Plancha Cooking Plate Steam Pressure Layout for Uniform Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plancha-type cooking devices face issues with temperature discrepancies and overheating due to thick plates and complex, deformation-prone connecting means under high pressure, leading to inefficient cooking and difficult cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a pleated metal sheet connecting means that evenly distributes pressure and condensation across the cooking plate, reducing thickness and maintaining homogeneous temperature through soldering or brazing under the plate, allowing for efficient heat transfer and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cooking plate is made thick to maintain structural integrity and withstand pressure, then the plate can withstand the pressure generated by saturated steam, but the temperature drops slowly after food placement and temperature discrepancies occur across the plate surface
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means are segmented into multiple discrete elements (first connecting means, second connecting means, etc.) distributed across the lower surface of the cooking plate. This segmentation allows pressure to be applied at multiple discrete points rather than requiring a thick plate for uniform support, enabling thinner plate construction while maintaining structural integrity and improving thermal response.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting means are positioned at specific locations on the lower surface of the cooking plate, creating localized support points. This local quality approach allows the plate to be thin overall while having reinforced areas where needed, balancing structural requirements with thermal performance needs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the plate thickness is increased to reduce temperature drop, then structural stability improves, but the preheating time increases and cooking efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support structure into multiple discrete connecting means, the plate can be thinner while maintaining stability. This reduces thermal mass and preheating time, improving cooking efficiency without sacrificing structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the structural parameter from thick uniform plate to thin plate with discrete support points. This parameter change reduces thermal mass (improving heating speed) while maintaining structural stability through the distributed support system.
3Force
If conventional connecting means are used under high pressure, then the plate is supported, but deformation and complexity in manufacturing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means are divided into multiple simple discrete elements rather than using complex continuous support structures. Each element is simple in form but collectively they distribute pressure effectively, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining force distribution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting means are made homogeneous in material and design, simplifying manufacturing. All connecting elements are identical or similar in structure, allowing standardized production and assembly, thereby reducing overall device complexity while effectively distributing pressure.
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 pleated metal sheet connecting means ensures rapid temperature compensation and reduced thickness, enhancing cooking efficiency and ease of cleaning by maintaining a homogeneous and constant temperature, while minimizing the risk of deformation and complexity in manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
heating means for heating and maintaining the plate at a substantially homogeneous and constant temperature through generation of saturated steam and water condensation under the plate
Implementation Method 2
generation of saturated steam and water condensation under the plate
Implementation Method 3
Condensation and boiling phenomena are combined so that there could not be, in a stable way, any temperature deviation in a cavity wherein only pure water and steam are present
Implementation Method 4
the pressure generated by the saturated steam, itself generated by the presence of the products to be cooked on the plate, could be applied evenly substantially on the whole lower surface of the plate submitted to the action of the saturated steam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A contact cooking device (1) for food products (2), of the plancha type, comprising a cooking plate (20) and heating means (30) for heating and maintaining the plate (20) at a substantially homogeneous and constant temperature through generating saturated steam and water condensation under the plate (20) in the presence of products to be cooked (2), connecting means (40) for the plate (20) being provided for maintaining it in a planar state, characterized in that the connecting means (40) are arranged so that the pressure generated by the saturated steam, itself generated by the presence of the products to be cooked (2) on the plate (20), could be applied evenly substantially on the whole lower surface (20b) of the plate (20) submitted to the action of the saturated steam.