JP2001065872A - High frequency heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high frequency heating device, equipped with a temperature detecting means capable of obtaining a secondary thermal image with a small outward size inexpensively. SOLUTION: A temperature detecting means 11 is constituted of a plurality of thermobile elements 21 formed on a substrate 16, and an integrated circuit 17, amplifying at least a signal from the elements 21 while the substrate 16 of the elements and the integrated circuit 17 are constituted so as to be sealed in a metallic case 18 whereby a secondary thermal image can be obtained without providing a driving mechanism for the temperature detecting means 11. Accordingly, the high frequency heating device can be constituted inexpensively and, further, can be realized very compactly while the profile of the high frequency heating device can be minimized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a high-frequency heating apparatus for heating an object to be heated, such as food, and detects the temperature of the object to be heated to efficiently heat the object to be heated, thereby making the heating distribution uniform. It relates to weighing and automation of cooking.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 8, a conventional high-frequency heating apparatus comprises a heating chamber 1 for accommodating a food 2 and a food 2 in the heating chamber 1 as described in, for example, JP-A-6-193883.
Cooking means for cooking, a food temperature detecting means 4 for detecting the temperature of the food 2 through an opening 3 provided in the heating chamber 1 in a non-contact manner, and a temperature detecting position of the food temperature detecting means 4 is changed. A detection position driving unit 5; a closing unit 6 for closing the opening 3; and a control unit for activating the closing unit 6 when the food temperature detection unit 4 is inactive. Since the closing means 6 is configured to be driven, the food temperature detecting means 4 simultaneously and in parallel measures the temperature information at a plurality of locations crossing the food, and the detection position driving means 5 moves the food temperature detecting means 4 so as to cross the food 2. A reciprocating scan is performed, and the surface temperature distribution of a food, a dish, a turntable or the like is obtained as two-dimensional thermal image information every time the turntable 7 makes one or half turn. The portion of the two-dimensional thermal image obtained by the food temperature detecting means 4 which is significantly heated by cooking is regarded as a food portion, and the temperature unevenness state and the average food temperature of the extracted food are determined, and are changed every moment. By adjusting the output of the cooking means in accordance with the temperature state of the food to be cooked, automatic cooking can be performed without variation in the workmanship, and when the food temperature detection means 4 is in the inactive state, the detection position driving means 5 closes the closing means 6. When driven, it acts to protect the food temperature detecting means 4 from steam or splashes generated from the food for closing the opening 3 of the food storage.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the detection position driving means 5 for changing the temperature detection position of the food temperature detection means 4 is required. In this configuration, the surface temperature distribution of the food 2 is obtained as a two-dimensional thermal image,
In order to determine the uneven heating of the food, the detection position of the food temperature detection means 4 must be driven accurately in synchronization with the rotation of the turntable 3, which requires a high-precision mechanism and is expensive. There is. Further, the detection position driving means 5 is required, and furthermore, it is necessary to provide a space so as not to hinder the change of the position of the food temperature detection means 4, and to obtain a two-dimensional thermal image, the external dimensions of the high-frequency heating device are large. There is also a problem of becoming. Further, even if it is possible to determine that there is uneven heating of the food by obtaining a two-dimensional thermal image, there is no means for actively changing the uneven heating.

An object of the present invention is to provide a high-frequency heating apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems, is inexpensive, has a small external size, can obtain a two-dimensional thermal image, and can improve the uneven heating.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a heating chamber for accommodating an object to be heated, a high-frequency generator for supplying a high-frequency electric wave to the heating chamber, and a plurality of heating chambers formed on a substrate. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of a plurality of portions of the object to be heated, the temperature detecting means comprising an integrated circuit for amplifying a signal from the element and at least a signal from the element; and the high-frequency generation based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. A two-dimensional thermal image can be obtained without providing a mechanism for driving the temperature detecting means by providing control means for controlling the device and sealing the element substrate and the integrated circuit in a metal case. Therefore, it can be configured at a low cost and can be realized very compactly, and the outer shape of the high-frequency heating device can be reduced.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 comprises a heating chamber for accommodating an object to be heated, a high-frequency generator for supplying a high-frequency radio wave to the heating chamber, and a plurality of thermo-elements formed on a substrate. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of a plurality of points of the object to be heated, which is constituted by an integrated circuit for amplifying a signal from the element, and control means for controlling the high frequency generator based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means Wherein the substrate of the element and the integrated circuit are sealed in a metal case.

As a result, a drive mechanism for the temperature detecting means is not required, and the high-frequency heating device can be constructed at a low cost and in a compact size.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, the metal case is provided with a lens for condensing light on a plurality of thermo-mobile elements.

Accordingly, the positional relationship between the lens and the sir mobile element can be determined with high accuracy, and the metal case for housing the lens and the sir mobile element is integrally formed, so that the temperature difference between the lens and the sir mobile element is small. Less susceptible to changes in ambient temperature.

[0010] The invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or 2.
In addition to the invention, the amplified signal of each thermomobile element is output in chronological order from one output terminal provided in the metal case.

Accordingly, the number of signal output terminals may be one irrespective of the number of thermo-elements, so that even if the number of thermo-elements is large, the external shape of the temperature detecting element can be made compact.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
In addition to any one of the above inventions, the integrated circuit amplifies signals from a plurality of thermo-elements and converts the signals into digital values.

Thus, even if noise due to high-frequency radio waves is superimposed on the signal line connecting the temperature detecting means and the control means, the signal is hardly affected and the temperature signal can be transmitted accurately.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claims 1 to 4
In addition to any one of the above inventions, the apparatus further includes an electromagnetic wave distribution changing unit for changing the electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber, and a control unit for controlling the high frequency generator and the electromagnetic wave distribution changing unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit. Things.

Thus, even if heating unevenness occurs, the electromagnetic wave distribution changing means can be feedback-controlled based on the two-dimensional thermal image from the temperature detecting means, so that more uniform heating can be realized.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a high-frequency heating apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substrate of a thermomobile element of a temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit board including an amplifier of a temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device. The same parts as those in the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a food 2 to be heated.
This is a heating chamber for storing. A high-frequency generator 8 composed of a magnetron or the like is connected to the upper surface of the heating chamber 1. A guide 9 for guiding infrared rays emitted from the food 2 is provided on a side wall of the heating chamber 1, and an opening 10 for passing infrared rays is provided at a tip end. The temperature detecting means 11 is provided with the hole 1
0, and the specifications and mounting position of the lens are determined so that almost the entire food 2 is in the field of view. The temperature detection means 11 is controlled based on a control signal from the temperature detection control means 12. The output of the temperature detecting means 11 is A /
The data is converted into a digital value by the D conversion unit 13 and is determined by the determination unit 14.
, The food temperature is determined, and a two-dimensional thermal image is obtained. The control unit 15 controls the high frequency generator 8 based on the output of the determination unit 14 so that the food 2 has a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the temperature detecting means 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a substrate of the thermo-mobile device. Reference numeral 17 denotes an integrated circuit for amplifying and controlling a signal from the substrate 16 of the thermo-mobile device. The substrate 16 and the integrated circuit 17 of the thermo-mobile device are sealed with a metal case 18. An opening is provided in a portion of the metal case 18 facing the substrate 16 of the thermo-mobile element, and a lens 19 is attached. The lens 19 is made of a material that transmits infrared rays, such as silicon and polyethylene. Metal case 18
A terminal 20 connected to the integrated circuit is provided on the lower surface of the device. The terminal 20 is configured for power supply, signal output, control signal input, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the substrate 16 of the thermomobile device. A plurality of thermo mobile devices 21 are two-dimensionally arranged on the substrate 16 of the thermo mobile device. Here, a four-row, four-row array is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an array suitable for the application may be selected.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the temperature detecting means 11. Each thermo-mobile element 21 is selected by a sensor selector 22. The output of the sensor selected by the sensor selector 22 is amplified by the amplifier 23. In the vicinity of the substrate 16 of the thermo mobile device, the thermo mobile device 2
1 is provided with a sensor temperature detector 24 for detecting its own temperature, and can detect the temperature of the thermo-mobile element 21. The sensor temperature detector 24 is composed of a thermistor or the like, and is converted into a voltage by resistance division. The sensor temperature detector 24
Can be realized by a temperature detector using an integrated circuit or the like. The output controller 25 controls whether to output a signal from the thermo-mobile element 21 or a signal from the sensor temperature detector 24 and outputs the signal to an output terminal 26. The signal controller 27 controls the sensor selector 22 based on the input signal from the reset terminal 28.
And, it controls the output controller 25.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. Selection of a menu, start of heating, and the like are input by the operation unit 29, and the control unit 15 controls the high-frequency generator 8 based on the input contents. When the start of heating is input, the control unit 1
5 drives the high frequency generator 8 to supply high frequency radio waves into the heating chamber 1 to heat the food 2. At the same time, a temperature detection start signal is sent to the temperature detection control means 12. The temperature detection control means 12 instructs the temperature detection means 11 to perform a temperature detection operation at predetermined time intervals. The temperature detecting means 11 applies infrared rays radiated from the food 2 to the substrate 1 of the thermo-mobile element by the lens 19.
Focus on 6 Each thermo-mobile device 21 converts the received infrared energy into a voltage. The signal controller 27 of the temperature detecting means 11 outputs a control signal to the sensor selector 22 so that the signals of the thermomobile elements 21 are sequentially output. The signal output from each thermo-mobile device 21 is amplified by the amplifier 23. On the other hand, the temperature detector 24 detects the temperature of the thermo-mobile element 21. The signal controller 27 controls the output controller 25 and outputs a signal of the thermo-mobile element 21 or outputs a signal from the sensor temperature detector 24.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the temperature detecting means 11. When a reset signal is input to the input terminal 28, temperature detection starts, and a signal Vt, which is a signal of the sensor temperature detector 24, is output from the output terminal 26. Subsequently, the signals P1, P2,.・ P1
6 is output. The output from the output terminal 26 is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 13. Further, the signal converted into the digital value is determined by the determination means 14 according to (Equation 1).
Is converted to the temperature of the food.

[0024]

(Equation 1) The signals from all the thermo-elements 21 are converted into temperatures, and the food temperature can be grasped as a two-dimensional thermal image from temperature changes and the like. The information of the two-dimensional thermal image is input to the control means 15 and the output is adjusted so as to reach a predetermined temperature. When the temperature level is detected in the two-dimensional thermal image,
Control such as weakening the output or stopping it to make the temperature uniform.

With such a configuration, the temperature detecting means 11
Therefore, the high-frequency heating device can be configured inexpensively and compactly. In addition, since the lens 19 and the metal case 18 for accommodating the thermomobile element 21 are integrally formed, the positional relationship between the lens 19 and the thermomobile element 21 can be accurately determined. Less temperature difference and less susceptible to changes in ambient temperature. Further, the number of signal output terminals may be one irrespective of the number of the thermomobile elements 21, so that even when the number of the thermomobile elements 21 is large, the outer shape of the temperature detection element can be realized in a compact form.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a temperature detecting means of a heating apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The A / D converter 30 is formed in the integrated circuit 17 of the temperature detecting means 11 so as to output the signals of the thermomobile element 21 and the sensor temperature detector 24 as digital values. With such a configuration, even if noise due to high-frequency radio waves is superimposed on the signal line connecting the temperature detection unit 11 and the control unit 15, the temperature signal can be accurately transmitted without being easily affected.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a heating apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a heating chamber for storing the food 2. An antenna 31 driven by motors 30a, 30b is connected to two high-frequency generators 8a, 8b composed of a magnetron or the like on the upper surface of the heating chamber 1.
A high frequency electric wave is supplied into the heating chamber 1 by a and 31b. Then, the motor 30a, the antenna 31a and the motor 3
0b and the antenna 31b constitute electromagnetic wave distribution changing means. In addition, it is configured such that the electric field below the antennas 31a and 31b is strong. A guide 9 for guiding infrared rays emitted from the food 2 is provided on a side wall of the heating chamber 1, and an opening 10 for passing infrared rays is provided at a tip end. The temperature detecting means 11 is provided so as to face the opening 10, and the specification and mounting position of the lens are determined so that almost the entire food 2 can be seen. Temperature detecting means 11
Is controlled based on a control signal from the temperature detection control means 12. The output of the temperature detector 11 is converted into a digital value by the A / D converter 13 and the food temperature is determined by the determiner 14 to obtain a two-dimensional thermal image. The control means 15 controls the high frequency generators 8a and 8b based on the output of the determination means 14 so that the food 2 has a predetermined temperature. Also, one of the high-frequency generators 8a and 8b may be energized,
The electromagnetic wave distribution in the heating chamber 1 is controlled by adjusting the positions of the antennas 31a and 31b.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be described. Selection of a menu, start of heating, and the like are input by the operation unit 29, and the control unit 15 controls the high frequency generators 8a and 8b based on the input contents. When the start of heating is input, the control means 15 drives the high frequency generators 8a and 8b to supply high frequency radio waves into the heating chamber 1 to heat the food 2. At the same time, the antennas 31a and 31b are driven to obtain a uniform electromagnetic wave distribution. At the same time, a temperature detection start signal is sent to the temperature detection control means 12. The temperature detection control means 12
At a predetermined time interval. The temperature detecting means 11 focuses infrared rays radiated from the food 2 on the substrate 16 of the thermo-mobile element by the lens 19. Each thermo-mobile device 21 converts the received infrared energy into a voltage.

As described in the first embodiment,
The temperature rise of the food 2 is obtained as a two-dimensional thermal image. In general, when a curry close to a liquid containing salt such as curry and rice and rice are heated at the same time, the temperature of the rice rises more quickly. Therefore, even if high-frequency radio waves having a uniform electromagnetic wave distribution are supplied, curry and rice are finished at different temperatures. Therefore, in a third embodiment of the present invention, based on a two-dimensional thermal image of a food, a high temperature portion and a low temperature portion are found, the electric field of the high temperature portion is reduced, and the electric field of the low temperature portion is increased. High frequency generators 8a, 8b, antenna 31
a and 31b are controlled. That is, when the temperature on the left side of the food in FIG. 7 is low, only the high-frequency generator 8a is driven, and the antenna 31a is stopped on the low-temperature portion of the food 2, and the low-temperature portion is heated intensively. 2 operates so as to obtain a uniform finish.

As described above, by obtaining a two-dimensional thermal image of the food 2 and controlling the electromagnetic wave distribution based on the information, a uniform temperature distribution can be achieved.

On the other hand, if two different foods 2 are heated at the same time, and different finishing temperatures are set depending on the positions of the foods 2 in the heating chamber 1 when the two foods 2 are heated at the same time, the foods can be completely heated at different temperatures.

In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the thermo-mobile elements 21 are arranged vertically and horizontally has been described.
It is also possible to obtain a two-dimensional thermal image by rotating the food 2 using a turntable or the like and arranging a plurality of thermo-mobile elements 21 in a row or a horizontal row.

[0035]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
A two-dimensional thermal image can be obtained without providing a mechanism for driving the temperature detecting means. Therefore, it can be configured at a low cost and can be realized very compactly, and the outer shape of the high-frequency heating device can be reduced.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a high-frequency heating device in which the temperature difference between the lens and the thermo-mobile element is small and is not easily affected by changes in the ambient temperature.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the outer diameter of the temperature detecting element can be made compact even when the number of thermo-mobile elements is large.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if noise due to a high-frequency radio wave is superimposed on the signal line, the signal line is hardly affected and a temperature signal can be transmitted accurately.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the unevenness of the heating can be detected, and the distribution can be changed so as to obtain more uniform heating, so that the heating performance can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a high-frequency heating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a substrate of a thermomobile element of a temperature detecting unit of the high frequency heating device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an integrated circuit board including an amplifier of a temperature detecting means of the high-frequency heating device.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the temperature detecting means of the high-frequency superheater.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a temperature detecting unit of the high-frequency heating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a high-frequency heating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional high-frequency heating device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 heating chamber 2 food (object to be heated) 8, 8a, 8b high-frequency generator 11 temperature detecting means 15 control means 16 substrate of thermomobile element 17 integrated circuit 18 metal case 19 lens 21 thermomobile element 26 output terminal 30 A / D Converter 30a Motor (electromagnetic wave distribution changing means) 30b Motor (electromagnetic wave distribution changing means) 31a Antenna (electromagnetic wave distribution changing means) 31b Antenna (electromagnetic wave distribution changing means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshitaka Shine 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3K086 AA01 BA05 BA08 CA04 CA15 CB04 CB05 CB06 CC02 FA06 3L086 AA01 BB04 BB06 CB06 CB17 DA12

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A heating chamber for accommodating an object to be heated, a high-frequency generator for supplying a high-frequency wave to the heating chamber, a plurality of thermo-elements formed on a substrate, and an integrated circuit for amplifying at least a signal from the element. A temperature detecting unit configured to detect a temperature of a plurality of portions of the object to be heated configured by a circuit, and a control unit configured to control the high frequency generator based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting unit; A high-frequency heating device in which an integrated circuit is sealed in a metal case. 2. The high-frequency heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a lens for focusing light on the plurality of thermo-mobile elements is provided in the metal case. 3. The high-frequency heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amplified signal of each thermomobile element is output in time series from one output terminal provided on the metal case. 4. The high-frequency heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit amplifies signals from the plurality of thermomobile elements and converts the signals into digital values. 5. An electromagnetic wave distribution changing means for changing an electromagnetic wave distribution in a heating chamber, and a high frequency generator and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic wave changing means based on the temperature detected by the temperature detecting means. The high-frequency heating device according to any one of the above.