Water tank residual water treatment system of steam oven and intelligent steam oven

Abstract

This application relates to a water tank wastewater treatment system for a steam oven and an intelligent steam oven, including a water tank, a water treatment unit, a hot air module, and a control system. The water treatment unit includes a vacuum pump, a control valve, and a steam generator. The control valve is located at the water outlet of the water tank and connects the vacuum pump and the steam generator. The outlet of the steam generator is connected to the water tank. The hot air module is connected to the water tank through a hot air channel. The control system includes a main control chip, a humidity sensor, and a door status detection device. The main control chip is electrically connected to each component and records idle time. It controls wastewater treatment based on idle time, water tank humidity, and door closure status. Through high-temperature steam sterilization, negative pressure suction, and hot air drying, wastewater is completely removed without residue, and microorganisms are thoroughly inactivated, significantly improving the hygiene, safety, and reliability of the steam oven during long-term idle periods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of smart kitchen appliance technology, specifically to a water tank wastewater treatment system for a steam oven and a smart steam oven. Background Technology

[0002] The water tank wastewater treatment of existing steam ovens mainly relies on two traditional methods: one is to require users to manually empty the water tank and wipe the inner wall before long-term inactivity, and the other is the "water tank cleaning" mode provided by some models, which heats the water tank to about 70°C and maintains it for 10 minutes to inhibit bacterial growth.

[0003] These solutions all have significant drawbacks. First, the heating temperature of 70℃ can only effectively inhibit some common bacteria, but it is completely ineffective against stubborn microorganisms such as Bacillus and mold spores, as their inactivation requires a high-temperature environment exceeding 100℃. Second, after this mode, the water remains completely in the water tank. The water in the dead corners of the water tank evaporates slowly, and after a long period of retention, biofilm will grow. When the user uses the steam oven again, these contaminants will contaminate the food steam through the steam circulation system, causing a risk of secondary contamination. More importantly, the manual cleaning mode relies entirely on the user's active operation, with an extremely low actual execution rate, and cannot cope with sudden idle scenarios, resulting in the water tank being in a high-risk state for a long time. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems of existing technologies such as inability to completely eliminate stubborn microorganisms, secondary pollution caused by residual water, reliance on user operation, and untreated scale buildup.

[0005] This application provides a water tank waste water treatment system for a steam oven, including a water tank, a water treatment unit, a hot air module, and a control system; The water treatment unit includes a vacuum pump, a control valve, and a steam generator; the control valve is located at the outlet of the water tank and is connected to the inlet of the vacuum pump and the steam generator respectively, and the outlet of the steam generator is connected to the water tank. The hot air module is connected to the water tank through a hot air channel; The control system includes a main control chip, a humidity sensor, and a door status detection device. The main control chip is electrically connected to the control valve, vacuum pump, steam generator, hot air module, humidity sensor, and door status detection device. The main control chip is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven, and controls the water treatment unit and hot air module to treat residual water based on the idle time, the humidity inside the water tank detected by the humidity sensor, and the door closing status signal detected by the door status detection device.

[0006] Furthermore, the water treatment unit includes a one-way valve, which is located on the connecting pipe between the outlet end of the steam generator and the water tank.

[0007] Furthermore, the main control chip includes a timing unit, a humidity analysis unit, a door status analysis unit, and a linkage control unit; The timing unit is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven; the humidity analysis unit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor; the door status analysis unit is electrically connected to the door status detection device. The linkage control unit is electrically connected to the control valve, vacuum pump, steam generator, hot air module, humidity analysis unit, door status analysis unit, and timing unit, respectively.

[0008] Furthermore, the linkage control unit is configured as follows: When the idle time exceeds the first preset duration, the humidity inside the water tank exceeds the preset humidity value, and the door is closed for a duration exceeding the second preset duration, the control valve, steam generator, and vacuum pump are sequentially controlled to perform steam sterilization and negative pressure drainage, and then the hot air module is started for drying.

[0009] Furthermore, the main control chip also includes a wake-up control unit, which is electrically connected to the humidity sensor and the timing unit. The wake-up control unit is used to wake up the humidity sensor for detection at a preset time interval within a first preset time period after the oven is last used, and to control the humidity sensor to enter standby mode after the first preset time period has elapsed.

[0010] Furthermore, the hot air module is a PTC hot air module, and the PTC hot air module is connected to the water tank through an air duct.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a scale treatment unit, which includes a washing liquid storage tank and a built-in micro pump. The built-in micro pump is located inside the washing liquid storage tank, and the washing liquid storage tank is connected to the water tank through a pipeline.

[0012] Furthermore, the washing liquid storage tank is located on the side wall of the water tank.

[0013] Furthermore, the main control chip also includes a scale treatment control unit, which is electrically connected to the built-in micro pump. When a hard water usage mode is detected or the cumulative usage of the steam oven exceeds a preset number, the built-in micro pump is controlled to start injecting cleaning solution into the water tank. After standing for a preset time, the vacuum pump is then started to discharge the cleaning solution and the remaining water in the water tank. This application also provides an intelligent steam oven, including the water tank waste water treatment system.

[0014] Implementing the embodiments of this application has the following beneficial effects: This application utilizes a three-stage linkage technology of high-temperature steam sterilization, negative pressure suction, and hot air drying. Steam penetrates the biofilm and inactivates all microorganisms, including Bacillus and mold spores. Negative pressure suction thoroughly removes residual liquid from dead corners of the water tank, and hot air drying eliminates residual moisture.

[0015] The timing unit, humidity analysis unit, and door status analysis unit integrated in the main control chip work together, and combined with the precise temperature control of the hot air module and the scale removal unit, it achieves multiple technical effects such as no residual water in the water tank, complete inactivation of microorganisms, effective inhibition of biofilm, scale prevention, and low-power automatic operation, which significantly improves the hygiene safety and reliability of the steam oven during long-term idle periods. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the waste water treatment system for the steam oven implemented in this application; Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of the main control chip in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] The corresponding reference numerals in the attached diagram are as follows: 1. Water tank; 2. Water treatment unit; 21. Vacuum pump; 22. Control valve; 23. Steam generator; 24. Check valve; 3. Hot air module; 4. Control system; 41. Main control chip; 42. Humidity sensor; 43. Door status detection device; 411. Timing unit; 412. Humidity analysis unit; 413. Door status analysis unit; 414. Linkage control unit; 415. Wake-up control unit; 416. Scale treatment control unit; 5. Scale treatment unit. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or regarding the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction of the component itself. These terms are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Terms such as “part” or “component” appearing herein can refer to a single part or a combination of multiple parts. Terms such as “installation,” “setup,” and “connection” appearing herein 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 indicate that one component is directly attached to another component or that one component is attached to another component via an intermediate component; they can refer to the internal connection of two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. A feature described in one embodiment herein may be applied alone or in combination with other features to another embodiment, unless that feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or is otherwise stated.

[0022] The following combination Figure 1 and 2 This application introduces a water tank wastewater treatment system and an intelligent steam oven provided by embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the waste water treatment system of the steam oven in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a structural block diagram of the main control chip in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] The residual water treatment system of the steam oven in this embodiment includes a water tank 1, a water treatment unit 2, a hot air module 3, and a control system 4.

[0024] Water tank 1 is a conventional water storage container with an outlet at the bottom for connecting to water treatment unit 2.

[0025] The water treatment unit 2 includes a vacuum pump 21, a control valve 22, and a steam generator 23. The control valve 22 is located at the outlet of the water tank 1 and is connected to the inlet of both the vacuum pump 21 and the steam generator 23. The outlet of the steam generator 23 is connected to the water tank 1. The control valve is a one-inlet two-way solenoid valve, preferably a high-temperature resistant solenoid valve, and is sealed with PTFE.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the water treatment unit 2 also includes a one-way valve 24, which is located on the connecting pipe between the outlet end of the steam generator 23 and the water tank 1, and is used to prevent negative pressure backflow in the branch of the steam generator 23 when the vacuum pump 21 is drawing.

[0027] In this embodiment, the hot air module 3 is a PTC hot air module, which is connected to the inside of the water tank 1 through a hot air channel to deliver hot air at a preset temperature to the water tank 1. The PTC hot air module is a heating device that uses a positive temperature coefficient thermistor (PTC) as its heating core. It requires no external temperature controller and automatically maintains a stable hot air temperature, such as 80°C. When overheating occurs, the resistance increases, and the heating power automatically decreases, protecting the water tank and sealing components. The heating power can adaptively adjust with temperature, reducing unnecessary energy consumption. With no moving mechanical parts, it ages slowly and is suitable for long-term, frequent use.

[0028] The control system 4 includes a main control chip 41, a humidity sensor 42, and a door status detection device 43. The main control chip 41 is electrically connected to the control valve 22, the vacuum pump 21, the steam generator 23, the hot air module 3, the humidity sensor 42, and the door status detection device 43. The main control chip 41 is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven, and according to the idle time, the humidity inside the water tank detected by the humidity sensor 42, and the door closing status signal detected by the door status detection device 43, it controls the water treatment unit 2 and the hot air module 3 to treat the remaining water.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the main control chip 41 includes a timing unit 411, a humidity analysis unit 412, a door status analysis unit 413, and a linkage control unit 414. The timing unit 411 is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven; the humidity analysis unit 412 is electrically connected to the humidity sensor 42 to obtain the humidity value inside the water tank 1; the door status analysis unit 413 is electrically connected to the door status detection device 43 to obtain the duration of the door being closed; the linkage control unit 414 is electrically connected to the control valve 22, the vacuum pump 21, the steam generator 23, the hot air module 3, the humidity analysis unit 412, the door status analysis unit 413, and the timing unit 411 to coordinate the timing of the actions of each component.

[0030] Furthermore, the linkage control unit 414 is configured to: when the idle time exceeds the first preset duration, the humidity inside the water tank exceeds the preset humidity value, and the door is closed for a duration exceeding the second preset duration, control the control valve 22, steam generator 23 and vacuum pump 21 in sequence to perform steam sterilization and negative pressure drainage, and then start the hot air module 3 for drying.

[0031] It should be noted that the first preset duration is defined as the threshold of idle time after the last use of the steam oven. It is used to determine whether the water tank is in a long-term unused idle state and is the primary time condition for triggering the waste water treatment process. In one possible implementation, it can be set to 7 days. The second preset duration is defined as the threshold of the duration the steam oven door remains closed. It is used to confirm that the water tank is currently in a stable idle environment and is the environmental stability condition for triggering the waste water treatment process. In one possible implementation, it can be set to 24 hours.

[0032] The waste water treatment process of the control system in this application embodiment is as follows: Trigger condition judgment: The main control chip 41 determines whether the idle time after the last use of the steam oven exceeds the first preset time, such as 7 days, through the timing unit 411. At the same time, the humidity analysis unit 412 detects whether the humidity inside the water tank 1 exceeds the preset humidity value, such as 30% RH. The door status analysis unit 413 determines whether the door has been closed for more than the second preset time, such as 24 hours. When the three conditions are met at the same time, the residual water treatment process is triggered.

[0033] Steam sterilization stage: The linkage control unit 414 first controls the control valve 22 to open the communication channel between the water tank 1 and the steam generator 23, and then starts the steam generator 23 to inject high-temperature steam at a preset temperature, such as 105°C, into the water tank 1 and maintain it for a first preset time, such as more than 20 seconds. The high-temperature steam penetrates the biofilm that may form in the water tank 1 and inactivates all microorganisms, including Bacillus and mold spores.

[0034] Negative pressure drainage stage: After steam sterilization is completed, the linkage control unit 414 shuts off the steam generator 23 and starts the vacuum pump 21. The residual liquid in the water tank 1, including water in dead corners, is completely sucked out through the control valve 22 passage by the negative pressure. The suction time lasts for a second preset time, such as more than 10 seconds, to ensure that the residual water is completely removed.

[0035] Hot air drying stage: After the negative pressure drainage is completed, the linkage control unit 414 starts the PTC hot air module 3, and delivers hot air at the preset drying temperature, such as 80°C, into the water tank 1 through the air duct 31, and continues to dry for a third preset time, such as more than 5 minutes, to eliminate residual moisture in the water tank 1 and prevent scale formation.

[0036] It should be noted that the preset humidity value is a pre-set critical humidity value inside the water tank, used to determine whether there is a humid environment inside the water tank due to slow evaporation of accumulated water. In this embodiment, when the humidity of the water tank exceeds 30% RH, it indicates that there is residual moisture inside and evaporation is hindered, making it easy for biofilm to grow. The preset temperature is the temperature of the high-temperature steam generated by the steam generator 23, used to inactivate all microorganisms, including Bacillus and mold spores. In some possible implementations, the preset temperature can be set to greater than 100°C, preferably 105°C, to completely inactivate microorganisms, penetrate biofilms, and kill stubborn microorganisms. The first preset time is the pre-set duration of high-temperature steam injection into the water tank 1, ensuring that microorganisms are fully inactivated. The second preset time is the pre-set duration of vacuum pump 21 sucking residual liquid in the water tank 1 through negative pressure, ensuring that water in dead corners is completely drained. The preset drying temperature is the pre-set temperature of the hot air delivered to the water tank 1 by the PTC hot air module 3, used to eliminate residual moisture and prevent scale formation. The third preset time is the set duration of hot air drying to ensure that residual moisture in the water tank is completely eliminated.

[0037] Furthermore, the main control chip 41 also includes a wake-up control unit 415, which is electrically connected to the humidity sensor 42 and the timing unit 411. The wake-up control unit 415 is used to wake up the humidity sensor 42 for detection at a preset time interval within a first preset time period after the oven is last used, and to control the humidity sensor 42 to enter standby mode after the first preset time period has elapsed.

[0038] The control steps of the wake-up control unit 415 in this embodiment are as follows: Periodic detection stage: Within a first preset time period after the last use of the steam oven, such as the first 7 days, the wake-up control unit 415 wakes up the humidity sensor 42 at preset intervals, such as a 24-hour cycle, to perform a humidity detection inside the water tank 1, in order to monitor the humidity change inside the water tank 1. Low-power standby stage: After the first preset time period has elapsed, the wake-up control unit 415 controls the humidity sensor 42 to enter a low-power standby state, retaining only the basic timing function of the timing unit 411, and the entire system enters an ultra-low power mode to reduce power consumption and save energy.

[0039] Furthermore, the water tank waste water treatment system also includes a scale treatment unit 5, which includes a washing liquid storage tank and a built-in micro pump. The built-in micro pump is located inside the washing liquid storage tank, and the washing liquid storage tank is connected to the water tank 1 through a pipeline.

[0040] In some possible implementations, the cleaning solution tank stores food-grade citric acid solution or other suitable cleaning solutions to dissolve scale that has accumulated in water tank 1 over a long period. The built-in micropump can be a built-in piezoelectric ceramic micropump. The piezoelectric ceramic micropump can achieve precise flow control through precise adjustment of the electric field strength and driving frequency, ensuring that only the amount of food-grade citric acid solution sufficient for scale dissolution is injected, avoiding waste or residue caused by over-injection. The piezoelectric ceramic drive requires only low voltage to operate, significantly reducing power consumption compared to traditional electromagnetic drive micropumps, and produces no mechanical friction noise during operation, meeting the user needs for low-power standby and quiet operation of steam ovens.

[0041] Furthermore, the washing liquid storage tank is located on the side wall of water tank 1, and the washing liquid storage tank is integrated into the side wall of water tank 1, which reduces the space occupied and improves the structural compactness.

[0042] Furthermore, the main control chip 41 also includes a scale treatment control unit 416, which is electrically connected to the built-in micro pump. When a hard water usage mode is detected or the cumulative usage of the steam oven exceeds a preset number, the built-in micro pump is controlled to start injecting cleaning solution into the water tank 1. After standing for a preset time, the vacuum pump 21 is then started to discharge the cleaning solution and the remaining water in the water tank 1.

[0043] The scale treatment control steps in this application embodiment are as follows: The main control chip 41 detects whether the hard water usage mode is met or whether the cumulative number of times the steam oven has been used exceeds a preset number, such as 50 times. When either condition is met, the scale removal process is triggered.

[0044] The scale treatment control unit 416 activates the built-in micro-pump to inject food-grade citric acid solution from the cleaning solution storage tank into the water tank 1. The solution is allowed to stand for a preset time, such as 2 minutes, to allow the citric acid to fully dissolve the scale that has accumulated in the water tank 1 over time. After standing, the scale treatment control unit 416 activates the vacuum pump 21 to discharge the dissolved citric acid solution, along with the remaining water in the water tank 1, through the control valve 22 and the vacuum pump 21. After scale treatment, the system can further introduce steam through the steam generator 23 to decompose and remove any remaining trace amounts of citric acid, preventing chemical residues from affecting subsequent use.

[0045] This application's water tank waste water treatment system combines a water tank, water treatment unit, hot air module, control system, and scale treatment unit to sequentially achieve high-temperature steam sterilization, negative pressure suction, and hot air drying, ensuring no residual water is removed and solving the problems of incomplete sterilization and secondary pollution from residual water caused by traditional 70℃ heating. Through an intelligent judgment structure integrating a timing unit, humidity analysis unit, and door status analysis unit on the main control chip, it achieves fully automatic intelligent triggering and ultra-low power consumption operation without user intervention, solving the problems of reliance on manual operation and sudden idle scenarios. The scale treatment unit, through detection... After switching to hard water mode or accumulating more than 50 uses, the system automatically injects citric acid solution to dissolve scale and discharges it under negative pressure. This, combined with final steam rinsing, decomposes residues and prevents mineral crystallization from damaging pipe walls and sealing materials. This achieves scale prevention compatible with both hard and soft water and ensures long-term reliable system operation. Each functional unit, including high-temperature resistant solenoid valves, check valves, and PTC hot air modules, adopts a PTFE sealing and acid-resistant material bonding design. Multi-condition interlocking prevents accidental triggering and ensures long-term stable system operation. This comprehensively solves a series of technical problems such as microbial growth, residual water pollution, operational dependence, scale deposition, and seal damage.

[0046] This application also provides an intelligent steam oven, including the aforementioned water tank waste water treatment system. This intelligent steam oven can efficiently and intelligently treat residual water in the water tank through its built-in waste water treatment system. With the synergistic effect of the waste water treatment system, the intelligent steam oven not only possesses conventional steaming and baking functions, but can also automatically and effectively treat residual water in the water tank during long-term idle periods, completely eliminating the risk of microbial growth, avoiding secondary pollution caused by residual water, and preventing the impact of scale buildup on equipment performance. This allows the intelligent steam oven to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the water tank and related components even when the user does not use it for extended periods, significantly improving the hygiene, safety, and reliability of the equipment during long-term idle periods.

[0047] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some of the embodiments in this specification, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this specification, those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications without creative effort, and all such variations should fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments in this specification.

[0048] Other embodiments of the embodiments of this specification will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the utility models disclosed herein. This specification is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments of this specification that follow the general principles of the embodiments of this specification and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed in the embodiments of this specification. The specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the embodiments of this specification are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A waste water treatment system for a steam oven's water tank, characterized in that, Includes a water tank, water treatment unit, hot air module, and control system; The water treatment unit includes a vacuum pump, a control valve, and a steam generator; the control valve is located at the outlet of the water tank and is connected to the inlet of the vacuum pump and the steam generator respectively, and the outlet of the steam generator is connected to the water tank. The hot air module is connected to the water tank through a hot air channel; The control system includes a main control chip, a humidity sensor, and a door status detection device. The main control chip is electrically connected to the control valve, vacuum pump, steam generator, hot air module, humidity sensor, and door status detection device. The main control chip is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven, and controls the water treatment unit and hot air module to treat residual water based on the idle time, the humidity inside the water tank detected by the humidity sensor, and the door closing status signal detected by the door status detection device.

2. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water treatment unit includes a one-way valve, which is located on the connecting pipe between the outlet end of the steam generator and the water tank.

3. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main control chip includes a timing unit, a humidity analysis unit, a door status analysis unit, and a linkage control unit; The timing unit is used to record the idle time after the last use of the steam oven; the humidity analysis unit is electrically connected to the humidity sensor; the door status analysis unit is electrically connected to the door status detection device. The linkage control unit is electrically connected to the control valve, vacuum pump, steam generator, hot air module, humidity analysis unit, door status analysis unit, and timing unit, respectively.

4. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The linkage control unit is configured as follows: When the idle time exceeds the first preset duration, the humidity inside the water tank exceeds the preset humidity value, and the door is closed for a duration exceeding the second preset duration, the control valve, steam generator, and vacuum pump are sequentially controlled to perform steam sterilization and negative pressure drainage, and then the hot air module is started for drying.

5. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The main control chip also includes a wake-up control unit, which is electrically connected to the humidity sensor and the timing unit. The wake-up control unit is used to wake up the humidity sensor for detection at a preset time interval within a first preset time period after the oven is last used, and to control the humidity sensor to enter standby mode after the first preset time period has elapsed.

6. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot air module is a PTC hot air module, which is connected to the water tank through an air duct.

7. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a scale treatment unit, which includes a washing liquid storage tank and a built-in micro pump. The built-in micro pump is located inside the washing liquid storage tank, and the washing liquid storage tank is connected to the water tank through a pipeline.

8. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The washing liquid storage tank is located on the side wall of the water tank.

9. The water tank wastewater treatment system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The main control chip also includes a scale treatment control unit; The scale treatment control unit is electrically connected to the built-in micro pump. When a hard water usage mode is detected or the cumulative usage of the steam oven exceeds a preset number, the built-in micro pump is controlled to start injecting cleaning solution into the water tank. After standing for a preset time, the vacuum pump is then started to discharge the cleaning solution and the remaining water in the water tank.

10. A smart steam oven, characterized in that, Includes the water tank wastewater treatment system as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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