Steam generator with high steam generation efficiency and cooking equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a steam generator with high steam generation efficiency and cooking equipment. The steam generator comprises a shell and a top cover, and the shell and the top cover are matched to form a steam generating cavity; at least one heating plate and at least one spray pipe used for spraying water to the heating plate to generate steam are arranged in the steam generation cavity, and an air outlet used for leading out the steam is formed in the top cover; each heating plate comprises a first metal plate, a second metal plate and a heating piece arranged between the first metal plate and the second metal plate; at least one end of the spray pipe is connected with a water source, and a plurality of water spray holes are formed in the spray pipe. Compared with the prior art, the steam generator and the cooking equipment have the advantages that the steam generation efficiency is remarkably improved, the energy consumption is reduced, and the steam generation speed is also improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of steam generators, and in particular to a steam generator and cooking equipment with high steam generation efficiency. Background Art

[0002] Most existing steam generators use boiling water heating to generate steam, which is generated by directly heating the water surface. However, the boiling water steam generation method may have many problems in operation. The boiling water steam generation method is often accompanied by some water droplets being carried into the steam pipe, affecting the quality of the steam and thus the cooking quality. The thermal conductivity efficiency of boiling water heating is low, and the heating of water requires a long path, resulting in slower steam generation and lower energy efficiency. The heating power of boiling water heating is also often limited by volume. The limited heating power is not enough to quickly heat a large amount of water, and the steam generator response time is too long, resulting in a slower heating process.

[0003] In addition, it is difficult for traditional steam generators to achieve multi-speed power adjustment, and the steam output fluctuates greatly during the heating process, which cannot meet the precise requirements of steam volume and temperature for different cooking modes (such as steaming, baking, cleaning, etc.). The heating surface of traditional steam generators is set on the inner wall of the pipe, and scale is deposited in the heating pipe, resulting in a reduction in the inner diameter of the pipe, narrowing the water flow channel, and even blockage. This not only affects the stability of steam output, but may also cause poor water flow inside the steam generator, affecting the quality of steam.

[0004] Therefore, in view of the problems existing in the above-mentioned traditional steam generators, it is urgent to develop a new type of steam generator suitable for cooking equipment. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a steam generator and cooking equipment with high steam generation efficiency in order to solve at least one of the problems of low steam generation efficiency, slow speed, easy scale deposition, etc. in existing generators.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention first provides a steam generator with high steam generation efficiency, the steam generator comprising a shell and a top cover, the shell and the top cover cooperate to form a steam generation cavity;

[0008] The steam generating chamber is provided with at least one heating plate and at least one nozzle for spraying water to the heating plate to generate steam, and the top cover is provided with an outlet for conducting steam;

[0009] The heating plates all include a first metal plate, a second metal plate and a heating element arranged therebetween; at least one end of the spray pipe is used to connect to a water source, and a plurality of spray holes are provided on the spray pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the shell is provided with an external water inlet for supplying water into the shell and a drain outlet for draining water.

[0011] Furthermore, a liquid level sensor is provided in the housing, comprising a first liquid level sensor for monitoring a minimum water level and a second liquid level sensor for monitoring a maximum water level.

[0012] Furthermore, the outer wall surfaces of the first metal plate and the second metal plate are evaporation surfaces, and the evaporation surfaces are arranged vertically or inclined.

[0013] Furthermore, the heating element includes any one of a heating film, a heating plate, a heating tube or a heating net.

[0014] Furthermore, the heating film includes any one of a polyimide film, a high-temperature silicone film, a carbon fiber film, and a ceramic heating film.

[0015] Furthermore, a sealing member is provided at the joint between the first metal plate and the second metal plate.

[0016] Furthermore, the sealing member is preferably a sealing strip.

[0017] Furthermore, the heating element is connected to a temperature controller for monitoring the temperature of the heating element.

[0018] Furthermore, a first heating plate and a second heating plate, as well as a first nozzle, a second nozzle and a third nozzle are provided in the steam generating chamber.

[0019] Furthermore, the first heating plate and the second heating plate are connected in parallel and are controlled by a control system to operate individually or together.

[0020] Furthermore, the first nozzle and the third nozzle are respectively arranged on the outside of the first heating plate and the second heating plate, and the second nozzle is arranged between the first heating plate and the second heating plate.

[0021] Furthermore, the first nozzle and the third nozzle are both single-sided openings, and the second nozzle is double-sided openings.

[0022] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the nozzle is 2-4 mm, the outer diameter is 5-7 mm, and the diameter of the water spray hole is 0.5-1 mm.

[0023] The present invention also provides a cooking device, which includes a steam generator and also includes: an equipment body for carrying the steam generator; a cooking liner arranged in the equipment body; the cooking liner is provided with a steam hole for introducing steam and an liner temperature sensor for detecting temperature; a water tank arranged on the equipment body; a water system for conveying water; and a gas system for conveying steam.

[0024] Furthermore, the water system includes a water pump, a water pipe and a water pipe joint for distributing water flow.

[0025] Furthermore, the water pipe includes a first water pipe connecting the water tank and the steam generator cavity, a second water pipe connecting the steam generator cavity and the water pump, a third water pipe connecting the water pump and the water pipe joint, and a distribution water pipe connecting the water pipe joint and the nozzle.

[0026] Furthermore, both the first water pipe and the distribution water pipe are provided with solenoid valves.

[0027] Furthermore, the air circuit system includes an air pipe joint and an air pipe.

[0028] Furthermore, the air pipe joint is connected to the air outlet of the steam generator, one end of the air pipe is connected to the air pipe joint, and the other end is connected to the steam hole of the cooking pot.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] (1) The steam generator of the present invention is based on the falling film evaporation principle. The water flow is evenly distributed on the evaporation surface in the form of a thin film, which increases the evaporation area, allowing water to be quickly converted into steam, significantly improving the steam generation efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

[0031] (2) The steam generator of the present invention is intended to solve the problem of long response time of existing steam generators. By introducing falling film evaporation technology, the evaporation process of water is accelerated and stable steam is quickly generated, thereby greatly shortening the steam generation time, improving cooking efficiency, and meeting users' needs for fast heating and efficient cooking.

[0032] (3) The steam generator of the present invention can work independently or together in single heating plate or dual heating plate mode, and can select multiple power modes to flexibly meet the needs of different ingredients and cooking methods. The steam generator can provide different steam outputs according to actual cooking needs. In high power mode, it can provide high-temperature and high-flow steam to ensure cooking quality. In low power mode, it avoids unnecessary energy waste, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the equipment.

[0033] (4) The steam generator of the present invention combines liquid level control and circulating water design to keep the evaporation surface in the steam generation chamber always within the ideal liquid film thickness range, thereby achieving stable steam generation. This avoids the common steam fluctuation problem in traditional evaporation methods, improves the precise control of temperature and humidity during the cooking process, and ensures the uniformity of food heating and cooking quality.

[0034] (5) The steam generator of the present invention combines falling film evaporation technology and circulating water design, and adopts a stainless steel vertical or inclined plane as the evaporation surface. The water flow is not easy to stagnate, which effectively reduces the deposition of scale and facilitates cleaning and maintenance, thereby improving the long-term reliability and stability of the equipment and reducing the incidence of equipment failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the steam generator of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 1 and 2 are a side view and a cross-sectional view of a steam generator according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 It is a front view of the steam generator of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the heating plate of Example 2 of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the heating plate of Example 2 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second metal plate of Example 2 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 7 This is an explosion diagram of the steam generator of Example 3 of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of the first nozzle of Example 3 of the present invention.

[0043] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second nozzle of Example 3 of the present invention.

[0044] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooking device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0045] Fig.11 This is a front view of a cooking device according to embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0046] Fig.12 This is a rear view of the cooking device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0047] Fig.13 This is a rear stereoscopic diagram of the cooking device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0048] Fig.14 This is an exploded view of the cooking device according to embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0049] Fig.15 This is an exploded view of the water system and the gas system of Example 5 of the present invention.

[0050] Description of the markings in the figure:

[0051] 1-steam generator, 11-shell, 111-air outlet, 112-external water inlet, 113-drain outlet, 12-top cover, 13-heating plate, 131-first metal plate, 132-second metal plate, 133-heating element, 134-sealing element, 135-thermostat, 13a-first heating plate, 13b-second heating plate; 14-spray pipe, 141-water spray hole, 14a-first spray pipe, 14b-second spray pipe, 14c-third spray pipe; 15-liquid level sensor, 151-first liquid level sensor, 152-second liquid level sensor;

[0052] 2- Equipment body;

[0053] 3-cooking liner, 31-steam hole, 311-first steam hole, 312-second steam hole, 32-liner temperature sensor;

[0054] 4- Water tank;

[0055] 5-water system, 51-water pump, 52-water pipe, 521-first water pipe, 522-second water pipe, 523-third water pipe, 524-distribution water pipe, 5241-fourth water pipe, 5242-fifth water pipe, 5243-sixth water pipe, 53-water pipe joint, 54-solenoid valve, 541-first solenoid valve, 542-second solenoid valve, 543-third solenoid valve, 544-fourth solenoid valve;

[0056] 6-air circuit system, 61-air pipe joint, 62-air pipe, 621-first air pipe, 622-second air pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This embodiment is implemented based on the technical solution of the present invention, and provides a detailed implementation method and specific operation process, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0058] In the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific position, be constructed and operated in a specific position, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention; the terms "first", "second", and "third" are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; in addition, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0060] Embodiment 1:

[0061] This embodiment provides a steam generator with high steam generation efficiency. Figure 1-3 As shown, the steam generator 1 of this embodiment includes a shell 11 and a top cover 12, and the shell 11 and the top cover 12 cooperate to form a steam generating cavity.

[0062] In this embodiment, the steam generating chamber is provided with at least one heating plate 13 and at least one nozzle 14 for spraying water to the heating plate 13 to generate steam. The top cover 12 is correspondingly provided with an air outlet 111 for guiding out the steam, and the steam generated in the steam generating chamber is quickly discharged through the air outlet 111 for subsequent use.

[0063] The heating plate 13 of this embodiment includes a first metal plate 131, a second metal plate 132 and a heating element 133 disposed therebetween. Placing the heating element 133 between the two metal plates can effectively prevent the influence of water vapor on the heating element 133. At least one end of the nozzle 14 of this embodiment is used to connect to a water source. The nozzle 14 is provided with a plurality of water spray holes 141, through which the nozzle 14 can spray the water introduced onto the heating plate 13 for rapid falling film evaporation.

[0064] The steam generator of this embodiment is based on the falling film evaporation principle. A heating plate 13 and a nozzle 14 for spraying water are arranged in the steam generating chamber of the steam generator 1 to achieve rapid film formation and evaporation of water on the heating plate 13, thereby quickly converting the water into usable steam. This can effectively improve the heating efficiency of the steam generator, shorten the steam generation time, and reduce the generation of scale. The steam generator can be widely used in various types of equipment with steam heating function.

[0065] Embodiment 2:

[0066] The present embodiment provides a steam generator with high steam generation efficiency. The steam generator 1 of the present embodiment comprises a shell 11 and a top cover 12, and the shell 11 and the top cover 12 cooperate to form a steam generation cavity.

[0067] The housing 11 of this embodiment is provided with an external water inlet 112 for supplying water into the housing 11 and a drain outlet 113 for draining water. Water is introduced through the external water inlet 112 to ensure that a certain amount of water is always maintained in the housing 11 to prevent dry burning; the water stored in the cavity and the water that has not been completely evaporated are discharged through the drain outlet 113.

[0068] In this embodiment, the steam generating chamber is provided with at least one heating plate 13 and at least one nozzle 14 for spraying water to the heating plate 13 to generate steam. The top cover 12 is correspondingly provided with an air outlet 111 for guiding out the steam, and the steam generated in the steam generating chamber is quickly discharged through the air outlet 111 for subsequent use.

[0069] At least one end of the spray pipe 14 of this embodiment is used to connect to a water source. The spray pipe 14 is provided with a plurality of spray holes 141, through which the spray pipe 14 can spray the water introduced to the heating plate 13 for rapid falling film evaporation. A liquid level sensor 15 is also provided in the housing 11 of this embodiment, which includes a first liquid level sensor 151 for monitoring the lowest water level and a second liquid level sensor 152 for monitoring the highest water level.

[0070] like Figure 4-6As shown, the heating plate 13 of this embodiment includes a first metal plate 131, a second metal plate 132 and a heating element 133 arranged therebetween. The outer wall surface of the first metal plate 131 and the second metal plate 132 is an evaporation surface, and the evaporation surface is arranged vertically or inclined to form a liquid film and realize efficient falling film evaporation. A sealing element 134 is also provided at the joint of the first metal plate 131 and the second metal plate 132, and conventional sealing elements such as sealing strips and sealing rings can be selected to prevent water leakage and ensure the safe operation of the steam generator 1. The heating element 133 includes any one of a heating film, a heating plate or a heating net, and specifically, a high-efficiency heating material such as a polyimide heating film or a high-temperature silica gel heating film can be selected. The heating element 133 of this embodiment is also connected to a thermostat 135 for monitoring the temperature of the heating element 133 to ensure that the heating element 133 operates within a safe range.

[0071] Embodiment 3:

[0072] The present embodiment provides a steam generator with high steam generation efficiency. The steam generator 1 of the present embodiment comprises a shell 11 and a top cover 12, and the shell 11 and the top cover 12 cooperate to form a steam generation cavity.

[0073] The difference from Example 1 or Example 2 is that the steam generator 1 of this embodiment is multi-speed regulated. Specifically, Figure 7-9 As shown, the steam generating chamber of this embodiment is provided with two heating plates 13, namely the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b, and three nozzles 14, namely the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b and the third nozzle 14c. The first nozzle 14a and the third nozzle 14c are respectively arranged on the outside of the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b, and the first nozzle 14a and the third nozzle 14c are both single-sided openings, used to spray water to the outer wall of the corresponding heating plate 13. The second nozzle 14b is arranged between the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b, and the second nozzle 14b is double-sided openings, used to spray water to the inner side walls of the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b. The inner diameters of the three nozzles 14 are all 2-4mm, the outer diameters are 5-7mm, and the apertures of the water spray holes 141 are 0.5-1mm.

[0074] The working principle of the multi-speed adjustment of this embodiment is as follows: when working in the first speed, only the first nozzle 14a is used, and its single-sided spraying water flows to the first heating plate 13a to meet the low-power heating demand; when working in the second speed, in addition to the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b also starts to work, and the second nozzle 14b sprays water flows to the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b on both sides to support medium-power heating; when working in the third speed, the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b and the third nozzle 14c are all turned on, wherein the first nozzle 14a sprays water flows to the first heating plate 13a on one side, the second nozzle 14b sprays water flows to the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b on both sides, and the third nozzle 14c sprays water flows to the second heating plate 13b on one side, which jointly meet the high-power heating demand. Through the above-mentioned multi-speed adjustment, efficient and flexible steam generation can be achieved at different speeds.

[0075] Embodiment 4:

[0076] This embodiment provides a cooking device. Figure 10-11 As shown, the cooking device of this embodiment includes the steam generator 1 described in Example 1, and also includes an equipment body 2 for carrying the steam generator 1, a cooking pot 3 arranged in the equipment body 2, a water tank 4 arranged on the equipment body 2, a water system 5 for conveying water flow, and a gas system 6 for conveying steam.

[0077] The steam generator 1 of this embodiment can be mounted on the side wall of the device body 2. The cooking pot 3 is the core cooking cavity of the cooking device, which is used to hold and heat food. The cooking pot 3 of this embodiment is provided with a steam hole 31 for introducing steam and a pot temperature sensor 32 for detecting temperature. The steam hole 31 is used to introduce steam from the steam generator 1 into the cooking pot 3 to ensure uniform distribution of steam in the cooking pot 3 to meet different cooking needs. The pot temperature sensor 32 is used to monitor the temperature changes inside the cooking pot 3 in real time and provide temperature data.

[0078] Embodiment 5:

[0079] The present embodiment provides a cooking device, which specifically includes a steam generator 1, a device body 2, a cooking pot 3, a water tank 4, a water system 5 and a gas system 6.

[0080] The difference from Example 4 is that Figure 12-15As shown, the water system 5 of this embodiment is responsible for transporting water from the water tank 4 to the steam generator 1, and through the water inlet and outlet on the cavity, a water flow circulation is formed under the action of the water pump 51 outside the cavity to support the generation of steam. The water system 5 of this embodiment specifically includes a water pump 51, a water pipe 52, and a water pipe joint 53 for distributing water flow. The water pipe 52 includes a first water pipe 521 connecting the water tank 4 and the cavity of the steam generator 1, a second water pipe 522 connecting the cavity of the steam generator 1 and the water pump 51, a third water pipe 523 connecting the water pump 51 and the water pipe joint 53, and a distribution water pipe 524 connecting the water pipe joint 53 and the nozzle 14. Solenoid valves 54 are provided on the first water pipe 521 and the distribution water pipe 524, which are used to control the switch state of the water pipe 52 and cooperate with the flow control system to achieve precise regulation of the water flow.

[0081] The gas circuit system 6 of this embodiment includes a gas pipe joint 61 and a gas pipe 62. The gas pipe joint 61 is connected to the gas outlet 111 of the steam generator 1, one end of the gas pipe 62 is connected to the gas pipe joint 61, and the other end is connected to the steam hole 31 of the cooking pot 3, so as to transport the steam generated in the steam generator 1 to the cooking pot 3.

[0082] Embodiment 6:

[0083] This embodiment provides a steam generator 1 with high steam generation efficiency and a specific cooking device including the steam generator 1 .

[0084] The steam generator 1 of this embodiment is the core unit of steam generation, which is responsible for heating water to the temperature required for steam generation and quickly generating stable steam through efficient falling film evaporation technology. The steam generator 1 mainly includes a shell 11, a top cover 12, a heating plate 13, a nozzle 14, and a liquid level sensor 15. The shell 11 is provided with an external water inlet 112 and a drain port 113, and the top cover 12 is provided with an air outlet 111.

[0085] The shell 11 is used to cover the heating plate 13 to ensure its structural integrity and provide necessary protection, and at the same time, it is sealed with the top cover 12 to form a cavity to prevent steam leakage and improve the safety of the system.

[0086] The top cover 12 and the shell 11 cooperate to form a sealed cavity to prevent steam leakage and facilitate the installation and maintenance of internal components. The evaporation heating plate 13 is fixed on the top cover 12 and keeps a certain distance from other components inside the cavity.

[0087] The external water inlet 112 is used to introduce water in the water tank 4 into the closed cavity, and the water flows into the steam generator 1 through the external water inlet 112 and is supplied to the heating plate 13 for evaporation. The water flows stably into the system through the external water inlet 112 connected to the first water pipe 521, providing the necessary water volume for steam generation.

[0088] The drain port 113 is located at the bottom of the cavity, and the water entering from the external water inlet 112 is discharged and sent to the nozzle 14 through the water pump 51. The water is sprayed to the heating plate 13 in the nozzle 14, and part of the water is converted into steam, and the unevaporated water returns to the bottom to continue to circulate, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of steam generation.

[0089] The air outlet 111 is located on the top cover 12 and is used to discharge the generated steam into the cooking inner pot 3 of the cooking device through the air pipe 62. The air outlet 111 ensures that the steam can be smoothly discharged from the steam generator 1 and enter the cooking inner pot 3 for cooking operation.

[0090] The nozzle 14 of this embodiment is used to spray water onto the heating plate 13 to promote the generation of steam. When working at gear 1, only the first nozzle 14a is used, and it sprays water on one side to the first heating plate 13a to meet the low-power heating demand; when working at gear 2, in addition to the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b also starts to work, and the second nozzle 14b sprays water on both sides to the first and second heating plates 13b to support medium-power heating; when working at gear 3, all three nozzles 14 (the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b and the third nozzle 14c) are turned on, wherein the first nozzle 14a sprays water on one side to the first heating plate 13a, the second nozzle 14b sprays water on both sides to the first heating plate 13a and the second heating plate 13b, and the third nozzle 14c sprays water on one side to the second heating plate 13b, which together meet the high-power heating demand. Through the above-mentioned working state of the nozzle 14, the flow rate adjustment of the water pump 51 and the power adjustment of the heating plate 13, efficient and flexible steam generation at different gears can be achieved. The inner diameter of the nozzle 14 ranges from 2mm to 4mm, preferably 3mm; the outer diameter ranges from 5mm to 7mm, preferably 6mm; the aperture of the nozzle 141 ranges from 0.5 to 1mm, preferably 0.5mm, and the material is food-grade stainless steel.

[0091] The nozzles 14 of this embodiment are divided into two types: the first nozzle 14a and the third nozzle 14c are located outside the heating plate 13, with a single-sided opening design, and can be arranged in single or double arrangements as needed to provide uniform or non-uniform water spraying. The second nozzle 14b is located between the two heating plates 13, with a double-sided opening design, and has a single or double arrangement function, and can adjust the distribution of water flow as needed, ensuring that the effect of steam generation is adjustable, and optimizing the uniformity of steam according to actual needs.

[0092] The liquid level sensor 15 is used to monitor the water level in the steam generator 1 to ensure that the water level is within a normal range. The liquid level sensor 15 is placed at two locations.

[0093] The first liquid level sensor 151 is located at the bottom of the steam generator 1, about 10 mm from the bottom, and is used to detect the lowest water level. When the water level is lower than this position, the liquid level sensor 15 will stop the power supply to the heating plate 13 through the control system and issue an alarm to prevent dry burning. The first liquid level sensor 151 can be used in conjunction with the water pump 51 or the solenoid valve 54 as appropriate. In this embodiment, the water tank 4 is placed above the steam generator 1, and the water flows into the steam generator 1 by gravity, and the solenoid valve 54 is mainly used to control the water flow.

[0094] The second liquid level sensor 152 is located at the lowest water level below the heating plate 13 and is used to control the highest water level. When the water level reaches this position, the system will stop taking in water to prevent excessive water from entering the system and submerging the heating plate 13, thereby ensuring that the heating process is carried out stably. This sensor can also be used in conjunction with the water pump 51 or the solenoid valve 54. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve 54 is selected. When the water level reaches the highest point, the solenoid valve 54 opens and stops taking in water to prevent the water level from being too high.

[0095] The heating plate 13 is a key heating component in the steam generator 1. In this embodiment, two heating plates 13 are configured and installed inside the cavity of the steam generator 1. The two heating plates 13 work independently and are connected in parallel. They are managed by a control system (such as a single-chip microcomputer) and dynamically adjusted through logic control. They can work separately or together as needed, thereby realizing flexible adjustment of multiple power levels. For example, the power of the two heating plates 13 can be 1000W and 1200W respectively. The system can choose to enable one heating plate 13 (1000W or 1200W) or two heating plates 13 to work simultaneously (a total of 2200W) as needed. This multi-power configuration can flexibly adjust the steam output. In this embodiment, the shape, structure or layout of the heating plate 13 can be adjusted, such as using heating plates 13 of different thicknesses or shapes, or designing an adjustable surface to improve the heat exchange efficiency, such as setting grooves or micropores on the surface.

[0096] The heating plate 13 of the present embodiment is mainly composed of a first metal plate 131 , a second metal plate 132 , a heating film, a temperature controller 135 and a sealing member 134 .

[0097] The heating film is used as the heating element 133 of the heating plate 13 and is responsible for providing heat. The heating film can be directly attached to the first metal plate 131 through the adhesive on the back. The heating film is made of high-efficiency heating materials such as polyimide film or high-temperature silicone film, and can also be made of carbon fiber film, ceramic heating film or a heating tube instead of the heating film to meet the required heating effect.

[0098] The first metal plate 131 is used as a support substrate for the heating film and is made of food-grade stainless steel or other high temperature resistant and corrosion resistant metal materials. Its main function is to provide a stable support for the heating film and serve as a medium for heat conduction. Heat is transferred from the heating film to the metal plate to prevent water from directly contacting the heating film. Water can be sprayed directly onto the surface of the metal plate through the nozzle 14, and the heat of the metal plate is used to complete the falling film evaporation process.

[0099] The second metal plate 132 is connected to the first metal plate 131 by a threaded fastener to form a sealed structure. The two metal plates completely wrap the heating film therein to protect the heating film and prevent water or steam from damaging the heating film. In order to meet the installation requirements of the thermostat 135 and the space requirements of the heating film interface and wires, the surface of the second metal plate 132 is specially designed with a corresponding protrusion structure to provide installation and operation space for the thermostat 135 and wires.

[0100] Thermostat 135 is a bimetallic thermostat 135, which is used to monitor the temperature of the heating film. Thermostat 135 works in series with the heating film. Thermostat 135 ensures that the heating film operates within a safe range by detecting the temperature change of the heating film. When the temperature of the heating film exceeds the set threshold, the thermostat 135 will automatically cut off the power and cut off the heating circuit to prevent overheating and ensure the safety of the system.

[0101] The rubber strip is a sealing member 134, located at the joint between the heating plate 13 and the metal plate, and is mainly used to prevent water leakage. The rubber strip has good sealing performance, and can effectively isolate the water flow inside the heating plate 13 from the external environment, ensuring the safe operation of the steam generator 1.

[0102] The cooking device of this embodiment includes a water system 5 and a gas system 6 connected to the steam generator 1. The water system 5 is responsible for transporting water from the water tank 4 to the steam generator 1 and forming a circulation in the cavity to support the generation of steam. The gas system 6 is used to connect to the gas outlet of the steam generator 1 and transport the steam generated in the steam generation cavity to the cooking pot 3.

[0103] The water system 5 includes a water pump 51, a water pipe 52 and a water pipe joint 53. The water pipe 52 includes a first water pipe 521, a second water pipe 522, a third water pipe 523, a fourth water pipe 5241, a fifth water pipe 5242 and a sixth water pipe 5243, and the water pipe joint 53 is a four-way water pipe joint.

[0104] The first water pipe 521 transports the water in the water tank 4 to the evaporator cavity as the basic water source for heating and steam generation. The first water pipe 521 is responsible for transporting the water in the water tank 4 to the evaporator cavity by gravity. According to the gravity-driven characteristics of the water flow, the inner diameter range is 6mm-8mm, preferably the inner diameter is 7mm; the outer diameter range is 10mm-12mm, preferably the outer diameter is 10mm. The second water pipe 522 introduces the water at the bottom of the cavity into the water pump 51. The pipe diameter size range is recommended to be 4mm-6mm inner diameter, 6mm-8mm outer diameter, preferably 5mm inner diameter, 7mm outer diameter. The third water pipe 523 transports the water in the water pump 51 to the four-way water pipe joint. This water pipe is responsible for transporting the water pressurized by the water pump 51 to the four-way water pipe joint. The pipe diameter size range is 4mm-6mm inner diameter, 6mm-8mm outer diameter, preferably 5mm inner diameter, 7mm outer diameter. The fourth water pipe 5241 is responsible for distributing water from the four-way water pipe joint to the first nozzle 14a. The pipe diameter size range is 3mm-5mm inner diameter, 5mm-7mm outer diameter, preferably 4mm inner diameter, 6mm outer diameter. The fifth water pipe 5242 is responsible for distributing water from the four-way water pipe joint to the second nozzle 14b. The pipe diameter size range is 3mm-5mm inner diameter, 5mm-7mm outer diameter, preferably 4mm inner diameter, 6mm outer diameter. The sixth water pipe 5243 is responsible for distributing water from the four-way water pipe joint to the third nozzle 14c. The pipe diameter size range is 3mm-5mm inner diameter, 5mm-7mm outer diameter, preferably 4mm inner diameter, 6mm outer diameter.

[0105] The main function of the water pump 51 is to provide water flow power, to deliver water from the water tank 4 into the evaporator cavity and distribute it to each nozzle 14. Under different gears, the working state of the water pump 51 will be adjusted according to the feedback of the inner tank temperature sensor 32 and the change of heating power, so as to control the flow of the water pump 51. The flow range of the water pump 51 is adjusted between 200ml / min-600ml / min according to demand to ensure that the water flow matches the steam generation demand under different working conditions. The four-way water pipe joint is used to evenly distribute the water in the cavity of the steam generator 1 to the fourth water pipe 5241, the fifth water pipe 5242 and the sixth water pipe 5243 to ensure that the water flow can effectively supply each nozzle 14.

[0106] The water pipe 52 of this embodiment is provided with a solenoid valve 54, which is used to control the on-off state of the water pipe 52 and to adjust the water flow in cooperation with the flow control system. In the low-power working state (such as when the single heating plate 13 is working), the solenoid valve 54 optimizes the steam generation efficiency by adjusting the water supply state of the nozzle 14. Specifically, the first solenoid valve 541 controls the on-off state of the first water pipe 521, which is used to adjust the water supply amount of the water in the water tank 4 flowing into the steam generator 1 cavity by gravity, ensuring that the water level in the cavity is maintained within a suitable range; the second solenoid valve 542 controls the on-off state of the fourth water pipe 5241, and manages the opening and closing of the water flow to the first nozzle 14a; the third solenoid valve 543 controls the on-off state of the fifth water pipe 5242, and manages the opening and closing of the water flow to the second nozzle 14b; the fourth solenoid valve 544 controls the on-off state of the sixth water pipe 5243, and manages the opening and closing of the water flow to the third nozzle 14c.

[0107] The gas circuit system 6 of this embodiment includes an air pipe 62 and an air pipe joint 61. The air pipe 62 includes a first air pipe 621 and a second air pipe 622. The first air pipe 621 connects the steam generator 1 with the first steam hole 311 of the cooking pot 3, and is used to transport steam to the upper part of the cooking pot 3. The second air pipe 622 connects the steam generator 1 with the second steam hole 312 of the cooking pot 3, and is used to transport steam to the lower part of the cooking pot 3. The air pipe joint 61 is a three-way air pipe joint, which distributes the steam in the cavity of the steam generator 1 to the first air pipe 621 and the second air pipe 622, ensuring that the steam is transported to the upper second steam hole 312 of the cooking pot 3.

[0108] The present embodiment also provides a cooking device equipped with an adjustable power steam generator 1, which can flexibly adjust the steam output according to different cooking needs to suit different ingredients or different working conditions. The cooking device mainly includes a device body 2, a cooking liner 3, a water tank 4, and the water system 5 and gas system 6 described above.

[0109] The device body 2 is the external structure of the device, and its main function is to protect the internal components and provide support. At the same time, the device body 2 can be equipped with a control panel or an operation interface to facilitate user operation. The cooking liner 3 is the core cooking cavity of the device, which is used to hold and heat ingredients. It is made of food-grade stainless steel with a thickness range of 0.5mm-3mm, and a preferred thickness of 1.5mm. The inner cavity size range is 190mm-210mm in height, preferably 200mm in height; 340mm-360mm in width, preferably 350mm in width; 240mm-260mm in depth, preferably 250mm in depth. The surface of the cooking liner 3 can be polished or treated with an anti-stick coating to facilitate cleaning and reduce food adhesion.

[0110] The water tank 4 is the water supply source of the steam generator 1. It is responsible for storing the water required for cooking and supplying water to the evaporation chamber of the steam generator 1 through gravity or a water pump 51 to ensure the continuous generation of steam. When the water tank 4 is placed above the evaporator, water is supplied by gravity; if it is placed at the bottom of the device, an additional water pump 51 is required to provide water supply power. The water tank 4 is usually made of food-grade plastic. The size range of the water tank 4 is 240mm-260mm in height, preferably 250mm in height; 70mm-90mm in width, preferably 80mm in width; 40mm-60mm in depth, preferably 50mm in depth. The water tank 4 supports a disassembly design, which is convenient for users to add water or perform cleaning and maintenance.

[0111] The steam holes 31 are used to introduce steam from the steam generator 1 into the cooking pot 3 to ensure uniform distribution of steam in the cavity to meet different cooking needs. The first steam hole 311 is located at the upper right of the back of the cooking pot 3 and is responsible for delivering steam to the upper area of ​​the cooking pot 3; the second steam hole 312 is located at the lower left of the back of the cooking pot 3 and is responsible for delivering steam to the lower area of ​​the cooking pot 3.

[0112] The inner pot temperature sensor 32 is used to monitor the temperature change inside the cooking pot 3 in real time and provide temperature data. The inner pot temperature sensor 32 feeds back the collected temperature signal to the PLC control system to adjust the heating power of the steam generator 1 or the flow rate of the water pump 51, thereby controlling the temperature and humidity inside the steam generator 1 cavity and optimizing the cooking effect.

[0113] The method of using the cooking device of this embodiment is as follows:

[0114] During the cooking process, the water in the water tank 4 is transported to the steam generation cavity through the first water pipe 521 by gravity. When the water level rises to the position of the second liquid level sensor 152, the first solenoid valve 541 closes the first water pipe 521 and stops the water supply. The water in the cavity and the water that has not been completely evaporated flow into the water pump 51 through the drain port 113, and are pressurized and transported to the nozzle system by the water pump 51. The water is evenly distributed on the evaporation surface of the stainless steel heating plate 13 through the first nozzle 14a, the second nozzle 14b and the third nozzle 14c, forming a dynamic thin water film to promote efficient steam generation. When the water level in the evaporation chamber drops below the first liquid level sensor 151, the first solenoid valve 541 reopens the first water pipe 521 and resumes the water supply. This process is repeated to ensure continuous steam generation. After the heating film in the heating plate 13 is energized, the heat is transferred to the surface of the heating plate 13 through the first metal plate 131 and the second metal plate 132, quickly heating the thin water film and converting it into steam. The steam is discharged through the air outlet 111 and enters the cooking pot 3 through the first steam hole 311 and the second steam hole 312 respectively, so as to heat the food evenly.

[0115] During operation, the thermostat 135 monitors the temperature of the heating film in real time to ensure that the device is always within a safe operating range. When the temperature exceeds the set threshold, the thermostat 135 will cut off the power supply of the heating film to prevent overheating; once the temperature returns to normal, the thermostat 135 will reclose the circuit and resume the heating function. In addition, the liner temperature sensor 32 will transmit the real-time temperature signal to the PLC control system. The PLC control system adjusts the operating state of the water pump 51 according to the temperature feedback signal to maintain the optimal liquid film thickness on the heating plate 13, thereby ensuring the stability of the steam generation process.

[0116] The steam generator 1 of this embodiment realizes multiple power modes by independently controlling the operating states of the heating plate 13 and the water pump 51, and can efficiently generate steam according to different cooking needs, providing a flexible heating solution. Specifically, under different gears, by adjusting the working number of the nozzle 14 and the power configuration of the heating plate 13 (single or double heating plates), low, medium and high power heating needs can be flexibly met. At the same time, the flow rate of the water pump 51 is automatically adjusted according to the feedback from the inner pot temperature sensor 32 to ensure that the water flow rate matches the steam generation demand.

[0117] The above description of the embodiments is to facilitate the understanding and use of the invention by those skilled in the art. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications to these embodiments and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without creative work. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention should be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam generator with high steam generation efficiency, characterized in that: The steam generator (1) comprises a shell (11) and a top cover (12), wherein the shell (11) and the top cover (12) cooperate to form a steam generation cavity; The steam generating chamber is provided with at least one heating plate (13) and at least one spray pipe (14) for spraying water onto the heating plate (13) to generate steam, and the top cover (12) is provided with an outlet (111) for conducting steam; The heating plates (13) each comprise a first metal plate (131), a second metal plate (132) and a heating element (133) disposed therebetween; at least one end of the spray pipe (14) is used for connecting to a water source, and a plurality of spray holes (141) are provided on the spray pipe (14).

2. A steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell (11) is provided with an external water inlet (112) for supplying water into the shell (11) and a drain outlet (113) for draining water.

3. A steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid level sensor (15) is arranged in the housing (11), comprising a first liquid level sensor (151) for monitoring the lowest water level and a second liquid level sensor (152) for monitoring the highest water level.

4. A steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall surfaces of the first metal plate (131) and the second metal plate (132) are evaporation surfaces, and the evaporation surfaces are arranged vertically or inclined; The heating element (133) comprises any one of a heating film, a heating plate, a heating tube or a heating net.

5. The steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing member (134) is provided at the joint portion between the first metal plate (131) and the second metal plate (132); The heating element (133) is connected to a temperature controller (135) for monitoring the temperature of the heating element (133).

6. The steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam generating chamber is provided with a first heating plate (13a), a second heating plate (13b), and a first nozzle (14a), a second nozzle (14b) and a third nozzle (14c); The first nozzle (14a) and the third nozzle (14c) are respectively arranged on the outside of the first heating plate (13a) and the second heating plate (13b), and the second nozzle (14b) is arranged between the first heating plate (13a) and the second heating plate (13b).

7. A steam generator with high steam generation efficiency according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first nozzle (14a) and the third nozzle (14c) are both single-sided openings, and the second nozzle (14b) is double-sided openings; The inner diameter of the spray pipe (14) is 2-4 mm, the outer diameter is 5-7 mm, and the diameter of the water spray hole (141) is 0.5-1 mm.

8. A cooking device, characterized in that: The cooking device comprises the steam generator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and further comprises: A device body (2) for carrying the steam generator (1); A cooking liner (3) is arranged in the device body (2); the cooking liner (3) is provided with a steam hole (31) for introducing steam and a liner temperature sensor (32) for detecting temperature; A water tank (4) provided on the device body (2); A waterway system (5) for conveying water; A gas line system (6) for conveying steam.

9. A cooking device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The water system (5) comprises a water pump (51), a water pipe (52) and a water pipe joint (53) for distributing water flow; The water pipe (52) comprises a first water pipe (521) connecting the water tank (4) and the cavity of the steam generator (1), a second water pipe (522) connecting the cavity of the steam generator (1) and the water pump (51), a third water pipe (523) connecting the water pump (51) and the water pipe joint (53), and a distribution water pipe (524) connecting the water pipe joint (53) and the spray pipe (14); The first water pipe (521) and the distribution water pipe (524) are both provided with a solenoid valve (54).

10. The cooking device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The gas circuit system (6) comprises a gas pipe joint (61) and a gas pipe (62); The air pipe joint (61) is connected to the air outlet (111) of the steam generator (1); one end of the air pipe (62) is connected to the air pipe joint (61), and the other end is connected to the steam hole (31) of the cooking pot (3).

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