In-Oven Camera and Multi-Zone Heating for Automated Precision Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking appliances lack the capability to automatically and consistently produce complex meals with precision and speed, requiring significant human intervention and understanding of heating patterns, limiting their ability to systematically produce award-worthy dishes.
Innovation Solution
A cooking appliance with a computing device-controlled heating system that adjusts peak emission wavelength and spectral power distribution of heating elements, using cameras for optical feedback and temperature probes for precise temperature control, allowing for automated execution of cooking recipes and emulation of various conventional cooking methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional cooking appliances are used, then cooking can be performed with simple appliances, but automated production of complex meals with precision and consistency cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking appliance is divided into multiple independent heating zones (first heating zone, second heating zone, third heating zone) that can be controlled separately. Each zone has its own heating elements and can operate with different parameters, enabling complex multi-stage cooking processes to be automated through independent control of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking appliance integrates multiple cooking functions into a single device, including convection heating, infrared heating, and microwave heating capabilities. The heating elements can operate in different modes and combinations, allowing the appliance to emulate various conventional cooking methods (baking, roasting, grilling, steaming) while achieving automated precision cooking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cooking appliances are used to produce complex meals, then cooking versatility is achieved, but systematic automated production cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking appliance integrates multiple cooking functions into a single device, including convection heating, infrared heating, and microwave heating capabilities. The heating elements can operate in different modes and combinations, allowing the appliance to emulate various conventional cooking methods (baking, roasting, grilling, steaming) while achieving automated precision cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple heating technologies (convection fans, infrared heating elements, microwave generators) are merged into a single integrated system. The control system coordinates these different heating methods to work together, combining their advantages to achieve versatile cooking capabilities in one appliance rather than requiring multiple separate devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring and control is implemented, then cooking precision is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking appliance incorporates sensors that continuously monitor cooking parameters (temperature, humidity, cooking stage) and feed this information back to the control system. The controller adjusts heating element operation based on this feedback, automatically maintaining optimal cooking conditions and ensuring consistent results without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking process is dynamically adjusted through automated control of heating elements based on real-time cooking stage detection. The system can modify heating power, switch between different heating zones, and adapt cooking parameters mid-process to achieve optimal results, transforming static cooking programs into dynamic responsive cooking operations.
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
Enables the precise and efficient cooking of complex meals by dynamically controlling heating elements based on real-time feedback, ensuring consistent results with minimal human intervention and the ability to emulate various cooking techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The computing device is configured to control a peak emission wavelength of the heating elements and/or a spectral power distribution of the heating elements
Implementation Method 2
each heating element can include one or more filament assembly, one or more drivers that receives commands from a computing device and adjust the power, peak wavelength, and/or spectral power distribution of waves emitted from the filament assembly
Implementation Method 3
using cameras for optical feedback
Implementation Method 4
temperature probes for precise temperature control
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Several embodiments include a cooking appliance. The cooking appliance can include one or more heating elements; a cooking chamber; and a camera attached to the interior of the chamber. In some embodiments, the cooking chamber prevents any visible light from escaping the chamber (e.g., the cooking chamber is windowless). In some embodiments, the heating elements are controlled by a computing device in the cooking appliance. In some embodiments, the output of the camera is used to adjust heating pattern of the heating elements.