Valve unit and stove

Abstract

To provide a valve unit that can be compact even in a case where a gas supply is switchable in three stages, and a stove.SOLUTION: A second valve body 32 includes a gas introduction path 52, a first valve chamber 53, a first passage 54, a second passage 55, a second valve chamber 56, a third passage 57, a fourth passage 59, a first bypass path 61, a second bypass path 62, a first solenoid valve 81, and a second solenoid valve 82. The first solenoid valve 81 is fixed to a rear end part of a first cylindrical part 321 forming the first valve chamber 53 with the valve 81 oriented in a front-rear direction. A first valve body 811 of the first solenoid valve 81 opens and closes a first communication hole 532 communicating with the first passage 54. The second solenoid valve 82 is fixed to an upper end part of a second cylindrical part 322 forming the second valve chamber 56 with the valve 82 oriented in a vertical direction. A second valve body 821 of the second solenoid valve 82 opens and closes a third communication hole 563 communicating with the third passage 57.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gas stove has been proposed that can switch the gas supply amount in three stages based on the bottom temperature of the pan (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this gas stove, compared to a stove that can switch the heating power in two stages of high and low, automatic heating power adjustment can be performed more finely.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The gas stove described in Patent Document 1 needs to provide more passages and solenoid valves compared to a gas stove that can switch the heating power in two stages. Therefore, it causes the valve unit to become larger, and there is a possibility of interference with other adjacent members in the housing of the gas stove.

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The valve unit according to claim 1 is provided with a switching device for switching the supply and non - supply of gas. In a valve unit capable of switching the gas supply amount to a burner, it includes a valve body extending in the front - rear direction and provided above the switching device. The valve body is provided with a gas inlet provided at the lower side of the valve body and opening downward to receive gas supply from the switching device, a gas introduction passage extending upward from the gas inlet, a first valve chamber provided at the rear end portion of the valve body and opening rearward and communicating with the upper end portion of the gas introduction passage, a second valve chamber provided at the upper portion in front of the first valve chamber in the valve body and opening upward, a first passage communicating through a first communication hole provided in the front surface portion inside the first valve chamber and extending forward, a second passage extending upward from the front end portion of the first passage and communicating with the inside of the second valve chamber through a second communication hole provided in the bottom surface portion inside the second valve chamber, a third passage extending downward from a third communication hole provided in the bottom surface portion of the second valve chamber, a fourth passage extending forward from the lower end portion of the third passage, a gas outlet passage communicating with the fourth passage and extending upward, a gas outlet provided at the upper portion of the valve body and communicating with the upper end portion of the gas outlet passage, a first bypass hole provided in the front surface portion of the first valve chamber, a first bypass passage communicating between the first bypass hole and the first passage, a second bypass hole provided in the bottom surface portion of the second valve chamber, and a second bypass passage communicating between the second bypass hole and the fourth passage. At the rear end portion of the first cylindrical portion forming the first valve chamber, a first electromagnetic valve having a first valve body that contacts and separates from a first valve seat formed around the first communication hole is fixed in a posture where the first valve body protrudes toward the first valve seat. At the upper end portion of the second cylindrical portion forming the second valve chamber, a second electromagnetic valve having a second valve body that contacts and separates from a second valve seat formed around the third communication hole is fixed in a posture where the second valve body protrudes toward the second valve seat.

[0007] A first needle valve for adjusting the gas amount may be inserted movably in the front - rear direction into the fourth passage of the valve unit according to claim 2.

[0008] In the first bypass circuit of the valve unit according to claim 3, a second needle valve for regulating the gas amount may be inserted.

[0009] The stove according to claim 4 is characterized by comprising the valve unit according to claim 1.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the valve unit of claim 1, by opening both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, the burner can be set to high heat. By opening the first solenoid valve and closing the second solenoid valve, the burner can be set to medium heat. By closing both the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve, the burner can be set to low heat. By arranging the first solenoid valve to protrude rearward and the second solenoid valve to protrude upward, while enabling the switching of the heat level in three stages, the shape of the valve unit can be made slim in the left-right direction. Thereby, when the valve units are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, interference between the valve units can be prevented. Note that the orientation of the valve unit is defined as the orientation when installed in the housing of the stove, with the user side being the front side.

[0011] According to the valve unit of claim 2, by adjusting the gas amount flowing through the fourth passage with the first needle valve, the gas amount flowing out from the gas outlet through the gas guiding path can be adjusted more finely. Note that the first needle valve is manually operable to move back and forth, and may adjust the gas amount flowing from the fourth passage to the gas guiding path according to the position of the first needle valve in the fourth passage.

[0012] According to the valve unit of claim 3, the gas amount flowing from the first bypass circuit into the first passage can be regulated. Also, by using the second bypass circuit as the space for arranging the second needle valve, there is no need to separately form a space for arranging the second needle valve in the valve body.

[0013] According to the stove of claim 4, since it comprises the valve unit according to claim 1, the effects described in claim 1 can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The device configurations and the like described below are not intended to be limited to only those, without specific description, but are merely illustrative examples. The drawings are used to explain the technical features that the present invention can adopt. In this embodiment, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions shown in the drawings will be used for explanation. Also, the scales of the respective figures do not necessarily match each other, and are appropriately enlarged or reduced according to the object to be illustrated.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the stove 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the stove 1 is a built-in stove and is installed in a cabinet of a system kitchen (not shown). The stove 1 includes a housing 2 and a top plate (not shown). The housing 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open upper portion. The top plate is fixed to the open upper portion of the housing 2 with screws (not shown). A grill compartment 4 is provided at the center inside the housing 2. Mounting beams 8 are horizontally spanned in the left-right direction at the front sides of the upper ends of the right and left walls of the housing 2, respectively, and mounting beams 9 are horizontally spanned in the left-right direction at the rear sides. A mounting beam 10 is horizontally spanned in the front-rear direction between the central portions of the mounting beams 8 and 9. A right stove burner 5 is attached to the right side of the mounting beam 8, a left stove burner 6 is attached to the left side, and a rear stove burner 7 is attached to the rear side of the mounting beam 10.

[0017] The throat portion 5A of the right stove burner 5 extends rearward. The rear end portion of the throat portion 5A faces a nozzle 16A provided at the downstream end of a gas pipe 16 described later. The throat portion 5A mixes the gas ejected from the nozzle 16A and the air in the housing 2 drawn in by the ejection of the gas inside the throat portion 5A and supplies it to the right stove burner 5. The throat portion 6A of the left stove burner 6 also extends rearward. The rear end portion of the throat portion 6A faces a nozzle 19A provided at the downstream end of a gas pipe 19 described later. The throat portion 6A mixes the gas ejected from the nozzle 19A and the air in the housing 2 drawn in by the ejection of the gas inside the throat portion 6A and supplies it to the left stove burner 6. The throat portion 7A of the rear stove burner 7 extends leftward. The left end portion of the throat portion 7A faces a nozzle 18A provided at the downstream end of a gas pipe 18 described later. The throat portion 7A mixes the gas ejected from the nozzle 18A and the air in the housing 2 drawn in by the ejection of the gas inside the throat portion 7A and supplies it to the rear stove burner 7.

[0018] A grill door 15 is provided at the center in the left - right direction on the front surface (not shown) of the housing 2. On the right side of the grill door 15 on the front surface of the housing 2, operation knobs 11 and 12 are provided side - by - side horizontally. On the left side of the grill door 15, operation knobs 13 and 14 are provided side - by - side horizontally. The operation knob 11 performs operations for ignition, extinguishing, and flame adjustment of the right burner 5. The operation knob 12 performs operations for ignition, extinguishing, and flame adjustment of a grill burner (not shown) provided in the grill compartment 4. The operation knob 13 performs operations for ignition, extinguishing, and flame adjustment of the rear burner 7. The operation knob 14 performs operations for ignition, extinguishing, and flame adjustment of the left burner 6.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, in the front side inside the housing 2, at the position corresponding to the operation knob 11, a valve unit 21 for the right burner 5 is provided, and at the position corresponding to the operation knob 12, a valve unit 22 for the grill burner is provided. At the position corresponding to the operation knob 13, a valve unit 23 for the rear burner 7 is provided, and at the position corresponding to the operation knob 14, a valve unit 24 for the left burner 6 is provided. The valve units 21 and 22 are installed without a gap in the left - right direction on the right side of the grill compartment 4, and the valve units 23 and 24 are installed without a gap in the left - right direction on the left side of the grill compartment 4.

[0020] The upstream - side end of the gas pipe 16 is connected to a gas outlet 323 (see FIG. 3) of the valve unit 21 described later. The gas pipe 16 extends rearward and is folded forward on the rear - wall side of the housing 2. A nozzle 16A is provided at the downstream - side end of the gas pipe 16. The nozzle 16A is directed forward and faces the rear end of the throat portion 5A of the right burner 5. The valve unit 21 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 16A according to the amount of rotation of the operation knob 11. The upstream - side end of the gas pipe 17 is connected to a gas outlet (not shown) of the valve unit 22. The gas pipe 17 extends rearward and is folded leftward on the rear - wall side of the housing 2. A nozzle (not shown) is provided at the downstream - side end of the gas pipe 17 and faces the throat portion (not shown) of the grill burner in the grill compartment 4. The valve unit 22 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle according to the amount of rotation of the operation knob 12.

[0021] The upstream end of the gas pipe 18 is connected to a later-described gas outlet (not shown) of the valve unit 23. The gas pipe 18 extends rearward while bending left and right and is turned back rightward on the rear wall side of the housing 2. A nozzle 18A is provided at the downstream end of the gas pipe 18. The nozzle 18A faces the throat portion 7A of the back burner 7. The valve unit 23 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 18A according to the amount of rotation of the operation knob 13. The upstream end of the gas pipe 19 is connected to a later-described gas outlet (not shown) of the valve unit 24. The gas pipe 19 extends rearward and is turned back forward on the rear wall side of the housing 2. A nozzle 19A is provided at the downstream end of the gas pipe 19. The nozzle 19A faces the throat portion 6A of the left burner 6. The valve unit 24 adjusts the amount of gas ejected from the nozzle 19A according to the amount of rotation of the operation knob 14.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 10, the structure of the valve unit 21 will be described. Note that since the other valve units 22 to 24 have the same or similar structure as the valve unit 21, the description thereof will be omitted. The valve unit 21 performs ignition and extinguishing of the right burner 5 and adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the right burner 5 by the pushing operation and the turning operation of the operation knob 11. The pushing operation is an operation of pressing the front surface of the operation knob 11 rearward and pushing it deeper than the front surface of the stove 1. The turning operation is an operation of gripping and turning the side surface of the operation knob 11.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the valve unit 21 includes an operation mechanism 30, a first valve body 31, a second valve body 32, a heat control cam 33, a first solenoid valve 81, a second solenoid valve 82, and the like.

[0024] The configuration of the operating mechanism 30 will be described. The operating mechanism 30 includes an operating knob 11, a main body portion 35, and a connecting member 36. The operating knob 11 has a short-axis substantially cylindrical shape and moves to each of a fire extinguishing position, a pushed-in position, and an operating position by being pushed rearward toward the rear of the crosshead 1. The fire extinguishing position is a position where the front end surface of the operating knob 11 is substantially flush with the front surface of the crosshead 1. The pushed-in position is a position where the front end surface of the operating knob 11 is pushed rearward from the front surface of the crosshead 1. The operating knob 11 is positioned rearward of the fire extinguishing position at the pushed-in position. The operating position is a position where the front end surface of the operating knob 11 protrudes with respect to the front surface of the crosshead 1. The operating knob 11 is positioned forward of the fire extinguishing position at the operating position. The operating knob 11 at the operating position is capable of being rotationally operated.

[0025] The main body portion 35 is provided on the front side of the valve unit 21 and extends in the front-rear direction. At the front end portion of the main body portion 35, the operating knob 11 is supported so as to be able to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction and rotate around the axis. The main body portion 35 positions the operating knob 11 at each of the fire extinguishing position, the pushed-in position, and the operating position, and maintains the main valve 46 (see FIG. 7) described later in an open state or a closed state according to each position.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 7, inside the main body portion 35, a slider 71, an operating rod 72, and springs 73 and 74 are provided. The slider 71 is disposed coaxially behind the operating knob 11 and is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction. The operating rod 72 is disposed coaxially behind the slider 71 and is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction. The spring 73 is attached to the slider 71 and constantly biases the operating rod 72 rearward. The spring 74 is attached to the operating rod 72, and the rear end portion thereof abuts against the rear surface of the internal space of the main body portion 35. Therefore, the spring 74 constantly biases the operating rod 72 forward. With such a configuration, the slider 71 moves in the axial direction in accordance with the pushing operation of the operating knob 11, and accordingly, the operating rod 72 also moves in the axial direction.

[0027] A push-push mechanism 77 is provided at the lower part of the main body 35. Each time the operation knob 11 is pushed in, the push-push mechanism 77 alternately repeats the operation of moving the operation knob 11 from the fire extinguishing position to the operation position via the pushing position and the operation of moving from the operation position to the fire extinguishing position via the pushing position. The actuating rod 72 performs an operation of opening the main valve 46 and maintaining it in the open state in conjunction with the operation of moving the operation knob 11 from the fire extinguishing position to the operation position, and performs an operation of closing the main valve 46 and maintaining it in the closed state in conjunction with the operation of moving the operation knob 11 from the operation position to the fire extinguishing position.

[0028] The connecting member 36 is substantially cylindrical and is integrally connected coaxially with the operation knob 11. The front end side of the slider 71 of the main body 35 is inserted inside the connecting member 36. The connecting member 36 moves back and forth by the pushing operation of the operation knob 11, thereby moving the slider 71 back and forth. When the operation knob 11 is positioned at the operation position, the connecting member 36 rotatably connects the operation knob 11 and a later-described firepower adjustment cam 33 integrally. Thereby, the connecting member 36 transmits the rotational force of the operation knob 11 to the firepower adjustment cam 33.

[0029] The structure of the first valve body 31 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the first valve body 31 is substantially cylindrical and extends in the front-rear direction, and is coaxially connected to the rear end portion of the main body 35 by two screws 91 (only one is shown in FIG. 3). A gas introduction portion 311 is provided at a substantially middle portion in the front-rear direction of the lower side portion of the first valve body 31. The gas introduction portion 311 is in the shape of a short-axis cylinder protruding downward (see FIGS. 3 and 5). A gas pipe (not shown) for supplying gas is connected to the gas introduction portion 311 from below. A gas outlet 44 is provided on the front side of the upper side portion of the first valve body 31. The gas outlet 44 opens upward (see FIG. 6).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, a main passage 42 extending in the axial direction is provided inside the first valve body 31. Inside the gas introduction portion 311, a gas introduction passage 41 extending in the vertical direction is provided. The upper end portion of the gas introduction passage 41 communicates orthogonally with the rear end portion of the main passage 42. A gas outflow passage 43 extending in the vertical direction is provided between the front end portion of the main passage 42 and the gas outlet 44. Therefore, the gas flowing into the gas introduction passage 41 from the gas pipe flows through the main passage 42 and the gas outflow passage 43 and flows out from the gas outlet 44.

[0031] In the main passage 42, a safety valve 45 and a main valve 46 are provided in order from the upstream side in the gas flow direction. The safety valve 45 is provided on the rear end side of the main passage 42, and the main valve 46 is provided on the front end side of the main passage 42. The safety valve 45 is an electromagnetic operation type valve elastically biased to a closed state for closing the main passage 42, and when it is pushed backward by the action rod 72 and opened, it is maintained in the open state by the control circuit (not shown) of the stove 1. The main valve 46 opens and closes the main passage 42 in response to the pushing operation of the operation knob 11. When the right burner 5 is extinguished by closing the main valve 46, the control circuit releases the open state of the safety valve 45. In this case, the safety valve 45 closes the main passage 42 by a spring (not shown). With such a configuration, the operation mechanism 30 and the first valve body 31 can switch the supply and non - supply of gas to the second valve body 32.

[0032] The structure of the second valve body 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the second valve body 32 extends in the front - rear direction and is attached substantially horizontally to the upper portions of the main body portion 35 and the first valve body 31 (see FIG. 5). A gas inlet 51 is provided on the rear end side of the lower portion of the second valve body 32. The gas inlet 51 opens downward and is connected to the gas outlet 44 provided on the upper portion of the first valve body 31. Therefore, the gas flowing out from the gas outlet 44 flows into the gas passage inside the second valve body 32 through the gas inlet 51.

[0033] A first cylindrical portion 321 is provided at the rear end portion of the second valve body 32. The first cylindrical portion 321 has a bottomed substantially cylindrical portion that opens rearward, and a first valve chamber 53 (see FIG. 8) is formed inside thereof. A first solenoid valve 81 is fixed to the first cylindrical portion 321 by two screws 92 from the rear in a state where its axis is oriented in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 6). A first valve element 811 of the first solenoid valve 81 is inserted and disposed in the first valve chamber 53. A second cylindrical portion 322 is provided at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper side portion of the second valve body 32. The second cylindrical portion 322 has a bottomed substantially cylindrical portion that opens upward, and a second valve chamber 56 (see FIG. 8) is formed inside thereof. A second solenoid valve 82 is fixed to the second cylindrical portion 322 by two screws 93 from the upper side in a state where its axis is oriented in the vertical direction (see FIG. 6). A second valve element 821 of the second solenoid valve 82 is inserted and disposed in the second valve chamber 56. A gas outlet 323 is provided at the front end side of the upper side portion of the second valve body 32. The gas outlet 323 opens upward. The upstream end portion of the gas pipe 16 is connected to the gas outlet 323.

[0034] The gas passage inside the second valve body 32 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, inside the second valve body 32, as a main passage, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction in which gas flows, a gas introduction passage 52, a first valve chamber 53, a first passage 54, a second passage 55, a second valve chamber 56, a third passage 57, a fourth passage 59, and a gas outlet passage 60 are provided.

[0035] The gas introduction passage 52 extends upward from a gas inlet 51 provided at the rear side of the lower portion of the second valve body 32. As described above, the first valve chamber 53 opens rearward. At the back (front side) of the first valve chamber 53, a front surface portion 531 having a circular shape in a rear view is provided (see FIG. 10). In the front surface portion 531, a first communication hole 532 and a first bypass hole 533 are provided. The first communication hole 532 is provided at the center of the front surface portion 531. A first valve seat 535 is formed around the first communication hole 532. The tip of the first valve body 811 of the first electromagnetic valve 81 contacts and separates from the first valve seat 535 (see FIG. 7). The first bypass hole 533 is provided at the upper portion of the front surface portion 531. A through hole 534 (see FIG. 8) is provided on the inner peripheral surface below the first valve chamber 53. The upper end portion of the gas introduction passage 52 is connected to the through hole 534. Therefore, the first valve chamber 53 communicates with the gas introduction passage 52 through the through hole 534. The first passage 54 extends forward from the first communication hole 532. The second passage 55 extends upward from the front end portion of the first passage 54.

[0036] As described above, the second valve chamber 56 opens upward. At the back (lower side) of the second valve chamber 56, a bottom surface portion 561 having a circular shape in a plan view is provided. In the bottom surface portion 561, a second communication hole 562, a third communication hole 563, and a second bypass hole 564 are provided (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The second communication hole 562 is provided at the rear side of the bottom surface portion 561. The third communication hole 563 is provided at the center of the bottom surface portion 561. The second bypass hole 564 is provided at the front side of the bottom surface portion 561. The diameter of the second bypass hole 564 is smaller than the diameter of the third communication hole 563. As will be described later, the diameter of the second bypass hole 564 regulates the gas flow rate passing through a second bypass circuit 62 described later.

[0037] A second valve seat 565 is formed around the third communication hole 563. The tip of the second valve body 821 of the second electromagnetic valve 82 contacts and separates from the second valve seat 565 (see FIG. 7). The upper end portion of the second passage 55 is connected to the second communication hole 562. Therefore, the second valve chamber 56 communicates with the second passage 55 through the second communication hole 562.

[0038] The third passage 57 extends downward from the third communication hole 563. The fourth passage 59 extends forward from the lower end of the third passage 57 and penetrates the front end of the second valve body 32 forward. An opening 65 is provided at the front end of the second valve body 32. The opening 65 is the front-side opening of the fourth passage 59. The gas outlet passage 60 extends upward from a connection portion 591 provided in the middle of the fourth passage 59 and communicates with the gas outlet 323. A needle valve 75 is slidably inserted in the front-rear direction into the fourth passage 59 through the opening 65. The front side of the needle valve 75 is exposed forward from the opening 65. A pin 76 is provided to protrude downward at the front end of the needle valve 75. The lower end of the pin 76 engages with a cam groove 331 of a later-described firing control cam 33.

[0039] Inside the second valve body 32, in addition to the above-mentioned main passage, a first bypass circuit 61 and a second bypass circuit 62 are further provided. The first bypass circuit 61 and the second bypass circuit 62 are bypass flow paths for bypassing two locations (the first communication hole 532 and the third communication hole 563) of the above-mentioned main passage. As shown in FIG. 8, a valve insertion port 63 is provided above the second valve body 32 and in front of the first cylindrical portion 321. The valve insertion port 63 opens upward and is substantially circular in plan view. The first bypass circuit 61 extends downward from the valve insertion port 63 and is connected orthogonally to the first passage 54.

[0040] Furthermore, the first bypass circuit 61 communicates with the first valve chamber 53 in the front-rear direction through a first bypass hole 533 provided in the front surface portion 531 of the first valve chamber 53. Therefore, the first bypass circuit 61 bypasses the first communication hole 532 provided in the front surface portion 531 and also communicates between the first valve chamber 53 and the first passage 54. A needle valve 78 is inserted into the first bypass circuit 61 from the valve insertion port 63 and is fixed to the second valve body 32 from above with a screw 94. The needle valve 78 regulates the amount of gas flowing from the first bypass circuit 61 into the first passage 54 to a predetermined amount.

[0041] The second bypass circuit 62 extends downward from a second bypass hole 564 provided in the bottom surface portion 561 of the second valve chamber 56 and is connected orthogonally to the fourth passage 59. Therefore, the second bypass circuit 62 bypasses a third communication hole 563 provided in the bottom surface portion 561 and communicates between the second valve chamber 56 and the fourth passage 59.

[0042] The firing rate adjustment cam 33 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the firing rate adjustment cam 33 has a semi-cylindrical shape and is provided so as to cover the upper portion on the front end side of the main body portion 35 and is rotatable about the axis of the operation knob 11. The firing rate adjustment cam 33 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction. A cam groove 331 is provided on the semi-circular arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the firing rate adjustment cam 33. The cam groove 331 is spiral around the axis. The lower end of a pin 76 provided on the needle valve 75 engages with the cam groove 331. When the firing rate adjustment cam 33 rotates, the cam groove 331 guides the pin 76 in the front-rear direction and moves the needle valve 75 in the front-rear direction. When the needle valve 75 moves in the front-rear direction within the fourth passage 59, the valve opening degree of the needle valve 75 at the connecting portion 591 is adjusted. Thereby, the gas flow rate flowing from the fourth passage 59 to the gas outlet passage 60 through the connecting portion 591 increases or decreases. Therefore, the amount of gas supplied from the gas outlet 323 to the right burner 5 through the gas pipe 16 (see FIG. 2) is adjusted.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 8, the basic gas flow in the second valve body 32 will be described. The gas flowing out from the gas outlet 44 of the first valve body 31 flows into the gas introduction passage 52 in the gas inlet 51 of the second valve body 32. The gas flowing through the gas introduction passage 52 flows into the first valve chamber 53 through the through hole 534. The gas flowing into the first valve chamber 53 is divided into a first communication hole 532 and a first bypass hole 533 provided in the front surface portion 531. The gas passing through the first communication hole 532 flows along the first passage 54. The gas passing through the first bypass hole 533 flows through the first bypass circuit 61 and merges with the gas flowing through the first passage 54.

[0044] The gas flowing along the first passage 54 flows through the second passage 55 and enters the second valve chamber 56 through the second communication hole 562 provided in the bottom surface portion 561. The gas flowing into the second valve chamber 56 is diverted into the third communication hole 563 and the second bypass hole 564 provided in the bottom surface portion 561. The gas passing through the third communication hole 563 flows along the third passage 57 and the fourth passage 59. The gas passing through the second bypass hole 564 flows through the second bypass circuit 62 and merges with the gas flowing through the fourth passage 59. The gas flowing along the fourth passage 59 flows through the gas outlet passage 60 and flows out from the gas outlet 323. The gas flowing out from the gas outlet 323 flows into the gas pipe 16 and is supplied to the right burner 5 from the throttle portion 5A.

[0045] The switching operation of the gas flow rate by the first electromagnetic valve 81 and the second electromagnetic valve 82 will be described. The valve unit 21 can switch the gas flow rate in the gas outlet passage 60 in three steps by opening and closing the first communication hole 532 and the second communication hole 562 respectively under the control of the first electromagnetic valve 81 and the second electromagnetic valve 82 by the control circuit of the stove 1. The three steps are high flow rate, medium flow rate, and low flow rate.

[0046] The case of high flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 21 opens both the first electromagnetic valve 81 and the second electromagnetic valve 82. That is, by separating the first valve body 811 of the first electromagnetic valve 81 from the first valve seat 535 and separating the second valve body 821 of the second electromagnetic valve 82 from the second valve seat 565, both the first communication hole 532 and the third communication hole 563 are in an open state. As a result, the gas flowing into the first valve chamber 53 can flow into the first passage 54 through both the first communication hole 532 and the first bypass circuit 61. Further, the gas flowing into the second valve chamber 56 can also flow into the fourth passage 59 through both the second communication hole 562 and the second bypass circuit 62. Therefore, the valve unit 21 can cause the gas to flow out from the gas outlet 323 at a high flow rate.

[0047] The case of medium flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 21 opens the first solenoid valve 81 and closes the second solenoid valve 82. That is, by separating the first valve body 811 of the first solenoid valve 81 from the first valve seat 535, the first communication hole 532 is opened, and by bringing the second valve body 821 of the second solenoid valve 82 into contact with the second valve seat 565, the third communication hole 563 is closed. As a result, the gas flowing into the second valve chamber 56 does not flow into the third passage 57 and flows into the fourth passage 59 only through the second bypass circuit 62. As described above, the diameter of the second bypass hole 564 is smaller than the diameter of the third communication hole 563. Further, the flow area of the second bypass circuit 62 is smaller than the flow area of the third passage 57. Therefore, the valve unit 21 can cause the gas to flow out of the gas outlet 323 at a medium flow rate that is less than that at a large flow rate.

[0048] The case of low flow rate will be described. In this case, the valve unit 21 closes both the first solenoid valve 81 and the second solenoid valve 82. That is, by bringing the first valve body 811 of the first solenoid valve 81 into contact with the first valve seat 535 and bringing the second valve body 821 of the second solenoid valve 82 into contact with the second valve seat 565, both the first communication hole 532 and the third communication hole 563 are closed. As a result, the gas flowing into the first valve chamber 53 does not flow into the first communication hole 532 and flows into the first passage 54 only through the first bypass circuit 61. In the first bypass circuit 61, the gas flow rate is regulated to a predetermined flow rate by the needle valve 78. As a result, compared with the case of a large flow rate, the gas flow rate flowing through the first passage 54 is restricted.

[0049] And, in a state where the amount of gas flowing into the second valve chamber 56 is restricted, the gas does not flow into the third passage 57 and flows into the fourth passage 59 only through the second bypass circuit 62. That is, the gas flow rate flowing into the fourth passage 59 is further restricted compared with the case of a medium flow rate. Therefore, the valve unit 21 can cause the gas to flow out of the gas outlet 323 at a low flow rate that is even less than that at a medium flow rate.

[0050] As described above, the stove 1 of the present embodiment includes a valve unit 21. The valve unit 21 includes an operating mechanism 30, a first valve body 31, and a second valve body 32, and is capable of switching the gas supply amount to the right stove burner 5. The operating mechanism 30 and the first valve body 31 function as a switching device for switching between gas supply and non - supply. The second valve body 32 is attached to the upper parts of the operating mechanism 30 and the first valve body 31 respectively. The second valve body 32 includes, as a main passage, a gas inlet 51, a gas introduction passage 52, a first valve chamber 53, a first passage 54, a second passage 55, a second valve chamber 56, a third passage 57, a fourth passage 59, a gas lead - out passage 60, and a gas outlet 323.

[0051] The gas inlet 51 is provided at the rear - end side of the lower part of the second valve body 32, opens downward, and receives gas supply from the second valve body 32. The gas introduction passage 52 extends upward from the gas inlet 51. The first valve chamber 53 is provided at the rear end of the second valve body 32, opens rearward, and communicates with the upper end of the gas introduction passage 52. The first passage 54 communicates with the first valve chamber 53 through a first communication hole 532 provided in the front - face part 531 inside the first valve chamber 53 and extends forward. The second valve chamber 56 is provided in the upper part of the second valve body 32 in front of the first valve chamber 53 and opens upward. The second passage 55 extends upward from the front - end part of the first passage 54 and communicates with the inside of the second valve chamber 56 through a second communication hole 562 provided in the bottom - face part 561 inside the second valve chamber 56. The third passage 57 extends downward from a third communication hole 563 provided in the bottom - face part 561. The fourth passage 59 extends forward from the lower - end part of the third passage 57. The gas lead - out passage 60 communicates with the fourth passage 59 and extends upward. The gas outlet 323 is provided at the upper part of the second valve body 32 and communicates with the upper - end part of the gas lead - out passage 60. A first valve seat 535 is formed around the first communication hole 532 provided in the front - face part 531 of the first valve chamber 53. A second valve seat 565 is formed around the third communication hole 563 provided in the bottom - face part 561 of the second valve chamber 56.

[0052] The second valve body 32 further includes a first bypass hole 533, a second bypass hole 564, a first bypass circuit 61, and a second bypass circuit 62. The first bypass hole 533 is provided in the front surface portion 531 of the first valve chamber 53. The second bypass hole 564 is provided in the bottom surface portion 561 of the second valve chamber 56. The first bypass circuit 61 communicates between the first bypass hole 533 and the first passage 54. The second bypass circuit 62 communicates between the second bypass hole 564 and the fourth passage 59.

[0053] The second valve body 32 further includes a first solenoid valve 81 and a second solenoid valve 82. The first solenoid valve 81 is fixed to the rear end portion of the first cylindrical portion 321 that forms the first valve chamber 53 with the first valve element 811 protruding toward the first valve seat. The second solenoid valve 82 is fixed to the upper end portion of the second cylindrical portion 322 that forms the second valve chamber 56 with the second valve element 821 protruding toward the second valve seat.

[0054] Since the valve unit 21 has the above configuration, by opening both the first solenoid valve 81 and the second solenoid valve 82, the right burner 5 can be set to high heat, by opening the first solenoid valve 81 and closing the second solenoid valve 82, the right burner 5 can be set to medium heat, and by closing both the first solenoid valve 81 and the second solenoid valve 82, the right burner 5 can be set to low heat. In such a valve unit 21, by arranging the first solenoid valve 81 to protrude rearward and the second solenoid valve 82 to protrude upward, it is possible to switch the heat level in three stages while making the shape of the valve unit 21 slim in the left-right direction. As a result, even when the valve units 21 and 22 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction in the housing 2 and the valve units 23 and 24 are arranged adjacent to each other, interference between the valve units can be prevented.

[0055] Also, a needle valve 75 for adjusting the gas amount is inserted into the fourth passage 59 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Thereby, the gas amount flowing out from the gas outlet 323 can be adjusted more finely.

[0056] Also, a needle valve 78 for regulating the gas amount is inserted into the first bypass circuit 61. Thereby, the gas amount flowing from the first bypass circuit 61 to the first passage 54 can be regulated.

[0057] In the above description, the operation mechanism 30 and the first valve body 31 are an example of the "switching device" of the present invention. The second valve body 32 is an example of the "valve body" of the present invention. The needle valve 75 is an example of the "first needle valve" of the present invention. The needle valve 78 is an example of the "second needle valve" of the present invention.

[0058] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. The stove 1 is a built-in stove, but it may also be a table stove. Also, the grill compartment may be omitted. The number of stove burners is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more. Further, the present invention is applicable to cooking heaters other than stoves, and is applicable to, for example, grill devices, fryers, etc.

[0059] The needle valve 78 may be omitted from the first bypass 61. In that case, for example, the flow passage area of the first bypass 61 may be adjusted so that the gas flow rate passing through the first bypass 61 becomes a predetermined flow rate.

[0060] The shapes, operation methods, etc. of the operation knobs 11 to 14 of the above-described embodiment may be different from those of the above-described embodiment. For example, instead of the operation knobs 11 to 14, push-type operation buttons may be used. In this case, the operation buttons may be for ignition and extinguishing, and may be provided with a separate heat control lever for heat control. The configuration of the internal mechanism of the main body 35 is also not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Stove 5 Right stove burner 21 - 24 Valve unit 30 Operation mechanism 31 First valve body 32 Second valve body 51 Gas inlet 52 Gas introduction passage 53 First valve chamber 54 First passage 55 Second passage 56 Second valve chamber 57 Third passage 59 Fourth passage 60 Gas outlet passage 61 First bypass circuit 62 Second bypass circuit 75,78 Needle valve 81 First solenoid valve 82 Second solenoid valve 321 First cylindrical part 322 Second cylindrical part 323 Gas outlet 531 Front part 532 First communication hole 533 First bypass hole 535 First valve seat 561 Bottom part 562 Second communication hole 563 Third communication hole 564 Second bypass hole 565 Second valve seat 811 First valve body 821 Second valve body

Claims

1. A valve unit that is provided with a switching device for switching the supply and non - supply of gas and is capable of switching the gas supply amount to a burner, comprises a valve body that extends in the front - rear direction and is provided above the switching device, wherein the valve body, has a gas inlet provided at a lower side portion of the valve body, opening downward, and receiving gas supply from the switching device, a gas introduction passage extending upward from the gas inlet, a first valve chamber provided at a rear end portion of the valve body, opening rearward, and communicating with an upper end portion of the gas introduction passage, a second valve chamber provided at an upper portion in front of the first valve chamber in the valve body, opening upward, a first passage that extends forward and communicates through a first communication hole provided in a front surface portion inside the first valve chamber, a second passage that extends upward from a front end portion of the first passage and communicates with the inside of the second valve chamber through a second communication hole provided in a bottom surface portion inside the second valve chamber, a third passage that extends downward from a third communication hole provided in the bottom surface portion of the second valve chamber, a fourth passage that extends forward from a lower end portion of the third passage, a gas outlet passage that communicates with the fourth passage and extends upward, a gas outlet provided at an upper portion of the valve body and communicating with an upper end portion of the gas outlet passage, a first bypass hole provided in the front surface portion of the first valve chamber, a first bypass circuit that communicates between the first bypass hole and the first passage, a second bypass hole provided in the bottom surface portion of the second valve chamber, a second bypass circuit that communicates between the second bypass hole and the fourth passage and is provided with, at the rear end portion of a first cylindrical portion forming the first valve chamber, a first solenoid valve having a first valve body that contacts and separates from a first valve seat formed around the first communication hole is fixed in a posture where the first valve body protrudes toward the first valve seat, at the upper end portion of a second cylindrical portion forming the second valve chamber, a second solenoid valve having a second valve body that contacts and separates from a second valve seat formed around the third communication hole is fixed in a posture where the second valve body protrudes toward the second valve seat. A valve unit characterized by the above.

2. A first needle valve for adjusting the gas amount is inserted into the fourth passage so as to be movable in the front - rear direction. The valve unit according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A second needle valve for regulating the gas amount is inserted into the first bypass circuit. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. A stove equipped with the valve unit according to claim 1.

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