Movable Contact Baking Trays for Faster, Lower-Moisture Toasting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing toaster baking mechanisms have low heating efficiency due to indirect contact between the heating element and the bread, resulting in long baking times and moisture evaporation that affects the taste of the food.
Innovation Solution
A contact baking mechanism with movable baking trays driven by a combination of springs and a drive motor, allowing direct contact with the bread and adjustable clamping force, along with a Teflon or ceramic coating for easy cleaning and non-stick surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the heating wire is directly wound and fixed on the mica sheet for indirect non-contact baking, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the heating efficiency is low and baking time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the baking tray movable instead of fixed. The tray can move between a retracted position (for indirect heating) and a forward position (for direct contact heating). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to switch between different heating modes, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and baking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of contact distance between the heating element and bread. By adjusting the tray position, the contact distance varies from a gap (indirect heating) to direct contact (direct heating). This parameter change enables the system to achieve both simple structure and high baking efficiency at different operating states.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heating mechanism is fixed for indirect non-contact baking, then the structure is stable, but the heating efficiency is low and moisture evaporation is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed stable structure into a dynamic one where the baking tray can move. When direct contact heating is needed, the tray moves forward to reduce the gap, thereby reducing moisture loss and energy waste while maintaining structural stability through the guiding mechanisms and spring returns.
3Productivity
If the baking tray is made movable to enable direct contact heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle through the spring mechanism. The spring automatically pushes the baking tray back to its retracted position after heating, eliminating the need for complex motorized retraction systems. This self-returning mechanism reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve direct contact heating for improved efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring as an intermediary element between the baking tray and the frame. The spring provides the necessary force for tray movement and automatic return, simplifying the overall mechanism by replacing complex actuation systems with a simple elastic element that mediates the motion requirements.
4Reliability
If the heating time is extended to ensure thorough baking, then the baking is more complete, but the energy consumption increases and taste deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal transfer parameter by enabling direct contact between the heating element and the baking tray. This parameter change allows for faster and more efficient heat transfer, reducing the baking time required to achieve complete baking, thereby lowering energy consumption and preserving food taste.
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
This design significantly reduces baking time, conserves energy, minimizes water evaporation, and enhances the taste of the bread by achieving high heating efficiency through direct contact and adjustable clamping.
Implementation Method 1
the heating wire is electrified and heated through the circuit control
Implementation Method 2
the heating wire used in the heating mechanism is directly wound and fixed on the mica sheet
Implementation Method 3
a limit spring is provided on the guide post, the limit spring is provided above the mobile bracket, a return spring is provided above the mobile bracket
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A contact baking mechanism of a toaster, comprising a baking tray, a fixed bracket and a mobile mechanism, the baking tray is provided in the fixed bracket, the baking tray comprising a left baking tray (1) and a right baking tray (2), the mobile mechanism comprising a bread tray (7) and a mobile bracket (8), the bread tray (7) is provided between the left baking tray (1) and the right baking tray (2), the end of the bread tray (7) is clamped in the fixed bracket through a T-shaped groove (15), the mobile bracket (8) is provided outside the fixed bracket and fixedly connected with the bread tray (7), the left baking tray and the right baking tray are moved back and forth by the elastic mechanism when the bread tray moves up and down along the T-shaped groove. The movable baking tray for direct contact baking in the present invention, which has high heating efficiency and energy saving; the structure is simple to using the spring to drive the baking tray to clamp the bread slice; compared with the fixed indirect non-contact baking, the time required for baking the bread slice is greatly shortened, the energy is saved, the evaporation of water in the bread slice is reduced, and the taste of the edible bread slice is improved. 1. A contact baking mechanism of a toaster, comprising a baking tray, a fixed bracket and a mobile mechanism, the baking tray is provided in the fixed bracket, the baking tray comprising a left baking tray (1) and a right baking tray (2), the mobile 5 mechanism comprising a bread tray (7) and a mobile bracket (8), the bread tray (7) is provided between the left baking tray (1) and the right baking tray (2), the end of the bread tray (7) is clamped in the fixed bracket through a T-shaped groove (15), the mobile bracket (8) is provided outside the fixed bracket and fixedly connected with the bread tray (7), the left baking tray (1) and the right baking tray (2) are 10 moved back and forth by the elastic mechanism when the bread tray (7) moves up