Cooking Instrument with Wavelength-Selective Heating for Tray and Food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooking instruments lack the capability to systematically and consistently produce complex meals with precision and speed, requiring significant human intervention and understanding of heating patterns.
Innovation Solution
A cooking instrument with a controlled heating system, comprising wavelength-controllable filament assemblies and a computing device that adjusts power, peak wavelength, and spectral power distribution to specifically heat food through a support tray or the cooking chamber, allowing for various heating configurations and recipes to be executed automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cooking instruments are used, then cooking can be performed with simple equipment, but the ability to systematically and consistently produce complex meals with precision and speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating zones with separate heating elements, each capable of independent temperature and power control. This segmentation allows different regions of the cooking chamber to be optimized for different cooking requirements, enabling complex multi-component meals to be prepared systematically with precise temperature control for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking instrument incorporates dynamic control capabilities where heating power, temperature, and cooking parameters can be adjusted in real-time during the cooking process. The system includes controllable heating elements that can modify their output dynamically, and the cooking chamber volume can be adjusted, allowing the instrument to adapt to different meal complexities and cooking stages, thereby achieving consistent results for complex meals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking instruments are used to produce complex meals, then cooking versatility is improved, but human intervention and understanding of heating patterns are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking instrument integrates multiple cooking functions within a single device, combining capabilities equivalent to several separate cooking instruments. The system includes multiple heating zones with independent control, allowing it to perform various cooking tasks simultaneously or sequentially. This multi-functionality provides cooking versatility while eliminating the need for multiple separate instruments and reducing human intervention through automated coordination of different heating zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking instrument incorporates automated control systems that manage the cooking process independently. The system includes programmable controllers that automatically adjust heating parameters, temperature distribution, and cooking timing based on pre-set recipes or user selections. This self-service capability reduces the need for continuous human monitoring and intervention, allowing the instrument to handle complex cooking tasks autonomously.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional heating methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but precision and speed in producing complex meals are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system employs localized heating zones with independent temperature and power control for each region. Each heating element can be optimized for specific cooking requirements, creating different thermal environments within the same cooking chamber. This local quality control enables precise temperature management for different food items or cooking stages, achieving high cooking precision without requiring overly complex equipment through targeted, zone-specific optimization.
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 the precise and efficient cooking of complex meals by dynamically controlling heat transfer to food, reducing human intervention and ensuring consistent results.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system comprised of a heating element capable of emitting waves at different peak emission wavelengths
Implementation Method 2
the support tray is substantially opaque to waves emitted from the heating element
Implementation Method 3
at a second peak wavelength such that the support tray is substantially transparent to waves emitted from the heating element
Implementation Method 4
an infrared-based heating system comprised of a heating element capable of emitting waves according to a particular configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Several embodiments include a cooking appliance/instrument (e.g., oven). The cooking appliance/instrument can include a cooking chamber, a support tray adapted to hold food in the cooking chamber; and a heating system comprised of at least a heating element. The heating system is adapted to emit waves according to a particular configuration such that the emitted waves is substantially transparent or substantially opaque to the support tray and thus enabling the cooking instrument to select what to heat.