Cooking system and method for mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking devices face challenges in accurately detecting cooking parameters like temperature without obstructing user movement or requiring expensive and complex sensor arrangements, and existing non-contact temperature measurement methods do not meet all accuracy requirements.

Innovation Solution

A cooking device with a sensor device that includes a magnetic shielding device, thermal compensation using a copper plate, and optical shielding, allowing for contactless detection of thermal radiation while preventing interference and overheating, and enabling a compact and production-friendly design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sensor unit is arranged below the hob plate for contactless temperature detection, then the user's freedom of movement is not restricted and the sensor cannot be covered by objects, but the arrangement becomes expensive and complicated to manufacture and assemble due to interference radiation from heat sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser freedom of movementVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding device is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensor unit and the interfering heat sources/magnetic fields. The shielding device blocks unwanted thermal radiation and magnetic field interference from reaching the sensor, allowing the sensor to be positioned below the hob plate without being affected by interference radiation from heating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding device converts the harmful interference radiation into a beneficial configuration by selectively blocking unwanted thermal radiation and magnetic fields while allowing the sensor to maintain its advantageous position below the hob plate. The shielding structure itself becomes a protective element that enables the contactless measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If a sensor unit is placed in the cooking container for temperature detection, then accurate temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor must be removed from the food later and there is a risk it could be accidentally eaten

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection accuracyVSAvoidfood safety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is extracted from the cooking container and repositioned below the hob plate. This extraction removes the sensor from direct contact with food, eliminating the risk of accidental ingestion while maintaining temperature measurement capability through contactless detection of thermal radiation from the cookware bottom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical contact-based temperature sensing is replaced with contactless thermal radiation detection. Instead of physically placing a sensor in the food, the system uses optical/thermal detection methods to measure temperature remotely, substituting a mechanical intervention with a non-contact physical measurement principle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a hob sensor is arranged above the hob for temperature detection, then temperature measurement is possible, but other objects or pots must not stand in the way and the sensor restricts user freedom of movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature detection capabilityVSAvoiduser freedom of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of placing the sensor above the hob as in conventional designs, the sensor is inverted to a position below the hob plate. This inversion allows thermal radiation from the cookware bottom to pass through the hob plate and reach the sensor unobstructed, eliminating the need for clear space above the hob and removing any restriction on user movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If thermal radiation detection is performed below the hob plate, then user movement is not restricted, but unwanted interference radiation from heat sources may hit the sensor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser freedom of movementVSAvoidinterference radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shielding device acts as an intermediary that selectively filters radiation. It allows thermal radiation from the cookware bottom to reach the sensor while blocking unwanted thermal radiation and magnetic field interference from the heating elements and other heat sources located in the hob area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding device provides localized protection to the sensor unit by creating a specific radiation-blocking zone around it. Different portions of the hob area have different radiation characteristics, and the shielding is configured to address the specific interference patterns in the local environment where the sensor is positioned below the hob plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides improved accuracy and reproducibility in temperature detection, reduces unwanted heating of the sensor unit, and allows for a cost-effective and easy-to-assemble sensor device that does not obstruct user movement or interfere with cooking processes.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor unit (13, 23) for contactless detection of thermal radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation detection: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The sensor unit (13, 23) is arranged in a thermally conductive manner on a thermal compensation device (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The sensor unit (13, 23) is at least partially surrounded by at least one component (4, 7, 8), in particular at least essentially completely, with the component (4, 7, 8) being taken from a group of components which includes magnetic shielding devices (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2775789B1Cooking system and method for mounting
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP2775789B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2775789B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2775789B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Cooking device and method for assembly, the cooking device comprising at least one hob (11) with at least one hotplate (21). At least one heating device (2) is provided for heating at least one cooking area (31). At least one sensor device (3) is used to detect at least one physical variable that characterizes a state of the cooking area (31). The sensor device (3) has at least one sensor unit (13) and at least one thermal compensation device (9) and at least one component. The sensor unit (13) is at least partially surrounded by the component and the component is taken from a group of components, which group comprises magnetic shielding devices (4), optical shielding devices (7) and isolation devices (8). The sensor unit (13) is arranged on the thermal compensating device (9) in a thermally conductive manner, at least in certain areas.