Steam oven water tank mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam oven water tank mechanism (1) for use in steam ovens, which simultaneously lifts a control panel (11) upwards relative to an oven vertical axis (Y) and, by means of an electric motor (30), provides for movement of the water tank (20), positioned behind the control panel (11) of the oven, towards a user, thereby providing easy access.

Description

[0001] STEAM OVEN WATER TANK MECHANISM

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a steam oven water tank mechanism in steam ovens, which is easily accessible to the user.

[0004] More specifically, the invention relates to a steam oven water tank mechanism which provides easy access by moving a water tank, positioned behind the control panel, towards the user by means of an electric motor and a carrier arm / arms, during the upward lifting of a control panel of an oven.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Steam ovens are devices that preserve the nutritional value of food and provide moist and delicious cooking by using steam technology. The ovens offer multifunctionality, combining steam and conventional oven functions. The self-cleaning feature of ovens and the quality of the hygienic cooking environment are important for health. Water is required for the steam oven to provide the features. The water is generally placed in a water tank located in a part of the oven.

[0007] In steam ovens, the water tank (water reservoir) is an important component that enables the steam function of the oven to operate. The water reservoir refers to the place where a user can fill the water and where the water necessary for the oven to produce steam is stored. When the oven is operated, the water in the reservoir is heated and converted into steam, and the steam circulates inside the oven, helping to cook the food. Thanks to steam, food is cooked in a moister and more delicious way, while the drying of the food is prevented. Thus, more homogeneous cooking (for example, remaining crispy on the outside and soft on the inside) is achieved in foods such as pastries and vegetables. The water reservoir ensures that the steam function operates effectively and efficiently.

[0008] T oday, different methods and mechanisms have been developed for filling the water tank. One of the most common mechanisms is a removable water reservoir placed on the oven's front panel. The user easily removes this reservoir, fills it under the tap, and activates the steam function by placing it back. Another mechanism example is a hidden water filling slot integrated into the oven's door. The slot becomes visible when the door is opened and generally allows water to be poured into the reservoir with the help of a lid or button. In some high-end models, it is seen that water is filled via a hose directly connected to the oven. In such systems, there is an automatic filling system instead of filling the water reservoir by hand. In the application where water is filled from a small lid on the oven panel, the presence of a lid on the panel does not offer an aesthetic appearance to the user. In such an application, the tank needs to be long and thin, and this situation presents an inconvenient experience for the user. In applications where the panel opens completely downwards or completely upwards, complex and expensive mechanisms are also required. The mechanisms mean extra cost.

[0009] In the present invention, the water tank is positioned behind the user control panel of the oven, and as the control panel is lifted upwards by means of an electric motor and carrier arms, the water tank moves out of its housing towards the user. This configuration, besides allowing the user to add water without bending and providing an aesthetic appearance, also facilitates the cleaning process of the tank, as the water tank is removable.

[0010] CN110250924A, a water tank placed behind the control panel, is disclosed. In the document, separate electric push rods are used to push the water tank forward and to lift the control panel upward. In the present invention performs both of these operations with a single electric motor, a roller, and two carrier arms, and thanks to this feature, it offers a lower-cost mechanism.

[0011] CN114652175A, a water tank placed behind the control panel, is disclosed. In parallel with the water tank moving out towards the user, a hinge system connected to the pushing mechanism opens the control panel to face the ground. In the present invention, thanks to the upward opening of the control panel, space is saved, and a more aesthetic configuration is revealed, as the rear part of the control panel is not visible.

[0012] CN210121082U, a steam oven that can automatically open the water tank, is disclosed. In the document, a long, thin water tank configuration, which was mentioned above and offers an inconvenient experience for the user, is used.

[0013] Considering the aforementioned drawbacks, the need for a steam oven water tank mechanism that facilitates user operations such as access, cleaning, etc., and provides an aesthetic appearance to the user has become apparent.

[0014] Object and Brief Description of the Invention

[0015] An object of the invention is to ensure that the water tank in steam ovens is easily accessible.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to enable the use of a wide, removable water tank in the oven.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a configuration wherein the water tank can be removed and cleaned. A steam oven water tank mechanism for steam ovens, comprising a control panel having an interface carrying elements for a user to interact with the oven and at least one water tank positioned at rear part of the control panel, characterized in that it comprises: at least one electric motor to which a first arm is connected and from which it receives drive, the first arm providing forward movement of the water tank, at least one second arm, which moves by means of a second arm body joint with the forward movement of the water tank, and which, with the movement, pushes the control panel to which it is connected upwards by moving on a roller via a second arm panel joint present on the control panel, at least one third arm, which is connected to the control panel via a third arm panel joint and which ensures that the control panel remains in a perpendicular position relative to an oven horizontal axis when the water tank mechanism is in a fully open position.

[0018] The invention relates to a steam oven water tank mechanism for use in steam ovens, which simultaneously lifts a control panel upwards relative to an oven vertical axis and, by means of an electric motor, provides for movement of the water tank, positioned behind the control panel of the oven, towards a user, thereby providing easy access.

[0019] Brief Description of the Figures

[0020] Figure 1 is a side, angled, perspective view of the steam oven water tank mechanism in the open position.

[0021] Figure 2 is a rear, angled, perspective view of the steam oven water tank mechanism in the closed position.

[0022] Figure 3 is a rear, angled, perspective view showing the details of the drive arrangement of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0023] Figure 4.A is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the closed position of the steam oven water tank mechanism (control panel in the normal position).

[0024] Figure 4.B is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the partially open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism (control panel raised by a certain amount).

[0025] Figure 4.C is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism (control panel at the maximum height position). Figure 5.A is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the fully open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0026] Figure 5.B is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the partially open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0027] Figure 5.C is a side, cross-sectional view depicting the fully closed position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0028] Figure 6 is a front, angled, perspective view showing the roller arrangement in the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0029] Figure 7 is a side view depicting the closed position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0030] Figure 8 is a side view depicting the partially open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0031] Figure 9 is a side view depicting the open position of the steam oven water tank mechanism.

[0032] Reference Numerals

[0033] I Steam oven water tank mechanism

[0034] 10 Oven door

[0035] II Control panel

[0036] 12 Oven cooling unit

[0037] 13 Cooking chamber upper surface

[0038] 14 Carrier column

[0039] 20 Water tank body

[0040] 21 Water tank

[0041] 22 Telescopic rail

[0042] 30 Electric motor

[0043] 31 First arm

[0044] 32 Body bearing

[0045] 40 Second arm

[0046] 40.A First section

[0047] 40. B First bend

[0048] 40. C Second section

[0049] 40. D Second bend

[0050] 40. E Third section

[0051] 41 Second arm body joint

[0052] 42 Second arm panel joint

[0053] 43 Roller

[0054] 44 Roller joint

[0055] 45 Roller carrier

[0056] 50 Third arm

[0057] 51 Third arm column joint

[0058] 52 Third arm panel joint X Oven horizontal axis

[0059] Y Oven vertical axis

[0060] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0061] The invention relates to a steam oven water tank mechanism (1) configured for use in steam ovens, which ensures that the water tank (21), which a user can fill with water and which holds the water to be used for generating steam in the oven, is easily accessible, removable, and cleanable.

[0062] The invention comprises at least one control panel (11), at least one water tank body (20), at least one electric motor (30), at least one second arm (40), and at least one third arm (50). The water tank body (20) comprises at least one water tank (21) and a body bearing (32). There is present at least one first arm (31) connected to the electric motor (30), which receives drive from the electric motor (30), moves within a body bearing (32), and moves the water tank body (20) along an oven horizontal axis (X).

[0063] The second arm (40) comprises at least one second arm body joint (41) and at least one second arm panel joint (42) and moves on at least one roller (43). The roller (43) comprises at least one roller joint (44). The third arm (50) comprises at least one third arm column joint (51) and at least one third arm panel joint (52).

[0064] The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to the invention is positioned in the upper part of the oven relative to the user, above the cooking chamber, preferably on the cooking chamber upper surface (13), between the control panel (11) and the oven cooling unit (12) (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0065] The invention comprises at least one water tank (21), which the user can fill with water and which provides for the containment of water to generate steam, and at least one water tank body (20) containing the water tank (21). The water tank (21) can be removed from within the water tank body (20) when the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in a fully open position. On the front face of the water tank (21), on the part facing the user, preferably a handle component is configured to facilitate the user in holding and removing the water tank (21). The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) comprises at least one telescopic rail (22) component, positioned between the water tank body (20) and the cooking chamber upper surface (13), on which the water tank body (20) moves during the opening and closing operations, in order to minimize the friction of the water tank body (20) against the cooking chamber upper surface (13) and to ensure its smooth movement along the oven horizontal axis (X). In the steam oven water tank mechanism (1), there is at least one control panel (11) through which the user can give commands to activate the oven and adjust cooking modes. The control panel (11) is positioned above an oven door (10) relative to an oven vertical axis (Y). The control panel (11) is configured such that, preferably, when the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in a fully closed position, it forms a flat surface with the plane of the oven door (10), in other words, relative to the oven vertical axis (Y); and when the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in the fully open position, it is in a position where the user can easily access the water tank (21), located upwards relative to the oven vertical axis (Y) and aligned with the oven door (10). In the invention, there is at least one control unit, equipped with an electronic circuit board and a processor, which processes signals coming from the control panel (11) and gives commands to the electric motor (30), in other words, controls the opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1). This control unit includes the necessary circuit elements and software to process the incoming signals and generate the relevant commands.

[0066] To perform opening movement of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to the invention, there are provided: at least one electric motor (30) which applies drive based on a command coming from the control panel (11) via the control unit and is preferably positioned between the water tank body (20) and the oven cooling unit (12); at least one first arm (31) connected to the electric motor (30), which receives drive from the electric motor (30) to provide the opening and closing movements and has at least one pin thereon; and at least one body bearing (32) positioned at the rear part of the water tank body (20) and connected to the first arm (31), which provides the transfer of the drive from the first arm (31) in the opening or closing direction to the water tank body (20). The interaction of the first arm (31) and the body bearing (32) is provided by the use of a pin located on the first arm (31) and a slot-like form on the body bearing (32) in which the pin can move. When drive is applied from the electric motor (30), the first arm (31) moves radially, moving the water tank body (20) by means of the body bearing (32), thus providing the opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) (Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, and 5C).

[0067] There are present: at least one second arm (40) configured to ensure that the control panel (11) moves upwards relative to the oven vertical axis (Y) and remains in this position during the opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1); at least one second arm body joint (41) positioned on the water tank body (20), providing connection of the second arm (40) with the water tank body (20); and at least one second arm panel joint (42) positioned on the control panel (11), providing connection of the second arm (40) with the control panel (11). The second arm (40) consists of: a first section (40. A) extending from the second arm panel joint (42) to a first bend (40. B) point and in a convex arc configuration relative to the oven horizontal axis (X); a second section (40.C) as a continuation of the first section (40. A), extending to a second bend (40. D) point and in a concave arc configuration relative to the oven horizontal axis (X); and a third section (40. E) as a continuation of the second section (40. C) and configured to form a right angle with the second section (40. C), providing connection to the second arm body joint (41). There is at least one roller carrier (45) positioned on the cooking chamber upper surface (13) and at least one roller joint (44) positioned on the roller carrier (45), which allows the roller (43) connected thereto to rotate around its own axis. A roller (43) located on the roller joint (44) enables the second arm (40) to lift the control panel (11) upwards in the oven vertical axis (Y).

[0068] The invention comprises: at least one third arm (50), which ensures that the control panel (11) remains upright above the oven door (10) relative to the oven horizontal axis (X) when the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in the fully open position; at least one third arm column joint (51) positioned on the carrier column (14) to provide the movement of the third arm (50); and at least one third arm panel joint (52) positioned on the control panel (11) above the second arm panel joint (42) relative to the oven horizontal axis (X).

[0069] During the operation of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1), the first step is the user giving a command via the control panel (11). The given command is transmitted to a control unit, and the control unit, when the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in the closed position, sends its electrical signal to the electric motor (30) to apply drive in the opening direction. The first arm (31), positioned connected to the electric motor (30), makes a radial movement around its own axis with the drive from the electric motor (30), ensuring the movement of the water tank body (20) towards the user relative to the oven horizontal axis (X) (Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C). During this movement, to minimize the friction of the water tank body (20) with the cooking chamber upper surface (13), the water tank body (20) moves on a telescopic rail (22) positioned between the water tank body (20) and the cooking chamber upper surface (13). To provide the movement of the water tank body (20) in the oven horizontal axis (X), a body bearing (32) is present on the water tank body (20), positioned between the water tank body (20) and the first arm (31). The body bearing (32) is configured to include a slot that moves together with a pin located on the first arm (31), and the first arm (31) transfers the drive from the electric motor (30) via the pin on it to the body bearing (32), and thus the water tank body (20) moves in the oven horizontal axis (X).

[0070] Simultaneously with the movement of the first arm (31) moving the water tank body (20) in the oven horizontal axis (X), the control panel (11) also lifts upwards relative to the oven vertical axis (Y). This movement is provided by means of the second arm (40), the third arm (50), the roller (43), and the joints to which they are connected. The second arm (40) performs this operation by moving on the roller (43) by means of the second arm body joint (41) positioned on the water tank body (20) and the second arm panel joint (42) positioned on the control panel (11) (Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C). The roller (43) provides this movement by rotating around its own axis on the roller joint (44) located on a roller carrier (45) positioned on the cooking chamber upper surface (13). When the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in the closed position (Figure 5.C), the first section (40. A) is in a slidable state on top of the roller (43). When an open command is given, as the water tank body (20) moves forward (in the direction of the control panel (11)), the second arm (40) moves towards the first bend (40. B) in a sliding manner, being guided on the roller (43). During this, thanks to the convex structure of the first section (40. A), the control panel (11) connected to the second arm (40) moves in the oven horizontal axis (X) and the oven vertical axis (Y). The second arm (40) bends to form a specific angle when it reaches the first bend (40. B) on the roller (43). In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second arm (40) bends to form a 45-degree angle when it reaches the first bend (40. B) on the roller (43). The second section (40. C), which comes after the first bend (40. B), has a concave configuration. The concave configuration of the second section (40. C) enables the second arm (40), which is moving on the roller (43), to lift the control panel (11) upwards so that it is perpendicular to the oven horizontal axis (X). The second arm (40) continues its movement on the roller (43) to a point near the second bend (40. D). Although the second arm (40) lifts the control panel (11) upwards in the oven vertical axis (Y), it is not sufficient to hold the control panel (11) in the upright position because it is connected to the control panel (11) with a single joint. A third arm (50) ensures that the control panel (11) remains upright, one end of which is connected to a third arm column joint (51) positioned on a carrier column (14) fixed to the cooking chamber upper surface (13), and the other end of which is connected to a third arm panel joint (52) positioned on the control panel (11) above the second arm panel joint (42) relative to the oven horizontal axis (X). The third arm (50) moves radially between the joints (51 , 52) to which it is connected. During the operation of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1), the electric motor (30), the roller joint (44), and the third arm column joint (51) do not change position relative to the oven horizontal axis (X), while the first arm (31), the third arm (50), and the roller (43) only move radially around their own axes (Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C).

[0071] When the steam oven water tank mechanism (1) is in the open position (Figure 5A), with the closing command given by the user on the control panel (11), the electric motor (30) applies drive in the direction reverse to opening. The electric motor (30) moves the first arm (31) radially inwards, in other words, away from the user, during which time the second arm (40) and the third arm (50) return the water tank body (20) and the control panel (11) to their previous positions by means of the joints (41, 42, 51 , 52) to which they are connected and the roller (43), thus, the closing operation is performed. Movements made in the oven horizontal axis (X) are described in the description using the terms “inward-outward”, in other words “forward-backward”. Similarly, movements made in the oven vertical axis (Y) are described in the description using the terms “upward-downward”.

[0072] In this description, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms “upper”, “front”, “rear”, “forward”, “backward”, “inward”, “outward” is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the figures and is only for the clarity of the technical solution and ease of description. It does not imply or indicate that the specified device or element requires a specific orientation, is constructed and operated in a specific direction, and thus cannot be understood as a limitation of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A steam oven water tank mechanism (1) for steam ovens, comprising a control panel (11) having an interface carrying elements for a user to interact with the oven and at least one water tank (21) positioned at rear part of the control panel (11), characterized in that it comprises: at least one electric motor (30) to which a first arm (31) is connected and from which it receives drive, the first arm (31) providing forward movement of the water tank (21), at least one second arm (40), which moves by means of a second arm body joint (41) with the forward movement of the water tank (21), and which, with the movement, pushes the control panel (11) to which it is connected upwards by moving on a roller (43) via a second arm panel joint (42) present on the control panel (11), at least one third arm (50), which is connected to the control panel (11) via a third arm panel joint (52) and which ensures that the control panel (11) remains in a perpendicular position relative to an oven horizontal axis (X) when the water tank mechanism (1) is in a fully open position.

2. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least one water tank body (20) containing the water tank (21) and configured such that the water tank (21) is removable therein.

3. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 2, wherein it comprises at least one telescopic rail (22) connected to the water tank body (20) and positioned between the water tank body (20) and the cooking chamber upper surface (13).

4. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 3, wherein it comprises at least one telescopic rail (22) on which the water tank body (20) moves during opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1).

5. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least one first arm (31) that transmits the drive from the electric motor (30) to the water tank body (20), is connected to the electric motor (30), and comprises at least one pin.

6. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 5, wherein it comprises at least one body bearing (32) on the water tank body (20), positioned between the water tank body (20) and the first arm (31), and including a slot in which the pin on the first arm (31) is movable therein.

7. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 6, wherein it comprises at least one first arm (31) that transmits the drive from the electric motor (30) to the body bearing (32) by means of a pin located thereon while moving radially around its own axis, and which causes the water tank body (20), on which the body bearing (32) is connectedly positioned, to move in the oven horizontal axis (X).

8. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises the components of: at least one second arm body joint (41) positioned on the water tank body (20), at least one second arm panel joint (42) positioned on the control panel (11), at least one carrier column (14) positioned on the cooking chamber upper surface (13), at least one third arm column joint (51) positioned on the carrier column (14), and at least one third arm panel joint (52) positioned on the control panel (11) and above the second arm panel joint (42) relative to the oven vertical axis (Y).

9. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 8, wherein it comprises at least one second arm (40) which causes the control panel (11) to lift upwards relative to the oven vertical axis (Y) during the opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1); one end of which is positioned at the second arm body joint (41) on the water tank body (20), and the other end of which is positioned at the second arm panel joint (42) on the control panel (11).

10. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein it comprises at least one third arm (50), positioned so as to be connected:• at one end, to the third arm column joint (51), which is positioned on the carrier column (14) present on the cooking chamber upper surface (13), and• at the other end, to the third arm panel joint (52), which is positioned on the control panel (11) and located above the second arm panel joint (42) relative to the oven horizontal axis (X),• in order to ensure that the control panel (11) remains in a perpendicular position relative to the oven horizontal axis (X) during the opening and closing of the steam oven water tank mechanism (1).

11. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least one roller carrier (45) positioned on the cooking chamber upper surface (13) and at least one roller joint (44) positioned on the roller carrier (45).

12. The steam oven water tank mechanism (1) according to Claim 11 , wherein it comprises at least one roller (43) positioned on the roller joint (44), capable of moving on its own axis, and on which the second arm (40) moves to provide upward and downward movement of the control panel (11).

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