Method for double-sided heat cooking of foodstuff to be heated and electrothermic cooking appliance employed in same

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric cooker design results in uneven baking due to temperature differences between the upper and lower dies, with the upper die being hotter and causing surface burning, especially when baking different snack cakes with differently shaped dies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to detect the temperature of one die and adjust the heating power of the other die using a temperature sensor and control device to equalize temperatures, thereby preventing excessive heating and ensuring uniform baking without the need for identical mass or multiple rated-power heaters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the upper and lower dies are heated by heaters with the same rated power during a certain time, then the heating process is simple and fast, but the upper surface of the dough is burnt and the baking is not uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidbaking uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different rated powers to the upper and lower heaters according to the local heat capacity differences of the dies. The lower heater has a higher rated power than the upper heater, compensating for the lower die's larger mass and slower heating rate, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution across both dies and preventing surface burning while maintaining efficient heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the upper die is made thinner to accommodate shallower recesses for different snack cakes, then the die can be replaced for different products, but the temperature of the upper die becomes higher than the lower die

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedie replaceabilityVSAvoiddie temperature difference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for the temperature difference caused by varying die thicknesses by assigning different rated powers to the upper and lower heaters. The lower heater operates at higher power to heat the heavier lower die, while the upper heater operates at lower power for the lighter upper die, ensuring both dies reach comparable temperatures regardless of their different masses or configurations for different snack cake types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If heaters with different rated powers are used for upper and lower dies, then the temperature difference between dies is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidheater configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the power parameter of the heaters, specifically setting the lower heater's rated power higher than the upper heater's rated power. This parameter adjustment compensates for the mass difference between dies without requiring complex control systems, temperature sensors, or multiple heating zones, thereby achieving precise temperature control through a simple and straightforward heater configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for uniform baking of both sides of ingredients by bringing the temperature of the upper and lower dies closer to each other, preventing surface burning and reducing manufacturing and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

baking upper and lower sides of the ingredients by heating the upper and lower dies with electric heaters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

detecting a temperature of one of the upper die and the lower die, and based on the temperature information detected thereby, controlling consumed power of an electric heater that heats the other of the lower die and the upper die

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3415057B1Method for double-sided heat cooking of foodstuff to be heated and electrothermic cooking appliance employed in same
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 SUN TEC CO LTD
  • EP3415057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3415057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3415057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.