Cooking System With Particle Detection for Harmful Emission Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current air pollution monitoring systems, such as those using PM2.5 and PM10 measurements, fail to identify the type and health risk of particulate matter emitted during cooking operations, particularly fine particles from biomass burning, which are harmful to human health and indicative of harmful compounds in food.

Innovation Solution

A cooking system that incorporates a particle detection system with a sensing unit to determine particle concentrations in multiple size ranges, calculating ratios between these concentrations to automatically control cooking units and air purifiers, thereby reducing the generation and presence of harmful particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If particle concentration monitoring is implemented to identify harmful particles from cooking, then health risk identification is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle type identificationVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The particle detection system divides the particle size spectrum into multiple discrete size ranges (e.g., PM1, PM2.5, PM10 categories) and measures concentration in each range separately. This segmentation allows identification of particle types based on their size distribution patterns while using standard, relatively simple sensing components for each size range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single complex sensor to identify particle types, the system transitions to a multi-dimensional approach by measuring particle concentrations across multiple size ranges simultaneously. The particle type identification is achieved through the dimensional pattern of concentrations across different size categories rather than through a single complex measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If multiple particle size ranges are monitored to characterize particles, then particle characterization capability is improved, but measurement system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle characterization informationVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The particle sensing unit is designed with multi-functionality to measure particle concentrations across multiple size ranges using a unified sensing platform. This universal approach allows the same basic sensing technology to serve multiple measurement functions simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple specialized sensors and thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system characterizes particles by monitoring changes in concentration parameters across different size ranges rather than attempting to directly measure complex particle properties. By focusing on concentration variations as the key parameter across multiple size categories, the system achieves comprehensive particle characterization using relatively simple concentration measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If automatic control based on particle ratios is implemented to prevent burning, then harmful particle generation is reduced, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmful particle generationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the ratios of particle concentrations across different size ranges and uses this feedback information to adjust cooking parameters in real-time. When the ratio pattern indicates approaching burning conditions, the system automatically modifies heating power or cooking time to prevent harmful particle generation, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual particle emission patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system focuses on monitoring and responding to changes in particle concentration ratios rather than absolute concentrations. This parameter change approach simplifies the control logic by using relative ratio thresholds to trigger control actions, making the control system less complex than would be required for absolute concentration-based control while still effectively preventing harmful particle generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively identifies and minimizes the generation of harmful particles by adjusting cooking processes and enhancing air purification, reducing health risks associated with fine particulate matter from cooking operations.

Implementation Method 1

Optical particle sensing approaches are for example known based on optical scattering.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3803382B1A cooking system, including a particle detecting apparatus, and a cooking method
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3803382B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3803382B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3803382B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A cooking system combines a food cooking unit and a particle detection system. By deriving a ratio between particle concentrations in at least two size ranges, particular particles may be identified, and the food cooking unit may then be controlled to reduce or eliminate the generation of those particles.