Heating Regulator

Abstract

To provide a heating cooker that comprises a container having a long shape in one direction in a planar view, and can perform cooking for restraining uneven heating by restraining concentration of heating on a minor axis side of the container.SOLUTION: A heating cooker comprises: a container having a long shape in one direction in a planar view; a main body having a bottom case in which an air intake port and an air exhaust port are formed, and housing the container in such a manner that a gap is formed between the bottom case and the container; a heating device for heating the container; and a cooling fan for sucking outside air into the main body from the air intake port. The air intake port and the air exhaust port are arranged on one end side and the other end side of a minor axis of the container in the planar view of the bottom case and the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooking appliance provided with a container that is long in one direction.

Background Art

[0002] In cooking appliances, there are containers for storing cookables such as food ingredients and cooking liquids that are long in one direction in plan view (for example, oval or oblong, etc.) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The container (also referred to as a kettle or an inner kettle) of Patent Document 1 has a circular planar shape at its lower end, and is horizontally long with the diameter expanding more in the left - right direction than in the front - rear direction upward. A circular heating device (also referred to as an electromagnetic coil or a heating coil) is arranged at the lower end of the circular kettle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when heating a horizontally long container in plan view with a circular heating means as in the cooking appliance described in Patent Document 1, the heating efficiency on the long - axis side of the container is poor, and the heating is concentrated on the short - axis side of the container. Also, if the shape of the heating device is made into a horizontally long oval shape that matches the shape of the container, the heating efficiency on the long - axis side of the container can be improved, but the heating devices on the short - axis side of the container are arranged close to each other, and the heating is concentrated on the short - axis side rather than the long - axis side of the container. Therefore, when the shape of the container is long in one direction in plan view, whether the heating device is circular or oval, inside the main body, there is a difference in the space temperature between the vicinity of the heating device on the long - axis side and the vicinity of the heating device on the short - axis side, and uneven heating of the cookables stored in the container occurs.

[0005] This disclosure was made against the backdrop of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a cooking appliance equipped with a container that has a shape that is elongated in one direction when viewed from above, which can suppress uneven heating by suppressing the concentration of heat on the short axis side of the container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The heating appliance according to this disclosure comprises a container having a shape that is elongated in one direction when viewed from above, a bottom case having an air intake port and an exhaust port formed therein, a main body that houses the container such that a gap is formed between the bottom case and the container, a heating device for heating the container, and a cooling fan for drawing outside air into the main body from the air intake port, wherein the air intake port and the exhaust port are located on one end and the other end of the container's short axis when viewed from above, and Therefore, the heating device is positioned inside the air intake so as not to overlap with the air intake in a plan view of the bottom case and the heating device. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] In this disclosure, a cooking appliance equipped with a container that is elongated in one direction in plan view has an air intake and an exhaust port located at one end and the other end of the container's short axis in a plan view of the bottom case and the container. Therefore, according to this disclosure, the cooling efficiency of the short axis side of the container where heating is concentrated inside the main body is increased, and the temperature difference between the short axis side and the long axis side of the container is reduced, enabling cooking with suppressed uneven heating. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view showing the inner lid and inner pot removed from the heating cooker 100 according to Embodiment 1 with the lid 2 open. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the external appearance of the heating appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a plan view of the inner pot 5. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view showing the lateral cross-section AA of the inner pot 5 in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB cross-section in the front-to-back direction of the inner pot 5. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bottom case 10, seen from the lower front side. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a perspective view from the top front of the bottom case 10 with the cooling fan 63 installed. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a perspective view from below and the front of the inner pot cover 11, showing the heating coil 62 and ferrite core 65 attached to it. [Figure 10] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the bottom case 10, the inner pot 5, and the heating coil 62. [Figure 11] Figure 10 is a schematic plan view showing the relationship between the heating coil 62 and the ambient temperature inside the bottom case 10. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the relationship between the width of the air intake and the long axis distance of the heating coil 62 in the bottom case 10. [Figure 13] Figure 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the air intake and the heating coil 62 in the bottom case 10. [Figure 14] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the heating coil 62 and the cooling fan 63 within the main body 1. [Figure 15] Figure 14 is a plan view showing the flow of cooling air inside the bottom case 10. [Figure 16] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the bottom case 10 with the cooling fan 63, control device 50, and induction wall 17 installed. [Figure 17] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the high-temperature section heated by the heating means and the airflow path for the cooling air from the cooling fan 63, with the guide wall installed inside the main body 1. [Figure 18] This is a plan view of the bottom case 210 of the heating cooker 100 according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a perspective view from the top front of the bottom case 210 with the cooling fan 63 installed. [Figure 20]It is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the exhaust port 202 and the flow dividing wall in the bottom case 210 of FIG. 18. [Figure 21] It is a plan view showing the flow of the cooling air in a state where the heating coil 62 and the ferrite core 65 are arranged in the bottom case 210 of FIG. 18.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cooking heater according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure includes all combinations of configurations that can be combined among the configurations shown in the following embodiments. Further, the cooking heater shown in the drawings is an example of a device to which the cooking heater of the present disclosure is applied, and the applicable devices of the present disclosure are not limited by the cooking heater shown in the drawings. Further, in the following description, terms indicating directions (for example, "up", "down", "right", "left", "front", "rear", etc.) are appropriately used for easy understanding, but these are for the purpose of explanation and do not limit the present disclosure. Also, in each figure, those with the same reference numerals are the same or corresponding thereto, which is common throughout the specification. Note that in each drawing, the relative dimensional relationships or shapes of the respective components may be different from the actual ones.

[0010] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cooking appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the inner lid 22 and the inner pot 5 are taken out with the lid 2 of the cooking appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1 opened. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the cooking appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inner pot 5 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a cross section A-A in the lateral direction of the inner pot 5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a cross section B-B in the front-rear direction of the inner pot 5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom case 10 of FIG. 1 viewed from the lower front side. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the state in which the cooling fan 63 is installed on the bottom case 10 of FIG. 7 viewed from the upper front side. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the state in which the heating coil 62 and the ferrite core 65 are attached to the inner pot cover 11 of FIG. 1 viewed from the lower front side. Based on FIGS. 1 to 9, the schematic configuration of the cooking appliance 100 will be described.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking appliance 100 heats the inner pot 5 (hereinafter also referred to as a container) in which cooking materials such as food ingredients and water are placed by the heating coil 62 to cook the cooking materials. In the following embodiments, the cooking appliance 100 is assumed to be a cooker that cooks the cooking materials at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Note that the cooking appliance 100 may be a normal rice cooker without a decompression means or a cooker that cooks the cooking materials at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the cooking appliance 100 includes a main body 1, an inner pot 5 housed in the main body 1, and a lid 2 that covers the upper part of the inner pot 5. The main body 1 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening on the upper surface, and the outer contour of the bottom of the main body 1 is constituted by a bottom case 10. An inner pot storage portion SP1 connected to the opening on the upper surface is formed inside the main body 1. The inner pot 5 has a shape that is long in one direction in plan view, and is an elliptical shape in FIG. 4. And the wall portions of the inner pot storage portion SP1 (specifically, the inner pot cover 11 and the side heater 15 described later) are also formed in a shape that is long in one direction in plan view so as to follow the outer surface of the inner pot 5. An opening / closing button 13 for opening and closing the lid 2 is provided on the front side of the main body 1, and the inner pot 5 is housed in the inner pot storage portion SP1 through the opening of the main body 1 so as to be freely taken in and out.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, a hinge 4 for attaching the lid 2 is provided on the rear upper surface of the main body 1. The hinge 4 has a hinge spring 42 and a hinge shaft 41, and the hinge spring 42 biases the lid 2 to an open state (see Figure 2) around the hinge shaft 41. In addition, a lid locking portion 14 is provided on the front upper surface of the main body 1, and when the lid 2 locks into the lid locking portion 14 of the main body 1, the lid 2 covers the opening of the main body 1 and maintains a closed state.

[0014] The main body 1 is the casing that constitutes the outer shell of the heating cooker 100. The main body 1 houses the inner pot 5 in the inner pot storage section SP1 which extends from the opening on the top surface, and houses the heating device, including the heating coil 62, bottom temperature sensor 69, cooling fan 63, and control device 50, in the internal space SP2 of the main body, which is partitioned from the inner pot storage section SP1 by the inner pot cover 11, etc.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, an inner pot support member 12 is provided at the edge of the opening of the main body 1, which protrudes upward and supports the flange 5f of the inner pot 5. Below the inner pot support member 12, a side heater 15 facing the side of the inner pot 5 and an inner pot cover 11 facing the bottom of the inner pot 5 are provided. The side heater 15 keeps the inner pot 5 warm. The inner pot cover 11 is made of a heat-resistant material (for example, metal or synthetic resin).

[0016] As shown in Figure 7, the bottom case 10 that constitutes the bottom of the main body 1 is provided with an air intake port 101 and an exhaust port 102. Specifically, the air intake port 101 is a collection of multiple slit-shaped air intake openings H1, and the exhaust port 102 is a collection of multiple slit-shaped exhaust openings H2. The air intake port 101 is formed at the rear of the bottom case 10, and the exhaust port 102 is formed at the front of the bottom case 10. Also, the lower left and right sides of the bottom case 10 have handle portions 103 that are recessed upwards. Furthermore, on the lower surface of the bottom case 10, there are two legs 104 that protrude downwards at two locations on the front left and right sides, and two legs 104 that protrude downwards at two locations on the rear left and right sides. These legs 104 create a gap (see Figure 1) between the lower surface of the bottom case 10 where the air intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 are formed and the mounting surface on which the cooking appliance 100 is placed.

[0017] In addition, the intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 in the main body 1 may be formed, for example, on the front and back of the main body 1. Alternatively, for example, the intake port 101 may be formed on the front of the bottom case 10 and the exhaust port 102 may be formed on the rear of the bottom case 10.

[0018] In Figure 1, the cooling fan 63 and the control device 50 are located at the rear of the internal space SP2 of the main unit. The cooling fan 63 is installed on the upper surface of the bottom case 10, above the air intake 101 (see Figures 7 and 8), and the control device 50 is located above the cooling fan 63. The control device 50 may also be installed on the upper surface of the bottom case 10. The control device 50 controls the entire heating appliance 100.

[0019] The cooling fan 63 cools the control device 50. When the cooling fan 63 is driven, outside air is drawn into the internal space SP2 of the main body through the intake port 101 of the bottom case 10, and exhausted from the internal space SP2 to the outside through the exhaust port 102. An airflow path for cooling air is formed in the internal space SP2 between the intake port 101 and the exhaust port 102. Therefore, the cooling fan 63 also serves as a means of cooling the internal space SP2 of the main body, which is heated by the heating coil 62.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 9, a heating coil 62 for heating the inner pot 5 is provided at the bottom of the inner pot cover 11 in the internal space SP2 of the main body. The heating coil 62 is an example of a heating device for heating the inner pot 5. The heating coil 62 is located on the outside of the inner pot cover 11, that is, on the opposite side of the inner pot 5 from the inner pot cover 11. The heating coil 62 is wound in a ring shape and positioned facing the bottom or a side close to the bottom of the inner pot 5. When current flows through the heating coil 62, the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the heating coil 62 creates eddy currents in the inner pot 5, which is made of a material that is inductively heated, and the Joule heat of the inner pot 5 caused by these eddy currents heats the food being cooked inside the inner pot 5.

[0021] The heating method for heating the inner pot 5 is not limited to induction heating using a heating coil 62 or the like; it may also be heat transfer using a heater. In other words, the heating device may be an electric heater such as a sheathed heater. If the heating device is an electric heater, the electric heater placed between the outer surface of the inner pot 5 and the inner pot cover 11 will directly heat the inner pot 5, or the electric heater placed outside the inner pot cover 11 will heat the inner pot 5 via the inner pot cover 11. Furthermore, the cooking appliance 100 may be equipped with both a heating coil 62 and an electric heater as heating devices.

[0022] In Figure 9, the heating coil 62 is formed in an elliptical ring shape to conform to the elliptical shape of the inner pot 5 shown in Figure 2. The shape of the heating device can be any shape. For example, if the inner pot 5 is oval, the heating coil 62 may also be oval to conform to the shape of the inner pot 5. Alternatively, the heating coil 62 may be composed of, for example, three concentric ring-shaped coil sections, or it may be composed of coil sections arranged at four locations on the left, right, front, and rear of the lower center of the inner pot 5.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, multiple rod-shaped ferrite cores 65 are provided on the lower surface of the heating coil 62. The multiple ferrite cores 65 are arranged radially so as to intersect with the strands of the elliptical annular heating coil 62. More ferrite cores 65 are arranged on the long axis side of the elliptical annular heating coil 62 than on the short axis side.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, an inverter (not shown) for supplying high-frequency current to the heating coil 62 is provided in the internal space SP2 of the main body. The inverter (not shown) converts the alternating current supplied from an external commercial power source into a high-frequency current of a predetermined frequency and supplies it to the heating coil 62.

[0025] The bottom temperature sensor 69 is an example of a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the inner pot 5. The bottom temperature sensor 69 in this embodiment is a thermistor that contacts the bottom of the inner pot 5 to detect its temperature. A hole 11h is formed in the center of the lower part of the inner pot cover 11, and the bottom temperature sensor 69 is positioned within the hole 11h. A compression spring 16 is provided below the bottom temperature sensor 69, and the bottom temperature sensor 69 is biased upward by the compression spring 16 to contact the bottom of the inner pot 5.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the inner pot 5 is a bottomed cylindrical shape with an opening on its top surface, and an outward-facing flange 5f is formed on the edge of the opening of the inner pot 5. The lower surface of the flange 5f of the inner pot 5 is in contact with the inner pot support member 12 provided on the edge of the opening of the main body 1. In Figures 4 to 6, the inner pot 5 has an elliptical shape in plan view, and is configured so that the long axis AL of the inner pot 5 is in the left-right direction (arrow X direction) of the main body 1, and the short axis AS is in the front-back direction (arrow Y direction) of the main body 1. Note that the shape of the inner pot 5 is not limited to this, and for example it may be circular or oval in plan view. If the cooking appliance 100 heats food by induction heating, the inner pot 5 is made of a material containing a magnetic metal that generates heat by induction heating.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the lid 2 is attached to the main body 1 by a hinge 4 and covers the top of the inner pot 5 in a way that allows it to be opened and closed. The lid 2 has an outer lid 21 and an inner lid 22. The outer lid 21 of the lid 2 is supported by the main body 1 by a hinge 4 and rotates up and down to open and close the top of the inner pot 5. As shown in Figure 2, the inner lid 22 is detachably attached to the lower surface of the outer lid 21 (hereinafter also referred to as the lower surface 21b of the outer lid). As shown in Figure 1, when the lid 2 is closed, the inner lid 22 covers the top opening of the inner pot 5, and a cooking space SPc is formed between the inner pot 5 and the inner lid 22. If the cooking appliance 100 is a cooking appliance that cooks food at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, this cooking space SPc becomes a low-pressure space where the pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0028] The inner lid 22 is made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. An annular packing 23 is provided between the flange 5f of the inner pot 5 and the outer circumference of the inner lid 22 to ensure airtightness between them (see Figure 2). The packing 23 is attached to the inner lid 22 such that when the inner lid 22 is closed, a portion of it fits inside the edge of the opening of the inner pot 5.

[0029] The inner lid 22 is made of a plate-like material and is constructed of a highly rigid material to withstand pressure changes (reduced pressure) in the cooking space SPc, with an X-shaped bead formed on the central flat surface. The inner lid 22 also has an inner lid intake hole 22hp and an inner lid sensor hole 22hs. The holes such as the inner lid intake hole 22hp and the inner lid sensor hole 22hs formed in the inner lid 22 are preferably φ2 mm or less in diameter. This suppresses the inflow of foreign matter into the reduced pressure channel or the cooking space SPc, which will be described later. A filter (not shown) may also be provided in the inner lid intake hole 22hp, the inner lid sensor hole 22hs, or the reduced pressure channel.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the outer lid 21 is provided with a cartridge 24 having a space formed inside. A steam exhaust path 24p is formed at the top of the cartridge 24, connecting the space inside the cartridge 24 to the outside of the cooking appliance 100, and the tip of the steam exhaust path 24p is the steam outlet 24o. As shown in Figure 3, the cartridge 24 is fitted into a recess provided in the outer lid 21, and is positioned so that the steam outlet 24o is exposed from the upper surface 21a of the outer lid.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the lower surface 21b of the outer lid has a communication hole 21hp facing the inner lid intake hole 22hp of the inner lid 22, and a sensor hole 21hs facing the inner lid sensor hole 22hs of the inner lid 22. The inner lid intake hole 22hp and the communication hole 21hp on the lower surface 21b of the outer lid, and the inner lid sensor hole 22hs and the sensor hole 21hs on the lower surface 21b of the outer lid are connected by joint packings, respectively, to prevent leakage of steam and pressure.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the outer lid 21 is provided with a lid temperature sensor 25. More specifically, the lid temperature sensor 25 is located in a sensor hole 21hs on the lower surface 21b of the outer lid. The lid temperature sensor 25 is an example of a spatial temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the cooking space SPc inside the inner pot 5. The lid temperature sensor 25 is, for example, an infrared sensor that detects infrared radiation inside the inner pot 5.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, a pressure reducing pump 34 is provided inside the outer lid 21 to reduce the pressure of the cooking space SPc. The pressure reducing pump 34 is a pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure inside the inner pot 5 by sucking air from inside the inner pot 5, and constitutes a pressure reducing channel (not shown). The pressure reducing channel is formed by connecting the communication hole 21hp on the lower surface 21b of the outer lid to the pressure reducing pump 34 with a connecting pipe, and also by connecting the pressure reducing pump 34 to the steam discharge path 24p of the cartridge 24 with a connecting pipe. When the pressure reducing pump 34 operates, air inside the inner pot 5 is sucked into the pressure reducing pump 34, and the air sucked into the pressure reducing pump 34 is discharged to the outside of the heating cooker 100 via the steam discharge path 24p of the cartridge 24.

[0034] Although not shown in the diagram, a pressure sensing unit for detecting the pressure in the cooking space SPc is provided inside the outer lid 21.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the cooking appliance 100 includes an operating unit 26 for user operation and a display unit 27 for displaying information such as the operating status. The operating unit 26 and the display unit 27 are communicated with the control device 50. In Figure 3, the operating unit 26 and the display unit 27 are located on the front side of the upper surface 21a of the outer cover for easy user operation. The operating unit 26 is, for example, an operation panel equipped with switches and buttons for the user to input instructions. The display unit 27 is, for example, a display that shows messages to inform the user and information such as the operating status. Furthermore, the display unit 27 may have a speaker that informs the user of information by sound, including alarm sounds and synthesized voice.

[0036] Furthermore, the location of the control unit 26 and display unit 27 in the heating cooker 100 is not limited to the outer cover 21, but may also be on the main body 1. In addition, various functions such as operation of the control unit 26 and display by the display unit 27 may be included in the control device 50, or they may be implemented by an external device such as a smartphone.

[0037] The control device 50 is electrically connected to an operation unit 26, a display unit 27, a bottom temperature sensor 69, a lid temperature sensor 25, and a pressure detection unit (not shown). The control device 50 is also electrically connected to a pressure reducing pump 34, an inverter (not shown), and a cooling fan 63.

[0038] The control device 50 implements various functions by executing software on a computing device such as a microcomputer, or is composed of hardware such as circuit devices that implement various functions.

[0039] The control device 50 acquires the temperature of the inner pot 5 detected by the bottom temperature sensor 69 and the temperature inside the inner pot 5 detected by the lid temperature sensor 25. The control device 50 periodically acquires temperature information from the bottom temperature sensor 69 and the lid temperature sensor 25. In addition, the control device 50 acquires pressure information from a pressure detection unit (not shown) at the necessary timing.

[0040] The control device 50 controls the inverter (not shown) and the cooling fan 63 based on instructions input via the operation unit 26 and temperature information acquired from the bottom temperature sensor 69 and the lid temperature sensor 25. The control device 50 also controls the pressure reducing pump 34 based on instructions input via the operation unit 26 and pressure information acquired.

[0041] The control device 50 has cooking patterns pre-stored according to the menu. The cooking patterns include cooking conditions such as the set cooking temperature, target pressure, set cooking time to maintain the set cooking temperature, and operating period of the cooling fan 63 during the cooking process to cook the ingredients. When a menu is selected by the user via the operation display unit, the cooking pattern corresponding to that menu is executed.

[0042] The operation of the cooking appliance 100 will be explained below using Figure 1. When a low-pressure cooking menu is selected via the control unit 26, the cooking appliance 100 activates the pressure reducing pump 34. As a result, air inside the inner pot 5 is drawn into the pressure reducing pump 34, and the drawn-in air is discharged to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 via the steam discharge path 24p of the cartridge 24. This reduces the pressure inside the inner pot 5, creating a low-pressure state. When the pressure inside the inner pot 5 reaches a predetermined target pressure, the cooking appliance 100 stops the pressure reducing pump 34.

[0043] The cooking appliance 100 heats the inner pot 5 by driving an inverter (not shown) to supply a high-frequency current to the heating coil 62, thereby cooking the food to be cooked in the inner pot 5. When the cooking appliance 100 wants to adjust the amount of heat in the inner pot 5, that is, the strength of the heat, it controls the frequency of the high-frequency current supplied to the heating coil 62 by controlling the inverter (not shown). Alternatively, the control device 50 may control the amount of heat in the inner pot 5 by operating the inverter (not shown) intermittently. Specifically, when it is desired to reduce the amount of heat from the heating coil 62, the inverter (not shown) is operated at a lower frequency compared to when it is increased. Alternatively, the control device 50 may control the amount of heat from the heating coil 62 by adjusting the on-duty ratio of the inverter (not shown).

[0044] The cooking appliance 100 operates the cooling fan 63 as needed. For example, the cooling fan 63 is operated during periods of high heating (e.g., from the start to the end of cooking).

[0045] Next, the lower part of the main body 1 will be described in detail. Figure 10 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the bottom case 10, the inner pot 5, and the heating coil 62 in Figure 1. In Figure 10, for the sake of clarity, only the outline of the outer surface of the inner pot 5 is shown. Figure 11 is a plan view schematically showing the relationship between the heating coil 62 and the ambient temperature inside the bottom case 10 in Figure 10. Using Figures 1 and 9 to 11, the ambient temperature near the heating coil 62 and the temperature of the inner pot 5 when the internal space SP2 of the main body is not being cooled by the cooling fan 63 will be explained.

[0046] Figure 11 illustrates five regions in which the space below the inner pot 5 in the internal space SP2 of the main body is divided into regions R1 and R3 located on both sides in the direction of the short axis (arrow Y direction) of the inner pot 5 (specifically, on both sides of the center O of the short axis AS), regions R2 and R4 located on both sides in the direction of the long axis (arrow X direction) of the inner pot 5 (specifically, on both sides of the center O of the long axis AL), and the central region R5.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the bottom of the inner pot 5 is located at the bottom of the main body 1, and the ambient temperature is raised by a heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. Hereinafter, as shown in Figure 11, the elliptical heating coil 62 is divided into four parts in the circumferential direction, and the parts located in the regions R1 and R3 on both sides in the short axis direction are called the short axis heating sections C1 and C3, and the parts located in the regions R2 and R4 on both sides in the long axis direction are called the long axis heating sections C2 and C4. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the horizontally elongated inner pot 5 is defined as being divided into a bottom central wall section 55 located in region R5 (see Figure 11) and four circumferential wall sections heated by the short axis heating section C1, the long axis heating section C2, the short axis heating section C3, and the long axis heating section C4, respectively. Of the four peripheral wall portions of the inner pot 5, the peripheral wall portions heated by the short-axis heating portions C1 and C3, respectively, are referred to as the short-axis peripheral wall portions 51 and 53, and the peripheral wall portions heated by the long-axis heating portions C2 and C4, respectively, are referred to as the long-axis peripheral wall portions 52 and 54.

[0048] In Figures 10 and 11, the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51 of the inner pot 5 is close to the short-axis side heating portion C1 of the heating coil 62 and is heated by this short-axis side heating portion C1. The short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51 is the rear peripheral wall portion of the inner pot 5, and since it is farther from the outer casing of the main body 1 than other parts, less heat escapes, and the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51 and the corresponding region R1 become hot.

[0049] The short-axis side peripheral wall portion 53 of the inner pot 5 is close to the short-axis side heating portion C3 of the heating coil 62 and is heated by this short-axis side heating portion C3. The short-axis side peripheral wall portion 53 is the front peripheral wall portion of the inner pot 5, and since the distance from the outer casing of the main body 1 (especially the front surface of the outer casing) is smaller than that of the rear short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51, the heat escaping is greater. Therefore, the temperature of the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 53 is lower than the temperature of the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51, and the temperature of the region R3 corresponding to the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 53 is lower than the temperature of the region R1 corresponding to the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51.

[0050] The long-axis side peripheral walls 52 and 54 of the inner pot 5 are close to the long-axis side heating sections C2 and C4 of the heating coil 62 and are heated by the long-axis side heating sections C2 and C4. The long-axis side peripheral walls 52 and 54 are the left or right peripheral walls of the inner pot 5 and are closer to the outer casing of the main body 1 (especially the left or right side of the casing) than the short-axis side peripheral walls 51 and 53 at the rear or front of the inner pot 5, resulting in greater heat loss. Furthermore, the long-axis side heating sections C2 and C4 have a larger heat capacity than the short-axis side heating sections C1 and C3 because they have a larger surface area of ​​the inner pot 5 to be heated and a larger volume inside the inner pot 5. Therefore, the temperature of the long-axis side peripheral walls 52 and 54 is lower than the temperature of the short-axis side peripheral walls 51 and 53, and the temperature of the regions R2 and R4 corresponding to the long-axis side peripheral walls 52 and 54 is lower than the temperature of the regions R1 and R3 corresponding to the short-axis side peripheral walls 51 and 53.

[0051] The central bottom wall 55 of the inner pot 5 is not in close proximity to the heating coil 62, but its temperature rises due to heat received from the short-axis side peripheral wall 51, the long-axis side peripheral wall 52, the short-axis side peripheral wall 53, and the long-axis side peripheral wall 54. The central bottom wall 55 is the central part of the bottom of the inner pot 5, and the heat escaping from the outer shell is less than that from the long-axis side peripheral wall 52, the short-axis side peripheral wall 53, and the long-axis side peripheral wall 54. Therefore, the temperature of the central bottom wall 55 is lower than the temperatures of the short-axis side peripheral walls 51 and 53, but higher than the temperatures of the long-axis side peripheral walls 52 and 54, and the temperature of region R5 corresponding to the central bottom wall 55 is lower than the temperatures of regions R1 and R3, but higher than the temperatures of regions R2 and R4.

[0052] Thus, if the inner pot 5 has a shape that is long in one direction when viewed from above, heating will be concentrated on the short axis side rather than the long axis side, resulting in uneven heating of the contents being heated inside the inner pot 5.

[0053] Therefore, in this disclosure, as shown in Figure 10, an air intake port 101 and an exhaust port 102 are provided on one end and the other end of the short axis AS of the inner casing 5 in the main body 1 (in the example of Figure 10, the bottom case 10). This concentrates the cooling of regions R1 and R3 on both sides of the short axis direction (arrow Y direction) within the internal space SP2 of the main body, which tend to become hot, thereby reducing the temperature difference between regions R1 to R5.

[0054] The one end and the other end of the short axis AS of the inner pot 5 are both sides in the direction of the short axis AS (arrow Y direction) of the inner pot 5 as viewed from the bottom case 10 and the inner pot 5, and are on or along the extension of the short axis AS. The intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 are provided at one end and the other end of the short axis AS of the inner pot 5, so that cooling air flows from the intake port 101 to the exhaust port 102 along the short axis AS. In Figure 11, the region Rf connecting the intake port 101 and the exhaust port 102, including the intake port 101 and the exhaust port 102, is shown by a dashed line. The intake port 101 and the exhaust port 102 are positioned so that both regions R1 and R3, which tend to become hot below the inner pot 5, are cooled preferentially over regions R2 and R4, that region Rf overlaps with regions R1, R5 and R3, which are mainly arranged along the short axis AS. In relation to the heating coil 62, the intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 are positioned such that region Rf overlaps with the heating sections C1 and C3, mainly on the short axis side, of the heating coil 62, respectively.

[0055] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the relationship between the width Win of the air intake port 101 and the long axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62 in the bottom case 10 of Figure 10. As shown in Figure 12, the width Win of the air intake port 101 is smaller than the long axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62. Here, the width Win of the air intake port 101 and the long axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62 are the width of the air intake port 101 and the distance to the heating coil 62 in the long axis direction of the inner pot 5 (i.e., the direction of arrow X, which is the left-right direction), respectively. Specifically, the long axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62 is the distance between the long axis side heating section C2 and the long axis side heating section C4 of the heating coil 62, and is the distance between the midpoints of the inner and outer edges of each long axis side heating section C2 and C4.

[0056] In this way, by making the width Win of the air intake port 101 smaller than the long axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62, cooling air is less likely to flow to the outer circumference of the long axis side of the heating coil 62, which has poorer heating efficiency compared to the short axis side, and the cooling air is concentrated on the short axis side where heating is concentrated. Therefore, the cooling efficiency inside the main body 1 is improved and uneven heating can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, the above effect can be obtained if the width Win of the air intake port 101 is smaller than the width Wh of the heating coil 62 (i.e., the distance between the outer edges of the heating coil 62 in the longitudinal direction of the inner pot 5) in the longitudinal direction of the inner pot 5 (arrow X direction).

[0058] Figure 13 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the air intake 101 and the heating coil 62 in the bottom case 10 of Figure 10. Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the heating coil 62 and the cooling fan 63 inside the main body 1 of Figure 1. The positional relationship between the air intake 101, the heating coil 62 and the cooling fan 63 will be explained based on Figures 11, 13 and 14.

[0059] As shown in Figure 13, in a plan view, it is preferable that the heating coil 62 is positioned inside the air intake 101 of the bottom case 10 so as not to overlap with the air intake 101. In other words, the air intake 101 is positioned outside the heating coil 62 (behind the short-axis side heating portion C1 of the heating coil 62 in Figure 11). By positioning the heating coil 62 and the air intake 101 in this way, it is possible to prevent the cooling air flowing in from the air intake 101 from directly blowing onto the heating coil 62, which would cause the heating means near the air intake 101 to become overcooled. Therefore, partial overcooling of the heating coil 62 is suppressed, and the cooling efficiency inside the main body 1 is further improved. Furthermore, in order to prevent the cooling air flowing in from the air intake 101 from directly blowing onto the bottom of the inner pot 5, it is more preferable that, in a plan view as shown in Figure 11, the air intake 101 is positioned outside the inner pot 5 (behind the short-axis side peripheral wall portion 51 and region R1 in Figure 11).

[0060] As shown in Figure 14, the cooling fan 63 is installed on the upper surface of the bottom case 10, above the air intake 101. The air intake 101 and the cooling fan 63 are located below the control device 50 within the main body 1. The cooling fan 63 is also located below the high-temperature section Rh (specifically, the heating coil 62, etc.) enclosed by a dashed line in Figure 14, in the vertical direction (arrow Z direction). A gap is formed between the high-temperature section Rh and the upper surface of the bottom case 10 through which cooling air flows.

[0061] Figure 15 is a plan view showing the flow of cooling air inside the bottom case 10 of Figure 14. In Figure 15, the flow of cooling air is indicated by solid arrows. Based on Figure 15, the flow of cooling air will be explained with reference to Figures 11 and 14. Driven by the cooling fan 63 (see Figure 14), cooling air flows into the internal space SP2 of the main body through the intake port 101 provided on one end (rear side) of the short axis AS of the inner pot 5 in the bottom case 10.

[0062] Most of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the main stream Fm1) flows from rear to front along the short axis direction (arrow Y direction) of the inner pot 5 in the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the main stream Fm1 passes below the short axis side heating section C1 of the heating coil 62, so region R1 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the main stream Fm1. After passing below the short axis side heating section C1, the main stream Fm1 flows further forward towards the exhaust port 102. At this time, the main stream Fm1 passes below the central part and the short axis side heating section C3 of the heating coil 62, so regions R5 and R3 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 are cooled by the main stream Fm1. The main stream Fm1 that has cooled regions R1, R5, and R3 in the space below the heating coil 62 is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 through the exhaust port 102.

[0063] A portion of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main body (hereinafter referred to as the right-side flow Fr1) flows from rear to front along the right side of the main body 1, spreading to the right at the rear and converging towards the center at the front, through the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the right-side flow Fr1 passes below the long-axis heating portion C2 of the heating coil 62, so that region R2 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the right-side flow Fr1. The right-side flow Fr1 that has cooled region R2 of the space below the heating coil 62 is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 through the exhaust port 102.

[0064] A portion of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main body (hereinafter referred to as the left-side flow Fl1) flows from rear to front along the left side of the main body 1, spreading to the left at the rear and converging towards the center at the front, through the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the left-side flow Fl1 passes below the long-axis heating portion C4 of the heating coil 62, so that region R4 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the left-side flow Fl1. The left-side flow Fl1 that has cooled region R4 of the space below the heating coil 62 is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 through the exhaust port 102.

[0065] The configuration of the intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the number of intake openings H1 of the intake port 101 and the number of exhaust openings H2 of the exhaust port 102 shown in Figure 7 are not limited to the numbers shown in Figure 7.

[0066] However, it is preferable that the opening area Sout of the exhaust port 102 is larger than the opening area Sin of the intake port 101. Here, the opening area Sout of the exhaust port 102 is the total opening area of ​​all exhaust openings H2 that constitute the exhaust port 102. Also, the opening area Sin of the intake port 101 is the total opening area of ​​all intake openings H1 that constitute the intake port 101.

[0067] This configuration reduces the pressure loss when the cooling air flowing in from the intake port 101 is discharged from the exhaust port 102, and prevents the heated cooling air from accumulating near the exhaust port 102 inside the main unit 1. Therefore, the rise in ambient temperature around the exhaust port 102 due to the accumulation of heated cooling air is suppressed, further improving cooling efficiency.

[0068] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the bottom case 10 of Figure 1 with the cooling fan 63, control device 50, and guide wall 17 installed. Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the high-temperature section Rh heated by the heating means and the airflow path of the cooling air from the cooling fan 63 in the state where the guide wall 17 is installed inside the main body 1 of Figure 14. An example of the structure of the guide wall 17 will be described based on Figures 16 and 17.

[0069] The guide wall 17 is provided above the intake port 101. More specifically, the guide wall 17 is provided above the cooling fan 63, which is located above the intake port 101 inside the main body 1, to suppress the flow of cooling air entering from the intake port 101 upwards inside the main body 1 and to direct it toward the high-temperature section Rh. The rear end face of the guide wall 17 is in contact with the front surface of the control device 50 and is provided to cover the front upper surface of the cooling fan 63. It then guides the cooling air that would otherwise flow upwards from the front upper surface of the cooling fan 63 toward the front where the high-temperature section Rh is located. The cooling air that flows upwards from the rear upper surface of the cooling fan 63 cools the control device 50.

[0070] In this way, by providing a guide wall 17 above the air intake 101 inside the main body 1, cooling air can be guided to the high-temperature area Rh which is concentrated on the bottom side inside the main body 1, further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0071] As shown in Figure 16, the guide wall 17 may be made of a plate-like member formed in an inverted U shape when viewed from the front, for example. The shape of the guide wall 17 is not limited to the shape described above, and any shape that suppresses the flow of cooling air entering from the intake port 101 upward into the interior of the main body 1 is acceptable. In Figure 16, the guide wall 17 has an upper wall portion 17t facing the upper front side of the cooling fan 63, and side wall portions 17s extending downward from both ends of the upper wall portion 17t in the left-right direction (arrow X direction). In order to concentrate the cooling air on the short-axis side of the internal space SP2 of the main body below the inner pot 5 where heating is concentrated (for example, regions R1 and R2 shown in Figure 11), it is preferable that the distance between the side wall portions 17s of the guide wall 17 is smaller than the long-axis distance Dh of the heating coil 62 (see Figure 12).

[0072] As described above, the cooking appliance 100 according to Embodiment 1 includes a container (inner pot 5) that is elongated in one direction when viewed from above. The cooking appliance 100 also includes a main body 1 that houses the container, which has a bottom case 10 with an air intake port 101 and an exhaust port 102 formed therein, and a heating device that heats the container, and a cooling fan 63 that draws outside air into the main body 1 from the air intake port 101. The air intake port 101 and the exhaust port 102 are located at one end and the other end of the short axis AS of the container when viewed from above, respectively.

[0073] Thus, the cooking appliance 100 is equipped with a container that is elongated in one direction when viewed from above, and the air intake port 101 and exhaust port 102 are arranged on one end and the other end of the short axis AS of the container (inner pot 5) when viewed from above, as seen from the bottom case 10 and the container. Therefore, according to the cooking appliance 100 of this disclosure, the cooling efficiency of the short axis AS side of the container where heating is concentrated inside the main body 1 is increased, and the temperature difference between the short axis AS side and the long axis AL side of the container is reduced, making it possible to perform cooking with reduced uneven heating.

[0074] Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the container (arrow X direction), the width Win of the air intake port 101 is shorter than the width Wh of the heating device (e.g., heating coil 62). As a result, cooling air is less likely to flow to the outer circumference of the longitudinal AL side of the heating device, which has lower heating efficiency compared to the short axis AS side, and the cooling air is concentrated on the short axis AS side where heating is concentrated. Therefore, the effect of improving cooling efficiency and suppressing uneven heating is enhanced.

[0075] Furthermore, the heating device (for example, the heating coil 62) is positioned inward from the air intake 101 so as not to overlap with the air intake 101 in a plan view of the bottom case 10 and the heating device. This prevents the cooling air flowing in from the air intake 101 from directly blowing onto the heating device, which would cause the heating device near the air intake 101 to become overcooled. Thus, partial overcooling of the heating device is suppressed, and the cooling efficiency inside the main body 1 is further improved.

[0076] Furthermore, the heating appliance 100 is equipped with a guide wall 17 positioned above the air intake 101. This allows cooling air to be guided to the high-temperature parts Rh, such as the heating device, which are concentrated on the bottom side of the main body 1, thereby further improving cooling efficiency.

[0077] Furthermore, the opening area Sout of the exhaust port 102 is larger than the opening area Sin of the intake port 101. This reduces the pressure loss when the cooling air flowing in from the intake port 101 is discharged from the exhaust port 102, and prevents the cooling air, which has been heated by cooling the inside of the main unit 1, from accumulating near the exhaust port 102 inside the main unit 1. Therefore, the rise in the ambient temperature around the exhaust port 102 due to the accumulation of heated cooling air can be suppressed, further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0078] Furthermore, the heating appliance 100 is located inside the main body 1 and on the outside in the direction of the short axis of the container (inner pot 5), and includes a control device 50 that drives the heating device (for example, a heating coil 62). This allows the cooling fan 63 to cool the control device 50, which is a heat-generating component, thus preventing the cooling effect on the short axis AS side of the container from being reduced by the heat of the control device 50.

[0079] Embodiment 2. Figure 18 is a plan view of the bottom case 210 of the heating cooker 100 according to Embodiment 2. For ease of explanation, Figure 18 shows the positions of the long axis AL and short axis AS of the inner pot 5. Figure 19 is a perspective view from the upper front of the bottom case 210 of Figure 18 with the cooling fan 63 installed. Figure 20 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of the exhaust port 202 and the flow divider wall 220 in the bottom case 210 of Figure 18. Figure 21 is a plan view showing the flow of cooling air when the heating coil 62 and ferrite core 65 are arranged inside the bottom case 210 of Figure 18. In Figure 21, the flow of cooling air is indicated by arrows. Based on Figures 18 to 21, and with reference to Figures 1 and 4, the configuration of the bottom case 210 of Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0080] In Embodiment 1, an exhaust port 102 was formed in the center of the front of the bottom case 10. In Embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 18, a central exhaust port 202a is formed in the center of the front of the bottom case 210, and long-axis side exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 are formed to the left and right of the central exhaust port 202a on the front of the bottom case 210. The central exhaust port 202a has the same configuration as the exhaust port 102 in Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, the central exhaust port 202a, the long-axis side exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 may be referred to simply as exhaust port 202 without distinction.

[0081] As shown in Figure 20, the long-axis exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 are located in the bottom case 210 in front of the projection position of the long axis AL of the inner pot 5. Furthermore, the long-axis exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 are located in the bottom case 210 at one end and the other end of the projection position of the short axis AS of the inner pot 5.

[0082] The central exhaust port 202a is a collection of multiple slit-shaped exhaust openings H2a. The exhaust openings H2a are formed so that the extension direction of the exhaust openings H2a is in the front-to-back direction (i.e., in the direction of the short axis of the inner casing 5) in order to facilitate the flow of cooling air flowing in from the intake port 101 formed at the rear of the bottom case 210.

[0083] The long-axis exhaust port 202b1 is an assembly of multiple slit-shaped exhaust openings H2b1. The exhaust openings H2b1 are formed such that their extension direction is inclined to the left from the front-to-back direction (arrow Y direction) to facilitate the flow of cooling air that enters from the intake port 101 formed at the rear of the bottom case 210 and spreads out to the left.

[0084] The long-axis exhaust port 202b2 is an assembly of multiple slit-shaped exhaust openings H2b2. The exhaust openings H2b2 are formed such that the direction of extension of the exhaust openings H2b2 is inclined to the right from the front-to-back direction (arrow Y direction) to facilitate the flow of cooling air that enters from the intake port 101 formed at the rear of the bottom case 210 and spreads out to the right.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 19, the bottom case 210 of Embodiment 2 has a plate-shaped flow divider wall 220 provided at the front of its upper surface, where a plurality of exhaust ports 202 are formed, and which separates and guides the cooling air to each of the multiple exhaust ports 202. As shown in Figure 18, the flow divider wall 220 has a first flow divider wall 221 provided between the central exhaust port 202a and the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1, and a second flow divider wall 222 formed between the central exhaust port 202a and the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2. In other words, the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 are provided on both sides in the left-right direction of the central exhaust port 202a.

[0086] As shown in Figure 20, the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 are each provided between the exhaust ports 202 and extend behind the exhaust ports 202. Therefore, the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 are configured to separate the cooling air between the exhaust ports 202 and guide it to each exhaust port 202 from a position upstream of the exhaust ports 202 in the flow of the cooling air.

[0087] As shown in Figure 18, the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 are formed such that the distance L between the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 at the upstream rear end is greater than the distance L between the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 at the upstream rear end in the flow of cooling air. In the example in Figure 18, the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 are each bent in the middle of the front-to-back direction. The portions of the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222 behind the exhaust port 202 are parallel to each other, and the portions provided between the exhaust ports 202 are inclined in opposite directions so that the distance L increases towards the front end.

[0088] Next, the flow of cooling air will be explained based on Figure 21, with reference to Figures 11 and 19. Driven by the cooling fan 63 (see Figure 19), cooling air flows into the internal space SP2 of the main body through the intake port 101 provided on one end (rear side) of the short axis AS of the inner pot 5 in the bottom case 210.

[0089] Most of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the main stream Fm2) flows from rear to front along the short axis direction of the inner pot 5 in the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the main stream Fm2 passes below the short axis side heating section C1 of the heating coil 62, so region R1 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the main stream Fm2. After passing below the short axis side heating section C1, the main stream Fm2 is guided further forward toward the central exhaust port 202a by the first flow divider wall 221 and the second flow divider wall 222. At this time, the main stream Fm2 passes below the central part and the short axis side heating section C3 of the heating coil 62, so regions R5 and R3 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 are cooled by the main stream Fm2. The main stream Fm2 that has cooled regions R1, R5, and R3 in the space below the heating coil 62 is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 through the central exhaust port 202a.

[0090] A portion of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the right-side flow Fr2) flows from rear to front, spreading to the right, through the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the right-side flow Fr2 passes below the long-axis side heating section C2 of the heating coil 62, so that region R2 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the right-side flow Fr2. As the right-side flow Fr2 passes below the long-axis side heating section C2, it is separated from the main flow Fm2 on the central side by the second flow divider wall 222 and guided to the front long-axis side exhaust port 202b2. The right-side flow Fr2, having cooled region R2 of the space below the heating coil 62, is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 via the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2.

[0091] A portion of the cooling air flowing into the internal space SP2 of the main unit (hereinafter referred to as the left-side flow Fl2) flows from rear to front, spreading to the left, through the space below the heating coil 62 that heats the inner pot 5. At this time, the left-side flow Fl2 passes below the long-axis side heating section C4 of the heating coil 62, so that region R4 (see Figure 11) of the space below the heating coil 62 is cooled by the left-side flow Fl2. As the left-side flow Fl2 passes below the long-axis side heating section C4, it is separated from the main flow Fm2 on the central side by the first flow divider wall 221 and guided to the front long-axis side exhaust port 202b1. The left-side flow Fl2, having cooled region R4 of the space below the heating coil 62, is exhausted to the outside of the cooking appliance 100 through the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1.

[0092] In this way, by providing the central exhaust port 202a and the long-axis side exhaust ports 202b2 and 202b1, the cooling air (right-side flow Fr2 or left-side flow Fl2) that has cooled the long-axis side heating coil 62 (for example, the long-axis side heating section C2 or C4) is discharged from the long-axis side exhaust ports 202b2 or 202b1 before reaching the central exhaust port 202a. Therefore, the rise in ambient temperature near the central exhaust port 202a, which would occur if the heated cooling air were concentrated in the central exhaust port 202a, can be suppressed, further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0093] Note that the configuration of the multiple exhaust ports 202 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the number of exhaust openings H2a of the central exhaust port 202a, the number of exhaust openings H2b1 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1, and the number of exhaust openings H2b2 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2 shown in Figure 20 are not limited to the numbers shown.

[0094] However, it is preferable that the opening area Sout_b, which is the sum of the opening area Sout_b1 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1 and the opening area Sout_b2 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2, is smaller than the opening area Sout_a of the central exhaust port 202a. Here, the opening area Sout_b1 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1 is the total opening area of ​​all exhaust openings H2b1 that constitute the long-axis side exhaust port 202b1. Also, the opening area Sout_b2 of the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2 is the total opening area of ​​all exhaust openings H2b2 that constitute the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2. Also, the opening area Sout_a of the central exhaust port 202a is the total opening area of ​​all exhaust openings H2a that constitute the central exhaust port 202a.

[0095] In this way, by making the opening area Sout_a of the central exhaust port 202a larger than the total opening area Sout_b of the other exhaust ports 202, a larger volume of cooling air (main stream Fm2) flowing in the short-axis direction from the intake port 101 towards the central exhaust port 202a can be secured compared to the volume of cooling air (right-side flow Fr2 and left-side flow Fl2) flowing from the intake port 101 towards the long-axis side exhaust ports 202b2 or 202b1. This improves cooling efficiency by concentrating cooling on the short-axis side where heating tends to concentrate.

[0096] As described above, in the heating cooker 100 of Embodiment 2, the bottom case 210 has an exhaust port (central exhaust port 202a) similar to that in Embodiment 1, as well as two longitudinal exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2. The longitudinal exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 are positioned on one side and the other side of the container (inner pot 5) in the longitudinal axis AL direction relative to the exhaust port (central exhaust port 202a). The total opening area (opening area Sout_b) of the two longitudinal exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2 is smaller than the opening area Sout_a of the exhaust port (central exhaust port 202a).

[0097] This allows for a larger volume of cooling air (main stream Fm2) flowing in the short axis direction (arrow Y direction) from the intake port 101 towards the central exhaust port 202a. By concentrating the cooling on the short axis AS side, where heating tends to concentrate, cooling efficiency is improved, and uneven heating can be suppressed.

[0098] Furthermore, the heating cooker 100 of the second embodiment includes two flow divider walls 220 (first flow divider wall 221 and second flow divider wall 222) located inside the main body 1, between the exhaust port (central exhaust port 202a) and the two long-axis side exhaust ports 202b1 and 202b2, respectively. This promotes the discharge of cooling air (right-side flow Fr2 or left-side flow Fl2) that has cooled the long-axis side heating device (for example, long-axis side heating section C2 or C4) from the long-axis side exhaust port 202b2 or 202b1, and also improves the effect of suppressing stagnation near the central exhaust port 202a.

[0099] The various aspects of this disclosure are described below.

[0100] (Note 1) A container with a shape that is long in one direction when viewed from above, A main body having a bottom case with an air intake and an exhaust port formed therein, and housing the container such that a gap is formed between the bottom case and the container, A heating device for heating the aforementioned container, The system includes a cooling fan that draws outside air into the interior of the main body from the aforementioned air intake, The intake port and exhaust port are located at one end and the other end of the container's minor axis in a plan view of the bottom case and the container. Heating cooker. (Note 2) In the longitudinal direction of the container, the width of the air intake is shorter than the width of the heating device. The heating appliance described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The heating device is positioned inside the air intake so as not to overlap with the air intake in a plan view of the bottom case and the heating device. A cooking appliance as described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) The air intake port is equipped with a guide wall positioned above it. A cooking appliance as described in any one of the notes 1 to 3. (Note 5) The opening area of ​​the exhaust port is larger than the opening area of ​​the intake port. A cooking appliance listed in any one of the appendices 1-4. (Note 6) The bottom case has two exhaust ports on the long axis side. The two long-axis exhaust ports are positioned on one side and the other side of the container in the long-axis direction relative to the exhaust port. The total opening area of ​​the two long-axis side exhaust ports is smaller than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port. A cooking appliance listed in any one of the appendices 1-5. (Note 7) The main body is equipped with two flow dividers located between the exhaust port and each of the two long-axis side exhaust ports. The heating appliance described in Appendix 6. (Note 8) The control device is located inside the main body and on the outside in the direction of the short axis of the container, and is equipped with a control device for driving the heating device. A cooking appliance listed in any one of the appendices 1-7. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1 Main body, 2 Lid, 4 Hinge, 5 Inner pot, 5f Flange, 10 Bottom case, 11 Inner pot cover, 11h Hole, 12 Inner pot support member, 13 Open / close button, 14 Lid locking part, 15 Side heater, 16 Compression spring, 17 Induction wall, 17s Side wall, 17t Top wall, 21 Outer lid, 21a Outer lid top surface, 21b Outer lid bottom surface, 21hp Communication hole, 21hs Sensor hole, 22 Inner lid, 22hp Inner lid intake hole, 22hs Inner lid sensor hole, 23 Packing, 24 Cartridge, 24o Steam outlet, 24p Steam outlet path, 25 Lid temperature sensor, 26 Operation unit, 27 Display unit, 34 Pressure reducing pump, 41 Hinge shaft, 42 Hinge spring, 50 Control device, 51 Short axis side peripheral wall, 52 Long axis side peripheral wall, 53 Short axis side peripheral wall, 54 Long axis side peripheral wall, 55 Bottom central wall, 62 Heating coil, 63 Cooling fan, 65 Ferrite core, 69 Bottom temperature sensor, 100 Cooking appliance, 101 Air intake, 102 Exhaust port, 103 Handle, 104 Legs, 202 Exhaust port, 202a Central exhaust port, 202b1 Long axis side exhaust port, 202b2 Long axis side exhaust port, 210 Bottom case, 220 Flow divider wall, 221 First flow divider wall, 222 Second flow divider wall, AL Long axis, AS Short axis, C1 Short axis side heating section, C2 Long axis side heating section, C3 Short axis side heating section, C4 Long axis side heating section, Dh Long axis distance, Fl1 Left side flow, Fl2 left side flow, Fm1 mainstream, Fm2 mainstream, Fr1 right side flow, Fr2 right side flow, H1 intake opening, H2 exhaust opening, H2a exhaust opening, H2b1 exhaust opening, H2b2 exhaust opening, L distance, O center, R1 area, R2 area, R3 area, R4 area, R5 area, Rf area, Rh High temperature section, SP1 inner pot storage section, SP2 main unit internal space, SPc cooking space, Sin opening area, Sout opening area, Sout_a opening area, Sout_b opening area, Sout_b1 opening area, Sout_b2 opening area.

Claims

1. A container with a shape that is long in one direction when viewed from above, A main body having a bottom case with an air intake and an exhaust port formed therein, and housing the container such that a gap is formed between the bottom case and the container, A heating device for heating the aforementioned container, The system includes a cooling fan that draws outside air into the interior of the main body from the aforementioned air intake, The intake port and the exhaust port are located on one end and the other end of the container's short axis in a plan view of the bottom case and the container. The heating device is positioned inside the air intake so as not to overlap with the air intake in a plan view of the bottom case and the heating device. Heating cooker.

2. In the longitudinal direction of the container, the width of the air intake is shorter than the width of the heating device. A heating appliance according to claim 1.

3. The air intake port is equipped with a guide wall positioned above it. A heating appliance according to claim 1.

4. The opening area of ​​the exhaust port is larger than the opening area of ​​the intake port. A heating appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The bottom case has two exhaust ports on the long axis side. The two long-axis exhaust ports are positioned on one side and the other side of the container in the long-axis direction relative to the exhaust port. The total opening area of ​​the two long-axis exhaust ports is smaller than the opening area of ​​the exhaust port. A heating appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The main body is equipped with two flow dividers located inside the main body, between the exhaust port and each of the two long-axis side exhaust ports. A heating appliance according to claim 5.

7. The control device is located inside the main body and on the outside in the direction of the short axis of the container, and is equipped with a control device for driving the heating device. A heating appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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