Pressure Cooker Valve With Fixed Outlet for Accurate Steam Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure cooking appliances face challenges with ergonomics, ease of use, and industrial flexibility due to complex modular designs, which are costly and not compatible with all types of pressure cookers, especially bayonet models, and lack precise steam temperature measurement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A new pressure regulating valve with a simple, safe, and reliable design, featuring a transformation mechanism that maintains a constant outlet distance, allowing for precise pressure regulation and easy cleaning, compatible with various pressure cooking appliances, including bayonet models, and integrated with a temperature detection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a modular design with a removable module is used to allow user inspection and cleaning of the steam exhaust duct, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two main segments: a lower body that remains fixed on the appliance and an upper body that can be easily removed. This segmentation allows the upper body (containing the steam exhaust duct) to be detached for cleaning while keeping the overall structure simple and avoiding complex modular mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a modular design with a removable module is used to allow user inspection and cleaning of the steam exhaust duct, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two main segments: a lower body that remains fixed on the appliance and an upper body that can be easily removed. This segmentation allows the upper body (containing the steam exhaust duct) to be detached for cleaning while keeping the overall structure simple and avoiding complex modular mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If an independent valve design is used instead of a modular module, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but ease of operation deteriorates because detaching the module for inspection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into two main segments: a lower body that remains fixed on the appliance and an upper body that can be easily removed. This segmentation allows the upper body (containing the steam exhaust duct) to be detached for cleaning while keeping the overall structure simple and avoiding complex modular mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper body is specifically designed with a focus on ease of removal and cleaning access, while the lower body maintains the structural connection to the appliance. This localized optimization of different parts addresses the specific cleaning need without complicating the overall valve design.
4Ease of operation
If the outlet position varies with control member displacement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because the distance between the probe and steam exhaust duct varies
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet positioning function is extracted from the control member displacement mechanism. Instead of the outlet moving with the control member, the outlet is maintained at a fixed position relative to the lower body through the transformation mechanisms, separating the control function from the outlet positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformation mechanisms act as intermediaries between the control member and the upper body/outlet. These mechanisms convert the control member's linear displacement into rotational motion of the upper body, while maintaining a constant axial distance between the outlet and the lower body, thus decoupling control movement from outlet position.
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 solution provides a compact, inexpensive, and user-friendly pressure regulating valve with precise and stable operation, enabling accurate steam temperature detection and easy maintenance, suitable for all types of pressure cooking appliances.
Implementation Method 1
a movable obturator in translation along an axial direction and cooperating with the seat, under the joint influence of a first return element and the pressure level prevailing in the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
under the joint influence of a first return element and the pressure level prevailing in the enclosure, to maintain the latter at a set level
Implementation Method 3
a first transformation mechanism designed to transform the displacement of the control member relative to the lower body into rotation of the upper body relative to the lower body
Implementation Method 4
a second transformation mechanism designed to transform the rotation of the upper body into displacement of the obturator relative to the lower body
Implementation Method 5
said first and second transformation mechanisms being designed to maintain said outlet at a constant distance from the lower body in the axial direction
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~11
Figure 12~13
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (1) for a pressurized cooking appliance (2). Said valve (1) includes: a lower body (5) provided with a seat (6), a movable plug (7) that engages with the seat (6) in order to keep said seat at a set level, an upper body (9) that forms a channel (10) for channeling the steam (V) escaping through the seat (6), said channel (10) ending in an outlet (10A), and a decompression control member (11) designed to move the plug (7) into a decompression position. Said valve (1) is characterized in that it includes first and second conversion mechanisms designed to convert the movement of the control member (11) into a rotation of the upper body (9) and the rotation of the upper body (9) into movement of the plug (7), respectively, while keeping said outlet (10A) at a constant distance (D) from the lower body (5). The invention also relates to pressurized cooking appliances.