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(1) Structure of Humidity Sensor
The 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 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
ο
ο
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 varied every
minute, it is amplified by the operational amplifier.
R3
Operational
S
R1
amplifier
Output
voltage
+
C
R2
S : Thermistor
open vessel
C : Thermistor
closed vessel
(3) Detector Circuit of 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.
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 R45 ~ R49. Changing
HUMIDITY SENSOR CIRCUIT
Thermistors
Sensing part
Sensing part
(Open vessel)
(Closed vessel)
Absolute humidity vs,
output voltage characteristic
Absolute humidity (g/m )
the resistance values results in that there is the same
potential at both F-3 terminal of the absolute humidity
sensor and AN6 terminal of the LSI. The voltage of AN7
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 of the bridge circuit is deviated to increase the
voltage available at AN6 terminal of the LSI.
Then the LSI observes that voltage at AN7 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 AN7
terminal 16 seconds after the unit has been put in the
Sensor Cooking mode, if it is not possible to balance
the bridge circuit due to disconnection of the absolute
humidity sensor, ERROR will appear on the display and
the cooking is stopped.
VA : +15V
C. Thermistor in
closed vessel
S. Thermistor in
F2
open vessel
F3
F1
R43 1.8K
R51 47K
R45 620K
R46 300K
R47 150K
R48 75K
R49 37.4K
2
23
VC : +5V
D40
D41
86
3
8
+
39
1
IC5
AN5
-
R50 10K
R52 47K
2
4
LSI
(IC1)
R44 360K
38
AN6
SW1
36
P70
SW2
35
51
P01
P71
SW3
34
P72
SW4
33
P73
SW5
32
P74
SMD2470AHA
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