Multiple bubble-proof and spill-proof steam valve and electric rice cooker thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a multiple bubble -resisting anti -overflowing steam valve and electric rice -cooker thereof relates to household appliance technical field, apply to the upper cover of closed cooking cavity, including two buffer flow cavities that show vertical layering, respectively are called upper chamber and lower chamber, wherein, lower chamber extends to the cooking cavity downwards, and the side surface bottom of lower chamber is equipped with the steam inlet, lower chamber is connected with the cooking cavity through the steam inlet, the upper surface of upper chamber is connected with the vertical extension's first flow guide pipe way, the upper end of first flow guide pipe way is equipped with the steam outlet that communicates outside environment, and the partial first flow guide pipe way in upper chamber is equipped with lateral opening in the bottom of side wall, the lower surface of upper chamber is equipped with the second flow guide pipe way that communicates lower chamber, and its upper end is close to the upper surface of upper chamber, and lateral opening is away from the second flow guide pipe way. Through the steam inlet, lower chamber, second flow guide pipe way structure setting in turn, form the steam release channel of multiple times baffling, finally avoid the electric rice -cooker in steam outlet spouts or overflow high temperature fluid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, specifically to a multi-layered anti-bubble and anti-overflow steam valve and its rice cooker. Background Technology

[0002] During the boiling stage of rice cooking, a large number of dense, starch-rich bubbles are generated inside the pot (making their surface tension stronger and more stable). Individual bubbles may be smaller than the steam vent, but the upward rush of steam causes a large number of bubbles to gather near the vent, adhering to each other and forming a large, unstable "bubble cluster" or "foam column." This bubble cluster effectively seals the vent, much like plugging a pipe with a foam stopper. Steam cannot escape smoothly in gaseous form. While the vent is blocked by bubbles, heating continues at the bottom of the pot, constantly generating new steam. Because the vent is blocked, the steam cannot escape smoothly, causing the pressure and temperature inside the pot to rise, making the boiling more intense. When the internal pressure accumulates enough to break through the bubble cluster's blockage, a burst of bubbles and scalding hot rice water is violently "ejected" from the narrow vent.

[0003] For example, patent document CN116268964B discloses an anti-overflow smart rice cooker, including a rice cooker body, an inner pot, and a rice cooker lid; the inner pot is placed inside the rice cooker body; the rice cooker lid is rotatably connected to the rice cooker body, and a ring-shaped sliding rail is opened on the upper side of the rice cooker lid. This invention incorporates an air bladder, which is inflated by hot air from inside the rice cooker body. After inflation, the air bladder forces defoaming needles to descend and puncture and eliminate bubbles generated by the food. After descending, the defoaming needles are located inside the inner pot, so bubbles do not need to accumulate beyond the inner pot before being punctured and eliminated by the defoaming needles.

[0004] The drawbacks of the above-mentioned existing technologies are that they require the addition of complex electronic control mechanisms and supporting structures to the lid of the rice cooker, as well as supporting circuit control. This results in high costs, complex structures, inconvenient cleaning and maintenance, and also occupies a lot of space on the lid, making it difficult to achieve miniaturization of the rice cooker.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a steam valve with multiple anti-foaming and anti-overflow functions and a rice cooker thereof to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems in related technologies, this utility model proposes a multi-layered anti-bubble and anti-overflow steam valve and its rice cooker. It can achieve partial condensation of steam with only a simple physical structure, avoiding the accumulation of bubbles at the steam outlet. Moreover, it is more convenient to disassemble and clean than existing technologies.

[0007] This utility model is implemented as follows:

[0008] A multi-layered anti-foaming and anti-overflow steam valve is applied to the top cover of a closed cooking chamber; it includes two vertically layered slow-flow chambers, referred to as the upper chamber and the lower chamber respectively; wherein, the lower chamber extends downward into the cooking chamber, and a steam inlet is provided at the bottom of the side surface of the lower chamber; the lower chamber is connected to the cooking chamber through the steam inlet;

[0009] The upper surface of the upper cavity is connected to a first guide pipe extending vertically downward; the upper end of the first guide pipe is provided with a steam outlet that connects to the external environment, and the part of the first guide pipe located in the upper cavity has a lateral opening at the bottom of the side wall.

[0010] The lower surface of the upper cavity has a vertically extending second guide pipe; the lower end of the second guide pipe is open and communicates with the lower cavity; the upper end of the second guide pipe is open and close to the upper surface of the upper cavity; the lateral opening is away from the second guide pipe.

[0011] The steam valve is provided with a reflux hole that communicates with the upper cavity, and the condensate formed in the upper cavity flows back to the cooking cavity through the reflux hole.

[0012] Those skilled in the art will understand that "horizontal direction" refers to projecting structures on different planes onto the same plane to define their spatial relationships; "away from" means maximizing the distance / interval between structural features without affecting functionality; and "away from" refers to the lateral opening facing away from the second guide pipe. Furthermore, all the above orientations (including "up," "down," "horizontal," and "vertical") are based on the rice cooker being placed horizontally as a reference frame.

[0013] The steam inlet, lower chamber, second guide pipe, upper chamber, lateral opening, first guide pipe, and steam outlet are arranged in sequence to form a steam release channel with multiple deflections. Specifically, the rising steam from the cooking chamber first enters the lower chamber laterally, then enters the upper chamber through the second guide pipe, and then flows laterally into the first guide pipe again, finally rising and being discharged from the steam outlet.

[0014] Specifically, steam is output from the upper end of the second guide pipe. Since steam is less dense than air, it gradually accumulates in the upper chamber until the lower part of the accumulated steam is released from the side opening.

[0015] Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "close" as used above means that the two structures are not connected and the distance / spacing is as small as possible.

[0016] Compared to the simple vent structure in existing technologies, this solution effectively slows down the steam flow rate and extends the flow path by constructing a meandering steam channel. The steam loses continuous heat support within the slow-flow chamber, and some gradually condenses into liquid water, which then flows back to the cooking chamber under gravity, preventing bubble blockage at various openings. Ultimately, this steam valve structure effectively avoids the risks of high-temperature liquids or gases being directly ejected or overflowing from the steam outlet.

[0017] Furthermore, the lower end of the first guide pipe is close to the upper surface of the partition surface.

[0018] Furthermore, the upper surface of the upper cavity has a downwardly protruding and vertically extending partition, the bottom region of which forms an open connecting portion; the partition divides the upper cavity into two compartments, and the two compartments are connected through the connecting portion;

[0019] The first and second guide pipes are respectively located in two cavities.

[0020] The partition further enhances the slow-flow effect of the "steam release channel". Specifically, the steam output from the upper end of the second guide pipe gradually accumulates until it flows from the connecting part to the first guide pipe in another compartment.

[0021] Specifically, the partition has a thin sheet structure with a gap / spacing between its bottom edge and the upper surface of the partition surface.

[0022] Furthermore, the upper cover includes an outer cover and an inner cover fixed inside the outer cover, with a sandwich layer between the outer cover and the inner cover;

[0023] The inner cover includes an upwardly recessed cavity located between the interlayers and having a downwardly facing opening; the inner cover also includes a detachably connected connector; the connector has an inner cavity serving as the lower cavity; the second flow guide pipe and the steam inlet are both located on the connector; the first flow guide pipe is located on the recessed cavity;

[0024] During assembly, the connector is adapted to the lower opening of the cavity, the upper surface of the connector is connected to the cavity to form the upper cavity; the connector and the cavity are fixed.

[0025] The addition of a connector enhances the removability and maintainability of the top cover, facilitating the cleaning of the steam valve.

[0026] Furthermore, the lower surface of the inner cover has a raised annular protrusion; the annular protrusion is located on the outer periphery of the edge of the cavity opening;

[0027] The connector has an upward-facing annular slot, referred to as a return groove; the bottom of the return groove is provided with the return hole; the annular protrusion is adapted to the return groove;

[0028] After the inner cover and the connector are assembled, the annular protrusion and the reflux groove are inserted into each other; there is a gap between the side of the annular protrusion and the side of the reflux groove; the gap allows the reflux groove and the upper cavity to communicate.

[0029] The compact gap between the reflux groove and the annular protrusion is suitable for the smooth flow of condensate into the reflux hole, and also prevents rising steam from entering the upper chamber through the reflux hole, ensuring that steam is released only through the unobstructed path of the guide pipe.

[0030] Furthermore, the second guide pipe is vertically located in the center of the upper cavity.

[0031] Specifically, the partition can be an arc-shaped thin sheet, curved towards the side of the cavity with the steam outlet to avoid the side of the second guide pipe. This avoidance arrangement of the partition and the central positioning of the second guide pipe allow for quick assembly of the connector and inner cover without the need for positioning.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer wall of the connector is provided with a circumferentially recessed connecting groove; a detachable metal cover plate is also provided under the inner cover; the metal cover plate is provided with a connecting port;

[0033] The edge of the connector is fitted into the connecting groove, so that the plug and the cavity are relatively fixed.

[0034] The metal cover is used to fit with the upper opening of the cooking chamber, creating a relatively enclosed space. Specifically, the metal cover is made of food-grade metal such as 304 stainless steel, and its outer edge is covered with a silicone ring to improve the sealing connection with the cooking chamber.

[0035] Furthermore, the connector is made of an elastic material, or at least its outer surface is provided with an elastic material. The use of an elastic material facilitates assembly and disassembly. Specifically, the elastic material can be food-grade (meeting food contact safety standards) rubber, silicone, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the connector includes a detachably connected upper connector and a lower connector;

[0037] The upper connector includes a cover-shaped structure with a downward opening; the bottom of the side wall of the cover-shaped structure is provided with a notch; the upper surface of the cover-shaped structure is provided with the second flow guide pipe and an assembly hole;

[0038] The lower connector includes a shielding surface; the upper surface of the shielding surface is provided with a vertically upward extending insertion part, and the upper end of the insertion part is provided with a radially protruding buckle head;

[0039] After the upper connector and the lower connector are assembled, the buckle head and the assembly hole are snapped together and fixed; the cover-like structure and the shielding surface enclose each other to form the lower cavity inside, and the notch forms the steam inlet.

[0040] The connector has a detachable structure, making it easy to clean the lower cavity.

[0041] This utility model also provides a rice cooker that uses the above-mentioned multi-layer anti-foaming and anti-overflow steam valve. The rice cooker includes a pot body and a top cover that is adapted and connected to the pot body. The pot body has an inner pot, and a heating unit is provided at the bottom of the outer side of the inner pot. The inner pot is the steaming cavity.

[0042] The beneficial effects are as follows:

[0043] This invention provides a multi-layered anti-bubble and anti-overflow steam valve and its application in a rice cooker. The valve features a steam inlet, lower chamber, second guide pipe, upper chamber, side opening, first guide pipe, and steam outlet arranged sequentially to form a multi-layered steam release channel. Compared to the simple vent structure in existing technologies, this design effectively slows down the steam flow rate and extends the flow path by constructing a meandering steam channel. The steam loses continuous heat support in the slow-flow chamber, and some gradually condenses into liquid water, flowing back into the cooking chamber under gravity, thus preventing bubble blockage at various openings. Ultimately, this steam valve structure effectively avoids the risks of high-temperature liquid or gas directly spraying or overflowing from the steam outlet. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rice cooker provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0045] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional diagram;

[0046] Figure 3 Exploded view of the inner cover, connector, and metal cover plate provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0047] Figure 4 A lower view of the inner cover provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0048] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the inner cover provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0049] Figure 6 An exploded view of the connector provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0050] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the connector provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0051] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the inner cover, the connector, and the metal cover plate after assembly, provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0052] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a baffled steam passage provided in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0053] Figure label:

[0054] 1. Pot body;

[0055] 2. Top cover; 21. Outer cover; 22. Inner cover; 221. Cavity; 222. Separator; 223. Connecting part; 224. First guide pipe; 225. Steam outlet; 226. Lateral opening; 227. Annular protrusion;

[0056] 3. Inner pot; 31. Cooking cavity;

[0057] 4. Heating unit;

[0058] 5. Insert connector; 51. Upper connector; 511. Notch; 512. Second guide pipe; 513. Assembly hole; 514. Return groove; 5141. Gap; 5142. Return hole; 515. Connecting groove; 52. Lower connector; 521. Covering surface; 522. Insertion part; 523. Snap-on head;

[0059] 6. Steam valve; 61. Upper chamber; 611. Partition chamber; 62. Lower chamber; 63. Separating surface; 64. Steam inlet;

[0060] 7. Metal cover; 71. Connection port;

[0061] 8. Baffle steam passage. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0063] like Figures 1 to 9As shown, this utility model provides a rice cooker, including a pot body 1 and an upper cover 2 adapted to and connected to the pot body 1; the pot body 1 has an inner pot 3, and a heating unit 4 is provided at the bottom of the outer side of the inner pot 3; the inner pot 3 contains a steaming cavity 31. The upper cover 2 uses a multi-layer anti-foaming and anti-overflow steam valve 6.

[0064] In this embodiment, the upper cover 2 includes an outer cover 21 and an inner cover 22 fixed inside the outer cover 21, with a sandwich layer between the outer cover 21 and the inner cover 22. The inner cover 22 includes an upwardly recessed cavity 221 located between the sandwich layers and having a downwardly facing opening. The edge of the opening is also provided with a downwardly protruding annular protrusion 227. The inner cover 22 has a detachably connected connector 5 at the cavity 221. After the connector 5 and the cavity 221 are assembled, the aforementioned steam valve 6 is formed. The steam valve 6 includes two vertically layered slow-flow chambers, referred to as the upper chamber 61 and the lower chamber 62, respectively, with the space between the upper chamber 61 and the lower chamber 62 referred to as the partition surface 63.

[0065] In this embodiment, the connector 5 includes a detachably connected upper connector 51 and a lower connector 52.

[0066] The upper connector 51 includes a cover-like structure with a flat top and an open bottom. The bottom of the side wall of the cover-like structure has a notch 511. The upper surface of the cover-like structure has a vertically upward-protruding second guide pipe 512 at its center. Additionally, the upper surface of the cover-like structure has two mounting holes 513. The outer side wall of the cover-like structure has a circumferentially protruding structure, and a connecting groove 515 is formed by circumferentially recessing along the protruding structure. Furthermore, the upper surface of the protruding structure has an upward-opening annular groove, denoted as a return groove 514; the bottom of the return groove 514 has a return hole 5142.

[0067] The lower connector 52 includes a thin, flat shielding surface 521; the upper surface of the shielding surface 521 is provided with two vertically upward extending insertion portions 522, and the upper end of the insertion portions 522 is provided with a radially protruding buckle head 523.

[0068] In the entire connector 5, at least the lower connecting insert 522 and the protrusion structure of the upper connector 51 at the connecting groove 515 are made of elastic silicone material, achieving mechanical engagement through elastic deformation. The annular protrusion 227 and the return groove 514 are compatible.

[0069] After the upper connector 51 and the lower connector 52 are assembled, the snap head 523 and the assembly hole 513 are snapped together and fixed; the cover-like structure and the shielding surface 521 enclose the interior to form a lower cavity 62, and the notch 511 forms a steam inlet 64.

[0070] After the connector 5 and the cavity 221 of the upper cover 2 are fixedly connected, an upper cavity 61 is formed between the connector and the cavity 221. Specifically, a detachable metal cover 7 is also fixed to the lower surface of the inner cover 22. After the metal cover 7 is sealed to the inner liner 3, the "cooking" efficiency of the cooking cavity 31 can be improved.

[0071] A connection port 71 is provided on the metal cover plate. With one end of the plug 5 having the second flow guide pipe 512 facing the cavity 221, the connecting groove 515 is fitted into the edge of the connection port 71, so that the cavity 221, the metal cover plate, and the plug 5 are relatively fixedly connected.

[0072] After the inner cover 22 and the connector 5 are assembled, the annular protrusion 227 and the return channel 514 are inserted into each other; there is a gap 5141 between the side surface of the annular protrusion 227 and the side surface of the return channel 514; the return channel 5144 and the upper cavity 61 are connected through the gap 5141. The gap 5141 between the return channel 514 and the annular protrusion 227 has a compact structure, which is suitable for the smooth flow of condensed liquid into the return hole 5142, and also prevents rising steam from entering the upper cavity 61 through the return hole 5142.

[0073] The detachable split structure of the connector 5, as well as the detachable connection structure between the connector 5 and the cavity 221, can improve the maintainability of the steam valve 6 and facilitate disassembly and cleaning.

[0074] In this embodiment, the upper surface of the upper cavity 61 has a downwardly protruding and vertically extending partition 222, and the bottom region of the partition 222 forms an open communication portion 223; specifically, the partition 222 is an arc-shaped thin sheet, and there is a gap 5141 between its bottom edge and the upper surface of the partition surface 63.

[0075] The partition 222 divides the upper cavity 61 into two compartments 611, and the two compartments 611 are connected by the connecting part 223. In one of the compartments 611, the upper surface of the upper cavity 61 is connected to a vertically extending first guide pipe 224; the lower end of the first guide pipe 224 is close to the upper surface of the partition surface 63, and its upper end is provided with a steam outlet 225 that connects to the external environment; the part of the first guide pipe 224 located in the upper cavity 61 has a lateral opening 226 at the bottom of the side wall.

[0076] Specifically, the partition 222 is curved toward the cavity 611 with the steam outlet 225 (lateral opening 226) to avoid one side of the second guide pipe 512. By avoiding the partition 222 and centering the second guide pipe 512, the connector 5 and the inner cover 22 can be quickly assembled without positioning.

[0077] The second flow guide pipe 512 is located in another cavity 611. The lower end of the second flow guide pipe 512 is open and connected to the lower cavity 62; the upper end of the second flow guide pipe 512 is open and close to the upper surface of the upper cavity 61.

[0078] In terms of the final assembly, the lower cavity 62 extends downward into the cooking chamber 31, and the steam inlet 64 is a lateral opening for the cooking chamber 31 to enter the lower cavity 62; the lower cavity 62 is connected to the cooking chamber 31 through the steam inlet 64. In the horizontal direction, the lateral opening 226 is away from the second guide pipe 512.

[0079] This embodiment constructs a multi-baffle steam channel 8, sequentially passing through the steam inlet 64, lower chamber 62, second guide pipe 512, upper chamber 61, side opening 226, first guide pipe 224, and steam outlet 225. This effectively extends the steam discharge path and slows down the steam discharge velocity. Moisture in the steam partially condenses within the slow-flow chamber, preventing the generation of a large number of viscous bubbles within the steam flow channel. Compared to existing technologies that only provide exhaust ports, the solution provided in this embodiment avoids clogging of the steam discharge opening, prevents the ejection of high-temperature liquid or gas, and prevents the direct ejection or overflow of high-temperature fluid.

[0080] Based on the disclosure and teachings of the above specification, those skilled in the art can make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes to the utility model should also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model. Furthermore, although some specific terms are used in this specification, these terms are only for convenience of explanation and do not constitute any limitation on this utility model.

Claims

1. A multi-layered anti-foaming and anti-overflow steam valve, applied to the top cover of a sealed cooking chamber; characterized in that: It includes two vertically stratified slow-flow chambers, referred to as the upper chamber and the lower chamber, respectively; wherein, the lower chamber extends downward into the cooking chamber, and the bottom of the side surface of the lower chamber is provided with a steam inlet; the lower chamber is connected to the cooking chamber through the steam inlet; The upper surface of the upper cavity is connected to a first guide pipe extending vertically downward; the upper end of the first guide pipe is provided with a steam outlet that connects to the external environment, and the part of the first guide pipe located in the upper cavity has a lateral opening at the bottom of the side wall. The lower surface of the upper cavity has a vertically extending second guide pipe; the lower end of the second guide pipe is open and communicates with the lower cavity; the upper end of the second guide pipe is open and close to the upper surface of the upper cavity; the lateral opening is away from the second guide pipe. The steam valve is provided with a reflux hole that communicates with the upper chamber, and the condensate formed in the upper chamber flows back to the cooking chamber through the reflux hole.

2. The steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the first guide pipe is close to the upper surface of the partition surface.

3. The steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper surface of the upper cavity has a downwardly protruding and vertically extending partition, and the bottom area of ​​the partition forms an open connecting portion; the partition divides the upper cavity into two compartments, and the two compartments are connected through the connecting portion; The first and second guide pipes are respectively located in two cavities.

4. The steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper cover includes an outer cover and an inner cover fixed inside the outer cover, with a sandwich between the outer cover and the inner cover; The inner cover includes an upwardly recessed cavity located between the interlayers and having a downwardly facing opening; the inner cover also includes a detachably connected connector; the connector has an inner cavity serving as the lower cavity; the second flow guide pipe and the steam inlet are both located on the connector; the first flow guide pipe is located on the recessed cavity; During assembly, the connector is adapted to the lower opening of the cavity, and the upper surface of the connector is connected to the cavity to form the upper cavity; The connector and the cavity are fixed.

5. A steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lower surface of the inner cover has a raised annular protrusion; the annular protrusion is located on the outer periphery of the edge of the cavity opening; The connector has an upward-facing annular slot, referred to as a return groove; the bottom of the return groove is provided with the return hole; the annular protrusion is adapted to the return groove; After the inner cover and the connector are assembled, the annular protrusion and the reflux groove are inserted into each other; there is a gap between the side of the annular protrusion and the side of the reflux groove; the gap allows the reflux groove and the upper cavity to communicate.

6. A steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second guide pipe is located vertically in the center of the upper cavity.

7. A steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer wall of the connector is provided with a circumferentially recessed connecting groove; a detachable metal cover plate is also provided under the inner cover; the metal cover plate is provided with a connecting port. The edge of the connector is fitted into the connecting groove, so that the plug and the cavity are relatively fixed.

8. A steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connector is made of an elastic material, or at least the outer surface of the connector is provided with an elastic material.

9. A steam valve with multiple bubble-blocking and overflow prevention features according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connector includes a detachably connected upper connector and a lower connector; The upper connector includes a cover-shaped structure with a downward opening; the bottom of the side wall of the cover-shaped structure is provided with a notch; the upper surface of the cover-shaped structure is provided with the second flow guide pipe and an assembly hole; The lower connector includes a shielding surface; the upper surface of the shielding surface is provided with a vertically upward extending insertion part, and the upper end of the insertion part is provided with a radially protruding buckle head; After the upper connector and the lower connector are assembled, the buckle head and the assembly hole are snapped together and fixed; the cover-like structure and the shielding surface enclose each other to form the lower cavity inside, and the notch forms the steam inlet.

10. A rice cooker, employing a multi-layered anti-foaming and anti-overflow steam valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The rice cooker includes a pot body and a top cover that is adapted to and connected to the pot body; the pot body has an inner pot, and a heating unit is provided at the bottom of the outer side of the inner pot; the inner pot is the steaming cavity.

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