Cooking Vessel Support Weighing for Heat-Stable Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking apparatuses face challenges with precision and speed in weighing food, especially in non-ideal conditions, and are prone to measurement errors due to sensitivity to heat and uneven support planes, with limited ability to detect small quantities and non-uniform food distribution.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a support unit featuring at least two independent weight detection devices connected to a processor, allowing precise and balanced weight detection, capable of compensating for non-planar support conditions and dynamic weight changes, and integrated with a connection plate that directly associates the container with the support plane, reducing measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a weighing unit with elastic system and bridge system is used, then the structure can damp vibrations, but the measurement precision becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the weighing unit from the bottom structure and extracts the weight detection function to independent sensors positioned at the feet. This separation eliminates the interference between vibration damping functions and precision measurement functions, allowing each to optimize independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces distribution arms as intermediary elements that connect the feet to the bottom. These arms serve as mediators that transmit weight information to independent sensors while isolating the sensors from vibrations generated in the bottom structure, resolving the contradiction between vibration damping and measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If the drive member structure is used, then heating and cooking functions are achieved, but the structure becomes sensitive to heat affecting measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the weight detection function from the heated cooking environment by positioning sensors at the feet, away from the container and heating elements. This separation removes the heat sensitivity problem while maintaining the integrated heating and cooking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution arms act as thermal intermediaries, transmitting mechanical weight information while providing thermal isolation between the heated container area and the weight sensors at the feet, thus protecting measurements from heat interference.
3Strength
If the weighing unit is attached to the bottom, then structural support is provided, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to support plane leveling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support function from the measurement function by positioning independent sensors at each foot rather than using a single bottom-mounted weighing unit. This segmentation allows each sensor to independently measure weight at its local position, making the system insensitive to overall support plane leveling while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical elastic system with electronic sensors that directly detect weight forces. This substitution eliminates the mechanical coupling between the bottom structure and measurement system, removing the sensitivity to support plane orientation while maintaining structural integrity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If elastic functions are used in the weighing unit, then vibration damping is achieved, but hysteresis effects reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastic mechanical functions with electronic sensors and digital signal processing. This substitution eliminates hysteresis effects inherent in elastic materials while maintaining vibration damping through separate mechanical structures that do not interfere with measurement precision.
5Measurement precision
If conventional weighing units are used, then weight detection is possible, but rapid successive measurements cannot be performed due to hysteresis cancellation time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastic mechanical weighing mechanisms with electronic sensors that provide instantaneous digital readings. This substitution eliminates the time-dependent hysteresis cancellation requirement, enabling rapid successive measurements without waiting for system stabilization, thus improving productivity while maintaining precision.
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
Enables accurate and rapid weight measurement in any condition, including non-uniform distributions and irregular support planes, with reduced measuring errors and improved stability, allowing for precise recipe execution and quick weight adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a support unit (11), with which at least one container (12) is selectively associable, at least temporarily, by means of a connection element (35), wherein the support unit comprises at least a weighing unit (18), having at least a weight detection device (26)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cooking food (10) includes a casing (14), a lid (20) and at least a support unit (11). The casing (14) has a compartment in which to insert a container (12) which may be temporally associated with the support unit (11), and the support unit (11) may be configured to temporally support the container (12) with respect to a support plane. The apparatus for cooking food (10) also includes a first heating unit (16a), a second heating unit (16b), a third heating unit (16c) and a weighing unit (18) associated with a control unit (36).