Steam cooking appliance

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of steam cooking utensil, it includes pot body, steam cover assembly, heating disc and draining steamer.Drain steamer is placed in the upper of steam cover assembly, part draining hole on draining steamer is directly opposite the transmission channel of the top of inner cover, another part draining hole is directly opposite the inner cavity of outer cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of home appliances, and in particular to a steam cooking appliance. Background Technology

[0002] The "boil then steam" cooking process for drained rice involves boiling the rice to release some of the starch from the surface of the grains into the water, effectively reducing the starch content of the finished rice and better meeting modern health-conscious dietary needs. To achieve this, the rice cooker needs interconnected water storage and steaming chambers. During the draining process, the water used to soak the rice enters the water storage chamber and is heated by a heating element to generate steam. This steam then enters the steaming chamber to steam the rice. This structure has several drawbacks: the soaking stage requires complete coverage of the rice layer, resulting in high water consumption; and the steaming process requires heating the entire water storage chamber, leading to low steam output efficiency and high energy consumption.

[0003] To improve steam output efficiency, Chinese patent CN 220494802U proposes a steam cooking appliance. This structure adds a heat-conducting cover to the outside of the heating element, creating a small cavity between the cover and the heating element to form an evaporation chamber. The heating element primarily heats the water within this small cavity to achieve rapid steam output. However, due to the small volume of the evaporation chamber, the water level drops rapidly during steam output. To prevent dry burning, the evaporation chamber needs to be connected to an external water tank for replenishment. During replenishment, low-temperature water from the water tank continuously enters the evaporation chamber, rapidly lowering the temperature and affecting steam output, potentially even causing steam interruption. Simultaneously, the highly conductive heat-conducting cover transfers heat from the heating element to the water tank, resulting in heat loss. Furthermore, the small size of the evaporation chamber limits the steam output, making it unsuitable for steaming large quantities of food, and thus impractical for commercial rice cooking appliances. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides a steam cooking appliance with high steam output efficiency, large steam volume and low energy consumption.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a steam cooking appliance, comprising a pot body, a steam hood assembly, a heating plate, and a draining steamer. The steam hood assembly includes a cylindrical inner hood and an outer hood fitted over the inner hood. The inner hood has a hollow structure with a transmission channel at its top for water inlet or steam outlet. The bottom of the inner hood is sealed to the inner wall of the pot body and the outer hood, so that the inner cavity of the inner hood is only connected to the transmission channel. The outer hood is connected to the inner cavity of the pot body via a water flow channel. The heating plate is located at the bottom of the pot body and includes a plate body and an inner heating area and an outer heating area disposed on the plate body. The inner heating area is positioned opposite the inner hood and is used to heat the water inside the inner hood to generate steam. The outer heating area is located on the outer periphery of the inner heating area and is positioned opposite the pot body area on the outer periphery of the inner hood. The draining steamer is placed above the steam hood assembly. Some of the drain holes on the draining steamer face the transmission channel at the top of the inner hood, while the other portion of the drain holes face the inner cavity of the outer hood.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam hood assembly includes an inner cover seal disposed on the pan body. The inner cover seal is annular and includes an embedding portion and a sealing portion. The embedding portion is embedded in the pan body area between the inner heating zone and the outer heating zone, and the sealing portion extends into the pot body to detachably seal the bottom end of the inner cover.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner cover seal is a lip-shaped sealing ring, and the bottom end of the inner cover has an annular edge extending radially outward, and the annular edge is embedded in the lip of the inner cover seal to seal and connect the bottom end of the inner cover and the inner cavity of the pot.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bottom end face of the outer cover abuts against the annular edge of the inner cover and its peripheral wall abuts against the upper lip of the inner cover seal. The upper lip seals and connects the inner cover and the outer cover, as well as the outer cover and the inner cavity of the pot. A water passage hole is provided on the peripheral wall of the outer cover so that the inner cavity of the outer cover communicates with the inner cavity of the pot.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner cover includes an inner cover body and a heat insulation cover. The heat insulation cover is sleeved outside the inner cover body and located inside the outer cover, and a heat insulation gap is formed between the heat insulation cover and the inner cover body. The heat insulation cover is either separately sleeved on the inner cover body or integrally formed with the inner cover body.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of the heat insulation cover gradually decreases along its extension direction, so that the heat insulation gap becomes a frustum-shaped annular gap.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outer cover includes an outer cover body section and an outer cover connecting section with an inner diameter larger than the outer cover body section. The outer cover body section is fitted outside the inner cover, and the outer cover connecting section seals against the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the drain steamer. The top of the inner cover extends out of the outer cover body section and into the outer cover connecting section, and the top of the inner cover is open to form a transmission channel.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a drain hole is provided on the bottom wall of the pot body, and the steam cooking appliance also includes a drain pipe connected to the drain hole and a drain valve for opening or closing the drain pipe.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam cooking appliance further includes a lid and a pot body shell. The lid is opened or closed on the draining steamer. The pot body shell covers the pot body and the heating plate. A heat dissipation cavity is formed between the bottom wall of the pot body shell and the heating plate. Multiple heat dissipation holes are provided on the bottom wall of the pot body shell.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam cooking appliance is a rice cooker or a steamer.

[0015] In summary, the steam cooking appliance provided by this utility model comprises a coaxially nested cylindrical inner and outer cover. The bottom of the inner cover is sealed to the inner wall of the pot and the outer cover to form an independent steam chamber. The heating plate employs zoned heating, with the inner heating zone and the outer heating zone acting on the inner cover cavity and the annular area located between the outer cover and the pot body, respectively. The inner cover separates a chamber within the pot body to reduce the amount of water required to generate steam, thus providing conditions for rapid steam output. Furthermore, the seal at the bottom of the inner cover effectively blocks convection between the inner and outer water bodies, preventing heat loss caused by convection. The water in the steam chamber absorbs heat from the inner heating zone and vaporizes rapidly. Simultaneously, the outer heating zone increases the base water temperature within the pot, reducing the temperature difference between the inner and outer water bodies to minimize heat loss through the steam cover assembly, further accelerating steam output and reducing energy consumption. In addition, the inner cover has a cylindrical hollow structure, and the amount of water remaining in its inner cavity after draining can meet the steaming needs of the food in the drain steamer. The independent steam chamber and zoned temperature control can quickly generate a large amount of steam, thus enabling the commercial application of rice draining cooking appliances.

[0016] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a steam cooking appliance provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0019] Figure 3 As shown Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram.

[0020] Figure 4 As shown Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0021] Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 Assembly diagram of the steam hood assembly and heating plate.

[0022] Figure 6 As shown Figure 5 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0023] Figure 7 As shown Figure 5 A cross-sectional schematic diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0024] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the steam cooking appliance provided in this embodiment includes a pot body 1, a steam hood assembly 2, a heating plate 3, and a draining steamer 4. The steam hood assembly 2 includes a cylindrical inner cover 21 and an outer cover 22 fitted over the inner cover 21. The inner cover 21 has a hollow structure and its top has a transmission channel 211 for water inlet or steam outlet. The bottom of the inner cover 21 is sealed to the inner wall of the pot body 1 and the outer cover 22, so that the inner cavity 210 of the inner cover is only connected to the transmission channel 211. The outer cover 22 is connected to the inner cavity of the pot body 1 through a water flow channel 220. The heating plate 3 is disposed at the bottom of the pot body 1 and includes a plate body 31 and an inner heating area 321 and an outer heating area 322 disposed on the plate body 31. The inner heating area 321 is disposed opposite to the inner cover 21 and is used to heat the water inside the inner cover 21 to generate steam. The outer heating area 322 is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner heating area 321 and is disposed opposite to the pot body 1 area on the outer periphery of the inner cover 21. The drain steamer 4 is placed above the steam cover assembly 2. Some of the drain holes 41 on the drain steamer 4 are directly opposite the transmission channel 211 on the top of the inner cover 21, and the other part of the drain holes 41 are directly opposite the inner cavity of the outer cover 22.

[0025] The steam cooking appliance provided in this embodiment features an inner cover 21 inside the inner cavity of the pot body 1, with some drainage holes 41 on the drain steamer 4 facing the inner cover 21 and others facing the inner cavity of the pot body 1 outside the inner cover 21. This arrangement utilizes the pot body 1 and the inner cover 21 to store a large amount of drained rice water. When heating to generate steam, only the water inside the inner cover 21 is heated, reducing the amount of water required to generate steam and thus achieving rapid steam production. Furthermore, the heating plate 3 employs a zoned heating design. The inner heating zone 321 heats only a small amount of water inside the inner cover 21 to quickly generate steam, while the outer heating zone 322 only needs to raise the water temperature inside the pot body 1 to reduce heat conduction through the steam cover assembly 2, preventing heat loss from the inner cover 21. Moreover, the bottom of the inner cover 21 is sealed to the inner wall of the pot body 1 and the outer cover 22, effectively preventing heat loss caused by water convection between the inner and outer sides. Heat is concentrated in the inner cover 21, causing the water inside to quickly vaporize and generate steam. Water vapor is transported upwards along the inner cover 21 and output through its non-existent transmission channel 211 into the space containing the inner cover 21 and the outer cover 22, and then enters the drain steamer through the drain hole 41. Because heat is concentrated inside the inner cover 21, the steam is continuously heated during its upward transport, forming superheated steam. This superheated steam not only has low dryness but also excellent penetrability, allowing it to penetrate the rice layer inside the drain steamer 4, achieving uniform heating of the drained rice.

[0026] In this embodiment, as Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the steam hood assembly 2 includes an inner cover seal 23 disposed on the pan body 31. The inner cover seal 23 is annular and includes an insert portion 231 and a sealing portion 232. The insert portion 231 is inserted into the area of ​​the pan body 31 between the inner heating zone 321 and the outer heating zone 322, and the sealing portion 232 extends into the pot body 1 to detachably seal the bottom end of the inner cover 21. Specifically, the inner cover seal 23 is a lip seal ring, and the bottom end of the inner cover 21 has an annular edge 212 extending radially outward, and the annular edge 212 is inserted into the lip of the inner cover seal 23 to seal the bottom end of the inner cover 21 and the inner cavity of the pot body 1. The bottom end face of the outer cover 22 abuts against the annular edge 212 on the inner cover 21, and its peripheral wall abuts against the upper lip of the inner cover seal 23. The upper lip seals and connects the inner cover 21 and the outer cover 22, as well as the outer cover 22 and the inner cavity of the pot body 1. A water passage hole 221 is provided on the peripheral wall of the outer cover 22 to allow water flow between the outer cover 22 and the inner cavity of the pot body 1. In this embodiment, the inner cover seal 23 not only achieves a sealing connection between the bottom of the inner cover 21 and the inner pot 1, between the bottom of the inner cover 21 and the bottom of the outer cover 22, and between the bottom of the outer cover 22 and the outer pot 1, but also fixes the steam cover assembly 2 inside the pot body 1. However, this utility model does not limit this in any way. In other embodiments, the outer cover can also be placed on the outer periphery of the inner cover seal, and water flow can be formed between the outer cover and the pot body through the gap at the bottom of the outer cover. In this case, a water passage hole is not required on the peripheral wall of the outer cover.

[0027] like Figure 7 As shown, the inner cover 21 includes an inner cover body 21a and a heat insulation cover 21b. The heat insulation cover 21b is fitted outside the inner cover body 21a and located inside the outer cover 22, forming a heat insulation gap 21c between the heat insulation cover 21b and the inner cover body 21a. The hollow heat insulation gap can significantly increase the thermal resistance on the inner cover 21, reduce the heat transfer loss between the inner and outer sides of the inner cover 21, and increase the steam output rate. In this embodiment, the heat insulation cover 21b is separately fitted onto the inner cover body 21a, and the heat insulation cover 21b is located on the upper lip of the inner cover seal 23 and abuts against the annular edge 212 on the inner cover 21. This arrangement can reduce the processing difficulty of the inner cover 21. However, this utility model does not limit this in any way. In other embodiments, the heat insulation cover can also be integrally formed with the inner cover body; or, the heat insulation cover can be a single-layer structure.

[0028] In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the heat insulation cover 21b gradually decreases along its extension direction, so that the heat insulation gap 21c becomes a frustum-shaped annular gap. This arrangement utilizes the larger gap at the bottom to effectively insulate the inner cover 21 before steam generation, thereby quickly generating steam. After steam generation, the heat inside the inner cover 21 is sufficient to maintain the phase state of the steam. Therefore, the heat insulation gap 21c can be reduced to decrease the volume of the steam cover assembly 2 and increase the top space 200 between the inner cover 21 and the outer cover 22. After the steam is output through the output channel 211, it can quickly diffuse into the top space and then evenly penetrate the rice layer on the draining steamer 4, ensuring consistent heating effect.

[0029] like Figure 7 As shown, the outer cover 22 includes an outer cover body section 221 and an outer cover connecting section 222 with an inner diameter larger than that of the outer cover body section 221. The outer cover body section 222 is fitted over the inner cover 21, and the outer cover connecting section 222 seals against the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the drain steamer 4. The outer cover connecting section 222 with a larger inner diameter not only connects to the drain steamer 4 but also provides a diffusion space for the output steam, ensuring that the steam can penetrate the drain holes 41 at the bottom of the drain steamer 4 evenly in the circumferential and radial directions. To shorten the steam transmission path, this embodiment also provides that the top of the inner cover 21 extends out of the outer cover body section 221 and into the outer cover connecting section 222, with the top of the inner cover 21 open to form a transmission channel 222. However, this utility model does not impose any limitations on this.

[0030] In this embodiment, a drain hole 11 is provided on the bottom wall of the pot body 1, and the steam cooking appliance also includes a drain pipe 12 connected to the drain hole 11 and a drain valve for opening or closing the drain pipe (not shown in the figure due to the perspective).

[0031] In this embodiment, the steam cooking appliance also includes a lid 5 and a pot body shell 6. The lid 5 is open or closed on the draining steamer 4, and the pot body shell 6 covers the pot body 1 and the heating plate 3. The lid 5 is provided with steam holes 51. A heat dissipation cavity 60 is formed between the bottom wall of the pot body shell 6 and the heating plate 3, and multiple heat dissipation holes 61 are provided on the bottom wall of the pot body shell 6. During operation, the heat generated by the inner heating area 321 and the outer heating area 322 on the heating plate 3 will diffuse to the heat dissipation cavity 60 and be conducted to the outside of the pot body shell 6 through the heat dissipation holes 61, preventing the formation of high-temperature zones inside the steam cooking appliance and affecting its service life. In this embodiment, the inner heating area 321 and the outer heating area 322 are annular heating tubes disposed on the heating plate 3 and independently electrically connected to the controller inside the steam cooking appliance.

[0032] In this embodiment, the steam cooking appliance is a rice cooker, and its working principle is as follows:

[0033] Step 1: Place the washed rice layer into the drain steamer 4, close the drain valve at the bottom and pour water into the drain steamer 4. The water enters the pot body 1 and the water level gradually rises until it completely submerges the food on the drain steamer 4 to start soaking the rice.

[0034] Step two: After the rice has soaked for the set time, open the drain valve at the bottom, and the water level in the pot 1 will gradually decrease. The water in the drain steamer 4 will gradually drain into the pot 1 through the water passage 221 on the outer cover 22 to achieve drainage. When the water level drops to the location of the water level probe 7 on the circumference of the pot 1, close the drain valve.

[0035] Step 3: The inner heating zone 321 and the outer heating zone 322 on the heating plate 3 are heated simultaneously to raise the water temperature to a predetermined temperature, such as 40℃~60℃. Then, the power is switched so that only the inner heating zone 321 heats with a lower power to heat the smaller amount of water in the inner cover 21, generating a large amount of steam to cook the rice layer in the draining steamer 4.

[0036] In the steam cooking appliance provided in this embodiment, the rice layer is soaked only once. However, this utility model does not limit this in any way. In other embodiments, air holes can be opened on the side wall of the pot body and an air pump can be added. The air pump increases the air pressure inside the pot body, so that the heated water inside the pot body can enter the outer cover through the water passage on the outer cover, and then gradually rise and enter the draining steamer to achieve rice soaking. Alternatively, the air pump reduces the pressure inside the pot body, so that the water in the draining steamer flows back to the outer cover, and then enters the outer pot through the water passage on the outer cover to complete the draining. With the addition of an air pump, water can flow between the pot body and the draining steamer to achieve rice soaking, rice draining, steaming, and replenishing water for rice soaking during the steaming process. In this structure, the drain valve is always closed during the draining process, and it is only opened after steaming is completed to drain the remaining water in the pot body.

[0037] Although this embodiment uses a rice cooker as an example of a steam cooking appliance, this invention does not limit it in any way. In other embodiments, the steam cooking appliance can also be a steamer. In this case, simply add water to the pot body 1 and the inner cover 21 until the water level probe 7 is located; then place the draining steamer 4 containing the food on the outer cover 22; finally, turn on the heating plate 3, and the inner heating zone 321 and the outer heating zone 322 heat simultaneously to heat the water to a predetermined temperature, such as 40℃~60℃. After that, switch the power, and only the inner heating zone 321 heats with a smaller power to heat the smaller amount of water in the inner cover 21, generating a large amount of steam to steam the food in the draining steamer 4.

[0038] Although this embodiment is described using the example of the inner heating zone 321 and the outer heating zone 322 working together, this invention does not limit the scope of the invention. In other embodiments, only the inner heating zone may be configured to operate. The independently controlled inner and outer heating zones make the steam cooking appliance provided in this embodiment very flexible and convenient to use.

[0039] In summary, the steam cooking appliance provided by this utility model comprises a coaxially nested cylindrical inner and outer cover. The bottom of the inner cover is sealed to the inner wall of the pot and the outer cover to form an independent steam chamber. The heating plate employs zoned heating, with the inner heating zone and the outer heating zone acting on the inner cover cavity and the annular area located between the outer cover and the pot body, respectively. The inner cover separates a chamber within the pot body to reduce the amount of water required to generate steam, thus providing conditions for rapid steam output. Furthermore, the seal at the bottom of the inner cover effectively blocks convection between the inner and outer water bodies, preventing heat loss caused by convection. The water in the steam chamber absorbs heat from the inner heating zone and vaporizes rapidly. Simultaneously, the outer heating zone increases the base water temperature within the pot, reducing the temperature difference between the inner and outer water bodies to minimize heat loss through the steam cover assembly, further accelerating steam output and reducing energy consumption. In addition, the inner cover has a cylindrical hollow structure, and the amount of water remaining in its inner cavity after draining can meet the steaming needs of the food in the drain steamer. The independent steam chamber and zoned temperature control can quickly generate a large amount of steam, thus enabling the commercial application of rice draining cooking appliances.

[0040] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of protection claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A steam cooking appliance, characterized in that, include: Pot body; A steam hood assembly includes a cylindrical inner hood and an outer hood fitted over the inner hood. The inner hood has a hollow structure and its top has a transmission channel for water inlet or steam outlet. The bottom of the inner hood is sealed and connected to the inner wall of the pot and the outer hood respectively, so that the inner cavity of the inner hood is only connected to the transmission channel. The outer hood is connected to the inner cavity of the pot through a water flow channel. A heating plate is disposed at the bottom of the pot body and includes a plate body and an inner heating area and an outer heating area disposed on the plate body. The inner heating area is disposed opposite to the inner cover and is used to heat the water inside the inner cover to generate steam. The outer heating area is disposed on the outer periphery of the inner heating area and is disposed opposite to the pot body area on the outer periphery of the inner cover. A draining steamer is placed above the steam hood assembly. Some of the draining holes on the draining steamer face the transmission channel at the top of the inner hood, while the other part of the draining holes face the inner cavity of the outer hood.

2. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam hood assembly includes an inner cover seal disposed on the pan body. The inner cover seal is annular and includes an embedding portion and a sealing portion. The embedding portion is embedded in the pan body area between the inner heating zone and the outer heating zone, and the sealing portion extends into the pot body to detachably seal the bottom end of the inner cover.

3. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner cover seal is a lip seal ring. The bottom end of the inner cover has an annular edge extending radially outward, and the annular edge is embedded in the lip of the inner cover seal to seal the connection between the bottom end of the inner cover and the inner cavity of the pot.

4. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that, The bottom end face of the outer cover abuts against the annular edge of the inner cover, and its peripheral wall abuts against the upper lip of the inner cover seal. The upper lip seals and connects the inner cover and the outer cover, as well as the outer cover and the inner cavity of the pot. A water passage hole is opened on the peripheral wall of the outer cover so that the inner cavity of the outer cover can communicate with the inner cavity of the pot.

5. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner cover includes an inner cover body and a heat insulation cover. The heat insulation cover is fitted outside the inner cover body and located inside the outer cover. A heat insulation gap is formed between the heat insulation cover and the inner cover body. The heat insulation cover is either separately fitted onto the inner cover body or integrally formed with the inner cover body.

6. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the heat insulation cover gradually decreases along its extension direction, so that the heat insulation gap becomes a frustum-shaped annular gap.

7. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer cover includes an outer cover body section and an outer cover connecting section with an inner diameter larger than the outer cover body section. The outer cover body section is fitted outside the inner cover, and the outer cover connecting section seals against the outer periphery of the bottom wall of the drain steamer. The top of the inner cover extends out of the outer cover body section and into the outer cover connecting section, and the top of the inner cover is open to form a transmission channel.

8. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the pot body is provided with a drain hole, and the steam cooking appliance also includes a drain pipe connected to the drain hole and a drain valve for opening or closing the drain pipe.

9. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam cooking appliance also includes a lid and a pot body shell. The lid can be opened or closed on the draining steamer. The pot body shell covers the pot body and the heating plate. A heat dissipation cavity is formed between the bottom wall of the pot body shell and the heating plate. Multiple heat dissipation holes are provided on the bottom wall of the pot body shell.

10. The steam cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam cooking appliance is a rice cooker or a steamer.

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