Water tank mounting structure and cooking equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a water tank installation structure and cooking equipment, the water tank installation structure comprises a water tank and an installation base, one end of the installation base is provided with an opening, the water tank is pushed in or pulled out through the opening, and first limiting structures are arranged between the two sides of the water tank and the installation base. The limiting device is used for limiting the mounting position of the water tank in the vertical direction; a sliding rail rib is arranged at the bottom of the water tank and used for abutting against the mounting base, and a guide groove is formed in the inner side wall of the mounting base and used for restraining the position of the sliding rail rib in the horizontal direction. According to the utility model, the installation position in a vertical plane, especially the installation position close to one end of the opening, can be restrained, so that gaps around the appearance surface of the water tank are uniform, and deflection is prevented; the appearance surface of the water tank is completely embedded into the glass panel by adjusting the position of the mounting base in the front-back direction, and the overall appearance is attractive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and more specifically, to a water tank installation structure and cooking equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous upgrading of consumer demand, steam cooking equipment is favored by more and more families for its unique cooking method and health concept. The water tank is usually pushed into the mounting base through the openings in the control panel glass and mounting bracket. The control panel glass is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket, the mounting base is installed on the mounting bracket, and then the water tank is pushed into the mounting base.

[0003] Chinese Patent Application No. 202223415634.2 discloses a water tank structure and a cooking device. The water tank structure includes a water tank body with an opening at one end; a water tank base, through which the water tank body can be pushed in and pulled out; and a fixed bracket, the rear end of which is detachably connected to the front of the water tank base. The front end of the fixed bracket has a fixing flange. The cooking device includes a control panel glass mounting bracket and a control panel glass mounted on the mounting bracket. The control panel glass has a first water tank through-hole, and the control panel glass mounting bracket has a second water tank through-hole. The fixing flange passes through the second water tank through-hole and connects to the control panel glass of the cooking device. The fixed bracket is located on the outer periphery of the first water tank through-hole, and the fixing flange is confined between the control panel glass and the control panel glass mounting bracket. The front of the water tank base is detachably connected to the control panel glass mounting bracket. This solution effectively avoids interference between the water tank body and the second water tank through-hole. However, the above solutions also have drawbacks, such as the water tank being easily tilted, resulting in large gaps and unevenness, and the water tank cover being prone to deformation due to its length, leading to a poor user experience; in addition, the complex installation structure and the lack of filtration in the water tank or the complex filtration structure result in high costs.

[0004] In view of the above, this utility model is hereby proposed. Utility Model Content

[0005] The problem solved by this invention is that the existing water tank installation structure is prone to misalignment after assembly, resulting in poor appearance of the cooking equipment and a poor user experience.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a water tank installation structure, including a water tank and an installation base. One end of the installation base has an opening, through which the water tank is pushed in or pulled out. A first limiting structure is provided between the two sides of the water tank and the installation base to constrain the installation position of the water tank in the vertical direction. A slide rail is provided at the bottom of the water tank to abut against the installation base. A guide groove is provided on the inner sidewall of the installation base to constrain the position of the slide rail in the horizontal direction.

[0007] This design allows for precise positioning of the water tank within the mounting base, ensuring uniform left and right clearances and contributing to an aesthetically pleasing overall appearance. Simultaneously, the limited contact area between the slide rail and the mounting base minimizes friction and prevents noticeable scratches on the bottom of the water tank. This enhances the feel of pushing the water tank in and out, resulting in a superior user experience.

[0008] Preferably, the first limiting structure includes a guide rib and a guide groove arranged along the length of the water tank. The guide groove is located on one of the water tank and the mounting base, and the guide rib is located on the other of the water tank and the mounting base. The guide groove is located on the side near the opening and is flared. The guide rib is arrow-shaped and can be limited and assembled into the guide groove.

[0009] This setup has low requirements for the initial position of the water tank and does not require alignment by the user during installation. However, it can ensure that the final position of the water tank in the mounting base is accurate and that the water tank is installed with high vertical accuracy. At the same time, the short contact distance between the guide rib and the guide groove results in less resistance when the water tank is pushed in and pulled out.

[0010] Preferably, the slide rail is located at the end of the water tank near the opening and extends along the length of the water tank; two slide rails are spaced apart and abut against one of the two side walls of the guide groove respectively, and the two slide rails gradually tilt and move closer to each other at the end away from the opening.

[0011] This setup utilizes two sliding rails to provide stable support for the water tank, ensuring it remains horizontal. Simultaneously, one end of each rail gradually tapers inward and converges, serving as a guide to ensure that no alignment is required during installation. Ultimately, in conjunction with the limiting structure, it achieves precise positioning of the water tank in the vertical plane.

[0012] Preferably, the slide rail rib and the mounting base have two-point or multi-point contact. This arrangement reduces the contact area between the water tank and the mounting base, ensuring the final installation position accuracy, and also helps to distribute the force on the water tank with the guide rib, avoiding excessive local stress.

[0013] Preferably, the water tank mounting structure further includes a water receiving plate, which has an assembly hole at one end away from the opening. The mounting base is connected to the water receiving plate by screws. The mounting base has an oblong hole. The free end of the screw passes through the oblong hole and is threaded into the assembly hole, pressing the mounting base from both sides to limit its movement.

[0014] This design utilizes a waist-shaped hole as an adjustable structure, allowing manual adjustment even if parts have dimensional deviations, and enabling the mounting base to be positioned and fixed in the front-to-back direction. This ensures that the water tank's exterior surface remains flush with other components after installation, resulting in a high level of aesthetic appeal.

[0015] Preferably, the water tank mounting structure further includes a mounting bracket with a notch, through which the water tank is pushed into or pulled out of the mounting base. The mounting bracket has a folded edge with a bending plate on it. The mounting base has a limiting hole at one end near the opening. The bending plate passes through the limiting hole and bends under force to fix the mounting bracket to the mounting base. This structure is simple; the buckle is locked by bending the bending plate at an angle, providing strong locking force and preventing loosening. The entire process does not require screws, making assembly convenient and reliable.

[0016] Preferably, the water tank is provided with a water inlet assembly, which includes a water inlet pipe and a filter screen. The free end of the water inlet pipe is configured as a tower structure, and the middle cross-sectional area of ​​the tower structure is larger than the cross-sectional areas of both ends, which is used to limit the assembly of the filter screen. The lower end of the tower structure is provided with a protrusion.

[0017] This design ensures that the filter screen is securely and reliably installed inside the water inlet pipe; at the same time, the protrusions ensure that there is a certain gap at the water inlet to prevent water blockage; preferably, the water inlet pipe is set at approximately the same height as the water tank, which can reduce the length of the water inlet connector, prevent sticking to the mold, facilitate the ejection of injection molded parts, and improve the reliability of the mold; the structure is simple and the production difficulty is low.

[0018] Preferably, the water tank includes a tank body and a cover plate. The cover plate covers the tank body and has annular ribs on its outer periphery. An annular sealing ring is provided on one side of the annular ribs. The sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the tank body. The inner wall of the tank body has multiple protrusions at the same height, which are used to limit the annular ribs.

[0019] Because the cover plate is relatively long, it is prone to bending, deformation, and warping after injection molding. The protrusions limit the annular ribs to prevent warping, ensuring good sealing performance and product aesthetics of the water tank; at the same time, they increase the mechanical strength of the cover plate. The connection and assembly between the tank body and the cover plate is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0020] Preferably, steps are provided at the middle positions of both sides of the tank body, with one end of the steps gradually sloping downwards and extending to the bottom of the tank body. This arrangement makes the steps encircle the tank and resemble a locomotive, greatly enhancing the mechanical strength of the left and right side walls of the tank body, effectively preventing the tank body from deforming inwards, and ensuring the overall aesthetic appearance of the water tank. If reinforcing ribs are provided inside the tank body, it will not increase the complexity of the mold and effectively avoid the problem of sticking during demolding, but it will also increase the difficulty of cleaning the tank body itself.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the water tank installation structure described in this utility model embodiment has the following beneficial effects: 1) The first limiting structure and the second limiting structure can constrain the installation position in the vertical plane, especially near the opening end, to ensure that the gap around the outer surface of the water tank is uniform and to prevent skewing; 2) The waist-shaped hole can be used as an adjustable structure to adjust the position of the mounting base on the front and rear sides, thereby ensuring that the outer surface of the water tank is completely embedded in the glass panel, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing overall appearance; 3) The water tank is provided with a wraparound step on both sides to prevent deformation, and multiple protrusions can constrain the installation position of the cover plate to prevent the cover plate from deforming and lifting; 4) A filter screen is installed in the water inlet assembly of the water tank, which is simple to assemble and securely installed, improving the operational reliability of the cooking equipment.

[0022] This utility model also provides a cooking device, which includes a cooking cavity. A water tank mounting structure and a steam generator are disposed on the top of the cooking cavity. The mounting bracket of the water tank mounting structure is located on the front top side of the cooking cavity. The water inlet assembly of the water tank is connected to the steam generator. This cooking device has the same beneficial effects as the water tank mounting structure, and will not be described in detail here. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the water tank installation structure described in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the water tank installation structure described in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mounting base described in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the water tank described in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one end of the water tank according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of one end of the water tank installation structure described in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the other end of the water tank installation structure described in this embodiment of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water tank installation structure along the length direction according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1-Water tank; 11-Tank body; 111-Step; 112-Guide rib; 113-Slide rail rib; 114-Protrusion; 115-Water inlet connector; 12-Cover plate; 121-Door cover; 122-Annular rib; 13-Water tank panel; 14-Water inlet assembly; 141-Water inlet pipe; 1411-Protrusion; 142-Filter screen; 15-Sealing ring; 2-Mounting base; 21-Limiting block; 22-Guide groove; 23-Guide groove; 24-Oval hole; 25-Screw; 26-Limiting hole; 3-Water receiving plate; 31-Assembly hole; 4-Mounting bracket; 41-Panel glass; 42-Folded edge; 43-Bending plate; 5-Elastic component; 6-Locking component. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Without conflict, the technical features of the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other.

[0034] Cooking equipment with steaming function (such as steam ovens, steam ovens, etc.) is equipped with a water tank assembly. In the case of a top-mounted water tank assembly, the water tank base has an opening at the front, allowing the water tank 1 to extend through the opening for water filling. Because both the water tank 1 and the water tank base are relatively long, they are prone to deformation. Furthermore, any assembly misalignment can cause the water tank panel 13 to become misaligned with the panel glass 41 after installation, affecting the appearance. Therefore, the applicant proposes the following technical solution:

[0035] like Figure 1-8 As shown, a water tank installation structure includes a water tank 1 and an installation base 2. One end of the installation base 2 has an opening, through which the water tank 1 can be pushed into and pulled out of the installation base 2. A first limiting structure is provided between the two sides of the water tank 1 and the installation base 2 to constrain the installation position of the water tank 1 in the vertical direction. A slide rail rib 113 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 1, and the slide rail rib 113 extends along the length direction of the water tank 1. A guide groove 23 is provided on the inner side wall of the installation base 2 to constrain the position of the slide rail rib 113 in the horizontal direction.

[0036] This setting can precisely limit the position of water tank 1 within the mounting base 2 to ensure uniform left and right gaps, which is beneficial to the overall aesthetic appearance; at the same time, the contact area between the slide rail rib 113 and the mounting base 2 is limited, resulting in low frictional resistance and avoiding obvious scratches on the bottom surface of water tank 1; it improves the feel of pushing in and popping out water tank 1, providing a better user experience.

[0037] As an example of this utility model, the first limiting structure includes a guide rib 112 and a guide groove 22. The guide groove 22 is located on one of the water tank 1 and the mounting base 2, and the guide rib 112 is located on the other of the water tank 1 and the mounting base 2. The guide groove 22 is located on the side near the opening and is flared. The guide rib 112 is arrow-shaped and can be limited and assembled into the guide groove 22. This setting has low requirements for the initial position of the water tank 1 and does not require the user to perform alignment operations during installation, but it can ensure that the final position of the water tank 1 in the mounting base 2 is accurate and ensure the installation accuracy of the water tank 1 in the vertical direction. At the same time, the contact distance between the guide rib 112 and the guide groove 22 is short, and the resistance when the water tank 1 is pushed in and pulled out is small.

[0038] As an example of this utility model, the slide rail rib 113 is located at the end of the water tank 1 near the opening and extends along the length of the water tank 1; two slide rail ribs 113 are spaced apart and abut against one of the two side walls of the guide groove 23 respectively, and the two slide rail ribs 113 gradually tilt and move closer to each other at the end away from the opening. This arrangement uses two slide rail ribs 113 to achieve stable support for the water tank 1 to ensure that it is in a horizontal state; at the same time, the gradual inward contraction and convergence of one end of the two slide rail ribs 113 can also play a guiding role to ensure that no alignment operation is required by the user during installation, and finally, in conjunction with the limiting structure, it achieves precise positioning of the water tank 1 in the vertical plane.

[0039] Preferably, the slide rail rib 113 and the mounting base 2 have point contact. This arrangement reduces the contact area between the water tank 1 and the mounting base 2, ensuring the final installation position accuracy. It also helps to distribute the force on the water tank 1 in conjunction with the guide rib 112, preventing excessive local stress. For example, the two ends of the slide rail rib 113 gradually increase in height, thus creating two or more points of contact between the slide rail rib 113 and the mounting base 2.

[0040] Preferably, the water tank mounting structure further includes a water receiving plate 3, and the mounting base 2 is detachably assembled onto the water receiving plate 3. The water receiving plate 3 is provided with an assembly hole 31, and the mounting base 2 is provided with a waist-shaped hole 24 at a position corresponding to the assembly hole 31. The free end of the screw 25 passes through the waist-shaped hole 24 and is threadedly connected to the assembly hole 31, and presses the mounting base 2 from both sides to limit its position.

[0041] Each part of the water tank installation structure has a certain tolerance. By setting the waist-shaped hole 24 as an adjustable structure, even if the part has a dimensional deviation, it can be manually adjusted and the mounting base 2 can be positioned and fixed in the front and rear directions. This ensures that the appearance of the water tank 1 is flush with other parts after installation, resulting in a high aesthetic appearance.

[0042] As an example of this utility model, the water tank 1 includes a tank body 11 and a cover plate 12. The cover plate 12 covers the tank body 11 and has annular ribs 122 on its outer periphery. An annular sealing ring 15 is provided on one side of the annular ribs 122. The sealing ring 15 abuts against the inner wall of the tank body 11. The inner wall of the tank body 11 has multiple protrusions 114 at the same height, which are used to limit the annular ribs 122.

[0043] Because the cover plate 12 is relatively long, it is prone to bending, deformation, and warping after injection molding. The protrusion 114 limits the annular rib 122 to prevent warping, ensuring good sealing performance and product aesthetics of the water tank 1; at the same time, it increases the mechanical strength of the cover plate 12. The connection and assembly between the tank body 11 and the cover plate 12 is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0044] The cover plate 12 is provided with a water inlet, and a cap 121 is provided at the water inlet. The cap 121 is hinged to the cover plate 12 and can selectively block the water inlet. Its specific structure is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] Preferably, the water tank 1 is provided with a water inlet assembly 14, which includes a water inlet pipe 141 and a filter screen 142. The free end of the water inlet pipe 141 is configured as a tower structure, and the middle cross-sectional area of ​​the tower structure is larger than the cross-sectional areas of both ends, which is used to limit the assembly of the filter screen 142. The lower end of the tower structure is provided with a protrusion 1411.

[0046] This design ensures that the filter screen 142 is securely and reliably installed within the water inlet pipe 141. Simultaneously, the protrusions 1411 ensure a certain gap at the water inlet, preventing blockage of the water path. Preferably, the water inlet pipe 141 is positioned close to the same height as the water tank 1, which reduces the length of the water inlet connector 115, prevents sticking to the mold, facilitates the ejection of injection molded parts, and improves mold reliability. The structure is simple and production is easy.

[0047] Preferably, a water inlet connector 115 is provided at the upper part of the water tank 1, and one end of the water inlet pipe 141 is inserted and assembled with the water inlet connector 115. This arrangement effectively reduces the mold height to prevent sticking during demolding, resulting in low production costs.

[0048] Preferably, steps 111 are provided at the middle positions of both sides of the tank body 11, with one end of the steps 111 gradually sloping downwards and extending to the bottom of the tank body 11. This arrangement makes the steps 111 encircle and resemble a locomotive, greatly enhancing the mechanical strength of the left and right side walls of the tank body 11, effectively preventing the tank body 11 from deforming inwards, and ensuring the overall aesthetic appearance of the water tank 1. If reinforcing ribs are provided inside the tank body 11, it will not increase the complexity of the mold and effectively avoid the problem of sticking during demolding, but it will also increase the difficulty of cleaning the tank body 11 itself.

[0049] The water tank mounting structure also includes a mounting bracket 4, which has a notch, through which the water tank 1 is pushed in or pulled out. The mounting bracket 4 has a folded edge 42, on which a bending plate 43 is provided. The mounting base 2 has a limiting hole 26 at one end near the opening. The bending plate 43 passes through the limiting hole 26 and is bent to achieve the limiting and fixing of the mounting bracket 4 and the mounting base 2.

[0050] The structure is simple. The buckle can be locked by bending the bending plate 43 at an angle. The locking force is strong and it is not easy to loosen. The whole process does not require the use of screws for fixing, and the assembly is convenient and reliable.

[0051] Preferably, the mounting base 2 is provided with a plurality of limiting blocks 21 on the outer periphery of the opening, and the limiting blocks 21 abut against the mounting frame 4. This arrangement can overcome the unstable assembly position caused by the poor mechanical strength of the folded edge 42, and achieve precise positioning of the mounting base 2 by cooperating with the bending plate 43. The whole process is simple and reliable.

[0052] Preferably, a water tank panel 13 is provided at one end of the water tank 1, and a panel glass 41 is provided on the outside of the mounting bracket 4. The water tank panel 13 can be embedded in the panel glass 41 after the water tank 1 is installed.

[0053] The water tank mounting structure also includes an elastic component 5 and a locking component 6. The elastic component 5 is located at the end of the mounting base 2 away from the opening, and the locking component 6 is disposed on the water receiving plate 3 and close to the elastic component 5. The elastic component 5 and the locking component 6 cooperate with each other to achieve locking and limiting of the water tank 1. Its specific structure is prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0054] This utility model also provides a cooking device, which includes a cooking cavity. A water tank mounting structure and a steam generator are disposed on the top of the cooking cavity. The mounting bracket 4 is located on the front top side of the cooking cavity. The water inlet assembly 14 of the water tank 1 is connected to the steam generator. The cooking structure also includes a door assembly, a fan, and other components, the specific structure and assembly relationship of which are existing technologies.

[0055] While the present invention has been disclosed above, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention; therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A water tank installation structure, comprising a water tank (1) and a mounting base (2), wherein one end of the mounting base (2) is provided with an opening, and the water tank (1) is pushed in or pulled out through the opening, characterized in that, A first limiting structure is provided between the two sides of the water tank (1) and the mounting base (2) to constrain the installation position of the water tank (1) in the vertical direction; a slide rail rib (113) is provided at the bottom of the water tank (1) to abut against the mounting base (2); a guide groove (23) is provided on the inner side wall of the mounting base (2) to constrain the position of the slide rail rib (113) in the horizontal direction.

2. The water tank installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting structure includes a guide rib (112) and a guide groove (22) arranged along the length direction of the water tank (1). The guide groove (22) is located on one of the water tank (1) and the mounting base (2), and the guide rib (112) is located on the other of the water tank (1) and the mounting base (2). The guide groove (22) is located on the side close to the opening and is arranged in a trumpet shape. The guide rib (112) is arrow-shaped and can be limited and assembled into the guide groove (22).

3. The water tank installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide rail rib (113) is located at one end of the water tank (1) near the opening and extends along the length of the water tank (1); two slide rail ribs (113) are spaced apart and abut against one of the two side walls of the guide groove (23) respectively; the two slide rail ribs (113) gradually tilt and move closer to each other at the end away from the opening.

4. The water tank installation structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The slide rail rib (113) and the mounting base (2) are in two-point or multi-point contact.

5. The water tank installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank mounting structure also includes a water receiving plate (3), which has an assembly hole (31) at one end away from the opening. The mounting base (2) is connected to the water receiving plate (3) by screws (25). The mounting base (2) has a waist-shaped hole (24). The free end of the screw (25) passes through the waist-shaped hole (24) and is threaded to the assembly hole (31), and squeezes the mounting base (2) from both sides to limit its position.

6. The water tank installation structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water tank mounting structure also includes a mounting bracket (4), which has a notch. The water tank (1) is pushed into or pulled out of the mounting base (2) through the notch. The mounting bracket (4) has a folded edge (42), which has a bending plate (43). The mounting base (2) has a limiting hole (26) at one end near the opening. The bending plate (43) passes through the limiting hole (26) and is bent under force to achieve the limiting and fixing of the mounting bracket (4) and the mounting base (2).

7. The water tank installation structure according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The water tank (1) is provided with a water inlet assembly (14), which includes a water inlet pipe (141) and a filter screen (142). The free end of the water inlet pipe (141) is configured as a tower structure. The cross-sectional area of ​​the middle of the tower structure is larger than the cross-sectional areas of both ends, which is used to limit the assembly of the filter screen (142). The lower end of the tower structure is provided with a protrusion (1411).

8. The water tank installation structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The water tank (1) includes a tank body (11) and a cover plate (12). The cover plate (12) covers the tank body (11) and has an annular rib (122) on its outer periphery. A sealing ring (15) is provided on one side of the annular rib (122). The sealing ring (15) abuts against the inner wall of the tank body (11). The inner wall of the tank body (11) is provided with a protrusion (114). There are multiple protrusions (114) at the same height, which are used to limit the annular rib (122).

9. The water tank installation structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, Steps (111) are provided at the middle position on both sides of the box (11), and one end of the step (111) gradually slopes downward and extends to the bottom of the box (11).

10. A cooking device, characterized in that, The cooking device includes a cooking cavity, and the top of the cooking cavity is provided with a water tank mounting structure and a steam generator as described in any one of claims 1-9. The mounting bracket (4) of the water tank mounting structure is located on the front side of the top of the cooking cavity, and the water inlet assembly (14) of the water tank (1) is connected to the steam generator.

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