Ohmic Heating Cooking Control Using Electrical Conductivity Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ohmic heating technologies face challenges in controlling the reaction rate of foods due to changes in electrolytes, leading to unstable cooking results, especially for liquids and viscous substances, making it difficult to achieve consistent cooking quality.

Innovation Solution

A cooking control method and apparatus that monitors the electrical conductivity and energy of food during the cooking process, adjusting parameters to maintain a constant electrical conductivity and energy levels, ensuring stable cooking by compensating for changes in electrolytes and reaction rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If ohmic heating is used for cooking food materials, then heating speed and uniformity are improved, but control stability deteriorates due to electrolyte changes in food

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidcooking control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control mechanism by monitoring the electrical conductivity of food materials during ohmic heating and comparing it with pre-stored standard electrical conductivity values. Based on the comparison results, the system automatically adjusts cooking parameters (power, time, pressure) to maintain optimal cooking conditions despite electrolyte changes in the food, thereby resolving the control stability issue while preserving the fast heating advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes cooking parameters (power output, cooking time, pressure) based on real-time electrical conductivity measurements of the food. By adjusting these parameters in response to detected conductivity variations, the system maintains stable cooking control while continuing to benefit from the rapid heating capability of ohmic heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If cooking parameters are adjusted frequently to maintain stability, then cooking control precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking control precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing standard electrical conductivity values for different food materials and their cooking stages before the actual cooking process. This preparation allows the system to quickly compare real-time measurements against known standards and make precise adjustments without requiring complex real-time calculations, thereby achieving high cooking control precision while keeping the control system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If electrical conductivity monitoring is continuously performed, then cooking precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of electrical conductivity at key cooking stages rather than continuous monitoring. The system measures conductivity at intervals and compares with standard values, adjusting parameters only when necessary. This periodic approach maintains adequate cooking precision while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring

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

The method and apparatus enhance the stability and intelligence of the cooking process by maintaining consistent electrical conductivity, resulting in precise control over the cooking progress and improved user experience.

Implementation Method 1

ohmic heating, as a promising new heating method, utilizes the dielectric properties of food itself. When an electric current passes through, electrical energy is converted into thermal energy within the food

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhmic heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a first electrical conductivity of the food material to be cooked and energy obtained by the food material to be cooked are monitored in a cooking process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4684703A1Cooking control method and apparatus, medium, and cooking device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCE INC OF ZHUHAI
  • EP4684703A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4684703A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4684703A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a cooking control method and apparatus, a medium and a cooking device. The method comprises: acquiring initial cooking parameters of a food material to be cooked in a cooking device; cooking the food material to be cooked according to the initial cooking parameters, and monitoring a first electrical conductivity of the food material to be cooked and energy obtained by the food material to be cooked in a cooking process; on the basis of a relationship between a standard electrical conductivity of the food material to be cooked at a cooking moment corresponding to the first electrical conductivity and the first electrical conductivity, adjusting the initial cooking parameters until the first electrical conductivity is equal to the standard electrical conductivity, and then restoring the initial cooking parameters; continuously cooking the food material to be cooked according to the initial cooking parameters, and terminating cooking when the energy obtained by the food material to be cooked reaches preset energy required for the food material to be cooked to reach a cooked state. By regulating controllable factors of a cooking process, on the basis of satisfying cooking requirements of food, the stability and intelligence of the cooking process are improved by maintaining a constant electrical conductivity, thereby improving the usage experience of users.