Steam Generator Decalcification Integrated With Cooking Chamber Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for decalcifying steam generators in cooking appliances require aggressive chemicals, leading to high risks, increased costs, and longer operational downtime, while also causing environmental pollution due to the need for special handling and dilution of these chemicals.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a cleaning liquid, such as citric acid, in two distinct cleaning phases to effectively decalcify the steam generator, integrating the descaling process into the cooking chamber's cleaning cycle, reducing exposure time, and utilizing a harmless, environmentally friendly agent that can be reused and diluted safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aggressive chemicals are used for decalcification, then decalcification effectiveness is improved, but user safety risk and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecalcification effectivenessVSAvoiduser safety risk and environmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter by using citric acid instead of aggressive chemicals, and controls the concentration parameter by diluting the cleaning fluid with water from 2-5 liters to over 10 liters, achieving effective decalcification while reducing harmful effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful concentrated cleaning fluid into a beneficial solution by diluting it with water during the cleaning cycle, transforming a harmful substance into a safe and effective decalcifying agent that protects both users and the environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If dedicated decalcification cycles are implemented, then steam generator cleaning is improved, but operational downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam generator cleaningVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the decalcification function with the regular cleaning cycle by routing the cleaning fluid through both the cooking chamber and the steam generator via the quenching box, achieving dual cleaning purposes in a single operational cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning fluid serves multiple functions: it cleans the cooking chamber, decalcifies the steam generator, and rinses both components, making the cleaning system universal and eliminating the need for separate dedicated decalcification cycles

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

3Productivity

If high concentration decalcifying agent is used, then decalcification speed is improved, but environmental pollution and handling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecalcification speedVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter of the decalcifying agent by diluting the cleaning fluid with a large amount of water (2-5 liters or more) during the cleaning cycle, maintaining effective decalcification speed while reducing environmental pollution and simplifying handling requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach reduces downtime and environmental impact by integrating decalcification into the cooking chamber's cleaning cycle, using a harmless agent that minimizes chemical usage and extends maintenance intervals, while ensuring efficient cleaning and descaling of the steam generator.

Implementation Method 1

a chemical decalcification solution is supplied to it from a reservoir, the decalcification liquid is heated in order to dissolve limescale deposits inside the boiler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a pump is put into operation so that the cleaning liquid present in the quenching box is fed into the cooking chamber and/or into the steam generator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

the decalcification liquid is heated in order to dissolve limescale deposits inside the boiler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP1953458B1Method for cleaning a cooking device
Publication Date: 2010.03.31 RATIONAL AG
  • EP1953458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1953458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1953458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves feeding a cleaning fluid, particularly under high pressure into an inner space by a circulating device, which is in active connection with a fluid feeding device (7). The cleaning fluid is fed partly, particularly under high pressure into another inner space by another circulating device, which is in active connection with another fluid feeding device : An independent claim is also included for a cooking device for executing a cleaning method.