An outdoor cooking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor cooking devices, such as barbecues, require continuous monitoring to ensure even cooking, which can be impractical due to unpredictable weather conditions and the time-consuming nature of outdoor cooking.
Innovation Solution
An outdoor cooking device equipped with a cooking section, heating elements, food holders with spindles, sensors for weighing and measuring food thickness, and a controller that automatically adjusts cooking temperature and rotation speed based on the weight and thickness of the food.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If continuous monitoring is implemented to ensure even cooking, then cooking quality is improved, but operator workload and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking device automatically monitors and adjusts cooking parameters without requiring continuous human intervention. Sensors detect food weight, thickness, and cooking progress, while the controller autonomously regulates heating elements and rotation speed to ensure even cooking, freeing the operator from constant monitoring duties
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously measure food weight, thickness, and cooking status, feeding this information back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust heating power and rotation speed, maintaining optimal cooking conditions throughout the process without human intervention
2Ease of operation
If automatic control systems are added to reduce monitoring requirements, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual monitoring and adjustment operations are replaced with an automated control system comprising sensors, microcontroller, and actuation mechanisms. The system uses electronic sensing (weight sensors, thickness sensors) and control (motor control, heating element control) to replace the need for continuous manual intervention, achieving hands-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs multiple functions integrated into a single unit: it monitors food weight, measures thickness, tracks cooking time, regulates heating elements, and controls rotation speed. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into one unified control system, managing complexity through integration
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple sensors and actuators are integrated for automatic control, then cooking quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions (weight measurement, thickness measurement, temperature monitoring) and control functions (heating regulation, rotation control) are merged into an integrated control system. The sensors and actuators are coordinated through a central controller that processes information from all sensors and coordinates all actuators, achieving precise cooking control while managing system complexity through integration
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 hands-free outdoor cooking, ensuring even cooking without constant supervision, and enables remote control of cooking parameters via wireless connectivity, enhancing convenience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
at least one motor; and a controller adapted to control the at least one motor to turn the spindle of the food holder
Implementation Method 2
one or more heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
An outdoor cooking device such as a barbeque is described. It has a cooking section and a support to elevate the cooking section. It has one or more heating elements, at least one food holder, having a spindle, at least one sensor and at least one motor. The sensor comprises measuring means configured to weigh a corresponding one of the plurality of food holders and/or measure thickness of food that is held thereby. A controller is provided (locally or in combination with a wireless handset) to control the motor(s) to turn the spindle of the food holder based on a weight of the food holder and/or thickness of the food.