Steam Supply Port Structure to Prevent Water Overflow and Microwave Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cooking appliances that use steam generation, water can overflow and contaminate the cooking chamber due to vigorous boiling, leading to potential damage from thermal shock and microwave leakage through steam supply ports.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance design featuring a steam supply port with a coaxial connection pipe system, where the inner pipe has a smaller diameter than the outer pipe, and an inclined surface to prevent water from entering the cooking chamber, along with a sealing member to block microwave leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-output heater is used with a small steam generation chamber, then steam generation efficiency is improved, but water vigorously boils and may not be discharged properly, causing contamination and thermal shock risks
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply port is segmented into an inner pipe and an outer pipe with different diameters. The inner pipe has a smaller diameter than the outer pipe, creating a stepped structure that separates the steam flow path from the water discharge path, preventing water from entering the cooking chamber while maintaining efficient steam generation
Solution Approach 2:
A seal ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the inner pipe and outer pipe. The seal ring fills the annular space and prevents water from the heating chamber from leaking into the cooking chamber through the steam supply port, while allowing steam to pass through the inner pipe
2Device complexity
If a simple single-diameter pipe is used for steam supply, then device complexity is reduced, but water can enter the cooking chamber through the steam supply port causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The steam supply port is divided into an inner pipe and an outer pipe with different diameters. This segmentation creates a stepped structure that prevents water from entering the cooking chamber while maintaining steam flow capability, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The steam supply port has different diameters at different locations: the inner pipe has a smaller diameter suitable for steam flow, while the outer pipe has a larger diameter. This local quality variation prevents water leakage while maintaining steam generation efficiency
3Ease of operation
If the steam supply port extends through the frame sidewall, then steam can be supplied to the cooking chamber, but microwaves can leak through the same port
Solution Approach 1:
A seal ring is used to create a sealing barrier at the frame sidewall where the steam supply port passes through. This flexible sealing element prevents microwave leakage through the port opening while allowing steam to pass through the inner pipe, resolving the contradiction between steam supply and microwave containment
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
Effectively prevents water from entering the cooking chamber, reducing contamination and thermal shock risks while ensuring microwave safety, even during high-output steam generation.
Implementation Method 1
a steam heater for heating the water for steam generation stored in the heating space to generate steam
Implementation Method 2
a steam heater for heating the water for steam generation stored in the heating space to generate steam
Implementation Method 3
a magnetron configured to generate a microwave for cooking food in the cooking chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking appliance includes a frame that defines a cooking chamber, a steam generator coupled to the frame and configured to generate steam, and a steam supply port that is connected to the steam generator, that extends through a sidewall of the frame to the cooking chamber, and that is configured to guide steam from the steam generator to the cooking chamber. The steam supply port includes a first pipe having a first diameter, a second pipe located inside of the cooking chamber, the second pipe having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, and a connection pipe configured to connect the first pipe to the second pipe.