Food Processor Force Sensor Interface for Dirty-Hand Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen appliances have user interfaces that are not intuitive, particularly when hands are dirty or moist, leading to confusion and difficulty in operating the device, and mechanical interfaces are prone to damage from food and moisture.

Innovation Solution

A food processing apparatus equipped with a force sensor that measures user interactions, allowing for intuitive control without the need to clean hands, using a control unit to interpret and process these interactions to determine user input commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mechanical user interface elements (push buttons, rotary knobs) are used, then the user can power on/off and control the kitchen appliance, but the interface is easily affected and damaged by dirt, water, or food stuff

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface operationVSAvoidinterface durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical user interface elements (push buttons, rotary knobs) with a force sensor-based input system. The force sensor detects user input through applied force without requiring physical contact with mechanical components, thereby eliminating the problem of dirt, water, or food stuff affecting or damaging the interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If touch displays are used for receiving user input, then the user can control the cooking process by tapping displayed elements, but the touch display is very sensitive to dirt and moisture from food preparation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch display inputVSAvoidsensitivity to dirt and moisture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the touch display interface with a force sensor-based system. Instead of requiring finger contact with the touch display surface, users apply force to the apparatus which is detected by the force sensor. This substitution eliminates the sensitivity to dirt and moisture that plagues touch displays during food preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user interface components (switches, buttons, displays, knobs, indication lights) are included, then the user can control various cooking parameters, but the interface becomes not intuitive and confusing to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking process controlVSAvoiduser interface intuitiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a force sensor that serves multiple functions: it detects user input commands, determines cooking parameters, and controls various cooking processes. This single multi-functional sensor replaces the need for multiple separate interface components, simplifying the interface while maintaining versatility in cooking control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple user interface components (power control, cooking parameter adjustment, process selection) into a single force sensor-based input system. By combining these functions, the interface becomes more intuitive and easier to operate while retaining the ability to control various cooking parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables users to operate the appliance effectively with dirty or greasy hands, reducing the risk of damage to the interface and improving user experience by using existing sensors to interpret force-based inputs.

Implementation Method 1

a force sensor for measuring an operation parameter... the force sensor is configured to measure... an interaction with the apparatus by a user when the user applies a force on the apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS12011115B2Food processing apparatus and a method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2024.06.18 VERSUNI HLDG BV

AI summary

There is provided an apparatus (10) for processing food stuff. The apparatus (10) comprises a container (110) for receiving a food stuff; a food processing unit (120) for processing the food stuff in the container; a force sensor (130) for measuring an operation parameter, and a control unit (140) for operating the food processing unit (120) based on measurements received from the sensor. The sensor is furthermore configured to measure an interaction with the apparatus by a user. The control unit is configured to receive measurements of the user interaction from the sensor (130) and process the received measurements to determine if a predetermined user interaction or a predetermined user interaction pattern corresponding to a user input command has been performed by the user.