A food processor

Abstract

The present application relates to kitchen appliances, in particular to a food processor, a valve core of a liquid discharge valve of which is connected with a liquid discharge pipe integrally, and the valve core always drives the liquid discharge pipe to move synchronously, the valve core has a liquid passing channel, a liquid discharge inlet is arranged on the wall of the valve core, the liquid discharge pipe is always communicated with the liquid passing channel, and the valve core moves to make the liquid discharge inlet communicate with and shut off the liquid discharge outlet; in the process that the valve core drives the liquid discharge inlet from being completely communicated with the liquid discharge outlet to being shut off the liquid discharge outlet, the liquid discharge pipe moves with the valve core on a first liquid cup, and an outlet end of the liquid discharge pipe keeps in the cup opening of the first liquid cup; after the liquid discharge inlet is shut off the liquid discharge outlet, the liquid discharge pipe is driven by the valve core to move out of the cup opening of the first liquid cup and into the cup opening of a second liquid cup. The food processor of the present application can realize automatic slurry and waste water discharge by using a simpler structure, which improves the service life of the liquid discharge valve and the liquid discharge efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to kitchen appliances, and in particular to a food processing machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the early stages of our research on handless food processing machines, to address the need for automatic slurry discharge and wastewater removal, we innovatively applied for a utility model patent with patent number CN201620511374.4, entitled "An Automatic Cleaning Soymilk Maker." This patent discloses a separate valve core and drain pipe driven by the same rotary valve motor. The drain pipe is driven by the rotary valve motor via a gear set. While the rotary valve motor drives the valve core to rotate, the drain pipe also rotates, switching between connection and disconnection. This allows the drain pipe to rotate to the slurry discharge position for slurry discharge and to the wastewater discharge position for wastewater removal, enabling the handless food processing machine to automatically discharge slurry and wastewater without human intervention. However, in this structure, the connecting hole on the valve core remains connected to the grinding chamber. During the slurry making process, the connecting hole in the valve core may become clogged with material or slurry residue, preventing the slurry from being discharged. Furthermore, the relative movement between the valve core and the drain pipe generates friction and wear, which can cause the seal between them to fail. Also, due to the relative movement, residue can accumulate at the joint, making it difficult to clean. In addition, the applicant's research also found that drainage occurs before the drain pipe has fully rotated, posing a risk of scalding consumers.

[0003] To further address the issue of scalding consumers caused by drainage occurring before the drain pipe is fully rotated, the applicant has continuously conducted research and improvement on the drain valve structure, and subsequently applied for a series of patents related to the drain valve structure and drainage logic, such as: CN201810006500.4, CN201810006517.X, CN201810987011.1, CN201810986993.2, CN201810987802.4, CN201810986991.3, CN201911361931.3, and CN201911362722.0. For drain valves that rotate between slurry and wastewater discharge positions, it is generally considered unreliable if the drain pipe rotates during the gradual opening or closing process. This is because while the drain pipe is rotating, slurry or cleaning wastewater may leak out of the receiving cup or wastewater box, posing a safety hazard. Therefore, in subsequent patent applications, the applicant has designed the valve core (moving valve plate) and drain pipe as independent structures, with transmission or relative movement between them. This ensures that the valve core (moving valve plate) moves to the open position only after the drain pipe has reached a predetermined position, effectively preventing leakage during pipe movement. This achieves automatic slurry and wastewater discharge while also considering human-machine interface logic, preventing burns to consumers, and improving the user experience.

[0004] However, the aforementioned patented drain valve has a complex structure, involving a transmission or relative motion relationship between the valve core and the drain pipe. This results in high production and maintenance costs, significantly increasing the product's selling price. Furthermore, because the valve core needs to transmit or move relative to the drain pipe, the valve core's rotation stroke during a single drain cycle is relatively large. This relative motion accelerates wear between the valve core and valve body, and between the valve core and drain pipe, potentially leading to seal failure at the joints where the valve core and valve body, and between the valve core and drain pipe, thus reducing the valve's lifespan. Moreover, there is a risk of residue accumulation at the joints where the valve core and drain pipe move relative to each other. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the previous industry misconception that the drain pipe cannot drain while rotating, and to improve the lifespan of the drain valve. This invention provides a food processing machine with a simpler structure that can automatically drain slurry and wastewater from the drain pipe. Simultaneously, it has lower manufacturing and maintenance costs. Furthermore, there is no relative movement between the valve core and the drain pipe, resulting in a shorter valve core stroke, higher drainage efficiency, and a significantly reduced possibility of drain valve seal failure. Moreover, the lifespan of the drain valve is greatly extended, and the problem of residue buildup and difficulty in cleaning the drain valve is less likely to occur.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a food processing machine, comprising a pulping chamber, a drain port being provided at the bottom of the pulping chamber, and a drain valve being installed at the drain port on the outer side of the pulping chamber. The drain valve includes a drain pipe that moves between a first receiving cup and a second receiving cup. The drain valve further comprises a valve body and a valve core installed within the valve body and moving relative to the valve body. The valve core is integrated with the drain pipe, and the valve core always drives the drain pipe to move synchronously. The valve core has a liquid passage communicating with the drain pipe. The valve core has a drain inlet on its wall that communicates with the upstream of the liquid passage. The drain pipe is normally connected to the downstream of the liquid passage. The valve core moves to connect and disconnect the drain inlet and drain outlet. During the process from when the drain inlet is fully connected to the drain outlet to when it is disconnected, the drain pipe moves with the valve core on the first receiving cup, and the outlet end of the drain pipe remains inside the opening of the first receiving cup. After the drain inlet and drain outlet are disconnected, the drain pipe moves out of the opening of the first receiving cup and into the opening of the second receiving cup under the action of the valve core.

[0007] Furthermore, the valve core rotates within the valve body, and the drain pipe rotates synchronously driven by the valve core.

[0008] Furthermore, the valve core moves within the valve body, and the drain pipe moves synchronously driven by the valve core.

[0009] Furthermore, the valve core is a planar moving valve plate, the liquid passage is a liquid passage hole penetrating the planar moving valve plate, the liquid discharge inlet is the upstream port of the liquid passage hole, the liquid discharge pipe is normally connected to the downstream port of the liquid passage hole, and the liquid discharge pipe is driven to move by the planar moving valve plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the drain pipe and the valve core are integrally formed;

[0011] Alternatively, the drain pipe and the valve core are sealed together as one unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the valve body is provided with a clearance position to allow the movement of the drain pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the clearance position is provided with a limiting part to limit the movement of the drain pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom of the pulping chamber is provided with two independent drain ports, and the valve core is provided with only one drain inlet. The valve core moves so that the drain inlet is connected to the two drain ports respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, the valve core is provided with two independent drainage inlets, and both drainage inlets are located upstream of the liquid passage and are connected to the liquid passage respectively. The bottom of the pulping chamber is provided with only one drainage port. The valve core moves so that the drainage port is connected to the two drainage inlets respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, the drain pipe drains liquid while moving within the opening of the first receiving cup;

[0017] Alternatively, after the liquid in the pulping chamber is emptied, the drain pipe moves with the valve core within the opening of the first liquid receiving cup.

[0018] Alternatively, the first liquid receiving cup and the second liquid receiving cup may be either a slurry receiving cup or a wastewater box.

[0019] In the food processing machine of the present invention, the drain pipe and the valve core are integrated, and the drain pipe moves synchronously with the valve core. The valve core has a drain inlet on its wall. The valve core moves to connect and disconnect the drain inlet from the drain outlet. During the process from complete connection to disconnection, the drain pipe moves with the valve core on the first receiving cup, and the outlet end of the drain pipe remains within the opening of the first receiving cup. After the drain inlet and outlet are disconnected, the drain pipe moves out of the opening of the first receiving cup and into the opening of the second receiving cup under the action of the valve core. Compared to the prior art, the food processing machine of the present invention uses a simpler drain valve structure and can also achieve automatic slurry discharge and automatic wastewater discharge. Moreover, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the food processing machine of the present invention are lower, which can significantly reduce the selling price of the food processing machine.

[0020] Meanwhile, in the food processing machine of the present invention, the valve core and the drain pipe are integrated. Compared with the applicant's previous drain valves, the drain pipe always moves synchronously with the valve core. Therefore, there is no relative movement between the drain pipe and the valve core, and the drain valve is less prone to wear due to relative movement. This also reduces the likelihood of sealing failure within the drain valve, significantly extending its service life. Furthermore, since there is no relative movement between the valve core and the drain pipe, there is no problem of residue accumulation and difficulty in cleaning at their joint. In the food processing machine of the present invention, because the drain pipe moves with the valve core, and the drain valve gradually closes, the drain pipe always moves at the mouth of the first receiving cup. This not only shortens the draining time, but also, compared to existing drain valves, the valve core's stroke is shorter, resulting in higher efficiency for automatic draining without the need for hand washing, and enabling faster beverage preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of a first embodiment of the food processing machine of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a partial connection between the drain inlet and the drain outlet in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the complete connection between the drain inlet and the drain outlet in Example 1;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the food processing machine of the present invention, embodiment two;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing that the drain inlet and the first drain outlet are fully connected in Example 2;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the closed state of the drain inlet and the first drain outlet in Example 2;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the food processing machine of the present invention, embodiment three.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the food processing machine of the present invention, embodiment four.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structural principle of the food processing machine of the present invention, embodiment five. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Example 1:

[0032] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the first embodiment of the food processing machine of the present invention. A food processing machine includes a pulping chamber 1 and a receiving cup. The receiving cup includes a first receiving cup 2 and a second receiving cup 3. A drain port 10 is provided at the bottom of the pulping chamber 1. A drain valve 4 is installed at the drain port 10 on the outside of the pulping chamber 1. The drain valve 4 includes a drain pipe 43 located at the drain position to drain liquid into the receiving cup. The drain valve 4 also includes a valve body 41, a valve core 42 installed in the valve body 41, and a driving device (not shown in the figure) for driving the valve core 42 to move within the valve body 41. The drain pipe 43 is integrally connected to the valve core 42 and always moves synchronously with the valve core 42. The valve core 42 has a liquid passage 420 communicating with the drain pipe 43. A drain inlet 421 communicating with the liquid passage 420 is provided on the wall of the valve core 42. The movement of the valve core 42 allows the drain inlet 421 to communicate with and be closed by the drain port 10.

[0033] In this embodiment, the drain port 10 is located on the bottom wall of the pulping chamber 1. The valve core 42 is a planar moving valve plate. The liquid passage 420 is a liquid passage hole that passes through the planar moving valve plate. The drain inlet 421 is the upstream port of the liquid passage hole. The drain pipe 43 is located at the downstream port of the liquid passage hole and is integrally formed with the valve core 42. The drain pipe 43 is a straight rigid pipe. The driving device drives the valve core 42 to move linearly within the valve body 41 and drives the drain pipe 43 to move linearly.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first receiving cup 2 is a slurry receiving cup, and the second receiving cup 3 is a wastewater box. The slurry receiving cup and the wastewater box are alternately placed at the drainage position above the drain pipe 43, so that during slurry drainage, slurry is drained into the receiving cup, and during wastewater drainage, wastewater is drained into the wastewater box. In this embodiment, when the food processing machine performs the drainage operation, from the partial connection of the drainage inlet 421 to the complete connection with the drainage outlet 10, the drain pipe 43 will move with the valve core 42 at the drainage position, draining slurry into the receiving cup or the wastewater box. When the drainage position is a vertical projection, the outlet end of the drain pipe 43 is located inside the mouth of the receiving cup or the wastewater box.

[0035] For the food processing machine in this embodiment, the pulping process is as follows:

[0036] 1) Pulping stage: With the drain valve closed, add materials and water into the pulping chamber and start the crushing device to agitate the materials and water to make slurry.

[0037] 2) Slurry discharge stage: When the slurry is made, the drain pipe is located at the drain position and the slurry receiving cup is placed at the drain position; the driving device drives the valve core to move horizontally so that the drain inlet moves horizontally with the valve core. When the drain inlet is partially connected to the drain outlet, it moves horizontally with the valve core and discharges slurry into the slurry receiving cup. During the slurry discharge, the drain pipe remains at the drain position until the slurry discharge is completed.

[0038] 3) Cleaning stage: After the slurry is discharged, the drive device drives the valve core again to move the drain inlet to the drain outlet and then shuts it off. Water is then introduced into the pulping chamber for agitation and cleaning. The receiving cup is removed and the wastewater box is placed at the drain position. During the process from when the drain inlet is fully connected to the drain outlet until it is shut off, the drain pipe also moves with the valve core at the drain position. During the cleaning process, the drain pipe remains at the drain position and is shut off from the pulping chamber.

[0039] 4) Waste discharge stage: When discharging the cleaning wastewater from the pulping chamber, the drain pipe is located at the discharge position, and the drive device drives the valve core to move horizontally again. The drain inlet moves horizontally with the valve core. During the process from partial connection with the drain outlet to complete connection with the drain outlet, the drain pipe is always located at the discharge position and moves horizontally with the valve core to discharge wastewater into the wastewater box. During wastewater discharge, the drain pipe remains at the discharge position until the wastewater discharge is completed.

[0040] In this embodiment, the drain pipe and valve core are integrated, and the drain pipe moves synchronously with the valve core. The valve core has a drain inlet on its wall. The valve core moves to connect and disconnect the drain inlet from the drain outlet. When the food processor drains liquid, the drain inlet moves with the valve core at the drain position until it is fully connected to the drain outlet, draining liquid into the receiving cup. Compared to existing technologies, the food processor in this embodiment uses a simpler drain valve structure and can achieve automatic slurry and wastewater discharge. Furthermore, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the food processor in this embodiment are lower, significantly reducing the selling price of the food processor.

[0041] Meanwhile, the inventors have overcome the applicant's previous misconception that the drain pipe cannot drain liquid during rotation, and have innovatively proposed a structural solution that integrates the valve core and the drain pipe into one unit. This eliminates relative movement between the drain pipe and the valve core. Compared to existing technologies, the drain valve in this embodiment is less prone to accelerated wear due to relative movement, and the internal sealing of the drain valve is less likely to fail, significantly extending its service life. Furthermore, the absence of relative movement between the valve core and the drain pipe prevents the problem of difficult-to-clean residue buildup. For the food processing machine of this embodiment, the valve core has a shorter stroke, resulting in higher drain valve efficiency and faster discharge of slurry and wastewater.

[0042] Furthermore, in the process of draining liquid using the food processing machine of this embodiment, whether it is draining slurry or wastewater, the drain pipe is always in the drain position. When the drain pipe moves with the valve core, it only moves in the drain position to drain liquid. When the drain position is a vertical projection, the outlet end of the drain pipe is located inside the mouth of the receiving cup. Therefore, during the draining process, the liquid (slurry or washing wastewater) in the slurry chamber will not leak out of the receiving cup (slurry cup or wastewater box), causing safety issues such as burns to consumers. Similarly, the food processing machine of this embodiment can also improve the user experience.

[0043] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the partial communication between the drain inlet and the drain outlet means that the drain inlet and the drain outlet partially overlap (e.g., Figure 2As shown), and completely connected to the drain outlet, this refers to the situation where the drain inlet and drain outlet overlap the most and the drain flow rate is the largest (e.g., Figure 3 (As shown). It should also be noted that when the valve core drives the drain inlet to move, and the drain inlet is fully connected to the drain outlet until it is closed, the drain pipe also moves with the valve core at the drain position. Furthermore, during this movement, the drain pipe can either drain while moving or not drain while moving. For example, after the slurry or cleaning wastewater in the pulping chamber is drained, the valve core moves, causing the drain inlet to be fully connected to the drain outlet until it is closed. At this time, the drain pipe can move with the valve core at the drain position without draining. Conversely, if the slurry or cleaning wastewater in the pulping chamber is not drained, the valve core moves, causing the drain inlet to be fully connected to the drain outlet until it is closed. At this time, the drain pipe can move with the valve core at the drain position and drain.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, along the translational direction of the valve core, the straight-line distance between the two ends of the drain inlet is L1, that is, the diameter of the drain inlet is L1, and the maximum translational distance of the drain pipe is L2. The inventors have discovered that L2 = 2L1. Therefore, when either the receiving cup or the wastewater box is placed at the drain position, the diameter of the cup opening needs to be set to be greater than L2 to prevent liquid from leaking out of the receiving cup or wastewater box during the draining process. In this embodiment, the translational movement distance of the drain pipe is generally set to 5mm to 20mm. It should also be noted that in this embodiment, "translation" refers to movement within a plane, including both linear and arcuate movements within the plane.

[0045] It should also be noted that, for the valve core in this embodiment, it is a planar moving valve plate, which drives the drain pipe to move linearly. Of course, for this embodiment, the planar moving valve plate can also be configured to rotate around a vertical rotation axis. In this case, the planar moving valve plate can drive the drain pipe to rotate, realizing both the connection and disconnection between the planar moving valve plate and the drain port, and also realizing the drain pipe to rotate at the drain position to discharge slurry or wastewater. Furthermore, for the rotating valve core, along the rotation direction of the valve core, the central angle formed by the two ends of the drain inlet (i.e., the two ends of the diameter of the drain inlet) to the rotation center is α1, and the maximum rotation angle of the drain pipe is β, where β = 2α1. Therefore, in actual design, for the rotating valve core, it is necessary to consider that when the drain pipe rotates within the maximum rotation angle β, the vertical projection of the outlet end of the drain pipe should still be within the cup opening range of the slurry receiving cup and the wastewater box.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be noted that some of the structures and parameters of this embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] Example 2:

[0048] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a second embodiment of the food processing machine of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that: in this embodiment, the bottom of the pulping chamber 1 is provided with two independent drain ports, including a first drain port 102 and a second drain port 103. The valve core 42 still has a drain inlet 421. The valve core 42 moves so that the drain inlet 421 can selectively communicate with either the first drain port 102 or the second drain port 103. When the drain inlet 421 is connected to the first drain port 102, the drain pipe 43 is located inside the opening of the first receiving cup 2; and when the drain inlet 421 is connected to the second drain port 103, the drain pipe 43 is located inside the opening of the second receiving cup 3.

[0049] In this embodiment, the valve core 42 drives the drain inlet 421 to be fully connected to the first drain outlet 102 (e.g., Figure 5 As shown), during the process of shutting off from the first drain port 102 (as shown) Figure 6 As shown, the drain pipe 43 moves along with the valve core 42 on the first liquid receiving cup 2, and the outlet end of the drain pipe 43 remains inside the cup opening of the first liquid receiving cup 2; after the drain inlet 421 and the first drain outlet 102 are closed, the drain pipe 43 moves out of the cup opening of the first liquid receiving cup 2 under the drive of the valve core 42, and moves into the cup opening of the second liquid receiving cup 3.

[0050] In this embodiment, the valve core and the drain pipe are integrated. Compared to the applicant's previous drain valves, the drain pipe always moves synchronously with the valve core. Therefore, there is no relative movement between the drain pipe and the valve core, making the drain valve less prone to wear due to relative movement and reducing the likelihood of sealing failure, thus significantly extending the service life of the drain valve. Simultaneously, since there is no relative movement between the valve core and the drain pipe, there is no problem of residue accumulation and difficulty in cleaning at their joint. For the food processing machine of this embodiment, because the drain pipe always moves with the valve core, and the drain valve gradually closes, the drain pipe always moves at the opening of the first receiving cup. This not only shortens the draining time, but also, compared to existing drain valves, the valve core's stroke is shorter, resulting in higher efficiency for automatic draining in the hand-wash-free food processing machine, enabling faster beverage preparation.

[0051] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, since the outlet end of the drain pipe is always located inside the opening of the first receiving cup during its movement, when the liquid in the pulping chamber is not emptied, the drain pipe will move along with the valve core on the first receiving cup while simultaneously draining liquid into the first receiving cup. This ensures that the liquid will not leak out of the first receiving cup. Of course, in this embodiment, the drain pipe can also move along with the valve core inside the first receiving cup after the liquid in the pulping chamber has been emptied. In this case, no liquid will be drained during the movement of the drain pipe.

[0052] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, one of the first and second receiving cups can be a slurry receiving cup, and the other can be a wastewater box. Furthermore, in this embodiment, during drainage, it also has the same function as in Embodiment 1, that is, during the process from partial connection between the drainage inlet and the first or second drainage outlet to complete connection, the drainage pipe will move along with the valve core on the first or second receiving cup, and the outlet end of the drainage pipe will remain within the opening of the first or second receiving cup for drainage.

[0053] It should also be noted that the motion logic of the drain pipe in this embodiment is also applicable to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] Example 3:

[0055] like Figure 7The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a third embodiment of the food processing machine of the present invention. A food processing machine includes a pulping chamber 1, a motor (not shown) disposed at the bottom of the pulping chamber 1, a pulverizing device (not shown) disposed within the pulping chamber 1, and a liquid receiving cup. A rotating shaft (not shown) driven by the motor passes through the bottom wall of the pulping chamber 1 and extends into the pulping chamber 1. The pulverizing device is installed at the end of the rotating shaft. The liquid receiving cup includes a pulp receiving cup 2 and a wastewater box 3. A drain port 10 is provided at the bottom of the pulping chamber 1. A drain valve 4 is installed at the drain port 10 on the outside of the slurry chamber 1. The drain positions include a slurry discharge position and a waste discharge position. The drain valve 4 includes a drain pipe 43 that can switch between the slurry discharge position above the slurry cup 2 and the waste discharge position above the wastewater box 3. The drain valve 4 also includes a valve body 41, a valve core 42 installed in the valve body 41, and a drive device (not shown in the figure) for driving the valve core 42. The drain pipe 43 is integrally connected to the valve core 42 and moves with the valve core 42. In step movement, the valve core 42 has a liquid passage 420 communicating with the drain pipe 43; along the movement path of the valve core 42, two independent drain inlets are provided on the wall of the valve core 42, including a slurry drain inlet 422 and a waste drain inlet 423. The slurry drain inlet 422 and the waste drain inlet 423 are both located upstream of the liquid passage 420 and are respectively connected to the liquid passage 420. The valve body 41 is provided with a normally open communication port directly opposite the drain port 10. 410, the connecting port 410 is selectively connected to the slurry discharge inlet 422 and the waste discharge inlet 423. When the valve core 42 drives the drain pipe 43 to the slurry discharge position, the drain pipe 43 is located inside the cup mouth of the slurry receiving cup 2. The slurry discharge inlet 422 is connected to the connecting port 410 and the drain port 10. When the drain pipe 43 moves to the waste discharge position, the drain pipe 43 is located inside the cup mouth of the wastewater box 3. The waste discharge inlet 423 is connected to the connecting port 410 and the drain port 10.

[0056] In this embodiment, the drain pipe 43 is a rigid pipe integrally formed with the valve core 42. The driving device drives the valve core 42 to rotate within the valve body 41, and the drain pipe 43 follows the valve core 42 as it rotates between the slurry discharge position and the waste discharge position. The drain pipe 43 extends from the valve body 41, and the valve body 41 is provided with a clearance position 411 to allow the drain pipe 43 to rotate. In this embodiment, limiting portions 412 are provided on both sides of the clearance position 411 to restrict the continued rotation of the drain pipe 43, preventing the drain pipe 43 from rotating excessively and causing liquid to leak outside the slurry receiving cup 2 or wastewater box 3 during slurry or waste discharge.

[0057] In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the valve core 42 (not marked in the figure) is a horizontal axis perpendicular to the drawing page and parallel to the horizontal plane, and the drain pipe 43 rotates around the horizontal axis. For the food processing machine of this embodiment, the pulping process is as follows:

[0058] 1) Pulping stage: Add materials and water into the pulping chamber and start the crushing device to agitate the materials and water to make slurry.

[0059] 2) Slurry discharge stage: When the slurry is made, the drain pipe is located in the slurry discharge position; the drive device drives the valve core to rotate so that the slurry discharge inlet rotates with the valve core. During the process from the slurry discharge inlet being partially connected to the drain outlet to being fully connected to the drain outlet, the drain pipe is always located in the slurry discharge position and rotates with the valve core to discharge the slurry. During slurry discharge, the drain pipe remains in the slurry discharge position until the slurry discharge is completed.

[0060] 3) Cleaning stage: After the slurry is discharged, the drive device drives the valve core again to move the slurry inlet to the point where it is closed to the liquid outlet, and then water is introduced into the pulping chamber for agitation and cleaning; wherein, from the time the slurry inlet is closed to the liquid outlet until the waste inlet is partially connected to the liquid outlet, the liquid outlet pipe follows the valve core from the slurry position to the waste position, and the liquid outlet pipe remains closed to the pulping chamber during this movement.

[0061] 4) Waste discharge stage: When discharging the cleaning wastewater from the pulping chamber, the drain pipe has rotated to the waste discharge position, and the driving device drives the valve core to rotate again. The waste discharge inlet rotates with the valve core. In the process from the waste discharge inlet being partially connected to the drain outlet to being fully connected to the drain outlet, the drain pipe is always in the waste discharge position and follows the valve core to discharge waste. During waste discharge, the drain pipe remains in the waste discharge position until the waste discharge is completed.

[0062] In this embodiment, the drain pipe and valve core are integrated, and the drain pipe moves synchronously with the valve core. The valve core has a slurry discharge inlet and a waste discharge inlet. During the valve core's movement, the drain outlet connects to either the slurry discharge inlet or the waste discharge inlet. When the valve core moves the drain pipe to the slurry discharge position, the slurry discharge inlet connects to the drain outlet, allowing the slurry in the pulping chamber to be discharged. When the valve core moves the drain pipe to the waste discharge position, the waste discharge inlet connects to the drain outlet, allowing the cleaning wastewater in the pulping chamber to be discharged. Compared to existing technologies, the food processing machine in this embodiment uses a simpler drain valve structure and can still achieve automatic slurry discharge and automatic wastewater discharge. Moreover, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the food processing machine in this embodiment are lower, significantly reducing the selling price of the food processing machine.

[0063] Meanwhile, the inventors have overcome the applicant's previous prejudice that the drain pipe cannot drain liquid during rotation, thus eliminating the constraints on further improvements to the drain valve. They have innovatively proposed a structural solution where the valve core and drain pipe are integrated. This eliminates relative movement between the drain pipe and the valve core. Compared to existing technologies, the drain valve in this embodiment is less prone to accelerated wear due to relative movement, and internal sealing failures are less likely, significantly extending the valve's service life. Furthermore, the absence of relative movement between the valve core and drain pipe prevents the problem of difficult-to-clean residue buildup. For the food processing machine of this embodiment, the valve core has a shorter stroke, resulting in higher drain valve efficiency and faster discharge of slurry and wastewater.

[0064] In addition, during the pulping process using the food processing machine of this embodiment, whether it is discharging pulp or wastewater, the drain pipe is always in the pulp discharge position or waste discharge position. Although the drain pipe discharges liquid as it moves with the valve core, it only moves to the pulp discharge position or waste discharge position to discharge liquid. There will be no situation where the liquid in the pulping chamber leaks out of the pulp receiving cup or wastewater box, causing burns to consumers. Similarly, the food processing machine of this embodiment can also improve the user experience.

[0065] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, when the slurry discharge position is projected vertically, the outlet end of the drain pipe is entirely located inside the slurry receiving cup; while when the waste discharge position is projected vertically, the outlet end of the drain pipe is entirely located inside the wastewater box. Thus, during slurry or waste discharge, although the drain pipe moves with the valve core and discharge occurs during this process, the liquid discharged by the drain pipe will not leak into the slurry receiving cup or wastewater box, effectively avoiding safety risks. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the drain pipe is a straight pipe and integrally formed with the valve core, with a smooth connection between them. This greatly reduces the possibility of residue buildup in the drain pipe and valve core. Compared to other existing drain valves, the drain valve in this embodiment is easier to clean and does not produce any odor.

[0066] It should also be noted that, similar to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the partial connection between the slurry discharge inlet or waste discharge inlet and the liquid discharge outlet (connection port) means that the slurry discharge inlet or waste discharge inlet partially overlaps with the liquid discharge outlet (connection port) and is completely connected with the liquid discharge outlet (connection port). This means that the slurry discharge inlet or waste discharge inlet overlaps with the liquid discharge outlet (connection port) the most and the liquid discharge flow rate is the largest.

[0067] Through research, the inventors discovered that when the drain pipe rotates around a horizontal axis parallel to the horizontal, the rotation angle of the drain pipe during the draining process is generally set to 15° to 40°. If the rotation angle exceeds this range, liquid may leak out of the receiving cup or wastewater box during the draining process, posing a safety risk.

[0068] Furthermore, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the valve core has a spherical, disc-shaped, or columnar structure. Additionally, in this embodiment, a limiting part can be provided on the avoidance position for the movement of the drain pipe to prevent it from overshooting. Thus, the drain valve does not need a dedicated detection element to detect whether the drain pipe has rotated to the slurry or waste discharge position; it only needs to detect whether the drive motor driving the valve core is stalled, which can significantly reduce the production cost of the drain valve. Of course, the draining method and some structures of the drain pipe in this embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0069] Example 4:

[0070] like Figure 8 The diagram shown is a structural principle diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from Embodiment 3 in that: in this embodiment, the valve core 42 is cylindrical, and the rotation axis 425 of the valve core 42 is the central axis of the cylindrical valve core, that is, a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The driving device 44 is located at the upper end of the valve core 42, driving the valve core 42 to rotate around the rotation axis 425. A normally open port 426 communicating with the liquid passage 420 is provided on the lower end face of the valve core 42. The normally open port 426 extends from the valve body 41. The drain pipe 43 and the valve core 42 are separate structures, and the drain pipe 43 and the normally open port 426 of the valve core 42 are connected as a whole by a sealing structure. The drain pipe 43 is a bent flexible pipe, and the drain pipe 43 rotates synchronously around the rotation axis (vertical axis) as the valve core 42 rotates.

[0071] In this embodiment, the slurry discharge inlet 422 and the waste discharge inlet 423 are symmetrically arranged relative to the rotation axis 425. When the corresponding drain pipe 42 rotates between the slurry discharge position and the waste discharge position, it needs to rotate 180° to realize the discharge of slurry and wastewater.

[0072] The structure of the drain valve in this embodiment differs from that in Embodiment 3. However, this embodiment achieves the same effects as the aforementioned embodiments. By employing a simpler drain valve structure, automatic slurry discharge and automatic wastewater discharge can also be realized. Moreover, during the slurry or wastewater discharge process, although the drain pipe rotates with the valve core to discharge slurry, it can still maintain its position at the slurry or wastewater discharge point, preventing liquid from leaking from the slurry cup or wastewater box. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the rotation angle of the drain pipe between the slurry and wastewater discharge points is not limited to 180°. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rotation angle of the drain pipe around the vertical axis is relatively large, generally not exceeding 80°. In this embodiment, the rotation angle is designed to be between 42° and 78°. When the rotation angle is small, the slurry or wastewater discharge inlet will be designed to be smaller, which may lead to blockage during the discharge process and a smaller discharge flow rate, affecting the discharge efficiency. If the rotation angle is designed to be large, the slurry discharge inlet or waste discharge inlet will also be designed to be large. When the valve core rotates in the valve body, slurry residue may be carried into the valve body, causing problems that are difficult to clean. Moreover, during the process of draining liquid by rotating the drain pipe, liquid may easily leak out of the slurry cup or the outside of the wastewater box.

[0073] It should be noted that the design concept and some structures of this embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0074] Example 5:

[0075] like Figure 9 The diagram shown is a structural principle diagram of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiments in that: in this embodiment, a drain port 10 is provided on the bottom wall of the pulping chamber 1, and a drain valve is installed on the bottom wall of the pulping chamber 1. The valve core 42 is driven by a driving device (not shown) to move linearly within the valve body 41, and the slurry inlet 422 and waste outlet 423 are located on the path of the valve core 42's linear movement. This embodiment is similar to Embodiment 1, where the drain pipe 43 and valve core 42 are integrally formed, and the outlet end of the drain pipe 43 faces downwards. When the valve core 42 drives the slurry inlet 422 and waste outlet 423 to connect with the connecting port 410 respectively, the valve core 42 simultaneously drives the drain pipe 43 to move parallel between the slurry discharge position above the receiving cup 2 and the waste discharge position above the wastewater box 3.

[0076] In this embodiment, the translational movement of the valve core drives the translational movement of the drain pipe, thus achieving automatic slurry and wastewater discharge. Furthermore, the drain valve structure and discharge method of this embodiment are relatively simple and streamlined, resulting in lower manufacturing and maintenance costs compared to existing technologies. Simultaneously, the drain valve in this embodiment also has the function of discharging liquid during movement. The distance of the translating discharge of the drain valve is determined by the size of the slurry inlet and the wastewater inlet, and the translational distance of the drain pipe between the slurry and wastewater discharge positions is determined by the distance between the slurry inlet and the wastewater discharge inlet. Technicians can select these distances according to the design requirements of the food processing machine. Additionally, this embodiment also includes a clearance position on the valve body to avoid the drain pipe, and a limiting part on the clearance position to restrict the translational movement of the drain pipe, preventing excessive translation. Moreover, this limiting structure in this embodiment eliminates the need for a dedicated detection element to detect the position of the drain pipe.

[0077] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the drain port and drain valve can also be located on the bottom side wall of the pulping chamber. With a suitable design, the valve core can drive the drain pipe to move horizontally to discharge pulp or wastewater. Furthermore, it should be noted that the above-described structural changes in this embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] The food processing machine of the present invention can be a bottom-mounted or top-mounted motor type. Furthermore, the food processing machine of the present invention can be a food processing machine with a pulverizing device for pulverizing and pulping, or it can be a food processing machine without a motor and pulverizing device, only having a stirring function for beverage preparation. The food processing machine of the present invention can be equipped with a heating device or not. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the content described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of the present invention will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A food processing machine, comprising a pulping chamber, wherein a drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the pulping chamber, and a drain valve is installed at the drain outlet on the outer side of the pulping chamber, the drain valve comprising a drain pipe that moves between a first receiving cup and a second receiving cup, characterized in that: The drain valve further includes a valve body and a valve core installed inside the valve body and moving relative to the valve body. The valve core is integrated with the drain pipe, and the valve core always drives the drain pipe to move synchronously. The valve core has a liquid passage communicating with the drain pipe. The wall of the valve core is provided with a drain inlet communicating with the upstream of the liquid passage. The drain pipe is normally connected to the downstream of the liquid passage. The bottom of the pulping chamber is provided with two independent drain ports, including a first drain port and a second drain port. The valve core is provided with only one drain inlet. The valve core moves so that the drain inlet can selectively communicate with the first drain port and the second drain port and close. During the process from when the valve core drives the drain inlet to be fully connected to the first drain outlet until it is closed, the drain pipe moves with the valve core on the first receiving cup, and the outlet end of the drain pipe remains inside the opening of the first receiving cup. After the drain inlet is closed from the first drain outlet, the drain pipe moves out of the opening of the first receiving cup and into the opening of the second receiving cup under the action of the valve core. During the process from when the drain inlet is partially connected to the second drain outlet until it is fully connected to the second drain outlet, the drain pipe moves with the valve core on the second receiving cup, and the outlet end of the drain pipe remains inside the opening of the second receiving cup.

2. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core rotates within the valve body, and the drain pipe rotates synchronously driven by the valve core.

3. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core moves horizontally within the valve body, and the drain pipe moves synchronously driven by the valve core.

4. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve core is a planar moving valve plate, the liquid passage is a liquid passage hole that passes through the planar moving valve plate, the liquid discharge inlet is the upstream port of the liquid passage hole, the liquid discharge pipe is normally connected to the downstream port of the liquid passage hole, and the liquid discharge pipe is driven by the planar moving valve plate.

5. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drain pipe and valve core are integrally formed; Alternatively, the drain pipe and the valve core are sealed together as one unit.

6. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body is provided with a clearance position to allow the movement of the drain pipe.

7. The food processing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The clearance position is provided with a limiting part to limit the movement of the drain pipe.

8. The food processing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drain pipe drains liquid as it moves within the opening of the first receiving cup; Alternatively, after the liquid in the pulping chamber is emptied, the drain pipe moves with the valve core within the opening of the first liquid receiving cup. Alternatively, the first liquid receiving cup and the second liquid receiving cup may be either a slurry receiving cup or a wastewater box.

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