Cooking Appliance Heat Control for User Absence and Cooking Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliance heat control systems turn off heat regardless of the cooking method, leading to inconvenience and potential inefficiencies, as they do not adjust heating power based on the specific heating method being used.
Innovation Solution
A heating power control device and method that stores control method information relating to various cooking methods, allowing the system to detect user absence and adjust heating power accordingly based on the specific cooking method being executed, using a terminal and human detecting sensor to determine the appropriate control method for reducing or modifying heating power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat is turned off completely when user absence is detected, then safety is improved, but cooking quality and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the heat control response based on the specific cooking method being used. Instead of a uniform heat-off policy, the system adjusts heating power locally according to each cooking method's requirements. For example, boiling may continue at reduced power while frying is completely stopped, ensuring safety while maintaining cooking quality appropriate to each method.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating power parameter dynamically based on cooking method and user absence duration. Rather than binary on/off control, the patent implements multi-level power adjustment (continuation at reduced power, complete stop, or delayed stop), allowing flexible parameter modification that balances safety requirements with cooking process needs.
2Loss of energy
If heating power is reduced for all cooking methods when user is absent, then energy consumption is reduced, but cooking efficiency and food quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different energy management strategies to different cooking methods. Some methods like boiling or steaming may continue at reduced power to maintain cooking progress, while others like high-heat frying are stopped. This selective approach reduces overall energy consumption while preserving cooking efficiency for methods that can tolerate power reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating power based on real-time conditions including cooking method type and absence duration. The control strategy evolves from initial high power to reduced or zero power depending on how long the user remains absent and what cooking method is active, optimizing the balance between energy savings and cooking efficiency throughout the absence period.
3Ease of operation
If the system waits for a long period before reducing heat, then cooking quality is maintained, but safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing multiple control strategies in advance for different cooking methods and absence scenarios. The system has pre-defined responses (continue at reduced power, stop completely, or delayed stop) ready to be executed based on the detected cooking method and absence duration, enabling rapid safety response without compromising cooking quality through pre-planned appropriate actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The waiting period before heat reduction is dynamically determined based on the cooking method being used. Rather than a fixed timeout, the system adjusts the response timing dynamically - some methods may trigger immediate power reduction while others allow longer waits, optimizing the balance between maintaining cooking quality and reducing safety risks based on real-time cooking conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating power control device includes a storage in which first information is stored, the first information being on a cooking process being executed using a cooking appliance, a receiver that receives second information indicating an absence of a user of the cooking appliance or a presence of the user, and a controller that determines whether or not the user is absent for a predetermined period of time based on the second information, determines, based on the first information, whether or not the cooking process is a heating process when the user is determined to be absent for the predetermined period of time, determines, based on the first information, a control method of controlling heating power of the cooking appliance when the cooking process is determined to be a heating process, and controls the heating power of the cooking appliance by the control method.