Steam cooking device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional steam cooking appliances have complex and unwieldy water tank removal systems and difficult filling mechanisms, which compromise user comfort and design aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

A steam cooking appliance with a water supply unit featuring a removable water tank where the closure element forms part of the front or rear, allowing for easy integration into the control panel, featuring a bayonet or screw connection for quick closure, and a valve unit for fluid coupling with the evaporator, enhancing user experience and design integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional water tank configuration is used, then the water tank can be removed from the steam cooking appliance, but the removal process becomes complex and unwieldy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater tank removalVSAvoidremoval system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is merged with the front or rear panel of the water tank, forming an integrated assembly. This integration simplifies the overall structure and eliminates separate components that would complicate the removal mechanism, allowing the entire water tank to be removed as a single unit without complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a conventional water tank configuration is used, then the water tank can be removed from the steam cooking appliance, but the filling process becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater tank fillingVSAvoidfilling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is extracted as a separate, removable component that can be independently opened and closed. This allows the filling opening to be accessed easily when needed, while the closure element can be quickly reattached to seal the tank, simplifying the filling process without requiring complex filling mechanisms or tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If the closure element forms part of the front or rear of the water tank, then the design integration is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign integrationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The water tank is segmented into distinct functional components: the tank body, the closure element, and the front/rear panels. The closure element can be manufactured separately using standard molding or fabrication techniques, then assembled to the tank body through simple joining methods. This segmentation maintains aesthetic integration while avoiding the need for complex integrated manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution simplifies water tank removal and filling while maintaining a homogeneous design, providing improved user comfort and aesthetic integration by allowing the water tank to be flush with the control panel, reducing the risk of faults and enhancing the overall usability of the appliance.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator unit that can be connected to the water supply unit, with which water can be evaporated and the steam generated in the evaporator unit can be provided in the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3673210B1Steam cooking device
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3673210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3673210B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3673210B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a steam cooking device comprising: a water supply unit (10), which has a removable water tank (20), which in the installed position has a front side (VS) facing the user and a rear side (RS) opposite the front side (VS) and also a closure element (30) for closing the filling opening of said water tank; and an evaporator unit, which can be connected to the water supply unit (10) and by means of which water from the water supply unit (10) can be evaporated and the steam generated in the evaporator unit can be provided into the cooking chamber of the steam cooking device. According to the invention the closure element (30) at least in part forms the front side (VS) or the rear side (RS) of the water tank (20).