Combination cooking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooking appliances lack efficiency in reducing cooking time and improving cooking results, as they rely solely on steam or combination heating methods without optimal control over steam saturation and energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a steam generator and a microwave generator, controlled by sensors measuring steam parameters, allowing for direct measurement of steam saturation and adaptive microwave power adjustment to enhance cooking efficiency and prevent overcooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam cooking is used alone, then food quality is maintained, but cooking time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines steam cooking and microwave heating in a single cooking appliance, allowing both methods to work together. The steam generator and microwave generator are integrated into the same cooking chamber, enabling simultaneous operation to achieve both quality preservation and time reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of microwave power based on real-time steam saturation measurement. The controller adjusts microwave generator power levels according to the measured steam saturation parameter, optimizing the combination cooking process to maintain food quality while reducing cooking time
2Loss of time
If microwave power is increased to reduce cooking time, then cooking time is reduced, but food may dry out or overcook
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback control system where a sensor measures steam saturation in real-time, and the controller adjusts microwave generator power based on this measurement. This closed-loop control prevents overcooking and drying by dynamically adapting microwave power to the actual cooking conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the microwave generator based on measured steam saturation levels. The controller adjusts power levels, pulse durations, and heating cycles according to the steam environment, optimizing cooking results while preventing food damage
3Productivity
If steam saturation is not monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but cooking efficiency cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sensor to measure steam saturation and a controller to process this information. This feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of the combination cooking process, improving cooking efficiency through adaptive control of the microwave generator based on actual steam conditions
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 appliance reduces cooking time and improves food quality by optimizing steam and microwave energy absorption, preventing drying out, and reducing residual moisture through precise control of steam and microwave functions.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator for supplying steam to the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a microwave generator for heating the food to be cooked in the cooking chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The cooking appliance contains a cooking chamber (1,3) for receiving the to-be-cooked item, a steam generator (2,4) for supplying steam into the cooking chamber and a microwave generator (31) for heating oven containing to-be-cooked item. The steam is escaped from the cooking chamber by forming openings (11,14) in cooking chamber. The temperature of opening is measured by temperature sensor (18) from the cooking chamber vapor. The microwave generator is controlled by controller (24) depending on the measured value. An independent claim is included for method for operating cooking appliance.