Cooking Vessel Recognition for Consistent Heating Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking management devices require manual adaptation to the size of the cooking receptacle, leading to inconsistent cooking results if not properly configured, and lack ergonomic design, reliability, and durability.

Innovation Solution

A cooking management device with a type and size recognition system that autonomously adapts signal emissions based on the cooking receptacle's characteristics, using a memory table to identify and match the receptacle's type and size, and includes a radio wave transmitter for wireless control and a display/sound interface for user guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adaptation interface is provided for users to configure cooking receptacle size, then the device can be adapted to different receptacles, but the user must carefully check configuration which reduces ease of operation and may lead to incorrect settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cooking receptaclesVSAvoidease of configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking management device automatically detects and identifies the cooking receptacle type and size without user intervention. The recognition system autonomously configures the device settings based on the detected receptacle characteristics, eliminating the need for manual configuration by the user while maintaining full adaptability to different receptacle types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical configuration process is replaced by an automated recognition system that uses sensors and processing units to detect receptacle characteristics. This substitution of manual operation with an automated detection and identification system resolves the contradiction by providing both adaptability and ease of operation.

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

2Device complexity

If manual configuration is required for cooking receptacle size, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of cooking results deteriorates due to potential incorrect configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of device designVSAvoidreliability of cooking results
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition system provides automatic feedback about the detected cooking receptacle type and size to the control unit, which then automatically adjusts the cooking parameters. This feedback mechanism ensures that the cooking results are reliable and consistent with the actual receptacle characteristics without requiring complex manual configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-configuration by automatically detecting and adapting to the cooking receptacle. This self-service capability eliminates the risk of incorrect manual configuration while maintaining reasonable device complexity through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If automatic recognition system is implemented to identify cooking receptacle type and size, then cooking result reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of cooking resultsVSAvoidcomplexity of recognition system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition system is segmented into distinct functional modules: detection unit for sensing receptacle characteristics, processing unit for analyzing the detected signals, and memory unit for storing receptacle type information. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through comprehensive automatic recognition while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recognition system is designed to universally identify multiple types and sizes of cooking receptacles using a single integrated system. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability across different receptacle variations while avoiding the need for multiple separate configuration systems, thereby managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3273831B1Cooking management device provided with a cooking vessel recognition system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 SEB SA
  • EP3273831B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3273831B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a food cooking management device (20) that is intended to be removably arranged on a cooking vessel (1) engaging with a heating plate (50). Said cooking management device (20) is designed to emit signals either for controlling the heating plate (50) or asking the user to control the heating plate (50) and/or the food being cooked. In accordance with the invention, the cooking management device (20) comprises a system (21) for recognizing the type and/or the size of the cooking vessel (1) on which it is arranged. Said recognition system (21) controls the cooking management device (20) so as to adjust the signals emitted on the basis of the type and/or the size of the recognized cooking vessel (1).