RU2709923C1 - Upper cover assembly and food preparation device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to an upper cover component and a cooking apparatus. Upper cover component comprises surface cover and steam valve, and mounting surface of steam valve is arranged on surface cover; steam valve is installed on the mounting surface of the steam valve and comprises a valve seat and a valve cover closing the valve seat, a peripheral fitting surface located on the valve cover in the direction along its periphery, peripheral fitting surface rests on mounting surface of steam valve, between lower mounting surface of valve seat and mounting surface of steam valve gap is formed, and steam valve closes at least 1/2 of upper surface of surface cover. According to the upper cover component according to the present invention, the valve seat is in a suspended state, therefore, the problem is eliminated, consisting in the fact that the steam valve is lifted due to thermal deformation of the seating surface of the steam valve or the lower mounting surface, and the size of the steam valve exceeds 1/2 the size of the surface cover, thereby solving the problem of poor prevention of spillage caused by a small volume of the inner cavity of the conventional steam valve, while significantly increasing upper heating limit of high power without spillage.EFFECT: present invention improves taste properties during cooking.24 cl, 5 dwg

Description

001. This application claims the priority of China Application No. 2016108830476, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on October 8, 2016 and entitled “TOP COVER AND DEVICE FOR COOKING,” claims the priority of China Application No. 2016211070182, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on October 8, 2016. and entitled “TOP COVER ASSEMBLY AND A FOOD COOKING DEVICE”, claims the priority of Chinese application No. 2016106931097 filed with the Chinese Patent Office on August 18, 2016 and entitled “TOP COVER ASSEMBLY AND A COOKING DEVICE” Applicants 'food', and claims priority to China №2016209032515 application filed with the Chinese Patent Office on August 18, 2016 and entitled "UNIT TOP COVER AND DEVICE FOR COOKING", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical field

002. The present invention relates to the field of kitchen utensils, and more particularly, to a top cover assembly and a cooking apparatus comprising a top cover assembly.

State of the art

003. Currently, in the cooking devices available on the market, such as a rice cooker, the steam valve has the function of removing foam and preventing spilling in the rice cooker, however, due to the size limitation of the steam valve, the volume of the internal cavity is small, the efficiency of preventing spilling is low, and at the same time, the heating power during cooking is significantly limited and the steam valve mounted on the surface cover of the rice cooker usually creates contact between the seat of the steam valve and the seating surface Stu steam valve on the lid surface and on the periphery surface of the cover has a steam valve lumen. This design has drawbacks in that if the steam valve cavity is large, during heating of the product, the entire heated surface of the steam valve is large, and the lower fitting surface of the steam valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover may bend due to thermal deformation As a result, the steam valve rises, separating from the o-ring, and, accordingly, steam leaks from the product.

Disclosure of invention

004. The present invention is directed to solving at least one of the technical problems of the prior art.

005. Therefore, an object of the first aspect of the present invention is to provide a top cover assembly.

006. An object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a top cover assembly.

007. An object of the third aspect of the present invention is to provide a top cover assembly.

008. An object of the fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide a cooking apparatus comprising the top cover assembly mentioned above.

009. To solve the above problems, an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention provides a top cover assembly comprising: a surface cover provided with a seating surface of a steam valve; and a steam valve mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve, the steam valve comprising a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat, a peripheral fitting surface located on the valve cover in a direction along its periphery, the peripheral fitting surface resting on the seating surface of the steam valve, and a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve.

0010. According to the top cover assembly provided according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral fitting surface is disposed on the valve cover in a direction along its periphery when the steam valve is mounted on the seating surface of the surface valve steam valve, the peripheral fitting surface on the valve cover initially in contact with the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, between the lower fitting surface n the valve seat seating surface and the steam valve gap is formed, i.e., the valve seat is suspended, therefore, when the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is bent due to thermal deformation, the problem is that the entire steam valve rises, separating from the o-ring, thereby weakening the seal and steam leaks, and product reliability is guaranteed.

0011. In addition, the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention also has the following additional technical features:

0012. In the above technical solution, the valve cover preferably extends downward in a direction along its periphery, forming a peripheral fitting surface that projects downward from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat.

0013. The valve cover and valve seat are assembled to form a steam valve, the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cover protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, therefore, when the steam valve is mounted on the surface cover, the distance from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat to the seating surface of the steam valve surface the cap is greater than the distance from the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cap to the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cap, such thus, the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cover is initially in contact with the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, while the distance from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat to the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is large, the valve seat is suspended and when due to heat deformations, the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover bends, eliminating the problem This consists in the fact that the entire steam valve rises, separating from the o-ring, as a result of which the seal weakens and steam leaks, and the operational reliability of the product is guaranteed.

0014. In the aforementioned technical solution, the support base located in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cover and protruding upwards is preferably located on the seating surface of the steam valve and the peripheral fitting surface is supported on the support base.

0015. When the valve cover and valve seat are assembled to form a steam valve, the support base protruding upwardly is located in a position corresponding to the peripheral fitting surface on the seating surface of the steam valve, and when the steam valve is mounted on the surface cover, the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cover rests on the supporting base of the seating surface of the steam valve, so that the peripheral fitting surface of the valve cover is initially in contact those with the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, while the distance from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat to the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is large, the valve seat is suspended and when, due to thermal deformation, the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam the surface cover valve bends, eliminating the problem that the entire steam valve rises, separating from the sealing tsa, resulting in weakening the seal and there is a couple of leaks, and ensures operational reliability of the product.

0016. In the above technical solution, the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve is preferably 1-10 mm.

0017. The gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is 1-10 mm, in particular, for example, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm, i.e. eliminates the problem of too small a gap between them, as a result of which the gap cannot prevent deformation of the valve seat or surface cover, and also eliminates the problem that the gap between them is too large, as a result of which the design of the entire assembly of the upper cover is not compact, and, of course, when the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is not limited to the above specific limitation, the size of the gap may be set in accordance with the specific deformation of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover.

0018. An embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention provides a top cover assembly used in a cooking apparatus. The top cover assembly comprises: a surface cover provided with a seating surface of a steam valve; and a steam valve mounted on a seating surface of the steam valve, the steam valve comprising a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat; a support base arranged in accordance with the valve cover and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface of the steam valve, the valve cover rests on the support base, at least a portion of the support base protrudes upward from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, or the highest point the support base is flush with the lowest fitting surface of the valve seat and between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seat beneath it a gap is formed on the surface of the steam valve.

0019. According to the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the support base is formed protruding upward in a position corresponding to the surface cover on the seating surface of the steam valve, the valve cover rests on the upper surface of the support base, at least a portion of the upper surface of the support base protrudes upward from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, or the highest point of the support base is at at the bottom level with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat (the highest point of the supporting base and the lowest point of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat are on the same horizontal plane), between the part located under the lower fitting surface of the valve seat on the seating surface of the steam the valve and the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, a gap is formed, while the following condition is taken into account: the gap is formed between the part located directly below the fitting surface of the valve seat on the seating surface of the steam valve and the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, and / or a gap is formed between the portion that is inclined below the lower fitting surface of the valve seat on the seating surface of the steam valve and the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, in which case the steam valve is mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, the valve cover is initially in contact with the support base on the landing turn steam valve, because there is a gap between the lower fitting surface on the valve seat and the part located under the lower fitting surface of the valve seat on the seating surface of the steam valve, i.e. the valve seat is suspended so that when the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover bends due to thermal deformation, the problem that the entire steam valve rises, being separated from the o-ring, is weakened, thereby weakening sealing and steam leakage, and guaranteed operational reliability of the product.

0020. In addition, the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention also has the following additional technical features:

0021. In the aforementioned technical solution, the support base is preferably a peripheral support base extending around the periphery; or a plurality of support bases located on the seating surface of the steam valve are distributed at intervals, and the valve cover rests on the plurality of support bases.

0022. One supporting base is located on the seating surface of the steam valve, the supporting base can be continuously distributed along the periphery of the seating surface of the steam valve to form an annular peripheral supporting base, and, of course, the supporting base may also be not peripheral, but, for example, in the form semicircle; or a plurality of support bases located on the seating surface of the steam valve are distributed at intervals, the valve cover rests on the plurality of support bases, and in addition, the plurality of support bases are evenly distributed on the seating surface of the steam valve. The surface cover is preferably supported on the upper surface of the support base, the upper surface of the support base is a plane, and the position corresponding to the upper surface of the support base on the valve cover is respectively set to a plane.

0023. In the aforementioned technical solution, the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it is preferably 1-10 mm.

0024. The gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it is 1-10 mm, in particular, for example, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm, i.e. the problem that the gap between them is too small is eliminated, as a result of which the gap cannot prevent deformation of the valve seat or the surface cover, and the problem is that the gap between them is too large, resulting in the design of the entire assembly the top cover is not compact, and, of course, the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it is not limited to the aforementioned specific limitation, and the size The clearance p may be defined in accordance with a particular deformation of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover.

0025. In the above technical solution, a drain hole is preferably formed in the valve seat and a check valve is located in the drain hole; and the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat toward a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole.

0026. Since the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat toward a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole, the drain hole is located at the lowest position of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and drainage of condensed water, rice broth and the like into the internal cavity of the steam valve is accelerated by fully utilizing the dead weight of the water condensate to avoid a situation in which minutes water condensate accumulates the steam valve in the internal cavity and can not be merged. The seating surface of the steam valve below the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is preferably generally inclined downward from the edge of the seating surface of the steam valve in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole.

0027. In the above technical solution, the support base is preferably located on the edge of the seating surface of the steam valve, and the support base rests on the edge of the valve cover.

0028. In the aforementioned technical solution, a first suction element is preferably located on the steam valve, and a second suction element configured to magnetically suck the first suction element is respectively located on the surface cover, so that the steam valve is sucked onto the surface of the cover by the suction force arising between the first suction the element and the second suction element.

0029. The first suction element is located on the steam valve, and the second suction element configured to magnetically suck the first suction element and corresponding to the first suction element is located on the surface cover, so that the strength of the steam valve of the surface cover is further improved when the steam valve deviates from normal installation position due to thermal deformation of the steam valve, the suction force between the first suction element and the second suction el ment can impair or inhibit movement of the steam valve with respect to the cover surface, caused by thermal deformation of the steam valve to avoid an increase in the clearance between the steam valve and the lid surface, so that the steam valve is effectively secured to the valve seat surface of the steam cap surface.

0030. In addition, in the aforementioned technical solution, the second suction element is located in the support base or in the top cover directly below the support base, and the first suction element is located on the valve cover in a position directly above the support base. Of course, the first suction element and the second suction element can also be located in other positions, provided that the suction force between the first suction element and the second suction element can ensure that the steam valve is installed in a proper position on the surface cover and prevent the steam valve from rising when heated.

0031. In the aforementioned technical solution, a steam outlet is preferably formed in the seating surface of the steam valve, the vapor channel is bounded between the valve cover and the valve seat, and the steam outlet of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet.

0032. In the aforementioned technical solution, a steam outlet is preferably formed in the seating surface of the steam valve, the vapor channel is bounded between the valve cover and the valve seat, and the steam outlet of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet.

0033. Steam enters the steam channel through the steam outlet and exits the steam outlet of the steam channel. A drain hole is preferably formed near the steam inlet.

0034. In the aforementioned technical solution, an assembly sleeve projecting downward is preferably located on a lower fitting surface of a valve seat, and a steam inlet is formed in the assembly sleeve; the sealing ring is located in the steam outlet, and the assembly sleeve is inserted into the sealing ring and clamped and secured by the sealing ring; either the o-ring is located on the outside of the assembly sleeve, and the assembly sleeve and the sealing ring are inserted into the steam outlet and clamped and secured in the steam outlet.

0035. In the aforementioned technical solution, the bounding rib protruding inwardly is preferably located on the surface of the side wall of the sealing ring, and the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve is interference fit with the inner end surface of the bounding rib; or the bounding rib protruding outwardly is located on the outer surface of the side wall of the sealing ring, and the inner surface of the side wall of the steam outlet is fitted with an interference fit with the outer end surface of the bounding rib.

0036. During assembly, the o-ring is mounted on the steam outlet in the surface cover, the valve cover and valve seat are assembled by snap-fastening or other methods to form a steam valve, then the steam valve is mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve on the surface cover, the steam valve is pressed down to insert the steam valve assembly sleeve into the o-ring for clamping and securing, or the valve cover and valve seat are assembled by snap or other methods to form a steam valve, then the o-ring is placed on the outside of the landing sleeve, the steam valve is installed on the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, the steam valve is pressed down to insert the installation valve sleeve of the steam valve with the sealing ring inserted in the steam outlet for clamping and fixing so that the steam valve is firmly mounted on the surface cover and, in addition, the steam valve is sealed with an o-ring so that Guarantee a tight connection between the steam outlet in the top cover and the steam channel formed on the steam valve.

0037. In the above technical solution, the seating surface of the steam valve is preferably a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, the left and right sides of the valve cover are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve, and the rear the end surface of the valve cover is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface of the steam valve.

0038. The seating surface of the steam valve is a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, i.e. the seating surface of the steam valve is an open surface instead of the closed position of the seating groove, thereby avoiding cleaning of the dead zones, and thus, the seating surface of the steam valve can be easily cleaned; in addition, there is no closed position of the landing groove on the surface cover; therefore, the size of the steam valve is not limited in space; accordingly, the steam flow path in the steam valve can be effectively increased by increasing the size of the steam valve to increase the drainage path of rice grains, hot broth, and the like contained in the steam in the steam valve, in which case spilling is well prevented; and the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve, and the rear end surface of the valve cover is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface of the steam valve, thereby not only effectively increasing the size of the steam valve but also guaranteeing the appearance effect of the top cover assembly.

0039. An embodiment of a third aspect of the present invention provides a top cover assembly, comprising: a top cover in which a steam valve seat is located on the top cover and a steam outlet is formed in a steam valve seat; and a steam valve mounted on the seat of the steam valve and provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet, and the steam valve closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover.

0040. In accordance with the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the concept of a oversized steam valve design, the size of the steam valve exceeds 1/2 the size of the upper cover, so that the volume of the internal cavity of the steam valve increases and the distance of the steam flow in the steam the valve increases, thereby significantly preventing the spilling of the rice cooker during cooking, solving the problem of effectively preventing spilling caused by th small volume of the inner cavity of the initial steam valve, at the same time significantly improving the high upper limit of the heating power in the absence of spillage and contributing to improved palatability when cooking; in addition, the size of the steam valve exceeds 1/2 the size of the top cover, i.e. more than 1/2 of the area of the top cover can be removed and cleaned with a steam valve, so that the top cover can be cleaned easier, and, accordingly, the convenience of cleaning the product is greatly improved.

0041. In addition, the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention also has the following additional technical features:

0042. In the aforementioned technical solution, the seat is preferably provided with a seat having left and right open sides, and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve are flush with the left and right edges of the seat.

0043. Since the seat is provided with a seat having left and right open sides, the problem that the size of the steam valve is limited by the space of the assembly of the steam valve and therefore cannot be increased due to the increase in the size of the steam valve is prevented from spilling, and the assembly place can be easily cleaned; and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve are preferably arranged to be flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface, thereby effectively guaranteeing the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly and the style of the top cover assembly satisfying the design requirements.

0044. In the above technical solution, the steam valve assembly is preferably provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, and the rear end surface of the steam valve is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface.

0045. Since the steam valve assembly is provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, the problem is that the size of the steam valve is limited by the space of the steam valve seat, and thus cannot be increased by increasing the size of the steam valve spillage is well prevented, and the seat can be easily cleaned; and the rear end surface of the steam valve is preferably configured to be flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface, thereby effectively guaranteeing the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly and the design style of the top cover assembly.

0046. In addition, the steam valve assembly is preferably provided with a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, i.e. the steam valve assembly is an open surface instead of the closed position of the seating groove, thereby effectively solving the problem that the steam valve assembly has dead spots for cleaning and facilitates cleaning of the steam valve assembly; since there is no closed position on the top cover of the design of the seating groove, the size of the steam valve is not limited in space, thereby eliminating the problem that the size of the steam valve is limited by the space of the seat of the steam valve and therefore cannot be increased by increasing the size spill is well prevented from spilling, the upper limit of high power heating is improved without spilling, and palatability during cooking is improved.

0047. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a steam valve covers the entire upper surface of the top cover.

0048. As for the product in which the control panel is arranged on the cooking case of a cooking device, such as a rice cooker, the steam valve can cover the entire upper surface of the top cover so as to maximize the size of the steam valve and better prevent spilling.

0049. In one embodiment, according to the present invention, the panel seat is located on the top cover, the control panel is mounted on the panel seat, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve is at least 1/2 the length of the front and rear of the top cover.

0050. As for the product in which the control panel is arranged on the top cover of a cooking device, such as a rice cooker, the length of the front and back of the steam valve can be at least 1/2 the length of the front and back of the top cover to effectively increase the distance of the steam flow during the internal cavity of the steam valve by increasing the length of the front and rear of the steam valve, provided that the requirements for the design of the control panel are guaranteed, and thus spillage is better prevented of rice cooker during cooking; and the steam valve preferably covers all other surfaces, excluding the control panel on the top cover.

0051. In the above technical solution, the front end surface of the steam valve seat is preferably a whole plane, and the front end surface of the steam valve is a plane generally corresponding to the front end surface of the steam valve seat.

0052. The front end surfaces of the seat of the steam valve and the steam valve are made in the form of planes, so that the seat and the steam valve are more convenient to handle and the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly is satisfied; and, of course, the front end surfaces of the seat of the steam valve and the steam valve can also be made in the form of curved surfaces and other shapes in accordance with the requirements, which should be included in the scope of legal protection of the present invention without departing from the constructive principle of the present invention.

0053. In the aforementioned technical solution, the assembly sleeve extending downwardly is preferably located on the bottom of the steam valve and the steam inlet of the steam channel is made in the assembly sleeve, the sealing ring is located in the steam outlet, and the assembly sleeve is inserted into the sealing ring and clamped and secured by the sealing ring.

0054. In the aforementioned technical solution, at the front end of the seat of the steam valve, a back opening is preferably formed, an insert tongue protruding forward is located at the front end of the steam valve, and the insert tongue is inserted into the slot to create a restriction.

0055. During assembly, the front end of the steam valve is sloped downward into the assembly of the steam valve of the top cover, the insert tab on the front end of the steam valve is inserted into the slot formed by the front end of the assembly of the steam valve, then the steam valve is pressed down to insert the assembly sleeve onto the steam valve into the o-ring in the steam outlet of the top cover for clamping and securing so that the steam valve is firmly installed in the steam valve assembly and before protect the steam valve from swaying up and down and left and right, thus reducing the gap between the steam valve and the seat of the steam valve and guaranteeing the appearance effect of the top cover assembly.

0056. In the above technical solution, the steam valve preferably comprises a valve seat; and a valve cover covering the valve seat and connected to the valve seat to enclose the vapor channel, and the valve cover covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover.

0057. In order to satisfy the appearance effect and assembly requirements of the steam valve, the steam valve cover is generally not smaller than the size of the valve seat, so it is at least guaranteed that the size of the steam valve cover is more than 1/2 the size of the top cover .

0058. In the above technical solution, the decorative surface cover is preferably mounted on the valve cover and the decorative surface cover covers the upper surface of the valve cover.

0059. A decorative surface cover covers the upper surface of the valve cover; a decorative surface cover plays a decorative role, in particular for a relatively large steam valve; as the size of the valve cover increases, the strength of the valve cover may decrease and the valve cover becomes sensitive to thermal deformation; since a decorative surface cover is superimposed on the upper surface of the valve cover, deformation of the valve cover caused by heating is effectively masked, and the decorative effect of the surface cover becomes more pronounced.

0060. In particular, the top cover in the top cover assembly provided by the embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention may be a surface cover according to embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention, and the seat in the top cover assembly provided by the embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, it may be, in particular, the seating surface of the steam valve according to the embodiments of the first and second aspects. The surface cover in the embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention may also be the surface cover of the embodiment of the third aspect, and the seating surface of the steam valve in the embodiments of the first and second aspects may also be the seat of the steam valve of the embodiment of the third aspect.

0061. An embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a cooking apparatus comprising any top cover assembly mentioned above and having the beneficial effects of any top cover assembly mentioned above.

0062. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking apparatus is a rice cooker. It should be noted that the top cover assembly can be pivotally mounted on the housing of the cooking device, can also be attached to the housing of the cooking device by rotation, and can also be placed on the housing of the cooking device and connected to the housing.

0063. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the description below, or may be learned by practice of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0064. The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and will be readily apparent from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

0065. In FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a local structure of a top cover assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

0066. In FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a local structure of a top cover assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

0067. In FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a local structure of a top cover assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

0068. In FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the local structure of the top cover assembly shown in FIG. 3;

0069. In FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an assembled top cover assembly structure in one embodiment of the present invention;

0070. In FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a separation of structural parts of a top cover assembly in one embodiment of the present invention.

0071. The correspondence between the reference positions in FIG. 1-6 and the names of the components are as follows:

0072.

10: surface cover

101: seating surface of the steam valve,

102: steam outlet

111: support base

20: valve cover

201: peripheral fitting surface,

232: steam outlet

30: valve seat

301: bottom fitting surface

302: assembly sleeve,

303: steam inlet,

304: drain hole

40: o-ring,

401: bounding rib

50: top cover

501: steam valve assembly, 60: steam valve,

601: insertion tab

602: decorative surface cover,

603: gap and

70: control panel.

The implementation of the invention

0073. In order that the aforementioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention can be more clearly understood, the following is a detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application and the features of the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

0074. The following description sets forth many specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be practiced in other ways than those described herein. Therefore, the scope of legal protection of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

0075. Cookware and cooking apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

0076. First Embodiment

0077. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the top cover assembly proposed in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention comprises: a surface cover 10 and a steam valve 60.

0078. The seating surface 101 of the steam valve is located on the surface cover 10; and the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the steam valve 60 comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20 covering the valve seat 30, a peripheral fitting surface 201 is located on the valve cover 20 along the direction of its periphery, the peripheral fitting surface 201 rests on the landing a steam valve surface 101 and a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve.

0079. According to the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, a peripheral fitting surface 201 is located on the valve cover 20 along the direction of its periphery when the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10, the peripheral fitting surface 201 on the valve cover 20 is initially in contact with the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10, between the lower fitting surface 301 n 30 and the valve seat seating surface 101 of the steam valve gap is formed, i.e., the valve seat 30 is suspended, therefore, when the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 or the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is bent due to thermal deformation, the problem that the entire steam valve 60 rises apart from the o-ring is eliminated As a result, the seal weakens and steam leaks, and the operational reliability of the product is guaranteed.

0080. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the valve cover 20 extends downward along the direction of its periphery to form the peripheral fitting surface 201, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30.

0081. The valve cover 20 and the valve seat 30 are assembled to form a steam valve 60, the peripheral fitting surface 201 of the valve cover 20 protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, so when the steam valve 60 is mounted on the surface cover 10, the distance from the lower fitting the surface 301 of the valve seat 30 to the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is greater than the distance from the peripheral fitting surface 201 of the valve cover 20 to the seating surface 101 of the steam valve surface cover 10, thus, the peripheral fitting surface 201 of the valve cover 20 is initially in contact with the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10, while the distance from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 to the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 more, the valve seat 30 is suspended and when the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 or the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is curved Due to thermal deformation, the problem that the entire steam valve 60 rises and moves away from the o-ring is eliminated, as a result of which the seal weakens and steam leaks, and the product is guaranteed to be operational.

0082. In another embodiment of the present invention, a support base disposed in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface 201 and protruding upwardly is located on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 is supported on the support base.

0083. When the valve cover 20 and the valve seat 30 are assembled to form a steam valve 60, the support base protruding upwardly is located in a position corresponding to the peripheral fitting surface 201 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, and when the steam valve is mounted on the surface cover 10, the peripheral the fitting surface 201 of the valve cover 20 rests on the supporting base of the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, thus the peripheral fitting surface 201 of the valve cover 20 is in contact with the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10, while the distance from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 to the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is large, the valve seat 30 is suspended and when the lower fitting surface 301 valve seats 30 or the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is bent due to thermal deformation, eliminating the problem that the entire steam valve 60 is lifted Xia and moves away from the sealing ring, thereby weakening the seal and steam leakage occurs, and operating reliability is guaranteed product.

0084. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve is preferably 1-10 mm.

0085. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is 1-10 mm, in particular, for example, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm, i.e. eliminates the problem that the gap between them is too small, as a result of which the gap cannot prevent deformation of the valve seat or surface cover, and also eliminates the problem that the gap between them is too large, resulting in the design of the entire assembly the top cover is not compact; and, of course, when the gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is not limited to the aforementioned specific restriction, the size of the gap can be set in accordance with a particular deformation of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 or the seating surface 101 surface cover steam valve 10.

0086. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, a steam outlet 102 is formed in the seating surface 101 of the steam valve 102, the steam channel is bounded between the valve cover 20 and the valve seat 30, and the steam outlet 303 of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet 102.

0087. Steam enters the steam channel from the steam outlet 102 and exits the steam outlet 232 of the steam channel. A drain hole is preferably formed near the steam inlet.

0088. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, an assembly sleeve 302 protruding downward is located on a lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and a steam inlet hole 303 is formed in the assembly sleeve 302; and in the steam outlet 102, a sealing ring 40 is located, and the assembly sleeve 302 is inserted into the sealing ring 40 and clamped and secured by the sealing ring 40.

0089. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1 and 2, a bounding rib 401 protruding inwardly is located on a surface of a side wall of the sealing ring 40, and a side wall surface of the assembly sleeve 302 is tightened with an inner end surface of the bounding rib 401.

0090. During assembly, the o-ring 40 is mounted on the steam outlet 102 in the surface cover 10, to form the steam valve 60, the valve cover 20 and the valve seat 30 are assembled by snapping-in or other methods, then the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the surface cover steam valve 101 10, the steam valve 60 is pushed down to insert the assembly sleeve 302 of the steam valve 60 into the o-ring 40 for clamping and securing, so that the steam valve 60 is firmly mounted on the -surface cover 10, and furthermore, the steam valve 60 is sealed by a sealing ring 40 to ensure a seal between the steam outlet 102 in the lid surface 10 and a steam passage formed on the steam valve 60.

0091. In another embodiment of the present invention, a seal ring is located on the outside of the assembly sleeve, and the assembly sleeve and the seal ring are inserted into the steam outlet and clamped and secured in the steam outlet. In addition, the bounding rib 401 protruding outwardly is located on the outer surface of the side wall of the o-ring, and the inner surface of the side wall of the steam outlet is interference fit with the outer end surface of the bounding rib 401.

0092. In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the seating surface of the steam valve 101 is a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover 20 are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve 101, and the rear end surface the valve cover 20 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the steam valve seating surface 101.

0093. The seating surface 101 of the steam valve is a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, i.e. the seating surface of the steam valve 101 is an open surface instead of the closed position of the seating groove, thereby avoiding cleaning of the dead zones, and thus the seating surface of the steam valve 101 can be easily cleaned; in addition, there is no closed position of the seating groove on the surface cover 10, therefore, the size of the steam valve 60 is not limited in space; accordingly, the steam flow path in the steam valve 60 can be effectively increased by increasing the size of the steam valve 60 to increase the path in the steam valve 60 removal of rice grains, hot broth and the like contained in the pair, and then spilling is well prevented; and the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover 20 are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve 101, and the rear end surface of the valve cover 20 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface, thereby not only effectively increasing the size of the steam valve 60, but also guaranteeing the appearance effect of the top cover assembly.

0094. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, a drain hole 304 is formed in the valve seat 30, and a check valve is located in the drain hole 304; and the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole 304.

0095. Since the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 toward a direction extending in close proximity to the drain hole 304, the drain hole 304 is located at the lowest position of the lower fitting surface 301 of the seat 30 valve, and the removal of water condensate, rice broth and the like into the inner cavity of the steam valve 60 is accelerated by fully utilizing the dead weight of the water condensate to avoid sieves ation at which condensation water accumulates steam valve in the internal cavity 60 and can not be merged. The seating surface of the steam valve below the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is preferably generally tilted downward from the edge of the seating surface of the steam valve in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole 304.

0096. A first suction element is preferably located on the steam valve 60, and a second suction element is arranged on the surface cover 10, which is magnetically suctioned by the first suction element, so that the steam valve 60 is attached to the suction surface 10 by the suction force arising between the first a suction element and a second suction element.

0097. The first suction element is located on the steam valve 60, and the second suction element configured to magnetically suck the first suction element and corresponding to the first suction element is located on the surface cover 10, so that the strength of the steam valve 60 on the surface cover 10 is further improved; when the steam valve 60 deviates from the normal installation position due to thermal deformation of the steam valve 60, the suction force between the first suction element and the second suction element may weaken or inhibit the movement of the steam valve 60 relative to the surface cover 10 caused by thermal deformation of the steam valve 60 to avoid an increase in clearance between the steam valve 60 and the surface cover 10, so that the steam valve 60 is effectively fastened to the seating surface surface cover valve 10.

0098. In addition, the second suction element is located in the support base or in the surface cover 10 directly below the support base, and the first suction element is located on the valve cover 20 in a position directly above the support base. Of course, the first suction element and the second suction element can also be placed in other positions, provided that the suction force between the first suction element and the second suction element can ensure that the steam valve 60 is in the proper position on the surface cover 10 and prevent the steam valve from being lifted. 60 when heated.

0099. Second Embodiment

00100. In contrast to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 and 4, the top cover assembly closing the cooking apparatus comprises a surface cover 10 and a steam valve 60. The seating surface of the steam valve 101 is located on the surface cover 10; and the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the steam valve 60 comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20 covering the valve seat 30, the support base 111 corresponding to the valve cover 20 and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the valve cover 20 rests on the support base 111 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, section A on the valve cover 20 rests on the support base 111), at least a portion of the support base 111 protrudes upward from at least a portion of the lower the bottom surface 301 of the valve seat 30, or the highest point of the support base 111, is flush with the lowest fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and a gap is formed between the bottom fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the steam fitting surface 101 below it ( as shown by section B in FIGS. 3 and 4).

00101. In accordance with the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the support base 111 is formed as a protrusion extending upward in a position corresponding to the surface cover 20 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the valve cover 20 is supported on the upper surface of the support base 111, at least a portion of the upper surface of the support base 111 projects upward from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, or the highest point o the pore base 111 is flush with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 (the highest point of the supporting base 111 and the lowest point of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 are located on the same horizontal plane), between the part located under the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve and the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, a gap is formed including the following condition: the gap is formed between one hour a hole located immediately below the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve and the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and / or, a gap is formed between the part located obliquely under the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 on the seating surface 101 the steam valve and the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, in this case, when the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10, the valve cover 20 is worn out is primarily in contact with the support base 111 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, while a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface 301 on the valve seat 30 and the portion located under the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, t .e. the valve seat 30 is suspended, and when the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 or the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10 is bent due to thermal deformation, the problem that the entire steam valve 60 is separated from the sealing ring 40 is lifted, as a result, the seal weakens and steam leaks, and the operational reliability of the product is guaranteed.

00102. In a specific embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the support base 111 is an annular peripheral support base 111. After positioning the support base 111 on the seating surface of the steam valve 101, the support base 111 may be continuously distributed in the direction along the periphery of the seating surface 101 of the steam valve to form an annular peripheral supporting base 111, and Of course, the supporting base 111 may also not be peripheral, but, for example, made in the form of a semicircle.

00103. In another specific embodiment, a plurality of support bases 111, spaced apart, are located on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, and the valve cover 20 is supported by the plurality of support bases 111. A plurality of support bases 111, spaced apart, are located on the seating surface 101 of the steam the valve, the valve cover 20 rests on a plurality of support bases 111, and furthermore, the plurality of support bases 111 are evenly distributed on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve.

00104. The surface cover 20 is preferably supported by the upper surface of the support base 111, the upper surface of the support base 111 is a plane, and the position corresponding to the upper surface of the support base 111 on the valve cover 20 is respectively defined as a plane.

00105. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve below it is preferably 1-10 mm.

00106. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve below it is 1-10 mm, in particular, for example, 1 mm, 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm, i.e. eliminates the problem that the gap between them is too small, as a result of which the gap cannot prevent deformation of the valve seat 30 or surface cover 10, and also eliminates the problem that the gap between them is too large, resulting in a design the entire assembly of the upper cover is not compact, and, of course, the gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve below it is not limited to the aforementioned specific limitation m, and the size of the gap can be set in accordance with a specific deformation of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 or the seating surface 101 of the steam valve of the surface cover 10.

00107. Third Embodiment

00108. As shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the top cover assembly proposed in some embodiments of the present invention comprises: a top cover 50 and a steam valve 60.

00109. On the top cover 50, a steam valve assembly 501 is located, and a steam outlet 102 is formed in the steam valve assembly 501; and the steam valve 60 is mounted on the steam valve assembly 501 and is provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet 102, and the steam valve 60 closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the top cover 50.

00110. In accordance with the top cover assembly provided by the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the design concept of the oversized steam valve 60, the size of the steam valve 60 exceeds 1/2 the size of the upper cover 50, so that the volume of the inner cavity of the steam valve 60 increases and the distance the steam flow in the steam valve 60 increases, thereby significantly preventing the spilling of the rice cooker during cooking, solving the problem of effectively preventing spilling Caused by a small volume of the inner cavity of the prior steam valve 60 at the same time significantly improving the upper limit of the high power heating without causing spilling and contributing to improve palatability during cooking; in addition, the size of the steam valve 60 exceeds 1/2 the size of the top cover 50, i.e. more than 1/2 of the area of the top cover 50 can be removed and cleaned with the steam valve 60, so that the top cover 50 can be easier to clean, and accordingly, the convenience of cleaning the product is significantly improved.

00111. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having left and right exposed sides, and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve 60 are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface.

00112. Since the steam valve assembly 501 is provided with a seating surface having left and right open sides, the problem that the size of the steam valve 60 is limited by the space of the steam valve assembly 501 and cannot be increased by increasing the size of the steam valve is eliminated 60, spillage is well prevented, and the steam valve assembly 501 can be easily cleaned; the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve 60 are preferably arranged to be flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface, thereby effectively guaranteeing the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly and the style of the top cover assembly satisfying the design requirements.

00113. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, and the rear end surface of the steam valve 60 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface.

00114. Since the steam valve assembly 501 is provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, the problem that the size of the steam valve 60 is limited by the space of the steam valve assembly 501 and cannot be increased by increasing the size of the steam valve 60 is eliminated. spillage is prevented, and the steam valve assembly 501 can be easily cleaned; and the rear end surface of the steam valve 60 is preferably arranged to be flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface, thereby effectively guaranteeing the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly and the style of the top cover assembly satisfying the design requirements.

00115. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, i.e. the steam valve assembly 501 is an open surface instead of the closed position of the seating groove, thereby effectively solving the problem that the steam valve assembly 501 has dead spots for cleaning, and facilitating cleaning of the steam valve assembly 501; since there is no closed position of the design of the landing groove on the top cover 50, the size of the steam valve 60 is not limited in space, therefore, the problem that the size of the steam valve 60 is limited by the space of the steam valve assembly 501 and cannot be increased due to by increasing the size of the steam valve 60, spilling is well prevented, the upper limit of high power heating is improved without spilling, and the palatability during cooking is improved.

00116. In one embodiment of the present invention, the steam valve 60 covers the entire upper surface of the top cover 50.

00117. As for the product in which the control panel 70 is formed on the cooking case of a cooking device, such as a rice cooker, the steam valve 60 may cover the entire upper surface of the top cover 50 so as to maximize the size of the steam valve 60 to better prevent spilling.

00118. In another embodiment, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the panel seat is located on the top cover 50, the control panel 70 is mounted on the panel assembly, and the front and rear length h1 of the steam valve 60 is at least 1/2 of the front and rear length h2 of the top cover 50.

00119. As for the product in which the control panel 70 is formed on the top cover 50 of the cooking device, for example, rice cookers, the front and rear length h1 of the steam valve 60 may be at least 1/2 of the front and rear length h2 of the top cover 50, so in order to effectively increase the distance of the steam flow in the inner cavity of the steam valve 60 by increasing the length of the front and back of the steam valve 60, provided that the requirements for the design of the control panel 70 are guaranteed, and thus rolling the rice cooker while cooking; and the steam valve 60 preferably covers all other surfaces except for the control panel 70 on the top cover 50.

00120. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably a whole plane, and the front end surface of the steam valve 60 is a plane adapted to the front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 as a whole.

00121. The front end surfaces of the steam valve assembly 501 and the steam valve 60 are planar, so that the steam valve assembly 501 and the steam valve 60 can be more conveniently machined and the overall appearance effect of the top cover assembly is satisfied; of course, the front end surfaces of the steam valve assembly 501 and the steam valve 60 can also be made in the form of curved surfaces and have other shapes in accordance with the design, which should be included in the scope of legal protection of the present invention without departing from the constructive principle of the present invention.

00122. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the assembly sleeve extending downwardly is preferably located on the lower part of the steam valve 60, and a steam inlet opening of the steam channel is formed in the assembly sleeve; an o-ring 40 is located in the steam outlet 102 and the assembly sleeve is inserted into the o-ring 40 and clamped and secured by the o-ring 40.

00123. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a back opening 603 is preferably formed at the front end of the steam valve assembly 501, an insert tongue 601 protruding forward is located at the front end of the steam valve 60, and the insert tongue 601 is inserted into the gap 603 to create a restriction.

00124. During assembly, the front end of the steam valve 60 is slanted inserted downward into the assembly position 501 of the steam valve of the top cover 50, the insertion tongue 601 at the front end of the steam valve 60 is inserted into the slot 603 formed by the front end of the steam valve assembly 501, then the steam valve 60 press down to insert the assembly sleeve on the steam valve 60 into the o-ring 40 on the steam outlet 102 of the upper cover 50 to be gripped and secured so that the steam valve 60 is firmly mounted on the assembly month 501 of the steam valve and to prevent rocking of the steam valve 60 up and down and right and left, thereby reducing the gap between the steam valve assembly 60 and the base 501 of the steam valve, and the effect of ensuring the appearance of the top cover assembly.

00125. In one embodiment, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the steam valve 60 comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20, a valve cover 20 is mounted on the valve seat 30 and connected to the valve seat 30 to cover the steam channel, and the valve cover 20 covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper covers 50.

00126. In order to satisfy the appearance effect and assembly requirements of the steam valve 60, the valve cover 20 of the steam valve 60 is generally not smaller than the size of the valve seat 30, so it is at least guaranteed that the size of the valve cover 20 of the steam valve 60 is more than 1/2 the size of the top cover 50.

00127. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, the decorative surface cover 602 is preferably located on the valve cover 20, and the decorative surface cover 602 covers the upper surface of the valve cover 20.

00128. Decorative surface cover 602 covers the upper surface of valve cover 20, decorative surface cover 602 plays a decorative role, especially for steam valve 60 with relatively large dimensions; when the size of the valve cover 20 increases, the strength of the valve cover 20 can decrease and the valve cover becomes sensitive to thermal deformation, and since the decorative surface cover 602 is superimposed on the upper surface of the valve cover 20, deformation of the valve cover 20 caused by heating is effectively masked, and the decorative effect decorative surface cover 602 becomes more visible.

00129. Fourth Embodiment

00130. This embodiment is a combination of a first embodiment and a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, 2, 5 and 6, in this case, the top cover 50 in the third embodiment may be, in particular, a surface cover 10, and the steam valve assembly 501 on the top cover 50 may be, in particular, a seating surface 101 of the steam valve on the surface cover 10.

00131. The top cover assembly includes a surface cover 10 and a steam valve 60. The seating surface 101 of the steam valve is located on the surface cover 10; and the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the steam valve 60 includes a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20 covering the valve seat 30, a peripheral fitting surface 201 is located on the valve cover 20 along the direction of its periphery, the peripheral fitting surface 201 rests on the landing a steam valve surface 101, and a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve.

00132. The valve cover 20 preferably extends downward along the direction of its periphery to form the peripheral fitting surface 201, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 projects downward from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30.

00133. A support base located in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface 201 and protruding upward is preferably located on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 is supported on the support base.

00134. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve is preferably 1-10 mm.

00135. A drain hole 304 is preferably formed in the valve seat 30 and a check valve is located in the drain hole 304; the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole 304.

00136. A first suction element is preferably located on the steam valve 60, and a second suction element is arranged on the surface cover 10, which is magnetically suctioned by the first suction element, so that the steam valve 60 is sucked onto the surface cover 10 by the suction force arising between the first suction element and a second suction element.

00137. A steam outlet 102 is preferably formed in the seating surface 101 of the steam valve 102, the steam channel is bounded between the valve cover 20 and the valve seat 30, and the steam outlet 303 of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet 102.

00138. The downwardly extending assembly sleeve 302 is preferably located on the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and a steam inlet hole 303 is provided in the assembly sleeve 302; an o-ring 40 is located in the steam outlet 102 and the assembly sleeve 302 is inserted into the o-ring 40 and clamped and secured by the o-ring 40; or a sealing ring 40 is located on the outside of the assembly sleeve 302, and the assembly sleeve 302 and the sealing ring 40 are inserted into the steam outlet 102 and clamped and secured in the steam outlet 102.

00139. On the surface of the side wall of the sealing ring 40 there is a bounding rib 401 protruding inwardly, and the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve 302 is tightened with an inner end surface of the bounding rib 401; or an outwardly extending rib 401 located on the outer surface of the side wall of the o-ring 40 and the inner surface of the lateral wall of the steam outlet 102 is interference fit with the outer end surface of the limiting rib 401.

00140. The seating surface of the steam valve 101 is a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end, the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover 20 are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve 101, and the rear end surface the valve cover 20 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface 101 of the steam valve.

00141. The steam valve 60 closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cover 10.

00142. The steam valve 60 covers the entire upper surface of the surface cover 10.

00143. The panel assembly is located on the surface cover 10, the control panel 70 is mounted on the panel assembly, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve 60 is at least 1/2 of the front and rear lengths of the surface cover 10.

00144. The valve cover 20 covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cover 10.

00145. A decorative surface cover 602 is located on the valve cover 20, and a decorative surface cover 602 covers the upper surface of the valve cover 20.

00146. Fifth Embodiment

00147. This embodiment is a combination of a second embodiment and a third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, 4, 5, and 6, in this case, the top cover 50 in the third embodiment may be, in particular, a surface cover 10, and the steam valve assembly 501 on the top cover 50 may be, in particular, a seating surface 101 of the steam valve surface cover 10.

00148. The difference from the fourth embodiment is that the top cover assembly comprises a surface cover 10 and a steam valve 60. A seating surface 101 of the steam valve is located on the surface cover 10; and the steam valve 60 is mounted on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the steam valve 60 comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20 covering the valve seat 30, the support base 111 corresponding to the valve cover 20 and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, the valve cover 20 rests on the support base 111, at least a portion of the support base 111 protrudes upward from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, or the highest point of the support base 111 ditsya flush with the lowermost point of a fitting bottom surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and between the bottom surface of a fitting 301 and the valve seat 30 located beneath the seat surface 101 of the steam valve gap is formed. The support base 111 is an annular peripheral support base 111; or, on the seating surface 101 of the steam valve, there are a plurality of support bases 111 distributed at intervals, and the valve cover 20 is supported by the plurality of supporting bases 111. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve below it is 1-10 mm

00149. Sixth Embodiment

00150. This embodiment is a combination of the first embodiment and the third embodiment, and the difference from the fourth embodiment is that in this case, the surface cover 10 in the first embodiment may be the top cover 50, and the seating surface 101 of the steam valve according to the first embodiment implementation may be, in particular, the Assembly site 501 of the steam valve.

00151. The top cover assembly comprises a top cover 50 and a steam valve 60. On the top cover 50, a steam valve assembly 501 is located and a steam outlet 102 is formed in the steam valve assembly 501; the steam valve 60 is mounted on the steam valve assembly 501 and is provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet 102, and the steam valve 60 closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the top cover 50.

00152. The steam valve assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having left and right open sides, and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve 60 are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface.

00153. The steam valve assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, and the rear end surface of the steam valve 60 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface.

00154. The steam valve 60 preferably closes the entire upper surface of the upper cover 50.

00155. A panel assembly is preferably located on the top cover 50, a control panel 70 is mounted on the panel assembly, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve 60 is at least 1/2 the length of the front and rear of the top cover 50.

00156. The front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably a whole plane, and the front end surface of the steam valve 60 is a plane adapted to the front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 as a whole.

00157. On the lower part of the steam valve 60, an assembly sleeve 302 protruding downward is preferably located, and a steam inlet hole 303 of the steam channel is formed in the assembly sleeve 302; and in the steam outlet 102, a sealing ring 40 is located, and the assembly sleeve 302 is inserted into the sealing ring 40 and clamped and secured by the sealing ring 40.

00158. The steam valve 60 preferably comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20, a valve cover 20 is mounted on the valve seat 30 and connected to the valve seat 30 to cover the steam channel, and the valve cover 20 covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover fifty.

00159. On the valve cover 20, a decorative surface cover 602 is preferably located, and a decorative surface cover 602 covers the upper surface of the valve cover 20.

00160. A peripheral fitting surface 201 is preferably located on the valve cover 20 along the direction of its periphery, the peripheral fitting surface 201 is supported by the steam valve assembly 501 and a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the steam valve assembly 501. In addition, the assembly is an installation structure having an open upper end and a lower surface, the peripheral fitting surface 201 rests on the lower surface of the steam valve assembly 501, and a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the lower surface of the steam valve assembly 501 .

00161. The valve cover 20 preferably extends downward along the direction of its periphery to form the peripheral fitting surface 201, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30.

00162. At the steam valve assembly 501, a support base is disposed in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface 201 and protruding upward, and the peripheral fitting surface 201 is supported on the support base.

00163. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the steam valve assembly 501 is 1-10 mm.

00164. A drain hole 304 is formed in the valve seat 30 and a check valve is located in the drain hole 304; the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole 304.

00165. A first suction element is located on the steam valve 60, and a second suction element configured to magnetically suck the first suction element is respectively located on the top cover 50, so that the steam valve 60 is sucked onto the top cover 50 by the suction force arising between the first suction element and a second suction element.

00166. On the surface of the side wall of the sealing ring 40 there is a bounding rib 401 protruding inwardly, and the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve 302 is tightened with an inner end surface of the bounding rib 401; or the outwardly extending rib 401 is located on the outer surface of the side wall of the sealing ring 40, and the inner surface of the lateral wall of the steam outlet 102 is interference fit with the outer end surface of the limiting rib 401.

00167. Seventh Embodiment

00168. This embodiment is a combination of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, and the difference from the fourth embodiment is that in this case, as shown in FIG. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the surface cover 50 of the second embodiment may be a top cover 50, and the seating surface of the steam valve 101 of the second embodiment may be a steam valve assembly 501.

00169. The top cover assembly comprises a top cover 50 and a steam valve 60. A steam valve assembly 501 is located on the top cover 50 and a steam outlet 102 is formed in the steam valve assembly 501; the steam valve 60 is mounted on the steam valve assembly 501 and is provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet 102, and the steam valve 60 closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the top cover 50.

00170. The assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having left and right exposed sides, and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve 60 are at the same level as the spruce and right edges of the seating surface.

00171. The assembly 501 is preferably provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, and the rear end surface of the steam valve 60 is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface.

00172. The steam valve 60 preferably closes the entire upper surface of the upper cover 50.

00173. A panel assembly is preferably located on the top cover 50, a control panel 70 is mounted on the panel assembly, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve 60 is at least 1/2 the length of the front and rear of the top cover 50.

00174. The front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 is preferably a whole plane, and the front end surface of the steam valve 60 is a plane adapted to the front end surface of the steam valve assembly 501 as a whole.

00175. On the lower part of the steam valve 60, an assembly sleeve 302 protruding downward is preferably located, and a steam inlet opening 303 of the steam channel is formed in the assembly sleeve 302; an o-ring 40 is located in the steam outlet 102, and the assembly sleeve 302 is inserted into the o-ring 40 and clamped and secured by the o-ring 40.

00176. The steam valve 60 comprises a valve seat 30 and a valve cover 20, a valve cover 20 is mounted on the valve seat 30 and connected to the valve seat 30 to cover the steam channel, and the valve cover 20 covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover 50 .

00177. A decorative surface cover 602 is located on the valve cover 20, and a decorative surface cover 602 covers the upper surface of the valve cover 20.

00178. At the assembly site 501 of the steam valve, there is a support base 111 corresponding to the valve cover 20 and protruding upward, the valve cover 20 is supported by the support base 111, at least a portion of the support base 111 protrudes upwards from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface 301 of the seat 30 the valve, or the highest point of the support base 111, is flush with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30, and between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the assembly 501 pairs a new valve under it formed a gap. Additionally, the steam valve assembly is an installation structure having an open upper end and a lower surface, a support base is located on the lower surface of the steam valve assembly 501, and between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the lower surface of the steam valve assembly 501 underneath gap.

00179. The support base 111 is an annular peripheral support base 111, or at the steam valve assembly 501 there are a plurality of support bases 111 spaced apart, and the valve cover 20 is supported by the plurality of support bases 111.

00180. The gap between the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 and the steam valve assembly 501 below it is 1-10 mm.

00181. A drain hole 304 is formed in the valve seat 30 and a check valve is located in the drain hole 304; and the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface 301 of the valve seat 30 in a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole 304.

00182. A first suction element is located on the steam valve 60, and a second suction element configured to magnetically suck the first suction element is respectively located on the top cover 50, so that the steam valve 60 is sucked onto the top cover 50 by the suction force arising between the first suction element and a second suction element.

00183. On the surface of the side wall of the sealing ring 40 there is a bounding rib 401 protruding inwardly, and the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve 302 is tightened with an inner end surface of the bounding rib 401; or an outwardly extending rib 401 located on the outer surface of the side wall of the o-ring 40, and the inner surface of the lateral wall of the steam outlet 102 is interference fit with the outer end surface of the limiting rib 401.

00184. An embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a cooking apparatus (not shown in the figures) comprising any top cover assembly mentioned above and having the beneficial effects of any top cover assembly mentioned above.

00185. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking apparatus is a rice cooker.

00186. Of course, in addition to the aforementioned rice cooker, the cooking device may also be another cooking device in which the steam valve 60 is mounted on the top cover 50 for releasing steam, which should be included in the scope of legal protection of the present invention without departing from the constructive principle of the present invention .

00187. Thus, in accordance with the top cover assembly provided by an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, by adopting the concept of a oversized steam valve structure, the size of the steam valve exceeds 1/2 the size of the upper cover, so that the volume of the internal cavity of the steam valve increases , and the distance of the steam flow in the steam valve increases, thereby significantly preventing the spilling of the rice cooker during cooking, while significantly improving the upper limit of heating a high power without causing spillage and contributing to improve palatability during cooking; in addition, the size of the steam valve exceeds 1/2 the size of the top cover, i.e. more than 1/2 the area of the top cover can be removed and cleaned with a steam valve, so that the top cover is easier to clean and, accordingly, the convenience of cleaning the product is significantly improved; a peripheral fitting surface is located on the valve cover in a direction along its periphery; when the steam valve is mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, the peripheral fitting surface on the valve cover is initially in contact with the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover, a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface on the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve, i.e. the valve seat is suspended, therefore, when the lower fitting surface of the valve seat or the seating surface of the steam valve of the surface cover is bent due to thermal deformation, the problem is that the entire steam valve rises, separating from the o-ring, thereby weakening the seal and steam leaks, and product reliability is guaranteed.

00188. Although the attached claims are provided, the present invention is also defined by the following points:

00189. 1. Top cover assembly comprising:

a surface cover provided with a seating surface of the steam valve; and

a steam valve mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve, the steam valve comprising a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat,

a peripheral fitting surface located on the valve cover in a direction along its periphery,

moreover, the peripheral fitting surface rests on the seating surface of the steam valve, and

a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve.

00190. 2. The top cover assembly of claim 1, wherein

the valve cover extends downward in a direction along its periphery, forming a peripheral fitting surface,

moreover, the peripheral fitting surface protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat.

00191. 3. The top cover assembly of claim 1, wherein

a support base located in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface of the steam valve,

moreover, the peripheral fitting surface rests on the support base.

00192. 4. The top cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve is 1-10 mm.

00193. 5. A top cover assembly related to a cooking apparatus, comprising:

a surface cover provided with a seating surface of the steam valve; and

a steam valve mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve, wherein

the steam valve comprises a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat;

a support base located in accordance with the valve cover and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface of the steam valve,

valve cover rests on the support base,

at least a portion of the support base projects upwardly from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, or

the highest point of the support base is flush with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, and

a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it.

00194. 6. The top cover assembly of claim 5, wherein

the supporting base is an annular peripheral supporting base; or

a plurality of support bases distributed at intervals located on the seating surface of the steam valve, and

the valve cover rests on a plurality of support bases.

00195. 7. The top cover assembly according to claim 5, wherein the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it is 1-10 mm.

00196. 8. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 5-7, in which

a drain hole is made in the valve seat and a check valve is located in the drain hole;

the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat toward a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole.

00197. 9. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 5-7, in which

the first suction element is located on the steam valve, and

a second suction element magnetically suctioned by the first suction element is respectively located on the surface cover, so that the steam valve is sucked onto the surface cover by the suction force arising between the first suction element and the second suction element.

00198. 10. The top cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

a steam outlet is formed in the seating surface of the steam valve,

a vapor channel is bounded between the valve cover and the valve seat, and

the steam inlet of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet.

00199. 11. The top cover assembly of claim 10, wherein

an assembly sleeve protruding downwardly located on a lower fitting surface of the valve seat, and

a steam inlet is made in the assembly sleeve;

an o-ring is located in the steam outlet,

the assembly sleeve is inserted into the o-ring and clamped and secured by the o-ring; or

the o-ring is located on the outside of the assembly sleeve, and

the assembly sleeve and the o-ring are inserted into the steam outlet and clamped and secured in the steam outlet.

00200. 12. The top cover assembly of claim 11, wherein

a bounding rib protruding inwardly located on a surface of a side wall of the o-ring, and

the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve is fitted with an interference fit with the inner end surface of the bounding rib; or

a bounding rib protruding outwardly located on an outer surface of a side wall of the o-ring, and

the inner surface of the side wall of the steam outlet is fitted with an interference fit with the outer end surface of the bounding rib.

00201. 13. The top cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

the seating surface of the steam valve is a seating surface having left and right open sides and an open rear end,

the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve, and

the rear end surface of the valve cover is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface of the steam valve.

00202. 14. The top cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

the steam valve closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cap.

00203. 15. The top cover assembly of claim 14, wherein

the steam valve covers the entire upper surface of the surface cover.

00204. 16. The top cover assembly of claim 14, wherein

the panel assembly is located on the surface cover, a control panel is installed on the panel assembly, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve is at least 1/2 of the front and rear length of the surface cover.

00205. 17. The top cover assembly of claim 14, wherein

the valve cover covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cover.

00206. 18. The top cover assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein

on the valve cover there is a decorative surface cover that covers the upper surface of the valve cover.

00207. 19. A top cover assembly comprising:

the upper cover, and on the upper cover there is an assembly place and a steam outlet is formed in the seat of the steam valve; and

a steam valve mounted on the assembly site of the steam valve and provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet, the steam valve closing at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the top cover.

00208. 20. The top cover assembly of claim 19, wherein

the steam valve assembly is provided with a seating surface having left and right open sides, and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve are at the same level as the spruce and right edges of the seating surface.

00209. 21. The top cover assembly of claim 19, wherein

the steam valve assembly is provided with a seating surface having an open rear end, and

the rear end surface of the steam valve is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface.

00210. 22. Top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 19-21 in which

the steam valve covers the entire top surface of the top cover.

00211. 23. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 19-21 in which

the panel assembly is located on the top cover, the control panel is mounted on the panel assembly, and

the length of the front and rear of the steam valve is at least 1/2 the length of the front and rear of the top cover.

00212. 24. The top cover assembly of claim 23, wherein

the front end surface of the steam valve assembly assembly is generally a plane, and

the front end surface of the steam valve is a plane that is adjustable to the front end surface of the assembly site of the steam valve as a whole.

00213. 25. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 19 - 21, in which

an assembly sleeve extending downward is located on the lower part of the steam valve, and a steam inlet opening of the steam channel is made in the assembly sleeve;

an o-ring is located in the steam outlet, and

the assembly sleeve is inserted into the o-ring and clamped and secured by the o-ring.

00214. 26. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 19-21 in which

the steam valve comprises a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat and connected to the valve seat to enclose the steam channel, the valve cover covering at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover.

00215. 27. The top cover assembly of claim 26, wherein a decorative surface cover is placed on the valve cover and the decorative surface cover covers the upper surface of the valve cover.

00216. 28. The top cover assembly of claim 26, wherein

on the valve cover, in the direction along its periphery, a peripheral fitting surface is located, the peripheral fitting surface is supported by the steam valve assembly, and

a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the assembly.

00217. 29. The top cover assembly of claim 28, wherein the valve cover extends downward in a direction along its periphery, forming a peripheral fitting surface that projects downwardly from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat.

00218. 30. The top cover assembly according to paragraph 28, wherein the support base, located in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface and protruding upward, is located at the assembly location of the steam valve, the peripheral fitting surface resting on the support base.

00219. 31. The top cover assembly of claim 28, wherein the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the assembly is 1-10 mm.

00220. 32. The top cover assembly of claim 26, wherein

a support base located in accordance with the valve cover and protruding upwardly located on the assembly location of the steam valve, the valve cover rests on the support base,

at least a portion of the support base projects upwardly from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, or

the highest point of the support base is flush with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, and

under it, a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the steam valve assembly.

00221. 33. The top cover assembly of claim 32, wherein

the supporting base is an annular peripheral supporting base; or

a plurality of support bases distributed at intervals located at the assembly location of the steam valve, and

the valve cover rests on a plurality of support bases.

00222. 34. The top cover assembly of claim 32, wherein the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the steam valve assembly below it is 1-10 mm.

00223. 35. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 28-34 in which

a drain hole is formed in the valve seat and a check valve is located in the drain hole; and

the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat toward a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole.

00224. 36. The top cover assembly according to any one of paragraphs. 19-35 in which

a first suction element is located on the steam valve, and

a second suction element is arranged on the upper cover, magnetically suctioned by the first suction element, respectively, so that the steam valve is sucked onto the upper cover by the suction force arising between the first suction element and the second suction element.

00225. 37. The top cover assembly according to paragraph 25, wherein

a bounding rib protruding inwardly located on a surface of a side wall of the o-ring, and

the surface of the side wall of the assembly sleeve is fitted with an interference fit with the inner end surface of the bounding rib; or

on the outer surface of the side wall of the o-ring there is a bounding rib protruding outward, and

the inner surface of the side wall of the steam outlet is fitted with an interference fit with the outer end surface of the bounding rib.

00226. 38. A cooking device comprising a top cover assembly according to any one of the preceding paragraphs.

00227. 39. The cooking device according to paragraph 38, wherein the cooking device is a rice cooker.

00228. Although the present invention is described in detail by way of illustration and example for the purposes of a clear understanding, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications to the present invention in accordance with the ideas of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims. It should be understood that the terms used in this document are intended only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to indicate the scope of the present invention.

00229. In the description of the present invention, the terms “coupled”, “compound”, “permanent” and the like should be interpreted in a broad sense, should be interpreted in a broad sense, unless otherwise expressly specified or defined. For example, a “connection” may be a permanent connection, and may also be a detachable connection or an internal connection or an electrical connection. This can be a direct connection, and it can also be an indirect connection using an intermediate means. Specialists in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above conditions in the present invention in accordance with specific situations.

00230. In the description of the present invention, a description of the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “specific embodiments” and the like means that a particular feature, structure, material or characteristic described in combination with an embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In the present description, a schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more variants or examples.

00231. The above options are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are not intended to limit it. For specialists in this field the present invention may contain various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, and the like, made based on the ideas and principles of the present invention, should be included in the scope of legal protection of the present invention.

00232. It should be understood that in the description of the present invention, the orientation or positions indicated by the terms “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right” are based on the orientation or relative positions shown in the drawings , and are used for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, without indicating or implying that said devices or assemblies should have specific directions and be designed and operated in certain directions and, therefore, should not be considered limitation of the present invention.

00233. In the description of the present invention, the terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “specific embodiments” and the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material or characteristic described in combination with an embodiment or example is included by in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In the present description, a schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. In addition, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more variants or examples.

00234. The foregoing description is only preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are not intended to limit the present invention. For specialists in this field the present invention may have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, and the like, based on the ideas and principles of the present invention, should be included in the scope of legal protection of the present invention.

Claims (74)

1. A component of the top cover, containing: a surface cover provided with a seating surface of the steam valve; and a steam valve mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve, the steam valve comprising a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat, a peripheral fitting surface located on the valve cover in a direction along its periphery, moreover, the peripheral fitting surface rests on the seating surface of the steam valve, a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve, and the steam valve closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cap. 2. The component of the top cover according to claim 1, in which the valve cover extends downward in a direction along its periphery to form a peripheral fitting surface, moreover, the peripheral fitting surface protrudes downward from the lower fitting surface of the valve seat. 3. The component of the top cover according to claim 1, in which a support base located in accordance with the peripheral fitting surface and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface of the steam valve, moreover, the peripheral fitting surface rests on the support base. 4. The component of the top cover according to claim 1, in which the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve is 1 to 10 mm. 5. The component of the top cover used for the device for cooking and containing: a surface cover provided with a seating surface of the steam valve; and a steam valve mounted on the seating surface of the steam valve and comprising a valve seat and a valve cover covering the valve seat; moreover a support base located respectively with the cover and protruding upwardly located on the seating surface of the steam valve, the valve cover rests on the support base, at least a portion of the support base projects upwardly from at least a portion of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, or the highest point of the support base is flush with the lowest point of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat, a gap is formed between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve below it, and the steam valve closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the surface cap. 6. The component of the top cover according to claim 5, in which the support base is an annular peripheral support base, or a plurality of support bases, distributed individually, are located on the seating surface of the steam valve, and the valve cover rests on a plurality of support bases. 7. The component of the top cover according to claim 5, in which the gap between the lower fitting surface of the valve seat and the seating surface of the steam valve underneath is between 1 and 10 mm. 8. The component of the top cover according to claim 5, in which a drain hole is located on a valve seat in which the check valve is located, and the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is generally inclined downward from the edge of the lower fitting surface of the valve seat toward a direction extending in the immediate vicinity of the drain hole. 9. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 5-8, in which the first suction element is located on the steam valve, and a second suction element, magnetically suctioned by the first suction element, is respectively located on the surface cover, so that the steam valve is attached to the surface cover by the suction force arising between the first suction element and the second suction element. 10. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, in which on the landing surface of the steam valve placed a steam outlet, the steam channel is bounded between the valve cover and the valve seat, and the steam inlet of the steam channel is tightly connected to the steam outlet. 11. The component of the top cover according to claim 10, in which on the lower fitting surface of the valve seat is a landing sleeve protruding downward, and a steam inlet is placed on the landing sleeve; an o-ring is located in the steam outlet, and the landing sleeve is inserted into the o-ring, and is clamped, and secured by the o-ring; or an o-ring is located on the outside of the landing sleeve, and the assembly sleeve and the sealing ring are inserted into the steam outlet, and are clamped and secured in the steam outlet. 12. The component of the top cover according to claim 11, in which on the surface of the side wall of the o-ring there is a limiting rib protruding inward, and the surface of the side wall of the landing sleeve is interference fit with the inner end surface of the bounding ribs; or on the outer surface of the side wall of the o-ring there is a bounding rib protruding outward, and the inner surface of the side wall of the steam outlet fit tightly with the outer end surface of the bounding ribs. 13. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 1-12, in which the seating surface of the steam valve is a seating surface with open left and right sides and an open rear end, the left and right side surfaces of the valve cover are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface of the steam valve, and the rear end surface of the valve cover is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface of the steam valve. 14. A component of the top cover, containing: a top cover provided with a seat for a steam valve in which a steam outlet is formed; and a steam valve mounted on the seat of the steam valve and provided with a steam channel in communication with the steam outlet, moreover, the steam valve closes at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover. 15. The component of the top cover according to claim 14, in which the steam valve seat is provided with a seating surface with left and right sides open and the left and right side surfaces of the steam valve are flush with the left and right edges of the seating surface. 16. The top cover component of claim 14, wherein the steam valve seat is provided with a seating surface with an open rear end, and the rear end surface of the steam valve is flush with the edge of the rear end of the seating surface. 17. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 14-16, in which the steam valve covers the entire upper surface of the upper cover. 18. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 14-16, in which, panel seat is located on the top cover, control panel mounted on the panel seat, and the length of the front and rear of the steam valve is at least 1/2 the length of the front and rear of the top cover. 19. The top cover component of claim 18, wherein the front end surface of the steam valve seat is generally flat and the front end surface of the steam valve is a plane generally corresponding to the front end surface of the steam valve seat. 20. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 14-16, in which on the bottom of the steam valve is a landing sleeve extending downward, and a steam inlet hole of the steam channel is placed on the landing sleeve; an o-ring is located in the steam outlet, and the landing sleeve is inserted into the o-ring, and is clamped, and secured by the o-ring. 21. The component of the top cover according to any one of paragraphs. 14-16, in which the steam valve comprises: valve seat and a valve cover closing the valve seat and connected to the valve seat to shape the vapor channel, the valve cover covers at least 1/2 of the upper surface of the upper cover. 22. The top cover component of claim 21, wherein a decorative surface cover is mounted on the valve cover, and the decorative surface cover covers the upper surface of the valve cover. 23. A cooking device comprising a top cover component according to any one of paragraphs. 1-22. 24. A cooking device according to claim 23, wherein the cooking device is a rice cooker.

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