Conditioner

Abstract

To provide a cooking device that can efficiently irradiate food with microwaves. [Solution] A heating chamber is defined, which forms an opening for inserting and removing food in a first direction. The microwave-reflecting wall has a counter wall facing the opening. The microwave generating unit has an outlet from which microwaves are emitted, and an antenna 145a positioned on the opening side of the outlet and rotating around a rotation axis perpendicular to the counter wall. The antenna 145a has a first radiation region R1 for passing microwaves and radiating them in a first direction, a second radiation region R2 for reflecting microwaves and radiating them in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a third radiation region R3 for passing a portion of microwaves and radiating them in a first direction, and reflecting a portion of the microwaves and radiating them in a second direction. The first radiation region R1, the second radiation region R2, and the third radiation region R3 are arranged along the rotation direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a microwave oven provided with microwave coupling holes for supplying microwaves to a heating chamber (in Patent Document 1, inside an inner oven 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 a configuration where microwaves are irradiated onto the cooking object from the back side, like the microwave oven disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the cooking object cannot be efficiently irradiated with microwaves. ​​​​​​​​​One aspect of the present invention provides a cooking appliance capable of heating food by irradiating it with microwaves, comprising: a defined heating chamber comprising an opening for inserting and removing food along a first direction; a wall portion for reflecting microwaves; and a microwave generating unit for generating microwaves to be radiated into the heating chamber, wherein the wall portion has a counter wall facing the opening; the microwave generating unit has an outlet from which microwaves are emitted; and an antenna positioned on the opening side of the outlet and rotating about a rotation axis perpendicular to the counter wall, wherein the antenna has a first radiating region for passing microwaves and radiating them in the first direction; a second radiating region for reflecting microwaves and radiating them in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a third radiating region for passing a portion of microwaves and radiating them in the first direction, and for reflecting a portion of microwaves and radiating them in the second direction, wherein the first radiating region, the second radiating region, and the third radiating region are arranged along the rotational direction.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the direction in which microwaves are emitted changes according to the rotation of the antenna. This allows microwaves to be emitted uniformly into the heating chamber. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked.

[0008] The antenna has an antenna wall portion having a reflective surface that reflects microwaves and is perpendicular to the axis of rotation, an antenna opening that penetrates the antenna wall portion, and an antenna notch portion formed by cutting out the antenna wall portion, wherein the antenna opening constitutes the first radiation region, the antenna wall portion constitutes the second radiation region, and the antenna notch portion and the antenna wall portion constitute the third radiation region.

[0009] According to the above configuration, a first radiation region, a second radiation region, and a third radiation region can be easily constructed using an antenna wall having a reflective surface, an antenna opening penetrating the antenna wall, and an antenna notch formed by cutting out the antenna wall.

[0010] The antenna wall portion includes a semicircular antenna base portion when viewed along the first direction and an antenna extension portion extending from the antenna base portion along the reflective surface, and the antenna notch portion includes a fan-shaped first notch portion and a second notch portion, and the antenna base portion, the first notch portion, the antenna extension portion, and the second notch portion may be arranged along the rotational direction.

[0011] According to the above configuration, microwaves can be uniformly radiated into the heating chamber, and microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked.

[0012] The antenna opening includes a first antenna opening provided at the base of the antenna and a second antenna opening provided at the extension of the antenna, and the first antenna opening and the second antenna opening may be provided point-symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation.

[0013] According to the above configuration, microwaves can be uniformly radiated into the heating chamber. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked.

[0014] The cooking utensil further comprises a cooking utensil on which the food to be cooked is placed, the cooking utensil having a rectangular plate-shaped main body, the opposing wall having a flat portion and a recess that is recessed on the side further away from the opening than the flat portion, the recess including a recess bottom wall that constitutes the bottom surface of the recess and a recess side wall that extends from the outer peripheral end of the recess bottom wall toward the heating chamber, and a virtual line along the surface of the recess side wall may intersect with the corner of the main body on the side closer to the opening.

[0015] With the above configuration, microwaves are reflected at the corners of the main body of the cooking utensil near the opening, allowing microwaves to be radiated into the interior of the rectangular dish-shaped main body. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked inside the main body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto food being cooked.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Front view showing the cooker according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Perspective view showing the microwave oven with the heating chamber opened according to the 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 the microwave oven according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Perspective view showing the tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] View showing the vicinity of the first glass plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first glass plate according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Perspective view showing the first antenna according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] Front view showing the first antenna according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] Right side view showing the first antenna according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] View showing the radiation area of the first antenna according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the microwave oven 100 (an example of a cooker) according to the embodiment will be described. Note that the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant detailed descriptions are omitted. The microwave oven 100 can perform cooking by irradiating a cooking object such as food to be heated with microwaves.

[0019] (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.

[0020] (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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] (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.

[0024] 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". In other words, the inner wall 11n includes the opposing wall 11k that faces the opening 11h described with reference to Figure 2. The opposing wall 11k is a plate-shaped member that is positioned on the rear side of the heating chamber SP1 described later, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the "rear plate".

[0025] The glass portion 11g is arranged to be flush with the flat portion 11p of the inner wall 11n. The glass portion 11g has a first glass plate 111g and a second glass plate 112g that cover the first recess 111m (an example of a recess) and the second recess 112m, respectively.

[0026] 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".

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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 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 inner left side 11f so as to be close to each other.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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".

[0034] (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.

[0035] (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.

[0036] (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.

[0037] The first microwave generator 141 includes a first antenna 145a (an example of an antenna), a first waveguide 143a, a first feeding section 144a (an example of an outlet), a first motor 146a, and a first magnetron 147a.

[0038] The first waveguide 143a is connected to the first magnetron 147a and guides the microwaves generated by the first magnetron 147a to the first feeding section 144a. The first waveguide 143a communicates with a hole formed in the inner wall 11n and constitutes the first feeding section 144a from which microwaves are emitted. From the first feeding section 144a, in addition to microwaves directed toward the opening 11h (forward), microwaves are also emitted toward a direction (second direction) that intersects the direction toward forward (first direction).

[0039] 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.

[0040] The first antenna 145a rotates around the first rotation axis AX1 (an example of a rotation axis) 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. The first antenna 145a can rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the front.

[0041] (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.

[0042] The second microwave generator 142 includes a second waveguide 143b, a second feeding unit 144b, a second antenna 145b, a second motor 146b, and a second magnetron 147b.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] (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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] (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.

[0049] (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.

[0050] (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.

[0051] 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).

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (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.

[0055] 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).

[0056] The tray 1 has a rectangular tray body 2 (an example of a body) and an insulating part 3 that covers at least a portion of the tray body 2.

[0057] (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.

[0058] 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).

[0059] (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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] (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.

[0063] (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).

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 so as 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, with the left-right direction being its longitudinal direction.

[0066] (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.

[0067] 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".

[0068] (Construction of opposing walls) As shown in Figures 8 to 10, a first recess 111m is provided in the opposing wall 11k. The first recess 111m includes a recess bottom wall 111b, a recess side wall 111s, and a recess outer edge wall 111f.

[0069] The recessed bottom wall 111b intersects (orthogonally) with the front-rear direction and has a plane that constitutes the bottom surface of the first recess 111m. The recessed bottom wall 111b is rectangular when viewed along the front-rear 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 (see Figures 9 and 10). The first rotation axis AX1, which is the rotation center of the first antenna 145a, is orthogonal to the opposing wall 11k.

[0070] 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.

[0071] The recessed outer edge wall 111f is positioned to extend outward (away from the recessed bottom wall 111b) from the tip of the recessed side wall 111s (the end opposite to the recessed bottom wall 111b). The recessed outer edge wall 111f has a plane parallel to the recessed bottom wall 111b and is positioned to surround the recessed side wall 111s (see Figure 8). In a front view, the recessed outer edge wall 111f has the same (approximately the same) external dimensions and shape as the first glass plate 111g, and the recessed outer edge wall 111f is positioned so that the edge of the first glass plate 111g overlaps with the recessed outer edge wall 111f in a front view.

[0072] Microwaves radiated through 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, in the following, 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 by the end of the recess side wall 111s on the heating chamber SP1 side will be referred to as the "radiating port 111h."

[0073] In this embodiment, the recessed side wall 111s is configured to radiate microwaves into the heating chamber SP1. Specifically, the recessed side wall 111s is inclined with respect to the recessed bottom wall 111b, and the recessed side wall 111s opens wider towards the heating chamber SP1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the recessed side walls 111s facing each other in the left-right direction are arranged to move further apart from each other as they approach the heating chamber SP1. The imaginary line VL1 along each surface of the recessed side walls 111s in the left-right direction intersects with the corner 22C on the side of the peripheral wall portion 22 (tray body portion 2) of the tray 1 placed in the heating chamber SP1 that is close to the opening 11h. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the recessed side walls 111s facing each other in the vertical direction are also arranged to move further apart from each other as they approach the heating chamber SP1.

[0074] (Antenna configuration) Next, the configuration of the first antenna 145a will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the first antenna 145a, Figure 12 is a front view of the first antenna 145a, and Figure 13 is a right side view of the first antenna 145a. In the following, the orientation of the first antenna 145a shown in Figure 11 will be used as the reference (rotation angle of 0 degrees).

[0075] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, the first antenna 145a is a flat plate-shaped member. As shown in Figure 12, the first antenna 145a is symmetrical with respect to a line perpendicular to the first rotation axis AX1 and with respect to a virtual line along the radial direction DR as the axis of symmetry Sx1. Since the first antenna 145a is a member that radiates (diffuses) microwaves into the heating chamber SP1, the first antenna 145a is sometimes referred to as the "microwave radiating member".

[0076] The first antenna 145a has an antenna wall portion 51, an antenna notch portion 52 formed by cutting out the antenna wall portion 51, and an antenna opening 53 provided in the antenna wall portion 51. The antenna opening 53 includes a first antenna opening 531 and a second antenna opening 532, which will be described later, and is capable of transmitting microwaves.

[0077] The antenna wall 51 is a flat plate having a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis AX1. The antenna wall 51 is, for example, made of metal and reflects microwaves. As shown in Figure 13, the antenna wall 51 has a plane perpendicular to the first rotation axis AX1 and a reflective surface 51s that radiates microwaves. The reflective surface 51s faces the first feed unit 144a in the front-rear direction (see Figures 10 and 12).

[0078] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the antenna wall portion 51 has an antenna base portion 511 and an antenna extension portion 512.

[0079] The antenna base 511 is fan-shaped (a fan with a central angle greater than 180 degrees) with respect to the first rotation axis AX1, and is approximately semicircular in front view. The radius of the antenna base 511 is greater than the radius of the annular discharge port (first feed point 144a).

[0080] The antenna base 511 has a circular axial hole 51h formed therein, which penetrates the antenna base 511 along the first rotation axis AX1 when viewed from the front.

[0081] A shaft member SH (see Figure 10) is inserted through the shaft hole 51h, which connects to the output shaft of the first motor 146a. Power from the first motor 146a is transmitted to the shaft member SH, causing it to rotate and thus the first antenna 145a to rotate.

[0082] Furthermore, the antenna base 511 is provided with a first antenna opening 531 that penetrates the antenna base 511 along the first rotation axis AX1.

[0083] As shown in Figure 12, the axial hole 51h and the first antenna aperture 531 are positioned on the axis of symmetry Sx1. In a front view, the first antenna aperture 531 is substantially rectangular in shape, with the inside of the radial DR curving in an arc concentric with the axial hole 51h.

[0084] The antenna extension 512 extends from the straight end face 511r of the antenna base 511 along the reflective surface 51s. The antenna extension 512 is inverted U-shape in front view and has a peripheral portion 513 and two extensions 514.

[0085] The peripheral portion 513 faces the antenna base 511 in the radial direction DR across the first rotation axis AX1. The two extensions 514 are arranged to face each other in the circumferential direction DC (an example of the rotation direction). Each of the extensions 514 extends from the peripheral portion 513 toward the antenna base 511, and its tip connects to the antenna base 511.

[0086] A second antenna opening 532 is provided in the antenna extension portion 512. The second antenna opening 532 is composed of a portion enclosed by a peripheral portion 513 and two extension portions 514.

[0087] The second antenna aperture 532 is provided point-symmetrically with respect to the first antenna aperture 531 and the first rotation axis AX1. In other words, the inside of the second antenna aperture 532 in the radial direction DR is curved in an arc shape concentric with the axial hole 51h, making it approximately rectangular in shape.

[0088] The antenna notch 52 is formed by cutting out a fan-shaped section (with a central angle of approximately 45 degrees) from the antenna wall 51 when viewed from the front. The antenna notch 52 is positioned between the antenna base 511 and the antenna extension 512.

[0089] The antenna notch 52 has a fan-shaped first notch 521 and a second notch 522. The first notch 521 and the second notch 522 face each other across the axis of symmetry Sx1.

[0090] (Radiating region) Figure 14 shows the radiation region of the first antenna 145a. As shown in Figure 14, the antenna aperture 53 constitutes the first radiation region R1 for radiating microwaves in the axial direction DX.

[0091] The antenna wall 51 reflects microwaves off the reflective surface 51s (see Figure 13) and forms a second radiation region R2 for radiating microwaves in a direction intersecting the axial direction DX (second direction).

[0092] The antenna notch 52 radiates a portion of the microwaves in the axial direction DX. The antenna wall 51 reflects the microwaves off the reflective surface 51s and radiates them in a second direction. Therefore, the antenna wall 51 and the antenna notch 52 constitute a third radiation region R3. In other words, the first antenna 145a includes a first radiation region R1, a second radiation region R2, and a third radiation region R3. The first radiation region R1, the second radiation region R2, and the third radiation region R3 are arranged along the circumferential direction DC.

[0093] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to the above embodiment, the direction in which microwaves are emitted is changed according to the rotation of the first antenna 145a. This allows microwaves to be emitted uniformly into the heating chamber SP1. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked C.

[0094] According to the above embodiment, the first radiation region R1, the second radiation region R2, and the third radiation region R3 can be easily constructed by an antenna wall 51 having a reflective surface 51s, an antenna opening 53 penetrating the antenna wall 51, and an antenna notch 52 formed by cutting out the antenna wall 51.

[0095] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the antenna base 511, the first notch 521, the antenna extension 512, and the second notch 522 are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction DC (see Figure 12). This allows microwaves to be uniformly radiated into the heating chamber SP1, and microwaves to be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked C. In addition, the first notch 521 and the second notch 522 are provided facing each other across the axis of symmetry Sx1. This makes it possible to reduce the weight of the first antenna 145a while stabilizing the rotation of the first antenna 145a.

[0096] Furthermore, the second antenna aperture 532 and the first antenna aperture 531 are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the first rotation axis AX1 (see Figure 12). This allows microwaves to be uniformly radiated into the heating chamber SP1. As a result, microwaves can be efficiently irradiated onto the food being cooked C.

[0097] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the recessed side wall 111s is configured to radiate microwaves into the heating chamber SP1. Specifically, the virtual lines VL1 along each surface of the recessed side wall 111s in the left-right direction are configured to intersect with the corner 22C on the side of the peripheral wall portion 22 (tray body portion 2) of the tray 1 placed in the heating chamber SP1 that is close to the opening 11h (see Figure 9). As a result, microwaves are reflected by the recessed side wall 111s and radiated into the heating chamber SP1, so that the food being cooked C can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves. In addition, microwaves are reflected by the corner 22C on the side of the peripheral wall portion 22 that is close to the opening 11h (front side), so that microwaves can be radiated into the inside of the rectangular tray body portion 2. As a result, the food being cooked C placed on the inner mounting portion 21 of the peripheral wall portion 22 can be efficiently irradiated with microwaves.

[0098] The above embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0099] (modified version) 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] The arrangement of the first radiation region R1, the second radiation region R2, and the third radiation region R3 in the circumferential direction DC is not limited to the order described in the embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 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 22C Corner 23 Flange section 31 First insulating section 32 Second insulating section 51 Antenna wall section 51h shaft hole 51s reflective surface 52 Antenna notch 53 Antenna opening 100 Microwave oven (cooking appliance) 111 Support part 111b Recessed bottom wall 111f Recessed outer edge wall 111g First glass plate 111h Radiation port 111k radiating part 111m First recess (recess) 111s Recessed side wall 112 rails 112g Second glass plate 112m Second recess 112t rail top 143a 1st waveguide 143b 2nd waveguide 144a 1st power feeding part (discharge port) 144b Second Power Supply Unit 145a First Antenna (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 211 Plate-like part 211h Mounting surface 211r raised surface 211s main surface 212 Outer edge 212a bottom 212b Connection section 231 Base 232 Slope 233 Wings 234 Long side 235 Short side 511 Antenna base 511r end face 512 Antenna extension section 513 Peripheral area 514 Extension 521 First notch 522 Second notch 531 First antenna aperture 532 Second antenna aperture AX1 First rotation axis (rotation axis) AX2 Second Rotation Axis C Cooked food DC circumferential direction (reverse direction) DR radial direction DX axis direction (first direction) R1, First Radiation Zone R2, Second Radiation Field R3, Third Radiation Field SP1 heating chamber SP2 Outer Space SP11 Upper Space SP12 Lower Space Sx1 Symmetrical axis VL1 Kakusen 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 food being cooked is brought in and out along a first direction, and the microwave-reflecting wall portion is defined, A microwave generating unit that generates the microwaves to be radiated into the heating chamber, Equipped with, The wall portion has an opposing wall facing the opening, The microwave generating unit has an outlet from which microwaves are emitted, and an antenna positioned on the opening side of the outlet and rotating about a rotation axis perpendicular to the opposing wall. The aforementioned antenna is A first radiation region for passing the microwaves through and radiating the microwaves in the first direction, A second radiation region for reflecting the microwaves and radiating them in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A third radiation region for allowing a portion of the microwaves to pass through and radiating the microwaves in the first direction, and for reflecting a portion of the microwaves and radiating them in the second direction, It has, A cooking appliance in which the first radiation region, the second radiation region, and the third radiation region are arranged along the direction of rotation.

2. The aforementioned antenna is An antenna wall portion having a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis and a reflective surface that reflects the microwaves, The antenna opening that penetrates the aforementioned antenna wall, The antenna notch formed by cutting out the aforementioned antenna wall portion and Yes, The antenna aperture constitutes the first radiation region, The antenna wall portion constitutes the second radiation region, The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the antenna notch and the antenna wall constitute the third radiation region.

3. The antenna wall portion includes a semicircular antenna base portion when viewed along the first direction, and an antenna extension portion that extends from the antenna base portion along the reflective surface. The antenna notch includes a fan-shaped first notch and a second notch. The cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein the antenna base, the first notch, the antenna extension, and the second notch are arranged along the direction of rotation.

4. The antenna opening includes a first antenna opening provided in the base of the antenna and a second antenna opening provided in the extension of the antenna. The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein the first antenna opening and the second antenna opening are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation.

5. The cooking utensils on which the aforementioned food is cooked are further provided, The aforementioned cooking utensil has a rectangular plate-shaped main body, The opposing wall has a flat portion and a recess that is recessed on the side further away from the opening than the flat portion. The recess includes a recess bottom wall that constitutes the bottom surface of the recess, and a recess side wall that extends from the outer peripheral end of the recess bottom wall toward the heating chamber. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the imaginary line along the surface of the recessed side wall intersects with the corner of the main body on the side closest to the opening.

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