Cooking device and method for cleaning a cooking chamber of a cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances face inefficiencies in cleaning agent usage due to residual cleaning agents remaining in supply lines, leading to reduced effectiveness and potential chemical reactions when different cleaning agents mix.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a cleaning device featuring two pumps and a return pump system that empties the supply line into the cooking chamber, allowing for the reuse of cleaning agents and preventing mixing, thereby enhancing cleaning efficiency and avoiding chemical reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning agents are supplied through feed lines to the cooking chamber, then the cooking chamber can be cleaned effectively, but residual cleaning agent remains in the feed lines reducing effectiveness and causing mixing issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning agent efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the residual cleaning agent from the feed line by introducing a return line that branches off the feed line and directs the remaining cleaning agent back into the cooking chamber, preventing waste and mixing with subsequent cleaning agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the cleaning agent delivery system into a feed line for supplying cleaning agent and a return line for removing residuals, allowing independent control and prevention of mixing between different cleaning agents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If a water flush is used to empty the detergent line, then cleaning agent residue is removed, but connection to drinking water connection is required which is complex and regulated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent residue removalVSAvoidwater connection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the cooking chamber as an intermediary receptacle to receive and contain the residual cleaning agent from the feed line, eliminating the need for external water connections while achieving the same flushing effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The return line serves multiple functions: it acts as a flushing mechanism for the feed line, a containment system for residual cleaning agent, and maintains system simplicity without requiring additional water connections

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 system effectively removes residual cleaning agents from the supply lines, allowing for efficient use of both cleaning agents and preventing unwanted chemical interactions, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintaining agent effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a return pump (15) is provided, which is arranged in a return line (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3531025B1Cooking device and method for cleaning a cooking chamber of a cooking device
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 WELBILT DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3531025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531025B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a cooking appliance (1), in particular a commercial cooking appliance, with a cooking chamber (2) arranged in an appliance housing (3); and with a cooking chamber cleaning device (4) comprising the following components: at least one pump (5 or 6), each connected via a pump inlet (7 or 8) to a cleaning container (9 or 10) and via a pump outlet (11 or 12) to a supply line (13), and a cleaning agent distribution device (14) arranged in the cooking chamber (2) and connected via a supply line (13), wherein a return pump (15) is arranged in a return line (16) branching off from the supply line (13) and opening into the cooking chamber (2).