Automatic Frozen Meal Cooking Device Using Dual-Mode Heating and Steam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic cooking devices require user preparation of ingredients and seasonings, leading to inconvenience and long cooking times, while steaming tools are large and complex.
Innovation Solution
An automatic food cooking device with a device body, boiler, heaters, and a cooking module that uses high-temperature cooking liquid and steam to cook instant frozen meals, controlled by a processor that adjusts cooking parameters based on meal identifiers and temperature sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users prepare ingredients and seasonings independently in existing automatic cooking devices, then the device can cook food, but the preparation process becomes inconvenient and cooking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooking and freezing ingredients into ready-to-use meal packs before use. Users simply need to place the pre-prepared instant frozen meal into the cooking device, eliminating the need for independent ingredient preparation and significantly reducing both preparation time and cooking time while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the automated cooking process where the device automatically heats, steams, and cooks the instant frozen meal without requiring user intervention for ingredient preparation or cooking monitoring. The system manages the entire cooking process autonomously after the meal pack is inserted
2Extent of automation
If a steaming tool is used to automatically heat instant frozen meals, then heating is automated, but the device becomes large and structurally complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cooking functions (heating, steaming, and cooking) into a single integrated cooking chamber and control system. Instead of separate steaming tools and heating devices, the system combines all functions in one compact unit that automatically manages the cooking process, reducing structural complexity while maintaining full automation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a cooking device that can handle multiple cooking tasks (heating, steaming, cooking various meal types) through a single multi-functional system. The cooking chamber and control mechanism serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools and reducing overall device complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If hot water or water bath method is used to heat instant frozen meals, then the heating process is simple, but the method presents many inconveniences for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual water bath heating method with an automated electrical heating system. Instead of requiring users to manually prepare hot water and submerge meals, the device uses electric heating elements and controlled steam generation to automatically cook the meals, eliminating the inconveniences of the manual method while maintaining simplicity
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 device provides a compact, easy-to-use solution for quickly cooking instant frozen meals with precise temperature and steam control, ensuring safe and efficient cooking.
Implementation Method 1
the first heater is configured to store and heat the cooking liquid from the boiler, so as to generate a high-temperature cooking liquid
Implementation Method 2
the second heater is configured to store the cooking liquid from the boiler, and heat the cooking liquid to a steam state to generate a cooking steam
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic food cooking device for cooking an instant frozen meal is provided. The automatic food cooking device includes a device body, a boiler, a first heater, a second heater and a cooking module. The device body has a supporting platform for placing an instant frozen meal. The boiler stores and preheats a cooking liquid from a cooking liquid supply unit. The first heater stores the cooking liquid from the boiler, and heats the cooking liquid to a boiling state to generate a high-temperature cooking liquid. The second heater stores the cooking liquid from the boiler, and heats the cooking liquid to a steam state to generate a cooking steam. The cooking module inputs high-temperature cooking liquid and cooking steam into quick-cooking frozen food in a predetermined ratio.