Heating Regulator

Abstract

For example, the invention provides a cooking appliance that allows the user to manually and appropriately stir the food during cooking. [Solution] The cooking appliance comprises a main body having a cooking chamber, a lid for opening and closing the opening of the cooking chamber, a heating mechanism for heating the cooking chamber, a notification unit, and a control unit that stores a cooking restart temperature corresponding to the cooking mode and notifies the notification unit to open the lid at a timing according to the menu while the cooking mode is in progress. The control unit performs the following steps: notifies the notification unit to open the lid and interrupts the cooking mode in progress by turning off the heating mechanism; after the notification unit has notified and the lid has been opened and closed, it performs the heating mechanism to raise the temperature of the cooking chamber to the cooking restart temperature; and after the adjustment step, it restarts the cooking mode and performs the remaining steps of the cooking mode that have not yet been performed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cooking appliance provided with a stirring unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, depending on the menu, it may be preferable to stir manually rather than automatically.

[0005] A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance that allows a user to manually stir appropriately during cooking, for example.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance includes a main body having a cooking chamber, a lid that opens and closes an opening of the cooking chamber, a heating mechanism that heats the cooking chamber, a notification unit, and a control unit that stores a restart cooking temperature corresponding to a cooking mode and causes the notification unit to notify to open the lid at a timing corresponding to the menu during the execution of the cooking mode. The control unit causes the notification unit to notify to open the lid, interrupts the cooking mode in execution with the heating mechanism turned off, after the lid is opened and closed after the notification by the notification unit, drives the heating mechanism, raises the temperature of the cooking chamber to the restart cooking temperature, and after the adjustment step, resumes the cooking mode and executes the remaining unexecuted steps of the cooking mode.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, for example, it is possible to provide a heating appliance that can be suitably stirred manually by the user during cooking. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a heating appliance according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of a cooking appliance with the lid open. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram of a cooking appliance. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the mode selection process in a cooking appliance. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart of the cooking process in normal cooking mode. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart of the cooking process in the stirring cooking mode. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of the cooking process in the stirring cooking mode. [Figure 8] This is an example of a display screen showing a menu that involves stirring. [Figure 9] This is an example of a display screen showing a menu that does not involve stirring. [Figure 10] This is an example of a remaining time display shown when cooking a menu item that does not involve stirring. [Figure 11] This is an example of a display screen that indicates cooking is complete. [Figure 12] This is an example of a display screen showing the stirring timing displayed in step S31. [Figure 13] This is an example of a display showing the remaining time until the next stirring timing, which appears when the start key is pressed and cooking is in progress for a menu that involves stirring. [Figure 14] This is an example of a display screen showing the stirring method. [Figure 15] This is an example of a display screen that appears when it is determined that the lid has been closed in step S41. [Figure 16] This is an example of the remaining time display shown after resuming cooking. [Figure 17] This is an example of a time chart in the stirring cooking mode. [Figure 18] This is an example of a display screen that shows the remaining time until stirring during the cooking of a menu for which multiple stirrings are recommended.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0010] In the present disclosure, the “cooking heater” generally refers to all devices that heat and cook food ingredients and the like. The cooking heater generally has a main body having a cooking chamber and a heating mechanism that heats food ingredients and the like placed in the cooking chamber. The heating mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it can heat food ingredients and the like. The heating mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that heats food ingredients and the like arranged in the cooking chamber by heating the entire cooking chamber. The heating mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that directly heats food ingredients and the like arranged in the cooking chamber. Specifically, the heating mechanism may be, for example, a microwave generation mechanism that generates microwaves and irradiates food ingredients and the like. The heating mechanism may be constituted by, for example, a heater using a resistance heating method. The cooking heater may have a plurality of types of heating mechanisms including, for example, a microwave generation mechanism that generates microwaves and a heater using a resistance heating method or the like. The cooking heater may be, for example, one that heats and cooks food ingredients and the like by microwaves. The cooking heater may be one that directly or indirectly heats and cooks food ingredients and the like by a heater using a resistance heating method. The cooking heater may be one that heats food ingredients and the like by radiant heat from a heater using a resistance heating method and microwaves.

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

[0012] The cooking appliance 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is specifically an automatic cooking pot. The cooking appliance 1 has a cooker body 10 and a lid 20.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooker body 10 has a cooking chamber 10a that opens upward. Specifically, the cooker body 10 has a pot 11 that constitutes the cooking chamber 10a. The cooker body 10 is provided with a heating mechanism 33 (see FIG. 3) for heating the pot 11. The pot 11 is heated by this heating mechanism 33. As a result, the temperature in the cooking chamber 10a in the pot 11 rises. In the present embodiment, the heating mechanism 33 is constituted by an electric resistance heater. Note that the pot 11 may be detachable or non-detachable from the cooker body 10.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 20 is attached to the cooker body 10 so as to be rotatable in two directions. The cooking appliance 1 is configured such that the cooking chamber 10a can be opened and closed by this lid 20. Specifically, the lid 20 is attached to a portion of the cooker body 10 located on one side of the pot 11 so as to be rotatable in two directions about a rotation axis perpendicular to the opening direction of the pot 11. From the state where the lid 20 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, by rotating the lid 20 about the rotation axis, the lid 20 can be opened as shown in FIG. 2, and the cooking chamber 10a can be released.

[0015] The cooking appliance 1 has a first temperature sensor 31a as a first temperature detection unit and a second temperature sensor 31b as a second temperature detection unit shown in FIG. 3.

[0016] The first temperature sensor 31a detects the temperature of the cooker body 10. Specifically, the first temperature sensor 31a is disposed below the pot 11 that constitutes a part of the cooker body 10. The first temperature sensor 31a detects the temperature of the pot 11.

[0017] The second temperature sensor 31b detects the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a. The second temperature sensor 31b is preferably attached to the lid 20, for example, and is provided so as to be exposed to the cooking chamber 10a. The second temperature sensor 31b is preferably provided in the upper part of the cooking chamber 10a where there is no food being cooked.

[0018] As shown in Figures 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 for the user to input instructions and information to the cooking appliance 1.

[0019] As shown in Figure 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 composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Device). The speaker 37 constitutes a sound-producing mechanism. The notification unit 34 is composed of the touch panel 35 including the display 35a and the control element 35b, the light 36, and the speaker 37. The notification unit 34 notifies the user of information. The sound-producing mechanism may be composed of a buzzer.

[0020] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in Figure 3, the cooking appliance 1 has a control unit 32. The control unit 32 is the 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 ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a memory device. The memory device stores, for example, data and computer programs. For example, the memory device temporarily stores data necessary for each process of the control unit 32, and stores setting data for each mechanism. The memory device may include main memory and auxiliary memory. The memory device may include, for example, non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive.

[0021] Specifically, the control unit 32 has a memory unit 32a. The memory unit 32a stores the cooking details (cooking modes) of multiple menus. Here, the cooking details of a menu refer to how and in what time chart each mechanism of the heating appliance 1 is controlled when cooking that menu. For example, the cooking details of a menu include how and in what time chart the heating mechanism 33 is controlled and with what temperature setting.

[0022] In detail, the memory unit 32a stores multiple cooking modes corresponding to each of the multiple menus, as well as the cooking interruption temperature and cooking restart temperature corresponding to each of those multiple cooking modes. However, the memory unit 32a does not necessarily need to store multiple cooking modes; it may store a single cooking mode and the cooking interruption temperature and cooking restart temperature corresponding to that cooking mode.

[0023] (Cooking process) Figure 4 is a flowchart of the mode selection process in the heating cooker 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the cooking process in the normal cooking mode. Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts of the cooking process in the stirring cooking mode, respectively.

[0024] Next, the heating process in the heating appliance 1 will be explained, mainly with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0025] (Mode identification process) When the main power supply of the cooking appliance 1 is turned on, step S11 is performed first, as shown in Figure 4. In step S11, the control unit 32 (see Figure 3) determines whether a menu has been entered (selected) by the user operating the operator 35b. If it is determined that no menu has been entered, the process returns to step S11.

[0026] If it is determined that a menu item has been entered, the control unit 32 displays a screen corresponding to the entered menu item on the display 35a and proceeds to step S12.

[0027] Figures 8 and 9 are examples of display screens showing menus where stirring can be selected. Figure 8 is an example of a display screen where a menu with stirring is selected. Figure 9 is an example of a display screen where a menu without stirring is selected.

[0028] The multiple menus stored in the memory unit 32a include menus that involve stirring and menus that do not involve stirring. Here, menus that involve stirring are those for which the user is encouraged to stir during the cooking process. On the other hand, menus that do not involve stirring are those for which the user is not encouraged to stir during the cooking process. For example, even for a single menu, there may be two versions: one that involves stirring and one that does not. Figures 8 and 9 show the screen when "Nikujaga" is entered, respectively. Nikujaga includes a menu called "Nikujaga with stirring" and a menu called "Nikujaga without stirring". For example, if "Nikujaga with stirring" is selected, as shown in Figure 8, an operator for selecting the stirring mode, such as "Mix Navi, Start Cooking," is displayed on the touch panel 35. By operating this operator, the system switches to the cooking mode of the "Nikujaga with stirring" menu, which involves stirring. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, if the operator "Start Cooking" is operated, the system switches to the cooking mode of the "Nikujaga without stirring" menu, which does not involve stirring.

[0029] For example, if a menu item such as "Non-stirring Nikujaga" is selected, which does not involve stirring during the cooking process, the "Start Cooking" button will be displayed, as shown in Figure 9, and the button to switch to a cooking mode that involves stirring will not be displayed.

[0030] In step S12, the control unit 32 determines whether an operator corresponding to a cooking mode involving stirring (stirring cooking mode) has been selected (in Figure 8, the operator is labeled "MazeNavi, Start Cooking"). When a menu involving stirring is entered and an operator corresponding to the stirring mode is displayed as shown in Figure 8, if that operator is selected, the control unit 32 transitions from step S12 to the stirring cooking mode.

[0031] On the other hand, if a menu that includes stirring is entered, but an operator that does not correspond to the stirring mode (for example, "Start Cooking" in Figure 8) is operated, or if a menu that does not involve stirring is entered, and as shown in Figure 9, only operators that do not correspond to the stirring mode are displayed and one of those operators is operated, the control unit 32 will switch from step S12 to the normal cooking mode.

[0032] (Normal cooking mode) As shown in Figure 5, when the system switches to normal cooking mode, in step S21, the control unit 32 first determines whether the "start key" included in the multiple operators 35b shown in Figure 1, etc., or the operators separately displayed on the touch panel 35, has been operated. The start key is an operator used by the user to input a command 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 that operator 35b has been operated. If it is determined that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has not been operated, the system returns to step S21.

[0033] 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.

[0034] When cooking begins in step S22, in step S23, the control unit 32 displays the remaining time until cooking is finished on the display 35a. Figure 10 shows an example of the remaining time displayed on the display 35a. In the example shown in Figure 10, it is displayed that the cooking of nikujaga will be finished in approximately 35 minutes from the current time.

[0035] In step S23, the control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time. Specifically, the control unit 32 displays the estimated cooking completion time on the display 35a after the cooking time has elapsed since cooking began, and then counts down the cooking time which decreases as time passes. Then, in step S24, the control unit 32 updates the display on the display 35a to the counted remaining time. For example, if 10 minutes have passed since the display shown in Figure 10 was made, in step S24, the display on the display 35a changes from "approximately 35 minutes remaining" to "approximately 25 minutes remaining".

[0036] Next, in step S25, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time, which is the time required for cooking at the current moment, is zero. In other words, in step S25, the control unit 32 determines whether cooking is complete or not. If in step S25 it is determined that the remaining time is not zero, that is, cooking is not complete, the process returns to step S23, and the countdown and remaining time display are updated again.

[0037] In step S25, if the control unit 32 determines that the remaining time is zero, that is, that cooking is finished, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the control unit 32 stops each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, and ends the cooking process.

[0038] Subsequently, in step S26, the control unit 32 displays on the display 35a that cooking is complete. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the message "Finished" is displayed on the display 35a.

[0039] (Stirring cooking mode) Next, the stirring cooking mode will be explained, primarily with reference to Figures 2, 3, 6, and 7. The stirring cooking mode is a cooking mode in which the user is recommended to open the lid 20 and stir the contents during cooking.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, in step S12, when the user operates the control (button) labeled "Maze Navi Start Cooking" as exemplified in Figure 8, the system switches to stirring cooking mode.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, in the stirring cooking mode, first, in step S31, the control unit 32 displays the stirring timing on the display 35a. Figure 12 is an example of a display screen showing the stirring timing displayed in step S31. In this embodiment, the screen shown in Figure 12 is specifically displayed from the time the stirring cooking mode is selected until it is determined in step S32 that the operator 35b corresponding to the start key has been operated. As shown in Figure 12, the time until the stirring timing arrives is displayed on the display 35a. In the example shown in Figure 12, it is shown that the stirring timing arrives approximately 24 minutes after the start of heating.

[0042] The stirring timing can be determined, for example, by the elapsed time since the start of cooking, or by the temperature of the pot 11. In this embodiment, the control unit 32 determines that the stirring timing has arrived when it determines that the temperature of the pot 11 has reached a predetermined temperature. More specifically, the control unit 32 compares the cooking interruption temperature stored in the memory unit 32a with the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 31a, and determines that the stirring timing has arrived when it determines that the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 31a has reached the cooking interruption temperature.

[0043] Furthermore, since the power supplied to the heating mechanism 33 from the start of cooking is predetermined for each cooking mode, the remaining time until stirring can be estimated based on the power supplied to the heating mechanism 33 (output of the heating mechanism 33), the current temperature, and the heating interruption temperature. The remaining time of "approximately 24 minutes" shown in Figures 12 and 13 is the time estimated by the control unit 32.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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 Figure 12 to the screen shown in Figure 13. Step S33 is performed by the control unit in substantially the same way 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.

[0046] When cooking begins in step S33, in step S34, the control unit 32 displays on the display 35a the estimated remaining time until the appropriate time for the user to open the lid 20 and stir the food (stirring timing). For example, if the selected menu requires multiple stirrings, the remaining time until the first stirring timing is displayed on the display 35a. Figure 13 shows an example of the display showing the remaining time until the next stirring timing when step S33 has started and cooking of a menu that requires stirring is in progress. The screen shown in Figure 13 is the screen immediately after S33 has started, and therefore, similar to the screen shown in Figure 12, it shows that the next stirring timing will arrive in approximately 24 minutes from the current time.

[0047] In this embodiment, an example is described in which it is determined that the start key has been operated in step S32, and in step S34, after cooking has started in step S33, information regarding stirring is notified to the notification unit 34. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, if it is determined that the start key has been operated in step S32, the notification of information regarding stirring may be started regardless of whether cooking has started or not. The cooking appliance may be configured, for example, to start cooking after the notification of information regarding stirring has started.

[0048] In step S35, the control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time until the next stirring timing. Specifically, the control unit 32 displays the time from when cooking starts until the next stirring timing on the display 35a, and then counts down the remaining time (approximate) until the stirring timing, which decreases as time passes. Then, in step S36, the control unit 32 updates the display on the display 35a to the counted remaining time. For example, if 10 minutes have passed since the display shown in Figure 13 was made, in step S24, the display on the display 35a changes from "approximately 24 minutes remaining" to "approximately 14 minutes remaining".

[0049] Next, in step S37, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time until the next stirring timing is zero. In other words, 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 remaining time display are updated again.

[0050] If the remaining time in step S37 is zero, meaning that the stirring timing has arrived, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the control unit 32 temporarily stops heating in the heating mechanism 33, interrupting the cooking process. Of the multiple cooking processes included in the cooking mode, the cooking process performed up to the temporary interruption of cooking in step S38 may hereafter be referred to as the "first cooking process".

[0051] Next, step S39 is performed. In step S39, the control unit 32 changes the display content shown on the display 35a. Specifically, while the control unit 32 had 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 the stirring method recommended to the user, and includes details such as how to perform the stirring. Figure 14 shows an example of a display screen showing the stirring method. In the example shown in Figure 14, the recommended stirring method is displayed as a method of mixing by flipping the ingredients from top to bottom.

[0052] Next, as shown in Figure 7, in step S40, the control unit 32 determines whether or not the lid 20 has been opened. If it is determined in step S40 that the lid 20 has been opened, the process proceeds to step S41. If it is determined in step S40 that the lid 20 has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S43.

[0053] In step S41, the control unit 32 determines whether the lid 20 is closed or not. The cooking appliance 1 is equipped with an opening / closing sensor (not shown) that detects the opening and closing of the lid 20. The opening / closing sensor may consist of, for example, a magnet provided on one of the lid and the main body, and a magnetic sensor such as a Hall sensor provided on the other. Based on the opening and closing information of the lid 20 input from the opening / closing sensor, the control unit 32 determines whether the lid 20 is closed or not.

[0054] In order for the user to stir the contents, the lid 20 must be opened once. To complete the stirring and return the contents to a state where they can be heated again, the lid 20 must be closed. Therefore, when the lid 20 is closed, the control unit 32 infers that stirring has been performed.

[0055] If it is determined in step S41 that the lid 20 has been 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.

[0056] In step S41, if it is determined that the lid 20 has been closed, the control unit 32 may, for example, display a screen on the display 35a as shown in Figure 15, prompting the user to operate the start key. In that case, the control unit 32 may proceed to step S44 when it detects that the start key has been operated.

[0057] 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.

[0058] If it is determined in step S43 that a predetermined period has elapsed, it is thought that, for example, the user intentionally did not stir, the user was not near the cooking appliance 1 and therefore could not stir, or the user was unaware of the stirring timing. For this reason, even if the user is waited for a period longer than the predetermined time to stir, stirring may not occur. In this case, the process proceeds to step S44.

[0059] In step S44, the control unit 32 performs an adjustment process. The adjustment process is a process of adjusting the cooking mode due to the fact that the lid 20 has been opened for stirring, and that the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a and the temperature of the food being cooked have decreased as a result of stirring. Specifically, in step S44, after the notification unit 34 has notified the control unit 32 that the lid 20 has been opened and closed, the control unit 32 drives the heating mechanism 33 to raise the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a to the cooking restart temperature stored in the memory unit 32a. Then, in step S45, the control unit 32 controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, and starts cooking after stirring. From step S45 onward, the control unit 32 executes the second cooking process, which is one of the multiple cooking processes included in the cooking mode that has not yet been performed, other than the first cooking process which has already been performed. Thus, in the cooking appliance 1, the first cooking process, the adjustment process, and the second cooking process are performed in this order.

[0060] The cooking restart temperature is set to a temperature suitable for starting the second cooking process and is stored in the memory unit 32a. The cooking restart temperature is determined according to the menu and cooking mode. The memory unit 32a stores the cooking restart temperature corresponding to each cooking mode for each menu.

[0061] Furthermore, the cooking restart temperature may be set to a different temperature depending on the type of stirring method that the control unit 32 has notified the notification unit 34 of.

[0062] In step S44, the control unit 32 determines whether the temperature of the heating chamber 10a has risen to the cooking restart temperature based on the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 31b, which detects the temperature of the heating chamber 10a. The control unit 32 terminates the adjustment process when the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 31b reaches the cooking restart temperature.

[0063] When cooking is resumed in step S44, in step S45, the control unit 32 displays a screen on the display 35a showing the remaining time until cooking is completed (see, for example, Figure 16).

[0064] In step S47, the control unit 32 starts counting down the remaining time. Then, in step S48, the control unit 32 updates the display on the display 35a with the counted remaining time.

[0065] Next, in step S49, the control unit 32 determines whether the remaining time, which is the time required for cooking at the current moment, is zero. In other words, in step S49, the control unit 32 determines whether cooking is complete or not. If in step S49 the remaining time is not zero, that is, if it is determined that cooking is not complete, the process returns to step S47, and the countdown and remaining time display are updated again.

[0066] If, in step S49, it is determined that the remaining time is zero, that is, that cooking is finished, the process proceeds to step S50. In step S50, the control unit 32 stops each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1, such as the heating mechanism 33, and ends the cooking process.

[0067] Subsequently, in step S51, the control unit 32 displays on the display 35a that cooking is complete (see, for example, Figure 11).

[0068] Figure 17 is an example of a time chart in the stirring cooking mode. The execution of the cooking mode, including the adjustment step, in this embodiment will be described in more detail, mainly with reference to Figures 17, 6, and 7.

[0069] In step S33, when cooking begins, the control unit 32 drives the heating mechanism 33 with an output corresponding to the menu stored in the memory unit 32a to start heating the cooking chamber 10a. Heating of the cooking chamber 10a continues until the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 31a reaches the cooking interruption temperature T0. When the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 31a reaches the cooking interruption temperature T0, the process proceeds from step S37 to step S38, and the control unit 32 temporarily stops heating. The period from the time t0 when heating started to this time t1 corresponds to the first cooking process.

[0070] The example shown in Figure 17 is one in which, after the display content is changed at time t1 (step S39), the user opens the lid 20, it is detected that the user has closed the lid 20 at time t2 (step S41), and at time t3, the operator 35b corresponding to the start key in step S42 is operated. When the user opens the lid 20, the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a begins to decrease. The temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a continues to decrease during the period from time t1 to time t3 when the user closes the lid 20 and operates the operator 35b. The period from time t1 to time t2 corresponds to the stirring process.

[0071] Subsequently, an adjustment process is performed from time t3. During the adjustment process, the control unit 32 drives the heating mechanism 33 until the temperature of the cooking chamber 10a, which had decreased during the stirring process, reaches the cooking restart temperature.

[0072] In this embodiment, the cooking restart temperature varies depending on the menu, stirring method, etc. The control unit 32 reads the cooking restart temperature T1, T2, or T3 corresponding to the menu selected by the user or the displayed stirring method, etc., from the storage unit 32a. The control unit 32 then controls the heating mechanism 33 until the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 31b reaches the corresponding cooking restart temperature T1, T2, or T3.

[0073] The example shown in Figure 17 is an example where the cooking restart temperature reaches T1, T2, or T3 at time t4. At time t4, the control unit 32 performs a second cooking step involving cooking after stirring in step S45.

[0074] For example, when performing the menu shown in Figure 17 without stirring, the first and second cooking steps are performed consecutively without the stirring and adjustment steps in between. As in the example shown in Figure 17, when stirring is performed, the lid 20 is opened and closed and stirring takes place, causing the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a to drop during this time. Moreover, since stirring is performed manually by the user, the length of time the lid 20 is open is not necessarily constant. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate in advance how much the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a has dropped from temperature T0 (temperature T4) at the time t3 when the lid 20 is opened and closed and the operator 35b is operated. If the second cooking step is performed while the temperature has dropped to T4, the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a may have dropped more than expected when the predetermined second cooking step is performed, which may result in insufficient cooking.

[0075] In the heating appliance 1, an adjustment process is performed before the second cooking process, and the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a is raised in advance to a predetermined cooking restart temperature. Therefore, the temperature at the start of the second cooking process can be set to a temperature suitable for restarting the cooking menu. Thus, menus that involve manual stirring by the user can also be cooked effectively.

[0076] In this embodiment, different cooking restart temperatures are provided for each cooking menu. For example, in the case of stir-frying, if the second cooking process is started when the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a has dropped, the second cooking process may be carried out at a lower temperature than intended, potentially resulting in the food becoming undesirably soft. For this reason, in the case of stir-frying menus, it is preferable to set the cooking restart temperature to a high temperature T2, as shown in pattern 2 (PT2) in Figure 17. Among stir-fries, for example, in the case of stir-frying menus with a relatively high water content, such as dry curry, it is necessary to more effectively suppress the undesirable increase in water content and softening of the food. Therefore, in menus such as dry curry, it is preferable to set an even higher temperature T1 as the cooking restart temperature, as shown in pattern 1 (PT1) in Figure 17.

[0077] On the other hand, for simmered dishes, it is not always necessary to start the second cooking process at a higher temperature than for stir-fried dishes. For this reason, it is preferable to set a relatively low temperature T3 as the cooking restart temperature, as shown in Pattern 3 (PT3) in Figure 17.

[0078] In this embodiment, multiple types of cooking menus are classified into categories such as regular stir-fry, stir-fry with high water content, and simmered dish, and a cooking restart temperature suitable for each category is set and stored in the storage unit 32a.

[0079] Furthermore, the degree of temperature drop in the cooking chamber 10a during the stirring process may differ depending on the indicated stirring method. For example, some instructions recommend stirring by turning the food upside down, while others recommend lightly stirring with a stirrer. Therefore, the cooking restart temperature should also be varied depending on the indicated stirring method. This allows for more suitable cooking to be achieved.

[0080] Thus, it is sometimes preferable that the cooking restart temperatures be set to different temperatures depending on the recommended stirring method, etc. In such cases, it is preferable that multiple cooking restart temperatures set according to the recommended stirring method are stored in the storage unit 32a.

[0081] In the heating appliance 1, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 31b is used to determine whether the temperature has risen to the cooking restart temperature. The temperature of the cooking chamber 10a is more significantly affected by the opening and closing of the lid 20 than the temperature of the cooking appliance body 10. Therefore, by determining the timing of restarting cooking based on the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 31b, unevenness caused by opening and closing the lid 20 can be reduced, resulting in more suitable cooking.

[0082] Furthermore, since the lid 20 remains closed until cooking is interrupted, it is preferable to determine whether the cooking interruption temperature has been reached using the first temperature sensor 31a, which detects the temperature of the cooking appliance body 10.

[0083] The following describes other preferred embodiments of this disclosure. In the following description, components having substantially the same function as those in the first embodiment are referred to by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0084] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment described above, an example of opening the lid 20 for stirring was explained. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, it is preferable to perform the same control as in the first embodiment when opening the lid 20 for purposes outside of these scopes, such as adding seasonings during cooking.

[0085] (Other embodiments) The first embodiment described above relates to the preparation of a menu in which stirring once is recommended. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, some menus may be in which stirring multiple times at different times is recommended. During the preparation of such a menu, for example, as shown in Figure 18, multiple timings for the multiple stirrings that are expected to occur in the future may be displayed on the display 35a. In that case, if the stirring methods to be performed at each of the multiple stirring timings are different, it is preferable to display the stirring method to be performed at the arriving stirring timing on the display 35a.

[0086] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, if it is determined in step S40 that the lid 20 could not be opened, and then in step S43 that a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit 32 may, after reaching the stirring timing, cause the notification unit 34 to notify that the stirring timing has passed or that stirring did not occur at the stirring timing. By doing so, the user of the cooking appliance 1 can be sure that cooking has been completed without performing the desired stirring.

[0087] For example, by displaying on the display 35a that the stirring timing has passed from the start of cooking after stirring in step S45 until the end of cooking in step S50, the user can perform stirring even if it is later than the predetermined stirring timing. Thus, a high-quality cooked product can be obtained.

[0088] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ensuring that the user is aware that cooking has been completed without the desired stirring, it is preferable to indicate that stirring was not performed in the completion indicator in step S51. In this case, it is preferable to continue displaying the completion indicator until the lid 20 is operated, specifically until the lid 20 is opened.

[0089] The control unit 32 may also cause the notification unit 34 to notify the notification unit 34 that it recommends closing the lid 20 when it is detected that the lid 20 has been opened in step S40 shown in Figure 7.

[0090] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 1:Heating cooker 10: Cooking appliance body 10a:Heating cooking chamber 20: Lid 31a: First temperature sensor 31b: Second temperature sensor 32: Control Unit 32a: Storage section 33: Heating mechanism 34: Hochi Department 35: Touch panel 35a: Display 35b: Operator 36: Light 37: Speakers

Claims

1. A main body having a cooking room, A lid for opening and closing the opening of the aforementioned cooking chamber, A heating mechanism for heating the aforementioned cooking chamber, The news department and, A control unit that stores the cooking restart temperature corresponding to the cooking mode and notifies the notification unit to open the lid at a timing corresponding to the menu while the cooking mode is being executed, Equipped with, The control unit, The process involves instructing the notification unit to open the lid, and interrupting the cooking mode that is currently running by turning off the heating mechanism. After the notification unit makes a notification and the lid is opened and closed, the heating mechanism is driven to raise the temperature of the cooking chamber to the cooking restart temperature, and this adjustment process is performed. A cooking appliance that, after the adjustment step, restarts the cooking mode and performs the remaining steps of the cooking mode that have not yet been performed.

2. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the cooking modes include cooking modes in which the cooking restart temperatures are different from each other.

3. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the notification unit to notify the notification unit to open the lid, and thereafter causes the notification unit to notify the notification unit of a stirring method according to the menu.

4. The cooking restart temperature varies depending on the stirring method, as described in claim 3.

5. A first temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the main body, A second temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the cooking chamber, Furthermore, The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the temperature has risen to the cooking restart temperature based on the temperature detected by the second temperature detection unit.

6. The heating appliance according to claim 5, wherein the control unit commands the notification unit to notify after the temperature detected by the first temperature detection unit reaches a predetermined cooking interruption temperature.

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