Kitchen appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Kitchen appliances face challenges in accurately measuring properties like temperature during food and beverage preparation due to difficulties in positioning sensors close to the mixing content without interfering with the mixing process, especially with rotating attachments and removable bowls.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating temperature sensors into the attachments that rotate within the mixing bowl, allowing them to be in direct contact with the content and using wireless power transfer to power the sensors, which are positioned to withstand the mechanical and thermal stresses of the mixing action, enabling accurate temperature measurement and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are positioned close to the mixing content to enable accurate temperature measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the sensors may interfere with the mixing process or be damaged by mechanical and thermal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is integrated into the mixing attachment itself, combining the sensing function with the mixing function. This allows the sensor to be positioned in direct contact with the mixing content for accurate measurement while being protected by the attachment structure from mechanical damage and thermal stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-positioned and secured within the attachment structure before the mixing process begins. This preliminary positioning ensures the sensor is correctly placed for accurate measurement and is pre-protected from potential damage during operation
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into rotating attachments to enable direct contact with content, then measurement precision is improved, but the complexity of providing power and data transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wiring and power transmission systems with wireless power transfer and wireless data transmission technologies. This eliminates the complexity of rotating connections, sliding contacts, and mechanical power transmission to rotating sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment structure is designed to perform multiple functions: mixing, housing the temperature sensor, and enabling wireless power and data transmission. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device architecture
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 allows for precise temperature control and measurement, enhancing the repeatability and success of food preparation processes by ensuring sensors are in contact with the content throughout mixing, reducing the risk of interference and damage from high loading or rotation.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating temperature sensors into the attachments that rotate within the mixing bowl, allowing them to be in direct contact with the content and using wireless power transfer to power the sensors
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The kitchen appliance (100) comprises a body portion, a removable accessory, comprising a container (110) or a food processing attachment (140) that rotates with a mixing action, received by the body portion, at least one sensor (112) incorporated into the removable accessory and a wireless transmitter (115) associated with the removable accessory, the transmitter (115) receiving input from the at least one sensor (112) and transmitting parameters associated with the input; and a controller in the body portion for controlling operation of the kitchen appliance based upon the parameters. Also claimed is a kitchen appliance (100) comprises a body portion, a removable accessory received by the body portion cooperating with a transmitter assembly for transmitting data associated with the identity of the accessory and a receiver associated with the body portion for receiving data associated with the identity.