Oven, as well as a method for stirring foodstuff contained in a vessel disposed in the cooking cavity of such an oven
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave ovens and cooking methods fail to provide sufficient agitation of foodstuff, leading to uneven cooking and the inability to prepare scrambled eggs effectively.
Innovation Solution
An oven design that includes a drive mechanism to rotate the vessel and a motor-driven swivel mechanism for the stirring member, allowing for simultaneous rotation and swiveling of the stirring member within the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional vertical rotational drive shaft is used to rotate the bowl, then the bowl can be rotated for heating, but the foodstuff is not sufficiently agitated and hotspots form
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member is made dynamically movable through a swiveling mechanism that allows it to change its angular position relative to the bowl during rotation. The swiveling motion is driven by a motor that can adjust the stirring member's orientation, creating variable agitation patterns that prevent hotspot formation while maintaining system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a second degree of freedom to the stirring system by introducing swiveling motion in addition to the primary rotation. This creates a two-dimensional stirring action (rotation + swiveling) that significantly improves foodstuff agitation and heating uniformity compared to simple single-axis rotation.
2Ease of operation
If a lid is added to support the stirring paddle, then the paddle can be supported, but the device complexity increases and cleaning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member is extracted from the traditional lid-supported configuration and repositioned to extend directly into the foodstuff without requiring a lid for support. This eliminates the lid component entirely, simplifying both the structure and cleaning process while maintaining effective stirring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirring member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for agitation, extends directly into the foodstuff for effective mixing, and eliminates the need for separate lid and support structures. This multi-functional design reduces overall device complexity while improving ease of operation and cleaning.
3Productivity
If the paddle rotates dependently on bowl rotation, then the mechanism is simple, but sufficient agitation cannot be achieved for certain foodstuffs
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring member is made dynamically movable through a swiveling mechanism that allows it to change its angular position relative to the bowl during rotation. The swiveling motion is driven by a motor that can adjust the stirring member's orientation, creating variable agitation patterns that prevent hotspot formation while maintaining system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a second degree of freedom to the stirring system by introducing swiveling motion in addition to the primary rotation. This creates a two-dimensional stirring action (rotation + swiveling) that significantly improves foodstuff agitation and heating uniformity compared to simple single-axis rotation.
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 design ensures uniform heating and effective mixing of foodstuff, preventing hotspot formation and allowing for the preparation of scrambled eggs with soft, separated pieces.
Implementation Method 1
a swivel means comprising a motor to swivel, in use, the stirring member by means of the motor about a swivel axis extending at an angle of between 60-120 degrees, preferably substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis
Implementation Method 2
the drive means comprises means to rotate, in use, the vessel with respect to the stirring member about a rotating axis
Data Source
AI summary
An oven comprises a cooking cavity, a stirring member extending, in use, into foodstuff contained in a vessel disposed in the cooking cavity as well as drive means to provide, in use, relative movement between the stirring member and the vessel. The drive means comprises means to rotate, in use, the vessel with respect to the stirring member about a rotating axis. The oven comprises a swivel means comprising a motor to swivel, in use, the stirring member by means of the motor about a swivel axis extending at an angle of between 60-120 degrees, preferably substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis.