Control- and operating device for a cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control and operating devices for pressure cookers primarily focus on displaying actual temperature and pressure conditions, failing to account for individual taste preferences, which limits their ability to provide customized cooking results.

Innovation Solution

A control, regulation, and operating device for pressure cookers that integrates a setting device for multiple cooking degrees, incorporates a data memory for food-specific data, and utilizes sensors and a microcontroller to adjust cooking processes based on user preferences and the Reaction Speed Temperature (RGT) rule, allowing for precise temperature and pressure monitoring and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a spring mechanism is used to display internal pressure, then the user can influence the cooking process, but the display becomes inaccurate due to manufacturing tolerances and temperature fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser influence on cooking processVSAvoidpressure display accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical spring mechanism with an electronic pressure sensor and microcontroller-based display system. The electronic sensor provides accurate pressure measurement independent of temperature fluctuations, while the microcontroller processes the data to display precise pressure values, eliminating the inaccuracies inherent in mechanical spring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an electronic representation (digital display) to copy and represent the physical pressure state, rather than relying on the physical deformation of a spring. This electronic copy provides accurate information about the pressure state without being subject to the physical limitations of mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a spring-loaded system is used for pressure display, then relative pressure values can be shown, but absolute pressure values are not available making it problematic under different weather conditions or altitudes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure display functionalityVSAvoidpressure value accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic pressure sensor measures absolute pressure values directly, independent of external conditions. The microcontroller processes these absolute values and can display them accordingly, providing accurate pressure information whether the cooker is used at sea level or at high altitude, unlike mechanical spring systems that only provide relative measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If only actual temperature and pressure conditions are displayed, then the cooking process can be monitored, but individual taste preferences cannot be taken into account

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking process informationVSAvoidindividual taste preference accommodation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows users to pre-set their preferred cooking parameters (temperature, pressure, time) before starting the cooking process. The microcontroller stores these preferences and automatically adjusts the cooking process to match the user's taste preferences, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust settings during cooking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the actual cooking parameters via sensors and compares them with the user's preferred settings. The microcontroller adjusts the heating element and pressure regulation in real-time to maintain the desired cooking conditions, providing feedback control that ensures the cooking process matches user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 cooking results tailored to individual taste preferences, ensuring reproducibility without requiring extensive user knowledge, and allows for customizable cooking levels and user profiles, accommodating diverse culinary needs.

Implementation Method 1

the internal pressure in the pressure cooker is displayed to him with the help of a spring mechanism, the springs of the spring mechanism usually being subject to both manufacturing tolerances and temperature fluctuations in their properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Via at least one sensor device, the control, regulation, and operating device is able to detect at least one parameter influencing a cooking process, such as pressure and/or temperature inside and/or outside the cooking appliance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

the control, regulation, and operating device can, for example, influence a valve device on the cooking appliance and/or influence the heating output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2773248B1Control- and operating device for a cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 WMF WURTTEMBERGISCHE METALLWARENFABRIK AG
  • EP2773248B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a control, regulation and operating device (1) for a cooking appliance (2), in particular a pressure cooker, comprising an adjusting device (3) for adjusting at least two different degrees of cooking, a data memory (4) in which food-specific cooking values are stored while taking into account the RGT rule (reaction rate temperature rule), at least one sensor device (5) for detecting at least one parameter that influences the cooking process, at least one microcontroller and/or microprocessor (6) for data processing and control/regulation of the cooking process as a function of the desired degree of cooking and the food-specific cooking values while taking into account the RGT rule (reaction rate temperature rule). In this way, simple cooking, irrespective of the location, with easily reproducible cooking results can be achieved.