Oven Cooking Accessory Coupling With Accessory Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oven-powered cooking accessories lack effective communication and control capabilities, limiting their functionality due to the restricted power output range of ovens and the inability to provide specific control options based on accessory characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A powered cooking accessory with a device coupling that includes an identification element encoded with information about its characteristics, allowing communication with the oven to receive electrical power and provide customized control options based on the accessory's type and configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an identification element is added to enable communication between the accessory and oven, then the functionality and control capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification element is integrated within the device coupling structure, which itself connects to the oven's power system. The coupling contains both power transmission conductors and the identification element in a nested arrangement, allowing communication functionality to be added without requiring a separate external communication device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device coupling serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power transmission through conductive elements and enables accessory identification through the identification element. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both power delivery and communication needs, reducing overall system complexity.

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

2Power

If the oven provides power to the accessory, then the accessory functionality is improved, but the power output range is limited by the oven's capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidpower range
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The identification element enables the oven to receive information about the accessory's characteristics and requirements. Based on this feedback, the oven can adjust its power output to match the specific needs of different accessories, optimizing power delivery within the available range and enabling tailored cooking functions for each accessory type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3006832B1Powered cooking accessory for an oven cavity
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 WHIRLPOOL CORP
  • EP3006832B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3006832B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3006832B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A powered cooking accessory (10) for use in an oven (12) includes a body (14) receivable within an interior (16) of the oven (12). An electronic device (18) is received within a portion of the body (14), and a device coupling (20) extends from the body (14). The device coupling (20) includes a power coupling (21), a power line (43), and an identification element (23) encoded with information regarding at least one characteristic of the accessory (10). The device coupling (20) is configured to couple to the oven (12) at the power coupling (21) to receive electrical power from the oven (12) and to communicate the information encoded with the identification element (23) to the oven (12).