JP2010032120A - Steam generator and heating cooker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam generator capable of reducing manufacturing cost and enhancing energy saving effects and a heating cooker equipped with the steam generator. <P>SOLUTION: The steam generator 3 includes a steam generation part 101 having a sump 105; a water supply tank 102 storing water supplied to the sump 105 of the steam generation part 101; a water heating heater 103 installed in the sump 105 of the steam generation part 101 and heating and evaporating water stored in the sump 105; and a float 104. Since the float 104 controls the supply of water from the water supply tank 102 to the sump 105 of the steam generation part 101 to maintain the water level of the sump 105 at a constant level, it may be unnecessary to install a water supply pump in a body casing 1 to keep the water level of the sump 105 constant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam generator and a heating cooker that heats an object to be heated with hot air or superheated steam.

  Steam generators are used in various applications using water vapor. For example, food processing and cooking use as a heating medium supply source, indoor air conditioning for humidification indoors, medical use such as sterilization, industrial uses such as cleaning parts and supplying steam for power generation turbines.

  As a steam generator in an electric product, there is one mounted on a heating cooker of Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-265247). In this cooking device, steam is generated by a steam generator, and the steam is sent to the heating chamber to heat the object to be heated in the heating chamber. More specifically, the steam generator of the heating cooker has a pot and a steam generating heater that heats and evaporates the water accumulated in the pot. The pot is connected to a water tank through a water supply channel, and when the water in the pot evaporates and decreases, the water in the water tank is sent to the pot by a water supply pump.

  A pot water level sensor is attached to the pot. The pot water level sensor detects the water level in the pot and outputs a signal indicating the water level to the control device. Thereby, the said control apparatus can carry out ON / OFF control of a water supply pump based on the signal from a pot water level sensor, and can keep the water level in a pot constant.

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional cooking device, since a water supply pump is indispensable in order to keep the water level in the pot constant, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost is increased by the amount of the water supply pump.

In addition, when the water level in the pot is kept constant with the water supply pump, it is a matter of course that power must be supplied to the water supply pump, resulting in a problem that the power consumption increases and the energy saving effect cannot be increased.
JP 2005-265247 A

  Then, the subject of this invention is providing the steam generator which can reduce manufacturing cost and also has a high energy-saving effect, and a heating cooker provided with this steam generator.

In order to solve the above problems, the steam generator according to the present invention comprises:
A steam generator having a water reservoir,
A water supply tank for containing water to be supplied to the water reservoir of the steam generation unit;
A heating unit for heating and evaporating the water accumulated in the water reservoir,
And a float that controls the supply of water from the water supply tank to the water reservoir of the steam generator to keep the water level of the water reservoir constant.

  According to the steam generator having the above-described configuration, steam is generated in the steam generating section when the heating section heats and evaporates the water in the water reservoir. When the heating of the heating unit is continued and the water level of the water reservoir is lowered, the water in the water supply tank is supplied to the water reservoir. At this time, the float controls the supply of water from the water supply tank to the water reservoir, and keeps the water level of the water reservoir constant.

  Thus, since the float which keeps the water level of the said water reservoir part constant is provided, the water supply pump for keeping the water level of a water reservoir part constant becomes unnecessary, and can reduce manufacturing cost.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to supply electric power to the said float, power consumption does not become large and the energy saving effect can be heightened.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
A water buffer unit capable of receiving water from the water supply tank and temporarily storing the water;
A float accommodating portion that is disposed between the water buffer portion and the steam generating portion and movably accommodates the float;
A partition part for partitioning between the water buffer part and the float housing part,
The partition portion is formed with a through-hole through which water from the water buffer portion toward the float housing portion passes.
The float housing part is formed with a communication hole for communicating the space in the float housing part with the space in the steam generating part.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, the water in the water buffer part enters the steam generating part from the through hole of the partition part via the float housing part. At this time, since the space in the float housing part and the space in the steam generating part communicate with each other through the communication hole, water can flow smoothly from the float housing part toward the steam generating part.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
The float is
A shoulder capable of contacting the partition;
The head portion is formed adjacent to the shoulder portion, and has a head portion that contacts the wall surface of the through hole of the partition portion and can close the through hole.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, when the float head is in contact with the wall surface of the through hole of the partitioning portion to close the through hole, even if the float tilts for some reason, the float shoulder Since the portion comes into contact with the partition portion, it is possible to prevent the through hole from being closed.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
The wall surface of the through hole of the partition is a substantially conical surface, and the head is substantially hemispherical.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, when the head of the float comes into contact with the wall surface of the through hole of the partition portion, the wall surface of the through hole of the partition portion is a substantially conical surface, and the head portion of the float is Since it has a substantially hemispherical shape, the head of the float makes line contact with the wall surface of the through hole.

  Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the close contact force of the float head with respect to the wall surface of the through hole is not excessively high and it is impossible to release the blockage of the through hole.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
Ribs are formed on the inner wall surface of the float housing part or on the side surface of the float that faces the inner wall surface of the float housing part.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, the rib is formed on the inner wall surface of the float housing part or the side surface of the float that faces the inner wall surface of the float housing part. Can prevent.

  Moreover, since the said rib does not reduce the space between a float accommodating part and a float significantly, water can flow smoothly between a float accommodating part and a float.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
A protrusion is formed on the surface of the partition portion on the float side or the surface of the shoulder portion.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, since the protrusions are formed on the surface of the partition portion on the float side or the shoulder portion, the protrusion can prevent the float from tilting greatly. .

  Moreover, since the said protrusion does not reduce the space between a partition part and a float significantly, it can flow water smoothly between a partition part and a float.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
The float floats on the water accumulated in the water reservoir of the steam generator.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, since the float floats in the water in the water reservoir of the steam generator, it is not necessary to provide a device that only floats the float.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
With respect to the water reservoir of the steam generation unit, the depth of the portion where the float is disposed is deeper than the depth of the portion where the heating unit is installed.

  According to the steam generator of the above-mentioned embodiment, since the depth of the portion where the float is arranged is relatively deep with respect to the water reservoir of the steam generator, the buoyancy of the float can be kept large.

  Further, since the portion where the heating unit is installed is relatively shallow with respect to the water reservoir of the steam generation unit, water can be easily evaporated by heating the heating unit.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
A drainage portion for draining the water accumulated in the water reservoir is formed in a portion where the float is disposed with respect to the water reservoir of the steam generation unit.

  According to the steam generating apparatus of the said embodiment, even if a scale deposits in the part in which the float is arrange | positioned regarding the water reservoir part of the said steam generating part, the scale can be discharged | emitted with water from a drainage part.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of performing maintenance on the portion where the float is disposed.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
The heating unit is installed in the water reservoir of the steam generation unit,
A metal housing case disposed in the water reservoir and housing the heating unit;
The storage case is
A side part located between the heating part and the float housing part;
It has the bottom part which has a through-hole while continuing to the said side part.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, since the side portion of the housing case is located between the heating unit and the float housing unit, the bubbles generated by the heating of the heating unit are prevented from hitting the float. It is possible to prevent the posture from being greatly different from the desired posture.

The steam generator of one embodiment
A water reservoir level sensor for detecting the water level of the water reservoir of the steam generator;
A buffer water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water buffer unit.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, since there is the water level sensor, when a predetermined amount of water is not accumulated in the water reservoir of the steam generator, heating by the heating unit is stopped to prevent so-called emptying. be able to.

  If the buffer water level sensor indicates that water has accumulated in the water buffer portion even if the output of the water pool water level sensor indicates that no water has accumulated in the water reservoir portion of the steam generation unit, the water supply tank It can be seen that some problem has occurred in the supply of water from the water buffer to the float housing part, rather than the lack of water. Thus, since there exists the said buffer water level sensor, it can prevent making a wrong judgment from the output of a water pool water level sensor.

In the steam generator of one embodiment,
The float is hollow and has a sealed structure.

  According to the steam generator of the above embodiment, since the float is hollow and has a sealed structure, the float can be reduced in weight.

The heating cooker of the present invention is
The steam generator according to the present invention is provided.

  According to the cooking device having the above configuration, since the steam generating device is provided, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the energy saving effect is enhanced.

  According to the steam generating device of the present invention, since it is provided with a float that keeps the water level of the water reservoir of the steam generator constant, a water supply pump for keeping the water level of the water reservoir constant need not be provided. Cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to supply electric power to the said float, power consumption does not become large and the energy saving effect can be heightened.

  According to the cooking device of the present invention, since the steam generator is provided, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the energy saving effect is enhanced.

  Hereinafter, a steam generator and a heating cooker according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The heating cooker includes a main casing 1, a cooking chamber 2 provided in the main casing 1, a steam generator 3 that generates steam, and steam that heats steam from the steam generator 3 to form superheated steam. A heater 4 and a controller 5 for controlling the operation of the steam generator 3, the steam heater 4 and the like are provided. Here, the said superheated steam means the steam heated to the overheated state of 100 degreeC or more.

  The cooking chamber 2 has an opening on the front side, and the side, bottom and top surfaces are made of stainless steel plates. The user puts the object to be heated 7 into the cooking chamber 2 or takes out the object 7 to be heated from the cooking chamber 2 through the opening. Moreover, the heat insulating material (not shown) is arrange | positioned around the cooking chamber 2, and the inside of the cooking chamber 2 and the exterior are insulated.

  In addition, a tray 6 made of metal such as iron or ceramics is placed in the cooking chamber 2 at a predetermined interval from the bottom surface of the cooking chamber 2. The tray 6 is supported by the receiving shelves 11 provided on the left and right side walls of the cooking chamber 2. Then, a metal cooking net 8 such as iron is placed on the tray 6, and an object to be heated 7 is placed in the approximate center of the cooking net 8. Thus, the article 7 to be heated is accommodated in the cooking chamber 2 with a space from the bottom surface of the cooking chamber 2.

  Further, the left and right side walls of the cooking chamber 2 are provided with a middle receiving shelf 12 located above the lower receiving shelf 11 and an upper receiving shelf 13 located above the middle receiving shelf 12. Similarly to the lower receiving shelf 11, the tray 6 can be supported also on the middle receiving shelf 12 and the upper receiving shelf 13. Thereby, the user can change the vertical position of the heated object 7 in the cooking chamber 2 by changing the support of the tray 6 from the lower receiving shelf 11 to the middle receiving shelf 12 or the upper receiving shelf 13.

  The steam generator 3 includes a steam generator 101 having a water reservoir 105, a water supply tank 102 containing water to be supplied to the water reservoir 105, and a water reservoir 105 that heats water accumulated in the water reservoir 105. And a water heater 103 that evaporates and a float 104 that floats on the water accumulated in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generator 101. The water heater 103 is a sheathed heater wound in a spiral shape. The float 104 is hollow and has a sealed structure. The water heater 103 is an example of a heating unit.

  The water supply tank 102 is detachably connected to the connecting portion 122. Further, the water supply tank 102 can be taken out of the main casing 1 from the front side.

  A drain valve 117 is attached to the bottom of the steam generation unit 101, and one end of the drain pipe 14 is connected to the drain valve 117. The other end of the drainage pipe 14 is located on the drainage tray 9, and the water discharged from the other end of the drainage pipe 14 is received by the drainage tray 9. The drain valve 117 is an example of a drain part.

  Further, on one side surface of the cooking chamber 2, a circulation intake port 15 is provided between the upper receiving shelf 13 and the intermediate receiving shelf 12. And the 1st jet nozzle 16 is provided in the upper surface of the cooking chamber 2 so that the steam heater 4 may be opposed. Further, second and third jet nozzles 17 and 18 are provided on the other side surface of the cooking chamber 2. The second jet outlet 17 is located between the upper receiving shelf 13 and the intermediate receiving shelf 12. On the other hand, the third jet outlet 18 is located between the middle receiving shelf 12 and the lower receiving shelf 11. The space in the cooking chamber 2 and the space in the circulation path 8 communicate with each other through the circulation inlet 15, the first outlet 16, the second outlet 17, and the third outlet 18.

  The circulation path 8 is provided outside the cooking chamber 2. The circulation path 8 has one end connected to the circulation intake port 15 and the other end connected to the second jet port 17 and the third jet port 18. A circulation fan 19 and a steam heater 4 are installed in the circulation path 8, and the position of the steam heater 4 is located downstream of the circulation fan 19. That is, the circulation fan 19 sucks the steam in the cooking chamber 2 from the circulation inlet 15 and blows it out toward the steam heater 4. Steam heated by the steam heater 4 enters the cooking chamber 2 from the first jet port 16 on the upper surface of the cooking chamber 2 and the second and third jet ports 17 and 18 on the other side of the cooking chamber 2. It spouts toward.

  A portion of the circulation path 8 in the vicinity of the circulation inlet 15 is connected to the steam generation unit 101 via the steam discharge path 20. Thereby, the steam generated in the steam generation unit 101 flows through the steam discharge path 20 and enters the circulation path 8, joins with the steam on the downstream side of the circulation fan 19, and flows toward the steam heater 4.

  Further, excess steam in the cooking chamber 2 flows out of the cooking chamber 2 from the first and second exhaust ports 21 and 22. One end of an exhaust path 23 is connected to the first exhaust port 21. The other end of the exhaust path 23 forms an ejector 24. The first exhaust port 21 can be opened and closed by an exhaust damper 25. On the other hand, one end of an exhaust tube 26 is connected to the second exhaust port 22. Since the other end of the exhaust tube 26 is connected to the exhaust path 23, the steam in the exhaust tube 26 merges with the steam in the exhaust path 23 and is discharged from the ejector 24 to the outside of the main casing 1. At this time, the steam traveling from the ejector 24 to the outside of the main casing 1 is diluted with the air from the dilution air path 27 and the suction duct 28 and diluted.

  The dilution air path 27 has one end inserted into the ejector 24 and the other end connected to the fan casing 29. Air is sent from the exhaust dilution fan 30 in the fan casing 29 to the ejector 24. The fan casing 29 is connected to the air supply port 32 via the intake passage 31. An air supply damper 33 is provided at the air supply port 32, and the air supply port 32 can be opened and closed by the air supply damper 33.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steam generator 3.

  The water reservoir 105 of the steam generator 101 includes a shallow part 116 where the water heater 103 is installed and a deep part 115 where the float 104 is arranged. The deep part 115 where the float 104 is arranged is formed deeper than the shallow part 116 where the water heating heat is installed. Further, a drain valve 117 for draining water from the water reservoir 105 is provided in the deep part 115 where the float 104 is disposed.

  A metal storage case 118 is disposed in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generation unit 101, and the water heater 103 is stored in the storage case 118. The housing case 118 has a side portion 119 positioned between the water heater 103 and the float housing portion 107, and a bottom portion 120 connected to the lower end portion of the side portion 119. A through hole 121 is formed in the bottom portion 120. Thereby, the water in the storage case 118 can go out of the storage case 118 from the through hole 121, or the water outside the storage case 118 can enter the storage case 118 through the through hole 121.

  The water level in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generator 101 is detected by a water reservoir sensor 123. The water reservoir level sensor 123 has three electrode rods whose lower ends are different from each other, and can detect a plurality of water levels in the water reservoir 105. Further, an output signal of the water pool water level sensor 123, that is, a signal indicating the water level of the water reservoir 105 is input to the control device 5.

  The steam generation unit 101 receives the water supplied from the water supply tank 102 through the water buffer unit 106 and the float storage unit 107. That is, the water in the water supply tank 102 sequentially flows in the water buffer unit 106 and the float storage unit 107 by its own weight, and then accumulates in the water storage unit 105 of the steam generation unit 101. The space in the water buffer unit 106 and the space in the float storage unit 107 are partitioned by a disc-shaped partition plate 108. A through hole 109 is formed in the partition plate 108, and water from the water buffer unit 106 toward the float storage unit 107 passes through the through hole 109. The partition plate 108 is an example of a partition portion.

  The water buffer unit 106 can receive water from the water supply tank 102 and temporarily store the water. Moreover, the water buffer part 106 has a cylindrical shape, and the upper end is sealed. Further, the water buffer unit 106 is provided with a buffer water level sensor 124 so that the control device 5 can grasp the water level of the water buffer unit 106. The buffer water level sensor 124 has three electrode rods whose lower ends are different from each other, and can detect a plurality of water levels in the water buffer unit 106.

  The float accommodation unit 107 is formed to be continuous with the lower end of the water buffer unit 106. Moreover, the shape of the float accommodating part 107 is a cylinder shape, and the lower end of the float accommodating part 107 is opened and immersed in the water in the water reservoir 105. Moreover, the float accommodating part 107 accommodates the float 104 so that a movement is possible. In addition, a slit hole 110 is formed in the side wall of the float accommodation unit 107. Thereby, air circulates between the space in the float accommodating part 107 and the space in the steam generation part 101. The slit hole 110 is an example of a communication hole.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of the section of the partition plate 108 and its peripheral part.

  The float 104 includes a cylindrical main body 125, a shoulder 111 formed on the upper portion of the main body 125 (an end on the partition plate 108 side), and a substantially hemispherical head formed adjacent to the shoulder 111. Part 112. When the float 104 tilts, the shoulder 111 comes into contact with the surface of the partition plate 108 on the float 104 side. Further, when the head portion 112 abuts against the wall surface of the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108, the through hole 109 is closed and water in the water buffer unit 106 cannot flow into the float housing unit 107. At this time, since the wall surface of the through hole 109 is a substantially conical surface, the head portion 112 is in line contact with the wall surface of the through hole 109.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the float housing part 107 as viewed from below.

  Four ribs 113 are formed on the inner wall surface of the float accommodating portion 107 at a phase interval of 90 °. In addition, illustration of the rib 113 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  According to the steam generator 3 having the above-described configuration, the water heater 103 heats and evaporates the water in the water reservoir 105 so that steam is generated in the steam generator 101. The water heater 103 continues to be heated, and the water level in the water reservoir 105 is lowered. Along with this, the float 104 moves downward, and the head portion 112 of the float 104 is separated from the wall surface of the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108. Then, the water in the water buffer unit 106 flows through the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108 and falls into the float accommodating unit 107, and the water reservoir 105 is replenished with water.

  When the water level of the water reservoir 105 rises due to the replenishment of water to the water reservoir 105, the head 112 of the float 104 again comes into contact with the wall surface of the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108. Thereby, the through-hole 109 is closed and the water supply to the water reservoir 105 is stopped.

  As described above, the float 104 can control the supply of water from the water supply tank 102 to the water reservoir 105 to keep the water level of the water reservoir 105 constant. Therefore, a water supply pump for keeping the water level of the water reservoir 105 constant is unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary to supply electric power to the float 104, the power consumption does not increase and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.

  In addition, since the slit hole 110 is formed in the float accommodating part 107, the water in the float accommodating part 107 flows smoothly into the float accommodating part 107.

  Further, when the float 104 tilts for some reason when the head portion 112 of the float 104 abuts against the wall surface of the through hole 109 of the partition portion to close the through hole 109, the shoulder portion 111 of the float 104 becomes the partition portion. The tilt of the float 104 is kept small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the blocking of the through hole 109 from being released.

  Further, since the head portion 112 of the float 104 is in line contact with the wall surface of the through hole 109, the close contact force of the head portion 112 of the float 104 with respect to the wall surface of the through hole 109 is not excessively increased, and the through hole 109 is blocked. It is possible to avoid the situation where it becomes impossible to cancel.

  In addition, since the rib 113 is formed on the inner wall surface of the float accommodating portion 107, the rib 113 can prevent the float 104 from tilting greatly.

  Even if the rib 113 is formed, there is a sufficient space between the inner wall surface of the float housing portion 107 and the float 104, so that water falls smoothly between them.

  Further, since the float 104 floats on the water in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generation unit 101, it is not necessary to provide a device for floating the float 104.

  Further, since the float 104 is disposed in the relatively deep part 115 in the water reservoir 105, the buoyancy of the float 104 can be kept large.

  Further, even if the scale is deposited in the deep part 115 of the water reservoir 105, the scale can be discharged out of the water reservoir 105 together with water by opening the drain valve 117. Accordingly, the frequency of maintenance of the deep portion 115 of the water reservoir 105 can be reduced.

  Further, since the water heater 103 is disposed in the shallow portion 116 in the water reservoir 105, the water heater 103 can raise the ambient water temperature in a short time. Therefore, water can be easily evaporated by heating the water heater 103.

  Further, when the water heater 103 heats the water, bubbles are generated around the water heater 103, but the side portion 119 of the housing case 118 is located between the water heater 103 and the float housing portion 107. The bubbles do not hit the float 104. That is, the side part 119 of the housing case 118 functions as a so-called bubble barrier. Therefore, the float 104 does not tilt greatly, and the float 104 can be maintained in a desired posture.

  In addition, since the water level sensor 123 is attached to the steam generation unit 101, the controller 5 stops energization of the water heater 103 when a predetermined amount of water does not accumulate in the water storage unit 105 of the steam generation unit 101. In this way, so-called voids can be eliminated.

  Further, even if the output of the water pool water level sensor 123 indicates that water is not accumulated in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generation unit 101, the buffer water level sensor 124 indicates that water is accumulated in the water buffer unit 106. Then, it can be seen that there is a problem that the water supply tank 102 does not run out of water, for example, the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108 is closed by a foreign substance. Thus, since the buffer water level sensor 124 is provided, it is possible to prevent the control device 5 from making an erroneous determination based on the output of the water pool water level sensor 123.

  Moreover, since the float 104 is hollow and has a sealed structure and is lightweight, an increase in the weight of the steam generator 3 can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the float 104 is floated on the water in the water reservoir 105 of the steam generator 101, but the float 104 may be floated on a portion other than the water reservoir 105 of the steam generator 101. For example, a chamber communicating with the water reservoir 105 via a communication pipe may be provided outside the steam generation unit, and the float 104 may be floated in this chamber. In this case, for example, a valve that opens and closes the through hole 109 of the partition plate 108 based on the position of the float 104 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rib 113 is formed on the inner wall surface of the float housing unit 107. However, the rib 104 may be formed on the side surface of the float 104 that faces the inner wall surface of the float housing unit 107.

  In the above embodiment, a partition plate 208 shown in FIG. 5 may be used instead of the partition plate. Four columnar protrusions 214 are formed on the surface of the partition plate 208 on the float 104 side. The partition plate 208 differs from the partition plate 108 only in that it has a protrusion.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the partition plate 208 viewed from the float 104 side.

  The protrusions 214 are formed at a phase interval of 90 ° so as to surround the through hole 209. Accordingly, the four protrusions 214 can prevent the float 104 from tilting greatly, and water can flow smoothly between the partition plate 208 and the float 104.

  In the above embodiment, a float 304 shown in FIG. 7 may be used instead of the float 104. Four columnar protrusions 314 are formed on the shoulder 311 of the float 304. The float 304 is different from the float 104 only in having a protrusion 314. In addition, 325 of FIG. 7 is a main body.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the float 304 as viewed from the head 312 side.

  The protrusions 314 are formed at a phase interval of 90 ° so as to surround the head 312. Accordingly, the four protrusions 314 can prevent the float 304 from tilting greatly, and water can flow smoothly between the partition plate 108 and the float 304.

  In the above-described embodiment, a magnetron 92 that generates a microwave, a waveguide that guides the microwave from the magnetron to the cooking chamber 2, and a microwave guided by the waveguide are disposed below the cooking chamber 2. A rotating antenna for stirring may be arranged. The microwave generated from the magnetron is irradiated to the object 7 to be heated in the cooking chamber 2 through the waveguide and the rotating antenna. Further, the microwave is stirred by the rotating antenna and applied to the object 7 to be heated. The rotating antenna is driven by rotation driving means. In the case of such a configuration, cooking using this microwave can be performed in cooking without using steam.

  In the above embodiment, the water accumulated in the water reservoir 105 is directly heated by the water heater 103, but the water accumulated in the water reservoir 105 may be heated by the heater via the water reservoir. That is, the water reservoir 105 may be heated by a heater installed outside the water reservoir 105 to evaporate the water accumulated in the water reservoir 105.

  In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 122 may be provided with a valve that opens and closes mechanically. It is preferable that this valve is automatically opened along with the connection of the water supply tank 102 to the connecting portion 122 and automatically closed when the connection of the water supply tank 102 is released.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a heating cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the steam generator of the heating cooker. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the float housing part of the steam generator. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a modification of the steam generator. FIG. 6 is a schematic bottom view of a modified example of the partition plate. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a modification of the steam generator. FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of a modification of the float.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Steam generator 101 ... Steam generation part 102 ... Water supply tank 103 ... Water heater 104,304 ... Float 105 ... Water reservoir part 106 ... Water buffer part 107 ... Float accommodating part 108, 208 ... Partition plates 109, 121, 209 ... Through holes 111, 311 ... shoulders 112, 312 ... head 113 ... rib 115 ... deep part 116 ... shallow part 117 ... drainage valve 118 ... storage case 119 ... side part 120 ... bottom part 214, 314 ... projection

Claims (13)

A steam generator having a water reservoir,
A water supply tank for containing water to be supplied to the water reservoir of the steam generation unit;
A heating unit for heating and evaporating the water accumulated in the water reservoir,
A steam generator comprising: a float that controls supply of water from the water supply tank to the water reservoir of the steam generator to maintain a constant water level in the water reservoir. The steam generator according to claim 1,
A water buffer unit capable of receiving water from the water supply tank and storing the water temporarily;
A float accommodating part that is disposed between the water buffer part and the steam generating part and accommodates the float movably;
A partition part for partitioning between the water buffer part and the float housing part,
The partition portion is formed with a through-hole through which water from the water buffer portion toward the float housing portion passes.
A steam generating device according to claim 1, wherein a communication hole is formed in the float housing part for communicating the space in the float housing part and the space in the steam generating part. The steam generator according to claim 2,
The float is
A shoulder capable of contacting the partition;
A steam generator, comprising: a head that is formed adjacent to the shoulder, and has a head that can contact the wall surface of the through hole of the partition and close the through hole. The steam generator according to claim 3,
The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein a wall surface of the through hole of the partition portion is a substantially conical surface, and the head portion is substantially hemispherical. In the steam generator according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A steam generator, wherein a rib is formed on an inner wall surface of the float housing part or a side surface of the float that faces the inner wall surface of the float housing part. In the steam generator according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
A protrusion is formed on a surface of the partition portion on the float side or a surface of the shoulder portion. In the steam generator according to any one of claims 2 to 6,
The said float floats in the water collected in the said water reservoir of the said steam generation part, The steam generator characterized by the above-mentioned. The steam generator according to claim 7,
The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein a depth of a portion where the float is disposed is deeper than a depth of a portion where the heating unit is installed with respect to the water reservoir of the steam generator. The steam generator according to claim 8,
The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein a drainage part for draining water accumulated in the water reservoir is formed in a portion where the float is disposed with respect to the water reservoir of the steam generator. The steam generator according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The heating unit is installed in the water reservoir of the steam generation unit,
A metal housing case disposed in the water reservoir and housing the heating unit;
The storage case is
A side part located between the heating part and the float housing part;
A steam generator characterized by having a bottom portion having a through-hole while continuing to the side portion. In the steam generator according to any one of claims 2 to 10,
A water reservoir level sensor for detecting the water level of the water reservoir of the steam generator;
A steam generator, comprising: a buffer water level sensor that detects a water level of the water buffer unit. In the steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The said float is hollow and has a sealed structure, The steam generator characterized by the above-mentioned.   A heating cooker comprising the steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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