Cooking State Control Using Food Impedance Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of cooking apparatuses cannot accurately monitor the cooking progress of objects being heated, as existing technologies do not provide a reliable method to determine the cooking state in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A cooking apparatus equipped with a first and second electrode portion that contacts the object to be heated, an impedance measuring unit to measure impedance using applied voltage or current, and a controller that determines the cooking state based on measured impedance data, utilizing a database to correlate impedance with cooking states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing cooking apparatuses heat food for a predetermined time based on heat-dissipating amount, then the cooking process is simple to operate, but the user cannot accurately recognize the cooking progress state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical time-based cooking control with an electrical impedance measurement system. The impedance measuring unit continuously monitors impedance changes of the food, which correlate with cooking progress, allowing accurate real-time detection without complex mechanical sensors or probes that would pierce the food.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical impedance as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure cooking progress. Instead of directly measuring temperature or internal food state, the system uses impedance changes (affected by moisture content, density, and conductivity) as a mediator to infer cooking state, simplifying the measurement approach while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If impedance measuring unit applies electricity to electrodes contacting outer side of object, then cooking state can be determined accurately, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the electrode portions serve dual functions: they act as both heating elements (generating heat through electrical resistance) and as measurement electrodes (detecting impedance changes). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement electrodes that would penetrate or contact the food, reducing structural complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking apparatus uses its own heating structure (electrodes) to perform the measurement function, rather than requiring separate dedicated measurement components. The same electrodes that generate heat also detect impedance changes, allowing the system to self-diagnose cooking progress without external intervention or additional specialized sensors.
3Measurement precision
If cooking is controlled based on predetermined time and heat-dissipating amount, then energy consumption is manageable, but cooking quality and progress monitoring are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function and measurement function into a single integrated system. The impedance measurement utilizes the same electrical circuitry and electrodes already present for heating, combining two functions (heating and monitoring) into one unified system. This eliminates the need for separate measurement power supplies or additional energy-consuming sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures impedance at different electrical frequencies to extract multiple parameters related to cooking progress (such as real and imaginary components of impedance). By analyzing changes in these electrical parameters during cooking, the system gains comprehensive monitoring capability without requiring additional physical sensors or significant extra energy input, as the measurements use the existing heating circuitry.
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 accurate determination of the cooking state of the object, allowing for precise control and completion of cooking as per user settings without requiring direct probes or damaging the object.
Implementation Method 1
an impedance measuring unit that measures impedance of an object to be heated by applying electricity to a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion that contact an outer side of the object to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking apparatus including an impedance measurer that measures impedance of an object to be heated by applying electricity to a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion that contact an outer side of the object to be heated and that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and a controller that determines a cooking state of the object to be heated based on the measured impedance.