JP2003262338A - Superheat steam cooking device and steam generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an superheat steam cooking device capable of deliciously baking foodstuff with shortening the cooking time. <P>SOLUTION: The device is equipped with a cooking chamber 1 having an electric heating part 7 at the upper surface side and the under surface side, a steam supply means 2 generating steam S and supplying the steam S into the cooking chamber 1 and a net-like cooking tray 3 which penetrates the heat by the steam S and the electric heating part 7 from the lower part side and can be taken freely in and out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a superheated steam cooker and a steam generator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, cookers such as microwave ovens, ovens and steam convection ovens are known as those used as heating cookers. These are ones in which one kind of food is put in a cooking cabinet and operated for a predetermined time (timer) to cook. Further, in a cooker using superheated steam, a cooker in which superheated steam is generated by IH (electromagnetic induction heating) is used.

[0003]

The conventional cooker requires a long cooking time, particularly when baking, or the surface of the food material is oxidized to make the appearance worse, and the taste and texture deteriorate.
Due to lack of burn marks and the like, it was not possible to sufficiently meet the demands of the cook. In addition, once cooking is started with these cooking devices, there is a problem that food cannot be added on the way even if there is enough space in the cooking cabinet. Further, even with the same food material, there are differences in the finished state (depending on the shape, mass, and location), uneven heating and uneven burning occur, and it is impossible to simultaneously cook different food materials.

In the conventional baking cooker, when heating only one side, the cooking time becomes long, so both sides are heated.
In this case, since both sides were heated at the same temperature, it was not possible to change the baking degree on the front and back sides. Further, in a cooker using superheated steam, the superheated steam is generated by IH, but there is a problem that this cooker becomes very expensive. Further, the superheated steam causes heat to be drawn to the food and is lost to the wall surface of the cooking cabinet, so that the temperature inside the cooking cabinet is likely to drop and the cooking time becomes longer. Further, the temperature of the exhaust gas (excess steam) from the cooking cabinet is 100 ° C. or more, and if it is directly opened to the room (drainage port), there is a problem that the indoor environment is deteriorated (the drainage port is damaged).

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a superheated steam cooker and a steam generator capable of shortening cooking time and deliciously baking foods.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a superheated steam cooker according to the present invention has a cooking cabinet having electric heating portions on the upper surface side and the lower surface side, and the cooking cabinet for generating steam. A steam supply means for supplying the steam to the inside, and a net-like cooking tray that allows the steam and the heat of the electric heating section to pass through from the lower side in the cooking cabinet and to be freely put in and taken out are provided. Further, the steam supply means, a saturated steam supply part for generating saturated steam, a superheated steam generation means for heating the saturated steam from the saturated steam supply part by a rod-shaped electric heater into superheated steam, the saturated steam and Induction means for selectively supplying at least one of the superheated steam to the cooking chamber. Further, the saturated steam supply unit is provided with a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the excess heat of the steam and assists the generation of saturated steam. Alternatively, the steam supply means is a saturated steam supply part configured to receive and send out saturated steam, and a superheated steam generation means for heating the saturated steam from the saturated steam supply part by a rod-shaped electric heater into superheated steam. And an induction means for selectively supplying at least one of the saturated steam and the superheated steam to the cooking cabinet. Further, the steam supply means is a narrowed induction means for constantly supplying the saturated steam from the saturated steam supply part to the superheated steam generating means, and a superheated steam temperature sensor arranged near an outlet of the superheated steam generating means. And ,. Alternatively, the steam supply means includes a steam generation block body having a meandering flow path and an electric heater installed in the steam generation block body, and the superheated steam is generated from water by the electric heater. It is composed. Further, the steam generator according to the present invention has a steam generation block body having a meandering flow path and an electric heater installed in the steam generation block body, and generates steam from water by the electric heater. It is configured to do.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail based on the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the superheated steam cooker of the present invention. This superheated steam cooker has a cooking cabinet 1 having an electric heating section 7 on the upper surface side and the lower surface side, The steam supply means 2 for generating the steam S and supplying the steam S into the cooking chamber 1 is provided. That is, the electric heating unit 7a,
7b is for heating the food and the internal space of the cooking cabinet 1 from above and below the food, and the cooking cabinet 1 is provided with steam S (from the upper surface, the lower surface, the side surface (back surface) in the cooking cabinet 1). One or both of the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U) is ejected toward the food material. The electric heating unit 7 is a rod-shaped or plate-shaped (planar) electric heater.

In addition, the cooking cabinet 1 is provided with a net-like cooking tray 3 which can be freely taken in and out of the cooking cabinet 1 and through which the steam S and the heat of the electric heating section 7 are transmitted from the lower side in the cooking cabinet 1. . That is, the mesh tray 3 is a drawer tray provided with a plurality of holes, and the size and shape of the holes are arbitrary, and include punching metal.
Thus, the food can be cooked from the lower surface (bottom surface) side of the cooking cabinet 1 by the radiant heat and the convective heat, the saturated steam T, and the superheated steam U in the same manner as from the upper surface side.

Further, the cooking tray 3 is provided in the cooking chamber 1 in a single or plural number, and each of them is independent, and there is a time lag while observing the finish of a plurality of food materials. You may take it out. Further, if the cook manages the cooking time, different kinds of foods can be cooked at the same time.

The cooking cabinet 1 has upper and lower cooking cabinet temperature sensors 14a, 14 for detecting and controlling the temperature inside the cooking cabinet 1.
b, which controls heating by the electric heating units 7a and 7b (temperature inside the cooking cabinet 1). In particular, the electric heating units 7a, 7b are for replenishing the amount of heat that the superheated steam U gives to the foodstuffs--for controlling at a predetermined temperature--and increase the effect of baking cooking by the superheated steam U. .

The upper and lower electric heating units 7a and 7b are
It is possible to heat to different temperatures and to provide a temperature difference. The upper and lower electric heating units 7a and 7b
The temperature setting (adjustment) can be easily performed by an operation panel provided on the front surface of the cooking cabinet 1 (not shown), and the baking amount of the food can be adjusted on the upper surface and the lower surface of the food, and cooking can be performed according to the food. For example, when baking an open eel, if the temperature of the electric heating part 7 on the skin side of the eel is raised and the temperature of the electric heating part 7 on the body side is lower than that on the skin side, both sides are suitable for the skin and body. You can make a moderate burn.

Next, the steam supply means 2 will be described. The steam supply means 2 produces (supply) saturated steam T.
Among the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U, the saturated steam supply unit 4 that performs the above-described process, the superheated steam generation unit 5 that heats the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply unit 4 by the rod-shaped electric heater 8 to form the superheated steam U, The guide means 6 selectively supplies at least one side to the cooking cabinet 1.

Explaining the saturated steam supply unit 4, as shown in FIG. 1, a steam generating can body (boiler body) 15
And the water supply tank 16, and the saturated steam T is generated from the water W. More specifically, the water W is supplied from the water supply source to the water supply tank 16 through the water supply solenoid valve 17, and the water W is filled in the steam generating can body 15 by the pump P via the heat exchanger 18 described later. Then, the water is heated by the steam generating heater 19 to generate saturated steam T, which is guided to the guiding means 6. The water supply tank 16 has a full water level detection sensor 20 and a low water level detection sensor 21, and the steam generating can body 15 includes a control pressure switch 22, a pressure safety valve 23, a water level sensor 24, and a drainage temperature measurement sensor. 25 and a drain valve 26.
Further, a check valve 27 is installed between the heat exchanger 18 and the water supply tank 16 to prevent backflow (safety).

Explaining the superheated steam generating means 5,
The superheated steam generating means 5 has a steam generation block body 11 having a meandering flow path 10 and a rod-shaped electric heater 8 installed in the steam generation block body 11. Saturated steam T from 4 is about 100-40
It is configured to generate superheated steam U by heating to 0 ° C. If this rod-shaped electric heater 8 is provided with fins as shown in FIG. 1, the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved.

The superheated steam generating means 5 shown in FIG. 2 may be used in place of the superheated steam generating means 5 shown in FIG. That is, in the superheated steam generating means 5, the steam generating block body 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped block as shown in FIG.
A meandering groove 30 is formed in the groove 28, and the groove forming surface is covered with a plate-like lid member 29, and the groove 30 and the lid member 29 form the flow path 10. Further, in FIG. 2, the block 28 has a two-layer structure, and a lid member 29 is sandwiched between the upper and lower blocks 28, 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 30 may have a penetrating shape in the block 28, or may have a concave groove shape (non-penetrating shape).
Then, holes 31 are formed at predetermined positions (positions corresponding to the starting point to the ending point of the groove 30) of the respective lid members 29, so as to form a single (one connected) channel 10.

Further, a plurality of electric heaters 8 may be arranged along one direction of the meandering flow path 10 in a state of being embedded in the block 28. As shown in FIG. The electric heater 8 may be arranged along the meandering shape of the meandering channel 10. That is, according to the superheated steam generating means 5,
The heat exchange efficiency can be improved while the device is compact. The block 28 and the lid member 29 are completely sealed by adhesion, an O-ring, or the like.

Next, the guide means 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The guide means 6 switches at least one of the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U from the saturated steam supply part 4 to switch a plurality of solenoid valves 32. Is a guide pipe line for selectively supplying to the cooking cabinet 1 from the steam generating can body 15 (saturated steam supply unit 4) to the ejection pipe 13 of the cooking cabinet 1 by a plurality of (3
One), and the first is the first solenoid valve 32a.
Is opened and the others (the second electromagnetic valve 32b and the third electromagnetic valve 32c) are closed to guide the saturated vapor T (substantially all) to the cooking cabinet 1. Secondly, the second solenoid valve 32b is opened and the others are closed to guide the saturated steam T to the superheated steam generating means 5. The third is the saturated steam T by opening the third solenoid valve 32c and closing the others.
To the superheated steam generating means 5. The second solenoid valve 32
b and the third solenoid valve 32c have throttling mechanisms having different throttling amounts, and the amount of saturated steam T supplied to the superheated steam generating means 5 can be adjusted.

As described above, in order to adjust the flowing direction and flow rate of the steam S before being heated by the superheated steam generating means 5, these solenoid valves 32 (sealing sealing material of the solenoid valve 32) are of standard products. Things can be used. Also, cans for steam generation
A pressure switch 33 for detecting abnormal pressure is provided near the outlet of 15.

Further, the steam supply means 2 is provided with a restricting induction means 9 (orifice or flow rate adjusting valve) for constantly supplying the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply part 4 to the superheated steam generation means 5, and the superheated steam generation means. 5 and a superheated steam temperature sensor 12 disposed in the vicinity of the outlet. The temperature of the superheated steam U of the superheated steam generating means 5 is controlled by the superheated steam temperature sensor 12 in conjunction with the rod-shaped electric heater 8. Then, a part (a small amount) of the saturated steam T is constantly supplied to the superheated steam generating means 5 by the induction means 9 with a throttle (bypass pipe line) (state in FIG. 1).

That is, although there is no problem when cooking with the superheated steam U in the cooking chamber 1, when the cooking standby state is reached, the saturated steam T does not flow in the flow path 10 of the superheated steam generating means 5, so that the superheated steam U Although the temperature sensor 12 does not operate properly and the rod-shaped electric heater 8 overheats, causing the heater to burn out. According to the present invention, since a small amount of superheated steam U always flows, the rod-shaped electric heater 8 is turned on / off. The operation can be turned off, and this failure can be prevented. Further, this small amount of superheated steam U allows residual heat in the cooking cabinet 1 to shorten the cooking time (remaining heat time).

The saturated steam supply unit 4 will be further described. The saturated steam supply unit 4 performs heat exchange by the excess heat of the steam S (saturated steam T and / or superheated steam U) and the saturated steam T.
Is configured to assist in the generation of. Specifically, as shown in the configuration diagram of FIG. 3, in the heat exchanger 18,
The heat of the steam S (saturated steam T and superheated steam U) discharged to the outside from the cooking cabinet 1, the superheated steam generation means 5, the saturated steam supply unit 4, etc. is supplied to the water tank 16 and the steam generating can. The water supply pipe 34 between the bodies 15 is heated. As a result, the water W is heated to near 100 ° C, and the steam generating can body 15
Can be supplied to. Therefore, when water is supplied to the steam generating can body 15, the temperature of the steam generating can body 15 and the pressure of the saturated steam T are not lowered by the supplied water W, and the steam generating heater 19 is necessary. The amount of heat (power consumption) is reduced and energy can be saved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, this heat exchanger 18
Can further cool the excess steam S (drainage) from the cooking cabinet 1 and the like (after heat exchange by the water supply pipe 34) with the cooling water M. As a result, the drainage temperature can be lowered to a predetermined temperature or lower, and the drainage to the outside of the device can be performed safely. That is, when the drainage pipe of the building is made of vinyl chloride and the drainage of 50 ° C. or more cannot flow, the heat exchanger 18 can cool the drainage to 50 ° C. or less and discharge it.

Next, another embodiment of the superheated steam cooker of the present invention will be described. This superheated steam cooker has a cooking cabinet 1 and a steam supply means 2 as in the above embodiment.
And a net-shaped cooking tray 3, and the steam supply means 2 is
A saturated steam supply unit 4 configured to receive and send out the saturated steam T; and a superheated steam generation unit 5 that heats the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply unit 4 by a rod-shaped electric heater 8 to generate superheated steam U; And a guide means 6 for selectively supplying at least one of the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U to the cooking cabinet 1. That is, although not shown in the drawings, the saturated steam supply unit 4 is formed of, for example, a joint (pipe joint) member, and the steam generating can body (boiler body) and the water supply tank are separated from the superheated steam cooker. The joint member (saturated steam supply part 4) receives the saturated steam T from the separate steam generating can body, and sends the saturated steam T to the downstream side. It should be noted that this embodiment is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment except for the saturated steam supply unit 4.

Further, another embodiment will be described. The superheated steam cooker of the present invention includes a cooking cabinet 1, steam supply means 2, and a net-like cooking tray 3 similar to those in the above-mentioned embodiment. Although provided, the steam supply means 2 (steam generation device) has a steam generation block body 11 having a meandering flow path 10 as shown in FIG. 2, and an electric heater installed in the steam generation block body 11. 8 and, as shown in FIG.
The electric heater 8 is configured to generate superheated steam U from water W. In addition, in FIG. 2, the electric heater 8 is illustrated as a rod-shaped one, but other than this, a planar electric heater, a strip-shaped electric heater, or the like can be freely used.
Further, this steam generator can be used as a device for passing water W into the meandering flow path 10 to generate steam S from the water W and supplying the steam S to other devices.

Then, by means of the steam generation block body 11 in which the electric heater 8 is installed and the flow path 10 for passing the water W is provided,
The water W supplied from an external water supply tank or the like is heated to about 100 to 400 ° C. while passing through the meandering flow passage 10 from one (inlet portion) to the other (outlet portion) of the flow passage 10 to generate superheated steam. U
Is generated and the superheated steam U is supplied to the cooking cabinet 1. In this embodiment also, the above-mentioned superheated steam temperature sensor 12 is provided and the temperature of the superheated steam U is controlled by the electric heater 8.

The steam generation block body 11 for generating the superheated steam U from the water W is the steam generation block body of the superheated steam generation means 5 for generating the superheated steam U from the saturated steam T described above.
2, the steam generating block body 11 has a meandering groove 30 formed in a rectangular block 28, as shown in FIG.
The groove forming surface is covered with a plate-like lid member 29, and the groove 30 and the lid member are covered.
The flow path 10 is formed by 29. Further, in FIG. 2, the block 28 has a two-layer structure, and the upper and lower blocks 28,
A lid member 29 is sandwiched between 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the groove 30 may have a penetrating shape in the block 28, or may have a concave groove shape (non-penetrating shape). Then, a hole 31 is formed at a predetermined position of the lid member 29 (a position corresponding to the starting point to the ending point of the groove 30) to form a single (one continuous) flow path 10. In addition,
It is preferable (not shown) in terms of pressure resistance that the flow path 10 is formed by a hole bored in the block 28.

Further, in a state of being embedded in the block 28,
As shown in FIG. 2, one rod-shaped electric heater 8 may be arranged along the meandering shape of the meandering channel 10. That is,
According to the superheated steam generating means 5, the device is compact and has good heat exchange efficiency. Further, since the block 28 of the integral body is provided, it is possible to be relieved even if the internal pressure rises. The block 28 and the lid member 29 are completely sealed by adhesion, an O-ring, or the like.

[0029]

The present invention has the following effects due to the above configuration.

(According to claim 1) The heat loss due to the steam S in the cooking cabinet 1 is compensated for from the upper and lower positions by the electric heating section 7, and the reticulated cooking tray 3 is used to steam even the lower surface side of the food. Heat from S and the electric heating unit 7 can be applied. Therefore, cooking can be performed in a short time, the foodstuff can be wrapped with the steam S, the taste of the foodstuff can be utilized, the surface can be appropriately browned without being oxidized, and the inside can be juicy. By adopting a tray type that can be put in and taken out, it is possible to add and remove foodstuffs at any time during continuous operation.

A rod-shaped electric heater 8 (according to claim 2)
Since the superheated steam U is generated by the above, it is possible to easily and inexpensively configure the cooking device. In addition, the saturated steam T is used for the steamer, and the superheated steam U is used for the calciner.
Since it can be supplied to the cooker, it can be a multifunctional and high-performance cooker.

(According to claim 3) At the time of supplying water to the steam generating can body (boiler body) 15, the temperature of the steam generating can body 15 and the pressure of the saturated steam T are lowered by the supplied water W. There is nothing to do. Further, the required heat quantity (power consumption) of the steam generating heater 19 is reduced, and energy can be saved.

The saturated steam T is supplied from another boiler or the like (according to claim 4), and the apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore, since the superheated steam U is generated by the rod-shaped electric heater 8, it is possible to easily and inexpensively configure the cooking device. Further, the saturated steam T for the steamer and the superheated steam U for the calciner can be supplied to the cooking cabinet 1. Therefore, a multifunctional and high-performance cooker can be obtained.

Since a small amount of saturated steam T can be constantly supplied to the superheated steam generating means 5 (according to claim 5), the superheated steam temperature sensor 12 disposed near the outlet of the superheated steam generating means 5 is provided. This makes it possible to maintain the generation of the superheated steam U and prevent the rod-shaped electric heater 8 of the superheated steam generation means 5 from being overheated or damaged.

(According to claim 6) A heater for generating the saturated steam T, a temperature control means, a pipe for inducing the saturated steam T, etc. are not required, and heat loss due to these is eliminated, and energy saving is achieved. Moreover, the apparatus can be simplified and the space can be saved. Furthermore, since the electric heater 8 is embedded in the block 28, the temperature of the heater 8 can be controlled in the block 28, so that the supply of steam can be stopped.

(According to claim 7) The structure of the device is simplified, the size and space are saved, and the electric heater 8 is embedded in the block 28 in which the flow path 10 is formed. Therefore, the thermal efficiency is excellent. Can be one. Further, since the block 28 is an integral unit, it is safe even if the internal pressure of the flow path 10 rises.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a superheated steam cooker of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a steam generation block body.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a saturated steam supply unit.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a steam generation block body.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 cooking cabinet 2 Steam supply means 3 cooking tray 4 Saturated steam supply section 5 Superheated steam generation means 6 guidance means 7 Electric heating part 8 electric heaters 9 Induction means with a diaphragm 10 channels 11 Steam generation block 12 Superheated steam temperature sensor 18 heat exchanger S steam T saturated steam U superheated steam W water

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cooking cabinet 1 having an electric heating section 7 on the upper surface side and a lower surface side, and steam S for generating steam S into the cooking cabinet 1
And a net-like cooking tray 3 that allows the heat from the steam S and the electric heating unit 7 to pass through from the lower side in the cooking chamber 1 and is freely put in and taken out. Steam cooker. 2. The steam supply means 2 heats a saturated steam supply section 4 for generating a saturated steam T, and the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply section 4 by a rod-shaped electric heater 8 into superheated steam U. The superheated steam cooker according to claim 1, further comprising: superheated steam generation means 5; and induction means 6 that selectively supplies at least one of the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U to the cooking cabinet 1. 3. The superheated steam cooker according to claim 2, wherein the saturated steam supply unit 4 is provided with a heat exchanger 18 that exchanges heat by excess heat of the steam S and assists in generation of the saturated steam T. 4. A saturated steam supply unit 4 configured to receive and send out saturated steam T by said steam supply means 2,
The superheated steam generation means 5 for heating the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply unit 4 by the rod-shaped electric heater 8 into the superheated steam U, and selectively at least one of the saturated steam T and the superheated steam U. Guiding means 6 for supplying to the cooking cabinet 1,
The superheated steam cooker according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. The steam supply means 2 always supplies the saturated steam T from the saturated steam supply part 4 to the superheated steam generation means 5
An induction means 9 with a throttle for supplying to the superheated steam temperature sensor 12 disposed near the outlet of the superheated steam generation means 5;
The superheated steam cooker according to claim 2, 3 or 4, further comprising: 6. The steam supply means 2 has a steam generation block body 11 in which a meandering flow path 10 is formed, and an electric heater 8 installed in the steam generation block body 11, and the electric heater 8 is provided. The superheated steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein the superheated steam U is generated from the water W by the above. 7. A steam generating block body (11) having a meandering flow path (10) and an electric heater (8) installed in the steam generating block body (11), and the electric heater (8) generates steam (S) from water (W). A steam generator characterized by being configured to generate.