A flow sensor for rice cooker

Abstract

The invention provides a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker, comprising a flow sensor body; the flow sensor body comprises an impeller, a rotor, a cylindrical shell and a rotating shaft which are all coaxially arranged; the rotating shaft is installed in the cylindrical shell; an air inlet is arranged at one end of the cylindrical shell, and the impeller is arranged at the air inlet; the rotor is arranged in the cylindrical shell and sleeved on the rotating shaft; a plurality of air outlets matched with the rotor are arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shell; the impeller comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet, and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined to the axis of the air inlet; the rotor comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet, and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined to the blade surfaces of the guide blades; the flow sensor for the electric rice cooker has high measurement accuracy and good stability, and also has a wide range of application and good practicality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and in particular to a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker. Background Art

[0002] At present, electric rice cookers often use a combination of a temperature sensor on the upper cover and a temperature sensor on the bottom of the pot to monitor the temperature, thereby preventing overflow and dry burning. The temperature sensor used in the upper cover is only suitable for temperature measurement, which is not only single-purpose, but also has large measurement errors, low temperature measurement accuracy and poor stability. It is easily damaged if exposed to high temperature and high humidity environment for a long time. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, in order to solve the problem that the sensor used in the electric rice cooker has a single purpose, low measurement accuracy and is easily damaged in a high temperature and high humidity environment, the present invention provides a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker, and its specific technical solution is as follows:

[0004] A flow sensor for an electric rice cooker comprises a flow sensor body; the flow sensor body comprises an impeller, a rotor, a cylindrical shell and a rotating shaft which are all coaxially arranged; the rotating shaft is installed in the cylindrical shell; an air inlet is arranged at one end of the cylindrical shell, and the impeller is arranged at the air inlet; the rotor is arranged in the cylindrical shell and sleeved on the rotating shaft; a plurality of air outlets adapted to the rotor are arranged on the outer circumference of the cylindrical shell; the impeller comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet, and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined to the axis of the air inlet; the rotor comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet, and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined to the blade surfaces of the guide blades.

[0005] The flow sensor for the rice cooker realizes dynamic monitoring of steam flow by forming an inclined wind direction through the impeller of steam and driving the rotor to rotate, and realizes temperature monitoring through the change curve of the steam flow. Only one flow sensor is needed to realize monitoring of multiple data, not only the types of data obtained are many, but also the measurement accuracy is high and the sensitivity is good; the flow sensor has a simple structure, is easy to disassemble and assemble, and is easy to manufacture and process; the performance of each component is stable, it is not easy to be damaged or deformed in a high temperature and high humidity environment, and has good stability; the flow sensor is suitable for various media, has a wide range of applications and does not need to be driven by a current source, effectively reduces the manufacturing cost, and has good practicality.

[0006] Furthermore, a plurality of guide vanes are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet.

[0007] Furthermore, a plurality of guide blades are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet.

[0008] Furthermore, the plurality of air outlets are evenly spaced around the center of the rotor.

[0009] Furthermore, the cross section of the guide blade is a straight line.

[0010] Furthermore, the impeller is fixedly installed in the cylindrical casing.

[0011] Furthermore, the sensor also includes a cover body and a lifting assembly; the cover body is connected to an end of the cylindrical shell away from the air inlet through the lifting assembly.

[0012] Furthermore, a sealing ring is provided between the cover body and the cylindrical shell.

[0013] Furthermore, a mounting seat is provided at one end of the impeller close to the rotor; one end of the rotating shaft is arranged in the mounting seat, and the other end of the rotating shaft is in contact with the cover body.

[0014] Furthermore, an air outlet channel is provided at the center of the bottom end of the cover body; a plurality of air inlet channels are evenly provided around the center of the bottom end of the cover body; and the air inlet channels are connected to the air outlet channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention can be further understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but the emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the embodiments. In different views, the same reference numerals designate corresponding parts.

[0016] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a second structural schematic diagram of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of an impeller of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a rotor of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a third structural schematic diagram of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 The invention is a schematic diagram of the installation of a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Flow sensor body; 2. Rotor; 3. Cylindrical shell; 4. Air inlet; 5. Air outlet; 6. Guide vane; 7. Guide vane; 8. Cover; 9. Lifting assembly; 10. Rotating shaft; 11. Impeller; 12. Mounting seat; 13. Air inlet channel; 14. Air outlet channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with its embodiments. It should be understood that the specific implementation methods described herein are only used to explain the present invention and do not limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art 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 "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0026] The “first” and “second” mentioned in the present invention do not represent specific quantities and orders, but are merely used to distinguish names.

[0027] like Figure 1 — Figure 6As shown, a flow sensor for an electric rice cooker in one embodiment of the present invention comprises a flow sensor body 1; the flow sensor body 1 comprises an impeller 11, a rotor 2, a cylindrical shell 3 and a rotating shaft 10 which are all coaxially arranged; the rotating shaft 10 is installed in the cylindrical shell 3; an air inlet 4 is arranged at one end of the cylindrical shell 3, and the impeller 11 is arranged at the air inlet 4; the rotor 2 is arranged in the cylindrical shell 3 and sleeved on the rotating shaft 10; a plurality of air outlets 5 which are adapted to the rotor 2 are arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical shell 3; the impeller 11 comprises a plurality of guide blades 6, which are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet 4 and the blade surfaces of the guide blades 6 are inclined to the axis of the air inlet 4; the rotor 2 comprises a plurality of guide blades 7, which are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet 4 and the blade surfaces of the guide blades 7 are inclined to the blade surfaces of the guide blades 6.

[0028] The flow sensor for the rice cooker forms an inclined wind direction through the impeller 11 through steam and drives the rotor 2 to rotate, thereby realizing dynamic monitoring of the steam flow rate, and realizing temperature monitoring through the change curve of the steam flow rate. Only one flow sensor is needed to realize monitoring of multiple data, not only the types of data obtained are many, but also the measurement accuracy is high and the sensitivity is good; the flow sensor has a simple structure, is easy to disassemble and assemble, and is easy to manufacture and process; the performance of each component is stable, it is not easy to be damaged or deformed in a high temperature and high humidity environment, and has good stability; the flow sensor is suitable for various media, has a wide range of applications and does not need to be driven by a current source, effectively reduces the manufacturing cost, and has good practicality.

[0029] Specifically, the steam rises due to the heat and enters the cylindrical shell 3 through the air inlet 4, and the steam forms the inclined wind direction under the action of the guide vane 6; since the blade surface of the guide vane 6 and the blade surface of the guide vane 7 have a certain inclination angle, the inclined wind direction applies a first thrust in the vertical direction and a second thrust in the horizontal direction to the guide vane 7; the rotor 2 rotates under the action of the second thrust and discharges the steam from the air outlet 5;

[0030] The flow sensor realizes dynamic monitoring of the steam flow and the temperature by monitoring the rotation of the rotor 2; the rotor 2 is made of lightweight materials, such as plastic, and rotates when encountering gas flow. It is not only highly sensitive, but also has a larger measurement range and higher measurement accuracy.

[0031] In one embodiment, a plurality of guide vanes 6 are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet 4 .

[0032] In one embodiment, a plurality of guide blades 7 are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet 4 .

[0033] In one embodiment, the plurality of air outlets 5 are evenly spaced around the center of the rotor 2 .

[0034] Specifically, the evenly arranged guide blades 6 , the guide blades 7 and the air outlet 5 ensure the stability of the airflow during circulation.

[0035] In one embodiment, the blade surface of the guide blade 7 is parallel to the axis of the cylindrical shell 3.

[0036] In one embodiment, the cross section of the guide blade 7 is a straight line.

[0037] Specifically, the straight line structure effectively reduces the air resistance encountered by the guide blades 7 during rotation, thereby improving the operating efficiency.

[0038] In one of the embodiments, the impeller 11 is fixedly installed in the cylindrical housing 3 .

[0039] Specifically, the outer periphery of the impeller 11 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical housing 3 .

[0040] In one of the embodiments, the sensor further includes a cover body 8 and a lifting assembly 9 ; the cover body 8 is connected to an end of the cylindrical shell 3 away from the air inlet 4 via the lifting assembly 9 .

[0041] In one of the embodiments, a chamber compatible with the lifting assembly 9 is provided on the cylindrical shell 3; the chamber is provided with a heat conduction plate, a memory spring and is filled with gas; the heat conduction plate is provided at the bottom end of the chamber, the bottom end of the memory spring is connected to the top end of the heat conduction plate, and the top end of the memory spring is provided with a certain distance from the bottom end of the lifting assembly 9.

[0042] Specifically, the lifting assembly 9 includes a support rod, one end of which is disposed in the chamber and is slidably and sealedly connected to the inner wall of the chamber, and the other end of the support rod is connected to the bottom end of the cover body 8; the gas is CO2; the memory spring is a CuZnAl memory alloy spring;

[0043] In the initial state, the cover body 8 is sealed and connected to the cylindrical shell 3; the support rod is arranged in the chamber and a certain distance is set between the bottom end of the support rod and the bottom end of the chamber;

[0044] As the steam rises, the heat transfer sheet is heated and transfers the heat to the gas and the memory spring. The memory spring has the characteristic of being elongated by heat, and the gas has the characteristic of being expanded by heat. When the set temperature is reached, the support rod is pushed out of the chamber under the joint action of the memory spring and the gas, and the cover body 8 is separated from the cylindrical shell 3. A gap is formed between the cover body 8 and the cylindrical shell 3 for the steam to flow out, thereby realizing the pressure relief function of the rice cooker to prevent the rice cooker from overflowing.

[0045] The steam flows out, the temperature in the rice cooker decreases, the volume of the memory spring and the gas shrinks, thereby weakening the driving force on the support rod, so that the support rod returns to the chamber, thereby realizing the reset function of the lifting assembly 9.

[0046] In one of the embodiments, a sealing ring is provided between the cover 8 and the cylindrical shell 3 .

[0047] Specifically, the sealing ring improves the air tightness of the flow sensor for the rice cooker.

[0048] In one embodiment, a mounting seat 12 is provided at one end of the impeller 11 close to the rotor 2 ; one end of the rotating shaft 10 is disposed in the mounting seat 12 , and the other end of the rotating shaft 10 is in contact with the cover 8 .

[0049] Specifically, the mounting seat 12 is provided with a mounting groove adapted to the rotating shaft 10, and cavities are provided on both sides of the mounting groove; a ball and a telescopic spring are provided in the cavity; one end of the telescopic spring is connected to the inner wall of the cavity, and the other end of the telescopic spring is connected to one end of the ball; the other end of the ball is arranged outside the cavity and in the mounting groove; the rotating shaft 10 is provided with a clamping groove adapted to the ball; the rotating shaft 10 is clamped in the clamping groove through the ball to achieve a fixed connection with the mounting groove.

[0050] In one embodiment, an air outlet channel 14 is provided at the center of the bottom end of the cover body 8 ; a plurality of air inlet channels 13 are evenly provided around the center of the bottom end of the cover body 8 ; and the air inlet channels 13 are connected to the air outlet channels 14 .

[0051] Specifically, the air inlet channel 13 includes a dovetail-shaped air inlet and a pipe, the air inlet is arranged on the outer circumference of the bottom end of the cover body 8 and is connected to the inner cavity of the cylindrical shell 3; the wide end of the air inlet is used for steam to flow in, the narrow end of the air inlet is connected to one end of the pipe, and the other end of the pipe is connected to the air outlet channel 14; the air outlet channel 14 is arranged on the central axis of the cylindrical shell 3 and includes a dovetail-shaped exhaust port, the wide end of the exhaust port is connected to the pipe, and the narrow end of the exhaust port abuts against one end of the rotating shaft 10;

[0052] When in use, steam enters the air inlet channel 13 through the air inlet and is discharged through the air outlet channel 14. The exhaust port of the air outlet channel 14 abuts against one end of the rotating shaft 10. The steam applies a downward impact force to the rotating shaft 10, thereby offsetting the first thrust in the vertical direction exerted on the rotating shaft 10, thereby improving the stability of the positioning of the rotating shaft 10.

[0053] In one embodiment, the flow sensor body 1 is arranged on the upper cover of the rice cooker, the air inlet 4 and the air outlet 5 are connected to the working space of the rice cooker, and when the steam in the working space of the rice cooker is in a saturated state and lifts up the cover body 8, a gap for the steam to escape is formed between the cover body 8 and the top surface of the upper cover.

[0054] In one of the embodiments, the electrical principle of the flow sensor for the rice cooker belongs to the prior art and is not the focus of the present application, so it will not be described again here.

[0055] The operating principle is as follows: a certain amount of steam is generated during the cooking process of rice, and the steam rises and enters the cylindrical shell 3 through the air inlet 4; the steam flows through the guide vanes 6 to form an inclined wind direction; the inclined wind direction contacts the guide vanes 7 and drives the guide vanes 7 to rotate so that the steam is discharged from the air outlet 5, and the rotation of the rotor 2 is monitored to achieve dynamic monitoring of the steam flow and the temperature;

[0056] When the steam reaches the set temperature, the gas in the chamber and the memory spring expand due to the heat and push the support rod to separate the cover body 8 from the cylindrical shell 3 and form a certain gap for the steam to flow out, thereby preventing the pot from overflowing;

[0057] After the steam flows out, the temperature in the rice cooker decreases, and the gas and the memory spring contract when cooled and reduce the driving force on the support rod, so that the support rod is restored to the chamber.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A flow sensor for an electric rice cooker, characterized in that: including a flow sensor body; The flow sensor body comprises an impeller, a rotor, a cylindrical housing and a rotating shaft which are all coaxially arranged; The rotating shaft is installed in the cylindrical housing; An air inlet is provided at one end of the cylindrical shell, and the impeller is arranged at the air inlet; The rotor is arranged in the cylindrical housing and sleeved on the rotating shaft; The outer circumference of the cylindrical shell is provided with a plurality of air outlets adapted to the rotor; The impeller comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined to the axis of the air inlet; The rotor comprises a plurality of guide blades, the plurality of guide blades are arranged at intervals around the center of the air inlet, and the blade surfaces of the guide blades are inclined with the blade surfaces of the guide blades; A plurality of guide blades are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet; a plurality of guide blades are evenly spaced around the center of the air inlet; a plurality of air outlets are evenly spaced around the center of the rotor; the cross-section of the guide blade is a straight line; the impeller is fixedly installed in the cylindrical shell; the sensor also includes a cover body and a lifting assembly; the cover body is connected to the end of the cylindrical shell away from the air inlet through the lifting assembly; a sealing ring is provided between the cover body and the cylindrical shell; a mounting seat is provided at the end of the impeller close to the rotor; one end of the rotating shaft is provided in the mounting seat, and the other end of the rotating shaft abuts against the cover body; an air outlet channel is provided at the center of the bottom end of the cover body; a plurality of air inlet channels are evenly provided around the center of the bottom end of the cover body; the air inlet channel is connected to the air outlet channel.

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