Steam cooking appliance, system and method for operating the steam cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooking devices lack an efficient and user-friendly method for determining the optimal water level in the steamer tray, leading to suboptimal cooking results, increased energy and water consumption, and prolonged cooking times due to either insufficient or excessive water usage.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooking device with a horizontally retractable steamer drawer featuring an inclined bottom with integrated fill level markings, allowing users to easily measure the correct water volume without manual measurement, and a database linking these markings to specific cooking times, temperatures, and food types for precise steam generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no fill level markings are provided in the steamer tray, then the device structure remains simple, but users cannot determine the optimal water level leading to suboptimal cooking results and increased energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-marking the optimal fill levels on the steamer tray bottom before use. The fill level markings are predetermined based on the relationship between water volume, cooking time, and energy consumption, allowing users to directly follow the markings without requiring complex measurement tools or calculations during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating visual representations (markings) of the optimal water levels directly on the tray. Instead of using complex sensors or measurement devices, simple visual marks are made on the tray bottom that copy the ideal fill level information, making it easily accessible to users during the filling process.
2Ease of operation
If users manually measure water volume, then water level precision can be achieved, but user convenience is reduced and operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The steamer tray serves itself by having the fill level information directly integrated into its structure. The tray bottom with markings provides self-service guidance to users, eliminating the need for external measurement tools or complex procedures. Users can directly observe the markings and fill accordingly, making the operation intuitive and easy.
3Productivity
If insufficient water is used in the steamer tray, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooking time increases and cooking results deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The optimal water levels are predetermined and marked on the tray based on comprehensive analysis of the relationship between water volume, cooking time, and energy consumption. This preliminary determination ensures that users can achieve optimal cooking efficiency without excessive energy use by simply following the pre-calculated markings.
4Reliability
If excessive water is used in the steamer tray, then cooking results improve and cooking time decreases, but energy consumption and water waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different fill level markings are provided for different cooking scenarios and food types. Instead of using excessive water for all cases, the tray provides localized optimal fill levels tailored to specific cooking requirements. This ensures reliable cooking results while minimizing water and energy waste for each particular cooking task.
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 ensures optimal cooking results with reduced energy and water consumption, shorter cooking times, and improved user convenience by allowing precise water filling based on pre-defined markings and database instructions.
Implementation Method 1
the base (8) has a heating area (9) for generating steam from the liquid (F)
Implementation Method 2
a bottom (8) of the steamer pan (6) is inclined, is heatable at its lowest area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a steam cooking appliance (1) comprising a steam cooking drawer (3) which can be extended and retracted horizontally from a drawer housing (2) and a steamer tray (6) which can be covered by a lid (12), wherein a bottom (8) of the steamer tray (6) is inclined, is heatable at its lowest area (14) and is equipped with at least one marking group comprising at least one fill level marking (10-1 - 10-5).