Built-in cooking appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Built-in cooking appliances with fixed cooking chambers lack user visibility and safety during operation, particularly in designs where high temperatures are involved, and they do not allow for easy monitoring or control of the cooking process without compromising visual appeal or safety.

Innovation Solution

A built-in cooking appliance with two closure elements, where the first closure element has a transparent window for user visibility and control during cooking, and the second, opaque closure element covers the first during non-operation to enhance visual appeal and safety, with independent movement to allow access and visibility as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a transparent window is provided in the closure element for user visibility, then user monitoring capability is improved, but safety is worsened due to risk of burns from high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is divided into two distinct parts: a first closure element with a transparent window for monitoring, and a second closure element without a window for safety. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - visibility and safety - simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between monitoring capability and burn risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an opaque closure element is used to protect against burns, then safety is improved, but user monitoring capability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is segmented into two elements: the first closure element provides transparent monitoring capability, while the second closure element provides opaque safety protection. This segmentation enables both safety and monitoring functions to coexist without compromising either.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first closure element with the transparent window acts as an intermediary between the user and the high-temperature cooking environment. It allows visual monitoring while maintaining physical separation and safety, mediating between the need for information and the need for protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If a single closure element with transparent window is used, then user monitoring is improved, but visual appeal during non-operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser monitoring capabilityVSAvoidvisual appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is designed to be dynamic, allowing the second closure element to be positioned in different states (open/closed, retracted/extended). During operation, the second element can be opened or retracted to reveal the transparent first element for monitoring. During non-operation, the second element can be closed to provide a uniform, aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If two closure elements are provided for safety and visibility, then safety and monitoring are improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two closure elements are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit in certain aspects while maintaining functional independence. The first and second closure elements are positioned one behind the other and can be moved together, simplifying the overall structure while still providing the benefits of dual elements for safety and monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4053459A1Built-in cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4053459A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4053459A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4053459A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a built-in oven (1) with an inner housing (12) for receiving at least one cooking chamber, with at least one heating device (14, 22) configured to heat at least the cooking chamber, and with at least one first closing element (23) configured to close a through-opening (13) of the inner housing (12), wherein the first closing element (23) has at least one transparent window (24). The built-in oven (1) is characterized by at least one second closing element (3) configured to cover the first closing element (23) from the environment at least substantially, preferably completely, and to release it at least substantially, preferably completely, wherein the second closing element (3) is movable independently of the first closing element (23).