JP4408760B2 - Steam cooker - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam cooker.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a steam cooker provided with a steam generator that generates steam for heating an object to be heated (see, for example, JP-A-7-243649 (Patent Document 1)). After cooking, this heating cooker cleans the inside of a steam generator by supplying cooling water into the steam generator and cooling it, and then draining water that has become hot water in the steam generator. However, the steam cooker has a problem in that limited water resources cannot be used effectively because water for cleaning the inside of the steam generator is supplied from the tank. In particular, when the tank capacity cannot be increased, the water used for steam heating is quickly lost, and the problem is serious.

In order to effectively use the water resources in the tank, a steam cooker that drains the water in the steam generator without washing with water can be considered. There is a problem that water is left in the water supply route only by draining. In this case, if the water remaining in the water supply path or the like is left unattended for a long time, it will rot and cause sanitary problems. In addition, this steam cooker is demonstrated in order to make this invention easy to understand, and is not a well-known technique and is not a prior art.
JP 7-243649 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a steam cooker capable of draining all the water in a water supply path and the like with a simple configuration when draining in a steam generator.

In order to achieve the above object, a steam cooker according to the present invention includes a steam generator that generates steam for heating an object to be heated, and a detachable tank that stores water to be supplied to the steam generator; A pump for supplying the water in the tank to the steam generator, a drain means for draining the water in the steam generator, and a tank connection for detecting whether the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump A control unit that controls the pump and the drainage unit based on a detection result of the detection unit, the tank connection detection unit, and the tank before the drainage of the water in the steam generator by the drainage unit is started. and a notifying means for informing the user to disengage the connection between the suction side of the pump, said control unit, before draining the start of the water in the steam generator according to the waste water unit, the notification After notifying the user to disengage the connection between the suction side of the tank and the pump by the step, when the tank connection detection means detects that the water tank is not connected to the suction side of the pump It is characterized in that the pump is operated during drainage of water in the steam generator, assuming that the pump operating condition is satisfied.

According to the steam cooker having the above configuration, before starting the drainage of the water in the steam generator by the drainage means, the control device has detected that the tank connection detection means is not connected to the suction side of the pump. Sometimes the pump is operated as if the pump operating conditions are met. Thereby, when the tank is not connected to the suction side of the pump, it is possible to prevent the water from being supplied from the tank to the steam generator by operating the pump simultaneously with the drainage. Therefore, when water cannot be supplied from the tank with a simple configuration during drainage in the steam generator, all water in the water supply path and the like can be drained by the pump operation.

On the other hand, before starting the drainage of the water in the steam generator by the drainage means, the control device informs the user to disconnect the tank and the suction side of the pump by the notification means, and then the tank connection detection means since not operated pump when it is detected that the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump, it can be prevented from consuming the water in the tank during draining. For example, if the pump is operated at the same time as the drainage when water from the tank can be supplied to the steam generator, the water in the tank is consumed and the water supply path etc. The remaining water cannot be drained.
Furthermore, before starting the drainage of the water in the steam generator by the drainage means, the user informs the user by the notification means to disconnect the tank and the suction side of the pump, so that the user can suck the tank and the pump. The connection with the side can be disconnected, and the pump can be operated together with the drainage in the steam generator by the drainage means, so that the water in the water supply path and the like can be drained reliably.

The steam cooker according to an embodiment includes tank water detection means for detecting whether or not there is water in the tank, and the control device drains water in the steam generator by the drainage means. Before the start, when the tank connection detection means detects that the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump, and when the tank water detection means detects that there is no water in the tank The pump operating condition is satisfied.

According to the steam cooker of the above embodiment, the controller detects that the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump before the drainage of the water in the steam generator by the drainage means starts. When the tank water detection means detects that there is no water in the tank, the control device assumes that the pump operating condition is satisfied, and the pump is turned off when the water in the steam generator is drained by the drainage means. Make it work. Thus, even when the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump, if there is no water in the tank, the pump can be operated to drain all water from the water supply path and the like.

Further, steam cooker of one embodiment, the notification means, before draining the start of the water in the steam generator according to the waste water unit, the tank connection detection means the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump And when the tank water detection means detects that there is water in the tank, it informs the user to disconnect the tank from the suction side of the pump. characterized in that that.

In the steam cooker of the above embodiment, prior to draining the water in the steam generator by drainage means, only when the tank is water, used to disengage the connection between the suction side of the tank and the pump Since the notification is made to the person by the notification means, when there is no water in the tank, the notification by the notification means is not required, and the operability is improved.

  As is clear from the above, according to the steam cooker of the present invention, it is possible to realize a sanitary steam cooker that can drain all the water in the water supply path and the like with a simple configuration when draining in the steam generator. it can.

  Hereinafter, the steam cooker of this invention is demonstrated in detail by embodiment of illustration.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a steam cooker 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a door 12 is provided on the front surface of a rectangular parallelepiped main body casing 10 so as to rotate about a lower end side. An operation panel 11 is provided on the right side of the door 12, a handle 13 is provided on the top of the door 12, and a heat-resistant glass window 14 is provided in the approximate center of the door 12.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the steam cooker 1 with the door 12 opened, and a rectangular parallelepiped heating chamber 20 is provided in the main body casing 10. The heating chamber 20 has an opening 20a on the front side facing the door 12, and the side, bottom and top surfaces 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 arranged 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 receiving tray 21 is placed on the bottom surface of the heating chamber 20, and a stainless steel wire rack 24 for placing an object to be heated is placed on the receiving tray 21. Furthermore, a substantially rectangular side-surface steam outlet 22 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) is provided on both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20. In addition, in the state which opened the door 12, the upper surface side of the door 12 becomes substantially horizontal, and when it takes out to-be-heated material, it can once put on the upper surface of the door 12.

  On the left side of the heating chamber 20 of the main body casing 10, a water tank storage unit 100 for storing the water tank 30 is provided. On the other hand, on the right side of the heating chamber 20 of the main body casing 10, a protrusion 101 having a substantially rectangular region protruding on the front surface is provided, and a plurality of air outlets 102 are provided on the heating chamber 20 side and above the protrusion 101.

  Further, in the state where the door 12 is closed, a recess 103 into which the projection 101 of the main body casing 10 is fitted is provided in the door 12, and a plurality of examples of air inlets are provided on the side wall of the recess 103 on the window 14 side. The cooling slit 104 is provided at a position facing the plurality of air blowing ports 102 of the protrusion 101 of the main body casing 10. The window 14 is composed of two heat-resistant glasses sandwiching a space, and a packing 105 is attached to the side of the door 12 facing the main body casing 10 and the outer edge of the window 14.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a basic configuration of the steam cooker 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the steam cooker 1 includes a heating chamber 20, a water tank 30 for storing steam water, a steam generator 40 for evaporating water supplied from the water tank 30, and the steam. A steam temperature raising device 50 for heating steam from the generator 40 and a control device 80 for controlling the steam generator 40, the steam temperature raising device 50, and the like are provided.

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

  In addition, a connecting portion 30 a provided on the lower side of the water tank 30 is connected to a funnel-shaped receiving port 31 a provided at one end of the first water supply pipe 31. The steam cooker 1 includes a tank attachment detection switch SW3 that detects that the water tank 30 is attached to the water tank storage unit 100 (shown in FIG. 2).

  The suction side of the pump 35 is connected to the other 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. . A water tank water level sensor 36 as an example of tank water detection means 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 the 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 arranged portion, and an auxiliary tank 39 is connected to the other end of the third water supply pipe 33. One end of the fourth water supply pipe 34 is connected to the lower end of the auxiliary tank 39, and the other end of the fourth water supply pipe 34 is connected to the lower end of the steam generator 40. Moreover, the end of the drain valve 70 as an example of a drainage means is connected to the lower end to which the 4th water supply pipe 34 of the steam generator 40 was connected. One end of the drain pipe 71 is connected to the other end of the drain valve 70, and the internal drain port 29 is connected to the other end of the drain pipe 71. The drain pipe 71 is connected to the drain outlet 29 in a state protruding 2 mm or more into the heating chamber 20. Further, the upper end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the lowermost part of the fan casing 26, and the lower end of the drain pipe 72 is connected to the drain pipe 71. Note that the upper portion of the auxiliary tank 39 communicates with the atmosphere via the air release pipe 37 and the exhaust duct 65.

  When the water tank 30 is connected, the tank attachment detection switch SW3 is turned on, and the water in the water tank 30 rises into the atmosphere opening pipe 37 until the water level becomes the same as that of the water tank 30. Since the water level sensor pipe 38 connected to the water tank water level sensor 36 is sealed at the tip, the water level does not rise, but the pressure in the sealed space of the water level sensor pipe 38 depends on the water level of the water tank 30. Rise from atmospheric pressure. By detecting this pressure change by a pressure detection element (not shown) in the water tank water level sensor 36, the water level in the water tank 30 is detected. In the measurement of the water level when the pump 35 is stationary, the pipe 37 for opening to the atmosphere is unnecessary, but in order to prevent the suction pressure of the pump 35 from acting directly on the pressure detection element and reducing the accuracy of water level detection of the water tank 30. An open air pipe 37 having an open end is used.

  The steam generator 40 includes a pot 41 having the lower end connected to the other end of the fourth water supply pipe 34, a heater portion 42 disposed in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the pot 41, and a heater in the pot 41. A water level sensor 43 disposed near the upper side of the portion 42, a steam suction ejector 44 mounted on the upper side of the pot 41, and a water temperature sensor 48 disposed in the pot 41 are provided. And the fan casing 26 is arrange | positioned on the outer side of the suction inlet 25 provided in the side surface upper part of the heating chamber 20. As shown in FIG. Steam in the heating chamber 20 is sucked from the suction port 25 by the blower fan 28 disposed in the fan casing 26. The sucked steam is sent to the inlet side of the steam suction ejector 44 of the steam generator 40 through the first pipe 61. The first pipe 61 has one end connected to the fan casing 26 and the other end connected to the inlet side of the inner nozzle 45 of the vapor suction ejector 44.

  The vapor 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. The discharge side of the outer nozzle 46 of the vapor suction ejector 44 is connected to one end of the second pipe 63, and the vapor temperature raising device 50 is connected to the other end of the second pipe 63.

  The fan casing 26, the first pipe 61, the steam suction ejector 44, the second pipe 63, and the steam temperature raising device 50 form a circulation path 60. One end of the 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 the other end of the discharge passage 64 is connected to one end of the exhaust duct 65. An exhaust port 66 is provided at the other end of the exhaust duct 65. A radiator 69 is externally fitted on the exhaust duct 65 side of the discharge passage 64. A connection portion with the first pipe 61 that forms the circulation path 60 is connected to the exhaust duct 65 via the exhaust passage 67. A damper 68 that opens and closes the exhaust passage 67 is arranged on the connection side of the exhaust passage 67 with the first pipe 61.

  In addition, the steam temperature raising device 50 includes a dish-shaped case 51 disposed on the ceiling side and substantially in the center of the heating chamber 20 with the opening facing down, and a first steam heating disposed in the dish-shaped case 51. A heater 52 and a second steam heater 53 disposed in the dish-shaped case 51 are 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. The ceiling panel 54 is finished in a dark color on the upper and lower surfaces 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 connected to one end of each of the steam supply passages 23 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) extending on the left and right sides of the heating chamber 20. The other end of the steam supply passage 23 extends downward along both side surfaces of the heating chamber 20 and is connected to side surface steam outlets 22 provided on both side surfaces and the lower side of the heating chamber 20.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the control device 80 of the steam cooker 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 80 includes a blower fan 28, a first steam heater 52, a second steam heater 53, a damper 68, a drain valve 70, and a first steam generator heater 42A. A second steam generation heater 42B, a display unit 11A as an example of a notification unit, a key input unit 11B as an example of a drainage selection unit, a water tank water level sensor 36, a water level sensor 43, and a water temperature sensor 48. A chamber temperature sensor 81 for detecting the temperature in the heating chamber 20 (shown in FIG. 3), a humidity sensor (not shown) for detecting the humidity in the heating chamber 20, and the pump 35 are connected. The display unit 11A and the key input unit 11B constitute an operation panel 11 (shown in FIG. 1). Further, the control device 80 is connected to a door opening / closing detection switch SW2 and a tank mounting detection switch SW3 as an example of tank connection detection means. The door opening / closing detection switch SW2 is turned on when the door 12 is open and turned off when the door 12 is closed. The tank attachment detection switch SW3 is turned on when the tank 30 shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the water tank storage unit 100, and turned off when the tank 30 is not attached.

  The control device 80 includes a microcomputer, an input / output circuit, and the like. Based on the detection signal from SW3, blower fan 28, first steam heater 52, second steam heater 53, damper 68, drain valve 70, first steam generator heater 42A, second steam generator heater 42B, display unit 11A, the key input unit 11B and the pump 35 are controlled according to a predetermined program.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, one output terminal L <b> 1 of the outlet 110 to which a commercial AC power supply (not shown) is connected is connected to one power input terminal of the control device 80. The other output terminal L2 of the outlet 110 is connected to the common terminal C of the door interlock switch SW1, and one terminal A of the door interlock switch SW1 is connected to one end of the heating relay RY1 (in FIG. 4, the door 12 is connected). Closed). One end of each of the first steam generating heater 42A, the second steam generating heater 42B, the first steam heating heater 52, and the second steam heating heater 53 is connected to the other end of the relay RY1. The other end of the first steam generating heater 42A is connected to one end of the relay RY3, and the other end of the second steam generating heater 42B is connected to one end of the relay RY4. The other end of the first steam heater 52 is connected to one end of the relay RY5, and the other end of the second steam heater 53 is connected to one end of the relay RY6. The other ends of the relays RY3 to RY6 are connected to one output terminal L1 of the outlet 110. Further, the water level sensor 43 is a self-heating thermistor, and the on / off of energization is controlled by a relay RY7.

  Further, the other output terminal L2 of the outlet 110 is connected to one end of a self-holding relay RY2 as an example of a blocking means, and the other end of the self-holding relay RY2 is connected to the other power input terminal of the control device 80. Further, the other terminal B of the door interlock switch SW <b> 1 is connected to the other power input terminal of the control device 80. The self-holding relay RY <b> 2 is on / off controlled by a control signal from the control device 80.

  The control device 80 includes a cooling waiting timer 80a, a power-off timer 80b after drainage display, and a power-off timer 80c after heating.

  In the steam cooker 1 having the above configuration, when the door 12 is opened, the door interlock switch SW1 is switched to the terminal B side, and an AC voltage is applied to the power input terminal of the control device 80 to supply power. Then, the control device 80 supplied with power turns on the self-holding relay RY <b> 2, thereby supplying power to the control device 80 regardless of the open / closed state of the door 12. When there is no key operation for a predetermined time with the door 12 closed, the control device 80 turns off the self-holding relay RY2, cuts off the power supply, and sets the standby power to zero.

  Next, the cooking operation is started by operating the operation panel 11. Then, the control device 80 first starts the operation of the pump 35 with the drain valve 70 closed and the exhaust passage 67 closed by the damper 68. Water is supplied into the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 from the water tank 30 through the first to fourth water supply pipes 31 to 34 by the pump 35. And if the water level sensor 43 detects that the water level in the said pot 41 reached the predetermined water level, the pump 35 will be stopped and water supply will be stopped.

  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.

  Next, 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 first steam heating heater 52 of the steam heating device 50 is energized. To do. 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 circulation path 60. Since a centrifugal fan is used as the blower fan 28, a higher pressure can be generated compared to the propeller fan. 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 circulation path 60 at the steam suction ejector 44. The steam discharged from the steam suction ejector 44 flows into the steam temperature raising device 50 through the second pipe 63 at a high speed.

  And the steam which flowed into the said steam temperature rising apparatus 50 is heated by the 1st steam heating heater 52, and turns into a superheated steam of about 300 degreeC (it changes with cooking contents). A part of the 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, another 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 both the left and right sides of the steam heating device 50.

  Thereby, 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 heated. It is supplied while being lifted so as to wrap the article 90 to be heated from below the article 90. As a result, convection occurs in the heating chamber 20 in such a manner that it is blown down at the center and rises outside the center. Then, the convection steam is sequentially sucked into the suction port 25 and repeats circulation such that it returns to the heating chamber 20 through the circulation path 60 again.

  By forming convection of superheated steam in the heating chamber 20 in this way, the superheated steam from the steam heating device 50 is sent to the ceiling steam outlet while maintaining the temperature and humidity distribution in the heating chamber 20 uniform. 55 and the side air outlet 22, and can efficiently collide with the heated object 90 placed on the rack 24. Then, the object to be heated 90 is heated by the collision of superheated steam. At this time, the superheated steam in contact with 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 uniformly and quickly applied to the entire surface of the article 90 to be heated. Therefore, it is possible to realize cooking with no unevenness and good finish.

  Further, in the above cooking operation, when time elapses, 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 this time, the steam 69 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.

  After the cooking is finished, the control device 80 displays a cooking end message on the operation panel 11 and further sounds a signal by a buzzer (not shown) provided on the operation panel 11. Thereby, when the user who knows the end of cooking opens the door 12, the control device 80 detects that the door 12 has been opened by a sensor (not shown), and instantly opens the damper 68 of the exhaust passage 67. . Thereby, the first pipe 61 of the circulation path 60 communicates with the exhaust duct 65 through 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, the exhaust passage 67 and The gas is discharged from the exhaust port 66 through the exhaust duct 65. This damper operation is the same even if the user opens the door 12 during cooking. Therefore, the user can safely remove the object to be heated 90 from the heating chamber 20 without being exposed to steam.

  During heating with steam, when the water level in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 drops by a predetermined value due to evaporation, the pump 35 is operated for a certain period of time to replenish water, and the water level in the pot 41 drops again by the predetermined value. When the same operation is repeated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the waste water treatment of the control device 80. The waste water treatment of the control device 80 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, when the waste water treatment is started, it is determined in step S1 whether or not the water tank 30 is present by a tank mounting detection switch SW3 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, if the tank mounting detection switch SW3 is on, it is determined that the water tank 30 is present, while if the tank mounting detection switch SW3 is off, it is determined that there is no water tank 30.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the water tank 30 is present, the process proceeds to step S2, while if it is determined that the water tank 30 is not present, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is water in the water tank 30 in step S2. That is, when the water level detected by the water tank water level sensor 36 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that there is water in the water tank 30, while the water level sensor 36 cannot detect the water level. Is determined that there is no water in the water tank 30.

  If it is determined in step S2 that there is water in the water tank 30, the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no water in the water tank 30, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Next, a pull-out display of the water tank 30 is performed in step S3, and the user is informed to pull out the water tank 30 to prompt the user to disconnect the connection portion 30a of the water tank 30 and the receiving port 31a.

  Next, it progresses to step S4 and it is discriminate | determined by tank mounting | wearing detection switch SW3 whether the water tank 30 exists. If it is determined in step S4 that the water tank 30 is present, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that the water tank 30 is not present, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S5, the flag PF is set to 0 and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S6, the flag PF is set to 1 and the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the drainage start is made by operating the key input unit 11B. If it is determined that the drainage is started, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Next, in step S8, it is determined whether or not the flag PF is 0. When the flag PF is 0, the process proceeds to step S9, and the pump 35 is turned off, while when the flag PF is not 0, that is, 1, In step S10, the pump 35 is turned on.

  Next, the process proceeds to step S11, the drain valve 70 is opened, and it is determined whether or not the drainage is finished in step S12. When the drainage is finished, the process proceeds to step S13. When the drainage is not finished, this step S12 is repeated. . Here, the end of drainage is determined to be complete when a predetermined time has elapsed since the drainage valve 70 was opened.

  In step S13, the drain valve 70 is closed, the pump 35 is turned off, and this process is terminated.

  According to the steam cooker 1, when the water in the pot 41 of the steam generating device 40 is drained by the drain valve 70, the control device 80 is used when the water tank 30 is not mounted in the water tank storage unit 100 ( When the water tank 30 is not connected to the suction side of the pump 35), the pump 35 is operated assuming that the pump operating condition is satisfied. At this time, since water is not supplied from the water tank 30, air is discharged from the pump 35, and the water in the third water supply pipe 33, which is a water supply path on the downstream side of the pump 35, is washed away, and the auxiliary tank 39 and the fourth water supply pipe 34 and the drainage pipe 71. On the other hand, when the water in the pot 41 of the steam generating device 40 is drained by the drain valve 70, the control device 80 is operated when the water tank 30 is mounted in the water tank storage unit 100 (the water tank 30 is pump 35). The pump 35 is not operated because the pump operating condition is not satisfied. Thus, when the water tank 30 is not mounted in the water tank storage unit 100 (when the water tank 30 is not connected to the suction side of the pump 35), the pump 35 is not operated at the same time as the drainage. It is possible to prevent water from being supplied from the tank 30 to the steam generator 40.

  Therefore, when draining in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40, water in the water supply path and the like can be drained with a simple configuration by a pump operation, and water in the water tank 30 can be prevented from being consumed during drainage.

  Further, when the tank mounting detection switch SW3 detects that the water tank 30 is mounted (connected to the suction side of the pump 35), the water tank water level sensor 36 has no water in the water tank 30. Is detected, the control device 80 operates the pump 35 on the assumption that the pump operation condition is satisfied. As a result, even when the water tank 30 is mounted, if there is no water in the water tank 30, the pump 35 can be operated to drain all water from the water supply path and the like.

  Further, before the drain valve 70 is opened and the water in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 is drained, the water tank 30 is pulled out (that is, the connection between the water tank 30 and the suction side of the pump 35 is disconnected). ) By notifying the user through the display unit 11A, the user can pull out the water tank 30 and disconnect the connection between the water tank 30 and the suction side of the pump 35, and then operate the pump 35 to discharge the water. Together with the drainage in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 by the valve 70, the water in the water supply path and the like can be drained reliably.

  Further, before draining the water in the pot 41 of the steam generator 40 by the drain valve 70, the water tank 30 is pulled out only when there is water in the water tank 30 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 36. Since the user is notified by the display unit 11A, the notification by the display unit 11A is not required when there is no water in the water tank 30, and the operability can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the steam cooker using the tank attachment detection switch SW3 has been described as an example of the tank connection detection means. However, the tank connection detection means is not limited to this, and the tank is not limited to this by using an optical sensor or a magnetic sensor. What is necessary is just to detect whether it is connected to the suction side of the pump.

  In the above embodiment, the steam cooker using the water tank water level sensor 36 for detecting the pressure change in the sealed space of the water level sensor pipe 38 as an example of the tank water detection means has been described. The internal water detection means is not limited to this, and any means may be used as long as it detects whether or not there is water in the tank using a float mechanism or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the dew condensation water generated in the circulation path 60 is drained into the heating chamber 20 via the drainage path (drainage pipes 71 and 72). Condensed water generated in the circulation path may be drained through the drain path.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the steam generator 40 and the steam temperature rising apparatus 50 were provided and the steam cooker which heats and cooks a to-be-heated material with superheated steam was demonstrated, the steam cooker of this invention does steam. A steam generator that generates water, a removable tank that stores water, a pump that supplies water in the tank to the steam generator, and a drainage unit that drains the water in the steam generator. Good.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a steam cooker according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the steam cooker with the door opened. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the steam cooker. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control device for the steam cooker. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the waste water treatment of the control device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steam cooking apparatus 10 ... Main body casing 11 ... Operation panel 11A ... Display part 11B ... Key input part 12 ... Door 13 ... Handle 14 ... Window 20 ... Heating chamber 21 ... Receptacle 22 ... Side surface steam outlet 23 ... Steam supply passage 24 ... Rack 25 ... Suction port 26 ... Fan casing 27 ... Discharge port 28 ... Blower fan 28a ... Fan part 28b ... Motor part 29 ... Drain outlet 30 ... Water tank 31 ... First water supply pipe 32 ... Second water supply pipe 33 ... 3rd water supply pipe 34 ... 4th water supply pipe 35 ... Pump 36 ... Water tank water level sensor 39 ... Auxiliary tank 40 ... Steam generator 41 ... Pot 42 ... Heater part 43 ... Water level sensor 44 ... Steam suction ejector 48 ... Water temperature sensor 50 ... Steam temperature raising device 51 ... Dish-shaped case 52 ... First steam heater 53 ... Second steam heater 60 ... Circulation path 6 ... 1st pipe 63 ... 2nd pipe 64 ... Discharge passage 65 ... Exhaust duct 66 ... Exhaust port 67 ... Exhaust passage 68 ... Damper 69 ... Radiator 70 ... Drain valve 71, 72 ... Drain pipe 80 ... Control device 81 ... Inside temperature Sensor 90 ... Object to be heated 100 ... Water tank storage part 101 ... Projection part 102 ... Blower port 103 ... Recess 104 ... Cooling slit 105 ... Packing 110 ... Outlet SW1 ... Door interlock switch SW2 ... Door open / close detection switch SW3 ... Tank installation Detection switch

Claims (3)

A steam generator for generating steam for heating an object to be heated;
A detachable tank for storing water to be supplied to the steam generator;
A pump for supplying water in the tank to the steam generator;
Drainage means for draining water in the steam generator;
Tank connection detection means for detecting whether or not the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump;
A control device for controlling the pump and the drainage means based on the detection result of the tank connection detection means ;
An informing means for informing the user to disconnect the tank and the suction side of the pump before starting the drainage of the water in the steam generating device by the drainage means ,
The control device informs the user to disconnect the tank and the suction side of the pump by the notification means before the drainage means starts draining the water in the steam generator, and then the tank When the connection detecting means detects that the water tank is not connected to the suction side of the pump, the pump is operated during drainage of water in the steam generator, assuming that the pump operating condition is satisfied. Steam cooker featuring. The steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein
Tank water detection means for detecting whether or not there is water in the tank,
The control device, when the tank connection detection means detects that the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump , before the drainage means starts draining the water in the steam generator , and A steam cooker characterized in that the pump operating condition is satisfied when the tank water detection means detects that there is no water in the tank. The steam cooker according to claim 1 or 2,
The informing means detects when the tank connection detecting means detects that the tank is connected to the suction side of the pump before the drainage means starts draining the water in the steam generator, and when tank water detecting means detects that there is water in the tank, the steam cooker wherein the Turkey be notified to the user to disengage the connection between the suction side of the tank and the pump.

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