Dual-Surface Grill Alignment and Food Height Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual cooking surface grills lack the ability to automatically ensure that the upper and lower platens are parallel, which can lead to uneven cooking, and they do not have a method to identify the type of food being cooked, resulting in potential human error in cooking settings.
Innovation Solution
A dual-surface grill with sensors and a microprocessor that automatically adjusts the platens to ensure parallel alignment and identifies food items by measuring their height, using a database of characteristic heights to determine the type of food and adjust cooking parameters accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of platens is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to ensure parallel alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with an automated sensing system using sensors (optical, contact, or other types) to detect platen positions and a microprocessor to control adjustment mechanisms, thereby achieving precise parallel alignment without relying on manual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-alignment by automatically sensing the relative positions of the platens and adjusting them to a parallel configuration without requiring external manual intervention, enabling the device to correct its own alignment issues
2Manufacturing precision
If automated platen alignment is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor the relative positions of the upper and lower platens and provides feedback to a microprocessor, which then controls adjustment mechanisms to maintain parallel alignment, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically corrects deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system serves multiple functions: it detects platen alignment status, identifies food product types based on height measurements, and provides data for cooking parameter selection, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If food type identification is added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensing and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures platen alignment for cooking quality control and simultaneously measures food product height for type identification, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the platen alignment sensing function with the food identification function into a single integrated sensing and processing system, where the same sensors and microprocessor handle both tasks, thereby reducing device complexity through functional consolidation
4Adaptability or versatility
If automated food identification is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase to accurately distinguish food types
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated optical or electronic sensors coupled with a microprocessor to measure food height and identify food types, replacing manual visual inspection and achieving higher measurement precision through electronic detection and digital processing
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-sided cooking device is provided that determines whether the upper and lower cooking platens are substantially parallel to each other when in a cooking position. In addition, the method and device in accordance with the invention are capable of identifying a type of food item placed on a lower cooking platen of a two-sided cooking grill.