Steamer Accessory with Venting Notch for Controlled Steam Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric steam cookers lack control over steam release and are not adaptable to different container sizes, making them inefficient for heating and steaming food economically.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooker accessory with a steam generator and a removable ring that surrounds the steam generator, allowing for adjustable sizes and a water reservoir for quicker steam production, along with a notch for easy steam exhaust, facilitating easier cleaning and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steam generator is designed with a fixed structure, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different container sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generator is divided into separate modular components: a base unit with heating element and water reservoir, and removable ring attachments of different sizes. This segmentation allows the same base unit to work with multiple container sizes by simply changing the ring attachment, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base steam generator unit is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple container sizes through interchangeable ring attachments. The same heating mechanism and water reservoir serve all container configurations, achieving adaptability without increasing the complexity of the core steam generation system.
2Ease of operation
If a duct is provided for steam exhaust, then steam can be vented effectively, but it is difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust function is extracted from the steam generator body and integrated into the removable ring attachment. The exhaust opening is formed directly in the ring structure itself, allowing the ring to be removed and cleaned easily without disassembling ducts or channels within the main generator body.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring attachment with its integrated exhaust opening serves as a self-contained unit that can be easily removed, rinsed, and reattached. The simple open structure of the ring with exhaust opening requires no complex disassembly for cleaning, making maintenance straightforward and efficient.
3Productivity
If a large water reservoir is used, then steam production is sustained longer, but it takes longer to heat the water and produce steam
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts water quantity to cooking needs through interchangeable reservoir sizes. For quick steaming tasks, a small reservoir provides rapid heating. For longer cooking sessions, a larger reservoir extends duration. This dynamic configuration allows optimization of either speed or duration based on specific cooking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The water reservoir capacity parameter can be changed by selecting different sized reservoirs or partial filling options. This parameter adjustment allows the user to optimize the balance between heating time and steam production duration according to the specific cooking task at hand.
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 provides controlled steam release, adaptability to various container sizes, and an economical construction, enhancing the efficiency and versatility of the steam cooker for heating and steaming food.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generator (5) comprising a steam production chamber (20) comprising a heating device (50)
Implementation Method 2
a steam production chamber (20) comprising a heating device (50) for transforming water present in the steam production chamber (20) into steam
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
- The invention concerns a steamer accessory (4') for steam-heating and/or -cooking food contained in a container (2') carrying the steamer accessory (4'), the steamer accessory (4') comprising a steam generator (5') comprising a steam production chamber connected to at least one steam distribution outlet provided in a lower part of the steam generator (5'), the steamer accessory (4') comprising a bearing surface (7') intended to rest on the container (2'). - According to the invention, the bearing surface (7') has an indentation (71') providing a vent (70') capable of bringing the inside of the container (2') into communication with the outside of the container (2') when the container (2') is carrying the steamer accessory (4'). - The invention also concerns an electric steamer (1') comprising a container (2') for containing the food to be heated and/or cooked, and a steamer accessory (4') according to the above-mentioned features.