Pressure cooker lid pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure cookers face inefficiencies in pressurization and depressurization times during cooking operations, leading to excessive moisture loss and prolonged pressure release, which can impact cooking time and food quality.
Innovation Solution
A pressure cooker design incorporating a pump coupled to the lid, either manually or electromechanically, to accelerate pressurization and depressurization, along with a controller to actuate the pump and a cooling system for enhanced control over pressure and temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional pressure cooker is used without a pump, then the structure is simple, but the pressurization and depressurization times are excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
A pump is introduced as an intermediary device between the external environment and the cooking chamber to actively transfer air or gas, enabling controlled pressurization and depressurization. The pump acts as a mediator that facilitates rapid pressure changes without requiring complex internal heating or cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional thermal-based pressurization (heating water to steam) with a mechanical pumping system that directly introduces gas into the chamber. This substitution of mechanical action for thermal processes significantly reduces pressurization time and allows for precise control over pressure changes.
2Loss of time
If the pressure cooker allows natural pressure decrease, then food quality is maintained, but the time required for pressure to decrease is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system enables dynamic control over the depressurization process, allowing the operator to adjust the rate of pressure decrease based on cooking requirements. The system can transition between rapid depressurization for time efficiency and controlled depressurization for food quality, providing adaptability in operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pressure control from passive natural decrease to active regulated decrease through the pump mechanism. By controlling the pump's operation intensity and duration, the system can achieve different depressurization rates, optimizing both time efficiency and food quality outcomes.
3Loss of substance
If the lid seal is established during initial heating, then pressure cooking can proceed, but excessive moisture loss occurs during the pressurization phase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs preliminary pressurization before the cooking process begins, establishing the required pressure environment in advance. This allows the cooking chamber to be pressurized quickly without prolonged heating, reducing the time during which moisture can escape and minimizing overall moisture loss.
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 solution significantly reduces pressurization and depressurization times, minimizes moisture loss, and allows for more precise control over cooking conditions, improving overall cooking efficiency and food quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to pressurize the cooking chamber during a pressure cooking operation
Implementation Method 2
the controller is further configured to actuate the pump during a depressurization portion of the pressure cooking operation to accelerate depressurization of the cooking chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure cooker includes a pump coupled to a lid thereof. The pump, which may be permanently mounted or removably coupled to the lid, and which may be manual or electromechanical in nature, may be used for accelerating pressurization and/or depressurization of a cooking chamber in the pressure cooker. In addition, in some instances, one or more specialty lids may be supported by a pressure cooker for performing specialty operations in combination with a cooling system of the pressure cooker.