Food Processor Force-Sensor Interface for Dirty-Hand Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliances have non-intuitive user interfaces that are difficult to operate with hands covered in foodstuff, and are prone to errors due to sensitivity to dirt and moisture, making it challenging for users to input commands accurately during cooking processes.
Innovation Solution
A food processing apparatus equipped with a force sensor that measures user interactions, allowing users to input commands by applying force without direct contact, which is interpreted by a control unit to control the food processing unit, enabling intuitive operation even with dirty hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical user interface elements (push buttons, rotary knobs) are used, then the user interface is durable and easy to manufacture, but the interface is easily affected and damaged by dirt, water, or food stuff, and increases the difficulty to clean the kitchen appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical user interface elements (push buttons, rotary knobs) with a capacitive touch sensor system. The control unit detects user input through changes in capacitance caused by the proximity or contact of the user's body, eliminating mechanical components that are susceptible to dirt and moisture damage. This substitution maintains reliability while removing sensitivity to harmful environmental factors.
2Ease of operation
If touch displays are used, then the user interface is intuitive and easy to clean, but the interface is very sensitive to dirt and moisture, making it difficult for users to accurately input commands when hands are coated with water and grease
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive touch sensor serves multiple functions: it can detect both close contact (fingers directly on the surface) and near contact (hands approaching the surface). This multi-functionality allows the interface to remain intuitive and easy to clean while accommodating users with dirty or wet hands, as the sensor can register input from various distances and contact types.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that processes raw capacitance signals and interprets them as meaningful user commands. It can distinguish between intentional input gestures and accidental contact with dirt or moisture, thereby maintaining measurement precision even when the sensor surface is contaminated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional user interfaces with multiple buttons and knobs are used, then the interface can provide comprehensive control options, but the interface is confusing to operate and non-intuitive for users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control function from complex mechanical interfaces and implements it through a simplified capacitive touch system. By removing unnecessary physical components and retaining only the core control capability through touch detection, the interface becomes more intuitive while maintaining adaptability through software-based control options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical force (buttons, knobs) to electrical capacitance (touch proximity). This parameter change enables a smoother, more intuitive interface while maintaining versatile control options through different touch patterns, durations, and locations that can be programmed to perform various functions.
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 apparatus allows users to operate the food processing unit intuitively and accurately, regardless of hand cleanliness, by using force sensors to detect and interpret user interactions, thereby simplifying the cooking process and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a force sensor for measuring an operation parameter... the force sensor is configured to measure, in addition to the operating parameter: an interaction with the apparatus by a user when the user applies a force on the apparatus
Data Source
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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.