Cooking Vessel Assignment via Acceleration Sensor Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assigning cooking vessels to induction hobs lack efficiency in energy consumption and remote control prevention, particularly when operating without a magnetic field.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing sensors on both the cooking vessel and hob to detect changes in position and vibration within a predetermined time interval, generating an assignment signal for activation, which includes acceleration, vibration, or weight sensors, and an evaluation device for processing these signals to ensure accurate vessel placement without requiring active hob operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If active pot detection with magnetic field is used for vessel assignment, then assignment accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassignment accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic field-based detection system with a mechanical vibration detection system. Acceleration sensors detect vibrations caused by vessel placement on the cooktop surface, eliminating the need for active magnetic fields during the detection phase. This substitution maintains detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic vibration detection instead of continuous magnetic field monitoring. The acceleration sensors detect transient vibrations when a vessel is placed on the cooktop, allowing for event-triggered detection rather than continuous operation, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining assignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If vibration sensors are used for vessel detection, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection task into two parts: the cooktop's acceleration sensors detect vibrations caused by vessel placement, while the vessel's own sensors confirm the placement event. This segmentation of detection functions between two devices allows each sensor to operate in its optimal mode, maintaining precision while enabling the low-power vibration-based approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the vessel's acceleration sensor detects its own movement and sends this information to the cooktop. The cooktop's evaluation unit then correlates this feedback with its own sensor data to confirm vessel placement. This feedback loop enhances detection precision by providing multiple verification points without requiring continuous high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If sensor signals from both cooktop and vessel are correlated, then remote control prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control preventionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection capabilities of both the cooktop and the vessel into a unified assignment process. The evaluation unit on the cooktop integrates sensor signals from both devices, correlating their respective acceleration data to confirm genuine vessel placement. This merging of detection functions improves reliability by requiring mutual confirmation, while the evaluation unit handles the complexity of signal correlation centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces energy consumption and prevents remote control errors by ensuring accurate vessel placement, allowing for efficient hob operation while maintaining low energy usage and eliminating the need for a magnetic field.

Implementation Method 1

reading a cooking vessel signal from a cooking vessel sensor of the cooking vessel, wherein the cooking vessel signal represents a change in the position of the cooking vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

receiving a vibration signal from the cooktop interface or the cooking vessel interface. The vibration signal represents a vibration of the cooktop or cooking vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

reading a cooktop signal from a cooktop sensor of the cooktop, wherein the cooktop signal represents the detection of an object in a detection area of ​​the cooktop sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4124175A1Method for associating a cooking vessel, evaluation device and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP4124175A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4124175A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4124175A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for assigning a cooking vessel (120) to a cooking zone (105) comprises reading a cooking vessel signal (135) from a cooking vessel interface (140) to a cooking vessel sensor (125) of the cooking vessel (120), wherein the cooking vessel signal (135) represents a change in position of the cooking vessel (120), reading a cooking zone signal (145) from a cooking zone interface (150) to a cooking zone sensor (110) of the cooking zone (105), wherein the cooking zone signal (145) represents the detection of an object in a detection area (115) of the cooking zone sensor (110), and providing an assignment signal (155) that represents an assignment of the cooking vessel (120) to the cooking zone (105) when a time of change in position and a time of detection are within a time interval to activate the cooking zone and/or the cooking vessel. make possible.