HEATING COOKER

The heating cooker includes a heating compartment, an imaging device, a moving mechanism, and a posture changing mechanism. The heating compartment has the panel member surrounding the compartment inner space capable of accommodating a heated object, and heats the heated object using an electromagnetic wave. The imaging device is arranged outside the heating compartment, and images the compartment inner space through the opening portion formed in a part of the panel member. The moving mechanism moves the imaging device between the imaging position and the retracted position. The imaging position is a position facing the opening portion and capable of imaging the compartment inner space through the opening portion. The retracted position is a position retreated from the opening portion as compared with the imaging position. The posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the imaging device according to the position of the imaging device.

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Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-018888 filed on Feb. 7, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a heating cooker.

Description of the Related Art

As a related art, a heating cooker such as a microwave oven that irradiates a heated object (object to be heated) in a heating compartment with an electromagnetic wave (microwave) to heat the heated object is known (see, for example, JP 2019-190771 A). The heating cooker according to the related art includes an imaging device (camera) that images (shoots) the inside of the heating compartment.

The imaging device is disposed on an upper wall of the heating compartment so as to face the inside of the heating compartment, and shoots the inside of the heating compartment through an opening (top plate opening) provided in a top plate portion of the heating compartment. The upper wall of the heating compartment is provided with a wall surface opening, and a wall surface recessed portion formed in a recessed shape is provided upward from a peripheral edge of the wall surface opening. A recessed bottom portion opening which is an opening for shooting is provided at a bottom portion, that is, on the upper side, of the wall surface recessed portion. A side wall of the wall surface recessed portion has a tapered shape that narrows from the heating compartment side toward the wall surface opening side. A substantially flat plate-shaped top plate portion in which an opening (top plate opening) is formed is provided below the upper wall so as to be parallel to the upper wall. A cross-sectional area of an opening surface of the recessed bottom portion opening is smaller than a cross-sectional area of an opening surface of the wall surface opening. As described above, by making an opening portion of the recessed bottom portion opening smaller, it is possible to suppress leakage of an electromagnetic wave from the inside of the heating compartment while securing a wide visual field range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the configuration of the above related art, there is a possibility that the imaging device deteriorates by an electromagnetic wave or the like leaking from the inside of the heating compartment.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heating cooker in which an imaging device is less likely to deteriorate.

A heating cooker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a heating compartment, an imaging device, a moving mechanism, and a posture changing mechanism. The heating compartment has a panel member surrounding a compartment inner space capable of accommodating a heated object and heats the heated object using an electromagnetic wave. The imaging device is disposed outside the heating compartment and images an image of the compartment inner space through an opening portion formed in a part of the panel member. The moving mechanism moves the imaging device between an imaging position and a retracted position. The imaging position is a position facing the opening portion and capable of imaging the compartment inner space through the opening portion. The retracted position is a position retreated from the opening portion as compared with the imaging position. The posture changing mechanism changes a posture of the imaging device according to a position of the imaging device.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide the heating cooker in which the imaging device is less likely to deteriorate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a heating cooker according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from below;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment as viewed obliquely from above;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment when the imaging device is at an imaging position;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment when the imaging device is at a retracted position;

FIG. 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an operation of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an operation of a main part of the heating cooker according to the first embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment below is an example embodying the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

FIRST EMBODIMENT 1. General Outline

First, an outline of a heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment heats, for example, a food, a food product, a beverage, or various other heated objects. The heating cooker 100 irradiates a heated object in a heating compartment 2 with an electromagnetic wave to heat the heated object, like a microwave oven, for example. The heating cooker 100 only needs to have a function of heating a heated object using at least an electromagnetic wave, and may have, for example, a grill function, an oven function of heating with convective heat, and/or a steam function of heating with water vapor.

The “electromagnetic wave” in the present disclosure means a physical phenomenon in which electromagnetic energy propagates in space while vibrating, and includes a radio wave and light. The heating cooker 100 irradiates a heated object in the heating compartment 2 with a microwave that is an electromagnetic wave of 2.45 GHz as an example. By this, an electromagnetic wave (microwave) vibrates a water molecule and the like in a heated object, and temperature of the entire heated object rises.

There are two types of the heating cooker 100 of this type, that is, “flat table type” and “turn table type”. A flat table type heating cooker includes an antenna below a bottom surface of a heating compartment. The antenna efficiently diffuses an electromagnetic wave radiated from a waveguide while rotating the antenna, and irradiates the inside of the heating compartment with the electromagnetic wave to evenly heat a heated object. A turntable type heating cooker includes a turntable in a heating compartment on which a heated object is placed, and irradiates the inside of the heating compartment with an electromagnetic wave from a waveguide while rotating the turntable, thereby uniformly heating the heated object on the turntable. In the present embodiment, as an example, the heating cooker 100 is a flat table type microwave oven.

The heating cooker 100 is, for example, an electric device that operates by receiving power supply from a power system (AC power supply). That is, the heating cooker 100 operates to heat a heated object by irradiating the heated object with an electromagnetic wave by receiving power supply.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the heating cooker 100 is used while being placed on an installation surface X1 including a shelf, a counter, or the like of a house. The heating cooker 100 stands independently on the installation surface X1 while being placed on the installation surface X1. That is, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment is a self-standing and portable device, and the user can install the heating cooker 100 at an optional position on the installation surface X1.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of description, a vertical direction in a state where the heating cooker 100 can be used is defined as an up-down direction D1. Further, a left-right direction D2 is defined with reference to a direction in which the heating cooker 100 is viewed from the front, and a front-rear direction D3 is defined with the front surface side of the heating cooker 100 as the front side and the rear surface side as the rear side. However, these directions are not intended to limit a use direction (direction at the time of use) of the heating cooker 100.

The heating cooker 100 includes the heating compartment 2 capable of accommodating a heated object, and a heating source for heating the heated object. The heating source irradiates a space (compartment inner space Sp1) in the heating compartment 2 with an electromagnetic wave to heat a heated object accommodated in the heating compartment 2.

In the present embodiment, the heating compartment 2 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a box body 21 and a door body 22. The box body 21 is formed in a box shape with one surface (front surface in the present embodiment) opened. The door body 22 is attached to the box body 21 in a state where an opening surface (front surface in the present embodiment) of the box body 21 can be opened and closed.

Here, the door body 22 is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the box body 21 by a support portion (hinge) provided in a lower portion on the front surface side of the box body 21. An upper portion of the door body 22 falls to the front side to be at an open position (see FIG. 1), and stands to the back side to be at a closed position. Furthermore, the door body 22 includes a door window 221 through which the inside of the heating compartment 2 (compartment inner space Sp1) can be visually recognized through the door body 22, and a handle 222 that can be gripped by the user.

The door window 221 includes a double glass structure including an inner glass facing the inside (compartment inner space Sp1) of the door body 22 and an outer glass facing the outside of the door body 22. The door window 221 includes punching metal which is a metal plate (or a metal sheet) having a large number of holes. Provision of the punching metal prevents an electromagnetic wave from leaking out of the heating compartment 2 through the door window 221.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the door body 22 is in an open state (at an open position), the compartment inner space Sp1 in the heating compartment 2 is exposed from the front surface of the box body 21, so that a heated object can be put in and taken out of the heating compartment 2. On the other hand, when the door body 22 is in a closed state (at a closed position), the compartment inner space Sp1 in the heating compartment 2 is in a sealed state, so that a heated object accommodated in the heating compartment 2 can be heated.

Therefore, the user first puts a heated object into the heating compartment 2 with the door body 22 opened, and closes the door body 22. In this state, the heated object in the heating compartment 2 is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave from a heating source so that the heated object is heated. Then, after the heated object is heated, the user opens the door body 22 and takes out the heated object from the heating compartment 2.

Here, the heating compartment 2 includes a panel member 3 surrounding the compartment inner space Sp1. The panel member 3 is a member constituting an inner surface (inner side surface) of the heating compartment 2. An inner surface of the heating compartment 2 includes an upper surface (top surface), a lower surface (bottom surface), a left side surface, a right side surface, a back surface, and a front surface of the compartment inner space Sp1. That is, the panel member 3 is provided at each portion facing the compartment inner space Sp1 of the box body 21 and the door body 22.

In the present embodiment, as an example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the box body 21 includes a first panel 31, a second panel 32, a third panel 33, a fourth panel 34, and a fifth panel 35 as the panel member 3. The first panel 31 constitutes an upper surface (top surface) of the compartment inner space Sp1, and the second panel 32 constitutes a lower surface (bottom surface) of the compartment inner space Sp1. The third panel 33 constitutes a left side surface of the compartment inner space Sp1, the fourth panel 34 constitutes a right side surface of the compartment inner space Sp1, and the fifth panel 35 constitutes a rear surface of the compartment inner space Sp1.

In other words, a space surrounded by the panel member 3 is an inner space of the heating compartment 2 (that is, the compartment inner space Sp1) capable of accommodating a heated object. The panel member 3 is made from metal so as to reflect an electromagnetic wave emitted into the heating compartment 2. That is, the panel member 3 is made from metal, reflects an electromagnetic wave with which the compartment inner space Sp1 is irradiated, and efficiently irradiates a heated object with an electromagnetic wave.

In the present embodiment, as an example, only the box body 21 is provided with the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35 as the panel member 3, and each of the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35 is constituted by a metal plate having a predetermined thickness. However, the panel member 3 may be divided into a plurality of members, and for example, the second panel 32, the third panel 33, the fourth panel 34, and the like may be integrally constituted.

Here, at least the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35 as the panel member 3 are electrically connected to a grounding point electrically connected to, for example, a ground terminal of an outlet with a ground terminal. That is, as the first panel 31 to the fifth panel 35 are grounded, a shielding effect against an electromagnetic wave (here, microwave) is enhanced. Therefore, an electromagnetic wave is shielded by the panel member 3, and hardly leaks to the outside of the heating compartment 2 (to the outside of the compartment inner space Sp1).

Further, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a power supply unit, an operation unit, a controller, and the like. Furthermore, the heating cooker 100 further includes various sensors such as a weight sensor and a temperature sensor.

The operation unit is arranged on a front surface of the door body 22, for example. The operation unit includes a plurality of buttons, dials, and the like that can be pressed and operated by the user. The operation unit receives, for example, start and stop of heating of a heated object, setting operation of heating intensity, heating time, and heating mode, and the like.

The controller is electrically connected to a heating source, a power supply unit, an operation unit, and the like. The controller mainly includes a computer system including one or more processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) and one or more memories such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), and executes various types of processing (information processing). The controller controls each unit of the heating cooker 100 according to operation of the operation unit.

The heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment further includes an imaging device 4 that images the compartment inner space Sp1. The imaging device 4 is a camera including an imaging element (photoelectric conversion element) such as a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The imaging device 4 including a camera includes an optical system such as a lens in addition to an imaging element, and outputs an image of the compartment inner space Sp1 as needed.

In the present embodiment, the imaging device 4 is connected to the controller, and an image captured by the imaging device 4 is input to the controller regularly or irregularly. The controller performs appropriate image processing on an image of the inside of the heating compartment 2 (compartment inner space Sp1) to monitor a state of the inside of the heating compartment 2 to be used for favorable control of each part of the heating cooker 100.

As an example, the controller estimates what a heated object accommodated in the heating compartment 2 is, or in what state (presence or absence of a lid) the heated object is accommodated based on an image acquired from the imaging device 4, and automatically sets heating intensity, heating time, a heating mode, and the like. Further, the controller may use an image acquired from the imaging device 4 to detect whether a heated object is put into or taken out of the heating compartment 2, detect dirt in the heating compartment 2 (or on the door window 221), and monitor other parts (including the outside of the heating compartment 2).

The imaging device 4 is attached to the panel member 3 surrounding the compartment inner space Sp1 such that the compartment inner space Sp1 is included in a field of view. In the present embodiment, in particular, the imaging device 4 is attached obliquely downward to the first panel 31 constituting the upper surface (top surface) of the compartment inner space Sp1 of the panel member 3 at an “imaging position” described later. By this, the imaging device 4 can image the compartment inner space Sp1 as looking down from obliquely above.

2. Detailed Configuration Around Imaging Device

Next, a more detailed configuration around the imaging device 4 (camera) in the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10.

In FIGS. 2 to 9, only members around the imaging device 4 such as the first panel 31 to which the imaging device 4 is attached, the imaging device 4, and a camera holding unit 50 are illustrated, and illustration of other members is appropriately omitted. Furthermore, in FIGS. 4 to 7 and 9, only the peripheral portion of the imaging device 4 is cut out and illustrated for the first panel 31.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment further includes, as the panel member 3, a sixth panel 36 constituting a part of the front surface of the compartment inner space Sp1. The sixth panel 36 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in a front view, and an opening surface thereof can be opened and closed by the door body 22. The sixth panel 36 is combined with the first panel 31 so as to butt against the front end of the first panel 31 from the front. In FIG. 2, the lower portion of the sixth panel 36 is not illustrated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment includes the camera holding unit 50 and the like. The camera holding unit 50 is a unit (device) that holds the imaging device 4. By fixing the camera holding unit 50 to the panel member 3, the imaging device 4 is indirectly attached to the panel member 3 via the camera holding unit 50. Therefore, at the “imaging position”, the imaging device 4 can image the compartment inner space Sp1 surrounded by the panel member 3 as looking down from obliquely above.

The camera holding unit 50 is disposed at a position facing a central portion of the front end of the first panel 31 in the left-right direction D2. Specifically, the first panel 31 is formed by bending a metal plate, and has inclined portions 311 and 312 inclined so as to be lower toward both end sides in the front-rear direction D3 at both ends in the front-rear direction D3.

The camera holding unit 50 can hold the imaging device 4 at a position facing the inclined portion 311 on the front side of the first panel 31. More specifically, an opening portion 310 (see FIG. 4) is formed at the center of the inclined portion 311 of the first panel 31 in the left-right direction D2. The opening portion 310 is a through hole penetrating (the inclined portion 311 of) the first panel 31 in a thickness direction. Here, as an example, the opening portion 310 is opened in a circular shape. The camera holding unit 50 is disposed above the first panel 31, that is, outside the heating compartment 2, and holds the imaging device 4 at a position corresponding to the opening portion 310.

Furthermore, the imaging device 4 is disposed in a posture in which the optical axis of the optical system is inclined downward (obliquely downward) from the horizontal direction such that the optical axis of the optical system passes through substantially the center of the opening portion 310 at the “imaging position” illustrated in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, as an example, the inclined portion 311 is inclined rearward by 45 degrees. Therefore, even in the imaging device 4 at the “imaging position”, the optical axis of the optical system is disposed in a posture inclined backward by 45 degrees with respect to the vertical direction.

The imaging device 4 disposed outside the heating compartment 2 (above the first panel 31) can thus image the inside of the heating compartment 2 (compartment inner space Sp1) through the opening portion 310 at the “imaging position”. That is, when at the “imaging position”, the imaging device 4 can image the compartment inner space Sp1 in an overhead view from diagonally front and above.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera holding unit 50 includes a moving mechanism 6 and a posture changing mechanism 7.

The moving mechanism 6 is a mechanism that moves the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position. The imaging position is a position facing the opening portion 310, and is a position where the compartment inner space Sp1 can be imaged through opening portion 310. The retracted position is a position retreated (moved away) from the opening portion 310 as compared with the imaging position. That is, the moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 outside the heating compartment 2 such that the imaging device 4 moves closer to or away from the opening portion 310.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the imaging position is a lower end of a range where the moving mechanism 6 can move outside the heating compartment 2 (above the first panel 31). On the other hand, the retracted position is an upper end of a range where the moving mechanism 6 can move outside the heating compartment 2 (above the first panel 31). As a result, the moving mechanism 6 can change the distance from the opening portion 310 to the imaging device 4 by moving the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position along the up-down direction D1. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position, and FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the imaging device 4 is at the retracted position.

The posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 according to the position of the imaging device 4. The “posture” in the present disclosure includes the orientation of the imaging device 4. The posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 at least when the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position and when the imaging device 4 is at the retracted position. Here, the posture of the imaging device 4 when the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position is referred to as an “imaging posture”, and the posture of the imaging device 4 when the imaging device 4 is at the retracted position is referred to as a “retracted posture”.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the imaging posture is a posture in which the optical axis of the optical system of the imaging device 4 is inclined downward (obliquely downward) from the horizontal direction such that the optical axis of the optical system passes through substantially the center of the opening portion 310. On the other hand, the retracted posture is a posture in which the optical axis of the optical system of the imaging device 4 faces vertically downward (directly below). As a result, the posture changing mechanism 7 can change the imaging posture and the retracted posture by causing the imaging device 4 to swing in the up-down direction D1. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the imaging device 4 is in the imaging posture, and FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the imaging device 4 is in the retracted posture.

The posture changing mechanism 7 operates in conjunction with the moving mechanism 6. That is, when the moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 with the movement. Therefore, when the moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 from the imaging position to the retracted position, the posture of the imaging device 4 changes from the imaging posture to the retracted posture by the posture changing mechanism 7. Similarly, when the moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 from the retracted position to the imaging position, the posture of the imaging device 4 changes from the retracted posture to the imaging posture by the posture changing mechanism 7. As described above, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 according to the position of the imaging device 4 moved by the moving mechanism 6.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera holding unit 50 further includes a storage cover 51, a support frame 52, a camera holder 53, and a positioning portion 54. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the storage cover 51 is indicated by an imaginary line (two-dot chain line).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage cover 51 is disposed outside the heating compartment 2 (above the first panel 31). The storage cover 51 is formed in a substantially box shape, and forms a space for storing the imaging device 4 at the retracted position at least on the opposite side (upper side) to the first panel 31. The storage cover 51 is fixed to the panel member 3 by a fastener such as a screw. In the present embodiment, the front surface and the upper surface of the storage cover 51 are open, and for example, the storage cover 51 is fixed to the sixth panel 36 of the panel member 3 such that the front surface is closed by the sixth panel 36.

The inner dimension of the storage cover 51 in the front-rear direction D3 is set in accordance with the dimension of the camera holder 53 in the front-rear direction D3 when the imaging device 4 is at the retracted posture. Therefore, in the state of being stored in the storage cover 51, the imaging device 4 inevitably takes the retracted posture. A penetrating portion 511 (see FIG. 5) penetrating along the up-down direction D1 is formed on a lower surface of the storage cover 51. The penetrating portion 511 is set to have a dimension in the front-rear direction D3 such that the imaging device 4 can pass together with the camera holder 53 when in the retracted posture while the imaging device 4 cannot pass together with the camera holder 53 when in the imaging posture.

The storage cover 51 further includes a guide piece 512 (see FIG. 5) extending obliquely downward and rearward from the rear edge of the penetrating portion 511 on the lower surface. The guide piece 512 guides the imaging device 4 to change the posture of the imaging device 4 from the imaging posture to the retracted posture when the imaging device 4 is introduced into the penetrating portion 511 from below.

The support frame 52 is a member that supports the moving mechanism 6 and the posture changing mechanism 7. The support frame 52 is formed in a rectangular frame shape having a length in the up-down direction D1, and has an opening penetrating in the front-rear direction D3. The support frame 52 is fixed to the storage cover 51 by a fastener such as a screw while penetrating the lower surface of the storage cover 51. Thus, the support frame 52 is fixed to the panel member 3 (sixth panel 36) via the storage cover 51.

The camera holder 53 is a member that holds the imaging device 4. In the present embodiment, the camera holder 53 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and holds the imaging device 4 inserted into the camera holder 53 from the outside (upper side) of the heating compartment 2. The imaging device 4 is fixed to the camera holder 53 by a fastener such as a screw.

The positioning portion 54 is positioned outside (above) the heating compartment 2 with respect to the first panel 31. Here, as an example, the positioning portion 54 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that is half (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The positioning portion 54 is fixed to a peripheral portion of the opening portion 310 in the first panel 31 by a fastener such as a screw.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the storage cover 51 and the support frame 52 are made of metal, and the camera holder 53 and the positioning portion 54 are made of resin (resin molded article).

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera holding unit 50 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the moving mechanism 6 includes a pinion gear 61, a rack gear 62, a drive unit 63, and a shaft 64. The moving mechanism 6 moves the camera holder 53 along the up-down direction D1 together with a slider 71 to be described later, thereby moving the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position.

The pinion gear 61 is fixed to an output shaft of the drive unit 63, and is rotationally driven by the drive unit 63. The rack gear 62 is fixed to the slider 71 and is driven linearly along the up-down direction D1 by the drive unit 63.

The pinion gear 61 and the rack gear 62 are combined so as to mesh with each other, and transmit the power of the drive unit 63 to the imaging device 4. In the present embodiment, the pinion gear 61 and the rack gear 62 convert the rotational force of the drive unit 63 into power for linear movement along the up-down direction D1 and transmit the power to the imaging device 4.

The drive unit 63 is a device that generates power for moving the imaging device 4. The drive unit 63 is supported by the support frame 52. The drive unit 63 is controlled by an electric signal from the controller to move the imaging device 4 to the imaging position or the retracted position via the pinion gear 61 and the rack gear 62. In the present embodiment, as an example, the drive unit 63 is an electric motor such as a stepping motor that can rotate at least bidirectionally. The drive unit 63 may be, for example, a geared motor, a linear motor, or another actuator.

The shaft 64 is a member that has a length in the up-down direction D1 and guides the movement of the imaging device 4. When the slider 71 is attached, the shaft 64 supports the imaging device 4 held by the camera holder 53 so as to be linearly movable along the up-down direction D1 together with the slider 71. In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 6 includes a pair of shafts 64 arranged in the left-right direction D2, and the slider 71 is attached across the pair of shafts 64.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the posture changing mechanism 7 includes a slider 71, a support shaft 72, a regulation pin 73, a regulation hole 74, and an elastic member 75. The posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 between the imaging posture and the retracted posture by rotating the camera holder 53 about the rotation axis Ax1 (see FIG. 4) with respect to the slider 71.

The slider 71 is a member that rotatably supports the camera holder 53 holding the imaging device 4. Further, since the rack gear 62 is fixed, the slider 71 receives power from the drive unit 63 and moves straight along the up-down direction D1 while being supported by the shaft 64.

The support shaft 72 has a length in the left-right direction D2 and is held by the camera holder 53. The support shaft 72 is located on the side opposite to the lens (optical system) of the imaging device 4 in the camera holder 53. Both ends of the support shaft 72 protruding to both sides in the left-right direction D2 of the camera holder 53 are inserted into the shaft hole 76 of the slider 71, so that the camera holder 53 is rotatably supported with respect to the slider 71.

Here, the rotation axis Ax1 is a virtual axis passing through the axis of the support shaft 72. As a result, the imaging device 4 held by the camera holder 53 is rotatable with respect to the slider 71 around the rotation axis Ax1 extending in the left-right direction D2. However, the rotation axis Ax1 is not limited to the virtual axis, and may be a rotation axis with a substance.

The regulation pin 73 protrudes from at least one side surface (right side surface in the present embodiment) in the left-right direction D2 of the camera holder 53. The regulation hole 74 is a long hole formed in the slider 71 and has a length in an arc shape centered on the rotation axis Ax1. By inserting the regulation pin 73 into the regulation hole 74, a rotation range of the camera holder 53 (imaging device 4) with respect to the slider 71 is regulated. In the present embodiment, since the posture changing mechanism 7 performs a rotational operation of approximately 45 degrees between the imaging posture and the retracted posture, the central angle of the arc of the regulation hole 74 is set to approximately 45 degrees.

The elastic member 75 biases the imaging device 4 toward the posture of the imaging device 4 when the imaging device 4 is at at least one of the imaging position and the retracted position. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 75 biases the imaging device 4 toward the posture (imaging posture) of the imaging device 4 at the imaging position between the imaging position and the retracted position. As an example, the elastic member 75 is a torsion spring mounted around the support shaft 72.

With the above-described configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position, and accordingly, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 between the imaging posture and the retracted posture. FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a state when the imaging device 4 moves between the imaging position and the retracted position, including the intermediate position. The intermediate position is a position at an intermediate between the imaging position and the retracted position.

That is, when the imaging device 4 is moved from the imaging position to the retracted position, the moving mechanism 6 drives the pinion gear 61 and the rack gear 62 by the drive unit 63 to linearly move the slider 71 to which the rack gear 62 is fixed upward. At this time, the imaging device 4 moves straight upward together with the camera holder 53 held by the slider 71.

Further, when the slider 71 moves upward, the camera holder 53 holding the imaging device 4 is introduced into the storage cover 51 through the penetrating portion 511 of the storage cover 51 as illustrated in FIG. 9. At this time, when the camera holder 53 comes into contact with the guide piece 512, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 from the imaging posture to the retracted posture while resisting the elasticity of the elastic member 75.

Similarly, when the imaging device 4 is moved from the retracted position to the imaging position, the moving mechanism 6 drives the pinion gear 61 and the rack gear 62 by the drive unit 63 to linearly move the slider 71 to which the rack gear 62 is fixed downward. At this time, the imaging device 4 moves straight downward together with the camera holder 53 held by the slider 71.

Further, when the slider 71 moves downward, the camera holder 53 holding the imaging device 4 is discharged to the outside of the storage cover 51 through the penetrating portion 511 of the storage cover 51 as illustrated in FIG. 9. At this time, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 from the retracted posture to the imaging posture by the elasticity of the elastic member 75.

Furthermore, in a state where the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position, the camera holder 53 biased by the elastic member 75 is pressed against the positioning portion 54 fixed to the panel member 3 (first panel 31) from below. As a result, the relative position of the imaging device 4 with respect to the opening portion 310 of the panel member 3 (first panel 31) can be accurately determined. Furthermore, it is also possible to suppress vibration of the imaging device 4 while adopting the movable imaging device 4.

In the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment, movement of the imaging device 4 is controlled in conjunction with irradiation of an electromagnetic wave in the heating compartment 2. That is, the controller controls the drive unit 63 in conjunction with the electromagnetic wave irradiation operation in the heating compartment 2 to open and close the imaging device 4 in accordance with the electromagnetic wave irradiation state in the heating compartment 2.

Specifically, during at least an irradiation period during which the heated object is irradiated with the electromagnetic wave, the imaging device 4 is in the retracted position. In short, in the compartment inner space Sp1 inside the heating compartment 2, the imaging device 4 is in the retracted position during the period (irradiation period) in which the electromagnetic wave is emitted, so that the imaging device 4 can be prevented from deteriorating due to the electromagnetic wave or the like leaking from the interior of the heating compartment 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, during the non-irradiation period during which the heated object is not irradiated with the electromagnetic wave, the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position. That is, while the heated object is being irradiated with the electromagnetic wave, the imaging device 4 is in the retracted position, but when the irradiation with the electromagnetic wave is finished, the controller controls the drive unit 63 to move the imaging device 4 to the imaging position. Therefore, in the compartment inner space Sp1 inside the heating compartment 2, the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position during the period (non-irradiation period) during which no electromagnetic wave is emitted, whereby the imaging device 4 can image the compartment inner space Sp1. In addition, at this time, since irradiation with an electromagnetic wave is not performed in the inside of the heating compartment 2, deterioration of the imaging device 4 due to an electromagnetic wave can be avoided.

In short, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment includes the heating compartment 2, the imaging device 4, the moving mechanism 6, and the posture changing mechanism 7. The heating compartment 2 has the panel member 3 surrounding the compartment inner space Sp1 capable of accommodating a heated object, and heats the heated object using an electromagnetic wave. The imaging device 4 is arranged outside the heating compartment 2, and images the compartment inner space Sp1 through the opening portion 310 formed in a part of the panel member 3. The moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position. The imaging position is a position facing the opening portion 310 and capable of imaging the compartment inner space Sp1 through the opening portion 310. The retracted position is a position retreated (retracted) from the opening portion 310 as compared with the imaging position. The posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 according to the position of the imaging device 4.

That is, in the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment, when the imaging device 4 is not used, the electromagnetic wave is less likely to reach the imaging device 4 by retracting the imaging device 4 to the retracted position and setting the posture of the imaging device 4 to the retracted posture. Therefore, the heating cooker 100 according to the present embodiment has an advantage that the imaging device 4 can be protected from an electromagnetic wave, and the imaging device 4 is less likely to deteriorate.

In addition, the imaging position and the retracted position are separated by a predetermined distance. The moving mechanism 6 moves the imaging device 4 between the imaging position and the retracted position through a predetermined path. The posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 depending on the position of the imaging device 4 on a predetermined path. In the present embodiment, the imaging device 4 is moved through a predetermined path set along the shaft 64, and the posture of the imaging device 4 changes depending on the position of the imaging device 4 (slider 71). As a result, the moving mechanism 6 and the posture changing mechanism 7 can be interlocked, and for example, a drive source of the posture changing mechanism 7 becomes unnecessary.

Here, the predetermined path is a linear path. Therefore, the moving mechanism 6 can move the imaging device 4 using a simple mechanism such as a rack and pinion.

The posture changing mechanism 7 includes the elastic member 75. The elastic member 75 biases the imaging device 4 toward the posture of the imaging device 4 when the imaging device 4 is at at least one of the imaging position and the retracted position. In the present embodiment, the elastic member 75 biases the imaging device 4 toward the posture (imaging posture) of the imaging device 4 at the imaging position between the imaging position and the retracted position. This eliminates the need for a drive source for the posture changing mechanism 7.

The heating cooker 100 further includes the positioning portion 54 that is fixed to the panel member 3 and positions the imaging device 4 at the imaging position. As a result, the relative position of the imaging device 4 with respect to the opening portion 310 of the panel member 3 (first panel 31) can be accurately determined. Furthermore, it is also possible to suppress vibration of the imaging device 4 while adopting the movable imaging device 4.

In addition, the moving mechanism 6 includes a regulation portion between the imaging position and the retracted position, the regulation portion regulating the passage of the imaging device in the posture when being at the imaging position. In the present embodiment, the penetrating portion 511 of the storage cover 51 is an example of the regulation portion. Accordingly, when passing through the regulation portion, the posture of the imaging device 4 is forcibly changed from the imaging posture to the retracted posture.

In addition, the posture changing mechanism 7 changes the posture of the imaging device 4 by rotating the imaging device 4 around the rotation axis Ax1 located on the side opposite to the lens of the imaging device 4. As a result, when the imaging device 4 rotates around the rotation axis Ax1, the field of view (angle of view) of the imaging device 4 can be greatly changed.

3. Modified Examples

Hereinafter, modified examples of the first embodiment will be listed. The modified examples described below can be appropriately combined and applied.

The opening portion 310 only needs to be disposed at any position of the panel member 3, and may be provided, for example, in a rear end of the first panel 31, or may be provided in the second panel 32, the third panel 33, the fourth panel 34, or the fifth panel 35. Furthermore, in a case where the imaging device 4 is arranged on the door body 22, the opening portion 310 may be provided in a panel member constituting an inner surface of the door body 22.

Furthermore, the various components such as the camera holder 53 and the positioning portion 54 are not limited to being made of resin, and for example, at least a part thereof may be made of metal or the like. The members such as the storage cover 51 and the support frame 52 are not limited to being made of metal, and for example, at least a part thereof may be made of resin (resin molded article).

The heating cooker 100 may further include a shutter that is movable between a closed position where the opening portion 310 is closed and an open position where the opening portion 310 is opened. For example, the shutter is interlocked with the moving mechanism 6, and is at the open position when the imaging device 4 is at the imaging position, and is at the closed position when the imaging device 4 is at the retracted position.

Here, the shutter is preferably electrically connected to the panel member 3 at least when in the closed position. That is, the shutter has conductivity, and is electrically connected to the panel member 3 (here, the first panel 31) at least when in the closed position. As described above, as the shutter at the closed position is electrically connected to the panel member 3, the shutter has the same potential as the panel member 3, and shielding performance of the shutter against an electromagnetic wave (microwave) is improved. Therefore, in the heating cooker 100, the shutter more reliably prevents the electromagnetic wave from leaking out of the heating compartment 2 through the opening portion 310, and the electromagnetic wave is less likely to reach the imaging device 4.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES OF INVENTION

Hereinafter, an outline of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment will be additionally described. Note that each configuration and each processing function described in supplementary notes below can be selected and optionally combined.

Supplementary Note 1

A heating cooker including:

a heating compartment that has a panel member surrounding a compartment inner space capable of accommodating a heated object and configured to heat the heated object using an electromagnetic wave;

an imaging device that is disposed outside the heating compartment and configured to image the compartment inner space through an opening portion formed in a part of the panel member;

a moving mechanism configured to move the imaging device between an imaging position that is a position facing the opening portion and capable of imaging the compartment inner space through the opening portion, and a retracted position retreated from the opening portion with respect to the imaging position; and

a posture changing mechanism configured to change a posture of the imaging device according to a position of the imaging device.

Supplementary Note 2

The heating cooker according to Supplementary Note 1, in which

the imaging position and the retracted position are separated by a predetermined distance,

the moving mechanism moves the imaging device between the imaging position and the retracted position through a predetermined path, and

the posture changing mechanism changes a posture of the imaging device depending on a position of the imaging device on the predetermined path.

Supplementary Note 3

The heating cooker according to Supplementary Note 2, in which

the predetermined path is a linear path.

Supplementary Note 4

The heating cooker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, in which

the posture changing mechanism includes an elastic member configured to bias the imaging device toward a posture of the imaging device when the imaging device is at at least one of the imaging position and the retracted position.

Supplementary Note 5

The heating cooker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, further including

a positioning portion that is fixed to the panel member and configured to position the imaging device at the imaging position.

Supplementary Note 6

The heating cooker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, in which

the moving mechanism includes a regulation portion between the imaging position and the retracted position to regulate passage of the imaging device in a posture when the imaging device is at the imaging position.

Supplementary Note 7

The heating cooker according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, in which

the posture changing mechanism changes a posture of the imaging device by rotating the imaging device about a rotation axis located on a side opposite to a lens of the imaging device.

Claims

1. A heating cooker including:

a heating compartment that has a panel member surrounding a compartment inner space capable of accommodating a heated object and configured to heat the heated object using an electromagnetic wave;
an imaging device that is disposed outside the heating compartment and configured to image the compartment inner space through an opening portion formed in a part of the panel member;
a moving mechanism configured to move the imaging device between an imaging position that is a position facing the opening portion and capable of imaging the compartment inner space through the opening portion, and a retracted position retreated from the opening portion with respect to the imaging position; and
a posture changing mechanism configured to change a posture of the imaging device according to a position of the imaging device.

2. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the imaging position and the retracted position are separated by a predetermined distance, the moving mechanism moves the imaging device between the imaging position and the retracted position through a predetermined path, and the posture changing mechanism changes a posture of the imaging device depending on a position of the imaging device on the predetermined path.

3. The heating cooker according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined path is a linear path.

4. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the posture changing mechanism includes an elastic member configured to bias the imaging device toward a posture of the imaging device when the imaging device is at at least one of the imaging position and the retracted position.

5. The heating cooker according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning portion that is fixed to the panel member and configured to position the imaging device at the imaging position.

6. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism includes a regulation portion between the imaging position and the retracted position to regulate passage of the imaging device in a posture when the imaging device is at the imaging position.

7. The heating cooker according to claim 1, wherein the posture changing mechanism changes a posture of the imaging device by rotating the imaging device about a rotation axis located on a side opposite to a lens of the imaging device.

Patent History
Publication number: 20260235293
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2025
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2026
Inventors: Tomohiro KITAURA (Sakai City), Mariko Yachi (Sakai City), Shigenori Morimoto (Sakai City)
Application Number: 19/411,717
Classifications
International Classification: F24C 7/08 (20060101); F24C 7/02 (20060101); F24C 15/02 (20060101);