Induction heating cooker and method for controlling induction heating cooker

The induction heating cooker addresses the issue of prolonged cooking time by preheating, maintaining, and then increasing power upon ingredient addition, effectively shortening the cooking time by quickly restoring the oil temperature.

JP2026003467APending Publication Date: 2026-01-13PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024101434
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-06-24
Publication Date
2026-01-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing induction heating cookers take longer to return the oil temperature to the target heating temperature after adding ingredients due to the temperature drop, prolonging the cooking time in deep-frying modes.

Method used

The induction heating cooker preheats at a first power, maintains at a predetermined temperature, and upon detecting ingredients, heats at a second power higher than the first to quickly restore the oil temperature to the target.

Benefits of technology

This approach significantly shortens cooking time by efficiently returning the oil temperature to the target heating temperature after ingredient addition, reducing cooking time by up to 17% compared to conventional methods.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an induction heating cooker capable of shortening a cooking time.SOLUTION: The induction heating cooker of the present disclosure includes a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed, a heating coil disposed below the top plate, and a controller that controls a high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil, wherein the controller preheats the object to be heated with a first heating power in a fried food cooking mode in which the object to be heated is heated and cooked with oil contained in the object to be heated, maintains the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after completion of preheating, and heats the object to be heated with a second heating power higher than the first heating power when it is detected that the foodstuff is put into the object to be heated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an induction heating cooker and a control method for an induction heating cooker. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cooking device. The cooking device described in Patent Document 1 performs a preheating process in which the temperature of an object to be heated is raised to a temperature higher than a target temperature set in accordance with a set cooking menu, and a warming process in which the temperature of the object to be heated is kept higher than the target temperature after the preheating process. Furthermore, when the cooking device described in Patent Document 1 detects that ingredients have been added to the object to be heated, it ends the warming process and performs a cooking process in which it supplies to a heating means electric power with an amount of electric power per unit time greater than the electric power used in the warming process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7094417 specification Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the cooking device described in Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of shortening the cooking time.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an induction heating cooker and a control method for an induction heating cooker that can shorten cooking time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure comprises a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed, a heating coil disposed below the top plate, and a controller that controls high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil. In a deep-frying cooking mode in which food is cooked using oil contained in the object to be heated, the controller preheats the object to be heated at a first heating power, maintains the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after the preheating is complete, and, upon detecting that the food has been placed in the object to be heated, heats the object to be heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power.

[0007] The control method for an induction heating cooker according to the present disclosure is a control method for an induction heating cooker executed by a controller in a deep-frying cooking mode in which ingredients are cooked by heating using oil contained in an object to be heated, and includes the steps of preheating the object to be heated at a first heating power, maintaining the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after preheating, and heating the object to be heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power when it is detected that the ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an induction heating cooker and a control method for an induction heating cooker that can shorten cooking time. [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 schematic block diagram of an example of a main configuration of an induction heating cooker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the induction heating cooker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the temperature of an object to be heated, the temperature of oil, and heating power in a deep-fry cooking mode. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the induction heating cooker of Modification 1 according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an induction heating cooker according to Modification 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of an induction heating cooker according to a third modification of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a timing chart showing the temperature of the object to be heated, the temperature of oil, and heating power in a deep-fry cooking mode according to Modification 4 of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Background to this disclosure) Induction cookers have various cooking modes. For example, induction cookers have a deep-frying cooking mode in which ingredients are cooked in oil. For example, the deep-frying cooking mode includes a preheating process, a temperature control process, and a load detection process. In the preheating process, the induction cooker preheats a pan containing oil, which is an object to be heated, to a target preheat temperature. After the preheating process is completed, the induction cooker starts a temperature control process, in which the object to be heated is maintained at a predetermined temperature. When the induction cooker detects that ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated, it starts a load detection process, and heats the object to be heated with a heating power higher than that used in the temperature control process, heating the object to the target control temperature.

[0011] However, when food is added, the temperature of the oil contained in the heating object drops, and the oil temperature falls below the target heating temperature. The target heating temperature is the temperature of the oil used to deep-fry the food. This causes a problem: it takes time for the oil temperature to return to the target heating temperature, which lengthens the cooking time.

[0012] Therefore, the inventor(s) conducted extensive research and considered shortening the time it takes for the oil temperature to return to the target heating temperature after the oil temperature drops due to the addition of ingredients, 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] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an induction heating cooker 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a main configuration of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the 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 an object C to be heated that contains an object A to be cooked. In this embodiment, the induction heating cooker 1 is a built-in cooker. The object C to be heated is a cooking vessel, for example, a pot. The object A to be cooked is oil. The object C to be heated is not limited to a cooking vessel, but may be any object that can be induction heated. The object A to be cooked is not limited to oil, but may be a liquid or food ingredient.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the induction cooking device 1 includes a top plate 2, a housing 3, a plurality of heating coils 4, a controller 5, an operating device 6, and a plurality of temperature sensors 7.

[0018] The top plate 2 is a plate on which the object to be heated C is placed. The top plate 2 is made of, for example, heat-resistant glass.

[0019] The housing 3 is attached to the top plate 2. Inside the housing 3, a plurality of heating coils 4, a controller 5, an operation device 6, and a plurality of temperature sensors 7 are mounted.

[0020] The multiple heating coils 4 are disposed below the top plate 2 and inductively heat the object to be heated C. Each of the multiple heating coils 4 inductively heats the object to be heated C placed on the opposing portion of the top plate 2. The multiple heating coils 4 may be any coils that can inductively heat the object to be heated C. For example, each of the multiple heating coils 4 may be a single coil, or may be a coil unit that combines multiple coils.

[0021] The controller 5 is a device that controls the operation of the induction cooking appliance 1. The controller 5 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 controller 5, the processor executes the program or instructions stored in the memory to realize a predetermined function. The function of the controller 5 may be realized by hardware alone, or may be realized by combining hardware and software.

[0022] The controller 5 controls the high-frequency current supplied to the plurality of heating coils 4. The controller 5 controls the high-frequency current, for example, by controlling an inverter. As a result, for example, the controller adjusts the heating power by adjusting the power supplied to the plurality of heating coils 4.

[0023] The operation device 6 is a device for operating the operation of the induction cooking appliance 1. For example, the operation device 6 functions as an input device for inputting information from the user and as an output device for outputting information to the user. The operation device 6 may include an operation panel for the user to operate the induction cooking appliance 1, buttons for the user to change the heat level, and a display and speaker for notifying the user of the status of the induction cooking appliance 1. For example, the user can select a cooking mode by operating the operation device 6.

[0024] The plurality of temperature sensors 7 are disposed below the top plate 2 and detect temperature information of the object to be heated C. Specifically, the plurality of temperature sensors 7 detect temperature information of the bottom of the object to be heated C. The plurality of temperature sensors 7 are non-contact temperature sensors. For example, the plurality of temperature sensors 7 are infrared sensors. For example, a photodiode type or a thermopile type sensor can be used as the infrared sensor. In this embodiment, the plurality of temperature sensors 7 are photodiode type infrared sensors.

[0025] The induction heating cooker 1 is capable of executing a deep-frying cooking mode in which ingredients are cooked in oil. The deep-frying cooking mode is a mode in which ingredients are cooked in oil. Specifically, the deep-frying cooking mode is a mode in which the oil is heated by heating a heating object C containing oil, and ingredients are placed in the heated oil and heated in the oil. The deep-frying cooking mode includes a preheating process, a temperature adjustment process, and a load detection process. The preheating process is a process in which the heating object containing oil is preheated to a target preheat temperature. The temperature adjustment process is a process in which the heating object is maintained at a predetermined temperature after the preheating process is completed. The load detection process is a process in which the heating object is heated to a target control temperature when it is detected that ingredients have been placed in the heating object.

[0026] [Operation] As an example of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure, the operation in the deep-fry cooking mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the temperature of the object C to be heated, the temperature of oil, and the heating power in the deep-fry cooking mode.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in step S1, the controller 5 executes a preheating process. The controller 5 preheats the heating object C containing oil until the temperature of the heating object C reaches a target preheating temperature Tp. The target preheating temperature Tp is set to a value higher than the target heating temperature Ta of the oil used to heat ingredients. In the preheating process, the controller 5 preheats the heating object C at a first heating power P1. For example, the first heating power P1 is the maximum heating power in the preheating process. Note that the preheating process is not limited to continuous heating at the first heating power P1, and may also include heating at a heating power equal to or lower than the first heating power P1.

[0029] The controller 5 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 7. The controller 5 completes the preheating step at a first timing t1 when it detects that the temperature of the heating object C has reached the target preheating temperature Tp, based on the temperature information of the heating object C from the temperature sensor 7. The temperature information may be a temperature or information related to a temperature.

[0030] In step S2, the controller 5 executes a temperature adjustment process. The controller 5 maintains the heating object C at a predetermined temperature Tc. The predetermined temperature Tc is set to a value lower than the target preheating temperature Tp. In the temperature adjustment process, the controller 5 heats the heating object C at a temperature adjustment heating power Pc. The temperature adjustment heating power Pc is lower than the first heating power P1.

[0031] The controller 5 adjusts the temperature control heating power Pc based on the temperature of the object C to be heated detected by the temperature sensor 7. In this way, the controller 5 maintains the object C to be heated at a predetermined temperature Tc.

[0032] In step S3, the controller 5 detects whether or not ingredients have been placed into the object to be heated C. For example, the controller 5 detects the load caused by the ingredients being placed into the object to be heated C. In this embodiment, the controller 5 detects whether or not ingredients have been placed into the object to be heated C based on temperature information of the object to be heated C.

[0033] When food ingredients are placed in the oil in the object to be heated C, the temperature of the oil drops, and the temperature of the object to be heated C also drops. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether food ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated C based on the drop in the temperature of the object to be heated C.

[0034] The controller 5 detects whether the temperature of the heating object C detected by the temperature sensor 7 has dropped below a threshold temperature Ts. When the temperature of the heating object C has dropped below the threshold temperature Ts, the controller 5 determines that ingredients have been added to the heating object C. When the temperature of the heating object C is higher than the threshold temperature Ts, the controller 5 determines that ingredients have not been added to the heating object C.

[0035] The method for determining whether ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated C is not limited to the above example. The controller 5 may determine whether ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated C based on an integrated value of the power supplied to the plurality of heating coils 4. For example, the controller 5 may determine whether ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated C based on an integrated value of the IinAD value (equivalent to watts) for a 30-second period. Alternatively, the controller 5 may determine whether ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated C by combining the temperature of the object to be heated C with the integrated power.

[0036] The controller 5 starts step S4 at the second timing t2 when it is determined that ingredients have been added. If the controller determines that ingredients have not been added, it repeats steps S2 and S3.

[0037] In step S4, the controller 5 executes a load detection process. The controller 5 heats the heating object C at a second heating power P2 higher than the first heating power P1. In the load detection process, the controller 5 can heat the heating object C at the second heating power P2 higher than the first heating power P1, which is the maximum heating power in the preheating process.

[0038] The second heating power P2 is 1.1 times or more and 3.7 times or less than the first heating power P1. Preferably, the second heating power P2 is 1.3 times or more and 2.4 times or less than the first heating power P1.

[0039] For example, the second thermal power is equal to or greater than 1.6 kW and equal to or less than 3.7 kW. Preferably, the second thermal power is equal to or greater than 2 kW and equal to or less than 3.3 kW.

[0040] The controller 5 adjusts the heating power based on the temperature information of the heating object C. Specifically, the controller 5 controls the heating power based on the temperature of the heating object C and the target control temperature Tg of the heating object C. The target control temperature Tg is the temperature of the heating object C at which the oil temperature is set to the target heating temperature Ta when cooking ingredients in the load detection process. The target control temperature Tg is set to a value higher than the target heating temperature Ta. Furthermore, the target control temperature Tg is set to a value higher than the predetermined temperature Tc in the temperature adjustment process.

[0041] In the load detection step, the controller 5 may reduce the heating power to heat the object C when the temperature of the object C reaches the target control temperature Tg.

[0042] The controller 5 returns to the temperature adjustment process at a third timing t3 when the load detection process is completed. The completion of the load detection process may be the timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since the temperature of the heating object C reached the target control temperature Tg in the load detection process. Alternatively, the completion of the load detection process may be detected based on temperature information of the heating object C. For example, the completion of the load detection process may be detected when the temperature of the heating object C reaches or exceeds a threshold temperature.

[0043] [effect] According to the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

[0044] The induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure includes a top plate 2 on which an object to be heated C is placed, a heating coil 4 arranged below the top plate 2, and a controller 5 that controls high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil 4. In a deep-frying cooking mode in which the object to be heated C is cooked using oil contained in the object to be heated C, the controller 5 preheats the object to be heated C at a first heating power P1, maintains the object to be heated C at a predetermined temperature Tc after preheating is complete, and, upon detecting that food has been placed in the object to be heated C, heats the object to be heated C at a second heating power P2 that is higher than the first heating power P1.

[0045] This configuration can shorten cooking time. For example, when ingredients are added to the oil in the heating object C, the oil temperature drops below the target heating temperature Ta, which is optimal for cooking the ingredients. In this case, the controller 5 heats the heating object C at a second heating power P2 that is higher than the first heating power P1 used in preheating, thereby quickly restoring the dropped oil temperature to the target heating temperature Ta. This allows the induction heating cooker 1 to reduce the time it takes to return the dropped oil temperature to the target heating temperature Ta after ingredients are added, compared to an induction heating cooker that heats at a heating power lower than the preheating heating power. As a result, the induction heating cooker 1 can shorten the time it takes to cook ingredients.

[0046] For example, when the ingredients are frozen croquettes and the target heating temperature Ta of the oil is 180°C, the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure can reduce the cooking time per cooking cycle by 17% compared to an induction heating cooker in which the heating power after the ingredients are added is lower than the heating power during preheating.

[0047] The controller 5 acquires temperature information of the object to be heated C and controls the heating power of the heating coil 4 based on the temperature information and the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can easily maintain the temperature of the oil contained in the object to be heated C at the target heating temperature Ta.

[0048] The induction heating cooker 1 includes a temperature sensor 7 that detects temperature information of the object to be heated C. The controller 5 acquires the temperature information from the temperature sensor 7. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can easily acquire the temperature information.

[0049] The temperature sensor 7 is a non-contact type temperature sensor. With this configuration, the temperature of the heating object C can be detected more accurately than with a contact type temperature sensor such as a thermistor.

[0050] The temperature sensor 7 is a photodiode-type infrared sensor. This configuration allows for more accurate detection of the temperature of the object C to be heated. The temperature sensor 7 is located below the top plate 2 and detects the temperature of the object C to be heated through the top plate 2. The top plate 2 may be heated by the heat of the object C to be heated. The photodiode-type infrared sensor suppresses the influence of the heat of the top plate 2 and can accurately detect the temperature information of the object C to be heated. Therefore, the photodiode-type infrared sensor has fewer false detections than other temperature sensors, allowing for efficient control of heating at the second heating power P2 after load detection. This allows the induction heating cooker 1 to more quickly return the temperature of the oil to the target heating temperature Ta after ingredients are added.

[0051] The temperature sensor 7 is disposed below the top plate 2 and detects temperature information of the bottom of the object to be heated C. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can detect the temperature of the object to be heated C with high accuracy.

[0052] The target control temperature Tg is higher than the target heating temperature Ta of the oil used to cook ingredients. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can quickly return the temperature of the oil to the target heating temperature Ta after ingredients are added, and also makes it easier to maintain the oil temperature at the target heating temperature Ta. This allows the induction heating cooker 1 to further shorten cooking time.

[0053] The second heating power P2 is 1.1 to 3.7 times the first heating power P1. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can quickly return the temperature of the oil to the target heating temperature Ta after the ingredients are added, thereby further shortening the cooking time.

[0054] The second heating power P2 is equal to or greater than 1.6 kW and equal to or less than 3.7 kW. With this configuration, the induction heating cooker 1 can quickly return the temperature of the oil to the target heating temperature Ta after the ingredients have been added, thereby further shortening the cooking time.

[0055] The control method for the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure has the same effects as those of the induction heating cooker 1 described above.

[0056] In this embodiment, the induction heating cooker 1 is of a built-in type, but is not limited to this. For example, the induction heating cooker 1 may be of a tabletop type.

[0057] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction heating cooker 1 includes the operation device 6 and the temperature sensor 7, but the invention is not limited to this. In the induction heating cooker 1, the operation device 6 and the temperature sensor 7 do not necessarily have to be essential components.

[0058] For example, the induction heating cooker 1 may be operated by an external device, which may be, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC.

[0059] For example, the induction heating cooker 1 may acquire temperature information of the object to be heated C detected by a separate temperature sensor. The induction heating cooker 1 may acquire the temperature information of the object to be heated C from the temperature sensor by communicating with the separate temperature sensor wirelessly or via a cable.

[0060] The separate temperature sensor may also detect the temperature of the oil. In this case, the controller 5 may control the heating power based on the temperature information of the oil detected by the separate temperature sensor, rather than the temperature information of the object C to be heated.

[0061] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the induction heating cooker 1 operates in a deep-frying cooking mode in which ingredients are cooked by heating with oil, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The technology of the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure can also be applied to modes other than the deep-frying cooking mode. For example, the technology of the induction heating cooker 1 of the present disclosure can also be applied to a heating mode in which ingredients are directly heated by a heating object C.

[0062] The following describes modified examples.

[0063] (Variation 1) The operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the first modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 of the first modified example according to the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows a flow for controlling the target control temperature Tg of the object C to be heated depending on the amount of oil.

[0065] 5, in step S11, the controller 5 detects the amount of oil. For example, in step S1, which is the preheating step, the controller 5 detects the amount of oil based on temperature information of the object to be heated C when the object to be heated C is heated at the first heating power P1. For example, the controller 5 calculates the slope of the temperature rise of the object to be heated C from the temperature information of the object to be heated C, and detects the amount of oil based on the calculated slope.

[0066] In step S12, the controller 5 determines the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C based on the amount of oil. For example, the controller 5 determines the target control temperature Tg using a formula that shows the correlation between the amount of oil and the target control temperature Tg. For example, the formula is a linear function that shows the proportional relationship between the amount of oil (100 g to 800 g) and the target control temperature Tg. In other words, the formula shows a relationship in which the target control temperature Tg increases as the amount of oil increases.

[0067] The controller 5 uses the formula to correct the target control temperature Tg in accordance with the amount of oil, for example, within a range of 0°C or higher and 30°C or lower.

[0068] In this way, the controller 5 detects the amount of oil in the object to be heated C and determines the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C based on the amount of oil. With this configuration, the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C can be efficiently determined according to the amount of oil, so the oil temperature can be quickly returned to the target heating temperature Ta after ingredients are added. Whether deep-frying with a small amount of oil or a large amount of oil, the time it takes for the oil temperature to drop after ingredients are added can be shortened. Furthermore, the oil temperature can be accurately maintained at the target heating temperature Ta. This shortens the cooking time.

[0069] The controller 5 increases the target control temperature Tg in the load detection process as the amount of oil increases. With this configuration, the cooking time can be further reduced.

[0070] In the first modification, an example has been described in which the controller 5 determines the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C using a mathematical formula showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the target control temperature Tg, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the controller 5 may determine the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C using a table showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the target control temperature Tg, without using a mathematical formula.

[0071] In the first modification, an example has been described in which the mathematical formula is a linear function, but the mathematical formula is not limited to this and may be a quadratic function.

[0072] In the first modification, an example has been described in which the controller 5 calculates the slope of the temperature rise of the object to be heated C from the temperature information of the object to be heated C and detects the amount of oil based on the calculated slope, but this is not limiting. For example, the user may input the amount of oil using the operation device 6, and the controller 5 may obtain information about the amount of oil from the operation device 6. Alternatively, if the amount of oil is predetermined in a cooking menu, the controller 5 may read the amount of oil for the corresponding cooking menu stored in memory.

[0073] (Variation 2) The operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the second modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0074] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 of the modified example 2 according to the present disclosure. Fig. 6 shows a flow for determining the target control temperature Tg of the object C to be heated based on the type of the object C to be heated.

[0075] 6, in step S21, the controller 5 detects the type of the object to be heated C. For example, the controller 5 detects the electrical characteristics of the current flowing through the heating coil 4 and determines the type of the object to be heated C based on the electrical characteristics. For example, the type of the object to be heated C is its material. The material contributes to the emissivity and / or heat capacity.

[0076] In step S22, the controller 5 determines the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C based on the type of the object to be heated C. For example, the controller 5 determines the target control temperature Tg using a table showing the correlation between the type of object to be heated C and the target control temperature Tg. For example, the controller 5 stores in memory a table showing the correlation between the type of object to be heated C and the target control temperature Tg. Table 2 is an example of a table showing the correlation between the type of object to be heated C and the target control temperature Tg. Table 1 shows the target control temperature Tg for each type of object to be heated C when a predetermined amount of oil is used.

[0077] [Table 1]

[0078] In Table 1, Types 1 to 4 of the heating object C are classified by material. For example, Types 1 to 4 are iron, magnetic SUS, non-magnetic SUS, and others. Target control temperatures Tg11 to Tg14 are target control temperatures Tg corresponding to Types 1 to 4, respectively.

[0079] In this way, the controller 5 detects the type of the object to be heated C and determines the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C based on the type of object to be heated C. With this configuration, the target control temperature Tg of the object to be heated C can be efficiently determined according to the type of object to be heated C, so the oil temperature can be quickly returned to the target heating temperature Ta after ingredients are added. Regardless of the type of object to be heated C used for deep-frying, the time it takes for the oil temperature to drop after ingredients are added can be shortened. Furthermore, the oil temperature can be accurately maintained at the target heating temperature Ta. This shortens the cooking time.

[0080] In the second modification, an example has been described in which the type of the object to be heated C is a material, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the type of the object to be heated C may be the size, shape, or thermal properties of the object to be heated C. The thermal properties may be, for example, emissivity, heat capacity, etc.

[0081] In the second modification, an example has been described in which the controller 5 detects the type of the object to be heated C based on the electrical characteristics of the current flowing through the heating coil 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may input the type of the object to be heated C using the operation device 6, and the controller 5 may obtain information about the type of the object to be heated C from the operation device 6.

[0082] (Variation 3) The operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the third modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0083] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the induction heating cooker 1 of the third modification according to the present disclosure. Fig. 7 shows a flow for determining the second heating power P2 in the load detection step based on the amount of oil.

[0084] 7, in step S31, the controller 5 detects the amount of oil. Step S31 is the same as step S11 in the first modification, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0085] In step S32, the controller 5 determines the second heating power P2 based on the amount of oil. For example, the controller 5 determines the second heating power P2 using a table showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the second heating power P2. For example, the controller 5 stores in the memory a table showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the second heating power P2. Table 2 is an example of a table showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the second heating power P2.

[0086]

Table 2

[0087] In Table 2, the oil amounts M1 to M8 satisfy M1 < M2 ··· M7 < M8. The oil amounts M1 to M8 are set every 100 g, for example, within the range of 100 g or more and 800 g or less. The second heating powers P21 to P28 satisfy P21 < P22 ··· P27 < P28. The second heating powers P21 to P28 are set, for example, within the range of 1.5 kW or more and 3.2 kW or less. The oil amounts M1 to M8 and the second heating powers P21 to P28 may increase linearly or quadratically.

[0088] Thus, the controller 5 detects the amount of oil in the heating object C and determines the second heating power P2 based on the amount of oil. With such a configuration, the second heating power P2 can be efficiently determined according to the amount of oil, so that the temperature of the oil after the food ingredients are put in can be quickly returned to the target heating temperature Ta. In any case of frying food from a small amount of oil to a large amount of oil, the time during which the temperature of the oil drops after the food ingredients are put in can be shortened. Also, the temperature of the oil can be accurately maintained at the target heating temperature Ta. Thereby, the cooking time can be shortened.

[0089] Note that in the third modification, an example in which the controller 5 determines the second heating power P2 using a table showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the second heating power P2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the controller 5 may determine the second heating power P2 using a mathematical formula showing the correlation between the amount of oil and the second heating power P2 without using a table.

[0090] (Variation 4) The operation of the induction heating cooker 1 according to the fourth modification of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the temperature of the object to be heated, the temperature of oil, and the heating power in the deep-fry cooking mode of the fourth modification according to the present disclosure.

[0092] 8, when ingredients are placed into the heating object C, the controller 5 heats the heating object C at the second heating power P2. Thereafter, the controller 5 heats the heating object C at a heating power lower than the second heating power P2. For example, the controller 5 heats the heating object C at the second heating power P2, and then heats it at the first heating power P1.

[0093] For example, the controller 5 may reduce the heating power from the second heating power P2 to the first heating power P1 based on the temperature information of the heating object C. Alternatively, the controller 5 may reduce the heating power from the second heating power P2 to the first heating power P1 after a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined that ingredients had been added.

[0094] This configuration allows power consumption to be reduced when cooking ingredients.

[0095] In addition, in the fourth modification, an example in which heating is performed at the first heating power P1, which is lower than the second heating power P2, has been described, but this is not limited to this. The heating power lower than the second heating power P2 is not limited to the first heating power P1, and may be, for example, the temperature control heating power Pc or another heating power.

[0096] 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] (Outline of the embodiment) (1) The induction heating cooker of the present disclosure comprises a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed, a heating coil disposed below the top plate, and a controller that controls high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil. In a deep-frying cooking mode in which food is cooked by heating it with oil contained in the object to be heated, the controller preheats the object to be heated at a first heating power, maintains the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after preheating is complete, and, upon detecting that the food has been placed in the object to be heated, heats the object to be heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power.

[0101] (2) In the induction heating cooker of (1), the controller may acquire temperature information of the object to be heated and may control the heating power of the heating coil based on the temperature information and a target control temperature of the object to be heated.

[0102] (3) The induction heating cooker of (2) may further include a temperature sensor that detects temperature information of the object to be heated, and the controller may acquire the temperature information from the temperature sensor.

[0103] (4) In the induction heating cooker of (3), the temperature sensor may be a non-contact temperature sensor.

[0104] (5) In the induction cooking device of (3) or (4), the temperature sensor may be a photodiode-type infrared sensor.

[0105] (6) In the induction cooking device of any one of (3) to (5), the temperature sensor may be disposed below the top plate and detect temperature information of the bottom of the object to be heated.

[0106] (7) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (2) to (6), the target control temperature may be higher than a target heating temperature of the oil for cooking the ingredients.

[0107] (8) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (2) to (7), the controller may detect the amount of oil in the object to be heated and may determine the target control temperature of the object to be heated based on the amount of oil.

[0108] (9) In the induction heating cooker of (8), the controller may increase the target control temperature of the object to be heated as the amount of oil increases.

[0109] (10) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (2) to (9), the controller may detect the type of the object to be heated and may determine the target control temperature of the object to be heated based on the type of the object to be heated.

[0110] (11) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (2) to (10), the controller may detect the amount of oil in the object to be heated and may determine the second heating power based on the amount of oil.

[0111] (12) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (1) to (11), the second heating power may be 1.1 times or more and 3.7 times or less than the first heating power.

[0112] (13) In the induction heating cooker according to any one of (1) to (12), the second heating power may be equal to or greater than 1.6 kW and equal to or less than 3.7 kW. (14) In the induction heating cooker of any one of (1) to (13), the controller may detect that the food material has been added and heat the object to be heated at the second heating power, and then heat the object to be heated at a heating power lower than the second heating power.

[0113] (15) The control method for an induction heating cooker disclosed herein is a control method for an induction heating cooker executed by a controller in a deep-frying cooking mode in which food ingredients are cooked by oil contained in an object to be heated, and includes the steps of preheating the object to be heated at a first heating power, maintaining the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after preheating, and heating the object to be heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power when it is detected that the food ingredients have been placed in the object to be heated. [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to an induction heating cooker. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1 induction cooker 2 top plate 3. Housing 4 heating coils 5 Controller 6 Operating device 7 Temperature Sensor

Claims

1. a top plate on which an object to be heated is placed; a heating coil disposed below the top plate; a controller for controlling a high frequency current supplied to the heating coil; Equipped with In a deep-frying mode in which ingredients are cooked by using oil contained in the object to be heated, the controller Preheating the object to be heated with a first heating power; After the preheating is completed, the object to be heated is maintained at a predetermined temperature. When it is detected that the food material has been placed in the object to be heated, the object to be heated is heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power. Induction heating cooker.

2. The controller acquiring temperature information of the object to be heated; controlling the heating power of the heating coil based on the temperature information and a target control temperature of the object to be heated; The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

3. Further, a temperature sensor is provided to detect temperature information of the object to be heated, The controller acquires the temperature information from the temperature sensor.

3. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

4. The temperature sensor is a non-contact temperature sensor. The induction heating cooker according to claim 3.

5. The temperature sensor is a photodiode type infrared sensor.

5. The induction heating cooker according to claim 4.

6. the temperature sensor is disposed below the top plate and detects temperature information of a bottom portion of the object to be heated; The induction heating cooker according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The target control temperature is higher than a target heating temperature of the oil for cooking the ingredients. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

8. The controller Detecting the amount of oil in the object to be heated; determining the target control temperature of the object to be heated based on the amount of oil; 3. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

9. The controller increases the target control temperature of the object to be heated as the amount of oil increases. The induction heating cooker according to claim 8.

10. The controller Detecting the type of the object to be heated; determining the target control temperature of the object to be heated based on the type of the object to be heated; 3. The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

11. The controller Detecting the amount of oil in the object to be heated; determining the second heating power based on the amount of oil; The induction heating cooker according to claim 2.

12. The second heating power is 1.1 times or more and 3.7 times or less than the first heating power, The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

13. The second thermal power is 1.6 kW or more and 3.7 kW or less. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

14. The controller detects that the food material has been added and heats the object to be heated at the second heating power, and then heats the object to be heated at a heating power lower than the second heating power. The induction heating cooker according to claim 1 .

15. A control method for an induction cooking device executed by a controller in a deep-frying cooking mode in which food ingredients are cooked by oil contained in a heating object, comprising: Preheating the object to be heated at a first heating power; a step of maintaining the object to be heated at a predetermined temperature after preheating is completed; When detecting that the food material has been placed in the object to be heated, heating the object to be heated at a second heating power higher than the first heating power; Including, A method for controlling an induction cooker.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Heating Regulator

    JP7094417B2