Induction heating cooker

Abstract

To provide an induction heating cooker capable of improving operability.SOLUTION: An induction heating cooker comprises: a first heating part having first and second coil units; a first operation part for receiving a user operation regarding the first heating part; a control part for limiting a heating operation by the first heating part; and a power source switch. The induction heating cooker is configured such that the control part heats one heating target either by: a heating operation for flowing high-frequency currents simultaneously to the first and second coil units; or a heating operation for flowing a high-frequency current selectively to one of the first and second coil units. The control part can be operated in one mode selected from a plurality of modes having different initial operations after the power source is turned on. In an automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes, the control part pre-selects at least one of the first and second coil units after the power source is turned on. Further, when the first operation part receives one operation of a heating start key, the control part performs the control for flowing a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the first heating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an induction heating cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, induction heating cookers have been known that have a plurality of heating coils and allow a cooking vessel to be placed across the plurality of heating coils.

[0003] For example, the induction heating cooker described in Patent Document 1 has two or more heating coils, and can heat an object to be heated using the heating coils. After the induction heating cooker is turned on, the vicinity of the outer periphery of the multiple heating parts is sequentially illuminated. This allows the user to recognize the type (size and position) of the heating parts before heating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-218106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When multiple heating units, i.e., multiple heating areas, can be selected, the user must select the heating area he or she wants to use and perform the operation to start heating. In other words, the user must perform the operation multiple times after turning on the power before the heating operation can start. This may be cumbersome for the user, and there is room for improvement in the operability of the induction heating cooker of Patent Document 1.

[0006] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an induction heating cooker with improved operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An induction heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first heating section having a first coil unit and a second coil unit, a top plate covering the first heating section, a first operation section that accepts user operations related to the first heating section, a control section that controls the heating operation of the first heating section, and a power switch that turns on the power. The control section is configured to heat one object to be heated by either a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is simultaneously passed through the first coil unit and the second coil unit, or a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is selectively passed through one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit. The first operation section has a heating start key that starts heating the object to be heated using the first heating section. The control section can operate in one mode selected from a plurality of modes having different initial operations after the power is turned on. The automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode in which, after the power is turned on, the control section preselects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and when the first operation section accepts one operation of the heating start key, the control section controls the high-frequency current to be passed through the selected coil unit of the first heating section. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an induction heating cooker with improved operability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details and connections of heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C, an operation panel 7, a display panel 8, and a control unit 10. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram in which a left IH control unit 10A, a rear IH control unit 10B, and a right IH control unit 10C control a left IH heating unit 4A, a rear IH heating unit 4B, and a right IH heating unit 4C, respectively; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab that constitute the left IH heating unit 4A. [Diagram 5]1 is a schematic enlarged view of a coil piece 5 constituting coil units 4A and 4C. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker 1 immediately after power is turned on when an automatic selection mode is set for heating units 4A to 4C; [Figure 9] An enlarged view of the operation panel 7 and the display panel 8 immediately after the power key 7D is pressed. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 shows the relative positions of the left IH heating unit 4A and the rear IH heating unit 4B. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an induction heating cooker 1 immediately after power is turned on when a non-selection mode is set for heating units 4A to 4C; [Figure 12] Enlarged view of the operation panel 7 and the display panel 8 in the non-selection mode [Figure 13A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the transition of the display of the status indicator when the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a transition of the display of the selection indicator in response to pressing of the area switching key 7A-1 when the rear IH heating unit 4B is performing a heating operation. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 shows an example of a display on the left display panel 8A showing the selection state of the coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows an example of a display on the left display panel 8A after the front coil unit 4Af has been selected. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 shows an example of a display on the rear display panel 8B when the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 shows an example in which the rear display panel 8B-1 displays that the rear IH heating unit 4B cannot be selected. [Figure 18A] A flow chart showing the procedure of the operation of an induction heating cooker 1 having three heating sections 4A to 4C. [Figure 18B]A flowchart showing the procedure of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the selected coil unit or heating part, following FIG. 18A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Generally, induction heating cookers have a circular heating part. Such a heating part is suitable for heating a circular pot. However, in recent years, non-circular pots have become more and more popular, and there is a demand for heating such pots as well.

[0011] The present inventor(s) have developed an induction heating cooker having an elongated heating section so that it can heat non-circular pots. The elongated heating section is suitable for heating pots of various shapes, such as non-circular pots. However, assuming a case where a circular pot is heated, the induction heating cooker performs heating operation in only a part of the elongated heating area, and is capable of heating in a roughly circular shape. In other words, the induction heating cooker has multiple selectable heating areas in one heating section.

[0012] When heating an object to be heated using such an induction heating cooker having multiple heating areas, the user must select one of the heating areas and start heating. The inventor(s) considered that if there was an operation mode that allowed the selection of the heating area to be omitted, the number of operations from turning on the power to starting heating could be reduced, improving operability and convenience. On the other hand, there may be a certain number of users who are accustomed to selecting the heating area. Therefore, it may be possible to leave room for the user to select an operation mode that allows the selection of the heating area, as in the case of conventional induction heating cookers.

[0013] Therefore, the inventor(s) provided an induction heating cooker equipped with a heating section having a plurality of selectable coil units with a plurality of modes that have different initial operations after the power is turned on. As one of the plurality of modes, a mode is provided in which, after the power is turned on, one of the coil units is pre-selected, and heating can be started when a heating start operation is performed in that state. In this specification, "starting heating" refers to actually heating the object to be heated with an increase in temperature by starting the supply of high-frequency current.

[0014] It is also assumed that induction heating cookers have not only one heating unit having a plurality of selectable coil units, but also a plurality of heating units. For such induction heating cookers, it is possible to select whether or not to apply the above-mentioned mode for each heating unit. Furthermore, in addition to such heating units, a heating unit having only a single coil unit may coexist. In that case, the user can select whether or not the heating unit should be in a pre-selected state after the power is turned on.

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described below are merely examples of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. The technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure.

[0016] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications should be understood to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

[0017] (Embodiment) [Configuration of induction heating cooker] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure is described to facilitate understanding of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention. The X-axis direction indicates the left-right direction. The Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction. The Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the induction heating cooker 1 is a cooker that inductively heats a cooking container C that contains an object to be cooked T. The cooking container C is described as an example of an object to be inductively heated by the induction heating cooker 1. The object to be heated is not limited to the cooking container C, and may be any object to be inductively heated.

[0019] Induction heating is achieved by supplying a high-frequency current to the coil of the heating section. More specifically, when an inverter circuit (not shown) passes a high-frequency current through the coil of the heating section, magnetic lines of force are generated. When these magnetic lines of force pass through a metal pot, eddy currents are generated. When the eddy currents flow through the bottom of the pot, the pot heats up due to the electrical resistance of the pot. This allows the pot to be heated.

[0020] The induction heating cooker 1 has a top plate 2 made of, for example, heat-resistant glass on which a cooking container C is placed, and a housing 3 attached to the lower surface of the top plate 2. The induction heating cooker 1 has a plurality of heating parts 4A, 4B, 4C, an operation panel 7, a display panel 8, and a control unit 10 in the housing 3. The top plate 2 is arranged so as to cover the plurality of heating parts 4A, 4B, 4C. Each of the plurality of heating parts 4A, 4B, 4C is arranged below the top plate 2, and induction heats the cooking container C placed on the portion of the top plate 2 that faces it. That is, each of the plurality of heating parts 4A, 4B, 4C includes an induction heating coil unit. The heating parts 4A and 4C have a plurality of coils. The configurations of the heating parts 4A and 4C will be described in detail later. On the other hand, the heating part 4B may be composed of one coil or may be composed of a plurality of coils. Although the induction heating cooker 1 will be described as having three heating parts, the induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure may have at least one heating part 4A. In addition to the heating part 4A, it is optional to have the heating part 4B and / or the heating part 4C.

[0021] The control unit 10 is, for example, a computer, and includes an arithmetic circuit and a storage device (not shown). The control unit 10 can control the multiple heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C.

[0022] The arithmetic circuit controls the overall operation of the induction heating cooker 1. The arithmetic circuit may be either a circuit in which hardware resources and software work together to realize a predetermined function, or a circuit in which a dedicated hardware circuit is used to realize a predetermined function.

[0023] As an example of the former, the arithmetic circuit includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that executes a program to realize a predetermined process or function. The arithmetic circuit is configured to be able to communicate with a storage device. The arithmetic circuit reads out and executes an arithmetic program or the like stored in the storage device to realize various functions in the control unit 10. As an example of the latter, the arithmetic circuit includes an FPGA or an ASIC. As can be understood from the above, the arithmetic circuit can be realized using a semiconductor integrated circuit such as a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, an FPGA, a DSP, or an ASIC.

[0024] The storage device is a storage medium capable of storing various information. The information includes programs and data. For example, the storage device stores an arithmetic program for implementing various functions according to the present embodiment. The storage device is implemented, for example, by a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a DRAM, an SRAM or a flash memory, an SSD, an HDD or other storage device, or an appropriate combination thereof. For example, the arithmetic circuit can use the program or data stored in the storage device to set and read the selection state of a plurality of heating areas, which will be described later, and execute a plurality of operation modes.

[0025] The operation panel 7 accepts user operations related to the heating operations of the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C. The operation panel 7 is an example of an input interface device. The operation panel 7 is electrically connected to the control unit 10. A user can operate the operation panel 7 to operate each of the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C via the control unit 10.

[0026] The display panel 8 displays information related to the heating units 4A, 4B, 4C and / or the operation panel 7. The display panel 8 is a display device capable of displaying characters, figures, etc., such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. Based on the information displayed on the operation panel 7, the user can grasp the setting state and operating state of each of the heating units 4A, 4B, 4C.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the details of the heating units 4A, 4B, and 4C, the operation panel 7, the display panel 8, and the control unit 10 and their connections.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, when describing the positions, for example, the heating sections 4A, 4B, and 4C are described as "left IH heating section 4A", "rear IH heating section 4B", and "right IH heating section 4C", respectively. In this embodiment, the operation panel 7, the display panel 8, and the control section 10 are provided to correspond to the left IH heating section 4A, the rear IH heating section 4B, and the right IH heating section 4C, respectively. For example, the operation panel 7 has a left operation panel 7A, a rear operation panel 7B, and a right operation panel 7C to correspond to the left IH heating section 4A, the rear IH heating section 4B, and the right IH heating section 4C, respectively. Similarly, the display panel 8 also includes a left display panel 8A, a rear display panel 8B, and a right display panel 8C, and the control section 10 also has a left IH control section 10A, a rear IH control section 10B, and a right IH control section 10C.

[0029] For example, the left operation panel 7A accepts user operations related to the heating operation of the left IH heating section 4A. The left display panel 8A displays information related to the left IH heating section 4A and / or the left operation panel 7A.

[0030] 3 shows a schematic diagram of the left IH control section 10A, rear IH control section 10B, and right IH control section 10C controlling the left IH heating section 4A, rear IH heating section 4B, and right IH heating section 4C, respectively. For ease of understanding, the control section 10 will be described as having three controllers 10A-10C, but one, two, or four or more arithmetic circuits may realize the operation of each of the controllers 10A-10C. For example, when one arithmetic circuit realizes the operation of each of the controllers 10A-10C, the arithmetic circuit may execute the operation of each of the controllers 10A-10C in parallel by a program.

[0031] Hereinafter, attention will be focused on the left IH heating section 4A and the right IH heating section 4C.

[0032] The left IH heating section 4A has a front coil unit 4Af and a rear coil unit 4Ab, and the right IH heating section 4C has a front coil unit 4Cf and a rear coil unit 4Cb.

[0033] Fig. 4 shows the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab that constitute the left IH heating unit 4A. 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 portion of the rear IH heating unit 4B (the front side in this embodiment) is disposed between the rear coil unit 4Ab and the rear coil unit 4Cb in the X-axis direction.

[0034] The front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are each composed of a plurality of coil pieces 5. More specifically, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are each composed of six coil pieces 5 arranged radially adjacent to each other in a plan view. In this specification, "plan view" means viewed from the vertical direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction.

[0035] The area heated by the front coil unit 4Af has a center C1 in plan view. The area heated by the rear coil unit 4Ab has a center C2 in plan view. Since the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab each have a circular outer shape in plan view, the heated areas are also approximately circular.

[0036] In this embodiment, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab share two coil pieces 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. By overlapping, the size of the heated area in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) can be shortened to achieve space saving. Conversely, if there is no overlap, the heated area can be expanded by the area heated by the coil pieces 5a and 5b.

[0037] For both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, the maximum bottom length of the object to be heated is generally determined in the design. The heated area may be an area in which the cooking container C shown on the upper surface of the top plate 2 is placed in a plan view. Alternatively, the heated area may be an area smaller than an area in which the cooking container C shown on the upper surface of the top plate 2 can be placed in a plan view.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged view of coil piece 5 constituting coil units 4A and 4C.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 5, the first coil piece 5 has a coil piece main 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 that is wound multiple times. The coil wire has a first end 14 and a second end 15. The first end 14 and the second end 15 are connected to an inverter circuit (not shown).

[0040] The coil piece body 11 is a portion formed by winding a coil wire. The coil piece body 11 has a frame shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the coil piece body 11 has a sector shape in a plan view. The shape of the coil piece body 11 is not limited to a sector shape, and may have any shape.

[0041] The outer lead wire 12 is a lead wire that is led out from the outside of the coil piece body portion 11 .

[0042] The inner lead wire 13 is a lead wire that is led out from the inside of the coil piece body portion 11 .

[0043] In this embodiment, the first coil piece 5 is formed of a single coil wire. The coil wire is an example of an electric wire. The coil wire is made of, for example, a conductive material.

[0044] [Heating operation of induction cooker] Next, a basic operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the present disclosure will be described.

[0045] First, the heating operation will be described. Below, the heating operation by the left IH heating unit 4A will be described. The heating operation by the right IH heating unit 4C is similar, so the description will be omitted.

[0046] The left IH control unit 10A can operate the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab independently. "Independently" means that high-frequency currents can be passed through the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab independently. The left IH control unit 10A restricts different high-frequency currents from being passed through the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab simultaneously. In other words, when the left IH control unit 10A passes high-frequency currents through the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab simultaneously, the frequencies are the same.

[0047] 6 shows an example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. The left IH control unit 10A passes a high-frequency current through the front coil unit 4Af, but does not pass a high-frequency current through the rear coil unit 4Ab. This allows the left IH control unit 10A to heat only the object to be heated that is placed above the front coil unit 4Af.

[0048] 7 shows another example of the heating operation of the left IH heating unit 4A. The left IH control unit 10A passes high-frequency current through the rear coil unit 4Ab, but does not pass high-frequency current through the front coil unit 4Af. This allows the left IH control unit 10A to heat only the object to be heated that is placed above the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0049] The left IH heating unit 4A can also pass high-frequency current through both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab at the same time. In this case, high-frequency current flows through the entire left IH heating unit 4A shown in Fig. 4, so that an object to be heated located above it can be heated. In other words, as is clear from Fig. 4, an oval or rectangular object to be heated can be heated.

[0050] Incidentally, the heating operation of the post-IH heating section 4B can be switched on / off by passing or not passing a high-frequency current.

[0051] [Initial operation mode of induction cooker]

[0052] Next, there will be described an operation mode applied during initial operation of the induction heating cooker 1. During initial operation, the state immediately after the power is turned on will be referred to. The induction heating cooker 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of modes that can be applied at the time of initial operation. In this embodiment, the mode can be set independently for each of the left IH heating section 4A, the rear IH heating section 4B, and the right IH heating section 4C. However, the mode may be common to all the heating sections.

[0053] In this embodiment, one of the plurality of modes is an automatic selection mode, and the other is a non-selection mode.

[0054] 8 shows a schematic diagram of the induction heating cooker 1 immediately after power is turned on when the automatic selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C. As described above, it is not necessary for all of the heating units 4A to 4C to operate in the automatic selection mode.

[0055] In the automatic selection mode shown in Fig. 8, 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 are preselected. For ease of understanding, the selected coil units and heating units are shown in thick solid lines.

[0056] 9 is an enlarged view of the operation panel 7 and the display panel 8 immediately after the power key 7D is pressed. The left display panel 8A-2, the rear display panel 8B-2, and the right display panel 8C-2 are lit up, and display "MENU" for selecting a menu for each of the heating units 4A to 4C, and "START" indicating the start of heating.

[0057] 9 also displays a status indicator 8A-3 indicating the selection state of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab of the heating unit 4A. In FIG. 9, the indicator f indicating that the front coil unit 4Af has been selected is displayed as "■". The right display panel 8C corresponding to the heating unit 4C also has a status indicator indicating the selection state of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the heating unit 4C, and the indicator f indicating that the front coil unit 4Cf has been selected is displayed as "■". The indicator is an example of information indicating a selected coil unit.

[0058] In this specification, the induction heating cooker 1 can set and read the selected state of the heating area. The "heating area" here means the whole or part of the left IH heating section 4A, the whole of the rear IH heating section 4B, and the whole or part of the right IH heating section 4C. For example, the whole of the left IH heating section 4A means both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. A part of the left IH heating section 4A means the front coil unit 4Af or the rear coil unit 4Ab. As shown in FIG. 9, when the indicator f is displayed as "■", it indicates that the front coil unit 4Af is selected (selected state). The above-mentioned automatic selection mode and non-selection mode are each one of the operation modes of the induction heating cooker 1. The operation mode means a changeable operation method / style of the induction heating cooker 1, and in addition to the above-mentioned automatic selection mode and non-selection mode applied at the time of initial operation, there may be an operation method / style applied at the time of operation other than the time of initial operation.

[0059] In this embodiment, no explicit indicator such as indicator f is provided for the rear IH heating unit 4B. However, the rear display panel 8B-2 is lit and items such as "Menu" are displayed, so that the user can visually confirm that the rear IH heating unit 4B has been selected. Therefore, the display state itself can be an example of information indicating the selected coil unit.

[0060] In the illustrated selection state, for example, when the left operation panel 7A receives a single operation, such as a press, of the heating start key 7A-2 from the user, the control unit 10 controls the flow of high-frequency current to the selected coil unit. This starts heating the pan placed above the selected front coil unit 4Af. Because the front coil unit 4Af has been preselected, the user can start heating with a single operation of the heating start key without having to select a coil unit each time. This improves user operability and convenience. The same applies to the operation of the rear display panel 8B and the right display panel 8C.

[0061] 8 and 9, for example, for the left IH heating unit 4A, only the rear coil unit 4Ab may be preselected, or both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab may be preselected. The same is true for the right IH heating unit 4C. In either case, the user can start heating by operating the heating start key once, without having to select a coil unit each time.

[0062] The three heating sections 4A to 4C can perform heating operations independently. However, in this embodiment, certain restrictions are imposed on simultaneous operation of the left IH heating section 4A and the rear IH heating section 4B, and simultaneous operation of the rear IH heating section 4B and the right IH heating section 4C. Specifically, restrictions are imposed so that heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating section 4A and heating by the rear IH heating section 4B are not performed simultaneously. "Heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab" includes heating using only the rear coil unit 4Ab, and heating using both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0063] In a conventional induction heating cooker, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear IH heating section 4B could be arranged with a gap corresponding to the distance between them. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance d1 between the center C1 of the front coil unit Af and the center C3 of the rear IH heating section 4B could be about 200 mm. Since the bottom diameter of a pan is often 180 mm or more, the distance d1 is set to 200 mm or more to ensure space for placing a pan on both the front coil unit Af and the rear IH heating section 4B. However, in the induction heating cooker of this embodiment, in order to enable heating of an oval or rectangular object to be heated, the left IH heating section 4A extends in the Y-axis direction (upward on the paper). In particular, the distance d2 between the center C2 of the rear coil unit 4Ab and the center C3 of the rear IH heating section 4B becomes relatively narrow. For example, in this embodiment, the distance d2 is less than 200 mm, specifically 155 mm.

[0064] As a result, there is insufficient space to place a pan on both the rear coil unit 4Ab and the rear IH heating unit 4B, or each pan cannot be placed in the center of its respective heating area, which can be stressful for the user and makes it difficult to heat the pans evenly.

[0065] Next, the non-selection mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13B.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the induction heating cooker 1 immediately after power is turned on when the non-selection mode is set for the heating units 4A to 4C. In the non-selection mode, the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are both in a non-selected state after power is turned on. Since none of the heating units 4A to 4C are selected, the left display panel 8A-2, the rear display panel 8B-2, and the right display panel 8C-2 do not display characters such as "Heating" as shown in FIG. 9. As described above, it is not necessary for all of the heating units 4A to 4C to operate in the non-selection mode.

[0067] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the operation panel 7 and the display panel 8 in the non-selection mode.

[0068] The display panel 8 shows three "▼" marks. That is, the selection indicators 8A-1, 8B-1, and 8C-1 are for the heating units 4A to 4C, respectively. The user can select the corresponding heating unit 4A to 4C by pressing one of the area switching keys 7A-1, 7B-1, and 7C-1 corresponding to the selection indicator 8A-1, 8B-1, and 8C-1. By providing the area switching keys 7A-1, 7B-1, and 7C-1 for switching between selection and non-selection, the user can easily select the coil unit / heating unit, improving convenience. As described later, the area switching keys 7A-1 and 7C-1 can also select the front coil unit and / or the back coil unit, making the selection easier.

[0069] First, attention is focused on the left operation panel 7A and left display panel 8A related to the operation and display corresponding to the left IH heating unit 4A. The user operates the area switching key 7A-1 on the left operation panel 7A to select the front coil unit 4Af and / or the rear coil unit 4Ab. After that, when the left operation panel 7A accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7A-2 from the user, the control unit 10 controls so that a high-frequency current flows through the selected coil unit. The above-mentioned operation is also the same for the right operation panel 7C and right display panel 8C related to the operation and display corresponding to the right IH heating unit 4C.

[0070] FIG. 13A shows the transition of the display of the status indicator when the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed. FIG. 13A (a) shows the initial state in which the selection indicator 8A-1 is lit immediately after the power switch 7D is pressed, and FIG. 13A (b) shows the state in which the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed once and the indicator f is lit. As described above, the lighting of the indicator f indicates that the front coil unit 4Af of the left IH heating section 4A has been selected. At this time, the indicator b is turned off. The lighting and turning off of the indicator b indicate that the rear coil unit 4Ab has been selected and not selected, respectively. At this time, the selection state for the left IH heating section 4A is the same as that shown in FIG. 9.

[0071] 13A(c) shows that the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed once more, and both indicators f and b are lit up. At this time, both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are selected.

[0072] 13A(d) shows that the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed once more, the indicator f is turned off, and the indicator b is turned on. At this time, the front coil unit 4Af is not selected, and only the rear coil unit 4Ab is selected.

[0073] Thereafter, when the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed once more, the state returns to the initial state of (a) in Fig. 13A. Each time the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed, the selection indicators f and b transition between on and off as shown in (a) to (d) in Fig. 13A.

[0074] When the heating start key 7A-2 on the left operation panel 7A, which corresponds to "start" for heating, is pressed in the state of Fig. 13A(b), the heating operation starts only in the front coil unit 4Af. When the heating start key 7A-2 is pressed in the state of Fig. 13A(c), the heating operation starts in the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. When the heating start key 7A-2 is pressed in the state of Fig. 13A(d), the heating operation starts only in the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0075] The above-mentioned transition also applies to the right operation panel 7C and the right display panel 8C corresponding to the heating unit 4C.

[0076] Refer again to FIG. 12. Next, attention is focused on the rear operation panel 7B and rear display panel 8B related to the operation and display corresponding to the rear IH heating unit 4B. The above-mentioned selection indicator 8B-1 is displayed as a "▼" symbol or icon on the rear display panel 8B-2. The user operates the area switching key 7B-1 on the left operation panel 7B to select the rear IH heating unit 4B. At this time, the selection state for the rear IH heating unit 4B is the same as that shown in FIG. 9.

[0077] Thereafter, when the rear operation panel 7B accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7B-2 from the user, the control unit 10 performs control so as to pass a high-frequency current through the coil of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0078] For users who are accustomed to the operation method of selecting the heating unit they want to use from among multiple heating units, the non-selection mode allows them to use induction heating cooker 1 without changing the operability, thereby maintaining convenience.

[0079] Regarding whether the automatic selection mode or the non-selection mode is applied at the time of initial operation, the user can select a setting item that enables such setting from a menu item on the display unit and explicitly select either one. Alternatively, if the user has previously selected a certain heating unit, the automatic selection mode may be automatically adopted.

[0080] As in the automatic selection mode, in the non-selection mode, in this embodiment, heating by the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating portion 4A and heating by the rear IH heating portion 4B are restricted so as not to be performed simultaneously.

[0081] For example, when the rear IH heating unit 4B is performing a heating operation, the rear coil unit 4Ab cannot be selected. Fig. 13B shows the transition of the display of the selection indicator in response to pressing of the area switching key 7A-1 when the rear IH heating unit 4B is performing a heating operation. Even if the area switching key 7A-1 is pressed multiple times, the selection indicator b is not displayed.

[0082] As described above, the user can determine which heating section 4A-4C has been selected, and further, for heating sections 4A and 4C, whether the front / rear / whole coil unit has been selected, based on the display on the display panel 8. Below, modified examples of the display on the display panel 8 for informing the user of the selection state are described. Below, the left operation panel 7A and left display panel 8A relating to the operation and display corresponding to the left IH heating section 4A are also exemplified.

[0083] FIG. 14 is a display example of the left display panel 8A showing the selection state of the coil unit of the left IH heating section 4A.

[0084] The left operation panel 7A has an area switching key 7A-1 and a heating start key 7A-2 as well as a time key 7A-3, a reverse key 7A-4 and a forward key 7A-5.

[0085] The area switching key 7A-1 is used to switch to a mode for selecting a coil unit that can be heated among the left IH heating section 4A. The time key 7A-3, the reverse key 7A-4, and the forward key 7A-5 function as multi-function switches to which various functions can be assigned depending on the situation. The operation panel 7 including the left operation panel 7A may be a mechanical push button switch or a touch switch including a capacitance switch.

[0086] In this example, the left display panel 8A-2 displays information indicating selectable coil units of the left IH heating unit 4A in the left-right direction (X direction). The "information" here refers to, for example, characters, symbols, and figures, and in the example of Fig. 14, it is four icons. The four icons are displayed directly in the left-right direction.

[0087] The left display panel 8A-2 has four areas 8Aa to 8Ad. An icon indicating the front coil unit 4Af is displayed in the area 8Aa. An icon indicating the rear coil unit 4Ab is displayed in the area 8Ab. Icons indicating both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are displayed in the area 8Ac. An icon indicating that none of the coil units are selected is displayed in the area 8Ad. The icon in the area 8Ad is not essential and may be text indicating that the unit is not selected.

[0088] The keys on the left operation panel 7A facing each area of ​​the left display panel 8A-2 are used to confirm the selection state displayed in each area. For example, to select the front coil unit 4Af, the user operates the time key 7A-3 facing the area 8Aa displaying the icon representing the front coil unit 4Af. When the left operation panel 7A accepts the operation of the time key 7A-3, the control unit 10 selects the front coil unit 4Af of the left IH heating unit 4A.

[0089] Fig. 15 shows an example of the display on the left display panel 8A after the front coil unit 4Af has been selected. The selection indicator f is lit, indicating that the front coil unit 4Af associated with the area 8Aa in Fig. 14 has been selected. When the heating start key 7A-2 on the left operation panel 7A, which corresponds to "start" for heating, is pressed in the state of Fig. 15, the heating operation starts only with the front coil unit 4Af.

[0090] Next, the rear operation panel 7B and rear display panel 8B relating to operations and displays corresponding to the rear IH heating section 4B are illustrated. When the rear IH heating section 4B is selectable, for example, a selection indicator 8B-1 shown in FIG. 12 may be displayed. Below, a display example in which selection of the rear IH heating section 4B is prohibited will be described. As described above, when heating of the left IH heating section 4A or the right IH heating section 4C has started, selection of the rear IH heating section 4B is prohibited by the control section 10.

[0091] Fig. 16 shows an example of the display on the rear display panel 8B when the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited. When the use of the rear IH heating unit 4B is prohibited, the rear display panel 8B turns off the display of the selection indicator 8B-1 shown by a "▼" in Fig. 12. For ease of understanding, the turned-off state is shown by a dashed "▽" in Fig. 16.

[0092] 16, even if the user operates area switching key 7B-1, control unit 10 will not permit selection of rear IH heating unit 4B. Control unit 10 may display a message on rear display panel 8B to inform the user that rear IH heating unit 4B cannot be selected.

[0093] 17 shows an example in which the rear display panel 8B-1 displays a message indicating that the rear IH heating unit 4B cannot be selected. By checking this display, the user can understand that the rear IH heating unit 4B cannot be selected.

[0094] Next, the operation of the control unit 10 of the induction heating cooker 1 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0095] Fig. 18A is a flow chart showing the procedure of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 having three heating parts 4A to 4C. For ease of explanation, the following description will be given assuming that the control part 10 executes the following process after the power switch 7D is pressed. For ease of explanation, the description will be given assuming that any of the coil units or heating parts is selected in the heating parts 4A to 4C. There may be cases where none of the coil units or heating parts are selected, in which case the display panel 8 may be turned off or the power may be turned off after a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0096] The control unit 10 reads out the automatic selection mode / non-selection mode for the heating unit i (i=1 to 3) (S10). The initial value of i is 1. Whether the automatic selection mode / non-selection mode is applied to each heating unit 4A to 4C can be determined by whether the user sets it using a menu item or whether the user selects the heating units 4A to 4C in advance, as described above. Hereinafter, when the heating unit is i, i=1 indicates the left IH heating unit 4A, i=2 indicates the rear IH heating unit 4B, and i=3 indicates the right IH heating unit 4C. When the display panel is i, i=1 indicates the left operation panel 7A, i=2 indicates the rear operation panel 7B, and i=3 indicates the right operation panel 7C.

[0097] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the automatic selection mode is applied to the heating unit i (S11). If the automatic selection mode is applied, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0098] In step S11, if the automatic selection mode is not applied, i.e., if the non-selection mode is applied, the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the control unit 10 displays a selection indicator on the display panel corresponding to the heating unit i. Note that the selection indicator is not displayed for the heating unit whose use is restricted.

[0099] Next, the control unit 10 judges whether or not the processing has been completed for all the heating units (S14). That is, it judges whether or not the current value of i is 3. If the processing has not been completed for all the heating units, i is incremented by 1, and the processing is repeated from step S10.

[0100] When the process is completed for all the heating parts, one of the coil units or heating parts is selected and heating is started. Fig. 18B is a flowchart following Fig. 18A, showing the procedure of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the selected coil unit or heating part. The process proceeds to step S15 (S15-1, S15-2, S15-3) or S16 (S16-1, S16-2, S16-3).

[0101] That is, when the non-selection mode is selected for the left IH heating unit 4A (i=1), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15-1 and accepts the selection of a coil unit. Specifically, the control unit 10 accepts the selection of at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. That is, the control unit 10 displays the icons shown in the areas 8Aa to 8Ad of FIG. 14 on the left display panel 8A and accepts the selection operation on the left operation panel 7A. Thereafter, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit via the left operation panel 7A shown in FIG. 15 (S16-1). On the other hand, when the automatic selection mode is selected, after completing step S14, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit (S16-1). That is, the control unit 10 does not display the icons shown in the areas 8Aa to 8Ad of FIG. 14 on the left display panel 8A, but displays the indicators b and f associated with the selected coil unit and the heating start button as shown in FIG. 15. After that, the control unit 10 starts supplying high-frequency current to the selected coil unit (S17-1).

[0102] Furthermore, when the non-selection mode is selected for the rear IH heating unit 4B (i=2), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15-2 and accepts the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B. That is, the control unit 10 displays the selection indicator 8B-1 of FIG. 16 on the rear display panel 8B and accepts the selection operation on the rear operation panel 7B. Thereafter, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the rear IH heating unit 4B (S16-2). On the other hand, when the automatic selection mode is selected, after completing step S14, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the rear IH heating unit 4B (S16-2). That is, the control unit 10 does not display the selection indicator 8B-1 on the rear display panel 8B, but displays the heating start button. Thereafter, the control unit 10 starts the supply of high-frequency current to the rear IH heating unit 4B (S17-2).

[0103] Furthermore, when the non-selection mode is selected for the right IH heating unit 4C (i=3), the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15-3 and accepts the selection of the coil unit. Specifically, the control unit 10 accepts the selection of at least one of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb. At this time, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the selected coil unit (S16-3). On the other hand, when the automatic selection mode is selected, the control unit 10 accepts the pressing of the heating start button for the coil unit selected after completing step S14 (S16-3). After that, the control unit 10 starts supplying high-frequency current to the selected coil unit (S17-3). The operation of the right display panel 8C is the same as steps S16-1 and S17-1 for the left IH heating unit 4C, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] According to the above process, when the automatic selection mode is applied, for example, at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab is preselected in the left IH heating unit 4A, so the user can start heating without selecting a coil unit. On the other hand, the user can also adopt the non-selection mode. This allows users who are accustomed to the operation method of selecting the heating unit to be used each time to use the induction heating cooker 1 without changing the operability, maintaining convenience.

[0105] [effect] According to the induction heating cooker 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the following effects can be achieved.

[0106] The induction heating cooker 1 includes a left IH heating section 4A / right IH heating section 4C, a top plate 2 covering the heating sections 4A / 4C, a left operation panel 7A / right operation panel 7C that accepts user operations related to the heating sections 4A / 4C, a control section 10 that controls the heating operations of the heating sections 4A / 4C, and a power switch 7D that turns on the power. For example, the left IH control section 10A is configured to heat one object to be heated by either a heating operation in which high-frequency current is simultaneously passed through the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, or a heating operation in which high-frequency current is selectively passed through one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. The left operation panel 7A has a heating start key 7A-2 that starts heating the object to be heated using the left IH heating section 4A. The left IH control section 10A can operate in one mode selected from a plurality of modes that have different initial operations after the power is turned on. Among the multiple modes, the automatic selection mode is a mode in which, after the power is turned on, the left IH control unit 10A preselects at least one of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab, and when the left operation panel 7A accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7A-2, the left IH control unit 10A controls so that a high-frequency current flows through the selected coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4Ab. This allows the user to start heating with a single operation of the heating start key without having to select a coil unit each time, improving operability and convenience for the user.

[0107] The automatic selection mode may include a state in which, after power is turned on, the left IH heating section 4A preselects the front coil unit 4Af or the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0108] In the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the left IH control unit 10A may preselect the front coil unit 4Af.

[0109] The left operation panel 7A further has a switching key 7A-1 for selecting the front coil unit 4Af and / or the rear coil unit 4Ab. Among the multiple modes, the non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode is as follows. After the power is turned on, both the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab are in a non-selected state. When the left operation panel 7A accepts at least one operation of the switching key 7A-1, 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 operation panel 7A accepts one operation of the heating start key 7A-2, the left IH control unit 10A controls so that a high-frequency current flows through the selected coil unit of the left IH heating unit 4A. By providing the non-selection mode, a user who is accustomed to the operation method of selecting the heating unit to be used each time can use the induction heating cooker 1 without changing the operability, and convenience is maintained.

[0110] The front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab each have multiple coil pieces 5 through which high-frequency current flows, and share at least one coil piece 5a / 5b. The left IH control unit 10A can pass 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 restricts different high-frequency currents from flowing simultaneously to the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab.

[0111] The induction heating cooker 1 is covered by the top plate 2, and further includes a rear IH heating unit 4B whose heating operation is controlled by a rear IH control unit 10B of the control unit 10, and a rear operation panel 7B that accepts user operations related to the rear IH heating unit 4B. In response to the acceptance of an operation of the rear operation panel 7B, the rear IH control unit 10B switches between a state in which the rear IH heating unit 4B is selected and a state in which the rear IH heating unit 4B is not selected.

[0112] The induction cooking device 1 is covered by the top plate 2 and further includes a rear IH heating section 4B / left IH heating section 4A whose heating operation is controlled by the control section 10 of the control section 10. For example, if the induction cooking device 1 has a right IH heating section 4C in addition to the left IH heating section 4A, the right IH heating section 4C has a front coil unit 4Cf and a rear coil unit 4Cb. The rear IH heating section 4B is disposed between the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating section 4A and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the right IH heating section 4C. In the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the right IH control section 10C preselects at least one of the front coil unit 4Cf and the rear coil unit 4Cb, and preselects the rear IH heating section 4B.

[0113] In the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the right IH control section 10C preselects the front coil unit 4Af and the front coil unit 4Cf, and preselects the rear IH heating section 4B.

[0114] The induction heating cooker 1 further includes a rear operation panel 7B that accepts user operations related to the rear IH heating unit 4B, and a right operation panel 7C that accepts user operations related to the right IH heating unit 4C. The rear operation panel 7B and the right operation panel 7C each have a heating start key 7B-2 / 7C-2 that starts heating an object to be heated. In the automatic selection mode, when the rear operation panel 7B accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7B-2, the rear IH control unit 10B controls the rear IH heating unit 4B to pass a high-frequency current. When the right operation panel 7C accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7C-2, the right IH control unit 10C controls the right IH heating unit 4C to pass a high-frequency current to the selected coil unit.

[0115] The induction heating cooker 1 is covered by the top plate 2, and further includes a right IH heating section 4C whose heating operation is controlled by a right IH control section 10C of the control section 10, a rear operation panel 7B that accepts user operations related to the rear IH heating section 4B, and a right operation panel 7C that accepts user operations related to the right IH heating section 4C. The right IH heating section 4C has a front coil unit 4Cf and a rear coil unit 4Cb. The rear operation panel 7B has a switching key 7B-1 for switching between selection and non-selection of the rear IH heating section 4B, and a heating start key 7B-2 for starting heating of the object to be heated. The right operation panel 7C has a switching key 7C-1 for selecting the front coil unit 4Cf and / or the rear coil unit 4Cb, and a heating start key 7C-2 for starting heating of the object to be heated. The rear IH heating section 4B is disposed between the rear coil unit 4Ab of the left IH heating section 4A and the rear coil unit 4Cb of the right IH heating section 4C. In the non-selection mode, which is different from the automatic selection mode among the multiple modes, 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 all in a non-selected state after the power is turned on. When the left operation panel 7Ab accepts at least one operation of the switching key 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 operation panel 7A accepts at least one operation of the heating start key 7A-1 of the left operation 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 operation panel 7B accepts at least one operation of the switching key 7B-1, the rear IH control unit 10B selects the rear IH heating unit 4B. When the rear operation panel 7B accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7B-1, the rear IH control unit 10B passes a high-frequency current through the rear IH heating unit 4B. When the right operation panel 7C accepts at least one operation of the switching key 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 operation panel 7C accepts a single operation of the heating start key 7C-1, the right IH control unit 10C passes a high-frequency current through the selected coil unit of the right IH heating unit 4C.In this way, the left IH heating unit 4A, the rear IH heating unit 4B, and the right IH heating unit 4C are each provided with a key for switching between selection and non-selection in the non-selection mode, which improves the convenience for the user to make a selection.

[0116] When the waiting time for a user operation reaches a predetermined time for each of the left operation panel 7A and the right operation panel 7C, the control unit 10 cancels the selection of the selected coil unit. When the waiting time for a user operation reaches a predetermined time for the rear operation panel 7B, the control unit 10 cancels the selection of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0117] Each of left operation panel 7A, rear operation panel 7B and right operation panel 7C may receive a predetermined time period designated by the user.

[0118] Each of the left operation panel 7A and the right operation panel 7C accepts designation of a coil unit to be preselected or designation of non-selection of a coil unit. The rear operation panel 7B accepts designation of whether or not the rear IH heating unit 4B is to be preselected.

[0119] The induction heating cooker 1 further includes a left display panel 8A that displays information related to the left IH heating unit 4A and / or the left operation panel 7A, and a rear display panel 8B that displays information related to the rear IH heating unit 4B and / or the rear operation panel 7B. The left display panel 8Ab can display information indicating selectable coil units. The rear display panel 8B can display information indicating that the rear IH heating unit 4B is selected. The left operation panel 7A has at least one key 7A-1 that switches the selection state of the front coil unit 4Af and the rear coil unit 4Ab. The rear operation panel 7B may have at least one key 7B-1 that switches the selection state of the rear IH heating unit 4B.

[0120] The information indicating the selectable coil units and the information indicating that at least the rear IH heating section 4B has been selected may be characters, symbols, figures and / or a display state.

[0121] The left display panel 8A may be capable of displaying 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 back coil unit 4Ab, and a third icon 8Ac indicating that both the front and back coil units 4Ab are selected.

[0122] The left display panel 8A may display a first icon 8Aa, a second icon 8Ab, and a third icon 8Ac in series.

[0123] The left display panel 8A further has a first region 8A-2 for indicating that neither the front coil unit 4Af nor the rear coil unit 4Ab is in a selected state. The left display panel 8A changes the display state of either the first icon 8Aa, the second icon 8Ab, or the third icon 8Ac and the first region 8A-2 according to the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A. The rear display panel 8B has a second region for indicating that the rear IH heating unit 4B is in a selected state, and changes the display state of either the third icon 8Ac or the second region.

[0124] The left display panel 8A further has a first region 8A-2 for indicating that neither the front coil unit 4Af nor the rear coil unit 4Ab is in a selected state. The left operation panel 7A has one key 7A-1 for switching the selection state of the selectable coil units, and changes the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A every time a user operation is received on the one key 7A-1, and changes the display state of any of the first icon 8Aa, the second icon 8Ab, the third icon 8Ac, and the first region 8A-2 on the left display panel 8A according to the changed selection state.

[0125] When the rear IH heating unit 4B is in a non-selected state, the left operation panel 7A changes the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A each time a user operation is received from one key 7A-1, and changes the display state of any 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 according to the changed selection state. When the rear IH heating unit 4B is in a selected state, the left operation panel 7A switches between a selected state and a non-selected state each time a user operation is received from one key 7A-1, and the left display panel 8A changes the display state of any of the first icon 8Aa and the first area 8A-2 according to the changed selection state.

[0126] Adjacent to one key 7A-1, the left display panel 8A further includes an indicator b / f that indicates the selection state of the left IH heating unit 4A.

[0127] (Modification) The display panel 8 may reduce the display brightness when a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation panel 7 accepted the last user operation, and may increase the display brightness when a user operation is subsequently performed on the operation panel 7. Reducing the display brightness is sometimes called "dark lighting." Increasing the display brightness includes returning it to its initial brightness.

[0128] The predetermined time may be set independently for each of the left display panel 8A, the rear display panel 8B, and the right display panel 8C, or may be set in common. In the former case, 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 can be stored in a flash memory (not shown). This clarifies whether the heating units 4A to 4C are to be operated, allowing the user to correctly recognize it.

[0129] Furthermore, when a user operation related to the heating operation of each of the heating units 4A to 4C is received again after the heating operation of each of the heating units 4A to 4C is completed, each of the heating units 4A to 4C may set the same heating operation as the previous heating operation. Information indicating the previous heating operation may be stored in a memory (not shown).

[0130] The above-mentioned operation can also be performed when the power switch 7D is pressed to turn off the power and then 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 stores information specifying the last heating operation of each of the heating units 4A to 4C in a flash memory (not shown). Then, after the power switch 7D is pressed to turn on the power, when the operation panel 7 receives a user operation related to the heating operation of any of the heating units 4A to 4C again, the control unit 10 reads out the information stored in the flash memory and sets the same heating operation as the last heating operation.

[0131] By automatically setting the previous heating operation, the effort of selecting the operation when the same cooking is performed is eliminated, improving user convenience.

[0132] As described above, the above-mentioned embodiments have been described as examples of the technology in the present disclosure. The above-mentioned embodiments may be realized by an apparatus, a system, a method, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium, or a combination thereof.

[0133] Additionally, the terms "first," "second," etc., used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying a relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of that feature.

[0134] (Overview of the embodiment) (Aspect 1) The induction heating cooker includes a first heating section having a first coil unit and a second coil unit, a top plate covering the first heating section, a first operation section that receives user operations related to the first heating section, a control section that controls a heating operation of the first heating section, and a power switch that turns on a power source, and the control section is configured to heat one object to be heated by either a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is simultaneously applied to the first coil unit and the second coil unit, or a heating operation in which a high-frequency current is selectively applied to one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and The operation unit has a heating start key that starts heating the heated object using the first heating unit, and the control unit is capable of operating in one mode selected from a plurality of modes that differ in initial operation after the power is turned on, and an automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is a mode in which, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and when the first operation unit accepts a single operation of the heating start key, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow through the selected coil unit of the first heating unit.

[0135] (Aspect 2) In the induction heating cooker according to aspect 1, the automatic selection mode includes a state in which, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects the first coil unit or the second coil unit.

[0136] (Aspect 3) In the automatic selection mode of the induction heating cooker according to aspect 1, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects the first coil unit.

[0137] (Aspect 4) In the induction heating cooker of aspect 1, the first operating unit further has a switch key for selecting the first coil unit and / or the second coil unit, and a non-selection mode among the multiple modes, which is different from the automatic selection mode, is a mode in which after the power is turned on, both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state, and when the first operating unit receives at least one operation of the switch key, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and when the first operating unit receives at least one operation of the heating start key, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow through the selected coil unit of the first heating unit.

[0138] (Aspect 5) In the induction heating cooker of 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, and the first control unit is capable of passing the high-frequency current only through the first coil unit, only through the second coil unit, or simultaneously through the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and the first control unit limits the flow of different high-frequency currents simultaneously through the first coil unit and the second coil unit.

[0139] (Aspect 6) The induction heating cooker of aspect 1 further includes a second heating unit covered by the top plate and whose heating operation is controlled by the control unit, and a second operating unit that accepts user operations related to the second heating unit, and in response to accepting the operation of the second operating unit, the control unit switches between a state in which the second heating unit is selected and a state in which the second heating unit is not selected.

[0140] (Aspect 7) The induction heating cooker of aspect 6 further includes a third heating section covered by the top plate and whose heating operation is controlled by the control section, the third heating section having a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, and the second heating section being disposed between the second coil unit of the first heating section and the fourth coil unit of the third heating section, and in the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control section pre-selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit, and pre-selects the second heating section.

[0141] (Aspect 8) In the induction heating cooker according to aspect 7, in the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects the first coil unit and the third coil unit, and preselects the second heating unit.

[0142] (Aspect 9) The induction heating cooker of aspect 7 further includes a second operation unit that accepts user operations related to the second heating unit and a third operation unit that accepts user operations related to the third heating unit, wherein the second operation unit and the third operation unit each have a heating start key that starts heating an object to be heated, and in the automatic selection mode, when the second operation unit accepts a single operation of the heating start key of the second operation unit, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow to the second heating unit, and when the third operation unit accepts a single operation of the heating start key of the third operation unit, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow to the selected coil unit of the third heating unit.

[0143] (Aspect 10) The induction heating cooker according to a sixth aspect further includes a third heating section covered by the top plate and a heating operation of which is controlled by the control section, a second operation section configured to receive a user operation related to the second heating section, and a third operation section configured to receive a user operation related to the third heating section, wherein the third heating section has a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, the second operation section has a switch key configured to switch between selection and non-selection of the second heating section, and a heating start key configured to start heating of an object to be heated, the third operation section has a switch key configured to select the third coil unit and / or the fourth coil unit, and a heating start key configured to start heating of an object to be heated, the second heating section is disposed between the second coil unit of the first heating section and the fourth coil unit of the third heating section, and a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode among the plurality of modes is selected after the power is turned on by selecting the first coil unit and the second coil unit of the first heating section, the second heating section, and the third coil unit and the When all four coil units are in a non-selected state and the first operation unit accepts at least one operation of a switching key of the first operation unit, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and when the first operation unit accepts at least one operation of a heating start key of the first operation unit, the control unit passes the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the first heating unit, when the second operation unit accepts at least one operation of a switching key of the second operation unit, the control unit selects the second heating unit, and when the second operation unit accepts at least one operation of the heating start key of the second operation unit, the control unit passes the high-frequency current to the second heating unit, when the third operation unit accepts at least one operation of a switching key of the third operation unit, the control unit selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit, and when the third operation unit accepts at least one operation of the heating start key of the third operation unit, the control unit passes the high-frequency current to the selected coil unit of the third heating unit.

[0144] (Aspect 11)

[0145] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 9, when the waiting time for user operation reaches a predetermined time for each of the first operating unit and the third operating unit, the control unit deselects the selected coil unit, and when the waiting time for user operation reaches a predetermined time for the second operating unit, the control unit deselects the second heating unit. (Aspect 12)

[0146] In the induction heating cooker according to an eleventh aspect, each of the first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the third operation unit receives designation of the predetermined time from the user. (Aspect 13)

[0147] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 9, each of the first operating unit and the third operating unit accepts designation of a pre-selected coil unit or designation of non-selection of a coil unit, and the second operating unit accepts designation of whether or not to pre-select the second heating unit. (Aspect 14)

[0148] The induction heating cooker of aspect 6 further includes 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 indicating selectable coil units, the second display unit is capable of displaying information indicating that the second heating unit has been selected, the first operating unit has at least one key that switches the selection state of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and the second operating unit has at least one key that switches the selection state of the second heating unit. (Aspect 15)

[0149] In the induction heating cooker according to aspect 14, the information indicating the selectable coil units and the information indicating that at least the second heating unit is selected are characters, symbols, figures and / or a display state. (Aspect 16)

[0150] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 15, the first display unit is capable of displaying at least a first icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is a first coil unit, a second icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is a second coil unit, and a third icon indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are selected as the selectable coil unit. (Aspect 17)

[0151] In the induction heating cooker according to aspect 16, the first display unit displays the first icon, the second icon, and the third icon in series. (Aspect 18)

[0152] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 16, the first display unit further has a first area for indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in an unselected state, and the first display unit changes the display state of either the first icon, the second icon, the third icon and the first area depending on the selection state of the first heating unit, and the second display unit has a second area for indicating that the second heating unit is in an unselected state, and changes the display state of either the third icon and the second area. (Aspect 19)

[0153] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 16, the first display unit further has a first area for indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in an unselected state, and the first operation unit has one key for switching the selection state of the selectable coil units, and changes the selection state of the first heating unit each time the one key receives the user operation, and changes the display state of any of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon and the first area on the first display unit depending on the changed selection state. (Aspect 20)

[0154] In the induction heating cooker of aspect 19, when the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, the first operation unit changes the selection state of the first heating unit each time the first operation unit receives the user operation on the one key, and changes the display state of any of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the first area on the first display unit depending on the changed selection state, and when the second heating unit is in a selected state, the first operation unit switches between a selected state and a non-selected state each time the first operation unit receives the user operation on the one key, and the first display unit changes the display state of any of the first icon and the first area depending on the changed selection state. (Aspect 21)

[0155] In the induction heating cooker according to aspect 19 or 20, the first display unit further includes an indicator adjacent to the one key for indicating a selection state of the first heating unit. [Industrial Applicability]

[0156] The present disclosure can be applied to induction heating cookers that perform heating using a plurality of heating units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 1 induction cooker 2 Top plate 4A Left IH heating section 4Af Front coil unit 4Ab Back coil unit 4B Rear IH heating section 4C Right IH heating section 4Cf Front coil unit 4Cb Rear coil unit 5 Coil Piece 7 Operation Panel 7A Left operation panel 7B Rear operation panel 7C Right operation panel 8 Display Panel 8A Left display panel 8B Rear display panel 8C Right display panel 10 Control section 10A Left IH control unit 10B Rear IH control unit 10C Right IH control unit

Claims

1. a first heating unit having a first coil unit and a second coil unit; A top plate covering the first heating unit; a first operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the first heating unit; A control unit that controls a heating operation of the first heating unit; A power switch to turn the power on An induction heating cooker comprising: the control unit is configured to heat one object to be heated by either a heating operation of simultaneously passing a high-frequency current through the first coil unit and the second coil unit, or a heating operation of selectively passing a high-frequency current through one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, The first operation unit has a heating start key that starts heating the object to be heated using the first heating unit, The control unit is operable in one mode selected from a plurality of modes in which an initial operation after the power is turned on is different, An automatic selection mode among the multiple modes is a mode in which, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, and when the first operating unit accepts a single operation of the heating start key, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow through the selected coil unit of the first heating unit.

2. In the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control unit: A state in which the first coil unit is preselected, or A state in which the second coil unit is preselected The induction heating cooker of claim 1 .

3. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 , wherein in the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects the first coil unit.

4. the first operation unit further includes a switching key for selecting the first coil unit and / or the second coil unit, Among the plurality of modes, a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode is After the power is turned on, both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state, When the first operation unit receives at least one operation of the switching key, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, a mode in which, when the first operation unit receives a single operation of the heating start key, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow through a selected coil unit of the first heating unit; 2. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1.

5. each of the first coil unit and the second coil unit has a plurality of coil pieces through which the high frequency current flows, and shares at least one coil piece; The first control unit controls the high frequency current as follows: Only the first coil unit Only the second coil unit, or The first coil unit and the second coil unit are simultaneously It is possible to flush The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the first control unit limits different high-frequency currents from flowing simultaneously through the first coil unit and the second coil unit.

6. a second heating unit covered by the top plate and a heating operation of which is controlled by the control unit; a second operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the second heating unit; Further equipped with The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches between a state in which the second heating unit is selected and a state in which the second heating unit is not selected in response to reception of an operation of the second operating unit.

7. a third heating unit covered by the top plate and a heating operation of which is controlled by the control unit; the third heating unit has a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, the second heating unit is disposed between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, 7. The induction heating cooker according to claim 6, wherein in the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit, and preselects the second heating unit.

8. 8. The induction heating cooker according to claim 7, wherein in the automatic selection mode, after the power is turned on, the control unit preselects the first coil unit and the third coil unit, and preselects the second heating unit.

9. A second operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the second heating unit; a third operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the third heating unit; Further equipped with The second operation unit and the third operation unit each have a heating start key for starting heating of an object to be heated, In the automatic selection mode, When the second operation unit receives a single operation of a heating start key of the second operation unit, the control unit controls the second heating unit to pass the high-frequency current, 8. The induction heating cooker according to claim 7, wherein when the third operation unit accepts a single operation of a heating start key of the third operation unit, the control unit controls the high-frequency current to flow through a selected coil unit of the third heating unit.

10. a third heating unit covered by the top plate and a heating operation of which is controlled by the control unit; A second operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the second heating unit; a third operation unit that accepts a user operation related to the third heating unit; Further equipped with the third heating unit has a third coil unit and a fourth coil unit, The second operation unit is a switching key for switching between selection and non-selection of the second heating unit; A heating start key for starting heating of the object to be heated, The third operation unit is a switching key for selecting the third coil unit and / or the fourth coil unit; A heating start key for starting heating of the object to be heated, the second heating unit is disposed between the second coil unit of the first heating unit and the fourth coil unit of the third heating unit, Among the plurality of modes, a non-selection mode different from the automatic selection mode is After the power is turned 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 all in a non-selected state, When the first operation unit receives at least one operation of a switching key of the first operation unit, the control unit selects at least one of the first coil unit and the second coil unit, When the first operation unit receives a single operation of a heating start key of the first operation unit, the control unit causes the high-frequency current to flow through a selected coil unit of the first heating unit, When the second operation unit receives at least one operation of a switching key of the second operation unit, the control unit selects the second heating unit, When the second operation unit receives a single operation of a heating start key of the second operation unit, the control unit causes the high-frequency current to flow to the second heating unit, When the third operation unit receives at least one operation of a switching key of the third operation unit, the control unit selects at least one of the third coil unit and the fourth coil unit, When the third operation unit receives a single operation of a heating start key of the third operation unit, the control unit causes the high-frequency current to flow through a selected coil unit of the third heating unit.

7. The induction heating cooker according to claim 6.

11. When the waiting time for the user operation reaches a predetermined time for each of the first operation unit and the third operation unit, the control unit cancels the selection of the selected coil unit; When the waiting time for the user operation of the second operation unit reaches a predetermined time, the control unit cancels the selection of the second heating unit.

10. The induction heating cooker according to claim 9.

12. The induction heating cooker according to claim 11 , wherein each of the first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the third operation unit receives designation of the predetermined time from the user.

13. each of the first operation unit and the third operation unit receives a designation of a preselected coil unit or a designation of a non-selection of a coil unit; The induction heating cooker according to claim 9 , wherein the second operation unit receives a designation as to whether or not the second heating unit is to be selected in advance.

14. A first display unit that displays information regarding the first heating unit and / or the first operation unit; a second display unit that displays information regarding the second heating unit and / or the second operation unit; Further equipped with the first display unit is capable of displaying information indicating selectable coil units, the second display unit is capable of displaying information indicating that the second heating unit is selected, the first operation unit has at least one key for switching a selection state between the first coil unit and the second coil unit, The second operation unit has at least one key for switching a selection state of the second heating unit.

7. The induction heating cooker according to claim 6.

15. The induction heating cooker according to claim 14 , wherein the information indicating the selectable coil units and the information indicating that at least the second heating unit is selected are characters, symbols, figures and / or display states.

16. The first display unit includes at least a first icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is a first coil unit; and a second icon indicating that the selectable coil unit is a second coil unit; A third icon indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are selected as the selectable coil units. It is possible to display 16. The induction heating cooker according to claim 15.

17. The induction heating cooker according to claim 16 , wherein the first display unit displays the first icon, the second icon, and the third icon in series.

18. The first display unit further includes: a first region for indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state; the first display unit changes a display state of any of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the first area according to a selection state of the first heating unit; the second display unit has a second region for indicating that the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, and changes a display state of either the third icon or the second region; 17. The induction heating cooker according to claim 16.

19. The first display unit further includes: a first region for indicating that both the first coil unit and the second coil unit are in a non-selected state; The first operation unit is a key for switching the selection state of the selectable coil unit; A selection state of the first heating unit is changed every time the user operation is received on the one key, and a display state of any of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the first area is changed on the first display unit according to the changed selection state.

17. The induction heating cooker according to claim 16.

20. when the second heating unit is in a non-selected state, the first operation unit changes a selection state of the first heating unit every time the first operation unit receives the user operation on the one key, and changes a display state of any of the first icon, the second icon, the third icon, and the first area on the first display unit according to the changed selection state; 20. The induction heating cooker of claim 19, wherein when the second heating unit is in a selected state, the first operation unit switches between a selected state and a non-selected state of the first coil unit each time the first operation unit receives the user operation on the one key, and the first display unit changes a display state of either the first icon or the first area depending on the changed selection state.

21. 21. The induction heating cooker according to claim 19, wherein the first display unit further includes an indicator adjacent to the one key, the indicator indicating a selection state of the first heating unit.

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