JP2015105773A - Water supply device and heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water supply device which estimates a water level of a water supply tank by using a simple structure without using a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water supply tank.SOLUTION: A water supply device includes: a water supply tank (11); an atmospheric open type water receptor (310) to which water is supplied from the water supply tank by using a hydraulic head pressure; a flow speed detection part which detects a flow speed of the water supplied from the water supply tank (11) to the water receptor (310); and a water level estimation part which estimates a water level of the water supply tank (11) on the basis of the flow speed of the water which is detected by the flow speed detection part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water supply apparatus and a cooking device including the same.

  Conventionally, as a water supply device, in a heating cooker provided with a water supply tank and a steam generator to which water is supplied from the water supply tank, a water level detection device using a plurality of pairs of infrared light emitting elements and light receiving elements is used. There is one that detects the water level (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3788450 (Patent Document 1)).

Patent No. 3788450

  In the conventional water supply apparatus, since a plurality of pairs of infrared light emitting elements and light receiving elements are used, there is a problem that the configuration of the water level detecting apparatus is complicated and the cost is increased.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to detect the water level of the water supply tank using a plurality of electrode rods instead of a complicated and expensive water level detection device such as this. In the cooking device for controlling the generation of steam, two water level sensors are required for the water supply tank and the steam generation device, and there is a problem that the configuration is complicated and the cost is increased. In particular, in a heating cooker using a plurality of electrode rods as a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water supply tank and the evaporation container of the steam generator, the space of the water level sensor is large, and the size of the main body cannot be reduced.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a water supply device that can estimate the water level of a water supply tank with a simple configuration without using a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water supply tank, and a cooking device provided with the water supply device. is there.

In order to solve the above problems, the water supply device of the present invention is:
A water tank,
An open-air water receiver to which water is supplied from the water supply tank using water head pressure;
A flow rate detector for detecting a flow rate of water when being supplied from the water supply tank to the water receiver;
And a water level estimation unit that estimates the water level of the water supply tank based on the flow rate of the water detected by the flow rate detection unit.

Moreover, in the water supply apparatus of one embodiment,
The flow velocity detector is
A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water receiver;
The water level detected by the water level sensor is supplied from the water supply tank to the water receiver based on a preset time from the first water level to the upper second water level. A flow rate estimation unit for estimating the flow rate of water.

Moreover, in the water supply apparatus of one embodiment,
An inlet through which water supplied from the water supply tank flows is provided above the second water level of the water receiver.

Moreover, in the heating cooker of this invention,
The water supply apparatus according to any one of the above is provided.

  As is clear from the above, according to the present invention, a water supply device that can estimate the water level of a water supply tank with a simple configuration without using a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water supply tank, and a heating cooker including the water supply device Can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cooking device equipped with a water supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking device. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the cooking device with the casing removed. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water supply device of the heating cooker. FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of the cooking device. FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a control block diagram of the heating cooker according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a main part of the drainage structure of the cooking device. FIG. 9: is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separation apparatus of the heating cooker provided with the water supply apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10: is a top view of the bottom face of the heating chamber of the cooking-by-heating machine provided with the water supply apparatus of 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a wedge-shaped opening and a circular hole of a comparative example. FIG. 12: is a front view of the state which opened the door of the heating cooker provided with the water supply apparatus of 7th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the water supply apparatus and heating cooker of this invention are demonstrated in detail by embodiment of illustration.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1: has shown the front perspective view of the heating cooker of 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heating cooker according to the first embodiment has a door 2 that is pivoted about a lower end side on the front surface of a rectangular parallelepiped casing 1. A handle 3 is attached to the upper side of the door 2. Further, the heat-resistant glass 4 is attached to the door 2 on the side (front side) opposite to the heating chamber 13 (shown in FIG. 2). An operation panel 5 is provided on the right side of the door 2. The operation panel 5 includes a color liquid crystal display unit 6 and a button group 7. An exhaust duct 8 is provided on the upper side of the casing 1 and on the right rear side. Further, a dew receptacle 9 that can be attached to and detached from the front leg (not shown) of the casing 1 is disposed below the door 2.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a longitudinal section of the cooking device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the heating cooker heats the water supplied from the water supply tank 11 with a saturated steam generator 12 to generate saturated steam. Then, the saturated steam generated by the saturated steam generator 12 is supplied to the steam inlet 15 of the circulation unit 14 attached to the right side surface of the heating chamber 13 via a steam supply passage (not shown) and the steam supply pipe 34. To the heating chamber 13 side.

  The steam supply pipe 34 connected to the steam supply passage is attached in the vicinity of the steam inlet 15 of the circulation unit 14 so as to be parallel to the right side surface of the heating chamber 13. A circulation fan 18 is disposed in the circulation unit 14 so as to face the vapor suction port 15. The circulation fan 18 is rotationally driven by a circulation fan motor 19.

  Further, a steam duct 100 bent in an L shape is attached to the heating chamber 13 so as to cover the upper surface and the left side surface of the heating chamber 13. The steam duct 100 includes a first duct portion 110 fixed to the upper surface side of the heating chamber 13, a bent portion 120 that bends from the left side to the lower side of the first duct portion 110, and a left side surface side of the heating chamber 13. A second duct portion 130 that is fixed and is continuous with the first duct portion 110 via the bent portion 120 is provided.

  The first duct portion 110 of the steam duct 100 houses the superheated steam generating heater 20. The first duct portion 110 of the steam duct 100 and the superheated steam generator heater 20 constitute a superheated steam generator 21. Note that the superheated steam generator may be provided separately from the steam duct.

  Further, the right side of the first duct portion 110 of the steam duct 100 communicates with the steam supply port 22 provided in the upper part of the circulation unit 14. A plurality of first steam outlets 24 are provided on the top surface of the heating chamber 13, and the first duct portion 110 of the steam duct 100 communicates with the inside of the heating chamber 13 via the first steam outlet 24. ing. On the other hand, the second duct portion 130 of the steam duct 100 communicates with the inside of the heating chamber 13 through a plurality of second steam outlets 25 provided on the left side surface of the heating chamber 13.

  A gap between the heating chamber 13 and the steam duct 100 is sealed with a heat resistant resin or the like. The heating chamber 13 and the steam duct 100 are covered with a heat insulating material (not shown) except for the front opening of the heating chamber 13.

  A circulation path for circulating the heat medium (air containing water vapor) through the heating chamber 13 is formed by the circulation unit 14, the superheated steam generation device 21, and the connecting member connecting them. Saturated steam generated by the saturated steam generator 12 is supplied to the boundary portion of the circulation unit 14 with the heating chamber 13 in this circulation path.

  A magnetron 80 (shown in FIG. 5) as an example of a microwave generation unit is disposed on the lower side of the casing 1. The microwave generated in the magnetron 80 is guided to the vicinity of the lower center of the heating chamber 13 by a waveguide (not shown), and is stirred in the heating chamber 13 by the rotating antenna 38 driven by the rotating antenna motor 37. The object to be heated 27 is heated by being emitted upward. In this case, the object to be heated 27 is arranged on the lower side or near the bottom surface in the heating chamber 13 without using the tray 30 or the net 40.

  Further, a cooling fan part (not shown) and an electrical component part 17 are also arranged below the casing 1. The electrical component part 17 has a drive circuit that drives each part of the cooking device, a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the heating cooker with the casing 1 removed, and the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the heating cooker shown in FIGS. The description is omitted. In FIG. 3, 45 is a dilution fan for supplying and exhausting air to and from the heating chamber 13 (shown in FIG. 2), and 51 is a supply air for opening and closing an air supply port (not shown) provided in the heating chamber 13. Qi damper.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the water supply device of the cooking device.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the water supply device of this heating cooker includes a water supply tank 11, and an evaporation container 310 as an example of an open-air water receiver to which water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 using water head pressure. And a water level sensor 300 for detecting the water level in the evaporation container 310. The water supply tank 11 and the evaporation container 310 are connected via a water supply pipe 320. A water supply valve 70 is disposed in the water supply pipe 320.

  The water level sensor 300 has three electrode rods 301, 302, 303 having different lengths extending downward, and a detection unit (not shown) to which the three electrode rods 301, 302, 303 are connected. The electrode rods 301, 302, and 303 are, in order from the bottom of the evaporation vessel 310, the lower end of the electrode rod 301 is the first water level L1, the lower end of the electrode rod 302 is the second water level L2, and the lower end of the electrode rod 303 is the third water level L3. It has become.

  In the water level sensor 300, the evaporation container 310 serves as a common electrode. When the water level in the evaporation container 310 exceeds the lower end of the electrode bar 301, the evaporation container 310 and the electrode bar 301 are electrically connected to each other. It is detected that the water level L1 has been reached. Further, when the water level in the evaporation vessel 310 exceeds the lower end of the electrode rod 302, it is detected that the evaporation vessel 310 and the electrode rod 302 are electrically connected to reach the second water level L2. Furthermore, when the water level in the evaporation vessel 310 rises and the water level in the evaporation vessel 310 exceeds the lower end of the electrode rod 303, the evaporation vessel 310 and the electrode rod 303 are electrically connected to the third water level L3. Detect that.

  In this embodiment, the water level sensor 300 having three electrode rods 301, 302, and 303 having different lengths is used, but the number and arrangement of the electrode rods may be appropriately set according to the evaporation container or the like.

  FIG. 5 shows a control block diagram of the cooking device.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the heating cooker includes a control device 200 including a microcomputer and an input / output circuit in the electrical component section 17 (shown in FIG. 2). The control device 200 includes a superheated steam generation heater 20, a circulation fan motor 19, a cooling fan motor 16, a supply damper motor 44, an exhaust damper motor 60, an operation panel 5, an internal temperature sensor 29, and a thawing sensor. 50, a water supply valve 70, a saturated water vapor generator 12, a magnetron 80, a rotating antenna motor 37, a dilution fan motor 46, and the like are connected. Based on the signal from the operation panel 5 and the detection signals from the internal temperature sensor 29 and the thawing sensor 50, the control device 200 performs the superheated steam generation heater 20, the circulation fan motor 19, the cooling fan motor 16, and the air supply damper. The motor 44, the exhaust damper motor 60, the operation panel 5, the water supply valve 70, the saturated steam generator 12, the magnetron 80, the rotating antenna motor 37, the dilution fan motor 46, and the like are controlled.

  The control device 200 includes a heating control unit 200 a that controls the saturated steam generator 12, the superheated steam generator heater 20, and the magnetron 80, and a water level in the evaporation container 310 of the saturated steam generator 12 detected by the water level sensor 300. The flow rate estimation unit 200b that estimates the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310, and the water level estimation that estimates the water level of the water supply tank 11 based on the flow rate estimated by the flow rate estimation unit 200b Part 200c.

  In the cooking device having the above configuration, when cooking is performed using superheated steam, the superheated steam generation heater 20 and the heater (not shown) of the saturated steam generator 12 shown in FIG. The fan 18 is rotationally driven. Then, the saturated steam supplied from the saturated steam generator 12 to the vicinity of the steam supply port 22 of the circulation unit 14 is sucked into the circulation unit 14 having a negative pressure by the rotation of the circulation fan 18, It is blown out from the supply port 22 into the superheated steam generator 21. Then, the saturated steam is heated by the superheated steam generator heater 20 of the superheated steam generator 21 to become superheated steam. A part of this superheated steam blows downward into the heating chamber 13 from a plurality of first steam outlets 24 provided on the top surface of the lower heating chamber 13. Further, another part of the superheated steam is blown out into the heating chamber 13 from the second steam outlet 25 of the heating chamber 13 through the steam duct 100.

  Then, the superheated steam supplied into the heating chamber 13 heats the heated object 27 mounted on the net 40 on the tray 30, and then enters the steam inlet 15 of the circulation unit 14 on the right wall surface of the heating chamber 13. The air is sucked into the circulation unit 14 from the suction port 28 formed oppositely. Then, the circulation of returning to the heating chamber 13 through the circulation path again is repeated.

  In the cooking using the superheated steam, the water supply to the saturated steam generator 12 is intermittently supplied from the water supply tank 11 by opening and closing the water supply valve 70 (shown in FIG. 4).

  In addition, when cooking the to-be-heated material 27 using saturated water vapor | steam, while turning off the superheated steam production | generation heater 20, the circulation fan 18 is stopped. Then, since the circulation fan 18 is stopped, no circulation airflow is generated in the circulation path, and the saturated water vapor supplied from the saturated water vapor generator 12 to the vicinity upstream of the vapor inlet 15 of the circulation unit 14 is It is not forcibly sucked into the circulation unit 14. Thereby, the to-be-heated material 27 is steamed or warmed by the saturated water vapor that naturally flows into the heating chamber 13 by the water vapor pressure.

  According to the water supply device for a heating cooker having the above-described configuration, when the water level of the water supply tank 11 is high, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 as a water receiver is increased at a high water head pressure. When the water level of the water supply tank 11 is low, the flow rate of the water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 with a low water head pressure becomes slow. That is, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 is substantially proportional to the water level of the water supply tank 11. Using this characteristic, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 is detected by the flow rate detection unit (water level sensor 300, flow rate estimation unit 200b), and based on the detected flow rate of water, By estimating the water level of the water supply tank 11 by the water level estimation unit 200c, the water level of the water supply tank 11 can be estimated with a simple configuration without using a water level sensor that detects the water level of the water supply tank 11.

  Further, the faster the water flow rate in the water supply tank 11 during water supply, the greater the amount of change in the water level per unit time in the evaporation vessel 310, and the slower the water flow rate in the water supply tank 11 during water supply, the lower the water level in the evaporation vessel 310. The amount of change per unit time becomes smaller. That is, the amount of change per unit time of the water level in the evaporation container 310 to which water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 using the water head pressure is constant because the cross-sectional area of the water supply path including the water supply pipe 320 is constant. It is approximately proportional to the flow rate of water in the water supply tank 11. Therefore, the water level in the evaporation container 310 detected by the water level sensor 300 is supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 based on the time from the predetermined first water level to the predetermined second water level above it. It is possible to estimate the flow rate of water by the flow rate estimation unit 200b. Thus, the water level sensor 300 that detects the water level in the evaporation container 310 can be used for estimating the water level of the water supply tank 11.

  Here, the relationship between the amount of change in the water level in the evaporation vessel 310 per unit time and the flow rate of the water in the water supply tank 11 is obtained in advance through experiments or the like, and supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation vessel 310 using a table or a mathematical expression. Calculate the flow rate of water to be discharged.

  In addition, by providing the inlet 310a into which water supplied from the water supply tank 11 flows above the second water level of the evaporation container 310, the head pressure for supplying water from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 is The water level of the water supply tank 11 can be accurately estimated without being lowered by the water accumulated in the evaporation container 310.

  Moreover, according to the heating cooker of the said structure, simplification of a structure and cost reduction can be achieved by providing the said water supply apparatus which can estimate the water level of the water supply tank 11 with a simple structure.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a control block diagram of the heating cooker according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The heating cooker of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the seal structure of the heating chamber 13, the supply on / off valve 1044, the exhaust on / off valve 1060, the pressure sensor 1100, the cooling device 1300, and the control device 1200. It has the same configuration as the heating cooker, and FIGS.

  The heating cooker according to the second embodiment includes a lock mechanism on the door 2 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) and a seal structure that seals the heating chamber 13 (shown in FIG. 2). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the heating cooker includes an air supply on-off valve 1044 for opening and closing an air supply passage connected to an air supply port (not shown) of the heating chamber 13, and an exhaust of the heating chamber 13. An exhaust on-off valve 1060 for opening and closing an exhaust passage connected to an opening (not shown) and a pressure sensor 1100 for detecting the pressure in the heating chamber 13 are provided. The heating cooker includes a cooling device 1300 that cools the outside of the heating chamber 13.

  The cooking device of the second embodiment performs pressure cooking and reduced pressure cooking as follows.

(Pressure cooking)
First, in a state where the door 2 is fixed by a lock mechanism and the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is opened, water vapor from the saturated water vapor generator 12 is injected into the heating chamber 13, and the air in the heating chamber 13 is discharged. Exhaust. Here, the air supply on-off valve 1044 is closed.

  Next, after the air in the heating chamber 13 is exhausted, the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is closed to close the heating chamber 13, and the water vapor in the heating chamber 13 is heated and expanded to expand the inside of the heating chamber 13. Increase pressure.

  Next, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 1100 in the heating chamber 13 becomes a predetermined value or more, the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is opened, and then when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 1100 becomes a predetermined value or less, the exhaust gas is exhausted. The on-off valve 1060 is closed, and steam is reintroduced into the heating chamber 13 from the saturated steam generator 12 to adjust the pressure.

(Decompression cooking)
First, in a state where the door 2 is fixed by a lock mechanism and the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is opened, water vapor from the saturated water vapor generator 12 is injected into the heating chamber 13, and the air in the heating chamber 13 is discharged. Exhaust. Here, the air supply on-off valve 1044 is closed.

  Next, after the air in the heating chamber 13 is exhausted, the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is closed to close the heating chamber 13 and supply of water vapor is stopped.

  Next, the pressure in the heating chamber 13 is reduced by condensing water vapor in the heating chamber 13 by reducing the temperature in the heating chamber 13 by forced cooling (or natural cooling) by the cooling device 1300 outside the heating chamber 13. Reduce.

  Then, after cooking under reduced pressure, the exhaust on-off valve 1060 is opened, and the pressure in the heating chamber 13 is restored.

  The cooling device 1300 may be a cooling fan that supplies outside air to the outside of the heating chamber 13. In addition, after a part of the cooling air of the cooling fan flows along the surface of the water supply tank, the outside of the heating chamber 13 may be cooled, and cold water or ice water is put into the water supply tank to adjust the temperature of the cooling air. It may be lowered.

  While food can be cooked softly by pressure cooking of the heating cooker, taste can easily soak in the reduced pressure cooking.

  Moreover, in the said heating cooker, after performing pressure cooking and making a food soft, a reliable seasoning can be carried out to a food by cooking under reduced pressure.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows a control block diagram of a heating cooker according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The cooking device according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the cooking device according to the first embodiment except for the water leak sensor 2100 and the control device 2200, and FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the main part of the drainage structure of the heating cooker, and a dew condensation water collecting part (not shown) is formed by providing a slope (not shown) on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 13. A drain hole 2110 is provided in the lower part of the water collecting part. Drainage collected in a tray 2120 that is shielded from outside air disposed at the lower part of the water collecting unit is drained to the dew receiving device 9 through a drainage tube 2130. A tube pump 2300 having a mechanism for crushing the tube with a cam driven by a motor is disposed in the middle of the drain tube 2130. The tube pump 2300 is an example of a drainage pump.

  Water leakage occurred by providing a water guide path and a water reservoir (not shown) in the bottom plate 2140 disposed below the entire drainage tube 2130 and installing the electrode of the water leak sensor 2100 in the water reservoir. In such a case, drainage leaked in the water reservoir portion of the bottom plate portion 2130 is accumulated, and the electrodes of the water leak sensor 2100 are conducted to detect the water leak.

  Condensation water discharge in the heating chamber of the conventional cooking device is not noticeable abnormally when there is a hole or disconnection in the tube on the way, and water leakage may occur from the bottom plate part, According to the heating cooker of the third embodiment, the operation is safely stopped by the control device 2200 when an abnormality (water leakage) occurs in the drainage path that removes the condensed water accumulated in the heating chamber 13 during steam cooking. can do.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 9: has shown the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the gas-liquid separation apparatus of the heating cooker of 4th Embodiment of this invention. The cooking device of the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the cooking device of the first embodiment except for the gas-liquid separator, and uses FIGS. 1 to 5.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cooking device according to the fourth embodiment includes a funnel-shaped main body 3001 whose upper portion is closed and a gas-liquid separator 3000 having a cylindrical portion 3002 penetrating through the upper portion of the main body 3001. It has.

  An inlet 3001a through which saturated water vapor generated by the saturated water vapor generator 12 flows in a substantially horizontal direction from the side is provided on the upper part of the funnel-shaped main body 3001. A liquid outlet 3001b is provided at the lower end of the funnel-shaped main body 3001.

  In this gas-liquid separator 3000, saturated water vapor (indicated by white arrows in FIG. 9) flowing from the inlet 3001a of the main body 3001 is filled while diffusing into the main body 3001, and flows into the lower end opening 3002a of the cylindrical portion 3002. Thus, it flows out from the upper end opening 3002b of the cylindrical portion 3002, and is supplied into the heating chamber 13 through a steam supply passage (not shown).

  On the other hand, liquid water excluding the saturated water vapor flowing from the inlet 3001a of the main body portion 3001 (black solid arrow in FIG. 9) flows downward along the inner wall of the main body portion 3001 and flows from the liquid outlet 3001b to the water supply tank 11 (FIG. 2) (shown in FIG. 3).

  In a conventional steam generator that heats the water in the evaporation container with a heater, a space for boiling water to rise during evaporation is secured above the heater immersion part (water surface part). Was the cause of the increase in capacity. In some cases, a reheating means is provided in the steam path to improve the dryness of water vapor.

  On the other hand, in the cooking device of the fourth embodiment, even if the boiling water blow-up space is reduced and steam mixed with boiling water (high wetness) is generated, a simple gas-liquid on the way By disposing the separation device 3000, high-quality water vapor with high dryness is supplied while preventing the inflow of boiling water into the heating chamber 13.

  Thus, according to the heating cooker of the said structure, while the boiling water blowing-up space of the saturated steam generator 12 can be made small, the cone of the gas-liquid separator 3000 arrange | positioned at the steam discharge part of the saturated steam generator 12 is possible. By separating the liquid (water) in the shape space and taking out the gas (water vapor) as an upward flow from above, gas-liquid separation can be performed, and steam with high dryness can be supplied to the heating chamber 13 side.

  In the fourth embodiment, the gas-liquid separator 3000 having the funnel-shaped main body 3001 is used. However, the gas-liquid separator is not limited to this, and may be a gas-liquid separator having another configuration for separating gas and liquid. Good.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, the interior cooling of the heating cooker according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The cooking device of the fifth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the heating cooking device of the first embodiment except for an air supply structure to the heating chamber 13, and FIGS.

  In the heating cooker according to the fifth embodiment, a part of the air from the dilution fan 45 (shown in FIG. 3) is heated through a supply passage (not shown) and a supply port (not shown). (Shown in FIG. 2). In this air supply passage, an air supply damper 51 (shown in FIG. 3) that is opened and closed by an air supply damper motor 44 (shown in FIG. 5) is provided.

  A passage passing through a gap between the water supply tank 11 and a tank cover (not shown) is a part of the air supply passage.

  In the heating cooker, when the temperature in the heating chamber 13 is desired to be lower than room temperature, cold water is set in the water supply tank 11, the air supply damper 51 is opened by the air supply damper motor 44, and the water supply tank containing the cold water is contained. The cold air heat-exchanged with 11 is supplied into the heating chamber 13 to lower the internal temperature.

  Conventionally, the internal temperature adjustment by turning on / off the heater is not a problem when adjusting to a temperature higher than room temperature, but if you want to adjust the internal temperature to a temperature close to or lower than room temperature (fermentation cooking, etc.) Has a problem that temperature accuracy cannot be secured. For example, in the primary fermentation of bread dough, a temperature of about 25 ° C. is said to be good, and the temperature cannot be adjusted depending on the summer or installation location.

  On the other hand, according to the heating cooker of the said 5th Embodiment, the chamber | room temperature can be set near room temperature or below room temperature.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 10: has shown the top view of the bottom face 13a of the heating chamber 13 of the cooking-by-heating machine provided with the water supply apparatus of 6th Embodiment of this invention, and the lower side in a figure is a front side and the upper side is a rear side. FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the wedge-shaped opening 4000 and the round hole 4100 of the comparative example. The cooking device of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as the cooking device of the first embodiment, and uses FIGS. 1 to 5.

  In the cooking device of the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a wedge-shaped opening 4000 having an opening area comparable to the opening area of a round hole 4100 (shown in FIG. 11) as a comparative example is provided in the heating chamber. 13 are provided on the right side and the rear side of the bottom surface 13a. The plurality of wedge-shaped openings 4000 constitute a drain hole 2110. Note that at least one wedge-shaped opening constituting the drain hole 2110 is sufficient.

  A tray 2120 (shown in FIG. 8) having a drainage reservoir space is disposed below the drainage hole 2110 comprising the wedge-shaped opening 4000. The drainage accumulated in the tray 2120 is sucked by the tube pump 2300 (shown in FIG. 8), which is a drainage pump, and drained to the dew receptacle 9.

  In a conventional cooking device, the condensed water generated during steam cooking is sucked by a draining pump through a plurality of round holes (diameter of about 2mm to 3mm) that constitute a drainage hole provided in the lower part of the heating chamber to the dew receiving device. It was draining.

  In such a conventional heating cooker, if the round hole of the drainage hole at the bottom of the heating chamber is enlarged, the foreign matter in the heating chamber enters the drainage pump and the drainage pump fails, while the drainage hole at the bottom of the heating chamber If the round hole is made too small, drainage efficiency decreases due to an increase in surface tension.

  On the other hand, in the cooking device of the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the wedge-shaped opening 4000 having the same opening area as the circular hole 4100 has a maximum width W1 larger than the maximum width W2 of the circular hole 4100. Since the width W1 of the wedge-shaped opening 4000 is 2 mm or less, the influence of the surface tension can be reduced by the shape of the wedge-shaped opening 4000 without passing foreign matter that may cause the tube pump 2300 to fail. , Drainage efficiency can be improved.

  According to the cooking device having the above configuration, the drainage efficiency of drainage can be improved without increasing the opening area of the drainage hole 2110 by configuring the drainage hole 2110 of the dew condensation water in the heating chamber 13 with a plurality of wedge-shaped openings 4000.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 12: has shown the front view of the state which opened the door 2 of the heating cooker provided with the water supply apparatus of 7th Embodiment of this invention. The cooking device of the seventh embodiment has the same configuration as the cooking device of the first embodiment, and uses FIGS.

  In the heating cooker according to the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a flexible hose 5100 made of heat-resistant resin or the like is attached to the suction port 28 (shown in FIG. 2) of the heating chamber 13 using an attachment 5200. It is attached to cover. The opening of the flexible hose 5100 is disposed in the vicinity of an object to be heated (for example, a lunch box 5000 in FIG. 10).

  Thereby, the saturated steam blown out from the steam supply pipe 34 can be blown from the immediate vicinity of the object to be heated to perform local heating.

  Note that saturated water vapor is sprayed from the flexible hose 5100 onto the object to be heated in combination with microwaves, hot air, or radiation heating depending on the purpose of cooking. In the case of cooking using normal steam or superheated steam, cooking is performed without the flexible hose 5100.

  In a conventional cooking device, a steam jet hole is provided in the wall of the heating chamber to jet steam or superheated steam into the heating chamber, or spot heating is performed by placing an object to be heated near the steam jet hole. Some cooked by putting steam into a grill pan with a lid.

  In such a conventional heating cooker, the entire heating chamber (or the entire grill pan) is filled with water vapor to cook the object to be heated. Heating could not be performed. In addition, even when the object to be heated is arranged near the steam ejection hole, there is a restriction on the shape of the object to be heated.

  On the other hand, the heating cooker of the seventh embodiment can efficiently heat the object to be heated in a small amount, and local heating (for example, when you want to warm partly because of the lunchbox) In addition, it is possible to perform cleaning by spraying steam against local dirt stuck in the heating chamber 13.

  In the first to seventh embodiments, the water level in the evaporation container 310 detected by the water level sensor 300 using the plurality of electrode rods 301 to 303 reaches the upper second water level from the preset first water level. Although the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310 is estimated based on the time until the water flow rate, the flow rate of water may be detected using a flow rate sensor.

  In the first to seventh embodiments, the water level in the evaporation container 310 is detected by the water level sensor 300 using a plurality of electrode rods. However, the water level sensor is not limited to this, and a water receiver using a pressure sensor. A sensor for detecting the water level in the inside may be used.

  Moreover, in the said 1st-7th embodiment, although the inlet 310a of the evaporation container 310 as a water receiver was provided above the 2nd water level L2, the inlet of the water receiver may be provided below. .

  In the first to seventh embodiments, based on the time until the water level in the evaporation container 310 detected by the water level sensor 300 reaches the predetermined second water level above the predetermined first water level, The flow rate estimation unit 200b estimates the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the evaporation container 310, and the water level estimation unit 200c estimates the water level of the water supply tank 11 based on the estimated water flow rate. Based on the correlation between the time required for the water level detected by the water level sensor to reach the upper second water level from the preset first water level and the water level of the water supply tank Thus, the water level of the direct water supply tank may be estimated.

  Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the first to seventh embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

The water supply apparatus of this invention
A water supply tank 11;
An open-air type water receiver 310 to which water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 using water head pressure;
A flow rate detector (300, 200b) for detecting a flow rate of water when supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310;
A water level estimation unit 200c that estimates the water level of the water supply tank 11 based on the flow rate of the water detected by the flow rate detection unit (300, 200b) is provided.

  According to the above configuration, when the water level of the water supply tank 11 is high, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310 with a high water head pressure is high, and when the water level of the water supply tank 11 is low, it is low. The flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310 is reduced by the water head pressure. That is, the flow rate of water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310 is substantially proportional to the water level of the water supply tank 11. Using this characteristic, the flow rate of the water supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310 is detected by the flow rate detection unit (300, 200b), and the water supply tank 11 has a flow rate detected based on the detected water flow rate. By estimating the water level by the water level estimation unit 200c, it is possible to estimate the water level of the water supply tank 11 with a simple configuration without using the water level sensor 300 that detects the water level of the water supply tank 11.

Moreover, in the water supply apparatus of one embodiment,
The flow velocity detector is
A water level sensor 300 for detecting the water level in the water receiver 310;
Based on the time until the water level in the water receiver 310 detected by the water level sensor 300 reaches a second water level on the upper side from a preset first water level, the water receiver 310 from the water supply tank 11. And a flow velocity estimating unit 200b for estimating the flow velocity of the water supplied to the.

  According to the above embodiment, the faster the water flow rate from the water supply tank 11 during water supply, the larger the amount of change in the water level in the water receiver 310 per unit time, and the water flow rate from the water supply tank 11 during water supply increases. The slower the amount of change per unit time of the water level in the water receiver 310 becomes smaller. That is, the amount of change per unit time of the water level in the water receiver 310 to which water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 using the water head pressure is constant for the water supply tank 11 because the cross-sectional area of the water supply path is constant. It is approximately proportional to the water flow rate. Therefore, the water level in the water receiver 310 detected by the water level sensor 300 is supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310 based on a preset time from the first water level to the upper second water level. It is possible to estimate the flow rate of the water to be performed by the flow rate estimation unit 200b. Thus, the water level sensor 300 that detects the water level in the water receiver 310 can be used for estimating the water level of the water supply tank 11.

Moreover, in the water supply apparatus of one embodiment,
An inlet 310 a into which water supplied from the water supply tank 11 flows is provided above the second water level of the water receiver 310.

  According to the above embodiment, by providing the inlet 310a into which the water supplied from the water supply tank 11 flows above the second water level of the water receiver 310, water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 to the water receiver 310. The supplied water head pressure is not lowered by the water accumulated in the water receiver 310, and the water level of the water supply tank 11 can be estimated accurately.

Moreover, in the heating cooker of this invention,
The water supply apparatus according to any one of the above is provided.

  According to the said structure, simplification of a structure and cost reduction can be achieved by providing the said water supply apparatus which can estimate the water level of the water supply tank 11 with a simple structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Casing 2 ... Door 3 ... Handle 4 ... Heat-resistant glass 5 ... Operation panel 6 ... Color liquid crystal display part 7 ... Button group 8 ... Exhaust duct 9 ... Dew receptacle 11 ... Water supply tank 12 ... Saturated steam generator 13 ... Heating chamber DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Circulation unit 15 ... Steam inlet 16 ... Cooling fan motor 17 ... Electrical component part 18 ... Circulation fan 19 ... Circulation fan motor 20 ... Superheated steam generation heater 21 ... Superheated steam generation device 22 ... Steam supply port 24 ... First DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Steam blower outlet 25 ... 2nd steam blower outlet 27 ... To-be-heated object 28 ... Suction inlet 29 ... Inside temperature sensor 30 ... Tray 34 ... Steam supply pipe 37 ... Motor for rotation antenna 38 ... Rotation antenna 39a, 39b, 39c ... Locking portion 40 ... Net 44 ... Supply air damper motor 45 ... Dilution fan 46 ... Dilution fan motor 50 ... Defrost sensor 51 ... Supply air damper 60 ... Exhaust Motor 70 ... Water supply valve 80 ... Magnetron 90 ... Speaker 100 ... Steam duct 110 ... First duct part 120 ... Bending part 130 ... Second duct part 200 ... Control device 200a ... Heating control part 200b ... Flow rate estimation part 200c ... Water level Estimator 300 ... Water level sensors 301 to 303 ... Electrode rod 310 ... Evaporation vessel 310a ... Inlet 320 ... Water supply pipe 1044 ... Air supply on / off valve 1060 ... Exhaust on / off valve 1100 ... Pressure sensor 1200 ... Control device 1300 ... Cooling device 2110 ... Drain hole 2120 ... Dish 2130 ... Drain tube 2140 ... Bottom plate 2200 ... Control device 2300 ... Tube pump 3000 ... Gas-liquid separator 4000 ... Wedge-shaped opening 5000 ... Heated object 5100 ... Flexible hose 5200 ... Attachment

Claims (4)

A water tank,
An open-air water receiver to which water is supplied from the water supply tank using water head pressure;
A flow rate detector for detecting a flow rate of water when being supplied from the water supply tank to the water receiver;
A water supply apparatus comprising: a water level estimation unit configured to estimate a water level of the water supply tank based on the flow rate of the water detected by the flow rate detection unit. In the water supply apparatus of Claim 1,
The flow velocity detector is
A water level sensor for detecting the water level in the water receiver;
The water level detected by the water level sensor is supplied from the water supply tank to the water receiver based on a preset time from the first water level to the upper second water level. A water supply apparatus comprising: a flow rate estimation unit that estimates a flow rate of water. In the water supply apparatus of Claim 2,
A water supply apparatus, wherein an inlet through which water supplied from the water supply tank flows is provided above the second water level of the water receiver.   A heating cooker comprising the water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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