Cooktop Audible Feedback for Pot Centering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooktops lack an effective method to guide users in centering a cooking vessel, leading to inefficient cooking and potential safety hazards, especially in low visibility conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cooktop with an integrated audible feedback system that includes a power delivery module, an actuator, and an audible alert module. The control system detects the presence of a cooking vessel and determines its centering on the burner using detection signals from the power delivery module, preventing heating until the vessel is centered and providing audible alerts to guide the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If no audible feedback system is provided, then the cooktop structure remains simple, but the user cannot properly center the cooking vessel leading to inefficient cooking and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel centering guidanceVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs audible feedback to guide the user in centering the cooking vessel on the burner. The control system detects the presence of the cooking vessel and determines its centering status, then provides audible alerts to indicate when the vessel is properly centered, enabling users to achieve correct positioning without visual assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces visual inspection with an audible feedback mechanism. Instead of relying on the user to visually align the vessel with the burner, the system uses acoustic signals to communicate the centering status, making the operation accessible to users with visual impairments or in low-visibility conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If heating starts without centering detection, then the cooking process begins quickly, but cooking efficiency decreases and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking efficiencyVSAvoidtime to center vessel

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary detection of the cooking vessel and assessment of its centering status before allowing the heating process to commence. This preliminary action ensures that the vessel is properly positioned on the burner before energy is applied, preventing inefficient heating and potential safety issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback during the centering process through audible alerts, allowing the user to adjust the vessel position in real-time. Once the vessel is confirmed to be centered within the first threshold distance, the system transitions to the heating phase, ensuring optimal cooking efficiency from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If visual guidance is used for centering, then the user can see the alignment, but the system fails in low visibility conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow visibility operationVSAvoidcentering guidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes visual guidance with an audible feedback system. The control system uses acoustic signals to communicate the centering status of the cooking vessel, making the operation accessible to users with visual impairments or in low-visibility conditions such as darkness or poor lighting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sensing modality from visual to acoustic by detecting the cooking vessel through electromagnetic field or ionization current characteristics and translating this data into audible feedback. This parameter change enables the system to function effectively across different lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system ensures that the cooking vessel is properly centered on the burner before heating begins, enhancing cooking efficiency and safety, particularly in low visibility conditions, by providing clear audible guidance.

Implementation Method 1

a detection signal from the power delivery module... a detection signal that includes at least one of a characteristic of an electro-magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a detection signal that includes at least one of a characteristic of an electro-magnetic field or an ionization current

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentUS20250126685A1Audible feedback system to guide pot centering on a cooktop

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A cooktop includes a burner, a power delivery module including a burner, an actuator for selectively heating the burner, and an audible alert module. The cooktop further includes a control system configured to detect a presence of a cooking vessel with a detection signal from the power delivery module and determine if a location of the cooking vessel is centered on the burner within a first threshold distance. The control system is further configured to, if the location of the cooking vessel is not centered within the first threshold distance, prevent the actuator from selectively heating the burner and generate a first audible alert with the audible alert module.