Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker capable of allowing a flavoring material to penetrate further into a food material.SOLUTION: A heating cooker includes: an inner pot for accommodating an object to be heated; a lid of the inner pot; a heating part for heating the inner pot; an agitation member for agitating the object to be heated; a drive part for driving the agitation member; and a control part for executing specific processing of specifying timing of inputting at least one of a food material and a flavoring material to the inner pot on the basis of a signal correlating with a load of the drive part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an automatic ingredient feeding device for a stir-frying machine as a cooking appliance according to the background art. This automatic ingredient feeding device controls the heating temperature in the inner frying pan based on the temperature of the outer wall of the inner frying pan. When the heating temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, seasonings and ingredients are automatically added to the inner frying pan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility model registration No. 3227511 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the timing of adding seasonings is based on the temperature of the outer wall of the inner frying pan, which can make it difficult for the seasonings added to the inner frying pan to penetrate into the ingredients.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking device that allows seasonings to easily penetrate into food ingredients. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A heating cooker according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an inner pot for containing an item to be heated, a lid for the inner pot, a heating unit for heating the inner pot, a stirring member for stirring the item to be heated, a drive unit for driving the stirring member, and a control unit that executes a specific process for determining the timing for adding at least one of ingredients and seasonings to the inner pot based on a signal correlated to the load of the drive unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, seasonings can easily penetrate into food ingredients. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cooking device 100 with the lid 3 closed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cooking device 100 with the lid 3 open. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the arrow A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view showing the stirring posture of arms 42A and 42B of the stirring unit 4. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooking device 100. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a specifying process by a control unit 8 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a graph showing a specific example of the specific processing of the control unit 8 according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a heating cooker according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a specification process performed by a control unit 8 according to a modified example. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing a specific example of the specific processing of the control unit 8 according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description will be avoided.

[0010] In the following, to facilitate understanding of the present invention, some drawings show mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z directions. For example, the X, Y, and Z directions indicate the left-right, front-rear, and up-down directions of the cooking device 100 (see, for example, FIG. 2).

[0011] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the cooking device 100 with the lid 3 closed. Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the cooking device with the lid 3 open.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooking device 100 includes a housing 1, an inner pot 2, a lid 3, and a stirring unit 4.

[0013] The housing 1 houses the inner pot 2 (see FIG. 2).

[0014] The inner pot 2 is attached inside the housing 1. The inner pot 2 is detachable from the housing 1. The inner pot 2 is a container for holding an object to be heated by the cooking device 100. Hereinafter, the object to be heated will be referred to as the "object to be heated." In the embodiment, examples of the object to be heated include ingredients, seasonings, and water. Therefore, the inner pot 2 is a container used when boiling ingredients together with seasonings. Furthermore, an object that has been heated by the cooking device 100 will be referred to as the "object to be heated." In the embodiment, the object to be heated may also be referred to as food.

[0015] More specifically, inner pot 2 has a generally cylindrical shape with a bottom, and has a bottom wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22 (see also FIG. 4).

[0016] Bottom wall 21 has a generally circular shape in plan view. Peripheral wall 22 extends upward from the periphery of bottom wall 21. The upper end of inner pot 2 forms an opening 23 (see also Figure 4) facing upward. Opening 23 has a generally circular shape in plan view.

[0017] The inner pot 2 is made of a material with high thermal conductivity. An example of such a material is aluminum. A magnetic material is preferably attached to the outer surface of the inner pot 2. This improves the heating efficiency of the inner pot 2. The inner surface of the inner pot 2 is preferably coated with fluorine. This makes it less likely that objects to be heated by the cooking appliance 100 will adhere to the inner pot 2.

[0018] The user places the object to be heated into the inner pot 2 through the opening 23. That is, the object to be heated is contained in the inner pot 2. The user also removes the heated object (hereinafter referred to as the "object to be heated") from the inner pot 2 through the opening 23.

[0019] The inner pot 2 has handles 21A and 21B (see FIG. 2).

[0020] Handles 21A, 21B are attached to the periphery of opening 23 of inner pot 2. Handles 21A, 21B have shapes symmetrical to each other with respect to an imaginary plane F01 (see FIG. 2) that vertically bisects opening 23. Recesses 12A, 12B into which handles 21A, 21B fit are formed in the top surface 11 of the housing 1. Recesses 12A, 12B are formed in positions symmetrical to each other with respect to imaginary plane F01. The inner pot 2 is positioned relative to the housing 1 by fitting handles 21A, 21B into recesses 12A, 12B.

[0021] The lid 3 is attached to a first portion 13 of the housing 1 by a hinge 31. In this embodiment, the first portion 13 is located near the rear end of the top surface 11. The hinge 31 is attached to a second portion 32 of the lid 3 and the first portion 13. The second portion 32 is part of the periphery of the lid 3. The hinge 31 rotates the lid 3 relative to the housing 1 around an axis A01. The axis A01 extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the Z direction. In this embodiment, the axis A01 is generally parallel to the X direction.

[0022] The lid 3 is movable in the circumferential direction θ01 (see FIG. 2) about the axis A01 between a closed position that closes the inner pot 2 and an open position that exposes the inner pot 2. The lid 3 in the closed position is shown in FIG. 1, and the lid 3 in the open position is shown in FIG.

[0023] The lid 3 has a plurality of operation buttons 34 and a display unit 35 on a surface 33 of the lid 3 (see FIG. 1). The operation buttons 34 are an example of the "operation unit" in the present disclosure.

[0024] The operation button 34 accepts user operations. This allows the user to select a desired dish from those that can be cooked by the cooking appliance 100 and specify the timing to start cooking. The operation button 34 is a software button displayed on the display unit 35. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation button 34 may also be a hardware button.

[0025] The display unit 35 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information, such as image information required for selecting a dish.

[0026] The surface 33 is provided with a vent 36 and an open button 37. Steam generated in the inner pot 2 is discharged to the outside from the vent 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 due to the biasing force of a spring (not shown).

[0027] The lid 3 further includes an inner lid 38 (see FIG. 2).

[0028] 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 gasket 39 around the periphery of the inner lid 38. The gasket 39 is made of an elastic material. When the lid 3 is in the closed position, the gasket 39 fits tightly against the top edge of the inner pot 2, thereby creating a seal between the inner pot 2 and the inner lid 38.

[0029] The inner lid 38 has a surface 381. The surface 381 faces downward when the lid 3 is in the closed position. The stirring unit 4 is attached to the surface 381.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a view seen from the arrow A in Fig. 2, and also shows the non-stirring position of the stirring unit 4. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the stirring position of arms 42A, 42B of the stirring unit 4. Fig. 4 also shows the inner pot 2.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the agitation unit 4 is included in the cooking appliance 100 as a standard specification when the cooking appliance 100 is shipped from the factory.

[0032] Specifically, the stirring unit 4 has a base 41 and arms 42A and 42B. The arms 42A and 42B are a first example of the "stirring member" of the present disclosure.

[0033] When the lid 3 is in the closed position, the base 41 faces the inner pot 2 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.

[0034] The arms 42A and 42B are attached to the base 41 so that their respective positions relative to the base 41 can be changed. Specifically, the base end 421A of the arm 42A is attached to one corner 411A of the base 41. The tip 422A of the arm 42A is movable around an axis A11 between a first position and a second position. The axis A11 is perpendicular to the Z direction and intersects the base end 421A and the corner 411A. When the arm 42A is in the first position, it assumes a non-stirring position. In the non-stirring position, the arm 42A extends along the surface 381 on the side of the base 41 from the base end 421A to the tip 422A. When the arm 42A is in the second position, it assumes a stirring position. In the stirring position, the base end 421A of the arm 42A is located on the side of the base 41 and extends in a direction intersecting the surface 381. Therefore, when the lid 3 is in the closed position and the arm 42A is in the stirring position, the arm 42A extends from the base 41 inwardly into the inner pot 2 so that the tip 422A is located inside the inner pot 2 (see also Figure 4).

[0035] The arm 42B may have a shape obtained by rotating the arm 42A by 180° in the circumferential direction θ02. Therefore, detailed description of the arm 42B will be omitted.

[0036] The stirring unit 4 further includes a shaft 43, a common drive transmission part 44, and individual drive transmission parts 45A and 45B.

[0037] The shaft 43 has an axis A02 as the central axis of the shaft 43. Therefore, the shaft 43 rotates in one direction and the other direction of the circumferential direction θ02. In Fig. 3, rotation in one direction (i.e., counterclockwise) and rotation in the other direction (i.e., clockwise) of the circumferential direction θ02 may be referred to as "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation," respectively.

[0038] The common drive transmission unit 44 is, for example, a bevel gear. Each of the individual drive transmission units 45A, 45B includes, for example, a plurality of bevel gears. The drive 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. This drive force enables the arm 42A to move between a first position and a second position. That is, the arm 42A assumes a non-stirring position and a stirring position. The drive 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. This drive force enables the arm 42A to move between a first position and a second position and assumes a non-stirring position and a stirring position.

[0039] More specifically, when shaft 43 rotates forward, arm 42A rotates around axis A11, resulting in arm 42A switching from the non-stirring position (see FIG. 3) to the stirring position (see FIG. 4). Arm 42B switches from the non-stirring position (see FIG. 3) to the stirring position (see FIG. 4) at approximately the same timing as arm 42A. When shaft 43 further rotates forward, base 41 rotates synchronously with arms 42A and 42B in the stirring positions.

[0040] On the other hand, when the shaft 43 rotates in the reverse direction while the arms 42A and 42B are in the stirring state, the arms 42A and 42B switch to the non-stirring position. When the shaft 43 further rotates in the reverse direction, the base 41 rotates synchronously with the arms 42A and 42B in the non-stirring position.

[0041] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cooking device 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the cooking device 100 further includes an induction heating coil 5, a motor 6, a rotation sensor 71, a temperature sensor 72, 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 motor 6 is an example of a "drive unit" in the present disclosure. The temperature sensor 72 is an example of a "detection unit" in the present disclosure.

[0042] Coil 5 is located inside casing 1 below bottom wall 21 (see FIG. 1) of inner pot 2. Coil 5 generates an AC magnetic field under the control of control unit 8. The AC magnetic field causes eddy currents to flow in bottom wall 21. As a result, Joule heat is generated in bottom wall 21. The Joule heat heats the object to be heated. Coil 5 is an example of a "heating unit" in the present disclosure.

[0043] The motor 6 is located inside the lid 3 (see FIG. 2) between the surface 33 and the inner lid 38. 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). The driving force causes the arms 42A and 42B to rotate in the circumferential direction θ02 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0044] The rotation sensor 71 detects the rotation speed of the output shaft of the motor 6. That is, the rotation sensor 71 outputs a pulse signal that correlates to the detected rotation speed. In the pulse signal, the number of pulses within a certain period correlates to the softness of the ingredients in the inner pot 2. Specifically, if the number of pulses is high, the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are soft, and if the number of pulses is low, the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are hard. In other words, the pulse signal correlates to the load on the motor 6. If the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are soft, the load on the motor 6 is small, and if the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are hard, the load on the motor 6 is large. The pulse signal is an example of a "signal" in the present disclosure. The rotation sensor 71 is, for example, an FG sensor, a rotary encoder, or a Hall sensor.

[0045] The temperature sensor 72 detects the temperature inside or within the inner pot 2. That is, the temperature sensor 72 outputs a signal indicating the detected temperature (hereinafter referred to as a "temperature signal"). In particular, the temperature sensor 72 may be disposed in the lid 3 and detect the temperature inside the inner pot 2 through a temperature detection opening provided in the inner lid 38, or may be disposed so as to come into contact with the inner pot 2 when the inner pot 2 is placed in the housing 1 and detect the temperature of the inner pot 2. Alternatively, a combination of these may be used. In this embodiment, the temperature sensor 72 is, for example, a thermistor or infrared sensor, and is capable of detecting temperature without contact.

[0046] The control unit 8 includes, for example, a central processing unit and a memory unit 81, and operates according to a program stored in the memory unit 81 to control each component of the cooking device 100. 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.

[0047] The control unit 8 stores a plurality of pieces of usage information 82 in the memory unit 81. The memory unit 81 is a non-volatile memory. The usage information 82 is stored in the memory unit 81 when the cooking appliance 100 is shipped from the factory. Alternatively, the usage information 82 may be downloaded from a server via a network by a user after purchase. The usage information 82 includes at least first information 821 and second information 822. That is, the memory unit 81 stores the first information 821 and the second information 822 in association with each other.

[0048] Each piece of second information 822 is information indicating a menu that the cooking appliance 100 can cook. More specifically, each piece of second information 822 indicates the ingredients or seasonings (i.e., the object to be heated) to be added to the inner pot 2. Each piece of second information 822 further indicates the timing at which each ingredient or seasoning should be added to the inner pot 2 by the load on the motor 6 (i.e., the number of pulses in the pulse signal). Hereinafter, the number of pulses indicated by the second information 822 will be referred to as the "first pulse number." Note that each piece of second information 822 may indicate the timing at which each ingredient or seasoning should be added to the inner pot 2 by the temperature of the inner pot 2 detected by the temperature sensor 72 in addition to the first pulse number. The second information 822 is an example of "information" in the present disclosure.

[0049] The first information 821 is also information indicating the operating conditions for controlling each component of the cooking device 100 when cooking the menu item specified in the same use information 82. The operating conditions include the heating temperature, the operating timing of the stirring unit 4, and the rotation speed R01 of the motor 6 from the start to the end of cooking by the cooking device 100.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 8 executes specific processing by operating according to a program. In the specific processing, the control unit 8 determines the timing for adding at least one of ingredients and seasonings to the inner pot 2 based on a signal (i.e., a pulse signal) that correlates with the load on the motor 6. Therefore, the cooking device 100 makes it possible for the seasonings to penetrate more deeply into the ingredients. In particular, the seasonings can be added to the inner pot 2 at an appropriate timing for each ingredient in the inner pot 2. In other words, the seasonings can be added when the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are softened, allowing the seasonings to penetrate more deeply into the ingredients.

[0051] The control unit 8 may execute the specific process further based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 72.

[0052] The display unit 35 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user of the timing identified in the identification process by displaying an image. This allows the user of the cooking appliance 100 to know the timing to put the object to be heated (ingredients or seasonings) into the inner pot 2. The cooking appliance 100 may communicate wirelessly with an information processing device such as a smartphone, and notify the user of the timing identified in the identification process by displaying an image via the information processing device. Alternatively, the cooking appliance 100 may be provided with a speaker instead of the display unit 35, and the speaker may function as a notification unit that notifies the user of the timing identified in the identification process by audio output.

[0053] It is preferable that the control unit 8 executes the specified process based on the second information and the rotation speed signal. This allows the timing of adding each ingredient or seasoning to be specified, allowing each seasoning to penetrate more deeply into the ingredients.

[0054] 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the identification process by the control unit 8. The identification process will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0055] The user prepares cooking (FIG. 6: Step S101). In Step S101, the user specifically prepares ingredients (i.e., objects to be heated) identified in the target usage information 82. The user places the prepared objects to be heated into the inner pot 2 of the cooking device 100, and then places the lid 3 on the inner pot 2.

[0056] After a dish is selected by user operation via operation button 34 in accordance with the image displayed on display unit 35, control unit 8 reads out usage information 82 of the selected dish (hereinafter referred to as "target usage information 82") from memory unit 81 (step S102).

[0057] Next, in step S103, the control unit 8 starts rotating the motor 6 and supplying power to the coil 5 in accordance with the operating conditions indicated in the first information 821 of the target usage information 82, after the start of cooking is specified by a user operation via the operation buttons 34 in accordance with the image displayed on the display unit 35. After step S103 is executed, the temperature of the food to be heated in the inner pot 2 rises, and the arms 42A and 42B stir the food to be heated in the inner pot 2. Therefore, the food to be heated becomes soft.

[0058] In step S104, the control unit 8 selects "second information 822 to be determined" from the second information 822 included in the target usage information 82. The "second information 822 to be determined" is the second information 822 with the smallest number of first pulses among the second information 822 not selected in step S104. Hereinafter, the number of first pulses indicated by the second information 822 to be determined will also be referred to as "first pulse number to be determined."

[0059] In step S105, the control unit 8 acquires a pulse signal from the rotation sensor 71 for a predetermined period of time. The control unit 8 counts the number of pulses contained in the acquired pulse signal as a second pulse number. In step S105, the control unit 8 may also acquire a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 72. In this case, the control unit 8 derives the temperature indicated by the temperature signal as the temperature inside the inner pot 2.

[0060] In step S106, control unit 8 determines whether the second pulse number obtained in step S105 has reached the first pulse number to be determined. If the second pulse number has reached the first pulse number to be determined (Yes in step S106), the process proceeds to step S107. If the second pulse number has not reached the first pulse number to be determined (No in step S106), step S106 is executed again.

[0061] In addition, when the temperature inside the inner pot 2 is derived in step S105, in step S106, in addition to the above, it is also determined whether the temperature inside the inner pot 2 derived in step S105 has reached the first temperature (predetermined value) to be determined, thereby accurately determining the timing to add ingredients or seasonings.

[0062] In step S107, the control unit 8 stops the rotation of the motor 6, i.e., the rotation of the arms 42A and 42B, so that the user can easily add ingredients or seasonings to the inner pot 2. In step S107, the control unit 8 further causes the display unit 35 to display a notification image indicating that it is time to add ingredients or seasonings.

[0063] If the cooking appliance 100 is equipped with a speaker, the control unit 8 may cause the speaker to output an alarm sound indicating that it is time to add ingredients or seasonings in step S107. If the alarm sound is output from the speaker, the alarm image does not need to be displayed in step S107.

[0064] Furthermore, if the cooking appliance 100 is capable of wireless communication with an information processing device such as a smartphone, the control unit 8 may cause the information processing device to display a notification image in step S107.

[0065] In step S108, control unit 8 determines whether a first specific condition is met. The first specific condition is that the start of cooking is specified by a user operation after lid 3 is opened. If it is determined that the first specific condition is met (Yes in step S108), control unit 8 assumes that ingredients or seasonings have been added, and executes step S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first specific condition is not met (No in step S108), control unit 8 assumes that ingredients or seasonings have not been added, and executes step S108 again.

[0066] In step S109, control unit 8 resumes rotation of motor 6 and power supply to coil 5 in accordance with the operating conditions indicated in first information 821 of target usage information 82. After step S109 is executed, the temperature of the heated item in inner pot 2 rises again, and arms 42A, 42B stir the heated item in inner pot 2. In this manner, in the embodiment, the seasoning is added when the ingredients are soft, allowing the seasoning to easily penetrate the ingredients.

[0067] In step S110, the control unit 8 determines whether or not any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" among the second information 822 included in the target usage information 82. If any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" (Yes in step S110), the process returns to step S104. If any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" (No in step S110), the process proceeds to step S111.

[0068] In step S111, the control unit 8 determines whether cooking has finished based on the target usage information 82. If cooking has not finished (No in step S111), step S111 is executed again. If cooking has finished (Yes in step S111), the processing in FIG. 6 ends.

[0069] Fig. 7 is a graph showing an example of the current rotation speed R02 versus time during a heating process by the cooking appliance 100. As shown in Fig. 7, when making curry, for example, the user places the necessary items to be heated (onions and oil) into the inner pot 2 at time t01. The heating process starts at time t01. Between times t01 and t02, the items to be heated in the inner pot 2 become soft, so the number of pulses and the temperature in the inner pot 2 increase.

[0070] At time t02, in response to the second pulse number reaching the first pulse number indicated by the second information 822 of the food ingredient or seasoning (e.g., meat, vegetables or spices) (step S106 in FIG. 6), the current food ingredient or seasoning (e.g., meat, vegetables or spices) is added to the inner pot 2, the lid 3 is closed, and then rotation of the motor 6 resumes at time t03 (step S109).

[0071] At time t04, when the second pulse number reaches the first pulse number indicated by the second information 822 for another ingredient or seasoning (e.g., tomato puree or water) (step S106 in FIG. 6), the current ingredient or seasoning is added to the inner pot 2, the lid 3 is closed, and then rotation of the motor 6 resumes at time t05 (step S109). Thereafter, the heating process ends at time t06. Note that between times t01 and t06, the timing of addition may be determined taking into account the temperature indicated by the temperature signal.

[0072] [Variations] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooking device 200 according to a modified example. As shown in Figure 8, cooking device 200 differs from cooking device 100 in that cooking device 200 further includes a feeding mechanism 10 that feeds at least one of ingredients and seasonings into inner pot 2 at a timing specified by the specification process. According to the modified example, ingredients and seasonings are automatically fed into inner pot 2, making it easy for the user to use.

[0073] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the identification process by the control unit 8. The identification process will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9, in steps S201 to S206, the control unit 8 executes the same processes as in steps S101 to S106.

[0075] If the second pulse number has reached the first pulse number to be determined (Yes in step S206), the process proceeds to step S207. If the second pulse number has not reached the first pulse number to be determined (No in step S206), step S206 is executed again.

[0076] In step S207, the control unit 8 causes the feeding mechanism 10 to feed ingredients or seasonings into the inner pot 2.

[0077] In step S208, the control unit 8 determines whether or not any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" among the second information 822 included in the target usage information 82. If any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" (Yes in step S208), the process returns to step S204. If any unselected second information 822 remains as "second information 822 to be determined" (No in step S208), the process proceeds to step S209.

[0078] In step S209, the control unit 8 determines whether or not cooking has been completed based on the target usage information 82. If cooking has not been completed (No in step S209), step S209 is executed again. If cooking has been completed (Yes in step S209), the processing in FIG. 9 ends.

[0079] Fig. 10 is a graph showing an example of the current rotation speed R02 versus time during a heating process by the cooking device 200. As shown in Fig. 10, at time t11, the user places the necessary items to be heated (onions and oil) into the inner pot 2. The heating process also begins at time t11. Between times t11 and t12, the current rotation speed R02 increases as the items to be heated in the inner pot 2 become soft, and the pulse number and temperature in the inner pot 2 increase.

[0080] At time t12, when the second pulse number reaches the first pulse number indicated by the second information 822 for the food ingredient or seasoning (e.g., meat, vegetables, or spices) (step S206 in FIG. 9), step S207 is executed. As a result, the current food ingredient or seasoning (e.g., meat, vegetables, or spices) is added to the inner pot 2 by the adding mechanism 10.

[0081] At time t13, when the second pulse number reaches the first pulse number indicated by the second information 822 for another ingredient or another seasoning (e.g., tomato puree or water) (step S206 in FIG. 9), step S207 is executed. As a result, the current ingredient or seasoning (e.g., tomato puree or water) is added to the inner pot 2. Thereafter, the heating process ends at time t14. Note that between times t11 and t14, the timing of addition may be determined taking into account the temperature indicated by the temperature signal.

[0082] 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 embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding. The thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited. Various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

[0083] In the above embodiment and modified examples, the input to the motor 6 is assumed to be constant, and the number of pulses (number of rotations) is used as the signal correlating to the load on the motor 6, but this is not limiting. For example, the number of rotations of the motor 6 may be assumed to be constant, and a signal correlating to the current flowing through the motor 6 may be used as the signal correlating to the load on the motor 6.

[0084] When the rotation speed of the motor 6 is constant, the current flowing through the motor 6 correlates with the softness of the ingredients in the inner pot 2. In detail, when the current flowing through the motor 6 is low, the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are soft, and when the current flowing through the motor 6 is high, the ingredients in the inner pot 2 are hard. [Industrial Applicability]

[0085] The cooking device according to the present disclosure has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100,200 Heating cooker 2 inner pot 3 Lid 5 Coil (heating part) 4 Mixing unit 42A Arm (agitating member) 42B Arm (agitating member) 91A Arm (agitating member) 91B Arm (agitating member) 6 motors 8 Control Unit

Claims

1. an inner pot that accommodates an object to be heated; A lid for the inner pot; A heating unit that heats the inner pot; A stirring member that stirs the object to be heated; a drive unit that drives the stirring member; a control unit that executes a determination process to determine the timing to add at least one of ingredients and seasonings to the inner pot based on a signal that correlates with the load of the drive unit; A heating cooker comprising:

2. Further provided is a detection unit for detecting the temperature of the inner pot, The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the specifying process based on a signal from the detection unit.

3. The cooking device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies the timing.

4. The cooking device according to claim 1 , further comprising a feeding mechanism that feeds at least one of the ingredients and the seasoning into the inner pot at the timing.

5. Further provided is a memory unit that stores information indicating the load of the drive unit and the timing at which the food to be heated is put into the inner pot, The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the specific process based on the information and the signal.

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