Steamer Steam Chamber Layout for Safe Reservoir Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steam production appliances for food steaming require caution when filling the water reservoir due to their design, are not economical, and do not offer optimal steam production performance.

Innovation Solution

A steamer accessory with a water reservoir that communicates externally via a filling orifice, a steam generator with a steam production chamber connected to steam distribution outlets, and a steam expansion chamber positioned above the water supply inlet, allowing for efficient steam production and facilitated filling, while maintaining an economical design and good steam production performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the steam production chamber is positioned above the water supply inlet with steam evacuation outlets, then the filling operation is facilitated and steam production performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for ducts connecting steam evacuation outlets to distribution outlets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the steam evacuation function and steam distribution function into a single integrated chamber. The steam production chamber serves as both the evaporation space and the distribution manifold, with steam distribution outlets directly positioned on the chamber walls. This eliminates the need for separate ducts to transport steam from evacuation outlets to distribution outlets, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining improved filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the steam production chamber is confined above the steam evacuation outlet(s), then good steam production performance is achieved, but the construction cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesteam production performanceVSAvoidconstruction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the steam generator into functional zones within a single chamber: the lower portion contains the water supply inlet and heating element for steam generation, while the upper and lateral portions contain steam distribution outlets for steam delivery. This segmentation allows the chamber to be manufactured as a single integrated component rather than assembling multiple separate parts, reducing construction costs while maintaining effective steam production performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a conventional steam generator design is used with steam distribution outlets in the lower part, then the construction is economical, but caution is required when filling the water reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstruction costVSAvoidfilling operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional steam generator design by positioning the steam distribution outlets in the upper and lateral portions of the steam production chamber rather than in the lower part. This inversion allows the water reservoir to be filled from the top without risk of water entering the steam distribution system, eliminating the need for caution during filling operations while maintaining economical construction through a single-chamber design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Facilitates easy filling of the water reservoir, reduces construction complexity, and enhances steam production efficiency, resulting in a cost-effective and high-performance steam generator.

Implementation Method 1

the water reaching the steam production chamber is transformed into steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

the steam rises to reach the steam evacuation outlet(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

the steam rises to reach the steam evacuation outlet(s), then crosses the duct(s) to reach the steam distribution outlet(s)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10702088B2Steamer accessory for steam-heating and/or steaming food in a container

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 SEB SA

AI summary

A steamer accessory includes a water reservoir communicating with the outside via a filling orifice, and a steam generator including a steam production chamber connected to at least one steam distribution outlet provided in a lower part of the steam generator, the water reservoir communicating with the steam production chamber via a water supply inlet. The steam production chamber communicates with at least one steam evacuation outlet disposed higher up than the water supply inlet, the steam production chamber being confined above the steam evacuation outlet(s), the or each steam evacuation outlet communicating via a duct with the or one of the steam distribution outlet(s).