CN113208421A

CN113208421A - Cooking utensil

Info

Publication number: CN113208421A
Application number: CN202010070693.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吕华
Original assignee: Zhejiang Supor Electrical Appliances Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhejiang Supor Electrical Appliances Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-21
Filing date: 2020-01-21
Publication date: 2021-08-06

Abstract

The invention discloses a cooking appliance, which comprises a cooker body, a cover body opening and closing mechanism, a steam generating device and a linkage mechanism. When the cover body covers the cooker body, a cooking space is formed between the cover body and the cooker body. The cover body opening and closing mechanism is used for locking the cover body at a closing position or releasing the cover body to an opening position. The steam generating device is arranged on the cover body and comprises a steam generating cavity and a steam cover plate. The steam generating chamber is used for containing water to be heated to generate steam, and a steam passage communicating the two is arranged between the steam generating chamber and the cooking space so as to guide the steam into the cooking space through the steam passage. The steam cover plate is connected to the cover body and can be opened and closed relative to the steam generation cavity so as to open or close the steam generation cavity. The linkage mechanism is configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism in response to opening of the steam cover to lock the lid in the closed position. The cooking appliance according to the present invention can lock the cover body in the closed position when the steam cover plate is opened, so that the liquid in the steam generating chamber can be prevented from flowing out.

Description

Cooking utensil

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to the field of cooking appliances.

Background

In a cooking appliance, a steam cup is generally provided in a pot body to generate steam for the purpose of recovering steam or moisturizing the steam. In order to effectively reduce the volume of the cooking appliance, the applicant has designed a new type of cooking appliance in which the steam cup is provided in the lid body. And, the steam cup is provided with an independent steam cover plate to facilitate water addition or cleaning. However, since the lid body needs to be opened and closed frequently, if the lid body is opened in an opened state of the steam cover plate, or if the steam cover plate is opened simultaneously due to an erroneous operation of the operation of opening the lid body, water in the steam cup may be poured and flow out, which brings a risk.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a cooking appliance to at least partially solve the above mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

In this summary, concepts in a simplified form are introduced that are further described in the detailed description. This summary of the invention is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

To at least partially solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention discloses a cooking appliance, comprising:

a pot body;

the cover body is arranged relative to the cooker body in an opening and closing mode, and when the cover body covers the cooker body, a cooking space is formed between the cover body and the cooker body;

a cover opening and closing mechanism for locking the cover in a closed position or releasing the cover to an open position;

a steam generating device disposed on the cover, the steam generating device including:

the steam generating cavity is used for containing water to be heated to generate steam, and a steam channel communicated with the steam generating cavity and the cooking space is arranged between the steam generating cavity and the cooking space so as to guide the steam into the cooking space through the steam channel; and

a steam cover plate connected to the cover body and openable and closable with respect to the steam generation chamber to open or close the steam generation chamber; and

a linkage mechanism configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism in response to opening of the steam cover to lock the lid in the closed position.

According to the cooking appliance, the linkage between the cover body and the steam cover plate can be realized through the linkage mechanism according to the opening and closing states of the cover body and the steam cover plate, so that the cover body cannot be opened while the steam cover plate is in the opening state. Wherein, the linkage mechanism can act on the cover body opening and closing mechanism to limit the change of the opening and closing state of the cover body. Therefore, the technical scheme of the invention has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient installation and easy operation, reduces the risk of misoperation which can cause the water in the steam generating cavity to flow out, and improves the safety.

Alternatively, the linkage mechanism is configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism in response to the closing of the steam cover to release the locking of the lid. Therefore, the cover body can be opened while the steam cover plate is in a closed state, and safety is improved.

Optionally, the lid opening and closing mechanism includes a lid opening button for enabling the lid to be opened with respect to the pot body when operated, and the link mechanism is configured to be able to act on the lid opening button. Therefore, the cover opening button is arranged, so that the user operation is facilitated, and the cover opening action is conveniently completed.

Optionally, the lid opening and closing mechanism further includes a first fastener disposed on the lid and a second fastener disposed on the pot, the first fastener is capable of cooperating with the second fastener to enable the lid to be in the closed position, and the lid opening button is configured to act on the first fastener when operated to enable the first fastener to be disengaged from the second fastener. Thus, the lid body can be separated from the pot body by operating the lid opening button, i.e., the lid body can be opened with respect to the pot body. In addition, the first buckling piece and the second buckling piece can be matched simply, so that the cooking utensil is compact in structure.

Optionally, the cover body comprises a face cover, and the lid opening button is arranged on the face cover. From this, through setting the button of uncapping on the face covers, avoided uncapping the position that the instantaneous high temperature steam of twinkling of an eye gushes out to can effectively reduce the risk of being scalded by high temperature steam when the user uncaps.

Alternatively, the link mechanism is provided between the steam cover and the lid opening and closing mechanism, and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Therefore, the cover body can be locked and unlocked through the movement of the linkage mechanism, so that the cooking appliance is simple in structure and convenient to operate.

Optionally, the steam cover panel is configured to apply a force to the linkage mechanism when closed, such that the linkage mechanism moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. Therefore, the movement of the linkage mechanism can be realized by utilizing the acting force of the steam cover plate, so that the additional arrangement of a power device is avoided, and the cooking appliance is simple in structure and easy to operate.

Optionally, the linkage mechanism further comprises a biasing member configured to apply a biasing force to the linkage mechanism when the steam cover panel is opened such that the linkage mechanism moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. Thus, the linkage mechanism is always biased to the locking position in the opening state of the steam cover plate, so that the cover body is always locked at the closing position, and the risk caused by misoperation is prevented.

Optionally, the linkage mechanism comprises a transmission part and a locking part opposite to the transmission part, the transmission part is in contact with the steam cover plate, and the locking part is located between the uncap button and the first buckling piece and can limit the action of the uncap button. Thereby, the force of the steam cover plate can be transmitted to the locking portion through the transmission portion, and the lid body can be prevented from being opened with respect to the pot body by the locking portion restricting the action of the lid opening button.

Optionally, the transmission portion includes a ramp configured to push the ramp downwardly when closed to move the linkage mechanism in a first direction from the locked position to the unlocked position. Thereby, the linkage may be driven by a substantially downward force of the steam cover plate to produce a movement in a direction at an angle to the force.

Optionally, the angle between the bevel and the first direction is in the range 30 ° to 90 °. Therefore, the scheme can more conveniently convert the downward pushing of the steam cover plate into the linear motion of the linkage mechanism by setting the included angle in the range.

Optionally, the locking portion includes a through hole, and the lid release button includes a top post, wherein a diameter of the through hole is larger than an outer diameter of the top post, and a depth of the through hole is smaller than a length of the top post. Thereby, the top post of the door opening button is allowed to be easily inserted into the through hole of the locking portion and to extend through the through hole in this case.

Optionally, the through hole is positioned in the locking portion such that:

when the linkage mechanism is located at the locking position, the through hole is staggered with the top column so as to prevent the uncapping button from moving; and is

When the linkage is in the unlocked position, the through-hole is aligned with the top post to allow movement of the lid release button.

Therefore, the action of the uncapping button can be limited by the linkage mechanism simply through the matching of the through hole and the ejection column. When the through hole is staggered with the top column, the cover opening button cannot act on the first buckling piece to complete the cover opening action. When the through hole is aligned with the ejection column, the uncovering button can act on the first buckling piece to complete uncovering action. Thereby making the locking portion of the linkage simple in construction and easy to produce and install.

Optionally, the linkage mechanism is configured such that when in the unlocked position, the stud can pass through the through-hole and act on the first fastener such that the first fastener is disengaged from the second fastener. Therefore, at the unlocking position of the linkage mechanism, the uncovering button can be pressed down to act on the first buckling piece when in operation so as to finish the uncovering action.

The second aspect of the present invention also discloses a cooking appliance, comprising:

a pot body;

a cover body which is arranged corresponding to the cooker body in an opening and closing way, when the cover body covers the cooker body, a cooking space is formed between the cover body and the cooker body

the steam generating cavity is used for containing water to be heated to generate steam, and a steam channel communicated with the steam generating cavity and the cooking space is arranged between the steam generating cavity and the cooking space so as to guide the steam into the cooking space through the steam channel;

the steam cover plate opening and closing mechanism is used for locking the steam cover plate at a covering position or releasing the steam cover plate to an opening position;

a linkage mechanism disposed between the lid opening and closing mechanism and the steam cover opening and closing mechanism, and configured to act on the steam cover opening and closing mechanism in response to an action of the lid opening and closing mechanism so that the steam cover is locked in the closed position when the lid is opened.

Preferably, the steam cover plate opening and closing mechanism comprises a first buckle piece arranged on the steam cover plate and a second buckle piece arranged on the cover body, the first buckle piece can be matched with the second buckle piece to enable the steam cover plate to be located at the cover closing position, and the linkage mechanism can act on the first buckle piece and/or the second buckle piece to lock the steam cover plate at the cover closing position.

According to the cooking appliance, the linkage between the cover body and the steam cover plate can be realized through the linkage mechanism according to the opening and closing states of the cover body and the steam cover plate, so that the steam cover plate cannot be opened while the cover body is in the opening state. Wherein, the link gear can act on steam apron closing mechanism and restrict the change of the open and close state of steam apron. Therefore, the technical scheme of the invention has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient installation and easy operation, reduces the risk of misoperation which can cause the water in the steam generating cavity to flow out, and improves the safety.

Drawings

The following drawings of embodiments of the invention are included as part of the present invention for an understanding of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings, there is shown in the drawings,

fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a steam cover plate is in a closed state;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a steam cover is in an open state;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1; and

fig. 5 is a partially enlarged view of a portion K in fig. 4.

Description of reference numerals:

100: the cooking appliance 110: pot body

111: an inner pot 120: cover body

121: the surface cover 122: detachable cover

130: steam generation device 131: steam generating cavity

132: the steam cover 133: first fastener

134: steam passage 140: cover opening and closing mechanism

141: first fastener 142: second fastener

143: lid-opening button 144: top pillar

150: the link mechanism 151: transmission part

152: the locking portion 153: biasing member

154: a through hole A: inclined plane

D1: a first direction

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the invention.

In the following description, a detailed structure will be presented for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It is apparent that the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art.

Hereinafter, a cooking appliance 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5. It is understood that the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention may be an electric rice cooker, an electric pressure cooker or other cooking appliances 100, and the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention may have various functions such as cooking porridge, etc. in addition to the function of cooking rice.

As shown in fig. 1 to 4, the cooking appliance 100 includes a pot body 110 and a lid 120. The pot body 110 is substantially in the shape of a rounded rectangular parallelepiped and has a cylindrical-shaped inner pot cooking cavity, and the inner pot 111 can be freely put into or taken out of the inner pot cooking cavity to facilitate cleaning of the inner pot 111. The inner pot 111 is generally made of a metal material and has a circular opening on an upper surface for containing a material to be heated, such as rice, soup, etc. The pot body 110 may include therein a heating means for heating the inner pot 111.

The cover 120 has a substantially rounded rectangular parallelepiped shape and substantially corresponds to the shape of the pot body 110. The cover 120 may be disposed at an upper side of the pot body 110 for covering the pot body 110 in a covered state. The cover 120 can be in a closed position and an open position, respectively, with respect to the pot body 110. For example, the lid 120 is shown in a closed position relative to the pot body 110. Preferably, the cover 120 is pivotally switchable between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the cover 120 may be connected to the pot body 110 by a pivot means.

Further, the cover body 120 may include a face cover 121 and a detachable cover 122, the detachable cover 122 being located substantially below the face cover 121 and detachably connected to the face cover 121. The detachable cover 122 has a substantially circular shape for covering the upper surface opening of the inner pot 111 when the cover 120 is covered to the pot body 110 to form a cooking space.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the cover 120 is further provided with a steam generating device 130 and a steam passage 134. The steam generating device 130 includes a steam generating chamber 131 and a steam cover 132, and the steam generating chamber 131 can store water for generating steam. The steam cover 132 may be in a closed position and an open position, respectively, with respect to the steam generating chamber 131. For example, FIG. 1 shows steam cover 132 in a closed position relative to steam generating chamber 131, and FIG. 2 shows steam cover 132 in an open position relative to steam generating chamber 131. Preferably, the steam cover 132 is pivotally switchable between a closed position and an open position. Preferably, the steam cover plate 132 is coupled to the cover body 120, and an upper surface of the steam cover plate 132 forms a portion of an upper surface of the face cover 121. This preferred embodiment can make the cover 120 more compact, and can facilitate the user to open the cover 132 for water filling or cleaning. Preferably, a seal (not shown) is also provided on steam cover plate 132 to seal steam generating chamber 131 when steam cover plate 132 is in the closed position.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the steam generating device 130 preferably further includes a steam cover opening and closing mechanism for locking the steam cover 132 in the closed position or releasing it to the open position. For example, the steam cover plate opening and closing mechanism may include a first latch 133 and a second latch (not shown) respectively disposed on the steam cover plate 132 and the cover body 120, and the first latch 133 and the second latch may cooperate with each other to enable the steam cover plate 132 to be in the covering position.

Preferably, the steam generating device 130 further comprises a steam cover button (not shown) configured to act on the first catch 133 when operated to move the first catch 133 out of engagement with the second catch, so that the steam cover 132 can be opened normally.

The steam generating means 130 further includes heating means (not shown) disposed around the steam generating chamber 131 for heating water contained in the steam generating chamber 131 to generate steam when necessary, for example, during cooking or during warming. In one embodiment, the heating device comprises a bottom heating plate and a side wall heating plate extending upwards from the bottom heating plate, and electric heating tubes are arranged in the bottom heating plate and the side wall heating plate. In other embodiments, the heating device may also be an electromagnetic heating device.

The steam generating device 130 and the cooking space are communicated through the steam passage 134. The steam channel 134 includes a steam inlet, which may be disposed on the steam cover plate 132, and a steam outlet, which is typically disposed on the removable cover 122. The steam generated in the steam generating chamber 131 enters the steam passage 134 through the steam inlet and is then delivered into the inner pot 111 through the steam passage 134 and the steam outlet to prevent the rice in the inner pot 111 from being dried, affecting the taste.

The lid 120 is used to cover the pot body 110, and the steam cover 132 is used to cover the steam generation chamber 131, and they are independent from each other. Therefore, in order to prevent the water in the steam generating chamber 131 from being poured out due to the opening of one of the cover 120 and the steam cover 132 when the other is opened, the cover 120 and the steam cover 132 need to be interlocked with each other in accordance with the opening and closing states thereof. To this end, the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention further includes a linkage mechanism 150. The link mechanism 150 of the cooking appliance 100 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 3 to 5.

The cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention further includes a cover opening and closing mechanism 140. The lid opening/closing mechanism 140 is used to lock the lid 120 in the closed position or release it to the open position, and the link mechanism 150 can act on the lid opening/closing mechanism 140 according to the open/close state of the lid 120 and the steam cover 132. In an embodiment of the present invention, the linkage 150 may be configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism 140 in response to the opening of the steam cover 132 to lock the lid 120 in the closed position. Alternatively, the link mechanism 150 may be further configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism 140 in response to the closing of the steam cover 132 to release the locking of the lid 120.

Turning now to fig. 5, the cover opening and closing mechanism 140 includes a first fastener 141 and a second fastener 142. The first fastener 141 is disposed on the cover 120, and the second fastener 142 is disposed on the pot 110. The first fastener 141 can cooperate with the second fastener 142 to keep the cover 120 in the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 141 is formed with a hook-head-shaped engaging portion, and the second fastener 142 is formed with a hook-receptacle-shaped engaging portion. Therefore, when the hook-shaped portion of the first fastening member 141 is hooked with the hook-shaped portion of the second fastening member 142, the first fastening member 141 and the second fastening member 142 are engaged, so that the pot body 110 and the cover body 120 are engaged, and the cover body 120 is in the closed position. Of course, the configuration of the first and

second fasteners

141, 142 is not limited to this embodiment.

Further, the lid opening and closing mechanism 140 may further include a lid release button 143, and the lid release button 143 is used to release the lock on the lid 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid release button 143 is provided on the cover 120. Preferably, the lid opening button 143 is provided on the lid 121. Like this, can avoid uncapping the position that the instantaneous high temperature steam gushes out to by the risk of high temperature steam scald when reducing the user uncapping effectively. However, in an embodiment not shown, the open-cover button 143 may be provided at other positions on the pot body 110 or the cover 120. The lid opening and closing button 143 is used to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism 140 when operated so that the lid 120 can be opened with respect to the pot body 110. The open cover button 143 may be configured as a switch type key or button or the like that easily enables a pressing operation for the convenience of a user.

Further, the lid release button 143 is configured to act on the first fastener 141 when operated, so that the first fastener 141 moves to be disengaged from the second fastener 142. As an example, the first fastener 141 can pivot about a pivot axis relative to the cover 120 and disengage from the second fastener 142 when pivoting a certain angle. Accordingly, the open button 143 may be provided with a portion (e.g., a top pillar 144, which will be described in detail later) capable of pressing against the first fastener 141, so that the first fastener 141 is pivotally moved to be disengaged from the second fastener 142 by pressing against the first fastener 141 by the portion when operated.

The first fastener 141 shown in fig. 5 is configured to have a substantially L-shaped sectional shape such that when one end is pressed substantially downward by the lid release button 143, the other end pivots substantially rightward. However, the first fastener 141 can be configured to have a cross-sectional shape such as a U-shape, a V-shape, etc., depending on the actual placement thereof. It is noted that the directional terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., as used herein are explained based on the cooking appliance 100 on a horizontal plane.

With continued reference to fig. 3 to 5, a linkage 150 is provided between the steam cover 132 and the lid opening and closing mechanism 140, and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In this embodiment, the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention drives the movement of the linkage 150 using the force when the steam cover 132 is covered. Optionally, the linkage 150 includes a transmission portion 151 and a locking portion 152 opposite the transmission portion 151. The transmission portion 151 is adjacent to the steam cover plate 132 and is contactable with the steam cover plate 132 for receiving and transmitting a force applied when the steam cover plate 132 is covered. The locking part 152 is located between the lid release button 143 and the first snap member 141, and is located farther from the steam cover 132 than the transmission part 151. The locking portion 152 can act on the lid body opening and closing mechanism 140 to restrict the operation of the lid opening button 143.

The link mechanism 150 is generally configured in an elongated shape, and extends between the steam cover plate 132 and the lid body opening and closing mechanism 140. In a preferred embodiment, the end of linkage 150 proximate to steam cover plate 132 extends into steam generating device 130 such that steam cover plate 132 is easily accessible and pushes linkage 150 downward when closed.

Optionally, the transmission part 151 includes an inclined surface a, and the steam cover plate 132 is configured to push the inclined surface a of the transmission part 151 downward when being closed. With reference to the closed and open positions of the steam cover 132 shown in fig. 1 and 2, it will be readily appreciated that the steam cover 132 moves generally downwardly when closed. Accordingly, the steam cover 132 can apply a generally downward force to the transmission part 151 when closed. Specifically, as shown in fig. 3 to 5, when the force of the steam cover 132 is applied to the inclined plane a, a downward force perpendicular to the inclined plane a is generated at the contact point. Obviously, the force is angled with respect to the horizontal. Accordingly, the horizontal directional component of the force urges the linkage 150 to move in the first direction D1 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

The slope a is configured to face generally upward. Optionally, the angle between the slope a and the first direction D1 is in the range of 30 ° to 90 °. That is, the angle between the first direction D1 and its projection on the slope a ranges from 30 ° to 90 °. As an example, the angle between the slope a and the first direction D1 may be 30 °, 60 °, 90 °. It will be readily appreciated that the steam cover plate 132 is in contact with the incline a at all times during the closing process, wherein it is initially in contact with the uppermost point of the incline a and finally in contact with the lowermost point of the incline a. Accordingly, the smaller the angle between the ramp a and the first direction D1, the greater the distance between the locked and unlocked positions of the linkage 150. By providing the slope a, the horizontal movement of the linkage 150 can be driven by the downward movement of the steam cover 132, and the movement stroke of the linkage 150 can be changed. Therefore, the linkage mechanism 150 can enlarge the movement stroke, thereby reducing the volume of the cover 120 of the cooking appliance 100 and making the structure thereof compact.

With the above configuration, the steam cover 132 can act on the transmission portion 151 of the link mechanism 150 when closed to move the link mechanism 150 from the lock position to the unlock position.

Conversely, in order to achieve the movement of the linkage mechanism 150 in the opened state of the steam cover 132 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the linkage mechanism 150 of the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention further includes a biasing member 153.

The biasing member 153 is configured to apply a biasing force to the linkage 150. Wherein the biasing member 153 is disposed at an opposite side of the linkage 150 with respect to the steam cover 132, i.e., between the cover 120 and the linkage 150 at the side of the locking portion 152. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing member 153 is a resilient member and the biasing force is a spring force. Specifically, when the steam cover 132 is opened, no force is applied by the steam cover 132, and thus the linkage 150 is biased to the locked position by the biasing force of the biasing member 153. When the steam cover 132 is closed, the steam cover 132 can exert a force, and thus the biasing force of the biasing member 153 is counteracted by a portion of the force of the steam cover 132. Meanwhile, the biasing member 153 can also elastically deform to yield, so that the linkage mechanism 150 can move from the locking position to the unlocking position. Accordingly, the link mechanism 150 has a simple structure, and can prevent wear of parts by cushioning, thereby extending the service life.

The biasing member 153 may be configured as a spring. For example, the biasing member 153, which is most clearly shown in fig. 5, is configured as a compression coil spring, one end of which abuts on the locking portion 152 and the other end of which abuts on the cover 120. However, the specific structure of the biasing member 153 is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

As described above, the linkage 150 is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position. Wherein the linkage mechanism 150 is configured to limit the movement of the lid release button 143 when in the locked position such that the first fastener 141 cannot be disengaged from the second fastener 142. This makes it possible to prevent the lid 120 from being opened even if the lid opening button 143 is operated when the steam lid 132 is opened. Thereby avoiding the risk of water flowing out of the steam generating chamber 131 due to malfunction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking portion 152 of the linkage 150 includes a through hole 154. The through-hole 154 is shown in cross-section in fig. 3 to 5, and extends substantially in the vertical direction, and allows a slight angle to the vertical. Accordingly, the lid release button 143 includes a top post 144, and the top post 144 is engageable with the through hole 154. Preferably, the aperture of the through-hole 154 is larger than the outer diameter of the top post 144, and the depth of the through-hole 154 is smaller than the length of the top post 144. In this way, the top post 144 can pass completely through the through hole 154, thereby facilitating the action of the release button 143 on the first snap member 141. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 154 is configured to be circular. However, the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 154 may be configured in other shapes such as an oval shape, a diamond shape, and the like. Also, there may be a difference in the sectional shape of the top pillar 144 and the through-hole 154 as long as the top pillar 144 can smoothly pass through the through-hole 154.

To achieve the locking effect of the linkage mechanism 150 on the cover 120, the through-hole 154 of the locking portion 152 is positioned in the following manner: when the linkage 150 is in the locked position, the through hole 154 is misaligned with the top post 144 to prevent movement of the lid release button 143. At this time, the body of the locking portion 152 is positioned on the moving path of the door opening button 143, so that the door opening button 143 cannot act on the first snap member 141 to complete the door opening operation; when the linkage 150 is in the unlocked position, the through-hole 154 is aligned with the top post 144 to allow movement of the lid release button 143. At this time, the through hole 154 of the locking portion 152 gives way to the top pillar 144 of the door-opening button 143, so that the door-opening button 143 can act on the first snap member 141 to complete the door-opening operation.

Preferably, the above-mentioned "alignment" refers to the case where the center line of the through-hole 154 is collinear with the center line of the top pillar 144. However, in the case where the center line of the through hole 154 is not collinear with the center line of the top pillar 144, the movement of the door release button 143 may be allowed. Because the top pillar 144 of the open button 143 can smoothly pass through the through hole 154 completely even if the center line of the through hole 154 is slightly deviated from the center line of the top pillar 144 when a certain relationship is satisfied between the hole diameter of the through hole 154 and the outer diameter of the top pillar 144. To further act on the first fastener 141 to disengage the first fastener 141 from the second fastener 142 to complete the opening.

With the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the linkage mechanism 150 may be moved by the force applied to the transmission portion 151 when the steam cover 132 is closed, so that the linkage mechanism 150 can move between the locking position and the unlocking position, thereby locking or unlocking the lid 120 with respect to the closed position thereof. The locking portion 152 can lock the lid opening/closing mechanism 140 with the lid opening button 143 to lock the lid 120 in the locking position of the interlocking mechanism 150; in the unlock position of the link mechanism 150, the lock portion 152 can unlock the lid opening and closing mechanism 140 from the lid opening and closing button 143 to unlock the lid 120.

The above embodiment fully utilizes the structural form of the linkage mechanism 150 to realize the conversion of motion and the amplification of stroke, so that the cooking appliance 100 according to the present invention has the characteristics of simple structure, convenient installation and easy operation, and reduces the risk of misoperation which may cause the water in the steam generating chamber 131 to flow out, improves safety, and simultaneously prolongs the service life.

The present invention also provides a cooking appliance including a pot body 110, a lid 120, a lid opening and closing mechanism 140, a steam generating device 130, and a linkage mechanism. In the present embodiment, the linkage mechanism may be configured to act on the steam cover opening and closing mechanism in response to the action of the cover opening and closing mechanism 140, so that the steam cover 132 is locked in the closed position when the cover 120 is opened. This arrangement ensures that the steam cover 132 is in the closed position when the cover 120 is opened, thereby preventing the liquid in the steam generating chamber 131 from flowing out.

The link mechanism is substantially the same as the link mechanism 150 described above, except that the link mechanism in the present embodiment is provided in the reverse direction to the above-described link mechanism. Specifically, when the cover 120 is closed, the cover may act on a linkage mechanism that may be moved away from a steam dome button (not shown) to allow the steam dome 132 to be normally opened. When the cover 120 is opened, the linkage mechanism can move in a reverse direction under the action of the spring, so as to move to the steam cover button, block the steam cover button, limit the movement of the steam cover button, make the steam cover button inoperable, and further make the steam cover 132 unopened.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Terms such as "disposed" and the like, as used herein, may refer to one element being directly attached to another element or one element being attached to another element through intervening elements. Features described herein in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, either alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is otherwise inapplicable or otherwise stated in the other embodiment.

The present invention has been described in terms of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention to the scope of the described embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made to the teachings of the invention, which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A cooking appliance, comprising:

a pot body (110);

the cover body (120), the said cover body (120) can be set up in relation to the said body of the cooker (110) opening and closing, when the said cover body (120) covers the said body of the cooker (110), form the cooking space between body of the said cover (120) and the said body of the cooker (110);

a cover opening and closing mechanism (140), the cover opening and closing mechanism (140) being used for locking the cover (120) at a closing position or releasing the cover to an opening position;

a steam generating device (130), the steam generating device (130) being disposed on the cover (120), the steam generating device (130) comprising:

a steam generating chamber (131), the steam generating chamber (131) being used for containing water to be heated to generate steam, a steam channel (134) communicating the steam generating chamber (131) and the cooking space being arranged therebetween, so as to guide the steam into the cooking space through the steam channel (134); and

a steam cover plate (132), the steam cover plate (132) being connected to the cover body (120) and being openable and closable with respect to the steam generation chamber (131) to open or close the steam generation chamber (131); and

a linkage mechanism (150), the linkage mechanism (150) being configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) in response to opening of the steam cover (132) to lock the lid (120) in the closed position.

2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism (150) is configured to act on the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) to unlock the lid (120) in response to the closing of the steam cover (132).

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) includes a lid opening button (143), the lid opening button (143) being for enabling the lid (120) to be opened with respect to the pot body (110) when operated, the link mechanism (150) being configured to be able to act on the lid opening button (143).

4. The cooking utensil of claim 3, wherein the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) further comprises a first fastener (141) disposed on the lid (120) and a second fastener (142) disposed on the pot (110), the first fastener (141) being engageable with the second fastener (142) to place the lid (120) in the closed position, the lid opening button (143) being configured to act on the first fastener (141) when operated to disengage the first fastener (141) from the second fastener (142).

5. The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein the cover body (120) comprises a face cover (121), and the lid-opening button (143) is provided on the face cover (121).

6. The cooking appliance of claim 4, wherein the linkage mechanism (150) is disposed between the steam cover plate (132) and the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

7. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the steam cover (132) is configured to apply a force to the linkage mechanism (150) when closed such that the linkage mechanism (150) moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

8. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the linkage (150) further comprises a biasing member (153), the biasing member (153) configured to apply a biasing force to the linkage (150) when the steam cover (132) is open such that the linkage (150) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 6, wherein the linkage mechanism (150) comprises a transmission portion (151) and a locking portion (152) opposite to the transmission portion (151), the transmission portion (151) is contactable with the steam cover plate (132), and the locking portion (152) is located between the lid-opening button (143) and the first fastener (141) and is capable of restricting the action of the lid-opening button (143).

10. The cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein the transmission portion (151) comprises a ramp (a), the steam cover plate (132) being configured to push the ramp (a) downwardly when closed to move the linkage (150) in a first direction from the locked position to the unlocked position.

11. The cooking appliance according to claim 10, wherein the angle between the inclined surface (a) and the first direction is in the range of 30 ° to 90 °.

12. The cooking appliance according to claim 9, wherein the locking portion (152) comprises a through hole (154), and the lid release button (143) comprises a top pillar (144), wherein a diameter of the through hole (154) is larger than an outer diameter of the top pillar (144), and a depth of the through hole (154) is smaller than a length of the top pillar (144).

13. The cooking appliance according to claim 12, wherein the through hole (154) is positioned in the locking portion (152) such that:

when the linkage mechanism (150) is in the locking position, the through hole (154) is staggered with the top column (144) to prevent the movement of the uncap button (143); and is

The through hole (154) is aligned with the top post (144) to allow movement of the lid release button (143) when the linkage (150) is in the unlocked position.

14. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the linkage mechanism (150) is configured such that when in the unlocked position, the top post (144) is capable of passing through the through-hole (154) and acting on the first fastener (141) such that the first fastener (141) is disengaged from the second fastener (142).

15. A cooking appliance, comprising:

a pot body (110);

a steam generating chamber (131), the steam generating chamber (131) being used for containing water to be heated to generate steam, a steam channel (134) communicating the steam generating chamber (131) and the cooking space being arranged therebetween, so as to guide the steam into the cooking space through the steam channel (134);

a steam cover plate opening and closing mechanism for locking the steam cover plate (132) in a closed position or releasing the steam cover plate to an open position;

a linkage mechanism disposed between the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) and the steam cover opening and closing mechanism, and configured to act on the steam cover opening and closing mechanism in response to an action of the lid opening and closing mechanism (140) so as to lock the steam cover (132) in the closed position when the lid (120) is opened.

16. The cooking appliance according to claim 15, wherein the steam cover plate opening and closing mechanism comprises a first latch (133) provided on the steam cover plate (132) and a second latch provided on the cover body (120), the first latch (133) being capable of cooperating with the second latch to place the steam cover plate (132) in the covering position, wherein the linkage mechanism is capable of acting on the first latch (133) and/or the second latch to lock the steam cover plate (132) in the covering position.