Steam generating device and steam household appliance

Abstract

The utility model provides a steam generating device and a steam household appliance. The steam generating device comprises a water tank and a steam generator, wherein the water tank is provided with a water replenishing cavity; the bottom wall of the steam cavity is lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishing cavity; the assembly cavity is arranged below the water replenishing cavity and is communicated with the steam cavity and the water replenishing cavity respectively; the water control valve is arranged in the assembling cavity and communicates with the water supplementing cavity through the water supplementing opening, the water supplementing opening is formed in the bottom wall of the water supplementing cavity or arranged in the water control valve or arranged in the assembling cavity, and the water control valve comprises a floater and a flexible and hollow sealing piece; the top end of the sealing piece is connected with the water supplementing opening, the bottom end of the sealing piece is a water outlet, and the floater is movably arranged below the sealing piece so as to open or block the water outlet. The assembly cavity can limit and guide the floater, and the sealing element is flexible, so that even if the floater slightly deviates in the lifting process, the sealing element can be extruded to deform, the floater can block the water outlet, and the stability of the water control level is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of small household appliances, in particular to a steam generating device and a steam household appliance. Background Art

[0002] How to increase the steam output speed has always been the optimization direction of steam generating devices and the research direction of steam-related household appliances. To achieve rapid steam output, there are usually two directions: one is to increase the power of the heating element, and the other is to reduce the amount of heated water. The power of the heating element cannot usually be increased infinitely, so how to reduce the amount of heated water and automatically replenish water has become the research direction in this field.

[0003] At present, the main method is to control the small water level by using the floating of the float to control whether the seal and the water supply hole are squeezed and fitted to achieve the effect of rapid steam generation. However, after using the existing products for a period of time, due to the manufacturing error of the seal itself and the process deviation during assembly, the float may tilt, etc., causing the sealing effect to deteriorate, the water level will gradually rise, which will seriously affect the stability of the water level control and cause the speed of steam generation to slow down. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a steam generating device and a steam household appliance to address the above problems, so as to ensure the sealing effect of the float.

[0005] The utility model first provides a steam generating device, comprising: a water tank, the water tank having a water replenishing chamber; a steam chamber, the bottom wall of the steam chamber is lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber, and a heating element is provided below the steam chamber; an assembly chamber, the assembly chamber is arranged below the water replenishing chamber and is communicated with the steam chamber and the water replenishing chamber respectively; and a water control valve, the water control valve is arranged in the assembly chamber, the water control valve is communicated with the water replenishing chamber through a water replenishing port, the water replenishing port is arranged on the bottom wall of the water replenishing chamber or is arranged inside the water control valve or is arranged in the assembly chamber, the water control valve comprises a float and a flexible and hollow sealing member; the top end of the sealing member is connected to the water replenishing port, the bottom end of the sealing member is a water outlet, and the float is movably arranged below the sealing member to open or block the water outlet.

[0006] In the above-mentioned steam generating device, the float can float in the assembly chamber according to the change of the water level in the steam chamber to open or block the water outlet, thereby controlling the on-off of the steam chamber and the water supply chamber; the assembly chamber can limit and guide the float, so that the float can only rise and fall in the assembly chamber, and will not float to other positions in the steam chamber, and because the seal is flexible, even if the float is slightly offset during the lifting process, the seal can be deformed by squeezing the seal to ensure that the float can block the water outlet; and the assembly chamber can also improve the stability of the float, to prevent the fluctuation of the water surface from causing the float to swing or tilt and affect the water outlet effect of the water outlet or the sealing effect of the float on the water outlet, thereby ensuring the stability of the water level control.

[0007] In one of the embodiments, the sealing member includes a mounting portion and a deformable pleated portion connected to the mounting portion, wherein a deformation direction of the pleated portion is parallel to a floating direction of the float, and the mounting portion is mounted at the water replenishment port.

[0008] With such arrangement, the float squeezes the seal, causing the pleated portion to deform, thereby enabling the float to fit tightly against the water outlet of the seal, thereby improving the sealing effect of the float on the water outlet.

[0009] In one embodiment, the folded portion includes at least one sub-fold, each of the sub-folds includes a first section and a second section, and the first section and the second section are connected by bending.

[0010] With such arrangement, even if the float is slightly tilted in the barrel cover, the float can squeeze the pleated portion and change the angle between the sub-pleats or the angle between the first section and the second section of each sub-pleat, thereby ensuring that the float can always fit tightly against the water outlet of the seal.

[0011] In one embodiment, the inclination angle α between the first section and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤α≤70°; the inclination angle β between the second section and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤β≤70°.

[0012] This arrangement ensures that there is a certain amount of deformation space between the sub-folds and between the first section and the second section of each sub-fold; at the same time, it prevents the size of the fold portion along the height direction of the water control valve from being too large.

[0013] In one embodiment, the sealing member is a silicone member or a rubber member, and the hardness of the sealing member is 20 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0014] Such a configuration can prevent the seal from being too soft, causing the seal to be damaged by the squeezing of the float or the action of water pressure; at the same time, it can prevent the seal from being too hard, causing the fold part to fail to deform normally, or the float to fail to fit tightly with the water outlet of the seal.

[0015] In one embodiment, the thickness t of the folded portion satisfies: 0.4 mm ≤ t ≤ 1 mm.

[0016] Such a configuration can avoid the thickness t of the pleated portion being too small, which would cause the pleats to break easily under the squeezing of the float or the action of water for a long time, thereby extending the service life of the seal; at the same time, it can avoid the thickness t of the pleated portion being too large, which would cause the float to need to apply greater pressure to the pleated portion to deform the pleated portion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the top surface of the float includes a sealing surface and an inclined surface located at the periphery of the sealing surface, the inclined surface connects the sealing surface and the side surface of the float, and the sealing surface is higher than the inclined surface.

[0018] With such arrangement, the inclined surface can play a role of guiding water, so that water flowing out of the water outlet can flow downward along the inclined surface into the steam chamber.

[0019] In one embodiment, the diameter D of the water outlet satisfies: 1mm≤D≤5mm.

[0020] This arrangement ensures the water outlet rate and prevents the volume of the float from being too large, which would cause the water control valve to occupy too much space inside the water tank.

[0021] In one embodiment, the sealing member includes a mounting portion and a sealing portion connected to the mounting portion, the water outlet is provided in the sealing portion, and a flow area of ​​the sealing portion gradually increases from the mounting portion toward one side of the float; the float includes a float body and a sealing head, the sealing head is protruding from the top surface of the float body, and when the float floats into position, the sealing head is sealed and matched with an inner side wall of the sealing portion.

[0022] With such a configuration, the sealing portion can guide and position the sealing head. Even if the float is slightly tilted or there are manufacturing errors during the floating process, it can be ensured that the sealing head will contact the side wall of the sealing portion and gradually reset the float, thereby improving the sealing effect of the float on the water outlet.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sealing head is spherical, and the diameter of the sealing head is D1; ​​the sealing portion has a large diameter end and a small diameter end, the diameter of the large diameter end is D3, and the diameter of the small diameter end is D2, satisfying: D3-D1≥4mm; and D1-D2≥2mm.

[0024] Such an arrangement ensures that the sealing head can always be aligned with the large diameter end; at the same time, it prevents the diameter D2 of the small diameter end from expanding due to the squeezing of the sealing head, causing water to flow out from the gap between the sealing part and the sealing head.

[0025] In one embodiment, the steam chamber is disposed in the water replenishment chamber, the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber is higher than the bottom wall of the steam chamber, and the side wall of the steam chamber is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber.

[0026] With such arrangement, the water in the water replenishing chamber can flow into the steam chamber through the water control valve under the action of its own gravity, and it is also ensured that the water replenishing chamber will not block the upward flow of steam in the steam chamber.

[0027] In one embodiment, the water control valve is detachably installed in the assembly cavity, and the water control valve also includes a valve body, which is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and a partition is provided on the inner wall near its upper port, and a water supply port is provided on the partition, and an air vent is provided on the side wall of the valve body, and the air vent is located below the partition, and the air vent is connected to the steam chamber.

[0028] With this arrangement, the water control valve is detachable, which makes it easy for users to clean the water control valve and the assembly cavity after disassembling the water control valve. The cylindrical valve body can limit and guide the float; the air vent can balance the air pressure difference inside and outside the valve body cavity, ensuring that the water in the water replenishment cavity can flow into the steam cavity through the valve body.

[0029] In one embodiment, the water control valve is pluggable in the assembly cavity, one of the water control valve and the assembly cavity is provided with a limiting portion, and the other is provided with a limiting groove in a matching manner; or the water control valve is provided with a magnetic part or a magnetized part, and the assembly cavity is provided with the other of the two in a matching manner; or the water control valve and the assembly cavity are threadedly connected, one of the two is provided with an internal thread, and the other is provided with an external thread in a matching manner.

[0030] Such an arrangement can facilitate the user to install the water control valve, and can also ensure the stability of the water control valve in the assembly cavity, thereby ensuring the reliability of water control.

[0031] In one embodiment, the water control valve is detachably mounted in the assembly cavity, and the water control valve further comprises a valve cover, a top surface of the valve cover is provided with a handle, and the valve cover is arranged on the top end of the valve body away from the sealing member.

[0032] With such arrangement, the valve cover is arranged above the water supply port to prevent foreign matter such as dust from falling into the water supply port and the sealing member and causing blockage; the handle can facilitate users to install or disassemble the water control valve, and the operation is convenient.

[0033] In one of the embodiments, the steam chamber is located outside the water box and a water flow channel is provided between the steam chamber and the assembly chamber.

[0034] In this arrangement, the water tank and the steam chamber are separately arranged, so that it is more convenient for the user to clean the steam chamber and also convenient for the user to add water to the water replenishing chamber.

[0035] The utility model also provides a steam household appliance, comprising the steam generating device as described above, wherein the steam household appliance is an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, or a steam cleaning machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steam household appliance provided in one embodiment of the utility model;

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a steam generating device, wherein the water control valve is in an open state;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a steam generating device, wherein the water control valve is in a closed state;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Installation diagram of central control water valve;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the central control water valve;

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An exploded schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a water control valve;

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a water control valve;

[0043] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Explosion diagram of

[0044] Fig. 9 for Figure 6 A schematic cross-sectional view of a middle seal;

[0045] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of a seal under compression;

[0046] Fig.11 for Figure 5 An exploded schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a water control valve;

[0047] Fig.12 for Fig.11 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a water control valve;

[0048] Fig.13 for Fig.12 Explosion diagram of

[0049] Fig.14 for Fig.11 A schematic cross-sectional view of the middle seal and the float;

[0050] Fig.15 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a steam household appliance provided in another embodiment of the utility model.

[0051] 1. The steam generating device; 2. The water tank; 3. The steam chamber; 4. The water supply chamber; 5. The assembly chamber; 6. The water flow channel; 7. The heating element; 8. The water control valve; 9. The valve body; 10. The water supply port; 11. The water supply port; 12. The partition; 13. The air vent; 14. The guide rib; 15. The float; 16. The sealing surface; 17. The inclined surface; 18. The float body; 19. The sealing head; 20. The sealing element; 31. The water outlet; 32. The mounting portion; 33. The pleated portion; 3331. The sub-pleated portion; 33311. The first section; 33312. The second section; 334. The sealing portion; 3341. The large diameter end; 3342. The small diameter end; 34. The valve cover; 341. The handle; 35. The sealing ring; 200. The base assembly; 300. The steamer assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0053] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "mounted on" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may be a central component. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may be a central component at the same time. When a component is considered to be "fixed to" another component, it may be directly fixed on the other component or there may be a central component at the same time.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "or / and" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0055] Steam-based household appliances, such as electric steamers that use steam to cook food, usually heat the water in the water tank through the heating element at the bottom of the pot to generate steam, and then use the steam to heat the ingredients in the steamer to achieve the purpose of cooking food. In this process, how to increase the steam output speed has always been the optimization direction of the steam generating device and the research direction of steam-based household appliances. To achieve rapid steam output, there are usually two directions, one is to increase the power of the heating element, and the other is to reduce the amount of heated water. The power of the heating element usually cannot be increased indefinitely, so how to reduce the amount of heated water and automatically replenish water has become the research direction in this field.

[0056] At present, the main method is to control the small water level by using the floating of the float to control whether the seal and the water supply hole are squeezed and fitted to achieve the effect of rapid steam generation. However, after using the existing products for a period of time, due to the manufacturing error of the seal itself and the process deviation during assembly, the float may tilt, etc., causing the sealing effect to deteriorate, the water level will gradually rise, which will seriously affect the stability of the water level control and cause the speed of steam generation to slow down.

[0057] In order to solve the above problems, Figures 1 to 15 As shown, the present application first provides a steam generating device to ensure the sealing effect of the float, thereby ensuring the stability of the water level control.

[0058] Specifically, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, the steam generating device 100 includes a water tank 10, a steam chamber 11, an assembly chamber 13 and a water control valve 30, wherein: the water tank 10 has a water replenishment chamber 12; the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 is lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12, and a heating element 20 is provided below the steam chamber 11, and the heating element 20 is used to heat the water in the steam chamber 11; the assembly chamber 13 is provided below the water replenishment chamber 12, and is communicated with the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12 respectively; the water control valve 30 is provided in the assembly chamber 1 3, the water control valve 30 is connected with the water replenishment chamber 12 through the water replenishment port 311, the water replenishment port 311 is arranged on the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12 or is arranged inside the water control valve 30 or is arranged in the assembly chamber 13, the water control valve 30 includes a float 32 and a flexible and hollow sealing member 33, the top end of the sealing member 33 is connected with the water replenishment port 311, the bottom end of the sealing member 33 is a water outlet 331, and the float 32 is movably arranged below the sealing member 33 to open or block the water outlet 331.

[0059] In the steam generating device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the float 32 can float in the assembly chamber 13 according to the change of the water level b in the steam chamber 11 to open or block the water outlet 331, thereby controlling the on-off of the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12. Figure 2As shown, when there is no water in the steam chamber 11 or the water level b is low, the float 32 separates from the seal 33 to open the water outlet 331. At this time, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water outlet 331, so that the water level b in the steam chamber 11 gradually rises and the water level a in the water replenishment chamber 12 gradually decreases. Figure 3 As shown, during the gradual rise of the water level b in the steam chamber 11, the float 32 will gradually float up in the assembly chamber 13 under the action of buoyancy. When the float 32 floats up to contact with the seal 33 and blocks the water outlet 331, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 stops flowing into the steam chamber 11. When the steam generating device 100 is working, the heating element 20 heats the water in the steam chamber 11, so that the water in the steam chamber 11 gradually evaporates, and the water level b in the steam chamber 11 gradually decreases. The float 32 will also gradually decrease in the assembly chamber 13 under the action of its own gravity, so that the float 32 is separated from the seal 33 and the water outlet 331 is opened again, and the cycle continues. Since the water level in the steam chamber 11 can always be kept at a low level and the amount of water is small, the steam generating device 100 can quickly discharge steam.

[0060] Furthermore, the assembly cavity 13 can limit and guide the float 32, so that the float 32 can only rise and fall in the assembly cavity 13, and will not float to other positions in the steam cavity 11. Since the seal 33 is flexible, even if the float 32 is slightly offset during the lifting process, the seal 33 can be squeezed to deform the seal 33 to ensure that the float 32 can block the water outlet 331. When the water in the steam cavity 11 boils and generates steam, a large number of bubbles will be generated, and the bubbles will roll and burst on the water surface, causing the water surface to fluctuate. Therefore, the assembly cavity 13 can also improve the stability of the float 32, and prevent the fluctuation of the water surface from causing the float 32 to swing or tilt, thereby affecting the water outlet effect of the water outlet 331 or the sealing effect of the float 32 on the water outlet 331, thereby ensuring the stability of the water level control.

[0061] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the water control valve 30 can be detachably installed in the assembly chamber 13, and the water control valve 30 also includes a valve body 31, which is in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a partition 312 is provided on the inner side wall near its upper port, and a water replenishment port 311 is provided on the partition 312. In the assembled state, the outer wall of the valve body 31 and the inner wall of the assembly chamber 13 are sealed and connected by a sealing ring 35, so as to prevent the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 from flowing into the steam chamber 11 through the gap between the outer wall of the valve body 31 and the inner wall of the assembly chamber 13. The float 32 and the sealing member 33 can be disassembled from the assembly chamber 13 together with the valve body 31, so that the user can clean the water control valve 30, the assembly chamber 13, and the parts of the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12 covered by the water control valve 30 after disassembling the water control valve 30. The cylindrical valve body 31 can limit and guide the float 32, so that the float 32 can only rise and fall in the area surrounded by the inner wall of the valve body 31 and the partition 312, and will not float to other positions in the steam chamber 11. Similarly, the cylindrical valve body 31 can also improve the stability of the float 32, preventing the float 32 from swinging or tilting due to the fluctuation of the water surface, thereby affecting the water outlet or sealing effect of the water outlet 331.

[0062] In one embodiment, the water control valve 30 is pluggable and arranged in the assembly cavity 13, and one of the water control valve 30 and the assembly cavity 13 is provided with a limiting portion, and the other is provided with a limiting groove in a matching manner. The limiting portion cooperates with the limiting groove to facilitate the user to align the water control valve 30 when installing it, so as to ensure that the water control valve 30 is installed in place. At the same time, it can also prevent the water control valve 30 from being offset during use and affecting the reliability of water control.

[0063] In one embodiment, a magnetic component or a magnetized component is provided on the water control valve 30, and the assembly cavity 13 is provided with the other of the two in a matching manner. The magnetized component can be adsorbed by the magnetic component, so that the user can install the water control valve 30, and the water control valve 30 can also be stabilized in the assembly cavity 13 to ensure the reliability of water control.

[0064] In one embodiment, the water control valve 30 and the assembly cavity 13 are threadedly connected, one of which is provided with an internal thread and the other is provided with an external thread in a matching manner. The water control valve 30 and the assembly cavity 13 are threadedly connected to ensure the stability and reliability of the connection between the two, thereby ensuring the reliability of water control.

[0065] like Figures 7 and 8As shown, the inner wall of the valve body 31 is provided with a guide rib 314, and the guide rib 314 is arranged along the height direction of the valve body 31. The guide rib 314 can contact the outer wall of the float 32 to limit the range of movement of the float 32, so that the float 32 can only rise and fall along the height direction of the valve body 31, avoiding the phenomenon of the float tilting, ensuring that the float 32 can accurately align with the water outlet 331 every time it floats up, so as to reliably seal the water outlet 331, thereby further ensuring the sealing effect between the float 32 and the seal 33, and ensuring the stability of the water level control. In addition, compared with the contact between the inner wall of the valve body 31 and the outer wall of the float 32, the contact area between the guide rib 314 and the float 32 is smaller, and the friction force is smaller, so that the float 32 can be prevented from getting stuck in the valve body 31, and the normal rise and fall of the float 32 can be ensured.

[0066] like Figures 5 and 6 As shown, when the water level b in the steam chamber 11 rises to cover the opening at the bottom of the valve body 31, the chamber of the valve body 31 is a closed space, and the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 cannot flow into the valve body 31 and the steam chamber 11. Therefore, a vent hole 313 is provided on the side wall of the valve body 31, and the vent hole 313 is located below the partition 312, and the vent hole 313 is connected to the steam chamber 11. The vent hole 313 can balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the valve body 31 cavity, and ensure that the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the valve body 31. The number of the vent holes 313 can be one, two or more, and the multiple vent holes 313 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the valve body 31.

[0067] like Figure 5 and Figure 7 As shown, the air hole 313 can be a waist-shaped hole as shown in the figure. When the air hole 313 is blocked by bubbles, the bubbles are more likely to break in the waist-shaped hole than in the circular hole, so that the ventilation effect of the air hole 313 can be further guaranteed, and the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 normally. In addition, the waist-shaped hole extends along the height direction of the water control valve 30. Even if the water level b in the steam chamber 11 submerges part of the waist-shaped hole, the cavity of the valve body 31 can also be ventilated through the part that is not submerged by the waist-shaped hole. Alternatively, the air hole 313 can also extend along the height direction of the water control valve 30 to the bottom of the valve body 31 to form a gap structure. Of course, the shape of the air hole 313 can also be a regular or irregular structure such as a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a triangle, etc., as long as it is ensured that no enclosed space is formed in the cavity of the valve body 31, and the embodiment of the utility model is not specifically limited here.

[0068] like Figures 5 and 6As shown, the water control valve 30 also includes a valve cover 34, and a handle 341 is provided on the top surface of the valve cover 34. The valve cover 34 is covered on the top of the valve body 31 away from the sealing member 33. The valve cover 34 and the valve body 31 are surrounded to form a water inlet channel connected with the water replenishment port 311. The water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can enter the water replenishment chamber 12 through the water inlet channel and the water replenishment port 311 in sequence. The valve cover 34 is covered above the water replenishment port 311, which can prevent foreign dust and other impurities from falling into the water replenishment port 311 and the sealing member 33 to cause blockage, and ensure that when the water outlet 331 is in the open state, the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 normally through the water replenishment port 311 and the sealing member 33 to avoid dry burning. The handle 341 can facilitate the user to install or disassemble the water control valve 30, and the operation is convenient.

[0069] In another embodiment, the water control valve 30 may also be non-detachable, and a partition 312 is provided on the inner wall of the assembly cavity 13, the partition 312 is provided close to the upper port of the assembly cavity 13, the water replenishment port 311 is provided on the partition 312, and the float 32 is provided below the partition 312. The partition 312 is fixed to the inner wall of the assembly cavity 13 and cannot be disassembled, thereby simplifying the overall structure of the water control valve 30 and reducing the number of parts.

[0070] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the sealing member 33 includes a mounting portion 332 and a pleated portion 333 connected to the mounting portion 332 and deformable. The mounting portion 332 is mounted on the valve body 31, and the deformation direction of the pleated portion 333 is parallel to the floating direction of the float 32. In the process of the float 32 gradually floating up in the valve body 31, it will first slightly contact with the water outlet 331 of the sealing member 33. At this time, some water may still flow out of the water outlet 331. The water level b in the steam chamber 11 continues to rise, and the float 32 continues to float up in the valve body 31 and squeezes the sealing member 33, so that the pleated portion 333 is deformed, so that the float 32 can fit closely with the water outlet 331 of the sealing member 33, thereby improving the sealing effect of the float 32 on the water outlet 331.

[0071] like Figures 9 and 10As shown, the folded portion 333 includes at least one sub-fold 3331 , and each sub-fold 3331 includes a first section 33311 and a second section 33312 , and the first section 33311 and the second section 33312 are connected by bending. Since the angle between the sub-folds 3331 and the angle between the first section 33311 and the second section 33312 of each sub-fold 3331 can be changed, even if the float 32 is slightly tilted in the valve body 31, the float 32 can squeeze the fold portion 333 and change the angle between the sub-folds 3331 and the sub-folds 3331 or the angle between the first section 33311 and the second section 33312 of each sub-fold 3331, thereby ensuring that the float 32 can always fit tightly against the water outlet 331 of the seal 33, avoiding the phenomenon of the float 32 being separated from the water outlet 331 when the float 32 is tilted, thereby further improving the sealing effect of the float 32 on the water outlet 331.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the number of sub-folds 3331 is two, which ensures the deformation capacity of the fold portion 333 while preventing the size of the seal 33 from being too large due to too many sub-folds 3331. Of course, in other embodiments, the number of sub-folds 3331 may also be one, three, four or more, and the embodiment of the utility model is not specifically limited here.

[0073] like Fig. 9 As shown, the inclination angle α between the first section 33311 and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤α≤70°; the inclination angle β between the second section 33312 and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤β≤70°. Among them, the inclination angle α between the first section 33311 and the horizontal plane and the inclination angle β between the second section 33312 and the horizontal plane can be any angle within the range of 10° to 70°, such as 10°, 20°, 30°...70°. Preferably, 12°≤α≤18°, 12°≤β≤18°. The inclination angle α and the inclination angle β are greater than or equal to 10° to ensure that there is a certain deformation space between the sub-folds 3331 and the sub-folds 3331, and between the first section 33311 and the second section 33312 of each sub-fold 3331; at the same time, the inclination angle α and the inclination angle β are less than or equal to 70° to avoid the size of the fold portion 333 along the height direction of the water control valve 30 being too large.

[0074] like Fig. 9As shown, the thickness t of the pleated portion 333 satisfies: 0.4mm≤t≤1mm. The thickness t of the pleated portion 333 can be any value within the range of 0.4mm≤t≤1mm, such as 0.4mm, 0.5mm, 0.6mm...1mm, etc., preferably 0.5mm. The thickness t of the pleated portion 333 is ≥0.4mm, so as to avoid the pleated portion 333 being too thin, which may cause the pleated portion 333 to be easily broken under the extrusion of the float 32 or under the action of water for a long time, thereby extending the service life of the seal 33; at the same time, the thickness t of the pleated portion 333 is ≤1mm, so as to avoid the pleated portion 333 being too thick, which may cause the float 32 to apply a greater pressure on the pleated portion 333 to deform the pleated portion 333, thereby affecting the sealing effect of the float 32 on the water outlet 331.

[0075] Furthermore, the seal 33 is a silicone member or a rubber member, and the hardness of the seal 33 is 20 degrees to 60 degrees. The production and manufacturing costs of silicone members and rubber members are relatively low. In addition, the hardness of the seal 33 can be any value within the range of 20 degrees to 60 degrees, such as 20 degrees, 21 degrees, 22 degrees...59 degrees, 60 degrees, etc., preferably 30 degrees. Avoid the seal 33 being too small in hardness, causing the seal 33 to be damaged under the squeeze of the float 32 or the action of water pressure; at the same time, avoid the seal 33 being too hard, causing the pleated portion 333 to be unable to deform normally, or the float 32 to be unable to fit tightly with the water outlet 331 of the seal 33, thereby affecting the sealing effect.

[0076] like Fig. 9 As shown, the diameter D of the water outlet 331 satisfies: 1mm≤D≤5mm. The diameter D of the water outlet 331 can be any value within the range of 1mm≤D≤5mm, such as 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, etc., preferably 3mm. The diameter D of the water outlet 331 is ≥1mm to ensure the water outlet rate of the water outlet 331; at the same time, since the size of the float 32 is proportional to the size of the water outlet 331, the diameter D of the water outlet 331 is ≤5mm, so as to avoid the volume of the float 32 being too large, causing the water control valve 30 to occupy too much space inside the water tank 10, which is not conducive to product miniaturization.

[0077] like Figures 7 and 8 As shown, the top surface of the float 32 includes a sealing surface 321 and an inclined surface 322 located outside the sealing surface 321, the inclined surface 322 connects the sealing surface 321 and the side surface of the float 32, and the sealing surface 321 is higher than the inclined surface 322. The sealing surface 321 is used to block the water outlet 331, and the inclined surface 322 is inclined outward and downward from the sealing surface 321, which can play a role in guiding flow, so that when the water outlet 331 is in an open state, water flowing out of the water outlet 331 can flow downward along the inclined surface 322 into the steam chamber 11.

[0078] like Figures 11 to 13As shown, in another embodiment, the sealing member 33 includes a mounting portion 332 and a sealing portion 334 connected to the mounting portion 332, the water outlet 331 is provided in the sealing portion 334, and the flow area of ​​the sealing portion 334 gradually increases from the mounting portion 332 toward the side of the float 32; the float 32 includes a float body 323 and a sealing head 324, the sealing head 324 is convexly arranged on the top surface of the float body 323, and when the float 32 floats to the right position, the sealing head 324 is sealed with the inner side wall of the sealing portion 334. The sealing portion 334 can guide and position the sealing head 324, even if the float 32 is slightly tilted or there are manufacturing errors during the floating process, when the float 32 floats to the right position, the sealing head 324 can contact the side wall of the sealing portion 334 and gradually reset the float 32, thereby further improving the sealing effect of the float 32 on the water outlet 331.

[0079] Furthermore, when there is no water in the steam chamber 11 or the water level b is low, the gap between the side wall of the sealing portion 334 and the sealing head 324 is the largest, and the water flow rate from the water replenishment chamber 12 into the steam chamber 11 is the fastest. When the water level b in the steam chamber 11 gradually rises, the float 32 gradually floats up in the valve body 31. At this time, the gap between the side wall of the sealing portion 334 and the sealing head 324 gradually decreases, and the water flow rate from the water replenishment chamber 12 into the steam chamber 11 gradually decreases. Thus, it is possible to quickly replenish water when there is a lack of water in the steam chamber 11, improve the water replenishment efficiency, and avoid dry burning due to lack of water in the steam chamber 11.

[0080] like Fig.14 As shown, the sealing head 324 is spherical, and the diameter of the sealing head 324 is D1; ​​the sealing portion 334 has a large diameter end 3341 and a small diameter end 3342, the diameter of the large diameter end 3341 is D3, and the diameter of the small diameter end 3342 is D2, satisfying: D3-D1≥4mm; and D1-D2≥2mm. The spherical sealing head 324 can ensure that when the water outlet 331 is blocked, each part along the circumference of the sealing head 324 is tightly fitted with the side wall of the sealing portion 334. Among them, D3-D1≥4mm, even if the float 32 is slightly tilted or there are factors such as manufacturing errors during the floating process, it can ensure that the sealing head 324 can be aligned with the large diameter end 3341; at the same time, D1-D2≥2mm, which prevents the sealing part 334 from being squeezed by the sealing head 324, causing the diameter D2 of the small diameter end 3342 to expand, causing water to flow out from the gap between the sealing part 334 and the sealing head 324, thereby ensuring the sealing effect between the sealing head 324 and the sealing part 334.

[0081] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, in one embodiment, the steam chamber 11 is disposed in the water replenishment chamber 12, the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12 is higher than the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11, and the side wall of the steam chamber 11 is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12. Looking from top to bottom, the bottom wall of the steam chamber 11 and the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber 12 at least partially overlap, so as to reduce the overall volume of the steam chamber 11 and the water replenishment chamber 12, thereby reducing the volume of the steam generating device 100. The water in the water replenishment chamber 12 can flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water control valve 30 under the action of its own gravity, and it is also ensured that the water replenishment chamber 12 will not block the steam in the steam chamber 11 from flowing upward.

[0082] like Fig.15 As shown, in another embodiment, the steam chamber 11 is located outside the water tank 10 and a water flow channel 14 is further provided between the steam chamber 11 and the assembly chamber 13. The water tank 10 and the steam chamber 11 are provided separately, so that it is more convenient for the user to clean the steam chamber 11 and to add water to the water replenishment chamber 12. After the water in the water replenishment chamber 12 enters the water control valve 30 under the action of its own gravity, it needs to flow into the steam chamber 11 through the water flow channel 14.

[0083] like Figure 1 As shown, the utility model also provides a steam household appliance, including the above-mentioned steam generating device 100. The steam household appliance can be a cooking appliance such as an electric steamer, an electric stew pot, etc., and the cooking appliance includes a base assembly 200, a steamer assembly 300 and the above-mentioned steam generating device 100. The steam generating device 100 is arranged in the base assembly 200, and the steamer assembly 300 is mounted on the base assembly 200. The steam generating device 100 can generate steam and heat the food in the steamer assembly 300.

[0084] Of course, the steam household appliance can also be an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, a steam cleaning machine, or other household appliances that generate steam by heating the water tank 10 with the heating element 20.

[0085] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0086] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the utility model, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this field, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the utility model, which all belong to the protection scope of the utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be based on the attached claims.

Claims

1. A steam generating device, characterized in that: include: A water tank (10), wherein the water tank (10) has a water replenishment chamber (12); A steam chamber (11), wherein the bottom wall of the steam chamber (11) is lower than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12), and a heating element (20) is provided below the steam chamber (11); an assembly chamber (13), the assembly chamber (13) being arranged below the water replenishment chamber (12) and being in communication with the steam chamber (11) and the water replenishment chamber (12) respectively; and A water control valve (30), the water control valve (30) is arranged in the assembly cavity (13), the water control valve (30) is connected to the water replenishment cavity (12) through a water replenishment port (311), the water replenishment port (311) is arranged on the bottom wall of the water replenishment cavity (12) or is arranged inside the water control valve (30) or is arranged in the assembly cavity (13), the water control valve (30) comprises a float (32) and a flexible and hollow sealing member (33), the top end of the sealing member (33) is connected to the water replenishment port (311), the bottom end of the sealing member (33) is a water outlet (331), and the float (32) is movably arranged below the sealing member (33) to open or block the water outlet (331).

2. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing member (33) comprises a mounting portion (332) and a deformable folded portion (333) connected to the mounting portion (332); the deformation direction of the folded portion (333) is parallel to the floating direction of the float (32); and the mounting portion (332) is mounted on the water replenishment port (311).

3. The steam generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pleated portion (333) includes at least one sub-pleat (3331), and each of the sub-pleats (3331) includes a first section (33311) and a second section (33312), and the first section (33311) and the second section (33312) are bent and connected.

4. The steam generating device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inclination angle α between the first section (33311) and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤α≤70°; the inclination angle β between the second section (33312) and the horizontal plane satisfies: 10°≤β≤70°.

5. The steam generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing member (33) is a silicone member or a rubber member, and the hardness of the sealing member (33) is 20 degrees to 60 degrees.

6. The steam generating device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The thickness t of the folded portion (333) satisfies: 0.4 mm ≤ t ≤ 1 mm.

7. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top surface of the float (32) comprises a sealing surface (321) and an inclined surface (322) located at the periphery of the sealing surface (321); the inclined surface (322) connects the sealing surface (321) and the side surface of the float (32), and the sealing surface (321) is higher than the inclined surface (322).

8. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter D of the water outlet (331) satisfies: 1 mm ≤ D ≤ 5 mm.

9. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sealing member (33) comprises a mounting portion (332) and a sealing portion (334) connected to the mounting portion (332); the water outlet (331) is provided at the sealing portion (334); and a flow area of ​​the sealing portion (334) gradually increases from the mounting portion (332) toward one side of the float (32); The float (32) comprises a float body (323) and a sealing head (324). The sealing head (324) is protruding from the top surface of the float body (323). When the float (32) floats to a position, the sealing head (324) is sealed and matched with the inner wall of the sealing portion (334).

10. The steam generating device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The sealing head (324) is spherical, and the diameter of the sealing head (324) is D1; The sealing portion (334) has a large diameter end (3341) and a small diameter end (3342), the diameter of the large diameter end (3341) is D3, and the diameter of the small diameter end (3342) is D2, satisfying: D3-D1≥4mm; and D1-D2≥2mm.

11. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam chamber (11) is arranged in the water replenishment chamber (12), the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12) is higher than the bottom wall of the steam chamber (11), and the side wall of the steam chamber (11) is higher than the bottom wall of the water replenishment chamber (12).

12. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water control valve (30) is detachably mounted in the assembly cavity (13). The water control valve (30) further comprises a valve body (31). The valve body (31) is in the shape of a hollow cylinder, and a partition (312) is provided on the inner side wall close to the upper port thereof. The partition (312) is provided with a water replenishment port (311). An air vent (313) is provided on the side wall of the valve body (31). The air vent (313) is located below the partition (312), and the air vent (313) is communicated with the steam cavity (11).

13. The steam generating device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The water control valve (30) is pluggably arranged in the assembly cavity (13); one of the water control valve (30) and the assembly cavity (13) is provided with a limiting portion, and the other is provided with a limiting groove in a matching manner; Alternatively, the water control valve (30) is provided with a magnetic component or a magnetized component, and the assembly cavity (13) is provided with the other of the two in a matching manner; Alternatively, the water control valve (30) and the assembly cavity (13) are threadedly connected, one of which is provided with an internal thread and the other is provided with an external thread in a matching manner.

14. The steam generating device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The water control valve (30) further comprises a valve cover (34), the top surface of which is provided with a handle (341), and the valve cover (34) is arranged on the top end of the valve body (31) away from the sealing element (33).

15. The steam generating device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam chamber (11) is located outside the water box (10), and a water flow channel (14) is provided between the steam chamber (11) and the assembly chamber (13).

16. A steam household appliance, characterized in that: It comprises the steam generating device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the steam household appliance is an electric steamer, a steam oven, a hanging iron, a steam mop, a steam iron, or a steam cleaning machine.

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