Heating Regulator

Abstract

In cooking appliances, this reduces the possibility of uneven heating when dealing with small quantities of frozen food, and the possibility of incomplete thawing when dealing with large quantities of frozen food. [Solution] The heating cooker of the embodiment includes a heating chamber, a microwave heating means for microwave heating of the food to be cooked, a control means for controlling the microwave heating means to heat and defrost the food to be cooked, and a non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature in a predetermined area on the bottom side of the heating chamber. The control means performs a first step of heating with a first output for a first time, and a second step of heating with a second output lower than the first output. In the second step, the process ends when the detected temperature of the food to be cooked meets a predetermined condition or when a second time has elapsed. If the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than a total elapsed time threshold, an additional third step is performed, in which the food is heated with a third output lower than the second output for a third time.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in ordinary households, workplaces, etc., many cooking appliances (such as oven ranges and microwave ovens) that heat the food to be cooked (food and drink) placed in a heating chamber (cooking chamber) by range heating are used. Range heating refers to heating by vibrating the water molecules contained in food with microwaves.

[0003] In addition, such cooking appliances often have a defrosting function for frozen foods in addition to the normal heating function. In the case of the defrosting function, in order to suppress uneven heating and maintain the quality of frozen foods, for example, the frozen foods are slowly defrosted from the center with low-power microwaves. Therefore, since it takes time, it is preferable to be able to shorten the time while suppressing uneven heating.

[0004] Therefore, for example, in a conventional cooking appliance, when heating and defrosting the food to be cooked placed in the cooking chamber, there is one that reduces the minimum value of the range output to 300 W (watts) and shortens the shortest time of the range output cycle to 10 seconds. As a result, within the range where the oscillation of the microwave generator does not stop, fine adjustment of the range output becomes possible, and it becomes possible to defrost the food to be cooked in a preferable state in a shorter time than before.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [[ID=,30]]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the conventional technology described above had problems such as uneven heating (localized overcooking, etc.) with small-volume frozen products, and incomplete thawing (remaining unthawed portions) with large-volume frozen products, resulting in unsatisfactory thawing.

[0007] Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above circumstances, and the objective is to provide a cooking appliance that can reduce the possibility of uneven heating in the case of small-volume frozen products and reduce the possibility of incomplete thawing in the case of large-volume frozen products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The heating cooker of the embodiment includes a heating chamber for containing food to be cooked, a microwave heating means for microwave heating the food to be cooked using microwave output, a control means for controlling the microwave heating means to heat and defrost the food to be cooked, and a non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature in a predetermined area on the bottom side of the heating chamber. The control means controls the microwave heating means to perform a first step of heating at a first output for a first time, and a second step of heating at a second output lower than the first output. In the second step, the control means terminates when the detected temperature of the food to be cooked satisfies a predetermined condition or when a second time has elapsed, and if the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than a total elapsed time threshold, it additionally performs a third step of heating at a third output lower than the second output for a third time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the heating appliance of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility of uneven heating when dealing with small-volume frozen products, and to reduce the possibility of incomplete thawing when dealing with large-volume frozen products. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [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 two temperature ranges. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows an example of the first display screen. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an example of a second display screen. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the process in a microwave oven. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cooking heater of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In all the drawings, common parts (configurations) are denoted by common reference numerals.

[0012] Figs. 1 to 11 show the configuration of an embodiment when the cooking heater of the present invention is realized as a range oven. First, based on Figs. 1 to 6, the overall configuration of the range oven 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 shell of the range oven as a product. Further, the range oven includes a door 3 that can be opened and closed provided on the front surface of the main body 1.

[0013] At the upper part of the door 3, a handle 4 for opening and closing operations is provided to be grasped 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 of cooking and the like.

[0014] Further, 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, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display means 6, or the like. Although not shown, an operation panel PC (Printed Circuit) is arranged at the rear side of the operation panel unit 5 inside the door 3 to control the display means 6, the operation means 7, and the like.

[0015] 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. Further, the water receiver 9 is a bottomed container that receives food scraps, water droplets, steam, and the like from the main body 1.

[0016] Cabinets 2, which form the left and right sides and top of the main body 1, are provided between the oven front plate 12, which forms the front of the main body 1, and the oven rear plate 13, which forms the rear of the main body 1, so as to cover the oven bottom plate 11, which forms the bottom of the main body 1 and thus the oven range. The main body 1 is also provided with a cooking chamber 14 (a heating chamber for containing food to be cooked) for housing the food to be cooked S, and a thermistor 15, which is a temperature detection element for detecting the temperature of the cooking chamber 14. The front of the cooking chamber 14 reaches the oven front plate 12 and has an opening for loading and unloading the food to be cooked S, and this opening is opened and closed by a door 3. The thermistor 15, which is the means for detecting the internal temperature of the oven, is located inside the cooking chamber 14 near the door 3.

[0017] The surrounding walls forming the inner surface of the cooking chamber 14 consist of a ceiling wall 14a, a bottom wall 14b, a left side wall 14c, a right side wall 14d, and a back wall 14e. The back wall 14e of the cooking chamber 14 has an intake port 16 in its center, and multiple outlet ports 17 are provided around the intake port 16. Opposite the dome-shaped ceiling wall 14a, which forms the upper wall surface of the cooking chamber 14, an upper heater 18 for the grill is provided on the upper part of the main body 1 to radiate heat the food to be cooked S from above the cooking chamber 14. At the bottom of the main body 1, a microwave generator 19 including a magnetron (a microwave heating means that microwaves the food to be cooked by the output of microwaves) is provided to supply microwaves, which are radio waves, into the cooking chamber 14. As a result, the heat radiation generated by energizing the upper heater 18 grills the food to be cooked S inside the cooking chamber 14 from above, and the operation of energizing the microwave generator 19 radiates microwaves to the food to be cooked S inside the cooking chamber 14, thereby microwave-heating the food to be cooked S.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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).

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, multiple infrared detection elements 63 (non-contact temperature detection means that detects the temperature in a predetermined area 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 makes the 16-eye sensor swing 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).

[0028] Here, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the bottom surface of the microwave oven and multiple temperature sensing regions (a schematic diagram as viewed from the top). Figure 13 is a diagram showing examples of the sensing temperatures for each of the multiple regions on the bottom surface of the microwave oven, in two temperature ranges.

[0029] 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.

[0030] Here, the threshold temperature for detecting freezing (hereinafter also referred to as the predetermined temperature) is denoted as TT (°C). In the region 256 of Figure 13, the white area indicates that the detection temperature is TT°C or higher. The gray area indicates that the detection temperature is below TT°C. The example in Figure 13 shows a case where a large amount of frozen food is placed in the center of the cooking chamber 14.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The control means 71 performs various controls. For example, the control means 71 controls the microwave generator 19 to heat and thaw the food to be cooked S. Specifically, the control means 71 controls the microwave generator 19 to perform a first step of heating at a first output for a first time, and a second step of heating at a second output lower than the first output.

[0038] Furthermore, in the second step, the control means 71 terminates when the detected temperature of the food to be cooked S meets a predetermined condition or when a second time has elapsed. If the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than the total elapsed time threshold, it additionally executes a third step in which the food is heated for a third time at a third output lower than the output of the second output.

[0039] Multiple infrared detection elements 63 non-contactively detect the temperature of multiple regions on the bottom side of the cooking chamber 14. The control means 71 then identifies region A, which is below a predetermined temperature (TT°C), from among the multiple regions (16 × 16 = 256 regions in Figure 13) when the thawing of the food to be cooked S begins. Note that "when thawing begins" includes immediately before thawing begins, simultaneously with thawing beginning, and immediately after thawing begins. In this embodiment, region A is identified during the first scan of the infrared sensor (16-eyed infrared detection element 63) after thawing is instructed, but the timing of this identification is not limited to this. Furthermore, different conditions may be used as predetermined conditions for terminating the second process depending on the number of regions identified as region A, the proportion (number of regions A / total number of regions), or the area (if the sensor's detection area is known).

[0040] Furthermore, the control means 71 may use different times as the first time for completing the first process, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the regions identified as region A.

[0041] Furthermore, if the number of regions identified as region A is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the control means 71 may choose not to execute the third step, even if the total elapsed time is equal to or greater than the total elapsed time threshold.

[0042] Furthermore, the predetermined conditions for terminating the second step are, for example, at least one of the following: when the average temperature of the region identified as region A becomes equal to or above a predetermined average temperature threshold, and when the maximum temperature of the region identified as region A becomes equal to or above a predetermined maximum temperature threshold.

[0043] Furthermore, when the control means 71 is executing the third step, it may also display on the display means 6 that additional defrosting is in progress.

[0044] Furthermore, the control means 71 may use a different time as the third time for completing the third step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the regions identified as region A.

[0045] The following will be described in more detail. Hereinafter, the region determined as region A will also be referred to as the "low temperature region". Among the plurality of regions, depending on the number of region A, it is classified into three cases: few low temperature regions, medium low temperature regions, and many low temperature regions. Also, the thresholds for the number of region A for classification are NT1 and NT2 (NT1 and NT2 are integers from 0 to 256, and NT1 < NT2). And for each of the three cases, the contents of the first step, the second step, and the third step are as shown in Table 1 below. The values of each constant represented by symbols may be determined in advance by experiments or simulations.

[0046]

Table 1

[0047] Also, the control means 71 controls the operations related to the display of the display means 6. Here, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the first display screen. When the user uses the operation means 7 to perform an operation to start urgent thawing (standard), the screen of FIG. 14(a) is displayed. Also, when the thawing operation has not ended in the first step and the second step and the third step is being executed, the screen of FIG. 14(b) is displayed. The user can recognize that additional thawing is being performed by looking at the screen of FIG. 14(b).

[0048] Also, FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the second display screen. FIG. 15(a) is a selection screen for thawing or the like. When the user selects thawing on this screen, the screen transitions to FIG. 15(b). FIG. 15(b) is a selection screen for finishing adjustment.

[0049] The average temperature thresholds ATT1, ATT2, the maximum temperature thresholds MTT1, MTT2 in Table 1 will be referred to as "each temperature threshold" hereinafter. When "weaken 2" is selected, each temperature threshold is decreased by 6°C. When "weaken 1" is selected, each temperature threshold is decreased by 2°C.

[0050] When "standard" is selected, each temperature threshold is not changed. If "Stronger 1" is selected, each temperature threshold will be increased by 2°C. If "Stronger 2" is selected, each temperature threshold will be increased by 6°C.

[0051] In this example, the degree of thawing can be selected in 5 stages, but this is just one example. It may be configured to allow selection in a predetermined number of stages, such as 7 stages. In the case of 7 stages, for example, an intermediate stage between "weak 2" and "weak 1" could be created to lower each temperature threshold by 4°C, and an intermediate stage between "strong 2" and "strong 1" could be created to raise each temperature threshold by 4°C.

[0052] Next, we will explain the process in a microwave oven, referring to Figure 16. Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the process in a microwave oven.

[0053] In step S1, the control means 71 determines whether or not an operation to start defrosting has been performed using the operation means 7. If yes, the process proceeds to step S2; otherwise, it returns to step S1.

[0054] In step S2, the control means 71, at the start of thawing the food to be cooked S, identifies region A (the gray region in Figure 13) among multiple regions (16 × 16 = 256 regions in Figure 13) that is below a predetermined temperature (TT℃).

[0055] Next, in step S3, the control means 71 starts the first process according to each case (low temperature range case, medium temperature range case, high temperature range case).

[0056] Next, in step S4, the control means 71 determines whether the termination conditions for the first step (see Table 1) have been met. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S5; otherwise, it returns to step S4.

[0057] In step S5, the control means 71 completes the first step.

[0058] Next, in step S6, the control means 71 starts a second step according to each case.

[0059] Next, in step S7, the control means 71 determines whether the termination conditions for the second step (see Table 1) have been met. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S8; otherwise, it returns to step S7.

[0060] In step S8A, the control means 71 completes the second step.

[0061] Next, in step S8B, the control means 71 determines whether the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than the total elapsed time threshold. If yes, the process proceeds to step S9; otherwise, the process ends (i.e., the third step is not executed).

[0062] In step S9, the control means 71 determines whether the number of region A regions among the multiple regions is less than or equal to a predetermined number. If the answer is Yes (few low-temperature regions), the process is terminated (i.e., the third step is not executed). If the answer is No (medium or many low-temperature regions), the process proceeds to step S10.

[0063] Next, in step S10, the control means 71 starts a third step according to each case.

[0064] Next, in step S11, the control means 71 determines whether the termination conditions for the third step (see Table 1) have been met. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S12; otherwise, it returns to step S11.

[0065] In step S12, the control means 71 completes the third step.

[0066] Thus, according to this embodiment of the oven range, after the first and second steps, the decision to perform the third step depends on the total elapsed time between them. This reduces the possibility of uneven heating when dealing with small quantities of frozen food, and reduces the possibility of incomplete thawing when dealing with large quantities of frozen food. In other words, if the second step does not meet the completion condition quickly (i.e., takes a long time), there is a possibility of insufficient thawing, so performing an additional low-power third step reduces the possibility of incomplete thawing. Conversely, if the second step meets the completion condition quickly (i.e., does not take a long time), there is a high possibility that the food is already sufficiently thawed, so not performing the additional third step reduces the possibility of overcooking.

[0067] Furthermore, different conditions are used as predetermined conditions for completing the second step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the low-temperature regions. This allows for thawing and cooking according to the volume of the frozen product.

[0068] Furthermore, a different time is used as the first time to complete the first step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the low-temperature regions. This allows for thawing and cooking using a thawing time appropriate to the volume of the frozen product.

[0069] Furthermore, if the number of low-temperature regions is less than or equal to a predetermined number (i.e., in the case of few low-temperature regions), the third step is not executed even if the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than the total elapsed time threshold. This reduces the possibility of uneven heating, such as localized overcooking.

[0070] Furthermore, in the case of the medium-temperature and high-temperature range cases, the predetermined conditions for terminating the second step are when the average temperature of the low-temperature range exceeds a predetermined average temperature threshold, or when the maximum temperature of the low-temperature range exceeds a predetermined maximum temperature threshold. This allows for thawing and cooking to be performed in accordance with the actual progress of thawing.

[0071] Furthermore, when the third step is being performed, the display means 6 indicates that additional decompression is in progress (Figure 14(b)). This allows the user to recognize that additional decompression is being performed by looking at the display screen.

[0072] Furthermore, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the low-temperature regions, different times are used as the third time required to complete the third step for cases with a moderate amount of low-temperature regions and cases with many low-temperature regions. This allows for additional thawing and cooking using a thawing time appropriate to the volume of the frozen product.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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]

[0076] 1...Main unit, 2...Cabinet, 3...Door, 4...Handle, 5...Operation panel, 6..., Display means, 7...Operation means, 71...Control means

Claims

1. A heating chamber for containing the food to be cooked, A microwave heating means for heating the food to be cooked using microwave output, A control means for controlling the microwave heating means to heat and thaw the food to be cooked, The heating chamber is equipped with a non-contact temperature detection means for non-contactly detecting the temperature in a predetermined area on the bottom side of the heating chamber, The control means controls the microwave heating means, A first step involves heating for a first time at a first output, A second step is performed in which heating is performed at a second output lower than the first output, In the second step described above, the process ends when the detected temperature of the food being cooked meets a predetermined condition, or when the second time has elapsed. A cooking appliance that, if the total elapsed time of the first and second steps is equal to or greater than a total elapsed time threshold, additionally performs a third step of heating for a third time at a third output lower than the output of the second output.

2. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. The control means is When the thawing of the food to be cooked begins, a region A is identified from among the multiple regions that is below a predetermined temperature. The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein different conditions are used as the predetermined conditions for terminating the second step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the regions identified as region A.

3. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. The control means is When the thawing of the food to be cooked begins, a region A is identified from among the multiple regions that is below a predetermined temperature. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a different time is used as the first time for completing the first step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the regions identified as region A.

4. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. The control means is When the thawing of the food to be cooked begins, a region A that is below a predetermined temperature is identified from among the multiple regions. The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the number of regions identified as region A is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the third step is not performed even if the total elapsed time is equal to or greater than the total elapsed time threshold.

5. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. The control means is When the thawing of the food to be cooked begins, a region A that is below a predetermined temperature is identified from among the multiple regions. The predetermined conditions for terminating the second step are: The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the following occurs: the average temperature of the region determined to be region A is equal to or greater than a predetermined average temperature threshold, and the maximum temperature of the region determined to be region A is equal to or greater than a predetermined maximum temperature threshold.

6. The control means is The heating appliance according to claim 1, wherein when the third step is being performed, the display means indicates that additional thawing is in progress.

7. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. The control means is When the thawing of the food to be cooked begins, a region A that is below a predetermined temperature is identified from among the multiple regions. A cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a different time is used as the third time for completing the third step, depending on the number, proportion, or area of ​​the regions identified as region A.

8. The non-contact temperature detection means detects the temperature of multiple areas on the bottom side of the heating chamber in a non-contact manner. 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 or 2, 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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