Steam-Cooking Vessel Valve Mounting for Easy Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessels for indirect steaming with automatic temperature control face difficulties in replacing the pressure adjusting device without damaging the vessel, and manufacturing such vessels is complex and costly, limiting their accessibility and usability on induction cooking plates.

Innovation Solution

A vessel design featuring a pressure adjusting device with a bushing, L-shaped connector, and valve assembly that can be easily mounted and removed, using adhesive materials for secure attachment and detachment, allowing for simple replacement and compatibility with induction cooking plates, while maintaining structural and aesthetic quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the pressure adjusting device is integrated into the vessel structure using traditional joining methods, then the vessel achieves robust structural integrity, but the pressure adjusting device becomes difficult to replace without damaging the vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplaceability of pressure adjusting deviceVSAvoidstructural integrity of vessel
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure adjusting device is segmented from the vessel body through the use of a removable bushing component. The bushing acts as an intermediate element that can be independently removed, allowing the pressure adjusting device to be separated into replaceable modules while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the vessel when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing is pre-installed into the vessel wall with threaded holes prepared in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary action creates a ready-made mounting structure that facilitates easy replacement of the pressure adjusting device without requiring damage to the vessel body, as the replacement components can be directly screwed into the pre-prepared bushing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the vessel is manufactured with complex assembly steps to ensure high quality, then structural and aesthetic quality is maintained, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural and aesthetic qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel is divided into modular components (outer body, inner body, bushing, pressure adjusting device) that can be manufactured separately using standard processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for quality while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular assembly rather than complex integrated fabrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing serves as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection between the pressure adjusting device and the vessel body. Instead of directly joining complex components to each other, the bushing mediates the connection, providing a standardized interface that reduces manufacturing complexity while ensuring precise alignment and secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional cooking vessels are used with direct heat contact, then simple manufacturing is achieved, but food burning and nutritional value loss occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of vessel constructionVSAvoidfood burning and nutritional damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking vessel is segmented into an outer body for heat resistance and an inner body for food contact, separated by a hollow space. This segmentation allows the inner body to be isolated from direct heat contact while the outer body handles the thermal stress, preventing food burning without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow space filled with water acts as an intermediary thermal medium between the heat source and the food. Instead of direct heat transfer that causes burning, the water absorbs and distributes heat uniformly, then transfers it gently to the food through the inner body wall, preventing burning while maintaining simple vessel construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables easy replacement of the pressure adjusting device and cost-effective manufacturing of high-quality vessels suitable for indirect steaming with automatic temperature control, ensuring efficient cooking and energy savings, with the ability to use induction cooking plates.

Implementation Method 1

a bushing (23) secured to a first outer body (13) of the vessel by means of a layer of adhesive material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

a water-containing hollow space (17) is interposed between the heat source, for instance a gas ring or an electric hot plate, and the food

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The pressure of steam generated inside the hollow space due to water heating is adjusted by a control valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP2200486B1A method of manufacturing a vessel for cooking food, and a vessel thus obtained
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 FOGACCI GRP SRL
  • EP2200486B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2200486B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a vessel (11) for indirect steaming of food with automatic temperature control, said vessel comprising an outer first body (13) and an inner second body (15), which have both a closed bottom (13a, 15a) and a corresponding opening (13b, 15b) on the opposite base and define therebetween a hollow space (17) associated with a pressure controlling device (21) comprising a bushing (23), an L-shaped connector (25) and a steam adjusting valve (27), wherein the application of the pressure adjusting device (21) comprises the steps of: screwing the bushing (23) into a hole (19) provided in the outer body (13) of the vessel (11), upon deposition of a layer of adhesive; hardening said adhesive; securing the L-shaped connector (25) to the bushing (23), upon application of a layer of adhesive; hardening said adhesive; mounting the steam adjusting valve (27) onto the connector (25).