Kitchen machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric motor-operated food processors often fail to achieve consistent meal preparation quality due to deviations in food condition parameters such as humidity, temperature, and viscosity, which are not accurately accounted for in their processing programs.

Innovation Solution

The food processor incorporates sensors and environmental data to measure and adjust preparation parameters like mixing vessel temperature, agitator speed, and heating time based on real-time conditions, allowing for adaptive processing programs that account for initial and environmental values, ensuring optimal meal preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If fixed preparation parameters are used in the processing program, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to account for variations in food condition parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation quality consistencyVSAvoidprocessing program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously measures food condition parameters (temperature, humidity, viscosity) during processing and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts preparation parameters to maintain consistent quality despite initial variations in ingredients

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The processing program dynamically changes preparation parameters (heating temperature, mixing speed, processing time) based on real-time measurements of food condition parameters, allowing the system to adapt to variations in ingredient state while maintaining preparation quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sensors and real-time measurement systems are added to measure food condition parameters, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeal preparation success rateVSAvoidfood processor structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The food processor integrates multiple functions including mixing, heating, and sensing capabilities into a single device, with the control unit serving multiple purposes: program management, data processing, and automatic parameter adjustment based on sensor inputs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the measurement functions (temperature sensors, humidity sensors, viscosity measurement) with the processing functions (heating element, motor-driven mixer) and control functions into an integrated system where all components work together to achieve reliable meal preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the system automatically adjusts preparation parameters based on measured values, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation may deteriorate due to reduced user control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation parameter accuracyVSAvoiduser control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of preparation parameters based on automatic measurements of food condition, eliminating the need for users to manually monitor and adjust settings, thereby maintaining high preparation accuracy while simplifying operation for the user

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 adaptive approach enables the food processor to automatically adjust parameters for better meal quality, improving consistency and success in preparing dishes like cream, jam, and rice by accurately measuring viscosity and temperature gradients, leading to enhanced culinary outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device for a mixing vessel of such a type food processor describes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a preparation parameter, such as in particular a temperature that is reached in the mixing vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement:

Implementation Method 3

an agitator speed at which an agitator in the mixing vessel is driven

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical mixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP2874526B1Kitchen machine
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP2874526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2874526B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2874526B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention firstly relates to an electromotively driven kitchen appliance with a heatable stirring vessel formed to receive a stirring mechanism, the kitchen appliance being designed for automatic preparation of a dish according to a preset processing program. The invention also relates to a method for automatic preparation of a dish in an electromotively driven kitchen appliance having a heatable stirring vessel formed to receive a stirring mechanism. In order to provide an electromotively operated kitchen appliance and a method for automatic preparation of a dish, which appliance and/or method permit the greatest possible success in the preparation in respect of the properties and/or quality of the prepared dish, it is proposed that a device condition and/or environmental condition be measurable in respect of an environmental parameter such as stirring vessel temperature and/or air humidity or can be input as a value, that a measurement value thus obtained or input value can be compared with an initial value considered in the processing program, and that deviations from the initial value can be considered by automatic adaptation of preparation parameters contained in the processing program, such as heating time and/or heating temperature. In a subsequent step a change can be made, dependence on a change in a previous step.