Control box for a cooking appliance and cooking appliance

Abstract

Control box (14) for a cooking appliance (10), with a housing (20) in which at least one steam inlet (26), at least one water nozzle (22), a steam outlet (18) and at least one detergent inlet (30) are provided, wherein the detergent inlet (30) is arranged with respect to a flow path of the steam between the steam inlet (26) and the steam outlet (18), wherein the at least one detergent inlet (30) is formed by a pipe (36, 46, 48) which extends through a bottom (38) or a side wall (44, 54, 66, 68) of the control box (14), characterized in that a water outlet (24) is provided through which wastewater is discharged from the control box (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a control box for a cooking appliance, with at least one steam inlet, at least one water nozzle and at least one steam outlet, as well as a cooking appliance.

[0002] A control box is used to vent steam generated during cooking in an oven, minimizing steam escape through the vent pipe. The steam is directed from within the oven to the control box, where it condenses. To condense larger quantities of steam, water is added to the control box via a water nozzle. The condensate can then be drained to a wastewater pipe via a water outlet.

[0003] Over time, deposits can form in the control box because fatty steam from the cooking chamber also flows into it. These deposits can impair the function of the control box, which is why regular cleaning is necessary.

[0004] However, since the control box is difficult to access, regular cleaning is very time-consuming. Deposits, especially on the ceiling of the control box, are particularly difficult to remove.

[0005] DE 10 2006 010 460 A1 describes a method for cleaning a steam cooking appliance. The steam cooking appliance includes a condenser, and during a cleaning process, washing liquid from the cooking chamber can be conveyed into the condenser via a line.

[0006] DE 10 2016 111 164 A1 discloses a cooking appliance with a steam condenser, a cooking chamber drain, a water nozzle and a cleaning agent inlet.

[0007] Therefore, one of the aims of the invention is to provide a control box that is easy and efficient to clean.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by a control box for a cooking appliance, comprising a housing in which at least one steam inlet, at least one water nozzle, one steam outlet, and at least one detergent inlet are provided, wherein the detergent inlet is arranged between the steam inlet and the steam outlet with respect to a flow path of the steam. The at least one detergent inlet is formed by a pipe that extends through a bottom or a side wall of the control box. A water outlet is also provided through which wastewater is discharged from the control box.

[0009] The wastewater can flow into the control box via the steam inlet. The water outlet can therefore be used both to drain the fresh water sprayed into the control box and to drain wastewater from the cooking chamber. When the control box is used in a cooking appliance, this ensures a compact design.

[0010] The cleaning agent inlet makes it particularly easy to introduce cleaning agents into the control box. Located between the steam inlet and outlet along the steam flow path, this inlet ensures a particularly even distribution of the cleaning agent within the control box, resulting in effective cleaning. Cleaning agents can be easily supplied via a pipe, and a cleaning agent line can be easily attached to this pipe.

[0011] The at least one cleaning agent inlet can be oriented such that an outlet opening of the cleaning agent inlet in the control box is directed towards the top of the control box. Deposits are typically particularly difficult to remove from the top of the control box. By directing the outlet opening towards the top, the cleaning agent is precisely directed to the main areas of soiling in the control box and atomized and distributed on the top. The top acts like a baffle plate. This means that if the cleaning agent is sprayed onto the top at a certain pressure, particularly good distribution of the cleaning agent is achieved.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning agent inlet in the control box can have an outlet opening directed towards a side wall of the control box, with a deflector element at the outlet opening designed to redirect the cleaning agent flow exiting the outlet opening towards the ceiling. This allows for flexible positioning of the cleaning agent inlet while simultaneously ensuring that the cleaning agent is delivered precisely to the main areas of soiling within the control box.

[0013] The deflection is formed, for example, by a baffle plate located in the area of ​​the outlet opening. In particular, the baffle plate is positioned such that a jet of cleaning agent strikes the baffle plate after exiting the outlet opening. Upon impact with the baffle plate, the cleaning agent is simultaneously atomized to a certain extent, which contributes to a more even distribution of the cleaning agent.

[0014] According to one aspect, multiple cleaning agent inlets can be provided, arranged on different walls of the control box. For example, at least one cleaning agent inlet can be located at the bottom and at least one more on at least one side wall. This allows for a particularly large and even distribution of the cleaning agent. The number and arrangement of the various cleaning agent inlets are specifically tailored to the shape and / or size of the control box. For example, the number and position of the cleaning agent inlets can be chosen so that an inner wall of the control box is wetted with cleaning agent as completely and evenly as possible.

[0015] Preferably, the pipe has a fanning structure at the outlet. This fanning structure can be formed by a bent or flattened section of the pipe. Alternatively or additionally, a baffle plate can be arranged at the outlet. The fanning structure serves to atomize the cleaning agent and distribute it over as large an area as possible.

[0016] The pipe can have a large number of distribution holes in the section located inside the control box. These distribution holes also serve to distribute cleaning agents evenly and over a large area.

[0017] The distribution bores are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the pipe.

[0018] Starting from a side wall of the control box, the pipe preferably extends over at least one-third of the length of the control box, particularly to the center of the control box. Starting from the center, cleaning agent can be distributed sufficiently well even with only one cleaning agent inlet.

[0019] The water outlet is preferably located below the steam inlet, in particular concentrically or offset from it. This allows wastewater to flow as directly as possible to the water outlet and thus contributes only minimally to contamination of the control box.

[0020] According to one aspect, the control box contains a grid structure that serves to shield against high-frequency radiation. This grid structure is formed by a cast part incorporating numerous cleaning channels connected to a cleaning agent inlet, which open at various points within the grid structure. This allows even hard-to-reach areas within the grid structure to be cleaned. The grid structure primarily acts as a microwave trap.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the lattice structure can be formed by a tube bundle made of welded square tubes. This embodiment has the advantage that no mold is required, making it particularly suitable for small production runs.

[0022] Alternatively, the grid structure can be formed by several, especially bent, sheets of metal that are welded together.

[0023] The grid structure, for example, has main channels that, in sections, form a flow path for the steam entering through the steam inlet to the steam outlet, and which have a flow cross-section at least ten times larger than that of the cleaning channels. The steam flowing in through the steam inlet can therefore flow unimpeded to the steam outlet even in the presence of a grid structure.

[0024] The problem is further solved according to the invention by a cooking appliance with a control box according to the invention, wherein a line branches off from a cleaning tube, which in particular leads to a cooking chamber of the cooking appliance, and runs to the cleaning agent inlet. The required line length for supplying cleaning agent to the cleaning agent inlet is thereby kept to a minimum.

[0025] Alternatively, a pipe can branch off from a fresh water connection and run to the cleaning agent inlet, so that fresh water can be used for cleaning.

[0026] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show: - Fig. 1 schematically a cooking appliance according to the invention with a control box according to the invention, - Fig. 2 a control box according to the invention in a further embodiment, - Fig. 3 a sub-assembly of the control box made of Fig. 2, - Fig. 4 another sub-assembly of the control box Fig. 2, - Fig. 5 a control box according to a further embodiment of the invention, to which a steam line is connected, - Fig. 6 a detailed view of a grid structure of the in Fig. 5 control boxes shown, - Fig. 7 the control box from the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 in a view from below, - Fig. 8 schematically a control box according to a further embodiment of the invention, - Fig. 9 schematically another control box according to the invention, and - Fig. 10 schematically another control box according to the invention.

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cooking appliance 10 with a cooking chamber 12.

[0028] The cooking appliance 10 has a control box 14, which serves to condense steam from the cooking chamber 12.

[0029] For this purpose, a steam line 28 leads from the cooking chamber 12 to a steam inlet 26, which is formed in a housing 20 of the control box 14.

[0030] Non-condensed steam can escape from the control box 14 via a steam outlet 18, which is also formed in the housing 20, in particular on a ceiling 34 of the control box 14, through a vent pipe 16.

[0031] The housing 20 of the control box 14 also contains a water nozzle 22, through which water can be sprayed into the control box 14 to condense the steam.

[0032] Furthermore, the housing 20 of the control box 14 has a water outlet 24 through which the condensed steam and the sprayed water can drain away.

[0033] The water outlet 24 is located below the steam inlet 26. This allows wastewater, which flows into the control box 14 through the steam inlet 26, for example after cleaning the cooking chamber 12, to drain away through the control box 14.

[0034] For cleaning purposes, the control box 14 has a cleaning agent inlet 30.

[0035] The cleaning agent inlet 30 is arranged with respect to a flow path of the steam between the steam inlet 26 and the steam outlet 18.

[0036] The cleaning agent inlet 30 is oriented such that an outlet opening 32 of the cleaning agent inlet 30 in the control box 14 is oriented towards the ceiling 34 of the control box 14.

[0037] In particular, the cleaning agent inlet 30 is formed by a pipe 36 which extends through a base 38 of the control box 14.

[0038] A line 40 runs to the cleaning agent inlet 30, branching off from a cleaning tube 42 of the cooking appliance 10.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown for the sake of simplicity, line 40 branches off from a fresh water connection. This means that in this case, cleaning is carried out with fresh water.

[0040] In the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. Figure 4 illustrates in detail a control box 14 according to a further embodiment.

[0041] For elements that are already related to Fig. As described in section 1, the same reference symbols will be used in the following, and reference is made to the preceding explanations.

[0042] During the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. In the control box 14 illustrated in Figure 4, two cleaning agent inlets 30 are provided, which extend from a side wall 44 of the control box 14 into the control box 14.

[0043] The cleaning agent inlets 30 are each formed by a pipe 46, 48.

[0044] One of the pipes 48 branches off from the other pipe 46. This means that only one common supply pipe 50 is required. Alternatively, the pipes 46 and 48 can run completely separately from each other.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment, the pipes 46, 48 have different lengths, which allows the largest possible area of ​​the control box 14 to be cleaned efficiently, since cleaning agents can be sprayed at different points.

[0046] One of the tubes 46, 48 extends in particular over more than one third of the length of the control box 14, in particular to a middle of the control box 14.

[0047] The further tube 46 extends over less than one third of the length of the control box 14, in particular over less than one fifth of the length of the control box 14.

[0048] At the outlet of pipes 46, 48, a fanning structure 52 is arranged in each case (see Fig. 3).

[0049] The fanning structure 52, for example, is a baffle plate. If a cleaning agent exiting an outlet opening 32 of the pipes 46, 48 strikes the baffle plate with a sufficiently high flow velocity, it is atomized, which ensures a uniform distribution of the cleaning agent.

[0050] The outlet openings 32 of the cleaning agent inlets 30 and of the pipes 46, 48 are located in the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 of the embodiment shown in the control box 14 is directed towards a side wall 54 of the control box 14.

[0051] The baffle plate thus also serves as a deflecting element 56 to redirect a cleaning agent flow exiting from the outlet openings 32 towards the ceiling 34 of the control box 14.

[0052] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a bracket 58 on which the cleaning agent inlets 30 and the pipes 46, 48 are mounted, wherein in Fig. 4 only shows a pipe 46.

[0053] In addition, the water nozzle 22 is mounted on the bracket 58.

[0054] The bracket 58 can be attached to the side wall 44.

[0055] To prevent steam from escaping uncontrollably at the interface between bracket 58 and side wall 44, a seal 60 is arranged on the bracket 58 (see Fig. 4).

[0056] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an outlet opening 62 of the water nozzle 22.

[0057] The outlet opening 62 is directed towards a temperature sensor 64.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment, which is not shown for the sake of simplicity, further cleaning agent inlets can be arranged on one or more of the remaining side walls 54, 66, 68.

[0059] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a control box 14 according to a further embodiment.

[0060] The in Fig. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 differs from the previously described embodiment in that a grid structure 70 is present in the control box 14.

[0061] The grid structure 70 forms a microwave trap, which serves to shield against high-frequency radiation.

[0062] The grid structure 70 has main channels 72 which section by section form a flow path for the steam entering through the steam inlet 26 to the steam outlet 18.

[0063] The lattice structure 70 is formed by a casting.

[0064] The casting incorporates a multitude of cleaning channels 74, which are connected to a cleaning agent connection 76 and open at various points within the grid structure. Some of the cleaning channels 74 are in Fig. 7 purely schematically illustrated.

[0065] The control box 14 according to the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 also has a cleaning agent inlet 30, the outlet opening 32 of which is oriented towards the ceiling 34 of the control box 14 in the control box 14.

[0066] Such a cleaning agent inlet 30 can be installed as an alternative or in addition to the cleaning agent inlets 30 in the control box 14 according to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. There must be 4.

[0067] Fig. Figure 7 shows the control box 14 in a bottom view. In this view, the line 40 can be seen, which branches off from the cleaner pipe 42 and runs to the cleaning agent inlet 30.

[0068] The Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. Figures 10 illustrate further embodiments of the control box 14, which differ in the shape of the cleaning agent inlet 30, which is formed by a tube 36.

[0069] The in Fig. The cleaning agent inlet 30 shown in Figure 8 is designed as a pipe 36 with a plurality of distribution bores 78.

[0070] Fig. Figure 9 illustrates a cleaning agent inlet 30 in which the pipe 36 forming the cleaning agent inlet 30 is flattened. Due to the reduced cross-section caused by the flattening, the flow velocity at which the cleaning agent exits the pipe can be increased, resulting in better distribution of the cleaning agent. The flattening thus serves as a fanning structure 52.

[0071] According to the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the tube 36, which forms the cleaning agent inlet 30, is bent. Depending on the orientation of the outlet opening 32, as shown in Figure 10, the following applies: Fig. As shown in Figure 10, a deflection element 56 is present.

[0072] In the Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig.In the 10 illustrated embodiments, cleaning agent inlets can alternatively or additionally be arranged on the side walls.

[0073] The cleaning agent inlets 30 described above make it particularly easy to clean a control box 14.

Claims

[1] Control box (14) for a cooking appliance (10), comprising a housing (20) in which at least one steam inlet (26), at least one water nozzle (22), a steam outlet (18) and at least one detergent inlet (30) are provided, wherein the detergent inlet (30) is arranged with respect to a flow path of the steam between the steam inlet (26) and the steam outlet (18), wherein the at least one detergent inlet (30) is formed by a tube (36, 46, 48) extending through a bottom (38) or a side wall (44, 54, 66, 68) of the control box (14), characterized by , that a water outlet (24) is provided through which wastewater from the control box (14) is discharged. [2] Control box (14) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the at least one cleaning agent inlet (30) is oriented such that an outlet opening (32) of the cleaning agent inlet (30) in the control box (14) is directed towards a ceiling (34) of the control box (14) or that the outlet opening (32) of the cleaning agent inlet (30) in the control box (14) is directed towards a side wall (54) of the control box (14), wherein a deflecting element (56) is provided at the outlet opening (32) which is designed to deflect a cleaning agent flow exiting the outlet opening (32) towards the ceiling (34). [3] Control box (14) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that several cleaning agent inlets (30) are provided, which are arranged on different walls (44, 54, 66, 68) of the control box (14). [4] Control box (14) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pipe (36, 46, 48) has a fanning structure (52) at the outlet. [5] Control box (14) according to claim one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the pipe (36) has a plurality of distribution bores (78) in its section arranged inside the control box (14). [6] Control box (14) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pipe (48) extends from a side wall (44) of the control box (14) over at least one third of the length of the control box (14), in particular to a middle of the control box (14). [7] Control box (14) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in the control box (14) a grid structure (70) is present which serves to shield high-frequency radiation, wherein the grid structure (70) is formed by a tube package. [8] Cooking appliance (10) with a control box (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a line (40) branches off from a cleaner pipe (42) and runs to the cleaner inlet (30). [9] Cooking appliance (10) with a control box (14) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that a line (40) branches off from a fresh water connection and runs to the cleaning agent inlet (30).

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