Heating Regulator
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RINNAI CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-05
Smart Images
Figure 2026126978000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking heater. In particular, the present invention relates to the display of the heating state of a heating unit.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, in cooking heaters such as gas stoves and IH stoves, a heating operation unit for operating the heating unit is disposed on the front surface of the housing, and a display unit for notifying the user of the heating state such as the on / off of the operation of the heating unit and the heating amount is disposed on the front surface of the housing around the heating operation unit (for example, Patent Document 1). Further, in this type of cooking heater, with the increase in functionality, in order to execute cooking functions such as automatic cooking in the heating unit, an openable and closable operation unit for performing a predetermined operation on the heating unit is provided on the front surface of the housing below the heating operation unit.
[0003] By the way, when disposing the above display unit on the front surface of the housing around the heating operation unit, a display substrate equipped with a light-emitting unit such as an LED that emits visible light is assembled in a narrow space inside the housing on the back side of the heating operation unit, and further, a control substrate that controls the operation of the light-emitting unit according to the heating state of the display substrate and the heating unit is connected by electrical wiring. Therefore, not only does the structure inside the housing become complicated, but the assembly work and wiring work also increase, and there is a problem that the structure inside the housing becomes complicated and the production of the cooking heater becomes complicated.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooking heater with a simple configuration that allows a user to easily recognize the heating state of a heating unit. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] According to a first aspect of this technology, Casing and Heating section and A heating control unit is provided on the front of the housing, which controls the operation of the heating unit on and off, The device comprises an openable and closable operation display unit provided on the front of the housing, having an operation display surface on its upper surface which includes an operation unit for performing a predetermined operation on the heating unit and a heating status display unit that emits visible light from a light-emitting unit for displaying the heating status of the heating unit, the operation display surface being exposed from the housing so as to face approximately upward when open, and the operation display surface being concealed within the housing when closed, When the heating element is in the heating state, the operation display surface is exposed from the housing in an open state, and the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is visible from above the heating status display on the operation display surface. A cooking appliance is provided in which, when the heating unit is in a heated state, the operation display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state, and the visible light emitted from the light-emitting unit is visible from the front of the housing.
[0007] According to the first embodiment described above, since the heating status indicator is provided on an operation indicator unit having an operation unit for performing a predetermined operation on the heating unit, the area around the heating operation unit can be made simple. Furthermore, whether the operation indicator surface is in an open state where it is exposed from the housing or in a closed state where it is concealed within the housing, the visible light emitted from the light-emitting unit is visible, so the user can easily recognize the heating status of the heating unit.
[0008] According to a second aspect of this technology, in the first embodiment described above, The light-emitting unit that emits visible light visible from above the heating status indicator when the operation display surface is exposed from the housing in the open state, and the light-emitting unit that emits visible light visible from the front of the housing when the operation display surface is concealed inside the housing in the closed state, are both made up of the same light-emitting unit.
[0009] According to the second embodiment described above, the same light-emitting unit is used as the light-emitting unit that emits visible light to indicate the heating status of the heating unit, whether the operation display surface is in an open state where it is exposed from the housing or in a closed state where it is concealed inside the housing, thus allowing for a simpler configuration.
[0010] According to a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, When the heating element is in a heated state, the device has a reflective element that reflects the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element forward, in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing.
[0011] According to the third embodiment described above, since the visible light emitted from the light-emitting part is reflected forward by the reflecting part, the visibility of the visible light to the user in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing can be improved.
[0012] According to a fourth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, When the heating element is in a heated state, the device has a light guide that directs the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element forward, in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing.
[0013] According to the fourth embodiment described above, since the visible light emitted from the light-emitting part is guided forward by the light-guiding part, the visibility of the visible light to the user can be improved in the closed state in which the operation display surface is concealed within the housing. Furthermore, even in the closed state in which the operation display surface is concealed within the housing, the heating status of the heating part can be displayed at any position on the front of the housing.
[0014] According to a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, The heating operation unit is provided on the first front part of the housing. The operation display unit is located on the first front panel of the housing and on the second front panel of the housing adjacent to it in the vertical direction. A gap of a certain size is formed between the first front section and the second front section of the housing, which are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. When the heating element is in a heated state, the operating display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state, and the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is configured to be emitted forward through the gap between the first front part and the second front part of the housing.
[0015] According to the fifth embodiment described above, in a closed state in which the operation display surface is concealed within the housing, the user can recognize the heating status of the heating element by visible light emitted from the gap between the first front part and the second front part of the housing. Therefore, since there is no need to provide a display on the front part of the housing, a simpler configuration can be achieved.
[0016] According to the sixth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, The heating operation unit is provided on the first front part of the housing. The operation display unit is provided on the first front section of the housing and on the second front section of the housing adjacent in the vertical direction. When the heating element is in a heated state, the operating display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state, and the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is emitted forward from the front heating status display section provided on the first or second front part of the housing.
[0017] According to the sixth embodiment described above, in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing, the user can easily recognize the heating status of the heating section by visible light emitted from the front heating status display unit. Furthermore, since the front heating status display unit is provided on the first or second front part of the housing, which is easily visible from the front, user visibility can be improved.
[0018] According to the seventh aspect of this technology, in the sixth aspect described above, When the heating element is in a heated state, the device has a light guide that guides visible light emitted from the light-emitting element to a front heating status indicator provided on the first or second front part of the housing, in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing.
[0019] According to the seventh aspect described above, in the closed state where the operation display surface is hidden inside the housing, the visible light emitted from the light emitting unit is guided by the light guiding unit to the front heating state display unit provided on the first front surface portion of the housing or the second front surface portion of the housing, so that the visibility of the user can be improved.
[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to seventh aspects described above, The heating operation unit adjusts the on / off of the operation of the heating unit and the heating amount of the heating unit, The operation display unit is provided with a plurality of light emitting units that emit visible light for displaying the on / off of the operation of the heating unit and the heating amount of the heating unit.
[0021] According to the eighth aspect described above, since the on / off of the operation of the heating unit and the heating amount of the heating unit are displayed, the usability of the user can be improved while simplifying the configuration around the heating operation unit.
[0022] According to the ninth aspect of the present technology, in any one of the first to eighth aspects described above, A plurality of heating units, On the front surface portion of the housing, there are a plurality of heating operation units that at least turn on and off the operation of each of the plurality of heating units, The operation display unit has a plurality of heating state display units provided corresponding to each of the plurality of heating operation units.
[0023] According to the ninth aspect described above, for example, by arranging the heating state display unit corresponding to each heating operation unit at the upper position or the lower position of each heating operation unit, the user can easily recognize which heating unit's heating state is being displayed.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a gas stove according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the open and closed states of the operation display unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the open state, and Figure 2(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the closed state. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation display unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the main parts showing the area around the closed operation display unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the closed operation indicator unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the open and closed states of the operation display unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 6(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the open state, and Figure 6(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the closed state. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the main parts around the closed operation display unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the open and closed states of the operation display unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 8(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the open state, and Figure 8(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the closed state. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the open and closed states of the operation display unit according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Figure 9(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the open state, and Figure 9(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the closed state. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic front view of the main parts around the closed operation display unit according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the open and closed states of the operation display unit according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. Figure 11(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the open state, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit in the closed state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0025] (Example 1) The following describes a cooking appliance according to this embodiment applied to a built-in gas stove 1. As shown in Figure 1, this gas stove 1 comprises a stove body 2 that is installed by dropping it into an opening made in the countertop of a system kitchen, and a top plate 200 that covers the opening above the stove body 2. Multiple stove burners 3a, 3b are arranged on the top plate 200, protruding upward through multiple burner openings (not shown) made in the top plate 200, and trivets 4a, 4b are installed around each stove burner 3a, 3b. In addition, a grill compartment and a grill burner (not shown) are provided inside the housing 10 that constitutes the outer casing of the stove body 2. In this specification, the side on which the burner operation section, which will be described later, is provided is referred to as the front side, and the depth direction when viewing the gas stove 1 from the front is referred to as the front-to-back direction, the width direction as the left-to-right direction, and the height direction as the up-and-down direction.
[0026] A grill door 8 for opening and closing the grill compartment is provided in the left and right center of the front section 11 of the housing 10. Of the front section 11 of the housing 10, the right front section 12 to the right of the grill door 8 is divided into an upper right front section 12a and a lower right front section 12b, and a gap 12c of a certain size (see Figure 4) is formed between the upper right front section 12a and the lower right front section 12b, which are adjacent in the vertical direction. Similarly, the left front section 13 to the left of the grill door 8 is divided into an upper left front section 13a and a lower left front section 13b, and a gap 13c of a certain size is formed between the upper left front section 13a and the lower left front section 13b, which are adjacent in the vertical direction. The upper right front section 12a is provided with burner control sections 5a and 5b for turning the stove burners 3a and 3b on and off, respectively, and for adjusting the heat output (heating amount) of the stove burners 3a and 3b. The second front section 12b is provided with an openable / closable operation display section 14 for setting up automatic cooking and other operations using the stove burners 3a and 3b. Similarly, the upper left front section 13a is provided with a burner control section 5c for turning the grill burner on and off, and for adjusting the heat output of the grill burner. The lower left front section 13b is provided with an openable / closable operation display section 15 for setting up automatic cooking and other operations using the grill burner. Therefore, in this embodiment, the upper right front section 12a and the upper left front section 13a constitute the first front section, and the lower right front section 12b and the lower left front section 13b constitute the second front section.
[0027] Each burner control unit 5a, 5b, and 5c consists of a push-push type control. Each burner control unit 5a, 5b, and 5c is pushed in from a fire extinguishing position that is nearly flush with the front part 11 of the housing 10, and then released to protrude to a combustion position in front of the front part 11 of the housing 10, where each burner control unit 5a, 5b, and 5c is rotatable. Although not shown, the housing 10 houses a conventionally known gas valve device that supplies gas to each burner and a control board that controls the operation of the gas stove 1. The control unit, consisting of a microcomputer mounted on the control board, detects that the burner control units 5a, 5b, and 5c have been pushed in from the fire extinguishing position, and opens the electromagnetic safety valve of the gas valve device corresponding to the operated burner control unit 5a, 5b, and 5c, and controls the flow control valve so that the burner's flame power becomes a predetermined ignition power. Furthermore, the igniter is energized to apply a high voltage to the ignition electrode, performing ignition control to ignite the burner with a predetermined ignition power. Ignition control ends when a flame detector (e.g., a thermocouple) (not shown) detects ignition to the burner. Also, when the ignition control ends with the burner operating parts 5a, 5b, and 5c protruding to the combustion position by releasing the push-in, combustion control is performed thereafter to adjust the burner's flame power by varying the opening of the flow control valve according to the rotation angle of the burner operating parts 5a, 5b, and 5c. The control board is connected to the operation display board, which will be described later, by electrical wiring, and the control unit controls the light emission from the light-emitting part mounted on the operation display board according to the flame power of each burner.
[0028] The operation display units 14 and 15 have a similar configuration. For this reason, the operation display unit 14 for the stove burners 3a and 3b will be used as an example in the following explanation, with the upper right front section 12a being referred to as the first front section and the lower right front section 12b being referred to as the second front section.
[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operation display unit 14 has an operation display surface 14a on its upper surface. The second front portion 12b of the housing 10 serves as the push-operation surface for the operation display unit 14. Therefore, when a user pushes the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 from the front, the operation display unit 14 rotates in the front-rear direction around a pivot shaft (not shown) provided at the lower end of the operation display unit 14, causing the operation display unit 14 to open and close.
[0030] Figure 2(a) shows a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part in the open state, where the operation display surface 14a is exposed forward from inside the housing 10. In this open state, almost the entire operation display surface 14a protrudes forward from the housing 10, and the operation display surface 14a is exposed to the front side of the housing 10, facing almost upward.
[0031] Figure 2(b) shows a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main part in the closed state, where the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10. In this closed state, the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 is substantially flush with the first front portion 12a of the housing 10, and substantially the entire operation display portion 14 (including the operation display surface 14a), excluding the second front portion 12b, is concealed inside the housing 10.
[0032] A printed sheet 20 is attached to the operation display surface 14a of the operation display unit 14. The printed sheet 20 has various marks printed on it that correspond to the setting input switches 21 used to set and input heating conditions for automatic cooking, such as the heating method (cooking mode), heating time, and heating temperature for each of the stove burners 3a and 3b. In addition, a window is formed in the operation display surface 14a, and a display unit 25 that displays the heating conditions set by the setting input switches 21 is visible from below through the window. Furthermore, a heat level indicator 27 that shows the heat level of each stove burner 3a and 3b is printed near the front end of the operation display surface 14a. The heat level indicator 27 has approximately the same length in the left-right direction as the heating status indicator unit described later, and is printed so that its height increases from left to right.
[0033] The various marks on the setting input switch 21 include a cooking mode setting mark 211 for selecting and setting cooking modes such as boiling water, simmering, frying, and rice cooking; a timer setting mark 212 for setting the cooking time; a temperature setting mark 213 for setting the heating temperature of the food to be heated; and an adjustment setting mark 214 for adjusting the set heating time, heating temperature, and set heat level. These marks can be used to set and input the heating conditions of the food to be heated by the stove burners 3a and 3b. Accordingly, these marks on the operation display surface 14a constitute an operation unit for executing predetermined operations on the stove burners 3a and 3b.
[0034] At the front end of the operation display surface 14a, at corresponding positions below the left and right burner operation sections 5a and 5b, two separate heating status indicator sections 22 are formed on the left and right. Each of these heating status indicator sections 22 is composed of a plurality (in this case, five) of through-holes 23. The light-emitting surface of an LED, which is a light-emitting unit mounted on the operation display board described later, is visible from below through each through-hole 23. The through-hole 23 is blocked by a light-transmitting plate 24 that transmits visible light. The light-transmitting plate 24 may have an upwardly convex lens shape.
[0035] Below the operation display surface 14a within the operation display unit 14, an operation display board 30 is provided, which includes setting input switches 21 corresponding to each mark on the printed sheet 20, a display unit 25, and LEDs 26. Multiple LEDs 26 (five in this case) are arranged in a single row in the left-right direction for each stove burner 3a and 3b. Each LED 26 has a light-emitting surface on its upper surface that emits visible light. The operation display board 30 is connected to the control board described above by electrical wiring L. When a user presses a mark corresponding to a setting input switch 21, an operation signal is transmitted from the operation display board 30 to the control board. Control signals transmitted from the control board to the operation display board 30 control the display on the display unit 25 and the light emission from the LEDs 26.
[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the outer wall surface of the second front section 12b of the housing 10, located below the burner operation sections 5a and 5b on the first front section 12a of the housing 10, has a heat output indicator 17 printed on it, similar to the operation display surface 14a, which displays the heat output of each stove burner 3a and 3b. These heat output indicators 17 are located in front of the left and right heating status indicators 22 formed on the operation display surface 14a. The heat output indicators 17 may also be printed on the first front section 12a.
[0037] In this embodiment, when a user operates the burner control unit 5a to ignite the stove burner 3a and start combustion of the stove burner 3a, visible light is emitted from the light-emitting surfaces of the LEDs 26, the number of LEDs corresponding to the ignition power of the stove burner 3a, towards the upper direction. The LEDs 26 may be made to light up or blink depending on the power of the stove burner 3a. Furthermore, since a through-hole 23 is formed at the front end of the operation display surface 14a, allowing light from the LEDs 26 to pass through, when the operation display surface 14a is in the open state, exposed from inside the housing 10, a user positioned in front of the gas stove 1 can see from above the visible light emitted from the corresponding heating status display unit 22 located below the burner control unit 5a being operated. In addition, since a power level indicator 27 is printed on the operation display surface 14a, the user can also check the power of the stove burner 3a by the visible light from the heating status display unit 22. This allows the user to easily check the heating status of the stove burner 3a.
[0038] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the first front portion 12a of the housing 10 does not have a display section from which visible light from an LED 26 for displaying the heating status of the stove burner 3a is emitted, and the heating status display section 22 is formed on the operation display surface 14a. Therefore, in the closed state where the operation display surface 14a is concealed inside the housing 10, the user cannot directly see the visible light from the through-hole 23. However, a gap 12c of a predetermined size is formed between the lower front edge of the first front portion 12a of the housing 10 on which the burner operation section 5a is provided and the upper front edge of the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 on which the operation display section 14 is provided, and the heating status display section 22, located below the burner operation section 5a, is provided at the front end of the operation display surface 14a. Therefore, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 towards the upper end leaks out from the gap 12c to the front of the housing 10. Consequently, a user positioned in front of the gas stove 1 can see the visible light emitted from the gap 12c. Furthermore, since a flame level indicator 17 is printed on the outer wall surface of the second front portion 12b below the burner operation section 5a, in front of the corresponding heating state indicator section 22, the user can also confirm the flame level of the stove burner 3a being operated by the visible light emitted from the gap 12c. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, the user can easily recognize the heating state of the stove burner 3a whether the operation display surface 14a is exposed from the housing 10 or whether the operation display surface 14a is hidden inside the housing 10, using a single type of LED 26 that emits visible light directed approximately upward.
[0039] As described above, according to this embodiment, a display unit for displaying the heating status of the burner is provided on the first front portion 12a, 13a of the housing 10, where the burner operating units 5a, 5b, 5c are located. Therefore, there is no need to assemble the display board in the narrow space inside the housing 10 on the rear side of the burner operation units 5a, 5b, and 5c, as in conventional designs. Furthermore, since the operation display board 30 for performing predetermined operations on the burner is equipped with LEDs 26, there is no need to manufacture the operation board and the display board separately, nor is there a need to connect the display board and the control board with electrical wiring. This allows for a simpler configuration around the burner operation units 5a, 5b, and 5c, and improves the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1. In addition, the same LED 26 is used for both the LED 26 that emits visible light to indicate the heating status of the burner when the operation display surface 14a is exposed from the housing 10, and the LED 26 that emits visible light to indicate the heating status of the burner when the operation display surface 14a is concealed inside the housing 10, resulting in an even simpler configuration. In the above embodiment, the burner ignition indicator and the burner flame level indicator are displayed on the same heating status indicator unit 22. However, separate heating status indicator units may be provided for each, or a heating status indicator unit 22 may be provided that displays only the burner ignition.
[0040] (Example 2) The operation display unit of this embodiment has the same configuration as in Embodiment 1, except that when the operation display surface is concealed within the housing, a reflective section that reflects visible light is provided above the heating status display section on the operation display surface. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.
[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation display unit 14 in the closed state. To avoid complexity, in the embodiments described later, including this embodiment, only the relevant components are shown in a simplified manner in the drawings. As shown in Figure 5, in the closed state in which the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10, the partition plate 18, which faces the heating state display unit 22 having a plurality of through-holes 23 formed at the front end of the operation display surface 14a in the vertical direction, has a reflective portion 32 formed thereon that reflects visible light passing through the through-holes 23 forward. As the reflective portion 32, for example, a metal plate such as aluminum or stainless steel with high reflectivity, or a mirror-finished resin film can be used. Alternatively, the partition plate 18 itself may be provided with a reflective portion 32.
[0042] Preferably, the reflective portion 32 is provided at a certain angle and inclination so that the visible light transmitted through the through-hole 23 is directed toward the gap 12c between the lower front edge of the first front portion 12a of the housing 10 and the upper front edge of the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 as described above.
[0043] According to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the area around the burner operating sections 5a, 5b, and 5c can be simply constructed, and the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1 can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 toward approximately upward is reflected by the reflector 32 toward the gap 12c between the lower front edge of the first front section 12a and the upper front edge of the second front section 12b. As a result, the user can reliably see the visible light emitted from the gap 12c from the front of the housing 10. Therefore, user visibility can be improved.
[0044] (Example 3) This embodiment has the same configuration as Embodiment 1, except that a light guide is provided above the LED and a front heating status indicator is provided on the second front part of the housing. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.
[0045] Figure 6(a) is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation indicator unit 14 in the open state, Figure 6(b) is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation indicator unit 14 in the closed state, and Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the main part showing the area around the operation unit in the closed state. Above the LED 26, a light guide unit 33 with a roughly inverted L-shape in vertical cross-section is provided. The light guide unit 33 is configured to emit light roughly upward from the light-emitting surface of the LED 26 and guide the visible light incident from the incident surface to the exit surface at the upper end and the exit surface at the front end. For example, a light guide member made of optical fiber can be used as the light guide portion 33. Alternatively, a part of the light guide portion 33 may be made milky white or the like to form a diffusion portion, guiding the light emitted from the LED 26 while diffusing it.
[0046] Furthermore, a lower through-hole 40 corresponding to each LED 26 is formed at the upper end of the second front portion 12b, and the front surface of the lower through-hole 40 is closed with a light-transmitting plate (not shown) that transmits visible light. The emission surface at the front end of the light guide portion 33 faces the lower through-hole 40 from the rear.
[0047] In this embodiment, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 toward approximately upward is emitted toward approximately upward from the emission surface at the upper end of the light guide 33. Therefore, in the open state where the operation display surface 14a is exposed from the housing 10, the user can check the heating status of the burner by the visible light from the heating status display unit 22, which has a through-hole 23 that faces the upper end of the light guide 33 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 toward approximately upward is emitted toward forward from the lower through-hole 40 via the emission surface at the front end of the light guide 33. Therefore, in the closed state where the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10, the user can check the heating status of the burner from the front through the lower through-hole 40. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the lower through-hole 40 constitutes the front heating status display unit 42.
[0048] According to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the area around the burner operating sections 5a, 5b, and 5c can be simply constructed, and the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1 can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 can be guided by the light guide section 33 and emitted from any direction, thereby improving user visibility. In addition, the heating status of the burner can be displayed at any position on the front part 11 of the housing 10, thereby improving the design freedom of the operation display sections 14 and 15. Note that, similar to Embodiment 1, the visible light may be guided by the light guide section 33 towards the gap 12c between the lower front edge of the first front part 12a and the upper front edge of the second front part 12b of the housing 10, without providing a lower through-hole 40 in the second front part 12b of the housing 10. Alternatively, a lower through-hole 40 may be formed in the upper front edge of the second front part 12b of the housing 10, and the visible light may be guided to the upper front edge of the second front part 12b of the housing 10.
[0049] (Example 4) This embodiment has the same configuration as Embodiment 3, except that LEDs with different visible light emission directions are used. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 3, and their explanations are omitted.
[0050] Figure 8(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit 14 in the open state, and Figure 8(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the operation display unit 14 in the closed state. The operation display board 30 is mounted on a plurality of LEDs 26a having an emitting surface on its front, and a light guide portion 34 is formed to cover the top and front of each LED 26a. The light guide portion 34 is configured to guide the visible light emitted from the LEDs 26a approximately forward to the upper end emission surface and the front end emission surface.
[0051] In this embodiment, the visible light emitted from the LED 26a toward approximately the front is emitted toward approximately the upward from the emission surface at the upper end of the light guide 34. Therefore, in the open state where the operation display surface 14a is exposed from the housing 10, the user can check the heating status of the burner by the visible light from the heating status display unit 22, which has a through-hole 23 that faces the upper end of the light guide 34 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the visible light emitted from the LED 26a toward approximately the front is emitted toward the front from the lower through-hole 40 via the emission surface at the front end of the light guide 34. Therefore, in the closed state where the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10, the user can check the heating status of the burner from the front. Accordingly, in this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 3, the lower through-hole 40 constitutes the front heating status display unit 42.
[0052] According to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the area around the burner operating sections 5a, 5b, and 5c can be easily constructed, and the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1 can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 3, user visibility can be improved. In addition, the design freedom of the operation display sections 14 and 15 can be increased. In this embodiment, one type of LED 26a with a light-emitting surface on the front is used, but a combination of an LED 26 with a light-emitting surface on the top and an LED 26a with a light-emitting surface on the front, similar to Embodiment 3, may also be used.
[0053] (Example 5) This embodiment has the same configuration as Embodiment 1, except that an LED is mounted on the rear of the operation display board, a light guide is provided above the heating status display on the rear of the operation display surface, and a front heating status display is provided on the first front of the housing. Therefore, the same reference numbers are used for components that are the same as in Embodiment 1 and their descriptions are omitted.
[0054] Figure 9(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation display unit 14 in the open state, Figure 9(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation display unit 14 in the closed state, and Figure 10 is a schematic front view of the main part showing the area around the operation display unit 14 in the closed state. An LED 26 is mounted on the rear part of the operation display board 30, and through holes 23 corresponding to the rear part of the operation display surface 14a are formed. In addition, a light guide section 35 is arranged above each through hole 23 of the operation display surface 14a, spaced apart above the through holes 23. The light guide section 35 is composed of a lower light guide section that extends upward in a substantially convex arc shape from the rear to the front, and an upper light guide section that bends upward in a substantially inverted L shape from the front end of the lower light guide section and extends toward the first front part 12a. An upper through-hole 41 corresponding to each LED 26 is formed in the first front section 12a below the burner operating sections 5a and 5b, and the front surface of the upper through-hole 41 is closed with a light-transmitting plate (not shown) that transmits visible light. The emission surface of the front end of the light guide section 35 faces the upper through-hole 41 from the rear.
[0055] In this embodiment, when the operation display surface 14a is in the open state, exposed from the housing 10, the through-hole 23 of the operation display surface 14a moves forward, away from the incident surface of the rear end of the light guide 35. Therefore, the visible light emitted from the LED 26 toward approximately upward does not enter the light guide 35, and, as in Embodiment 1, the user positioned in front of the gas stove 1 can see the visible light emitted from the corresponding heating status display unit 22 located below the burner operation units 5a and 5b that they operate, from above.
[0056] On the other hand, in the closed state where the operation display surface 14a is concealed within the housing 10, the through-hole 23 of the operation display surface 14a faces the incident surface at the rear end of the light guide section 35 in the vertical direction. Therefore, visible light emitted from the LED 26 towards the upper end of the light guide section 35 enters the light guide section 35 from the incident surface at the rear end of the light guide section 35. The visible light then exits through the exit surface at the front end of the light guide section 35 and exits forward from the upper through-hole 41, allowing the user to check the heating status of the burner from the front. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the upper through-hole 41 constitutes the front heating status display section 43.
[0057] According to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, the area around the burner operating sections 5a, 5b, and 5c can be simplified, and the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1 can be improved. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 3, user visibility can be improved. In addition, the design freedom of the operation display sections 14 and 15 can be increased. In this embodiment as well, similar to Embodiment 4, an LED 26a having a light-emitting surface on the front may be used.
[0058] (Example 6) This embodiment has the same configuration as Embodiment 1, except that it is provided with a pull-out type operation display unit. Therefore, the same reference numbers will be used to describe the same components as in Embodiment 1. Omit it.
[0059] Figure 11(a) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation display unit 140 in the open state, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part showing the operation display unit 140 in the closed state. In this embodiment, the operation display unit 140 is opened and closed by the user pushing the second front part 12b of the housing 10 from the front, which causes the operation display unit 140 to be pulled out and pushed in.
[0060] As shown in Figure 11(a), in the open state where the operation display surface 140a is exposed forward from inside the housing 10, almost the entire operation display surface 140a protrudes forward from the housing 10, and the operation display surface 140a is exposed to the front side of the housing 10 so that it faces almost upward.
[0061] As shown in Figure 11(b), in the closed state in which the operation display surface 140a is concealed within the housing 10, the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 becomes substantially flush with the first front portion 12a of the housing 10, and substantially the entire operation display portion 140 (including the operation display surface 140a), excluding the second front portion 12b, is concealed inside the housing 10.
[0062] In this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, when the operation display surface 140a is exposed from inside the housing 10, a user positioned in front of the gas stove 1 can see the visible light passing through the through-hole 230 from above the heating status display section 220. Also, when the operation display surface 140a is concealed inside the housing 10, a user positioned in front of the gas stove 1 can see the visible light emitted from the gap 12c between the lower front edge of the first front portion 12a of the housing 10 and the upper front edge of the second front portion 12b of the housing 10 from the front. According to this embodiment, as in Embodiment 1, the area around the burner operation sections 5a, 5b, and 5c can be simply constructed, and the workability when manufacturing the gas stove 1 can be improved.
[0063] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, embodiments combining two or more of the above embodiments are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, although the above embodiments described gas stoves, the present invention can also be applied to induction cooktops and electric cooktops. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0064] 1. Gas stove 3a, 3b Stove burner 5a,5b,5c Burner operation part 10 cabinets 11 Front part 12a Upper right front section 12b Lower right front section 12c gap 13a Upper left front section 13b Lower left front section 13c gap 14,15,140 Operation display section 14a,140a Operation display surface 22,220 Heating status indicator 26,26a LED 42,43 Front heating status indicator
Claims
1. Casing and Heating section and A heating control unit is provided on the front of the housing, which controls the operation of the heating unit on and off, The device comprises an openable and closable operation display unit provided on the front of the housing, having an operation display surface on its upper surface which includes an operation unit for performing a predetermined operation on the heating unit and a heating status display unit that emits visible light from a light-emitting unit for displaying the heating status of the heating unit, the operation display surface being exposed from the housing so as to face approximately upward when open, and the operation display surface being concealed within the housing when closed, When the heating element is in the heating state, the operation display surface is exposed from the housing in an open state, and the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is visible from above the heating status display on the operation display surface. A cooking appliance configured such that, when the heating element is in a heated state, the operation display surface is concealed within the casing, while the visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is visible from the front of the casing.
2. In the heating appliance described in claim 1, A cooking appliance comprising a light-emitting unit that emits visible light visible from above the heating status indicator when the operation display surface is exposed from the housing in the open state, and a light-emitting unit that emits visible light visible from the front of the housing when the operation display surface is concealed inside the housing in the closed state, wherein the light-emitting unit is the same light-emitting unit.
3. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, A cooking appliance having a reflector that reflects visible light emitted from a light-emitting part forward when the heating unit is in a heated state and the operation display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state.
4. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, A cooking appliance having a light guide that directs visible light emitted from a light-emitting part forward, in a closed state where the operation display surface is concealed within the housing when the heating part is in a heated state.
5. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, The heating operation unit is provided on the first front part of the housing. The operation display unit is provided on the first front surface of the housing and on the second front surface of the housing adjacent to it in the vertical direction. A gap of a certain size is formed between the first front section and the second front section of the housing, which are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. A cooking appliance configured such that, when the heating element is in a heated state, the operation display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state, and visible light emitted from the light-emitting element is emitted forward through the gap between the first front part and the second front part of the housing.
6. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, The heating operation unit is provided on the first front part of the housing. The operation display unit is provided on the first front surface of the housing and on the second front surface of the housing adjacent in the vertical direction. A cooking appliance configured such that, when the heating unit is in a heated state, the operation display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state, and visible light emitted from the light-emitting unit is emitted forward from a front heating status display unit provided on the first front part or the second front part of the housing.
7. In the heating appliance described in claim 6, A cooking appliance having a light guide that guides visible light emitted from a light-emitting unit to a front heating status indicator unit provided on the first front part or second front part of the housing, when the heating unit is in a heated state and the operation display surface is concealed within the housing in a closed state.
8. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, The heating control unit controls the on / off operation of the heating unit and the amount of heat the heating unit provides. A cooking appliance equipped with multiple light-emitting units on the operation display section that emit visible light to indicate the on / off status of the heating unit and the amount of heat being generated by the heating unit.
9. In the heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, Multiple heating elements, It has a plurality of heating operation units located on the front of the housing, which at least turn on and off the operation of each of the plurality of heating units, The operation display unit is a cooking appliance having multiple heating status display units, each corresponding to one of the multiple heating operation units.