Rotating Oven Steam Module for Even Baking and Fast Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steam generating systems in bakery ovens suffer from uneven cooking due to temperature gradients, leading to inefficient steam evaporation and baking processes, which affect the quality of baked goods.
Innovation Solution
A steam generating module is integrated into the hot air flow channel of the oven, capable of rotating 90 degrees to optimize steam evaporation by utilizing the Leidenfrost effect, with specific surface structures and through-going openings to enhance evaporation speed and surface area, allowing for improved steam production and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If steam is supplied via the hot air channel into the oven chamber via openings, then steam is introduced for baking, but the hot air flow causes uneven evaporation and temperature gradients leading to uneven cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation function is extracted from the hot air channel and placed in a dedicated steam chamber. The steam generator is separated from the main hot air flow path, allowing steam to be generated independently and then distributed uniformly through separate steam distribution channels to all baking zones, eliminating the temperature gradients caused by hot air flow interference with evaporation
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated steam distribution system acts as an intermediary between the steam generator and the oven chamber. Steam is generated in the steam chamber and then distributed through steam distribution channels that deliver steam uniformly to different zones of the oven chamber, decoupling the steam supply from the hot air flow and ensuring even distribution without temperature gradients
2Loss of energy
If the oven footprint is reduced to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption decreases, but the baking capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The oven chamber is divided into multiple independent baking zones with localized steam distribution. Each zone receives steam independently through its own distribution channels, allowing uniform steam distribution and even cooking throughout the compact oven chamber, maintaining high baking capacity in a reduced footprint while improving energy efficiency
3Device complexity
If steam is generated in the hot air channel, then steam production is integrated, but the hot air flow interferes with evaporation speed and steam quality
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is segmented into a dedicated steam chamber separate from the hot air channel. Water is supplied to the steam chamber where it evaporates independently from the hot air flow, ensuring controlled and uniform evaporation. The steam is then distributed through separate channels to the oven chamber, maintaining high evaporation speed and steam quality while achieving functional integration
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 solution increases evaporation speed, minimizes the influence of hot air flow during baking, and ensures even cooking by providing a controlled steam generation process that enhances the elasticity and gloss of bread surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
capable of rotating 90 degrees to optimize steam evaporation by utilizing the Leidenfrost effect
Implementation Method 2
A steam generating module is integrated into the hot air flow channel of the oven, capable of rotating 90 degrees to optimize steam evaporation
Implementation Method 3
enhance evaporation speed and surface area, allowing for improved steam production
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generating system in an oven includes an external housing which encloses an oven chamber, a hot air channel where hot air is about to flow and a hot air inlet in the form of a series of openings in the wall of the oven chamber through which hot air is blown into the oven chamber, an exhaust outlet via which hot air is removed from the oven chamber and a door. The steam generating system includes a control unit adapted to control a baking or cooking procedure by generating control signals, and an elongated steam generating module horizontally arranged in the hot air channel, the steam generating module being rotatable along a longitudinal axis and including steam module elements. Each steam module element is elongated and includes one main surface provided with a generally flat extension, the steam generating elements are arranged in parallel above each other.