Apparatus for cooking food and corresponding cooking method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses with electric heating elements waste energy and fail to optimize heat distribution, as they cannot adjust the heating surface to match the size and shape of the container, leading to inefficient cooking and mechanical interference with mixing elements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a base and lid featuring selectively activatable electric heating elements that detect and respond to the size and position of the container, allowing for precise heat application and format adjustment, minimizing energy waste and ensuring optimal cooking collaboration between the container and mixing tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the heating elements operate at full power uniformly across the entire base surface, then the maximum possible heat energy is supplied to the container, but energy is wasted when the container occupies a smaller surface area than the heating surface
Solution Approach 1:
The heating base is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones or heating elements arranged in a matrix pattern. Each heating element can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the container's size, shape, and position, allowing precise matching of the heated area to the container's footprint and eliminating energy waste in unused areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heating base can provide different heating intensities or activation states tailored to the local requirements imposed by the container's geometry. The system adjusts the heating characteristics in specific local areas rather than applying uniform heating across the entire base, optimizing energy distribution to match the container's actual heat absorption needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container size and shape are varied to meet different cooking needs, then cooking versatility is improved, but incorrect heating and ineffective collaboration with mixing elements and lid occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of container characteristics. The control system modifies which heating elements are activated and at what power levels according to the detected container size, shape, and position, ensuring optimal heating performance across various container configurations rather than relying on fixed heating patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection means that continuously monitor container presence, size, shape, and position, feeding this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the heating element activation pattern to match the container's characteristics, ensuring reliable and effective heating regardless of container variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating surface is larger than the container base, then the container can be accommodated, but heat energy is wasted in areas not in contact with the container
Solution Approach 1:
The heating base is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones or heating elements arranged in a matrix pattern. Each heating element can be selectively activated or deactivated based on the container's size, shape, and position, allowing precise matching of the heated area to the container's footprint and eliminating energy waste in unused areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented heating system provides universal adaptability to accommodate containers of various sizes and shapes on the same base. By selectively activating different combinations of heating elements, the system universally supports diverse container configurations while maintaining energy efficiency, making the heating base multi-functional for different cooking scenarios.
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 solution enables efficient energy use by directing heat only to the needed areas, allowing for flexible container formats and improved cooking performance without mechanical interference, reducing costs and ensuring uniform cooking.
Implementation Method 1
apparatus for cooking food, equipped with heating elements, for example the electric type, used for cooking food by heat conduction
Implementation Method 2
heating elements, for example induction systems
Implementation Method 3
used for cooking food by heat conduction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
Apparatus for cooking food (10) that comprises at least a lid (18) and a base (12) which defines, autonomously or as a component, its lower structure, to which is selectively associated at least a container (14) and a blade (30), the container being removable and suitable to contain food, at least a first heating unit (16a) associated with the base (12) and at least a second heating unit (16b) associated with the lid (18). The first heating unit (16a) comprises a plurality of heating elements (22) of the electric type configured to achieve a specific heating surface to heat the base of the at least one container (14) depending on the sizes and/or position of the at least one container on said base. The first heating unit comprises sensitive elements (28) configured to detect the position and/or the bulk of the container.