Steam generator

Abstract

To prevent hot water from being sent to a sending destination by preventing an increase in manufacturing costs due to using a large number of components, and the deterioration of workability at the time of maintenance in a steam generating container.SOLUTION: A steam generator 30 comprises: a steam sending part 40 that has an upper guiding cylinder part 41 extending upward at an upper end portion of a steam generation container 31, and a horizontal guiding cylinder part 42 extending from the upper guiding cylinder part 41 to a sending destination adjacent in a horizontal direction; and a hot water inflow preventive member 50 that prevents boiled hot water from flowing into the sending destination while sending steam generated in an upper part of the steam generation container 31 to the sending destination. The hot water preventive member 50 comprises a cylindrical shielding part 51 that blocks an inflow port 42a of the horizontal guiding cylinder part 42 through a gap and forming a steam passage 45 between itself and an inner peripheral surface of the upper guiding cylinder part 41. A lead-out port 51a leading out steam to a position on the opposite side to the horizontal guiding cylinder part 42 in a diametrical direction is formed in the cylindrical shielding part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steam generating device used in a cooking appliance such as a steam convection oven. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a cooking appliance that cooks ingredients with hot air. This cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that cooks ingredients, a heater that heats the interior of the cooking chamber, a convection fan that circulates air within the cooking chamber, a steam generator that supplies steam into the cooking chamber, and a control device that controls the operation of the heater, convection fan, and steam generator. The control device for this cooking appliance is equipped with a cooking program for cooking ingredients, and when the cooking program is executed by the control device, the air within the cooking chamber is converted into hot air by operation of the heater and convection fan and circulates, and steam is supplied to the convecting hot air by operation of the steam generator, so that ingredients placed in the cooking chamber are cooked by the hot air containing steam.

[0003] The steam generator used in this cooking appliance comprises a steam generating vessel that stores a predetermined amount of water inside and has a delivery port at its upper end that delivers steam, a heating element that heats the water in the steam generating vessel, an induction heating coil that is wound around the outer periphery of the steam generating vessel and causes the heating element to generate heat, and a steam delivery tube (steam delivery section) that delivers steam generated in the steam generating vessel to the cooking chamber. A cylindrical steam passage section is provided between the steam generating vessel and the steam delivery tube, and three shielding plates are arranged vertically in the steam passage section to prevent hot water that splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel from flowing through the steam delivery tube into the cooking chamber. The three shielding plates arranged in the steam passage section make it difficult for hot water that splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel to flow through the steam delivery tube into the cooking chamber. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-121803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The steam generator of Patent Document 1 provides three shielding plates on the top of the steam generating vessel to prevent hot water splashing up at the top of the steam generating vessel from flowing into the cooking chamber through the steam delivery tube. However, providing three shielding plates on the top of the steam generating vessel increases the number of parts, raising manufacturing costs, and the task of attaching and detaching the three shielding plates during maintenance is cumbersome, making the steam generator less user-friendly. The present invention aims to prevent hot water from being delivered to the destination without increasing manufacturing costs or compromising maintenance workability due to the use of many parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a steam generating vessel that stores a predetermined amount of water therein and has a delivery port at its upper end for delivering steam; heating means that heats the water in the steam generating vessel to generate steam; a steam delivery section that has an upper guide tube section that extends upward at the upper end of the steam generating vessel and delivers steam delivered from the delivery port upward; and a horizontal guide tube section that delivers steam from the upper guide tube section to an adjacent delivery destination in the horizontal direction; and a steam delivery system that delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel to the delivery destination while boiling water flows into the delivery destination. and a hot water inflow prevention member that prevents the hot water inflow from flowing into the steam passage. The hot water inflow prevention member includes a cylindrical shielding portion that extends above the inlet of the horizontal guide cylinder portion within the upper guide cylinder portion, blocking the inlet of the horizontal guide cylinder portion through a gap, while forming a steam passage that serves as a passage for steam through a gap between the cylindrical shielding portion and the inner surface of the upper guide cylinder portion. The cylindrical shielding portion has an outlet formed in a position radially opposite the horizontal guide cylinder portion, for guiding steam from within the cylindrical shielding portion to the steam passage.

[0007] In the steam generating device configured as described above, the hot water inflow prevention member includes a cylindrical shielding portion that extends within the upper guide tube portion above the inlet of the horizontal guide tube portion and blocks the inlet of the horizontal guide tube portion via a gap while forming a steam passage that serves as a passage for steam through a gap between it and the inner peripheral surface of the upper guide tube portion, and the cylindrical shielding portion has an outlet formed at a position radially opposite the horizontal guide tube portion for guiding steam from within the cylindrical shielding portion to the steam passage. Steam generated at the top of the steam generating vessel rises within the cylindrical shielding portion and passes through the steam passage between the outlet and the upper guide tube portion of the steam delivery portion and is delivered from the horizontal guide tube portion to a delivery destination. At this time, although hot water splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel, the outlet for sending steam from the cylindrical shielding part to the steam passage in the upper guide cylindrical part of the steam delivery part is formed at a position on the radially opposite side of the horizontal guide cylindrical part and the cylindrical shielding part, so the hot water splashing up at the top of the steam generating vessel is less likely to flow into the horizontal guide cylindrical part, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from being delivered to the destination. Furthermore, because this hot water inflow prevention member has an outlet formed in the cylindrical shielding part, the number of parts is small and costs are not high, and it is only necessary to attach it to the upper guide cylindrical part of the steam delivery part above the steam generating vessel, which makes it easy to attach and detach it during maintenance.

[0008] In the steam generator configured as described above, the outlet is preferably formed at a position higher than the inlet of the horizontal guide tube. In this case, hot water splashing up inside the cylindrical shielding part is less likely to flow from the outlet into the steam passage, making it even more difficult for the hot water to flow into the steam inlet of the horizontal guide tube, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from being delivered to the destination. In the steam generator configured as described above, the outlet is preferably formed below the upper end of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical shielding part. In this case, when hot water adhering to the ceiling wall of the cylindrical shielding part falls, it is more likely to flow down along the peripheral wall, making it more difficult for the hot water to flow from the outlet into the steam passage, making it even more difficult for the hot water to flow into the steam inlet of the horizontal guide tube, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from being delivered to the destination.

[0009] In the steam generator configured as described above, a return port is preferably formed at the bottom of the cylindrical shield for returning water falling through the steam passage into the steam generating vessel. Hot water droplets (water droplets) formed by condensation in the steam delivery section and hot water droplets flowing into the upper guide tube from the outlet flow down the steam passage between the inside of the upper guide tube and the outside of the cylindrical shield and return to the steam generating vessel through the return port formed at the bottom of the cylindrical shield. This prevents water from accumulating below the hot water droplet cylindrical shield within the upper guide tube. In this case, it is preferable to form the return port on the radially opposite side of the horizontal guide tube. Although there is a risk of hot water splashing up at the top of the steam generating vessel flowing into the steam passage through the return port, since the return port is formed on the radially opposite side of the horizontal guide tube, hot water flowing into the steam passage from the return port is less likely to flow into the horizontal guide tube, preventing the hot water from being delivered to the destination. In these cases, it is preferable that a flange portion that extends outward is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical shielding portion, and that the flange portion be inclined in the circumferential direction so that the position where the return port is formed is lower. Hot water droplets (water droplets) formed by condensation in the steam delivery portion flow down the flange portion, and the water that flows down flows into the return port formed at a lower position in the flange portion, making it difficult for water to remain on the flange portion.

[0010] In the steam generating device configured as described above, it is preferable that the ceiling wall of the upper guide tube be inclined so that the radial side of the horizontal guide tube is higher and the opposite side is lower. Hot water droplets (water droplets) formed by condensation on the ceiling wall of the upper guide tube flow down to the radial side opposite to the side where the horizontal guide tube is formed, making it difficult for hot water droplets (water droplets) formed by condensation on the ceiling wall of the upper guide tube to flow into the horizontal guide tube, and hot water can be prevented from being delivered to the destination.

[0011] In the steam generator configured as described above, a groove extending in the axial direction is formed in the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide tube, and the groove is preferably inclined so that the upper guide tube side is lower than the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide tube. Condensation that forms on the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide tube flows down to the bottom and into the groove, and since the groove is inclined so that the upper guide tube side is lower than the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide tube, the water that flows into the groove flows down into the upper guide tube, further preventing the water from being delivered to the destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a cooking device using a steam generating device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1 with the door open. [Figure 3] 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the left-right direction of the central portion in the front-rear direction of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] AA cross-sectional view. [Figure 5] BB cross section. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a left side view showing the left panel of the housing removed to expose the machinery compartment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the left-right direction of the position where the steam generating device is disposed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steam generating device. [Figure 9] CC cross-sectional view. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cooking device capable of accommodating trays in three tiers with the door open, as viewed from the right side. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking device capable of accommodating trays in three tiers with the door open, as viewed from the left side. [Figure 14] 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the left-right direction of the central portion in the front-rear direction of FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. [Figure 15] 4 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the partition plate in FIG. 3, (a) to (d) being cross-sectional views showing the state when the partition plate is attached to and detached from the cooking chamber. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] 15A to 15C are partially enlarged cross-sectional views showing the partition plate in the position shown in FIG. 14, and (a) to (c) are cross-sectional views showing the state when the partition plate is attached to and detached from the cooking chamber. [Figure 18] DD cross-sectional view. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first modified example of the partition plate. [Figure 20] 20 is a schematic view showing the partition plate of FIG. 19 being attached to and detached from the cooking chamber. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 17(b) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 17(a) showing a second modified example of the partition plate. [Figure 22] EE cross section. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the right support frame. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the support frame of FIG. 22. [Figure 25] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing modified examples of the right support frame. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] A cooking appliance using one embodiment of the steam generator of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The cooking appliance using the steam generator of the present invention is called a steam convection oven, which cooks ingredients by convection of hot air containing steam. As shown in FIG. 1, cooking appliance 10 has a machine chamber 12 on the left side of housing 11, and a cooking chamber 20 for cooking ingredients in the remaining part of housing 11 excluding machine chamber 12. As shown in FIG. 2, cooking chamber 20 has an opening 20a on the front side for loading and unloading ingredients, and opening 20a is provided with a door 13 for opening and closing it.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 3, cooking chamber 20 is used to store and heat-cook ingredients, and the portion of cooking chamber 20 excluding the left side serves as ingredient storage chamber 21 for storing ingredients, and the left side of cooking chamber 20 serves as hot air generating chamber 22 for generating hot air to be sent to ingredient storage chamber 21. As shown in Fig. 5, a steam inlet 20b is formed in the left wall of cooking chamber 20, and steam inlet 20b is connected to steam generator 30, which will be described later.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, a partition plate 23 is provided to the left of the center of the cooking chamber 20 in the horizontal direction, and the partition plate 23 separates the food storage chamber 21 and the hot air generating chamber 22 to allow ventilation. The partition plate 23 functions as a fan cover that covers the intake side of the convection fan 27 disposed in the hot air generating chamber 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the partition plate 23 has multiple intake ports 23a formed therein, and air from the food storage chamber 21 is sent to the hot air generating chamber 22 through the intake ports 23a. The partition plate 23 is also attached so that spaces through which air can pass are formed between the ceiling wall, bottom wall, front wall, and rear wall of the cooking chamber 20. Air passages 23b through which air passes are formed between the partition plate 23 and the ceiling wall, bottom wall, front wall, and rear wall of the cooking chamber 20, and air from the hot air generating chamber 22 is sent to the food storage chamber 21 through the ventilation ports 23b.

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the food storage chamber 21 of the cooking chamber 20 is provided with a pair of left and right support frames 24, 25 that support trays called hotel pans in multiple tiers up and down. In this embodiment, the support frames 24, 25 are capable of supporting five tiers of trays up and down and are manufactured by bending metal wire. The pair of left and right support frames 24, 25 are detachably attached to the left and right sides of the food storage chamber 21 of the cooking chamber 20.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a heater 26 and a convection fan 27 are provided in the hot air generating chamber 22 of the cooking chamber 20. The heater 26 heats the interior of the cooking chamber 20 and is wound in a substantially circular shape on the left wall of the cooking chamber 20. The convection fan 27 causes convection of air within the cooking chamber 20 and is attached inside the heater 26, which is wound in a substantially circular shape on the left wall of the cooking chamber 20. In this embodiment, a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan is used as the convection fan 27. A temperature sensor 28 is provided on the left wall of the cooking chamber 20 and detects the temperature within the cooking chamber 20.

[0018] When convection fan 27 is operated, air from food storage chamber 21 is sucked into hot air generating chamber 22 through suction port 23a of partition plate 23, the sucked air is blown outward in the centrifugal direction in hot air generating chamber 22, and the blown air passes through upper, lower, and front and rear ventilation passages 23b to return to food storage chamber 21. When convection fan 27 is operated together with heater 26, the air sucked from food storage chamber 21 into hot air generating chamber 22 is blown against heater 26 located outside convection fan 27 and becomes high-temperature hot air, which is returned to food storage chamber 21 through upper, lower, and front and rear ventilation passages 23b.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 6, a steam generator 30 for supplying steam into the cooking chamber 20 is provided at the rear of the machine chamber 12 of the housing 11, and the steam generator 30 is installed upright above the drainage tank 14 provided at the rear of the machine chamber 12. The steam generator 30 of this embodiment heats water by induction heating to generate steam and delivers the generated steam to the cooking chamber 20 as a destination. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the steam generator 30 includes a steam generating vessel 31 that stores a predetermined amount of water therein and has an outlet 31a at its upper end for delivering steam, heating means 32 that heats the water in the steam generating vessel 31 to generate steam, a steam delivery section 40 that delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 from the outlet 31a to the cooking chamber 20, which is the destination, adjacent in the horizontal direction, and a hot water inflow prevention member 50 that delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 to the cooking chamber 20, which is the destination, while preventing boiling hot water from flowing into the cooking chamber 20.

[0020] 7 and 8, the steam generating vessel 31 is erected above the drainage tank 14, has a generally cylindrical shape with open top and bottom, and is provided with a delivery outlet 31a at its upper end for delivering steam and a drainage outlet 31b at its lower end for discharging water. As shown in Fig. 6, a drainage valve 31c is provided at the lower end of the steam generating vessel 31, and water inside the steam generating vessel 31 is drained by opening the drainage valve 31c. A communicating pipe 61 is provided above the drainage valve 31c at the bottom of the steam generating vessel 31, and the steam generating vessel 31 is connected to a water level detection tank 60, which will be described later, via the communicating pipe 61.

[0021] The heating means 32 heats the water in the steam generating vessel 31, and in this embodiment, heats the water in the steam generating vessel 31 by induction heating. The heating means 32 includes a heating element 33 using a magnetic member provided inside the steam generating vessel 31, and an induction heating coil 34 wound around the outer periphery of the steam generating vessel 31 from the middle to the bottom in the vertical direction. The heating element 33 heats the water in the steam generating vessel 31 by Joule heat generated by electrical resistance when eddy currents flow due to the influence of a magnetic field generated when a high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 34. The heating element 33 includes a substantially annular holder 33a supported on the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 and multiple heating rods 33b whose upper ends are fixed to the holder 33a. The multiple heating rods 33b generate heat due to electrical resistance when eddy currents flow when a high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 34, and heat the water in the steam generating vessel 31.

[0022] 6 and 8, brackets 35, 36 are provided in the middle and bottom portions of the steam generating vessel 31 in the vertical direction, and an induction heating coil 34 is wound between the upper and lower brackets 35, 36. The upper and lower brackets 35, 36 are provided with ferrite members 37 for blocking magnetic field lines leaking from the induction heating coil 34. The heating means 32 uses electromagnetic induction for heating, but is not limited to this and may also use a heater such as an electric heating wire for heating.

[0023] As shown in Figure 8, the steam delivery section 40 delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 to the cooking chamber 20 as an adjacent horizontal destination. The steam delivery section 40 includes an upper guide tube section 41 that extends upward at the upper end of the steam generating vessel 31 and guides upward the steam delivered from the delivery port 31a, and a horizontal guide tube section 42 that guides the steam rising up the upper guide tube section 41 to the cooking chamber 20 as an adjacent horizontal destination. The upper guide tube section 41 guides upward the steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31, and is generally cylindrical with a closed top and an open bottom, and is detachably attached to the upper end of the steam generating vessel 31. The ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 is inclined so that the horizontal guide tube portion 42 side is higher in the radial direction of the upper guide tube portion 41 and the opposite side of the horizontal guide tube portion 42 is lower, so that hot water droplets (water droplets) adhering to the ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 tend to flow down to the opposite side of the horizontal guide tube portion 42.

[0024] A horizontal guide tube section 42 is provided integrally with the lower part of the upper guide tube section 41, and the horizontal guide tube section 42 is connected in communication with the upper guide tube section 41. The horizontal guide tube section 42 guides the steam rising up the upper guide tube section 41 to the cooking chamber 20 as an adjacent horizontal destination. The horizontal guide tube section 42 has an inclined section 43 that slopes obliquely upward so that the cooking chamber 20 side is higher, and a horizontal section 44 that extends horizontally from the tip of the inclined section 43 toward the cooking chamber 20 side.

[0025] 8 and 9, the inclined portion 43 is inclined so that the cooking chamber 20 side is higher, and hot water droplets (water droplets) formed inside the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 due to condensation or the like easily flow into the upper guide cylinder portion 41 on the opposite side from the cooking chamber 20. A groove portion 43a extending in the axial direction is formed in the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 43 of the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42, and the groove portion 43a is inclined so that the upper guide cylinder portion 41 side is lower than the inner peripheral surface of the inclined portion 43. Hot water droplets (water droplets) formed inside the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 due to condensation or the like flow into the lower groove portion 43a inside the inclined portion 43, and the water that has flowed into the groove portion 43a easily flows to the upper side of the flange portion 52 inside the upper guide cylinder portion 41. A connecting pipe 20c provided at the steam inlet 20b of the cooking chamber 20 is fitted into the horizontal portion 44, and the steam delivery portion 40 is able to deliver steam into the cooking chamber 20 by connecting the horizontal portion 44 to the connecting pipe 20c.

[0026] 8, hot water inflow prevention member 50 is intended to prevent boiling hot water from flowing into cooking chamber 20, which is the destination, while allowing steam generated in the upper part of steam generating vessel 31 to be guided upward, and is attached so as to extend upward to steam outlet 31a at the upper end of steam generating vessel 31. Hot water inflow prevention member 50 comprises a cylindrical shielding portion 51 that is roughly cylindrical with a closed top and an open bottom, and a flange portion 52 formed at the bottom end of cylindrical shielding portion 51 so as to expand outward.

[0027] 8, the cylindrical shielding part 51 extends above the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube part 42 in the upper cylindrical guide part 41 of the steam delivery part 40, and blocks the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube part 42 via a gap through which steam can pass. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cylindrical shielding part 51 is inserted into the upper cylindrical guide part 41 via a gap, and the gap formed between the cylindrical shielding part 51 and the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical guide part 41 serves as a steam passage 45 through which steam can pass. That is, the steam passage 45 is formed by a gap between the top wall 41a of the upper cylindrical guide part 41 and the top wall of the cylindrical shielding part 51, and a gap between the peripheral wall (cylinder wall) of the upper cylindrical guide part 41 and the peripheral wall (cylinder wall) of the cylindrical shielding part 51.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8 , a peripheral wall (cylindrical wall) constituting the horizontal peripheral wall of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 is formed with an outlet 51a for guiding steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 to the steam passage 45. The outlet 51a is formed on the radially opposite side of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 from the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 and at a higher position than the steam inlet 42a of the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42. Because the outlet 51a is formed on the radially opposite side of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 from the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42, hot water (water droplets) splashing up at the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 are less likely to flow into the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 even if they flow out from the outlet 51a into the steam passage 45. Furthermore, because the outlet 51a is formed at a higher position than the steam inlet 42a of the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42, hot water (water droplets) splashing up at the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 are less likely to flow into the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 even if they flow out from the outlet 51a into the steam passage 45. Furthermore, since the outlet 51a is formed below the upper end of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, it is difficult for hot water droplets adhering to the underside of the ceiling wall of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 to flow out of the outlet 51a into the steam passage 45.

[0029] 9 and 10, a return port 51b is formed in the lower part (lower end) of the cylindrical shielding part 51 at the boundary with the flange part 52 for returning the water (hot water) above the hot water inflow prevention member 50 into the steam generating vessel 31, and the return port 51b is arranged on the opposite side of the horizontal guide cylindrical part 42 in the radial direction of the cylindrical shielding part 51. A ring-shaped recess 52a that is recessed downward is formed in the flange part 52 at the boundary of the lower end of the cylindrical shielding part 51, and the flange part 52 and the ring-shaped recess 52a are inclined in the circumferential direction so that the horizontal guide cylindrical part 42 side is higher and the position where the return port 51b is formed is lower.

[0030] As shown in Figure 6, a water level detection tank 60 is erected behind the steam generating vessel 31, and the lower part of the water level detection tank 60 is connected in communication with the lower part of the steam generating vessel 31 by a communication pipe 61. A water level sensor (not shown) using a float switch is provided in the water level detection tank 60, and the water level sensor detects the water level in the steam generating vessel 31 by detecting the water level in the water level detection tank 60. In this embodiment, the water level sensor is capable of detecting the upper limit and lower limit water levels in the water level detection tank 60, i.e., in the steam generating vessel 31.

[0031] A water supply pipe 62 extending from a water supply source is connected to the top of the water level detection tank 60, and a water supply valve (not shown) is installed in the water supply pipe 62 in the machine room 12 below the housing 11. Water supplied from the water supply source is supplied into the water level detection tank 60 through the water supply pipe 62 by opening the water supply valve, and the water supplied into the water level detection tank 60 is supplied to the steam generating vessel 31 through the communication pipe 61.

[0032] 11, the cooking appliance 10 includes a control device 70, which is connected to the heater 26, the convection fan 27, the temperature sensor 28, and the steam generator 30. The control device 70 has a microcomputer (not shown), which includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a timer (all not shown) that are connected via a bus.

[0033] The control device 70 has cooking programs stored in its ROM for heating and cooking ingredients in the cooking chamber 20. The cooking programs include three types of cooking programs: a hot air mode cooking program that operates the heater 26 and convection fan 27 to heat and cook ingredients with convecting hot air; a steam mode cooking program that operates the convection fan 27 and steam generator 30 to heat and cook ingredients with convecting hot air containing steam; and a combination mode cooking program that operates the heater 26, convection fan 27, and steam generator 30 to heat and cook ingredients with convecting high-temperature hot air containing steam. The ROM stores cooking programs with preset temperatures, amounts of steam, and cooking times for the cooking chamber 20, and the user can set the set temperatures, amounts of steam, and cooking times for the cooking programs.

[0034] When the hot air mode cooking program of the cooking programs is executed, the heater 26 and the convection fan 27 are operated to circulate the air in the cooking chamber 20 as hot air, and the food stored in the cooking chamber 20 is cooked by the convection of the hot air. When the combination mode cooking program of the cooking programs is executed, the heater 26 and the convection fan 27 are operated to circulate the air in the cooking chamber 20 as hot air, and steam is supplied into the cooking chamber 20 from the steam generator 30, so that the hot air convecting through the cooking chamber 20 contains steam, and the food stored in the cooking chamber 20 is cooked by the convection of the hot air containing steam.

[0035] When the steam mode cooking program and the combination mode cooking program are executed, the control device 70 controls the operation of the steam generator 30 to supply steam into the cooking chamber 20. When steam is generated by the steam generator 30, a high-frequency current is supplied to the induction heating coil 34, and an eddy current flows in each heating rod 33b of the heating element 33 due to the influence of the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil 34, and each heating rod 33b generates heat due to the electrical resistance when the eddy current flows.

[0036] The water in the steam generating vessel 31 is heated to a boil by the heating rods 33b that generate heat, and the boiling water turns into steam and rises from the water surface at the top of the steam generating vessel 31. The steam rising from the water surface at the top of the steam generating vessel 31 rises through the cylindrical shielding portion 51 of the hot water inflow prevention member 50 from the delivery port 31a and is discharged from the discharge port 51a to the steam passage 45 between the outside of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 and the inside of the upper guide cylinder portion 41. The steam discharged to the steam passage 45 is led to the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42, and the steam led to the horizontal guide cylinder portion 42 is discharged into the cooking chamber 20 from the steam inlet 20b.

[0037] When steam is generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31, hot water splashes up in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31. A cylindrical shielding portion 51 is provided in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31, extending above the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42 in the upper guide tube portion 41 of the steam delivery section 40 and blocking the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42 via a gap, so that the hot water splashing up in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 is less likely to flow into the horizontal guide tube portion 42. Furthermore, although some of the hot water splashing up in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 flows out from the outlet 51a to the steam passage 45, the outlet 51a, which discharges steam from the cylindrical shielding portion 51 to the steam passage 45, is positioned on the opposite side of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 from the horizontal guide tube portion 42 in the radial direction of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, so that the hot water flowing out from the outlet 51a to the steam passage 45 is less likely to flow into the horizontal guide tube portion 42.

[0038] When steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 passes through the steam passage 45, condensation occurs on the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical guide portion 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, which form the steam passage 45. Water droplets formed by condensation on the inner peripheral surface of the upper cylindrical guide portion 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 flow down onto the flange portion 52 of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, and because the flange portion 52 and the inner annular recess 52a are inclined so that the return port 51b is on the lower side, the water that flows down onto the flange portion 52 returns into the steam generating vessel 31 from the return port 51b, and water due to condensation is less likely to accumulate above the flange portion 52.

[0039] Furthermore, when steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 passes through the steam passage 45, water due to condensation is likely to adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the upper guide tube portion 41, which forms the steam passage 45, particularly to the underside of the ceiling wall 41a. The ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 is inclined so that the horizontal guide tube portion 42 side is higher and the opposite side is lower in the radial direction of the upper guide tube portion 41. Therefore, water that has adhered to the underside of the ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 due to condensation is likely to flow down along the circumferential wall (cylinder wall) on the opposite side to the horizontal guide tube portion 42, and the condensed water is less likely to flow into the horizontal guide tube portion 42.

[0040] As steam passes through the horizontal guide tube 42, water condenses on the inner circumferential surface of the horizontal guide tube 42. The horizontal guide tube 42 is provided with an inclined portion 43, and water condensed on the inside of the horizontal guide tube 42 returns to the upper guide tube 41 due to the inclination of the inclined portion 43. The water that returns to the upper guide tube 41 flows down the flange 52 at the lower end of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 and returns to the steam generating vessel 31 through the return port 51b. Furthermore, a groove 43a extending in the axial direction is formed on the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 43, and the groove 43a is inclined so that the upper guide tube 41 side is lower than the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 43. Therefore, water condensed on the inside of the horizontal guide tube 42 flows into the inclined portion 43, particularly into the groove 43a, and returns to the upper guide tube 41 due to the inclination of the groove 43a. The water that has returned to the upper guide tube portion 41 flows down the flange portion 52 at the lower end of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 and returns from the return port 51b into the steam generating vessel 31. In this way, when steam generated in the upper portion of the steam generating vessel 31 is sent by the steam sending portion 40 to the cooking chamber 20, which is the destination, hot water can be prevented from flowing into the cooking chamber 20 along with the steam.

[0041] The steam generating device 30 of the cooking appliance 10 configured as described above comprises a steam generating container 31 which stores a predetermined amount of water therein and has a delivery port 31a for delivering steam to its upper end, a heating means 32 which heats the water in the steam generating container 31 to generate steam, an upper guide tube section 41 which extends upward at the upper end of the steam generating container 31 and guides the steam delivered from the delivery port 31a upward, and a horizontal guide tube section 42 which guides the steam rising up the upper guide tube section 41 to the horizontally adjacent cooking chamber 20 which is a delivery destination, and which delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating container 31 to the delivery destination, and a hot water inflow prevention member 50 which delivers steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating container 31 to the cooking chamber 20 while preventing boiling hot water from flowing into the cooking chamber 20.

[0042] In the steam generating device 30 configured as described above, the hot water inflow prevention member 50 includes a cylindrical shielding portion 51 that extends above the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42 within the upper guide tube portion 41, blocking the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42 through a gap, while forming a steam passage 45 that serves as a passage for steam through a gap formed between the cylindrical shielding portion 51 and the inner surface of the upper guide tube portion 41, and an outlet 51a is formed in the cylindrical shielding portion 51 at a position radially opposite the horizontal guide tube portion 42, for guiding steam from within the cylindrical shielding portion 51 to the steam passage 45.

[0043] Steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 rises inside the cylindrical shielding portion 51, passes through the steam passage 45 between the outlet 51a and the upper guide tube portion 41 of the steam delivery portion 40, and is then delivered from the horizontal guide tube portion 42 into the cooking chamber 20, which is the delivery destination. At this time, hot water splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel 31, but the outlet 51a that delivers steam from the cylindrical shielding portion 51 to the steam passage 45 is formed in a position radially opposite the horizontal guide tube portion 42, particularly the steam inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42, so that the hot water that splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel 31 does not flow into the steam inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42, and it is possible to prevent hot water from being delivered into the cooking chamber 20 together with steam. Furthermore, since this hot water inflow prevention member 50 has an outlet 51a formed in the cylindrical shielding portion 51, the number of parts is small and the cost is not high. In addition, it only needs to be attached to the inside of the upper guide cylindrical portion 41 of the steam delivery portion 40 at the top of the steam generating vessel 31, which makes it easy to attach and detach when performing maintenance.

[0044] In this steam generating device 30, the outlet 51a of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 is formed at a higher position than the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide cylindrical portion 42, so that hot water that splashes up at the top of the steam generating vessel 31 is less likely to flow from the outlet 51a into the steam passage 45, and the hot water is less likely to flow into the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide cylindrical portion 42, preventing the hot water from being sent together with steam into the cooking chamber 20. Furthermore, the outlet 51a of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 is formed below the upper end of the peripheral wall (cylindrical wall) of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, so that hot water that splashes up inside the cylindrical shielding portion 51 and adheres to the underside of the ceiling wall is more likely to flow down along the peripheral wall of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, preventing the hot water from flowing out from the outlet 51a into the steam passage and less likely to flow into the inlet 42a of the horizontal guide cylindrical portion 42, preventing the hot water from being sent together with steam into the cooking chamber 20.

[0045] Hot water droplets (water droplets) formed by condensation inside the steam delivery section 40 and hot water that has flowed into the upper cylindrical guide section 41 from the outlet 51a flow down the steam passage 45 between the inside of the upper cylindrical guide section 41 and the outside of the cylindrical shielding section 51. A return port 51b is formed at the bottom of the cylindrical shielding section 51 to return the water that flows down inside the steam passage 45 into the steam generating vessel 31, so that the water that flows down inside the steam passage 45 returns from the return port 51b into the steam generating vessel 31. This makes it possible to prevent water from accumulating on the upper surface of the flange section 52 provided at the bottom of the cylindrical shielding section 51 inside the upper cylindrical guide section 41. Furthermore, although there is a risk that hot water splashing up at the top of the steam generating vessel 31 may flow into the steam passage 45 through the return port 51b, since the return port 51b is formed on the radially opposite side of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 from the horizontal guide tube portion 42, the hot water that has flowed into the steam passage 45 is less likely to flow into the steam inlet 42a of the horizontal guide tube portion 42, and it is possible to prevent the hot water from being sent into the cooking chamber 20 along with the steam.

[0046] A flange portion 52 that extends outward is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical shielding portion 51, and an annular recess 52a is formed at the boundary between the flange portion 52 and the cylindrical shielding portion 51, and the flange portion 52 and the annular recess 52a are inclined in the circumferential direction so that the position where the return port 51b is formed is lower. Water that flows down from the steam passage 45 into the annular recess 52a of the flange portion 52 flows toward the return port 51b, which is formed at a position that is inclined downward, and returns to the steam generating vessel 31, so that water can be prevented from accumulating on the upper surface of the flange portion 52 provided at the bottom of the cylindrical shielding portion 51 inside the upper guide cylindrical portion 41.

[0047] Steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 rises inside the cylindrical shielding portion 51, passes through the steam passage 45 between the outlet 51a and the upper guide tube portion 41 of the steam delivery portion 40, and is delivered from the horizontal guide tube portion 42 into the cooking chamber 20, which is the delivery destination. When the steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel 31 passes through the steam passage 45, water is likely to condense and adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the upper guide tube portion 41, which forms the steam passage 45, particularly the underside of the ceiling wall 41a. The ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 is inclined in the radial direction of the upper guide tube portion 41 so that the side facing the horizontal guide tube portion 42 is higher and the opposite side is lower. Therefore, water that has formed as a result of condensation on the underside of the ceiling wall 41a of the upper guide tube portion 41 is more likely to flow down along the peripheral wall (tube wall) on the opposite side of the horizontal guide tube portion 42, making it difficult for water from condensation to flow into the horizontal guide tube portion 42, and preventing hot water from being sent into the cooking chamber 20 along with steam.

[0048] A groove 43a extending in the axial direction is formed on the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 43 of the horizontal guide tube portion 42, and the groove 43a is inclined so that the upper guide tube portion 41 side is lower than the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 43 of the horizontal guide tube portion 42. Water that has adhered to the horizontal guide tube portion 42 due to condensation flows into the groove 43a formed on the lower part of the inner circumferential surface of the inclined portion 43, and the water that flows into the groove 43a is easily able to flow to the upper side of the flange portion 52 within the upper guide tube portion 41. This makes it difficult for water to remain in the horizontal guide tube portion 42, preventing water from being sent out into the cooking chamber 20 along with steam.

[0049] While the cooking device 10 described above can accommodate five vertically stacked trays called hotel pans in the food storage chamber 21 of the cooking chamber 20, the cooking device 10 described below is a compact cooking device that can accommodate three vertically stacked trays. In the cooking device 10 shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, a partition plate 23 is provided to the left of the center of the cooking chamber 20, and the partition plate 23 separates the food storage chamber 21 from the hot air generating chamber 22 to allow ventilation. The hot air generating chamber 22 is provided with a heater 26 and a convection fan 27, and the machine chamber 12 is provided with a steam generator 30. As shown in FIG. 14, rails 24a that support the left edge of the trays are fixed to the partition plate 23 in three vertical rows, and a support frame 25 with rails 25a that support the right edge of the trays in three vertical rows is attached to the right wall of the cooking chamber 20.

[0050] In the heating cooker 10 capable of storing trays in five tiers in the cooking chamber 20 described above, as shown in Figure 15, the partition plate 23 is removably attached by engaging a locking hole portion consisting of a round hole provided in the bent portion at the lower end of the partition plate 23 with a locking protrusion 20d provided so as to protrude upward from the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20, and by engaging a locking hole portion consisting of a round hole provided in the bent portion at the upper end of the partition plate 23 with a locking protrusion 20e provided so as to protrude downward from the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20.

[0051] When removing the partition plate 23 from the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, the partition plate 23 is lifted vertically to disengage the locking hole portion at the lower end of the partition plate 23 from the locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 (changing from Figure 15(a) to the state of Figure 15(b)), the lower part of the partition plate 23 is moved to the right so that it can be moved downward (changing from Figure 15(b) to the state of Figure 15(c)), the partition plate 23 is moved diagonally downward to the right to disengage the locking hole portion at the upper end of the partition plate 23 from the locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 (changing from Figure 15(c) to the state of Figure 15(d)), and the partition plate 23 is removed from the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20.

[0052] Furthermore, when attaching the partition plate 23 to the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, the partition plate 23 is tilted so that the top is on the left side and the bottom is on the right side, and the partition plate 23 is lifted while inserting the locking projections 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 into the locking holes at the top end of the partition plate 23 (changing from the state of Figure 15(d) to Figure 15(c)), the partition plate 23 is raised vertically above the locking projections 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 (changing from the state of Figure 15(c) to Figure 15(b)), and the partition plate 23 is moved downward while inserting the locking projections 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 into the locking holes at the bottom end of the partition plate 23 (changing from the state of Figure 15(b) to Figure 15(a)), and the partition plate 23 is attached to the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20. In this way, when the partition plate 23 is attached by inserting it into the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, the gap in the ventilation passage 23b formed between the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 and the upper end of the partition plate 23 becomes larger, and more hot air is sent to the trays placed on the upper tier than to the trays placed on the other tiers, which may result in uneven cooking at the height positions of the trays placed above and below.

[0053] In contrast, in the partition plate 23 of the cooking appliance 10, which allows trays to be stored in three tiers inside the cooking chamber 20, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, a locking hole 23d consisting of a pair of front and rear round holes is formed in a bent portion 23c at the lower end of the partition plate 23, and a locking protrusion 20d provided on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 can be inserted into the locking hole 23d from below. A locking hole 23f consisting of a pair of front and rear elongated holes formed continuously with the upper end of the partition plate 23 is formed in a bent portion 23e at the upper end of the partition plate 23, and a locking protrusion 20e provided on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 can be inserted into the locking hole 23f from the side (left). In addition, a stopper 23g using a leaf spring member that can engage with the locking protrusion 20e is provided at the upper end of the partition plate 23 at a position adjacent to the front locking hole portion 23f, and by engaging with the locking protrusion 20e, the stopper 23g prevents the upper part of the partition plate 23 from tilting toward the food storage chamber 21.

[0054] When removing partition plate 23 from locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20, locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 is disengaged from stopper 23g on the upper end of partition plate 23, and the upper part of partition plate 23 is tilted to the right to disengage locking hole 23f on the upper end of partition plate 23 from locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 (to the state shown in FIG. 17(a) to FIG. 17(b)). From this state, partition plate 23 is lifted upward to disengage locking hole 23d on the lower end of partition plate 23 from locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 (to the state shown in FIG. 17(b) to FIG. 17(c)). Partition plate 23 is then removed from locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20.

[0055] Furthermore, when attaching partition plate 23 to locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20, with the upper portion of partition plate 23 tilted to the right, locking hole 23d at the lower end of partition plate 23 is inserted from above into locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 (changing from the state shown in FIG. 17(c) to FIG. 17(b)). Next, while rotating the upper portion of partition plate 23 to the left so as to raise partition plate 23 vertically, locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 is inserted into locking hole 23f at the upper end of partition plate 23, and stopper 23g at the upper end of partition plate 23 is engaged with locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 (changing from the state shown in FIG. 17(b) to FIG. 17(a)). Then, partition plate 23 is attached to locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20.

[0056] In this way, the partition plate 23 can be engaged with the engagement projections 20d, 20e on the bottom and ceiling walls of the cooking chamber 20 by rotating its upper portion about a horizontal axis in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the gap between the ventilation passage 23b formed between the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 and the upper end of the partition plate 23 is not large. This prevents more hot air from being blown to the upper tray than to the other trays, reducing uneven cooking at different heights between the upper and lower trays. Furthermore, the stopper 23g, which uses a leaf spring member provided at the upper end of the partition plate 23, engages with the engagement projection 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, thereby suppressing vibration noise caused by the partition plate 23 vibrating finely due to the wind generated by the convection fan 27. Furthermore, because the width of the engagement hole 23f is slightly larger than the diameter of the engagement projection 20e, the engagement projection 20e may not engage with the engagement hole 23f unless the dimensions and positioning of the engagement hole 23f are highly accurate. By further increasing the width of locking hole 23f and forming a corner at the right end, locking protrusion 20e can be reliably locked into locking hole 23f. Although a gap is likely to form between locking protrusion 20e and locking hole 23f, by engaging stopper 23g with locking protrusion 20e, rattling of partition plate 23 caused by the gap between locking protrusion 20e and locking hole 23f can be suppressed.

[0057] Next, a first modified example of partition plate 23 will be described. As shown in Fig. 19, partition plate 23 of the first modified example has locking hole 23f formed at the upper end of partition plate 23, and a forward-extending anti-detachment groove 23f1 formed at the end of locking hole 23f on the bent portion 23e side. Furthermore, instead of locking hole 23d consisting of a round hole formed in bent portion 23c at the lower end of partition plate 23, a pair of front and rear locking holes 23h consisting of elongated holes formed continuously between bent portion 23c at the lower end of partition plate 23 and the lower end of partition plate 23 is formed, and a forward-extending anti-detachment groove 23h1 is formed at the end of locking hole 23h on the bent portion 23c side. Similar to locking hole 23f, locking protrusion 20d provided on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 can be inserted into locking hole 23h from the side (left).

[0058] When partition plate 23 is slid rearward while locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 is locked into locking hole 23h formed in the lower end of partition plate 23 and locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 is locked into locking hole 23f formed in the upper end of partition plate 23, locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 engages with anti-detachment groove 23h1 on the lower end of partition plate 23, and locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 engages with anti-detachment groove 23f1 on the upper end of partition plate 23. In this state, partition plate 23 is attached to locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom and ceiling walls inside cooking chamber 20 with its movement in the left-right direction restricted.

[0059] When removing the partition plate 23 of this first modified example from the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, the stopper 23g is disengaged from the state in which it is engaged with the locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, and the partition plate 23 is slid forward (from the state in Figures 20(a) and (b) to the state in (c)), whereby the locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 is disengaged from the anti-detachment groove 23h1, and the locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 is disengaged from the anti-detachment groove 23f1, allowing the partition plate 23 to slide to the right. When the partition plate 23 is slid to the right from this state, the locking protrusion 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 disengages from the locking hole portion 23h at the lower end of the partition plate 23, and the locking protrusion 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 disengages from the locking hole portion 23f at the upper end of the partition plate 23 (changing from the state in Figure 20(c) to the state in (d)), and the partition plate 23 is removed from the locking protrusions 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20.

[0060] Furthermore, when attaching the partition plate 23 to the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20, sliding the partition plate 23 to the left on the right side of the locking projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 causes the locking projection 20d on the bottom wall of the cooking chamber 20 to lock into the locking hole portion 23h at the lower end of the partition plate 23, and the locking projection 20e on the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 20 to lock into the locking hole portion 23f at the upper end of the partition plate 23 (changing from the state in Figure 20(d) to the state in (c)). When partition plate 23 is slid backward from this state (from the state in FIG. 20(c) to the states in (a) and (b)), locking protrusion 20d on the bottom wall of cooking chamber 20 locks into anti-detachment groove 23h1, and locking protrusion 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 locks into anti-detachment groove 23f1, preventing partition plate 23 from sliding to the right. Furthermore, stopper 23g engages with locking protrusion 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20, restricting forward movement of partition plate 23. In this way, partition plate 23 is attached to locking protrusions 20d and 20e on the bottom and ceiling walls of cooking chamber 20.

[0061] In the first modified example, partition plate 23 can be slid left and right while standing upright to engage and disengage with locking protrusions 20d, 20e on the bottom and ceiling walls of cooking chamber 20. This prevents the gap between ventilation passage 23b formed between the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20 and the upper end of partition plate 23 from becoming large, preventing more hot air from being blown to trays placed on the upper tier than to trays placed on other tiers, reducing the likelihood of uneven cooking at different heights between trays placed above and below. Furthermore, stopper 23g using a leaf spring is provided at the upper end of partition plate 23 to engage with locking protrusion 20e on the ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20. This prevents partition plate 23 from accidentally coming off locking protrusions 20d, 20e on the bottom and ceiling walls of cooking chamber 20, and also reduces vibration noise caused by partition plate 23 vibrating finely due to the wind from convection fan 27. In this first modified partition plate 23, the prevention grooves 23f1, 23h1 are designed to extend forward from the ends of the locking hole portions 23f, 23h, but this is not limited to this, and the prevention grooves 23f1, 23h1 may also be designed to extend rearward from the ends of the locking hole portions 23f, 23h.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first modified example of partition plate 23, bent portions 23c, 23e at the lower and upper ends of partition plate 23 are bent perpendicular to partition plate 23, but this is not limited thereto, and as shown in Fig. 21, bent portions 23c, 23e at the lower and upper ends of partition plate 23 may be inclined at an acute angle (for example, 3° to 5°) relative to partition plate 23. When bent portions 23c, 23e are inclined at an acute angle relative to the lower and upper ends of partition plate 23, bent portions 23c, 23e of partition plate 23 can be easily inserted into engaging projections 20d, 20e on the bottom wall and ceiling wall of cooking chamber 20, and the center of gravity of partition plate 23 is closer to convection fan 27, which reduces vibration noise caused by partition plate 23 vibrating finely due to the wind from convection fan 27.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cooking appliance 10, which can accommodate three trays in a cooking chamber 20, has a support frame 25 detachably attached to the right wall of the cooking chamber 20. The support frame 25 includes three rails 25a arranged vertically in three rows to support the right edge of the trays. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 22 , the support frame 25 includes three rails 25a arranged vertically in three rows to support the right edge of the trays so that they can slide back and forth. The three rails 25a are connected by two connecting plates 25b arranged at the front and rear. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 , each rail 25a has a U-shaped cross section along the left-right direction so that it can sandwich the right edge of the tray between its lower and upper sides to prevent deformation of trays such as hotel pans, which are prone to deformation due to heat. Furthermore, the rear end of the rear connecting plate 25b is bent leftward to form a reinforcing portion 25c, which increases the strength of the rear connecting plate 25b against thermal stress. An opening 25d is formed in the reinforcing portion 25c, and the opening 25d prevents the volume of hot air circulating inside the cooking chamber 20 from becoming uneven depending on the height position of the tray.

[0064] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, connecting plate 25b has mounting holes 25e formed therein for attachment to the right wall of cooking chamber 20, and support frame 25 is detachably attached to the right wall of cooking chamber 20 by engaging mounting pins 20f provided on the right wall of cooking chamber 20 with mounting holes 25e. As shown in Figure 24, mounting pin 20f provided on the right wall of cooking chamber 20 has a large diameter portion 20g at its tip head and a small diameter portion 20h at its base end. Connecting plate 25b of support frame 25 is attached to the right wall of cooking chamber 20 with small diameter portion 20h inserted through mounting hole 25e and large diameter portion 20g engaging with the periphery of mounting hole 25e to prevent it from coming off mounting pin 20f.

[0065] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, mounting hole 25e of connecting plate 25b is a so-called potbellied hole having detachable portion 25f with a diameter large enough to allow passage of large-diameter portion 20g of mounting pin 20f and engaging portion 25g with a diameter smaller than large-diameter portion 20g to allow passage of small-diameter portion 20h. Mounting hole 25e has small-diameter portion 20h formed diagonally above and to the front of large-diameter portion 20g. When mounting support frame 25 to the left wall of cooking chamber 20, large-diameter portion 20g of mounting pin 20f is inserted into detachable portion 25f of mounting hole 25e, and support frame 25 is moved diagonally downward and to the rear by its own weight. This causes small-diameter portion 20h of mounting pin 20f to move toward the tip of engaging portion 25g of mounting hole 25e, and large-diameter portion 20g of mounting pin 20f engages with the periphery of engaging portion 25g, thereby mounting support frame 25 to the left wall of cooking chamber 20. In this state, the support frame 25 is attached to the left wall of the cooking chamber 20 with its movement in the forward and backward directions restricted.

[0066] When food ingredients are being cooked inside cooking chamber 20, trays such as hotel pans may warp, and the warping trays apply a force in a direction that lifts support frame 25. Mounting hole 25e, consisting of detachable portion 25f and engaging portion 25g, is arranged with the longitudinal direction of the hole at an angle, so the stroke in the direction in which mounting pin 20f comes off can be lengthened in two directions: vertically and forward and backward, and support frame 25 is less likely to come off mounting pin 20f on the right wall of cooking chamber 20 due to trays such as hotel pans warping due to heat.

[0067] The shape of the mounting hole 25e is not limited to this, and as shown in Figure 25(a), the mounting hole 25e may have an engagement portion 25g positioned vertically above the detachable portion 25f, or as shown in Figure 25(b), the mounting hole 25e may be diamond-shaped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 30...steam generator, 31...steam generating vessel, 31a...delivery outlet, 32...heating means, 40...steam delivery section, 41...upper guide tube section, 41a...ceiling wall, 42...horizontal guide tube section, 42a...inlet, 43a...groove section, 45...steam passage, 50...hot water inflow prevention member, 51...cylindrical shielding section, 51a...outlet, 51b...return port, 52...flange section.

Claims

1. a steam generating vessel that stores a predetermined amount of water therein and has an outlet at its upper end for delivering steam; a heating means for heating water in the steam generating vessel to generate steam; a steam delivery section that includes an upper guide tube section that extends upward at an upper end of the steam generating vessel and guides upward the steam delivered from the delivery port, and a horizontal guide tube section that guides the steam rising up the upper guide tube section to an adjacent delivery destination in the horizontal direction, and delivers the steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating vessel to the delivery destination; A steam generating device comprising: a hot water inflow prevention member that prevents boiling hot water from flowing into the destination while sending steam generated in the upper part of the steam generating container to the destination, The steam generating device is characterized in that the hot water inflow prevention member includes a cylindrical shielding portion that extends above the inlet of the horizontal guide tube portion within the upper guide tube portion, blocking the inlet of the horizontal guide tube portion through a gap, and forming a steam passage that serves as a passage for steam through the gap between it and the inner surface of the upper guide tube portion, and the cylindrical shielding portion has an outlet formed in a position radially opposite the horizontal guide tube portion to guide steam from within the cylindrical shielding portion to the steam passage.

2. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 1, The steam generating device is characterized in that the outlet is formed at a position higher than the inlet of the horizontal guide tube portion.

3. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, The steam generating device is characterized in that the outlet is formed below the upper end of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical shielding portion.

4. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 1, A steam generating apparatus characterized in that a return port is formed in a lower portion of the cylindrical shielding portion for returning water falling in the steam passage into the steam generating vessel.

5. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 4, A steam generating device characterized in that the return port is formed on the radially opposite side of the horizontal guide tube portion.

6. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, A flange portion extending outward is formed at the lower end of the cylindrical shielding portion, The steam generating device is characterized in that the flange portion is inclined in the circumferential direction so that the position where the return port is formed is lower.

7. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 1, A steam generating apparatus characterized in that the ceiling wall of the upper guide tube portion is inclined so that the side of the horizontal guide tube portion in the radial direction is higher and the opposite side is lower.

8. The steam generating apparatus according to claim 1, a groove extending in the axial direction is formed on the lower portion of the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide cylindrical portion; A steam generating device characterized in that the groove portion is inclined so that the upper guide cylindrical portion side is lower than the inner peripheral surface of the horizontal guide cylindrical portion.

Images