Modular cooking appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food-service operators require multiple types of ovens to cook various food items, which occupy valuable space and require multiple electrical connections, and existing solutions do not efficiently manage power usage across different oven types.
Innovation Solution
A modular cooking appliance with interchangeable oven modules, a single power connection, and a controller that stores cooking settings and allocates power efficiently across ovens, allowing for concurrent cooking while managing power within a single-phase 50-Amp outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of ovens are used to cook various food items, then cooking versatility is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel serves multiple functions: it displays available food items, identifies which oven type is installed (convection, microwave, or combination), and provides appropriate cooking instructions based on the detected oven configuration. This universal interface adapts to different oven types without requiring separate control systems for each oven type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its behavior based on which oven type is detected. The control panel modifies its displayed options and cooking parameters according to the installed oven configuration, allowing the same device to serve different cooking functions without physical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different types of ovens are used to cook various food items, then cooking versatility is improved, but occupied space increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single cooking device incorporates multiple oven types (convection, microwave, combination) within one unit, allowing it to perform multiple cooking functions without requiring separate ovens on the countertop. The universal control panel manages all oven types through one interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple oven types into a single integrated cooking appliance. Instead of placing separate convection ovens, microwave ovens, and combination ovens on the countertop, the system merges these functions into one device that can operate in different modes depending on the installed oven type.
3Power
If multiple electrical power plugs are used for different ovens, then power availability is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel provides a universal power management interface that works with different oven types (convection, microwave, combination) without requiring separate power connections for each oven type. The system detects the installed oven type and manages power distribution accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management system dynamically adapts to the installed oven type and adjusts power distribution accordingly. The control panel modifies its operation based on whether a convection oven, microwave oven, or combination oven is installed, optimizing power usage without requiring complex preconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular cooking apparatus is disclosed. The modular cooking apparatus includes a housing having a first interchangeable cooking module, a second interchangeable cooking module, and a single power connection for receiving electrical power from a wall outlet. The first interchangeable cooking module contains a first oven, and the second interchangeable cooking module contains a second oven. The second oven is a different oven type from the first oven. The modular cooking apparatus also includes a controller within the housing for controlling the first and second ovens. The controller includes a memory for storing a list of food items to be cooked within the modular cooking apparatus and a corresponding oven type for each of the food items. The modular cooking apparatus further includes a control panel on the housing for displaying only the food items for which the first oven or the second oven is a corresponding oven type.