Device for heating food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices, such as ovens and steamers, face challenges in efficiently managing air flow to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, leading to potential overheating and humidity issues, as well as difficulties in exhaust air management and odor control.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a flow control system with fresh air inlet and exhaust air outlet openings strategically arranged on the pressure side of a fan, allowing for enhanced air flow management, including independent control of air supply and exhaust, and the use of a filter device to minimize odor nuisance, with features like controllable flaps, a Venturi effect, and a design that reduces turbulence and condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If exhaust air outlet opening is arranged upstream of the fan, then exhaust air discharge from cooking chamber is facilitated, but maximum temperature and humidity are exceeded in the flow control system area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the exhaust air outlet opening downstream of the fan on the pressure side, rather than upstream on the suction side. This reversal allows the fan-generated overpressure to actively push exhaust air out through the opening, preventing temperature and humidity buildup in the flow control system while maintaining effective exhaust discharge.
2Productivity
If fresh air inlet opening is arranged downstream of the fan, then fresh air supply is supported by built-up overpressure, but area upstream of fan becomes contaminated with exhaust air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air flow paths by providing separate openings: a fresh air inlet opening upstream of the fan that draws in clean ambient air, and an exhaust air outlet opening downstream of the fan that expels cooked air. This segmentation prevents mixing of fresh and exhaust air streams while allowing the fan's overpressure to efficiently drive both flows in their respective directions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If exhaust air outlet opening is arranged downstream of the fan, then exhaust air is supported by Venturi effect, but fresh air and exhaust air paths must be carefully separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the complexity of separating air paths by utilizing spatial dimensionality - positioning the fresh air inlet opening and exhaust air outlet opening at different locations in the receiving space (e.g., different walls or heights). This spatial separation in multiple dimensions allows independent control of fresh air intake and exhaust air discharge paths while leveraging the fan's overpressure and Venturi effect for efficient operation.
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
This solution ensures efficient air flow management, maintaining optimal temperature and humidity, reducing susceptibility to dirt, facilitating easier cleaning, and effectively controlling odor and condensation, thereby enhancing the cooking process and kitchen environment.
Implementation Method 1
the fresh air inlet into the cooking appliance, in particular into the cooking chamber, can be supported by the built-up overpressure
Implementation Method 2
the exhaust air outlet from the cooking appliance can be supported by the Venturi effect
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for heating food, comprising a housing (3) which surrounds a receiving chamber (4) for receiving the food to be heated, a heating device (21) for transferring heat energy to the food, a controllable ventilation device with at least one fan (12) for generating a volume flow (V°), a flow guidance system (18) arranged outside the receiving chamber (4) in the housing (3) for guiding an airflow with fresh air (11) drawn into the housing (2) and/or an airflow with exhaust air (27) flowing out of the receiving chamber (4), wherein the receiving chamber (4) has a fresh air inlet opening (22) and an exhaust air outlet opening (23), wherein the fresh air inlet opening (22) and/or the exhaust air outlet opening (23) are arranged in the flow guidance system (18) downstream of the fan (12).