Fluid hose for a domestic steam treatment appliance, and domestic steam treatment appliance comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid hose (4) for a domestic steam treatment appliance (D), comprising a channel (K) which has a fluid passage opening (9) and a vapour outlet opening (10) and into which a water inlet nozzle (14) opens, wherein there is a sensor leadthrough (19) in a wall (22) of the fluid hose (4), the first end-side opening (20) of which sensor leadthrough is arranged above the fluid passage opening (9).

Description

[0001] Fluid hose for a household steam treatment device and household steam treatment device therewith

[0002] The invention relates to a fluid hose for a household steam treatment appliance, comprising a channel that has a fluid passage opening and a vapor outlet opening, and into which a water inlet nozzle opens. The invention also relates to a household steam treatment appliance comprising such a fluid hose. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to household steam treatment appliances in the form of steam treatment drawers.

[0003] EP 2 462 808 A1 discloses a steam cooking appliance which has a cooking appliance muffle which delimits a cooking chamber to which steam can be applied, at least one water inlet opening for admitting water into the cooking chamber and a water receiving area located in the cooking chamber which can be filled with water, wherein the at least one water inlet opening is arranged on the cooking chamber side substantially flush with a surrounding wall of the cooking appliance muffle.

[0004] EP 2 462 809 A1 discloses a steam cooking appliance having a cooking appliance muffle which delimits a cooking chamber to which steam can be applied, wherein at least one water inlet opening and at least one steam outlet opening open into the cooking chamber, wherein the at least one water inlet opening and the at least one steam outlet opening are integrated into one another in a combined passage opening.

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide an improved possibility of constructing a steam-actuated household steam treatment device.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

[0007] The task is solved by a fluid hose for a household

[0008] Steam treatment device, comprising a channel which has a first opening ("fluid passage opening") and a second opening ("vapor outlet opening") and into which a water inlet nozzle opens, wherein at least one passage ("sensor passage") is present in a wall of the fluid hose, the respective first end-side opening of which is arranged laterally of the fluid passage opening.

[0009] This fluid hose has the advantage that only one opening in a wall of the cooking chamber (also referred to as a muffle) is required for introducing liquid, in particular fresh water, removing vapors and sensing at least one property of the cooking chamber atmosphere (e.g. its cooking chamber temperature, steam temperature, humidity, oxygen content, etc.). This in turn makes it easier to seal the cooking chamber against steam escaping and temperature losses. It also enables a simplified muffle geometry. Furthermore, components are advantageously saved and thus a lower construction complexity. This in turn also simplifies assembly. The fluid hose therefore advantageously combines several functions in a single component, namely steam supply, vapor removal and sensor holder.

[0010] The fluid hose is designed to convey both liquid, especially water, and gas, especially vaporous vapors, through its channel. The liquid can be fed into the channel through the water inlet nozzle.

[0011] The household steam treatment appliance can be a standalone steam treatment appliance or a combination appliance, for example, an oven and / or microwave oven with an optionally switchable steam treatment function (so-called "added steam" function). The cooking chamber is a steam-accessible cooking chamber and can therefore also be referred to as a steam treatment chamber. However, depending on the type of appliance, it is possible to treat food without additional steam exposure. The household steam treatment appliance can therefore also be considered or referred to as a household cooking appliance with a steam-accessible cooking chamber. The channel connects its two openings, particularly the front openings, namely the "fluid passage opening" and the "vapor outlet opening." The fluid passage opening is designed specifically to discharge liquid supplied from the water inlet nozzle and to admit vapors.The vapor entering through the fluid passage opening is guided by the channel to the vapor outlet opening, where it can escape.

[0012] The fact that the water inlet nozzle opens into the channel includes in particular that the water inlet nozzle opens into the channel laterally or on a lateral surface.

[0013] The at least one sensor feedthrough is particularly intended to accommodate a sensor and is, for this purpose, particularly linear. The sensor feedthrough has, in particular, a first front-facing ("front") opening and an opposite second front-facing ("rear") opening. The sensor can be inserted or plugged into the sensor feedthrough, specifically pushed or plugged through the rear opening toward the front opening. The at least one sensor feedthrough runs, in particular, completely within the wall, such that it has no fluidic connection to the channel. In other words, it is fluidically separated from the channel by the wall of the fluid hose.

[0014] The wall of the fluid hose insulates the sensor from unwanted influences such as cold fresh water or hot vapors. A particularly effective insulation feature for the sensor is that the wall of the fluid hose is reinforced or thickened in the area of ​​the sensor feedthrough, at least compared to the channel.

[0015] The fact that the first front opening is arranged laterally of the fluid passage opening means, in particular, that the front opening of the sensor feedthrough is arranged laterally spaced from the fluid passage opening when viewed from the front, in particular separated by the wall of the fluid hose. The at least one sensor feedthrough can have one or more sensor feedthroughs for one or more sensors. In a further development, the front opening of the sensor feedthrough is arranged above the fluid passage opening in the intended installation position of the fluid line. This achieves the advantage, for example, that the sensor is not wetted by water escaping from the fluid passage opening.

[0016] It is a further development that the fluid passage opening has a passage or cross-sectional area of ​​at least 175 mm 2This is a particularly advantageous compromise between low heat dissipation and sufficiently high vapor removal.

[0017] In one embodiment, a respective sensor is inserted into the at least one sensor feedthrough. In another embodiment, a respective sensor is inserted vapor-tight into the at least one sensor feedthrough. For this purpose, the material of the fluid hose can, for example, be elastically deformable, with the cross-section of the sensor feedthrough being somewhat narrower than the sensor. When the sensor is inserted, the sensor feedthrough expands elastically and presses against the sensor laterally with virtually no gap.

[0018] In a further development, the at least one sensor comprises at least one sensor from the group: temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and / or oxygen sensor. The temperature sensor can be, for example, a platinum measuring resistor, e.g., a Pt500 measuring resistor, or another thermocouple; the humidity sensor and / or oxygen sensor can be, for example, a lambda sensor.

[0019] One embodiment involves inserting the sensor so that its sensing area protrudes from the first opening on the front side. This enables particularly precise measurements unaffected by the fluid hose. A further development involves a measuring point on the sensor protruding at least 2 mm from the fluid hose or from the front opening of the sensor feedthrough.

[0020] In one embodiment, an electrically conductive fastening element is arranged outside the fluid hose in the area around the second front opening of the sensor feedthrough. Such a fastening element has the following advantages, among others: The fastening element can be used as a holding element for the fluid hose. Furthermore, it can be used to attach the sensor to the fluid hose. This advantageously allows for precise positioning of the fluid hose and the at least one sensor in a simple manner from an assembly perspective. In particular, the fastening element can be used as an assembly aid for easier joining. Furthermore, the fastening element can be used as a grounding element, which is particularly advantageous if the temperature sensor is a current-carrying component that can be directly contacted by a user.

[0021] It is a further development that the fastening element is a metal part, in particular a sheet metal part. It is a further development that the fastening element is a grounding bracket.

[0022] A further development is that the fastening element can be fastened or fixed directly to the fluid hose, for example, with a positive and / or non-positive fit. A further development is that the fastening element can be fastened or fixed to the fluid hose by means of the sensor, for example, by being pressed against the fastening element by means of the sensor. A further development is that the fastening element and the sensor are mechanically connected to one another, e.g., with a positive and / or non-positive fit, or by welding, etc.

[0023] One design allows the sensor to contact the electrically conductive fastening element when inserted into the feedthrough. This makes grounding the sensor particularly easy.

[0024] In one embodiment, the channel has a straight first section which has the fluid passage opening, a second section which has the vapor outlet opening and which is laterally offset from the straight first section, and a curved connecting section which connects the first section and the second section to one another, wherein the sensor feedthrough runs through the wall of the first section. This geometric design advantageously prevents fresh water from flowing directly towards the vapor outlet opening. A further advantage is that if the sensor feedthrough is formed in the straight first section, the sensor can be inserted particularly easily. In one embodiment, the water inlet nozzle is arranged facing forward at 45° to the first section.This achieves the advantage that the flow direction of the fresh water flowing into the channel through the water inlet nozzle is directed towards the fluid passage opening.

[0025] One embodiment provides that the fluid hose is cup-shaped (e.g., paraboloid or conical) at its end section, which has the vapor outlet. This end section thus widens in a cup-shaped manner toward the vapor outlet. This facilitates the joining or mounting of the fluid hose at this end, for example, by particularly easily pulling it onto a nozzle, e.g., onto a ventilation nozzle, particularly an exhaust air device of the household steam treatment appliance.

[0026] One embodiment provides that the fluid hose has an externally circumferential annular groove – generally a geometry with an undercut – at its end section containing the fluid passage opening. This advantageously enables a tight, positive-locking, and difficult-to-disassemble attachment of the fluid hose to a muffle opening. Advantageously, no additional sealing element is required. Furthermore, the opening edge, designed as a cut edge on the muffle, is covered, which advantageously provides protection against corrosion and cuts.

[0027] In a further development, the fluid hose is made of elastic plastic material. In a further development, the elastic plastic material comprises silicone elastomers. In a configuration, the fluid hose is made of silicone rubber or silicone rubber. Silicone rubbers are masses that can be converted into a rubber-elastic state and contain poly(organo)siloxanes that have groups accessible for crosslinking reactions. These are primarily hydrogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, and vinyl groups, which are located at the chain ends but can also be incorporated into the chain. Silicone rubbers contain reinforcing substances and fillers, the type and quantity of which significantly influence the mechanical and chemical behavior of the silicone elastomers created by crosslinking. Silicone rubbers can be colored with suitable pigments. In addition, silicone rubber is heat-resistant and elastic between approximately -40°C and +250°C.The use of silicone rubber in particular has the further advantage that the fluid hose is very flexible and well suited for installation in tight and delicate sizes.

[0028] The problem is also solved by a household steam treatment device having a fluid hose as described above. The household steam treatment device can be designed analogously to the fluid hose, and vice versa, and has the same advantages.

[0029] One embodiment of the household steam treatment appliance is a steam treatment drawer. Due to the limited installation space, the fluid hose is particularly easy to install and takes up little space, particularly a low height. A steam treatment drawer can be understood, in particular, as a cooking appliance with a drawer that can be extended and retracted horizontally from a drawer housing, which contains the steam treatment or cooking chamber and typically additional functional units such as a water tank, a user interface, an exhaust system, etc.

[0030] One embodiment includes a fluid passage opening that extends into a steam-accessible cooking chamber or opens into such a cooking chamber. Consequently, water can be introduced or poured into the cooking chamber through the fluid passage opening, and vapors can escape from the cooking chamber through the fluid passage opening.

[0031] In a further development, the liquid flowing into the cooking chamber flows into a heatable water collection tray, where it can be heated to the point of evaporation. The amount and / or rate of steam generation can be adjusted by the amount of incoming liquid and / or the applied heating power. In a further development, the water collection tray is formed in a floor of the cooking chamber. The water collection tray can be heated, for example, using electrical resistance heating elements or inductively.

[0032] One embodiment provides that the vapor outlet extends into the surroundings of the household steam treatment device. One or more functional elements can be present between the vapor outlet and the surroundings, which can influence the flow through the vapor outlet, e.g., at least one flap, a fan, a filter, etc. A further development provides that the end section containing the vapor outlet is attached to a nozzle of an exhaust air or ventilation system.

[0033] In one embodiment, the water inlet nozzle is connected to a water supply in a controlled manner. This allows liquid, in particular fresh water, to be directed in a targeted manner from the water supply through the water inlet nozzle and further through the fluid hose into the cooking chamber. The water supply can be, for example, a removable or permanently installed water tank, a fresh water connection, etc. The fact that the water inlet nozzle is connected to the water supply in a controlled manner means that the liquid can be metered into the water inlet nozzle - in particular by means of a control device of the household steam treatment appliance. In one development, the liquid can be drained from a higher-lying water tank or from a fresh water connection in a valve-controlled manner. In one development, the liquid can be pumped into the water inlet nozzle by means of a pump, in particular from a water tank.The latter case is particularly advantageous in confined spaces and low installation heights, such as those found in steam treatment drawers.

[0034] One embodiment allows the sensor inserted into the sensor feedthrough to be connected to a control unit of the household steam treatment appliance. This allows the cooking processes to be controlled sensor-based, regardless of whether the cooking process includes steam treatment or not.

[0035] One design allows the sensor or its measuring point to protrude at least 2 mm into the cooking chamber. This advantageously prevents measurement inaccuracies caused by proximity to the wall.

[0036] One embodiment is that the fluid hose has a sloping gradient towards the cooking chamber over its entire length or over a part of its length. This has the advantage that, firstly, fresh water introduced into the channel flows by gravity towards the cooking chamber and not towards the vapor outlet, vapors are easier to remove, and water that settles on the wall of the fluid hose channel

[0037] Condensate can flow back into the cooking chamber.

[0038] A further development is that the fluid hose, at least in sections, has a downward gradient of between 2° and 8°, in particular of approximately 5°, towards the cooking chamber. This has proven to be a particularly advantageous compromise between influencing the flow direction in the channel and maintaining a low installation height.

[0039] It is a further development that - if present - the straight first section, the curved connecting section and / or the second section has or have a sloping gradient of between 2° and 8°, in particular of approximately 5°, towards the cooking chamber.

[0040] It is an embodiment that the fastening element is electrically connected to a grounded component of the household steam treatment appliance, in particular is fastened to a grounded housing of the household steam treatment appliance.

[0041] It is an embodiment that an edge of an opening ('wall opening') in the wall of the cooking chamber is fitted in a steam-tight manner into the outer circumferential annular groove of the end section of the fluid hose having the fluid passage opening.

[0042] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

[0043] Fig.1 shows, as a top view, components of a steam treatment drawer including a fluid hose;

[0044] Fig.2 shows a section of Fig.1 containing the fluid hose;

[0045] Fig.3 shows the fluid hose in a side view; and

[0046] Fig. 4 shows a sectional frontal view of the fluid passage side end of the fluid hose. Fig. 1 shows a view obliquely from above of components of a steam treatment drawer D including a food tray 1, a water tank 2, a pump 3 and a fluid hose 4. The food tray 1, together with a lid (not shown), forms a cooking chamber that can be subjected to steam. In the middle of the base of the food tray 1 there is a bowl-shaped recess that serves as a water collection tray 5. The water collection tray 5 can be heated to such an intense level, for example by means of heating elements underneath (not shown) or inductively, that any water contained therein evaporates. The water tank 2, together with the pump 3, forms a water supply. The fluid hose 4 is made of silicone rubber.

[0047] Not shown are the drawer support which holds the Gaugut trough 1, the water tank 2, the pump 3 and the fluid hose 4, which can be moved horizontally in and out via a telescopic extension into a drawer housing which is also not shown.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a section of Fig. 1, which includes a part of the cooking tray 1, the pump 3 and the fluid hose 4. Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the pump 3 can pump liquid from the water tank 2 into the fluid hose 4, from where it flows through a wall opening 6 in a side wall 7 of the cooking tray 1 and further into the water receiving tray 5.

[0049] More precisely, as also shown in Fig. 3, the fluid hose 4 has a tubular channel 8 with a front fluid passage opening 9 and a rear vapor outlet opening 10. The fluid hose 4 has, along the channel 8, a straight first section 11, which has the fluid passage opening 9 on the front side, a straight second section 12, which has the vapor outlet opening 10 on the front side and which is laterally offset from the first section 11, and a curved connecting section 13, which connects the first section 11 and the second section 12 to one another.

[0050] A water inlet nozzle 14 is arranged, purely by way of example, at an angle of approximately 45° to the first section 11, pointing forward or toward the food pan 1. A hose adapter 15 is inserted into the free end of the water inlet nozzle 14, so that the water inlet nozzle 14 can be connected to a pressure side of the pump 3 via a hose (not shown). The suction side of the pump 3 can be connected to the water tank 2.

[0051] The first section 11 has, at its end section having the fluid passage opening 9, a circumferential annular groove 17 formed on the outside in a bead 16.

[0052] The edge of the wall opening 6 can be inserted into the annular groove 17, so that the bead 16 acts as a steam seal. This also allows the first section 11 to be positioned flush with the surface or only slightly protruding into the food pan 1 or the cooking chamber 2. Separate sealing elements are unnecessary.

[0053] The second section 12 is designed to widen in a cup-like manner at its end section 18 having the vapor outlet opening 10, which facilitates, for example, a particularly vapor-tight attachment to a nozzle, e.g. a ventilation nozzle of a ventilation device (not shown).

[0054] The water inlet nozzle 14, the first section 11 and / or the second section 12 have a sloping gradient of approximately 5° towards the wall opening 6 of the cooking tray 1.

[0055] A sensor feedthrough 19 runs straight through the wall 22 (see Fig. 4) of the first section 11. Its first front opening 20 opens into the cooking chamber above the fluid passage opening 9. A sensor 21 is inserted into the sensor feedthrough 19 in such a way that its tip, which has the sensing area, protrudes at least 2 mm from the front opening 20 into the cooking chamber. The sensor 21 can be, for example, a temperature sensor or a lambda probe.

[0056] Fig.4 shows a sectional view in front view of the fluid passage side end of the fluid hose 4 or its first section 11. The fluid passage opening 9 has a cross-sectional area of ​​at least 175 mm 2 The wall 22 of the first section 11 is thickened around the sensor feedthrough 19, at least relative to the channel K, in order to minimize temperature influences of the channel K on the sensor 21.

[0057] Returning to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, an electrically conductive fastening element in the form of a metallic grounding bracket 23 is arranged outside the fluid hose 4, here: the rear end of the first section 11, in the area around a second frontal (rear) opening of the sensor feedthrough 19. In particular, the grounding bracket 23 can be inserted into a corresponding flange-like structure of the fluid hose 4 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. Alternatively or additionally, the grounding bracket 23 can be glued, screwed, hot-stitched, etc. to the fluid hose 4. The grounding bracket 23 leaves the rear opening of the sensor feedthrough 19 free, so that the sensor can also be pushed through the grounding bracket 23.

[0058] When the sensor 21 is plugged into the sensor feedthrough 19, it contacts the grounding bracket 23 with its section protruding from the rear opening. In particular, this establishes an electrical connection between the sensor 21 and the grounding bracket 23. In particular, a metallic fastening plate 25 of the sensor 21 can be connected to the grounding bracket 23, e.g., screwed, etc. In addition, the sensor 21 can be mechanically fastened there to the grounding bracket 23. The grounding bracket can in turn be connected to a grounded housing or similar of the steam treatment drawer D, e.g., via screws 26. The sensor 21 can be connected to a control device (not shown) of the household steam treatment appliance D via corresponding electrical lines 24.

[0059] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0060] For example, there may be several sensor feedthroughs.

[0061] In general, "a", "an", etc., can be understood as a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., as long as this is not explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

[0062] A numerical specification may also include the exact number specified as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

[0063] 1 cooking tray

[0064] 2 water tanks

[0065] 3 Pump

[0066] 4 Fluid hose

[0067] 5 Water collection tray

[0068] 6 Wall opening

[0069] 7 Side wall of the food tray

[0070] 8 channel

[0071] 9 Fluid passage opening

[0072] 10 Vapor outlet

[0073] 11 first section of the fluid hose

[0074] 12 second section of the fluid hose

[0075] 13 Connecting section of the fluid hose

[0076] 14 water inlet nozzles

[0077] 15 hose adapters

[0078] 16 bulge

[0079] 17 Ring groove

[0080] 18 End section of the second section

[0081] 19 Sensor feedthrough

[0082] 20 Front opening of the sensor feedthrough

[0083] 21 Sensor

[0084] 22 Wall of the fluid hose

[0085] 23 Grounding angle

[0086] 24 Electrical line

[0087] 25 Mounting plate

[0088] 26 screws

[0089] F Steam treatment drawer

[0090] K channel

Claims

Patent claims 1. Fluid hose (4) for a household steam treatment device (D), comprising - a channel (K) which has a fluid passage opening (9) and a vapor outlet opening (10) and into which a water inlet nozzle (14) opens, wherein - a sensor feedthrough (19) is provided in a wall (22) of the fluid hose (4), the first end-side opening (20) of which is arranged laterally, in particular above, the fluid passage opening (9).

2. Fluid hose (4) according to claim 1, wherein a sensor (21) is inserted into the sensor feedthrough (19).

3. Fluid hose (4) according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (21) is inserted such that its sensing region protrudes from the first end opening (20).

4. Fluid hose (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an electrically conductive fastening element (23) is arranged outside the fluid hose (4) in the region around the second end opening of the sensor feedthrough (19).

5. Fluid hose (4) according to one of claims 2 to 3 with claim 4, wherein the sensor (21) contacts the electrically conductive fastening element (23) when it is plugged into the sensor feedthrough (19).

6. Fluid hose (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid hose (4) - has a straight first section (11) which has the fluid passage opening (9), - a second section (12) which has the vapor outlet opening (10) and which is laterally offset from the rectilinear first section (11), and - a curved connecting section (13) which connects the first section (11) and the second section (12) to each other, - wherein the sensor feedthrough (19) runs through the wall (22) of the first section (11).

7. Fluid hose (4) according to claim 6, wherein the water inlet nozzle (14) is arranged directed forward by 45° to the first section (11).

8. Fluid hose (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid hose (4) is cup-shaped at its end section (18) having the vapor outlet opening (10).

9. Fluid hose (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid hose (4) has an externally circumferential annular groove (17) at its end section having the fluid passage opening (9).

10. Fluid hose (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid hose (4) is made of silicone rubber.

11. Household steam treatment appliance (D), in particular steam treatment drawer, comprising a fluid hose (4) according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein - the fluid passage opening (9) merges into a steam-loaded cooking chamber (1), - the vapor outlet (10) merges into an environment of the household steam treatment appliance (D), - the water inlet nozzle (14) is connected to a water supply in a controlled manner and - a sensor (21) inserted into the sensor feedthrough (19) is connected to a control device of the household steam treatment appliance (D).

12. Household steam treatment appliance (D) according to claim 11, wherein - the water inlet nozzle (14), - the straight first section (11), - the curved connecting section (13) and / or - the second section (12) has a downward gradient of approximately 5° towards the cooking chamber (1).

13. Household steam treatment appliance (D) according to one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the fastening element (23) is electrically connected to an earthed component of the household steam treatment appliance (D), in particular is fastened to an earthed housing of the household steam treatment appliance (D).

14. Household steam treatment appliance (D) according to one of claims 11 to 12, wherein an edge of a wall opening (6) of the cooking chamber (1) is fitted in a steam-tight manner into the outer circumferential annular groove (17) of the end section of the fluid hose (4) having the fluid passage opening (9).

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