HK1130312B - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Description

Heating cooker

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a heating cooker that emits light from an operation unit.

Background

Fig. 8 shows a block configuration diagram of such an electronic apparatus 100 in the present case. As shown in fig. 8, the electronic device 100 has a data bus 101. The data bus 101 is connected to a storage unit 102, and the storage unit 102 stores operation instruction information that matches the content of the instruction manual of the electronic device 100. The operation guidance information is generated by determining in advance the operation procedure of the electronic apparatus 100.

The storage section 102 uses a Read Only Memory (ROM). The storage unit 102 is connected to a display unit 103 via a data bus 101, and the display unit 103 displays the operation guidance information read from the storage unit 102.

The display unit 103 is connected to the selection unit 104 via the data bus 101, and when the user selects the operation guidance mode via the mode selection unit 109, the selected item for selecting a desired function of the electronic apparatus 100 is displayed on the display unit 103, and the selection unit 104 is operated by the user in order to select one item from the displayed selected items and select a desired function from the plurality of functions.

The selection unit 104 is connected to a light-emitting operation body 106 via a data bus 101 and an I/O (input/output) interface unit 105, and the light-emitting operation body 106 performs an operation for operating a function, so that a specific light-emitting operation body 106 is caused to blink by the operation of the selection unit 104.

Therefore, the user can be notified of the mounting position of the light-emitting operation body 106 by the blinking. By displaying the name of the light-emitting operation body 106 on the display unit 103, the name and the mounting position of the light-emitting operation body 106 can be recognized without reading a manual.

The data bus 101 is connected to a sound generating unit 107, and a confirmation sound such as "pump" is emitted by operating a light emitting operation body 106 at a blinking part.

The confirmation sound "pump" is used to make the user confirm "the designated button or the like is actually pressed". The pressing operation of this button serves as a trigger for reading the instruction information of the next operation from the storage unit 102 to the display unit 103.

When the light-emitting operation body 106 of the non-blinking part is operated, a warning sound such as "pump …" may be generated. The sound generating unit 107 has a sound processing circuit 107A for generating a confirmation sound of "pump" and a warning sound of "pump" …, and a speaker 107B for generating these confirmation sound and warning sound. Since the sound processing circuit 107A and the speaker 107B are provided in the audio device, they can be shared.

The sound generation unit 107 is connected to the control unit 108 via the data bus 101. The control unit 108 controls the sound generation unit 107 to confirm the operation of the light-emitting operation body 106. The control unit 108 uses a CPU (central processing unit) or the like. Then, the control unit 108 controls the display unit 103 to display the next operation procedure, and at the same time, performs light emission control so that the light-emitting operation body 106 indicating the next operation emits light. The order of light emission of the light-emitting operator 106 is stored in the storage unit 102 in advance so as to match the operation procedure.

The data bus 101 is connected to a mode selection unit 109 in addition to the storage unit 102, the display unit 103, the selection unit 104, the I/O interface unit 105, the sound generation unit 107, and the control unit 108, and the mode selection unit 109 operates to select the operation guidance mode or the non-operation guidance mode. Here, the operation guidance mode is a mode in which an operation until the functional operation of the electronic apparatus 100 is executed is guided, and the non-operation guidance mode is a mode in which the operation guidance is not executed.

The electronic device 100 is in a non-operational instructional mode during normal operation. The operation guidance mode is selected by the mode selection unit 109 only when the operation guidance function is to be used. Therefore, it is not necessary to select the non-operation guidance mode by the mode selection portion 109.

Further, when the infrequently used function is operated, the operation method of the electronic apparatus 100 may be forgotten. In addition, the instructions for use are sometimes lost. In such a case, the operation guidance function can be used by selecting the operation guidance mode by the mode selection unit 109 without reading the operation instruction again (for example, see patent document 1).

However, in the conventional configuration, the light-emitting operation body is constituted by a rotary body such as a push button or a rotary key (Jog Dial), and the light-emitting operation body is always visible to the user in a state where the light-emitting operation body does not emit light. There is a problem in that: even if only the operation portion light emitter that can be operated is made to emit light by the colored light source, a user who does not notice the intention operates a light-emitting operation body that can be visually recognized without emitting light.

And, there is a problem that: when a luminous operation body which is not luminous and is not effective is operated, a countermeasure against misoperation is taken such that a warning sound of "pump …" is emitted, but the warning sound reminds a user of notification other than misoperation such as failure and timer expiration, thereby confusing the user.

Further, the operation required for the functional operation of the electronic device is guided by causing the operation portion light emitter to emit light, which is desired to be operated next, however, there is a problem that: in the case where there are a plurality of next-operable operations, it is not known which operation is the most superior operation. And, there is a problem that: when only one operation portion light emitter is made to emit light for guiding an operation, another function that can be operated cannot be indicated.

[ patent document 1 ] Japanese patent laid-open No. 2001-51777

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a heating cooker capable of simplifying the operation of a heating portion provided on an upper surface of the device and preventing an erroneous operation.

To this end, a heating cooker according to the present invention is a heating cooker including: a top plate provided on an upper surface of the apparatus and having light transmittance; a heating section formed on the top plate; an electrostatic touch key having an electrode portion formed of a light-shielding conductive film and having a die-cut shape for transmitting light, on a back surface of the top plate, and instructing execution of an assigned function; an operation detection unit that applies an alternating-current signal to the electrode unit and detects a change in electrostatic capacitance of the electrode unit with respect to the ground, the change being caused by a portion of the top plate facing the electrode unit coming into contact with the electrode unit; an operation portion light emitter that irradiates light toward the electrode portion from a direction opposite to the top plate; and a light emission control unit for performing light emission control such that the operation unit light emitter is turned on to make the shape of the electrode portion visible through the top plate and the operation unit light emitter is turned off to make it difficult to see the shape of the electrode portion, wherein the heat cooking device is shifted to a lock state in which only an operation prohibition release key of the electrostatic touch keys can be operated after the power is turned on, and the light emission control unit turns on only the operation unit light emitter of the operation prohibition release key in the lock state, and the light emission control unit turns on the operation unit light emitter of the operation-enabled electrostatic touch key when the operation prohibition release key is operated to shift the heat cooking device to a state in which at least one electrostatic touch key other than the operation prohibition release key can be operated thereafter, the light emission control unit having a non-light detection unit and a display unit for detecting disconnection of a light source of the operation unit light emitter, when the non-lighting detection part detects that the operating part light-emitting body is not on, an error is displayed on the display part, and a user is informed of non-lighting.

The shape of the electrode portion of the electrostatic touch key that can be operated is only visible through the top plate, while the shape of the electrode portion of the electrostatic touch key that cannot be operated is difficult to see, and therefore, the operation is easy and the operability is improved. Even if the power switch is turned on, the device is in a locked state, and the electrostatic touch key cannot be operated except for the operation prohibition key, so that the device can be prevented from being inadvertently operated. In the locked state, only the operation section light emitter of the operation prohibition release key is in the on state, and therefore the position of the operation prohibition release key for releasing the locked state can be easily found.

When the operation of the operable electrostatic touch key is detected, the light emission control unit turns off the operation unit light emitter of the inoperable electrostatic touch key and causes the operation unit light emitter of the operable electrostatic touch key to emit light.

Each time the electrostatic touch key is operated, only the electrostatic touch key required for the next operation is displayed, and thus the electrostatic touch key required for the operation can be easily found.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an external view showing a heating cooker according to embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view showing a top plate of a heating cooker in embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit section for causing the top surface operation section in embodiment 1 of the present invention to execute a function.

Fig. 4A is a top view showing the operation portion when the light guide plate is turned off.

Fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the operation portion when the light guide plate is turned off.

Fig. 4C is a top view showing the operation portion when the light guide plate is lit.

Fig. 4D is a perspective view showing the operation portion when the light guide plate is lit.

Fig. 5A is a top view showing a state where all the light guide plates emit light in a part of the top surface operation part.

Fig. 5B is a top view showing a state where one light guide plate emits light in a part of the top surface operation portion.

Fig. 5C is a top view showing a state where two light guide plates emit light in a part of the top surface operation part.

Fig. 6A is a top view showing a state where all light guide plates emit light in a part of the top surface operation portion in embodiment 2.

Fig. 6B is a top view showing a state where one light guide plate flickers.

Fig. 6C is a top view showing a state where two light guide plates blink with different periods.

Fig. 7A is a block diagram showing a circuit unit for causing the top surface operation unit in the heating cooker of embodiment 2 to function.

Fig. 7B is a block diagram showing a light emission control unit having a non-lighting detection unit in the heating cooker of embodiment 2.

Fig. 8 is a block configuration diagram showing an electronic device as a heating cooker in the conventional example.

Description of the reference symbols

2: a top plate; 3: a top surface operation part; 4 a: a power switch; 5: an electrostatic touch key; 5 b: an electrode section; 6: an operation detection unit; 7: a light guide plate (operation portion light emitter); 7 a: an LED (operation portion light emitter); 7 b: a light guide plate (operation portion light emitter); 7 c: an operation part light-emitting body; 8: a light emission control unit; 12: a storage unit; 13: a sound generating section; 14: a guidance operation switching unit; 17: a display unit; 18: the non-lighting detection part.

Detailed Description

The present invention is a heating cooker including: a top plate provided on an upper surface of the apparatus and having light transmittance; a heating section formed on the top plate; an electrostatic touch key having an electrode portion formed of a light-shielding conductive film and having a die-cut shape in which a part of the conductive film is removed to transmit light, and instructing execution of an assigned function; an operation detection unit that applies an alternating-current signal to the electrode unit and detects a change in electrostatic capacitance of the electrode unit with respect to the ground, the change being caused by a portion of the top plate facing the electrode unit coming into contact with the electrode unit; an operation portion light emitter that irradiates light toward the electrode portion from a direction opposite to the top plate; and a light emission control unit for performing light emission control such that the operation unit light emitter is turned on to make the shape of the electrode portion visible through the top plate and the operation unit light emitter is turned off to make it difficult to see the shape of the electrode portion, wherein the cooking device is shifted to a lock state in which only an operation prohibition release key of the electrostatic touch key is operable after the power is turned on, and the light emission control unit causes the operation unit light emitter of the electrostatic touch key to be turned on when only the operation prohibition release key is operable to shift the cooking device to a state in which at least one electrostatic touch key other than the operation prohibition release key is operable thereafter, the light emission control unit having a non-light-on detection unit and a display unit for detecting disconnection of a light source of the operation unit light emitter, when the non-lighting detection part detects that the operating part light-emitting body is not on, an error is displayed on the display part, and a user is informed of non-lighting.

The shape of the electrode portion of the electrostatic touch key that can be operated is only visible through the top plate, while the shape of the electrode portion of the electrostatic touch key that cannot be operated is difficult to see, and therefore, the operation is easy and the operability is improved. Even if the power switch is turned on, the device is in a locked state, and the electrostatic touch key cannot be operated except for the operation-prohibition release key, so that the device can be prevented from being inadvertently operated. In the locked state, only the operation section light emitter of the operation prohibition release key is in the on state, and therefore the position of the operation prohibition release key for releasing the locked state can be easily found.

In the present invention, when the operation of the operable electrostatic touch key is detected, the light emission control unit of the heating cooker turns off the operation unit light emitter of the inoperable electrostatic touch key and causes the operation unit light emitter of the operable electrostatic touch key to emit light. Thus, each time the electrostatic touch key is operated, only the electrostatic touch key required for the next operation is displayed, and therefore the electrostatic touch key required for the operation can be easily found. In addition, when the operating section light emitter does not emit light due to a failure, the user can be informed of the failure, and the heating operation can be prevented from being started unintentionally, and repair can be urged.

In the cooking device of the present invention, the light emission control unit controls the light emission of the operation unit light emitter according to the operation procedure stored in the storage unit. This enables the user to perform the next operation without reading a use instruction or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(embodiment mode 1)

Fig. 1 is an external view of a heating cooker according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In fig. 1, the main components of the heating cooker are: a top plate 2 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus and formed in a plate shape by using an electrically insulating material having high heat resistance, such as heat-resistant glass made of translucent crystalline ceramics, for placing an object to be heated (not shown); a heating unit 1 formed on the top plate 2; a top surface operation unit 3 formed on the top plate 2 on the front side of the heating unit 1; and an accessible kangaroo-type operation unit 4 disposed in front of the cooking device.

In the region of the top surface operation section 3, an electrostatic touch key 5 for instructing execution of the assigned function is formed. The electrostatic touch key 5 has an electrode portion 5b formed of a conductive film having a light-shielding property on the back surface of the top plate 2. The portion of the electrode portion 5b where no conductive film is present, that is, the region through which light is transmitted, is formed to have a predetermined shape (punched shape of a figure, a character, a symbol, or the like) (see fig. 4D). The heating section 1 is formed on the top plate 2, and a circular region having a size substantially identical to the planar shape of the heating coil is displayed as a heatable region of the heating section 1 by a printed film formed on the lower surface of the top plate 2. In the case of an induction heating cooker, an induction heating coil (not shown) that generates a high-frequency magnetic field is provided to face the heatable region, and constitutes a component of the heating unit 1.

The heating portion 1 of the present invention is not limited to such an induction heating type heating portion. The heating cooker may be an electric heater heating type cooker having a heater such as an electric wire or a sheathed heater as a component, or a gas heating type cooker having a gas burner as a heating source. In the case of the gas heating type, for example, an opening portion may be provided in the top plate 2, and a component of a burner may be disposed in the opening portion, so that a heating cooker in which a heating portion 1 and an electrostatic touch key 5 are formed in the top plate 2 provided on the upper surface of the apparatus can be used.

In the top plate 2 of embodiment 1, at least the top surface operation portion 3 is colored (colored) black, and the other substantially entire portion is colored silver. In order to color the top surface operation portion 3, a printed film of a color having low light transmittance is formed on the back surface of the top plate 2. When the light emitter located below the ceiling surface operation portion 3 emits light, light transmitted through the portion where the conductive coating is removed and where the light blocking property is not provided can be seen. Thereby forming the following structure: in the case of lighting the light emitter, the shape of the electrode portion 5b (punched shape, see key display portions 5c and 5D in fig. 4D) can be visually recognized through the top plate 2, but the shape of the electrode portion 5b is difficult to be visually recognized when the light emitter is turned off.

The method of coloring the top surface operation unit 3 is not limited to the above configuration. Instead of forming a printed film, a deposited film having a half mirror effect, for example, may be formed. Instead of forming a colored film, the material of the top plate 2, for example, crystalline ceramics itself may be colored black. In this case, it is not necessary to form a color print film on the top surface operation unit 3 so that the shape of the electrode unit 5b (key display units 5C and 5d, see fig. 4C) is not visible. Further, the same effect as described above can be obtained by making the top plate 2 and the electrode portion 5b in the light-off state the same color, and making it difficult for the user to clearly see the shape of the electrode portion 5b when the light guide plate 7 of the electrostatic touch key 5 which cannot be operated is turned off.

As shown in fig. 1, the ceiling surface operation part 3 may be formed as a window, and the color of the ceiling surface operation part 3 may be different from the color of the other portion of the ceiling plate 2, and may be the same color without forming a window. For example, the top plate 2 may be dark brown as a whole, and a part of the top plate 2 may be used as the top surface operation portion 3. In this case, a bright line frame may be printed to surround the top surface operation portion 3 to display the window. The window of the top surface operation unit 3 may not be displayed. When there is a window indicating the top surface operation unit 3, the user can easily recognize the range in which the electrostatic touch key 5 is arranged.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a top plate 2 of a heating cooker in embodiment 1 of the present invention, and fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of an operation portion of the heating cooker in embodiment 1 of the present invention and a circuit portion for causing the operation portion to function.

The top plate 2 is made of heat-resistant glass or the like, and has an object to be heated placed on its upper surface and a pattern indicating the heating unit 1 formed on its lower surface. For example, in the case of an induction heating cooker that inductively heats an object to be heated, the heating unit 1 includes an induction heating coil that generates a magnetic field by passing a high-frequency current therethrough. The top surface operation unit 3, which is an operation area operated by a user, is provided by dividing a part of the top plate 2 by colors so that the printing color is different from the surrounding, or by dividing the part by lines, or by not dividing the part.

In fig. 3, the main components of the top surface operating section 3 and the circuit section for causing the top surface operating section to perform functions are: the electrostatic touch key 5 that is pressed by the finger 5a, the operation detection unit 6, the light guide plate 7 that constitutes an operation unit light emitter that emits light toward the electrode unit 5b (in this case, from below to above) from a direction opposite to the top plate 2, and the light emission control unit 8. The light guide plate 7 guides light incident from a light source (not shown, for example, an LED) as another component of the operation portion light emitter, and emits the light toward the electrode portion 5 b. The light guide plate 7 may be omitted, and the operation portion light emitter may be configured by using the light source itself such as an LED.

The operation detection unit 6 outputs the detection result to the display unit 17 and the heating control unit 16. The display unit 17 performs display corresponding to a function assigned to the electrostatic touch key 5 and instructed to be executed by a pressing operation. The heating control unit 16 performs control corresponding to a function assigned to the electrostatic touch key 5 and instructed to be executed by a pressing operation. The electrostatic touch key 5 forms a capacitor by an electrode portion 5b located on the back surface of the top plate 2 and fingers 5a located on the upper surface of the top plate 2. A high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrode portion 5b by an oscillation circuit (not shown) in the operation detection portion 6.

When the finger 5a comes into contact with the upper surface of the top plate 2 above the electrode portion 5b, the operation detection portion 6 bypasses the electrode portion 5b to which the high-frequency voltage is applied to the ground through the top plate 2 and the finger 5a, detects that the voltage drop occurring in the electrode portion 5b is not less than a predetermined level, and detects that the electrostatic touch key 5 is operated. That is, the operation detection unit 6 applies an ac signal to the electrode portion 5b, detects a change in capacitance of the electrode portion 5b with respect to the ground due to the contact with the surface portion of the top plate 2 facing the electrode portion 5b, and detects an input operation to the electrostatic touch key 5 by a finger. Further, an electrode portion (not shown) facing the electrode portion 5b may be provided on the upper surface of the top plate 2, whereby the input sensitivity of the electrostatic touch key 5 can be stabilized.

Further, the cooking device further includes a storage unit 12 for storing operation instruction information, which is information on the operation procedure matching the content of the instruction manual for heating the cooking device. The storage unit 12 stores, in advance, information including: in the case where a plurality of keys can be operated, the frequency of use of any key is high and the operation of the key is more expected, and guidance for operation of any key is preferentially given. The light emission control unit 8 controls light emission of the light guide plate 7 based on the information stored in the storage unit 12.

Fig. 4A is a top view showing the top surface operation part 3 when the light guide plate 7 is turned off, fig. 4B is a perspective view showing the top surface operation part 3 when the light guide plate 7 is turned off, fig. 4C is a top view showing the top surface operation part 3 when the light guide plate 7 is turned on, and fig. 4D is a perspective view showing the top surface operation part 3 when the light guide plate 7 is turned on.

Since the electrode portion 5b is formed of a metal film having low light transmittance such as a copper foil or a conductive coating film having predetermined light shielding properties such as a black conductive paint, even if the light guide plate 7 emits light, light can be prevented from or hardly transmitted through the upper surface of the top plate 2. Therefore, as shown in the electrode portion 5B of fig. 4B and 4D, the key display portions 5c and 5D are formed on the top plate 2 by removing the conductive coating such as the metal film from only the portion of the graphics or characters that need to be displayed by light emission so that light can pass through the key display portions 5c and 5D. In fig. 4B and 4D, hatched portions of the electrode portion 5B are key display portions 5c and 5D, and the portions are shown with the conductive coating such as the metal film removed.

Since the top surface operation portion 3 is formed by printing a film of a color having low light transmittance (for example, black, dark brown, dark red, or the like) on the back surface of the top plate 2, when the light guide plate 7 is turned off as shown in fig. 4B, nothing is visible on the top surface of the top plate 2 as shown in fig. 4A. As shown in fig. 4D, when the light guide plate 7 emits light, the conductive film portion of the electrode portion 5b does not transmit light, and remains in the color of the top plate 2; on the other hand, the key display portions 5C and 5d are visually recognized by the pattern of the keys being exposed as shown in fig. 4C because the light irradiated from the light guide plate 7 is transmitted and the light is further transmitted through the translucent top plate 2 and the printed film constituting the top surface operation portion 3. Fig. 4C and 4D show that the hatched portion of the top plate 2 emits light.

In this way, the light emission control unit 8 performs light emission control such that: the shape of the electrode portion 5b can be seen through the top plate 2 by lighting up the light guide plate 7 (operation portion light emitter) disposed below the electrode portion 5b, and the shape of the electrode portion 5b is made difficult to see by lighting down the light guide plate 7, so that it appears that the electrostatic touch key 5 itself emits light and lights down.

In the explanation using fig. 4A to 4D, it is assumed that the key display portions 5c and 5D, which are portions where the conductive coating film is removed from the electrode portion 5b, have a triangular shape and a frame shape, respectively, and such shapes are visible on the upper surface of the top plate 2. However, this is an example for easy understanding, and actually, as shown in fig. 5A to 5C and 6A to 6C, the key display portions 5C and 5d are constituted by a region display portion 5d in which the conductive coating is removed in a frame shape, and a function display portion 5C in which metal is removed in the form of various characters, symbols, or figures. Therefore, the function display section 5c that displays the functions assigned to the electrostatic touch key 5 and the area display section 5d that displays the operation range of the electrostatic touch key 5 are visible on the upper surface of the top plate 2.

A plurality of (14 in the example shown in fig. 2) electrostatic touch keys 5 described with reference to fig. 4A to 4D are arranged in a row on the ceiling surface operation portion 3 disposed in a part of the region of the ceiling plate 2, and these electrostatic touch keys 5 are provided in combination with the same number of light guide plates 7.

Therefore, when the light guide plate 7 included in the electrostatic touch key 5 constituting the top surface operation unit 3 emits light, the characters and symbols of the function display unit 5c and the frame of the area display unit 5d shown in fig. 2 are emitted and visible on the top surface of the top surface operation unit 3, that is, the top plate 2. Since the portion of the top plate 2 on which the top surface operation portion 3 is formed is printed with a color having low light transmittance, when the light guide plate 7 is not lit, only a plane of the color is visible on the upper surface of the portion of the top plate 2 on which the top surface operation portion 3 is formed, and neither characters nor symbols are visible. When the light guide plate 7 is not lit, the key display portions 5c and 5d may be difficult to see instead of seeing nothing on the upper surface of the portion of the top plate 2 where the top surface operation portion 3 is formed.

Fig. 5A is a top view showing a state where all the light guide plates 7 emit light in a certain color in a part of the top surface operation part 3, fig. 5B is a top view showing a state where one light guide plate 7 emits light in red in a part of the top surface operation part 3 as well, and fig. 5C is a top view showing a state where two light guide plates 7 emit light (one light guide plate 7 emits light in red and the other light guide plate 7 emits light in white) in a part of the top surface operation part 3 as well.

Electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg represent electrostatic touch keys 5 corresponding to the respective functions.

In particular, the electrostatic touch key 5gg is an unlock key (hereinafter also referred to as "unlock key 5 gg") for unlocking a device which is in a locked state and cannot be operated by another key. The electrostatic touch key 5cc is a frying start key (hereinafter also referred to as "frying start key 5 cc") used in the case of frying cooking in which the heating output is controlled so that the oil temperature in the pot of an object to be heated (not shown) is maintained at a predetermined temperature when the lock release state is started. The electrostatic touch key 5ff is a heating start key (hereinafter also referred to as "heating start key 5 ff") used when heating other than frying is started in a state where the lock is released.

Further, the fry start key 5cc may also serve as a stop key for stopping the operation when operated during the frying cooking operation. The heating start key 5ff may also serve as a heating stop key for stopping the heating operation during the heating operation.

The operation and operation of the heating cooker configured as above will be described below.

First, the power switch 4a turns on or off the power supply. In a state where power is not turned on, all displays of the device disappear, and all operations of the device are prohibited. After the power switch 4a is turned off, the operation of the equipment is prohibited, however, control operations such as turning on a high-temperature warning lamp for a predetermined time, operating a cooling fan until the residual heat is reduced, and the like are performed as necessary. The power switch 4a is, for example, a power switch having a mechanical contact for improving reliability, and as shown in fig. 1, the power switch 4a is provided on the front surface of the device or on the upper surface of the device or on the kangaroo-type operation portion 4. In addition, a relay may be used for turning on and off the power supply. The power switch 4a may cut off the main power supply line or the control power supply. When the power supply is turned off by the power switch 4a, all of the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg are in the inoperable state.

In order to notify the user of which functions the device has, a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) after the power is turned on by the power switch 4a, all the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg are lighted with a certain color as shown in fig. 5A (actually, the light guide plate 7 under the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg is lighted, but the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg themselves appear to be lighted, and thus the description is made). The emission colors of the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg in this case may be any color, may all be the same color, may all be different colors, and may all emit red light, for example.

After the predetermined time, the heating cooker shifts to the locked state, and the light emission control section 8 turns on only the lock release key 5gg (continuously lights or blinks) as shown in fig. 5B. At this time, only the lock release key 5gg can be used. The emission color of the electrostatic touch key 5gg at this time may be any color, for example, red.

At this time, only the lock release key 5gg emits light, and the user can see only the lock release key 5 gg. Therefore, the user knows that only the lock release key 5gg can be operated and does not see any keys other than the lock release key 5gg, nor does the user know that the keys exist, and as a result, the user cannot operate the keys other than the lock release key 5gg, and cannot erroneously operate the keys.

Instead of lighting only the lock release key 5gg that is the operable operation portion and lighting off the other keys that are not operable, the lock release key 5gg that is the operable operation portion may be lighted in the 1 st luminescent color (for example, red) and the other keys that are not operable may be lighted in the 2 nd luminescent color (for example, green), which is the other luminescent color, to make the operable operation portion conspicuous. Since the operable key is visually distinguished from the inoperable key, the inoperable key can be prevented from being erroneously operated.

When the user operates the lock release key 5gg, the operation detection unit 6 detects the operation of the lock release key 5gg and notifies the light emission control unit 8 that the lock release key 5gg has been operated.

When the lock release key 5gg is pressed from the locked state, the light emission control unit 8 is in the unlocked state, and determines that only the frying start key 5cc and the heating start key 5ff can be operated based on the operation guidance information stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the light emission control section 8 controls the light guide plate 7 to be in the state of fig. 5C, that is: lock release key 5gg is turned off, and light guide plate 7 of fry start key 5cc and heat start key 5ff is turned on (continuously turned on or blinked). When either one of the deep-fry start key 5cc and the heating start key 5ff is operated, the heating unit 1 using the heating coil starts the heating operation so as to perform the functions assigned to the respective keys. For example, when the heating start key 5ff is operated, the light guide plate 7 of the timer cancel key 5aa, the timer setting key 5bb, the heating power reduction key 5dd, and the heating power increase key 5ee is selected and lit as the electrostatic touch key 5 necessary for the detailed setting (output setting, timer setting, and the like) of the heating function which is the electrostatic touch key 5 operable next, and the light guide plate 7 of the heating start key 55f and the frying start key 5cc which are inoperable after the detailed setting of the heating function is selected is not necessary.

In this way, when detecting that the operable electrostatic touch key 5 has been operated, the light emission control unit 8 turns off the light guide plate 7 of the inoperable electrostatic touch key 5 and causes the light guide plate 7 of the next operable electrostatic touch key 5 to emit light, whereby only the electrostatic touch key 5 necessary for the next operation is displayed each time the electrostatic touch key 5 is operated, and therefore, the electrostatic touch key 5 necessary for the operation can be easily found.

The number of the electrostatic touch keys 5 for lighting the light guide plate 7 after unlocking is not limited to 2, as described above, and at least one of them may be used.

Since the operation command is received by pressing the key display units 5c and 5d of the electrostatic touch key 5 to emit light, the key display units 5c and 5d can be blinked when the operation command is received. Since the user can visually confirm that the input operation is accepted, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary operation in which the same operation is performed a plurality of times when the acceptance of the input operation cannot be confirmed.

At this time, one of the operable 2 keys (the frying start key 5cc and the heating start key 5ff) has a high frequency of use and a high priority. Therefore, the heating start key 5ff having the highest priority is made to emit light in a more prominent color, i.e., red, and the frying start key 5cc having the lowest priority is made to emit light in a less prominent color, i.e., white.

Then, the user operates the lock release key 5gg that is turned on in the first locked state, and then, when the lock is released, the user can understand the operable key by looking at the top surface operating unit 3 in order to operate the fry start key 5cc and the heat start key 5ff that appear, and thus, the user does not need to operate the key while looking at the operation manual. Further, since only the operable electrostatic touch key 5 is lighted on, there is no erroneous operation of operating another invalid key.

Further, since the electrostatic touch key 5 having a higher priority order emits light in a more prominent emission color different from the emission color of the electrostatic touch key 5 having a lower priority order, the operation guidance can be more clearly and conveniently performed, and the user can smoothly perform the operation.

Further, since the key display portion includes the area display portion 5d formed in a frame shape and showing the operation range of the electrostatic touch key, the operation range of the electrostatic touch key 5 is exposed when the light guide plate 7 emits light, and the user can clearly recognize the range. Further, since the electrode portion 5b inside the area display portion 5d and the electrode portion 5b outside the area display portion 5d are electrically connected by capacitive coupling, even if a high-frequency voltage is applied from the operation detection portion 6 to the electrode portion 5b outside the area display portion 5d, the electrode portion 5b inside the area display portion 5d can function as an electrode portion. Further, by forming a conductive film by printing, the area display portion 5d can be formed with good appearance. The shape of the area display portion 5d is not limited to a frame shape. For example, the shape may be a ring shape, or may be a broken line shape without using a continuous line.

Since the key display portion includes the function display portion 5c that displays the function assigned to the electrostatic touch key 5, the function display portion 5c that displays the function of the electrostatic touch key 5 is exposed when the light guide plate 7 emits light, and thus the user can clearly recognize the function. When the electrode portion 5b is brought into contact with the top plate 2 above the function display portion 5c, the outer electrode portion 5b and the finger are electrically connected by capacitive coupling, and thus even if the electrode portion is brought into contact with the top of the function display portion 5c, the function as the electrostatic touch key 5 can be obtained. Further, by forming the conductive film of the electrode portion 5b by printing, the function display portion 5c can be formed with good appearance.

Further, since the key display portions 5c and 5d visible to the user are formed in the electrode portion 5b in the punched shape, the user only has to press the visible key display portions 5c and 5d, and the possibility of malfunction is reduced. Further, a display-dedicated planar space for emitting light from the electrostatic touch key 5 is not required around the electrode portion 5 b. Accordingly, when a desired electrostatic touch key is selected from the plurality of electrostatic touch keys 5 and operated, or when a plurality of functions can be executed by performing a common operation on 1 electrostatic touch key 5 in order to reduce the number of electrostatic touch keys 5, the user can easily select the desired electrostatic touch key 5 and operate it without malfunction, thereby improving the convenience of use.

Instead of lighting all the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg for a predetermined time after the power is turned on by the power switch 4a as described above, a predetermined electrostatic touch key, for example, an electrostatic touch key related to a function with high frequency of use or an important function may be selected and displayed.

Further, the configuration may be omitted in which all of the electrostatic touch keys 5aa to 5gg are turned on as described above for a predetermined time after the power is turned on by the power switch 4a, and the state may be shifted to the locked state after another display is performed after the power is turned on, or may be immediately shifted to the locked state.

In embodiment 1 of the present invention, an induction heating cooker as a kind of a heating cooker is explained, that is: the induction heating cooker supplies a high-frequency current to an induction heating coil, and inductively heats an object to be heated by a high-frequency magnetic field. However, the same can be applied to a heating cooker in which: the heating cooker is provided with a top plate on the upper surface, and performs heating cooking by using other heat sources such as gas, halogen, nickel wire, and sheathed heaters.

(embodiment mode 2)

The main appearance and structure of the heating cooker according to embodiment 2 of the present invention are the same as those of fig. 1 to 3, and detailed description thereof will be omitted with reference to fig. 1 to 3 as well.

Fig. 6A is a top view showing a state in which all light guide plates 7 emit light in a part of top surface operation portion 3 of the heating cooker of embodiment 2, fig. 6B is a top view showing a state in which one light guide plate 7 flickers at a predetermined fast cycle (a cycle of 0.5 seconds), and fig. 6C is a top view showing a state in which one light guide plate 7 flickers at a predetermined fast cycle (a cycle of 0.5 seconds) and the other light guide plate 7 flickers at a predetermined slow cycle (a cycle of 1.0 seconds).

Electrostatic touch keys 11aa to 11gg represent electrostatic touch keys 5 corresponding to the respective functions.

In particular, the electrostatic touch key 11gg is an unlock key (hereinafter, also referred to as "unlock key 11 gg") for unlocking a device which is in a locked state and cannot be operated by another key. The electrostatic touch key 11cc is a frying start key (hereinafter also referred to as "frying start key 11 cc") used when frying cooking is started when the locked state is released. The electrostatic touch key 11ff is a heating start key (hereinafter also referred to as "heating start key 11 ff") used when heating other than frying is started in a state where the lock is released. When operated during the frying cooking operation, the fry start key 11cc may also serve as a stop key for stopping the operation. The heating start key 11ff may also serve as a heating stop key for stopping the heating operation during the heating operation.

Fig. 7A is a block diagram of an operation unit of embodiment 2 of the heating cooker of the present invention.

In fig. 7A, the main components of the operation section are: the cooking device includes a storage unit 12 for storing an operation procedure of the cooking device, a sound generation unit 13, an electrostatic touch key 14 as an operation unit having an electrode unit 14b pressed by a finger 14a, a guide operation switching unit 15, a heating control unit 16, and a display unit 17.

The electrostatic touch key 14 forms a capacitor by an electrode portion 14b and a finger 14a positioned on a surface of the top plate 2 on which an object (not shown) is placed, with the top plate 2 interposed therebetween, and the electrode portion 14b is positioned on a surface of the top plate 2 facing the surface on which the object (not shown) is placed. A high-frequency voltage is applied to the electrode portion 14 b.

When the finger 14a comes into contact with the upper surface of the top plate 2 above the electrode portion 14b, the operation detection portion 6 bypasses the high-frequency current to the ground through the top plate 2 and the finger 14a by an oscillation circuit (not shown), detects that the voltage drop occurring in the electrode portion 14b due to the decrease in the impedance between the electrode portion 14b and the common potential of the oscillation circuit is not less than a predetermined level, and detects that the operation is performed.

In the deep-fry start key 11cc and the heat start key 11ff, the heat start key 11ff is used frequently, and the operation guidance of the heat start key 11ff is prioritized. The storage unit 12 stores, in advance, information including: in each state, which key can be operated, and in the case where a plurality of keys can be operated, which key is frequently used and is preferentially provided.

In the heating cooker, in the locked state shown in fig. 6B, when the light emission control unit 8 receives from the storage unit 12 that the operable key is the lock release key 11gg, the light emission of the light guide plate 7 is controlled so that only the lock release key 11gg blinks at a cycle of 0.5 s. Then, the light emission control section 8 issues a message generation instruction to the sound generation section 13 to prompt the user to operate, and the sound generation section 13 generates a message.

In this case, as shown in fig. 6A, all the electrostatic touch keys are turned on for a certain period of time in order to notify the user of which functions the device has. However, not limited to this embodiment, all the electrostatic touch keys may be unlit.

When the user operates the lock release key 11gg, the operation detection unit 6 detects the operation of the lock release key 11gg and notifies the light emission control unit 8 that the lock release key 11gg is operated. When the lock release key 11gg is pressed from the locked state, the light emission control unit 8 is in the unlocked state, determines that only the frying start key 11cc and the heating start key 11ff can be operated, releases the blinking state of the lock release key 11gg, and returns to the light-off state. Then, the light emission control unit 8 receives from the storage unit 12: the operable keys are a fry start key 11cc and a heat start key 11ff, wherein the heat start key 11ff is preferentially led. Then, as shown in fig. 6C, the light emission of the light guide plate 7 is controlled so that the flicker is performed by changing the cycle as follows: the fry start key 11cc blinks at a less noticeable cycle of 1.0s, and the heat start key 11ff blinks at a more noticeable cycle of 0.5 s.

Then, the light emission control section 8 issues a message generation instruction to the sound generation section 13 to prompt the user to operate, and the sound generation section 13 generates a message. In addition, the sound generation section 13 is not limited to this embodiment, and may generate a message in combination with the light emission control of the light guide plate 7 in embodiment 1.

The user's gaze is preferentially directed to the more prominent and fast flashing-cycle key. By increasing the blinking cycle of the electrostatic touch key with a high frequency of use, the line of sight can be preferentially guided to the electrostatic touch key with a high frequency of use when viewing the top surface operation unit 3, and the operation can be easily performed. Further, since only the operable electrostatic touch key 11 is lit or blinked, there is no erroneous operation of operating another invalid key.

Further, the user can disable the function of the guiding operation of turning on and off the light guide plate 7 depending on whether the electrostatic touch key 5 is operable or inoperable by operating the guiding operation switching unit 15. In this case, as shown in fig. 6A, all the electrostatic touch keys 5 are still lit regardless of the device state, and the guidance operation is not performed. When the user grasps the function, arrangement, or operation method of the key, the trouble of flickering of the electrostatic touch key 5 can be eliminated without operation guidance.

In the above embodiment, the top plate 2 is made of heat-resistant glass made of crystalline ceramic or the like, but a transparent resin may be used. Instead of forming a printed film on the top plate 2 and coloring it, it is possible to form a half-mirror-processed printed film or a vapor-deposited film on the top plate 2, or to form the color of the electrode portion 5b on the side of the top plate 2 and the color of the light guide plate 7 when the light guide plate 7 is turned off in the same color, so that it is similarly difficult to see the key display portion when the light guide plate 7 is turned off.

As shown in fig. 7B, the non-lighting detection unit 18 may be provided. The light emission control unit 8 includes: a dc power supply (not shown) that supplies a dc voltage VD; a transistor 8c whose emitter is connected to a common potential; a resistor 8b connected in series with the collector of the transistor 8 c; and a driving unit 8a connected to the base of the transistor 8c and driving the transistor 8 b. The operation section light emitter 7c is configured such that an LED 7a as a light source is attached to the light guide plate 7 b. The light guide plate 7b receives light emitted from the LED 7a, and guides and irradiates the light in the direction of the electrode portion 14 b. The anode of the LED 7a is connected to the dc voltage VD of the light emission control unit 8, the cathode of the LED 7a is connected to a series circuit of the resistor 8b and the transistor 8c, and the dc voltage VD is applied to the series circuit of the LED 7a, the resistor 8b, and the transistor 8 c. The non-lighting detection unit 18 receives a voltage at a connection point between the cathode of the LED 7a and the resistor 8b, and a drive signal from the transistor 8c of the drive unit 8 a. The non-lighting detection unit 18 outputs a signal to the display unit 17 formed of an LCD or an LED, and the detection result is displayed on the display unit 17. The non-lighting detection unit 18 outputs a signal to the heating control unit 16 to control the heating operation of the heating unit 1.

In the above configuration, the non-lighting detection section 18 monitors whether or not the driving section 8a is driving the transistor 8 c. It is determined whether the potential of the emitter of the LED 7a during driving by the driving unit 8a is at a low (Lo) level (substantially common potential) or at a high (Hi) level (potential obtained by subtracting the forward voltage of the LED 7a from the potential of the dc voltage VD). The non-lighting detection unit 18 can determine that the LED 7a is off and not lighting by detecting that the potential of the emitter of the LED 7a is at a low (Lo) level (substantially common potential) during driving by the driving unit 8 a. The non-lighting detection unit 18 detects that the potential of the emitter of the LED 7a is the potential of the dc voltage VD during driving of the driving unit 8a, and can determine that the LED 7a is short-circuited and not lighting.

As described above, since the unlighted detection unit 18 is provided, when the unlighted detection unit 18 detects that the LED 7a constituting the operation unit light emitter 8 is disconnected or short-circuited and the LED 7a and the light guide plate 7b are unlighted, an error is displayed on the display unit 17, and the user is notified of the disconnection or unlighting of the electrostatic touch key 5, thereby preventing the user from being confused. Further, when the LED 7a is turned off and the LED 7a and the light guide plate 7b are not lit, the heating control unit 16 for controlling the heating operation of the heating unit 1 is limited to output a stop signal to stop the heating or to reduce the heating output, thereby preventing the heating operation from being started or dangerous situations from occurring during the unintentional heating operation due to the user inadvertently touching the electrostatic touch key 5.

Further, the configurations described in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 may be used in appropriate combinations as needed.

Industrial applicability

The operation portion of the heating cooker of the present invention is particularly useful for an induction heating cooker having a top plate on the upper surface, but can also be used as an operation portion of other heating cookers having a heat source such as gas or halogen. When the device is used for a device requiring a complicated operation or a device in which the number of switches is limited, a user can know which operation can be performed next without looking at a product use specification, and thus can perform a smooth operation. Further, since the switch that can be used is distinguished from the switches that cannot be used except for the switch that can be used by the user by the emission color, it is possible to reduce the number of erroneous operations. Further, the switch is not generally visible, and the switch appears only when in use, thereby improving the design of the operation portion.

Claims (3)

1. A heating cooker comprising:

a top plate provided on an upper surface of the apparatus and having light transmittance; a heating section formed on the top plate; an electrostatic touch key having an electrode portion formed of a light-shielding conductive film and formed with a die-cut shape in which a part of the conductive film is removed to transmit light, the electrode portion being provided on a back surface of the top plate and instructing execution of an assigned function; an operation detection unit that applies an alternating-current signal to the electrode unit and detects a change in electrostatic capacitance of the electrode unit with respect to the ground, which is caused by a contact with a portion of the top plate that faces the electrode unit; an operation portion light emitter that irradiates light toward the electrode portion from a direction opposite to the top plate; and a light emission control unit that controls light emission so that the operating unit light emitter is turned on to make the shape of the electrode unit visible through the top plate and so that the operating unit light emitter is turned off to make it difficult to see the shape of the electrode unit,

after the power is turned on, causing the heating cooker to shift to a locked state in which only an operation prohibition release key of the electrostatic touch keys is operable, and causing the light emission control unit to light only the operation portion light emitter of the operation prohibition release key in the locked state, and causing the light emission control unit to light the operation portion light emitter of the operation prohibition touch key when the operation prohibition release key is subsequently operated to shift the heating cooker to a state in which at least one electrostatic touch key other than the operation prohibition release key is operable,

the light emission control unit includes a non-lighting detection unit for detecting disconnection of a light source of the operation unit light emitting body, and a display unit for displaying an error on the display unit and notifying a user of non-lighting when the non-lighting detection unit detects that the operation unit light emitting body is not lit.

2. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the light emission control unit turns off the operation unit light emitter of the inoperable electrostatic touch key and turns on the operation unit light emitter of the operable electrostatic touch key when it is detected that the operable electrostatic touch key is operated.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a storage unit in which operation steps are stored, the light emission control unit controlling light emission of the operation unit light emitter according to the operation steps stored in the storage unit.