Device for cooking food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for cooking egg-based foods face challenges in precisely positioning the inner tube within the outer tube and ensuring uniform filling of the annular gap, leading to difficulties in handling and air inclusion during the cooking process.
Innovation Solution
A device with an elongated outer tube and inner tube, featuring a cup-shaped end piece with passage openings and a central guide opening, allows for central positioning and easy filling of the annular gap, while also incorporating a thermocouple and float for temperature and fill level monitoring, and a bayonet connection for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the inner tube is inserted into the outer tube without additional positioning means, then the device structure remains simple, but the inner tube cannot be precisely positioned centrally within the outer tube
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece acts as an intermediary component between the inner tube and outer tube. It features a central guide opening that receives the inner tube and multiple passage openings that align with the annular gap, enabling both precise central positioning and uniform filling without requiring complex mechanical positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The end piece is pre-assembled on the outer tube before the inner tube is inserted. The central guide opening is already positioned to ensure correct alignment, so when the inner tube is inserted through the guide opening, it is automatically positioned centrally without requiring additional adjustment or complex positioning mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If the annular gap is filled from the top, then filling is straightforward, but air inclusions occur in the cooked product
Solution Approach 1:
The end piece segments the filling process by providing multiple passage openings distributed around its circumference. These openings allow the mass to be cooked to enter the annular gap from multiple locations simultaneously, enabling homogeneous filling from the outside while air can escape through dedicated ventilation openings, preventing air inclusions in the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The end piece serves as an intermediary structure that mediates between the filling operation and the annular gap. Its multiple passage openings act as intermediate channels that distribute the mass uniformly around the annular gap while integrated ventilation openings provide escape paths for air, resolving the conflict between easy filling and air exclusion
3Stability of the object's composition
If the inner tube remains fixed within the outer tube, then structural integrity is maintained, but handling and positioning during use becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic assembly where the inner tube can be freely inserted and removed. The end piece with its central guide opening provides temporary guidance during insertion, ensuring the inner tube becomes centrally positioned within the outer tube, while allowing easy removal when needed for cleaning or storage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for cooking food, in particular a mass to be cooked which comprises egg and/or egg fractions or is formed from said constituents, said device comprising: an elongate outer tube (12) which can be sealed at its lower end; and an elongate inner tube (16), the outer diameter of which is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube (12), meaning that the inner tube (16) can be inserted longitudinally into the outer tube (12), thereby forming an annular gap (20) between the inner tube (16) and the outer tube (12). The device (10) comprises a closing piece (22) which can be placed on an open upper end of the outer tube (12) and can be fastened thereto, at least one passage opening (25) being formed in an end face of the closing piece (22), which passage opening is aligned with the annular gap (20), which is formed between the inner tube (16) and the outer tube (12), in such a way that the annular gap (20) can be filled from the outside through the passage opening (25) when the closing piece (22) is placed on the upper end (14) of the outer tube (12).