DE3816761A1 - ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING DEVICE FOR COOKING APPLIANCES - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic programme controller has a control panel (1) a display screen (2'), and a keyboard (3') with pushbuttons (21, 22, 23, 24), respectively for switching between manual and automatic, advancing the time indications, retracting the time indications, and selecting the programming modes, as indicated by illuminatable pointers (16 to 20). An optional pushbutton (47) can be for microwave sequencing, correction or oven temperature regulation. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic cal programming device or a switching mechanism for one Electric cooker or other cooking appliances.

In the accompanying Fig. 1, a front view of the control panel 1 Be a known electronic programming device is shown, which consists of an electro-optic display panel 2 and a control keyboard 3 .

The electro-optical display 2 consists of a FIP tube, which is able to display four digits 5 , each with seven segments and with a separating point 6 , so as to obtain a time display (hours and minutes), a continuous or flashing display 14 "AUTO" to indicate that the programming device is in the automatic mode of operation, and a display 7 which shows the operation of the cooker if it is in the automatic programming state.

The control keyboard 3 has five buttons, three of which are 8, 9, 10 push buttons, another is a rotatable switch ter 11 with two positions and one is a rotary button 12 which can be rotated in both directions.

The device shown schematically in Fig. 1 is practically the standard device used for most commercial cooking appliances.

The type of electronic programming device The functions offered are as follows:

• I - Function of the simple clock:
  This means that the time is continuously displayed in the form of hours and minutes on the electro-optical display 2 .
  To set the programming device according to FIG. 1, the two buttons 8 and 9 must be pressed in simultaneously, the button 12 having to be turned until the display 2 shows the desired time without the pressure decreasing.
• II - Function of the simple rear derailleur:
  Here, a certain time, for example 50 minutes, is to be set and an acoustic signal is received at the end of this period without the stove itself being influenced. In order to make this possible by means of the programming device according to FIG. 1, the button 8 must be pressed in, so that the display 2 shows the digits 00.00 and at the same time the button 12 is rotated until the desired switching time is reached.
• III - Function of entering a certain cooking time:
  This is the most important function of the programming device; it must be achieved in two modes:
• IIIa. Immediate start of cooking with a specified expiry time. This mode of operation is obtained by first moving the changeover switch 11 to the programming position, which is characterized by the clock display 13 : the display "AUTO" goes out on the display; Now, for example, the time of the end of the cooking process is entered by pressing the button 10 and at the same time the button 12 is rotated, or the cooking time is entered by pressing the button 9 and at the same time the button 12 is rotated.
• IIIb. Delayed cooking with input of the time for the end of cooking and the cooking time. For this purpose, the changeover switch 11 returns to the "programming" position, the time for the end of the cooking process being entered by pressing the button 10 and simultaneously rotating the button 12 while the cooking time is being entered by the button 9 is pressed and at the same time the knob 12 is turned.
• IV - Manual operation:
  The latter mode of operation is to switch off the programming device. They are obtained by moving the switch 11 to the "manual" position, which is marked in FIG. 1 by the representation of a hand 15 .

It should be noted that most programming devices, provided they have an additional electrical switch direction are connected, still other adjustable Offer functions, but not here in detail are explained since they are not related to the actual Er relate to the invention.

The known programming devices still have some disadvantages. A first disadvantage is that it is necessary to use both hands to make the setting: it is not possible for the user to set the programming device with one hand and to hold a pot with the other hand. A second disadvantage is the fact that, in the presence of the five buttons 8 to 12, there is no additional space on the keyboard 3 to accommodate an additional control button: for example for setting the stove temperature or for programming a microwave switch. Another disadvantage is that commands can be entered (cooking time and cooking time completion), while the switch 11 is inadvertently in the manual position: In such a case, the cooking process begins immediately while the user thinks that it is only is inserted later and is ended automatically. Due to the fact that you can enter the time for the end of cooking and for the cooking time independently and vice versa, it is possible that during the setting process the user no longer knows what he has already entered and consequently programming one of these two Omits values. Furthermore, between the programming of the cooking time, provided that this is entered first, and the time of the end of the cooking, the stove can be switched on, which is undesirable. Are you finally in manual mode and there is a power cut, the stove turns on and the current flows again, unless the user has thought to turn off the stove and take away the pot during the power failure, making the stove unnecessary remains switched on.

The present invention is based on the object to avoid disadvantages and an electronic program Lubricating device for a cooking device to create the is at least able to be the four listed above to ensure drive modes I to IV.

Starting from a programming device at the beginning Specified type is proposed to solve this problem suggest that the control keyboard press at least four has buttons, of which

• - the first push button with each actuation the switch from manual to automatic Mode of operation and vice versa;
• - the second push button during a sustained push incrementally advancing the time display;
• - the third push button during a sustained push the gradual backward setting of the time display causes and  
• - the fourth push button a cycle with each actuation selection of a programming state.

The electro-optical display on this programming device In addition to displaying the time and the conventional Chen display "AUTO" for the automatic operating mode five punctiform displays on, for the mode of operation that has been selected by the fourth push button, the se the following in any but predetermined order Show:

• - the manual mode of operation,
• - programming the cooking time,
• - programming the time to finish cooking,
• - The control of the simple rear derailleur and
• - the control of the simple clock.

The control panel is supplied with an electronic circuit assigns a central logical unit to the numerical Processing and control, e.g. out there is a microcomputer which has:

• - At least one input for a timebase whose perio de is correlated with that of the AC power supply gung,
• - At least one information input per push button Control keyboard,
• - At least two output bus lines to the segments or the grids of the electro-optical display,
• - At least one output to an acoustic signal generator and
• - At least one control output for a relay for incorporation starting the cooking appliance.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the drawing described in the an advantageous embodiment is shown.  

Show it:

Fig. 2 is a front view of a control panel for the programming device and

Fig. 3 is a simplified schematic of the electronic circuit of this programming device.

In Fig. 2, 1 denotes the control panel of the programming device, which, as is the case for all electronic programming devices for cooking appliances, has an electro-optical display 2 'and a control keyboard 3 '.

The display 2 'consists of a FIP 4T 13 tube for the display of:

• - Four digits 5 , each of which has seven segments for time display,
• - two points 6 , which separate the minute display from the hour display,
• a display "AUTO" 14 , which speaks ent of that of FIG. 1,
• - five point displays 16 to 20 from left to right in the following order:
• Display 16 for the manual operating mode (as previously marked by a manual display 15 ),
• - display 17 for programming the cooking time,
• - display 18 for programming the cooking time,
• - Display 19 for the setting of the simple Schaltwer kes,
• - Display 20 for setting the simple time.

The keyboard 3 'has four push buttons 21 to 24 , which are arranged from left to right in the following order:

• - Push button 21 : This is used to select the manual or automatic mode of operation; if you are in manual mode, for example, the indicator 16 lights up, while the indicator 14 goes out: when you press a button on button 21 , you get into the automatic mode, which is indicated by the fact that 16 goes off while 14 lights up and flashes, returning to manual mode by pressing button 21 again;
• - Push button 22 : advance the time by pressing button 22 and the time represented by the four digits 5 is gradually moved forward, ie minute by minute, this adjustment ceases and button 22 is released;
• - Push button 23 : resetting the time display by pressing this button 23 and the time shown being reset step by step, ie minute by minute, this resetting process ceasing if the push button 23 is released;
• - push button 24 : step-by-step selection of the programming; Each time you press this button, the display moves from 17 to 18 , then from 18 to 19, then from 19 to 20 and from 20 to 17 and immediately, each time with a programming step (i.e. cooking time, then completion of the cooking process, then simple switching and simple O'clock, finally cooking time and so on) is selected.

FIG. 3 shows the associated electronic circuit for the field of FIG. 2. In addition to the display 2 'and the push buttons 21 to 24 , this circuit essentially has a microcomputer 25 , a time base 26 for sector synchronization, an output relay 27 , an acoustic oscillator 28 and a pyrolysis switch 29 . The supply circuit is not shown in this figure, nor is the monostable control circuit for the microcomputer 25 and its internal RC clock circuit.

The central logic computing and control unit 25 , which is a type 7527 microcomputer, for example, has five data inputs:

• - An input 31 , which is connected to the positive terminal 30 egg ner 5-volt DC voltage source via the push button 21 : This is the control input for the switching device manual-automatic and vice versa;
• - An input 32 , which is connected to the positive terminal 30 via the push button 22 : This is the control input for the forward adjustment of the time display;
• - An input 33 , which is connected to the terminal 30 via the push button 23 ; it is the control input for backward adjustment of the time display;
• - An input 34 , which is connected to the terminal 30 via the push button 24 ; it is the control input for the step-by-step selection of the programming mode;
• - An input 35 , which is connected to the housing 29 for the pyrolysis switch, the latter being switched on by closing its own pyrolysis interrupter 36 , which is located on the side of the cooking appliance.

There are also applied synchronization pulses at 37 , which originate from the time base 26 and are triggered by the input 38 of an AC voltage signal with 50 or 60 Hertz according to the AC network: This synchronization enables the programming device to operate in countries with an AC voltage of 50 Hertz works as well in those with an alternating voltage of 60 Hertz.

The microcomputer 25 has four outputs:

• An output connection 39 to relay 27 for switching on the cooker,
• an output connection 40 to the acoustic signal generator gate 28 ,
• - An output bus line 41 with six conductors in the direction of the six grids (inputs G ) of the display 2 ',
• - An output bus line 42 with eight conductors to the segments and point displays (inputs S ) of the display 2 '.

Of course, the display 2 'also has an input terminals 43 for an AC voltage of 3 volts, which is applied at 44 , as well as a polarization terminal 45 , which is connected to the terminal 30 (5-volt supply) via the polarization resistor 46 is.

The operation of the programming device is like follows:

During the connection of the device to the mains or after a power interruption, the microcomputer 25 is programmed so that the programming device is in automatic mode. The "AUTO" symbol 14 lights up and flashes, as do the four numbers 5 and 6 , which indicate the sequence 00.00.

First the normal time clock is set. By pressing button 24 in succession, the display 20 lights up and the time is set by pressing button 22 (forward adjustment) and, if necessary, button 23 (backward adjustment), provided that the time has been exceeded, until the correct time appears on the display 2 '.

If you now want to come to the manual functioning of the cooker, it is sufficient to press the button 21 once: the display 14 goes out and the display 16 lights up.

To set the rear derailleur, since you are in the "AUTO" position, you have to press the button 24 several times until the display 19 lights up and the display 2 'shows 00.00. The desired time is set as indicated above using buttons 22 and 23 . After completing this setting, the normal time will be displayed again after a few seconds. At the end of the programmed time, the generator 28 emits an acoustic signal for three minutes, which can be stopped by pressing the button 22 or the button 23 . There are two ways to program a cooking process:

• 1. Time-limited immediate cooking:
  If one wishes that the cooking process begins immediately, but is ended after a predetermined time, the display 17 is lit with the help of the button 24 and the sequence 00.00 is shown in the display. The cooking time is now controlled in exactly the same way as the time setting. After the setting has been made, the cooker switches on after about 15 seconds. At the end of the programmed time, the relay 27 is switched off and the acoustic signal generator 28 strikes.
• 2. Delayed cooking:
  It is a special feature of the present programming device that the end of the cooking process cannot be programmed before a cooking time has been programmed.

To set the cooking time, proceed as shown above went. After setting, time prevents delay of 15 seconds the immediate switching on of the Cooker.

The setting of the time for the end of the cooking process is carried out by pressing the button 24 , the display 18 lighting up instead of the display 17 . Then, as in the previous cases, the time of the end of the cooking process is set with the buttons 22 and 23 .

It is with the programming device according to the invention not possible to program a cooking process if it is in manual mode.

Between the buttons 23 and 24 there is a free space for another push button 47 (shown in dashed lines) for an additional function: a correction function, a setting function for the temperature, a programming device for a microwave oven etc. In this case, the button 47 is one additional data input 48 assigned to the microcomputer 25 .

The invention is not based on the stated embodiment limited game; so can the programming device with flashing dot displays during the setting process be provided and with a device for generating a time-limited acoustic signal at each end a programmed cooking process. You can also two output relays are provided instead of one be.

Claims (5)

1. Electronic programming device for cooking devices, the control panel has an electro-optical display ( 2 ') and a control keyboard ( 3 ') and which has at least the functions of a simple clock, a simple switching mechanism, a control of a given cooking time and a manual mode of operation, thereby characterized in that the control keyboard ( 3 ') has at least four push buttons to perform these functions, of which

• - The first pushbutton ( 21 ) causes the switch from manual mode to automatic mode and vice versa with each actuation,
• - the second pushbutton ( 22 ) causes the time display to be advanced step-by-step during a sustained push,
• - The third push button ( 23 ) during a sustained pressure causes a gradual reset of the time display and
• - The fourth push button ( 24 ) causes a cyclical selection of a programming state with each actuation; that the electro-optical display of the programming device, in addition to the time display and the conventional display GE "AUTO" ( 14 ) for the automatic operating mode has five punctiform displays ( 16 to 20 ) for the programming state, which has been selected by the fourth push button ( 24 ) and these indicate the following in any but predetermined order:
• - the manual mode of operation ( 16 ),
• - programming the cooking time ( 17 ),
• - programming the time for the end of cooking ( 18 ),
• - The control of the rear derailleur ( 19 ),
• - The control of the clock ( 20 ) and that the control panel ( 1 ) is assigned an electronic circuit which has a central logical unit for numerical processing and control, which consists for example of a microcomputer ( 25 ), which has:
• - at least one input ( 37 ) for the time base ( 26 ), the period of which is correlated with that of the AC voltage supply ( 38 ),
• - at least one information input ( 31 to 34 ) per push button ( 21 to 24 ) on the control keyboard,
• - At least two output bus lines ( 43 , 41 ) to the segments ( S ) or the grids ( G ) of the electro-optical display ( 2 '),
• - At least one output to an acoustic signal transmitter ( 28 ) and
• - At least one control output for a relay ( 27 ) for starting up the cooking device.

2. Electronic programming device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central logic unit ( 25 ) is designed such that it switches in the automatic mode when a voltage is applied. 3. Electronic programming device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the central logic cal unit ( 25 ) is designed such that no programming in the manual mode is possible. 4. Electronic programming device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central logic unit ( 25 ) is designed such that no programming of the end of the cooking process is possible, unless the programming of the cooking time has previously been entered is. 5. Electronic programming device according to one of the An sayings 1 to 4, characterized in that they are a Has a timer that turns on the Kochge advises during a given time (15 seconds) prevented after entering the cooking time.