Gas burner and cooking appliance

Abstract

The present invention provides a gas burner device and a cooking appliance that can suppress burner misfires caused by a sudden decrease in burner heat output. [Solution] When the control means 60 receives an instruction via the heat output instruction means 57 to reduce the heat output of the burner 39 from the first heat output to the second heat output, the control means 60 pauses the change in the opening of the gas quantity control valve 55, which adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39, for a predetermined time, or slows down the opening and closing speed of the gas quantity control valve 55, while in the process of changing the opening of the gas quantity control valve 55 from the first heat output opening to obtain the first heat output to the second heat output opening to obtain the second heat output.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas burner device and a cooking heater.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional gas burner device. This gas burner device has, as a burner for burning fuel gas, a main burner section and a sub-burner section that is adjacent to the main burner section and has a maximum heating power smaller than that of the main burner section.

[0003] Further, this gas burner device includes a common gas supply passage, a gas supply passage for the main burner section, a gas supply passage for the sub-burner section, a gas amount adjustment valve, an on-off valve, a heating power indicating means, and a control means.

[0004] The common gas supply passage supplies fuel gas to the burner. The gas supply passage for the main burner section is branched from the common gas supply passage and supplies fuel gas to the main burner section. The gas supply passage for the sub-burner section is branched from the common gas supply passage and supplies fuel gas to the sub-burner section. The gas amount adjustment valve is provided in the common gas supply passage and adjusts the gas amount of the fuel gas supplied to the burner. The on-off valve is provided in the gas supply passage for the main burner section and opens and closes the gas supply passage for the main burner section. The heating power indicating means indicates the heating power of the burner. The control means controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the opening degree of the gas amount adjustment valve based on the indication of the heating power indicating means to change the heating power of the burner.

[0005] In this gas burner device, the burner's combustion state is configured as a simultaneous combustion state where the main burner and sub-burner burn simultaneously when the on-off valve is open, and as a single combustion state where only the sub-burner burns when the on-off valve is closed. In both of these simultaneous and single combustion states, the burner's flame power can be changed via a flame power indicator. Furthermore, in this gas burner device, the minimum simultaneous combustion flame power is set to be greater than the maximum single combustion flame power, while the opening of the gas flow control valve to obtain the minimum simultaneous combustion flame power is set to be smaller than the opening of the gas flow control valve to obtain the maximum single combustion flame power.

[0006] Furthermore, in this gas burner device, if, for example, the flame power indicated by the flame power indicator is changed from the maximum flame power in a single-burner state to the minimum flame power in a single-burner state, the opening of the gas flow control valve is changed at a predetermined opening speed from the maximum flame power opening to the minimum flame power opening that obtains the minimum flame power in a single-burner state. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-281271 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, in the conventional gas burner device described above, when the gas flow control valve is near the maximum flame opening for single-burner combustion, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the sub-burner is large, and consequently, the amount of primary air supplied to the sub-burner is also large. In this state, if the amount of fuel gas supplied to the sub-burner is rapidly reduced, and the flame of the sub-burner is rapidly reduced, a temporary excess of primary air occurs, which makes misfires in the sub-burner more likely.

[0009] These problems can occur even when the gas flow control valve is near the maximum simultaneous combustion opening, depending on how that maximum simultaneous combustion opening is set. Furthermore, in a single-burner gas burner system, if the burner's flame is rapidly reduced when the gas flow control valve is near the maximum combustion opening, there is a risk of misfire in that burner.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to solve the problem of providing a gas burner device and a cooking appliance that can suppress burner misfires caused by a rapid decrease in the burner's flame power. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first gas burner device of the present invention comprises a burner for burning fuel gas, A gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas flow control valve is provided in the gas supply path and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, The control means, when instructed to reduce the burner's flame from a first flame to a second flame, changes the opening of the gas volume control valve from a first flame opening to obtain the first flame to a second flame opening to obtain the second flame, characterized in that it pauses the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening between the first and second flame openings.

[0012] The second gas burner device of the present invention has a main burner section and a sub-burner section adjacent to the main burner section, the sub-burner section having a maximum flame output smaller than that of the main burner section, and a burner for burning fuel gas, A common gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas supply line for the main burner section is branched off from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the main burner section, A gas supply line for the sub-burner section is branched from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the sub-burner section, A gas flow control valve is provided in the common gas supply line and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A shut-off valve is provided in the gas supply passage for the main burner section, which opens and closes the gas supply passage for the main burner section. A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame intensity indicator means, The combustion state of the burner is such that when the on-off valve is open, the main burner section and the sub-burner section burn simultaneously, and when the on-off valve is closed, only the sub-burner section burns, resulting in a single-burner combustion state. The flame power of the burner in each of the simultaneous combustion state and the single-burner combustion state can be changed via the flame power indicator means. In a gas burner device in which the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum heat output in the simultaneous combustion state, is set to be greater than the maximum single-combustion heat output, which is the maximum heat output in the single-combustion state, but the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output opening degree, is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the maximum single-combustion heat output, The control means, when instructed to reduce the burner's flame from a first flame to a second flame, changes the opening of the gas volume control valve from a first flame opening to obtain the first flame to a second flame opening to obtain the second flame, characterized in that it pauses the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening between the first and second flame openings.

[0013] In the first gas burner device and the second gas burner device of the present invention, in order to reduce the flame power of the burner, when changing the opening degree of the gas flow control valve from the first flame power opening degree to the second flame power opening degree, the change in the opening degree of the gas flow control valve is suspended for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening degree between the first flame power opening degree and the second flame power opening degree.

[0014] Thus, in the first and second gas burner devices of the present invention, the change in the opening of the gas flow control valve is stopped at an intermediate opening, while the opening of the gas flow control valve is in the process of changing from the first heat output opening to the second heat output opening. Therefore, in these gas burner devices, even if the heat output of the burner is rapidly reduced from the first heat output to the second heat output, the decrease in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner during this process can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0015] Therefore, according to the first gas burner device and the second gas burner device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress burner misfires caused by a rapid decrease in the burner's flame power.

[0016] In the first gas burner device and the second gas burner device of the present invention, it is preferable that multiple intermediate openings are provided. Users are likely to feel uncomfortable because the flame of the burner changes with intermediate openings, but if multiple intermediate openings are provided, the change in flame can be subdivided, thereby reducing the discomfort felt by the user.

[0017] The third gas burner device of the present invention comprises a burner for burning fuel gas, A gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas flow control valve is provided in the gas supply path and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, When an instruction is given to decrease the heating power of the burner from a first heating power to a second heating power, when changing the opening degree of the gas amount control valve from a first heating power opening degree for obtaining the first heating power to a second heating power opening degree for obtaining the second heating power, in a specific section which is a part of the opening degree change section from the first heating power opening degree to the second heating power opening degree, the opening / closing speed of the gas amount control valve is maintained at a specific speed which is lower than the opening / closing speed of the gas amount control valve in a non-specific section other than the specific section in the opening degree change section.

[0018] The fourth gas burner device of the present invention has a main burner section and an auxiliary burner section which is provided adjacent to the main burner section and has a maximum heating power smaller than that of the main burner section, a burner for burning fuel gas, a common gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, a main burner section gas supply passage which is branched from the common gas supply passage and supplies the fuel gas to the main burner section, an auxiliary burner section gas supply passage which is branched from the common gas supply passage and supplies the fuel gas to the auxiliary burner section, a gas amount control valve which is provided in the common gas supply passage and adjusts the gas amount of the fuel gas supplied to the burner, an opening / closing valve which is provided in the main burner section gas supply passage and opens and closes the main burner section gas supply passage, heating power instruction means for instructing the heating power of the burner, control means for controlling the opening and closing of the opening / closing valve and the opening degree of the gas amount control valve based on the instruction of the heating power instruction means to change the heating power of the burner, and is a gas burner device comprising: the combustion state of the burner is a simultaneous combustion state in which the main burner section and the auxiliary burner section burn simultaneously when the opening / closing valve is opened, and is a single combustion state in which only the auxiliary burner section burns when the opening / closing valve is closed, and the heating power of the burner in each of the simultaneous combustion state and the single combustion state can be changed via the heating power instruction means, In a gas burner device in which the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum heat output in the simultaneous combustion state, is set to be greater than the maximum single-combustion heat output, which is the maximum heat output in the single-combustion state, but the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output opening degree, is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the maximum single-combustion heat output, When an instruction is given to reduce the flame of the burner from a first flame to a second flame, the control means changes the opening of the gas volume control valve from a first flame opening to obtain the first flame to a second flame opening to obtain the second flame, and is characterized in that, in a specific section which is a part of the opening change section from the first flame opening to the second flame opening, the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve is maintained at a specific speed which is lower than the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve in non-specific sections of the opening change section other than the specific section.

[0019] In the third and fourth gas burner devices of the present invention, when changing the opening of the gas flow control valve from a first heat output to a second heat output in order to reduce the heat output of the burner, the opening and closing speed of the gas flow control valve is maintained at a specific speed in a specific section of the opening change interval from the first heat output to the second heat output. This specific speed is lower than the opening and closing speed of the gas flow control valve in a non-specific section of the opening change interval.

[0020] Thus, in the third and fourth gas burner devices of the present invention, the opening and closing speed of the gas flow control valve becomes slow in a specific section of the opening degree change interval, while the opening degree of the gas flow control valve is changing from the first heat output opening degree to the second heat output opening degree. Therefore, in these gas burner devices, even if the heat output of the burner is rapidly reduced from the first heat output to the second heat output, the decrease in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner during this process can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0021] Therefore, according to the third gas burner device and the fourth gas burner device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress burner misfires caused by a rapid decrease in the burner's flame power.

[0022] In the third and fourth gas burner devices of the present invention, it is preferable that multiple specific sections are provided. Users are likely to feel uncomfortable due to changes in the burner's flame intensity in specific sections, but if multiple specific sections are provided, the changes in flame intensity can be subdivided, thereby reducing the discomfort felt by the user.

[0023] In the first gas burner device and the third gas burner device of the present invention, the first heat output is preferably the maximum heat output of the burner. In this case, the occurrence of misfires can be effectively suppressed, especially when the heat output decreases from the maximum heat output of the burner, which is when misfires are most likely to occur.

[0024] In the second gas burner device and the fourth gas burner device of the present invention, it is preferable that the first and second heat sources are the heat sources in a single-burner combustion state. In this case, the occurrence of misfires can be effectively suppressed in a single-burner combustion state where only the sub-burner section burns and misfires are likely to occur.

[0025] In the second and fourth gas burner devices of the present invention, the first heat output is preferably the maximum heat output in a single-burner combustion state. In this case, the occurrence of misfires can be effectively suppressed, especially when the heat output decreases from the maximum heat output in a single-burner combustion state, which is prone to misfires in the auxiliary burner.

[0026] The heating appliance of the present invention is characterized by being equipped with one of the first to fourth gas burner devices of the present invention.

[0027] The heating appliance of the present invention has the same function as any one of the first to fourth gas burner devices of the present invention.

[0028] Therefore, the heating appliance of the present invention can suppress burner misfires caused by a sudden decrease in burner heat. [Effects of the Invention]

[0029] According to the first to fourth gas burner devices and the heating cooker of the present invention, it is possible to suppress burner misfires caused by a sudden decrease in the burner's flame power. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stove burner devices of Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 2] Figure 2 relates to the stove burner devices of Examples 1 and 2, and is a schematic cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance equipped with the stove burner devices of Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening degree of the gas flow control valve and the heat input at each heat position for the stove burner devices of Examples 1 and 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the flame intensity change control for the stove burner devices of Examples 1 and 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of the flame change control for the stove burner devices of Examples 2 and 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance equipped with the stove burner devices of Examples 3 and 4. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the stove burner devices in Examples 3 and 4. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the opening degree of the gas flow control valve and the heat input at each heat position for the stove burner devices of Examples 3 and 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Examples 1 to 4 that embody the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0032] (Example 1) The gas stove 10 in Example 1 is a so-called built-in type gas stove installed in a kitchen or the like. The gas stove 10 is an example of a "heating cooker" in the present invention.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, this gas stove 10 comprises an appliance body 12 with an open top, a top plate 14 that covers the opening on the top of the appliance body 12 from above, and three stove burner devices 16. The stove burner devices 16 are an example of a "gas burner device" in the present invention.

[0034] The appliance body 12 is roughly rectangular in shape. Inside the appliance body 12 are each of the cooktop burner devices 16 and a grill device 18 for grill cooking. In addition, a cooktop control panel 19 for operating each of the cooktop burner devices 16 is provided on the front of the appliance body 12. Although not shown in the illustration, the top plate 14 has burner openings through which the burner bodies 20 of each of the cooktop burner devices 16, which will be described later, are inserted.

[0035] Each burner unit 16 is a known so-called parent-child burner and has the same configuration. Furthermore, each burner unit 16 is a premixed combustion type burner that burns a mixed gas, which is a mixture of fuel gas and primary air, in a mixing device. In this embodiment, the two burner units 16 located at the front of the gas stove 10 on the top plate 14 are the same size, while the burner unit 16 located at the rear is smaller than the other two. Note that each burner unit 16 may be of different sizes, or all three may be the same size.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the stove burner device 16 has a burner body 20 that is inserted through a burner opening in the top plate 14, and a burner head 30 that is positioned on top of the burner body 20.

[0037] The outer circumferential surface of the burner head 30 has a main flame port 31 and a secondary flame port 32 located below the main flame port 31. Numerous main flame ports 31 and secondary flame ports 32 are formed in the circumferential direction. The total opening area of ​​the secondary flame ports 32 is smaller than the total opening area of ​​the main flame port 31.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the burner body 20 has a triple cylindrical structure consisting of an inner cylinder 21, a middle cylinder 22, and an outer cylinder 23. The burner head 30 is composed of a substantially annular lower head member 33 and a substantially disc-shaped upper head member 34 positioned above the lower head member 33. The lower part of the lower head member 33 is an outer cylindrical portion 33a that hangs down in a cylindrical shape. An inner cylindrical portion 34a is provided protruding from the lower surface of the upper head member 34, hanging down in a short cylindrical shape inside the outer cylindrical portion 33a. The inner circumferential surface of the middle cylinder 22 of the burner body 20 fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylindrical portion 33a of the lower head member 33, and the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 21 of the burner body 20 fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the inner cylindrical portion 34a of the upper head member 34.

[0039] The main flame port 31 communicates with the main space 35, which is enclosed by the lower head member 33, the upper head member 34, the inner cylinder 21 of the burner body 20, and the middle cylinder 22 of the burner body 20. These lower head member 33, upper head member 34, inner cylinder 21, and middle cylinder 22 constitute the main burner section 36 having the main flame port 31.

[0040] The secondary flame port 32 communicates with a secondary space 37 enclosed by the lower head member 33, the inner cylinder 22 of the burner body 20, and the outer cylinder 23 of the burner body 20. These lower head member 33, inner cylinder 22, and outer cylinder 23 constitute a secondary burner section 38 having the secondary flame port 32 and adjacent to the lower side of the main burner section 36. The main burner section 36 and the secondary burner section 38 constitute a burner 39 that burns fuel gas. As described above, since the total opening area of ​​the secondary flame port 32 is smaller than the total opening area of ​​the main flame port 31, the maximum heat output of the secondary burner section 38 is smaller than the maximum heat output of the main burner section 36.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the stove burner device 16 has a mixing pipe 41 for the main burner section and a mixing pipe 42 for the sub-burner section. The mixing pipe 41 for the main burner section communicates with the space between the inner cylinder 21 and the middle cylinder 22 in the burner body 20, i.e., the main space 35. The mixing pipe 42 for the sub-burner section communicates with the space between the middle cylinder 22 and the outer cylinder 23 in the burner body 20, i.e., the sub-space 37.

[0042] Furthermore, the stove burner device 16 includes a common gas supply passage 51, a gas supply passage 52 for the main burner section, and a gas supply passage 53 for the sub-burner section.

[0043] The common gas supply line 51 supplies fuel gas from an external source to the burner 39. The main burner section gas supply line 52 branches off from the common gas supply line 51 and is connected to the main burner section mixing pipe 41. The sub-burner section gas supply line 53 branches off from the common gas supply line 51 and is connected to the sub-burner section mixing pipe 42. In this way, fuel gas from an external source is supplied to the main burner section 36 via the common gas supply line 51, the main burner section gas supply line 52, and the main burner section mixing pipe 41. In addition, fuel gas from an external source is supplied to the sub-burner section 38 via the common gas supply line 51, the sub-burner section gas supply line 53, and the sub-burner section mixing pipe 42. Since the maximum heat output of the sub-burner section 38 is lower than that of the main burner section 36, the pipe resistance of the sub-burner section gas supply line 53 is higher than that of the main burner section gas supply line 52.

[0044] Furthermore, the stove burner device 16 includes a safety valve 54, a gas volume control valve 55, an on / off valve 56, a flame intensity indicator 57, an ignition means 58, a flame detection means 59, and a controller 60. The controller 60 is an example of a "control means" in the present invention.

[0045] The safety valve 54 is located in the common gas supply passage 51. The safety valve 54 consists of an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the common gas supply passage 51. When the safety valve 54 is opened, fuel gas can be supplied to the burner 39. When the safety valve 54 is closed, the common gas supply passage 51 is shut off, and the supply of fuel gas to the burner 39 is stopped.

[0046] The gas flow control valve 55 is located downstream of the safety valve 54 in the common gas supply passage 51. The gas flow control valve 55 adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39 by changing its opening degree (valve opening). The gas flow control valve 55 has a rotating disk driven by a stepping motor. In the gas flow control valve 55, the rotating disk, which acts as the valve body driven by the stepping motor, rotates in stages in multiple steps, thereby changing the opening degree in stages. This changes the flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the common gas supply passage 51 in stages, and adjusts the amount of fuel gas flowing through the common gas supply passage 51.

[0047] The on-off valve 56 is installed in the gas supply passage 52 for the main burner section. The on-off valve 56 is an electromagnetic on-off valve that opens and closes the gas supply passage 52 for the main burner section. When the on-off valve 56 is opened, the gas supply passage 52 for the main burner section is opened, so fuel gas is supplied to the main burner section 36 via the gas supply passage 52, and fuel gas is also supplied to the sub-burner section 38 via the gas supply passage 53 for the sub-burner section. On the other hand, when the on-off valve 56 is closed, the gas supply passage 52 for the main burner section is shut off, so fuel gas is supplied only to the sub-burner section 38 via the gas supply passage 53 for the sub-burner section.

[0048] The heat output instruction means 57 instructs the heat output of the burners 39 in each stove burner device 16 in response to the user's operation of the heat output adjustment switch included in the stove operation unit 19. The user can adjust the heat output of each stove burner device 16 in steps of multiple levels by operating the heat output adjustment switch.

[0049] In this embodiment, the flame intensity of the burner 39 can be adjusted in 11 stages. The flame intensity of the burner 39 is at its minimum when set to flame intensity 1, and at its maximum when set to flame intensity 11. Furthermore, the combustion state of the burner 39 is a single combustion state in which only the sub-burner section 38 burns when the flame intensity is set to 1 to 3, and a simultaneous combustion state in which the main burner section 36 and the sub-burner section 38 burn simultaneously when the flame intensity is set to 4 to 11.

[0050] The ignition means 58 has an ignition electrode for igniting the sub-burner section 38. The flame detection means 59 has a thermocouple for detecting the flame of the sub-burner section 38.

[0051] The controller 60 consists of a microphone computer and is electrically connected to the safety valve 54, gas volume control valve 55, on-off valve 56, and ignition means 58. The controller 60 also receives signals from the ignition / extinguishing switch and the flame power adjustment switch (which acts as a flame power indicator means 57) included in the stove operation unit 19, as well as from the flame detection means 59. Based on the signals from the ignition / extinguishing switch, the flame power adjustment switch, and the flame detection means 59, the controller 60 controls the operation of the safety valve 54, gas volume control valve 55, on-off valve 56, and ignition means 58.

[0052] When igniting the burner 39, the controller 60 opens the safety valve 54 and activates the ignition means 58 based on the ignition signal from the ignition / extinguishing switch. When adjusting the flame output of the burner 39, the controller 60 controls the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 to adjust the flame output of the burner 39 based on the flame output instruction signal from the flame output adjustment switch. Furthermore, when extinguishing the burner 39, the controller 60 closes the safety valve 54 based on the extinguishing signal from the ignition / extinguishing switch and the misfire detection signal from the flame detection means 59 that has detected a misfire in the sub-burner section 38.

[0053] Furthermore, the controller 60 controls the opening and closing of the on-off valve 56 and the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 based on the heat output instruction from the heat output instruction means 57 to change the heat output of the burner 39. As shown in Figure 4, when the instruction from the heat output instruction means 57 is heat output 1, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 is set to θ1, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 39 with a heat output input of the amount of gas supplied (kcal / h) necessary to set the heat output of the burner 39 to heat output 1. Similarly, the opening degree is set to θ2 when the heat output is 2, and to θ3 when the heat output is 3, and so on, with opening degrees set to θ4 to θ11 for heat outputs 4 to 11 respectively, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 39 with a predetermined heat output input.

[0054] In the following explanation, for example, the opening degree of the gas flow control valve 55 that obtains a heat output of 1 is called the heat output 1 opening degree θ1, the opening degree of the gas flow control valve 55 that obtains a heat output of 2 is called the heat output 2 opening degree θ2, and so on, the opening degree of the gas flow control valve 55 that obtains a heat output of n is called the heat output n opening degree θn (where n is a natural number from 1 to 11).

[0055] In this embodiment, when the flame intensity indicator 57 indicates flame intensity levels 1 to 3, the controller 60 closes the on-off valve 56 and sets the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 to θ1 to θ3, corresponding to flame intensity levels 1 to 3, respectively. As a result, the flame intensity of the burner 39 is set to flame intensity levels 1 to 3, and the combustion state of the burner 39 is set to a single combustion state where only the sub-burner section 38 burns. Furthermore, when the flame intensity indicator 57 indicates flame intensity levels 4 to 11, the controller 60 opens the on-off valve 56 and sets the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 to θ4 to θ11, corresponding to flame intensity levels 4 to 11, respectively. As a result, the flame intensity of the burner 39 is set to flame intensity levels 4 to 11, and the combustion state of the burner 39 is set to a simultaneous combustion state where the main burner section 36 and the sub-burner section 38 burn simultaneously.

[0056] In this stove burner device 16, the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output is set to be greater than the maximum single-burner heat output. Specifically, the heat input for heat output 4, which is the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, is set to be greater than the heat input for heat output 3, which is the maximum single-burner heat output. On the other hand, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 that obtains the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 that obtains the maximum single-burner heat output. Specifically, the opening degree of the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output θ4 is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the maximum single-burner heat output θ3.

[0057] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 16, the controller 60 is configured to set a first intermediate opening and a second intermediate opening, which are openings between the minimum single-burner flame opening (which is the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 that obtains the minimum single-burner flame) and the maximum θ3 (which is the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55). Specifically, the first intermediate opening and the second intermediate opening are set to be flame level 2 opening θ2, which is the opening degree between the minimum single-burner flame opening θ1 (i.e., flame level 1 opening θ1) and the maximum single-burner flame opening θ3 (i.e., flame level 3 opening θ3). The second intermediate opening θ2 is an example of an "intermediate opening" in this invention.

[0058] In this stove burner device 16, if the user instructs to change the flame of the burner 39 via the flame intensity instruction means 57 by operating the flame intensity adjustment switch while the burner 39 is burning, the controller 60 performs flame intensity change control as shown in Figure 5, according to the current flame intensity of the burner 39 and the instructed flame intensity.

[0059] In the following explanation, the current flame power of the burner 39 at the time the flame power instruction means 57 instructs the burner 39 to change its flame power is referred to as the current flame power, and the degree to which the gas volume control valve 55 opens to obtain that current flame power is referred to as the current flame power opening. Furthermore, when the flame power instruction means 57 instructs the burner 39 to change its flame power, the instructed flame power is referred to as the instructed flame power, and the degree to which the gas volume control valve 55 opens to obtain that instructed flame power is referred to as the instructed flame power opening.

[0060] Furthermore, in the normal change control shown in Figure 5, when a heat output instruction is given via the heat output instruction means 57 to change the heat output of the burner 39, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current heat output opening degree to the instructed heat output opening degree at a normal opening / closing speed which is a predetermined opening / closing speed set in advance.

[0061] If, while the burner 39 is burning, an instruction is given via the flame intensity instruction means 57 to change the flame intensity of the burner 39, it is first determined whether the current combustion state of the burner 39 is a single combustion state, that is, whether the current flame intensity is flame intensity 1 or not (step S1).

[0062] If the current firepower of Burner 39 in step S1 is 1 (YES in step S1), then it is determined whether the target firepower is 3 or not (step S2).

[0063] If the indicated firepower is 3 in step S2 (YES in step S2), then in steps S3 to S5, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current firepower opening to the indicated firepower opening. That is, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current firepower opening θ1, which gives the current firepower 1, to the first intermediate opening θ2 (step S3). Then, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is maintained at the first intermediate opening θ2 for 1 second, and the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is stopped (step S4). After that, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the first intermediate opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ3, which gives the indicated firepower 3 (step S5).

[0064] If, after the Burner 39's firepower is changed to a specified firepower of 3 in step S5, there is another firepower instruction that further modifies the Burner 39's firepower, proceed to step S8.

[0065] On the other hand, if the indicated flame level in step S2 is not flame level 3 (NO in step S2), normal change control is performed (step S6). That is, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current flame level opening degree θ1 to one of the indicated flame level opening degrees θ2, θ4 to θ11.

[0066] In step S6, if the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 2, 4, or 11 by normal change control, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, then proceed to step S12.

[0067] Furthermore, if the current firepower of Burner 39 in step S1 is between 2 and 11 (no in step S1), the process proceeds to step S7 to determine whether the current firepower of Burner 39 is 3 or not (step S7).

[0068] If the current firepower is 3 in step S7 (YES in step S7), it is determined whether the target firepower is 1 or not (step S8). In this embodiment, when the current firepower of 3 is reduced to the target firepower of 1, firepower 3 corresponds to the "first firepower" in this invention, and firepower 1 corresponds to the "second firepower" in this invention.

[0069] If the indicated firepower is 1 in step S8 (YES in step S8), then in steps S9 to S11, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current firepower opening to the indicated firepower opening. That is, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current firepower opening θ3, which gives the current firepower 3, to the intermediate opening θ2 (step S9). Then, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is maintained at the intermediate opening θ2 for 1 second, and the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is stopped (step S10). After that, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the intermediate opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ1, which gives the indicated firepower 1 (step S11).

[0070] If, after the Burner 39's firepower is changed to a specified firepower of 1 in step S11, there is another firepower instruction that further modifies the Burner 39's firepower, proceed to step S2.

[0071] On the other hand, if the current heat output is not heat output 3 in step S7 (NO in step S7), that is, if the current heat output is neither heat output 1 nor heat output 3, normal change control is performed (step S12). In other words, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current heat output opening degree θ2, θ4 to θ11 to one of the indicated heat output opening degrees θ1 to θ11.

[0072] If, after the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 1-11 by normal change control in step S12, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, the process proceeds to step S1.

[0073] Furthermore, if the indicated flame level in step S8 is not 1 (NO in step S8), normal change control is performed (step S13). That is, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current flame level opening degree θ3 to one of the indicated flame level opening degrees θ2, θ4 to θ11.

[0074] In step S13, if the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 2, 4, or 11 by normal change control, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, then proceed to step S12.

[0075] Thus, in this stove burner device 16, in order to increase the flame of the burner 39 from flame 1, which is the minimum flame for single combustion, to flame 3, which is the minimum flame of the burner 39, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the opening of flame 1, which is the current flame opening, to the opening of flame 3, which is the indicated flame opening, to flame 2, which is the first intermediate opening between flame 1, flame 3, and flame 3, flame 2, which is flame 3, and the opening change of the gas volume control valve 55 is stopped for 1 second. For this reason, even if the flame of the burner 39 is rapidly increased from the minimum flame 1 to flame 3 in this stove burner device 16, the increase in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39 during the flame change can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a temporary primary air shortage.

[0076] Therefore, this stove burner device 16 and gas stove 10 can suppress the generation of yellow flames caused by a rapid increase in the heat output of the burner 39.

[0077] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 16, in order to reduce the flame of the burner 39 from the maximum flame of single combustion (flame level 3) to the minimum flame of single combustion (flame level 1), i.e., the minimum flame level of the burner 39 (flame level 1), the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is changed from the current flame level opening (flame level 3 opening θ3) to the instructed flame level opening (flame level 1 opening θ1). At the second intermediate opening between flame level 3 opening θ3 and flame level 1 opening θ1, the opening change of the gas volume control valve 55 is paused for 1 second. Therefore, in this stove burner device 16, even if the flame of the burner 39 is rapidly reduced from flame level 3 to flame level 1, the decrease in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39 during the flame level change can be suppressed, thus preventing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0078] Therefore, this stove burner device 16 and gas stove 10 can suppress burner misfires caused by a sudden decrease in the flame of the burner 39.

[0079] In particular, in this stove burner device 16, the first flame level when increasing the flame level from the first to the second is flame level 1, and the second flame level when increasing the flame level from the first to the second is flame level 3. Also, the first flame level when decreasing the flame level from the first to the second is flame level 3, and the second flame level when decreasing the flame level from the first to the second is flame level 1. Thus, flame levels 1 and 3, as the first and second flame levels, are the flame levels in a single-burner state. For this reason, the amount of primary air supplied to the sub-burner section 38 is relatively small, and in a single-burner state where yellow flames due to insufficient primary air are likely to occur in the sub-burner section 38, the generation of yellow flames can be effectively suppressed.

[0080] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 16, the first heat setting when increasing the heat from the first to the second heat setting is the minimum heat setting of the burner 39, which is heat setting 1. Therefore, the generation of yellow flames can be effectively suppressed, especially when increasing the heat setting from the minimum heat setting of the burner 39, which is prone to generating yellow flames.

[0081] Furthermore, in the stove burner device 16 of Example 1, multiple first intermediate openings and second intermediate openings may be provided.

[0082] Specifically, when the value of the heat input required to obtain a heat output of 2 is Akcal / h, during the process of increasing the heat output from heat output 1 to heat output 3, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is stopped for 0.3 seconds at a heat input of (A-α)kcal / h, stopped for 0.3 seconds at a heat input of Acal / h to obtain a heat output of 2, and stopped for 0.3 seconds at a heat input of (A+α)kcal / h.

[0083] Furthermore, while reducing the heat output from level 3 to level 1, the opening of the gas volume control valve 55 is paused for 0.3 seconds with a heat output input of (A-α)kcal / h, paused for 0.3 seconds with a heat output input of Acal / h to obtain level 2, and paused for 0.3 seconds with a heat output input of (A+α)kcal / h.

[0084] By providing three first intermediate openings and three second intermediate openings in this way, the change in the flame output of the burner 39 caused by the stopping of opening changes at intermediate openings can be subdivided, reducing any discomfort experienced by the user.

[0085] (Example 2) The stove burner device 46 of Example 2 and the gas stove 40 of Example 2 equipped with this stove burner device 46 are equipped with a known gas volume control valve 45 instead of the gas volume control valve 55 in the stove burner device 16 of Example 1. This gas volume control valve 45, although not shown in the figures, has a needle valve that continuously varies the valve opening by reciprocating linearly by an actuator.

[0086] As shown in Figure 4, the controller 60 in this stove burner device 46, similar to the stove burner device 16 in Embodiment 1, allows the flame of the burner 39 to be set to flame level 1 to flame level 11 by changing the opening degree of the gas flow control valve 45 from flame level 1 opening degree θ1 to flame level 11 opening degree θ11. The combustion state of the burner 39 is single combustion when the flame level is 1 to 3, and simultaneous combustion when the flame level is 4 to 11.

[0087] In this stove burner device 46, under normal change control, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed at a predetermined normal opening and closing speed, similar to the stove burner device 16 of Embodiment 1. On the other hand, if the current flame size of the burner 39 and the indicated flame size satisfy predetermined conditions, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed at a predetermined deceleration opening and closing speed that is slower than the normal opening and closing speed.

[0088] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 46, the controller 60 sets the first and second relay openings θ2, which are the openings between the minimum single-burner opening θ1 (opening θ1) and the maximum single-burner opening θ3 (opening θ3).

[0089] The stove burner device 46 and gas stove 40 of Example 2 have the same basic configuration as the stove burner device 16 and gas stove 10 of Example 1. In the stove burner device 46 of Example 2, the method of controlling the flame intensity of the burner 39 by the controller 60 differs from that of the stove burner device 16 of Example 1. In the stove burner device 46 of Example 2, the controller 60 performs the flame intensity control shown in Figure 6.

[0090] If, while the burner 39 is burning, an instruction is given via the firepower instruction means 57 to change the firepower of the burner 39, it is first determined whether the current firepower of the burner 39 is firepower 1 or not (step S21).

[0091] If the current firepower of Burner 39 is 1 in step S21 (YES in step S21), then it is determined whether the target firepower is 3 or not (step S22).

[0092] If the indicated firepower is 3 in step S22 (YES in step S22), then in steps S23 and S24, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current firepower opening to the indicated firepower opening. That is, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current firepower opening θ1, which gives the current firepower 1, to the first intermediate opening θ2 (firepower 2 opening θ2) (step S23). At this time, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 from the current firepower opening θ1 to the first intermediate opening θ2 is performed at a reduced opening speed. Then, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the first intermediate opening θ2 (firepower 2 opening θ2) to the indicated firepower opening θ3 (step S24). At this time, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 from the first intermediate opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ3 is performed at a normal opening speed.

[0093] In this embodiment, the section from the current firepower opening θ1 to the first relay opening θ2 within the opening change section from the current firepower opening θ1 to the indicated firepower opening θ3 is a deceleration section, and the section from the first relay opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ1 is a normal section.

[0094] If, after the Burner 39's firepower is changed to a specified firepower of 3 in step S24, there is another firepower instruction that further modifies the Burner 39's firepower, proceed to step S27.

[0095] On the other hand, if the indicated firepower in step S22 is not firepower 3 (NO in step S22), normal change control is performed (step S25). That is, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current firepower opening degree θ1 to one of the indicated firepower opening degrees θ2, θ4 to θ11 at the normal opening / closing speed (normal opening speed).

[0096] In step S25, if the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 2, 4, or 11 by normal change control, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0097] Furthermore, if the current firepower of Burner 39 is between 2 and 11 in step S21 (NO in step S21), the process proceeds to step S26 to determine whether the current firepower of Burner 39 is 3 or not (step S26).

[0098] If the current firepower is 3 in step S26 (YES in step S26), it is determined whether the target firepower is 1 or not (step S27). In this embodiment, when the current firepower of 3 is reduced to the target firepower of 1, firepower 3 corresponds to the "first firepower" in this invention, and firepower 1 corresponds to the "second firepower" in this invention.

[0099] If the indicated firepower is 1 in step S27 (YES in step S27), then in steps S28 and S29, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current firepower opening to the indicated firepower opening. That is, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current firepower opening θ3, which gives the current firepower 3, to the second intermediate opening θ2 (firepower 2 opening θ2) (step S28). At this time, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 from the current firepower opening θ1 to the second intermediate opening θ2 is performed at a reduced opening / closing speed (reduced closing speed). Then, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the second intermediate opening θ2 (firepower 2 opening θ2) to the indicated firepower opening θ1 (step S29). At this time, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 from the second intermediate opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ1 is performed at a normal opening / closing speed (normal closing speed).

[0100] In this embodiment, the section from the current firepower opening θ3 to the second relay opening θ2 is designated as a specific section within the opening change section from the current firepower opening θ3 to the indicated firepower opening θ1, and the section from the second relay opening θ2 to the indicated firepower opening θ1 is not designated as a specific section.

[0101] If, after the firepower of Burner 39 is changed to a specified firepower of 1 in step S29, there is another firepower instruction that further changes the firepower of Burner 39, proceed to step S22.

[0102] On the other hand, if the current heat output is not heat output 3 in step S26 (NO in step S7), that is, if the current heat output is neither heat output 1 nor heat output 3, normal change control is performed (step S30). In other words, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current heat output opening degree θ2, θ4 to θ11 to one of the indicated heat output opening degrees θ1 to θ11.

[0103] In step S30, if the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 1-11 by normal change control, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0104] Furthermore, if the indicated flame level in step S27 is not 1 (NO in step S27), normal change control is performed (step S31). That is, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current flame level opening degree θ3 to one of the indicated flame level opening degrees θ2, θ4 to θ11.

[0105] In step S31, if the firepower of burner 39 is changed to one of the instructed firepower levels 2, 4, or 11 by normal change control, and there is another firepower instruction to further change the firepower of burner 39, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0106] Thus, in this stove burner device 46, in order to increase the flame of the burner 39 from flame 1, which is the minimum flame of single-burner combustion, to flame 3, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current flame opening (flame 1 opening θ1) to the target flame opening (flame 3 opening θ3). In the section from flame 1 opening θ1 to the first intermediate opening θ2 (flame 2 opening θ2), which is a deceleration section, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed at a deceleration opening speed (deceleration opening speed). For this reason, even if the flame of the burner 39 is rapidly increased from the minimum flame 1 to flame 3 in this stove burner device 46, the increase in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39 during the flame change can be suppressed, thus preventing the occurrence of a temporary primary air shortage.

[0107] Therefore, this stove burner device 46 and gas stove 40 can suppress the generation of yellow flames caused by a rapid increase in the heat output of the burner 39.

[0108] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 46, in order to reduce the flame of the burner 39 from the maximum flame of single-burner combustion, flame 3, to the minimum flame of single-burner combustion, flame 1, i.e., the minimum flame of the burner 39, flame 1, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed from the current flame opening, flame 3 opening θ3, to the indicated flame opening, flame 1 opening θ1. In the section from flame 3 opening θ3 to the second intermediate opening θ2 (flame 2 opening θ2), which is a specific section, the opening of the gas volume control valve 45 is changed at a reduced opening / closing speed (reduced closing speed). For this reason, in this stove burner device 46, even if the flame of the burner 39 is rapidly reduced from flame 3 to flame 1, the decrease in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 39 during the flame change can be suppressed, thus suppressing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0109] Therefore, this stove burner device 46 and gas stove 40 can suppress burner misfires caused by a sudden decrease in the flame of the burner 39.

[0110] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 46, as with the stove burner device 16 of Embodiment 1, multiple first and second intermediate opening degrees may be provided to create multiple specific sections. By doing so, the change in the flame of the burner 39 caused by changing the opening degree of the gas flow control valve 45 at a reduced opening and closing speed can be subdivided, thereby reducing discomfort for the user.

[0111] Other effects are the same as in Example 1.

[0112] (Example 3) As shown in Figure 7, the gas stove 70 of Example 3 is a so-called built-in type gas stove installed in a kitchen or the like. The gas stove 70 is an example of a "heating cooker" in the present invention.

[0113] This gas stove 70 comprises a main body 72 with an open top, a top plate 74 that covers the opening on the top of the main body 72 from above, and two stove burner devices 76. The stove burner devices 76 are an example of a "gas burner device" in the present invention.

[0114] Each stovetop burner unit 76 is a known so-called single burner and has the same configuration. Furthermore, each stovetop burner unit 76 is a premixed combustion type stovetop burner. In this embodiment, the two stovetop burner units 76 are the same size. However, each stovetop burner unit 76 may be of a different size.

[0115] As shown in Figure 8, the stove burner device 76 includes a burner 80 and a gas supply passage 82. The burner 80 burns fuel gas. The gas supply passage 82 supplies fuel gas from an external source to the burner 80.

[0116] Furthermore, this stove burner device 76, like the stove burner device 16 in Embodiment 1, includes a gas volume control valve 84, a flame intensity indicator means 86, a controller 88, a safety valve 90, an ignition means 92, and a flame detection means 94. The controller 88 is an example of a "control means" in the present invention.

[0117] The safety valve 90 is provided in the gas supply passage 82 and consists of an electromagnetic switch valve that opens and closes the gas supply passage 82. The gas volume control valve 84 is provided downstream of the safety valve 90 in the gas supply passage 82 and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 80. Similar to the gas volume control valve 55 in Embodiment 1, the gas volume control valve 84 has a rotating disk driven by a stepping motor, and the opening degree (valve opening) of the gas volume control valve 84 can be changed in stages.

[0118] The heat output instruction means 86 instructs the heat output of the burner 80 in each stove burner device 76 in response to the user's operation of the heat output adjustment switch included in the stove operation unit 79. The user can adjust the heat output of the burner 80 in steps of multiple levels for each stove burner device 76 by operating the heat output adjustment switch. In this embodiment, the heat output of the burner 80 can be instructed in 11 levels. The heat output of the burner 80 is at its minimum when set to heat output 1, and at its maximum when set to heat output 11.

[0119] The ignition means 92 has an ignition electrode for igniting the burner 80. The flame detection means 94 has a thermocouple for detecting the flame of the burner 80.

[0120] The controller 88 consists of a microphone computer and is electrically connected to the gas volume control valve 84, the safety valve 90, and the ignition means 92. The controller 88 also receives signals from the ignition / extinguishing switch and the flame power adjustment switch, which act as the flame power indicator means 57, as well as from the flame detection means 94, all of which are included in the stove operation unit 79. Based on the signals from the ignition / extinguishing switch, the flame power adjustment switch, and the flame detection means 94, the controller 88 controls the operation of the safety valve 90, the gas volume control valve 84, and the ignition means 92.

[0121] When igniting the burner 80, the controller 88 opens the safety valve 90 and activates the ignition means 92 based on the ignition signal from the ignition / extinguishing switch. When adjusting the flame output of the burner 80, the controller 88 controls the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 based on the flame output instruction signal from the flame output adjustment switch to adjust the flame output of the burner 80. Furthermore, when extinguishing the burner 80, the controller 88 closes the safety valve 90 based on the extinguishing signal from the ignition / extinguishing switch and the detection signal from the flame detection means 94 that has detected a misfire in the burner 80.

[0122] The controller 88 controls the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 based on the heat output instruction from the heat output instruction means 86 to change the heat output of the burner 80. As shown in Figure 9, when the heat output instruction from the heat output instruction means 86 is heat output 1, the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 is set to θ1, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 80 with a heat output input of a gas supply amount (kcal / h) corresponding to heat output 1. Similarly, the opening is set to θ2 when the heat output is 2, and to θ3 when the heat output is 3, and so on, with openings set to θ4 to θ11 for heat outputs 4 to 11 respectively, and fuel gas is supplied to the burner 80 with a predetermined heat output input.

[0123] In this stove burner device 76, the controller 88 sets the first intermediate opening θ2 and the second intermediate opening θ2, which are the opening degrees between the opening degree θ1 of the gas volume control valve 84 that obtains the minimum flame power 1 of the burner 80, and the opening degree θ3 of the gas volume control valve 84 that obtains the flame power 3. The second intermediate opening θ2 is an example of an "intermediate opening" in the present invention.

[0124] In this stove burner device 76, if the user instructs to change the flame of the burner 80 via the flame intensity instruction means 86 by operating the flame intensity adjustment switch while the burner 80 is burning, the controller 88 performs flame intensity change control as shown in Figure 5, similar to the stove burner device 16 of Embodiment 1, according to the current flame intensity of the burner 80 and the instructed flame intensity.

[0125] In other words, in this stove burner device 76, when increasing the flame of the burner 80 from the minimum flame level 1 to flame level 3, the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 is changed from the current flame level opening θ1 to the target flame level opening θ3. At the first intermediate opening between flame level 1 opening θ1 and flame level 3 opening θ3, the opening change of the gas volume control valve 84 is paused for 1 second. Therefore, in this stove burner device 76, even if the flame of the burner 80 is rapidly increased from the minimum flame level 1 to flame level 3, the increase in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 80 during the flame level change can be suppressed, thus preventing a temporary primary air shortage.

[0126] Therefore, this stove burner device 76 and gas stove 70 can suppress the generation of yellow flames caused by a rapid increase in the heat output of the burner 80.

[0127] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 76, in order to reduce the flame of the burner 80 from flame level 3 to the minimum flame level of the burner 80, which is flame level 1, the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 is changed from the current flame level opening (flame level 3, opening degree θ3) to the instructed flame level opening (flame level 1, opening degree θ1). At the second intermediate opening between flame level 3 (open degree θ3) and flame level 1 (open degree θ1), the opening change of the gas volume control valve 84 is paused for 1 second. Therefore, in this stove burner device 76, even if the flame of the burner 80 is rapidly reduced from flame level 3 to flame level 1, the decrease in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 80 during the flame level change can be suppressed, thus preventing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0128] Therefore, this stove burner device 76 and gas stove 70 can suppress the misfire of the burner 80 caused by a sudden decrease in the flame power of the burner 80.

[0129] (Example 4) The stove burner device 96 of Example 4 and the gas stove 71 of Example 4 equipped with this stove burner device 96 are equipped with a known gas volume control valve 95 instead of the gas volume control valve 84 in the stove burner device 76 of Example 3. This gas volume control valve 95 has a needle valve that continuously varies the valve opening by reciprocating linearly by an actuator, similar to the gas volume control valve 45 in the stove burner device 46 of Example 2.

[0130] As shown in Figure 9, the controller 88 in this stove burner device 96, similar to the stove burner device 76 in Embodiment 3, can set the flame of the burner 80 to flame level 1 to flame level 11 by changing the opening of the gas volume control valve 95 from flame level 1 opening θ1 to flame level 11 opening θ11.

[0131] In this stove burner device 96, under normal change control, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 95 is changed at a predetermined normal opening and closing speed, similar to the stove burner device 76 in Embodiment 3. On the other hand, if the current flame size of the burner 80 and the indicated flame size satisfy predetermined conditions, the opening degree of the gas volume control valve 95 is changed at a predetermined deceleration opening and closing speed that is slower than the normal opening and closing speed.

[0132] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 96, the controller 88 sets the first relay opening θ2 and the second relay opening θ2, which are the openings between the minimum flame output of burner 80, flame output 1 (opening θ1), and the opening of flame output 3 (opening θ3).

[0133] The stove burner device 96 and gas stove 71 of Example 4 have the same basic configuration as the stove burner device 76 and gas stove 70 of Example 3. In the stove burner device 96 of Example 4, the method of controlling the flame intensity of the burner 80 by the controller 88 differs from that of the stove burner device 76 of Example 3.

[0134] In this stove burner device 96, if the user instructs to change the flame of the burner 80 via the flame intensity instruction means 86 by operating the flame intensity adjustment switch while the burner 80 is burning, the controller 88 performs flame intensity change control as shown in Figure 6, similar to the stove burner device 46 of Embodiment 2, according to the current flame intensity of the burner 80 and the instructed flame intensity.

[0135] In other words, in this stove burner device 96, in order to increase the flame of the burner 80 from the minimum flame level 1 to flame level 3, the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 is changed from the current flame level opening θ1 (flame level 1) to the target flame level opening θ3 (flame level 3). In the section from flame level 1 opening θ1 (flame level 1) to the first intermediate opening θ2 (flame level 2 opening θ2), which is a deceleration section, the opening of the gas volume control valve 95 is changed at a deceleration opening speed (deceleration opening speed). As a result, in this stove burner device 96, even if the flame of the burner 80 is rapidly increased from the minimum flame level 1 to flame level 3, the increase in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 80 during the flame level change can be suppressed, thus preventing the occurrence of a temporary primary air shortage.

[0136] Therefore, this stove burner device 96 and gas stove 71 can suppress the generation of yellow flames caused by a rapid increase in the heat output of the burner 80.

[0137] Furthermore, in this stove burner device 96, in order to reduce the flame of the burner 80 from flame level 3 to the minimum flame level of the burner 80, which is flame level 1, the opening of the gas volume control valve 84 is changed from the current flame level opening (flame level 3, opening degree θ3) to the instructed flame level opening (flame level 1, opening degree θ1). In the section from flame level 3, opening degree θ3 to the second intermediate opening degree θ2 (flame level 2, opening degree θ2), which is designated as a specific section, the opening of the gas volume control valve 95 is changed at a reduced opening speed (reduced opening speed). As a result, in this stove burner device 96, even if the flame of the burner 80 is rapidly reduced from flame level 3 to flame level 1, the reduction in the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner 80 during the flame level change can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the occurrence of a temporary primary air excess.

[0138] Therefore, this stove burner device 96 and gas stove 71 can suppress the misfire of the burner 80 caused by a sudden decrease in the flame power of the burner 80.

[0139] Although the present invention has been described above in reference to Examples 1 to 4, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to Examples 1 to 4, and can be applied with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit.

[0140] In Examples 1 and 3, the opening degree θ2 of the gas flow control valve that obtains the heat output 2 is set to either the first intermediate opening degree θ2 or the second intermediate opening degree θ2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the heat output during the process of increasing or decreasing the heat output from the first heat output to the second heat output can be set as an appropriate intermediate opening degree.

[0141] In Examples 1 and 3, a gas flow control valve is used in which the valve opening is adjusted by the rotational drive of a rotating disk by a stepping motor, but the present invention is not limited to this. In Examples 1 and 3, for example, a rod or needle that moves back and forth may be used instead of a rotating disk, or an electric valve equipped with another motor may be used as the gas flow control valve. Furthermore, in Examples 2 and 4, a gas flow control valve is used in which the valve opening is adjusted by the reciprocating motion of a needle valve, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in Examples 2 and 4, for example, a valve that adjusts the valve opening by the rotational drive of a rotating disk by a stepping motor may be used.

[0142] In Examples 1-4, the burner's flame intensity is adjustable in 11 stages, from flame intensity 1 to 11. However, the number of stages can be changed as needed, and it is also possible to make it infinitely variable. Furthermore, in Examples 1 and 2, the number of flame intensity stages in both single-burner and simultaneous-burner states can also be changed as needed.

[0143] In Examples 1 and 2, the sub-burner section 38 is positioned adjacent to the lower part of the main burner section 36, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sub-burner section may be positioned adjacent to the inside of the annular main burner section.

[0144] In the gas stoves of Examples 1 to 4, some of the multiple stove burner devices may be electromagnetic induction heating units equipped with IH coils or electric heating units equipped with electric heaters.

[0145] Examples 1 to 4 describe a gas stove as a cooking appliance equipped with the gas burner device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the gas burner device of the present invention may be applied to a grill burner device, or to other heating appliances other than cooking appliances.

[0146] In Examples 1 to 4, the opening degree change is paused for a predetermined time or the opening / closing speed is reduced only when the heat output is changed from heat output 3 to heat output 1. However, the opening degree change may also be paused for a predetermined time or the opening / closing speed may be reduced when changing the heat output from heat output 2 to heat output 1.

[0147] In Examples 1 and 2, the opening change is suspended for a predetermined time or the opening / closing speed is reduced only when the heat output is changed from heat output 3 to heat output 1 in a single-burner state. However, similar control may be performed during the single-burner state when changing the heat output from a simultaneous-burner state to a single-burner state. [Industrial applicability]

[0148] The present invention can be used, for example, in kitchens in homes or kitchen equipment in facilities. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0149] 10, 40, 70, 71... Gas stove (cooking appliance) 16, 46... Cooktop burner device (gas burner device) 36... Main burner section 38... Sub-burner section 39, 80... Burner 51…Common gas supply channels 52...Gas supply line for main burner section 53...Gas supply line for auxiliary burner section 55, 45, 84, 95... Gas volume control valves 56… Shut-off valve 57…Firepower instruction means 60, 88... Controller (control means)

Claims

1. A burner that burns fuel gas, A gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas flow control valve is provided in the gas supply path and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, The control means is characterized in that, when an instruction is given to reduce the flame of the burner from a first flame to a second flame, when the opening of the gas volume control valve is changed from a first flame opening to obtain the first flame to a second flame opening to obtain the second flame, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve is suspended for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening between the first flame opening and the second flame opening.

2. A burner having a main burner section and a sub-burner section adjacent to the main burner section, with a maximum heat output smaller than that of the main burner section, for burning fuel gas, A common gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas supply line for the main burner section is branched off from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the main burner section, A gas supply line for the sub-burner section is branched from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the sub-burner section, A gas flow control valve is provided in the common gas supply line and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A shut-off valve is provided in the gas supply passage for the main burner section, which opens and closes the gas supply passage for the main burner section. A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, The combustion state of the burner is such that when the on-off valve is open, the main burner section and the sub-burner section burn simultaneously, and when the on-off valve is closed, only the sub-burner section burns, resulting in a single-burner combustion state. The flame power of the burner in each of the simultaneous combustion state and the single-burner combustion state can be changed via the flame power indicator means. In a gas burner device in which the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum heat output in the simultaneous combustion state, is set to be greater than the maximum single-combustion heat output, which is the maximum heat output in the single-combustion state, but the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output opening degree, is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the maximum single-combustion heat output, The control means is characterized in that, when an instruction is given to reduce the flame of the burner from a first flame to a second flame, when the opening of the gas volume control valve is changed from a first flame opening to obtain the first flame to a second flame opening to obtain the second flame, the change in the opening of the gas volume control valve is suspended for a predetermined time at an intermediate opening between the first flame opening and the second flame opening.

3. The gas burner device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of intermediate openings are provided.

4. A burner that burns fuel gas, A gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas flow control valve is provided in the gas supply path and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, The control means, when instructed to reduce the flame output of the burner from a first flame output to a second flame output, changes the opening of the gas volume control valve from a first flame output opening to obtain the first flame output to a second flame output opening to obtain the second flame output, and maintains the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve at a specific speed that is lower than the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve in non-specific sections of the opening change section other than the specific section.

5. A burner having a main burner section and a sub-burner section adjacent to the main burner section, with a maximum heat output smaller than that of the main burner section, for burning fuel gas, A common gas supply path for supplying the fuel gas to the burner, A gas supply line for the main burner section is branched off from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the main burner section, A gas supply line for the sub-burner section is branched from the common gas supply line and supplies the fuel gas to the sub-burner section, A gas flow control valve is provided in the common gas supply line and adjusts the amount of fuel gas supplied to the burner, A shut-off valve is provided in the gas supply passage for the main burner section, which opens and closes the gas supply passage for the main burner section. A heat output indicating means for indicating the heat output of the burner, A gas burner device comprising control means for changing the flame of the burner by controlling the opening and closing of the on-off valve and the opening degree of the gas volume control valve based on the instructions of the flame power instruction means, The combustion state of the burner is such that when the on-off valve is open, the main burner section and the sub-burner section burn simultaneously, and when the on-off valve is closed, only the sub-burner section burns, resulting in a single-burner combustion state. The flame power of the burner in each of the simultaneous combustion state and the single-burner combustion state can be changed via the flame power indicator means. In a gas burner device in which the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum heat output in the simultaneous combustion state, is set to be greater than the maximum single-combustion heat output, which is the maximum heat output in the single-combustion state, but the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output, which is the minimum simultaneous combustion heat output opening degree, is set to be smaller than the opening degree of the gas flow control valve that obtains the maximum single-combustion heat output, The control means, when instructed to reduce the flame output of the burner from a first flame output to a second flame output, changes the opening of the gas volume control valve from a first flame output opening to obtain the first flame output to a second flame output opening to obtain the second flame output, and maintains the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve at a specific speed that is lower than the opening and closing speed of the gas volume control valve in non-specific sections of the opening change section other than the specific section.

6. The gas burner device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein multiple such specific sections are provided.

7. The gas burner device according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the first heat output is the maximum heat output of the burner.

8. The gas burner device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the first and second heat sources are the heat sources in the single-combustion state.

9. The gas burner device according to claim 8, wherein the first heat output is the maximum heat output in the single-combustion state.

10. A cooking appliance characterized by being equipped with the gas burner device described in claim 1, 2, 4, or 5.

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