EP2273200A1 - Cooking device with multiple water connections and automatic choice of water depending on a cooking or cleaning programme - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooking appliance (1) has a cooking chamber (3), controller (25) and water connections (50,60) for supply of water in the cooking appliance. The former water connection is provided with a controllable valve (52), by which alkaline water is supplied to the cooking appliance. The latter water connection is provided with another controllable valve (62), through which acidic water is supplied to the cooking appliance. The two controllable valves stay in active connection with the controller. An independent claim is also included for a method for controlling a cooking appliance.

Description

The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a cooking chamber, a controller and at least one water connection for the supply of water in the cooking appliance, and a method for controlling such a cooking appliance.

Cooking appliances, which have a controllable water supply, are mainly known for large and commercial kitchens. Examples of such cooking appliances are dampers, combi steamers, tilting frying pans and cooking kettles, where the water connection is used for a wide variety of purposes. The water fed into the cooking appliance is supplied, for example, to a steam generator of the cooking appliance, in order to produce steam, that is to say water. H. to boil the water. In the case of a tilting frying pan or a cooking kettle, the cooking space (here a crucible or a kettle) can be filled with water and the water medium can be used to cook a food. For this purpose, the water is heated in the crucible or in the boiler. With some dampers, combi steamers and pure hot air devices, it is possible to spray or atomize water into the cooking chamber. Finally, there are cooking appliances which have a self-cleaning system in which water is used as a main component for loosening the dirt, flushing out the cooking space and dissolving limescale.

Also known are devices with which tap water by addition of salt and by means of an electrolytic process into alkaline water and acidic water is separable. The alkaline water can be used for cleaning and the acidic water for disinfection. An example of this are the ROX devices from Hoshizaki.

A cleaning process in which workpieces are cleaned in washing containers by means of hydroxide ions in ultrapure water is known from US Pat EP 1 139 400 B1 known.

From the DE 20 2005 019 491 U1 is a valve-controlled inlet device for domestic water appliances with connections for hot and cold water for the production of mixed water is known in which a mixture of the water is controlled with a thermal sensor. The disadvantage of this is that only the temperature of the mixed water can be regulated.

A generic cooking appliance is for example from the DE 20 2004 000 106 U1 known, which comprises a cooking chamber and controllable via solenoid valves and connected to a single water inlet water supply lines, which open into Einsprühdüsen or in a steam generator.

The object of the invention is to develop the generic cooking device such that it overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a cooking appliance is to be found which has a high functionality.

The object is achieved by a cooking appliance comprising a first water connection with a first controllable valve via which alkaline water can be supplied to the cooking appliance, a second water connection with a second controllable valve, via which acidic water can be supplied to the cooking appliance, the two controllable valves are in operative connection with the control of the cooking appliance.

In this case, a mixer may be provided in operative connection with the first and second water connection for mixing the alkaline and the acidic water.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the water connections are connected to water pipes, one of which leads alkaline and the other acidic water, or the cooking appliance with a device for generating alkaline and acidic water from tap water cooperates such that the device in the first water connection alkaline Water and fed into the second water connection acidic water.

Preferred cooking appliances according to the invention are further characterized by at least one of the following operating devices which are connected or connectable with at least one water line to the mixer or to at least one of the two water connections and in particular can be controlled by the controller: a steam generator, with the steam in the cooking chamber can be introduced; a Beschwadungseinrichtung, with the atomized water is introduced into the cooking chamber; a cleaning system with which the cooking chamber can be cleaned; a filling port, with which the cooking chamber can be filled with water; and / or an injection device for injecting water into the cooking chamber.

It can be provided that the cooking appliance comprises at least two of the operating equipment and a water distribution device, wherein the water distribution device is controllable by the controller and comprises water lines from the operating equipment to the mixer and / or the water connections, wherein via the water distribution device alkaline, acid and / or from mixed alkaline and acidic water to one or more operating equipment is simultaneously conductive.

Furthermore, cooking appliances according to the invention are characterized by at least one sensor, in particular pH meter and / or flow meter, for determining at least one property, in particular the pH value and / or the flow rate, of the alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water, each sensor connected to the controller.

It is also preferred according to the invention that with the control, the mixture of alkaline and acidic water depending on a particular work program of the cooking appliance, in particular selects from cooking, care and cleaning programs, and / or the specific property, in particular the pH and / or the flow rate, is adjustable.

Further cooking appliances according to the invention may be characterized by at least one memory, to which the controller has access, and in which for different work programs different activation states for the valves, the operating equipment and / or the water distributor and / or different target variables of the measured property of the water, in particular time-dependent for several program steps are stored.

In addition, a display device, on which the mixture, the specific property and / or the target variable can be displayed, and / or an operating device, via which the mixture, the specific property and / or the target variable is variable and / or the work program is selectable, is provided be.

Finally, the invention also proposes a method for controlling a cooking appliance according to the invention, which is characterized in that the supply of alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water in the cooking appliance and / or the water distribution device controlled by controlling the valves with the controller and / or in Depending on the work program and / or the measured property of the alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water, in particular with access to the memory, is regulated.

The invention is thus based on the surprising finding that by the use of at least two water connections to a cooking appliance, which are controlled by a controller of the cooking appliance, either alkaline water and / or acidic water is or can be used by using the controller controlled mixture of alkaline and acidic water can be generated, which can be fed via the two water connections in the cooking appliance, and preferably at a suitable location for each work program.

For this purpose, a multiple water connection can be attached to the cooking appliance, which is connected via supply lines to the water sources for the alkaline and acidic water. The alkaline and acidic water can then be used for different work programs selected from cooking programs, care programs and cooking program cleaners.

Due to the miscibility of the alkaline and acidic water is ensured even when using only two water connections that z. B. also neutral water can be used. In cases where alkaline or acidic water is advantageous in the treatment of a food or in a cleaning of the cooking chamber, but also an alkaline and / or an acidic water can be used. Due to the controllability of the valves, for example in the form of solenoid valves, the cooking appliance can use the controller with the help of water with a pH value between the pH of the alkaline water, which is fed via a first water connection in the cooking appliance, and the pH of the acidic water, which is fed via a second water connection in the cooking appliance, is located.

Of course, an additional water connection can also be provided, via which tap water can be fed into the cooking appliance.

For the purposes of the present invention, a mixer is to be understood as meaning a region in which the alkaline and acidic water are thoroughly mixed. Thus, for example, a mixer may be a switch in which a water pipe for alkaline water and a water pipe for acidic water meet, and a common pipe for the mixed water form. In the area of the meeting of the water pipes can be formed a vessel in which a mixing of the water is achieved and in addition a water reservoir is present. Likewise, as a mixer and the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance can be considered, to which the water pipes for alkaline and acidic water are connected directly, so that it comes only to a thorough mixing of the alkaline and acidic water in the oven itself. Likewise, a water container of a steam generator is a mixer in the context of the present invention, when it is connected to water pipes for alkaline and acidic water. The term of the mixer is therefore to be understood broadly and includes all spatial areas in which mix the alkaline and the acidic water.

In order to obtain a certain pH of the mixed water, either the pH of the alkaline and the acidic water fed into the cooking appliance from the outside must be known, or the pH of the alkaline and acidic waters and / or or the pH of the mixed water needs to be measured. For this purpose, a pH meter may be mounted in conduits carrying the alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water. The pH meter (s) are connected to the controller of the cooking appliance. With the aid of the pH meters and the controllable valves, the controller can regulate the pH of the mixed water.

As an alternative to the lines, the pH meter (s) may also be arranged in other areas in which they come into contact with sufficiently alkaline, acidic or mixed water.

It may also be advantageous if the flow rate of the alkaline, the acidic and / or the mixed water is measured or be. For this purpose, one or more flow meters may be connected. These can be connected to the controller.

As controllable valves in the context of the present invention, in particular solenoid valves in question. These can be connected to the control of the cooking appliance. The first and second valves may be configured with the mixer in one using a three-way valve. As a controllable valves, however, all mechanically, in particular electric motor-operated valves with valve drive in question.

For the purposes of the invention, an alkaline water is understood as meaning an aqueous, alkaline solution which has a pH of more than 7. Accordingly, for the purposes of the invention, an acidic water is to be understood as meaning an aqueous solution having a pH of less than 7. Typically, the acidic water may have a pH of from 1 to 4 and the alkaline water may have a pH of from 10 to 13. Particularly suitable is alkaline water with a pH of 11 and an acidic water with a pH of 3.

A water distributor in the sense of the present invention is to be understood as meaning a component with which water from one line or one container can be supplied to different other lines individually or to a plurality of other lines at the same time. The water distributor can thus be constructed, for example, such that one or more supply lines for water and at least two laxative water lines are connected to a container, wherein the discharge lines can be closed and opened with solenoid valves.

In a memory of the cooking appliance, to which the control of the cooking appliance has access, are stored for different cooking processes or cooking programs and for cleaning and care processes, which type of water (alkaline or acidic) or which mixture or which pH for each Gar -, cleaning or care process is most suitable.

By previously empirically determined values can be stored in the memory, for example, in which Gargutart that can be prepared with a special cooking program, which water or which obtained from the water vapor depending on the water or water mixture a particularly good texture or a particularly good swelling behavior has, so that an improvement of the texture or the swelling behavior and thus the cooking result can be achieved. An improved texture or an improved swelling behavior may be of interest, for example, in the preparation of rice and noodles, but also in the cooking of a crusty roast, in which case the swelling of the rind causes an improvement in crust formation. In the case of rice or pasta, an acceleration of the cooking process and / or an improvement of the cooking result can be achieved.

The cooking chamber of the cooking appliance may be treated by an appropriate method at the beginning of a cleaning or care process with alkaline water or basic water to achieve a fat solution and a solution of proteins, while at the end of the cleaning or care process a lime-dissolving and disinfecting Effect by the acidic water is usable.

By these measures, the user of such a cooking appliance is given a further opportunity to increase the quality of cooking. In addition, the cost of cleaning chemicals can be reduced because the water is already "chemically" effective at the right times, which also reduces the environmental impact. The user of the cooking appliance must also not consider which type of water is particularly suitable for which product and how he gets the water to the or in the cooking appliance, if the control of the cooking appliance already has a suitable method.

Figur 1

den schematischen Aufbau eines erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts; und

Figur 2

den schematischen Aufbau eines alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Gargeräts.

The invention is explained below with reference to two embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows

FIG. 1

the schematic structure of a cooking appliance according to the invention; and

FIG. 2

the schematic structure of an alternative cooking appliance according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cooking appliance 1 with a cooking chamber 3, in which a food to be cooked 5 is placed on a food support 7. An air guide plate 9, which has a central opening 11, separates the cooking chamber 3 from a pressure chamber 13. In the pressure chamber 13, a radial fan 15 and a heater 17 are arranged. The heater 17 surrounds the radial fan 15. A steam generator 19, which includes a steam generator heater 21 and a port 23 to the cooking chamber 3, as well as the heater 17 can be operated electrically or with gas and allows steam from the steam generator 19 via the pressure chamber 13th to introduce into the cooking chamber 3.

The cooking appliance 1 further comprises a controller 25 having access to a memory 27. With the controller 25 u. a. the rotational speed of the centrifugal fan 15 and the power of the heater 17 and the power of the steam generator heater 21 are controlled.

The cooking appliance 1 furthermore has a first water connection 50 with a first controllable valve 52 and a first sensor 54, wherein alkaline water, ie basic water, can be supplied to the cooking appliance 1 via the first water connection 50.

Furthermore, the cooking appliance 1 has a second water connection 60, with which acidic water can be fed into the cooking appliance 1. A second controllable valve 62 is connected to the second water connection 60, as well as a second sensor 64.

The sensors 54, 64 may, for example, be pH meters and / or sensors for determining the flow rate. The first and second controllable valves 52, 62 and the two sensors 54, 64 are connected to the controller 25. The controller 25 is capable of receiving the readings of the sensors 54, 64 and controlling the controllable valves 52, 62. Finally, the two water connections 50, 60 open into a mixer 70, in which the alkaline water and the acidic water are miscible.

From the mixer 70 out lead three water pipes 71, 72, 73, through which water from the mixer 70 can be conducted. The first water line 71 leads to a nozzle of a cleaning system 75, which opens into the cooking chamber 3. For the purpose of cleaning the cooking chamber 3, water from the mixer 70 and cleaning chemicals can be sprayed into the cooking chamber 3 via the nozzle of the cleaning system 75. With the help of the radial fan 15, the water introduced and the cleaning chemicals in the cooking chamber 3 and in the pressure chamber 13 can be distributed.

In all three water lines 71, 72, 73 controllable valves 81, 82, 83 and one sensor 85, 86, 87 are arranged. The controllable valves 81, 82, 83 communicate with the controller 25 in such a way that they can be controlled by them. The sensors, which may be pH meters and / or flow rate sensors, are also connected to the controller 25 so that the controller 25 can receive the readings of the sensors 85, 86, 87.

With the help of the second water line 72, the steam generator 19 can be filled. The third water pipe 73 leads to a steaming device 90, with which water can be sprayed from the mixer 70 in the direction of the radial fan 15. Both the Beschwadungseinrichtung 90 and the rotation of the radial fan 15 ensure that the water is atomized and arrives as a mist or fine drizzle in the cooking chamber 3.

To the mixer 70 may further be connected a hose with a manually operable valve (not shown) and / or a quenching nozzle (not shown) with which hot vapors from the cooking chamber 3 leading to an overpressure gas outlet (not shown) are extinguished can be.

With the construction shown, it is possible to use alkaline and / or acidic water for different applications in the cooking appliance 1. For example, a cleaning process can take place in such a way that the controller 25 first alkalises the mixer 70 Water from the first water connection 50 as the main component supplies by the controller 25, the first and the second controllable valve 52, 62 set such that the first controllable valve 52 wide open and the second controllable valve 62 is almost completely closed. This results in the mixer 70, an alkaline water mixture, which, when the controller 25, the valves 82, 83 is closed and the valve 81 is kept open, is passed through the first water line 71 via the cleaning system 75 into the cooking chamber 3. The alkaline water dissolves fats and proteins, so first helps with the rough cleaning of the cooking chamber 3. After these were removed from the cooking chamber 3, so z. B. for a fixed predetermined time step, which is empirically determined and stored in the memory 27, for example for different levels of contamination different exposure times, the controller 25 will restrict the flow of alkaline water through the first water connection 50 by means of the first controllable valve 52, while the supply is increased by acidic water through the second water port 60 by means of the second controllable valve 62. It is thus achieved that an acidic water is generated in the mixer 70, which can be introduced via the first line 71 through the cleaning system 75 into the cooking chamber 3. The acidic water helps to disinfect the cooking chamber 3 and dissolves limescale.

The same procedure can be followed when, for example, a cooking process is started in which food to be cooked 5 in the cooking chamber 3, which results in an improved texture of Gargutoberfläche when it is treated with acidic or alkaline water. Such water can be distributed over the Beschwadungseinrichtung 90 in the cooking chamber 3 and thus reach the food 5.

In the same way, the steam generator 19 can be operated with acidic or alkaline water, if this appears advantageous for the food 5 or the steam generator 19 itself. If the cooking appliance 1 determines via the controller 25, for example with the aid of a sensor, not shown, that the steam generator 19 is heavily calcified, it is possible to wash it out with acidic water and thus to dissolve the lime.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative cooking appliance 1 ', which is a dump truck. The cooking appliance 1 'comprises a crucible 100, which forms the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance 1'. The crucible 100 is closed by a flap 102. The crucible 100 is filled approximately halfway with water 104. In the water 104 is a food 5 ', which is cooked over the water 104 as a medium. For this purpose, the water 104 in the crucible 100 with heaters (not shown) is heated. The cooking appliance 1 'has a first water connection 50' with a first one controllable valve 52 'and a first sensor 54'. In addition, the cooking appliance 1 'has a second water connection 60' with a second controllable valve 62 'and a second sensor 64'.

The cooking appliance 1 'further comprises a controller 25' connected to a memory 27 'so that the controller 25' has access to the memory 27 '.

The two water connections 50 ', 60' open into a mixer 70 ', in which alkaline water, which is fed via the first water connection 50', and acidic water, which is fed via the second water connection 60 ', is miscible. Two water pipes 110, 111 lead out of the mixer 70 '. In the water pipe 110, 111 are each a controllable valve 115, 116 and a respective sensor 120, 121 are arranged. All controllable valves 52 ', 62', 115, 116 are controllable by the controller 25 '. The controller 25 'forms, with the controllable valves 115, 116, a distributor with which water from the mixer 70' can be distributed to two different water lines 110, 111.

The first water line 110 belongs to a cleaning system 75 ', which opens into a nozzle in the crucible 100. The second water line 111 with the controllable valve 116 and the sensor 121 opens into a filling port 130, with which the crucible 100 can be filled with water 104. Via another controllable valve (not shown), the water 104 can be discharged from the crucible 100.

With this arrangement, it is possible to cook a food 5 ', such as potatoes, in a slightly alkaline water 104. When a cooking process for potatoes is selected, the controller controls the controllable valves 52 ', 62' such that an acidic water is generated in the mixer 70 '. By adjusting the distributor, i. H. By controlling the valves 115, 116, it is achieved that the first conduit 110 remains closed, while the slightly acidic water from the mixer 70 'through the conduit 111 and the filling port 130 into the crucible 100, d. H. into the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance 1 'flows.

The targeted use of slightly acidic or slightly alkaline water can both increase the quality of the cooked food 5 ', as well as speed up the cooking itself.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the figures may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various Ausrührungen.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 '

Cooking appliance

3

oven

5, 5 '

be cooked

7

food support

9

Air baffle

11

opening

13

pressure chamber

15

radial fans

17

heater

19

steam generator

21

Steam generator heating

23

connection

25, 25 '

control

27, 7 '

Storage

50, 50 '

mains water supply

52, 52 '

first valve

54, 54 '

sensor

60, 60 '

mains water supply

62, 62 '

second valve

64, 64 '

sensor

70, 70 '

mixer

71, 72, 73

water pipe

75, 75 '

cleaning system

81, 82, 83

Valve

85, 86, 87

sensor

90

Beschwadungseinrichtung

100

crucible

102

flap

104

water

110, 111

water pipe

115,116

Valve

120, 121

sensor

130

Filling

Claims (10)

Cooking appliance (1, 1 ') comprising a cooking chamber (3, 100), a controller (25, 25') and at least one water connection (50, 50 ', 60, 60') for supplying water to the cooking appliance (1, 1 '), characterized by
a first water connection (50, 50 ') with a first controllable valve (52, 52'), via which the cooking appliance (1, 1 ') alkaline water can be supplied,
a second water connection (60, 60 ') with a second controllable valve (62, 62'), via which the cooking appliance (1.1 ') acidic water can be supplied, wherein the two controllable valves (52, 52', 62, 62 ') are in operative connection with the controller (25, 25') of the cooking appliance (1, 1 '). Cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized by
a mixer (70, 70 ') operatively connected to the first and second water connections (50, 50', 60, 60 ') for mixing the alkaline and acidic waters Cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the water connections (50, 50 ', 60, 60') are connected to water pipes, one of which leads to alkaline and the other acidic water, or
the cooking appliance (1, 1 ') cooperates with a device for producing alkaline and acidic water from tap water in such a way that the device acidifies alkaline water into the first water connection (50, 50') and into the second water connection (60, 60 ') Feeds water. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one of the following operating devices (19, 75, 75 ', 90, 130) connected to at least one water line (71, 72, 73, 110, 111) to the mixer (70, 70 ') or on at least one of the two water connections (50, 50', 60, 60 ') is connected or can be connected, and in particular by the control (25, 25') can be controlled: a steam generator (19), with the steam in the cooking chamber (3) can be introduced; a Beschwadungseinrichtung (90), with the atomized water in the cooking chamber (3) can be introduced; a cleaning system (75, 75 ') with which the cooking chamber (3, 100) can be cleaned; a filling port (130) with which the cooking chamber (100) can be filled with water; and or an injection device for injecting water into the cooking chamber. Cooking appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that
the cooking device (1, 1 ') comprises at least two of the operating devices (19, 75, 75', 90, 130) and a water distribution device, wherein the water distribution device is controllable by the controller (25, 25 ') and water pipes (71, 72, 73, 110, 111) from the operating means (19, 75, 75 ', 90, 130) to the mixer (70, 70') and / or the water connections (50, 50 ', 60, 60') the water distribution device alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water from alkaline and acidic water to one or more operating devices (19, 75, 75 ', 90, 130) is simultaneously conductive. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one sensor (54, 54 ', 64, 64', 85, 86, 87, 120, 121), in particular pH meter and / or flow meter, for determining at least one property, in particular pH and / or flow rate, alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water, each sensor (54, 54 ', 64, 64', 85, 86, 87, 120, 121) being sent to the controller (25 , 25 ') is connected. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that with the controller (25, 25 '), the mixture of alkaline and acidic water in response to a respective work program of the cooking appliance, in particular selects from cooking, care and cleaning programs, and / or the particular property, in particular the pH and / or the flow rate, is adjustable. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one memory (27, 27 ') to which the controller (25, 25') has access, and in which different activation states for the valves (52, 52 ', 62 , 62 ', 81, 82, 83, 115, 116), the operating devices (19, 75, 75', 90, 130) and / or the water distributor and / or different target variables of the measured Property of the water, in particular time-dependent for several program steps, are deposited. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a display device on which the mixture, the specific property and / or the target size can be displayed, and / or
an operating device, via which the mixture, the specific property and / or the target variable is variable and / or the work program is selectable. Method for controlling a cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
the supply of alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water in the cooking appliance and / or the water distribution device controlled by controlling the valves with the controller and / or depending on the work program and / or the measured property of the alkaline, acidic and / or mixed water, especially under access to the memory, is regulated.

Images