Steamer accessory for steam-heating and/or steaming food in a container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooker accessories require careful filling of the water tank due to the presence of the steam generator, making the process cumbersome and inefficient, while also lacking in economical construction and steam production performance.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooker accessory with a water reservoir that communicates externally via a filling orifice, featuring a steam generator with a steam production chamber connected to steam distribution outlets, where the steam production chamber is confined above the water supply inlet, allowing water to flow freely and be transformed into steam, which rises and passes through ducts to distribution outlets, facilitating easy filling and efficient steam production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a steam generator is integrated into the steam cooker accessory, then steam production performance is improved, but filling the water tank becomes cumbersome and requires careful operation
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into functionally independent components: the water reservoir and steam production chamber are separated by a partition wall, and the steam pathways are segmented into distinct regions (filling region, steam production region, steam escape region). This segmentation allows water to be filled freely without interfering with steam generation operations, resolving the contradiction between improved steam production and ease of filling.
2Productivity
If a complex steam generator structure is used to improve steam production, then steam distribution performance is enhanced, but the construction becomes less economical
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated steam generator structure: the water reservoir, steam production chamber, steam escape outlets, and distribution outlets are combined in one unit with a unified housing. This merging achieves good steam distribution performance while maintaining economical construction through reduced part count and simplified manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam generator is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously performs water storage, steam generation, steam escape, and steam distribution functions. The single structure serves multiple purposes, improving steam distribution performance without requiring separate components for each function, thus maintaining construction economy.
3Ease of operation
If the steam production chamber is positioned above the water supply inlet, then water can freely flow into the chamber, but steam must travel through longer pathways to reach distribution outlets
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is segmented into distinct functional regions: a filling region for water input, a steam production chamber for steam generation, and a steam escape region with outlets for steam distribution. The partition wall creates separate pathways that allow water to freely enter while steam efficiently escapes and distributes, resolving the contradiction between ease of water flow and steam distribution efficiency.
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 design simplifies the filling of the water tank and enhances steam production performance, resulting in an economical and efficient steam generator with improved steam distribution, making the process easier and more effective.
Implementation Method 1
the water reservoir (106) supplies water to the steam production chamber (120) via a water supply inlet (121)
Implementation Method 2
the water reaching the steam generation chamber is transformed into steam
Implementation Method 3
the steam production chamber (120) includes a heating device (150)
Implementation Method 4
the steam produced in the steam generation chamber escapes through the steam discharge outlet(s) to reach the steam distribution outlet(s) by descending through the duct(s)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a steamer accessory (104) comprising a water reservoir (106) communicating with the outside via a filling orifice (160), and a steam generator (105) comprising a steam production chamber (120) connected to at least one steam distribution outlet (115) provided in a lower part (110) of the steam generator (105), the water reservoir (106) communicating with the steam production chamber (120) via a water supply inlet (121). -According to the invention, the steam production chamber (120) communicates with at least one steam evacuation outlet (122) disposed higher up than the water supply inlet (121), the steam production chamber (120) being confined above the steam evacuation outlet(s) (122), the or each steam evacuation outlet (122) communicating via a duct (125) with the or one of the steam distribution outlet(s) (115). -The invention also relates to an electric steamer comprising a container and a lid (103) comprising a steamer accessory (104) according to the above-mentioned features.