Patent ID: 12259139

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a drawer type heating cooking apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference signs and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

A drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.3.FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment.FIG.2is a right side view illustrating the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment.FIG.3is a top view illustrating the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment. More specifically,FIG.1toFIG.3illustrate the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100in a state where a drawer body2is pulled out. Further,FIG.1illustrates the appearance of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100viewed from the above obliquely from the front right. The drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is one example of a heating cooking apparatus.

The drawer type heating cooking apparatus100heats and cooks an object to be heated H. The object to be heated H is, for example, a food product. As illustrated inFIG.1, the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100includes a heating chamber1, a drawer body2, an operation panel3, a panel50, a control unit5, and a storage unit6. The heating chamber1is an example of a housing.

In the present embodiment, a side at which the operation panel3of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is disposed is defined as a front side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100, and a side opposite to the front side is defined as a rear side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100. Further, a right side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100when the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is viewed from the front side is defined as a right side, and a side opposite to the right side is defined as a left side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100. Further, in a direction orthogonal to a front-rear direction and a left-right direction of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100, a side at which the operation panel3is disposed is defined as an upper side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100, and a side opposite to the upper side is defined as a lower side of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100. Note that these orientations do not limit the orientation of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus according to the present invention when it is in use.

As illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.3, the heating chamber1is a box-like member. Specifically, the heating chamber1includes a right outer wall1G, a left outer wall1H, a top outer wall1J, a bottom outer wall1F, and a back outer wall1K. The heating chamber1also includes a heating cooking chamber100A therein.

The heating cooking chamber100A includes an accommodation space120that accommodates the object to be heated H. The accommodation space120has a predetermined capacity as a space that can accommodate the object to be heated H. The heating cooking chamber100A further includes a right wall1A, a left wall1B, a top wall1C, a bottom wall1D, and a back wall1E. The shape of the heating cooking chamber100A is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Materials of the right wall1A, the left wall1B, the top wall1C, the bottom wall1D, and the back wall1E are, for example, metal.

The heating chamber1further includes a space between the bottom wall1D and the bottom outer wall1F. The heating chamber1further includes a space between the right wall1A and the right outer wall1G. The heating chamber1further includes a space between the left wall1B and the left outer wall1H. The heating chamber1further includes a space between the top wall1C and the top outer wall1J. The heating chamber1further includes a space between the back wall1E and the back outer wall1K.

The operation panel3includes an operation unit and a display portion. The operation unit receives an operation from a user. The operation unit includes various types of keys. The display portion displays various pieces of information. The display portion includes a liquid crystal panel. The operation panel3is located on an upper portion of a front face of the heating chamber1.

The storage unit6includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a Read Only Memory (ROM). The storage unit6stores control programs used for controlling operations of each part of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100. The storage unit6stores setting information input when the operation panel3is operated.

The control unit5is a hardware circuit that includes a processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The control unit5executes a control program stored in the storage unit6.

Additionally, the front side of the heating cooking chamber100A is opened to allow the object to be heated H to be inserted and removed. An opening for inserting and removing the object to be heated H will be described with reference toFIG.4.FIG.4is a front view of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment. In detail,FIG.4is a front view illustrating the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment in a state where the drawer body2is detached.

As illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.4, the heating chamber1further has an opening100B on the front side. The panel50is an example of a first face. The opening100B is rectangular. The opening100B and the heating cooking chamber100A communicate with each other. The panel50is disposed around the outer periphery of the opening100B. Specifically, the panel50is a plate-like member having a rectangular ring shape. The panel50includes a first through hole51, a second through hole52, a third through hole53, a fourth through hole54, and a fifth through hole55.

The first through hole51, the second through hole52, the third through hole53, the fourth through hole54, and the fifth through hole55are formed around the opening100B. Specifically, the first through hole51is formed at a position at the lower side of the opening100B. The second through hole52is formed at a position at the left side of the opening100B. The third through hole53is formed at a position at the right side of the opening100B. The fourth through hole54is formed at a position at the left side of the opening100B and at the upper side of the second through hole52. The fifth through hole55is formed at a position at the right side of the opening100B and at the upper side of the third through hole53.

Next, the drawer body2will be described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.4. The drawer body2can be pulled out of and pushed into the heating chamber1. Specifically, the drawer body2includes a lid portion21, a placement portion22, and a support portion23.

The lid portion21is a substantially rectangular plate-like member. Specifically, the lid portion21includes a glass plate having a rectangular shape, a metal plate positioned on the outer periphery of the glass plate, and a metal comb portion positioned on the outer periphery of the metal plate. The metal comb portion has, for example, a choke structure, and suppresses leakage of microwaves. The lid portion21includes a front face21A and a rear face21B. The rear face21B is an example of the second face.

The lid portion21can open and close the opening100B on the front side of the heating cooking chamber100A. Specifically, the lid portion21moves between a closed position and an open position. The open position indicates a position where the lid portion21opens the opening100B. On the other hand, the closed position indicates a position where the lid portion21covers the opening100B.

The lid portion21closes the opening100B on the front side of the heating cooking chamber100A in a state where the drawer body2is retracted into the heating cooking chamber100A. Specifically, the closed position indicates a position where the panel50and the rear face21B face each other. More particularly, the closed position indicates a position where a distance between the panel50and the rear face21B is a predetermined distance or where the panel50and the rear face21B come into contact with each other. The predetermined distance is, for example, 0.5 mm. The position where the panel50and the rear face21B come into contact with each other is, for example, a position where the panel50and the rear face21B come into close contact with each other. Meanwhile, in a state where the drawer body2is retracted into the heating cooking chamber100A, a distance between the top wall1C and the bottom wall1D is shorter than a distance between the back wall1E and the rear face21B.

The object to be heated H can be placed on the placement portion22. The placement portion22is, for example, a plate-like member made of ceramic or glass. The support portion23is fixed to the rear face21B of the lid portion21, and supports a peripheral portion of the placement portion22such that the placement portion22is held in a horizontal state. A material of the support portion23includes metal. The placement portion22and the support portion23are pulled out from the inside of the heating cooking chamber100A to the outside by pulling out the drawer body2. The placement portion22and the support portion23are accommodated in the heating cooking chamber100A in a state where the drawer body2is retracted.

Next, a drive mechanism of the drawer body2will be described in detail.FIG.5is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment. For further details,FIG.5illustrates the appearance of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100viewed from the above obliquely from the rear right. As illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.5, the drawer body2further includes a pair of slide members24and a support member25in addition to the lid portion21, the support portion23, and the placement portion22. The support member25is an example of a moving member.

The lid portion21further includes a fixing member26. The fixing member26is fixed to the rear face21B. Specifically, the fixing member26is attached at a center portion in the left-right direction of the rear face21B of the lid portion21and at the lower side of the placement portion22. The fixing member26has a plate-like member protruding in the rear direction.

The support member25moves along a first direction D1with respect to the heating chamber1. The first direction D1is along the front-rear direction. The support member25is a member having the front-rear direction as a longitudinal direction. The fixing member26of the lid portion21is attached to one end portion of the support member25. The other end portion of the support member25is provided with a rack portion. The rack portion includes a plurality of teeth.

Meanwhile, the heating chamber1further includes a drive mechanism4. The drive mechanism4is accommodated in a space between the bottom wall1D and the bottom outer wall1F. For example, the drive mechanism4includes a drive motor41, and a pinion. The pinion is attached to a tip end portion of the drive motor41. The drive motor41rotates the pinion.

The support member25is inserted into the first through hole51. The pinion engages with the rack portion of the support member25. Furthermore, the support member25moves in the front-rear direction when the pinion rotates. As a result, the lid portion21moves between the closed position and the open position.

Further, as illustrated inFIG.1toFIG.5, the pair of slide members24regulate the movement direction of the drawer body2in the front-rear direction. The pair of slide members24are fixed to the rear face21B of the lid portion21. Specifically, the pair of slide members24include a right slide member241and a left slide member242. Each of the right slide member241and the left slide member242is a member having the front-rear direction as a longitudinal direction. The right slide member241and the left slide member242oppose each other in the left-right direction. One end portion of the right slide member241is attached to a right edge portion of the rear face21B of the lid portion21. One end portion of the left slide member242is attached to a left edge portion of the rear face21B of the lid portion21.

Meanwhile, the heating chamber1further includes a right slide rail11and a left slide rail12. The right slide rail11is fixed in a space between the right wall1A and the right outer wall1G. The left slide rail12is fixed in a space between the left wall1B and the left outer wall1H. Each of the right slide rail11and the left slide rail12is a member having the front-rear direction as a longitudinal direction.

The right slide member241is inserted into the third through hole53. The right slide member241is supported to be slidable along the right slide rail11. The left slide member242is inserted into the second through hole52. The left slide member242is supported to be slidable along the left slide rail12.

The drawer type heating cooking apparatus100further includes a microwave supply unit15. The microwave supply unit15supplies microwaves into the heating cooking chamber100A. Specifically, the microwave supply unit15includes a radiation chamber, a magnetron151, a waveguide, a rotary antenna153, and an antenna motor154. The magnetron151generates microwaves. The waveguide propagates the microwaves generated by the magnetron151to the radiation chamber. The rotary antenna153is accommodated in the radiation chamber. The antenna motor154drives the rotary antenna153. The rotary antenna153agitates microwaves and supplies the microwaves into the heating cooking chamber100A.

Next, the drawer body2will be described in detail.FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a part of the drawer body2according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.5andFIG.6, the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100further includes a pivoting mechanism30.

The pivoting mechanism30couples the fixing member26and the support member25of the lid portion21. In particular, the pivoting mechanism30couples the fixing member26of the lid portion21and the support member25such that the lid portion21pivots about a rotation axis extending along a second direction D2. The second direction D2intersects with the first direction D1. In particular, the second direction D2is orthogonal to the first direction D1.

As described above, when the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1is lost, the lid portion21can pivot, so the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1can be retained with high accuracy.

Specifically, the pivoting mechanism30includes a rotation axis portion33, a first elastic body31, and a second elastic body32.

The first elastic body31acts along the first direction D1between the rear face21B and the support member25. The first elastic body31is, for example, a coil spring. In particular, the coil spring is arranged along the first direction D1. One end portion of the coil spring comes into contact with the rear face21B. The other end portion of the coil spring comes into contact with a plate-like body at the front side of the support member25.

The second elastic body32acts along the first direction D1between the rear face21B and the support member25. The second elastic body32is also a coil spring, for example. In particular, the coil spring is arranged along the first direction D1. One end portion of the coil spring comes into contact with the rear face21B. The other end portion of the coil spring comes into contact with a plate-like body at the front side of the support member25.

The rotation axis portion33has, for example, a cylinder, a head, and a tip end portion. The cylinder extends along the second direction D2. The head is positioned at the upper side of the cylinder. The tip end portion is positioned at the lower side of the cylinder. Then, the cylinder passes through a through hole of the fixing member26and a through hole of the support member25along the second direction D2. As a result, the fixing member26is pivotable with respect to the support member25about the rotation axis portion33.

Then, when viewed from the second direction, the rotation axis portion33is positioned between the first elastic body31and the second elastic body32. As a result, due to the action of the first elastic body31and the second elastic body32, it is possible to suppress an excessive rotation of the fixing member26about the rotation axis portion33.

Next, the drawer body2will be described in detail.FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a part of the drawer body2according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.5andFIG.7, the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100further includes at least two connecting members60.

The at least two connecting members60connect the heating chamber1and the lid portion21when the lid portion21is at the closed position. The at least two connecting members60include a first connecting member and a second connecting member, for example.

The first connecting member and the second connecting member are attached to the lid portion21. The first connecting member and the second connecting member oppose each other in the left-right direction. The first connecting member is attached at an edge portion at the right side of the rear face21B of the lid portion21and at the upper side of the placement portion22. In addition, the second connecting member is attached at an edge portion at the left side of the rear face21B of the lid portion21and at the upper side of the placement portion22.

Specifically, each of the at least two connecting members60includes a hook member61and an elastic member62.

The hook member61is a plate-like member having its longitudinal direction as the front-rear direction. The hook member61includes a claw portion61aand a rotation pin portion61b. The rotation pin portion61bis positioned at one end portion of the hook member61. The rotation pin portion61bpivots about a rotation axis extending along a third direction D3. The third direction D3is along the left-right direction. On the other hand, the claw portion61ahas a protruding portion that protrudes downward. The claw portion61ais positioned at the other end portion of the hook member61. As a result, the claw portion61ais pivotable about the rotation pin portion61b.

The elastic member62acts on the hook member61such that the claw portion61ais positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the rear face21B. The elastic member62is, for example, a coil spring. One end portion of the coil spring is attached to the hook member61and the other end portion of the coil spring is attached to the rear face21B.

Next, a member to be connected70to which the connecting member60is connected will be described in detail.FIG.8(a)toFIG.10are perspective views illustrating the appearance of the connecting member60and the member to be connected70according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.8(a)toFIG.10, the heating chamber1further includes members to be connected70.

The number of the members to be connected70is the same as the number of the connecting members60. The member to be connected70includes, for example, a first member to be connected and a second member to be connected.

The first member to be connected and the second member to be connected are attached to the heating chamber1. The first member to be connected is attached at the edge portion at the right side of the panel50of the heating chamber1and at the upper side of the placement portion22. Specifically, the first member to be connected is attached to the fifth through hole55. Furthermore, the second member to be connected is attached at the edge portion at the left side of the panel50of the heating chamber1and at the upper side of the placement portion22. Specifically, the second member to be connected is attached to the fourth through hole54.

Specifically, the member to be connected70includes an inclined face portion71, a hole72, and two sensors73. The inclined face portion71has an inclined surface that gradually increases from a predetermined height. The hole72is positioned at a predetermined height and is positioned at the rear side of the inclined face portion71. A shape of the hole72corresponds to a shape of the claw portion61a. The two sensors73output a signal to the control unit5when the claw portion61ais positioned in the hole72. On the other hand, when the claw portion61ais not positioned in the hole72, the two sensors73do not output a signal to the control unit5.

Here, a connection method for connecting the heating chamber1and the lid portion21will be described in detail. First, as illustrated inFIG.8(a), the drive motor41is driven to move the lid portion21from the open position to the closed position. In other words, a distance between the panel50and the rear face21B decreases.

Next, when the distance between the panel50and the rear face21B decreases, as illustrated inFIG.8(b), the claw portion61acomes into contact with the inclined face portion71of the member to be connected70.

Next, when the distance between the panel50and the rear face21B becomes further smaller, the claw portion61acomes into contact with the inclined face portion71of the member to be connected70, so that as illustrated inFIG.9(a), the claw portion61ais pushed up from a predetermined position against the action of the elastic member62.

Next, when the distance between the panel50and the rear face21B becomes even smaller, as illustrated inFIG.9(b), the claw portion61ais pulled down to a predetermined position by the action of the elastic member62.

As a result, as illustrated inFIG.10, the claw portion61ais positioned in the hole72. The distance between the panel50and the rear face21B is a predetermined distance. Furthermore, the two sensors73output a signal to the control unit5when the claw portion61ais positioned in the hole72.

As described above, the distance between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1can be held such that the distance between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1is set to a predetermined distance. As a result, it is possible to suppress the leakage of microwaves from the inside of the heating cooking chamber100A. Note that when the closed position indicates a position where the panel50and the rear face21B come into contact with each other, the distance between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1can be held such that the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1come into close contact with each other.

Further, the rotation axis portion33is positioned between the first connecting member and the second connecting member. When the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1is retained, the connecting member60and the member to be connected70are connected at the same time.

On the other hand, the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1may be lost. For example, the distance between the rear face21B where the first connecting member is positioned and the panel50may be shorter than the distance between the rear face21B where the second connecting member is positioned and the panel50. Note that the connecting member positioned at the side where the distance between the rear face21B and the panel50is short is referred to as the “first connecting member”, and the connecting member positioned at the side where the distance between the rear face21B and the panel50is long is referred to as the “second connecting member”. When the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1is lost, the connecting member60and the member to be connected70are not connected at the same time.

Specifically, when the lid portion21is moved to the closed position, the first connecting member of the at least two connecting members60connects the heating chamber1and the lid portion21. Thereafter, the second connecting member of the at least two connecting members connects the heating chamber1and the lid portion21. When the second connecting member connects the heating chamber1and the lid portion21, the lid portion21pivots about the rotation axis.

As a result, when the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1is lost, the lid portion21pivots about the rotation axis, so it is possible to accurately retain the degree of parallelism between the rear face21B at the rear side of the lid portion21and the panel50at the front side of the heating chamber1.

The configuration of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100will be described in detail with reference toFIG.11.FIG.11is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.11, the control unit5controls the magnetron151, the antenna motor154, the drive motor41, the operation panel3, and the storage unit6by executing the control programs stored in the storage unit6.

The control unit5controls driving of the microwave supply unit15. Specifically, the control unit5drives the magnetron151and the antenna motor154after receiving a signal from the two sensors73.

Next, a cabinet200to which the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is attached will be described with reference toFIG.12.FIG.12is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the cabinet200to which the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100according to the present embodiment is attached.

The drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is installed in the cabinet200in a built-in manner. As illustrated inFIG.10, the cabinet200includes an upper wall200A, a lower wall200B, a right wall200C, a left wall200D, and a rear wall200E. The upper wall200A, the lower wall200B, the right wall200C, the left wall200D, and the rear wall200E form an accommodation portion200F. The accommodation portion200F is a rectangular parallelepiped space into which the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100is fitted.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the disclosure. Primarily, the drawings schematically illustrate each of the constituent elements for the sake of easier understanding, and the thickness, length, quantity, and the like of each of the illustrated constituent elements are different from the actual thickness, length, quantity, and the like by reason of creation of the drawings. The material, shape, dimensions, and the like of each of the constituent elements illustrated in the embodiment described above are merely exemplary and are not particularly limiting, and various modifications can be made within a scope not departing in essence from the effects of the present invention.(1) As described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.12, the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100includes the microwave supply unit15, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100may further include an air supply unit that supplies hot air to the inside of the heating cooking chamber100A.(2) The drawer type heating cooking apparatus100may further include a grill heater.(3) the drawer type heating cooking apparatus100may include a mesh-like rack. The mesh-like rack is placed on the placement portion22of the drawer body2.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful in the field of a heating cooking apparatus, for example.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1Heating chamber2Drawer body4Drive mechanism21Lid portion21A Front face21B Rear face25Support member26Fixing member30Pivoting mechanism31First elastic body32Second elastic body33Rotation axis portion41Drive motor50Panel60Connecting member62Elastic member100Drawer type heating cooking apparatus100B Opening