Cooking Appliance Heating Element Elapsed Time Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of cooking appliances cannot determine the operating time of heating means without a set timer, leading to uncertainty in cooking duration and potential overcooking or undercooking of food.
Innovation Solution
A method that acquires and displays the elapsed operating time of heating means, allowing users to calculate the remaining cooking time and adjust as necessary, even without a pre-set timer, using a cooking appliance with a microprocessor and display capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a timer is not set when heating means is activated, then the heating means can operate continuously, but the user cannot determine the operating time and may overcook or undercook food
Solution Approach 1:
The control means provides feedback to the user by displaying the elapsed operating time of the heating means. When the user activates a control key, the system retrieves and displays the stored operating time data, allowing the user to monitor how long the heating has been operating without needing to set a timer in advance.
2Loss of information
If the control means stores operating time data, then the user can determine elapsed time, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control means serves multiple functions: it controls the activation and operation of heating means, stores operating time data, retrieves this data upon user request, and displays the elapsed time. By combining these functions in a single control system, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user can adjust timer settings during operation, then the remaining time can be modified, but the control interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the timer control functions with the existing control means for the heating means. The same control keys used to activate and control the heating elements are also used to set and adjust timer parameters. This merging of control functions allows timer adjustment during operation without requiring a separate, complex timer interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves acquiring a command for operating a heating unit (2) of a cooling appliance (1). An elapsed operating duration of the unit from the acquisition of the operating command and/or acquisition of a modification command of an operating parameter of the unit without regulating a timer of the appliance, is stored. A command for displaying the elapsed operating duration is acquired, and the elapsed operating duration is displayed on a display unit (10) e.g. LCD. Remaining operating duration of the heating unit is acquired and displayed. An independent claim is also included for a cooking appliance comprising a heating unit.