Heating Regulator

Abstract

To provide a cooking appliance that easily balances preventing electromagnetic wave leakage with ensuring a clear field of view for imaging devices. [Solution] The heating appliance comprises a heating chamber 2 and an imaging device 4. The heating chamber 2 has a panel member 3 that surrounds an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heats the object using electromagnetic waves. The imaging device 4 is positioned outside the heating chamber 2 and images the internal space through an opening 511 formed in a part of the panel member 3. The panel member 3 has a support frame 51 with the opening 511 formed therein, and a panel body 30 to which the support frame 51 is fixed, with a through hole 310 that communicates with the opening 511 formed therein. The imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel body 30 via the support frame 51 in an integrated state with the support frame 51.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking heater.

Background Art

[0002] As related art, cooking heaters such as microwave ovens are known that irradiate an object to be heated (heated object) in a heating chamber with electromagnetic waves (microwaves) to heat the object to be heated (for example, see Patent Document 1). The cooking heater according to the related art includes an imaging device (camera) that images (shoots) the inside of the heating chamber.

[0003] The imaging device is disposed on the upper wall of the heating chamber so as to face the inside of the heating chamber, and images the inside of the heating chamber through an opening (top plate opening) provided in the top plate portion of the heating chamber. A wall surface opening is provided in the upper wall of the heating chamber, and a wall surface recess formed in a concave shape is provided upward from the periphery of the wall surface opening. At the bottom of the wall surface recess, that is, on the upper side, a bottom recess opening that is an opening for imaging is provided. The side wall of the wall surface recess is tapered so as to narrow from the heating chamber side toward the wall surface opening side. Below the upper wall, a substantially flat plate-shaped top plate portion having an opening (top plate opening) formed parallel to the upper wall is provided. The cross-sectional area of the opening surface of the bottom recess opening is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the opening surface of the wall surface opening. Thus, by making the opening of the bottom recess opening smaller, it is possible to suppress leakage of electromagnetic waves from the inside of the heating chamber while ensuring a wide viewing range.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration of the related technologies described above, while minimizing the aperture reduces electromagnetic wave leakage from the aperture, even a slight misalignment between the aperture and the imaging device can easily cause the periphery of the aperture to appear in the imaging device's image.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cooking appliance that can easily achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A heating appliance according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a heating chamber and an imaging device. The heating chamber has a panel member surrounding an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heats the object to be heated using electromagnetic waves. The imaging device is positioned outside the heating chamber and images the internal space through an opening formed in a part of the panel member. The panel member has a support frame with the opening formed thereon, and a panel body with a through hole communicating with the opening and to which the support frame is fixed. The imaging device is fixed to the panel body via the support frame in an integrated state with the support frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a cooking appliance that can easily achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooking appliance according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally below. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the main parts of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1, seen from diagonally below. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1, viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the main parts of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the main part of the heating appliance according to Embodiment 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1-A1 in Figure 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody this disclosure and are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) [1] Overall overview First, an overview of the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0012] The heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment heats, for example, ingredients, food, beverages, or various other objects to be heated. The heating appliance 100 heats the objects to be heated in the heating chamber 2 by irradiating them with electromagnetic waves, for example, like a microwave oven. The heating appliance 100 only needs to have the function of heating objects using electromagnetic waves, and may also have, for example, a grill function, an oven function that heats by convection heat, and / or a steam function that heats by steam.

[0013] As used in this disclosure, the term "electromagnetic wave" refers to a physical phenomenon in which electromagnetic energy propagates through space while vibrating, and includes radio waves and light. The cooking heater 100 irradiates, as an example, microwaves, which are electromagnetic waves of 2.45 GHz, onto an object to be heated in the heating chamber 2. As a result, the electromagnetic waves (microwaves) vibrate water molecules and the like in the object to be heated, causing the temperature of the entire object to rise.

[0014] There are two types of such cooking heaters 100: a "flat table type" and a "turntable type". The flat table type cooking heater has an antenna below the bottom surface of the heating chamber, and irradiates electromagnetic waves from the antenna into the heating chamber while rotating the antenna, thereby efficiently diffusing the electromagnetic waves in the heating chamber and heating the object to be heated evenly. The turntable type cooking heater has a turntable for placing the object to be heated in the heating chamber, and irradiates electromagnetic waves from a fixed antenna into the heating chamber while rotating the turntable, thereby heating the object to be heated on the turntable evenly. In this embodiment, as an example, the cooking heater 100 is a flat table type microwave oven.

[0015] The cooking heater 100 is, for example, an electrical device that operates by receiving power supply from an electrical power system (AC power supply). That is, the cooking heater 100 operates to irradiate electromagnetic waves onto the object to be heated to heat the object to be heated by receiving power supply.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking heater 100 is used, for example, in a state of being placed on an installation surface X1 composed of a shelf or a counter in a house. The cooking heater 100 stands on the installation surface X1 in a state of being installed on the installation surface X1. That is, the cooking heater 100 according to this embodiment is a self-standing and portable device, and a user can install the cooking heater 100 at an arbitrary position on the installation surface X1.

[0017] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the vertical direction in the state where the cooking appliance 100 can be used is defined as the up-down direction D1. Further, based on the direction when the cooking appliance 100 is viewed from the front, the left-right direction D2 is defined, and the front-rear direction D3 is defined with the front side of the cooking appliance 100 being the front and the rear side being the rear. However, these directions are not intended to limit the usage direction (direction during use) of the cooking appliance 100.

[0018] The cooking appliance 100 includes a heating chamber 2 capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and a heat source for heating the object to be heated. The heat source irradiates electromagnetic waves into the space (inner space Sp1) inside the heating chamber 2 to heat the object to be heated accommodated in the heating chamber 2.

[0019] In this embodiment, the heating chamber 2 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a box body 21 and a door body 22. The box body 21 is formed in a box shape with one side (the front side in this embodiment) open. The door body 22 is attached to the box body 21 in a state where the opening surface (the front side in this embodiment) of the box body 21 can be opened and closed.

[0020] Here, the door body 22 is supported by a support portion (hinge) provided at the lower part on the front side of the box body 21 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the box body 21. The door body 22 is in an open position (see FIG. 1) when its upper part tilts forward, and in a closed position when it stands upright on the back side. Further, the door body 22 has a door window 221 for enabling visual recognition of the inside (inner space Sp1) of the heating chamber 2 through the door body 22, and a handle 222 that can be gripped by a user.

[0021] The door window 221 includes a double glass structure including an inner glass facing the inside (inner space Sp1) of the door body 22 and an outer glass facing the outside of the door body 22. The door window 221 has a punching metal which is a metal plate (or metal sheet) with a number of holes. By providing the punching metal, leakage of electromagnetic waves outside the heating chamber 2 through the door window 221 is prevented.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, when the door 22 is open (open position), the internal space Sp1 inside the heating chamber 2 is exposed from the front of the box 21, allowing objects to be heated to be placed in and out of the heating chamber 2. On the other hand, when the door 22 is closed (closed position), the internal space Sp1 inside the heating chamber 2 is sealed, allowing objects to be heated inside the heating chamber 2 to be heated.

[0023] Therefore, the user first opens the door 22, places the object to be heated into the heating chamber 2, and then closes the door 22. In this state, the object to be heated is heated by irradiating it with electromagnetic waves from the heating source into the heating chamber 2. After the object has been heated, the user opens the door 22 and removes the object from the heating chamber 2.

[0024] Here, the heating chamber 2 has panel members 3 surrounding the internal space Sp1. The panel members 3 are components that make up the inner surface (inner surface) of the heating chamber 2. The inner surface of the heating chamber 2 includes the top surface, bottom surface, left side, right side, back, and front of the internal space Sp1. In other words, the panel members 3 are provided in each part of the box body 21 and door body 22 that face the internal space Sp1.

[0025] In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figure 1, the box body 21 includes a first panel 31, a second panel 32, a third panel 33, a fourth panel 34, and a fifth panel 35 as panel members 3. The first panel 31 constitutes the upper surface (top surface) of the internal space Sp1, the second panel 32 constitutes the lower surface (bottom surface) of the internal space Sp1, the third panel 33 constitutes the left side of the internal space Sp1, the fourth panel 34 constitutes the right side of the internal space Sp1, and the fifth panel 35 constitutes the rear surface of the internal space Sp1.

[0026] In other words, the space enclosed by the panel member 3 becomes the internal space of the heating chamber 2 capable of accommodating the object to be heated (i.e., the chamber space Sp1). The panel member 3 is made of metal so as to reflect electromagnetic waves irradiated into the heating chamber 2. That is, the panel member 3 is made of metal, which reflects electromagnetic waves irradiated into the chamber space Sp1 and efficiently irradiates the object to be heated with electromagnetic waves.

[0027] In this embodiment, as an example, the box body 21 alone is provided with panel members 3, specifically a first panel 31 to a fifth panel 35, each of which is made of a metal plate having a predetermined thickness. However, the panel members 3 may be divided into multiple members, or, for example, a second panel 32, a third panel 33, and a fourth panel 34 may be formed as a single unit.

[0028] Here, at least the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35, which are panel members 3, are electrically connected to a grounding point, such as the grounding terminal of an outlet with an earthing terminal. In other words, by grounding the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35, the shielding effect against electromagnetic waves (microwaves in this case) is enhanced. Therefore, electromagnetic waves are shielded by the panel members 3 and are less likely to leak outside the heating chamber 2 (outside the internal space Sp1).

[0029] Furthermore, the cooking appliance 100 according to this embodiment further includes a power supply unit, an operation unit, and a control unit. In addition, the cooking appliance 100 includes various sensors such as a weight sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0030] The control unit is located, for example, on the front of the door body 22. The control unit includes a number of buttons, dials, etc., that can be operated by the user. The control unit accepts, for example, the start and stop of heating of the object to be heated, as well as the setting of heating intensity, heating time, and heating mode.

[0031] The control unit is electrically connected to the heating source, power supply unit, and operating unit, etc. The control unit mainly consists of a computer system having one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and one or more memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and performs various processes (information processing). The control unit controls each part of the heating cooker 100 in response to the operation of the operating unit.

[0032] Incidentally, the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment further includes an imaging device 4 for imaging the internal space Sp1. The imaging device 4 is a camera having an image sensor (photoelectric conversion element) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor. In addition to the image sensor, the imaging device 4, which consists of a camera, has an optical system such as a lens and outputs an image of the internal space Sp1 in real time.

[0033] In this embodiment, the imaging device 4 is connected to the control unit, and the images captured by the imaging device 4 are input to the control unit periodically or irregularly. The control unit monitors the conditions inside the heating chamber 2 (internal space Sp1) by performing appropriate image processing on the images, and uses this information to ensure proper control of each part of the cooking appliance 100.

[0034] For example, the control unit estimates what the object to be heated is located inside the heating chamber 2, or in what condition (e.g., whether or not it has a lid), based on the image acquired from the imaging device 4, and automatically sets the heating intensity, heating time, heating mode, etc. The control unit may also use the image acquired from the imaging device 4 to detect when the object to be heated is being taken in or out of the heating chamber 2, to detect dirt inside the heating chamber 2 (or the door window 221), and for other monitoring (including outside the heating chamber 2).

[0035] Here, the imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel member 3 surrounding the interior space Sp1 so as to include the interior space Sp1 in its field of view. In this embodiment in particular, the imaging device 4 is fixed to the first panel 31 of the panel member 3, which constitutes the upper surface (top surface) of the interior space Sp1, facing diagonally downward. This makes it possible for the imaging device 4 to image the interior space Sp1 from diagonally above, looking down at it.

[0036] [2] Detailed configuration around the imaging device Next, a more detailed description of the configuration of the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment, specifically the area around the imaging device 4 (camera), will be given with reference to Figures 2 to 9.

[0037] Figures 2 to 9 show only the first panel 31 to which the imaging device 4 is fixed, the imaging device 4, and peripheral components of the imaging device 4 such as the support frame 51 and glass holder 52, while other components are omitted as appropriate. In addition, in Figures 4 to 9, only the peripheral portion of the first panel 31 surrounding the imaging device 4 is shown.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment includes a support frame 51, a glass holder 52, a camera holder 53, screws 54, 55, and glass 6, etc.

[0039] The imaging device 4 is fixed to the center of the front end of the first panel 31 in the left-right direction D2. Specifically, the first panel 31 is made by bending a metal plate and has inclined portions 311 and 312 at both ends in the front-rear direction D3, which are inclined so that they become lower towards the ends in the front-rear direction D3.

[0040] The imaging device 4 is supported by the inclined portion 311 on the front side of the first panel 31. More specifically, a through hole 310 (see Figure 5) is formed in the center of the inclined portion 311 of the first panel 31 in the left-right direction D2. The through hole 310 is a through hole that penetrates the first panel 31 (or its inclined portion 311) in the thickness direction. Here, as an example, the through hole 310 opens in a rectangular shape with a length in the left-right direction D2.

[0041] Furthermore, the first panel 31, as a panel member 3, has a panel body 30 and a support frame 51, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. A through hole 310 is formed in the panel body 30. The support frame 51 is a member fixed to the panel body 30 so as to close the through hole 310. An opening 511 is formed in the support frame 51 that communicates with the through hole 310. The opening 511 is a through hole that penetrates the first panel 31 (and its support frame 51) in the thickness direction. Here, as an example, the opening 511 is rectangular in shape with a length in the left-right direction D2. The imaging device 4 is positioned above the first panel 31, that is, outside the heating chamber 2, and at a position corresponding to the opening 511.

[0042] The opening 511 is rectangular in shape and slightly smaller than the through-hole 310. In other words, when the support frame 51 is attached to the panel body 30, the panel member 3 (first panel 31) is provided with a hole that is slightly smaller than the through-hole 310 but is the same size as the through-hole 310.

[0043] The imaging device 4 is positioned such that the optical axis of the optical system passes approximately through the center of the aperture 511, with the optical axis of the optical system tilted downward (diagonally downward) from the horizontal. In this embodiment, as an example, the inclined section 311 is tilted 45 degrees backward. Therefore, the imaging device 4 is also positioned such that the optical axis of the optical system is tilted 45 degrees backward with respect to the vertical.

[0044] As a result, the imaging device 4, positioned on the outside of the heating chamber 2 (above the first panel 31), can image the inside of the heating chamber 2 (cabinet space Sp1) through the opening 511. In other words, the imaging device 4 can image the cabin space Sp1 from a bird's-eye view, from diagonally in front and above.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the imaging device 4 is supported by a camera holder 53 above the first panel 31, that is, outside the heating chamber 2. The camera holder 53 has multiple (four in this case) legs 531 that extend along the optical axis of the optical system of the imaging device 4. In this example, the camera holder 53 is made of resin (a molded resin product).

[0046] The camera holder 53 is attached to the outside (upper side) of the heating chamber 2 of the panel member 3 (first panel 31) with one end (lower end) of the multiple legs 531 facing the panel member 3 (first panel 31), and the imaging device 4 is attached to the other end (upper end) of the multiple legs 531. Specifically, the camera holder 53 is fixed to the surrounding area (support frame 51) of the opening 511 in the first panel 31 with multiple (four in this case) screws 55. The imaging device 4 is fixed to the multiple legs 531 with fasteners such as screws.

[0047] Therefore, the imaging device 4 is supported by the camera holder 53 at a distance from the panel member 3 (first panel 31) toward the outside (upward) of the heating chamber 2. Furthermore, since cavities are secured between the multiple legs 531 of the camera holder 53, cooling air can be passed around the imaging device 4, making it easier to obtain a cooling effect for the imaging device 4.

[0048] The glass 6 is positioned to block the opening 511. The glass 6 is transparent to light in the wavelength range to which the imaging device 4 is sensitive. In other words, the glass 6 has relatively high transmittance (transparency) to light in the visible light range. Therefore, by blocking the opening 511 with the glass 6, the imaging device 4 can image the interior space Sp1 through the glass 6.

[0049] The glass 6 is attached to the panel member 3 (first panel 31) by being sandwiched between the glass holder 52 and the panel member 3 (first panel 31) in the optical axis direction of the optical system of the imaging device 4. Specifically, the glass holder 52 is a frame-shaped member having a through hole 521, and is coupled to the panel member 3 (first panel 31) with the glass 6 sandwiched between the glass holder 52 and the peripheral portion of the through hole 310 in the panel member 3 (panel body 30).

[0050] The glass holder 52 is located on the inside (lower side) of the heating chamber 2 relative to the panel body 30 of the first panel 31, and the support frame 51 is located on the outside (upper side) of the heating chamber 2 relative to the panel body 30 of the first panel 31. Here, as an example, the glass holder 52 is formed in the shape of a rectangular frame with a length in the left-right direction D2. Also, as an example, the glass holder 52 is made of resin (resin molded product).

[0051] Then, with the glass holder 52 sandwiching the panel body 30 and the glass 6 between itself and the support frame 51, it is fixed to the support frame 51 with a pair of screws 54. In this embodiment, the pair of screws 54 are inserted from the inside of the heating chamber 2, that is, from the glass holder 52 side, and tightened to the support frame 51 through the panel body 30 of the first panel 31. As a result, the glass holder 52 is fixed to the panel body 30 together with the support frame 51. Consequently, the glass 6, held in place by being sandwiched between the glass holder 52 and the panel body 30, is attached to the panel member 3 (first panel 31) so as to close the opening 511.

[0052] Therefore, the glass 6 is exposed to the inside (downward side) of the heating chamber 2 through the through hole 521 and to the outside (upward side) of the heating chamber 2 through the opening 511. Consequently, the imaging device 4 can image the interior space Sp1 of the heating chamber through the glass 6 via the opening 511 and the through hole 521.

[0053] Incidentally, if the panel member 3 (first panel 31) is made of a single plate rather than being composed of two parts, the panel body 30 and the support frame 51, then an opening is formed in the first panel 31, which is made of a single plate, to allow the imaging device 4 to image the interior space Sp1 through the panel member 3. And, although it is sealed with glass 6, considering that some leakage of electromagnetic waves from the interior space Sp1 can occur due to the presence of the opening, it is preferable to make the opening as small as possible to suppress the leakage of electromagnetic waves. However, when the first panel 31 is made of a single plate, although it is possible to suppress the leakage of electromagnetic waves from the opening by making the opening as small as possible, even a slight misalignment between the opening and the imaging device 4 makes it easy for the periphery of the opening to be captured by the imaging device 4.

[0054] Therefore, in this embodiment, the panel member 3 (first panel 31) is composed of two members, the panel body 30 and the support frame 51, and the imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel body 30 in an integrated state with the support frame 51. This makes it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4 in the heating cooker 100 according to this embodiment.

[0055] In short, the heating cooker 100 according to this embodiment comprises a heating chamber 2 and an imaging device 4, as shown in Figures 5 to 9. The heating chamber 2 has a panel member 3 surrounding an internal space Sp1 capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heats the object using electromagnetic waves. The imaging device 4 is positioned outside the heating chamber 2 and images the internal space Sp1 through an opening 511 formed in a part of the panel member 3. The panel member 3 has a support frame 51 with the opening 511 formed therein and a panel body 30. The panel body 30 has a through hole 310 that communicates with the opening 511, and the support frame 51 is fixed to it. The imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel body 30 via the support frame 51 in an integrated state with the support frame 51.

[0056] In this way, by constructing the panel member 3 with two members, the panel body 30 and the support frame 51, and then fixing the imaging device 4 to the panel body 30 via the support frame 51 while it is integrated with the support frame 51, the positioning accuracy of the imaging device 4 relative to the opening 511 is improved. In other words, by integrating (unitizing) the support frame 51 in which the opening 511 is formed and the imaging device 4, it becomes possible to determine the positional relationship between the opening 511 and the imaging device 4 in advance. Therefore, the mounting accuracy when the support frame 51 integrated with the imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel body 30 does not affect the positioning accuracy between the opening 511 and the imaging device 4, making it easier to improve the positioning accuracy of the imaging device 4 relative to the opening 511. Consequently, by making the opening 511 as small as possible, electromagnetic wave leakage from the opening 511 is suppressed, and by positioning the opening 511 and the imaging device 4 with high precision, the problem of the periphery of the opening 511 being captured by the imaging device 4 can be avoided. As a result, the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage of making it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0057] More specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support frame 51 has an outer circumference that is slightly larger than the through-hole 310 of the panel body 30. In other words, the support frame 51 is set to be larger than the through-hole 310 in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. The support frame 51 is constructed by bending a metal plate, and an opening 511 is formed in its center, creating a rectangular frame shape with a length in the left-right direction D2.

[0058] The support frame 51 has four fixing parts 512 at its four corners. The fixing parts 512 have screw holes into which screws 55 for fixing the camera holder 53 are tightened. Here, the support frame 51, when viewed from the inside (bottom) of the heating chamber 2, forms recessed parts at its four corners, and these recessed parts constitute the fixing parts 512. In other words, the four fixing parts 512 have a shape that is recessed toward the outside (upward) of the heating chamber 2 compared to the rest of the support frame 51.

[0059] The camera holder 53 has a frame-shaped flange portion 532 that is continuous with one end (lower end) of a plurality of legs 531. In this embodiment, as an example, the flange portion 532 is formed in the shape of a rectangle (rectangular frame) with a length in the left-right direction D2. The outer circumference shape of the flange portion 532 is substantially the same as the outer circumference shape of the support frame 51. The camera holder 53 is fixed to the support frame 51 by tightening a plurality (four) of screws 55, which are inserted from the outside (upper side) of the heating chamber 2 through holes formed in the four corners of the flange portion 532, onto a plurality (four) of fixing portions 512 of the support frame 51.

[0060] In this way, the camera holder 53 is fixed to the support frame 51, and as shown in Figure 7, the imaging device 4 is integrated (unitized) with the support frame 51, defining the positional relationship between the opening 511 and the imaging device 4. With the imaging device 4 and the support frame 51 integrated, the glass holder 52 is connected to the support frame 51 by a pair of screws 54, sandwiching the area around the through hole 310 in the panel body 30 between itself and the support frame 51. As a result, the support frame 51, which is integrated (unitized) with the imaging device 4, is fixed to the panel body 30 together with the glass holder 52, and the imaging device 4 is fixed to the panel body 30 via the support frame 51 while integrated with the support frame 51.

[0061] Here, the support frame 51 is electrically connected to the panel body 30 by contacting the area surrounding the through-hole 310 in the panel body 30. By bringing the support frame 51 to the same potential as the panel body 30, the shielding performance of electromagnetic waves by the support frame 51 is improved, preventing electromagnetic waves from leaking outside the heating chamber 2 through the through-hole 310.

[0062] Furthermore, the through-hole 310 is larger than the opening 511. In other words, the opening 511 is slightly smaller than the through-hole 310, and is smaller than the through-hole 310 in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Therefore, when viewing the panel member 3 (first panel 31) from the inside (bottom side) of the heating chamber 2, the opening 511 opens inside the through-hole 310 formed in the panel body 30. As a result, the periphery of the through-hole 310 does not appear in the image of the imaging device 4, making it easier to maintain the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the imaging device 4 has a substrate 41. The substrate 41 is positioned spaced apart from the support frame 51. Specifically, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the substrate 41 is located at the end of the optical system of the imaging device 4 opposite to the heating chamber 2 (upper side), and is fixed to the multiple legs 531 of the camera holder 53. By positioning the substrate 41 spaced apart from the support frame 51 by the camera holder 53, the heat inside the heating chamber 2 is less likely to affect the substrate 41, making it easier to protect the imaging device 4 from heat.

[0064] In particular, an air passage is formed between the substrate 41 and the support frame 51. That is, airflow (cooling air) generated by, for example, a cooling fan can pass through the gap between the substrate 41 and the support frame 51. This allows cooling air to pass around the imaging device 4, making it easier to achieve a cooling effect on the imaging device 4.

[0065] Furthermore, the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment further includes a glass 6 positioned on the inside (lower side) of the heating chamber 2 relative to the support frame 51. This makes it less likely for electromagnetic waves and heat from inside the heating chamber 2 to leak out of the heating chamber 2 through the opening 511, and makes it easier to protect the imaging device 4 from electromagnetic waves and heat.

[0066] Furthermore, the support frame 51 is positioned on the inclined portion 311 of the panel member 3. The inclined portion 311 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. By attaching the imaging device 4 to this inclined portion 311, the imaging device 4 can capture an overhead image of the inside of the heating chamber 2 (internal space Sp1) through the opening 511. Therefore, even with a single imaging device 4, it is possible to capture an image of a wide area inside the heating chamber 2 (internal space Sp1).

[0067] Incidentally, in order to make it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4, the heating cooker 100 according to this embodiment employs the following configuration with respect to the opening 511.

[0068] In other words, the heating appliance 100 according to this embodiment is as shown in Figures 5 to 9, The system comprises a heating chamber 2 and an imaging device 4. The heating chamber 2 has a panel member 3 surrounding an internal space Sp1 capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heats the object using electromagnetic waves. The imaging device 4 is positioned outside the heating chamber 2 and images the internal space Sp1 through an opening 511 formed in a part of the panel member 3. Here, the opening 511 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the image captured and used by the imaging device 4.

[0069] In this disclosure, "shape of captured image" refers to, for example, the overall shape of the raw image captured by the imaging device 4, which is represented by the horizontal and vertical angles of view (field of view), or the shape of the image (captured image) obtained by cropping only the necessary area from the raw image. In other words, not only the overall shape of the raw image, but also, if a part of the raw image is cropped (trimmed) as a captured image and used for controlling the cooking appliance 100, the cropped shape may be referred to as the "shape of the captured image." The overall shape of the raw image is determined by the arrangement of pixels of the image sensor included in the imaging device 4, and the optical system, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, the overall shape of the raw image, which is mainly determined by the arrangement of pixels of the image sensor included in the imaging device 4, is referred to as the "shape of the captured image."

[0070] In this embodiment, the opening 511 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the captured image. That is, the imaging device 4 images the internal space Sp1 through the opening 511 formed in a part of the panel member 3 (support frame 51), and the shape of the opening 511 is designed to correspond to the shape of the captured image. Therefore, by making the opening 511 as small as possible, leakage of electromagnetic waves from the opening 511 is suppressed, and by making the shape of the opening 511 correspond to the shape of the captured image, the problem of the periphery of the opening 511 appearing in the image of the imaging device 4 can be avoided. As a result, the heating cooker 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage of making it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0071] More specifically, the imaging device 4 has different fields of view in the horizontal and vertical directions. The aperture 511 is rectangular in shape, with its longer side oriented in the same direction as the longer side of the captured image. In this embodiment, as an example, the imaging device 4 captures an image in which the horizontal field of view is larger than the vertical field of view, and which has length in the left-right direction D2. Therefore, the aperture 511 is also formed in a rectangular shape with length in the left-right direction D2, similar to the captured image.

[0072] This makes it possible to minimize the aperture 511 while avoiding the aperture 511 cutting off the captured image, thus making it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0073] In particular, the aperture 511 has a shape similar to that of the captured image. That is, the shape of the aperture 511 is similar to the shape of the captured image. In this embodiment, both the aperture 511 and the captured image are rectangular in shape with length in the left-right direction D2, so their aspect ratios are approximately the same.

[0074] For example, if the aspect ratio of the captured image is "height:width = 1:1.8", then the aspect ratio of the aperture 511 will also be set to "height:width = 1:1.8". In other words, the ratio of the vertical dimension L1 to the horizontal dimension L2 of the aperture 511 shown in the outlet in Figure 6 will be set to "L1:L2 = 1:1.8". However, "similarity" here does not only mean that the aspect ratio and vertex angle etc. are exactly the same, but also includes cases where the aspect ratio and vertex angle etc. are slightly different. For example, if the aspect ratio of the captured image is "1:1.8", the aspect ratio of the aperture 511 may be set in the range of "1:1.6" or more and "1:2.0" or less.

[0075] This makes it possible to minimize the aperture 511 while avoiding the aperture 511 cutting off the captured image, thus making it easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a peripheral wall 513 (see Figure 6) is provided, which is positioned around the periphery of the opening 511 in the panel member 3 and surrounds the opening 511. Specifically, the peripheral wall 513 consists of a burring portion erected on the periphery of the opening 511 in the metal support frame 51, and surrounds the opening 511 all around.

[0077] As a result, if the shape of the opening 511 is the same, leakage of electromagnetic waves from the opening 511 to the outside of the heating chamber 2 can be suppressed compared to the case where there is no peripheral wall 513. Therefore, it becomes easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0078] The peripheral wall 513 protrudes outward from the periphery of the opening 511 in the panel member 3 toward the outside of the heating chamber 2. In other words, the peripheral wall 513 is formed to rise outward (upward) from the periphery of the opening 511 in the support frame 51 toward the outside (upward) of the heating chamber 2. As an example, the amount of protrusion (height) of the peripheral wall 513 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the support frame 51, and is between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0079] As a result, if the shape of the opening 511 is the same, vignetting (where the peripheral wall 513 is visible in the image of the imaging device 4) is less likely to occur compared to the case where the peripheral wall 513 protrudes inward towards the heating chamber 2. Therefore, it becomes easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 511 has rounded corners. That is, the four corners of the rectangular opening 511 are not sharp corners, but have rounded (R) chamfers. This suppresses the leakage of electromagnetic waves from the opening 511 to the outside of the heating chamber 2 compared to an opening 511 with sharp corners. Thus, it becomes easier to achieve both the prevention of electromagnetic wave leakage and the securing of the field of view of the imaging device 4.

[0081] [3] Variant The following lists some modifications of Embodiment 1. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0082] The glass 6 may have a function to limit (regulate) the transmission of electromagnetic waves (microwaves) used to heat the object being heated. In other words, the glass 6 may be an electromagnetic shielding glass that limits the passage of electromagnetic waves by shielding and / or absorbing high-frequency electromagnetic waves such as microwaves.

[0083] Furthermore, the opening 511 may be located at any position on the panel member 3, for example, at the rear end of the first panel 31, or on the second panel 32, third panel 33, fourth panel 34, or fifth panel 35. In addition, if the imaging device 4 is located on the door body 22, the opening 511 may be provided on the panel member constituting the inner surface of the door body 22.

[0084] Furthermore, the various components such as the glass holder 52 and the camera holder 53 are not limited to being made of resin, but may, for example, be made of metal in part. Also, the support frame 51 is not limited to being made of metal, but may, for example, be made of resin (resin molded product) in part, or it may be an insert molded product in which a metal plate is inserted into a resin molded product.

[0085] Furthermore, the shape of the opening 511 is not limited to a rectangular shape; for example, it may be a square, circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape.

[0086] Furthermore, it is not essential that the panel member 3 has a support frame 51 and a panel body 30; an opening 511 may be formed in a panel member (first panel 31) made of a single sheet of material.

[0087] Furthermore, it is not essential that the aperture 511 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the captured image captured and used by the imaging device 4; the shape of the aperture 511 does not need to be similar to the shape of the captured image.

[0088] Furthermore, it is not essential that the peripheral wall 513 protrudes outward from the heating chamber 2 in the panel member 3; the peripheral wall 513 may protrude inward from the heating chamber 2 in the panel member 3. Moreover, the peripheral wall 513 is not an essential component at all, and may be omitted.

[0089] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0090] <Note 1> A heating chamber having panel members surrounding an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heating the object using electromagnetic waves, The heating chamber is equipped with an imaging device positioned on the outside of the heating chamber and imaging the internal space of the chamber through an opening formed in a part of the panel member, The panel member comprises a support frame in which the opening is formed, and a panel body having a through hole communicating with the opening and to which the support frame is fixed. The imaging device is fixed to the panel body via the support frame, while being integrated with the support frame. Heating cooker.

[0091] <Note 2> The through hole is larger than the opening. The heating appliance described in Appendix 1.

[0092] <Note 3> The imaging device has a circuit board, The substrate is positioned spaced apart from the support frame. A cooking appliance as described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0093] <Note 4> An air passage is formed between the substrate and the support frame, allowing air to pass through. The heating appliance described in Appendix 3.

[0094] <Note 5> The support frame further comprises glass positioned on the inside of the heating chamber. A cooking appliance as described in any of the notes 1 to 4.

[0095] <Note 6> The support frame is positioned on the inclined portion of the panel member. A cooking appliance as described in any of the notes 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 2 Heating cabinet 3 Panel members 4. Imaging device 6 Glass 30 Panel Unit 41 circuit boards 51 Support Frame 55 Elastic members 100 Cooker 310 Through hole 311 Slope 511 Opening Sp1 Interior space

Claims

1. A heating chamber having panel members surrounding an internal space capable of accommodating an object to be heated, and heating the object using electromagnetic waves, The heating chamber is equipped with an imaging device positioned on the outside of the heating chamber and imaging the internal space of the chamber through an opening formed in a part of the panel member, The panel member comprises a support frame in which the opening is formed, and a panel body having a through hole communicating with the opening and to which the support frame is fixed. The imaging device is fixed to the panel body via the support frame, while being integrated with the support frame. Heating cooker.

2. The through hole is larger than the opening. A heating appliance according to claim 1.

3. The imaging device has a circuit board, The substrate is positioned spaced apart from the support frame. A heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An air passage is formed between the substrate and the support frame, allowing air to pass through. A cooking appliance according to claim 3.

5. The support frame further comprises glass positioned on the inside of the heating chamber. A heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The support frame is positioned on the inclined portion of the panel member. A heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2.

Images