Apparatus for automatic and fast cooking of food
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking technologies for pasta and other foods are inefficient in terms of speed and energy usage, particularly when cooking long pasta shapes like spaghetti, and do not provide a fully automated and hygienic solution for fast cooking.
Innovation Solution
A vertical pressure cooker with a solenoid having variable pitch coils, operating at frequencies between 20 and 50 KHz, and a temperature measurement system, which allows for rapid heating and precise temperature control, along with a pressure release valve and a backsplash for efficient pressure management, enabling quick cooking of pasta and other foods without direct human contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional heating methods are used, then energy consumption is high and cooking time is long, but the structure is simple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical heating systems with a solenoid-based electromagnetic heating system. The solenoid generates a magnetic field that directly induces eddy currents in the conductive cooker, converting electrical energy directly into thermal energy without mechanical intermediaries. This substitution enables rapid heating and precise temperature control, achieving quarter-of-traditional cooking times while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs variable pitch coils in the solenoid structure, where the spacing between coils varies along the length of the cooker. This geometric parameter variation creates non-uniform magnetic field distribution, allowing different sections of the cooker to receive optimized heating intensity. Combined with high-frequency electrical operation (20-50 KHz), this parameter change enables efficient and uniform heat distribution throughout the cooking medium.
2Extent of automation
If automated cooking systems are implemented, then hygiene is improved and human contact is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single automated system: the solenoid serves both as a heating element and a control mechanism, the pressure cooker provides both cooking and pressure regulation functions, and the integrated temperature measurement and pressure release systems work together to automate the entire cooking process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, managing device complexity while maximizing automation and hygiene.
3Loss of time
If high-frequency solenoid heating is used, then cooking speed increases and energy efficiency improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid is divided into multiple coils with variable pitch along its length, with each coil segment targeting specific regions of the cooker. This segmentation allows localized heating control and optimizes energy distribution, enabling rapid cooking (reducing time to 1/4 of traditional methods) while managing the complexity through modular coil design rather than a monolithic structure.
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
The solution significantly reduces cooking time for pasta, achieving a quarter of the traditional cooking time, while using less energy and water, and ensures hygiene by automating the cooking process and minimizing direct human contact with cooked food.
Implementation Method 1
The solenoid is powered at a frequency between 20 and 50 KHz, preferably 25 KHz
Implementation Method 2
The solenoid is made of coils with variable pitch increasing from bottom to top
Implementation Method 3
said pressure cooker comprises: a lid having a closing system; a pressure release valve; a temperature measurement system; where said cooker operates at a temperature higher than 140°C
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
Apparatus for automatic and fast cooking of food comprising: a base structure (12) in the form of a vessel open at the top housing a vertical pressure cooker (10); said apparatus comprises a solenoid (13) positioned close to said cooker; said solenoid is positioned below the cooker and beside the cooker covering a height ranging from 50% to 70% of the total height of the cooker starting from the bottom; said solenoid is made of coils with variable pitch widening from bottom to top; said pressure cooker (10) comprises: a lid (15) having a closing system; a pressure release valve (30); a temperature measurement system (70-76); where said cooker operates at a temperature higher than 140°C.