JP2010078243A - Heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heating cooker including a steam generating device capable of directly pouring the water into a steam generation container as needed without utilizing a power source, being inexpensively manufactured with a simple constitution, and easily performing a water pouring operation. <P>SOLUTION: This heating cooker includes the steam generating device 6 for supplying the steam into a heating chamber 2 for heating food received therein, the steam generating device 6 includes the steam generation container 11 disposed outside of the heating chamber 2 and capable of storing water, and a heater 12 for evaporating the water in the steam generation container 11, and the water is poured from a filling port 16 positioned at an upper portion with respect to the steam generation container 11 to supply the water into the steam generation container 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooking device for cooking food with steam.

  In recent years, several different heating means are provided for cooking foods, one of which is provided with steam generating means, and the food to be cooked is cooked mainly or supplementarily with steam, so-called Steam cooking (also called steam cooking) is possible. By making this steaming cooking possible, it is possible to expect the convenience that the repertoire of the cooking menu is expanded, or the food can be cooked with good finish by preventing over-drying of the food. For this reason, it is demanded that a cooking device equipped with this type of steam generating means be widely spread to general households.

However, as a conventional steam generating means, for example, a steam generating container provided with a heater, a feed water pump for feeding water to the steam generating container, a feed water tank connected to the feed water pump, and the like are provided (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2006-38315 A JP 2004-278853 A

  Thus, in the general steam generating means having the above-described configuration, the water supply pump is driven at the time of use, and the water in the water supply tank is automatically and appropriately fed into the steam generation container. It has sex. However, this configuration requires a detachable (cartridge type) water tank that injects water and connects to the water pump every time it is used in addition to the water pump, and the installation location must be secured. Increases in production costs are unavoidable due to increased points and assembly man-hours. For this reason, it is difficult to provide an inexpensive cooking device that is equipped with this kind of steam generating means to increase convenience, and has been a subject of widespread use.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention makes it possible to inject water directly into the steam generation container when necessary without using a power source such as a water supply pump, and can be manufactured at a low cost with a simple configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking device equipped with a steam generator having many conveniences such as easy operation.

In order to achieve the above object, a heating cooker according to the present invention includes a casing that forms an outer shell, a heating chamber that heats food that is formed and stored in the casing, and steam generation that supplies steam to the heating chamber. And a device comprising:
The steam generator is provided outside the heating chamber, and includes a steam generation container capable of storing water, and a heater for vaporizing water in the steam generation container,
In order to supply water into the steam generation container, water is injected from a water inlet provided above the steam generation container (invention of claim 1).

  According to the above means, it is possible to simplify the overall configuration including the steam generator by providing water supply means that does not require a power source, and can provide a cooking device equipped with the steam generator at a low cost. Convenience can be enjoyed widely by ordinary households. In addition, it is possible to provide a practical cooking device such that water can be supplied to the steam generation container by a simple operation of pouring into the water inlet.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal front view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of the heating cooker, FIG. 2 is a front view showing the entire configuration of the heating cooker in an open state, and FIG. 3 is a so-called steamed cooking using steam. It is a flowchart which shows the basic control content. First, a schematic configuration of the entire heating cooker will be described with reference to FIG. 2. A heating chamber 2 having a rectangular box shape with the front surface being open is provided inside a casing 1 having a rectangular box shape forming an outer shell. A door 3 provided to open and close the front opening is provided to be rotatable.

  However, the peripheral wall forming the heating chamber 2 is composed of a ceiling wall 2a, a bottom wall 2b, a left side wall 2c, a right side wall 2d, and a back wall 2e, of which the upper heater 4 and the bottom wall are located on the ceiling wall 2a side. A lower heater 5 is provided on the 2b side. The upper and lower heaters 4 and 5 are, for example, those obtained by winding a heater coil around a flat mica plate, or a bent sheathed heater. And as a steam generation means in a present Example, the steam generator 6 is provided in the left side wall 2c side, and it can supply a vapor | steam in the heating chamber 2 from the several steam ejection opening 7, The details Will be described later.

  In addition, an operation panel 8 is provided in front of the heating chamber 2 on the right side. As is well known, a cooking menu and cooking conditions can be set and selected, and a display unit is provided. The input setting by the operation panel 8 is input to the control device 9 arranged on the back side, and the cooking is controlled according to a preset program. A space surrounded by the right side wall 2d of the heating chamber 2 and the housing 1 is formed as a machine room 10 behind the operation panel 8, and the heating chamber 2 is irradiated with microwaves (not shown). It has a magnetron, a high-frequency transformer and a cooling fan.

  Here, the specific configuration of the steam generator 6 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 in particular. The steam generator 6 includes a steam generation container 11 and a heater 12 for heating water and generating steam. The steam generation container 11 has, for example, a rectangular bottomed container shape with an open upper surface, which is formed to have a thickness made of aluminum die casting excellent in thermal conductivity, and the heater 12 is embedded at the bottom. . Therefore, the steam generation container 11 can store water, and when the heater 12 is energized, the steam generation container 11 is heated directly while heating the steam generation container 11. Incidentally, FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which a predetermined amount of water is stored in the steam generation container 11.

  However, a cover member 13 that covers a predetermined space is airtightly attached to the open top portion of the steam generation container 11, and one side wall of the cover member 13 is on the outer wall side (outdoor side of the left side wall 2 c). ), Corresponding to the ejection ports 7 (hereinafter referred to as the first ejection ports 7) of the side wall 2c, and having the same number of second ejection ports 14 communicating in a substantially airtight state. Yes. Therefore, the steam generation container 11 having the heater 12 is positioned outside the left side wall 2c and is fixedly mounted via a mounting means (not shown).

  Such a water supply means to the steam generator 6 is specifically a water supply means to the steam generation container 11, but this can inject water from the outside of the housing 1 as shown in FIG. The water can be directly injected into the steam generation container 11. That is, one end of the water supply pipe 15 is connected to the upper side wall of the steam generation container 11, and the other end extends upward and the cross section formed on the upper surface of the housing 1 communicates with the water inlet 16 having a funnel shape. It is connected. The open surface of the upper surface of the water injection port 16 is closed by a lid 17 so as to be openable and closable. When used, the lid 17 is opened as shown by a two-dot chain line, so that water can be injected through the measuring cup 18, for example. The steam generator 6 is provided with temperature detecting means for temperature control. Specifically, a temperature sensor 19 composed of a thermistor is embedded in the steam generating container 11, and a control in which a detection signal of this measured temperature is input. The apparatus 9 performs heating cooking based on temperature control according to a predetermined program.

Next, the operation of the cooking device configured as described above will be described.
After the food and food before cooking (hereinafter simply referred to as food) are stored in the heating chamber 2, the operation panel 8 sets the cooking conditions such as a desired cooking menu and setting of the heating source, and starts operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, grill cooking using the upper and lower heaters 4 and 5 as a heating source, microwave cooking using a magnetron (not shown) as a heating source, and steaming cooking using the steam generator 6 as a heating source are selectively performed. Executed. However, steam cooking by the steam generator 6 can be performed alone or in combination with other heating sources as described above, such as “chawanmushi”, “warm meat”, “final baking during bread making” It is suitable for each cooking menu such as “steamed cooking performed in the previous stage”.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when steam cooking is performed by the steam generator 6, a predetermined amount of water corresponding to the cooking menu is supplied and stored in the steam generation container 11 in advance before cooking is started. . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the water inlet 16 with the lid 17 opened using the measuring cup 18. The poured water is immediately fed into the steam generating container 11 and stored by natural water feeding due to a height drop through the water feeding pipe 15.

  Hereinafter, the basic control contents of steam cooking will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. After the operation is started, the steam generation container 11 starts to be heated by the heater 12, and the water in the steam generation container 11 is heated. Steam is generated and steaming cooking is started (step S1). In this case, the steam generator 6 is normally controlled to a heating temperature suitable for steam cooking by the control device 9, but the description thereof is omitted.

  And while such steaming cooking is performed for the predetermined time, it is determined whether the temperature t0 which the steam generation apparatus 6 detected with the temperature sensor 19 reached more than predetermined temperature T0 preset (step S2). ). This predetermined temperature T0 is set to a high temperature assuming an empty state where there is no water in the steam generation container 11, for example, and is used as a reference for temperature determination in a so-called abnormality. Therefore, steam cooking without abnormality is continued based on “NO” determination that does not normally reach the predetermined temperature T0. This temperature monitoring system is repeatedly executed as appropriate while steam cooking is performed, although not particularly shown.

  Therefore, it is determined as “NO” in step S2, and the steaming cooking ends when a predetermined time elapses after the cooking is started (step S3). However, in this embodiment, the heater 12 is energized for a predetermined time without completing the entire operation (step S4). This is for the purpose of preventing water from remaining in the steam generation container 11 so as not to cause a problem in the water injection amount (water storage amount) for the next cooking by evaporating the remaining water. In addition, the actual amount of water injection is often slightly larger, and there is a strong tendency for water to remain after cooking. Thus, when the residual water treatment control is finished, the entire operation of the cooking device is stopped here (step S5).

  By the way, as described in the previous step S2, steam generation by the heater 12 occurs when steam cooking is inadvertently forgotten to start water pouring or when the amount of water pouring for cooking is insufficient. The heating temperature t0 of the container 11 rises rapidly and reaches a temperature exceeding the predetermined temperature T0 (t0> T0). Then, in this case, based on the “YES” determination, the process proceeds to step S 6, and a warning is given by a ringing buzzer (not shown) or a warning lamp provided on the operation panel 8.

  In response to this warning, the user replenishes water. When water is injected from the water injection port 16, the water descends the water supply pipe 15 and is immediately supplied and stored in the steam generation container 11. Therefore, it is heated by the steam generation container 11 that has already been heated, and steam is quickly generated, and the temperature of the steam generation container 11 rapidly decreases due to the replenished water. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature t1 of the steam generator 6 at this time has become equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (step S7). Here, since water is replenished, the temperature becomes equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1 (t1 <T1). ), The process returns to the previous step S2 after receiving the “YES” determination, and steam is immediately generated by the steam generation container 11 in the heated state, and is spouted into the heating chamber 2 to promote the actual steam cooking.

  However, if water is not replenished even if an alarm is issued in step S6, the temperature is still maintained at a high temperature exceeding the predetermined temperature T1 in step S7, so that all operations are performed based on the determination of “NO”. It stops (step S5).

  In actuality, when steaming cooking is started, the temperature in the heating chamber 2 is usually raised in advance and the operation is controlled so that the supplied steam acts effectively. Fine control is performed such as starting the supply of steam after preheating to a suitable temperature using the upper and lower heaters 4, 5, etc., but the description thereof is also omitted.

As described above, the first embodiment has the following effects.
A steam generator 6 is provided outside the heating chamber 2, and water is supplied to the steam generator container 11 constituting the steam generator 6 on the upper surface of the casing 1 located above the steam generator container 11. Water can be poured from the water port 16 and, for example, a predetermined amount of water corresponding to the cooking menu is injected using the measuring cup 18. However, the water from the water injection port 16 is naturally fed from the water injection port 16 to the lower steam generation container 11 through the water supply pipe 15 based on the difference in height, and is quickly supplied and stored in the steam generation container 11. The

  As described above, the water supply to the steam generation container 11 which is a water supply means can be easily poured from the outside of the housing 1 and can be detachable from a power means such as a water pump or the like (conventional type). ) And a water storage tank are not required, and the steam generator 6 can be provided with a simple configuration. Therefore, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps can be greatly reduced, and a cooking device having various conveniences by the steam generator 6 can be provided at low cost. In addition, if there is no difficulty in securing the installation space for the water pump and the detachable water storage tank, the steam generating container 11 is provided outside the heating chamber 2, so that the volume of the heating chamber 2 may be reduced. Absent.

  On the other hand, as temperature control of the steam generating device 6 by the control device 9, as disclosed based on FIG. 3, when the temperature sensor 19 detects a predetermined temperature T0 or more after the start of steaming cooking (step S2), an alarm is issued. Therefore (step S6), the user can easily know that the user is in an abnormal state and can quickly execute the countermeasure. For example, if the alarm is due to forgetting to add water to the steam generating container 11 or a small amount of water, it is possible to immediately return to the original steam cooking mode by replenishing water and stop halfway The desired steaming cooking can be executed without incurring problems such as. Of course, even if the countermeasure cannot be taken, since the continuous high temperature state is monitored (step S7), when the temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature T1 ("NO" determination), all operations are stopped. Safety is ensured.

  By the way, in the supply of water to the steam generation container 11, it is predicted that there will be many cases where a slightly larger amount of water is supplied in actual operation. This is to prevent so-called emptying due to water shortage. As a result, water may remain in the steam generation container 11 even after steam cooking is completed. Therefore, in this embodiment, after cooking is finished, the heater 12 is energized for a certain period of time to heat the steam generating container 11, and the remaining water is evaporated (step S4). Thereby, the amount of water stored in the steam generation container 11 becomes excessive due to water injection at the time of performing the next steaming cooking, and it is possible to avoid problems such as delay in steam generation, for example.

In the above embodiment, the heater 12 is energized for a certain period of time and the remaining water is treated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the heater 12 is energized after cooking and the heated steam generating container 11 reaches a predetermined temperature. It is possible to use a temperature control means that promotes vaporization and cuts off energization of the heater 12, and the same effect as described above can be expected.
Further, since the water pipe 15 is connected to the upper part of the side wall of the steam generation container 11, it is advantageous in that it is difficult for the generated steam to enter the side water pipe 15 side. A configuration in which the cover member 13 is connected in communication is also possible.

  4 and 5 show the second embodiment of the present invention and its modification, and the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same parts as those in the first embodiment. Omitted and different points will be described.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the water injection port 16 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 1 in the first embodiment, but water can be injected from the inside of the heating chamber 2.

  The water injection port 20 in the second embodiment is provided at the upper part of the steam generating container 11, specifically, is formed on the left side wall 2 c of the heating chamber 2 and is located above the first ejection port 7. It is comprised from the through-hole 21 and the shallow dish-shaped water receiving part 22 addressed to the lower part. And in the outdoor side of the heating chamber 2, the upper end part of the water supply pipe | tube 15 is connected to the through-hole 21, and it is comprised in the communication state with the steam generation container 11 to which the lower end part was connected.

  According to the said structure, water can be supplied and stored in the steam generation container 11 by pouring water using the measuring cup 18 from the inside of the heating chamber 2. FIG. In this case, the water receiver 22 prevents water leakage at the time of water injection, and functions effectively as a water guide to the through hole 21 to facilitate water injection operation.

  However, since the water injection port 16 of the first embodiment is provided outside the housing 1, there is a possibility that foreign matter may enter, but since the water injection port 20 of this embodiment is disposed inside the heating chamber 2, In particular, it is not necessary to provide the lid 17 and the water injection operation from the inside of the heating chamber 2 can be easily performed.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide the water supply means (water injection port 16 etc.) with respect to the steam generator 6 in the housing | casing 23 of a present Example, it can provide with a simpler structure without the possibility of damaging an external appearance design easily, In addition, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment are obtained.

  The water injection port 20 does not necessarily require the water receiving portion 22, and supports the water outlet portion (projecting shape) by the measuring cup 18 by devising, for example, increasing the opening shape of the through hole 21. However, water can be injected.

<Modification>
FIG. 5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a modification to the second embodiment, and is therefore particularly similar to FIG. 4 corresponding to the structure of the water injection port 24 for injecting water from the inside of the heating chamber 2. The water supply pipe 15 required in the above embodiment is unnecessary, that is, the water supply means of the steam generator 6 is further simplified.

  That is, the water receiving portion 25 extending obliquely upward is provided from the lower portion of the first outlet 7 of the heating chamber 2. Therefore, in the water injection operation, water is poured so that the measuring cup 18 is directed to the water receiving portion 25, and then flows into the first outlet 7 located at the lower part thereof. The inflowing water is supplied and stored in the steam generation container 11 immediately after passing through the second ejection port 14 of the cover member 13.

  According to the above configuration, in addition to the operational effects of the second embodiment, the water injection port 24 is configured by using the first injection port 7 which is a vapor injection port. No drilling is required. Moreover, since the water poured into the first outlet 7 is directly received and stored in the steam generation container 11 on the outdoor side, the water pipe 15 described in each of the above embodiments is not necessary, The means for supplying water to the steam generator 6 is greatly improved, and can be further simplified, and can be provided at low cost.

  In this modified example, the water injection port 24 is composed of the first jet port 7 and the water receiving portion 25. As in the above embodiment, one of the first jet ports 7 is connected to the measuring cup. A configuration in which the separate water receiving portion 25 is omitted, for example, by making it easy to receive water from 18 is also possible.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to each Example shown above and shown in drawing, The shape and structure of the steam generation container provided with the heater which comprises a steam generator, the cover member which covered the upper surface open part, and steam The specific structure of the spray outlet can be appropriately modified and implemented, and the steam generator is not limited to be arranged on the left side wall side of the heating chamber. Various changes can be made.

The longitudinal front view which shows schematic structure of the principal part of the heating cooker which shows 1st Example of this invention. The front view which shows the whole structure of the heating cooker of a door open state Flow chart showing steam cooking control content FIG. 1 equivalent view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 equivalent view showing a modification

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 and 23 are housings, 2 is a heating chamber, 6 is a steam generation device, 7 is a first ejection port (ejection port), 8 is an operation panel, 9 is a control device, and 11 is a steam generation container. , 12 is a heater, 13 is a cover member, 15 is a water pipe, 16, 22 and 24 are water inlets, 18 is a measuring cup, and 19 is a temperature sensor (temperature detecting means).

Claims (7)

A housing forming an outer shell,
A heating chamber for heating the food formed and contained in the housing;
A steam generator for supplying steam into the heating chamber,
The steam generator is provided outside the heating chamber, and includes a steam generation container capable of storing water, and a heater for vaporizing water in the steam generation container,
In order to supply water in the said steam generation container, it was set as the structure which inject | poured water from the water inlet provided in the upper part from this steam generation container.   The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet is provided so that water can be injected from outside the housing.   The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the water inlet is provided so that water can be injected from the inside of the heating chamber.   4. The heating cooker according to claim 3, wherein the water injection port is configured to serve also as an ejection port for supplying steam generated from the steam generating container into the heating chamber.   The steam cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the steam generator includes a temperature detection means, and a means for notifying when the temperature detection means detects a predetermined temperature or more is provided. .   The cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the cooking of the food is finished by the steam supplied from the steam generating device, the heater is energized for a predetermined time thereafter.   The heating according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the cooking of the food is terminated by the steam supplied from the steam generator, the heater is energized thereafter until the steam generator reaches a predetermined temperature. Cooking device.

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