Cooking within a refrigeration cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic appliances that cool food and beverages lack the capability to efficiently perform both cooling and heating functions within the same unit, leading to inefficient use of kitchen space and resources, as items often require separate appliances for heating after cooling.
Innovation Solution
A domestic appliance with a compartment that combines cooling and heating functions using solid-state heating elements emitting infrared radiation, controlled by a controller and item identification module, and featuring retroreflective materials to direct heat efficiently without warming the ambient environment, along with a network communication module for IoT functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a domestic appliance combines cooling and heating functions in a single unit, then kitchen space efficiency is improved and resource allocation is optimized, but the device complexity increases due to integrating multiple heating and cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cooling and heating functions within a single domestic appliance by integrating a cooling system with solid state heating elements. The heating elements are positioned within the cooling compartment, allowing the same appliance to perform both cooling and heating operations, thereby improving kitchen space efficiency and resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The domestic appliance is designed to perform multiple functions - both cooling and heating - within a single unit. The heating elements can operate independently or in conjunction with the cooling system, enabling the appliance to adapt to different functional requirements and serve multiple purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heating elements are used in a cooling compartment, then heating function is added, but the ambient surroundings and other contents within the compartment are heated causing energy loss and reduced cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solid state heating elements that emit infrared radiation targeted specifically at the food items or beverage items within the cooling compartment. This localized heating approach ensures that only the intended objects are heated while the ambient surroundings and other contents remain at the desired cooling temperature, thereby minimizing energy loss and maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical heating elements with solid state heating elements that emit infrared radiation. This substitution allows for more precise and efficient heating control, reducing energy loss by directly heating the target objects without significantly heating the surrounding ambient air within the cooling compartment.
3Reliability
If multiple separate appliances are used for cooling and heating, then each appliance can be optimized for its specific function, but the total kitchen space required increases and resource allocation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate cooling and heating appliances into a single integrated unit. By incorporating solid state heating elements within the cooling compartment, the appliance eliminates the need for separate heating devices, thereby reducing the total kitchen space required while maintaining functional optimization through dedicated heating and cooling systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If heating is performed in a cooling compartment, then the appliance can perform both functions, but the cooling efficiency may be reduced due to heat generation within the compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solid state heating elements that provide localized heating to specific food or beverage items within the cooling compartment. This targeted approach minimizes the overall heat generation within the compartment, allowing the cooling system to maintain its efficiency while the heating function is activated. The localized heating reduces the thermal load on the cooling system compared to conventional heating methods.
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
Enables efficient and controlled heating of food and beverages within a thermally controlled environment, minimizing resource allocation and space usage by integrating cooling and heating in a single appliance, allowing for precise temperature control and energy targeting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solid state heating element inside of the cooling compartment, the at least one solid state heating element configured to emit infrared radiation to heat at least one of the food items and/or the beverage items without heating ambient surroundings within the cooling compartment
Implementation Method 2
at least one interior surface of the heating compartment may include a retroreflective material to reflect the infrared radiation to at least one of the food items and/or the beverage items
Data Source
AI summary
A domestic appliance for cooling and heating food items and/or beverage items may include a shell, a door, a cooling compartment defined at least in part by the shell and the door, the compartment being configured store the food items and/or the beverage items in a cooled environment and at least one solid state heating element inside of the cooling compartment, the at least one solid state heating element configured to emit infrared radiation to heat at least one of the food items and/or the beverage items without heating the surroundings or other contents of the cooling compartment.