Networked Food Processor Control for Synchronized Kitchen Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen appliances with electric motors lack integrated networking capabilities and advanced communication features, limiting their ability to synchronize operations and provide enhanced user experiences, maintenance, and data management.

Innovation Solution

Equipping kitchen appliances with radio or telephone electronics for network connectivity, enabling master/slave operations, voice communication, and data transmission, along with features like a loudspeaker, microphone, camera module, payment processing, and individualization through SIM cards or codes, allowing for synchronized cooking, maintenance checks, and data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If kitchen appliances are equipped with radio or telephone electronics for network connectivity, then communication capabilities and synchronized operations are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivity capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The kitchen appliance is equipped with radio or telephone electronics that enable multiple communication functions including network connectivity, voice communication, data transmission, and payment processing. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to perform various communication tasks, improving adaptability while managing complexity through integrated design

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

2Productivity

If kitchen appliances are connected in a network with master/slave operation, then synchronized cooking processes are improved, but system complexity and coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronized cooking capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master appliance automatically transmits preparation data to slave appliances, and slave appliances automatically receive and execute the synchronized cooking process without requiring manual coordination. This self-service mechanism reduces the perceived complexity for users while enabling efficient synchronized operations across multiple appliances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If voice communication and data transmission features are added, then user interaction and information exchange are improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The radio or telephone electronics are activated periodically or on-demand for specific communication tasks such as voice communication, data transmission, or payment processing, rather than remaining continuously active. This periodic activation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when communication features are needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2428146B1Number of kitchen machines operated by electric motors
Publication Date: 2013.03.06 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH

AI summary

The electrically-operated food processor has a mixing bowl and a drive for an agitator in the mixing bowl. A power plug is provided, where an appropriate electronic device is provided for reception and evaluation of radio or telephone signals. A wireless electronic device is arranged in the food processor which is designed with a system for a grid-based telephone.