Cooking Appliance Temperature Control for Load-Dependent Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliance control methods are complex and expensive, requiring additional components on baking trays or multiple sensors, which do not efficiently manage energy usage based on load variations.
Innovation Solution
A method that controls a cooking appliance by monitoring the actual temperature against a target temperature specified in a product-specific treatment program, switching off heating when the temperature is exceeded for a product-specific proportion of the total treatment time, ensuring energy-saving operation without over-shooting the target temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If identification components are added to each baking tray to detect occupancy, then the cooking appliance can monitor load, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The baking trays are designed to be self-identifying through their physical presence and thermal characteristics. The control unit detects occupancy by monitoring temperature changes and heating patterns caused by the trays themselves, eliminating the need for external identification components on each tray.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or electronic identification systems with a thermal field-based detection method. The control unit uses temperature sensors and heating element feedback to detect the presence and type of trays based on their thermal impact on the cooking chamber, substituting physical identification components with thermal field analysis.
2Measurement precision
If multiple process sensors are installed in different treatment levels to monitor occupancy, then detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single temperature sensor in the cooking chamber serves multiple functions: it monitors the thermal state for cooking control, detects tray occupancy through temperature patterns, and identifies tray types based on heating characteristics. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sensors at different treatment levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines occupancy detection, temperature monitoring, and tray identification functions into a single integrated control system that analyzes thermal data from one primary sensor. This merging of functions reduces the number of components while maintaining detection accuracy through sophisticated algorithmic analysis of temperature patterns.
3Productivity
If heating is continuously switched on to reach target temperature quickly, then heating-up time is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the heating power and duration based on real-time temperature feedback and detected load conditions. The system switches between different heating intensities and durations depending on the thermal mass present, optimizing the balance between heating speed and energy consumption for each specific cooking scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual temperature and compares it with the target temperature, adjusting the heating element operation accordingly. The control unit uses this feedback loop to determine when to switch heating on or off, preventing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring the target temperature is reached efficiently based on the detected load.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the heating is switched off early to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but the temperature may not reach the required level for proper cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary analysis of the detected load (tray type, occupancy) to predict the thermal behavior and determine the optimal heating duration beforehand. Based on this preliminary assessment, the system pre-calculates the appropriate heating cycle parameters to ensure the target temperature is maintained long enough for proper cooking while avoiding excessive energy consumption.
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 allows for simple, reliable, and energy-saving control of cooking appliances by adjusting heating based on the duration the target temperature is exceeded, preventing overheating and optimizing energy usage according to the load, thereby reducing operational costs and maintaining product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for monitoring the actual temperature
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating the cooking chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for controlling a cooking appliance according to a product-specific treatment program is specified, in which the heating is controlled depending on the loading of the cooking appliance with products, the time during which the actual temperature (Tactual) reaches a target temperature (Tsetpoint) specified by the treatment program or exceeds it, is recorded and added up and when the total time (tactual) during which the target temperature (Tsetpoint) specified by the treatment program is exceeded reaches a certain proportion (x) of the total treatment time (TGDB) of the treatment program (30) (tactual ≥ x ● tGDB), the heating is switched off.