Cooking system and method for operating same
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking systems, particularly those with flexible or fully integrated induction cooktops, lack intuitive methods for mapping cooking utensils to control elements, as they often do not have predefined zones or markings, making it difficult for users to assign the correct control settings to the appropriate cookware.
Innovation Solution
A cooking system with a communication device that allows for interaction between the hob device and cookware, featuring display devices on both the cookware and the operating device, which temporarily display identical or corresponding properties to facilitate the assignment of cookware to control elements, enabling intuitive operation even on fully integrated cooktops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If no predefined cooking zones or markings are provided on the cooktop, then flexibility in cooktop design and integration is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot intuitively match cookware to control elements
Solution Approach 1:
A visual indicator system acts as an intermediary between the cookware and control elements. The system includes indicators on the cooktop surface that correspond to control elements, and indicators on the cookware itself, creating a visual mapping relationship without requiring physical markings on the cooktop surface, thus maintaining design flexibility while improving operability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded visual indicators where different colors or lighting patterns correspond to different control elements and their associated cooking zones. This allows users to intuitively match cookware to the correct control element through color correspondence, without requiring predefined physical zones or markings on the cooktop
2Ease of operation
If lighting elements are used to indicate cooking zones, then the assignment of cookware to control elements is improved, but the device complexity and inflexibility increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual indicator elements as intermediaries that provide cooking zone information without requiring complex integrated lighting systems within the cooktop surface. These indicators can be simpler optical elements or displays that convey zone information, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If fixed cooking zones are provided on the cooktop, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability and flexibility of the cooktop design deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic visual indicator system that can adapt its display pattern based on the detected position and size of cookware. Rather than fixed physical zones, the system dynamically creates and displays cooking zone boundaries and control element mappings, providing both ease of operation and design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicators can change their parameters (such as brightness, color, position, or pattern) based on the detected cookware characteristics. This allows the system to provide clear operational guidance for different cookware configurations without requiring fixed physical zones, maintaining both ease of operation and adaptability
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 clear and intuitive control of cooking processes by allowing users to easily match cookware with the correct control settings, eliminating the need for inflexible lighting elements and enhancing flexibility in cooktop design.
Implementation Method 1
at least two induction devices arranged beneath the support surface
Implementation Method 2
induction coils located below the surface for pots and pans, allowing cookware placed above these induction coils to be heated
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
The cooking system (200) comprises a cooktop (1), cookware (50), a control unit (100) with a control element (101), and a communication unit (150). The communication unit (150) enables communication between the cooktop (1) and the cookware (50). The cooktop (1) includes a support surface (2) for the cookware (50) and two induction elements (3) arranged below the support surface (2). These induction elements can be controlled individually and/or together as a cooking zone (4) by means of the control unit (100), depending on the position of the cookware (50). The control unit (100) and the cookware (50) each include a display unit (51). The cookware (50) is assigned to the control element (101) by temporarily displaying the same and/or corresponding property on the display units (51, 101).In the method for operating such a cooking system (200), the cooking utensil (50) is assigned to a control element (101) by temporarily displaying at least one identical and/or corresponding property on the display devices (51, 102).