Heating Regulator

Abstract

The disclosed heating regulator includes a heating chamber, a circulating fan, and a fluid passage forming section. The heating chamber can accommodate the object to be heated. The circulating fan draws air into the heating chamber and blows the drawn-in air out of the heating chamber, forming a circulating fluid passage within the heating chamber's internal space. The fluid passage forming section is disposed inside the heating chamber and defines the airflow velocity and direction of the air blown out of the heating chamber by the circulating fan. The fluid passage forming section is disposed above the heating chamber to form the space above the heating chamber. The fluid passage forming section has an air guide and an outlet communicating with the heating chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Invention Field

[0002] This disclosure pertains to heating regulators. Prior Technology

[0003] Background of the Invention

[0004] The heating regulator described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-112292 includes a heating chamber, a circulating fan, a convection heater, and an air guide. The heating chamber houses the object to be heated. The circulating fan draws air into the heating chamber and blows it out, creating a circulating fluid path within the heating chamber. The convection heater is positioned in front of the circulating fan to heat the air drawn in from the heating chamber. The air guide is configured to blow the drawn-in air downwards from its top surface. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Invention Summary

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a heat conditioner that can heat the object being heated more uniformly.

[0007] The disclosed heating regulator includes a heating chamber, a circulating fan, and a fluid passage forming section. The heating chamber can accommodate the object to be heated. The circulating fan draws air into the heating chamber and blows the drawn-in air out of the heating chamber, forming a circulating fluid passage within the heating chamber's internal space. The fluid passage forming section is disposed inside the heating chamber and defines the airflow velocity and direction of the air blown out of the heating chamber from the circulating fan. The fluid passage forming section is disposed above the heating chamber, forming the space above the heating chamber. The fluid passage forming section has an air guide and an outlet communicating with the heating chamber.

[0008] The heating regulator disclosed herein can heat the object being heated more uniformly. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heating regulator of the present embodiment with the door closed.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heating regulator in the embodiment with the door open.

[0011] Figure 3 is a front view of the heating regulator in the embodiment with the door open.

[0012] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating regulator in the implementation form.

[0013] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating regulator in the embodiment with the door open.

[0014] Figure 6 is a front view of the rear wall of the heating chamber.

[0015] Figure 7 is a front view of the convection device.

[0016] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of the convection device.

[0017] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional view of a convection heater.

[0018] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first gas conductor.

[0019] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of the circulating fan.

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second gas conductor.

[0021] Figure 13 is a three-dimensional view of the convection device.

[0022] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a portion of the heating conditioner in an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 15 is a top view of the space above the heating chamber.

[0024] Figure 16 is a three-dimensional view of the fluid passage formation section.

[0025] Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating regulator in the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 18 is a three-dimensional view of the hot air generating mechanism.

[0027] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the hot air generating mechanism.

[0028] Figure 20 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the heating regulator in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the air-roasting sensor. Implementation

[0030] Forms used to implement inventions (The underlying insights, etc., revealed in this disclosure)

[0031] When the inventors of this application conceived of this disclosure, the air blown from the circulating fan into the heating chamber was blown downwards after hitting the air guide. In this configuration, the direction and intensity of the downward-blown hot air varied depending on the location, and the direction of the airflow was inclined. Therefore, uneven heating occurred on the heated object. The inventors of this application discovered the subject matter of this disclosure in order to solve this problem.

[0032] According to this disclosure, the heated object can be heated more uniformly in the heating regulator. (Implementation Mode)

[0033] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates the heating regulator 1 according to the disclosed embodiment. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heating regulator 1 with the door 4 closed. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the heating regulator 1 with the door 4 open. Figure 3 is a front view of the heating regulator 1 with the door 4 open.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in the figures, vertically upward is defined as above, and the opposite of above is defined as below. The right and left sides of the heating regulator 1 as viewed from the user are defined as right and left, respectively. The user side of the heating regulator 1 when the user uses the heating regulator is defined as in front of the heating regulator 1, and the opposite of in front is defined as behind the heating regulator 1. [Overall Composition]

[0035] In this embodiment, the heating and conditioning unit 1 is for commercial use, that is, a high-output heating and conditioning unit used in convenience stores, fast food restaurants, etc. The heating and conditioning unit 1 performs microwave heating, radiant heating, and hot air circulation heating individually, or at least two of them sequentially or simultaneously, depending on the content to be prepared.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1-3, the heating regulator 1 includes a body 2, a heating chamber 5, a mechanical chamber 3, and a door 4. The heating chamber 5 is located inside the body 2. The mechanical chamber 3 is located inside the body 2 below the heating chamber 5. The door 4 is located at the front of the body 2 and covers the front opening of the heating chamber 5.

[0037] Door 4 has a handle 24. If the user pulls the handle 24 forward, door 4 will rotate and open by pivoting around the hinges located on its lower sides. An operation display 6 is arranged on the front of the main body 2 to display the user's settings and settings for the heating regulator 1.

[0038] With door 4 closed (refer to Figure 1), the object to be heated inside the heating chamber 5 is heated using microwaves or the like. With door 4 open (refer to Figure 2), the object to be heated is stored in the heating chamber 5 and then removed from the heating chamber 5.

[0039] The heating chamber 5 of the main body 2 has a slightly rectangular space with a front opening. The heating chamber 5 is sealed by covering the front opening with a door 4, and houses the object to be heated. In this state, the object is heated by at least one of the following heating mechanisms: a hot air circulation heating mechanism, a radiation heating mechanism, and a microwave heating mechanism.

[0040] The hot air circulation heating mechanism is located behind the heating chamber 5 and near its top surface. The radiant heating mechanism is located near the top surface of the heating chamber 5. The microwave heating mechanism is located below the bottom wall 5a of the heating chamber 5. The bottom wall 5a of the heating chamber 5 is constructed of a material that microwaves can easily penetrate, such as glass or ceramic.

[0041] The interior of the heating chamber 5 can accommodate: a platform 7 for holding the object to be heated; and a tray 8, located below the platform 7, for receiving grease and other substances dripping from the object to be heated.

[0042] The platform 7 is a detachable platform, such as one made of ceramic. The platform 7 is integrally constructed with a plate-shaped component for holding the object to be heated and four legs supporting the plate-shaped component. The receiving tray 8 is fixed to the bottom wall of the heating regulator body.

[0043] The receiving plate 8 is made of ceramic, specifically cordierite. Cordierite is a ceramic composed of magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide, and has the characteristics of low thermal expansion and excellent thermal shock resistance. Therefore, even if microwaves are concentrated on the surface of the stage 7, the safety of the stage 7 is not a problem.

[0044] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating regulator 1 viewed from the front. That is, in Figure 4, the side protruding from the paper is the front of the heating regulator 1. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating regulator 1 viewed from the left. That is, in Figure 5, the right side is the front of the heating regulator 1.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a baking heater 9, constituting a radiant heating section, is disposed near the top surface of the heating chamber 5. The baking heater 9 is constructed from a single, bent heating tube disposed near the top surface. The baking heater 9 is used in a baking mode (radiant heating) where the heated object is heated and prepared using radiant heat.

[0046] In Figure 5, the microwave heating unit 21 is disposed within the machine room 3. The microwave heating unit 21 includes a magnetron 15, an inverter 16, and a cooling fan 17. The microwave heating unit 21 is controlled by a control unit (not shown).

[0047] The magnetron generates microwaves. The inverter 16 drives the magnetron 15. The cooling fan 17 draws air in from the ventilation plate 30 located at the front of the machine room 3 and sends the drawn air out to the rear. The inverter 16 and magnetron 15, etc., located inside the machine room 3, are cooled by this air.

[0048] The microwave heating unit 21 includes a waveguide 18 and a microwave supply unit 19. The waveguide 18 guides the microwaves generated by the magnetron 15 downward toward the center of the heating chamber 5. The microwave supply unit 19 is disposed below the center of the heating chamber 5 and has an opening formed on the upper surface of the end of the waveguide 18. The microwave supply unit 19 radiates the microwaves guided by the waveguide 18 into the interior of the heating chamber 5.

[0049] To agitate the microwaves emitted from the microwave supply unit 19, a stirrer 23 is disposed above the microwave supply unit 19. The stirrer 23 is driven by a stirrer drive unit (not shown) and has blades for agitating the microwaves emitted from the microwave supply unit 19. The stirrer drive unit is a motor disposed within the machine chamber 3.

[0050] Therefore, in the heating conditioner 1, microwaves that have been stirred are radiated from below the heating chamber 5 toward the interior of the heating chamber 5, causing the object to be heated on the platform 7 to be heated.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the heating conditioner 1 in this embodiment includes a radiant heating unit (baking heater 9) and a microwave heating unit 21, as well as a hot air generating mechanism 22. The hot air generating mechanism 22 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) that includes a microcomputer and semiconductor memory. The hot air generating mechanism 22 is located inside the main body 2 behind the heating chamber 5 and includes a convection heater 10, a circulating fan 11, and a fan drive unit 12.

[0052] The convection heater 10 is a heat source for hot air circulation heating. The circulating fan 11 is an air supply source. The fan drive unit 12 is a motor for driving the circulating fan 11. A plurality of openings are formed in the rear wall 5e of the heating chamber 5.

[0053] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a portion of the heating regulator 1. When the circulating fan 11 is activated, air in the heating chamber 5 is drawn through a plurality of openings to the hot air generating mechanism 22. In the hot air generating mechanism 22, the air is heated by the convection heater 10 and the circulating fan 11. The hot air is blown into the heating chamber 5 from the outlet 13d (refer to Figure 14) located on the bottom wall of the fluid passage forming section 13. The plurality of openings formed on the rear wall 5e will be described later.

[0054] The hot air generating mechanism 22 includes a fluid passage forming part 13 and an air guide 14, which will be described later. The fluid passage forming part 13 and the air guide 14 are arranged near the top surface of the heating chamber 5, defining the flow rate and blowing direction of the air from the outlet 13d to the heating chamber 5.

[0055] The fluid passage forming part 13 and the air guide 14 are arranged on the upper part of the heating chamber 5 to form the upper space of the heating chamber 5, and the flow rate and blowing direction of the air flowing in the upper space and blowing towards the heating chamber 5 are specified.

[0056] As shown in Figure 14, the heating regulator 1 further includes a temperature sensor 50 for detecting the temperature inside the chamber and a no-heat sensor 51 for detecting no-heating. The temperature sensor 50 is disposed near the top surface of the heating chamber 5 and detects the temperature inside the heating chamber 5. The no-heat sensor 51 is disposed near the top surface of the heating chamber 5 and can detect heating in a state where there is no object to be heated inside the heating chamber 5, known as "no-heating". The temperature sensor 50 and the no-heat sensor 51 are, for example, made of thermistors.

[0057] Figure 20 is an enlarged view of the area shown in Figure 5 within the circular frame D, showing the heating regulator 1 near the temperature sensor 50 and the air-heat sensor 51 in the detection chamber.

[0058] The basic structure of a thermistor will be explained using the temperature sensor 50 inside the chamber as an example. The thermistor chip, which serves as the detection end of the temperature sensor 50, is housed inside the protruding end of a protective tube (e.g., a thin stainless steel tube) that is closed at the front end. The gap between the thermistor chip and the protective tube is filled with a heat-resistant inorganic filler with good thermal conductivity. The temperature sensor 50, configured in this way, is positioned slightly centrally on the top surface of the heating chamber 5, abutted against the air guide 14 (refer to Figure 14).

[0059] The thermal time constant of a thermistor relates to its responsiveness; a smaller thermal time constant indicates better characteristics. The thermistor in this embodiment includes a protection diode and has a thermal time constant of less than 60 seconds. The thermistor in the dry-heat detection sensor 51 is configured similarly, and its description is omitted.

[0060] The placement of the temperature sensor 50 within the chamber is closely related to the placement of each component of the radiant heating unit (baking heater 9), the microwave heating unit 21, and the hot air generating mechanism 22. Specifically, the temperature sensor 50 is positioned at a specific location within the circulating fluid path formed by the hot air generating mechanism 22. The temperature sensor 50 detects temperature during the operation of at least the circulating fan 11 of the hot air generating mechanism 22.

[0061] The placement of the empty oven detection sensor 51 is also closely related to the placement of the constituent components of the radiant heating unit (baking heater 9), the microwave heating unit 21, and the hot air generating mechanism 22. Specifically, the empty oven detection sensor 51 is placed in a specific location that can absorb microwaves emitted from the bottom wall 5a of the heating chamber 5. The empty oven detection sensor 51 detects empty oven conditions by utilizing the characteristic that microwaves concentrate on the dielectric material when heating is performed in a state where there is no object to be heated in the heating chamber 5.

[0062] As described above, a plurality of openings are formed in the rear wall 5e of the heating chamber 5. The hot air circulation heating area is located behind the rear wall 5e. A convection heater 10, a circulating fan 11, and a fan drive unit 12, which are components of the hot air generation mechanism 22, are arranged in the hot air circulation heating area. The hot air generation mechanism 22 further includes a fluid passage forming part 13 and an air guide 14 disposed near the top surface within the heating chamber 5. The arrangement, function, and configuration of the fluid passage forming part 13 and the air guide 14, which are fluid passage forming parts within the heating chamber, will be described later. [Detailed Composition of the Hot Air Generating Mechanism]

[0063] Figure 6 is a front view of the rear wall 5e of the heating chamber 5. As shown in Figure 6, an opening assembly 25 is formed in the central region A and the upper region B of the rear wall 5e by punching. The opening assembly 25 is designed to prevent microwaves radiated toward the interior of the heating chamber 5 from leaking to the outside of the heating chamber 5.

[0064] The first opening collection section 25a is an opening collection section 25 formed in the central region A located in the center of the rear wall 5e. The first opening collection section 25a functions as an intake port for drawing air from the heating chamber 5 to the rear side.

[0065] The second opening assembly 25b is an opening assembly 25 that extends in the width direction (left-right direction) and is formed in the upper region B above the rear wall 5e. The second opening assembly 25b functions as an outlet for blowing air (hot air) into the heating chamber 5. Specifically, air is blown from the second opening assembly 25b into the space above the heating chamber 5 through the fluid passage forming part 13.

[0066] In this embodiment, the first opening assembly portion 25a and the second opening assembly portion 25b have openings of the same shape. However, the first opening assembly portion 25a and the second opening assembly portion 25b may have openings of a suitable shape according to the specifications (suction volume, blowing volume, etc.) of the heating conditioner 1.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first opening assembly portion 25a and the second opening assembly portion 25b are openings formed by aggregating multiple small openings and are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. However, it is also possible for the opening to be not a collection of small openings, but a large opening. The first opening assembly portion 25a and the second opening assembly portion 25b may also be adjacent to each other.

[0068] Figure 7 is a front view of the convection device 20 arranged in the hot air circulation heating area. Figure 7 shows the convection device 20 with the rear wall 5e removed, and the heating chamber 5 is arranged on the side protruding from the paper in Figure 7.

[0069] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the convection device 20 configured in the hot air circulation heating zone. Figures 9-12 are perspective views of the components constituting the convection device 20. Specifically, Figure 9 is a perspective view of the convection heater 10. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the first gas guide 27a. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the circulation fan 11. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second gas guide 27b. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the convection device 20.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7 and 13, the convection heater 10 is positioned behind the rear wall 5e. As shown in Figure 9, the convection heater 10 is constructed using a single spiral heating element. The spiral portion of the convection heater 10 faces the central region A of the rear wall 5e in Figure 5. The convection heater 10 heats the air drawn in from the first opening collection section 25a of the central region A.

[0071] As shown in Figure 13, a circulating fan 11 and a fan drive unit 12 are arranged behind the convection heater 10. The circulating fan 11 is a centrifugal fan, configured to draw in air from the central part of the circulating fan 11 and blow it out in a centrifugal direction.

[0072] The air drawn in from the heating chamber 5 by the circulating fan 11 is heated by the convection heater 10 to become hot air. This hot air is drawn out in a centrifugal direction by the circulating fan 11 within the hot air circulation frame 28 through the catalyst 26 used for purification. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG11, the circulating fan 11 is configured to rotate clockwise in a frontal view, that is, when viewed from the front.

[0073] As shown in Figure 13, an air guide section including a gas guide frame 27 and a hot air circulation frame 28 is arranged around the convection heater 10 and the circulation fan 11. The gas guide frame 27 has a first gas guide 27a (refer to Figure 10) and a second gas guide 27b (refer to Figure 12).

[0074] The first gas guide 27a is a circular frame arranged to surround the convection heater 10. The second gas guide 27b guides the air blown out by the circulating fan 11 in a centrifugal direction to be blown out along the top surface of the heating chamber 5.

[0075] The gas guide frame 27 is fixed to the hot air circulation frame 28, which is a frame-shaped structure surrounding its four corners. The area defined by the first gas guide 27a of the circular frame is opposite to the central area A of the rear wall 5e.

[0076] Therefore, the air drawn in from the heating chamber 5 through the central region A of the rear wall 5e is heated by the convection heater 10 and becomes hot air, which is then drawn in at the central part of the circulating fan 11. The hot air drawn in by the circulating fan 11 is guided by the second gas guide 27b arranged around the circulating fan 11 to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5.

[0077] The hot air guided to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5 is sent forward along the inner surface of the top surface of the hot air circulation frame 28. A plate-shaped third gas guide 28a is arranged on the inner side of the top surface of the hot air circulation frame 28. Through the third gas guide 28a, the hot air guided to the vicinity of the top surface is blown out relatively uniformly along the top surface of the heating chamber 5.

[0078] A plate-shaped fourth gas guide 28b is disposed on the right inner side of the hot air circulation frame 28. Hot air guided by the second gas guide 27b to the vicinity of the top surface is blown out towards the fluid passage forming part 13 via the fourth gas guide 28b.

[0079] In this embodiment, the hot air circulation frame 28 includes a third gas guide 28a and a fourth gas guide 28b. However, the hot air circulation frame 28 may also include a plurality of third gas guides 28a and a plurality of fourth gas guides 28b.

[0080] As shown in Figure 11, the circulating fan 11 rotates clockwise in a frontal view. Therefore, the third gas guide 28a is positioned in a frontal view at a position approximately 1 / 3 the width of the inner side of the hot air circulation frame 28 from the left end of the inner side of the top surface of the hot air circulation frame 28, guiding the hot air to the heating chamber 5.

[0081] The fourth gas guide 28b is positioned above the right inner side of the hot air circulation frame 28 and protrudes horizontally to guide hot air to the fluid passage forming part 13. The third gas guide 28a and the fourth gas guide 28b are positioned appropriately according to the specifications of the circulation fan 11 and the shape of the hot air circulation frame 28.

[0082] In order to prevent heat from being transferred to the outside, the hot air circulation frame 28 is an insulating frame (not shown) arranged around the outside of the hot air circulation frame 28 with an insulating material (not shown).

[0083] As shown by arrow A1 in Figure 8, air is drawn in through the central portion of the hot air circulation heating zone (central region A of the rear wall 5e). This air is guided by the first gas guide 27a and heated by the convection heater 10 to become hot air. This hot air is then drawn in by the circulation fan 11.

[0084] The hot air drawn in by the circulating fan 11 is blown out near the top surface of the heating chamber 5 by the second gas guide 27b and the hot air circulation frame 28 (including the third gas guide 28a and the fourth gas guide 28b) arranged outside the circulating fan 11, as shown by arrow A2 in FIG8. [Composition of the Gas Conductor Frame]

[0085] The gas guide frame 27 has a notch 27c on a portion of its bottom surface. In conventional gas guide frames without the notch 27c, dust and debris can accumulate on the inner side of the bottom of the gas guide frame. In this case, the dust and debris may be food scraps or the like sucked in by the circulating fan 11.

[0086] Furthermore, in the conventional gas guide frame, if the user cleans the inside of the heating chamber 5 with detergent or the like, detergent will accumulate on the bottom inner side of the gas guide frame 27, or detergent will adhere to the accumulated dust.

[0087] According to this embodiment, by means of a notch 27c provided on a portion of the bottom surface of the gas guide frame 27, it is possible to prevent dust and detergent from accumulating on the gas guide frame.

[0088] As shown in Figure 10, the first gas guide 27a of the circular frame is configured to surround the convection heater 10. Through the first gas guide 27a, the air drawn into the convection device 20 by the circulating fan 11 passes through the convection heater 10.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first gas guide 27a has a slightly cylindrical shape. The first gas guide 27a has a third notch 27d1 for allowing the convection heater 10 located on the inner side to extend outward.

[0090] The first gas guide 27a has a first notch 27c1 provided on a portion of its bottom surface. As shown in FIG10, the first notch 27c1 has a slightly rectangular shape and extends from the front end of the first gas guide 27a to almost the rear end of the first gas guide 27a. The first notch 27c1 is provided on a slightly horizontal portion of the bottom surface of the first gas guide 27a.

[0091] The slightly horizontal portion of the bottom surface of the first gas guide 27a is located on the inner side closest to the bottom of the hot air circulation frame 28. A space C is provided between the bottom surface of the first gas guide 27a and the inner side of the bottom of the hot air circulation frame 28 (refer to the ellipse with dashed lines in Figure 7).

[0092] To guide the air blown centrifugally from the circulating fan 11 to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5, the second gas guide 27b is configured to surround the circulating fan 11. As shown in FIG12, the second gas guide 27b has a slightly U-shaped form with an opening at the top. The second gas guide 27b guides air to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5 through this opening.

[0093] The second gas guide 27b has a fourth notch 27d2 for allowing a portion of the convection heater 10 disposed inside it to extend outward from the second gas guide 27b. In order to guide the air delivered by the circulating fan 11 to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5, the second gas guide 27b is larger in the depth direction than the first gas guide 27a.

[0094] The second gas guide 27b has a second notch 27c2 on a portion of its bottom surface. As shown in FIG12, the second notch 27c2 has the same shape and the same depth as the first notch 27c1 of the first gas guide 27a. The second notch 27c2 is located on a slightly horizontal portion of the bottom surface of the second gas guide 27b.

[0095] The slightly horizontal portion of the bottom surface of the second gas guide 27b is located on the inner side closest to the bottom of the hot air circulation frame 28. A space C is provided between the bottom surface of the second gas guide 27b and the inner side of the bottom of the hot air circulation frame 28 (refer to the ellipse with dashed lines in Figure 7).

[0096] The second gas guide 27b is configured to be outside the first gas guide 27a and partially in contact with it. Since the second gas guide 27b has an opening, the first gas guide 27a and the second gas guide 27b are in contact approximately in their lower halves. That is, the first gas guide 27a is configured to overlap with the inner side of the slightly U-shaped second gas guide 27b.

[0097] Specifically, the first gas guide 27a and the second gas guide 27b are configured such that the positions of the first notch 27c1 and the second notch 27c2 almost overlap vertically, horizontally, and front-back. This configuration forms the notch 27c of the gas guide frame 27.

[0098] Furthermore, as mentioned above, the configuration should prevent dust from accumulating on the bottom surface of the first gas guide 27a. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the second notch 27c2 of the second gas guide 27b may be at least the size of the first notch 27c1 of the first gas guide 27a in both the left-right and front-back directions. Also, the shape of the notch 27c is not limited to a rectangle.

[0099] As shown in Figure 7, a space C is provided between the bottom surface of the gas guide frame 27 and the bottom surface of the hot air circulation frame 28, that is, directly below the notch 27c. Therefore, dust falls from the notch 27c towards the inner side of the bottom of the hot air circulation frame 28. In this way, even if dust enters the gas guide frame 27, it can be discharged outside the gas guide frame 27.

[0100] The notch 27d of the gas guide frame 27 is formed in the same way as the notch 27c of the gas guide frame 27. That is, the first gas guide 27a and the second gas guide 27b are configured such that the positions of the third notch 27d1 and the fourth notch 27d2 almost overlap vertically, horizontally, and front-back. The notch 27d of the gas guide frame 27 is formed by this configuration.

[0101] A portion of the convection heater 10, which is located inside the gas guide frame 27, can extend outward from the notch 27d thus formed. [Composition of the air guide component]

[0102] As described above, hot air is blown from the hot air circulation heating area to the vicinity of the top surface of the heating chamber 5. This hot air flows into the fluid passage forming section 13 of the hot air generating mechanism 22. In the fluid passage forming section 13, a fluid passage for the hot air is formed by the air guide 14. The fluid passage forming section 13 and the air guide 14 are disposed in the space formed above the heating chamber 5.

[0103] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the heating conditioner 1 showing the arrangement of the fluid passage forming section 13 and the air guide 14 inside the heating chamber 5. In Figure 14, the left side is the rear and the right side is the front. In Figure 14, only the main components arranged inside the heating chamber 5 are shown.

[0104] Figure 15 is a top view of the space above the heating chamber 5. Figure 15 shows the arrangement of the fluid passage forming section 13, the air guide 14, and the baking heater 9. In Figure 15, hot air flows from the rear (left side) to the front (right side).

[0105] Hot air is blown out from the top surface of the rear wall 5e of the heating chamber 5. The hot air flows at a desired air pressure (flow rate) in the circulating fluid passage above the heating chamber 5 formed by the fluid passage forming part 13 and the air guide 14.

[0106] The fluid passage forming section 13 has an inlet 13a located on its rear side. Hot air blown out from the upper region B of the rear wall 5e flows into the fluid passage forming section 13 through the inlet 13a. This hot air is guided by the air guide 14, thereby blowing it out at a desired air pressure (flow rate) toward the baking heater 9 located near the top surface of the heating chamber 5.

[0107] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the fluid passage forming section 13. Figure 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the circulating flow in the heating chamber 5 of the heating conditioner 1. Figure 17 only shows the upper part of the heating conditioner 1 relative to the mechanical chamber 3. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the hot air generating mechanism 22.

[0108] As shown in Figures 14-16, the fluid passage forming section 13 has a plurality of air guides 14 (first air guide 14a, second air guide 14b) and an outlet 13d communicating with the heating chamber 5. The outlet 13d is circular, especially a perfect circle, and is positioned approximately at the center of the heating chamber 5 from a top viewpoint.

[0109] The fluid passage forming section 13 forms an upper space divided by a plurality of walls, consisting of an upper wall 13e, a plate-like bottom wall 13c, and three side walls. The three side walls are side walls 13b1, 13b2, and 13b3. From a frontal view, side walls 13b1 to 13b3 are the left, right, and front side walls of the fluid passage forming section 13, respectively. No side walls are provided at the rear of the fluid passage forming section 13; instead, an inlet 13a is provided for allowing hot air to flow in. Alternatively, the upper wall 13e can be constructed as a portion of the fluid passage forming section 13, or the top surface of the heating chamber 5 can be used as the upper wall 13e.

[0110] With this configuration, the fluid passage forming section 13 is a semi-independent space, excluding the inlet 13a and outlet 13d, covered by sidewalls 13b1, 13b2, and 13b3. The fluid passage forming section 13 can define the airflow path.

[0111] Air blown out from the second opening collection section 25b flows into the inlet 13a. As shown in FIG18, the fluid passage forming section 13 is located at its rear, where the inlet 13a contacts the second opening collection section 25b. The inlet 13a is configured to overlap with the second opening collection section 25b in a frontal view. With this configuration, air blown out from the circulating fan 11 can be drawn into the fluid passage forming section 13 through the second opening collection section 25b.

[0112] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the air guide 14 includes a first air guide 14a and a second air guide 14b. The first air guide 14a and the second air guide 14b each have a guide surface 14c that defines the path of air blown out from the circulating fan 11 through the second opening collection portion 25b. The guide surface 14c is configured to be slightly perpendicular to the bottom wall 13c of the fluid passage forming portion 13 (refer to Figure 16).

[0113] The first air guide 14a is positioned further back than the outlet 13d. The first air guide 14a is positioned offset from the center in the left-right direction (center line P in Figure 16) to the side where the amount of air blown from the circulating fan 11 toward the heating chamber 5 is relatively small.

[0114] The second air guide 14b is positioned further forward than the outlet 13d. The second air guide 14b is positioned offset from the center in the left-right direction (center line P in Figure 16) to the side where the amount of air blown from the circulating fan 11 toward the heating chamber 5 is relatively greater.

[0115] With this configuration, the blown hot air can be guided from multiple directions toward the outlet 13d. Furthermore, the direction of the hot air flowing into the heating chamber 5 from the outlet 13d can be made to be almost directly downward. [Airflow and air guide configuration of the hot air generation mechanism]

[0116] Figure 17 shows, with arrows, the airflow within the heating chamber 5 caused by the operation of the circulating fan 11 in the heating regulator 1. As described above, the circulating fan 11 is configured to draw in air from the central part of the heating chamber 5 and blow it out in a centrifugal direction.

[0117] The first gas guide 27a guides the air drawn in from the heating chamber 5 by the circulating fan 11 toward the convection heater 10 through the first opening collection section 25a. This air is heated by the convection heater 10 to become hot air.

[0118] The hot air is drawn out in a centrifugal direction by the circulating fan 11 through the catalyst 26 used for purification. The hot air blown out from the circulating fan 11 is sent to the vicinity of the top surface by the second gas guide 27b, and blown out slightly uniformly along the top surface of the heating chamber 5 by the third gas guide 28a.

[0119] Subsequently, via the fourth gas guide 28b, the hot air flows into the fluid passage forming section 13 through the second opening collection section 25b and the inlet 13a. The hot air generating mechanism 22 shown in Figure 18 realizes this airflow.

[0120] Due to the suction effect of the circulating fan 11, the hot air guided by the fourth gas guide 28b is forcefully blown out in the centrifugal direction as it passes through the second opening collection section 25b. As described above, in this embodiment, the circulating fan 11 is configured to rotate clockwise from a frontal viewpoint. The airflow will now be explained.

[0121] As shown in FIG16, much of the hot air passing through the second opening collection section 25b is blown out in a direction from the front to slightly to the left in a top view (arrow A3). The hot air near the first air guide 14a (arrow A4), indicated by arrow A3, is guided by the guide surface 14c of the first air guide 14a toward the outlet 13d.

[0122] The hot air near the side wall 13b1, indicated by arrow A3, is guided by the side wall 13b1 (arrow A5) or the second air guide 14b (arrow A6) toward the outlet 13d.

[0123] The hot air blowing out from the right side of the first air guide 14a through the second opening collection section 25b (arrow A7) is guided by the side wall 13b2 (arrow A8) towards the outlet 13d.

[0124] The hot air (arrow A7) blown out from the right side of the first air guide 14a and reaching the side wall 13b3 (arrow A9) is guided by the side wall 13b3 and the second air guide 14b towards the outlet 13d.

[0125] Thus, as shown in Figure 16, the air guide 14 and side walls 13b1-13b3 guide the air flowing into the fluid passage forming section 13 from multiple directions toward the outlet 13d. In this way, when the hot air blows out into the heating chamber 5, it does not tilt in any direction but blows almost directly downwards. As a result, uneven baking of the heated object placed in the center of the heating chamber 5 can be reduced.

[0126] The detailed configuration and orientation of the air guide 14 of the circulating fan 11 when rotated clockwise from a frontal view will be described. In this embodiment, the first air guide 14a is located to the right rear of the outlet 13d, extending to the right rear from near the outlet 13d. The second air guide 14b is located to the left front of the outlet 13d, extending to the left front from near the outlet 13d.

[0127] As shown in Figure 16, in a top view, the first air guide 14a and the second air guide 14b are respectively arranged on the right and left sides of the centerline P in the left-right direction of the fluid passage forming part 13. That is, in a top view, the first air guide 14a and the second air guide 14b are arranged on different sides of the centerline P in a manner that surrounds the centerline P in the left-right direction of the fluid passage forming part 13.

[0128] As shown in Figure 15, in the fluid passage forming section 13, the angle α (α<90 degrees) formed by the first air guide 14a and the side wall 13b3 is larger than the angle β (β<90 degrees) formed by the second air guide 14b and the side wall 13b3.

[0129] This configuration prevents air flowing in from the left side of the first air guide 14a from escaping to the right side of the first air guide 14a and the outlet 13d. This creates a fluid path that guides air from the left side of the first air guide towards the outlet 13d.

[0130] Here, from a top-down viewpoint, the fluid passage forming section 13 is imaginarily divided into two regions, left and right, by the first air guide 14a, the outlet 13d, and the second air guide 14b. At this time, the air guide 14 guides the air flowing in from the left side toward the outlet 13d through the fluid passage formed in the left region.

[0131] Furthermore, the air guide 14 prevents air flowing in from the right from being deflected to the left side of the first air guide 14a and the outlet 13d. In this way, a fluid passage can be formed that guides the air from the right side toward the outlet 13d.

[0132] That is, if the fluid passage forming part 13 is divided into two regions by the first air guide 14a, the outlet 13d and the second air guide 14b in a top view, the air flowing in from the right region is guided towards the outlet 13d through the fluid passage formed in the right region.

[0133] When the circulating fan 11 is configured to rotate counterclockwise in a frontal view, the configurations of the first air guide 14a and the second air guide 14b in this embodiment can be reversed left to right. This achieves the same effect as when the circulating fan 11 rotates clockwise in a frontal view. [Warehouse temperature monitoring and dry-heat testing]

[0134] As described above, the temperature sensor 50 for detecting the temperature inside the chamber is disposed at a specific location on the fluid passage forming section 13 and the air guide 14. In the heating regulator 1, the temperature sensor 50 detects the temperature inside the chamber at least when a circulating fluid passage for air is formed in the heating chamber 5 by the operation of the circulating fan 11. That is, the temperature sensor 50 detects the temperature inside the chamber when it comes into contact with the air circulating in the heating chamber 5.

[0135] Regarding the heating conditioner 1, heating conditioning is not performed when the circulation fan 11 is stopped, and the temperature sensor 50 for detecting the temperature inside the storage compartment does not detect the temperature. If temperature detection continues during non-heating conditioning, an abnormal temperature inside the storage compartment may be falsely detected, for example, due to residual heat from the baking heater 9, even when the circulation fan 11 is stopped. Stopping temperature detection by the temperature sensor 50 when the circulation fan 11 is stopped is to avoid this false detection.

[0136] The temperature sensor 50 is positioned in a location exposed to the circulating air blown out from the second opening assembly 25b. That is, the temperature sensor 50 is positioned within the fluid passage forming section 13.

[0137] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of the hot air generating mechanism 22. As shown in Figure 19, the temperature sensor 50 is positioned at location E, exposed to the circulating air blown out from the second opening assembly 25b. The temperature sensor 50 is configured to protrude from the top surface of the fluid passage forming section 13 into the fluid passage forming section 13. With this configuration, the temperature sensor 50 can accurately detect the temperature of the hot air blown out from the circulating fan.

[0138] As described above, in this embodiment, the temperature sensor 50 detects the temperature inside the chamber while the circulating fan 11 is operating, and the stopping of the circulating fan 11 means the cessation of heating conditioning. In the heating conditioner 1, the circulating fan 11 is operated even when the convection heater 10 is stopped during heating conditioning, forming a circulating fluid passage for air in the heating chamber 5 and the fluid passage forming section 13.

[0139] Next, the empty roasting sensor 51 will be described. In the empty roasting detection verification experiment conducted by the inventors of this application, the empty roasting sensor 51 detected a rapid temperature rise the instant after the start of microwave heating. Therefore, "empty roasting" can be detected by detecting a rapid temperature rise the instant after the start of microwave heating using the empty roasting sensor 51.

[0140] Figure 21 is an exploded perspective view of the air-heat detection sensor 51. As shown in Figure 21, the air-heat detection sensor 51 has a thermistor 51a with a protective tube 51c at its front end and a dielectric 51b. The dielectric 51b has a recess 51d into which the protective tube 51c can be inserted. The protective tube 51c is completely covered by the recess 51d. The thermistor 51a and the dielectric 51b each have plate-shaped protrusions for being fixed with screws to the top surface located above the fluid passage forming portion 13.

[0141] The detection sensor 51 detects a rapid temperature rise the instantaneously after microwave heating begins because the dielectric 51b is heated by the microwaves, causing its temperature to rise. The dielectric 51b is a non-conductive dielectric with low permittivity, such as ceramic. Specifically, the dielectric 51b is made of cordierite.

[0142] When an object placed in heating chamber 5 is microwave-heated, the object absorbs the microwaves and is heated. However, in the "empty baking" state where no object is placed in heating chamber 5, the dielectric 51b, which has a smaller capacity compared to the object being heated, is heated by microwaves. Therefore, the temperature of the dielectric 51b rises rapidly. As a result, the empty baking sensor 51 can detect the "empty baking" state by detecting this rapid temperature rise.

[0143] The rapid temperature rise indicates a significant difference between the detected temperature and the reference temperature stored in the storage unit. The reference temperature is obtained by multiplying the rotational speed of the circulating fan by the output power.

[0144] In this embodiment, when microwave heating is in progress, if the empty oven sensor 51 detects a rapid temperature rise, the control unit determines this state as "empty oven" and immediately stops the heating operation. Afterwards, the control unit informs the user that the heating regulator 1 is in an "empty oven" state.

[0145] The no-heat detection sensor 51 detects no-heat in such a way that the closer the dielectric 51b is to the thermistor 51a, the larger the contact area between the dielectric 51b and the thermistor 51a, and the more accurately the thermistor 51a can detect the temperature rise of the dielectric 51b. As a result, more accurate no-heat detection becomes possible.

[0146] However, this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The dielectric 51b may also partially contact the thermistor 51a, or it may cover the thermistor with a gap. Similarly, the dielectric 51b is not limited to this embodiment.

[0147] However, if the wind passing through the airflow directly touches the thermistor, uneven temperature detection may occur. Therefore, the thermistor 51a is covered with a dielectric material 51b, thereby preventing the wind from directly contacting the thermistor and enabling precise temperature detection.

[0148] The size and shape of dielectric 51b are appropriately determined based on the heat resistance temperature of the thermistor used and the temperature to be measured. Therefore, the temperature rise of the dielectric caused by the output of the heating conditioner 1, heating time, etc., needs to be taken into account.

[0149] The dry-heat detection sensor 51 is positioned to absorb microwaves emitted from below the heating chamber 5. In this embodiment, it is positioned vertically above the outlet 13d within the fluid passage forming section 13.

[0150] Specifically, in this embodiment of the heating regulator 1, as shown in FIG19, the empty-heat detection sensor 51 is positioned at a location F approximately at the center of the top surface of the fluid passage forming section 13, vertically above the outlet 13d (refer to FIG18), and is configured to protrude from the top surface of the fluid passage forming section 13 into the fluid passage forming section 13. As mentioned above, the outlet 13d is located approximately at the center of the heating chamber 5. Therefore, the empty-heat detection sensor 51 can receive microwaves from the entire heating chamber 5.

[0151] As described above, in this embodiment, the empty-heating sensor 51 is configured at position F. This allows for high-precision detection of the temperature inside the heating chamber 5, enabling the detection of "empty heating" during microwave heating in a short time. Consequently, microwave heating can be stopped before unused microwaves in the heating chamber 5 return to the magnetron 15 and damage it.

[0152] As described above, in this embodiment, to accurately detect the temperature inside the heating chamber 5, the temperature sensor 50 and the empty-heat sensor 51 are configured at specific locations in the circulating fluid path. This enables high-precision detection of the temperature inside the chamber and its changes. As a result, the heating conditioner of this embodiment can detect "empty heating" during microwave heating. [The effects of this implementation, etc.]

[0153] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0154] The heating regulator of this embodiment includes a heating chamber, a circulating fan, and a fluid passage forming section. The heating chamber can accommodate the object to be heated. The circulating fan draws air into the heating chamber and blows the drawn-in air out of the heating chamber, forming a circulating fluid passage within the heating chamber's internal space. The fluid passage forming section is disposed inside the heating chamber and defines the airflow velocity and direction of the air blown out of the heating chamber from the circulating fan. The fluid passage forming section is disposed above the heating chamber and is divided by multiple walls to form the space above the heating chamber. The fluid passage forming section has air guides and an outlet communicating with the heating chamber.

[0155] According to this embodiment, airflow can be guided by a guide vane in the space above the heating chamber, thus defining the airflow path. As a result, air can be directed from the outlet in the desired direction.

[0156] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, the outlet is circular and is located on the bottom wall of the fluid passage forming part at a position slightly in the center of the heating chamber from a top viewpoint.

[0157] According to this embodiment, compared to a square-shaped outlet, a circular outlet makes it less likely for the direction of air to change when air flows into it. Therefore, the air can be directed in the desired direction, i.e., downwards. Furthermore, the air blown downwards from the outlet is directed towards the center of the bottom wall of the heating chamber, thereby facilitating the uniform heating of the object being heated.

[0158] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, the air guide has a guide surface that defines the path of the air blown out from the circulating fan. The guide surface is configured to be slightly perpendicular to the bottom wall of the fluid passage forming part. According to this embodiment, the air can be guided to the outlet in the desired direction.

[0159] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, the air guide includes a first air guide and a second air guide provided on the bottom surface of the fluid passage forming section. The first air guide is disposed behind the outlet, offset from the center in the left-right direction towards the side where the amount of air blown from the circulating fan towards the heating chamber is relatively small. The second air guide is disposed in front of the outlet, positioned from the center in the left-right direction towards the side where the amount of air blown from the circulating fan towards the heating chamber is relatively large. The air guides the air blown from the circulating fan towards the aforementioned heating chamber from multiple directions toward the outlet.

[0160] According to this embodiment, the air guide can direct hot air from a desired direction toward the outlet. Furthermore, since the air guide directs air from multiple directions toward the outlet, hot air from these multiple directions clash at the outlet. This cancels out the forces acting in the multiple directions, causing the direction of the hot air to be almost directly downwards.

[0161] The heating regulator in this embodiment further includes: a baking heater, disposed above the heating chamber, to heat the heating chamber. A fluid passage forming section is disposed between the top surface of the heating chamber and the aforementioned baking heater. The fluid passage forming section is constructed by a bottom wall and three side walls, which, in a front view, are a left side wall, a right side wall, and a front side wall. An inlet is provided on the rear side of the fluid passage forming section in a front view.

[0162] According to this embodiment, the fluid passage forming section is a semi-independent space covered by sidewalls, excluding the inlet and outlet. The fluid passage forming section can define the airflow path.

[0163] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, the circulating fan is configured to rotate clockwise from a frontal view. From the frontal view, the first air guide is located to the right rear of the outlet, extending from near the outlet to the right rear. The second air guide is located to the left front of the outlet, extending from near the outlet to the left front.

[0164] According to this embodiment, the air guided by the air guide is blown directly downwards from the outlet into the heating chamber. As a result, uneven baking of the heated object placed in the center of the heating chamber can be reduced.

[0165] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, the circulating fan is configured to rotate counterclockwise from a frontal view. From a frontal view, the first air guide is located to the left rear of the outlet, extending from near the outlet to the left rear. The second air guide is located to the right front of the outlet, extending from near the outlet to the right front.

[0166] According to this embodiment, the same effect as when the circulating fan rotates clockwise in a frontal view can be obtained.

[0167] In this type of heating regulator, from a top-down viewpoint, the first air guide and the second air guide are respectively positioned to the right and left of the center line in the left-right direction of the fluid passage forming section. That is, from a top-down viewpoint, the first air guide and the second air guide are arranged to enclose the center line in the left-right direction of the fluid passage forming section.

[0168] According to this embodiment, a fluid passage for air flowing in from the left side of the first air guide and a fluid passage for air flowing in from the right side of the first air guide can be defined.

[0169] In this embodiment of the heating regulator, in the fluid passage forming section, the angle α between the first air guide member and the front side wall is larger than the angle β between the second air guide member and the front side wall.

[0170] According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent air flowing in from the left side of the first air guide from escaping to the right side of the first air guide and the outlet. This allows for the formation of a fluid path guiding the air from the left side of the first air guide towards the outlet.

[0171] Furthermore, it prevents air flowing in from the right side of the first air guide from escaping to the left side of the first air guide and the outlet. In this way, a fluid passage can be formed that guides the air from the right side of the first air guide towards the outlet.

[0172] This disclosure applies to heating appliances used for heating food, specifically ovens, microwave ovens, etc.

[0173] 1: Heating Regulator 2: Ontology 3: Machine Room 4: Door 5: Heating Chamber 5a: Bottom wall 5e: Posterior wall 6: Operation display unit 7: Platform 8: Taking over 9: Baking heater 10: Convection heater 11: Circulating Fan 12: Fan drive unit 13: Fluid passage formation section 13a: Inlet 13b1, 13b2, 13b3: Sidewalls 13c: Bottom wall 13d: Outlet 13e: Upper Wall 14: Air guide components 14a: First air guide component 14b: Second air guide component 14c: Guide surface 15: Magnetron 16: Inverter 17: Cooling Fan 18: Waveguide 19: Microwave Supply Department 20: Convection device 21: Microwave heating section 22: Hot air generation mechanism 23: Mixer 24: Handle 25: Opening assembly section 25a: First Opening Assembly Section 25b: Second opening assembly section 26:Catalyst 27: Gas Conduction Frame 27a: First gas conductor 27b: Second gas conductor 27c, 27d: Gap 27c1: First gap 27c2: Second gap 27d1: Third gap 27d2: Fourth gap 28: Hot air circulation frame 28a: Third gas conductor 28b: Fourth gas conductor 30: Ventilation panel 50: Temperature sensor inside the storage room 51: Detection sensor for dry roasting 51a: Thermistor 51b: Dielectric 51c: Protective tube 51d: concave part A: Central Area A1~A9: Arrows B: Upper area C: Space D: Circular frame E, F: Configuration location P: Centerline α, β: Angles

Claims

1. A heating regulator comprising: a heating chamber configured to house an object to be heated; a circulating fan configured to draw in air from the heating chamber and blow the drawn-in air toward the heating chamber, thereby forming a circulating fluid passage within the internal space of the heating chamber; a heating unit for heating the air drawn in from the heating chamber by the circulating fan; and a fluid passage forming unit disposed inside the heating chamber, configured to define the flow rate and direction of the air blown from the circulating fan toward the heating chamber, the fluid passage forming unit being disposed above the heating chamber and divided by a plurality of walls to form an upper space of the heating chamber, the fluid passage forming unit having an air guide member and an outlet communicating with the heating chamber, the air guide member having a first air guide member and a second air guide member disposed on the bottom wall of the fluid passage forming unit. The first air guide is disposed behind the outlet and is positioned offset from the center in the left-right direction towards the side where the amount of air blown from the circulation fan towards the heating chamber is relatively small. The second air guide is disposed in front of the outlet and is positioned offset from the center in the left-right direction towards the side where the amount of air blown from the circulation fan towards the heating chamber is relatively large.

2. The heating regulator of claim 1, wherein the aforementioned outlet is circular and is located at the center of the aforementioned heating chamber in a top view of the bottom wall of the aforementioned fluid passage forming part.

3. The heating regulator as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the aforementioned air guide has a guide surface that defines the path of air blown out from the aforementioned circulating fan, and the aforementioned guide surface is configured to be perpendicular to the bottom wall of the aforementioned fluid passage forming part.

4. The heating regulator of claim 1 further comprises: a baking heater disposed above the aforementioned heating chamber to heat the aforementioned heating chamber; the aforementioned fluid passage forming part disposed between the top surface of the aforementioned heating chamber and the aforementioned baking heater; the aforementioned fluid passage forming part being constructed by a bottom wall and three side walls, the aforementioned three side walls being a left side wall, a right side wall, and a front side wall in a frontal view; and an inlet being provided on the rear side of the aforementioned fluid passage forming part in a frontal view.

5. The heating regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned circulating fan is configured to rotate clockwise in a frontal view, wherein in a frontal view, the aforementioned first air guide is disposed to the right rear of the aforementioned outlet and extends to the right rear from the vicinity of the aforementioned outlet, and wherein in a frontal view, the aforementioned second air guide is disposed to the left front of the aforementioned outlet and extends to the left front from the vicinity of the aforementioned outlet.

6. The heating regulator of claim 1, wherein the aforementioned circulating fan is configured to rotate counterclockwise in a frontal view, wherein in a frontal view, the aforementioned first air guide is disposed to the left rear of the aforementioned outlet and extends to the left rear from the vicinity of the aforementioned outlet, and wherein in a frontal view, the aforementioned second air guide is disposed to the right front of the aforementioned outlet and extends to the right front from the vicinity of the aforementioned outlet.

7. The heating regulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in a top view, the aforementioned first air guide and the aforementioned second air guide are configured to enclose the centerline of the aforementioned fluid passage forming portion in the left-right direction.

8. The heating regulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein in the aforementioned fluid passage forming section, the angle formed by the aforementioned first air guide member with respect to the aforementioned front side wall is larger than the angle formed by the aforementioned second air guide member with respect to the aforementioned front side wall.

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