Cooking engagement system equipped with infrared sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop systems fail to provide a satisfactory user experience due to the limitations of printed recipe books and electronic devices, which are often cumbersome, prone to damage, and unsuitable for use near cooking environments, lacking real-time interaction and protection from heat and steam.
Innovation Solution
An interactive assembly with an image monitor, air handler, and infrared sensor system that detects temperature levels and activates airflow to protect the monitor from heat and steam, allowing for safe and convenient access to recipes and information during cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic devices are used for recipe access during cooking, then real-time information access is improved, but the device reliability deteriorates due to heat and steam exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (display device with infrared sensor and air handler) that mediates between the user and the harsh cooking environment. This intermediary protects the user's personal electronic device from direct exposure to heat and steam while still providing recipe information access, thus resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and device reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The display device creates a copy of the recipe information interface, allowing users to access recipe content through a protected local display rather than relying on vulnerable personal devices. This copying approach maintains information accessibility while isolating the original device from environmental damage
2Loss of information
If personal electronic devices are used near cooktop, then real-time interaction is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated display device: recipe display, temperature sensing, and air flow control. This consolidation eliminates the need for users to move between separate devices (cooktop, recipe book, personal device), thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining real-time information access
3Ease of operation
If display is positioned near cooking area for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to heat and steam exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor acts as an intermediary that detects harmful thermal radiation and steam conditions, triggering the air handler to create protective airflow. This intermediary system allows the display to remain positioned for user accessibility while actively counteracting harmful environmental factors
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting the presence of heat and steam through the infrared sensor and preemptively activating the air handler to create protective airflow patterns. This prevents condensation and thermal damage before they can affect the display, while maintaining the display's accessible position
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 enhances user engagement by providing a protected and functional display for recipes and information, maintaining visibility and preventing damage from heat and steam, thus improving the cooking experience.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared sensor mounted to or within the casing. The controller is configured to: receive, from the infrared sensor, one or more signals indicative of a temperature level of air proximate the infrared sensor
Implementation Method 2
activate the air handler based at least in part on whether the temperature level has exceeded the predetermined activation threshold so that air is moved across or about the image monitor
Data Source
AI summary
A cooking engagement system and methods therefore are provided. The system includes a cooktop appliance and an interactive assembly positioned above the cooktop appliance. The interactive assembly includes an image monitor that presents various images and information to a user, e.g., recipes. The system includes an infrared sensor for detecting operation of the cooktop appliance. When the infrared sensor senses a temperature level that exceeds a threshold, a controller communicatively coupled thereto activates an air handler to move or motivate an airflow across or about the image monitor. In this way, the image monitor may be cooled and condensation is prevented from forming on the imaging surface of the image monitor.