Adjustable Oven Cavity Partition for Multi-Temperature Cooking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking appliances with fixed cooking spaces are inefficient for cooking items of varying sizes and temperatures, as they cannot adjust space sizes or temperature settings accordingly.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a movable separating plate and multiple heating sources that allows for adjustable cooking space sizes and temperature control, using a separating-plate moving mechanism and input controls to accommodate different item sizes and temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed-size cooking spaces are used, then the appliance structure is simple, but cooking efficiency decreases for items of varying sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking efficiencyVSAvoidappliance structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating plate is made movable rather than fixed, allowing the cooking spaces to dynamically adjust their sizes according to the items being cooked. The plate can be positioned at different heights to create optimal cooking volumes for different food items, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to varying cooking needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking cavity is divided into multiple independent cooking spaces by the separating plate, which can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows different items to be cooked simultaneously in separate spaces with different size configurations, improving overall cooking efficiency without requiring a completely new appliance design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed cooking spaces are used, then the appliance is easy to operate, but adaptability to different cooking requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to item sizes and temperaturesVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic adaptability through the movable separating plate that can be adjusted to different positions, and multiple heating sources that can be independently controlled. This allows the appliance to adapt to various cooking requirements for different item sizes and temperature needs while maintaining relatively simple operation through automated or semi-automated control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple heating sources with different temperatures are used, then cooking versatility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control for different itemsVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating sources, each capable of operating at different temperature levels. This segmentation allows different cooking spaces to be heated to different temperatures simultaneously, providing versatility for cooking different types of food with different temperature requirements without requiring a completely complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables convenient cooking of items of various sizes by adjusting cooking space sizes and temperatures, enhancing cooking efficiency and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in one of the cooking spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

an upper heater disposed on top of the cavity for heating the item supplied to the upper side of the separating plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a second heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in another of the cooking spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

a lower heater disposed on the bottom of the cavity for heating the item supplied to the lower side of the separating plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 5

a third heating source disposed behind the cavity for heating the plurality of cooking spaces altogether

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 6

a third heating source disposed behind the cavity for heating the plurality of cooking spaces altogether

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9097429B2Cooking appliance and an operating method for the same

Publication Date: 2015.08.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A cooking appliance including: a cavity having a cooking space; a separating plate which forms a plurality of compartments from the cooking space of the cavity, and is provided so as to move inside the cavity in such a way as to be able to vary the sizes of the compartmentalized cooking spaces; a first heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in one of the cooking spaces; a second heating source positioned so as to cook an item to be cooked provided in another of the cooking spaces; and a separating-plate moving mechanism for moving the separating plate vertically.