Sealed Cooking Chamber Divider With Pressure-Balancing Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking chamber dividers in cooking appliances are not sealed against external factors, leading to contamination and corrosion due to permeable gaps between components, which prevents them from being cleaned in a dishwasher or water bath.
Innovation Solution
A sealed cooking chamber divider with a non-destructively removable hollow body, featuring pressure valves for pressure balance and temperature-stable seals to prevent moisture and contamination, ensuring the divider remains intact and functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hollow body is made non-destructively removable for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing against external factors deteriorates due to gaps between components
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow body is divided into two separable parts (upper and lower parts) that can be detached from each other. This segmentation allows the hollow body to be removed as a complete unit for cleaning purposes, while maintaining the sealed environment during operation. The separable design enables easy removal and reattachment without requiring destruction of the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the upper and lower parts of the hollow body. This sealing element prevents water and contaminants from penetrating into the hollow body during cleaning operations, while allowing the parts to be separated for cleaning access. The sealing element thus mediates between the need for cleanability and the need for protection against contamination.
2Reliability
If the hollow body is sealed tightly to prevent contamination, then reliability is improved, but pressure changes during heating and cooling cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element serves as an intermediary that provides a tight seal between the upper and lower parts while incorporating pressure relief functionality. The seal prevents contamination during normal operation and cleaning, but allows pressure equalization to occur, thus mediating between the need for tight sealing and the need for pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve utilizes phase transition or pressure differential mechanisms to allow controlled release of pressure buildup inside the hollow body during heating and cooling cycles. This enables the sealed environment to maintain its integrity for contamination prevention while providing a safety mechanism for pressure management.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing parts are joined tightly to ensure sealing, then protection against moisture is improved, but ease of repair and cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into detachable upper and lower parts that are joined through a reversible connection mechanism. This segmentation allows the housing to be assembled tightly for sealing during operation, while enabling easy disassembly for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The modular design balances sealing integrity with serviceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between housing parts is designed to be dynamic rather than permanent - allowing the parts to be firmly connected during operation for sealing, but easily disconnected when cleaning is required. This dynamic connection state changes based on operational needs, providing both tight sealing and ease of maintenance.
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 prevents damage from pressure changes and ensures the cooking chamber divider remains clean and functional by maintaining a sealed environment, preventing corrosion and contamination, thus enhancing its durability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
At least one pressure valve is designed as a pressure relief valve. In this way, the excess pressure that occurs inside the hollow body as a result of the heat can escape via the pressure valve into the surrounding atmosphere, which prevents the cooking chamber divider from bursting or becoming defective.
Implementation Method 2
At least one pressure valve is designed as a vacuum valve. This vacuum valve allows ambient air to flow into the cavity of the cooking compartment divider. This is necessary when the heated cooking chamber divider cools down and the air in the hollow body contracts.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking chamber divider for a cooking appliance is disclosed, having a hollow body in which a heating element is located, the hollow body being non-destructively removable.