JP2006058006A - Steam cooking device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid decay of water remaining inside a steam generation device (pot), while reducing water consumption and a load for water replenishment by a user, and to thereby keep the inside of steam generation means in the sanitary state. <P>SOLUTION: A drainage means (a drainage pipe, a drainage valve 54) for draining water inside the pot is provided. A control device 80 drains the water inside the pot by the drainage means when one of following conditions is satisfied: (1) a residence time clocked by the first clocking part 101a reaches a prescribed time; (2) the total time after start of water supply clocked by the second clocking part 101b reaches a prescribed time; (3) the total water supply amount into the pot detected by a water supply amount detection part 102 reaches a prescribed amount; (4) the total water supply time into the pot clocked by the third clocking part 101c reaches a prescribed time; and (5) a drainage instruction is inputted by an operation panel 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam cooker that heats and cooks an object to be heated by spraying steam onto the object to be heated in a heating chamber.

  Conventionally, various steam cookers have been proposed in which steam generated by a steam generating device (for example, a pot) is supplied to a heating chamber to cook an object to be heated in the heating chamber. Among these, for example, in the device described in Patent Document 1, after steaming cooking of an object to be heated by steam generated in the steam generation device, the heater of the steam generation device is disconnected, and cooling water is contained in the steam generation device. To supply. As a result, the steam generator is rapidly cooled after steam cooking, so that it is possible to quickly start a clean-up operation (for example, cleaning and cleaning of the equipment). The water supplied into the steam generator is drained through a drainage channel.

Further, for example, in the device described in Patent Document 2, when the operation unit for instructing operation stop is operated, all the liquid in the vapor generating apparatus is discharged. As a result, impurities that are concentrated in the steam generator are discharged when the equipment is shut down every day. Therefore, even if a control device such as a concentration meter is not installed in the steam generator, daily operation can be continued without any problems. It can be done.
JP-A-7-243649 JP-A-11-94203

  By the way, since the apparatus of patent document 1 and 2 is the structure by which the water in a steam generation apparatus is discharged | emitted every time after the driving | operation (steaming cooking) stop of an apparatus, keep the inside of a steam generation apparatus hygienic. Seems to be able to. However, on the other hand, the amount of water consumption increases each time, and the number of times water is supplied to a water supply device (for example, a water supply tank) that supplies water to the steam generator increases, so the burden on the user increases. Problem arises.

  If the capacity of the water supply tank is increased, the number of water supply to the water supply tank can be reduced. However, this increases the size of the equipment itself and hinders the arrangement of other components. is not.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to reduce the consumption of water and the burden of replenishing water in the user while reducing the amount of water spoiled inside the steam generator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam cooker that can keep the inside of the steam generating device hygienic by avoiding the residue.

  (1) The steam cooker of the present invention generates steam with water supplied from a water supply means (for example, a water tank or a water supply pump), and supplies steam to the heating chamber that heats the object to be heated (for example, a pot). A steam cooker comprising: a first timing means for timing the residence time of water existing inside the steam generation means; and a drain means for draining water inside the steam generation means (for example, a drain pipe, Drainage valve) and control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means, the control means by the drainage means when the residence time counted by the first timing means reaches a predetermined time. The water inside the steam generating means is drained. In addition, with said predetermined time, the time shorter than the time when the water inside a steam production | generation means is considered to rot can be assumed, for example.

  According to said structure, since the water inside a vapor | steam production | generation means is drained by a drainage means, the impurities (for example, Ca and Mg) contained in the water accumulate and adhere inside a vapor | steam production | generation means as a scale. And the inside of the steam generating means can be kept hygienic.

  Moreover, the water inside the steam generating means is drained because the time measured by the first time measuring means by the control of the control means, that is, the residence time of the water existing inside the steam generating means is a predetermined time. When it is reached. By such control, the water inside the steam generating means is drained before the decay, so that it is possible to avoid the decayed water remaining inside the steam generating means. Therefore, it can be said that the inside of the steam generating means can be kept hygienic also from this point.

  Further, according to the above control, if the predetermined condition that the residence time of the water existing in the steam generating means has reached a predetermined time is not satisfied, the steam is immediately generated even after the cooker is stopped. The water inside the generating means is not drained. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which drainage from the inside of the steam generating means is frequently performed every time the operation of the apparatus is stopped, and an increase in water consumption can be avoided. Thereby, the frequency | count of water replenishment to a user's water supply means can also be reduced, and the burden on a user can also be reduced.

  (2) In the steam cooker according to the present invention, the first timing unit counts the residence time of the water supplied therein before the vapor generation unit evaporates as the first residence time, and the control unit When the first residence time reaches a first predetermined time corresponding to the water (water existing inside the steam generating means before evaporation), the water inside the steam generating means is drained by the draining means. Control may be performed.

  Here, the 1st predetermined time according to the said water can consider the time shorter than the time considered that the water supplied to the vapor | steam production | generation means before vaporization decays, for example. At this time, since the water has not yet evaporated and contains chlorine and is not easily spoiled, a relatively long time of, for example, about 3 days can be assumed as the first predetermined time.

  As described above, when the first residence time reaches the first predetermined time, the water supplied to the steam generation means before the evaporation is generated by draining the water inside the steam generation means. It is possible to avoid decaying and remaining inside the means.

  (3) In the steam cooker according to the present invention, the first timing unit counts a residence time of water remaining in the interior after evaporation in the steam generation unit as a second residence time, and the control unit includes: In addition, when the second residence time reaches a predetermined time corresponding to the water, the drainage means may drain the water inside the steam generation means.

  Here, the second predetermined time corresponding to the water can be, for example, a time shorter than the time when the water remaining in the steam generation means after the evaporation is considered to rot. At this time, the water is apt to rot due to evaporation of the water, so that the second predetermined time can be assumed to be a short period of about one day, for example.

  As described above, when the second residence time reaches the second predetermined time, the water inside the steam generating means is drained so that the water remaining inside the steam generating means after the evaporation is vaporized. It is possible to avoid decaying and remaining inside the generating means.

  (4) In the steam cooker according to the present invention, the first time measuring means counts the residence time of the water supplied therein before the evaporation by the steam generating means as the first residence time, and generates the steam. The residence time of the water remaining in the interior after evaporation in the means is counted as a second residence time, and the control means determines the first residence time and the second residence time according to the operating state of the cooker. One of the two times is selected, one of the first predetermined time according to the water before evaporation and the second predetermined time according to the water after evaporation is selected, and the selected residence time is selected. When the predetermined time has been reached, the draining means may drain the water inside the steam generating means.

  Depending on the operation state of the cooker (for example, whether water is supplied from the water supply means to the steam generation means or whether steam is generated by the steam generation means), the water present in the steam generation means is It depends on whether the water contains chlorine or not. Therefore, the control means selects one of the first residence time and the second residence time measured by the first timing means according to the operating state of the cooking device, and depends on the water before evaporation. One of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time corresponding to the water after evaporation is selected, and the drainage control is performed by comparing the selected residence time with the selected predetermined time. By such drainage control according to the operating state of the cooking device, the water present in the steam generating means may be water that contains chlorine before evaporation or water that does not contain chlorine after evaporation. , It can be avoided reliably that it will decay and remain inside the steam generating means.

  (5) The steam cooker of the present invention is a steam cooker including steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from the water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated. Second timing means for measuring the total time from the start of water supply to the steam generation means by means, drainage means for draining water inside the steam generation means, and control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means Further, the control means is characterized in that when the time counted by the second time measuring means reaches a predetermined time, the water inside the steam generating means is drained by the draining means.

  (6) The steam cooker according to the present invention is a steam cooker including steam generating means for generating steam by water supplied from the water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated. Water supply amount detection means for detecting the total water supply amount to the steam generation device by means, drainage means for draining water inside the steam generation means, and control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means, The control means is characterized in that when the total water supply detected by the water supply detection means reaches a predetermined amount, the water inside the steam generation means is drained by the drainage means.

  (7) The steam cooker of the present invention is a steam cooker including steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from the water supplying means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating the object to be heated. A third time measuring means for measuring a total water supply time that is a total of only the time during which water is supplied to the steam generating means, a drain means for draining water inside the steam generating means, and controlling the operation of the drain means And a control means for draining water inside the steam generation means by the drainage means when the total water supply time counted by the third timing means reaches a predetermined time. It is characterized by that.

  (8) The steam cooker according to the present invention is a steam cooker including steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from the water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated. The apparatus further comprises drainage means for draining water inside the generation means, control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means, and input means for inputting drainage instructions, wherein the control means instructs drainage by the input means. When water is input, the water inside the steam generating means is drained by the draining means.

  According to the configurations of (5) to (8) above, the water inside the steam generating means is drained by the draining means, so that impurities (for example, Ca and Mg) contained in the water are used as a scale of the steam generating means. It is possible to suppress accumulation and adhesion inside, and the inside of the steam generating means can be kept hygienic.

  Moreover, the water inside the steam generating means is drained in any of the following cases under the control of the control means. That is, when the total time from the start of water supply timed by the second time measuring means reaches a predetermined time (for example, several hours), when the total water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detecting means reaches a predetermined amount When the total water supply time counted by the third time measuring means reaches a predetermined time, or when the drainage instruction is input by the input means.

  That is, if any one of these predetermined conditions is not satisfied, even if the operation of the device is stopped during that time, the steam generation means does not drain the water. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which drainage from the inside of the steam generating means is frequently performed every time the operation of the equipment is stopped, thereby avoiding an increase in water consumption. Thereby, the frequency | count of water replenishment to a user's water supply means can also be reduced, and the burden on a user can also be reduced.

  Further, the water inside the steam generating means is drained at the time when the spoilage is expected to occur due to any of the above control of the control means, so that the spoiled water remains inside the steam generating means. Can also be avoided.

  (9) The steam cooker of the present invention further includes a water temperature detecting means for measuring the temperature of the water inside the steam generating means, and the control means has a water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. In this case, the drainage of the water inside the steam generation means by the drainage means may be stopped.

  When the water inside the steam generating means is in a high temperature state higher than a predetermined temperature, the crystallization of impurities contained in the water is promoted conversely, so when draining in that state, scale accumulates and adheres inside the steam generating means. It's easy to do. However, according to the above configuration, when the temperature of the water inside the steam generation means detected by the water temperature detection means is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the drainage of the water inside the steam generation means is stopped by the control of the control means. Therefore, the water is drained in a high temperature state where the scale is easily deposited and adhered, so that the scale can be reliably prevented from accumulating and adhered inside the steam generating means.

  (10) The steam cooker according to the present invention further includes a drainage tank for storing water drained by the drainage unit, and an information detection unit for detecting information on the drainage tank or water therein. The drainage of the water inside the steam generation means by the drainage means may be controlled according to the information detected by the information detection means.

  As information detected by the information detection means, for example, information on the state of mounting of the drainage tank on the device and information on the water level inside the drainage tank can be considered. The control means controls the drainage of water inside the steam generation means according to such information. For example, it is as follows.

  The control means stops draining the water inside the steam generation means if the drain tank is not attached, and drains the water inside the steam generation means if the drain tank is attached. Further, the control means drains the water inside the steam generating means to the drain tank if the water in the drain tank is below a predetermined water level, and stops the drainage if it is higher than the predetermined water level.

  Thus, since the control means controls the drainage of the water inside the steam generation means according to the information detected by the information detection means, the drained water can be reliably stored in the drainage tank. In other words, it is possible to reliably avoid the disadvantage that the drained water spills from the drain tank.

  (11) In the steam cooker according to the present invention, the information detection unit includes a mounting state detection unit that detects a mounting state of the drainage tank, and the control unit is configured to detect the drainage tank by the mounting state detection unit. When it is detected that is attached to the cooker, the drainage unit may drain the water inside the steam generation unit to the drainage tank.

  According to this configuration, water drained from the inside of the steam generating means can be reliably stored in the drainage tank mounted on the cooker based on detection by the mounting state detection unit. Therefore, the water drained from the inside of the steam generating means does not spill into parts other than the drain tank.

  (12) In the steam cooker according to the present invention, the information detection unit includes a water level detection unit that detects a water level of the water in the drain tank, and the control unit is configured to detect the water tank by the water level detection unit. When it is detected that the water inside is below a predetermined water level, the water inside the steam generating means may be drained to the drain tank by the drain means.

  The water inside the steam generating means is drained into the drainage tank when the water level detection unit detects that the water in the drainage tank is below the predetermined water level. Even if it is drained, it can be avoided that the water overflows from the drain tank.

  (13) In the steam cooker of the present invention, the information detection means detects that the drain tank is not attached to the cooker, or that the water in the drain tank is higher than a predetermined water level. Further, a configuration may be provided that further includes notification means for performing warning notification.

  If the drainage tank is not attached to the cooker, or if the water in the drainage tank is higher than the specified water level, when the water inside the steam generating means is drained, the water may spill over to parts other than the drainage tank, Since it overflows from the drain tank, it cannot drain. Therefore, when the information detection means detects such information on the drainage tank, the notification means gives a warning notification. For example, the user installs the drainage tank or discards the water in the drainage tank. Thus, the water inside the steam generating device can be drained as soon as possible.

  (14) The steam cooker of the present invention may be configured to further include a movable unit that changes the position of the water level detection unit in accordance with the removal and insertion of the drainage tank into and from the cooker.

  In this configuration, for example, when the drainage tank is inserted into the cooking device (when not installed), the water level detection unit is positioned so as not to contact the drainage tank, and when the insertion is completed (when installed), the water level detection is performed. It is possible to place the part in the drainage tank and detect the water level in the drainage tank. Therefore, when the drainage tank is inserted into or removed from the cooker, the water level detection unit can avoid damage to the drainage tank and be damaged. Can be detected.

  According to the present invention, the water inside the steam generation means is drained by the drainage means, so that impurities contained in the water can be prevented from accumulating and adhering to the inside of the steam generation means as a scale. The inside of the steam generating means can be kept hygienic.

  Moreover, the water inside the steam generating means is drained when the predetermined condition described above is satisfied by the control of the control means. Therefore, if such a predetermined condition is not satisfied, even if the operation of the equipment is stopped during that time, the steam generation means does not drain the water, so that the drainage from the steam generation means frequently occurs every time the equipment is shut down. Can be avoided, and an increase in water consumption can be avoided. Thereby, the frequency | count of water replenishment to a user's water supply means can also be reduced, and the burden on a user can also be reduced.

  Furthermore, the control means controls the water inside the steam generation means to be drained at a time when it is assumed that the spoilage occurs, so that the presence of spoiled water is avoided inside the steam generation means. be able to.

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

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the steam cooker 1 of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the steam cooker 1 with the door 11 of the heating chamber 20 open, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the steam cooker 1 with the door 11 of the chamber 20 removed, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the basic structure of the internal mechanism of the steam cooker 1, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic structure of the internal mechanism of the steam cooker 1 seen from the direction, FIG. 6 is a top view of the heating chamber 20, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control device 80 of the steam cooker 1. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state different from FIG. 4 in the same basic structure diagram as FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state different from FIG. 5 in the same basic structure diagram as FIG. FIG. 10 is a top view of the bottom panel 42 of the subcavity 40, and FIG. 11 is a drain tank of the steam cooker 1. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views schematically showing a schematic configuration in the vicinity of 4, and FIGS. 12A and 12B are partial views of the state before and the state in which the drainage tank 14 is attached to the steam cooker 1. It is sectional drawing of the steam cooker 1 expanded and shown in figure.

  The steam cooker 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped cabinet 10. A door 11 is provided on the front surface of the cabinet 10. The door 11 is for opening and closing the opening of the heating chamber 20, and is pivotally supported by the cabinet 10 so as to rotate in a vertical plane with the lower end as a center. Therefore, by gripping the upper handle 12 and pulling it forward, the posture of the door 11 can be changed by 90 ° from the vertical closed state shown in FIG. 1 to the horizontal open state shown in FIG. The door 11 has a configuration in which a left portion 11L and a right portion 11R, which are finished with a metal decorative plate, are symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of a central portion 11C having a see-through portion fitted with heat-resistant glass. An operation panel 13 is provided on the right portion 11R. The operation panel 13 is an operation unit for setting operation conditions of the device.

  When the door 11 is opened, the front surface of the cabinet 10 is exposed as shown in FIG. The heating chamber 20 described above is provided at a location corresponding to the central portion 11 </ b> C of the door 11. A water tank chamber 70 is provided at a location corresponding to the left side portion 11L of the door 11. The opening corresponding to the right portion 11R of the door 11 is not particularly provided with an opening, but the control board is disposed inside the portion.

  The heating chamber 20 is a room for heating the article to be heated F, and is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. And the front side facing the door 11 of the heating chamber 20 is a full opening. The remaining surface of the heating chamber 20 is formed of a stainless steel plate. Heat insulation measures are taken around the heating chamber 20. A stainless steel plate receiving tray 21 is placed on the floor of the heating chamber 20, and a stainless steel wire rack 22 on which the object to be heated F is placed is placed on the receiving tray 21.

  Steam in heating chamber 20 (normally, the gas in heating chamber 20 is air, but when steam cooking is started, air is replaced by steam. In this specification, the gas in heating chamber 20 is steam. The explanation will be made assuming that it has been replaced with (3)), and circulates through the external circulation path 30 shown in FIG.

  The starting end of the external circulation path 30 is a suction port 28 formed at one corner of the upper side wall of the heating chamber 20. In this embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the suction port 28 is arranged in the upper left corner of the side wall. The suction port 28 has a plurality of horizontal slits arranged one above the other, and the upper slit is longer and shorter as it goes downward to form a right triangle opening as a whole. The right angle of the right triangle is aligned with the angle of the back side wall of the heating chamber 20. That is, the opening degree of the suction port 28 is larger as it is closer to the upper side of the side wall at the back of the heating chamber 20, and is larger as it is closer to the left side.

  Following the suction port 28 is a blower 25 that forms an airflow flowing through the external circulation path 30. The blower device 25 is disposed close to the outer surface of one side wall of the heating chamber 20. As one side wall, the back side wall of the heating chamber 20 is selected. The blower 25 includes a centrifugal fan 26, a fan casing 27 that accommodates the centrifugal fan 26, and a motor 29 that rotates the centrifugal fan 26. As the centrifugal fan 26, a sirocco fan can be used. As the motor 29, a DC motor capable of high speed rotation can be used. The fan casing 27 is fixed to an outer surface of the rear side wall of the heating chamber 20 at a lower right position of the suction port 28, and has an air inlet and an air outlet.

  Following the blower 25 in the external circulation path 30 is a steam generator 50. Details of the steam generator 50 will be described later. The steam generator 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the outer surface of the side wall at the back of the heating chamber 20, similarly to the blower device 25. However, while the blower 25 is disposed at a position on the left side of the heating chamber 20, the steam generator 50 is on the center line of the heating chamber 20.

  Thus, since the main components of the external circulation path 30 such as the suction port 28, the blower 25, and the steam generation apparatus 50 are gathered around the back side wall, which is one side wall of the heating chamber 20, the external circulation path 30 The length is shortened. Thereby, the pressure loss of the external circulation path 30 becomes low, and the ventilation efficiency of the external circulation path 30 improves. Further, since the heat radiation area of the external circulation path 30 is reduced, heat loss is also reduced. Together, these improve energy efficiency in circulating the steam through the external circulation path 30. Furthermore, since a large space is not required to arrange the external circulation path 30, the cabinet 10 can be downsized.

  In the external circulation path 30, a section from the outlet of the fan casing 27 to the steam generator 50 is constituted by a duct 31. The section after exiting the steam generator 50 is constituted by a duct 35. The duct 35 is connected to a subcavity 40 provided adjacent to the heating chamber 20. The airflow flowing through the external circulation path 30 returns to the heating chamber 20 through the subcavity 40.

  The subcavity 40 is provided on the ceiling portion of the heating chamber 20 at a location corresponding to the central portion of the ceiling portion when seen in a plan view. The subcavity 40 has a circular shape in plan view, and a steam heater 41 serving as a steam heating means is disposed inside the subcavity 40. The steam heater 41 includes a main heater and a sub heater, both of which are configured as sheathed heaters.

  When comparing the calorific value of the main heater and the calorific value of the sub heater, the former is larger than the latter. The power consumption is, for example, 1000 W for the main heater and 300 W for the sub heater. In addition, this numerical value is only one suitable example, and the content of invention is not necessarily limited by this. The main heater and the sub heater can be energized one by one, or both can be energized at the same time.

  An opening having the same size as the subcavity 40 is formed in the ceiling portion of the heating chamber 20, and a bottom panel 42 constituting the bottom surface of the subcavity 40 is fitted therein. A plurality of upper fusible holes 43 are formed in the bottom panel 42. Each of the upper blow holes 43 is a small hole that is directed right below, and is distributed over almost the entire panel. The upper blow holes 43 are two-dimensionally distributed in a planar manner, but may be formed by providing unevenness on the bottom panel 42 and adding a three-dimensional element.

  The bottom panel 42 is finished in a dark color by surface treatment such as painting on both the upper and lower surfaces. In addition, you may shape | mold the bottom panel 42 with the metal raw material which changes to dark color by repeated use. Alternatively, the bottom panel 42 may be formed of a dark-colored ceramic molded product.

  Further, the bottom surface of the subcavity 40 is not constituted by the separate bottom panel 42, but the top plate of the heating chamber 20 can also be used as the bottom surface of the subcavity 40 as it is. In this case, the upper blow hole 43 is provided at a position corresponding to the subcavity 40 in the top plate, and both the upper and lower surfaces thereof are finished in a dark color.

  In this manner, the steam is supplied to the heating chamber 20 through the subcavity 40, so that the distribution of the steam is adjusted in the subcavity 40 and is suitable for cooking the object to be heated F. Steam can be blown. For this reason, compared with simply blowing steam from the external circulation path 30 into the heating chamber 20, the thermal energy of the steam can be effectively used for cooking.

  Small sub-cavities 44 are provided outside the left and right side walls of the heating chamber 20 as shown in FIG. The subcavity 44 is connected to the subcavity 40 by a duct 45 and receives supply of steam from the subcavity 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The duct 45 is constituted by a pipe having a circular cross section. As the duct 45, it is desirable to use a stainless steel pipe.

  In the lower portion of the side wall of the heating chamber 20, a plurality of side blow holes 46 are provided at locations corresponding to the subcavities 44. Each side blow hole 46 is a small hole directed in the direction of the object to be heated F placed in the heating chamber 20, more precisely, below the object to be heated F, and the object to be heated placed on the rack 22. Steam is ejected in the direction of F. The height and direction of the side blow holes 46 are set so that the jetted steam enters under the object to be heated F. Further, the position and / or direction of the side air holes 46 are set so that the steam ejected from the left and right meets under the object F to be heated.

  The side fumarole 46 may be formed in a separate panel, or may be formed in the form of a small hole directly formed in the side wall of the heating chamber 20. This is the same as the case of the upper fumarole 43. However, unlike the case of the subcavity 40, it is not necessary to finish the portion corresponding to the subcavity 44 in a dark color.

  Note that the sum of the area of the left and right side air holes 46 is larger than the area of the upper air holes 43. In order to supply a large amount of steam to the side blow holes 46 having such a large area, a plurality of (four in the figure) ducts 45 are provided for each subcavity 44.

  Next, the structure of the steam generator 50 will be described. The steam generator 50 generates steam by boiling water supplied from water supply means (for example, a water supply pipe 55, a water supply pump 57, a water tank 71, and a water supply pipe 72), which will be described later, and supplies the steam to the heating chamber 20. Steam generating means to be supplied.

  The steam generator 50 includes a cylindrical pot 51 arranged with a center line vertical. The pot 51 has a flat planar contour shape of the side wall constituting the vertical surface, and has an elongated horizontal plane shape, that is, a rectangular shape, an oval shape, or a horizontal sectional shape similar to these. Although the pot 51 is required to have heat resistance, the pot 51 may be formed of any material as long as the condition is satisfied. That is, the pot 51 may be formed of, for example, metal, synthetic resin, or ceramic, or may be formed by combining different materials.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the steam generator 50 is attached such that one flat side surface of the pot 51 is parallel to the inner side wall of the heating chamber 20. If it is this form, even if the width | variety of the space of the outer surface of the heating chamber 20 and the inner surface of the cabinet 10 is narrow, the steam generator 50 can be arrange | positioned. Therefore, the width of the space can be reduced to make the cabinet 10 compact, and the space utilization efficiency in the cabinet 10 can be improved.

  The steam generating heater 52 disposed at the bottom of the pot 51 heats the water in the pot 51. The steam generating heater 52 is constituted by a sheathed heater, and directly heats the water by immersing it in the water in the pot 51. In accordance with the flat shape of the pot 51, the steam generating heater 52 is also bent into a flat horseshoe shape along the inner surface of the pot 51. Similar to the steam heater 41 in the subcavity 40, the steam generating heater 52 is composed of a main heater and a sub heater, with the former disposed outside and the latter disposed inside. The cross-sectional diameters are also different, the main heater is thick and the sub-heater is thin.

  When placing a sheathed heater in a surface with the same area, it is more flat like a horseshoe shape in a rectangular or oval surface than in a case in which a sheathed heater bent into a circle is placed in a circular surface. The length of the sheathed heater is longer in the case where the sheathed heater bent into a proper shape is placed. In other words, the length of the sheathed heater for the same amount of water is greater when a sheathed heater bent like a horseshoe is placed in a pot with an elongated horizontal sectional shape than when a sheathed heater bent in a circle is placed in a pot with a circular section. The ratio is increased, the surface area of the sheathed heater is increased, and a large amount of electric power can be input, so that heat can be easily transferred to water. For this reason, in the steam generator 50 of this embodiment, water can be heated rapidly.

  As in the case of the steam heater 41, when comparing the heat generation amount of the main heater and the heat generation amount of the sub heater of the steam generation heater 52, the former is larger than the latter. The power consumption is 700 W for the main heater and 300 W for the sub heater, for example. In addition, this numerical value is only one suitable example, and the content of invention is not necessarily limited by this. The main heater and the sub heater can be energized one by one, or both can be energized at the same time.

  A steam suction part is formed in the upper part of the pot 51 to allow steam to be taken into the circulating airflow flowing through the external circulation path 30. The steam suction part is constituted by a steam suction ejector 34 formed so as to pass from one flat side surface of the pot 51 to the other flat side surface. By providing the steam suction portion in this way, a new steam can be taken into the circulating airflow while maintaining the circulating airflow. Further, by using the steam suction ejector 34, the steam can be efficiently sucked and taken into the circulating airflow. Note that a total of three steam suction ejectors 34 are arranged in parallel and parallel to each other at the same height level at a predetermined interval.

  Each vapor suction ejector 34 includes an inner nozzle and an outer nozzle surrounding the discharge end. The steam suction ejector 34 extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the pot 51. In the present embodiment, the crossing angle is a right angle, that is, the steam suction ejector 34 is horizontal. A duct 31 is connected to the inner nozzle, and a duct 35 is connected to the outer nozzle. The vapor suction ejector 34 is substantially the same height as the subcavity 40, and the duct 35 extends substantially horizontally. Thus, by connecting the steam suction part and the subcavity 40 linearly by the horizontal duct 35, the external circulation path 30 after passing the steam suction part can be made the shortest path.

  The external circulation path 30 is divided into three shunts including three steam suction ejectors 34 and a duct 35 subsequent thereto after the steam generator 50. For this reason, the pressure loss of the passage is reduced, the circulation steam amount can be increased, and the steam can be quickly mixed with the gas flowing through the external circulation path 30.

  Thus, the three steam suction ejectors 34 provided on the upper portion of the pot 51 constitute a steam suction portion that is flat in the vertical direction and covers a wide area, so that the steam suction area is widened and the generated steam is evenly distributed. While being sucked uniformly, the sucked steam is quickly sent out, and the steam generation capability of the steam generator 50 is further improved. In addition, since three steam suction ejectors 34 are arranged in parallel at the same height level, a large amount of steam can be transported even when there is no space in the height direction.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued. The bottom of the pot 51 is formed in a funnel shape, and a drain pipe 53 hangs from the funnel. A drain valve 54 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 53. The lower end of the drain pipe 53 is bent at a predetermined angle toward the bottom of the heating chamber 20. Here, the drain pipe 53 and the drain valve 54 function as drain means for draining the water inside the steam generating means (especially the pot 51 of the steam generator 50) described above.

  A drainage tank 14 is disposed under the heating chamber 20 so that the cabinet 10 can be taken in and out from the front side (opening side of the heating chamber 20). The drainage tank 14 is a container for storing water drained by the drainage means, and receives the end of the drainage pipe 53. As shown in FIG. 11, when the drain tank 14 is completely attached to the steam cooker 1, the rear end face (the end face opposite to the door 11) of the drain tank 14 is provided below the cabinet 10. The water that contacts the contact portion 15 and is drained from the drain pipe 53 is stored in the drain tank 14. If the drainage tank 14 is pulled out, the water accumulated in the inside can be discarded.

  A water drop receiver 16 is provided below the door 11. The water droplet receiver 16 receives water droplets attached to the door 11 due to condensation of steam supplied to the heating chamber 20. By providing such a water droplet receiver 16, it is possible to prevent water droplets adhering to the door 11 from falling to the floor.

  Water is supplied to the pot 51 shown in FIG. 4 through a water supply channel. The water supply path is constituted by a water supply pipe 55 that connects the water tank 71 and the drain pipe 53. The water supply pipe 55 is connected to the drain pipe 53 at a location above the drain valve 54. The water supply pipe 55 drawn out from the connection point with the drain pipe 53 is once lifted into an inverted U shape and then lowered. A water supply pump 57 is installed in the middle of the descending portion. The water supply pipe 55 communicates with a horizontal funnel-shaped receiving port 58. The horizontal communication pipe 90 connects the water supply pipe 55 and the receiving port 58.

  A pot water level sensor 56 is arranged inside the pot 51. The pot water level sensor 56 is positioned slightly higher than the steam generating heater 52.

  A rectangular water tank 71 having a narrow lateral width is inserted into the water tank chamber 70. A water supply pipe 72 extending from the bottom of the water tank 71 is connected to the receiving port 58. The water supply pipe 55, the water supply pump 57, the water tank 71, and the water supply pipe 72 described above function as water supply means for supplying water to the steam generation means (steam generation device 50).

  When the water tank 71 is pulled out from the water tank chamber 70 and the water supply pipe 72 is separated from the receiving port 58, the water in the water tank 70 and the water on the water supply pipe 55 side will flow out as they are. In order to prevent this, coupling plugs 59 a and 59 b are attached to the receiving port 58 and the water supply pipe 72. In the state where the water supply pipe 72 is connected to the receiving port 58 as shown in FIG. 4, the coupling plugs 59 a and 59 b are connected to each other so that water can pass therethrough. When the water supply pipe 72 is pulled away from the receiving port 58, the coupling plugs 59a and 59b are closed, and the outflow of water from the water supply pipe 55 and the water tank 71 is stopped.

  A water supply pipe 55, a pressure detection pipe 91, and a pressure release pipe 92 are connected to the communication pipe 90 in order from the receiving port 58. A water level sensor 81 is provided at the upper end of the pressure detection pipe 91. The water level sensor 81 measures the water level in the water tank 71. The upper end of the pressure release pipe 92 bends horizontally and is connected to an exhaust passage through which steam escapes from the heating chamber 20.

  A duct 93 constitutes the exhaust path. The duct 93 extends from the side wall of the heating chamber 20 and gradually increases in height, and finally communicates with the outside of the machine, that is, outside the cabinet 10. The entrance of the duct 93 in the heating chamber 20 is opened above the tray 21. For this reason, if there is a liquid flowing in the duct 93 in the direction opposite to the exhaust, it can be received by the tray 21.

  At least a part of the duct 93 is a heat radiating portion 94. The heat dissipating part 94 is constituted by a metal pipe having a plurality of heat dissipating fins 95 on the outer surface.

  Near the upper end of the duct 93 passes through the side of the duct 31. In this place, a communication path is provided between the duct 31 and the duct 93. A duct 96 constitutes the communication path, and an electric damper 97 is provided therein. The damper 97 closes the duct 96 in a normal state.

  The highest portion of the water supply pipe 55 communicates with the duct 93 through an overflow channel. What constitutes the overflow channel is an overflow pipe 98 having one end connected to the water supply pipe 55 and the other end connected to the upper end horizontal portion of the pressure release pipe 92. The height of the location where the pressure release pipe 92 is connected to the duct 93 is the overflow level. The overflow level is set to be higher than the normal water level in the pot 51 and lower than the steam suction ejector 34.

  The duct 93 is formed in a large cross-sectional area from the connection portion of the overflow pipe 98 and the vicinity of the connection portion of the duct 96 to the open portion to the outside of the machine. This part can be made of synthetic resin.

  It is the control device 80 shown in FIG. 7 that controls the operation of the steam cooker 1. The control device 80 includes a microprocessor and a memory, and controls the steam cooker 1 according to a predetermined program. The control status is displayed on the display unit in the operation panel 13. An operation command is input to the control device 80 through various operation keys arranged on the operation panel 13. The operation panel 13 is also provided with a sound generator that produces various sounds.

  In addition to the operation panel 13, the blower 25, the steam heater 41, the damper 97, the steam generation heater 52, the drain valve 54, the pot water level sensor 56, the water supply pump 57, and the water level sensor 81 are connected to the control device 80. . In addition, a temperature sensor 82 for measuring the temperature in the heating chamber 20 and a humidity sensor 83 for measuring the humidity in the heating chamber 20 are connected to the control device 80.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 80 also functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the drainage unit described above. The control of the drainage unit has the greatest feature of the present invention. This point will be described later. I decided to.

  The operation of the steam cooker 1 is as follows. First, the door 11 is opened, the water tank 71 is pulled out from the water tank chamber 70, and water is poured into the tank through a water supply port (not shown). The fully filled water tank 71 is pushed into the water tank chamber 70 and set at a predetermined position. After confirming that the tip of the water supply pipe 72 is firmly connected to the water inlet 58 of the water supply path, the article to be heated F is put into the heating chamber 20 and the door 11 is closed. Then, the power key in the operation panel 13 is pressed to turn on the power, and the operation key group provided in the operation panel 13 is also pressed to select the cooking menu and make various settings.

  When the water supply pipe 72 is connected to the receiving port 58, the water tank 71 and the pressure detection pipe 91 are in communication with each other, and the water level sensor 81 detects the water level in the water tank 71. If there is a sufficient water level (water volume) to perform the selected cooking menu, the controller 80 will start generating steam. On the other hand, if the water level (water amount) in the water tank 71 is insufficient to perform the selected cooking menu, the control device 80 displays that fact on the operation panel 13 as a warning notification. In this case, steam generation is not started until the lack of water level (water amount) is resolved.

  When steam generation can be started, the water supply pump 57 starts operation and water supply to the steam generator 50 starts. At this time, the drain valve 54 is closed.

  Water accumulates from the bottom of the pot 51. When the pot water level sensor 56 detects that the water level has reached a predetermined level, the water supply is stopped there. Then, energization to the steam generating heater 52 is started. The steam generating heater 52 directly heats the water in the pot 51.

  Simultaneously with the energization of the steam generating heater 52 or when the water in the pot 51 reaches the predetermined temperature, the energization of the blower 25 and the steam heater 41 is also started. The blower 25 sucks the steam in the heating chamber 20 from the suction port 28 and sends the steam to the steam generator 50. Since the centrifugal fan 26 is used to send out the steam, a higher pressure can be generated compared to the propeller fan. In addition, since the centrifugal fan 26 is rotated at a high speed by a direct current motor, the flow velocity of the airflow is extremely fast.

  Since the flow velocity of the airflow is high in this way, the cross-sectional area of the flow path can be smaller than the flow rate. Therefore, the pipe forming the main body of the external circulation path 30 can have a circular cross section and a small diameter, and the surface area of the external circulation path 30 can be reduced as compared with the case where the external circulation path 30 is formed by a duct having a rectangular cross section. . For this reason, although hot steam passes through the inside, heat dissipation from the external circulation path 30 is reduced, and the energy efficiency of the steam cooker 1 is improved. Even when the external circulation path 30 is wound with a heat insulating material, the amount of the heat insulating material is small.

  At this time, the damper 97 closes the duct 96 leading from the duct 31 to the duct 93. The steam pumped from the blower 25 enters the steam suction ejector 34 from the duct 31, and further enters the subcavity 40 through the duct 35.

  When the water in the pot 51 boils, saturated steam at 100 ° C. and 1 atm is generated. Saturated steam enters the external circuit 30 from the steam suction ejector 34. Since the ejector structure is used, saturated steam is quickly sucked and joins the circulating airflow. Due to the ejector structure, no pressure is applied to the steam generator 50 and the release of saturated steam is not hindered.

  The steam exiting the steam suction ejector 34 flows into the subcavity 40 through the duct 35. The steam that has entered the subcavity 40 is heated to 300 ° C. by the steam heater 41 and becomes superheated steam. A part of the superheated steam is ejected downward from the upper fusible hole 43. Another part of the superheated steam goes to the subcavity 44 through the duct 45 and is ejected laterally from the side air holes 46.

  8 and 9 show the flow of steam in a state where the object to be heated F is not put into the heating chamber 20. From the upper fumarole 43, the steam is spouted downward with a momentum reaching the bottom surface of the heating chamber 20. The steam that has collided with the bottom surface of the heating chamber 20 turns to the outside. And this vapor | steam starts rising after coming out of the airflow which blows down downward. Since steam, especially superheated steam, is light, this direction change occurs naturally. As a result, convection is generated inside the heating chamber 20 as shown by the arrows in the drawing, in which the air is blown down at the center and raised outside.

  In order to form a clear convection, the arrangement of the upper fumaroles 43 is also devised. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement of the upper blow holes 43 is dense at the center of the bottom panel 42 and sparse at the peripheral edge. As a result, at the peripheral edge of the bottom panel 42, the steam blowing force is weakened and the rise of the steam is not hindered, so that convection appears more clearly.

  Steam is ejected sideways from the side fumarole 46. This steam meets the central part of the heating chamber 20 and then mixes with the convection generated by the steam from the upper blow hole 43. The convective steam is sequentially sucked into the suction port 28, goes through a route called the subcavity 40 from the external circulation path 30, and then returns to the heating chamber 20. In this way, the steam in the heating chamber 20 repeats circulation such that it exits the external circulation path 30 and returns to the heating chamber 20.

  When the object to be heated F is placed in the heating chamber 20, the superheated steam heated to about 300 ° C. and ejected from the upper blow hole 43 collides with the object to be heated F and transfers heat to the object to be heated F. In this process, the steam temperature is reduced to about 250 ° C. The superheated steam that has come into contact with the surface of the object to be heated F releases latent heat when dew condensation occurs on the surface of the object to be heated F. This also heats the article F to be heated.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after heat is applied to the article F, the steam turns outside and flows out of the air stream that blows downward. As described above, since the steam is light, the vapor starts to rise after coming out of the down-flowing air current, and forms a convection as shown by an arrow inside the heating chamber 20. By this convection, while maintaining the temperature in the heating chamber 20, it is possible to keep the heated object F colliding with the superheated steam that has just been heated in the subcavity 40, and heat is rapidly and rapidly applied to the heated object F. Can be given.

  The steam ejected laterally from the side fumaroles 46 enters under the rack 22 from the left and right and meets under the object F to be heated. The steam jet direction from the side blow holes 46 is tangential to the surface of the object to be heated F, but the steam from the left and right meets in this way, so that the steam does not escape straight to the other side. It stays under the object F and overflows. For this reason, the same effect as when the steam is sprayed in the normal direction of the surface of the object to be heated F is generated, and the heat of the steam is reliably transmitted to the lower surface portion of the object to be heated F.

  As described above, the object to be heated F is cooked in the same manner as the upper surface portion up to the portion where the steam from the upper blow hole 43 does not hit by the steam from the side blow hole 46. Thereby, the cooking result with a good appearance without unevenness can be obtained. Moreover, since the to-be-heated material F receives heat equally from the whole surface, it is fully heated to a center part for a short time.

  The vapor from the side fumaroles 46, which was initially about 300 ° C., falls to about 250 ° C. after it hits the object F to be heated, and heat is transferred to the object F in the process. Further, when condensation is formed on the surface of the object to be heated F, latent heat is released to heat the object to be heated F.

  The steam from the side nozzle holes 46 gives heat to the lower surface of the article to be heated F, and then joins the convection generated by the steam from the upper nozzle holes 43. Convective steam is sequentially sucked into the suction port 28. Then, after making a round of the route called the subcavity 40 from the external circulation path 30, the flow returns to the heating chamber. In this way, the steam in the heating chamber 20 repeats circulation such that it exits the external circulation path 30 and returns to the heating chamber 20.

  As time passes, the amount of steam in the heating chamber 20 increases. The surplus vapor is discharged outside the machine through the duct 93. If the steam goes out of the cabinet 10 as it is, dew condensation occurs on the surrounding wall surface and mold occurs. However, since the heat radiating portion 94 is located in the middle of the duct 93, the steam is deprived of heat while passing through the duct 93 and is condensed on the inner surface of the duct 93. Therefore, the amount of steam that goes out of the cabinet 10 is small and does not cause a serious problem. The water condensed on the inner surface of the duct 93 flows in the direction opposite to the direction of the exhaust and is received by the tray 21. This water can be discarded together with the water accumulated in the tray 21 for other reasons after cooking.

  The side fumarole 46 is separated from the subcavity 40, and is disadvantageous than the upper fumarole 43 in terms of vapor ejection. However, since the area sum of the left and right side air holes 46 is made larger than the area sum of the upper air holes 43, a sufficient amount of steam is guided to the side air holes 46, and the upper and lower surfaces of the object F to be heated. The unevenness of heating is reduced.

  Since the object to be heated F is heated while circulating the steam in the heating chamber 20, the energy efficiency of the steam cooker 1 is high. Then, since the superheated steam from above is ejected downward from the plurality of upper air holes 43 distributed over the entire surface of the bottom panel 42 of the subcavity 40, almost the entire heated object F is steam from above. It will be wrapped in. Combined with the collision of the superheated steam with the object to be heated F and the large area of the collision, the heat contained in the superheated steam is quickly and efficiently transmitted to the object to be heated F. Further, the steam that has entered the subcavity 40 is heated by the steam heater 41 and expands, so that the momentum of the jet increases and the collision speed with the heated object F increases. Thereby, the to-be-heated material F is heated more rapidly.

  Since the centrifugal fan 26 can generate a higher pressure than the propeller fan, the jet output from the upper blow hole 43 can be increased. As a result, the superheated steam can be ejected with a momentum reaching the bottom surface of the heating chamber 20, and the heated object F can be heated strongly. The centrifugal fan 26 is rotated at a high speed by a direct current motor and blows powerfully, so that the above-mentioned effect appears more remarkably.

  In addition, the strong blowing power of the blower 25 greatly helps to quickly exhaust from the exhaust port 32 when the door 11 is opened.

  Since the upper surface of the bottom panel 42 of the subcavity 40 is dark, it absorbs radiant heat emitted from the steam heater 41 well. Radiant heat absorbed by the bottom panel 42 is radiated and radiated to the heating chamber 20 from the bottom surface of the bottom panel 42, which is also dark. For this reason, the temperature rise of the subcavity 40 and its outer surface is suppressed, safety is improved, and the radiant heat of the steam heater 41 is transmitted to the heating chamber 20 through the bottom panel 42, so that the heating chamber 20 is heated more efficiently. . The planar shape of the bottom panel 42 may be circular, or may be a rectangle similar to the planar shape of the heating chamber 20. Further, as described above, the ceiling wall of the heating chamber 20 may also be used as the bottom panel of the subcavity 40.

  When the object to be heated F is meat, the oil may dripping when the temperature rises. If the object to be heated F is a liquid contained in a container, it may boil and partially spill. What has dripped or spilled is received by the tray 21 and waits for processing after cooking is completed.

  If steam is continuously generated by the steam generator 50, the water level in the pot 51 is lowered. When the pot water level sensor 56 detects that the water level has dropped to a predetermined level, the control device 80 restarts the operation of the water supply pump 57. The water supply pump 57 sucks the water in the water tank 71 and replenishes the pot 51 with the evaporated water. When the pot water level sensor 56 detects that the water level in the pot 51 has recovered to a predetermined level, the control device 80 stops the operation of the water supply pump 57 again.

  If the pot water level sensor 56 or the feed water pump 57 fails, or if the water pump 57 does not stop operating due to other reasons, the water level in the pot 51 continues to rise above a predetermined level. When the water level reaches the overflow level, the water sent from the feed pump 57 overflows from the overflow pipe 98 and flows into the duct 93. For this reason, the water in the pot 51 does not enter the external circulation path 30 from the steam suction ejector 34. The water that has entered the duct 93 is received by the tray 21.

  Since the tray 21 has a large area and a large capacity, it can receive a considerable amount of water. However, since the capacity is limited, it is advisable to take safety measures such as issuing an alarm when the operation of the water supply pump 57 continues abnormally for a long time or forcibly stopping the operation of the water supply pump 57.

  After cooking is completed, the control device 80 displays a message to that effect on the operation panel 13 and sounds a signal. A user who knows the end of cooking by sound and display opens the door 11 and takes out the article F to be heated from the heating chamber 20.

  When the door 11 is about to open, the control device 80 switches the open / close state of the damper 97 and opens the duct 96. As a result, the airflow flowing in the external circulation path 30 passes from the duct 96 to the duct 93, and there is almost no part of turning to the steam generator 50. For this reason, the amount of steam flowing into the sub-cavity 40 is reduced, and the steam ejection from the upper air hole 43 and the side air holes 46 is extremely weak, if any. Therefore, the user can safely take out the object to be heated F without being exposed to steam on his face or hand and suffering burns. The damper 97 opens the duct 96 while the door 11 is open.

  Since the steam is not circulated in the duct 96 and the duct 93, the temperature is not as high as that of the external circulation path 30. Therefore, the vapor flowing from the external circulation path 30 is condensed when it comes into contact with the inner walls of the ducts 96 and 93. The water generated by the condensation flows down in the duct 93 and enters the tray 21. This water can be discarded together with the water accumulated in the tray 21 for other reasons after cooking.

  If exhausting is performed by starting the blower 25 that is stopped, a time lag occurs until the steady blower state is reached, but in this embodiment, the blower 25 is already in operation and the time lag is zero. is there. In addition, since the circulating airflow that has passed through the heating chamber 20 and the external circulation path 30 becomes the exhaust flow from the duct 93 as it is, there is no time lag for changing the direction of the airflow. Thereby, the vapor | steam in the heating chamber 20 is discharged | emitted without delay, and the time until opening of the door 11 is attained can be shortened.

  The situation that the user is about to open the door 11 can be notified to the control device 80 as follows, for example. That is, a latch that keeps the door 11 closed is provided between the cabinet 10 and the door 11, and a latch lever that unlocks the latch is provided so as to be exposed from the handle 12. A switch that opens and closes in response to the movement of the latch or the latch lever is disposed inside the door 11 or the handle 12, and when the user performs an unlocking operation by grasping the handle 12 and the latch lever, the switch 80 controls the control device 80. To be signaled.

  When there is a long rest time until the next cooking, or when there is no cooking plan in the cold region until the next morning, the drain valve 54 is opened through the operation panel 13 after the cooking is finished, Drain the water. In this way, it is possible to avoid a situation where germs and algae propagate in the water in the pot 51 or the water in the pot 51 freezes.

  Next, drainage control of the control device 80, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. First, a configuration related to the drainage control will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a timer unit 101, a water supply amount detection unit 102, a water temperature detection unit 103, an information detection unit 104, and a notification unit 105 are connected to the control device 80.

  The timer unit 101 includes a first timer unit 101a, a second timer unit 101b, and a third timer unit 101c.

  The 1st time measuring part 101a is a 1st time measuring means to time the residence time of the water which exists in a steam production | generation means (pot 51). More specifically, the first time measuring unit 101a measures the residence time of water (hereinafter referred to as water before evaporation) supplied therein before evaporation in the steam generating means as the first residence time, The residence time of water remaining in the interior of the steam generation means after evaporation (hereinafter referred to as water after evaporation) is counted as the second residence time.

  Here, as the timing for starting the time measurement of the first residence time, for example, the time when the water in the water tank 71 is supplied to the pot 51 by the water supply pump 57 can be considered. Moreover, the timing at which the time measurement of the second residence time is started can be considered as the end point of steam generation in the pot 51 (end point of steam cooking). However, even if the water present in the pot 51 is water before evaporation or water after evaporation, the water decays because it is a continuous time in units of days or hours, The timing for starting the measurement of the first residence time and the second residence time may not be strictly determined at the above-mentioned time point.

  The second timing unit 101b is a second timing unit that counts the total time from the start of water supply to the steam generation unit (pot 51) by the water supply unit (water tank 71, water supply pump 57). Here, the total time from the start of water supply refers to individual water supply periods (hours) and individual water supply stop periods regardless of whether water supply is stopped several times after starting water supply once. (Time) and the sum.

  The 3rd time measuring part 101c is a 3rd time measuring means which measures the total water supply time which totaled only the water supply time to the pot 51 after the water supply means once started water supply to the pot 51 after that. That is, the total water supply time does not include individual water supply stop periods (hours) when water supply is stopped several times along the way. The total water supply time is different from the time measured by the second time measuring unit 101b in this respect.

  The water supply amount detection unit 102 is a water supply amount detection unit that detects the total water supply amount to the pot 51 by the water supply unit. The water temperature detection unit 103 is a water temperature detection unit that measures the temperature of water inside the pot 51.

  The information detection unit 104 is information detection means for detecting information on the drainage tank 14 (see FIG. 4) or the water in the drain tank 14 (see FIG. 4). More specifically, the information detection unit 104 includes a wearing state detection unit 104a and a water level detection unit 104b. The wearing state detection unit 104 a detects the wearing state of the drain tank 14 with respect to the steam cooker 1. The water level detection unit 104b detects the presence and level of water in the drain tank 14 and the water level. The notification unit 105 warns when the information detection unit 104 detects that the drain tank 14 is not attached to the steam cooker 1 or that the water in the drain tank 14 is higher than a predetermined water level. Informing means for informing. As the warning notification, for example, it is conceivable to emit a warning sound or display a warning on the operation panel 13.

  Here, the water level detection unit 104b is constituted by, for example, a self-heating thermistor. If the self-heating thermistor is self-heated to 120 ° C., for example, when it touches water at 100 ° C. (50-60 ° C. during drainage), the temperature drops below 100 ° C. Therefore, the water level detection unit 104b determines that there is no water in the drainage tank 14 if the self-heating thermistor is 100 ° C. or higher, and that there is water in the drainage tank 14 if the self-heating thermistor is less than 100 ° C. Can do. The water level detection unit 104b detects the water level only when there is water in the drain tank 14.

  In the present embodiment, the steam cooker 1 includes a movable unit 110 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B) that changes the position of the water level detection unit 104 b in accordance with the insertion and removal of the drain tank 14 into and from the steam cooker 1. However, this point will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the operation panel 13 described above also functions as an input unit for the user to input a drainage instruction.

  With such a configuration, the control device 80 can control the drainage of the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means (drainage pipe 53, drainage valve 54) as follows.

  Firstly, the control device 80 drains the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means when the staying time counted by the timing unit 101 (first timing unit 101a) reaches a predetermined time. Here, as said predetermined time, the time shorter than the time when the water inside the pot 51 is considered to rot can be considered, for example. More specifically, if the water inside the pot 51 is water before evaporation, the water contains chlorine, so that it is difficult to rot. Thus, for example, around 3 days can be considered as the predetermined time. On the other hand, if the water in the pot 51 is water after evaporation, the water is likely to rot because the chlorine flies by evaporation. Thus, for example, one day can be considered as the predetermined time.

  Secondly, after the start of water supply to the pot 51 by the water supply means, the control device 80, when the time measured by the time measuring unit 101 (second time measuring unit 101b) (total time from the start of water supply) reaches a predetermined time, The water in the pot 51 is drained by the drainage means. Here, if you keep the water that has been boiled once inside the pot 51, the water will be leached out of the chlorine, so it will be 2 to 3 days at the earliest, about 1 to 2 weeks at the earliest. It will cause rot, nasty smell and mold. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one day is assumed as the predetermined time.

  Thirdly, when the total water supply amount to the pot 51 by the water supply means, that is, the total water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection unit 102 reaches a predetermined amount, the control device 80 uses the drainage means to control the pot 51. Drain internal water.

  Fourth, the control device 80 drains water when the total water supply time to the pot 51 by the water supply means, that is, the total water supply time measured by the time measuring unit 101 (third time measuring unit 101c) reaches a predetermined time. The water inside the pot 51 is drained by means.

  Fifth, the control device 80 drains the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means when the drainage instruction is input by the operation panel 13.

  By such first to fifth controls, the water inside the pot 51 is drained by the drainage means, so impurities (for example, Ca and Mg) contained in the water are deposited inside the pot 51 as a scale. Adhesion can be suppressed and the inside of the pot 51 can be kept hygienic. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the drainage from the pot 51 from being clogged due to the adhesion of the scale inside the pot 51.

  Moreover, the water in the pot 51 is drained by the above-described control when (1) the residence time of the water in the pot 51 reaches a predetermined time. (2) Water supply to the pot 51 by the water supply means is started. When the total water supply time to the pot 51 by the water supply means reaches a predetermined amount, (4) the total water supply time to the pot 51 by the water supply means reaches the predetermined time Or (5) when a drainage instruction is input through the operation panel 13.

  That is, if any of the predetermined conditions (1) to (5) is not satisfied, the pot 51 is not drained even if the operation of the device is stopped during that time. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which drainage from the pot 51 is frequently performed every time the operation of the device is stopped, thereby avoiding an increase in water consumption. Thereby, the frequency | count of water replenishment to a user's water tank 71 can also be reduced, and the burden on a user can also be reduced.

  In particular, when draining from the pot 51 when the condition (5) is satisfied, the drainage can be performed at the timing desired by the user by operating the operation panel 13. Can be improved.

  Further, by any of the above-described controls of the control device 80, the water in the pot 51 is drained from the pot 51 by the time when the decay is expected to occur. As a result, it is possible to prevent the decayed water from remaining inside the pot 51 and to maintain the inside of the pot 51 in a sanitary manner.

  By the way, when performing drainage control on the conditions of (1), the control apparatus 80 may perform the following control.

  That is, when the first time measuring unit 101a counts the residence time of water before evaporation as the first residence time, the control device 80 reaches the first predetermined time corresponding to the water before evaporation. Sometimes, the water inside the pot 51 is drained by the drainage means. Here, said 1st predetermined time is time shorter than the time considered that the water before the evaporation containing chlorine decays, For example, as above-mentioned, around 3 days can be considered.

  Further, when the first timing unit 101a measures the residence time of the water after evaporation as the second residence time, the control device 80 reaches the second predetermined time corresponding to the water after evaporation. Sometimes, the water inside the pot 51 is drained by the drainage means. Here, the second predetermined time is a time shorter than the time when the water after evaporation from which chlorine has been removed is considered to rot, and for example, as described above, one day can be considered.

  By performing such drainage control by the control device 80, the water before evaporation or the water after evaporation existing in the pot 51 is drained before it decays in the pot 51. Therefore, it can be avoided that water remaining in the pot 51 (water before evaporation or water after evaporation) remains in the pot 51 while being spoiled.

  Further, the control device 80 may perform drainage control according to the operation state of the steam cooker 1. More specifically, the control device 80 selects one of the first residence time and the second residence time measured by the first timing unit 101a according to the operation state of the steam cooker 1. When one of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time is selected and the selected residence time reaches the selected predetermined time, control is performed to drain the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means. Also good.

  For example, if the steam cooker 1 is in a state before supplying the pot 51 with water from the water tank 71 and before operating the pot 51, there is water containing chlorine inside the pot 51. Become. On the other hand, if the steam cooker 1 is in a state where the operation is stopped after the steam is supplied to the heating chamber 20 by the pot 51, the water in which chlorine has flowed remains in the pot 51. As described above, the water decay period differs between water containing chlorine and water not containing chlorine.

  Therefore, the control device 80 performs the above-described drainage control according to the operation state of the steam cooker 1, so that the water present in the pot 51 is water containing chlorine before evaporation or chlorine after evaporation. Whether the water is not contained can be easily grasped according to the operation state of the steam cooker 1 and the water inside the pot 51 can be drained. Therefore, even if the water present in the pot 51 is water containing chlorine before evaporation or water that does not contain chlorine after evaporation, it is ensured that it will rot and remain inside the pot 51. Can be avoided.

  By the way, when the water in the pot 51 is in a high temperature state higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 55 ° C.), the crystallization of impurities contained in the water is promoted conversely. Scale is easy to deposit and adhere.

  Therefore, when the temperature of the water inside the pot 51 detected by the water temperature detection unit 103 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, the control device 80 stops the drainage of the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means, and falls below the predetermined temperature. You may make it drain at the time. Thereby, since the water inside the pot 51 is not drained in a high temperature state where the scale is easily deposited and adhered, it is possible to reliably suppress the scale from being deposited and adhered inside the pot 51 by the drainage.

  Further, when the drain tank 14 is not attached to the steam cooker 1 during draining from the pot 51, a situation occurs in which drained water spills out of the steam cooker 1 as it is. In order to avoid such a situation, the control device 80 causes the drainage means to pot the drainage tank 14 when the mounting state detection unit 104a of the information detection unit 104 detects that the drainage tank 14 is mounted on the steam cooker 1. You may perform control which drains the water inside 51 to the drainage tank 14. FIG. By such control, drainage from the pot 51 is executed only when the drainage tank 14 is mounted on the steam cooker 1, so that water drained from the pot 51 can be reliably stored in the drainage tank 14. , Leakage to the outside can be surely eliminated.

  Even if the drainage tank 14 is attached to the steam cooker 1, if the water level stored in the drainage tank 14 at that time (when drainage is started) is higher than a predetermined level, the drainage tank 14 is newly drained. As a result, the amount of water in the drainage tank 14 exceeds an allowable amount and overflows to the outside.

  Therefore, when the information detection unit 104 (water level detection unit 104b) detects that the water in the drainage tank 14 is equal to or lower than the predetermined level, the control device 80 drains the water in the pot 51 by the drainage means. It is desirable to control the drainage. In this case, if the water level stored in the drainage tank 14 is higher than the predetermined water level, the drainage tank 14 does not drain the water, so that it is surely avoided that the drained water overflows from the drainage tank 14. Can do.

  As described above, the control device 80 controls the drainage of the water inside the pot 51 by the drainage means in accordance with the information detected by the information detection unit 104, so that the drained water is reliably stored in the drainage tank 14. It is possible to reliably avoid the situation in which drained water spills from the drain tank 14.

  When the information detection unit 104 detects that the drain tank 14 is not attached to the steam cooker 1 or that the water in the drain tank 14 is higher than a predetermined water level, the control of the control device 80 is performed. Accordingly, the notification unit 105 performs warning notification. This warning notification can prompt the user to take measures such as attaching the drain tank 14 to the steam cooker 1 or discarding the water already accumulated in the drain tank 14. Therefore, the water in the pot 51 can be immediately drained and the water in the pot 51 can be drained.

  Next, the movable part 110 described above will be described. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the movable part 110 includes a connecting part 111 and an urging means 112.

  The connection part 111 connects the water level detection part 104b and the biasing means 112. The connecting portion 111 is formed to be bent so that the end opposite to the connecting side with the water level detecting portion 104b can come into contact with the drainage tank. The urging means 112 attaches the connecting portion 111 in a direction (rotating direction) in which the drainage tank 14 that comes into contact with the connecting portion 111 is rotated about the shaft 113 to be detached from the steam cooker 1. It is fast.

  For convenience of explanation below, the rotation direction is referred to as A direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as B direction. Further, it is assumed that the shaft 113 is located above the connecting portion 111 and on the contact portion 15 side.

  Thereby, in the non-attached state of the drainage tank 14 shown in FIG. 12A, only the urging force by the urging means 112 acts on the connecting portion 111, so the connecting portion 111 and the water level detecting portion 104b connect the shaft 113. It rotates in the A direction around the center. As a result, the water level detection unit 104 b connected to the connection unit 111 is positioned above the original mounting position of the drainage tank 14. Therefore, even when the drain tank 14 is attached to the steam cooker 1 from this state, the drain tank 14 does not contact the water level detector 104b.

  If the drainage tank 14 continues to slide in the direction in which the steam cooker 1 is attached, the drainage tank 14 eventually comes into contact with the connecting portion 111 and pushes it backward against the biasing force of the biasing means 112. As a result, the connecting portion 111 and the water level detecting portion 104b rotate in the B direction around the shaft 113, and rotate at the position where the drainage tank 14 comes into contact with the contact portion 15 as shown in FIG. The movement stops. At this time, the tip of the water level detection unit 104b is positioned in the drainage tank 14 by the rotation in the B direction, and the water level in the drainage tank 14 can be detected.

  As described above, since the steam cooker 1 includes the movable portion 110, the position of the water level detection unit 104 b changes in accordance with the insertion / extraction of the drain tank 14 into / from the steam cooker 1. Thereby, when the drainage tank 14 is taken in and out, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the water level detection unit 104b hits the drainage tank 14 and breaks it, and it is possible to avoid a problem in detecting the water level in the drainage tank 14.

  In addition, if the position of the water level detection part 104b changes according to taking in / out of the drain tank 14 to / from the steam cooker 1, the movable part 110 is not limited to the structure for rotating the connecting part 111. For example, when the sliding mechanism of the connecting part 111 and the sliding mechanism of the water level detecting part 104b are combined and the connecting part 111 slides when contacting the drainage tank 14, the water level detecting part 104b slides in a different direction. Thus, a configuration may be adopted in which the position of the water level detection unit 104b changes in accordance with the insertion / extraction of the drain tank 14 into / from the steam cooker 1. In addition, various configurations can be realized as the movable unit 110.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the steam in the heating chamber 20 is returned from the external circulation path 30 to the heating chamber 20 through the subcavity 40 again. That is, the suction port 28 and the steam generating means are connected, and a circulation system (external circulation path 30) for circulating the steam between the inside and the outside of the heating chamber 20 is provided. In this configuration, the steam can be effectively used, and high-temperature steam suitable for heating the article to be heated F can be obtained immediately and the article to be heated F can be heated. However, it is possible to adopt a different configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which new steam is constantly supplied to the subcavity 40 and the steam overflowing from the heating chamber 20 is continuously discharged from the steam discharge pipe 47.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the steam cooker 1 from which the door 11 opens upwards with respect to the opening part of the front of the heating chamber 20, this invention is not necessarily limited to this structure. For example, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to the steam cooker 1 having a configuration in which the rectangular door 11 is opened to the right with the left vertical axis as a rotation axis.

  In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for all cookers that perform cooking with superheated steam, whether for home use or business use.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the steam cooker which is an example of the heating cooker which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the steam cooker of the state which opened the door of the heating chamber. It is a front view of the steam cooker of the state which removed the door of the heating chamber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic structure inside a steam cooker. It is explanatory drawing which shows the basic structure inside the steam cooker seen from the direction orthogonal to FIG. It is a top view of a heating chamber. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus of a steam cooker. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam inside a steam cooker in the state which has not put the to-be-heated object in the heating chamber. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the vapor | steam in a steam cooker at the time of seeing from a right angle direction with FIG. It is a top view of the bottom panel of a subcavity. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the outline structure of the drain tank vicinity of a steam cooker. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing of the steam cooker which expands partially and shows the state before a drainage tank was mounted | worn with respect to a steam cooker, and the mounted state, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

1 steam cooker 20 heating chamber 50 steam generator (steam generating means)
51 pots (steam generation means)
53 Drainage pipe (drainage means)
54 Drain valve (Drainage means)
55 Water supply pipe (water supply means)
57 Water supply pump (water supply means)
71 Water tank (water supply means)
72 Water supply pipe (water supply means)
80 Control device (control means)
101 Timekeeping section (first time measuring means, second time measuring means, third time measuring means)
101a 1st time measuring part (1st time measuring means)
101b Second timer (second timer)
101c 3rd time measuring part (3rd time measuring means)
102 Water supply amount detection unit (water supply amount detection means)
103 Water temperature detection part (Water temperature detection means)
104 Information detection unit (information detection means)
104a Wearing state detection unit 104b Water level detection unit 105 Notification unit (notification means)
F Object to be heated

Claims (14)

A steam cooker comprising steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from a water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated,
First timing means for timing the residence time of water present in the steam generation means;
Drainage means for draining water inside the steam generating means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means,
The control means causes the water inside the steam generating means to be drained by the draining means when the residence time counted by the first timing means reaches a predetermined time. The first time measuring means measures the residence time of the water supplied to the interior before evaporation in the steam generation means as a first residence time,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the first residence time reaches a first predetermined time corresponding to the water, the water inside the steam generation unit is drained by the draining unit. The steam cooker described. The first time measuring means counts the residence time of water remaining in the interior after evaporation in the steam generating means as a second residence time,
The control means causes the water inside the steam generation means to be drained by the drainage means when the second residence time reaches a second predetermined time corresponding to the water. 2. A steam cooker according to 2. The first time measuring means counts the residence time of the water supplied therein before the evaporation in the steam generation means as a first residence time, and remains in the interior after the evaporation in the steam generation means. The residence time of the water is counted as the second residence time,
The control means selects one of the first residence time and the second residence time according to the operating state of the cooker, and depends on the water supplied to the steam generation means before evaporation. When one of the first predetermined time and the second predetermined time corresponding to the water remaining inside the steam generating means after evaporation is selected and the selected residence time reaches the selected predetermined time, The steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein water inside the steam generating means is drained by the draining means. A steam cooker comprising steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from a water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated,
Second timing means for timing the total time from the start of water supply to the steam generation means by the water supply means;
Drainage means for draining water inside the steam generating means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means,
The steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein when the time counted by the second time counting means reaches a predetermined time, the draining means drains water inside the steam generating means. A steam cooker comprising steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from a water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated,
A water supply amount detection means for detecting a total water supply amount to the steam generating device by the water supply means;
Drainage means for draining water inside the steam generating means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means,
The control means causes the water inside the steam generating means to be drained by the drainage means when the total water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection means reaches a predetermined amount. . A steam cooker comprising steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from a water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated,
Third time measuring means for measuring a total water supply time that is a total of only the time during which water is supplied to the steam generating means by the water supply means;
Drainage means for draining water inside the steam generating means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means,
The control means causes the water inside the steam generating means to be drained by the draining means when the total water supply time counted by the third timing means reaches a predetermined time. . A steam cooker comprising steam generating means for generating steam with water supplied from a water supply means and supplying the steam to a heating chamber for heating an object to be heated,
Drainage means for draining water inside the steam generating means;
Control means for controlling the operation of the drainage means;
An input means for inputting a drainage instruction;
The steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein when the drainage instruction is input by the input unit, the control unit drains the water inside the steam generation unit by the drainage unit. Water temperature detecting means for measuring the temperature of water inside the steam generating means,
9. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the drainage unit stops draining water inside the steam generation unit. The steam cooker according to any one of the above. A drainage tank for storing water drained by the drainage means;
Further comprising information detecting means for detecting information on the drainage tank or water in the drainage tank,
The said control means controls the drainage of the water inside the said steam generation means by the said drainage means according to the information detected by the said information detection means, The any one of Claim 1 to 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Steam cooker. The information detection means includes a mounting state detection unit that detects a mounting state of the drainage tank,
The control means causes the drainage means to drain the water inside the steam generation means to the drainage tank when the wearing state detection unit detects that the drainage tank is attached to the cooker. The steam cooker according to claim 10. The information detection means has a water level detection unit for detecting the water level in the drainage tank,
The control means causes the drainage means to drain the water inside the steam generation means to the drainage tank when the water level detection unit detects that the water in the drainage tank is below a predetermined water level. The steam cooker according to claim 10 or 11, wherein:   A notification means for performing a warning notification when the information detection means detects that the drain tank is not attached to the cooker, or that the water in the drain tank is higher than a predetermined water level; The steam cooker according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising:   The steam cooker according to claim 12, further comprising a movable unit that changes a position of the water level detection unit in accordance with taking in and out of the drainage tank into and from the cooker.

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