Cooking appliance apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking appliances with multiple heating elements lack flexibility and efficiency in power distribution, leading to suboptimal heating performance and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance device with a power distribution unit that converts total power into constant output powers for multiple heating elements, allowing for simultaneous operation and variable power settings, including induction and resistance heating elements, to achieve flexible and efficient heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple heating elements are operated simultaneously with rated power, then heating performance is improved, but power distribution flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating performanceVSAvoidpower distribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic power distribution system where the control unit continuously adjusts the power supplied to each heating element based on real-time cooking requirements. The power distribution unit enables variable power levels for each heating element independently, allowing the system to transition between different operating states (e.g., simultaneous high-power operation for rapid heating, or individual element operation for specific cooking zones), thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining high heating performance and providing power distribution flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If heating elements are operated in pulsed manner to reduce power, then energy consumption is reduced, but heating uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling independent power control for each heating element through the power distribution unit. Different heating elements can operate at different power levels simultaneously based on the specific heating requirements of different zones. This allows the system to maintain continuous operation for uniform heating while adjusting individual element power levels to optimize energy consumption, avoiding the need for pulsed operation that would compromise heating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If heating elements of different types are used, then heating versatility is improved, but power distribution complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating versatilityVSAvoidpower distribution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal power distribution unit that can accommodate multiple types of heating elements (e.g., resistive, induction, infrared) through a single integrated system. The control unit is designed to recognize and manage different heating element types, automatically adjusting power distribution parameters according to each element's characteristics. This multi-functional approach allows the system to support diverse heating technologies without proportionally increasing power distribution complexity, as the same core infrastructure serves multiple heating modalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides flexible and uniform heating, reduces energy consumption, and enhances operating convenience with multiple operating modes, while maintaining high efficiency and minimizing flicker.

Implementation Method 1

a power distribution unit (20a, 20b), which is provided in the operating state to convert a total power (22a, 22b) provided, in particular by an energy source (38a, 38b), into at least one, advantageously constant, first output power (24a, 24b) and at least one, advantageously constant, second output power (26a, 26b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower conversion:

Implementation Method 2

at least one first heating element (10a, 10b), in particular designed separately from the second heating element (12a, 12b), and with a control unit (16a, 16b), which is provided for heating a cooking chamber (18a, 18b) to operate the first heating element and the second heating element together and in particular simultaneously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

The second heating element (12a, 12b) is designed as a ring heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3560276B1Cooking appliance apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3560276B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3560276B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3560276B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention proceeds from a cooking appliance apparatus, in particular an oven apparatus, comprising at least one first heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; 10b, 12b, 4b), comprising at least one second heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; 10b, 12b, 14b) and comprising a control unit (16a) which is provided for jointly operating the first heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; 10b, 2b, 14b) and the second heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; 10b, 12b, 14b) for the purpose of heating a cooking chamber (18a) in at least one operating state. In order to increase flexibility, it is proposed that the cooking appliance apparatus comprises at least one power distributor unit (20a; 20b) which is provided for dividing a total power (22a; 22b) into at least one first output power (24a, 26a, 28a) and at least one second output power (24a, 1 26a, 28a) in the operating state and to provide the first output power (24a, 26a, 28a) to the first heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; 10b, 12b, 14b) and to provide the second output power (24a, 26a, 28a) to the second heating element (10a, 12a, 14a; b, 12b, 14b).