A door lock device for a cooking appliance

Abstract

A door lock device for a cooking appliance. An energy storage bracket is installed at the top of the inner container. A push rod is installed on the energy storage bracket. The rear end of the push rod extends into the interior of the energy storage bracket and divides the cavity inside the energy storage bracket into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The front cavity is connected to the outside atmosphere, and the rear cavity is a sealed cavity. An elastic member is installed in the front cavity to keep the push rod in a backward resetting tendency. The front end of the push rod extends forward outside the energy storage bracket. The front end of the push rod is connected to a locking member that is linked with the push rod. The pressure difference between the front and rear cavities can drive the push rod to move forward and make the linked locking member lock the door hook, and the elastic member can drive the push rod to move backward and make the linked locking member release the door hook. The door hook device of this cooking appliance can control the unlocking and locking of the door assembly according to the real-time temperature of the inner container, which can ensure the convenience and safety of users during use. In addition, this door hook device has no electrical equipment and is not affected by the use environment of electrical components, and works stably and reliably.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device, and more particularly to a door lock device for a cooking device. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, kitchen appliances are becoming increasingly rich. Microwave ovens, ovens, steamers, etc. have gradually become essential kitchen appliances for family life. These kitchen appliance products not only have relatively single functions, each product requires a certain amount of kitchen space, but also the purchase cost is high. In order to effectively utilize kitchen space and reduce the purchase cost, people have invented an integrated steamer oven microwave oven. Such as the "Integrated Microwave Oven, Steamer and Oven" disclosed in the Chinese utility model patent with the patent number 201320074461.4 (the authorized announcement number is CN203168920U). The integrated microwave oven, steamer and oven includes a body, a door frame installed on the front of the body and a controller. There is a cavity inside the body. A transformer is installed on the top of the body, a capacitor connected to the transformer, a magnetron connected to the capacitor, a waveguide box connected to the magnetron. Microwaves are transmitted into the cavity through the waveguide box. A microwave stirrer is provided at the microwave inlet in the cavity, and a low-speed motor is connected to the microwave stirrer. A water container and a steam generator connected to the water container are installed on the side wall of the body. The steam generator communicates with the cavity inside the body. A heating tube is provided at the top of the cavity inside the body, and the heating tube is connected to the controller.

[0003] During the cooking process of the existing integrated steamer oven microwave oven, when the steam pressure in the cavity is relatively high, there is a risk that the door body may be pushed open by the steam, resulting in problems such as air leakage. Moreover, when baking, the temperature is relatively high, and there is a risk of scalding if the door is accidentally opened at this time. Currently, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic lock are usually controlled to achieve whether the door body is locked. However, the electromagnetic lock is an electrical component and has a certain probability of failure. In summary, it is necessary to further improve the door lock device of the existing cooking device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a door lock device for a cooking device with novel structure and capable of realizing mechanical self-locking of the door body according to the feedback of the temperature in the inner cavity in view of the above-mentioned current situation of the prior art.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is as follows: The door lock device of the cooking equipment includes an inner container and a door assembly provided on the front side of the inner container. A door hook is provided at the rear of the door assembly. It is characterized in that: A energy storage bracket is installed at the top of the inner container. A cavity is formed inside the energy storage bracket. A push rod is installed on the energy storage bracket. The rear end of the push rod extends into the interior of the energy storage bracket and divides the cavity into a front cavity and a rear cavity. The front cavity is communicated with the outside atmosphere. The rear cavity is a sealed cavity. An elastic member for keeping the push rod with a backward reset tendency is installed in the front cavity. The front end of the push rod extends forward outside the energy storage bracket. The front end of the push rod is connected with a locking member linked with the push rod. In a state where the pressure difference between the rear cavity and the front cavity overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member, the push rod can move forward and make the linked locking member lock the door hook. In a state where the elastic force of the elastic member overcomes the pressure difference between the rear cavity and the front cavity, the elastic member can drive the push rod to move backward and make the linked locking member release the door hook.

[0006] The locking member can have various structures. Preferably, a meshing tooth portion is provided at the front end of the push rod. The locking member includes a gear bracket and an external gear ring installed on the gear bracket. The external gear ring meshes with the meshing tooth portion. A notch portion is formed by circumferentially disconnecting the external gear ring. A locking hole is opened at the rear of the door hook. Driven by the push rod, the notch portion can rotate to the exact rear of the door hook to make the external gear ring release the door hook, and the notch portion can rotate to deviate from the exact rear of the door hook to make one end of the external gear ring pass through the locking hole to lock the door hook.

[0007] Preferably, the gear bracket is installed at the top of the inner container, and the gear bracket is located in front of the energy storage bracket.

[0008] In order to avoid interference of the gear bracket on the door hook, the gear bracket is cylindrical. The external gear ring is horizontally arranged and installed on the top of the gear bracket. A fan-shaped relief groove is opened on the upper end surface of the gear bracket. In the closed door state, the rear end of the door hook extends into the fan-shaped relief groove.

[0009] In order to limit the external gear ring on the gear bracket and enable it to rotate circumferentially relative to the gear bracket, a guide groove is opened on the outer periphery of the upper end surface of the gear bracket, and a guide rib for embedding into the guide groove is provided at the bottom of the external gear ring.

[0010] Further preferably, a ventilation hole is opened at the front end of the energy storage bracket, and the front cavity is communicated with the outside atmosphere through the ventilation hole.

[0011] Preferably, the rear end of the push rod has a radial boss that is sealed with the inner wall of the energy storage bracket. The radial boss divides the cavity inside the energy storage bracket into the front cavity and the rear cavity. In this way, the front cavity and the rear cavity are isolated from each other by the radial boss.

[0012] The elastic member can have various structures. Preferably, the elastic member is a spring. The front end of the spring abuts against the front wall of the energy storage bracket, and the rear end of the spring abuts against the radial boss.

[0013] The energy storage bracket can have various structures. Preferably, the energy storage bracket is a circular tube. The energy storage bracket has a vertical portion and a horizontal portion that extends forward after turning from the upper end of the vertical portion. The vertical portion is installed on the top of the inner container, and the push rod is horizontally arranged and the rear end of the push rod extends backward into the horizontal portion.

[0014] As a preference of any of the above solutions, a cavity front plate is installed on the front side of the inner container, and a jack for inserting the door hook is opened on the cavity front plate.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: The door hook device of the cooking equipment can realize mechanical self-locking of the door body according to the feedback of the temperature of the inner container, prevent the door body from being pushed open and leaking air when the internal steam pressure of the inner container is too high, and at the same time prevent accidental door opening operation when the temperature of the barbecue function is relatively high. When the temperature of the inner container is relatively low, the door body can be opened. Therefore, the unlocking and locking of the door assembly can be controlled according to the real-time temperature of the inner container, which can ensure the convenience and safety of the user during use. In addition, the door hook device has no electrical equipment, is not affected by the use environment of electrical components, and works stably and reliably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in the state where the door hook is locked;

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged schematic view of part A in

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a schematic structural diagram from another angle (with the cavity front plate added);

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention in the state where the door hook is unlocked;

[0020] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged schematic view of part B in

[0021] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the installation structure of the energy storage bracket and the push rod of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of the push rod of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the external gear ring of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 9 Schematic structural diagram of the gear bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0026] As Figures 1 to 9 shown, the door lock device of the cooking device in this embodiment includes an inner container 1. A cavity front plate 8 and a door assembly 2 are provided on the front side of the inner container 1. A door hook 3 is provided at the rear of the door assembly 2. An insertion hole (not shown in the figure) for the door hook 3 to insert is formed on the cavity front plate 8. The above structure is the same as that of the existing door lock device and will not be described in detail here.

[0027] An energy storage bracket 4 is installed on the top of the inner container 1. The interior of the energy storage bracket 4 forms a cavity and is circular tubular. The energy storage bracket 4 has a vertical portion 44 and a horizontal portion 45 that extends forward after turning from the upper end of the vertical portion. The vertical portion 44 is installed on the top of the inner container 1. A push rod 5 is installed on the energy storage bracket 4. The push rod 5 is horizontally arranged, and the rear end of the push rod 5 extends into the horizontal portion 45. Specifically, the rear end of the push rod 5 has a radial boss 52 that is sealed with the inner wall of the energy storage bracket 4. The radial boss 52 divides the cavity inside the energy storage bracket 4 into a front cavity 41 and a rear cavity 42. The front cavity 41 is connected to the outside atmosphere through a vent hole 43 at the front end of the energy storage bracket 4. The vent hole 43 is provided on the horizontal portion 45, and the rear cavity 42 is a closed cavity.

[0028] An elastic member is installed in the front cavity 41. The elastic member in this embodiment adopts a spring 6. The front end of the spring 6 abuts against the front wall of the energy storage bracket 4, and the rear end of the spring 6 abuts against the radial boss 52. Under the elastic force of the spring 6, the push rod 5 has a tendency to reset backward.

[0029] A gear bracket 71 is also installed on the top of the inner container 1. The gear bracket 71 is located on the front side of the energy storage bracket 4. An outer gear ring 72 is installed on the gear bracket 71. The gear bracket 71 and the outer gear ring 72 form a locking member 7. The gear bracket 71 in this embodiment is cylindrical. A guide groove 712 is formed on the outer periphery of the upper end surface of the gear bracket 71. The outer gear ring 72 is horizontally arranged. A guide rib 722 is provided at the bottom of the outer gear ring 72. The guide rib 722 is embedded in the guide groove 712. In this way, the outer gear ring 72 is limited on the gear bracket 71 and can rotate circumferentially relative to the gear bracket 71. In addition, a fan-shaped relief groove 711 is also formed on the upper end surface of the gear bracket 71. The fan-shaped relief groove 711 is located below the outer gear ring 72.

[0030] The front end of the push rod 5 extends forward outside the energy storage bracket 4. The front end of the push rod 5 is provided with an engaging tooth portion 51, and the engaging tooth portion 51 meshes with the external gear ring 72. By moving the push rod 5 back and forth, the external gear ring 72 can be driven to rotate, thereby realizing the linkage between the locking member 7 and the push rod 5. In this embodiment, the external gear ring 72 is circumferentially disconnected to form a notch portion 721, and a locking hole 31 is formed at the rear of the door hook 3. Driven by the push rod 5, the notch portion 721 can rotate to the exact rear of the door hook 3 to release the door hook 3 by the external gear ring 72, and the notch portion 721 can rotate to a position deviating from the exact rear of the door hook 3 to enable one end of the external gear ring 72 to pass through the locking hole 31 to lock the door hook 3.

[0031] The working principle of this door lock device is as follows:

[0032] In the initial state, the push rod 5 is in its original position. At this time, the air pressure in the rear cavity 42 is P2 = atmospheric pressure, and the air pressure P1 in the front cavity 41 is always equal to the atmospheric pressure, that is, P1 = P2. The spring 6 is in its original length state. The notch portion 721 on the external gear ring 72 is located directly behind the door hook 3, and the rear end of the door hook 3 extends into the fan-shaped relief groove 711. The door hook 3 can be freely pushed in and pulled out.

[0033] When the user activates the cooking function, the temperature inside the inner container 1 begins to rise. According to the ideal gas state equation, PV = nRT. As the temperature rises, the air pressure P2 in the rear cavity 42 begins to increase, and the spring 6 begins to compress to generate an elastic force P3. The pressure difference between the rear cavity 42 and the front cavity 41 overcomes the elastic force of the spring 6, and the push rod 5 begins to move forward. As a result, the external gear ring 72 rotates clockwise, and the notch portion 721 on the external gear ring 72 gradually rotates clockwise. When the notch portion 721 completely leaves the position directly behind the door hook 3, one end of the external gear ring 72 passes through the locking hole 31 to lock the door hook 3, and the door hook 3 cannot be opened outward. As the temperature rises, the door assembly 2 cannot be opened, preventing the door assembly 2 from being pushed open and leaking air when the steam pressure inside the inner container 1 is too high, and preventing the user from being scalded by accidentally opening the door when the barbecue temperature is too high. When the temperature region stabilizes, P2 = P1 + P3, and the spring 6 is in a compressed state.

[0034] When the cooking work ends, the temperature inside the inner container 1 begins to decrease, the air pressure P2 in the rear cavity 42 begins to decrease, the elastic force P3 of the spring 6 begins to decrease, the elastic force of the spring 6 overcomes the pressure difference between the rear cavity 42 and the front cavity 41, and the push rod 5 begins to move inward. As a result, the external gear ring 72 rotates counterclockwise, and the notch portion 721 on the external gear ring 72 begins to rotate counterclockwise. When the notch portion 721 rotates to the position directly behind the door hook 3, the locking of the door hook 3 is released, and the door assembly 2 can be opened. When the temperature of the inner container 1 drops to room temperature, P1 = P2 = atmospheric pressure, and the spring 6 returns to its original length, and the door assembly 2 can be opened.

[0035] The door lock device of this embodiment can be applied to cooking appliances with steaming functions, such as steam ovens, steam combination microwave ovens, steam combination ovens, or steam combination microwave and convection ovens, etc.

Claims

1. A door lock device for a cooking appliance, comprising an inner container (1) and a door assembly (2) provided on the front side of the inner container. A door hook (3) is provided at the rear of the door assembly (2). Characterized in that: A energy storage bracket (4) is installed at the top of the inner container (1). A cavity is formed inside the energy storage bracket (4). A push rod (5) is installed on the energy storage bracket (4). The rear end of the push rod (5) extends into the interior of the energy storage bracket (4) and divides the cavity into a front cavity (41) and a rear cavity (42). The front cavity (41) is communicated with the outside atmosphere. The rear cavity (42) is a sealed cavity. An elastic member for keeping the push rod (5) in a backward resetting tendency is installed in the front cavity (41). The front end of the push rod (5) extends forward outside the energy storage bracket (4). The front end of the push rod (5) is connected with a locking member (7) linked with the push rod. In a state where the pressure difference between the rear cavity (42) and the front cavity (41) overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member, the push rod (5) can move forward and the linked locking member (7) can lock the door hook (3). In a state where the elastic force of the elastic member overcomes the pressure difference between the rear cavity (42) and the front cavity (41), the elastic member can drive the push rod (5) to move backward and the linked locking member (7) can release the door hook (3). A meshing tooth portion (51) is provided at the front end of the push rod (5). The locking member (7) includes a gear bracket (71) and an external gear ring (72) installed on the gear bracket. The external gear ring (72) meshes with the meshing tooth portion (51). A notch portion (721) is formed by circumferentially disconnecting the external gear ring (72). A locking hole (31) is opened at the rear of the door hook (3). Driven by the push rod (5), the notch portion (721) can rotate to the exact rear of the door hook (3) to release the door hook by the external gear ring (72). The notch portion (721) can rotate to deviate from the exact rear of the door hook (3) so that one end of the external gear ring (72) passes through the locking hole (31) to lock the door hook (3). The gear bracket (71) is installed at the top of the inner container (1). The gear bracket (71) is located at the front side of the energy storage bracket (4). The gear bracket (71) is cylindrical. The external gear ring (72) is horizontally arranged and installed on the top of the gear bracket (71). A fan-shaped relief groove (711) is opened on the upper end surface of the gear bracket (71). In the closed door state, the rear end of the door hook (3) extends into the fan-shaped relief groove (711). A guide groove (712) is opened on the outer circumference of the upper end surface of the gear bracket (71). A guide rib (722) embedded in the guide groove (712) is provided at the bottom of the external gear ring (72).

2. The door lock device for a cooking appliance according to claim 1, Characterized in that: A ventilation hole (43) is opened at the front end portion of the energy storage bracket (4). The front cavity (41) is communicated with the outside atmosphere through the ventilation hole (43).

3. The door lock device for a cooking appliance according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The rear end of the push rod (5) has a radial boss (52) that is sealed with the inner wall of the energy storage bracket (4). The radial boss (52) divides the cavity inside the energy storage bracket (4) into the front cavity (41) and the rear cavity (42).

4. The door lock device of the cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein: the elastic member is a spring (6). The front end of the spring (6) abuts against the front wall of the energy storage bracket (4), and the rear end of the spring (6) abuts against the radial boss (52).

5. The door lock device of the cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein: the energy storage bracket (4) is circular tubular. The energy storage bracket (4) has a vertical portion (44) and a horizontal portion (45) that extends forward after turning from the upper end of the vertical portion. The vertical portion (44) is installed at the top of the inner container (1), and the push rod (5) is horizontally arranged and the rear end of the push rod (5) extends backward into the horizontal portion (45).

6. The door lock device of the cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: a cavity front plate (8) is installed on the front side of the inner container (1), and an insertion hole for inserting the door hook (3) is formed in the cavity front plate (8).

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