Multi-Layer Food Load Model for Precision Cooking Parameter Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking systems lack the ability to precisely control the heating of multiple layers of a food load to achieve desired cooking parameters, as they do not account for varying heat absorption relationships between different layers, leading to inconsistent cooking results.

Innovation Solution

A cooking system with a controller that accesses a food load model comprising multiple layers with distinct heat absorption relationships, allowing for the calculation of a heat exchange model and the selective activation of heat sources to achieve uniform cooking parameters across each layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single-layer cooking model is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of cooking parameters for multi-layer food is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking parameter precisionVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The food load is divided into multiple layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) with distinct heat absorption relationships. Each layer is modeled separately with its own cooking parameters, allowing precise control of heating for different portions of the food load while maintaining manageable model complexity through systematic segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different heat absorption relationships are assigned to different layers of the food load. The model accounts for varying thermal properties at different depths, enabling localized cooking parameter optimization for each layer rather than applying a uniform model to the entire food load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If multiple heat sources are used, then the productivity of cooking process is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking efficiencyVSAvoidheating system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple heat sources (microwave, convection, steam) are combined into a single integrated heating apparatus controlled by one controller. The controller coordinates these heat sources using the multi-layer model to achieve efficient cooking while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent heating systems through unified control architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating apparatus is designed to perform multiple cooking functions (microwave heating, convection heating, steam injection) within a single device. This multi-functional approach improves cooking productivity and versatility while maintaining a unified system structure that manages complexity through integrated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system ensures that each layer of the food load is cooked to a desired parameter, enhancing cooking precision and consistency by simulating the heat exchange relationships and activating heat sources accordingly.

Implementation Method 1

calculate a heat exchange model based on the first heat absorption relationship and the second heat absorption relationship

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a first layer indicating a first heat absorption relationship and a second layer indicating a second heat absorption relationship

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3529536B1System and method for food preparation utilizing a multi-layer model
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 WHIRLPOOL CORP
  • EP3529536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3529536B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3529536B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A cooking system is disclosed. The cooking system comprises a controller in communication with a heating apparatus and a user interface. The controller is configured to access a cooking model for a selected food. The cooking model comprises a first layer indicating a first heat absorption relationship and a second layer indicating a second heat absorption relationship. The controller is further configured to receive a first cooking parameter from the user interface for the first layer and a second cooking parameter from the user interface for the second layer. The controller may further calculate a heat exchange model based on the first heat absorption relationship and the second heat absorption relationship.