Micro-pressure structure of cooking utensil and cooking utensil with micro-pressure structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a micro-pressure structure of a cooking utensil and the cooking utensil with the micro-pressure structure, and the micro-pressure structure comprises a valve body which is arranged on a cover body and is internally provided with a gas passage penetrating through the cover body; the exhaust hole is formed in the upper end of the valve body; and the elastic piece is arranged on the valve body, and one end of the elastic piece is movably pressed on the exhaust hole so as to close and open the exhaust hole. Wherein the elastic piece compresses the exhaust hole through elastic deformation of the elastic piece in a natural state, so that when the cover body and the cooking utensil are buckled, the pressure intensity of gas in the cooking utensil is increased. The elastic piece dynamically seals the exhaust hole by means of elastic deformation and resetting of the elastic piece, so that the micro-pressure environment in the cavity is maintained, the elastic piece guides directional deformation of the elastic piece through the boundary groove, deformation can be concentrated at the boundary groove, invalid deformation is reduced, and the sensitivity of micro-pressure response is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of kitchen cooking appliance technology, and in particular to a micro-pressure structure for a cooking appliance and a cooking appliance having the micro-pressure structure, such as a rice cooker or pressure cooker, for maintaining appropriate internal pressure during cooking to improve cooking results. Background Technology

[0002] With the fast pace of modern life and the popularization of healthy eating concepts, the functional requirements of kitchen cooking appliances are gradually upgrading from basic cooking to high efficiency and precision. Pressure cooking technology, due to its ability to shorten cooking time, improve food taste, and retain nutrients, has become an important development direction for products such as rice cookers and slow cookers. However, traditional pressure cooking appliances still have significant shortcomings in terms of pressure control precision, safety, and user experience.

[0003] Existing pressure cooking appliances typically control internal pressure through pressure valve structures. For example, traditional pressure cookers often use mechanical pressure control devices, such as weighted safety valves or spring valves. Weighted valves regulate exhaust pressure through physical weight; when the pressure inside the pot exceeds a threshold, steam pushes the weight to release pressure. This type of structure has the drawback of coarse pressure regulation, often lacking precision in low-pressure environments, potentially leading to large pressure fluctuations and affecting the cooking results. Furthermore, traditional valves release concentrated steam during exhaust, which can cause burns and is accompanied by noise issues. Additionally, if pressure is not released promptly under high temperature and pressure, there is a risk of explosion.

[0004] Existing technologies mostly rely on manual pressing or additional pressure relief valves, lacking an effective air intake structure to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside, which poses a risk of negative pressure imbalance. For example, after cooking, the temperature inside the pot drops, which can easily create negative pressure, making it difficult to open the lid, or even deforming the inner pot and damaging the seals, resulting in a poor user experience and safety hazards.

[0005] Meanwhile, existing valve structures are prone to clogging during the venting process due to food particles or broth entering, leading to functional failure or the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a micro-pressure structure that is simple in design and can accurately and effectively maintain the micro-pressure environment inside cooking appliances to improve user experience and cooking results. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, a micro-pressure structure for a cooking appliance and a cooking appliance incorporating the structure are provided to solve the problems of rough pressure regulation, risk of negative pressure imbalance, and difficulty in cleaning caused by complex structure in existing pressure valves.

[0007] This application adopts the following technical solution: a micro-pressure structure for a cooking utensil, including a lid, wherein the micro-pressure structure is disposed on the lid, and the micro-pressure structure further comprises:

[0008] The valve body is mounted on the cover and has an internal gas passage that penetrates the cover.

[0009] An exhaust port is provided on the valve body to connect the valve body to the outside environment; and

[0010] An elastic element is provided on the valve body, one end of which can be movably pressed against the exhaust port to realize the closing and opening of the exhaust port;

[0011] In its natural state, the elastic element compresses the vent hole through its own elastic deformation, thereby increasing the pressure of the gas inside the cooking appliance when the lid is fastened to the cooking appliance.

[0012] Furthermore, a mounting portion is provided on one side of the elastic element, and a mounting hole is provided on the top of the valve body. The mounting portion is interference-fitted into the mounting hole to fix the elastic element. This design allows the elastic element to be directly connected to the valve body without the need for other connecting structures, optimizing the structural layout, reducing manufacturing costs, and also enabling quick installation and disassembly of the elastic element and the valve body.

[0013] Furthermore, the elastic element is also provided with a dividing groove. The dividing groove undergoes elastic deformation to allow the free end of the elastic element to move. The design of the dividing groove allows the free end of the elastic element to be separated when elastic deformation occurs. In particular, because the material thickness at the dividing groove is thinner than other parts, the elastic deformation can be concentrated in the dividing groove area, improving the response speed of the elastic element, while ensuring that the free end does not need to undergo elastic deformation, so that it can effectively open and close with the vent hole, thus extending the service life of the elastic element.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a barrier element with evenly distributed through holes. The barrier element is used to prevent cooking contents from spreading to the vent and the elastic element in the cooking appliance. The barrier element is installed at the lower end of the valve body.

[0015] The barrier design separates the food in the cookware, preventing it from splashing and spreading with the high-pressure gas to the vent and clogging it during cooking. This ensures that food residue and viscous liquids do not adhere to the elastic element, thus preventing loss of airtightness between the elastic element and the vent.

[0016] Furthermore, the upper end of the valve body extends to the outside of the cover to increase the distance between the vent and the barrier. The barrier and the high-positioned vent form a double protection, providing strong resistance to contamination and reducing the entry of most food residue into the valve body, thus effectively extending the structural lifespan.

[0017] Furthermore, the lid also has an air inlet, and a seal is provided on the side of the air inlet facing the cooking appliance. In its natural state, the seal presses against the air inlet to close it. When negative pressure is generated inside the cooking appliance, the seal separates from the air inlet to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cooking appliance.

[0018] After cooking, the pot becomes negatively pressurized due to the temperature drop, making it difficult to open the lid and even causing the inner pot to deform and the seals to be damaged. The design of the seals and air inlet ensures that when the negative pressure inside the cookware is too high or the lid is opened after the cold zone, the air inlet can balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cookware by allowing gas to enter.

[0019] Furthermore, the elastic components and seals are made of silicone. Silicone has the advantages of low cost and good elastic deformation properties. Using food-grade silicone to make the elastic components can ensure the safety and hygiene of cookware products.

[0020] This application also adopts the following technical solution: a cooking appliance, which includes the above-mentioned micro-pressure structure.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows:

[0022] Precise micro-pressure control: The elastic element relies on its own elastic deformation and reset to dynamically seal the exhaust port, thereby maintaining the micro-pressure environment inside the cavity. Furthermore, the elastic element guides its own directional deformation through the dividing groove, which concentrates the deformation at the dividing groove, reducing the ineffective deformation of the elastic element, improving the sensitivity of the micro-pressure response, and reducing the error of the pressure threshold. This allows the product to achieve ±0.5kPa precision control within the range of 2-5kPa, meeting the refined needs of stewing, braising, and other scenarios.

[0023] Strong anti-pollution capability: The barrier component and the high-level exhaust port form a double protection, which can reduce more than 90% of food residue entering the valve body, effectively isolate food residue and liquid from the elastic component, and extend the service life of the elastic component.

[0024] Safety self-balancing: The air inlet automatically replenishes air when under negative pressure, without user intervention, avoiding the risk of difficulty in opening the cover or failure of the seal.

[0025] Simplified structure and easy to clean: The valve body adopts a straight-through design with no complicated cavity structure. Residue can be removed by rinsing, resulting in low maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit this application.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of the cover and the micro-pressure structure in this application;

[0028] Figure 2 This application Figure 1 Sectional view of AA;

[0029] Figure 3This is an exploded view of the micro-pressure structure in this application;

[0030] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the micro-pressure structure in this application under the AA section condition;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the valve body in this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic element in this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 100. Cover; 101. Barrier; 102. Through hole;

[0035] 200. Valve body; 201. Mounting hole;

[0036] 300. Vent hole;

[0037] 400. Elastic element; 401. Mounting part; 401a. Conical guide section; 401b. Cylindrical connecting section 401b;

[0038] 402. Boundary groove; 403. Free end;

[0039] 500. Air intake port;

[0040] 600. Seals. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this patent document shall have the ordinary meaning understood by a person skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this patent specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "an," "a," or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms "comprising" or "including" indicate that the element or object preceding "comprising" encompasses the element or object listed following "comprising" or its equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. These terms are only for the convenience of describing this application 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 application.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0045] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0046] Example 1:

[0047] See Figures 1 to 3 The micro-pressure structure of this application is integrated into the lid 100 of the cooking appliance. The micro-pressure structure mainly includes core components such as a valve body 200, an exhaust port 300, and an elastic element 400. This structure achieves micro-pressure control through the adaptive deformation of the elastic element 400. Combined with the coordinated design of the air inlet 500 and the sealing element 600, it solves the problems of coarse adjustment, easy clogging, and negative pressure risk of traditional pressure valves.

[0048] The valve body 200 is sealed and fixed to the outside of the cover 100 by bolts or clips. It has a gas passage that runs through the cover. The gas passage is a vertical through channel and extends to the inside of the cover 100 at the lower end, communicating with the cooking cavity.

[0049] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 The elastic element 400 is interference-fitted to the mounting hole 201 on the top of the valve body 200 via the mounting part 401, and its free end 403 presses against the vent hole 300 in its natural state to form a seal. When the pressure inside the cooking cavity increases, steam pushes the free end 403 of the elastic element 400 upward through the gas passage inside the valve body 200, causing the vent hole 300 to open and release pressure; after the pressure decreases, the elastic element 400 returns to its original position due to its elasticity and reseals the vent hole 300, thereby dynamically maintaining a micro-pressure environment (2-5 kPa) inside the cavity.

[0050] As an optional implementation, the valve body 200 can be made by stamping metal parts or by injection molding high-temperature resistant engineering plastics (such as PPS or PEEK), with a temperature resistance of ≥150℃, to ensure structural stability in high-temperature environments.

[0051] Please see Figure 6 The elastic element 400 has a mounting portion 401 on one side. The mounting portion 401 has a tapered guide section 401a and a cylindrical connecting section 401b. The diameter of the tapered guide section 401a gradually increases along its axis. The cylindrical connecting section 401b is located at the larger diameter end of the tapered guide section 401a, and the diameter of the cylindrical connecting section 401b is smaller than the larger diameter of the tapered guide section 401a. A mounting hole 201 is opened at a corresponding position on the top of the valve body 200 (the hole diameter is slightly smaller than the larger diameter of the tapered guide section 401a). When installing the elastic element 400, the mounting portion 401 is first pressed into the mounting hole 201, so that the tapered guide section 401a passes over the mounting hole 201. The larger diameter end of the tapered guide section 401a firmly presses against the lower end face of the mounting hole 201 to complete the installation.

[0052] The design of the mounting section 401 simplifies the assembly process, allowing the elastic element 400 to be quickly disassembled and replaced, facilitating maintenance. The elastic element 400 can be quickly installed onto the valve body 200 without screws or adhesives. Meanwhile, to ensure airtightness, the diameter of the cylindrical connecting section 401b and the interference fit with the mounting hole are maintained between 0.1-0.3 mm. The elastic element 400 is preferably made of elastic silicone, resulting in low manufacturing costs.

[0053] See Figure 6 In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the surface of the elastic element 400 is provided with a U-shaped dividing groove 402. Specifically, the dividing groove 402 adopts a deformation-guided design, with a groove depth of 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the elastic element 400 (for example, if the total thickness of the elastic element is 2 mm, the groove depth is 0.7 mm), and a groove width of 1-2 mm. By designing the thickness of the elastic element 400, the micro-pressure effect of the micro-pressure structure can be adjusted, thereby controlling the micro-pressure accuracy according to different models of elastic elements 400. The dividing groove 402 can preferably be U-shaped or V-shaped.

[0054] Its working principle is as follows: The dividing groove 402 divides the elastic element into a fixed end (near the mounting part 401) and a free end 403. When pressure is applied to the free end, the dividing groove 402 area undergoes directional bending deformation. At this time, the free end 403 only undergoes a small range of spatial oscillation, rather than overall twisting.

[0055] This design concentrates deformation at the dividing groove 402, reducing ineffective deformation, improving response sensitivity, and minimizing pressure threshold error, keeping it within ±0.3 kPa. The contact area between the free end 403 and the vent 201 experiences no repeated deformation, preventing material fatigue cracking and extending service life.

[0056] See Figure 4 In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the barrier 101 is designed to prevent contamination. The barrier 101 is installed at the lower end of the gas passage of the valve body 200, directly contacting the cooking cavity, to intercept splashed food particles. The barrier 101 can be integrally designed with the cover 100, or it can be disposed inside the valve body 200.

[0057] The barrier 101 can be a circular stainless steel filter screen (20-30mm in diameter, 0.5mm in thickness), with through holes 102 evenly distributed on its surface (0.5-1mm in diameter, 1-2mm in spacing between holes). When the barrier 101 is not integrated with the cover 100, it can be installed at the lower end of the valve body 200 by means of a snap-fit ​​structure or screws.

[0058] Furthermore, the valve body 200 extends to the high-level vent 201, with the upper end of the valve body 200 extending outward by 5-10 mm, making the vent 300 higher than the surface of the cover 100. This design increases the vertical distance (H = 15-25 mm) between the vent 300 and the barrier 101. Combined with the steam rising path, this forms a dual protection of "low-level interception - high-level venting," allowing the barrier to intercept more than 90% of foam. The remaining droplets fall back due to gravity, preventing contaminants from reaching the vent 201. This allows for better interception of splashed food particles.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, an air inlet 500 and a negative pressure balance mechanism are designed:

[0060] Please see Figures 2 to 4 Specifically, an air inlet 500 (2-4 mm in diameter) is provided on the side wall or bottom wall of the cover 100, and the inside is covered with a silicone seal 600. The seal 600 is a circular thin sheet (1-1.5 mm thick) with a diameter slightly larger than the air inlet (for example, the hole diameter is 3 mm and the seal diameter is 5 mm).

[0061] Its working principle is as follows: Under normal cooking conditions, the sealing element 600 is subjected to its own elastic deformation and the atmospheric pressure (about 101 kPa) inside the cooking appliance due to the heating element, which tightly adheres to the air inlet 500 and blocks gas exchange.

[0062] Negative pressure state: After cooking, the temperature inside the cavity drops, causing the pressure to decrease (e.g., -5kPa). The external air pressure pushes the seal 600 inward to disengage, and air flows into the cavity through the air inlet 500 until the pressure is balanced.

[0063] The sealing element 600 can also be fixed to the lower end of the cover 100 in a similar installation method as the elastic element 300. Both the sealing element 600 and the elastic element 400 are made of food-grade silicone (Shore hardness 40-50HA, temperature resistance ≥200℃), which complies with the GB 4806.11-2016 food safety standard.

[0064] Example 2:

[0065] This embodiment will describe a rice cooker with a micro-pressure function. The rice cooker exists in the following states during use:

[0066] 1. Initial state: The lid 100 is fastened, the elastic element 400 presses the exhaust hole 300, the sealing element 600 seals the air inlet 500, and a sealed environment is formed inside the cavity (rice cooker inner pot / ball pot).

[0067] II. Heating stage: As the water temperature rises, steam is generated. When the pressure inside the cavity rises to 3 kPa, the steam lifts the free end 403 of the elastic element, and the exhaust port 300 opens and closes periodically to maintain stable pressure.

[0068] III. Heat preservation stage: After heating stops, the pressure inside the cavity gradually decreases, and the elastic element 400 resets and seals the exhaust hole 300 to prevent heat loss.

[0069] IV. Opening stage: The temperature drop causes negative pressure inside the cavity, and the external air pressure pushes open the seal 600. Air flows in through the air inlet 500. After the pressure is balanced, the lid can be opened easily.

[0070] Comparison of results when steaming or boiling rice:

[0071] This rice cooker features a micro-pressure function. While traditional rice cookers take 40 minutes to cook rice, this design reduces cooking time to 35 minutes for the same ingredients by incorporating a micro-pressure structure on the lid 100, thus lowering energy consumption. Furthermore, there is no overflow of rice water during the cooking process, and the through-hole 102 of the barrier 101 remains unobstructed.

[0072] Comparison of cooking results for meat in a pressure cooker:

[0073] High pressure stage: The initial pressure is set at 5 kPa. The deformation of the elastic element dividing groove 402 increases the opening of the exhaust port, quickly dissipating excess steam and preventing overpressure.

[0074] Pressure stabilization stage: After the pressure stabilizes, the elastic element vibrates slightly at 400 degrees to maintain pressure fluctuations ≤ ±0.5 kPa, ensuring tender meat.

[0075] Cooling stage: After stewing, the air inlet 500 automatically replenishes air to prevent negative pressure from causing the lid to close, so users do not need to manually release the pressure.

[0076] Before using this product, check the valve body 200 to ensure it is fixed in the preset position on the cover 100, thus ensuring unobstructed gas passage. Press the mounting portion 401 of the elastic element 400 into the valve body mounting hole 201. Check that the free end 403 completely covers the exhaust hole 300, and that the seal 600 inside the air inlet 500 is firmly attached without any raised edges. The valve body 100 is easy to clean daily; simply wipe the valve body 200 and elastic element 400 with a soft cloth or rinse with water.

[0077] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance, comprising a cover, the micro-pressure structure being provided on the cover, characterized in that, The micro-pressure structure further comprises: a valve body arranged on the cover body and having a gas passage passing through the cover body; an exhaust hole formed on the valve body to communicate the valve body with the outside; and an elastic member arranged on the valve body and having one end movably covering the exhaust hole to close and open the exhaust hole. In a natural state, the elastic member is compressed to the exhaust hole by elastic deformation to increase the pressure of the gas in the cooking utensil when the cover body is fastened to the cooking utensil.

2. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, One side of the elastic member is provided with a mounting portion, and the top of the valve body is provided with a mounting hole, and the mounting portion is connected to the mounting hole in interference to fix the elastic member.

3. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 2, wherein, The elastic member is further provided with a demarcation groove, and the demarcation groove is elastically deformed to move the free end of the elastic member.

4. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein, The barrier member is further provided with through holes, and the barrier member is used to prevent the cooking food in the cooking utensil from spreading to the exhaust hole and the elastic member.

5. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein, The barrier member is mounted on the lower end of the valve body.

6. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 5, wherein, The upper end of the valve body extends outside the cover body to increase the distance between the exhaust hole and the barrier member.

7. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 6, wherein, The cover body is further provided with an air inlet hole, and one side of the air inlet hole towards the cooking utensil is provided with a sealing member, and the sealing member covers the air inlet hole in a natural state to close the air inlet hole.

8. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein, When the cooking utensil generates negative pressure, the sealing member is separated from the air inlet hole to balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the cooking utensil.

9. The micro-pressure structure of a cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein, The elastic member and the sealing member are made of silica gel material.

10. A cooking appliance characterized by, The cooking utensil comprises the micro-pressure structure according to any one of claims 1-9.

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