Electric cooking appliance provided with a removable hot-air heating device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric cooking appliance (2) comprising a main body (3) that houses a cooking vessel (4) defining a cooking space (5); a lid (6) configured to prevent access to the cooking vessel (4); and a hot-air heating device (7) comprising an air circulation device configured to generate an airflow in the cooking space (5), and a heating element configured to heat the airflow generated by the air circulation device. The hot-air heating device (7) is removable and has a use configuration in which the hot-air heating device (7) is arranged outside the cooking space (5) and a storage configuration in which the hot-air heating device (7) is stored inside the cooking space (5).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Electric cooking appliance provided with a removable hot air heating device

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention generally relates to an electric cooking appliance configured to cook food according to at least one of a pressure cooking mode and a hot air cooking mode.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] An electric cooking appliance, for cooking food using at least one pressure cooking method and one hot air cooking method, comprises in a known manner:

[0007] - a main body housing a cooking tank which delimits a cooking volume and which includes an access opening through which food can be introduced into the cooking volume,

[0008] - a cover configured to occupy a closed position in which the cover closes the access opening and prevents access to the cooking vessel and a released position in which the cover releases the access opening and allows access to the cooking vessel,

[0009] - a hot air heating device which is removable and which is configured to rest on the cooking vessel when the cover occupies the release position, the hot air heating device comprising an air circulation device configured to generate an air flow in the cooking volume, and a heating element, and for example a resistive heating element, configured to heat the air flow generated by the air circulation device, and

[0010] - an additional heating device arranged in the main body and configured to heat the cooking tank by conduction.

[0011] Such an electric cooking appliance makes it possible to cook food contained in the cooking volume using a pressure cooking mode when the lid is in the closed position, and using a hot air cooking mode when the lid is in the release position and the hot air heating device is resting on the cooking tank.

[0012] Although such an electric cooking appliance allows food to be cooked using different cooking methods, and in particular using a pressure cooking method and a hot air cooking method, and to be able to produce an increased number of recipes, it has a large storage volume due in particular to the storage of the hot air heating device independently of the main body and the cover.

[0013] In addition, when storing the hot air heater, it is likely to suffer external shocks which could potentially harm its integrity.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0016] The technical problem underlying the invention consists in particular in providing an electric cooking appliance which is of reliable and compact structure, while allowing food to be cooked using different types of cooking, and in particular using a pressure cooking method and a hot air cooking method.

[0017] To this end, the present invention relates to an electric cooking appliance configured to cook food according to a pressure cooking mode and a hot air cooking mode, the electric cooking appliance comprising:

[0018] - a main body housing a cooking tank which delimits a cooking volume and which includes an access opening through which food can be introduced into the cooking volume,

[0019] - a cover configured to occupy a closed position in which the cover closes the access opening, prevents access to the cooking vessel and allows the pressure cooking mode, and a release position in which the cover releases the access opening, allows access to the cooking vessel and allows the hot air cooking mode, and

[0020] - a hot air heating device which is removable from the main body, the hot air heating device comprising an air circulation device configured to generate an air flow in the cooking volume, and a heating element, and for example a resistive heating element, configured to heat the air flow generated by the air circulation device.

[0021] The hot air heating device has a use configuration in which the hot air heating device is arranged at least partially outside the cooking volume and is configured to cook food contained in the cooking volume and a storage configuration in which the hot air heating device is stored in the cooking volume.

[0022] Such a configuration of the electric cooking appliance according to the present invention makes it possible to store the hot air heating device inside the cooking tank after use, when storing the electric cooking appliance. These arrangements make it possible to significantly reduce the size of the electric cooking appliance in the storage configuration, while protecting the hot air heating device from any external shock.

[0023] The electric cooking appliance may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device is configured to rest on a bottom wall of the cooking vessel when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance comprises a holding device configured to hold the hot air heating device in position relative to the cooking tank when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration. Such a holding device ensures a stable position for the hot air heating device when it is in the use configuration.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device is configured to hold the hot air heating device at least partially above the cooking volume when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device is configured to bear, and for example to rest, on the cooking tank when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device is configured to bear on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank, and for example on an upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank or on an annular shoulder provided on an internal circumferential surface of the cooking tank and located near the upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device and the hot air heating device are configured to close the access opening provided on the cooking tank when the holding device rests on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises a holding member, such as a holding ring, which is annular and which is configured to bear, and for example to rest, on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking vessel, and for example on the upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel or on the annular shoulder provided on the internal circumferential surface of the cooking vessel, the holding member being distinct from the hot air heating device and the hot air heating device being configured to be fixed in a removable manner, that is to say in a temporary and reversible manner, to the holding member.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding member is configured to extend around the hot air heater when the hot air heater is removably attached to the holding member.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking vessel has, at the upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel, an inner diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the holding member. Such a configuration of the holding member makes it possible, with a hot air heating device of dimensions smaller than the inner diameter of the cooking vessel, to ensure a stable position of the hot air heating device relative to the cooking vessel when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding member comprises a central opening configured to be located opposite the cooking volume when the holding member rests on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank, the heating element being configured to be arranged opposite the central opening when the hot air heating device is removably attached to the holding member.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the central opening is eccentric relative to a central axis of the holding member.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding member is configured to extend substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the air circulation device when the hot air heating device is attached to the holding member.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding member comprises a viewing window configured to allow viewing of food contained in the cooking volume when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration. The presence of such a viewing window allows a user to easily monitor the cooking of the food without having to remove the hot air heating device.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the invention, the viewing window is translucent or transparent to light radiation.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance comprises at least one accessory, such as a closing accessory, configured to be removably attached to the holding member when the hot air heating device is disconnected from the holding member, the holding member being configured to hold the accessory in position relative to the main body when the holding member bears on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking vessel and the accessory is attached to the holding member. These arrangements make it possible to use the holding member to hold different types of accessories above the cooking vessel, in particular for the purpose of closing the cooking vessel when the latter is removed from the main body and is placed in a refrigerator or for the purpose of closing the cooking vessel when cooking stews.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, the accessory is configured to close the central opening provided on the holding member.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device comprises a plurality of support members, such as support tabs or support fins, distributed around a central axis of the hot air heating device and mounted movably on the hot air heating device, and for example on the housing, between an active position in which the support members project relative to an external circumferential wall of the hot air heating device, and for example on the housing, and are configured to rest on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank and an inactive position in which the support members are located set back relative to said external circumferential wall.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises the holding device.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises a housing in which the air circulation device is arranged, the housing having a maximum cross-section which is less than the passage section of the access opening.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the holding device is formed by an annular support rim which extends around the housing of the hot air heating device and which is integral with the housing.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a lower compartment in which the air circulation device and the heating element are arranged, the lower compartment being configured to be fluidically connected to the cooking volume, and for example to open into the cooking volume, when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower compartment has a lower opening configured to be oriented towards the cooking volume when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration. In other words, the lower compartment is open downwards.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a lower face partially delimiting the lower compartment, the heating element being located opposite said lower face.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises a circumferential deflection wall which partially delimits the lower compartment and which is configured to deflect the air flow generated by the air circulation device towards the cooking volume. Advantageously, the lower opening of the lower compartment is delimited at least in part by a lower peripheral edge of the circumferential deflection wall.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the circumferential deflection wall has a cross-section which is oblong, and for example generally oval. Such a configuration of the circumferential deflection wall makes it possible to optimize the flow of the hot air flow inside the cooking volume.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises an internal housing in which the drive mechanism is arranged.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main body comprises a first electrical connector located outside the cooking tank, and the hot air heating device comprises a second electrical connector configured to cooperate with the first electrical connector so as to electrically power the hot air heating device. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second electrical connector is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the second electrical connector is able to cooperate with the first electrical connector.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second electrical connector is configured to protrude from the housing of the warm air heater when the second electrical connector occupies the deployed position.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second electrical connector is configured to be housed in the housing of the hot air heating device when the second electrical connector occupies the retracted position.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing of the hot air heating device comprises a passage opening through which the second electrical connector is configured to protrude when the second electrical connector is moved into the deployed position. The passage opening may for example be provided on an external side wall of the housing, or may for example open into a bottom wall of the housing.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises an air outlet opening configured to be fluidically connected to the cooking volume when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration. Advantageously, the air outlet opening opens into an external surface of the housing of the hot air heating device.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the circumferential deflection wall has, at a predetermined transverse plane which is substantially parallel to a central axis of the circumferential deflection wall, a maximum transverse dimension, the air outlet opening opening into the lower compartment near or at said predetermined transverse plane. In other words, the air outlet opening opens into the lower compartment near or at a maximum diameter of the circumferential deflection wall. According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises an annular seal, such as an O-ring, configured to cooperate in a sealed manner with the cooking vessel, and for example with an upper peripheral portion of the cooking vessel, when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.Such a configuration of the hot air heating device allows the access opening to be tightly closed when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the annular seal is configured to have a first diameter when it is in a rest position and to have a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, when it is compressed, and therefore when the hot air heating device rests on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises a gripping handle.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the heating element is configured to be located opposite the cooking volume when the hot air heating device is in the use configuration.

[0059] According to one embodiment of the invention, the air circulation device comprises a fan.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the hot air heating device comprises a drive mechanism configured to rotate the air circulation device about an axis of rotation. The drive mechanism may for example comprise a drive motor.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover is mounted to move, and for example pivotally mounted, relative to the main body between the closed position and the released position.

[0062] Brief description of the figures

[0063] In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings representing, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of this electric cooking appliance.

[0064] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an electric cooking appliance according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the electric cooking appliance of Figure 1 showing a hot air heating device in use configuration.

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the electric cooking appliance of Figure 1 showing the hot air heating device in the storage configuration.

[0067] Figure 4 is a partial bottom perspective view of the warm air heater and a holding member attached to the warm air heater.

[0068] Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the hot air heater being attached to the holding member.

[0069] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the hot air heater.

[0070] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the holding member and a closure accessory for attachment to the holding member.

[0071] Figure 8 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an electric cooking appliance according to a second embodiment of the invention showing the hot air heating device in the use configuration.

[0072] Figure 9 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the electric cooking appliance of Figure 8 showing the hot air heating device in the storage configuration.

[0073] Figure 10 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an electric cooking appliance according to a third embodiment of the invention showing the hot air heating device in the use configuration. Figure 11 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the electric cooking appliance of Figure 10 showing the hot air heating device in the storage configuration.

[0074] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a hot air heating device belonging to an electric cooking appliance according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0075] Detailed description

[0076] Figures 1 to 7 show an electric cooking appliance 2 configured to cook food using a pressure cooking mode and a hot air cooking mode.

[0077] As shown more particularly in Figures 1 to 3, the electric cooking appliance 2 comprises a main body 3 housing a cooking tank 4 which delimits a cooking volume 5. The cooking tank 4 comprises a bottom wall 4.1, a side wall 4.2 which extends from the bottom wall 4.1, and an access opening 4.3 through which food can be introduced into the cooking volume 5. The access opening 4.3 is advantageously delimited by an upper peripheral edge of the side wall 4.2. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the cooking tank 4 has a substantially circular cross-section. However, the cooking tank 4 could have a cross-section of a completely different shape, for example square or rectangular.

[0078] The electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a cover 6 configured to occupy a closed position (see figure 3) in which the cover 6 closes the access opening 4.3 and prevents access to the cooking tank 4, and a released position (see figure 1) in which the cover 6 releases the access opening 4.3 and allows access to the cooking tank 4. The cover 6 can for example be mounted movably, and for example pivotally mounted, on the main body 3.

[0079] The closed position allows the implementation of the pressure cooking mode and the release position allows the implementation of the hot air cooking mode.

[0080] The electric cooking appliance 2 also comprises a hot air heating device 7 which is removable from the main body 3. The hot air heating device 7 has a usage configuration (see figures

[0081] I and 2) in which the hot air heating device 7 is arranged outside the cooking volume 5 and is configured to cook food contained in the cooking volume 5, and a storage configuration (see Figure 3) in which the hot air heating device 7 is stored in the cooking volume 5, and for example rests on the bottom wall 4.1 of the cooking tank 4.

[0082] The hot air heating device 7 comprises an air circulation device 8 (see FIG. 4) configured to generate an air flow in the cooking volume 5. Advantageously, the air circulation device 8 comprises a fan 9 provided with a plurality of blades.

[0083] The hot air heating device 7 also comprises a drive mechanism (not visible in the figures) configured to rotate the fan 9 about an axis of rotation. The drive mechanism comprises in particular a drive motor and a motion transmission mechanism which is configured to transmit a rotational movement from the drive motor to the fan 9.

[0084] The hot air heating device 7 further comprises a heating element

[0085] II (see Figure 4), and for example a resistive heating element, which is configured to heat the air flow generated by the air circulation device 8. The heating element 11 may for example be curved and extend at least partly around the axis of rotation of the fan 9. Advantageously, the heating element 11 is configured to be located opposite the access opening 4.3 of the cooking tank 4 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration.

[0086] The hot air heating device 7 also comprises a housing 12 in which the air circulation device 8, the heating element 11 and the drive mechanism are arranged. The housing 12 has a maximum cross-section which is smaller than the passage section of the access opening 4.3 and also has a volume which is smaller than the cooking volume 5, so as to allow the insertion and storage of the housing 12 in the cooking volume 5.

[0087] Advantageously, the housing 12 comprises a lower compartment 13 which is open downwards and in which the air circulation device 8 and the heating element 11 are arranged. The lower compartment 13 is configured to be fluidically connected to the cooking volume 5, and more particularly to open into the cooking volume 5, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration. The housing 12 further comprises an internal housing (not visible in the figures) in which the drive mechanism is arranged.

[0088] The hot air heating device 7 further comprises a circumferential deflection wall 14 which partly delimits the lower compartment 13 and which is configured to deflect the air flow generated by the air circulation device 8 towards the cooking volume 5. Advantageously, a lower peripheral edge of the circumferential deflection wall 14 at least partly delimits a lower opening of the lower compartment 13.

[0089] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the circumferential deflection wall 14 has a cross-section which is oblong, and for example generally oval. Such a configuration of the circumferential deflection wall 14 makes it possible to optimize the flow of the hot air flow inside the cooking volume 5.

[0090] The hot air heating device 7 also comprises an air outlet opening 15 configured to be fluidically connected to the cooking volume 5 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration. Advantageously, the air outlet opening 15 opens on the one hand into the lower compartment 13 near or at a maximum diameter of the circumferential deflection wall 14, and on the other hand into an external lateral surface of the housing 12. The presence of the air outlet opening 15 allows in particular an evacuation of the water vapor accumulated in the cooking volume 5 during the cooking of food contained in the cooking volume 5 according to the hot air cooking mode.

[0091] In order to facilitate the handling of the hot air heating device 7 by a user, the hot air heating device 7 may be provided with a gripping handle 16 which may for example be provided on the housing 12.

[0092] The hot air heating device 7 may also comprise a protective grid 17 (see FIG. 6) configured to at least partially cover the heating element 11. Advantageously, the protective grid 17 is configured to be arranged under the heating element 11 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration.

[0093] In order to electrically power the hot air heating device 7 when it is in the use configuration, the main body 3 comprises a first electrical connector 18 located outside the cooking tank 4 (and for example close to the upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank 4), and the hot air heating device 7 comprises a second electrical connector 19 configured to cooperate with the first electrical connector 18.

[0094] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the first and second electrical connectors 18, 19 are fixed, the first electrical connector 18 is a male electrical connector, and the second electrical connector 19 is a female electrical connector which is accessible from a lower face of the housing 12 of the hot air heating device 7. However, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first electrical connector 18 could be a female electrical connector, and the second electrical connector 19 could be a male electrical connector.

[0095] Advantageously, the first electrical connector 18 is configured to be oriented substantially vertically when the main body 3 rests on a horizontal surface, so as to ensure easy connection of the first and second electrical connectors 18, 19 by a simple vertical downward movement of the hot air heating device 7.

[0096] The electric cooking appliance 2 further comprises a holding device 21 configured to hold the hot air heating device 7 in position relative to the cooking tank 4 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration. The holding device 21 is more particularly configured to bear, and for example to rest, on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4, and therefore to hold the hot air heating device 7 above the cooking volume 5 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration.

[0097] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the holding device 21 comprises a holding member 22, such as a holding ring, which is annular and which is configured to extend around the housing 12 of the hot air heating device 7 and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the air circulation device 8.

[0098] Advantageously, the holding member 22 is separate from the hot air heating device 7, and the hot air heating device 7 is configured to be removably attached, i.e. temporarily and reversibly, to the holding member 22. For this purpose, the electric cooking appliance 2 comprises a fixing system comprising at least one first fixing member 23, such as a fixing lug or a fixing housing, provided on the housing 12, and at least one second fixing member 24, such as a fixing housing or a fixing lug, provided on the holding member 22 and configured to cooperate removably with the at least one first fixing member 23.The housing 12 may for example comprise two first fixing members 23 diametrically opposed relative to the axis of rotation of the fan 9, and the holding member 22 may for example comprise two second fixing members 23 diametrically opposed relative to a central axis of the holding member 22.

[0099] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the holding member 22 is configured to bear on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4, and for example on the upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank 4. For this purpose, the cooking tank 4 has, at its upper peripheral edge, an internal diameter which is less than an external diameter of the holding member 22.

[0100] Advantageously, the holding member 22 and the hot air heating device 7 are configured to close, for example in a sealed manner, the access opening 4.3 provided on the cooking tank 4 when the holding member 22 bears on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4.

[0101] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the holding member 22 comprises a central opening 25 configured to be located opposite the cooking volume 5 when the holding device 21 rests on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4. The central opening 25 can for example be centered or eccentric relative to the central axis of the holding member 22. Advantageously, the heating element 11 is configured to be arranged opposite the central opening 25 when the hot air heating device 7 is fixed to the holding member 22.

[0102] According to the first embodiment of the invention, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the storage configuration, the holding member 22 can for example be fixed to the cover 6 or simply rest on the latter.

[0103] In order to allow a user to view food contained in the cooking volume 5 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration, the holding member 22 may comprise a viewing window 26 configured to be located opposite the cooking volume 5. The viewing window 26 is advantageously translucent or transparent to light radiation.

[0104] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the electric cooking appliance 2 also comprises at least one accessory 27, such as a closing accessory, configured to be removably attached to the holding member 22 when the hot air heating device 7 is disconnected from the holding member 22. Such an accessory 27 may for example be configured to close, for example in a sealed manner, the central opening 25. Thus, the holding member 22 makes it possible to hold different types of accessories 27 above the cooking tank 4.

[0105] The accessory 27 may for example be provided with a handle, such as a central handle, and be configured to close the cooking tank 4 in particular when the latter is removed from the main body 3 and is placed in a refrigerator, or when it is desired to cook simmered dishes with the electric cooking appliance 2.

[0106] The electric cooking appliance 2 also comprises a control unit (not visible in the figures) which comprises for example a controller, such as a microcontroller, or a processor, such as a microprocessor, and which is configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance 2, and in particular of the heating element 11, the drive motor and the fan 9.

[0107] The control unit is more particularly configured to control the operation of the electric cooking appliance 2 according to a pressure cooking mode when simultaneously the cover 6 occupies the closed position and the hot air heating device 7 has been removed, and according to a hot air cooking mode when simultaneously the cover 6 occupies the release position and the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration (i.e. when the holding member 22, equipped with the hot air heating device 7, rests on the upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank 4).

[0108] When a user wishes to cook food contained in the cooking tank 4 in a hot air cooking mode, he moves the cover 6 into the release position, attaches the hot air heating device 7 to the holding member 22 and positions the holding member 22 on the upper peripheral edge of the cooking tank 4 such that the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration.

[0109] The user can then control a hot air cooking mode using a user interface provided on the main body 3, and the control unit then controls an activation of the drive motor so as to rotate the fan 9 and generate an air flow within the cooking tank 4 and also an activation of the heating element 11 so as to heat this air flow generated by the fan 9.

[0110] The electric cooking appliance 2 according to the present invention also makes it possible to brown the food contained in the cooking tank 4. For example, by selecting a brown cooking mode, the control unit can command, at the end of the hot air cooking cycle, a stop of the drive motor while maintaining an electrical supply to the heating element 11, which ensures, due to the position of the latter opposite the access opening 4.3 of the cooking tank 4, brown cooking of the food.

[0111] It is also possible to launch a gratin cooking mode at the end of the pressure cooking cycle.

[0112] Figures 8 and 9 show an electric cooking appliance 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the holding member 22 is configured to bear on an annular shoulder 28 which is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the cooking vessel 4 and which is located close to the upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel 4, and in that the second electrical connector 19 is movable between a retracted position in which the second electrical connector 19 is housed in the housing 12 of the hot air heating device 7, and a deployed position in which the second electrical connector 19 projects out of the housing 12 of the hot air heating device 7 and is able to cooperate with the first electrical connector 18.For this purpose, the housing 12 comprises a passage opening through which the second electrical connector 19 is configured to protrude when the second electrical connector 19 is moved into the deployed position. According to the second embodiment of the invention, the passage opening opens into an external side wall of the housing 12.

[0113] In order to allow movement of the second electrical connector 19 between the retracted position and the deployed position, the electric cooking appliance 2 may for example comprise two support arms 29 mounted articulated relative to the main body 3 around a first pivot axis, and the second electrical connector 19 may for example be mounted articulated on the two support arms 29 around a second pivot axis which is substantially parallel to the first pivot axis. Advantageously, the first and second pivot axes may for example be substantially horizontal when the main body 3 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0114] According to the second embodiment of the invention, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the storage configuration, the holding member 22 can also be stored in the cooking tank 4, resting on the annular shoulder 28.

[0115] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the second electrical connector 19 could be mounted to move in translation relative to the housing 12.

[0116] Figures 10 and 11 show an electric cooking appliance 2 according to a third embodiment of the invention which differs from the second embodiment essentially in that the hot air heating device 7 comprises the holding device 21.

[0117] According to the third embodiment of the invention, the holding device 21 is formed by an annular support rim 31 which extends around the housing 12 of the hot air heating device 7 and which is integral with the housing 12.

[0118] According to such an embodiment of the invention, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration, the hot air heating device 7 rests directly, via the annular support rim 31, on an annular shoulder 28 which is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the cooking vessel 4, and when the hot air heating device 7 is in the storage configuration, the hot air heating device 7 is turned 180° (relative to its orientation in the use configuration) and rests, via the annular support rim 31, also on the annular shoulder 28 (and not on the bottom wall 4.1 of the cooking vessel 4).

[0119] Such a configuration of the electric cooking appliance 2 avoids the provision of a holding member 22 separate from the hot air heating device 7, while allowing easy docking, in the cooking tank 4, of a peripheral seal provided on the cover 6, and easy locking of the cover 6 on the main body 3, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the storage configuration and the cover 6 occupies the closed position.

[0120] Figure 12 shows an electric cooking appliance 2 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment essentially in that the holding device 21 comprises a plurality of support members 32, such as support tabs or support fins,distributed around a central axis of the hot air heating device 7 and mounted movably on the hot air heating device 7 between an active position (see Figure 12) in which the support members 32 project relative to an external circumferential wall of the hot air heating device 7 and are configured to rest on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4 and an inactive position in which the support members 32 are located set back relative to the external circumferential wall of the hot air heating device 7 and therefore allow insertion and storage of the hot air heating device 7 in the cooking tank 4.,

[0121] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the hot air heating device 7 could comprise an annular seal, such as an O-ring, configured to cooperate in a sealed manner with the cooking tank 4, and for example with an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4, when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration. Such a configuration of the hot air heating device 7 makes it possible to seal the access opening 4.3 when the hot air heating device 7 is in the use configuration.Such an annular seal may for example be configured to have a first diameter when it is in a rest position and to have a second diameter, greater than the first diameter, when it is compressed, and therefore when the hot air heating device 7 rests on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank 4. Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only as examples. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electric cooking appliance (2) configured to cook food according to a pressure cooking mode and a hot air cooking mode, the electric cooking appliance (2) comprising: - a main body (3) housing a cooking tank (4) which delimits a cooking volume (5) and which comprises an access opening (4.3) through which food can be introduced into the cooking volume (5), - a cover (6) configured to occupy a closing position in which the cover (6) closes the access opening (4.3), prevents access to the cooking tank (4) and allows the pressure cooking mode, and a release position in which the cover (6) releases the access opening (4.3), allows access to the cooking tank (4) and allows the hot air cooking mode, and - a hot air heating device (7) which is removable from the main body (3), the hot air heating device (7) comprising an air circulation device (8) configured to generate an air flow in the cooking volume (5), and a heating element (11) configured to heat the air flow generated by the air circulation device (8), characterized in that the hot air heating device (7) has a use configuration in which the hot air heating device (7) is arranged at least partly outside the cooking volume (5) and is configured to cook food contained in the cooking volume (5) and a storage configuration in which the hot air heating device (7) is stored in the cooking volume (5).

2. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 1, which comprises a holding device (21) configured to hold in position the hot air heating device (7) relative to the cooking tank (4) when the hot air heating device (7) is in the use configuration.

3. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 2, wherein the holding device (21) is configured to bear on the cooking tank (4) when the hot air heating device (7) is in the use configuration.

4. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 3, wherein the holding device (21) and the hot air heating device (7) are configured to close the access opening (4.3) provided on the cooking tank (4) when the holding device (21) bears on the upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank (4).

5. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the holding device (21) comprises a holding member (22) which is annular and which is configured to bear on an upper peripheral portion of the cooking tank (4), the holding member (22) being separate from the hot air heating device (7) and the hot air heating device (7) being configured to be removably attached to the holding member (22).

6. An electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 5, wherein the cooking vessel (4) has, at an upper peripheral edge of the cooking vessel (4), an inner diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the holding member (22).

7. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 5 or 6, in which the holding member (22) comprises a central opening (25) configured to be located opposite the cooking volume (5) when the holding member (22) rests on the peripheral portion upper part of the cooking tank (4), the heating element (11) being configured to be arranged opposite the central opening (25) when the hot air heating device (7) is removably attached to the holding member (22).

8. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the holding member (22) comprises a viewing window (26) configured to allow viewing of food contained in the cooking volume (5) when the hot air heating device (7) is in the use configuration.

9. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the hot air heating device (7) comprises the holding device (21).

10. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hot air heating device (7) comprises a housing (12) in which the air circulation device (8) is arranged, the housing (12) having a maximum cross-section which is less than the passage section of the access opening (4.3).

11. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing (12) comprises a lower compartment (13) in which the air circulation device (8) and the heating element (11) are arranged, the lower compartment (13) being configured to be fluidically connected to the cooking volume (5) when the hot air heating device (7) is in the use configuration.

12. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 11, wherein the hot air heating device (7) comprises a circumferential deflection wall (14) which partly delimits the lower compartment (13). and which is configured to divert the air flow generated by the air circulation device (8) towards the cooking volume (5).

13. An electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 12, wherein the circumferential deflection wall (14) has a cross-section which is oblong.

14. Electric cooking appliance (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the main body (3) comprises a first electrical connector (18) located outside the cooking tank (4), and the hot air heating device (7) comprises a second electrical connector (19) configured to cooperate with the first electrical connector (18) so as to electrically power the hot air heating device (7).

15. An electric cooking appliance (2) according to claim 14, wherein the second electrical connector (19) is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which the second electrical connector (19) is capable of cooperating with the first electrical connector (18).

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