Method for cleaning a damping system, damping system for a cooking appliance, and cooking appliance having a cooking chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cleaning humidification systems in cooking appliances with cooking chambers face issues such as leaks and damage to pumps due to solid suspended particles in cleaning acids, particularly in structurally small systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a single pump to deliver pure cleaning acid, fresh water, and air, with a shut-off valve activated only briefly, and employs thermal circulation via a steam generator with short heating pulses, eliminating the need for additional pumps and drains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional pumping or draining methods are used to remove saturated cleaning acid, then the cleaning process can be completed, but solid suspended particles in the cleaning acid cause leaks in valves and damage to pumps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning process completionVSAvoidvalve and pump integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes solid suspended particles from the cleaning acid through filtration before the acid is pumped or drained. This prevents the particles from causing damage to pumps and leaks in valves while maintaining the ability to complete the cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary filtration of the cleaning acid to remove solid particles before the pumping or draining operation. By preparing the cleaning acid in advance by removing harmful particles, the system avoids damage to pumps and valves during the subsequent removal process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additional pumps and drains are installed to handle saturated cleaning acid, then the cleaning process becomes more robust, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning system robustnessVSAvoidnumber of pumps and drains
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the existing pump multi-functional by enabling it to handle both pure cleaning acid and the filtration process. Through integrated filtration, the single pump system can robustly manage the cleaning acid removal without requiring additional pumps or drains, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the filtration function with the existing pump and drainage system. By combining particle removal with the pumping operation in an integrated manner, the system achieves robust cleaning capability without adding separate pumps or drains, maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the shut-off valve is activated for extended periods, then the cleaning acid can be properly drained, but the valve and pump experience increased wear and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning acid drainageVSAvoidvalve and pump service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention rapidly removes saturated cleaning acid through optimized drainage and filtration processes, minimizing the time the shut-off valve remains activated. By quickly completing the drainage operation, the system reduces valve wear and pump exposure to harsh conditions, extending their service life while maintaining effective cleaning acid removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

Enhances cleaning efficiency and extends the service life of components by preventing leaks and damage, while maintaining reliable operation over extended downtimes.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning acid is circulated solely by means of the steam generator, preferably that the steam generator is operated with short heating pulses such that thermal circulation of the cleaning acid occurs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the only pump of the humidification system according to the invention only delivers pure cleaning acid, i.e. cleaning acid without solid particles, pure fresh water and pure air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4614073A1Method for cleaning a damping system, damping system for a cooking appliance, and cooking appliance having a cooking chamber
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4614073A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4614073A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4614073A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for cleaning a steaming system (2) of a cooking appliance having a cooking chamber (4), comprising the following method steps: filling a tank (6) with a cleaning acid until the cleaning acid overflows from the tank (6) into the cooking chamber (4) by means of an overflow line (16) having a shut-off valve (18); circulating the cleaning acid from the tank (6) into a steam generator (14) and back; filling the tank (6) with fresh water with the shut-off valve (18) closed and the steam generator (14) switched off, until the cleaning acid has been displaced by means of the fresh water into a bypass line (20) in flow-conducting connection with the steam generator (14) and the overflow line (16) into the cooking chamber (4); Filling the tank (6) with air with the shut-off valve (18) closed until the fresh water has been displaced into the cooking chamber (4) by means of the bypass line (20);Wetting the pump (10) with a predetermined amount of fresh water, wherein the amount of fresh water is designed solely for wetting the pump (10); evaporating a residual amount of water located in the humidification system (2) downstream of the pump (10) by means of the steam generator (14) with the shut-off valve (18) open. The invention further relates to a humidification system (2) and a cooking appliance.