Onboard Pressure Steamer Using Engine Waste Heat for Travel Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor cooking appliances have poor thermal efficiency, making it difficult to prepare fresh, hot meals during long-distance travel, as they can only boil water for instant noodles.
Innovation Solution
An onboard multi-functional thermal-insulation and explosion-proof pressure steamer that uses high-temperature exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine to generate steam for cooking, with a double-layer thermal-insulation structure and a pressure regulating system to ensure safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing outdoor cooking appliances are used, then the device complexity is low, but the thermal efficiency is poor and can only boil water for instant noodles
Solution Approach 1:
The steamer is divided into multiple functional modules: steam generation chamber, steam distribution system, food container, and control unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall thermal efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The steamer is designed as a multi-functional device that can steam various types of food (vegetables, meats, seafood), boil water, and potentially combine with other kitchen functions. This universality justifies the increased device complexity by providing comprehensive cooking capabilities in one unit.
2Reliability
If a pressure regulating system is added to ensure safety, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulating system is designed to operate automatically without continuous user intervention. The system self-regulates pressure through built-in sensors and control mechanisms, improving safety while minimizing the operational complexity for the user. The device monitors and adjusts pressure parameters autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical pressure relief valves are replaced with electronically controlled pressure regulation systems that use sensors and automated control. This substitution improves precision and reliability of pressure control while managing complexity through electronic integration rather than complex mechanical linkages.
3Loss of energy
If a double-layer thermal-insulation structure is used, then the energy loss is reduced, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The double-layer thermal insulation structure uses thin insulating materials and flexible thermal barriers between layers. This approach provides effective thermal insulation to reduce energy loss while minimizing the additional weight compared to thick rigid insulation materials. The thin-film approach maintains portability while improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation system employs composite material structures combining different insulating materials with varying thermal properties. This composite approach optimizes the balance between insulation performance and weight, using lightweight materials with high thermal resistance to reduce energy loss without significantly increasing device weight.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple steam containers are stacked to increase capacity, then the quantity of food that can be cooked is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple steam containers are stacked vertically in a nested arrangement, with each container placed inside or upon the other. This nesting configuration maximizes cooking capacity within a compact vertical space, increasing the quantity of food that can be prepared simultaneously while managing structural complexity through a hierarchical organization of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The steamer utilizes the vertical dimension by stacking multiple steam containers one above the other, rather than expanding horizontally. This dimensional transition increases cooking capacity without proportionally increasing the footprint or structural complexity, as the vertical arrangement allows for simpler support and steam distribution systems.
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 steamer efficiently heats food and water using waste heat from the engine, providing a convenient, energy-saving, and safe means to prepare a variety of meals while maintaining food freshness through controlled pressure and insulation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device is connected to the steam pot
Implementation Method 2
double-layer thermal-insulation structure
Implementation Method 3
pressure regulating system to ensure safety and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An onboard multi-functional thermal-insulation and explosion-proof pressure steamer, relating to the technical field of heating cooking appliances, and in particular, to the field of cooking appliances mounted on a travelling apparatus, comprising a steamer body and a steamer outer cover covering the top of the steamer body, a steam pot being provided in the steamer body. The steam pot is provided in the steamer body to seal a steam container in the steam pot, and the steam pot is heated by means of the onboard heat energy, heat exchange is performed by means of a heat exchange device to generate high-temperature steam to heat the food material in the steam pot of the steam or to heat the water in a water tank.