turn on the indicators for 1 minute to 4 minutes in order, set 4 minutes, and then turn the rotary knob 7 again clockwise to cause the 4 minutes indicator to flash and the 5 minutes indicator to turn on. The lighting is turned on, an addition setting of 30 seconds is made, and 4 minutes and 30 seconds are set. That is, the lighting of the 5-minute indicator indicates that 5 minutes are set, but the 30-minute subtraction is set by the blinking of the 4-minute indicator below the 5-minute indicator. Is shown.

As still another embodiment, the display of 4 minutes and 5 minutes is blinked simultaneously or alternately to indicate that 4 minutes and 30 minutes between 4 minutes and 5 minutes are set. You can also. In any of the above-described embodiments, all the indicators on the shorter side than the indicator corresponding to the set time are turned on. However, it is needless to say that all the indicators on the shorter side need not be turned on. is there.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the invention, in a heating cooker such as an inexpensive (basic function) type microwave oven in which the setting of the heating time is the main setting operation, the operation panel has a strip-like compact shape. And the proportion occupied by the operation panel is reduced, and the product value is improved in appearance.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the length of the set time is displayed in a proportional relationship, the set time or the remaining time can be easily grasped sensuously.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dot display for setting the subdivision time between each adjacent dot display, and therefore, there is no need to provide a dot display between each adjacent dot display. The total number of dot displays can be reduced, and the size of the operation panel can be reduced and the cost can be reduced, as compared with the case where a dot display for setting the subdivision time is provided.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a dot display for setting a subdivision time. The total number of devices can be reduced, and the operation panel can be made compact and cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a heating cooker according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the cooking device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram of two contacts of a rotary encoder.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a time setting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a time setting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation panel of a conventional inexpensive microwave oven.

FIG. 8 is a control circuit diagram of a conventional inexpensive range.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a time setting device in a conventional washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a setting operation of the time setting device shown in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 operation panel 2 time setting device 7 rotary knob (rotary operating member) 8,8 'dot display 9 rotary encoder (time signal generating means) 10 display sheet 11 light emitting diode 12 microcomputer (control means, timer means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A time setting device for setting a heating time, a timer means for measuring a set time, and a control means for terminating the heating operation when the timer means measures a set time. In the heating cooker provided, the time setting device includes: a rotation operation member; a time signal generation unit configured to generate a time signal according to a rotation amount of the rotation operation member; Wherein the rotary operating member and a plurality of dot displays are arranged in a band. 2. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the dot display devices are arranged at a pitch proportional to a set time. 3. A time setting device for setting a heating time, a timer means for measuring a set time, and a control means for terminating the heating operation when the timer means measures a set time. The time setting device comprises: an operating member; a time signal generating unit configured to generate a time signal according to an operation amount of the operating member; and a plurality of dot indicators for displaying a set time. In a heating cooker capable of setting a subdivision time obtained by dividing an integer (n) between two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays, a dot display for setting the subdivision time is set to (n-1). ), When the subdivision time is set, the dot display on the short side of the adjacent dot display is turned on, and the dot display for subdivision time setting corresponds to the subdivision time. Let it blink A cooking device characterized in that: 4. A time setting device for setting a heating time, a timer means for measuring a set time, and a control means for terminating the heating operation when the timer means measures a set time. The time setting device comprises: an operating member; a time signal generating unit configured to generate a time signal according to an operation amount of the operating member; and a plurality of dot indicators for displaying a set time. In a heating cooker capable of setting a segmentation time corresponding to two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays, one of the adjacent dot displays when the segmentation time is set Wherein the light is turned on and the other is flashed. 5. A time setting device for setting a heating time, a timer means for measuring a set time, and a control means for terminating the heating operation when the timer means measures a set time. The time setting device comprises: an operating member; a time signal generating unit configured to generate a time signal according to an operation amount of the operating member; and a plurality of dot indicators for displaying a set time. In a heating cooker capable of setting a subdivision time corresponding to two set times corresponding to adjacent dot displays, when the subdivision time is set, the two adjacent dot displays are displayed. A cooking device characterized by blinking.