Kitchen Appliance System and Method of Automatic Taring for a Kitchen Appliance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kitchen appliance systems require frequent manual taring and are prone to measurement errors when accessories are assembled or removed during food preparation, leading to inaccuracies in weight measurements.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen appliance system with a detection device that identifies accessory identification features and a control device that calculates net weight based on gross weight measurements, eliminating the need for manual taring by automatically accounting for accessory weights and changes in position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual taring is used in existing kitchen appliances, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent user input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs taring operations by detecting accessory identification features and retrieving stored weight information, eliminating the need for manual user input. The control device autonomously calculates net weights by subtracting accessory weights from gross weight measurements, making the system self-servicing.
Solution Approach 2:
Weight information for various accessories is pre-stored in the control device's memory. When an accessory is detected via its identification feature, the corresponding pre-stored weight information is automatically retrieved and used for calculation, avoiding the need for real-time manual input or complex real-time measurements.
2Measurement precision
If manual taring is performed multiple times during preparation, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the loss of time increases due to repeated user actions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the weighing module and automatically performs taring operations whenever an accessory is detected or removed. This continuous automatic operation maintains measurement precision throughout the entire food preparation process without interrupting the user workflow for manual re-taring.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection device provides feedback about accessory presence and identification features to the control device, which automatically adjusts the tare weight accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures measurement accuracy is maintained dynamically as accessories are added or removed during preparation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are assembled or removed during preparation, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to falsified weight measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device continuously monitors accessory presence and provides feedback to the control device. When an accessory is assembled or removed, the system detects the change in identification features and automatically retrieves the corresponding weight information to recalculate the net weight, maintaining measurement precision throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the tare weight based on real-time detection of accessory changes. Instead of a static tare value, the control device continuously updates the subtraction value based on currently detected accessories, allowing the system to adapt to changing configurations while maintaining accurate measurements.
4Ease of operation
If automatic accessory recognition is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it manages the weighing module, stores weight information for multiple accessories, processes detection device signals, and automatically calculates net weights. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex components into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically measuring each accessory's weight in real-time, the system uses stored copies (pre-stored weight information) of accessory weights. The detection device reads identification features that serve as keys to retrieve these pre-stored weight copies, avoiding the need for complex real-time physical measurement of each accessory.
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 user-friendliness and accuracy by automatically determining net weights with reduced user effort, even when accessories are added or removed, and allows for precise weight calculations during food preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing module configured for detecting a gross weight is provided at the base unit
Implementation Method 2
a detection device configured to detect an identification feature of at least one accessory is provided at the base unit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a kitchen appliance system with a base unit having a housing and with at least one accessory having an identification feature. A weighing module configured for recording a gross weight and a control device are provided at the base unit. Furthermore, a detection device configured to detect an identification feature of at least one accessory is provided at the base unit, and the control device is configured to detect a change in position of the at least one accessory relative to the base unit relative to the base unit, to retrieve weight information corresponding to an identification feature detected by the detection device, and to calculate a net weight based on a gross weight detected by the weighing module and taking into account the weight information. A corresponding method is also described.