System for producing a food item, comprising an extrusion head storage chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing individualized cooked food items are inefficient and time-consuming, as they require separate appliances for printing and cooking, which complicates the process and increases space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A combined household appliance system with a printing chamber and a cooking chamber, where a movable tray and printhead allow for automatic transition between printing and cooking, incorporating thermal insulation and temperature adjustment to protect the printhead and retain heat efficiently, enabling the production of cooked food items within a single appliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate appliances are used for printing and cooking, then each appliance can be optimized for its specific function, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the printing chamber and cooking chamber into a single integrated appliance. The printing unit with printhead and printing chamber is merged with the cooking unit containing the cooking chamber, allowing both functions to be performed in one device. This reduces the number of separate appliances needed while maintaining the functional capabilities of both printing and cooking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated appliance serves multiple functions within a single device. The printing chamber can perform food printing operations, while the cooking chamber handles cooking tasks. The system can also automatically transition between these functions, with the printing chamber serving as a protective enclosure during cooking operations, thus providing multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated appliances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printhead remains in the printing chamber during cooking, then the printing chamber serves dual purposes, but the printhead is exposed to harmful heat
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is extracted from the cooking chamber during cooking operations and placed in a dedicated storage chamber. This separation protects the printhead from the high temperatures and harmful effects of the cooking process while allowing the printing chamber to serve as part of the cooking enclosure. The storage chamber is specifically designed to house the printhead safely during cooking cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage chamber acts as an intermediary space that protects the printhead from the harmful thermal environment of the cooking chamber. Instead of directly exposing the printhead to heat or requiring its removal from the system, the storage chamber serves as a protective intermediate zone where the printhead can be safely stored during cooking operations.
3Ease of operation
If the printing and cooking operations are manual and sequential, then the process is simple to operate, but the production time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically transitioning the printhead to the storage chamber before cooking begins and automatically moving it back after cooking completes. This automated sequence eliminates the need for manual intervention between printing and cooking operations, reducing both the time required and the operational complexity while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically coordinating the printing and cooking operations. While the cooking process is occurring, the system automatically manages the printhead positioning and chamber transitions without idle time or manual intervention, ensuring that both functions are performed efficiently in sequence without unnecessary delays.
4Reliability
If thermal insulation is added to protect the printhead, then the printhead is protected from heat, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage chamber for the printhead is merged with the overall appliance structure, utilizing the existing chamber walls and housing. The thermal insulation is integrated into the storage chamber design rather than being added as a separate component, allowing the insulation function to be incorporated into the structural elements already present in the appliance.
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
This system simplifies and accelerates the production of individualized cooked food items by allowing automatic printing and cooking in a single appliance, reducing space and time requirements while protecting the printhead from heat damage.
Implementation Method 1
The system may comprise a thermally insulating wall which is designed to insulate the storage chamber thermally from the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a mobile printhead for the extrusion of printing mass
Data Source
AI summary
A system for producing a cooked food item. The system includes an extrusion chamber having a moving extrusion head for extruding an extrusion compound, and a cooking chamber arranged above the extrusion chamber and having a cooking device for cooking the extrusion compound. The system also includes a moving support surface for the extrusion compound, which can be moved between the extrusion chamber and the cooking chamber by way of a movement mechanism. The system additionally includes a storage chamber for receiving the extrusion head. The storage chamber is arranged laterally next to the extrusion chamber.