A cleaning method for a food processor

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cleaning method for a food processor. The food processor includes a crushing cavity for food processing and pulping. After the food processing and pulping are completed, the crushing cavity is automatically cleaned. The automatic cleaning includes at least one heating cleaning stage. A pre-cleaning stage is provided before the heating cleaning stage, and a cleaning stage is provided after the heating cleaning stage. During the heating cleaning stage, when heating the cleaning water in the crushing cavity, the maximum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V0. During the pre-cleaning stage and the cleaning stage, the minimum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V1, where V1 is greater than V0.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to small kitchen appliances, in particular to a cleaning method for a food processor. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of living quality, more and more families pursue a quality and healthy life and choose food processors to make food by themselves. With the continuous development of technology, platform-based food processing is more favored by users due to its diverse functions and convenient operation. However, due to its shape, the platform-based food processor brings a better food-making experience but also brings cleaning problems.

[0003] For example, in an existing soybean milk machine, the crushing cavity is fixed inside the base and is non-removable. After the soy milk is made, since the crushing cavity is non-removable, a layer of residue will cover the inner surface of the crushing cavity after each beverage is made and cannot be cleaned off. Over time, it is easy to breed bacteria and there are potential food safety hazards.

[0004] Based on this, how to achieve automatic cleaning and clean cleaning is the pursuit goal of manufacturers and R & D personnel. In the prior art, either multiple water inlets and stirrings (such as patent application CN201710280957.X) are used to clean the residue, which can achieve the cleaning effect to a certain extent, but requires more water, more cleaning water, more cleaning times and faster motor stirring to achieve, or cleaning is carried out by means of steam (such as patent application CN201710376849.2). Although it can be cleaned to a certain extent, the power consumption and various requirements for the food processor are relatively high. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning method for a food processor that can achieve further effective cleaning.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A cleaning method for a food processor, the food processor includes a crushing cavity for food processing and pulping. After the food processing and pulping are completed, the crushing cavity is automatically cleaned. Among them, the automatic cleaning includes at least one heating cleaning stage. A pre-cleaning stage is provided before the heating cleaning stage, and a cleaning stage is provided after the heating cleaning stage. When heating the cleaning water in the crushing cavity during the heating cleaning stage, the maximum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V0. During the pre-cleaning stage and the cleaning stage, the minimum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V1, where V1 is greater than V0.

[0007] Further, in the heating and cleaning stage, it includes a process of supplying water to the crushing chamber multiple times. The water supply volume V2 for the first time is the minimum water supply volume during the entire automatic cleaning process.

[0008] Further, the volume of the crushing chamber is V. In the heating and cleaning stage, the water supply volume V2 for the first time is not greater than 0.3V.

[0009] Further, in the heating and cleaning stage, control the heating device to heat the cleaning in the crushing chamber in different heating modes at different stages.

[0010] Further, in the heating and cleaning stage, it includes a process of supplying water to the crushing chamber multiple times. After the first water supply, control the heating device to heat the cleaning water in the crushing chamber to the set temperature T with the full heating power P.

[0011] Further, in the heating and cleaning stage, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing chamber reaches the set temperature T, control the heating device to intermittently heat the cleaning water in the crushing chamber with a decreasing heating power until there is no need to control the heating device to heat the cleaning water in the crushing chamber during the heating and cleaning stage.

[0012] Further, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing chamber reaches the set temperature T, control the heating device to stop working for N seconds, then control the heating device to work for n*S seconds with the heating power (1 / n)*P and then stop working for N seconds, control the heating device to work for (n + 1)*S seconds with the first heating power (1 / (n + 1))*P and then stop working for N seconds, and so on for m cycles to complete the control of the heating device during the heating and cleaning stage. When cycling for the mth time, control the heating device to work for (n + m)*S seconds with the mth heating power (1 / (n + m))*P.

[0013] Further, N = 20; n = 2; S = 10.

[0014] Further, in the heating and cleaning stage, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing chamber reaches the set temperature T, control the heating device to intermittently heat the cleaning water in the crushing chamber with a decreasing heating power until the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing chamber reaches the boiling point temperature, and control the crushing device to act on the cleaning water to clean the crushing chamber.

[0015] Further, control the crushing device to work at the first rotation speed Q1 for S1 seconds, then inject cleaning water with a water supply volume V3 into the crushing chamber, control the crushing device to work at the second rotation speed Q2 for S3 seconds, and then discharge the cleaning water in the crushing chamber.

[0016] For a food processor, especially a food processor such as a soymilk maker, during the food processing process, due to the electric and electrothermal actions on the materials, the materials are crushed and heated to a certain extent. During the crushing process, some fine particulate matters will inevitably be generated. These particulate matters have a certain adsorption property, resulting in residue problems on the cup wall of the crushing cavity. Heating increases the viscosity of the residue, thereby increasing the amount of residue.

[0017] In the present invention, during the cleaning process, the cleaning stage is divided into three times. The pre-cleaning stage is used to initially remove the material residues on the surface, removing the influence for the subsequent cleaning stage. The heating cleaning stage is used to effectively clean and soften the viscous residues. Finally, the entire crushing cavity is thoroughly cleaned. By implementing the cleaning division in each stage, a better cleaning effect can be achieved. In addition, cleaning different types of residues in different stages helps to save cleaning water and facilitates the execution of different heating or crushing device actions in different cleaning stages, further saving energy consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Embodiment:

[0021] As Figure 1 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the structure of the food processor in the present invention. It includes a machine body and a crushing assembly provided on the machine body. The crushing assembly includes a crushing cavity 01, a crushing cup cover 03, and a crushing device. The crushing device includes a crushing motor 02 and a crushing cutter 04. The crushing cup cover 03 and the crushing cavity 01 cooperate to form a crushing space. The output shaft of the crushing motor 02 extends into the crushing cavity, and the crushing cutter 04 is located in the crushing cavity and connected to the output shaft of the crushing motor 02. The food processor is also provided with a water tank 05. The water tank 05 supplies water into the crushing cavity 01 for crushing the materials into slurry, and can also supply water for cleaning the food processor area, i.e., the crushing cavity.

[0022] After the food processor finishes making the pulp, it automatically cleans the crushing cavity. The automatic cleaning includes at least one heating cleaning stage. A pre-cleaning stage is provided before the heating cleaning stage, and a cleaning stage is provided after the heating cleaning stage. During the heating cleaning stage, when heating the cleaning water in the crushing cavity, the maximum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V0. During the pre-cleaning stage and the cleaning stage, the minimum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V1, where V1 is greater than V0.

[0023] The cleaning stage is divided into three stages. The pre-cleaning stage is used to preliminarily remove the material residue on the surface to remove the influence of the subsequent cleaning stage. The heating cleaning stage is used to effectively clean and soften the sticky residue. Finally, the entire crushing chamber is started to be thoroughly cleaned. By dividing the cleaning in each stage, the cleaning effect can be better achieved. In addition, cleaning residues of different properties at different stages can save cleaning water, and it is convenient to perform different heating or crushing device actions at different cleaning stages to further save energy. When the cleaning water in the crushing chamber is heated, the maximum amount of cleaning water in the crushing chamber is V0. In the pre-cleaning stage and the cleaning stage, the minimum amount of cleaning water in the crushing chamber is V1, where V1 is greater than V0. That is to say, when heating, the cleaning water in the crushing chamber is the least, because the heating is mainly to soften the sticky residue. At this time, both the cleaning water and the steam generated by it can achieve such an effect, and the amount of cleaning water determines the time to generate steam and the energy consumed.

[0024] In addition, the coarse residue on the inner surface of the cavity is washed away during the pre-cleaning stage to avoid secondary pollution that affects the cleaning effect, thereby improving the user experience. Specifically, in this embodiment, the pre-cleaning stage may include two cold water cleaning methods, and after each injection of cleaning water, the crushing device is controlled to work at a corresponding speed for a corresponding time, and the cleaning waste water in the crushing cavity is discharged.

[0025] During the two cleaning processes in the pre-cleaning stage, the amount of cleaning water in the first cleaning process is less than that in the second cleaning process, and the amount of cleaning water in the second cleaning process is between 2 and 3 times that in the first cleaning process, and the rotation speed of the crushing motor in the first cleaning process is less than that in the second cleaning process, and the rotation speed of the crushing motor in the second cleaning process is 2000 to 3000 revolutions higher than that in the first cleaning process. The working time of the crushing motor in the two cleaning processes is basically the same.

[0026] After pulping is completed, there is a problem of incomplete discharge of the slurry at the bottom of the crushing chamber. As a result, there are more coarse residues at the bottom of the crushing chamber, and there are mainly sticky residues and slurry foam on the upper part of the crushing chamber and the upper cover. Two pre-cleaning methods in different states are set according to the state inside the crushing chamber to improve the cleaning effect and improve the user experience.

[0027] During the first cleaning process, by using less cleaning water and combining with the low-speed operation of the crushing motor, the coarse residues at the bottom and side walls of the cavity can be flushed out, and the secondary adhesion of them to the upper part of the crushing cavity and the cup cover can be avoided, thus facilitating the subsequent cleaning better. During the second cleaning process, by using a large amount of cleaning water and the high-speed operation of the crushing motor, the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is fully circulated to form a strong flushing cleaning on the inner wall of the crushing cavity, basically achieving the cleaning of the coarse residues and surface residues such as slurry foam in the crushing cavity, laying a foundation for the cleaning effect in the subsequent heating cleaning stage. In the pre-cleaning stage, the cleaning water is not heated to avoid bonding the originally unbonded residues to the crushing cavity wall during heating, increasing the subsequent cleaning difficulty.

[0028] In this embodiment, during the heating cleaning stage, it includes the process of feeding water into the crushing cavity multiple times. The first water inflow V2 is the minimum value of the water inflow during the entire automatic cleaning process. The volume of the crushing cavity is V. During the heating cleaning stage, the first water inflow V2 is not greater than 0.3V. Preferably, V2 is within 100 ml.

[0029] By setting the first cleaning water inflow during the heating cleaning stage as the minimum value of each water inflow, the heating time is shortened, the cleaning time is correspondingly reduced, and the user experience is improved. At the same time, the heat load of the heating pipe at the bottom of the crushing cavity is reduced, which is beneficial to the cleaning and detachment of impurities on the inner wall of the cavity, effectively improving the cleaning effect. In addition, the distance between the liquid level of the cleaning water and the air outlet hole of the upper cover is maximized, effectively avoiding or delaying the rapid rising speed of a large amount of foam during the heating process, avoiding overflow, and being beneficial to cleaning and improving the user experience.

[0030] In this embodiment, during the heating cleaning stage, the heating device is controlled to heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity in different heating methods at different stages.

[0031] Specifically, during the heating cleaning stage, it includes the process of feeding water into the crushing cavity multiple times. After the first water inflow, the heating device is controlled to heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity to the set temperature T with the full heating power P. When it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, the heating device is controlled to intermittently heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity with a decreasing heating power until it is not necessary to control the heating device to heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity during the heating cleaning stage.

[0032] By heating the first cleaning water intake during the heating and cleaning stage to the set temperature point, it is conducive to the water temperature and water vapor fully softening impurities and particulate matter on the inner wall of the cavity, reducing the adhesion of particulate matter on the inner wall, and facilitating subsequent cleaning and detachment. The setting of the temperature point avoids situations where it is impossible to heat to the set temperature point due to being in a high-altitude area or the user not performing altitude adaptation, which may cause overflow or an extended cleaning time, resulting in a poor user experience. By heating with a decreasing heating power, after the water temperature reaches the altitude temperature point, the water temperature is gradually increased to the slightly boiling state through low-power intermittent heating, thereby ensuring that the impurity particulate matter in the crushing cavity is fully softened.

[0033] Specifically, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, the heating device is controlled to stop working for N seconds, and then the heating device is controlled to work at a heating power of (1 / n)*P for n*S seconds and then stop working for N seconds. The heating device is controlled to work at a first heating power of (1 / (n + 1))*P for (n + 1)*S seconds and then stop working for N seconds. This cycle is repeated m times to complete the control of the heating device during the heating and cleaning stage. When repeating the cycle for the mth time, the heating device is controlled to work at the mth heating power of (1 / (n + m))*P for (n + m)*S seconds. Where N = 20; n = 2; S = 10.

[0034] That is to say, during the heating and cleaning stage, the heating device is controlled to heat to the set temperature point T at full power P, then stop heating and wait for 20 seconds. Then, the heating device is controlled to work at a heating power of 1 / 2P for 20 seconds and then stop for 20 seconds. If further heating is required, the heating device is controlled to work at a heating power of 1 / 3P for 30 seconds and then stop for 20 seconds, and so on until the heating requirement stops. During this process, the process of injecting cleaning water into the crushing cavity again or multiple times is included.

[0035] Regarding when to stop the above cyclic heating, it can be ended according to specific product forms or by setting determination conditions during the execution process. For example, the temperature does not change within a certain cycle time, or the state of the cleaning water is detected, or a certain time limit is set, etc.

[0036] Specifically, in this embodiment, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, the heating device is controlled to intermittently heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity with a decreasing heating power until the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the boiling point temperature. Then, the crushing device is controlled to act on the cleaning water to clean the crushing cavity. When the water temperature is in the slightly boiling state, thermal steam is generated to fumigate the inner wall of the crushing cavity to accelerate the softening and shedding of particulate matter, and at the same time, the generation of a large amount of water vapor is avoided to affect the user experience. At this time, controlling the crushing device to work is conducive to detaching the residue.

[0037] In this embodiment, after the pulverizing device is controlled to work at the first speed Q1 for S1 seconds, the washing water of the water inlet volume V3 is injected into the pulverizing chamber, and after the pulverizing device is controlled to work at the second speed Q2 for S3 seconds, the washing water in the pulverizing chamber is discharged. Specifically, S1 and S3 are preferably 30 seconds, the first speed Q1 is less than the second speed Q2, and the second speed is at least 1000 revolutions greater than the first speed. The water inlet volume V3 is preferably 3 times the water inlet volume V2.

[0038] By setting different cleaning speeds and times at different stages in the heating and cleaning phase, the inner wall of the grinding chamber is rinsed at high speed and high temperature by using the high-speed cleaning of the cleaning water in a slightly boiling state, accelerating the shedding of the inner wall attachments. After the grinding motor drives the cleaning, the water is not drained and the water is refilled. The inner wall of the grinding chamber is strongly cleaned by using a high water volume and a high-speed operation of the grinding motor to achieve a good cleaning effect. The water temperature in the grinding chamber is lowered to a low temperature state to avoid the risk of scalding the user due to high-temperature wastewater when discharging wastewater. By gradually increasing the amount of cleaning water and the speed of the grinding motor, the cleaning intensity is in an increasing state, achieving a good cleaning effect and improving the user experience.

[0039] For food processors, especially soymilk makers, the materials are crushed and heated to a certain extent due to the electric and electric heating actions during the food processing. In the crushing process, some fine particulate matter will inevitably be produced. These particulate matters themselves have certain adsorption properties, resulting in residue problems on the cup wall of the crushing chamber. The heating increases the viscosity of the residue, thereby increasing the amount of residue.

[0040] In the present invention, during the cleaning process, the cleaning stage is divided into three stages. The pre-cleaning stage is used to preliminarily remove the material residues on the surface to remove the influence for the subsequent cleaning stage. The heating cleaning stage is used to effectively clean and soften the sticky residues. Finally, the entire crushing chamber is started to be thoroughly cleaned. By dividing the cleaning into stages, the cleaning effect can be better achieved. In addition, cleaning is performed at different stages for residues with different properties, which saves cleaning water and facilitates the execution of different heating or crushing device actions in different cleaning stages, further saving energy consumption.

[0041] For the present invention, the food processor is a food processor capable of making liquid beverages such as soybean milk. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes but is not limited to the contents described in the accompanying drawings and the above specific embodiments. Any modification that does not deviate from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning method for a food processor, the food processor comprising a crushing chamber for food processing and pulping. After the food processing and pulping are completed, the crushing chamber is automatically cleaned, characterized in that, The automatic cleaning includes at least one heating cleaning stage, a pre-cleaning stage is provided before the heating cleaning stage, a cleaning stage is provided after the heating cleaning stage. During the heating cleaning stage, when heating the cleaning water in the crushing cavity, the maximum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V0. During the pre-cleaning stage and the cleaning stage, the minimum holding amount of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity is V1, where V1 is greater than V0. During the heating cleaning stage, it includes multiple processes of feeding water into the crushing cavity. The first water inflow V2 is the minimum water inflow value during the entire automatic cleaning process. During the heating cleaning stage, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, until the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the boiling point temperature, control the crushing device to act on the cleaning water to clean the crushing cavity. After the crushing motor drives the cleaning, do not drain the water and feed water again to lower the water temperature in the crushing cavity body.

2. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 1, wherein The volume of the crushing cavity is V. During the heating cleaning stage, the first water inflow V2 is not greater than 0.3V.

3. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the heating cleaning stage, control the heating device to heat the cleaning in the crushing cavity in different heating methods at different stages.

4. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 3, wherein, During the heating cleaning stage, it includes multiple processes of feeding water into the crushing cavity. After the first water feeding, control the heating device to heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity to the set temperature T with the full heating power P.

5. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 4, characterized in that, During the heating cleaning stage, when it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, control the heating device to intermittently heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity with a decreasing heating power until there is no need to control the heating device to heat the cleaning water in the crushing cavity during the heating cleaning stage.

6. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 5, characterized in that, When it is detected that the temperature of the cleaning water in the crushing cavity reaches the set temperature T, control the heating device to stop working for N seconds, then control the heating device to work for n*S seconds with the heating power (1 / n)*P and then stop working for N seconds, control the heating device to work for (n + 1)*S seconds with the first heating power (1 / (n + 1))*P and then stop working for N seconds, and so on for m cycles to complete the control of the heating device during the heating cleaning stage. During the mth cycle, control the heating device to work for (n + m)*S seconds with the mth heating power (1 / (n + m))*P.

7. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 6, characterized in that, N = 20; n = 2; S = 10.

8. The cleaning method of the food processor according to claim 1, characterized in that, Control the crushing device to work at the first rotation speed Q1 for S1 seconds, then inject cleaning water with a water inflow of V3 into the crushing cavity. Control the crushing device to work at the second rotation speed Q2 for S3 seconds, and then drain the cleaning water in the crushing cavity.

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