Cooking Device Time Estimation Using Chamber Temperature Evolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking devices require multiple sensing approaches and lengthy processes to accurately estimate the remaining cooking time, leading to complexity and inefficiency in determining food doneness and cooking duration.
Innovation Solution
A cooking device that estimates cooking time based solely on the time-evolution of the cooking chamber temperature and heating device power, providing a first estimate within 90 seconds and a more accurate estimate within five minutes, without the need for weight, humidity, or imaging sensing, and allowing for automatic cooking cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensing approaches (weight, humidity, imaging, core temperature) are used to estimate doneness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary sensing components (weight sensors, humidity sensors, imaging sensors, core temperature probes) from the cooking device, retaining only the essential cooking chamber temperature sensor. This reduction maintains sufficient doneness estimation accuracy while significantly simplifying the device structure and reducing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking chamber temperature sensor serves multiple functions: it monitors cooking chamber temperature, estimates food core temperature through time-evolution analysis, determines doneness level, and predicts remaining cooking time. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated sensors for each measurement task.
2Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to measure core temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful factors increase due to food damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cooking chamber temperature as an intermediary parameter to indirectly estimate the food core temperature. By analyzing the time-evolution of the cooking chamber temperature and applying heat transfer models, the system derives the core temperature without physical contact with the food, thus avoiding any damage while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring (mass, temperature, humidity) is performed to estimate doneness, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the cooking chamber temperature time-evolution from the beginning of the cooking process. By continuously monitoring and analyzing the temperature curve in real-time, the system can provide reliable doneness estimates and remaining cooking time predictions without requiring lengthy post-cooking analysis or multiple measurement cycles.
4Device complexity
If simple temperature monitoring is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of doneness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the single parameter (cooking chamber temperature) into a time-evolution curve and applies computational analysis to extract multiple pieces of information. By analyzing the rate of change, curvature, and temporal patterns of the temperature curve, the system derives core temperature, doneness level, and remaining cooking time from a simple temperature measurement, effectively converting a simple input into rich information through parameter transformation and mathematical modeling.
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 approach simplifies the estimation of cooking time, reducing user wait time and eliminating the need for invasive or limited-penetration sensing methods, while maintaining accuracy through continuous temperature monitoring and power measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device for heating the cooking chamber
Implementation Method 2
a sensing arrangement comprising a cooking chamber temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking device is for cooking food on a support (e.g. in a basket) within a cooking chamber. A required cooking time is determined based only on the time-evolution of the cooking chamber temperature and a power of the heating device. A first, less accurate, estimate of the required cooking time is determined within a first period, e.g. 90 seconds, of the turning on of the heating device and a second, more accurate, estimate of the required cooking is determined later, but e.g. within five minutes of the turning on of the heating device.