Connected Oven Sensing for Real-Time Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ovens lack advanced control over thermal distribution and food monitoring, leading to inefficiencies in cooking and limited user interaction, while also occupying more physical space than necessary.
Innovation Solution
A connected oven with integrated sensors, cameras, and processing systems that allow for real-time monitoring and control of cooking parameters, dynamic adjustment of heating and convection elements, and user interface enhancements such as touchscreens and remote connectivity for improved control and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ovens are used, then they occupy more physical space, but they lack advanced control over thermal distribution and food monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical thermal control systems with intelligent control systems that use sensors, processors, and algorithms to manage heat distribution. The oven uses electronic sensors to monitor temperature and food state, then dynamically adjusts heating elements through electronic control rather than mechanical thermostats, enabling precise thermal management in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The oven integrates multiple functions including thermal monitoring, visual monitoring via cameras, weight measurement, and automated control algorithms into a single system. This multi-functionality allows the compact oven to perform advanced thermal distribution control, food monitoring, and automated cooking management without requiring separate devices or occupying excessive space.
2Ease of operation
If conventional ovens are used, then they have limited user interaction, but they are simpler in structure
Solution Approach 1:
The oven incorporates multiple sensors (temperature, weight, visual) that continuously monitor cooking conditions and provide feedback to the control system. The processor analyzes this feedback in real-time and automatically adjusts heating power, convection fan speed, and cooking time to optimize cooking results, enabling sophisticated user interaction through automated closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The oven performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of cooking parameters through integrated sensors and automated control algorithms. The system automatically detects food weight, monitors temperature distribution, adjusts heating elements, and manages cooking timing without requiring manual intervention, providing intelligent self-service functionality that enhances ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional ovens are used, then they lack real-time monitoring capabilities, but they have fewer components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (temperature sensing, weight measurement, visual monitoring via cameras) into an integrated sensor system that communicates with a central processor. This merging of sensing and control functions into unified subsystems enables comprehensive real-time monitoring while managing system complexity through integrated architecture rather than separate independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The oven replaces traditional mechanical monitoring devices with electronic and optical sensing systems. Temperature is monitored through electronic sensors, weight through electronic load cells, and visual conditions through digital cameras, all processed by microprocessors. This substitution enables precise real-time monitoring capabilities while using modern electronic components that are compact and efficiently integrated.
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
The connected oven achieves precise thermal control, reduces cooking errors, and provides a more user-friendly experience through real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustments, while minimizing its physical footprint.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element arranged within the cooking cavity and configured to heat the cooking cavity
Implementation Method 2
a convection element arranged within the cooking cavity and configured to move air within the cooking cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A connected oven, including a set of in-cavity sensors and a processor configured to automatically identify foodstuff within the cooking cavity, based on the sensor measurements; and automatically operate the heating element based on the foodstuff identity.