Cooking device, in particular commercial cooking device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial cooking appliances face overheating issues due to the positioning of cameras in the cooking chamber door, requiring additional cooling devices and complicating food collection and hygiene monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The optoelectronic sensor is positioned outside the door seal in the cooking chamber door's receiving area, utilizing the existing door seal as thermal shielding and air flow for cooling, allowing for efficient monitoring of food both inside and outside the chamber without additional cooling devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned in the cooking chamber door to monitor food, then food monitoring capability is improved, but the camera overheats due to heat radiation from the cooking chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is extracted from the hot cooking chamber door environment and positioned in the cooler external environment. The door seal structure creates a thermal barrier that separates the camera from the high-temperature cooking chamber, allowing the camera to monitor food through the seal gap without being exposed to harmful heat radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The door seal acts as an intermediary element between the hot cooking chamber and the camera. It provides both thermal insulation to protect the camera from heat and an optical pathway (through the gap between inner and outer panes) that allows the camera to observe the cooking process without direct thermal exposure.
2Temperature
If cooling devices are added to prevent camera overheating, then camera temperature control is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door seal structure itself provides the cooling function by creating a thermal barrier and enabling heat dissipation through its gap structure. No separate cooling devices are needed because the seal's inherent design (with its inner and outer panes and gap) naturally prevents heat transfer to the camera while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The door seal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation, creates an optical pathway for the camera, and acts as a structural component of the door assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated cooling devices, reducing overall system complexity.
3Temperature
If cooling elements are attached to door panels, then camera cooling is improved, but food temperature monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is extracted from the door panel surface where it would interfere with temperature monitoring, and positioned in the external environment. This separation allows unobstructed access for temperature sensors and maintains clear visibility of the cooking chamber interior without the camera body blocking the view or interfering with thermal measurements.
4Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned inside the cooking chamber door, then food monitoring is improved, but additional cooling precautions and cable routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera is extracted from the cooking chamber door assembly and positioned externally. This eliminates the need for complex cable routing through door hinges and seals, as the camera can be connected to the control system through simpler external connections. The door seal gap provides the necessary optical access without requiring physical penetration or complex wiring arrangements.
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 solution prevents overheating, enables efficient food monitoring, improves process reliability, and simplifies hygiene compliance, while reducing construction costs and maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the existing door seal is used as thermal shielding for the optoelectronic sensor
Implementation Method 2
an airflow occurs between the inner and outer panes, which can serve as a cooling flow for the optoelectronic sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (1), in particular a commercial cooking appliance, comprising a housing (2), a cooking chamber (3) arranged in the housing (2), and a cooking chamber opening (4) surrounded by a circumferential door seal (5) arranged on the inside of the door and/or in a housing area adjacent to the cooking chamber opening (4), and which can be opened and closed by means of a cooking chamber door (6), wherein the cooking chamber door (6) has an inner pane (7) adjacent to the cooking chamber (3), which rests against the door seal (5) when the cooking chamber door (6) is closed, and an outer pane (8) spaced apart from the inner pane (7), which together with the inner pane (7) defines a cooking chamber door interior (9), and an optoelectronic sensor (10), wherein the optoelectronic sensor (10) projects into a receiving area (11) of the cooking chamber door interior (9) when the cooking chamber door (6) is closed, which is located outside the door seal (5) is arranged.