Removable Water Container Design for Steam Cooking Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking appliances with steam generators face challenges in providing a sufficient water supply without a fixed water connection, which can disrupt operating convenience and efficiency, and large water tanks are difficult to integrate due to structural constraints.
Innovation Solution
A removable container unit with a container portion and holding portion, designed to be narrow but long and deep, allowing for a capacity of at least 1 liter of water, which can be easily integrated next to the cooking chamber without altering the appliance's external dimensions, featuring a top-open configuration for easy filling and water removal via a valve or slot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large water tank is provided to supply sufficient water for complete cooking processes, then the water supply capacity is improved, but the structural integration becomes difficult and external dimensions are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is designed with a narrow but elongated shape, extending in the longitudinal direction rather than expanding in width or height. This dimensional reorientation allows the tank to achieve sufficient water capacity (at least 1 liter) while maintaining a compact cross-section that fits within the appliance's structural constraints without altering external dimensions.
2Reliability
If a fixed water connection is installed to ensure continuous water supply, then the reliability of water supply is improved, but the adaptability and ease of cleaning are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank is designed as a removable container unit that can be easily detached from the cooking appliance. This extraction of the water storage function from a fixed connection allows users to remove the tank for convenient cleaning and maintenance, while still ensuring reliable water supply during operation through proper sealing and connection mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a large water tank is provided to avoid refilling during cooking, then the operating convenience is improved, but the appliance dimensions and structural design are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The water tank adopts a narrow and elongated design extending in the longitudinal direction of the appliance. This allows the tank to provide sufficient water capacity (at least 1 liter) for complete cooking processes without increasing the width or height of the appliance, thereby maintaining compact external dimensions while ensuring users can complete cooking without refilling.
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 design ensures a complete cooking process can be performed without refilling water, maintaining convenience and efficiency while keeping the appliance's dimensions intact, as the container unit is concealed by the cooking chamber door and utilizes a push-to-open mechanism for easy handling.
Implementation Method 1
the steam generation unit is suitable and configured to supply the cooking chamber with steam
Implementation Method 2
water removal via a valve or slot
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a housing unit, a cooking chamber, a steam generation unit for supplying the cooking chamber with steam, a removable container unit associated with the steam generation unit. The removable container unit includes a container portion and a holding portion. The container portion and the holding portion together have a longitudinal extent that is a multiple of a width of the container portion. The container portion has a height that is a multiple of the width of the container portion. The container portion provides a capacity for water to be evaporated that is at least 1 liter.