Kitchen appliance with scale for a user interface

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen appliances lack a robust and technically simple user interface for controlling operations, particularly in environments where external influences are a concern, and they often require additional components for weight measurement functionality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a scale with force sensors on the upper surface of the appliance to detect pressing positions and forces, allowing for multi-dimensional control through existing surfaces without the need for separate weight measurement functionality, and enabling operation control via pressing, sliding, or lifting motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate user interface is added to control the kitchen appliance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale surface is designed to serve dual purposes: its primary function of weighing foodstuffs and a secondary function as a user interface for controlling the appliance. By integrating the user interface into the existing scale surface, the patent eliminates the need for separate control components, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control elements are merged with the scale surface, creating a unified structure where the weighing surface also functions as the user interface. This merging of functions allows users to interact with the appliance by pressing on different areas of the scale surface, simplifying the overall device structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If additional components are added for user interface functionality, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmanufacturing effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The scale surface is designed to serve dual purposes: its primary function of weighing foodstuffs and a secondary function as a user interface for controlling the appliance. By integrating the user interface into the existing scale surface, the patent eliminates the need for separate control components, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing manufacturing effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing scale surface serves itself by also functioning as the user interface. The scale surface detects pressing forces not only for weighing but also for user interaction, allowing the same component to provide both measurement and control functions without requiring additional dedicated elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the scale is used only for weight measurement, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the adaptability of the device is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The scale surface is designed to serve dual purposes: its primary function of weighing foodstuffs and a secondary function as a user interface for controlling the appliance. By integrating the user interface into the existing scale surface, the patent eliminates the need for separate control components, thereby improving ease of operation without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the scale surface are assigned different functions: certain regions detect pressing forces for weight measurement while other regions serve as control zones for user interface interactions. This spatial differentiation allows the scale to maintain measurement precision in specific areas while providing adaptability through multi-functional usage across the entire surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a robust, insensitive user interface that can change various operating states of the kitchen appliance, allowing for intuitive control using existing surfaces, reducing manufacturing effort, and eliminating the need for separate weight measurement functions.

Implementation Method 1

The scale can detect a pressing (pushing) on the upper side of the kitchen appliance. If the scale detects a pressing, the position of the pressing can be determined by means of the control device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS20230276999A1Kitchen appliance with scale for a user interface

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a kitchen appliance having a control device for controlling the operation of the kitchen appliance and a scale for measuring a weight of foodstuffs, characterized in that the control device of the kitchen appliance is able to control the operation of the kitchen appliance in dependence on a pressing on the upper side of the kitchen appliance detected by the scale in dependence on the position of the pressing.