Patent Application
20050006382
The present invention relates to a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is adapted to heat-treat an object by combining high-frequency heating and stream-heating.
Conventional high-frequency heating apparatuses are a microwave oven having a high-frequency generator for heating, and a combination oven to which a convection heater for generating hot air in this microwave oven is added. Further, a steamer for heating an object by introducing steam into a heating chamber, and a steam convection oven, in which a convection heater is added to a steamer, are utilized as cooking apparatuses.
When food is cooked by the cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus is controlled to make the finished state of the food the best condition. That is, cooking performed by combining a high-frequency heating technique with a hot-air heating technique, and cooking performed by combining a steam heating technique with a hot-air heating technique are controlled by the steam convection oven. However, the cooking performed by combining the high-frequency heating technique and the steam heating technique troubles a user to transfer the heated food between separate cooking apparatus each used for heat-treating according to a corresponding one of these techniques. There has been developed a cooking apparatus enabled to achieve by itself high-frequency heating, steam heating, and electric heating so as to resolve such inconvenience. This conventional cooking apparatus is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-54-115448.
However, according to the configuration of the conventional cooking apparatus disclosed in JP-A-54-115448, a vaporizing chamber for generating heating steam is embedded in a lower portion of the heating chamber, and adapted to be always supplied with water from a water storage tank maintained at a constant water level. Therefore, it is difficult to perform a daily work of cleaning around the heating chamber. Especially, in the vaporizing chamber, during the process of generating steam, calcium and magnesium contained in water content are condensed, deposited and fixed onto the bottom portion of the vaporizing chamber and in a pipe to thereby reduce an amount of generated steam. Consequently, the conventional cooking apparatus has a problem that the environment of the heating chamber is so unsanitary that the propagation of fungus easily occurs.
Further, although a method of generating steam by using a heating means, such as a boiler, disposed outside the heating chamber and supplying the steam generated therein to the heating chamber is considered as a way of introducing steam into the heating chamber, troubles, such as propagation of saprophytes, breakage due to freeze-up, and contamination by foreign material owing to rust, occur in a pipe for introducing steam. Moreover, the heating means are usually difficult to disassemble and clean. Therefore, it is difficult for a cooking apparatus, which treats food and needs a lot of attention thereto, to employ the method of externally introducing steam.
Furthermore, although it is usual that a temperature sensor, such as an infrared ray sensor, for measuring the temperature of an object to be heated is provided in a cooking apparatus, the infrared ray sensor measures the temperature of suspended steam particles, which are present between the sensor and the object, instead of the temperature of the object. Thus, the temperature of the object cannot be measured. Then, a heating control adapted to operate according to a result of detection of the temperature, which is performed by the infrared ray sensor, does not normally operate. Consequently, troubles, for instance, under heating or overheating occur. Especially, in the case of following a sequential procedure for performing automatic cooking, even when under heating occurs, control advances to the next step without compensation. Thus, the conventional cooking apparatus cannot deal with the underheating problem by simply performing reheating or radiational cooling. Consequently, the cooking may results in failure.
Further, the conventional cooking apparatus has another problem that this apparatus cannot necessarily heat the object by using a heating pattern, which has high heating efficiency, according to the kind of the object and to the temperature conditions thereof in the case where the object is a frozen food or a chilled food, and that thus, along heating time is necessary.
The invention is accomplished in view of the aforementioned circumstances. Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is enabled to easily clean a steam generating portion, to always maintain the steam generating portion in a sanitary condition, to perform proper heating treatment by accurately measuring the temperature of a to-be-heated object, and to enhance the heating efficiency thereof.
To achieve the foregoing object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which heat-treats an object by supplying at least high-frequency waves or steam to a heating chamber that accommodates the object. This high-frequency heating apparatus comprises a high frequency wave generating portion, a steam generating portion for generating steam in the heating chamber, and a circulating fan for agitating air in the heating chamber.
This high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted to generate steam in the heating chamber. Thus, steam can be quickly supplied into the heating chamber. Thus, the efficiency in generating steam can be enhanced. Further, because the steam generating portion is present in the heating chamber, the cleaning of the steam generating portion can be easily performed concurrently with the cleaning of the inside of the heating chamber. Thus, the internal environment of the heating chamber can be always maintained in a sanitary condition. Furthermore, because air of the heating chamber is circulated and agitated by the circulating fan, steam can be uniformly circulated all around the heating chamber, especially, when the steam heating is performed. Thus, the heating efficiency in heating the object can be enhanced. Moreover, steam can be circulated all over the entire heating chamber without being retained. Consequently, the accuracy of measurement of the temperature of the object, which is performed by, for instance, the infrared ray sensor, can be improved. Thus, proper heating treatment can be performed. Further, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be concurrently performed as the heating method. Alternatively, one of the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be individually performed. Alternatively, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be performed in a predetermined order. These ways of performing the heating method can be freely chosen and performed. Thus, an appropriate cooking method can be selected according to the kind of food, and to which of a frozen food and a chilled food the object is. Especially, in the case of employing both the high frequency heating and the steam heating, the rate of rise of temperature can be increased. Thus, quick and efficient cooking is enabled.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function further comprises a chamber air heater for heating air that circulates in the heating chamber.
The second high-frequency heating apparatus of the invention with a steam generating function is adapted so that air circulating in the heating chamber is heated by the chamber air heater. Thus, the temperature of steam can be freely raised. Efficient rise of the temperature of the object is realized owing to the overheated steam by raising the temperature of the steam. Moreover, the rise of the temperature of the steam enables the high-temperature steam to brown the object. Furthermore, when the object is a frozen food, the defrosting of the object can be more efficiently performed.
According to the third aspect of the invention, in the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the steam generating portion has an evaporating dish that is provided in the heating chamber and that has a water storing recess adapted generate steam by being heated.
The third high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that the evaporating dish is disposed in the heating chamber, and that steam is generated by heating water stored in the water storing recess of the evaporating dish. Thus, the cleaning of a part generating steam can be easily performed simultaneously with the cleaning of the inside of the heating chamber. That is, this means that the internal environment of the heating chamber can be always maintained in a sanitary condition because of the fact that although calcium and magnesium contained in water content are sometimes condensed in the process of generating steam and deposited and fixed onto the bottom portion of the evaporating dish, the cleaning of such apart can be easily completed only by removing substances having adhered to the surface of the evaporating dish.
According to fourth aspect of the invention, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which heat-treats an object by supplying at least high-frequency waves or steam to a heating chamber that accommodates the object. The fourth high-frequency heating apparatus comprises a high frequency wave generating portion, and a steam generating portion, which is provided in the heating chamber, for generating steam from an evaporating dish that has a water storing recess adapted to generate steam by being heated.
The fourth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function is adapted so that steam is generated from the evaporating dish that is provided in the heating chamber. Thus, the steam is directly supplied into the heating chamber. Moreover, the cleaning of the steam generating portion can be easily performed. Consequently, the environment around the heating chamber can be always maintained in a sanitary condition. Furthermore, a heating method obtained by combining the high frequency heating technique with the steam heating technique can be easily realized.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the evaporating dish is disposed on a back-side bottom face, which is on the opposite side of an object outlet of the heating chamber, from which the object is taken out.
The fifth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that the evaporating dish is disposed on the back-side bottom face, which is on the opposite side of the object outlet of the heating chamber. Thus, the evaporating dish is not an obstacle to the taking-out of the object. Further, even when the evaporating dish is at a high temperature, there is no fear that a user's hand touches the evaporating dish when the user takes the object into and out of the heating apparatus. Consequently, the safety of the heating apparatus can be improved.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the evaporating dish is disposed on the bottom face along one of side wall surfaces of the heating chamber.
In the case of the sixth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, steam can be efficiently supplied from the evaporating dish to the inside of the heating apparatus by disposing the evaporating dish on the bottom face along one of side wall surfaces of the heating chamber.
According to seventh aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function according to the invention, the evaporating dish is disposed at a place at which the top face of the evaporating dish is at a predetermined height above the bottom face of the heating chamber.
The seventh high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function can prevent liquid, such as juice oozed from the object to the bottom face of the heating chamber, from flowing into the evaporating dish through the bottom face of the heating chamber. Thus, the evaporating dish can be maintained in a sanitary condition.
According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function further comprises an infrared ray sensor for measuring the temperature in the heating chamber. In the eighth high-frequency heating apparatus, the evaporating dish is disposed at a place that is substantially outside a temperature measurement range in which the sensor measures the temperature.
The eighth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function can measure the temperature in the heating chamber with good accuracy by using the infrared ray sensor without erroneously detecting the high-temperature evaporating dish.
According to ninth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, the evaporating dish is disposed in such a manner as to be able to be detached from the heating chamber.
In the case of the ninth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the evaporating dish is disposed in such a manner as to be able to be detached from the heating chamber. Thus, the evaporating dish can be cleaned by being taken out of the heating chamber. This facilitates the cleaning of the evaporating dish. Moreover, the replacement of the evaporating dish can be easily performed. Consequently, the use of evaporating dishes of different sizes is enabled.
According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, the evaporating dish has tapered portions respectively provided at both end portions thereof so that the water storing recess gradually becomes shallower along a longitudinal direction thereof in each of the tapered portions.
In the case of the tenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, water injected into the water storing recess is always stored in the central part of the evaporating dish.
According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, the evaporating dish has a cover, which covers the top face of the evaporating dish and which has at least one aperture that opens a part of the top face thereof.
In the case of the eleventh high-frequency heating apparatus uses with a steam generating function according to the invention, the top surface of the evaporating dish for generating steam is covered with the cover. Thus, an amount of generated steam can be controlled by the area of the aperture provided in the cover.
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the cover is disposed in such a manner as to be able to be detached from the evaporating dish.
In the case of the twelfth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the cover is disposed in such a manner as to be able to be detached from the evaporating dish, so that the cover can be cleaned by being taken out of the heating chamber, and that the cleaning of the evaporating dish is facilitated. Moreover, the replacement of the cover with another cover provided with an aperture of a different size is facilitated. Consequently, a cover suitable for use in the heating conditions can be used.
According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, a leg portion for forming a gap having a predetermined height the evaporating dish therefrom is provided on the bottom surface of the cover.
In the case of the thirteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, a gap having a predetermined spacing is formed between the cover and the evaporating dish by the leg portion of the cover. Thus, when the water stored in the evaporating dish is heated, an increase in the pressure in the lower portion of the cover can be restrained by this gap. Thus, even when the temperature of the water stored in the evaporating dish rises and a bumping occurs, air causing pressure at that time is efficiently let out from the gap. This prevents water from scattering from the aperture.
According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, a plurality of the apertures are provided in such a way as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the cover.
In the case of the fourteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, steam is uniformly supplied from the plurality of the apertures into the heating chamber.
According to the fifteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function according to the invention, the cover is made of a low-dielectric-constant material.
In the case of the fifteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the cover is made of a low-dielectric-constant material, so that a wave loss can be suppressed to a low level.
According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, the steam generating portion has an evaporating dish heater for heating the evaporating dish.
The sixteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that steam is generated by heating the evaporating dish by using the evaporating dish heater. Thus, the apparatus can efficiently generates steam by using the evaporating dish heater.
According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the steam generating portion has a reflector for reflecting radiation heat, which is radiated from the evaporating dish heater, to the evaporating dish.
The seventeenth high-frequency heating apparatus of the invention with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that the radiation heat radiated from the evaporating dish heater is reflected to the evaporating dish by the reflector. Thus, heat generated by the heater can be highly efficiently utilized for generating steam.
According to the eighteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function further comprises an electromagnetic wave stirring portion for stirring high frequency waves sent from the high frequency wave generating portion and for supplying the high frequency waves to the evaporating dish.
The eighteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that the water stored in the evaporating dish is heated and evaporated by using the high frequency waves outputted from the high frequency wave generating portion. Thus, there is no necessity for providing a heater for generating steam. Consequently, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified, and the cost thereof can be reduced.
According to the nineteenth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function further comprises a water supply portion for supplying water to the steam generating portion.
The nineteenth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that water can be supplied to the evaporating dish by the water supply portion. Thus, regardless of the water storing capacity of the evaporating dish, a large amount of steam can be continuously generated for a long stretch of time. Consequently, a long-term cooking to be performed by utilizing the steam heating is enabled.
According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the water supply portion comprises a water storage tank and a water conveyance pump for supplying a predetermined water to the evaporating dish through a water supply conduit.
In the case of the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the water supply portion is constructed by comprising the water storage tank and the water conveyance pump. Thus, a necessary amount of water can be stably supplied by the waver conveyance pump from the water storage tank to the evaporating dish.
According to the twenty-first aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the water supply portion has a nozzle, detachably provided at a water supply conduit end portion disposed on a wall surface of the heating chamber, for supplying water to the evaporating dish.
In the case of the twenty-first high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the nozzle is detachably provided there at. Thus, even in the case that the nozzle is smeared when calcium and magnesium contained in water content are fixed there onto, and when the juice scattered from the object adheres thereto, the nozzle can be cleaned by being removed therefrom, similarly as the evaporating dish. Moreover, the smeared nozzle can be replaced with new one. Consequently, the maintenance of the nozzle is facilitated. Thus, the provision of the nozzle at the water supply conduit end portion, so that the cleaning of the nozzle is facilitated, and that water can be supplied to the evaporating dish at all times in a sanitary condition.
According to the twenty-second aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the nozzle is formed from a heat resistance resin material.
In the case of the twenty-second high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the nozzle is formed from the heat resistance resin material. Thus, even when the nozzle touches a food vessel in the heating chamber, the nozzle is not damaged because of the flexibility thereof. Moreover, the cleaning of the inside of the nozzle is facilitated. Furthermore, when the nozzle is manufactured as an injection mold product formed integrally with the heating chamber, the nozzles can be inexpensively supplied by mass production.
According to the twenty-third aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the heating chamber is partitioned from circulating fan chamber, in which the circulating fan is disposed, through a partition plate. Further, at least one ventilation hole for enabling the heating chamber and the circulating fan chamber to communicate with each other is formed in the partition plate.
In the case of the twenty-third high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the circulating fan is accommodated in the circulating fan chamber independently provided outside the heating chamber through the partition wall. Thus, the juice, which may scatter during the cooking of the object, can be prevented from adhering to the circulating fan. Moreover, because ventilation is performed by letting air through the ventilation holes provided in the partition plate, a flow circulating through the circulating fan chamber and the heating chamber can be generated. Moreover, a steam flow generated in the heating chamber can be simplified and changed according to places, at which the ventilation holes are provided, and to the size of each of the ventilation holes.
According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, the heating chamber is partitioned from circulating fan chamber, in which the circulating fan is disposed, through a partition plate. Moreover, a ventilation hole for enabling the heating chamber and the circulating fan chamber to communicate with each other is formed in the partition plate. Furthermore, the aperture is disposed under a ventilation hole for in taking air from the heating chamber to the circulating fan chamber, among the ventilation holes formed in the partition plate.
In the case of the twenty-fourth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the top face of the evaporating dish is covered with the cover having the aperture. Thus, steam can be made to blow into the heating chamber only from this aperture. Therefore, the position of a steam outlet can be limited to a given place. Further, steam blowing out of the aperture can be once drawn into the circulating fan chamber by the circulating fan, and then blasted from a blast ventilation hole into the heating chamber by setting the position of the aperture at a place located under one ventilation hole for in taking air from the heating chamber to the circulating fan chamber, among the ventilation holes formed in the partition plate. Hence, the generated steam can be efficiently circulated in the heating chamber.
According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, a ventilation hole for blasting air from the circulating fan to the heating chamber is provided at least in a lower half portion of the partition plate. Further, air in the heating chamber is circulated upwardly by the circulating fan.
The twenty-fifth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that air in the heating chamber is upwardly circulated by the circulating fan. Thus, steam, which is going to upwardly rise, is blown against the object from below. Consequently, the object can be efficiently heated.
According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, a self-cooled fan chamber partitioned from the heating chamber and the circulating fan chamber is provided in addition thereto. Further, an infrared ray sensor for detecting a temperature in the heating chamber through a detection hole provided in the wall surface of the heating chamber, and a self-cooled fan, concentrically provided with a drive shaft of the circulating fan, for cooling a drive motor are accommodated in the self-cooled fan chamber. Moreover, a pressure in a self-cooled fan chamber in the vicinity of the detection hole is maintained by rotation of the self-cooled fan at a value that is higher than a value of a pressure in a heating chamber.
The twenty-sixth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that the pressure in the self-cooled fan chamber in the vicinity of the detection hole is maintained by rotation of the self-cooled fan at a value that is higher than a value of the pressure in the heating chamber. Thus, air in the heating chamber can be prevented from entering the self-cooled fan chamber that accommodates the infrared ray sensor. Therefore, detection accuracy can be prevented from being degraded owing to adhesion of stain caused by the heating by the infrared ray sensor.
According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatuses with a steam generating function, a supply opening for blowing outside-air to an inner surface of a translucent window of an opening/closing door is provided in a side wall in the vicinity of the opening/closing door of the heating chamber.
The twenty-seventh high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention is adapted so that outside-air is blown against the inner surface of the translucent window of the opening/closing door. Thus, fog on the translucent window, which is caused owing to the steam in the heating chamber, can be cleared. Consequently, the external visibility of the inside of the heating chamber can be enhanced. Further, the internal temperature of the heating chamber can be lowered by introducing outside-air thereinto. Thus, the steam in the heating chamber can be restrained from swiftly blowing out therefrom when the opening/closing door.
According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the invention, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, the supply opening is provided in an upper part of one of side wall faces of the heating chamber. Further, an exhaust outlet for exhausting air of the heating chamber is provided in a lower part of the other side wall surface of the heating chamber.
In the case of the twenty-eighth high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention, the supply opening is provided in an upper part of one of side wall faces of the heating chamber, while an exhaust outlet for exhausting air of the heating chamber is provided in a lower part of the other side wall surface of the heating chamber. Thus, air flows in such a manner as to obliquely pass over a central space of the heating chamber. Consequently, odorivectors generated from the object, which is being cooked, can be efficiently and gushingly exhausted to the outside.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
This high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function 100 is a cooking apparatus adapted to heat-treat a to-be-heated object by supplying at least high-frequency waves (microwaves) or steam to a heating chamber 11 that accommodates the object. The high-frequency heating apparatus 100 comprises a magnetron 13 serving as a high-frequency wave generating portion for generating high-frequency waves, a steam generating portion 15 for generating steam in the heating chamber 11, a circulating fan 17 for agitating and circulating air in the heating chamber 11, a convection heater 19 serving as a chamber air heater for heating air that circulates in the heating chamber 11, and an infrared ray sensor 20 for detecting the internal temperature of the heating chamber 11 through a detection hole provided in the heating chamber 11.
The heating chamber 11 is formed in a front-open box body case 10. An opening/closing door 21 with a translucent window 21a for opening and closing an object outlet of the heating chamber 11 is provided in a front face portion of the body case 10. The bottom end of the opening/closing door 21 is hinge-connected to a bottom edge of the body case 10, so that the door 21 is enabled to be downwardly opened and upwardly closed. A predetermined heat insulating space is secured between the wall surfaces of the heating chamber 11 and the body case 10. A heat insulating material is charged into the space, if necessary. Especially, the rear space of the heating chamber 11 is a circulating fan chamber 25 that accommodates the circulating fan 17 and the drive motor 23 (see
The circulating fan 17 is disposed in such a way as to place the center of rotation thereof at the central part of the rectangle partition plate 27. A rectangular-ring-like convention heater 19 is provided in the circulating fan chamber 25 in such a manner as to surround this circulating fan 17. Further, the intake ventilation holes 29 formed in the partition plate 27 are disposed in front of the circulating fan 17. The blast ventilation holes 31 are disposed along the rectangular-ring-like convection heater 19. The apparatus is set so that when the circulating fan 7is rotated, wind flows from the front side of the circulating fan 17 to the rear side thereof, at which a drive motor 23 is provided. Thus, air in the heating chamber 11 is drawn into the central portion of the circulating fan 17 through the intake ventilation holes 29. Then, the air passes through the convection heater 19 provided in the circulating fan chamber 25. Finally, the air is blasted from the blast ventilation holes 31 into the heating chamber 11. Thus, during agitated, air in the heating chamber 11 is circulated through the circulating fan chamber 25 by following this flow process.
The magnetron 13 is disposed in the space that is provided under, for example, the heating chamber 11. A stirrer vane 33 is provided at a place at which high-frequency waves generated by the magnetron are received. Further, the high-frequency waves generated from the magnetron 13 are radiated onto the stirrer vane 33 that rotates. Thus, high-frequency waves are supplied into the heating chamber 11 while simultaneously stirred by the stirrer vane 33. Incidentally, the magnetron 13 and the stirrer vane 33 may be provided not only on the bottom part of the heating chamber 11 but on the top surface or a side surface thereof.
The steam generating portion 15 consists of an evaporating dish 35, which has a water storing recess 35a adapted to generate steam by being heated as illustrated in
The input portion 507 is connected to various switches, such as a start switch 519 for instructing to start heating, a change over switch 521 for changing over the heating method, such as a high-frequency heating method and a steam heating method, and an automatic cooking switch 523 for starting execution of a preliminarily prepared program.
The heating portion 511 is connected to a high-frequency wave generating portion 13, a steam generating portion 15, a circulating fan 17, and an infrared ray sensor 20. Further, the high-frequency wave generating portion 13 operates by collaborating with a wave stirring portion (that is, a drive portion for the stirrer vane) 33. The steam generating portion 15is connected to the evaporating dish heater 37, and the chamber air heater 19 (that is, the convection heater) . Incidentally, although this block view includes constituent elements (for instance, a water conveyance pump 55, a door blast damper 84, and an exhaust damper 87) other than the aforementioned mechanical constituent elements, such constituent elements other than the aforementioned mechanical constituent elements are described in the following description of another embodiment.
Next, a basic operation of the aforementioned high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function 100 is described hereinbelow with reference to a flowchart of
In an operation procedure, first, food to be heated is put on the dish and then inserted into the heating chamber 11. Subsequently, the opening/closing door 21 is closed. Then, a heating method and a heating temperature or time are set by using the input operation portion 507 at step 10 (hereunder abbreviated as S10). Subsequently, the start switch is turned on (S11). Then, a heat treatment is performed by an operation of the control portion 501 (S12).
That is, the control portion 501 reads the set heating temperature or time, and then selects and performs an optimum cooking method according to the read heating temperature or time, and judges (S13) whether or not the apparatus reaches the set heating temperature or time. When reaching a set value of the heating temperature or time, the apparatus stops each of heat sources and finishes the heating treatment (S14). Incidentally, at S12, generation of steam, an operation of the chamber air heater, rotation of the circulating fan, and a high-frequency heating operation are individually or concurrently performed.
An operation in the case of selecting and performing, for instance, a “steam generation & circulating fan ON” mode during the aforementioned operation is described hereinbelow. When this mode is selected, the evaporating dish heater 37 is turned on, as illustrated in
At that time, the steam in the heating chamber 11 can be heated by tuning on the chamber air heater 19. Thus, the temperature of steam circulating in the heating chamber 11 can be set at a high value. Therefore, what is called overheated steam is obtained. Consequently, the overheated steam enables cooking to be performed in such a way as to brown the surface of the object M. Further, in the case of performing the high-frequency heating, the magnetron 13 is turned on. Moreover, the stirrer vane 33 is rotated. Thus, even high-frequency cooking can be performed by supplying high-frequency waves into the heating chamber 11 while agitating the high-frequency waves.
Thus, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to this embodiment is adapted so that steam is not generated outside, but generated inside the heating chamber 11. Consequently, similarly as the case of cleaning the heating chamber 11, the part for generating steam, that is, the evaporating dish 35 can be simply performed. For example, in the process of generating steam, calcium, magnesium, and chlorine compound contained in water content are sometimes condensed and deposited and fixed onto the bottom portion of the evaporating dish 35. However, the evaporating dish can be cleanly wiped out only by cleaning away substances having adhered to the surface of the evaporating dish 35. Further, when the evaporating dish 35 is awfully stained, the dish 35 may be cleaned by being taken out of the heating chamber 11, as illustrated in
Further, this high-frequency heating apparatus is adapted so that the evaporating dish 35 is disposed on the back-side bottom face, which is on the opposite side of the object outlet of the heating chamber 11. Thus, the evaporating dish 35 is not an obstacle to the taking-out of the object. Further, even when the evaporating dish 35 is at a high temperature, there is no fear that a user's hand touches the evaporating dish 35 when the user takes the object into and out of the heating apparatus. Consequently, this heating apparatus excels in safety.
Furthermore, as is understood from the positional relation between the evaporating dish and the bottom face of the heating chamber, which is illustrated in
Furthermore, in this high-speed heating apparatus, steam is generated by heating the evaporating dish 35 by means of the evaporating dish heater 37. Thus, this high-speed heating apparatus can efficiently supply steam by employing a simple structure. Moreover, steam at a somewhat high temperature is generated by being heated. This enables cooking to be performed simply by humidification, and cooking to be performed by heating an object while the object is prevented by simultaneously performing high-frequency heating from being dried.
Furthermore, the radiation heat of the evaporating dish heater 37 is reflected by the reflector 39 toward the evaporating dish 35. Thus, heat generated by the evaporating dish heater 37 can be efficiently utilized for generating steam without waste.
Further, this high-frequency heating apparatus is adapted so that air in the heating chamber 11 is circulated and agitated by the circulating fan. Thus, when the steam heating is performed, steam can be uniformly circulated all around the heating chamber 11. Therefore, the heating chamber 11 is filled with steam. However, the steam is not retained. Thus, steam can be circulated all over the entire heating chamber 11. Consequently, when the temperature of the object is measured by the infrared ray sensor 20, this infrared ray sensor 20 reliably measures the temperature of the object without measuring the temperature of steam particles in the heating chamber 11. Thus, the accuracy of measurement of the temperature of the object can be improved. Consequently, heating treatment to be conducted by referring to a detected temperature can be properly performed without introducing errors.
Further, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be concurrently performed as the heating method. Alternatively, one of the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be individually performed. Alternatively, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be performed in a predetermined order. These ways of performing the heating method can be freely chosen and performed. Thus, an appropriate cooking method can be arbitrarily selected according to the kind of food, and to which of a frozen food and a chilled food the object is. Especially, in the case of employing both the high frequency heating and the steam heating, the rate of rise of temperature can be increased. Thus, efficient cooking is enabled.
Further, the apparatus is adapted so that air circulating in the heating chamber 11 can be heated by the chamber air heater 19 equipped in the circulating fan chamber 25. Thus, steam generated in the heating chamber 11 can be freely adjusted. For example, the temperature of steam can be set to be equal to or higher than 100° C. Thus, the temperature of the object can be efficiently raised by overheated steam. Moreover, the surface of the object is dried. In some cases, the surface of the object can be browned. Furthermore, in the case that the object is a frozen food, heat transfer can be efficiently performed owing to large heat capacity of steam. Thus, the object can be quickly defrosted.
Furthermore, in this high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function 100, the circulating fan 17 is accommodated in the circulating fan chamber 25 independently provided outside the heating chamber 11 through the partition plate 27. This eliminates the possibility that juice scattering during the cooking of the object adheres to the circulating fan 17. Simultaneously, ventilation is performed through the ventilation holes 29 and 31 provided in the partition plate 27. Thus, a steam flow caused in the heating chamber 11 can be freely changed according to the positions, at which the ventilation holes 29 and 31 are provided, and to the opening area of the ventilation holes 29 and 31.
Incidentally, the aforementioned evaporating dish 35 is configured so that the water storing recess may have one of the following shapes.
The evaporating dish 42 shown in
Further, the place, at which the evaporating dish 35 is disposed, in the heating chamber 11 is not limited to the back-side bottom face, which is on the opposite side of the object outlet of the heating chamber 11, and can be suitably changed. Like an example of placement of the evaporating dish shown in
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a second embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to
As shown in
Further, as illustrated in
With this configuration, a circulating flow, by which heating becomes more effective than the heating performed in the aforementioned first embodiment, is generated. Thus, in the distribution of temperature in the heating chamber 11, variation in the temperature is limited in a small range. Therefore, the object put in the heating chamber 11 can be uniformly heated at high speed.
Further, the cover 41 can be replaced with another cover, whose perspective view is shown in
As illustrated in
Incidentally, in the foregoing description, it has been described that a propeller type circulating fan is provided in the apparatus. However, as illustrated in
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a third embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to FIGS. 20 to 23.
As shown in
Further, an end portion 57a of the water supply conduit 57, which is provided at the side of the evaporating dish 35, protrudes from the side wall surface 81a of the heat chamber 11, as illustrated in
With this configuration of this embodiment, water can be continuously supplied to the evaporating dish 35. This enables long-term steam heating. Further, the nozzle 52 is detachably provided in the apparatus. Thus, similarly as the evaporating dish, even when calcium and magnesium contained in water content are sometimes condensed in the process of generating steam and deposited and fixed thereto, or when juice scattered from the object adheres thereto to thereby stain the nozzle 52, the cleaning of the nozzle 52 can be easily completed only by being removed from the end portion 57a. Alternatively, the nozzle 52 can be replaced with a new nozzle. This facilitates the maintenance thereof. Thus, the cleaning is facilitated and water can be always supplied to the evaporating dish in a sanitary environment by providing the nozzle 52 at the end portion 57a of the water supply conduit 57. Further, the nozzle 52 is made of a soft material. Thus, even when the nozzle 52 touches a food vessel in the heating chamber 11, the nozzle 52 is not damaged. Moreover, the cleaning of the inside of the nozzle 52 is facilitated. Furthermore, when the nozzle 52 is manufactured as an injection mold product formed integrally with the heating chamber 11, the nozzles can be inexpensively supplied by mass production.
Incidentally, the water storage tank 53 is formed as a tank of the cartridge type so as to enhance the tractability thereof, as illustrated in a partly perspective view of a side-face side of the apparatus of
Preferably, the water storage tank 53 of the cartridge type can be externally taken out of the apparatus and easily replaced with a new one. Thus, the tractability thereof can be enhanced. Moreover, the cleaning of the tank is facilitated. For instance, the tank 53 may be enabled to be taken in and out of the apparatus by opening and closing the cover 59 from the side of the apparatus, as illustrated in the figure. Alternatively, the tank 53 may be enabled to be taken in and out of the apparatus from the front face thereof. Furthermore, preferably, the apparatus is configured so that the water storage tank 53 of the cartridge type is formed from a transparent material, such as a resin or glass, that a body-case-side wall of a tank accommodating portion is made of a transparent material, and that the remaining amount of water stored in the water storage tank 53 can be externally and visually checked. Further, an occurrence of an empty evaporating dish 35 can be prevented by attaching a remaining-amount sensor to the apparatus and indicating the remaining amount of water, which is stored in the water storage tank 53, on the display panel 509 or sounding a buzzer by using a loud speaker (not shown).
Incidentally, in the case that the resin water storage tank 53 is disposed in the side wall portion of the apparatus, the water storage tank 53 may be affected by heat outputted from the heating chamber 11. In this case, as illustrated in a conceptual partly sectional view of the body case 10 shown in
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a fourth embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to
As is seen from a conceptual longitudinally sectional view of the back-side portion of the body case 10 illustrated in
Generally, in the case that a protective transparent member, such as glass, is attached to the detection hole 73 when the temperature in the heating chamber 11 is measured by the infrared ray sensor 20, steam sticks to the glass, so that accurate measurement thereof cannot be achieved. Thus, the detection hole 73 is formed as a simple through hole, without attaching an interposition thereto. However, in the case of a through hole, air coming from the heating chamber 11 freely enters the through hole. Thus, steam may stick to the infrared ray sensor 20. Consequently, the accuracy of measurement of the temperature of the object is degraded.
To deal with this problem, the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function is adapted so that the pressure P1 in the self-cooled fan chamber 71 in the vicinity of the detection hole 73 is maintained by wind pressure due to rotation of the self-cooled fan 75 at a value that is higher than the pressure P2 in the heating chamber 11. Thus, air in the heating chamber 11 can be prevented from entering the self-cooled fan chamber 71 that accommodates the infrared ray sensor 20. Therefore, detection accuracy can be prevented from being degraded owing to adhesion of stain to the infrared ray sensor 20. This enables heat-treatment under accurate temperature management. Consequently, the adjustment of the degree of heating can be achieved as desired.
Hereunder, a temperature measuring method using the infrared ray sensor 20 is described.
A range, in which the infrared ray sensor 20 measures the temperature, is the bottom face of the heating chamber 11 except the place at which the evaporating dish 35 is disposed. Therefore, the evaporating dish 35 is disposed at a place that is substantially outside a range in which temperature measuring waves are irradiated from the infrared ray sensor 20. Incidentally, the apparatus may employ a method according to which the temperature measurement is conducted by causing the infrared ray sensor 20 to perform scanning on the entire bottom surface of the heating chamber 11, and then invalidating data detected at the position of the evaporating dish 35.
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a fifth embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to
As is seen from a conceptual transverse sectional view of the body case 10 shown in
Thus, outside-air is blown against the inner surface of the translucent window 21a, so that the translucent window 21a is prevented from being steamed up when the steam heating or the high-frequency heating is performed. The condition of the heated object in the heating chamber 11 can be externally and visually checked. Incidentally, it is sufficient that the blowing of outside air is performed only when needed. For example, in the case that the blowing of outside-air is started a predetermined time before the finish of the heating, the translucent window 21a is defogged at the finish of the heating. Moreover, steam can be restrained from growing dense at the near side when the door is opened. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured so that outside-air is blown against the translucent window 21a by being forcibly introduced. Thus, this embodiment particularly excels in the effect of expelling steam (that is, the cooling effect) before the opening/closing door 21 is opened.
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a sixth embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to
As is seen from a front view of the outline configuration of the body case shown in
Thus, an air flow in the heating chamber 11 at exhaustion is directed from the top face side to the bottom face side by positioning the exhaust outlet 86 in the vicinity of the bottom face of the heating chamber 11. Consequently, the air in the heating chamber 11 can be effectively exhausted without causing air to stagnate. Further, the destination of exhausted air is outside the apparatus, so that the exhausted air becomes outside-air. Thus, this embodiment has an effect of restraining evaporants, which are generated from the object, from adhering onto the inner wall of the apparatus. Further, the outside-air supply opening 82 is provided at the near side, while the exhaust outlet 86 is provided at the back-side of the heating chamber 11. Thus, a flow of air to be exhausted from the heating chamber 11 runs diagonally across a rectangular parallelepiped space in the heating chamber 11. Consequently, quick ventilation can be more efficiently performed.
Next, a high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, which is a seventh embodiment of the invention, is described hereinbelow by referring to
As is seen from a schematic configuration view of the apparatus shown in
Thus, the evaporating dish heater is omitted. Further, water in the heating chamber 11 is heated and vaporized by utilizing high frequency waves. Consequently, the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. Moreover, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.
Incidentally, in the foregoing description of the aforementioned embodiments, it has been described that the stirrer vane 33 is provided in the apparatus so as to stir high frequency waves. However, the invention can be similarly applied to an apparatus of the configuration, in which an object to be heated is uniformly heated by using a turntable 91, as illustrated in
Next, a modification of the steam generating system of the steam generating portion 15 is described with reference to
Hereinafter, examples of various heating processes performed by the aforementioned high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function according to the invention are described.
Line A indicates change in the weight of the meat-bun in the case that the meat-bun is steam-heated by heating a convection heater as a chamber air heater at 570 W without operating a circulating fan. Line B indicates change in the weight of the meat-bun in the case that the meat-bun was steam-heated by heating a convection heater as a chamber air heater at 680 W without operating the circulating fan. It is understood from these broken line graphs that in both cases, a rate of an increase in the amount of water content to a heating time was relatively low, and that thus, good effects of steaming were not obtained only by simply filling the heating chamber 11 with steam and heating the convection heater.
Conversely, in the case indicated by Lines C and D, in which the circulating fan is operated, a relatively high amount of water content was obtained. Moreover, good effects of steaming were obtained. Furthermore, it is found that even in the case indicated by Line C, in which the number of revolutions of the circulating fan was reduced, good effects of steaming were obtained when time passed. That is, the amount of water content can be increased by an operation of the circulating fan. Therefore, the circulation of steam is indispensable to the steam heating.
Industrial Applicability
According to the high-frequency heating apparatus with a steam generating function, steam is generated in the heating chamber. Thus, steam can be quickly supplied into the heating chamber. Further, the efficiency in generating steam can be enhanced. Moreover, because of the presence of the steam generating portion in the heating chamber, the cleaning of the steam generating portion can be performed by being simplified, simultaneously with the cleaning of the inside of the heating chamber. The internal environment of the heating chamber can be maintained in a sanitary condition. Furthermore, the heating apparatus is adapted so that air in the heating chamber is circulated and agitated by the circulating fan. Thus, especially when the steam heating is performed, steam can be uniformly circulated all around the heating chamber. Consequently, the heating efficiency in heating the object can be enhanced. Further, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be concurrently performed as the heating method. Alternatively, one of the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be individually performed. Alternatively, both the high frequency heating and the steam heating can be performed in a predetermined order. These ways of performing the heating method can be freely chosen and performed. Thus, an appropriate cooking method can be selected according to the kind of food, and to which of a frozen food and a chilled food the object is. Especially, in the case of employing both the high frequency heating and the steam heating, the rate of rise of temperature can be increased. Thus, quick and efficient cooking is enabled.
Further, the high-frequency heating apparatus of the invention with a steam generating function is adapted so that air circulating in the heating chamber is heated by the chamber air heater. Thus, the temperature of steam can be freely raised. Efficient rise of the temperature of the object is realized owing to the overheated steam by raising the temperature of the steam. Moreover, the rise of the temperature of the steam enables the high-temperature steam to brown the object. Furthermore, when the object is a frozen food, the defrosting of the object can be more efficiently performed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-067034 | Mar 2002 | JP | national |
| 2002-216875 | Jul 2002 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP02/13843 | 12/27/2002 | WO |
