Oven Temperature Limiting Based on Steam Escape Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ovens consume excessive energy, especially when cooking food that releases steam, as they continue to heat at full capacity regardless of steam escape, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
The oven employs a climate sensor and thermostat system that monitors air exiting the cooking chamber, reducing heating power when steam is detected to prevent energy wastage, using a control loop with temperature sensors to maintain optimal cooking temperatures with reduced heat output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heating means operates at full capacity continuously, then the cooking chamber temperature is maintained, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily when steam escapes from food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the climate sensor detects steam escape conditions and sends signals to the controller, which then adjusts the heating means output accordingly. This closed-loop control system maintains temperature reliability while reducing energy consumption by dynamically responding to actual cooking conditions rather than operating continuously at full capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The heating means output is made dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to adjust heating power based on real-time climate sensor feedback. When steam escape is detected, the heating output is automatically reduced, and when cooking conditions require more heat, the system increases power delivery, optimizing energy usage while maintaining cooking reliability
2Loss of energy
If the climate sensor and thermostat system is added to monitor steam escape, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a climate sensor as an intermediary component that indirectly detects cooking conditions by measuring temperature changes in the air stream exiting the cooking chamber. This mediator approach allows the system to infer steam escape conditions without directly monitoring the food or requiring complex sensors, achieving energy efficiency improvements while adding only minimal system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing air circulation and heating infrastructure to provide self-service temperature monitoring. The climate sensor utilizes the natural air flow and temperature variations already present in the oven system, converting existing operational parameters into useful feedback signals without requiring additional power-intensive components or complex measurement 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
This approach allows for energy-efficient cooking by automatically lowering heat output when steam is released, keeping food boiling or simmering with minimal energy expenditure, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature sensor (12) for measuring the cooking chamber temperature
Implementation Method 2
a second temperature sensor (27) for measuring a temperature at a point in the line (26)
Implementation Method 3
Heating means with resistive heating elements are provided for heating the cooking chamber 2
Implementation Method 4
a fan (7), which is designed as a radial fan, and a resistive heating element in the form of a heating coil (8). In the wall (9) between the cooking chamber (2) and the heating chamber (6) openings (10a) and (10b) are arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The oven has temperature sensor (12) that senses a temperature of cooking space (2). A controller (14) controls a heating capacity of heating elements (4a,4b,5) in order to control cooking temperature to desired temperature. A climate sensor is arranged in opening (16) of cooking space and temperature sensor (27) is arranged outside the opening, such that heating capacity of heating elements is lowered with controller and the cooking space temperature falls below target temperature, when the temperature sensed by temperature sensor exceeds a threshold temperature.