KR100735697B1 - Steam Generator for Steam Oven - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steam generator of a steam cooker, the steam generator of the present invention, the water supply tank is detachably installed on the outside of the cooking chamber in which food is cooked, water is stored; An inlet pipe having one end connected to a lower portion of the water supply tank; A heating pipe having one end connected to the other end of the inflow pipe to heat water supplied through the inflow pipe; A heater for heating water in the heating tube; A discharge pipe having one end connected to the heating pipe and the other end connected to an upper portion of the water supply tank for guiding water heated in the heating pipe into the water supply tank; It characterized in that it comprises a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam generated in the water supply tank into the cooking chamber.

According to the present invention as described above, the steam generator is heated by circulating water inside the water supply tank to generate steam without the need for constructing a steam container for generating steam separately from the water supply tank. It is very simplified, and simply removes the water tank after the cooking, so there is almost no residual water inside the steam generator can improve safety in terms of hygiene.

Steam, cooking equipment, steam generator, U-shaped heating tube

Description

Steam Generator for Steam Ovens

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of an embodiment of a steam cooking apparatus to which a steam generator according to the present invention is applied;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a steam generating apparatus according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: cooking chamber 2: turntable

3: heating chamber 4: halogen heater

5: Steam generator 7: Steam supply pipe

10: secondary heater 11: fan motor

12: blower fan 14: exhaust hole

15: controller 51: water supply tank

52: heating unit 53: inlet pipe

54: heating pipe 55: discharge pipe

56 heater 57 check valve

58: filter

The present invention relates to a steam oven, and more particularly, to a steam oven capable of cooking food by supplying steam in the cooking chamber.

In general, a cooking apparatus for heating food and cooking includes a microwave oven, a gas range, an oven, and the like.

The microwave oven (MWO: microwave oven) is a cooking apparatus for cooking food by the heat of intermolecular friction generated by disturbing the molecular arrangement of food by using a high frequency (microwave) (about 2,450 MHz per second) as a heating source.

In addition, the gas range is a cooking device for heating the cooking container by placing the gas burner on the lower side of the cooking container in which the food is accommodated, and the oven supplies the hot heat after cooking the food in the closed cooking space. It is a cooking device for cooking water.

However, since the microwave oven requires various electric appliances and appliances including a magnetron for generating microwaves, there are problems such as complicated structure and high manufacturing cost.

In addition, the cooking apparatuses have a problem in that foods are easily dried due to evaporation of moisture contained in foods in the process of cooking food.

In order to solve these problems in recent years, by generating a high-temperature steam in the steam generator, and supplying the generated steam into the cooking chamber to prevent the evaporation of water in the cooking process to obtain the desired cooking results steam Cookers have been developed.

However, these steam cookers have a disadvantage in that the structure of the steam generator for generating steam is complicated, and manufacturing costs are high.

That is, the steam generators of the conventional steam cookers include a steam container for forming a space for generating steam, a pressure sensor for detecting a level of water in the steam container, a water supply tank for supplying water in the steam container, The structure is very complicated because it consists of a heater for heating the steam vessel, a temperature sensor for controlling the exothermic temperature by the heater, and a plurality of pipes for supplying water and steam.

In addition, the conventional steam generator is likely to leave water in the steam container or pipes when the cooking is finished, in this case hygiene problems such as breeding of bacteria.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generator of a steam cooker which is structurally simple and hygienically safe by minimizing the residual water inside the steam generator after the end of cooking. .

The present invention for achieving the above object, the water supply tank is installed on the outside of the cooking chamber in which food is cooked, the water is stored; A heating unit, one end of which is connected to a lower portion of the water supply tank and the other end of which is connected to an upper portion of the water supply tank, to generate steam while heating water supplied from the water supply tank and circulating into the water supply tank; It provides a steam generator of the steam cooker comprising a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam generated in the water supply tank into the cooking chamber.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the heating unit comprises: an inlet pipe having one end connected to a lower portion of the water supply tank; A heating pipe having one end connected to the other end of the inflow pipe to heat water supplied through the inflow pipe; A heater for heating water in the heating tube; One end is connected to the heating tube, the other end is connected to the upper portion of the water supply tank characterized in that it comprises a discharge pipe for guiding the water heated in the heating tube into the water supply tank.

In addition, the water supply tank is preferably installed detachably to the outside of the cooking chamber.

According to the present invention as described above, the steam generator is heated by circulating water inside the water supply tank to generate steam without the need for constructing a steam container for generating steam separately from the water supply tank. Is very simplified. In addition, simply removing the water supply tank after the end of cooking, there is almost no residual water in the steam generator can improve safety in terms of hygiene.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the steam oven according to the present invention.

1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a steam cooker to which the steam generator of the present invention is applied, and includes a cooking chamber 1 which is a space for cooking food inside a cabinet (not shown) constituting an external appearance of the cooker. The turntable 2 in which food is placed inside the cooking chamber 1 is rotatably provided. The heating chamber 3 is formed above the cooking chamber 1 so as to communicate with the cooking chamber 1.

The halogen heater 4 is installed in the heating chamber 3 to be sealed by the transparent window 17. The halogen heater 4 serves to heat the food by radiant heat by emitting light through the transparent window.

The outside of the cooking chamber 1 is provided with a steam generator 5 for supplying steam to the inside of the cooking chamber 1 through the heating chamber (3). Detailed configuration of the steam generator 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

Inside the heating chamber 3, a secondary heater 10 is installed together with the halogen heater 4 to make the steam supplied into the heating chamber 3 secondary to become overheated steam. The secondary heater 10 may be configured using, for example, a sheath heater.

One side portion of the cooking chamber 1 is provided with an exhaust for discharging steam in the cooking chamber 1 to the outside. The exhaust part comprises a blowing fan 12 installed in an exhaust chamber 18 partitioned outside one side of the cooking chamber 1 and a fan motor 11 driving the blowing fan 12. Air is forced into the cooking chamber 1 through the through-hole 13 formed in one side portion of the) and is discharged through the exhaust hole 14 of one side portion of the exhaust chamber (18).

The blowing fan 12 may be configured using a known fan such as an axial fan or a centrifugal fan. In this embodiment, a centrifugal fan such as a sirocco fan or a turbo fan is applied.

The halogen heater 4, the steam generator 5, the secondary heater 10, the valve 8, and the fan motor 11 are electrically connected to the controller 15 for controlling the overall operation of the steam cooker. Connected and controlled.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, it is preferable that a temperature sensor (not shown) is installed inside the heating chamber 3 and / or inside the cooking chamber 1 to sense a temperature and transmit it to the controller 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 5 is supplied from the water supply tank 51 and the water supply tank 51 which are easily detachable from the outside of the cooking chamber 1 (see FIG. 1). It consists of a heating unit 52 for heating the water to circulate to the water supply tank (51).

Here, the heating unit 52 is an approximately 'U' shaped inlet pipe 53 connected to the lower portion of the water supply tank 51 and one end thereof is connected to the inlet pipe 53 and made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity. 'U' shaped heater 56 installed to be in contact with the heating tube 54 and the outer surface of the heating tube 54 (in this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface) to heat the water flowing through the heating tube 54 and The discharge pipe 55 is connected to the other end of the heating pipe 54 to discharge the heated water and / or steam through the heating pipe 54 into the water supply tank 51. The heater 56 may be configured using a sheath heater or the like.

The inlet pipe 53 is preferably connected to the bottom of the bottom surface or side portion of the water supply tank 51 so that the connection portion with the water supply tank 51 is always lower than the water level. In addition, one end of the discharge pipe 55 is preferably connected to the discharge port 511 formed in the upper end of the water supply tank 51 to be always located above the water level in the water supply tank 51.

A check valve 57 is installed at a connection portion between the inflow pipe 53 and the water supply tank 51 to prevent water from flowing back. The check valve 57 serves to prevent water from flowing into the water supply tank 51 through the inlet pipe 53 by the reverse pressure, and the water of the water supply tank 51 is always connected to the inlet pipe 53. Flow through the heating tube (54).

In addition, it is preferable that a filter 58 is installed in the water supply tank 51 to remove foreign substances from the water discharged through the discharge pipe 55. The filter 58 is installed below the outlet 511, preferably formed higher than the maximum level of water stored in the water supply tank 51.

In addition, a filter 58 is formed at the upper end of the water supply tank 51 to which a steam supply pipe 7 (see FIG. 1) for supplying steam to the heating chamber 3 (see FIG. 1) is connected.

A plate 591 made of a thermally conductive material is in contact with one side portion of the heater 56, and a thermistor for controlling the operation of the heater 56 by sensing an exothermic temperature of the heater 56 in the plate 591. 533 (thermistor) and a thermostat 592 (thermostat) for stopping the operation of the heater 56 above a predetermined temperature to prevent overheating of the heater 56 are mounted.

On the other hand, as described above, the water supply tank 51 preferably has a structure that the user can easily detachable to the outside of the cooking chamber (1). Therefore, the check valve 57 is preferably integrally coupled to the water supply tank 51 and detached together with the water supply tank 51. In this case, when the user mounts the water supply tank 51 to the outside of the cooking chamber 1, the check valve 57 is directly connected to the inlet pipe 53, and the outlet 511 is connected to the outlet pipe 55. Directly connected to the upper end, the steam outlet 512 will be directly connected to the steam supply pipe (7).

Referring to the operation of the steam cooker as described above are as follows.

When the user fills the water supply tank 51 with water and is mounted on the outside of the cooking chamber 1, the check valve 57 is connected to the inflow pipe 53 and the water inside the water supply tank 51 is heated. Inflow). Subsequently, when the user inputs food to be cooked in the cooking chamber 1 and operates the steam cooker by operating the controller 15, power is applied to the heater 56 of the steam generator 5 while heating tube ( 54) The water inside is heated.

The heated water is discharged back into the water supply tank 51 through the discharge pipe 55, and the foreign matter is filtered by the filter 58, and the water is combined with the water in the water supply tank 51 to supply the internal water supply tank 51. Gradually increase the water temperature. At this time, water is continuously supplied into the heating pipe 54 through the check valve 57 and the inflow pipe 53, and the water heated in the heating pipe 54 is discharged through the discharge pipe 55. Repeat the cycle.

As the water in the water supply tank 51 circulates through the inlet pipe 53, the heating pipe 54, and the discharge pipe 55, the temperature of the water gradually rises, and the temperature of the circulating water is higher than a predetermined temperature. In this case, the water heated in the heating pipe 54 is converted into steam and re-introduced into the water supply tank 51 through the discharge pipe 55.

The steam introduced into the water supply tank 51 is discharged into the steam supply pipe 7 through the steam outlet 511 and is introduced into the heating chamber 3 under the guidance of the steam supply pipe 7.

The steam generated in the steam generator 5 through the above process is supplied into the heating chamber 3 through the steam supply pipe 7 and then heated by the secondary heater 10 to become superheated steam. It is introduced into the cooking chamber 1 to cook food.

In addition, power is also applied to the halogen heater 4 to emit light from the halogen heater 4 and the food is cooked by radiant heat.

At this time, the controller 15 of the secondary heater 10 and the halogen heater 4 according to the temperature inside the heating chamber 3 and / or the cooking chamber 1 sensed by the temperature sensor (not shown). While controlling the operation selectively, the temperature inside the cooking chamber 1 is maintained at an appropriate cooking temperature.

As described above, while steam and radiant heat are provided inside the cooking chamber 1 to cook, the inside of the cooking chamber 1 is in a high temperature and high humidity state. Therefore, the controller 15 applies the power to the fan motor 11 to operate the blower fan 12 to discharge moisture inside the cooking chamber 1 to the outside. Of course, the operation of the blower fan 12 may be continuously or intermittently performed by the controller 15.

Meanwhile, as described above, the user may cook food using steam and radiant heat by the halogen heater 4 at the same time. Alternatively, the user may selectively cook food using steam or the halogen heater 4.

In addition, even when cooking food using steam, by using the secondary heater 10 selectively, simple steam and superheated steam may be selectively used.

On the other hand, the steam generator of the present invention described above is applied to a steam cooker having a halogen heater 56, alternatively any cooking apparatus for heating and cooking food using a general electric heater, a magnetron to generate microwaves Of course, it can be applied to.

In the above-described embodiment, the heating tube 54 of the steam generator is made of a thermally conductive material, and the heater 56 is attached to the outer surface of the heating tube 54 to heat the heating tube 54. Heated. However, unlike the heating tube 54 may be made of a thermally conductive material or a non-conductive material, and a heater may be installed in the heating tube 54 to generate steam by directly heating water.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the heating tube 54 is described as having a U-shape, but the heating tube may be configured in a different form.

The steam generating apparatus of the present invention may be similarly or identically applied to any household appliance system that generates steam and sterilizes, washes, and dryes not only a cooking appliance.

As described above, according to the present invention, the steam is generated by heating the purified water while circulating the water in the water supply tank, without having to configure a steam container for generating steam separately from the water supply tank, The configuration is greatly simplified, which reduces the effort and cost of manufacturing and management.

In addition, simply removing the water supply tank after the end of cooking, since there is almost no residual water in the steam generator, it is also possible to obtain an effect of improving safety in terms of hygiene.

Claims (11)

In the steam generator of the steam cooker is installed on the outside of the cooking chamber in which food is cooked, comprising a water supply tank for storing water, a heating unit and a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam generated in the water supply tank into the cooking chamber, The heating unit is one end is connected to the lower portion of the water supply tank, the other end is connected to the upper portion of the water supply tank, steam, characterized in that to generate steam while heating the water supplied from the water supply tank to circulate into the water supply tank Steam generator of cooking equipment. A water supply tank installed outside the cooking chamber in which food is cooked and storing water; An inlet pipe having one end connected to a lower portion of the water supply tank, a heating pipe having one end connected to the other end of the inlet pipe to heat water supplied through the inlet pipe, and a heater for heating water in the heating tube; A heating unit having one end connected to the heating tube and the other end connected to an upper portion of the water supply tank and including a discharge pipe for guiding water heated in the heating tube into the water supply tank; Steam generator of the steam cooker comprising a steam supply pipe for guiding the steam generated in the water supply tank into the cooking chamber. The steam generator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water supply tank is detachably installed on an outer surface of the cooking chamber. The steam cooker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a check valve installed at a connection portion between the water supply tank and the inlet pipe and allowing only water flow from the water supply tank to the inlet pipe. Steam generator. The steam generator of claim 4, wherein the check valve is integrally coupled to a lower portion of the water supply tank. The steam cooker according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a filter installed inside the water supply tank to filter foreign matter from the water re-introduced into the water supply tank through the discharge pipe. Steam generator. The steam cooking according to claim 2, wherein the heating tube is made of a thermally conductive material, and the heater is installed to be in contact with the outer surface of the heating tube to heat the water inside the heating tube by heating the heating tube. Steam generator of equipment. The steam generator of claim 2, wherein the heater is installed inside the heating tube to directly heat water flowing through the heating tube. The steam generator of claim 2, wherein the heating tube has a 'U' shape. The steam generator of claim 2, wherein the heating unit further comprises a heater control unit that senses a temperature caused by the heat of the heater and controls the operation of the heater. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the heater control unit comprises a plate of a thermally conductive material installed to contact the outer surface of any one of the heating tube and the heater, and a thermistor installed on the plate to sense a temperature transmitted through the plate. Steam generator of a steam cooker, characterized in that configured to include.

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