JP4964189B2 - Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device - Google Patents

Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP4964189B2
JP4964189B2 JP2008150117A JP2008150117A JP4964189B2 JP 4964189 B2 JP4964189 B2 JP 4964189B2 JP 2008150117 A JP2008150117 A JP 2008150117A JP 2008150117 A JP2008150117 A JP 2008150117A JP 4964189 B2 JP4964189 B2 JP 4964189B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
water level
water
level detection
water tank
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
JP2008150117A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP2009291505A (en
Inventor
正彦 福田
亮輔 安部
博 松本
輝男 中村
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd
Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corp filed Critical Mitsubishi Electric Home Appliance Co Ltd
Priority to JP2008150117A priority Critical patent/JP4964189B2/en
Publication of JP2009291505A publication Critical patent/JP2009291505A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP4964189B2 publication Critical patent/JP4964189B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Description

本発明は、蒸気を復水して回収する蒸気回収装置、この蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器、およびこの蒸気回収装置または加熱調理器に適用可能な水位検知装置に関する。   The present invention relates to a steam recovery device that condenses and recovers steam, a cooking device provided with the steam recovery device, and a water level detection device applicable to the steam recovery device or cooking device.

従来の炊飯調理器においては、「調理器本体と、この調理器本体内に着脱自在に収納される鍋と、前記調理器本体を開閉自在に覆う蓋体と、この蓋体に設けた蒸気孔と、前記蓋体と鍋との間に配設され蓋体に取付けられた内蓋と、この内蓋内に設けたおねばをふき出すふき出し孔と、前記蓋体の蒸気孔と前記ふき出し孔との間に配設した環状リングと、この環状リングの壁上部と当接して前記ふき出し孔と前記蒸気孔との間を閉塞するように蓋体の下面に設けた凸部と、前記蓋体の中央部を中心として蒸気孔と反対側に位置する部分で前記凸部は除かれ、前記環状リングの壁との間で閉塞されない隙間部とを備えた」ものがある（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   In a conventional rice cooker, “a cooker body, a pan that is detachably stored in the cooker body, a lid that covers the cooker body in an openable and closable manner, and a steam hole provided in the lid An inner lid disposed between the lid body and the pan and attached to the lid body, a blowout hole for blowing out a tongue provided in the inner lid, a steam hole of the lid body, and the wiper An annular ring disposed between the outlet hole, and a convex portion provided on the lower surface of the lid so as to abut the upper wall portion of the annular ring and close the gap between the outlet hole and the vapor hole; The convex portion is removed at a portion located on the opposite side of the vapor hole with the central portion of the lid body as the center, and a gap portion that is not closed between the annular ring wall and the like is provided (for example, Patent Document 1).

特開平２−３０５５１８号公報（第１―２頁、第１図）JP-A-2-305518 (page 1-2, FIG. 1)

従来の構成の炊飯調理器では、炊飯中に発生する蒸気が蒸気孔から炊飯調理器外へ排出されるため、調理器の周辺に蒸気が結露し、壁面や天井などが汚染されてしまう。   In a rice cooker having a conventional configuration, steam generated during rice cooking is discharged from the steam hole to the outside of the rice cooker, so that steam condenses around the cooker and the wall surface and ceiling are contaminated.

本発明は、上記のような課題を解決するためになされたものであり、蒸気を外部に排出することなく水タンクに回収して復水し、かつ、該水タンクの水位を安定して検知することのできる蒸気回収装置、この蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器、およびこの蒸気回収装置または加熱調理器に適用可能な水位検知装置を得ることを目的とする。   The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. The steam is recovered in a water tank without condensing it to the outside and condensed, and the water level of the water tank is stably detected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam recovery device that can perform the operation, a cooking device provided with the steam recovery device, and a water level detection device applicable to the steam recovery device or the heating cooking device.

本発明に係る蒸気回収装置は、
発生する蒸気を案内する蒸気案内路と、
前記蒸気案内路により案内された蒸気を回収し復水して貯える水タンクと、
水位検知用発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して水位検知用受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた水位判定閾値とを対比して、前記水タンクの水位を検知する水位検知部と、
発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた基準値とを対比して、前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを検知する傷つき検知部とを備え、
前記傷つき検知部が検知した前記水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する ことを特徴とするものである。 The steam recovery apparatus according to the present invention is
A steam guideway for guiding the generated steam;
A water tank for collecting and condensing and storing the steam guided by the steam guide path;
A water level detection that detects the water level of the water tank by comparing the amount of light emitted from the water level detection light emitting unit to the water level detection light receiving unit via the water tank and a predetermined water level determination threshold value. And
Comparing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit through the water tank and a predetermined reference value, the damage detection unit for detecting the degree of damage of the water tank,
Based on the degree of damage of the water tank detected by the scratch detection unit, the water level detection unit corrects the amount of light received by the water level detection light-receiving unit used for water level detection or the water level determination threshold value. is there.

本発明に係る蒸気回収装置は、蒸気を回収して復水して貯える水タンクを備えたので、蒸気で周囲が汚染されることがない。また、水タンクに傷がついていると水タンクの水位を正確に検出できないが、本発明では水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて水位検知部が水位検知に用いる水位検知用受光部の受光量または水位判定閾値を補正するので、精度のよい判定をすることができる。 The steam recovery apparatus according to the present invention includes a water tank that recovers steam and condenses and stores it, so that the surroundings are not contaminated with steam. In addition, if the water tank is damaged, the water level of the water tank cannot be accurately detected.However, in the present invention, the light level detection level or the water level of the water level detection light receiving unit used by the water level detection unit for water level detection based on the degree of damage to the water tank Since the determination threshold is corrected , accurate determination can be made.

実施の形態１．
図１は、本発明の実施の形態１に係る水位検知装置および蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の主要部を示す断面模式図であり、本実施の形態１では、加熱調理器が炊飯器である場合の例について説明する。 Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cooking device provided with a water level detection device and a steam recovery device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In Embodiment 1, the cooking device is a rice cooker. An example of the case will be described.

図１において、炊飯器の本体１の内部には炊飯釜２が着脱可能に収納され、本体１の上部に一端が開閉自在に軸支された蓋体３が取り付けられ、この蓋体３には着脱可能に内蓋４が取り付けられている。また、蓋体３には、一端が内蓋４の中央部に着脱可能に装着された蒸気パイプ６が配設されている。内蓋４は、蓋体３が本体１の上面開口部を覆った際に、炊飯釜２の上面開口部を覆って内部を密閉状態にする。炊飯釜２の下方には、炊飯釜２を加熱するための加熱体５が配置され、炊飯釜２の脇に水タンク７が設置されている。   In FIG. 1, a rice cooker 2 is detachably housed inside a main body 1 of a rice cooker, and a lid body 3 that is pivotally supported at one end so as to be opened and closed is attached to the upper portion of the main body 1. An inner lid 4 is detachably attached. The lid 3 is provided with a steam pipe 6 having one end detachably attached to the central portion of the inner lid 4. When the lid 3 covers the upper surface opening of the main body 1, the inner lid 4 covers the upper surface opening of the rice cooker 2 and seals the inside. Below the rice cooking pot 2, a heating body 5 for heating the rice cooking pot 2 is disposed, and a water tank 7 is installed beside the rice cooking pot 2.

この水タンク７は、上面開口部を着脱可能に覆うタンク蓋７ａと、上端がタンク蓋７ａに固着された蒸気導入パイプ７ｂとを有している。なお、この蒸気導入パイプ７ｂは本発明の蒸気案内路に相当するものである。この蒸気導入パイプ７ｂの上端は、蓋体３内に配設された蒸気パイプ６の他端と着脱可能に接続される。つまり、蓋体３が開けられたとき蒸気パイプ６が蒸気導入パイプ７ｂから離れ、蓋体３が閉じられたときに蒸気パイプ６と蒸気導入パイプ７ｂとが接続される。蒸気パイプ６と蒸気導入パイプ７ｂは、炊飯時に発生した蒸気を水タンク７内に導くためのものである。水タンク７は、蒸気導入パイプ７ｂに流入した蒸気を水で結露させ、回収水１０として貯留するためのものであり、使用者がタンクの給排水や清掃が容易に行えるように、本体１から取り外し可能に構成することができる。   The water tank 7 has a tank lid 7a that detachably covers the upper surface opening, and a steam introduction pipe 7b whose upper end is fixed to the tank lid 7a. The steam introduction pipe 7b corresponds to the steam guide path of the present invention. The upper end of the steam introduction pipe 7 b is detachably connected to the other end of the steam pipe 6 disposed in the lid 3. That is, the steam pipe 6 is separated from the steam introduction pipe 7b when the lid 3 is opened, and the steam pipe 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7b are connected when the lid 3 is closed. The steam pipe 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7 b are for guiding the steam generated during rice cooking into the water tank 7. The water tank 7 is for condensing the steam flowing into the steam introduction pipe 7b with water and storing it as the recovered water 10, and is removed from the main body 1 so that the user can easily supply and drain the tank and clean it. It can be configured to be possible.

水タンク７の側面には、水タンク７に貯えられた水の水位を検出するための上限水位検知部８が設置されている。上限水位検知部８は、図示しない光学的な発光素子と受光素子とで構成されており、両者は水タンク７を挟んで対向するようにして配置されている。受光素子は、発光素子が発光した光を受光する位置に配置されており、受光した光量に応じた信号を生成して後述する制御部１２の水位判定手段１３に出力する。この受光素子と発光素子は、水タンク７の上限水位１１とほぼ同じ高さに設けられている。上限水位検知部８の発光素子は、可視光の発光ダイオードや、波長が近赤外線の発光ダイオードなどを用い、受光素子は、発光素子が発する光の波長に対して感度を持つフォトダイオード、フォトトランジスタ、フォトＩＣなどを用いることができる。   On the side surface of the water tank 7, an upper limit water level detection unit 8 for detecting the water level of the water stored in the water tank 7 is installed. The upper limit water level detection unit 8 includes an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element (not shown), and both are arranged so as to face each other with the water tank 7 interposed therebetween. The light receiving element is disposed at a position for receiving the light emitted by the light emitting element, generates a signal corresponding to the received light amount, and outputs the signal to the water level determination means 13 of the control unit 12 described later. The light receiving element and the light emitting element are provided at substantially the same height as the upper limit water level 11 of the water tank 7. The light emitting element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 uses a light emitting diode with visible light or a light emitting diode with a wavelength of near infrared, and the light receiving element is a photodiode or phototransistor having sensitivity to the wavelength of light emitted by the light emitting element. A photo IC or the like can be used.

ここで、水タンク７を構成する部材は、発光素子が発した光を透過する部材であればよく、通常は、透明なプラスチックを用い、例えば、材料としてポリスチレンや、ポリカーボネート、アクリルなどを用いる。また、材料としてガラスなどを用いると、プラスチックに比べて傷がつきにくい上に、長期間の使用や洗浄を行っても透過率が変わりにくく、また、上限水位検知部８による水位検知の安定性もよく、見栄えもよい。   Here, the member constituting the water tank 7 may be a member that transmits the light emitted from the light emitting element. Usually, a transparent plastic is used, for example, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylic, or the like is used as a material. In addition, when glass or the like is used as a material, it is less likely to be scratched than plastic, and the transmittance is not changed even after long-term use or cleaning, and the stability of water level detection by the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is stable. It looks good.

上限水位検知部８の発光素子から発せられた光は、水タンク７を透過して、受光素子に到達する光路を進む。この光路上に回収水１０が達していない場合、すなわち、水タンク７の回収水１０が上限水位１１に達していない場合には、受光素子に達する光量が大きく、受光素子が生成する信号も大きくなる。また、水タンク７の回収水１０が上限水位１１に達している場合には、発光素子から受光素子へ至る光路上に回収水１０が存在することになるので、受光素子に到達する光量は減少し、受光素子が生成する信号も小さくなる。   Light emitted from the light emitting element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 passes through the water tank 7 and travels along the optical path that reaches the light receiving element. When the recovered water 10 does not reach the optical path, that is, when the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 does not reach the upper limit water level 11, the amount of light reaching the light receiving element is large and the signal generated by the light receiving element is also large. Become. Further, when the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 reaches the upper limit water level 11, the recovered water 10 exists on the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element, so that the amount of light reaching the light receiving element is reduced. However, the signal generated by the light receiving element is also reduced.

水タンク７の側面で上限水位検知部８の近傍には、水タンク７の傷つき度合いを検知するための傷つき検知部９が設置されている。傷つき検知部９は、例えば光学的な発光素子と受光素子とを用いて構成することができる。傷つき検知部９の構成例を図２および図３に示す。図２は投光部１５と受光部１６とを対向する位置に設置して両者の間に水タンク７を配置した場合の模式図、図３は図２から水タンクを取り除いた場合の模式図である。図２および図３において、投光部１５は、可視光の発光ダイオードや、波長が近赤外線の発光ダイオードなどを用い、受光部１６は、投光部１５が発する光の波長に対して感度を持つ、フォトダイオード、フォトトランジスタ、フォトＩＣなどを用いることができる。   In the vicinity of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 on the side surface of the water tank 7, a damage detection unit 9 for detecting the degree of damage of the water tank 7 is installed. The damage detection unit 9 can be configured using, for example, an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element. A configuration example of the damage detection unit 9 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram in the case where the light projecting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are installed at opposing positions, and the water tank 7 is disposed between them. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram in the case where the water tank is removed from FIG. It is. 2 and 3, the light projecting unit 15 uses a light emitting diode with visible light, a light emitting diode with a near-infrared wavelength, or the like, and the light receiving unit 16 has sensitivity to the wavelength of light emitted by the light projecting unit 15. A photodiode, a phototransistor, a photo IC, or the like can be used.

図２に示すように、水タンク７が配置されている場合は、投光部１５からの光は、まず光路１７ａで空気中を進んだ後、光路１７ｂで水タンク７の側壁を透過し、光路１７ｃで水タンク７内の空中を進んだ後、光路１７ｄで水タンク７の側壁を透過し、光路１７ｅで空気中を進んだ後、受光部１６に入射する光路を進む。受光部１６は、到達した光量に応じた信号を出力する。ここで、投光部１５が発した光は、水タンク７の側壁を通過することによる光量の減衰が生じる。水タンク７の側壁を透過する際の減衰率を２％、距離が短いので空気中での減衰率を０％とすると、投光部１５から受光部１６に到達する光量の割合は、約９６％となる。   As shown in FIG. 2, when the water tank 7 is disposed, the light from the light projecting unit 15 first travels through the air in the optical path 17a, and then passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 17b. After traveling through the air in the water tank 7 by the optical path 17c, the light passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 by the optical path 17d, travels through the air by the optical path 17e, and then travels through the optical path incident on the light receiving unit 16. The light receiving unit 16 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light reached. Here, light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 is attenuated by passing through the side wall of the water tank 7. When the attenuation rate when passing through the side wall of the water tank 7 is 2% and the distance is short, and the attenuation rate in the air is 0%, the ratio of the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 from the light projecting unit 15 is about 96. %.

また、図３のように水タンク７が配置されていない場合は、投光部１５からの光は、光路１８ａで空気中を進んだ後、受光部１６に入射する。受光部１６は、投光部１５から到達した光量に応じた信号を出力するが、前述の図２と異なり水タンク７の側壁を通過することによる光量の減衰がない。したがって、図２と同様に距離の短い空気中での光量の減衰率を０％と仮定すると、投光部１５から受光部１６に到達する光量の割合は、１００％となり、図２の状態に比べて受光部１６は大きな出力を行う。以上のように、受光部１６に達する光量は、投光部１５との間に水タンク７があるか否かによって変わる。   Further, when the water tank 7 is not arranged as shown in FIG. 3, the light from the light projecting unit 15 travels in the air on the optical path 18a and then enters the light receiving unit 16. The light receiving unit 16 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light reached from the light projecting unit 15, but there is no attenuation of the amount of light due to passing through the side wall of the water tank 7, unlike FIG. Accordingly, assuming that the attenuation rate of the light amount in the air with a short distance is 0% as in FIG. 2, the ratio of the light amount reaching the light receiving unit 16 from the light projecting unit 15 is 100%, and the state of FIG. In comparison, the light receiving unit 16 produces a large output. As described above, the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 varies depending on whether or not the water tank 7 is present between the light projecting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16.

ここで、水タンク７の表面に傷がつくと、水タンク７表面での光の透過・反射状態が変わり、透過率などが変化することが予想される。そうすると、上限水位検知部８の水位検知精度にも影響が生じることが予想される。水タンク７の傷つき度合いは用途によって異なるため、実際に行うような方法で水タンク７の洗浄を行って表面に傷をつけ、傷つけの回数と受光部１６の出力の変化を実験によって確認した。   Here, when the surface of the water tank 7 is scratched, it is expected that the light transmission / reflection state on the surface of the water tank 7 changes and the transmittance and the like change. Then, it is expected that the water level detection accuracy of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 will be affected. Since the degree of damage to the water tank 7 varies depending on the application, the surface of the water tank 7 was damaged by actually cleaning the surface, and the number of damages and the change in the output of the light receiving unit 16 were confirmed by experiments.

図４は、この実験の構成を示す模式図である。図４に示すように実験においては、投光部１５と受光部１６を対向するように配置し、その間にポリスチレン平板１９を配置した。ポリスチレン平板１９は、厚さ４ミリメートルのポリスチレン製の板材である。投光部１５により発せられた光は、光路２０ａで空気中を進み、光路２０ｂでポリスチレン平板１９を透過した後、光路２０ｃで空気中を進んで受光部１６に到達する。本実験においては、ポリスチレン平板１９の片面にステンレスたわしで擦り傷をつけ、擦り回数とそのときの受光部１６の出力値との関係を調べた。本実験は、水タンク７を取り外して洗うことによって生じる表面の傷が受光部１６の出力に与える影響を調べるためのものであり、ステンレスたわしを用いたのは、より多く傷がつくようにして傷つきを加速させるためである。   FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of this experiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the experiment, the light projecting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 were disposed so as to face each other, and the polystyrene flat plate 19 was disposed therebetween. The polystyrene flat plate 19 is a plate made of polystyrene having a thickness of 4 millimeters. The light emitted by the light projecting unit 15 travels in the air through the optical path 20a, passes through the polystyrene plate 19 through the optical path 20b, travels through the air through the optical path 20c, and reaches the light receiving unit 16. In this experiment, one side of the polystyrene flat plate 19 was scratched with a scrubber of stainless steel, and the relationship between the number of times of rubbing and the output value of the light receiving unit 16 at that time was examined. This experiment is for investigating the influence of the surface scratches caused by removing and washing the water tank 7 on the output of the light receiving unit 16. This is to accelerate the damage.

図５は、この実験結果を示すグラフであり、ポリスチレン平板１９の擦り回数と受光部１６の出力値との関係を示すものである。横軸はポリスチレン平板１９の擦り回数を示す。縦軸は、受光部１６の出力を示し、擦り回数が０回、すなわち、ポリスチレン平板１９にまったく傷がついていない状態での受光部１６の出力を１００とする相対値である。図５によれば、受光部１６の出力は、擦り回数が約３００回に達するまでの間に約９０％強まで低下する。そして、擦り回数が約３００回を超えると出力は約９０％を維持し、擦り回数増加による受光部１６の出力低下はほとんどないことがわかる。   FIG. 5 is a graph showing the results of this experiment, and shows the relationship between the number of times the polystyrene flat plate 19 is rubbed and the output value of the light receiving unit 16. The horizontal axis indicates the number of times the polystyrene flat plate 19 is rubbed. The vertical axis represents the output of the light receiving unit 16, and is a relative value where the output of the light receiving unit 16 is 100 when the number of rubbing is 0, that is, the polystyrene flat plate 19 is not scratched at all. According to FIG. 5, the output of the light receiving unit 16 decreases to about 90% or more until the number of rubbing reaches about 300 times. When the number of rubbing times exceeds about 300 times, the output is maintained at about 90%, and it can be seen that there is almost no decrease in the output of the light receiving unit 16 due to the increase in the number of rubbing times.

したがって、投光部１５が発した光を傷ついたポリスチレン平板１９を透過させた場合、この光を受けた受光部１６の出力は、傷ついた１面あたり約９０％まで低下しうることがわかる。図２のような構成とした場合、水タンク７は２つの側壁を有し、両側壁はそれぞれ２面ずつ傷つきが生じうるので、投光部１５から発せられた光は最大で傷ついた４面を透過して受光部１６に到達する。図２の構成において、光が透過する４面すべてに擦り回数６００回の面を用いた場合、受光部１６の出力は、約５４％まで低下することを実験により確認した。   Therefore, it is understood that when the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 is transmitted through the damaged polystyrene flat plate 19, the output of the light receiving unit 16 receiving the light can be reduced to about 90% per damaged surface. In the case of the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, the water tank 7 has two side walls, and each side wall can be damaged by two surfaces. Therefore, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 is damaged by the maximum four surfaces. , And reaches the light receiving unit 16. In the configuration of FIG. 2, it was confirmed by experiments that the output of the light receiving unit 16 is reduced to about 54% when all four surfaces through which light is transmitted are rubbed 600 times.

また、図１において、加熱体５の下部には、本体１の動作を制御する制御部１２が設けられている。制御部１２は、水位判定手段１３、傷つき判定手段１４、および図示しない調理器制御手段を備えている。水位判定手段１３は上限水位検知部８と接続されており、上限水位検知部８の受信素子からの出力を得る。また、傷つき判定手段１４は傷つき検知部９と接続されており、傷つき検知部９の受光部１６からの出力を得る。調理器制御手段は、水位判定手段１３や傷つき判定手段１４による判定結果に基づき、調理器全体の動作を制御する。   In FIG. 1, a control unit 12 that controls the operation of the main body 1 is provided below the heating body 5. The control unit 12 includes a water level determination unit 13, a damage determination unit 14, and a cooker control unit (not shown). The water level determination means 13 is connected to the upper limit water level detection unit 8 and obtains an output from the receiving element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8. Further, the damage determination means 14 is connected to the damage detection unit 9 and obtains an output from the light receiving unit 16 of the damage detection unit 9. The cooker control means controls the operation of the entire cooker based on the determination results by the water level determination means 13 and the damage determination means 14.

水位判定手段１３は、上限水位検知部８が出力した信号を受け取り、予め設定された水位判定閾値と比較することで、水タンク７内の水位が上限水位１１に達したか否か判定する。前述の通り、回収水１０が上限水位１１に達していない場合には上限水位検知部８の受光素子の出力が大きく、上限水位１１に達している場合には受光素子の出力が小さいので、上限水位検知部８からの出力により回収水１０の水位を判定することができる。   The water level determination means 13 receives the signal output from the upper limit water level detection unit 8 and compares it with a preset water level determination threshold value, thereby determining whether or not the water level in the water tank 7 has reached the upper limit water level 11. As described above, the output of the light receiving element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is large when the recovered water 10 has not reached the upper limit water level 11, and the output of the light receiving element is small when the upper limit water level 11 has been reached. The water level of the recovered water 10 can be determined from the output from the water level detection unit 8.

傷つき判定手段１４は、傷つき検知部９の受光部１６からの出力値を得て、この値に基づいて水タンク７の傷つき度合いを判定する。傷つき判定手段１４は、水タンク７を配置していない場合の受光部１６の出力値ａ、および、傷がついていない水タンク７を配置した場合の受光部１６の出力値ｂを予め記憶している。そして、現在の受光部１６の出力値ｃを得ると、出力値ａまたは出力値ｂに基づいて出力値ｃの減衰率を計算し、水タンク７の側壁の傷つき度合いを判定する。図５で示したように、水タンク７の側壁の傷つき度合いと受光部１６が出力する信号との間には相関関係があるので、受光部１６が出力する信号の値によって水タンク７の側壁の傷つき度合いを判定することができる。   The damage determination means 14 obtains an output value from the light receiving unit 16 of the damage detection unit 9 and determines the degree of damage of the water tank 7 based on this value. The damage determination means 14 stores in advance the output value a of the light receiving unit 16 when the water tank 7 is not disposed and the output value b of the light receiving unit 16 when the water tank 7 is not damaged. Yes. When the current output value c of the light receiving unit 16 is obtained, the attenuation rate of the output value c is calculated based on the output value a or the output value b, and the degree of damage to the side wall of the water tank 7 is determined. As shown in FIG. 5, since there is a correlation between the degree of damage to the side wall of the water tank 7 and the signal output from the light receiving unit 16, the side wall of the water tank 7 depends on the value of the signal output from the light receiving unit 16. The degree of damage can be determined.

また、傷つき判定手段１４は、水タンク７の傷つき度合いの判定結果に基づき、水位判定手段１３が水位を判定する際の水位判定閾値の補正を行う。上限水位検知部８は、光学的な発光素子と受光素子で構成されているので、水タンク７の傷つき度合いによって検知性能に差異が生じてくる。すなわち、回収水１０が上限水位１１に達していない場合には、達している場合よりも上限水位検知部８の受光素子の出力が大きいが、水タンク７に傷つきが生じているとこの傷つきによって受光素子に到達する光量が減少し、受光素子の出力が小さくなってしまう。この場合、上限水位１１に達していないにもかかわらず、水位判定手段１３は上限水位１１に達しているものと誤判定してしまう可能性がある。
したがって、上記のように水タンク７の傷つき度合いに応じて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値の補正を行うことで、水タンク７に傷つきが生じた場合でもより正確に水タンク７の水位を検出することができる。 Further, the damage determination means 14 corrects the water level determination threshold when the water level determination means 13 determines the water level based on the determination result of the degree of damage of the water tank 7. Since the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is composed of an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element, the detection performance varies depending on the degree of damage to the water tank 7. That is, when the recovered water 10 does not reach the upper limit water level 11, the output of the light receiving element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is larger than when the recovered water 10 has reached, but if the water tank 7 is damaged, this damage The amount of light reaching the light receiving element is reduced, and the output of the light receiving element is reduced. In this case, although the upper limit water level 11 has not been reached, the water level determination means 13 may erroneously determine that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached.
Therefore, by correcting the water level determination threshold of the water level determination means 13 according to the degree of damage of the water tank 7 as described above, the water level of the water tank 7 can be detected more accurately even when the water tank 7 is damaged. can do.

上記のように構成された炊飯器の動作について説明する。まず、米と水の入った炊飯釜２を本体１内に収納して蓋体３を閉じ、図示しない炊飯開始のスイッチを操作する。制御部１２の傷つき判定手段１４は、傷がついていない水タンク７を配置した状態での傷つき検知部９の出力値ｂを初期値として記憶しており、初期値と現在の傷つき検知部９の出力値ｃとの比を求め、この値を傷つきによる光量減衰率とする。傷つき度合いが大きい場合、光量減衰率は大きくなる。そして、水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値に光量減衰率を乗じて、水位判定閾値を補正する。   Operation | movement of the rice cooker comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. First, the rice cooking pot 2 containing rice and water is housed in the main body 1, the lid 3 is closed, and a rice cooking start switch (not shown) is operated. The damage determination means 14 of the control unit 12 stores the output value b of the damage detection unit 9 in a state where the water tank 7 that is not damaged is arranged as an initial value, and the initial value and the current damage detection unit 9 A ratio with the output value c is obtained, and this value is used as a light quantity attenuation rate due to scratches. When the degree of damage is large, the light amount attenuation rate increases. Then, the water level determination threshold value of the water level determination unit 13 is multiplied by the light amount attenuation rate to correct the water level determination threshold value.

また、光量減衰率が所定値以上である場合には、水タンク７の傷つきや汚れが多いことを示すので、この場合には水タンク７の交換や洗浄を促すメッセージを、本体１に備えられた図示しない液晶表示部に表示する。このようにすることで、ユーザは水タンク７のメンテナンスを適切なタイミングで行うことができる。また、光量減衰率が短期間に急激に大きくなった場合には、水タンク７の傷つき度合いが急激に増したものと推定し、この場合には、傷つきにくい洗浄方法を行うよう促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示してもよい。このようにすることで、ユーザの洗浄方法を改善することができ、洗浄による水タンク７の傷つきを防ぐことができる。   In addition, when the light quantity attenuation rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it indicates that the water tank 7 is often damaged or dirty. In this case, the main body 1 is provided with a message for prompting replacement or cleaning of the water tank 7. It is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit (not shown). By doing in this way, the user can perform maintenance of the water tank 7 at an appropriate timing. If the light quantity attenuation rate suddenly increases in a short period of time, it is estimated that the degree of damage to the water tank 7 has suddenly increased. In this case, a message prompting to perform a cleaning method that is less likely to be damaged is displayed on the liquid crystal. You may display on a display part. By doing in this way, a user's washing | cleaning method can be improved and the damage of the water tank 7 by washing | cleaning can be prevented.

次いで、水位判定手段１３は、上限水位検知部８からの出力値を得て、この値と水位判定閾値とを比較することで、回収水１０の水位が上限水位１１に達しているか否か判定する。前述のように、水タンク７の傷つき度合いに応じて水位判定閾値が補正されているので、水位をより正確に判定することができる。
上限水位１１に達していると判定した場合には、炊飯動作を行わず、回収水１０の排水を促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示する。併せて、ブザー音やスピーカによる音声等でユーザに報知してもよい。
上限水位１１に達していないと判定した場合には、制御部１２の動作制御手段は、加熱体５への通電を開始し、炊飯釜２を介して米や水に熱を伝える。この加熱により炊飯釜２内に発生した蒸気は、蒸気パイプ６と蒸気導入パイプ７ｂを通って水タンク７に導かれる。導かれた蒸気は水タンク７内に貯えられている水に接触して温度が下がり、復水して水となり、回収水１０として貯留される。炊飯量にもよるが、１回の炊飯によって回収される水量は約５０〜１００ｍＬである。例えば、水タンク７の底部が２０ｃｍ×５ｃｍの長方形でその面積が１００ｃｍ2の場合には、回収水１０の水位は１回の炊飯で０．５〜１ｃｍ程度上昇する。 Next, the water level determination means 13 obtains an output value from the upper limit water level detection unit 8 and compares this value with the water level determination threshold value to determine whether or not the water level of the recovered water 10 has reached the upper limit water level 11. To do. As described above, since the water level determination threshold is corrected according to the degree of damage of the water tank 7, the water level can be determined more accurately.
When it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached, the rice cooking operation is not performed, and a message prompting the drainage of the recovered water 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. In addition, the user may be notified by a buzzer sound, a sound from a speaker, or the like.
When it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has not been reached, the operation control means of the control unit 12 starts energizing the heating body 5 and transmits heat to the rice and water via the rice cooker 2. The steam generated in the rice cooker 2 by this heating is guided to the water tank 7 through the steam pipe 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7b. The introduced steam comes into contact with the water stored in the water tank 7, the temperature drops, condenses into water, and is stored as recovered water 10. Although it depends on the amount of cooked rice, the amount of water collected by one cooked rice is about 50 to 100 mL. For example, when the bottom of the water tank 7 is a rectangle of 20 cm × 5 cm and the area is 100 cm 2 , the water level of the recovered water 10 rises by about 0.5 to 1 cm with one cooked rice.

調理終了時、水位判定手段１３は再び水タンク７の水位を判定する。そして、上限水位１１に達していると判定した場合には、回収水１０の排水を促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示する。併せて、ブザー音やスピーカによる音声等でユーザに報知してもよい。このようにすることで、調理によって増加した回収水１０の排水をユーザに促すことができ、水タンク７から水が溢れるのを防ぐことができる。   At the end of cooking, the water level determination means 13 determines the water level of the water tank 7 again. If it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached, a message prompting the drainage of the recovered water 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. In addition, the user may be notified by a buzzer sound, a sound from a speaker, or the like. By doing in this way, the user can be prompted to drain the recovered water 10 increased by cooking, and water can be prevented from overflowing from the water tank 7.

以上のように本実施の形態１によれば、水タンク７の傷つきによって生じる光量減衰率を傷つき検知部９の出力に基づいて求め、この光量減衰率に基づいて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値を補正するようにした。したがって、水タンク７に傷つきが生じた場合でも、より正確に水タンク７の水位を検知することができる。また、蒸気回収装置において蒸気を復水して回収するためには水タンク７の中に所定の水が入っている必要があるが、本実施の形態１によれば水タンク７の水位をより正確に検知することができるので、水タンク７内の水位を適切に保つことができ、蒸気の復水効率を安定させることができる。   As described above, according to the first embodiment, the light amount attenuation rate caused by the damage of the water tank 7 is obtained based on the output of the damage detection unit 9, and the water level determination threshold value of the water level determination means 13 is determined based on the light amount attenuation rate. Was corrected. Therefore, even when the water tank 7 is damaged, the water level of the water tank 7 can be detected more accurately. Further, in order to condense and recover the steam in the steam recovery device, it is necessary that predetermined water is contained in the water tank 7, but according to the first embodiment, the water level of the water tank 7 is further increased. Since it can detect correctly, the water level in the water tank 7 can be maintained appropriately, and the steam condensing efficiency can be stabilized.

また、水タンク７の傷つき度合いが大きいと判定した場合には、水タンク７の交換や洗浄を促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示するようにしたので、ユーザは適切なタイミングで水タンク７のメンテナンスを行うことができる。したがって、メンテナンス性の良い蒸気回収装置および蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器を得ることができる。また、水タンク７を傷つき度合いの小さい良好な状態に保つことができるので、水タンク７の劣化による水位検出精度の低下を防ぐことができる。   Further, when it is determined that the degree of damage to the water tank 7 is large, a message prompting replacement or cleaning of the water tank 7 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit, so that the user can maintain the water tank 7 at an appropriate timing. It can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a steam recovery device with good maintainability and a heating cooker including the steam recovery device. In addition, since the water tank 7 can be kept in a good state with a small degree of damage, it is possible to prevent a decrease in water level detection accuracy due to deterioration of the water tank 7.

また、水タンク７の傷つき度合いが急激に大きくなった場合には、水タンク７が傷つきにくい洗浄方法で洗浄することを促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示するようにしたので、ユーザの洗浄方法を改善させることができる。したがって、水タンク７の劣化を防ぐことができ、長期間使用することのできる蒸気回収装置および蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器を得ることができる。また、ユーザが適切に水タンク７の洗浄を行うことができるので、水タンク７の劣化による水位検出精度の低下を防ぐことができる。   In addition, when the degree of damage to the water tank 7 suddenly increases, a message that prompts the water tank 7 to be cleaned by a cleaning method that does not easily damage the water tank 7 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. Can be improved. Therefore, deterioration of the water tank 7 can be prevented, and a steam recovery device that can be used for a long period of time and a heating cooker equipped with the steam recovery device can be obtained. In addition, since the user can appropriately clean the water tank 7, it is possible to prevent a decrease in water level detection accuracy due to deterioration of the water tank 7.

なお、本実施の形態１では、上限水位検知部８と傷つき検知部９とを別個に備える場合の例について説明したが、傷つき検知部９を設けず、上限水位検知部８の出力を用いて水タンク７の傷つきを検知するようにしてもよい。このようにすることで、加熱調理器に組み付ける部品の数を減らし、かつ組み付けスペースを小さくすることができるので、安価で軽量、しかも小型で意匠性の良い蒸気回収装置および蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器を得ることができる。   In addition, in this Embodiment 1, although the example in case the upper limit water level detection part 8 and the damage detection part 9 were provided separately was demonstrated, the damage detection part 9 is not provided but the output of the upper limit water level detection part 8 is used. You may make it detect the damage of the water tank 7. FIG. By doing so, the number of parts to be assembled to the cooking device can be reduced and the assembly space can be reduced, so that the steam recovery device and the steam recovery device that are inexpensive, lightweight, small, and have good design are provided. A cooking device can be obtained.

また、本実施の形態１では、傷つき検知部９を光学的な発光素子と受光素子を用いて構成した場合の例について説明したが、超音波の送受信素子を用いて構成することもできる。水タンク７の表面での反射率は傷つき度合いによって変わるので、このようにしても水タンク７の傷つき度合いを検出することができる。   In the first embodiment, an example in which the damage detection unit 9 is configured using an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element has been described. However, the damage detection unit 9 may be configured using an ultrasonic transmission / reception element. Since the reflectance on the surface of the water tank 7 varies depending on the degree of damage, the degree of damage of the water tank 7 can be detected in this way as well.

また、本実施の形態１では、上限水位検知部８を光学的な発受光素子で構成する場合の例について説明したが、構成はこれに限るものではない。本発明は、水タンク７の傷つき度合いによって水位検知精度に差異が生じてしまうような他の水位検知手段に対しても適用することができ、同様の効果を得ることができる。   In the first embodiment, an example in which the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is configured by an optical light emitting and receiving element has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to other water level detection means that cause a difference in water level detection accuracy depending on the degree of damage to the water tank 7, and the same effect can be obtained.

また、本実施の形態１では、水タンク７の傷つきによって生じた光量減衰率を乗じて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値を補正する場合の例について説明したが、水位判定閾値を補正するのではなく、受光部１６の出力値を補正することとしてもよい。この場合においては、光量減衰率が大きくなった場合には、光量減衰率に応じて受光部１６の出力値も大きくなるように補正する。このようにすることで、水位判定閾値を補正した場合と同様の効果を得ることができる。   Moreover, in this Embodiment 1, although the example in the case of correcting the water level determination threshold value of the water level determination means 13 by multiplying by the light quantity attenuation rate produced by the damage of the water tank 7 was demonstrated, in correcting a water level determination threshold value, Alternatively, the output value of the light receiving unit 16 may be corrected. In this case, when the light amount attenuation rate increases, correction is performed so that the output value of the light receiving unit 16 also increases in accordance with the light amount attenuation rate. By doing in this way, the same effect as the case where the water level determination threshold is corrected can be obtained.

実施の形態２．
前記実施の形態１では、水タンク７の傷つき度合いを検出する場合の例について説明したが、本実施の形態２では、水タンク７に貯えられた水に含まれる食物成分濃度を検出する場合の実施例について説明する。 Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, an example in which the degree of damage to the water tank 7 is detected has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the concentration of food components contained in the water stored in the water tank 7 is detected. Examples will be described.

図６は、本発明の実施の形態２に係る蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の主要部を示す断面模式図である。本実施の形態２においても、前記実施の形態１と同様に加熱調理器が炊飯器である場合の例について説明し、前記実施の形態１と同一または相当部分には同じ符号を付して説明を省略する。   FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cooking device provided with a steam recovery apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Also in this Embodiment 2, the example in case a heating cooker is a rice cooker similarly to the said Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same or equivalent part as the said Embodiment 1. Is omitted.

図６において、水タンク７の側面には、水汚れ検知部２１が設置されている。水汚れ検知部２１は、例えば光学的な発光素子と受光素子とを用いて構成することができる。水汚れ検知部２１の構成例を図７に示す。図７は、投光部１５と受光部１６を対向する位置に設置して両者の間にきれいな水２３を入れた水タンク７を配置した場合の模式図である。水汚れ検知部２１は、水タンク７に貯えられた回収水１０の汚れを検知するためのものであるため、通常の使用においてほぼ常に水が貯えられている高さと同等かそれ以下の高さに設置されている。投光部１５は、可視光の発光ダイオードや、波長が近赤外線の発光ダイオードなどを用い、受光部１６は、投光部１５が発する光の波長に対して感度を持つ、フォトダイオード、フォトトランジスタ、フォトＩＣなどを用いることができる。   In FIG. 6, a water stain detector 21 is installed on the side surface of the water tank 7. The water stain detection unit 21 can be configured using, for example, an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element. A configuration example of the water stain detection unit 21 is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram when the light tank 15 and the light receiving unit 16 are installed at positions facing each other and the water tank 7 in which clean water 23 is placed between the light projecting unit 15 and the light receiving unit 16 is arranged. Since the water contamination detection unit 21 is for detecting the contamination of the recovered water 10 stored in the water tank 7, the height is almost equal to or less than the height at which water is always stored in normal use. Is installed. The light projecting unit 15 uses a visible light emitting diode, a near infrared light emitting diode, or the like, and the light receiving unit 16 has a sensitivity to the wavelength of light emitted from the light projecting unit 15. A photo IC or the like can be used.

ここで、水タンク７の材料は、投光部１５からの光を透過する材料とすればよく、通常は、透明なプラスチックを用い、例えば、材料としてポリスチレンや、ポリカーボネート、アクリルなどが用いられる。また、材料としてガラスなどを用いると、プラスチックに比べると傷がつきにくく、長期間の使用や、洗浄に対して、透過率が変わりにくく、水位検知部の検知の安定性もよく、見栄えもよい。   Here, the material of the water tank 7 may be a material that transmits light from the light projecting unit 15, and usually a transparent plastic is used, for example, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylic, or the like is used as the material. In addition, when glass or the like is used as a material, it is less likely to be scratched than plastic, and the transmittance is less likely to change with long-term use and cleaning, and the detection of the water level detection unit is good and looks good. .

図７に示すように、水タンク７内にきれいな水２３が入っている場合、投光部１５からの光は、まず光路２４ａで空気中を進んだ後、光路２４ｂで水タンク７の側壁を透過し、光路２４ｃできれいな水２３を透過した後、光路２４ｄで水タンク７側壁を透過し、光路２４ｅで空気中を進んだ後、受光部１６に入射する光路を進む。受光部１６は、到達した光量に応じた信号を出力する。ここで、光路２４ｃにおいてきれいな水２３を透過する際、光量はほとんど減衰しない。きれいな水２３を透過するときの光量の減衰率を１％、水タンク７の側壁を透過するときの光量の減衰率を２％、距離が短いので空気中での光量の減衰率を０％とすると、投光部１５から発せられた光が受光部１６に到達する光量の割合は、約９５％となる。   As shown in FIG. 7, when clean water 23 is contained in the water tank 7, the light from the light projecting unit 15 first travels in the air along the optical path 24a and then travels along the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 24b. After passing through clean water 23 through the optical path 24c, it passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 24d, travels through the air through the optical path 24e, and then travels through the optical path incident on the light receiving unit 16. The light receiving unit 16 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light reached. Here, when the clean water 23 is transmitted through the optical path 24c, the amount of light is hardly attenuated. The attenuation rate of the light quantity when passing through the clean water 23 is 1%, the attenuation ratio of the light quantity when passing through the side wall of the water tank 7 is 2%, and since the distance is short, the attenuation rate of the light quantity in the air is 0%. Then, the ratio of the amount of light that the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 reaches the light receiving unit 16 is about 95%.

ここで、水タンク７に貯えられる回収水１０は、加熱調理中に生じた蒸気を復水したものであるが、この蒸気には加熱調理によって生じた食物成分が含まれている。したがって、水タンク７には所定の食物成分を含む水が回収水１０として貯えられることになり、この食物成分が水汚れの主な原因となる。加熱調理として炊飯を行った場合には、米からはがれた澱粉が食物成分である。本実施の形態２のように炊飯器に蒸気回収装置を適用した場合以外にも、回収水１０にはさまざまな原因で水汚れが発生しうる。この場合、回収水１０の汚れ度合いによって光の透過・反射状態が変わり、上限水位検知部８の水位検知精度にも影響が生じることが予想される。   Here, the recovered water 10 stored in the water tank 7 is obtained by condensing steam generated during cooking, and the steam contains food components generated by cooking. Therefore, water containing a predetermined food component is stored in the water tank 7 as the recovered water 10, and this food component is a main cause of water stains. When cooking rice as heat cooking, starch peeled from the rice is a food ingredient. In addition to the case where the steam recovery device is applied to the rice cooker as in the second embodiment, the recovered water 10 may be contaminated with water for various reasons. In this case, it is expected that the light transmission / reflection state changes depending on the degree of contamination of the recovered water 10, and the water level detection accuracy of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is also affected.

図８は、図７におけるきれいな水２３の代わりに食物成分を含む水（以下、汚れ水２５と称す）を貯えた場合の断面模式図である。図８において水タンク７内に汚れ水２５が入っている場合は、投光部１５からの光は、まず光路２６ａで空気中を進んだ後、光路２６ｂで水タンク７側壁を透過し、光路２６ｃで汚れ水２５の中を進んだ後、光路２６ｄで水タンク７側壁を透過し、光路２６ｅで空気中を進んだ後、受光部１６に入射する光路を進む。受光部１６は到達した光量に応じた信号を出力する。ここで、光路２６ｃの汚れ水２５の中を透過する場合、透過する光量は汚れ水２５の濃度によって異なる。汚れ度合いが大きいほど透過する光量が小さくなり、受光部１６が出力する信号も小さくなる。例えば、汚れ水２５を透過するときの減衰率を３０％、水タンク７の側壁を透過する際の減衰率を２％、距離が短いので空気中での減衰率を０％とすると、投光部１５から受光部１６に到達する光量の割合は、約６６％となり、図７で示したきれいな水２３を貯えている場合と比べて受光部１６の出力は小さくなる。   FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view when water containing food components (hereinafter referred to as dirty water 25) is stored instead of the clean water 23 in FIG. In FIG. 8, when dirty water 25 is contained in the water tank 7, the light from the light projecting unit 15 first travels through the air through the optical path 26 a, and then passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 26 b. After traveling through the dirty water 25 at 26 c, the light passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 26 d, travels through the air through the optical path 26 e, and then travels along the optical path incident on the light receiving unit 16. The light receiving unit 16 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of light reached. Here, when the light passes through the dirty water 25 in the optical path 26 c, the amount of light transmitted varies depending on the concentration of the dirty water 25. The greater the degree of contamination, the smaller the amount of transmitted light and the smaller the signal output from the light receiving unit 16. For example, if the attenuation rate when passing through the dirty water 25 is 30%, the attenuation rate when passing through the side wall of the water tank 7 is 2%, and the distance is short, the attenuation rate in the air is 0%. The ratio of the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 from the unit 15 is about 66%, and the output of the light receiving unit 16 is smaller than that in the case where the clean water 23 shown in FIG. 7 is stored.

受光部１６に到達する光量の変化は、水に含まれる食物成分濃度に関連することが予想されるので、水に含まれる食物成分濃度と受光部１６の出力との変化を実験によって確認した。実験においては、所定の濃度のおねばを含む回収水１０を水タンク７に満たし、受光部１６に到達する光量との関係を調べた。具体的には、炊飯調理により発生したおねばを直接回収した場合の食物成分濃度を１００％とし、これを水で希釈して各種濃度の水（以下、食物成分を含んだ水を汚れ水と称す）を作り、濃度ごとに受光部１６の出力値を検証した。   Since the change in the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 is expected to be related to the concentration of food components contained in water, the change in the concentration of food components contained in water and the output of the light receiving unit 16 was confirmed by experiments. In the experiment, the relationship with the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 after filling the water tank 7 with the recovered water 10 containing a predetermined concentration was investigated. Specifically, the concentration of food ingredients when directly collecting rice balls produced by cooking rice is 100%, and this is diluted with water to obtain water of various concentrations (hereinafter, water containing food ingredients is referred to as dirty water). The output value of the light receiving unit 16 was verified for each density.

図９は、この実験結果を示すグラフであり、水タンク７内の回収水１０の食物成分濃度と受光部１６の出力との関係を示すものである。図９において、横軸は水に含まれる食物成分濃度を示す。縦軸は、受光部１６の出力値を示し、食物成分濃度が０％、すなわち、水タンク７にきれいな水２３が満たされている場合の受光部１６の出力を１００とする相対値である。図９によれば、受光部１６の出力は、食物成分濃度が０％から約３０％に至るまでの間に約５０％程度まで低下し、これ以上の濃度になると受光部１６の出力は約５０％で一定となることがわかる。なお、受光部１６の出力値はあくまでも一例であり、汚れ水２５の中を透過する光路の長さによって出力値は異なる。   FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of this experiment, and shows the relationship between the concentration of the food component of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 and the output of the light receiving unit 16. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates the concentration of food components contained in water. The vertical axis represents the output value of the light receiving unit 16, and is a relative value where the food component concentration is 0%, that is, the output of the light receiving unit 16 when the water tank 7 is filled with clean water 23 is 100. According to FIG. 9, the output of the light receiving unit 16 decreases to about 50% while the food component concentration reaches from about 0% to about 30%. It can be seen that it is constant at 50%. Note that the output value of the light receiving unit 16 is merely an example, and the output value varies depending on the length of the optical path that passes through the dirty water 25.

また、図６において、制御部１２は、水位判定手段１３、水汚れ判定手段２２、および図示しない調理器制御手段を備えている。水汚れ判定手段２２は水汚れ検知部２１と接続されており、水汚れ検知部２１からの出力を得る。調理器制御手段は、水位判定手段１３や水汚れ判定手段２２による判定結果に基づき、調理器全体の動作を制御する。 Moreover, in FIG. 6, the control part 12 is provided with the water level determination means 13, the water stain determination means 22, and the cooking appliance control means which is not shown in figure. The water stain determination unit 22 is connected to the water stain detection unit 21 and obtains an output from the water stain detection unit 21. The cooker control means controls the operation of the entire cooker based on the determination results by the water level determination means 13 and the water stain determination means 22 .

水位判定手段１３は、上限水位検知部８が出力した信号を受け取り、予め設定された水位判定閾値と比較することで、水タンク７内の水位が上限水位１１に達したか否か判定する。前記実施の形態１で述べた通り、回収水１０が上限水位１１に達していない場合には上限水位検知部８の受光素子の出力が大きく、上限水位１１に達している場合には受光素子の出力が小さいので、上限水位検知部８からの出力により回収水１０の水位を判定することができる。   The water level determination means 13 receives the signal output from the upper limit water level detection unit 8 and compares it with a preset water level determination threshold value, thereby determining whether or not the water level in the water tank 7 has reached the upper limit water level 11. As described in the first embodiment, when the recovered water 10 does not reach the upper limit water level 11, the output of the light receiving element of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is large, and when the recovered water 10 has reached the upper limit water level 11, Since the output is small, the water level of the recovered water 10 can be determined by the output from the upper limit water level detection unit 8.

水汚れ判定手段２２は、水汚れ検知部２１からの出力を得て、この値に基づいて水タンク７内の水の汚れ度合いを判定する。水汚れ判定手段２２は、水タンク７にきれいな水２３が貯えられている場合の受光部１６の出力値ｄを基準値として予め記憶しておく。そして、現在の受光部１６の出力値ｅと基準値とを比較し、現在の出力値ｅが基準値と比べて所定割合以下である場合には水の汚れ度合いが高いと判定し、所定割合より大きい場合には水の汚れ度合いが低いと判定する。ここで、所定割合は、例えば、８０％程度とすればよい。図９に示したように、水タンク７に貯えられた水の食物成分濃度と受光部１６が出力する信号との間には相関関係があるので、受光部１６が出力する信号の値によって水タンク７に貯えられた水の食物成分濃度を判定することができる。   The water stain determination unit 22 obtains an output from the water stain detection unit 21 and determines the degree of water stain in the water tank 7 based on this value. The water stain determination means 22 stores in advance the output value d of the light receiving unit 16 when clean water 23 is stored in the water tank 7 as a reference value. Then, the current output value e of the light receiving unit 16 is compared with the reference value, and when the current output value e is equal to or less than a predetermined ratio compared to the reference value, it is determined that the degree of water contamination is high, and the predetermined ratio If it is larger, it is determined that the degree of water contamination is low. Here, the predetermined ratio may be about 80%, for example. As shown in FIG. 9, since there is a correlation between the concentration of the food component stored in the water tank 7 and the signal output from the light receiving unit 16, the water value depends on the value of the signal output from the light receiving unit 16. The concentration of food components in the water stored in the tank 7 can be determined.

また、水汚れ判定手段２２は、水の食物成分濃度の判定結果に基づき、水位判定手段１３が水位を判定する際の水位判定閾値の補正を行う。上限水位検知部８は、光学的な発光素子と受光素子で構成されているので、水タンク７内の水の食物成分濃度によって検知性能に差異が生じてくる。すなわち、水位判定手段１３は、受光素子の出力が所定の値より小さくなったときに上限水位１１に達したものと判定するのであるが、回収水１０に高濃度の食物成分が含まれている場合にはこの影響で受光素子の出力が小さくなってしまう。このため、実際には上限水位１１に到達していないにもかかわらず、上限水位１１に達したものと誤判定してしまう可能性がある。
したがって、上記のように回収水１０の食物成分濃度に応じて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値の補正を行うことで、回収水１０の食物成分濃度が高い場合でも、より正確に水タンク７の水位を検出することができる。 Moreover, the water stain determination means 22 corrects the water level determination threshold when the water level determination means 13 determines the water level based on the determination result of the water food component concentration. Since the upper limit water level detection part 8 is comprised with the optical light emitting element and the light receiving element, a difference arises in detection performance with the food component density | concentration of the water in the water tank 7. FIG. That is, the water level determination means 13 determines that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached when the output of the light receiving element becomes smaller than a predetermined value, but the recovered water 10 contains a high concentration food component. In this case, the output of the light receiving element becomes small due to this influence. For this reason, it may be erroneously determined that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached even though the upper limit water level 11 has not actually been reached.
Therefore, by correcting the water level determination threshold of the water level determination means 13 according to the food component concentration of the recovered water 10 as described above, even when the food component concentration of the recovered water 10 is high, the water tank 7 can be more accurately stored. The water level can be detected.

次に、水汚れ検知部２１の他の構成例について説明する。図１０〜図１２は、水タンク７のコーナー部を約４５°の角度でよぎって対向するように投光部１５と受光部１６とを配置した場合の水汚れ検知部２１の構成例であり、上面から見た図である。図１０は、水タンク７内に水が入っておらず空気２９のみ入っている状態、図１１は水タンク７にきれいな水２３が貯えられている状態、図１２は水タンク７に汚れ水２５が貯えられている状態を示している。   Next, another configuration example of the water stain detection unit 21 will be described. FIGS. 10-12 is a structural example of the water stain detection part 21 at the time of arrange | positioning the light projection part 15 and the light-receiving part 16 so that the corner part of the water tank 7 may be crossed at an angle of about 45 degrees. It is the figure seen from the upper surface. 10 shows a state where no water is contained in the water tank 7 but only air 29, FIG. 11 shows a state where clean water 23 is stored in the water tank 7, and FIG. Indicates a state where is stored.

図１０において、側壁面２７ａ、２７ｂ、２７ｃ、２７ｄは、水タンク７の側壁の面を表す。投光部１５から発せられた光は、まず光路２８ａで空気中を進んで側壁面２７ａから入射し、光路２８ｂで水タンク７側壁内部を通過し、側壁面２７ｂに達する。この場合、水タンク７の中には空気２９しか入っていないため、光は光路２８ｃを通って側壁面２７ｃに達し、光路２８ｄで水タンク７側壁内部を通過して側壁面２７ｄに達した後、光路２８ｅで空気中を進んで受光部１６に入射する。水タンク７の中には空気２９しか入っておらず、光路中において大きな光の発散や屈折はない。したがって、受光部１６に到達する光量は大きく、受光部１６の出力も大きい。   In FIG. 10, side wall surfaces 27 a, 27 b, 27 c and 27 d represent the side wall surfaces of the water tank 7. The light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 first travels in the air through the optical path 28a, enters the side wall surface 27a, passes through the inside of the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 28b, and reaches the side wall surface 27b. In this case, since only the air 29 is contained in the water tank 7, the light reaches the side wall surface 27c through the optical path 28c, passes through the inside of the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 28d, and reaches the side wall surface 27d. Then, the light travels in the air along the optical path 28e and enters the light receiving unit 16. The water tank 7 contains only air 29, and there is no large light divergence or refraction in the optical path. Therefore, the amount of light reaching the light receiving unit 16 is large, and the output of the light receiving unit 16 is also large.

図１１においては、投光部１５から発せられた光は、まず光路２８ａで空気中を進んだ後、光路２８ｂで水タンク７の側壁を透過し、光路２８ｆで水タンク７内のきれいな水の中を進む。水タンク７にはきれいな水２３が入っているので、図１０で示した光路２８ｃと光路２８ｆとは角度が異なる。さらに、光路２８ｇ、光路２８ｈ、光路２８ｉの順に屈折して進むので、受光部１６には光が届かない。したがって、受光部１６からは出力が行われない。   In FIG. 11, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 first travels in the air through the optical path 28a, then passes through the side wall of the water tank 7 through the optical path 28b, and clean water in the water tank 7 through the optical path 28f. Go inside. Since clean water 23 is contained in the water tank 7, the optical path 28c and the optical path 28f shown in FIG. 10 have different angles. Furthermore, since the light path 28g, the light path 28h, and the light path 28i are refracted in this order, the light does not reach the light receiving unit 16. Therefore, no output is performed from the light receiving unit 16.

図１２においては、投光部１５から発せられた光は、図１１と同様に光路２８ａ、２８ｂ、２８ｆ、２８ｇ、２８ｈ、２８ｉを通る。ただし、水タンク７の中には汚れ水２５が貯えられているので、光路２８ｆの途中で光が散乱する。この散乱する光を散乱光２８ｊとして図１２に模式的に示す。散乱光２８ｊの一部は受光部１６に到達するので、受光部１６は出力を行う。ただし、受光部１６が受光するのは投光部１５が発した光の一部であるので、図１０で示した場合と比較すると受光する光量は小さく、したがって、出力も小さい。   In FIG. 12, the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15 passes through the optical paths 28a, 28b, 28f, 28g, 28h, and 28i as in FIG. However, since the dirty water 25 is stored in the water tank 7, light is scattered in the middle of the optical path 28f. This scattered light is schematically shown in FIG. 12 as scattered light 28j. Since a part of the scattered light 28j reaches the light receiving unit 16, the light receiving unit 16 outputs. However, since the light receiving unit 16 receives a part of the light emitted from the light projecting unit 15, the amount of received light is small compared to the case shown in FIG. 10, and therefore the output is also small.

図１３は、図１０〜図１２のように水汚れ検知部２１を配置した場合における、水タンク７内の回収水１０の食物成分濃度と受光部１６の出力との関係を示すものである。これは、所定の濃度のおねばを含む回収水１０を水タンク７に満たし、濃度ごとに受光部１６の出力値を調べた結果である。図１３において、横軸は水に含まれる食物成分濃度を示す。縦軸は、受光部１６の出力値を示し、食物成分濃度が０％、すなわち、水タンク７にきれいな水２３が満たされている場合の受光部１６の出力を０とする相対値である。図１３によれば、受光部１６の出力は、濃度が０％〜３０％に至るまでの間に約４０％程度まで上昇し、これ以上の濃度になると受光部１６の出力は約４０％で一定となることがわかる。なお、受光部１６の出力値はあくまでも一例であり、汚れ水２５の中を透過する光路の長さによって出力値は異なる。
FIG. 13 shows the relationship between the concentration of the food component of the collected water 10 in the water tank 7 and the output of the light receiving unit 16 when the water stain detection unit 21 is arranged as in FIGS. 10 to 12. This is a result of filling the water tank 7 with the recovered water 10 containing a predetermined concentration and examining the output value of the light receiving unit 16 for each concentration. In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis indicates the concentration of food components contained in water. The vertical axis represents the output value of the light receiving portion 16, 0% of the food component concentration, i.e., a relative value to 0 the output of the light receiving portion 16 when the clean water 23 in the water tank 7 is filled. According to FIG. 13, the output of the light receiving unit 16 rises to about 40% before the density reaches 0% to 30%, and the output of the light receiving unit 16 is about 40% when the density exceeds this. It turns out that it becomes constant. Note that the output value of the light receiving unit 16 is merely an example, and the output value varies depending on the length of the optical path that passes through the dirty water 25.

以上のように構成された水汚れ検知部２１においては、水タンク７内の回収水１０の食物成分濃度が高くなるほど散乱光２８ｊが増加し、受光部１６に到達する光が増えて受光部１６の出力が大きくなる。   In the water stain detection unit 21 configured as described above, the scattered light 28j increases as the food component concentration of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 increases, and the light reaching the light receiving unit 16 increases and the light receiving unit 16 increases. Output increases.

水汚れ判定手段２２は、水汚れ検知部２１からの出力を得て、この出力値に基づいて水タンク７内の水の汚れ度合いを判定する。水汚れ判定手段２２は、水タンク７に水が入っておらず空気のみである場合の受光部１６の出力値ｆを予め記憶しておく。そして、受光部１６の現在の出力値ｇと出力値ｆとを比較し、出力値ｇが出力値ｆと比べて所定割合より大きい場合には、水の汚れ度合いが高いと判定し、所定割合以下の場合には水の汚れ度合いが低いと判定する。ここで、所定割合は、例えば、２０％程度とすればよい。図１３に示したように、水タンク７の水の食物成分濃度が変わるので、受光部１６の出力値に応じて水の食物成分濃度を判定することができる。さらにこの判定結果に基づき、水位判定手段１３が水位を判定する際の水位判定閾値の変更を行う。   The water stain determination means 22 obtains an output from the water stain detection unit 21 and determines the degree of water stain in the water tank 7 based on this output value. The water contamination determination unit 22 stores in advance the output value f of the light receiving unit 16 when water is not contained in the water tank 7 but only air. Then, the current output value g and the output value f of the light receiving unit 16 are compared, and when the output value g is larger than the predetermined value compared to the output value f, it is determined that the degree of water contamination is high, and the predetermined rate In the following cases, it is determined that the degree of water contamination is low. Here, the predetermined ratio may be about 20%, for example. As shown in FIG. 13, since the food component concentration of water in the water tank 7 changes, the food component concentration of water can be determined according to the output value of the light receiving unit 16. Furthermore, based on this determination result, the water level determination means 13 changes the water level determination threshold when determining the water level.

上記のように構成された炊飯器の動作について説明する。まず、米と水の入った炊飯釜２を本体１内に収納して蓋体３を閉じ、図示しない炊飯開始のスイッチを操作する。制御部１２の水汚れ判定手段２２は、水が入っていない状態の水タンク７を配置した状態での水汚れ検知部２１の出力値ｆと、水汚れ判定手段２２が出力する現在の出力値ｇとの比を求め、この値を乗じて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値を変更する。   Operation | movement of the rice cooker comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. First, the rice cooking pot 2 containing rice and water is housed in the main body 1, the lid 3 is closed, and a rice cooking start switch (not shown) is operated. The water contamination determination unit 22 of the control unit 12 includes an output value f of the water contamination detection unit 21 in a state where the water tank 7 in a state where water is not contained, and a current output value output by the water contamination determination unit 22. The ratio with g is obtained, and this value is multiplied to change the water level determination threshold of the water level determination means 13.

また、出力値ｆと出力値ｇとの比が所定割合以上であった場合には、水タンク７内の水の汚れが多いことを示すものであり、この場合には水タンク７内の水の交換を促すメッセージを図示しない液晶表示部に表示する。このようにすることで、ユーザは水タンク７の回収水１０が汚れていることを知ることができ、水タンク７の水の交換を適切に行うことができる。このため、水位をより正確に判定することができる。   Further, when the ratio between the output value f and the output value g is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, it indicates that the water in the water tank 7 is very dirty. Is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit (not shown). By doing so, the user can know that the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 is dirty, and can appropriately exchange the water in the water tank 7. For this reason, a water level can be determined more correctly.

次いで、水位判定手段１３は、上限水位検知部８からの出力値を得て、この値と水位判定閾値とを比較することで、回収水１０の水位が上限水位１１に達しているか否か判定する。前述のように、水タンク７内の回収水１０の汚れ度合いに応じて水位判定閾値が補正されているので、水位をより正確に判定することができる。
上限水位１１に達していると判定した場合には、炊飯動作を行わず、回収水１０の排水を促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示する。併せて、ブザー音やスピーカによる音声等でユーザに報知してもよい。
上限水位１１に達していないと判定した場合には、制御部１２の動作制御手段は、加熱体５への通電を開始し、炊飯釜２を介して米や水に熱を伝える。この加熱により炊飯釜２内に発生した蒸気は、蒸気パイプ６と蒸気導入パイプ７ｂを通って水タンク７に導かれる。導かれた蒸気は水タンク７内に貯えられている水に接触して温度が下がり、復水して水となり、回収水１０として貯留される。炊飯量にもよるが、１回の炊飯によって回収される水量は約５０〜１００ｍＬである。例えば、水タンク７の底部が２０ｃｍ×５ｃｍの長方形でその面積が１００ｃｍ2の場合には、回収水１０の水位は１回の炊飯で０．５〜１ｃｍ程度上昇する。 Next, the water level determination means 13 obtains an output value from the upper limit water level detection unit 8 and compares this value with the water level determination threshold value to determine whether or not the water level of the recovered water 10 has reached the upper limit water level 11. To do. As described above, since the water level determination threshold is corrected according to the degree of contamination of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7, the water level can be determined more accurately.
When it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached, the rice cooking operation is not performed, and a message prompting the drainage of the recovered water 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. In addition, the user may be notified by a buzzer sound, a sound from a speaker, or the like.
When it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has not been reached, the operation control means of the control unit 12 starts energizing the heating body 5 and transmits heat to the rice and water via the rice cooker 2. The steam generated in the rice cooker 2 by this heating is guided to the water tank 7 through the steam pipe 6 and the steam introduction pipe 7b. The introduced steam comes into contact with the water stored in the water tank 7, the temperature drops, condenses into water, and is stored as recovered water 10. Although it depends on the amount of cooked rice, the amount of water collected by one cooked rice is about 50 to 100 mL. For example, when the bottom of the water tank 7 is a rectangle of 20 cm × 5 cm and the area is 100 cm 2 , the water level of the recovered water 10 rises by about 0.5 to 1 cm with one cooked rice.

調理終了時、水位判定手段１３は再び水タンク７の水位を判定し、上限水位１１に達していると判定した場合には、回収水１０の排水を促すメッセージを図示しない液晶表示部に表示する。併せて、ブザー音やスピーカによる音声等でユーザに報知してもよい。このようにすることで、調理によって増加した回収水１０の排水をユーザに促すことができ、水タンク７から水が溢れるのを防ぐことができる。   At the end of cooking, the water level determination means 13 determines the water level of the water tank 7 again. If it is determined that the upper limit water level 11 has been reached, a message prompting the drainage of the recovered water 10 is displayed on a liquid crystal display unit (not shown). . In addition, the user may be notified by a buzzer sound, a sound from a speaker, or the like. By doing in this way, the user can be prompted to drain the recovered water 10 increased by cooking, and water can be prevented from overflowing from the water tank 7.

また、制御部１２の水汚れ判定手段２２は、炊飯動作中に回収水１０の水の汚れ度合いを判定する。そして、急激に汚れ度合いが増加した場合には、炊飯動作状態が異常であると判定する。通常の正常な炊飯動作においては、炊飯釜２の上部に設けられた図示しないおねば返しによって米からでるおねばが炊飯釜２内に戻されるので、規定の米と水の分量で炊飯した場合には、おねば成分が水タンク７の回収水１０に大量に貯えられることがないように構成されている。したがって、急激に汚れ度合いが増加した場合には、おねば返し等の異常や、米や水の分量などの炊飯条件の不都合が生じていることが推定されるのである。炊飯動作状態が異常であると判定した場合には、ユーザに確認を促すメッセージを液晶表示部に表示する。このように、水汚れ判定手段２２が判定した水の汚れ度合いによって炊飯状態を推定することができるので、正確に炊飯動作を行うことができる。   Moreover, the water stain | pollution | contamination determination means 22 of the control part 12 determines the contamination | pollution | contamination degree of the water of the collection | recovery water 10 during rice cooking operation | movement. And when a dirt degree increases rapidly, it determines with a rice cooking operation state being abnormal. In normal normal rice cooking operation, rice balls that come out of the rice are returned to the rice cooker 2 by an unillustrated rice cooker provided at the top of the rice cooker 2, so when cooking with the prescribed amount of rice and water Is configured so that a large amount of components are not stored in a large amount in the recovered water 10 of the water tank 7. Therefore, when the degree of soiling suddenly increases, it is estimated that abnormalities such as turning back and inconveniences in rice cooking conditions such as the amount of rice and water occur. When it is determined that the rice cooking operation state is abnormal, a message prompting the user to confirm is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. In this way, the rice cooking state can be estimated based on the degree of water contamination determined by the water contamination determination means 22, so that the rice cooking operation can be performed accurately.

以上のように本実施の形態２によれば、水タンク７内の回収水１０の汚れによって生じる光量減衰率を水汚れ検知部２１の出力に基づいて求め、水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値を補正するようにした。したがって、水タンク７内の回収水１０に汚れが生じている場合でも、より正確に水タンク７の水位を検出することができる。   As described above, according to the second embodiment, the light quantity attenuation rate caused by the dirt of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 is obtained based on the output of the water dirt detector 21, and the water level judgment threshold of the water level judgment means 13 is obtained. I corrected it. Therefore, even when the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 is contaminated, the water level of the water tank 7 can be detected more accurately.

また、水タンク７内の回収水１０の汚れ度合いが大きいと判定した場合には水の交換を促すようにしたので、ユーザは適切なタイミングで水の交換を行うことができる。したがって、水位判定手段１３の検知精度を維持することができ、水タンク７から回収水１０が溢れるのを防止することができる。また、水タンク７内の回収水１０の汚れ度合いに応じて炊飯状態を推定して、異常が生じていると判定した場合にはユーザに確認を促すようにしたので、炊飯調理の失敗を減らすことができる。   In addition, when it is determined that the degree of contamination of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 is large, the user is prompted to replace the water, so that the user can replace the water at an appropriate timing. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the water level determination means 13 can be maintained, and the recovered water 10 can be prevented from overflowing from the water tank 7. In addition, when the rice cooking state is estimated according to the degree of dirt of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 and it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the user is urged to confirm, thus reducing the failure of rice cooking. be able to.

なお、本実施の形態２では、上限水位検知部８と水汚れ検知部２１を別個に備える場合の例について説明したが、水汚れ検知部２１を設けず、上限水位検知部８の出力を用いて水タンク７内の水の汚れ度合いを検知するようにしてもよい。このようにすることで、加熱調理器に組み付ける部品の数を減らし、かつ組み付けスペースを小さくすることができるので、安価で軽量、しかも小型で意匠性の良い蒸気回収装置および蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器を得ることができる。   In addition, in this Embodiment 2, although the example in case the upper limit water level detection part 8 and the water stain detection part 21 were provided separately was demonstrated, the water stain detection part 21 is not provided but the output of the upper limit water level detection part 8 is used. Thus, the degree of contamination of water in the water tank 7 may be detected. By doing so, the number of parts to be assembled to the cooking device can be reduced and the assembly space can be reduced, so that the steam recovery device and the steam recovery device that are inexpensive, lightweight, small, and have good design are provided. A cooking device can be obtained.

また、本実施の形態２では、水汚れ検知部２１を光学的な発光素子と受光素子を用いて構成した場合の例について説明したが、超音波の送受信素子を用いて構成することもできる。水タンク７内での超音波の減衰率は水の汚れ度合いによって変わるので、このようにしても水タンク７内の水の汚れ度合いを検出することができる。   In the second embodiment, an example in which the water stain detection unit 21 is configured using an optical light emitting element and a light receiving element has been described. However, the water stain detection unit 21 may be configured using an ultrasonic transmission / reception element. Since the attenuation rate of the ultrasonic wave in the water tank 7 varies depending on the degree of dirt on the water, the degree of dirt on the water in the water tank 7 can also be detected in this way.

また、本実施の形態２では、前述の実施の形態１と同様に上限水位検知部８を光学的な発受光素子で構成する場合の例について説明したが、構成はこれに限るものではない。本発明は、水タンク７内の回収水１０の汚れ度合いによって水位検知精度に差異が生じてしまうような他の水位検知手段に対しても適用することができ、同様の効果を得ることができる。   In the second embodiment, the example in the case where the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is configured by an optical light emitting and receiving element as in the first embodiment has been described. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to other water level detection means in which the water level detection accuracy varies depending on the degree of contamination of the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7, and the same effect can be obtained. .

また、本実施の形態２では、水タンク７内の回収水１０に含まれる食物成分濃度に応じて水位判定手段１３の水位判定閾値を補正する場合の例について説明したが、水位判定閾値を補正するのではなく、受光部１６の出力値を補正することとしてもよい。この場合においては、食物成分濃度が大きくなった場合には、食物成分濃度に応じて受光部１６の出力値も大きくなるように補正する。このようにすることで、水位判定閾値を補正した場合と同様の効果を得ることができる。   In the second embodiment, the example in which the water level determination threshold value of the water level determination unit 13 is corrected according to the concentration of the food component contained in the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7 has been described. However, the water level determination threshold value is corrected. Instead of this, the output value of the light receiving unit 16 may be corrected. In this case, when the food component concentration increases, correction is made so that the output value of the light receiving unit 16 also increases in accordance with the food component concentration. By doing in this way, the same effect as the case where the water level determination threshold is corrected can be obtained.

実施の形態３．
前記実施の形態１では、水タンク７の傷つき度合いに応じて水位判定閾値を補正しており、また、前記実施の形態２では、水タンク７内の回収水１０に含まれる食物成分濃度に応じて水位判定閾値を補正していた。本実施の形態３では、傷つき検知部９、水汚れ検知部２１、または上限水位検知部８を構成する素子の劣化状態を検知し、この劣化状態に応じて判定閾値を補正する場合の例について説明する。 Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the first embodiment, the water level determination threshold value is corrected according to the degree of damage to the water tank 7, and in the second embodiment, according to the concentration of food components contained in the recovered water 10 in the water tank 7. The water level judgment threshold was corrected. In the third embodiment, an example in which the deterioration state of the elements constituting the damage detection unit 9, the water stain detection unit 21, or the upper limit water level detection unit 8 is detected and the determination threshold is corrected according to the deterioration state. explain.

図１４は、本発明の実施の形態３に係る蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の主要部を示す断面模式図である。本実施の形態３においても、前記実施の形態１と同様に加熱調理器が炊飯器である場合の例について説明し、前記実施の形態１と同一または相当部分には同じ符号を付して説明を省略する。   FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of a cooking device provided with a steam recovery apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Also in this Embodiment 3, the example in case a heating cooker is a rice cooker similarly to the said Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated to the same or equivalent part as the said Embodiment 1. Is omitted.

図１４において、水タンク７の制御部１２側近傍の側面には、検知部３０が設置されている。検知部３０は、前記実施の形態１で示した水タンク７の傷つきを検知する傷つき検知部９、または、前記実施の形態２で示した水汚れ検知部２１とすることができる。検知部３０は、前述の図２および図３で示す光学的な発光素子および受光素子を用いて構成することができる。   In FIG. 14, a detection unit 30 is installed on the side surface of the water tank 7 near the control unit 12 side. The detection unit 30 can be the flaw detection unit 9 that detects a flaw in the water tank 7 shown in the first embodiment, or the water stain detection unit 21 shown in the second embodiment. The detection unit 30 can be configured using the optical light emitting element and light receiving element shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 described above.

制御部１２は、水位判定手段１３、判定手段３１、および図示しない調理器制御手段を備えている。判定手段３１は、前記実施の形態１で示した傷つき判定手段１４、または、前記実施の形態２で示した水汚れ判定手段２２とすることができる。調理器制御手段は、水位判定手段１３や判定手段１１による判定結果に基づき、調理器全体の動作を制御する。   The control unit 12 includes a water level determination unit 13, a determination unit 31, and a cooker control unit (not shown). The determination means 31 can be the damage determination means 14 shown in the first embodiment or the water stain determination means 22 shown in the second embodiment. The cooker control means controls the operation of the entire cooker based on the determination results by the water level determination means 13 and the determination means 11.

図１５は、検知部３０を構成する投光部１５の経年劣化状況例を示すグラフである。図１５において、横軸は時間を示し、縦軸は投光部１５にまったく劣化が生じていない状態での発光量を１００とする発光量の相対値である。投光部１５の劣化特性は、投光部１５が組み込まれた装置の動作環境条件により固有に定まる。この条件に応じて、図１５に示すような劣化特性を得ることができる。図１５では、動作時間５０００時間経過時に投光部１５の発光出力が初期値に対して９０％に低下する場合の例を示している。   FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating an example of an aged deterioration state of the light projecting unit 15 constituting the detection unit 30. In FIG. 15, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the relative value of the light emission amount when the light emission amount is 100 when there is no deterioration in the light projecting unit 15. The deterioration characteristics of the light projecting unit 15 are uniquely determined by the operating environment conditions of the apparatus in which the light projecting unit 15 is incorporated. Depending on this condition, deterioration characteristics as shown in FIG. 15 can be obtained. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the light emission output of the light projecting unit 15 is reduced to 90% with respect to the initial value when the operation time is 5000 hours.

このように構成した炊飯器において、判定手段３１は図１５で示した投光部１５の劣化情報を保持している。判定手段３１は、検知部３０からの出力を得て水タンク７の傷つき度合いまたは回収水１０の汚れ度合いを判定する。このとき、本体１の動作時間情報に基づいて投光部１５の劣化状態を予測し、判定時の閾値の補正を行う。例えば、動作時間が５０００時間のときには、投光部１５の発光量が約９０％に低下しているものと推定されるので、傷つき判定に用いる受光部１６の出力値を、９０％に減じて判定を行うようにする。このようにすることで、より精度の高い判定を行うことができる。   In the rice cooker configured as described above, the determination unit 31 holds the deterioration information of the light projecting unit 15 shown in FIG. The determination unit 31 obtains the output from the detection unit 30 and determines the degree of damage to the water tank 7 or the degree of contamination of the recovered water 10. At this time, the deterioration state of the light projecting unit 15 is predicted based on the operation time information of the main body 1, and the threshold value at the time of determination is corrected. For example, when the operation time is 5000 hours, it is estimated that the light emission amount of the light projecting unit 15 is reduced to about 90%. Therefore, the output value of the light receiving unit 16 used for damage determination is reduced to 90%. Make a decision. By doing in this way, more accurate determination can be performed.

さらには、上限水位検知部８に用いる発光素子の劣化情報を予め保持しておき、この劣化情報に基づいて水位判定閾値を補正することとしてもよい。このようにすることで、より精度の高い水位検知を行うことができる。   Furthermore, the deterioration information of the light emitting element used for the upper limit water level detection unit 8 may be stored in advance, and the water level determination threshold value may be corrected based on the deterioration information. By doing in this way, water level detection with higher accuracy can be performed.

以上のように本実施の形態３によれば、予め保持しておいた検知部３０の劣化情報に基づいて検知部３０の劣化状態を推定し、この推定結果に応じて判定手段３１が判定に用いる閾値を補正するようにしたので、判定手段３１はより正確に判定を行うことができる。例えば、検知部３０を傷つき検知部９とした場合にはより正確に水タンク７の傷つき度合いを判定することができ、また、検知部３０を水汚れ検知部２１とした場合にはより正確に回収水１０の汚れ度合いを判定することができる。同様にして、上限水位検知部８の劣化情報に基づいて水位判定手段１３が水位を検知する際の水位判定閾値を補正することで、より正確に水タンク７の水位を判定することができる。したがって、水タンク７から回収水１０が溢れるのを防止することができ、メンテナンス性の良い炊飯器を得ることができる。   As described above, according to the third embodiment, the deterioration state of the detection unit 30 is estimated based on the previously stored deterioration information of the detection unit 30, and the determination unit 31 makes a determination based on the estimation result. Since the threshold value to be used is corrected, the determination unit 31 can perform determination more accurately. For example, when the detection unit 30 is the damage detection unit 9, the degree of damage of the water tank 7 can be more accurately determined, and when the detection unit 30 is the water stain detection unit 21, the damage is more accurately. The degree of contamination of the recovered water 10 can be determined. Similarly, the water level of the water tank 7 can be more accurately determined by correcting the water level determination threshold when the water level determination unit 13 detects the water level based on the deterioration information of the upper limit water level detection unit 8. Therefore, the recovered water 10 can be prevented from overflowing from the water tank 7, and a rice cooker with good maintainability can be obtained.

なお、本実施の形態３では、検知部３０の劣化状態に応じて判定手段３１が判定に用いる閾値を補正する場合の例について説明したが、閾値を補正するのではなく、受光部１６の出力値を補正することとしてもよい。この場合においては、劣化度合いが大きくなった場合には、劣化度合いに応じて受光部１６の出力値も大きくなるように補正する。このようにすることで、閾値を補正した場合と同様の効果を得ることができる。また同様に、上限水位検知部８の劣化状態に応じて上限水位検知部８の出力値を補正することとしてもよく、同様の効果を得ることができる。   In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the determination unit 31 corrects the threshold value used for determination according to the deterioration state of the detection unit 30, but the threshold value is not corrected, but the output of the light receiving unit 16 is not corrected. The value may be corrected. In this case, when the degree of deterioration increases, correction is performed so that the output value of the light receiving unit 16 also increases according to the degree of deterioration. By doing in this way, the same effect as the case where the threshold is corrected can be obtained. Similarly, the output value of the upper limit water level detection unit 8 may be corrected according to the deterioration state of the upper limit water level detection unit 8, and the same effect can be obtained.

なお、上記説明では加熱調理器が炊飯器である場合の例について説明したが、炊飯器以外の加熱調理器にも適用可能である。また、本発明に係る水位検知装置は、加熱調理器以外にも、水位検知が必要な様々な装置への適用が可能である。例えば、家電機器としては、除湿機や加湿器の水タンクの水位検知に適用することができる。また、水だけでなく、屈折率や透過率によって他の液体または固体の検知も可能であるので、不凍液タンクの液量検知や、クリーナのゴミタンクのゴミ量検知などへの適用も可能である。   In addition, although the said description demonstrated the example in case a heating cooker is a rice cooker, it is applicable also to heating cookers other than a rice cooker. Moreover, the water level detection apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to various apparatuses that require water level detection in addition to the cooking device. For example, as a home appliance, it can be applied to water level detection in a water tank of a dehumidifier or a humidifier. Further, since not only water but also other liquids or solids can be detected based on the refractive index and transmittance, the present invention can be applied to the detection of the amount of liquid in the antifreeze liquid tank and the amount of dust in the garbage tank of the cleaner.

本発明の実施の形態１に係る蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の側面断面模式図である。It is a side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heating cooker provided with the steam recovery apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る傷つき検知部の間に水タンクを配置した場合の側面図である。It is a side view at the time of arrange | positioning a water tank between the damage detection parts which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態１に係る傷つき検知部の間に水タンクを配置していない場合の側面図である。It is a side view in case the water tank is not arrange | positioned between the damage detection parts which concern on Embodiment 1 of this invention. ポリスチレン平板の傷つき度合いと受光部の出力との関係を確認するための実験の構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the structure of the experiment for confirming the relationship between the damage degree of a polystyrene flat plate, and the output of a light-receiving part. ポリスチレン平板への擦り回数と受光部の出力との関係を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the relationship between the frequency | count of rubbing to a polystyrene flat plate, and the output of a light-receiving part. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の側面断面模式図である。It is a side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heating cooker provided with the steam recovery apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る水汚れ検知部の間にきれいな水を入れた水タンクを配置した場合の側面図である。It is a side view at the time of arrange | positioning the water tank which put clean water between the water stain detection parts which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る水汚れ検知部の間に汚れ水を入れた水タンクを配置した場合の側面図である。It is a side view at the time of arrange | positioning the water tank which put dirty water between the water dirt detection parts which concern on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 水タンク内の水の食物成分濃度と受光部の出力との関係を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the relationship between the food component density | concentration of the water in a water tank, and the output of a light-receiving part. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る水汚れ検知部を、水が入っていない水タンクのコーナー部に配置した場合の側面模式図である。It is a side surface schematic diagram at the time of arrange | positioning the water stain detection part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention in the corner part of the water tank which does not contain water. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る水汚れ検知部を、きれいな水が入っている水タンクのコーナー部に配置した場合の側面模式図である。It is a side surface schematic diagram at the time of arrange | positioning the water stain detection part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention in the corner part of the water tank in which clean water is contained. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る水汚れ検知部を、汚れ水が入っている水タンクのコーナー部に配置した場合の側面模式図である。It is a side surface schematic diagram at the time of arrange | positioning the water stain detection part which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention in the corner part of the water tank in which dirty water is contained. 水汚れ検知部を水タンクのコーナー部に配置した場合において、水タンク内の水の食物成分濃度と受光部の出力との関係を示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows the relationship between the food component density | concentration of the water in a water tank, and the output of a light-receiving part, when a water stain detection part is arrange | positioned in the corner part of a water tank. 本発明の実施の形態３に係る蒸気回収装置を備えた加熱調理器の側面断面模式図である。It is a side cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heating cooker provided with the steam recovery apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態３に係る、動作時間と受光部の出力との関係を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the relationship between the operation time and the output of a light-receiving part based on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ 本体、２ 炊飯釜、３ 蓋体、４ 内蓋、５ 加熱体、６ 蒸気パイプ、７ 水タンク、７ａ タンク蓋、７ｂ 蒸気導入パイプ、８ 上限水位検知部、９ 傷つき検知部、１０ 回収水、１１ 上限水位、１２ 制御部、１３ 水位判定手段、１４ 傷つき判定手段、１５ 投光部、１６ 受光部、１７ａ〜１７ｅ 光路、１８ａ 光路、１９ ポリスチレン平板、２０ａ〜２０ｃ 光路、２１ 水汚れ検知部、２２ 水汚れ判定手段、２３ きれいな水、２４ａ〜２４ｅ 光路、２５ 汚れ水、２６ａ〜２６ｅ 光路、２７ａ〜２７ｄ 側壁面、２８ａ〜２８ｊ 光路、２９ 空気、３０ 検知部、３１ 判定手段。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body, 2 Rice cooker, 3 Cover body, 4 Inner lid, 5 Heating body, 6 Steam pipe, 7 Water tank, 7a Tank cover, 7b Steam introduction pipe, 8 Upper limit water level detection part, 9 Damage detection part, 10 Collected water 11 upper limit water level, 12 control unit, 13 water level determination means, 14 damage determination means, 15 light projecting unit, 16 light receiving unit, 17a to 17e optical path, 18a optical path, 19 polystyrene flat plate, 20a to 20c optical path, 21 water contamination detection unit , 22 Water stain determination means, 23 Clean water, 24a-24e optical path, 25 Dirty water, 26a-26e optical path, 27a-27d side wall surface, 28a-28j optical path, 29 air, 30 detector, 31 determination means.

Claims (14)

発生する蒸気を案内する蒸気案内路と、
前記蒸気案内路により案内された蒸気を回収し復水して貯える水タンクと、
水位検知用発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して水位検知用受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた水位判定閾値とを対比して、前記水タンクの水位を検知する水位検知部と、
発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた基準値とを対比して、前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを検知する傷つき検知部とを備え、
前記傷つき検知部が検知した前記水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する
ことを特徴とする蒸気回収装置。 A steam guideway for guiding the generated steam;
A water tank for collecting and condensing and storing the steam guided by the steam guide path;
A water level detection that detects the water level of the water tank by comparing the amount of light emitted from the water level detection light emitting unit to the water level detection light receiving unit via the water tank and a predetermined water level determination threshold value. And
Comparing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit through the water tank and a predetermined reference value, the damage detection unit for detecting the degree of damage of the water tank,
Steam recovery , wherein the water level detection unit corrects the amount of light received by the water level detection light receiving unit used for water level detection or the water level determination threshold based on the degree of damage of the water tank detected by the damage detection unit. apparatus. 発生する蒸気を案内する蒸気案内路と、
前記蒸気案内路により案内された蒸気を回収し復水して貯える水タンクと、
水位検知用発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して水位検知用受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた水位判定閾値とを対比して、前記水タンクの水位を検知する水位検知部と、
発信部から発せられた超音波が前記水タンクを介して受信部に到達する超音波量と、予め定められた基準値とを対比して、前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを検知する傷つき検知部とを備え、
前記傷つき検知部が検知した前記水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する
ことを特徴とする蒸気回収装置。 A steam guideway for guiding the generated steam;
A water tank for collecting and condensing and storing the steam guided by the steam guide path;
A water level detection that detects the water level of the water tank by comparing the amount of light emitted from the water level detection light emitting unit to the water level detection light receiving unit via the water tank and a predetermined water level determination threshold value. And
A damage detection unit that detects the degree of damage of the water tank by comparing the amount of ultrasonic waves that the ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmission unit reaches the reception unit through the water tank with a predetermined reference value; With
Steam recovery , wherein the water level detection unit corrects the amount of light received by the water level detection light receiving unit used for water level detection or the water level determination threshold based on the degree of damage of the water tank detected by the damage detection unit. apparatus. 前記水タンクの傷つき度合いが、予め定められた値を超えた場合には、前記水タンクの交換または洗浄を促す報知手段を備えた
ことを特徴とする請求項１または請求項２記載の蒸気回収装置。 The degree damaged before Symbol water tank, if it exceeds a predetermined value, the vapor of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein further comprising a notifying means for prompting replacement or cleaning of the water tank Recovery device. 単位期間における前記水タンクの傷つき度合いの上昇量が予め定められた値を超えた場合には、前記水タンクの洗浄方法に関する報知を行う報知手段を備えた
ことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項３のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置。 When the amount of increase in the degree damage of the water tank in a unit time exceeds a predetermined value, claims 1 to, characterized in that with a notification means for performing notification relating to a method of cleaning the water tank Item 4. The steam recovery device according to any one of Items 3 to 3 . 前記傷つき検知部の前記発光部は、前記水位検知部の前記水位検知用発光部を兼ねており、
前記傷つき検知部の前記受光部は、前記水位検知部の前記水位検知用受光部を兼ねている
ことを特徴とする請求項１、及び請求項１に従属する請求項３並びに請求項４のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置。 The light emitting part of the scratch detection part also serves as the water level detection light emitting part of the water level detection part,
The claim 1 , wherein the light-receiving part of the damage detection part also serves as the water-level detection light-receiving part of the water level detection part. vapor recovery apparatus according to an item or. 前記発光部の経年劣化情報を保持しており、
前記発光部の経年劣化情報に基づいて、前記傷つき検知部が検知する前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを補正する
ことを特徴とする請求項１、請求項１に従属する請求項３並びに請求項４、及び請求項５のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置。 Holds aging information of the light emitting part,
Based on the aging information before Symbol emitting unit, according to claim 1, wherein the damaged detection unit and corrects the degree damage of the water tank to detect, according to claim 3 and claim 4 dependent on claim 1 And the steam recovery apparatus according to claim 5 . 前記発信部の経年劣化情報を保持しており、
前記発信部の経年劣化情報に基づいて、前記傷つき検知部が検知する前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを補正する
ことを特徴とする請求項２、及び請求項２に従属する請求項３並びに請求項４のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置。 Holds aged deterioration information of the transmitter,
Based on the aging information before Symbol transmitting unit, according to claim 3 and claim claim 2, and depending on claim 2 wherein the damaged detection unit and corrects the degree damage of the water tank to detect 5. The steam recovery apparatus according to any one of 4 above. 前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報を保持しており、
前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報に基づいて、前記傷つき検知部が検知する前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを補正する
ことを特徴とする請求項５、または請求項５に従属する請求項６に記載の蒸気回収装置。 Holds aging degradation information of the water level detection unit,
Based on the aging information before Symbol water level detection unit, according to claim 6 dependent on claim 5 or claim 5, wherein the damaged detection unit and corrects the degree damage of the water tank to detect Steam recovery equipment. 前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報を保持しており、
前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報に基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する
ことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項８のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置。 Holds aging degradation information of the water level detection unit,
Based on the aging information before Symbol water level detection unit, according to claim 1 claims wherein the water level detection unit and corrects the received light amount or the level determination threshold value of the water level detecting light receiving unit used in the water level detection The steam recovery apparatus according to any one of 8 . 請求項１〜請求項９のいずれか一項に記載の蒸気回収装置を備えたことを特徴とする加熱調理器。 A cooking device comprising the steam recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . 水位検知用発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して水位検知用受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた水位判定閾値とを対比して、前記水タンクに貯えられた水の水位を検知する水位検知部と、
発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた基準値とを対比して、前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを検知する傷つき検知部とを備え、
前記傷つき検知部が検知した前記水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する
ことを特徴とする水位検知装置。 The level of water stored in the water tank by comparing the amount of light emitted from the water level detection light-emitting unit to the water level detection light-receiving unit via the water tank and a predetermined water level determination threshold value and the water level detection unit to detect knowledge of,
Comparing the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit through the water tank and a predetermined reference value, the damage detection unit for detecting the degree of damage of the water tank,
Based on the degree of damage to the water tank detected by the damage detection unit, the water level detection unit corrects the amount of light received by the water level detection light receiving unit used for water level detection or the water level determination threshold value. apparatus. 水位検知用発光部から発せられた光が前記水タンクを介して水位検知用受光部に到達する光量と予め定められた水位判定閾値とを対比して、前記水タンクの水位を検知する水位検知部と、A water level detection that detects the water level of the water tank by comparing the amount of light emitted from the water level detection light emitting unit to the water level detection light receiving unit via the water tank and a predetermined water level determination threshold value. And
発信部から発せられた超音波が前記水タンクを介して受信部に到達する超音波量と、予め定められた基準値とを対比して、前記水タンクの傷つき度合いを検知する傷つき検知部とを備え、A damage detection unit that detects the degree of damage of the water tank by comparing the amount of ultrasonic waves that the ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmission unit reaches the reception unit through the water tank with a predetermined reference value; With
前記傷つき検知部が検知した前記水タンクの傷つき度合いに基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正するBased on the degree of damage to the water tank detected by the damage detection unit, the water level detection unit corrects the amount of light received by the water level detection light receiving unit used for water level detection or the water level determination threshold.
ことを特徴とする水位検知装置。A water level detection device characterized by that. 前記傷つき検知部の前記発光部は、前記水位検知部の前記水位検知用発光部を兼ねており、
前記傷つき検知部の前記受光部は、前記水位検知部の前記水位検知用受光部を兼ねている
ことを特徴とする請求項１１記載の水位検知装置。 The light emitting part of the scratch detection part also serves as the water level detection light emitting part of the water level detection part,
The water level detection device according to claim 11 , wherein the light receiving unit of the scratch detection unit also serves as the water level detection light receiving unit of the water level detection unit. 前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報を保持しており、
前記水位検知部の経年劣化情報に基づいて、前記水位検知部が水位検知に用いる前記水位検知用受光部の受光量または前記水位判定閾値を補正する
ことを特徴とする請求項１１〜請求項１３のいずれか一項に記載の水位検知装置。 Holds aging degradation information of the water level detection unit,
Based on the aging information before Symbol water level detection unit, according to claim 11 to claim, wherein the water level detection unit and corrects the received light amount or the level determination threshold value of the water level detecting light receiving unit used in the water level detection The water level detection device according to any one of 13 .
JP2008150117A 2008-06-09 2008-06-09 Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device Active JP4964189B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008150117A JP4964189B2 (en) 2008-06-09 2008-06-09 Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008150117A JP4964189B2 (en) 2008-06-09 2008-06-09 Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2011215031A Division JP4964348B2 (en) 2011-09-29 2011-09-29 Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2009291505A JP2009291505A (en) 2009-12-17
JP4964189B2 true JP4964189B2 (en) 2012-06-27

Family

ID=41540242

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2008150117A Active JP4964189B2 (en) 2008-06-09 2008-06-09 Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP4964189B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107865589A (en) * 2016-09-23 2018-04-03 广东美的生活电器制造有限公司 The water storage case liquid-level detecting method of pan and pan

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2755188B2 (en) * 1994-11-15 1998-05-20 タイガー魔法瓶株式会社 Electric rice cooker
JP3788450B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2006-06-21 松下電器産業株式会社 Cooker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2009291505A (en) 2009-12-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2554946C (en) Electro-optic liquid level sensing system for aircraft beverage brewing
JP4717869B2 (en) Steam recovery apparatus and cooking device provided with the steam recovery apparatus
JP4964348B2 (en) Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device
EP2734037B1 (en) Detector system, sensor and dairy animal treatment device comprising the same
CN102224288A (en) Turbidity sensor
JP5328832B2 (en) Steam recovery apparatus and cooking device provided with the steam recovery apparatus
US10365217B2 (en) Liquid presence/turbidity sensor using single optical channel
CN104849286A (en) Pollution degree treatment device and household appliance
JP4964189B2 (en) Steam recovery device, cooking device, and water level detection device
JP2009300259A (en) Water level detector, vapor collecting device, and heating cooker
JP4954227B2 (en) Cooker
JP5147969B2 (en) Steam recovery apparatus and cooking device provided with the steam recovery apparatus
JP4823280B2 (en) Cooker
JP5014285B2 (en) Cooker
JP2010164471A (en) Water level detection device and heating cooker
JP5077368B2 (en) Water level detection device and cooking device provided with the water level detection device
JP5488648B2 (en) Water level detection device and cooking device provided with the water level detection device
JP2019020203A (en) Stain determination device and measuring instrument maintenance device using the same
JPS63281021A (en) Liquid level detector using refraction of light
JP4906812B2 (en) Water level detection device and cooking device
JP4570674B2 (en) Cooker
JP2010194029A (en) Dishwasher
JP2012097956A (en) Range hood
CN113790778A (en) Photoelectric liquid level sensor

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20110512

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20110802

A521 Request for written amendment filed

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523

Effective date: 20110929

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20120228

A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20120327

R150 Certificate of patent or registration of utility model

Ref document number: 4964189

Country of ref document: JP

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20150406

Year of fee payment: 3

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250