Induction heating cooking device with cooking container fitness confirmation function

Abstract

An induction heating cooking apparatus having a cooking container fitness confirmation function includes: a rectification unit; an inverter circuit that converts a DC voltage supplied from the rectifier unit into an AC voltage and applies the AC voltage to the operating coil by switching operation of a switching element that is turned on and off in accordance with a switching signal; the working coil forms an induced magnetic field through alternating current; a switching element control unit that generates a switching signal on the basis of the control signal output from the inverter control unit; a voltage measurement unit that measures an input voltage value of the input power supply; an inverter control unit that, when receiving a control command including fitness confirmation, limits a current value of the working coil in consideration of an input voltage value, generates a control signal, and executes a fitness confirmation function; an input unit that applies a selection input to the fitness confirmation input button to the main control unit; and a main control unit that applies a control command including fitness confirmation corresponding to the selection input to the inverter control unit, receives a factor related to the cooking container efficiency index, and calculates the cooking container efficiency index.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an induction heating cooking device, and more particularly, to an induction heating cooking device having a cooking container suitability confirmation function, which is capable of not only simplifying a user's function selection action but also providing more accurate suitability. BACKGROUND

[0002] An induction heating device is a device that heats a cooking container using an eddy current generated in a magnetic container using a magnetic field generated around a work coil when a high-frequency power of a predetermined size is applied to the work coil.

[0003] Only when an eddy current is formed in the container by the magnetic field formed by the work coil, the cooking container can be heated, and thus the type of the cooking container used in the induction heating device is limited. For example, an iron frying pan, an iron soup pot, an enamel soup pot, etc. can be used, but in the case of a stainless steel product, the fire can be weakened depending on the container. In addition, a cooking container made of aluminum or heat-resistant glass, copper, pottery, etc. is not usable.

[0004] A user who wants to heat a cooking container using the induction heating device sets a fire to be supplied to the cooking container, i.e., an output level. Thereby, the induction heating device drives the work coil based on a target output value corresponding to the output level set by the user.

[0005] However, depending on the characteristics of the cooking container to be heated, such as the size, shape, and material of the container, the energy generated by the work coil cannot be transmitted to the cooking container as it is. Therefore, a difference occurs between the target output value set by the user and the actual output value of the work coil generated by the driving of the work coil.

[0006] The user cannot directly confirm the characteristics of the cooking container, and thus the conventional induction heating device provides a function capable of confirming the suitability of the cooking container for induction heating. However, in order to confirm the suitability of the cooking container, a plurality of buttons need to be selected and / or simultaneously input, etc. at the input part, and thus the use is inconvenient.

[0007] In addition, the conventional induction heating device confirms the suitability of the cooking container only considering the case where the applied voltage from the outside is a preset fixed voltage (for example, a rated voltage of 220V), and thus in the case where the applied voltage is different from the preset fixed voltage, there is a problem that the accuracy of the suitability of the cooking container decreases.

[0008] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0009] PATENT DOCUMENT

[0010] Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2020-0098098 (Published on August 20, 2020) SUMMARY

[0011] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an induction heating cooking device having a cooking vessel suitability confirmation function, which is provided with a suitability confirmation button to enable a user's function selection action to be simplified and to calculate a cooking vessel suitability in consideration of the magnitude of an input voltage value, thereby providing a more accurate suitability.

[0013] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0014] The induction heating cooking device having a cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to the present invention includes a rectifier portion that receives an input power and performs rectification to supply a direct current voltage to an inverter circuit, the inverter circuit that converts the direct current voltage supplied from the rectifier portion into an alternating current voltage through switching actions of at least one switching element and applies the alternating current voltage to a work coil, the switching element being turned on and off according to at least one switching signal applied from an inverter control portion, the work coil that is located at a lower side of a cooktop of an upper plate and forms an induction magnetic field through an alternating current applied from the inverter circuit, a switching element control portion that generates the at least one switching signal according to a control signal output from the inverter control portion and applies the at least one switching signal to the inverter circuit, a voltage measurement portion that is electrically connected between the input power and the rectifier portion, measures an input voltage value of the input power, and applies the measured input voltage value to the inverter control portion, the inverter control portion that generates the control signal according to a control command from a main control portion and applies the control signal to the switching element control portion to control the switching element control portion to drive the work coil to form the induction magnetic field, when a control command including suitability confirmation is received from the main control portion, limits a current value flowing in the work coil to generate the control signal for driving the work coil in consideration of the input voltage value from the voltage measurement portion and applies the control signal to the switching element control portion, and performs a suitability confirmation function of applying a factor related to a cooking vessel efficiency index to the main control portion, an input portion that is located at an upper side or a lower side of the upper plate, is provided with a suitability confirmation input button, and applies a selection input of the suitability confirmation input button to the main control portion, and the main control portion that applies a control command including suitability confirmation corresponding to the selection input from the input portion to the inverter control portion, and calculates the cooking vessel efficiency index from a factor related to the cooking vessel efficiency index received from the inverter control portion.

[0015] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present application has the effect of providing a cooking container suitability confirmation function-equipped induction heating cooking appliance that not only simplifies the user's function selection action but also accurately calculates a cooking container efficiency index or suitability index in consideration of the magnitude of the input voltage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an induction heating cooking appliance having a cooking container suitability confirmation function according to the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a graph of a relationship between an input voltage value and a current value obtained according to the characteristics of a cooking container.

[0019] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a control sequence diagram of an induction heating cooking appliance according to the present application. Figure 1

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] 9: Switching element control part 10: Inverter control part DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The induction heating cooking appliance having a cooking container suitability confirmation function according to the present application has a mechanical structure including a main body in which a receiving space is formed and an upper plate covering the upper side of the receiving space.

[0024] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of an induction heating cooking appliance having a cooking container suitability confirmation function according to the present application.

[0025] ​The induction heating cooking device includes a rectifier section 5 that receives an external AC power source, i.e., an input power source 1, performs rectification, and supplies a DC voltage to an inverter circuit 7; the inverter circuit 7 that converts the DC voltage supplied from the rectifier section 5 into an AC voltage through the switching actions of first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2, respectively, and applies the AC voltage to a work coil WC, the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 being turned on and off in accordance with first and second switching signals CS1 and CS2 applied from a switching element control section 9, respectively; the work coil WC that is located below a burner of an upper plate, forms an induction magnetic field through an AC current applied by the inverter circuit 7; the switching element control section 9 that generates the first and second switching signals CS1 and CS2 in accordance with a control signal output from an inverter control section 10 and applies the first and second switching signals CS1 and CS2 to the inverter circuit 7; the inverter control section 10 that controls the switching element control section 9 in accordance with a control command (e.g., a selected burner, an output level, a fitness confirmation, etc.) from a main control section 30 to drive the work coil WC to form an induction magnetic field, and performs a fitness confirmation function of applying a preset target output value or a corrected target output value for calculating an efficiency index or a fitness index of a cooking vessel placed on the burner of the upper plate and an actual output value to the main control section 30 in consideration of the magnitude of an input voltage value from a voltage measurement section 11; the voltage measurement section 11 that is electrically connected between the input power source 1 and the rectifier section 5, measures the input voltage value of the input power source 1, and applies the measured input voltage value to the inverter control section 10; a current measurement section 13 that measures a current flowing between the work coil WC and the inverter circuit 7, and applies the measured current value to the inverter control section 10; an input section 17 that is located on the upper side or the lower side of the upper plate, obtains a selection input (e.g., a fitness confirmation input, an output level selection, a burner selection, a power on / off selection, etc.) from a user to apply to the main control section 30; a display section 19 that is located on the upper side or the lower side of the upper plate, visually or aurally displays information from the main control section 30; and the main control section 30, etc. The main control section 30 applies a control command to the inverter control section 10 to drive the work coil WC in accordance with a selection input from the input section 17, receives an actual output value and a preset target output value, etc. from the inverter control section 10 to calculate a cooking vessel efficiency index or a fitness index, and visually or aurally displays the same through the display section 19. The rectifier section 5, the inverter circuit 7, the switching element control section 9, the inverter control section 10, the voltage measurement section 11, the current measurement section 13, and the main control section 30 are installed in a receiving space of a main body. In Figure 1 In the control block diagram, a power source section (not shown) that receives the input power source 1 to supply an operating power source to the inverter control section 10 and the main control section 30, etc. is provided, but this is a technology well known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0026] The rectifying section 5 includes a rectifying circuit 3 including a bridge diode composed of one or more diodes or the like for performing a rectifying action, an inductor LI connected in series with the rectifying circuit 3 to remove a ripple component remaining in a voltage output from the rectifying circuit 3, and a first capacitor CI connected in parallel with the rectifying circuit 3 and smoothing a voltage output from the inductor LI to generate a direct current voltage.

[0027] The inverter circuit 7 includes a first switching element IGBT1 and a second switching element IGBT2 for performing a switching action. The first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2 are turned on and off complementarily to each other by a first switching signal CS1 and a second switching signal CS2 applied by a switching element control section 9. The turning on and off action of such first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2, respectively, is referred to as a switching action. To the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 of the inverter circuit 7, a respective second capacitor C2 and a third capacitor C3 corresponding thereto are connected in parallel, respectively. As another embodiment, the inverter circuit 7 can be configured to include only one switching element, in which case the switching element control section 9 applies one switching signal to the inverter circuit 7 to control the switching action of the one switching element.

[0028] One end of the working coil WC is connected to a first node between the second capacitor C2 and the third capacitor C3 connected in series with each other, and the other end of the working coil WC is connected to a second node between the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2 connected in series with each other.

[0029] The switching element control section 9 generates the first switching signal CS1 and the second switching signal CS2 to be applied to the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2, respectively, in accordance with a control signal applied from an inverter control section 10. The number of times of turning on and off of the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2 in a unit time, i.e., the frequency of action of the inverter circuit 7, varies in accordance with the control signal applied from the inverter control section 10, in accordance with the first switching signal CS1 and the second switching signal CS2 generated to be applied by the switching element control section 9.

[0030] The voltage measuring section 11 is connected in parallel to the input power source 1 and the rectifying circuit 3, respectively, to measure an input voltage value of an alternating current power source, i.e., the input power source, and to apply the measured input voltage value to the inverter control section 10.

[0031] The current measuring section 13 is connected between the first node and the work coil WC or between the second node and the work coil WC, and measures the current flowing in the work coil WC when the work coil WC is driven and applies the measured current value to the inverter control section 10.

[0032] The inverter control section 10 generally generates a control signal corresponding to a control command (for example, including a selected cooktop, an output level, and the like) applied from the main control section 30 and applies it to the switching element control section 9 to control the inverter circuit 7 to drive the work coil WC, thereby performing a heating action on the cooking vessel. That is, the inverter control section 10 controls to perform a heating action in accordance with a control command corresponding to a selection input from the input section 17.

[0033] In addition, the inverter control section 10 performs a suitability confirmation function for a cooking vessel placed in a cooktop by a user when the work coil WC is not driven. As for a general suitability confirmation function, after the inverter control section 10 receives a control command including a suitability confirmation selection from the main control section 30, it applies a control signal corresponding to a preset target output value to the switching element control section 9, and the switching element control section 9 causes the inverter circuit 7 to perform a switching action, thereby causing the work coil WC to generate an induced magnetic field during a preset driving time (for example, 10 seconds). Also, the inverter control section 10 receives the current flowing in the work coil WC through the current measuring section 13, and calculates an actual output value using a fixed input voltage value (for example, a rated voltage of 220 V) of the input power source 1 and the received current. The inverter control section 10 applies the preset target output value and the actual output value to the main control section 30, and the main control section 30 calculates a cooking vessel efficiency index using Mathematical Formula 1.

[0034] [ Mathematical Formula 1 ]

[0035]

[0036] The main control section 30 can either cause the calculated cooking vessel efficiency index to be displayed on the display section 19, or calculate a suitability index corresponding to the calculated cooking vessel efficiency index to make it easier for the user to understand the characteristics of the cooking vessel. The main control section 30, for example, multiplies the calculated cooking vessel efficiency index by 10 and rounds off the decimal places to calculate a suitability index of the cooking vessel.

[0037] In addition, the main control section 30 displays the calculated suitability index of the cooking vessel visually or aurally through the display section 19, and can also perform a prompt regarding the characteristics of the cooking vessel visually or aurally through the display section 19 as in Table 1 below.

[0038] [ Table 1 ]

[0039] Cooking vessel suitability index Voice prompt 0 The vessel is not usable. 1～7 The vessel is usable, but the heat can be slightly weak. 8～10 The vessel is suitable for use.

[0040] As shown in Table 1, the main control section 30 displays a prompt of contents different from each other visually or aurally through the display section 19 according to the magnitude of the cooking vessel fitness index.

[0041] As described above, the inverter control section 10 calculates the actual output value assuming that the magnitude of the input voltage value of the input power source 1 is fixed to a constant value, and the external power source, i.e., the input power source 1 applied to the induction heating cooking device differs from the rated voltage 220 V in general according to various factors such as the region where it is set.

[0042] First, a case where the input voltage value of the input power source 1 is less than a first reference range (for example, 212 to 224 V) including the rated voltage 220 V and a case where it exceeds the first reference range are described.

[0043] In the case where the input voltage value of the input power source 1 is less than the first reference range, the inverter control section 10 increases the turn-on time of each of the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 in order to increase the output of the work coil WC to the target output value, and thus applies a control signal for increasing the current value flowing in each of the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 to the switching element control section 9. However, in the case where the current value flowing in each of the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 is excessively increased, a problem such as a component damage or a fire caused by a component heating and an overcurrent can occur. In order to prevent such a problem, the inverter control section 10 controls the switching element control section 9 so that the current value flowing in each of the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 becomes within a preset current limit value, and by such control, the actual output value of the work coil WC becomes small, and the calculated cooking vessel efficiency index is less than the actual index. The cooking vessel efficiency index thus calculated has a problem that it cannot accurately indicate the characteristics of the cooking vessel.

[0044] In addition, in the case where the input voltage value of the input power source 1 exceeds the first reference range, the current value flowing in each of the first and second switching elements IGBT1 and IGBT2 is the same, but as the input voltage value becomes high, the actual output value on the work coil WC is increased, and the calculated cooking vessel efficiency index can be higher than the actual index. The cooking vessel efficiency index thus calculated has a problem that it cannot accurately indicate the characteristics of the cooking vessel.

[0045] The following Figure 2input voltage value and current value of the input power source 1 and a method for solving problems occurring when the input voltage value of the input power source 1 is less than a first reference range including a rated voltage 220 V and exceeds the first reference range, i.e., a method for improving accuracy of a cooking vessel efficiency index according to magnitude of the input voltage value and a current limit value.

[0046] Figure 2 is a graph of a relationship between the input voltage value and the current value obtained according to characteristics of the cooking vessel. Here, the first cooking vessel is a cooking vessel suitable for induction heating, and the second cooking vessel is a cooking vessel unsuitable for induction heating. The current value graph obtained according to variation of the input voltage value is an experimental value measured when the first cooking vessel and the second cooking vessel are respectively placed on a cooktop.

[0047] In (a) of FIG. 1, Figure 2 In (a) of FIG. 1, Figure 2 In (b) of FIG. 1,

[0048] As shown in (a) of FIG. 1, Figure 2 The fixed magnitude current limit value I_S is set to a value greater than the current value of the current graph G1 obtained according to variation of the input voltage value of the first cooking vessel with respect to the entire input voltage, but is greater than the current value of the current graph G2 obtained according to variation of the input voltage value of the second cooking vessel in the first voltage region Z1 and the second voltage region Z2. The fixed magnitude current limit value I_S is below the current value of the current graph G2 obtained according to variation of the input voltage value of the second cooking vessel in a voltage region (third voltage region Z3) between the first voltage region Z1 and the second voltage region Z2. The input voltage of the first voltage region Z1 is less than the lowest value of the first reference range, and the input voltage of the second voltage region Z2 is greater than the highest value of the first reference range.

[0049] As shown in (b) of FIG. 1, Figure 2As shown in (b), in the case where the inverter control section 10 limits the current value flowing in the work coil WC using a current limit value (for example, 24 A) having a fixed size, the current limit value is limited in accordance with the current graph G2_1 obtained according to the change in the input voltage value of the second cooking vessel. More specifically, in the case where the input voltage value is included in the third voltage region Z3, the current values flowing in the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2, respectively, during heating of the second cooking vessel are limited to be within the current limit value, so that the output value cannot be increased or the degree of increase is very small. However, in the first voltage region Z1 and the second voltage region Z2, even if the current values flowing in the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2, respectively, during heating of the second cooking vessel are limited to be within the current limit value, the input voltage value can be relatively greatly increased, so that the actual output value is increased, thereby causing a problem in that the cooking vessel efficiency index is increased. In the present embodiment, the minimum input voltage value of the third voltage region Z3 is smaller than the minimum value of the first reference range, and the maximum input voltage value of the third voltage region Z3 is larger than the maximum value of the first reference range.

[0050] In Figure 2 In (c), the current graph G1 obtained according to the change in the input voltage value of the first cooking vessel, the current graph G2 obtained according to the change in the input voltage value of the second cooking vessel, and the current limit value graph I_C having a variable size are shown.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the current limit value is not a fixed value for the entire range of the input voltage value, but is set to have different current values according to the input voltage value. That is, as the input voltage value is changed, the current limit value is also changed. The current limit value graph I_C, for example, includes a current value set to an intermediate value as a value between the current value of the first cooking vessel and the current value of the second cooking vessel obtained according to the input voltage value. The inverter control section 10 stores the current limit value set to be variable. In the present embodiment, in the case where the input voltage value is included in the first reference range, the current limit value is a fixed value, and in the case where the input voltage value is not included in the first reference range, the fixed current limit value is corrected in such a manner that the current limit value corresponding to the input voltage value is selected from among the current limit values set to be variable.

[0052] As Figure 2 As shown in the current limit value graph I_C of (c), the degree of change in the current limit value in the first reference range is relatively much smaller than the degree of change in the current limit value at the input voltage value smaller than the first reference range and the degree of change in the current limit value at the input voltage value larger than the first reference range. Alternatively, the current limit value in the first reference range can be a fixed current value.

[0053] In Figure 2 (d), a current graph G1 obtained according to a change in the input voltage value of the first cooking container and a current graph G2_2 obtained according to a change in the input voltage value of the second cooking container, which adopts the current limit value of (c) of the first cooking container, are shown. Figure 2

[0054] The inverter control section 10 stores variable set current limit values, selects a current limit value corresponding to the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section 11 from among the variable set current limit values, or uses a fixed preset current limit value. The inverter control section 10 drives the work coil WC and generates a control signal to be applied to the switching element control section 9 so that the current value from the current measurement section 13 is maintained within the selected current limit value (or the corrected current limit value) or within the fixed preset current limit value.

[0055] By the control action of such an inverter control section 10, as the current graph G2_2 obtained according to a change in the input voltage value of the second cooking container, which adopts the current limit value, and the current limit value graph I_C overlap, in a state in which the second cooking container is placed on the cooktop, even if a current flows in the work coil WC, the inverter control section 10 limits the current value to be within the corrected (i.e., selected) current limit value of (d) or the fixed preset current limit value. That is, in a case in which the input voltage is included in the first reference range, the current value of the second cooking container is limited to be within the fixed preset current limit value, and in a case in which the input voltage is not included in the first reference range, the current value of the second cooking container is limited to be within the corrected (i.e., selected) current limit value, so that the actual output of the second cooking container also cannot be increased. Figure 2

[0056] Next, on the basis of a description of the correction of the current limit value according to the input voltage value (or the magnitude of the input voltage value), a description of the correlation between the input voltage value and the target output value is also given. The target output value corresponds to a value that is preset in order to perform the suitability confirmation function.

[0057] In order to increase the output to the preset target output value when the input voltage value decreases, the inverter control section 10 can increase the current value flowing in the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2 to increase the actual output value, but when the current value increases, problems such as heating of components and overcurrent occur, so the increase in the current is limited, so there is a case in which the preset target output value cannot be reached when the first cooking container performs a heating action. In such a case, there is a problem in that the efficiency index of the first cooking container is also calculated as a lower index. In consideration of such a point, the inverter control section 10 corrects the preset target output value in consideration of the input voltage value.​​

[0058] In the present embodiment, in a case where the input voltage value is smaller than the first reference value (for example, 215 V), correction that reduces the preset target output value in proportion to the difference between the first reference value and the input voltage value is performed. The inverter control section 10 calculates the corrected target output value using the following mathematical expression 2.

[0059] [mathematical expression 2]

[0060] Corrected target output value = preset target output value - (first reference value - input voltage value) x a

[0061] where a is a preset positive proportional constant.

[0062] As shown in the above mathematical expression 1, the inverter control section 10 performs correction in such a manner that the smaller the input voltage value is than the first reference value, the smaller the corrected target output value is in proportion thereto.

[0063] In addition, the inverter control section 10 calculates the cooking vessel efficiency index so as to reflect the corrected target output value using the following mathematical expression 3.

[0064] [mathematical expression 3]

[0065]

[0066] For example, a case of the A vessel in which the preset target output value is 2100 W, the input voltage is 220 V, and the actual output value is 2000 W, and in which the input voltage is 200 V and the actual output value is 1720 W, will be described. The cooking vessel efficiency index of the A vessel in the case where the input voltage is 220 V is 2000 W / 2100 W, that is, 0.95, and the cooking vessel efficiency index of the A vessel in the case where the input voltage is 200 V is 1720 W / 2100 W, that is, 0.82, and the cooking vessel efficiency index of the same A vessel is calculated as different indices depending on the input voltage. In view of this, in the case where the input voltage is 200 V, the preset target output value is corrected according to the mathematical expression 2 and the corrected target output value is 1800 W, the cooking vessel efficiency index of the A vessel is calculated as 1720 W / 1800 W, that is, 0.95, and thus the cooking vessel efficiency index of the A vessel is calculated as the same index even if the input voltage is different.

[0067] Additionally, the inverter control unit 10 performs a function to confirm whether a cooking container is placed on the burner. The inverter control unit 10 applies a control signal for sensing the cooking container (e.g., causing the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2 to sequentially turn on and off each within a preset time period). Correspondingly, the inverter control unit 9 sequentially turns on and off the first switching element IGBT1 and the second switching element IGBT2. The current measurement unit 13 senses the current flowing in the working coil WC and applies a current value to the inverter control unit 10. If the applied current value is greater than or equal to a preset reference current value (e.g., 0.9A), the inverter control unit 10 determines that a cooking container is placed on the burner; otherwise, it determines that no cooking container is placed on the burner.

[0068] Next, the input unit 17 is configured to include a suitability confirmation input button 17a for enabling the suitability confirmation function of the cooking container, an output level selection button, a burner selection button, a power on / off selection button, etc., and applies the selection input corresponding to the button selected by the user to the main control unit 30.

[0069] Display unit 19 is a unit that receives information from main control unit 30 (e.g., display of the stove performing the suitability confirmation function, cooking container efficiency index or suitability index, etc.) and displays it visually or audibly.

[0070] Next, the main control unit 30 applies control commands (including suitability confirmation, output level, burner selection, etc.) to the inverter control unit 10 based on the selection input from the input unit 17, drives the working coil WC, receives the cooking container efficiency index or suitability index from the inverter control unit 10, and displays it visually or audibly through the display unit 19.

[0071] Figure 3 Through Figure 1 The control sequence diagram executed by the induction heating cooking device is shown. In the initial step, the input power 1 is supplied to the induction heating cooking device, and the inverter control unit 10 and the main control unit 30 are running.

[0072] In step S1, the inverter control unit 10 checks whether it has received a control command from the main control unit 30 that includes a fit confirmation selection input from the fit confirmation button 17a on the input unit 17. If a fit confirmation selection input is received, i.e., a control command including a fit confirmation selection is received, the inverter control unit 10 proceeds to step S3; otherwise, step S1 is executed repeatedly.

[0073] In step S3, the inverter control section 10 confirms whether there is a work coil being driven, that is, whether there is a cooktop being heated. Such confirmation can be performed by various methods such as confirming whether there is an output level selection input by the input section 17, or confirming whether a control signal is applied to the switching element control section 9, or confirming whether a current is applied from the current measurement section 13. When it is confirmed that there is a work coil being driven, the inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S5, and otherwise, it proceeds to step S7.

[0074] In step S5, the inverter control section 10 applies a suitability confirmation function unexecutable prompt to the main control section 30, whereby the main control section 30 displays the suitability confirmation function unexecutable prompt visually or aurally by the display section 19. The suitability confirmation function unexecutable prompt includes, for example, 'The container suitability confirmation function cannot be used while being heated. Please try again after all of the cooktops being used are finished.' and the like. The inverter control section 10 performs step S5 and proceeds to step S1.

[0075] In step S7, the inverter control section 10 confirms whether a cooking container is placed on the cooktop by the above-described method. The inverter control section 10 performs step S7 and proceeds to step S9.

[0076] In step S9, the inverter control section 10 uses the result of the confirmation in step S7 to proceed to step S13, that is, a step of performing the suitability confirmation function on the cooking container placed on the cooktop, when a cooking container is placed on the cooktop, and otherwise, it proceeds to step Sll.

[0077] In step Sll, the inverter control section 10 applies a prompt that there is no cooking container whose suitability needs to be confirmed to the main control section 30, and the main control section 30 displays the prompt that there is no cooking container whose suitability needs to be confirmed visually or aurally by the display section 19, and ends the step.

[0078] Step S13 is a detailed control content of the suitability confirmation function including steps S21 to S35.

[0079] In step S21, the inverter control section 10 receives an input voltage value from the voltage measurement section 11 and confirms the magnitude of the input voltage value. The inverter control section 10 performs step S21 and proceeds to step S23.

[0080] In step S23, the inverter control section 10 determines whether the input voltage value is included in a first reference range. If the input voltage value belongs to the first reference range, the inverter control section 10 uses a fixed current limit value in order to limit the current value from the current measurement section 13 and proceeds to step S27, and otherwise, it proceeds to step S25.

[0081] In step S25, the inverter control section 10 selects the current limit value corresponding to the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section 11 among the variable set current limit values as described above, corrects the fixed current limit value to the selected current limit value, and stores the corrected current limit value. That is, the inverter control section 10 uses the corrected current limit value instead of the fixed current limit value for limiting the current value from the current measurement section 13, and the inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S27.

[0082] In step S27, the inverter control section 10 confirms whether the input voltage value is less than the first reference value. If the input voltage value is less than the first reference value, the inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S29, otherwise, it proceeds to step S31.

[0083] In step S29, the inverter control section 10 corrects the target output value using the above-described mathematical expression 2, and stores the corrected target output value. The inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S31 after executing step S29.

[0084] In step S31, the inverter control section 10 generates the control signal to be applied to the switching element control section 9 in a manner close to or corresponding to the preset target output value or the corrected target output value. However, the applied control signal is generated by the inverter control section 10 giving priority to limiting the current value from the current measurement section 13 within the fixed current limit value or the corrected current limit value, and depending on the situation, the applied control signal can correspond to an output value lower than the preset target output value or the corrected target output value. The inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S33 after executing step S31.

[0085] In step S33, the inverter control section 10 executes step S31 during the preset driving time, calculates the actual output value, and applies the preset target output value or the corrected target output value and the calculated actual output value to the main control section 30, which calculates the cooking vessel efficiency index using the above-described mathematical expression 1 or mathematical expression 3. In the present application, the calculated actual output value and the preset target output value or the corrected target output value are referred to as factors related to the cooking vessel efficiency index. The inverter control section 10 proceeds to step S35 after executing step S33.

[0086] In step S35, the main control section 30 displays the cooking vessel efficiency index on the display section 19 in a visual or audible manner, or calculates the cooking vessel fitness index corresponding to the cooking vessel efficiency index and displays it on the display section 19 in a visual or audible manner together with the voice prompt in Table 1. The main control section 30 ends after executing step S35.

[0087] In the case of entering step S5 from step S3 and in the case of entering step Sll from step S9, the inverter control section 10 does not perform the suitability confirmation function of step S13.

[0088] This embodiment exemplarily illustrates the case where the number of the cooktops corresponding to the work coils WC is one. As another embodiment, the induction heating cooking apparatus can be provided with a plurality of cooktops, in which case it is configured to include a plurality of work coils corresponding to the plurality of cooktops respectively, a plurality of inverter circuits including IGBTs for the plurality of work coils, a plurality of switch element control sections for the plurality of inverter circuits, a plurality of current measurement sections connected to the plurality of work coils respectively, and the like. In addition, the display section 19 displays the plurality of container efficiency indexes corresponding to the respective cooktops or the suitability indexes of the cooking containers corresponding to the plurality of container efficiency indexes respectively adjacent to the respective cooktops. Such a configuration belongs to the technology known to those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0089] Next, another embodiment regarding the control sequence in the case where the induction heating cooking apparatus is provided with a plurality of cooktops will be described. Figure 3

[0090] First, in the above step S3, the inverter control section 10 enters step S5 even in the case where at least one work coil corresponding to a cooktop is being driven, and enters step S7 only in the case where all the work coils are not being driven.

[0091] In addition, in the above step S7, the inverter control section 10 sequentially confirms whether a cooking container is placed on each work coil corresponding to each cooktop in a predetermined order.

[0092] In addition, in the above step S9, the inverter control section 10 enters step S13 in the case where a cooking container is placed on at least one cooktop, and enters step Sll in the case where no cooking container is placed on all the cooktops.

[0093] In addition, in the case of entering the above step S13, in the case where a cooking container is placed on a single cooktop, the inverter control section 10 performs the suitability confirmation function on the work coil of the cooktop. In addition, in the case where cooking containers are placed on a plurality of cooktops respectively, the inverter control section 10 sequentially performs step S13 on each work coil corresponding to the plurality of cooktops according to a predetermined execution order. According to such sequential execution, the main control section 30 displays the cooking container efficiency index or the suitability index related to each cooking container placed on each cooktop on which step S13 is executed, in a visual or audible manner through the display section 19 during a predetermined time period or during a period in which the suitability confirmation function is executed.

[0094] ​As described above, the present application is not limited to the above-described specific preferred embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present application, and such modifications are within the scope of the present application as recited in the claims.

Claims

1. An inductive heating cooking apparatus having a cooking vessel fitness confirmation function, comprising: a main body formed with a receiving space; and an upper plate covering the upper side of the receiving space, The inductive heating cooking device according to claim 1, wherein a rectifier section receiving an input power and rectifying the input power to supply a direct current voltage to an inverter circuit; the inverter circuit converting the direct current voltage supplied from the rectifier section into an alternating current voltage through switching operation of at least one switching element and applying the alternating current voltage to a work coil, the switching element being turned on and off according to at least one switching signal applied from an inverter control section; the work coil located at the lower side of the cooktop of the upper plate and forming an induction magnetic field through the alternating current supplied from the inverter circuit; a switching element control section generating the at least one switching signal according to a control signal output from the inverter control section and applying the at least one switching signal to the inverter circuit; a voltage measurement section electrically connected between the input power and the rectifier section, measuring an input voltage value of the input power and applying the measured input voltage value to the inverter control section; the inverter control section generating the control signal for driving the work coil and applying the control signal to the switching element control section according to a control command from a main control section to control the switching element control section to drive the work coil to form the induction magnetic field, when receiving the control command including fitness confirmation from the main control section, limiting a current value flowing in the work coil considering the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section to generate the control signal for driving the work coil and applying the control signal to the switching element control section, and performing a fitness confirmation function of applying a factor related to a cooking vessel efficiency index to the main control section; an input section located at the upper side or the lower side of the upper plate, having a fitness confirmation input button to apply a selection input of the fitness confirmation input button to the main control section; and the main control section applying the control command including the fitness confirmation corresponding to the selection input from the input section to the inverter control section, and receiving the factor related to the cooking vessel efficiency index from the inverter control section to calculate the cooking vessel efficiency index.

2. The inductive heating cooking device having a cooking vessel fitness confirmation function according to claim 1, wherein when the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section is included in a first reference range, the inverter control section uses a preset current limit value, and when the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section is not included in the first reference range, the preset current limit value is corrected and used.

3. The inductive heating cooking device having a cooking vessel fitness confirmation function according to claim 2, wherein the inverter control section stores variable set current limit values having different current values according to input voltage values, and corrects the preset current limit value in a manner of selecting a current limit value corresponding to the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section among the variable set current limit values.

4. The inductive heating cooking device having a cooking vessel fitness confirmation function according to claim 3, wherein The variable set current limit value is a value between a first current value obtained according to a change in input voltage in a state where a first cooking container suitable for induction heating is placed on the cooktop and a second current value obtained according to a change in input voltage in a state where a second cooking container unsuitable for induction heating is placed on the cooktop.

5. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 4, characterized in that, The variable set current limit value is an intermediate value between the first current value and the second current value.

6. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 2, characterized in that, The induction heating cooking appliance has a current measurement section that measures a current flowing between the work coil and the inverter circuit and applies the measured current value to the inverter control section, The inverter control section controls the switching element control section so that the current value from the current measurement section is limited to within the preset current limit value or the corrected current limit value.

7. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inverter control section applies a control signal corresponding to a target output value preset for executing the suitability confirmation function to the switching element control section, and calculates an actual output value using the current value from the current measurement section and the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section, and applies the preset target output value and the actual output value to the main control section as factors related to the cooking container efficiency index.

8. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inverter control section corrects the preset target output value in consideration of the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section.

9. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 8, characterized in that, In a case where the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section is less than a first reference value, the inverter control section performs correction to reduce the preset target output value.

10. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 9, characterized in that, The inverter control section performs correction to reduce the target output value in such a manner that the smaller the input voltage value from the voltage measurement section is than the first reference value, the smaller the corrected target output value is in proportion thereto.

11. The induction heating cooking appliance having the cooking container suitability confirmation function according to claim 9, characterized in that, The inverter control section corrects the preset target output value using the following mathematical expression, Corrected target output value = Preset target output value - (First reference value - Input voltage value) x α where α is a preset positive proportional constant.

12. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inverter control section applies a control signal corresponding to the corrected target output value to the switching element control section, calculates an actual output value using a current value from the current measuring section and an input voltage value from the voltage measuring section, and applies the corrected target output value and the actual output value as factors related to the cooking vessel efficiency index to the main control section.

13. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to any one of claims 1, 7 and 12, characterized in that, The induction heating cooking apparatus has a display section, The main control section displays the cooking vessel efficiency index visually or aurally through the display section, or calculates a suitability index corresponding to the cooking vessel efficiency index and displays the calculated suitability index visually or aurally through the display section.

14. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 13, characterized in that, The main control section displays a prompt about the characteristics of the cooking vessel visually or aurally through the display section.

15. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inverter control section executes the suitability confirmation function in the absence of a work coil being driven.

16. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inverter control section does not execute the suitability confirmation function in the presence of a work coil being driven before the suitability confirmation function is executed.

17. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 15, characterized in that, The induction heating cooking apparatus has a plurality of cooktops and a plurality of work coils corresponding to the plurality of cooktops, The inverter control section executes the suitability confirmation function in the absence of all work coils being driven.

18. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inverter control section confirms whether a cooking vessel is placed on the cooktop, and executes the suitability confirmation function for the work coil only in the case where a cooking vessel is placed on the cooktop.

19. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 18, characterized in that, The induction heating cooking apparatus has a plurality of cooktops and a plurality of work coils corresponding to the plurality of cooktops, The inverter control section confirms whether a cooking vessel is placed on each of the plurality of cooktops, and executes the suitability confirmation function for the work coil of the cooktop on which the cooking vessel is placed.

20. The induction heating cooking apparatus having the cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 19, characterized in that, In a case where a plurality of the cooking burners are provided, the inverter control section sequentially executes the suitability confirmation function on the respective work coils corresponding to the plurality of the cooking burners in accordance with a predetermined execution order.

21. The induction heating cooking apparatus having a cooking vessel suitability confirmation function according to claim 20, characterized in that, The induction heating cooking apparatus has a display section, The main control section displays the cooking vessel efficiency index or the suitability index related to each of the cooking vessels placed on each of the cooking burners on which the suitability confirmation function is executed, visually or aurally, through the display section during a predetermined time period or during a period in which the suitability confirmation function is executed.

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