Electric steamer

Abstract

The electric steamer comprises a base, a cooking body and a steaming tray, the base is provided with a containing cavity and a heating piece, the cooking body is arranged above the base, the cooking body is provided with a cooking cavity, the steaming tray is arranged between the base and the cooking body, and the bottom wall of the steaming tray is provided with a first partition plate and a first steam opening located in an area defined by the first partition plate; when the steaming plate is arranged on the base, the first partition plate divides the containing cavity into a steam generation cavity and a water tank, the steam generation cavity and the water tank are communicated at the lower end of the first partition plate, a pressure control valve is arranged at the first steam opening, and the pressure control valve is opened when the air pressure of the steam generation cavity is larger than the set pressure. When the steaming plate is arranged on the base and the lower end of the first partition plate is sealed by water in the containing cavity, the water in the containing cavity forms a height difference inside and outside the first partition plate, the water level of the inner side of the first partition plate is lower than that of the outer side, and the heating piece is located in a projection surrounding area of the first partition plate. The steam generator is very simple in structure and capable of rapidly generating steam.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances, and particularly to an electric steamer. Background Art

[0002] Steam cooking can fully retain the nutrients of food and is one of the common cooking methods in daily life. An electric steamer is a very common cooking appliance that uses steam for cooking. Traditional electric steamers need to heat the entire pot of water to generate steam, and the time required to generate steam is relatively long, resulting in an extended overall cooking time and a decline in the taste of the cooked ingredients.

[0003] To solve this problem, the industry usually increases the heating power. However, although this method can improve the steam generation efficiency, the cost will increase significantly. There are also some solutions that set a water control valve at the water outlet of the water tank to control the amount of water entering the steam generation chamber. However, this solution usually has a relatively complex structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an electric steamer with a simple structure and capable of quickly generating steam.

[0005] An electric steamer includes a base, a cooking main body, and a steaming tray. The base is provided with a cavity and a heating element located below the cavity. The cooking main body is arranged above the base. The cooking main body is provided with a cooking cavity. The steaming tray is arranged between the base and the cooking main body. The bottom wall of the steaming tray is provided with a downwardly extending and annular first partition and a first steam port located within the area surrounded by the first partition. When the steaming tray is placed on the base, the first partition divides the cavity into a steam generation chamber located inside the first partition and a water tank located outside the first partition. The steam generation chamber and the water tank communicate at the lower end of the first partition. A pressure control valve is provided at the first steam port. The pressure control valve opens when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is greater than the set pressure. When the steaming tray is placed on the base and the lower end of the first partition is sealed by the water in the cavity, a height difference is formed between the inside and outside of the first partition by the water in the cavity, and the water level inside the first partition is lower than the water level outside. The heating element is located within the area surrounded by the projection of the first partition.

[0006] The electric steamer provided by the present application has a steaming tray with a first partition. The first partition divides the steam generation chamber and the water tank. The structure is very simple. By setting a pressure control valve to close the first steam port, when assembling the steaming tray, a sealed chamber is formed inside the first partition. Thus, the water level in the steam generation chamber inside the first partition can be controlled at a lower level by using the air pressure in the steam generation chamber, so that the heating element only needs to heat a small amount of water to generate steam, and thus rapid steam generation can be achieved. Since the first partition is provided on the steaming tray, there is no need to set a partition structure inside the cavity, and the structure is very simple and easy to clean.

[0007] In one embodiment, the steaming tray is further provided with a second steam port, and the second steam port is located outside the first partition. The second steam port communicates with the cooking cavity and the water tank.

[0008] In this way, when the steam pressure is not enough to open the pressure control valve, the steam can be discharged into the cooking cavity through the second steam port, so that efficient cooking can be achieved when the water tank is at a low water level.

[0009] In one embodiment, a plurality of second steam ports are provided, and the plurality of second steam ports are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the first partition.

[0010] In this way, when the water tank is at a low water level, the steam can be evenly discharged into the cooking cavity through the second steam ports, so as to ensure that efficient steam output can still be achieved at a low water level.

[0011] In one embodiment, the bottom wall of the steaming tray is further provided with a second partition that extends downward and is annular. The second partition surrounds the outside of the first partition. The bottom of the second partition is not lower than the bottom of the first partition, and the second steam port is located inside the second partition.

[0012] In this way, the second partition can block the steam flowing towards the side wall of the cavity, thus guiding the steam to flow towards the second steam port, reducing the heat loss caused by the contact between the steam and the water outside the second partition in the water tank. And when the water tank is at a low water level, the setting of the second partition is beneficial to quickly heating the small amount of water inside the second partition, so as to achieve rapid steam generation.

[0013] In one embodiment, the bottom of the steaming tray is further provided with a second partition that extends downward. The second partition is arranged outside the first partition. The second partition and the first partition enclose a float chamber with a closed circumference. The lower end of the float chamber communicates with the water tank, the upper end of the float chamber communicates with the steam generation chamber, the second steam port communicates with the cooking cavity and the float chamber, and a float valve is arranged in the float chamber. The float valve can rise and fall with the water level in the water tank and is used to control the opening and closing of the second steam port.

[0014] In this embodiment, by providing a second partition plate and a float valve, when the water level in the water tank is at a relatively high level, steam can be discharged from the first steam port; when the water level in the water tank is at a relatively low level, steam can enter the float chamber from the upper end of the first partition plate and be discharged from the second steam port. The discharge of steam from the second steam port is equivalent to extending the flow path of the steam, which is beneficial for the steam to absorb more heat before entering the cooking chamber.

[0015] In one embodiment, a plurality of the second partition plates are provided, and the plurality of second partition plates are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the first partition plate. The plurality of second partition plates and the first partition plate enclose a plurality of the float chambers, and one float valve is provided in each float chamber. The plurality of float valves and the plurality of second steam ports are arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

[0016] In this way, by providing a plurality of float valves, the opening and closing of the plurality of second steam ports can be well controlled, and the float valves can be made smaller in size, so that the overall volume of the steaming tray is smaller.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second partition plate is annular, one float valve is provided and is arranged around the first partition plate, and the float valve is used to control the opening and closing of the plurality of second steam ports simultaneously.

[0018] In this way, only one float valve is needed to control the opening and closing of the plurality of second steam ports, the structure is simpler, and the installation is more convenient.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first partition plate includes a limiting portion that is recessed toward the inside of the steam generating chamber. The limiting portion includes a limiting side wall and a limiting bottom wall connected to the lower end of the limiting side wall. The limiting side wall and the second partition plate enclose the float chamber, and the limiting bottom wall and the limiting side wall form a limiting step to limit the float valve in the float chamber.

[0020] In this way, the float valve can be prevented from falling out from the lower side of the float chamber, so that the float valve and the water receiving tray form an integral assembly, which is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the integral assembly on the base. Moreover, this structure can ensure that when the water receiving tray is assembled on the base, a height difference is automatically formed between the water level in the steam generating chamber and the water level in the water tank.

[0021] In one embodiment, the steaming tray includes a tray body and a tray cover. The bottom wall of the tray body is convexly provided with an annular rib, and a through hole is formed through the inside of the annular rib. The first partition plate and the second partition plate are both arranged on the lower side of the tray body. The steam generating chamber and the float chamber are both located within the projection range of the through hole. The tray cover is detachably connected to the annular rib and closes the through hole from the upper side. The first steam port and the second steam port are both arranged on the tray cover.

[0022] Thus, by setting the water receiving tray to include a tray body and a tray cover, and the annular ribs of the tray cover and the tray body are detachably connected, it is convenient to install the float valve in the float chamber.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pressure control valve is a constant value pressure control valve, and the set pressure is a constant value. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is greater than the set pressure of the constant value pressure control valve, the constant value pressure control valve opens, and the steam generation chamber communicates with the cooking chamber; when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is less than the set pressure of the constant value pressure control valve, the constant value pressure control valve closes, and the steam generation chamber and the cooking chamber are disconnected.

[0024] In this embodiment, only one value needs to be set for the set pressure, and the control method is simple.

[0025] In one embodiment, the constant value pressure control valve includes a mounting portion and a gravity ball. The mounting portion is disposed on the upper side or the lower side of the bottom wall of the steaming tray. The mounting portion is annularly disposed around the first steam port and forms a steam passage communicating with the first steam port inside. The gravity ball is disposed in the steam passage, and the gravity ball blocks the lower end of the steam passage under the action of gravity.

[0026] Thus, the gravity of the gravity ball is the set pressure. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is greater than the gravity of the gravity ball, the steam can lift the gravity ball, so that the steam can enter the cooking chamber from the first steam port; when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is less than the gravity of the gravity ball, the gravity ball uses its gravity to block the steam passage, realizing the closing of the constant value pressure control valve.

[0027] In one embodiment, the pressure control valve is a variable value pressure control valve, and the set pressure includes a minimum opening threshold and a maximum opening threshold. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is greater than the minimum opening threshold, the variable value pressure control valve opens, and the steam generation chamber communicates with the cooking chamber, and the opening degree of the variable value pressure control valve increases as the air pressure in the steam generation chamber increases; when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is greater than or equal to the maximum opening threshold, the variable value pressure control valve opens to the maximum opening degree; when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber is less than the minimum opening threshold, the variable value pressure control valve closes, and the steam generation chamber and the cooking chamber are disconnected.

[0028] In this way, the variable-pressure control valve can maintain a certain pressure in the steam generation chamber. By setting appropriate minimum and maximum opening thresholds, the opening degree of the variable-pressure control valve can be controlled, thereby enabling the air pressure in the steam generation chamber to be greater than that in the water tank, forming a water level difference between the steam generation chamber and the water tank, and further achieving low water level control in the steam generation chamber. Moreover, when the variable-pressure control valve is opened, the opening degree of the variable-pressure control valve can be controlled according to the air pressure in the steam generation chamber, so as to achieve slow discharge of a small amount of steam and fast discharge of a large amount of steam, thereby improving the cooking efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an electric steamer according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 2 Half-sectional perspective view of an electric steamer according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the base according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 4 For Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the electric steamer shown;

[0034] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of a variable-pressure control valve according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 6 Half-sectional perspective view of an electric steamer according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Cross-sectional view of the electric steamer shown;

[0037] Figure 8 For Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the steam of the electric steamer discharging from the first steam port;

[0038] Figure 9 For Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the steam of the electric steamer discharging from the second steam port;

[0039] Figure 10 Cross-sectional view of an electric steamer according to yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 11 is Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the steam of the electric steam cooker discharged from the first steam port;

[0041] Figure 12 is Figure 10 A schematic diagram showing the steam of the electric steam cooker discharged from the second steam port;

[0042] Figure 13 is Figure 10 A half-sectional perspective view of the water receiving tray of the electric steam cooker shown.

[0043] Reference numerals: 10, base; 101, cavity; 11, steam generation cavity; 12, water tank; 20, cooking main body; 21, cooking cavity; 22, pot lid; 30, steaming tray; 31, first steam port; 32, second steam port; 321, flexible seal; 33, first partition; 331, limiting part; 3311, limiting side wall; 3312, limiting bottom wall; 34, second partition; 35, float cavity; 37, tray body; 371, annular rib; 38, tray cover; 40, pressure control valve; 41, mounting part; 42, gravity ball; 43, variable value pressure control valve; 431, elastic diaphragm; 432, notch; 50, float valve; 60, heating element. Detailed implementation manners

[0044] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more apparent and understandable, the following will describe the detailed implementation manners of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to fully understand the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0045] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may also be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of illustration and do not represent the only implementation manner.

[0046] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0047] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature may be in direct contact with the second feature or in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium when the first feature is "on" or "under" the second feature. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" or "on top of" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" or "underneath" the second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the description of this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which this application belongs. The terms used in the description of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" used in the description of this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0049] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 , this application provides an electric steam cooker, which includes a base 10, a cooking main body 20 and a steaming tray 30. The base 10 is provided with a cavity 101 and a heating element 60 located below the cavity 101. The cooking main body 20 is arranged above the base 10, and the cooking main body 20 is provided with a cooking cavity 21. The steaming tray 30 is arranged between the base 10 and the cooking main body 20. The bottom wall of the steaming tray 30 is provided with a downwardly extending and annular first partition 33 and a first steam port 31 located within the area surrounded by the first partition 33. When the steaming tray 30 is placed on the base 10, the first partition 33 divides the cavity 101 of the base 10 into a steam generation cavity 11 inside the first partition 33 and a water tank 12 outside the first partition 33, and the steam generation cavity 11 and the water tank 12 are communicated at the lower end of the first partition 33. A pressure control valve 40 is provided at the first steam port 31, and the pressure control valve 40 opens when the air pressure in the steam generation cavity 11 is greater than the set pressure. When the steaming tray 30 is placed on the base 10 and the lower end of the first partition 33 is sealed by the water in the cavity 101, a height difference of the water is formed inside and outside the first partition 33, and the water level inside the first partition 33 is lower than the water level outside. The heating element 60 is located within the area surrounded by the projection of the first partition 33, and the heating element 60 is used to heat the water in the steam generation cavity 11 to generate steam.

[0050] The working principle of the electric steamer is as follows: when in use, first add a certain amount of water into the chamber 101, such as Figure 3 As shown, at this time, the water level in the cavity 101 is at the water level line B, and then the steaming plate 30 and the cooking body 20 are assembled on the base 10 in sequence. Due to the presence of air inside the first partition 33, when assembling the steaming plate 30, the lower end of the first partition 33 is extended into the water and sealed by water, so that the air inside the first partition 33 cannot be discharged, causing the water in this area to be squeezed to the outside of the first partition 33, that is, the water level in the steam generating chamber 11 drops, and the water level in the water tank 12 rises, so that when the steaming plate 30 is assembled in place, the water level in the steam generating chamber 11 is lower than the water level in the water tank 12, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown in the figure, at this time, the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 is at the water level line A', and the water level in the water tank 12 is at the water level line C. Among them, the water level line A' is lower than the water level line B, and the water level line C is higher than the water level line B. The heating element 60 only needs to heat a small amount of water in the steam generation chamber 11 to generate steam, so that steam can be generated quickly. As the heating element 60 continues to heat, the steam in the steam generation chamber 11 gradually increases, and the air pressure increases. When the air pressure is greater than the set pressure of the pressure control valve 40, the first steam port 31 opens, so that steam can enter the cooking chamber 21 from the first steam port 31, thereby realizing steam cooking. At the same time, due to the consumption of water, the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 will drop. Since the steam generation chamber 11 and the water tank 12 are connected at the lower end of the first partition 33, when the pressure on the water tank 12 side at the lower end of the first partition 33 is greater than the pressure on the steam generation chamber 11 side, the water tank 12 can automatically replenish water to the steam generation chamber 11, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 rises, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 can be dynamically controlled at the height position of the preset water level line A. It can be understood that the preset water level line A can be equal to the water level line A', or can be lower than the water level line A'. That is to say, when the steaming tray 30 is placed on the base 10 so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 is at the water level line A', the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is P1. Assuming that the set pressure of the pressure control valve 40 is P. If P = P1, when the water in the steam generation chamber 11 is heated to form steam, the air pressure P1 in the steam generation chamber 11 increases, P1 > P, then the pressure control valve 40 opens, and the steam is discharged into the cooking chamber 21. At the same time, the water in the water tank 12 is replenished into the steam generation chamber 11. At this time, the preset water level line A is equal to the water level line A'; if P > P1, after the water in the steam generation chamber 11 is heated to form steam, the water level drops, but the pressure control valve 40 is not opened. When the air pressure P1 in the steam generation chamber 11 increases to P1 > P, the pressure control valve 40 opens to exhaust, and the water in the water tank 12 will be replenished into the steam generation chamber 11 only after the steam generation chamber 11 exhausts, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 is controlled at the preset water level line A, and the preset water level line A is lower than the water level line A'.

[0051] It can be seen from this that in this application, by setting the steaming tray 30 with the first partition 33, the steam generation chamber 11 and the water tank 12 are separated by the first partition 33, and the structure is very simple. And by setting the pressure control valve 40 to close the first steam port 31, when the steaming tray 30 is assembled, a sealed chamber is formed inside the first partition 33. Thus, the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 inside the first partition 33 is used to control the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 at a lower water level, so that the heating element 60 only needs to heat a small amount of water to generate steam, so that steam can be generated quickly. Since the first partition 33 is provided on the steaming tray 30, there is no need to provide a partition structure in the cavity 101, and the structure is very simple and easy to clean.

[0052] In this embodiment, the cooking main body 20 includes a pot lid 22. A cooking cavity 21 is formed inside the pot lid 22. A steaming rack can be arranged in the cooking cavity 21 for supporting the food to be steamed. In addition, in other embodiments, the cooking main body 20 may further include a steamer basket. A cooking cavity 21 is formed inside the steamer basket, or the cooking cavity 21 is enclosed by the steamer basket and the pot lid 22. The present application does not limit this. As long as the cooking main body 20 is provided with a cooking cavity 21 capable of accommodating food.

[0053] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, in this embodiment, when the steaming tray 30 is assembled to the base 10, the lower ends of the first partition plates 33 do not contact the bottom wall of the cavity 101, so that the steam generating cavity 11 and the water tank 12 are communicated. The water in the water tank 12 can be timely replenished into the steam generating cavity 11. However, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, a communication port may also be provided at the lower end of the first partition plate 33. The communication port may penetrate the lower end surface of the first partition plate 33 or may not penetrate the lower end surface of the first partition plate 33. Then, when the steaming tray 30 is assembled to the base 10, the steam generating cavity 11 and the water tank 12 can be communicated through the communication port, so that the water in the water tank 12 can also be timely replenished into the steam generating cavity 11. Further, multiple communication ports may be provided in this embodiment, and the multiple communication ports are evenly spaced along the circumferential direction of the first partition plate 33. In this way, it is beneficial for the water tank 12 to supply water to the steam generating cavity 11.

[0054] In this embodiment, the first steam port 31 is provided as one or more, and the first steam port 31 is arranged in the central area of the bottom wall of the steaming tray 30. In this way, the steam enters the cooking cavity 21 through the first steam port 31 and can be quickly and evenly dispersed into the cooking cavity 21.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 2 , in one embodiment, the pressure control valve 40 is a constant pressure control valve. Correspondingly, the set pressure is a constant value. Specifically, when the air pressure in the steam generating cavity 11 is greater than the set pressure of the constant pressure control valve, the constant pressure control valve opens, and the steam generating cavity 11 and the cooking cavity 21 are communicated; when the air pressure in the steam generating cavity 11 is less than the set pressure of the constant pressure control valve, the constant pressure control valve closes, and the steam generating cavity 11 and the cooking cavity 21 are disconnected. Only one value needs to be set for the set pressure in this embodiment, and the control method is simple.

[0056] Further, the constant-pressure control valve includes a mounting portion 41 and a gravity ball 42. The mounting portion 41 is disposed on the upper or lower side of the bottom wall of the steaming tray 30. The mounting portion 41 is disposed around the first steam port 31 and forms a steam passage communicating with the first steam port 31 inside. The gravity ball 42 is disposed in the steam passage, and the gravity ball 42 blocks the lower end of the steam passage under the action of gravity. Thus, the gravity of the gravity ball 42 is the set pressure. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is greater than the gravity of the gravity ball 42, the steam can lift the gravity ball 42, so that the steam can enter the cooking chamber 21 from the first steam port 31. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is less than the gravity of the gravity ball 42, the gravity ball 42 blocks the steam passage by its gravity, realizing the closing of the constant-pressure control valve. Further, the lower part of the steam passage can be set to a tapered shape with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, which is beneficial for the gravity ball 42 to block the lower end of the steam passage.

[0057] It can be understood that when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is equal to the set pressure of the constant-pressure control valve, the constant-pressure control valve remains in its original state. Specifically, if the constant-pressure control valve is initially in the closed state and the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is less than the set pressure of the constant-pressure control valve at this time, when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 rises to the set pressure, the constant-pressure control valve still remains in the closed state, and when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 rises to be greater than the set pressure, the constant-pressure control valve opens. If the constant-pressure control valve is initially in the open state and the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is greater than the set pressure of the constant-pressure control valve at this time, when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 drops to the set pressure, the constant-pressure control valve still remains in the open state, and when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 drops to be less than the set pressure, the constant-pressure control valve closes.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 5, in another embodiment, the pressure control valve 40 can be set as a variable pressure control valve 43. The set pressure includes a minimum opening threshold and a maximum opening threshold. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is greater than the minimum opening threshold, the variable pressure control valve 43 opens, and the steam generation chamber 11 communicates with the cooking chamber 21. Moreover, the opening degree of the variable pressure control valve 43 increases as the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 increases. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is greater than or equal to the maximum opening threshold, the variable pressure control valve 43 opens to the maximum opening degree. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is less than the minimum opening threshold, the variable pressure control valve 43 closes, and the steam generation chamber 11 and the cooking chamber 21 are disconnected. In this way, the variable pressure control valve 43 can keep a certain pressure in the steam generation chamber 11. By setting appropriate minimum and maximum opening thresholds, the control of the opening degree of the variable pressure control valve 43 can be achieved, so that the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 can be greater than the air pressure in the water tank 12, forming a water level difference between the steam generation chamber 11 and the water tank 12, and then realizing the low water level control of the steam generation chamber 11. And when the variable pressure control valve 43 opens, the opening degree of the variable pressure control valve 43 can be controlled according to the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11, so as to realize slow discharge of a small amount of steam and fast discharge of a large amount of steam, thereby improving the cooking efficiency.

[0059] In one embodiment, the variable pressure control valve 43 can be set as an elastic diaphragm 431 with a notch 432. The elastic diaphragm 431 is sealingly connected to the first steam port 31. The elastic force of the elastic diaphragm 431 itself can close the notch 432, and as the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 increases, the notch 432 can be gradually opened, so as to realize the control of the opening degree of the notch 432 according to the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11, that is, the control of the opening degree of the first steam port 31.

[0060] Please refer to Figures 6 to 9 , in one embodiment, the steaming tray 30 is further provided with a second steam port 32. The second steam port 32 is located outside the first partition 33, and the second steam port 32 communicates the cooking chamber 21 and the water tank 12. In this way, as the water level in the water tank 12 drops, the water level pressure difference between the water tank 12 and the steam generation chamber 11 gradually decreases. When the water level pressure difference shrinks to a certain extent, the steam in the steam generation chamber 11 will break through the pressure difference and flow into the water tank 12, and enter the cooking chamber 21 through the second steam port 32 above the water tank 12. It can be seen that when the water level in the water tank 12 is at the high water level C and the steam pressure is greater than the set pressure of the pressure control valve 40, the pressure control valve 40 opens, and the steam is discharged from the first steam port 31, as Figure 8 shown; when the water level in the water tank 12 is at the low water level C' and the steam pressure is not enough to open the pressure control valve 40, the steam can still enter the cooking chamber 21 through the second steam port 32, as Figure 9As shown, it can quickly supply steam to the cooking cavity 21 even when the water tank 12 is at a low water level.

[0061] Furthermore, the second steam ports 32 are provided in multiple numbers and are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first partition 33. In this way, when the water tank 12 is at a low water level, steam can be evenly discharged into the cooking cavity 21 through the second steam ports 32, thus ensuring efficient steam output even at a low water level.

[0062] Furthermore, the second steam ports 32 are arranged in one or more circles along the radial direction of the first partition 33. In this way, it is beneficial for the steam escaping from the lower end of the first partition 33 to be quickly discharged into the cooking cavity 21 through the second steam ports 32, so that there is still a relatively large amount of steam in the cooking cavity 21 when the water tank 12 is at a low water level.

[0063] Furthermore, the total flow-through area of the first steam ports 31 is smaller than the total flow-through area of the second steam ports 32. It can be understood that the "total flow-through area" refers to the sum of the cross-sectional areas perpendicular to the steam flow direction. In this way, when the water tank 12 is at a low water level, steam is output into the cooking cavity 21 from both the first steam ports 31 and the second steam ports 32, ensuring that there is a relatively large amount of steam in the cooking cavity 21, so that efficient cooking can also be achieved in the later stage of cooking.

[0064] Furthermore, a second partition 34 extending downward and in a ring shape is provided on the bottom wall of the steaming tray 30. The second partition 34 surrounds the outside of the first partition 33. The bottom of the second partition 34 is not lower than the bottom of the first partition 33, and the second steam ports 32 are located inside the second partition 34. In this way, the second partition 34 can block the steam flowing towards the side wall of the cavity 101, thus guiding the steam to flow towards the second steam ports 32, reducing the heat loss caused by the contact between the steam and the water outside the second partition 34 in the water tank 12. And when the water tank 12 is at a low water level, the setting of the second partition 34 is beneficial for quickly heating the small amount of water inside the second partition 34, thus achieving quick steam output.

[0065] Please refer to Figures 10 to 13, in another embodiment, a second partition plate 34 extending downward is further provided at the bottom of the steaming tray 30. The second partition plate 34 is disposed outside the first partition plate 33. The second partition plate 34 and the first partition plate 33 enclose a float chamber 35 with a closed perimeter. The lower end of the float chamber 35 is communicated with the water tank 12, and the upper end of the float chamber 35 is communicated with the steam generating chamber 11. The second steam port 32 communicates the cooking chamber 21 and the float chamber 35. A float valve 50 is provided in the float chamber 35. The float valve 50 can rise and fall with the water level in the water tank 12 and is used to control the opening and closing of the second steam port 32. Thus, when the water level in the water tank 12 is higher than or flush with the preset water level line A, that is, when the water tank 12 is at a high water level, the second steam port 32 is closed by the float valve, and the steam generating chamber 11 forms a sealed chamber, and the steam can only be discharged from the first steam port 31, as shown in Figure 10 ; when the water level in the water tank 12 is lower than the preset water level line A, the second steam port 32 is opened, as shown in Figure 11 . At this time, the steam can be directly discharged from the second steam port 32 without the need for the air pressure to be higher than the threshold pressure of the pressure control valve 40, so as to realize that the cooking chamber 21 can be quickly supplied with steam when the water tank 12 is at a low water level. In this embodiment, by providing the second partition plate 34 and the float valve 50, it can be realized that when the water level in the water tank 12 is at a relatively high water level, the steam can be discharged from the first steam port 31, and when the water level in the water tank 12 is at a relatively low water level, the steam can enter the float chamber 35 from the upper end of the first partition plate 33 and be discharged from the second steam port 32. The discharge of the steam from the second steam port 32 is equivalent to extending the flow path of the steam, which is beneficial for the steam to absorb more heat before entering the cooking chamber 21. Specifically, please refer to Figure 11, at the initial stage of use, the water level in the water tank 12 is at a high level, the float valve 50 is at a high position, and the second steam port 32 is closed. At this time, steam cannot be discharged from the second steam port 32. Since the lower end of the float chamber 35 and the lower end of the first partition 33 are submerged in water, a closed chamber is formed between the part of the float chamber 35 above the water surface and the part of the steam generation chamber 11 above the water surface. When forming the closed chamber, the air in the closed chamber will squeeze the water towards the water tank 12, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 is lower than the water level in the water tank 12. After starting to work, the first heating element 60 heats the water in the steam generation chamber 11 to generate steam. Since the pressure control valve 40 is provided, a certain pressure can be maintained in the steam generation chamber 11, so that this pressure can squeeze the water towards the water tank 12, and at the same time the consumption of water will cause the water level to drop. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is greater than the set pressure of the pressure control valve 40, the pressure control valve 40 opens, so that steam can be discharged from the first steam port 31 into the cooking chamber 21. After the steam is discharged, the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 drops. When the pressure on the side of the water tank 12 is greater than the pressure on the side of the steam generation chamber 11 at the lower end of the first partition 33, the water in the water tank 12 will flow into the steam generation chamber 11, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 can rise. When the pressure on the side of the water tank 12 is equal to the pressure on the side of the steam generation chamber 11 at the lower end of the first partition 33, the water tank 12 will no longer supply water to the steam generation chamber 11, so that the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 can be dynamically controlled at the height position where the preset water level line A is located. As the steam is continuously consumed, when the air pressure in the steam generation chamber 11 is lower than the set pressure of the pressure control valve 40, the pressure control valve 40 closes, and the steam cannot continue to be discharged from the first steam port 31. As the water is continuously consumed, the water level in the water tank 12 gradually drops. When the water tank 12 drops to a lower water level, such as Figure 12 shown, the float valve 50 drops to the position where the second steam port 32 is opened. At this time, the steam in the steam generation chamber 11 can be discharged into the cooking chamber 21 through the second steam port 32. It can be seen that in this embodiment, the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 can be controlled below the preset water level line A through the combined action of the pressure control valve 40 and the float valve 50. And when there is a large amount of water in the water tank 12, steam can be discharged into the cooking chamber 21 through the first steam port 31. When there is only a small amount of water in the water tank 12 and the air pressure of the generated steam is not enough to open the pressure control valve 40, the steam can also be discharged into the cooking chamber 21 through the second steam port 32, avoiding the situation that a small amount of water cannot continue to use steam for cooking. It can be understood that the "lower water level" described in this embodiment refers to the water level of the water tank 12 when the float valve 50 can drop to open the steam generation chamber 11. This "lower water level" is not necessarily as Figure 12 shown and flush with the preset water level line A.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 13, in one embodiment, a flexible seal 321 is provided at the second steam port 32. When the float valve 50 abuts against the flexible seal 321, the second steam port 32 is closed; when the float valve 50 disengages from the flexible seal 321, the second steam port 32 is opened. By providing the flexible seal 321, the float valve 50 can better block the second steam port 32, thus avoiding air leakage when the second steam port 32 is closed. The flexible seal 321 can be made of silica gel. One end of the flexible seal 321 is connected to the second steam port 32, and the other end is set as a deformable structure. Thus, when the float valve 50 abuts against the end of the flexible seal 321, the deformable structure can be compressed, so that a good seal is formed between the float valve 50 and the flexible seal 321.

[0067] In one embodiment, as Figure 13 shown, a plurality of second partitions 34 are provided, and the plurality of second partitions 34 and the first partition 33 enclose a plurality of float chambers 35. A float valve 50 is provided in each float chamber 35, and the plurality of float valves 50 and the plurality of second steam ports 32 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence. In this way, by providing a plurality of float valves 50, the opening and closing of the plurality of second steam ports 32 can be well controlled, and the float valves 50 can be made smaller in size, so that the overall volume of the steam tray 30 is smaller.

[0068] However, it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the second partition 34 is annular, and one float valve 50 is provided and arranged around the first partition 33. The float valve 50 is used to control the opening and closing of a plurality of second steam ports 32 at the same time. In this way, only one float valve 50 is needed to control the opening and closing of a plurality of second steam ports 32, and the structure is simpler and the installation is more convenient.

[0069] Further, please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 13, the first partition plate 33 includes a limiting portion 331 that is recessed toward the inside of the steam generation chamber 11. The limiting portion 331 includes a limiting side wall 3311 and a limiting bottom wall 3312 connected to the lower end of the limiting side wall 3311. The limiting side wall 3311 and the second partition plate 34 enclose a float chamber 35. The limiting side wall 3311 and the limiting bottom wall 3312 form a limiting step, so that the float valve 50 is restricted within the float chamber 35. In this way, the float valve 50 can be prevented from disengaging from the lower side of the float chamber 35, making the float valve 50 and the steaming tray 30 form an integral assembly, thus facilitating the installation and disassembly of the integral assembly on the base 10. Moreover, this structure can ensure that when the steaming tray 30 is assembled on the base 10, a height difference is automatically formed between the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 and the water level in the water tank 12. Specifically, during use, a certain amount of water can be added to the cavity 101 first, and then the steaming tray 30 is assembled on the base 10. Then, the buoyancy of the water can cause the float valve 50 to rise and close the second steam port 32. At this time, the pressure control valve 40 closes the first steam port 31, and the lower ends of the first partition plate 33 and the second partition plate 34 are sealed by water, so that the air inside the steam generation chamber 11 cannot escape. As a result, the water level in the steam generation chamber 11 will drop to the water level line A', while the water level in the water tank 12 is higher than the water level line A'.

[0070] Further, please refer to Figure 10 and Figure 13 , the steaming tray 30 includes a tray body 37 and a tray cover 38. The bottom wall of the tray body 37 protrudes upward with an annular rib 371. A through hole is formed through the inside of the annular rib 371. The first partition plate 33 and the second partition plate 34 are both disposed on the downward side of the tray body 37. The steam generation chamber 11 and the float chamber 35 are both located within the projection range of the through hole. The tray cover 38 is detachably connected to the annular rib 371 and closes the through hole from the upper side. The first steam port 31 and the second steam port 32 are both disposed on the tray cover 38. In this way, by setting the steaming tray 30 to include the tray body 37 and the tray cover 38, and the tray cover 38 and the annular rib 371 of the tray body 37 are detachably connected, it is convenient to install the float valve 50 in the float chamber 35.

[0071] In one embodiment, the tray cover 38 and the annular rib 371 are threadedly connected. In this way, it is very convenient to install and disassemble the tray cover 38 and the tray body 37, and the tray cover 38 and the tray body 37 are firmly connected. However, this is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the tray cover 38 and the annular rib 371 can also be fixedly connected by means of snap connection or screw connection. The present application does not limit this, as long as the tray cover 38 and the annular rib 371 are detachably connected.

[0072] In the present application, the heating element 60 is disposed below the bottom wall of the steam generation chamber 11, and the heating range of the heating element 60 corresponds to the bottom wall of the steam generation chamber 11. Thus, the heating element 60 only heats the water in the steam generation chamber 11, ensuring the heating efficiency of the steam and avoiding excessive energy loss.

[0073] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as falling within the scope described in this specification.

[0074] The above-described embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electric steamer, comprising a base (10), a cooking main body (20) and a steaming tray (30). The base (10) is provided with a cavity (101) and a heating element (60) located below the cavity (101). The cooking main body (20) is arranged above the base (10). The cooking main body (20) is provided with a cooking cavity (21). The steaming tray (30) is arranged between the base (10) and the cooking main body (20). It is characterized in that The bottom wall of the steaming tray (30) is provided with a downwardly extending and annular first partition (33) and a first steam port (31) located within the area surrounded by the first partition (33). When the steaming tray (30) is placed on the base (10), the first partition (33) divides the cavity (101) into a steam generation cavity (11) located inside the first partition (33) and a water tank (12) located outside the first partition (33). The steam generation cavity (11) and the water tank (12) communicate at the lower end of the first partition (33). A pressure control valve (40) is provided at the first steam port (31). The pressure control valve (40) opens when the air pressure in the steam generation cavity (11) is greater than the set pressure. When the steaming tray (30) is placed on the base (10) and the lower end of the first partition (33) is sealed by the water in the cavity (101), a height difference of the water in the cavity (101) is formed inside and outside the first partition (33), and the water level inside the first partition (33) is lower than the water level outside. The heating element (60) is located within the area surrounded by the projection of the first partition (33).

2. The electric steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein, The steaming tray (30) is further provided with a second steam port (32). The second steam port (32) is located outside the first partition (33). The second steam port (32) communicates the cooking cavity (21) and the water tank (12).

3. The electric steamer according to claim 2, wherein The second steam ports (32) are provided in plurality, and the plurality of second steam ports (32) are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the first partition (33).

4. The electric steam cooker according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The bottom wall of the steaming tray (30) is further provided with a downwardly extending and annular second partition (34). The second partition (34) surrounds the outside of the first partition (33). The bottom of the second partition (34) is not lower than the bottom of the first partition (33), and the second steam port (32) is located inside the second partition (34).

5. The electric steam cooker according to claim 3, wherein A second partition plate (34) extending downward is further provided at the bottom of the steaming tray (30). The second partition plate (34) is arranged outside the first partition plate (33). The second partition plate (34) and the first partition plate (33) enclose a float chamber (35) with a closed perimeter. The lower end of the float chamber (35) communicates with the water tank (12), and the upper end of the float chamber (35) communicates with the steam generation chamber (11). The second steam port (32) communicates the cooking chamber (21) and the float chamber (35). A float valve (50) is provided in the float chamber (35). The float valve (50) can rise and fall with the water level in the water tank (12) and is used to control the opening and closing of the second steam port (32).

6. The electric steam cooker according to claim 5, characterized in that, A plurality of the second partition plates (34) are provided, and the plurality of second partition plates (34) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the first partition plate (33). The plurality of second partition plates (34) and the first partition plate (33) enclose a plurality of the float chambers (35). A float valve (50) is provided in each of the float chambers (35). The plurality of float valves (50) and the plurality of second steam ports (32) are arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

7. The electric steamer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second partition plate (34) is annular, and one float valve (50) is provided and arranged around the first partition plate (33). The float valve (50) is used to control the opening and closing of the plurality of second steam ports (32) simultaneously.

8. The electric steam cooker according to claim 5, wherein, The first partition plate (33) includes a limiting portion (331) recessed toward the inside of the steam generation chamber (11). The limiting portion (331) includes a limiting side wall (3311) and a limiting bottom wall (3312) connected to the lower end of the limiting side wall (3311). The limiting side wall (3311) and the second partition plate (34) enclose the float chamber (35). The limiting bottom wall (3312) and the limiting side wall (3311) form a limiting step to limit the float valve (50) in the float chamber (35).

9. The electric steam cooker according to claim 8, characterized in that, The steaming tray (30) includes a tray body (37) and a tray cover (38). An annular rib (371) protrudes upward from the bottom wall of the tray body (37). A through hole is formed through the inside of the annular rib (371). The first partition plate (33) and the second partition plate (34) are both provided on the downward side of the tray body (37). The steam generation chamber (11) and the float chamber (35) are both within the projection range of the through hole. The tray cover (38) is detachably connected to the annular rib (371) and closes the through hole from above. The first steam port (31) and the second steam port (32) are both provided on the tray cover (38).

10. The electric steam cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure control valve (40) is a constant pressure control valve, and the set pressure is a constant value. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) is greater than the set pressure of the constant pressure control valve, the constant pressure control valve opens, and the steam generation chamber (11) communicates with the cooking chamber (21). When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) is less than the set pressure of the fixed-value pressure control valve, the fixed-value pressure control valve closes, and the steam generation chamber (11) and the cooking chamber (21) are disconnected.

11. The electric steam cooker according to claim 10, characterized in that, The fixed-value pressure control valve includes a mounting portion (41) and a gravity ball (42). The mounting portion is disposed on the upper or lower side of the bottom wall of the steaming tray (30). The mounting portion (41) surrounds the first steam port (31), and a steam passage communicating with the first steam port (31) is formed inside. The gravity ball (42) is disposed in the steam passage, and the gravity ball (42) blocks the lower end of the steam passage under the action of gravity.

12. The electric steam cooker according to claim 1, wherein The pressure control valve (40) is a variable-value pressure control valve (43), and the set pressure includes a minimum opening threshold and a maximum opening threshold. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) is greater than the minimum opening threshold, the variable-value pressure control valve (43) opens, the steam generation chamber (11) and the cooking chamber (21) communicate, and the opening degree of the variable-value pressure control valve (43) increases as the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) increases. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) is greater than or equal to the maximum opening threshold, the variable-value pressure control valve (43) opens to the maximum opening degree. When the air pressure in the steam generation chamber (11) is less than the minimum opening threshold, the variable-value pressure control valve (43) closes, and the steam generation chamber (11) and the cooking chamber (21) are disconnected.

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