A method of baking both sides of ingredients and an electric cooker used therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric cookers with upper and lower dies heated by the same rated power result in uneven baking due to temperature differences between the dies, leading to burnt surfaces, especially when baking different snack cakes with differently shaped dies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the temperature of one die is detected, and the heating power of the other die is adjusted to match, using the same rated power for both heaters, to ensure uniform baking without increasing manufacturing costs or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the upper and lower dies are heated by heaters with the same rated power, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and the device structure is simplified, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven causing the upper die temperature to be higher than the lower die temperature by 10-15°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the upper die with smaller mass have a larger surface area or different thermal properties in specific regions to compensate for its lower heat capacity. This allows the upper die to maintain temperature more effectively despite receiving the same heating power, thereby achieving more uniform temperature distribution across both dies without increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the upper die, specifically increasing its surface area or modifying its thermal conductivity in certain regions. This parameter adjustment compensates for the upper die's smaller mass and lower heat capacity, allowing it to achieve temperature uniformity with the lower die when both are heated by heaters of the same rated power
2Temperature
If the upper die mass is increased to match the lower die mass, then the temperature uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional material and reduced die thickness optimization
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the upper die mass throughout, the patent applies local quality by modifying specific regions of the upper die - either by increasing surface area in contact with the heating element or by creating localized thermal management features. This targeted approach achieves temperature uniformity without the need to increase overall die mass, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embraces asymmetry by designing the upper and lower dies with different mass distributions and geometric configurations. Rather than forcing symmetry in mass, the upper die is designed with asymmetric features such as extended surfaces or modified thickness in specific areas that compensate for its smaller overall mass, achieving thermal balance without matching the lower die's mass
3Adaptability or versatility
If different shaped dies are used to bake different snack cakes, then the versatility is improved, but the temperature control becomes problematic causing surface burning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing each die with specific surface area characteristics in different regions. When different shaped dies are used, the local surface area distribution is optimized for each die's geometry, ensuring that areas with higher heat flux receive compensatory thermal management. This prevents surface burning across various snack cake types while maintaining the versatility to bake different products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by creating a die system where both upper and lower dies can be independently selected or configured for different snack cake types. The thermal management system works universally across different die configurations, using the same principle of local surface area optimization to prevent burning regardless of which die combination is used, thereby maintaining versatility without sacrificing temperature control
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 approach ensures that both sides of ingredients are uniformly baked by bringing the temperature of the upper and lower dies closer to each other, preventing excessive heating and burning, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
heating the upper and lower dies with electric heaters
Data Source
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AI summary
In a method of baking both sides of ingredients in upper and lower dies with upper and lower electric heaters respectively, temperature of one of the lower and upper dies is detected. Based on temperature information detected thereby, consumed power of the other of the lower and upper dies is controlled, thereby making temperature of the lower die closer to that of the upper die, thereby baking both the sides of the ingredients.