Multi-Zone Cooking Appliance Heating Pattern Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current oven appliances struggle to accurately determine and adjust cooking times and power levels for multiple food items in different zones, leading to undercooked or overcooked foods.

Innovation Solution

A cooking appliance with multiple zones and independently operable heating elements, controlled by a system that receives temperature requests from each zone and adjusts heating patterns accordingly, including the ability to cancel and adjust heating patterns based on the presence or absence of food items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple heating elements are used to cook multiple food items simultaneously in different zones, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately determine and adjust cooking times and power levels for each food item

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking multiple food items simultaneouslyVSAvoidcooking time and power level accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking chamber is divided into multiple independently controllable heating zones, each with its own heating element and temperature control. This segmentation allows different food items in different zones to be cooked simultaneously with customized heating patterns, resolving the contradiction between cooking multiple items and maintaining precise cooking control for each item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts heating patterns for each zone based on detected food items and their respective cooking requirements. The controller modifies power levels and heating cycles in real-time for each heating element, enabling precise cooking control across multiple zones simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If cooking algorithms are used to approximate cooking parameters for multiple food items, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to undercooked or overcooked foods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic cooking parameter determinationVSAvoidcooking completion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates detection mechanisms that monitor the presence, state, and cooking progress of food items in each zone. This feedback information is used by the controller to adjust heating patterns in real-time, replacing static approximation algorithms with dynamic, condition-based control that ensures reliable cooking outcomes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking system automatically detects food items and adjusts heating parameters without requiring manual intervention from the user. The system serves itself by monitoring cooking progress and autonomously modifying heating patterns to achieve proper cooking results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If food items are added or removed during cooking operation, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to negative impact on cooking operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add or remove food itemsVSAvoidcooking operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heating control system dynamically responds to changes in food item presence by detecting when items are added or removed from any zone and immediately adjusting the heating pattern for that zone. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliable cooking operation despite changes in the cooking load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares heating patterns in advance for different food item configurations and quickly transitions between pre-planned heating patterns when food items are added or removed, minimizing disruption to the cooking operation and maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 solution allows for precise control of cooking parameters across multiple zones, ensuring that food items are cooked to the correct temperature and reducing the risk of undercooking or overcooking.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of heating elements provided within the cooking chamber, each of the plurality of heating elements being independently operated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250137651A1Cooking appliance including multiple heating zones and methods for operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method of operating a cooking appliance including multiple cooking zones is provided. The method includes receiving a first temperature for a first zone and a second temperature for a second zone, determining a first heating pattern based on the first and second temperatures and the first and second zones, determining a second heating pattern based on one of the first or second temperatures, performing the first heating pattern, determining that the second temperature request has been canceled, and performing the second heating pattern after the second temperature request has been canceled.