Steam Basket Heating Control for Precise Grain Water Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing appliances for heating food products, such as rice cookers and multi-cookers, face challenges in consistently achieving the appropriate water-to-grain ratio and ideal heating time for various grains, leading to uncertainty among users about how to heat unfamiliar types of grains effectively.

Innovation Solution

The appliance includes a housing with a heating cavity, a steamer basket with a perforated lower wall to suspend the food above the heating element, and a controller that adjusts the heating temperature and water evaporation rate to match the known steam absorption rate of the food product, ensuring precise water absorption and heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a printed list of grains with water ratios is provided, then users can find water-to-grain ratio information, but users still lack knowledge of appropriate heating time and cannot heat unfamiliar grains effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater-to-grain ratio informationVSAvoidheating process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance automatically determines the optimal water-to-grain ratio and heating time by detecting the grain type and weight, then autonomously controls the water supply and heating cycles without requiring users to manually consult printed lists or make decisions about heating parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual information retrieval and decision-making processes with automated sensing and control systems that detect grain characteristics and automatically adjust heating parameters, substituting mechanical user actions with electronic automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If manual water addition is used, then users can control water quantity, but achieving the appropriate water-to-grain ratio is difficult and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater quantityVSAvoidwater-to-grain ratio precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that detect grain weight and characteristics, then uses this feedback information to automatically calculate and adjust the precise water quantity needed, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures accurate water-to-grain ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated control system as an intermediary between the user and the heating process, which mediates the water addition by automatically measuring grain quantity and supplying the precise amount of water required, eliminating manual estimation errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If fixed heating time is used, then the heating process is simple, but ideal heating time varies significantly among different grains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating timeVSAvoidgrain type adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts heating time based on real-time detection of grain type and characteristics, transitioning from fixed static heating cycles to adaptive dynamic cycles that automatically optimize duration for each specific grain variety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent automatically changes heating parameters including time, temperature, and water quantity based on detected grain characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to different grain types by modifying operational parameters rather than using fixed settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for consistent and accurate heating of various grains and legumes by automatically determining the optimal water volume and heating time based on the food product's weight, eliminating guesswork and ensuring improved heating results.

Implementation Method 1

steam generated by heating water within the lower portion of the heating cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

steam generated by heating water within the lower portion of the heating cavity flows over the food product for heating thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230255387A1Appliance for improved heating of food products using steam

Publication Date: 2023.08.17 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

An appliance for heating a food product includes a housing having an interior defining a heating cavity, a lid enclosing an upper opening of the heating cavity, a water supply including a portion directed through the lid for introducing water to the heating cavity, a heating element adjacent a lower portion of the heating cavity, and a steamer basket receivable within the heating cavity. The steamer basket defines a body with a perforated lower wall positionable above the lower portion of the heating cavity such that the food product is suspended above the lower portion of the heating cavity during heating of water therein and such that steam generated by heating water within the lower portion of the heating cavity permeates the food product for heating thereof.