Heating Regulator

Abstract

It accurately detects the presence of two food items being cooked in the heating chamber that have different temperatures. [Solution] The heating cooker of the embodiment comprises a heating chamber for containing food to be cooked, microwave heating means for microwave heating of the food to be cooked, control means for controlling the microwave heating means, and non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature of multiple regions on the bottom side of the heating chamber. The control means includes a discrimination unit that, at the start of heating of the food to be cooked, identifies region A among the multiple regions that is below a predetermined temperature, determines whether a predetermined end region on either the left or right side of the multiple regions, as viewed from the open part of the heating chamber, includes region A, determines whether the right side region and the left side region, as viewed from the open part of the heating chamber, each include region A, determines whether the difference between the lowest temperature of the right side region and the lowest temperature of the left side region is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference threshold, and determines whether two food items with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber based on these determination results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a cooking appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in general households, workplaces, etc., many cooking appliances (such as oven ranges and microwave ovens) that heat the food (edible) placed in a heating chamber (cooking chamber) by range heating have been used. Range heating refers to heating by vibrating the water molecules contained in food with microwaves. The food placed in the heating chamber is not necessarily one, and there may be two or more.

[0003] For example, when there are two foods, if the temperature difference before heating between the two foods is not large, it is unlikely that the problem of the temperature difference becoming large between the two foods after heating will occur, similar to the case when there is one food. However, if the temperature difference before heating between the two foods is large, when heating in the same way as when there is one food, for example, even though the food with the higher original temperature has reached a sufficiently high temperature, the food with the lower original temperature is still cold, and such problems are likely to occur.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] If it is possible to detect that there are two foods with a temperature difference in the heating chamber, the above-mentioned problem can be avoided by making the heating intensity for each of the two foods different. However, in the prior art, it has not been possible to accurately detect that there are two foods with a temperature difference in the heating chamber.

[0006] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object is to provide a cooking appliance that can detect with high accuracy the presence of two food items with different temperatures in the heating chamber. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The heating appliance of the embodiment includes a heating chamber for containing food to be cooked, microwave heating means for microwave heating the food to be cooked, control means for controlling the microwave heating means, and non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature of a plurality of regions on the bottom side of the heating chamber. The control means includes a determination unit that, at the start of heating of the food to be cooked, determines which of the plurality of regions is below a predetermined temperature (region A), a first determination unit that determines whether a predetermined end region on either the left or right side of the plurality of regions, as viewed from the open portion of the heating chamber, includes region A, a second determination unit that determines whether the right and left regions, as viewed from the open portion of the heating chamber, each include region A, a third determination unit that determines whether the difference between the lowest temperature of the right region and the lowest temperature of the left region is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference threshold, and a fourth determination unit that determines whether two food items with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber based on the determination results of the first determination unit, the second determination unit, and the third determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the presence of two food items being cooked with different temperatures in the heating chamber can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the oven range according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a view of the oven range from the front when the door is open. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the oven range, seen from the side. [Figure 4]Figure 4 shows the oven range as viewed from the front with the cabinet and oven rear panel removed. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the microwave generator and its surrounding components, seen from the side of a microwave oven. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the oven range. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main parts of a microwave oven, specifically the food temperature detection means and its surrounding area. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the detection element of the first sensor in the microwave oven, viewed from the front. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the detection element of the second sensor in the microwave oven, viewed from the front. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the oven range and the field of view of the first sensor. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the main electrical components of a microwave oven. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the bottom surface of the oven and multiple temperature sensing areas. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows examples of detected temperatures for multiple areas on the bottom surface of a microwave oven, presented in three temperature ranges. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the process in a microwave oven. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the heating appliance of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Common reference numerals are used throughout all drawings to indicate common parts (components).

[0011] Figures 1 to 11 show the configuration of an embodiment when the cooking appliance of the present invention is realized as an oven range. First, based on Figures 1 to 6, the overall configuration of the oven range will be described. The main body 1 configured in a substantially rectangular box shape includes a metal cabinet 2 as a member that covers the outer contour of the oven range as a product. The oven range also includes a door 3 that can be opened and closed provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

[0012] At the upper part of the door 3, a handle 4 for opening and closing operations is provided to be used when opening and closing the vertically opening door 3. Next to the door 3, an operation panel unit 5 for display, notification, and operation is provided. The operation panel unit 5 includes display means 6 for displaying the set contents and progress status of cooking, etc.

[0013] In addition, the operation panel unit 5 includes operation means 7 that enables various operation inputs related to cooking. The operation means 7 is, for example, keys, buttons, or a touch panel provided on the surface of the display means 6. Although not shown, an operation panel PC (Printed Circuit) is arranged behind the operation panel unit 5 inside the door 3 to control the display means 6, operation means 7, etc.

[0014] At the lower part of the main body 1, a water supply cassette 8 and a water receiver 9 that can be detached from the front surface of the main body 1 are respectively arranged. The water supply cassette 8 is a bottomed container that contains water as a liquid and serves as a supply source for the mist ejected from a mist supply device 43 described later. The water receiver 9 is a bottomed container that receives food scraps, water droplets, steam, etc. from the main body 1.

[0015] The cabinet 2 that forms the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface of the main body 1 is provided between the oven front plate 12 that forms the front surface of the main body 1 and the oven rear plate 13 that forms the rear surface of the main body 1 so as to cover the oven bottom plate 11 that forms the bottom surface of the main body 1 and thus the bottom surface of the oven range. Further, in the main body 1, there are provided a cooking chamber 14 (heating chamber for accommodating the object to be cooked) for accommodating the object to be cooked S to be heat-cooked therein, and a thermistor 15 which is a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the cooking chamber 14. The front surface of the cooking chamber 14 reaches the oven front plate 12 and is open for taking in and out the object to be cooked S, and this opening is configured to be opened and closed by a door 3. Further, the thermistor 15 which is the means for detecting the temperature inside the cabinet is disposed near the door 3 inside the cooking chamber 14.

[0016] The peripheral wall that forms the inner surface of the cooking chamber 14 consists of a ceiling wall 14a, a bottom wall 14b, a left side wall 14c, a right side wall 14d, and a rear wall 14e. The rear wall 14e of the cooking chamber 14 has a suction port 16 at its center, and a plurality of blowout ports 17 are provided around the suction port 16. Further, facing the dome-shaped ceiling wall 14a which is the upper wall surface of the cooking chamber 14, an upper heater 18 for grilling is provided at the upper part of the main body 1 to radiatively heat the object to be cooked S from above the cooking chamber 14. At the bottom of the main body 1, a microwave generator 19 (microwave heating means for range-heating the object to be cooked) including a magnetron is provided to supply microwaves which are radio waves into the cooking chamber 14. Thus, the object to be cooked S accommodated in the cooking chamber 14 is grill-heated from above by the heat radiation accompanying the energization of the upper heater 18, and microwaves are radiated to the object to be cooked S accommodated in the cooking chamber 14 by the energization operation of the microwave generator 19 to range-heat the object to be cooked S.

[0017] The left wall 14c and right wall 14d of the cooking chamber 14 are provided with a pair of shelf supports 22, arranged in two tiers, to suspend and store a metal rectangular plate 21 inside the cooking chamber 14. The rectangular plate 21 used here consists of a housing portion 21A that is bottomed and concave with an open top surface and otherwise non-perforated, and a flange portion 21B that extends horizontally outward from the upper end of the housing portion 21A. The flange portion 21B also has a ventilation hole 21C that allows hot air to circulate through the rectangular plate 21. Figure 2 shows the state in which the flange portion 21B of the rectangular plate 21 is placed on the lower shelf support 22 inside the cooking chamber 14, and the food to be cooked S is placed on the housing portion 21A, but it is not limited to this. For example, depending on the cooking, the rectangular plate 21 may be placed only on the upper shelf support 22, or two rectangular plates 21 may be placed on the upper and lower shelf supports 22 respectively. Alternatively, another accessory, such as a grilling rack (not shown), may be used instead of the rectangular tray 21. Furthermore, in microwave heating using the microwave generator 19 described above, the food to be cooked S can be heated inside the cooking chamber 14 in a microwave-safe container (not shown) without placing the rectangular tray 21 or grilling rack inside the cooking chamber 14.

[0018] The oven range includes a hot air unit 24 for oven heating, located inside the main body 1, extending from the rear outside the cooking chamber 14 downwards. The hot air unit 24, as a means of heating the food to be cooked S, is generally composed of a convex casing 26 attached to the back wall 14e, a hot air heater 27 for heating air, a hot air fan 28 for sending and circulating heated air into the cooking chamber 14, an electric hot air motor 29 for rotating the hot air fan 28 in a predetermined direction, and a transmission mechanism 30 for transmitting the driving force from the hot air motor 29 to the hot air fan 28. The heating chamber 31, formed in the internal space between the back wall 14e and the casing 26, located at the rear outside the cooking chamber 14, houses the hot air heater 27 and the hot air fan 28, respectively. On the other hand, the hot air motor 29 is located in the lower space 32 between the cooking chamber 14 and the oven bottom plate 11, which is formed inside the main body 1. Then, the oven rear plate 13 is positioned at the rear of the main body 1 so as to cover the entire hot air unit 24 from the rear outside.

[0019] The hot air fan 28 in this embodiment is a so-called centrifugal fan that takes in air axially and expels it radially perpendicular to the axial direction by centrifugal force during rotation, and the tubular hot air heater 27 is arranged to surround the hot air fan 28 in the radial direction. The hot air heater 27, which is also the heat-generating part, can be a sheathed heater, mica heater, quartz tube heater, halogen heater, or the like. The aforementioned intake port 16 and hot air outlet port 17 function as ventilation sections that connect the cooking chamber 14 and the heating chamber 31.

[0020] In this embodiment, when the hot air motor 29 is energized, the hot air fan 28 rotates, and air drawn in from inside the cooking chamber 14 through the intake port 16 is blown out radially by the hot air fan 28, heated by the energized hot air heater 27, and the hot air passes through the outlet port 17 and is supplied into the cooking chamber 14. This creates a path for circulating hot air inside and outside the cooking chamber 14, and the food to be cooked S inside the cooking chamber 14 is heated by hot air convection.

[0021] Next, the microwave generator 19, which serves as a microwave heating means for heating the food to be cooked S, and the detailed structure of its surroundings will be described. The bottom wall 14b of the cooking chamber 14 is constructed by covering the upper opening of a concave antenna housing 35 formed in a metal plate 34 with a microwave-permeable bottom plate 36, such as a ceramic plate. The microwave-impermeable metal plate 34 integrally forms not only the periphery of the bottom wall 14b, but also the left wall 14c, the right wall 14d, and the back wall 14e. The inner surface of the cooking chamber 14, excluding the bottom plate 36, is entirely made of a microwave-impermeable material.

[0022] The microwave generator 19 mainly consists of a magnetron (not shown) which is a source of microwaves, a waveguide 37 in the lower space 32 inside the main body 1 that guides the microwaves oscillated by the magnetron to directly below the antenna housing 35, an antenna motor 38 disposed below the waveguide 37, an antenna holder 39 whose lower end is located inside the waveguide 37 and is attached and fixed to the rotation axis of the antenna motor 38, a cylindrical cable shaft 40 inserted and fixed inside the antenna holder 39, and an antenna 41 to which the upper end of the cable shaft 40 is attached and fixed to the center and which is rotatably provided inside the antenna housing 35. When the top opening of the antenna housing 35 is closed with the bottom plate 36, the entire antenna 41 is positioned parallel to the bottom plate 36, facing the flat bottom plate 36 that forms the bottom wall 14b of the cooking chamber 14.

[0023] The mist supply device 43, which sends mist into the cooking room 14, includes, in addition to the water supply cassette 8 mentioned above, a nozzle 45 that atomizes the supplied liquid water into a mist, a water supply pipe 46 connected between the water supply cassette 8 and the nozzle 45, a water supply pump 47 that guides the water from the water supply cassette 8 to the nozzle 45, and a plurality of mist ejection holes 44 that communicate with the inside of the nozzle 45. As a result, while the mist supply device 43 is in operation, the water from the water supply cassette 8 is sent to the nozzle 45 by the water supply pump 47, the water supplied by the nozzle 45 is atomized, and the mist is supplied into the inside of the cooking room 14 through the mist ejection holes 44. At this time, if the temperature inside the cooking chamber 14 is higher than 100°C at atmospheric pressure (hereinafter, temperature values ​​will be the temperature values ​​in Celsius at atmospheric pressure), this mist instantly vaporizes inside the cooking chamber 14 to become superheated steam, thereby quickly and evenly heating the food to be cooked S placed inside the cooking chamber 14 with an appropriate amount of water molecules (superheated steam).

[0024] Figure 7 shows the cooking temperature detection means and its surrounding components. As shown in Figure 7, a first sensor 55 and a sensor motor 56 are positioned between the cooking chamber 14 and the main body 1, facing outwards from the raised member 52 including the window 53, while a second sensor 58 is positioned facing the window 54. The sensor motor 56 and the second sensor 58 are mounted and fixed inside the main body 1, while the first sensor 55 is attached to the rotatable rotating shaft 59 of the sensor motor 56.

[0025] The sensor motor 56, which is the drive device for the first sensor 55, is composed of a stepping motor or the like and has a rotating shaft 59 that swings the first sensor 55 back and forth inside the main body 1. The first sensor 55 mainly consists of a hollow sensor case 61 attached and fixed to the rotating shaft 59, a sensor substrate 62 housed inside the sensor case 61, a plurality (for example, 16) infrared detection elements 63 mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 62, and a lens 64 attached and fixed to the sensor case 61 facing the infrared detection elements 63.

[0026] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, multiple infrared detection elements 63 (non-contact temperature detection means that detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber without contact) are arranged in a straight line along the vertical direction of the cooking chamber 14. In this embodiment, when the sensor motor 56 receives a motor drive signal from the control means 71 (see Figure 11), which will be described later, and rotates its rotation axis 59 back and forth by a predetermined angle in the forward and reverse directions, the first sensor 55 swings, and the field of view of the multiple infrared detection elements 63 that reach the bottom wall 14b of the cooking chamber 14 (hereinafter also referred to as "multiple areas") swings repeatedly in a fan shape around each infrared detection element 63. In other words, as an example, the non-contact temperature detection means is a 16-eye sensor in a 1x16 arrangement (Figure 8), and the control means 71 swings the 16-eye sensor back and forth. The 16-eye sensor then detects the temperature of 16 points (CH1 to CH16) in multiple regions: a first predetermined number of points (8 in the example of Figure 13) on the forward path (each with an angle: Ang), and a second predetermined number of points (8 in the example of Figure 13) on the return path (each with an angle: Ang).

[0027] Here, Figure 12 schematically represents the bottom surface of the oven and multiple temperature sensing areas. Figure 13 shows examples of the sensing temperatures for each of the multiple areas on the bottom surface of the oven in three temperature ranges.

[0028] The number of regions is, for example, 256, which is obtained by multiplying the 16 field-of-view areas (CH1 to CH16) corresponding to the 16 infrared detection elements 63 by the 16 angles resulting from the oscillation of the first sensor 55 (angles Ang0 to 7 on the forward path, and angles Ang8 to 15 on the return path). Note that for the field-of-view area of ​​a single infrared detection element 63, the region at the last angle Ang7 on the forward path and the region at the first angle Ang8 on the return path do not coincide. Therefore, as shown in Figure 13, the detection temperature examples for each of the multiple regions are not symmetrical with respect to angles Ang7 and Ang8, but are almost symmetrical with respect to angles Ang8 and Ang9.

[0029] In the 256 region of Figure 13, the white areas indicate a detected temperature of 11°C or higher. The gray areas indicate a detected temperature of 0°C to 10°C. The black areas indicate a detected temperature of -1°C or lower.

[0030] Furthermore, in the following, assuming that the bottom of the page in Figure 12 is the position of the oven door 3, and using the left-right direction in Figure 12 as a reference, in Figure 13, CH1 to CH10 will be referred to as the right-side region R1, and CH11 to CH16 as the left-side region R2. Note that the boundary between CH10 and CH11 is an example and is not limited to this.

[0031] In the example in Figure 13, it is assumed that refrigerated goods are placed in the right-hand region R1, and that the minimum temperature is, for example, 5°C. It is also assumed that frozen goods are placed in the left-hand region R2, and that the minimum temperature is, for example, -6°C.

[0032] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, the second sensor 58 mainly consists of a hollow sensor case 66 mounted and fixed inside the main body 1, a sensor substrate 67 housed inside the sensor case 66, a single infrared detection element 68 mounted on the surface of the sensor substrate 67, and a lens 69 mounted and fixed to the sensor case 66 facing the infrared detection element 68. The second sensor 58 is mounted and fixed inside the main body 1 such that the field of view of the infrared detection element 68 always reaches the center of the front, back, left, and right sides of the bottom wall 14b, through the window 54 from the center of the right side wall 14d in the vertical and front and back directions.

[0033] The first sensor 55 and the second sensor 58 are both infrared sensors and constitute the food temperature detection means 65 of this embodiment. The food temperature detection means 65 here detects the temperature distribution throughout the cooking chamber 14 using the swinging first sensor 55 and the fixed second sensor 58, and detects the temperature of the bottom surface and the surface temperature of the food S in a short time from the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the bottom surface and the food S.

[0034] Figure 11 illustrates the main electrical configuration of the oven range of this embodiment. In the figure, 71 is a control means configured by a microcomputer, and as is well known, this control means 71 includes a CPU as a calculation processing means, memory as a storage means, a timer as a timing means, and input / output devices.

[0035] In addition to the aforementioned key and touch panel operation means 7 and food temperature detection means 65, the input port of the control means 71 is electrically connected to the following: an internal temperature detection means 72 including a thermistor 15 for detecting the temperature inside the cooking chamber 14; a hot air motor rotation detection means 73 for detecting the rotation speed of the hot air fan 28; a door open / closed detection means 74 for detecting the open / closed state of the door 3; and an antenna position detection means 75 for detecting the origin position of the antenna constituting the microwave generator 19.

[0036] In addition to the display means 6 mentioned above, the output port of the control means 71 is electrically connected to the following: a microwave heating means 78 including a magnetron and its driving means; a heater driving means 79 such as relays for switching the power on and off to the upper heater 18 for grill heating, the hot air heater 27 for oven heating, and the evaporation heater for steam heating; an antenna driving means 80 for operating the antenna motor 38 that rotates the antenna 41 that radiates microwaves into the cooking chamber 14; a hot air motor driving means 81 for rotating the hot air motor 29; a sensor motor driving means 82 for rotating the sensor motor 56 in forward and reverse directions; and a pump driving means 83 for operating the water supply pump 47 of the mist supply device 43.

[0037] The control means 71 receives operation signals from the operation means 7 and detection signals from the food temperature detection means 65, the internal temperature detection means 72, the hot air motor rotation detection means 73, the door opening / closing detection means 74, and the antenna position detection means 75. Based on timing from the timing means, it outputs control signals for driving the microwave heating means 78, the antenna driving means 80, the heater driving means 79, the hot air motor driving means 81, the sensor motor driving means 82, and the pump driving means 83 at predetermined timings. It also outputs control signals for display to the display means 6. These functions are realized by the control means 71 reading a program recorded in the memory, which serves as a storage medium.

[0038] The control means 71 includes, as a functional configuration, an acquisition unit 91, a discrimination unit 92, a first determination unit 93, a second determination unit 94, a third determination unit 95, a fourth determination unit 96, a heating control unit 97, and a control unit 98.

[0039] The acquisition unit 91 acquires various signals (data) from each component, such as the operating means 7.

[0040] The discrimination unit 92, at the start of heating of the food to be cooked S, identifies region A among multiple regions (16 × 16 = 256 regions in Figure 13) that is below a predetermined temperature (for example, 10°C). Note that "at the start of heating" includes immediately before the start of heating, simultaneously with the start of heating, and immediately after the start of heating. In this embodiment, region A is identified during the first scan of the infrared sensor (16-eyed infrared detection element 63) after heating is instructed, but the timing of this identification is not limited to this. The discrimination unit 92 also identifies region B within region A where the temperature is lower than the temperature threshold (for example, 0°C) for determining whether the food is frozen.

[0041] The first determination unit 93 determines whether one of the predetermined end regions (the CH1 region in Figures 12 and 13) on either the left or right side, as viewed from the open portion of the cooking chamber 14, includes region A. As shown in Figure 12, the CH1 region is an end region of multiple regions, but on the bottom surface, it is located slightly towards the center from the end (dashed line). Therefore, when two items to be cooked S are placed in the cooking chamber 14, it is highly likely that one of the items to be cooked S will be placed on the CH1 region. The other end region, the CH16 region, is located, for example, at the end of the bottom surface and the wall rising from it. Even when two items to be cooked S are placed in the cooking chamber 14, it is unlikely that either item to be cooked S will be placed on the CH16 region, so it is not suitable as a "predetermined end region" used by the first determination unit 93.

[0042] The second determination unit 94 determines whether the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2, when viewed from the open portion of the cooking chamber 14, each contain region A. In the example in Figure 13, both the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2 contain region A.

[0043] The third determination unit 95 determines whether the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference threshold (for example, 10°C). In the example in Figure 13, the lowest temperature in the right region R1 is 5°C and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is -6°C, so the difference of 11°C is greater than or equal to the temperature difference threshold of 10°C.

[0044] The fourth determination unit 96 determines whether or not two food items S with a temperature difference are present in the cooking chamber 14, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit, and the third determination unit 95.

[0045] The following explains hypothetical examples 1 to 5.

[0046] (Assumed example 1) For example, consider the following scenario: The first determination unit 93 determines that the end region includes region A. The second determination unit 94 determines that both the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2 contain region A. The third determination unit 95 determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is greater than or equal to the temperature difference threshold. In that case, the fourth determination unit 96 determines, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95, that there are two cooked items S with different temperatures in the cooking chamber 14.

[0047] The heating control unit 97 controls the microwave generator 19 to perform heating control on the food to be cooked S. When the heating control unit 97 receives an operation signal associated with the operation of the operating means 7, and determines that the door 3 is closed based on the detection signal from the door opening / closing detection means 74, it sends control signals to the microwave heating means 78, antenna driving means 80, heater driving means 79, hot air motor driving means 81, sensor motor driving means 82, and pump driving means 83 in accordance with the operation signal to control various heating cooking methods for the food to be cooked S.

[0048] Furthermore, if the fourth determination unit 96 determines that two items to be cooked S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14, the heating control unit 97 performs two-item heating control to heat the two items with different temperatures.

[0049] When the heating control unit 97 performs two-item heating control, it controls the microwave generator 19 to increase the heating intensity in the area with the lower minimum temperature between the right-side area R1 and the left-side area R2. Specifically, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-3264, the heating intensity can be increased in the area with the lower minimum temperature between the right-side area R1 and the left-side area R2 by adjusting the orientation of an antenna that emits microwaves and has a disc-shaped antenna with a part of it cut out.

[0050] (Assumed example 2) Furthermore, consider the following scenario: The first determination unit 93 determines that the end region includes region A. The second determination unit 94 determines that both the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2 contain region A, and that only one of the right-side region R1 or the left-side region R2 contains region B. The third determination unit 95 determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is greater than or equal to the temperature difference threshold. In other words, this is the case shown in Figure 13. In this case, the fourth determination unit 96 determines, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95, that two items to be cooked S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14, and that a frozen item is present in the left region R2 of the right region R1 and the left region R2, which includes region B (the left region R2 in the example of Figure 13), and a refrigerated item is present in the other region (the right region R1 in the example of Figure 13).

[0051] (Assumed example 3) Furthermore, consider the following scenario: The first determination unit 93 determines that the end region includes region A. The second determination unit 94 determines that only one of the right-side region R1 or the left-side region R2 contains region A, and neither the right-side region R1 nor the left-side region R2 contains region B. The third determination unit 95 determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is greater than or equal to the temperature difference threshold. In that case, the fourth determination unit 96 determines, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95, that two items to be cooked S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14, and that of the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2, the one containing region A contains refrigerated items, while the other contains room-temperature items.

[0052] (Assumed example 4) Furthermore, consider the following scenario: The first determination unit 93 determines that the end region includes region A. The second determination unit 94 determines that both the right-side region R1 and the left-side region R2 contain region B. The third determination unit 95 determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is not equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold. In that case, the fourth determination unit 96, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95, determines that there are no two food items S with different temperatures in the cooking chamber 14, and that there are frozen items in both the right region R1 and the left region R2 (for example, one large frozen item or two or more small frozen items). The heating control unit 97 then performs frozen item heating control, which is the heating control for the frozen items.

[0053] (Assumed example 5) Furthermore, consider the following scenario: The first determination unit 93 determines that the end region includes region A. The second determination unit 94 determines that neither the right-side region R1 nor the left-side region R2 contains region B. The third determination unit 95 determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is not equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold. In that case, the fourth determination unit 96, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95, determines that there are no two food items S with different temperatures present in the cooking chamber 14, and that there are no frozen items in either the right-side area R1 or the left-side area R2 (there is at least one refrigerated or room-temperature item). The heating control unit 97 then performs non-frozen item heating control, which is heating control for non-frozen items (refrigerated or room-temperature items).

[0054] The control unit 98 performs various controls. For example, the control unit 98 controls the operation related to the display of the display means 6.

[0055] Next, we will explain the process in a microwave oven, referring to Figure 14. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the process in a microwave oven.

[0056] In step S1, the control unit 98 determines whether or not a heating start operation has been performed using the operating means 7. If Yes, the unit proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it returns to step S1.

[0057] In step S2, the discrimination unit 92, at the start of heating of the food to be cooked S, identifies region A (the gray and black regions in Figure 13) from among multiple regions (16 × 16 = 256 regions in Figure 13) that is below a predetermined temperature (for example, 10°C). In addition, the discrimination unit 92 also identifies region B (the black region in Figure 13) within region A that is lower in temperature than the temperature threshold (for example, 0°C) used to determine whether the food is frozen.

[0058] Next, in step S3, the first determination unit 93 determines whether a predetermined end region (the region of CH1 in Figures 12 and 13) includes region A.

[0059] Next, in step S4, the second determination unit 94 determines whether the right region R1 and the left region R2 each contain region A.

[0060] Next, in step S5, the third determination unit 95 determines whether the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region R1 and the lowest temperature in the left region R2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference threshold (for example, 10°C).

[0061] Next, in step S6, the fourth determination unit 96 determines whether or not two food items S with a temperature difference are present in the cooking chamber 14, based on the determination results from step S3, step S4, and step S5.

[0062] Next, in step S7, if there are two food items S with different temperatures in the cooking chamber 14 (Yes), proceed to step S11; otherwise, proceed to step S8.

[0063] In step S11, the fourth determination unit 96 determines whether or not there are frozen items in the cooking room 14. If the answer is yes, the unit proceeds to step S12; otherwise, the unit proceeds to step S13.

[0064] In step S12, the heating control unit 97 performs heating control for two items when frozen items are present.

[0065] In step S13, the heating control unit 97 performs heating control for two items when there are no frozen items.

[0066] In step S8, the fourth determination unit 96 determines whether or not there are frozen items in the cooking room 14. If the answer is yes, the unit proceeds to step S9; otherwise, the unit proceeds to step S10.

[0067] In step S9, the heating control unit 97 performs heating control of the frozen product.

[0068] In step S10, the heating control unit 97 performs heating control for non-frozen products.

[0069] Thus, according to the oven range of this embodiment, the fourth determination unit 96 can detect with high accuracy that there are two food items S with different temperatures in the cooking chamber 14, based on the determination results of the first determination unit 93, the second determination unit 94, and the third determination unit 95.

[0070] Then, if the fourth determination unit 96 determines that there are two items to be cooked S with different temperatures in the cooking chamber 14, the heating control unit 97 performs two-item heating control to heat the two items with different temperatures. This avoids the problem of a large temperature difference between the two items to be cooked S after heating.

[0071] Furthermore, in a scenario like the hypothetical example 1 described above, it can be determined that two food items S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14.

[0072] Furthermore, in a scenario like the hypothetical example 2 described above, it can be determined that two items to be cooked S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14, and that the frozen item is located in the right-hand region R1 and the left-hand region R2, specifically in the region containing region B, while the refrigerated item is located in the other region.

[0073] Furthermore, in a scenario like the above-mentioned hypothetical example 3, it can be determined that two items to be cooked S with different temperatures are present in the cooking chamber 14, and that refrigerated items are present in the right-hand region R1 and the left-hand region R2, specifically in the region containing region A, while room-temperature items are present in the other region.

[0074] Furthermore, in a scenario like the hypothetical example 4 described above, if it is determined that there are no two food items S with different temperatures present in the cooking chamber 14, and that there is at least one frozen item, then frozen item heating control, which is heating control for frozen items, can be implemented.

[0075] Furthermore, in a scenario like the hypothetical example 5 described above, if it is determined that there are no two food items S with different temperatures present in the cooking chamber 14, and that there is at least one non-frozen item (refrigerated or room-temperature item), then non-frozen item heating control, which is heating control for non-frozen items, can be implemented.

[0076] Furthermore, the program executed by the oven control means 71 of this embodiment can be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer device, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R (Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). Alternatively, the program may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0077] While embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications are permitted without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

[0078] For example, the number of infrared detection elements 63 (Figure 8) is not limited to 16, but may be any other number. Also, the number of multiple regions is not limited to 16 × 16 = 256 as shown in Figure 13, but may be any other number. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...Main unit, 2...Cabinet, 3...Door, 4...Handle, 5...Operation panel, 6...Display means, 7...Operation means, 71...Control means, 91...Acquisition unit, 92...Discrimination unit, 93...First judgment unit, 94...Second judgment unit, 95...Third judgment unit, 96...Fourth judgment unit, 97...Heating control unit, 98...Control unit

Claims

1. A heating chamber for containing the food to be cooked, A microwave heating means for heating the food to be cooked in a microwave oven, Control means for controlling the microwave heating means, The system includes a non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature of multiple regions on the bottom side of the heating chamber, The control means is A discrimination unit that, at the start of heating of the food to be cooked, determines which of the multiple regions A is below a predetermined temperature, A first determination unit that determines whether a predetermined end region on either the left or right side of a plurality of regions, as viewed from the open portion of the heating chamber, includes region A, A second determination unit that determines whether the right and left regions, when viewed from the open portion of the heating chamber, each include region A, A third determination unit that determines whether the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is greater than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference threshold, A cooking appliance comprising: a fourth determination unit that determines whether or not two food items with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber based on the determination result of the first determination unit, the determination result of the second determination unit, and the determination result of the third determination unit.

2. The first determination unit determines that the end region includes region A, The second determination unit determines that both the right-side region and the left-side region include region A, If the third determination unit determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold, The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fourth determination unit determines, based on the determination result of the first determination unit, the determination result of the second determination unit, and the determination result of the third determination unit, that two food items with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber.

3. The control means is The system further comprises a heating control unit that controls the microwave heating means and performs heating control for the food to be cooked, If the fourth determination unit determines that two food items with different temperatures are present in the heating chamber, The heating control unit performs two-item heating control for heating two items with a temperature difference, as described in claim 1.

4. The heating control unit, The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein when the two heating controls described above are implemented, the microwave heating means is controlled to increase the heating intensity in the area with the lower minimum temperature between the right and left regions.

5. The discrimination unit identifies region B within region A where the temperature is lower than the temperature threshold for determining whether the product is frozen. The first determination unit determines that the end region includes region A, The second determination unit determines that both the right region and the left region include region A, and that only one of the right region and the left region includes region B. If the third determination unit determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold, The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fourth determination unit determines, based on the determination result of the first determination unit, the determination result of the second determination unit, and the determination result of the third determination unit, that two items to be cooked with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber, and that a frozen product is present in the left of the right region and the left region that includes region B.

6. The discrimination unit identifies region B within region A where the temperature is lower than the temperature threshold for determining whether the product is frozen. The first determination unit determines that the end region includes region A, The second determination unit determines that only one of the right-side region and the left-side region includes region A, and neither the right-side region nor the left-side region includes region B. If the third determination unit determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold, The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fourth determination unit determines, based on the determination result of the first determination unit, the determination result of the second determination unit, and the determination result of the third determination unit, that two items to be cooked with a temperature difference are present in the heating chamber, and that a refrigerated item is present in the right region and the left region that includes region A.

7. The discrimination unit identifies region B within region A where the temperature is lower than the temperature threshold for determining whether the product is frozen. The first determination unit determines that the end region includes region A, The second determination unit determines that both the right-side region and the left-side region include region B, If the third determination unit determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is not equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold, The fourth determination unit, based on the determination results of the first determination unit, the determination results of the second determination unit, and the determination results of the third determination unit, determines that there are no two food items with different temperatures in the heating chamber, and that frozen food items are present in both the right and left regions. The control means is The system further comprises a heating control unit that controls the microwave heating means and performs heating control for the food to be cooked, The heating control unit performs frozen product heating control, which is heating control for frozen products, according to claim 1.

8. The discrimination unit identifies region B within region A where the temperature is lower than the temperature threshold for determining whether the product is frozen. The first determination unit determines that the end region includes region A, The second determination unit determines that neither the right-side region nor the left-side region includes region B, If the third determination unit determines that the difference between the lowest temperature in the right region and the lowest temperature in the left region is not equal to or greater than the temperature difference threshold, The fourth determination unit, based on the determination results of the first determination unit, the determination results of the second determination unit, and the determination results of the third determination unit, determines that there are no two food items with different temperatures in the heating chamber, and also determines that there are no frozen food items in either the right-side region or the left-side region. The control means is The system further comprises a heating control unit that controls the microwave heating means and performs heating control for the food to be cooked, The heating control unit performs non-frozen product heating control, which is heating control for non-frozen products, according to claim 1.

9. The non-contact temperature detection means is a 16-eye sensor with 1 row and 16 columns, The control means causes the 16-eye sensor to swing back and forth, The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein the 16-eye sensor detects 16 temperatures each at a predetermined number of points in the forward path and a predetermined number of points in the second path, representing the temperature of a plurality of regions.

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