Pin No.
Signal
77
COM2
OUT
78
COM1
OUT
79
COM0
OUT
80
VL3
(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.
ventilation opening for sensing
(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 varies by minute, it is amplified by the operational
amplifier.
Operational
C
R1
amplifier
Output
voltage
+
R2
S
S : Thermistor
open vessel
R3
C : Thermistor
closed vessel
(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
I/O
Common data signal.
Common data signal.
Common data signal.
IN
Power source voltage input terminal.
Standard voltage for LCD.
ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY SENSOR CIRCUIT
Thermistors
Sensing part
Sensing part
(Open vessel)
(Closed vessel)
Absolute humidity vs,
output voltage characteristic
Absolute humidity (g/m )
Description
Connected to LCD signal COM3.
Connected to LCD signal COM2.
Connected to LCD signal COM1.
then the detector circuit starts to function and the LSI
observes the initial voltage available at its AN1 terminal.
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 R98 ~ R102 of IC2.
Changing the resistance values results in that there is
the same potential at both F-3 terminal of the absolute
humidity sensor and AN0 terminal of the LSI. The voltage
of AN1 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 AN1 terminal of the
LSI.
Then the LSI observes that voltage at AN1 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 AN1
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
R98
R99
R100
R101
R102
C. Thermistor in
closed vessel
S. Thermistor in
open vessel
F-1
C
R96
2
F-3
3.57k
S
R91
R92
3.32k
F-2
1.8k
VA : -15V
17
620k
11
P57
300k
12
P56
150k
13
P55
75k
17
P51
37.4k
15
P53
R97
10
AN0
47k
+
R94
R95
9
IC2
AN1
10k
47k
R93
360k
D90
VA : -15V
VC : -5V
R-1514
SW1
SW2
SW3
SW4
SW5
LSI
(IC1)