Scales, such as for use with cooking appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scales, particularly those used in variable-temperature environments like kitchens, suffer from inaccurate weight measurements due to temperature fluctuations, often requiring large footprints or active cooling components to maintain load cell stability.
Innovation Solution
A scale design incorporating multiple load cells and temperature sensors, with a processor that compensates for temperature fluctuations by determining a temperature-compensated weight based on detected weights and temperatures, allowing the scale to remain compact without active cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If active cooling components (e.g., fans) are incorporated or load cells are positioned far from the heat source, then temperature stability of load cells is improved, but device footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system (fans, physical distance from heat source) with an electronic/software-based solution. Temperature sensors monitor load cell temperature, and a processor dynamically compensates for temperature effects through calculation, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling components and reducing device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary devices that measure the temperature of load cells and provide this data to a processor. This intermediary measurement system enables indirect temperature compensation through computational algorithms, avoiding the need for direct thermal management hardware.
2Stability of the object's composition
If load cells are positioned far from the heat source, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical arrangement of positioning load cells far from heat sources with an electronic compensation system. The processor uses temperature sensor data to calculate and correct weight measurements, simplifying the physical structure while maintaining temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physically altering the position of load cells to changing the measurement parameter through software compensation. By adjusting the weight measurement based on temperature data, the system achieves temperature stability without structural complexity.
3Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is achieved through physical distance or active cooling, then measurement precision is maintained, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical thermal management approaches with electronic compensation. The processor dynamically adjusts weight measurements based on real-time temperature data, maintaining measurement precision without requiring physical space for cooling components or distance from heat sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where temperature sensors continuously monitor load cell temperature, and the processor uses this feedback to dynamically compensate weight measurements. This closed-loop system maintains precision without additional physical components.
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 scale provides accurate weight measurements even in changing temperatures, maintaining precision while reducing the need for large size or active cooling, enabling use with cooking appliances like pressure cookers.
Implementation Method 1
multiple load cells, wherein each load cell is configured to detect a weight of an item positioned on the scale
Implementation Method 2
multiple temperature sensors, wherein each temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature proximate to a corresponding one of the load cells
Implementation Method 3
the processor is configured to determine a temperature compensated weight of the item positioned on the scale based at least in part on the detected weights and the detected temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Scales for use with cooking appliances such as pressure cookers, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In several implementations, a scale includes load cells configured to detect a weight of a cooking appliance placed on the scale and any food therein. The scale can further include temperature sensors positioned proximate to corresponding ones of the load cells and configured to detect the temperature proximate to each of the load cells. A processor within or external to the scale is communicatively coupled to the load cells and the temperature sensors, and is configured to determine the weight of the cooking appliance and food based at least in part on the detected weights and the detected temperatures.