Cooking Attachment With Independent Heating for Even Steam Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking attachments for heatable food processors rely on steam from the vessel for heating, which limits cooking speed and uniformity, and require steam formation before heating can begin, restricting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A cooking attachment with an independent heating device that can operate separately or in conjunction with steam, allowing for flexible positioning and temperature control, enabling faster and more even cooking, and allowing use as a standalone warming container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam heating is used in the cooking attachment, then the structure can be simple and energy consumption is low, but the cooking speed is slow and heating uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two independent parts: steam heating function and electric heating function. The electric heating element is added as a separate component that can operate independently or in conjunction with steam heating, allowing each heating mode to perform its optimal function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges steam heating and electric heating into a unified cooking attachment system. The electric heating element is integrated into the cooking attachment structure, combining the advantages of both steam heating (energy efficiency, simplicity) and electric heating (speed, uniformity, independence from steam generation).
2Loss of time
If steam heating is used, then energy consumption is low, but cooking can only begin after liquid in the vessel boils and steam forms
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heating element can be activated immediately when the cooking attachment is placed on the heatable vessel, before the liquid in the vessel reaches boiling point. This preliminary heating action eliminates the waiting time required for steam generation, allowing cooking to begin immediately while the vessel is heating the liquid.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cooking attachment relies on steam from the vessel, then it can be used as a warming container independently, but food away from the vessel heats slower and less evenly
Solution Approach 1:
The electric heating element is positioned to provide localized heating directly to food items, ensuring that even food away from the heatable vessel receives adequate heat. This creates different heating zones within the cooking attachment, with each area receiving appropriate heat distribution for uniform cooking.
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 independent heating device accelerates cooking, ensures even heating, and allows for standalone operation, preventing food from drying out by utilizing condensate for moisture, thus enhancing cooking efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
the heating device being designed in the manner of a resistance heater, with one heating element or several heating elements being able to be arranged in or on the wall of the cooking attachment
Implementation Method 2
Induction heaters with the appropriate periphery for generating eddy currents
Implementation Method 3
steam present in the cooking attachment condenses later due to the temperature increased by the heating device or first condenses on the colder food and not on the wall of the cooking attachment. This causes an immediate transfer of heat to the food.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking attachment (2) for a heatable vessel (3) of a food processor, which cooking attachment (2) has one or more base openings (4), through which steam exiting from the vessel (3) can enter into the cooking attachment (2) and condensate can flow out of the cooking attachment (2) into the vessel (3). In order for food which is contained in the cooking attachment (2) to be cooked more quickly and uniformly, and/or to be kept hot following preparation, irrespective of its position within the cooking attachment (2), it is proposed that the cooking attachment (2) should have a heating device (5) which provides heating irrespective of the steam exiting from the vessel (3).