Heating Regulator

Abstract

For example, a cooking device is provided that allows the user to manually stir food during cooking. [Solution] The cooking appliance includes a main body having a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism for heating the cooking chamber, a display unit, and a control unit that stores a plurality of menus and causes the heating mechanism to heat the cooking chamber in accordance with a menu selected by a user from the plurality of menus and causes the display unit to display information corresponding to the menu. The plurality of menus includes a stirring menu that requests the user to stir at a predetermined timing during the cooking period. When the stirring menu is selected by the user, the control unit causes the display unit to display the time until the predetermined timing, and then causes the display unit to display a stirring method corresponding to the stirring menu from the time corresponding to the predetermined timing.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cooking device equipped with a stirring unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-090158 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, depending on the menu, manual stirring may be preferable to automatic stirring.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking device that allows a user to manually stir food in a suitable manner during cooking, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance includes a main body having a cooking chamber, a heating mechanism for heating the cooking chamber, a display unit, and a control unit that stores a plurality of menus, causes the heating mechanism to heat the cooking chamber in accordance with a menu selected by a user from the plurality of menus, and causes the display unit to display information corresponding to the menu. The plurality of menus includes a stirring menu that requests the user to stir at a predetermined timing during a cooking period. When the stirring menu is selected by the user, the control unit causes the display unit to display a time until the predetermined timing, and then causes the display unit to display a stirring method corresponding to the stirring menu from the time corresponding to the predetermined timing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, for example, a cooking device can be provided that allows a user to manually stir food appropriately during cooking. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooking device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cooking device with the lid open. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the cooking device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of a mode specifying step in a cooking device. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of a cooking process in a normal cooking mode. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a cooking process in a stirring cooking mode. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a cooking process in a stirring cooking mode. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a display screen on which a menu involving stirring is displayed. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a display screen on which a menu that does not involve stirring is displayed. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a remaining time display that is displayed when cooking a menu item that does not require stirring. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of a display screen that displays that cooking is complete. [Figure 12] 10 is an example of a display screen showing the stirring timing displayed in step S31. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of a remaining time display until the next stirring timing, which is displayed when the start key is operated and a menu item requiring stirring is being cooked. [Figure 14] 10 is an example of a display screen displaying a stirring method. [Figure 15] 10 is an example of a display screen that is displayed when it is determined in step S41 that the lid is closed. [Figure 16] 10 is an example of a remaining time display displayed after cooking is resumed. [Figure 17] 10 is an example of a display screen that displays the remaining time until stirring is required during cooking of a menu item that recommends multiple stirrings. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart of a cooking process in a stirring cooking mode in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a cooking device 1 (see FIG. 1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be incorporated herein by reference.

[0010] In the present disclosure, the term "cooker" refers to a general appliance that heats and cooks ingredients, etc. A cooker generally has a main body with a cooking chamber and a heating mechanism that heats ingredients, etc. placed in the cooking chamber. The heating mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of heating ingredients, etc. The heating mechanism may, for example, be a mechanism that heats the entire cooking chamber to heat ingredients, etc. placed in the cooking chamber. The heating mechanism may, for example, be a mechanism that directly heats ingredients, etc. placed in the cooking chamber. Specifically, the heating mechanism may, for example, be a microwave generating mechanism that generates microwaves and irradiates the ingredients, etc. The heating mechanism may, for example, be composed of a resistance heating heater. A cooker may have multiple types of heating mechanisms, including, for example, a microwave generating mechanism that generates microwaves and a resistance heating heater. A cooker may, for example, be one that heats and cooks ingredients, etc. using microwaves. A cooker may, for example, be one that heats and cooks ingredients, etc. directly or indirectly using a resistance heating heater. The cooking device may heat ingredients and the like using radiant heat from a resistance heating heater and microwaves.

[0011] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooking device 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cooking device 1 with the lid open.

[0012] 1 and 2 is specifically an automatic cooking pot. The cooking device 1 has a cooking device body 10 and a lid 20.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, cooker body 10 has cooking chamber 10a that opens upward. More specifically, cooker body 10 has pot 11 that constitutes cooking chamber 10a. Cooker body 10 is provided with heating mechanism 33 (see FIG. 3) that heats pot 11. Pot 11 is heated by heating mechanism 33. As a result, the temperature in cooking chamber 10a within pot 11 rises. In this embodiment, heating mechanism 33 is configured with an electric resistance heater. Pot 11 may or may not be detachable from cooker body 10.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, lid 20 is attached to cooker body 10 so as to be rotatable in both directions. Cooker 1 is configured so that cooking chamber 10a can be opened and closed using lid 20. Specifically, lid 20 is attached to a portion of cooker body 10 located on one side of pot 11 so as to be rotatable in both directions in one direction about a rotation axis perpendicular to the opening direction of pot 11. By rotating lid 20 about the rotation axis from the closed state shown in Figure 1, lid 20 can be opened as shown in Figure 2, thereby releasing cooking chamber 10a.

[0015] Cooking appliance 1 is provided with a temperature sensor 31 shown in Fig. 3. Temperature sensor 31 is provided so as to be able to measure the temperature inside cooking chamber 10a. Temperature sensor 31 may be provided, for example, in cooking appliance body 10 or in lid 20. If temperature sensor 31 is provided in cooking appliance body 10, it may be provided so as to be in contact with pot 11. If temperature sensor 31 is provided in lid 20, it may be provided so as to be exposed to cooking chamber 10a.

[0016] 1 and 2, the cooking appliance 1 has a touch panel 35. The touch panel 35 includes a display 35a capable of displaying various information, and at least one operator 35b. The operator 35b is used by the user to input instructions and information to the cooking appliance 1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the cooking appliance 1 further includes a light 36 and a speaker 37 in addition to the touch panel 35. The light 36 may be configured with a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Device). The speaker 37 constitutes a sound-emitting mechanism. The touch panel 35 including the display 35a and the operation element 35b, the light 36, and the speaker 37 constitute a notification unit 34. The notification unit 34 notifies the user of information. The sound-emitting mechanism may be configured with a buzzer.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooking appliance 1 has a control unit 32. The control unit 32 is a part that controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 32 may include, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a storage device. The storage device stores, for example, data and computer programs. For example, the storage device temporarily stores data required for each process of the control unit 32 and stores setting data for each mechanism. The storage device may include a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The storage device may include, for example, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, etc.

[0019] Specifically, the control unit 32 has a memory unit 32a. The memory unit 32a stores cooking details for a plurality of menus. Here, the cooking details for a menu refer to how each mechanism of the cooking device 1 is controlled and according to a time chart when cooking that menu. For example, the cooking details for a menu include how the heating mechanism 33 is controlled and according to a time chart and at what temperature setting.

[0020] (Cooking process) Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the mode specifying process in the cooking appliance 1. Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the cooking process in the normal cooking mode. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are flowcharts of the cooking process in the stir cooking mode, respectively.

[0021] Next, the cooking process in the cooker 1 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

[0022] (Mode identification process) When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is turned on, step S11 is first performed as shown in Fig. 4. In step S11, the control unit 32 (see Fig. 3) determines whether or not a menu item has been input (selected) by the user operating the operation button 35b. If it is determined that a menu item has not been input, the process returns to step S11.

[0023] If it is determined that a menu item has been input, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display a screen corresponding to the input menu item, and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0024] 8 and 9 are examples of a display screen on which a menu from which stirring can be selected is displayed. Fig. 8 is an example of a display screen on which a menu with stirring is selected. Fig. 9 is an example of a display screen on which a menu without stirring is selected.

[0025] The multiple menus stored in the memory unit 32a include menus with stirring and menus without stirring. Here, a menu with stirring is a menu that recommends that the user stir during cooking. On the other hand, a menu without stirring is a menu that does not recommend that the user stir during cooking. For example, two types of menus may be provided for a single menu: one with stirring and one without stirring. FIGS. 8 and 9 each show a screen displayed when "Nichinyujaga" (meat and potato stew) is input. Nichinyujaga includes a menu item called "Nichinyujaga with stirring" and a menu item called "Nichinyujaga without stirring." For example, when "Nichinyujaga with stirring" is selected, an operator for selecting a stirring mode, such as "Mix Navi, Start Cooking," is displayed on the touch panel 35, as shown in FIG. 8. By operating this operator, the cooking mode switches to a cooking mode with stirring for the menu "Nichinyujaga with stirring." On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the operator "Start Cooking" is operated, the cooking mode switches to a cooking mode without stirring for the menu "Nichinyujaga without stirring."

[0026] For example, if the menu item "Nikujaga (meat and potatoes) without stirring" is selected, which is not designed to involve stirring in the cooking process, the operator "Start cooking" is displayed, as shown in Figure 9, but the operator for switching to the cooking mode with stirring is not displayed.

[0027] In step S12, the control unit 32 determines whether or not an operator corresponding to a cooking mode with stirring (stir cooking mode) (the operator "Mix Navi, start cooking" in FIG. 8) has been selected, as shown in Fig. 8. When a menu with stirring is input and an operator corresponding to the stir mode is displayed as shown in Fig. 8, if that operator is selected, the control unit 32 transitions from step S12 to the stir cooking mode.

[0028] On the other hand, if a menu including a menu involving stirring is input but an operator that does not correspond to the stirring mode (for example, "Start cooking" in FIG. 8) is operated, or if a menu that does not involve stirring is input in the first place and only operators that do not correspond to the stirring mode are displayed as shown in FIG. 9 and those operators are operated, the control unit 32 transitions from step S12 to the normal cooking mode.

[0029] (Normal cooking mode) As shown in FIG. 5, when the mode is switched to the normal cooking mode, first, in step S21, the control unit 32 determines whether or not a "start key" included in the multiple operators 35b shown in FIG. 1 etc. or an operator separately displayed on the touch panel 35 has been operated. The start key is an operator with which the user inputs an instruction to start cooking to the cooking appliance 1. Specifically, in the cooking appliance 1, the start key is provided as an independent operator 35b. In step S32, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the operator 35b has been operated. If it is determined that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has not been operated, the process returns to step S21.

[0030] If it is determined in step S21 that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the control unit 32 controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, to start cooking the selected cooking menu.

[0031] When cooking starts in step S22, in step S23, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display the time remaining until cooking is completed. An example of the remaining time displayed on the display 35a is shown in Figure 10. In the example shown in Figure 10, it is displayed that cooking of meat and potato stew will be completed in approximately 35 minutes from the current time.

[0032] In step S23, the control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time. Specifically, the control unit 32 displays on the display 35a the estimated cooking completion time after the time required for cooking has elapsed since the start of cooking, and then counts down the time required for cooking, which decreases as time passes. Then, in step S24, the control unit 32 updates the display 35a to show the counted-down remaining time. For example, if 10 minutes have passed since the display shown in FIG. 10 was made, in step S24 the display 35a changes from "approximately 35 minutes remaining" to "approximately 25 minutes remaining."

[0033] Next, in step S25, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time, which is the time required for cooking at this point in time, is zero. That is, in step S25, the control unit 32 determines whether cooking is complete. If it is determined in step S25 that the remaining time is not zero, that is, that cooking is not complete, the process returns to step S23, and the countdown and remaining time display are updated again.

[0034] If the control unit 32 determines in step S25 that the remaining time is zero, that is, that cooking has finished, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the control unit 32 stops each mechanism of the cooking device 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, and ends cooking.

[0035] Thereafter, in step S26, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display that cooking has finished. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the display 35a displays "It's done."

[0036] (Stir cooking mode) Next, the stirring cooking mode will be described mainly with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6 and 7. The stirring cooking mode is a cooking mode in which it is recommended that the user open the lid 20 and stir the contents during cooking.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, in step S12, when the user operates the "Mix Navi Start Cooking" operation button exemplified in FIG. 8, the mode shifts to the mixing cooking mode.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 6, in the stirring cooking mode, first, in step S31, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display the stirring timing. Fig. 12 is an example of a display screen displaying the stirring timing displayed in step S31. In this embodiment, the screen shown in Fig. 12 is specifically displayed after the stirring cooking mode is selected and until it is determined in step S32 that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated. As shown in Fig. 12, the time until the stirring timing arrives is displayed on the display 35a. In the example shown in Fig. 12, it is displayed that the stirring timing arrives approximately 24 minutes after the start of cooking.

[0039] In step S32, the control unit 32 determines whether the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated by the user. If it is determined in step S32 that the start key has not been operated, the process returns to step S32 again.

[0040] If it is determined in step S32 that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated, the process proceeds to step S33. At the same time, the control unit 32 switches the display on the display 35a from the screen shown in Fig. 12 to the screen shown in Fig. 13. In step S33, the control unit 32 executes substantially the same process as in step S22. Specifically, in step S33, the control unit 32 controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, to start cooking the selected cooking menu.

[0041] When cooking starts in step S33, in step S34, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display the time remaining from the current time until the appropriate timing (stirring timing) for the user to open the lid 20 and stir the food. For example, if the selected menu is one that requires multiple stirrings, the time remaining until the earliest stirring timing is displayed on the display 35a. FIG. 13 shows an example of the remaining time until the next stirring timing that is displayed when step S33 starts and a menu that requires stirring is being cooked. The screen shown in FIG. 13 is the screen immediately after S33 starts, and therefore, similar to the screen shown in FIG. 12, it displays that the next stirring timing will arrive in approximately 24 minutes from the current time.

[0042] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which it is determined in step S32 that the start key has been operated, and information related to stirring is reported by the notification unit 34 in step S34 after cooking has started in step S33. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, when it is determined in step S32 that the start key has been operated, notification of information related to stirring may be started regardless of whether cooking has started or not. The cooking appliance may be configured to start cooking after starting notification of information related to stirring, for example.

[0043] In step S35, control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time until the next stirring timing. Specifically, control unit 32 displays the time from the start of cooking until the next stirring timing on display 35a, and then counts down the remaining time until the stirring timing, which decreases as time passes. Then, in step S36, control unit 32 updates the display on display 35a to the counted-down remaining time. For example, if 10 minutes have passed since the display shown in FIG. 13 was made, in step S24 the display on display 35a changes from "approximately 24 minutes remaining" to "approximately 14 minutes remaining."

[0044] Next, in step S37, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time until the next stirring timing is currently zero. That is, in step S37, the control unit 32 determines whether the stirring timing has arrived. If it is determined in step S37 that the remaining time is not zero, that is, that the stirring timing has not yet arrived, the process returns to step S36, and the countdown and the remaining time display are updated again.

[0045] If it is determined in step S37 that the remaining time is zero, that is, that the stirring timing has arrived, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, control unit 32 causes heating mechanism 33 to temporarily stop heating, thereby suspending cooking.

[0046] Next, step S39 is performed. In step S39, the control unit 32 changes the display content displayed on the display 35a. Specifically, while the control unit 32 previously displayed the remaining time until the next stirring timing, in step S39 the control unit 32 changes the display on the display 35a from the remaining time to the stirring method. Here, the stirring method is a stirring method recommended to the user, and includes information such as how to perform stirring. FIG. 14 shows an example of a display screen displaying the stirring method. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the recommended stirring method is to stir the ingredients by flipping them over.

[0047] 7, in step S40, control unit 32 determines whether or not lid 20 has been opened. If it is determined in step S40 that lid 20 has been opened, the process proceeds to step S41. If it is determined in step S40 that lid 20 has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0048] In step S41, the control unit 32 determines whether the lid 20 is closed. The cooking appliance 1 is provided with an open / close sensor (not shown) that detects whether the lid 20 is open or closed. The open / close sensor may be composed of, for example, a magnet provided on one of the lid or the main body, and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall sensor provided on the other. The control unit 32 determines whether the lid 20 is closed based on the open / close information of the lid 20 input from the open / close sensor.

[0049] In order for the user to stir the contents, the user must first open the lid 20. Once stirring is complete, the lid 20 must be closed in order to make the contents heatable again. Therefore, when the lid 20 is closed, the control unit 32 assumes that stirring has been performed.

[0050] If it is determined in step S41 that the lid 20 is closed, then step S42 is performed. In step S42, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated. If it is determined in step S42 that the start key has not been operated, the process returns to step S42. If it is determined in step S42 that the start key has been operated, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0051] If it is determined in step S41 that the lid 20 is closed, the control unit 32 may, for example, cause the display 35a to display a display screen such as that shown in Fig. 15 to prompt the user to operate the start key. In this case, if the control unit 32 detects that the start key has been operated, the process may proceed to step S44.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S41 that the lid 20 is not closed, the process returns to step S41. If it is determined in step S43 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S40.

[0053] If it is determined in step S43 that the predetermined period has elapsed, it is possible that, for example, the user did not intentionally stir, the user is not near the cooking appliance 1 and is therefore unable to stir, or the user is unaware of the timing of stirring. For this reason, stirring may not be performed even if the user is waited for more than the predetermined period to stir. In this case, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0054] In step S44, the control unit 32 controls each mechanism of the cooking device 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, to start cooking after stirring.

[0055] When cooking is resumed in step S44, in step S45, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display a display screen (see, for example, FIG. 16) relating to the remaining time until cooking is completed.

[0056] In step S46, the control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time, and in step S47, the control unit 32 updates the display 35a to show the counted down remaining time.

[0057] Next, in step S48, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time, which is the time required for cooking at this point in time, is zero. That is, in step S48, the control unit 32 determines whether cooking is complete. If it is determined in step S48 that the remaining time is not zero, that is, that cooking is not complete, the process returns to step S46, and the countdown and remaining time display are updated again.

[0058] If it is determined in step S48 that the remaining time is zero, that is, that cooking has finished, the process proceeds to step S49. In step S49, the control unit 32 stops each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, and ends cooking.

[0059] Thereafter, in step S50, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to display that cooking has finished (see, for example, FIG. 11).

[0060] As described above, in the cooking device 1, the memory unit 32a stores a plurality of menus, including a stirring menu that requests the user to stir at a predetermined stirring timing during the cooking period. When the user selects a stirring menu, the control unit 32 executes the stirring cooking mode shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The control unit 32 displays the time until the stirring timing on the display 35a as a display unit until the time corresponding to the stirring timing of step S37. The control unit 32 displays the stirring method corresponding to the stirring menu on the display 35a from the time corresponding to the predetermined stirring timing. This allows the user to perform the stirring operation appropriately based on the display 35a's display. This allows high-quality cooked food to be obtained.

[0061] In this embodiment, if it is determined in step S37 that the predetermined stirring timing has arrived, the display content is changed in step S39 from the time until the stirring timing to the stirring method. Therefore, the display on display 35a is changed substantially simultaneously with the arrival of the predetermined stirring timing. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The display may be changed at a time corresponding to the predetermined stirring timing. For example, the display on display 35a may be changed before the predetermined stirring timing arrives (e.g., 10 minutes to 10 seconds before). For example, the display on display 35a may be changed after the predetermined stirring timing arrives (e.g., several seconds after).

[0062] Also, for example, up until a predetermined time before the predetermined stirring timing, only the remaining time until the predetermined stirring timing is displayed, and from the predetermined time until the predetermined stirring timing, both the remaining time until the predetermined stirring timing and the stirring method are displayed, and after the predetermined stirring timing arrives, only the stirring method is displayed.

[0063] In this embodiment, the time until the next stirring timing is displayed on the display 35a. Therefore, for example, if there is a relatively long time until the next stirring timing, the user can leave the cooking appliance 1 and return to the cooking appliance 1 in time for the stirring timing. Therefore, the user does not necessarily have to wait by the cooking appliance 1 for a long time to stir, and the cooking appliance 1 can be made highly convenient.

[0064] In the cooking appliance 1, the control unit 32 displays, as information related to stirring, a stirring method such as that shown in Fig. 14 on the display 35a. Thus, the user can stir the contents in a suitable method according to the menu being cooked.

[0065] The stirring methods displayed on the display 35a may be, for example, the following, depending on the menu and timing.

[0066] (1) "Mix vigorously, turning the pot upside down, to ensure the flavor is evenly distributed."

[0067] (2) "Mix the ingredients by flipping them over."

[0068] (3) "Mix thoroughly so that the roux is thoroughly mixed."

[0069] (4) "Make sure to stir thoroughly from the bottom to ensure even cooking."

[0070] (5) "Please loosen the ingredients and then mix them all together."

[0071] (6) "Mix gently so as not to break down the ingredients."

[0072] (7) After adding the ingredients, mix everything together.

[0073] (8) "Please mix quickly while loosening the noodles." For example, it is preferable to display (1) for simmered dishes, (4) for stir-fried dishes, and (6) for soup dishes.

[0074] 7, in the cooking appliance 1, when the control unit 32 determines that the lid 20 is closed, the control unit 32 resumes cooking in step S43 and causes the display 35a to display the cooking completion time (remaining time) in step S44. In step S44, the control unit 32 causes the display 35a to switch the display from the stirring method to the cooking completion time. This allows the user to immediately recognize the time when cooking will finish after stirring.

[0075] Furthermore, by executing steps S40 and S43, if the lid 20 is not opened within a predetermined time, the control unit 32 resumes cooking in step S44. This ensures that cooking can be completed reliably even if, for example, the user forgets to stir. In that case, cooking will be completed without the desired stirring being performed. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 32 notify the notification unit 34 (for example, the display 35a or the light 36) that the lid 20 was not opened within the predetermined time (that stirring may not have been performed). This ensures that the user knows that cooking has been completed without stirring.

[0076] 6, in the cooking appliance 1, when it is determined that the stirring timing has arrived, heating by the heating mechanism 33 is temporarily stopped in step S38. Therefore, regardless of the time the user opens the lid 20 to stir, cooked food of consistent quality can be obtained.

[0077] Other examples of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In the following description, members having substantially the same functions as those in the first embodiment will be referred to by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] (Other embodiments) In the first embodiment described above, the cooking of a menu item for which one stirring is recommended has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, some menu items may be recommended for multiple stirrings at different times. During the cooking of such a menu item, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, multiple timings for multiple expected stirrings in the future may be displayed on the display 35a. In this case, if the stirring methods to be used at the multiple stirring timings are different from one another, it is preferable to display on the display 35a the stirring method to be used at the upcoming stirring timing.

[0079] In the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, if it is determined in step S40 that the lid 20 has not been opened and then it is determined in step S43 that a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 32 may cause the notification unit 34 to notify the user that the stirring timing has passed or that stirring was not performed at the stirring timing after the stirring timing has been reached. This allows the user of the cooking appliance 1 to reliably recognize that cooking has ended without the desired stirring being performed.

[0080] For example, after the start of post-mixing cooking in step S44, the display 35a may continue to indicate that the mixing timing has passed until the end of cooking in step S49, allowing the user to continue mixing even if it is later than the predetermined mixing timing, thereby enabling the preparation of high-quality cooked food.

[0081] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring that the user is aware that cooking has ended without the desired stirring, it is preferable to at least display that stirring was not performed in the end display in step S50. In this case, it is preferable to continue displaying the end display until lid 20 is operated, specifically, until lid 20 is opened.

[0082] (Second embodiment) Fig. 18 is a flowchart of the cooking process in the stirring cooking mode in the second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, Figs. 1 to 17 (excluding Fig. 7) will be referred to in common with the first embodiment.

[0083] As with the cooking appliance 1, when a user opens the lid 20 to stir the food during cooking, the ambient temperature in the cooking chamber 10a may drop due to the lid 20 being opened, and the temperature of the food may drop due to the stirring. In light of this, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 , if it is determined in step S42 that the start key has been operated, the control unit 32 optimizes the cooking conditions to resume after stirring in step S51, and preferably performs cooking in steps S44 and the like based on the optimized cooking conditions. For example, the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a may be measured in step S51, and the heating time may be extended or the output of the heating mechanism 33 may be increased based on the time the lid 20 was open in step S51. For example, the heating time may be extended or the output of the heating mechanism 33 may be increased based on the time the lid 20 was open in step S51. For example, the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a may be measured in step S51, and cooking may be started after stirring after the measured temperature reaches a predetermined value. This allows for consistent quality of food to be obtained regardless of the user's inconsistent stirring behavior during cooking.

[0084] (Third embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which when the stirring mode is selected in step S12 shown in Fig. 4, the stirring cooking mode shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is always performed continuously until the end of cooking. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0085] 3 may include an operator that allows the user to input that stirring is not to be performed. In this case, the control unit 32 may accept operation of the operator even during the stirring cooking mode, and when the operator is operated, may cause the notification unit 34 to stop notifying information related to stirring. Furthermore, the control unit 32 may skip step S37 and subsequent steps, change to a mode in which cooking is performed continuously, and control each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33.

[0086] (Fourth embodiment) When the display of the remaining time until the stirring timing is updated in step S36 shown in Fig. 6, it is conceivable that, for example, the remaining time is short and the user wants to stir immediately. For this reason, for example, the operator 35b shown in Fig. 3 may include an operator that skips the notification of information related to the next stirring. When the operator is operated, the control unit 32 determines that the user has stirred before the stirring timing and skips the notification of information related to the next stirring. If the menu has multiple stirring timings, the notification of information related to subsequent stirring is not skipped.

[0087] In addition, the controls shown in FIG. 3 may include an operator that the user operates when he or she desires to stir, and when the control unit 32 receives operation of the operator before the stirring timing is reached, the control unit 32 may display the stirring method on the display 35a and cause the heating mechanism 33 to temporarily suspend heating of the cooking chamber 10a.

[0088] (Fifth embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which, when the stirring mode is selected in step S12 shown in Fig. 4, the remaining time until the next stirring timing is displayed during cooking. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0089] For example, an operator (button) for displaying the stirring timing on the display 35a may be provided as the operator 35b or as a button displayed on the display 35a configured as a touch panel. In this case, the control unit 32 may be configured to display the stirring timing on the display 35a when the operator (button) is operated by the user. In this case, the control unit 32 may cause the display 35a to display, for example, a screen such as that shown in FIG. 13.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described in this specification are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1:Heating cooker 10: Cooking appliance body 10a:Heating cooking chamber 20: Lid 32: Control section 32a: Storage section 33: Heating mechanism 34: Information Department 35: Touch panel 35a: Display 35b: Operator 36: Light 37: Speaker

Claims

1. a main body having a cooking chamber; a heating mechanism for heating the cooking chamber; A display unit; a control unit that stores a plurality of menus, controls the heating mechanism to heat the cooking chamber in accordance with a menu selected by a user from the plurality of menus, and controls the display unit to display information corresponding to the selected menu; Equipped with the plurality of types of menus include a stirring menu that requests the user to stir at a predetermined timing during a cooking period; When the stirring menu is selected by a user, the control unit causes the display unit to display the time until the specified timing until the specified timing, and from the time corresponding to the specified timing onwards, causes the display unit to display a stirring method corresponding to the stirring menu.

2. The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the stirring method after causing the heating mechanism to stop heating the cooking chamber at a time corresponding to the predetermined timing.

3. The main body has a lid that opens and closes the cooking chamber, Further provided is a sensor for detecting opening and closing of the lid, 3. The heating cooker according to claim 2, wherein after the stirring method is displayed and the sensor detects that the lid is closed, the control unit causes the heating mechanism to resume heating of the cooking chamber and causes the display unit to display the cooking end time for the stirring menu.

4. The main body has a lid that opens and closes the cooking chamber, Further provided is a sensor for detecting opening and closing of the lid, The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the heating mechanism to resume heating of the cooking chamber if the sensor does not detect that the lid has been opened within a predetermined period of time after the stirring method is displayed on the display unit.

5. The cooking device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to notify that stirring has not been performed when the sensor does not detect that the lid has been opened within the predetermined period of time.

Images