Cooking device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances lack features that provide operators with clear and timely information about the remaining time until a temperature-controlled cooking process is available, leading to uncertainty and inefficiency in meal preparation.

Innovation Solution

A hob device equipped with sensors that detect temperature parameters and a control unit that calculates and outputs the remaining time until a specific temperature is reached or a cooking program becomes available, allowing for precise planning and intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a temperature sensor and control unit are used to detect and monitor temperature parameters, then temperature control capability is improved, but the device lacks information about remaining time until cooking process availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control capabilityVSAvoidremaining time information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary calculations to determine the remaining time until a temperature-controlled cooking process is available. Based on the current temperature parameter detected by the sensor and the target temperature requirements, the system proactively computes and outputs the estimated time remaining, allowing operators to plan ahead without waiting passively for the cooking process to become available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the control unit only monitors temperature and emits signals at limit temperature, then device complexity is kept simple, but operator comfort and planning security are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol unit functionalityVSAvoidoperator comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the temperature sensor and the operator. It not only receives temperature data from the sensor but also performs intermediate calculations to determine remaining time until cooking availability, then presents this processed information to the operator in a useful format. This intermediary function adds value without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no remaining time information is provided, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity and meal preparation efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display systemVSAvoidmeal preparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors temperature parameters, calculates the remaining time until cooking process availability, and outputs this information to the operator. This feedback loop enables operators to adjust their meal preparation activities accordingly, improving overall productivity by eliminating uncertainty about when the cooking process will be ready.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This solution enhances operator comfort by providing accurate and timely information, allowing for better planning security and achieving optimal cooking results by ensuring that food is cooked at the right temperature at the right time.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor which is intended to detect at least one temperature parameter of a cooking utensil and/or an item to be cooked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

heating elements for heating hotplates or cooking vessels placed on them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3001163B1Cooking device
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3001163B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3001163B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention is based on a cooking appliance device (10), in particular a hob device, having at least one sensor (12) which is intended to detect at least one temperature parameter, and having a control unit (14) which is intended to detect the at least one to process the temperature parameter. In order to provide a generic cooking device device with improved properties in terms of a high level of comfort for an operator, it is proposed that the control unit (14) is provided to output at least an at least essentially remaining time period from which a temperature-controlled cooking process is available.