Vapor generator based on falling film evaporation principle and cooking equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to a steam generator based on a falling film evaporation principle and cooking equipment. The steam generator comprises a shell, an evaporation plate arranged on the shell and a spray pipe arranged in the shell and used for spraying water to the evaporation plate, and a steam generation cavity is formed between the shell and the evaporation plate; a heating piece for heating the evaporation plate is arranged on the outer wall of the evaporation plate; the shell is provided with an external water inlet used for supplying water into the shell, a water outlet used for discharging water and an air outlet used for leading out steam in the steam generation cavity. The end, extending out of the shell, of the spraying pipe is a spraying pipe water inlet, and a plurality of water spraying holes are formed in the spraying pipe. Compared with the prior art, the steam generator is based on the falling film evaporation principle, the heating efficiency of the steam generator is improved, the steam generation time is shortened, and the steam generator can be applied to various modern cooking devices with the steam heating function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to a steam generator and cooking equipment based on the falling film evaporation principle. Background Technology

[0002] Steam generators are widely used in steam cooking equipment such as steam ovens and steam cookers to meet diverse cooking needs. However, most steam generators use a bottom or side-heating water-boiling structure. This heating method results in a longer heat transfer path, leading to lower heating efficiency, which not only prolongs the steam generation time but also significantly increases energy consumption.

[0003] In addition, traditional steam generators also have the following problems: the structure of traditional steam generators is usually more complex and takes up more space, which is especially evident in the design of miniaturized kitchen appliances, limiting their widespread application in modern kitchen equipment; the response time required for traditional steam generators to produce stable steam from power-on is relatively long, making it difficult to meet users' needs for rapid cooking and affecting the practicality and market competitiveness of the equipment; scale is easily formed on the surface of the heating element, which leads to a gradual decline in equipment performance and increases the complexity of cleaning and maintenance.

[0004] Therefore, in response to the problems of low heating efficiency, slow response speed, and easy scale buildup in the aforementioned steam generators, there is an urgent need to develop a new type of high-efficiency steam generator. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing steam generators, such as low heating efficiency and slow response speed, and to provide a steam generator and cooking equipment based on the falling film evaporation principle.

[0006] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention first provides a steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle. The steam generator includes a shell, an evaporation plate disposed on the shell, and a spray pipe disposed inside the shell for spraying water onto the evaporation surface of the evaporation plate. A steam generating chamber is formed between the shell and the evaporation plate. A heating element for heating the evaporation plate is provided on the outer wall of the evaporation plate.

[0008] The housing is provided with an external water inlet for supplying water into the housing, a drain outlet for draining water, and an outlet for discharging steam from the steam generating chamber.

[0009] The end of the nozzle extending out of the housing is the nozzle inlet, and multiple spray holes are provided on the nozzle.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner wall of the evaporation plate is an evaporation surface, which is arranged vertically or at an angle.

[0011] Furthermore, the thickness of the evaporation plate is 2-4 mm.

[0012] Furthermore, a thermostat for monitoring the heating temperature of the heating element is provided on the outer wall of the evaporator plate, and the thermostat is installed on the outer wall of the evaporator plate through a thermostat fixing plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the thermostat is connected to a first terminal block, and the outer wall of the evaporator plate is provided with a second terminal block that is connected to the heating element. The first terminal block and the second terminal block are connected in series in the control circuit.

[0014] Furthermore, the heating element includes any one of a heating film, a heating plate, or a heating mesh.

[0015] Furthermore, the spray holes are evenly distributed on the spray pipe or non-uniformly arranged as needed.

[0016] Furthermore, the diameter of the nozzle is 4-6 mm.

[0017] Furthermore, the diameter of the water spray hole is 0.5-1mm.

[0018] Furthermore, the center-to-center distance between adjacent water spray holes is 3-10mm.

[0019] Furthermore, a liquid level sensor for monitoring changes in the water level inside the housing is installed inside the housing via a liquid level sensor fixing component.

[0020] Furthermore, the liquid level sensor is connected to the relay via a liquid level signal output line.

[0021] The present invention also provides a cooking apparatus comprising the above-described steam generator, the cooking apparatus further comprising:

[0022] The main body of the equipment used to mount the steam generator;

[0023] An inner liner is provided on the main body of the equipment; a cooking space is formed inside the inner liner, and the cooking space is connected to the steam outlet of the steam generator through a gas pipe;

[0024] An external water system is installed on the main body of the equipment; the external water system includes a water tank and a first water pump connected to the water tank, and the first water pump is connected to the external water inlet of the steam generator;

[0025] A circulating water system is installed on the main body of the equipment; the circulating water system includes a second water pump, the outlet of the second water pump is connected to the inlet of the nozzle, and the inlet of the second water pump is connected to the outlet of the steam generator.

[0026] Furthermore, the portion of the gas pipe that extends into the cooking space is equipped with a steam nozzle.

[0027] Furthermore, the steam nozzle has a steam orifice diameter of 1-3 mm.

[0028] Furthermore, the inner liner is provided with an exhaust block that communicates with the cooking space.

[0029] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is installed within the cooking space to monitor the temperature of the cooking space.

[0030] Furthermore, the water tank is connected to the first water pump via a first water pipe, and the first water pump is connected to the external water inlet of the steam generator via a second water pipe.

[0031] Furthermore, the flow rate range of both the first and second water pumps is 200-300 ml / min.

[0032] Furthermore, the outlet of the second water pump is connected to the inlet of the nozzle via a third water pipe, and the inlet of the second water pump is connected to the outlet of the steam generator via a fourth water pipe.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0034] (1) The steam generator of this utility model is based on the falling film evaporation principle. By setting a spray pipe for spraying water in the steam generating chamber to the evaporation plate, the water can be quickly filmed and evaporated on the evaporation plate, thereby rapidly converting the water into usable steam, which greatly improves the heating efficiency of the steam generator.

[0035] (2) The steam generator of this utility model utilizes the rapid evaporation characteristics of falling film evaporation technology, enabling the steam generator to quickly generate stable steam, thereby significantly shortening the steam generation time and improving the response speed of the steam generator.

[0036] (3) The steam generator of this utility model utilizes the characteristics of liquid film flow in falling film evaporation technology to reduce the residence time of water on the heating surface, thereby reducing the probability of scale formation, reducing the complexity of cleaning and maintenance, and improving the long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0037] (4) The steam generator of this utility model is compact in size and suitable for various installation positions. It is especially suitable for miniaturized kitchen utensils. By optimizing the internal space utilization of the cooking equipment, the flexible layout of the cooking equipment can be improved.

[0038] (5) The steam generator of this utility model achieves efficient, safe and stable operation of the steam generator by combining falling film evaporation technology with liquid level control, circulating water design and high-efficiency heating technology. At the same time, it reduces scale deposition and extends the service life of the equipment. Therefore, it can be widely used in various modern cooking equipment with steam heating function. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 This is an explosion diagram of the steam generator of this utility model.

[0040] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the steam generator of this utility model.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam generator shell of this utility model.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the shell of this utility model.

[0043] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the heating element and evaporation plate of this utility model.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle structure of this utility model.

[0045] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooking equipment of this utility model.

[0046] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the cooking device of this utility model.

[0047] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the cooking equipment of this utility model.

[0048] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the external water system and the circulating water system of the cooking equipment of this utility model.

[0049] Explanation of markings in the diagram:

[0050] 1-Steam generator;

[0051] 11-Shell, 111-External water inlet, 112-Drain outlet, 113-Air outlet;

[0052] 12-Evaporation plate;

[0053] 13- Nozzle, 131- Nozzle inlet, 132- Nozzle hole;

[0054] 14-Heating element, 141-Second connecting piece;

[0055] 15-Thermostat, 151-Thermostat mounting plate, 152-First wiring piece;

[0056] 16-Liquid level sensor, 161-Liquid level sensor mounting bracket, 162-Liquid level signal output line, 163-Relay;

[0057] 2-Main body of the equipment;

[0058] 3-Inner liner, 31-Cooking space, 32-Exhaust block, 33-Temperature sensor;

[0059] 4-Gas tube, 41-Steam nozzle;

[0060] 5-External water system, 51-Water tank, 52-First water pump, 53-First water pipe, 54-Second water pipe;

[0061] 6-Circulating water system, 61-Second water pump, 62-Third water pipe, 63-Fourth water pipe, 64-Water pump support frame. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. This embodiment is based on the technical solution of the present invention and provides detailed implementation methods and specific operating procedures; however, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0063] In this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model; the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, for example, they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can be mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they can be internal connections between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0064] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0065] Example 1:

[0066] This embodiment provides a steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle. For example... Figure 1-2As shown, the steam generator 1 includes a housing 11, an evaporator plate 12 disposed on the housing 11, and a spray pipe 13 disposed inside the housing 11 for spraying water onto the evaporation surface of the evaporator plate 12. A steam generating chamber is formed between the housing 11 and the evaporator plate 12. A heating element 14 is provided on the outer wall of the evaporator plate 12 for heating the evaporator plate 12, so that the evaporator plate 12 can be at a higher temperature to achieve water evaporation.

[0067] In this embodiment, the housing 11 is provided with an external water inlet 111 for supplying water into the housing 11, a drain outlet 112 for draining water, and an outlet 113 for discharging steam from the steam generating chamber. Water is introduced through the external water inlet 111 to ensure a constant water level inside the housing 11 and prevent dry burning; excess unevaporated water is discharged through the drain outlet 112; and steam generated in the steam generating chamber is quickly discharged through the outlet 113 for subsequent use.

[0068] In this embodiment, the end of the nozzle 13 extending out of the housing 11 is the nozzle inlet 131. The nozzle 13 has multiple spray holes 132. The nozzle 13 can spray the water into the evaporation plate 12 through the spray holes 132 for rapid evaporation.

[0069] The steam generator in this embodiment is based on the falling film evaporation principle. By setting a spray pipe 13 for spraying water into the steam generation chamber and placing it onto the evaporation plate 12, water can be quickly filmed and evaporated on the evaporation plate 12, thereby rapidly converting water into usable steam. This can effectively improve the heating efficiency of the steam generator, shorten the steam generation time, and reduce the formation of scale. It can be widely used in various modern cooking equipment with steam heating functions.

[0070] Example 2:

[0071] This embodiment provides a steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle. The steam generator 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 11, an evaporation plate 12 disposed on the housing 11, and a spray pipe 13 disposed inside the housing 11 for spraying water onto the evaporation plate 12. A steam generation chamber is formed between the housing 11 and the evaporation plate 12.

[0072] like Figure 3-5 As shown, the housing 11 of this embodiment is provided with an external water inlet 111 for supplying water into the housing 11, a drain outlet 112 for draining water, and an outlet 113 for discharging steam from the steam generating chamber. A liquid level sensor 16 for monitoring changes in the water level inside the housing 11 is installed inside the housing 11 via a liquid level sensor fixing member 161. The liquid level sensor 16 is connected to a relay 163 via a liquid level signal output line 162.

[0073] In this embodiment, the inner wall of the evaporator plate 12 is an evaporation surface, which is vertically or inclined to form a liquid film and achieve efficient falling film evaporation. The material of the evaporation surface is not limited to stainless steel, but can also be selected from ceramic substrates or ceramic matrix composites with higher thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance. The thickness of the evaporator plate 12 is 2-4 mm. The outer wall of the evaporator plate 12 is provided with a heating element 14 for heating the evaporator plate 12. The heating element 14 includes any one of a heating film, a heating plate, or a heating mesh, which heats the evaporator plate 12 to a higher temperature to achieve rapid evaporation of water. Specific examples include polyimide thick film heating devices, metal heating wires, or PTC ceramic heating elements. The outer wall of the evaporator plate 12 is provided with a thermostat 15 for monitoring the heating temperature of the heating element 14. The thermostat 15 is mounted on the outer wall of the evaporator plate 12 via a thermostat fixing plate 151. The thermostat 15 is connected to a first terminal block 152, and the outer wall of the evaporator plate 12 is provided with a second terminal block 141 connected to the heating element 14. The first terminal block 152 and the second terminal block 141 are connected in series in the control circuit to cooperate with the opening and closing of the thermostat 15 to realize the temperature control of the heating element 14 and prevent the heating element 14 from heating too high.

[0074] like Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the end of the nozzle 13 extending out of the housing 11 is the nozzle inlet 131. Multiple spray holes 132 are provided on the nozzle 13. The nozzle 13 sprays water through the spray holes 132 onto the evaporation plate 12 for rapid evaporation. The spray holes 132 are evenly distributed on the nozzle 13 or non-uniformly arranged as needed, and can be configured as one or more rows. The diameter of the nozzle 13 is 4-6 mm, the diameter of the spray holes 132 is 0.5-1 mm, and the center distance between adjacent spray holes 132 is 3-10 mm.

[0075] Example 3:

[0076] This embodiment provides a cooking device, such as... Figure 7-9 As shown, it includes the steam generator 1 described in Embodiment 1, and also includes the main body 2, inner tank 3, gas pipe 4, external water system 5 and circulating water system 6.

[0077] In this embodiment, the main body 2 is used to mount the steam generator 1, which is specifically designed according to the needs of the cooking equipment. The installation method of the steam generator 1 can be selected from side wall mounting, top mounting, or bottom embedded design to adapt to the needs of different types of cooking equipment. The inner pot 3 is located on the main body 2, and a cooking space 31 is formed inside the inner pot 3. The cooking space 31 is connected to the steam outlet 113 of the steam generator 1 through the gas pipe 4.

[0078] In this embodiment, both the external water system 5 and the circulating water system 6 are mounted on the base of the main body 2. The external water system 5 includes a water tank 51 and a first water pump 52 connected to the water tank 51. The first water pump 52 is connected to the external water inlet 111 of the steam generator 1. The circulating water system 6 includes a second water pump 61. The outlet of the second water pump 61 is connected to the nozzle inlet 131 of the nozzle 13, and the inlet of the second water pump 61 is connected to the drain outlet 112 of the steam generator 1. Both the first water pump 52 and the second water pump 61 are placed on a pump support frame 64 on the base of the main body 2.

[0079] The cooking device in this embodiment integrates a steam generator 1, an inner pot 3, an external water system 5, and a circulating water system 6 within the main body 2. The steam generated by the steam generator 1 can heat the food in the inner pot 3, and the water volume can be adjusted and controlled through the external water system 5 and the circulating water system 6.

[0080] Example 4:

[0081] This embodiment provides a cooking device that differs from Embodiment 3 in that the portion of the gas pipe 4 extending into the cooking space 31 is equipped with a steam nozzle 41. The inner liner 3 is also equipped with an exhaust block 32 communicating with the cooking space 31 to expel excess steam. A temperature sensor 33 is installed within the cooking space 31 to monitor its temperature. The data fed back by the temperature sensor 33 can be used to further adjust parameters such as the heating temperature of the steam generator 1 to optimize the cooking effect and ensure safe operation of the device.

[0082] like Figure 10 As shown, in this embodiment, the water tank 51 and the first water pump 52 are specifically connected via a first water pipe 53, and the first water pump 52 is connected to the external water inlet 111 of the steam generator 1 via a second water pipe 54. The outlet of the second water pump 61 is connected to the nozzle inlet 131 via a third water pipe 62, and the inlet of the second water pump 61 is connected to the drain outlet 112 of the steam generator 1 via a fourth water pipe 63. The diameters of the first water pipe 53, the second water pipe 54, the third water pipe 62, and the fourth water pipe 63 are all 4-8 mm, and they are made of high-temperature resistant silicone or food-grade stainless steel.

[0083] Example 5:

[0084] This embodiment provides a specific steam generator and a cooking device including the steam generator. The steam generator 1 is mainly responsible for water evaporation and steam generation, and mainly consists of the following components:

[0085] The housing 11 is made of metal. The material of the housing 11 is any one of food-grade stainless steel 304, 304L, aluminum, and copper, preferably food-grade stainless steel 304, which has excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature resistance. The thickness of the housing 11 is 1-3 mm, preferably 2 mm, to ensure stable operation of the equipment in high-temperature environments. Furthermore, since the steam generated by the steam generator 1 directly acts on the food, the inner wall of the housing 11 needs to be coated with a food-grade coating.

[0086] An external water inlet 111 is located on the lower side of the housing 11. The external water inlet 111 is used to connect to an external water source to ensure a stable water supply. Its diameter is 4-8 mm, preferably 6 mm, and it is made of food-grade stainless steel.

[0087] Nozzle 13. Nozzle 13 is made by uniformly perforating a stainless steel tube body. It is used to evenly distribute circulating water onto the evaporation surface, ensuring the formation of a stable liquid film for efficient evaporation. Its diameter is 4-6 mm, preferably 4 mm, and the material is high-temperature resistant food-grade stainless steel. The diameter of the spray holes 132 on the nozzle 13 is 0.5-1 mm, preferably 0.5 mm; the spacing between the spray holes 132 is 3-10 mm, preferably 5 mm.

[0088] The nozzle inlet 131 is used to guide the circulating water in the steam generating chamber. Connected to the second water pump 61 in the cooking equipment, the water in the steam generating chamber is transported to the nozzle 13 for circulation. It is made of food-grade stainless steel 304 and has a diameter of 3-6 mm, preferably 4 mm.

[0089] The internal circulating water outlet (i.e., drain outlet 112) is located at the bottom of the shell 11 and is used to discharge water that has not been completely evaporated in the steam generating chamber and reintroduce it into the circulation system for re-evaporation. Its diameter is 3-6 mm, preferably 4 mm, and the material is food-grade stainless steel 304.

[0090] The air outlet 113 is located at the top of the housing 11 and is used to quickly discharge steam. Its diameter is 5-10 mm, preferably 8 mm, and the material is high-temperature resistant food-grade stainless steel.

[0091] The liquid level sensor 16 monitors water level changes in real time to ensure the water level remains within a set range, guaranteeing stable operation and heating efficiency of the steam generator 1. Its design accurately senses water level changes and links with the control system to automatically adjust the water intake, preventing dry burning or the water level from rising to the point of contact with the evaporator plate 12. The liquid level signal output line 162 uses high-temperature resistant silicone wire. Connected to the liquid level sensor 16, it transmits the liquid level detection signal to the control system or directly connects to the water pump to control automatic water level adjustment. The relay 163 receives the signal from the liquid level sensor 16 and controls the water pump's on / off state, achieving automatic water level adjustment. The liquid level sensor mounting bracket 161 secures the liquid level sensor 16 to the inner wall of the housing 11, ensuring accurate measurement in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

[0092] Heating element 14 is the core heating component of steam generator 1. This embodiment provides a specific heating method using a heating film as heating element 14, with the following specific composition:

[0093] The heating film utilizes thick-film heating, such as polyimide heating film. Thick-film heating achieves rapid and uniform heat conduction by directly printing or coating the heating element onto the substrate surface. Depending on the specific needs, other types of heating films or heating plates can be selected to replace the thick-film heating element.

[0094] The evaporator plate 12 is made of food-grade stainless steel, with a heating film covering its outer surface. The surface of the evaporator plate 12 undergoes anti-corrosion and special treatment to enhance corrosion resistance and reduce scale buildup. The inner wall of the evaporator plate 12 serves as the evaporation surface, and can be arranged vertically or inclined to form a liquid film and achieve efficient falling film evaporation. The evaporator plate 12 has a thickness of 2-4 mm, preferably 3 mm; a width of 80 mm-100 mm, preferably 100 mm; and a length of 100 mm-200 mm, preferably 120 mm.

[0095] The first connecting piece 152 is the connecting piece for the temperature control switch. The main function of the temperature control switch is to automatically cut off the power when the temperature of the evaporator plate 12 exceeds a set value to prevent overheating. The second connecting piece 141 is the connecting piece for the heating film, used to connect to the power supply and provide current input to the heating film. The first connecting piece 152, in series with the second connecting piece 141, works in conjunction with the temperature control switch to cut off the circuit, thereby achieving safe operation control of the evaporator plate 12.

[0096] The cooking device in this embodiment is used to store food and provide a steam circulation path, and mainly consists of the following components:

[0097] The inner pot 3 is made of food-grade stainless steel with a thickness of 0.5-3mm, preferably 1.5mm. The internal dimensions of the inner pot 3 range from 150-200mm in height, 350-400mm in width, and 270-300mm in depth. The surface of the inner pot 3 can be polished or coated with an anti-stick coating for easy cleaning and to reduce food adhesion. The cooking space 31 is used to hold food and perform steam cooking; its design must ensure smooth and even steam distribution. Its bottom is typically designed to be flat for easy food placement, while its depth is moderate to accommodate various types of ingredients.

[0098] Steam nozzle 41 is used to evenly distribute steam within the cooking space 31, ensuring that steam covers the entire cooking space 31 to improve the cooking effect of food. The steam nozzle 41 has a steam orifice diameter of 1-3mm, preferably 1.5mm, and is made of food-grade stainless steel. Its position and number can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the cooking space 31 to achieve efficient distribution and even flow of steam.

[0099] Gas pipe 4 is used to guide the steam generated by steam generator 1 into the cooking space 31, ensuring smooth and even steam distribution. The gas pipe is made of food-grade stainless steel. The diameter of the gas pipe ranges from 4 to 10 mm, preferably 6 mm, and the length can be adjusted according to the equipment design requirements to ensure stable connection, sufficient flow, and meet the usage requirements of different steam demand scenarios.

[0100] The water pump system in this embodiment includes two water pump subsystems: an external water system 5 and a circulating water system 6, which are responsible for water delivery and internal circulation, respectively, to ensure stable water supply and efficient evaporation of the steam generation chamber.

[0101] The external water system 5 includes a water tank 51, a first water pump 52, a first water pipe 53, and a second water pipe 54. The first water pump 52 is responsible for drawing water from the water tank 51 and delivering it to the steam generation chamber, ensuring that the water volume in the steam generation chamber remains within a set range, effectively preventing dry burning or the water level from rising to contact the evaporator plate 12. Its flow rate range is 200-300 ml / min, preferably 250 ml / min. The pump body of the first water pump 52 is made of high-temperature resistant plastic or food-grade stainless steel. The first water pipe 53 is used to draw water from the water tank 51 and deliver it to the first water pump 52, which then outputs the water to the steam generation chamber. The diameter of the first water pipe 53 is 4-8 mm, preferably 6 mm, and it is made of high-temperature resistant and corrosion-resistant silicone tubing. The second water pipe 54 is used to deliver water from the first water pump 52 to the steam generation chamber. The diameter of the second water pipe 54 is 4-8mm, preferably 6mm. It is made of high-temperature and corrosion-resistant silicone tubing, which can withstand long-term use in high-temperature environments. It also has good flexibility and sealing properties to ensure smooth water flow and prevent leakage.

[0102] The circulating water system 6 includes a second water pump 61, a third water pipe 62, and a fourth water pipe 63. The second water pump 61 is used for internal circulation within the steam generation chamber, responsible for redistributing unevaporated water to the evaporation surface through the nozzle 13 for recycling. Its flow rate ranges from 200-300 ml / min, preferably 250 ml / min, ensuring the stability and uniformity of water flow within the chamber. The third water pipe 62 is used for the internal circulation system, delivering circulating water to the inlet of the nozzle 13, ensuring uniform water distribution to the evaporation surface. Its diameter is 4-8 mm, preferably 6 mm, and the material is high-temperature resistant silicone or food-grade stainless steel. The fourth water pipe 63 is used as the outlet for the internal circulating water, connected to the drain outlet 112 of the steam generation chamber. It returns unconverted water to the inlet of the nozzle 13 through the second water pump 61, forming a recycling system. The diameter of the fourth water pipe 63 is 4-8 mm, preferably 6 mm, and it is made of high-temperature resistant silicone or food-grade stainless steel to ensure smooth water discharge and improve evaporation efficiency.

[0103] Temperature sensor 33 is used to monitor the temperature within the cooking space 31 in real time, ensuring precise temperature control and stability during cooking. Temperature sensor 33 typically uses high-temperature resistant materials, such as stainless steel or a ceramic housing, which can withstand high-temperature environments and has good corrosion resistance. The temperature measurement range of temperature sensor 33 is 50-300℃. Data feedback from temperature sensor 33 can be used to adjust the operating status of heating element 14 or steam generation system, optimize cooking results, and ensure safe operation of the equipment.

[0104] The exhaust block 32 is typically made of high-temperature resistant stainless steel. It automatically exhausts within a preset pressure range to remove excess pressure from the steam generator 1, ensuring pressure balance within the cavity and preventing overload or damage to the equipment due to excessive pressure.

[0105] The falling film evaporator steam generator of this embodiment can be installed on the side wall of the main body 2, which greatly saves the installation space of the equipment. The working principle of the steam evaporator 1 is mainly based on falling film evaporation technology. Through the coordinated action of the external water system 5, the circulating water system 6, the nozzle 13 and the heating element 14, water is evenly distributed on the evaporation surface of the evaporation plate 12 and quickly evaporated into steam.

[0106] During cooking, the first water pump 52 of the external water system 5 draws water from the water tank 51 and delivers it to the steam generation chamber through the first water pipe 53. The water is evenly distributed on the stainless steel evaporation surface through the spray nozzle 13, forming a dynamic thin water film. The second water pump 61 of the circulating water system 6 is responsible for introducing the incompletely evaporated water from the drain outlet 112 into the spray nozzle 13 and circulating it to the evaporation surface to ensure maximum water utilization. After the heating element 14 is powered on, it heats the evaporation plate 12, and the heat is transferred through the evaporation plate 12 to quickly heat the thin film of water into steam. The steam is discharged through the steam outlet 113 and enters the cooking space 31 of the inner pot 3 of the cooking equipment to evenly heat the food.

[0107] During operation, the thermostat 15 monitors the temperature of the evaporator plate 12 in real time to ensure that the temperature remains within a safe range. If the temperature exceeds a certain set threshold, the thermostat 15 will cut off the power to the heating element to prevent overheating, and will automatically shut off again after the temperature recovers to resume heating. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 33 transmits the real-time temperature signal within the cooking space 31 to the control system. The control system adjusts the operating status of the first water pump 52 and the second water pump 61 based on the temperature feedback signal to maintain the optimal liquid film thickness on the evaporation surface. In this embodiment, the controller in the control system can be any of a mainstream microcontroller, an ARM architecture processor, or a RISC-V architecture processor.

[0108] The steam generator 1 of this invention achieves efficient, safe, and stable operation by combining falling film evaporation technology with liquid level control, circulating water design, and high-efficiency heating technology, while reducing scale buildup and extending the equipment's service life. Therefore, the design of the steam generator 1 of this invention can be widely applied to various modern cooking equipment with steam heating functions.

[0109] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the utility model. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be easily made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present utility model without departing from its scope should be within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle, characterized in that, The steam generator (1) includes a housing (11), an evaporator plate (12) disposed on the housing (11), and a spray pipe (13) disposed inside the housing (11) for spraying water onto the evaporation surface of the evaporator plate (12). A steam generating chamber is formed between the housing (11) and the evaporator plate (12). A heating element (14) for heating the evaporator plate (12) is provided on the outer wall of the evaporator plate (12). The housing (11) is provided with an external water inlet (111) for supplying water into the housing (11), a drain outlet (112) for draining water, and an outlet (113) for discharging steam from the steam generating chamber. The end of the nozzle (13) extending out of the housing (11) is the nozzle inlet (131), and multiple water spray holes (132) are provided on the nozzle (13).

2. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the evaporation plate (12) is an evaporation surface, which is vertically or inclined; the thickness of the evaporation plate (12) is 2-4 mm.

3. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the evaporator plate (12) is provided with a thermostat (15) for monitoring the heating temperature of the heating element (14). The thermostat (15) is installed on the outer wall of the evaporator plate (12) through a thermostat fixing plate (151).

4. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temperature controller (15) is connected to a first terminal block (152), and the outer wall of the evaporator plate (12) is provided with a second terminal block (141) connected to the heating element (14). The first terminal block (152) and the second terminal block (141) are connected in series in the control circuit.

5. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating element (14) includes any one of a heating film, a heating plate, or a heating mesh.

6. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the nozzle (13) is 4-6 mm, the diameter of the water spray hole (132) is 0.5-1 mm, and the center distance between adjacent water spray holes (132) is 3-10 mm.

7. A steam generator based on the falling film evaporation principle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A liquid level sensor (16) for monitoring changes in water level inside the housing (11) is installed inside the housing (11) via a liquid level sensor fixing component (161); The liquid level sensor (16) is connected to the relay (163) via the liquid level signal output line (162).

8. A cooking apparatus comprising a steam generator according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Also includes: Equipment body (2) for mounting steam generator (1); An inner liner (3) is provided on the main body (2) of the equipment; a cooking space (31) is formed inside the inner liner (3), and the cooking space (31) is connected to the steam outlet (113) of the steam generator (1) through a gas pipe (4); An external water system (5) is installed on the main body (2) of the equipment; the external water system (5) includes a water tank (51) and a first water pump (52) connected to the water tank (51), the first water pump (52) being connected to the external water inlet (111) of the steam generator (1); A circulating water system (6) is installed on the main body (2) of the equipment; the circulating water system (6) includes a second water pump (61), the outlet of the second water pump (61) is connected to the nozzle inlet (131) of the nozzle (13), and the inlet of the second water pump (61) is connected to the drain outlet (112) of the steam generator (1).

9. A cooking apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The portion of the air pipe (4) that extends into the cooking space (31) is equipped with a steam nozzle (41); The inner liner (3) is provided with an exhaust block (32) that communicates with the cooking space (31), and the cooking space (31) is provided with a temperature sensor (33) for monitoring the temperature of the cooking space (31).

10. A cooking apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The water tank (51) is connected to the first water pump (52) via a first water pipe (53), and the first water pump (52) is connected to the external water inlet (111) of the steam generator (1) via a second water pipe (54). The outlet of the second water pump (61) is connected to the nozzle inlet (131) via a third water pipe (62), and the inlet of the second water pump (61) is connected to the drain outlet (112) of the steam generator (1) via a fourth water pipe (63).

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