Cooking Appliance Shelf Detection for Adaptive Preparation Programs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking appliances often result in suboptimal operation and poor preparation results due to incorrect usage of shelf levels and food supports, leading to dissatisfaction among users.
Innovation Solution
A method and cooking appliance that automatically detect and adapt the preparation program based on the type and material of the food support, allowing for intelligent changes in parameters such as heating time and power distribution to ensure optimal cooking results, even with non-preferred supports, while informing the user and allowing for manual correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed preparation program is assigned to specific shelf levels and food support types, then optimal preparation results are achieved, but the device becomes complex and difficult to operate when users deviate from specified configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking appliance automatically detects the food support type and shelf level configuration, then autonomously selects and adjusts the appropriate preparation program without requiring user knowledge of complex program specifications. The system serves itself by monitoring its own state and making intelligent decisions about program selection and parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts preparation program parameters such as heating time, temperature, and power distribution based on the detected food support type and shelf level. This allows the same hardware configuration to support multiple preparation modes by changing operational parameters rather than requiring separate fixed programs for each configuration.
2Reliability
If the cooking appliance provides many preparation programs for different food support types and shelf levels, then preparation quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single intelligent control system performs multiple functions: it detects food support type, determines shelf level, selects appropriate preparation programs, and adjusts operational parameters. This universal controller replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate fixed-program systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to handle diverse cooking scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection devices that monitor the actual configuration of food supports and shelf levels, then feeds this information back to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt its behavior to the actual state, eliminating the need for pre-programmed fixed configurations and reducing complexity through intelligent adaptation.
3Reliability
If the appliance automatically detects and adapts to the food support type, then preparation quality is maintained, but the detection and control mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with optical or electromagnetic detection methods. Light transmitters and receivers detect the presence and type of food supports without mechanical contact, while radar technology determines shelf levels through electromagnetic wave reflection. These substitutions reduce mechanical complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
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
The method significantly reduces the risk of unsatisfactory preparation results by adapting the cooking process to the actual conditions, providing user assistance and ensuring energy-efficient operation, while suggesting preferred support types and levels for improved outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The shelf for the food to be cooked can be placed in the cooking chamber at different heights and the height can be detected by methods in which radar beams are directed onto the shelf and reflected by the shelf
Implementation Method 2
a first type of heating or a combination of different types of heating is carried out
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves positioning a baking tray in different insertion levels (I,II,III). A specific insertion level for a baking tray (5) or specific baking tray type is provided for a preparation program. The baking tray is arranged on the insertion level depending on the selected preparation program. The preparation program is changed, if the baking tray is arranged on a used insertion level different from the predetermined insertion level. An independent claim is included for a cooking device with a detection- and control device.