Conditioner

Abstract

To provide a cooking device that can efficiently irradiate food with microwaves. [Solution] A heating chamber SP1 is defined, which forms an opening through which food to be heated is inserted and removed. The cooking appliance 1 comprises a wall portion 11n that reflects microwaves, a microwave generating portion 141 that radiates microwaves into the heating chamber SP1, and a cooking appliance 1 on which food to be cooked is placed and which is positioned in the heating chamber SP1, thereby dividing the heating chamber SP1 into two upper and lower spaces SP11 and SP12 that can be cooked individually. The microwave generating portion 141 has a radiating port 111h that radiates microwaves to irradiate food placed in the upper space SP11, and the wall portion 11n has a first projection 191 that protrudes toward the heating chamber SP1, and the first projection 191 is positioned closer to the lower space SP12 than to the radiating port 111h of the upper space SP11.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a microwave oven having microwave coupling holes for supplying microwaves to a heating chamber (in Patent Document 1, inside an oven inner box) where food is placed. A plurality of microwave coupling holes are formed on wall surfaces such as the upper surface, bottom surface, and back surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the microwave oven disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, microwaves may be propagated to the lower side of the tray from between the tray and the wall defining the heating chamber, and there is a possibility that the food to be cooked cannot be efficiently irradiated with microwaves.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a cooking appliance capable of efficiently irradiating microwaves to food to be cooked.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance capable of heating food by irradiating it with microwaves, comprising: a heating chamber comprising a heating chamber forming an opening through which the food is inserted and removed; a wall portion that reflects microwaves; a microwave generating unit that radiates microwaves into the heating chamber; and a cooking appliance on which the food is placed and which divides the heating chamber into two upper and lower spaces for individual cooking, wherein the microwave generating unit has a radiating port that radiates microwaves so as to irradiate the food placed in the upper space, and the wall portion has a first projection that protrudes toward the heating chamber, the first projection being located closer to the lower space than the radiating port in the upper space.

[0007] With the above configuration, the first projection is positioned closer to the lower space than the microwave emission port that irradiates the food being cooked in the upper space. As a result, the microwaves emitted from the emission port are reflected by the first projection, suppressing the propagation of microwaves into the lower space. Consequently, the food being cooked in the upper space can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves.

[0008] The wall portion may have an opposing wall facing the opening, and the radiation port and the first projection may be provided on the opposing wall.

[0009] With the above configuration, since the radiating port and the first projection are positioned on the wall opposite the opening (opposing wall), the propagation of microwaves into the space below is suppressed, and microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked.

[0010] The device further includes a microwave-transmitting member that covers the radiating port and through which the microwaves pass, and the first projection may be positioned below the microwave-transmitting member.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the first projection is positioned below the microwave-transmitting member that covers the microwave emission port, which is used to irradiate the food being cooked in the upper space, and through which the microwaves pass. As a result, the microwaves emitted from the emission port and transmitted through the microwave-transmitting member are reflected by the first projection, suppressing the propagation of microwaves into the lower space. Consequently, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked in the upper space.

[0012] The cooking appliance may be positioned below the radiating port.

[0013] According to the above configuration, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto food placed on the cooking appliance.

[0014] The cooking utensil has a main body that reflects microwaves, and the main body has a mounting portion having a mounting surface on which the food to be cooked can be placed, and a flange portion that extends outward from the mounting portion, and the flange portion may include a flange end positioned below the mounting surface.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the propagation of microwaves to the food placed on the cooking utensil's mounting section is suppressed by the flange end, and microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food.

[0016] The flange end may be positioned below the radiating port and the microwave transmitting member.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the irradiation of microwaves onto the food placed on the cooking utensil is suppressed by the flange end, and microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food.

[0018] The first projection may be positioned above the flange end.

[0019] According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to suppress the propagation of microwaves from between the flange end portion and the wall portion to the lower space. As a result, the cooking object can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves.

[0020] The microwave generation unit has a discharge port that emits the microwave so as to irradiate the cooking object disposed in the lower space, and the wall portion may further have a second protrusion portion disposed below the flange end portion.

[0021] According to the above configuration, in the upper space, the microwave is reflected by the first protrusion portion, and the propagation of the microwave to the lower space can be further suppressed by the second protrusion portion. As a result, the cooking object can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves. Further, the microwave emitted from the discharge port is reflected by the second protrusion portion in the lower space, and the propagation of the microwave to the upper space can be further suppressed by the first protrusion portion. As a result, the cooking object disposed in the lower space can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves. That is, microwaves can be efficiently radiated in each of the upper space and the lower space.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a cooking object can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] Front view showing a cooker 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] A cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the vicinity of the first glass plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows the first glass plate removed. [Figure 10] A cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first glass plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] A cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first glass plate according to the first 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 explanations will be omitted. The microwave oven 100 can cook food by irradiating it with microwaves.

[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 inside of the housing 11 to be seen, and a frame section that surrounds the window section. The door 12 is configured to reflect microwaves, except for a part 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, an inner wall 11n (an example of a wall) positioned spaced apart from the outer wall 11s, and a glass portion 11g that covers a part of the inner wall 11n. The inner wall 11n is, for example, made of metal and reflects microwaves. The glass portion 11g is made of glass and transmits microwaves.

[0030] The inner wall 11n has a flat portion 11p having a flat surface and a recessed portion 11m that is recessed from the flat portion 11p. In this embodiment, the recessed portion 11m includes a first recess 111m and a second recess 112m and is covered by a glass portion 11g. In this embodiment, the first recess 111m faces the opening 11h described with reference to Figure 2. Hereinafter, the inner wall 11n having the first recess 111m may be referred to as the "opposing wall 11k". That is, the inner wall 11n includes the opposing wall 11k that faces the opening 11h described with reference to Figure 2.

[0031] The glass portion 11g is arranged to be flush with the flat portion 11p of the inner wall 11n. The glass portion 11g includes a first glass plate 111g (an example of a microwave-transmitting member) and a second glass plate 112g that cover the first recess 111m and the second recess 112m, respectively.

[0032] The inner wall 11n and the glass portion 11g define the roughly rectangular internal space where the food to be cooked C is placed. Hereinafter, this internal space will be referred to as the "heating chamber SP1".

[0033] 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. The inner top surface 11t, inner right side surface 11r, and inner left side surface 11f are composed of inner walls 11n, while the inner bottom surface 11d and inner rear surface 11b are composed of a flat portion 11p and a glass portion 11g, respectively.

[0034] 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 and food to be cooked into the heating chamber SP1 through the opening 11h.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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. The amount of protrusion of the convex portion is set to be large enough to support the tray 1 even when the tray 1 is maximally biased to the left or right.

[0038] Tray 1 can be positioned at different vertical locations. The user can position tray 1 at different heights by changing the pair of rails 112 on which tray 1 is placed from among three pairs of rails 112 with different vertical orientations.

[0039] By positioning the tray 1 at a predetermined height (in this embodiment, the pair of rails 112 in the middle), the heating chamber SP1 is divided into two spaces, upper and lower, that allow for individual cooking. Hereinafter, of the two spaces divided by the tray 1, the upper space will be referred to as the "upper space SP11" and the lower space as the "lower space SP12".

[0040] (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). Some of the electronic components, including the microwave generator 14, heater 15, first temperature sensor 16, and controller 18, are arranged in the outer space SP2.

[0041] (Microwave generator) The microwave generation unit 14 generates microwaves to be radiated into the heating chamber SP1. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, 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," respectively.

[0042] (First microwave generator) The first microwave generator 141 targets the food item C, which is placed in the upper space SP11, for microwave irradiation. The first microwave generator 141 irradiates the food item C, which is placed in the upper space SP11, with microwaves from the rear.

[0043] The first microwave generator 141 includes a first waveguide 143a, a first feeding unit 144a, a first antenna 145a, a first motor 146a, and a first magnetron 147a.

[0044] The first waveguide 143a is connected to the first magnetron 147a and guides the microwaves generated by the first magnetron 147a to the first power supply unit 144a. The first waveguide 143a communicates with a hole formed in the inner wall 11n and constitutes the first power supply unit 144a (first discharge port) from which microwaves are emitted.

[0045] The first power supply unit 144a is located in the first recess 111m of the inner wall 11n and is covered by the first glass plate 111g. In the space defined by the first recess 111m, the first antenna 145a is located in front of the first power supply unit 144a (closer to the heating chamber SP1 than the first power supply unit 144a). That is, the first power supply unit 144a and the first antenna 145a face the opening 11h, which was described with reference to Figure 2, across the upper space SP11.

[0046] The first antenna 145a rotates around the first rotation axis AX1 by power from the first motor 146a. As a result, microwaves are radiated into the upper space SP11 via the first magnetron 147a, the first waveguide 143a, the first feed unit 144a, the first antenna 145a, and the first glass plate 111g, and the food C placed in the upper space SP11 is heated and cooked by the microwaves.

[0047] (Second microwave generator) The second microwave generator 142 targets the food item C placed in the lower space SP12 for microwave irradiation. The second microwave generator 142 irradiates the food item C placed in the lower space SP12 with microwaves from below.

[0048] The second microwave generator 142 includes a second waveguide 143b, a second feeding section 144b (second discharge port, an example of a discharge port), a second antenna 145b, a second motor 146b, and a second magnetron 147b.

[0049] The second waveguide 143b is connected to the second magnetron 147b and guides the microwaves generated by the second magnetron 147b to the second feeding section 144b. The second waveguide 143b communicates with a hole formed in the inner wall 11n and constitutes the second feeding section 144b from which the microwaves are emitted.

[0050] The second power supply unit 144b is located in the second recess 112m of the inner wall 11n and is covered by the second glass plate 112g. In the space defined by the second recess 112m, the second antenna 145b is located above the second power supply unit 144b (closer to the heating chamber SP1 than the second power supply unit 144b). That is, the second power supply unit 144b and the second antenna 145b are positioned facing the inner top surface 11t, with the heating chamber SP1 in between.

[0051] The second antenna 145b rotates around the second rotation axis AX2 by power from the second motor 146b. As a result, microwaves are radiated into the lower space SP12 via the second magnetron 147b, the second waveguide 143b, the second feeding unit 144b, the second antenna 145b, and the second glass plate 112g, and the food C placed in the lower space SP12 is heated and cooked by the microwaves.

[0052] (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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (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.

[0055] (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.

[0056] (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.

[0057] 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).

[0058] The controller 18 may include memory 181 such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Memory 181 stores a program for executing cooking processes and information used in the program. The controller 18 may also include a timer 182 for measuring time.

[0059] 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 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, in which only the microwave generator 14 is controlled for heating; combined heating treatment, in which both the microwave generator 14 and the heater unit 15 are controlled for heating; and heater heating treatment, in which only the heater unit 15 is controlled for heating.

[0060] (Tray) Next, the configuration of the tray 1 on which the cooked food C is placed will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tray 1, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in Figure 6. In the following, assuming that the tray 1 is housed in the 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.

[0061] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, tray 1 is a rectangular dish sized to fit within the heating chamber SP1 (see Figure 3). In plan view (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).

[0062] The tray 1 comprises a tray body 2 (an example of a body) and an insulating portion 3 that covers at least a part of the tray body 2.

[0063] (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.). 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 capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves.

[0064] 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).

[0065] (Mounting section) As shown in Figure 7, 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.

[0066] 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, and the main surface 211s rises as it approaches the center X.

[0067] 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.

[0068] (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 functions, for example, as a barrier to prevent liquid from flowing out of the tray 1.

[0069] (Flange section) As shown in Figure 6, the flange portion 23 is positioned to extend outward from the peripheral wall portion 22 (outward from the mounting portion 21).

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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. More specifically, 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). In other words, the base portion 231 is located below the mounting surface 211h (see Figure 7). The base portion 231 has a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and its longitudinal direction is in the left-right direction. The base portion 231 positioned behind the mounting portion 21 is an example of a flange end.

[0072] (Insulation part) The insulating part 3 suppresses the generation of sparks between the tray 1 and the inner wall 11n (see Figure 3) of the main body 10. The insulating part 3 is made of heat-resistant resin and transmits microwaves. By transmitting microwaves 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 transmits microwaves.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the insulating portion 3 is continuously arranged around the entire circumference of the wing portion 233 (long side portion 234 and short side portion 235) of the flange portion 23. 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".

[0074] (Configuration of the rear of the heating chamber) Next, the configuration of the inner rear surface 11b (inner wall 11n and first glass plate 111g) that defines the heating chamber will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the first glass plate 111g, which was described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 9 is a view with the first glass plate 111g shown in Figure 8 removed. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first glass plate cut along the front-to-back direction from the center in the left-to-right direction. In Figures 8 to 10, the tray 1 is positioned to divide the heating chamber SP1 into two spaces that allow for individual cooking. Also, in Figures 8 and 9, the tray 1 is shown by a dashed line.

[0075] (First recess) As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the first glass plate 111g is positioned (fixed) to cover the first recess 111m. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the first recess 111m of the inner wall 11n includes a recess bottom wall 111b, a recess side wall 111s, and a recess outer edge wall 111f.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9, the recessed bottom wall 111b has a plane that intersects (is perpendicular to) the front-to-back direction and is rectangular when viewed along the front-to-back direction. The first power supply unit 144a is located in the recessed bottom wall 111b. As described above, in the space defined by the first recess 111m, the first antenna 145a is located in front of the first power supply unit 144a.

[0077] The recessed side wall 111s is positioned to surround the recessed bottom wall 111b. The recessed side wall 111s has a plane that intersects the left-right direction and extends from the outer peripheral end of the recessed bottom wall 111b toward the heating chamber SP1, as shown in Figure 10.

[0078] As shown in Figure 9, the recess outer edge wall 111f is positioned to extend outward in the left-right direction (away from the recess bottom wall 111b) from the tip of the recess side wall 111s (the end opposite to the recess bottom wall 111b). The recess outer edge wall 111f has a plane parallel to the recess bottom wall 111b and is positioned to surround the recess side wall 111s. In a front view, the recess outer edge wall 111f has the same (approximately the same) external shape as the first glass plate 111g, and as shown in Figures 8 and 10, the edge of the first glass plate 111g is positioned (fixed) to the recess outer edge wall 111f so as to overlap in a front view.

[0079] (Radiation port and radiating section) In this embodiment, microwaves radiated via the first power supply unit 144a and the first antenna 145a are reflected by the first recess 111m (the recess bottom wall 111b and the recess side wall 111s), pass through the first glass plate 111g, and are radiated into the heating chamber SP1. For this reason, below, the first recess 111m (the recess bottom wall 111b, the recess side wall 111s, and the recess outer edge wall 111f) will be referred to as the "radiating section 111k," and the opening formed at the end of the recess side wall 111s on the heating chamber SP1 side will be referred to as the "radiating port 111h." Furthermore, in a front view, the area of ​​the first glass plate 111g (the area of ​​the projected image of the first glass plate 111g in the front-to-back direction) is larger than the area of ​​the radiation port 111h (the area of ​​the projected image of the radiation port 111h in the front-to-back direction). As shown in Figure 10, the lower glass end g1 of the first glass plate 111g is located below the lower radiation port end h1 of the radiation port 111h (closer to the lower space SP12).

[0080] (Positional relationship between the radiator and the tray) The radiating port 111h (the lower end h1 of the radiating port 111h) is positioned above the tray 1, which is placed in the heating chamber SP1 to divide the heating chamber SP1 into two spaces for individual cooking (further away from the lower space SP12). In other words, the tray 1 is positioned below the radiating port 111h (the lower end h1 of the radiating port 111h). In this embodiment, the rear base 231 of the flange portion 23 is positioned below the lower end g1 of the glass of the first glass plate 111g (i.e., the lower end h1 of the radiating port 111h). The mounting surface 211h is located in the middle (approximately the middle) of the heating chamber SP1 in the vertical direction when the tray 1 is placed on the middle pair of rails 112, and is perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0081] (protrusion) As shown in Figure 10, the opposing wall 11k has a first projection 191 that protrudes toward the heating chamber SP1. The first projection 191 is positioned below the first glass plate 111g (lower end g1 of the glass). In other words, the first projection 191 is positioned below the radiating port 111h (lower end h1 of the radiating port 111h).

[0082] In this embodiment, the first projection 191 is positioned above the base 231 of the flange portion 23 of the tray 1. More specifically, the first projection 191 is positioned directly above (adjacent to) the first insulating portion 31, which is positioned to cover the base 231. As described above, since the insulating portion 3 (first insulating portion 31) transmits microwaves, the amount of protrusion of the first projection 191 may be set according to, for example, the distance from the first insulating portion 31 and the thickness (length in the front-to-back direction) of the first insulating portion 31 positioned between the base 231 and the opposing wall 11k.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, the first projection 191 is provided continuously in the left-right direction. The left-right length L1 of the first projection 191 is greater than the left-right length L2 of the first glass plate 111g. This allows for more effective reflection of microwaves directed towards the lower space SP12.

[0084] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to the above embodiment, the first projection 191 is positioned below the first glass plate 111g that covers the radiating port 111h (closer to the lower space SP12). As a result, microwaves radiated from the first power supply unit 144a and transmitted through the first glass plate 111g are reflected by the first projection 191, suppressing the propagation of microwaves to the lower space SP12. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food C placed in the upper space SP11. Since the first projection 191 is positioned below the lower end g1 of the first glass plate 111g, even microwaves emitted from the lower end g1 of the first glass plate 111g can be reflected by the first projection 191.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the radiating port 111h and the first projection 191 are arranged on the opposing wall 11k facing the opening 11h, the propagation of microwaves into the lower space SP12 is suppressed, and microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food C being cooked.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the tray 1 is positioned below the radiation port 111h (the lower end h1 of the radiation port 111h), microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food C placed on the placement section 21.

[0087] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the base 231 of the flange portion 23 is located below the mounting surface 211h, the irradiation of microwaves onto the food C placed on the mounting surface 211h (irradiation of microwaves from the first microwave generator 141) is not obstructed by the base 231.

[0088] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rear base portion 231 of the flange portion 23 is positioned below the lower end h1 of the radiation port 111h and the lower end g1 of the glass of the first glass plate 111g. This prevents the microwave irradiation of the food C placed on the tray 1 from being blocked by the base portion 231 of the flange portion 23, and allows the food C to be irradiated with microwaves efficiently.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first projection 191 is positioned above the base 231 of the flange portion 23 of the tray 1. This makes it possible to suppress the propagation of microwaves from, for example, the base 231 of the flange portion 23 and the opposing wall 11k into the lower space SP12. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked C.

[0090] The above embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0091] (First variation) For example, in the above embodiment, the opposing wall 11k was described as having a configuration in which a first projection 191 is positioned above the base 231 of the flange portion 23. However, as shown in Figure 11, the opposing wall 11k may further have a second projection 192 positioned below the base 231 of the flange portion 23 (in the lower space SP12). The first projection 191 and the second projection 192 may both extend in the left-right direction and be positioned side by side in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the first projection 191 and the second projection 192 may be positioned so as not to overlap in the vertical direction. For example, the first projection 191 may be positioned in the central part in the left-right direction, and the second projections 192 may be positioned on both sides of the first projection 191. The arrangement of the first projection 191 and the second projection 192 may be regular or irregular. The inclusion of the first projection 191 and the second projection 192 allows microwaves to be reflected by the first projection 191 in the upper space SP11, and the propagation of microwaves to the lower space SP12 can be further suppressed by the second projection 192. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food C placed in the upper space SP11. In addition, microwaves are reflected by the second projection 192 in the lower space SP12, and the propagation of microwaves to the upper space SP11 can be further suppressed by the first projection 191. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food C placed in the lower space SP12. In other words, microwaves can be efficiently radiated into both the upper space SP11 and the lower space SP12.

[0092] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the radiating port 111h is located on the opposing wall 11k facing the opening 11h, that is, on the rear side of the upper space (heating chamber SP1), was described as an example. However, the radiating port 111h may also be located on the left and right sides of the upper space (heating chamber SP1). Alternatively, the radiating port 111h may be located on the inner top surface 11t.

[0093] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the microwave oven 100 has two first magnetrons 147a and a second magnetron 147b was described as an example, but the microwave oven 100 may have only one magnetron. If the microwave oven 100 has only one magnetron, the microwave may be irradiated with microwaves to both the upper space SP11 and the lower space SP12 with the one magnetron, or the upper space SP11 may be irradiated with the one magnetron. Alternatively, the lower space SP12 may be irradiated with the one magnetron.

[0094] In the above embodiment, a glass plate (first glass plate 111g) was used as an example of a microwave permeator, but the microwave permeator may be made of a material other than glass that can transmit microwaves, such as ceramic or resin. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1. Tray (cooking utensil) 2. Tray main body (main body) 3. Insulation part 10 Main body 11 cabinets 11b Medial posterior surface 11d Inner lower surface 11th floor, left side 11g glass part 11h opening 11k opposing wall 11m recessed area 11n Inner wall (wall section) 11p flat part 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 23 Flange section 31 First insulating section 32 Second insulating section 100 Microwave oven (cooking appliance) 111 Support part 111b Recessed bottom wall 111f Recessed outer edge wall 111g First glass plate (microwave-transmitting material) 111h Radiation port 111k radiating part 111m First recess 111s Recessed side wall 112 rails 112g Second glass plate 112m Second recess 112t rail top 141 First Microwave Generator 142 Second Microwave Generator 143a 1st waveguide 143b 2nd waveguide 144a First power supply section 144b 2nd power supply part (discharge port) 145a First Antenna 145b Second Antenna 146a First motor 146b Second motor 147a First Magnetron 147b Second Magnetron 151 First Heater 152 Second Heater 161 First infrared sensor 162 Second infrared sensor 181 memory 182 timers 191 1st protrusion 192 2nd protrusion 211 Plate-like part 211h Mounting surface 211r raised surface 211s main surface 212 Outer edge 212a bottom 212b Connection section 231 Base (flange end) 232 Inclined section 233 Habe 234 Nagabe 235 Short Beam AX1 First Rotary Axle AX2 Second Rotary Axle C Conditioner g1 ガラス Lower end h1 Lower end of the radiation port SP1 heating chamber SP2 Outer Space SP11 Upper Space SP12 Lower Space X Center

Claims

1. A cooking appliance capable of heating food by irradiating it with microwaves, A heating chamber is defined, which constitutes an opening through which the cooked food is inserted and removed, and the microwave-reflecting wall portion is defined, The heating chamber is provided with a microwave generating unit that emits microwaves, A cooking appliance on which the food to be cooked is placed, and which divides the heating chamber into two upper and lower spaces that allow for individual cooking, Equipped with, The microwave generating unit is, It has a radiating port that emits microwaves so as to irradiate the food being cooked, which is placed in the upper space, The wall portion has a first projection that protrudes toward the heating chamber, The cooking appliance is such that the first projection is positioned on the side of the upper space that is closer to the lower space than the radiating port.

2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the wall portion has an opposing wall facing the opening, and the radiating port and the first projection are provided on the opposing wall.

3. The microwave-transmitting member further covers the radiating port and through which the microwaves pass, The cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first projection is positioned below the microwave-transmitting member.

4. The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein the cooking appliance is positioned below the radiating port.

5. The cooking appliance has a main body that reflects the microwaves, The main body is, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the cooked food can be placed, A flange portion that extends outward from the aforementioned mounting portion, It has, The cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein the flange portion includes a flange end positioned below the aforementioned mounting surface.

6. The cooking appliance according to claim 5, wherein the flange end is positioned below the radiating port and the microwave transmitting member.

7. The cooking appliance according to claim 6, wherein the first projection is positioned above the flange end.

8. The microwave generating unit has an outlet that emits microwaves so as to irradiate the food being cooked, which is placed in the space below. The cooker according to claim 7, wherein the wall portion further has a second projection positioned below the flange end.

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