High efficiency electric steamer

Abstract

This invention discloses a high-efficiency electric steamer, including a base and a steaming basket disposed on the upper side of the base. The base includes a water storage area and a water-insulating area disposed inside the water storage area. The water storage area and the water-insulating area are connected by at least one opening. A flow channel corresponding to the opening is recessed at the bottom end of the water-insulating area. The flow channel has an upper opening, and the bottom end of the flow channel protrudes upward to form a protrusion located within the water-insulating area and a mounting groove located below the water-insulating area. A heating element is disposed in the mounting groove. This invention features a flow channel, and by installing the heating element in the mounting groove recessed from bottom to top into the flow channel, the contact area between the heating element and the water in the flow channel is increased, resulting in higher heating efficiency and faster steam output. The opening is higher than the protrusion but lower than the upper opening of the flow channel, ensuring that the water level in the flow channel is lower than the upper opening of the flow channel but higher than the protrusion. This ensures that the amount of water to be heated by the heating element is small, while also ensuring a sufficiently large contact area between the heating element and the water in the flow channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electric steamer technology, and in particular to a high-efficiency electric steamer. Background Technology

[0002] An electric steamer is a household appliance that heats water to produce steam, which is then used to heat food in a steamer or steamer. Electric steamers have replaced the traditional method of steaming water using gas and have become increasingly popular among ordinary families in recent years.

[0003] In existing electric steamers, the heating element is generally placed in or at the bottom of the water tank. When the heating element is placed in the water tank, the safety factor is low, and as the usage time increases, scale gradually accumulates on the surface of the heating element, and the heating efficiency gradually decreases. When the heating element is placed at the bottom of the water tank, only one side of the heating element is in contact with the water tank, resulting in low energy efficiency in heat transfer. In addition, since the water volume in the tank is large, it takes a long time to heat the water in the tank through the heating element to produce steam, resulting in low steam production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a high-efficiency electric steamer, which aims to improve the steam output speed and heating efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a high-efficiency electric steamer, comprising a base and a detachable steamer basket disposed on the upper side of the base. The steamer basket is fitted onto the base. The base includes a water storage area and a water-resistant area disposed inside the water storage area. The water storage area and the water-resistant area are connected by at least one opening. The bottom end of the water-resistant area is recessed with a flow channel corresponding to the opening. The flow channel has an upper opening. The bottom end of the flow channel protrudes upward to form a protrusion located within the water-resistant area and a mounting groove located below the water-resistant area. The protrusion is lower than the upper opening of the flow channel. A heating element is disposed in the mounting groove. The shape of the heating element is adapted to the mounting groove. The water-resistant area has at least one through hole extending upward to the steamer basket. The through hole is used to allow steam to enter the steamer basket.

[0006] Optionally, the opening is higher than the protrusion and lower than the upper opening of the flow channel.

[0007] Optionally, the steamer includes at least one steam chamber and a lid disposed on the upper side of the steam chamber, the lid covering the steam chamber.

[0008] Optionally, the flow channel is an annular flow channel, and the mounting groove is an annular mounting groove located on the lower side of the annular flow channel.

[0009] Optionally, the base has a cavity, and a cylindrical partition plate extending vertically and open at both ends is provided inside the cavity. The cylindrical partition plate separates the cavity to form a water storage cavity and a water-proof cavity. The opening is provided through the cylindrical partition plate. The base also includes a cover plate provided on the upper side of the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity. The cover plate covers the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity to form the water-proof area and the water storage area.

[0010] Optionally, the cover plate is provided through the area above the water-proof cavity to form the through hole.

[0011] Optionally, the base may also contain a thermostat that is electrically connected to the heating element.

[0012] Optionally, a control panel is provided on one side of the base. The control panel includes at least a display screen, an adjustment knob, and buttons, and the control panel is signal-connected to the temperature controller.

[0013] Optionally, the lid is a transparent lid.

[0014] The present invention is provided with a flow channel that is recessed into the mounting groove from bottom to top. The surface area of ​​the mounting groove inside the flow channel is increased. By installing the heating element in the mounting groove, the contact area between the heating element and the water in the flow channel is increased, thereby increasing the heating efficiency and steam output speed.

[0015] In this invention, the opening is higher than the protrusion and lower than the upper opening of the flow channel, which ensures that the water level in the flow channel is lower than the upper opening of the flow channel and higher than the protrusion. This ensures that the amount of water to be heated by the heating element is small, and that the contact area between the heating element and the water in the flow channel is large enough. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the explosion of the water storage area and the water-proof area of ​​the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the interior of the water storage area and the water-proof area of ​​the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the mounting slot and heating element of the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0022] 1. Base; 2. Steamer; 101. Water storage area; 102. Water-proof area; 103. Opening; 104. Flow channel; 105. Protrusion; 106. Mounting groove; 107. Heating element; 108. Through hole; 109. Cylindrical partition plate; 110. Cover plate; 111. Thermostat; 112. Control panel; 201. Steamer; 202. Lid.

[0023] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture (as shown in the figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0026] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, if the word "and / or" appears throughout the text, it means including three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution that simultaneously satisfies A and B. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0027] Currently, the heating element of commonly used electric steamers is generally placed in or at the bottom of the water tank. When the heating element is placed in the water tank, the safety factor is low, and as the usage time increases, scale gradually accumulates on the surface of the heating element, and the heating efficiency gradually decreases. When the heating element is placed at the bottom of the water tank, only one side of the heating element is in contact with the water tank, resulting in low energy efficiency in heat transfer. In addition, since the water volume in the tank is large, it takes a long time to heat the water in the tank through the heating element to produce steam, resulting in low steam production efficiency.

[0028] To address the above problems, this invention provides a high-efficiency electric steamer. Figures 1 to 4 This is a specific embodiment of the high-efficiency electric steamer provided by the present invention.

[0029] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The high-efficiency electric steamer includes a base 1 and a steamer basket 2. The steamer basket 2 is used to place food to be steamed and is fitted onto the base 1. The steamer basket 2 and the base 1 are detachable for easy removal of food and cleaning. The base 1 includes a water storage area 101 and a water-resistant area 102 located inside the water storage area 101. The water storage area 101 is used to store water. The water storage area 101 and the water-resistant area 102 are connected by at least one opening 103. A flow channel 104 is recessed at the bottom of the water-resistant area 102. The position of the flow channel 104 corresponds to the opening 103, allowing water in the water storage area 101 to flow into the flow channel 104 through the opening 103. The flow channel 104 has an upper opening and is located in the water-resistant area. The groove is formed on the bottom surface of 102, and the upper opening is the upper opening of the groove. The bottom end of the flow channel 104 protrudes upward to form a protrusion 105 located in the water-proof area 102 and an installation groove 106 located on the lower side of the water-proof area 102. That is, the installation groove 106 is recessed into the flow channel 104 from bottom to top. The heating element 107 is disposed in the installation groove 106 and fills the installation groove 106. This arrangement can increase the contact area between the heating element 107 and the water in the flow channel 104, resulting in higher heating efficiency and faster steam evaporation. The water-proof area 102 is provided with at least one through hole 108 extending upward to the steamer 2. The steam that is heated and evaporated enters the steamer 2 through the through hole 108 to heat the food placed in the steamer 2.

[0030] Further, see Figure 3 The protrusion 105 is lower than the upper opening of the flow channel 104, that is, the height of the mounting groove 106 recessed from bottom to top into the water-proof area 102 is less than the height of the flow channel 104, so that the water in the flow channel 104 can completely submerge the protrusion 105. At this time, the heating element 107 and the water in the flow channel 104 are in full contact for heat exchange.

[0031] See Figure 2The base 1 has a cavity, and a cylindrical partition plate 109 extending vertically and open at both ends is provided inside the cavity. The cylindrical partition plate 109 divides the cavity into a water storage cavity and a water-proof cavity. An opening 103 is provided through the cylindrical partition plate 109. The base 1 also includes a cover plate 110 provided above the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity. The cover plate 110 covers the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity to form the water-proof area 102 and the water storage area 101. The opening 103 is located at the contact point between the cylindrical partition plate 109 and the bottom end face of the water storage cavity, so that water in the water storage area 101 can flow into the water-proof area 102 through the through hole 108. After the cover plate 110 covers the water storage cavity, it seals the water storage cavity to form a sealed water storage area 101. Optionally, a water level gauge can be installed in the water storage area 101 to display the water level in the water storage area 101 on the display screen. A buzzer is installed in the control panel 112. Before use, the user can determine whether to add water to the water storage area 101 by checking the water level displayed on the display screen. At the same time, when the water level in the water storage area 101 is lower than a certain set low water level, the buzzer will promptly remind the user to add water to avoid the water in the flow channel 104 drying out and causing the heating element 107 to burn dry, which poses a safety hazard. Although commonly used electric steamers have an automatic power-off function for dry burning, the heating of food is also stopped after the automatic power-off, which the user may not be aware of. By the time the user notices, the food has cooled down and needs to be reheated, which affects the user experience.

[0032] See Figure 3 The opening 103 is higher than the protrusion 105 and lower than the upper opening of the flow channel 104. That is, the opening 103 is located between the protrusion 105 and the upper opening of the flow channel 104 in the vertical direction. Since the water storage area 101 is in a sealed state, when the water flowing into the flow channel 104 just submerges the opening 103, air cannot enter the water storage area 101, and the water storage area 101 stops supplying water to the flow channel 104. After some of the water in the flow channel 104 evaporates, the water level in the flow channel 104 is lower than the upper side of the opening 103. At this height, air can enter the water storage area 101 through the opening 103, and the water in the water storage area 101 flows back into the flow channel 104 until it just submerges the opening 103. The water storage area 101 then stops supplying water again. The water level in the flow channel 104 fluctuates slightly up and down at the height of the upper side of the opening 103. This ensures that the water in the flow channel 104 can both submerge the protrusion 105 and make full contact with the heating element 107, and also ensure that the water in the flow channel 104 is kept at a small amount, resulting in high heating efficiency and fast steam output.

[0033] See Figure 1The steamer 2 includes at least one steam chamber 201 and a lid 202 disposed on the upper side of the steam chamber 201. The lid 202 covers the steam chamber 201. If there are multiple steam chambers 201, they are stacked one on top of the other. It should be noted that the specific number of steam chambers 201 is not limited here and can be selected according to actual needs. If there are too many steam chambers 201, the temperature of the steam gradually decreases as it flows from bottom to top, resulting in poor heating effect for the food in the upper steam chambers 201. If there are too few steam chambers 201, there is less space available for placing food. As a preferred embodiment, the number of steam chambers 201 is 2.

[0034] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The flow channel 104 is an annular flow channel 104, and the mounting groove 106 is an annular mounting groove 106 located on the lower side of the annular flow channel 104. Both the flow channel 104 and the mounting groove 106 are annular, which can be adapted to the commonly available annular heating element 107. It should be noted that the shape of the flow channel 104, the mounting groove 106 and the heating element 107 are not limited here. As long as the flow channel 104 and the mounting groove 106 are adapted to each other, the contact area between the heating element 107 and the water in the flow channel 104 can be increased. For example, the flow channel 104, the mounting groove 106 and the heating element 107 can also be square, or they can be spiral shapes similar to mosquito coils.

[0035] The cover plate 110 is provided through the area above the water-proof cavity to form the through hole 108. It should be noted that there is no limitation on the number or specific shape of the through hole 108, as long as the through hole 108 can allow enough steam to pass through.

[0036] See Figure 4 The base 1 is also equipped with a thermostat 111 that is electrically connected to the heating element 107. The thermostat 111 can control the temperature of the heating element 107. At the same time, when the temperature of the heating element 107 is too high, the thermostat 111 can cut off the power to the heating element 107 to avoid safety hazards.

[0037] See Figure 1 A control panel 112 is provided on one side of the base 1. The control panel 112 includes at least a display screen, an adjustment knob, and buttons. The control panel 112 is connected to the thermostat 111. The display screen can show the water volume in the water storage area 101, the temperature and status of the heating element 107, the heating time, etc. The user can also select the heating time and heating mode through the buttons and the knob.

[0038] The lid 202 is a transparent lid with a handle for easy lifting. The user can observe the food's condition through the transparent lid, thus determining whether the food is ready to eat and whether the high-efficiency electric steamer is heating properly.

[0039] The above description is merely an optional embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention's specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-efficiency electric steamer, characterized in that, The device includes a base and a detachable steamer mounted on the upper side of the base. The steamer covers the base. The base includes a water storage area and a water-proof area located inside the water storage area. The water storage area and the water-proof area are connected by at least one opening. The bottom end of the water-proof area is recessed with a flow channel corresponding to the opening. The flow channel has an upper opening. The bottom end of the flow channel protrudes upward to form a protrusion located in the water-proof area and a mounting groove located below the water-proof area. The protrusion is lower than the upper opening of the flow channel. A heating element is provided in the mounting groove. The shape of the heating element is adapted to the mounting groove. The water-proof area has at least one through hole extending upward to the steamer. The through hole is used to allow steam to enter the steamer. The opening is higher than the protrusion and lower than the upper opening of the flow channel.

2. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The steamer includes at least one steam chamber and a lid located on the upper side of the steam chamber, the lid covering the steam chamber.

3. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel is an annular flow channel, and the mounting groove is an annular mounting groove located on the lower side of the annular flow channel.

4. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base has a cavity, and a cylindrical partition plate extending vertically and open at both ends is provided inside the cavity. The cylindrical partition plate separates the cavity to form a water storage cavity and a water-proof cavity. The opening is provided through the cylindrical partition plate. The base also includes a cover plate provided on the upper side of the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity. The cover plate covers the water-proof cavity and the water storage cavity to form the water-proof area and the water storage area.

5. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The cover plate is configured to penetrate the area above the water-proof cavity to form the through hole.

6. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base also contains a temperature controller that is electrically connected to the heating element.

7. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 6, characterized in that, A control panel is provided on one side of the base. The control panel includes at least a display screen, an adjustment knob, and buttons. The control panel is signal-connected to the temperature controller.

8. The high-efficiency electric steamer as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The lid is a transparent lid.

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