Pot assembly, automatic cooking machine and cooking apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application is a pot assembly for use in a cooking apparatus, the pot assembly comprising a pot body rotatably arranged on the mounting base, and a stirring member arranged in the pot body, wherein the mounting base is provided with a position sensor having a sensing piece, at least one positioning pin which can be sensed by the sensing piece is provided on a rotating component of the pot body, and the positioning pin maintains a predetermined relative position to the vertical projection of the stirring member. The embodiments of the present application further discloses a corresponding automatic cooking machine and cooking apparatus. According to the present application, the stirring member can be accurately placed at a preset position, such as a vertical or horizontal position, at the end of cooking, which facilitates the taking and placing operation of food materials and can achieve accurate control operations, such as fixed-point swinging, on the pot body based on the position.

Description

Wok assemblies, automatic cooking machines and cooking equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to a patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on February 23, 2024, with application number 202410200433.5 and application name “Pot assembly, automatic cooking machine and cooking equipment”. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of cooking equipment, and in particular to a pot assembly, an automatic cooking machine and cooking equipment. Background Art

[0003] As an emerging, highly intelligent cooking device, automatic cooking machines not only possess the heating functions of traditional cooking equipment but can also automatically add ingredients and seasonings, stir ingredients, and perform other complex operations. Therefore, automatic cooking machines have broad application prospects in various settings, both large and small, such as restaurants, cafeterias, and homes.

[0004] The pot and its internal stirring element are often in a rotating state during cooking. When cooking is complete and rotation stops, the stirring element in conventional pots often stays in a random position, which can cause inconvenience in subsequent operations. For example, when pouring cooked ingredients out, if the stirring element is not in a vertical or horizontal position, it can easily block the ingredients, making it difficult to pour out. Furthermore, precise control operations such as fixed-point swinging of the pot are inconvenient.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a pot assembly, an automatic cooking machine and a cooking device, so that the stirring element can be accurately parked at a preset position, such as a vertical or horizontal position, after cooking is completed, to facilitate the operation of taking and placing ingredients, and can realize precise control operations such as fixed-point swinging of the pot body based on the said position.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides a pot assembly for use in a cooking device, the cooking device comprising a mounting base, a pot body rotatably mounted on the mounting base, and a stirring member disposed within the pot body, the pot assembly further comprising:

[0008] a position sensor having a sensing point, disposed on the mounting base;

[0009] At least one positioning pin is provided on the rotating part of the pot body, the positioning pin can be sensed by the sensing point, and the positioning pin and the vertical projection of the stirring member maintain a preset relative position.

[0010] Furthermore, the pot assembly further includes:

[0011] A pot rotating shaft is arranged at the bottom of the pot body;

[0012] The transmission gear is sleeved on the pot rotating shaft. The bottom of the pot body is connected to the transmission gear sleeved on the pot rotating shaft through the pot rotating shaft. The positioning pin is set on the smooth surface of the transmission gear.

[0013] Furthermore, the mounting seat includes a mounting plate located above the transmission gear, and the position sensor is located on the lower surface of the mounting plate; and / or, the transmission gear is a bevel gear; and / or, the position sensor is a proximity sensor; and / or, the positioning pin is arranged near the outer edge of the smooth surface.

[0014] Furthermore, a first keyway is provided on the axial center hole of the transmission gear; a second keyway is provided on the rotary pot shaft opposite to the first keyway, a key is inserted into the first keyway, and a tooth of a stop washer is inserted into the second keyway, so that the locating pin and the vertical projection of the rotary pot shaft maintain a preset relative position; and / or

[0015] The bottom of the pot body is provided with a docking flange, the docking flange is provided with a limit pin, the rotating pot shaft is provided with a slot adapted to the limit pin, the limit pin is locked in the slot, so that the rotating pot shaft and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position; and / or

[0016] The pot assembly also includes a baffle, which is arranged in the pot body and protrudes from the bottom of the pot body in an upward direction along the bottom of the pot body. The stirring member is rotatably fixed in the pot body through the baffle, and the baffle and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position.

[0017] Furthermore, there are multiple limit pins, and the multiple limit pins are unevenly distributed on the outer surface of the docking flange, so that there is only one docking direction between the docking flange and the rotary pot shaft.

[0018] Furthermore, the preset relative position is that the vertical projections of the positioning pin and the stirring member are located in the same vertical plane; and / or

[0019] The positioning pin is located in or perpendicular to the vertical plane where the stirring member is located; and / or

[0020] The distance from the positioning pin to the axis of the pot body is the same as the distance from the sensing point to the axis.

[0021] Furthermore, one of the plurality of limiting pins and a vertical projection of the stirring member are located in the same vertical plane.

[0022] Furthermore, the first keyway, the second keyway, at least one of the limit pins and the baffle / stirring member are all located in the same vertical plane.

[0023] Furthermore, a docking flange is provided at the bottom of the pot body, a limit pin is provided on the docking flange, a slot is provided on the rotating pot shaft that is adapted to the limit pin, and the limit pin is locked in the slot so that the rotating pot shaft and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position;

[0024] Wherein, the clamping slot comprises a guide slot section and a clamping slot section which are connected in sequence, and the limiting pin enters through the opening of the guide slot section to a position where it is clamped with the clamping slot section.

[0025] Furthermore, the guide groove section is a bent groove section, and the engaging groove section is located at an end of the bent groove section away from the opening of the guide groove section.

[0026] According to the second aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides an automatic cooking machine, comprising the above-mentioned pot assembly.

[0027] According to a third aspect of the present application, an embodiment of the present application provides a cooking device, comprising the pot assembly provided above.

[0028] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0029] The embodiment of the present application provides a position sensor with a sensing point on the mounting base of the pot body, and provides a positioning pin that can be sensed by the sensing point on the rotating part of the pot body. Since the positioning pin and the vertical projection of the stirring piece maintain a preset relative position, after cooking is completed, the stirring piece can be controlled to be accurately parked in a preset position, such as a vertical or horizontal position, by sensing the position of the positioning pin, which facilitates the operation of taking and placing ingredients, and based on the position, precise control operations such as fixed-point swinging of the pot body are achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0031] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure assembly of the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG4 is a schematic plan view of the internal structure assembly of the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of a position sensor in a pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of the bevel gear in the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of the pot body in the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of the pot shaft in the pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a baffle in a pot assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1-mounting seat, 11-mounting plate; 2-pot body, 21-jointing flange, 22-limiting pin; 3-stirring element; 4-position sensor, 41-sensing point; 5-locating pin; 6-transmission gear, 61-first keyway; 7-pot shaft, 71-second keyway, 72-slot; 8-baffle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below through implementation methods with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0042] It should be noted that: in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar numbers throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements with the same or similar functions; in the description of this application, the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of this application; in the description of this application, "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish each other, and do not indicate their importance and order, etc.

[0043] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, movable, or detachable connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, an embodiment of the present application provides a pot assembly for use in a cooking device, comprising a pot body 2 rotatably mounted on a mounting base 1 and a stirring member 3 disposed within the pot body, wherein:

[0045] A position sensor 4 having a sensing point 41 is provided on the mounting base 1, and at least one positioning pin 5 that can be sensed by the sensing point 41 is provided on the rotating part of the pot body 2, and the positioning pin 5 maintains a preset relative position with the vertical projection of the stirring member 3.

[0046] The embodiment of the present application is implemented based on the principle of determining the "zero" position of a motion mechanism: a group of position sensors are set on the parts that remain relatively stationary and the parts that remain in motion in the motion mechanism, and the "zero" position is determined by the sensor signals caused by the relative position changes of the two parts.

[0047] The "zero" position in the embodiment of the present application refers to the stop position of the stirring member 3. The pot body of the cooking machine in the prior art cannot find a "zero point" position during the full rotation process, and thus it is difficult to perform more precise control of the pot, such as fixed-point swinging, and the stirring ruler is in a vertical or horizontal position when pouring food (making it easier to pour out the food).

[0048] The embodiment of the present application determines the stop position of the stirring member 3 by establishing a positional relationship between the positioning pin 5 and the stirring member 3. Theoretically, as long as the positioning pin 5 and the vertical projection of the stirring member 3 maintain a preset relative position system, the position of the stirring member 3 can be determined by sensing the position of the positioning pin 5, thereby determining the position of the stirring member 3. When the stirring member 3 is in a preset position, such as a vertical position or a horizontal position, the positioning pin 5 enters the sensing area of ​​the position sensor 4. When the position sensor 4 detects the positioning pin 5, it can send a sensing signal to the controller to stop the rotation of the pot body 2.

[0049] By adjusting the installation position of the position sensor 4, the positioning pin 5 can be sensed at different positions, thereby flexibly adjusting the stop position of the stirring member 3, such as parallel to the front-to-back direction of the pot body 2 or perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the pot body 2.

[0050] In some possible implementations, the bottom of the pot body 2 is connected to a transmission gear 6 sleeved on the pot rotating shaft 7 through a pot rotating shaft 7 , and the positioning pin 5 is provided on the smooth surface of the transmission gear 6 .

[0051] During the cooking process, the transmission gear 6 drives the stirring element 3 inside the pot body 2 to rotate synchronously through the pot rotating shaft 7, so the positioning pin 5 and the vertical projection of the stirring element 3 maintain a preset relative position. As long as the positioning pin 5 rotates to the sensing area of ​​the position sensor 4, the position of the stirring element 3 can be obtained.

[0052] In some possible embodiments, the mounting base 1 includes a mounting plate 11 disposed above the transmission gear 6, and the position sensor 4 is disposed on the lower surface of the mounting plate 11 to achieve the shortest possible distance from the positioning pin 5, thereby improving the accuracy.

[0053] In some possible implementations, the transmission gear 6 is configured as a bevel gear.

[0054] In some possible implementations, the position sensor 4 is a proximity sensor. For example, a DT-QM010US proximity sensor may be used.

[0055] In some possible implementations, the positioning pin 5 is disposed close to the outer edge of the light surface to minimize positioning error and improve control accuracy.

[0056] The embodiment of the present application also provides an automatic cooking machine, which includes a pot assembly as described in the aforementioned embodiment and any implementation method. Accordingly, its technical effects are fully applicable to the automatic cooking machine of this embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0057] In some possible embodiments, a first keyway 61 and a second keyway 71 are respectively provided on the axial center hole of the transmission gear 6 and the rotary pot shaft 7, a key is inserted into the first keyway 61, and the teeth of the stop washer are inserted into the second keyway 71, so that the locating pin 5 and the vertical projection of the rotary pot shaft 7 maintain a preset relative position.

[0058] Specifically, the stop washer is sleeved on the rotary pot shaft 7 and inserted into the second keyway 71 through the teeth on the stop washer, and then the stop washer is locked by a nut to limit the position of the stop washer. Specifically, the stop washer has a spring function.

[0059] In some possible embodiments, a docking flange 21 is provided at the bottom of the pot body 2, a limit pin 22 is provided on the docking flange 21, and at least one slot 72 adapted to the limit pin 22 is provided on the rotating pot shaft 7, and the limit pin 22 is clamped in the slot 72 so that the rotating pot shaft 7 and the vertical projection of the pot body 2 maintain a preset relative position.

[0060] Specifically, the limiting pin 22 is connected to the docking flange 21 by means of threads and welding.

[0061] In some possible embodiments, the stirring member 3 is rotatably fixed in the pot body 2 via a baffle 8 extending upward from the bottom of the pot body 2 , and the baffle 8 and the vertical projection of the pot body 2 maintain a preset relative position.

[0062] As shown in Figure 8, at least two slots are arranged at intervals on the baffle 8, and at least two limit blocks are arranged at intervals on the stirring element 3. The at least two limit blocks are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the at least two slots, and each of the limit protrusions is clamped in the corresponding slot.

[0063] In some possible embodiments, there are multiple limit pins 22, and they are unevenly distributed on the outer surface of the bottom of the pot body 2, so that there is only one docking direction between the docking flange 21 and the limit pins 22, to ensure that there is only a unique relative position relationship between the rotating pot shaft 7 and the vertical projection of the pot body 2.

[0064] By maintaining the preset relative position relationship between the above components, it is finally possible to achieve that the vertical projections of the positioning pin 5 and the stirring member 3 maintain the preset relative positions.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the preset relative positions are located in the same vertical plane. This simple relative position relationship is not only intuitive but also easy to assemble.

[0066] In some possible implementations, the positioning pin 5 is located in or perpendicular to the vertical plane where the stirring member 3 is located, so as to further achieve an intuitive and easy assembly effect.

[0067] In some possible implementations, the distance between the positioning pin 5 and the axis of the pot body 2 is the same as the distance between the sensing point 41 and the axis, so as to achieve the most accurate sensing result. Specifically, the axis of the pot body 2 can be understood as the axis of the docking flange 21.

[0068] In some possible implementations, only one limiting pin 22 is located in the same vertical plane.

[0069] In some possible embodiments, the first keyway 61, the second keyway 71, the at least one limit pin 22 and the baffle 8 / stirring member 3 are all located in the same vertical plane, so that all parts have the simplest relative position, thereby further achieving a more intuitive and easy assembly effect.

[0070] It should be noted that "the first keyway 61, the second keyway 71, the at least one limit pin 22 and the baffle 8 / stirring member 3 are all located in the same vertical plane" can be understood as the symmetry plane of the first keyway 61, the symmetry plane of the second keyway 71, the symmetry plane of at least one limit pin 22, the symmetry plane of the baffle 8 or the symmetry plane of the stirring member 3 are located in the same vertical plane.

[0071] The bottom of the pot body 2 is provided with a docking flange 21, on which a limit pin 22 is provided. The pot rotating shaft 7 is provided with a slot 72 adapted to the limit pin 22. The limit pin 22 is secured within the slot 72 to maintain a preset relative position between the pot rotating shaft 7 and the vertical projection of the pot body 2. The slot 72 includes a guide slot section and a connecting slot section that are connected in sequence. The limit pin 22 enters through the opening of the guide slot section to a position where it connects with the connecting slot section. This structural arrangement facilitates the smooth entry of the limit pin 22 through the guide slot section into the connecting slot section, while ensuring the stability of the connection between the limit pin 22 and the connecting slot section.

[0072] The guide groove section is a bent groove section, and the engaging groove section is located at an end of the bent groove section away from the opening of the guide groove section. In this way, the limiting pin 22 can be guided smoothly and the limiting pin 22 inserted into the engaging groove section can be prevented from being easily dislodged from the engaging groove 72.

[0073] The present application also provides a cooking device including a pot assembly as described in the above embodiment and any of its implementation methods. Accordingly, the technical effects thereof are also fully applicable to the present embodiment and will not be described in detail.

[0074] Note that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present application and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and that various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, although the present application has been described in more detail through the above embodiments, the present application is not limited to the above embodiments and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present application. The scope of the present application is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pot assembly, applied to a cooking device, comprising a mounting base, a pot body rotatably mounted on the mounting base, and a stirring member disposed in the pot body, characterized in that: The pot assembly further comprises: a position sensor having a sensing point, disposed on the mounting base; At least one positioning pin is provided on the rotating part of the pot body, the positioning pin can be sensed by the sensing point, and the positioning pin and the vertical projection of the stirring member maintain a preset relative position.

2. The pot assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The pot assembly further comprises: A pot rotating shaft is arranged at the bottom of the pot body; The transmission gear is sleeved on the pot rotating shaft. The bottom of the pot body is connected to the transmission gear sleeved on the pot rotating shaft through the pot rotating shaft. The positioning pin is set on the smooth surface of the transmission gear.

3. The pot assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The mounting base includes a mounting plate disposed above the transmission gear, and the position sensor is disposed on a lower surface of the mounting plate; and / or, the transmission gear is a bevel gear; and / or, the position sensor is a proximity sensor; And / or, the positioning pin is arranged close to the outer edge of the smooth surface.

4. The pot assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: A first keyway is provided on the axial center hole of the transmission gear; a second keyway is provided on the rotary pot shaft opposite to the first keyway, a key is inserted into the first keyway, and a tooth of a retaining washer is inserted into the second keyway, so that the positioning pin and the vertical projection of the rotary pot shaft maintain a preset relative position; and / or The bottom of the pot body is provided with a docking flange, the docking flange is provided with a limit pin, the rotating pot shaft is provided with a slot adapted to the limit pin, the limit pin is locked in the slot, so that the rotating pot shaft and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position; and / or The pot assembly also includes a baffle, which is arranged in the pot body and protrudes from the bottom of the pot body in an upward direction along the bottom of the pot body. The stirring member is rotatably fixed in the pot body through the baffle, and the baffle and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position.

5. The pot assembly according to claim 4, wherein: There are multiple limit pins, and the multiple limit pins are unevenly distributed on the outer surface of the docking flange, so that there is only one docking direction between the docking flange and the rotary pot shaft.

6. The pot assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The preset relative position is that the vertical projections of the positioning pin and the stirring member are located on the same vertical in-plane; and / or The positioning pin is located in or perpendicular to the vertical plane where the stirring member is located; and / or The distance from the positioning pin to the axis of the pot body is the same as the distance from the sensing point to the axis.

7. The pot assembly according to claim 5, wherein: One of the plurality of limiting pins and a vertical projection of the stirring member are located in the same vertical plane.

8. The pot assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The first keyway, the second keyway, at least one of the limit pins and the baffle / agitation member are all located in the same vertical plane.

9. The pot assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The bottom of the pot body is provided with a docking flange, the docking flange is provided with a limit pin, the rotating pot shaft is provided with a slot adapted to the limit pin, the limit pin is locked in the slot, so that the rotating pot shaft and the vertical projection of the pot body maintain a preset relative position; Wherein, the clamping slot comprises a guide slot section and a clamping slot section which are connected in sequence, and the limiting pin enters through the opening of the guide slot section to a position where it is clamped with the clamping slot section.

10. The pot assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The guide groove section is a bent groove section, and the engaging groove section is located at an end of the bent groove section away from the opening of the guide groove section.

11. An automatic cooking machine, characterized in that: The utility model comprises a pot assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A cooking device, characterized in that: The utility model comprises the pot assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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