Method for providing information on the cooking of a food item, and associated apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking appliances lack the ability to provide users with appropriate information and automatic cooking options that ensure a favorable organoleptic result, texture, and color, making it difficult for users to achieve desired cooking outcomes easily and reproducibly.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with a memory for storing different temperatures, means for measuring food thickness and surface area, and a system for calculating and indicating cooking time based on selected temperatures, thickness, and surface area, using temperature sensors and a luminous display for user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cooking appliances provide basic heating functions, then cooking capability is achieved, but the ability to provide appropriate cooking information and achieve favorable organoleptic results is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking qualityVSAvoidcooking information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by measuring the actual temperature of the heating plate during cooking and using this information to adjust or inform the cooking process. Temperature sensors continuously monitor the heating plate temperature and provide data back to the control system, enabling the appliance to provide accurate cooking information to the user and adjust cooking parameters to achieve desired organoleptic results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information system that mediates between the heating function and the user. This includes display interfaces, audio outputs, or mobile device communications that translate raw temperature and time data into meaningful cooking information, helping users understand the cooking state and achieve favorable results without needing expert knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If cooking appliances use fixed cooking times, then operation is simple, but the ability to adapt to different food characteristics and temperatures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidcooking adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the cooking time and temperature parameters adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system can modify cooking parameters in real-time based on measured temperature, food type selection, and cooking stage, allowing the same appliance to handle various cooking scenarios from quick searing to slow cooking while maintaining ease of use through automated adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the cooking appliance to vary temperature, time, and power levels based on detected conditions and user selections. The system stores multiple cooking programs with different parameter sets and can dynamically adjust these parameters during cooking based on actual temperature measurements and food characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If cooking appliances lack temperature measurement and calculation capabilities, then device complexity is low, but cooking precision and reproducibility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking precisionVSAvoidappliance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical estimation methods with electronic measurement and calculation systems. Temperature sensors, microprocessors, and algorithms substitute for manual timing and temperature guessing, providing precise measurement and calculation of cooking parameters. This electronic substitution enables reproducible cooking results while managing complexity through integrated control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If cooking appliances require manual monitoring and adjustment, then flexibility is high, but ease of operation and reproducibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking easeVSAvoidcooking automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the cooking appliance to automatically monitor, measure, calculate, and adjust cooking parameters without continuous user intervention. The system autonomously tracks temperature, calculates remaining cooking time, adjusts power levels, and provides progress information, allowing users to simply initiate the cooking process and retrieve the finished food while maintaining high flexibility through programmable options.

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

The appliance ensures easy and reproducible cooking by providing users with precise information and automatic cooking adjustments, simplifying the cooking process while maintaining quality and allowing for customizable cooking preferences.

Implementation Method 1

a cooking appliance with at least one heating plate for cooking the food in question in contact with it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

with a view to bringing the food into contact with the heating plate(s) and a calculation by the device of the cooking time of the food

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP2804514B1Method for providing information on the cooking of a food item, and associated apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.05.31 SEB SA
  • EP2804514B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2804514B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2804514B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of an apparatus for cooking a food cooked by contact, characterized in that the apparatus is made to transmit information to a user after a period of time during which the food is heated by the resistor(s) has elapsed, said period of time depending on at least one value of the internal cooking temperature of the food, which is pre-stored in a memory of the apparatus at the factory prior to the first operational use thereof.