JP2010038520A - Steam generating device and heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam generating device and a heating cooker using the same, capable of improving safety. <P>SOLUTION: This steam generating device includes a metallic housing 2, a water supply port 3 for supplying water into the housing 2, a steam generating heater 4 buried in a lower part of the housing 2 and evaporating the water supplied from the water supply port 3, a discharge opening 8 for discharging the steam produced by the steam generating heater 4, and a temperature sensor 9 mounted on the housing 2 and detecting the abnormality of the steam generating heater 4, and the temperature sensor 9 is cooled by the water passing through the water supply port 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam generator that generates steam and a cooking device using the same.

  A cooking device using a conventional steam generator is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this heating cooker, a steam generator is attached to the outer wall of the heating chamber for storing the food. The steam generator has a housing made of die-cast metal such as aluminum. The housing is hermetically formed with an opening surface of a box-shaped main body portion closed by a lid portion and having a cavity inside. A steam generating heater is cast and embedded in the lower wall surface of the housing.

  A water supply port is formed at one side of the housing at the center in the vertical direction. The water supply port is connected to the water supply tank, and water is supplied into the housing through the water supply port. A steam discharge port facing the heating chamber is provided at the top of the housing.

  When water is supplied into the steam generator from the water supply port, the water is stored at the bottom of the housing, and steam is generated by driving the steam generating heater. The generated steam rises in the housing and comes into contact with the wall surface of the hot housing to be further heated. Thereby, superheated steam is generated and superheated steam is discharged into the heating chamber through the discharge port. Then, the cooked food is cooked by the superheated steam supplied into the heating chamber.

  Further, when the steam generating heater becomes abnormally hot, the airtight housing is softened and deformed, and there is a risk that high temperature water or steam leaks. For this reason, the steam generator which attached the temperature sensor to the housing is known. When the temperature of the housing becomes higher than a predetermined temperature due to heat transfer from the steam generating heater, the temperature sensor detects the housing and stops the steam generating heater. Thereby, a steam generator can be used safely.

JP-A-2006-349313 (page 3 to page 11, FIG. 5)

  However, according to the conventional steam generator, water supplied into the housing is bumped by the steam generating heater, and water droplets adhere to the temperature sensor and evaporate. Thereby, a scale remains on the surface of the temperature sensor. Since the temperature sensor becomes high temperature due to heat transfer from the steam generating heater, the remaining scale is burned and accumulated, and accurate temperature detection cannot be performed. Therefore, there was a problem that the abnormally high temperature of the steam generating heater could not be detected and the safety was lowered.

  An object of this invention is to provide the steam generator which can improve safety | security, and a heating cooker using the same.

  In order to achieve the above object, a steam generator according to the present invention comprises a metal housing, a water supply port for supplying water in the housing, and evaporating water supplied from the water supply port embedded in the lower part of the housing. A steam generating heater, a discharge port for discharging the steam generated by the steam generating heater, and a temperature sensor attached to the housing for detecting an abnormally high temperature of the steam generating heater, and by water passing through the water supply port The temperature sensor is cooled.

  According to this configuration, when water is supplied into the housing from the water supply port, water is stored at the bottom of the housing, and steam is generated by driving the steam generating heater. The generated steam rises in the housing and is further heated by exchanging heat with the housing. The vapor whose temperature has been raised is discharged through the discharge port. When the steam generating heater reaches an abnormally high temperature, it is detected by a temperature sensor, and the steam generating heater is stopped. The temperature sensor is cooled by heat transfer from water passing through the water supply port or water injection through the water supply port in a normal state, and scale accumulation is reduced.

  In the steam generator having the above-described configuration, the temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the water supply port, and the temperature sensor is cooled by transmitting cold heat of water passing through the water supply port through the housing. It is. According to this configuration, the cold heat of the water passing through the water supply port is transmitted to the temperature sensor near the water supply port via the housing, and the temperature sensor is cooled.

  According to the present invention, in the steam generator configured as described above, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than 100 ° C. in a normal state in which the steam generating heater is driven. According to this configuration, the cold heat of the water passing through the water supply port is transmitted through the housing, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is kept lower than 100 ° C. in a normal state. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature exceeding 100 ° C., the steam generating heater is determined to be abnormally high.

  According to the present invention, in the steam generator configured as described above, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor is set to 105 ° C. to 110 ° C. in a normal state in which the steam generating heater is driven. According to this configuration, the cold heat of the water passing through the water supply port is transmitted through the housing, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is maintained at 105 ° C. to 110 ° C. in a normal state. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature exceeding 110 ° C., the steam generating heater is determined to be abnormally high. In addition, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than 100 ° C., it is determined that an abnormal state in which steam cannot be generated.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the steam generator configured as described above, the temperature sensor is disposed below the water supply port, and water flowing out from the water supply port is applied to the temperature sensor. According to this configuration, the temperature sensor disposed below the water supply port is cooled by being poured with water flowing out from the water supply port.

  In the steam generator having the above-described configuration, the water supply port and the temperature sensor are provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the housing, and the temperature sensor is disposed at the same height as or below the water supply port. Water flowing out from the water supply port is applied to the temperature sensor. According to this configuration, water is supplied into the housing from a water supply port provided on one surface of the housing. Water flowing out from the water supply port is applied to a temperature sensor disposed on a surface facing the water supply port, and the temperature sensor is cooled.

  Moreover, the cooking device of the present invention includes a steam generator configured as described above, a heating chamber in which cooked food is stored and steam is supplied from the discharge port, a circulation fan that circulates steam in the heating chamber, A circulation heater for heating steam circulated by a circulation fan is provided. According to this configuration, steam is supplied from the steam generator into the heating chamber and is circulated by the circulation fan for cooking. The steam circulated by the circulation fan is heated by the circulation heater and maintained at a predetermined temperature.

  According to the steam generator of the present invention, the temperature sensor attached to the housing is cooled by heat transfer from the water passing through the water supply port, water injection through the water supply port, etc., so the scale by evaporation of water droplets attached to the temperature sensor Residue and seizure can be reduced. As a result, the temperature sensor can reduce scale deposition and accurately detect temperature over a long period of time. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect an abnormally high temperature of the steam generator and improve the safety of the steam generator and the heating cooker.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2, and 3 are a front view, a left side view, and a perspective view showing the heating cooker according to the first embodiment. The heating cooker 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped heating chamber 11 for storing the food. In the heating chamber 11, trays 17 on which food is placed are arranged in two upper and lower stages.

  A steam generator 1 that supplies steam to the heating chamber 11 through the discharge port 8 is attached to one side wall 11 a of the heating chamber 11. A detachable water supply tank 20 is disposed below the steam generator 1. A water supply pump 21 connected to the water supply port 3 (see FIG. 4) of the steam generator 1 is disposed behind the water supply tank 20. When the water supply tank 20 is mounted, it is connected to the water supply pump 21 via a joint (not shown). Water is supplied from the water supply tank 20 to the steam generator 1 by driving the water supply pump 21.

  A circulation duct 12 is provided behind the heating chamber 11. The circulation duct 12 has an air inlet 14 at the center of the back wall of the heating chamber 11, and a plurality of jets 13 at the periphery of the back wall of the heating chamber 11. In the circulation duct 12, a circulation heater 15 and a circulation fan 16 each including an annular sheathed heater are provided.

  FIG. 4 shows a front sectional view of the steam generator 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The steam generator 1 has a housing 2 made of metal die casting. The housing 2 is formed in an airtight manner with the opening surface of the box-shaped main body 2a closed by a lid 2b fixed with screws 2c and having a cavity inside. Use of aluminum or an aluminum alloy as the material of the housing 2 is more preferable because of good castability and high thermal conductivity.

  A water supply port 3 connected to a water supply pump 21 (see FIG. 1) opens in the lid portion 2b of the housing 2. The main body portion 2 a is provided with a plurality of discharge ports 8 facing the side wall 11 a of the heating chamber 11.

  A steam generating heater 4 composed of a sheathed heater extends in the front-rear direction under the housing 2. The steam generating heater 4 is cast and embedded in the housing 2, and is in close contact with the housing 2 so that heat of the steam generating heater 4 is efficiently transmitted to the housing 2. Thereby, the water discharged from the water supply port 3 and accumulated at the bottom of the housing 2 is evaporated by the heat transmitted from the steam generating heater 4 to the housing 2 to generate steam. When the housing 2 is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the softening temperature is about 400 ° C., so the steam generating heater 4 is heated at a temperature lower than 400 ° C. (for example, 200 ° C.).

  The surface on which the discharge port 8 is formed is provided so as to protrude from the lower portion of the housing 2 in which the steam generating heater 4 is embedded. For this reason, the lower part of the housing 2, which is heated by the steam generating heater 4, is arranged away from the wall surface 11 a of the heating chamber 11. Thereby, the heat-resistant structure of the heating chamber 11 can be simplified.

  A temperature sensor 9 is attached near the lower part of the water supply port 3 of the lid 2b. The temperature sensor 9 detects insufficient heating due to an abnormally high temperature or failure of the steam generating heater 4.

  In the heating cooker 10 having the above-described configuration, the stored water tank 20 is mounted, and the food is placed on the tray 17 to start cooking. When cooking is started, the feed water pump 21 is driven, and then the steam generating heater 4 and the steam temperature raising heater 5 are driven. Water is supplied into the housing 2 of the steam generator 1 from the water supply port 3 as indicated by an arrow B by the water supply pump 21.

  A part of the water supplied to the housing 2 from the water supply port 3 is hung on the temperature sensor 9 when it falls as shown by an arrow C1 (see FIG. 4), and is stored at the bottom of the housing 2. Since the temperature sensor 9 is provided in the vicinity of the water supply port 3, the cold heat of the water passing through the water supply port 3 is transmitted through the housing 2 and cooled. Further, the temperature sensor 9 is further cooled by being filled with water discharged from the water supply port 3. Thereby, the temperature of the temperature sensor 9 is maintained at a temperature lower than 100 ° C. in a normal state in which the steam generating heater 4 is driven to generate steam.

  Water accumulated at the bottom of the housing 2 is evaporated by the steam generating heater 4 to generate steam. The steam generated at the bottom of the housing 2 flows through the housing 2 as shown by an arrow C2 (see FIG. 4). The steam flowing through the housing 2 exchanges heat with the housing 2 that is transferred from the steam generating heater 4 and is further heated. As a result, superheated steam is generated and supplied from the discharge port 8 to the heating chamber 11 as indicated by an arrow C3 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). At this time, if heat exchange fins are provided on the inner wall of the housing 2, the heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

  The cooked food on the tray 17 is cooked by the superheated steam supplied into the heating chamber 11. Further, the steam in the heating chamber 11 flows into the circulation duct 12 through the intake port 14 by driving of the circulation fan 16. The steam flowing through the circulation duct 12 is heated by the circulation heater 15 and ejected from the ejection port 13 into the heating chamber 11. Thereby, the vapor | steam in the heating chamber 11 is maintained at predetermined temperature. Alternatively, cooking may be performed by adjusting the heating temperature of the steam generating heater 4 and discharging saturated steam from the discharge port 8.

  When the steam generating heater 4 becomes abnormally high, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 exceeds 100 ° C. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 reaches a predetermined temperature exceeding 100 ° C., the steam generating heater 4 is stopped and an abnormality is notified. Thereby, it is possible to prevent high-temperature water or steam from leaking out from the gap between the main body 2a and the lid 2b due to the softening of the airtight housing 2, and the safety can be improved.

  If the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 9 does not rise above a predetermined temperature lower than 100 ° C. or normal temperature when the steam generating heater 4 is in a normal state, it is determined that the steam generating heater 4 has failed. Then, the steam generating heater 4 is stopped and an abnormality is notified. Thereby, it is possible to easily detect a failure and improve convenience.

  According to this embodiment, the temperature sensor 9 that detects an abnormally high temperature of the steam generating heater 4 is disposed in the vicinity of the water supply port 3, so that it is cooled by the water passing through the water supply port 3 by heat transfer of the housing 2. The temperature sensor 9 is further cooled because the water discharged through the water supply port 3 is poured.

  As a result, the temperature sensor 9 is maintained at a temperature lower than 100 ° C., and even if water accumulated at the bottom of the housing 2 bumps and water droplets adhere to the temperature sensor 9, residual scale due to evaporation is reduced. Further, even if the scale remains in the temperature sensor 9, it is washed away by the water discharged through the water supply port 3.

  For this reason, the accumulation of the scale of the temperature sensor 9 is reduced, and the temperature can be accurately detected over a long period of time. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect an abnormally high temperature or failure of the steam generating heater 4 and improve the safety and convenience of the steam generating device 1 and the heating cooker 10.

  Note that the temperature sensor 9 may be disposed in the vicinity of the water supply port 3 where the water discharged from the water supply port 3 is not applied. Similarly in this case, the temperature sensor 9 is cooled by the water passing through the water supply port 3 by the heat transfer of the housing 2. Thereby, the residue of the scale of the temperature sensor 9 is reduced, and the temperature can be accurately detected. Further, even if the scale remains in the temperature sensor 9, it is washed away by water droplets that bump and adhere.

  At this time, the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 9 in the normal state in which the steam generating heater 4 is driven may be cooled so as to be maintained at a temperature exceeding 100 ° C. (for example, 105 ° C. to 110 ° C.). In this way, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 reaches a predetermined temperature exceeding 110 ° C., the steam generating heater 4 is stopped and an abnormality is notified. Thereby, it can prevent that high temperature water and steam leak, and can improve safety.

  Further, if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 is lower than 100 ° C. when the steam generating heater 4 is driven, it is determined that the steam generating heater 4 has failed, and the steam generating heater 4 is stopped and an abnormality is notified. Thereby, cooking can be performed by accurately detecting whether or not the temperature can be generated by the temperature sensor 9. Therefore, the convenience of the heating cooker 10 can be improved. At this time, by setting the temperature of the temperature sensor 9 in the normal state to 105 ° C. or higher, it is possible to accurately detect that the temperature has become 100 ° C. or lower.

  When the detected temperature of the temperature sensor 9 in the normal state is 105 ° C. to 110 ° C., water droplets attached to the temperature sensor 9 are evaporated due to bumping, so that the scale remains. However, since the temperature sensor 9 is at a relatively low temperature of 110 ° C. or lower, scale burn-in is reduced. For this reason, the scale remaining on the temperature sensor 9 is washed away by the suddenly boiling water droplets, and the deposition of the scale is reduced. Therefore, the temperature can be accurately detected over a long period of time.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a steam generator according to the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the temperature sensor 9 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The temperature sensor 9 is attached to a surface facing the lid portion 2b of the main body portion 2a at substantially the same height as the water supply port 3. Thereby, the temperature sensor 9 is cooled by being poured with water discharged into the housing 2 through the water supply port 3.

  As a result, the temperature sensor 9 is maintained at a temperature lower than 100 ° C., and even if water accumulated on the bottom of the housing 2 bumps and water droplets adhere to the temperature sensor 9 as in the first embodiment, the scale due to evaporation Residue is reduced. Further, even if the scale remains in the temperature sensor 9, it is washed away by the water discharged through the water supply port 3. Therefore, the same effect as the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, it is more preferable to attach the temperature sensor 9 below the water supply port 3 because the temperature sensor 9 is likely to be splashed with water.

  In the first and second embodiments, a steam temperature raising heater that further raises the temperature of the steam may be provided in the upper part of the housing 2.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the steam generator which generate | occur | produces a vapor | steam, and a heating cooker using the same.

The front view which shows the heating cooker of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The left view which shows the heating cooker of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the heating cooker of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Front sectional drawing which shows the steam generator of the heating cooker of 1st Embodiment of this invention. AA sectional view of FIG. Front sectional drawing which shows the steam generator of the heating cooker of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam generator 2 Housing 3 Water supply port 4 Steam generation heater 8 Discharge port 9 Temperature sensor 10 Heating cooker 11 Heating chamber 12 Circulation duct 13 Outlet 14 Inlet port 15 Circulation heater 16 Circulation fan 20 Water supply tank 21 Water supply pump

Claims (7)

  A metal housing, a water supply port for supplying water in the housing, a steam generation heater embedded in a lower portion of the housing and evaporating water supplied from the water supply port, and steam generated by the steam generation heater A steam generator comprising: a discharge port for discharging; and a temperature sensor attached to the housing for detecting an abnormally high temperature of the steam generating heater, wherein the temperature sensor is cooled by water passing through the water supply port.   The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the water supply port, and the temperature sensor is cooled by transmitting cold heat of water passing through the water supply port by the housing.   The steam generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is lower than 100 ° C in a normal state in which the steam generating heater is driven.   The steam generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor detects a temperature of 105 to 110 ° C in a normal state in which the steam generation heater is driven.   The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed below the water supply port, and water flowing out of the water supply port is applied to the temperature sensor.   The water supply port and the temperature sensor are provided on the mutually opposing surfaces of the housing, the temperature sensor is disposed at the same height as or below the water supply port, and water flowing out of the water supply port is applied to the temperature sensor. The steam generator according to claim 1.   The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a heating chamber in which a food is stored and steam is supplied from the discharge port, a circulation fan that circulates steam in the heating chamber, and A cooking device comprising a circulation heater for heating steam circulated by a circulation fan.

Images