Self-Cleaning Oven Using Superheated Steam and Thermal Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oven self-cleaning methods, such as pyrolysis, are energy-intensive and time-consuming, making it difficult to efficiently remove food stains from oven surfaces, especially when high temperatures are required for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
The use of superheated steam generated by heating a plate to a predefined temperature and then spraying water onto it to create steam, employing the thermal shock effect to detach and remove food stains, with a controller managing the heating and water introduction for multiple clean cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pyrolytic cleaning is used with high temperatures (420-500°C), then food particles are reduced to ash for easy removal, but energy consumption increases and cleaning time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from extreme pyrolytic temperatures (420-500°C) to a lower range (80-100°C) for steam generation. This parameter change allows effective cleaning through thermal shock and steam softening while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to traditional pyrolytic methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to steam. Water is heated to generate steam, which then condenses on the oven surfaces during cleaning. This phase transition mechanism enables effective cleaning at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning efficacy.
2Ease of manufacture
If pyrolytic cleaning is used with high temperatures (420-500°C), then food particles are reduced to ash for easy removal, but cleaning time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through multiple cleaning cycles, each consisting of heating phases and spraying phases. Instead of continuous high-temperature pyrolysis, the system alternates between heating the oven cavity and spraying water/steam, achieving effective cleaning in shorter total time through repeated thermal shock cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the extended high-temperature pyrolysis process by using rapid thermal shock with steam and water spraying. This rushing through the cleaning process at lower temperatures with multiple quick cycles reduces overall cleaning time compared to traditional slow pyrolytic methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If steam cleaning is used by heating water to boil, then crusted stains are softened for cleaning, but high temperature heating is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from boiling point (100°C) to a lower range (80-100°C) for steam generation. This parameter optimization allows sufficient steam generation for effective cleaning while minimizing energy consumption and avoiding excessive heat that could damage oven surfaces.
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 approach significantly reduces cleaning time by 3-5 times compared to pyrolysis, improves user experience by simplifying the process, and lowers energy consumption while effectively removing food stains from oven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
power a heating plate in a cavity of the oven to increase temperature of the heating plate. Responsive to the heating plate being heated to above a predefined start temperature for a predefined soak period of time, the controller directs one or more nozzles to introduce water onto the heating plate to generate superheated steam
Implementation Method 2
employing the thermal shock effect to detach and remove food stains
Data Source
AI summary
A self-cleaning oven is provided. Responsive to initiating a self-clean operation, a heating plate in a cavity of the oven is powered to increase temperature of the heating plate. Responsive to the heating plate being heated to above a predefined start temperature for a predefined soak period of time, one or more nozzles are directed to introduce water onto the heating plate to generate superheated steam until the heating plate falls below a predefined reboot temperature. The power and watering operations are repeated according to a predefined number of clean cycles specified by the self-clean operation.