Cooking gap control of a cooking apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grilling systems face challenges in achieving even cooking for food products of varying thicknesses, as they are typically cooked at a fixed gap and time, leading to inconsistent cooking quality.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus that controls the pressure and rate of descent of the upper heating plate relative to the lower heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed gap and cooking time are used for all food products, then the cooking process is simple and efficient, but cooking quality varies for food products of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gap between heating plates adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically modifies the gap based on the detected thickness of the food product, allowing the system to adapt to different food thicknesses while maintaining consistent cooking quality. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both efficiency (through automated adjustment) and precision (through thickness-specific gap optimization).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gap distance between heating plates based on food product thickness. By detecting the initial thickness and calculating a modified gap value, the system adjusts this critical parameter to ensure even cooking across different food thicknesses, thereby maintaining cooking quality consistency without sacrificing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gap between heating plates is adjusted for each food product thickness, then cooking quality consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting food thickness and calculating the appropriate gap adjustment without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously measures the initial gap, detects food thickness, calculates the modified gap value, and adjusts the heating plates accordingly, thereby achieving consistent cooking quality while minimizing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a detector to measure the initial thickness of the food product and feeding this information back to the controller. The controller then uses this feedback to calculate and apply the appropriate gap modification, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures consistent cooking quality without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a predetermined gap is used for cooking, then the cooking process is straightforward, but it cannot accommodate variations in food product thickness within specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the food product thickness before the cooking process begins. The controller calculates the appropriate gap modification in advance and positions the heating plates at the correct gap before cooking starts. This preliminary measurement and adjustment maintain ease of operation while enabling the system to adapt to thickness variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static predetermined gap to a dynamic gap that automatically adapts to different food thicknesses. The controller dynamically adjusts the gap based on real-time thickness detection, maintaining cooking process simplicity while achieving versatility in accommodating thickness variations within specifications.
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
This approach ensures that food products of different thicknesses are cooked evenly by adjusting the pressure and descent rate of the upper heating plate, thereby improving cooking quality and consistency.
Implementation Method 1
Grills for cooking apply heat from a lower heating plate and from an upper heating plate to opposite sides of a food item
Implementation Method 2
Grills for cooking apply heat from a lower heating plate and from an upper heating plate to opposite sides of a food item
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a cooking apparatus includes identifying an initial thickness of a food product on a lower heating plate of the cooking apparatus and calculating a difference between an initial gap value corresponding to the initial thickness of the food product and a predefined final gap value. The method includes controlling at least one of a pressure of at least one of an upper heating plate and a lower heating plate on the food product, a rate of descent of the upper heating plate toward the lower heating plate, and a rate of ascent of the lower heating plate toward the upper heating plate based on the calculated difference between the initial gap value and the predefined final gap value.