Cavity drying control method and device of cooking equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a cavity drying control method and device for cooking equipment, and relates to the technical field of intelligent household appliances, and the method comprises the steps: responding to a drying starting instruction, and controlling a heating unit to heat a cavity of the cooking equipment in stages; in the heating process, the temperature of at least one area of the cavity is monitored; stopping heating when the temperature value reaches a preset condition; and after heating is terminated, a door body of the cooking equipment is controlled to execute an automatic opening action and is maintained for a preset time so as to exhaust and dissipate heat, simple timing or constant temperature control is abandoned, and'the temperature of a specific area continuously exceeds a threshold value for a certain time 'is creatively used as a core criterion for drying completion. The contradiction between incomplete drying and excessive drying is fundamentally solved, and accurate control is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of smart home appliance technology, and in particular to a method and device for controlling the drying of a cooking appliance cavity. Background Technology

[0002] Cooking appliances with steaming functions, such as steam ovens and steam-grill combos, often leave a significant amount of condensation on the inner walls of their cavities after use. Current technologies primarily rely on users manually setting the drying process or using fixed drying programs. The former offers a poor user experience and depends heavily on user experience, easily leading to under- or over-drying; the latter, unable to adapt to varying amounts of water accumulated after each use, also suffers from inconsistent drying results and high energy consumption. Furthermore, if the high-temperature moisture accumulated in the cavity after drying is not promptly released, it will condense again upon cooling, causing a "secondary condensation" phenomenon that renders the drying process ineffective.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an intelligent control scheme that can automatically sense the drying status, adaptively adjust the drying strategy, and effectively prevent secondary condensation after completion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the technical problems of unstable drying effect and high energy consumption in existing technologies, this invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the drying of a cooking appliance's cavity. The technical solution is as follows: A method for controlling the drying of a cavity in a cooking appliance, the method comprising: In response to a drying start command, the heating unit is controlled to heat the cavity of the cooking equipment in stages; and during the heating process, the temperature of at least one area of ​​the cavity is monitored; heating is terminated based on the temperature value reaching a predetermined condition; and After heating is stopped, the door of the cooking device is controlled to automatically open and remain open for a predetermined time to allow for exhaust and heat dissipation.

[0005] Preferably, the staged heating includes at least a first heating stage and a second heating stage, wherein the second heating stage includes multiple heating elements in the heating unit controlled in a cyclic manner.

[0006] Preferably, the cyclic mode is as follows: according to the spatial distribution of multiple heating elements in the heating unit within the cavity, each heating element is cyclically started and stopped using a preset timing control logic, so that each heating element works in sequence according to a predetermined order or working time, thereby alternately drying different areas within the cavity.

[0007] Preferably, the method further includes, during the second heating stage, dynamically adjusting the operating duration or activation order of at least one heating element in the cycle mode based on real-time temperature data.

[0008] Preferably, the real-time temperature data is provided by one or more temperature sensors located at specific positions within the cavity corresponding to the layout of the heating unit.

[0009] Preferably, the predetermined conditions include: the temperature value exceeds a first predetermined threshold and remains so for a first predetermined time.

[0010] Preferably, controlling the door to perform an automatic opening action includes: controlling the door to open to a predetermined degree and maintaining it for a predetermined time of 5 to 15 minutes.

[0011] Preferably, the method further includes: setting a maximum time limit for the drying start command, and forcibly terminating heating when the heating time reaches the maximum time limit.

[0012] On the other hand, a cavity drying control device for a cooking apparatus is provided, which is applied to a cavity drying control method for a cooking apparatus, the device comprising: A heating unit, comprising multiple heating elements; A temperature sensing unit is configured to monitor the temperature of at least one area of ​​the cooking appliance cavity; An execution unit is configured to drive the door of the cooking device to open and close automatically; The control unit is communicatively connected to the heating unit, the temperature sensing unit, and the execution unit, and is configured to perform the steps of the cavity drying control method of the cooking device.

[0013] On the other hand, a cooking apparatus is provided, including a cavity drying control device for the cooking apparatus; and a storage unit for storing program code that can be executed by the control unit to implement the steps of the cavity drying control method of the cooking apparatus.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention include at least the following: This invention abandons simple timed or temperature-controlled methods and innovatively adopts an automatic control method that combines staged heating with real-time temperature monitoring. After reaching the predetermined temperature, it automatically stops heating and opens the door to dissipate heat, effectively preventing the risk of equipment overheating, improving operational safety, fundamentally solving the problems of incomplete drying and over-drying, and effectively avoiding secondary condensation.

[0015] Staged synergistic heating for extremely high efficiency: This invention employs an innovative two-stage heating mode of "rapid heating + dynamic cycle start-stop". The first stage prioritizes efficiency, quickly eliminating most of the standing water; the second stage prioritizes effectiveness and energy saving. Through the orderly circulation of multiple sets of heating tubes, it can maintain a balanced cavity temperature, avoid cold spots, and "focus on" the condensate at the top and the liquid accumulation at the bottom, resulting in extremely high drying efficiency and lower overall energy consumption.

[0016] The fully automated, unattended experience: From user confirmation of startup to the system automatically determining the drying is complete, and finally to the automatic door opening for ventilation and shutdown, the entire process requires no manual intervention, waiting, or secondary operation, providing an ultimate "one-click" user experience and greatly improving the product's convenience and intelligence.

[0017] Unique Anti-Secondary Condensation Mechanism: This invention astutely identifies and solves the long-neglected pain point of "secondary condensation" in the industry. By programmatically controlling the door opening gap and duration, it scientifically promotes air convection, thoroughly dissipating residual damp heat and ensuring the long-term dryness and hygiene of the cavity. This is a significant and substantial improvement over existing technologies.

[0018] Multi-layered safety redundancy design: In addition to the core intelligent temperature control, a maximum program time limit is set as a safety backup, forming a dual protection mechanism of "active intelligent control + passive safety protection" to ensure the absolute reliability and safety of the system under various operating conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0019] 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 only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a general flowchart of a cavity drying control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cooking device (steam oven) according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a cooking appliance (steam oven) according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cyclic heating logic of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cavity drying control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] In embodiments of the present invention, words such as "exemplarily," "for example," etc., are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in the present invention should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word "exemplary" is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, the meaning expressed by "and / or" can be both, or either one.

[0027] In the embodiments of this invention, the terms "image" and "picture" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction between them, they convey the same meaning. Similarly, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction between them, they convey the same meaning.

[0028] In this embodiment of the invention, sometimes a subscript such as W1 may be mistakenly written as a non-subscript form such as W1. When the difference is not emphasized, the meaning they express is the same.

[0029] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] This invention provides a method for controlling the drying of a cooking appliance's cavity, which can be implemented by the cooking appliance itself. Figure 1 The flowchart shown is a method for controlling the drying of a cooking appliance's cavity. The process flow of this method may include the following steps: To achieve the above objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: Firstly, the present invention provides a method for controlling the drying of a cooking appliance's cavity, comprising the following steps: Step S100: In response to the drying start command, control the heating unit to heat the cavity of the cooking device in stages. The drying start command can be issued by the user through the human-machine interface after the device completes the steaming function, or it can be automatically triggered by the device after detection by the humidity sensor. The staged heating includes at least a first stage aimed at rapidly increasing the cavity temperature, and a second stage aimed at maintaining the temperature and achieving even drying.

[0031] Step S200: During the heating process, the temperature of at least one area of ​​the cavity is monitored in real time by a temperature sensing unit. The temperature sensing unit may include one or more temperature sensors, which are arranged in the upper, lower, middle or specific water-prone areas of the cavity.

[0032] Step S300: Based on the output signal of the temperature sensing unit reaching the predetermined condition, it is determined that the water in the cavity has been basically evaporated, and the heating process is terminated. The predetermined condition is set based on a deep understanding of the physical process of water evaporation in the cavity. Its core is that when the liquid water in the cavity has been basically evaporated, the cavity temperature will be able to rise rapidly and stabilize at a high level.

[0033] Step S400: After heating is terminated, the door of the cooking appliance is automatically opened and maintained for a predetermined time to allow for exhaust and heat dissipation. By automatically opening the door (or opening the exhaust vent), an air convection channel is created, allowing the hot air filled with water vapor inside the cavity to escape, while dry, cool air from the outside enters, thereby quickly reducing the temperature and humidity inside the cavity and effectively preventing secondary condensation.

[0034] This embodiment solves the problem of over-drying or under-drying caused by the inability to detect the actual water accumulation in the prior art. By monitoring temperature changes in real time, it achieves adaptive control based on actual working conditions, ensuring thorough drying under any water volume conditions, while minimizing energy waste.

[0035] It achieves a fully unattended intelligent drying experience. Users only need to confirm once, and the system can automatically complete the entire process from start-up and drying judgment to final exhaust and heat dissipation, without any human intervention or monitoring.

[0036] It achieves intelligent exhaust and heat dissipation, automatically controlling the opening and closing of the door or activating the forced exhaust mechanism after drying, promoting the convection exchange between the hot and humid air inside the cavity and the dry and cold air outside, fundamentally preventing the generation of secondary condensation, and ensuring the long-term dryness and hygiene of the cavity.

[0037] As a preferred option in the first aspect, staged heating includes: The first heating stage involves controlling multiple heating elements in the heating unit to operate at high power, with the goal of raising the temperature of the central or representative area of ​​the cavity to a first predetermined threshold (e.g., 160°C-200°C) in the shortest possible time. This stage aims to rapidly evaporate most of the visible water (i.e., visible free water) within the cavity using high temperatures.

[0038] The second heating stage: Once the temperature reaches the first predetermined threshold, it switches to a dynamic cyclic heating mode. In this mode, different heating elements or combinations of heating elements in the heating unit are controlled in a cyclic manner, with each combination operating for a predetermined time period. This strategy maintains a high-temperature environment throughout the cavity while using hot air circulation and targeted heating to achieve more even and thorough drying of condensate on the top, water droplets on the side walls, and liquid accumulation at the bottom, while avoiding localized overheating and continuous full-load energy consumption.

[0039] As another preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the predetermined conditions include: the temperature value monitored by the sensor at a specific location in the temperature sensing unit (preferably the lower part of the cavity, since the liquid accumulated there evaporates last) exceeds a second predetermined threshold (which may be the same as or different from the first threshold), and this state remains stable for a predetermined time period (e.g., 2-5 minutes). This dual criterion of "temperature + duration" ensures the accuracy of the judgment and avoids misjudgments caused by instantaneous temperature fluctuations.

[0040] As another preferred embodiment of the first aspect, the method also includes a safety backup step: setting a maximum time limit (e.g., 30-40 minutes) for the entire drying process. If the total running time from program start-up reaches this maximum time limit, heating is forcibly terminated regardless of whether the output signal of the temperature sensing unit has met the predetermined conditions. This is an important safety redundancy design to prevent the program from running indefinitely in extreme cases such as temperature sensor failure.

[0041] This embodiment uses a mainstream steam oven as an application scenario to illustrate the specific implementation of the present invention in detail.

[0042] System hardware configuration such as Figure 2-3 As shown, the steam oven includes the following key components closely related to this invention: Control Panel 1: Typically a touchscreen or a combination of knobs and a display screen, used for human-machine interaction, displaying drying prompts and receiving user start commands. Cavity 6 and Door 7: Form a relatively enclosed cooking space. Heating Unit: This is a multi-zone heating system, including: top outer ring heating element 12, top inner ring heating element 13, bottom outer ring heating element 11, bottom inner ring heating element 10, and rear heating element 9. These heating elements can be independently or in groups turned on and off via the control circuitry of the control unit (such as relays or solid-state relays). Temperature Sensing Unit: Includes two key temperature sensors: Upper Cavity Temperature Sensor 3: Typically installed at the top or upper back of the cavity, used to monitor the temperature of the upper part of the cavity, primarily used in this method to determine the end point of the rapid heating phase. Lower Cavity Temperature Sensor 5: Typically installed at the bottom or lower back of the cavity, used to monitor the temperature of the lower part of the cavity. Since condensate will eventually collect at the bottom under gravity, the bottom temperature is a key indicator of whether the moisture has completely evaporated.

[0043] Ventilation unit: mainly the back fan 8, which is used to stir the air in the cavity during operation, blow the heat generated by the back heating tube 9 to the periphery of the cavity, realize hot air circulation, make the temperature distribution more uniform, and accelerate the evaporation of moisture.

[0044] Execution unit: In this embodiment, it is an electric push rod 2, which is installed between the door and the box. It receives instructions from the control unit and can precisely push the door 7 to open to a specific angle or degree, and close it after a predetermined time.

[0045] Control unit: Typically a microcontroller motherboard located inside the device, it receives signals from components such as control panel 1, upper temperature sensor 3, and lower temperature sensor 5, and issues control commands to the heating tube, back fan 8, and electric push rod 2 according to the internally stored program that embodies the control logic of this invention.

[0046] Control method process Based on the overall flowchart, the control method in this embodiment specifically includes the following steps: S201: When the equipment detects that the cooking program has ended, it will start the drying process in one of the following two ways: interactive confirmation start and condition trigger start.

[0047] The interactive confirmation-based start-up includes: Drying inquiry: When the device detects the end of the steaming function through its internal program logic, the control unit drives the control panel 1 to display a prompt message, such as: "Steaming is complete, there is condensation in the cavity, do you want to start intelligent drying?", and provides "yes" and "no" options. This step ensures that the drying function is only activated when needed, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

[0048] The program initiates a check. The system waits for and receives user input. If the user selects "No," the entire process ends, and the device enters standby mode, requiring the user to handle any water buildup in the chamber. If the user selects "Yes," the control unit officially starts the "Adaptive Drying Program" and begins timing (for subsequent safety backup checks).

[0049] In another embodiment, a condition-triggered start is employed: after the steaming / cooking program is completed, the user is prompted via an interactive interface, and drying begins only after confirmation, ensuring the function is used as needed; alternatively, it can be automatically triggered when a specific program (such as steaming / cooking or sterilization) has finished running, requiring no additional user intervention. This diverse start-up logic significantly enhances the automation level of the equipment and the user experience. The entire control process works together to improve safety and energy efficiency while achieving intelligent management throughout the entire process from the end of cooking to the completion of drying, making the start-up mechanism more diverse and intelligent.

[0050] S202: Adaptive Drying Stage - First Stage (Rapid Heating Period).

[0051] Control action: The control unit immediately enables (starts) the top outer ring heating element 12, the back heating element 9, the bottom outer ring heating element 11, and the bottom inner ring heating element 10. At the same time, the back fan 8 operates in continuous or high-speed mode.

[0052] Initial drying stage: Utilizing the combined action of multiple heating tubes, the central ambient temperature of cavity 6 (mainly characterized by the upper temperature sensor 3) is rapidly increased from a low initial value (e.g., 50-60°C) to a higher first predetermined threshold in the shortest possible time, which is set to 180°C in this embodiment. This high-temperature environment enables most of the free condensate on the cavity walls and bottom to vaporize rapidly.

[0053] Stage Switching Decision: The control unit continuously reads the value from the upper temperature sensor 3. Once the reading reaches or exceeds 180°C, it is determined that the first stage target has been achieved, and the system switches to the second stage. This stage typically lasts for a short time, such as 3-8 minutes, depending on the equipment power and the initial water accumulation.

[0054] S203: Adaptive Drying Stage - Second Stage (Dynamic Insulation and Drying Period).

[0055] At this point, most of the surface water has evaporated, but residual moisture may remain in the top, side walls, and bottom recesses of the cavity, and water that has flowed down from above may have collected at the bottom. The goal of this stage is to maintain a balanced high-temperature environment to ensure that this residual moisture is completely evaporated, while avoiding unnecessary energy waste.

[0056] Control Action: The system switches to a carefully designed cyclic heating logic. This logic consists of multiple sequentially executed sub-loops, each activating a different combination of heating elements: Cycle A: Activate the top inner ring heating element 13 and the bottom outer ring heating element 11, and continue heating for 15 seconds. This combination helps to evaporate the fine water droplets adhering to the center area at the top.

[0057] Cycle B: Activate the top outer ring heating element 12 and the bottom outer ring heating element 11, and continue heating for 18 seconds. This combination enhances heating of the top edge and a large bottom area.

[0058] Cycle C: Activate the bottom outer ring heating element 11 and the rear heating element 9, and heat continuously for 7 seconds. This combination utilizes the rear hot air to blow heat to all corners of the cavity, promoting temperature uniformity. Continuous operating element: Throughout the second stage, the bottom inner ring heating element 10 is set to operate continuously (or in a very high duty cycle cycle) because gravity causes water to eventually flow to the bottom, and the central area at the bottom is usually a "stubborn area" where the accumulated liquid is finally evaporated, requiring a continuous supply of heat.

[0059] Fan Operation: The rear fan 8 operates throughout the second stage to ensure hot air flow and temperature uniformity. This A->B->C cycle repeats continuously until the drying termination conditions are met. This dynamic circulation strategy, compared to keeping all heating elements continuously running, significantly reduces the system's average power consumption and saves energy while maintaining drying effectiveness.

[0060] S204 & S205: Drying Termination Judgment and Safety Backup. This is the core judgment logic of the present invention, employing a dual-track parallel judgment mechanism: Intelligent main criterion (S204): During the second stage of operation, the control unit continuously monitors the reading of the lower temperature sensor 5 inside the cavity. Since the evaporation of water absorbs a large amount of heat (latent heat of vaporization), as long as there is still liquid water at the bottom, the temperature in this area is unlikely to rise sharply. When the control unit detects that the reading of the lower temperature sensor 5 stably exceeds 180°C (the second predetermined threshold, which is the same as the first threshold here), and this state is maintained for 3 minutes (predetermined duration), it can accurately determine that the last accumulated liquid at the bottom of the cavity has completely evaporated, and there is no liquid water in the cavity. At this time, the control unit immediately issues a command to terminate the power supply to all heating tubes (10, 11, 12, 13, 9), and the drying stage officially ends. The program then jumps to the exhaust stage (S206).

[0061] Safety backup criterion (S205): This is a parallel-running safety timer. From program startup (S202), the control unit keeps track of the total running time. In this embodiment, a maximum program time limit of 35 minutes is set. If the intelligent main criterion of S205 is not met after 35 minutes (e.g., due to a malfunction of the lower temperature sensor 5 causing its reading to remain consistently low), the control unit will forcibly terminate heating to ensure system safety. This constitutes a double insurance for the system.

[0062] S206 & S207: Automatic exhaust stage and program termination.

[0063] Control Action (S206): Once the drying stage ends (whether via S205 or S206), the control unit immediately sends a command to the electric push rod 2. The electric push rod 2 actuates, opening the door 7 to a predetermined opening degree, which is a 40mm gap in this embodiment. This opening degree ensures sufficient ventilation and heat exchange area while avoiding the space occupation and safety risks that may result from opening the door too wide. At the same time, the control unit starts a 10-minute (600-second) countdown timer.

[0064] Physical process: After the door is opened, the hot, humid air inside the cavity (its temperature is much higher than room temperature) will automatically escape from the gap at the top of the door due to its lower density; while the dry, cool air from the outside will flow in from the gap at the bottom of the door. This natural convection effect can effectively reduce the temperature and humidity inside the cavity to near ambient levels within 10 minutes.

[0065] Program termination (S207): When the 10-minute countdown ends, the control unit retracts the electric push rod 2, and the door 7 closes automatically. Subsequently, the control unit completely shuts down the equipment or returns it to standby mode. The entire intelligent drying and exhaust process is now complete.

[0066] Example of the effect: After the user steams a fish, a prompt pops up on the screen, and the user clicks "Yes". After 8 minutes, the temperature of the lower sensor reaches 182℃ and remains stable for 3 minutes, at which point the controller determines that drying is complete. The door then automatically opens a 40mm gap, and automatically closes and shuts off after 10 minutes. The user doesn't need to worry about anything else; the cavity is completely dry and slightly warm when the user returns, ready for the next cooking session.

[0067] Example 2: Extended Example of Control Strategy and Parameters This embodiment is intended to illustrate that the core idea of ​​the present invention can be achieved through various control strategies and parameters, and is not limited to the specific details of Embodiment 1.

[0068] Dynamic setting of temperature thresholds: The first and second predetermined thresholds do not necessarily have to be fixed at 180°C; they can be dynamically adjusted based on environmental conditions or equipment status. For example, the control unit can be connected to an ambient temperature sensor. In the summer when the ambient temperature is high, the threshold can be automatically set to 175°C; in the winter when the ambient temperature is low, the threshold can be automatically set to 185°C to compensate for the impact of ambient heat dissipation. Alternatively, the threshold can also be roughly estimated based on the total duration of the steaming process or the highest temperature; the longer the steaming time and the greater the steam consumption, the higher the set drying threshold should be.

[0069] Optimization of the duration criterion: The "3 minutes" duration can also be a variable. For example, the system can require the lower temperature sensor 5 to reach 185°C and remain there for 2 minutes, or reach 175°C and remain there for 4 minutes. More advanced algorithms can not judge a fixed value, but rather judge the slope of the temperature curve—when the rate of temperature rise becomes very gentle and stabilizes at a high temperature plateau, drying can be determined to be complete.

[0070] Diversified Heating Cycle Modes: The second-stage cycling mode is not limited to A->B->C. It can include more or fewer sub-cycles. For example, a "pure hot air cycle" sub-stage can be added, where only the rear heating element 9 and the rear fan 8 are activated. The duration of each sub-stage can also be dynamically adjusted. For example, in the early stages of the second stage, when the difference between the upper and lower temperature sensors is large, the cycle time of the bottom heating element can be increased; when the difference decreases, it reverts to the standard cycle. This further enhances adaptability.

[0071] Flexible exhaust strategy: The "preset opening degree" and "preset time" of automatic exhaust can be optimized based on the final temperature inside the chamber. For example, if the chamber temperature is 190°C at the end of drying, the door can be opened 50mm for 12 minutes to dissipate heat; if the temperature is 170°C at the end, the door can be opened 30mm for 8 minutes to dissipate heat. Furthermore, exhaust is not limited to a single operation; it can be a pulsed exhaust system of "door open for 5 minutes -> door closed -> door open for 5 minutes" to promote deeper heat exchange.

[0072] Example 3: Low-cost implementation with simplified system hardware This embodiment aims to illustrate that the core concept of the present invention can still achieve its main beneficial effects with simplified hardware configuration, which greatly expands the application scope of the present invention.

[0073] Consider a low-cost countertop electric oven with only basic steam generation and a simple heating system.

[0074] Hardware configuration: Heating unit: Only one top U-shaped heating tube and one bottom U-shaped heating tube.

[0075] Temperature sensing unit: Only a single temperature sensor located in the middle of the rear wall of the cavity. Actuation unit: No automatic door mechanism, but includes a buzzer and status indicator light. Ventilation unit: A simple convection fan. Suitable control methods: (e.g.) Figure 4 (As shown) S501: Steaming complete. Ask the user if they want to dry the food. The user confirms. S502: First stage: Simultaneously turn on the top and bottom heating elements and the convection fan to heat up at full capacity until the single temperature sensor reading reaches 170°C (first predetermined threshold).

[0076] S503: Second Stage: Switch to Circulation Mode. For example, cycle in a sequence of "top pipe on for 30 seconds, bottom pipe on for 40 seconds" (total 70 seconds). The bottom pipe operates for a slightly longer time to accommodate liquid buildup at the bottom. The convection fan runs continuously.

[0077] S504: Termination Decision: Continuously monitor this single temperature sensor. When its reading exceeds 170°C and remains there for 4 minutes (predetermined condition), terminate heating. Simultaneously, set a maximum safety time limit of 30 minutes.

[0078] S506: Exhaust Warning (Alternative to Automatic Door Opening): After the drying stage is completed, the control unit does not open the door directly, but instead controls the buzzer to sound a warning tone and displays the text message "Drying complete, please open the door to cool down for 5 minutes" on the control panel.

[0079] S507: After seeing the prompt, the user manually opens the door. The system simultaneously starts a 5-minute countdown and beeps again to remind the user to close the door after the countdown ends.

[0080] Technical Effect Analysis: Although this simplified solution cannot achieve fully automatic exhaust, it still fully incorporates the two core inventive points: "staged heating" and "adaptive termination based on temperature feedback." Compared to traditional fixed-program drying, it can automatically adjust the effective heating time according to the amount of water accumulated, thus solving the problems of under-drying or over-drying and providing a superior intelligent experience compared to the prior art. This demonstrates that the control concept of this invention has strong robustness and universality.

[0081] Example 4: Application Area Expansion Example The application of this invention is by no means limited to steam ovens. Its core concept of "adaptive heating + intelligent judgment + post-treatment exhaust" can be widely applied to various devices that need to treat condensate in the cavity.

[0082] Application in pure steam ovens: Adding the intelligent drying function of this invention to traditional pure steam ovens can greatly improve their ease of use and hygiene, becoming a key selling point of the product; Applications to microwave ovens with steam function: These microwave ovens typically have a grill heating element (which can be used as a heating unit) and a temperature sensor. The control method of this invention can be fully applied to adaptively dry the food after steam cooking using the grill element, and to vent the air by controlling the opening and closing of the oven door (if it is electrically powered) or by prompting the user to open the door.

[0083] Application to dishwashers: After washing and rinsing, the interior of a dishwasher (including the dish rack, spray arms, and inner walls) is covered with water droplets. The method of this invention can be adapted and applied to the drying stage of a dishwasher. Wherein: Heating unit: The heating element of a dishwasher (usually used to heat the washing water and dry the food).

[0084] Temperature / humidity sensing unit: A humidity sensor (15) can be used to replace or assist the temperature sensor. The drying criterion can be modified to "when the humidity inside the cavity is below a predetermined threshold and remains so for a period of time".

[0085] Exhaust Stage: The dishwasher's exhaust valve can be controlled to open, and its internal fan can be used to force exhaust, expelling hot and humid air outside the machine. Through the adaptive control of this invention, energy waste or incomplete drying caused by fixed drying times in dishwashers can be avoided, achieving more efficient drying.

[0086] In summary, this invention provides a universal, efficient, and intelligent cavity drying solution through its core three-in-one control logic of "staged coordinated heating," "adaptive termination based on sensor feedback," and "automatic post-treatment exhaust." Various modifications, variations, substitutions, or combinations made by those skilled in the art to the above embodiments based on the inventive concept should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this invention. The protection scope of this invention should be defined by the appended claims.

[0087] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cavity drying control device for a cooking apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 5 As shown, the cavity drying control device of the cooking equipment may include a first processor 2001.

[0088] Optionally, the cavity drying control device of the cooking equipment may also include a memory 2002 and a transceiver 2003.

[0089] The first processor 2001, memory 2002, and transceiver 2003 can be connected via a communication bus.

[0090] The following is combined Figure 5 A detailed introduction to each component of the cavity drying control device in cooking equipment: The first processor 2001 is the control center of the cavity drying control device of the cooking equipment. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the first processor 2001 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present invention, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0091] Optionally, the first processor 2001 can execute various functions of the cavity drying control device of the cooking apparatus by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 2002 and calling data stored in the memory 2002.

[0092] In a specific implementation, as one example, the first processor 2001 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 5 CPU0 and CPU1 are shown in the diagram.

[0093] In a specific implementation, as one example, the SSS device 410 may also include multiple processors, for example... Figure 5 The first processor 2001 and the second processor 2004 are shown in the diagram. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, a processor can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (such as computer program instructions).

[0094] The memory 2002 is used to store the software program that executes the present invention, and is controlled by the first processor 2001 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0095] Optionally, the memory 2002 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 2002 may be integrated with the first processor 2001 or may exist independently, and may be connected to the interface circuit of the drying control device within the cavity of the cooking apparatus. Figure 5 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the first processor 2001, and this embodiment of the invention does not specifically limit this.

[0096] The transceiver 2003 is used to communicate with network devices or with terminal devices.

[0097] Optionally, transceiver 2003 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0098] Optionally, the transceiver 2003 can be integrated with the first processor 2001 or exist independently, and can be controlled via the interface circuit of the drying control device in the cavity of the cooking device. Figure 5 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the first processor 2001, and this embodiment of the invention does not specifically limit this.

[0099] It should be noted that, Figure 5 The structure of the cavity drying control device of the cooking equipment shown does not constitute a limitation on the router. The actual knowledge structure identification device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0100] Furthermore, the technical effects of the cavity drying control device of the cooking equipment can be referred to the technical effects of the cavity drying control method of the cooking equipment in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0101] It should be understood that the first processor 2001 in the embodiments of the present invention may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0102] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present invention can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of random access memory (RAM) are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous linked DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0103] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present invention are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0104] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it can also represent an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for a more accurate understanding.

[0105] In this invention, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be a single item or multiple items.

[0106] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present invention, the order of the above-mentioned process numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0107] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention.

[0108] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the devices, apparatuses, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0109] In the several embodiments provided by this invention, it should be understood that the disclosed devices, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0110] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0111] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0112] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a 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 this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0113] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cavity drying control method of a cooking apparatus, characterized by, The method comprises: in response to a drying start instruction, controlling a heating unit to perform staged heating on a cavity of a cooking device; and during the heating, monitoring the temperature of at least one region of the cavity; based on the temperature value meeting a predetermined condition, terminating the heating; and after the heating is terminated, controlling a door body of the cooking device to perform an automatic opening action and maintain for a predetermined time to perform exhaust heat dissipation.

2. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The staged heating at least includes a first heating stage and a second heating stage, and the second heating stage includes controlling multiple heating elements in the heating unit in a cyclic manner.

3. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cyclic manner is that, according to the spatial distribution of multiple heating elements in the heating unit in the cavity, the preset timing control logic cyclically starts and stops each heating element, so that each heating element works in a predetermined order or working time length in turn, thereby alternately drying different regions in the cavity.

4. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that, Further comprising, in the second heating stage, dynamically adjusting the working time length or activation order of at least one heating element in the cyclic manner according to real-time temperature data.

5. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that, The real-time temperature data is provided by one or more temperature sensors arranged at specific positions in the cavity corresponding to the layout of the heating unit.

6. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 5, characterized in that, The predetermined condition includes that the temperature value exceeds a first predetermined threshold and lasts for a first predetermined time.

7. The cavity drying control method of the cooking apparatus of claim 1, characterized by, Controlling the door body to perform the automatic opening action includes controlling the door body to open to a predetermined opening degree and maintain for a predetermined time of 5 minutes to 15 minutes.

8. The cavity drying control method of a cooking appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further comprises setting a maximum time limit for the drying start instruction, and when the heating time reaches the maximum time limit, forcibly terminating the heating.

9. A cavity drying control device of a cooking apparatus, characterized by, Comprise: a heating unit comprising multiple heating elements; a temperature sensing unit configured to monitor the temperature of at least one region of the cavity of the cooking device; an execution unit configured to drive a door body of the cooking device to automatically open and close; a control unit in communication connection with the heating unit, the temperature sensing unit and the execution unit, and configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

10. A cooking apparatus, characterized by, Comprise: the cavity drying control device of claim 9; and a storage unit for storing program code, the program code being executable by the control unit to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

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