Patent Application
20200182485
The invention relates to a steam cooking appliance comprising a water supply unit which has a removable water tank which, in the installed position, has a front side facing the user and a rear side opposite the front side and a closure element for closing the filling opening of said water tank, and an evaporator unit which can be connected to the water supply unit and by means of which water from the water supply unit can be evaporated and the steam generated in the evaporator unit can be provided into the cooking chamber of the steam cooking appliance.
Ovens are known which also offer the possibility of preparing food to be cooked by generating steam in the cooking chamber. During preparation, bursts of steam are generated which are conducted into the cooking chamber or are first generated therein. For this purpose, a container for storing water is required. In known appliances, this can be arranged in the region of the control panel of the oven and can be removed therefrom. In conventional embodiments, removal can be relatively complicated and cumbersome. Furthermore, the filling of the water tank is often difficult.
EP 2 463 585 A1, for example, discloses a water tank for a steam cooking appliance, having a container for receiving the water, wherein a front cover is arranged on the container as a panel which is arranged so as to be moveable relative to the container.
The description of the prior art is provided to facilitate understanding of the background of the present invention, and may include items outside the prior art known to the average person skilled in the art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam cooking appliance which is improved compared with the prior art and that eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages while maintaining the advantages achieved from the prior art.
The solution of the set object is achieved by a steam cooking appliance with the features of claim 1. According to the invention, this can be achieved in a steam cooking appliance according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the closure element forms the front side or the rear side of the water tank, at least in sections.
A steam cooking appliance is to be understood as meaning any household appliance which cooks food to be cooked introduced into a cooking chamber by means of steam and/or improves the result of a food to be cooked. It goes without saying that the steam cooking appliance can be both a cooking appliance, for example an oven, with a steam function, in which in addition to the steam produced there are also further heat sources in the form of heating elements, for example, and also a steam cooking appliance which uses only steam for heating/cooking food to be cooked.
In addition to the above-mentioned water tank, the water supply unit can also have further components which may be required for supplying an evaporator unit with water. These include, for example, a water supply unit which connects the water tank to the evaporator unit, and all types of lines and/or line systems as well as connecting and/or connection elements. The water supply unit has means for coupling to the water tank on a first end section and means for coupling to the evaporator unit on a second end section. In particular, the water supply unit is designed in such a way that it enables a water circuit according to the bird bath principle. This bird bath principle is well known to the person skilled in the art, and therefore a detailed description thereof can be omitted.
The installed position of the water tank is to be understood as meaning the position in which the water tank is accommodated in the steam cooking appliance, for example in a holder provided for this purpose, and in particular is ready for operation. As a result, the front side of the water tank facing a user forms a visible part of an operating panel. The front side is formed on a first end section of the water tank and the rear side of the water tank is formed on an end section opposite the first end section.
During operation, the water stored in the water tank can be supplied to an evaporator unit arranged in the steam cooking appliance. Steam can be generated by means of the evaporator and made available in the cooking chamber of the steam cooking appliance. The function of an evaporator unit is well known to the person skilled in the art, and therefore a detailed description thereof can be omitted.
The closure element closes a filling opening of the water tank for filling with water, in particular by a water tap, and in particular in such a way that no more water can escape when the water tank is in the installed position. Due to the fact that the closure element forms the front side or the rear side of the water tank at least in sections, a positive appearance of the steam cooking appliance can be realized as the respective side of the water tank can be advantageously integrated into the design of the appliance without having to compromise in terms of user comfort during removal/filling of the water tank. In other words, from the design point of view, almost complete integration of the water supply unit or of the water tank into a panel support or a control panel of the steam cooking appliance is possible.
From a design point of view and for cleaning purposes, it is particularly desirable here that the front side or the rear side of the water tank is essentially flush with the front surface of the control panel. That is, the front or rear side of the water tank is integrated into the control panel in the installed position thereof in such a way that there are no disturbing components which protrude or are set back with respect to a front surface of the control panel in the direction of a user. As a result, a homogeneous appearance can be realized in an advantageous manner. The closure element or the front side of the closure element is handle-free and is in particular flat, so that a good integration into the control panel can be realized.
According to the invention, it is provided that the closure element forms the front side or the rear side of the water tank, at least in sections. This is to be understood as meaning that the front surface of the closure element facing a user of the steam cooking appliance forms at least part of the front or rear side. Thus, it would also be conceivable for the front surface of the closure element to have a surface dimension which is smaller than the surface dimension of the cross-sectional area of the water tank, wherein the front surface and the cross-sectional area are essentially parallel to one another. However, it is also conceivable that the front surface has a surface dimension that is greater than that of the cross-sectional area. This could be advantageous in particular if a diameter of the water tank or its cross-sectional area is smaller than the diameter or the cross-sectional area of the closure element to be integrated into the control panel of the steam cooking appliance. A water tank can thus be integrated into the control panel, the closure element of which has, for example, the same optical system and/or size and/or shape as an adjacent operating toggle of the steam cooking appliance.
According to the invention, it is provided that the closure element can form the front side or the rear side of the water tank. If the closure element forms the front side of the water tank at least in sections, then the front surface of the closure element faces the user in the installed position of the water tank. In contrast, if the closure element at least in sections forms the rear side of the water tank, the front surface of the closure element faces away from the user and thus is not visible to the user. Thus, the user standing in front of the steam cooking appliance would only be able to see the bottom or bottom area, whereas the rear side of the water tank formed by the closure element is covered in the appliance. It will be understood by the average person skilled in the art that in the latter case, means/components are provided in the closure element that are configured to connect/couple to the water supply unit. Thus, the difference between the two variants described is only that the attachment of the closure element takes place in reverse. The filling opening of the water tank is located in particular on the opposite side of an outlet opening thereof.
Advantageous embodiments and developments which can be used individually or in combination with one another are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the closure element can be fastened to a main body of the water tank by means of a bayonet or screw closure. As a result, the water tank can be comfortably and quickly closed.
Preferably, a main body of the water tank has an essentially elongated, preferably cylindrical, more preferably circular-cylindrical design, for which reason the filled water is stored in this (main) part of the water tank. This would have the advantage that an improved optical result and improved handling during the filling of the water tank can be achieved on the one hand in relation to the operating toggle arranged next to the water tank in/on the control panel of the steam cooking appliance. This means that the user standing in front of the steam cooking appliance would be able to get the impression that the inserted water tank, i.e. in the installed position, is optically an operating toggle. It is furthermore preferred that markings concerning the filling level are provided on the essentially transparent main body of the water tank. The main body may be made of plastic in a non-limiting manner. It is understood that the entire water tank can be made of plastic. However, it is also conceivable that the closure element has a different material than that of the main body. The closure element can be attached to a first end section of the main body, for example by one of the above-mentioned closure types, the main body having an embodiment corresponding to the type of closure, for example a thread, part of a bayonet closure or the like on the first end section. On the second end section of the main body opposite the first end section, an outlet opening is provided, in which a valve is attached, which will be described later.
For better sealing, the closure element and/or the main body on a connecting section can have a seal, in particular a rubber seal. An improved sealing effect can thereby be achieved. It can be provided, for example, that the seal has an outer diameter which essentially corresponds to an inner diameter of the closure element. In the closed state of the closure element, the seal essentially rests against an end-face front section of the main body or its outer casing surface. The seal can be inserted loosely into the closure element or can be firmly connected thereto. In the case of a one-piece/integral design of the closure element and the seal, a loss of the loose seal could be prevented.
Preferably, the rubber seal is designed as an O-ring which, in a closed position of the closure element, is pressed against a sealing edge of the main body by a spring. A further improved sealing effect can thus be achieved. As a spring, any type of spring, such as a coil spring, spiral spring or the like, may be used in the entire disclosure in a non-limiting manner. It is particularly preferred that the O-ring is arranged on a seal support, in particular a pot-shaped seal support, and that the spring is arranged between a closure cover of the closure element and the seal support. This arrangement has the advantage that the seal in the form of the O-ring is pressed in a spring-loaded manner against the sealing edge formed on the main body, for which reason the sealing effect is further intensified. Moreover, it is provided that the seal support is designed in such a way that it is attached to the closure cover, for example by means of a catch. As a result, a closure element in the form of a compact structural unit can be produced, which has the closure cover, the seal, the seal support and the spring arranged between the seal support and the closure cover. In this connection, a circumferential groove/depression is provided on the seal support on/into which groove/depression the O-ring can be attached. The groove is arranged in particular on an end section facing the main body of the water tank.
In a further embodiment it is provided that the closure element has a cover cap which, at least in sections, forms the front side of the water tank. This makes it possible to achieve a specific adaptation to the existing design of the steam cooking appliance. This relates in particular to the instances in which different panel materials such as, for example, glass, metal or the like, are used. Moreover, by means of a cover cap integrated into the appearance of the steam cooking appliance, it is possible to cover different design lines of a household appliance manufacturer. In this case, it is particularly preferred if the closure element or the closure cover has an interface/connection which corresponds to the interface/connection of the operating toggle. In the case of the attachment of the cover cap, it is likewise provided that the front side of the water tank is flush with the front surface of the control panel.
For fluidic coupling to the evaporator unit, the water tank has a valve unit for coupling. This valve unit serves for fluidic coupling and is suitable for filling with water. As a rule, the coupling takes place by means of a water supply unit which operates according to the bird bath principle and which represents the connecting element between the water tank and the evaporator unit. The valve unit has, in a non-limiting manner, a valve or a valve device in the form of an exhaust valve which allows the water stored in the water tank to run off in the direction of the evaporator unit as soon as the valve unit is coupled or connected to a connection element or docking connection of a water supply unit. The valve unit is provided in/on an outlet opening formed in the main body of the water tank. The water supply unit has, in a non-limiting manner, a line system for supplying the water to the evaporator unit, wherein the connection element or the docking connection is then provided on the line system. As mentioned at the beginning, the line system operates according to the bird bath principle. In this case, the valve unit opens only in the completely inserted state of the water tank.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, provision is made for the water supply unit to have a receiving unit for receiving the water tank, wherein the receiving unit is attached in particular to a panel support of the steam cooking appliance. The receiving unit preferably has a lower and an upper housing shell and is preferably made from a plastic. It is particularly advantageous if the receiving unit has an interface/connection which corresponds to the interface/connection of a toggle pot which is likewise arranged on the panel support. As a result, advantages can be achieved both in production and assembly as different openings/punch-throughs do not have to be produced in the panel support for the receiving unit. A microswitch by means of which it can be detected whether the water tank is completely coupled, can preferably be arranged, in particular on an outer side of the receiving unit. For example, in the event of a faulty, i.e. incomplete coupling of the water tank by the microswitch to a control of the steam cooking appliance, a signal could be output via the faulty coupling so that in turn a corresponding message could be output to a user.
For better adaptation to the water tank, it may be preferred that the receiving unit has an essentially elongated, preferably cylindrical, more preferably circular-cylindrical design. It is understood by the average person skilled in the art that in the case of a receiving unit formed by an upper and lower housing shell, both housing shells can each have the shape of a corresponding semi-cylinder, for example. Moreover, it goes without saying that the elongated, preferably cylindrical or circular-cylindrical construction does not have to extend over the entire length of the receiving unit, but rather only a certain or predetermined section has this shape. In particular, the length of this section corresponds to 50%, preferably 60% and more preferably 70% of the total length in the direction of extension of the receiving unit.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit comprises an adapter part having a first connection means for the fluidic coupling, in particular by latching, of the water tank in an operating position on the one hand and a second connection means for coupling to the evaporator unit on the other hand. This enables simple and secure coupling between the water tank and the evaporator unit as well as of the water tank in the receiving unit. The first connection means can in particular be formed by means of a latching spring or a latching element, in that a latching section or latching projection formed on the main body of the water tank is latched in the completely inserted state of the water tank. The second connection means can in particular be a docking connection or connecting piece, to which, for example, a hose or a line of a water supply unit is attached for coupling to the evaporator unit. The adapter part can be fixed to the receiving unit by means of a securing spring attached to the receiving unit.
According to yet another embodiment, the adapter part comprises a securing part with the first connecting means and a connecting part with the second connecting means, wherein the connecting part and the securing part can be formed by two separate components. As a result of this two-part design, it is possible, for example, to provide the arrangement of additional components, such as, for example, a seal/rubber seal which is arranged between the securing part and the connecting part and can be replaced. The securing part can, for example, on a first end section, have the first connecting means in the form of latching lugs/latching hooks or the like and, at the second end section which lies opposite the first end section, have a coupling element for coupling/connecting to the connecting part in the form of latching projections, latching lugs or the like. The connecting part, which is designed to couple the water tank to the evaporator unit via a water supply unit, can have, on a first end section, the second connection element in the form of a docking connection or the like and, at the second end section which lies opposite the first end section, likewise a coupling element which can be brought into engagement with the coupling element of the securing part or can be latched thereto, in the form of latching projections or the like.
The adapter part is preferably mounted so as to be displaceable essentially in an actuating direction of the water tank in a bearing section formed in the receiving unit, as a result of which, for example, a mechanism for inserting and removing the water tank can be realized. The insertion and removal can be provided both manually and in the form of an electric motor. In the case of the electric motor, for example, a button could then be provided in the control panel in order to start the insertion and/or removal of the water tank. The actuating direction of the water tank corresponds to the direction in which the water tank can be inserted into and removed from the receiving unit.
It is particularly preferred if the adapter part has a slotted guide and spring force is applied essentially in the actuating direction by a spring, wherein a sliding block, which is guided in a retaining clip, engages in the slotted guide. As a result, a unit/arrangement for insertion and/or removal of the water tank can be realized in a simple manner. It is understood by the average person skilled in the art that the slotted guide can also be formed in the securing part or the connecting part. In particular, a so-called cardioid is provided as a slotted guide. The provision of a spring/compression spring which acts on the adapter part with a spring force has the advantage that the unit/arrangement and thus the water tank can be brought into firmly defined positions and no intermediate positions can arise. According to a development, the spring can be supported on a securing spring or a securing bracket which is arranged on the receiving unit, preferably on the lower housing shell. The sliding block is preferably guided in a longitudinal slot of the retaining clip, which is preferably arranged on the lower housing shell. The longitudinal slot runs essentially perpendicular to a main extension direction of the water tank or to the aforementioned actuating direction thereof.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the water tank can be removed from the steam cooking appliance by means of a push-push unit. However, any other principle suitable for inserting and removing the water tank may also alternatively be used for this purpose as well. For example, it is also possible to provide an unlocking mechanism which is actuated, for example, by an unlocking button mounted on the control panel. In this case, actuation of the button would lead to an at least partial ejection of the water tank. The locking in the receiving unit could then be realized, for example, by inserting and locking the same by the user.
When using a push-push unit, there can be three essential states without restriction. First, a retracted state corresponding to an operating state of the water tank in which the water tank is fully docked so that water can be discharged from the water tank in the direction of the evaporator unit. In this state, the front side of the water tank is substantially flush with the front surface of the control panel. A second state may correspond to a depressed state after actuation of the push-push unit. In this case, the front side of the water tank is pressed until the water tank reaches an end position on the basis of the sliding block guided in the slotted guide. In this depressed state, the front is set back with respect to the front surface. The offset to the rear, that is to say, in the direction of insertion of the water tank, can, for example, be approximately 3 mm. A third state may correspond to an extended state of the water tank. The extended state is reached after removal of the force generated by the pressing onto the front side of the water tank until the water tank reaches a further end position on account of the sliding block engaging in the slotted guide. In this extended state, the front side of the water tank projects in the direction of a user with respect to the front surface of the control panel. The corresponding offset to the front can be approximately 18 mm, so that there is a sufficiently large area for grasping and removing the water tank.
The steam cooking appliance according to the invention has a simple water supply unit with a water tank which is easy to fill and is thus less susceptible to malfunction than the appliances known from the prior art. Furthermore, the specific embodiment of the completely removable water tank simplifies the filling process as the water tank can be filled with the aid of a normal water tap. After a filling process, the water tank can be closed by the closure element and introduced into the receiving unit provided on the steam cooking appliance. It is also conceivable here that an anti-rotation safeguard is provided on the water tank and/or the receiving unit.
Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the invention.
The above and other features of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, which are illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and which are merely for illustration purposes hereinafter, and thus are not intended to be limiting of the present invention. The drawing shows:
It should be noted that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and represent a somewhat simplified illustration of various preferred features which serve to illustrate the principles of the invention. The specific structural features of the present invention, as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, installation locations and shapes, are partially determined by the dedicated application and the working environment.
In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The steam cooking appliance has a control panel 4 which is mounted on a panel support 2 and is arranged above the door 6. In a right-hand region of the control panel 4, a water tank 20 can be introduced into a receiving unit 60 for coupling to the evaporator unit. The water tank 20 has a main body 22 which is closed at the front side VS by a closure element 30 in the state shown. The main body 22 has an elongated circular-cylindrical shape. An outlet opening 29 is formed on an end section of the main body 22 facing the steam cooking appliance. In the actuating direction BR, the water tank 20 can be inserted into and removed from the receiving unit 60 in a non-destructive and reversible manner in order to achieve an operating position. The liquid medium provided for evaporation in the form of water is stored in the water tank 20.
The receiving unit 60 is formed from an upper housing part 62 and a lower housing part 64. In the assembled state, in which the upper housing part 62 and the lower housing part 64 are fastened to one another, the receiving unit 60 has, on a rear end region with respect to the panel support 2, a bearing section (66 in
A plurality of markings M, with which the quantity of water can be read off during the filling of the water tank 20, is located on the main body 22. At an end section opposite the closure element 30, an outlet opening 29, in which the valve unit 50 is arranged, is formed on the main body 22 of the water tank 20. The valve unit 50 is designed as an exhaust valve.
As can be seen from
In the assembled state, a compression spring 76 supported on a securing spring 68 is provided in order to apply a spring force to the adapter part 70 in the direction of the water tank 20. A slotted guide in the form of a cardioid, in which a sliding block 82 can be brought into engagement, is formed on a section of the connecting part 79. The sliding block 82 is guided in a retaining clip 80.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2017 214 928.0 | Aug 2017 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/070109 | 7/25/2018 | WO | 00 |
