JPH03236133A - Timer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set timer time highly accurately by attaching a display means, which instructs timer graduation in accord with the selection of a driving mode, to a console panel. CONSTITUTION:When desired timer time is set by operating a timer range changeover switch 84 and winding up an operation shaft 12, a controller 41 selects the driving mode designated by the switch, so the driving speed of a driving means 29 is limited based on this mode, and it is rotated in the direction reverse to the winding-up direction of the operation shaft 12. Specified driving speed of the driving means 29 is maintained until the timer is turned off. Nevertheless, the timer sendings by each driving mode of the controller 41 are executed at different speeds. The controller 41 actuates display means 85-87 at the time of winding up of the timer shaft, so by this means some one timer graduation is instructed, therefore since the winding up of the operation shaft 12 can be done based on this instruction, the index part of a timer knob 40 can be set to a proper timer graduation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a timer device used in a cooking device such as a toaster oven.

[Prior Art] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-318036 discloses a timer device in which a microcomputer controls the drive speed for rewinding the operating shaft of a manual timer that sets the energization time to a heater using a plurality of drive modes. It is shown.

This timer device uses a microcombinator to step-by-step control the excitation interval of a solenoid included in a drive means that rotates an operating shaft in a direction opposite to the winding direction of the operating shaft, thereby controlling the drive speed of the drive means. , the winding angle is changed in stages according to the winding angle of the operating shaft.

Therefore, the scale of this timer device is formed by a short-time scale and a long-time scale, which are located on a circle centered on the operation axis, and the interval between the short-time scales is The scale interval is larger than that of the long period. In a short time period in which the scale interval is wider than other intervals, the driving speed of the driving means is controlled to be faster.

Therefore, by enlarging the scale of the short time period as described above, the timer time designated for this short time period can be set with high precision.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] However, conventionally, as described above, scales for each time zone were provided on a circle centered on the operation axis.
There is a limit to the expansion of the scale interval.

Therefore, as the number of time periods whose driving speed is controlled by the driving means increases, the scale interval of each time period becomes narrower, and the error in setting the timer time becomes larger.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a timer device that can set a timer time with high precision.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, in the timer device of the present invention, the drive speeds of the drive means for rotating the rotatably operated operating shaft in the opposite direction to the winding direction are mutually controlled. It has a plurality of drive modes that control at different speeds, and includes a control device that selects one drive mode from the plurality of drive modes to control the drive means, and has a maximum set time that is different from each other and a control device that controls the drive means at different speeds. A plurality of timer scales having different scale intervals are arranged side by side on the operation plate facing the timer knob for rotationally operating the operation shaft along the moving direction of the indicator provided on the knob, and A timer range selector switch for selecting a drive mode of the control device is attached, and a display means for indicating a timer scale according to the selection of the drive mode is attached to the operation panel.

In addition, in order to be able to set the timer time more accurately during short periods of time when the influence of timer time setting errors is large, multiple timer scales are set at different radii from the center of the operating axis. It is preferable that the timer scales are arranged side by side on the respective circles, and among these scales, the larger the radius is, the shorter the maximum set time is, and the interval between the scales is larger.

[Operation] In the present invention, when the timer range selection switch is operated as necessary and the operating shaft is wound up to set the desired timer time, the control device selects the drive mode specified by the switch. Based on this mode, the driving speed of the driving means is controlled to rotate the operating shaft in a direction opposite to the winding direction. At this time, the timer feeding speed, that is, the driving speed of the driving means does not change during its operation, and maintains a predetermined speed based on the selected driving mode until the timer is turned off.

Nevertheless, the timer feed in each drive mode of the control device is carried out at different speeds, and a plurality of timer scales are arranged in parallel along the moving direction of the indicator portion of the timer knob that is moved by the timer feed. Since the scale intervals per unit time are different from each other, the length of each timer scale can be ensured to be large, and each timer scale can be provided from timer off to maximum setting. Therefore, the interval between the timer scales can be increased.

Since the control device operates the display means when winding the timer shaft, any one of the timer scales is indicated by this means. Therefore, the winding operation of the operating shaft can be performed based on this instruction.
The index section of the timer knob can be adjusted to the appropriate timer scale.

In addition, a plurality of timer scales are arranged side by side on a plurality of circles with different radii from the center of the operating axis, and
Among these scales, the larger the radius of the timer scale, the shorter the maximum set time and the larger the scale interval.In a timer device, the scale interval in the short time period is the largest, so the timer time for this time period is Setting errors can be further reduced.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is implemented in a timer device used in a toaster oven will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 in FIG. 9 is a case forming the outer shell of the toaster oven. An opening/closing door 3 is rotatably attached to a front panel 2 of this case 1, and one side of this panel 2 also serves as an operation panel. A heating chamber 4 with a front opening that can be opened and closed by an opening/closing door 3 is formed in the case 1, and a heating chamber 4 has a grill 5 and heaters 6 located above and below the grill 5, respectively. It is provided.

These upper and lower heaters 6 are connected in parallel or in series. This heater 6 is connected to a commercial AC power source 7 (see FIG. 1) via a plug 1a.

Inside the case 1, there is a timer storage chamber 8 separated from the heating chamber 4.
(See FIG. 3), and this storage chamber 8 is provided with a timer main body 9 for setting the energization time to the heater 6. This timer main body 9 has a frame 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. frame 10
A bracket 11 is attached to the front surface 10a of the front panel 2, and this bracket 11 is screwed to the back surface of the front panel 2.

An operating shaft 12 is rotatably supported on the upper part of the frame 10. The front end of the operating shaft 12 passes through the front panel 2,
A dial-type timer knob 40 facing the front panel 2 is attached to the penetrating end. The operating shaft 12 can be manually rotated in the timer winding direction and rewinding direction via the timer knob 40. When the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the timer winding direction, a mainspring (not shown) is wound up in conjunction with this, and due to the return force of this mainspring, the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the timer rewinding direction (sixth
It is urged to rotate in the direction of arrow A in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 3, a large gear 13 is attached to the operating shaft 12 and rotates integrally therewith. The large gear 13 meshes with a small gear 14 that is pivotally supported on the frame 10.
An escape wheel 15 is coaxially fixed to one end surface of 4. A balance wheel 16 is arranged below the escape wheel 15. The balance 16 is connected to the frame 10 by a pivot 17 (Figs. 6 and 7).
(see figure), and the balance 16 has a pair of hooks that removably engage the teeth 18 of the escape wheel 15 at three points spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Claw portions 19a and 19b are provided.

A solenoid 21 for rotating the balance wheel 16 is attached to the lower rear surface 10b of the frame 10 via a bracket 20. The solenoid 21 is a stabilized power source 23 for a solenoid that converts alternating current from the commercial alternating current power source 7 into direct current.
(see FIG. 1), and is excited by this power source 23 to magnetize the iron core 24.

One end of a magnetic metal plate 25 is swingably locked to the bracket 20 so as to be spaced apart from and opposite to the iron core 24 .

The other end of the magnetic metal plate 25 is connected to the through hole 2 provided in the frame 10.
6 and extends toward the balance wheel 16 side, and a locking portion 27 provided at the other end thereof is hooked on a locking arm portion 31 of the balance wheel 16. The magnetic metal plate 25 is the tension spring 2
8, it is urged in a direction away from the iron core 24. This bias pushes up the locking portion 27 of the magnetic metal plate 25, and the balance wheel 16 is rotated counterclockwise as shown by arrow B in FIG.

Therefore, one of the engaging pawls 19a and 19b of the balance wheel 16, which is located on the rear side in the rotational direction of the escape wheel 15, engages the toothed portion 18, and due to the restoring force of the mainspring (not shown). The escape wheel 15 is prevented from rotating.

When the magnetic metal plate 25 is attracted to the iron core 24, the locking portion 27 of the magnetic metal tfL25 is pulled down as shown in FIG. 7, and the balance 16 is rotated clockwise as shown in the direction of arrow C in FIG. is rotated. Then, one of the latching claws 19a that was latched to the escape wheel 15 separates from the escape wheel 15, and the rotation restriction of the second escape wheel 15 is released, but on the contrary, the other latching claw 19a The latch claw portion 19b enters between the tooth portions 18 of the escape wheel 15. Therefore, when the escape wheel 15 rotates by a certain angle due to the release of the rotation restriction, the other teeth 18 engage the latching claws 19b, and the escape wheel 15 is prevented from rotating again. ing.

That is, the escape wheel 15 rotates by one pitch of the toothed portion 18 each time the balance wheel 16 rotates once.
Since the second rotation is transmitted to the operating shaft 12 via the small float wheel 14 and the large gear 13, the operating shaft 12 is intermittently driven to rotate in response to the excitation of the solenoid 21. Therefore, in this embodiment, these large gear 13, small gear 14, escape wheel 1
5, balance wheel 16, magnetic metal plate 25, and solenoid 2
1 constitutes a driving means 29 for driving the operating shaft 21.

The front panel 2, which also serves as the operation board, has a timer knob 40.
A plurality of timer scales 81 to 83 are provided around the periphery to display the cooking time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the timer scales 81 to 83 are arranged on circles having different radii from the center of the operating shaft 12 in the moving direction of the indicator portion 40a of the timer knob 40, that is, in the case of this embodiment. The timer knobs 40 are arranged in parallel along the direction of rotation of the timer knob 40. These timer scales 81 to 83 are, for example, 270
They are provided at intervals of 1 minute over an angular range of .degree.

The timer scale 81 is used to set a cooking time for a short time, for example, a maximum set time of up to 3 minutes, and the timer scale 83 is used for a long time, for example, to set a cooking time for a maximum set time of up to 30 minutes. In addition, the timer scale 82
is used to set cooking times intermediate between these, eg, up to a maximum set time of 15 minutes.

The timer scale 81 for short-time settings is provided at the farthest position from the center of the operating shaft 12, and the timer scale 83 for long-term settings is provided at the position closest to the center of the operating shaft 12, and Timer scale 8 for time setting
2 is located between timer scales 81 and 83. The scale intervals A-C per unit time that make up the time display of each timer scale 81 to 83 are different from each other, and the relationship between these scale intervals A-C is defined as A>B>C. Due to the difference in driving speed, which will be described later, when the scale interval C is used as a reference, the scale interval B is doubled and the scale interval A is expanded ten times.

A timer range changeover switch 84 is attached to the front panel 2, which also serves as the operation panel, and display means, that is, three light emitting diodes 85 to 87 corresponding to each of the timer scales 81 to 83, are attached. There is. Each of the light emitting diodes 85 to 87 corresponds to each timer scale 8.
They are located near the "off" indications 1 to 83, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plate cam 48 is fixed to the operating shaft 12. A normally open timer switch 50 is provided at a position facing the cam surface 48a of the cam 48. This switch 50 includes a cam follower 50a that contacts the cam surface 48a, and when the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the winding direction via the timer knob 40, the cam follower 50a moves according to the shape of the cam surface 48a. The timer scale 50 is pushed up and closed. That is, when the indicator portion 40a of the timer knob 40 is in the off position, the timer switch 50 is open, and is closed when the indicator portion 40a is set to an arbitrary cooking time.

The timer range changeover switch 84 is formed of an automatic return type push button switch, and depending on the number of times the switch is pressed, one of the light emitting diodes 85 to 87 is selected via the control device 41, which will be described later. In addition, depending on this selection, the solenoid 21 is operated in one of the first to third drive modes via a control device 41, which will be described later. The first driving mode is a mode in which the solenoid 21 performs a timer feeding operation at 1-minute intervals, the second driving mode is a mode in which the solenoid 21 performs a timer feeding operation at 30-second intervals, and the third driving mode is a mode in which the solenoid 21 performs a timer feeding operation at 6-second intervals. This is a mode in which the solenoid 21 performs the feeding operation.

The solenoid 21 of the timer main body 9 is controlled by a control device 4 consisting of a microcomputer. This control device 41 includes at least a timer means 42, a solenoid control means 43, and a relay control means 44, as shown in FIG. This control device 41
is driven by a microcomputer power supply 36 that converts the alternating current from the commercial alternating current power supply 7 into direct current and adjusts the voltage appropriately.

The timer switch 50 and the timer range changeover switch 84 are connected to the timer means 42,
The timer means 42 sets the cooking time depending on whether these switches 50, 84 are turned on or off. The set time is measured by counting the number of pulses obtained by the oscillation circuit 45 connected to the control device 41 using a counter.

A solenoid control means 43 is connected to the timer means 42 . This means 43 is operated by a program preset in the control device 41, for example, when the indicator portion 40a of the timer knob 40 is set to the timer scale 83 for long-term setting, the indicator portion 40a is moved to the intermediate position once every minute. When set to timer scale 82 for time setting, 2 times per minute.
Furthermore, when the indicator portion 40a is set to the timer scale 81 for short-time open setting, an operating pulse is sent to the solenoid 21 at a rate of 10 times per minute.

That is, the solenoid control means 43 controls the solenoid 21
The energization interval, that is, the de-energization interval from one energization period to the next energization period, is 1 minute interval, or 30 second interval,
Alternatively, the energization to the solenoid 21 is controlled in one of the drive modes at 6 second intervals.

The relay control means 44 of this control device 41 includes a relay 46
or connected. The relay 46 is formed with a normally open open/close switch 46a as a relay contact,
This open/close switch 46a is inserted into the energizing circuit for the heater 6.

The relay control means 44 is connected to the timer means 42, and opens and closes the opening/closing switch 46a according to the set timer time. Thereby, the time when the heater 6 is energized and the time when it is not energized are controlled.

The light emitting diodes 85 to 87 are connected to the timer means 42. This means 42 controls the light emitting diode 8 in response to the pressing operation of the timer range changeover switch 84 according to a program preset in the control device 41.
The lighting of numbers 5 to 87 is controlled.

On the back side of the front panel 2, as shown in FIG. 8, another printed wiring board 51 is attached which supports the control device 41 and other electrical components. The timer range changeover switch 84 is attached to the board 51 and can be operated from the front side of the front panel 2. Further, numeral 38 in FIG. 1 is a buzzer that notifies the completion of cooking.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the plug 1a is connected to an outlet, the power is turned on, and the control device 41 executes step 1 and blinks only the light emitting diode 87 that indicates the timer scale 83 for long-term setting, thereby turning on the power and setting the timer scale. After displaying the selection of 83, step 2 is executed to determine whether or not the timer range changeover switch 84 is on.

If this determination is No, the control device 41 proceeds to step 3 and determines whether or not the timer main body 9 has been operated,
If the judgment is NO, go back to step 1 and relay 4
6 is excited via the relay control means 44. Thereby, the open/close switch 46a is closed and the heater 6 is continuously energized. Next, step 5 is executed, and only the light emitting diode 87 is lit continuously to display that cooking will be performed while the timer is running in the third drive mode.

In step 6, which is executed subsequently, the control device 4
1 starts the timer operation of the timer means 42, and the solenoid control means 43 starts the timer operation of the solenoid 2.
Start excitation to 1.

Therefore, the solenoid control means 43 sends out operating pulses once every minute, and the solenoid 21 responds accordingly.
Since it is intermittently excited, the magnetic metal plate 25 is intermittently attracted and rotates the balance wheel 16. In this way,
Every time the balance wheel 16 rotates, the tooth section 18 rotates by one pitch due to the return force of the escape wheel 15 or mainspring.
The operating shaft 12 is gradually rewound every minute. Therefore, the index portion 40a of the timer knob 40 rotates in the rewinding direction in accordance with the scale interval C of the timer scale 83 for long-term setting.

After this, in step 7, the indicator section 40 of the timer knob 40 is
It is determined whether or not a has rotated to the off position, that is, whether or not the timer contact 50 has been turned off. If the determination is established, the next step 8 is executed and the buzzer 38 is sounded to notify the completion of cooking. After this, step 9 is executed and the energization to the solenoid 21 is cut off.
Power to the relay 46 is cut off. Finally, step 1
0 is executed and the light emitting diode 8 for the long time setting is
When the power to 7 is cut off, the light is turned off.

If the determination in step 2 is YES, the control device 41 executes step 11 to blink only the light emitting diode 86 that indicates the timer scale 82 for setting the intermediate time, and selects the timer scale 82. After displaying, execute step 12 and set the timer range selector switch 8.
4 is turned on by the first operation. If this judgment is No, the control device 41 performs step 1.
Proceed to step 3 to determine whether or not the timer body 9 has been operated.
If the determination is No, the process returns to step 12. Next, the timer body 9 is operated and the judgment in step 13 is YES.
If (established), step 14 is executed and the relay 46 is energized via the relay control means 44. Thereby, the open/close switch 46a is closed and the heater 6 is continuously energized. Next, step 15 is executed, and it is displayed that only the light emitting diode 82 is lit continuously and cooking is to be performed while the timer is running in the second drive mode.

In step 16, which is executed subsequent to this, the control device 41 starts the timer operation of the timer means 42, and also starts the excitation of the solenoid 21 by the solenoid control means 43, so that the solenoid control means 43 It sends out operating pulses once every second. Therefore, the index portion 40a of the timer knob 40 rotates in the rewinding direction in accordance with the scale interval B of the timer scale 82 for setting the intermediate time. Thereafter, the control device 41 sequentially executes steps 7 to 10 described above.

When the timer range changeover switch 84 is pressed for the first time and the determination in step 12 is YES, the control device 41 executes step 17 to emit light to indicate the timer scale 81 for short-time setting. diode 85
After displaying the selection of the timer scale 81 by blinking only the timer range changeover switch 84, step 18 is executed to determine whether or not the timer range changeover switch 84 has been turned on by the second operation. If this determination is NO, the control device 41 proceeds to step 1 and determines whether or not the timer body 9 has been operated, and if the determination is No, the control device 41 returns to step 18. Next, when the timer main body 9 is operated and the determination in step 19 becomes YES (established), step 20 is executed and the relay 46 is energized via the relay control means 44. Thereby, the open/close switch 46a is closed and the heater 6 is continuously energized. Next, step 21 is executed, and it is displayed that only the light emitting diode 81 is lit continuously and cooking is to be performed while the timer is running in the first drive mode.

In step 22, which is executed subsequent to this, the control device 41 starts the timer operation of the timer means 42, and also starts the excitation of the solenoid 21 by the solenoid control means 43, so that the solenoid control means 43 is activated for 6 seconds. The operating pulse is sent out once every 2 days. Therefore, the index portion 40a of the timer knob 40 rotates in the rewinding direction in accordance with the scale interval A of the timer scale 81 for short-time setting. Thereafter, the control device 41 sequentially executes steps 7 to 10 described above.

In addition, press the timer range selector switch 84 twice! If the pressure is operated and the judgment in step 18 is YES, the process returns to step 1.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the timer knob may be a slide type instead of a dial type. Therefore, in this case, the timer knob that is linearly reciprocated and the operating shaft may be connected through a rack and pinion structure, and in this embodiment, the plurality of scales are arranged parallel to each other. Further, the timer range changeover switch may be one in which switches are provided respectively corresponding to the ranges of each timer scale. Furthermore, the display means may use a single liquid crystal display instead of a light emitting diode, and the display on this display may be changed, or the display may be performed using a mechanical structure. It can be installed anywhere within the operation panel. Of course, in the case of a light emitting diode, it may also be attached to serve as one or more eyes of the scale. In addition, the indicator part of the timer knob may be protruded across a plurality of scales arranged in parallel, for example, along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the marks are lined up. Scale adjustment becomes easy. Also,
It is sufficient that there are at least two drive modes and two timer scales. It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to toaster ovens, but can also be applied to ovens, ranges with heaters, and the like.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the timer device according to claim 1, the drive speed of the drive means for rotating the rotatably operated operating shaft in the direction opposite to the winding direction is set to different speeds. It has a plurality of drive modes to control, and includes a control device that selects one drive mode from the plurality of drive modes to control the drive means, and has a maximum set time that is different from each other and a scale interval per unit time. A plurality of timer scales having different values are arranged side by side on an operation plate facing the timer knob that rotates the operation shaft along the direction of movement of an indicator provided on the knob, and a plurality of timer scales with different values are arranged side by side along the moving direction of an indicator provided on the knob. A timer range selector switch for selecting the drive mode is installed, and a display means for indicating the timer scale according to the selection of the drive mode is attached to the operation panel, so that the lengths of the multiple timer scales arranged in parallel can be adjusted individually. In addition to making it possible to increase the interval between the scales of each timer scale, it is also possible to adjust the timer scale to the desired timer scale for winding the operating shaft based on instructions from the display means that is operated when winding the timer shaft. Since you can do both at the same time, you can set the timer time with high precision.

Further, according to the timer device according to claim 2, the plurality of timer scales are arranged side by side on a plurality of circles having different radii from the center of the operating shaft, and among these scales, the radius The larger the timer scale, the larger the interval between the scales and indicating the shortest maximum set time.This makes it easier to set the timer time in short time periods where the influence of timer time setting errors is likely to be large. can be done more accurately.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram;
Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the control procedure, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the timer main body, Fig. 4 is a view taken from the arrow direction in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a front view of the operation panel of the toaster oven. ,
6 and 7 are operation explanatory diagrams showing the operation of the drive mechanism, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the entire toaster oven. 2... Full panel (operation board) 12... Operation axis, 2
9... Drive means, 40... Timer knob, 41...
・Control device, 81-83...Timer scale, 84...
・Timer range selector switch, 85-87...Light emitting diode (display means)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An operating shaft that is rotatably operated via a timer knob, a driving means for rotating this operating shaft in a direction opposite to the winding direction, and driving speeds of the driving means that are different from each other. a control device which has a plurality of drive modes to control the drive means, and which selects one drive mode from the plurality of drive modes to control the drive means; A plurality of timer scales arranged in parallel along the direction of movement of the indicator section, each having a different maximum set time and a different scale interval per unit time, and a plurality of timer scales attached to the operation panel to select a drive mode of the control device. A timer device comprising: a timer range changeover switch for controlling the drive mode; and a display means attached to the operation panel for indicating a timer scale according to the selected drive mode selection. 2. The plurality of timer scales are arranged in parallel on a plurality of circles with different radii from the center of the operating axis, and among these scales, the timer scale with a larger radius has a maximum The timer device according to claim 1, characterized in that the set time is shortened and the scale interval is increased.