Steam generating device and steam household appliance

Abstract

The utility model provides a steam generating device and a steam household appliance, the steam generating device comprises a water tank assembly, the water tank assembly is provided with a steam cavity, a water supplementing cavity and a mounting groove, the mounting groove is arranged on the bottom wall of the water supplementing cavity, the bottom wall of the steam cavity is lower than the bottom wall of the water supplementing cavity, and the steam cavity is communicated with the water supplementing cavity through the mounting groove; the heating piece is arranged below the steam cavity; the water control valve is detachably assembled in the mounting groove, and the water control valve comprises a float valve structure used for controlling connection and disconnection between the steam cavity and the water supplementing cavity. According to the steam generation device, the water control valve can be detached from the mounting groove, so that a user can conveniently clean the water control valve, the use safety and the operation reliability of the steam generation device are guaranteed, the water control valve is remounted to the mounting groove after cleaning is completed, the mounting process is simple and convenient, and the attractiveness of the overall structure of the steam generation device can be guaranteed; and the structure of the water control valve is visual, so that a user can sense the use condition of the water control valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of small household appliances, in particular to a steam generating device and a steam household appliance. Background Art

[0002] Some household appliances, such as electric steamers that use steam to cook food, usually heat water in a water tank through a heating element at the bottom of the pot to generate steam, and then use the steam to heat the ingredients in the steamer to achieve the purpose of cooking food.

[0003] In this process, how to increase the steam output speed has always been the optimization direction of the steam generating device. To achieve rapid steam output, there are usually two directions: one is to increase the power of the heating element, and the other is to reduce the amount of heated water. The power of the heating element cannot usually be increased infinitely, so how to reduce the amount of heated water and automatically replenish water has become the research direction in this field.

[0004] At present, water control is mainly carried out by using the buoyancy of water level changes to push the seal of the water control device to open or close the water supply hole. When the water level in the steam generator reaches the preset water level, the seal closes the water supply hole, and when the water level in the steam generator is lower than the preset water level, the seal opens the water supply hole to achieve the effect of automatic water supply during cooking. However, when the steam generating device works for a long time, a lot of scale will be produced to block the water supply hole, or scale will be deposited inside the water control device and the part of the steam generating device blocked by the water control device, making it difficult to clean. Or when the steam generating device is used in cooking utensils such as electric steamers and steam ovens, after working for a long time, food oil stains, impurities, etc. will also block the water supply hole, or deposit inside the water control device and the part of the steam generating device blocked by the water control device, making it difficult to clean. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a steam generating device and a steam household appliance to address the above problems, so as to prevent impurities such as scale from clogging the water supply hole.

[0006] The utility model first provides a steam generating device, comprising: a water tank assembly, the water tank assembly having a steam chamber, a water replenishing chamber and a mounting groove, the mounting groove being arranged on the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber, the mounting groove and the bottom wall of the steam chamber being lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber, the steam chamber and the water replenishing chamber being connected through the mounting groove; a heating element, arranged below the steam chamber; and a water control valve, detachably assembled on the mounting groove, the water control valve comprising a float valve structure for controlling the on-off between the steam chamber and the water replenishing chamber.

[0007] In the above-mentioned steam generating device, when scale or impurities such as oil stains accumulate in the installation groove after the steam generating device has been used for a long time, the water control valve can be removed from the installation groove to facilitate the user to clean the water control valve, the installation groove, and the parts of the steam chamber and the water replenishing chamber covered by the water control valve, so as to avoid scale, oil stains and other impurities clogging the installation groove or the water control valve, resulting in the water in the water replenishing chamber being unable to flow into the steam chamber, causing dry burning in the steam chamber, etc., thereby ensuring the safety of use and operational reliability of the steam generating device; after cleaning, the water control valve is reinstalled to the installation groove, the installation process is simple and convenient, and the aesthetics of the overall structure of the steam generating device can also be ensured; and the structure of the water control valve is visualized, so that the user can perceive the use of the water control valve.

[0008] In one embodiment, the steam chamber is disposed in the water replenishment chamber, and a vertex of a side wall of the steam chamber is higher than a bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber.

[0009] This arrangement can reduce the overall volume of the steam chamber and the water replenishing chamber, prevent the water in the water replenishing chamber from flowing into the steam chamber through the side wall of the steam chamber, and ensure that the steam generated in the steam chamber can be discharged upward from the steam generating device.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the steam chamber is arranged outside the water replenishing chamber, and a water flow channel is also provided between the mounting groove and the steam chamber.

[0011] In this way, the water replenishing chamber and the steam chamber are separately arranged, so that it is more convenient for the user to clean the steam chamber and also convenient for the user to add water to the water replenishing chamber.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, a projection of the water control valve on the horizontal plane partially overlaps with a projection of the heating element on the horizontal plane.

[0013] With such an arrangement, the heating element can directly heat all water flowing out of the water control valve, thereby improving the efficiency of heating and boiling the water in the steam chamber.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the projection of the steam chamber on the horizontal plane is a circle with a depression, and the projection of the water control valve on the horizontal plane is at least partially located in the depression of the circle.

[0015] Such an arrangement can shorten the distance between the water control valve and the steam chamber while making the structures of the steam chamber and the water control valve regular, thereby improving the aesthetics.

[0016] In one of the embodiments, the projection of the water control valve on the horizontal plane is located outside the projection of the steam chamber on the horizontal plane; a water flow channel is also provided in the water tank assembly, and the water flow channel connects the installation groove and the steam chamber.

[0017] With such arrangement, there is no portion of the bottom wall of the steam chamber blocked by the water control valve, thereby making it convenient for the user to clean the steam chamber.

[0018] In one embodiment, the projection of the steam chamber on the horizontal plane is circular, and / or the projection of the water control valve on the horizontal plane is circular.

[0019] With such arrangement, the circular steam chamber and the water control valve can be easily produced and assembled without any angle restriction.

[0020] In one of the embodiments, the projections of the water control valve and the steam chamber on the horizontal plane have an intersection, or the projections of the water control valve and the steam chamber on the horizontal plane have an overlapping edge.

[0021] With such arrangement, water flowing out of the water control valve can flow into the steam chamber through the intersection or the overlapping edges, so as to shorten the distance between the water control valve and the steam chamber and improve the water replenishment efficiency.

[0022] In one embodiment, a limiting portion is provided on the side wall of the water control valve and / or the mounting groove, so that the water control valve can be plugged in the mounting groove; or an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the mounting groove, and an external thread matching the internal thread is provided on the water control valve; or a magnetic part or a magnetized part is provided on the water control valve, and the other of the two is provided on the wall of the mounting groove.

[0023] Such an arrangement can facilitate the user to install the water control valve, and can also ensure the stability of the water control valve in the installation groove, so as to ensure the reliability of water control.

[0024] In one embodiment, the water control valve includes a valve body and a float. The valve body is detachably mounted on the mounting groove. A water outlet is provided on the valve body. The water outlet is connected to the water replenishment chamber and the steam chamber. The float is installed below the water outlet and can float relative to the valve body to open and close the water outlet.

[0025] With such arrangement, the water control valve has a simple structure and low production and use costs.

[0026] In one embodiment, the valve body is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and a partition is provided on the inner wall near its upper port, the water outlet is provided on the partition, the float is installed in the valve body and is located below the partition, and an air vent is also provided on the side wall of the valve body, the air vent is located below the water outlet and is connected to the steam chamber.

[0027] With such a configuration, the cylindrical valve body can limit and guide the float, so that the float can only rise and fall in the space surrounded by the valve body and the partition, and will not float to other positions in the steam chamber; the air vent can balance the air pressure difference inside and outside the valve body cavity, ensuring that the water in the water replenishment chamber can flow into the steam chamber.

[0028] In one embodiment, the air vent is a waist-shaped hole, and the axis of the long axis of the waist-shaped hole is arranged parallel to the axis of the valve body.

[0029] With this arrangement, bubbles are more easily broken in the waist-shaped hole, and the size of the waist-shaped hole along the axial direction of the valve body is larger. Even if the water level in the steam chamber covers part of the waist-shaped hole, the cavity of the cylinder cover can be ventilated through the part of the waist-shaped hole that is not covered.

[0030] In one embodiment, the water control valve also includes a valve cover and a handle. The valve cover is arranged at the top end of the valve body. A water inlet is opened on the side wall of the valve cover. The water inlet is connected to the water replenishment chamber and the water outlet respectively. The handle is arranged on the top surface of the valve cover.

[0031] With such arrangement, the handle can facilitate the user to install or disassemble the water control valve, and the operation is convenient.

[0032] An embodiment of the utility model further provides a steam household appliance, comprising the steam generating device as described above, wherein the steam household appliance is an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, or a steam cleaning machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the steam household appliance provided in the utility model;

[0034] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a steam generating device, wherein the water control valve is in an open state;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a steam generating device, wherein the water control valve is in a closed state;

[0036] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Installation diagram of central control water valve;

[0037] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the central control water valve;

[0038] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of

[0039] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Explosion diagram of

[0040] Figure 8 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the steam generating device in a top view;

[0041] Fig. 9 for Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the steam generating device in a top view;

[0042] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Schematic cross-sectional view of .

[0043] : 100, steam generating device; 10, water tank assembly; 11, steam chamber; 12, water replenishing chamber; 121, mounting groove; 122, step portion; 13, water flow channel; 20, heating element; 30, water control valve; 31, valve cover; 311, water inlet; 32, valve body; 321, water replenishing channel; 322, partition; 323, water outlet; 324, air vent; 325, limit portion; 33, float; 331, float body; 332, guide column; 333, inclined surface; 34, first sealing member; 35, second sealing member; 36, handle; 37, limit member; 200, base assembly; 300, steamer assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0045] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "mounted on" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may be a central component. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may be a central component at the same time. When a component is considered to be "fixed to" another component, it may be directly fixed on the other component or there may be a central component at the same time.

[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0047] Some household appliances, such as electric steamers that use steam to cook food, usually heat the water in the water tank through the heating element at the bottom of the pot to generate steam, and then use the steam to heat the ingredients in the steamer to achieve the purpose of cooking food. In this process, how to increase the steam output speed has always been the optimization direction of the steam generating device. To achieve rapid steam output, there are usually two directions, one is to increase the power of the heating element, and the other is to reduce the amount of heated water. The power of the heating element usually cannot be increased indefinitely, so how to reduce the amount of heated water and automatically replenish water has become the research direction in this field.

[0048] At present, water control is mainly carried out by using the buoyancy of water level changes to push the seal to open or close the water supply hole in the steam generator. When the water level in the steam generator reaches the preset water level, the seal closes the water supply hole, and when the water level in the steam generator is lower than the preset water level, the seal opens the water supply hole to achieve the effect of automatic water supply during cooking. However, when the steam generating device works for a long time, a lot of scale will be generated to block the water supply hole, or scale will be deposited inside the water control device and the part of the steam generating device blocked by the water control device, making it difficult to clean. Or when the steam generating device is used in cooking utensils such as electric steamers and steam ovens, after working for a long time, food oil stains, impurities, etc. will also block the water supply hole, or deposit inside the water control device and the part of the steam generating device blocked by the water control device, making it difficult to clean.

[0049] In order to solve the above problems, Figures 1 to 10 As shown, the present application first provides a steam generating device, which can prevent impurities such as scale from clogging the water supply hole.

[0050] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, specifically, the steam generating device 100 includes a water tank assembly 10, a heating element 20 and a water control valve 30, wherein: the water tank assembly 10 has a steam chamber 11, a water replenishing chamber 12 and a mounting groove 121, the mounting groove 121 is opened on the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber 12, the mounting groove 121 and the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 are lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber 12, and the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishing chamber 12 are connected through the mounting groove 121; the heating element 20 is arranged below the steam chamber 11, and is used to heat the water in the steam chamber 11; the water control valve 30 is detachably assembled on the mounting groove 121, and the water control valve 30 includes a float valve structure for controlling the on-off between the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishing chamber 12.

[0051] The heating element 20 heats the water in the steam chamber 11, causing the water in the steam chamber 11 to evaporate, and the water level in the steam chamber 11 will continue to drop. When the water level in the steam chamber 11 drops to a lower water level, the water control valve 30 opens to connect the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12, and the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water control valve 30 under the action of its own gravity; the water level in the steam chamber 11 gradually rises. When the water level in the steam chamber 11 rises to a higher water level, the water control valve 30 is closed to disconnect the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12, and the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 cannot flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water control valve 30, and the cycle continues.

[0052] In the steam generating device 100 provided by the utility model, the water control valve 30 is detachably assembled in the mounting groove 121. When scale or impurities such as oil stains accumulate in the mounting groove 121 after the steam generating device 100 is used for a long time, the water control valve 30 can be removed from the mounting groove 121 to facilitate the user to clean the water control valve 30, the mounting groove 121, and the parts of the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishing chamber 12 covered by the water control valve 30, so as to avoid scale, oil stains and other impurities clogging the mounting groove 121 or the water control valve 30, so that the water in the water replenishing chamber 12 cannot flow into the steam chamber 11, causing dry burning and other phenomena in the steam chamber 11, thereby ensuring the safety of use and the reliability of operation of the steam generating device 100. After cleaning, the water control valve 30 is reinstalled to the installation groove 121. The sizes of the installation groove 121 and the water control valve 30 can be made relatively large, the installation process is simple and convenient, and the aesthetics of the overall structure of the steam generating device 100 can be ensured; and because the installation groove 121 is opened on the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12, and the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 is lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12, the structure of the water control valve 30 is visualized, so that the user can perceive the use of the water control valve 30, so as to judge whether the water control valve 30 needs to be cleaned or replaced.

[0053] Furthermore, since the heating element 20 only heats the water in the steam chamber 11 when working, and does not affect the water in the water replenishing chamber 12, the water in the water replenishing chamber 12 will not evaporate, and the space in the steam chamber 11 is small and the amount of water is relatively small, so that the water in the steam chamber 11 can quickly heat up and boil to generate steam, thereby improving cooking efficiency.

[0054] like Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 8As shown, in one embodiment, the steam chamber 11 is disposed in the water replenishment chamber 12, and the apex of the side wall of the steam chamber 11 is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12. Looking from the top down, the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 and the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12 at least partially overlap, so as to reduce the overall volume of the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12, thereby reducing the volume of the steam generating device 100. In addition, the apex of the side wall of the steam chamber 11 is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12, so as to prevent the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 from flowing into the steam chamber 11 through the side wall of the steam chamber 11, and at the same time, to ensure that the steam generated in the steam chamber 11 can be discharged upward from the steam generating device 100 without being blocked by the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12.

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane partially overlaps with the projection of the heating element 20 on the horizontal plane. Looking from top to bottom, the water control valve 30 partially overlaps with the heating element 20, and the heating element 20 can directly heat all the water flowing out of the water control valve 30, thereby further improving the efficiency of heating and boiling the water in the steam chamber 11.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane is a circular shape with a depression, and the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane is at least partially located in the circular depression. This arrangement can shorten the distance between the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11 while making the structures of the steam chamber 11 and the water control valve 30 regular, thereby improving the aesthetics.

[0057] like Figure 8 As shown, in another embodiment, the projections of the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane have an intersection, or the projections of the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane have a section of overlapping edges. Water flowing out of the water control valve 30 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the intersection or the overlapping edge, so as to shorten the distance between the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11 and improve the water replenishment efficiency.

[0058] like Figures 9 and 10 As shown, in one embodiment, the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane is located outside the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane; a water flow channel 13 is also provided in the water tank assembly 10, and the water flow channel 13 connects the mounting groove 121 and the steam chamber 11. Looking from top to bottom, there is no overlap between the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 and the water control valve 30, that is, there is no part of the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 blocked by the water control valve 30, so that it is convenient for users to clean the steam chamber 11. After the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 enters the water control valve 30 under the action of its own gravity, it flows into the steam chamber 11 through the water flow channel 13.

[0059] like Figures 8 to 9As shown, the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane is circular, and the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane is circular. The circular steam chamber 11 and the water control valve 30 can be easily produced and assembled without angle restrictions. Of course, the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane and the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane can also be other regular or irregular shapes such as rectangles and triangles, and the embodiment of the utility model does not make specific restrictions here.

[0060] Of course, in other embodiments, the steam chamber 11 can also be arranged outside the water replenishment chamber 12, and a water flow channel 13 is further arranged between the mounting groove 121 and the steam chamber 11. That is, the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane is located outside the projection of the water replenishment chamber 12 on the horizontal plane, and the water flow channel 13 connects the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11. The water replenishment chamber 12 and the steam chamber 11 are arranged separately, so that it is more convenient for the user to clean the steam chamber 11, and it is also convenient for the user to add water to the water replenishment chamber 12. After the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 enters the water control valve 30 under the action of its own gravity, it flows into the steam chamber 11 through the water flow channel 13. Among them, the projection of the water control valve 30 on the horizontal plane is located outside the projection of the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane, and the projections of the water control valve 30 and the steam chamber 11 on the horizontal plane can be arranged at intervals, or there can be an intersection or a section of overlapping edges.

[0061] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the water control valve 30 includes a valve body 32 and a float 33. The valve body 32 is detachably mounted on the mounting groove 121. The valve body 32 is provided with a water outlet 323, which is connected to the water replenishment chamber 12 and the steam chamber 11. The float 33 is installed below the water outlet 323, and the float 33 is arranged to float relative to the valve body 32 to open and close the water outlet 323. The structure of the water control valve 30 is simple, and the opening and closing of the water control valve 30 is controlled by the liquid level b in the steam chamber 11, the buoyancy of the float 33 and its own gravity. No additional driving components are required, and the production and use costs are low.

[0062] In addition, the water control valve 30 further includes a first sealing member 34, which is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall of the valve body 32 and is used for sealing connection with the wall of the installation groove 121. In the assembled state, the first sealing member 34 can ensure the sealing between the outer peripheral wall of the valve body 32 and the wall of the installation groove 121, and prevent the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 from flowing into the steam chamber 11 through the gap between the outer peripheral wall of the valve body 32 and the wall of the installation groove 121, causing the water level b in the steam chamber 11 to rise and prolong the time for the water to heat up and boil. Among them, the first sealing member 34 is preferably an O-ring, and can be a rubber member or a silicone member, with low production and manufacturing costs and good sealing effect.

[0063] like Figures 5 to 7As shown, the water control valve 30 also includes a valve cover 31 and a handle 36. The valve cover 31 is arranged at the top of the valve body 32. The side wall of the valve cover 31 is provided with a water inlet 311, which is connected to the water replenishment chamber 12 and the water outlet 323 respectively. The handle 36 is arranged on the top surface of the valve cover 31. The valve cover 31 and the valve body 32 are surrounded by a water replenishment channel 321 connected to the water outlet 323. The water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can enter the water replenishment chamber 12 through the water inlet 311, the water replenishment channel 321 and the water outlet 323 in sequence. The valve cover 31 is arranged above the water outlet 323 to prevent foreign dust and other impurities from falling into the water outlet 323 and causing blockage, and ensure that when the water outlet 323 is open, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water outlet 323 normally to avoid dry burning. The handle 36 can facilitate the user to install or disassemble the water control valve 30, and the operation is convenient. The valve cover 31 and the valve body 32 are detachably connected, so as to facilitate cleaning of impurities such as scale and oil stains inside the water control valve 30 after disassembly.

[0064] Alternatively, the water replenishment channel 321 may also be separately opened on the valve body 32 , and the water inlet 311 may also be formed by the valve cover 31 and the valve body 32 .

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, when there is no water in the steam chamber 11 or the water level b is low, the float 33 opens the water outlet 323. At this time, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water inlet 311, the water replenishment channel 321, and the water outlet 323 in sequence, so that the water level b in the steam chamber 11 gradually rises and the water level a in the water replenishment chamber 12 gradually decreases. Figure 3 As shown, during the rising process of the water level b in the steam chamber 11, the float 33 will gradually rise relative to the valve body 32 under the action of buoyancy, and when the float 33 rises to the position of closing the water outlet 323, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 stops flowing into the steam chamber 11. When the water in the steam chamber 11 is gradually heated and evaporated, the water level b in the steam chamber 11 gradually decreases, and the float 33 will also gradually decrease relative to the valve body 32 under the action of its own gravity, and open the water outlet 323, and the cycle continues.

[0066] like Figure 6As shown, the water control valve 30 further includes a second sealing member 35, which is arranged on the valve body 32 or the float 33, so as to seal and connect the water outlet 323 with the float 33 when the float 33 closes the water outlet 323. When the float 33 rises relative to the valve body 32 to close the water outlet 323, the float 33 can press the second sealing member 35 with the lower surface of the valve body 32 to ensure the sealing between the float 33 and the valve body 32, and prevent the water in the water replenishment channel 321 from flowing into the steam chamber 11 through the gap between the float 33 and the valve body 32, causing the water level b in the steam chamber 11 to rise and prolong the time for the water to heat up and boil. Among them, the second sealing member 35 is preferably an O-ring, and can be a rubber member or a silicone member, with low production and manufacturing costs and good sealing effect.

[0067] like Figure 5 to Figure 6 As shown, the valve body 32 is hollow and cylindrical, and a partition 322 is provided on the inner side wall near the upper port thereof, the water outlet 323 is provided on the partition 322, and the float 33 is installed in the valve body 32 and is located below the partition 322. The cylindrical valve body 32 can limit and guide the float 33, so that the float 33 can only rise and fall in the space surrounded by the valve body 32 and the partition 322, and will not float to other positions in the steam chamber 11. In addition, since a large number of bubbles will be generated when the water in the steam chamber 11 boils and generates steam, the bubbles will roll and burst on the water surface, causing the water surface to fluctuate, so the valve body 32 can also improve the stability of the float 33, and prevent the float 33 from swinging or tilting due to the fluctuation of the water surface, thereby affecting the water outlet or sealing effect of the water outlet 323.

[0068] like Figure 6 to Figure 7 As shown, the float 33 includes a float body 331 and a guide column 332 disposed on the float body 331, and the guide column 332 passes through the water outlet 323 and has a gap between the guide column 332 and the water outlet 323. The second sealing member 35 can be sleeved on one end of the guide column 332 close to the float body 331, or can be disposed on the wall of the valve body 32 facing the float 33 and located at the outer edge of the water outlet 323. The guide column 332 cooperates with the water outlet 323 to limit the range of movement of the float 33, so that the float 33 can only rise and fall along the axis d of the water control valve 30, improve the stability of the float 33, and ensure that the float 33 can accurately cooperate with the lower surface of the valve body 32 to press the second sealing member 35 every time it rises, thereby sealing the water outlet 323.

[0069] like Figure 6 to Figure 7As shown, since the guide post 332 passes through the water outlet 323 and there is a gap between the guide post 332 and the water outlet 323, that is, the cross-sectional area of ​​the guide post 332 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the water outlet 323. In order to prevent the guide post 332 from completely slipping out of the water outlet 323 when the float 33 descends relative to the valve body 32, the water control valve 30 also includes a limiter 37, which is arranged at one end of the guide post 332 away from the float body 331, and the maximum length of the limiter 37 is greater than the maximum length of any two points on the wall of the water outlet 323. When the float 33 descends relative to the valve body 32 until the limiter 37 abuts against the upper surface of the valve body 32, the float 33 cannot continue to descend, thereby limiting the travel of the float 33 and preventing the float 33 from slipping out of the water outlet 323.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper 37 is configured as an annular structure and is sleeved on the outer periphery of the end of the guide column 332 away from the float body 331. The stopper 37 is detachably connected to the guide column 332, so that the user can clean the water control valve 30 after disassembly. When the cross-section of the water outlet 323 is circular, the outer diameter of the stopper 37 is greater than the inner diameter of the water outlet 323. Of course, in other embodiments, the stopper 37 can also be integrally convexly provided on the outer wall of the end of the guide column 332 away from the float body 331, as long as it can limit the guide column 332 from slipping out of the water outlet 323 when it descends relative to the valve body 32.

[0071] like Figure 6 As shown, a slope 333 is provided on the top of the float body 331 , and the slope 333 slopes outward and downward from the guide column 332 , which can play a role in guiding flow, so that water flowing out of the water outlet 323 can flow downward along the slope 333 into the steam chamber 11 .

[0072] like Figure 5 to Figure 6 As shown, when the water level b in the steam chamber 11 rises to cover the opening at the bottom of the valve body 32, the chamber of the valve body 32 is a closed space, and the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 cannot flow into the valve body 32 and the steam chamber 11. Therefore, a vent 324 is also provided on the side wall of the valve body 32, and the vent 324 is located below the water outlet 323 and communicates with the steam chamber 11. The vent 324 can balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the chamber of the valve body 32, and ensure that the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11. The number of the vents 324 can be one, two or more, and the multiple vents 324 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve body 32.

[0073] When the water in the steam chamber 11 boils, water droplets may splash onto the vent 324, causing the vent 324 to be blocked by bubbles and become ineffective. Therefore, the cross-sectional area S of the vent 324 satisfies: S ≥ 3.14 mm 2 The cross-sectional area S of the vent 324 may be 3.14 mm 2 , 3.15mm 2 , 4mm2 , 5mm 2 Greater than or equal to 3.14mm 2 This makes it easy for bubbles at the vent 324 to break, thereby ensuring the ventilation effect of the vent 324. Preferably, the cross-sectional area S of the vent 324 satisfies: 12 mm 2 ≤S≤16mm 2 , for example 12mm 2 、13mm 2 , 14mm 2 , 15mm 2 、16mm 2 While ensuring the ventilation effect of the ventilation opening 324 , it is prevented that the cross-sectional area S of the ventilation opening 324 is too large, which may cause the water surface fluctuation in the steam chamber 11 to affect the stability of the float 33 through the ventilation opening 324 .

[0074] like Figure 5 to Figure 6 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the vent 324 is a waist-shaped hole. When the vent 324 is blocked by bubbles, the bubbles are more likely to break in the waist-shaped hole than in the circular hole, thereby further ensuring the ventilation effect of the vent 324 and ensuring that the water in the water replenishment cavity 12 can flow normally into the steam cavity 11. In addition, the axis c of the long axis of the waist-shaped hole is arranged parallel to the axis d of the valve body 32. Along the axis d of the valve body 32, the size of the waist-shaped hole is relatively large. Even if the water level b in the steam cavity 11 submerges part of the waist-shaped hole, the cavity of the valve body 32 can be ventilated through the part of the waist-shaped hole that is not submerged.

[0075] Of course, in other embodiments, the vent 324 may also extend along the height direction of the water control valve 30 to the bottom of the valve body 32 to form a slit structure. Alternatively, the vent 324 may also be in a regular or irregular shape such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, or a triangle, as long as no enclosed space is formed in the cavity of the valve body 32. The embodiment of the utility model does not impose any specific restrictions here.

[0076] like Figure 6As shown, the effective buoyancy F of the float 33 satisfies: 0.05N≤F≤0.5N. The effective buoyancy F refers to the difference between the buoyancy of the float 33 and its own weight when the float 33 is at its maximum displacement. The effective buoyancy F of the float 33 can be any value within the range of 0.05N≤F≤0.5N, such as 0.05N, 0.06N, 0.1N, 0.2N...0.5N. Since the buoyancy of the float 33 is related to the volume of the liquid displaced by the float 33 and the density of the liquid, when the density of the liquid is constant, the buoyancy of the float 33 and its own weight can be adjusted by adjusting the volume of the float 33, thereby adjusting the effective buoyancy F of the float 33. When the effective buoyancy F of the float 33 meets the above conditions, the overall volume of the float 33 and the water control valve 30 is appropriate, which can facilitate the user to clean the water control valve 30 and the mounting groove 121, and will not occupy too much space inside the steam generating device 100.

[0077] In addition, the stroke H of the float 33 satisfies: 0.5mm≤H≤10mm. The stroke H of the float 33 is the distance that the float 33 can rise and fall along the axis d of the valve body 32, that is, the distance that the limiter 37 moves to the contact position with the upper surface of the valve body 32 when the float 33 descends from the position where the float body 331 and the lower surface of the valve body 32 press the second sealing member 35. The stroke H of the float 33 can be any value within the range of 0.5mm≤H≤10mm, such as 0.5mm, 0.6mm, 1mm, 2mm...9mm, 10mm, etc. H≥0.5mm, ensuring that water can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the gap between the valve body 32 and the float 33, and also ensuring that sufficient water flows into the steam chamber 11 each time water is replenished, so as to avoid the water level b in the steam chamber 11 being too low, which may cause the steam generating device 100 to dry-burn easily, thereby ensuring the safety of the steam generating device 100; H≤10mm, preventing the water level b in the steam chamber 11 from being too high and prolonging the water heating and boiling time, and also preventing the stroke H of the float 33 from being too long and increasing the overall thickness of the water control valve 30 and the steam generating device 100.

[0078] Preferably, the effective buoyancy F of the float 33 satisfies: 0.08N≤F≤0.2N, and the stroke H of the float 33 satisfies: 1mm≤H≤3mm. In this case, the space occupied by the water control valve 30 in the steam generating device 100 is more appropriate, and the production and manufacturing costs are lower.

[0079] like Figure 4 and Figure 6As shown, in one embodiment, the valve body 32 of the water control valve 30 and the side wall of the installation groove 121 are both provided with a limiting portion 325, so that the water control valve 30 can be plugged in the installation groove 121. Among them, the limiting portion 325 on the side wall of the installation groove 121 can be set as a step portion 122 located on the upper edge of the installation groove 121. The user can install the water control valve 30 to the installation groove 121 by plugging and unplugging in the water replenishment chamber 12, and the limiting portion 325 on the valve body 32 can overlap the step portion 122 to limit the water control valve 30, ensure the stability and reliability of the installation of the water control valve 30, and also facilitate the user to position the water control valve 30, so as to avoid the water control valve 30 being unable to normally control the on-off between the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12 due to improper installation.

[0080] Alternatively, the limiting portion 325 may be provided only on the water control valve 30 , or only on the side wall of the installation groove 121 , as long as the water control valve 30 can be stably installed in the installation groove 121 through the limiting portion 325 .

[0081] In one embodiment, a magnetic member or a magnetized member is disposed on the water control valve 30, and the other of the two is disposed on the wall of the installation groove 121. The magnetized member can be adsorbed by the magnetic member, so that the user can install the water control valve 30, and the water control valve 30 can also be stabilized in the installation groove 121 to ensure the reliability of water control.

[0082] In one embodiment, the water control valve 30 and the mounting groove 121 are threadedly connected, one of which is provided with an internal thread, and the other is provided with an external thread in a matching manner. For example, an internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the mounting groove 121, and an external thread matching the internal thread is provided on the water control valve 30. The water control valve 30 and the mounting groove 121 are threadedly connected to ensure the stability and reliability of the connection between the two, thereby ensuring the reliability of water control.

[0083] like Figure 1 As shown, the embodiment of the utility model further provides a steam household appliance, comprising a base assembly 200, a steamer assembly 300 and the above-mentioned steam generating device 100, wherein the steam generating device 100 is arranged in the base assembly 200, and the steamer assembly 300 is mounted on the base assembly 200. The steam generating device 100 can generate steam and heat the food in the steamer assembly 300.

[0084] Among them, the steam household appliance can be an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, a steam cleaning machine, or other cooking appliances that heat the water tank assembly 10 through the heating element 20 to generate steam and then heat the food.

[0085] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0086] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the utility model, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the utility model, which all belong to the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. A steam generating device, characterized in that: include: A water tank assembly (10), the water tank assembly (10) comprising a steam chamber (11), a water replenishment chamber (12) and a mounting groove (121), the mounting groove (121) being disposed on the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12), the mounting groove (121) and the bottom wall of the steam chamber (11) being lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12), and the steam chamber (11) and the water replenishment chamber (12) being connected via the mounting groove (121); A heating element (20) is disposed below the steam chamber (11); and A water control valve (30) is detachably mounted on the mounting groove (121), and the water control valve (30) comprises a float valve structure for controlling the connection and disconnection between the steam chamber (11) and the water replenishment chamber (12).

2. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam chamber (11) is arranged in the water replenishment chamber (12), and the apex of the side wall of the steam chamber (11) is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12).

3. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam chamber (11) is arranged outside the water replenishment chamber (12), and a water flow channel (13) is also arranged between the installation groove (121) and the steam chamber (11).

4. The steam generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The projection of the water control valve (30) on the horizontal plane partially overlaps with the projection of the heating element (20) on the horizontal plane.

5. The steam generating device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The projection of the steam chamber (11) on the horizontal plane is a circle with a depression, and the projection of the water control valve (30) on the horizontal plane is at least partially located in the depression of the circle.

6. The steam generating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The projection of the water control valve (30) on the horizontal plane is located outside the projection of the steam chamber (11) on the horizontal plane; A water flow channel (13) is also provided in the water tank assembly (10), and the water flow channel (13) connects the mounting groove (121) and the steam chamber (11).

7. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The projection of the steam chamber (11) on the horizontal plane is circular, and / or the projection of the water control valve (30) on the horizontal plane is circular.

8. The steam generating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The projections of the water control valve (30) and the steam chamber (11) on the horizontal plane have an intersection point, or the projections of the water control valve (30) and the steam chamber (11) on the horizontal plane have an overlapping edge.

9. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting portion (325) is provided on the side wall of the water control valve (30) and / or the installation groove (121), so that the water control valve (30) can be inserted and removed from the installation groove (121); Alternatively, an inner wall of the installation groove (121) is provided with an internal thread, and the water control valve (30) is provided with an external thread matching the internal thread; Alternatively, the water control valve (30) is provided with a magnetic component or a magnetized component, and the wall of the installation groove (121) is provided with the other of the two.

10. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water control valve (30) comprises a valve body (32) and a float (33); the valve body (32) is detachably mounted on the mounting groove (121); a water outlet (323) is provided on the valve body (32); the water outlet (323) is communicated with the water replenishment chamber (12) and the steam chamber (11); the float (33) is mounted below the water outlet (323), and the float (33) is arranged to float relative to the valve body (32) to open and close the water outlet (323).

11. The steam generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The valve body (32) is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and a partition (322) is provided on the inner side wall near the upper end thereof, the water outlet (323) is provided on the partition (322), the float (33) is installed in the valve body (32) and is located below the partition (322), and an air vent (324) is also provided on the side wall of the valve body (32), the air vent (324) is located below the water outlet (323) and is communicated with the steam chamber (11).

12. The steam generating device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The air vent (324) is a waist-shaped hole, and the axis of the long axis of the waist-shaped hole is arranged parallel to the axis of the valve body (32).

13. The steam generating device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The water control valve (30) further comprises a valve cover (31) and a handle (36); the valve cover (31) is arranged at the top end of the valve body (32); a water inlet (311) is provided on the side wall of the valve cover (31); the water inlet (311) is respectively connected to the water replenishment chamber (12) and the water outlet (323); and the handle (36) is arranged on the top surface of the valve cover (31).

14. A steam household appliance, characterized in that: It comprises a steam generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the steam household appliance is an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, or a steam cleaning machine.

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