Rotating Distribution Disc for Cooking Chamber Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking devices face challenges in effectively cleaning the cooking space with conventional cleaning liquids, often resulting in inefficient use of cleaning fluids and inadequate coverage of dirty areas.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a process and a cooking device design that utilizes a distribution disc with a separate drive and powered by the cleaning liquid, allowing for adjustable rotary speed and pulsating fluid delivery. This design enables targeted and efficient cleaning by varying the throwing curve of the cleaning liquid and using a reversible pump for backwash and gravity-assisted reflux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness and coverage of dirty areas are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into multiple functional components: a distribution disc with multiple outlets for targeted fluid delivery, a separate drive mechanism for rotational control, and a reversible pump for bidirectional flow control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall cleaning effectiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic elements including a rotatable distribution disc with variable rotational speed controlled by a separate drive, and a reversible pump that can change flow direction. These dynamic capabilities enable the system to adapt to different cleaning scenarios and improve cleaning effectiveness on various surface types and contamination levels.
2Area of stationary object
If more cleaning liquid is used to improve coverage, then the cleaning coverage increases, but the cleaning liquid consumption and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution disc features multiple outlets strategically positioned to deliver cleaning liquid to specific areas requiring cleaning. This localized delivery approach ensures that cleaning liquid is applied precisely where needed rather than uniformly across all surfaces, improving coverage efficiency while reducing overall consumption and waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable distribution disc delivers cleaning liquid in periodic pulses as it rotates, creating alternating wet and dry zones on the cooking chamber surfaces. This periodic action enhances the mechanical cleaning effect through fluid dynamics while using less total liquid compared to continuous spraying methods.
3Productivity
If the cleaning liquid is circulated to improve efficiency, then the cleaning efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump serves multiple functions: it can operate in forward direction to circulate cleaning liquid through the distribution disc, and in reverse direction to perform backflushing of the drain. This multi-functionality improves cleaning efficiency and maintains system cleanliness without requiring separate pumping systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system enables the cleaning liquid to be reused and recirculated throughout the cooking chamber. The system essentially cleans itself by circulating the same liquid multiple times, with the reversible pump providing periodic backflushing to prevent clog. This self-service capability improves cleaning efficiency while minimizing the need for additional water and reducing waste.
4Reliability
If the pump operates at maximum power to remove solids, then the solids removal capability improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump operates in periodic cycles, switching between forward circulation mode and reverse backflushing mode. During backflushing, the pump operates at maximum power to remove solids from the drain. This periodic high-power operation achieves effective solids removal while limiting overall energy consumption compared to continuous maximum power operation, as the high-power phase is intermittent rather than continuous.
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 significantly improves the cleaning efficiency of the cooking space by ensuring more targeted and effective use of cleaning fluids, reducing waste, and allowing for different cleaning programs based on need. The design also promotes the removal of solids and prevents clogging, ensuring thorough and efficient cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a distributor disc (26) with a pivot pin (28) for torque-transmitting connection to a shaft (not shown) of the cooking appliance (2), wherein a rotational speed of the pivot pin (28) is matched to a diameter (D) of the base plate (40) in such a way that, by means of the distributor disc (26), essentially the lateral cooking chamber walls (10) and the cooking chamber floor (6) are directly supplied with cleaning fluid
Implementation Method 2
the pump (16) is designed and arranged in such a way that, when the pump (16) is switched off, a gravity-induced backflow of the cleaning liquid is possible
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a cooking appliance (2) comprising a cooking chamber (4), a distribution system (12) for a cleaning liquid for cleaning the cooking chamber (4) and a circulation system (14) for circulating the cleaning liquid with a pump (16), a drain line (18) and an inlet line (20), wherein the pump (16) is connected by means of the drain line (18) in a flow-conducting manner to a drain (22) of the cooking chamber (4) arranged in a cooking chamber floor (6) of the cooking chamber (4) and by means of the inlet line (20) in a flow-conducting manner to an inlet opening (24) of the distribution system (12), and wherein the distribution system (12) has a distribution disc (26) with a pivot pin (28) for connection, preferably for torque-transmitting connection, with a shaft of the cooking appliance (2). Furthermore, the invention relates to a distribution disc (26), a distribution system (12) and a method for cleaning the cooking chamber (4) of the cooking appliance (2).