Cooking Program Selection Using Treatment Chamber Gas Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing appliances require manual selection of cooking programs, leading to operational errors and inefficiencies, as they rely on external sensors or cumbersome cooking process sensors inserted into food, which complicates the cooking process and does not accurately reflect the food's condition.
Innovation Solution
A method that records and compares atmospheric values before and after loading food into the treatment room using a gas sensor array, determining a third value by subtracting initial from final values, allowing the appliance to automatically select a suitable cooking program and adjust parameters based on the detected food type, quality, and seasoning, thereby simplifying the selection process and improving cooking results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a cooking process sensor is inserted into the food to be cooked, then precise information about the food condition can be obtained, but the operation becomes cumbersome and creates unsightly puncture points in the food
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensor from the food item and places it in the treatment room atmosphere. Instead of inserting a sensor into the food, the sensor detects atmospheric components (odors, gases) that are released from the food during cooking. This eliminates the need for puncturing or inserting sensors into the food while still providing information about the food's cooking state through atmospheric analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the treatment room atmosphere as an intermediary between the food and the sensor. The atmospheric components (odors, gases) serve as a mediator that carries information from the food to the sensor without requiring direct contact between the sensor and the food. This intermediary approach allows indirect measurement of food condition while maintaining food integrity and operational simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If a gas sensor array is used to analyze the treatment room atmosphere, then complex chemical processes can be tracked, but the user must manually select a work program which increases operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the sensor continuously monitors the treatment room atmosphere and the control unit automatically adjusts the work program based on the detected chemical processes. The system compares sensor data with stored reference patterns and automatically modifies cooking parameters or selects appropriate work programs, eliminating the need for manual user selection while utilizing the detailed chemical information provided by the gas sensor array.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically selecting and adjusting work programs based on sensor data without requiring user intervention. The control unit autonomously processes the atmospheric analysis results and makes decisions about cooking parameters, allowing the appliance to serve itself in program selection while leveraging the sophisticated detection capabilities of the gas sensor array.
3Device complexity
If manual selection of cooking programs is required, then the appliance can be operated with simple sensors, but operational errors increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention stores reference patterns and chemical signatures of various foods and cooking processes in advance within the control unit. By having this information prepared beforehand, the system can quickly and accurately match sensor readings to appropriate work programs without requiring complex real-time decision-making or manual user knowledge, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining relatively simple sensor requirements.
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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of cooking programs, reduces user error, and improves product quality by automatically selecting the appropriate cooking parameters, eliminating the need for external sensors and simplifying the operation of the appliance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor unit, in particular a gas sensor unit, is used to detect the treatment room atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for running a work program in a treatment chamber of a food processing appliance, in which at least the treatment space atmosphere of the food processing appliance is detected by at least one sensor unit and the work program is run as a function of values detected by the same and values stored in a memory unit, characterized by the following steps : - recording at least a first value of the treatment room atmosphere and/or the atmosphere surrounding the food processing appliance before the selection and/or start of the work program, - saving the first value, - recording at least a second value of the treatment room atmosphere and/or the atmosphere surrounding the food processing appliance after the treatment room has been loaded with food or after introducing a descaling and/or cleaning agent into the treatment room and/or after the start of the work program, - determine at least st a third value from the first and second value, - comparing the third value with the stored values and - running the work program depending on the result of the comparison of the third value with the stored values.