Stove

Abstract

To provide a stove that can protect the circuit board located inside the sensor housing of an infrared temperature sensor from heat. [Solution] The infrared temperature sensor 51 measures the temperature of the bottom surface of the heated object placed on the trivet through an opening provided in the top plate. The middle bottom plate 10 is provided between the bottom wall 25 of the housing 2 and the top plate. The middle bottom plate 10 divides the inside of the housing 2 into an upper space A1 and a lower space A2. The middle bottom plate 10 is provided with an opening for the sensor. The opening for the sensor allows the infrared temperature sensor 51 to be positioned across the upper space A1 and the lower space A2. A bracket 61 is attached to the infrared temperature sensor 51. The bracket 61 is attached to the middle bottom plate 10 with the infrared temperature sensor 51 positioned in the opening for the sensor. The middle burner 5 is located in the upper space A1. The circuit board located inside the infrared temperature sensor 51 is located in the lower space A2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stove.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a cooking device including a top plate having a predetermined opening, a heating source for heating a heated object placed above the top plate, and an infrared detection unit disposed below the top plate for detecting infrared rays radiated from the heated object and passing through the opening or infrared rays radiated from the heating source and passing through the opening (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The infrared detection unit includes a first light receiving element, a second light receiving element, and a circuit board, etc. inside a housing body. The first light receiving element and the second light receiving element output signals according to the intensity of infrared rays radiated from the heated object. The circuit board is mounted with various electronic components and circuits for performing drive control of the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element, processing of detection signals, arithmetic processing, determination processing, etc. The circuit board calculates the temperature of the heated object based on the output signals of the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since the infrared detection unit is disposed below the top plate, it is easily affected by the heat generated by the heating source. Since the circuit board generates heat, it was necessary to protect the circuit board from heat when the heating source was in use.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a stove that can protect a circuit board provided in a sensor housing of an infrared temperature sensor from heat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The stove according to claim 1 comprises a housing, a burner supported within the housing, and a top plate fixed to the upper part of the housing and having an insertion hole for exposing the burner, wherein the stove comprises an infrared temperature sensor housed within the housing and measuring the temperature of the bottom surface of an object to be heated, which is placed on a trivet installed around the insertion hole, through an opening provided in the top plate, and a middle bottom plate provided between the bottom wall of the housing and the top plate, which divides the inside of the housing into an upper space and a lower space, wherein the middle bottom plate is provided with a sensor opening that penetrates vertically and allows the infrared temperature sensor to be positioned across the upper space and the lower space, and a sensor mounting portion for attaching the infrared temperature sensor to the middle bottom plate with the infrared temperature sensor positioned in the sensor opening, wherein the infrared temperature sensor comprises a sensor housing and a circuit board provided within the sensor housing for controlling the operation of the infrared temperature sensor, wherein the burner is positioned in the upper space, the circuit board is positioned in the lower space with the infrared temperature sensor attached to the sensor mounting portion.

[0008] The upper space of the stove according to claim 2 may include a heat output control device for adjusting the amount of gas supplied to the burner and adjusting the heat output of the burner, a solenoid valve unit provided downstream of the heat output control device and adjusting the amount of gas supplied to the burner by a solenoid valve, and a gas supply pipe for supplying the gas flowing from the solenoid valve unit to the burner.

[0009] The sensor housing of the stove according to claim 3 is provided with a housing-side mounting portion that is attached to the through-hole sensor mounting portion, and when the housing-side mounting portion is attached to the sensor mounting portion, the circuit board may be located below the housing-side mounting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the stove of claim 1, a middle bottom plate divides the inside of the casing into an upper space and a lower space, so that the heat-generating burner is placed in the upper space and the circuit board of the infrared temperature sensor, which has low heat resistance, is placed in the lower space. This allows the stove to protect the circuit board from heat when the burner is in use. According to the stove of claim 2, the flame control device, solenoid valve unit, and gas supply pipe, which serve as gas passages, are arranged in the upper space. If the circuit board were to be arranged in the upper space, the heat generated by the circuit board would further increase the temperature of the upper space, potentially causing the temperature of components such as the flame control device to rise even higher. In this embodiment, the circuit board is arranged in the lower space, making it difficult for the heat generated by the circuit board to be transferred to the upper space. Therefore, the rise in temperature of other components arranged in the upper space can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the case of a stove that uses the same top plate, flame control device, solenoid valve unit, and gas supply pipe as in this embodiment but does not have an infrared temperature sensor, the lower space is unnecessary, so the stove casing can be made more compact. In addition, in the case of a stove casing of this embodiment that has an infrared temperature sensor and a stove casing that does not have an infrared temperature sensor, the lower bottom plate to which the flame control device, solenoid valve unit, and gas supply pipe are attached can be installed inside the casing to achieve parts commonality.

[0011] According to the stove of claim 3, when the infrared temperature sensor is attached to the sensor mounting part, the infrared temperature sensor can be arranged inside the sensor opening, spanning both the upper and lower spaces, while the circuit board can be placed in the lower space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of gas stove 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of gas stove 1 (without trivet). [Figure 3] This is a plan view of gas stove 1 (without trivet). [Figure 4] This is an exploded perspective view of gas stove 1 (without the trivet). [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the internal structure of enclosure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line II. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing the structure of the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view of the middle bottom plate 10. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view of the infrared temperature sensor 51. [Figure 10] It is a perspective view of the bracket 61. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of the bracket 61 seen from a different angle from FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of the infrared detection unit U1. [Figure 13] It is a perspective view of the state where the infrared detection unit U1 is fixed to the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. [Figure 14] It is a plan view of the state where the infrared detection unit U1 is fixed to the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. [Figure 15] It is a perspective view showing the state where infrared rays radiated from the heated object W on the trivet 4 are guided to the infrared temperature sensor 51 through the opening 312. [Figure 16] It is a plan view showing the state where infrared rays R1 and R2 radiated from the heated object W on the trivet are guided to the infrared temperature sensor 51 through the opening 312.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The devices, member configurations, etc. described below are not intended to be limited only to those, but are merely illustrative examples unless specifically described. The drawings are used to explain the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. In this embodiment, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions shown in the figures will be used for explanation. Also, the scales of the respective figures do not necessarily match each other, and are appropriately enlarged or reduced according to the object to be illustrated.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure of the gas stove 1 will be described. The gas stove 1 is a built-in stove and is attached to a kitchen counter (not shown). The gas stove 1 includes a housing 2 and a top plate 3. The top plate 3 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 2. A cooking plate 4 is installed on the upper surface of the top plate 3.

[0015] The structure of the top plate 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the top plate 3 is substantially rectangular in plan view. A stove area 3A is provided on the right side of the upper surface of the top plate 3, and a stove area 3B is provided on the left side of the upper surface. The stove areas 3A and 3B are substantially rectangular areas that are recessed downward and long in the front-rear direction in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, a burner mounting base 31 is provided on the front side of the stove area 3A, and a burner mounting base 32 is provided on the rear side. A burner mounting base 33 is provided on the front side of the stove area 3B, and a burner mounting base 34 is provided on the rear side. The burner mounting bases 31 to 34 are substantially frustoconical, and a substantially circular plane is formed on the upper part thereof.

[0016] A substantially circular insertion hole 311 is provided at the center of the upper surface 31A of the burner mounting base 31. The upper part of a burner body 5A (described later) provided in the housing 2 is disposed inside the insertion hole 311. A burner head 5B is installed on the upper surface 31A. The burner head 5B is attached to the upper part of the burner body 5A through the insertion hole 311. The burner body 5A and the burner head 5B constitute a middle burner 5 (see FIG. 2). An igniter electrode 501 and a thermocouple 502 (see FIG. 5) are provided near the burner head 5B.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 4, on the upper surface 31A, an opening 312 is provided behind the insertion hole 311. The opening 312 is a round hole smaller than the insertion hole 311. The opening 312 is provided at a position where the optical axes of infrared rays R1 of the first light receiving element 58 (see FIG. 9) and infrared rays R2 of the second light receiving element 59 of an infrared temperature sensor 51 (described later) provided in the housing 2 intersect and pass through (see FIG. 15).

[0018] Similar to the burner mounting base 31, a through-hole 321 is provided in the center of the upper surface 32A of the burner mounting base 32. Inside the through-hole 321 is the upper part of the burner body 6A, which will be described later and is located inside the housing 2. The burner head 6B is located on the upper surface 32A. The burner head 6B is attached to the upper part of the burner body 6A via the through-hole 321. The burner body 6A and the burner head 6B constitute the medium burner 6 (see Figure 2). On the upper surface 32A, an opening 322 is provided behind the through-hole 321. The opening 322 is located at a position where the two infrared light axes of the infrared temperature sensor 52, which will be described later and is located inside the housing 2, intersect and pass through.

[0019] An insertion hole 331 is provided in the center of the upper surface 33A of the burner mounting base 33. The upper part of the burner body 7A, described later and located inside the housing 2, is positioned inside the insertion hole 331. The burner head 7B is installed on the upper surface 33A. The burner head 7B is attached to the upper part of the burner body 7A via the insertion hole 331. The burner body 7A and the burner head 7B constitute a small burner 7 (see Figure 2). On the upper surface 33A, an opening 332 is provided behind the insertion hole 331. The opening 332 is located at a position where the two infrared light axes of the infrared temperature sensor 53, described later and located inside the housing 2, intersect and pass through.

[0020] An insertion hole 341 is provided in the center of the upper surface 34A of the burner mounting base 34. The upper part of the burner body 8A, described later and installed inside the housing 2, is positioned inside the insertion hole 341. The burner head 8B is installed on the upper surface 34A. The burner head 8B is attached to the upper part of the burner body 8A via the insertion hole 341. The burner body 8A and the burner head 8B constitute the large burner 8 (see Figure 2). On the upper surface 34A, an opening 342 is provided behind the insertion hole 341. The opening 342 is located at a position where the two infrared light axes of the infrared temperature sensor 54, described later and installed inside the housing 2, intersect and pass through.

[0021] The medium burners 5 and 6, the small burner 7, and the large burner 8 are Bunsen combustion type external flame burners. Burner heads 5B, 6B, 7B, and 8B are equipped with multiple flame ports arranged in an annular outward direction. The multiple flame ports eject flames outward.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, four control knobs 11 to 14 are provided on the front upper surface of the top plate 3, spaced apart from right to left, in order from right to left. Control knobs 11 and 12 are positioned in front of the cooktop area 3A. Control knobs 13 and 14 are positioned in front of the cooktop area 3B. Control knobs 11 and 12 are connected to the heat control devices 41 and 42, respectively, located inside the housing 2, via round holes 35 and 36 (see Figure 4) provided on the right half of the front front of the top plate 3. Control knobs 13 and 14 are connected to the heat control devices 43 and 44, respectively, located inside the housing 2, via round holes 37 and 38 (see Figure 4) provided on the left half of the front front of the top plate 3. These control knobs 11 to 14 rotate around the corresponding rotating shafts 40A (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0023] The user can rotate the control knob 11 to ignite, extinguish, and adjust the flame of the medium burner 5. The user can rotate the control knob 12 to ignite, extinguish, and adjust the flame of the medium burner 6. The user can rotate the control knob 13 to ignite, extinguish, and adjust the flame of the small burner 7. The user can rotate the control knob 14 to ignite, extinguish, and adjust the flame of the large burner 8.

[0024] The internal structure of the enclosure 2 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 7. As shown in Figure 4, the enclosure 2 is roughly rectangular with an open top. The enclosure 2 has a right wall 21, a left wall 22, a front wall 23, a back wall 24, and a bottom wall 25. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, a middle bottom plate 10 is mounted roughly horizontally at approximately the middle position in the vertical direction inside the enclosure 2. The middle bottom plate 10 divides the inside of the enclosure 2 into an upper space A1 and a lower space A2 (see Figure 6). In the lower space A2, a controller (not shown) is mounted on the rear side of the right end of the upper surface of the bottom wall 25.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in the upper space A1, the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10 is fitted with a gas pipe connection 16, a gas supply pipe 17, four heat control devices 41-44, two solenoid valve units 47 and 48, four infrared detection units U1-U4, and the like.

[0026] The gas pipe connection 16 is fixed to the left rear corner of the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. The downstream end of a gas inlet pipe (not shown) extending from the space below is connected to the inlet of the gas pipe connection 16. In the space below A2, the upstream end of the gas inlet pipe is connected to a gas inlet (not shown) provided in the bottom wall 25. A main gas solenoid valve (not shown) is provided in the gas inlet. The main gas solenoid valve is connected to a controller. A gas pipe (not shown) extending from the outside is connected to the gas inlet.

[0027] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the gas supply pipe 17 is connected to the outlet of the gas pipe connection 16. The gas supply pipe 17 extends forward from the gas pipe connection 16 near the inner surface of the left wall 22, bends to the right just before the rear surface of the front wall 23, and extends to near the inner surface of the right wall 21. The gas supply pipe 17 is fixed to the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10.

[0028] The flame control devices 41-44 will now be described. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the flame control devices 41-44 are fixed to the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10 and close to the rear surface of the front wall 23, corresponding to the four operating knobs 11-14. The flame control devices 41-44 are connected to the gas supply pipe 17. The flame control devices 41-44 are equipped with a rotating shaft 40A that protrudes upward. The operating knobs 11-14 are connected to the corresponding rotating shaft 40A via round holes 35-38 provided on the front side of the top plate 3. The flame control device 41 adjusts the flame of the middle burner 5 by rotating the operating knob 11. The flame control device 43 adjusts the flame of the small burner 7 by rotating the operating knob 13. The flame control device 44 adjusts the flame of the large burner 8 by rotating the operating knob 14.

[0029] The heat control device 41 includes a safety valve (not shown), a rotating shaft 40A, a needle valve (not shown), an igniter switch (not shown), and the like. The heat control device 41 has a gas flow path inside.

[0030] A safety valve is installed in the gas flow path. The safety valve is a magnetic safety valve and is elastically biased to a closed state that closes the gas flow path. When the safety valve is opened by a slider that is linked to the pushing operation of the operating knob 11, it is maintained in the open state by the electromotive force of the thermocouple 502. The thermocouple 502 generates an electromotive force when heated by the flame of the central burner 5. When the central burner 5 is extinguished, the electromotive force of the thermocouple 502 disappears, so the safety valve closes and the gas flow path is closed.

[0031] The rotating shaft 40A protrudes upward from the front side of the flame control device 41. An operating knob 11 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 40A. The rotating shaft 40A rotates together with the operating knob 11. The needle valve adjusts the flow area of ​​the gas flow path as the rotating shaft 40A rotates. The igniter switch turns the igniter (not shown) on and off in response to the pushing operation of the operating knob 11. An igniter electrode 501 is connected to the igniter.

[0032] Although not explained here, the other flame control devices 42-44 are equipped with a safety valve, a rotating shaft 40A, a needle valve, an igniter switch, etc., similar to flame control device 41.

[0033] The solenoid valve units 47 and 48 will now be described. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the solenoid valve unit 47 is fixed to the right rear of the flame control device 41 on the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. A gas supply pipe 411 is connected between the flame control device 41 and the solenoid valve unit 47. A gas supply pipe 421 is connected between the flame control device 42 and the solenoid valve unit 47. A gas supply pipe 412 is connected between the solenoid valve unit 47 and the burner body 5A. A gas supply pipe 422 is connected between the solenoid valve unit 47 and the burner body 6A.

[0034] The solenoid valve unit 47 includes a first flow path and a second flow path (not shown). Gas flowing in from the gas supply pipe 411 flows through the first flow path. The first flow path is equipped with a gas shut-off valve (not shown) and a heat output switching valve (not shown). These gas shut-off valve and heat output switching valve are connected to the controller. The gas that has flowed through the first flow path flows through the gas supply pipe 412 and flows into the burner body 5A. On the other hand, gas flowing in from the gas supply pipe 421 flows through the second flow path. The second flow path is equipped with a gas shut-off valve (not shown). The gas shut-off valve is connected to the controller. The gas that has flowed through the second flow path flows through the gas supply pipe 422 and flows into the burner body 6A.

[0035] The solenoid valve unit 48 is fixed to the right rear of the flame control device 43 on the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10. A gas supply pipe 431 is connected between the flame control device 43 and the solenoid valve unit 48. A gas supply pipe 441 is connected between the flame control device 44 and the solenoid valve unit 48. A gas supply pipe 432 is connected between the solenoid valve unit 48 and the burner body 7A. A gas supply pipe 442 is connected between the solenoid valve unit 48 and the burner body 8A. Note that the internal structure of the solenoid valve unit 48 is the same as that of the solenoid valve unit 47, so a description is omitted.

[0036] The infrared detection units U1 to U4 will now be described. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the infrared detection units U1 to U4 are fixed to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The infrared detection units U1 to U4 detect the temperature of the heated object W based on the infrared intensity emitted from the heated object W.

[0037] The infrared detection unit U1 is fixed to the front right side of the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The infrared detection unit U1 includes an infrared temperature sensor 51 and a bracket 61. The infrared temperature sensor 51 is mounted inside the bracket 61. The infrared temperature sensor 51 is attached to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10 by screwing the bracket 61 to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The bracket 61 is provided with a columnar fixing column 611 that extends in the vertical direction. The annular burner body 5A is fixed to the upper surface 612 (see Figure 10) of the fixing column 611. The specific structures of the infrared temperature sensor 51 and the bracket 61 will be described later.

[0038] The infrared detection unit U2 is fixed to the rear right side of the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. Like the infrared detection unit U1, the infrared detection unit U2 includes an infrared temperature sensor 52 and a bracket 62. The infrared temperature sensor 52 is mounted inside the bracket 62. The infrared temperature sensor 52 is attached to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10 by screwing the bracket 62 to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The bracket 62 is provided with a columnar fixing column 621 that extends in the vertical direction. The annular burner body 6A is fixed to the upper surface of the fixing column 621.

[0039] The infrared detection unit U3 is fixed to the front left portion of the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. Like the infrared detection unit U1, the infrared detection unit U3 also includes an infrared temperature sensor 53 and a bracket 63. The infrared temperature sensor 53 is mounted inside the bracket 63. The infrared temperature sensor 53 is attached to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10 by screwing the bracket 63 to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The bracket 63 is provided with a columnar fixing column 631 that extends in the vertical direction. The annular burner body 7A is fixed to the upper surface of the fixing column 631.

[0040] The infrared detection unit U4 is fixed to the rear left side of the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. Like the infrared detection unit U1, the infrared detection unit U4 also includes an infrared temperature sensor 54 and a bracket 64. The infrared temperature sensor 54 is mounted inside the bracket 64. The infrared temperature sensor 54 is attached to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10 by screwing the bracket 64 to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10. The bracket 64 is provided with a columnar fixing column 641 that extends in the vertical direction. The annular burner body 8A is screwed to the upper surface of the fixing column 641.

[0041] Referring to Figure 8, the specific shape of the middle base plate 10 will be described. The middle base plate 10 is approximately rectangular in plan view. A contact piece 18 is provided at the front end of the middle base plate 10. The contact piece 18 is bent from the front end of the middle base plate 10 in a roughly L-shape in cross-section, with its tip protruding upward. Contact pieces 19A, 19B, and 19C are provided at the right end, left end, and rear end of the middle base plate 10. When the middle base plate 10 is installed in the middle position of the housing 2, the contact pieces 18 contact the inner surface of the front wall 23. Contact piece 19A contacts the inner surface of the right wall 21. Contact piece 19B contacts the inner surface of the left wall 22. Contact piece 19C contacts the inner surface of the back wall 24.

[0042] The inner base plate 10 is provided with four sensor openings 12 to 15. The sensor openings 12 to 15 are roughly rectangular in plan view. Sensor opening 12 is located on the front right side of the inner base plate 10. Sensor opening 13 is located on the rear right side of the inner base plate 10. Sensor opening 14 is located on the front left side of the inner base plate 10. Sensor opening 15 is located on the rear left side of the inner base plate 10.

[0043] In the middle base plate 10, a pair of fixing holes 201 and 202 are provided at positions that sandwich the sensor opening 12 from both the left and right sides. An engagement hole 301 is provided behind the right fixing hole 201, and an engagement hole 302 is provided in front of the left fixing hole 202. A pair of fixing holes 203 and 204 are provided at positions that sandwich the sensor opening 13 from both the left and right sides. An engagement hole 303 is provided behind the right fixing hole 203, and an engagement hole 304 is provided in front of the left fixing hole 204.

[0044] A pair of fixing holes 205 and 206 are provided at positions that sandwich the sensor opening 14 from both the left and right sides. An engagement hole 305 is provided behind the right fixing hole 205, and an engagement hole 306 is provided behind the left fixing hole 206. A pair of fixing holes 207 and 208 are provided at positions that sandwich the sensor opening 15 from both the left and right sides. An engagement hole 307 is provided in front of the right fixing hole 207, and an engagement hole 308 is provided in front of the left fixing hole 204.

[0045] Referring to Figure 9, the structure of the infrared temperature sensor 51 will be described in detail. Since infrared temperature sensors 51 to 54 all have the same structure, in this embodiment only the structure of infrared temperature sensor 51 will be described. Also, in Figure 9, in order to explain the structure of infrared temperature sensor 51 in an easy-to-understand manner, the side where the opening 551 of the body 55 (described later) is provided is defined as the front, and the direction of the infrared temperature sensor 51 is defined accordingly.

[0046] The infrared temperature sensor 51 includes a body 55, a cover 56, a light-transmitting window 57, a first light-receiving element 58, a second light-receiving element 59, a circuit board 120, and the like.

[0047] The body 55 is formed in a box shape with an open top. A support portion 550 is provided at the bottom of the body 55. The support portion 550 supports the body 55 at an incline such that the front end of the body 55 is lower than the rear end. A rectangular opening 551 is provided on the front of the body 55. A lid portion 552 is inserted and fixed into the opening 551 from the front.

[0048] A fixing plate 95 is provided on the right side of the body 55. The fixing plate 95 protrudes to the right from the right side of the body 55. The fixing plate 95 is roughly rectangular in shape, elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. A fitting hole 951 and a fixing hole 952 are provided on the upper surface of the fixing plate 95. The fitting hole 951 is located at the front end of the fixing plate 95, and the fixing hole 952 is located behind the fitting hole 951. The fixing hole 952 penetrates the fixing plate 95 in the vertical direction. A screw 97 is inserted into the fixing hole 952 from below.

[0049] A fixing plate 96 is also provided on the left side of the body 55. The fixing plate 96 protrudes to the left from the left side of the body 55. The fixing plate 96 is also roughly rectangular in shape, elongated in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. A fitting hole 961 and a fixing hole 962 are provided on the upper surface of the fixing plate 96. The fitting hole 961 is located on the front end side of the fixing plate 96, and the fixing hole 962 is located behind the fitting hole 961. The fixing hole 962 penetrates the fixing plate 96 in the vertical direction. A screw 98 is inserted into the fixing hole 962 from below. These fixing plates 95 and 96 are positioned higher than the opening 551 and the cover portion 552 of the body 55.

[0050] The cover 56 is fixed to the opening upper surface of the body 55. The light-transmitting window 57 is provided in the center of the cover 56. The light-transmitting window 57 is formed in a roughly rectangular flat shape and transmits infrared rays.

[0051] The first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59 are housed in the front end of the body 55. The first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59 are, for example, photodiodes or thermopiles, and output an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the infrared light they receive. The electrical signal is a voltage. The first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59 receive infrared light that is emitted from the bottom region of the heated object W (see Figure 15) placed on the trivet 4 and passes through the opening 312 and the light-transmitting window 57.

[0052] The circuit board 120 is housed inside the lid 552. The circuit board 120 performs drive control of the first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59, electrical signal processing, calculation processing, judgment processing, etc. The circuit board 120 is electrically connected to the controller.

[0053] As described above, the infrared temperature sensor 51 is fixed to the upper surface of the middle bottom plate 10 inside the housing 2 via a bracket 61 (see Figures 13 and 14). As shown in Figure 9, the light-transmitting window 57 is positioned in an area away from the vertically downward region of the opening 312 of the top plate 3. Furthermore, the light-transmitting window 57 is positioned at an angle such that the normal vector N passing through the center of the light-transmitting window 57 is directed toward the opening 312. This prevents foreign matter such as spilled broth or solids from falling directly onto the light-transmitting window 57 even if it enters the housing 2 through the opening 312. Even if broth or other liquids splash and adhere to the light-transmitting window 57, they will naturally drip down along its inclined surface, preventing them from solidifying and remaining on the surface of the light-transmitting window 57.

[0054] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the structure of bracket 61 will be explained in detail. Since brackets 61 to 64 have similar structures, in this embodiment only the structure of bracket 61 will be explained. Furthermore, for the sake of explanation, the definition of the direction of bracket 61 shown in Figures 10 and 11 will be aligned with the definition of the direction of the infrared temperature sensor 51 attached to bracket 61 (see Figure 9). Therefore, the definition of the direction of bracket 61 shown in Figures 10 and 11 does not coincide with the definition of the direction of the gas stove 1 as defined in Figure 7, etc.

[0055] The bracket 61 comprises a frame 67, a flange 68, and a fixing column 611. The frame 67 is a frame that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The frame 67 has a predetermined height in the vertical direction. A cylindrical portion 670 is provided on the front surface of the frame 67. The cylindrical portion 670 is substantially cylindrical and extends in the vertical direction. An insertion hole 671 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 670.

[0056] The flange 68 protrudes substantially horizontally outward from the lower end of the frame 67. The flange 68 comprises a front portion 61A, a rear portion 61B, a right portion 61C, and a left portion 61D.

[0057] A fixing hole 681 (see Figure 11) is provided in the center of the front portion 61A in the left-right direction. The fixing hole 681 is located inside the insertion hole 671 of the cylindrical portion 670. A projection 687 is provided to the right of the fixing hole 681 in the front portion 61A, protruding downward. A fixing hole 682 is provided in the center of the rear portion 61B in the left-right direction. A projection 688 (see Figure 11) is provided to the left of the fixing hole 682 in the rear portion 61B, protruding downward.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, a protrusion 68A is provided in the center of the front-to-back direction of the lower surface of the right side portion 61C. The protrusion 68A is a roughly rectangular area that is long in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the bottom, and is formed as an upward recess. A projection 684 is provided on the front end side of the protrusion 68A, protruding downward. A fixing hole 683 is provided behind the projection 684 on the protrusion 68A.

[0059] A protrusion 68B is provided in the center of the front-to-back direction of the lower surface of the left side portion 61D. The protrusion 68B is also a roughly rectangular area that is long in the front-to-back direction when viewed from the bottom, and is formed as an upward recess. A projection 686 is provided protruding downward from the front end of the protrusion 68B. A fixing hole 685 is provided behind the projection 686 on the protrusion 68B.

[0060] The fixing column 611 is provided at the left front corner of the frame 67 and flange 68. The fixing column 611 is columnar and extends upward. As described above, the burner body 5A (see Figure 4) is fixed to the upper surface 612 of the fixing column 611.

[0061] Note that the bracket 62 shown in Figure 7 is the same part as the bracket 61 described above. In bracket 63, the positions of the fixing hole 682 and the projection 688 on the rear side portion 61B of the flange 68 shown in Figure 11 are reversed. In bracket 64, the positions of the fixing hole 681 and the projection 687 on the front side portion 61A of the flange 68 are reversed.

[0062] Referring to Figures 9 to 12, the method for attaching the infrared temperature sensor 51 to the bracket 61 will be explained. Insert the infrared temperature sensor 51 (see Figure 9) from below into the frame 67 of the bracket 61 shown in Figures 10 and 11. At this time, insert the infrared temperature sensor 51 so that the light-transmitting window 57 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 faces the front side of the frame 67 of the bracket 61 (see Figure 12).

[0063] Then, the right-side fixing plate 95 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 is engaged with the protrusion 68A (see Figure 11) provided on the lower surface of the right-side portion 61C of the flange 68 of the bracket 61 to position it. At this time, the projection 684 provided on the protrusion 68A is fitted into the fitting hole 951 of the fixing plate 95. Then, the fixing hole 683 of the protrusion 68A and the fixing hole 952 of the fixing plate 95 overlap, and the screw 97 is fastened from below.

[0064] On the other hand, similar to the right-side fixing plate 95, the left-side fixing plate 96 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 is positioned by engaging it with a protrusion 68B (see Figure 11) provided on the lower surface of the left-side portion 61D of the flange 68 of the bracket 61. At this time, the projection 686 provided on the protrusion 68B is fitted into the fitting hole 961 of the fixing plate 95. The fixing hole 685 of the protrusion 68B and the fixing hole 962 of the fixing plate 96 overlap, so the screw 98 is fastened from below. Note that the protrusions 68A and 68B protrude downwards to adjust the height of the infrared temperature sensor 51.

[0065] In this way, as shown in Figure 12, the infrared temperature sensor 51 is mounted on the bracket 61, and the infrared detection unit U1 is completed. In the infrared detection unit U1, the circuit board 120 provided inside the lid 552 is positioned below the flange 68 of the bracket 61.

[0066] Referring to Figures 8 and 12-14, the method for attaching the infrared detection unit U1 to the inner bottom plate 10 will be explained. The infrared detection unit U1 is attached to the inner bottom plate 10 which is mounted inside the housing 2. The infrared detection unit U1 is positioned from above into the sensor opening 12 (see Figure 8) provided on the right front part of the inner bottom plate 10.

[0067] At this point, the lower half of the infrared temperature sensor 51 is dropped into the sensor opening 12. Then, the projection 687 (see Figure 11) provided on the lower surface of the front part 61A of the flange 68 of the bracket 61 is inserted into the engagement hole 301 (see Figure 8) of the opposing inner base plate 10. Furthermore, the projection 688 provided on the lower surface of the rear part 61B of the flange 68 of the bracket 61 is inserted into the engagement hole 302 of the opposing inner base plate 10. As a result, the lower surface of the flange 68 comes into contact with the inner edge of the sensor opening 12.

[0068] In this state, the fixing hole 681 provided on the lower surface of the front portion 61A of the flange 68 of the bracket 61 overlaps with the fixing hole 201 of the inner base plate 10. The fixing hole 682 provided on the lower surface of the rear portion 61B of the flange 68 of the bracket 61 overlaps with the fixing hole 202 of the inner base plate 10.

[0069] Next, insert a screw 79 (see Figure 14) from above into the through-hole 671 of the cylindrical portion 670 of the bracket 61. Then, insert the tip of a screwdriver (not shown) into the through-hole 671. Using the screwdriver, fasten the screw 79 through the fixing hole 681 of the bracket 61 to the fixing hole 201 of the inner base plate 10.

[0070] On the other hand, using a screwdriver, screw 78 (see Figure 14) is fastened through fixing hole 682 of bracket 61 to fixing hole 202 of inner base plate 10. In this way, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, bracket 61 is fixed to the upper surface of inner base plate 10, and infrared detection unit U1 is fixed to the upper surface of inner base plate 10 via bracket 61.

[0071] As shown in Figure 6, when the infrared detection unit U1 is fixed to the upper surface of the middle base plate 10, the infrared temperature sensor 51 is supported across the upper space A1 and the lower space A2 via the middle base plate 10. The circuit board 120 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 is positioned below the middle base plate 10. In this way, the gas stove 1 places the various heat-generating burners 5-8 in the upper space A1 and the circuit board 120, which has low heat resistance, in the lower space A2. Therefore, the gas stove 1 can protect the circuit board 120 from heat when the various burners 5-8 are in use.

[0072] Referring to Figures 9, 15, and 16, the temperature measurement process using the infrared temperature sensor 51 in the gas stove 1 will be explained. For example, when the middle burner 5 is ignited using the control knob 11 in the gas stove 1, the first light-receiving element 58, the second light-receiving element 59, and the circuit board 120 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 are driven in conjunction with or at an appropriate time thereafter.

[0073] As shown in Figure 15, the object to be heated W is placed on the trivet 4, directly above the central burner 5. Infrared radiation R1 is emitted from the bottom region W1 (see Figure 16) of the object to be heated W. The infrared radiation R1 passes through the opening 312 and the light-transmitting window 57 and is incident on the first light-receiving element 58. On the other hand, infrared radiation R2 is emitted from the bottom region W2 (see Figure 16) of the object to be heated W. The infrared radiation R2 also passes through the opening 312 and the light-transmitting window 57 and is incident on the second light-receiving element 59.

[0074] The first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59 output detection signals according to the intensity of infrared rays R1 and R2 emitted from the heated object W. The circuit board 120 receives the detection signals from the first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59, respectively. The circuit board 120 calculates the temperature of the heated object W based on the two detection signals from the first light-receiving element 58 and the second light-receiving element 59. The circuit board 120 transmits the calculated temperature information of the heated object W to the controller. The controller monitors the heating state of the heated object W by continuing this temperature measurement process while the gas stove 1 is in operation.

[0075] In the above description, brackets 61 to 64 are examples of the "sensor mounting parts" of the present invention. The body 55, cover 56, and lid 552 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 are examples of the "sensor housing" of the present invention. The fixing plates 95 and 96 provided on the body 55 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 are examples of the "housing-side mounting parts" of the present invention.

[0076] As described above, the gas stove 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 2, various burners 5 to 8, and a top plate 3. The various burners 5 to 8 are supported within the housing 2. The top plate 3 is fixed to the upper part of the housing 2. The top plate 3 has an insertion hole 311. The insertion hole 311 exposes the middle burner 5 to the outside. The gas stove 1 further comprises an infrared temperature sensor 51 and a middle bottom plate 10. The trivet 4 is installed around the insertion hole 311. The infrared temperature sensor 51 is housed within the housing 2. The infrared temperature sensor 51 measures the temperature of the bottom surface of the heated object W placed on the trivet 4 through an opening 312 provided in the top plate 3. The middle bottom plate 10 is provided between the bottom wall 25 of the housing 2 and the top plate 3. The middle bottom plate 10 divides the inside of the housing 2 into an upper space A1 and a lower space A2.

[0077] A sensor opening 12 is provided in the inner base plate 10. The sensor opening 12 penetrates the inner base plate 10 vertically, allowing the infrared temperature sensor 51 to be positioned across the upper space A1 and the lower space A2. A bracket 61 is attached to the infrared temperature sensor 51. The bracket 61 is attached to the inner base plate 10 with the infrared temperature sensor 51 positioned in the sensor opening 12.

[0078] The infrared temperature sensor 51 comprises a sensor housing and a circuit board 120. The sensor housing includes a body 55, a cover 56, and a lid 552. The circuit board 120 is located inside the lid 552 and controls the operation of the infrared temperature sensor 51.

[0079] In a gas stove 1 with this configuration, the middle burner 5 is positioned in the upper space A1. With the infrared temperature sensor 51 attached to the middle bottom plate 10 by a bracket 61, the circuit board 120 is positioned in the lower space A2. This allows the gas stove 1 to effectively protect the circuit board 120 from heat when using the various burners 5 to 8.

[0080] In the above embodiment, a heat output control device 41, a solenoid valve unit 47, and a gas supply pipe 421 are arranged in the upper space A1. The heat output control device 41 adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the middle burner 5 and adjusts the heat output of the middle burner 5. The solenoid valve unit 47 is provided downstream of the heat output control device 41 and adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the middle burner 5 by a solenoid valve. The gas supply pipe 421 supplies the gas flowing from the solenoid valve unit 47 to the middle burner 5.

[0081] If the circuit board 120 were placed in the upper space A1, the heat emitted by the circuit board 120 would further increase the temperature of the upper space A1, potentially causing the temperature of components such as the heat control device 41 to rise even more. In this embodiment, since the circuit board 120 is placed in the lower space A2, the gas stove 1 can make it difficult for the heat emitted by the circuit board 120 of the infrared temperature sensor 51, which is located in the lower space A2, to be transmitted to the upper space A1. Therefore, the temperature rise of the heat control device 41, solenoid valve unit 47, and gas supply pipe 421, which are located in the upper space A1, can be suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, in the case of a gas stove that uses the same top plate, heat control device, solenoid valve unit, and gas supply pipe as in the above embodiment, but does not have an infrared temperature sensor 51, the lower space A2 is unnecessary, so the gas stove casing can be made more compact. In addition, by attaching a middle bottom plate 10 to which the heat control device, solenoid valve unit, and gas supply pipe are mounted, it is possible to standardize parts between the casing 2 of the gas stove 1 of the above embodiment that has an infrared temperature sensor 51 and the casing of a gas stove that does not have an infrared temperature sensor 51.

[0083] In the above embodiment, fixing plates 95 and 96, which are attached to the bracket 61, are provided on both the left and right sides of the body 55 of the infrared temperature sensor 51. With the infrared temperature sensor 51 attached to the bracket 61, the circuit board 120 is positioned below the fixing plates 95 and 96. As a result, when the infrared temperature sensor 51 is attached to the bracket 61, the infrared temperature sensor 51 is positioned across the upper space A1 and the lower space A2 in the sensor opening 12, and the circuit board 120 can be positioned in the lower space A2.

[0084] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The gas stove 1 in the above embodiments is a built-in stove, but it may also be a tabletop stove.

[0085] The gas stove 1 is equipped with operating knobs 11 to 14, but these may be replaced with, for example, buttons that can be pressed. Also, the respective rotation shafts 40A of the operating knobs 11 to 14 protrude upward, but the direction of protrusion is not limited to this; for example, they may protrude approximately horizontally towards the front.

[0086] The internal structure of the infrared temperature sensors 51-54 is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the number of light-receiving elements mounted inside may be one or three or more.

[0087] Four burners are provided on top plate 3, but the number of burners can be freely changed. The size and arrangement of the burners can also be freely changed.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the infrared temperature sensor 51 is positioned within the sensor opening 12 by attaching a bracket 61 to the infrared temperature sensor 51 and fixing the bracket 61 to the upper surface of the inner base plate 10. For example, the infrared temperature sensor 51 may be directly attached to the inner base plate 10. In that case, the fixing plates 95 and 96 of the infrared temperature sensor 51 should be fixed to the inner base plate 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1. Gas stove 2 cabinets 3 Top plate 4 Trivet 5 medium burner 10 Insole plate 12 Sensor aperture 25 Bottom wall 41 Firepower adjustment device 47 Solenoid valve unit 51 Infrared temperature sensor 55 Body 56 Cover 60 Middle sole plate 61 Bracket 95,96 Fixed plate 120 Circuit Boards 311 Through hole 312 Opening 412 Gas supply pipe 552 cover A1 Upper Space A2 lower space W is the heated body

Claims

1. A stove comprising a housing, a burner supported within the housing, and a top plate fixed to the upper part of the housing and having an insertion hole for exposing the burner, An infrared temperature sensor housed within the aforementioned enclosure measures the temperature of the bottom surface of the object to be heated, which is placed on a trivet installed around the insertion hole, through an opening provided in the top plate. A middle bottom plate is provided between the bottom wall of the enclosure and the top plate, and divides the inside of the enclosure into an upper space and a lower space. Equipped with, The aforementioned middle bottom plate has, A sensor opening that penetrates vertically and allows the infrared temperature sensor to be positioned across the upper and lower spaces, A sensor mounting portion is attached to the middle bottom plate with the infrared temperature sensor positioned in the sensor opening. A system was established, The aforementioned infrared temperature sensor is Sensor housing and A circuit board provided inside the sensor housing for controlling the operation of the infrared temperature sensor Equipped with, The burner is arranged in the upper space. With the infrared temperature sensor attached to the sensor mounting portion, the circuit board is positioned in the space below. A stove characterized by the following features.

2. In the aforementioned upper space, A flame control device that adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the burner and adjusts the flame of the burner, A solenoid valve unit is provided downstream of the aforementioned heat control device and adjusts the amount of gas supplied to the burner by means of a solenoid valve, A gas supply pipe that supplies the gas flowing from the solenoid valve unit to the burner, The fact that it was placed A stove according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The sensor housing is provided with a housing-side mounting portion that is attached to the mounting portion for the sensor through the insertion hole. When the housing-side mounting portion is attached to the sensor mounting portion, the circuit board is positioned below the housing-side mounting portion. A stove according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

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