Cooking utensils and cooking equipment

Abstract

To provide cooking utensils and cooking equipment that suppress the generation of sparks. [Solution] The cooking utensil 1 is a cooking utensil used in a cooking appliance capable of cooking food using microwaves emitted from a microwave generator, and comprises a metal tray body 2 and an insulating part 3 that covers at least a part of the tray body 2, the tray body 2 having a mounting part 21 on which food is placed and a flange part 23 that extends outward from the mounting part 21, and the insulating part 3 covers at least a part of the outer peripheral end surface of the flange part 23.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance and a cooker.

Background Art

[0002] As a cooker for heat-cooking food materials, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat-cooking appliance provided with a metal cooking appliance (a tray in Patent Document 1) on which food materials are placed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When performing heat-cooking by microwaves using the metal tray disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a risk of spark generation between the outer peripheral end surface of the tray and the heating chamber.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a cooking appliance and a cooker that suppress the generation of sparks.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a cooking appliance used in a cooker capable of cooking a cooking object by microwaves radiated from a microwave generator, the cooking appliance including a metal tray main body portion and an insulating portion that covers at least a part of the tray main body portion, the tray main body portion having a placement portion having a placement surface on which the cooking object is placed and a flange portion that extends outward from the placement portion, and the insulating portion covering at least a part of the outer peripheral end surface of the flange portion.

[0007] With the above configuration, the insulating portion covers at least a part of the outer peripheral end surface of the flange portion, thus suppressing the generation of sparks.

[0008] The outer peripheral end face has left-right end faces perpendicular to the front-rear direction in which the cooking utensil is inserted into the main body of the cooking appliance, and the insulating portion may cover at least a part of the left-right end faces.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when housed in a cooking appliance, the insulating portion covers at least a portion of the left and right end faces that are closer to the cooking appliance, thereby suppressing the generation of sparks.

[0010] The outer peripheral end face has a front-to-back end face into which the cooking utensil is inserted into the main body of the cooking appliance, and the insulating portion may cover at least a part of the front-to-back end face.

[0011] With the above configuration, at least a portion of the end face that comes into contact with the cooking appliance (the far end face) is covered by the insulating part, thereby suppressing the generation of sparks.

[0012] The insulating portion may cover the entire outer end face.

[0013] With the above configuration, the entire outer end surface is covered by the insulating portion, which further suppresses the generation of sparks.

[0014] The insulating portion may also cover the corners of the flange portion.

[0015] With the above configuration, since the insulating portion covers the corners of the flange portion, it is possible to suppress the generation of sparks more easily than, for example, a configuration in which the insulating portion covers the entire outer end face.

[0016] The thickness of the main body may be greater than 1 mm.

[0017] The above configuration makes it possible to further suppress the generation of sparks.

[0018] Another aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance including a heating chamber in which any of the above cooking appliances is disposed, and a microwave generator that emits microwaves into the heating chamber.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of any of the above cooking appliances can be achieved.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance including a heating chamber partitioned into a first space and a second space by any of the above cooking appliances, a first microwave generator that emits the microwaves into the first space, and a second microwave generator that emits the microwaves into the second space.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the same effects as those of any of the above cooking appliances can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, the generation of sparks can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] e [Figure 1] Front view showing a cooking appliance according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view showing a microwave oven with an open heating chamber according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] Schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] Block diagram showing the configuration of a microwave oven according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Plan view of a tray according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Front view of a tray according to an embodiment. <00OO104> [Figure 9] Side view of a tray according to an embodiment. [Figure 10]Cross-sectional view along line XX shown in Figure 8. [Figure 11] A diagram showing the rear end of the heating chamber in which the tray according to the embodiment is housed. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the right end of the heating chamber containing the tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] A diagram showing a tray relating to the first modified example. [Figure 14] A diagram showing a tray relating to the second modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the microwave oven 100 (an example of a cooking appliance) will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0025] (Overall configuration of a microwave oven) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the microwave oven 100 comprises a tray 1 (see Figure 2) and a main body 10 capable of housing the tray 1. Note that the tray 1 is an example of a cooking utensil.

[0026] (Main body) The main body 10 comprises a housing 11 having an opening 11h (see Figure 2), a door 12 that can open and close the opening 11h, and an operation panel 13 (see Figure 1) located on the outer surface of the door 12.

[0027] The door 12 consists of a window section that allows the heating chamber SP1 to be viewed, and a frame section that surrounds the window section. The door 12 is configured to reflect microwaves, except for a portion of the window section.

[0028] In the following, the side where the door 12 is located (front) will be referred to as the -X side, and the opposite side (rear) as the +X side, which will be the front-to-back direction (X direction) of the microwave oven 100. Also, the left side when looking at the microwave oven 100 will be referred to as the +Y side, and the opposite side (right) as the -Y side, which will be the left-to-right direction (Y direction). Furthermore, the top side of the microwave oven 100 will be referred to as the +Z side, and the opposite side (bottom) as the -Z side, which will be the up-and-down direction (Z direction). Note that the front-to-back direction is the direction in which the tray 1 is inserted into the main body 10, and the left-to-right direction is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction (vertical direction) of the microwave oven 100.

[0029] (Enclosure) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 11 is a double-layered rectangular box. The housing 11 has an outer wall 11s that defines the outer box and an inner wall 11n that is spaced apart from the outer wall 11s. The inner wall 11n is made of, for example, metal and reflects microwaves.

[0030] Furthermore, the inner wall 11n forms a roughly rectangular internal space where the food to be heated, such as the ingredients C, is placed. Hereinafter, this internal space will be referred to as the "heating chamber SP1".

[0031] The heating chamber SP1 is defined by the inner top surface 11t, inner bottom surface 11d, inner right side surface 11r, inner left side surface 11f (see Figure 4), and inner rear surface 11b of the inner wall 11n. The front of the heating chamber SP1 forms an opening 11h, as described with reference to Figure 2, which is opened and closed by a door 12. The user can open the door 12 and insert the tray 1 into the heating chamber SP1 through the opening 11h.

[0032] The housing 11 has support portions 111 capable of supporting the tray 1. As shown in Figure 4, the support portions 111 are located on the inner right side 11r and the inner left side 11f.

[0033] The support section 111 consists of a pair of rails 112 provided at the same vertical position of the microwave oven 100. The rails 112 are provided on the inner right side 11r or the inner left side 11f so as to extend along the front-rear direction. The rails 112 are composed of protrusions that extend from the inner right side 11r or the inner left side 11f so as to be close to each other.

[0034] The tray 1, inserted into the heating chamber SP1 through the opening 11h, is placed on the upper surface 112t of a pair of rails 112. This allows the tray 1 to be supported by the rails 112 so that it can move freely along the front-rear direction.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tray 1 housed in the heating chamber SP1 has a rearward position in the front-rear direction where it is in contact with the inner rear surface 11b. In addition, the tray 1 housed in the heating chamber SP1 has a left-right position where it is biased to one side (right or left) and a central position other than the biased position. The biased position refers to a case where the difference between the right-side separation distance dr and the left-side separation distance df in the left-right direction is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance (see Figure 4). The right-side separation distance dr is the distance between the inner right surface 11r and the tray 1, and the left-side separation distance df is the distance between the inner left surface 11f and the tray 1. The amount of protrusion of the above-mentioned convex portion is set to a size that can support the tray 1 even when the tray 1 is biased to the left or right to its maximum extent.

[0036] In this embodiment, the tray 1 can be positioned at different vertical locations. The user can position the tray 1 at different heights by changing the pair of rails 112 on which the tray 1 is placed from among three pairs of rails 112 that are oriented differently in the vertical direction.

[0037] By positioning tray 1 at a predetermined height (for example, the pair of rails 112 in the middle), the heating chamber SP1 is divided into two spaces. Hereinafter, of the two spaces divided by tray 1, the upper space will be referred to as the "upper space SP11" and the lower space as the "lower space SP12". Note that upper space SP11 is an example of the first space, and lower space SP12 is an example of the second space.

[0038] (Electronic components) Next, the configuration of the main body 10 will be further explained with reference to Figures 3 to 5. The main body 10 further comprises a microwave generator 14, a heater 15, a first temperature sensor 16, a second temperature sensor 17, and a controller 18 (see Figure 5). The electronic components, including the microwave generator 14, heater 15, first temperature sensor 16, and controller 18, are arranged in the outer space SP2.

[0039] (Microwave generator) As shown in Figure 3, the microwave generation unit 14 has two microwave generators. Hereinafter, the two microwave generators will be referred to as the "first microwave generator 141" and the "second microwave generator 142". The first microwave generator 141 and the second microwave generator 142 each include, for example, a magnetron 147 and generate (radiate) microwaves. In other words, the microwave oven 100 can cook food C using microwaves generated from at least one of the first microwave generator 141 and the second microwave generator 142.

[0040] The first microwave generator 141 is located in the outer space SP2 on the rear side of the heating chamber SP1, and targets the food C placed in the upper space SP11 for microwave irradiation. The first microwave generator 141 irradiates the food C placed in the upper space SP11 with microwaves from the rear. The second microwave generator 142 is located in the outer space SP2 below the heating chamber SP1, and targets the food C placed in the lower space SP12 for microwave irradiation. The second microwave generator 142 irradiates the food C placed in the lower space SP12 with microwaves from below.

[0041] The first microwave generator 141 and the second microwave generator 142 each further include, in addition to the magnetron 147 described above, a waveguide 143, a power supply unit 144, an antenna 145, and a motor 146. Hereinafter, the magnetron 147 included in the first microwave generator 141 will be referred to as "first magnetron 147a," and the magnetron 147 included in the second microwave generator 142 will be referred to as "second magnetron 147b." Microwaves are radiated into the heating chamber SP1 via the waveguide 143, the power supply unit 144, and the antenna 145. The antenna 145 rotates due to power from the motor 146. As a result, the food C placed in the heating chamber SP1 is heated and cooked by the microwaves.

[0042] (Heater section) The heater unit 15 generates heat when power is applied. The heater unit 15 is positioned close to the heating chamber SP1. When the heater unit 15 generates heat, its radiant heat is transferred to the heating chamber SP1. As a result, the food C placed in the heating chamber SP1 is cooked by radiant heat.

[0043] In this embodiment, the heater unit 15 has a first heater 151 and a second heater 152. The first heater 151 is located in the upper outer space SP2 of the heating chamber SP1 and heats the food C placed in the heating chamber SP1 from above. The second heater 152 is located in the lower outer space SP2 of the heating chamber SP1 and heats the food C placed in the heating chamber SP1 from below. The first heater 151 is, for example, a mica heater, and the second heater 152 is, for example, a sheathed heater.

[0044] (First temperature sensor unit) The first temperature sensor unit 16 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor and outputs information regarding the temperature of the food C. The infrared sensor is, for example, a monocular thermopile type. In this embodiment, the first temperature sensor unit 16 has a first infrared sensor 161 and a second infrared sensor 162. The first infrared sensor 161 is positioned to face the upper space SP11 and measures the temperature of the food C located in the upper space SP11. The second infrared sensor 162 is positioned to face the lower space SP12 and measures the temperature of the food C located in the lower space SP12.

[0045] (Second temperature sensor unit) The second temperature sensor unit 17 is, for example, composed of a thermistor and outputs information regarding the internal temperature of the heating chamber SP1 (hereinafter referred to as "internal temperature"). In this embodiment, the second temperature sensor unit 17 is positioned at the upper corner of the heating chamber SP1 such that the temperature measuring part is exposed to the heating chamber SP1. The information output by the first temperature sensor unit 16 and the second temperature sensor unit 17 is transmitted to the controller 18.

[0046] (Controller) As shown in Figure 5, the controller 18 is connected to the operation panel 13, microwave generator 14, heater unit 15, first temperature sensor unit 16, and second temperature sensor unit 17, and controls the operation of each unit.

[0047] The controller 18 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) that works in cooperation with software to realize a predetermined function. The controller 18 may consist of hardware circuits such as dedicated electronic circuits or reconfigurable electronic circuits designed to realize a predetermined function, or it may consist of various semiconductor integrated circuits. Examples of various semiconductor integrated circuits include, in addition to CPUs and MPUs, microcomputers, DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).

[0048] The controller 18 may include memory 181 such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The memory 181 stores a program for executing the cooking process and information used in the program. The controller 18 may also include a timer 182 for measuring time.

[0049] The controller 18 individually controls the operation of the microwave generator 14 and the heater unit 15 based on information output from the first temperature sensor unit 16 and the second temperature sensor unit 17, when the operation panel 13 (see Figure 1) is operated by the user. In this embodiment, the controller 18 can also individually cook the food items C located in the upper space SP11 and the lower space SP12, respectively. Hereinafter, the heating and cooking of the food items C under the control of the controller 18 will be referred to as "heating treatment". Heating treatment includes microwave heating treatment, which controls only the microwave generator 14 for heating; combined heating treatment, which controls both the microwave generator 14 and the heater unit 15; and heater heating treatment, which controls only the heater unit 15.

[0050] (Tray) Next, the configuration of tray 1 will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 12. Figure 6 is a perspective view of tray 1, Figure 7 is a plan view of tray 1, Figure 8 is a front view of tray 1, and Figure 9 is a side view of tray 1. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX shown in Figure 8. Figure 11 shows the rear end of heating chamber SP1 in which tray 1 is housed, and Figure 12 shows the right end of heating chamber SP1 in which tray 1 is housed. Figure 11 shows tray 1 in its rearmost position, and Figure 12 shows tray 1 in its central position. In the following, assuming that tray 1 is housed in heating chamber SP1, directions such as the front-to-back direction (X direction), left-to-right direction (Y direction), and up-and-down direction (Z direction) will be used.

[0051] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, tray 1 is a rectangular dish sized to fit within the heating chamber SP1 (see Figure 3). In plan view (viewed along the vertical direction), tray 1 has a roughly rectangular shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction and the front-back direction as the transverse direction. Tray 1 is constructed point-symmetrically with respect to the center X (geometric center).

[0052] As shown in Figure 6, the tray 1 has a tray body portion 2 and an insulating portion 3 that covers at least a part of the tray body portion 2.

[0053] (Tray body) The tray body 2 is made of metal and reflects microwaves. This suppresses microwave interference in the upper space SP11 and the lower space SP12, as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4, allowing for separate heating and cooking in the upper space SP11 and the lower space SP12. In this embodiment, the tray body 2 is made of a metal containing aluminum (e.g., aluminum alloy, aluminum, etc.). Because the tray body 2 is made of a metal containing aluminum, which has high thermal conductivity among metals, the temperature of the tray body 2 rises more easily. As a result, for example, when using an oven (when heated by the heater 15), the food C is more likely to brown. Also, because aluminum has a relatively low density among metals, it is possible to reduce weight even with a large thickness (plate thickness). However, the tray body 2 may be made of a metal other than aluminum (e.g., iron). Alternatively, the tray body 2 may be made of a ceramic other than metal coated with a reflective material that can reflect electromagnetic waves.

[0054] The thickness t1 of the tray body 2 is set to a value greater than 1 mm and less than 3 mm, for example. By setting the thickness t1 of the tray body 2 in this way, it is possible to avoid including thin (relatively small thickness) and tapered parts in the structure that are prone to sparking, thereby suppressing the occurrence of sparks.

[0055] The tray body 2 has a placement section 21 on which food items C can be placed, a peripheral wall section 22 surrounding the outer edge of the placement section 21, and a flange section 23 extending outward from the peripheral wall section 22 (outward from the placement section 21).

[0056] (Mounting section) As shown in Figure 10, the mounting portion 21 has a rectangular plate-like portion 211 in plan view and an outer edge portion 212 that is connected to the outer edge of the plate-like portion 211 and surrounds the outer edge of the plate-like portion 211. In this embodiment, the plate-like portion 211 is flat, but is not limited to being flat, and the plate-like portion 211 may have multiple ribs formed thereon.

[0057] The plate-like portion 211 includes a main surface 211s that intersects with the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the main surface 211s includes a flat placement surface 211h on which the food to be cooked C is placed, and a raised surface 211r that rises upward as it approaches the center X, so the main surface 211s rises as it approaches the center X. The placement surface 211h is located in the middle of the heating chamber SP1 in the vertical direction and is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0058] The outer edge portion 212 is formed by a step that is one level lower than the plate-like portion 211. The outer edge portion 212 functions as a groove for collecting liquid (for example, liquid generated by heating and cooking food C). The outer edge portion 212 includes a bottom portion 212a that constitutes the lower part of the step, and a connecting portion 212b that connects the bottom portion 212a to the outer edge of the plate-like portion 211. The connecting portion 212b is inclined with respect to the bottom portion 212a.

[0059] (peripheral wall) The peripheral wall portion 22 is erected upward from the bottom portion 212a of the outer edge portion 212. The peripheral wall portion 22 is configured such that the portion surrounding the mounting portion 21 (opening) widens as it moves upward (see also Figure 6). Specifically, the peripheral wall portion 22 is provided such that two walls facing each other in both the left-right and front-back directions move further apart as they move upward. The peripheral wall portion 22 functions, for example, as a barrier to prevent liquid from flowing out of the tray 1.

[0060] (Flange section) As shown in Figure 7, the flange portion 23 is positioned to extend outward from the peripheral wall portion 22 (mounting portion 21).

[0061] The flange portion 23 has a base portion 231, an inclined portion 232 that extends outward in the left-right direction from the base portion 231 and is inclined, and a wing portion 233 that extends further outward in the left-right direction from the tip of the inclined portion 232.

[0062] The base portion 231 is positioned to extend outward (towards the front and rear) from the peripheral wall portion 22 (mounting portion 21) in the front-rear direction. In other words, the base portion 231 is positioned to overlap with the lower end of the peripheral wall portion 22 when viewed from the front (along the front-rear direction). The base portion 231 has a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and its longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 10, the base 231 is located below the mounting surface 211h. With the base 231 configured in this way, the irradiation of microwaves (irradiation of microwaves from the first microwave generator 141) onto the food C placed on the mounting surface 211h is prevented from being obstructed by the base 231.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the inclined portion 232 is inclined such that it becomes higher as it moves away from the base portion 231 in the left-right direction. The tip of the inclined portion 232 (opposite the base portion 231) is connected to the wing portion 233.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the wing portion 233 is positioned outside the inclined portion 232 in the left-right direction. In other words, the wing portion 233 is located outside the mounting portion 21 and the peripheral wall portion 22 in the left-right direction. The wing portion 233 has a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and its longitudinal direction is in the front-back direction. The base portion 231 is located below the wing portion 233.

[0066] As shown in Figure 7, a portion of the wing portion 233, together with the base portion 231 and the inclined portion 232, constitutes the long side portion 234 of the flange portion 23, and the remaining portion of the wing portion 233 constitutes the short side portion 235 of the flange portion 23. The end face of the long side portion 234 constitutes the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 23 in the front-rear direction, and the end face of the short side portion 235 constitutes the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 23 in the left-right direction. Hereinafter, the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 23 in the front-rear direction will be referred to as the "front-rear direction end face 234e" (see Figure 11), and the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion 23 in the left-right direction will be referred to as the "left-right direction end face 235e" (see Figure 12).

[0067] As shown in Figure 11, when the tray 1 is housed in the heating chamber SP1, the front-rear end face 234e faces the inner rear face 11b via the insulating portion 3.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, when tray 1 is housed in heating chamber SP1, the left-right end face 235e located on the right side of tray 1 faces the inner right side face 11r via the insulating portion 3. Note that the configuration of the left and right sides of tray 1 when it is housed in heating chamber SP1 is the same, only the left and right sides are reversed. In other words, when tray 1 is housed in heating chamber SP1, the left-right end face 235e located on the left side of tray 1 also faces the inner left side face 11f via the insulating portion 3.

[0069] (Insulation part) The insulating part 3 suppresses the generation of sparks between the tray 1 and the inner wall 11n of the main body 10. The insulating part 3 is made of heat-resistant resin and is transparent to microwaves. By allowing microwaves to pass through the insulating part 3, the concentration of microwaves on the end face of the tray main body 2 and the generation of sparks are suppressed. The material of the insulating part 3 is selected based on the considerations of the Food Sanitation Law and heat resistance, and is a material that is transparent to microwaves.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the insulating portion 3 is continuously arranged around the entire circumference of the flange portion 23 (long side portion 234 and short side portion 235). Hereinafter, the insulating portion 3 covering the long side portion 234 of the flange portion 23 will be referred to as the "first insulating portion 31," and the insulating portion 3 covering the short side portion 235 of the flange portion 23 will be referred to as the "second insulating portion 32."

[0071] (First insulation section) As shown in Figure 11, the first insulating portion 31 is positioned to cover all of the front-rear end faces 234e of the flange portion 23, and a portion of the upper long side surface 234t and a portion of the lower long side surface 234u of the long side portion 234.

[0072] More specifically, the first insulating portion 31 has a U-shaped cross-section (a cross-section perpendicular to the Y direction) and includes a first insulating base portion 311 and two first covering portions 312.

[0073] The first insulating base 311 faces the front-rear end face 234e and is interposed between the front-rear end face 234e and the inner wall 11n (inner rear surface 11b) of the tray 1 housed in the heating chamber SP1. The first insulating base 311 contacts the inner rear surface 11b when the tray 1 is in its rearmost position.

[0074] The two first covering portions 312 each extend from both ends of the first insulating base portion 311 toward the tray body portion 2. The first separation distance D1 between the two first covering portions 312 is set to be greater than or equal to the thickness t1 of the tray body portion 2, and to a size that allows the flange portion 23 to be fitted.

[0075] A long side portion 234 is positioned between the two first covering portions 312, and the first covering portion 312 faces either the upper long side surface 234t or the lower long side surface 234u of the long side portion 234. The first covering portion 312 may or may not have a gap between it and the upper long side surface 234t or the lower long side surface 234u.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first insulating portion 31 has a first thickness t2 set so that sparks do not occur between the tray body portion 2 (flange portion 23) and the inner wall 11n (inner rear surface 11b) of the housing 11, even when the tray 1 is in its rearmost position. The first thickness t2 is greater than, for example, 1 mm, for example, 3 mm. The first insulating portion 31 also functions as a spacer to ensure a distance of at least a spark-free distance (hereinafter referred to as the "specified distance") between the front-rear end face 234e and the inner wall 11n (inner rear surface 11b). The specified distance is determined in advance by the designer or the like as the distance at which sparks do not occur between the tray 1 and the main body portion 10. The specified distance is, for example, 2.5 mm.

[0077] (Second insulation section) As shown in Figure 12, the second insulating part 32 is placed on the rail 112 when the tray 1 is housed in the heating chamber SP1. Specifically, the insulating lower surface 32u of the second insulating part 32 is positioned on the rail upper surface 112t of the rail 112. In other words, the second insulating part 32 also functions as a supported part supported by the support part 111. In this embodiment, the rail upper surface 112t of the rail 112 is inclined so that it is lower towards the inside of the main body part 10, so that even if the tray 1 is in an off-center position, a specified distance can be secured between it and the inner wall 11n of the housing 11.

[0078] The second insulating portion 32 is positioned to cover all of the left and right end faces 235e of the flange portion 23, and a portion of the upper short side surface 235t and a portion of the lower short side surface 235u of the short side portion 235.

[0079] More specifically, the second insulating portion 32 has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a second insulating base portion 321 and two second covering portions 322.

[0080] The second insulating base 321 faces the left-right end face 235e and is interposed between the left-right end face 235e and the inner right side face 11r of the tray 1 housed in the heating chamber SP1. The second insulating base 321 is configured to ensure a specified distance between the left-right end face 235e and the inner wall 11n (inner right side face 11r) even if the tray 1 is tilted to the right. Similarly, on the left side of the tray 1, the second insulating base 321 is configured to ensure a specified distance between the left-right end face 235e and the inner wall 11n (inner left side face 11f) even if the tray 1 is tilted to the left.

[0081] The two second covering portions 322 each extend from both ends of the second insulating base portion 321 toward the tray body portion 2. The second separation distance D2 between the two second covering portions 322 is set to a value that is greater than or equal to the thickness t1 of the tray body portion 2 and that allows the flange portion 23 to be fitted. In this embodiment, the thickness t1 of the flange portion 23 is uniform, and the second separation distance D2 is set to the same value as the first separation distance D1.

[0082] A short side portion 235 is positioned between the two second covering portions 322, and the second covering portion 322 faces either the upper short side surface 235t or the lower short side surface 235u of the short side portion 235. The second covering portion 322 may or may not have a gap between it and the upper short side surface 235t or the lower short side surface 235u.

[0083] The second insulating portion 32 has a second thickness t3 set so that sparks do not occur between the tray body portion 2 (flange portion 23) and the inner wall 11n (inner right side surface 11r) of the housing 11, even if the tray 1 is in an off-center position where the second insulating base portion 321 is in contact with the inner wall 11n. In this embodiment, the thickness of the insulating portion 3 is constant, and the first thickness t2 of the first insulating portion 31 and the second thickness t3 of the second insulating portion 32 are set to the same value. However, the first thickness t2 and the second thickness t3 may be set to different values.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length L1 of the second covering portion 322 in the left-right direction is set to be greater than the gap DS between the tray 1 in the central position and the inner wall 11n (inner right side 11r) of the housing 11. Specifically, the length L1 of the second covering portion 322 in the left-right direction is set to such a size that even if the tray 1 is in an off-center position where the second insulating base portion 321 is in contact with the inner wall 11n, the tray body portion 2 (flange portion 23) does not come into contact with the rail 112, and sparks do not occur between the tray body portion 2 and the rail 112.

[0085] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to the above embodiment, since the insulating portion 3 covers all of the outer peripheral end faces of the flange portion 23 (the front-to-back end face 234e described with reference to Figure 11 and the left-to-right end face 235e described with reference to Figure 12), the generation of sparks can be suppressed.

[0086] The above embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0087] (First variation) For example, in the above embodiment, the insulating portion 3 is arranged to cover both the long side portion 234 and the short side portion 235, but the insulating portion 3 may be provided to cover at least one of the long side portion 234 and the short side portion 235. For example, as shown in Figure 13, the insulating portion 3 may be provided to cover only the short side portion 235. Alternatively, the insulating portion 3 may be provided to cover only the long side portion 234.

[0088] (Second variation) Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, for example, the insulating portion 3 may be provided only at the corner portion 236 of the flange portion 23. Also, the insulating portion 3 does not have to be provided continuously on the long side portion 234 and the short side portion 235; for example, the insulating portion 3 may be provided in a spot (discontinuous) manner on the long side portion 234 or the short side portion 235.

[0089] (Other variations) The insulating portion 3 may be an insulating film (for example, a tape or sheet thinner than 1 mm).

[0090] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the microwave oven 100 is equipped with two magnetrons 147 (a first magnetron 147a and a second magnetron 147b) was described as an example, but the microwave oven 100 may be equipped with only one magnetron 147. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0091] 100 cooker 1. Tray (cooking utensil) 2. Tray body 3. Insulation part 10 Main body 11 cabinets 11b Medial posterior surface 11d Inner lower surface 11th floor, left side 11h opening 11n inner wall 11r inner right side 11s outer wall 11t Inner top surface 12 doors 13. Control Panel 14. Microwave generation section (first microwave generator, second microwave generator) 15 Heater section 16. First temperature sensor unit 17. Second temperature sensor unit 18 Controller 21 Mounting section 22 Peripheral wall section 22d Lower section 23 Flange section 31 First insulating section 32 Second insulating section 32u insulation bottom surface 100 Microwave 100 cooker 111 Support part 112 rails 112t rail top 141 First Microwave Generator 142 Second Microwave Generator 143 Waveguide 144 Power supply section 145 Antenna 146 Motor 147 Magnetron (First magnetron 147a, Second magnetron 147b) 147a First Magnetron 147b Second Magnetron 151 First Heater 152 Second Heater 161 First infrared sensor 162 Second infrared sensor 181 memory 182 timers 211 Plate-like part 211h Mounting surface 211r raised surface 211s main surface 212 Outer edge 212a bottom 212b Connection section 231 Base 232 Slope 233 Wings 234 Long side 234e Front-rear end face (outer peripheral end face of flange portion) 234t Long side top 234u Long side bottom surface 235 Short side 235e Left and right end faces (outer peripheral end faces of flange portion) 235t Short side top surface 235u Short side bottom surface 236 corners 311 First insulating base 312 First covering section 321 Second insulating base 322 Second covering section AX1 First Virtual Line AX2 Second Virtual Line C Cooked food D1 1st separation distance df Left side separation distance dr Right distance SP1 heating chamber SP2 outer space SP11 Upper space (1st space) SP12 Lower space (second space) X center

Claims

1. A cooking appliance used in a cooking device that can cook food using microwaves emitted from a microwave generator, The metal tray body, An insulating portion that covers at least a part of the tray body, Equipped with, The tray body is, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the cooked food is placed, It has a flange portion that extends outward from the aforementioned mounting portion, The insulating portion covers at least a part of the outer peripheral end face of the flange portion, in a cooking utensil.

2. The aforementioned outer peripheral end face has left-right end faces that are perpendicular to the left-right direction, which is the direction along the aforementioned mounting surface, and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction in which the cooking utensil is inserted into the main body of the cooking appliance. The cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion covers at least a portion of the left-right end face.

3. The outer peripheral end face has a front-to-back end face in the front-to-back direction for inserting the cooking utensil into the main body of the cooking appliance, The cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion covers at least a portion of the front-to-rear end face.

4. The cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion covers the entire outer peripheral end surface.

5. The cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the insulating portion covers the corner portion of the flange portion.

6. The cooking utensil according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the tray body is greater than 1 mm.

7. A heating chamber in which a cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is placed, A microwave generator that emits microwaves into the aforementioned heating chamber, A cooking appliance equipped with the following features.

8. A heating chamber divided into a first space and a second space by a cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A first microwave generator that radiates microwaves into the first space, A second microwave generator that radiates the microwaves into the second space, A cooking appliance equipped with the following features.

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