JP2012032127A

JP2012032127A - Steam cooking unit

Info

Publication number: JP2012032127A
Application number: JP2010174151A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuo Shibata; 一男柴田
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2010-08-03
Filing date: 2010-08-03
Publication date: 2012-02-16

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam cooking unit which is installed in a heating chamber of a microwave oven, and can save the power during steam cooking.SOLUTION: The steam cooking unit 10 which is installed in the heating chamber 2 of the microwave oven 1 for performing steam cooking by a microwave includes the cooking chamber 12 that opens a front surface and stores a cooked object, a valve 16 that opens and closes a steam inflow opening 12a that opens to a wall surface of the cooking chamber 12, a water storage chamber 14 provided in a sealed space around the cooking chamber 12, and steam flow paths 20 and 21 that communicate an upper part of the water storage chamber 14 and the steam inflow opening 12a.

Description

本発明は、電子レンジの加熱室に設置してマイクロ波によって蒸し調理を行う蒸気調理ユニットに関する。 The present invention relates to a steam cooking unit that is installed in a heating chamber of a microwave oven and performs steam cooking using microwaves.

特許文献１にはマイクロ波によって蒸し調理を行う電子レンジが開示されている。この電子レンジはマグネトロンにより発生したマイクロ波が供給される加熱室内に蒸し調理具が設置される。蒸し調理具は上面を開口したレンジ焼角皿内に食品載置台が配される。レンジ焼角皿の上面は蓋体により開閉される。 Patent Document 1 discloses a microwave oven that performs steaming cooking using microwaves. In this microwave oven, a steaming cooker is installed in a heating chamber to which microwaves generated by a magnetron are supplied. The steaming cooker is provided with a food table in a microwave oven with an open top. The upper surface of the cooked dish is opened and closed by a lid.

レンジ焼角皿内には食品載置台の下方に蒸気発生用の水が注水され、食品載置台上に調理物が載置される。水及び調理物を入れた蒸し調理具を加熱室に設置して調理を開始すると、マグネトロンによってマイクロ波が加熱室に供給される。蒸し調理具の下部の水はマイクロ波加熱されて蒸発し、蒸し調理具内に蒸気が充満する。これにより、蒸気によって食品載置台上の調理物の蒸し調理が行われる。調理が終了すると加熱室から蒸し調理具が取り出され、蒸し調理具から調理物が取り出される。 Water for steam generation is poured below the food placing table in the stove pan, and the cooked food is placed on the food placing table. When a steaming cooker containing water and food is placed in the heating chamber and cooking is started, microwaves are supplied to the heating chamber by the magnetron. The water in the lower part of the steaming cooker is heated by microwaves to evaporate, and the steam cooker is filled with steam. Thereby, steam cooking of the foodstuff on a food mounting base is performed with steam. When cooking is completed, the steaming cooker is taken out of the heating chamber, and the cooked food is taken out of the steaming cooker.

特開２００４−１９８０１３号公報（第４頁−第６頁、第２図）Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-198013 (pages 4-6, FIG. 2)

しかしながら、上記従来の蒸し調理具によると、調理物を取り出すと蒸し調理具内の蒸気が流出する。このため、蒸し調理を連続して行う際にマイクロ波加熱によって新たに蒸気を発生させる必要がある。従って、蒸気を発生するための電力消費が大きくなる問題があった。 However, according to the conventional steaming cooker, when the cooked product is taken out, the steam in the steaming cooker flows out. For this reason, when performing steaming cooking continuously, it is necessary to newly generate steam by microwave heating. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption for generating steam increases.

本発明は、電子レンジの加熱室に設置して蒸し調理時の省電力化を図ることのできる蒸気調理ユニットを提供することを目的とする。 An object of this invention is to provide the steam cooking unit which can be installed in the heating chamber of a microwave oven and can aim at the power saving at the time of steaming cooking.

上記目的を達成するために本発明は、電子レンジの加熱室内に設置してマイクロ波による蒸し調理を行う蒸気調理ユニットであって、前面を開口して調理物を収納する調理室と、前記調理室の壁面に開口した蒸気流入口を開閉する開閉弁と、前記調理室の周囲の密閉領域に設けられる貯水室と、前記貯水室の上部と前記蒸気流入口とを連通させる蒸気流路とを備えたことを特徴としている。 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a steam cooking unit that is installed in a heating chamber of a microwave oven and performs steam cooking using a microwave, and a cooking chamber that opens a front surface and stores a cooked food, and the cooking An open / close valve that opens and closes the steam inlet opening in the wall of the chamber, a water storage chamber provided in a sealed region around the cooking chamber, and a steam flow path that communicates the upper portion of the water storage chamber with the steam inlet. It is characterized by having prepared.

この構成によると、蒸気調理ユニットは電子レンジの加熱室内に設置される。貯水室に注水して調理室に調理物が収納されると、電子レンジによる調理が開始される。調理の開始によってマイクロ波が加熱室内に供給され、貯水室の水が蒸発して蒸気が発生する。貯水室で発生した蒸気は貯水室の上部から蒸気流路を介して蒸気流入口に導かれる。開閉弁が開かれると蒸気流入口を介して蒸気が調理室内に流入し、調理物の蒸し調理が行われる。調理が終了すると開閉弁が閉じられ、調理室から調理物が取り出される。 According to this configuration, the steam cooking unit is installed in the heating chamber of the microwave oven. When water is poured into the water storage chamber and the food is stored in the cooking chamber, cooking by the microwave oven is started. When cooking starts, microwaves are supplied into the heating chamber, and water in the water storage chamber evaporates to generate steam. The steam generated in the water storage chamber is guided from the upper part of the water storage chamber to the steam inlet through the steam channel. When the on-off valve is opened, steam flows into the cooking chamber through the steam inlet and steamed cooking of the food is performed. When cooking is completed, the on-off valve is closed and the food is taken out from the cooking chamber.

また本発明は、上記構成の蒸気調理ユニットにおいて、前記開閉弁が圧力弁から成ることを特徴としている。この構成によると、蒸気流路内が所定の蒸気圧よりも高圧になると圧力弁が開いて調理室に蒸気が供給される。調理が終了して蒸気流路内が所定の蒸気圧よりも低圧になると圧力弁が閉じられ、蒸気流路内に蒸気が残留する。 According to the present invention, in the steam cooking unit configured as described above, the on-off valve is a pressure valve. According to this configuration, when the inside of the steam channel becomes higher than a predetermined steam pressure, the pressure valve is opened and steam is supplied to the cooking chamber. When cooking is completed and the inside of the steam channel becomes lower than a predetermined steam pressure, the pressure valve is closed and steam remains in the steam channel.

また本発明は、上記構成の蒸気調理ユニットにおいて、前記貯水室の貯水に浸漬されるとともにマイクロ波を吸収して蓄熱するマイクロ波吸収材を備えたことを特徴としている。この構成によると、貯水室に供給されたマイクロ波によって水及びマイクロ波吸収材が昇温される。昇温されたマイクロ波吸収材は蓄熱し、マイクロ波の減少時に放熱して貯水室の水を加熱する。 Further, the present invention is characterized in that the steam cooking unit configured as described above includes a microwave absorbing material that is immersed in the water stored in the water storage chamber and absorbs microwaves to store heat. According to this configuration, the temperature of the water and the microwave absorber is increased by the microwave supplied to the water storage chamber. The microwave absorbing material whose temperature has been increased stores heat, dissipates heat when the microwave decreases, and heats the water in the water storage chamber.

また本発明は、上記構成の蒸気調理ユニットにおいて、前記調理室の前面を開閉する調理室扉を設けたことを特徴としている。この構成によると、調理室扉を閉じて蒸し調理が行われ、調理室から加熱室内への蒸気の流出が防止される。 Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the steam cooking unit configured as described above, a cooking chamber door for opening and closing the front surface of the cooking chamber is provided. According to this configuration, steam cooking is performed with the cooking chamber door closed, and the outflow of steam from the cooking chamber to the heating chamber is prevented.

また本発明は、上記構成の蒸気調理ユニットにおいて、前記貯水室が前記調理室の下方を含む周囲に設けられることを特徴としている。この構成によると、加熱室の下方からマイクロ波が供給される際に、調理室の下方に配された貯水室内の水によりマイクロが吸収される。 Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the steam cooking unit configured as described above, the water storage chamber is provided in a periphery including a lower portion of the cooking chamber. According to this configuration, when the microwave is supplied from below the heating chamber, the micro is absorbed by the water in the water storage chamber disposed below the cooking chamber.

また本発明は、上記構成の蒸気調理ユニットにおいて、前記蒸気流路が前記貯水室の壁面と前記調理室の壁面との間に形成されるダクトにより形成されることを特徴としている。この構成によると、貯水室で発生した蒸気は貯水室の壁面と調理室の壁面との間のダクトを流通して蒸気流入口に導かれる。これにより、調理室の周面や背面の任意の位置に蒸気流入口を設けることができる。 Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that in the steam cooking unit configured as described above, the steam flow path is formed by a duct formed between a wall surface of the water storage chamber and a wall surface of the cooking chamber. According to this configuration, the steam generated in the water storage chamber flows through the duct between the wall surface of the water storage chamber and the wall surface of the cooking chamber and is guided to the steam inlet. Thereby, a vapor | steam inflow port can be provided in the arbitrary positions of the surrounding surface and back surface of a cooking chamber.

本発明によると、調理室の壁面に開口した蒸気流入口を開閉する開閉弁を設け、調理室の周囲の密閉領域に設けられる貯水室の上部と蒸気流入口とを蒸気流路により連通させたので、調理終了時に開閉弁を閉じて蒸気流路及び貯水室の蒸気の流出を防止できる。このため、蒸し調理を連続して行う際に前回発生した蒸気を利用することでき、蒸気を発生するための電力消費を小さくして省電力化を図ることができる。 According to the present invention, the on-off valve for opening and closing the steam inlet opening on the wall surface of the cooking chamber is provided, and the upper part of the water storage chamber provided in the sealed area around the cooking chamber and the steam inlet are communicated by the steam channel. Therefore, the steam can be prevented from flowing out of the steam flow path and the water storage chamber by closing the on-off valve at the end of cooking. For this reason, when steam cooking is performed continuously, the steam generated last time can be used, and power consumption for generating steam can be reduced to save power.

本発明の実施形態の蒸気調理ユニットを設置した電子レンジを示す斜視図The perspective view which shows the microwave oven which installed the steam cooking unit of embodiment of this invention 本発明の実施形態の蒸気調理ユニットを設置した電子レンジを示す正面断面図Front sectional drawing which shows the microwave oven which installed the steam cooking unit of embodiment of this invention 本発明の実施形態の蒸気調理ユニットを示す斜視図The perspective view which shows the steam cooking unit of embodiment of this invention 本発明の実施形態の蒸気調理ユニットを示す正面断面図Front sectional drawing which shows the steam cooking unit of embodiment of this invention

以下に本発明の実施形態を図面を参照して説明する。図１、図２は一実施形態の蒸気調理ユニットを設置した電子レンジを示す斜視図及び正面断面図である。電子レンジ１は前面を開口して加熱室扉３により開閉される加熱室２を有し、加熱室２の側方の前面には調理操作を行う操作パネル４が配される。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a front sectional view showing a microwave oven in which a steam cooking unit according to one embodiment is installed. The microwave oven 1 has a heating chamber 2 opened at the front and opened and closed by a heating chamber door 3, and an operation panel 4 for performing a cooking operation is arranged on the front side of the heating chamber 2.

操作パネル４の後方にはマイクロ波を発生するマグネトロン５が配される。マグネトロン５は加熱室２の底面から導出される導波管６に連結される。マグネトロン５で発生したマイクロ波は導波管６を導波して加熱室２に供給される。導波管６にはアンテナモータ７ａにより回転駆動されるアンテナ７が配される。アンテナ７によって加熱室２に供給されるマイクロ波が均一化される。 A magnetron 5 that generates microwaves is disposed behind the operation panel 4. The magnetron 5 is connected to a waveguide 6 led out from the bottom surface of the heating chamber 2. The microwave generated by the magnetron 5 is guided through the waveguide 6 and supplied to the heating chamber 2. The waveguide 6 is provided with an antenna 7 that is rotationally driven by an antenna motor 7a. The microwave supplied to the heating chamber 2 is made uniform by the antenna 7.

蒸気調理ユニット１０は加熱室２に出し入れして用いられる。図３、図４は蒸気調理ユニット１０の斜視図及び正面断面図を示している。蒸気調理ユニット１０は脚部１１ａで支持される本体筐体１１内に前面を開口した調理室１２が設けられる。本体筐体１１の内部には調理室１２の外側に密閉領域が形成される。後述するように、本体筐体１１はマイクロ波が透過する。このため、本体筐体１１の少なくとも一部には、マイクロ波を透過させる耐熱性のガラスやポリプロピレン等が用いられる。 The steam cooking unit 10 is used by being taken in and out of the heating chamber 2. 3 and 4 show a perspective view and a front sectional view of the steam cooking unit 10. The steam cooking unit 10 is provided with a cooking chamber 12 having a front surface opened in a main body housing 11 supported by legs 11a. A sealed region is formed outside the cooking chamber 12 inside the main body casing 11. As will be described later, the main body housing 11 transmits microwaves. For this reason, at least a part of the main body casing 11 is made of heat-resistant glass or polypropylene that transmits microwaves.

調理室１２は前面を調理室扉１３により開閉され、調理物Ｓが収納される。調理室１２の側壁及び天井壁には複数の蒸気流入口１２ａが開口し、各蒸気流入口１２ａを開閉する開閉弁である圧力弁１６が設けられる。調理室１２の背面には加熱室２に連通した小孔から成る蒸気流出口１２ｂが開口する。 The front surface of the cooking chamber 12 is opened and closed by a cooking chamber door 13, and the food S is stored therein. A plurality of steam inlets 12 a are opened on the side wall and ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 12, and a pressure valve 16 that is an on-off valve that opens and closes each steam inlet 12 a is provided. A steam outlet 12 b made of a small hole communicating with the heating chamber 2 is opened on the back surface of the cooking chamber 12.

調理室１２の側方及び下方には本体筐体１１の壁面から延びて内部を仕切る正面視コ字状の仕切板１８が配される。これにより、調理室１２の壁面と仕切板１８との間にダクト２０が形成される。また、本体筐体１１の天井壁と調理室１２の天井壁との間にはダクト２０に連通するダクト２１が形成される。後述するように、ダクト２０、２１は蒸気が流通する蒸気流路を形成する。 A U-shaped partition plate 18 that extends from the wall surface of the main body housing 11 and partitions the inside is disposed on the side and below the cooking chamber 12. Thereby, the duct 20 is formed between the wall surface of the cooking chamber 12 and the partition plate 18. A duct 21 communicating with the duct 20 is formed between the ceiling wall of the main body casing 11 and the ceiling wall of the cooking chamber 12. As will be described later, the ducts 20 and 21 form a steam flow path through which steam flows.

また、仕切板１８と本体筐体１１の内壁との間には蒸気発生用の水Ｗを貯水する貯水室１４が形成される。貯水室１４の壁面を形成する仕切板１８と本体筐体１１の天井壁との隙間によって貯水部１４の上部には開口部１４ａが形成される。開口部１４ａを介して貯水室１４とダクト２０、２１とが連通する。貯水室１４の前面上部には貯水室１４に注水する注水口１９が設けられる。注水口１９は蓋部（不図示）により開閉され、蓋部を閉じることによって貯水室１４の密閉状態が保持される。 Further, a water storage chamber 14 for storing water W for generating steam is formed between the partition plate 18 and the inner wall of the main body casing 11. An opening 14 a is formed in the upper portion of the water storage unit 14 by a gap between the partition plate 18 that forms the wall surface of the water storage chamber 14 and the ceiling wall of the main body housing 11. The water storage chamber 14 and the ducts 20 and 21 communicate with each other through the opening 14a. A water inlet 19 for pouring water into the water storage chamber 14 is provided at the upper front portion of the water storage chamber 14. The water injection port 19 is opened and closed by a lid (not shown), and the closed state of the water storage chamber 14 is maintained by closing the lid.

貯水室１４内には貯水に浸漬される複数の柱状のマイクロ波吸収材１７が配される。マイクロ波吸収材１７はアルミナ等により形成され、マイクロ波を吸収して蓄熱する。マイクロ波吸収材１７をブロック状や平板状に形成してもよい。 A plurality of columnar microwave absorbers 17 immersed in the water storage are disposed in the water storage chamber 14. The microwave absorber 17 is made of alumina or the like, and absorbs microwaves to store heat. The microwave absorber 17 may be formed in a block shape or a flat plate shape.

上記構成の蒸気調理ユニット１０は電子レンジ１の加熱室２内に設置され、調理物Ｓが調理室１２に収納されると調理室扉１３及び加熱室扉３が閉じられる。電子レンジ１の操作パネル４の操作によって調理が開始されると、マグネトロン５で発生したマイクロ波が導波管６を介して下方から加熱室２に供給される。 The steam cooking unit 10 having the above configuration is installed in the heating chamber 2 of the microwave oven 1, and when the food S is stored in the cooking chamber 12, the cooking chamber door 13 and the heating chamber door 3 are closed. When cooking is started by operating the operation panel 4 of the microwave oven 1, the microwave generated in the magnetron 5 is supplied to the heating chamber 2 from below through the waveguide 6.

貯水室１４内の水Ｗは本体筐体１１を透過したマイクロ波によって加熱されて昇温する。この時、貯水室１４の一部が調理室１２の下方に設けられるため、水Ｗによりマイクロ波を吸収して調理物Ｓのマイクロ波による加熱が抑制される。 The water W in the water storage chamber 14 is heated by the microwaves that have passed through the main body casing 11 to increase the temperature. At this time, since a part of the water storage chamber 14 is provided below the cooking chamber 12, the microwave is absorbed by the water W and the heating of the cooked product S by the microwave is suppressed.

また、マイクロ波吸収材１７はマイクロ波により加熱されるとともに昇温された水Ｗにより加熱される。昇温されたマイクロ波吸収材１７は蓄熱し、マイクロ波が減少した際に放熱して水Ｗを加熱する。従って、貯水室１４の水Ｗが所定温度まで昇温されるとマグネトロン５の出力を下げて省電力化を図ることができる。 Moreover, the microwave absorber 17 is heated by the water W that has been heated while being heated by the microwave. The microwave absorbing material 17 whose temperature has been increased stores heat, and when the microwave is reduced, it dissipates heat and heats the water W. Therefore, when the temperature of the water W in the water storage chamber 14 is raised to a predetermined temperature, the output of the magnetron 5 can be lowered to save power.

貯水室１４の水Ｗはマイクロ波加熱によって蒸発し、蒸気が発生する。貯水室１４で発生した蒸気は矢印Ａ１、Ａ２に示すように調理室ダクト２０、２１を流通する。貯水室１４は本体筐体１１内の密閉領域に設けられるため、ダクト２０、２１内が昇圧される。ダクト２０、２１内が所定の蒸気圧よりも高圧になると圧力弁１６によって蒸気流入口１２ａが開かれる。これにより、矢印Ａ３、Ａ４に示すように調理室１２内に側壁及び天井壁から蒸気が流入し、蒸気によって調理物Ｓの蒸し調理が行われる。この時、調理室１２内に充満する蒸気によってマイクロ波が吸収され、調理物Ｓのマイクロ波による加熱が抑制される。 The water W in the water storage chamber 14 is evaporated by microwave heating, and steam is generated. Steam generated in the water storage chamber 14 flows through the cooking chamber ducts 20 and 21 as indicated by arrows A1 and A2. Since the water storage chamber 14 is provided in a sealed area in the main body housing 11, the pressure in the ducts 20 and 21 is increased. When the inside of the ducts 20 and 21 becomes higher than a predetermined vapor pressure, the vapor inlet 12 a is opened by the pressure valve 16. Thereby, as shown by the arrows A3 and A4, steam flows into the cooking chamber 12 from the side wall and the ceiling wall, and steamed cooking of the food S is performed by the steam. At this time, the microwave is absorbed by the steam filling the cooking chamber 12, and the heating of the food S by the microwave is suppressed.

尚、調理室１２内に蒸気が充満すると一部の蒸気は蒸気流出口１２ｂを介して調理室１２から流出し、調理室１２内の昇圧が防止される。蒸気流出口１２ｂに圧力弁を設けてもよい。 When the cooking chamber 12 is filled with steam, a part of the steam flows out of the cooking chamber 12 through the steam outlet 12b, and the pressure in the cooking chamber 12 is prevented from being increased. A pressure valve may be provided at the steam outlet 12b.

所定の調理時間が経過するとマグネトロン５が停止される。マグネトロン５の停止によって蒸気の発生が停止され、ダクト２０、２１内が所定の蒸気圧よりも低圧になると圧力弁１６によって蒸気流入口１２ａが閉じられる。これにより、蒸し調理が終了し、貯水室１４及びダクト２０、２１内に蒸気が残留する。 When a predetermined cooking time has elapsed, the magnetron 5 is stopped. When the magnetron 5 is stopped, the generation of steam is stopped, and when the inside of the ducts 20 and 21 becomes lower than a predetermined steam pressure, the steam inlet 12a is closed by the pressure valve 16. Thereby, steaming cooking is completed, and steam remains in the water storage chamber 14 and the ducts 20 and 21.

蒸し調理が終了すると調理物Ｓが加熱室扉３及び調理室扉１３を開いて調理室１２から取り出される。連続して蒸し調理を行う際には他の調理物Ｓが調理室１２に収納され、操作パネル４の操作によって調理が開始される。この時、ダクト２０、２１内や貯水室１４内に残留する前回の調理時の蒸気を利用できるため、マグネトロン５による加熱時間を短縮することができる。 When steam cooking is completed, the cooked food S is opened from the cooking chamber 12 by opening the heating chamber door 3 and the cooking chamber door 13. When performing steam cooking continuously, the other cooked food S is stored in the cooking chamber 12, and cooking is started by operating the operation panel 4. At this time, since the steam in the previous cooking remaining in the ducts 20 and 21 and the water storage chamber 14 can be used, the heating time by the magnetron 5 can be shortened.

本実施形態によると、調理室１２の壁面に開口した蒸気流入口１２ａを開閉する開閉弁である圧力弁７を設け、調理室１２の周囲の密閉領域に設けられる貯水室１４の上部と蒸気流入口１２ａとをダクト２０、２１（蒸気流路）により連通させたので、調理終了時に圧力弁７を閉じてダクト２０、２１及び貯水室１４の蒸気の流出を防止できる。 According to the present embodiment, the pressure valve 7 that is an on-off valve that opens and closes the steam inlet 12 a that opens on the wall surface of the cooking chamber 12 is provided, and the upper portion of the water storage chamber 14 provided in the sealed area around the cooking chamber 12 and the steam flow. Since the inlet 12a is communicated with the ducts 20 and 21 (steam passages), the pressure valve 7 can be closed at the end of cooking to prevent the steam from flowing out of the ducts 20 and 21 and the water storage chamber 14.

このため、蒸し調理を連続して行う際に前回発生した蒸気を利用することできる。従って、マグネトロン５による加熱時間を短縮して蒸気を発生するための電力消費を小さくし、蒸気調理ユニット１０を用いた蒸し調理の省電力化を図ることができる。また、従来例に示すような蒸し調理具を調理毎に取り出す必要がなく、連続した蒸し調理時の利便性を向上することができる。 For this reason, when performing steaming cooking continuously, the steam generated last time can be used. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the heating time by the magnetron 5 to reduce the power consumption for generating steam, and to save power for steam cooking using the steam cooking unit 10. Moreover, it is not necessary to take out a steaming cooker as shown in a conventional example for every cooking, and the convenience at the time of continuous steaming cooking can be improved.

尚、蒸気流入口１２ａの開閉弁を電磁弁により形成してもよい。電磁弁は電子レンジ１から制御信号及び電力が送られ、調理開始時に蒸気流入口１２ａを開いて調理終了時に蒸気流入口１２ａ閉じる。これにより、調理終了時に貯水室１４及びダクト２０、２１に蒸気を残留させることができる。 In addition, you may form the on-off valve of the steam inlet 12a with a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve receives a control signal and electric power from the microwave oven 1 and opens the steam inlet 12a at the start of cooking and closes the steam inlet 12a at the end of cooking. Thereby, steam can remain in the water storage chamber 14 and the ducts 20 and 21 at the end of cooking.

しかし、本実施形態のように蒸気流入口１２ａの開閉弁を圧力弁１６にすると、蒸気流入口１２ａを無給電で開閉することができるためより望ましい。これにより、蒸気調理ユニット１０と電子レンジ１との電気的な接続を不要にできるとともに、電子レンジ１に対する機種依存性を排除することができる。 However, it is more desirable to use the pressure valve 16 as the open / close valve of the steam inlet 12a as in this embodiment because the steam inlet 12a can be opened and closed without power feeding. Thereby, while being able to make the electrical connection of the steam cooking unit 10 and the microwave oven 1 unnecessary, the dependence on the model with respect to the microwave oven 1 can be excluded.

また、貯水室１４の貯水に浸漬されるとともにマイクロ波を吸収して蓄熱するマイクロ波吸収材１７を備えたので、貯水室１４の水Ｗが所定温度まで昇温されるとマグネトロン５の出力を下げてマイクロ波吸収材１７の放熱により水Ｗを昇温することができる。従って、蒸気調理ユニット１０による蒸し調理のより省電力化を図ることができる。 In addition, since the microwave absorbing material 17 that is immersed in the water stored in the water storage chamber 14 and absorbs microwaves to store heat is provided, the output of the magnetron 5 is increased when the water W in the water storage chamber 14 is heated to a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the water W can be raised by the heat dissipation by the microwave absorber 17. Therefore, power saving can be achieved by steam cooking by the steam cooking unit 10.

また、貯水室１４が調理室１２の下方を含む周囲に設けられるので、一般に加熱室２の下方から供給されるマイクロ波を貯水室１４の水Ｗにより吸収することができる。従って、調理室１２に配される調理物Ｓのマイクロ波による加熱が抑制され、蒸し調理の良好な仕上り状態を得ることができる。 Moreover, since the water storage chamber 14 is provided in the periphery including the lower part of the cooking chamber 12, the microwave generally supplied from the lower part of the heating chamber 2 can be absorbed by the water W of the water storage chamber 14. Therefore, the heating by microwave of the food S arranged in the cooking chamber 12 is suppressed, and a good finished state of steam cooking can be obtained.

尚、調理室１２の壁面の材質としてマイクロ波の透過を制限するシールド材や高誘電材を使用するとより望ましい。これにより、調理物Ｓのマイクロ波による加熱をより抑制することができる。 In addition, it is more desirable to use a shield material or a high dielectric material that restricts transmission of microwaves as the material of the wall surface of the cooking chamber 12. Thereby, the heating by the microwave of the food S can be suppressed more.

また、貯水室１４の壁面と調理室１２の壁面との間に形成されるダクト２０によって蒸気が流通する蒸気流路を形成したので、調理室１２の周壁の任意位置に蒸気流入口１２ａを設けることができる。従って、調理物Ｓに対して周囲全体から蒸気を吹き付けることができ、良好に蒸し調理を行うことができる。 Further, since the steam flow path through which the steam flows is formed by the duct 20 formed between the wall surface of the water storage chamber 14 and the wall surface of the cooking chamber 12, the steam inlet 12 a is provided at an arbitrary position on the peripheral wall of the cooking chamber 12. be able to. Therefore, steam can be sprayed from the entire periphery to the food S, and steaming can be performed satisfactorily.

本実施形態において、調理室１２の前面を開閉する調理室扉１３を省いてもよい。この時、調理室１２に供給される蒸気が加熱室２内に充満して蒸し調理が行われる。しかし、調理室扉１３を設けると、調理室扉１３を閉じて蒸し調理が行われるため調理室１２から加熱室２内への蒸気の流出が防止される。従って、蒸気を効率よく利用することができ、蒸気調理ユニット１０による蒸し調理のより省電力化を図ることができる。 In the present embodiment, the cooking chamber door 13 that opens and closes the front surface of the cooking chamber 12 may be omitted. At this time, steam supplied to the cooking chamber 12 is filled in the heating chamber 2 and steamed cooking is performed. However, when the cooking chamber door 13 is provided, steam cooking is performed by closing the cooking chamber door 13, so that the outflow of steam from the cooking chamber 12 into the heating chamber 2 is prevented. Therefore, steam can be used efficiently, and power saving can be achieved by steam cooking by the steam cooking unit 10.

また、貯水室１４の温度を検知する温度センサを設けてもよい。これにより、貯水室１４の温度によって貯水室１４やダクト２０、２１に残留する蒸気量を判別し、電子レンジ１によって蒸し調理の調理時間を可変することができる。この時、無給電で貯水室１４の温度を感知して温度状態を表示する感温シート等の感温部材を本体筐体１１の前面等に設けるとより望ましい。これにより、蒸気調理ユニット１０と電子レンジ１との電気的な接続を不要にできるとともに、電子レンジ１に対する機種依存性を排除することができる。使用者は感温部材の表示に応じて調理時間を可変することができる。 Further, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the water storage chamber 14 may be provided. Accordingly, the amount of steam remaining in the water storage chamber 14 and the ducts 20 and 21 can be determined based on the temperature of the water storage chamber 14, and the cooking time of steam cooking can be varied by the microwave oven 1. At this time, it is more desirable to provide a temperature-sensitive member such as a temperature-sensitive sheet for sensing the temperature of the water storage chamber 14 without power supply and displaying the temperature state on the front surface of the main body housing 11. Thereby, while being able to make the electrical connection of the steam cooking unit 10 and the microwave oven 1 unnecessary, the dependence on the model with respect to the microwave oven 1 can be excluded. The user can vary the cooking time according to the display of the temperature sensitive member.

本発明によると、電子レンジの加熱室に設置される蒸気調理ユニットに利用することができる。 ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can utilize for the steam cooking unit installed in the heating chamber of a microwave oven.

１電子レンジ
２加熱室
３加熱室扉
４操作パネル
５マグネトロン
６導波管
７アンテナ
７ａアンテナモータ
１０蒸気調理ユニット
１１本体筐体
１２調理室
１２ａ蒸気流入口
１２ｂ蒸気流出口
１３調理室扉
１４貯水室
１５ダクト部
１６圧力弁
１７マイクロ波吸収材 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microwave oven 2 Heating chamber 3 Heating chamber door 4 Operation panel 5 Magnetron 6 Waveguide 7 Antenna 7a Antenna motor 10 Steam cooking unit 11 Main body housing 12 Cooking chamber 12a Steam inlet 12b Steam outlet 13 Cooking chamber door 14 Water storage chamber 15 Duct section 16 Pressure valve 17 Microwave absorber

Claims

電子レンジの加熱室内に設置してマイクロ波による蒸し調理を行う蒸気調理ユニットであって、前面を開口して調理物を収納する調理室と、前記調理室の壁面に開口した蒸気流入口を開閉する開閉弁と、前記調理室の周囲の密閉領域に設けられる貯水室と、前記貯水室の上部と前記蒸気流入口とを連通させる蒸気流路とを備えたことを特徴とする蒸気調理ユニット。 A steam cooking unit that is installed in a microwave heating chamber and performs steam cooking using microwaves, and opens and closes the cooking chamber that opens the front and stores the food, and the steam inlet that opens on the wall of the cooking chamber A steam cooking unit, comprising: an on-off valve that performs the operation, a water storage chamber provided in a sealed area around the cooking chamber, and a steam flow path that communicates the upper portion of the water storage chamber with the steam inlet.

前記開閉弁が圧力弁から成ることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の蒸気調理ユニット。 The steam cooking unit according to claim 1, wherein the on-off valve is a pressure valve.

前記貯水室の貯水に浸漬されるとともにマイクロ波を吸収して蓄熱するマイクロ波吸収材を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１または請求項２に記載の蒸気調理ユニット。 3. The steam cooking unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a microwave absorbing material that is immersed in the water stored in the water storage chamber and absorbs microwaves to store heat. 4.

前記調理室の前面を開閉する調理室扉を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項３のいずれかに記載の蒸気調理ユニット。 The steam cooking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cooking chamber door that opens and closes a front surface of the cooking chamber.

前記貯水室が前記調理室の下方を含む周囲に設けられることを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項４のいずれかに記載の蒸気調理ユニット。 The steam cooking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water storage chamber is provided in a periphery including a lower portion of the cooking chamber.

前記蒸気流路が前記貯水室の壁面と前記調理室の壁面との間に形成されるダクトにより形成されることを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項５のいずれかに記載の蒸気調理ユニット。 The steam cooking unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the steam channel is formed by a duct formed between a wall surface of the water storage chamber and a wall surface of the cooking chamber.