Steam generator and cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances with steam generators face challenges in preventing water boiling over and contamination of the cooking space, while also requiring efficient steam generation for cooking and cleaning.

Innovation Solution

The steam generator is designed with a steam chamber divided into multiple spaces, featuring a steam heater, water supply, interference members to prolong water heating time, and a discharge system to prevent boiling over, along with a steam guide tube to enhance steam flow and heating efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is supplied continuously to the heating space, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but water boiling over and contamination of cooking space occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam generation efficiencyVSAvoidwater boiling over and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating space is segmented into multiple regions: a water supply region with water supply holes near the bottom, and a steam generation region above the maximum water level. This segmentation allows water to be supplied continuously for efficient steam generation while the elevated steam discharge opening prevents water boilover from contaminating the cooking space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A water level sensor acts as an intermediary device to monitor the water level in the heating space and control the water supply. This intermediary mechanism ensures water is supplied at appropriate rates to maintain efficient steam generation without exceeding the maximum level that would cause boilover and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If water heating time is extended, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but cooking time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam generation efficiencyVSAvoidcooking time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Water is supplied in advance to the heating space through water supply holes before steam generation is needed. The heating element continuously maintains the water at optimal temperature, so when steam is required, it can be generated immediately without waiting for water to heat up, thus improving steam generation efficiency without extending cooking time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element operates continuously to maintain water at the optimal temperature for steam generation. This continuous heating action ensures that water is always ready to convert to steam quickly when needed, improving steam generation efficiency without adding to the overall cooking time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If steam discharge opening is positioned high, then water boilover is prevented, but steam generation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of water boiloverVSAvoidsteam generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The steam discharge opening is positioned at a specific height above the maximum water level in the steam generation region. This localized positioning ensures that even when water boils over locally, it cannot reach the discharge opening and contaminate the cooking space, while still allowing efficient steam generation and discharge through the elevated opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively prevents boiling over and contamination, while efficiently generating high-temperature steam for cooking and cleaning, ensuring improved cooking performance and appliance hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

one steam heater to heat the water stored in the heating space to generate the steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

steam generated by heating the water stored in the heating space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

water boils over, and thus, is introduced into the cooking space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS11739949B2Steam generator and cooking appliance

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A steam generator is provided. The steam generator may include a steam chamber, a steam heater to supply heat into the steam chamber, a water supply, through which water to generate steam may be supplied into the steam chamber, one or more interference members disposed in the steam chamber to interfere with a flow of the water introduced through the water supply, and at least one discharge to discharge the steam generated in the steam chamber. The one or more interference members may be disposed under the at least one discharge and above the water supply.