Cooking Stone Camera Detection for Targeted Automatic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking stones used in ovens for cooking dough foods are inefficient due to dirt accumulation, leading to undercooking or overcooking, and require frequent manual cleaning, which is inefficient and often ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device with a refractory cooking stone and integrated camera system that captures images of the oven interior, a control unit to identify dirty regions, and a guided water delivery system to target and clean these areas efficiently, reducing water consumption and preventing clean areas from being washed again.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic washing systems clean every region equally, then the cleaning process is simple and uniform, but water is not used efficiently and regions with heavy dirt are not cleaned effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing water spray specifically to dirty regions detected by the camera system, rather than uniformly cleaning the entire cooking stone surface. The control unit activates spraying only at locations where dirt is detected, optimizing water usage while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting dirty regions through the camera and autonomously directing water spray to those specific areas without requiring user intervention to identify or locate dirt accumulation points.
2Productivity
If cooking stones are used frequently, then cooking capacity increases, but dirt accumulates on the surface causing cooking efficiency to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the camera system to continuously monitor the cooking stone surface for dirt accumulation and automatically adjusting the cleaning process based on detected conditions. This closed-loop system ensures cooking efficiency is maintained by removing dirt when it impacts performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting and cleaning dirty regions before they significantly degrade cooking performance. The camera monitors the surface and triggers cleaning proactively, preventing dirt accumulation from reaching levels that would compromise cooking efficiency.
3Extent of automation
If imaging means is mounted permanently in the cooking cavity, then image capture is continuous and automatic, but cleaning of the imaging means becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by making the imaging means a detachable component that can be separated from the cooking cavity. This allows the imaging device to be removed for easy cleaning while still enabling automatic monitoring when installed, resolving the conflict between automation and maintainability.
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 system enables automatic and targeted cleaning of dirty regions on the cooking stone, improving cooking efficiency, reducing water usage, and allowing for easy cleaning of the imaging means without affecting its functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (8) which captures the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3)
Implementation Method 2
cooking stones which are used frequently get dirty in the course of time... produced from refractory materials, such as ceramic or stone, which have a high capacity of storing heat and releasing the heat slowly over time
Implementation Method 3
a heater (5) which is provided in the cooking cavity (3) and which provides the heating of the foodstuffs
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a body (2); a cooking cavity (3) which is arranged in the body (2) and wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a casing (4) in the form of a box with an open front side which surrounds the cooking cavity (3); a heater (5) which is disposed in the cooking cavity (3) and which provides the cooking of the foodstuffs; a cooking stone (6) which is disposed into the oven cavity (3), which is produced from a refractory material and which has a support surface (S) whereon the foodstuff is placed; a camera (8) which is disposed on the body (2) and which has an imaging means (7) disposed on the cooking cavity (3) and capturing the images of the interior of the cooking cavity (3); and a control unit (9) which provides the identification of dirty regions of the cooking stone (6) by means of the images received from the camera (8).