Steam Cooking Chamber Load Control to Reduce Steam Escape
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Solution Overview
Problem
Steam cooking appliances experience excessive steam escape during the heating-up phase, leading to longer cooking times and increased humidity, which is undesirable and results in complaints from users.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a steam cooking appliance that uses a control device and sensor device to measure the load in the cooking chamber, allowing for load-dependent control of the cooking process by detecting the temperature characteristic of the cooking chamber and adjusting the steam generator output accordingly, reducing steam escape and maintaining maximum heating output until near the operating temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the steam generator output is reduced during the heating-up phase to avoid steam escape, then steam escape is reduced, but the heating-up time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator output is dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements from the temperature sensor. The control device continuously monitors the temperature and modulates the steam generator power accordingly, transitioning from high power at lower temperatures to reduced power near the target temperature, optimizing both heating speed and steam escape prevention
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor provides real-time feedback about the cooking chamber temperature to the control device. This feedback loop enables the control device to adjust the steam generator output based on the actual temperature state, preventing steam escape when the chamber is near the target temperature while maintaining efficient heating when the temperature is lower
2Productivity
If the steam generator operates at maximum power during heating-up, then heating efficiency is improved, but excess steam escapes from the cooking chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The operating parameters of the steam generator are changed based on the temperature state of the cooking chamber. The control device adjusts the steam generator power output as a function of temperature, maintaining high power when the chamber is cool for efficient heating, and reducing power when the chamber approaches the target temperature to prevent steam escape
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the steam generator output is reduced at lower temperatures to prevent steam escape, then steam escape is minimized, but the cooking process duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator operates dynamically with varying power output throughout the cooking process. The control device continuously adjusts the steam generator power based on real-time temperature feedback, maintaining high power during the early heating phase to minimize cooking duration, and reducing power only when necessary near the target temperature to prevent steam escape
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 enables shorter heating and cooking times while minimizing steam escape, ensuring efficient cooking without excessive humidity, as the steam output is adjusted based on the load, maintaining high heating efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor device comprising at least one temperature sensor which detects a temperature characteristic of the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
the cooking chamber being heated at least essentially by at least one steam source
Implementation Method 3
the cooking chamber being heated at least essentially by at least one steam source
Implementation Method 4
the control device is set up to derive at least one measure for the loading of the cooking chamber from the sensor signals of the sensor device and to carry out the method according to the invention
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The cooking device (1) has cooking chamber (2) that is heated via a steam source (3). A control unit is arranged to determine the measure of loads (40,41) of oven cavity from the signals output from a sensor device, so that load-dependent control of the cooking process is performed. An independent claim is included for method for operating cooking device.