Steam Cooking Device Buffer Chamber to Prevent Water Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooking devices employing a baffle plate in the water evaporation chamber face issues with water ejection into the heating chamber, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device design that eliminates the need for a baffle plate by incorporating a buffer chamber between the water evaporation and heating chambers, where steam is reheated and pressure-adjusted, improving heating efficiency and reducing the size and cost of the heat source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a baffle plate is provided in the water evaporation chamber to prevent bumping water from reaching the ejection opening, then water ejection into the heating chamber is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the water evaporation chamber and the heating chamber. This buffer chamber receives steam from the evaporation chamber and delivers it to the heating chamber, while also serving as a trap for bumping water. The buffer chamber thus mediates the interaction between the two chambers, preventing water from reaching the ejection opening without requiring a baffle plate in the evaporation chamber itself.
2Reliability
If a baffle plate is installed in the water evaporation chamber to block bumping water, then water ejection is prevented, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer chamber serves as a mediator that eliminates the need for a baffle plate in the water evaporation chamber. By providing a separate chamber specifically designed to handle steam and trap water, the system achieves reliable water ejection prevention while simplifying the overall manufacturing process and reducing costs.
3Temperature
If the buffer chamber is heated by conduction from the heating chamber, then steam temperature is improved and heating efficiency increases, but the heat source size must be sufficient to heat both chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer chamber is positioned to receive heat by conduction from the heating chamber, allowing it to heat its own steam content using the thermal energy already present in the heating chamber. This self-service heating approach improves steam temperature and heating efficiency without requiring an additional dedicated heat source for the buffer chamber.
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 buffer chamber effectively prevents water from entering the heating chamber, enhances steam reheating, and simplifies the device structure, resulting in improved energy efficiency and cost reduction.
Implementation Method 1
the inside of the buffer chamber is allowed to be heated with heat conducted from the heating chamber
Implementation Method 2
an ejection opening ejecting into the heating chamber the steam of the water evaporation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generating container A heated by a heat source includes: a water evaporation chamber into which water is supplied by a water supply device; a leading opening to lead steam from the water evaporation chamber, and ejection openings ejecting steam led through the leading opening into a heating chamber containing food. A buffer chamber connecting through the leading opening and with the ejection openings is provided between the water evaporation chamber and the heating chamber. Even when bumping water enters the buffer chamber through the leading opening, the bumping water having entered flows inside the buffer chamber. Thus, the bumping water is hardly ejected into the heating chamber through the ejection openings.