Pressure Cooker Valve Control for Complete Steam Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure cookers lack controlled and total decompression, leading to uncontrolled steam release and residual steam issues when opening the lid, which can result in food ejection and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A pressure cooking apparatus with a calibrated regulating valve and a decompression control member that allows for independent adjustment of the valve's position, enabling controlled and total decompression by releasing the orifice to equalize pressure with the atmosphere, and a separate calibration adjustment member to modify the operating pressure levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the rotary selector is placed in the indexed decompression position to reduce pressure, then the pressure level is reduced to a low level, but the decompression is not total and residual steam remains in the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decompression control member that can move the calibrated regulating valve to a decompression position where the leak orifice is fully opened, allowing dynamic and complete pressure equalization. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to transition from a static minimum calibration position to a dynamic fully-decompressed state, ensuring total decompression without residual steam.
2Productivity
If the calibrated valve maintains pressure at a predetermined level during cooking, then cooking efficiency is optimized, but the user cannot achieve total decompression before opening the lid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions by introducing a dedicated decompression control member that operates independently from the calibration adjustment means. This allows the calibrated valve to maintain pressure during cooking while the decompression control member can separately and fully open the leak orifice for complete decompression, resolving the contradiction between maintaining pressure and achieving total decompression.
3Speed
If the leak orifice is suddenly opened for decompression, then rapid pressure reduction occurs, but uncontrolled steam release causes food ejection and foaming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a ramp mechanism on the decompression control member that gradually moves the calibrated valve to the decompression position. This progressive opening of the leak orifice allows controlled steam release, preventing sudden pressure drops that cause food ejection and foaming, while still achieving rapid and complete decompression.
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
Ensures safe, rapid, and complete decompression, preventing food ejection and residual steam issues, while allowing for precise control over decompression and multiple operating pressure settings.
Implementation Method 1
a helical spring mounted in abutment between on the one hand a sliding cap forming the calibration adjustment means, and on the other hand the valve, so that the bearing force exerted by the spring on the valve
Implementation Method 2
the ramp compressing more or less, depending on the angular position of the selector, the sliding cap and therefore the spring
Implementation Method 3
releasing the orifice so as to place the inside of the enclosure in communication with the outside
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The appliance has an adjustable regulation valve cooperating with an orifice for maintaining a reigning pressure of a cooking chamber at a preset level corresponding to an operating pressure. A valve adjusting unit (25) is displaced between two positions, and a control body (27) controls decompression of the chamber. The body moves the valve to open the orifice for setting an interior of the chamber in communication with exterior. An adjustment setting unit (32) displaces the adjusting unit to alter value of the preset level.