Cooking Appliance Multi-Zone Heating for Variable Power Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances with fixed cooking chambers struggle to provide varying power densities for different food items, such as pizzas and steaks, which require distinct temperature and radiation density levels, often resulting in inefficient cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with multiple heating zones, including a first heating zone for lower power density and a second heating zone capable of producing at least twice the power density, allowing for adjustable power output through electronic control, and featuring a radiant heating device with a heating band for efficient thermal radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heating device is used in the cooking appliance, then the device complexity is reduced and the design is simplified, but the adaptability to cook different food items with varying power density requirements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is segmented into multiple independent heating zones (first heating zone with first power density, second heating zone with second power density). Each zone can be independently controlled to provide appropriate heating for different food items, thereby improving adaptability without requiring a completely separate heating device for each food type.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cooking appliance are assigned different heating characteristics - the first heating zone provides lower power density suitable for large surface area foods, while the second heating zone provides higher power density for small surface area foods. This local differentiation of heating quality enables versatile cooking capabilities within a single unified device structure.
2Productivity
If multiple heating zones with different power densities are implemented, then the cooking efficiency and speed are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the power output of each heating zone can be adjusted based on the cooking requirements. The control unit dynamically selects and activates appropriate heating zones and power levels, enabling fast cooking when needed while maintaining simpler operational modes for other situations, thus balancing productivity improvement with manageable device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the cooking appliance is designed with fixed dimensions for kitchen integration, then the ease of installation and space utilization are improved, but the flexibility to accommodate different cooking vessel sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical layering with multiple heating zones at different heights and depths within the cooking chamber. This three-dimensional arrangement of heating elements allows the appliance to accommodate cooking vessels of various sizes and shapes while maintaining a compact fixed external dimension suitable for kitchen integration. The multi-level heating structure provides flexible access to different cooking zones.
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 even and efficient heating of diverse food items by adjusting power density and radiation, accelerating cooking processes while maintaining a compact and space-saving design.
Implementation Method 1
a radiant heating device (15) with a heating band (16) for efficient thermal radiation
Implementation Method 2
a first heating device (15), which is designed to heat at least the cooking chamber (31)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance system comprising a cooking appliance (1) with an inner housing (12) for receiving at least one cooking chamber (31) and with at least one first heating device (15) configured to heat at least the cooking chamber (31). The cooking appliance system is characterized in that the first heating device (15) has a first heating zone (15a) configured to heat the cooking chamber (31) with a first power density, and the first heating device (15) has a second heating zone (15b) configured to heat the cooking chamber (31) with the first power density or with a second power density, wherein the second power density is greater than, preferably at least 1.5 times greater than, and particularly preferably at least twice as great as, the first power density.