JP2006038315A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently supply the proper amount of steam in accordance with a kind of a heated object to a heating chamber in a heating cooker wherein the steam is supplied into the heating chamber. <P>SOLUTION: A steam supply device is composed of a steam generating container 7 having a steam generating chamber 7a mounted at a left side part of the heating chamber 3 in a cabinet 2, a water tank 15 mounted at a lower part of the heating chamber 3, and a pipe 16 and a water supply pump 17 for supplying the water in the water tank 15 to the steam generating chamber 7a. The steam generating container 7 is composed of metallic die-cast, and a heater 8 for steam is casted inside thereof. When the steam generating container 7 heated by the heater 8 for steam is heated to a set temperature, the water in the water tank 15 is supplied to the steam generating chamber 7a by the water supply pump 17. As a result, the steam is generated in the steam generating chamber 7a, and supplied to the heating chamber 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a heating cooker that performs high-frequency heating or heater heating on an object to be heated contained in a heating chamber, and more particularly to a heating cooker that includes a mechanism for supplying steam into the heating chamber.

For example, some microwave ovens having an oven function include a steam supply device that supplies steam into a heating chamber during cooking. The steam supply device includes, for example, an evaporating dish provided in a heating chamber, a water tank provided outside the heating chamber, a water supply pump that supplies water in the water tank to the evaporating dish, and the like. . And it is comprised so that the water stored in the evaporating dish may be evaporated by heating the evaporating dish.
Japanese Patent No. 3473908 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-444962

  However, in the above configuration, steam cannot be generated unless the evaporating dish is sufficiently heated until the total water in the evaporating dish is close to 100 ° C. For this reason, there is a drawback that it takes time from the start of heating of the evaporating dish to the actual generation of steam. In addition, when an evaporating dish is provided in the heating chamber, there is a problem that an installation space for an object to be heated in the heating chamber is reduced accordingly.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently supply an appropriate amount of water vapor according to the type of an object to be heated to the heating chamber in the case of supplying steam to the heating chamber. It is to provide a heating cooker that can.

  The cooking device of the present invention includes a heating chamber in which food is stored, a heating means for heating the food, a steam generation container provided outside the heating chamber and having a steam generation chamber therein, and the steam generation container A heat source for heating the water, a water supply device for supplying water into the steam generating chamber, steam generating means having a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the steam generating container, and provided in the wall of the heating chamber and generated in the steam generating chamber And a control means for controlling the heat source and the water supply device based on an output of the temperature detection means.

  When water is supplied to the steam generation chamber of the steam generation container heated by the heat source, it evaporates and fills the steam generation chamber with water vapor. As a result, water vapor is discharged from the steam port into the heating chamber. At this time, the control means controls the heat source and the water supply device based on the output of the temperature detection means so that an appropriate amount of water vapor is released into the heating chamber.

  According to the present invention, the steam generation container itself is heated and the heat source and the water supply device are controlled based on the temperature of the steam generation container. Therefore, an appropriate amount of water vapor according to the type of the object to be heated, It can be efficiently supplied to the heating chamber. In addition, by performing control such that driving of the water supply device is started after the temperature of the steam generation container has sufficiently increased, water vapor can be generated in a short time from the start of water supply. Furthermore, since all the steam generating means are provided outside the heating chamber, the installation space for the object to be heated in the heating chamber is not reduced.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a microwave oven with a heater will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.1 and FIG.2 shows the schematic structure of the microwave oven based on a present Example, FIG. 1 is the front view shown in the state which open | released the door, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal front view. As shown in these drawings, a microwave oven 1 as a heating cooker includes a cabinet 2 and a heating chamber 3 is provided therein. The front opening of the heating chamber 3 is opened and closed by a door 4. The microwave oven 1 according to the present embodiment includes a magnetron 5 and a heater 6 (both see FIG. 5) as heating means, and can perform range cooking and oven cooking. Although not shown, an operation panel is provided at the lower front portion of the door 4. The operation panel has an operation key and operation knob for setting a cooking menu, a heating time, a heating temperature, etc., and instructing the start and stop of heating, and a display 24 for displaying the heating time, the heating temperature, etc. 5).

  In addition, a rectangular box-shaped steam generation container 7 is disposed in the left side of the heating chamber 3 in the cabinet 2. The steam generation container 7 is made of metal die casting, and a rectangular steam generation chamber 7a having a capacity of about 12 ml is formed inside. 3 and 4 show a longitudinal front view and a longitudinal side view of the steam generation container 7. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a steam heater 8 (corresponding to a heat source) composed of a U-shaped sheathed heater or the like is cast inside the upper and lower sides and the rear side of the steam generation container 7. Yes. Terminal portions at both ends of the steam heater 8 protrude from the front side of the steam generating container 7.

  A cylindrical inlet 9 is attached to the front of the left side of the steam generation vessel 7. The left end of the inflow port 9 protrudes outward from the left end surface of the container generating container 7. A thermistor 10 (corresponding to temperature detection means) is attached to the upper part of the left side of the steam generation container 7. Further, three cylindrical outlets 11 are formed at intervals in the upper part of the right side portion of the steam generation container 7. The right part of the outlet 11 protrudes outward from the right end surface of the steam generation container 7.

Three openings 12 corresponding to the outflow ports 11 are formed in the left wall portion of the heating chamber 3. A cover member 13 that covers the opening 12 is attached to the inner surface of the left wall portion of the heating chamber 3. The cover member 13 has three cylindrical steam ports 14 communicating with the opening 12.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a water tank 15 is disposed in the lower portion of the heating chamber 3. The water tank 15 has a size capable of accommodating about 400 ml of water and is configured to be detachable from the cabinet 2. A water tank 15 mounted on the cabinet 2 is connected to an inlet 9 of the steam generating container 7 through a pipe 16. A water supply pump 17 (corresponding to a water supply device) is connected to the middle part of the pipe 16 so that when the pump 17 is driven, water W in the water tank 15 is supplied into the steam generation chamber 7a. It has become. A steam generator 18 (corresponding to steam generating means) is constituted by the steam generating container 7, the water tank 15, the pipe 16, the feed water pump 17, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the microwave oven 1. A microcomputer 20 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) as a control means provided in the microwave oven 1 has an operation input circuit 21 for inputting an operation signal in accordance with the operation of the above-described operation keys, operation knobs, and the like. A temperature sensor 22 for detecting temperature and a door sensor 23 for detecting opening / closing of the door 4 are connected. The operation input circuit 21 functions as menu setting means for setting a cooking menu. The temperature sensor 22 and the door sensor 23 receive a temperature detection signal and an open / close detection signal, respectively. The microcomputer 20 is connected to a display 24 and a buzzer 25, and to a magnetron 5 and a heater 6 via drive circuits 26 and 27, respectively.
Further, the steam heater 8 and the water supply pump 17 are connected to the microcomputer 20 via drive circuits 28 and 29 and the thermistor 10 is connected.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. First, the basic operation of the microwave oven 1 will be described. The food F to be heated (see FIG. 1) is placed in the heating chamber 3 and the door 4 is closed, and then the operation panel is operated to set the cooking conditions, heating temperature, time, and other heating conditions. When the start switch is operated to start heating, the microcomputer 20 drives the magnetron 5 and the heater 6 in accordance with a preset control program based on the set cooking menu and heating conditions, and performs heating cooking. Further, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the food temperature has reached the set heating temperature and whether or not the heating time has been reached, and when the set heating temperature or heating time is reached, the magnetron 5 or the heater 6 is reached. Is stopped, and the heating operation is terminated.

  At this time, if a cooking menu for performing cooking while supplying steam into the heating chamber 3 (hereinafter referred to as “steam cooking menu”) is set, the microcomputer 20 follows the flowchart shown in FIG. 18 is controlled. That is, when the start of cooking is instructed, the steam heater 8 is turned on (step S1). Then, it is determined whether the set time T1 has elapsed since the start of heating (step S2). The set time T1 is the time required for the steam generating container 7 to reach about 120 ° C. after the steam heater 8 is turned on, and is determined according to the size and material of the steam generating container 7, the output of the heater 8, and the like. The

  When the set time T1 elapses from the start of heating (YES), the microcomputer 20 drives the water supply pump 17 to start water supply to the steam generation container 7 (step S3). At this time, the microcomputer 20 drives the pump 17 so that a predetermined volume of water is intermittently supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a, for example, every 2 seconds. The amount of water supply per time is set according to the type of steam cooking menu. For example, when the steam cooking (steam heater cooking) menu for baking cakes and cream puffs is set, the amount of water supply per time is 0.5 ml, and the steam cooking (steam range cooking) menu for shumai, meat buns, etc. The water supply amount per time when set is set to 1.0 ml.

When a small amount of water is supplied to the steam generation container 7 whose temperature has risen to around 120 ° C., the water instantly evaporates and fills the steam generation chamber 7a. As a result, water vapor is discharged into the heating chamber 3 from the outlet 11 and the steam port 14. At this time, since the outflow port 11 and the steam port 14 are cylindrical, water vapor is released in a direction substantially perpendicular to the left wall portion of the heating chamber 3.
When the water supply operation to the steam generation chamber 7a is started, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the temperature of the steam generation container 7 has reached the set temperature t2 based on the output of the thermistor 10 (step S4). When the steam generating container 7 reaches the set temperature t2 (YES), the steam heater 8 is turned off (step S5). Subsequently, the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the steam generating container 7 has fallen below the set temperature t3 (t2> t3) based on the output of the thermistor 10 (step S6). When the temperature falls below the set temperature t3 (YES), the steam heater 8 is turned on again (step S7), and the process returns to step S4.

  The steam generation container 7 is maintained in the temperature range from the temperature t3 to the temperature t2 by the processes of steps S4 to S7. The set temperatures t2 and t3 are set according to the type of cooking menu. For example, in the above-described steam heater cooking menu, t2 and t3 are set to 150 ° C. and 145 ° C., respectively. In the steam range cooking menu, t2 and t3 are set to 130 ° C. and 125 ° C., respectively.

In the steam heater cooking menu, the amount of water supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a is smaller than that in the steam range cooking menu and the set temperatures t2 and t3 are high, so that the amount of water vapor discharged from the steam port 14 is also small. Also, it becomes intermittent. On the other hand, in the steam range cooking menu, a large amount of water vapor is released, and water vapor is released relatively continuously.
However, in any steam cooking menu, the water vapor discharged from the steam port 14 does not strike the right wall surface of the heating chamber 3 vigorously, but an amount of water vapor barely hitting the right wall surface is generated in the steam generation chamber 7a. As described above, the amount of water supplied per time to the steam generation chamber 7a and the set temperatures t2 and t3 are set. By controlling the temperature of the steam generating container 7 in this way, the water vapor released from the steam port 14 is efficiently supplied to the food F in the heating chamber 3.
The above steam supply operation is terminated by the end of the heating operation or by an instruction to stop the steam function.

According to such a present Example, there exist the following effects.
The steam generation container 7 itself is heated by the steam heater 8 and the heater 8 and the feed water pump 17 are controlled based on the temperature of the steam generation container 7. For this reason, an appropriate amount of water vapor according to the type of the object to be heated can be efficiently supplied to the heating chamber 3.

  After the temperature of the steam generation container 7 was sufficiently increased, the drive of the feed water pump 17 was started. For this reason, the water supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a can be instantly evaporated. Therefore, the heating time of the steam generation container 7 necessary for generating water vapor can be shortened. In particular, in this embodiment, a small amount of water is intermittently supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a. For this reason, the time until the water supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a evaporates can be further shortened, and further, the temperature of the steam generation container 7 can be prevented from being greatly lowered by supplying water to the steam generation chamber 7a. Therefore, even if the temperature of the steam generation container 7 falls below the set temperature t3, it can be immediately returned to the temperature zone between the temperature t3 and t2. Moreover, the effect that the amount of water vapor supplied to the heating chamber 3 can be adjusted with high accuracy can be obtained by the configuration in which a small amount of water is intermittently supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a.

Based on the output of the thermistor 10, the temperature of the steam generation container 7 is configured to be maintained in a set temperature range necessary for generating water vapor. Therefore, water supplied to the steam generation chamber 7a can be efficiently evaporated, and the temperature of the steam generation container 7 can be prevented from rising excessively.
The holding temperature (t2, t3) of the steam generation container 7 and the amount of water supply per time were set according to the type of the set steam cooking menu. For this reason, an appropriate amount of water vapor according to the type of the object to be heated can be supplied to the heating chamber 3.

All the components of the steam generator 18 were provided outside the heating chamber 3. For this reason, the installation space of the to-be-heated object in the heating chamber 3 does not become narrow.
The steam generation vessel 7 was made of metal die casting, and a steam heater 8 was cast therein. Therefore, the steam generating container 7 can be efficiently heated by the steam heater 8, and the time from when the heater 8 is turned on until the steam generating container 7 reaches the set temperature t2 can be shortened.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the steam generator 18 when the steam cooking menu is executed. In the present embodiment, the process of step S21 is performed instead of step S2 of the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the start of cooking is instructed and the steam heater 8 is turned on (step S1), the microcomputer 20 determines whether or not the temperature of the steam generating container 7 has reached the set temperature t1 based on the output of the thermistor 10. Is determined (step S2). The set temperature t1 is set to 120 ° C., for example.
Even in such a configuration, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modifications are possible.
In FIG.6 and FIG.7 S3, although the water supply amount per time was varied according to the kind of steam cooking menu, it may replace with this and may make it vary a water supply space | interval. For example, when the steam heater cooking menu is executed, 0.5 ml of water is supplied every 2 seconds, and when the steam range cooking menu is executed, 0.5 ml of water is supplied every second. May be. Even with such a configuration, the same operations and effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

The capacity | capacitance of the steam generation container 7 and the water tank 15 is not limited to an above-described Example, A suitable change is possible.
The steam generation container 7 is not limited to metal die casting, and may be made of ceramic, for example. A heat source for heating the steam generation container may be disposed on the outer surface of the steam generation container.

The 1st Example of this invention is shown, The schematic front view of the microwave oven of the state which opened the door Schematic longitudinal front view of microwave oven Vertical front view of steam generation container Vertical right side view of steam generation container Block diagram showing electrical configuration of microwave oven Flow chart showing control contents of steam generator FIG. 6 equivalent view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a microwave oven (heating cooker), 3 is a heating chamber, 5 is a magnetron (heating means), 6 is a heater (heating means), 7 is a steam generating container, 7a is a steam generating chamber, and 8 is for steam. Heater (heat source), 10 is a thermistor (temperature detection means), 14 is a steam port, 17 is a water supply pump (water supply apparatus), 18 is a steam generation apparatus (steam generation means), 20 is a microcomputer (control means), 21 is The operation input circuit 21 (menu setting means) is shown.

Claims (6)

A heating chamber in which food is stored;
Heating means for heating the food;
A steam generation container provided outside the heating chamber and having a steam generation chamber therein, a heat source for heating the steam generation container, a water supply device for supplying water to the steam generation chamber, and temperature detection for detecting the temperature of the steam generation container Steam generating means having means;
A steam port provided on a wall of the heating chamber for supplying the steam generated in the steam generation chamber to the heating chamber;
A heating cooker, comprising: control means for controlling the heat source and the water supply device based on an output of the temperature detection means.   The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the driving of the heat source so as to keep the temperature of the steam generating container at a set temperature. A menu setting means for setting a cooking menu;
The cooking device according to claim 2, wherein the set temperature is set according to a set cooking menu.   The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the controller starts driving the water supply device when the temperature of the steam generating container reaches a set temperature.   The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the control means drives the water supply device so that water is intermittently supplied to the steam generation chamber. A menu setting means for setting a cooking menu;
The cooking device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of a water supply amount and a water supply interval per time is set according to a set cooking menu.

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