Heating device for heating food in a container, in particular milk in a baby bottle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating methods for baby bottles, such as microwave and steam heating, result in non-uniform temperature distribution, risking nutrition damage, and existing devices lack accurate temperature measurement and control, leading to inconsistent heating times and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a chamber, a heating unit, a temperature measuring element, and a controller that uses temperature profiles and fluid volume data to precisely control heating, estimating food temperature without direct measurement and preventing overheating by adjusting heating unit power and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If microwave heating is used, then heating speed is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates causing nutrition damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium in the heating chamber. The water absorbs microwave energy and transfers heat to the bottle indirectly, preventing direct microwave heating of the milk. This mediator approach ensures uniform temperature distribution while maintaining fast heating capability, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and temperature uniformity.
2Productivity
If steam heating is used, then heating efficiency is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates leading to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system with temperature sensors that continuously monitor the water temperature in the heating chamber. The controller adjusts the microwave power based on the measured temperature, preventing overheating while maintaining efficient heating. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction between heating efficiency and temperature control precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If au bain-marie heating is used, then temperature uniformity is improved, but heating time increases requiring user estimation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-filling the chamber with a predetermined amount of water and using automatic temperature sensing and control. This eliminates the need for user estimation of heating time while maintaining the temperature uniformity benefits of au bain-marie heating. The system automatically determines when heating is complete based on temperature feedback.
4Measurement precision
If temperature indicators in bottles are used, then temperature measurement is enabled, but measurement accuracy and readability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on direct reading of temperature indicators in the bottle, the patent uses temperature sensors to measure the water temperature in the chamber and copies this information to provide accurate temperature data. This indirect measurement approach through the water medium provides both accuracy and readability, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and reading accuracy.
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
Ensures even and safe heating of milk to a desired temperature, reducing the risk of nutrition damage and eliminating the need for user-guessed heating times, while allowing for precise temperature maintenance post-heating.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit for heating the water
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measuring element for measuring the temperature of the water over time
Implementation Method 3
a controller for controlling the heating unit based on the obtained temperature profile of the water, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating unit based on the temperature profile of the water and based on the amount of water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heating device (100, 200) for heating food (4) in a container (3), in particular milk in a baby bottle. The heating device comprising a chamber (1) configured to contain a fluid (2) and to receive the container (3), a heating unit (5) for heating the fluid, a temperature measuring element (8) for measuring the temperature of the fluid (2) over time to obtain a temperature profile (300) over time, and a controller (6) for controlling the heating unit (5) based on the obtained temperature profile of the fluid.