Kitchen Scale Sensing for Mixer Imbalance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors with integrated weighing devices lack multifunctionality, leading to inefficiencies in detecting and correcting imbalance situations during food preparation, which can cause unnecessary wear and hinder the preparation process.
Innovation Solution
A food processor with a base part and a container, equipped with a multifunctional weighing device that includes sensors to determine weight and imbalance information, allowing for automatic speed reduction and warning signals to address imbalance issues, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and user awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a weighing device with sensors is integrated into the food processor, then weight determination is improved, but imbalance detection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device with sensors is designed to perform multiple functions: it determines both the weight of the container and detects imbalance during operation. The control unit processes sensor signals to identify both static weight and dynamic imbalance conditions, allowing a single device to serve dual purposes without requiring separate detection systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the weighing device is designed for multifunctionality to detect both weight and imbalance, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device and control unit are designed to handle multiple detection tasks using the same hardware components. The control unit analyzes sensor signals to determine both weight and imbalance conditions, eliminating the need for separate detection devices and reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of weight determination and imbalance detection are merged into a single weighing device system. The sensors and control unit work together to perform both functions, combining what could have been separate systems into one integrated solution.
3Reliability
If imbalance detection is activated during the entire operation phase, then detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit activates imbalance detection periodically during the operation phase rather than continuously. It determines imbalance at specific intervals when the agitator is running, which maintains detection reliability for identifying imbalance conditions while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
4Reliability
If the rotational speed of the agitator is reduced automatically based on imbalance detection, then wear prevention is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors imbalance conditions and provides feedback by automatically adjusting the rotational speed of the agitator. When imbalance is detected, the system reduces speed to prevent excessive wear, and can restore normal speed when imbalance is corrected, creating a self-regulating mechanism that balances protection with productivity.
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
The solution enables early detection and correction of imbalance situations, reducing wear and improving food preparation efficiency while ensuring energy-saving operation and user notification.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing device with several sensors for determining the weight of at least the container
Implementation Method 2
A vibration of the container and/or a highly asymmetrical distribution of the food in the container can preferably be determined as imbalance information
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a kitchen machine comprising a base part (3) made up of a plurality of feet (4, 5), a container (7) that can be attached to the base part for receiving food, and a scale device (6) with a plurality of sensors (8, 9) for determining the weight of at least the container (7), wherein the scale device (6) is adapted to detect out of balance information regarding the container (7) at least in the food preparation phase in the container (7). The invention further relates to a method for operating a kitchen appliance.