Coil unit and induction heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a coil unit capable of arranging multiple coil pieces close together.SOLUTION: A disclosed coil unit includes multiple coil pieces placed in a heating area. The heating area has multiple coil placement areas defined by multiple boundary lines extending radially from a predetermined point, and an outer perimeter line. The multiple coil pieces are placed within the multiple coil placement areas. Each of the multiple coil pieces has an outer shape defined by two adjacent boundary lines and an outer perimeter line. Each of the multiple coil pieces includes a coil straight portion having a substantially straight shape. The length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the maximum dimension of the outer dimensions of the coil piece. The multiple coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent to each other. The coil straight portions of the first and second coil pieces are arranged with the boundary line between them and are arranged approximately parallel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a coil unit and an induction heating cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooking device. The cooking device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pot accommodating section that accommodates a pot and a partial heating section that partially heats the pot, and the partial heating section has multiple heating elements that are arranged to extend from the bottom to the side of the pot accommodating section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-61573 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, in a coil unit having a plurality of coil pieces for performing induction heating, there has been a demand for arranging the plurality of coil pieces in close proximity to each other.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a coil unit and an induction heating cooker in which a plurality of coil pieces can be arranged in close proximity to each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The coil unit according to the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of coil pieces disposed in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a plan view; the heating region has a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines extending radially from a predetermined point as a center in a plan view and a circumferential line defining an outer periphery of the heating region, and the plurality of coil pieces are arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a plan view; each of the plurality of coil pieces has an outer shape defined in a plan view by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines and an outer circumferential line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines; Each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along a boundary line and has a substantially straight shape in a plan view, the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view, the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent to each other in a plan view, The coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line therebetween and are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a plan view.

[0007] The induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure includes: The top plate and a coil unit disposed below the top plate; Equipped with The coil unit includes: a plurality of coil pieces disposed in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a plan view; the heating region has a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines extending radially from a predetermined point as a center in a plan view and a circumferential line defining an outer periphery of the heating region, and the plurality of coil pieces are arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a plan view; each of the plurality of coil pieces has an outer shape defined in a plan view by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines and an outer circumferential line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines; Each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along a boundary line and has a substantially straight shape in a plan view, the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view, the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent to each other in a plan view, The coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line therebetween and are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a coil unit and an induction heating cooker in which a plurality of coil pieces can be arranged in close proximity to each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view of an example of a coil unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a coil piece. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a plurality of coil pieces are connected to a connecting portion; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of a coil piece. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cross section of the coil unit of FIG. 5 taken along line AA. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of a coil unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a coil unit according to a first modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a coil piece according to a second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Background to this disclosure) An induction cooking appliance includes a coil unit having multiple coil pieces that inductively heat an object to be heated. To improve the heating efficiency of the coil unit, efforts have been made to increase the areal density of the multiple coil pieces in the heating region capable of heating the object. For example, efforts have been made to arrange the multiple coil pieces closely together to reduce the gaps formed between the multiple coil pieces.

[0011] However, it is difficult to arrange multiple coil pieces closely together in a coil unit. For example, in a coil unit in which multiple coil pieces having a substantially circular or substantially elliptical shape are arranged adjacent to each other, it is difficult to reduce the gap between adjacent coil pieces because the coil pieces are curved in a round shape.

[0012] Therefore, the inventor(s) conducted extensive research and discovered a coil unit configuration that includes multiple coil pieces having coil straight portions with an approximately linear shape, with the coil straight portions of adjacent coil pieces arranged approximately parallel to one another, leading to the present disclosure.

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of well-known matters or redundant explanation of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following explanation and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0014] The inventor(s) provide the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and do not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0015] (Embodiment 1) [Induction heating cooker] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the XYZ coordinate system shown in the figure is intended to facilitate understanding of the invention and does not limit the invention. The X-axis direction indicates the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction indicates the depth direction, and the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the induction heating cooker 1 is a cooker that induction heats a cooking container C that contains an object to be cooked T. In this specification, the cooking container C is a pot, which is described as an example of an object to be heated. The object to be heated is not limited to the cooking container C, and may be any object that can be induction heated.

[0017] 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 underside of the top plate 2. A plurality of coil units 4 are mounted inside the housing 3. Each of the plurality of coil units 4 is disposed below the top plate 2, and each inductively heats the cooking container C placed on the portion of the top plate 2 that it faces. That is, each of the plurality of coil units 4 functions as an induction heating coil unit.

[0018] The induction heating cooker 1 includes a control unit that controls the coil unit 4. The control unit includes, for example, a memory that stores a program and a processing circuit corresponding to a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). In the control unit, the processor executes the program stored in the memory.

[0019] [Coil unit] The coil unit 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a plan view of an example of a coil unit 4 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example of a coil piece 10A. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a plurality of coil pieces 10A-10F are connected to connection portions 40-42. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the coil piece 10A. Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the coil unit 4 of Fig. 5 taken along line AA.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F.

[0022] The multiple coil pieces 10A-10F are arranged in a heating region S10 in a plan view to heat an object to be heated. Within the heating region S10, the multiple coil pieces 10A-10F are arranged adjacent to each other. Specifically, the multiple coil pieces 10A-10F are arranged radially in a plan view. In this specification, "plan view" means viewed from the vertical direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction.

[0023] The heating area S10 is an area having a center C1 in a plan view, and is an area where multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F are arranged. In this embodiment, the heating area S10 has a circular shape in a plan view. The heating area S10 may be an area where a cooking container C shown on the upper surface of the top plate 2 is arranged in a plan view. Alternatively, the heating area S10 may be an area smaller than the area where a cooking container C can be arranged in a plan view shown on the upper surface of the top plate 2.

[0024] The heating region S10 has a plurality of coil arrangement regions S11 to S16. The plurality of coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 are defined by a plurality of boundary lines L11 to L16 and a circumferential line L10.

[0025] The multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 extend radially from a predetermined point in the heated region S10 in a planar view. The predetermined point is the intersection of the multiple boundary lines L11 to L16. For example, the predetermined point is the center of the heated region S10 in a planar view. That is, the multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 are straight lines extending from the center C1 of the heated region S10 toward the periphery in a planar view. Specifically, the multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 are arranged radially at intervals from the center C1 of the heated region S10 in a planar view. For example, the multiple boundary lines L11 to L16 are arranged radially at equal intervals from each other.

[0026] The predetermined point of the heated region S10 is not limited to the center C1 of the heated region S10 in a plan view, but may be any point within the heated region S10.

[0027] The angles formed by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines L11 to L16 are substantially the same. As a result, the plurality of coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 have substantially the same shape and substantially the same dimensions in a planar view. In this specification, "substantially the same" means having the same dimensions or shape within an error of 10%, and preferably having the same dimensions or shape within an error of 5%.

[0028] The circumferential line L10 defines the periphery of the heating region S10 in a plan view. For example, the circumferential line L10 has a circular shape in a plan view.

[0029] Each of the plurality of coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 is defined by two adjacent coil pieces in a plan view and a circumferential line L10 connecting the two adjacent coil pieces.

[0030] The multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 are arranged adjacent to each other and radially around the center C1 of the heating region S10 in a plan view. For example, each of the multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 has a fan shape in a plan view. In this specification, a "fan shape" refers to a shape defined by two straight lines (radii) extending from the center of a circle toward the outer periphery in a plan view, and an arc connecting the two straight lines.

[0031] In this embodiment, the plurality of boundary lines includes six boundary lines L11 to L16, and the angle between two adjacent boundary lines is 60 degrees. As a result, the heating region S10 is divided into six coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 that have approximately the same shape and approximately the same dimensions in a plan view.

[0032] The coil pieces 10A to 10F are respectively arranged in the coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 in a plan view, so that the coil pieces 10A to 10F are arranged radially and adjacently within the heating region S10 in a plan view.

[0033] Each of the coil pieces 10A-10F has an outer shape defined in plan view by two adjacent boundary lines among the boundary lines L11-L16 and an outer circumferential line L10 connecting the two adjacent boundary lines. Each of the coil pieces 10A-10F is formed by a coil wire that is arranged along the two adjacent boundary lines and the outer circumferential line L10 connecting the two adjacent boundary lines in plan view.

[0034] In this embodiment, each of the coil pieces 10A-10F has an outer shape defined by a plurality of boundary lines L11-L16 extending radially from the center C1 of the heating region S10 toward the periphery in a plan view, and an outer periphery line L10 connecting two adjacent boundary lines. For example, each of the coil pieces 10A-10F has a sector shape in a plan view.

[0035] The coil pieces 10A to 10F are not limited to having a sector shape in plan view, and may have, for example, a triangular shape in plan view.

[0036] In this embodiment, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F include a first coil piece 10A, a second coil piece 10B, a third coil piece 10C, a fourth coil piece 10D, a fifth coil piece 10E, and a sixth coil piece 10F. The first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F are arranged in multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16, respectively.

[0037] In plan view, the distance between two opposing coil pieces sandwiching a predetermined point C1 is 45 mm or less. In this embodiment, the distance between the first coil piece 10A and the fourth coil piece 10D, the distance between the second coil piece 10B and the fifth coil piece 10E, and the distance between the third coil piece 10C and the sixth coil piece 10F, which face each other across the center C1 of the heating region S10, are also 45 mm or less in plan view. In this way, by arranging the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F closely so that the distances between them are 45 mm or less near the predetermined point C1, the gaps near the predetermined point C1 can be reduced, and the areal density of the coil pieces can be improved.

[0038] The detailed configuration of the first coil piece 10A will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the first coil piece 10A has a coil main body 11, an outer lead wire 12, and an inner lead wire 13.

[0040] The coil main body 11 is a portion formed by winding a coil wire. The coil wire is formed, for example, from a conductive material. For example, the coil main body 11 is formed by winding a bundle of multiple twisted metal wires multiple times. For example, the coil main body 11 is formed by winding approximately 60 turns of a bundle of approximately 20 twisted copper wires with a diameter of 0.2 mm.

[0041] The diameter of the metal wire is not limited to 0.2 mm and may be set appropriately. For example, the diameter of the metal wire may be selected appropriately in the range of 0.01 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less. The material of the metal wire is not limited to copper and may be, for example, aluminum or a copper-aluminum clad material. The number of metal wires in a bundle (i.e., the so-called number of cores) is not limited to 20 and may be selected appropriately. For example, the number of cores may be selected appropriately in the range of 5 to 50. The number of turns of the coil wire is not limited to 60 turns and may be set appropriately. For example, the number of turns may be selected appropriately in the range of 30 to 120 turns.

[0042] The coil body 11 has a frame shape in a plan view. In this embodiment, the coil body 11 has a sector-shaped outer shape in a plan view.

[0043] The outer lead wire 12 is a lead wire that is drawn out from the outside of the coil body 11 .

[0044] The inner lead wire 13 is a lead wire that is led out from the inside of the coil body 11 .

[0045] Terminals are provided at the ends of the outer lead wire 12 and the inner lead wire 13. The terminals are, for example, round terminals.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second to sixth coil pieces 10B to 10F have the same configuration as the first coil piece 10A. Therefore, the lengths of the multiple outer lead wires 12 are equal in the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F. Furthermore, the lengths of the multiple inner lead wires 13 are equal in the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F. Note that the lengths of the outer lead wires 12 and the inner lead wires 13 may be different or equal. In this way, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F are all configured with approximately the same coil, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0047] 4, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F are connected via multiple connection parts 40 to 42. For example, the multiple connection parts 40 to 42 physically connect the multiple outer lead wires 12 and the multiple inner lead wires 13 of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F together, and are electrically connected to the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F.

[0048] The multiple connection parts 40-42 are members that connect the multiple outer lead wires 12 or the multiple inner lead wires 13 of the multiple coil pieces 10A-10F to electrically connect them. The multiple connection parts 40-42 are, for example, bus bars. The bus bars are, for example, plates made of a conductive material.

[0049] The plurality of connection portions 40 to 42 are not limited to bus bars and may be, for example, a substrate. For example, the outer lead wire 12 or the inner lead wire 13 may be connected to an electrode or a wiring pattern provided on a substrate.

[0050] The plurality of wire connection portions 40 to 42 include a first wire connection portion 40, a second wire connection portion 41, and a third wire connection portion 42.

[0051] The first wire connection portion 40 connects the outer lead wires 12 of the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F. The first wire connection portion 40 is electrically connected to wiring 43. The wiring 43 is drawn out of the coil unit 4 and connected to, for example, a substrate on which an inverter or the like is mounted.

[0052] In this way, by connecting the outer lead wires 12 of the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F via the first connecting portion 40, the outer portions of the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F can be electrically aligned. This eliminates the need for an insulating distance between adjacent coil pieces, allowing the spacing between adjacent coil pieces to be reduced.

[0053] The second connection portion 41 connects the inner lead wires 13 of the first, third, and fifth coil pieces 10A, 10C, and 10E. The third connection portion 42 connects the inner lead wires 13 of the second, fourth, and sixth coil pieces 10B, 10D, and 10F. This separates the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F into a first group G1 and a second group G2. The first group G1 and the second group G2 are separated by multiple coil pieces that are not adjacent to each other. The first group G1 includes the first coil piece 10A, the third coil piece 10C, and the fifth coil piece 10E. The second group G2 includes the second coil piece 10B, the fourth coil piece 10D, and the sixth coil piece 10F.

[0054] Wiring 44 is connected to the second connecting portion 41. That is, the multiple inner lead wires 13 of the first coil piece 10A, the third coil piece 10C, and the fifth coil piece 10E are connected to the wiring 44 via the second connecting portion 41. The wiring 44 is drawn out of the coil unit 4 and connected to a control unit.

[0055] The control unit can supply current to the first coil piece 10A, the third coil piece 10C, and the fifth coil piece 10E in the first group G1 via the wiring 44. This allows the control unit to collectively control the heating by the first coil piece 10A, the third coil piece 10C, and the fifth coil piece 10E.

[0056] Wiring 45 is connected to the third connection portion 42. That is, the multiple inner lead wires 13 of the second coil piece 10B, the fourth coil piece 10D, and the sixth coil piece 10F are connected to the wiring 45 via the third connection portion 42. The wiring 45 is drawn out of the coil unit 4 and connected to a control unit.

[0057] The control unit can supply current to the second coil piece 10B, the fourth coil piece 10D, and the sixth coil piece 10F in the second group G2 via the wiring 45. This allows the control unit to collectively control the heating by the second coil piece 10B, the fourth coil piece 10D, and the sixth coil piece 10F.

[0058] In this embodiment, the control unit can control heating by the first, third, and fifth coil pieces 10A, 10C, and 10E of the first group G1, heating by the second, fourth, and sixth coil pieces 10B, 10D, and 10F of the second group G2, and heating by all coil pieces 10A to 10F of the first and second groups G1 and G2.

[0059] Next, the detailed configuration and arrangement of the adjacent first coil piece 10A and second coil piece 10B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5, the first coil piece 10A includes an outer coil portion 20 and an inner coil portion 30.

[0061] The outer coil portion 20 forms the outer portion of the first coil piece 10A. The outer coil portion 20 includes a coil straight portion 21 and a coil outer peripheral portion 22. In this embodiment, the first coil piece 10A has a sector-shaped outer shape in a plan view. Therefore, the first coil piece 10A includes two coil straight portions 21 and one coil outer peripheral portion 22.

[0062] The coil straight portions 21 are arranged along the boundary lines in a plan view and have a substantially linear shape. The two coil straight portions 21 of the first coil piece 10A are arranged along boundary lines L11 and L16, respectively.

[0063] In this specification, the term "substantially linear shape" means a shape in which the outline of the target part can exist between two imaginary straight lines spaced 1 mm apart.

[0064] In the first coil piece 10A, the outline line 21a of the coil straight portion 21 in plan view is between two imaginary lines that are arranged in parallel with a gap of 1 mm between them. The outline line 21a of the coil straight portion 21 is the line that defines the outermost part of the coil straight portion 21 in plan view.

[0065] The length D1 of the coil straight portion 21 is, in plan view, 40% or more of the largest dimension D10 among the external dimensions of the first coil piece 10A. Preferably, the length D1 of the coil straight portion 21 is 50% or more of the dimension D10. More preferably, the length D1 of the coil straight portion 21 is 60% or more of the dimension D10. Note that the dimension D10 refers to the largest dimension among the external dimensions of the coil main body 11 in plan view.

[0066] The coil outer circumferential portion 22 is disposed along a circumferential line L10 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the coil outer circumferential portion 22 has an arc shape in a plan view.

[0067] The inner coil section 30 is disposed inside the outer coil section 20 in a planar view. The inner coil section 30 has smaller outer dimensions than the outer coil section 20 in a planar view. The inner coil section 30 also has a different shape from the outer coil section 20 in a planar view. For example, the inner coil section 30 has a polygonal shape in a planar view.

[0068] In plan view, a space 31 is provided inside the inner coil portion 30. In plan view, the area of ​​the space 31 is 15% or more of the entire surface area of ​​the first coil piece 10A. Preferably, the area of ​​the space 31 is 20% or more of the entire surface area of ​​the first coil piece 10A. This ensures space in the space 31 of the inner coil portion 30 for arranging components such as a temperature sensor, while preventing heat from being transferred from the first coil piece 10A to the components.

[0069] In plan view, a space SP1 is provided between the outer coil section 20 and the inner coil section 30. The space SP1 is defined by the inner periphery of the outer coil section 20 and the outer periphery of the inner coil section 30 in plan view.

[0070] Additionally, the outer coil section 20 has a larger space factor than the inner coil section 30. In the coil unit 4, adjacent coil pieces interact with each other. Because the outer coil section 20 has a larger space factor than the inner coil section 30, adjacent coil pieces are closer together in areas where interaction occurs. This improves the various operations and efficiency of the coil unit 4. For example, closer spacing between adjacent coil pieces increases magnetic coupling, improving heating efficiency.

[0071] 5 and 6, the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are arranged adjacent to each other in a plan view. Specifically, the coil straight portions 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the coil straight portions 21 of the second coil piece 10B are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a boundary line L11 therebetween in a plan view.

[0072] In this specification, "substantially parallel" means that the angle between a first virtual approximation line representing the approximation line of the first outer shape line 21a of the coil straight portion 21 of the first coil piece 10A and a second virtual approximation line representing the approximation line of the second outer shape line 21b of the coil straight portion 21 of the second coil piece 10B is within 5°. For example, the virtual approximation line is a regression line obtained by the least squares method. "Substantially parallel" may also mean that the angle between the first outer shape line 21a of the coil straight portion 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the second outer shape line 21b of the coil straight portion 21 of the second coil piece 10B is within 5°. For example, whether or not the first outer shape line 21a and the second outer shape line 21b are "substantially parallel" may be determined using a measuring device that measures whether the angle between the first outer shape line 21a and the second outer shape line 21b is within 5°.

[0073] In plan view, the distance D2 between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B is 6 mm or less. Preferably, the distance D2 is 4 mm or less. More preferably, the distance D2 is 3 mm or less. The distance D2 is the distance between the coil straight portion 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the coil straight portion 21 of the second coil piece 10B. In this embodiment, the outer lead wires 12 of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F are electrically connected to the first wire connection portion 40, so the outer portions of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F are electrically the same. Therefore, it is not necessary to ensure an insulation distance between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B. This allows the distance D2 between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B to be reduced and the coil pieces 10A and 10B to be arranged closer to each other.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first coil piece 10A to the sixth coil piece 10F have substantially the same configuration. Furthermore, the above-described positional relationship between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B also applies to the positional relationship between the other adjacent coil pieces.

[0075] Next, the first ferrite 50 and the second ferrite 60 arranged in the coil unit 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. FIG.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of first ferrites 50 and a plurality of second ferrites 60.

[0077] The plurality of first ferrites 50 are arranged across two adjacent coil pieces in a plan view.

[0078] 5 and 6, the first ferrite 50 is disposed across the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B in a plan view. For example, the first ferrite 50 has a concave shape.

[0079] The first ferrite 50 includes a first body portion 51 , a first portion 52 and a second portion 53 .

[0080] The first body portion 51 extends in the direction in which the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10A are adjacent to each other. The first body portion 51 has a first end located inside the first coil piece 10A in a plan view, and a second end located inside the second coil piece 10B in a plan view. In a plan view, the first end is located in a space SP1 inside the first coil piece 10A, and the second end is located in a space SP2 inside the second coil piece 10B. The first body portion 51 is located below the coil straight portions 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B. The first body portion 51 has, for example, a plate shape.

[0081] The first portion 52 extends from the first end of the first body portion 51 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first body portion 51, and is disposed in the space SP1 inside the first coil piece 10A. Specifically, the first portion 52 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first body portion 51, and is disposed in the space SP1 inside the first coil piece 10A.

[0082] The second portion 53 extends from the second end of the first body portion 51 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first body portion 51, and is disposed in the space SP2 inside the second coil piece 10B. Specifically, the second portion 53 extends in a direction perpendicular to the first body portion 51, and is disposed in the space SP2 inside the second coil piece 10B.

[0083] The portions of the first ferrite 50 that face the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are covered with an insulating material. For example, the portion of the first ferrite 50 that faces the coil straight portion 21 is covered with an insulating material. The insulating material may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as PPS or PBT, or a thermosetting resin such as FEP or PF.

[0084] The configuration and position of the first ferrite 50 arranged across the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B described above are the same for the other adjacent coil pieces.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of second ferrite pieces 60 are arranged on the outer peripheries of the plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F in a plan view.

[0086] 5 and 6, the second ferrite 60 is disposed across the outer coil periphery 22 of the first coil piece 10A. For example, the second ferrite 60 has an L-shape.

[0087] The second ferrite 60 includes a second body portion 61 and a third portion 62 .

[0088] The second main body portion 61 extends in a direction from the inside to the outside of the first coil piece 10A. The second main body portion 61 has a third end located on the inside of the first coil piece 10A in a plan view, and a fourth end located on the outside of the first coil piece 10A in a plan view. The second main body portion 61 is located below the outer coil portion 22 of the first coil piece 10A. The second main body portion 61 has, for example, a plate shape.

[0089] The third portion 62 extends from the fourth end of the second main body portion 61 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second main body portion 61, and is disposed outside the first coil piece 10A in plan view. Specifically, the third portion 62 extends in a direction perpendicular to the second main body portion 61, and is disposed outside the first coil piece 10A in plan view.

[0090] The portion of the second ferrite 60 that faces the first coil piece 10A is covered with an insulating material. For example, the portion of the second ferrite 60 that faces the outer circumferential coil portion 22 is covered with an insulating material. The insulating material may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as PPS or PBT, or a thermosetting resin such as FEP or PF.

[0091] In this embodiment, two second ferrite pieces 60 are arranged in the first coil piece 10A.

[0092] The configuration and position of the second ferrite 60 arranged across the outer coil periphery 22 of the first coil piece 10A described above are the same in the other coil pieces.

[0093] The control unit controls the heating of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F. For example, the control unit can change the heating characteristics of the entire coil unit 4 by changing the phase, frequency, and / or current value between adjacent coil pieces. For example, the magnetic fluxes of adjacent coil pieces can be strengthened or canceled out.

[0094] [effect] The coil unit 4 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0095] The coil unit 4 of the present disclosure includes a plurality of coil pieces 10A-10F arranged in a heating region S10 that heats a heating target C in a planar view. The heating region S10 has a plurality of coil arrangement regions S11-S16 defined by a plurality of boundary lines L11-L16 that extend radially from a predetermined center in a planar view and an outer periphery line L10 that defines the outer periphery of the heating region S10. The plurality of coil pieces 10A-10F are arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions S11-S16 in a planar view. Each of the plurality of coil pieces 10A-10F has an outer shape defined in a planar view by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines L11-L16 and an outer periphery line L10 that connects the two adjacent boundary lines. Each of the plurality of coil pieces 10A-10F includes a coil straight portion 21 that is arranged along the boundary line and has a substantially straight shape in a planar view. The length D1 of the coil straight portion 21 is 40% or more of the largest dimension D10 among the outer dimensions of the coil pieces in a plan view. The multiple coil pieces 10A include a first coil piece 10A and a second coil piece 10B that are adjacent in a plan view. The coil straight portion 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the coil straight portion 21 of the second coil piece 10B are arranged with a boundary line L11 between them and are arranged substantially parallel in a plan view.

[0096] This configuration allows the coil pieces 10A-10F to be arranged closely to each other, thereby reducing the gaps between the coil pieces 10A-10F and improving the area density of the coil pieces 10A-10F in the heating region S10. As a result, the heating efficiency of the coil unit 4 can be improved.

[0097] Furthermore, by arranging the coil straight portions 21 of the first coil piece 10A and the coil straight portions 21 of the second coil piece 10B in approximately parallel relation with the boundary line L1 sandwiched therebetween, it is possible to ensure a relatively large area where the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are in close proximity. This makes it possible to efficiently change the heating characteristics of the coil unit 4 by changing, for example, the phase, frequency, and / or current value between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B.

[0098] The length D1 of the coil straight portion 21 is 50% or more of the largest dimension D10 among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view.

[0099] This configuration allows the first coil pieces 10A and the second coil pieces 10B to be closer to each other over a larger area, thereby reducing the gap between the first coil pieces 10A and the second coil pieces 10B and improving the area density. As a result, the heating efficiency of the coil unit 4 can be further improved.

[0100] Each of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F has a coil body 11 formed by winding a coil wire, an outer lead wire 12 drawn out from the outside of the coil body 11, and an inner lead wire 13 drawn out from the inside of the coil body 11. The outer lead wire 12 of the first coil piece 10A and the outer lead wire 12 of the second coil piece 10B are electrically connected via a connecting part 40. In a plan view, the distance D2 between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B is 6 mm or less.

[0101] With this configuration, the outer portions of the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are electrically equivalent, allowing the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B to be arranged closer together. Specifically, by electrically equivalently arranging the outer portions of the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B, the insulation distance between the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B can be reduced. This allows the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B to be arranged closer together.

[0102] The coil unit 4 includes a first ferrite 50 disposed across the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B in a planar view. The first ferrite 50 includes a first main body portion 51, a first portion 52, and a second portion 53. The first main body portion 51 extends in the direction in which the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are adjacent to each other, and has a first end located inside the first coil piece 10A in a planar view, and a second end located inside the second coil piece 10B in a planar view. The first portion 52 extends from the first end of the first main body portion 51 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first main body portion 51 and is disposed in a space SP1 inside the first coil piece 10A. The second portion 53 extends from the second end of the first main body portion 51 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first body portion 51 and is disposed in a space SP2 inside the second coil piece 10B. The portions of the first ferrite 50 that face the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are covered with an insulating material.

[0103] With this configuration, the first ferrite 50 can suppress noise caused by the adjacent first coil piece 10A and second coil piece 10B, allowing the adjacent first coil piece 10A and second coil piece 10B to be arranged closer together.

[0104] Each of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F includes a coil outer circumferential portion 22 that is arranged along an outer circumferential line L10 in a plan view. The coil unit 4 includes a second ferrite 60 that is arranged across the coil outer circumferential portion 22 in a plan view. The second ferrite 60 includes a second main body portion 61 and a third portion 62. The second main body portion 61 extends in a direction from the inside to the outside of the coil piece, and has a third end located on the inside of the coil piece in a plan view, and a fourth end located on the outside of the coil piece in a plan view. The third portion 62 extends from the fourth end of the second main body portion 61 in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second main body portion 61, and is arranged on the outside of the coil piece. The portion of the second ferrite 60 that faces the coil piece is covered with an insulating material.

[0105] With this configuration, the second ferrite 60 can suppress noise generated near the outer coil periphery 22 of the plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F.

[0106] Each of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F includes an outer coil portion 20 having a coil straight portion 21, and an inner coil portion 30 that is arranged inside the outer coil portion 20 in a plan view. The outer coil portion 20 has a larger space factor than the inner coil portion 30.

[0107] With this configuration, the heating efficiency of the plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F can be improved.

[0108] The distance between two coil pieces facing each other across a predetermined point C1 in a plan view is 45 mm or less.

[0109] With this configuration, the gap near the predetermined point C1 can be reduced, and the coil pieces 10A to 10F can be arranged close to each other, thereby improving area efficiency.

[0110] In plan view, the area of ​​the space 31 inside the inner coil portion 30 is 15% or more of the surface area of ​​the entire coil piece.

[0111] With this configuration, it is possible to ensure a space for arranging components such as a temperature sensor or ferrite in the space 31 inside the inner coil portion 30, while suppressing the heat of the inner coil portion 30 from being transferred to the components.

[0112] In plan view, the inner coil portion 30 has a shape different from that of the outer coil portion 20 and is not circular.

[0113] This configuration ensures that spaces SP1 and SP2 are provided between the outer coil portion 20 and the inner coil portion 30 in a plan view. The spaces SP1 and SP2 can be effectively used to place components. For example, the first ferrite 50 can be placed in the spaces SP1 and SP2.

[0114] The plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F have a sector-shaped or triangular outer shape in plan view.

[0115] With this configuration, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F can be arranged closer to each other.

[0116] The outline lines 21a and 21b of the coil straight portion 21 in plan view are located between two imaginary straight lines that are arranged in parallel with an interval of 1 mm.

[0117] With this configuration, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F can be arranged closer to each other.

[0118] In a planar view, the angle between a first virtual approximate line that indicates an approximate line of the first outer shape line 21a of the coil straight portion 21 of the first coil piece 10A and a second virtual approximate line that indicates an approximate line of the second outer shape line 21b of the coil straight portion 21 of the second coil piece 10B is within 5°.

[0119] With this configuration, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F can be arranged closer to each other.

[0120] The boundary lines L11 to L16 extend radially from the center C1 of the heated region S10 toward the outer periphery in a plan view.

[0121] With this configuration, the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10F can be arranged closer to each other.

[0122] The induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure includes a top plate 2 and a coil unit 4 disposed below the top plate 2.

[0123] With this configuration, the same effects as those of the coil unit 4 described above can be achieved.

[0124] In the present embodiment, an example in which the number of the coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 is six has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Also, an example in which the number of the coil pieces 10A to 10F is six has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of the coil arrangement regions may be two or more and eight or less. The number of the coil pieces may be two or more and eight or less. With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency of the coil unit 4 while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0125] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 have substantially the same shape and the same size, but this is not limiting. For example, the multiple coil arrangement regions S11 to S16 may have different shapes and / or different sizes.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the coil pieces 10A to 10F have been described as having substantially the same shape and substantially the same size, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coil pieces 10A to 10F may have different shapes and / or different sizes.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the coil pieces 10A to 10F are described as being sector-shaped or triangular in plan view, but are not limited thereto. For example, the coil pieces 10A to 10F may be rectangular or polygonal in plan view. Furthermore, the coil pieces 10A to 10F may be rectangular or polygonal in plan view, with a circular arc in part. Furthermore, the coil pieces 10A to 10F may be three-dimensionally bent. For example, some of the coil pieces 10A to 10F may be bent in the Z-axis direction. This allows heating from the side of the object to be heated C.

[0128] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of wire connections 40 to 42, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the coil unit 4 does not have to include the wire connections 40 to 42.

[0129] In the present embodiment, the coil pieces 10A to 10F are divided into two groups, a first group G1 and a second group G2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The coil pieces 10A to 10F may be divided into two or more groups.

[0130] In the present embodiment, an example of grouping multiple non-adjacent coil pieces has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, multiple coil pieces that are to be collectively controlled by a control unit may be grouped, or one or more coil pieces that are respectively connected by multiple connection parts 40 to 42 may be grouped.

[0131] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which all adjacent coil pieces 10A to 10F have substantially straight coil straight portions 21 and are arranged substantially parallel to one another, but this is not limiting. For example, at least two adjacent coil pieces, a first coil piece 10A and a second coil piece 10B, may have substantially straight coil straight portions 21 and be arranged substantially parallel to one another.

[0132] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of first ferrites 50 and a plurality of second ferrites 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the coil unit 4 does not necessarily have to include a plurality of first ferrites 50 and a plurality of second ferrites 60.

[0133] In the present embodiment, an example in which the coil unit 4 is applied to the induction heating cooker 1 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The coil unit 4 may be applied to devices other than the induction heating cooker 1.

[0134] (Embodiment 2) A coil unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0135] In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, the same or equivalent configurations as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, in the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0136] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an example of a coil unit 4A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J, a third ferrite 71, a fourth ferrite 72, and a fifth ferrite 73. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the second heating region S20 in which the plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J are arranged in a plan view is provided adjacent to the first heating region S10 in which the plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F are arranged.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 7, the coil unit 4 includes a plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J in addition to a plurality of coil pieces 10A to 10F.

[0139] The plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J are arranged in a second heating region S20 in which an object to be heated is heated, in a plan view. In the second heating region S20, the plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0140] The second heating region S20 is provided adjacent to the first heating region S10 in a plan view. The second heating region S20 is provided further back than the first heating region S10 in the depth direction (Y-axis direction). For example, the second heating region S20 has a sector shape with a center C2 in a plan view. In the second heating region S20, the central angle formed by two straight lines extending from the center C2 of a circle toward the outer periphery is, for example, 180° or more and 300° or less. In this embodiment, the central angle is 240°.

[0141] The second heating region S20 has multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S24. The multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S24 are arranged adjacent to each other and radially around the center C2 of the second heating region S20 in a plan view. Specifically, the multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S24 are defined by multiple boundary lines L21 to L25 that extend radially from the center C2 of the second heating region S20 toward the outer periphery in a plan view, and a periphery line L20 that defines the outer periphery of the arc portion of the second heating region S20. For example, each of the multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S26 has a fan shape in a plan view.

[0142] The boundary lines L21 to L25 are arranged at equal intervals radially from the center C2 of the second heating region S20 in a plan view. The boundary lines L21 to L25 are straight lines extending from the center C2 of the second heating region S20 toward the outer periphery in a plan view. The angles formed by two adjacent boundary lines L21 to L25 are substantially the same. As a result, the coil arrangement regions S21 to S24 have substantially the same shape and dimensions in a plan view.

[0143] In this embodiment, the second heating region S20 has five boundary lines L21 to L25, and the angle between two adjacent boundary lines is 60 degrees. This divides the second heating region S20 into four coil arrangement regions S21 to S24, which have approximately the same shape and dimensions in a plan view.

[0144] The second heating region S20 is provided so as to surround a portion of the first heating region S10 in a plan view. Specifically, the second heating region S20 is arranged around the first heating region S10 so that the two boundary lines L21, L25 that define the second heating region S20 are arranged around the periphery line L10 of the first heating region S10 in a plan view. In other words, in a plan view, the first heating region S10 is arranged in a portion between the boundary lines L21, L25 that define the periphery of the second heating region S20, where the second heating region S20 is not provided.

[0145] In plan view, the multiple coil pieces 10G to 10J are arranged in multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S24, respectively. Each of the multiple coil pieces 10G to 10J has an outer shape that is defined in plan view by two adjacent boundary lines L21 to L25 that extend in different directions and an outer circumferential line L20 that connects the two adjacent boundary lines.

[0146] In this embodiment, the multiple coil pieces 10G to 10J have the same configuration as the coil piece 10A. Furthermore, the positional relationship between two adjacent coil pieces in the multiple coil pieces 10G to 10J is the same as the positional relationship between two adjacent coil pieces in the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10G.

[0147] In this embodiment, a plurality of first ferrites 50 are arranged across adjacent coil pieces in the plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J. A plurality of second ferrites 60 are arranged on the outer coil periphery 22 of the plurality of coil pieces 10G to 10J.

[0148] In this embodiment, the multiple coil pieces 10G to 10J include a seventh coil piece 10G, an eighth coil piece 10H, a ninth coil piece 10I, and a tenth coil piece 10J. The seventh to tenth coil pieces 10G to 10J are arranged in multiple coil arrangement regions S21 to S24, respectively.

[0149] In a plan view, the seventh coil piece 10G is arranged adjacent to the first coil piece 10A. The seventh coil piece 10G is arranged adjacent to the first coil piece 10A with a boundary line L21 sandwiched therebetween. Specifically, the coil straight portion 21 of the seventh coil piece 10G and the coil outer circumferential portion 22 of the first coil piece 10A are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0150] In a plan view, the tenth coil piece 10J is arranged adjacent to the second coil piece 10B. The tenth coil piece 10J is arranged adjacent to the second coil piece 10B with the boundary line L25 sandwiched therebetween. Specifically, the coil straight portion 21 of the tenth coil piece 10J and the coil outer circumferential portion 22 of the second coil piece 10B are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0151] For example, the control unit can perform heating using multiple coil pieces 10A-10F arranged in the first heating region S10, and heating using multiple coil pieces 10A-10J arranged in the first heating region S10 and the second heating region S20. The control unit may also be capable of performing heating using the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B arranged in the first heating region S10, and the seventh to tenth coil pieces 10G-10J arranged in the second heating region S20.

[0152] The coil unit 4A includes a plurality of third ferrites 71, a plurality of fourth ferrites 72, and a fifth ferrite 73.

[0153] In the coil unit 4A, the seventh coil piece 10G and the tenth coil piece 10J are arranged adjacent to the outer coil periphery 22 of the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B. Therefore, the outer coil periphery 22 of the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B does not have the second ferrites 60 arranged thereon, but has the third ferrites 71 and the fourth ferrites 72 arranged thereon.

[0154] The multiple third ferrites 71 are arranged across the first coil piece 10A and the seventh coil piece 10G in plan view. Specifically, the multiple third ferrites 71 are arranged across the outer coil portion 22 of the first coil piece 10A and the straight coil portion 21 of the seventh coil piece 10G in plan view.

[0155] The portions of the third ferrite 71 that face the first coil piece 10A and the seventh coil piece 10G are covered with an insulating material, which may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as PPS or PBT, or a thermosetting resin such as FEP or PF.

[0156] The multiple fourth ferrites 72 are arranged across the second coil piece 10B and the tenth coil piece 10J in plan view. Specifically, the multiple fourth ferrites 72 are arranged across the outer coil portion 22 of the second coil piece 10B and the coil straight portion 21 of the tenth coil piece 10J in plan view.

[0157] The portions of the fourth ferrite 72 that face the second coil piece 10B and the tenth coil piece 10J are covered with an insulating material, which may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as PPS or PBT, or a thermosetting resin such as FEP or PF.

[0158] The third ferrite 71 and the fourth ferrite 72 have, for example, a flat plate shape.

[0159] The fifth ferrite 73 is arranged across the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B in plan view. The fifth ferrite 73 is arranged at a position closer to the outer circumferential line L10 than the first ferrite 50, which is arranged across the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B in plan view.

[0160] The fifth ferrite 73 has, for example, a flat plate shape.

[0161] [effect] The coil unit 4A according to the second embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0162] In the coil unit 4A of the present disclosure, the heating region includes a first heating region S10 in which the first coil piece 10A and the second coil piece 10B are arranged, and a second heating region S20 adjacent to the first heating region S10. The multiple coil pieces 10A to 10J are arranged in the second heating region S20 and include a seventh coil piece 10G that is arranged adjacent to the first coil piece 10A, and a fourth coil piece 10J that is arranged in the second heating region S20 and adjacent to the second coil piece 10B. The coil unit 4A includes a third ferrite 71 and a fourth ferrite 72. The third ferrite is arranged to straddle the first coil piece 10A and the seventh coil piece 10G in a plan view. The fourth ferrite 72 is arranged to straddle the second coil piece 10B and the tenth coil piece 10J in a plan view. The third ferrite 71 and the fourth ferrite 72 have a flat plate shape. The portions of the third ferrite 71 facing the first coil piece 10A and the seventh coil piece 10G are covered with an insulating material, and the portions of the fourth ferrite 72 facing the second coil piece 10B and the tenth coil piece 10J are covered with an insulating material.

[0163] With this configuration, the first and second coil pieces 10A, 10B arranged in the first heating region S10 and the seventh and tenth coil pieces 10G, 10J arranged in the second heating region S20 can be arranged close to each other. This makes it possible to improve the area efficiency of the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10J and the heating efficiency even when multiple heating regions are provided.

[0164] Additionally, noise can be suppressed by arranging the third ferrite 71 across the adjacent first coil piece 10A and seventh coil piece 10G, and by arranging the fourth ferrite 72 across the adjacent second coil piece 10B and tenth coil piece 10J. Furthermore, noise can be further suppressed by covering the portions of the third ferrite 71 and the fourth ferrite 72 facing the coil pieces 10A, 10B, 10G, and 10J with an insulating material. This allows the adjacent first coil piece 10A and seventh coil piece 10G, and the adjacent second coil piece 10B and tenth coil piece 10J, to be positioned closer together.

[0165] In this embodiment, the second heating region S20 has a sector shape in plan view, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second heating region S20 may have a polygonal shape or a partially cut-out elliptical shape in plan view. Alternatively, the second heating region S20 may have a shape that follows the outer periphery of the first heating region S10 in plan view.

[0166] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the second heating region S20 is provided further back than the first heating region S10 in the depth direction (Y-axis direction), but this is not limiting. For example, the second heating region S20 may be provided closer to the front than the first heating region S10 in the depth direction (Y-axis direction). Alternatively, the second heating region S20 may be provided to the side of the first heating region S10 in the left-right direction (X-direction).

[0167] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the number of the coil arrangement regions S21-S24 in the second heating region S20 is four, but this is not limiting. Also, an example has been described in which the number of the coil pieces 10G-10J in the second heating region S20 is four, but this is not limiting. For example, the number of coil arrangement regions in the second heating region S20 may be one or more and six or less. The number of coil pieces in the second heating region S20 may be one or more and six or less. With this configuration, it is possible to improve heating efficiency while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0168] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the seventh to tenth coil pieces 10G to 10J have substantially the same shape and dimensions as the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F, but this is not limiting. For example, the seventh to tenth coil pieces 10G to 10J may have a different shape and / or different dimensions from the first to sixth coil pieces 10A to 10F.

[0169] In the present embodiment, the boundary lines L21 to L25 are straight lines extending from the center C2 of the second heating region S20 toward the periphery in a planar view, but are not limited thereto. For example, the boundary lines L21 to L25 may be lines extending radially from a predetermined point in the second heating region S20 in a planar view.

[0170] The following describes modified examples.

[0171] (Variation 1) FIG. 8 is a plan view of a coil unit 4B of the first modification.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 8, the coil unit 4B includes a plurality of coil pieces 10K to 10P.

[0173] The plurality of coil pieces 10K to 10P have a rectangular outer shape in a plan view, and are arranged in a lattice array within the heating region S30.

[0174] The heating region S30 is a region having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and includes a plurality of coil arrangement regions S31 to S36. The plurality of coil arrangement regions S31 to S36 are defined by a plurality of boundary lines L31 to L37 and a circumferential line L30.

[0175] The boundary lines L31 to L37 extend radially from predetermined points C3 and C4 in the heating region S30 in a planar view. The boundary lines L31, L32, L36, and L37 are arranged at 90-degree angles from the predetermined point C3 in a planar view. The boundary lines L33, L34, L35, and L37 are arranged at 90-degree angles from the predetermined point C4 in a planar view. As a result, adjacent boundary lines L31 to L37 that are arranged radially from the predetermined points C3 and C4 in the heating region S30 in a planar view are perpendicular to each other.

[0176] In a plan view, the coil arrangement regions S31 to S36 have a rectangular shape and have substantially the same shape and dimensions.

[0177] The plurality of coil pieces 10K to 10P are respectively arranged in the plurality of coil arrangement regions S31 to S36 in plan view, so that the plurality of coil pieces 10K to 10P are arranged in a lattice array in the heating region S30 in plan view.

[0178] Even in this configuration, the multiple coil pieces 10K to 10P can be arranged close to each other.

[0179] (Variation 2) FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a coil piece 10Q of the second modification.

[0180] 9, the coil arrangement region S11 has a first arrangement region S11A and a second arrangement region S11B. The first arrangement region S11A is an area formed at a position closer to a predetermined point on the heating region S10 than the circumferential line L10 in a planar view. The second arrangement region S11B is an area arranged at a position closer to the circumferential line L10 than the first arrangement region S11A in a planar view. The first arrangement region S11A and the second arrangement region S11B are separated by an intermediate line IL1 connecting two adjacent boundary lines L11 and L16 between the predetermined point on the heating region S10 and the circumferential line L10 in a planar view.

[0181] The predetermined point of the heated region S10 may be the center C1 of the heated region S10 in a plan view, or may be any point within the heated region S10.

[0182] Specifically, the first arrangement region S11A is defined by two adjacent boundary lines L11 and L16 and an intermediate line IL1 in a plan view. The second arrangement region S11B is defined by two adjacent boundary lines L11 and L16, a perimeter line L10, and an intermediate line IL1 in a plan view. The first arrangement region S11A has a substantially trapezoidal shape. The second arrangement region S11B has a substantially triangular shape.

[0183] The coil piece 10Q arranged in the coil arrangement region S11 has, in plan view, a first coil portion 81 arranged in the first arrangement region S11A and a second coil portion 82 arranged in the second arrangement region S11B.

[0184] The first coil portion 81 has an outer shape defined by two adjacent boundary lines L11, L16 and an intermediate line IL1 in the first arrangement region S11A in a plan view. The first coil portion 81 is configured with a coil wire that is arranged along the two adjacent boundary lines L11, L16 and the intermediate line IL1 in the first arrangement region S11A in a plan view. The first coil portion 81 has an outer shape that is approximately triangular in a plan view.

[0185] The first coil portion 81 has a plurality of first coil straight portions 21A that are arranged along the boundary lines L11, L16 and the intermediate line IL1 in a plan view. In the second modification, the first coil portion 81 has three first coil straight portions 21A.

[0186] In plan view, the second coil portion 82 has an outer shape defined by two adjacent boundary lines L11, L16, a circumferential line L10, and an intermediate line IL1 within the second arrangement region S11B. In plan view, the second coil portion 82 is composed of a coil wire that is arranged along the two adjacent boundary lines L11, L16, the circumferential line L10, and the intermediate line IL1 within the second arrangement region S11B. In plan view, the second coil portion 82 has an outer shape that is approximately trapezoidal.

[0187] The second coil portion 82 has three second coil straight portions 21B that are arranged along the boundary lines L11, L16 and the intermediate line IL1 in plan view.

[0188] In a plan view, the first coil straight portion 21A and the second coil straight portion 21B, which are adjacent to each other with the intermediate line IL1 sandwiched therebetween, are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

[0189] Furthermore, the outer portion of the first coil portion 81 and the outer portion of the second coil portion 82 may be electrically the same.

[0190] The control unit can perform partial heating by the first coil portion 81, partial heating by the second coil portion 82, and total heating by the first coil portion 81 and the second coil portion 82.

[0191] Even in this configuration, the multiple coil pieces can be arranged close to each other. Also, the first coil portion 81 and the second coil portion 82 can be arranged close to each other.

[0192] Although the second modification has been described with respect to one coil piece 10Q, the coil piece 10Q can be applied to the multiple coil pieces 10A to 10J of the first and second embodiments.

[0193] As described above, the above-described embodiments have been described as examples of the technology of the present disclosure. For this purpose, drawings and detailed descriptions are provided. Therefore, the components described in the drawings and detailed descriptions may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem in order to exemplify the above-described technology. Therefore, the fact that these non-essential components are described in the drawings or detailed descriptions should not be interpreted as immediately indicating that these non-essential components are essential.

[0194] Furthermore, since the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0195] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be realized by an apparatus, a system, a method, a computer program, a computer-readable storage medium, and combinations thereof.

[0196] Additionally, the terms "first," "second," etc., used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying the relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of such features.

[0197] (Outline of the embodiment) (1) A coil unit according to the present disclosure includes a plurality of coil pieces arranged in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a planar view, the heating region having a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines that extend radially from a predetermined point as a center in a planar view and an outer periphery line that defines the outer periphery of the heating region, the plurality of coil pieces being arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a planar view, and each of the plurality of coil pieces being defined by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines and an outer periphery line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines in a planar view, each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along a boundary line in a plan view and has a substantially straight shape, the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension of the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view, the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent in a plan view, and the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line between them and substantially parallel in a plan view.

[0198] (2) In the coil unit of (1), the length of the coil straight portion may be 50% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil pieces in a plan view.

[0199] (3) In the coil unit of (1) or (2), each of the plurality of coil pieces may have a coil main body portion formed by winding a coil wire, an outer lead wire drawn out from the outside of the coil main body portion, and an inner lead wire drawn out from the inside of the coil main body portion, and the outer lead wire of the first coil piece and the outer lead wire of the second coil piece may be electrically connected via a connecting portion, and in a planar view, the spacing between the first coil piece and the second coil piece may be 6 mm or less.

[0200] (4) Any of the coil units (1) to (3) may further include a first ferrite arranged across the first coil piece and the second coil piece in a planar view, and the first ferrite may include a first body portion extending in a direction in which the first coil piece and the second coil piece are adjacent to each other and having a first end located inside the first coil piece in a planar view and a second end located inside the second coil piece in a planar view, a first portion extending from the first end of the first body portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first body portion and arranged in the space inside the first coil piece, and a second portion extending from the second end of the first body portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the first body portion and arranged in the space inside the second coil piece, and the portions of the first ferrite facing the first coil piece and the second coil piece may be covered with an insulating material.

[0201] (5) In any of the coil units (1) to (4), each of the plurality of coil pieces may include a coil outer periphery that is arranged along the outer periphery line in a planar view, and the coil unit may further include a second ferrite that is arranged across the coil outer periphery in a planar view, and the second ferrite may include a second body portion that extends in a direction from the inside to the outside of the coil piece and has a third end that is located inside the coil piece in a planar view and a fourth end that is located outside the coil piece in a planar view, and a third portion that extends from the fourth end of the second body portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the second body portion and is arranged outside the coil piece, and the portion of the second ferrite that faces the coil piece may be covered with an insulating material.

[0202] (6) In any of the coil units (1) to (5), the heating region may include a first heating region in which the first coil piece and the second coil piece are arranged, and a second heating region adjacent to the first heating region, and the plurality of coil pieces may include a third coil piece arranged in the second heating region and adjacent to the first coil piece, and a fourth coil piece arranged in the second heating region and adjacent to the second coil piece, and the coil unit may further include a third ferrite arranged across the first coil piece and the third coil piece in a planar view, and a fourth ferrite arranged across the second coil piece and the fourth coil piece in a planar view, and the third ferrite and the fourth ferrite may have a flat plate shape, and portions of the third ferrite facing the first coil piece and the third coil piece may be covered with an insulating material, and portions of the fourth ferrite facing the second coil piece and the fourth coil piece may be covered with an insulating material.

[0203] (7) In any of the coil units (1) to (6), each of the plurality of coil pieces may include an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion and an inner coil portion arranged inside the outer coil portion in a planar view, and the outer coil portion may have a larger space factor than the inner coil portion.

[0204] (8) In the coil unit of any one of (1) to (7), the distance between two coil pieces facing each other across the predetermined point in a plan view may be 45 mm or less.

[0205] (9) In any of the coil units (1) to (8), each of the plurality of coil pieces may include an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion and an inner coil portion arranged inside the outer coil portion in a planar view, and the area of ​​the space inside the inner coil portion in a planar view may be 15% or more of the surface area of ​​the entire coil piece.

[0206] (10) In any of the coil units (1) to (8), each of the plurality of coil pieces may include an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion and an inner coil portion arranged inside the outer coil portion in a planar view, and the inner coil portion may have a shape different from that of the outer coil portion in a planar view and may be excluding a circular shape.

[0207] (11) In the coil unit of any one of (1) to (10), each of the plurality of coil arrangement areas may have, in a plan view, a first arrangement area formed at a position closer to the predetermined point in the heating area, and a second arrangement area formed at a position closer to the outer circumferential line than the first arrangement area, and the first arrangement area may be defined, in a plan view, by the two adjacent boundary lines and an intermediate line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines between the predetermined point and the outer circumferential line, and the second arrangement area may be defined, in a plan view, by the two adjacent boundary lines. Each of the plurality of coil pieces may have a first coil section that is arranged within the first arrangement area in a planar view and has an outer shape that is defined by the two adjacent boundary lines and the intermediate line, and a second coil section that is arranged within the second arrangement area in a planar view and has an outer shape that is defined by the two adjacent boundary lines, the outer circumferential line, and the intermediate line, and the coil straight section may be provided in the first coil section and the second coil section.

[0208] (12) In the coil unit according to any one of (1) to (11), the plurality of coil pieces may have a fan-shaped or triangular outer shape in a plan view.

[0209] (13) In the coil unit of any one of (1) to (12), the outline line of the coil straight portion in plan view may be between two imaginary straight lines that are arranged in parallel with each other and spaced 1 mm apart.

[0210] (14) In any of the coil units (1) to (13), when viewed in a plane, the angle between a first imaginary approximate line that indicates an approximate line of a first outer shape line of the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and a second imaginary approximate line that indicates an approximate line of a second outer shape line of the coil straight portion of the second coil piece may be within 5°.

[0211] (15) In the coil unit of any one of (1) to (14), the predetermined point may be the center of the heating region in a plan view.

[0212] (16) An induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure includes a top plate and a coil unit disposed below the top plate, the coil unit including a plurality of coil pieces disposed in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a planar view, the heating region having a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines that extend radially from a predetermined point as a center in a planar view and an outer periphery line that defines the outer periphery of the heating region, the plurality of coil pieces being disposed within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a planar view, and each of the plurality of coil pieces being disposed between two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines in a planar view. and an outer circumferential line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines, each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along the boundary line in a planar view and has a substantially linear shape, and the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension of the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a planar view, and the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent in a planar view, and the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line between them and are arranged substantially parallel in a planar view. [Industrial Applicability]

[0213] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present disclosure can be applied to an induction heating cooker that performs heating using a plurality of coil pieces. [Explanation of symbols]

[0214] 1 induction cooker 2 top plate 3. Housing 4, 4A, 4B coil unit 10A~10Q coil piece 11 Coil body 12 Outer lead wire 13 Inner lead wire 20 outer coil section 21, 21A, 21B Coil straight section 21a, 21b Outline line 22 Coil outer periphery 30 Inner coil section 31 Space 40~42 Wiring section 43~45 Wiring 50 First Ferrite 51 First main body part 52 Part 1 53 Part 2 60 Second Ferrite 61 Second main body part 62 Part 3 71 Third Ferrite 72 Fourth Ferrite 73 No. 5 Ferrite 81 First coil section 82 Second coil section C1,C2 center C3,C4 points L10, L20, L30 outer perimeter lines L11~L16, L21~L25, L31~L37 boundary line IL1 Intermediate Line S10,S20,S30 heating area S11~S16, S21~S24, S31~S36 Coil placement area S11A 1st placement area S11B 2nd placement area SP1,SP2 space

Claims

1. a plurality of coil pieces disposed in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a plan view; the heating region has a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines extending radially from a predetermined point as a center in a plan view and a circumferential line defining the periphery of the heating region; the plurality of coil pieces are arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a plan view, each of the plurality of coil pieces has an outer shape defined in a plan view by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines and an outer circumferential line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines; Each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along a boundary line and has a substantially straight shape in a plan view, the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view, the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent to each other in a plan view, the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line therebetween and are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a plan view; Coil unit.

2. The length of the coil straight portion is 50% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

3. Each of the plurality of coil pieces has a coil main body formed by winding a coil wire, an outer lead wire drawn from the outside of the coil main body, and an inner lead wire drawn from the inside of the coil main body, an outer lead wire of the first coil piece and an outer lead wire of the second coil piece are electrically connected via a connecting portion; In a plan view, the distance between the first coil piece and the second coil piece is 6 mm or less. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

4. a first ferrite piece disposed across the first coil piece and the second coil piece in a plan view; The first ferrite is a first main body portion extending in a direction in which the first coil piece and the second coil piece are adjacent to each other and having a first end located inside the first coil piece in a plan view and a second end located inside the second coil piece in a plan view; a first portion extending from the first end of the first body portion in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the first body portion and disposed in a space inside the first coil piece; a second portion extending from the second end of the first body portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first body portion extends and disposed in a space inside the second coil piece; Including, a first ferrite member having a first ferrite core and a second ferrite core, the first ferrite core being covered with an insulating material; The coil unit according to claim 1 .

5. each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil outer circumferential portion disposed along the outer circumferential line in a plan view; the coil unit further includes a second ferrite member arranged across an outer periphery of the coil in a plan view, The second ferrite is a second body portion extending in a direction from the inside to the outside of the coil piece and having a third end located inside the coil piece in a plan view and a fourth end located outside the coil piece in a plan view; a third portion extending from the fourth end of the second body portion in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second body portion extends and disposed outside the coil piece; Including, A portion of the second ferrite facing the coil piece is covered with an insulating material. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

6. the heating region includes a first heating region in which the first coil piece and the second coil piece are arranged, and a second heating region adjacent to the first heating region, The plurality of coil pieces include: a third coil piece disposed in the second heating region and adjacent to the first coil piece; a fourth coil piece disposed in the second heating region and adjacent to the second coil piece; Including, The coil unit includes: a third ferrite piece disposed across the first coil piece and the third coil piece in a plan view; a fourth ferrite piece disposed across the second coil piece and the fourth coil piece in a plan view; Furthermore, the third ferrite and the fourth ferrite have a flat plate shape, a portion of the third ferrite facing the first coil piece and the third coil piece is covered with an insulating material; a portion of the fourth ferrite facing the second coil piece and the fourth coil piece being covered with an insulating material; The coil unit according to claim 1 .

7. Each of the plurality of coil pieces is an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion; an inner coil portion disposed inside the outer coil portion in a plan view; Including, The outer coil portion has a larger space factor than the inner coil portion. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

8. The distance between the two coil pieces facing each other across the predetermined point in a plan view is 45 mm or less. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

9. Each of the plurality of coil pieces is an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion; an inner coil portion disposed inside the outer coil portion in a plan view; Including, In a plan view, the area of ​​the space inside the inner coil portion is 15% or more of the surface area of ​​the entire coil piece. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

10. Each of the plurality of coil pieces is an outer coil portion having the coil straight portion; an inner coil portion disposed inside the outer coil portion in a plan view; Including, In a plan view, the inner coil portion has a different shape from the outer coil portion and is excluding a circular shape. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

11. Each of the plurality of coil arrangement regions has, in a plan view, a first arrangement region formed in the heating region at a position close to the predetermined point; a second placement area formed at a position closer to the outer periphery line than the first placement area; and the first arrangement area is defined in a plan view by the two adjacent boundary lines and an intermediate line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines between the predetermined point and the outer periphery line, the second arrangement region is defined by the two adjacent boundary lines, the outer circumferential line, and the intermediate line in a plan view; Each of the plurality of coil pieces is a first coil portion that is arranged in the first arrangement region and has an outer shape that is defined by the two adjacent boundary lines and the intermediate line in a plan view; a second coil portion that is disposed within the second arrangement region and has an outer shape that is defined by the two adjacent boundary lines, the outer circumferential line, and the intermediate line in a plan view; and The coil straight portion is provided in the first coil portion and the second coil portion. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

12. The plurality of coil pieces have a fan-shaped or triangular outer shape in a plan view. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

13. The outline of the coil straight portion in plan view is between two imaginary straight lines that are arranged in parallel with each other with an interval of 1 mm between them. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

14. In a plan view, an angle between a first imaginary approximation line representing an approximation line of a first outer shape line of the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and a second imaginary approximation line representing an approximation line of a second outer shape line of the coil straight portion of the second coil piece is within 5°. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

15. The predetermined point is the center of the heating area in a plan view. The coil unit according to claim 1 .

16. The top plate and a coil unit disposed below the top plate; Equipped with The coil unit includes: a plurality of coil pieces disposed in a heating region that heats an object to be heated in a plan view; the heating region has a plurality of coil arrangement regions defined by a plurality of boundary lines extending radially from a predetermined point as a center in a plan view and a circumferential line defining the periphery of the heating region; the plurality of coil pieces are arranged within the plurality of coil arrangement regions in a plan view, each of the plurality of coil pieces has an outer shape defined in a plan view by two adjacent boundary lines among the plurality of boundary lines and an outer circumferential line connecting the two adjacent boundary lines; Each of the plurality of coil pieces includes a coil straight portion that is arranged along a boundary line and has a substantially straight shape in a plan view, the length of the coil straight portion is 40% or more of the largest dimension among the outer dimensions of the coil piece in a plan view, the plurality of coil pieces include a first coil piece and a second coil piece that are adjacent to each other in a plan view, the coil straight portion of the first coil piece and the coil straight portion of the second coil piece are arranged with the boundary line therebetween and are arranged substantially parallel to each other in a plan view; Induction heating cooker.

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