Cooking device with a steam generation function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances with steam generating functions lack user-friendly settings for air humidity control, often requiring complex configurations and safety precautions for pressure management.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a steam generating function that uses a psychrometric relationship to determine the required water temperature for setting relative humidity in the cooking space, allowing for precise control of air humidity through a heatable water reservoir and heating elements, without the need for pressure build-up or reduction, and featuring a design that protects components from contamination and mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex pressure management systems are used to control steam generation, then steam pressure control is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure management function from the steam generation control system. Instead of using complex pressure sensors and pressure control mechanisms, the invention controls steam generation indirectly by heating water in a reservoir to a specific temperature (e.g., 100°C at atmospheric pressure), which naturally produces the desired steam pressure without requiring direct pressure measurement or control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water temperature as an intermediary parameter between the heating element and steam pressure control. By controlling the water temperature in the reservoir, the system indirectly controls the steam generation rate and pressure, simplifying the control system while maintaining precision.
2Productivity
If water reservoir is placed inside cooking space, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a screen or mesh barrier to separate the water reservoir from the cooking space. This thin film structure allows heat to pass through efficiently for steam generation while preventing direct contact between the water and food, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining steam generation efficiency.
3Device complexity
If atmospheric pressure operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but steam pressure control range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from steam pressure to water temperature. By controlling water temperature, the system can achieve different steam generation rates suitable for various cooking applications (steaming, boiling, simmering) without requiring pressure control mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while providing adequate versatility for different cooking needs.
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 easy and precise control of relative humidity and air temperature within a wide range, from 0% to 100% and 30°C to 300°C, respectively, without the need for pressure management, ensuring efficient steam generation and food preparation while protecting the appliance from contamination and mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heating element for heating the cooking space
Implementation Method 2
a water temperature sensor for determining a water temperature of water located in the water reservoir
Implementation Method 3
at least one air temperature sensor for determining an air temperature of air in the cooking space
Implementation Method 4
to determine a water temperature required to achieve a predetermined relative humidity of the air in the cooking space from a psychrometric relationship using the air temperature
Implementation Method 5
to set the water temperature to the calculated required water temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The device (1) has a heating element (3a) for heating a cooking chamber (2). An air temperature sensor (4) determines air temperature (TI) in the cooking chamber. A water temperature sensor (8) determines water temperature (Tw) in a water reservoir (6). The water temperature is set to a calculated required water temperature. The water reservoir is designed as an evaporator shell that is formed in a bottom (5) of the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber is operated with a steam generation function under atmospheric pressure.