Heating Regulator

Abstract

For example, we provide a cooking appliance that can faithfully perform cooking according to the user's requests. [Solution] The heating appliance comprises a main body having a cooking chamber, a heater placed in the cooking chamber, a supply mechanism that supplies steam to the cooking chamber, and a control unit that controls the heater and the supply mechanism. The control unit is configured to execute multiple cooking modes that result in mochi having mutually different finishes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cooking appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a toaster that can bake sliced bread with a compact structure while suppressing baking unevenness.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Cooking appliances such as toasters have the problem of faithfully realizing cooking according to the user's requirements.

[0005] One of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide, for example, a cooking appliance that can faithfully realize cooking according to the user's requirements.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect of this disclosure, a cooking appliance includes a main body having a cooking chamber, a heater disposed in the cooking chamber, a supply mechanism for supplying steam to the cooking chamber, and a control unit for controlling the heater and the supply mechanism. The control unit is configured to be capable of executing a plurality of cooking modes that result in mutually different finished states.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, for example, a cooking appliance that can faithfully realize cooking according to the user's requirements can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a cooking appliance. [Figure 2] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance along line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic front view of a cooking appliance with the door open. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of a cooking appliance. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display mode. [Figure 6] This is an example of a table that shows cooking modes. [Figure 7] This is a time chart for when cooking mode "9 Mochi" is selected. [Figure 8] This is a time chart for when cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)" is selected. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the display content when the user selects cooking mode "9 Mochi" or "10 Mochi (Soft)". [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, a cooking appliance 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially common functions will be referred to by the same reference numerals and used in the explanation. The vertical direction when the cooking appliance 1 is installed on a horizontal floor is defined as the height direction H. The opening direction of the cooking chamber 10a of the cooking appliance 1 is defined as the depth direction D. The direction perpendicular to the height direction H and the depth direction D is defined as the width direction W.

[0010] In this disclosure, "cooking appliance" refers to any appliance used to heat and cook food, etc. A cooking appliance generally has a main body with a cooking chamber and a heating mechanism for heating food, etc. placed in the cooking chamber. The heating mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of heating food, etc. The heating mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that heats food, etc. placed in the cooking chamber by heating the entire cooking chamber. The heating mechanism may be, for example, a mechanism that directly heats food, etc. placed in the cooking chamber. Specifically, the heating mechanism may be, for example, a microwave generating mechanism that generates microwaves and irradiates food, etc. The heating mechanism may be, for example, composed of a resistance heating type heater. A cooking appliance may have multiple types of heating mechanisms, for example, a microwave generating mechanism that generates microwaves and a resistance heating type heater. A cooking appliance may, for example, heat and cook food, etc. by microwaves. A cooking appliance may heat and cook food, etc. directly or indirectly by a resistance heating type heater. A cooking appliance may heat food using radiant heat from a resistance heating element and microwaves. The cooking appliance may be, for example, a device commonly referred to as a microwave oven, oven, or toaster.

[0011] (Configuration of heating appliance 1) Figure 1 is a schematic front view of the cooking appliance 1. Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance 1 along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the cooking appliance 1 with the door 11 open.

[0012] The cooking appliance 1 shown in Figure 1 is specifically a so-called oven having a resistance heating type heater and a steam supply mechanism that heats using heated steam. Specifically, the cooking appliance 1 of this embodiment is an oven capable of cooking mochi (rice cakes).

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooking appliance 1 has a cooker main body 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cooking chamber 10a for performing cooking is provided in the cooker main body 10. The cooking chamber 10a is open at the front side in the depth direction D. The opening of this cooking chamber 10a can be opened and closed by a door 11 provided rotatable in both directions with respect to the cooker main body 10.

[0014] A mounting table 12 is provided in the cooking chamber 10a. Foods and the like to be cooked are placed on the mounting table 12. The mounting table 12 is arranged at intervals from both the bottom surface and the top surface of the cooking chamber 10a in the height direction H. The mounting table 12 may be constituted by, for example, a net, a tray, or the like. The mounting table 12 may be changeable to a plurality of modes of mounting tables such as a net or a tray. In the cooking appliance 1, the front end portion of the mounting table 12 is connected to the door 11. When the door 11 rotates and opens relative to the cooker main body 10, the mounting table 12 is provided so as to be displaced forward along with the rotation of the door 11.

[0015] The cooking appliance 1 has a heating mechanism 20. The heating mechanism 20 is a mechanism for heating the inside of the cooking chamber 10a. The heating mechanism 20 has at least one upper heater 21, at least one lower heater 22, and a steam supply mechanism 23.

[0016] The upper heater 21 is arranged above the mounting table 12 in the cooking chamber 10a. The upper heater 21 is constituted by a heater of a resistance heating method. In the cooking appliance 1, two upper heaters 21 are arranged at intervals from each other along the depth direction D above the mounting table 12. The two upper heaters 21 are each linear and extend along the width direction W.

[0017] The lower heater 22 is disposed below the mounting table 12 in the cooking chamber 10a. Therefore, the mounting table 12 is disposed between the lower heater 22 and the upper heater 21 in the height direction H. The lower heater 22 is constituted by a heater of a resistance heating method. In the cooking appliance 1, one lower heater 22 is disposed below the mounting table 12. The lower heater 22 is linear and extends along the width direction W. In the present embodiment, an example in which one lower heater is arranged and the number of lower heaters is smaller than the number of upper heaters will be described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a plurality of lower heaters may be provided. The number of lower heaters and upper heaters may be the same, or the number of lower heaters may be larger than the number of upper heaters.

[0018] The upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 may heat the object to be cooked by irradiating the object to be cooked placed on the mounting table 12 with heat rays such as near-infrared rays and infrared rays.

[0019] The steam supply mechanism 23 supplies steam to the cooking chamber 10a. Specifically, the steam supply mechanism 23 heats the inside of the cooking chamber 10a by supplying heated steam to the cooking chamber 10a. The steam supply mechanism 23 may supply, for example, superheated steam to the cooking chamber 10a. Here, "superheated steam" is saturated steam having a temperature higher than 100°C. The superheated steam may be, for example, steam obtained by further heating saturated steam heated to 100°C to a higher temperature at normal pressure.

[0020] In the cooking appliance 1, at least one of the upper heater 21, the lower heater 22, and the steam supply mechanism 23 is driven, whereby the object to be cooked disposed in the cooking chamber 10a is heated, and the cooking of the object to be cooked is performed.

[0021] (Block of the cooking appliance 1) Figure 4 is a block diagram of the cooking appliance 1. As shown in Figure 4, the cooking appliance 1 has a control unit 30. The control unit 30 may include, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and a storage unit. The storage unit stores, for example, data and computer programs. For example, the storage unit temporarily stores data necessary for each process of the control unit 30, and also stores setting data. The storage unit may include a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The storage unit may include, for example, non-volatile memory or a hard disk drive.

[0022] The control unit 30 controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1. Specifically, the control unit 30 is connected to the upper heater 21, the lower heater 22, and the steam supply mechanism 23, as well as the display 40 and the input unit 50. The control unit 30 controls the power supply to each of the upper heater 21, the lower heater 22, and the steam supply mechanism 23.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the display 40 is located on the front of the door 11. The display 40 is a type of notification unit that displays various information. The control unit 30 causes the display 40, which acts as a notification unit, to display (notify) various information.

[0024] Figure 5 shows an example of a display provided on the cooking appliance 1. Specifically, the display shown in Figure 5 is made up of a sticker attached to the cooking appliance body 10. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a display containing information on multiple menus, as shown in Figure 5, may be provided on the display. The sticker shown in Figure 5 displays various information, including information on multiple types of menus and cooking modes that can be selected in the cooking appliance 1. For example, it includes information that the degree of fluffiness can be selected for French bread, and that for the food item "mochi," a normal finish and a soft finish can be selected.

[0025] The input unit 50 is the part of the cooking appliance 1 where the user inputs desired cooking menus, cooking conditions, etc., into the cooking appliance 1. In the cooking appliance 1, as shown in Figure 1, it is located on the front of the cooking appliance body 10. The input unit 50 may be a device that allows information to be input by physical operations such as pressing or rotating, or it may be configured as an operation panel such as a touch panel.

[0026] The control unit 30 has a memory 31 which serves as a storage unit. The memory 31 stores programs, conditions, etc., for the control unit 30 to control each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1. The control unit 30 controls each mechanism of the cooking appliance 1 based on the information stored in the memory 31 and the information entered by the user into the input unit 50.

[0027] Memory 31 stores multiple types of cooking modes. The cooking modes stored in memory 31 are pre-set, and when a cooking mode is read by the control unit 30, one or more steps included in the cooking mode are automatically executed. Figure 6 shows a portion of an example of a table representing the cooking modes stored in memory 31. Memory 31 stores a table of cooking modes as shown in Figure 6.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 6, mochi (M) is included in the table. As shown in Figure 6, multiple cooking modes are set for a single food item to be heated, namely mochi.

[0029] As shown on the display 40 screen in Figure 5, the food to be heated, mochi, has multiple cooking modes set to produce different finishes, such as "9 Mochi" and "10 Mochi (soft)". Memory 31 stores the cooking modes corresponding to "9 Mochi" and "10 Mochi (soft)" as a table as shown in Figure 6. When the user operates the input unit 50 and selects either "9 Mochi" or "10 Mochi (soft)", the control unit 30 reads the corresponding cooking mode from memory 31 and executes the read cooking mode.

[0030] The "9 Mochi" cooking mode produces mochi that has a golden-brown (burnt) surface and a firm texture, similar to grilled mochi. A "golden-brown" surface can also be described as a well-browned, crispy color.

[0031] On the other hand, the "10 Mochi (Soft)" cooking mode is designed to produce a soft texture both inside and out, without excessive browning on the surface.

[0032] Thus, the control unit 30 of the heating appliance 1 is configured to execute multiple cooking modes, including multiple cooking modes in which the softness of the cooked mochi (food to be heated) differs from one another, and multiple cooking modes in which the surface color of the cooked mochi differs from one another.

[0033] For example, shortening the total heating time and baking it quickly can brown the surface of the mochi, resulting in a firm and fragrant finish. Conversely, lengthening the total heating time and baking it slowly can suppress browning of the surface, resulting in a soft finish both inside and out.

[0034] For example, by shortening the proportion of time spent supplying steam from the steam supply mechanism 23 to the total heating period, it is possible to brown the food and make the surface firm. By lengthening the proportion of time spent supplying steam from the steam supply mechanism 23 to the total heating period, it is possible to suppress the browning and make both the surface and the interior soft.

[0035] From the standpoint of achieving a darker brown color, it is preferable to have a period of time during which the output of the upper heater 21 is higher than the output of the lower heater 22.

[0036] Furthermore, the surface color of the mochi can be measured by quantifying the surface browning (color difference) using a color difference meter (ZE7700) manufactured by Nippon Denshoku Industries Ltd.

[0037] The softness of mochi can be measured by quantifying the surface fracture strength using a creep meter RE2-3305C manufactured by Yamaden Co., Ltd.

[0038] The following explanation will use the control by the control unit 30 in cooking modes "9 Mochi" and "10 Mochi (soft)" as examples.

[0039] Figure 7 is a time chart when cooking mode "9 Mochi" is selected. Figure 8 is a time chart when cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)" is selected. Note that graph T9 shown in Figures 7 and 8 shows the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a when cooking mode "9 Mochi" is executed. Graph T10 shown in Figure 8 shows the temperature inside the cooking chamber 10a when cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)" is executed.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, the cooking mode "9 Mochi" with its time chart is a cooking mode that finishes the mochi dish with a firm surface and a well-browned finish, as shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 8, the cooking mode "10 Mochi (Soft)" with its time chart is a cooking mode that finishes the mochi dish with a soft surface and interior, and a light brown finish, as shown in Figure 6. Thus, cooking modes "9 Mochi" and "10 Mochi (Soft)" are cooking modes that finish the same mochi dish with at least one difference in browning or softness.

[0041] When the user operates the input unit 50 shown in Figure 4 and selects cooking mode "9 Mochi", the control unit 30 reads the control content corresponding to cooking mode "9 Mochi" stored in the memory 31. Based on the read control content, the control unit 30 controls each mechanism of the heating appliance 1.

[0042] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the content displayed on the display 40 when the user selects cooking mode "9 Mochi" or "10 Mochi (soft)". Specifically, Figure 9(a) is a diagram illustrating the content displayed on the display 40 when the user selects cooking mode "9 Mochi". Figure 9(b) is a diagram illustrating the content displayed on the display 40 when the user selects cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)".

[0043] The user of the cooking appliance 1 inputs a cooking mode ("9 Mochi" or "10 Mochi (soft)") to be performed by the user by operating the input unit 50. When cooking mode "9 Mochi" is input, the screen shown in Figure 9(a) is displayed on the display 40. Since the operating program of the steam supply mechanism 23 is linked to cooking modes "9 Mochi" and "10 Mochi (soft)", when the food to be heated is "mochi", selecting a cooking mode also includes the user selecting how to operate the steam supply mechanism 23. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the degree of browning is selectable in each cooking mode. Immediately after the user selects a cooking mode, it is set to the degree of browning shown in Figure 9. After that, the user can adjust the degree of browning in each cooking mode by operating the input unit 50. When the user selects a cooking mode and their preferred degree of browning and instructs the cooking appliance 1 to start, the control unit 30 starts the cooking process according to the selected mode.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, in cooking mode "9 Mochi", first, during the first cooking period t11 of the total cooking period t10, the control unit 30 continuously drives the steam supply mechanism 23. During this first cooking period t11, the control unit 30 intermittently turns on the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22. For example, the control unit 30 turns on the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 for a predetermined unit period (for example, "unit period A"), then turns them off for a unit period a2 (a2 = A - a1). Unit periods a1 and a2 may be the same, for example (a1 = a2 = A / 2). During the first cooking period t11, the control unit 30 controls the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 so that the periods when the upper heater 21 is on and the periods when the lower heater 22 is on do not overlap, and they alternate positions. The duration of one unit is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be between 20 seconds and 60 seconds.

[0045] Next, during the second cooking period t12, the control unit 30 temporarily stops the steam supply mechanism 23 and keeps the upper heater 21 continuously on, while keeping the lower heater 22 intermittently on, similar to the first cooking period t11. As a result, during the second cooking period t12, the output of the upper heater 21 is higher than the output of the lower heater 22.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, in cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)", first, during the first cooking period t21 of the total cooking period t20, the control unit 30 continuously drives the steam supply mechanism 23. During the first cooking period t21, the control unit 30 intermittently turns on the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22. In this embodiment, the unit period a1 in the first cooking period t21 is substantially the same as the unit period a1 in the first cooking period t11 shown in Figure 7, and the unit period a2 in the first cooking period t21 is substantially the same as the unit period a2 in the first cooking period t11. During the first cooking period t21, the control unit 30 controls the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 so that the periods when the upper heater 21 is turned on and the periods when the lower heater 22 is turned on do not overlap, and they alternate positions.

[0047] Subsequently, the control unit 30 intermittently drives the steam supply mechanism 23 during the second cooking period t22 and the third cooking period t23. During the second cooking period t22 and the third cooking period t23, the control unit 30 intermittently turns on the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22. During the second cooking period t22 and the third cooking period t23, the control unit 30 controls the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 so that the upper heater 21 is turned on simultaneously.

[0048] Furthermore, the maximum temperature reached in the "Mochi (Soft)" cooking mode shown in Figure 8 is set lower than the maximum temperature reached in the "Mochi" cooking mode shown in Figure 7.

[0049] As explained above, in the heating cooker 1, the control unit 30 can execute multiple cooking modes that result in mochi having mutually different finishes. Therefore, the heating cooker 1 can faithfully realize the heating and cooking of mochi according to the user's requests. For example, as described above, mochi can be cooked to the desired softness and browning. For example, the multiple cooking modes include cooking modes in which at least one of the steam supply period during which steam is supplied to the steam supply mechanism 23 and the heating level by the heaters 21 and 22 is different, thereby making it possible to cook mochi to the desired softness and browning.

[0050] The methods for adjusting the softness and browning of cooked mochi are not particularly limited, but they can be adjusted, for example, by the following methods.

[0051] (1) The control unit 30 can adjust the softness and browning of the cooked mochi by controlling each mechanism so that the length of the cooking period differs from one another for each cooking mode.

[0052] For example, the total cooking period t20 (see Figure 8) for the softer cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)" results in a longer finished state than the total cooking period t10 (see Figure 7) for the firmer cooking mode "9 Mochi". In this way, the finished state of the mochi can be made softer by increasing the total cooking period.

[0053] (2) The control unit 30 can adjust the softness of the cooked mochi by controlling each mechanism so that the length of the steam supply period during which steam is supplied to the cooking chamber 10a by the steam supply mechanism 23 differs for each cooking mode. For example, the control unit 30 can adjust the softness of the cooked mochi by controlling each mechanism so that the proportion of the steam supply period in the total cooking period differs for each cooking mode.

[0054] The higher the proportion of the total cooking time spent supplying steam, the more effectively water can be added to the surface of the mochi during cooking. This allows for a softer texture.

[0055] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of achieving a firm surface on the cooked mochi, it is preferable to reduce the proportion of the total cooking period that is occupied by the steam supply period.

[0056] (3) The control unit 30 can adjust the softness and browning of the cooked mochi by controlling each mechanism so that the proportion of time during which at least one of the upper heater 21 and the lower heater 22 is turned on per predetermined unit period (e.g., 20 unit periods) is different for each cooking mode. For example, by reducing the proportion of time during which the heaters 21 and 22 are turned on, the mochi can be heated slowly, making it easier for the cooked mochi to become soft.

[0057] The following provides a more detailed explanation of the controls for each cooking mode.

[0058] (Cooking mode "9 Mochi") This cooking mode is designed to achieve a firm texture and a well-browned finish. As shown in Figure 7, by providing a second cooking period t12 in which the upper heater 21 is kept continuously on, the heating rate of the mochi is increased, as is the heating rate of the surface opposite the mochi placement platform 12. As a result, a firm texture and a fragrant, browned finish can be achieved.

[0059] Furthermore, from the perspective of achieving a firmer texture, by making the first cooking period t11, during which steam is supplied by the steam supply mechanism 23, relatively short, it is possible to suppress the excessive moisture content of the mochi and achieve an appropriate firmness.

[0060] (Cooking mode "10 Mochi (soft)") This cooking mode is designed to achieve a soft texture. In this mode, the first cooking period t21, during which the steam supply mechanism 23 is driven, is extended to prevent moisture from being lost during cooking. At the same time, the proportion of time during which both heaters 21 and 22 are turned on simultaneously is set low overall, allowing the mochi to heat slowly. As a result, a soft texture and a finish that is less prone to browning are achieved.

[0061] Furthermore, during the third cooking period 23, which is the finishing period, the steam supply mechanism 23 supplies steam, thereby replenishing moisture to the surface of the mochi. As a result, the surface of the mochi can be made softer. In this cooking mode, it is preferable to increase the operating rate of the steam supply mechanism 23 to supply a large amount of steam during the initial first cooking period t21, and to decrease the operating rate of the steam supply mechanism 23 to supply a relatively small amount of steam during the finishing third cooking period t23.

[0062] (modified version) For example, the example shown in Figure 8 describes a configuration in which steam is continuously supplied intermittently during the second cooking period t22 and the third cooking period t23. However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the steam supply mechanism 23 may be temporarily deactivated during the second cooking period t22 and turned on during the final period, the third cooking period t23.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. Configurations obtained by combining the configurations of the different embodiments described herein are also included in the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1:Heating cooker 10: Cooking appliance body 10a: Galley 11: Door 12: Mounting platform 20:Heating mechanism 21: Top heater 22: Lower heater 23: Steam supply mechanism 30: Control Unit 31: Memory 40: Display 50: Input section

Claims

1. A main body having a cooking room, A heater installed in the aforementioned cooking room, A supply mechanism for supplying steam to the aforementioned cooking chamber, The heater and the control unit that controls the supply mechanism, Equipped with, The control unit is configured to execute multiple cooking modes that result in mochi having mutually different finishes, and is used in a heating appliance.

2. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cooking modes include a plurality of cooking modes in which the softness of the cooked mochi differs from one another.

3. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cooking modes include a plurality of cooking modes in which the surface color tones of the cooked mochi are mutually different.

4. The control unit varies the length of the cooking period for each cooking mode, as described in claim 1.

5. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a plurality of cooking modes in which the length of the steam supply period during which steam is supplied to the cooking chamber by the supply mechanism is mutually different.

6. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit drives the supply mechanism for multiple periods during the heating cooking period.

7. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the control unit intermittently supplies steam to the supply mechanism during the final period of the cooking period.

8. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cooking modes include cooking modes in which at least one of the steam supply period during which steam is supplied to the supply mechanism and the degree of heating by the heater is different.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 8, further comprising an input section into which the user can input parameters relating to the steam supply period and parameters relating to the heating level.

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