Heating Regulator

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of smoothly proceeding cooking in a heating chamber.SOLUTION: A heating cooking apparatus disclosed herein includes: a heating chamber capable of accommodating an object to be heated; a burner provided in the heating chamber; an exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber; an exhaust port provided in the exhaust passage; an exhaust fan configured to guide gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port; a control part configured to be able to execute the exhaust operation for operating the exhaust fan to exhaust the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port; and a combustion state detection part for detecting a combustion state of the burner and outputting a combustion index indicating the combustion state to the control part. The control part sets an exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a first exhaust capacity at the start of the exhaust operation. The control part sets the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a second exhaust capacity lower than the first exhaust capacity when combustion by the burner is performed during execution of the exhaust operation and it is determined that the combustion state is good on the basis of the combustion index.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in the present specification relates to a heating cooker.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a heating cooker comprising: a heating chamber capable of accommodating an object to be heated; a burner provided in the heating chamber; an exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber; an exhaust port provided in the exhaust passage; an exhaust fan configured to guide gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port; and a control unit configured to be capable of executing an exhaust operation in which the exhaust fan is operated to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port. The exhaust operation is executed to promote discharge of combustion gas staying in the heating chamber, avoid oxygen shortage supplied to the burner, and maintain a favorable combustion state of the burner.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional heating cookers, the operation of the exhaust fan cannot be controlled in accordance with the combustion state of the burner. As a result, cooking in the heating chamber may be hindered. The present specification provides a technology that enables smooth progress of cooking in a heating chamber.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] In a first aspect of this technology, the cooking appliance includes a heating chamber capable of accommodating an object to be heated, a burner provided in the heating chamber, an exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber, an exhaust port provided in the exhaust passage, an exhaust fan configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port, a control unit configured to perform an exhaust operation by operating the exhaust fan to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port, and a combustion state detection unit that detects the combustion state of the burner and outputs a combustion index indicating the combustion state to the control unit. The control unit sets the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a first exhaust capacity when the exhaust operation is started. During the execution of the exhaust operation, if the control unit determines that combustion is occurring by the burner and that the combustion state is good based on the combustion index, it sets the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a second exhaust capacity lower than the first exhaust capacity.

[0006] In this specification, "exhaust capacity" refers to the ability to expel gas from inside the heating chamber through the exhaust port. The exhaust capacity of an exhaust fan may be evaluated by the rotational speed of the exhaust fan or by the airflow rate of the exhaust fan.

[0007] Normally, combustion gases are guided to the exhaust port by the airflow (so-called draft) generated as the gas heated in the heating chamber rises. If the exhaust fan continues to operate without reducing its exhaust capacity, even when combustion is in good condition, the draft may become excessively strong. In this case, excessive combustion gases are discharged, which may lower the temperature inside the heating chamber. As a result, cooking inside the heating chamber may be hindered. With the above configuration, during exhaust operation, the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan can be reduced in accordance with the improved combustion condition. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an excessively strong draft and thus suppress the excessive discharge of combustion gases. This prevents a drop in the temperature inside the heating chamber, allowing cooking inside the heating chamber to proceed smoothly.

[0008] In a second aspect of this technology, the cooking appliance includes a heating chamber capable of accommodating an object to be heated, a burner provided in the heating chamber, an exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber, an exhaust port provided in the exhaust passage, an exhaust fan configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port, a control unit configured to perform an exhaust operation by operating the exhaust fan to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port, and a combustion state detection unit that detects the combustion state of the burner and outputs a combustion index indicating the combustion state to the control unit. The control unit starts the exhaust operation if, while the exhaust operation is stopped, combustion is being performed by the burner and the control unit determines, based on the combustion index, that the combustion state is not good.

[0009] Conventionally, some systems performed exhaust operation at a predetermined time when the burner's combustion state was expected to be unsatisfactory (for example, at the beginning of the burner's combustion), and stopped exhaust operation at other times. However, since the burner's combustion state is affected by various disturbances, the burner's combustion state may deteriorate at unexpected times. In conventional configurations, it is not possible to improve the burner's combustion state in this case, which may interfere with cooking in the heating chamber. With the above configuration, if the burner's combustion state is determined to be unsatisfactory based on the combustion indicator while exhaust operation is stopped, exhaust operation can be started. Therefore, even if the burner's combustion state deteriorates at an unexpected time, it can be immediately improved. Consequently, cooking in the heating chamber can proceed smoothly.

[0010] In a third aspect of this technology, in the first or second aspect described above, the control unit may terminate the exhaust operation if, during the execution of the exhaust operation, combustion is being performed by the burner and the control unit determines, based on the combustion index, that the combustion state has reached a steady state.

[0011] When the burner's combustion state is transient (for example, in the initial stages of combustion), the gas inside the heating chamber is not sufficiently heated, and a relatively weak draft is expected. In this case, combustion gases may accumulate inside the heating chamber, so it is necessary to perform exhaust operation to increase the draft. On the other hand, when the burner's combustion state is steady, the gas inside the heating chamber is sufficiently heated, and a relatively strong draft is expected. In this case, the likelihood of combustion gases accumulating inside the heating chamber is low, so it is not necessary to perform exhaust operation to increase the draft. In fact, performing exhaust operation in this situation would unnecessarily operate the exhaust fan, unnecessarily increasing the power consumption of the cooking appliance. With the above configuration, exhaust operation can be stopped as the burner's combustion state reaches a steady state. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the unnecessarily increasing power consumption of the cooking appliance.

[0012] In a fourth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to third aspects described above, the combustion state detection unit may include a thermocouple. The hot junction of the thermocouple may be positioned offset from the flame port of the burner in the direction of the flame port opening. The combustion index may include the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple.

[0013] When the burner is burning properly, the flame formed at the burner's port becomes stronger. As a result, the temperature of the thermocouple's hot junction rises, and the thermoelectric power generated by the thermocouple becomes relatively large. On the other hand, when the burner is burning poorly, the flame formed at the port becomes weaker. As a result, the temperature of the thermocouple's hot junction falls lower, and the thermoelectric power generated by the thermocouple becomes relatively small. Therefore, with the above configuration, the quality of the burner's burning can be detected by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power generated by the thermocouple.

[0014] In a fifth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, the exhaust fan may include a first external fan located outside the heating chamber. The heating appliance may include a first guide passage for guiding the air sent from the first external fan, and a first outlet provided in the first guide passage for the air sent from the first external fan to flow out of the first guide passage. The first outlet may be located near the exhaust port.

[0015] When cooking takes place in a heating chamber, the inside of the chamber becomes very hot. If the exhaust fan is located inside the heating chamber, it will be exposed to high temperatures, which may cause it to deteriorate. With the above configuration, the first external fan, which acts as the exhaust fan, is located outside the heating chamber. Therefore, exposure of the first external fan to high temperatures can be suppressed, and deterioration of the exhaust fan can be prevented. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the air flowing out from the first outlet creates a negative pressure that draws gas from inside the heating chamber towards the exhaust port. This negative pressure enhances the draft.

[0016] In a sixth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to fifth aspects described above, the exhaust fan may include a second external fan located outside the heating chamber. The heating appliance may include a second guide passage for guiding the air sent from the second external fan, and a second outlet provided in the second guide passage for the air sent from the second external fan to flow out of the second guide passage. The second outlet may be connected in the middle of the exhaust passage.

[0017] When cooking takes place, the inside of the heating chamber becomes very hot. If the exhaust fan were located inside the heating chamber, it would be exposed to high temperatures, which could cause it to deteriorate. With the above configuration, the second external fan, which acts as the exhaust fan, is located outside the heating chamber. Therefore, the second external fan is not exposed to high temperatures, and thus its deterioration is prevented. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the air flowing out from the second outlet pushes the air inside the exhaust passage towards the exhaust port. This enhances the draft.

[0018] In a seventh aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to sixth aspects described above, the exhaust fan may be an upstream fan located upstream of the burner and configured to supply air to the burner.

[0019] With the above configuration, the upstream fan can blow air from the upstream side of the burner. This allows for an active supply of oxygen to the burner.

[0020] In an eighth aspect of this technology, in the seventh aspect described above, the burner may comprise a first burner and a second burner. The combustion state detection unit may comprise a first combustion state detection unit for detecting the combustion state of the first burner and a second combustion state detection unit for detecting the combustion state of the second burner. The upstream fan may comprise a first upstream fan located upstream of the first burner and configured to supply air to the first burner, and a second upstream fan located upstream of the second burner and configured to supply air to the first burner. The control unit may operate the first upstream fan based on the combustion state of the first burner and operate the second upstream fan based on the combustion state of the second burner.

[0021] For example, there may be a situation where the combustion state of the first burner is good, but the combustion state of the second burner is not. In this situation, the environment near the first burner is expected to be normal (i.e., combustion gases are not stagnant and there is sufficient oxygen), but the environment near the second burner is expected to be abnormal (i.e., combustion gases are stagnant and there is insufficient oxygen). In this situation, if the draft is uniformly increased throughout the entire heating chamber, the environment near the second burner may be improved, but the environment near the first burner may be worsened. As a result, cooking inside the heating chamber may be hindered. With the above configuration, in this situation, the first upstream fan can be stopped while only the second upstream fan is operated. Therefore, the draft can be increased only near the second burner, so the environment near the first burner can be maintained as is while the environment near the second burner can be improved. Consequently, cooking inside the heating chamber can proceed smoothly.

[0022] In a ninth aspect of this technology, in any one of the first to eighth aspects described above, the heating appliance may include an electrical component that is driven by the supply of power, and a cooling unit for cooling the electrical component. The cooling unit may include a cooling passage that holds the electrical component inside, and a cooling fan that generates airflow in the cooling passage.

[0023] In cooking appliances equipped with a cooling fan, operating the cooling fan can reduce the amount of air introduced into the heating chamber, for example, by lowering the pressure inside the appliance's casing. As a result, combustion gases tend to accumulate in the heating chamber, and the amount of oxygen supplied to the burner tends to decrease. Consequently, the combustion state of the burner is likely to deteriorate, making it particularly desirable to maintain a good combustion state for the burner. The above configuration significantly improves the effectiveness of maintaining a good combustion state for the burner.

[0024] In a tenth aspect of this technology, the cooling fan may function as the exhaust fan in the ninth aspect described above.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the cooling fan can be used as an exhaust fan. Therefore, there is no need to prepare a separate exhaust fan, so the number of parts of the heating cooker can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a view of the heating cooker 2 of Example 1 as viewed from the front, right and upper side. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a heating chamber 32 included in the heating cooker 2 of Example 1. [Figure 3] It is a view of an upper fire burner 48, a right lower fire burner 68, a left lower fire burner 88, and an afterburner 52 included in the heating cooker 2 of Example 1 as viewed from the front, left and upper side. [Figure 4] It is a view of the left lower fire burner 88 included in the heating cooker 2 of Example 1 as viewed from the front, right and upper side. [Figure 5] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the heating cooker 2 of Example 1. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of a first combustion promotion process executed by a control unit 134 of the heating cooker 2 of Example 1. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart of a right-side exhaust operation executed by a control unit 134 of the heating cooker 2 of Example 1. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart of a left-side exhaust operation executed by a control unit 134 of the heating cooker 2 of Example 1. [Figure 9] It is a view of a heating cooker 202 of Example 2 as viewed from the front, right and upper side. [Figure 10] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a heating cooker 202 of Example 2. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart of a second combustion promotion process executed by a control unit 134 of the heating cooker 202 of Example 2. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart of a cooling and exhausting operation executed by a control unit 134 of the heating cooker 202 of Example 2. [Figure 13] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a heating cooker 302 of Example 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] (Example 1; Cooking device 2) The cooking appliance 2 shown in Figure 1 is a built-in cooktop used in a system kitchen. The cooking appliance 2 comprises a cooking appliance body 4 and a top plate 6. The cooking appliance body 4 has a front surface 4a that is exposed on the front side of the system kitchen when the cooking appliance 2 is installed in the system kitchen. The top plate 6 is located on top of the cooking appliance body 4 and is exposed on the countertop of the system kitchen when the cooking appliance 2 is installed in the system kitchen. In the following description, the front-to-back direction and left-to-right direction of the cooking appliance 2 refer to the front-to-back direction and left-to-right direction when the front side of the system kitchen is considered the front and the back side of the system kitchen is considered the rear. Therefore, please note that the front-to-back direction and left-to-right direction of the cooking appliance 2 are different from the front-to-back direction and left-to-right direction as seen from the perspective of the user using the cooking appliance 2.

[0028] The top plate 6 is provided with a first stove heating section 8, a second stove heating section 10, and a third stove heating section 12. The first stove heating section 8, the second stove heating section 10, and the third stove heating section 12 are all gas stoves that heat objects using fuel such as city gas as a heat source. The first stove heating section 8 includes a trivet 14 on which a cooking container (for example, a pot) can be placed, a stove burner 16 for heating the cooking container placed on the trivet 14, and a pot bottom temperature sensor 18 that can detect whether or not a cooking container is placed on the trivet 14 and can also detect the temperature of the cooking container placed on the trivet 14. The second cooktop heating unit 10 includes a trivet 20 on which a cooking container (e.g., a pot) can be placed, a cooktop burner 22 for heating the cooking container placed on the trivet 20, and a pot bottom temperature sensor 24 that can detect whether or not a cooking container is placed on the trivet 20 and can also detect the temperature of the cooking container placed on the trivet 20. The third cooktop heating unit 12 includes a trivet 26 on which a cooking container (e.g., a pot) can be placed, a cooktop burner 28 for heating the cooking container placed on the trivet 26, and a pot bottom temperature sensor 30 that can detect whether or not a cooking container is placed on the trivet 26 and can also detect the temperature of the cooking container placed on the trivet 26. In addition, a top plate opening 6a is provided at the rear of the top plate 6 to connect the inside and outside of the cooker body 4.

[0029] A heating chamber 32 is provided inside the main body 4 of the cooking appliance. The heating chamber 32 is, for example, a grill chamber. Food and cooking containers can be inserted into and removed from the heating chamber 32 through a front opening 32a formed on the front surface 4a. The front opening 32a is opened and closed by a door member 32b.

[0030] On the front surface 4a of the cooking appliance body 4, to the left of the door member 32b, there is a main power switch 33, a first burner control knob 34, a second burner control knob 35, a third burner control knob 36, and a burner control panel 37. The main power switch 33 receives the on and off operation of the main power of the heating appliance 2. The first burner control knob 34 receives the start and end operation of heating by the first burner heating unit 8, and the adjustment operation of the heating amount of the first burner heating unit 8. The second burner control knob 35 receives the start and end operation of heating by the second burner heating unit 10, and the adjustment operation of the heating amount of the second burner heating unit 10. The third burner control knob 36 receives the start and end operation of heating by the third burner heating unit 12, and the adjustment operation of the heating amount of the third burner heating unit 12. The burner control panel 37 is a so-called kangaroo pocket type control panel. Although not shown in the diagram, the stove control panel 37 is normally closed. As shown in Figure 1, when the user opens the stove control panel 37, the display unit 37a and the control unit 37b are exposed. The display unit 37a shows the operating status of the first stove heating unit 8, the second stove heating unit 10, and the third stove heating unit 12. The control unit 37b accepts commands to start and end automatic cooking using the first stove heating unit 8, the second stove heating unit 10, and / or the third stove heating unit 12, as well as setting commands for automatic cooking.

[0031] On the front surface 4a of the cooking unit body 4, to the right of the door member 32b, there is a heating chamber operation knob 38 and a heating chamber operation panel 39. The heating chamber operation knob 38 accepts the start and end operations of heating by the heating chamber 32, and the adjustment of the heating amount of the heating chamber 32. The heating chamber operation panel 39 is a so-called kangaroo pocket type operation panel. Although not shown, the heating chamber operation panel 39 is normally closed. As shown in Figure 1, when the user opens the heating chamber operation panel 39, the display unit 39a and the operation unit 39b are exposed. The display unit 39a shows the operating status of the heating chamber 32, etc. The operation unit 39b accepts the start and end operations of automatic cooking using the heating chamber 32, and setting operations for automatic cooking, etc.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the heating chamber 32 comprises a heating chamber body 42 for housing the object to be heated, and an exhaust passage 44 provided in the heating chamber body 42. The heating chamber body 42 is equipped with a grilling rack 46 on which the object to be heated is placed, an upper burner 48 positioned above the grilling rack 46, and a lower burner 50 positioned below the grilling rack 46. The upper burner 48 heats the object to be heated placed on the grilling rack 46 from above. The lower burner 50 heats the object to be heated placed on the grilling rack 46 from below. An afterburner 52 is also provided in the exhaust passage 44. The afterburner 52 reduces the odor intensity of the odor generated during cooking in the heating chamber body 42 by heating the odor.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the upper burner 48 is positioned above the interior of the heating chamber 32 (see Figure 2), extending in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The upper burner 48 includes an intake 54, a mixing pipe 56, a mixing chamber 58, and multiple flame ports 60 (see Figure 2). The intake 54 is located outside the heating chamber 32. The mixing pipe 56 is positioned to penetrate the heating chamber 32 from the outside to the inside. The mixing chamber 58 is located inside the heating chamber 32. The multiple flame ports 60 shown in Figure 2 are formed in a ceramic plate 58a located on the lower surface of the mixing chamber 58 and open downwards. Fuel is injected into the intake 54 shown in Figure 3 from an injection nozzle (not shown) located outside the heating chamber 32. The fuel injected into the intake 54 flows into the mixing pipe 56, drawing in ambient air as primary air. The fuel and primary air flowing into the mixing pipe 56 become a mixed gas and flow into the mixing chamber 58. The mixed gas that flows into the mixing chamber 58 flows out through multiple flame ports 60 (see Figure 2) and burns. Furthermore, as the mixed gas burns, the ceramic plate 58a (see Figure 2) is heated, and infrared radiation is emitted from the ceramic plate 58a. The upper burner 48 is a so-called Schwank burner.

[0034] An upper burner thermocouple 62 is attached to the upper burner 48 to detect the combustion state of the upper burner 48. The upper burner thermocouple 62 extends substantially linearly from the base end where the cable 64 is provided to the tip where the hot junction 66 is provided. The upper burner thermocouple 62 is positioned so that it approaches the multiple flame ports 60 (see Figure 2) as it moves from the base end to the tip. The tip (hot junction 66) of the upper burner thermocouple 62 is positioned offset downward from some of the multiple flame ports 60. The offset width of the hot junction 66 from the multiple flame ports 60 is, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 7 mm, and in this embodiment it is 6 mm. When the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is good, the ceramic plate 58a (see Figure 2) is sufficiently heated by the flames formed in the multiple flame ports 60, so the amount of heat radiated from the ceramic plate 58a increases. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 66 increases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner increases. On the other hand, if the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is not good, the intensity of the flames formed in the multiple flame ports 60 is reduced, so the ceramic plate 58a is not heated sufficiently, and the amount of heat radiated from the ceramic plate 58a decreases. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 66 decreases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner decreases. Therefore, the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner can detect the quality of the combustion state of the upper burner 48 by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power.

[0035] The lower burner 50 includes a right-side lower burner 68. The right-side lower burner 68 is positioned in the lower right of the interior of the heating chamber 32 (see Figure 2), extending in the front-rear direction. The right-side lower burner 68 includes an intake 70, a mixing pipe 72, a mixing chamber 74, and a flame port 76. The intake 70 is located outside the heating chamber 32. The mixing pipe 72 is positioned to penetrate the heating chamber 32 from the outside to the inside. The mixing chamber 74 is located inside the heating chamber 32. The flame port 76 is formed on the left side of the mixing chamber 74 and opens to the left. The flame port 76 includes a plurality of main flame ports 78 discretely arranged along the front-rear direction and a continuous flame-holding port 80 along the front-rear direction. Fuel is injected into the intake 70 from an injection nozzle (not shown) located outside the heating chamber 32. The fuel injected from the injection nozzle into the intake 70 flows into the mixing tube 72, drawing in the surrounding air as primary air. The fuel and primary air that flow into the mixing tube 72 become a mixed gas and flow into the mixing chamber 74. The mixed gas that flows into the mixing chamber 74 flows out from the flame port 76 and burns. The lower right burner 68 is a so-called Bunsen burner.

[0036] A thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner is attached to the right-side lower burner 68 to detect the combustion state of the right-side lower burner 68. The thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner extends substantially linearly from the base end where the cable 84 is provided to the tip where the hot junction 86 is provided. The thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner is positioned so that it approaches the flame port 76 as it moves from the base end to the tip. The tip (hot junction 86) of the thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner is positioned offset to the left with respect to one of the multiple main flame ports 78. The offset width of the thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner relative to the main flame port 78 is, for example, in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, and in this embodiment it is 5 mm. When the combustion state of the right-side lower burner 68 is good, the flame formed in the main flame port 78 extends to the hot junction 86. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 86 increases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner increases. On the other hand, if the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is not good, the force of the flame formed at the main flame port 78 is reduced, so the flame becomes smaller or flickers. As a result, the flame formed at the main flame port 78 does not reach the hot junction 86, so the temperature of the hot junction 86 decreases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner decreases. Therefore, the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner can detect the quality of the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power.

[0037] The lower burner 50 further comprises a left lower burner 88. The left lower burner 88 is positioned in the lower left of the heating chamber 32 (see Figure 2) and extends in the front-to-back direction. The left lower burner 88 comprises an intake 90, a mixing pipe 92, a mixing chamber 94, and a flame port 96. The intake 90 is located outside the heating chamber 32. The mixing pipe 92 is positioned to penetrate the heating chamber 32 from the outside to the inside. The mixing chamber 94 is located inside the heating chamber 32. As shown in Figure 4, the flame port 96 is formed on the right side of the mixing chamber 74 and opens to the right. The flame port 96 comprises a plurality of main flame ports 98 discretely arranged along the front-to-back direction and a continuous flame retaining port 100 along the front-to-back direction. Fuel is injected into the intake 90 (see Figure 3) from an injection nozzle (not shown) located outside the heating chamber 32. The fuel injected from the injection nozzle into the intake 90 flows into the mixing tube 92, drawing in the surrounding air as primary air. The fuel and primary air that flow into the mixing tube 92 become a mixed gas and flow into the mixing chamber 94. The mixed gas that flows into the mixing chamber 94 flows out from the flame port 96 and burns. The lower left burner 88 is a so-called Bunsen burner.

[0038] A thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner is attached to the left lower burner 88 to detect the combustion state of the left lower burner 88. The thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner extends substantially linearly from the base end where the cable 104 is provided to the tip where the hot junction 106 is provided. The thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner is positioned so that it approaches the flame port 96 as it moves from the base end to the tip. The tip (hot junction 106) of the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner is positioned offset to the right with respect to one of the multiple main flame ports 98. The offset width of the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner relative to the main flame port 98 is, for example, in the range of 4 mm to 6 mm, and in this embodiment it is 5 mm. When the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is good, the flame formed in the main flame port 98 extends to the hot junction 106. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 106 increases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner increases. On the other hand, if the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is not good, the force of the flame formed at the main flame port 98 is reduced, so the flame becomes smaller or flickers. As a result, the flame formed at the main flame port 98 does not reach the hot junction 106, so the temperature of the hot junction 106 decreases, and the thermoelectric power generated in the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner decreases. Therefore, the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner can detect the quality of the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power.

[0039] The afterburner 52 shown in Figure 3 is positioned inside the heating chamber 32 (see Figure 2) to extend in the left-right direction. The afterburner 52 comprises an intake 108, a mixing tube 110, a mixing chamber 112, and a plurality of flame ports 114. The intake 108 is located outside the heating chamber 32. The mixing tube 110 is positioned to penetrate the heating chamber 32 from the outside to the inside. The mixing chamber 112 is located inside the heating chamber 32. The plurality of flame ports 114 are formed on the upper surface of the mixing chamber 112 and open upwards. Fuel is injected into the intake 108 from an injection nozzle (not shown). The fuel injected from the injection nozzle into the intake 108 flows into the mixing tube 110, drawing in ambient air as primary air. The fuel and primary air that flow into the mixing tube 110 become a mixed gas and flow into the mixing chamber 112. The mixed gas that flows into the mixing chamber 112 flows out from multiple flame ports 114 and burns. The afterburner 52 is a so-called infrared burner.

[0040] An afterburner thermocouple 116 is attached to the afterburner 52 to detect the combustion state of the afterburner 52. The afterburner thermocouple 116 extends substantially linearly from the base end where the cable 118 is provided to the tip where the hot junction 120 is provided. The afterburner thermocouple 116 is positioned so that it approaches the multiple flame ports 114 as it moves from the base end to the tip. The tip (hot junction 120) of the afterburner thermocouple 116 is positioned offset upward from some of the multiple flame ports 114. The offset width of the hot junction 120 from the multiple flame ports 114 is, for example, in the range of 5 mm to 7 mm, and in this embodiment it is 6 mm. When the combustion state of the afterburner 52 is good, the flames formed in the multiple flame ports 114 extend to the hot junction 120. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 120 becomes high, and the thermoelectric power generated in the afterburner thermocouple 116 becomes large. On the other hand, if the combustion state of the afterburner 52 is not good, the intensity of the flames formed at the multiple flame ports 114 is reduced, causing the flames to become smaller or flicker. As a result, the flames formed at the multiple flame ports 114 do not reach the hot junction 120, so the temperature of the hot junction 120 decreases, and the thermoelectric power generated by the afterburner thermocouple 116 decreases. Therefore, the afterburner thermocouple 116 can detect the quality of the combustion state of the afterburner 52 by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the heating chamber body 42 is provided with a right-side air intake 122 located to the right of the right-side lower burner 68, a left-side air intake 124 located to the left of the left-side lower burner 88, and a communication port 126 that connects the heating chamber body 42 to the exhaust passage 44 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2, an exhaust port 128 is provided at the rear upper part of the exhaust passage 44. The exhaust port 128 communicates with the outside of the cooking appliance body 4 through the top plate opening 6a.

[0042] When cooking is performed in the heating chamber body 42, a draft D is generated as the air in the heating chamber body 42 is heated. The draft D flows into the interior of the cooking appliance body 4 through an air intake port (not shown) provided in the cooking appliance body 4, and then flows into the interior of the heating chamber body 42 through the right air intake port 122 (see Figure 5) and the left air intake port 124 (see Figure 5). The draft D then flows from the heating chamber body 42 to the exhaust passage 44 through the communication port 126, and then flows out to the outside of the cooking appliance body 4 through the exhaust port 128 and the top plate opening 6a. In Figures 2 and 5, the draft D is illustrated using arrows. In this specification, the upstream and downstream sides in the flow of draft D may be simply referred to as the "upstream side" and the "downstream side".

[0043] As shown in Figure 5, the cooking appliance 2 includes a right-side fan 130 located to the right of the heating chamber 32 inside the cooking appliance body 4, and a left-side fan 132 located to the left of the heating chamber 32 inside the cooking appliance body 4. The right-side fan 130 is, for example, a sirocco fan. The right-side fan 130 is located upstream of the right-side lower burner 68. The right-side fan 130 is configured to blow air toward the right-side lower burner 68 via the right-side intake port 122. Therefore, when the right-side fan 130 is operated, the draft D is increased near the right-side lower burner 68. The left-side fan 132 is also, for example, a sirocco fan. The left-side fan 132 is located upstream of the left-side lower burner 88. The left-side fan 132 is configured to blow air toward the left-side lower burner 88 via the left-side intake port 124. Therefore, when the left-side fan 132 is operated, the draft D is increased near the left-side lower burner 88.

[0044] The cooking appliance 2 further includes a control unit 134 for controlling the operation of the cooking appliance 2. The control unit 134 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control unit 134 is electrically connected to each of the electrical components of the cooking appliance 2 (for example, the right fan 130 and the left fan 132). The control unit 134 also outputs the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner, the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner, the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner, and the thermocouple 116 for the afterburner, as shown in Figure 3.

[0045] (First combustion acceleration treatment; Figure 6) The control unit 134 repeatedly performs the first combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 6 while the power to the cooking appliance 2 is turned on. In S2, the control unit 134 determines whether or not heating by the heating chamber 32 has started. For example, the control unit 134 determines that heating by the heating chamber 32 has started when the heating chamber operation knob 38 is pressed to start heating by the heating chamber 32. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has not started (if NO), the process repeats S2. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has started (if YES), the process proceeds to S4.

[0046] In S4, the control unit 134 starts right-side exhaust operation (see Figure 7). As will be described in detail later, the right-side fan 130 is activated during right-side exhaust operation. This increases the draft D near the right-side lower burner 68, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the right-side lower burner 68. As a result, combustion in the right-side lower burner 68 is promoted. Secondarily, combustion in the upper burner 48, the left-side lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52 is also promoted. After S4, the process proceeds to S6.

[0047] In S6, the control unit 134 starts left-side exhaust operation (see Figure 8). As will be described in detail later, in left-side exhaust operation, the left-side fan 132 is activated. This increases the draft D near the left-side lower burner 88, increasing the amount of oxygen supplied to the left-side lower burner 88. As a result, combustion in the left-side lower burner 88 is promoted. Secondarily, combustion in the upper burner 48, the right-side lower burner 68, and the afterburner 52 is also promoted. After S6, the process proceeds to S8.

[0048] In S8, the control unit 134 determines whether or not right-side exhaust operation is in progress. If right-side exhaust operation is not in progress (NO), the process proceeds to S10.

[0049] In S10, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric force generated by the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner is equal to or greater than the first voltage threshold (for example, 5mV). If the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S12.

[0050] In S12, the control unit 134 starts right-side exhaust operation.

[0051] If it is determined in S8 that right-side exhaust operation is in progress (YES), if it is determined in S10 that the combustion state of the right-side lower burner 68 is good (YES), or after S12, the process proceeds to S14. In S14, the control unit 134 determines whether or not left-side exhaust operation is in progress. If left-side exhaust operation is not in progress (NO), the process proceeds to S16.

[0052] In S16, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner is below the second voltage threshold (for example, 5mV). If the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S18.

[0053] In S18, the control unit 134 starts left-side exhaust operation.

[0054] If it is determined in S14 that left-side exhaust operation is in progress (YES), if it is determined in S16 that the combustion state of the left-side lower burner 88 is good (YES), or after S18, the process proceeds to S20. In S20, the control unit 134 determines whether heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished. For example, the control unit 134 determines that heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished when the heating chamber operation knob 38 is used to stop heating by the heating chamber 32. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has not finished (NO), the process returns to S8. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished (YES), the first combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 6 is terminated.

[0055] (Right-side exhaust operation; Figure 7) Right-side exhaust operation is initiated in S4 or S12 of the first combustion acceleration treatment (see Figure 6). Note that once right-side exhaust operation is initiated during the first combustion acceleration treatment, the first combustion acceleration treatment and right-side exhaust operation are executed in parallel.

[0056] In S22, the control unit 134 starts the operation of the right-side fan 130. At this time, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the right-side fan 130 to the normal rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm). After S22, the process proceeds to S24.

[0057] In S24, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric force generated by the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner is equal to or greater than the third voltage threshold (for example, 10mV). The third voltage threshold is set to a value greater than the first voltage threshold in S10 in Figure 6. This is because, although the right fan 130 is stopped in S10 in Figure 6, it is operating in S24, which relatively promotes combustion of the right lower burner 68. If the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is good (YES), the process proceeds to S26.

[0058] In S26, the control unit 134 reduces the exhaust capacity of the right-side fan 130. Specifically, the control unit 134 sets the rotational speed of the right-side fan 130 to a lower speed than the normal rotational speed (for example, 1000 rpm). After S26, the process proceeds to S28.

[0059] In S28, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 has reached a steady state. For example, the control unit 134 monitors the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner for a predetermined period (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of S28. The control unit 134 then determines that the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 has reached a steady state if the change in thermoelectric voltage during that period is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (e.g., 2mV). If the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 has reached a steady state (YES), the process proceeds to S30.

[0060] In S30, the control unit 134 stops the right-side fan 130. After S30, the right-side exhaust operation shown in Figure 7 ends.

[0061] If in S24 it is determined that the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S32. In S32, the control unit 134 determines whether 60 seconds have elapsed since the right fan 130 started operating in S22. If 60 seconds have not elapsed since the right fan 130 started operating in S22 (NO), the process returns to S24.

[0062] If it is determined in S28 that the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 has not reached a steady state (NO), the process proceeds to S34. In S34, the control unit 134 determines whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the right fan 130 was reduced in S26. If 30 seconds have not elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the right fan 130 was reduced in S26 (NO), the process returns to S28.

[0063] If 60 seconds have elapsed since the right fan 130 started operating in S22 (if YES in S32), or if 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the right fan 130 was reduced in S26 (if YES in S34), the process proceeds to S36. In S36, the control unit 134 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the heating chamber 32, stops the right fan 130, and terminates heating by the heating chamber 32. After S36, the right exhaust operation shown in Figure 7 ends.

[0064] (Left-side exhaust operation; Figure 8) Left-side exhaust operation is initiated in S6 or S18 of the first combustion acceleration treatment (see Figure 6). Note that after left-side exhaust operation is initiated during the first combustion acceleration treatment, the first combustion acceleration treatment and left-side exhaust operation are executed in parallel.

[0065] In S38, the control unit 134 starts the operation of the left fan 132. At this time, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the left fan 132 to the normal rotation speed (for example, 2000 rpm). After S38, the process proceeds to S40.

[0066] In S40, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric force generated by the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner is equal to or greater than the fourth voltage threshold (for example, 10mV). The fourth voltage threshold is set to a value greater than the second voltage threshold in S16 in Figure 6. This is because, although the left fan 132 is stopped in S16 in Figure 6, it is operating in S40, which relatively promotes combustion of the left lower burner 88. If the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is good (YES), the process proceeds to S42.

[0067] In S42, the control unit 134 reduces the exhaust capacity of the left fan 132. Specifically, the control unit 134 sets the rotational speed of the left fan 132 to a lower rotational speed than the normal rotational speed (for example, 1000 rpm). After S42, the process proceeds to S44.

[0068] In S44, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 has reached a steady state. The control unit 134 monitors the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner for a predetermined period (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of S44. The control unit 134 then determines that the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 has reached a steady state if the change in thermoelectric voltage during that period is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (e.g., 2mV). If the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 has reached a steady state (YES), the process proceeds to S46.

[0069] In S46, the control unit 134 stops the left-side fan 132. After S46, the left-side exhaust operation shown in Figure 8 ends.

[0070] If in S40 it is determined that the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S48. In S48, the control unit 134 determines whether 60 seconds have elapsed since the left fan 132 started operating in S38. If 60 seconds have not elapsed since the left fan 132 started operating in S38 (NO), the process returns to S40.

[0071] If in S44 it is determined that the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 has not reached a steady state (NO), the process proceeds to S50. In S50, the control unit 134 determines whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the left fan 132 was reduced in S42. If 30 seconds have not elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the left fan 132 was reduced in S42 (NO), the process returns to S44.

[0072] If 60 seconds have elapsed since the left fan 132 started operating in S38 (if YES in S48), or if 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the left fan 132 was reduced in S42 (if YES in S50), the process proceeds to S52. In S52, the control unit 134 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the heating chamber 32, stops the left fan 132, and terminates heating by the heating chamber 32. After S52, the left exhaust operation shown in Figure 8 ends.

[0073] (Example 2; Cooking device 202) The cooking appliance 202 shown in Figure 9 is a built-in cooktop used in a system kitchen, similar to the cooking appliance 2 in Example 1. Below, only the differences in configuration between cooking appliance 2 and cooking appliance 202 will be described. Components common to both cooking appliance 2 and cooking appliance 202 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0074] The top plate 6 of the cooking appliance 202 is provided with a first stove heating section 208, a second stove heating section 210, and a third stove heating section 212. The first stove heating section 208 is a gas stove that heats the object to be heated using a fuel such as city gas as a heat source. The first stove heating section 208 is configured substantially the same as the first stove heating section 8 of Embodiment 1, so the explanation of the first stove heating section 208 will be omitted. The second stove heating section 210 and the third stove heating section 212 are induction cooktops that heat the object to be heated using electricity as a heat source. The second stove heating section 210 is equipped with a placement marker 214 that indicates an area on which a cooking container (e.g., a pot) can be placed, and an induction heating coil 216 that is housed in the cooking appliance body 4 and heats the cooking container placed on the placement marker 214. The third stove heating section 212 includes a placement marker 218 that indicates an area where a cooking container (e.g., a pot) can be placed, and an induction heating coil 220 housed within the cooker body 4 that heats the cooking container placed on the placement marker 218.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, the cooking appliance 202 includes an inverter board 222 that adjusts the power supplied to the induction heating coil 216 and an inverter board 224 that adjusts the power supplied to the induction heating coil 220. The inverter boards 222 and 224 include, for example, a switching circuit (not shown) for generating a high-frequency current. When heating is performed by the second stove heating unit 210, the inverter board 222 and the induction heating coil 216 become hot due to the repeated flow of a large current. Similarly, when heating is performed by the third stove heating unit 212, the inverter board 224 and the induction heating coil 220 also become hot due to the repeated flow of a large current. Therefore, the cooking appliance 202 includes a board cooling unit 226 for cooling the inverter boards 222 and 224 and a coil cooling unit 228 for cooling the induction heating coils 216 and 220.

[0076] The substrate cooling unit 226 includes a substrate cooling passage 230 that holds the inverter substrates 222 and 224 inside, and a substrate cooling fan 232 that generates airflow in the substrate cooling passage 230. The substrate cooling passage 230 includes an inlet 234 and an outlet 236. The outlet 236 is located behind the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32 and in the vicinity of the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32. The outlet 236 opens upward. The substrate cooling fan 232 is, for example, a sirocco fan. When the substrate cooling fan 232 is operated, air flows into the substrate cooling passage 230 from the inlet 234. The air that flows into the substrate cooling passage 230 cools the inverter substrates 222 and 224 and then flows out from the outlet 236. In this specification, the airflow generated in the substrate cooling passage 230 in conjunction with the operation of the substrate cooling fan 232 is also referred to as "substrate cooling airflow A1".

[0077] The coil cooling unit 228 includes a coil cooling passage 238 that holds the induction heating coils 216 and 220 inside, and a coil cooling fan 240 that generates airflow in the coil cooling passage 238. The coil cooling passage 238 includes an inlet 242 and an outlet 244. The outlet 244 is located in front of the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32 and in the vicinity of the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32. The outlet 244 opens upward. The coil cooling fan 240 is, for example, a sirocco fan. When the coil cooling fan 240 is operated, air flows into the coil cooling passage 238 from the inlet 242. The air that flows into the coil cooling passage 238 cools the induction heating coils 216 and 220 and then flows out from the outlet 244. In this specification, the airflow generated in the coil cooling passage 238 in conjunction with the operation of the coil cooling fan 240 is also referred to as "coil cooling airflow A2".

[0078] When the substrate cooling air A1 (coil cooling air A2) flows out from the outlet 236 (outlet 244), a negative pressure is generated near the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32. This negative pressure draws the air inside the heating chamber 32 out through the exhaust port 128. As a result, the draft D is enhanced. In Figure 10, the draft D, substrate cooling air A1, and coil cooling air A2 are each illustrated with arrows.

[0079] Normally, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 are used to cool the inverter substrates 222 and 224 and the induction heating coils 216 and 220. Therefore, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 operate while heating is being performed by the second stove heating unit 210 or the third stove heating unit 212. However, in this embodiment, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 can also be used to enhance the draft D. Therefore, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 may exceptionally operate even when heating is not being performed by the second stove heating unit 210 or the third stove heating unit 212. The following describes the processing performed by the control unit 134 regarding the exceptional operation of the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240.

[0080] (Second combustion acceleration treatment; Figure 11) While the power to the cooking appliance 202 is on, the control unit 134 repeatedly executes the second combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 11 instead of the first combustion acceleration process (see Figure 6). In S102, the control unit 134 determines whether heating by the heating chamber 32 has started. For example, the control unit 134 determines that heating by the heating chamber 32 has started when the heating chamber operation knob 38 is pressed to start heating by the heating chamber 32. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has not started (NO), the process repeats S102. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has started (YES), the process proceeds to S104.

[0081] In S104, the control unit 134 starts the cooling exhaust operation (see Figure 12). As will be described in detail later, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 are operated during the cooling exhaust operation. This generates substrate cooling air A1 and coil cooling air A2, and also increases the draft D. The increase in draft D increases the amount of oxygen supplied to the upper burner 48, the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52. As a result, combustion in the upper burner 48, the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52 is promoted. After S104, the process proceeds to S106.

[0082] In S106, the control unit 134 determines whether or not cooling exhaust operation is in progress. If cooling exhaust operation is not in progress (NO), the process proceeds to S108.

[0083] In S108, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric force generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner is equal to or greater than the fifth voltage threshold (for example, 5mV). If the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S110.

[0084] In S110, the control unit 134 starts the cooling exhaust operation.

[0085] If it is determined in S106 that cooling exhaust operation is in progress (YES), if it is determined in S108 that the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is good (YES), or after S110, the process proceeds to S112. In S112, the control unit 134 determines whether heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished. For example, the control unit 134 determines that heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished when the heating chamber operation knob 38 is used to stop heating by the heating chamber 32. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has not finished (NO), the process returns to S106. If heating by the heating chamber 32 has finished (YES), the second combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 11 is terminated.

[0086] (Cooling exhaust operation; Figure 12) Cooling exhaust operation is initiated in S104 or S110 of the second combustion acceleration treatment (see Figure 11). Note that once cooling exhaust operation is initiated during the second combustion acceleration treatment, the second combustion acceleration treatment and cooling exhaust operation are executed in parallel.

[0087] In S114, the control unit 134 starts the operation of the circuit board cooling fan 232. At this time, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the circuit board cooling fan 232 to the normal rotation speed (for example, 3000 rpm). After S114, the process proceeds to S116.

[0088] In S116, the control unit 134 starts the operation of the coil cooling fan 240. At this time, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the coil cooling fan 240 to the normal rotation speed (for example, 3000 rpm). After S116, the process proceeds to S118.

[0089] In S118, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is good or not. Specifically, the control unit 134 determines whether the thermoelectric force generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner is equal to or greater than the sixth voltage threshold (for example, 10mV). The sixth voltage threshold is set to a value greater than the fifth voltage threshold in S108 in Figure 11. This is because, in S108 in Figure 11, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 are stopped, but in S118, the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 are operating, which relatively promotes the combustion of the upper burner 48. If the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is good (YES), the process proceeds to S120.

[0090] In S120, the control unit 134 reduces the exhaust capacity of the circuit board cooling fan 232. Specifically, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the circuit board cooling fan 232 to a lower rotation speed than the normal rotation speed (for example, 1500 rpm). After S120, the process proceeds to S122.

[0091] In S122, the control unit 134 reduces the exhaust capacity of the coil cooling fan 240. Specifically, the control unit 134 sets the rotational speed of the coil cooling fan 240 to a lower speed than the normal rotational speed (for example, 1500 rpm). After S122, the process proceeds to S124.

[0092] In S124, the control unit 134 determines whether the combustion state of the upper burner 48 has reached a steady state. For example, the control unit 134 monitors the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner for a predetermined period (e.g., 5 seconds) from the start of S124. The control unit 134 then determines that the combustion state of the upper burner 48 has reached a steady state if the amount of change in the thermoelectric voltage during that period is less than or equal to a predetermined amount (e.g., 2mV). If the combustion state of the upper burner 48 has reached a steady state (YES), the process proceeds to S126.

[0093] In S126, the control unit 134 stops the circuit board cooling fan 232. After S126, the process proceeds to S128.

[0094] In S128, the control unit 134 stops the coil cooling fan 240. After S128, the cooling exhaust operation shown in Figure 12 ends.

[0095] If it is determined in S118 that the combustion state of the upper burner 48 is not good (NO), the process proceeds to S130. In S130, the control unit 134 determines whether 60 seconds have elapsed since the coil cooling fan 240 started operating in S116. If 60 seconds have not elapsed since the coil cooling fan 240 started operating in S116 (NO), the process returns to S118.

[0096] If it is determined in S124 that the combustion state of the upper burner 48 has not reached a steady state (NO), the process proceeds to S132. In S132, the control unit 134 determines whether 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the coil cooling fan 240 was reduced in S122. If 30 seconds have not elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the coil cooling fan 240 was reduced in S122 (NO), the process returns to S124.

[0097] If 60 seconds have elapsed since the coil cooling fan 240 started operating in S116 (if YES in S130), or if 30 seconds have elapsed since the exhaust capacity of the coil cooling fan 240 was reduced in S122 (if YES in S132), the process proceeds to S134. In S134, the control unit 134 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the heating chamber 32, stops the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240, and terminates heating by the heating chamber 32. After S134, the cooling exhaust operation shown in Figure 12 ends.

[0098] The substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 are replacements for the right-side fan 130 (see Figure 5) and left-side fan 132 (see Figure 5) described in Example 1. Therefore, the cooking appliance 202 does not need to be equipped with the right-side fan 130 (see Figure 5) and left-side fan 132 (see Figure 5).

[0099] (Example 3; Cooking device 302) The heating appliance 302 shown in Figure 13 has substantially the same configuration as the heating appliance 202 of Example 2. Below, only the configurations that differ between the heating appliance 202 and the heating appliance 302 will be described. Components common to both the heating appliance 202 and the heating appliance 302 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0100] In this embodiment, the outlet 236 of the substrate cooling passage 230 is connected to the middle of the exhaust passage 44. The outlet 236 is located downstream of the afterburner 52 and opens toward the downstream side. Therefore, when substrate cooling air A1 flows out from the outlet 236, the air inside the exhaust passage 44 is pushed toward the exhaust port 128 of the heating chamber 32 by the substrate cooling air A1. As a result, the draft D is enhanced. The outlet 244 of the coil cooling passage 238 is located in the same way as in Embodiment 2. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, when coil cooling air A2 flows out from the outlet 244, a negative pressure is generated that draws the air inside the heating chamber 32 out through the exhaust port 128. As a result, the draft D is enhanced.

[0101] The control unit 134 repeatedly performs the second combustion acceleration process (see Figure 11) while the power to the cooking appliance 302 is turned on.

[0102] (modified version) The heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 do not necessarily have to include a first stove heating section 8, 208, a second stove heating section 10, 210, and / or a third stove heating section 12, 212.

[0103] The heating chamber 32 may be a different type of heating chamber than the grill chamber (for example, an oven chamber, microwave chamber, or toaster chamber).

[0104] The number, type, and arrangement of burners in the heating chamber 32 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the heating chamber 32 does not need to have a right-side lower burner 68 and a left-side lower burner 88. The upper burner 48 may be a Bunsen burner. The right-side lower burner 68 and the left-side lower burner 88 may be Schwank burners. The afterburner 52 may be located inside the heating chamber body 42.

[0105] The number, type, and arrangement of exhaust fans in the heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 may be further equipped with fans located inside the exhaust passage 44 that blow air toward the exhaust port 128. The right-side fan 130 (or the left-side fan 132, the circuit board cooling fan 232, and the coil cooling fan 240) may be propeller fans.

[0106] The heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 may be equipped with a combustion state detection unit other than a thermocouple (for example, an infrared sensor or an image sensor). Therefore, the combustion index output to the control unit 134 may be an index other than the thermoelectric power (for example, the amount of infrared radiation near the burner, the brightness of the flame produced by the burner, or the shape of the flame produced by the burner).

[0107] The substrate cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238) may be defined at least in part by the inner wall of the cooker body 4 or the outer wall of the exhaust passage 44. For example, the gap between the inner wall of the cooker body 4 and the outer wall of the exhaust passage 44 may function as the substrate cooling passage 230.

[0108] In the first combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 6, the control unit 134 may skip S4 and S6 and execute S8 after S2 is YES. Similarly, in the second combustion acceleration process shown in Figure 11, the control unit 134 may skip S104 and execute S106 after S102 is YES. In this configuration, if heating by the heating chamber 32 is started when the heating chamber 32 is sufficiently warm, the execution of the right-side exhaust operation and the left-side exhaust operation (or cooling exhaust operation) can be postponed. This prevents the right-side fan 130 and the left-side fan 132 (or the substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240) from operating unnecessarily.

[0109] In S10 of Figure 6, and S24 and S28 of Figure 7, the control unit 134 may refer to the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner, and the thermocouple 116 for the afterburner) instead of the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner.

[0110] In S16 of Figure 6, and S40 and S44 of Figure 8, the control unit 134 may refer to the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner, and the thermocouple 116 for the afterburner) instead of the thermoelectric voltage generated by the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner.

[0111] In S108 in Figure 11, and S118 and S124 in Figure 12, the control unit 134 may refer to the thermoelectric voltage generated by the right lower burner thermocouple 82 (or the left lower burner thermocouple 102, afterburner thermocouple 116) instead of the thermoelectric voltage generated by the upper burner thermocouple 62.

[0112] The heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 may be equipped with an adjustment mechanism (e.g., a flow rate adjustment valve, a flow rate adjustment damper) to adjust the airflow rate of the right-side fan 130 (or the left-side fan 132, the substrate cooling fan 232, or the coil cooling fan 240). In this case, the control unit 134 may change the airflow rate of the fan using the adjustment mechanism instead of changing the fan speed. For example, in S26 of Figure 7, the control unit 134 may reduce the airflow rate of the right-side fan 130 using the adjustment mechanism instead of reducing the rotation speed of the right-side fan 130.

[0113] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the control unit 134 starts the fan operation, then reduces the fan output by one level, and then stops the fan. In another embodiment, the control unit 134 may start the fan operation, then reduce the fan output by two or more levels, and then stop the fan.

[0114] The heating appliances 202 and 302 may also be equipped with a right-side fan 130 and a left-side fan 132, similar to heating appliance 2. In this case, the control unit 134 of heating appliances 202 and 302 may perform the first combustion acceleration treatment instead of the second combustion acceleration treatment. The substrate cooling fan 232 and the coil cooling fan 240 may be used solely for cooling the inverter substrates 222 and 224 and the induction heating coils 216 and 220.

[0115] (Features of the example) In one or more embodiments, the heating cooker 2, 202, 302 includes a heating chamber 32 capable of accommodating an object to be heated, an upper burner 48 (or a right lower burner 68, a left lower burner 88, an afterburner 52) (examples of burners) provided in the heating chamber 32, an exhaust passage 44 provided in the heating chamber 32, an exhaust port 128 provided in the exhaust passage 44, a right fan 130 (or a left fan 132, a substrate cooling fan 232, a coil cooling fan 240) (examples of exhaust fans) configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber 32 to the exhaust port 128, and a right fan 130 (or a left fan 132, a substrate cooling fan 232, a coil cooling fan 240) (examples of exhaust fans), and a right fan 130 (or a left fan 132, a substrate cooling fan 240, a substrate cooling fan 240) (examples of exhaust fans). The system includes a control unit 134 configured to perform a right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation) (example of exhaust operation) which operates a cooling fan 232 (coil cooling fan 240) to discharge gas from inside the heating chamber 32 through an exhaust port 128, and a thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner, thermocouple 102 for the left-side lower burner, thermocouple 116 for the afterburner) (example of combustion state detection unit) which detects the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or right-side lower burner 68, left-side lower burner 88, afterburner 52) and outputs a thermoelectric voltage (example of combustion index) indicating the combustion state to the control unit 134. When starting right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation), the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed (example of exhaust capacity) of the right-side fan 130 (or left-side fan 132, substrate cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) to the normal rotation speed (example of first exhaust capacity). During right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation), if combustion is being performed by the upper burner 48 (or right-side lower burner 68, left-side lower burner 88, afterburner 52) and the combustion state is determined to be good based on the thermoelectric voltage, the control unit 134 sets the rotation speed of the right-side fan 130 (or left-side fan 132, substrate cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) to a low rotation speed (example of second exhaust capacity) which is lower than the normal rotation speed.

[0116] Normally, combustion gases are guided to the exhaust port 128 by the draft D. If the right fan 130 (or left fan 132, circuit board cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) is kept running without reducing the exhaust capacity of the right fan 130 (or left fan 132, circuit board cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) even when the combustion state is good, the draft D may become excessively strong. In this case, the combustion gases will be excessively discharged, which may lower the temperature inside the heating chamber 32. As a result, cooking inside the heating chamber 32 may be affected. With the above configuration, during right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation), the exhaust capacity of the right fan 130 (or left fan 132, circuit board cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) can be reduced in accordance with the improved combustion state. Therefore, the draft D can be prevented from becoming excessively strong, and thus the excessive discharge of combustion gases can be prevented. This prevents the temperature inside the heating chamber 32 from dropping, allowing cooking to proceed smoothly inside the heating chamber 32.

[0117] In one or more embodiments, the heating cooker 2, 202, 302 includes a heating chamber 32 capable of accommodating an object to be heated, an upper burner 48 (or a right lower burner 68, a left lower burner 88, an afterburner 52) provided in the heating chamber 32, an exhaust passage 44 provided in the heating chamber 32, an exhaust port 128 provided in the exhaust passage 44, and a right fan 130 (or a left fan 132, a substrate cooling fan 232, a coil cooling fan 240) configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber 32 to the exhaust port 128, and the right fan 130 (or the left fan 1 The system includes a control unit 134 configured to perform right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation) by operating the substrate cooling fan 232 and coil cooling fan 240 to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber 32 from the exhaust port 128, and a thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or thermocouple 82 for the right-side lower burner, thermocouple 102 for the left-side lower burner, thermocouple 116 for the afterburner) that detects the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or right-side lower burner 68, left-side lower burner 88, afterburner 52) and outputs a thermoelectric voltage indicating the combustion state to the control unit 134. If the control unit 134 determines that combustion is occurring by the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, left lower burner 88, or afterburner 52) while the right exhaust operation (or left exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation) is stopped, and based on the thermoelectric voltage, it determines that the combustion state is not good, it will start the right exhaust operation (or left exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation).

[0118] According to the above configuration, if the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, or the afterburner 52) is determined to be unsatisfactory based on thermoelectric voltage while the right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation) is stopped, the right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation) can be started. Therefore, even if the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, or the afterburner 52) deteriorates at an unexpected time, the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, or the afterburner 52) can be immediately improved. Consequently, cooking in the heating chamber 32 can proceed smoothly.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, the control unit 134 terminates the right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation) if, while performing right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation), combustion is occurring by the upper burner 48 (or right-side lower burner 68, left-side lower burner 88, afterburner 52), and the control unit determines, based on the thermoelectric voltage, that the combustion state has reached a steady state.

[0120] If the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, left lower burner 88, or afterburner 52) is transient, the gas inside the heating chamber 32 is not sufficiently heated, and the draft D is expected to be relatively weak. In this case, since combustion gas may accumulate inside the heating chamber 32, it is necessary to increase the draft D by performing right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation). On the other hand, if the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, left lower burner 88, or afterburner 52) is steady, the gas inside the heating chamber 32 is sufficiently heated, and the draft D is expected to be relatively strong. In this case, since the combustion gas is unlikely to accumulate inside the heating chamber 32, it is not necessary to increase the draft D by performing right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, or cooling exhaust operation). Rather, if right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation) is performed in this situation, the right-side fan 130 (or left-side fan 132, circuit board cooling fan 232, coil cooling fan 240) will be operated unnecessarily, and the power consumption of the cooking appliances 2, 202, and 302 will increase unnecessarily. With the above configuration, the right-side exhaust operation (or left-side exhaust operation, cooling exhaust operation) can be stopped as the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or right-side lower burner 68, left-side lower burner 88, afterburner 52) reaches a steady state. Therefore, the unnecessarily increased power consumption of the cooking appliances 2, 202, and 302 can be suppressed.

[0121] In one or more embodiments, the hot junction 66 (or hot junction 86, hot junction 106, hot junction 120) of the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner, thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner, thermocouple 116 for the afterburner) is positioned offset in the direction of the opening of the flame port 60 (or flame port 76, flame port 96, flame port 114) of the flame port 60 (or flame port 76, flame port 96, flame port 114) of the upper burner 48 (or right lower burner 68, left lower burner 88, afterburner 52).

[0122] When the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) is good, the flame intensity formed at the flame port 60 (or flame port 76, flame port 96, and flame port 114) of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) becomes stronger. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 66 (or hot junction 86, hot junction 106, and hot junction 120) of the upper burner thermocouple 62 (or the right lower burner thermocouple 82, the left lower burner thermocouple 102, and the afterburner thermocouple 116) becomes higher, so the thermoelectric power generated at the upper burner thermocouple 62 (or the right lower burner thermocouple 82, the left lower burner thermocouple 102, and the afterburner thermocouple 116) becomes relatively large. On the other hand, if the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, or the afterburner 52) is not good, the intensity of the flame formed at the flame port 60 (or the flame port 76, flame port 96, or flame port 114) is reduced. As a result, the temperature of the hot junction 66 (or the hot junction 86, hot junction 106, or hot junction 120) of the upper burner thermocouple 62 (or the right lower burner thermocouple 82, the left lower burner thermocouple 102, or the afterburner thermocouple 116) becomes lower, so the thermoelectric power generated at the upper burner thermocouple 62 (or the right lower burner thermocouple 82, the left lower burner thermocouple 102, or the afterburner thermocouple 116) becomes relatively small. Therefore, with the above configuration, the quality of the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) can be detected by the magnitude of the thermoelectric power generated by the thermocouple 62 for the upper burner (or the thermocouple 82 for the right lower burner, the thermocouple 102 for the left lower burner, and the thermocouple 116 for the afterburner).

[0123] In one or more embodiments, the cookers 202, 302 include a substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) (example of a first external fan) located outside the heating chamber 32. The cookers 202, 302 also include a substrate cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238) (example of a first guide passage) that guides the air supplied from the substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240), and an outlet 236 (or outlet 244) (example of a first outlet) provided in the substrate cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238) through which the air supplied from the substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) flows out of the substrate cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238). The outlet 236 (or outlet 244) is located near the exhaust port 128.

[0124] With the above configuration, the substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) is positioned outside the heating chamber 32. This prevents the substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) from being exposed to high temperatures and prevents its deterioration. Furthermore, with the above configuration, the air flowing out from the outlet 236 (or outlet 244) creates a negative pressure that draws gas from inside the heating chamber 32 towards the exhaust port 128. This negative pressure enhances the draft D.

[0125] In one or more embodiments, the cooking appliance 302 includes a substrate cooling fan 232 (example of a second external fan) located outside the heating chamber 32. The cooking appliance 302 also includes a substrate cooling passage 230 (example of a second guide passage) that guides the air supplied from the substrate cooling fan 232, and an outlet 236 (example of a second outlet) provided in the substrate cooling passage 230 through which the air supplied from the substrate cooling fan 232 flows out of the substrate cooling passage 230. The outlet 236 is connected in the middle of the exhaust passage 44.

[0126] According to the above configuration, the substrate cooling fan 232 is positioned outside the heating chamber 32. This prevents the substrate cooling fan 232 from being exposed to high temperatures and prevents its deterioration. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the air flowing out from the outlet 236 pushes the air inside the exhaust passage 44 towards the exhaust port 128. This enhances the draft D.

[0127] In one or more embodiments, the cooker 2 is positioned upstream of the right-side lower burner 68 (or left-side lower burner 88) and includes a right-side fan 130 (or left-side fan 132) (an example of an upstream fan) configured to supply air to the right-side lower burner 68 (or left-side lower burner 88).

[0128] With the above configuration, the right-side fan 130 (or left-side fan 132) can supply air from the upstream side of the right-side lower burner 68 (or left-side lower burner 88). Therefore, oxygen can be actively supplied to the right-side lower burner 68 (or left-side lower burner 88).

[0129] In one or more embodiments, the cooking appliance 2 includes a right-side lower burner 68 (example of a first burner) and a left-side lower burner 88 (example of a second burner). The cooking appliance 2 also includes a right-side lower burner thermocouple 82 (example of a first combustion state detection unit) for detecting the combustion state of the right-side lower burner 68, and a left-side lower burner thermocouple 102 (example of a second combustion state detection unit) for detecting the combustion state of the left-side lower burner 88. The cooking appliance 2 also includes a right-side fan 130 (example of a first upstream fan) positioned upstream of the right-side lower burner 68 and configured to supply air to the right-side lower burner 68, and a left-side fan 132 (example of a second upstream fan) positioned upstream of the left-side lower burner 88 and configured to supply air to the left-side lower burner 88. The control unit 134 operates the right-side fan 130 based on the combustion state of the right-side lower burner 68, and operates the left-side fan 132 based on the combustion state of the left-side lower burner 88.

[0130] For example, there may be a situation where the combustion state of the right lower burner 68 is good, but the combustion state of the left lower burner 88 is not good. In this situation, the environment near the right lower burner 68 is expected to be normal (i.e., combustion gases are not accumulating and there is sufficient oxygen), but the environment near the left lower burner 88 is expected to be abnormal (i.e., combustion gases are accumulating and there is not enough oxygen). In this situation, if the draft D is uniformly increased throughout the heating chamber 32, the environment near the left lower burner 88 may be improved, but the environment near the right lower burner 68 may be worsened. As a result, cooking inside the heating chamber 32 may be hindered. With the above configuration, in this situation, the first upstream fan can be stopped while only the second upstream fan is operated. Therefore, the draft D can be increased only near the left lower burner 88, so the environment near the right lower burner 68 can be maintained as is while the environment near the left lower burner 88 can be improved. Therefore, cooking inside the heating chamber 32 can proceed smoothly.

[0131] In one or more embodiments, the cookers 2, 202, 302 include inverter boards 222, 224 (or induction heating coils 216, 220) (example of electrical components) that are driven by a power supply, and a board cooling unit 226 (or coil cooling unit 228) (example of a cooling unit) for cooling the inverter boards 222, 224 (or induction heating coils 216, 220). The board cooling unit 226 (or coil cooling unit 228) includes a board cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238) (example of a cooling passage) that holds the inverter boards 222, 224 (or induction heating coils 216, 220) inside, and a board cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) (example of a cooling fan) that generates airflow in the board cooling passage 230 (or coil cooling passage 238).

[0132] In configurations where the heating appliances 2, 202, and 302 are equipped with a circuit board cooling fan 232 (or a coil cooling fan 240), operating the circuit board cooling fan 232 (or the coil cooling fan 240) may reduce the amount of air introduced into the heating chamber 32, for example, by lowering the pressure inside the cooking appliance body 4 (an example of a heating appliance housing). As a result, combustion gases tend to accumulate in the heating chamber 32, and the amount of oxygen supplied to the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) tends to decrease. Consequently, the combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) tends to deteriorate, so it is particularly desirable to maintain a good combustion state for the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52). With the above configuration, the effect of maintaining a good combustion state of the upper burner 48 (or the right lower burner 68, the left lower burner 88, and the afterburner 52) is significantly enhanced.

[0133] In one or more embodiments, the substrate cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) functions as an exhaust fan.

[0134] According to the above configuration, the circuit board cooling fan 232 (or coil cooling fan 240) can be used as an exhaust fan configured to enhance the draft D. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate exhaust fan, which reduces the number of parts in the heating appliances 2, 202, and 302.

[0135] The technical elements described herein or in the drawings demonstrate technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated herein or in the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives constitutes technical usefulness in itself. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 2:Heating cooker 4: Cooking appliance body 4a:Front 6: Tabletop 6a: Top panel opening 8: First stove heating section 10: Second stove heating section 12: Third burner heating section 14: Trivet 16: Stove burner 18: Pot bottom temperature sensor 20: Trivet 22: Stove burner 24: Pot bottom temperature sensor 26: Trivet 28: Stove burner 30: Pot bottom temperature sensor 32:Heating cabinet 32a: Front opening 32b: Door component 33: Main power switch 34: First burner control knob 35: Second burner control knob 36: Third burner control knob 37: Cooktop control panel 37a: Display section 37b: Operation section 38: Heating chamber operation knob 39: Heating chamber control panel 39a: Display section 39b: Operation section 42: Heating chamber body 44: Exhaust passage 46: Grilling net 48: Top burner 50: Bottom burner 52: Afterburner 54:Intake port 56:Mixing tube 58:Mixing room 58a: Ceramic plate 60: Multiple flame ports 62: Thermocouple for top burner 64: Cable 66: Hot junction 68: Right-side lower burner 70:Intake port 72:Mixing tube 74:Mixing room 76: Flame Mouth 78: Multiple main flame ports 80: Flame-holding mouth 82: Thermocouple for right-side lower burner 84: Cable 86: Hot junction 88: Left lower burner 90:Intake port 92:Mixing tube 94:Mixing room 96: Flame Mouth 98: Multiple main flame ports 100: Flame-holding mouth 102: Thermocouple for left-side lower burner 104: Cable 106: Hot junction 108:Intake port 110: Mixing tube 112:Mixing room 114: Multiple flame ports 116: Thermocouple for afterburner 118: Cable 120: Hot junction 122: Right-side air intake 124: Left side air intake 126: Connecting port 128: Exhaust port 130: Right-side fan 132: Left fan 134: Control Unit 202:Heating cooker 208: First stove heating section 210: Second stove heating section 212: Third burner heating section 214: Mounting Marker 216: Induction heating coil 218: Mounting Marker 220: Induction heating coil 222: Inverter board 224: Inverter board 226: Circuit board cooling unit 228: Coil Cooling Unit 230: Board cooling passage 232: Circuit board cooling fan 234:Inlet 236: Outlet 238: Coil cooling passage 240: Coil cooling fan 242:Inlet 244: Outlet 302:Heating cooker

Claims

1. A heating chamber capable of accommodating the object to be heated, A burner is provided in the aforementioned heating chamber, An exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber, An exhaust port provided in the aforementioned exhaust passage, An exhaust fan configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port, A control unit configured to perform an exhaust operation by operating the exhaust fan to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port, The system includes a combustion state detection unit that detects the combustion state of the burner and outputs a combustion index indicating the combustion state to the control unit, The control unit sets the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a first exhaust capacity when the exhaust operation is started. A cooking appliance in which, during the execution of the exhaust operation, if combustion is being performed by the burner and the combustion state is determined to be good based on the combustion index, the control unit sets the exhaust capacity of the exhaust fan to a second exhaust capacity which is lower than the first exhaust capacity.

2. A heating chamber capable of accommodating the object to be heated, A burner is provided in the aforementioned heating chamber, An exhaust passage provided in the heating chamber, An exhaust port provided in the aforementioned exhaust passage, An exhaust fan configured to guide the gas inside the heating chamber to the exhaust port, A control unit configured to perform an exhaust operation by operating the exhaust fan to discharge the gas inside the heating chamber from the exhaust port, The system includes a combustion state detection unit that detects the combustion state of the burner and outputs a combustion index indicating the combustion state to the control unit, A cooking appliance in which the control unit starts the exhaust operation if combustion is occurring by the burner while the exhaust operation is stopped, and the control unit determines, based on the combustion indicator, that the combustion state is not good.

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit terminates the exhaust operation when combustion is being performed by the burner during the exhaust operation and the combustion state is determined to have reached a steady state based on the combustion index.

4. The aforementioned combustion state detection unit is equipped with a thermocouple. The hot junction of the thermocouple is positioned offset from the flame port of the burner in the direction of the flame port opening. The cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the combustion index includes the thermoelectric power generated by the thermocouple.

5. The exhaust fan includes a first external fan located outside the heating chamber. The aforementioned heating appliance is A first guide passage that guides the air blown from the first external fan, The first guide passage is provided with a first outlet through which the air sent from the first external fan flows out to the outside of the first guide passage, The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first outlet is located near the exhaust port.

6. The exhaust fan includes a second external fan located outside the heating chamber. The aforementioned heating appliance is A second guide passage that guides the air blown from the second external fan, The system includes a second outlet provided in the second guide passage, through which the air sent from the second external fan flows out to the outside of the second guide passage. The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second outlet is connected in the middle of the exhaust passage.

7. The cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exhaust fan is located upstream of the burner and comprises an upstream fan configured to supply air to the burner.

8. The aforementioned burner comprises a first burner and a second burner. The combustion state detection unit comprises a first combustion state detection unit for detecting the combustion state of the first burner, and a second combustion state detection unit for detecting the combustion state of the second burner. The upstream fan comprises a first upstream fan positioned upstream of the first burner and configured to supply air to the first burner, and a second upstream fan positioned upstream of the second burner and configured to supply air to the first burner. The cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein the control unit operates the first upstream fan based on the combustion state of the first burner and operates the second upstream fan based on the combustion state of the second burner.

9. Electrical components that are driven by the supply of power, It includes a cooling unit for cooling the aforementioned electrical components, The heating appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling passage for holding the electrical components inside, and a cooling fan for generating airflow in the cooling passage.

10. The heating appliance according to claim 9, wherein the cooling fan functions as the exhaust fan.

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