Cooking apparatus and cooking control method and device thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses a cooking device and its cooking control method and apparatus, applied in the field of kitchen appliance technology. The cooking device includes a first cavity and a second cavity. The method includes: comparing the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determining a target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result; controlling the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; determining whether the reduced time difference meets a preset condition for simultaneous cooking; if it does, controlling the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time so that the first cavity and the second cavity complete cooking synchronously. This invention solves the technical problem of low reliability in controlling simultaneous cooking of food in two cavities.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of kitchen appliance technology, and particularly relates to a cooking device and its cooking control method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] With technological innovations in cooking equipment, dual-cavity integrated appliances have emerged, such as dual-cavity air fryers. When users simultaneously use the first and second cavities of the cooking appliance to cook food, the different foods require different cooking times, resulting in inconsistent cooking times in the different cavities.

[0003] To ensure that the first and second cavities cook simultaneously, the cavity with the longer cooking time can be prioritized, achieving the goal of simultaneous cooking of food in both cavities. However, if the user intervenes in the cooking parameters during the cooking process (e.g., opening a cavity or adjusting its cooking time), the cooking times of the two cavities will differ. Therefore, current dual-cavity simultaneous cooking technology has certain technical limitations, and the reliability of simultaneous cooking is not high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a cooking device and its cooking control method and apparatus, which at least to some extent solves the technical problem of low reliability of food cooking in different cavities of the cooking device.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooking control method for a cooking device, the cooking device including a first cavity and a second cavity, the method comprising: during the cooking process, comparing the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determining a target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result; controlling the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; determining whether the reduced time difference meets a preset condition for simultaneous cooking, and if so, controlling the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time so that the first cavity and the second cavity complete cooking synchronously.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, comparing the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determining a target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result, includes: determining the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; comparing the current time difference with a first time difference threshold; if the current time difference is equal to the first time difference threshold, determining the target control strategy for the cooking device as a first cooking control strategy, wherein the first cooking control strategy is preset according to the relationship between the temperatures in the first cavity and the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal-cooking condition.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, if the target control strategy for the cooking device is a first cooking control strategy, controlling the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy includes: determining a first control duration based on the current time difference; comparing whether the temperature inside the first cavity and the temperature inside the second cavity are the same; if the temperatures are the same, controlling the cavity with the longer remaining cooking time to be in a heating state during the first control duration, and the cavity with the shorter remaining cooking time to be in a waiting state during the first control duration; if the temperatures are different, controlling the cavity with the lower temperature to be in a heating state during the first control duration, and the cavity with the higher temperature to be in a waiting state during the first control duration.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, after comparing the current time difference with a first time difference threshold, the method further includes: if the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold, determining the target control strategy for the cooking device as a second cooking control strategy, wherein the second cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, if the target control strategy for the cooking device is a second cooking control strategy, controlling the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy includes: determining a second control duration based on the current time difference and the first time difference threshold; controlling the first cavity and the second cavity such that the cavity with a longer remaining cooking time is in a heating state during the second control duration, and the cavity with a shorter remaining cooking time is in a waiting state during the second control duration.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, after determining whether the reduced time difference meets the preset cooking condition, the method further includes: if the reduced time difference does not meet the preset cooking condition, comparing the reduced time difference with the first time difference threshold, and redetermining the target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result; and controlling the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the redetermined target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, controlling the first cavity and the second cavity to perform alternating heating includes: controlling the first cavity and the second cavity to perform alternating heating at a target alternating interval time according to a preset power adjustment ratio, wherein the preset power adjustment ratio is the ratio of the heating duration of the first cavity to the heating duration of the second cavity within one alternating heating cycle.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, the preset power adjustment ratio is configured based on the full power of the heating of the first cavity and the full power of the heating of the second cavity.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations, the method further includes: during the process of alternating heating of the first cavity and the second cavity at a preset power ratio, monitoring whether the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is greater than a second time difference threshold; if so, controlling the cooking device to exit the alternating heating process, re-determining the target control strategy for the cooking device, and reducing the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal cooking condition based on the re-determined target control strategy.

[0014] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooking control device for a cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus including a first cavity and a second cavity, the cooking control device including: a strategy determination unit, configured to compare the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determine a target control strategy for the cooking apparatus based on the comparison result; a state control unit, configured to control the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy, so as to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; a condition judgment unit, configured to determine whether the reduced time difference meets a preset equal cooking condition; and an equal cooking control unit, configured to control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time if the reduced time difference meets the preset equal cooking condition, so that the first cavity and the second cavity complete cooking synchronously.

[0015] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooking device, including: a first cavity, a second cavity, and a cooking control device, wherein the cooking control device includes: one or more processors and one or more memories, wherein the one or more memories store at least one piece of program code, and the at least one piece of program code is loaded and executed by the one or more processors to implement the cooking control method of the cooking device according to any of the first aspects.

[0016] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cooking device is an air fryer, and the air fryer further includes:

[0017] The first hot air assembly provided for the first cavity provides circulating hot air for heating food into the first cavity at full power when it is working.

[0018] The second hot air assembly provided for the second cavity provides circulating hot air into the second cavity at full power for heating food when in operation.

[0019] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the cooking method of any of the cooking devices described in the first aspect.

[0020] The one or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention have at least the following technical effects or advantages:

[0021] This invention, through comparison of the remaining cooking times of the first and second cavities during the cooking process, utilizes a target control strategy determined based on the comparison results to control the working states of the first and second cavities, thereby reducing the time difference between their remaining cooking times. It then determines whether the reduced time difference meets a preset condition for simultaneous cooking. If so, it controls the first and second cavities to alternate heating at a target interval, ensuring synchronous cooking. Thus, a control strategy adapted to the time difference between the remaining cooking times of the two cavities can be used during cooking to dynamically reduce this difference. This addresses the impact of user intervention on the time difference during cooking, resolving the issue of user-induced changes in the time difference and ensuring that different cavities complete their respective cooking processes simultaneously, thereby improving the reliability of simultaneous cooking of food in different cavities. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the cooking control method of the cooking equipment in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the same-clinical-condition judgment stage in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the same-ripening control stage in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cooking control device of the cooking equipment in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooking device in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0029] This invention provides a cooking control method for a cooking device, which includes a first cavity and a second cavity. Specifically, the cooking device can be a dual-cavity integrated appliance with both a first cavity and a second cavity, such as a dual-cavity air fryer or a steam-bake dual-cavity appliance. For a cooking device with both a first cavity and a second cavity, cooking can be performed simultaneously using both cavities.

[0030] It should be understood that if the first and second chambers of the cooking device are used simultaneously for cooking, cooking times need to be set separately for the first and second chambers before starting cooking in both chambers simultaneously: a first cooking time is set for the first chamber, and a second cooking time is set for the second chamber. The cooking device then begins a cooking process based on the first cooking time set for the first chamber and the second cooking time set for the second chamber.

[0031] If the first cooking time and the second cooking time are different, without any intervention in the cooking parameters, the first and second cavities will not be able to complete cooking simultaneously. For example, if the first cooking time is set to 30 minutes for the first cavity and the second cooking time is set to 20 minutes for the second cavity, then if cooking starts simultaneously, the second cavity will finish cooking 10 minutes earlier than the first cavity. The cooking control method of the cooking device provided in this embodiment of the invention is specifically designed to control the first and second cavities to complete cooking simultaneously in the scenario where the first and second cavities are used for cooking at the same time, so as to ensure that the food in the first and second cavities is cooked at the same time.

[0032] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the cooking control method for a cooking device provided in this embodiment of the invention includes the following steps:

[0033] S101. During the cooking process, compare the remaining cooking time of the first cavity with the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determine the target control strategy for the cooking equipment based on the comparison results.

[0034] In this embodiment of the invention, when cooking is performed simultaneously using the first and second chambers of the cooking device, the first and second chambers will have two different cooking stages during the cooking process: a stage for determining the condition of equal cooking and a stage for controlling equal cooking. During the cooking process, there will be two different working states: 1. Heating state; 2. Waiting state (no heating). The target control strategy for the cooking device is used to control the working states of the first and second chambers.

[0035] In this embodiment of the invention, before cooking using the first cavity and the second cavity of the cooking device simultaneously, the first cooking time set for the first cavity is the total heating time required for the first cavity in one cooking process (excluding the time the first cavity is in a waiting state), and the second cooking time set for the second cavity is the total heating time required for the second cavity in one cooking process (excluding the time the second cavity is in a waiting state).

[0036] The cooking equipment includes a first timer for counting down the first cooking time. The remaining cooking time in the first cavity is specifically the time countdown starting from the set first cooking time. The countdown for the remaining cooking time in the first cavity begins when the first cavity is in a heating state; it pauses when the first cavity is in a waiting state.

[0037] The cooking device includes a second timer for counting down the second cooking time. Specifically, the remaining cooking time in the second cavity is the time countdown starting from the set second cooking time. The countdown continues while the second cavity is in heating mode, and pauses when the second cavity is in a waiting mode.

[0038] As the first and second chambers are heated, the countdown of the remaining cooking time begins, causing the remaining cooking time in each chamber to decrease until it reaches zero, at which point one cooking cycle for both chambers is complete.

[0039] Specifically, the first and second cooking times can be set by the user or the program. If set by the program, the cooking time can be determined by the cooking mode selected by the user for the first and second cavities, with different cooking modes corresponding to different cooking times. Alternatively, the cooking equipment's detection device can detect the food information in the first and second cavities separately; and the first cooking time can be set based on the detection results of the food information in the first cavity, and the second cooking time can be set based on the detection results of the food information in the second cavity. The food information includes one or more of the following: food weight and food type.

[0040] Understandably, multiple different cooking control strategies are pre-configured. Based on the different comparison results between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, the target control strategy is determined from the multiple pre-configured cooking control strategies.

[0041] Furthermore, it should be noted that the comparison between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is continuously carried out during a single cooking process. As the comparison result between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity changes, the cooking control strategy adopted will also change.

[0042] Step S101 may include the following steps S1011 to S1014:

[0043] S1011: Determine the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity.

[0044] Specifically, the current time difference can be the absolute value of the difference between the remaining cooking time t1 and the remaining cooking time t2 of the first cavity: |t1-t2|.

[0045] S1012: Compare the current time difference with the first time difference threshold.

[0046] The comparison of the current time difference with the first time difference threshold includes: determining whether the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold, and determining whether the current time difference is equal to the first time difference threshold.

[0047] The first time difference threshold can be set based on the set first and second cooking times. Specifically, the first time difference threshold can be the absolute value of the difference between the first and second cooking times. For example, if the first cooking time for the first cavity is set to 30 minutes and the second cooking time for the second cavity is set to 20 minutes, then the first time difference threshold can be set to 10 minutes. It should be noted that the first time difference threshold will not change during a single cooking cycle.

[0048] If the first time difference threshold is denoted as tx and the current time difference is denoted as |t1-t2|, then step S1022 specifically involves determining whether |t1-t2|=tx is satisfied and whether |t1-t2|>tx is satisfied. Other cases are no longer considered.

[0049] S1013: If the current time difference is equal to the first time difference threshold, the target control strategy for the cooking device is determined to be the first cooking control strategy. The first cooking control strategy is preset according to the relationship between the temperature in the first cavity and the temperature in the second cavity. The first cooking control strategy is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time in the second cavity to zero.

[0050] It should be noted that after the cooking device starts the current cooking process based on the preset first and second cooking times, if the user intervenes in the cooking parameters during the current cooking process, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity may no longer satisfy the condition of being less than or equal to the first time difference threshold, but may instead be greater than the first time difference threshold. For example, if the user opens the first cavity and adds new ingredients during the cooking process, thereby extending the remaining cooking time of the first cavity, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity may increase to be greater than the first time difference threshold; without control, the first and second cavities cannot complete cooking simultaneously. Based on this, step S1014 can be executed: if the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold, the target control strategy for the cooking device is determined to be the second cooking control strategy, wherein the second cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and the second cooking control strategy is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold.

[0051] It is understood that step S101 is not limited to being implemented using steps S1011 to S1014 described above; it can also be implemented in other ways by comparing the remaining cooking times of the two cavities to determine the target control strategy. For example, it can be implemented through the following process:

[0052] First, compare whether the remaining cooking time of the first cavity is greater than the sum of the remaining cooking time of the second cavity and the first time difference threshold, and then compare whether the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is greater than the sum of the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the first time difference threshold.

[0053] Next, if any of the following conditions are met, indicating that the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is relatively large, then the pre-configured first cooking control strategy will be used as the target cooking strategy for the cooking device: 1. The remaining cooking time of the first cavity is greater than the sum of the remaining cooking time of the second cavity and the first time difference threshold; 2. The remaining cooking time of the second cavity is greater than the sum of the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the first time difference threshold. If any of the following conditions are met, then the pre-configured second cooking control strategy will be used as the target cooking strategy for the cooking device: 1. The remaining cooking time of the first cavity is equal to the sum of the remaining cooking time of the second cavity and the first time difference threshold; 2. The remaining cooking time of the second cavity is equal to the sum of the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the first time difference threshold.

[0054] S102. Control the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity.

[0055] Since the target control strategy determined by step S101 is either the first cooking control strategy or the second cooking control strategy, if the target control strategy determined by step S101 is the first cooking control strategy, the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity is controlled based on the first cooking control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal cooking condition.

[0056] If the target control strategy determined by step S101 is the second cooking control strategy, then the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity is controlled based on the second cooking control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold.

[0057] Since the cooking process continuously compares the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, after reducing the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to the same as the first time difference threshold based on the second cooking control strategy, the first cooking control strategy can be determined by re-comparing the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity. The working state of the first cavity and the second cavity is controlled based on the first cooking control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal cooking condition.

[0058] Specifically, the process of controlling the working states of the first and second cavities using the first cooking control strategy is described below to understand how to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first and second cavities to meet the preset condition of equal cooking time. This can be achieved through the following steps S1021 to S1024:

[0059] S1021. Determine the first control duration based on the current time difference.

[0060] Specifically, the current time difference |t1-t2| between the remaining cooking time t1 and t2 of the first cavity can be used as the first control duration. Alternatively, a duration smaller than the current time difference can be used as the first control duration, allowing for control with shorter step sizes.

[0061] S1022. Compare the temperatures inside the first chamber with the temperatures inside the second chamber. Based on the comparison result, proceed to step S1023 or S1024:

[0062] S1023. If the temperature inside the first cavity is the same as the temperature inside the second cavity, then the cavity with the longer remaining cooking time is controlled to be in a heating state during the first control period, and the cavity with the shorter remaining cooking time is in a waiting state during the first control period.

[0063] S1024. If the temperature inside the first cavity is different from the temperature inside the second cavity, control the cavity with the lower temperature to be in a heating state during the first control period, and the cavity with the higher temperature to be in a waiting state during the first control period.

[0064] Specifically, to better understand how the first cooking control strategy controls the working states of the first and second cavities, the specific implementation process of steps S1021 to S1024 is described in more detail below:

[0065] The temperature inside the first chamber is T1, and the temperature inside the second chamber is T2. Under the first cooking control strategy, the working states of the first and second chambers can be controlled according to the relationship between T1 and T2 in the following ways:

[0066] Scenario 1: If T1>T2 is true, it indicates that the temperature in the first cavity is higher than that in the second cavity. The second cavity is then controlled to enter the heating state and heat at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the heating process of the second cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t2 is continuously started. At the same time, the first cavity is controlled to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the waiting process of the first cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t1 is paused.

[0067] Scenario 2: If T2>T1 is true, it indicates that the temperature in the first cavity is lower than that in the second cavity. The first cavity is then controlled to enter the heating state and heat at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the heating process of the first cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t1 is continuously started. At the same time, the second cavity is controlled to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the waiting process of the second cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t2 is paused.

[0068] Case 3: If T2 = T1, it indicates that the temperature inside the first cavity is the same as the temperature inside the second cavity. Based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time t1 in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 in the second cavity, the working states of the first and second cavities are controlled in the following two ways:

[0069] 1. If t1>t2, control the first cavity to enter the heating state and heat it at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the heating process of the first cavity, continuously count down the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity. At the same time, control the second cavity to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the waiting process of the second cavity, pause the countdown of the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity.

[0070] 2. If t2>t1, control the second cavity to enter the heating state and heat it at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the heating process of the second cavity, continuously count down the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity. At the same time, control the first cavity to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1-t2|. During the waiting process of the first cavity, pause the countdown of the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity.

[0071] It should be understood that during simultaneous cooking in the first and second chambers, if the user does not intervene in the cooking parameters, then by simply controlling the working states of the first and second chambers according to the aforementioned scenarios using the first cooking control strategy, the time difference between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first chamber and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second chamber can be gradually reduced to zero, i.e., |t1-t2|=0, making the remaining cooking time of the first chamber the same as that of the second chamber.

[0072] If the user intervenes in the cooking parameters during the cooking process, causing the time difference between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity to exceed the first time difference threshold, the first cooking control strategy will no longer be applicable. A second cooking control strategy will be determined based on the comparison between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity. This second strategy will control the working state of the first and second cavities, firstly gradually reducing the time difference between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity to the same level as the first time difference threshold; then, based on the comparison between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity, the first cooking control strategy will be determined to control the working state of the first and second cavities, gradually reducing the time difference between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity from the first time difference threshold to zero.

[0073] The following describes the process of controlling the working states of the first and second cavities using a second cooking control strategy, in order to understand how to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity to be equal to the first time difference threshold. Specifically, this can be achieved through the following steps S1021'~S1022':

[0074] S1021': Determine the second control duration based on the current time difference and the first time difference threshold.

[0075] Specifically, the difference between the current time difference and the first time difference threshold can be used as the second control duration. For example, if the current time difference is |t1-t2| and the first time difference threshold is tx, then the second control duration is |t1-t2|-tx. Of course, in actual implementation, a duration value less than the difference between the current time difference and the first time difference threshold can also be used as the second control duration.

[0076] S1022': Controlling the first cavity and the second cavity, the cavity with the longer remaining cooking time is in a heating state during the second control period, and the cavity with the shorter cooking time is in a waiting state during the second control period.

[0077] To better understand the working state of the first and second cavities controlled by the second cooking control strategy, the implementation process of steps S1021' to S1022' is described in more detail below:

[0078] When t1 > t2 + tx, the first cavity is controlled to enter the heating state, specifically heating at full power for a duration of |t1 - t2| - tx. During the heating process of the first cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity is continuously started. At the same time, the second cavity is controlled to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1 - t2| - tx. During the waiting process of the second cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity is paused. Thus, by controlling the working state of the two cavities through the control duration of |t1 - t2| - tx, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity can be reduced to be equal to the first time difference threshold.

[0079] When t2>t1+tx, the second cavity is controlled to enter the heating state, specifically to heat at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|-tx. During the heating process of the second cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t2 of the second cavity is continuously started. At the same time, the first cavity is controlled to enter the waiting state for a duration of |t1-t2|-tx. During the waiting process of the first cavity, the countdown for the remaining cooking time t1 of the first cavity is paused. Thus, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity can be reduced to be equal to the first time difference threshold.

[0080] After the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity is controlled based on the second cooking control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be equal to the first time difference threshold, the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity will be controlled based on the first cooking control strategy to continue to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity until the preset equal cooking condition is met.

[0081] S103: Determine whether the reduced time difference meets the preset cooking condition. If it does, control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternate heating at the target alternating interval time so that the first cavity and the second cavity can complete cooking synchronously.

[0082] For example, the preset ripening condition can be configured as follows: when the reduced time difference is equal to zero, that is: when |t1-t2|=0 is true, it indicates that the reduced time difference satisfies the preset ripening condition.

[0083] Specifically, the target alternation interval time is the time interval between two consecutive heating cycles of the same cavity during the alternating heating process. The target alternation interval time determines the heating duration of the first cavity and the heating duration of the second cavity within one alternating heating cycle.

[0084] It should be noted that within an alternating heating cycle, the first chamber and the second chamber are heated once in turn.

[0085] In practice, the full power used for heating the first and second cavities can be different. When the full power of the first and second cavities differs, to more accurately control the heating of both cavities to achieve equal cooking, it is necessary to control the first and second cavities to alternate heating at a preset power ratio. This preset power ratio is the ratio of the heating time of the first cavity to the heating time of the second cavity within an alternating heating cycle. The preset power ratio needs to be configured based on the full power of both the first and second cavities to ensure that the two cavities with different power levels achieve equal cooking.

[0086] It should be noted that the preset power ratio is expressed as X:Y, and the preset power ratio is in seconds (s). It indicates that within one alternating heating cycle, the heating time of the first cavity is X seconds, and the heating time of the second cavity is Y seconds. X:Y is inversely proportional to the ratio of the total heating power of the two cavities. For example, if the ratio of the total heating power of the first cavity to the total heating power of the second cavity is 16:11, then the preset power ratio is 11:16. This means that during the alternating heating process, the heating time of the first cavity is 11 seconds, and the heating time of the second cavity is 16 seconds.

[0087] Because there is still a possibility of user intervention during the alternating heating process between the first and second chambers, or because the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first chamber and the remaining cooking time of the second chamber may be widened again as the alternating heating process continues, the alternating heating process may not be able to achieve the final result of cooking the same food.

[0088] Therefore, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention further includes: during the process of alternating heating of the first cavity and the second cavity at a preset power ratio, monitoring whether the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is greater than a second time difference threshold; if so, controlling the first cavity and the second cavity to exit the alternating heating process and returning to the same cooking condition judgment stage, that is, executing steps S101 to S103: to redetermine the target control strategy for the cooking equipment, and based on the redetermined target control strategy, reducing the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset same cooking condition.

[0089] If the time difference between the remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time in the second cavity is less than or equal to a second time difference threshold, the first cavity and the second cavity continue to heat alternately. During the alternating heating process, if t1>t2 is true, the t2 timer stops for a duration of |t1-t2| and then starts again; if t2>t1 is true, the t1 timer stops for a duration of |t2-t1| and then starts again, so as to count down the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the second cavity during the alternating heating process.

[0090] It should be noted that the second time difference threshold is set according to the actual control accuracy requirements, and no specific numerical limit is given here. It should be understood that the smaller the second time difference threshold is set, the more accurate the control of the two chambers will be.

[0091] It should be understood that simultaneous cooking in the embodiments of the present invention means that the two cavities complete cooking at the same time or the cooking times of the two cavities are close, for example, within 1 minute of each other.

[0092] To facilitate understanding of the cooking control method of the cooking equipment provided in the embodiments of the present invention, please refer to... Figures 2-3 Taking a dual-cavity air fryer as an example, the cooking control method of the cooking equipment provided in this embodiment of the invention will be illustrated as follows:

[0093] Step 1: After the user removes the first chamber fryer and the second chamber fryer from the dual-chamber air fryer, put the ingredients to be cooked into each fryer, put the fryer containing the ingredients back into the first chamber, and put the other fryer containing the ingredients back into the second chamber.

[0094] Step 2: After the user sets the first cooking time for the first cavity and the second cooking time for the second cavity, the cooking process of the first cavity and the second cavity starts simultaneously. The cooking control device of the dual-cavity air fryer uses the absolute value of the difference between the first cooking time and the second cooking time as the first time difference threshold tx.

[0095] Step 3: After the cooking process begins, the cooking equipment will first enter the same-cooking condition determination stage for the current cooking cycle. This same-cooking condition determination stage includes steps 4-6 as follows. (Reference) Figure 2 As shown, taking the remaining cooking time of the first cavity as t1, the remaining cooking time of the second cavity as t2, the temperature inside the first cavity as T1, and the temperature inside the second cavity as T2 as an example, steps 4 to 6 are described as follows:

[0096] Step 4: Determine whether t1>t2+tx is satisfied. If t1>t2+tx is satisfied, control the first cavity to run at full power for a duration of |t1-(t2+tx)|. Control the second cavity to enter a waiting state (t2 is not timed) for a duration of |t1-(t2+tx)|.

[0097] Step 5: If t1>t2+tx is not satisfied, continue to check if t2>t1+tx is satisfied. If t2>t1+tx is satisfied, control the first cavity to enter working wait (t1 is not timed) for a waiting time of |t2-(t1+tx)|, and control the second cavity to run at full power for a running time of |t2-(t1+tx)|.

[0098] Step 6: If t2 > t1 + tx is not satisfied, continue to check if |t1 - t2| = tx is satisfied. After determining that |t1 - t2| = tx is satisfied, compare T1 and T2, and control the working state of the first and second cavities according to the relationship between T1 and T2:

[0099] 1. If T1>T2 is true, then control the second cavity to run at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|, and control the first cavity to enter a working wait state (t1 is not timed) for a duration of |t1-t2|.

[0100] 2. If T2>T1 is true, then control the first cavity to run at full power for a duration of |t1-t2|, and control the second cavity to enter a waiting state (t2 is not timed) for a duration of |t1-t2|.

[0101] 3. When T2 = T1, if t1 > t2, control the first cavity to operate at full power for a duration of |t1 - t2|; control the second cavity to enter a waiting state (t2 is not timed) for a duration of |t1 - t2|; if t2 > t1, control the second cavity to operate at full power for a duration of |t1 - t2|, and control the first cavity to enter a waiting state (t1 is not timed) for a duration of |t1 - t2|.

[0102] Through steps 4 to 6 above, t1, t2 and T1, T2 can be dynamically adjusted until |t1-t2|=0 is established. At this point, the cooking equipment is controlled to exit the same cooking condition judgment stage and enter the same cooking control stage.

[0103] The second time difference threshold required in the same-ripening control phase is ty, where, reference... Figure 3 As shown, the same-familiarity control stage includes the following steps 7-8:

[0104] Step 7: Control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternate heating according to the X:Y power adjustment ratio.

[0105] Step 8: During alternating heating, determine if |t1-t2|>ty. If |t1-t2|>ty, exit the same-ripening control stage and return to the same-ripening condition judgment stage to readjust until |t1-t2|=0 is true, then re-enter the same-ripening control stage. If 0<|t1-t2|<=ty, when t1>t2 is true, the t2 timer stops for |t1-t2| duration and then starts; when t2>t1 is true, the t1 timer stops for |t2-t1| duration and then starts.

[0106] By controlling the alternating heating process in steps 7-8 above, when both t1 and t2 decrease to 0, the first and second cavities complete the cooking process.

[0107] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooking control device for a cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus including a first cavity and a second cavity, see reference. Figure 4As shown, the cooking control device includes: a strategy determination unit 401, used to compare the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity during the cooking process, and determine a target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result; a state control unit 402, used to control the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy, so as to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; a condition judgment unit 403, used to judge whether the reduced time difference meets the preset equal cooking condition; and an equal cooking control unit 404, used to control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time if the reduced time difference meets the preset equal cooking condition, so that the first cavity and the second cavity complete cooking synchronously.

[0108] In some implementations, the strategy determination unit 401 includes: a time difference determination subunit, configured to determine the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; a time comparison subunit, configured to compare the current time difference with a first time difference threshold; and a first strategy selection subunit, configured to determine a target control strategy for the cooking device as a first cooking control strategy if the current time difference equals the first time difference threshold; wherein the first cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the temperatures in the first cavity and the second cavity, and is configured to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal-cooking condition.

[0109] In some implementations, if the target control strategy for the cooking device is a first cooking control strategy, the state control unit 402 includes a first sub-control unit, configured to: determine a first control duration based on the current time difference; compare whether the temperature inside the first cavity is the same as the temperature inside the second cavity; if the temperatures are the same, control the cavity with the longer remaining cooking time to be in a heating state during the first control duration, and the cavity with the shorter remaining cooking time to be in a waiting state during the first control duration; if the temperatures are different, control the cavity with the lower temperature to be in a heating state during the first control duration, and the cavity with the higher temperature to be in a waiting state during the first control duration.

[0110] In some implementations, the strategy determination unit 401 further includes: a second strategy selection subunit, configured to determine a second cooking control strategy for the cooking device if the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold; wherein the second cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and is configured to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold.

[0111] In some implementations, if the target control strategy for the cooking device is a second cooking control strategy, the state control unit 402 includes a second sub-control unit, configured to: determine a second control duration based on the current time difference and the first time difference threshold; and control the first cavity and the second cavity such that the cavity with a longer remaining cooking time is in a heating state during the second control duration, and the cavity with a shorter remaining cooking time is in a waiting state during the second control duration.

[0112] In some implementations, the strategy determination unit 401 is further configured to: if the reduced time difference does not meet the preset cooking condition, compare the reduced time difference with the first time difference threshold, and redetermine the target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result; and control the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the redetermined target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity.

[0113] In some implementations, the control unit 404 is specifically used to: control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time according to a preset power adjustment ratio, wherein the preset power adjustment ratio is the ratio of the heating time of the first cavity to the heating time of the second cavity within one alternating heating cycle.

[0114] In some implementations, the preset power ratio is configured based on the full power of the heating of the first cavity and the full power of the heating of the second cavity.

[0115] In some implementations, the strategy determination unit 401 is further configured to: monitor whether the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is greater than a second time difference threshold during the process of alternating heating of the first cavity and the second cavity at a preset power ratio; if so, control the cooking device to exit the alternating heating process and re-determine the target control strategy for the cooking device; and reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to meet the preset equal cooking condition based on the re-determined target control strategy.

[0116] The device embodiments described above can be used to execute the cooking control method of the cooking equipment in the above embodiments of the present invention. For details not disclosed in the device embodiments described in the present invention, please refer to the cooking control method embodiments of the cooking equipment described above.

[0117] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention provide a cooking device, see reference. Figure 5 As shown, the device includes a first cavity 501, a second cavity 502, and a cooking control device 503. The cooking control device 503 includes one or more processors 5032 and one or more memories 5034. The one or more memories 5034 store at least one piece of program code, which is loaded and executed by the one or more processors 5032 to implement the cooking control method of the cooking device according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0118] Among them, Figure 5 In this document, a bus architecture (represented by bus 5030) is used. Bus 5030 may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, linking various circuits including one or more processors represented by processor 5032 and memory represented by memory 5034. Bus 5030 may also link various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. Bus interface 5035 provides an interface between bus 5030 and receiver 5031 and transmitter 5033. Receiver 5031 and transmitter 5033 may be the same element, i.e., a transceiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. Processor 5032 is responsible for managing bus 5030 and general processing, while memory 5034 can be used to store data used by processor 5032 during operation.

[0119] In some implementation methods, see reference Figure 5 As shown, if the cooking device is an air fryer, the air fryer further includes: a first hot air assembly 504 provided for the first cavity 501, which, when working, provides circulating hot air at full power to the first cavity 501 for heating food; and a second hot air assembly 505 provided for the second cavity 502, which, when working, provides circulating hot air at full power to the second cavity 502 for heating food.

[0120] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the cooking control method of the cooking apparatus described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0121] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or codes on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium. Other examples and embodiments are within the scope and spirit of this invention and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the functional units can be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into a single unit.

[0122] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed technical content can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units can be a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For instance, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between units or modules may be electrical or other forms.

[0123] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components of the control device may or may not be physical units; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0124] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), portable hard drives, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0125] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cooking control method for a cooking device, characterized in that, The cooking device includes a first cavity and a second cavity, and the method includes: During the cooking process, the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity are compared, and a target control strategy for the cooking device is determined based on the comparison result, including: determining the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; The current time difference is compared with a first time difference threshold. If the current time difference is equal to the first time difference threshold, a target control strategy for the cooking device is determined as a first cooking control strategy. The first cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the temperatures in the first cavity and the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time in the second cavity to zero. If the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold, a target control strategy for the cooking device is determined as a second cooking control strategy. The second cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time in the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the remaining cooking time in the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold. The working states of the first cavity and the second cavity are controlled based on the target control strategy to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; Determine whether the reduced time difference meets the preset cooking condition. If it does, control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternate heating at the target alternating interval time so that the first cavity and the second cavity can complete cooking synchronously.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, If the target control strategy for the cooking device is a first cooking control strategy, controlling the working states of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy includes: The first control duration is determined based on the current time difference; Compare whether the temperature inside the first cavity is the same as the temperature inside the second cavity; If the temperatures are the same, the cavity with the longer remaining cooking time in the first cavity and the second cavity is kept in a heating state during the first control period, while the cavity with the shorter remaining cooking time is kept in a waiting state during the first control period. If the temperatures are different, the chamber with the lower temperature in the first chamber and the second chamber are controlled to be in a heating state during the first control period, while the chamber with the higher temperature is in a waiting state during the first control period.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the target control strategy for the cooking device is a second cooking control strategy, controlling the working states of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy includes: The second control duration is determined based on the current time difference and the first time difference threshold. In the control of the first cavity and the second cavity, the cavity with a longer remaining cooking time is in a heating state during the second control period, while the cavity with a shorter remaining cooking time is in a waiting state during the second control period.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After determining whether the reduced time difference meets the preset ripening condition, the process also includes: If the reduced time difference does not meet the preset ripening condition, the reduced time difference is compared with the first time difference threshold, and the target control strategy for the cooking equipment is re-determined based on the comparison result; Based on the redefined target control strategy, the working states of the first cavity and the second cavity are controlled to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control of alternating heating of the first cavity and the second cavity at a target alternating interval includes: According to a preset power adjustment ratio, the first cavity and the second cavity are controlled to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time, wherein the preset power adjustment ratio is the ratio of the heating time of the first cavity to the heating time of the second cavity within one alternating heating cycle.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The preset power ratio is configured based on the full power of the heating of the first cavity and the full power of the heating of the second cavity.

7. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: During the alternating heating process of the first cavity and the second cavity at a preset power ratio, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is monitored to see if it is greater than a second time difference threshold. If so, control the cooking device to exit the alternating heating process and redetermine the target control strategy for the cooking device; Based on the redefined target control strategy, the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity is reduced to meet the preset equal cooking condition.

8. A cooking control device for a cooking apparatus, characterized in that, The cooking device includes a first cavity and a second cavity, and the cooking control device includes: A strategy determination unit is configured to, during the cooking process, compare the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and determine a target control strategy for the cooking device based on the comparison result. This includes: determining the current time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; comparing the current time difference with a first time difference threshold; if the current time difference is equal to the first time difference threshold, determining the target control strategy for the cooking device as a first cooking control strategy; wherein the first cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the temperatures in the first cavity and the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to zero; if the current time difference is greater than the first time difference threshold, determining the target control strategy for the cooking device as a second cooking control strategy; wherein the second cooking control strategy is preset based on the relationship between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity, and is used to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity to be the same as the first time difference threshold. A status control unit is used to control the working state of the first cavity and the second cavity based on the target control strategy, so as to reduce the time difference between the remaining cooking time of the first cavity and the remaining cooking time of the second cavity; The condition judgment unit is used to determine whether the reduced time difference meets the preset ripening condition; The simultaneous cooking control unit is used to control the first cavity and the second cavity to alternately heat at a target alternating interval time if the reduced time difference meets the preset simultaneous cooking conditions, so that the first cavity and the second cavity complete cooking synchronously.

9. A cooking device, characterized in that, include: First cavity; Second cavity; A cooking control device includes: one or more processors and one or more memories, wherein the one or more memories store at least one piece of program code, which is loaded and executed by the one or more processors to implement the cooking control method of the cooking device according to any one of claims 1-7.

10. The cooking apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The cooking device is an air fryer, and the air fryer further includes: The first hot air assembly provided for the first cavity provides circulating hot air for heating food into the first cavity at full power when it is working. The second hot air assembly provided for the second cavity provides circulating hot air into the second cavity at full power for heating food when in operation.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When executed by the processor, the program implements the cooking control method of the cooking apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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