A steam cooking appliance

Abstract

The present invention discloses a steam cooking appliance, belonging to the technical field of food processing, aiming to overcome the defect that the existing steam rice cooker has a relatively high risk of being unable to be used. The steam cooking appliance includes a body, on which a steam generator and a water tank are provided. A first flow channel and a second flow channel are provided between the water tank and the steam generator, and a water purification unit is connected to the second flow channel; and a flow direction control valve is provided. Under the control of the flow direction control valve, the water tank can selectively communicate with the steam generator through the first flow channel or the second flow channel. In the case where the water purification unit cannot be used, the water tank can supply water to the steam generator through the first flow channel, and the basic cooking function of the steam cooking appliance can still be used, reducing the risk that the steam cooking appliance cannot be used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of food processing and relates to a steam rice cooker. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, there is a steam rice cooker integrated with an RO water purification unit. The RO water purification unit is installed in the pot body of the steam rice cooker and is connected in series between the water tank and the steam generator to purify the water entering the steam generator, so as to avoid scale residue during the steam generation process of the steam generator.

[0003] In the existing steam rice cooker, the water in the water tank must pass through the water purification unit before entering the steam generator. Once the water purification unit fails, the entire steam rice cooker cannot be used, which increases the risk of the steam rice cooker being unusable. In addition, for a steam rice cooker with an automatic water addition function, when the steam rice cooker is in the water addition mode, the steam generator does not work or works at a low power, and the steam generator does not generate steam. The water flow does not need to pass through the water purification unit for filtration. Since the water flow in the prior art must pass through the water purification unit, the water addition efficiency is low. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a steam cooking appliance in view of the problems existing in the prior art, aiming to overcome the defect that the existing steam rice cooker has a relatively high risk of being unusable.

[0005] The present invention is implemented as follows:

[0006] A steam cooking appliance includes a body, and a steam generator and a water tank for supplying water to the steam generator are provided on the body.

[0007] A first flow channel and a second flow channel are provided between the water tank and the steam generator, and the second flow channel is connected with a water purification unit.

[0008] And a flow direction control valve is provided to enable the water tank and the steam generator to communicate with each other through the first flow channel or the second flow channel.

[0009] Under the control of the flow direction control valve, the water tank can selectively communicate with the steam generator through the first flow channel or the second flow channel.

[0010] When the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the first flow channel, the water flowing into the steam generator does not pass through the water purification unit, and the water purification unit will not function. Even if the water purification unit is damaged, malfunctioning, or has reached the end of its life and cannot be used, the water tank can still supply water to the steam generator, so that the basic cooking function of the steam cooking appliance will not be affected. In addition, after the user has installed another water purifier, the water added to the water tank has already been filtered, and there is no need to filter the water in the water tank a second time. At this time, the water purification unit corresponding to the steam cooking appliance can also be stopped from being used to avoid unnecessary damage to the water purification unit and extend its service life.

[0011] When the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the second flow channel, since the second flow channel is connected to the water purification unit, the water purification unit can filter impurities and / or mineral elements in the raw water, improve the health and taste of the cooked food, reduce the accumulation of scale in the steam generator, extend the service life of the steam generator, and reduce the frequency of maintenance or repair of the steam generator.

[0012] Preferably, the flow direction control valve includes a three-way flow channel, and the three connection ports of the three-way flow channel are respectively connected to the water tank, the first flow channel, and the second flow channel;

[0013] A valve core is movably arranged in the three-way flow channel to block the first flow channel or the second flow channel. By controlling the water flow direction with the three-way flow channel and the valve core, the structure is more compact and the failure rate is reduced.

[0014] Preferably, the flow direction control valve includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve;

[0015] The first solenoid valve is arranged corresponding to the first flow channel and is used to control the opening or closing of the first flow channel;

[0016] The second solenoid valve is arranged corresponding to the second flow channel and is used to control the opening or closing of the second flow channel. When the first solenoid valve controls the opening of the first flow channel and the second solenoid valve controls the opening of the second flow channel, the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the first flow channel, and the water flow does not pass through the water purification unit; when the first solenoid valve controls the closing of the second flow channel and the second solenoid valve controls the opening of the second flow channel, the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the second flow channel, and the water flow passes through the water purification unit.

[0017] Preferably, a water purification connector is arranged on the body, and the water purification unit is detachably connected to the water purification connector;

[0018] When the water purification unit is connected to the water purification joint, the water purification unit is connected in series on the second flow channel. When the raw water in the water tank does not need to pass through filtration and enters the steam generator, the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the first flow channel. At this time, the water purification unit can be disassembled and stored, or the water purification unit can be used for other products that can pass through the water purification unit, which also improves the convenience of maintaining and repairing the water purification unit.

[0019] Preferably, a water purification joint is provided on the body. The water purification joint includes a raw water interface and a purified water interface. The water purification unit is provided with a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet that are respectively docked with the raw water interface and the purified water interface.

[0020] When the raw water inlet is inserted into the raw water interface, the raw water inlet abuts against the valve core, and the valve core blocks the first flow channel. The water tank is connected to the steam generator through the second flow channel.

[0021] A return member is provided between the three-way flow channel and the valve core. When the raw water inlet is separated from the raw water interface, the return member causes the valve core to block the second flow channel, and the water tank is connected to the steam generator through the first flow channel. After the water purification unit is installed, the water tank is automatically connected to the steam generator through the second flow channel. After the water purification unit is disassembled, the water tank is automatically connected to the steam generator through the first flow channel, without the need for corresponding sensors, controllers or specific additional operations, improving the convenience and reliability of switching the flow channels connecting the water tank and the steam generator.

[0022] Preferably, a push rod is provided at the raw water inlet of the water purification unit, a sealing ring is provided on the periphery of the raw water interface, the outer wall of the raw water inlet is in sealing contact with the sealing ring, and the push rod is inserted into the raw water interface and abuts against the valve core. Using the push rod to abut against the valve core can avoid the influence of the side wall of the raw water inlet on the flow rate of the valve core.

[0023] Preferably, a docking coupling structure is provided on the body. The docking coupling structure protrudes from one side of the body, the water purification joint is located on the docking coupling structure, and the water purification joint is arranged upward. The docking coupling structure facilitates the water purification unit to be inserted into the water purification joint.

[0024] Preferably, a hidden groove is provided on the water purification unit. When the water purification unit is connected to the water purification joint, the docking coupling structure is embedded in the hidden groove. This facilitates the compactness of the overall shape of the water purification unit and the body, and can also reduce the accumulation of external oil fume or dust at the water purification joint to keep the water purification joint clean.

[0025] Preferably, the docking and coupling structure is slidably or rotatably mounted on the body. The body is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the docking and coupling structure. When the water purification unit is separated from the docking and coupling structure, the docking and coupling structure is received in the receiving cavity. In this way, when the water purification unit is not in use, after removing the water purification unit, the docking and coupling structure can be received in the receiving cavity, reducing the irregular shape outside the body, improving the aesthetics, reducing the space occupied by the steam cooking appliance, and preventing the water purification connector from being contaminated.

[0026] Preferably, the water purification unit includes an RO filter element and a water purification pump. A power supply board is arranged inside the body, and the water purification pump is coupled to the power supply board through an electrical coupler. In this way, the water purification pump does not require additional power supply and does not require an additional controller to control its operation. The control program can be integrated into the power supply board of the steam cooking appliance.

[0027] The water purification connector includes a raw water interface, a purified water interface, and a waste water interface. The waste water interface is communicated with the water tank. The water purification unit includes a waste water outlet, and the waste water outlet is docked with the waste water interface. A one-way valve is arranged at the purified water interface and / or the waste water interface. In this way, a dedicated waste water collection unit is not required, and the steam cooking appliance does not need to be placed near the kitchen sink, making the placement position of the steam cooking appliance more flexible, improving the user experience, and the waste water can supplement the water volume in the water tank to a certain extent, so that the volume of the water tank can be made smaller, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the product.

[0028] In the steam cooking appliance provided by the present invention, under the control of the flow control valve, the water tank can selectively communicate with the steam generator through the first flow channel or the second flow channel. In the case where the water purification unit cannot be used, the water tank can supply water to the steam generator through the first flow channel, and the basic cooking function of the steam cooking appliance can still be used, reducing the risk of the steam cooking appliance being unable to be used. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a steam rice cooker;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the steam rice cooker without the water purification unit installed;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the flow path when the water tank communicates with the steam generator through the first flow channel;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the flow path when the water tank communicates with the steam generator through the second flow channel;

[0033] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of the bottom of the water purification unit;

[0034] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of the docking and coupling structure;

[0035] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an enlarged view of the local part A in

[0036] Figure 8 Schematic structural diagram of the flow control valve;

[0037] Figure 9 Exploded structural diagram of the flow control valve;

[0038] Figure 10 Schematic structural diagram of the valve core;

[0039] Figure 11 Schematic structural diagram of the steam rice cooker when the docking and coupling structure is received in the body.

[0040] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings: 100, body; 110, steam generator; 120, water tank; 200, docking and coupling structure; 210, first flow channel; 220, second flow channel; 230, flow direction control valve; 231, water inlet channel; 232, raw water interface; 233, raw water joint; 234, guide post; 235, insertion slot; 236, sealing ring; 237, limiting ring; 238, valve seat; 239, valve body; 240, valve core; 241, first sealing ring; 242, second sealing ring; 243, guiding part; 244, water flow channel; 245, guiding rib; 250, purified water joint; 251, purified water interface; 252, check valve; 253, waste water interface; 260, housing; 261, handle groove; 270, return member; 280, electrical coupler; 290, seal; 300, purified water unit; 310, raw water inlet; 311, ejector rod; 320, purified water outlet; 330, hidden groove; 340, waste water outlet. Specific embodiments

[0041] The following will further elaborate on the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the embodiments, so that the technical solutions of the present invention are easier to understand and master. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0042] This embodiment provides a steam rice cooker, which is a specific application of the innovative solution of the present invention on the steam rice cooker. The innovative solution of the present invention can also be applied to other cooking appliances using steam heating.

[0043] As Figure 1-2 shown, the steam rice cooker includes a body 100, and a steam generator 110 and a water tank 120 for supplying water to the steam generator 110 are provided on the body 100.

[0044] As shown Figure 3-4 in the figure, a first flow channel 210 and a second flow channel 220 are provided between the water tank 120 and the steam generator 110, and the second flow channel 220 is connected to a water purification unit 300. The water purification unit 300 is a component of the steam rice cooker and is attached to the steam rice cooker. In other alternative embodiments, the steam rice cooker may not be equipped with the water purification unit 300 as long as the second flow channel 220 can be connected to the water purification unit 300. For example, the steam rice cooker is connected to a water purifier already existing in the kitchen, and in this case, the water purification unit 300 is an environmental feature of the usage environment.

[0045] As shown Figure 3-4 in the figure, a flow direction control valve 230 is provided to enable communication between the water tank 120 and the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210 or the second flow channel 220.

[0046] Under the control of the flow direction control valve 230, the water tank 120 can selectively communicate with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210 or the second flow channel 220.

[0047] As shown Figure 3 in the figure, when the water tank 120 communicates with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210, the water flowing into the steam generator 110 does not pass through the water purification unit 300, and the water purification unit 300 does not function. The water purification unit 300 has a limited lifespan, and it cannot ensure that users can replace the new water purification unit 300 in a timely manner. Since cooking rice is a basic daily need, it should be ensured that rice can be cooked in case of an emergency. The setting of selectively opening the dual flow channels can solve the problem that basic cooking can still be completed when the lifespan of the water purification unit 300 expires, improving the user experience. In addition, after the user has installed another water purifier, if the water added to the water tank 120 has already been filtered, there is no need to filter the water in the water tank 120 a second time. In this case, the water purification unit 300 corresponding to the steam cooking appliance can also be stopped from being used, avoiding unnecessary damage to the water purification unit 300 and extending the service life of the water purification unit 300.

[0048] As shown Figure 4 in the figure, when the water tank 120 communicates with the steam generator 110 through the second flow channel 220, since the second flow channel 220 is connected to the water purification unit 300, the water purification unit 300 can filter impurities and / or mineral elements in the raw water, improving the healthiness and taste of the cooked food, reducing the accumulation of scale in the steam generator 110, extending the service life of the steam generator 110, and reducing the maintenance or repair frequency of the steam generator 110.

[0049] Furthermore, the amount of water used for cooking in the steam rice cooker is strictly limited. The first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220 are supplied with water from the same water tank 120, which can reduce the risk of insufficient water addition by the user and save water resources. If the first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220 are supplied with water from different water tanks, for example, the first flow channel 210 is supplied with water from the water tank 120 on the steam rice cooker, and the second flow channel 220 is supplied with water from another water tank configured by the water purification unit 300 itself. When starting cooking, the purified water passing through the second flow channel 220 is used for cooking. During the cooking process, the situation where the water purification unit 300 cannot be used may occur. At this time, it is necessary to switch to cooking with the raw water passing through the first flow channel 210. If the water tank corresponding to the first flow channel 210 has insufficient water addition, it will cause the steam rice cooker to be unable to complete cooking. If the water tank corresponding to the first flow channel 210 has sufficient water addition, then when the water purification unit 300 can always be used normally, it will cause waste of water resources in this water tank. It can be seen that the first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220 being supplied with water from the same water tank 120 can avoid the problem that the user cannot complete rice cooking due to insufficient water addition in a certain water tank, without the user having to ensure that the water in multiple water tanks has a basic amount at the same time, avoiding the trouble of adding water to multiple water tanks by the user and avoiding waste of water resources.

[0050] In addition, when the water purification unit 300 is detachably connected to the body 100, the first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220 are supplied with water from the same water tank 120, and there is no need to provide another water tank on the water purification unit, which can simplify the structure of the detachable water purification unit 300 and facilitate docking.

[0051] Furthermore, a cooking cavity for holding food is provided on the body 100. The steam rice cooker includes a steam supply mode and a water addition mode. When the steam generator 110 delivers steam to the cooking cavity, it is the steam supply mode. When the steam generator 110 does not work or works at a low power, the steam generator 110 delivers liquid water to the cooking cavity, which is the water addition mode. When the water purification unit 300 is detachably connected to the body 100, it is convenient to realize the multi-function of the steam rice cooker. For example, a sensor is provided on the body 100 to detect whether the water purification unit 300 is installed. When it is detected that the water purification unit 300 is installed, the controller in the body 100 can complete the water addition mode or the steam supply mode by controlling whether the steam generator 110 works; when the water purification unit 300 is not installed, the controller controls the steam generator 110 not to work or only work at a low power to limit the steam rice cooker to only realize the water addition mode, or after giving priority to completing the current cooking program and waiting for the next cooking program to require the steam rice cooker to enter the steam supply mode, then prompt the user to install the water purification unit 300.

[0052] The water tank 120 can be selectively communicated with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210 or the second flow channel 220, which can meet different cooking scenarios. When the steam generator 110 is working, water can flow through the water purification unit 300 to ensure that the steam generator 110 does not scale; when the steam generator 110 is not working or working at low power, water can flow through the first flow channel 210 to add water or heat water to the cooking cavity, reducing the loss of the water purification unit 300 and improving the efficiency of adding water.

[0053] As Figure 3-4 shown, the flow direction control valve 230 includes a three-way flow channel, and the three connection ports of the three-way flow channel are respectively an inlet channel 231, a raw water interface 232, and a raw water joint 233. The inlet channel 231, the raw water interface 232, and the raw water joint 233 are respectively communicated with the water tank 120, the second flow channel 220, and the first flow channel 210; a valve core 240 is movably arranged in the three-way flow channel to block the first flow channel 210 or the second flow channel 220. By controlling the water flow direction through the cooperation of the three-way flow channel and the valve core 240, the structure is more compact and the failure rate is reduced.

[0054] In other alternative embodiments, control valves can also be respectively arranged on the first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220 to respectively control the flow or closing of the first flow channel 210 and the second flow channel 220. For example, the flow direction control valve 230 includes a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve; the first solenoid valve is arranged corresponding to the first flow channel 210 and is used to control the opening or closing of the first flow channel 210; the second solenoid valve is arranged corresponding to the second flow channel 220 and is used to control the opening or closing of the second flow channel 220. When the first solenoid valve controls the opening of the first flow channel 210 and the second solenoid valve controls the opening of the second flow channel 220, the water tank 120 is communicated with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210, and the water flow does not pass through the water purification unit 300; when the first solenoid valve controls the closing of the second flow channel 220 and the second solenoid valve controls the opening of the second flow channel 220, the water tank 120 is communicated with the steam generator 110 through the second flow channel 220, and the water flow passes through the water purification unit 300.

[0055] As Figure 2 shown, a water purification joint 250 is arranged on the body 100, and the water purification unit 300 is detachably connected to the water purification joint 250; when the water purification unit 300 is connected to the water purification joint 250, the water purification unit 300 is connected in series on the second flow channel 220. When the raw water in the water tank 120 does not need to enter the steam generator 110 after being filtered, the water tank 120 is communicated with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210. At this time, the water purification unit 300 can be disassembled and stored, or the water purification unit 300 can be used for other products that can pass through the water purification unit 300, which also improves the convenience of maintaining and repairing the water purification unit 300.

[0056] In other alternative embodiments, the water purification unit 300 can also be integrated within the body 100. When the flow direction control valve 230 is a mechanical valve, a control switch can be provided to control the switching of the water flow path. When the flow direction control valve 230 is an electromagnetic valve, the switching of the water flow path can be controlled by a controller within the body 100.

[0057] As Figure 2 、 Figure 6 shown, a docking coupling structure 200 is provided on the body 100. The docking coupling structure 200 includes a housing 260. The docking coupling structure 200 protrudes from one side of the body 100. The water purification connector 250 is located on the docking coupling structure 200. The flow direction control valve 230 is disposed within the housing 260. The water purification connector 250 is arranged upward. In this way, when the water purification unit 300 and the docking coupling structure 200 are plugged together, a downward force can be applied. There is a corresponding tabletop support below the docking coupling structure 200, so that the user does not need to free a hand to hold the body 100 during plugging. Both hands of the user can be used to hold the water purification unit 300, facilitating the smooth progress of the plugging. In other alternative embodiments, the water purification connector 250 can face the side, but in this case, the user needs to hold the body with a hand during the plugging of the water purification unit 300, which is not conducive to the alignment and plugging operation of the water purification unit 300 and the water purification connector 250.

[0058] As Figure 2 、 Figure 5 shown, the water purification connector 250 includes a raw water interface 232 and a purified water interface 251. The water purification unit 300 is provided with a raw water inlet 310 and a purified water outlet 320 that are respectively docked with the raw water interface 232 and the purified water interface 251.

[0059] When the raw water inlet 310 is inserted into the raw water interface 232, the raw water inlet 310 abuts against the valve core 240. One end of the valve core 240 close to the raw water interface 232 is pressed, and the valve core 240 blocks the raw water connector 233. The raw water interface 232 is opened, so that the valve core 240 blocks the first flow channel 210, and the water tank 120 is communicated with the steam generator 110 through the second flow channel.

[0060] As Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 9 shown, a first sealing ring 241 and a second sealing ring 242 are provided on the valve core 240. The first sealing ring 241 is used to block the raw water interface 232, and the second sealing ring 242 is used to block the raw water connector 233.

[0061] As Figure 3As shown, a return member 270 is provided between the three-way flow channel and the valve core 240. When the raw water inlet 310 is separated from the raw water interface 232, that is, when one end of the valve core 240 close to the raw water joint 233 is released, the valve core 240 blocks the raw water interface 232 under the action of the return member 270, and the raw water joint 233 is opened. That is, the return member 270 makes the valve core 240 block the second flow channel 220, and the water tank 120 is communicated with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210. The return member 270 is a spring.

[0062] After the water purification unit 300 is installed, the water tank 120 is automatically communicated with the steam generator 110 through the second flow channel 220. After the water purification unit 300 is removed, the water tank 120 is automatically communicated with the steam generator 110 through the first flow channel 210, without the need for corresponding sensors, controllers or specific additional operations, improving the convenience and reliability of the switching of the flow channels communicating the water tank 120 and the steam generator 110.

[0063] In other alternative embodiments, the flow direction control valve 230 with a three-way flow channel can also be a three-way solenoid valve, which is connected to the controller in the body 100, and signals whether to use the water purification unit 300 are given to the controller through sensors or user operations, so that the controller controls the three-way solenoid valve to switch the water flow direction.

[0064] As Figure 5 shown, a push rod 311 is provided at the raw water inlet 310 of the water purification unit 300, and the push rod 311 is inserted into the raw water interface 232 and abuts against the valve core 240. Using the push rod 311 to abut against the valve core 240 can avoid the influence of the side wall of the raw water inlet 310 on the flow rate of the valve core 240. In other alternative embodiments, the push rod 311 may not be provided, and the side wall of the raw water inlet 310 directly abuts against the valve core 240.

[0065] As Figure 3-4 、 Figure 9-10 shown, a guide post 234 is provided on the flow direction control valve 230, the raw water interface 232 is located on the guide post 234, the valve core 240 has a guide portion 243, the guide portion 243 extends into the raw water interface 232, and a water flow channel 244 is provided on the guide portion 243. The arrangement of the guide post 234 and the guide portion 243 makes the movement of the valve core 240 more stable, avoids the deflection of the valve core 240, and reduces the failure risk of the valve core 240.

[0066] As Figure 10As shown, the guiding part 243 has a plurality of flow guiding ribs 245 distributed circumferentially along the guiding part 243, and a water flow channel 244 is formed between the flow guiding ribs 245. The arrangement of the flow guiding ribs 245 ensures the formation of the water flow channel 244, while reducing the contact surface between the guiding part 243 and the inner wall of the raw water interface 232, improving the smoothness of the movement of the valve core 240. The ejector rod 311 abuts against the middle part of the guiding part 243 and will not affect the flow rate of the water flow channel 244. In other alternative embodiments, a flow guiding middle hole extending along the axis of the guiding part 243 may also be provided in the middle part of the guiding part 243, and the bottom of the flow guiding middle hole communicates with the outside of the guiding part 243 from the side wall of the guiding part 243 to form the water flow channel 244. In this embodiment, it is preferably not to provide the ejector rod 311, and the side wall of the raw water inlet 310 directly abuts against the guiding part 243 to prevent the ejector rod 311 from blocking the flow guiding middle hole.

[0067] A plug-in groove 235 is provided on the flow direction control valve 230, and a sealing ring 236 is provided on the inner wall of the plug-in groove 235, that is, a sealing ring 236 is provided on the periphery of the raw water interface 232, and the outer wall of the raw water inlet 310 is in sealing contact with the sealing ring 236. This can improve the sealing performance after the water purification unit 300 and the raw water interface 232 are plugged in. A limiting groove is provided at the upper end of the inner wall of the plug-in groove 235, and a limiting ring 237 is provided on the outer side of the sealing ring 236, and the limiting ring 237 is embedded in the limiting groove, and the housing 260 presses the sealing ring 236.

[0068] As Figure 8-9 shown, the flow direction control valve 230 includes a valve seat 238 and a valve body 239 that are detachably connected to each other. The raw water interface 232 and the water inlet channel 231 are located on the valve body 239, and the raw water joint 233 is located on the valve seat 238. The detachable valve seat 238 and valve body 239 facilitate the installation of the valve core 240, and the raw water joint 233 being located on the valve seat 238 facilitates adjusting the relative position of the raw water joint 233 and the water inlet channel 231 to adapt to different installation positions of the water tank 120 and the steam generator 110. The valve seat 238 and the valve body 239 are sealed by a sealing member 290.

[0069] The housing 260 is provided with a one-way valve 252 at the water purification interface 251. In the case of disassembling the water purification unit 300, the one-way valve 252 can control the closing of the water purification interface 251 to prevent external air from entering the steam generator 110 or prevent the water vapor of the steam generator 110 from flowing out from the water purification interface 251.

[0070] As Figure 1 、 Figure 5As shown, a hidden groove 330 is provided on the water purification unit 300. When the water purification unit 300 is connected to the water purification connector 250, the docking and coupling structure 200 is embedded in the hidden groove 330. This facilitates the compactness of the overall shape of the water purification unit 300 and the body 100, and can also reduce the accumulation of external oil fumes or dust at the water purification connector 250 to keep the water purification connector 250 clean.

[0071] As Figure 2 , Figure 11 shown, the docking and coupling structure 200 is slidably mounted on the body 100. The body 100 is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the docking and coupling structure 200. When the water purification unit 300 is separated from the docking and coupling structure 200, the docking and coupling structure 200 is received in the receiving cavity. In this way, when the water purification unit 300 is not in use, after removing the water purification unit 300, the docking and coupling structure 200 can be received in the receiving cavity, reducing the irregular shape outside the body 100, enhancing the aesthetics, reducing the space occupied by the steam cooking appliance, and preventing the water purification connector 250 from being contaminated. A handle groove 261 is also provided on the docking and coupling structure 200, and the handle groove 261 facilitates pulling out the docking and coupling structure 200 from the receiving cavity. In other alternative embodiments, the docking and coupling structure 200 can also be rotatably connected to the body 100.

[0072] As Figure 5-6 shown, the water purification unit 300 includes an RO filter element and a water purification pump. A power supply board is arranged in the body 100, and the water purification pump is coupled to the power supply board through an electrical coupler 280; in this way, the water purification pump does not need to be powered by an additional power supply, nor does it need an additional controller to control its operation, and the control program can be integrated into the power supply board of the steam cooking appliance. In other alternative embodiments, the water purification unit 300 can also use a ceramic filter element, and in this case, the electrical coupler 280 does not need to be provided on the docking and coupling structure 200.

[0073] Furthermore, as Figure 5-6 shown, the water purification connector 250 further includes a waste water interface 253. The waste water interface 253 is communicated with the water tank 120. The water purification unit 300 includes a waste water outlet 340. The waste water outlet 340 is docked with the waste water interface 253, and a one-way valve is arranged at the waste water interface 253. In this way, there is no need for a dedicated waste water collection unit, nor is it necessary to place the steam cooking appliance near the kitchen drain, making the placement position of the steam cooking appliance more arbitrary, enhancing the use experience, and the waste water can also supplement the water volume of the water tank 120 to a certain extent, so that the volume of the water tank 120 can be made smaller, which is beneficial to the miniaturized design of the product.

[0074] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms "center", "lateral", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "radial", "circumferential", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0075] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more unless otherwise specifically defined. In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and defined, the terms such as "mounted", "connected", "connected to", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0076] Those skilled in the art should understand that although the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are as above, the content described is only an embodiment adopted for the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present invention and is not used to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Any person skilled in the art within the field to which the embodiments of the present invention belong, without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention, can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation, but the scope of patent protection of the embodiments of the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A steam cooking appliance, comprising a body, a steam generator is provided on the body, and a water tank for supplying water to the steam generator and a water purification unit, characterized in that a first flow channel and a second flow channel are provided between the water tank and the steam generator, and the second flow channel is connected with a water purification unit; and a flow direction control valve is provided to enable the water tank and the steam generator to communicate with each other through the first flow channel or the second flow channel.

2. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein The flow direction control valve comprises a three-way flow channel, and three connection ports of the three-way flow channel are respectively communicated with the water tank, the first flow channel and the second flow channel; a valve core is movably arranged in the three-way flow channel to block the first flow channel or the second flow channel.

3. A steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein The flow direction control valve comprises a first electromagnetic valve and a second electromagnetic valve; the first electromagnetic valve is arranged corresponding to the first flow channel and is used for controlling the opening or closing of the first flow channel; the second electromagnetic valve is arranged corresponding to the second flow channel and is used for controlling the opening or closing of the second flow channel.

4. A steam cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, A water purification connector is arranged on the body, and the water purification unit is detachably connected to the water purification connector; when the water purification unit is connected to the water purification connector, the water purification unit is connected in series on the second flow channel.

5. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, A water purification connector is arranged on the body, the water purification connector comprises a raw water interface and a purified water interface, and the water purification unit is provided with a raw water inlet and a purified water outlet which are respectively docked with the raw water interface and the purified water interface; when the raw water inlet is inserted into the raw water interface, the raw water inlet abuts against the valve core, the valve core blocks the first flow channel, and the water tank communicates with the steam generator through the second channel; a return member is arranged between the three-way flow channel and the valve core. When the raw water inlet is separated from the raw water interface, the return member enables the valve core to block the second flow channel, and the water tank communicates with the steam generator through the first flow channel.

6. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that, A push rod is arranged at the raw water inlet of the water purification unit, a sealing ring is arranged on the periphery of the raw water interface, the outer wall of the raw water inlet is in sealed contact with the sealing ring, and the push rod is inserted into the raw water interface and abuts against the valve core.

7. A steam cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, A docking coupling structure and a water purification connector are arranged on the body, the docking coupling structure protrudes from one side of the body, the water purification connector is located on the docking coupling structure, and the water purification connector is arranged upward.

8. A steam cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein, A hidden groove is arranged on the water purification unit. When the water purification unit is connected to the water purification connector, the docking coupling structure is embedded in the hidden groove.

9. A steam cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein, The docking coupling structure is slidably or rotatably installed on the body, and the body is provided with a receiving cavity corresponding to the docking coupling structure. When the water purification unit is separated from the docking coupling structure, the docking coupling structure is received in the receiving cavity.

10. A steam cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The water purification unit comprises an RO filter element and a water purification pump, a power supply board is arranged in the body, and the water purification pump is coupled to the power supply board through an electrical coupler; a water purification connector is arranged on the body, the water purification connector comprises a raw water interface, a purified water interface and a waste water interface, the waste water interface is communicated with the water tank, the water purification unit comprises a waste water outlet, the waste water outlet is docked with the waste water interface, and a one-way valve is arranged at the purified water interface and / or the waste water interface.

Images