Food Processor Lid Cap Design for Moisture Retention and Steam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors face issues with excessive moisture evaporation during heating and cooking, leading to poor cooking results, and require mechanisms to discharge steam while maintaining pressure within safe limits.
Innovation Solution
A food processor design featuring a container with a lid and lid cap that includes a steam discharge hole, a stem protrusion, and an oval-shaped steam blocking portion to minimize moisture loss, along with a cover system that enhances insulation and vibration/noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam discharge holes are provided in the lid to discharge steam during heating, then pressure safety is improved, but moisture evaporation increases leading to poor cooking results
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first steam discharge hole for pressure relief, a second steam discharge hole positioned differently, and a condensate receiving portion. This segmentation allows different areas to perform different functions - one hole discharge steam for safety while another receives condensate to return moisture to the food, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure safety and moisture retention
Solution Approach 2:
A condensate receiving portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the steam discharge holes and the food. This intermediary captures condensate from the discharged steam and returns it to the food, mediating between the need to discharge steam for pressure safety and the need to retain moisture for cooking quality
2Temperature
If a cover surrounds the container to improve insulation and noise reduction, then cooking performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single cover structure: it provides thermal insulation, noise reduction, and houses the steam discharge mechanism with condensate receiving portion. By combining these functions into one integrated cover rather than separate components, the design improves temperature control and noise reduction while avoiding excessive increase in device complexity
3Loss of substance
If a lid cap with stem protrusion is used to cover the steam discharge hole, then moisture loss is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid cap with stem protrusion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be opened for adding ingredients and closed during cooking to reduce moisture loss. This dynamic design enables the structure to adapt between different operational states, providing ease of operation when needed while maintaining moisture retention during the cooking process
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
Prevents excessive moisture evaporation, improves insulation and noise reduction, and increases convenience in opening and closing the cover, ensuring better cooking performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit provided in the base to surround a lower part of the accommodation tank and heat food ingredients in the accommodation tank
Implementation Method 2
the steam discharged during heating and cooking may reduce the food's moisture, resulting in poor cooking results
Implementation Method 3
improve the vibration/noise reduction effect and the insulation performance due to a cover surrounding a container
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a food processor including: a container including an accommodation tank with an upward opening; a lid coupled to the accommodation tank to cover an upper side of the accommodation tank, and having a first steam discharge hole formed in a central portion of the lid; a lid cap coupled to the lid to cover the first steam discharge hole; a base in which the container is placed; and a heating unit provided in the base to surround a lower part of the accommodation tank and heat food ingredients in the accommodation tank. The lid cap includes: a stem passing through the first steam discharge hole; a stem protrusion formed on both sides of the stem and secured to the lid; and an oval-shaped steam blocking portion covering an upper side of the stem and extending laterally to cover the upper side of the first steam discharge hole.