Cooktop Zone Control for Seamless Pan Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking hobs require users to manually adjust and identify cooking zones when moving a cooking vessel, leading to potential command errors and ergonomic issues, especially when trying to maintain similar cooking conditions across zones.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a hob with multiple independent cooking zones that allows users to acquire an input signal to transfer operating parameters from one zone to another, enabling seamless movement of cooking vessels while maintaining similar cooking conditions without re-adjusting the destination zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate and independent control means are provided for each cooking zone, then each cooking zone can be controlled independently, but the user must identify and select the correct control means when moving a cooking vessel between zones, leading to command errors and ergonomic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the cooking vessel position on different zones and transfers control parameters without user intervention. The cooking hob itself identifies when a vessel is moved between zones and autonomously adjusts the destination zone's parameters to match the source zone, eliminating the need for manual control mean selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the position of cooking vessels on the hob surface and uses this feedback to automatically trigger parameter transfer when a vessel is detected on a new zone. This closed-loop detection and response mechanism ensures seamless transition of cooking parameters without user error.
2Device complexity
If common control means are provided for all cooking zones, then the control structure is simplified, but the user must manually select and identify the correct cooking zone before adjustment, which is not intuitive and leads to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking hob automatically identifies which zone the user intends to control by detecting the position of the cooking vessel, eliminating the need for manual zone selection. The system self-determines the active zone and applies control parameters accordingly, combining simplified control structure with intuitive operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of cooking zone parameters is required when moving vessels between zones, then cooking conditions can be optimized for each zone, but the process is time-consuming and may lead to burning sensitive foods
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures the destination cooking zone by automatically copying parameters from the source zone before the user completes the vessel movement. This preliminary parameter transfer ensures cooking conditions are maintained without requiring post-movement adjustment, preventing food damage from delayed optimization.
4Ease of operation
If cooking zone parameters are not maintained when moving vessels, then the system remains simple to operate, but cooking conditions change and require re-adjustment, degrading food quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors vessel position and automatically maintains cooking condition consistency by transferring parameters between zones. This feedback mechanism preserves cooking reliability while keeping the user experience simple, as the system handles parameter maintenance autonomously without complicating user interaction.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves acquiring an input signal that controls operating parameters of one of electric boiling plates (2) that is initially covered with a cooking vessel (3), of a cooktop (1). The plate is detected in response to emission of the signal or acquisition of a selection control of the plate. The vessel is displaced towards another electric boiling plate i.e. destination plate. The destination plate is detected and a selection control of the destination plate is acquired. The destination plate is controlled from the parameters to maintain the cooking of content in similar conditions. An independent claim is also included for a cooktop comprising two electric boiling plates.