Steam cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooking appliances are costly to manufacture and prone to technical complexity due to calcification issues and the need for complex water flow control devices.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooking appliance design where the water tank is connected to the atmosphere via a connecting line that allows atmospheric pressure equalization, enabling water flow and air entry, with a cross-section adjusted to facilitate water flow despite surface tension, and featuring an evaporation basin with self-regulating water level control, eliminating the need for additional control elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a straight tube is used for water supply in the cooking chamber, then water can be delivered to the heated plate, but the tube quickly becomes calcified and complex control devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control function from complex mechanical/electrical devices and transfers it to the geometric design of the connecting line itself. The line cross-section and outlet position are designed to automatically regulate water flow based on water level, eliminating the need for solenoid valves, pumps, and control software.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-regulating water flow control where the connecting line's geometry (cross-section and outlet position) automatically adjusts water delivery based on the water level in the evaporation basin. When water reaches the outlet position, air intake is blocked, stopping further water flow without external control.
2Ease of operation
If control and regulating devices are added to manage water flow, then water delivery can be controlled, but the device becomes more expensive and complex to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting line is designed with specific geometric parameters (cross-section area and outlet position) that enable automatic water level regulation. The system self-adjusts water flow based on physical principles (surface tension, air intake blocking) without requiring operators to manage complex control systems.
3Quantity of substance
If the connecting line allows air entry for pressure equalization, then water can flow by gravity, but surface tension and simultaneous air inflow complicate the flow dynamics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the connecting line's cross-section area and outlet position as key parameters. The cross-section is sized to allow water flow while the outlet is positioned to block air intake when water reaches the desired level, creating automatic flow regulation through geometric parameters rather than mechanical controls.
4Reliability
If the evaporation basin water level is controlled by additional electrical or mechanical elements, then precise level control is achieved, but cost and susceptibility to technical faults increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes all electrical and mechanical control elements (solenoid valves, pumps, sensors, cabling, control software) from the water level control function. Instead, it uses the connecting line's geometric design and natural physical processes (gravity flow, surface tension, air intake blocking) to achieve reliable automatic level control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves automatic water level control through the connecting line's geometry and natural physical feedback. When water reaches the outlet position, air intake is blocked, automatically stopping water flow. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates susceptibility to electrical and mechanical faults.
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 design reduces manufacturing costs, simplifies operation, and minimizes technical faults by eliminating the need for complex control devices, ensuring reliable and efficient steam generation with easy maintenance and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a connecting line (8) between the water tank (6) and the cooking chamber (2), via which the water flows exclusively by gravity into the cooking chamber (2)
Implementation Method 2
The line cross-section of the connecting line is to be selected in such a way that the water can flow in the opposite direction to the water, despite its surface tension and the simultaneous entry and inflow of air
Implementation Method 3
A heating device is arranged below the evaporation basin, via which the water in the evaporation basin can be heated and evaporated
Implementation Method 4
via which the water in the evaporation basin can be heated and evaporated
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam cooking appliance for cooking foodstuffs by means of steam, comprising: a cooking compartment (2); a water reservoir (6) for storing water; a heating device (11) for boiling water, and; a connecting line (8) between the water reservoir and the cooking compartment via which the water, under the action of gravity, reaches the cooking compartment (2). The design of the steam cooking appliance is improved in that the water reservoir (6), when empty, is solely connected to the atmosphere via the connecting line (8).