Induction Griddle Module System for Multi-Stage Meat Patty Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food preparation systems lack an efficient method for cooking multiple meat patties to varying doneness levels simultaneously while maintaining control over temperature and compression, leading to inconsistent cooking results.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising griddle modules with induction stations and a conveyor system that uses inductive heating to cook meat patties, where each module is sequentially advanced through stations with controlled power output and compression actuation to achieve precise doneness levels, and a controller modulates the heating based on temperature sensors for consistent results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple meat patties are cooked simultaneously in current food preparation systems, then cooking throughput increases, but temperature control precision and cooking consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking system is segmented into multiple independent heating zones, each with its own temperature control. Each griddle module can be independently positioned in different heating zones, allowing simultaneous cooking of multiple patties at different doneness levels without temperature interference between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters for each griddle module based on real-time temperature feedback from thermocouples. The controller modulates power delivery to each heating zone independently, enabling precise temperature control even when multiple patties are being cooked simultaneously at different stages.
2Productivity
If compression is applied to meat patties during cooking, then cooking efficiency and heat transfer improve, but control over compression force and timing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Compression actuators are equipped with feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about compression force and position to the controller. This allows the system to precisely control when compression is applied and to what degree, optimizing heat transfer and cooking efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual compression control is replaced with automated actuators that can be precisely controlled by the system's controller. This substitution of mechanical control with automated actuation enables precise control over compression force and timing, improving both cooking efficiency and operational ease.
3Device complexity
If traditional heating methods are used for cooking meat patties, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but temperature distribution uniformity and cooking precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional conductive heating is replaced with induction heating technology, which uses electromagnetic fields to directly heat the cookware and food. This substitution provides superior temperature distribution uniformity and precise temperature control while maintaining reasonable equipment complexity through the use of standardized induction heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating method parameter is changed from traditional conductive heating to induction heating. This parameter change enables precise temperature control and uniform heat distribution across the cooking surface, significantly improving temperature control precision without excessively increasing device complexity.
4Device complexity
If manual cooking processes are used, then equipment complexity is low, but cooking time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically positioning griddle modules in the optimal heating zones before cooking begins. The controller pre-configures the heating parameters and compression settings based on the desired doneness level, eliminating setup time and enabling immediate efficient cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically transitioning griddle modules between heating zones as cooking progresses. Instead of manual intervention, the system continuously monitors temperature and position, automatically adjusting heating parameters and repositioning modules to maintain optimal cooking conditions throughout the entire cooking process, reducing both time and labor requirements.
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 simultaneous cooking of multiple meat patties to precise doneness levels, improving cooking efficiency and consistency by controlling temperature and compression independently for each patty.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method for cooking a meat patty are provided. The system includes a set of griddle modules, each griddle module including a lower plate configured to receive the meat patty and an upper plate arranged over the lower plate and configured to contact the meat patty; and a set of induction stations including an entry induction station and an exit induction station, each induction station including 1) a lower coil configured to inductively couple to an adjacent lower plate and 2) an upper induction head including an upper coil configured to inductively couple to an adjacent upper plate
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a system for cooking food includes: a griddle module including a lower plate configured to receive a food product and an upper plate arranged over the lower plate and configured to contact the food product; a set of induction stations, each induction station including a lower coil configured to inductively couple to the lower plate when the griddle module is arranged in the induction station and an upper coil configured to inductively couple to the upper plate when the griddle module is arranged in the induction station; a hub configured to support the lower plate and the upper plate between the upper and lower coils of the induction stations and to sequentially position the griddle module through the set of induction stations; and a controller configured to drive the upper and lower coils to heat the food product between the lower plate and the upper plate.