Cooking device

Abstract

The device (1) has a cooking chamber (2), a microwave source (3) and a cooking chamber door (4) for closing and opening a filling aperture (22) of the cooking chamber. A microwave gasket and a moisture sealing are provided in an area of the filling aperture. The moisture sealing is arranged closer to the cooking chamber as the microwave gasket. The moisture sealing is arranged at a wall of the cooking chamber. The moisture sealing includes a sealing rim. The moisture sealing is closely placed at the cooking chamber door.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance with at least one cooking chamber and at least one microwave source.

[0002] Cooking appliances usually have one or more heat sources for preparing food in a cooking chamber. Some heat sources are often particularly well-suited to certain cooking methods. For example, thermal heat sources, such as top and bottom heat sources, are regularly used for baking bread and cakes. Microwave heat sources are often highly energy efficient because they cook food from the inside out. Heat sources for steam cooking usually offer a relatively gentle cooking option, as certain vitamins are retained when cooking vegetables, for example. Combinations of different heat sources are also often very useful for achieving optimal cooking results, such as a combination of a convection heat source with a grill heat source for preparing roasts with particularly tasty crusts.

[0003] However, combining different heat sources in a safe and functional cooking appliance usually presents a technical challenge. Especially in a cooking appliance that combines a microwave heating source with a steam heating source, special requirements are placed on the sealing of the cooking chamber. On the one hand, in such a microwave-steam cooking appliance, the escape of microwaves from the cooking chamber must be effectively and safely prevented. On the other hand, the cooking chamber must also be sealed in such a way that the hot steam cannot escape.

[0004] Microwave steam cookers have become known in the prior art that generally reliably meet these requirements and typically feature a microwave seal and a moisture seal. For example, there are microwave steam cookers with microwave seals that protrude into the cooking chamber in a cuboid-like manner. However, the disadvantage of this is that the cooking chamber volume is significantly reduced by the seal, and the seals tend to become dirty quickly.

[0005] Microwave steam cookers with flat microwave seals have also become popular, which do not significantly reduce the cooking chamber volume. However, these cooking appliances usually have the disadvantage that a significant amount of moisture regularly accumulates in the area of ​​the moisture seal. This so-called water pocket then drains when the cooking chamber door is opened, so that the water can run onto kitchen furniture or the kitchen floor, for example, or a collecting container must be available.

[0006] Document EP 1 923 638 relates to a cooking appliance having the features contained in the preamble of claim 1. US 2005 / 0205564 relates to a cooking appliance with a microwave source, wherein a microwave seal and a moisture seal are provided in the region of the loading opening.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance with a microwave seal and a moisture seal, in which the formation of a water pocket is avoided and the cooking chamber volume is not restricted.

[0008] This object is achieved by a cooking appliance having the features of claim 1. Preferred features are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the general description of the invention and the description of the exemplary embodiment.

[0009] The cooking appliance according to the invention comprises at least one cooking chamber and at least one microwave source, as well as at least one cooking chamber door for closing and opening a loading opening of the cooking chamber. At least one microwave seal and at least one moisture seal are provided in the area of ​​the loading opening. The moisture seal is arranged closer to the cooking chamber than the microwave seal.

[0010] The cooking appliance according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage is that the moisture seal is positioned closer to the cooking chamber than the microwave seal. This arrangement prevents the formation of a water pocket. The microwave seal is also protected from contamination by greasy vapors from the cooking chamber.

[0011] The microwave seal is particularly suitable and designed to prevent microwaves from escaping from the cooking appliance. The moisture seal preferably prevents moisture, in particular liquid and / or steam and / or condensate, from escaping from the cooking chamber.

[0012] In particular, the microwave seal and the moisture seal are arranged in two different planes. The loading opening defines a substantially vertically extending first plane. Preferably, the moisture seal is arranged in a second plane and the microwave seal in a third plane. All three planes are preferably substantially parallel to one another. From the cooking chamber perspective, the third plane is located in particular behind the first plane, and the second plane is located in particular in front of the third plane. The second plane can be located in front of, behind, or even in the first plane. Deviations affecting the substantially vertical arrangement are possible and can amount to several degrees and up to 30 degrees or more. This is also possible for substantially parallel and substantially right-angled arrangements.

[0013] In the microwave seal, the essentially radial distance to an imaginary axis extending essentially through the center of the loading opening and essentially at right angles to the three planes mentioned above is greater than in the moisture seal.

[0014] It is possible and preferred that at least one thermal heat source is provided. The thermal heat source can be designed as or comprise an electric and / or gas-powered heat source. Also possible are at least one bottom heat source, top heat source, circulating air source, grill heat source, radiant heater, and / or at least one other heat source known for cooking appliances. A thermal heat source is particularly advantageous because it can be used as a supplement to the microwave source, for example, to achieve a crust formation when preparing a roast.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one steam source is provided. The steam source is particularly designed and suitable for generating steam that can be used for a cooking process. The steam is preferably fed into the cooking chamber. In particular, the cooking appliance is designed as a microwave steam cooking appliance or as a combination appliance for microwave and steam operation. At least one operating mode can be provided that combines the microwave cooking method and the steam cooking method.

[0016] Furthermore, the moisture seal is arranged on at least one wall of the cooking chamber. The moisture seal is arranged in the area of ​​the loading opening. It is also provided that the moisture seal is arranged in the transition area between the cooking chamber wall and the cooking chamber front, and preferably directly on an edge of the cooking chamber wall and the cooking chamber front. The moisture seal is designed to run all the way around the cooking chamber or the loading opening. However, it is also possible for several moisture seals to be arranged at least partially in a row or at least partially parallel to one another. In particular, the moisture seal can run all the way around the cooking chamber or the loading opening and the cooking chamber front.

[0017] The moisture seal preferably has a substantially dam-like effect with regard to moisture. The moisture seal is particularly designed and arranged such that the condensed water is retained on the walls and, in particular, on the cooking chamber floor after the cooking chamber door is opened. This is particularly advantageous because it prevents water from accumulating. Furthermore, it prevents the water from running off, for example, onto the kitchen floor, after the cooking chamber door has been opened. A special drainage and collection device, as previously known from the prior art, can therefore be omitted.

[0018] According to the invention, the moisture seal has at least one first sealing lip.

[0019] The moisture seal rests at least partially against the closed cooking chamber door with its sealing lip. The sealing lip is designed in particular to drain condensate or liquid running down the inside of the closed cooking chamber door into the cooking chamber. It is also possible for the moisture seal to have two or more sealing lips.

[0020] The moisture seal also has at least a second sealing lip, with which the moisture seal at least partially abuts against a wall of the storage space. The sealing lip lies in particular on the floor of the storage space. Particularly preferred is a moisture seal with two sealing lips. In particular, one sealing lip abuts against the storage space door and one sealing lip abuts against the wall of the storage space. Thereby, condensate or liquid coming from the storage space door can be directed onto the floor of the storage space and then towards the inside. Such a configuration particularly effectively prevents the formation of water pockets.

[0021] The moisture seal consists in particular at least partially of an elastic material. Thus, the moisture seal can adapt well to the respective bearing area, whereby a particularly good sealing effect can be achieved.

[0022] It is possible for the moisture seal to be made at least partially of a material that is transparent to microwaves. A microwave-resistant material is also possible. This prevents heating and / or destruction of the moisture seal by microwaves.

[0023] The moisture seal is advantageously made at least partially of a vapor-resistant material. In particular, the moisture seal is resistant to the temperatures and vapors typically encountered in a cooking appliance or microwave steamer.

[0024] Particularly preferably, the moisture seal consists at least partially of a silicone-containing and / or silicone-like material. Other suitable materials are also possible. The microwave seal is, in particular, arranged at least partially on the cooking chamber door. Particularly preferably, the microwave seal is integrated into the cooking chamber door. The microwave seal is, in particular, arranged such that the moisture or steam from the cooking chamber is kept away from the moisture seal before it reaches the microwave seal. This is very advantageous because it prevents the microwave seal from becoming contaminated with greasy vapors and the like.

[0025] According to the invention, the microwave seal comprises at least one microwave blocking device.

[0026] The cooking chamber door, in particular, has at least one inner pane and at least one outer pane. The microwave blocking device can be provided at least partially between the inner pane and the outer pane. The panes are preferably at least partially transparent. This allows observation of the cooking chamber even when the door is closed. Furthermore, the panes protect the microwave blocking device against internal and external influences, e.g., impacts or dirt.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the microwave blocking device comprises at least one lambda / 4 trap or is designed as such. The lambda / 4 trap is provided in particular as a resonance seal. Advantageously, the width of the lambda / 4 trap is approximately one-quarter of the wavelength of the microwaves to be shielded.

[0028] Preferably, at least one metallic plate extending substantially adjacent to the inner pane is provided. In particular, the plate is arranged between the inner pane and the outer pane. The plate can have openings and be designed as a perforated plate or as a grid or the like. Such a design with a plate with openings allows a view into the cooking chamber when the cooking chamber door is closed. The openings in the plate are in particular smaller and preferably many times smaller than the wavelength of the generated microwaves. As a result, the plate can offer good shielding of the environment against the microwaves. It is also possible for a part of the metallic plate, and in particular an edge region, to be provided as part of the lambda / 4 trap.

[0029] The lambda / 4 trap on the cooking chamber door can comprise at least one approximately U-shaped structure. The U-shaped structure can also be designed, at least in part, to accommodate the inner and / or outer pane. The U-shaped structure can also be provided, at least in part, as a supporting part of the cooking chamber door. For this purpose, additional structures and / or profiled areas can also be formed on the U-shaped structure. It is also possible for the U-shaped structure to be at least partially covered by the metallic plate.

[0030] It is possible to provide a microwave-permeable gap between the cooking chamber door and a front frame of the cooking appliance. The gap can also be formed between the front frame and the metallic plate and / or the lambda / 4 trap. At the end of the gap, microwaves can be reflected into the lambda / 4 trap. The end of the gap is formed, in particular, by a region of the lambda / 4 trap and / or the U-shaped structure at least partially adjoining the front frame, directly or indirectly.

[0031] It is also possible to provide a microwave-absorbing sealant at the lower end of the inner pane. Such a sealant is advantageous because it makes microwave shielding even more reliable.

[0032] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0033] The figures show: Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a cooking appliance according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section through a region of the cooking appliance along the line AA from Fig. 1 .

[0034] With reference to the enclosed Figures 1 and 2 An embodiment of a cooking appliance 1 according to the invention is described below.

[0035] The Figure 1 shows the cooking appliance 1 in a design as a combination appliance 100 for microwave and steam operation, as well as for convection operation. The cooking appliance 1 here has a microwave source 3 and a steam source 8, as well as a thermal heating source 7 designed as a convection heating source. The various heating sources 3, 7, 8 can be operated individually or in any combination. Additional heating sources are possible. The cooking appliance 1 can be designed both as a built-in appliance and as a stand-alone cooking appliance 1.

[0036] The cooking appliance 1 can be operated by a user via a control device 23. For example, the operating modes steam cooking, microwave operation, convection operation, and various combination modes can be set. Other operating modes such as top / bottom heat or grilling and / or the like are possible. The power of the heat sources 3, 7, 8 and the cooking time or at least one cooking program can also be set via the control device 23.

[0037] The cooking appliance features a display 24. The display 24 shows the user various operating and appliance information, such as the selected operating mode, a selected cooking program, and the remaining cooking time. A touchscreen is also possible. Various automatic functions can also be provided, allowing the user to optimize the cooking process for the desired food.

[0038] Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 here comprises a cooking chamber 2 with a loading opening 22, which can be closed by a cooking chamber door 4. The cooking chamber door 4 is suitable and designed to substantially prevent the escape of microwaves and steam. Furthermore, the cooking chamber door 4 also has a heat-insulating function. The cooking chamber door 4 can be opened by a door opener 25. At least one safety device is provided which prevents microwave operation if the cooking chamber door 4 is not properly closed.

[0039] In Figure 2 is a schematic section through the cooking appliance 1 along the line AA from Fig. 1 Enlarged view. The cooking chamber door 4 here has an inner pane 14 and an outer pane 15 facing the cooking chamber 2. The panes 14, 15 are made of transparent glass, which are temperature-resistant to the expected cooking chamber temperatures.

[0040] A microwave seal 5 is integrated into the cooking chamber door 4. The microwave seal 5 comprises a microwave blocking device 13, which is designed here as a lambda / 4 trap 16. The width of the lambda / 4 trap 16 corresponds approximately to a quarter of the wavelength of the microwaves used. For example, the lambda / 4 trap 16 has a width of approximately 3 cm for microwaves with a wavelength of approximately 12 cm. Due to this design, the lambda / 4 trap 16 acts as a resonance seal, which can be viewed as an essentially infinitely high resistance for the corresponding wavelength.

[0041] The lambda / 4 trap 16 is preferably made of a material that reflects microwaves well, and in particular of a metallic material. Part of the lambda / 4 trap 16 is formed here from a substantially U-shaped structure 18. The open area of ​​the U-shaped structure 18 is partially covered by part of a metallic plate 17. In particular, an inlet opening 29 remains free, through which the microwaves enter the lambda / 4 trap 16. The lambda / 4 trap 16 extends in particular around the entire loading opening 22. This achieves a substantially microwave-tight arrangement of the cooking chamber door 4 relative to the cooking chamber 2.

[0042] Penetration of microwaves through the area of ​​the cooking chamber door 4 surrounded by the lambda / 4 trap 16 is essentially prevented by the metallic plate 17. The metallic plate 17 is designed here as a perforated plate, which allows observation of the cooking chamber 2 through the metallic plate 17. The holes are designed to be significantly smaller than the wavelength of the microwaves used, thus ensuring appropriate shielding. The metallic plate 17 is advantageously arranged here between the panes 14, 15. This prevents soiling of the metallic plate 17, for example, by greasy vapors from the cooking chamber. The panes 14, 15 are significantly easier to clean than the metallic plate 17 with the numerous holes.

[0043] To prevent steam from escaping from the cooking chamber 2 when the cooking chamber door 4 is closed, e.g., during steam cooking or combination operation, a moisture seal 6 is provided. The moisture seal 6 is attached circumferentially to the walls 9 in the area of ​​the loading opening 22. For this purpose, a receiving device 26 is provided in the transition area between the wall 9 of the cooking chamber 2 and a front frame 19. The moisture seal 6 is designed such that at least part of the moisture seal 6 can be received by the receiving device 26. The moisture seal 6 has a tab 28, which is latched or plugged into an undercut 27 of the receiving device 26. This allows the moisture seal 6 to be installed quickly and cost-effectively.

[0044] The moisture seal 6 is particularly advantageously positioned closer to the cooking chamber 2 than the microwave seal 5. This prevents the formation of a water pocket, particularly in the area between the cooking chamber door 2 and the front frame 19. Thus, when the cooking chamber door 2 is opened, no condensed water flows onto the cooking appliance's surface or even onto the kitchen floor. A further advantage is that the steam and moisture 2 are retained before they can reach the microwave seal 5. This prevents the ingress of moisture or contamination of, for example, the lambda / 4 trap 16.

[0045] Furthermore, the moisture seal 6 comprises two sealing lips 10, 11. One sealing lip 10 lies against the inner pane 14, while the other sealing lip 11 lies against the wall 9 of the cooking chamber 2. The Figure 2The wall shown is the floor 12 of the cooking chamber 2. Such an arrangement of the sealing lips 10, 11 is particularly advantageous because it creates a sealed transition from the inner pane 14 to the walls 9 of the cooking chamber 2. This allows moisture and condensed water to drain from the cooking chamber door 4 or the inner pane into the cooking chamber. The sealing lips 10, 11 also have a dam-like effect, preventing water from running out of the cooking chamber 2. The cooking chamber door 2 can thus be opened after a cooking process without water flowing out of the cooking chamber 2.

[0046] The receiving device 26 is positioned far enough behind the front frame 19 to allow for a design with a resilient sealing lip 10. The sealing lip 10 is flexible. This allows for unevenness to be compensated for, and the sealing lip reliably seals against the inner pane 14. The moisture seal 6, and in particular the sealing lips 10, 11, are made of an elastic material. Furthermore, the material used for the sealing lips 10, 11 or for the moisture seal 6 must be resistant to the high microwave power occurring in the sealing area. The moisture seal 6 must also be resistant to the expected heat and hot steam. The moisture seal 6 is therefore preferably made of a silicone material.

[0047] A microwave-permeable gap 20 is located between the front frame 19 and the metallic plate 17. Although the inner pane 14 lies partially within this gap 20, the inner pane 14 is essentially permeable to microwaves. The gap 20 is limited at the lower end 30, where the U-shaped structure 18 rests against the front frame 19. As a result, microwaves entering the gap 20 are reflected into the quarter-wave trap 16. Furthermore, a microwave-absorbing sealant 21 is arranged at the end 30 of the gap 20, which further supports the shielding.

[0048] Overall, the present invention provides a cooking appliance 1 with a secure microwave seal 5 and a reliable moisture seal 6, in which the formation of a water pocket is avoided and the cooking chamber volume is not restricted. List of reference symbols

[0049] 1 Cooking appliance 2 Cooking chamber 3 Microwave source 4 Cooking chamber door 5 Microwave seal 6 Moisture seal 7 Thermal heat source 8 Steam source 9 Wall 10 Sealing lip 11 Sealing lip 12 Base 13 Microwave locking device 14 Inner pane 15 Outer pane 16 Lambda / 4 trap 17 Metallic plate 18 U-shaped structure 19 Front frame 20 Gap 21 Sealant 22 Loading opening 23 Operating device 24 Display 25 Door opener 26 Receptacle 27 Undercut 28 Nose 29 Inlet opening 30 Lower end 100 Combination appliance

Claims

1. Cooking appliance (1) having at least one cooking chamber (2) and having at least one cooking chamber door (4) for closing and opening a loading opening (22) of the cooking chamber (2) and having at least one microwave source (3) and having at least one steam source (8), at least one microwave seal (5) and at least one moisture seal (6) being provided in the region of the loading opening (22) the microwave seal (5) comprising at least one microwave locking device (13) and the moisture seal (6) being arranged closer to the cooking chamber (2) than the microwave seal (5) and in the microwave seal (5) the radial distance to an imaginary axis being greater than in the moisture seal (6), the imaginary axis extending through the centre of the loading opening (22) and at right angles to a plane which is defined by the loading opening (22), characterised in that the moisture seal (6) has at least one first sealing lip (11), with which the moisture seal (6) at least partly rests against a wall (9) of the cooking chamber (2), and the moisture seal (6) has at least one second sealing lip (10), with which the moisture seal (6) at least partly rests against the closed cooking chamber door (4) such that condensate or liquid coming from the cooking chamber door (4) is drained to the floor (12) of the cooking chamber (2) and then inwards, the moisture seal (6) being attached all around to the wall (9) in the region of the loading opening (22), a receiving device (26) being provided for this purpose in the transition region between the wall (9) of the cooking chamber (2) and a front frame (19), the moisture seal (6) being designed such that at least a part of the moisture seal (6) is received in the receiving device (26), and the moisture seal (6) having a nose (28), which is latched or plugged into an undercut (27) of the receiving device (26).

2. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one thermal heat source (7) is provided.

3. Cooking appliance (1) according to either of the preceding claims, characterised in that the moisture seal (6) consists at least partly of an elastic material.

4. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the moisture seal (6) consists at least partly of a material transparent to microwaves.

5. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the moisture seal (6) consists at least partly of a steam proof material.

6. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the moisture seal (6) consists at least partly of a silicone-containing or silicone-like material.

7. Cooking appliance (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the microwave seal (5) is arranged at least partly on and / or in the cooking chamber door (4).

8. Cooking appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the cooking chamber door (4) comprises at least one inner pane (14) and at least one outer pane (15), between which the microwave locking device (13) is at least partly provided.

9. Cooking appliance (1) according to either of the two preceding claims, characterised in that the microwave locking device (13) comprises at least one lambda / 4 trap (16).

10. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that at least one metal plate (17) extending substantially adjacent to the inner pane (14) is provided, which plate is arranged in particular between the inner pane (14) and the outer pane (15).

11. Cooking appliance (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the lambda / 4 trap (16) on the cooking chamber door (4) comprises an approximately U-shaped structure (18).

12. Cooking appliance (1) according to either of claims 9 and 11, characterised in that a microwave-permeable gap (20) is provided between the cooking chamber door (4) and a front frame (19), at the end of which microwaves are reflected into the lambda / 4 trap (16).

13. Cooking appliance (1) according to either of claims 8 and 10, characterised in that a microwave absorbing sealant (21) is provided at a lower end (30) of the inner pane (14).

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