Kitchen appliance for preparing a meal and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food processors employ uniform temperature control methods that fail to adapt to the specific characteristics of various foods, leading to suboptimal cooking results and increased preparation times.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with a control device that adjusts heating processes based on parameters such as food state and tool conditions, using a temperature sensor to maintain a target temperature by dynamically controlling the heating element's energy supply, thereby ensuring adaptive temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If uniform temperature control is used for all food types, then the control system is simple and reliable, but cooking quality is suboptimal and preparation times are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system transitions from a static uniform control mode to a dynamic adaptive control mode. The control device continuously monitors food parameters (temperature, viscosity, heat capacity) and adjusts heating power in real-time based on the specific food characteristics and cooking stage, enabling optimal cooking quality while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters (heating power, temperature setpoints) based on detected food properties. By measuring parameters like viscosity and heat capacity, the control device adjusts heating parameters dynamically to match the specific thermal characteristics of different food types, resolving the contradiction between simple control and optimal cooking results
2Productivity
If adaptive temperature control based on food parameters is implemented, then cooking quality improves and preparation times reduce, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements feedback loops that continuously monitor food temperature, viscosity, and other parameters during cooking. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts heating power to maintain optimal cooking conditions, achieving high cooking quality without requiring complex manual intervention from the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting food characteristics and modifying heating parameters without user input. The control device independently manages the complexity of adaptive control algorithms and sensor data processing, keeping the user interface simple while achieving sophisticated cooking results
3Productivity
If heating power is increased to reduce preparation time, then productivity improves, but risk of overheating and burning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies periodic heating cycles with varying power levels rather than continuous high-power heating. By alternating between high-power phases (for rapid heating) and low-power phases (for gentle cooking), the system reduces preparation time while preventing overheating and burning through rhythmic thermal management
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies excessive heating power temporarily during specific cooking stages when the food can tolerate higher temperatures, then reduces power during sensitive stages. This partial application of high power at strategically chosen moments accelerates cooking without causing burning, as the excessive action is limited to appropriate time windows
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 allows for higher food quality and reduced preparation times by precisely managing temperature and heat transfer, preventing overheating and ensuring consistent results across different food types.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element for heating a dish in the food preparation vessel
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor for determining an actual temperature for comparison with the target temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a food processor 1 with a food preparation vessel 2, a heating element 3 for heating food 4 in the food preparation vessel 2, a tool 5 for mixing and/or grinding food 4 in the food preparation vessel 2, and an electric motor 8 for rotating the tool 5, wherein a control device 6 of the food processor 1 is provided which has access to an electronically stored recipe 10 with several recipe steps 11 for semi-automated preparation of food with the food processor 1, such that the control device 6 can be caused by a recipe step 11 of the several recipe steps 11 of the recipe 10 to operate the tool 5 and/or the heating element 3 in a manner defined by the recipe step 11, wherein the food processor 1 is able to specify a target temperature Ts for heating the food 4 in the food preparation vessel 2 by a recipe 10.a recipe step 11 and/or a user, wherein the food processor 1 further comprises a temperature sensor 7 for determining an actual temperature Tl for comparison with the target temperature Ts, characterized in that the control device 6 is configured such that a heating process of a food 4 in the food preparation vessel 2 is carried out by the heating element 3 to the predetermined target temperature Ts depending on one or more parameters 9 for describing a state of the food 4 or the food processor 1, so that heat transfer into the food, characterizable by a tendency for the food to burn, can be taken into account. Higher food quality or preparation time can thus be achieved. The disclosure further comprises a method and a computer program.