Cooking appliance having a pef generator, pef system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances do not provide a user-friendly method for integrating pulsed electric field (PEF) cooking with subsequent browning processes, requiring separate steps and increasing user effort.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a hob integrated PEF cooking device, featuring a PEF generator and receptacle for PEF containers, allowing for PEF cooking followed by browning using conventional hob attachments, with energy transmission units like radiant heaters or induction coils, and safety features like lid monitoring and vapor removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If PEF cooking is performed in a separate device, then PEF treatment can be applied to food, but the user must perform additional steps to transfer food to browning equipment, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the PEF cooking device and browning equipment into a single integrated cooking appliance. The PEF treatment chamber is positioned adjacent to the browning zone, allowing food to be treated with pulsed electric fields and then immediately browned without removal or transfer. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices and reduces user effort in multi-step cooking processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the PEF treatment chamber and browning equipment in close spatial proximity within the same appliance body, creating an efficient workflow path. The side-by-side arrangement allows sequential processing in different functional zones without requiring food to be removed from the appliance, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the cooking workflow.
2Productivity
If PEF treatment and browning are performed in separate steps with food transfer, then each process can be optimized independently, but the total cooking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs PEF treatment as a preliminary step before browning within the same appliance. The PEF chamber prepares the food by applying pulsed electric fields to enhance moisture retention and tenderness, and the food remains in the appliance throughout this preparation phase. This preliminary action in the PEF chamber enables subsequent browning to proceed immediately without transfer time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous cooking operations by maintaining the food within the appliance throughout the entire cooking process. The food transitions continuously from the PEF treatment chamber to the browning zone without removal or interruption, eliminating idle transfer time and maintaining continuous useful action throughout the cooking sequence.
3Ease of operation
If PEF generator and browning elements are integrated in the same appliance, then user convenience is improved, but the device requires more complex electrical systems and safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated appliance into distinct functional modules: a PEF treatment chamber with its own generator and electrodes, and a separate browning zone with heating elements. Each module operates independently with dedicated control systems, allowing the complex electrical functions to be segmented into manageable, independently controllable units that can be operated sequentially or independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a control system that acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex electrical systems. The controller manages the coordination between PEF generation and browning operations, handling timing sequences, power distribution, and safety interlocks, thereby shielding the user from the underlying electrical complexity while enabling integrated operation.
4Ease of operation
If PEF containers are designed for direct insertion into the hob receptacle, then ease of use is improved, but ensuring proper electrical connection becomes more critical and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the receptacle and container contact surfaces to be electrically conductive and positioned in fixed, predetermined locations. When the container is inserted into the receptacle, corresponding contact surfaces automatically align and establish reliable electrical connections between the PEF generator and the container electrodes, ensuring equipotential connections without requiring complex connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-aligning contact system where the electrical connections are automatically established when the container is inserted into the receptacle. The contact surfaces are positioned such that proper insertion automatically brings the conductive elements into contact, allowing the system to self-configure the electrical connection without user intervention or complex connection procedures.
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 efficient PEF cooking with subsequent browning in close proximity, enhancing user satisfaction by reducing steps and improving operational safety through integrated energy transmission and safety features.
Implementation Method 1
These alternating fields cause alternating current surges flowing through the food, which introduce ohmic power loss into the food and thereby cause ohmic heating of the food
Implementation Method 2
Capacitive displacement currents, which can assume very high values, are also generated in the food. These displacement currents bring about a certain sterilization of the food and their effect on the food is reminiscent of the pasteurization process
Implementation Method 3
a hob (1) with at least one energy transmission unit (4) for transmitting energy to an attachment placed on the hob
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking appliance (G) comprising a cooktop (1) having at least one energy transmission unit (4) for transmitting energy in order to heat a place-on appliance placed on the cooktop (1) and having at least one PEF cooking apparatus (6), the at least one PEF cooking apparatus (6) comprising at least one PEF generator (13) and at least one receptacle (5), which is accessible from a top side of the cooktop (1) and is designed for the insertion of at least one PEF container (9), each receptacle (5) comprising at least one connection contact (12a) for electrically connecting to at least one PEF container (9) inserted in said receptacle, the connection contact (12a) being connected to the PEF generator (13). A PEF system (G, 9) comprises the cooking appliance (G) and at least one PEF container (9), which is designed to be inserted into a receptacle (5) of the PEF cooking apparatus (6) of the cooking appliance (G), the PEF container (9) having at least one mating contact (11a, 11b), which matches the at least one connection contact (12a, 12b) of the receptacle (5).