JP2015226662A - Show case - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a show case capable of appropriately heating a food product according to the kind of the food product without changing a heater.SOLUTION: A show case 100 includes a heater 1 heating a food product A stored in a showcase body 100a by infrared rays, and a controlling unit 3 controlling the drive of the heater 1. The controlling unit 3 is formed so as to switch between on-off heating control of irradiating infrared rays having a first peak wavelength λ1 by turns on/off the heater 1 by rating electric power, and peak wavelength adjustment heating control of irradiating infrared rays having a second peak wavelength λ6 different from the first peak wavelength λ1 by adjusting a peak wavelength by changing electric power supplied to the heater 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a showcase, and more particularly to a showcase provided with a heater for heating food with infrared rays.

  Conventionally, a showcase including a lamp heater that heats food with infrared rays is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, the lamp heater is turned off when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes, for example, + 75 ° C. or higher. Further, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes, for example, + 70 ° C. or less, the lamp heater is turned on. Thereby, the temperature in the showcase (the temperature of the food) is maintained within a desired temperature range.

JP 2006-158805 A

  Here, when heating food, the peak wavelength of infrared rays optimum for heating differs depending on the type (material, shape) of the food. In other words, the optimum infrared peak wavelength varies depending on the method (purpose) of heating the food. In addition, the infrared peak wavelength that is optimal for heating differs depending on the type of food placed in the showcase. However, in the showcase described in Patent Document 1, the lamp heater is turned on and off (on and off at the rated power), thereby maintaining the temperature in the showcase (the temperature of the food) within a desired temperature range, When changing the method of heating food or the type of food placed in the showcase, it is necessary to replace the lamp heater so that it matches the heating method and the replaced food. There is.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to appropriately heat food according to the type of food without replacing the heater. It is to provide a possible showcase.

  A showcase according to one aspect of the present invention includes a heater that heats food stored in a showcase body with infrared rays, and a control unit that controls driving of the heater, and the control unit turns the heater on and off at rated power. On / off heating control for emitting infrared rays having a first peak wavelength, and infrared rays having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength by adjusting the peak wavelength by changing the power supplied to the heater It is configured to be able to switch between peak wavelength adjustment heating control that emits light.

  In the showcase according to one aspect of the present invention, as described above, the heater is turned on and off at the rated power to emit infrared light having the first peak wavelength, and the power supplied to the heater is changed. The control unit is configured to switch between peak wavelength adjustment heating control that adjusts the peak wavelength and emits infrared rays having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength. Accordingly, by selecting the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control, not only the infrared having the first peak wavelength but also the second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength is obtained from one heater. Infrared rays can also be applied to food. As a result, the food can be appropriately heated according to the type of food without replacing the heater. Thereby, the trouble of replacing the heater can be saved, and the flexibility of the operation of the showcase can be improved.

  In the showcase according to the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to perform peak wavelength adjustment heating control by adjusting the peak wavelength by changing the power supplied to the heater by the PWM signal. Yes. With this configuration, the color temperature of the surface of the heater is adjusted by adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal, so that the peak wavelength of infrared rays emitted from the heater can be adjusted.

  In the showcase according to the above aspect, the control unit preferably avoids the peak of water absorbance and emits infrared light having the second peak wavelength so as to approach the absorbance peak of food. It is comprised so that adjustment heating control may be performed. If comprised in this way, it will be suppressed that infrared rays will be mainly absorbed by water, Therefore A foodstuff can be heated, suppressing the moisture removal contained in a foodstuff.

  In the showcase according to the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to perform on / off heating control so as to emit infrared light having a first peak wavelength in the vicinity of the water absorbance peak. If comprised in this way, since the infrared rays are efficiently absorbed by the moisture contained in the food, the moisture contained in the food can be efficiently removed.

  In the showcase according to the one aspect described above, preferably, the display case further includes a selection operation unit for selecting on / off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control, and the control unit uses the selection operation unit to turn on / off heating control or peak by the user. On-off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control is performed based on selection of either wavelength adjustment heating control. If comprised in this way, when changing the heating method of food (or when the kind of food arrange | positioned in a showcase is changed), a user uses on-off heating control or peak wavelength using a selection operation part. By selecting the adjustment heating control, the food can be appropriately heated easily without replacing the heater.

  According to the present invention, as described above, food can be appropriately heated according to the type of food without replacing the heater.

It is a block diagram of the showcase by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the signal which controls the drive of the heater of the showcase by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the light absorbency of water and a foodstuff, and the radiant energy of a heater (applied voltage 100V, 90V, 80V). It is a figure for demonstrating the light absorbency of water and a foodstuff, and the radiant energy of a heater (applied voltage 100V).

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the structure of the showcase 100 by this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the showcase 100 is provided with a heater 1. The heater 1 is an infrared heater that heats food A (or food B) stored in the showcase body 100a with infrared rays. In addition, description of the selection method of the heater 1 is mentioned later.

  The showcase 100 is provided with an SSR (Solid State Relay) 2. The SSR 2 is configured to switch the heater 1 to a driving state or a non-driving state based on a signal from the control unit 3.

  The showcase 100 is provided with a control unit 3. The control part 3 is comprised from the microcomputer, for example. The control unit 3 is configured to control the driving of the heater 1. Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 3 peaks by changing the power supplied to the heater 1 and the on / off heating control in which the heater 1 is turned on / off with the rated power to emit infrared rays. It is configured to be able to switch between peak wavelength adjustment heating control for adjusting the wavelength and emitting infrared rays. Specifically, the control unit 3 is configured to perform on / off heating control so as to emit infrared light having a first peak wavelength λ1 in the vicinity of the water absorbance peak. Further, the controller 3 adjusts the peak wavelength so as to emit infrared light having the second peak wavelength λ6 so as to avoid the water absorbance peak and to approach the absorbance peak of the food A (or food B). It is configured to perform heating control. Moreover, the control part 3 is comprised so that peak wavelength adjustment heating control may be performed by adjusting the peak wavelength by changing the electric power supplied to the heater 1 with a PWM signal. The on / off heating control and the peak wavelength adjustment heating control will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the showcase 100 is provided with selection operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c for selecting on / off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control. Further, the control unit 3 performs the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control based on the selection of either the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control by the user using the selection operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c. It is configured to do either. The selection operation buttons 4a, 4b, and 4c are examples of the “selection operation unit” in the present invention. A detailed description of the operation method of the showcase 100 will be described later.

  The showcase 100 is provided with a temperature sensor 5. The temperature sensor 5 is configured to measure the temperature in the showcase 100 and transmit the measurement result to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 is configured to drive the SSR 2 based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 5 to control the driving of the heater 1 (PID control described later).

  Further, food A or food B is arranged in the showcase body 100a. The food A and the food B are configured to be interchanged.

  Next, a method for selecting the heater 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. 3 and 4, the absorbance of water is represented by a “triangle” symbol, and the absorbance of food A is represented by a “square” symbol.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 show the absorbances of water and foods A and B (left vertical axis, dimensionless) with respect to the wavelength [μm] (horizontal axis) of infrared rays emitted from the heater 1. Further, the radiant energy (right vertical axis) with respect to the wavelength [μm] of the infrared ray radiated from the heater 1 is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, when the applied voltage to the heater 1 is 100V, 90V and 80V, the peak wavelengths of infrared rays emitted from the heater 1 are λ1, λ2 and λ3 (λ1 <λ2 <λ3, respectively). ). That is, the peak wavelength of infrared rays emitted from the heater 1 varies depending on the applied voltage (power) of the heater 1.

  In addition, the wavelength of infrared rays with respect to the water absorbance peak (maximum peak) is λ4. Further, the wavelength of infrared rays with respect to the absorbance peak (maximum peak) of food A is λ5.

  In the present embodiment, the heater 1 can emit infrared light having a peak wavelength in the vicinity of the water absorbance peak (maximum peak) in the ON state (when radiating the maximum radiation energy). Selected. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a 100V heater 1 having a peak wavelength of λ1 in the vicinity of λ4 corresponding to the water absorbance peak is selected.

  Next, on-off heating control and peak wavelength adjustment heating control will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

(On / off heating control)
In the on / off heating control, the radiation of infrared rays from the heater 1 is controlled by the state in which the heater 1 is turned on at the rated power and the state in which the heater 1 is turned off. In the on / off heating control, when the heater 1 is turned on at a rated power (for example, 100 V) (see on / off heating control in FIG. 2), the first near the absorbance peak of water (λ4, see FIG. 4). Infrared rays having a peak wavelength λ1 are emitted. Further, when the heater 1 is in an off state, no infrared rays are emitted.

(Peak wavelength adjustment heating control)
In the peak wavelength adjustment heating control, the power supplied to the heater 1 is changed by adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal (see FIG. 2) input to the SSR 2 from the control unit 3 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, the color temperature of the surface of the heater 1 is adjusted, and the peak wavelength of the infrared rays radiated from the heater 1 is adjusted. As a result, infrared rays having a second peak wavelength λ6 different from the first peak wavelength λ1 (see FIG. 4) are emitted. For example, by adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal to 60%, the second peak wavelength λ6 (to avoid the water absorbance peak and to approach the absorbance peak of food A (maximum peak λ5)). For example, infrared light having about 4 μm, about 5 μm, about 7 μm, etc.) is emitted. In addition, in the peak wavelength adjustment heating control, the peak wavelength (temperature, radiant energy) of infrared rays emitted from the heater 1 is desired by performing PID control (Proportional Integral Derivative Controller) based on the output from the temperature sensor 5. The peak wavelength (temperature, radiant energy) is controlled.

  Next, an operation method of the showcase 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, it is assumed that the food A is arranged in the showcase 100. When the surface (external) of the food A is heated, the selection operation button 4a (see FIG. 1) is pressed by the user. Thereby, on-off heating control is performed by the control part 3. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the heater 1 is turned on at the rated power, and infrared rays having a peak wavelength of λ1 are emitted from the heater 1. As a result, moisture is rapidly removed from the surface of the food A. As shown in FIG. 4, the infrared ray having the peak wavelength of λ1 is hardly absorbed by the food A having the absorbance peak (maximum peak) of λ5 (small absorbance), so that the whole food A is heated. Is suppressed. That is, the moisture of the food A is selectively heated, and the outside of the food A becomes harder (crisp) than the inside.

  When the food A is heated, the selection operation button 4b (see FIG. 1) is pressed by the user. Thereby, the control part 3 performs peak wavelength adjustment heating control. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, a PWM signal having a duty ratio of 60% is transmitted to SSR 2 and heated. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, infrared light having a peak wavelength λ6 is hardly absorbed by water having an absorbance peak of λ4 (absorbance is small), so that removal of moisture from the food A is suppressed. That is, the whole of the food A is heated in a state where moisture removal contained in the food A is suppressed.

  When the food A arranged in the showcase 100 is replaced with the food B (see FIG. 1), the selection operation button 4c is pressed by the user. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, a PWM signal having a duty ratio (for example, 30%) different from that when the selection operation button 4b is pressed is transmitted to the SSR2. As a result, infrared rays having a peak wavelength different from the peak wavelength λ6 (see FIG. 4) (wavelength that avoids the water absorbance peak and approaches the absorbance peak of food B) are emitted. Thereby, the whole food B is heated in the state in which the moisture removal contained in the food B was suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In addition, since the effect with respect to the food A and the food B is the same, the food A is demonstrated below.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the heater 1 is turned on / off with the rated power to emit infrared light having the first peak wavelength λ1, and the peak wavelength is changed by changing the power supplied to the heater 1. The control unit 3 is configured to be switchable between peak wavelength adjustment heating control that adjusts and emits infrared rays having a second peak wavelength λ6 different from the first peak wavelength λ1. Accordingly, by selecting the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control, not only the infrared ray having the first peak wavelength λ1 but also the second peak different from the first peak wavelength λ1 from one heater 1 is selected. Infrared rays having a wavelength λ6 can also be applied to the food A. As a result, the food A can be appropriately heated according to the type of food without replacing the heater 1. Thereby, the effort of replacement | exchange of the heater 1 can be saved and the flexibility of operation | use of the showcase 100 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the controller 3 is configured to perform peak wavelength adjustment heating control by adjusting the peak wavelength by changing the power supplied to the heater 1 by the PWM signal. . Thereby, the color temperature of the surface of the heater 1 is adjusted by adjusting the duty ratio of the PWM signal, so that the peak wavelength of the infrared rays emitted from the heater 1 can be adjusted.

  Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the peak wavelength adjustment heating is performed so as to radiate infrared rays having the second peak wavelength λ6 so as to avoid the water absorbance peak and to approach the absorbance peak of food A. The control unit 3 is configured to perform control. Thereby, since it is suppressed that infrared rays are mainly absorbed by water, a foodstuff can be heated, suppressing the water | moisture content removal contained in the foodstuff A. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 3 is configured to perform on / off heating control so as to emit infrared light having a first peak wavelength in the vicinity of the water absorbance peak. Thereby, since infrared rays are efficiently absorbed by the water contained in the food A, the water contained in the food A can be efficiently removed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the selection operation buttons 4a to 4c for selecting the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control are provided. Then, either on / off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control is performed based on selection of either on / off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control by the user using the selection operation buttons 4a to 4c. The control unit 3 is configured. Thereby, when changing the heating method of the food A (or when the type of the food A arranged in the showcase 100 is changed), the user uses the selection operation buttons 4a to 4c to perform on / off heating control or By selecting the peak wavelength adjustment heating control, the food A can be appropriately heated without replacing the heater 1.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the peak wavelength is adjusted by changing the power supplied to the heater by the PWM signal is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the peak wavelength may be adjusted by changing the voltage supplied to the heater using a slidac or the like. You may switch. An infrared source and a wavelength filter may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the peak wavelength adjustment heating control shows an example in which infrared light having the second peak wavelength is emitted so as to avoid the water absorbance peak and approach the food absorbance peak. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, infrared light having the second peak wavelength may be emitted so as to match the absorbance peak of the food by peak wavelength adjustment heating control. Thereby, the whole foodstuff can be heated efficiently.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the infrared rays which have the 1st peak wavelength (maximum peak wavelength) near the absorption peak of water are radiated | emitted by ON / OFF heating control (so that the water | moisture content of food is removed rapidly). Although an example in which a heater is selected has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heater may be selected so as to emit infrared light having a first peak wavelength in the vicinity of the absorbance peak of substances other than water by on / off heating control. Further, the heater emits infrared light having a wavelength other than the first peak wavelength (maximum peak wavelength) in the vicinity of the water absorbance peak (for example, a wavelength having a relatively large absorbance other than the absorbance maximum peak wavelength). By selecting, it is possible to gradually remove moisture from the food.

  Moreover, although the example which performs peak wavelength adjustment heating control by pressing the selection operation button was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a dial type knob for adjusting the peak wavelength may be provided separately from the selection operation button so that the user can adjust the peak wavelength.

  Moreover, although the example which uses SSR in order to switch the drive state or non-drive state of a heater was shown in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a switch other than SSR may be used to switch the heater driving state or non-driving state.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example in which one heater was provided in the showcase main body was shown, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of heaters may be provided in the showcase body. Each of the plurality of heaters may be individually subjected to on / off heating control or peak wavelength adjustment heating control. Thereby, different heating methods can be performed in one showcase body. Further, even when different types of food are arranged in one showcase body, each food can be appropriately heated.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, in peak wavelength adjustment heating control, by performing PID control, the infrared peak wavelength (temperature, radiant energy) radiated | emitted from a heater becomes a desired peak wavelength (temperature, radiant energy). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, PID control may be performed in on / off heating control.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heater 3 Control part 4a, 4b, 4c Selection operation button (selection operation part)
100 Showcase 100a Showcase body A, B Food λ1 First peak wavelength λ6 Second peak wavelength

Claims (5)

A heater that heats food stored in the showcase body with infrared rays;
A control unit for controlling the driving of the heater,
The controller is configured to turn on and off the heater at rated power to emit infrared light having a first peak wavelength, and to adjust the peak wavelength by changing the power supplied to the heater to change the first wavelength. A showcase configured to be capable of switching between a peak wavelength adjustment heating control for emitting infrared rays having a second peak wavelength different from the peak wavelength.   The show according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform the peak wavelength adjustment heating control by adjusting a peak wavelength by changing power supplied to the heater by a PWM signal. Case.   The control unit is configured to perform the peak wavelength adjustment heating control so as to emit an infrared ray having the second peak wavelength so as to avoid the water absorbance peak and to approach the absorbance peak of the food. The showcase according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The said control part is comprised so that the said on-off heating control may be performed so that the infrared rays which have the said 1st peak wavelength of the peak vicinity of the light absorbency of water may be radiated | emitted. Showcase described. A selection operation unit for selecting the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control;
The control unit is configured to select either the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control based on the selection of either the on / off heating control or the peak wavelength adjustment heating control by the user using the selection operation unit. The showcase according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the showcase is configured to perform the above.

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