JPH07107451B2 - Meat probe - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a heating device for a microwave oven or the like, which automatically controls the completion of food by a sensor.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a food is heated by using a heating device, the finished state of the food is judged by recognizing the temperature of the food and cooking is performed.

Conventionally, as a method for detecting such a temperature, a meat probe having a thermistor at the tip of a metal rod is used, and the meat probe is pierced into the food to check the internal temperature of the food (Fig. 4-a), or an infrared sensor. There is a method (Fig. 4-b) for checking the temperature of the surface of the food by using the above method.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in order to successfully heat the food, it is necessary to know both the temperature of the surface of the food and the temperature inside, and the probe type or infrared detecting type sensor as described above was used. In this case, only the temperature of either the surface or the inside of the food can be detected, and if both sensors are used, the detection method and attachment means are completely different, resulting in cost up and inconvenience.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides a meat probe with two thermistors with a simple structure, and performs the same operation as a general meat probe so that both the inside and the surface of the food can be treated. An object of the present invention is to provide a heating device for more optimal food heating by detecting the temperature and recognizing the finished state.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the heating device of the present invention is such that, on the same meat probe, the first thermistor is conventionally used for food inside the tip of the metal rod of the meat probe. A food surface sensor unit is provided by enclosing a second thermistor in a slide metal slidably fitted on the metal rod, and extends from this sensor unit to a conduit connection portion at the base of the metal rod. The electrical connection lead has elasticity so that the sensor portion can be biased toward the tip of the metal rod.

Action The heating device of the present invention, by pushing the meat probe into food, the first sensor inside the tip of the metal rod measures the internal temperature of the food, and the slide metal part in which the second sensor is incorporated. Since it does not stick to food and is pushed back on the metal rod, the surface temperature can be measured in contact with the surface of food, and the finished state of cooking can be confirmed.

Further, since this slide metal portion moves with the metal rod as a guide and does not separate from the metal rod, the operability is very good.

Example A heating apparatus according to an example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view and a cross section of a meat probe which is the center of the heating device of the present invention.

In the external view of FIG. 1 (a), (1) is a ring-shaped metal body and is a surface temperature sensor section having a thermistor (6) inside, and this surface temperature sensor section (1) is another sensor. (7) is fitted on the outer periphery of the internal temperature sensor (2) composed of a metal rod built in the tip, and since this metal rod serves as a guide, it can move only in its axial direction. Therefore, when a material having a certain degree of elasticity is used as the lead portion (3) for extracting a signal from the surface temperature sensor portion (1), this material biases the sensor portion (1) toward the probe tip. Acts as a weak spring. Further, (4) fixes the base of the metal rod (2) at the flange part (4a) at the tip, and the electrode terminal part (5) at which the rear end (4b) serves as a connection part to the control part outside the heating chamber. The flexible conduit portion has the signal lines from the two sensor portions.

As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 1 (b), the thermistor (7) at the tip is provided inside the metal rod of the internal temperature sensor part (2).
From the thermistor (6) in the surface temperature sensor section (1) to the ground side line (10) and the surface side. Two signal conductors consisting of the temperature signal line (9) run inside the lead portion (3), and the two earth lines (10) are connected by the collar portion (4). As a result, the extension portion of the signal conductor becomes three pieces of the internal temperature signal line (8), the surface temperature signal line (9) and the ground side line (10), and the three insulated terminals of the electrode terminal portion (5). It is connected to (5a), (5b) and (5c). That is, the internal temperature signal line (8) is connected to the terminal (5a), the surface temperature signal line (9) is connected to the terminal (5c), and the ground side line (10).
Is connected to terminal (5b).

The length of the lead portion (3) is made shorter than the length of the metal rod (2) so that the surface temperature sensor portion (1) does not come off.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the heating device of the present invention. In the figure, (11) is a heating chamber, and the rear end (4b) of the probe conduit portion (4) is attached to the side wall thereof. In use, the probe (13) located in the heating chamber (11) has its metal rod (2) part inserted into the food (12) inside the heating chamber (11). Terminal part (5) indicated at the rear end (4b) of the conduit
Three signal lines are taken out from the terminal, and the ground side line of the terminal part (5b) is the microcomputer (14).
Connected to the A / D conversion reference potential V _{AD +} terminal of the internal temperature signal line extraction part (5a) is connected to the microcomputer (14).
, Which is connected to one AD2 of the A / D input terminal, and the surface temperature signal line extraction part (5c) is the other A / D input terminal A
The resistance change of the two thermistors connected to D1 is built in the probe (13), and the temperature change is recognized by the micro computer (14). Based on this information, a heating control signal is output from the RY terminal of the microcomputer (14) to the heating controller (15) to control the power supply of the heating source (16) mounted in the heating chamber (11).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the operability and characteristics of the above-mentioned probe.

When the metal rod (2) of the probe (13) is inserted into the food (12), the tip of the metal rod (2) containing the internal temperature detecting thermistor reaches the center of the food. At this time, the other annular metal body (1) containing the thermistor for detecting the surface temperature is locked on the food surface and cannot enter the inside. In addition, since the lead portion (3) has a slight elasticity, the middle portion bends so as to project laterally, and at the same time, the repulsive force accumulated by the bending pushes down the metal body (1) and the food (12).
It acts so as to be in close contact with the surface of.

In this way, both the internal temperature and the surface sound of the food (12) can be easily detected and input by the same operation as that of the conventional meat probe, and the finishing condition of cooking can be adjusted. Further, if the same thermistor is used as in this embodiment, it is advantageous in terms of material cost and in terms of capture control, and also in terms of manufacturing. Further, since the length of the lead portion (3) is slightly shorter than that of the metal rod of (2), the annular metal body (1) is not disengaged from the metal rod (2), which is advantageous in terms of usability.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION As described above, the heating device of the present invention takes in the temperature of the inside and the surface of the food at the same time when heating the food, and can cook while recognizing the finished state of the food, so that the finished product is extremely good.

Since the thermistors that compose the two sensor units that recognize the surface temperature and the internal temperature can use the same standard,
When manufacturing a meat probe, it is very useful for quality improvement, yield improvement, cost reduction, and further improvement of workability.

Further, by using the thermistor, the input control circuit is simple, and it is very advantageous in terms of cost and manufacturing.

Further, since it can be used by the same operation as the conventional meat probe in terms of operation, it is easy and convenient in terms of usability.

In this connection, the meat probe can be attached to and detached from the heating chamber, and since the two sensor portions are formed on one meat probe, it is advantageous in storage and damage prevention when not in use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a side view showing the appearance of a meat probe of a heating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 (b) is a sectional view thereof, FIG. 2 is its control configuration diagram, and FIG. FIG. 4 (a) is a schematic view showing the configuration of a conventional meat probe for a heating device, and FIG. 4 (b) is a schematic view showing a conventional infrared detection sensor. (1) …… Surface temperature sensor section (2) …… Internal temperature sensor section (3) …… Lead section (5) …… Electrode terminal section (6) …… Surface temperature thermistor (7) …… Internal temperature thermistor ( 11) …… Heating chamber (13) …… Meat probe (14) …… Microcomputer (16) …… Heating source

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first means for detecting an internal temperature of food in a tip portion of a flexible conduit having a rear end attached to a wall of a heating chamber of a heating device, the metal rod protruding from the tip. And a second sensor part for detecting the surface temperature of food is enclosed in a slide metal slidably fitted on the metal rod, and the second sensor part A meat probe, wherein a lead for electrical connection extending to a conduit connection portion at the base of the metal rod has elasticity capable of urging the slide metal toward the tip of the metal rod. 2. A flexible conduit comprising: a signal line extending from a first sensor part through the metal rod to reach a conduit connection part; and a signal line from the second sensor part by the connecting lead. The meat probe according to claim (1), wherein the meat probe is guided through the inside to a connection terminal to the outside of the heating chamber at the rear end of the conduit. 3. A lead part for taking out an electric signal from the second sensor part is shorter than a metal rod containing the first sensor part so that the slide metal is fitted to the metal rod. The meat probe according to claim (1), in which the second sensor portion contacts the surface of the food when the metal rod of the probe is inserted into the food while maintaining the above. 4. The meat probe according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sensor parts are thermistors of the same standard.