Compact Multi-Station Cooking Appliance With Independent Stirring Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated cooking systems are too large and expensive to fit in small spaces, such as homes, recreational vehicles, or aircraft, and lack the capability to simultaneously cook multiple dishes while freeing up human or robot operators from laborious tasks like stirring and heating control.
Innovation Solution
A compact, self-contained automatic cooking appliance with multiple cooking stations, ingredient storage, and a material handling system using a gantry or SCARA robot, equipped with independent stirring and heating controls, temperature sensors, and removable parts for easy cleaning, allowing for simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes and integration with standard kitchen counters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large flat workspace with multiple cooking stations is provided, then multiple dishes can be cooked simultaneously, but the system occupies a large space and is not suitable for small kitchens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal layout (large flat workspace) to a vertical layout (stacked cooking stations above a compact base), utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple cooking stations without increasing horizontal footprint. This allows multiple dishes to be cooked simultaneously while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for small kitchens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where cooking stations are stacked vertically above a central base unit that contains shared components such as the controller, power supply, and storage. This nesting approach consolidates the system into a compact footprint while maintaining multiple functional cooking stations.
2Extent of automation
If industrial robots are used for material handling, then automation is achieved, but the system becomes very expensive and requires significant construction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex material handling robot system from the cooking appliance and replaces it with a simplified manual loading/unloading interface. This extraction reduces construction costs and complexity while maintaining the core automation functions of stirring, heating control, and cooking management within the appliance itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the appliance automatically performs laborious tasks such as stirring, heating control, and cooking monitoring without requiring external robotic assistance. The system frees operators from these tasks while using simple, cost-effective loading and unloading interfaces.
3Extent of automation
If independent stirring and heating control is provided for each station, then laborious tasks are automated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal controller that manages multiple cooking stations through a unified control architecture. The controller provides independent stirring and heating control for each station while using shared components such as motors, sensors, and control circuits across all stations, thereby reducing overall device complexity despite providing comprehensive automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into modular units, with each cooking station having its own independent control modules for stirring and heating that can be individually configured and managed. This segmentation allows for independent control of each station while maintaining overall system coordination through the central controller.
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 efficient, simultaneous cooking of multiple dishes in a compact, affordable format, freeing operators from time-consuming tasks and ensuring safe, reliable operation in small spaces with reduced footprint and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a fourth station (404) for deep frying
Implementation Method 2
A further object is to have embedded temperature sensors in the cooking pots which get plugged and connected as the pots are placed at the cooking stations
Data Source
AI summary
A kitchen in a box automatic cooking appliance with various cooking stations and a deep frying station along with selectable lid integrated stirring mechanism with remote stirring power source. Floor and wall mounted ingredient bins and containers along with universal tool carrier to bring in fluidic ingredients to be delivered to cooking stations. Removable components for easy cleaning of the automatic cooking appliance and the components. Heating control by using temperature sensor in contact with cooking vessels by attaching actuator mechanisms on knobs of off the shelf induction and gas stoves.