Cooking Chamber Humidity Sensing via Flap-Induced Overpressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances lack an effective method to measure humidity within the cooking chamber using a temperature sensor arranged outside the chamber, which is necessary for controlling the cooking process and maintaining an optimal cooking climate.

Innovation Solution

A cooking method involving a closure mechanism, such as a flap driven by a stepper or servo motor, that creates overpressure in the cooking space, allowing precise measurement of gas volume and humidity using a temperature sensor. The closure is moved to partially or fully close the second opening, enabling the measurement of temperature changes to determine humidity levels, with the process being designed to minimize disruption to the cooking process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a temperature sensor is placed outside the cooking chamber to avoid interference with cooking, then the cooking process is not disrupted, but the measurement of humidity and gas volume inside the chamber becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking process continuityVSAvoidhumidity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is moved to the closed position before the measurement begins, preparing the cooking chamber in advance by creating overpressure conditions that will force gas through the first opening to the external temperature sensor, enabling accurate measurement without interrupting the cooking process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first opening acts as an intermediary channel that allows gas from inside the cooking chamber to reach the external temperature sensor, while the closure creates the necessary pressure differential to drive this flow, enabling indirect measurement without direct sensor insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the closure is moved to create overpressure for measurement, then gas flow to the sensor increases for better measurement, but the cooking conditions are temporarily altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas volume measurement accuracyVSAvoidcooking chamber atmosphere stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is moved to the closed position only temporarily during the measurement phase, then returned to its original position, creating periodic overpressure cycles that enable measurement without permanently altering the cooking chamber atmosphere or cooking conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The closure position is dynamically adjusted between closed (for measurement) and open (for normal cooking) states, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on whether measurement or cooking is the active function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 method allows for accurate determination of humidity levels within the cooking chamber, enabling controlled cooking conditions, precise measurement of evaporation rates, and adaptive control of cooking parameters like flap position and fan operation, ensuring optimal cooking environments.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature sensor (13) is suitable for detecting the volume of gas escaping from the cooking chamber (1) through the first opening (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the closure (17) is moved from a first position to a second position in the closing direction in such a way that the movement in the closing direction creates an overpressure in the cooking chamber (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

Measuring the volume flow using the temperature sensor is possible, in particular, due to the temperature sensor's thermal inertia. The more 'hot' air flows past the temperature sensor, the faster the temperature sensor adapts to the temperature of the air flow.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal inertia:

Data Source

PatentEP3770508B1Cooking method for operating a cooking device and cooking device

Publication Date: 2024.11.27 V-ZUG AG

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Figure 3

AI summary

A cooking process is used to prepare food in the cooking chamber (1) of a cooking appliance. The cooking chamber (1) comprises a first opening (12), a second opening (16), and a closure (17) for closing the second opening (16). Furthermore, the cooking appliance includes a temperature sensor (13) located outside the cooking chamber (1) for detecting the volume of gas escaping from the cooking chamber (1) through the first opening (12). During the cooking process, the closure (17) is moved from a first position to a second position. After leaving the first position (P1), a measurement is taken using the temperature sensor (13).