Heating cooker

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker enabling setting an energy saving mode while suppressing the escalation of the production cost, and having high convenience.SOLUTION: A heating cooker 1 includes: supply amount adjusting means 81-83 for adjusting a supply amount of fuel gas to be supplied to a gas burner 20; a control unit 50 for controlling the supply amount adjusting means; and a mode switching instruction part 323 for receiving the input of a mode switching instruction of selecting a specific mode from a plurality of supply modes having different supply amounts to the gas burner 20. The control unit 50 has an execution part 51 for controlling the supply amount adjusting means 81-83 based on the specific mode, and a storage part 52 for storing the plurality of supply modes. The plurality of supply modes include a first mode in which a supply amount is set between a first minimum supply amount and a first maximum supply amount, and a second mode in which a supply amount is set between a second minimum supply amount and a second maximum supply amount, and the first minimum supply amount and the second minimum supply amount are the same, and the second maximum supply amount is set to be smaller than the first maximum supply amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional cooking device is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This cooking device includes a gas burner, a gas supply path, a supply amount adjusting means, and a control device.

[0003] The gas burner burns fuel gas to heat an object to be heated. The gas supply passage supplies the fuel gas to the gas burner. The supply amount adjusting means is provided in the gas supply passage. The supply amount adjusting means adjusts the opening of the gas flow path in the gas supply passage under the control of the control device to adjust the supply amount of fuel gas between a maximum supply amount and a minimum supply amount.

[0004] In this cooking appliance, a switching valve is provided midway through the gas supply path, and the gas supply path branches off into a normal supply path and an energy-saving supply path beyond the switching valve. A throttle valve is provided in the energy-saving supply path, and the flow rate of gas flowing through the energy-saving supply path is throttled by the throttle valve. As a result, the amount of gas supplied to the gas burner via the energy-saving supply path is limited to a value lower than the amount of gas supplied to the gas burner via the normal supply pipe. In this way, by switching the gas supply path to the gas burner between the normal supply path and the energy-saving supply path using the switching valve, this cooking appliance can switch between a normal mode in which the heat of the gas burner is at normal strength and an energy-saving mode in which the heat of the gas burner is weaker than normal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-138570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with this type of cooking device, there is a demand for the minimum heating power to be as low as possible while preventing fires from misfiring at the minimum heating power, because cooking may be desired at extremely low heat. However, with the above-mentioned conventional cooking device, it is difficult to meet this demand in normal mode.

[0007] In other words, in the conventional cooking appliance described above, because the supply amount of fuel gas flowing through the energy-saving supply path, whose flow rate is reduced in the energy-saving mode, is adjusted by the supply amount adjusting means, all of the heating powers that can be adjusted between maximum and minimum heating power in the energy-saving mode are lower by a predetermined amount than in the normal mode. As a result, if the minimum heating power in the energy-saving mode is set to prevent fires from occurring at minimum heating power, the minimum heating power in the normal mode is higher by a predetermined amount than in the energy-saving mode. This causes the inconvenience of not being able to lower the minimum heating power when cooking in the normal mode, resulting in poor usability in the normal mode.

[0008] Furthermore, in the conventional cooking device, in order to set the energy-saving mode in addition to the normal mode, it is necessary to branch off an energy-saving supply path from the gas supply path and provide a switching valve, which results in a problem of rising manufacturing costs due to an increase in the number of parts, etc.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned situation, and the problem to be solved is to provide a highly convenient heating cooker that can be set to an energy-saving mode while suppressing increases in manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The cooking device of the present invention comprises: a gas burner that burns a fuel gas to heat an object to be heated; a gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the gas burner; a supply amount adjusting means provided in the gas supply passage for adjusting the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the gas burner; A cooking device including a control device that controls the supply amount adjusting means, a mode switching instruction unit to which a mode switching instruction is input to select a specific mode from a plurality of supply modes that differ in the amount of supply to the gas burner, the control device includes an execution unit that controls the supply amount adjusting means based on the specific mode; a storage unit that stores the plurality of supply modes, the plurality of supply modes include a first mode in which the supply rate is set between a first minimum supply rate and a first maximum supply rate, and a second mode in which the supply rate is set between a second minimum supply rate and a second maximum supply rate, the first minimum supply amount and the second minimum supply amount are the same, The second maximum supply amount is set to be smaller than the first maximum supply amount.

[0011] In the cooking device of the present invention, a plurality of supply modes are stored in the memory unit of the control device, and a user can select a specific mode from the plurality of supply modes using the mode switching instruction unit. The execution unit of the control device then controls the supply amount adjustment means based on the specific mode. The plurality of supply modes stored in the memory unit include a first mode and a second mode. This allows the supply mode of fuel gas supplied to the gas burner to be switched between the first mode and the second mode.

[0012] Here, the second maximum supply amount in the second mode is set to be less than the first maximum supply amount in the first mode. Therefore, if the first mode with the first maximum supply amount is considered to be a so-called normal mode in which the heat power of the gas burner is at normal strength, the second mode with the second maximum supply amount can be considered to be a so-called energy-saving mode in which the heat power of the gas burner is weaker than normal. In this way, with this cooking appliance, it is possible to set the energy-saving mode in addition to the normal mode without providing a separate energy-saving supply path or switching valve in the gas supply path.

[0013] In addition, in this cooking device, the first minimum supply amount in the first mode and the second minimum supply amount in the second mode are set to be the same. That is, it is possible to switch between the first mode and the second mode without changing the minimum supply amount. Therefore, in both the first mode and the second mode, it is possible to minimize the minimum heat while preventing misfires at the minimum heat. As a result, cooking at extremely low heat is possible in both the first mode and the second mode, making it easy to use.

[0014] Therefore, the cooking device of the present invention is capable of setting an energy saving mode while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs, and is highly convenient.

[0015] The supply mode preferably includes a plurality of second modes having different second maximum supply amounts.

[0016] According to this configuration, the user can select a convenient second mode from multiple second modes and set the second maximum supply amount in the second mode to suit his or her convenience, thereby improving convenience.

[0017] The cooking device of the present invention preferably includes a supply rate instructing unit to which a supply rate instruction that instructs the supply rate in multiple stages is input. The execution unit can control the supply rate adjusting means based on the supply rate instruction. The supply rate instructing unit can instruct the supply rate in the first mode to one of a first minimum supply rate, a first maximum supply rate, or a first intermediate set supply rate set to a predetermined first number of stages between the first minimum supply rate and the first maximum supply rate. The supply rate instructing unit can instruct the supply rate in the second mode to one of a second minimum supply rate, a second maximum supply rate, or a second intermediate set supply rate set to a predetermined second number of stages between the second minimum supply rate and the second maximum supply rate.

[0018] According to this configuration, the supply amount can be allocated between the minimum supply amount and the maximum supply amount in the first mode and the second mode by a predetermined number of intermediate set supply amounts, respectively, which is easy to use.

[0019] In the above case, it is preferable that the first number of stages and the second number of stages are set to be the same.

[0020] According to this configuration, the number of stages of the heat power of the gas burner does not change even when the supply mode is changed, so there is no inconvenience that the operational feel when adjusting the heat power of the gas burner changes when the supply mode is changed.

[0021] The memory unit may store an ignition supply amount, which is a supply amount to be supplied when the gas burner is ignited. The execution unit may control the supply amount adjustment means based on the ignition supply amount when the gas burner is ignited. The ignition supply amount is preferably the same in the first mode and the second mode.

[0022] This configuration makes it easy to set the ignition supply amount. In addition, since the gas burner can be ignited with an ignition supply amount suitable for the gas burner, ignition performance can be stabilized in both the first and second modes.

[0023] The memory unit may store an ignition supply amount, which is the supply amount supplied when the gas burner is ignited. The execution unit may control the supply amount adjustment means based on the ignition supply amount when the gas burner is ignited. If the second maximum supply amount is less than the ignition supply amount, the execution unit preferably changes the supply amount after ignition in the second mode from the ignition supply amount to the second maximum supply amount when the gas burner is ignited in the second mode.

[0024] According to this configuration, when the second maximum supply amount in the second mode is less than the ignition gas amount, the ignition supply amount after ignition of the gas burner is automatically shifted to the second maximum supply amount, so that the heating power of the gas burner can be reduced to the maximum heating power in the second mode after the gas burner is reliably ignited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The cooking device of the present invention is capable of setting an energy saving mode while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs, and is highly convenient. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main components of the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a data table showing the relationship between the flame power position of the stove burner, the step value of the stepping motor, and the amount of gas supply in the first mode and two second modes in the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the heating power position of the stove burner and the amount of gas supply in the first mode and the two second modes in the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing main components of a cooking device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a data table showing the relationship between the flame power position of the stove burner, the step value of the stepping motor, and the amount of gas supply in the first mode and five second modes (% designation) for the cooking device of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the stove burner in the cooking device of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Example 1 The gas stove 1 of the first embodiment is a so-called built-in type gas stove that is installed in a kitchen, etc. The gas stove 1 is an example of the "heating cooker" of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, this gas stove 1 comprises an appliance body 10 with an open top, a top plate 11 that covers the opening on the top of the appliance body 10 from above, and three stove burners 20. The stove burners 20 are an example of a "gas burner" in the present invention. In Fig. 1, the front surface 10a of the appliance body 10 is defined as the front of the gas stove 1, the depth direction of the gas stove 1 when viewed from the front is defined as the front-to-back direction, the width direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction is defined as the left-to-right direction, and the height direction perpendicular to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions is defined as the up-to-down direction, and the front-to-back direction, left-to-right direction, and up-to-down directions are shown.

[0030] The appliance body 10 has a generally rectangular box shape. Inside the appliance body 10, there are provided each stove burner 20 and a grill device 40 for grilling.

[0031] Each burner 20 has the same configuration as a known burner. Each burner 20 has the same configuration. Hereinafter, the burner 20 located on the front right of the tabletop 11 will be referred to as the first burner 21, the burner 20 located on the front left of the tabletop 11 will be referred to as the second burner 22, and the burner 20 located in the center of the rear of the tabletop 11 will be referred to as the third burner 23. In this embodiment, the first burner 21 and the second burner 22 are the same size, and the third burner 23 is smaller than the other two. The burners 20 may be different sizes from each other, or all three may be the same size. In the following description, any description of the burner 20 may be replaced with a description of the first burner 21, the second burner 22, or the third burner 23, as appropriate.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, this gas stove 1 has a stove supply passage 70, a supply amount adjusting means 80, and a controller 50. The stove supply passage 70 is an example of the "gas supply passage" in the present invention. The controller 50 is an example of the "control device" in the present invention.

[0033] The stove supply path 70 has a branch portion 70a along the way. An electromagnetic on-off valve 70b is provided upstream of the branch portion 70a in the gas flow direction of the stove supply path 70. The electromagnetic on-off valve 70b can shut off the supply of fuel gas to the stove burner 20 by closing the gas flow path upstream of the branch portion 70a in the gas flow direction of the stove supply path 70.

[0034] The supply amount adjustment means 80 is disposed downstream of the branch point 70a in the gas flow direction of the stove supply path 70. The supply amount adjustment means 80 has a first flow rate adjustment valve 81, a second flow rate adjustment valve 82, and a third flow rate adjustment valve 83.

[0035] The gas flow downstream of branch point 70a in stove supply path 70 branches into first burner supply path 71, second burner supply path 72, and third burner supply path 73. A first flow rate adjustment valve 81 is disposed in first burner supply path 71, a second flow rate adjustment valve 82 is disposed in second burner supply path 72, and a third flow rate adjustment valve 83 is disposed in third burner supply path 73.

[0036] The first burner supply passage 71 is connected to the first stove burner 21, the second burner supply passage 72 is connected to the second stove burner 22, and the third burner supply passage 73 is connected to the third stove burner 23. The upstream side of the gas flow in the stove supply passage 70 is connected to a main supply passage (not shown) through which fuel gas is supplied from the outside. In addition, in Figure 2 etc., the first burner refers to the first stove burner 21, the second burner refers to the second stove burner 22, and the third burner refers to the third stove burner 23.

[0037] The first flow rate adjustment valve 81 opens and closes the gas flow path in the first burner supply path 71 and is capable of adjusting the degree of opening of the gas flow path. Similarly, the second flow rate adjustment valve 82 opens and closes the gas flow path in the second burner supply path 72 and is capable of adjusting the degree of opening of the gas flow path. Similarly, the third flow rate adjustment valve 83 opens and closes the gas flow path in the third burner supply path 73 and is capable of adjusting the degree of opening of the gas flow path.

[0038] The electromagnetic on-off valve 70b, the first flow rate adjustment valve 81, the second flow rate adjustment valve 82, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 83 are controlled by the controller 50 to open / close and to what degree they open / close.

[0039] Although not shown in the figures, the first flow rate adjustment valve 81, the second flow rate adjustment valve 82, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 83 all have a rotating disk driven by a stepping motor. The rotating disk rotates in response to a pulse signal from an execution unit 51 (described later) of the controller 50, and rotates by an angle proportional to the number of pulses (step value). Then, under the control of the execution unit 51, the rotating disk is driven by the stepping motor and rotated in multiple stages, thereby adjusting the supply amount of fuel gas flowing through the first to third burner supply paths 71-73 in multiple stages, and adjusting the heating power of the first to third stove burners 21-23 in multiple stages according to the supply amount.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the step value of the stepping motor driving the supply amount adjustment means 80 is changed in 11 steps. Specifically, in the first mode, the step value changes in 11 steps from the minimum heating power step value of 10 to the maximum heating power step value of 110. In the second mode (slightly weaker), the step value changes in 11 steps from the minimum heating power step value of 10 to the maximum heating power step value of 77. In the second mode (weaker), the step value changes in 11 steps from the minimum heating power step value of 10 to the maximum heating power step value of 55. This allows the supply amount of fuel gas supplied to the stove burner 20 to be adjusted in 11 steps from the minimum supply amount to the maximum supply amount. In other words, nine intermediate supply amounts are set and allocated between the minimum supply amount and the maximum supply amount. In this embodiment, the nine intermediate supply amounts are approximately equally allocated.

[0041] In this way, a predetermined amount of fuel gas is supplied to each stove burner 20. Then, each stove burner 20 is ignited by an ignition electrode (not shown) and burns the fuel gas. This allows each stove burner 20 to heat the object to be heated 13 placed on the trivet 12 (described later) at a predetermined heating power. At this time, each stove burner 20 can heat at any of the heating power positions: minimum heating power, maximum heating power, and nine intermediate heating power settings distributed approximately evenly between the minimum and maximum heating powers.

[0042] The ignition supply rate, which is the amount of fuel gas supplied to the stove burner 20 when the stove burner 20 is ignited, can be set as appropriate. That is, one selected from a plurality of intermediate supply rates may be set as the ignition supply rate, or an ignition supply rate different from the intermediate supply rate may be set independently. In this embodiment, one selected from nine intermediate supply rates is set as the ignition supply rate. In this embodiment, the heating power of the heating power position 6 in the first mode is set as the ignition heating power, the step value of the stepping motor is set as the ignition step value 62, and the amount of fuel gas supplied is set as the ignition supply rate f. That is, in the first mode, the first minimum supply rate, where the supply rate is a, is set as the first, and the maximum supply rate, where the supply rate is k, is set as the eleventh, and the first intermediate supply rate f, which is the sixth supply rate, is set as the ignition supply rate.

[0043] The top plate 11 is made of heat-resistant glass and has a generally rectangular shape extending in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. Three trivets 12 are arranged on the top plate 11. Each trivet 12 is positioned to surround one of the stove burners 20. An object to be heated 13 is placed on the trivets 12.

[0044] This gas stove 1 has a switch group 30. The switch group 30 is provided on the front surface 10a of the appliance body 10. The switch group 30 allows the user to give desired instructions to the controller 50 and make various settings.

[0045] The switch group 30 includes, for example, a power switch 31 that turns the power of the gas stove 1 on and off, a stove burner operation unit 32 that performs operations such as igniting and extinguishing each stove burner 20 and adjusting the flame power, and a grill burner operation unit 33 that performs operations such as igniting and extinguishing and adjusting the flame power of the grill burner (not shown) of the grill device 40.

[0046] The stove burner operating unit 32 is located to the right of the grill device 40 on the front surface 10a of the appliance body 10. The stove burner operating unit 32 has three stove switches 321, a stove display unit 322, and a stove setting unit 323. The stove switches 321 are an example of the "supply amount instruction unit" in the present invention. The stove setting unit 323 is an example of the "mode switching instruction unit" in the present invention.

[0047] The user uses each stove switch 321 to turn on and off the stove burner 20 and adjust the flame power of each stove burner 20. Specifically, by pressing each stove switch 321, the corresponding stove burner 20 can be turned on and off.

[0048] Furthermore, by rotating each stove switch 321, the flame power of each corresponding stove burner 20 can be adjusted in multiple stages. That is, a supply amount instruction is input by the user to the stove switch 321. This supply amount instruction indicates the amount of fuel gas to be supplied in multiple stages according to the amount of rotation of the stove switch 321. Note that, since the flame power of the stove burner 20 is determined by the amount of fuel gas supplied, in the following explanation, the terms "supply amount instruction" and "fire power instruction" can be used interchangeably as appropriate.

[0049] In the stove setting unit 323, the user inputs a mode switching command and performs various setting operations related to automatic cooking and specific cooking. By inputting a mode switching command into the stove setting unit 323, the user can select a specific mode from multiple supply modes that differ in the amount of heat supplied to the stove burner 20.

[0050] The stove display unit 322 displays the fuel gas supply mode for the stove burner 20, the heat output of the stove burner 20, the operating status of the stove burner 20, and the like.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, when a supply amount instruction is input using the stove switch 321, the stove display unit 322a becomes a screen showing the heat position of the stove burner 20, and when a mode switching instruction is input using the stove setting unit 323, the stove display unit 322b becomes a screen showing a specific mode selected from multiple supply modes.

[0052] The grill burner operation unit 33 is located to the left of the grill device 40 on the front surface 10a of the appliance body 10. The grill burner operation unit 33 has a grill switch 331, a grill display unit 332, and a grill setting unit 333. The grill switch 331 is used by the user to turn the grill burner on and off and adjust the heat. The grill display unit 332 displays the operating status of the grill burner, etc. The grill setting unit 333 is used by the user to perform various setting operations related to automatic cooking and specific cooking.

[0053] The controller 50 is installed inside the appliance body 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 50 is a microcomputer equipped with an execution unit 51 consisting of a CPU and a storage unit 52 such as ROM and RAM, and in which a predetermined control program and a predetermined data table are pre-stored. The controller 50 controls the combustion state of the stove burner 20 and the operation of the grill device 40 according to the control program and data table in response to various setting operations by the user on the switch group 30, thereby performing automatic cooking or a specific cooking operation. For example, when a specific cooking setting is set in the stove setting unit 323, the controller 50 controls the combustion state of the stove burner 20 according to the setting, thereby changing the heat power and combustion time of the stove burner 20 and performing the specific cooking operation.

[0054] In this gas stove 1, the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 based on a specific mode selected by the user in the stove setting unit 323. The execution unit 51 also controls the first flow rate adjustment valve 81, the second flow rate adjustment valve 82, and the third flow rate adjustment valve 83 based on the supply amount instructions input by the user in each stove switch 321.

[0055] The memory unit 52 of the controller 50 in this gas stove 1 stores a plurality of supply modes having the same minimum supply rate but different maximum supply rates. In this embodiment, three supply modes are stored in the memory unit 52. The three supply modes are a first mode in which the maximum supply rate is a first maximum supply rate and the minimum supply rate is a first minimum supply rate, and two second modes in which the maximum supply rate is a second maximum supply rate that is smaller than the first maximum supply rate and the minimum supply rate is a second minimum supply rate (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The second maximum supply rates in the two second modes are different from each other. One of the two second modes is a second mode (slightly weaker) in which the maximum supply rate is a second maximum supply rate that is slightly smaller than the first maximum supply rate, and the other of the two second modes is a second mode (weaker) in which the maximum supply rate is a second maximum supply rate that is significantly smaller than the first maximum supply rate. As described above, the minimum supply rates in the three supply modes are the same. That is, the first minimum supply amount and the second minimum supply amount are the same. If the first mode is assumed to be a normal mode, the two second modes can be assumed to be energy saving modes.

[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, a data table for the first mode, a data table for the second mode (slightly weaker), and a data table for the second mode (weaker) are stored in the memory unit 52 of the controller 50. Each data table indicates the relationship between the flame power position of the stove burner 20, the step value of the stepping motor, and the amount of fuel gas supplied corresponding to each step value. When a specific mode is selected by a mode switching instruction input by the user to the stove setting unit 323, the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 extracts the data table for that specific mode from the three data tables stored in the memory unit 52, and controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 using the step value of the stepping motor based on the data table for that specific mode, while also controlling the amount of fuel gas supplied.

[0057] Each supply mode will be described in detail. In the first mode, when the stove burner 20 is at the minimum heat power position 1, the minimum heat power, the stepping motor's minimum heat power step value is 10, and the first minimum fuel gas supply rate is a. Also, in this first mode, when the stove burner 20 is at the maximum heat power position 11, the maximum heat power, the stepping motor's maximum heat power step value is 110, and the first maximum fuel gas supply rate is k. Then, when the intermediate heat power positions 2 to 10 between the minimum heat power position 1 and the maximum heat power position 11 are selected, the stepping motor's step value becomes each intermediate setting step value approximately equally divided between the minimum step value and the maximum step value, and the supply rate becomes each first intermediate setting supply rate approximately equally divided between the first minimum supply rate a and the first maximum supply rate k.

[0058] In the second mode (slightly weaker), when the minimum heat position is 1, the minimum heat step value is 10 and the second minimum supply amount is a. Also, in this second mode (slightly weaker), when the maximum heat position is 11, the maximum heat step value is 77 and the second maximum supply amount is 0.7k. And, when the intermediate heat position is 2 to 10 between the minimum heat position 1 and the maximum heat position 11, the step value becomes each intermediate set step value that is approximately equally divided between the minimum heat step value and the maximum heat step value, and the supply amount becomes each second intermediate set supply amount that is approximately equally divided between the second minimum supply amount a and the second maximum supply amount 0.7k.

[0059] In the second mode (weak), when the minimum heat position is 1, the minimum heat step value is 10 and the second minimum supply amount is a. Also, in this second mode (weak), when the maximum heat position is 11, the maximum heat step value is 55 and the second maximum supply amount is 0.5k. And, when the intermediate heat position is 2 to 10 between the minimum heat position 1 and the maximum heat position 11, the step value becomes each intermediate set step value that is approximately equally divided between the minimum heat step value and the maximum heat step value, and the supply amount becomes each second intermediate set supply amount that is approximately equally divided between the second minimum supply amount a and the second maximum supply amount 0.5k.

[0060] The minimum supply amount in each supply mode is set to the same value. That is, the first minimum supply amount in the first mode, the second minimum supply amount in the second mode (slightly weak), and the second minimum supply amount in the second mode (weak) are all set to a.

[0061] As described above, the ignition supply amount of the stove burner 20 is set to the first intermediate set supply amount f when the first intermediate set heat power position 6 in the first mode has an ignition step value of 62. In this embodiment, the ignition supply amount of the stove burner 20 is also set to the supply amount when the ignition step value is 62, i.e., the supply amount f, which is the same as the ignition supply amount in the first mode, in the second mode (slightly weak) and the second mode (weak).

[0062] 3 and 4, in the second mode (weak), the maximum heating power step value is 55, which is smaller than the ignition step value 62. That is, in the second mode (weak), the value of the second maximum supply amount 0.5k is smaller than the value of the ignition supply amount f, and the heating power at maximum heating power is smaller than the heating power at ignition. In this embodiment, in the second mode (weak), the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the stepping motor immediately after ignition of the stove burner 20 to change the ignition step value to the maximum heating power step value, thereby reducing the supply amount after ignition from the ignition supply amount to the second maximum supply amount.

[0063] The control operation of the stove burner 20 in the gas stove 1 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0064] When a user presses the power switch 31, the gas stove 1 is turned on (step S1). At the same time as the gas stove 1 is turned on, a mode switching command can be input to the stove setting unit 323 (step S2), and then the gas stove 1 is put into a standby state (step S3).

[0065] If the user inputs a mode switching command to the stove setting unit 323 during this standby state (yes in step S4), the process proceeds to step S5. If the first mode is selected in step S5 (yes in step S5), the specific mode is confirmed as the first mode (step S6). Then, if the user performs a mode switching end operation on the stove setting unit 323 (yes in step S7), the process returns to step S3 and the gas stove 1 enters standby state.

[0066] If the first mode is not selected in step S5 (no in step S5), the process proceeds to step S8. If the second mode (slightly weaker) is selected in step S8 (yes in step S8), the specific mode is confirmed as the second mode (slightly weaker) (step S9). Then, if the user performs an operation to end the mode switching on the stove setting unit 323 (yes in step S7), the process returns to step S3 and the gas stove 1 enters standby mode.

[0067] If the second mode (slightly weak) is not selected in step S8 (no in step S8), the specific mode is confirmed as the second mode (weak) (step S10). Then, if the user performs a mode switching end operation on the stove setting unit 323 (yes in step S7), the process returns to step S3 and the gas stove 1 enters standby mode.

[0068] On the other hand, during the standby state of step S3, if the user does not input a mode switching instruction to the stove setting unit 323 in step S4 (no in step S4) but performs the ignition operation of the stove burner 20 (yes in step S11), the stove burner 20 will be ignited with the ignition power, ignition step value and ignition supply amount (step S12).

[0069] Then, after detecting that ignition has occurred, if the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value is smaller than the heating power at the ignition step value (yes in step S13), the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the heating power at the ignition to be reduced to the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value (step S14), and thereafter that maximum heating power is maintained.On the other hand, after detecting that ignition has occurred, if the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value is not smaller than the heating power at the ignition step value (no in step S13), the heating power of the stove burner 20 is maintained at the heating power at the time of ignition.

[0070] Then, when the user inputs a supply amount instruction using the stove switch 321 to perform a heat power instruction operation (yes in step S15), the heat power of the stove burner 20 is adjusted according to the specific mode selected at that time.

[0071] That is, if the specific mode when the heat power instruction operation is performed is the first mode (yes in step S15 and yes in step S16), the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 according to the data table of the first mode so that the step value corresponds to the supply amount instruction instructed in step S15, and adjusts the heat power of the stove burner 20 to the heat power as instructed (step S17).

[0072] If the specific mode when the heat power instruction operation is performed is not the first mode (yes in step S15 and no in step S16) but the second mode (slightly weaker) (yes in step S18), the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 according to the data table for the second mode (slightly weaker) so that the step value corresponds to the supply amount instruction instructed in step S15, and adjusts the heat power of the stove burner 20 to the instructed heat power (step S19).

[0073] If the specific mode when the heat output instruction operation is performed in step S18 is not the second mode (weak) (no in step S18), the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 according to the data table for the second mode (weak) so that the step value corresponds to the supply amount instruction instructed in step S15, and adjusts the heat output of the stove burner 20 to the heat output as instructed (step S20).

[0074] Then, if the user performs an extinguishing operation using the stove switch 321 while the stove is burning at the heat power instructed by the heat power instructing operation (yes in step S21), the extinguishing operation is performed (step S22). That is, the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the supply amount adjusting means 80 to stop the supply of fuel gas to the stove burner 20, whereby the stove burner 20 is extinguished and the control operation of the stove burner 20 is completed.

[0075] On the other hand, during combustion at the heat power instructed by the heat power instruction operation, until the fire extinguishing operation is performed in step S21 (no in step S21), the process returns to step S15 and waits for the next heat power instruction operation.

[0076] Thus, in this gas stove 1, three supply modes are stored in the memory unit 52 of the controller 50: a first mode as a normal mode in which the maximum supply rate is set to a first maximum supply rate, and a second mode as two energy-saving modes in which the maximum supply rate is set to a second maximum supply rate that is smaller than the first maximum supply rate. When the user selects a specific mode from the three supply modes using the stove setting unit 323, the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the supply rate adjustment means 80 based on the selected mode, thereby adjusting the maximum heat output of the stove burner 20. Therefore, in this gas stove 1, the energy-saving mode can be set in addition to the normal mode without providing a separate switching valve or the like for the energy-saving mode.

[0077] In addition, in this gas stove 1, the second maximum supply amounts of the two second modes are different from each other, so that the user can set two energy-saving modes, one slightly weaker and the other weaker, to suit their convenience.

[0078] In this gas stove 1, the minimum supply amount is set to the same for all three supply modes. Therefore, in any supply mode, the minimum heat can be minimized while preventing fires from occurring at the minimum heat, making it possible to cook over extremely low heat without worrying about fires occurring.

[0079] Therefore, this gas stove 1 can be set to an energy saving mode while suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs, and is highly convenient.

[0080] Furthermore, in any of the three supply modes of this gas stove 1, fuel gas can be supplied to the stove burner 20 at one of the minimum supply amount, the maximum supply amount, and nine intermediate supply amounts that are approximately evenly distributed between the maximum and maximum supply amounts. In any supply mode, the same number of intermediate supply amounts are allocated between the minimum and maximum supply amounts. Therefore, in any of the three supply modes, the operating feel of the stove switch when adjusting the flame power of the stove burner 20 is consistent, providing excellent convenience.

[0081] Furthermore, in the second mode (weak), which is an energy-saving mode in which the maximum heating power is lower than the heating power at the time of ignition of the stove burner 20, the supply amount adjustment means 80 of the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the ignition supply amount to automatically reduce the ignition supply amount to the second maximum supply amount after ignition, and the heating power is automatically reduced from the heating power at ignition to the maximum heating power. Therefore, it is possible to set an energy-saving mode in which the maximum heating power is lower than the heating power at ignition, and to reduce the heating power to the maximum heating power in the energy-saving mode after the stove burner 20 has been reliably ignited.

[0082] Example 2 As shown in FIG. 8, in the gas stove 2 of Example 2, when a mode switching instruction is input to the stove setting unit 323, the stove display unit 322c is different from the stove display unit 322b in the gas stove 1 of Example 1, but the basic components are the same as those of the gas stove 1 of Example 1.

[0083] 9, the data table stored in the memory unit 52 of the controller 50 in this gas stove 2 is different from that in the gas stove 1 of Example 1. The memory unit 52 in this gas stove 2 stores a data table for a first mode as a normal mode similar to the data table for the first mode in Example 1, and data tables for five second modes as energy-saving modes.

[0084] The second maximum supply amounts in the five second modes are different from one another. Specifically, the second maximum supply amounts in each second mode are 90% (0.9k), 80% (0.8k), 70% (0.7k), 60% (0.6k), and 50% (0.5k) of the first maximum supply amount k in the first mode. This allows the maximum heating power in energy-saving mode to be set in five stages. Hereinafter, each second mode may be referred to as second mode (90% specified), second mode (80% specified), second mode (70% specified), second mode (60% specified), or second mode (50% specified) as appropriate.

[0085] The minimum supply rate is set to the same value in each supply mode. That is, the first minimum supply rate in the first mode and the second minimum supply rate in each second mode (% specified) are both set to a. In addition, in each of the five second modes, the second intermediate set supply rate is set by dividing the second minimum supply rate and the second maximum supply rate approximately equally.

[0086] In this gas stove 2, when the user inputs a mode switching command to the stove setting unit 323, the user can select either the first mode as the specific mode or one of five second modes as the specific mode. At this time, the stove display unit 322c displays a screen showing the first mode and the specific mode selected from the five second modes.

[0087] In addition, in this gas stove 2, the ignition supply amount of the stove burner 20 is set to the first intermediate set supply amount f when the ignition step value is 62 in the first mode. In this gas stove 2, the ignition supply amount is also set to the first intermediate set supply amount f when the ignition step value is 62 in the first mode in the five second modes. In other words, the ignition supply amount is set to the same in all of the first mode and the five second modes.

[0088] Of the five second modes, in the second mode (50% specified), the maximum heating power step value is 55, which is smaller than the ignition step value 62. That is, in the second mode (50% specified), the value of the second maximum supply amount 0.5k is smaller than the value of the ignition supply amount f, and the heating power at maximum heating power is smaller than the heating power at ignition. In this gas stove 2, in the second mode (50% specified), the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the stepping motor immediately after ignition of the stove burner 20 to change the ignition step value to the maximum heating power step value, thereby reducing the supply amount after ignition from the ignition supply amount to the second maximum supply amount.

[0089] The control operation of the stove burner 20 in the gas stove 2 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0090] When the user presses the power switch 31, the power of the gas stove 1 is turned on (step S31). At the same time as the gas stove 2 is turned on, a mode switching command can be input to the stove setting unit 323 (step S32), and then the gas stove 2 is put into a standby state (step S33).

[0091] If the user inputs a mode switching command to the stove setting unit 323 during this standby state (yes in step S34), the process proceeds to step S35. If the first mode is selected in step S35 (yes in step S35), the specific mode is confirmed as the first mode (step S36). Then, if the user performs a mode switching end operation on the stove setting unit 323 (yes in step S37), the process returns to step S3 and the gas stove 2 enters standby state.

[0092] If the first mode is not selected in step S35 (no in step S35), the process proceeds to step S38. If one of the five second modes is selected in step S38 and the second mode (% specified) is specified (yes in step S38), the second mode (% specified) is confirmed as the specific mode (step S39). Then, if the user performs a mode switching end operation on the stove setting unit 323 (yes in step S37), the process returns to step S33 and the gas stove 2 enters standby mode.

[0093] On the other hand, during the standby state of step S33, if the user does not input a mode switching instruction to the stove setting unit 323 in step S34 (no in step S34) but performs the ignition operation of the stove burner 20 (yes in step S40), the stove burner 20 will be ignited with the ignition power, ignition step value and ignition supply amount (step S41).

[0094] Then, after detecting that ignition has occurred, if the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value is smaller than the heating power at the ignition step value (yes in step S42), the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the heating power at the ignition to be reduced to the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value (step S43), and thereafter that maximum heating power is maintained.On the other hand, after detecting that ignition has occurred, if the maximum heating power at the maximum heating power step value is not smaller than the heating power at the ignition step value (no in step S42), the heating power of the stove burner 20 is maintained at the heating power at the time of ignition.

[0095] Then, when the user inputs a supply amount instruction using the stove switch 321 to perform a heat power instruction operation (yes in step S44), the heat power of the stove burner 20 is adjusted according to the specific mode selected at that time.

[0096] That is, if the specific mode when the heat power instruction operation is performed is the first mode (yes in step S44 and yes in step S45), the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 according to the data table of the first mode so that the step value corresponds to the supply amount instruction instructed in step S44, and adjusts the heat power of the stove burner 20 to the heat power as instructed (step S46).

[0097] If the specific mode when the heat power instruction operation is performed is not the first mode (yes in step S44 and no in step S45) but the second mode (% specified) (yes in step S47), the execution unit 51 controls the supply amount adjustment means 80 according to the data table for the second mode (% specified) so that the step value corresponds to the supply amount instruction instructed in step S44, and adjusts the heat power of the stove burner 20 to the heat power as instructed (step S48).

[0098] Then, if the user performs an extinguishing operation using the stove switch 321 while the stove is burning at the heat power instructed by the heat power instructing operation (yes in step S49), the extinguishing operation is performed (step S50). That is, the execution unit 51 of the controller 50 controls the supply amount adjusting means 80 to stop the supply of fuel gas to the stove burner 20, extinguishing the stove burner 20, and the control operation for the stove burner 20 ends.

[0099] On the other hand, during combustion at the heat power instructed by the heat power instruction operation, until the fire extinguishing operation is performed in step S49 (no in step S49), the process returns to step S44 and waits for the next heat power instruction operation.

[0100] In this way, the second maximum supply amounts in the five second modes are all different from one another in the gas stove 2. This allows the user to select and specify the most convenient second mode from the five second modes, which are set at five levels of energy saving, thereby further increasing convenience.

[0101] The other configurations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0102] The present invention has been described above in accordance with Examples 1 and 2, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples 1 and 2, and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0103] In the first and second embodiments, a flow rate adjusting valve is used as the supply rate adjusting means, which adjusts the opening of the gas flow path by rotating a rotary disk driven by a stepping motor, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rod or needle that moves back and forth may be used instead of the rotary disk, or an electric valve equipped with another motor may be used as the supply rate adjusting means.

[0104] In the first and second embodiments, the stove setting unit 323 is provided with the function of the mode switching instruction unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mode switching instruction unit may be provided in an external mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the user.

[0105] In addition, in Examples 1 and 2, the mode switching instruction is given by the user, but the worker performing the maintenance may also perform the instruction as one of the maintenance modes, or a mode switching instruction unit may be provided in an external mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by the worker.

[0106] In the first and second embodiments, the number of intermediate supply rates set between the minimum and maximum supply rates is nine in both the first and second modes, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of intermediate supply rates may be eight or less or ten or more. The number of intermediate supply rates may be different between the first and second modes, and the number in the first mode may be either more or less than the number in the second mode.

[0107] In Examples 1 and 2, the value of the second maximum supply amount in the second mode is different from any of the values ​​of the first intermediate set supply amounts in the first mode, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the value of the second maximum supply amount in the second mode may be the same as any of the values ​​of the first intermediate set supply amounts in the first mode.

[0108] In the first and second embodiments, the function of the supply amount indicator is provided to the so-called dial-type stove switch 321, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the function of the supply amount indicator may be provided to a touch operation unit.

[0109] In the first and second embodiments, the second intermediate supply rate is set by dividing the second intermediate supply rate approximately equally between the second minimum supply rate and the second maximum supply rate in the second mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second intermediate supply rate may be set to all or part of a plurality of values ​​selected from the plurality of first intermediate supply rates in the first mode.

[0110] In the second embodiment, one of five second modes is selected as the specific mode, but the user may be allowed to set the designated % in the second mode to any value. As a modified example, the heat power of the gas burner actually burned may be checked and set as the second maximum supply amount in the second mode.

[0111] In the first embodiment, two types of second modes, (slightly weak) and (weak), are stored, but it is also possible to store either one of them.

[0112] In Examples 1 and 2, the number of stove burners 20 is three, but the present invention is not limited to this. The number of gas burners may be one, two, or four or more. Furthermore, some of the multiple gas burners may be electromagnetic induction heating units equipped with IH coils. [Industrial Applicability]

[0113] The present invention can be used, for example, in kitchens in homes and kitchen equipment in facilities.

[0114] 1...Gas stove (heating cooker) 13...Object to be heated 20...Gas burner 50...Controller (control device) 51...Executive Department 52...Storage section 70...Gas supply line for stove (gas supply line) 81...First flow rate adjusting valve (supply amount adjusting means) 82...Second flow rate adjusting valve (supply amount adjusting means) 83...Third flow rate adjusting valve (supply amount adjusting means) 321...Stove switch (supply amount indicator) 323...Stove setting unit (mode switching instruction unit)

Claims

1. a gas burner that burns fuel gas to heat an object to be heated; a gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the gas burner; a supply amount adjusting means provided in the gas supply passage for adjusting the amount of the fuel gas supplied to the gas burner; A cooking device including a control device that controls the supply amount adjusting means, a mode switching instruction unit to which a mode switching instruction is input to select a specific mode from a plurality of supply modes that differ in the amount of supply to the gas burner, the control device includes an execution unit that controls the supply amount adjusting means based on the specific mode; a storage unit that stores the plurality of supply modes, the plurality of supply modes include a first mode in which the supply rate is set between a first minimum supply rate and a first maximum supply rate, and a second mode in which the supply rate is set between a second minimum supply rate and a second maximum supply rate, the first minimum supply amount and the second minimum supply amount are the same, The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the second maximum supply amount is set to be smaller than the first maximum supply amount.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the supply mode includes a plurality of second modes in which the second maximum supply amounts are different from one another.

3. a supply amount instruction unit to which a supply amount instruction for instructing the supply amount in a stepwise manner in a plurality of stages is input, the execution unit controls the supply amount adjustment means based on the supply amount instruction; the supply amount instructing unit is capable of instructing, as the supply amount in the first mode, one of the first minimum supply amount, the first maximum supply amount, and a first intermediate set supply amount set to a predetermined first step number between the first minimum supply amount and the first maximum supply amount, 3. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the supply amount indicating unit is capable of indicating the supply amount in the second mode to one of the second minimum supply amount, the second maximum supply amount, and a second intermediate set supply amount set to a predetermined second step number between the second minimum supply amount and the second maximum supply amount.

4. The cooking device according to claim 3, wherein the first number of stages and the second number of stages are set to be the same.

5. the storage unit stores an ignition supply amount, which is the supply amount supplied when the gas burner is ignited; the execution unit controls the supply amount adjustment means based on the ignition supply amount when the gas burner is ignited, The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ignition supply amount is the same in the first mode and the second mode.

6. the storage unit stores an ignition supply amount, which is the supply amount supplied when the gas burner is ignited; the execution unit controls the supply amount adjustment means based on the ignition supply amount when the gas burner is ignited, 3. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein when the second maximum supply amount is less than the ignition supply amount, if the gas burner is ignited in the second mode, the execution unit transitions the supply amount after ignition in the second mode from the ignition supply amount to the second maximum supply amount.

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