EP3963263A1

EP3963263A1 - Steam treatment appliance and method for cleaning a steam treatment appliance

Info

Publication number: EP3963263A1
Application number: EP20722259.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Clauss; Hakim Marko
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2022-03-09
Also published as: WO2020224964A1; CN113728200B; DE102019206323A1; CN113728200A; US20220186938A1

Abstract

A steam treatment appliance (1) having a steam treatment space (29) has a fixed water connection (2), a receiving container (5; 41) that can be filled with fresh water (FW) by means of the fixed water connection (2), and a discharge opening (6), a steam generator (9) which is arranged outside the steam treatment space and of which the water inlet (8) can be fluidically connected to the discharge opening of the receiving container (5; 41), and a water outlet (13) which can be fluidically connected to the receiving container, at least one pump (14; 32-34), a cleaning product inlet (20; 36) which can be fluidically connected to the receiving container, a temporary waste water outlet (20; 36), and a valve system (14, 17; 32-34) which can be switched between at least two switch positions, wherein in a first switch position a closed liquid circuit having at least the receiving container, the steam generator (9) and at least one pump (14; 32-34) as components and bypassing the steam treatment space is formed, and in a second switch position the circuit is open to connect the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) to the temporary waste water connection (20; 36).

Description

Steam treatment device and method for cleaning a

Steam treatment device

The invention relates to a steam treatment device with a steam treatment room, having a fixed water connection; a receiving container which can be filled with fresh water by means of the fixed water connection and has a drain opening, a steam generator arranged outside the steam treatment space, the water inlet of which is fluidically connectable to the drain opening of the receiving container and has a water outlet which is fluidically connectable to the receiving container, and a Pump. The invention also relates to a corresponding method. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to household steamers.

DE 10 2012 109 631 A1 discloses a cooking appliance with a cooking space for treating food and with a steam generating device for generating steam. The water used to generate the steam can be fed to the steam generating device via a coupling device. The coupling device has a connection device suitable for connection to a fixed water connection. In this case, a line device is provided between the connection device and the steam generating device, which provides a flow connection suitable for conveying water and comprises a free fall section. A water guide device is arranged in the free fall section.

FR 2958719 A1 discloses an oven which has a cooking space formed in a housing and a steam generator which generates steam that can be introduced into the cooking space. A water filling valve supplies a hydraulic system with water from the steam generator. A water filling part comprises a water supply opening of the hydraulic system. A drain part has a water drain opening of the hydraulic system. The water supply opening and the water drain opening are accessible in an outlet position of the valve on an outside of the furnace.

It is the object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to make it user-friendly and effective Possibility of cleaning, in particular decalcification, of water-carrying lines within a steam treatment device.

This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The object is achieved by a steam treatment device with a steam treatment room having

- a fixed water connection;

- A receptacle which can be filled with fresh water by means of the fixed water connection and has a drain opening,

- A steam generator arranged outside the steam treatment space, the water inlet of which is fluidically connectable to the drain opening of the receiving container and has a water outlet which is fluidically connectable to the receiving container,

- A cleaning agent inlet that can be fluidically connected to the receiving container,

- at least one pump,

- a temporary waste water outlet, and

- A valve system which can be switched between at least two switching positions, wherein

- In a first switch position, a closed liquid circuit with the receiving container, the steam generator and the pump is formed as components bypassing the steam treatment room, and

- In a second switching position, the circuit for connecting the water outlet of the steam generator to the temporary waste water connection is open.

This steam treatment device has the advantage that it can be automatically filled with fresh water via the fixed water connection without having to be connected to a sewage network. This in turn enables simple integration into a kitchen. In addition, this steam treatment device can be cleaned in a particularly user-friendly manner. The possibility of using a closed fluid circuit cleaning can be carried out particularly effectively, which in turn helps to save cleaning agents. In addition, this steam treatment device is particularly easy to implement in terms of design.

In particular, for a cleaning process, cleaning agent can be introduced into the receiving container via the cleaning agent inlet and the cleaning agent can then be circulated in the circuit in the first switching position of the valve system by means of the pump, so that it is connecting the receiving container, the steam generator, the pump itself and these Channels or lines (pipes, hoses, etc.) and possibly other components of the circuit such as valves etc. flows through and cleaned in the process. After sufficient circulation in the circuit, the valve system is switched to its second switch position so that a user can now drain the cleaning agent from the device via the temporary waste water outlet, e.g. in a vessel such as an egg or something similar. However, the user does not need a permanent connection to a sewage system.

The steam treatment device is in particular a household appliance. In a further development, it has at least one heating element for heating up the steam treatment room and can then also be referred to as a steam cooker, and its steam treatment room as a cooking chamber. The steam treatment device can in particular be a cooking device, e.g. Oven, with additional steam treatment functionality. Goods located in the cooking space can optionally be cooked without the addition of steam, cooked with the addition of steam or only treated with steam.

A fixed water connection can in particular mean a connection for a permanent connection to a fresh water network or a fresh water supply line. The fixed connection is typically intended to permanently connect the device to the fresh water network.

The receptacle can be filled with fresh water in particular by means of the fixed water connection via a free fall section. This has the advantage that liquid cannot get from the steam treatment device into the fresh water network. It is a further development that the fixed water connection has an electrically switchable opening valve in order to specifically enable a fresh water supply into the receiving container or to stop. The receiving container can be open on the top, in particular in the shape of a bowl. An open end of the fixed water connection is in particular above the open top.

The outlet opening of the receptacle can be arranged at least approximately at a lowest point of the receptacle that can be filled with liquid, e.g. bottom side. This has the advantage that the receptacle can be almost completely emptied only by the action of gravity.

The steam generator can be a so-called boiler or a flow heater. It can be filled with liquid via the water inlet, namely - because the water inlet can be fluidically connected to the outlet opening of the receiving container - with liquid which is drained from the outlet opening of the receiving container. Liquid can be drained from the steam generator via the water outlet. For this purpose, the water outlet is arranged in particular on the bottom. The water inlet can in particular be arranged on the ceiling side. The steam generator has at least one heating element for steam generation, and when activated, the water in the steam generator can be heated to you temperature. The steam generated in this way is introduced into the steam treatment room.

The steam generator can have a level sensor. This can be set up to recognize or detect an empty level and / or a maximum filling level of the steam generator being reached. Depending on the current filling level, the steam treatment device can, for example, activate or deactivate the at least one heating element, open or close a valve of the fixed water connection, open or close a valve between the receptacle and the steam generator, etc. In particular, the shut-off valve of the fixed water connection can be used during steam treatment operation depending on the level in the steam generator: if there is enough water in the steam generator, the shut-off valve remains closed. However, if fresh water is to be topped up due to a low fill level, the fill level sensor causes the shut-off valve to open, whereupon fresh water flows through the receptacle into the steam generator. If the level in the steam generator has risen sufficiently, the level sensor switches the shut-off valve to shut off again. Because the water outlet of the steam generator can be fluidly connected to the receptacle, the receptacle can be filled with liquid discharged from the water outlet as well as with fresh water.

The pump is a liquid pump. It is a further development that the pump is a self-locking pump, i.e. that it has a locking effect when inactive or switched off. This has the advantage that the number of components required can be kept low. However, instead of a self-locking pump, a functionally analogous arrangement of a non-locking pump (which lets liquid through when switched off) and a shut-off valve can be used, e.g. in fluidic series connection. The pump can e.g. be a positive displacement pump (volumetric pump) or a centrifugal pump. A centrifugal pump has the advantage that it is particularly quiet and robust. A positive displacement pump has the advantage that it can be designed to be self-locking in a particularly simple manner.

A cleaning agent inlet is understood to mean, in particular, a component of the steam treatment device by means of which the cleaning agent can be introduced into the steam treatment device. The fact that the cleaning agent inlet can be fluidically connected to the receiving container includes in particular that the cleaning agent reaches the receiving container after it has been introduced, in particular directly into the receiving container. For this purpose, a connecting line can be provided between the cleaning agent inlet and the receptacle, which e.g. ends above the receptacle and forms an air gap with this.

The cleaning agent can be an agent for microbial cleaning and / or a descaling agent. The detergent can be added to the detergent inlet as a liquid detergent. However, it can also be added to the cleaning agent inlet as a solid, water-soluble additive (e.g. as a powder, tablet ("tab"), etc.) and then mixed with fresh water from the fresh water connection to form liquid cleaning agent.

A “temporary” waste water outlet is understood to mean in particular an outlet or an opening by means of which, for example, water discharged from the steam generator is discharged the steamer, and which is not intended as a permanent / permanent connection for connection to a sewage system. Rather, a user himself must ensure that the liquid escaping from the temporary waste water outlet is disposed of, for example by collecting it in a bucket or the like, possibly using a hose that can be attached. The temporary waste water outlet can also simply be referred to as a waste water port. The temporary waste water outlet can be designed as a nozzle.

In the first switching position, when the pump is switched on, liquid, in particular cleaning liquid, can be circulated in the liquid circuit. By bypassing the steam treatment room, contact between food and cleaning liquid is reliably avoided. This bypass can also be implemented in a structurally simple manner, because the steam generator is a steam generator which is attached externally in relation to the steam treatment room and which has no fluidic connection to the steam treatment room (only a steam line). This is in particular in contrast to steam treatment devices, which have an evaporator tray embedded in a floor of the steam treatment room.

The detergent inlet can also form part of the liquid circuit. But it can also be or be independent of it. Thus, in a further development, the cleaning agent inlet can be connected to a simple feed line that does not belong to the circuit and leads directly to the receptacle. It is an alternative development that the cleaning agent inlet is fluidically connected to the receptacle in the first switching position, but not in the second switching position. It is an alternative development that the cleaning agent inlet is not fluidly connected to the receptacle in the first switching position, but is in the second switching position.

In the second switch position, the circuit is open at least to connect the water outlet of the steam generator to the temporary waste water connection. It is a further development that the cleaning agent inlet is only provided and / or arranged in the second switching position to be accessible to a user. The first switching position and the second switching position are set in particular to carry out cleaning of the water-carrying parts of the steam treatment device.

In general, further switch positions can be set, in particular automatically by the steam treatment device, in order to enable further functions of the steam treatment device. At least one third switch position - possibly also at least one further switch position - can be provided for setting up the steam treatment device for steam treatment of food or another function that does not serve cleaning.

The components described above can be connected to one another via lines and, if necessary, free-fall sections.

The valve system comprises at least one switchable valve, by means of which a path of liquid through the steam treatment device can be changed in relation to its flow direction. In particular, the circuit can be optionally closed and opened by switching the valve system. A switch position of the valve system can be understood to mean a certain set of valve positions that can be individually switched (e.g. electrically and / or manually switchable, but in particular not hydraulically switchable) valves. If a pump is a self-locking pump, it can represent a component of the valve system due to its valve function.

It is an embodiment that the cleaning agent inlet and the temporary waste water outlet are integrated into a combined waste water outlet / cleaning agent inlet unit (hereinafter also referred to as "combiport" without loss of generality). This has the advantage of being particularly user-friendly. This also reduces the design effort and the number of openings in the housing of the steam treatment device can be kept particularly small.

It is an embodiment that the valve system has a directional valve which fluidly connects the water outlet of the steam generator to the receptacle in the first switch position and connects the water outlet of the steam generator to the temporary waste water outlet and the fluidic connection in the second switch position to the receptacle interrupts. This has the advantage that the liquid cycle can be opened and closed in a particularly simple manner in terms of construction. The directional control valve can be designed as a 3/2-way valve, for example.

It is an embodiment that

- The directional control valve is designed as a drawer unit with a drawer with a filling tray that can be pulled out of a housing,

- The housing has a stationary filler neck that can be fluidly connected to the water outlet of the steam generator and a stationary outlet line that leads to the receptacle,

- the filling bowl has an outlet opening at the bottom,

- When the drawer is closed, the filler bowl can be filled via the filler neck with liquid drained from the steam generator and the outlet line is fluidically connected to the outlet opening of the filler bowl and

- When the drawer is open, the filling bowl can be filled with liquid drained from the steam generator via the filler neck and the outlet opening of the filling bowl is arranged outside the housing of the drawer unit, furthermore

- The drawer is closed in the first switching position of the valve system and the drawer is open in the second switching position of the valve system.

This has the advantage that the liquid circuit also opens and closes by simply opening and closing the drawer (for example, manual or motorized). If the drawer is closed, the liquid circuit is also closed, and if the drawer is open, the liquid circuit is also open. Another advantage is that the drawer doubles as a detergent inlet and a waste water outlet. A user only needs to open the drawer to fill in cleaning agent and to drain off liquid.

The drawer unit thus has a stationary built-in housing in the steam treatment device, to which the drawer is connected via a pull-out mechanism. This means that the filler neck and the outlet line are also arranged in a stationary manner in the steam treatment device. The drawer has in particular a carrier or a frame that forms the individual shell or carries it as a separately produced component. When the drawer is closed, water escaping from the filler neck enters the filler bowl. For this purpose, the filler neck is arranged in particular above the filler bowl. In particular, a free fall path for the exiting liquid is created in the area of the filling bowl. The liquid in the filling bowl flows out of the filling bowl via the outlet opening on the bottom side, namely into the outlet line and through the outlet line into the receptacle. From the receptacle, in turn, the liquid flows into the steam generator, from there back into the filling tray, etc.

By means of the opened drawer, two functions can be fulfilled, in particular at different times, namely the addition of cleaning agent and the drainage of liquid from the steam treatment device.

The possibility of draining liquid out of the steam treatment device in a simple and user-friendly manner results e.g. as follows: when the drawer is open, liquid emerging from the filler neck continues to flow into the filler tray and out of the outlet opening. However, since the outlet opening is now outside the housing of the drawer unit and thus also outside the housing of the steam treatment device, the liquid is passed out of the steam treatment device. In other words, the filling tray now serves as a liquid channel for discharging the liquid from the steam treatment device and there simply flows off through the outlet opening. To collect the liquid, a user can, for example, place a vessel under the extended drawer, connect the outlet opening with a hose, or the like.

The possibility of adding cleaning agents can be implemented as follows: with the drawer open and the flow of liquid stopped beforehand, cleaning agent (in particular a non-liquid or solid but water-soluble cleaning agent additive such as powder or, advantageously, a cleaning agent tablet) is placed in the filling tray. The drawer is then placed is closed again and the flow of the liquid is restarted, for example by switching on the pump. Now, as described above, the liquid is circulated in the liquid circuit that is now closed again, with the liquid introduced into the filling bowl adding the cleaning agent. ok

solves and carries. The liquid then circulating in the liquid circuit is then a cleaning liquid.

In order to remove the cleaning liquid from the steam treatment device, the drawer then only needs to be opened again and the cleaning agent drained. To rinse out the steam treatment device to remove residues of the cleaning liquid - which is particularly advantageous before a subsequent steam treatment process - only fresh water needs to be poured into the receptacle, circulated or circulated in the liquid circuit and then drained again via the open filling tray. This process can be repeated as often as required.

The above configuration is particularly easy to implement with only one pump and the drawer unit as a single directional control valve. For this purpose, for example, the steam generator can be located below the receptacle so that the liquid in the receptacle can flow into the steam generator solely through the action of gravity. The outlet opening of the filling bowl can also be located above the receptacle, so that liquid flowing out through the outlet opening can flow into the receptacle solely through the force of gravity. The pump is then only required during a cleaning process to pump liquid against the action of gravity from the steam generator into the filler bowl, since the steam generator is then installed deeper than the filler bowl.

It is an embodiment that the drawer unit is arranged above a steam treatment room, the receptacle and the steam generator are arranged laterally to the steam treatment room and the receptacle is arranged above the steam generator. This results in a particularly user-friendly, accessible and compact arrangement.

If the drawer unit can be operated manually, its electrical control can be completely dispensed with in a further development. The drawer unit can also be moved by a motor. It is a further development, particularly advantageous for a manually operable drawer unit, that the steam treatment device is set up to give a user an indication of when he should or may open the drawer. This can be adapted to the operating status of the pump (switched on or switched off).

The drawer unit can also be used independently of the presence of a liquid circuit in a steam treatment device and then represents an independent invention. Rather, the structure of the drawer unit and / or its mechanical and fluidic function as an active ingredient inlet, liquid outlet when the drawer is open and liquid line can be used closed drawer stand in the foreground.

In principle, there can also be several pumps in order to convey the liquid, in particular also within the closed liquid circuit. This can be useful, for example, for realizing a particularly compact design or predetermined by other structural boundary conditions. For example, there can be two, three or even more pumps.

In principle, as an alternative or in addition to at least one directional valve, one or more shut-off valves can be present in the path of the liquid or liquid path. This results in the advantage that the liquid can thus be guided in a particularly diverse manner and a return of the liquid can be prevented particularly reliably. In order to save on components, it is particularly advantageous that at least one pump is a self-locking pump that delivers liquid when switched on and acts as a shut-off valve for the liquid when switched off, in particular in both directions. In general, at least one shut-off valve can be designed as a valve blocking in both directions and / or at least one shut-off valve can be designed as a valve blocking only in one direction, for example in the form of a check valve.

It is also an embodiment that the steam treatment device has a first self-locking pump, a second self-locking pump, a third self-locking pump and a T-piece or T-like line branching, wherein - the first self-locking pump is connected on the suction side to the drain opening of the receptacle and on the pressure side to the water inlet of the steam generator,

- the second self-locking pump is connected directly to the water outlet of the steam generator on the suction side and to a first connection of the T-piece on the pressure side,

- A second connection of the T-piece is connected to a lockable combination port, and

- The third self-locking pump is connected on the suction side to a third connection of the T-piece and on the pressure side to a line leading to the receptacle.

This embodiment has the advantage that it allows a particularly reliable delivery of liquid with practically any height arrangement of the receptacle, steam generator and combination port. E.g. the steam generator can be arranged above the steam treatment room, the combiport can be arranged above the outlet opening of the steam generator (or at approximately the same level as it) and the receptacle can be arranged below these two components, e.g. behind a rear wall of the steam treatment room. Since the pumps are self-locking, they can be viewed as components of the valve system.

The first switching position can be implemented, for example, in that the first pump, the second pump and the third pump are switched on when the combination port is closed. The second switching position can be implemented, for example, in that the second pump is switched on when the combination port is open, in particular if the third pump is switched off or the third pump is switched on, in particular if the second pump is switched off.

A generation of steam for introduction into the steam treatment room can be achieved in this embodiment, for example, that fresh water is poured into the exception container via the fresh water connection and pumped into the steam generator by switching on the first pump until a desired level is reached. The second pump is switched off and therefore switched off so that the steam generator can fill with the fresh water. The steam generator can now can be activated to generate steam. If fresh water has to be refilled, only the first pump needs to be reactivated for the duration of the filling, if necessary with fresh water being fed into the receiving container.

In order to remove residual water remaining in the steam generator after a steam treatment process, e.g. the combination port can be opened and then the second Pum pe are switched on, while the first pump and the third pump are switched off.

In this embodiment, a cleaning process can be carried out as follows, for example:

First of all - especially when all pumps are switched off - the combination port is opened and connected to a container filled with liquid cleaning agent, e.g. via a hose.

The third pump can then be switched on, which thereby promotes the liquid cleaning agent into the receptacle. Then the third pump is switched off again and the combination port is closed again.

Fresh water can now optionally be filled into the receiving container, e.g. to dilute the detergent.

To circulate the cleaning agent in a liquid circuit, all three pumps are switched on, so that the cleaning agent is pumped out of the receiving container, through the first pump, through the steam generator, through the second pump and through the third pump back into the receiving container.

After the circulation phase, the cleaning agent can be drained off by opening the combination port. The third pump is advantageously also switched off.

In an optionally following rinsing phase, fresh water can be poured into the receptacle. In a further development, the fresh water can flow through the steam generator and with the first and second pumps switched on and with the third pump switched off can be further pumped to the opened combiport. Alternatively, the fresh water can also be circulated in the liquid circuit and then drained off, in particular analogous to that for the cleaning agent.

In general, the steam generator can be activated during a cleaning process, in particular during a circulation phase thereof, in such a way that the cleaning agent is heated, advantageously down to a temperature below its boiling temperature. This has the advantage that the cleaning agent's effectiveness is noticeably increased.

It is a further development that the outlet opening of the receptacle is connected to the water inlet of the steam generator via a siphon. This has the advantage that water vapor generated in the steam generator cannot get into the - mostly open - receptacle and then further into the device.

It is an embodiment that in the line between the water outlet of the steam generator and the waste water outlet there is a Venturi tube or a Venturi nozzle, the vacuum connection or removal tube of which is connected to a water-holding section of the siphon. This has the advantage that when liquid is let out of the steam treatment device in the second switching position, the liquid flowing out also sucks the siphon empty due to the Venturi effect. This effect is advantageously particularly strong when liquid is pumped from the steam generator to the waste water outlet.

It is a further development that a connecting line between the tapping pipe and the water-holding section of the siphon has a check valve that closes in the direction of the siphon. This has the advantage that backflow of water through the connecting line in the direction of the siphon is prevented.

It is a further development that the receiving container is in operative connection with an overflow detector which is set up to detect the overflow of water from the receiving container and then to trigger at least one action. In this way, damage to the device and / or water leakage from the device can be avoided. The at least one action can, for example, block the fresh water connection, an output of a note to a user (eg also to a mobile device of the user) etc. include.

It is an embodiment that

- The receiving container has a main chamber at which the drain opening is present at the bottom, and an overflow chamber which is separated from the main chamber by a partition with an exposed upper edge and which is connected to an overflow line,

the steam treatment device is set up to detect an overflow of liquid from the main chamber into the overflow chamber, and

- The steam treatment device is set up to trigger the at least one action based on the detection of overflowing liquid.

This configuration has the advantage that it is particularly robust and reliable. In order to detect the overflow of liquid from the main chamber into the overflow chamber, the overflow chamber can be equipped with an appropriate sensor, e.g. a humidity sensor, a level sensor or similar Alternatively or additionally, the overflow line can lead to such a sensor. Liquid which has passed into the overflow chamber can e.g. be directed to or out of a floor of the device.

It is a development of the fact that the overflow chamber is equipped with a level sensor to monitor whether a predetermined maximum level of liquid in the overflow chamber is reached and the steam treatment device is set up to block at least the fresh water connection when the predetermined threshold value is reached.

In one embodiment, the receptacle is equipped with a fill level sensor that detects at least a lower fill level and an upper fill level in the receptacle. In the event that the receptacle has a Hauptkam mer and an overflow chamber, it is advantageous that the upper level is lower than an upper edge of the partition. The steam treatment device is set up in this embodiment, depending on a level in the receptacle, in particular the main chamber, to block the fresh water connection and a To open the connection to the steam generator or to open the fresh water connection and to close a connection to the steam generator. The connection between the receptacle and the steam generator can be opened and closed, for example, by activating or deactivating an electrically controllable shut-off valve. If this configuration is implemented, a particularly simple steam generator on which only an idling or vacancy can be detected can be used. If, for example, an empty level is detected in the steam generator, the discharge of the liquid into the steam generator is triggered. Such a procedure is particularly advantageous during a steam treatment process. During a cleaning process or a flushing process, the shut-off valve between the receptacle and the steam generator can also remain open permanently.

It is a further development that the steam generator forms a module ("evaporator module") with the level sensor, which can be or can be fluidically connected via lines.

It is a further development that the cleaning agent inlet and the waste water outlet together form a module ("port module") which can be or can be fluidically connected via lines. For example, the drawer unit can be a module.

It is a further development that a pump (in particular a pump sucking off liquid on the steam generator), the siphon and the Venturi nozzle form a module ("SPV module") which can be or can be fluidically connected via lines.

It is a further development that the receiving container with the main chamber and overflow chamber forms a module (“overflow module”) which can be or can be fluidically connected via lines.

In particular, at least two of the modules described above, in particular all of these modules, can only be connected to one another via lines, which makes their assembly particularly simple and also enables a particularly robust and error-free structure. It is a further development that the steam treatment device has a control device, for example having a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, etc., in order to carry out the method.

In general, e.g. the above-described drawer and / or the combination of Venturi nozzle and siphon can also be used independently with other types of steamers, e.g. with steamers that have an evaporator dish in the steam treatment room that do not form a closed liquid circuit, pumpless steamers, etc.

The object is also achieved by a method as described above, in which, after the cleaning agent has been introduced via the cleaning agent inlet, the cleaning agent is circulated with the valve system in the first switching position by means of at least one switched-on pump in the closed liquid circuit and with the valve system in the second Switch position on the temporary waste water outlet is left out. The method can be designed analogously to the steam treatment device and has the same advantages.

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

1 shows a sketch of a steam treatment device according to a first exemplary embodiment;

2A shows, as a sectional illustration in side view, a sketch of a drawer unit with a closed drawer;

2B shows, as a sectional illustration in a side view, a sketch of the drawer unit with the drawer open and with the addition of liquid;

FIG. 2C shows, as a sectional illustration in a side view, a sketch of the drawer unit with an open drawer and an inserted cleaning agent tablet; 2D shows, as a sectional illustration in side view, a sketch of the drawer unit with a closed drawer with an inserted detergent tablet with liquid addition; 3 shows a greatly simplified sketch of a steam treatment device according to a second exemplary embodiment; and

Fig. 4 shows as a sectional view in side view a sketch of a receptacle container.

1 shows a sketch of a steam treatment device 1 that is permanently connected to a fresh water network FWN by means of a fixed water connection 2. The Festwas water connection 2 has an electrically switchable inlet or shut-off valve 3. When the fresh water connection 2 is open, fresh water FW flowing in under pressure falls via an air section 4 into a main chamber 5a of a receptacle 5. The air section 4 meets the requirements of IEC 61770.

The main chamber 5a, which is open at the top, can therefore be filled with fresh water FW by means of the fixed water connection 2. At the bottom it has a drain opening 6 which is connected via a siphon 7 to a water inlet 8 of a steam generator 9 on its cover side. Purely by way of example, a steam outlet nozzle 10 is also present in the cover of the steam generator 9, via which steam D can be introduced into a steam treatment chamber 29 which is only indicated in a directional travel.

The steam generator 9 is equipped with a filling level sensor 11, by means of which a maximum filling level and a minimum filling level (e.g. empty level) of liquid in the steam generator 9 can be detected here. The steam treatment device 1 is designed in such a way that it can switch the shut-off valve 3 as a function of a level detected by the level sensor 11. In a possible development, the steam treatment device 1 has a control device 12 for this purpose.

The steam generator 9 also has a water outlet 13 at the bottom, which is fluidically connected to a suction side of a self-locking pump 14. A pressure side of the pump 14 is fluidically connected to one side of a Venturi nozzle 16 via a check valve 15. The other side of the Venturi nozzle 16 is fluidically connected to a drawer unit 17. A take-off pipe of the Venturi nozzle 16 is connected to the water-carrying area of the siphon 7 via a further non-return valve 18. The drawer unit 17 has a manually and / or motorized movable drawer 19 with a filling tray 20. The filling tray 20 serves both as a cleaning agent inlet and as a temporary waste water outlet, ie as a combination port. The Schubla deneinheit 17 acts similarly to a 3/2 -way valve. In the valve position shown, a first liquid connection is connected to a second liquid connection in the form of the waste water outlet. A blocked third fluid connection is connected to a line 21 leading directly to the main chamber 5a. In the other valve position, the first liquid connection and the third liquid connection are directly connected to one another via the filling tray, while the waste water outlet is not available.

The receiving container 5 also has an overflow chamber 5b separated by a partition 22 exposed on the top. The overflow chamber 5b has an overflow line 23 at the bottom, which leads to a moisture or liquid detector 24.

The above arrangement can have a modular design, as indicated by the dashed boxes with an evaporator module VM, a port module PM, an SPV module SM and an overflow module UM.

2A shows, as a sectional illustration in side view, a sketch of the drawer unit 17 with the drawer 19 closed. The drawer unit 17 can e.g. Be arranged above the steam treatment space 29, in such a way that the drawer 19 is flush with a front panel 28 in the closed state.

The drawer 19 can be pulled out of a housing (not shown) of the drawer unit 17 and is equipped with the filling tray 20. The drawer unit 17 also has a stationary filler neck 25 connected via the pump 14 to the water outlet 13 of the steam generator 9, as well as a stationary outlet line 26, which leads via the line 21 to the main chamber 5a or corresponds to the line 21. In the closed state of the drawer 19, the outlet line 26 is connected to an outlet opening 27 on the bottom of the filling tray 20. In the closed state of the drawer 19, liquid let into the filler bowl 20 via the filler neck 25, it flows through the outlet opening 27 into the outlet line 26, driven by gravity into the main chamber 5a.

2B shows a sectional side view of a sketch of the drawer unit 17 with the drawer 19 open and with liquid being added from the filler neck 25. In this case, the filler tray 20 can still be filled via the filler neck 25 with liquid drained from the steam generator 9. Since the outlet opening 27 of the filling tray 20 is arranged outside the housing of the drawer unit 17, it is no longer covered by the outlet line 26, but is open. If, therefore, liquid is introduced into the filling bowl 20 through the filler neck 25, it flows freely through the outlet opening 27. It can then be collected and disposed of, for example, by a collecting container such as a bucket E.

FIG. 2C shows, as a sectional illustration in side view, a sketch of the drawer unit 17 with the drawer open and the detergent tablet T inserted, now no liquid is added via the filler neck 25. The cleaning agent tablet T can, for example, simply be inserted by a user.

2D shows a sectional view in side view of a sketch of the drawer unit 17 with closed drawer 19 with the detergent tablet T inserted with liquid added via the filler neck 25. The added liquid dissolves the detergent tablet T and thereby brings the associated detergent into the Main chamber 5a.

In order to carry out a steam treatment operation or sequence in which steam is applied to the food to be cooked, the pump 14 is switched off and thus switched to be fluidically blocking. At the beginning of a steam treatment operation, the steam generator 9 is emptied, which is detected by the level sensor 11. Triggered by the detected vacancy, the shut-off valve 3 is opened so that the fresh water FW enters the main chamber 5a and flows from there via the drain opening 6 and through the siphon 7 into the steam generator 9. This continues until the fill level sensor 11 detects a fill level that is high enough to operate the steam generator 9. Then the shut-off valve 3 is closed and the steam generator 9 or its heating element activated. The steam treatment operation can be carried out with the drawer 19 open or closed.

In order to remove residual water from the steam treatment device 1 after a steam treatment operation, a user can open the drawer 19 and start the pump 14 with the shut-off valve 3 closed. The pump 14 then pumps residual water in the steam generator 9 via the temporary waste water outlet 20 from the steam treatment device 1. A user can store this residual water in a bucket E or the like, for example. collect and dispose of. With the pumping of the residual water from the steam generator 9, a negative pressure is generated at the same time on the take-off pipe of the Venturi nozzle 16, through which residual water standing in the siphon 7 is sucked off. The check valve 15 and the check valve 18 prevent the residual water from flowing back. When the draining of the residual water has ended, the pump 14 can be switched off again and the drawer 19 closed again.

A cleaning sequence for cleaning water-bearing parts and components of the steam treatment device 1 can be divided into three phases in one variant, namely a phase for introducing a cleaning agent, a circulation phase or the actual cleaning phase in which the cleaning agent is circulated in the steam treatment device 1 in order to supply it clean, and a subsequent rinsing phase to remove cleaning agent residues.

To introduce the cleaning agent, a cleaning agent tablet T is first inserted into the feed tray 20 as shown in FIG. 2C and then the drawer 19 is closed. By closing the drawer 19, a liquid circuit is configured in the steam treatment device 1.

In the circulation phase, fresh water FW can first be admitted into the main chamber 5a by opening the shut-off valve 3, which then reaches the pump 14 through the siphon 7 and the steam generator 9. When the pump 14 is switched on, the water is pumped further to the filler neck 25 and thereby into the filler bowl 20. There the water dissolves the detergent tablet T, so that the now liquid detergent continues into the main chamber 5a. From there, the cleaning agent is passed through the siphon 7 and the steam generator 9 to the pump 14, etc. by operating the Pump 14 is therefore cleaning agent in a circuit in the steam treatment device 1 circulated or circulated and thereby cleans the surfaces coming into contact with it. In particular, the cleaning agent can have a decalcifying effect. The shut-off valve 3 can be closed again after a sufficient amount of fresh water FW has been supplied. A control or activation of the shut-off valve 3 by the level sensor 11 of the steam generator 9 is not required in the circulation phase, but can be used analogously in one variant.

In the rinsing phase, the drawer 19 is opened analogously to FIG. 2B and the pump 14 is actuated with the supply of fresh water FW through the open shut-off valve 3. In addition, the fresh water FW can be circulated analogously to the circulation phase, in order only then to be drained via the opened drawer 19. This has the advantage that line 21 is also flushed through.

The steam treatment device 1 has a valve system with two specifically adjustable Venti len, namely the drawer unit 17 as a directional valve and the pump 14 as a shut-off valve.

In a first switch position, the drawer 19 of the drawer unit 17 is closed and the pump 14 is switched on, so that a closed liquid circuit is formed at least with the receptacle or its main chamber 5a, the steam generator 9 and the pump 14 as components bypassing the steam treatment chamber 29 .

In a second switch position, the drawer 19 of the drawer unit 17 is open and the pump 14 is switched on, so that the circuit is open and a connection between the water outlet of the steam generator and the temporary waste water connection is established.

In a third switch position provided for steam treatment, the pump 14 is switched off.

3 shows a greatly simplified sketch of a steam treatment device 31. The steam treatment device 31 now has a first pump 32, a second pump 33 and a third pump 34. One or more of the pumps 32, 33, 34 can be designed as self-locking pumps, or a corresponding valve can be assigned to them, for example an electrically switching valve or a check valve.

The first pump 32 is on the suction side to the discharge opening of the main chamber 5a of the receiving container 5 and on the pressure side to the water inlet 8 of the steam generator 9 is connected. A siphon 7 can be present between the receptacle 5 and the steam generator 9, but does not need it.

The second pump 33 is connected on the suction side directly (i.e., not via another pump) to the water outlet 13 of the steam generator 9 and on the pressure side to a first connection of a branch or a T-piece 35.

A second connection of the T-piece 35 is connected to a lockable combination port 36. This combination port 36 can e.g. be a port or line end that can be closed and opened manually by a plug or another sealing element.

The third pump 34 is connected on the suction side to a third connection of the T-piece 35 and on the pressure side to a line 21 leading to the receptacle 5.

In the present case, the valve system comprises the three self-locking pumps 32, 33, 34, otherwise corresponding valves.

For the addition or input of cleaning agent, for example, the first pump 32 and the second pump can be switched off in a second switch position of the valve system and thus have a blocking effect and the combination port 36 can be immersed in a container filled with liquid cleaning agent. By switching on the third pump 34, the liquid cleaning agent is sucked in and pumped into the main chamber 5a. The combination port 36 can then be closed again, the cleaning agent can be diluted by opening the shut-off valve 3 if necessary. To allow the cleaning fluid to circulate, a first switching position of the valve system is assumed, in which all pumps 32 to 34 are switched on and are thus switched to be permeable in the flow direction.

To drain liquid, the combination port 36 is opened, the first pump 32 and the second pump 33 are switched on, while the third pump 34 remains switched off.

The switch position of the valve system set for rinsing out residual cleaning agent can be analogous to draining liquid, but then the shut-off valve 3 is opened at least temporarily for the supply of fresh water FW. Fresh water FW previously introduced can also be circulated.

A steam treatment operation can be implemented, for example, in that the second pump 33 and the third pump 34 are switched off and thus have a blocking effect and the first pump 32 is only switched on when the steam generator 9 is to be refilled.

This structure has the advantage that receiving container 5, steam generator 9 and combination port 36 can, however, depending on the relative installation height of receiving container 5, steam generator 9 and combination port 36, dispense with one or two of the pumps or instead use a functionally equivalent blocking valve be used.

In addition, a user can use the steam treatment device in such a way that he initially connects a container filled with cleaning liquid to the combination port 36, the steam treatment device 31 automatically sucks in the cleaning liquid, circulates it and, after cleaning, dispenses it back into the container, possibly also liquid from a rinsing process.

4 shows, as a sectional illustration in a side view, a sketch of a receptacle 41 which can be used, for example, instead of the receptacle 5, in particular with the steam treatment device 31. The receiving container 41 has a main chamber 41 a and a secondary chamber 41 b. The outlet opening 6 of the main chamber 41 a can be shut off by a valve 42. In the case of the steam treatment device 31, this can correspond to the pump 32, for example.

In the main chamber 41a is a level sensor 43, e.g. using a magnetic float switch 44, by means of which a lower level Fu and an upper level Fo (which is below the level of the upper edge of the partition wall 43) can be detected in the main chamber 41 a.

This can be used for a steam treatment sequence, for example, as follows: First, with the valve 42 closed, fresh water FW is poured into the main chamber 41a until the fill level sensor 43 detects that the upper fill level Fo has been reached. The shut-off valve 3 is then closed. The main chamber 41a is therefore filled with fresh water FW. If the fill level sensor 11 of the steam generator 9 now detects that the steam generator 9 is running empty or that the fill level is low, the valve 42 is opened (e.g. the pump 32 is switched on). As a result, the fresh water FW is brought into the steam generator 9, whereby its fill level rises. With the end of the vacancy or low level in the steam generator 9, the valve 42 is closed again ge. In addition, when the lower level Fu in the main chamber 41a is reached, the shut-off valve 3 has been opened again until the fresh water FW again reaches the upper level Fo. This can be repeated as often as you like. A part of the provision of the filling level sensor 43 in the receptacle 41 or here the main chamber 41a is that an emptying of the steam generator 9 needs to be detected, which is particularly easy and inexpensive to implement.

If liquid F rises in the main chamber 41a over the upper edge of a partition 42 separating the two chambers 41, 41b, it overflows into the secondary chamber 41b, as indicated by the dotted arrow. Such an overflow can be due to an undesirable narrowing in a water-bearing part downstream of the receptacle 41, to a possible malfunction of a valve or the like. indicate.

In the overflow chamber 41 b there is also a level sensor 45 which, however, can only detect a level and which, for example, can also use a magnetic float switch 46. The overflow line 23 is comparatively narrow, so that small Quantities of overflowing liquid can enter the overflow line 23 without moving the float switch 46, which reduces the likelihood of false alarms. However, if the amount of overflowing liquid is high, the level in the overflow chamber 45 rises and the float switch 46 is carried upwards and strikes. By striking at least one action such as locking the Absperrven valve 3, outputting a notice (optical and / or acoustic signal, sending a text message, etc.), etc. include. This variant has the advantage that a detector at the other end of the overflow line 23 can be dispensed with (but is not required).

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the game Ausführungsbei shown.

In general, "a", "an" etc. can be understood to mean a singular or a plurality, 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.

A number can also include exactly the specified number as well as a customary tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded.

List of reference symbols

1 steam treatment device

2 mains water supply

3 shut-off valve

4 air gap

5 receptacles

5a main chamber

5b overflow chamber

6 Drain hole

7 siphons

8 water inlet

9 steam generator

10 steam outlet nozzle

11 Level sensor

12 control device

13 water outlet

14 pump

15 check valve

16 venturi nozzle

17 drawer unit

18 check valve

19 drawer

20 feed tray

21 management

22 partition

23 overflow line

24 liquid detector

25 filler neck

26 outlet pipe

27 outlet opening

28 front panel

31 Steam treatment device 32 First pump

33 Second pump

34 Third pump

35 T-piece

36 combo port

41 Receptacle

41a main chamber

41 b overflow chamber

42 valve

43 Level sensor

44 float switch

45 level sensor

46 float switch

D steam

E bucket

Fo Upper level

Fu lower level

FW fresh water

FWN fresh water network

PM port module

SM SPV module

T detergent tablet

UM overflow module

VM evaporator module

Claims

1. Steam treatment device (1; 31) with a steam treatment room (29), aufwei send

a fixed water connection (2),

a receptacle (5; 41) which can be filled with fresh water (FW) by means of the fixed water connection (2) and has a drain opening (6), a steam generator (9) arranged outside the steam treatment room (29), the water inlet (8) of which with the outlet opening (6) of the receiving container (5; 41) is fluidically connectable and has a water outlet (13) which is fluidically connectable to the receiving container (5; 41), at least one pump (14; 32-34),

a cleaning agent inlet (20; 36) which can be fluidically connected to the receiving container (5; 41),

a temporary waste water outlet (20; 36), and

a valve system (14, 17; 32-34) which can be switched between at least two switching positions,

in which

in a first switching position a closed liquid circuit is formed at least with the receiving container (5; 41), the steam generator (9) and at least one pump (14; 32-34) as components bypassing the steam treatment room (29), and

in a second switching position, the circuit for connecting the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) to the temporary waste water connection (20; 36) is open.

2. Steam treatment device (1; 31) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning agent inlet (20; 36) and the temporary waste water outlet (20; 36) are integrated into a combination port.

3. Steam treatment device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve system comprises a directional control valve (17) which in the first switching position, the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) is fluidically connected to the receiving container (5) and

in the second switching position connects the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) to the temporary waste water outlet (20) and interrupts the fluidic connection to the receiving container (5).

4. Steam treatment device (1) according to claim 3, wherein

the directional valve (17) is designed as a drawer unit with a drawer (19) that can be pulled out of a housing and has a filling tray (20), the housing is a stationary filler neck (25) that can be fluidically connected to the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) and has a stationary outlet line (26) which leads to the receptacle (5), the filling tray (20) has an outlet opening (27) at the bottom, with the drawer (19) closed, the filling tray (20) via the filler neck (25) can be filled with liquid drained from the steam generator (9) and the outlet line (26) is fluidically connected to the outlet opening (27) of the filling bowl (20) and

When the drawer (19) is open, the filler bowl (20) can be filled with liquid drained from the steam generator (9) via the filler neck (25) and the outlet opening (27) of the filler bowl (20) is arranged outside the housing of the drawer unit (17),

furthermore

in the first switching position of the valve system (14, 17) the drawer (19) is closed and in the second switching position of the valve system (14, 17) the drawer (19) is open.

5. Steam treatment device (l) according to claim 4, wherein the drawer unit (17) is arranged above a steam treatment space (29), the receiving container (5) and the steam generator (9) are arranged to the side of the steam treatment space (29) and the receiving container ( 5) is arranged above the steam generator (9).

6. Steam treatment device (31) according to one of claims 2 to 3, comprising a first self-locking pump (32), a second self-locking pump (33), a third self-locking pump (34) and a T-piece (35), wherein

the first self-locking pump (32) is connected on the suction side to the drain opening (6) of the receptacle (5; 41) and on the pressure side to the water inlet (8) of the steam generator (9),

the second self-locking pump (33) on the suction side is connected directly to the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) and on the pressure side to a first connection of the T-piece (35),

a second connection of the T-piece (35) is connected to a lockable combination port (36), and

the third self-locking pump (34) is connected on the suction side to a third connection of the T-piece (35) and on the pressure side to a line (21) leading to the receptacle (5; 41).

7. Steam treatment device (1; 31) according to one of the preceding claims, where at

the outlet opening (6) of the receptacle (5; 41) is connected to the water inlet (8) of the steam generator (9) via a siphon (7) and in the line between the water outlet (13) of the steam generator (9) and the waste water outlet ( 20; 36) a Venturi nozzle (16) is present, de Ren pick-up pipe is connected to the siphon (7).

8. Steam treatment device (1; 31) according to one of the preceding claims, where at

the receiving container (5; 41) has a main chamber (5a; 41a) on which the drain opening (6) is present on the bottom side, and one of the main chamber (5a; 41a) via a partition (22) with an exposed upper edge (43) separate overflow chamber (5b; 41b) which is connected to an overflow line (23),

the steam treatment device (1; 31) is set up to detect an overflow of liquid from the main chamber (5a; 41a) into the overflow chamber (5b; 41b), and the steam treatment device (1; 31) is set up to trigger at least one action based on the detection of overflowing liquid.

9. Steam treatment device (1; 31) according to one of the preceding claims, whereby

the receiving container (41) is equipped with a level sensor (43) which detects at least a lower level (Fu) and an upper level (Fo) in the receiving container (41, 41a) and

the steam treatment device (1; 31) is set up to connect the fresh water connection (2, 2) depending on a filling level in the receiving container (41, 41a)

3) to block and to open a connection to the steam generator (9) or to open the fresh water connection (2; 31) and to close the connection to the steam generator (9).

10. A method for cleaning a steam treatment device (1; 31) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which

after cleaning agent has been introduced via the cleaning agent inlet (20; 36), the cleaning agent with the valve system (14, 17; 32-34) in the first switching position is circulated in the closed liquid circuit by means of at least one switched-on pump (14; 32-34) and

which is discharged with the valve system (14, 17; 32-34) in the second switching position on the temporary waste water outlet (17; 36).