Cooking appliance

Abstract

Disclosed is a cooking appliance comprising: - a cooking space arranged to receive food to be cooked, - cooking means (30) comprising cooking ventilation means (30C) arranged to generate a cooking air flow and heating means arranged to heat the cooking air flow so as to allow the food that is to be cooked and is received in the cooking space to cook by convection, - a lid (11) that is removable and / or movable between an open position allowing access to the cooking space and a closed position preventing access to the cooking space, characterized in that the lid (11) comprises two walls (12) that are located one on top of the other and are arranged to form a passage for a cooling air flow between the two walls (12) located one on top of the other.

Description

Cooking appliance Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a food preparation appliance and in particular to a domestic hot air cooking appliance, designed to cook and / or heat food. State of the art

[0002] Cooking appliances are known in the prior art that use hot air flows and / or thermal radiation emitted by a carbon fiber heating element to cook and / or reheat food, such as that proposed by patent US2010059035A1. In particular, a carbon fiber element has the advantage of quickly emitting strong thermal radiation. On the other hand, the heating power of such a system is likely to burn the food. Limiting the heating power of such a system to preserve the food, however, necessarily involves extending the cooking time of the food.

[0003] Furthermore, in the prior art of cooking appliances using hot air flows with a lid provided with heating means in the center of the lid, one or more vents are generally provided to evacuate the cooking vapors on the lid or on the housing. On the other hand, this system has the disadvantage of limiting the cooking modes that the cooking appliance can perform. In particular, a steam cooking mode and / or an operating mode for dough rising are not necessarily compatible with the presence and / or the surface area of ​​the aforementioned vents provided for a cooking mode with radiation and convection of hot air.

[0004] Finally, document CN204445527U discloses a cooking appliance which comprises at least one transparent lid portion, so that the user can view the cooking status of the food, and in which carbon fiber heating elements are arranged under the lid, quickly emitting strong thermal radiation. In return, since the heating elements are located near the lid, they also heat the wall of the lid: such a system is likely to present a danger of burning for a user who would touch the wall of the lid during cooking.

[0005] In addition, the thermal radiation of the carbon fiber heating elements, due to their power, is also likely to burn the food placed in the cooking tank.

[0006] Furthermore, the devices described in these documents are limited in their operating modes.

[0007] An aim of the present invention is to address in whole or in part the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a hot air cooking appliance allowing high cooking speed while limiting the risks of overheating the food.

[0008] For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention may relate to a cooking appliance, comprising at least:- a cooking space, arranged to receive food to be cooked,- cooking means comprising cooking ventilation means arranged to generate a cooking air flow and heating means arranged to heat the cooking air flow, so as to allow convection cooking of the food to be cooked received in the cooking space, characterized in that the heating means comprise at least one carbon fiber heating element and in that the cooking appliance comprises stirring means, arranged to stir the food to be cooked received in the cooking space. According to the above implementation, the use of at least one carbon fiber heating element in the heating means of the cooking appliance can allow faster cooking.Indeed, at equal thermal power, for example 1500 W, compared to heating means comprising heating elements consisting solely of conventional heating elements such as shielded resistors or halogen heating elements, faster thermal radiation is emitted by the at least one carbon fiber heating element, which allows for a shorter cooking time of the food. In addition, the use of stirring means in an appliance equipped with such a particularly powerful heating system can allow the food to be stirred in the cooking space, so as to vary the face of the food exposed to the flow of hot cooking air and the thermal radiation of the carbon fiber heating elements. Thus, the cooking of the food is rapid while being more even because the stirred or stirred food is not burned on the surface.

[0009] The cooking appliance may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the carbon fiber heating element may be at least partially arranged facing the cooking space so as to allow radiant cooking of the food to be cooked received in the cooking space. Thus, the food located below the heating element may cook under the effect of the heat emitted by thermal radiation, in addition to the heat transmitted by the convection of the air of the cooking space. The apparatus may provide improved cooking, for example a sufficient Maillard reaction of the food to be cooked and / or a more satisfactory / even browning, and faster cooking than under the effect of a single mode of heat transmission.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the carbon fiber heating element may comprise (and / or is protected by) a transparent protective wall (a shell or a bulb or a tube) made of quartz transparent to the thermal radiation emitted by the carbon fiber during its heating.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the stirring means may comprise a stirring blade comprising a central hub, and the carbon fiber heating element is arranged opposite a peripheral area of ​​the central hub. According to the above implementation, the peripheral area of ​​the central hub may be adjacent to the central hub. Since the peripheral area of ​​the central hub may be occupied by the food, the food is then opposite the carbon fiber heating element to be directly exposed to the thermal radiation emitted by the heating element and the cooking efficiency can thus be maximized.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the stirring blade may comprise a heat shield arranged on at least a portion of the stirring blade. In other words, the heat shield may be arranged on a portion of the stirring blade opposite and / or on a portion closest to the heating means, and / or in the upper portion of the stirring blade. Indeed, a portion of the stirring blade may not be in contact or not continuously in contact with the food to be cooked, and be subjected to the particularly intense thermal radiation of the carbon fiber heating element. A heat shield may therefore make it possible to preserve the integrity of the stirring blade.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a control unit arranged to control:- an operation of the heating means,- an operation of the cooking ventilation means,- an operation of the stirring means, wherein the control unit is provided to control an operation of the cooking ventilation means and / or the stirring means as soon as the carbon fiber heating element of the heating means is put into operation, or at least after a threshold time of exposure of the food to radiation emitted by the heating means to brown the food. The control unit may make the operation of the cooking appliance at least partly automatic. Generally, the stirring means and the cooking ventilation means are put into operation as soon as the carbon fiber heating element is activated, to avoid any risk of overheating the food.However, during a particular cooking method for browning food, it may be provided to stop the stirring means and / or the cooking ventilation means while having the carbon fiber heating element activated to brown the food. It may also be provided to start operating the stirring means and / or the cooking ventilation means only after a threshold exposure time for browning the food, in order to turn it over.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance comprises a protective wall arranged between the heating means and the cooking space, the protective wall being perforated with openings arranged between the carbon fiber heating element and the cooking space. The protective wall can protect the carbon fiber element and the rest of the heating means from splashes and / or impacts resulting from the cooking and stirring of the food to be cooked. Openings in the wall can allow the passage or filtering of the heat radiation from the heating element towards the food to be cooked so as not to compromise cooking by heat radiation. The wall can be a grid or a lattice. A metal part, for example made of stainless steel, can be provided.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the carbon fiber heating element may comprise electrical connection terminals and carbon fibers connected to the electrical connection terminals to be traversed by an electric current so as to generate thermal radiation. As a result, heat may be emitted by radiation, and / or a radiant heat flux may be created. Typically, the carbon fiber heating element may comprise carbon fibers braided or forming a wire, a cable, possibly twisted.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the heating means may consist of said at least one carbon fiber heating element. According to this embodiment, said at least one carbon fiber heating element may be the sole heat source of the cooking appliance.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the heating means may comprise a plurality of carbon fiber heating elements.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the heating means may comprise an armored resistor and / or a halogen heating element, in addition to the at least one carbon fiber heating element.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the heating means may be arranged in whole or in part between the cooking ventilation means and the cooking space or in whole or in part on the same level as the cooking ventilation means, so as to ensure good convection with efficient heating of the air in the cooking space by the heating means and its diffusion by the cooking ventilation means.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the cooking space may comprise a work tank arranged to contain the food, removable relative to the cooking space, in order to facilitate cleaning of the work tank.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a cover, preferably movable and / or removable, in which the heating means and the cooking ventilation means are embedded, and arranged to close the cooking space.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the heating means may be at least partially arranged in a central part of the cover, the cover comprising a transparent peripheral part, thus allowing the user to view the food during cooking.

[0024] According to one embodiment, at least part of the heating means can be arranged directly opposite the food in the working tank, in particular via openings in a protective wall.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the cooking ventilation means and / or the cooking appliance may be arranged to generate the cooking air flow in a recirculating mode. The cooking ventilation means and / or the cooking appliance may be provided to take air from the cooking space and / or from the interior of the appliance and to discharge it into the cooking space and / or into the interior of the appliance.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the stirring means may comprise an obstacle positioned to come into contact with at least part of the food placed in the working tank, and arranged to promote the turning of the food by the stirring blade, and more particularly to force the turning of the food.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the obstacle may be formed by a finger or a protrusion fixed relative to the cooking space. A protrusion formed directly in the working tank may be provided.

[0028] Another aim of the present invention may be to provide a hot air cooking appliance making it possible to offer the possibility of carrying out a plurality of cooking modes.

[0029] For this, a second aspect of the invention may relate to a cooking appliance, comprising:- a housing,- a cooking space arranged inside the housing, and arranged to receive food to be cooked,- cooking means comprising cooking ventilation means arranged to generate a flow of cooking air and heating means arranged to heat the flow of cooking air, so as to allow convection cooking of the food to be cooked received in the cooking space,- stirring means, arranged to stir the food to be cooked received in the cooking space,- a removable and / or movable cover between an open position allowing access to the cooking space and a closed position preventing access to the cooking space,characterized in that the cover and / or the cooking appliance comprises means for venting the cooking space, such as at least one vent, relative to or with respect to the cover,arranged to variably regulate a gas exchange surface between the cooking space and an environment external to the cooking appliance. The regulation of the gas exchange surface, i.e. the flow rate of cooking vapors, can allow greater control over the cooking of the food to be cooked, and can allow a greater diversity of cooking methods. The fact that the vent is relative to the lid allows for greater ease of use by the user. This vent can for example be arranged directly on the wall of the lid, or can be formed from a lid stop arranged on the housing and / or the lid and preventing the lid from reaching its closed position. The opening thus formed between the lid and the housing forms a vent for the escape of steam. In particular, the same appliance can offer, with the vent making it possible to regulate the gas exchange surface,several cooking modes such as for example a steam cooking mode, a mode for cooking food by radiation and convection, or a cooking mode for raising dough. The vent may be adjustable, arranged to adjustably regulate a communication surface with the outside, and / or the flow rate of outlet or evacuation of cooking vapors.,

[0030] The cooking appliance may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise at least one shutter arranged to adjustably close the gas exchange surface. The shutter may be a flap or a hood or a diaphragm or even a movable partition. Generally speaking, the shutter is a movable part which can completely close the vent, or leave it completely free, or partially close it.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise at least one detector arranged to detect a position of the shutter.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a control unit arranged to control:- an operation of the heating means,- an operation of the cooking ventilation means,- an operation of the stirring means, wherein the control unit is provided to:- control an operation of the cooking ventilation means and / or the stirring means and / or the heating means as a function of a position of the shutter, and / or- send information to a user on a position of the shutter (a position occupied by the shutter), or on a position to be imposed on the shutter.The control unit may make the operation of the cooking appliance at least partly automatic, according to a cooking mode chosen by the user. The position of the shutter may be adjusted manually.The control unit may prohibit the cooking appliance from starting if the position of the shutter does not correspond to the selected cooking mode, and / or prompt the user to move the shutter to a suitable position, typically via a human-machine interface.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise motorization means arranged to move the shutter, and in which the control unit is provided to control the motorization means, thus ensuring automatic positioning of the shutter by the control unit.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be provided to control the cooking appliance according to a first cooking mode and according to at least one second cooking mode and to control a movement of the shutter into a first position or at least into a second position depending on the control according to the first cooking mode or according to the second cooking mode. The movement of the shutter in or relative to the vent may thus be automatic according to the cooking mode envisaged, which reduces the number of operations to be carried out by the user and simplifies the use of the cooking appliance.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the control unit may be provided to conduct a first cooking mode and at least one second cooking mode as a function of a first position of the shutter and at least one second position of the shutter, respectively. The control unit may control the start of cooking according to information on the position of the shutter sent by a sensor, and may then ensure the cooking required by the selected cooking mode.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a human-machine interface provided for selecting the first cooking mode or said at least one second cooking mode. The human-machine interface may be a support such as a screen, control buttons, a touch screen allowing the user to communicate with the cooking appliance.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the shutter can be arranged to slide in translation or in rotation relative to the vent.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise at least one intermediate stop arranged to define at least one intermediate position of the shutter in the vent. The cooking appliance may comprise at least a first stop to define a complete opening of the gas exchange surface and at least a second stop to define a complete closure of the gas exchange surface. The intermediate stop may be a notch or a plurality of notches which define a closure of the vent for example at 20%, for example at 30%, for example at 40%, for example at 60%, for example at 70%, for example at 80%.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the cover may comprise two superimposed walls, and the vent may comprise, or be formed by, a frame forming a spacer between the two superimposed walls. The frame may provide additional support to maintain the spacing of the two superimposed walls (thus forming a double wall).

[0041] According to one embodiment, the two superimposed walls can form a thermal insulation, one of the walls facing the cooking space and the other wall being outside the cooking space. The shutter can be mounted on one wall of the superimposed walls (typically the wall that closes the cooking space), and the appliance can comprise a shutter manipulation interface mounted on the other wall of the superimposed walls (typically the external wall and directly accessible to the user).

[0042] According to one embodiment, the vent may pass through only one of the two superimposed walls.

[0043] According to an alternative embodiment, the vent can pass through the two superimposed walls.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the maximum exchange surface area of ​​the vent may be between 2 cm² and 15 cm², preferably between 6 cm² and 12 cm².

[0045] According to one embodiment, the cooking space may comprise a work tank arranged to contain the food, removable relative to the cooking space, in order to facilitate cleaning of the work tank.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a ratio calculated by dividing a working tank bottom surface by the gas exchange surface may be between 30 and 270, preferably between 40 and 80, and very preferably between 50 and 70. In other words, the gas exchange surface may represent between 0.35% and 3% of the working tank bottom surface.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a plurality of vents, wherein the vents are distributed over the lid. Preferably, the vents may be substantially equally distributed, for example, two vents may be arranged on the lid at 180° ±15°, or three vents may be arranged on the lid at 120° ±15°, or four vents may be arranged on the lid at 90° ±15°, so as to ensure uniformity of the exit of cooking vapors from the cooking space, and thus uniformity of the cooking of the food, as well as a robust construction with the vents and their frames being able to form spacers when the lid has a double wall.

[0048] Another object of the present invention may be to provide a cooking appliance with a cooking space, means for heating the cooking space and a cover for closing the cooking space, the temperature of the outer surface of which during cooking does not present a risk of burning for the user.

[0049] For this purpose, a third aspect of the invention relates to a cooking appliance which may comprise:- a cooking space, arranged to receive food to be cooked,- cooking means comprising cooking ventilation means arranged to generate a flow of cooking air and heating means arranged to heat the flow of cooking air, so as to allow convection cooking of the food to be cooked received in the cooking space,- a removable and / or movable cover between an open position allowing access to the cooking space and a closed position preventing access to the cooking space,characterized in that the cover comprises two superimposed walls, arranged to form a passage for a flow of cooling air between the two superimposed walls, in which at least one of the superimposed walls can be removable relative to the other wall,and preferably one of the superimposed walls directly facing the cooking space is removable relative to the other wall. The two superimposed walls can define a double wall. The cooling air flow can thus cool the two superimposed walls and also form thermal insulation between an inner wall of the two superimposed walls, located facing the cooking space, and an outer wall of the two superimposed walls, located outside the cooking space and accessible to the user once the lid is closed. The cooling air flow can also form means for cooling the two superimposed walls. Thus, if the user touches the outer wall of the lid during cooking, he will not be exposed to the risk of burns.,

[0050] At least one of the superimposed walls is removable relative to the other so as to facilitate cleaning of the cover, and more particularly the surfaces of the superimposed walls facing each other: an internal surface of the external wall and an external surface of the internal wall, normally barely or not at all accessible.

[0051] The cooking appliance may further have one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the outer wall and the inner wall may be preferably separated by a distance of 3 mm to 10 mm.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise cooling ventilation means arranged to generate the cooling air flow between the two superimposed walls, in which the passage for the cooling air flow may comprise:- an air inlet arranged to take cooling air from outside the cooking appliance,- an air outlet arranged to discharge the cooling air towards the outside of the cooking appliance.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a drive motor arranged to drive both the cooling ventilation means and the cooking ventilation means.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the cooling airflow may be provided to cool the drive motor, in addition to the superimposed walls or at least the outer wall of the cover. The overall architecture of the device remains simple.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the cooling air flow may be driven in a forced flow from the cooling ventilation means towards the two superimposed walls, so as to systematically pass through the drive motor (and / or around the latter) and cool it before exiting through a space between the two superimposed walls. In other words, the cooling air flow may originate at the air inlet, may pass through or around the drive motor and then through a space between the two superimposed walls until reaching the air outlet.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a control unit arranged to control:- an operation of the heating means,- an operation of the cooking ventilation means,- an operation of the cooling ventilation means.in which the control unit is provided to control an operation of the cooking ventilation means and / or the stirring means as soon as the heating means (which may comprise a carbon fiber heating element) are put into operation, or at least after a threshold time of exposure of the food. The control unit may make the operation of the cooking appliance at least partly automatic.Generally speaking, the stirring means and the cooking ventilation means are put into operation as soon as the heating means (which may include the carbon fiber heating element) are activated, to avoid any risk of overheating the food and / or the lid. However, during a particular cooking mode for browning the food, provision may be made to stop the stirring means and / or the cooking ventilation means while having the heating means activated to brown the food. Provision may also be made to put the stirring means and / or the cooking ventilation means into operation only after a threshold exposure time for browning the food, to turn it over and / or to cool the lid which could otherwise exceed a threshold temperature beyond which there is a risk of burning for the user.It is also possible to consider several cooling fan speeds on the motor as needed, knowing that the higher the fan speed, the more the cover is cooled.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the drive motor may be arranged to be reversibly coupled with the cooking ventilation means, for example so as to allow on the one hand cooking essentially by heat radiation (the cooking ventilation means being uncoupled from the drive motor) and on the other hand cooking by radiation and convection (the cooking ventilation means being coupled to the drive motor). In other words, the drive motor may be arranged to drive at least one motor output shaft arranged to be coupled or uncoupled with an axis connected to the cooking ventilation means. Operation of the cooling ventilation means can be guaranteed independently of operation of the cooking ventilation means.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the two superimposed walls may each comprise at least one transparent portion to allow viewing of the cooking space, the transparent portion of each wall facing the transparent portion of the other wall. For example, the inner wall may be made of glass, and / or the outer wall may be made of polycarbonate or any other transparent material. Thus, the user does not need to open the lid to assess the cooking status of the food to be cooked, which further reduces the risk of possible burning.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the two superimposed walls can be arranged on the periphery of a body of the cover.

[0061] According to one embodiment, at least part of the cooking means can be mounted on the lid and / or can be arranged in a central portion of the lid.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the cooking space may comprise a work tank arranged to contain the food, and removable relative to the cooking space, in order to facilitate cleaning of the work tank.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise:- a housing housing the cooking space,- an articulation arm mounted in pivot connection on the housing and supporting the cover.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the cooling airflow may be arranged to cool the superimposed walls of the cover.

[0065] ,According to one embodiment, the cover may comprise at least one vent, preferably arranged to variably regulate a gas exchange surface between the cooking space and an environment external to the cooking appliance, so as to allow different cooking operations (such as steam cooking, radiant and convection cooking, or a cooking mode for raising dough).

[0066] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a frame forming a spacer between the two superimposed walls, in order to robustly guarantee the gap between the two superimposed walls.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance may comprise a plurality of vents, wherein the vents are distributed over the lid and preferably are substantially equally distributed, so as to ensure uniformity of the exit of cooking vapors from the cooking space, and thus uniformity of the cooking of the food, as well as a robust construction with the vents and their frames being able to form spacers when the lid has a double wall. Description of figures

[0068] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0069] represents a general sectional view of a cooking appliance according to the invention, comprising in particular a cover and a housing;

[0070] represents a bottom view of the cover of the cooking appliance, including an adjustable vent;

[0071] represents a perspective view of the cooking appliance with a shutter completely closing the vent;

[0072] represents a perspective view of the cooking appliance with the shutter fully opening the vent;

[0073] represents a perspective and sectional view of the cover of the cooking appliance of the.

[0074] Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0075] The represents a general sectional view of a cooking appliance comprising a housing 10 closed by a cover 11 movable between an open position allowing access to a cooking space and a closed position preventing access to the cooking space. The housing 10 defines the cooking space closed by the cover 11 and comprises a working tank 20, removably mounted relative to the housing 10 and which can be removed therefrom by means of a handling handle 22 for cleaning operations and extraction of cooked food. The handling handle 22 can be articulated relative to the working tank 20.

[0076] Stirring means for stirring or stirring the food to be cooked are placed in the working tank 20 and comprise a working tool 21 inserted into a pierced dome of the working tank 20. The working tool 21 consists of a stirring blade 21B mounted integrally on a hub 21A. The working tool 21 is assembled so as to form a pivot connection with the working tank 20, with an axis normal to the bottom surface of the working tank 20. Provision may be made to replace the working tool 21 with a plug closing the pierced dome of the working tank 20 to allow a cooking mode without the stirring means (for steam cooking or a cooking mode for raising dough).

[0077] With regard to the working tool 21, the curved shape of the stirring blade 21B ensures a delicate turning of all the food to be cooked during cooking. A protective screen 21C is arranged on an upper part of the working tool 21 not intended to come into contact with the food to be cooked and typically exposed to a heat flow, to protect it from heat transfers during cooking.

[0078] Cooking means 30 comprise heating means which are arranged above the working tank 20. The heating means comprise at least one carbon fiber heating element 30B connected to electrical connection terminals and at least one transparent protective wall 30A (a shell or a bulb or a tube) made of quartz fitting around the body of the carbon fiber heating element 30B to protect it without limiting the propagation of thermal radiation from the carbon fiber heating element 30B during its heating.

[0079] The heating means are arranged above a peripheral zone of the hub 21A intended to receive the food to be cooked during cooking. The cooking means 30 also comprise cooking ventilation means 30C. The cooking means 30 are protected by an openwork wall 31, which forms a protection and the openings of which nevertheless allow good passage of the heat radiation emitted by the carbon fiber heating element 30B towards the food to be cooked.

[0080] In the example presented, which is not exhaustive, the cooking ventilation means 30C are mounted on the same shaft as the cooling ventilation means 40 and hermetically separated from the cooling ventilation means 40 by a separation wall of the cover 11. In this example, the separation wall has a concave shape towards the working tank 20 to possibly reject by gravity any condensation which may form on this wall.

[0081] The shaft on which the cooking ventilation means 30C and the cooling ventilation means 40 are mounted is rotated by an electric drive motor 50. The cooking means 30, the cooling ventilation means 40 and the drive motor 50 are embedded in a central part of the cover 11.

[0082] A peripheral part of the cover 11 is made up of two superimposed walls 12 forming a double wall, with an inner wall 12B facing the working tank 20 separated by a gap H from an outer wall 12A with which a user is likely to come into contact when the cover 11 closes the cooking space of the housing 10.

[0083] The inner wall 12B and the outer wall 12A are both transparent and allow the user to see the food to be cooked through the lid 11 during cooking without having to open the lid 11.

[0084] The cooling ventilation means 40 are arranged to generate a flow of cooling air circulating between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B (the difference of dimension H shown in Figures 1 and 5).

[0085] At least one vent 41 is arranged on the cover 11. It defines a gas exchange surface between the exterior of the cooking appliance and the cooking space that may contain cooking vapors. The vent 41 may be provided both in, or through, the inner wall 12B and in, or through the outer wall 12A (as illustrated), such that a frame forming the vent 41 may participate in maintaining the gap H between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B, or the vent may be provided only in, or through, the inner wall 12B, such as to allow evacuation of the cooking vapors to the outside or with the flow of cooling air circulating between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B.

[0086] The figure shows an inner surface of the inner wall of the lid 11 exposed to the food to be cooked during cooking without the perforated wall 31 of the. The transparent protective wall (the shell or the bulb or the tube) made of quartz 30A is attached to the lid 11 by staples, and the blades of the cooking ventilation means 30C are arranged between the carbon fiber heating element 30B and the wall of the lid 11. It can be noted that the vent 41 therefore opens directly into the cooking space, and is in the form of a plurality of slots. However, a single communication opening can be provided instead of the plurality of slots.

[0087] The cooking appliance is shown when the cover 11 closes the housing 10 and a shutter 42 completely closes the vent 41, that is to say that the shutter 42 thus completely closes the gas exchange surface between the cooking space (and any cooking vapors present) and the outside ambient air. It is possible to note the presence of a handling tab 42A which allows a user to handle and move the shutter 42.

[0088] Preferably, the shutter 42 may be a flap or a cover or a diaphragm or a movable partition. The shutter 42 may occupy intermediate positions in the vent 41 so as to block only a portion of the vent 41, for example by sliding or translating in the vent 41. The intermediate positions of the shutter 42 may be defined by notches or points that are difficult to pass and define as many different gas exchange surface values. The position of the shutter 42 may be adjusted manually by the user using a handling interface, for example the tab 42A which may be pulled or pushed by the user into the vent 41. However, other handling interfaces may be provided (a rod, a button, a tab, etc.) or even an implementation with automated movement by a dedicated actuator or motor.

[0089] The cooking appliance is shown when the cover 11 closes the housing 10 and the vent 41 is fully open by the shutter 42.

[0090] Depending on the cooking mode chosen, a position of the shutter 42 must be adjusted to regulate the cooking vapors to be evacuated from the cooking space and / or the working tank 20 and thus adjust the cooking of the food to be cooked. The cooking mode is chosen by the user on a human-machine interface (not shown, but a screen, control buttons, a touch screen, etc.) connected to a control unit of the cooking appliance may be provided.

[0091] The control unit typically comprises storage means in which control parameters to be implemented for each cooking program and / or recipe that the user can select are stored. Accordingly, the control unit defines and controls an operating program of the stirring means, the cooling ventilation means 40 and the cooking means 30, according to the indicated cooking mode. Prerequisites may be required by the control unit and must be verified to authorize the start of the operating programs of the various actuators, such as for example the position of the handling handle 22 or the working tank 20 or the cover 11, and in particular the position of the shutter 42 in the vent 41. For this purpose, a detection sensor may be provided designed to detect a position of the shutter 42.

[0092] In detail, if the cooking appliance does not have a sensor for detecting the position of the shutter 42, it is possible to send a message to the user to indicate the position to be imposed on the shutter 42, before receiving confirmation from the user and launching the cooking program.

[0093] If the cooking appliance is equipped with one or more sensors for detecting the position of the shutter 42, it may be provided, depending on the initial configuration and the cooking program chosen, to check the position of the shutter 42 detected, before starting the cooking program (if the position is correct) or before inviting the user to impose the correct position on the shutter 42.

[0094] Finally, if the cooking appliance is equipped with one or more sensors for detecting the position of the shutter 42 and a motor for moving the shutter 42, provision may be made, depending on the initial configuration and the cooking program chosen, to check the position of the shutter 42 detected and, if necessary, to move it to impose an appropriate position on it. In summary, the vent 41 may be closed by the shutter 42 to define several gas exchange surfaces.Thus, the same appliance can offer several cooking modes: - vent 41 completely closed: no gas exchange with the outside, and therefore the temperature and humidity conditions in the cooking space are particularly stable and conducive to dough rising, - vent 41 partially open: moderate gas exchange with the outside to allow evacuation of water vapors generated by cooking by radiation and convection (cooking fries without oil), - vent 41 completely open: maximum gas exchange with the outside to allow good evacuation of vapors during cooking in steam mode.

[0095] During cooking, the working tool 21 can be rotated by a shaft of a secondary electric motor located under the working tank 20. The food to be cooked is moved by the stirring blade 21B and turned over when it comes into contact with an obstacle fixed relative to the working tank 20 (typically integrated into the working tank 20) ​​of the stirring means provided for this purpose.

[0096] The cooking means 30 can cook the food to be cooked by preferentially generating two different heat transfer modes. When heating, the heating element, and more particularly the carbon fiber heating element 30B, emits thermal radiation towards the food, through the transparent protective wall (the shell or the bulb or the tube) made of quartz 30A and the perforated wall 31. Such heating by thermal radiation makes it possible to brown the surface of the food. Operation of the stirring means makes it possible to stir and / or turn the food continuously or intermittently, so that the thermal radiation does not continually heat the same parts of the food to be cooked, which prevents overheating and burning of the food to be cooked.

[0097] The carbon fiber heating element 30B can also heat the air in the working tank 20 around the heating means, and thanks to the cooking ventilation means 30C which circulate this hot air towards the food to be cooked, the carbon fiber heating element 30B also heats the food to be cooked by thermal convection. The thermal convection is rapid since the air in the cooking space circulates mainly in the working tank 20 according to a closed-circuit air circulation, from the cooking means 30 to the food to be cooked and from the food to be cooked to the cooking means 30.

[0098] Depending on the position of the shutter 42, the vapors from cooking can however be evacuated from the working tank 20 during cooking via the vent 41.

[0099] The applicant realized that in the case of the combined use of the carbon fiber heating element 30B with stirring means and cooking ventilation means 30C, faster and more efficient cooking could be obtained.

[0100] In particular, in the context of cooking with thermal radiation and thermal convection, such as for example cooking fries, the total cooking time is reduced compared to a cooking appliance which would use an electrical shielded resistance and / or halogen heating means. Indeed, if we take as cooking criteria for example the loss of water over time and the degree of Maillard reaction (in other words the browning), a cooking appliance according to the present invention (with the carbon fiber heating element 30B, the stirring means and the cooking ventilation means 30C), generates a better degree of realization of the Maillard reaction. In addition, under the effect of stirring the food to be cooked, the latter do not suffer localized burning and on the contrary have a homogeneous and more pronounced browning than with an appliance of the prior art.

[0101] The figure represents the cover 11 and the cover hinge arm in section, and shows the cooling airflow generated by the cooling ventilation means 40. The cooking ventilation means 30C are controlled by the drive motor 50 which needs to be cooled. For this purpose, and as shown by the arrows in the figure, the cooling ventilation means 40 are arranged to generate a cooling airflow isolated and / or separate from the closed-circuit air circulation of the cooking space. This flow of cooling air operates to pass successively: - from the outside, through an air intake 14 arranged in a rear side wall of the cover 11, - in the vicinity of an electronic card 13, - in the vicinity of, or even through, the drive motor 50, - between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B, to finally exit through the outlet formed by the peripheral space between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B.The cooling airflow circulating between the outer wall 12A and the inner wall 12B is cooler than the cooking vapors in the working tank 20, and therefore also contributes to cooling the outer wall 12A of the cover 11.

[0102] As a result, even with the carbon fiber heating element 30B emitting strong heat radiation, the outer wall of the cover 11 remains cool enough to avoid any risk of burns to the user, and the use of a single drive motor 50 for the cooking ventilation means 30C and the cooling ventilation means 40 allows for a simple, lightweight, and economical structure.

[0103] A cooking appliance according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0104] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it may be noted that:- several vents 41 may be provided,- the vent 41 and its adjustable shutter 42 may be provided for an appliance without a carbon fiber heating element 30B,- the cooling ventilation means 40 may be provided for a cooking appliance without a carbon fiber heating element 30B,- the general structure of the housing 10 and in particular the articulation of the cover 11 are different.

Claims

Cooking appliance, comprising:- a cooking space, arranged to receive food to be cooked,- cooking means (30) comprising cooking ventilation means (30C) arranged to generate a cooking air flow and heating means arranged to heat the cooking air flow, so as to allow convection cooking of the food to be cooked received in the cooking space,- a cover (11) removable and / or movable between an open position allowing access to the cooking space and a closed position preventing access to the cooking space,characterized in that the cover (11) comprises two superimposed walls (12), arranged to form a passage for a cooling air flow between the two superimposed walls (12), in which at least one of the superimposed walls (12) is removable relative to the other wall,and preferably in which one of the superimposed walls (12) directly opposite the cooking space is removable relative to the other wall., Cooking appliance according to claim 1, comprising cooling ventilation means (40) arranged to generate the cooling air flow between the two superimposed walls (12). A cooking appliance according to claim 2, comprising a drive motor (50) arranged to drive both the cooling ventilation means (40) and the cooking ventilation means (30C). A cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein the cooling airflow is provided to cool the drive motor (50). Cooking appliance according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cooling air flow is forced from the cooling ventilation means (40) towards the two superimposed walls (12). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 3 to 5, comprising a control unit arranged to control:- operation of the heating means,- operation of the cooking ventilation means (30C),- operation of the cooling ventilation means (40). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 3 to 6 in which the drive motor (50) is arranged to be reversibly coupled with the cooking ventilation means (30C). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the two superimposed walls (12) each comprise at least one transparent portion to allow viewing of the cooking space. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the two superimposed walls (12) are arranged on the periphery of a body of the cover (11). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which at least part of the cooking means (30) is mounted on the lid (11) and / or is arranged in a central portion of the lid (11). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the cooking space comprises a working tank (20) arranged to contain the food, and removable relative to the cooking space. Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising:- a housing (10) housing the cooking space,- an articulation arm mounted in pivot connection on the housing (10) and supporting the cover (11). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the cooling air flow is arranged to cool the superimposed walls (12) of the cover (11). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cover (11) comprises at least one vent (40), preferably arranged to variably regulate a gas exchange surface between the cooking space and an environment external to the cooking appliance. Cooking appliance according to claim 14, comprising a frame forming a spacer between the two superimposed walls (12). Cooking appliance according to one of claims 14 or 15, comprising a plurality of vents (40), wherein the vents (40) are distributed on the cover (11) and preferably are substantially equally distributed.

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