Modular Cooking Appliance with Crank-and-Cam Microwave
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food-service operators require multiple types of ovens to cook various food items, which occupy valuable space and require multiple electrical power plugs, and existing solutions lack efficiency in concurrent cooking due to different operating skills and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooking appliance with interchangeable modules containing an impingement oven, convection oven, and microwave oven, featuring a common control panel, adaptive power management, and a crank-and-cam mechanism for even cooking, allowing for concurrent cooking of multiple food types using a single-phase 50-Amp outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of ovens are used to cook various food items, then cooking versatility is improved, but space occupation and electrical power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple oven types (convection oven, microwave oven, and optionally steam oven or combi-steam oven) into a single integrated cooking appliance. This merging allows the appliance to perform multiple cooking functions simultaneously or sequentially, providing cooking versatility while occupying only one countertop space rather than requiring separate ovens for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking appliance is designed with multi-functionality, where a single device can operate as a convection oven, microwave oven, steam oven, or combi-steam oven depending on the selected mode. This universal design enables the appliance to replace multiple specialized ovens, maintaining cooking versatility across different food types while reducing the total number of appliances needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of ovens are used to cook various food items, then cooking versatility is improved, but electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple oven functions into a single appliance, the system can optimize power distribution across different heating elements (convection heater, microwave magnetron, steam generator) based on the selected cooking mode. This allows efficient use of electrical power for each function rather than requiring multiple independently powered ovens, reducing total power consumption while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional appliance uses a single power supply system that can dynamically allocate electrical power to different heating mechanisms based on operational requirements. This universal power management enables the appliance to deliver full cooking versatility while consuming less total electrical power compared to operating multiple separate ovens simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different kinds of ovens are used, then cooking capability is improved, but operational complexity increases due to different operating skills required
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance provides a unified control interface that manages all cooking functions (convection, microwave, steam, combi-steam) through a single system. This universal control mechanism allows users to select different cooking modes without needing to learn separate operating procedures for each oven type, reducing operational complexity while maintaining full cooking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the control systems of multiple oven functions into a single integrated interface, the appliance presents a unified operation panel that simplifies user interaction. All cooking modes are accessible through one control system with consistent operational logic, eliminating the need for users to master multiple different operating skills while preserving diverse cooking capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ovens are used, then cooking variety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple oven systems (convection heating system, microwave generation system, steam generation system) into a single integrated appliance with shared structural components, control systems, and power supply. This consolidation provides diverse cooking variety while reducing overall device complexity compared to having multiple separate ovens, as common components are shared across all functions.
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
The modular cooking appliance streamlines cooking operations by allowing multiple oven types to be used concurrently within a single unit, optimizing space and power usage through adaptive power management, and ensuring even cooking with the crank-and-cam mechanism, thus enhancing efficiency and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave oven (60) including a magnetron (76) and a cooking chamber (69)
Implementation Method 2
a crank-and-cam mechanism (62) connected to the food holding surface (64a) via a rod (64b) The crank-and-cam mechanism (62) moves the food holding surface (64a) to and fro within the cooking chamber (69)
Data Source
AI summary
A modular cooking apparatus is disclosed. The modular cooking apparatus includes a first interchangeable cooking module containing an impingement oven and a second interchangeable cooking module containing a microwave oven. The microwave oven includes a magnetron and a cooking chamber, an oven door for covering the cooking chamber, wherein the oven door includes an external cover and an internal cover, a motor located outside the cooking chamber, a food holding surface located inside the cooking chamber, and a crank-and-cam mechanism connected to the food holding surface via a rod. The crank-and-cam mechanism moves the food holding surface to and fro within the cooking chamber during cooking for promoting food cooking evenness.