Autostop function in a kitchen device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen devices struggle to automatically stop processing food ingredients at the optimal moment, particularly in cream whipping and dough kneading, due to variations in ingredients and parameters, leading to overprocessing or underprocessing.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen device equipped with a sensing module for real-time power consumption data, a calculating module for processing moving averages and second derivatives, and a decision module that dynamically adjusts the auto-stop function based on user input and sensor data to determine the precise stopping point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple torque or power threshold detection is used to stop processing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of the food product deteriorates due to overprocessing or underprocessing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static threshold detection to dynamic trend analysis. The system continuously monitors power consumption and calculates moving averages and derivatives to detect the optimal stopping point based on the changing pattern of power usage during processing, rather than relying on fixed thresholds. This allows the control system to adapt to varying ingredient properties and processing conditions while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing systems with electrical power consumption monitoring. Instead of using multiple sensors to measure torque, temperature, and other physical parameters, the system substitutes these with a single power consumption measurement that indirectly captures all these changes, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If fixed cut-off thresholds are used for auto-stop detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different ingredients and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic moving average calculations and derivative analysis to adapt to different ingredients. Instead of fixed thresholds, the system continuously adjusts its detection criteria based on the real-time power consumption pattern, allowing it to accommodate variations in ingredient properties while maintaining simple operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for detection from fixed power thresholds to dynamic trends in power consumption. By monitoring how power consumption changes over time (using moving averages and derivatives), the system can adapt to different ingredients and processing conditions without requiring users to adjust settings, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If real-time power consumption monitoring with moving average calculation is implemented, then the measurement precision of processing stage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with electrical power monitoring and mathematical calculations. Instead of using multiple physical sensors and complex mechanical detection mechanisms, the system uses power consumption data processed through moving average and derivative calculations, achieving high measurement precision with simpler hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a mathematical model (copy) of the physical processing state through power consumption patterns. By analyzing the electrical power signature and its derivatives, the system infers the physical state of the food processing without directly measuring physical parameters, thus improving measurement precision while keeping the device relatively simple.
4Manufacturing precision
If dynamic adjustment of stop parameters based on processing time-course is implemented, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting the stop parameters based on real-time power consumption patterns. The moving average calculation and derivative analysis are performed automatically without user intervention, allowing the system to adapt to different ingredients and conditions while maintaining simple operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring power consumption and using this information to dynamically adjust the stopping decision. The system processes the power consumption data through moving averages and derivatives, then uses this feedback to determine the optimal stopping point, achieving high manufacturing precision while keeping the user interface simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
A kitchen device for processing of food ingredients, comprising at least a motorized driving means, one or more connecting means for connection of various attachments and a user control means for controlling the operation of the kitchen device,wherein the kitchen device also comprises a sensing module adapted to sense in real-time a parameter dependent on the power consumption of the kitchen device, a calculating module adapted to collect and process the data acquired from the said sensing module and a decision module able to automatically stop the operation of the kitchen device at the time point when the parameters from said calculating module are within a predetermined range that is adjusted according to measurements during processing.