JP7634740B2 - Cooking equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooking device capable of cooking ingredients under pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

Conventionally, there are known cookers that cook ingredients in a cooking tank whose pressure is reduced to less than atmospheric pressure. One example of this type of cooker is the heating cooker described in Patent Document 1. This heating cooker is equipped with a pot that corresponds to the cooking tank in which the ingredients are stored, a vacuum pump that reduces the pressure inside the pot sealed with a lid, a pipeline that connects the lid and the vacuum pump, and a trap that is placed in the pipeline between the lid and the vacuum pump.

In this cooking device, the vacuum pump is activated to suck air from inside the pot, reducing the pressure inside the pot to less than atmospheric pressure. The air sucked from inside the pot flows through a pipe and into the trap. The air that flows into the trap contains flying or evaporated seasonings and other particles that are generated while cooking ingredients in the pot, as well as moisture (including water vapor), which is captured by the trap. This prevents moisture and other particles from entering the vacuum pump.

Patent No. 6696198

Liquid matter such as water captured in the trap is stored within the trap. However, in the cooking device described in Patent Document 1, the liquid matter stored in the trap may flow through the pipes and enter the vacuum pump. If liquid matter enters the vacuum pump, there is a risk that the vacuum pump may break down.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a cooking appliance that can prevent liquids, such as moisture, generated during cooking of ingredients from entering the vacuum pump.

A cooking appliance according to one aspect of the present invention includes a vacuum pump that draws in air from a cooking tank that contains food ingredients and generates a suction force for reducing the pressure inside the cooking tank to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, a first vacuum pipe connected to the vacuum pump, a second vacuum pipe connected to the cooking tank, a trap to which the first and second vacuum pipes are connected and that captures moisture contained in the air drawn from the cooking tank and stores it as a liquid, a liquid discharge pipe connected to the trap and for discharging the liquid stored in the trap from the trap to the outside, and an opening/closing mechanism that can open and close the liquid discharge pipe.

In this cooking appliance, the trap is disposed in the middle of the flow path connecting the cooking tank and the vacuum pump by connecting the first vacuum pipe and the second vacuum pipe, respectively. This allows the trap to capture moisture and other substances contained in the air sucked from the cooking tank in response to the operation of the vacuum pump, and prevents the moisture and other substances from entering the vacuum pump.

Furthermore, a liquid discharge pipe that is opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism is connected to the trap. Therefore, by opening the liquid discharge pipe with the opening and closing mechanism, the liquid stored in the trap can be discharged from the trap through the liquid discharge pipe. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of liquid stored in the trap as much as possible, preventing the liquid from flowing out of the trap into the first vacuum tube and preventing the liquid from entering the vacuum pump through the first vacuum tube. This makes it possible to prevent breakdowns in the vacuum pump caused by the liquid entering.

The cooking appliance may include a control unit that controls the pressure reduction pump and the opening/closing mechanism, and the control unit may be configured to control the liquid discharge pipe to open before operating the pressure reduction pump when the cooking appliance is powered on, and then to close the liquid discharge pipe.

In this embodiment, when the cooking device is turned on, the opening and closing mechanism opens the liquid discharge pipe. This allows any liquid remaining in the trap when the power is turned on before cooking in the cooking tank to be discharged from the trap through the liquid discharge pipe.

The cooking appliance may be provided with a control unit that controls the pressure reduction pump and the opening/closing mechanism, and the control unit may be configured to control the liquid discharge pipe to open and then close the liquid discharge pipe while stopping the operation of the pressure reduction pump based on at least one of the set pressure in the cooking tank and the pressure in the cooking tank that are included in the cooking conditions during cooking in the cooking tank according to the cooking conditions.

In this embodiment, while cooking is being performed in the cooking tank, the liquid discharge pipe is opened by the opening and closing mechanism while the operation of the vacuum pump is stopped. This allows the liquid stored in the trap during cooking in the cooking tank to be discharged from the trap through the liquid discharge pipe.

The cooking device may include a control unit that controls the pressure reduction pump and the opening/closing mechanism, and the control unit may be configured to open the liquid discharge pipe after cooking in the cooking tank is completed, and then control the liquid discharge pipe to be closed.

In this embodiment, after cooking in the cooking tank is completed, the liquid discharge pipe is opened by the opening and closing mechanism. This allows liquid remaining in the trap after cooking in the cooking tank is completed to be discharged from the trap through the liquid discharge pipe. In addition, since the liquid discharge pipe that is opened after cooking is completed is then closed, it is possible to prevent insects and the like from entering the trap or cooking tank through the liquid discharge pipe, and the hygienic condition of the cooking appliance can be maintained.

The cooking device may include a piping for introducing outside air into the cooking tank, the outside air introduction piping being provided with an openable and closable outside air introduction valve, and a control unit for controlling the pressure reducing pump, the opening and closing mechanism, and the outside air introduction valve, and the control unit may be configured to control the opening of the liquid discharge piping after opening the outside air introduction valve.

In this embodiment, the liquid discharge pipe is opened in response to the opening of the outside air introduction valve. That is, the liquid discharge pipe is opened after the pressure in the cooking tank becomes atmospheric pressure or close to atmospheric pressure by opening the outside air introduction valve. This prevents outside air from being introduced into the cooking tank via the liquid discharge pipe, trap, and second pressure reduction pipe, and prevents the liquid in the trap from flowing into the cooking tank with the flow of outside air.

In the above cooking device, the control unit performs control to close the liquid discharge pipe when a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid discharge pipe was opened.

In this embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid discharge pipe was opened, the liquid discharge pipe is closed. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of liquid remaining in the trap as much as possible after the liquid is discharged from the trap in response to the opening of the liquid discharge pipe. The predetermined time for which the liquid discharge pipe is opened can be set in advance, for example, by conducting experiments or simulations.

The cooking device may include a liquid discharge pipe connection portion that connects the liquid discharge pipe and the trap, and the liquid discharge pipe connection portion may have a fitting structure that is composed of a liquid discharge pipe side fitting portion and a trap side fitting portion.

In this embodiment, the liquid discharge pipe is connected to the trap via the liquid discharge pipe connection part. This allows the user of the cooking appliance to easily remove the liquid discharge pipe from the trap.

The cooking device may be provided with a first vacuum pipe connection part that connects the first vacuum pipe and the trap, and a second vacuum pipe connection part that connects the second vacuum pipe and the trap, and at least one of the first vacuum pipe connection part and the second vacuum pipe connection part has a fitting structure composed of a vacuum pipe side fitting part and a trap side fitting part, and the vacuum pipe side fitting part may be configured so as not to be able to fit with the trap side fitting part in the fitting structure of the liquid discharge pipe connection part.

In this embodiment, the fitting structure of at least one of the first and second pressure reduction pipe connections is such that the pressure reduction pipe side fitting cannot be fitted with the trap side fitting provided on the trap in the fitting structure of the liquid discharge pipe connection. This makes it possible to prevent a user of the cooking appliance from making a mistake in connection, for example, by connecting the first pressure reduction pipe to the connection position of the liquid discharge pipe when attempting to connect the first pressure reduction pipe, the second pressure reduction pipe, and the liquid discharge pipe to the trap using each pipe connection.

In the above cooking device, the position where the liquid discharge pipe is connected to the trap may be configured to be lower than the position where the first pressure reduction pipe is connected to the trap.

In this embodiment, the position where the liquid discharge pipe is connected to the trap is lower than the position where the first vacuum tube is connected to the trap. In other words, the height relationship between the connection positions of the two pipes to the trap is such that the position where the liquid discharge pipe is connected is lower than the position where the first vacuum tube is connected. This allows the liquid stored at the bottom of the trap to be properly discharged through the liquid discharge pipe connected to the trap at a low position.

As described above, the present invention provides a cooking device that can prevent liquids such as moisture generated during cooking of ingredients from entering the vacuum pump.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cooking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cooking appliance. 4 is a flowchart showing a control flow of cooking control by a controller.

The cooking device according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cooking appliance 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the cooking appliance 1 includes a cooking appliance main body 1A, a pressure reducing pump 3, a pressure reducing pipe 4, a trap 5, an outside air intake pipe 6, a liquid discharge pipe 7, a controller 9, a heater IH, and a pressure sensor PS.

The cooking device main body 1A is formed in a box shape with a mounting surface 1A1 on which the cooking tank 2 is placed. A heater IH is disposed on the mounting surface 1A1, and the cooking tank 2 is placed above this heater IH. A rod-shaped engagement pin 1A2 protrudes from the mounting surface 1A1 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the heater IH. A trap 5 is placed at the position on the mounting surface 1A1 where the engagement pin 1A2 protrudes. That is, in the cooking device 1, the cooking tank 2 and the trap 5 are placed side by side on the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking device main body 1A.

The cooking tank 2 may be configured separately from the cooking device 1, or may be a part of the cooking device 1.

The cooking tank 2 contains ingredients and has a tank body 21 that is open at the top and a lid 22 that can open and close the opening of the tank body 21. At least a portion of the bottom of the tank body 21 constitutes a heat generating portion 211 that generates heat by electromagnetic induction. That is, the entire tank body 21 may constitute the heat generating portion 211, the entire bottom of the tank body 21 may constitute the heat generating portion 211, or only a portion of the bottom of the tank body 21 may constitute the heat generating portion 211. The opening of the tank body 21 is closed by the lid 22, forming a space within the cooking tank 2 that is partitioned from the outside space.

The heater IH is disposed on the placement surface 1A1 of the cooking device main body 1A. The heater IH is a heating coil that heats the heat generating part 211 by electromagnetic induction. The cooking device 1 is used with the cooking tank 2 placed on the heater IH. When the cooking tank 2 is placed on the heater IH, the heat generating part 211 comes into contact with the heater IH. When a high-frequency current is supplied to the heater IH, the heat generating part 211 generates heat. The heat generated by the heat generating part 211 is transferred to the tank main body 21 by thermal conduction. The food contained in the cooking tank 2 is heated by thermal conduction and thermal radiation from the tank main body 21. Note that the method of heating the cooking tank 2 is not limited to the electromagnetic induction heating method, and other methods may be adopted, such as a resistance heating method using a nichrome wire as the heater IH. In this case, the cooking tank 2 may not have the heat generating part 211. The heater IH is controlled by a controller 9 described later.

The decompression pump 3 is a vacuum pump that draws air from inside the cooking tank 2 through the decompression pipe 4 and generates a suction force to reduce the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. There are no particular limitations on the decompression pump 3 as long as it is capable of reducing the pressure inside the cooking tank 2, but it is preferable that the decompression pump 3 is a water-sealed vacuum pump that can operate without being affected even if moisture enters the pump. The decompression pump 3 is controlled by the controller 9, which will be described later.

The reduced pressure pipe 4 is a pipe that connects the cooking tank 2 and the reduced pressure pump 3. The reduced pressure pipe 4 forms at least a part of the flow path of the air sucked from the cooking tank 2 by the operation of the reduced pressure pump 3. The reduced pressure pipe 4 has a first reduced pressure pipe 41 that connects the trap 5 described below to the reduced pressure pump 3, and a second reduced pressure pipe 42 that connects the trap 5 to the cooking tank 2. That is, the trap 5 is disposed between the first reduced pressure pipe 41 and the second reduced pressure pipe 42. The first reduced pressure pipe 41 is connected to each of the reduced pressure pump 3 and the trap 5. The second reduced pressure pipe 42 is connected to each of the cooking tank 2 and the trap 5. The air sucked from the cooking tank 2 by the operation of the reduced pressure pump 3 flows through the second reduced pressure pipe 42 into the trap 5, and then flows out of the trap 5 and flows through the first reduced pressure pipe 41 toward the reduced pressure pump 3.

The trap 5 is a hollow member disposed between the cooking tank 2 and the vacuum pump 3 via the vacuum piping 4. The trap 5 is disposed in the middle of the flow path connecting the cooking tank 2 and the vacuum pump 3 by connecting the first vacuum pipe 41 and the second vacuum pipe 42 that constitute the vacuum piping 4. The air that flows into the trap 5 via the second vacuum pipe 42 contains scattered or evaporated seasonings and the like that are generated during cooking of ingredients in the cooking tank 2, or moisture (including water vapor) (hereinafter referred to as "moisture, etc."). The trap 5 captures moisture, etc. contained in the air that is sucked from the cooking tank 2 and flows in via the second vacuum pipe 42. Therefore, the amount of moisture, etc. contained in the air that flows out of the trap 5 and flows through the first vacuum pipe 41 toward the vacuum pump 3 is reduced as much as possible.

Moisture and other matter captured by the trap 5 condenses within the trap 5 or is stored as liquid. The trap 5 is arranged side-by-side with the cooking tank 2 placed on the heater IH on the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking device main body 1A. At least a portion of the trap 5 is made of a transparent material. This allows the user of the cooking device 1 to visually check the storage status of the liquid matter in the trap 5 from the outside. In addition, because the trap 5 is placed on the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking device main body 1A, it is easy to visually check the storage status of the liquid matter in the trap 5.

The trap 5 has a cylindrical or box-shaped trap body 51 with an opening 511, and a trap lid 52 that can open and close the opening 511. In the trap 5, at least one of the trap body 51 and the trap lid 52 needs to be made of a transparent material. By opening the trap lid 52, a user of the cooking appliance 1 can clean the inside of the trap body 51 through the opening 511. This allows the trap 5 to be kept in a sanitary condition.

The trap body 51 is formed with a suction air inlet 512, a suction air outlet 513, a liquid discharge port 514, and an engagement groove 515.

The engagement groove 515 is formed on the outer surface of the bottom of the trap body 51 and is a groove that can engage with the engagement pin 1A2 protruding from the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking device body 1A. The trap 5 is positioned at a predetermined position on the mounting surface 1A1 when the engagement pin 1A2 and the engagement groove 515 are engaged. In other words, the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking device body 1A is provided with a positioning means for positioning the trap 5 at a predetermined position. The user of the cooking device 1 can position the trap 5 by placing the trap 5 on the mounting surface 1A1 so that the engagement pin 1A2 is inserted into the engagement groove 515. The user of the cooking device 1 can also release the engagement between the engagement pin 1A2 and the engagement groove 515 and remove the trap 5 from the mounting surface 1A1 with a simple operation of simply lifting the trap 5 upward relative to the mounting surface 1A1.

The suction air inlet 512 is an opening through which air sucked from the cooking tank 2 flows into the trap body 51. The suction air outlet 513 is an opening through which air flows out of the trap body 51 after moisture and the like are captured in the trap body 51. The liquid discharge port 514 is an opening for discharging liquid such as moisture captured by the trap body 51 from the trap body 51. In the trap body 51, the suction air inlet 512 and the suction air outlet 513 are formed at the same height position near the top surface of the trap body 51, and the liquid discharge port 514 is formed near the bottom surface of the side surface of the trap body 51 at a position lower than the suction air inlet 512 and the suction air outlet 513. In FIG. 1, a configuration in which the suction air inlet 512 and the suction air outlet 513 are formed on the side surface of the trap body 51 are illustrated, but these openings may be formed on the top surface of the trap body 51. When the cooking tank 2 and the trap 5 are placed side-by-side on the placement surface 1A1 of the cooking device body 1A, the top surface of the trap body 51 is located lower than the lid 22 of the cooking tank 2.

The first vacuum tube 41 is connected to the suction air outlet 513 of the trap body 51. One end of the first vacuum tube 41 is connected to the suction air outlet 513 of the trap 5 via the first vacuum tube connection part 81, and the other end is connected to the vacuum pump 3.

The first vacuum tube connection part 81 connects the first vacuum tube 41 and the trap 5. The first vacuum tube connection part 81 is a one-touch type pipe joint having a male and female fitting structure, consisting of a first trap side fitting part 811 attached to the suction air outlet 513 and a first vacuum tube side fitting part 812 attached to one end of the first vacuum tube 41. In the fitting structure of the first vacuum tube connection part 81, the first trap side fitting part 811 and the first vacuum tube side fitting part 812 may be either male or female, but as an example, the first trap side fitting part 811 is a male fitting part (plug) and the first vacuum tube side fitting part 812 is a female fitting part (socket). In the first vacuum tube connection part 81, the first vacuum tube side fitting part 812 is pushed into the first trap side fitting part 811 to fit both fitting parts. This connects the first vacuum tube 41 to the suction air outlet 513 of the trap 5. On the other hand, with the first vacuum tube side fitting 812 and the first trap side fitting 811 engaged, the engagement between the two fittings is released by pulling the first vacuum tube side fitting 812 in the opposite direction to the direction of the first trap side fitting 811. This releases the connection of the first vacuum tube 41 to the suction air outlet 513 of the trap 5.

The second vacuum pipe 42 is connected to the suction air inlet 512 of the trap body 51. One end of the second vacuum pipe 42 is connected to the suction air inlet 512 of the trap 5 via the second vacuum pipe connection part 82, and the other end is connected to the vacuum connection port 22A formed on the upper surface of the lid part 22 of the cooking tank 2 via the third vacuum pipe connection part 83.

The second vacuum pipe connection part 82 connects the second vacuum pipe 42 and the trap 5. The second vacuum pipe connection part 82 is a one-touch type pipe joint similar to the first vacuum pipe connection part 81, and has a fitting structure consisting of a second trap side fitting part 821 attached to the suction air inlet 512 and a second vacuum pipe side fitting part 822 attached to one end of the second vacuum pipe 42.

Which of the fittings 821, 822 in the second vacuum tube connection section 82 is a male fitting is the same as the first trap side fitting section 811, and the same as the first vacuum tube side fitting section 812. That is, in the second vacuum tube connection section 82, the second trap side fitting section 821 is a male fitting section (plug), and the second vacuum tube side fitting section 822 is a female fitting section (socket). Therefore, the second vacuum tube side fitting section 822 can be fitted with the second trap side fitting section 821, as well as the first trap side fitting section 811.

The third pressure reduction pipe connection part 83 connects the second pressure reduction pipe 42 and the cooking tank 2. The third pressure reduction pipe connection part 83 is a one-touch type pipe joint similar to the first pressure reduction pipe connection part 81, and has a fitting structure composed of a first cooking tank side fitting part 831 attached to the pressure reduction connection port 22A of the lid part 22 of the cooking tank 2, and a third pressure reduction pipe side fitting part 832 attached to the other end of the second pressure reduction pipe 42.

As for which of the fittings 831, 832 in the third vacuum pipe connection part 83 is a male fitting, the gender of the first cooking tank side fitting part 831 is the same as that of the first trap side fitting part 811, and the gender of the third vacuum pipe side fitting part 832 is the same as that of the first vacuum pipe side fitting part 812. That is, in the third vacuum pipe connection part 83, the first cooking tank side fitting part 831 is a male fitting part (plug), and the third vacuum pipe side fitting part 832 is a female fitting part (socket). Therefore, the first vacuum pipe side fitting part 812 attached to the first vacuum pipe 41 connected to the vacuum pump 3 can be fitted with the first trap side fitting part 811, and can also be fitted with the first cooking tank side fitting part 831 attached to the lid part 22 of the cooking tank 2. When the first vacuum pipe side fitting portion 812 and the first cooking tank side fitting portion 831 are fitted together, the cooking tank 2 and the vacuum pump 3 can be directly connected by the first vacuum pipe 41 without the trap 5. Therefore, when cooking in the cooking tank 2 that is unlikely to generate moisture, the first vacuum pipe 41 may be directly connected to the cooking tank 2 without the trap 5. In this case, the first vacuum pipe 41 functions as the vacuum piping 4 that connects the cooking tank 2 and the vacuum pump 3.

The liquid discharge pipe 7 is connected to the liquid discharge port 514 of the trap body 51. The liquid discharge pipe 7 is connected to the trap 5 and is a pipe for discharging liquid such as moisture captured by the trap 5 from the trap 5 to the outside. The liquid discharge pipe 7 is connected to the liquid discharge port 514 of the trap 5 via the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85.

The liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 connects the liquid discharge pipe 7 and the trap 5. The liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 is a one-touch type pipe joint similar to the first vacuum pipe connection part 81, and has a fitting structure consisting of a third trap side fitting part 851 attached to the liquid discharge port 514 and a liquid discharge pipe side fitting part 852 attached to one end of the liquid discharge pipe 7. As described above, since the liquid discharge port 514 is formed at a lower position than the suction air inlet 512 and the suction air outlet 513 in the trap body 51, the height relationship of the connection position to the trap 5 is such that the liquid discharge pipe 7 is lower than the first vacuum pipe 41 and the second vacuum pipe 42 constituting the vacuum pipe 4. This allows the liquid stored at the bottom of the trap body 51 in the trap 5 to be properly discharged through the liquid discharge pipe 7 connected to the liquid discharge port 514 formed at a lower position in the trap body 51.

The gender of each fitting 851, 852 in the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 is different from the gender of each fitting 811, 812 in the first vacuum pipe connection part 81 and the gender of each fitting 821, 822 in the second vacuum pipe connection part 82. Specifically, the gender of the third trap side fitting 851 is different from the gender of the first trap side fitting 811 and the second trap side fitting 821, and the gender of the liquid discharge pipe side fitting 852 is different from the gender of the first vacuum pipe side fitting 812 and the second vacuum pipe side fitting 822. That is, the first trap side fitting 811 and the second trap side fitting 821 are male fittings (plugs), while the third trap side fitting 851 is a female fitting (socket), and the first vacuum tube side fitting 812 and the second vacuum tube side fitting 822 are female fittings (sockets), while the liquid discharge tube side fitting 852 is a male fitting (plug).

In this way, the gender of each fitting 851, 852 in the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 is different from the gender of each fitting 811, 812 in the first vacuum pipe connection part 81 and the gender of each fitting 821, 822 in the second vacuum pipe connection part 82. For this reason, the liquid discharge pipe side fitting 852 attached to the liquid discharge pipe 7 can be fitted with the third trap side fitting 851 with respect to the first trap side fitting 811, the second trap side fitting 821, and the third trap side fitting 851 attached to the trap 5, but cannot be fitted with the first trap side fitting 811 and the second trap side fitting 821. In other words, the first vacuum pipe side fitting 812 attached to the first vacuum pipe 41 is structured so as not to be able to be fitted with the third trap side fitting 851 of the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85. This prevents a user of the cooking appliance 1 from making a mistake when trying to connect the first vacuum pipe 41, the second vacuum pipe 42, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 to the trap 5, for example by connecting the first vacuum pipe 41 to the connection position of the liquid discharge pipe 7. This prevents the liquid stored in the trap 5 from flowing into the vacuum pump 3 when the vacuum pump 3 is operating.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid discharge pipe 7 is provided with a trap side opening/closing mechanism 71. The trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 is provided at the other end of the liquid discharge pipe 7 opposite to the one end connected to the trap 5 via the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85. The trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 is disposed at a position lower than the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 in the liquid discharge pipe 7. In other words, the liquid discharge pipe 7 is arranged so that the other end is lower than the one end connected to the trap 5. Due to such a height difference between one end and the other end of the liquid discharge pipe 7, the liquid stored at the bottom of the trap body 51 in the trap 5 can be properly discharged through the liquid discharge pipe 7.

The trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 is configured to be able to open and close the liquid discharge pipe 7. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 has an openable liquid discharge valve 711 and a drive motor 712 that opens and closes the liquid discharge valve 711. When the drive motor 712 is driven to open the liquid discharge valve 711, the inside of the trap 5 communicates with the outside space through the liquid discharge pipe 7, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 is in an open state, allowing the liquid stored in the trap 5 to be discharged through the liquid discharge pipe 7. On the other hand, when the drive motor 712 is driven to close the liquid discharge valve 711, the communication between the inside of the trap 5 and the outside space through the liquid discharge pipe 7 is cut off, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 is in a closed state. Note that the trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 is not limited to a structure that opens and closes the liquid discharge valve 711 by the drive motor 712, and may be configured by an electromagnetic valve or the like.

As mentioned above, in the cooking appliance 1, a trap 5 is disposed between the cooking tank 2 and the vacuum pump 3 via a vacuum piping 4. This allows the trap 5 to capture moisture and other substances contained in the air sucked from the cooking tank 2 in response to the operation of the vacuum pump 3, thereby preventing the moisture and other substances from entering the vacuum pump 3.

Furthermore, a liquid discharge pipe 7 equipped with a trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 is connected to the trap 5. Therefore, by opening the liquid discharge pipe 7 with the trap side opening/closing mechanism 71, liquid such as moisture captured in the trap 5 can be discharged from the trap 5 through the liquid discharge pipe 7. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of liquid stored in the trap 5 as much as possible, thereby preventing the outflow of liquid from the trap 5 to the first vacuum tube 41 of the vacuum pipe 4 and preventing the intrusion of liquid into the vacuum pump 3 through the first vacuum tube 41. This makes it possible to prevent breakdowns of the vacuum pump 3 caused by the intrusion of liquid.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooking tank 2 is connected to an outside air introduction pipe 6 that is provided separately and independently of the second vacuum pipe 42. The outside air introduction pipe 6 is connected to the cooking tank 2 and is a pipe through which outside air is introduced into the cooking tank 2. One end of the outside air introduction pipe 6 is connected to an outside air connection port 22B formed on the upper surface of the lid 22 of the cooking tank 2 via an outside air introduction pipe connection part 84. Note that, on the upper surface of the lid 22, the outside air connection port 22B is formed separately and independently from the vacuum connection port 22A to which the second vacuum pipe 42 is connected.

The outside air introduction pipe connection part 84 connects the outside air introduction pipe 6 and the cooking tank 2. The outside air introduction pipe connection part 84 is a one-touch type pipe joint similar to the first vacuum pipe connection part 81, and has a fitting structure consisting of a second cooking tank side fitting part 841 attached to the outside air connection port 22B of the lid part 22 of the cooking tank 2 and an outside air introduction pipe side fitting part 842 attached to one end of the outside air introduction pipe 6. As for which of the fitting parts 841, 842 in the outside air introduction pipe connection part 84 is a male fitting part, the sex of the second cooking tank side fitting part 841 is the same as the sex of the first trap side fitting part 811, and the sex of the outside air introduction pipe side fitting part 842 is the same as the sex of the first vacuum pipe side fitting part 812.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outside air introduction pipe 6 is provided with an outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 61. The outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 61 has an outside air introduction valve 611 whose opening degree can be adjusted, and a stepping motor 612 (opening degree adjustment means) that adjusts the opening degree of the outside air introduction valve 611. When the outside air introduction valve 611 is opened by driving the stepping motor 612, the inside of the cooking tank 2 communicates with the outside space via the outside air introduction pipe 6, and the introduction of outside air into the cooking tank 2 is permitted. On the other hand, when the outside air introduction valve 611 is closed by driving the stepping motor 612, communication between the inside of the cooking tank 2 and the outside space via the outside air introduction pipe 6 is blocked.

Furthermore, a pressure sensor PS is connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via a sensor connection pipe 6A. The sensor connection pipe 6A is a pipe that branches off from the outside air introduction pipe 6 in a T-shape and extends in a direction that intersects (is perpendicular to) the outside air introduction pipe 6, and is connected to the internal space of the cooking tank 2 via the outside air introduction pipe 6. The pressure sensor PS is connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A. The pressure sensor PS detects the pressure in the cooking tank 2 that communicates with the outside air introduction pipe 6 and the sensor connection pipe 6A. The pressure sensor PS is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the pressure in the cooking tank 2, but it is preferable that the pressure sensor is waterproof so that pressure detection is not hindered even if moisture penetrates the sensor. The detection result of the pressure sensor PS is input to the controller 9 described below.

When the vacuum pump 3 is operated with the outside air intake valve 611 of the outside air intake side opening/closing mechanism 61 provided on the outside air intake pipe 6 closed, air is sucked in from the cooking tank 2. The air sucked in from the cooking tank 2 flows through the second vacuum pipe 42 toward the first vacuum pipe 41 to which the vacuum pump 3 is connected, but does not flow through the outside air intake pipe 6 provided separately from the second vacuum pipe 42. This prevents moisture and other substances contained in the air sucked in from the cooking tank 2 from entering the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air intake pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A.

On the other hand, when the outside air introduction valve 611 is closed and the operation of the vacuum pump 3 is stopped, it is expected that moisture and the like will enter the outside air introduction pipe 6 connected to the cooking tank 2. In this case, moisture and the like may also accumulate around the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A. However, when the outside air introduction valve 611 is switched from the closed state to the open state, outside air flows through the outside air introduction pipe 6, and the flow of outside air can remove moisture and the like that has accumulated around the pressure sensor PS. This prevents moisture and the like from entering the pressure sensor PS. By operating the vacuum pump 3 after opening the outside air introduction valve 611, moisture and the like that has accumulated around the pressure sensor PS can be efficiently removed.

As described above, the infiltration of moisture and the like into the pressure sensor PS is suppressed, thereby preventing a decrease in the detection accuracy of the pressure sensor PS and failures caused by the infiltration of moisture and the like.

In addition, in the outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 61, the stepping motor 612 adjusts the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611 so as to change the flow rate of outside air introduced into the cooking tank 2 via the outside air introduction pipe 6. In the cooker 1, while cooking ingredients in the cooking tank 2, the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611 can be adjusted by driving the stepping motor 612 while operating the pressure reduction pump 3. This makes it possible to adjust the pressure in the cooking tank 2 to each of multiple target pressures, and also to adjust the rate of change of the pressure in the cooking tank 2.

The controller 9 is a control unit that is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a control program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is used as a working area for the CPU. The detection results of the pressure sensor PS are input to the controller 9. The controller 9 is also connected to a power source SE and a touch panel TP. When the power source SE is turned on, the controller 9 has the CPU execute a control program stored in the ROM to supply power to the touch panel TP, the heater IH, the pressure reducing pump 3, the stepping motor 612 of the outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 61, and the drive motor 712 of the trap side opening/closing mechanism 71, and control their operation. The touch panel TP functions as an input unit that accepts input of various commands by the user of the cooking appliance 1, and also functions as a display unit that displays various information.

The operation of the cooking appliance 1 based on the control of the controller 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 2.

When the power supply SE is turned on (step S1), the controller 9 controls the stepping motor 612 to open the outside air introduction valve 611 (step S2) before operating the pressure reduction pump 3 and the heater IH. As a result, if the power supply SE is shut off while the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 remains reduced to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, turning on the power supply SE causes a flow of outside air in the outside air introduction pipe 6. Therefore, if moisture or the like accumulates around the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A, the moisture or the like can be removed by the flow of outside air flowing through the outside air introduction pipe 6.

In addition, when the power supply SE is turned on, outside air is introduced into the cooking tank 2 through the outside air inlet pipe 6, so that the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 can be made atmospheric pressure even if the power supply SE is shut off while the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 remains reduced to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. This allows the lid 22 of the cooking tank 2 to be opened.

When the power supply SE is turned on, the controller 9 controls the drive motor 712 to open the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S3). As a result, when the power supply SE is turned on before cooking in the cooking tank 2, the liquid discharge pipe 7 is in an open state, and the liquid remaining in the trap 5 can be discharged from the trap 5 through the liquid discharge pipe 7.

In addition, when the power supply SE is turned on, the controller 9 may open the liquid discharge valve 711 if the pressure sensor PS outputs a detection result indicating that the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure after the controller 9 opens the outside air introduction valve 611. Alternatively, the controller 9 may open the liquid discharge valve 711 when a specific time determined in advance by performing an experiment or simulation has elapsed after the controller 9 opens the outside air introduction valve 611. In the above example, the control of opening the liquid discharge valve 711 after opening the outside air introduction valve 611 has been described, but the control is not limited to this. For example, the controller 9 may determine whether the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure based on the detection result of the pressure sensor PS, and open the liquid discharge valve 711 simultaneously with the outside air introduction valve 611 if the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, if the lid 22 of the cooking tank 2 is open, the controller 9 may open the liquid discharge valve 711 and then the outside air intake valve 611.

Next, the controller 9 judges whether a predetermined time has elapsed with the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 open (step S4). The predetermined time can be set based on the liquid discharge time and the outside air introduction time, which are obtained in advance by performing experiments or simulations, for example. The liquid discharge time is the time during which the amount of liquid remaining in the trap 5 after the liquid is discharged from the trap 5 in response to the opening of the liquid discharge valve 711 falls within an allowable range. The outside air introduction time is the time required for the pressure in the cooking tank 2 to reach atmospheric pressure by introducing outside air into the cooking tank 2 in response to the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611. If the liquid discharge time and the outside air introduction time are the same value, that value is set as the predetermined time. On the other hand, if the liquid discharge time and the outside air introduction time are different values, the longer value is set as the predetermined time.

If the predetermined time has elapsed since the outside air intake valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 were opened (YES in step S4), the controller 9 closes the outside air intake valve 611 and closes the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S5).

The controller 9 controls the display of a condition input guidance screen on the touch panel TP, which guides the input of cooking conditions for ingredients in the cooking tank 2. The touch panel TP accepts inputs related to commands for cooking conditions in the cooking tank 2 (step S6). The cooking conditions input to the touch panel TP are input to the controller 9. Commands for cooking conditions input to the touch panel TP include commands for setting the target pressure in the cooking tank 2, the target cooking temperature, the target cooking time, and the like, and commands for selecting a cooking mode. After the cooking conditions are input via the touch panel TP, a command to start cooking is input to the touch panel TP (step S7).

The flowchart in FIG. 2 shows that step S6, in which cooking conditions are input via the touch panel TP, and step S7, in which a cooking start command is input, are performed after step S5, in which the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 are closed. However, the input of cooking conditions and a cooking start command may be received via the touch panel TP before the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 are closed.

Based on the input of a cooking start command via the touch panel TP, the controller 9 operates the pressure reduction pump 3 and the heater IH in accordance with each cooking mode while the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 are closed, and executes cooking control by controlling the outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 61 and the trap side opening/closing mechanism 71 (step S8). Details of the cooking control executed by the controller 9 will be described later.

The controller 9 determines whether cooking under the set cooking conditions has been completed (step S9). If it is determined that cooking under the set cooking conditions has been completed (YES in step S9), the controller 9 stops the operation of the vacuum pump 3 and the heater IH to end cooking in the cooking tank 2 (step S10).

When the operation of the pressure reducing pump 3 and the heater IH is stopped, the controller 9 opens the outside air intake valve 611 (step S11). This allows the flow of outside air through the outside air intake pipe 6 to remove moisture, etc., when moisture, etc., has accumulated around the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air intake pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A.

After cooking in the cooking tank 2 is completed, outside air is introduced into the cooking tank 2 through the outside air inlet pipe 6, so that the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 can be made atmospheric pressure. This allows the lid 22 of the cooking tank 2 to be opened.

After cooking in the cooking tank 2 is completed, the controller 9 opens the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S12). This opens the liquid discharge pipe 7 after cooking in the cooking tank 2 is completed, and the liquid remaining in the trap 5 can be discharged from the trap 5 through the liquid discharge pipe 7.

After cooking in the cooking tank 2 is completed, if the pressure sensor PS outputs a detection result indicating that the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure after the controller 9 opens the outside air introduction valve 611, the controller 9 may open the liquid discharge valve 711. Alternatively, the controller 9 may open the liquid discharge valve 711 when a specific time has elapsed after the controller 9 opens the outside air introduction valve 611 and which is determined in advance by performing experiments or simulations.

Next, the controller 9 determines whether the predetermined time has elapsed with the outside air intake valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 open (step S13).

When the predetermined time has elapsed since the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 were opened (YES in step S13), the controller 9 closes the outside air introduction valve 611 and closes the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S14). When the predetermined time has elapsed, the outside air introduction valve 611 that was opened after cooking is closed, so that insects and the like can be prevented from entering the cooking tank 2 from the outside air introduction pipe 6. Similarly, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the liquid discharge valve 711 that was opened after cooking is closed, so that insects and the like can be prevented from entering the trap 5 or the cooking tank 2 from the liquid discharge pipe 7. This allows the cooking appliance 1 to be kept in a sanitary state.

Next, an example of the cooking control in step S8 executed by the controller 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3.

The cooker 1 allows the selection of three cooking modes: a reduced pressure cooking mode, an impregnation cooking mode, and a manual cooking mode. The reduced pressure cooking mode is a cooking mode in which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 containing ingredients is reduced to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and cooking is performed by heating the ingredients under the reduced pressure. The impregnation cooking mode is a cooking mode in which the cooking conditions include a condition in which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure. Specifically, the impregnation cooking mode includes a reduced pressure cooking process in which cooking is performed in a state in which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 containing ingredients is reduced to a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and an atmosphere opening process in which cooking is performed in a state in which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure, and is a mode in which cooking is performed under conditions in which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 fluctuates between reduced pressure and atmospheric pressure. The manual cooking mode is a cooking mode in which the user of the cooker 1 can change the cooking conditions in the cooking tank 2 to different cooking conditions or manually switch to the next cooking condition during cooking in the cooking tank 2. Here, a case in which the impregnation cooking mode is selected from the three cooking modes will be described.

When cooking conditions are input to the touch panel TP in step S6 and a cooking start command is input to the touch panel TP in step S7, the controller 9 performs cooking control as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The controller 9 starts control to heat the cooking tank 2 by the heater IH when necessary depending on the cooking conditions (step S821). This heating control is a control to heat the food contained in the cooking tank 2 until the temperature of the food reaches the target cooking temperature and maintain that temperature.

Next, the controller 9 starts the operation of the pressure reduction pump 3 (step S822). The controller 9 controls the stepping motor 612 while operating the pressure reduction pump 3 according to the target pressure of the cooking tank 2, and performs control to adjust the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611 (step S823). When the control to adjust the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611 is being performed, outside air flows through the outside air introduction pipe 6, so that if moisture or the like is accumulated around the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A, the flow of outside air can remove the moisture or the like.

After starting the control to adjust the opening degree of the outside air introduction valve 611, the controller 9 determines whether the pressure in the cooking tank 2 has been reduced to the target pressure based on the detection result of the pressure sensor PS (step S824).

If it is determined that the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 has been reduced to the target pressure (YES in step S824), the controller 9 maintains the opening of the outside air introduction valve 611 (step S825) and maintains the operation of the pressure reduction pump 3 (step S826). This maintains the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 at the target pressure, which is the set pressure included in the cooking conditions.

Next, the controller 9 judges whether the set decompression time has elapsed while the cooking tank 2 is maintained at the target pressure (step S827). If it is judged that the set decompression time has elapsed (YES in step S827), the controller 9 stops the operation of the decompression pump 3 based on at least one of the set pressure in the cooking tank 2 included in the cooking conditions and the pressure in the cooking tank 2 indicated by the detection result of the pressure sensor PS, and opens the outside air introduction valve 611 (step S828). That is, the controller 9 stops the operation of the decompression pump 3 while the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is maintained at the target pressure included in the cooking conditions, and opens the outside air introduction valve 611. As a result, the pressure in the cooking tank 2 fluctuates from the target pressure to atmospheric pressure during cooking in the cooking tank 2. In this case, the pressure in the cooking tank 2 fluctuates between reduced pressure and atmospheric pressure during cooking. As a result, when the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is reduced, air is released from the ingredients, causing the ingredients to expand, while when the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is returned to atmospheric pressure, the expanded ingredients contract. This allows seasonings and the like to penetrate into the ingredients. Also, when the outside air introduction valve 611 is opened during cooking in the cooking tank 2, outside air flows through the outside air introduction pipe 6. Therefore, if moisture or the like accumulates around the pressure sensor PS connected to the outside air introduction pipe 6 via the sensor connection pipe 6A, the moisture or the like can be removed by the flow of outside air.

During cooking in the cooking tank 2, when it is assumed that the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure, for example, after the controller 9 stops the operation of the pressure reducing pump 3 and opens the outside air introduction valve 611, or when the target pressure is set to atmospheric pressure or cooking is performed in a cooking mode under atmospheric pressure conditions, the controller 9 opens the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S829). As a result, the liquid discharge pipe 7 is in an open state during cooking in the cooking tank 2, and the liquid stored in the trap 5 can be discharged from the trap 5 through the liquid discharge pipe 7. Since the liquid discharge valve 711 is opened when it is assumed that the pressure in the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric pressure, it is possible to prevent outside air from being introduced into the cooking tank 2 via the liquid discharge pipe 7, the trap 5, and the second pressure reducing pipe 42, and to prevent the liquid in the trap 5 from flowing into the cooking tank 2 along with the flow of the outside air. However, the configuration is not limited to one in which the liquid discharge valve 711 is always opened when the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 becomes atmospheric pressure during cooking in the cooking tank 2. If the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 becomes atmospheric pressure multiple times, the liquid discharge valve 711 may be opened at least once, or this step may be omitted.

Next, the controller 9 determines whether the set open-to-atmosphere time has elapsed with the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 open (step S830). If the set open-to-atmosphere time has elapsed since the outside air introduction valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 were opened (YES in step S830), the controller 9 closes the outside air introduction valve 611 and closes the liquid discharge valve 711 (step S831).

When the outside air intake valve 611 and the liquid discharge valve 711 are closed, the controller 9 determines whether the number of pressure fluctuations during which the pressure in the cooking tank 2 fluctuates between reduced pressure and atmospheric pressure has reached a target number (step S832).

If it is determined that the number of pressure fluctuations has reached the target number (YES in step S832), the controller 9 proceeds to step S9 in FIG. 2, determines that cooking has ended, and performs the processing of each step from step S10 to step S14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of pressure fluctuations has not reached the target number (NO in step S832), the controller 9 repeats the processing of each step from step S822 to step S832 until the target number is reached.

As mentioned above, the trap 5 is at least partially made of a transparent material, and is placed on the placement surface 1A1 of the cooking device body 1A in a position where the engagement pin 1A2 protrudes so that it is aligned side-by-side with the cooking tank 2 placed on the heater IH. Therefore, after cooking in the cooking tank 2 is finished, the user of the cooking device 1 can easily see the liquid accumulation state in the trap 5 from the outside.

If liquid remains in the trap 5 and the trap 5 needs to be cleaned, the user of the cooking appliance 1 can open the trap lid 52 and clean the inside of the trap body 51 through the opening 511.

When removing the trap 5 from the mounting surface 1A1 of the cooking appliance body 1A for cleaning, the user of the cooking appliance 1 releases the engagement of the first vacuum pipe connection part 81, the second vacuum pipe connection part 82, and the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85. This releases the connections of the first vacuum pipe 41, the second vacuum pipe 42, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 to the trap 5.

In addition, the first vacuum pipe side fitting 812 of the first vacuum pipe connection part 81 is structured so that it cannot fit with the third trap side fitting 851 of the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85. This prevents a user of the cooking appliance 1 from making a mistake in connecting the first vacuum pipe 41 to the connection position of the liquid discharge pipe 7 when connecting the first vacuum pipe 41, the second vacuum pipe 42, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 to the trap 5 after cleaning the trap 5.

The cooking appliance 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the following modified embodiments can be adopted, for example.

In the above embodiment, the first vacuum pipe connection part 81, the second vacuum pipe connection part 82, the third vacuum pipe connection part 83, the outside air introduction pipe connection part 84, and the liquid discharge pipe connection part 85 are described as having a fitting structure composed of a male fitting part and a female fitting part, but are not limited to such a fitting structure. For example, each pipe connection part 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 may be of a screw type or may use a magnet.

In addition, the first vacuum pipe 41, the second vacuum pipe 42, and the liquid discharge pipe 7 may be connected to the trap 5 without passing through the respective pipe connections 81, 82, and 85. Similarly, the second vacuum pipe 42 and the outside air introduction pipe 6 may be connected to the cooking tank 2 without passing through the respective pipe connections 83 and 84.

In the above embodiment, the control is described as opening the liquid discharge valve 711 within a predetermined time when the power supply SE is turned on, but this control may be omitted.

Furthermore, while cooking in the cooking tank 2, the control for opening the liquid discharge valve 711 when the pressure inside the cooking tank 2 is atmospheric has been described, but this control may be omitted.

Furthermore, although the control for opening the liquid discharge valve 711 within a predetermined time after cooking in the cooking tank 2 is completed has been described, this control may be omitted.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Cooking appliance 2 Cooking tank 3 Pressure reduction pump 4 Pressure reduction pipe 41 First pressure reduction pipe 42 Second pressure reduction pipe 5 Trap 6 Outside air introduction pipe 61 Outside air introduction side opening/closing mechanism 611 Outside air introduction valve 7 Liquid matter discharge pipe 71 Trap side opening/closing mechanism 81 First pressure reduction pipe connection part 82 Second pressure reduction pipe connection part 83 Third pressure reduction pipe connection part 85 Liquid matter discharge pipe connection part 9 Controller (control part)

Claims (9)

a vacuum pump that draws in air from within a cooking tank that contains food ingredients and generates a suction force for reducing the pressure inside the cooking tank to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure;
A first decompression pipe connected to the decompression pump;
A second vacuum pipe connected to the cooking tank;
a trap to which the first vacuum pipe and the second vacuum pipe are connected, the trap capturing moisture contained in the air sucked from the cooking tank and storing the moisture as a liquid;
a liquid discharge pipe connected to the trap for discharging the liquid stored in the trap from the trap to the outside;
an opening/closing mechanism capable of opening and closing the liquid discharge pipe;
a first vacuum pipe connection portion that connects the first vacuum pipe and the trap;
a third pressure reduction pipe connection portion that connects the second pressure reduction pipe and the cooking tank;
the first vacuum tube connection portion has a male-female fitting structure composed of a first vacuum tube side fitting portion and a trap side fitting portion,
The third vacuum pipe connection portion has a male-female fitting structure composed of a third vacuum pipe side fitting portion and a cooking tank side fitting portion,
the first vacuum pipe side fitting portion has a male and female connector that are the same as the male and female connectors of the third vacuum pipe side fitting portion;
The first vacuum pipe side fitting portion is structured to be able to fit with the trap side fitting portion and is structured to be able to fit with the cooking tank side fitting portion,
The cooker is configured to be able to select a state in which the first vacuum pipe connects the trap and the vacuum pump by fitting the first vacuum pipe side fitting portion to the trap side fitting portion and the second vacuum pipe connects the trap and the cooking tank by fitting the third vacuum pipe side fitting portion to the cooking tank side fitting portion, and a state in which the first vacuum pipe directly connects the cooking tank and the vacuum pump without going through the trap by fitting the first vacuum pipe side fitting portion to the cooking tank side fitting portion. a vacuum pump that draws in air from within a cooking tank that contains food ingredients and generates a suction force for reducing the pressure inside the cooking tank to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure;
A first decompression pipe connected to the decompression pump;
A second vacuum pipe connected to the cooking tank;
a trap to which the first vacuum pipe and the second vacuum pipe are connected, the trap capturing moisture contained in the air sucked from the cooking tank and storing the moisture as a liquid;
a liquid discharge pipe connected to the trap for discharging the liquid stored in the trap from the trap to the outside;
an opening/closing mechanism capable of opening and closing the liquid discharge pipe;
a first vacuum pipe connection portion that connects the first vacuum pipe and the trap;
a second vacuum pipe connection portion that connects the second vacuum pipe and the trap;
a liquid discharge pipe connection portion that connects the liquid discharge pipe and the trap,
the first decompression tube connection portion has a fitting structure constituted by a first decompression tube side fitting portion and a first trap side fitting portion,
the second decompression tube connection portion has a fitting structure constituted by a second decompression tube side fitting portion and a second trap side fitting portion,
the liquid discharge pipe connecting portion has a fitting structure constituted by a liquid discharge pipe side fitting portion and a third trap side fitting portion,
the first vacuum tube side fitting portion is structured to be able to fit with the first trap side fitting portion and also to be able to fit with the second trap side fitting portion, but is structured not to be able to fit with the third trap side fitting portion,
A cooking appliance in which the second vacuum tube side fitting portion is structured to be able to fit with the second trap side fitting portion and to be able to fit with the first trap side fitting portion, but is structured not to be able to fit with the third trap side fitting portion. A control unit is provided to control the pressure reducing pump and the opening and closing mechanism.
3. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when the cooking appliance is powered on, performs control to open the liquid discharge pipe before operating the pressure reducing pump, and then close the liquid discharge pipe. A control unit is provided to control the pressure reducing pump and the opening and closing mechanism.
The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit performs control to open the liquid-material discharge pipe after cooking in the cooking tank is completed, and then close the liquid-material discharge pipe. A piping for introducing outside air into the cooking tank, the outside air introduction piping being provided with an openable and closable outside air introduction valve;
a control unit that controls the pressure reducing pump, the opening/closing mechanism, and the outside air introduction valve,
The cooking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit performs control to open the liquid material discharge pipe after opening the outside air introduction valve. The cooking device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control unit performs control to close the liquid discharge pipe when a predetermined time has elapsed since the liquid discharge pipe was opened. a liquid discharge pipe connection portion that connects the liquid discharge pipe and the trap;
The cooking device according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid discharge pipe connecting portion has a fitting structure composed of a liquid discharge pipe side fitting portion and a trap side fitting portion. a second vacuum pipe connection portion that connects the second vacuum pipe and the trap;
At least one of the first decompression tube connecting portion and the second decompression tube connecting portion has a fitting structure including a decompression tube side fitting portion and a trap side fitting portion,
The cooking device according to claim 7 , wherein the pressure reduction pipe side fitting portion is structured so as not to be able to fit with a trap side fitting portion of the fitting structure of the liquid discharge pipe connection portion. The cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the position where the liquid discharge pipe is connected to the trap is lower than the position where the first pressure reduction pipe is connected to the trap.