Valve unit and stove

Abstract

To provide a valve unit capable of being prevented from becoming enlarged even when a gas supply amount can be switched between three levels, and a stove.SOLUTION: A third valve body of a valve unit has an outward passage 81 and a return passage 82 that extend in a front-back direction and are arranged vertically, and a cross passage 83 between them, and is configured to guide gas to the return passage 82 via a first communication passage 86, a third communication passage 85, a fourth communication passage 87, and the cross passage 83. When a medium flow rate of gas is flown from a gas outlet 821, a valve body of a first solenoid valve is brought into contact with a first valve seat to close the first communication passage 86, and a valve body of a second solenoid valve is moved away from a second valve seat to open the third communication passage 85, thereby guiding gas having flowed into a valve chamber part to the return passage 82 via the third communication passage 85, the fourth communication passage 87, and the cross passage 83.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a valve unit and a stove. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a gas stove has been proposed that can switch the gas supply amount between three stages based on the temperature of the bottom of the pot (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This gas stove can perform automatic heat adjustment more delicately than a stove that can switch the heat power between two stages, high and low. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-55724 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The gas stove described in Patent Document 1 requires more passages and solenoid valves than a gas stove that can switch the heat power in two stages, which leads to an increase in the size of the valve unit and may interfere with other adjacent parts inside the gas stove housing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a valve unit and a stove that can prevent the valve unit from becoming enlarged even when the gas supply amount can be switched between three stages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The valve unit of claim 1 is a valve unit for a stove that can switch the amount of gas supplied to a burner between at least three levels, a first flow rate, a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate, and a third flow rate that is lower than the second flow rate. The valve unit is provided with a valve body that extends in a front-to-rear direction and switches the flow rate of the gas, the valve body having a gas inlet that is provided at a front end of the valve body and opens forward, through which the gas flows in, a gas outlet that is provided at the front end of the valve body and above the gas inlet, that opens forward, and through which the gas flows out, and a gas outlet that is provided inside the valve body and opens forward. the valve body includes an outward passage extending rearward from the gas inlet, a return passage provided inside the valve body and extending rearward from the gas outlet above the outward passage, a cross section passage extending in the left-right direction at a height position between the outward passage and the return passage and having one end in the length direction intersecting with the return passage, a front wall portion provided at the rear end of the valve body, formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is long in the left-right direction as viewed from behind and opens rearward, the front wall portion forming the bottom of the cylindrical shape, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion surrounding the periphery of the front wall portion, and the cross section passage extending rearward from the other end side of the cross section, the rear end of the peripheral wall portion being formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom that is long in the left-right direction as viewed from behind and opens rearward, the front wall portion forming the bottom of the cylindrical shape, and the front wall portion being formed in a cylindrical shape surrounding the periphery of the front wall portion, ... a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve fixed to a vertical center of the front wall portion and arranged side by side in the left-right direction with a valve body protruding forward into the valve chamber portion; a first communication passage provided in the vertical center of the front wall portion, extending in the front-rear direction, and communicating the valve chamber portion with the one end of the cross passage; a second communication passage provided below the first communication passage in the front wall portion, extending in the front-rear direction, and communicating the valve chamber portion with the outward path; and a second communication passage provided in the front wall portion at a position at the same height as the first communication passage but closer to the protruding direction of the valve chamber portion than the first communication passage, extending in the front-rear direction, and communicating the valve chamber portion with the outward path. a third communication passage communicating between the one end side of the cross section and the other end side of the cross section; a fourth communication passage provided in the front wall portion at a position between the first communication passage and the third communication passage, extending in a front-rear direction, and communicating a portion between the one end side and the other end side of the cross section and the valve chamber portion; a first valve seat formed in the front wall portion at a periphery of an opening of the first communication passage and configured to come into contact with and separate from a valve body of the first solenoid valve to open and close the first communication passage; and a second valve seat formed in the front wall portion at a periphery of an opening of the third communication passage and configured to come into contact with and separate from a valve body of the second solenoid valve to open and close the third communication passage,When the gas at the first flow rate is to be discharged from the gas outlet, the valve bodies of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are separated from the first valve seat and the second valve seat, and the first communication passage and the third communication passage are both opened, so that the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber is guided to the return path through the first communication passage, the third communication passage, the fourth communication passage and the cross passage. When the gas at the second flow rate is to be discharged from the gas outlet, the valve body of the first solenoid valve is brought into contact with the first valve seat, the first communication passage is closed, and the valve body of the second solenoid valve is moved to the forward position. by moving the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve away from the second valve seat and opening the third communication passage, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber is guided to the return passage through the third communication passage, the fourth communication passage, and the cross passage, and when the gas at the third flow rate is to be discharged from the gas outlet, the valve bodies of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are brought into contact with the first valve seat and the second valve seat, and the first communication passage and the third communication passage are both closed, so that the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber is guided to the return passage through the fourth communication passage and the cross passage.

[0007] The valve unit of claim 2 includes a lower valve body formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction below the valve body, through which the gas to be supplied to the valve body flows, the lower valve body including a gas inlet portion provided on a lower portion of the lower valve body, opening downward, and connected to one end of a gas supply pipe that supplies the gas to the inside of the lower valve body, and a pair of left and right fixing portions that protrude on both left and right sides from the gas inlet portion and are screwed from above to fixed portions provided on the one end of the gas supply pipe, the valve body including a main body portion that is a portion between the front end portion and the valve chamber portion, extends rearward above the lower valve body, and includes the outward path and the return path therein, and when the valve body is viewed from above, the pair of left and right fixing portions protrude on both left and right sides from the left and right sides of the main body portion, and fixing holes provided in each of the pair of left and right fixing portions open upward.

[0008] The first communication passage of the valve unit according to claim 3 may communicate between the valve chamber and the one end of the tolerance passage at a position overlapping with the outgoing passage and the return passage in the left-right direction.

[0009] The stove of claim 4 is characterized by comprising the valve unit of claim 1 and a stove burner that uses the gas supplied from the valve unit as fuel to form a flame.

[0010] The stove of claim 5 has a grill compartment in the left-right center of the housing, and the stove burner has a right stove burner and a left stove burner sandwiching the grill compartment in the center, and the valve unit has a right valve unit arranged under the right stove burner with its longitudinal direction along the front-to-rear direction and supplies gas to the right stove burner, and a left valve unit arranged under the left stove burner with its longitudinal direction along the front-to-rear direction and supplies gas to the left stove burner, and the protruding direction of the valve chamber of the right valve unit may be to the right and the protruding direction of the valve chamber of the left valve unit may be to the left.

[0011] The valve bodies of the right valve unit and the left valve unit of the stove of claim 6 may be symmetrical to each other. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the valve unit of claim 1, the valve body of the valve unit has forward and return passages arranged vertically, with a cross passage between them, and is configured to guide gas to the return passage via the first communication passage, the third communication passage, the fourth communication passage, and the cross passage. In such a valve body, the valve chamber only protrudes to one side in the left-right direction, and the other parts do not protrude in the left-right direction. This allows the valve unit to maintain the valve body in a slim shape. Therefore, the valve unit can prevent the valve body from interfering with other parts inside the stove housing.

[0013] According to the valve unit of claim 2, one end of the gas supply pipe is connected to a gas inlet provided at the lower part of the lower valve body. At the same time, a pair of left and right fixing parts provided at the gas inlet are arranged relative to a fixed part provided at one end of the gas supply pipe. In this case, when the valve body is viewed from above, the pair of left and right fixing parts can be seen protruding to the left and right sides from the left and right sides of the main body. The fixing holes provided in each of the pair of left and right fixing parts open upward. The pair of left and right fixing parts are not hidden by the valve chamber of the valve body. Therefore, an operator can fix the valve body from above by screwing into the respective fixing holes of the pair of left and right fixing parts of the lower valve body.

[0014] According to the valve unit of claim 3, the first communication passage communicates the valve chamber with one end of the tolerance passage at a position overlapping the forward passage and the return passage in the left-right direction. This allows the return passage and the first communication passage to be closer to each other in the up-down direction via the tolerance passage. This allows the valve body to have a slimmer shape in the up-down direction as well. In addition, when molding the valve body with a mold, a first pin for forming the forward passage extending in the front-rear direction and a second pin for forming the return passage extending in the front-rear direction are arranged in the mold so as to be parallel to each other in the up-down direction, a third pin for forming the tolerance passage is arranged in the left-right direction at a height position between the first pin and the second pin, and a fourth pin for forming the first communication passage is arranged facing the third pin at a position overlapping the first pin and the second pin in the left-right direction. In this case, the outward path, return path, tolerance path, and first communication passage are formed by the simple task of simply removing the first to fourth pins from the mold in their respective directions, thereby eliminating the need for cutting the valve body to form the flow paths.

[0015] According to the stove of claim 4, the effect of claim 1 can be obtained.

[0016] According to the stove of claim 5, the right valve unit can be disposed on the right side of the grill chamber, and the left valve unit can be disposed on the left side of the grill chamber. Therefore, the stove can accommodate the right valve unit and the left valve unit in a narrow housing.

[0017] According to the stove of claim 6, the valve bodies of the right valve unit and the left valve unit are symmetrical to each other, so that components other than the valve bodies can be used as common components. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stove 1 with the top plate removed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the valve unit 16. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the valve unit 16. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of the valve unit 16 as viewed diagonally from the front right. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view of the valve unit 16 as viewed diagonally from the front left. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the valve unit 16 as viewed obliquely from the right rear. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve unit 16. [Figure 8] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the third valve body 40 and the solenoid valve unit 70 as viewed obliquely from the right rear. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the third valve body 40 and the solenoid valve unit 70 as viewed obliquely from the front right. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a third valve body 40. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gas flow path 200. [Figure 12] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. 9. [Figure 13] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 8. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the valve unit 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the device configuration described below is not intended to be limited to that, but is merely an explanatory example. The drawings are used to explain technical features that the present invention can employ. In this embodiment, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions shown in the drawings will be used for explanation. In addition, the scales of the drawings do not necessarily match each other, and are enlarged or reduced as appropriate depending on the objects shown in the drawings.

[0020] The configuration of the stove 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The stove 1 is a tabletop stove with a grill. The stove 1 includes a housing 2 and a top plate (not shown). The housing 2 is a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an opening at the top. The top plate is fixed to the opening at the top of the housing 2 with screws (not shown). A grill chamber 4 is provided in the center of the housing 2. A burner mounting base 9 is installed generally horizontally between the grill chamber 4 and the upper end of the right wall of the housing 2. A right stove burner 5 is attached to the burner mounting base 9. The throat portion 5A of the right stove burner 5 extends forward. The front end of the throat portion 5A faces the nozzle 34 of the right valve unit 16 described later. The throat portion 5A mixes the gas ejected from the nozzle 34 and the air in the housing 2 drawn in by the ejection of the gas within the throat portion 5A and supplies it to the right stove burner 5.

[0021] A burner mounting base 10 is installed approximately horizontally between the grill chamber 4 and the upper end of the left wall of the housing 2. A left stove burner 6 is attached to the burner mounting base 10. A throat section 6A of the left stove burner 6 extends forward. The front end of the throat section 6A faces a nozzle 34 of a left valve unit 16, which will be described later. The throat section 6A mixes gas ejected from the nozzle 34 with air inside the housing 2 that is drawn in by the ejection of the gas, and supplies the gas to the left stove burner 6.

[0022] A grill door 8 is provided in the left-right center of the front panel 2A of the housing 2. Operation buttons 11 and 12 are provided on the right side of the grill door 8. An operation button 13 and a battery case 14 are provided on the left side of the grill door 8. The operation button 11 is used to turn on and off the grill burner (not shown) provided in the grill chamber 4. The operation button 12 is used to turn on and off the right burner 5. The operation button 13 is used to turn on and off the left burner 6.

[0023] A fire power adjustment lever 11A is provided above the operation button 11. A fire power adjustment lever 12A is provided above the operation button 12. A fire power adjustment lever 13A is provided above the operation button 13. The fire power adjustment lever 11A is rotated left and right to adjust the fire power of the grill burner in the grill chamber 4. The fire power adjustment lever 12A is rotated left and right to adjust the fire power of the right burner 5. The fire power adjustment lever 13A is rotated left and right to adjust the fire power of the left burner 6.

[0024] At the front of the housing 2, a valve unit 15 for the right burner 5 is provided at a position corresponding to the operation button 12. The nozzle 34 of the valve unit 15 protrudes backward and ejects gas toward the opening at the front end of the throat portion 5A of the right burner 5. The valve unit 15 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 34 according to the amount of rotation of the flame adjustment lever 12A. At a position corresponding to the operation button 13, a valve unit 16 for the left burner 6 is provided. The nozzle 34 of the valve unit 16 protrudes backward and ejects gas toward the opening at the front end of the throat portion 6A of the left burner 6. The valve unit 16 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 34 according to the amount of rotation of the flame adjustment lever 13A.

[0025] A grill valve unit 17 for the grill burner is provided at a position corresponding to the operation button 11. A gas pipe 19 is connected to a gas outlet (not shown) of the grill valve unit 17. The gas pipe 19 extends toward the right rear of the grill chamber 4. A nozzle (not shown) is provided at the downstream end of the gas pipe 19. The nozzle faces an inlet (not shown) provided in a throat portion 4A provided at the right rear of the grill chamber 4. The nozzle sprays gas toward the inlet. The grill valve unit 17 adjusts the amount of gas sprayed from the nozzle according to the amount of rotation of the flame adjustment lever 11A.

[0026] The structure of the valve unit 16 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 14. In this embodiment, the structure of the left valve unit 16 corresponding to the left stove burner 6 will be mainly described. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the valve unit 16 extends in the front-rear direction in a plan view and is formed into a roughly L-shape when viewed from the right side.

[0027] The structure of the first valve body 20 will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first valve body 20 is provided below the valve unit 16, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. A gas flow path extending coaxially is provided within the valve unit 16. The first valve body 20 includes a front body 201 and a rear body 202. The front body 201 and the rear body 202 are substantially cylindrical and extend coaxially.

[0028] A gas inlet 24 (see FIG. 7) having a generally short-axis cylindrical shape is provided at the lower part of the rear body 202, generally at the center in the longitudinal direction. The gas inlet 24 opens downward. The gas inlet 24 communicates perpendicularly to the gas flow path. A pair of fixing parts 26, 27 protruding in the left-right direction are provided at both left and right sides of the rear body 202 and at the gas inlet 24. The fixing part 26 is provided with a fixing hole 261 penetrating in the vertical direction. The fixing part 27 is provided with a fixing hole 271 penetrating in the vertical direction. The fixing parts 26, 27 are fixed into the housing 2 with screws, whereby the valve unit 16 is stably fixed into the housing 2.

[0029] A harness fixing part 203 (see Figs. 4 and 6) protruding to the right is provided at the rear end of the right side part of the rear body 202. The harness fixing part 203 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a fixing hole (not shown) extending in the vertical direction is provided in the center of the upper surface. A cable tie 100 (described later) is fixed to the upper surface of the harness fixing part 203 with a screw 38. An earth fixing metal fitting 25 (see Figs. 3 and 7) is provided at the rear end of the rear body 202 so as to protrude rearward.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 7, a spindle 21 is provided in the gas flow passage of the first valve body 20 so as to be movable forward and backward. The spindle 21 is constantly urged forward by a return spring (not shown). A main valve 22 is fixed to the spindle 21. A magnetic safety valve 23 is provided behind the main valve 22. A discharge flow passage 211 is provided near the downstream side of the main valve 22. The discharge flow passage 211 branches off and extends upward from the gas flow passage. A gas outlet of the discharge flow passage 211 is provided in the upper part of the front body 201 and opens upward.

[0031] As shown in Figs. 3 to 7, an operation mechanism 60 is provided at the front end of the front body 201. The operation mechanism 60 transmits the ignition / extinguishing operation of the operation button 13 (see Fig. 1) to the spindle 21. The operation mechanism 60 includes a casing 61, a moving member 62, and a push-push mechanism 63 (see Fig. 7). The casing 61 is substantially cylindrical and opens forward, and extends coaxially with the first valve body 20. The moving member 62 is fixed to the front end of the spindle 21, and is provided within the casing 61 so as to be movable forward and backward. A protrusion 621 is provided at the front end of the moving member 62. The protrusion 621 protrudes forward and comes into contact with the back surface of the operation button 13 provided on the front plate 2A of the housing 2.

[0032] A push spring 611 (see FIG. 7) is provided inside the casing 61. The push spring 611 constantly urges the moving member 62 forward. A push-push mechanism 63 is provided at the bottom of the casing 61, and determines the forward and backward positions of the moving member 62 alternately when the flame is ignited and when it is extinguished.

[0033] By the ignition operation of the operation button 13, the moving member 62 pushes the spindle 21 backward against the biasing force of the return spring. The spindle 21 moves backward, opening the main valve 22. The main valve 22 opens the discharge flow path 211. The magnetic safety valve 23 is pushed by the spindle 21 to open the gas flow path and maintains the open state. Next, when the pressure on the operation button 13 by the ignition operation is released, the push-push mechanism 63 retreats to a position where the magnetic safety valve 23 can be closed while keeping the main valve 22 open, and locks the moving member 62. Then, when the operation button 13 is pressed by the extinguishing operation and the pressure on the operation button 13 is released, the push-push mechanism 63 releases the lock of the moving member 62 and returns the spindle 21 forward by a predetermined stroke to close the main valve 22.

[0034] A microswitch 28 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is attached to the right side of the casing 61, and a microswitch 29 (see Fig. 5) is attached to the left side of the casing 61. These microswitches 28, 29 are turned on and off in conjunction with the advancement and retreat of the moving member 62. These microswitches 28, 29 are, for example, ignition switches for activating an igniter (not shown) that ignites the left stove burner 6.

[0035] The structure of the second valve body 30 will now be described. As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, the second valve body 30 is fixed in an upright state to the upper part of the front body 201 of the first valve body 20. The second valve body 30 is generally flat and extends in the vertical direction with its surface facing in the horizontal direction. The second valve body 30 has a lower part 31 and an upper part 32.

[0036] The lower part of the lower portion 31 is fixed to the upper part of the front body 201 of the first valve body 20 by screwing. A fixing portion 33 is provided at the rear end of the lower portion 31. The fixing portion 33 is formed in a generally diamond shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and protrudes by the same length on both the left and right sides. The fixing portion 33 is disposed tilted slightly diagonally downward with respect to the rear (see FIG. 3). The third valve body 40, which will be described later, is fixed to the fixing portion 33.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 7, gas flow paths 301 to 304 are provided inside the lower part 31. The gas inlet of the gas flow path 301 is provided on the rear side of the lower part of the lower part 31, and communicates with the gas outlet of the discharge flow path 211 provided on the upper part of the first valve body 20. The gas flow path 301 extends upward from the lower part of the lower part 31. The gas flow path 302 extends rearward from the upper end of the gas flow path 301 and penetrates the fixed part 33 in the front-rear direction. The gas outlet (not shown) of the gas flow path 302 is provided slightly below the center of the rear surface of the fixed part 33. The gas inlet (not shown) of the gas flow path 303 is provided slightly above the center of the rear surface of the fixed part 33. The gas inlet of the gas flow path 303 is disposed directly above the gas outlet of the gas flow path 302. The gas flow path 303 extends forward from the rear surface of the fixed part 33 to approximately the center of the lower part 31 in the front-rear direction. The gas flow passage 304 extends upward from the front end of the gas flow passage 303. The flow passage area of ​​the gas flow passage 304 is smaller than the flow passage area of ​​each of the gas flow passages 301-303.

[0038] A nozzle 34 is provided at the top of the rear end of the upper part 32. The nozzle 34 protrudes obliquely upward relative to the rear. A valve sliding part 306 and a gas flow path 305 are provided inside the upper part 32. The valve sliding part 306 extends downward from the upper surface of the upper part 32 and communicates with the gas flow path 304 of the lower part 31. The gas flow path 305 extends obliquely upward relative to the rear from below the valve sliding part 306 and communicates with the nozzle 34.

[0039] An adjustment mechanism 50 is provided on the top of the upper part 32. The adjustment mechanism 50 adjusts the amount of gas discharged from the nozzle 34 in response to the rotation of the flame adjustment lever 13A. The adjustment mechanism 50 includes the flame adjustment lever 13A, a bracket 52, and a needle valve 51. The bracket 52 is fixed to the top of the upper part 32. The flame adjustment lever 13A is attached so as to be rotatable in the left-right direction around a fulcrum part 58 provided on the top of the bracket 52. The needle valve 51 is inserted from the inlet of the valve sliding part 306 provided on the top surface of the upper part 32, and is provided so as to be freely reciprocated in the up-down direction along the axis of the valve sliding part 306. The needle valve 51 moves up and down by the rotation of the flame adjustment lever 13A. The amount of gas passing from the gas flow path 304 to 305 is adjusted according to the position of the needle valve 51 in the valve sliding part 306. This allows the amount of gas discharged from nozzle 34 to be adjusted in response to the rotational operation of flame adjustment lever 13A.

[0040] The structure of the third valve body 40 will be described. The third valve body 40 has a structure that switches the flow rate of gas flowing in from the second valve body 30 in three stages. As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the third valve body 40 is fixed to the fixing part 33 of the lower part 31 of the second valve body 30 from the rear. The third valve body 40 extends from the fixing part 33 at a slight downward incline to the rear, above the first valve body 20, which extends approximately horizontally in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the third valve body 40 is located rearward of the rear end of the first valve body 20.

[0041] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the third valve body 40 includes a main body 41, a front fixing portion 42, and a valve chamber 43. The main body 41 is generally cylindrical extending in the front-rear direction and has a generally elliptical cross section that is long in the up-down direction. Gas flow paths such as an outward path 81 and a return path 82, which will be described later, are provided within the main body 41. A flow path forming portion 45 is provided at the rear of the left side of the main body 41, protruding leftward. The flow path forming portion 45 is in the form of a plate that is generally rectangular in plan view. Gas flow paths such as a cross path 83, which will be described later, are provided within the flow path forming portion 45.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 9, the front fixing part 42 is provided at the front end of the main body part 41. The front fixing part 42 is formed in a generally diamond shape that is long in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and protrudes by generally the same length on both the left and right sides of the main body part 41. A fixing hole 421 is provided at the apex on the right side of the front fixing part 42, and a fixing hole 422 is provided at the apex on the left side. A gas inlet 811 and a gas outlet 821 are provided side by side in the vertical direction at approximately the center of the front surface of the front fixing part 42. The gas inlet 811 is on the lower side, and the gas outlet 821 is on the upper side. The gas inlet 811 is an inlet of an outward path 81 described below, and the gas outlet 821 is an outlet of a return path 82.

[0043] As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the valve chamber 43 is provided at the rear end of the main body 41 and protrudes leftward from the main body 41. A flow path forming section 45 is provided between the leftward protruding portion of the valve chamber 43 and the left side of the main body 41. The valve chamber 43 is generally cylindrical with a bottom that opens toward the rear and is long in the left-right direction (see Figs. 8 and 10). The valve chamber 43 includes a peripheral wall 431 and a front wall 432. The front wall 432 forms the bottom of the valve chamber 43 and is generally elliptical and long in the left-right direction when viewed from behind. The peripheral wall 431 is generally cylindrical and long in the left-right direction when viewed from behind and surrounds the periphery of the front wall 432. Four fixing holes 433 are provided at the upper and lower ends of the open end of the peripheral wall 431.

[0044] A gas inlet 861 is provided in the valve chamber 43 at the right side of the front wall 432 and in the vertical center. The gas inlet 861 is a circular hole, and is an inlet of a first communication passage 86, which will be described later. A first valve seat 863 is provided on the periphery of the gas inlet 861. A gas outlet 841 is provided below the gas inlet 861. The gas outlet 841 is a circular hole, and is an outlet of a second communication passage 84, which will be described later. A groove 842 is provided on the lower surface inside the peripheral wall 431, extending linearly rearward from the gas outlet 841.

[0045] A gas inlet 851 is provided on the left side and in the vertical center of the front wall portion 432. The gas inlet 851 is a circular hole, and is an inlet of a third communication passage 85 described below. A second valve seat 853 is provided on the periphery of the gas inlet 851. A gas inlet 871 is provided between the gas inlets 851 and 861 and on the gas inlet 861 side. The gas inlet 871 is a circular hole smaller than the gas inlets 851 and 861, and is an inlet of a fourth communication passage 87 described below. A narrow passage 833 described below is provided on the far side of the fourth communication passage 87.

[0046] The structure of the solenoid valve unit 70 will be described. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the solenoid valve unit 70 is attached to the valve chamber 43 of the third valve body 40 from the rear. The solenoid valve unit 70 includes a first solenoid valve 71, a second solenoid valve 72, and a mounting bracket 73. The first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first solenoid valve 71 is on the right side, and the second solenoid valve 72 is on the left side. The first solenoid valve 71 includes a valve body 711. The second solenoid valve 72 includes a valve body 721. The valve bodies 711 and 721 protrude forward. The mounting bracket 73 includes a mounting portion 74 and a valve accommodating portion 75. The mounting portion 74 is a plate-like member that is generally rectangular in front view, and is fixed to the rear end of the valve chamber 43 by screws, and closes the inside of the valve chamber 43 from the rear. A pair of left and right through holes (not shown) are provided in the middle of the mounting portion 74 in the up-down direction. The valve bodies 711, 721 are inserted into the pair of through holes so as to be able to move forward and backward from the rear to the front. Four fixing holes 77 are provided in the upper and lower ends of the mounting part 74. The four fixing holes 77 correspond to the positions of four fixing holes 433 provided in the rear end of the peripheral wall part 431 of the valve chamber part 43.

[0047] The valve accommodating portion 75 is provided on the rear surface of the mounting portion 74, and is formed in a generally U-shape that opens forward. The first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction inside the valve accommodating portion 75. The first solenoid valve 71 has a connection terminal portion 713. The connection terminal portion 713 protrudes rightward from the rear side of the opening on the right side of the valve accommodating portion 75. A terminal 90C of the harness 94 (see Figures 4 and 6) is connected to the connection terminal portion 713. The second solenoid valve 72 has a connection terminal portion 723. The connection terminal portion 723 protrudes leftward from the rear side of the opening on the left side of the valve accommodating portion 75. A terminal 90D of the harness 95 (see Figure 6) is connected to the connection terminal portion 723.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, the solenoid valve unit 70 having the above-mentioned configuration is attached to the rear end of the peripheral wall 431 of the valve chamber 43 with the valve bodies 711, 721 facing forward. The valve bodies 711, 721 are housed in the valve chamber 43 in a state in which they protrude forward. The attachment portion 74 of the mounting bracket 73 abuts against the rear end of the peripheral wall 431 of the valve chamber 43. The four fixing holes 77 provided in the attachment portion 74 overlap with the four fixing holes 433 provided in the rear end of the peripheral wall 431 of the valve chamber 43 in the front-rear direction. Four screws are fastened from the rear to the four fixing holes 77 and the four fixing holes 433 that overlap each other. In this way, the solenoid valve unit 70 is attached to the rear end of the valve chamber 43.

[0049] The configuration of the gas flow path 200 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. The gas flow path 200 is provided in the third valve body 40. The gas flow path 200 includes an outgoing path 81, a return path 82, a cross path 83, a first communication path 86, a second communication path 84, a third communication path 85, and a fourth communication path 87. The outgoing path 81 and the return path 82 are provided in the main body 41 of the third valve body 40. The outgoing path 81 and the return path 82 are provided side by side in the vertical direction and extend parallel to the axis of the main body 41. The outgoing path 81 is provided on the lower side, and the return path 82 is provided on the upper side, with the outgoing path 81 and the return path 82 spaced apart in the vertical direction. A gas inlet 811 of the outgoing path 81 and a gas outlet 821 of the return path 82 are provided in the front fixing part 42 (see Fig. 9). A gas inlet 811 of the outward path 81 overlaps with a gas outlet of the gas flow path 302 of the second valve body 30 (see FIG. 7). A gas outlet 821 of the return path 82 overlaps with a gas inlet of the gas flow path 303 of the second valve body 30.

[0050] The tolerance path 83 is provided in the flow path forming portion 45, and extends in the left-right direction at a height position between the outgoing path 81 and the return path 82 (see FIG. 12). As shown in FIG. 11, an upper part of the right end part of the tolerance path 83 communicates with a lower part of the rear end part of the return path 82 via an opening 831. A valve sliding part 88 is provided at the left end part of the tolerance path 83. The valve sliding part 88 is substantially cylindrical with a larger diameter than the tolerance path 83. The left end part of the valve sliding part 88 penetrates the left surface of the flow path forming portion 45. A needle valve 89 is inserted into the valve sliding part 88 from the left.

[0051] The first communication passage 86 extends forward from a gas inlet 861 provided in the front wall portion 432. The front end of the first communication passage 86 is in communication with the rear side of the right end of the cross passage 83 through an opening 832 (see FIG. 12) at a position where it overlaps with the outward passage 81 and the return passage 82 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the first communication passage 86 communicates the inside of the valve chamber 43 with the right end of the cross passage 83. The second communication passage 84 is provided below the first communication passage 86. The second communication passage 84 extends forward from a gas outlet 841 provided in the front wall portion 432 and is coaxially connected to the rear end of the outward passage 81. The second communication passage 84 has a smaller diameter than the outward passage 81. The second communication passage 84 communicates the rear end of the outward passage 81 with the inside of the valve chamber 43.

[0052] The third communication passage 85 extends forward inside the flow passage forming portion 45 from a gas inlet 851 provided in the front wall portion 432. The third communication passage 85 is provided at the same height position as the first communication passage 86, and at a position shifted to the left side of the first communication passage 86 in the protruding direction of the valve chamber portion 43. The front end portion of the third communication passage 85 communicates perpendicularly with the left end side of the rear portion of the valve sliding portion 88. The fourth communication passage 87 extends forward inside the flow passage forming portion 45 from a gas inlet 871 provided in the front wall portion 432. The fourth communication passage 87 is provided between the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85. The fourth communication passage 87 communicates perpendicularly with the cross passage 83 via the narrow passage 833.

[0053] In the front wall portion 432, a valve body 711 (see FIG. 9) of the first solenoid valve 71 comes into contact with and separates from a first valve seat 863 (see FIGS. 8 and 13) provided on the periphery of a gas inlet 861. Therefore, the gas inlet 861 is opened and closed by the valve body 711. A valve body 721 (see FIG. 9) of the second solenoid valve 72 comes into contact with and separates from a second valve seat 853 (see FIGS. 8 and 13) provided on the periphery of a gas inlet 851. Therefore, the gas inlet 851 is opened and closed by the valve body 721.

[0054] 7 and 11, the basic flow of gas in the gas flow passage 200 will be described. Gas that flows rearward through the gas flow passage 302 (see FIG. 7) of the second valve body 30 flows rearward from the gas inlet 811 along the forward path 81, as shown in FIG. 11. The gas flows rearward from the forward path 81 into the second communication passage 84. The gas flows rearward along the second communication passage 84 and flows into the valve chamber 43 from the gas outlet 841. The gas that flows into the valve chamber 43 branches off and flows into each of the three gas inlets 861, 851, and 871.

[0055] Gas that flows into the first communication passage 86 from the gas inlet 861 flows forward along the first communication passage 86 and flows into the cross passage 83 through the opening 832. Gas that flows into the third communication passage 85 from the gas inlet 851 flows forward along the third communication passage 85 and flows into the valve sliding portion 88 through the opening 881. The amount of gas passing through the valve sliding portion 88 is adjusted by the needle valve 89. Gas flows from the valve sliding portion 88 into the cross passage 83. Gas that flows into the fourth communication passage 87 from the gas inlet 871 flows forward along the fourth communication passage 87 and flows into the cross passage 83 through the fine passage 833 (see FIG. 13).

[0056] In this way, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 branches into three gas flow paths, namely, a first communication passage 86, a third communication passage 85, and a fourth communication passage 87, and then merges again at the cross passage 83. The gas that has flowed into the cross passage 83 flows into the return passage 82 via an opening 831 (see FIG. 12). The gas flows forward along the return passage 82 and flows out from the gas outlet 821.

[0057] The following describes the gas flow rate switching operation by the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72. The third valve body 40 can switch the gas flow rate in the return line 82 between three stages by opening and closing gas inlets 861, 851 provided in the front wall portion 432 by the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72, respectively. The three stages are a large flow rate, a medium flow rate, and a small flow rate.

[0058] The case of a large flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 16 separates the valve elements 711, 721 of the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 from the first valve seat 863 and the second valve seat 853 (see FIG. 8), and opens both the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85. As a result, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 branches into each of the first communication passage 86, the third communication passage 85, and the fourth communication passage 87, and is guided to the return passage 82 through the cross passage 83. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can cause the gas to flow out from the gas outlet 821 of the return passage 82 at a large flow rate.

[0059] The case of a medium flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 16 brings the valve body 711 of the first solenoid valve 71 into contact with the first valve seat 863, closing the first communication passage 86. On the other hand, the valve body 721 of the second solenoid valve 72 is separated from the second valve seat 853, opening the third communication passage 85. As a result, the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 branches into the third communication passage 85 and the fourth communication passage 87, and is guided to the return passage 82 through the cross passage 83. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can cause gas to flow out from the gas outlet 821 of the return passage 82 at a medium flow rate.

[0060] The case of a small flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 16 brings the valve bodies 711, 721 of the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 into contact with the first valve seat 863 and the second valve seat 853, respectively, to close both the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85. As a result, gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 flows only into the fourth communication passage 87, flows into the cross passage 83 via the narrow passage 833, and is guided to the return passage 82. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can cause gas to flow out of the gas outlet 821 of the return passage 82 at a small flow rate.

[0061] In this manner, in the valve unit 16 of this embodiment, the gas flow rate to be discharged to the second valve body 30 can be switched in three stages in the gas flow path 200 provided inside the third valve body 40. As a result, the gas flow rate discharged from the nozzle 34 of the second valve body 30 can be switched in three stages, so that the heat of the left burner burner 6 can be switched in three stages: high heat, medium heat, and low heat. As a specific structure of the gas flow path 200, the forward path 81 and the return path 82 extending in the front-rear direction are arranged vertically, and a cross-section path 83 is provided in the left-right direction between the vertical height positions of the forward and backward paths. Then, the first communication path 86, the third communication path 85, and the fourth communication path 87 extending forward from the inside of the valve chamber 43 are each connected to the cross-section path 83, and the cross-section path 83 is connected to the return path 82. In this embodiment, by adopting such a flow path configuration, the third valve body 40 does not protrude significantly in the left-right direction, and the length can be shortened in the front-rear direction as well. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can be maintained in a slim shape that does not protrude too much in the left-right direction and is not long in the front-back direction either. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can avoid interference with other components arranged on both the left and right sides inside the housing 2 of the stove 1.

[0062] 7, in the valve unit 16, the main body portion 41 of the third valve body 40 is disposed directly above the rear body 202 of the first valve body 20. The left-right width of the main body portion 41 is approximately the same as the left-right width of the rear body 202. Therefore, when the valve unit 16 is viewed from directly above as shown in FIG. 2, the fixing portions 26, 27 provided on both the left and right sides of the rear body 202 of the first valve body 20 are not hidden by the main body portion 41 of the third valve body 40.

[0063] In other words, the valve chamber portion 43, which is wide in the left-right direction of the third valve body 40, is not located directly above the rear body 202, and the main body portion 41, which is slim in width in the left-right direction, is located directly above the rear body 202. This makes it possible to insert a tool into the fixing holes 261, 271 of the fixing parts 26, 27 from directly above the valve unit 16 when screwing and fixing the fixing parts 26, 27 into the housing 2 of the stove 1, making the screwing work easier.

[0064] In addition, in the gas flow passage 200, the first communication passage 86 communicates the inside of the valve chamber 43 with the right end of the tolerance passage 83 at a position where it overlaps with the outward passage 81 and the return passage 82 in the left-right direction. This allows the return passage 82 and the first communication passage 86 to approach each other in the up-down direction via the tolerance passage 83. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can make the main body 41 of the third valve body 40 have a slimmer shape in the up-down direction as well. In addition, when the third valve body 40 is molded using a mold, a first pin for forming the outward passage extending in the front-rear direction and a second pin for forming the return passage extending in the front-rear direction are arranged in the mold so as to be parallel to each other in the up-down direction, a third pin for forming the tolerance passage is arranged in the left-right direction at a position in the height direction between the first pin and the second pin, and a fourth pin for forming the first communication passage is arranged facing the third pin at a position where it overlaps with the first pin and the second pin in the left-right direction. In this case, the outgoing path 81, the return path 82, the tolerance path 83, and the first communication passage 86 are formed by the simple operation of simply removing the first to fourth pins from the mold in the respective directions, thereby eliminating the need to cut the flow paths in the third valve body 40 in order to form the flow paths.

[0065] 2 to 4, a method of bundling various harnesses extending from the valve unit 16 will be described. A plurality of harnesses extend from a plurality of locations of the valve unit 16. The harnesses in this embodiment may be single-wire or double-wire. As shown in FIG. 6, a terminal 90A is connected to the microswitch 28 fixed to the right side surface of the casing 61 of the operation mechanism 60, and a harness 91 extends rearward from the terminal 90A. As shown in FIG. 5, a terminal 90B is connected to the microswitch 29 fixed to the left side surface of the casing 61, and a harness 92 extends rearward from the terminal 90B. A terminal 90C is connected to the connection terminal portion 713 of the first solenoid valve 71 of the solenoid valve unit 70, and a harness 94 extends from the terminal 90C. A terminal 90D is connected to the connection terminal portion 723 of the second solenoid valve 72, and a harness 95 extends from the terminal 90D. That is, in the valve unit 16, at least these four types of harnesses 91, 92, 94, and 95 extend from the front and rear sides.

[0066] In this embodiment, the harnesses are attached to the valve unit 16 while being bundled together as described below, thereby enabling a plurality of harnesses to be effectively bundled together. First, the two types of harnesses 91, 92 extending from the microswitches 28, 29 are bundled together with a resin cable tie 100. The cable tie 100 includes a fixing portion 101 and a binding portion 102. The fixing portion 101 is formed in a long and narrow flat plate shape in a plan view, and is provided with a fixing hole (not shown) penetrating in the vertical direction at one end in the longitudinal direction. A screw 38 (see FIG. 6) can be inserted into the fixing hole from above.

[0067] The binding portion 102 is provided at the other end of the fixing portion 101, and binds the harnesses 91, 92 from the periphery. One end of the fixing portion 101 of the binding band 100 binding the harnesses 91, 92 is placed on the upper surface of a harness fixing portion 203 provided on the first valve body 20, and a screw 38 is inserted into a fixing hole provided in one end of the fixing portion 101 and fastened to a fixing hole provided in the upper surface of the harness fixing portion 203. This allows the harnesses 91, 92 to be fixed to the upper surface of the harness fixing portion 203 via the binding band 100.

[0068] Next, the harnesses 91, 92 located between the microswitches 28, 29 and the harness fixing portion 203 are tied to the outer circumferential surface of the rear body 202 of the first valve body 20 with a tie band 150 so as not to slacken. The tie band 150 is formed in an annular shape, and by tying it to the outer circumferential surface of the rear body 202, the harnesses 91, 92 can be bundled together more neatly. The harnesses 91, 92 located between the tie band 150 and the tie band 100 may be further tied with a tie member 155 (see FIG. 6). The tie member 155 may be, for example, a resin tape wound around the outside of the harnesses 91, 92, or a cylindrical covering member.

[0069] Next, the harness 94 extending from the first solenoid valve 71 and the harness 95 extending from the second solenoid valve 72 are bundled together at a substantially central position in the left-right direction. At the same time, the harness 96 consisting of the harnesses 91 and 92 bundled together with the cable tie 150 is pulled out to the rear side, and these harnesses 94, 95 and 96 are bundled together and bundled with the bundling member 160. As a result, the valve unit 16 can shorten the distance between the bundling member 160 and the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72, so that the harnesses 94, 95 extending from the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 can be effectively prevented from loosening. In addition, the valve unit 16 can easily connect the terminals 90C, 90D of the harnesses 94, 95 to the connection terminal portions 713, 723 of the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72.

[0070] The bundling member 160 may be, for example, a resin tape wound around the outside of the harnesses 94 to 96, or a cylindrical covering member, and preferably extends along the axis of each of the harnesses 94 to 96. This increases the rigidity of the portion covered by the bundling member 160, further preventing the harnesses 94 to 96 from slackening. The bundling member 160 can bundle the harnesses 94 to 96 more neatly.

[0071] Furthermore, the harnesses 94-96 bound by the binding member 160 are pulled rearward, and the terminal 90E is connected to the rear end thereof. It is more preferable to bind the harnesses 94-96 near the terminal 90E with the binding member 170. The binding member 170 is preferably made of the same material as the binding member 160. Also, a predetermined harness 961 of the harnesses 94-96 may be folded back with the binding member 160 and fixed to the earth fixture 25 with a screw 251 (see FIG. 3).

[0072] As described above, the stove 1 of this embodiment includes a valve unit 16 in the housing 2. The valve unit 16 can switch the amount of gas supplied to the left stove burner 6 between three levels: high flow rate, medium flow rate, and low flow rate. The valve unit 16 includes a third valve body 40. The third valve body 40 extends in the front-rear direction and can switch the flow rate of gas. The third valve body 40 includes a gas inlet 811, a gas outlet 821, an outward path 81, a return path 82, a cross-sectional path 83, a valve chamber 43, a first solenoid valve 71, a second solenoid valve 72, a first communication passage 86, a second communication passage 84, a third communication passage 85, and a fourth communication passage 87. The gas inlet 811 is provided at the front end of the third valve body 40 and opens forward, allowing gas to flow in. The gas outlet 821 is provided at the front end of the third valve body 40 and above the gas inlet 811, opening forward and allowing gas to flow out. The outward passage 81 is provided in the third valve body 40 and extends rearward from the gas inlet 811. The return passage 82 is provided in the third valve body 40 and extends rearward from the gas outlet 821 above the outward passage 81. The cross passage 83 extends left and right at a height position between the outward passage 81 and the return passage 82, and its right end intersects with the return passage 82. The valve chamber 43 is provided at the rear end of the third valve body 40 and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is long in the left and right direction when viewed from the back and opens toward the rear. The valve chamber 43 includes a front wall 432 and a peripheral wall 431. The front wall 432 is the bottom of the back side of the valve chamber 43. The peripheral wall 431 is cylindrical and surrounds the periphery of the front wall 432. The valve chamber 43 protrudes to the left end side opposite to the right end of the cross passage 83. The first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are fixed to the rear end of the peripheral wall portion 431. The first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with the valve bodies 711, 721 protruding forward into the valve chamber portion 43. The first communication passage 86 is provided in the center of the front wall portion 432 in the up-down direction, extends in the front-rear direction, and communicates the valve chamber portion 43 with the right end of the cross passage 83. The second communication passage 84 is provided below the first communication passage 86 in the front wall portion 432, extends in the front-rear direction, and communicates the valve chamber portion 43 with the outgoing passage 81. The third communication passage 85 is provided in the front wall portion 432 at the same height position as the first communication passage 86 and at a position closer to the left than the first communication passage 86 in the protruding direction of the valve chamber portion 43. The third communication passage 85 extends in the front-rear direction, and connects the valve chamber 43 with the left end side of the cross passage 83 .The fourth communication passage 87 is provided at a position between the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85 in the front wall portion 432. The fourth communication passage 87 extends in the front-rear direction, and communicates the portion between the right end and the left end of the cross passage 83 with the valve chamber portion 43. The first valve seat 863 is formed in the front wall portion 432 at the periphery of the gas inlet 861 of the first communication passage 86, and comes into contact with and separates from the valve body 711 of the first solenoid valve 71 to open and close the first communication passage 86. The second valve seat 853 is formed in the front wall portion 432 at the periphery of the gas inlet 851 of the third communication passage 85, and comes into contact with and separates from the valve body 721 of the second solenoid valve 72 to open and close the third communication passage 85.

[0073] When a large flow rate of gas is to flow out from the gas outlet 821, the valve bodies 711, 721 of the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are moved away from the first valve seat 863 and the second valve seat 853, respectively, and the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85 are both opened, so that the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 is guided to the return passage 82 through the first communication passage 86, the third communication passage 85, the fourth communication passage 87 and the cross passage 83. When a medium flow rate of gas is discharged from the gas outlet 821, the valve body 711 of the first solenoid valve 71 is brought into contact with the first valve seat 863, the first communication passage 86 is closed, the valve body 721 of the second solenoid valve 72 is separated from the second valve seat 853, and the third communication passage 85 is opened, so that the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 is guided to the return passage 82 through the third communication passage 85, the fourth communication passage 87, and the cross passage 83. When a small flow rate of gas is discharged from the gas outlet 821, the valve bodies 711, 721 of the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72 are brought into contact with the first valve seat 863 and the second valve seat 853, so that the first communication passage 86 and the third communication passage 85 are both closed, so that the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber 43 is guided to the return passage 82 through the fourth communication passage 87 and the cross passage 83.

[0074] The third valve body 40 of the valve unit 16 has an outward passage 81 and a return passage 82 that extend in the front-rear direction arranged vertically, a cross passage 83 between them, and is configured to guide gas to the return passage 82 via a first communication passage 86, a third communication passage 85, a fourth communication passage 87, and the cross passage 83. In this third valve body 40, only the valve chamber 43 protrudes to the left, and the other parts do not protrude in the left-right direction. This allows the valve unit 16 to maintain the third valve body 40 in a slim shape. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can prevent the third valve body 40 from interfering with other parts inside the housing 2 of the stove 1.

[0075] In addition, the valve unit 16 of this embodiment is for the left burner 6, but the valve unit 15 for the right burner 5 has a structure similar to that of the valve unit 16, and only the part corresponding to the third valve body 40 is symmetrical. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve unit 16 for the left burner 6 is installed on the left side of the grill chamber 4 in the housing 2. The valve chamber 43 and the flow path forming part 45 of the valve unit 16 protrude to the left, opposite the grill chamber 4. Therefore, the valve unit 16 can be disposed close to the left side of the grill chamber 4. The valve chamber 43 and the flow path forming part 45 do not interfere with the left end side of the grill chamber 4 and other members located in the vicinity thereof.

[0076] In contrast, the valve unit 15 for the right stove burner 5 is installed on the right side of the grill chamber 4. The third valve body of the valve unit 15 has a symmetrical shape to the third valve body 40 shown in Fig. 10, so the valve chamber 430 and the flow path forming part 450 of the valve unit 15 protrude to the right, opposite the grill chamber 4. Therefore, the valve unit 15 can be disposed close to the right side of the grill chamber 4. Furthermore, the valve chamber 430 and the flow path forming part 450 do not interfere with the right end side of the grill chamber 4 or other components located in its vicinity.

[0077] Furthermore, because the right-side valve unit 15 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the left-side valve unit 16 only in the portion corresponding to the third valve body 40, the first valve body 20 and the second valve body 30 can be used as common parts in the valve units 15, 16. Therefore, compared to when the respective components of the valve units 15, 16 are separate parts, the manufacture and management of the components of the valve units 15, 16 is easier and less mold management is required.

[0078] In the above description, valve unit 16 is an example of a "left valve unit" of the present invention, and valve unit 15 is an example of a "right valve unit" of the present invention. A large gas flow rate is an example of a "first flow rate", a medium flow rate is an example of a "second flow rate", and a small gas flow rate is an example of a "third flow rate" of the present invention. A third valve body 40 shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a "valve body" of the present invention. A gas inlet 811 shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a "gas inlet" of the present invention, and a gas outlet 821 is an example of a "gas outlet" of the present invention.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The stove 1 is a table stove with a grill, but it may be a built-in stove. The grill chamber does not have to be provided. The number of stove burners is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more.

[0080] The gas flow passage 200 in the third valve body 40 in the above embodiment includes three communication passages (first communication passage 86, third communication passage 85, fourth communication passage 87) that communicate with the cross passage 83, and the gas flow rate can be switched in three stages by opening and closing one or two of the communication passages with the first solenoid valve 71 and the second solenoid valve 72, but the number of communication passages that communicate with the cross passage 83 may be three or more. In this case, the gas flow rate can be switched in even more stages (three or more stages).

[0081] A harness fixing part 203 is provided at the rear end of the right side part of the rear body 202 of the third valve body 40, but the position of the band fixing part is not limited to that in the above embodiment. For example, it may be provided on the front body 201 instead of the rear body 202, or on the first valve body 20 or the second valve body 30. The shape and number of the band fixing part are also not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the harness 96 obtained by bundling the harnesses 93 to 95 is bound by the binding members 160 and 170, but the harness 96 may be bound at another location by a binding member depending on the length of the harness 96. Also, the binding member 170 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Stove 2. Chassis 4 Grill room 5 Right burner 6 Left burner 15,16 Valve unit 26,27 Fixed part 28,29 Microswitch 40 3rd valve body 41 Main body 43 Valve chamber 71 First solenoid valve 72 Second solenoid valve 81 Outbound 82 Return 83 Tolerance road 84 2nd communication passage 85 Third communication passage 86 1st communication passage 87 4th passageway 811 Gas inlet 821 Gas outlet 853 Second valve seat 863 First valve seat

Claims

1. A valve unit for a stove that can switch the amount of gas supplied to a burner between at least three levels: a first flow rate, a second flow rate that is less than the first flow rate, and a third flow rate that is less than the second flow rate. A valve body extending in a front-rear direction and switching a flow rate of the gas is provided. The valve body includes: a gas inlet provided at a front end of the valve body and opening forward, through which the gas flows in; a gas outlet provided at the front end of the valve body and above the gas inlet, the gas outlet opening forward and allowing the gas to flow out; an outward passage provided inside the valve body and extending rearward from the gas inlet; a return passage provided inside the valve body and extending rearward from the gas outlet above the forward passage; a tolerance path extending in the left-right direction at a height position between the outgoing path and the returning path, and one end of the tolerance path in the length direction intersecting with the returning path; a valve chamber provided at a rear end of the valve body, formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape that is elongated in the left-right direction as viewed from behind and that opens rearward, the valve chamber including a front wall portion that forms a bottom of the valve chamber, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion that surrounds a periphery of the front wall portion, the valve chamber protruding toward the other end side opposite to the one end side of the tolerance passage; a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve fixed to a rear end portion of the peripheral wall portion and arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their valve bodies protruding forward into the valve chamber; a first communication passage provided in a vertical center portion of the front wall portion, extending in a front-rear direction, and communicating between the valve chamber and the one end of the tolerance passage; a second communication passage provided in the front wall portion below the first communication passage, extending in a front-rear direction, and communicating between the valve chamber and the outward passage; a third communication passage provided in the front wall portion at a position at the same height as the first communication passage and closer to the protruding direction of the valve chamber than the first communication passage, the third communication passage extending in a front-rear direction and communicating between the valve chamber and the other end side of the cross passage; a fourth communication passage provided in the front wall portion at a position between the first communication passage and the third communication passage, extending in a front-rear direction, and connecting a portion between the one end and the other end of the tolerance passage and the valve chamber; a first valve seat formed on a peripheral portion of an opening of the first communication passage in the front wall portion, the first valve seat coming into contact with and separating from a valve body of the first solenoid valve to open and close the first communication passage; a second valve seat formed on a peripheral portion of an opening of the third communication passage in the front wall portion, the second valve seat coming into contact with and separating from a valve body of the second solenoid valve to open and close the third communication passage; Equipped with when the gas at the first flow rate is to be discharged from the gas outlet, the valve bodies of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are separated from the first valve seat and the second valve seat, and the first communication passage and the third communication passage are both opened, thereby guiding the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber to the return passage through the first communication passage, the third communication passage, the fourth communication passage and the cross passage, when the gas at the second flow rate is to be discharged from the gas outlet, a valve body of the first solenoid valve is brought into contact with the first valve seat to close the first communication passage, and a valve body of the second solenoid valve is separated from the second valve seat to open the third communication passage, thereby guiding the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber to the return passage through the third communication passage, the fourth communication passage, and the cross passage, When the gas at the third flow rate is discharged from the gas outlet, the valve bodies of the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are brought into contact with the first valve seat and the second valve seat, and the first communication passage and the third communication passage are both closed, thereby guiding the gas that has flowed into the valve chamber to the return passage through the fourth communication passage and the cross passage. A valve unit characterized by:

2. a lower valve body formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction below the valve body, the gas to be supplied to the valve body flowing inside the lower valve body; The lower valve body is a gas inlet portion provided in a lower portion of the lower valve body, opening downward, and connected to one end of a gas supply pipe that supplies the gas to an inside of the lower valve body; a pair of left and right fixing portions that protrude from the gas inlet portion to both left and right sides and are screwed from above to a fixing portion provided at the one end of the gas supply pipe; Equipped with the valve body includes a main body portion that is a portion between the front end portion and the valve chamber portion, extends rearward above the lower valve body, and has the outgoing path and the return path therein; When the valve body is viewed from above, the pair of left and right fixing parts protrude to the left and right sides from the left and right sides of the main body part, and fixing holes provided in each of the pair of left and right fixing parts open upward. The valve unit according to claim 1 .

3. The first communication passage communicates between the valve chamber and the one end of the cross passage at a position where the first communication passage overlaps with the outward passage and the return passage in the left-right direction.

3. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The valve unit according to claim 1 ; a stove burner that uses the gas supplied from the valve unit as fuel to form a flame; A stove comprising:

5. The grill compartment is located in the center of the left and right sides of the cabinet. The burner includes a right burner and a left burner sandwiching the grill chamber in the center, The valve unit includes: A right valve unit is provided below the right burner so that its longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction and supplies the gas to the right burner; a left valve unit that is provided below the left stove burner with its longitudinal direction aligned with the front-rear direction and supplies the gas to the left stove burner; Equipped with The valve chamber of the right valve unit protrudes to the right, The valve chamber of the left valve unit protrudes leftward. The stove according to claim 4, characterized in that

6. The valve bodies of the right valve unit and the left valve unit are symmetrical to each other. The stove according to claim 5, characterized in that

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