Method for operating a domestic cooking appliance and domestic cooking appliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking technologies face challenges in achieving a desired surface property of food efficiently and dynamically, particularly in household appliances like microwave ovens, as they require complex control systems and memory for multiple data sets to manage heating distributions effectively.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating a household cooking appliance that uses sensors to determine surface properties of food and adjusts microwave radiation parameters iteratively to achieve a target distribution, employing a simple sensor for real-time control and minimal data storage, allowing for quick iteration steps and effective heating distribution management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex control systems and memory for multiple data sets are used to manage heating distributions, then the desired surface property of food can be achieved more effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface property distributionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensor data representing actual surface property distributions is continuously fed back to the control system. The control system compares this feedback with target distributions and dynamically adjusts microwave radiation parameter configurations accordingly, enabling effective surface property control without requiring complex pre-programmed control systems or large memory capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple parameter configurations are used to treat food differently locally, then the desired surface property distribution can be achieved, but the quantity of data to be stored and processed increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface property distributionVSAvoiddata storage requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes multiple parameter configurations of the microwave radiation source that can be changed dynamically during the cooking process. These parameter changes allow the system to achieve different local treatment effects on the food surface without requiring storage of extensive data sets, as the same hardware parameters are reconfigured iteratively based on sensor feedback to produce the desired surface property distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If iterative treatment steps are performed to achieve target surface properties, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the time required for cooking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface property distributionVSAvoidcooking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through iterative treatment cycles where the microwave radiation is applied in repeated cycles with parameter configurations being adjusted between cycles based on sensor feedback. This periodic approach allows the system to progressively achieve the target surface property distribution while managing total cooking time, as each iteration builds upon the previous state rather than requiring continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 method enables rapid and efficient achievement of desired surface properties in food, such as temperature or browning, with intelligent control of microwave ovens, using a straightforward sensor system and minimal computational effort, applicable to both microwave and conventional cooking appliances.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one food treatment device comprises a microwave device for introducing microwaves into the cooking chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

different field distributions of the microwaves in the cooking chamber can be generated by at least two parameter configurations of the microwave device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

the at least one sensor comprises at least one infrared sensor directed into the cooking chamber for determining measured value distributions on the food to be cooked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3877703B1Method for operating a domestic cooking appliance and domestic cooking appliance
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3877703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3877703B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3877703B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (S1-S11) in which a food handling device (6) is operated for a time period (Δt) with a parameter configuration (Sq), in order to handle food (G). Following the expiration of the time period (Δt), a measured value distribution <Vp> of a surface property of the food (G) is determined by means of a sensor (9). A pattern of change <E(Sq)> is calculated from a comparison of the p-th measured value distribution <Vp> with a measured value distribution <Vp -1>. And for all patterns of change {<E(Sq)>} stored hitherto in the course of said method, a respective assessment value Bq is calculated which represents a difference between a deviation of a target distribution <Z> from the measured value distribution <Vp> and a deviation of the target distribution <Z> from a prediction pattern <V'p>, the prediction pattern <V'p> forming a superimposition of the measured value distribution <Vp> with the respective pattern of change <E(Sq)>, and the parameter configuration (Sq) of which the assessment value Bq meets at least one predetermined criterion is set.