Conditioner

Abstract

To provide cooker with high cleaning performance.SOLUTION: A cooker of the present invention comprises a plurality of menu selection buttons B1 to B6, a letter sheet 10, and a plurality of light emitting bodies 12 corresponding to the menu selection buttons B1 to B6. The menu selection buttons B1 to B6 have push-operated transparent plates 13, and diffusion plates 14 for diffusing the light of the light emitting bodies 12. The transparent plates 13 allows at least partially the light from the light emitting bodies 12 to permeate therethrough, and a letter sheet 10 is configured to cover the transparent plates 13 of the plurality of menu selection buttons B1 to B6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance provided with a push button having a light-emitting portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as an example of this type of cooking appliance, Patent Document 1 discloses an appliance in which a plurality of operation keys for operating cooking switches are provided in a portion of the door other than the viewing window, the operation buttons of these operation keys are made of a transparent material, and a light source is installed inside the operation buttons. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 2527686 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the operation buttons of the operation keys are configured to move up and down when pressed, so the operation buttons and the door to which they are attached must be separate, resulting in grooves and unevenness between the operation buttons and the door. Furthermore, since multiple operation keys are arranged side by side, the front of the door becomes dirty when the operation keys are operated while the cooker is in use, and if dirt or other debris gets into these grooves, it is difficult to remove the dirt or debris, making it difficult to clean the cooker.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cooker that is easy to clean. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cooking appliance of the present invention includes a plurality of push buttons, a sheet body, and a plurality of light emitting bodies corresponding to the push buttons, the push buttons having a pressing portion that is pressed and a diffusing portion that diffuses light from the light emitting bodies, the pressing portion transmits at least a portion of the light from the light emitting bodies, and the sheet body covers the pressing portions of the plurality of push buttons. The diffusion portion has a truncated cone shape that gradually expands from the light emitter side toward the sheet body side. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, even in a place where a plurality of push operation buttons are arranged side by side, dirt and the like can be easily wiped off because the flat surface does not form grooves, and maintenance can be easily performed, so a cooker that is easy to clean can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a perspective view of a menu selection area of ​​the operation panel, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A taken along line AA, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view of the menu selection area of ​​the operation panel with the character sheet removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an area C in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view of the holder unit in the menu selection area, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the holder unit with the operation panel PC board attached. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of a cover in a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which common parts are designated by common reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0010] 1 to 8 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an oven range. In each drawing, the direction toward the front of the main body 1 where the door 3 is provided is referred to as the "front" direction, the direction toward the back of the main body 1 is referred to as the "rear" direction, the direction toward the left side of the main body 1 is referred to as the "left" direction, the direction toward the right side of the main body 1 is referred to as the "right" direction, the direction toward the top of the main body 1 is referred to as the "up" direction, and the direction toward the bottom of the main body 1 is referred to as the "down" direction. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the oven range, with 1 being a roughly rectangular box-shaped main body with an open front, and 2 being a door provided on the front of the main body 1 that can be opened and closed. The oven range of this embodiment is configured to open and close the opening of the main body 1 with a door 2. The top of the door 2 is provided with a handle 4 for opening and closing the vertical-opening door 2, and the right side of the door 2 is provided with an operation panel 5 for display, notification, and operation.

[0011] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the operation panel unit 5, and Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the operation panel unit 5. The operation panel unit 5 is provided with a display means 6 that displays cooking settings and progress, as well as an operation means 7 that enables various operation inputs related to cooking. An operation panel PC (printed circuit) board 8 is disposed on the rear side of the operation panel unit 5 to control the display means 6, operation means 7, etc. The operation panel unit 5 is mainly composed of a holder unit 9A formed on the right side of a front cover 9 that forms the front of the door 2, a single character sheet 10 that covers almost the entire surface of the holder unit 9A, and the panel PC board 8.

[0012] The display means 6 is a flat display device that displays all information related to cooking, such as the type of heating, the name of the dish, the heating time, the temperature, and a photo of the cooking process, using letters, numbers, symbols, photos, etc., and is made up of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a TFT (Thin-Film-Transistor) liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), etc. The display means 6 in this embodiment is located higher than the operating means 7, near the upper right side of the door 2, so that it is easy to see when the user is positioned in front of the microwave oven.

[0013] The operation means 7 is composed of menu selection buttons B1-B6 arranged vertically and horizontally within the menu selection area A1, and a "Start Warming" button B7 and a "Cancel" button B8 arranged vertically below the menu selection area A1. The menu selection buttons B1-B6 within the menu selection area A1 are selected when selecting a cooking menu. These menu selection buttons B1-B6 are push-buttons, and pressing a button selects that menu selection button. To explain the selection of a cooking menu in more detail, for example, pressing the "Microwave" menu selection button B1 selects microwave heating, and as shown in FIG. 2, the display means 6 displays the cooking time and microwave output wattage, which are settings for microwave heating. At this time, each time the "Microwave" menu selection button B1 is pressed again, the displayed microwave output wattage changes, and the user can set the desired microwave output wattage by operating the "Microwave" menu selection button B1. The other menu selection buttons, "Oven" menu selection button B2, "Steam" menu selection button B3, "Drinks" menu selection button B4, "Defrost" menu selection button B5, and "Boiled Vegetables" menu selection button B6, can also be used to select the corresponding cooking menu by performing the same operation.

[0014] The "Start Warming" button B7 is composed of a pressing portion B7-1 and a rotating portion B7-2 rotatably disposed around the pressing portion B7-1. The pressing portion B7-1 is pressed to start cooking with the settings currently displayed on the display means 6. For example, in the case of FIG. 2, pressing the pressing portion B7-1 causes the main unit 1 to "microwave" with an output wattage setting of "1000W" and a cooking time setting of "6 minutes 00 seconds." The rotating portion B7-2 is operated to set cooking time and temperature settings, such as the cooking time for microwave heating and the temperature setting for oven heating. For example, when setting the cooking time for microwave heating shown in FIG. 2, rotating the rotating portion B7-2 clockwise increases the cooking time displayed on the display means 6, while rotating the rotating portion B7-2 counterclockwise decreases the cooking time displayed on the display means 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a plurality of cooking menus are displayed on the display means 6, the cooking menu can be selected by rotating the rotating portion B7-2.

[0015] The "Cancel" button B8 is pressed when cooking is to be stopped midway or when a mistake has been made in the settings or button operation. For example, if the "Cancel" button B8 is pressed during cooking, the cooking currently in progress will be stopped and the device will enter an off state in which no cooking or settings are being performed.

[0016] FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view of the menu selection area A1, FIG. 4(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4(A), and FIG. 4(C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. Referring to these drawings, the configuration of the menu selection area A1 will be described. Reference numeral 12 denotes light-emitting elements, such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes), that are provided on the operation panel PC board so as to be positioned behind each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6. In the menu selection area A1 of this embodiment, six light-emitting elements 12 are provided, one for each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6. Therefore, each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 can be independently turned on or off. For example, by turning on only the light-emitting element 12 corresponding to the selected menu selection button and turning off the light-emitting elements 12 corresponding to the other menu selection buttons, the user can easily understand the operation of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 when operating the menu selection buttons B1-B6. Note that light sources other than LEDs may be used as the light-emitting elements 12, and the color of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements 12 is not particularly limited.

[0017] Each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 is a flat, rectangular push button in front view. Each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 includes a transparent plate 13, a diffuser 14, a holder 15, and a switch 16. The transparent plate 13, the diffuser 14, and the holder 15 are identical in shape for each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6, and the switch 16 is also identical for each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6. Therefore, in this embodiment, there are six menu selection buttons with the same configuration, each independently formed. The six menu selection buttons are arranged in two vertical rows and three horizontal columns in parallel. A character sheet 10 covers the entire surface of the transparent plate 13 of each of the menu selection buttons B1-B6. Note that the number and shape of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 are not limited to those described above.

[0018] The transparent plate 13 is disposed in front of the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 and functions as a pressing portion to be pressed. The transparent plate 13 is made of a translucent resin, and in this embodiment, is made of a transparent resin. Therefore, light from the light emitter 12 passes through the transparent plate 13 and the printed portions D1 to D6 and D8 (described later) on the character sheet 10, and is emitted outside the menu selection buttons B1 to B6. The transparent plate 13 has a transparent plate main body 13a having a generally inverted truncated pyramid shape with flat front and rear surfaces, and a flange portion 13b provided on the front outer periphery of the transparent plate main body 13a. The flange portion 13b is attached to the light output portion 14b of the diffuser plate main body 14c (described later) of the diffuser plate 14, so that the transparent plate 13 is held by the diffuser plate 14.

[0019] The diffuser plate 14 forms a light-guiding space that guides the light emitted from the light emitter 12 to the transparent plate 13. The diffuser plate 14 has a generally inverted truncated pyramid shape and includes a diffuser plate main body 14c whose inner and outer peripheries gradually expand from an opening light entrance portion 14a on the light emitter 12 side toward an opening light exit portion 14b on the light emitter 12 side, and a flange portion 14d provided on the outer periphery of the light exit portion 14b of the diffuser plate main body 14c. The flange portion 14d is attached to the holder 15 to hold the diffuser plate 14 in place on the holder 15. Therefore, in the diffuser plate 14, light that enters from the light entrance portion 14a and is irradiated toward the light exit portion 14b is directly guided toward the light exit portion 14b, and light that enters from the light entrance portion 14a and is irradiated to the side of the diffuser plate main body 14c is reflected and diffused by the inner surface of the diffuser plate main body 14c before being guided toward the light exit portion 14b. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the diffuser plate main body 14c and the flange portion 14d are formed to have substantially the same shape as the outer shape of the side of the transparent plate 13 so that the transparent plate 13 fits exactly into the diffuser plate main body 14c and the flange portion 14d when the transparent plate 13 is installed in the holder 15, and the front end of the flange portion 14d is formed to be flush with the front surface of the transparent plate main body 13a when the transparent plate 13 is installed in the holder 15. Therefore, the diffuser plate 14 functions as a positioning portion for the transparent plate 13.

[0020] The color of the diffuser 14 in this embodiment is white, which increases the reflection efficiency and diffusion efficiency of light emitted from the light emitter 12 and also suppresses the effect of the color of the diffuser 14 itself on the color of the light, which is caused by the light being reflected by the diffuser 14. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient if at least the inner surface of the diffuser plate main body 14c of the diffuser 14 is white. Alternatively, the color of the diffuser 14 may be any light color other than black. For example, if the light from the light emitter 12 is red, a reddish color may be used for the diffuser 14, and the color of the diffuser 14 may be selected to match the light from the light emitter 12.

[0021] The holder 15 elastically holds the diffuser plate 14 in a predetermined position. The holder 15 of this embodiment is formed with a hole 15a having substantially the same shape as the outer periphery of the light-emitting portion 14b of the diffuser plate 14, and a rectangular frame-shaped holder main body 15b. The diffuser plate 14 is held by the holder 15 by inserting the diffuser plate main body 14c into the hole 15a and installing the flange portion 14d on the holder main body 15b. Therefore, the holding portion 15 functions as a positioning portion for the diffuser plate 14, and in this embodiment, the rectangular menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are arranged in parallel in two rows, top and bottom, and three columns, left and right, so that the top and bottom sides of the menu selection buttons B1 to B3 in the top row and the top and bottom sides of the menu selection buttons B4 to B6 in the bottom row are each approximately in a straight line, and the left and right sides of the menu selection buttons B1 and B4 in the left column, the menu selection buttons B2 and B5 in the middle column, and the menu selection buttons B3 and B6 in the right column are each approximately in a straight line.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view of menu selection area A1 with character sheet 10 removed, and FIG. 6 shows area C in FIG. 5. Referring to these figures, holder portion 9A and holding portion 15 are connected by arm portion 17, which is formed of an elastic material such as plastic resin and elastically holds holding portion 15 relative to holder portion 9A. Therefore, even if transparent plate 13 is pressed and arm portion 17 elastically deforms, causing pressed menu selection buttons B1-B6, i.e., transparent plate 13, diffusion plate 14, and holding portion 15, to move backward, when the pressing operation is released, arm portion 17 elastically returns to its original shape, holding transparent plate 13, diffusion plate 14, and holding portion 15 in their original positions. Therefore, holder portion 9A, to which arm portion 17 is connected, also functions as a holder for mounting menu selection buttons B1-B6, which are press-operated buttons. In this embodiment, the holder part 9A may be a different color from the diffuser plate 14. By configuring the diffuser plate 14 and the holder part 9A as separate entities and attaching the diffuser plate 14 to the holder part 9A, the diffuser plate 14 can be produced without worrying about the color of the holder part 9A. As mentioned above, by making the color of the diffuser plate 14 white, the reflection efficiency and diffusion efficiency of the light irradiated from the light emitter 12 can be increased, and the color of the diffuser plate 14 itself can be prevented from affecting the color of the light due to the reflection of this light by the diffuser plate 14.

[0023] 5 and 6, arms 17 are connected to the lower center of holder body 15b of each holder 15 for menu selection buttons B1-B6, and the six arms 17 are formed with approximately the same shape. Therefore, the positions at which arms 17 are disposed relative to menu selection buttons B1-B6 are the same for all menu selection buttons B1-B6, allowing the same force to be applied when pressing menu selection buttons B1-B6. By making the distance between arms 17 and switches 16, the shapes of transparent plate 13, diffuser 14, and holder 15, and switches 16 the same for all menu selection buttons B1-B6, a common pressing feel is achieved for all menu selection buttons B1-B6. Arms 17 may be made of the same material as holder 15 and holder 9A, or holder 9A, holder 15, and arms 17 may be integrally formed.

[0024] The switches 16 are mounted on the operation panel PC board 8, and as described above, the switches 16 for all of the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are identical and configured to be switched on / off by pressing the menu selection buttons B1 to B6. The switches 16 in this embodiment are momentary tactile switches, such as Tact Switches (registered trademark), that turn on only when pushed. When a menu selection button B1 to B6 is pressed, the diffuser plate 14 and holder 15 move rearward together with the transparent plate 13, and the rear part of the holder body 15b of the holder 15 presses the push plate 16a of the switch 16, turning the switch 16 on. When the pushing operation is released and the transparent plate 13, diffuser plate 14, and holder 15 return to their original positions, the push plate 16a of the switch 16 also returns to its original position, turning the switch 16 off. As described above, the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are mainly composed of the transparent plate 13, the diffusion plate 14, the holding portion 15, and the switch 16, and therefore the switch 16 forms a pair with the transparent plate 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a switch other than a tactile switch may be used as the switch 16.

[0025] FIG. 7(A) shows a front view of the holder 9A in the menu selection area A1, and FIG. 7(B) shows a front view of the holder 9A with the operation panel PC board 8 attached. Referring to these figures, the operation panel PC board 8 is designed so that the switches 16 are located to the sides of the light emitters 12, and the push plates 16a of the switches 16 are positioned behind the holder body 15b of the holder 15 when the operation panel PC board 8 is attached to the holder 9A. Here, the lower center of the holder body 15b, where the holder body 15b and the arm 17 are connected, hardly moves back and forth during the aforementioned pushing operation. Therefore, if the push plates 16a of the switches 16 are located near this lower center, it is difficult for the rear of the holder body 15b to push in the push plates 16a of the switches 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, the design is such that the switches 16 are not located behind the lower center of the holder body 15b, where the arm 17 is connected.

[0026] Furthermore, the switches 16 for the menu selection buttons B1, B2, B4, and B5 are disposed on the right side of the light emitter 12, while the switches 16 for the menu selection buttons B3 and B6 are disposed on the left side of the light emitter 12. Therefore, the switches 16 can be positioned closer to the center of the operation panel PC board 8, and the switches 16 can be disposed close to each other, which means that the space required for arranging the switches 16 on the operation panel PC board 8 can be reduced and the length of the wiring can be shortened.

[0027] In this embodiment, the holding body 15b has a symmetrical shape, and is designed so that the length from the point where the holding body 15b is connected to the arm 17 of the holding body 15b to the point where it comes into contact with the push plate 16a of the switch 16 is approximately the same. Therefore, in this embodiment, as long as these lengths are approximately the same, the position at which switch 16 is arranged relative to holding portion 15 for multiple menu selection buttons B1 to B6, i.e., the position at which switch 16 is arranged relative to transparent plate 13 positioned on holding portion 15, may be different. For example, in this embodiment, the length is different for menu selection buttons B1, B2, B4, and B5 and for menu selection buttons B3 and B6, but the length from the point at which it is connected to arm portion 17 of holding portion main body 15b to the point at which switch 16 comes into contact with push plate 16a is approximately the same for all menu selection buttons B1 to B6, so that a common pressing feel is obtained for these menu selection buttons B1 to B6, and as mentioned above, switch 16 can be positioned closer to the center of operation panel PC board 8, which increases the degree of freedom in arranging switch 16 on operation panel PC board 8 and, therefore, improves the positioning of operation panel PC board 8.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the character sheet 10. Conventionally, when operation keys are placed close to each other, the unevenness between the operation buttons and the door makes it difficult to remove dust or dirt that gets between the operation keys. Therefore, the operation keys must be spaced apart to a certain extent, which limits the design and limits versatility. Therefore, in this embodiment, the character sheet 10 covers the entire surface of the holder portion 9A, except for the display means 6 and the "warming start" button B7. The character sheet 10 also has printed areas D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, and D8 where white characters are printed, and an LED light transmission window 21 that transmits LED light irradiated from behind. Therefore, by covering the holder portion 9A with the character sheet 10, the entire surface of the operation panel portion 5 can be almost completely covered. This reduces the number of parts in the operation panel portion 5 and simplifies assembly, thereby improving the ease of assembly of the operation panel portion 5. In addition, the surface of the menu selection area A1, where multiple menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are arranged, is flat and has no grooves, so dirt can be easily wiped off, making it easy to maintain and resulting in an oven range that is highly easy to clean.

[0029] Printed sections D1 to D6 and D8 are arranged to correspond to the positions of the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 and the "Cancel" button B8 in the menu selection area A1 on the character sheet 10, and when the character sheet 10 covers the surface of the holder section 9A, the printed section D1 for "Microwave" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B1, the printed section D2 for "Oven" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B2, the printed section D3 for "Steam" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B3, the printed section D4 for "Drinks" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B4, the printed section D5 for "Defrost" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B5, the printed section D6 for "Boiled vegetables" is arranged on the surface of the menu selection button B6, and the printed section D8 for "Cancel" is arranged on the surface of the "Cancel" button B8, and an LED light-transmitting window 21 is arranged in front of the LED (not shown) behind the "Cancel" button B8.

[0030] When light, such as light from the light emitter 12 transmitted through the transparent plate 13 or light from an LED, is shone on the character sheet 10 from behind, the printed portions D1-D6 and D8 and the LED light transmission window 21 transmit at least a portion of the light, while the other portions block the light. This makes it possible to make the menu selection buttons B1-B6 and the "Cancel" button B8 more user-friendly by making the printed portions D1-D6 and D8 of the white characters illuminate using this light. For example, by illuminating the printed portions D1-D6 and D8 of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 and the "Cancel" button B8 that you want to highlight, and leaving the other buttons unlit, you can highlight only the buttons you want the user to see. Here, it is preferable that the color of the character sheet 10 is approximately the same color (for example, black) as the color of the screen when the display means 6 is turned off, which is the color of the screen when it goes dark, or the color of the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 and the "Cancel" button B8 when they are turned off.When the display means 6 and buttons B1 to B6 and B8 are turned off, it becomes difficult to see the screen of the display means 6 and the display of the printing sections D1 to D8, giving the appearance that there is no boundary with the character sheet 10, and thus simplifying the appearance of the operation panel unit 5.

[0031] As described above, the oven range as a cooking appliance of this embodiment comprises menu selection buttons B1 to B6 as a plurality of push-operated buttons, a character sheet 10 as a sheet body, and a plurality of light-emitting elements 12 corresponding to the menu selection buttons B1 to B6, and the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 have a transparent plate 13 as a pressing portion that is pushed and a diffusion plate 14 as a diffusion portion that diffuses the light of the light-emitting elements 12, the transparent plate 13 transmits at least a portion of the light from the light-emitting elements 12, and the character sheet 10 covers the transparent plates 13 of the plurality of menu selection buttons B1 to B6.

[0032] In this case, even in the menu selection area A1 where multiple menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are arranged side by side, the area is flat and has no grooves, so dirt and the like can be easily wiped off, making it an oven range that is easy to clean and maintain.

[0033] In addition, the oven range of this embodiment is provided with a cover 9 that serves as a holder for attaching menu selection buttons B1 to B6, and the diffusion plate 14 is a different color from the color of the holder portion 9A. By making the diffusion plate 14 and the holder portion 9A separate, the diffusion plate 14 can be made without worrying about the color of the holder portion 9A.

[0034] In addition, the diffuser 14 in this embodiment is white, which increases the reflection efficiency and diffusion efficiency of the light irradiated from the light emitter 12, and also prevents the color of the diffuser 14 itself from affecting the color of the light due to reflection of the light by the diffuser 14.

[0035] The microwave oven of this embodiment is also provided with a plurality of switches 16 that are turned on when transparent plate 13 is pressed and off when not pressed, and that switch between on and off by pressing transparent plate 13, and switches 16 form pairs with transparent plate 13, and menu selection buttons B3 and B6, which are at least one of the plurality of menu selection buttons B1 to B6, are configured such that the position of switch 16 relative to transparent plate 13 is different from that of menu selection buttons B1, B2, B4, and B5, which are the other push-operation buttons. This allows switches 16 to be positioned closer to the center of operation panel PC board 8, improving the ease of arrangement of operation panel PC board 8.

[0036] Furthermore, in the oven range of this embodiment, the multiple menu selection buttons B1 to B6 are each connected to the cover 9 by an arm 17 that serves as a connecting part, and the position at which the arm 17 is arranged relative to the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 is the same for all menu selection buttons B1 to B6, so that the force required to press the menu selection buttons B1 to B6 can be made the same, and a common pressing feeling can be obtained for all menu selection buttons B1 to B6.

[0037] 9 shows a modified example of the microwave oven of this embodiment. In this modified example, the position of the arm portion 17 is changed for each of the menu selection buttons B1 to B6.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a partial enlarged view of the holder 9A in the menu selection area A1 of this modified example. Referring to FIG. 9, of the three menu selection buttons B1 to B3 arranged horizontally on the holder 9A, the leftmost menu selection button B1 has its holding part 15 connected to the center right of the holding part main body 15b. The holding part 15 of the rightmost menu selection button B1 has its arm 17 connected to the center left of the holding part main body 15b, and the holding part 15 of the central menu selection button B2 has its arm 17 connected to the center right of the holding part main body 15b, as in this embodiment. This allows the menu selection buttons B1 to B3 to have different press feel, allowing the press feel of the menu selection buttons B1 to B3 to be changed to suit the model of microwave oven, for example. As described above, the design is such that switch 16 is not disposed behind the portion of holding unit main body 15b connected to arm 17. Therefore, the position of switch 16 relative to transparent plate 13 for each of menu selection buttons B1-B3 differs from that of the other menu selection buttons B1-B3. Therefore, the length from the point of connection of holding unit main body 15b with arm 17 to the point of contact with push plate 16a of switch 16 may also differ, further changing the feel of pressing menu selection buttons B1-B3. Note that arm 17 may be connected to the four corners of holding unit main body 15b, in addition to the top, bottom, left, and right frame portions of holding unit main body 15b, to change the feel of pressing menu selection buttons B1-B3. Alternatively, arm 17 may be configured to have different widths or thicknesses for each of menu selection buttons B1-B6, thereby varying the feel of pressing menu selection buttons B1-B6.

[0039] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, while this embodiment has been described using an oven range as an example, the present invention may also be applied to other cooking appliances, such as rice cookers. Furthermore, if the specifications of the cooking appliance change, for example, the display of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 or the printed sections D1-D6 and D8 of the "Cancel" button B8 needs to be changed, all of the printed sections D1-D6 and D8 can be changed by replacing the character sheet 10. This allows for easy change of the printing on the surfaces of the menu selection buttons B1-B6 and the "Cancel" button B8, thereby reducing the time and effort required and making the oven range easier to clean. Furthermore, the configuration and shape of each part of this embodiment are not limited to those shown in the drawings and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the numerical values ​​exemplified in this embodiment are merely examples and may be modified as appropriate depending on the specifications of the cooking appliance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 9A Holder part (holder) 10 Character sheet (sheet body) 12 Luminous Object 13 Transparent plate (pressure part) 14 Diffusion plate (diffusion part) 16 Switch 17 Arm (connection part) B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 Menu selection buttons (push operation buttons)

Claims

1. A plurality of push buttons; A sheet body; a plurality of light emitters corresponding to the push operation buttons, the push button has a pressing portion that is pressed and a diffusing portion that diffuses light from the light emitter, the pressing portion transmits at least a part of the light from the light emitter, the sheet body covers the pressing portions of the plurality of pressing operation buttons, The cooking device, wherein the diffusion portion has a frustum shape that gradually widens from the light-emitting body side toward the sheet body side.

2. A cooking appliance as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the pressing portion is inserted into an opening on the sheet body side of the diffusion portion.

3. A switch is provided which is pressed by the pressing operation of the pressing portion, The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the switch is located in a position hidden by the pressing portion in a front view.

4. a holder for mounting the plurality of push operation buttons; The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion portion is a color different from that of the holder.

5. 5. The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion portion is white.

6. a plurality of switches that are switched on / off by pressing the pressing portion; The switch and the pressing portion form a pair, A cooking appliance as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of push-operated buttons has a different position of the switch relative to the pressing portion than the other push-operated buttons.

7. A holder for mounting the plurality of push-buttons, the plurality of push operation buttons are connected to the holder by connection portions, 7. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the positions at which the connection portions are disposed relative to the push-operation buttons are the same for all of the push-operation buttons.

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