JPH0668946B2 - Timer device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a timer device used in a cooking device such as an oven toaster.

[Prior art]

The oven toaster has a built-in mechanical timer that determines the energization time to the heater according to the cooked product. The conventional mechanical timer has a mainspring that urges the operation shaft connected to the timer knob in the rewinding direction, an escape wheel that interlocks with the operation shaft, and a balance wheel that is detachably engaged with the escape wheel. When the operation knob is rotated while gripping the timer knob, the mainspring is wound up by an amount corresponding to the amount of rotation and the timer operating time is set. When the balance wheel is operated in association with the winding, the operating shaft is rotated in the rewinding direction by the restoring force of the mainspring, and the timer operation is started.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, since the conventional mechanical timer is operated by the return force of the mainspring, its operating speed is constant over the entire operating time, and the scale indicating the timer operating time is equal to the rotational direction of the operating shaft. It was attached to the interval. For this reason, as the total operation time of the timer becomes longer, the interval of one scale becomes narrower, the scale becomes too fine to make it difficult to set the cooking time, and the error of the setting time becomes large, and the cooking time becomes excessive. There is a problem such as shortage. On the other hand, if the interval of one graduation is increased, the number of graduations and eventually the total operation time will be shortened due to space problems, and the cooking time will be greatly limited.

Further, in recent years, a timer using a microcomputer has been developed in place of this type of mechanical timer.

However, since this timer uses a LED or the like for digital display, the peripheral circuit for counting the LEDs is costly and the timer itself is expensive. Moreover, there is a problem that it is more difficult to set the timer time and it is difficult to use as compared with the conventional analog display in which the timer knob is adjusted to the scale.

The present invention has been made based on such a situation, and it is possible to partially widen the scale interval in accordance with a frequently used time zone, and easily and accurately set the timer time. The timer time can be displayed in an analog manner, and unequal timer operation can be realized without using expensive parts such as a motor, and the operating state of the timer can also be recognized by the operating sound of the driving means. It is intended to provide a timer device that can be used and is excellent in usability.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a timer device of the present invention includes an operation shaft that is artificially rotated, and a graduation that is provided at intervals in the rotation direction of the operation shaft and that indicates time. A drive means for rotating the operation shaft in a direction opposite to the winding direction and a control means having a plurality of modes for gradually changing the drive speed of the drive means according to the rotation angle of the operation shaft are provided. There is.

Then, the drive means, a mainspring that biases the operating shaft to rotate in a direction opposite to the winding direction, an escape wheel & pinion having a plurality of tooth portions in the peripheral portion while interlocking with the operating shaft, The balance includes a balance that engages with the teeth of the escape wheel in a disengageable manner, and a solenoid that intermittently rotates the operation shaft by rotating the balance. By controlling the non-energization interval from the energization time to the next energization time by the mode of the control means,
The solenoid is intermittently excited.

[Action]

According to this configuration, when the operation shaft is rotated in the winding direction according to an arbitrary scale and the timer time is set, the solenoid is intermittently excited through the control means. By this excitation, the balance wheel is rotated by a certain angle, and this balance wheel is disengaged from the teeth of the escape wheel. Therefore, this escape wheel is caused by the restoring force of the mainspring each time the balance wheel is disengaged. The timer operation is started by rotating by one pitch.

At this time, the control means has a plurality of modes for controlling the non-energization interval to the solenoid, and since this mode is set according to the rotation angle of the operating shaft, a time period in which the timer is frequently used, for example, If the energization of the solenoid is controlled by the control means so that the rotating speed of the operating shaft is increased when the operating shaft is rotated within a time period from the cut position to 15 minutes, an unequal timer is provided. Operation can be realized,
The graduation interval in the above time zone can be set to be partially wider than the graduation intervals in other time zones.

Therefore, even when the total operation time of the timer is long and the number of scales is large, it is possible to set the timer time in a frequently used time zone more accurately and easily than in the conventional case.

Moreover, according to this configuration, the unequal timer operation can be realized by controlling the non-energization interval to the solenoid. Therefore, many of the existing mechanical timer structures for mechanical operation can be used as they are, It does not require expensive components and its control circuit. Therefore, in realizing the unequal timer operation, the timer structure does not become complicated and can be provided at low cost.

At the same time, when the solenoid is actuated, the balance wheel disengages from the teeth of the escape wheel and this balance
Since the tooth portion is biased in the rewinding direction, a meshing sound is generated based on this contact. Therefore, when the non-energization interval to the solenoid changes, the interval of the meshing sound also changes, so that the unequal timer operating condition can be recognized by the sound.

In addition, it is a simple operation just to adjust the operating axis to the scale,
Since the timer time is displayed in an analog manner, the timer time can be set as easily as the conventional mechanical timer, and the usability is excellent.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings applied to an oven toaster.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1 is a case that constitutes the outer shell of the oven toaster, and the front panel 2 of the case 1 has an opening / closing door 3
Is rotatably attached. A cooking chamber 5 which is opened and closed by an opening / closing door 3 is formed in the case 1, and a cooking heater 6 is provided in the cooking chamber 5. The heating and cooking heater 6 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 7 via the plug 1a.

The case 1 has a timer accommodating chamber 8 which is separated from the cooking chamber 5
A timer device 9 for controlling the energization time to the heater 6 is provided in the timer housing chamber 8.
The timer device 9 has a box-shaped frame 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Front of frame 10
A bracket 11 is attached to 10a, and the bracket 11 is screwed to the back surface of the front panel 2.

An operation shaft 12 is rotatably supported on the upper portion of the frame 10. One end of the operating shaft 12 penetrates through the front panel 2 and is led out to the outside.
The operation shaft 12 is artificially rotated together with the timer knob 4 in the timer winding direction and the timer rewinding direction. When the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the timer winding direction, a mainspring (not shown) is wound in conjunction with this, and the returning force of the mainspring causes the operating shaft 12 to move in the timer rewinding direction (see FIG. 6). It is adapted to be rotationally biased in the direction of arrow A).

A large gear 13 is attached to the operation shaft 12 and rotates integrally with the operation shaft 12 when the timer is operated. The large gear 13 meshes with the small gear 14 that is axially supported by the frame 10,
An escape wheel 15 is coaxially fixed to one end surface of 14.
A balance wheel 16 is arranged below the escape wheel & pinion 15.
The balance 16 is rotatably supported on the frame 10 via a pivot 17, and the balance 16 can be engaged with and disengaged from the tooth portion 18 of the escape wheel 15 at two positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Is provided with a pair of engaging claws 19a, 19b.

A solenoid 21 for rotating the balance 16 via a bracket 20 is attached to the lower rear surface 10b of the frame 10. The solenoid 21 is connected to a stabilizing power source 23 for a solenoid that converts an alternating current from the commercial alternating current power source 7 into a direct current and adjusts its voltage, so that the iron core 24 is excited by energization from the power source 23. It has become. Further, one end of a metal plate 25 is swingably locked to the bracket 20 so as to face the iron core 24 at a distance. The other end of the metal plate 25 penetrates through the through hole 26 provided in the frame 10 and extends to the balance 16 side, and the locking portion 27 provided at the other end is hooked on the locking arm portion 31 of the balance 16. There is. The metal plate 25 is constantly urged by the tension coil spring 28 in a direction away from the iron core 24, and the engaging portion 27 of the metal plate 25 is pushed up by this urge, and the balance 16 is moved to the arrow in FIG. As shown in B,
It is rotated counterclockwise. For this reason, balance 16
One of the engaging claws 19a and 19b of the locking claw 19a located on the rear side in the rotation direction of the escape wheel 15 is locked to the tooth 18, and the escape wheel 15 due to the restoring force of the mainspring. Has prevented the rotation.

Further, when the metal plate 25 is attracted by the excitation of the iron core 24,
As shown in FIG. 7, the locking portion 27 of the metal plate 25 is pulled down, and the balance 16 is rotated in the clockwise direction as shown by an arrow C in FIG. Then, the one locking claw portion 19a that has been locked to the escape wheel 15 is disengaged from the escape wheel 15 and the rotation restriction of this escape wheel 15 is released. The locking claws 19b enter between the teeth 18 of the escape wheel & pinion 15. Therefore, when the escape wheel 15 is rotated by a certain angle by releasing the rotation restriction, the other tooth portion 18 is locked to the locking claw portion 19b, and the rotation of the escape wheel 15 is blocked again. Has become.

That is, the escape wheel & pinion 15 is changed every time the balance wheel 16 rotates once.
The tooth portion 18 is rotated by one pitch, and this rotation is transmitted to the operation shaft 12 through the small gear 14 and the large gear 13, so that the operation shaft 12 intermittently rotates in response to the excitation of the solenoid 21. Driven. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the large gear 13, the small gear 14, the escape wheel 15, the balance wheel 16, the metal plate 25, and the solenoid 21 constitute a driving means 29 for driving the operating shaft 12.

In addition, on the front panel 2 of the case 1, there is a scale 30 that is located around the timer knob 4 and displays the energization (cooking) time.
The time is set to 30 minutes, and the timer time is set by aligning the index protrusion 4a of the timer knob 4 with the scale 30.

On the other hand, on the rear surface 10b of the frame 10, there is provided a load switch 40 for operating the solenoid stabilizing power supply 23 when the timer knob 4 is rotated in the timer winding direction from the cut position. The load switch 40 is a normally open type micro switch, and its push button 41 is opened and closed in conjunction with the rotation of the operation shaft 12. To explain the interlocking structure,
The first plate cam 42 is provided at the end of the 12 opposite to the timer knob 4.
Is fixed, and a cam driven plate 43 is provided below the plate cam 42. The cam driven plate 43 is the second
As shown in the drawing, the cam follower plate 43 is rotatably supported on the rear surface 10b of the frame 10 via a pivot 44.
The cam surface 42a of the first plate cam 42 is in contact with the pin 45 of the.
A pressing tongue piece 46 is formed at the end of the cam follower plate 43 on the opposite side to the pivot portion, and the push button 41 of the load switch 40 is in contact with the lower surface of the pressing tongue piece 46. The push button 41 is always protruded, whereby the cam follower plate 43 is urged to rotate upward, and its pin 45 is pressed against the cam surface 42a.

Therefore, when the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the winding direction via the timer knob 4, the cam follower plate 43 is rotated downward by the cam surface 42a, the load switch 40 is closed, and the solenoid 21 is energized. It is like this.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 8, such a timer device 9 includes a microcomputer 35 for controlling the solenoid 21.
Is equipped with. The microcomputer 35 is adapted to convert an alternating current from the commercial alternating-current power supply 7 into a direct current and to be driven by a stabilizing power supply 36 for a microcomputer which adjusts the voltage thereof. When 4 is set to a short time zone from 15 minutes to 1 minute in 30 seconds
When the timer knob 4 is set to a long time zone of 15 minutes to 30 minutes, a program for sending an operation pulse to the solenoid 21 is set once per minute. Therefore, if the timer knob 4 is adjusted to a short time period, the energization interval to the solenoid 21, that is, the non-energization interval from one energization time to the next energization time is 30 seconds, and conversely if it is adjusted to a long time period, The non-energization interval is 1 minute, and the energization of the solenoid 21 is controlled in these two drive modes.

Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 8 denotes an oscillation circuit for oscillating a pulse serving as a time reference for the microcomputer 35, and 38 denotes a buzzer for notifying the completion of the timer operation.

Further, a second plate cam 47 and a third plate cam 48 are fixed to the operation shaft 12 adjacent to the first plate cam 42. A normally-open type expansion switch 49 and a normal switch 50 for switching the drive mode of the microcomputer 35 are provided at positions facing the cam surfaces 47a, 48a of the plate cams 47, 48. Both of these switches 49, 50 are provided with cam followers 49a, 50a in contact with the cam surfaces 47a, 48a, and when the operating shaft 12 is rotated in the winding direction via the timer knob 4, the cam surfaces 47a, 48a.
The cam followers 49a and 50a are pushed up according to the shape of a, and the respective switches 49 and 50 are individually closed.

That is, in the case of the present embodiment, the index protrusion 4a of the timer knob 4
When the switch is in the off position, both switches 49 and 50 are open, and the expansion switch 49 includes the index protrusion 4a set to 1
The normal switch 50 closes when set in the short time zone from 15 minutes to 15 minutes, and closes when the index protrusion 4a is set in the long time zone from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Therefore, the rotation angle of the operating shaft 12, that is, the set timer time is detected by these switches 49 and 50, and the drive mode of the microcomputer 35 is the first drive mode in which operation pulses are sent to the solenoid 21 at 30-second intervals. , Or a second drive mode in which operation pulses are sent at 1-minute intervals.

When the timer time is set to the short time band in this way, the microcomputer 35 sends an operation pulse to the solenoid 21 once every 30 seconds, which is different from the drive mechanism 29 when set to the long time band. As shown in FIG. 5, the interval L ₁ between the graduations 30 for displaying the short time zone is equal to the interval L ₂ between the graduations 30 for the long time zone, as shown in FIG.
It has been expanded to 2 times.

In addition, on the front surface 10a of the frame 10, a microcomputer 3
A wiring board 51 that supports 5 and various electric circuit components (not shown) is provided, and the wiring board 51 is provided with a toast switch 52 dedicated to bread baking. The tip of the toast switch 52 penetrates the frame 10, and a cam surface 53 is formed at the penetrating end, and the cam surface 53 faces the arm portion 54 extending downward from the cam driven plate 43. There is. When the toast switch 52 is pushed against the urging force of the return spring 55, the cam surface 53 contacts the arm portion 54 and pushes down the arm portion 54,
The cam driven plate 43 is rotated downward so that the load switch 40 is closed in the same manner as when the 12 is rotated in the winding direction.
When is operated, even if the timer knob 4 is not operated, the microcomputer 35 sets the timer time dedicated to the baking, and the heater 6 is energized.

Further, the wiring board 51 is provided with a cancel switch 56 for canceling pan baking, a slide switch 57 for baking color adjustment, and a display lamp 58 which is turned on when the timer knob 4 is wound up or the toast switch 52 is operated. Each of these switches 52, 56, 57 and indicator lamp 58
Is exposed on the front panel 2 of the case 1 together with the timer knob 4.

The front panel 2 has a changeover switch for changing the wattage of the heater 6 between three levels of "strong", "medium" and "weak".
59 are provided.

According to such a configuration, when the index protrusion 4a of the timer knob 4 is set in the long time zone of 15 minutes to 30 minutes, the microcomputer 35 sends the operation pulse to the solenoid 21 at 1 minute intervals, and the index If the protrusion 4a is set to a short time zone of up to 15 minutes, a microcomputer
From 35, operation pulses are sent to the solenoid 21 at intervals of 30 seconds. Then, the solenoid 21 is intermittently excited in response to the operation pulse, and the metal plate 25 is intermittently attracted, and the balance 16
When the balance wheel 16 is rotated, the escape wheel 15 is rotated by one pitch of the tooth portion 18 by the restoring force of the mainspring and the timer operation is started every time the balance wheel 16 is rotated.

Then, when the index protrusion 4a is rotated to the off position and the timer operation is completed, the expansion switch 49 and the normal switch 50 are
And the load switch 40 is opened, the power supply to the heater 6 and the solenoid 21 is cut off, the cooking is completed, and
This completion is notified by ringing the buzzer 38.

By the way, when the timer time is set to a short period,
As described above, since the solenoid 21 is excited at half the time interval when set in the long time zone, the drive speed of the operating shaft 12 doubles at the 15 minute boundary, and by that much, the scale 30 in the short time zone is increased. The distance L ₁ can be increased. Therefore, the total operating time of the timer is 30 minutes, which is relatively long, and the scale
Even if the number of 30 is large, even if the frequency of use in the short time period is high, the timer time can be set accurately and easily in the short time period.

Moreover, since the unequal timer operation in the long time zone and the short time zone as described above is realized by making the non-energization interval to the solenoid 21 different, an existing timer structure which performs a mechanical operation. It is possible to use most of these as they are, and no major structural changes are required. At the same time, since expensive parts such as a motor and its control circuit are not required, the timer structure does not become complicated in realizing the above-mentioned unequal timer operation, and the cost can be reduced. Can be provided.

When the solenoid 21 is actuated, the locking claw portion 19a or 19b of the balance 16 is disengaged from the tooth portion 18 of the escape wheel 15, and at the time of this engagement, the mainspring is biased in the rewinding direction. Since the tooth portion 18 of the escape wheel & pinion 15 in contact with the locking claw portion 19a or 19b, a meshing sound is generated based on this contact. Since this meshing sound becomes longer or shorter in accordance with the change in the non-energization interval to the solenoid 21, it is possible to recognize the unequal timer operating condition by sound.

Therefore, it is possible to easily know whether or not the timer is operating correctly.

At the same time, since the timer time is displayed in an analog manner by setting the index protrusion 4a of the timer knob 4 on the desired scale 30, the setting work can be performed in the same manner as the mechanical timers used so far. . Therefore, no complicated setting work is required, and there is an advantage that it is excellent in usability.

Further, in this embodiment, since the solenoid 21 is controlled by the microcomputer 35, no error occurs in the operating time of the solenoid 21, and the accuracy of the operating time of the timer is further improved.

In the embodiment described above, the drive speed of the operation shaft is changed in two steps in two drive modes.
For example, when the total operation time is longer, the operating shaft may be driven in three or more drive modes.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention described in detail above, the drive speed of the operating axis can be set faster in accordance with the frequently used time zone.
It is possible to make the intervals of the scales in this time zone wider than in other time zones. Therefore, even when the total operation time is long and the number of scales is large, the timer time can be set accurately and easily in a frequently used time zone.

Further, since the set time of the timer is displayed in an analog manner by the operation of rotating the operation shaft according to a desired scale, the setting work can be performed in the same manner as the conventional mechanical timer, which is troublesome. No set work is required.

Moreover, according to the above configuration, the unequal timer operation in the frequently used time zone and the other time zones is realized by making the non-energization interval to the solenoid different,
Most of the existing timer structures that operate mechanically can be used without modification, and no major structural changes are required. At the same time, since expensive parts such as a motor and its control circuit are not required, in realizing unequal timer operation, the timer structure does not become complicated,
It can be provided at low cost.

When the solenoid is excited, the teeth of the escape wheel and the balance wheel, which are biased in the rewinding direction, come into contact with each other,
A meshing sound is generated based on this contact, and the meshing sound becomes longer or shorter depending on the change in the non-energization interval to the solenoid. can do. Therefore, it is possible to easily know whether or not the timer is operating accurately, and there is an advantage that reliability is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a timer device, Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of the line II in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a front view of an operating portion of the timer device. Fig. 4 and Fig. 4 are sectional views of the portion where the timer device is incorporated in the oven toaster, and Fig. 5
The drawing is a front view showing the relationship between the timer knob and the scale, FIGS. 6 and 7 are operation explanatory views showing the operation of the drive mechanism, FIG. 8 is a block diagram, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an oven toaster. . 12 ... Operation axis, 15 ... escape wheel, 16 ... balance,
18 ... Tooth portion, 21 ... Solenoid, 29 ... Driving means, 30 ... Scale, 35 ... Control means (microcomputer).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An operation shaft which is artificially rotated, a scale for indicating time which is provided at intervals in the rotation direction of the operation shaft, and a direction opposite to the winding direction of the operation shaft. Drive means for rotating the drive means and control means having a plurality of modes for gradually changing the drive speed of the drive means in accordance with the rotation angle of the operation shaft. A mainspring that urges the shaft to rotate in the direction opposite to the winding direction, an escape wheel that has a plurality of teeth on the peripheral edge while interlocking with the operation axis, and an engagement wheel that engages with the teeth of the escape wheel. It is equipped with a balance that is releasably engaged and a solenoid that rotates the operating shaft intermittently by rotating this balance. De-energizing the solenoid from one energizing time to the next energizing time. The interval can be controlled by the mode of the above control means. In, a timer device for causing intermittently energized the solenoid.