Cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliance ventilation flaps are prone to sticking due to sooting, are structurally complex and expensive, and lack the ability to regulate airflow effectively for optimal cooking and odor reduction.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a heatable cooking space and a closure element that slides on an elevation for opening and closing the ventilation opening, featuring a ring-shaped elevation for smooth movement and airtight sealing, reducing the risk of jamming and noise, and incorporating an actuating device for controlled airflow regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ventilation flaps are used, then ventilation function is provided, but the flaps become sooty and stick together causing operational failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation operation reliabilityVSAvoidsooting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of the closure element sliding on a flat surface is extracted and replaced by sliding on an elevation, separating the sealing function from the guiding function to prevent sooting-related sticking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevation acts as an intermediary structure between the closure element and the flat surface, providing a controlled sliding path that prevents direct contact with sooty surfaces and eliminates sticking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional ventilation flaps are used, then ventilation is possible, but the structure becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventilation functionVSAvoidguide structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function and guiding function are merged into a single elevation structure, eliminating the need for separate complex guide mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevation serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the closure element movement, provides sealing contact, and prevents sticking, replacing multiple separate components with a single multi-functional element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional ventilation flaps are used, then ventilation opening can be closed, but tilting and jamming occur during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure element movementVSAvoidmovement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elevation serves as an intermediary guiding surface that constrains the closure element to move only in the intended direction, preventing tilting and jamming during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3428544B1Cooking device

Publication Date: 2022.01.12 MIELE & CO KG

Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cooking appliance (1) with a heated cooking chamber (11) and with a cooking chamber door (21) for closing a loading opening (31) of the cooking chamber (11) and with a ventilation opening (2) for ventilating the cooking chamber (11) and with a locking element (3) for automatically closing and/or opening the ventilation opening (2). A projection (5) is arranged on the locking element (3). The locking element (3) is slidably movable on the projection (5) for closing and/or opening the ventilation opening (2).