Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker capable of preventing rotation in an inner pot by using an inappropriate agitation member.SOLUTION: A heating cooker includes: an inner pot storing an object to be heated; a lid of the inner pot; a heating part heating the inner pot; an agitation member agitating the object to be heated; an installation part installing the agitation member; a drive part driving the agitation member; and a control part. The agitation member is removable from / attachable to the installation part. The installation part can install a plurality of the agitation members. The control part performs specification processing for specifying the agitation member installed on the installation part of the plurality of the agitation members on the basis of a signal controlling the drive part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a cooking appliance heats food in an inner pot while stirring it with a stirring member. An example of this type of cooking appliance is described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The cooking appliance of Patent Document 1 can download usage information from a server via the Internet. The usage information includes menu data. The menu data is data indicating cooking conditions for a target menu. Among the menus, there are specific menus that require an optional stirring member sold separately. Therefore, during the process of downloading a specific menu, the cooking appliance displays a confirmation screen for checking whether the user has an optional stirring mechanism. If the user answers that they have an optional stirring member, the cooking appliance continues to download the usage information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the cooking appliance of Patent Document 1, even though the user does not actually have an optional stirring member, if the user answers that they have an optional stirring member to the confirmation screen, the usage information is downloaded. Therefore, there is a risk that the food of a specific menu will be stirred by an inappropriate stirring member in the cooking appliance.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance capable of preventing rotation in an inner pot using an inappropriate stirring member. **Means for Solving the Problems**

[0007] A cooking appliance according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner pot for containing an object to be heated, a lid for the inner pot, a heating unit for heating the inner pot, a stirring member for stirring the object to be heated, a mounting portion on which the stirring member is mounted, a driving unit for driving the stirring member, and a control unit. The stirring member is detachable from the mounting portion. The mounting portion can mount a plurality of the stirring members. The control unit executes a specifying process for specifying the stirring member mounted on the mounting portion among the plurality of stirring members based on a signal for controlling the driving unit. **Advantages of the Invention**

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a cooking appliance capable of preventing rotation in an inner pot using an inappropriate stirring member. **Brief Description of the Drawings**

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the cooking heater 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] In the following, in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, in some drawings, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction orthogonal to each other are shown. For example, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction indicate the left - right direction, the front - rear direction, and the up - down direction of the cooking heater 100 (see FIG. 2, for example).

[0012] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the cooking heater 100 with the lid 3 closed. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cooking heater with the lid 3 open.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooking heater 100 includes a housing 1, an inner pot 2, a lid 3, and a stirring unit 4.

[0014] The housing 1 houses the inner pot 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0015] The inner pot 2 is attached inside the housing 1. The inner pot 2 is detachable from the housing 1. The inner pot 2 houses an object to be heat - treated (i.e., an object to be heated). In the embodiment, examples of the object to be heated include food ingredients, seasonings, and water. Therefore, the inner pot 2 is a vessel used when cooking food ingredients together with seasonings. Also, an object that has been heated by the cooking heater 100 is referred to as a "heated object". In the embodiment, the heated object may be described as a dish.

[0016] Specifically, the inner pot 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has a bottom wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22 (see also FIG. 4).

[0017] The bottom wall 21 has a generally circular shape in plan view. The peripheral wall 22 extends upward from the periphery of the bottom wall 21. The upper end of the inner pot 2 is an opening 23 facing upward (see also FIG. 4). The opening 23 is generally circular in plan view.

[0018] The inner pot 2 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. Aluminum is exemplified as this type of material. Further, it is preferable that a magnetic body is attached to the outer surface of the inner pot 2. Thereby, the heating efficiency by the inner pot 2 is improved. It is preferable that the inner surface of the inner pot 2 is fluorine-coated. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the object to be heat-treated by the heating cooker 100 to adhere to the inner pot 2.

[0019] The user puts the object to be heated into the inner pot 2 through the opening 23. That is, the object to be heated is accommodated in the inner pot 2. Further, the user takes out the heated object (hereinafter referred to as "heated object") from the inner pot 2 through the opening 23.

[0020] The inner pot 2 has handles 21A and 21B (see FIG. 2).

[0021] The handles 21A and 21B are attached to the peripheral edge of the opening 23 in the inner pot 2. The handles 21A and 21B have a symmetrical shape with respect to a virtual plane F01 (see FIG. 2) that vertically bisects the opening 23. Recesses 12A and 12B into which the handles 21A and 21B fit are formed on the upper surface 11 of the housing 1. The recesses 12A and 12B are formed at symmetrical positions with respect to the virtual plane F01. By fitting the handles 21A and 21B into the recesses 12A and 12B, the inner pot 2 is positioned with respect to the housing 1.

[0022] The lid 3 is attached to the first portion 13 of the housing 1 by a hinge 31. The first portion 13 is near the rear end of the upper surface 11 in the embodiment. The hinge 31 is attached to the second portion 32 of the lid 3 and the first portion 13. The second portion 32 is a part of the peripheral edge of the lid 3. The hinge 31 rotates the lid 3 with respect to the housing 1 around the axis A01. The axis A01 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. In the embodiment, the axis A01 is substantially parallel to the X direction.

[0023] The lid 3 is movable in the circumferential direction θ01 (see FIG. 2) of the axis A01 between a closed position where the inner pot 2 is closed and an open position where the inner pot 2 is exposed. The lid 3 in the closed position is shown in FIG. 1, and the lid 3 in the open position is shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] The lid 3 has, on the surface 33 of the lid 3, a plurality of operation buttons 34 and a display unit 35 (see FIG. 1). The operation button 34 is an example of the "operation unit" in the present disclosure.

[0025] The operation button 34 receives a user operation. Thereby, the user can select a desired dish from the dishes that the cooking appliance 100 can cook and specify the timing of starting cooking. The operation button 34 is a software button displayed on the display unit 35. However, the operation button 34 is not limited to this, and may be a hardware button.

[0026] The display unit 35 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The various information is, for example, image information necessary for dish selection.

[0027] On the surface 33, a discharge port 36 and an open button 37 are provided. Steam generated in the inner pot 2 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 36. The open button 37 is operated by the user. In response to this operation, the lid 3 moves from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of a spring (not shown).

[0028] The lid 3 further has an inner lid 38 (see FIG. 2).

[0029] The inner lid 38 closes the opening 23 of the inner pot 2 when the lid 3 is in the closed position. The lid 3 has an annular packing 39 on the periphery of the inner lid 38. The packing 39 is made of an elastic material. When the lid 3 is in the closed position, the packing 39 is in close contact with the upper end of the inner pot 2. Thereby, the space between the inner pot 2 and the inner lid 38 is sealed.

[0030] The inner lid 38 has a surface 381. The surface 381 is a surface facing downward when the lid 3 is in the closed position. The stirring unit 4 is mounted on the surface 381. Also, the surface 381 is configured such that the stirring unit 4 can be detachably attached. In the embodiment, the surface 381 (that is, the inner lid 38) is an example of the "mounting part" in the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a view taken along arrow A in FIG. 2 and also shows the non-stirring posture of the stirring unit 4. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the stirring postures of the arms 42A and 42B of the stirring unit 4. The inner pot 2 is also shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stirring unit 4 is equipped as a standard specification of the cooking heater 100 from the factory shipment of the cooking heater 100.

[0033] Specifically, the stirring unit 4 has a base 41 and arms 42A and 42B. The arms 42A and 42B are the first examples of the "stirring members" of the present disclosure.

[0034] The base 41 faces the inner pot 2 when the lid 3 is in the closed position and is attached to the surface 381 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction θ02 of the axis A02 (see also FIG. 2). The base 41 is detachable from the surface 381.

[0035] The arms 42A and 42B are attached to the base 41 so that their respective postures with respect to the base 41 can be changed. Specifically, the proximal end 421A of the arm 42A is attached to a corner 411A of the base 41. The distal end 422A of the arm 42A is movable between a first position and a second position around the axis A11. The axis A11 is orthogonal to the Z direction and intersects the proximal end 421A and the corner 411A. When the arm 42A is in the first position, it takes a non-stirring posture. In the non-stirring posture, the arm 42A extends along the surface 381 on the side of the base 41 from the proximal end 421A to the distal end 422A. When the arm 42A is in the second position, it takes a stirring posture. In the stirring posture, the arm 42A has a posture in which the proximal end 421A is located on the side of the base 41 and extends in a direction intersecting the surface 381. Therefore, when the arm 42A takes a stirring posture when the lid 3 is in the closed position, the arm 42A extends from the base 41 toward the inside of the inner pot 2 so that the distal end 422A is located inside the inner pot 2 (see also FIG. 4).

[0036] The arm 42B may have a shape obtained by rotating the arm 42A by 180° in the circumferential direction θ02. Therefore, a detailed description of the arm 42B will be omitted.

[0037] The stirring unit 4 further includes a shaft 43, a common drive transmission unit 44, and individual drive transmission units 45A and 45B.

[0038] The shaft 43 has the axis A02 as the central axis of the shaft 43. Therefore, the shaft 43 rotates in one and the other directions of the circumferential direction θ02. In FIG. 3, when rotating in one (i.e., counterclockwise) and the other (i.e., clockwise) directions of the circumferential direction θ02, it may be described as "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation", respectively.

[0039] The common drive transmission unit 44 is, for example, a bevel gear. Each of the individual drive transmission units 45A and 45B includes, for example, a plurality of bevel gears. The driving force transmitted from the shaft 43 is transmitted to the arm 42A via the common drive transmission unit 44 and the individual drive transmission unit 45A. Due to this driving force, the arm 42A can move between the first position and the second position. That is, the arm 42A takes a non-stirring posture and a stirring posture. The driving force transmitted from the shaft 43 is further transmitted to the arm 42B via the common drive transmission unit 44 and the individual drive transmission unit 45B. Due to this driving force, the arm 42A can move between the first position and the second position and takes a non-stirring posture and a stirring posture.

[0040] More specifically, when the shaft 43 rotates forward, the arm 42A rotates around the axis A11, and as a result, it switches from the non-stirring posture (see FIG. 3) to the stirring posture (see FIG. 4). The arm 42B switches from the non-stirring posture (see FIG. 3) to the stirring posture (see FIG. 4) at substantially the same timing as the arm 42A. When the shaft 43 further rotates forward, the base 41 rotates synchronously with the arms 42A and 42B in the stirring posture.

[0041] On the other hand, when the shaft 43 rotates reversely while the arms 42A and 42B are in the stirring state, the arms 42A and 42B switch to the non-stirring posture. When the shaft 43 further rotates reversely, the base 41 rotates synchronously with the arms 42A and 42B in the non-stirring posture.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the stirring unit 9. In FIG. 5, the stirring unit 9 is similar to the stirring unit 4 in that it is detachably attached to the inner lid 38.

[0043] The stirring unit 9, unlike the standard-equipped stirring unit 4, is an optional accessory sold separately from the cooking heater 100. Specifically, the stirring unit 9 differs from the stirring unit 4 in that it includes arms 91A and 91B instead of arms 42A and 42B. The arms 91A and 91B are a second example of the "stirring members" of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the inner lid 38 is an example of the "mounting portion" of the present disclosure to which a plurality of stirring members can be mounted.

[0044] The arm 91A differs from the arm 42A in that the tip of the arm 91A has a spatula-shaped member 911A. The spatula-shaped member 911A has a larger area of the surface 912A intersecting the circumferential direction θ02 than the tip 422A of the arm 42A.

[0045] The arm 91B may have a shape obtained by rotating the arm 91A by 180° in the circumferential direction θ02. Therefore, a detailed description of the arm 42B will be omitted.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking heater 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the cooking heater 100 further includes an induction heating coil 5, a motor 6, a rotation speed sensor 7, and a control unit 8 in addition to the inner pot 2, the lid 3, the arms 42A and 42B, and the display unit 35. The cooking heater 100 also includes a temperature sensor for non-contact detection of the temperature inside the inner pot 2. However, since the temperature sensor is not a main part of the embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0047] The coil 5 is located inside the housing 1 below the bottom wall 21 (see FIG. 1) of the inner pot 2. The coil 5 generates an alternating magnetic field under the control of the control unit 8. Due to the alternating magnetic field, eddy currents flow in the bottom wall 21. As a result, Joule heat is generated in the bottom wall 21. The Joule heat heats the object to be heated through the inner pot 2. In other words, the coil 5 heats the inner pot 2. The coil 5 is an example of the "heating unit" of the present disclosure.

[0048] The motor 6 is located between the surface 33 and the inner lid 38 inside the lid 3 (see FIG. 2). The motor 6 has a rotating output shaft and generates a driving force from the output shaft. The driving force is transmitted to the shaft 43 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). By the driving force, the arms 42A and 42B rotate in the circumferential direction θ02 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the motor 6 drives the arms 42A and 42B. The motor 6 is an example of the "driving unit" of the present disclosure.

[0049] The rotation speed sensor 7 detects the rotation speed of the output shaft of the motor 6. That is, the rotation speed sensor 7 outputs a signal indicating the detected rotation speed (hereinafter, referred to as "rotation speed signal"). The rotation speed sensor 7 is, for example, a rotary encoder or a hall sensor.

[0050] The control unit 8 includes, for example, a central processing unit and a storage unit 81, and controls each component of the heating cooker 100 by operating according to a program stored in the storage unit 81. The control unit 8 controls the rotation of the motor 6, the power supply to the coil 5, the image display on the display unit 35, etc.

[0051] The control unit 8 stores a plurality of pieces of usage information 82 in the storage unit 81. The storage unit 81 is a non-volatile memory. The usage information 82 is stored in the storage unit 81 since the factory shipment of the heating cooker 100. Not limited to this, the usage information 82 may be downloaded from a server via a network after the user purchases it. The usage information 82 includes at least a first information 821 and a second information 822. That is, the storage unit 81 stores the first information 821 and the second information 822 in association with each other.

[0052] Each second information 822 is information indicating the menu that the heating cooker 100 can cook. Specifically, each second information 822 includes information indicating cooking conditions such as materials (i.e., objects to be heated), cooking time, cooking patterns, and the input timing of materials.

[0053] The first information 821 includes information indicating either of the stirring units 4 and 9. The first information 821 is further information indicating operating conditions for controlling each component of the cooking device 100 when cooking the menu specified by the same usage information 82. The operating conditions include the heating temperature, the movable timing of the stirring units 4 and 9, and the number of rotations of the motor 6 from the start to the end of cooking by the cooking device 100.

[0054] Also, the control unit 8 executes a specific process by operating according to a program. In the specific process, the control unit 8 identifies the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 among the plurality of stirring units 4 and 9 based on a control signal for controlling the motor 6. According to the cooking device 100, it can be known that an incorrect stirring unit 4 or 9 is attached to the lid 3.

[0055] The control unit 8 preferably executes the specific process based on the first information 821 corresponding to the second information 822 specified by a user operation through the operation button 34 and the control signal. The first information 821 indicates either of the stirring units 4 and 9. By executing the specific process also based on such first information 821, it is possible to identify which of the stirring units 4 and 9 is attached to the inner lid 38.

[0056] The control signal is a first control signal for controlling the motor 6 when the control unit 8 rotates the motor 6 at a predetermined number of rotations. Thereby, since there is no need to prepare a special control signal for the specific process, the specific process can be easily realized.

[0057] In the specific process, after the control unit 8 identifies the stirring unit based on the first control signal, the control unit 8 further identifies the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 among the plurality of stirring units 4 and 9 based on a second control signal which is a control signal when the motor 6 is rotated at a number of rotations greater than the predetermined number of rotations. Since the first control signal and the second control signal are used in the specific process, the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 is identified with high accuracy.

[0058] In the specific process, the control unit 8 identifies the stirring unit among the plurality of stirring units 4 and 9 that is attached to the inner lid 38 based on the third control signal, which is the control signal when the motor 6 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation at a rotation speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed. Since the third control signal is further used in the specific process, the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 is accurately identified.

[0059] Before starting the heating by the coil 5, the control unit 8 executes the specific process. Thereby, the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 can be identified at an early stage.

[0060] After a predetermined time from the start of heating by the coil 5, the control unit 8 executes the specific process. Thereby, the stirring unit attached to the inner lid 38 can also be identified after the start of heating.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the specific process by the control unit 8. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the specific process immediately after the start of cooking. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the specific process immediately after the start of cooking will be described in detail.

[0062] The user prepares for cooking (FIG. 7: step S101). In step S101, specifically, the user prepares the food material (i.e., the object to be heated) specified by the target usage information 82. After the user puts the prepared object to be heated into the inner pot 2 of the cooking heater 100, the user covers the inner pot 2 with the lid 3.

[0063] After the control unit 8 selects a dish by a user operation through the operation button 34 according to the display image on the display unit 35, the control unit 8 reads out the usage information 82 of the selected dish (hereinafter referred to as "target usage information 82") from the storage unit 81 (step S102). In step S102, the control unit 8 further identifies from the first information 821 included in the target usage information 82 which of the stirring units 4 and 9 should currently be attached to the inner lid 38. In the following description, an example in which the stirring unit 9 should be attached to the inner lid 38 will be described.

[0064] The control unit 8 executes the steps after step S103 after the start of cooking is specified by a user operation through the operation button 34 in accordance with the display image on the display unit 35. After step S103, the control unit 8 executes a specific process to specify whether any one of the stirring units 4 and 9 is attached to the inner lid 38.

[0065] Specifically, in step S103, the control unit 8 determines the target rotation speed R01 of the motor 6. The target rotation speed R01 is an example of the "predetermined rotation speed" in the present disclosure.

[0066] In step S104, the control unit 8 acquires a rotation speed signal from the rotation speed sensor 7 and derives the current rotation speed R11 of the motor 6. The control unit 8 determines the duty ratio of the PWM signal so that the difference between the target rotation speed R01 and the current rotation speed R11 approaches zero, and stores it in the storage unit 81. The control unit 8 outputs a PWM signal having the determined duty ratio to the motor 6. The PWM signal or the duty ratio in step S104 is an example of the "control signal" and the "first control signal" in the present disclosure.

[0067] In step S105, the control unit 8 determines whether the current rotation speed R11 has reached the target rotation speed R01. If the control unit 8 determines that it has not reached (No in step S105), it executes step S104 again. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 determines that the current rotation speed R11 has reached the target rotation speed R01 (Yes in step S105), it executes step S106.

[0068] Here, in the embodiment, there are a first state, a second state, and a third state. The first state is a state in which neither the stirring unit 4 nor the stirring unit 9 is attached to the inner lid 38 as the mounting unit of the present disclosure. The second state is a state in which the lighter stirring unit 4 than the stirring unit 9 is attached to the inner lid 38. The third state is a state in which the heavier stirring unit 9 than the stirring unit 4 is attached to the inner lid 38.

[0069] At the start of the execution of step S106, the storage unit 81 stores one duty ratio (hereinafter, also referred to as the "first stored duty ratio"). In the case of the first state, since the motor 6 rotates at a lower load than in the case of the second state and the third state, the first stored duty ratio is relatively small. Therefore, in step S106, the control unit 8 determines whether the first stored duty ratio is less than or equal to the first threshold value. When the control unit 8 is not less than the first threshold value (No in step S106), assuming that one of the stirring units 4 and 9 is currently attached to the inner lid 38, step S109 is executed. On the other hand, when the control unit 8 is less than or equal to the first threshold value (Yes in step S106), assuming that the stirring units 4 and 9 are not currently attached to the inner lid 38, step S107 is executed.

[0070] In step S107, the control unit 8 causes the display unit 35 to display a notification image indicating that the stirring unit is not attached to the inner lid 38. Further, the control unit 8 stops the output of the PWM signal.

[0071] In step S108, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the first specific condition is satisfied. The first specific condition is that after the lid 3 is opened, cooking start is specified by a user operation. When it is determined that the first specific condition is satisfied (Yes in step S108), the control unit 8 assumes that one of the stirring units 4 and 9 is attached and executes step S103. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first specific condition is not satisfied (No in step S108), the control unit 8 assumes that one of the stirring units 4 and 9 is not yet attached and executes step S108.

[0072] In step S109, the control unit 8 determines the target rotation speed R02 of the motor 6. The target rotation speed R02 is a number larger than the target rotation speed R01.

[0073] In step S110, the control unit 8 derives the current rotation speed R12 of the motor 6 indicated by the rotation speed signal acquired from the rotation speed sensor 7. The control unit 8 determines the duty ratio of the PWM signal so that the difference between the target rotation speed R02 and the current rotation speed R12 approaches zero, and stores it in the storage unit. The control unit 8 outputs a PWM signal having the determined duty ratio to the motor 6. The PWM signal or the duty ratio in step S110 is an example of the "control signal" and the "second control signal" in the present disclosure.

[0074] In step S111, the control unit 8 determines whether the current rotation speed R12 has reached the target rotation speed R02. If the control unit 8 determines that it has not reached (No in step S111), it executes step S110 again. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 determines that the current rotation speed R12 has reached the target rotation speed R02 (Yes in step S111), it executes step S112.

[0075] At the start of the execution of step S112, one duty ratio (hereinafter, also referred to as the "second stored duty ratio") is stored in the storage unit. In the second state, the motor 6 rotates at a higher load than in the first state, and rotates at a lower load than in the third state. Therefore, in step S112, the control unit 8 determines whether the second stored duty ratio is less than or equal to the second threshold value. The second threshold value is larger than the first threshold value.

[0076] If the control unit 8 is less than or equal to the second threshold value (Yes in step S112), it determines that the stirring unit 4 is currently attached to the inner lid 38, and executes step S118. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 is not less than or equal to the second threshold value (No in step S112), it tentatively determines that the stirring unit 9 is currently attached to the inner lid 38, and executes step S113.

[0077] In step S113, the control unit 8 determines the target rotation speed R03 of the motor 6. The target rotation speed R03 is a rotation speed higher than the target rotation speeds R01 and R02. Also, the direction of rotating the motor 6 at the target rotation speed R03 is opposite to the direction of rotating the motor 6 at the target rotation speed R02.

[0078] In step S114, the control unit 8 derives the current rotational speed R13 of the motor 6 indicated by the rotational speed signal acquired from the rotational speed sensor 7. The control unit 8 determines the duty ratio of the PWM signal so that the difference between the target rotational speed R03 and the current rotational speed R13 approaches zero, and stores it in the storage unit. The control unit 8 outputs a PWM signal having the determined duty ratio to the motor 6. The PWM signal or the duty ratio in step S114 is an example of the "control signal" and the "third control signal" in the present disclosure.

[0079] In step S115, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the current rotational speed R13 has reached the target rotational speed R03. If the control unit 8 determines that it has not reached (No in step S115), it executes step S114 again. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 determines that the current rotational speed R13 has reached the target rotational speed R03 (Yes in step S115), it executes step S116.

[0080] At the start of the execution of step S116, one duty ratio (hereinafter, also referred to as "third stored duty ratio") is stored in the storage unit. In step S116, the control unit 8 determines whether or not the third stored duty ratio is less than or equal to the third threshold value. The third threshold value is larger than the first threshold value.

[0081] If the control unit 8 is less than or equal to the third threshold value (Yes in step S116), it determines that the stirring unit 4 is currently attached to the inner lid 38, and executes step S118. On the other hand, if the control unit 8 is not less than or equal to the third threshold value (No in step S116), it determines that the stirring unit 9 is currently attached to the inner lid 38, and executes step S117.

[0082] In step S117, the control unit 8 controls the rotation of the motor 6 and the power supply to the coil 5 according to the operating conditions indicated by the first information 821 of the target usage information UI.

[0083] In step S118, the control unit 8 causes the display unit 35 to display a notification image indicating that the incorrect stirring unit 4 is attached to the inner lid 38. Also, the control unit 8 stops the output of the PWM signal. After that, the process of FIG. 7 ends.

[0084] In step S119, the control unit 8 determines whether or not a first specific condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the first specific condition is satisfied (Yes in step S119), the control unit 8 assumes that the stirring unit 9 is correctly attached to the inner lid 38 and executes step S103. On the other hand, when it is determined that the first specific condition is not satisfied (No in step S119), the control unit 8 assumes that the stirring unit 9 is not yet attached and executes step S119.

[0085] Regarding the case where the stirring unit 4 must be attached to the inner lid 38, it is only necessary to appropriately adjust the second threshold value and the third threshold value for the stirring unit 4. Therefore, a detailed description of this case is omitted.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the specific process by the control unit 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of cooking. The control unit 8 may execute the specific process shown in FIG. 8 by interruption each time a predetermined time elapses from the start of cooking to the end of cooking. Thereby, it is possible to more accurately identify which of the stirring units 4 and 9 is attached to the inner lid 38. Note that FIG. 8 only needs to be different from FIG. 7 in that it includes steps S109 to S119 and that step S109 is executed when the determination in step S119 is Yes. Therefore, a detailed description of FIG. 8 is omitted.

[0087] The specific process shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is realized by software processing. Therefore, it is possible to identify at low cost whether either of the stirring units 4 and 9 is attached to the inner lid 38.

[0088] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof. Also, by appropriately combining the plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments, various inventions can be formed. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. Further, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings schematically show each component mainly for easy understanding, and the thickness, length, number, interval, etc. of each illustrated component are different from the actual ones for convenience of drawing preparation. Also, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention.

[0089] (1) In the specific process, the control unit 8 had caused the display unit 35 to display several notification images. The control unit 8 may execute various notifications by voice output instead of or in addition to the notification images. Also, the control unit 8 may cause the notification images to be displayed not only on the display unit 35 provided in the cooking heater 100 but also on an information processing device carried by the user. Examples of this type of information processing device include a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0090] (2) In the embodiment, the stirring units 4, 9 were attached to the inner lid 38. However, not limited thereto, the stirring units 4, 9 may be attached to the lid 3, the inner pot 2, or the housing 1 other than the inner lid 38 as another example of the "attachment part" of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0091] The cooking heater according to the present disclosure has industrial applicability.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 100 Cooking heater 2 Inner pot 3 Lid 5 Coil (heating part) 4 Stirring Unit 42A Arm (Stirring Member) 42B Arm (Stirring Member) 91A Arm (Stirring Member) 91B Arm (Stirring Member) 6 Motor 8 Control Unit

Claims

1. An inner pot for containing an object to be heated, A lid for the inner pot, A heating unit for heating the inner pot, A stirring member for stirring the object to be heated, A mounting portion on which the stirring member is mounted, A driving unit for driving the stirring member, A control unit and is provided with, The stirring member is detachable from the mounting portion, The mounting portion can mount a plurality of the stirring members, The control unit executes a specifying process of specifying the stirring member mounted on the mounting portion among the plurality of stirring members based on a control signal for controlling the driving unit. A cooking heater.

2. A storage unit that stores the first information indicating the stirring member and the second information indicating the cookable menu in association with each other, An operation unit that receives a user operation and further includes, The control unit executes the specifying process based on the first information corresponding to the second information specified by the user operation and the control signal. The cooking heater according to claim 1.

3. The driving unit is a motor, The control signal is a first control signal for controlling the motor when the control unit rotates the motor at a predetermined rotation speed. The cooking heater according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In the specifying process, after specifying the stirring member based on the first control signal, the control unit is a second control signal which is the control signal when the motor is rotated at a rotation speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed. The cooking heater according to claim 3, wherein the stirring member mounted on the mounting portion among the plurality of stirring members is specified based on the above.

5. In the specific process, the control unit identifies the stirring member mounted on the mounting portion among the plurality of stirring members based on a third control signal which is the control signal when the motor is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is rotated at a rotation speed higher than the predetermined rotation speed. The cooking heater according to claim 4.

6. Before the heating unit starts heating, the control unit executes the specific process. The cooking heater according to claim 1.

7. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the heating unit started heating, the control unit executes the specific process. The cooking heater according to claim 1 or 6.

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