Combination Oven Humidity Control With Automatic Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional combination ovens require users to manually set humidity levels, which can be complex and deter users from utilizing the full potential of these ovens, often leading to them being operated in simpler modes like convection or steam only.
Innovation Solution
A combination oven with a controller that automatically sets humidity levels based on selected temperature, allowing for easy operation with manual adjustment options, and includes a vent intake and exhaust arrangement to maintain humidity during cooking, featuring a humidity monitoring system and stored temperature-humidity profiles for optimized cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual humidity setting is required, then cooking precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically determines humidity level based on the selected cooking mode and temperature without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using pre-programmed associations between cooking modes/temperatures and appropriate humidity levels, eliminating the need for manual humidity setting while maintaining cooking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is pre-programmed with temperature-humidity profiles that define appropriate humidity levels for different cooking modes and temperatures. This preliminary preparation of parameter associations allows the system to automatically select optimal humidity settings without requiring users to manually configure complex parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual humidity setting is required, then cooking precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically determines humidity level based on the selected cooking mode and temperature without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using pre-programmed associations between cooking modes/temperatures and appropriate humidity levels, eliminating the need for manual humidity setting while maintaining cooking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is pre-programmed with temperature-humidity profiles that define appropriate humidity levels for different cooking modes and temperatures. This preliminary preparation of parameter associations allows the system to automatically select optimal humidity settings without requiring users to manually configure complex parameters.
3Ease of operation
If automatic humidity setting is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a humidity sensor that continuously monitors the actual humidity level in the cooking cavity. The controller compares the sensed humidity with the target humidity level and adjusts the steam generator output accordingly to maintain the desired humidity, ensuring cooking precision is maintained despite automatic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically determines humidity level based on the selected cooking mode and temperature without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using pre-programmed associations between cooking modes/temperatures and appropriate humidity levels, eliminating the need for manual humidity setting while maintaining cooking precision.
4Ease of operation
If venting operation is automated, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically initiates a venting operation at the end of the cooking cycle to remove excess moisture from the cooking cavity. This periodic automated action eliminates the need for manual intervention while the venting duration is optimized to be sufficiently short that it does not significantly impact the overall cooking time.
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
Simplifies the cooking process by automatically defining humidity levels, allowing users to easily access advanced cooking modes without complex settings, enhancing the utilization of combination ovens and improving cooking outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture delivery arrangement for delivering moisture into the cooking cavity
Implementation Method 2
In convection ovens, heat energy is transferred to the surface of foodstuffs by convection from heated air moving through the oven cavity and over the surface of the foodstuff
Implementation Method 3
a vent intake and exhaust arrangement configured to exhaust air from the cooking cavity while drawing in ambient air
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A combination oven includes a cooking cavity (14) accessible via a door (16), a convection cooking system (18) associated with the cooking cavity for heating the cooking cavity and a moisture delivery arrangement (24) for delivering moisture into the cooking cavity (14). A controller (52) is configured to (i) control the convection cooking system for a cooking operation in accordance with an operator selected temperature for the cooking operation and (ii) automatically define a humidity level setting for the cooking operation as a function of the operator selected temperature. An oven may also include an automated vent operation (36, 40).