Cooking Parameter Display Appliance with Food-Specific Targets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking aids, such as timers and temperature displays, fail to account for multiple parameters influencing the cooking process, leading to inadequate cooking results, especially for inexperienced users.

Innovation Solution

A device that detects and displays cooking process parameters, using a setting device, data memory, sensor, microcontroller, and display to compare target and actual values, providing intuitive visual and acoustic feedback to adjust cooking conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a timer or temperature display is used to monitor cooking, then one parameter can be recorded, but other influencing parameters are not taken into account

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking process monitoring accuracyVSAvoidmulti-parameter monitoring capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensors (temperature sensor, pressure sensor, flow sensor) into a single monitoring device that simultaneously measures multiple cooking parameters. This merging of measurement functions allows the device to comprehensively monitor the cooking process by integrating temperature, pressure, and fluid flow data into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various cooking scenarios. It can monitor different parameters (temperature, pressure, flow) and adapt to various cooking methods (steaming, pressure cooking, boiling) by processing multiple types of sensor data, making it universally applicable to diverse cooking processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple sensors and processing units are added to monitor multiple parameters, then cooking process control improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking result qualityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensing functions are merged into a single integrated device housing. The temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and flow sensor are combined in one unit that attaches to the cooking vessel, reducing the number of separate components the user must handle while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a microcontroller as an intermediary that automatically processes sensor data and generates control signals. This intermediary component simplifies the system by automating the analysis of multiple parameters and translating them into actionable cooking instructions, reducing the need for complex user interpretation of multiple separate measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If detailed cooking parameter monitoring is implemented, then cooking precision improves, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking parameter control precisionVSAvoiduser interface simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides continuous feedback to the user through a display unit that shows the current cooking status based on sensor measurements. This feedback mechanism allows inexperienced users to see real-time cooking parameters and adjust their cooking actions accordingly, making complex multi-parameter monitoring accessible to users of all skill levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring device automatically performs data collection, analysis, and presentation without requiring manual intervention. Sensors continuously measure parameters and the microcontroller automatically processes this data, freeing the user from the need to manually track or interpret multiple cooking parameters, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite sophisticated monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances user comfort by allowing precise monitoring and control of cooking processes, ensuring better cooking results by accounting for food-specific and appliance-specific parameters.

Implementation Method 1

Using a sensor device, the device is able to detect at least one actual cooking value in the cooking appliance, that is, for example in the cooking pot, that influences the cooking process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP2773931B1Appliance for detecting and displaying at least one parameter relevant for a cooking process
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 WMF WURTTEMBERGISCHE METALLWARENFABRIK AG
  • EP2773931B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an appliance (1) for detecting and displaying at least one parameter that is relevant for a cooking process in a cooking appliance (2), comprising - an adjusting device (3), by which at least one food item that is to be cooked can be selected, which is to be cooked in the cooking appliance (2), - a data memory, in which food-specific target cooking values are stored, in particular by taking into account the RGT rule (reaction rate temperature rule), - at least one sensor device for detecting at least one actual cooking value that influences the cooking process, - at least one microcontroller and/or microprocessor for determining a variance between the target and actual cooking values, - and at least one display device (4) for displaying the variance between the target and actual cooking values. In this way, simple cooking with easily reproducible cooking results can be achieved.