Steam-Infusion Oven with Separate Steam Source and Drip Pan
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing countertop ovens with steam and rotisserie features are often complex and expensive, with issues such as water dripping onto the heating element causing corrosion and making cleaning difficult, and the need for manual handling of food during rotisserie operations.
Innovation Solution
A countertop oven design featuring a steam source heated independently of the oven heating element, with a controller managing steam generation based on temperature thresholds, and a spit assembly support fixture with a drip pan to contain drippings and simplify food handling during rotisserie cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is piped into the oven cavity to or proximate the oven heating element to produce steam, then steam generation is achieved, but water dripping onto the heating element causes corrosion and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the steam generation function from the heating element by introducing a dedicated steam source (trough) and steam source heater distinct from the cooking heater elements. This segmentation prevents water from contacting the cooking heating elements, eliminating corrosion and cooling issues while maintaining independent steam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a steam source trough and steam source heater as intermediary components between the water reservoir and the cooking cavity. Water is delivered to the trough, heated by the steam source heater to generate steam, which then infuses into the cooking cavity without the water itself contacting the heating elements or food.
2Reliability
If a steam source heater is used to heat the steam source, then steam generation is reliable, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam source heater serves multiple functions: it heats the steam source trough to generate steam, and can be controlled independently of the cooking heater elements. The controller can activate the steam source heater only when needed for steam generation, while the cooking heater elements handle temperature control for the food, creating a multi-functional heating system that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the cooking heater elements to indirectly heat the steam source trough when the oven cavity is already hot, eliminating the need for continuous operation of the steam source heater. The steam source serves itself by utilizing waste heat from the cooking process, reducing energy consumption and system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two large spit plates are loaded into tracks in the oven side walls for rotisserie, then rotisserie function is achieved, but food handling complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spit support function with a drip pan into a single integrated spit assembly support fixture. The drip pan collects drippings from the rotating food, and the spit supports rest on the pan's upstand walls. This merging eliminates the need for separate spit plates and tracks, simplifies food loading, and makes cleaning easier as the drip pan can be removed and washed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a spit support plate is used to support food vertically for rotisserie, then rotisserie operation is enabled, but drippings fall onto the oven cavity floor making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of drippings falling onto the oven cavity floor into a beneficial collection system. The drip pan is positioned to receive and contain all drippings from the rotating food, preventing them from contaminating the oven cavity floor. The collected drippings can then be easily disposed of or used for gravy making, turning a cleaning problem into a useful byproduct.
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 reduces corrosion risks, simplifies food handling, and enhances cooking efficiency by maintaining a controlled steam environment and reducing cleaning complexity, while improving moisture retention and cooking time.
Implementation Method 1
a steam source heater independent of the oven heating element or elements
Implementation Method 2
supplying water to the steam source sufficient to produce steam
Data Source
AI summary
An oven includes a cooking enclosure including one or more cooking heater elements, a steam source in the cooking enclosure, and a steam source heater for the steam source. A sensor is responsive to the temperature of the steam source. A fluid reservoir is exterior to the cooking enclosure and a conduit extends from the fluid reservoir to or proximate the steam source. A controller energizes the steam source heater if the temperature of the steam source is below a predetermined threshold and de-energizes the steam source heater if the temperature of the steam source is above the predetermined threshold.