JP4403092B2 - Cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooking device that cooks food using steam.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a steam cooker that performs cooking of an object to be heated such as food using steam, there is one that sends superheated steam into an oven cabinet (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-49854)). . This steam cooker includes a steam generator that generates steam by providing a heater along a vertical plane in the pot, and a steam superheater that generates superheated steam by heating the steam generated by the steam generator. The superheated steam produced | generated with the steam superheater is sent in an oven cabinet, and food is cooked.

  On the other hand, there is a cooking method in which food is steamed, boiled, and warmed using non-superheated steam having a temperature lower than 100 ° C. (hereinafter referred to as “steaming and warming cooking”). In the steam cooker described in Patent Document 1, when performing the “steaming and warming cooking”, the steam superheater such as a sheathed heater is turned off and steam generated by the steam generator is turned off. The food will be cooked as it is.

However, the steam cooker described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems when performing the “steaming and warming cooking”. That is, the steam superheater is disposed between the steam generator and the oven cabinet. Therefore, the steam generated by the steam generator passes through the steam superheater that is turned off and is supplied to the oven. Therefore, there is no problem when the steam hits the steam superheater and the temperature of the steam superheater is increased, but when the supply of steam from the steam generator is stopped after cooking is finished, The temperature of the steam superheater decreases, and condensed water adheres to the surroundings. If left as it is, there is a problem that rust is generated in the steam superheater or the steam superheater is deteriorated.
JP-A-8-49854 (FIG. 8)

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cooking device in which condensed water does not adhere to a steam heating heater for heating steam to generate superheated steam at the end of cooking with non-superheated steam.

In order to solve the above problems, the heating cooker of the present invention is:
A steam generator that heats water by a steam generator and generates steam;
A steam temperature raising device for generating superheated steam by raising the temperature of the steam supplied from the steam supply port by a steam heater while being generated by the steam generator;
A heater energization control unit for controlling on / off of energization to the steam generating heater and the steam heating heater;
A plurality of steam outlets are provided on the ceiling, supplied from the steam temperature raising device, and for heating an object to be heated by one of superheated steam and non-superheated steam blown from the steam outlet A heating chamber;
A control device that controls at least the heater energization control unit and performs cooking on the object to be heated;
The control device turns off the energization to the steam heater by the heater energization control unit, is generated by the steam generator, and is generated by non-superheated steam blown from the steam outlet of the steam temperature raising device. In the non-superheated steam cooking mode in which the object to be heated is heated, after the completion of cooking, the heater energization control unit turns on energization of the steam heating heater for a predetermined time to perform a drying operation. It is said.

  According to the above configuration, in the non-superheated steam cooking mode, after the cooking is completed, the energization to the steam heater is turned on to perform the drying operation. Therefore, the condensation generated on the surface of the steam heater at a low temperature after the cooking is completed. Water evaporates as the temperature of the steam heater increases, and as a result, condensed water does not adhere to the steam heater. Therefore, rust is generated in the steam heater, and the steam heater can be prevented from deteriorating due to the rust.

Moreover, in the heating cooker of one embodiment,
The predetermined time for performing the drying operation is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes.

  According to this embodiment, the condensed water generated on the surface of the steam heater in a low temperature state after cooking is reliably evaporated by a drying operation of 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes. However, the time length of 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes in this drying operation is a length that does not give the user a physiological discomfort.

Moreover, in the heating cooker of one embodiment,
The above-mentioned cooking after completion of the non-superheated steam cooking mode, is that after turning off the power supply to the said steam generating heater through the heater energization control unit.

  According to this embodiment, energization to the steam generating heater is turned off during the drying operation. Therefore, the generation of steam in the steam generator is stopped, and the supply of useless steam to the steam temperature raising device is stopped. As a result, the generation of condensed water on the surface of the steam heater is suppressed.

  As is clear from the above, the heating cooker of the present invention performs the drying operation by turning on the energization to the steam heater after completion of cooking in the non-superheated steam cooking mode. As a result, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from adhering to the steam heater. Therefore, rust is generated in the steam heater, and the steam heater can be prevented from deteriorating due to the rust.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the heating cooker according to the present embodiment. The heating cooker 1 is provided with an operation panel 11 at the upper part of the front surface of the rectangular parallelepiped cabinet 10, and a door 12 that rotates around the lower end side is provided below the operation panel 11 on the front surface of the cabinet 10. It is provided and roughly configured. A handle 13 is provided at the top of the door 12, and a heat-resistant glass window 14 is fitted into the door 12.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the heating cooker 1 with the door 12 opened. A rectangular parallelepiped heating chamber 20 is provided in the cabinet 10. The heating chamber 20 has an opening 20a on the front side facing the door 12, and the side surface, bottom surface and top surface of the heating chamber 20 are formed of stainless steel plates. The door 12 is formed of a stainless steel plate on the side facing the heating chamber 20. A heat insulating material (not shown) is placed around the heating chamber 20 and inside the door 12 to insulate the inside of the heating chamber 20 from the outside.

  Further, a stainless steel tray 21 is installed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 20, and a stainless steel wire rack 24 (see FIG. 3) for placing an object to be heated is installed on the tray 21. The Furthermore, a substantially rectangular side surface steam outlet 22 (only one of which is visible in FIG. 2) is provided at the lower part of both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of the heating cooker 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating cooker 1 includes a heating chamber 20, a water tank 30 that stores steam water, and a steam generator 40 that generates steam by evaporating water supplied from the water tank 30. A steam temperature raising device 50 that heats the steam from the steam generating device 40, and a control device 80 that controls the operation of the steam generating device 40, the steam temperature raising device 50, and the like.

  A grid-like rack 24 is placed on a tray 21 installed in the heating chamber 20, and an object to be heated 90 is placed at the approximate center of the rack 24.

  The connecting portion 30 a provided on the lower side of the water tank 30 can be connected to a funnel-shaped receiving port 31 a provided at one end of the first water supply pipe 31. The suction side of the pump 35 is connected to the end of the second water supply pipe 32 that branches from the first water supply pipe 31 and extends upward, and one end of the third water supply pipe 33 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 35. ing. Further, a water tank water level sensor 36 is disposed at the upper end of a water level sensor pipe 38 that branches off from the first water supply pipe 31 and extends upward. Furthermore, the upper end of an air release pipe 37 branched from the first water supply pipe 31 and extending upward is connected to an exhaust duct 65 described later.

  The third water supply pipe 33 has an L shape that is bent substantially horizontally from a vertically disposed portion, and an auxiliary tank 39 is connected to the other end of the third water supply pipe 33. Furthermore, one end of the fourth water supply pipe 34 is connected to the lower end of the auxiliary tank 39, and the lower end of the steam generator 40 is connected to the other end of the fourth water supply pipe 34. Further, one end of the drain valve 70 is connected to a lower side than the connection point of the fourth water supply pipe 34 in the steam generator 40. One end of a drain pipe 71 is connected to the other end of the drain valve 70, and a drain tank 72 is connected to the other end of the drain pipe 71. Note that the upper portion of the auxiliary tank 39 is communicated with the atmosphere via the air release pipe 37 and the exhaust duct 65.

  When the water tank 30 is connected to the receiving port 31 a of the first water supply pipe 31, the water in the water tank 30 rises into the air release pipe 37 until the water level becomes the same as that of the water tank 30. At this time, the water level sensor pipe 38 connected to the water tank water level sensor 36 is sealed at the tip, so that the water level does not rise. However, according to the water level of the water tank 30, the water level sensor pipe 38 has a sealed space. The pressure rises from atmospheric pressure. By detecting this pressure change with a pressure detection element (not shown) in the water level sensor 36 for water tank, the water level in the water tank 30 is detected. In the water level measurement when the pump 35 is stationary, the air release pipe 37 is not necessary, but the suction pressure of the pump 35 directly acts on the pressure detection element, and the accuracy of the water level detection of the water tank 30 decreases. In order to prevent this, an air release pipe 37 having an open end is provided.

  The steam generator 40 includes a pot 41 having the other end of the fourth water supply pipe 34 connected to the lower side, a steam generating heater 42 disposed near the bottom surface of the pot 41, and steam generation in the pot 41. A water level sensor 43 disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of the heater 42 and a steam suction ejector 44 attached to the upper side of the pot 41 are provided. A fan casing 26 is disposed outside the suction port 25 provided in the upper side of the heating chamber 20. Then, the steam in the heating chamber 20 is sucked from the suction port 25 by the blower fan 28 installed in the fan casing 26, and the steam suction ejector of the steam generating device 40 through the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62. 44 is sent to the inlet side. The first pipe 61 is disposed substantially horizontally and has one end connected to the fan casing 26. The second pipe 62 is arranged substantially vertically, and one end is connected to the other end of the first pipe 61 and the other end is connected to the inlet side of the inner nozzle 45 of the vapor suction ejector 44. .

  The steam suction ejector 44 includes an outer nozzle 46 that wraps the outside of the inner nozzle 45, and the discharge side of the inner nozzle 45 communicates with the internal space of the pot 41. One end of the third pipe 63 is connected to the discharge side of the outer nozzle 46 of the steam suction ejector 44, and the steam temperature raising device 50 is connected to the other end of the third pipe 63.

  The fan casing 26, the first pipe 61, the second pipe 62, the steam suction ejector 44, the third pipe 63, and the steam temperature raising device 50 form an external circulation path 60. One end of a discharge passage 64 is connected to the discharge port 27 provided on the lower side of the side surface of the heating chamber 20, and one end of an exhaust duct 65 is connected to the other end of the discharge passage 64. Further, an exhaust port 66 is provided at the other end of the exhaust duct 65. On the exhaust duct 65 side of the vapor discharge passage 64, a radiator 69 is externally fitted. An exhaust duct 65 is connected to a connection portion between the first pipe 61 and the second pipe 62 forming the external circulation path 60 via an exhaust passage 67. Further, a damper 68 that opens and closes the exhaust passage 67 is disposed on the connection side of the first and second pipes 61 and 62 in the exhaust passage 67.

  In addition, the steam temperature raising device 50 includes a dish-shaped case 51 disposed on the ceiling side of the heating chamber 20 and substantially in the center with the opening facing downward, and the steam disposed in the dish-shaped case 51. A heater 52 is provided. The bottom surface of the dish-shaped case 51 is formed by a metal ceiling panel 54 provided on the ceiling surface of the heating chamber 20. A plurality of ceiling steam outlets 55 are formed in the ceiling panel 54. Here, the upper and lower surfaces of the ceiling panel 54 are finished in a dark color by painting or the like. Note that the ceiling panel 54 may be formed of a metal material that changes to a dark color by repeated use or a dark-colored ceramic molded product.

  Further, the steam temperature raising device 50 is provided at one end of a steam supply passage 23 (only one is visible in FIG. 3) as the superheated steam supply passage that extends toward the left and right sides at the top of the heating chamber 20. Are connected to each other. The steam supply passage 23 extends downward along both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20, and is connected to a side surface steam outlet 22 provided on the lower side of both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20 at the other end. Has been.

  Next, the control system of the heating cooker 1 will be described.

  The control device 80 includes a microcomputer, an input / output circuit, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the blower fan 28, the steam heater 52, the damper 68, the drain valve 70, the steam generating heater 42, and the operation Panel 11, water tank water level sensor 36, water level sensor 43, temperature sensor 81 for detecting the temperature in heating chamber 20 (shown in FIG. 3), and humidity sensor 82 for detecting the humidity in heating chamber 20 The pump 35 is connected. Based on detection signals from the water tank water level sensor 36, the water level sensor 43, the temperature sensor 81, and the humidity sensor 82, the blower fan 28, the steam heating heater 52, the damper 68, the drain valve 70, the steam generating heater 42, the operation The panel 11 and the pump 35 are controlled according to a predetermined program.

  Hereinafter, the basic operation of the heating cooker 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

(a) Water oven mode This “water oven mode” is a mode in which food is heated using superheated steam. This cooking mode is executed as follows under the control of the control device 80, for example, when the user selects the menu "water oven mode".

  When a power switch (not shown) of the operation panel 11 is pressed, the power is turned on, and the cooking operation is started by operating the operation panel 11. Then, first, the control device 80 closes the drain valve 70 and starts the operation of the pump 35 with the damper 68 closing the exhaust passage 67. Then, water is supplied from the water tank 30 into the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 via the first to fourth water supply pipes 31 to 34 by the pump 35. Thereafter, when the water level sensor 43 detects that the water level in the pot 41 has reached a predetermined water level, the pump 35 is stopped to stop water supply.

  Next, the steam generating heater 42 is energized, and a predetermined amount of water accumulated in the pot 41 is heated by the steam generating heater 42.

  Simultaneously with the energization of the steam generating heater 42 or when the temperature of the water in the pot 41 reaches a predetermined temperature, the blower fan 28 is turned on and the steam heating heater 52 of the steam heating device 50 is energized. Then, the blower fan 28 sucks air (including steam) in the heating chamber 20 from the suction port 25 and sends out air (including steam) to the external circulation path 60. In that case, since the centrifugal fan is used for the ventilation fan 28, a high pressure can be generated compared with the case where a propeller fan is used. Furthermore, by rotating the centrifugal fan used for the blower fan 28 at a high speed with a DC motor, the flow velocity of the circulating airflow can be extremely increased.

  Next, when the water in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 boils, saturated steam is generated, and the generated saturated steam joins the circulating airflow passing through the external circulation path 60 at the location of the steam suction ejector 44. Then, the steam discharged from the steam suction ejector 44 flows into the steam temperature raising device 50 through the third pipe 63 at a high speed.

  And the steam which flowed into the said steam temperature rising apparatus 50 is heated by the steam heater 52, and becomes a superheated steam of about 300 degreeC (it changes with cooking contents). A part of this superheated steam is ejected downward from the plurality of ceiling steam outlets 55 provided in the lower ceiling panel 54 in the heating chamber 20. Further, the other part of the superheated steam is ejected from the side surface steam outlets 22 on both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20 through the steam supply passages 23 provided on the left and right sides of the steam temperature raising device 50.

  Thus, the superheated steam ejected from the ceiling side of the heating chamber 20 is vigorously supplied toward the heated object 90 side in the center, and the superheated steam ejected from the left and right side surfaces of the heating chamber 20 is supplied to the tray 21. After the collision, the material to be heated 90 is supplied while being wrapped from below the material 90 to be heated. As a result, in the heating chamber 20, convection occurs in such a manner that it blows down at the center and rises outside thereof. Then, the convection steam is sequentially sucked into the suction port 25 and repeatedly circulates through the external circulation path 60 and returns to the heating chamber 20 again.

  In this way, by forming a convection of superheated steam in the heating chamber 20, the superheated steam from the steam heating device 50 is blown to the ceiling steam while the temperature and humidity distribution in the heating chamber 20 is kept uniform. It is possible to eject the gas from the outlet 55 and the side outlet 22 and to efficiently collide with the heated object 90 placed on the rack 24, and the heated object 90 is heated by the collision of the superheated steam. In that case, the superheated steam that has contacted the surface of the object to be heated 90 also heats the object to be heated 90 by releasing latent heat when dew condensation occurs on the surface of the object to be heated 90. As a result, a large amount of heat of the superheated steam can be reliably and promptly applied to the entire surface of the article 90 to be heated. Therefore, it is possible to realize cooking with no spots and good finish.

  In addition, when the time elapses during the cooking operation, the amount of steam in the heating chamber 20 increases, and the surplus amount of steam passes from the discharge port 27 through the discharge passage 64 and the exhaust duct 65. And discharged from the exhaust port 66 to the outside. At that time, the steam passing through the discharge passage 64 is cooled and condensed by the radiator 69 provided in the discharge passage 64, thereby preventing the steam from being discharged to the outside as it is. The water condensed in the discharge passage 64 by the radiator 69 flows down in the discharge passage 64 and is guided to the receiving tray 21, and is processed together with the water generated by cooking after the cooking.

(b) Steaming / warming mode This “steaming / warming mode” is a mode in which food is steamed, boiled or warmed using non-superheated steam. This cooking mode is executed under the control of the control device 80, for example, when the user selects the “steaming / warming mode mode”.

  As in the case of the “water oven mode”, the control device 80 supplies water into the pot 41 of the steam generating device 40 and energizes the steam generating heater 42 to heat the water in the pot 41. Further, in the “steaming warming mode”, the blower fan 28 remains off, and the steam heater 52 of the steam heating device 50 is not energized. Thus, since the blower fan 28 is turned off, the steam suction ejector 44 does not function.

  When the water in the pot 41 of the steam generating device 40 boils, saturated steam is generated, and the generated saturated steam is self-pressured via the steam suction ejector 44 and the third pipe 63 to form a dish-shaped steam heating device 50. It flows into the case 51. However, in this case, since the steam heater 52 is not energized, the steam flowing into the dish-shaped case 51 is not heated. A part of the non-superheated steam is supplied from the plurality of ceiling steam outlets 55 provided on the lower ceiling panel 54 by the self-pressure toward the lower side in the heating chamber 20. Further, the other part of the non-superheated steam is supplied by the self-pressure from the side surface steam outlets 22 on both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20 through the steam supply passages 23 provided on the left and right sides of the steam temperature raising device 50. The

  In this way, the object to be heated 90 placed on the rack 24 in the heating chamber 20 is steamed, boiled or warmed by non-superheated steam lower than 100 ° C. In this case as well, as in the case of the “water oven mode”, the amount of steam in the heating chamber 20 that has increased due to an increase in the amount of steam in the heating chamber 20 passes through the discharge passage 27 and the discharge passage 64. It is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 66 through the exhaust duct 65.

  When cooking with non-superheated steam is completed in this way, in the present embodiment, the controller 80 turns off the energization of the steam generating heater 42 of the steam generating device 40 and then the steam heating of the steam heating device 50. The heater 52 is energized for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 1 minute). By doing so, the condensed water adhering to the steam heater 52 evaporates depending on the temperature of the steam heater 52, and the surface of the steam heater 52 is dried. Therefore, rust is generated in the steam heater 52, and the steam heater 52 is prevented from deteriorating due to the rust.

  In the “water oven mode” and the “steaming / warming mode”, after the cooking is finished, the control device 80 displays a cooking end message on the operation panel 11, and a buzzer (not shown) provided on the operation panel 11. Sound). When a user who knows the end of cooking by these messages and buzzer opens the door 12, the control device 80 detects that the door 12 has been opened by a sensor (not shown) and opens the damper 68 of the exhaust passage 67. Open instantly. Then, the first pipe 61 of the external circulation path 60 communicates with the exhaust duct 65 via the exhaust passage 67, and the steam in the heating chamber 20 is blown by the blower fan 28 through the suction port 25, the first pipe 61, and the exhaust passage 67. And is discharged from the exhaust port 66 through the exhaust duct 65. This damper operation functions similarly even if the user opens the door 12 during cooking.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of on / off control for the steam generating heater 42 and the steam heater 52 executed by the control device 80.

  In step S1, for example, when it is detected that the “water oven mode” is selected by a signal from the menu key of the operation panel 11, the steam generating heater 42 is turned on in step S2, and the steam is heated in step S3. The heater 52 is turned on. When the end of cooking is detected in step S4, the steam generating heater 42 is turned off in step S5, the steam heater 52 is turned off in step S6, and then the cooking in the “water oven mode” is finished.

  On the other hand, when it is detected in step S7 that the “steaming / warming mode” is selected, the steam generating heater 42 is turned on in step S8, and the steam heating heater 52 is turned off in step S9. When the completion of cooking is detected in step S10, the steam generating heater 42 is turned off in step S11, the steam heater 52 is turned on in step S12, and the drying operation is started. Thus, for example, when it is detected in step S13 that a predetermined time (1 minute) has elapsed based on a signal from a timing unit (not shown), the steam heater 52 is turned off in step S14, and the drying operation is started. Then, the cooking in the “steaming / warming mode” is finished.

  When a mode other than the “water oven mode” and the “steaming / warming mode” is selected, the process according to the selected mode is executed in step S15, and then the cooking is ended.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the “steaming warming mode” in which the food is steamed, boiled, and warmed with non-superheated steam, after the cooking is completed, the steam generating heater 42 of the steam generating device 40 is turned off and then continued. Thus, the steam heater 52 of the steam temperature raising device 50 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute). Therefore, the condensed water adhering to the steam heater 52 can be evaporated and dried, and rust is generated in the steam heater 52, and the rust prevents the steam heater 52 from being deteriorated. Can do.

  In the “water oven mode”, the steam heater 52 of the steam heating device 50 is energized. Therefore, condensed water does not adhere to the steam heater 52 when the supply of steam from the steam generator 40 to the steam temperature raising device 50 is stopped after cooking.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the time of the drying operation which supplies with electricity to the steam heater 52 of the steam temperature rising apparatus 50 after completion | finish of cooking is set to "1 minute", it cannot be overemphasized that it is not limited to this "1 minute". . It is desirable that the condensed water adhering to the steam heater 52 is a time during which the condensed water is surely evaporated and is not less than 1 minute and less than 2 minutes, which is a length that does not give a physiological discomfort to the user.

It is an external appearance perspective view in the heating cooker of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the state which opened the door of the heating cooker shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the heating cooker shown in FIG. It is a control block diagram of the heating cooker shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of on-off control with respect to the steam generation heater and steam heating heater which are performed by the control apparatus in FIG.

1 ... Heat cooker,
11 ... Control panel,
20 ... heating chamber,
22 ... Side steam outlet,
23 ... steam supply passage,
30 ... Water tank,
35 ... pump,
40 ... steam generator,
42 ... steam generating heater,
44 ... Vapor suction ejector,
50 ... Steam temperature raising device,
51 ... Dish-shaped case,
51a ... recess,
52 ... Steam heater,
60 ... External circuit,
80: Control device.

Claims (3)

A steam generator that heats water by a steam generator and generates steam;
A steam temperature raising device for generating superheated steam by raising the temperature of the steam supplied from the steam supply port by a steam heater while being generated by the steam generator;
A heater energization control unit for controlling on / off of energization to the steam generating heater and the steam heating heater;
A plurality of steam outlets are provided on the ceiling, supplied from the steam temperature raising device, and for heating an object to be heated by one of superheated steam and non-superheated steam blown from the steam outlet A heating chamber;
A control device that controls at least the heater energization control unit and performs cooking on the object to be heated;
The control device turns off the energization to the steam heater by the heater energization control unit, is generated by the steam generator, and is generated by non-superheated steam blown from the steam outlet of the steam temperature raising device. In the non-superheated steam cooking mode in which the object to be heated is heated, after the completion of cooking, the heater energization control unit turns on energization of the steam heating heater for a predetermined time to perform a drying operation. A heating cooker. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein
The cooking device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time for performing the drying operation is 1 minute or more and less than 2 minutes. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein
The above-mentioned cooking after completion of the non-superheated steam cooking mode, the cooking device, characterized in that <br/> is that after turning off the power supply to the said steam generating heater through the heater energization control unit.

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