Movable Grill Reflector for Faster and More Uniform Oven Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ovens face inefficiencies in both grilling and oven cooking due to the emissivity characteristics of their metal walls, which absorb or reflect radiation ineffectively, leading to prolonged cooking times and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A movable, flat element with opposing faces of high emissivity and high reflectivity is positioned between the grill and the upper wall, allowing for adjustable radiation management to enhance energy utilization during both cooking modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the upper wall is made of metal covered with porcelain enamel having high emissivity (0.8-0.9), then the oven wall heating uniformity for oven cooking functions is improved, but the grilling function efficiency deteriorates because the emissive material absorbs most of the energy radiated by the first side of the grill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable flat element that can be positioned in different locations within the oven cavity. This element has one face with high emissivity and another face with high reflectivity. By moving this element between different positions, the oven can dynamically adjust its radiation characteristics to optimize performance for different cooking modes: for grilling, the reflective face is positioned to redirect radiation onto the food, while for oven cooking, the emissive face is positioned to enhance wall heating uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the radiation parameters (emissivity and reflectivity) by introducing a movable element with contrasting surface properties. This element can be positioned to present either its high-emissivity face or high-reflectivity face to the grill and walls, thereby changing the effective radiation characteristics of the oven cavity to match the requirements of different cooking functions.
2Reliability
If the upper wall has high emissivity material, then the oven cooking performance is improved, but the grilling time is prolonged because the wall absorbs radiation that should reach the food
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flat element acts as an intermediary between the grill and the food, and between the grill and the upper wall. When positioned for grilling, this intermediary element with high reflectivity on one face redirects the radiation that would otherwise be absorbed by the upper wall onto the food, thereby reducing grilling time while preserving the high-emissivity wall material for oven cooking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic positioning of the movable element allows the system to adapt to different cooking requirements. For grilling operations, the element is positioned to minimize wall absorption and maximize food irradiation. For oven cooking, the element is repositioned to enhance wall heating uniformity. This dynamic adjustment resolves the time-performance trade-off.
3Loss of energy
If radiation reflector elements are added to improve grilling function, then the grilling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flat element serves multiple functions: it acts as a radiation reflector for grilling, an emissive surface for oven cooking, and can be positioned to optimize different cooking modes. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require separate dedicated reflector systems, thereby improving grilling efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than adding complex fixed reflector structures, the patent uses a simple movable element whose positioning changes the radiation parameters. This approach achieves improved grilling efficiency through a minimal structural addition, leveraging the existing high-emissivity wall material while temporarily modifying radiation paths during grilling operations.
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 configuration improves cooking efficiency by optimizing energy distribution, reducing grilling time and ensuring uniform heating for oven cooking, while maintaining simplicity and compatibility with existing production technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the face 23 is of high emissivity... facing the first side 20A of the grill 20 when this latter is deactivated and the food item is to be subjected to 'oven cooking'
Implementation Method 2
the face 24 is of high reflective power or reflectivity... facing the first side 20A of the grill 20 when the food item is to be subjected to grilling or browning
Data Source
AI summary
An oven comprising a box housing with an internal cavity bounded by walls, and provided on one side with an opening closable by a movable door, at least one of the walls there being provided a browning or grilling member comprising an electrical resistance element, and presenting a first side facing the wall and a second side, opposite the first side, facing the interior of the oven cavity in which at least one food item is positioned to be subjected to cooking and/or grilling, this latter function being obtained by activating the member. In a position corresponding with first side of the grilling member a flat element is provided presenting two opposing flat faces, a first face presenting high emissivity and the second face presenting high reflectivity or reflective power, the element being able to be moved relative to the member such that this latter can be faced by the first face or the second face, depending on the type of cooking required for the food item positioned within the oven cavity.