This application is a U.S. national stage application of PCT/JP2016/084036 filed on Nov. 17, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a cooker including a heater that heats a heating object to be placed on a top plate, and a storage provided in a housing of the cooker.
There have been cookers that each include a top plate provided above a housing of the cooker and heat a heating object to be placed on the top plate. As an example of such a cooker, a cooker has been proposed that includes an article storage provided in a housing of the cooker (see Patent Literature 1, for example).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-276354 (page 6)
The cooker disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a storage in a housing of the cooker. In a state where the cooker is being used, pieces of stuff such as cookware, table ware, and seasonings are stored in the storage. However, Patent Literature 1 gives no consideration for the ease of work in transporting the cooker including the storage and in installing the cooker into a kitchen furniture item.
When a cooker including a storage in a housing of the cooker is transported or installed, the worker usually carries the cooker by holding the left and right of the cooker. In this state, the storage in the housing is empty. Consequently, depending on the arrangement of heating coils and other components included in the cooker, when the worker holds the left and right of the cooker and lifts up the cooker, the weight borne by the worker may be unbalanced. In such a case, the worker may drop the cooker. When the weight borne by the worker is unbalanced, the worker needs to bear such a load at the time of transport and installation. Consequently, the efficiency in the work may be reduced.
The present invention has been conceived in view of the above problems and improves the portability of a cooker including a storage in a housing of the cooker.
A cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a top plate provided with a plurality of cooking zones on any of which a heating object is to be placed, a plurality of heaters each provided to a corresponding one of the plurality of cooking zones, a housing provided below the top plate and accommodating the plurality of heaters, a storage defined by a partition and provided in the housing, a door configured to cover an opening provided at the housing and communicating with the storage, and a storage case attached to the door and stored in the storage. A center of gravity of the cooker is positioned closer to a width-direction center of the housing than a width-direction end of the housing.
According to an above embodiment of the present invention, the portability of the cooker including the storage in the housing of the cooker can be improved.
Embodiments of the cooker according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the following description, terms (such as “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “front”, and “rear”) representing directions and used appropriately for easy understanding are only explanatory, and the present invention is not limited to the directions represented by the terms. In the drawings, the same reference signs denote the same or similar elements, and the reference signs are common throughout this specification. The relative sizes, the shapes, and other details of the elements illustrated in the drawings may be different from the actual ones.
The kitchen furniture item 200 has kitchen storages 202, inside the kitchen furniture item 200, in which pieces of stuff such as cookware and seasonings are to be stored. The kitchen furniture item 200 has, on the front face of the kitchen furniture item 200, kitchen-storage doors 203 that each opens and closes an opening provided at the front face of a corresponding one of the kitchen storages 202. The kitchen-storage doors 203 each have a handhold 204 used as a grip for opening and closing a corresponding one of the kitchen-storage doors 203. When the user pulls one of the handholds 204, a corresponding one of the kitchen-storage doors 203 that is provided with that handhold 204 opens. The kitchen-storage doors 203 may be each allowed to be slid in the depth direction or may be each allowed to be opened and closed about a hinge provided on a lateral portion, the lower portion, or the upper portion of the kitchen-storage door 203. In this specification, the “front face” of the cooker 100 or the “front face” of the kitchen furniture item 200 refers to a face of the cooker 100 or the kitchen furniture item 200 that faces the user.
The cooker 100 has a storage door 22 exposed on the front face of the cooker 100 and that opens and closes an open part at the front face of a storage 20 (see
The cooker 100 includes a cooking zone 3a that is a first cooking zone, a cooking zone 3b that is a second cooking zone, and a cooking zone 3c. The top plate 2 has, on the front or back surface of the top plate 2, indications that are marks representing positions of the cooking zones 3a to 3c on any of which the heating object is to be placed.
The housing 1 accommodates a circuit board 10 on which a drive circuit that is an inverter that supplies a high-frequency current to the first heating coil 6 and the second heating coil 7, a circuit that supplies power to the radiant heater 8, and a control circuit are mounted. The control circuit of the cooker 100 controls the heaters in accordance with inputs made by the user, thereby heating the heating object placed on the top plate 2. The cooker 100 may have a cooking menu for controlling the heating operation in accordance with predetermined control sequences.
An air-sending device 9 is provided in the housing 1 and behind the first heating coil 6. The air-sending device 9 feeds cooling air into the housing 1 and thus cools heat-generating components mounted on the circuit board 10, the first heating coil 6, and the second heating coil 7. The air-sending device 9 according to Embodiment 1 includes a plurality of blades, a motor that rotates the blades, and a casing that accommodates the blades and the motor.
The housing 1 has the storage 20 defined in a substantially cuboid shape. Walls that define the storage 20 in the housing 1 are generically referred to as a partition 21. The storage 20 has an open part at the front face of the storage 20. The open part is opened and closed by the storage door 22.
A box-shaped storage case 23 whose top face is open is connected to the storage door 22. As an opening-and-closing mechanism that supports the storage door 22 and the storage case 23 in such a manner that the storage door 22 and the storage case 23 are allowed to be moved away from and toward the partition 21 that defines the storage 20, Embodiment 1 employs fixed rails 24 and movable rails 25. The pair of left and right fixed rails 24 are each provided on a corresponding one of the left and right inner surfaces of the partition 21 of the storage 20. Likewise, the pair of left and right movable rails 25 are each provided on a lower portion of a corresponding one of the left and right faces of the storage case 23. The movable rail 25 is in engagement with each of the fixed rails 24 in such a manner that the movable rail 25 is allowed to be slid. With opening and closing of the storage door 22, the movable rails 25 move along the fixed rails 24. The storage door 22 and the storage case 23 are held in the storage 20 with the aid of the fixed rails 24 and the movable rails 25 in such a manner that the storage door 22 and the storage case 23 are allowed to be detached from the storage 20. For example, not only the cooking pan 70 to be used in the heating with the cooker 100 but also seasonings and other pieces of stuff are likely to be stored in the storage case 23. For this reason, the storage case 23 is required to be clean. Meanwhile, areas around the cooker 100 tend to become dirty with some food stuff, oil soot, steam, and other similar matter scattered during cooking. When the storage case 23 is allowed to be detached from the storage 20 as in Embodiment 1, the user can easily clean the storage case 23. When the cooker 100 has the cooking menu mentioned above, the capacity of the storage case 23 may be determined in such a manner that a cooking pan to be used for the cooking menu can be stored in the storage case 23. When the storage case 23 is designed to store such a dedicated cooking pan, the ease of work in cooking can be increased.
In the width direction of the housing 1, the storage 20 is positioned in one area across the second facing wall 13 from the other area, whereas the circuit board 10 and the air-sending device 9 are positioned in the other area.
The centers of gravity will be described below. Herein, the center of gravity of the storage 20 will be described as the center of gravity of the whole set of the entirety of the partition 21 defining the storage 20, the storage door 22, and the components (the storage case 23, the fixed rails 24, and the movable rails 25) connected to the storage door 22. The circuit board 10 includes a substrate 10a, and an inverter 10b mounted on the substrate 10a and that drives the first heating coil 6 and the second heating coil 7. The substrate 10a carries circuits and components, as well as the inverter 10b. As a matter of convenience, the center of gravity of the circuit board 10 will be described on the premise that the circuit board 10 is made of the inverter 10b and the substrate 10a, which are each a component having a relatively large mass. Furthermore, although the air-sending device 9 may be integrally provided with an intake duct and a blowing duct as required, the center of gravity of the air-sending device 9 will be described on the premise that, as a matter of convenience, the air-sending device 9 is made of a plurality of blades, a motor that rotates the blades, and a casing that accommodates the blades and the motor.
In
Thus, the centers of gravity of the storage 20 and the set of the air-sending device 9 and the circuit board 10 that are each provided to one cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 are each positioned in a corresponding one of two areas that are across the center line L1 from each other. Consequently, it is easy to set the center of gravity of the cooker 100 as a whole at a position close to the width-direction center of the housing 1. As the center of gravity of the cooker 100 as a whole is positioned close to the width-direction center of the housing 1, the weight borne by the worker when the worker holds the left and right of the cooker 100 is well-balanced in the lateral direction. The portability of the cooker 100 can be improved, accordingly. Consequently, the ease of transport of the cooker 100 and the ease of work at the time of installation of the cooker 100 can be made better.
Herein, the center of gravity of the cooker 100 refers to the center of gravity of the cooker 100 that is in a state ready to be carried for transport or installation. In Embodiment 1, the center of gravity of the cooker 100 is regarded as the center of gravity of the cooker 100 in a state where all of the components, including the partition 21 of the storage 20, the storage door 22, the storage case 23, the fixed rails 24, and the movable rails 25, necessary for performing the normal heating operation (all of the elements of the cooker 100 illustrated in
As illustrated in
As the positional relationship among the center of gravity G1 of the cooker 100 and the heaters, the center of gravity G1 of the cooker 100 is positioned between the centers of two of the plurality of heaters that are each positioned at a corresponding one of the width-direction ends of the housing 1, that is, between the center line L2 of the first heating coil 6 and the center line L3 of the second heating coil 7.
As the positional relationship among the heaters and the storage 20, at least part of the storage 20 is positioned between the centers of two of the plurality of heaters that are each positioned at a corresponding one of the width-direction ends of the housing 1, that is, between the center line L2 of the first heating coil 6 and the center line L3 of the second heating coil 7.
The partition 21 that defines the storage 20 may be made of metal, and the substrate 10a of the circuit board 10 may be made of a material having a smaller specific gravity than a specific gravity of metal. In the configuration illustrated in
Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the number of storages provided in the housing 1. Embodiment 2 will be described below, focusing on the difference from Embodiment 1.
The storage 20 and accessory components of the storage 20 have the same configuration as the configuration of the storage 20A and accessory components of the storage 20A. Consequently, the center of gravity of a set of the storage 20 and the storage 20A is positioned at substantially the width-direction center of the housing 1. Hence, the center of gravity of the set of the storage 20 and the storage 20A is less likely to adversely affect the balance of the weight borne by the worker when the worker holds the left and right of the cooker 100A.
When each of the centers of gravity of associated elements included in the cooker 100A is seen in the height direction of the housing 1, the center of gravity of each of the first heating coil 6, the second heating coil 7, the radiant heater 8, the air-sending device 9, and the circuit board 10 is positioned above the height-direction center of the housing 1. Furthermore, the center of gravity of each of the storage 20 and the storage 20A is positioned below the height-direction center of the housing 1. As the centers of gravity of major elements of the cooker 100A are each provided to a corresponding one of one portion and the other portion in the height direction as described above, the ease of transport and the ease of installation of the cooker 100A can be increased.
In Embodiment 2 as well, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the cooker 100A be positioned closer to the width-direction center of the housing 1 than the width-direction ends (the left and right ends) of the housing 1. In Embodiment 2, the storage 20 and the storage 20A having substantially the same configuration and substantially the same size are laterally arranged in the width direction of the housing 1. Consequently, it is easy to set the center of gravity of the set of the storage 20 and the storage 20A at a position close to the width-direction center of the housing 1. Thus, it is easy to set the center of gravity of the cooker 100A at a position close to the width-direction center of the housing 1 by adjusting the positions of the components provided above the storage 20A. As the center of gravity of the cooker 100A is set close to the width-direction center of the housing 1 as described above, the weight borne by the worker when the worker holds the left and right of the cooker 100A is well-balanced in the lateral direction. The portability of the cooker 100A can be improved, accordingly. Consequently, the ease of transport of the cooker 100 and the ease of work at the time of installation of the cooker 100 can be made better.
Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in the shape of the storage provided in the housing 1. Embodiment 3 will be described below, focusing on the difference from Embodiment 1.
As illustrated in
Furthermore, the center of gravity of a set of the first heating coil 6, the second heating coil 7, the radiant heater 8, the air-sending device 9, and the circuit board 10 is positioned above the height-direction center of the housing 1, whereas the center of gravity of the storage 20B is positioned below the height-direction center of the housing 1. As the centers of gravity of major elements of the cooker 100B are each provided to a corresponding one of one portion and the other portion in the height direction as described above, the ease of transport and the ease of installation of the cooker 100B can be increased.
In Embodiment 3 as well, it is preferable that the center of gravity of the cooker 100B be positioned closer to the width-direction center of the housing 1 than the width-direction ends (the left and right ends) of the housing 1. In Embodiment 3, the storage 20B has a width that is substantially the same as the inside dimension of the housing 1 in the width direction. Consequently, it is easy to set the center of gravity of the storage 20B at a position close to the width-direction center of the housing 1. Thus, it is easy to set the center of gravity of the cooker 100B at a position close to the width-direction center of the housing 1 by adjusting the positions of the components provided above the storage 20B. As the center of gravity of the cooker 100B is set close to the width-direction center of the housing 1 as described above, the weight borne by the worker when the worker holds the left and right of the cooker 100B is well-balanced in the lateral direction. The portability of the cooker 100B can be improved, accordingly. Consequently, the ease of transport of the cooker 100 and the ease of work at the time of installation of the cooker 100 can be made better.
Embodiment 4 employs a configuration in which a storage provided in the housing 1 can selectively house a storage case or a heater unit including a heating chamber. Embodiment 4 will be described below, focusing the difference from Embodiment 2. A state where a cooker 100C according to Embodiment 4 is accommodated in the kitchen furniture item 200 is the same as the state illustrated in
The cooker 100C includes a non-illustrated power-feeding mechanism that feeds power to the upper heater 33 and the lower heater 34 of the heater unit 30. In a state where the heater unit 30 is accommodated in the storage 20A, contact points of the power-feeding mechanism are electrically connected to contact points of the upper heater 33 and the lower heater 34 in such a manner that power is fed to the upper heater 33 and the lower heater 34.
A pair of left and right movable rails 35 are each provided at a lower portion of a corresponding one of the left and right outer surfaces of the heater case 31. The movable rail 35 is in engagement with each of the fixed rails 24 provided on the partition 21B of the storage 20A in such a manner that the movable rail 35 is allowed to be slid. The movable rails 35 are configured to be detached from and attached to the fixed rails 24A. The heater case 31 is provided, on the front portion of the heater case 31, with a substantially flat plate-like heater-case door 36. The heater-case door 36 opens and closes the open part at the front face of the storage 20A, as with the storage door 22A.
The heater case 31 of the heater unit 30 configured as described above can store and heat, as illustrated in
Embodiment 4 can produce the same advantageous effects as those produced by Embodiment 2. Furthermore, as the heater unit 30 that is storable in the storage 20A is employed, the flexibility in cooking by the user can be improved. Consequently, the ease of use of the cooker 100C can be increased.
A heat-insulating layer may be provided between the storage 20A that accommodates the heater unit 30 and the storage 20 adjacent to the storage 20A. The heat-insulating layer in such a case may be an air layer provided in a gap between two flat plate-like parts. Instead of the air layer or in addition to the air layer, a heat-insulating material may be provided. The heat-insulating material may be, for example, a synthetic resin material, a rubber-based or urethane-based closed-cell foam material, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, and any of other similar materials. In such a case, the heat-insulating characteristic of the storage 20 against the heat generated by the heater unit 30 is improved, and the rise of the temperature in the storage 20 can be reduced. The deterioration of the pieces of stuff in the storage 20 due to the heat can be reduced, accordingly. Furthermore, an odd feeling and an uncomfortable feeling that may occur to the user because of the heat transmitted to the user when the storage door 22 of the storage 20 is opened can be reduced.
While Embodiment 4 employs two storages 20 and 20A, another configuration in which the heater unit 30 is storable in the storage 20 or 20B described in Embodiment 1 or 3 may be employed.
While Embodiments 1 to 4 each employ a built-in-type cooker whose housing 1 is to be accommodated in an accommodating portion provided in a kitchen furniture item 200, the present invention may also be applied to a stand-alone-type cooker.
1 housing 2 top plate 3a cooking zone 3b cooking zone 3c cooking zone 6 first heating coil 7 second heating coil 8 radiant heater 9 air-sending device 10 circuit board 10a substrate 10b inverter 11 coil-cooling duct 12 first facing wall 13 second facing wall 20 storage 20A storage 20B storage 21 partition 21A partition 21B partition 22 storage door 22A storage door 22B storage door 23 storage case 23A storage case 23B storage case 24 fixed rail 24A fixed rail 24B fixed rail 25 movable rail 25A movable rail 25B movable rail 30 heater unit 31 heater case 32 lid part 33 upper heater 34 lower heater 35 movable rail 36 heater-case door 70 cooking pan 100 cooker 100A cooker 100B cooker 100C cooker 200 kitchen furniture item 201 top board 202 kitchen storage 203 kitchen-storage door 204 handhold G1 center of gravity G2 center of gravity G3 center of gravity L1 center line L2 center line L3 center line
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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JP2016-149833 | Jul 2016 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2016/084036 | 11/17/2016 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2018/020700 | 2/1/2018 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country |
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H11-276354 | Oct 1999 | JP |
2011-004988 | Jan 2011 | JP |
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Entry |
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Office Action dated Oct. 1, 2019 issued in corresponding JP patent application No. 2018-529349 (and English translation). |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20190137111 A1 | May 2019 | US |