Movable Cooking Sole with Elastic Return for Even Pastry Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances for pastry preparations require excessive energy due to large dough heating needs and have complex power supply structures with embedded electrical resistances, increasing the risk of failure and uneven cooking.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a base and lid that form a cooking box, featuring a movable cooking sole with elastic return means to ensure even heat distribution, a compact heating enclosure with reflectors to reduce energy consumption, and a vent system to evacuate steam away from user-accessible areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electrical heating resistors are embedded on a moving part to provide heating function, then heating capability is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and the risk of failure increases due to shocks and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the moving lid assembly and relocates the electrical heating resistors to the stationary base. This separation removes the vulnerable embedded connections from the moving parts, eliminating the complexity and failure risks associated with power supply to moving components while maintaining effective heating capability.
2Productivity
If a large volume cooking space is provided to accommodate pastry preparations, then cooking capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly due to heating large quantities of air and dough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooking space into two distinct zones: a lower cooking chamber for holding the pastry preparation and an upper expansion space. The heating elements are positioned to concentrate thermal energy in the lower chamber where the food is located, while the upper space serves primarily as a containment volume. This segmentation allows adequate cooking capacity without requiring the entire volume to be heated, thereby reducing energy consumption.
3Loss of energy
If direct heating elements are placed close to the mold to improve heating efficiency, then energy transfer is improved, but hot spots are created causing uneven cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective enclosure (using reflective surfaces or materials) as an intermediary between the heating elements and the pastry preparation. This reflective enclosure distributes the thermal radiation more uniformly across the cooking space, preventing direct concentrated heating that would create hot spots. The intermediary structure maintains efficient energy transfer while ensuring even cooking throughout the preparation.
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 appliance achieves significant energy reduction (up to 50%) and faster cooking times while ensuring even cooking and reducing the risk of electrical resistance failure, with cakes baked uniformly and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
the cooking sole forms a screen and a distributor between the heating means and the mould. Hot spots are thus avoided and cakes are baked evenly and precisely.
Implementation Method 2
elastic return means, arranged to push the cooking sole against the lower wall of the removable mould
Implementation Method 3
heating means anchored on the respective portion of the cooking box
Implementation Method 4
the lid and the base each comprise a reflector, arranged to form a heating enclosure surrounding the heating means and the cooking space
Data Source
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AI summary
A cooking appliance for baking mixes comprises a base (10), a lid (20), and a removable mould (40), said cooking appliance being characterised in that the base (10) comprises: - a cooking plate (16) which is mounted so as to be movable relative to a cooking compartment portion of the base (10) in order to contact a bottom wall of the removable mould (40), and which is arranged between the bottom wall of the removable mould (40) received in the cooking space and heating means of the base (10); and - elastic return means, arranged to push the cooking plate (16) against the bottom wall of the removable mould (40).