Bowl Container Layout for Combined Induction Heating and Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food mixers lack a satisfactory solution for combining induction heating and refrigeration functionalities, and they often fail to provide an effective support element for a receptacle with a heat exchanger to refrigerate food ingredients.

Innovation Solution

A food processing appliance with a bowl container that incorporates an inductive heating element, a thermally conductive portion, a heat-exchanger element, and an electromagnetic transparent portion, allowing for both heating and refrigeration of food ingredients, along with a temperature sensor for precise temperature control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a support element for a receptacle is designed to comprise a heat exchanger for refrigerating food ingredients, then refrigeration functionality is improved, but the ability to provide induction heating functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration capabilityVSAvoidheating and refrigeration combination
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into distinct functional portions: an electromagnetic transparent portion for induction heating and a thermally conductive portion with heat exchanger for refrigeration. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between heating and refrigeration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the support element are assigned different material properties: the electromagnetic transparent portion allows electromagnetic field penetration for heating, while the thermally conductive portion efficiently transfers heat for refrigeration. This local differentiation of material properties enables both heating and refrigeration functionalities to coexist in the same support element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If an inductive heating element is placed beneath the support element, then heating functionality is improved, but the effectiveness of electromagnetic field interaction with the receptacle deteriorates due to interference from the support element material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic field interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic transparent portion acts as an intermediary between the inductive heating element and the receptacle. It allows the electromagnetic field to pass through effectively while still providing structural support, thus maintaining reliable electromagnetic field interaction while enabling heating functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a heat exchanger element is coupled with the support element for refrigeration, then refrigeration functionality is improved, but the structural integrity and thermal management of the support element deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration capabilityVSAvoidsupport element integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support element combines different materials with complementary properties: an electromagnetic transparent material that allows field penetration, a thermally conductive material for heat exchange, and structurally sound materials for integrity. This composite construction maintains structural integrity while enabling both heating and refrigeration functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 simultaneous heating and refrigeration of food ingredients during processing, ensuring accurate temperature control and effective interaction between the food processing tool and the ingredients.

Implementation Method 1

The bowl container comprises an inductive heating element for heating the foods and/or food ingredients contained in the bowl

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

a heat-exchanger element coupled with the thermally conductive portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

a thermally conductive portion adapted to come in contact with bowl

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

an electromagnetic transparent portion. The inductive heating element is provided beneath said bottom electromagnetic transparent portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transparency: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3087884B1Food processing appliance
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 ELECTROLUX PROFESSIONAL SPA
  • EP3087884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087884B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3087884B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A food processing appliance (100) for processing foods and/or food ingredients is proposed. The food processing appliance comprises a body (105) having a component portion (105COMP) adapted to house at least part of the components that allow operating and controlling the food processing appliance (100), an arm portion (105ARM) comprising an actuating element (135) adapted to actuate a food processing tool, and a bowl container (110; 110') adapted to contain part of a bowl (115) for receiving the foods and/or food ingredients to be processed, the bowl container (110, 110') comprising an inductive heating element (235; 235') for heating the foods and/or food ingredients contained in the bowl (115). The bowl container (110; 110) further comprises: a thermally conductive portion (220; 220') adapted to come in contact with bowl (115); a heat-exchanger element (225; 225) coupled with the thermally conductive portion (220; 220'), and an electromagnetic transparent portion, (230; 230'). The inductive heating element (235; 235') is provided beneath said bottom electromagnetic transparent portion (230; 230').