Self-powered intelligent pressure cooker based on multi-modal energy harvesting

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-powered intelligent pressure cooker based on multimodal energy harvesting, belonging to the field of energy-saving intelligent kitchen cookware technology. The device includes a pressure cooker body, a sealed pressure-bearing component, a thermoelectric power generation module, a pressure differential piezoelectric power generation module, a steam micro-turbine power generation module, an energy integration management unit, a temperature acquisition sensor, a pressure acquisition sensor, and a low-power digital display module. The thermoelectric power generation relies on the temperature difference between the high temperature at the bottom of the pot and the low temperature of the environment to generate electricity; the pressure differential power generation utilizes the pressure pulsation deformation of the steam inside the pot to generate electricity; and the steam kinetic energy generation relies on the depressurization and exhaust to drive the micro-turbine generator set for energy replenishment. After rectification, filtering, supercapacitor energy storage, and power supply voltage regulation and distribution, the three power sources are self-powered by the high-precision temperature and pressure sensors and the digital display unit throughout the process, without the need for external mains power or battery replacement. It is preferably equipped with a low-power E-ink display, which can be expanded to include real-time video preview inside the pot and wireless data upload when there is excess energy; it solves the industry pain points of traditional smart pressure cookers that rely on power supply / battery, have limited battery life, and are cumbersome to install and disassemble for power supply. It also has the advantages of energy saving and environmental protection, pressure resistance and safety, real-time accurate monitoring, and all-weather maintenance-free operation, making it suitable for both household and commercial high-pressure cooking scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the cross-technical fields of energy-saving pressure cookers, micro-energy harvesting, and ultra-low power consumption sensing and display. Specifically, it relates to an intelligent high-pressure cooking pot that relies on the multi-modal recovery of electrical energy from the residual heat temperature difference, air pressure difference, and exhaust steam kinetic energy during the cooking process, achieving a completely self-sufficient power supply without external mains power and without the need to replace batteries, and features a digital display for temperature and pressure measurement. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional mechanical pressure cookers rely solely on human experience to judge the cooking status, lacking precise temperature and pressure references. This makes them prone to undercooking or overcooking, and overpressure poses a safety hazard of explosion. Currently available smart digital display pressure cookers generally use lithium batteries or 220V AC adapters for power. Lithium batteries require regular disassembly and charging, experience a sharp drop in battery life due to aging, are cumbersome to disassemble and reassemble, and are not environmentally friendly when discarding batteries. AC wiring restricts placement, making them unusable in commercial kitchens or outdoor scenarios without power.

[0003] In existing publicly available technologies, single thermoelectric power generation applied to cookware can only output extremely low power, which cannot support the continuous operation of sensors and displays; piezoelectric power generation and micro steam turbine power generation are mostly used separately for energy recovery in industrial pipelines, and have never been systematically integrated to adapt to the working conditions of high-pressure, high-temperature cooking and sealed cavities; there is currently no mature integrated structure and circuit solution for how the three types of micro-energy can work together and complement each other, achieve unified voltage stabilization and energy storage, and implement ultra-low power load hierarchical scheduling.

[0004] Existing technologies suffer from drawbacks such as reliance on external energy sources for power supply, insufficient single-generator capacity, poor circuit reliability in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, and the inability to simultaneously achieve intelligent monitoring and self-sufficient power supply. A new integrated structural solution is urgently needed to address these industry pain points. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Overcoming the shortcomings of existing smart pressure cookers, such as limited power supply, poor battery life, rudimentary monitoring, and limited application scenarios, this invention provides a self-sustaining smart pressure cooker that features simultaneous three-channel physical energy acquisition and generation, integrated intelligent energy scheduling, ultra-low power consumption, constant temperature and pressure, precise digital display, and operation without power supply or batteries under all working conditions. Technical solution

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical architecture: Overall hardware architecture: pressure vessel body assembly + three micro-energy acquisition modules + energy integration and voltage stabilization storage unit + high-precision temperature and pressure sensing group + low-power human-machine digital display terminal, with optional expansion of video acquisition and wireless remote transmission modules.

[0007] Thermoelectric power generation link based on temperature difference: High-temperature resistant TEG thermoelectric elements are attached to the outer surface of the bottom of the pot. The hot end absorbs the high-temperature heat of the gas / open flame, while the cold end aluminum alloy fins dissipate heat through convection with the room temperature air. Relying on the Seebeck effect, basic low-voltage electrical energy is continuously generated as the base for the normal power supply of the whole machine.

[0008] Differential pressure pulse power generation link: The pressure relief valve base of the pot lid has a built-in waterproof and corrosion-resistant piezoelectric ceramic array. The entire process of pressure increase, pressure stabilization and pressure decrease in the pot forms a stable gas pressure difference fluctuation, which squeezes the piezoelectric crystal to deform and generate induced electricity, making up for the short power generation of temperature difference in the low temperature stage.

[0009] Steam peak power generation link: The pressure relief and exhaust channel has a built-in anti-clogging filter and a micro anti-corrosion turbine generator set. High-temperature and high-speed saturated steam directionally impacts the turbine rotation and cuts the magnetic field lines. During the exhaust stage in the later stage of steaming, kinetic energy is concentratedly recovered and converted into electrical energy to quickly replenish the supercapacitor energy storage.

[0010] Core energy management link: integrates full-bridge rectifier circuit, LC filter circuit, low-voltage AMS voltage regulator chip, supercapacitor energy storage array, and load-level MCU control logic; rectifies chaotic alternating power into a stable 3.3V / 5V safe low voltage; manages according to power level: low power only retains temperature and pressure digital refresh, medium power is monitored at high frequency, and high power starts the in-cab visualization video + Bluetooth cloud upload.

[0011] Sensing and display terminal: Armored thermocouples collect the temperature of the medium inside the pot in real time, and high-temperature resistant piezoresistive cores collect the air pressure of the sealed cavity in real time; E-ink water-ink screen refreshes data directly with ultra-low power consumption, is resistant to high temperature and moisture, and is suitable for the harsh environment of high humidity and high heat in the kitchen.

[0012] Safety redundancy design: It retains the traditional mechanical double safety valve structure of pressure cookers, and can still physically release pressure in case of abnormal power failure; the thickened stainless steel pot body meets the pressure bearing standards, and the circuit is fully encapsulated, insulated, waterproof and moisture-proof, eliminating the risk of leakage, short circuit and steam corrosion failure. Beneficial effects

[0013] Energy self-sufficiency: Integrating three types of original waste heat, waste pressure and waste energy: temperature difference, pressure difference and steam kinetic energy, the entire process requires no mains power wiring and no lithium battery replacement or charging, making it green and energy-saving, and its use is not limited by location.

[0014] Precise monitoring: High-precision real-time digital display of ±1℃ temperature and ±1kPa pressure, eliminating the need for blind cooking based on experience, ensuring controllable cooking quality, and dual physical and logical overpressure warnings, significantly improving safety levels.

[0015] Ultra-low power consumption adaptation: E-ink screen + dynamic power frequency adjustment strategy, matching the characteristics of low energy and low power output, and stable energy supply and demand balance.

[0016] Suitable for multiple scenarios: It can be used stably in household open flame, commercial kitchen gas stove, and outdoor picnic environments without power. The structure is resistant to high temperature, waterproof, and vibration and is highly durable.

[0017] Highly expandable: The surplus energy supports in-pot video preview and wireless data synchronization with mobile phones, taking into account both basic safety requirements and intelligent upgrade experience. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Example 1: Basic Simplified Version for Home Use Main body: 304 stainless steel, standard capacity pressure cooker body, standard sealing and locking lid; Power generation configuration: It is equipped with only a thermoelectric power generation module and a pressure differential piezoelectric power generation module, eliminating the complex structure of the steam turbine and reducing costs; Simplified circuitry: basic rectification and voltage regulation + small supercapacitor energy storage, no video or Bluetooth expansion; Display: Monochrome low-power LCD with fixed refresh rate and temperature / pressure values; Applicable scenarios: Suitable for daily household cooking such as soup making, stewing meat, and pressure cooking. It can stably maintain its own power supply by heating on a low flame, meeting the basic safety monitoring needs. It has a simple structure and a low failure rate.

[0019] Example 2: Commercial High-End Full-Featured Version Main body: Thickened pressure-bearing industrial-grade stainless steel large-capacity commercial pressure cooker with reinforced sealing and leak-proof structure; Power generation configuration: Three power sources are fully operational: thermoelectric generator (TEG) base power generation, voltage differential power generation, and steam micro-turbine peak power generation. Energy Management: High-end MCU intelligent power scheduling + large-capacity supercapacitor array, fast startup and stable power supply; Sensor Display: High-precision dual-sensor combination + high-definition E-ink large screen; Extended functions: Built-in high-temperature resistant wide-angle camera to capture the status of food inside the pot in real time, and Bluetooth module to synchronize temperature and pressure curves to the kitchen control terminal; Safety Upgrade: Multiple pressure-linked alarms + redundant mechanical forced pressure relief in case of power failure; Applicable scenarios: Standardized high-pressure cooking operations in restaurant kitchens and central kitchens, while also meeting the requirements of 24 / 7 maintenance-free operation, data traceability, and high safety standards. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 is a system circuit block diagram of the "Self-Powered Intelligent Pressure Cooker Based on Multimodal Energy Harvesting" of the present invention. The circuit block diagram presents a closed-loop scheme with three self-powered circuits (temperature difference + pressure difference + steam), full-link energy management, and sensor display.

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the "self-powered intelligent pressure cooker based on multimodal energy harvesting" of the present invention: 1—pot body; 2—pot lid; 3—thermal difference power generation module; 4—pressure difference piezoelectric power generation array; 5—steam turbine generator set; 6—anti-clogging filter; 7—mechanical safety valve; 8—temperature and pressure sensing component; 9—energy management and voltage stabilization energy storage unit; 10—ultra-low power digital display screen; 11—exhaust channel is built-in (not shown in the structural diagram).

Claims

1. A self-powered intelligent pressure cooker based on multimodal energy harvesting, comprising a pot body (1), a pot lid (2), a sealing and locking assembly (3), a low-power digital display module (4), a temperature sensor (5), and a pressure sensor (6), characterized in that: It also includes a thermoelectric power generation module (7), a pressure differential piezoelectric power generation module (8), a steam kinetic energy turbine power generation module (9), and an energy management unit (10); The thermoelectric power generation module (7) has its hot end attached to the high-temperature area at the bottom of the pot body, and its cold end is equipped with heat dissipation fins that contact the normal temperature environment, generating basic electrical energy based on the temperature difference between hot and cold. The differential pressure piezoelectric power generation module (8) is integrated inside the pressure relief valve base of the pot lid, and is connected to the pressure-bearing cavity inside the pot. It uses the pressure difference pulsation of the gas pressure inside the pot to drive the piezoelectric structure to generate electricity. The steam kinetic energy turbine power generation module (9) is arranged in the pressure relief and exhaust channel of the pot lid, and relies on the high temperature and high speed exhaust airflow to impact the micro turbine to rotate and cut the magnetic field lines to supplement electrical energy; The energy management unit (10) is electrically connected to the thermoelectric power generation module (7), the pressure difference piezoelectric power generation module (8), and the steam kinetic energy turbine power generation module (9) respectively, to complete the rectification, filtering, voltage stabilization and energy storage distribution of multiple power sources; The output of the energy management unit (10) powers the temperature sensor (5), pressure sensor (6) and low-power digital display module (4), enabling real-time digital display of the temperature and pressure inside the pot without external power supply or battery replacement.

2. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermoelectric power generation module (7) uses a high-temperature resistant TEG thermoelectric ceramic power generation chip. The hot end is attached to the bottom surface of the pot body through a high thermal conductivity insulating silicone, and the temperature resistance is 0~260℃. The cold end is riveted with aluminum alloy honeycomb heat dissipation fins to enhance the temperature difference gradient between the hot and cold ends.

3. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The core of the differential pressure piezoelectric power generation module (8) is a high-temperature resistant piezoelectric ceramic wafer group. The outer side of the wafer is provided with a high-temperature resistant sealing film to isolate steam corrosion. The pressure inside the pot fluctuates periodically in the range of 0~200kPa, driving the wafer to deform and generate pulsating electrical energy.

4. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam kinetic energy turbine power generation module (9) includes a miniature anti-corrosion turbine impeller, a miniature permanent magnet AC generator and an airflow guiding cavity; when the exhaust flow velocity is ≥5m / s, the impeller drives the generator to generate electricity, and the cavity is equipped with an anti-clogging filter.

5. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy management unit (10) includes a rectifier filter circuit, a low-voltage regulator chip, a supercapacitor energy storage array, and a load grading control circuit, which are used to convert multiple electrical energy sources into stable low-voltage DC power and buffer instantaneous power generation.

6. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-power digital display module (4) is an E-ink electronic ink screen or a reflective LCD screen, with a static power consumption of ≤10mW; the energy management unit (10) adaptively adjusts the screen refresh rate according to the energy storage capacity.

7. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a miniature video acquisition module and a wireless transmission module; when the energy management unit detects that the total power generation is ≥50mW, it activates the video acquisition and data transmission functions.

8. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature sensor (5) is an armored thermocouple with a range of 0~150℃ and an accuracy of ±1℃; the pressure sensor (6) is a high-temperature piezoresistive pressure core with a range of 0~220kPa and an accuracy of ±1kPa.

9. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pot body (1) is made of 304 stainless steel and the bottom thickness is ≥3mm; the pot lid (2) is equipped with a mechanical double safety pressure relief valve.

10. The self-powered intelligent pressure cooker according to claim 5, characterized in that: The energy management unit (10) is also equipped with a backup thin-film capacitor for short-term power supply to the system under low power generation conditions.

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