JP7470962B2 - HEATER UNIT, HEATER STRUCTURE, AND COOKER - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heater structure equipped with a resistance heating heater, and a cooking device equipped with the heater structure.

Gas burners are the mainstream heat source for cooking appliances that roast and cook ingredients. However, in high-rise buildings, for example, the use of electric heaters is sometimes desired from the perspective of disaster prevention. A cooking appliance equipped with an electric heater is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-178193

It is preferable that the electric heater be removable from the cooking appliance in order to clean the cooking appliance or to replace the electric heater. On the other hand, it is also desirable that the electric heater be securely electrically connected to the power source when it is attached to the cooking appliance.

The present invention aims to provide a heater structure equipped with a resistance heating heater, which allows the heater to be removed from a cooking device, and ensures a reliable electrical connection between the heater and a power source when the heater is installed in the cooking device. The present invention also aims to provide a cooking device equipped with the heater structure.

The present invention provides the following aspects.
(Item 1)
A heater structure for a cooking appliance, comprising:
a heater unit including a first terminal and a resistance heater electrically connected to the first terminal;
a connector unit including a second terminal electrically connected to a power source, the second terminal having a contact surface capable of coming into contact with the first terminal and movable relative to the first terminal;
a connecting member that detachably connects the heater unit and the connector unit;
Equipped with
the heater unit or the connector unit further includes a first elastic member that presses one of the first terminal and the second terminal toward the other when the other is pressed by the first terminal or the second terminal.
Heater structure.

(Item 2)
The contact surface is a concave curved surface,
A portion of the first terminal that contacts the contact surface is smaller than the contact surface.
2. The heater structure according to item 1.

(Item 3)
The heater unit can be connected to the connector unit upside down.
3. The heater structure according to item 1 or 2.

(Item 4)
the heater unit further includes a heater casing in which the first terminal is disposed,
the connector unit further includes a connector casing that is installable in the cooking appliance and in which the second terminal is disposed,
the connecting member is a permanent magnet disposed in at least one of the heater casing and the connector casing,
At least the other of the heater casing and the connector casing is made of a magnetic material;
the heater casing and the connector casing are bonded together by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, thereby connecting the heater unit and the connector unit.
4. The heater structure according to any one of items 1 to 3.

(Item 5)
The heater unit further includes a first insulator disposed in the heater casing, the first terminal being fixed to the first insulator,
The connector unit further includes a second insulator disposed within the connector casing;
the second terminal includes a first portion having the contact surface, and a second portion integrally formed on an opposite side to the contact surface and having a smaller diameter than the first portion;
the second insulator includes a first through hole into which the first portion can be inserted, and a second through hole having a smaller diameter than the first portion and into which the second portion can be inserted,
the first portion of the second terminal is disposed within the first through hole and the second portion of the second terminal extends through the first through hole and the second through hole;
the first resilient member is disposed within the first through hole and between the first portion and a wall of the second body;
When the second terminal is pushed in by the first terminal, the first elastic member is compressed between the first portion and a wall portion of the second insulator, and the second terminal is pressed toward the first terminal by a restoring force of the compressed first elastic member.
5. The heater structure according to item 4.

(Item 6)
6. A cooking device comprising the heater structure according to any one of items 1 to 5.

(Item 7)
An outer casing;
an inner casing housed within the outer casing;
Equipped with
the outer casing includes a side wall having a first opening;
the inner casing includes a side wall having a second opening opposite the first opening;
the connector unit is immovably fixed to an outer surface of the side wall of the outer casing such that the contact surface of the second terminal is exposed through the first opening and the second opening;
the heater unit is inserted into the first opening and the second opening from within the inner casing and connected to the connector unit;
Item 7. The cooking device according to item 6.

(Item 8)
An outer casing;
an inner casing housed within the outer casing;
A shaft member;
Equipped with
the outer casing includes a side wall having a first opening;
the inner casing includes a side wall having a second opening opposite the first opening;
the connecting member is a permanent magnet disposed in at least one of the heater casing and the connector casing,
At least the other of the heater casing and the connector casing is made of a magnetic material;
the heater casing and the connector casing are bonded together by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, thereby connecting the heater unit and the connector unit;
the connector unit is pivotably connected to an outer surface of the side wall of the outer casing by the shaft member such that the contact surface of the second terminal is exposed through the first opening and the second opening;
the heater unit is inserted into the first opening and the second opening from within the inner casing and connected to the connector unit;
Item 7. The cooking device according to item 6.

(Item 9)
a second elastic member that biases the connector unit toward the outer casing;
Item 9. The cooking device according to item 8.

(Item 10)
and further comprising a reflecting member at least a portion of which is disposed below the heater and which reflects heat radiated from the heater.
10. The cooking device according to any one of items 6 to 9.

(Item 11)
Further comprising a heater cover for preventing adhesion of dirt to the heater unit.
11. The cooking device according to any one of items 6 to 10.

In the heater structure of the present invention, the heater unit equipped with the heater can be removed from the connector unit. This makes it easy to clean the cooking appliance and replace the heater unit. Furthermore, when the heater unit is connected to the connector unit, one of the first terminal and the second terminal is pressed toward the other of the first terminal and the second terminal by the restoring force of the compressed first elastic member. This ensures reliable electrical contact between the first terminal and the second terminal, and therefore ensures reliable electrical connection between the heater and the power source.

Figures 1 to 13 are diagrams illustrating a first embodiment of the heater structure and cooking device of the present invention, and Figures 14 to 16 are diagrams illustrating a second embodiment of the heater structure and cooking device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cooking device installed on a table. FIG. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing before the connector unit is installed in the outer casing, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing after the connector unit has been installed in the outer casing. 6 is an oblique view of the connector unit and the outer casing seen from a different angle than FIG. 5, where (a) is an oblique view of the connector unit and the outer casing before the connector unit is installed in the outer casing, and (b) is an oblique view of the connector unit and the outer casing after the connector unit has been installed in the outer casing. 1 is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing after the inner casing has been installed within the outer casing. FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing after the heater unit is installed. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a partial internal structure of a heater unit, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a partial internal structure of the heater unit as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a heater unit with a heater cover attached. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit. 1A is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit, FIG. 1B is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIc-XIIc of FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a heater unit and a connector unit before they are connected to each other, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a heater unit and a connector unit after they are connected to each other. 1A is a perspective view of the connector unit and the outer casing before the connector unit is installed in the outer casing, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the connector unit and the outer casing after the connector unit has been installed in the outer casing. 1A is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit, FIG. 1B is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit as viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVc-XVc of FIG. 11A to 11C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for removing the heater unit from the connector unit.

The heater structure and cooking device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For clarity, hatching may be omitted in cross-sectional views.

[A First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the cooking device 100 and the heater structure 5 will be described.

<1 Overall structure of cooking device>
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device 100 placed on a table T. Fig. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the cooking device 100. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cooking device 100. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cooking device 100 includes an outer casing 1, a filter 2, an inner casing 3, a reflecting member 4, a heater structure 5, a heater cover 6, a food placement member 7, a top cover 8, a top plate 9, and a control unit (not shown). The heater structure 5 includes a heater unit 51 and a connector unit 52.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer casing 1 is housed in a recess provided in the table T. As shown in FIG. 4, the filter 2 and the inner casing 3 are housed in the outer casing 1. The reflective member 4, the heater unit 51 of the heater structure 5, the heater cover 6, and the food placement member 7 are housed in the inner casing 3. The top cover 8 and the top plate 9 are disposed on the upper part of the outer casing 1. The connector unit 52 and the control unit of the heater structure 5 are disposed outside the outer casing 1.

The control unit is electrically connected to a power source. The control unit includes a CPU that performs calculations, memory (RAM, ROM) that stores control programs, etc., and controls the heater structure 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, the heater unit 51 includes a resistive heater 511. The heater 511 is controlled by a control unit. The connector unit 52 is electrically connected to a power source via the control unit. The heater unit 51 is detachable from the connector unit 52, and when the heater unit 51 is connected to the connector unit 52, the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 are electrically connected.

In the cooking device 100, the heat radiated from the heater 511 can grill and cook the food on the food placement member 7. The cooking device 100 can be used, for example, as a cooking device for grilling meat or a cooking device for skewering.

Below, each component of the cooking device 100 is described in detail.

<1-1 Outer casing and filter>
The outer casing 1 and the filter 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing 1 before the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1, and Fig. 5(b) is a perspective view of the inside of the outer casing 1 after the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1. Figs. 6(a) and (b) are perspective views seen from different angles from Figs. 5(a) and (b), Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the connector unit 52 and the outer casing 1 before the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1, and Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the connector unit 52 and the outer casing 1 after the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the outer casing 1 has a rectangular bottom wall 11 and four side walls 12 (12A to 12D). The outer casing 1 is angular in appearance. An opening penetrating the bottom wall 11 is provided in the center. A filter 2 is installed in the opening. A duct D is connected to the lower part of the outer casing 1. The duct D communicates with the opening and is connected to an exhaust device (not shown). Smoke generated when cooking food is exhausted from the duct D through the filter 2 by the exhaust device.

The filter 2 collects oil contained in the smoke generated when food is grilled. The filter 2 is made of a metal such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, three ring-shaped filters 2 are stacked one on top of the other. The structure of the filter 2 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-153722, so a detailed description of the structure of the filter 2 will be omitted in this specification.

As shown in Figures 3 to 6, a support wall 121 and two guide walls 122 are formed on the inner surface of the side wall 12A and the inner surface of the side wall 12C opposite the side wall 12A. The support wall 121 protrudes inward from the inner surfaces of the side walls 12A and 12C and extends horizontally. The bottom wall 31 of the inner casing 3 is placed on the support wall 121. The two guide walls 122 protrude inward from the inner surfaces of the side walls 12A and 12C and extend upward from both ends of the support wall 121. The two guide walls 122 guide the inner casing 3 when the inner casing 3 is housed in the outer casing 1, and restrict the movement of the inner casing 3 in the horizontal direction along the side walls 12A and 12C, thereby positioning the inner casing 3 within the outer casing 1.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, a top cover 8 is attached to the upper part of the side walls 12A to 12D.

As shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 6(a), the side wall 12A has an opening 12a penetrating the side wall 12A. The opening 12a is large enough to allow the heater casing 513 (see FIG. 3) of the heater unit 51 to be described later to pass through.

<1-2 Inner casing>
The inner casing 3 will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the inside of the outer casing 1 after the inner casing 3 is installed inside the outer casing 1. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the inside of the outer casing 1 after the heater unit 51 is installed.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner casing 3 has a rectangular bottom wall 31 and four side walls 32 (32A to 32D). The inner casing 3 is rectangular when viewed from the outside. The inner casing 3 is disposed within the outer casing 1 so that there is a gap between the side walls 32 and the side walls 12 of the outer casing 1.

When the cooking device 100 is in use, water is poured into the inner casing 3. This prevents the inner casing 3 from overheating. Furthermore, oil from the ingredients falls into the water inside the inner casing 3, preventing dirt such as oil from adhering directly to the bottom wall 31 and side wall 32 of the inner casing 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 32a is formed in the side wall 32A of the inner casing 3 that faces the side wall 12A of the outer casing 1. The opening 32a faces the opening 12a of the outer casing 1. When the inner casing 3 is housed in the outer casing 1, the opening 32a communicates with the opening 12a. The opening 32a is large enough to allow the heater casing 513 (see FIG. 3) of the heater unit 51, which will be described later, to pass through.

As shown in Figures 4 and 7, a heater bracket 10 for supporting the heater unit 51 is attached to the inner surface of the side wall 32A. The heater bracket 10 has a bottom wall 101 and two side walls 102. The bottom wall 101 is approximately flush with the bottom edge of the opening 32a, extends horizontally, and has an upwardly inclined tip (see Figure 13). As shown in Figure 8, the heater casing 513 of the heater unit 51 is placed on the bottom wall 101. The side walls 102 extend upward from both ends of the bottom wall 101 and are approximately flush with the side edges of the opening 32a.

As shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8, a step portion 321 is provided on the inner surface of side wall 32B and the inner surface of side wall 32D facing side wall 32B. The reflecting member 4 is placed on this step portion 321.

<1-3 Reflective member>
The reflecting member 4 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The reflecting member 4 is made of a material that reflects heat, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. The reflecting member 4 is placed on the step portion 321 of the inner casing 3. A part of the reflecting member 4 is disposed below the heater 511, and reflects the heat radiated downward from the heater 511 toward the food placement member 7. An opening 4a is provided at the bottom of the reflecting member 4. Oil from the food falls through the opening 4a into the water in the inner casing.

<1-4 Food placing member>
The food placement member 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the food placement member 7 is rectangular and is, for example, a net. The food placement member 7 is placed on the step portion 321 of the inner casing 3. More specifically, the reflective member 4 is placed on the step portion 321, and then the food placement member 7 is placed on the reflective member 4.

<1-5 Top cover and top plate>
The top cover 8 and the top plate 9 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The top cover 8 is fixed to the upper end of the outer casing 1. The top cover 8 has a step portion 81, and the top plate 9 is placed on the step portion 81.

The top plate 9 has a side wall 91 and an upper wall 92.

The side wall 91 has multiple through holes 91a. The through holes 91a communicate with the gap between the side wall 12 of the outer casing 1 and the side wall 32 of the inner casing 3. When the exhaust device is activated, smoke generated from the food being cooked is sucked into the through holes 91a. The smoke then flows downward through the gap between the side wall 12 and the side wall 32. This prevents smoke from rising from the food placement member 7.

The upper wall 92 has a number of through holes 92a formed therein. The through holes 92a are located closer to the side wall 12 of the outer casing 1 than the through holes 91a. The through holes 92a also communicate with the gap between the side wall 12 of the outer casing 1 and the side wall 32 of the inner casing 3. When the exhaust device is operated, outside air is sucked in through the through holes 92a. The outside air then flows downward through the gap between the side wall 12 and the side wall 32.

By drawing in outside air from the through-hole 92a, the outside air cools the upper wall 92, preventing it from overheating. This prevents the eater from getting burned. Also, because the through-hole 92a is located closer to the side wall 12 than the through-hole 91a, the outside air drawn in from the through-hole 92a flows closer to the inner surface of the side wall 12 than the smoke drawn in from the through-hole 91a. Therefore, the outside air drawn in from the through-hole 92a prevents smoke containing oil from coming into direct contact with the inner surface of the side wall 12, reducing the adhesion of dirt to the inner surface of the side wall 12.

<1-6 Heater structure>
Next, a description will be given of the heater structure 5. As described above, the heater structure 5 is composed of the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52.

<1-6-1 Heater unit>
First, the heater unit 51 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9(a) is a perspective view showing a partial internal structure of the heater unit 51, and Fig. 9(b) is a perspective view showing a partial internal structure of the heater unit 51 as viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 9(a).

As shown in FIG. 9, the heater unit 51 includes a plurality of heaters 511 (three in this embodiment), a pair of first terminals 512, a heater casing 513, and a first insulator 514. Note that in FIGS. 9(a) and (b), the top surface of the heater casing 513 is omitted in order to clearly show the internal structure of the heater casing 513.

The heater 511 is a resistance heating type heater that generates heat by passing a current through a resistor. The heater 511 includes a heat generating portion 5111 and a lead wire 5112. The heat generating portion 5111 and the lead wire 5112 are electrically connected. The heat generating portion 5111 has a nichrome wire inside, and generates heat by the current sent from the lead wire 5112. The magnitude of the current flowing through the heat generating portion 5111 can be adjusted by the control unit.

The heater 511 may be, for example, a cartridge heater or a sheath heater. In this specification, a cartridge heater means a heater in which the heat generating part is covered by a sheath and two lead wires extend from only one end of the heat generating part. In this specification, a sheath heater means a heater in which the heat generating part is covered by a sheath and two lead wires extend from both ends of the heat generating part, one on each side. In this embodiment, three cartridge type heaters 511 are arranged in parallel.

The heater casing 513 is made of a magnetic material such as ferritic or martensitic stainless steel, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Three through holes are formed in the approximate center in the vertical direction of one wall portion 5131 of the heater casing 513, through which the three heating portions 5111 can pass. The opposite side of the wall portion 5131 has no wall portion and is open.

The heater 511, first terminal 512, and first insulator 514 are inserted into the heater casing 513 through the opening of the heater casing 513 in an assembled state. The heat generating portion 5111 passes through a through hole provided in the wall portion 5131 and extends outside the heater casing 513. The lead wire 5112, first terminal 512, and first insulator 514 are arranged inside the heater casing 513. The heater 511 is then fixed to the wall portion 5131, completing the heater unit 51. The heater 511 is arranged approximately in the center in the vertical direction of the heater casing 513, and the heater unit 51 is symmetrical from top to bottom. This allows the heater unit 51 to be used upside down.

Two through holes are formed in the first insulator 514. A pair of first terminals 512 are inserted into the two through holes of the first insulator 514, respectively, and are fixed to the first insulator 514 so as not to move. Each first terminal 512 is made of a conductive material such as a metal. The length of each first terminal 512 is greater than the thickness of the first insulator 514. Thus, both ends of each first terminal 512 extend from the first insulator 514. Each first terminal 512 has a first portion 5121 extending from the first insulator 514 to the heater 511 side, and a second portion 5122 extending from the first insulator 514 on the opposite side to the first portion 5121.

The lead wires 5112 of the heaters 511 are electrically connected to the first portion 5121 of the first terminal 512. In this embodiment, the lead wires 5112 of the three heaters 511 are connected to the first terminal 512 so that the three heaters 511 are connected in parallel.

The second portion 5122 of the first terminal 512 contacts the first surface 5251a (see FIG. 12(c)) of the second terminal 525 described later. The tip of the second portion 5122 has a smaller diameter than the first surface 5251a and is tapered.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the heater unit 51 with the heater cover 6 attached. As shown in Figure 10, the heater cover 6 covers the heater unit 51 and protects it. The heater cover 6 is preferably detachably attached to the heater unit 51. The heater cover 6 includes a casing cover 61 that covers the heater casing 513, and a plurality of heat generating portion covers 62 that cover a plurality of heat generating portions 5111. For example, the heater cover 6 is preferably made of a highly thermally conductive material, such as a metal such as stainless steel.

The casing cover 61 comprises a first part 611 and a second part 612. The first part 611 is disposed on the heater casing 513 and covers the part of the upper surface of the heater casing 513 that is exposed inside the inner casing 3 when the heater unit 51 is connected to the connector unit 52. The second part 612 covers the wall part 5131 of the heater casing 513.

The multiple heat generating unit covers 62 are provided in the same number as the heat generating units 5111. The multiple heat generating unit covers 62 extend from the casing cover 61, are positioned above each heat generating unit 5111, and cover the upper surface of each heat generating unit 5111.

<1-6-2 Connector unit>
Next, the connector unit 52 will be described with reference to Figures 6, 7, 11, and 12. Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of the connector unit 52. Figure 12(a) is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit 52, Figure 12(b) is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit 52 as viewed from an angle different from that of Figure 12(a), and Figure 12(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIIc-XIIc in Figure 12(a).

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the connector unit 52 includes a connector casing 521, a second insulator 522, a plurality of permanent magnets 523 (two in this embodiment), a plurality of holding members 524 (two in this embodiment), a pair of second terminals 525, a fixing member 526, and a first elastic member 527.

The connector casing 521 has a central opening 521a provided in the center and side openings 521b provided on both sides of the central opening 521a. The second insulator 522 is fitted into the central opening 521a and fixed to the connector casing 521. The permanent magnets 523 are attached to the holding members 524 one by one. The holding members 524 are fixed to the connector casing 521 with the permanent magnets 523 fitted into the side openings 521b. Thus, the two permanent magnets 523 are arranged one on each side of the second insulator 522.

The connector casing 521 has flanges 5211 at its top and bottom. As shown in FIG. 6, by fixing the flanges 5211 to the outer casing 1, the connector casing 521 (i.e., the connector unit 52) is fixed so as not to move relative to the outer casing 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the connector unit 52 is attached to the outer casing 1, the pair of second terminals 525 are exposed inside the outer casing 1 and the inner casing 3 through the openings 12a and 32a.

The second terminal 525 is made of a conductive material such as metal. As shown in FIG. 12(c), the second terminal 525 is composed of a first portion 5251 and a second portion 5252. The first portion 5251 and the second portion 5252 are, for example, cylindrical. The first portion 5251 has a first surface 5251a that contacts the first terminal 512 and a second surface 5251b opposite to the first surface 5251a. The first surface 5251a is a concave curved surface. The second portion 5252 has a smaller diameter than the first portion 5251 and is integrally formed on the second surface 5251b side of the first portion 5251.

The second insulator 522 has two through holes 5221 formed therethrough. A pair of second terminals 525 are inserted into the two through holes 5221, respectively. Each second terminal 525 is axially slidable within the through holes 5221.

Each through hole 5221 is composed of a first through hole 5221a and a second through hole 5221b that communicates with the first through hole 5221a. The first through hole 5221a has a diameter slightly larger than the first portion 5251 of the second terminal 525. The second through hole 5221b has a diameter smaller than the first portion 5251 of the second terminal 525 and slightly larger than the second portion 5252 of the second terminal 525.

The first portion 5251 of the second terminal 525 is disposed within the first through hole 5221a. The second portion 5252 of the second terminal 525 extends through the first through hole 5221a and the second through hole 5221b.

The overall length of the second terminal 525 is greater than the overall length of the through hole 5221. Therefore, the second portion 5252 extends from the second through hole 5221b to the outside of the second insulator 522. A fixing member 526 for fixing the lead wire is attached to the second portion 5252 extending from the second through hole 5221b. The fixing member 526 is, for example, a nut screwed onto the second portion 5252. The lead wire connected to the second portion 5252 is connected to the control unit, and thus the second terminal 525 is electrically connected to the power source via the control unit.

In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the fixing member 526 is larger than the second through hole 5221b. As a result, the fixing member 526 also functions as a stopper that prevents the second portion 5252 extending from the second through hole 5221b from being completely drawn into the second insulator 522. In other words, when the second terminal 525 moves to the right in FIG. 12(c), the fixing member 526 comes into contact with the second insulator 522, preventing the second terminal 525 from moving further to the right. As a result, a state in which a part of the second portion 5252 extends from the second insulator 522 can be maintained.

12(c), the first through hole 5221a has a larger diameter than the second portion 5252 of the second terminal 525, so there is a gap between the second portion 5252 located in the first through hole 5221a and the inner surface of the first through hole 5221a. The first elastic member 527 is disposed in this gap. In this embodiment, the first elastic member 527 is a coil spring. The second portion 5252 of the second terminal 525 is inserted into the center of the first elastic member 527. The diameter of the first elastic member 527 is larger than the diameter of the second through hole 5221b and is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first portion 5251 of the second terminal 525. Therefore, the first elastic member 527 is sandwiched between the first portion 5251 and the wall portion of the second insulator 522. One end of the first elastic member 527 is in contact with the second surface 5251b of the first portion 5251, and the other end of the first elastic member 527 is in contact with the wall portion of the second insulator 522.

<2. Attachment and detachment of heater unit and connector unit>
Attachment and detachment of the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 before they are connected, and Fig. 13(b) is a cross-sectional view of the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 after they are connected.

First, the case where the heater unit 51 is connected to the connector unit 52 will be described. After removing the food placement member 7 and the heater cover 6, the heater casing 513 of the heater unit 51 is inserted from inside the inner casing 3 into the opening 32a of the inner casing 3 and the opening 12a of the outer casing 1. As shown in FIG. 13(b), the first terminals 512 of the heater unit 51 are brought into contact with the second terminals 525 of the connector unit 52, respectively, and the heater unit 51 is pushed toward the connector unit 52. As a result, the second terminal 525 is pushed in by the first terminal 512. As the second terminal 525 is pushed in, the first elastic member 527 is compressed between the first portion 5251 of the second terminal 525 and the wall portion of the second insulator 522.

The heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 are connected by adhering the heater casing 513 to the permanent magnet 523 of the connector unit 52. The heater casing 513 is placed on the support wall 121 of the heater bracket 10, and the heater 511 is in a horizontal position.

When the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 are connected, the second terminal 525 is constantly pressed toward the first terminal 512 by the restoring force of the compressed first elastic member 527. This maintains electrical contact between the first terminal 512 and the second terminal 525. By turning on the switch of the control unit, a current flows through the heater 511, and the heat generating portion 5111 is heated.

Next, the case of removing the heater unit 51 from the connector unit 52 will be described. After removing the food placement member 7 and the heater cover 6, the heater unit 51 is tilted slightly upward relative to the connector unit 52, and the heater unit 51 comes off from the connector unit 52. In this way, the heater unit 51 can be removed from the connector unit 52.

<3 Features>
In the heater structure 5 of the present invention, when the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 are connected, the second terminal 525 is constantly pressed toward the first terminal 512 by the restoring force of the compressed first elastic member 527. This makes it possible to reliably maintain electrical contact between the first terminal 512 and the second terminal 525 while the cooking device 100 is in use. In other words, it is possible to reliably ensure electrical connection between the heater 511 and the power source while the cooking device 100 is in use.

Because the heater unit 51 and the connector unit 52 are detachably connected, the heater unit 51 can be removed from the connector unit 52 (cooking device 100). This makes it easy to disassemble and clean the cooking device 100, and to repair and replace the heater unit 51. In particular, because the heater casing 513 and the connector casing 521 are detachably connected by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 523, the heater casing 513 and the connector casing 521 can be easily connected and disconnected with a single touch.

As shown in FIG. 13(a), the second portion 5122 of the first terminal 512 has a smaller diameter than the first surface 5251a of the second terminal 525, and the first surface 5251a of the second terminal 525 is a concave curved surface, so that the first terminal 512 maintains contact at the center of the first surface 5251a. In other words, even if the first terminal 512 initially contacts a position offset from the center of the first surface 5251a, the first terminal 512 is guided from the initial contact position to the center of the first surface 5251a by the concave curved surface, and comes into contact with the first surface 5251a at the center of the first surface 5251a. This allows stable contact between the first terminal 512 and the second terminal 525 to be maintained.

Because the heater unit 51 can be used upside down, the upside-down orientation when connecting the heater unit 51 to the connector unit 52 is not limited, making it easier to connect the heater unit 51 to the connector unit 52. In addition, by periodically using the heater unit 51 upside down, the degree of dirt on the surface of the heat generating part 5111 can be evened out, which can slow the progression of corrosion of the heat generating part 5111 caused by dirt and dripping. As a result, the life of the heater unit 51 can be extended.

By providing a portion of the reflecting member 4 below the heater 511, the heat radiated downward from the heater 511 can be reflected toward the food placement member 7. Therefore, the food can be cooked efficiently by the radiant heat from the heater 511.

Providing the heater cover 6 can prevent the heater unit 51 from becoming dirty. That is, the first part 611 of the casing cover 61 can prevent dirt from adhering to the upper surface of the heater casing 513. The second part 612 of the casing cover 61 can prevent dirt from entering the heater casing 513 through a gap between the through hole of the wall part 5131 and the heat generating part 5111. Providing the heat generating part cover 62 can prevent dirt from adhering to the heat generating part 5111, reduce corrosion of the heat generating part 5111 due to salts contained in oil or sauce, and improve the durability of the heat generating part 5111.

[B Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the cooking device 100 and the heater structure 5 of the present invention will be described. The following description will focus on the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. Among the components of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 14(a) is a perspective view of the connector unit 52 and the outer casing 1 before the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1, and Figure 14(b) is a perspective view of the connector unit 52 and the outer casing 1 after the connector unit 52 is installed in the outer casing 1. Figure 15(a) is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit 52, Figure 15(b) is an assembled perspective view of the connector unit 52 seen from a different angle than Figure 15(a), and Figure 15(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVc-XVc in Figure 15(a). Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view explaining how to remove the heater unit 51 from the connector unit 52.

The difference between the first and second embodiments is that in the first embodiment, the connector unit 52 is fixed immovably to the outer casing 1, whereas in the second embodiment, the connector unit 52 is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the outer casing 1.

As shown in FIG. 14, a connector bracket 20 that supports the connector unit 52 is attached to the outer surface of the side wall 12A of the outer casing 1. The connector bracket 20 includes a bottom wall 201 and two opposing side walls 202. The bottom wall 201 is provided below the bottom edge of the opening 12a. The two side walls 202 extend from the bottom wall 201 to above the upper edge of the opening 12a. A through hole 202a is formed in each side wall 202 at a position above the upper edge of the opening 12a. A shaft member 30 for connecting the connector unit 52 to the connector bracket 20 is inserted into the through hole 202a.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a flange 5211 of a connector casing 521 has two opposing side walls, each of which has a through hole 52 11 a formed therein.

As shown in FIG. 14, the connector casing 521 is attached to the connector bracket 20 by aligning the through hole 5211a of the flange 5211 with the through hole 202a of the connector bracket 20 and inserting the shaft member 30 into the through holes 5211a and 202a. In this way, the connector unit 52 is attached to the outer casing 1 via the connector bracket 20 so as to be rotatable around the shaft member 30.

As shown in FIG. 14, a second elastic member 40 is attached to the shaft member 30. The second elastic member 40 is in contact with the outer surface of the side wall 12A of the outer casing 1 and the connector casing 521, and biases the connector unit 52 toward the outer casing 1. The second elastic member 40 is, for example, a torsion spring.

In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the permanent magnet 523 is fixed to the connector casing 521 without using the holding member 524. However, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the permanent magnet 523 may be attached to the holding member 524, and the holding member 524 may be fixed to the connector casing 521.

Referring to FIG. 16, the case of removing the heater unit 51 from the connector unit 52 will be described. After removing the food placement member 7 and the heater cover 6, the heater unit 51 is pulled out slightly into the inner casing 3 and tilted so that the tip of the heater 511 faces upward. The heater unit 51 is twisted upward so as to bend the connection portion between the heater casing 513 and the connector casing 521 (i.e., the adhesive portion between the heater casing 513 and the permanent magnet 523), and the heater unit 51 is removed from the connector unit 52. In this way, the heater unit 51 can be removed from the connector unit 52.

When the magnetic force of the permanent magnet 523 is strong, it may be easier to remove the heater unit 51 from the connector unit 52 by twisting the heater unit 51 upward, as described above. As in the second embodiment, the connector casing 521 is rotatably connected to the outer casing 1, so that the heater unit 51 can be easily rotated diagonally upward, and therefore the heater unit 51 can be easily removed from the connector unit 52.

The connector casing 521 is biased toward the outer casing 1 by the second elastic member 40, so that the heater structure 5 does not wobble and the position of the heater structure 5 can be maintained.

[C. Modification]
A description will be given of modified examples of the cooking device 100 and the heater structure 5. The modified examples shown below can be appropriately combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(1) The outer casing 1, the inner casing 3, the food placement member 7, the top cover 8, and the top plate 9 are not limited to being rectangular and may be, for example, round.

(2) The first terminal 512 may be movable relative to the first insulator 514, and the second terminal 525 may be immovably fixed relative to the second insulator 522. The first elastic member 527 may be disposed within the first insulator 514 and configured to press the first terminal 512 toward the second terminal 525 by a restoring force when compressed.

(3) The permanent magnet 523 may be disposed in the heater casing 513, and the connector casing 521 may be made of a magnetic material. Alternatively, the permanent magnet 523 may be disposed in both the heater casing 513 and the connector casing 521.

100 Cooking device 1 Outer casing 12A Side wall 12a Opening (first opening)
3 Inner casing 32a opening (second opening)
4 Reflecting member 5 Heater structure 51 Heater unit 511 Heater 512 First terminal 513 Heater casing 514 First insulator 52 Connector unit 521 Connector casing 522 Second insulator 5221a First through hole 5221b Second through hole 523 Permanent magnet (connecting member)
525 Second terminal 5251 First portion 5251a First surface (contact surface)
5252 Second portion 527 First elastic member 6 Heater cover 30 Shaft member 40 Second elastic member

Claims (14)

A heater unit for a cooking device, the heater unit being usable in a cooking device in which dirt derived from food may fall onto the heater unit during use of the cooking device,
A first terminal;
a resistance heater electrically connected to the first terminal;
a heater casing disposed at an end of the heater;
Equipped with
The heater unit has a vertically symmetrical shape, and is identical when viewed from above and below, and can be used upside down.
Heater unit. The heater has a rod-like shape.
The heater unit according to claim 1 . The heater has a cylindrical shape.
The heater unit according to claim 2 . A heater unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
a connector unit including a second terminal electrically connected to a power source, the second terminal having a contact surface capable of coming into contact with the first terminal and movable relative to the first terminal;
a connecting member that detachably connects the heater unit and the connector unit;
Equipped with
the heater unit or the connector unit further includes a first elastic member that presses one of the first terminal and the second terminal toward the other when the other is pressed by the first terminal or the second terminal.
Heater structure. The contact surface is a concave curved surface,
A portion of the first terminal that contacts the contact surface is smaller than the contact surface.
The heater structure according to claim 4 . The heater unit can be connected to the connector unit upside down.
The heater structure according to claim 4 or 5 . the connector unit further includes a connector casing that is installable in the cooking appliance and in which the second terminal is disposed,
the connecting member is a permanent magnet disposed in at least one of the heater casing and the connector casing,
At least the other of the heater casing and the connector casing is made of a magnetic material;
the heater casing and the connector casing are bonded together by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, thereby connecting the heater unit and the connector unit.
The heater structure according to any one of claims 4 to 6 . The heater unit further includes a first insulator disposed in the heater casing, the first terminal being fixed to the first insulator,
The connector unit further includes a second insulator disposed within the connector casing;
the second terminal includes a first portion having the contact surface, and a second portion integrally formed on an opposite side to the contact surface and having a smaller diameter than the first portion;
the second insulator includes a first through hole into which the first portion can be inserted, and a second through hole having a smaller diameter than the first portion and into which the second portion can be inserted,
the first portion of the second terminal is disposed within the first through hole and the second portion of the second terminal extends through the first through hole and the second through hole;
the first resilient member is disposed within the first through hole and between the first portion and a wall of the second body;
When the second terminal is pushed in by the first terminal, the first elastic member is compressed between the first portion and a wall portion of the second insulator, and the second terminal is pressed toward the first terminal by a restoring force of the compressed first elastic member.
The heater structure according to claim 7 . A cooking device comprising the heater structure according to any one of claims 4 to 8 . A heater structure including a heater unit, a connector unit, and a connecting member;
An outer casing;
an inner casing housed within the outer casing;
Equipped with
the outer casing includes a side wall having a first opening;
the inner casing includes a side wall having a second opening opposite the first opening;
the connector unit is immovably fixed to an outer surface of the side wall of the outer casing such that the contact surface of the second terminal is exposed through the first opening and the second opening;
the heater unit is inserted into the first opening and the second opening from within the inner casing and is connected to the connector unit ;
The heater unit is a heater unit that can be used in a cooking device in which dirt derived from food ingredients may fall onto the heater unit during use,
A first terminal;
a resistance heater electrically connected to the first terminal;
a heater casing disposed at an end of the heater;
Equipped with
It can be used upside down,
the connector unit is a connector unit including a second terminal electrically connected to a power source, the second terminal having a contact surface capable of contacting the first terminal and being movable relative to the first terminal;
the connecting member detachably connects the heater unit and the connector unit,
the heater unit or the connector unit further includes a first elastic member that presses one of the first terminal and the second terminal toward the other when the other is pressed by the first terminal or the second terminal.
Heating cooker. An outer casing;
an inner casing housed within the outer casing;
A shaft member;
A heater structure including a heater unit, a connector unit, and a connecting member ;
Equipped with
the outer casing includes a side wall having a first opening;
the inner casing includes a side wall having a second opening opposite the first opening;
The heater unit is a heater unit that can be used in a cooking device in which dirt derived from food ingredients may fall onto the heater unit during use,
A first terminal;
a resistance heater electrically connected to the first terminal;
a heater casing disposed at an end of the heater;
Equipped with
It can be used upside down,
The connector unit includes:
A connector unit including a second terminal electrically connected to a power source, the second terminal having a contact surface capable of contacting the first terminal and being movable relative to the first terminal;
the connecting member detachably connects the heater unit and the connector unit,
the heater unit or the connector unit further includes a first elastic member that presses one of the first terminal or the second terminal toward the other when the other is pressed by the first terminal or the second terminal,
the connector unit further includes a connector casing that is installable in the cooking appliance and in which the second terminal is disposed,
the connecting member is a permanent magnet disposed in at least one of the heater casing and the connector casing,
At least the other of the heater casing and the connector casing is made of a magnetic material;
the heater casing and the connector casing are bonded together by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, thereby connecting the heater unit and the connector unit;
the connecting member is a permanent magnet disposed in at least one of the heater casing and the connector casing,
At least the other of the heater casing and the connector casing is made of a magnetic material;
the heater casing and the connector casing are bonded together by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, thereby connecting the heater unit and the connector unit;
the connector unit is pivotably connected to an outer surface of the side wall of the outer casing by the shaft member such that the contact surface of the second terminal is exposed through the first opening and the second opening;
the heater unit is inserted into the first opening and the second opening from within the inner casing and is connected to the connector unit;
Heating cooker. a second elastic member that biases the connector unit toward the outer casing;
The cooking device according to claim 11 . and further comprising a reflecting member at least a portion of which is disposed below the heater and which reflects heat radiated from the heater.
The cooking device according to any one of claims 9 to 12 . Further comprising a heater cover for preventing adhesion of dirt to the heater unit.
The cooking device according to any one of claims 9 to 13 .

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