JP2019039667A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

To more accurately detect the temperature of a material to be cooked using an infrared ray sensor.SOLUTION: A heating cooker 100 includes: an infrared ray sensor 150 mounted outside a heating chamber 200 to detect the temperature of a material to be cooked using a plurality of infrared ray detection elements; and a direction setting motor capable of varying the direction of the infrared ray sensor 150. The direction of the infrared ray sensor 150 is constituted so as to be set on a temperature detection position corresponding to a bottom surface 250 of the heating chamber 200 and a temperature detection position corresponding to cooking dishes set on support racks 201a, 201b, 201c provided in the heating chamber 200. As a result of the structure, the temperature of the material to be cooked can be detected more accurately by setting the direction of the infrared ray sensor 150 to an appropriate temperature detection position, not only when the infrared ray sensor is placed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 200 but also even when being placed on the cooking dishes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a cooking device such as a microwave oven, and particularly to a cooking device including an infrared sensor.

  Microwave ovens can be used for various purposes such as reheating cooked foods and thawing frozen foods because an object to be heated can be heated from the inside by microwave heating.

  Some conventional microwave ovens perform oven heating, grill heating, and steam heating in addition to microwave heating.

  Oven heating is a cooking method in which an object to be heated is heated using a heater and a convection heater. Grill heating is a cooking method in which an object to be heated is heated using a grill pan coated with a material that generates heat when irradiated with microwaves, and heat generated by the grill pan irradiated with microwaves.

  In the field of such microwave ovens, the bottom surface of the heating chamber is detected by detecting the temperature distribution on the bottom surface of the heating chamber using an infrared sensor having infrared detection elements arranged in a matrix of multiple rows and multiple columns. There has been proposed one that detects the placement position and temperature of an object to be heated such as food placed on (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-013743 A

  In the conventional configuration, a region where the temperature can be detected by the infrared sensor, that is, a temperature detectable region is limited on the bottom surface of the heating chamber.

  Therefore, in a microwave oven capable of heating the grill, a region where the temperature cannot be detected by the infrared sensor is generated on the grill pan installed in the heating chamber, and as a result, the temperature of the food placed on the grill pan is accurately detected. It may not be possible.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microwave oven that can detect the temperature of an object to be heated more accurately using an infrared sensor.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a heating cooker according to the present invention includes a heating chamber for storing an object to be heated, a support shelf provided in the heating chamber, and a cooking tray in the heating chamber, and a heating chamber outside. And an infrared sensor for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber using a plurality of infrared detection elements, and a direction setting motor for changing the direction of the infrared sensor.

  The direction of the infrared sensor can be set to a temperature detection position corresponding to the bottom surface of the heating chamber and a temperature detection position corresponding to the cooking pan installed on the support shelf.

  According to this aspect, when an object to be heated is placed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber by using an infrared sensor including a plurality of infrared detection elements and setting the direction of the infrared sensor to an appropriate temperature detection position. In addition, even when placed on a cooking pan, the temperature of the object to be heated can be detected more accurately.

  The cooking device of the present invention can detect the temperature of the heated object more accurately not only when the heated object is placed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber but also when placed on the cooking pan. Can do.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cooking device according to the present embodiment in a state where a grill pan is inserted into the heating chamber and the door is opened. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the cooking device according to the present embodiment in a state where a grill pan is inserted into the heating chamber and the door is opened. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing the cooking device according to the present embodiment with the door opened. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the infrared sensor according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the direction of the infrared sensor 150 and the field of view 151 of the infrared sensor 150. FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view of the heating cooker showing a state in which the direction of the infrared sensor is set at a temperature detection position where the visual field of the infrared sensor covers the entire bottom surface of the heating chamber. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view of the heating cooker showing a state in which the direction of the infrared sensor is set at a temperature detection position where the visual field of the infrared sensor covers the entire bottom surface of the heating chamber. FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway top view of a heating cooker for showing a temperature detectable region on the bottom surface of the heating chamber in the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of the cooking device showing a state in which the direction of the infrared sensor is set at a temperature detection position where the visual field of the infrared sensor covers the entire grill pan. FIG. 11: is a side view which shows the heating cooker which concerns on this Embodiment in the state which removed the main body cover

  A heating cooker according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is provided in a heating chamber for storing an object to be heated, a supporting shelf for installing a cooking dish in the heating chamber, and provided outside the heating chamber. An infrared sensor that detects the temperature in the heating chamber using a plurality of infrared detection elements, and a direction setting motor that changes the direction of the infrared sensor.

  The direction of the infrared sensor can be set to a temperature detection position corresponding to the bottom surface of the heating chamber and a temperature detection position corresponding to the cooking pan installed on the support shelf.

  The cooking device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure further includes, in the first aspect, an operation unit that the user operates to select a desired cooking menu, and according to the cooking menu selected by the operation unit. Thus, the temperature detection position to be moved is determined.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the present embodiment, the door 300 side of the heating cooker 100 is the front, the opposite side to the door 300 of the heating cooker 100 is the rear, and the left and right sides in FIG.
The left side of 00 and the right side.

<1> Configuration of Heating Cooker First, the configuration of the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, showing the cooking device 100 according to the present embodiment in a state where a grill pan is inserted into the heating chamber 200 and a door is opened.

  In this embodiment, the heating cooker 100 shown in FIG. 1 applies at least one of microwave, radiant heat, hot air, and steam to an object to be heated housed in a heating chamber 200 having an opening on the front surface. It is a multifunctional microwave oven that heats an object to be heated by supplying it.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a heating chamber 200 having an opening on the front surface and a flange around the opening is provided in the center of the heating cooker 100. The main body cover 110 that integrally covers both side surfaces and the upper surface of the heating chamber 200, the bottom plate 120 that covers the lower side of the heating chamber 200, and the rear plate 130 that covers the back surface of the heating chamber 200, Composed.

  A machine room (not shown) is provided in the space between the heating chamber 200 and the bottom plate 120. In this machine room, a device for realizing the function of the heating cooker 100, a control unit for controlling the device, a cooling fan unit 600 (see FIG. 11) for generating cooling air for cooling them are arranged. Is done. The machine room also functions as an insulated space.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a door 300 with a window that opens and closes the opening of the heating chamber 200 is installed on the front surface of the cooking device 100. The lower end of the door 300 is pivotally supported by a hinge provided at the lower end of the heating chamber 200, and the door 300 can be opened and closed by rotating around a rotation axis along the lower end of the heating chamber 200. An operation unit 310 is provided on the right side of the front surface of the door 300.

  On the right side below the door 300, a water supply tank 700 for storing water supplied to the steam generating unit is detachably installed. On the left side, a drainage tank 202 for storing condensed water condensed in the heating chamber 200 is detachably installed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to support the cooking dish, the right side wall 210 and the left side wall 220 of the heating chamber 200 have a horizontal surface on the upper surface and a plurality of steps extending horizontally in the front-rear direction. Support shelves are provided in the vertical direction (in this embodiment, three levels (support shelves 201a to 201c)).

  The cooking dishes include a square dish used for oven cooking and a grill dish 203 used for grill cooking. The cooking dish can be installed at an optimum height for cooking in the heating chamber 200 depending on which of the support shelves 201a to 201c is placed.

  FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing heating cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 with door 300 opened.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a through hole 140 is formed in the upper center of the right side wall 210 of the heating chamber 200. An infrared sensor 150 is provided outside the right side wall 210 so as to face the inside of the heating chamber 200 through the through hole 140.

  Square through holes are formed in front of the center of the right side wall of the heating chamber 200 and at positions above and in the center of the heating chamber 200, respectively. Outside the through hole, an interior lamp 141 that is configured by an LED and illuminates the inside of the heating chamber 200 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an outside air inlet 221 is installed at the front lower portion of the left side wall 220 of the heating chamber 200. The outside air inlet 221 includes a plurality of circular punching holes. Low-temperature, low-humidity air is introduced into the heating chamber 200 from the outside of the heating chamber 200 through the outside air inlet 221.

  The air blown from the cooling fan unit 600 is also supplied into the heating chamber 200 through the outside air inlet 221 and cools the inner surface of the door 300 together with the outside air. Thereby, the dew condensation on the glass surface inside the door 300 can be suppressed.

  In the upper center of the left side wall 220 of the heating chamber 200, a steam outlet (not shown) for supplying the steam generated in the steam generating section into the heating chamber 200 is disposed.

  The upper heater unit 400 is installed on the top surface 230 of the heating chamber 200 (see FIG. 11). The upper heater unit 400 includes three tubular heaters extending in the left-right direction. Of the three tubular heaters, one in the front and one in the rear are tubular miraclon heaters 410, and one in the center is a tubular argon heater 420 (see FIG. 11). These tubular heaters mainly emit infrared rays and heat the object to be heated accommodated in the heating chamber 200 with the radiant heat.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a circulation intake port 241 composed of a plurality of punching holes is formed in the center of the rear wall 240 of the heating chamber 200. A blower opening 242 composed of a plurality of punching holes is formed in the peripheral portion of the rear wall 240.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a fan case 510 made of a metal material is disposed behind the rear wall 240. A convection heater unit 500 is installed in the space between the rear wall 240 and the fan case 510 (see FIG. 9).

  The air in the heating chamber 200 sucked through the circulation intake port 241 is heated by the convection heater unit 500 to generate hot air. The generated hot air is supplied into the heating chamber 200 via the air blowing port 242.

  A microwave generation unit (not shown) that radiates microwaves is installed below the heating chamber 200. The microwave generator includes a magnetron that generates a microwave, a rotating antenna that radiates the microwave into the heating chamber 200, a waveguide that propagates the microwave to the rotating antenna, and a motor that rotates the rotating antenna. Have.

  The bottom surface 250 of the heating chamber 200 is covered with a ceramic plate that can transmit microwaves. The object to be heated placed on the bottom surface 250 is microwave-heated by the microwave supplied from the microwave generation unit through the bottom surface 250 and supplied into the heating chamber 200.

  When the grill pan 203 is installed in the heating chamber 200, the ferrite applied to the back surface of the grill pan 203 is irradiated with the microwave supplied into the heating chamber 200 and generates heat. The placed object to be heated is heated.

  Since the galvanized steel plate is formed by press working, the bottom plate 120 basically has a shallow rectangular parallelepiped box shape having an open top.

A cooling air inlet 121 for taking in cooling air is provided in a portion of the bottom plate 120 located below the cooling fan unit 600 provided between the heating chamber 200 and the bottom plate 120 (
FIG. 11).

  A glass plate 302 is installed on the front surface of the door 300 to cover almost the entire area. An operation unit 310 is provided on the right side of the glass plate 302.

  The operation unit 310 includes a touch panel 311 that performs a display for prompting an operation by the user, reception of the operation by the user, and display corresponding to the received operation on one liquid crystal screen, and “ A “return” button 312, a “cancel” button 313 for performing a cancel operation, and a “start” button 314 for starting heating are included.

  The operation unit 310 is operated by the user to input menu selection in the automatic cooking function, heating time in the manual cooking function, heating temperature, and the like.

  A handle 304 for opening and closing is installed on the front upper portion of the door.

<2> Configuration of Infrared Sensor Next, the configuration of the infrared sensor 150 in the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the infrared sensor 150 in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the direction of the infrared sensor 150 and the visual field 151 of the infrared sensor 150 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the infrared sensor 150 is housed in a box-shaped case 160 provided on the outer surface of the right side wall 210 located outside the through hole 140. The infrared sensor 150 includes a total of 64 infrared detection elements arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns. The infrared sensor 150 is installed in the case 160 such that a lens provided on the front surface of the infrared sensor 150 is viewed from an opening 165 provided in the outer shell of the case 160.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the visual field 151 is a range in which the infrared sensor 150 can detect infrared rays.

  A direction setting motor 170 is installed in the case 160. The case 160 is rotated by a direction setting motor 170 around a rotating shaft 161 provided in parallel and horizontally with the right side wall 210.

  When the case 160 rotates around the rotation shaft 161, the direction of the infrared sensor 150 housed in the case 160 is changed to the upward direction 154 or the downward direction 155 accordingly. More precisely, as shown in FIG. 6, the direction of the infrared sensor 150 is a depression angle 153 of the visual field center 152.

  When the direction setting motor 170 stops in the direction of a predetermined infrared sensor 150 where the opening 165 faces the inside of the heating chamber 200 from the through-hole 140, the infrared sensor 150 becomes capable of detecting the temperature in the heating chamber 200.

  The direction of the infrared sensor 150 at this time is referred to as a position where the infrared sensor 150 can detect infrared rays from the inside of the heating chamber 200 through the through-hole 140, that is, a temperature detection position (Temperature detecting position). The cooking device 100 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of temperature detection positions. One of them is shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing the heating cooker 100 as in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway front view showing the cooking device 100 with the door 300 opened, as in FIG. 3. 7 and 8 show the field of view 151 of the infrared sensor 150.

  7 and 8, the direction of the infrared sensor 150 is set at a temperature detection position where the entire bottom surface 250 of the heating chamber 200 is within the visual field 151. Therefore, in this state, the infrared sensor 150 can detect the temperature regardless of where the heated object is placed on the bottom surface 250. That is, in this state, the entire bottom surface 250 is a temperature detectable region where the temperature can be detected.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the entire bottom surface 250 is virtually divided into compartments C11 to C88 arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns.

  FIG. 9 is a partially cut-out top view of the cooking device showing these 64 sections. In FIG. 9, the temperature information of the sections C11 to C88 of the temperature detectable region 251 can be detected by associating the 64 infrared detection elements constituting the infrared sensor 150 with each section.

  FIG. 10 is a front view of the heating cooker 100 showing the field of view 151 of the infrared sensor 150 as in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 shows that when the grill plate 203 is installed on the uppermost support shelf 201a provided on both side walls of the heating chamber 200 (the grill plate 203 is not shown), the temperature of the entire upper surface of the grill plate 203 can be detected. A state in which the direction of the infrared sensor 150 is set so as to be the region 251 is illustrated.

  In this case, some of the 64 infrared detection elements included in the infrared sensor 150 face in a direction other than the upper surface of the grill pan 203, but the entire upper surface of the grill pan 203 is covered with the remaining infrared detection elements. The temperature detectable region 251 can be set.

<3> Cooling Mechanism for Infrared Sensor Hereinafter, a cooling structure for the infrared sensor 150 in the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a side view showing heating cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 with body cover 110 removed.

  When the user operates the operation unit 310 and finally presses the “start” button 314, the heating operation is started. When the heating operation is started, the cooling fan unit 600 in the machine room provided below the heating chamber 200 operates.

  When the cooling fan unit 600 is operated, outside air is sucked from the cooling inlet of the bottom plate 120 and is discharged from the cooling fan unit 600 as cooling air (see the broken line arrow shown in FIG. 11). The cooling air is provided below the heating chamber 200 and cools the inverter that drives the magnetron.

  After cooling the inverter, part of the cooling air cools a fan drive motor (not shown) that drives a circulation fan (not shown) included in the convection heater unit 500 provided behind the heating chamber 200. .

The other part of the cooling air that has passed through the inverter cools the control board constituting the control unit provided on the right side of the bottom plate 120. The cooling air that has cooled the control board collides with the lower end of the right side wall 210 and changes its direction upward (see the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 11).

  As shown in FIG. 11, a duct 180 is provided in the space between the right side wall 210 and the main body cover 110 from the lower end of the right side wall 210 to the vicinity of the installation position of the infrared sensor 150. A cooling air outlet 181 is provided at the tip of the duct 180.

  The cooling air whose direction has been changed upward passes through the duct 180 and reaches the infrared sensor 150 accommodated in the case 160 (see the solid arrow shown in FIG. 11). The infrared sensor 150 is thus cooled by the cooling air during the heating operation.

  Thereafter, the cooling air is discharged to the outside from the upper part of the back surface of the heating cooker 100 via a space provided between the top surface 230 of the heating chamber 200 and the main body cover 110.

  When the temperature detection is completed, the direction setting motor 170 moves the case 160 from the temperature detection position to the standby position. FIG. 11 shows a state where the infrared sensor 150 is waiting at the standby position. As shown in FIG. 11, at this standby position, the case 160 stops with the opening 165 facing downward. In this state, the lens of the infrared sensor 150 faces the cooling air outlet 181.

  During the steam heating, the infrared sensor 150 cannot detect the temperature. In the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 150 is configured to wait at the standby position shown in FIG. While the infrared sensor 150 stands by at the standby position, the lens of the infrared sensor 150 continues to be directly cooled by the cooling air from the cooling air outlet 181.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the lens of the infrared sensor 150 from being fogged or the infrared sensor 150 itself from becoming hot due to the vapor supplied into the heating chamber 200. Therefore, the infrared sensor 150 can be maintained in a state where the temperature can be detected even immediately after the steam heating.

<4> Operation of Infrared Sensor Finally, the operation of the infrared sensor 150 in the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  After the object to be heated is stored in the heating chamber 200, when the user operates the operation unit 310 to select a desired cooking menu and finally presses the “start” button 314, the heating operation is started. When the heating operation is started, the direction of the infrared sensor 150 is set to a temperature detection position corresponding to the selected cooking menu.

  When a cooking menu for placing the article to be heated on the bottom surface 250 of the heating chamber 200, for example, a normal warming operation is selected, the entire bottom surface 250 becomes a temperature detectable region 251 as shown in FIGS. The direction of the infrared sensor 150 is set at such a temperature detection position.

  When a cooking menu for performing grill heating is selected, the infrared sensor is placed at a temperature detection position that is installed on the support shelf 201a and has the entire upper surface of the grill pan 203 on which the object to be heated is placed in the temperature detectable region 251. 150 directions are set.

  When the infrared sensor 150 is not operated, as described above, the infrared sensor 150 stands by at a standby position in which the direction of the infrared sensor 150 is directed vertically downward.

  As described above, in the cooking device 100 according to the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 150 includes a plurality of infrared detection elements, and the direction setting motor 170 sets the direction of the infrared sensor 150 to the temperature detection position corresponding to the cooking menu. Configured to move.

  According to the present embodiment, not only when placed on the bottom surface 250 of the heating chamber 200 but also when placed on the grill pan 203, the temperature of the object to be heated can be detected more accurately. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the object to be heated is placed on the bottom surface 250 and the case where the grill pan 203 is installed on the uppermost support shelf 201a have been described. However, even when a cooking dish such as a square dish is installed on the middle support shelf 201b or the lower support shelf 201c, temperature detection is performed so that the entire upper surface of the cooking dish becomes the temperature detectable region 251 as necessary. The direction of the infrared sensor 150 can be set at the position.

  Which support shelf is used to place the cooking dish and which cooking dish is used are determined according to the cooking menu. The direction of the infrared sensor 150 can be set to a direction suitable for temperature detection according to the cooking menu.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the infrared sensor 150 includes 64 infrared detection elements arranged in a matrix of 8 rows and 8 columns, but is not limited thereto. If the entire bottom surface 250 can be made the temperature detectable region 251 by an infrared sensor having a plurality of infrared detection elements, the same effect as this embodiment can be obtained.

  Even when an infrared sensor including a plurality of infrared detection elements arranged in a row is used, the infrared sensor 150 may detect the temperature while swinging the direction of the infrared sensor in the vertical direction. .

  As described above, according to the heating cooker of the present disclosure, not only the object to be heated placed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber, but also the object to be heated placed on the cooking pan installed in the heating chamber. Even more accurate temperature detection is possible. Moreover, the infrared sensor 150 can be maintained in a state where the temperature can be detected even immediately after the steam heating. The present disclosure is useful in a microwave oven capable of grill heating and steam heating.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Heat cooker 110 Main body cover 120 Bottom plate 121 Cooling air inlet 130 Rear plate 140 Through-hole 141 Inside lamp 150 Infrared sensor 151 Field of view 152 Field of view center 153 Angle of depression 154 Up direction 155 Down direction 160 Case 161 Rotating shaft 165 Opening 170 Direction Setting motor 180 Duct 181 Cooling air outlet 200 Heating chamber 201a, 201b, 201c Support shelf 202 Drain tank 203 Grill pan 210 Right side wall 220 Left side wall 221 Outside air inlet 230 Top surface 240 Rear wall 241 Circulation inlet 242 Air outlet 250 Bottom 251 Temperature detectable region 300 Door 302 Glass plate 304 Handle 310 Operation unit 311 Touch panel 312 “Return” button 313 “Cancel” button 314 “Start” button 400 Upper heater unit 41 0 Miraclone heater 420 Argon heater 500 Convection heater unit 510 Fan case 600 Cooling fan unit 700 Water supply tank

Claims (2)

A cooking device for heating an object to be heated stored in a heating chamber by supplying at least one of microwave, radiant heat, hot air, and steam,
A support shelf provided in the heating chamber for installing a cooking dish in the heating chamber;
An infrared sensor that is provided outside the heating chamber and detects the temperature in the heating chamber using a plurality of infrared detection elements;
A direction setting motor for changing the direction of the infrared sensor,
The direction setting motor can change the direction of the infrared sensor,
The direction of the infrared sensor can be set to a temperature detection position corresponding to the bottom surface of the heating chamber and a temperature detection position corresponding to a cooking dish installed on the support shelf,
The temperature detection position corresponding to the bottom surface of the heating chamber is set to the direction of the infrared sensor so that the entire bottom surface of the heating chamber is within the field of view,
The cooker in which the direction of the infrared sensor is set so that the temperature detection position corresponding to the cooking dish installed on the support shelf has a part of the infrared detection element in a field of view other than the upper surface of the cooking dish. An operation unit that is operated by the user to select a desired cooking menu;
The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature detection position to be moved is determined according to the cooking menu selected by the operation unit.

Images