Loading and unloading station and also loading and/or unloading method of a cooking apparatus to determine the load of the cooking chamber of the cooking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking devices face challenges in accurately determining the loading of food in cooking chambers with multiple insertion levels, particularly due to the harsh conditions within the cooking chamber that can impair sensing devices and the need for efficient food recognition and insertion detection.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device equipped with cameras, such as RGB, stereo, time-of-flight, or light field cameras, mounted on a movable frame or trolley, which can record images and evaluate them for insertion height and food detection, allowing for automatic identification of food type, quantity, and position, and communicate with a control device for optimized cooking processes without exposing sensors to the cooking chamber atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are positioned inside the cooking chamber for direct food detection, then detection precision is improved, but the sensors are exposed to harsh conditions causing reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical system (cameras, mirrors, lenses) positioned outside the cooking chamber that indirectly detects food characteristics without exposing sensors to harsh thermal conditions. The optical mediator transfers information from the food to the sensor through the chamber wall or opening, resolving the contradiction between direct detection precision and sensor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct physical contact sensors with optical detection systems (cameras, light fields, time-of-flight sensors) that can detect food properties through electromagnetic radiation rather than mechanical or thermal contact, allowing detection without exposing sensors to high temperatures and harsh cooking chamber conditions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras and detection systems are added to accurately determine loading at multiple insertion levels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs time-of-flight cameras and light field cameras that add a temporal and optical dimension to detection, enabling depth and distance measurement without requiring multiple physical camera positions. This dimensional approach allows accurate loading detection at multiple insertion levels while avoiding the complexity of installing numerous cameras throughout the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multi-functional camera systems that can simultaneously perform multiple detection tasks (RGB imaging, depth mapping, light field analysis) through a single integrated device, reducing the overall number of components needed while maintaining high measurement precision across multiple insertion levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cameras are mounted on a movable trolley for flexible positioning, then adaptability is improved, but the system requires additional mechanical infrastructure increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable camera system mounted on a trolley that can dynamically reposition itself to access different insertion levels and angles. This dynamic positioning capability provides adaptability for detecting food at various locations while using a simple, standardized trolley mechanism rather than complex fixed mounting structures for each position.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise and automatic detection of food loading, reducing the risk of sensor damage and improving cooking efficiency by providing real-time data for program selection and preparatory actions, while maintaining sensor integrity and flexibility in operation.
Implementation Method 1
a camera device for recording images which are evaluated or can be evaluated in a data processing device
Implementation Method 2
a time-of-flight camera, also called runtime camera
Implementation Method 3
a plenoptical camera, also called light field camera
Data Source
AI summary
A loading and/or unloading station of at least one cooking device with a plurality of insertion levels defining insertion heights for food in at least one cooking chamber, the at least one insertion and/or food carrier which can be loaded with at least one food can be placed at each insertion height, the loading and/or unloading station including a sensing device for determining the loading of the cooking chamber, which has at least one camera device for recording images which are evaluated or can be evaluated in a data processing device.