Steam valve and cooking appliance

Abstract

The utility model relates to domestic appliance technical field provides a kind of steam valve and cooking utensil.Steam valve, including: the steam passage formed in steam valve inside, gravity ball and fan blade assembly.Steam passage includes steam inlet, transition cavity, fan blade cavity, gravity ball cavity and steam outlet, steam inlet is communicated fan blade cavity, fan blade cavity is communicated transition cavity, transition cavity is communicated gravity ball cavity, steam outlet is communicated gravity ball cavity, the projection of gravity ball cavity and fan blade cavity on horizontal plane and the projection of transition cavity on horizontal plane at least partly overlap, gravity ball can float and be located in gravity ball cavity, fan blade assembly can be rotatably arranged in fan blade cavity.Through the projection of gravity ball cavity and fan blade cavity on horizontal plane and the projection of fan blade cavity on horizontal plane at least partly overlap, transition cavity, gravity ball cavity and fan blade cavity can be combined in limited space, it is conducive to the overall miniaturization of steam valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of household appliance technology, and in particular to steam valves and cooking utensils. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional cooking appliances, such as rice cookers, produce a large amount of steam during the cooking process. To guide the steam to the outside of the appliance, a steam channel is typically included for free steam release. However, the steam release from existing appliances is not readily apparent, making it difficult for users to intuitively perceive pressure changes inside the pot. To address the issues of unclear external pressure distribution and unreliable prompts in existing technologies, a novel micro-pressure externalization scheme is proposed. This scheme aims to combine the advantages of two different functional components to achieve a steam valve with a significantly improved steam externalization effect. However, the space for a steam valve on a cooking appliance is typically extremely limited. Efficiently integrating two different functional components within a confined space while ensuring that their operation does not interfere with each other remains a challenge. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in related technologies. To this end, this invention proposes a steam valve that can efficiently integrate two different functional components, a fan blade assembly and a gravity ball, into a small space, while ensuring that their operation does not interfere with each other.

[0004] This utility model also proposes a cooking utensil.

[0005] A steam valve according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes: An internally formed steam passage includes a steam inlet, a transition cavity, a fan blade cavity, a gravity sphere cavity, and a steam outlet. The steam inlet is connected to the fan blade cavity, the fan blade cavity is connected to the transition cavity, the transition cavity is connected to the gravity sphere cavity, and the steam outlet is connected to the gravity sphere cavity. The projections of the gravity sphere cavity and the fan blade cavity on the horizontal plane and the projection of the transition cavity on the horizontal plane at least partially overlap. A gravity sphere is floatingly disposed in the gravity sphere cavity, and the gravity sphere is adapted to switch the steam pressure through the steam channel between a lifted state and a depressed state. A fan blade assembly is rotatably disposed in the fan blade cavity, and the fan blade assembly is adapted to rotate by the steam flow through the steam passage.

[0006] According to the steam valve of this utility model embodiment, by at least partially overlapping the projections of the gravity ball cavity and the fan blade cavity on the horizontal plane, the transition cavity, gravity ball cavity, and fan blade cavity can be combined within a limited space. This facilitates the overall miniaturization of the steam valve, significantly reducing its lateral dimensions and ensuring that the two components operate without interference. Specifically, in the fan blade cavity, the flow of steam drives the fan blade assembly to rotate. This rotation not only accelerates steam emission but also visually displays the steam emission status to the user. Simultaneously, in the gravity ball cavity, the steam pressure acts on the gravity ball, causing it to switch between a raised and lowered state, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the steam passage and ensuring the continuity and stability of steam emission. These two dynamic effects make the steam emission process intuitively visible, allowing users to clearly observe the steam emission situation and better understand the operating status of the cooking appliance.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, both the fan blade cavity and the gravity ball cavity are located above the transition cavity.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve is a rotating body, and the vertical axis of the fan blade assembly and the vertical axis of the gravity ball are not located on the rotating axis of the steam valve.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes: Steam valve seat, provided with the steam inlet; Support base, connected to the steam valve seat; A steam valve cover is connected to the support base, and the steam valve cover is provided with the steam outlet; The transition cavity is formed between the support base and the steam valve seat; the fan blade cavity and the gravity ball cavity are formed between the support base and the steam valve cover. Steam enters through the steam inlet and passes through the fan blade cavity, the transition cavity and the gravity ball cavity in sequence. Steam flows out of the steam channel through the steam outlet.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve cover has a gravity ball region and a fan blade region, the gravity ball region being located above the gravity ball, the fan blade region being located above the fan blade assembly, and at least a portion of the fan blade region being transparent.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, both the gravity ball region and the fan blade region are transparent.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve cover is provided with a first long baffle and a first short baffle arranged opposite to each other. The first long baffle is adapted to block the steam in the gravity ball cavity and guide it to the first short baffle on the opposite side. The steam outlet is located on the side close to the first long baffle.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve seat is provided with a first mounting seat, the support seat is provided with a second mounting seat, the first mounting seat and the second mounting seat are connected to form a steam inlet channel, the inlet of the first mounting seat is the steam inlet, the fan blade assembly is rotatably mounted on the second mounting seat, and the outlet of the second mounting seat is arranged toward the fan blade of the fan blade assembly.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second mounting base is provided with a second long baffle and a second short baffle arranged opposite to each other. The second long baffle is adapted to shield the steam in the second mounting base and guide it to the second short baffle opposite to it. The inlet of the gravity ball cavity is located on the side close to the second long baffle.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the orientation of the outlet is different from that of the steam inlet, causing the steam to change direction within the steam inlet channel.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a throttling orifice is provided in the steam inlet channel, the opening diameter of the throttling orifice is smaller than the opening diameter of the steam inlet, and the throttling orifice is used to accelerate the flow speed of steam in the steam inlet channel.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gravity ball cover is included. The gravity ball cover is detachably connected to the support base and is disposed at the bottom of the gravity ball cavity. The gravity ball cover is provided with a vent hole. In the lifted state, the gravity ball leaves the gravity ball cover. The vent hole connects the gravity ball cavity and the first cavity. In the pressed state, the gravity ball contacts the vent hole.

[0018] The cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes: The pot body has an open top; The lid includes the aforementioned steam valve. The lid is connected to the pot body and is movably mounted on the pot body between a closed position and an open position, together forming a cooking cavity. The steam inlet of the steam valve provided on the lid is connected to the cooking cavity.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or related technologies, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is one of the cross-sectional structural schematic diagrams of a steam valve provided in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam valve provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the steam path structure of the steam valve provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam valve provided in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a steam valve structure provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A top view of the steam valve provided in the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the CC cross-sectional structure of the steam valve provided in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 8 This is the second cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of a steam valve provided in one embodiment of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a structural schematic diagram of the cooking utensil provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0031] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the AA cross-sectional structure of the cooking appliance provided in the embodiment.

[0032] Figure label: 10. Cover; 20. Pot body; 21. Cooking cavity; 100. Steam valve; 101. Steam inlet; 102. Steam outlet; 103. Transition cavity; 104. Gravity ball cavity; 105. Fan blade cavity; 108. Narrow opening; 109. Transition cavity; 110. Steam valve seat; 111. Steam inlet passage; 112. Outlet; 114. First assembly seat; 115. First steam inlet chamber; 120. Support base; 121. Second assembly base; 122. Second long baffle; 123. Second short baffle; 124. Second steam inlet chamber; 130. Gravity sphere; 140. Steam valve cover; 141. First long baffle; 142. First short baffle; 143. Gravity ball area; 144. Fan blade area; 145. Cover body; 146. First viewing window; 147. Second viewing window; 150. Fan blade assembly; 160. Reflux valve; 170. Gravity ball cover; 173. Exhaust vent. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0034] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or a detachable connection, wherein a fixed connection can include an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] In this embodiment of the utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0037] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0038] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 9 This invention describes a steam valve 100 and a cooking appliance.

[0039] It should be noted that this utility model primarily uses a rice cooker as an example for detailed description. However, it is worth noting that the cooking appliances mentioned in this utility model are not limited to rice cookers. In fact, they can be various household appliances such as induction cookers, coffee makers, and electric kettles. Here, we do not strictly limit the specific type of cooking appliance to accommodate a wider range of application scenarios and needs.

[0040] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a steam valve 100 is provided. Please refer to... Figures 1 to 3The steam valve 100 includes a steam passage formed inside the steam valve, a gravity ball 130, and a fan blade assembly 150. The steam passage includes a steam inlet 101, a transition cavity 103, a fan blade cavity 105, a gravity ball cavity 104, and a steam outlet 102. The steam inlet 101 connects to the fan blade cavity 105, the fan blade cavity 105 connects to the transition cavity 103, the transition cavity 103 connects to the gravity ball cavity 104, and the steam outlet 102 connects to the gravity ball cavity 104. The projections of the gravity ball cavity 104 and the fan blade cavity 105 on the horizontal plane at least partially overlap. The gravity ball 130 is adapted to switch between a raised state and a lowered state through the steam passage. The fan blade assembly 150 is rotatably disposed in the fan blade cavity 105 and is adapted to rotate by the steam flow through the steam passage.

[0041] According to the steam valve of this utility model embodiment, by at least partially overlapping the projections of the gravity ball cavity 104 and the fan blade cavity 105 on the horizontal plane with the projection of the transition cavity 105 on the horizontal plane, the transition cavity, gravity ball cavity 104, and fan blade cavity 105 can be combined within a limited space. This facilitates the overall miniaturization of the steam valve 100, significantly reducing its lateral dimensions and ensuring that the two components operate without interference. Specifically, in the fan blade cavity 105, the flow of steam drives the fan blade assembly 150 to rotate. This rotation not only accelerates steam emission but also visually displays the steam emission status to the user. Simultaneously, in the gravity ball cavity 104, the steam pressure acts on the gravity ball 130, causing it to switch between a raised and lowered state, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the steam channel and ensuring the continuity and stability of steam emission. These two dynamic effects make the steam emission process intuitively visible, allowing users to clearly observe the steam emission situation and better understand the operating status of the cooking appliance.

[0042] It should be noted that, for Figure 1 The horizontal and vertical directions are defined as follows: the direction of gravity is the vertical direction; the vertical direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane; the horizontal direction is parallel to the horizontal plane; and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0043] Understandably, the gravity ball 130 utilizes the combined effect of steam pressure and gravity within the steam passage to achieve automatic opening and closing of the steam valve. When the steam pressure increases, the gravity ball 130 is pushed up, opening the steam passage and allowing steam to escape; when the steam pressure decreases or disappears, the gravity ball 130 is pushed down due to gravity, closing the steam passage.

[0044] The fan blade assembly 150 provides users with intuitive visual feedback through rotation. The rotation state of the fan blades directly reflects the steam emission, allowing users to clearly observe the working status of the steam valve, thereby enhancing users' perception and understanding of the operating status of the cooking appliance.

[0045] The steam passage is divided into multiple functional areas, each of which performs a specific function. The projections of the gravity ball cavity 104 and the fan blade cavity 105 onto the transition cavity 103 do not overlap at least partially, ensuring that the two do not interfere with each other and work independently, further improving the reliability and stability of the steam valve.

[0046] According to one embodiment of this utility model, both the fan blade cavity 105 and the gravity ball cavity 104 are located above the transition cavity 103. It is understood that the fan blade cavity 105 and the gravity ball cavity 104 are located above the transition cavity 103. This arrangement not only makes full use of the vertical space inside the steam valve but also optimizes the steam flow path and reduces flow resistance.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve is a rotating body, and the vertical axis of the fan blade assembly 150 and the vertical axis of the gravity ball 130 are not located on the rotating axis of the steam valve.

[0048] A body of revolution refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by an object rotating around a straight line. In this embodiment, the axis of the fan blade assembly 150 and the axis of the gravity sphere 130 are not located on the rotation axis of the steam valve, but are set at an offset position on the rotation axis of the steam valve. This layout not only avoids interference between components, but also optimizes the steam flow path and improves the efficiency of steam discharge.

[0049] This off-center axial design makes the dynamic effects of the fan blade assembly 150 and the gravity ball 130 more diverse and intuitive. When users observe the steam valve, they can clearly see the rotation of the fan blades and the up-and-down movement of the gravity ball 130. These dynamic effects provide users with rich visual feedback, enabling them to better understand the operating status of the cooking appliance.

[0050] A steam valve 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a housing, a gravity ball 130, and a fan blade assembly 150. A steam channel is formed inside the housing. The gravity ball 130 is floatably disposed in the steam channel and is adapted to switch between a raised state and a lowered state through the steam pressure in the steam channel. The fan blade assembly 150 is rotatably disposed in the steam channel and is adapted to rotate through the steam flow in the steam channel. The housing is made transparent and visible at least in the fan blade area 144 corresponding to the fan blade assembly 150.

[0051] According to the steam valve 100 of this utility model embodiment, the fan blade assembly 150 can be seen rotating under the action of steam through the fan blade area 144 on the housing, so that the user can intuitively observe the steam emission situation, providing intuitive visual feedback, thereby enhancing the user's perception of the appliance's operating status, further enhancing the user's intuitive perception of the steam emission situation, and improving the safety and convenience of use.

[0052] It should be noted that the shell can be a separate component on the cover 10, or the shell can be integrally formed with the cover 10.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing includes: Steam valve seat 110 is provided with steam inlet 101; Support base 120 is connected to steam valve seat 110; A steam valve cover 140 is connected to a support base 120, and the steam valve cover 140 is provided with a steam outlet 102; A transition cavity 103 is formed between the support base 120 and the steam valve seat 110; a fan blade cavity 105 and a gravity ball cavity 104 are formed between the support base 120 and the steam valve cover 140. The steam inlet 101 is connected to the fan blade cavity 105, the fan blade cavity 105 is connected to the transition cavity 103, the transition cavity 103 is connected to the gravity ball cavity 104, and the gravity ball cavity 104 is connected to the steam outlet 102. Steam enters through the steam inlet 101 and passes sequentially through the fan blade cavity 105, the transition cavity 103, and the gravity ball cavity 104. Steam flows out of the steam passage through the steam outlet 102.

[0054] The steam valve seat 110, serving as the bottom structure, is designed with a steam inlet 101 for receiving steam. A support base 120 is connected to the steam valve seat 110, forming a transition cavity 103 together with the steam valve seat 110, and providing stable support for the steam valve cover 140. The steam valve cover 140 is connected to the support base 120 and has a steam outlet 102, which is the endpoint for steam discharge.

[0055] After entering the steam valve through the steam inlet 101, the steam first enters the fan blade cavity 105. Within the fan blade cavity 105, the steam flow drives the fan blade assembly 150 to rotate rapidly, accelerating steam discharge and providing the user with intuitive visual feedback through the fan blade's rotation. Subsequently, the steam enters the transition cavity 103 and continues flowing into the gravity sphere cavity 104, where the gravity sphere 130 opens and closes the steam passage through the combined action of steam pressure and gravity. Finally, the steam exits the gravity sphere cavity 104 and enters the steam outlet 102, completing the entire discharge process.

[0056] In one embodiment, the steam valve cover 140 has a gravity ball region 143 and a fan blade region 144, the gravity ball region 143 being located above the gravity ball 130 and the fan blade region 144 being located above the fan blade assembly 150, and at least a portion of the fan blade region 144 being transparent.

[0057] Understandably, the fan blade area 144 is located above the fan blade assembly 150, and users can also observe the rotation status of the fan blades and understand the steam emission situation through the transparent area.

[0058] In one embodiment, both the gravity ball region 143 and the fan blade region 144 are transparent.

[0059] Understandably, the gravity sphere area 143 is located above the gravity sphere 130, and users can clearly observe the up-and-down movement of the gravity sphere 130 through the transparent area, thereby determining the opening and closing status of the steam channel.

[0060] This invention integrates a gravity sphere 130 and a fan blade assembly 150 within an airflow channel, with a partially transparent observation area above it. The structure of the gravity sphere 130 not only enhances the steam sound, allowing users to perceive the presence of micro-pressure through hearing, but also drives the fan blade assembly 150 to achieve a more significant and stable rotational motion. The gravity sphere 130 can switch between a lifted and depressed state, ensuring micro-pressure in the steam channel. When the steam pressure is insufficient to lift the gravity sphere 130, it is depressed; when the steam pressure is high enough to lift the sphere, it is lifted, allowing the steam to flow rapidly and drive the fan blade assembly 150 to rotate. Users can directly observe the movement of the gravity sphere 130 under micro-pressure through the transparent area, or clearly and intuitively obtain information about the micro-pressure and boiling state inside the pot through the fan blade rotation and sound changes, thus significantly improving the product's prompting effect and human-computer interaction experience.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve cover 140 is provided with a first long baffle 141 and a first short baffle 142 arranged opposite to each other. The first long baffle 141 is adapted to block the steam in the gravity ball cavity 104 and guide it to the first short baffle 142 on the opposite side. The steam outlet 102 is located on the side close to the first long baffle 141.

[0062] A first long baffle 141 and a first short baffle 142 are arranged opposite each other on the steam valve cover 140. After the steam is discharged from the gravity ball cavity 104, it will first encounter the obstruction of the first long baffle 141. Guided by the first long baffle 141, the steam changes its flow direction, flows through the internal space of the steam valve cover 140, and finally reaches the first short baffle 142. After the steam crosses the first short baffle 142, it leaves the gravity ball cavity 104. Since the steam outlet 102 is located on the side close to the first long baffle 141, the steam needs to circle around the gravity ball cavity 104 to reach the steam outlet 102 on the side close to the first long baffle 141, thus extending the flow path of the steam.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve seat 110 is provided with a first mounting seat 114, and the support seat 120 is provided with a second mounting seat 121. The first mounting seat 114 and the second mounting seat 121 are connected. The inlet of the first mounting seat 114 is a steam inlet 101. The fan blade assembly 150 is rotatably mounted on the second mounting seat 121, and the outlet 112 of the second mounting seat 121 is arranged toward the fan blade of the fan blade assembly 150.

[0064] The steam valve seat 110 is provided with a first mounting base 114, and the support base 120 is provided with a second mounting base 121. When the steam valve seat 110 is connected to the support base 120, the first mounting base 114 and the second mounting base 121 are connected. The first mounting base 114 and the second mounting base 121 together form a steam outlet channel. The inlet of the steam outlet channel is also the steam inlet 101 of the steam valve. Steam enters the steam outlet channel from the steam inlet 101 and then flows out from the outlet 112 of the steam outlet channel. The outlet 112 of the steam outlet channel faces the fan blades of the fan blade assembly 150. The steam or gas flowing out from the outlet will directly impact the fan blades, thereby causing the fan blades to rotate.

[0065] The fan blade assembly 150 can be rotatably connected to the top of the second mounting base 121 and can be rotatably connected to the side wall of the second mounting base 121. The outlet 112 can be opened on the side wall of the second mounting base 121.

[0066] In one embodiment, the outlet 112 is oriented differently from the inlet 101, causing the steam to change direction within the inlet passage 111.

[0067] In one embodiment, the outlet 112 is located on the side wall of the second mounting base 121, and the steam inlet 101 is located on the bottom plate of the first mounting base 114. When steam flows from the steam inlet 101 to the outlet 112, its flow direction changes to enhance the driving effect on the fan blade assembly 150.

[0068] In one embodiment, the orientation of the outlet 112 is perpendicular to the orientation of the steam inlet 101.

[0069] In one embodiment, a throttle orifice 108 is disposed in the steam inlet passage 111, the opening diameter of the throttle orifice 108 is smaller than the opening diameter of the steam inlet 101, and the throttle orifice 108 is configured to accelerate the flow velocity of steam in the steam inlet passage 111.

[0070] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the second assembling seat 121 is provided with a second long rib 122 and a second short rib 123 which are arranged oppositely, the second long rib 122 is adapted to block the steam in the second assembling seat 121 and guide the steam to the opposite second short rib 123, and the inlet of the gravity ball cavity 104 is disposed on the side close to the second long rib 122.

[0071] It can be understood that the second long rib 122 and the second short rib 123 are arranged oppositely on the second assembling seat 121, and the steam from the steam outlet passage will first be blocked by the second long rib 122. Under the guidance of the second long rib 122, the steam changes its flow direction and finally reaches the second short rib 123. After crossing the second short rib 123, the steam leaves the gravity ball cavity 104. Since the inlet of the gravity ball cavity 104 is disposed on the side close to the second long rib 122, the steam needs to go around the transition cavity 103 to reach the steam outlet 102 on the side close to the second long rib 122, thereby extending the flow path of the steam.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the first assembling seat 114 is provided with a first steam inlet cavity 115, the second assembling seat 121 is provided with a second steam inlet cavity 124, the first steam inlet cavity 115 is in communication with the steam inlet 101, the first steam inlet cavity 115 is in communication with the second steam inlet cavity 124, the second steam inlet cavity 124 is in communication with the steam outlet 102, the central axis of the first steam inlet cavity 115 and the central axis of the second steam inlet cavity 124 are arranged in parallel and at an interval, the distance between the central axis of the first steam inlet cavity 115 and the central axis of the second steam inlet cavity 124 is k, where 0mm<k<3mm, for specific reference Figure 1 and Figure 8 .

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present utility model, the maximum gap between the gravity ball cavity 104 and the gravity ball 130 is H, where H satisfies: 1mm<H<15mm.

[0074] Further, in consideration of both space and backflow, 2mm<H<5mm.

[0075] It can be understood that the maximum gap between the gravity ball cavity 104 and the gravity ball 130 is also the maximum height that the gravity ball 130 can rise, for specific reference to the accompanying Figure 1 and Figure 8 .

[0076] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a gravity ball cover 170 is included. The gravity ball cover 170 is detachably connected to the support base 120 and is disposed at the bottom of the gravity ball cavity 104. The gravity ball cover 170 is provided with a vent hole 173. In the lifted state, the gravity ball 130 leaves the gravity ball cover 170. The vent hole 173 connects the gravity ball cavity 104 and the first cavity 103. In the pressed state, the gravity ball 130 contacts the vent hole 173.

[0077] The gravity ball cover 170 is located at the bottom of the gravity ball cavity 104 and is provided with a steam vent 173. When the gravity ball 130 is in the raised state, it will move away from the gravity ball cover 170, allowing steam to flow freely through the steam vent 173. When the gravity ball 130 is in the depressed state, it will contact and partially cover the steam vent 173, thereby restricting the release of steam.

[0078] The gravity ball cover 170 can be securely connected to the support base 120 by means of threaded connection, snap-fit ​​connection, etc., to ensure that it will not fall off or loosen during the operation of the steam valve. The gravity ball cover 170 may be provided with one or more vent holes 173, which is not specifically limited here.

[0079] When the gravity sphere 130 is in a depressed state, it will contact and may partially or completely cover the vent hole 173. This contact can be achieved through the bottom plane, protrusion, or other suitable structure of the gravity sphere 130.

[0080] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 4 The vent 173 is directly formed on the support base 120, eliminating the need for the gravity ball cover 170.

[0081] In one embodiment, the vent hole 173 on the gravity ball cover 170 is provided with a vent gap, so that the gravity ball 130 will not completely block the vent hole 173 when it is pressed down; the vent gap is provided on any side of the vent hole 173 and is not located on the side close to the baffle structure.

[0082] It is understandable that a steam venting gap is provided on the venting hole 173 of the gravity ball cover 170 so that steam can still be discharged through the venting gap when the gravity ball 130 is under pressure, thus preventing the steam passage from being completely closed.

[0083] The steam vent gap is set on any side of the steam vent 173, and is not located on the side close to the baffle structure, which can effectively avoid the generation of whistling noise during steam discharge and improve the user experience.

[0084] In one embodiment, the vent hole 173 is one of an elliptical hole, a square hole, a triangular hole, or a polygonal hole.

[0085] In one embodiment, the exhaust port 173 is an elliptical hole, the exhaust gap is located in the direction of the major axis of the elliptical hole, and the steam outlet 102 is located on one side in the direction of the minor axis of the elliptical hole.

[0086] In one embodiment, the gravity ball cover 170 is a silicone ball cover.

[0087] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve cover 140 has a third region, which is adjacent to the gravity ball region 143 and the fan blade region 144, and the third region is an opaque region.

[0088] The third area is adjacent to the gravity ball area 143 and the fan blade area 144. This layout design makes the steam valve cover 140 more visually distinct. By reducing the complexity of the visual appearance, users can focus more on the operation of the gravity ball 130 and the fan blade assembly 150.

[0089] The third area can be made opaque through methods such as frosting, screen printing, and electroplating.

[0090] According to one embodiment of this utility model, please refer to Figures 5 to 7 The steam valve cover 140 includes a cover body 145, a first viewing window 146 and a second viewing window 147. The cover body 145 is provided with a first through hole corresponding to the gravity ball area 143 and a second through hole corresponding to the fan blade area 144. The first viewing window 146 is detachably connected to the first through hole and the second viewing window 147 is detachably connected to the second through hole.

[0091] The first viewing window 146 and the second viewing window 147 correspond to the gravity ball area 143 and the fan blade area 144, respectively, and provide windows for observing the internal condition of the steam valve. The cover body 145 is provided with a first through hole and a second through hole corresponding to the gravity ball area 143 and the fan blade area 144, respectively. The first viewing window 146 and the second viewing window 147 are detachably connected to their respective through holes. This connection method not only facilitates installation and disassembly but also allows users to replace the viewing windows with different materials, shapes, or sizes as needed to meet specific observation or maintenance requirements.

[0092] In one embodiment, the first window 146 and the second window 147 are connected to the cover body 145 by snap-fit.

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a reflux valve 160 is also included, which is disposed at the bottom of the transition cavity 103.

[0094] The reflux valve 160 is located at the bottom of the transition chamber 103. The transition chamber 103 can collect the water condensed after the steam cools down. When cooking is not required, the user can open the reflux valve 160 to pour out the water.

[0095] The cover 10 according to this embodiment includes the steam valve described above. This makes the overall structure of the cooking appliance more compact, while also facilitating user installation and maintenance.

[0096] In practical applications, when the cooking appliance begins operation, the steam generated in the cooking chamber 21 enters the fan blade chamber 105 through the steam outlet channel and then descends to the transition chamber 103. As the steam pressure increases, the steam rises into the gravity ball chamber 104, pushing the gravity ball 130 upwards, opening the steam channel. The steam is then discharged to the outside through the steam outlet 102 via the gravity ball chamber 104. When the cooking process ends or the steam pressure decreases, the gravity ball 130 is pressed down under gravity, closing the steam channel and preventing heat loss. The fan blade assembly 150 rotates during steam flow, guiding steam discharge and providing visual appeal.

[0097] According to the cooking utensils of this utility model embodiment, please refer to... Figure 9 and Figure 10 ,include: The pot body 20 has an open top; The aforementioned lid 10 is connected to the pot body 20. The lid 10 is movably mounted on the pot body 20 between the closed position and the open position, together forming the cooking cavity 21. The steam inlet 101 of the steam valve provided on the lid 10 is connected to the cooking cavity 21.

[0098] Understandably, the pot body 20 has an open top to accommodate food and cooking medium. The design of the pot body 20 ensures that the food is fully exposed to heat, guaranteeing optimal cooking results. The lid 10 and pot body 20 together form a cooking cavity 21, used to seal in heat and steam during cooking. The steam inlet 101 of the steam valve on the lid 10 connects to the cooking cavity 21. This design allows steam generated within the cooking cavity 21 to escape promptly through the steam valve, preventing steam buildup and ensuring optimal cooking results.

[0099] This utility model relates to a steam valve, a cover 10 including the steam valve, and a cooking appliance using the cover 10. These features not only improve the user experience of the cooking appliance but also enhance its safety. This design makes the steam emission process more visible, allowing users to intuitively observe the steam emission and better understand the appliance's operating status, thus ensuring a smooth cooking process.

[0100] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various combinations, modifications, or equivalent substitutions of the technical solutions of the present invention do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention and should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A steam valve, characterized in that, include: A housing, a steam passage formed inside the housing, the steam passage including a steam inlet (101), a transition cavity (103), a fan blade cavity (105), a gravity sphere cavity (104) and a steam outlet (102), the steam inlet (101) being connected to the fan blade cavity (105), the fan blade cavity (105) being connected to the transition cavity (103), the transition cavity (103) being connected to the gravity sphere cavity (104), the steam outlet (102) being connected to the gravity sphere cavity (104), the projections of the gravity sphere cavity (104) and the fan blade cavity (105) on the horizontal plane and the projection of the transition cavity (103) on the horizontal plane at least partially overlap; A gravity sphere (130) is floatingly disposed in the gravity sphere cavity (104), and the gravity sphere (130) is adapted to switch between a lifted state and a depressed state through the steam pressure of the steam channel; A fan blade assembly (150) is rotatably disposed in the fan blade cavity (105), and the fan blade assembly (150) is adapted to rotate by the steam flow through the steam passage.

2. The steam valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the fan blade cavity (105) and the gravity ball cavity (104) are located above the transition cavity (103).

3. The steam valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam valve is a rotating body, and the vertical axis of the fan blade assembly (150) and the vertical axis of the gravity sphere (130) are not located on the rotating axis of the steam valve.

4. The steam valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The housing includes: Steam valve seat (110) is provided with the steam inlet (101); Support base (120) is connected to the steam valve seat (110); A steam valve cover (140) is connected to the support base (120), and the steam valve cover (140) is provided with the steam outlet (102). The transition cavity (103) is formed between the support base (120) and the steam valve seat (110); the fan blade cavity (105) and the gravity ball cavity (104) are formed between the support base (120) and the steam valve cover (140). Steam enters through the steam inlet (101) and passes through the fan blade cavity (105), the transition cavity (103) and the gravity ball cavity (104) in sequence. Steam flows out of the steam channel through the steam outlet (102).

5. The steam valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The steam valve cover (140) has a gravity ball region (143) and a fan blade region (144), the gravity ball region (143) being located above the gravity ball (130), and the fan blade region (144) being located above the fan blade assembly (150), at least a portion of the fan blade region (144) being transparent.

6. The steam valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the gravity ball region (143) and the fan blade region (144) are transparent.

7. The steam valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The steam valve cover (140) is provided with a first long baffle (141) and a first short baffle (142) arranged opposite to each other. The first long baffle (141) is adapted to block the steam in the gravity ball cavity (104) and guide it to the first short baffle (142) on the opposite side. The steam outlet (102) is located on the side close to the first long baffle (141).

8. The steam valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The steam valve seat (110) is provided with a first mounting seat (114), and the support seat (120) is provided with a second mounting seat (121). The first mounting seat (114) and the second mounting seat (121) are connected to form a steam inlet channel (111). The inlet of the first mounting seat (114) is the steam inlet (101). The fan blade assembly (150) is rotatably mounted on the second mounting seat (121), and the outlet (112) of the second mounting seat (121) is set toward the fan blade of the fan blade assembly (150).

9. The steam valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second mounting base (121) is provided with a second long baffle (122) and a second short baffle (123) arranged opposite to each other. The second long baffle (122) is adapted to shield the steam in the second mounting base (121) and guide it to the opposite second short baffle (123). The inlet of the gravity ball cavity (104) is located on the side close to the second long baffle (122).

10. The steam valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outlet (112) is oriented differently from the steam inlet (101), causing the steam to change direction within the steam inlet passage (111).

11. The steam valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The steam inlet channel (111) is provided with a throttling orifice (108), the opening diameter of the throttling orifice (108) is smaller than the opening diameter of the steam inlet (101), and the throttling orifice (108) is used to accelerate the flow speed of steam in the steam inlet channel (111).

12. The steam valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, Includes a gravity ball cover (170), which is detachably connected to the support base (120) and is located at the bottom of the gravity ball cavity (104). The gravity ball cover (170) is provided with a vent hole (173). In the lifted state, the gravity ball (130) leaves the gravity ball cover (170), and the vent hole (173) connects the gravity ball cavity (104) and the transition cavity (103). In the pressed state, the gravity ball (130) contacts the vent hole (173).

13. A cooking utensil, characterized in that, include: The pot body (20) has an open top; The lid (10) includes a steam valve as described in any one of claims 1 to 12. The lid (10) is connected to the pot body (20). The lid (10) is movably mounted on the pot body (20) between a closed position and an open position, together forming a cooking cavity (21). The steam inlet (101) of the steam valve provided on the lid (10) is connected to the cooking cavity (21).

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