INDUCTION HOB

Abstract

An induction hob with improved usability will be provided. An induction cooktop comprises: a primary heating unit with a first and a second coil unit; a primary control unit configured to receive user input regarding the primary heating unit; a control unit configured to control the heating process of the primary heating unit; and a power switch. The control unit is configured to heat an object, either by simultaneously applying a high-frequency current to both the primary and second coil units, or by selectively applying a high-frequency current to one of the primary and one of the second coil units. The control unit can be operated in a mode selected from several modes, each differing in its initial action after being switched on.An automatic selection mode from the multiple modes is a mode in which, after switching on, the control unit pre-selects at least one of the first and second coil units and in which, when the first control unit receives an actuation of a heating start button, the control unit provides a control to apply the high frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an induction cooker. State of the art

[0002] Conventionally, an induction cooker is known which has a plurality of heating coils over which one or more cooking vessels can be placed.

[0003] For example, the induction cooker described in JP-A-2009-218106 has two or more heating coils and can heat an object to be heated using the heating coils. Once switched on, the induction cooker allows a plurality of heating units to sequentially emit light from their outer edges.

[0004] This allows the user to identify the type (size and position) of the heating units before heating up.

[0005] In cases where multiple heating units, i.e., multiple heating zones, can be selected, the user must select the zone(s) they wish to use and perform an action to start heating. This means that the user cannot start heating without performing the operation several times after powering on. In some cases, the user may find this inconvenient, and the induction cooker of JP-A-2009-218106 still leaves room for improvement in terms of usability. SUMMARY

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an induction cooker with improved operability.

[0007] An induction cooker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first heating unit having a first coil unit and a second coil unit; a cover plate covering the first heating unit; a first operation unit that receives user operation with respect to the first heating unit; a controller that controls the heating operation of the first heating unit; and a power switch for turning on the power. The controller is configured to heat an object to be heated either with a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is simultaneously applied to the first coil unit and the second coil unit, or with a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is selectively applied to one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit. The first operation unit has a heating start button for starting heating of the object to be heated with the first heating unit.The control unit can operate in a mode selected from a plurality of modes that differ in the initial action after power-on. An automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode in which, after power-on, the control unit preselects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and in which, when the first operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button, the control unit provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, an induction cooker with improved operability can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction cooker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; the Fig. 2 is a diagram showing details and connection relationships among the heating units 4A, 4B and 4C, an operation panel 7, a display panel 8 and a controller 10; the Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing that a left IH control unit 10A, a rear IH control unit 10B, and a right IH control unit 10C control the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C, respectively; the Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a front coil unit 4Af and a rear coil unit 4Ab constituting the left IH heating unit 4A; the Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of a coil part 5 constituting the coil units 4Af and 4Ab; the Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A; the Fig. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A; the Fig. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the induction cooker 1 immediately after power-on when an automatic selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C; the Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of an operation panel 7 and a display panel 8 immediately after pressing a power button 7D; the Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a layout relationship between the left IH heater unit 4A and the rear IH heater unit 4B; the Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of the induction cooker 1 immediately after power-on when a non-selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C; the Fig. Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the control panel 7 and the display panel 8 in the non-selection mode; the Fig. 13A is a diagram showing a transition of display of a state indicator when a range switching key 7A-1 is pressed; the Fig. 13B is a diagram showing a transition of display of a selection indicator in response to pressing the range switching button 7A-1 when the rear IH heating unit 4B performs a heating operation; the Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a left display panel 8A indicating the state of selection of the coil units of the left IH heating unit 4A; the Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the left display panel 8A after selecting the front coil unit 4Af; the Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of display of a rear display panel 8B in the case where the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited; the Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example in which a rear display panel 8B-1 indicates that selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B is not permitted; the Fig. 18A is a flowchart showing an action sequence of the induction cooker 1 having the three heating units 4A to 4C; and the Fig. 18B is one of the Fig. 18A continued flowchart showing an action sequence of the induction cooker 1 depending on the selected coil unit or heating unit. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Induction cookers generally have a round heating element. This type of heating element is ideal for heating round pots. However, non-round pots have recently become increasingly popular, and it's now necessary to heat these pots as well.

[0010] The present inventor(s) develop(s) an induction cooker with an elongated heating unit so that non-circular pots can be heated. The elongated heating unit is advantageous for heating variously shaped pots, such as non-circular pots. However, when heating round pots and the like, the induction cooker can only heat a portion of the elongated heating unit to achieve approximately circular heating. This means that the induction cooker has multiple heating areas that can be selected in a single heating unit.

[0011] When heating an object to be heated with such an induction cooker that has multiple heating zones, the user must select one of the heating zones to start heating. The present inventor(s) thought that if there is such an action mode that eliminates the need to select a heating zone, the number of operations from power-on to the start of heating can be reduced, thereby improving operability and convenience. On the other hand, there may be a certain number of users who are accustomed to selecting a heating zone. Therefore, similar to the conventional induction cooker, it is also conceivable to allow the user some flexibility in selecting an action mode that allows selection of a heating zone.

[0012] Therefore, the inventors defined several operating modes for an induction cooker with a heating unit having a plurality of selectable coil units, which differ in their initial action after power-on. As one of the several operating modes, an operating mode was set that enables heating to start when a heating start operation is performed after power-on in the state where one of the coil units has been selected in advance. In this specification, "heating start" means the start of supplying a high-frequency current to thereby perform actual heating of an object to be heated along with a temperature rise.

[0013] It is also assumed that an induction cooker contains several such heating units instead of a single heating unit with several selectable coil units. With such an induction cooker, it is possible to select for each of the heating units whether the mode described above should be applied. Furthermore, in addition to such a heating unit, there may be a heating unit with only a single coil unit. In this case, the user can choose whether to preset the heating unit to the selected state after switching it on.

[0014] Embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the configurations described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. The techniques of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and may undergo various changes, permutations, additions, omissions, or the like in addition to these embodiments, depending on the design, and so on, without departing from the technical ideas of the present disclosure.

[0015] Although the present disclosure will be fully described in terms of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made. Such modifications and changes should be understood as falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, without departing therefrom. (Embodiments)[Configuration of the induction cooker]

[0016] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction cooker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that an XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure is provided for the purpose of understanding the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The X-axis direction indicates the left-to-right direction. The Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction. The Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction.

[0017] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the induction cooker 1 is a cooker that inductively heats a cooking vessel C containing a cooking item T to be heated. The cooking vessel C is described as an example of an object that is inductively heated by the induction cooker 1. The object to be heated is not limited to the cooking vessel C and can be any object to be heated by induction.

[0018] Induction heating is achieved by applying a high-frequency current to a coil of the heating unit. More specifically, magnetic lines of force are generated when an inverter circuit (not shown) applies a high-frequency current to the coil of the heating unit. When the magnetic lines of force flow through the metal pot, eddy currents are generated. The pot generates heat due to its electrical resistance when the eddy currents flow through the bottom of the pot. This allows the pot to be heated.

[0019] The induction cooker 1 has a top plate 2, for example, made of heat-resistant glass, on which the cooking container C is placed, and a casing 3 attached to the underside of the top plate 2. The induction cooker 1 has, within the casing 3, a plurality of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C, a control panel 7, a display panel 8, and a controller 10. The top plate 2 is arranged to cover the plurality of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C. The plurality of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C are each arranged below the top plate 2 to induction heat the cooking containers C placed on the opposite portions of the top plate 2. That is, each of the plurality of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C includes an induction heating coil unit. The heating units 4A and 4C each have a plurality of coils. Details of the configuration of heating units 4A and 4C will be described later.On the other hand, the heating unit 4B may comprise a single coil or multiple coils. Although the example of the induction cooker 1 is described with three heating units, the induction cooker according to the present disclosure only needs to have at least one heating unit, for example, the heating unit 4A. Optionally, the induction cooker 1 may also have the heating unit 4B and / or the heating unit 4C in addition to the heating unit 4A.

[0020] The control unit 10 is, for example, a computer and includes a computing circuit and a memory, which are not shown. The control unit 10 is capable of controlling the plurality of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C.

[0021] The arithmetic circuit controls the overall function of the induction cooker 1. The arithmetic circuit may use either an aspect that implements a predetermined function through the cooperation of hardware resources and software, or an aspect that implements the predetermined function through the use of a specially developed hardware circuit.

[0022] The arithmetic circuit includes, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or an MPU, which implements a predetermined process or function by executing a program. The arithmetic circuit is configured to communicate with the memory. The arithmetic circuit reads and executes an arithmetic program, etc., stored in the memory, thereby implementing various functions of the control unit 10. As an example of the latter, the arithmetic circuit includes an FPGA and an ASIC. As can be seen from the above, the arithmetic circuit can be implemented with a semiconductor integrated circuit such as the CPU, the MPU, a GPU, the FPGA, a DSP, or the ASIC.

[0023] The memory is a storage medium on which various information can be stored. The information includes a program and data. For example, the memory stores an arithmetic program for implementing various functions according to the embodiment. The memory is realized, for example, by a volatile semiconductor memory such as a DRAM or an SRAM, a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or an SSD, a hard disk, or other storage device, or a suitable combination thereof. For example, the arithmetic circuit can execute multiple heating modes and multiple action modes, which will be described later, using a program or data stored in the memory.

[0024] The control panel 7 receives user operation related to the heating process of the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C. The control panel 7 is an example of an input interface. The control panel 7 is electrically connected to the control unit 10. The user operates the control panel 7 so that the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C can be operated by the control unit 10.

[0025] The display panel 8 displays information related to the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C and / or the control panel 7. The display panel 8 is a display device, such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic electroluminescent panel, that can display letters or numbers. The user can understand the setting states and the action states of the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C based on the information displayed on the control panel 7.

[0026] The Fig. Figure 2 shows details and connection relationships between the heating units 4A, 4B and 4C, the control panel 7, the display panel 8 and the control unit 10.

[0027] As in the Fig. 2, the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C are referred to as, for example, "left IH heating unit 4A," "rear IH heating unit 4B," and "right IH heating unit 4C" when explaining positions. In this embodiment, the control panel 7, the display panel 8, and the controller 10 are arranged corresponding to the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C, respectively. For example, the control panel 7 has a left control panel 7A, a rear control panel 7B, and a right control panel 7C, which correspond to the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C, respectively. Similarly, the display panel 8 comprises a left display panel 8A, a rear display panel 8B and a right display panel 8C, while the control unit 10 has a left IH control unit 10A, a rear IH control unit 10B and a right IH control unit 10C.

[0028] For example, the left control panel 7A receives a user operation related to the heating process of the left IH heating unit 4A. The left display panel 8A displays information related to the left IH heating unit 4A and / or the left control panel 7A.

[0029] The Fig. 3 schematically shows that the left IH control unit 10A, the rear IH control unit 10B, and the right IH control unit 10C control the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C, respectively. Although, for clarity, the description assumes that the control unit 10 includes the three control units 10A to 10C, one, two, or four or more arithmetic circuits may execute the actions of the control units 10A to 10C. For example, if the actions of the control units 10A to 10C are executed by a single arithmetic circuit, the arithmetic circuit may execute the actions of the control units 10A to 10C in parallel according to a program.

[0030] In the following, the focus is on the left IH heating unit 4A and the right IH heating unit 4C.

[0031] The left IH heating unit 4A has a front coil unit 4Af and a rear coil unit 4Ab. The right IH heating unit 4C has a front coil unit 4Cf and a rear coil unit 4Cb.

[0032] The Fig. 4 shows the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, which make up the left IH heating unit 4A. The Fig. 4 also shows the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb that constitute the right IH heating unit 4C. At least a part (in this embodiment, the front side) of the rear IH heating unit 4B is arranged between the rear coil unit 4Ab and the rear coil unit 4Cb in the X-axis direction.

[0033] The front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab each consist of a plurality of coil pieces 5. More specifically, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are each configured to include six coil pieces 5 arranged radially adjacent to each other in a plan view. In this specification, "plan view" means viewing from the vertical direction, i.e., in the Z-axis direction.

[0034] The area heated by the front coil unit 4Af is a surface with a center point C1 in plan view. The area heated by the rear coil unit 4Ab is a surface with a center point C2 in plan view. Since the contours of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are each circular in plan view, the surfaces to be heated are also approximately circular.

[0035] In this embodiment, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab share two coil parts 5a and 5b. That is, the areas heated by the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab overlap at the positions of the coil pieces 5a and 5b. This overlap allows the size of the heated area to be reduced in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) to save space. On the other hand, the heated area can be expanded to include the areas heated by the coil parts 5a and 5b if there are no overlapping parts.

[0036] Generally, for both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, the maximum length of the floor area expected based on the design of an object to be heated is determined in advance. The heated area may be an area where the cooking container C is arranged, which is shown in the plan view of the top side of the cover plate 2. Alternatively, the heated area may be an area smaller than the area where the cooking container C can be arranged, which is shown in the plan view of the top side of the cover plate 2.

[0037] The Fig. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of the coil part 5 constituting the coil units 4Af and 4Ab.

[0038] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a first coil piece 5 has a coil piece body 11, an outer lead wire 12, and an inner lead wire 13. Thus, the first coil piece 5 has two ends. The two ends include a first end 14 corresponding to the inner lead wire 13 and a second end 15 corresponding to the outer lead wire 12. The first coil piece 5 has a coil wire wound multiple times. The coil wire has the first end 14 and the second end 15. The first end 14 and the second end 15 are connected to an inverter circuit (not shown).

[0039] The coil former 11 is a part configured to wind the coil wire. The coil former 11 has a frame-like shape in plan view. In this embodiment, the coil former 11 has a fan-like shape in plan view. Note that the coil former 11 can have any shape, without being limited to the fan-like shape.

[0040] The outer feed wire 12 is a feed wire that extends from the outside of the coil body 11.

[0041] The inner feed wire 13 is a feed wire that extends from the inside of the coil body 11.

[0042] In this embodiment, the first coil part 5 is formed from a single coil wire. The coil wire is an example of an electrical wire. The coil wire is made, for example, of an electrically conductive material. [Heating the induction cooker]

[0043] The basic operation of the induction cooker 1 according to the present disclosure is then described.

[0044] First, the heating process is described. The heating process of the left IH heating unit 4A is described below. The right IH heating unit 4C is not described, as the same applies to it.

[0045] The left IH control unit 10A can operate the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab independently. "Independent" means "capable of applying a high-frequency current to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab independently." The left IH control unit 10A restricts the simultaneous application of different high-frequency currents to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. This means that when the left IH control unit 10A applies high-frequency currents to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab simultaneously, the high-frequency currents have the same frequency.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows an example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. The left IH control unit 10A applies a high-frequency current to the front coil unit 4Af, but does not apply a high-frequency current to the rear coil unit 4Ab. As a result, the left IH control unit 10A enables heating only of the object to be heated, which is located above the front coil unit 4Af.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows another example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. The left IH control unit 10A applies a high-frequency current to the rear coil unit 4Ab, but does not apply a high-frequency current to the front coil unit 4Af. As a result, the left IH control unit 10A enables heating only of the object to be heated, which is located above the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0048] The left IH control unit 10A can also apply a high-frequency current to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab simultaneously. Since at this time the high-frequency current is generated by the Fig. 4, an object to be heated located above it can be heated. That is, as can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, it is possible to heat an oval or rectangular object to be heated.

[0049] In the rear IH heating unit 4B, the heating process can be switched on or off depending on whether a high-frequency current is to be applied. [Action mode of the induction cooker at the first action]

[0050] The following describes an action mode that is applied to induction cooker 1 upon first activation. "Upon first activation" means "immediately after switching on."

[0051] The induction cooker 1 according to this embodiment has multiple operating modes applicable at the time of the first action. In this embodiment, the operating modes can be set independently for each of the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C. Note that the operating modes may be common operating modes for all heating units.

[0052] In this embodiment, one of the plurality of modes is an automatic selection mode and the other is a non-selection mode.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows the induction cooker 1 immediately after switching on, when the automatic selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C. As described above, not all heating elements 4A to 4C need to operate in the automatic selection mode.

[0054] The one in the Fig. The automatic selection mode shown in Figure 8 preselects the front coil unit 4Af of the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the front coil unit 4Cf of the right IH heating unit 4C. For clarity, the selected coil units and the heating unit are indicated by thick solid lines.

[0055] The Fig. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the control panel 7 and the display panel 8 immediately after a power button 7D is pressed. A left display panel 8A-2, a rear display panel 8B-2, and a right display panel 8C-2 illuminate and display "Menu" for selecting a menu and "Start" to indicate the start of heating for the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C, respectively.

[0056] The Fig. 9 further shows a status display 8A-3, which indicates the selection status of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab of the heating unit 4A. In the Fig. 9 is an indicator f indicating the selection of the front coil unit 4Af, designated by "▪". The right display panel 8C, corresponding to the heating unit 4C, also has a status indicator indicating the selection status of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the heating unit 4C. An indicator f indicating the selection of the front coil unit 4Cf is designated by "▪". The display of the indicator is an example of information indicating a selected coil unit.

[0057] In this description, the induction cooker 1 can set and read the selection state of a heating area. As used herein, the “heating area” means all or part of the left IH heating unit 4A, the entire rear IH heating unit 4B, or all or part of the right IH heating unit 4C. For example, the entire left IH heating unit 4A means both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. A part of the left IH heating unit 4A means the front coil unit 4Af or the rear coil unit 4Ab. When the indicator f is as shown in the Fig. 9 is designated by "▪", it represents the state (selected state) in which the front coil unit 4Af is selected. The above automatic selection mode and the non-selection mode are each one of the action modes of the induction cooker 1. The action modes mean changeable action methods and patterns of the induction cooker 1, and there may be action methods and patterns applied to actions other than the initial action, in addition to the above automatic selection mode and the non-selection mode applied to the initial action.

[0058] In this embodiment, the rear IH heating unit 4B does not include an explicit indicator, such as the indicator f. However, the fact that the rear display panel 8B-2 is illuminated and items such as "Menu" are displayed allows the user to visually determine that the rear IH heating unit 4B is in the selection state. Therefore, the display state itself can be an example of information indicating a selected coil unit.

[0059] For example, when the left control panel 7A receives an operation from the user in the selection state shown, such as pressing a heating start button 7A-2, the control unit 10 controls the application of a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit. This allows the pot placed above the selected front coil unit 4Af to begin heating. Since the front coil unit 4Af has already been selected in advance, the user can start the heating process by pressing the heating start button once without having to make a selection each time. This improves operability and convenience for the user. The same applies to the operation of the rear display panel 8B and the right display panel 8C.

[0060] Unlike the examples of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 For example, for the IH heating unit 4A, only the rear coil unit 4Ab or both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab can be preselected. The same applies to the right IH heating unit 4C. In both cases, the user can start heating by pressing the heating start button once, without making a selection each time.

[0061] The three heating units 4A to 4C can each perform heating operations independently of each other. Note that this embodiment imposes certain restrictions on the simultaneous operation of the left IH heating unit 4A and the rear IH heating unit 4B, as well as the simultaneous operation of the rear IH heating unit 4B and the right IH heating unit 4C. Specifically, a restriction is imposed to prevent the simultaneous execution of heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating unit 4A and heating by the rear IH heating unit 4B. "Heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab" includes heating only with the rear coil unit 4Ab and heating with both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0062] In any conventional induction cooker, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear IH heating unit 4B could be arranged with a distance equal to the distance between them. As shown in the Fig. 10, for example, a distance of approximately 200 mm was possible as the distance d1 between a center point C1 of the front coil unit 4Af and a center point C3 of the rear IH heating unit 4B. Since pots often have a bottom diameter of 180 mm or more, the distance d1 of 200 mm or more ensures a space in which pots can be placed above both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear IH heating unit 4B. However, in the induction cooker of this embodiment, the left IH heating unit 4A extends in the Y-axis direction (upward on the paper) to enable heating of an oval or rectangular object. In particular, a distance between the center C2 of the rear coil unit 4Ab and the center C3 of the rear IH heating unit 4B becomes relatively narrower. In this example, the distance d2 is, for example, less than 200 mm, specifically 155 mm.

[0063] As a result, there is insufficient space to place pots above both the rear coil unit 4Ab and the rear IH heating unit 4B. Or the pots cannot be placed in the center of the respective heating surfaces, causing strain on the user and complicating even heating.

[0064] In the Fig. 11 to 13B describe the non-selection mode.

[0065] The Fig. Figure 11 schematically shows the induction cooker 1 immediately after power-on when the non-selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C. In the non-selection mode, both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are in the non-selected state after power-on. Since no heating units 4A to 4C are selected, letters such as "Heating" appear, as shown in the Fig. 9, not on the left display panel 8A-2, the rear display panel 8B-2, and the right display panel 8C-2. It is not necessary for all heating units 4A to 4C to operate in the non-selection mode described above.

[0066] The Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the control panel 7 and the display panel 8 in the non-selection mode.

[0067] Three "▼"s are displayed on the display panel 8. These are the selection indicators 8A-1, 8B-1, and 8C-1 for the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C, respectively. By pressing one of the range switching buttons 7A-1, 7B-1, and 7C-1, which correspond to the selection indicators 8A-1, 8B-1, and 8C-1, the user can select one of the corresponding heating units 4A to 4C. By arranging the range switching buttons 7A-1, 7B-1, and 7C-1 for switching between selection / non-selection, the user can easily select the coil unit / heating unit, which improves convenience. As described later, the range switching buttons 7A-1 and 7C-1 allow selection of the front coil unit 4Af and / or the rear coil unit 4Ab, which facilitates selection.

[0068] The focus is on the left operation panel 7A and the left display panel 8A, which relate to the operation and display of the left IH heating unit 4A, respectively. The user operates the range switching button 7A-1 of the left operation panel 7A to select the front coil unit 4Af and / or the rear coil unit 4Ab. When the left operation panel 7A receives a user operation of the heating start button 7A-2, the control unit 10 controls the selected coil unit with a high-frequency current. The above operation also applies to the right operation panel 7C and the right display panel 8C, which relate to the operation and display, respectively, and correspond to the right IH heating unit 4C.

[0069] The Fig. 13A shows a transition of the display of the status indicator when the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed. Part (a) of the Fig. 13A shows the initial state in which the selection indicator 8A-1 lights up immediately after the power switch 7D is pressed, and part (b) shows the state in which the indicator f lights up when the range switching button 7A-1 is pressed once. As described above, the lighting of the indicator f indicates the selection of the front coil unit 4Af of the left IH heating unit 4A. At this time, an indicator b is not lit. The lighting or not of the indicator b indicates the selection or non-selection of the rear coil unit 4Ab. At this time, the left IH heating unit 4A is in the same selection state as in the Fig. 9 shown.

[0070] Part (c) of the Fig. Figure 13A shows that when the range switching button 7A-1 is pressed again, the f and b indicators both light up. At this time, both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are selected.

[0071] Furthermore, part (d) of the Fig. 13A, the indicator f goes out and the indicator b lights up when the range shift button 7A-1 is pressed again. This indicates that the front coil unit 4Af is not selected and that only the rear coil unit 4Ab is selected.

[0072] If the range switching button 7A-1 is pressed again, the display returns to the initial state of (a) the Fig. 13A. Each time the range switching button 7A-1 is pressed, the illumination of the indicators f and b switches on as shown in (a) to (d) of the Fig. 13A shown on and off.

[0073] When the heating start button 7A-2 of the left control panel 7A, which corresponds to “heating start”, is in the state (b) of the Fig. 13A is pressed, the heating process is started only with the front coil unit 4Af. If the heating start button 7A-2 is in state (c) of the Fig. 13A is pressed, the heating process is started with the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. If the heating start button 7A-2 is in state (d) of the Fig. 13A is pressed, the heating process is started only with the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0074] The above transition also applies to the right control panel 7C and the right display panel 8C of the heating unit 4C.

[0075] It will be back to the Fig. 12. Next, attention is drawn to the rear control panel 7B and the rear display panel 8B, which relate to the operation and display of the rear IH heating unit 4B, respectively. The above selection indicator 8B-1 is displayed as a symbol or pictogram "▼" on the rear display panel 8B-2. The user presses the area switching button 7B-1 on the rear control panel 7B to select the rear IH heating unit 4B. At this time, the rear IH heating unit 4B is in the same state as in the Fig. 9 shown.

[0076] When the rear control panel 7B receives a user operation of the heating start button 7B-2, the control unit 10 controls the application of a high-frequency current to the coil of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0077] For the user who is accustomed to selecting the desired heating unit from several heating units, convenience is maintained, since the introduction of the non-selection mode makes the induction cooker 1 usable without changing the operability.

[0078] To decide which unit to use between automatic selection and non-selection modes, the user can select a setting item that allows such a setting from the menu items on the display unit to explicitly select it. Or, if the user has preselected a heating unit, the automatic selection mode can be automatically adopted.

[0079] Similar to the application of the automatic selection mode, in this embodiment, a restriction is also made in the non-selection mode so that heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating unit 4A and heating by the rear IH heating unit 4B do not occur simultaneously.

[0080] For example, if the rear IH heating unit 4B is heating, the rear coil unit 4Ab cannot be selected. Fig. 13B shows a transition of the display of a selection indicator in response to pressing the range switching button 7A-1 when the rear IH heating unit 4B is heating. Even if the range switching button 7A-1 is pressed multiple times, the selection indicator b does not appear.

[0081] As described above, the user can determine which of the heating units 4A to 4C is selected by the display on display panel 8, and also which coil unit is selected between front / rear / right for the heating units 4A to 4C. A variant of the display in connection with display panel 8 for informing the user of the selection status is described below. The left control panel 7A and the left display panel 8A for the operation and display of the left IH heating unit 4A are also described below as examples.

[0082] The Fig. 14 shows a display example of the left display field 8A, which indicates the selection state of the coil units of the left IH heating unit 4A.

[0083] The left control panel 7A has, in addition to the range switching button 7A-1 and the heating start button 7A-2, a time button 7A-3, a backward button 7A-4 and a forward button 7A-5.

[0084] In the left IH heating unit 4A, the range switch button 7A-1 is used to switch to a mode that selects a heated coil unit. The time button 7A-3, the reverse button 7A-4, and the forward button 7A-5 function as multifunction buttons, each of which can be assigned different functions depending on the situation. The control panel 7, including the left control panel 7A, can be a mechanical push-button switch or a touch switch with a capacitance switch.

[0085] In this embodiment, the left display panel 8A-2 shows information indicating a selectable coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A in the left-to-right direction (X-direction). "Information" here refers to, for example, letters, symbols, and numbers, in the example of Fig. 14 has four pictograms. The four pictograms are displayed directly from left to right.

[0086] The left display panel 8A-2 has four areas 8Aa to 8Ad. Area 8Aa displays a pictogram representing the front coil unit 4Af. Area 8Ab displays a pictogram representing the rear coil unit 4Ab. Area 8Ac displays a pictogram representing both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. Area 8Ad displays a pictogram indicating that all coil units are in the unselected state. The pictogram in area 8Ad is not required and can consist of letters or the like representing the unselected state.

[0087] The buttons on the left control panel 7A, which are opposite the areas of the left display panel 8A-2, are used to determine the selection status displayed in those areas. For example, if the user wants to select the front coil unit 4Af, the user presses the time button 7A-3, which is opposite the area 8Aa, which displays the pictogram for the front coil unit 4Af. When the left control panel 7A accepts the press of the time button 7A-3, the control unit 10 selects the front coil unit 4Af of the left IH heating unit 4A.

[0088] The Fig. Figure 15 shows an example of the display of the left display area 8A after selecting the front coil unit 4Af. The selection indicator f lights up, indicating that the front coil unit 4Af corresponding to the area 8Aa in the Fig. 14 has been selected. If the heating start button 7A-2 of the left control panel 7A, which corresponds to the “heating start”, is in the state of Fig. 15 is pressed, the heating process is started only with the front coil unit 4Af.

[0089] Next, the rear control panel 7B and the rear display panel 8B are explained, which relate to the operation and display of the rear IH heating unit 4B, respectively. It should be noted that in the case where the rear IH heating unit 4B is selectable, for example, the Fig. 12 can be displayed. A display example for the case where selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited will be described below. As described above, in the case where heating has already been started by the left IH heating unit 4A or the right IH heating unit 4C, selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited by the control unit 10.

[0090] The Fig. Fig. 16 shows an example of the display of the rear display panel 8B in the case where the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited. In the case where the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited, the rear display panel 8B switches the display of the Fig. 12 with “▼” selection indicator 8B-1. For better understanding, the off state is shown in the Fig. 16 marked by a white triangle with a dashed line.

[0091] Although the user can use the area shift key 7B-1 in the Fig. 16, the control unit 10 does not allow selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B. The control unit 10 may display a message on the rear display panel 8B to inform the user that the rear IH heating unit 4B cannot be selected.

[0092] The Fig. Figure 17 shows an example where the rear display panel 8B-1 indicates that the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B is not permitted. By confirming the display, the user can understand that the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B is disabled.

[0093] In the Fig. 18A, Fig. 18B and Fig. 19 describes the operation of the control unit 10 of the induction cooker 1.

[0094] The Fig. 18A is a flowchart showing the operation of the induction cooker 1 having the three heating units 4A to 4C. For simplicity, the following assumes that the control unit 10 performs the following operations after the power switch 7D is operated. For simplicity of description, the case where one of the coil units or the heating unit in the heating units 4A to 4C is selected will be described. Although there may also be a case where neither the coil unit nor the heating unit is selected, in such a case, the display panel 8 may go out or the power may be turned off after a specified time has elapsed.

[0095] The controller 10 reads the automatic selection mode / non-selection mode for the heating units i (i=1 to 3) (S10). The initial value of i is 1. Which of the two modes (automatic selection mode or non-selection mode) is to be applied to each of the heating units 4A to 4C can be determined depending on whether the user has set it via the menu items or whether the user has previously selected one of the heating units 4A to 4C as described above. Hereinafter, heating unit i refers to the left IH heating unit 4A when i=1, the rear IH heating unit 4B when i=2, and the right IH heating unit 4C when i=3. The display panel i refers to the left control panel 7A when i=1, the rear control panel 7B when i=2, and the right control panel 7C when i=3.

[0096] The control unit 10 then determines whether the automatic selection mode is applied to heating unit i (S11). If so, it proceeds to step S12.

[0097] In step S11, if the automatic selection mode is not applied, i.e., the non-selection mode is applied, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the control unit 10 displays a selection indicator for the heating unit i on the display panel. The selection indicator is not displayed for the heating unit whose use is restricted.

[0098] The controller 10 then determines whether the process is complete for all heating units (S14). That is, the controller 10 determines whether the current value of i is equal to 3. If the process is not complete for all heating units, the controller 10 increments i by one and repeats the process from step S10.

[0099] When the process is finished for all heating units, one of the coil units or the heating unit is selected to start heating. Fig. 18B is one of the Fig. 18A is a continued flowchart showing an operation sequence of the induction cooker 1 depending on the selected coil unit or heating unit. The process proceeds to step S15 (S15-1, S15-2, and S15-3) or S16 (S16-1, S16-2, and S16-3).

[0100] That is, for the left IH heating unit 4A (i=1), the controller 10 proceeds to step S15-1 to accept the selection of a coil unit when the non-selection mode is selected. Specifically, the controller 10 accepts the selection of at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. That is, the controller 10 causes the left display panel 8A to display the values ​​in the areas 8Aa to 8Ad of the Fig. 14 to accept a selection made via the left control panel 7A. The control unit 10 then accepts the selection via the Fig. 15, the left control panel 7A accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit (S16-1). However, if the automatic selection mode is selected, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit after completion of step S14 (S16-1). This means that without the left display panel 8A displaying the values ​​shown in the areas 8Aa to 8Ad of the Fig. 14, the control unit 10 causes the left display panel 8A to display the heating start button and the indicator b or f, which are correlated with the selected coil unit, as shown in the Fig. 15. Subsequently, the control unit 10 begins to supply a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit (S17-1).

[0101] For the rear IH heating unit 4B (i=2), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15-2 to accept the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B when the non-selection mode is in selection. That is, the control unit 10 causes the rear display panel 8B to display the selection indicator 8B-1 of the Fig.16 to accept a selection made via the rear operation panel 7B. After that, the control unit 10 for the rear IH heating unit 4B accepts the pressing of the heating start button (S16-2). On the other hand, when the automatic selection mode is in selection, the control unit 10 for the rear IH heating unit 4B accepts the pressing of the heating start button after completion of step S14 (S16-2). That is, without the rear display panel 8B displaying the selection indicator 8B-1, the control unit 10 causes the rear display panel 8B to display the heating start button. Then, the control unit 10 starts supplying a high-frequency current to the rear IH heating unit 4B (S17-2).

[0102] For the right IH heating unit 4C (i=3), the controller 10 proceeds to step S15-3 to accept the selection of a coil unit when the non-selection mode is selected. Specifically, the controller 10 accepts the selection of at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. At this time, the controller 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit (S16-3). Conversely, when the automatic selection mode is selected, the controller 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the coil unit selected after the completion of step S14 (S16-3). The controller 10 then begins supplying a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit (S17-3). The right display panel 8C behaves similarly to steps S16-1 and S17-1 of the left IH heating unit 4A and will therefore not be described again.

[0103] According to the above method, the user can start heating without selecting a coil unit, since, for example, in the left IH heating unit 4A, at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab has been selected in advance when the automatic selection mode is used. On the other hand, the user can also select the non-selection mode. In this way, the user who is accustomed to the operation process of selecting a heating unit to be used at a time can use the induction cooker 1 without changing the operability, thus maintaining convenience. [Effects]

[0104] The induction cooker 1 according to the present disclosure can have the following effects.

[0105] The induction cooker 1 includes the left IH heating unit 4A / the right IH heating unit 4C, the cover plate 2 covering the heating units 4A / 4C, the left control panel 7A / the right control panel 7C that accepts user operation with respect to the heating units 4A / 4C, the control unit 10 that controls the heating operation of the heating units 4A / 4C, and the power switch 7D for turning on the power. For example, the left IH control unit 10A is configured to heat an object to be heated either with a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is simultaneously applied to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, or with a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is selectively applied to one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. The left control panel 7A has the heating start button 7A-2 for starting heating the object to be heated with the left IH heating unit 4A.The left IH control unit 10A can operate in a mode selected from multiple modes, each having a different initial action after power-on. The automatic selection mode from the multiple modes is a mode in which the left IH control unit 10A preselects at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab after power-on, and in which, when the left operation panel 7A receives an operation of the heating start button 7A-2, the left IH control unit 10A provides control to apply a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A. This allows the user to start heating with one operation without having to select a coil unit each time, resulting in improved usability and convenience.

[0106] The automatic selection mode may include the state where the left IH heating unit 4A has selected the front coil unit 4Af in advance, or the state where the left IH heating unit 4A has selected the rear coil unit 4Ab in advance.

[0107] In the automatic selection mode, the left IH control unit 10A may have preselected the front coil unit 4Af after switching on.

[0108] The left operation panel 7A also has the switching button 7A-1 for selecting the front coil unit 4Af and / or the rear coil unit 4Ab. The non-selection mode, which is different from the automatic selection mode among the multiple modes, is as follows. After power-on, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are both in the non-selected state. When the left operation panel 7A receives at least one operation of the switching button 7A-1, the left IH controller 10A selects at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. When the left operation panel 7A receives an operation of the heating start button 7A-2, the left IH controller 10A controls the application of a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A.By providing the non-selection mode, it becomes possible for the user who is accustomed to the operation method of selecting a heating unit to be used each time to use the induction cooker 1 without changing the operability while maintaining comfort.

[0109] The front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab each have multiple coil sections 5 and share at least one coil section 5a / 5b. The left IH control unit 10A can apply a high-frequency current only to the front coil unit 4Af, only to the rear coil unit 4Ab, or to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab simultaneously. The left IH control unit 10A limits the simultaneous application of different high-frequency currents to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0110] The induction cooker 1 further includes the rear IH heating unit 4B, which is covered by the cover plate 2 and whose heating operation is controlled by the rear IH control unit 10B of the control device 10, and the rear operation panel 7B, which receives user operation related to the rear IH heating unit 4B. In response to the receipt of the operation by the rear operation panel 7B, the rear IH control device 10B switches between the state in which the rear IH heating unit 4B has been selected and the state in which the rear IH heating unit 4B has not been selected.

[0111] The induction cooker 1 also includes the rear IH heating unit 4B / the left IH heating unit 4A, which is covered by the cover plate 2, whose heating operation is restricted by the control unit 10. For example, if the induction cooker 1 has the right IH heating unit 4C in addition to the left IH heating unit 4A, the right IH heating unit 4C has the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb. The rear IH heating unit 4B is arranged between the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating unit 4A and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the right IH heating unit 4C. In the automatic selection mode, the right IH controller 10C selects at least one of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb in advance after power-on, and selects the rear IH heating unit 4B in advance.

[0112] In the automatic selection mode, after power on, the right IH controller 10C selects the front coil unit 4Af and the front coil unit 4Cf in advance, and selects the rear IH heating unit 4B in advance.

[0113] The induction cooker 1 further includes the rear control panel 7B, which receives user operation related to the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right control panel 7C, which receives user operation related to the right IH heating unit 4C. The rear control panel 7B and the right control panel 7C have a heating start button 7B-2 and a heating start button 7C-2, respectively, for starting heating of an object to be heated. In the automatic selection mode, when the rear control panel 7B receives an operation of the heating start button 7B-2, the rear IH control unit 10B provides control to apply a high-frequency current to the rear IH heating unit 4B. When the right control panel 7C receives an actuation of the heating start button 7C-2, the right IH control unit 10C controls the application of a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the right IH heating unit 4C.

[0114] The induction cooker 1 further includes: the right IH heating unit 4C, which is covered by the cover plate 2 and whose heating operation is controlled by the right IH controller 10C of the controller 10; the rear control panel 7B, which receives user operation related to the rear IH heating unit 4B; and the right control panel 7C, which receives user operation related to the right IH heating unit 4C. The right IH heating unit 4C has the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb. The rear control panel 7B has the switching button 7B-1 for switching the selection and de-selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B and the heating start button 7B-2 for starting heating of an object to be heated. The right control panel 7C has the switching button 7C-1 for selecting the front coil unit 4Cf and / or the rear coil unit 4Cb and the heating start button 7C-2 for starting the heating of the object to be heated.The rear IH heating unit 4B is arranged between the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating unit 4A and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the right IH heating unit 4C. In the non-selection mode, which is different from the automatic selection mode among the multiple modes, after power-on, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb are each in the non-selected state. When the left operation panel 7A receives at least one operation of the switching button 7A-1 of the left operation panel 7A, the left IH control unit 10A selects at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab.When the left control panel 7A receives an operation of the heating start button 7A-2 of the left control panel 7A, the left IH control unit 10A applies a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A. When the rear control panel 7B receives at least one operation of the switching button 7B-1, the rear IH control unit 10B selects the rear IH heating unit 4B. When the rear control panel 7B receives an operation of the heating start button 7B-2, the rear IH control unit 10B applies a high-frequency current to the rear IH heating unit 4B. When the right control panel 7C receives at least one operation of the switching button 7C-1, the right IH control unit 10C selects at least one of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb.When the right control panel 7C receives an operation of the heating start button 7C-2, the right IH control unit 10C applies a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the right IH heating unit 4C. Thus, the selection / non-selection switching buttons are arranged in the non-selection mode for each of the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C. This improves the user's convenience in making the selection.

[0115] When the waiting time for user operation reaches a preset time for the left control panel 7A and the right control panel 7C, the control unit 10 cancels the selection of the selected coil unit. When the waiting time for user operation reaches a preset time for the rear control panel 7B, the control unit 10 cancels the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0116] The left control panel (7A), the rear control panel (7B) and the right control panel (7C) can each accept a setting of the preset time from the user.

[0117] The left control panel 7A and the right control panel 7C each accept the indication of a coil unit to be preselected or the indication of non-selection. The rear control panel 7B can be used to specify whether the rear IH heating unit 4B should be preselected.

[0118] The induction cooker 1 further includes the left display panel 8A, which displays information about the left IH heating unit 4A and / or the left control panel 7A, and the rear display panel 8B, which displays information about the rear IH heating unit 4B and / or the rear control panel 7B. The left display panel 8A can display information indicating a selectable coil unit. The rear display panel 8B can display information indicating that the rear IH heating unit 4B is in selection. The left control panel 7A has at least one button 7A-1 for switching the selection state of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. The rear control panel 7B can have the at least one button 7B-1 for switching the selection state of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0119] The information indicating a selectable coil unit and the information indicating that at least the rear IH heating unit 4B is selected may be letters, symbols, numbers and / or a display state.

[0120] The left display panel 8A may display at least a first icon 8Aa indicating that the selectable coil unit is the front coil unit 4Af, a second icon 8Ab indicating that the selectable coil unit is the rear coil unit 4Ab, and a third icon 8Ac indicating that the selectable coil includes the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, both of which are in selection.

[0121] The left display field 8A can display the first pictogram 8Aa, the second pictogram 8Ab and the third pictogram 8Ac in sequence.

[0122] The left display panel 8A also has a first area 8A-2, which indicates that the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are both in the unselected state. Depending on the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A, the left display panel 8A changes the display state of the first icon 8Aa, the second icon 8Ab, and the third icon 8Ac, as well as the first area 8A-2. The rear display panel 8B has a second area, which indicates that the rear IH heating unit 4B is in a unselected state, and changes the display state of either the third icon 8Ac or the second area.

[0123] The left display panel 8A also has a first area 8A-2 indicating that the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are both in the unselected state. The left control panel 7A has a button 7A-1 for switching the selection state of a selectable coil unit. The left control panel 7A changes the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A each time the button 7A-1 is subjected to user operation, and changes the display state of one of the first icon 8Aa, the second icon 8Ab, the third icon 8Ac, and the first area 8A-2 on the left display panel 8A depending on the changed selection state.

[0124] When the rear IH heating unit 4B is in the unselected state, the left operation panel 7A changes the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A each time the one button 7A-1 is subjected to user operation, and depending on the changed selection state, the left display panel 8A changes the display state of one of the first pictogram 8Aa, the second pictogram 8Ab, the third pictogram 8Ac and the first area 8A-2 on the left display panel 8A. When the rear IH heating unit 4B is in the selected state, the left operation panel 7A switches between the state in which the front coil unit 4Af is selected and the state in which the front coil unit 4Af is not selected each time the one button 7A-1 is subjected to user operation, while the left display panel 8A changes the display state of the first icon 8Aa or the first area 8A-2 depending on the changed selection state.

[0125] Near the one button 7A-1, the left display field 8A also contains the indicator b / f, which shows the selection status of the left IH heating unit 4A. (Variant)

[0126] The display panel 8 can decrease the display brightness after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last user operation was received by the control panel 7, and increase the display brightness when a user operation is subsequently performed on the control panel 7. In some cases, decreasing the display brightness is referred to as "dark lighting." Increasing the display brightness involves resetting the brightness to the initial value.

[0127] The predetermined time can be set independently for the left display panel 8A, the rear display panel 8B, and the right display panel 8C, or together. In the first case, a flash memory (not shown) can store the first predetermined time for the left display panel 8A, the second predetermined time for the rear display panel 8B, and the third predetermined time for the right display panel 8C. This makes it clear which of the heating units 4A to 4C is operating, allowing the user to correctly identify it.

[0128] After the heating operation of each of the heating units 4A to 4C is completed, if a user operation related to the heating operation is received again for each of the heating units 4A to 4C, the heating units 4A to 4C can set the same selection state as the last heating operation. Information indicating the selection state of the last heating operation can be stored in a memory (not shown).

[0129] The above action can also be performed when the power switch 7D is pressed to turn off the power and pressed again to turn on the power. For example, when the power switch 7D is pressed to turn off the power, the control unit 10 causes the unillustrated flash memory to store information indicating the last heating operation of the heating units 4A to 4C. And when the control panel 7 again receives a user operation related to the heating operation of one of the heating units 4A to 4C after the power switch 7D is pressed to turn on the power, the control unit 10 reads the information stored in the flash memory to set the same heating operation as the last heating operation.

[0130] Since the last heating process performed is automatically set, the time and effort required for selection is eliminated when performing the same cooking process, increasing convenience for the user.

[0131] As described above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technique in the present disclosure. The above embodiment may be implemented by an apparatus, a system, a method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium, or a combination thereof.

[0132] In this specification, terms such as "first" and "second" are used for illustrative purposes only and should not be understood as explicitly expressing or implying the relative precedence of importance or technical features. Features delimited by "first" and "second" explicitly express or imply that one or more of the features are included. (Summary of the embodiment)(Aspect 1)

[0133] The induction cooker comprises: a first heating unit having a first coil unit and a second coil unit; a cover plate covering the first heating unit; a first operation unit receiving user operation related to the first heating unit; a control unit controlling the heating operation of the first heating unit; and a power switch for switching on the power. The control unit is configured to heat an object to be heated either by simultaneously applying a high-frequency current to the first coil unit and the second coil unit or by selectively applying a high-frequency current to one of the first and second coil units. The first operation unit has a heating start button for starting heating of the object to be heated using the first heating unit. The control unit can be operated in a mode selected from a plurality of modes.which differ in the initial action after power-on, and an automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode in which, after power-on, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit in advance, and in which, when the first operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button, the control unit provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit. (Aspect 2)

[0134] In the induction cooker according to aspect 1, the automatic selection mode includes: a state in which the control device has selected the first coil unit in advance after power-on; or a state in which the control device has selected the second coil unit in advance after power-on. (Aspect 3)

[0135] In the automatic selection mode of the induction cooker according to aspect 1, the control device selects the first coil unit in advance after power-on. (Aspect 4)

[0136] In the induction cooker according to aspect 1, the first operation unit further includes a switching button for selecting the first coil unit and / or the second coil unit, and a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode: in which, after power-on, both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state; in which, when the first operation unit receives at least one operation of the switching button, the controller selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit; and in which, when the first operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button, the controller provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s). (Aspect 5)

[0137] In the induction cooker according to aspect 1, the first coil unit and the second coil unit each have a plurality of coil pieces through which the high-frequency current flows and share at least one coil piece, wherein the first control device is capable of supplying the high-frequency current to: only the first coil unit; only the second coil unit; or to the first coil unit and the second coil unit at the same time, and wherein the first control device restricts the simultaneous application of different high-frequency currents to the first coil unit and the second coil unit. (Aspect 6)

[0138] The induction cooker according to aspect 1 further comprises: a second heating unit covered by the cover plate, the heating operation of which is controlled by the control unit; and a second operation unit that receives a user operation related to the second heating unit, wherein, in response to receiving an operation of the second operation unit, the control unit switches between a state in which the second heating unit has been selected and a state in which the second heating unit is in a non-selected state. (Aspect 7)

[0139] The induction cooker according to aspect 6 further comprises a third heating unit covered by the cover plate and whose heating operation is controlled by the control device, wherein the third heating unit has a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, wherein the second heating unit is arranged between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, and wherein in the automatic selection mode, the control device selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit in advance after power-on and selects the second heating unit in advance. (Aspect 8)

[0140] In the induction cooker according to aspect 7, in the automatic selection mode, the control device selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit in advance after power-on and selects the second heating unit in advance. (Aspect 9)

[0141] The induction cooker according to aspect 7 further comprises: a second operation unit that receives a user operation related to the second heating unit; and a third operation unit that receives a user operation related to the third heating unit, wherein the second operation unit and the third operation unit each have a heating start button for starting heating of an object to be heated, wherein in the automatic selection mode, when the second operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button of the second operation unit, the controller provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the second heating unit, and wherein in the automatic selection mode, when the third operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button of the third operation unit, the controller provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the third heating unit. (Aspect 10)

[0142] The induction cooker according to aspect 6 further comprises: a third heating unit covered by the cover plate, the heating operation of which is controlled by the control unit; a second operation unit that receives a user operation related to the second heating unit; and a third operation unit that receives a user operation related to the third heating unit, wherein the third heating unit has a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, wherein the second operation unit has: a switch button for switching between selection and de-selection of the second heating unit; and a heating start button for starting heating of an object to be heated, wherein the third operation unit has: a switch button for selecting the third coil unit and / or the fourth coil unit;and a heating start button for starting heating the object to be heated, wherein the second heating unit is arranged between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, and wherein, in a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes: after power-on, the first coil unit and the second coil unit of the first heating unit, the second heating unit and the third coil unit, and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit are each in a non-selected state; when the first operation unit receives at least one operation of the switch button of the first operation unit, the controller selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit;When the first operating unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the first operating unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit; When the second operating unit receives at least one actuation of the switching button of the second operating unit, the control unit selects the second heating unit; When the second operating unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the second operating unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the second heating unit; When the third operating unit receives at least one actuation of the switching button of the third operating unit, the control unit selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit; And When the third operating unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the third operating unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the third heating unit. (Aspect 11)

[0143] In the induction cooker according to aspect 9, for each of the first operation unit and the third operation unit, when the waiting time for user operation reaches a predetermined time, the controller cancels the selection of the selected coil unit(s), and for the second operation unit, when the waiting time for user operation reaches a predetermined time, the controller cancels the selection of the second heating unit. (Aspect 12)

[0144] In the induction cooker according to aspect 11, the first operating unit, the second operating unit, and the third operating unit each receive the setting of the predetermined time from a user. (Aspect 13)

[0145] In the induction cooker according to aspect 9, the first operation unit and the third operation unit each accept the designation of a coil unit to be selected in advance or the designation of non-selection of a coil unit, and the second operation unit accepts the designation of whether to select the second heating unit in advance. (Aspect 14)

[0146] The induction cooker according to aspect 6 further comprises: a first display unit that displays information related to the first heating unit and / or the first operating unit; and a second display unit that displays information related to the second heating unit and / or the second operating unit, wherein the first display unit is capable of displaying information indicative of a selectable coil unit, wherein the second display unit is capable of displaying information indicating that the second heating unit is selected, wherein the first operating unit has at least one button for switching selection states of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and wherein the second operating unit has at least one button for switching a selection state of the second heating unit. (Aspect 15)

[0147] In the induction cooker according to aspect 14, the information indicating a selectable coil unit and the information indicating that at least the second heating unit is selected include letters, symbols, numbers, and / or display states. (Aspect 16)

[0148] In the induction cooker according to aspect 15, the first display unit may display at least: a first icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is the first coil unit; a second icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is the second coil unit; and a third icon indicating that the selectable coil unit includes the first coil unit and the second coil unit, both of which are selected. (Aspect 17)

[0149] In the induction cooker according to aspect 16, the first display unit displays the first pictogram, the second pictogram and the third pictogram in sequence. (Aspect 18)

[0150] The induction cooker according to aspect 16, wherein the first display unit further includes a first area indicating that the first coil unit and the second coil unit are both in a non-selected state, the first display unit changing a display state of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, or the first area depending on a selection state of the first heating unit, and the second display unit having a second area indicating that the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, the second display unit changing the display state of either the third icon or the second area. (Aspect 19)

[0151] The induction heating cooker according to aspect 16, wherein the first display unit further includes a first area indicating that the first coil unit and the second coil unit are both in a non-selected state, wherein the first operation unit includes a button for switching a selection state of the selectable coil unit, and wherein each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit changes a selection state of the first heating unit and, depending on the changed selection state, changes a display state of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, or the first area on the first display unit. (Aspect 20)

[0152] In the induction cooker according to aspect 19, when the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit changes a selection state of the first heating unit and changes, depending on the changed selection state, a display state of any one of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the first area on the first display unit, and when the second heating unit is in a selected state, each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit switches between a state in which the first coil unit is selected and a state in which the first coil unit is not selected, wherein the first operation unit changes a display state of either the first icon or the first area depending on the changed selection state. (Aspect 21)

[0153] The induction cooker according to aspect 19 or 20 further comprises a display arranged near the one button, the display indicating a selection state of the first heating unit.

[0154] The present disclosure relates to an induction cooker that performs heating by means of a plurality of heating units. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP-A-2009-218106 [0003, 0005]

Claims

[1] An induction cooker that contains: a first heating unit having a first coil unit and a second coil unit; a cover plate covering the first heating unit; a first control unit configured to receive a user operation related to the first heating unit; a control device configured to control the heating process of the first heating unit; and a power switch to turn on, whereby the control device is configured to heat an object to be heated, either by simultaneously applying a high-frequency current to the first coil unit and the second coil unit or by selectively applying a high-frequency current to one of the first and second coil units, the first control unit has a heating start button for starting the heating of the object to be heated using the first heating unit, the control unit can be operated in a mode selected from several modes that differ in the initial action after switching on, and an automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode in which, upon power-on, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit in advance, and in which, when the first operation unit receives an operation of the heating start button, the control unit provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit. [2] The induction cooker according to claim 1, wherein the automatic selection mode comprises: a state in which the control unit has preselected the first coil unit after power-on; or a state in which the control unit has selected the second coil unit in advance after power-on. [3] The induction cooker according to claim 1, wherein in the automatic selection mode, the controller selects the first coil unit in advance after power-on. [4] The induction cooker according to claim 1, wherein the first operating unit further comprises a switching key for selecting the first coil unit and / or the second coil unit, and wherein a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode among the several modes, a mode is: in which, after switching on, both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state; wherein, when the first operating unit receives at least one actuation of the shift key, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit; and wherein, when the first operating unit receives an actuation of the heating start button, the control unit provides control for applying the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s). [5] The induction cooker according to claim 1, wherein the first coil unit and the second coil unit each have a plurality of coil pieces through which the high-frequency current flows and share at least one coil piece, wherein the control unit is capable of supplying the high-frequency current: only the first coil unit; only the second coil unit; or the first coil unit and the second coil unit at the same time, and wherein the control unit restricts the simultaneous application of different high-frequency currents to the first coil unit and the second coil unit. [6] The induction cooker according to claim 1, further comprising: a second heating unit covered by the cover plate and whose heating process is controlled by the control unit; and a second control unit configured to receive a user operation relating to the second heating unit, wherein in response to receiving an actuation of the second actuation unit, the control unit switches between a state in which the second heating unit has been selected and a state in which the second heating unit is in a non-selected state. [7] The induction cooker according to claim 6, further comprising: a third heating unit, which is covered by the cover plate and whose heating process is controlled by the control unit, whereby the third heating unit comprises a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, wherein the second heating unit is arranged between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, and wherein in the automatic selection mode, the control unit, after power-on, selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit in advance and selects the second heating unit in advance. [8] The induction cooker according to claim 7, wherein in the automatic selection mode, the controller selects the first coil unit and the third coil unit in advance after power-on and selects the second heating unit in advance. [9] The induction cooker according to claim 7, further comprising: a second control unit configured to receive a user operation relating to the second heating unit; and a third control unit which is designed to receive a user operation relating to the third heating unit, wherein the second control unit and the third control unit each have a heating start button for starting the heating of an object to be heated, wherein in the automatic selection mode, when the second operating unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the second operating unit, the control unit provides a control for applying the high-frequency current to the second heating unit, and wherein in the automatic selection mode, when the third operating unit receives an operation of the heating start button of the third operating unit, the control unit provides control to apply the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the third heating unit. [10] The induction cooker according to claim 6, further comprising: a third heating unit covered by the cover plate and whose heating process is controlled by the control unit; a second control unit configured to receive a user operation relating to the second heating unit; and a third control unit which is designed to receive a user operation relating to the third heating unit, wherein the third heating unit comprises a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, wherein the second control unit has: a toggle button for toggling between selection and de-selection of the second heating unit; and a heating start button for starting the heating of an object to be heated, whereby the third control unit has: a toggle button for selecting the third coil unit and / or the fourth coil unit; and a heating start button to start heating the object to be heated, whereby the second heating unit is arranged between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, and wherein in a non-selection mode that differs from the automatic selection mode of the several modes: after switching on, the first coil unit and the second coil unit of the first heating unit, the second heating unit and the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit are each in a non-selected state; when the first operating unit receives at least one operation of the switch button of the first operating unit, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit; when the first control unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the first control unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the first heating unit; if the second control unit receives at least one actuation of the switch button of the second control unit, the control unit selects the second heating unit; when the second control unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the second control unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the second heating unit; when the third actuating unit receives at least one actuation of the switching button of the third actuating unit, the control unit selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit; and when the third control unit receives an actuation of the heating start button of the third control unit, the control unit applies the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit(s) of the third heating unit. [11] The induction cooker according to claim 9, wherein for each of the first operating unit and the third operating unit, when the waiting time for the user operation reaches a predetermined time, the control unit cancels the selection of the selected coil unit(s), and wherein for the second control unit, when the waiting time for user operation reaches a predetermined time, the control unit cancels the selection of the second heating unit. [12] The induction cooker according to claim 11, wherein the first operation unit, the second operation unit and the third operation unit each receive the designation of the predetermined time from a user. [13] The induction cooker according to claim 9, wherein the first operating unit and the third operating unit each accept the specification of a coil unit to be selected in advance or the specification of non-selection of a coil unit, and wherein the second control unit accepts the determination as to whether the second heating unit should be selected in advance. [14] The induction cooker according to claim 6, further comprising: a first display unit configured to display information relating to the first heating unit and / or the first control unit; and a second display unit configured to display information relating to the second heating unit and / or the second operating unit, wherein the first display unit is capable of displaying information indicating a selectable coil unit, wherein the second display unit is capable of displaying information indicating that the second heating unit is selected, wherein the first operating unit has at least one button for switching selection states of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and wherein the second control unit has at least one button for switching a selection state of the second heating unit. [15] The induction cooker according to claim 14, wherein the information indicating a selectable coil unit and the information indicating that at least the second heating unit is selected comprise letters, symbols, numbers and / or display states. [16] The induction cooker according to claim 15, wherein the first display unit can display at least: a first pictogram indicating that the selectable coil unit is the first coil unit; a second pictogram indicating that the selectable coil unit is the second coil unit; and a third pictogram indicating that the selectable coil unit includes the first coil unit and the second coil unit, both of which are selected. [17] The induction cooker according to claim 16, wherein the first display unit displays the first icon, the second icon and the third icon sequentially. [18] The induction cooker according to claim 16, wherein the first display unit further comprises a first area indicating that the first coil unit and the second coil unit are both in a non-selected state, wherein the first display unit changes a display state of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon or the first area depending on a selection state of the first heating unit, and wherein the second display unit has a second area indicating that the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, wherein the second display unit changes the display state of either the third icon or the second area. [19] The induction cooker according to claim 16, wherein the first display unit further comprises a first area indicating that the first coil unit and the second coil unit are both in a non-selected state, wherein the first operating unit has a button for switching a selection state of the selectable coil unit, and wherein each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit changes a selection state of the first heating unit and, depending on the changed selection state, changes a display state of the first pictogram, the second pictogram, the third pictogram or the first area on the first display unit. [20] The induction cooker according to claim 19, wherein when the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit changes a selection state of the first heating unit and, depending on the changed selection state, changes a display state of any one of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon and the first area on the first display unit, and wherein when the second heating unit is in a selected state, each time the one button is subjected to user operation, the first operation unit performs switching between a state in which the first coil unit is selected and a state in which the first coil unit is not selected, wherein the first operation unit changes a display state of either the first icon or the first area depending on the changed selection state. [21] The induction cooker according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising: a display arranged near said one button, said display indicating a selection state of said first heating unit.

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