KR20130011490A - Water drainage system and steam cooker comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: Steam cooking equipment including a steam drain system is provided to prevent steam discharging through a flow passage for steam water, thereby preventing injuries of a user or damage to parts caused by high temperature steam. CONSTITUTION: Steam cooking equipment including a steam drain system comprises a cavity, a steam generating device(230), a condensed water collecting member(270), and a drain member and a door. The cavity comprises a cooking chamber. The steam generating device generates steam being supplied into the inside of the cooking chamber. The condensed water formed by condensing the steam supplied into the inside of the cooking chamber is collected in the condensed water collecting member. The drain member guides the steam water being discharged to the outside of the steam generating device to the condensed water collecting member in order that the steam water supplied to the steam generating device maintains a preset water level. The door selectively opens/closes the cooking chamber.

Description

Water drainage system and steam cooker comprising the same

The present invention relates to a steam cooker.

A cooking appliance is a household electric appliance which heats food by using electricity or gas. Recently, a cooking apparatus has been introduced that adds a steam function for supplying steam to food to replenish moisture evaporated during cooking of food.

Such a steam cooking apparatus is provided with a steam generator for generating steam supplied into the cooking chamber in which food is cooked. The steam generating device receives steam water from an external water supply source or a water supply tank, and heats it to generate steam.

On the other hand, the water level of the steam water supplied to the steam from the steam generator is maintained at a predetermined level. This is to prevent the phenomenon that the steam water supplied to the steam generating device overflows into the cooking chamber. To this end, in the related art, when the water level of the steam water supplied to the steam generator is above a predetermined level, the steam water is discharged to the outside of the steam generator. The steam water discharged to the outside of the steam generator is discharged to the outside or returned to the water supply tank supplying the steam water to the steam generator.

However, according to the related art, a part of steam generated by the steam generator may also be flowed back along a flow path for discharging steam water to the outside of the steam generator. Therefore, when such a high-temperature steam is discharged to the outside, the user may be injured, and when discharged to the water supply tank, the water supply tank may be damaged.

In addition, when steam water is returned to the water supply tank, steam water is substantially recycled to generate steam. Therefore, contaminated steam water is supplied from the steam generator, and thus the use of the product may be unsanitary.

Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2008-0089265

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a steam cooker which can prevent the phenomenon that the steam generated in the steam generator is discharged to the outside with the steam water. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam discharge system and a steam cooker including the same, which can be used more cleanly.

One aspect of an embodiment of the steam water drainage system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a steam cooking apparatus including a cooking chamber in which food is cooked, and a steam generating device for generating steam supplied into the cooking chamber A condensate collecting member for collecting condensate formed by condensing steam supplied to the cooking chamber; And a drain member configured to transfer the steam water discharged to the outside of the steam generator to the condensate water collecting member when the steam water exceeds a predetermined level in the steam generator. It includes.

One aspect of an embodiment of a steam cooker according to the present invention, the cavity is provided with a cooking chamber; A steam generator for generating steam supplied into the cooking chamber; A condensate collecting member for collecting condensate formed by condensation of steam supplied into the cooking chamber; A drain member for guiding the steam water discharged to the outside of the steam generator to the condensate collecting member so that the steam water supplied to the steam generator maintains a predetermined water level; And a door for selectively opening and closing the cooking compartment; It includes.

According to the embodiment of the steam water discharge system and the steam cooker including the same according to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

First, in this embodiment, discharge of steam through the flow path for discharging steam water is prevented. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the injury of the user or damage to the components due to the high temperature steam.

In addition, in this embodiment, the steam water discharged from the steam generator is collected together with the condensed water and discharged to the outside. Therefore, the product can be used more cleanly.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a steam cooker according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a perspective view showing a steam generating device constituting an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view showing a steam generator constituting an embodiment of the present invention from another angle.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings an embodiment of the steam cooker according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a steam cooker according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is the present invention 5 is a perspective view showing a steam generator constituting an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a steam generator constituting an embodiment of the present invention from another angle.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the cooking chamber 101 is provided inside the cavity 100 of the steam cooker 1. The cooking chamber 101 is a place where food is cooked.

The cavity 100 includes an upper plate 110, a bottom plate 120, a rear plate 130, and two side plates 140. The upper plate 110 and the bottom plate 120 form upper and lower surfaces of the cavity 100, respectively. In addition, the rear plate 130 forms the rear surface of the cavity 100, and the side plate 140 forms both side surfaces of the cavity 100.

Therefore, the cavity 100 is substantially formed in a polyhedral shape in which the front surface is opened. In addition, the upper plate 110 and the bottom plate 120 substantially form the ceiling and the bottom surface of the cooking chamber 101, respectively. The rear plate 130 and the side plate 140 form a rear surface and both side surfaces of the cooking chamber 101.

In addition, any one of the side plates 140, in this embodiment, a plurality of cooking chamber exhaust ports 141 are formed in the side plate 140 on the right side in FIG. 1. The cooking chamber exhaust port 141 serves as an outlet through which the air supplied into the cooking chamber 101 with the microwaves through the irradiation opening is discharged to the outside of the cooking chamber 101. And one of the side plate 140, in this embodiment is a steam injection hole (not shown) is formed in the side plate 140 on the left side in the drawing in FIG. The steam injection hole is for supplying steam generated by the steam generator 230 to be described later into the cooking chamber 101.

The front plate 150 and the back plate 160 are provided at the front and rear surfaces of the cavity 100, respectively. Substantially, the front plate 150 is fixed to the rear surface of the upper plate 110, the bottom plate 120 and the side plate 140. A portion of the front surface of the back plate 160 is fixed to a portion of the rear surface of the rear plate 130. In the space between the rear plate 130 and the back plate 160, for example, a convection system (not shown) for circulating hot air in the cooking chamber 101 may be installed. The front plate 150 and the back plate 160 further extend outwardly of the cavity 100 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

In addition, the back cover 170 shields the back plate 160. Substantially, an electric compartment (not shown) is formed in the space between the back plate 160 and the back cover 170. The electrical equipment room is provided with a plurality of electrical components (not shown) including a magnetron and a cooling fan (not shown) for cooling them. In addition, a part of the air flowing by the cooling fan is delivered to the cooking chamber 101, and the cooking chamber 101 is provided through the cooking chamber exhaust port 141 in a state of containing foreign substances and steam in the cooking chamber 101. Discharged outside).

In addition, the upper case 110 and the side plate 140 shield the outer case 180. Substantially, the back cover 170 and the out case 180 may be said to form a rear surface, an upper surface, and both side surfaces of the steam cooker 1, respectively.

The out case 180 includes an upper panel 181 and two side panels 183. Substantially, the upper panel 181 forms an outer appearance of the upper surface of the steam cooker 1, and the side panel 183 forms an outer appearance of both sides of the steam cooker 1. Since the side panels 183 extend downward from both ends of the upper panel 181, the upper panel 181 and the side panel 183 may be integrally formed.

In addition, the base plate 190 is fixed to the lower portion of the cavity 100. The base plate 190 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined area. The upper surface of the base plate 190 is fixed to the lower end of the front plate 150, the back cover 170 and the out case 180. An exhaust port 191 is formed in the base plate 190 spaced apart from the lower end of the back plate 160 by a predetermined distance forward. The condensate formed by condensation of steam contained in the air discharged through the cooking chamber exhaust port 141 through the exhaust port 191 may be discharged to the condensate guide member 180 which will be described later. Although not shown, a leg (not shown) is provided at the bottom edge of the base plate 190.

A housing mounting portion 193 is formed on the base plate 190. The housing mounting portion 193 is formed by recessing a portion of the base plate 190 corresponding to the front of the exhaust port 191 upward. The housing mounting portion 193 is provided with a tank housing 240 to be described later. A through hole (not shown) is formed at the rear end of the housing mounting portion 193.

Meanwhile, an upper heater 210 is installed above the cooking chamber 101. The upper heater 210 provides heat for radiant heating of the food in the cooking chamber 101. A siege heater may be used as the upper heater 210.

Although not shown, a plurality of heating sources may be installed in the cavity 100 for cooking of the food in the cooking chamber 101. For example, a carbon heater may be installed as an additional radiant heating source on the cooking chamber 100.

In addition, an exhaust duct 220 is provided in the side plate 140 on the right side of the drawing in FIG. 1 in which the cooking chamber exhaust port 141 is formed. The exhaust duct 220 circulates the air discharged through the cooking chamber exhaust port 141, that is, the cooking chamber 101 and guides the air to the exhaust port 191 to the outside of the cooking chamber 101. To this end, the exhaust duct 220 is formed in a polyhedral shape in which one side and the bottom are opened, and is installed in the side plate 140 to shield the cooking chamber exhaust port 141. The air discharged through the cooking chamber exhaust port 141 flows through the space between the side plate 140 and the exhaust duct 220 and is discharged through the bottom surface of the exhaust duct 220.

Meanwhile, a steam generator 230 is installed in the side plate 140 on the left side of the drawing, which corresponds to the opposite side of the exhaust duct 220. The steam generator 230 generates steam supplied to the cooking chamber 101. 4 and 5, the steam generator 230 includes a heating chamber 231 and a steam heater 238.

In more detail, a heating space (not shown) in which steam water is stored is provided in the heating chamber 231. The heating chamber 231 is fixed to one surface of the cavity 100, that is, the side plate 140. The heating chamber 231 includes a chamber body 232 and a chamber cover 233, and the heating space is defined by the chamber body 232 and the chamber cover 233.

The chamber body 232 may be, for example, formed in a polyhedral shape in which a part of one surface thereof is opened. Of course, the shape of the chamber body 232 is not limited thereto. That is, the chamber body 232 may be formed in a different shape as long as it can define the heating space together with the chamber cover 233.

A plurality of steam outlets 234 are formed in the chamber body 232. The steam outlet 234 is where steam is supplied to the cooking chamber. In this embodiment, the steam is discharged in the horizontal direction through the steam outlet 234 is supplied to the cooking chamber. The steam outlet 234 is formed at the upper end of the other surface of the chamber body 232 corresponding to the opposite side of the opening of the chamber body 232 and communicates with the heating space. The steam outlet 234 is not necessarily located at the upper end of the other surface of the chamber body 232, but at least above the water supply port to be described later.

The chamber cover 233 is fastened to the chamber body 232. At this time, the rear surface of the chamber cover 233 is in close contact with one surface of the chamber body 232, thereby substantially forming the heating space.

And the chamber cover 233 is provided with a water inlet (not shown). The water inlet is for supplying steam water to the heating space. A water supply pipe 235 is connected to the water supply port. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 235 is formed in a substantially L-shape. One end of the water supply pipe 235 communicates with the inside of the heating space through the water supply port. Accordingly, one end of the water supply pipe 235 may be referred to as the water supply port. The other end of the water supply pipe 235 is extended to the outside of the heating space to connect the water supply tube T1.

The chamber cover 233 is provided with a temperature sensor 236. The temperature sensor 236 detects a temperature of steam water stored in the heating space, substantially, a temperature of the heating chamber 231.

In addition, the chamber cover 233 is provided with a drain (not shown). The drain port is for discharging the steam water supplied into the heating space to the outside. That is, the water level of the steam water supplied into the inside of the heating space through the water supply port is maintained at least at a height equal to or less than the drain port. In this embodiment, the drain port is located at least relative to the water supply port.

And a drain pipe 237 is connected to the drain. The drain pipe 237 is a place where steam water discharged through the drain hole flows. The drain pipe 237 is formed in a substantially L shape similar to the water supply pipe 235. One end of the drain pipe 237 communicates with the inside of the heating space through the drain port. The other end of the drain pipe 237 extends to the outside of the heating space. Therefore, substantially one end of the drain pipe 237 may also be said to perform the function of the drain.

And the drain pipe 237 is connected to the drain tube (T2). The drain tube T2 is a place where steam water discharged to the outside of the heating space flows through the drain pipe 237. Detailed description of the drain tube (T2) will be described later.

The steam heater 238 heats steam water stored in the heating space to generate steam supplied to the cooking chamber. The steam heater 238 is inserted into the chamber main body 232 so as to be positioned adjacent to both end portions and the bottom portion of the heating space is formed in a U-shape as a whole. The heat of the steam heater 238 is transferred to the steam water stored in the heating space through the heating chamber 231, that is, the chamber body 232 and the chamber cover 233.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 to 3, a tank housing 240 is installed at the center of the bottom surface of the base plate 180, that is, the housing mounting unit 183. The tank housing 240 may be formed in a polyhedral shape having at least a front surface opened. In this embodiment, the tank housing 240 is formed in a hexahedral shape in which the front and top surfaces are opened.

In addition, the water supply tank 250 is installed to be withdrawn in and out of the tank housing 240. The steam water supplied to the steam generator 230 is stored in the water supply tank 250.

A feed pump 260 is positioned between the bottom plate 120 and the base plate 180. The feed pump 260 serves to pump the steam water stored in the feed tank 250 to the steam generator 230.

The condensate collecting member 270 is installed at the front end of the base plate 180. The condensate collecting member 270 is for collecting the condensate discharged into the space between the front surface of the cavity 100, that is, the front surface of the front plate 150 and the rear surface of the door 290 to be described later. In addition, steam water discharged to the outside of the heating space is collected by the condensate collecting member 270 through the drain pipe 237.

Referring to FIG. 3, the drain tube T2 serves to deliver steam water discharged through the drain pipe 237 to the condensate collecting member 270. To this end, one end of the drain tube T2 is connected to the drain pipe 237. The other end of the drain tube T2 extends toward the condensate collecting member 270 through the base plate 190.

The drain tube T2 includes a first flow section A, a condensation section B, and a second flow section C. The first flow section A, the condensation section B, and the second flow section C are continuously positioned from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of steam discharged through the drain pipe 237. Therefore, an upstream end of the first flow section A is substantially connected to the drain pipe 237. And the downstream end of the first flow section (A) is connected to the downstream end of the condensation section (B), the downstream end of the condensation section (B) is the upstream side of the second flow section (C) Connected to the end. Also, the downstream end of the second flow section C extends toward the condensate collecting member 270.

The first flow section A is reduced in height from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the steam water. In the first flow section (A), steam water discharged through the drain pipe 237 flows by its own weight. The upstream end portion and the downstream end portion of the condensation section B are located at the same height. In addition, the rest of the condensation section (B) is located relatively lower than the upstream and downstream ends of the condensation section (B). Therefore, in the case where steam water is not discharged through the drain pipe 237, steam water remains in the condensation section B. In this way, by the steam water remaining in the condensation section (B), the steam discharged through the drain pipe 237 and flows through the drain tube (T2) can be condensed. In addition, the second flow section (C), similar to the first flow section (A), the height is reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the steam water.

Meanwhile, the cooking chamber 101 is selectively opened and closed by the door 290. For example, the door 290 may be opened and closed in a pull-down manner in which an upper end rotates around a lower end of the door 290 to open and close the cooking chamber 101.

Hereinafter will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings the operation of the embodiment of the steam cooker according to the present invention.

First, when the feed pump 260 operates, the steam water stored in the feed tank 250 flows through the feed tube T1, and the steam water is supplied into the heating chamber 231, that is, the heating space. Such supply of steam water to the heating space is made through the water inlet 131.

At the same time as the supply of steam water to the heating space or after a predetermined time elapses, the steam heater 238 operates to heat the steam water stored in the heating space. At this time, the heat of the steam heater 238 is transmitted to the steam water stored in the heating space through the heating chamber 231.

The steam heater 238 is operated to heat steam water stored in the heating space to generate steam. The steam generated in this way is supplied into the cooking chamber 101 through the steam outlet 234 and the steam injection hole. Therefore, efficient cooking of the food using steam in the cooking chamber 101 can be achieved. For example, when food is cooked in the cooking chamber 101 by a heating source such as an upper heater 210 or a convection system, a phenomenon in which food is dried by evaporation of moisture may be prevented.

On the other hand, when the steam water is excessively supplied to the heating space or the steam water supplied to the heating space boils in the process of being heated by the steam heater 238, the steam water in the heating space drain pipe 237 It is discharged to outside through). More specifically, when steam water is excessively supplied into the heating space, steam water supplied into the heating space is discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 237. In addition, steam water inside the heating space heated and boiled by the steam heater 238 is also discharged through the drain pipe 237. Therefore, the phenomenon in which the steam water inside the heating chamber 231 is discharged into the cooking chamber 101 through the steam outlet 138 is prevented.

At this time, the steam water discharged through the drain pipe 237 flows through the drain tube T2. In this way, the steam water discharged by flowing through the drain tube T2 is collected by the condensate water collecting member 270.

When the water level of the steam water inside the heating space maintains a predetermined water level or when boiling of the steam water inside the heating space is stopped, the discharge of the steam water through the drain pipe 237 is also stopped. When the discharge of the steam water through the drain pipe 237 is stopped, a part of the steam water is left in the condensation section (B).

Meanwhile, a part of steam generated by heating the steam water by the operation of the steam heater 238 in the heating space may be discharged through the drain pipe 237. And the steam discharged in this way is condensed in contact with the steam water remaining in the condensation section (B) while flowing the drain tube (T2). Therefore, the phenomenon in which steam is discharged by flowing the drain tube T2 can be prevented.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. .

3, the drain tube is shown as being entirely formed in an S shape, but the shape of the drain tube is not limited thereto. In addition, the condensation section may also be configured of two or more.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the discharged steam water discharged through the drain pipe is transferred to the condensate collecting member by the drain tube, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the drain pipe may be removed and the drain tube may be directly connected to the drain. In addition, the drainage pipe or the drainage pipe may be connected to another member having a flow path therein, such as a pipe, instead of the drainage tube. Therefore, the drain tube may be named by a drain member or a drain pipe.

Claims (12)

In the steam cooking apparatus including a cooking chamber in which the food is cooked, and a steam generator for generating steam supplied into the cooking chamber:
A condensate collecting member for collecting condensate formed by condensing steam supplied to the cooking chamber; And
A drain member configured to transfer steam water discharged to the outside of the steam generator to the condensate water collecting member when steam water exceeds a predetermined level in the steam generator; Steam water drainage system comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The drain member, the steam water drainage system for condensing the steam delivered from the steam generating device to the condensate collecting member.
The method of claim 1,
The drain member may include a condensation section in which steam water remains even when the discharge of steam water from the steam generating device is stopped, and condensed steam delivered from the steam generating device by steam water remaining in the condensation section. Steam water drainage system.
The method of claim 3, wherein
The condensation section is a steam water drainage system in which the remaining portion is located relatively downwards relative to both ends.
A cavity provided with a cooking chamber;
A steam generator for generating steam supplied into the cooking chamber;
A condensate collecting member for collecting condensate formed by condensation of steam supplied into the cooking chamber;
A drain member for guiding the steam water discharged to the outside of the steam generator to the condensate collecting member so that the steam water supplied to the steam generator maintains a predetermined water level; And
A door for selectively opening and closing the cooking chamber; Steam cooker comprising a.
The method of claim 5, wherein
The steam generator is provided on one side of the cavity,
The condensate collecting member is provided on the bottom of the cavity.
The method according to claim 6,
One end of the drain member is connected to the water inlet,
And the other end of the drain member passes through the base plate fixed to the bottom of the cavity and extends toward the condensate collecting member.
The method of claim 5, wherein
At least a portion of the drain member is located below the upstream and downstream ends of the drain member in the flow direction of the steam water.
The method of claim 5, wherein
The drain member includes a first flow section, a condensation section, and a second flow section that are continuous from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction of the steam water,
In the condensation section of the steam cooker is condensation of the steam delivered through the drain member.
The method of claim 9,
The condensation section is a steam cooker located below the end of the adjacent first and second flow section.
The method of claim 9,
The steam cooking apparatus in the condensation section, even if the discharge of the steam water from the steam generating device is stopped.
The method of claim 5, wherein
The condensate water collecting member, condensate water is formed by condensing the steam in contact with the back surface of the door steam cooking apparatus.

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