29
R-930CS
(1) Structure of Absolute Humidity Sensor
The absolute humidity sensor includes two thermistors
as shown in the illustration. One thermistor is housed in
the closed vessel filled with dry air while another in the
open vessel. Each sensor is provided with the protective
cover made of metal mesh to be protected from the
external airflow.
(2) Operational Principle of Absolute Humidity Sensor
The figure below shows the basic structure of an absolute
humidity sensor. A bridge circuit is formed by two
thermistors and two resistors (R1 and R2).
The output of the bridge circuit is to be amplified by the
operational amplifier.
Each thermistor is supplied with a current to keep it
heated at about 150˚C (302˚F), the resultant heat is
dissipated in the air and if the two thermistors are placed
in different humidity conditions they show different degrees
of heat conductivity leading to a potential difference
between them causing an output voltage from the bridge
circuit, the intensity of which is increased as the absolute
humidity of the air increases. Since the output is very
minute, it is amplified by the operational amplifier.
(3) Detector Circuit of Absolute Humidity Sensor Circuit
This detector circuit is used to detect the output voltage
of the absolute humidity circuit to allow the LSI to control
sensor cooking of the unit. When the unit is set in the
sensor cooking mode, 16 seconds clearing cycle occurs
than the detector circuit starts to function and the LSI
observes the initial voltage available at its AN6 terminal.
ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY SENSOR CIRCUIT
With this voltage given, the switches SW1 to SW5 in the
LSI are turned on in such a way as to change the
resistance values in parallel with R50-1. Changing the
resistance values results in that there is the same potential
at both F-3 terminal of the absolute humidity sensor and
AN7 terminal of the LSI. The voltage of AN6 terminal will
indicate about -2.5V. This initial balancing is set up about
16 seconds after the unit is put in the Sensor Cooking
mode. As the sensor cooking proceeds, the food is
heated to generate moisture by which the resistance
balance the bridge circuit is deviated to increase the
voltage available at AN6 terminal of the LSI.
Then the LSI observes that voltage at AN6 terminal and
compares it with its initial value, and when the comparison
rate reaches the preset value (fixed for each menu to be
cooked), the LSI causes the unit to stop sensor cooking;
thereafter, the unit goes in the next operation
automatically.
When the LSI starts to detect the initial voltage at AN6
terminal 16 seconds after the unit has been put in the
Sensor Cooking mode, if it is not possible to balance, of
the bridge circuit due to disconnection of the absolute
humidity sensor, ERROR will appear on the display and
the cooking is stopped.
1) Absolute humidity sensor circuit
C
S
R3
R1
R2
+
-
Operational
amplifier
Output
voltage
S : Thermistor
open vessel
C : Thermistor
closed vessel
2
Absolute humidity (g/m )
Output voltage
Absolute humidity vs,
output voltage characteristic
SW2
SW1
SW3
SW4
SW5
P30
P31
P32
P33
P34
LSI
(IC1)
AN7
AN6
620k
300k
150k
75k
37.4k
4
64
5
63
6
7
8
62
61
60
3
5
2
6
47k
47k
10k
0.01µF
0.015µF
0.01µF
360k
+
-
1
12
VA : -15V
VA : -15V
R51
9
S
F-2
10
1.8k
F-1
F-3
C
11
3.57k
3.32k
VC : -5V
0.1
µF
C. Thermistor in
closed vesssl
S. Thermistor in
open vessel
IC2(IZA495DR)
Ventilation
openings
View of sensor case removed
Sensing part
(Open vessel)
Sensing part
(Closed vessel)
Sensing part
(Open vessel)
Sensing part
(Closed vessel)
Cross section view
Sensor
case
Thermistor
element
Thermistor
element
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