Combination oven with peak power control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-end commercial ovens face challenges in accurately detecting steam presence during high peak power cooking, leading to potential food drying or browning issues due to inadequate steam sensing.
Innovation Solution
A combination oven design with two power settings and a dual-temperature sensing system, where a second temperature sensor near the oven outlet adjusts steam detection thresholds based on power levels, ensuring accurate steam detection and control, even in turbo mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high peak power is used for fast cooking, then cooking speed is improved, but steam detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the steam detection threshold power-dependent. The controller dynamically adjusts the threshold based on the current power level of the heating element. When high peak power is detected, a higher temperature threshold is used; when low power is detected, a lower threshold is applied. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing accurate steam detection across varying power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter (temperature threshold) based on the power level parameter. By establishing a relationship between power level and detection threshold, the system can accurately detect steam presence regardless of whether the oven is operating at high or low power. This parameter change approach allows the detection system to adapt to different operating conditions.
2Device complexity
If fixed temperature threshold is used for steam detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection accuracy under varying power conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed threshold, the system changes the detection threshold parameter based on the measured power level. The controller monitors the power signal and automatically selects the appropriate threshold from multiple predefined values. This approach maintains relatively simple device architecture while significantly improving detection accuracy across different power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the power level and using this information to adjust the detection threshold. The controller receives feedback about the current operating power and automatically adapts the threshold accordingly. This closed-loop approach improves detection accuracy without requiring complex manual intervention.
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 precise steam cooking by accurately detecting steam presence across varying power levels, preventing premature drying or browning and allowing smooth operation with high peak power.
Implementation Method 1
A first temperature sensor samples a temperature of the cooking cavity to provide a temperature signal
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor located near an outlet from the interior cooking cavity produces a second temperature signal
Implementation Method 3
A cooking cavity heater communicates with the cooking cavity to heat the cooking cavity, the cooking cavity heater providing at least two power settings according to a power signal
Implementation Method 4
A steam generator produces steam within the cooking cavity according to a steam production signal
Data Source
AI summary
A commercial oven, such as a combination oven providing steam and convection heating, may provide for two different peak power modes and for steam cooking. A temperature sensor sampling temperature from a region of the oven may be used to detect a complete filling of the oven with steam. The temperature of the temperature sensor is compared against different temperature thresholds depending on the selected peak power so that temperature may be used to discriminate steam filling for different peak power levels.